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Greetings Dear Clerks!
Guess what I'm standing in! On our way to the Marcus Cider Festival, October 4, 2008, my husband, Keith, and I dropped by to watch our friend, Barb Nelson, of the Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency, participate in her final cow-roping event of the year in Colville. I cannot tell a lie. This is the first Saturday I ever spent in the pouring rain, ankle deep in cowpies, with Wishy, aka Girlie, the Horse. That's Barb in the cowboy hat. I think I look right at home.......and have even been invited for a return engagement in the Spring.
Keith and I proceded onto Marcus for a delightful afternoon with Mayor Fran Bolt and Clerk/Treasurer Bev Lange. The drive was beautiful; winding along the side of Lake Roosevelt. The Cider Festival was resplendent with live music, remarkable arts & crafts, a beer garden, and delicious food. We're going to make a return engagement there, also, next year on October 3, 2009. Let's all rendezvous for a terrific fall celebration.
Yours in fresh air, great friends, and shoe cleaner,
Karen Semerad and all your friends at BIAS
(Pictured from left to right, Karen Semerad,BIAS Happy Lady; Wishy the Horse; and Barb Nelson, Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency...and Cow Roper Extraordinaire.)
Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency
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Nov & Dec 2008 AWC Training
Open Government: What Local Government Officials Need to Know About WA's Public Records Act and Open Public Meetings Act
November 17, 2008 Pasco
November 18, 2008 Spokane
December 2, 2008 Lakewood
December 3, 2008 Mount Vernon
Registration Cost is $75.00
"A
citizen’s first contact with local government is often the Open Public
Meetings Act (OPMA) and the Public Records Act (PRA). While most
violations of these laws are unintentional, a single misstep can
quickly erode the public confidence you’ve worked so hard and long to
build.
The
workshop facilitators will give you information about “best practices”
and provide you with materials for making your meetings and public
records programs run smoothly and efficiently. And they’ll also point
out “red flags”—actions that may raise concerns. And because the
workshop is for all types of local governments, it will be a great
opportunity to meet and establish relationships with other local
officials in your region."
For more information on the Workshops, contact Sheri Sawyer, at sheris@awcnet.org or (360) 753-4137.
AWC: Open Government Workshops
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Social Security Online: Business Services Online
Let's prepare to submit Tax Year 2008 W-2's electronically by registering for your User ID now! Remember, the huge advantage to filing W-2's electronically is the fact the due date to submit them to the Social Security Administration is extended from 02/28/09 to 03/31/09. You are still required to distribute them to employees by 01/31/09.
The Electronic W-2 Filing User Handbook for Tax Year 2008 is now available online.
Business Services Online (BSO), enables organizations and authorized individuals to conduct business with and submit confidential information to the Social Security Administration. If you are a new user, you must register to create a password and receive your User ID. Registered users may Request, Activitate, and Access various BSO services and functions.
Social Security Business Services Online
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BIAS Software: 2nd Annual User Conference - The Davenport Hotel - December 8-9, 2008
The time is quickly approaching for the 2nd Annual BIAS User Conference, 12/08 to 12/09/08. We look forward to seeing everyone at the 4-Star Davenport Hotel & Tower. Conference Registration packets are mailed.
You will enjoy the presentations of the fine group of speakers we assembled. In addition to the great learning opportunities, our Client Recognition Dinner will be an event not to be missed. Join us for an enchanting evening at the beautifully decorated Davenport Hotel. There will be an atmosphere of opulence and the opportunity to view the stunning trees that comprise the Spokane Symphony's Annual Event: Christmas Tree Elegance.
Call or email me if you have any questions: 800-733-3276 or karen@biasaccounting.com
BIAS Software 2nd Annual User Conference
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November Bouquet of Unconditional Love
White roses for Casey, aka Surfer Boy. Rest in peace, dear friend.
"If you have a dog, you most likely will outlive it; to get a dog is to open yourself to profound joy and, prospectively, to equally profound sadness." ~Marjorie Garber
The BBC aka BIAS Book Club Suggested Reading:
"Dogs Never Lie About Love: Reflections on the Emotional World of Dogs" Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson
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| MRSC Financial Advisor: Budgeting Issues - Red Flags You Should Think About (October 2008) by Toni Nelson
Toni has written another timely article pertinent to the current budget season. She knows the creation, review, and adoption of your budget is your main focus. Her article identifies some red flags you should consider as you develop your budget document and analyze what will be presented for budget hearings.
Budgeting Issues - Red Flags You Should Think About |
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| AWC: Communicating Your Budget to Your Citizens
AWC created a "Budget Toolkit" that includes a series of checklists, articles, and templates that entities of all sizes can use to communicate more effectively with their citizens. You can use it in newsletters, on your web site, or give to your local media to explain issues like budget, street maintenance, the impacts of initiatives, and the value of essential city services.
AWC Tool Kit: Communicating Your Budget to Your |
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| AWC: 2008 Small City Resource Manual
AWC's Small City Resource Manual is designed as an easy to use guide. It provides elected and appointed officials information on navigating the complexities of policy making, governance and operational matters primarily in cities 5000 and under.
AWC: 2008 Small City Resource Manual |
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| National Recreation and Park Association: New Federal Requirements for Pool Drains
"Public pools must be in compliance with the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool
and Spa Safety Act by December 19, 2008. A recent staff interpretation
by the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) has changed how this
law may impact public pools. The staff interpretation includes a
revised definition for what constitutes an unblockable drain, a new
requirement that all drains be equipped with ASME/ANSI certified covers
and a requirement that mandates additional devices or systems to
prevent entrapment in pools with a single main drain that is not deemed
to be unblockable."
Pool and Spa Safety Act: Overview, Clarification, and Frequently Asked Questions |
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