Minutes of the Southern Chapter Meeting – November 10, 2009

 Our November 10, 2009, meeting was held in Bedford at the Golden Corral.  Eleven members were present: John Kennard, Diane Knies, Tracy Monroe, Danny Schroeder, Chris Cunningham, April Arroyo-Monroe, Bryan Price, Steve Cale, Travis Goodman, Brenda Cummins, and Debbie Barnhizer.   

Guest speaker was Chris Wright from First Response Services, a structural drying and mold remediation company in Waverly, Indiana.  He can be contacted at 317-831-3108.  

Business Meeting – The business meeting was called to order at 10:20 PM.  

Treasurer – Treasurer Diane Knies reported a balance of $417.79.  She also reported that we have received NO payments on web links (advertisements) so far this year.   

Vector Control – ISDH entomologist, April Arroyo-Monroe, announced that 2009 was a “weird year” for mosquitoes because of the cool weather.  There were 35 Indiana counties reporting positive West Nile virus mosquito pools.  As for positive human cases of WNV, Marion County reported two; Johnson County, one.  The two cases in Marion County did result in one death.  There were also two human cases of LaCrosse encephalitis, one in Decatur and one in Knox County.   

The ISDH’s three-day mosquito class will be held December 9-11 at the lab on Shadeland Avenue.  They only have room for 12 participants, and the class is already full.  They are, however, planning another class in January.   

If your county received mosquito control money from the ISDH for the past 2 years, you are eligible to receive a $500 grant this year as well.  Let April or Bryan Price know if you need forms.  Purchases must be made by the LHDs and be reimbursed by the State.   

Food – Scott Gilliam and the food protection department have sent out e-mails to all locals regarding an LHD Data Collection Tool.  Please be sure to take a look at that.  

Wastewater – Retired ISDH Sanitary Engineering member Tim Decker is now home from his long stay in the hospital. J  It was happily reported that he is taking phone calls and sounding again like “good ol’ Tim”.  Denise Wright will be filling his old position.   

Preparedness – No report.  

Old business – April Arroyo-Monroe of the ISDH entomology department is more than happy to speak to anyone about bedbugs, wasps, spiders. etc.  Call her if you would like to share in her knowledge.   

New business – As evidenced by only 11 meeting attendees, IEHA meeting attendance is down.  Try to invite interested individuals to join.   

The Pumper Show will be in Louisville, Kentucky again in 2010 and is scheduled for February 24, 25, and 26.  Get online (http://www.pumpershow.com/), sign up early and save!  

December 2 & 3, 2009, is Orientation for new (and interested not-so-new) health department employees at the ISDH Rice Auditorium.  

IOWPA will hold a meeting January 25 & 26, 2010, in Canby, Indiana.  

The ISDH will be holding its Winter Meeting on March 3 & 4, 2010.   

2010 IEHA meetings will be held as follows on the 2^nd week of every 3^rd month:  

·                  February 9 – Stoll’s near Loogootee

·                  May 11 – Jasper (location to be decided)

·                  August 10 – Overlook in Leavenworth

·                  November 9 – Golden Coral in Bedford  

After lunch and fellowship, the meeting was adjourned at 1:20 PM.  

Meeting minutes taken and respectfully submitted by Tracy Monroe, IEHA Southern Chapter Secretary – November 19, 2009