(951) 659-2145 - Idyllwild Town Crier

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Page 16 - Idyllwild Town Crier, January 12, 2006 Idyllwild Fire considers work schedule change By J.P. Crumrine Assistant Editor The Idyllwild Fire Protection District (IFPD) commission agreed to ask Steve Kunkle, IFPD fire chief, to meet with the Idyllwild Career Firefighters (ICF) to discuss its new work schedule proposal. At the last meeting in November — the December meeting was delayed to last week — the ICF asked the commission to meet and OK a change to the work schedule. Currently, the six career firefighters work a “modified Kelly” schedule — 24-hour work days alternate, one on, Major Appliances Sales and Service next off, one on until 72 hours are worked. Then the firefighter has four days off. The group requested the commission to consider two consecutive work days followed by the four off days. The total work days and hours per month and year do not change, according to Jack Peckham, ICF president. Other districts in the region use the shift schedule and are pleased with the results, he said. The commission approved IFPD Vice President George Kretsinger’s motion to appoint Kunkle as its representative to discuss the proposed work schedule change. After discussion, the commission voted 3-1, with Commissioner Mike Lande objecting and Commissioner Lloyd Vaught absent, to adopt Kretsinger’s motion. Lande objected for several reasons. One of his principal concerns was reopening the contract almost 18 months prior to its expiration. “It’s a terrible precedent to change a labor contract in the middle,” he argued. “It shouldn’t be discussed until July 2007. We’re only six months into a two-year contract.” But Kretsinger disagreed. He replied that the only change being considered would be the days the firefighters come to work. Nothing will change the total hours or months worked or the package’s total compensation. The majority of the commission preferred to allow the chief to negotiate the work schedule and are willing to accept his decision. During the debate, he indicated he would probably agree to the ICF’s proposal as long as it was initially viewed as an experiment that could be terminated. However, he said it is easier to accept because of the IFPD workload. “I would be opposed if we were a larger station, say 17 to 20 calls per day. Then we’d need the rest between shifts,” he shared with the commission. “But with 1.8 calls per day this year, it’s not horrible even if it goes up to 1.9. This department just doesn’t have significant call volume. I can’t find a problem with this.” Kretsinger was adamant that the change proceed as a trial and asked the chief to monitor the results and particularly the use of overtime. Peckham concurred that the work schedule should be introduced on a trial basis. “We’re happy with the decison and willing to abide with the results,” he added. “I don’t want it to impact the district — fiscally or operationally,” stressed Glen McWilliams, IFPD president. “Let the chief decide.” In other commission business, Treasurer Craig Coopersmith replied to an audit report from the State’s Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). The controversy is over the credit of payments IFPD made that CalPERS has not recognized for several years although the district has the canceled checks. “The credits have not happened. We’ve sent the money,” Kunkle said. “The auditor said ‘OK,’ but the report didn’t reflect those opinions.” This question over the payment credits has been ongoing for several years and CalPERS has not yet responded to Coopersmith’s letter. In other business, the commission discussed the need to approve checks written during the month. This is a standard action for public bodies, but several IFPD members asked, “Why are we doing this and what happens if we say ‘No’” Their questions arose because the bills had already been paid and the checks issued. McWilliams explained that several years ago, the commission had to sign all the checks at the meeting. This action item was remnant of that past procedure. “You’re approving the expenditure of public funds,” responded Kunkle. “Perhaps it would be more accurate to replace ‘approval’ with ‘acknowledgment.’ This is your acknowledgment to the public that you’re accountable.” 26500A Hwy. 243 Idyllwild.appliances@verizon.net Chris Rockwell 951/659/9845 Fax 951/659/4905 Donated by: Dr. Norman Mellor PILATES Strength Training Weight Management Injury Rehab. Tues. & Thurs. PILATES Mat Class Town Hall 10:30 a.m. Judi Way 1-951-659-6042 Idyllwild 2006 Idyllwild Calendars! Featuring the winning images from the Idyllwild Town Crier’s 6th-Annual Photo Contest. Fourteen exquisite color images printed on high-quality gloss paper in an 8-1/2x11" format (11x17" open). Just $9.95 each plus tax. Stop by the Town Crier at 54295 Village Center Drive in Idyllwild, or call (951) 659-2145. Or you can order online at www.towncrier.com. If you buy gift calendars, we will ship them for you with a gift card in your name. Shipping charges are $3 per calendar. Also available at Baker Galleries in Oakwood Village Idyllwild General Store in Strawberry Creek Square Idyllwild Trading Company on North Circle Drive SAVE 25% ON YOUR DISPLAY AD During the Idyllwild Town Crierʼs Customer Appreciation Week! Pass on the savings … show your customers your appreciation with savings for them in this business-generating special section! Deadline: Noon, Monday, Jan. 16, 2006 Published in the January 19th issue of the Town Crier. Call Grace 659-2145
Editor’s note: “Tax tips” appears weekly throughout tax season. Two tax professionals on the Hill alternately write the column. This week the column is authored by Stephen T. Peppler, E.A., C.F.P. About this time of year, we begin to collect all the information needed to properly file our income tax returns. Since it’s been a year, I have listed below some of the items you will want to look for: Your employer is required to send you your W-2 form by Jan. 31. If it looks wrong, contact your employer. If you can’t locate your employer, you’ll need to collect your pay stubs. You will need to locate the 1099-INT and 1099-DIV forms for each account that pays interest or dividends. Even tax-exempt interest must be listed on the return. Sales of stock, bonds or mutual funds are listed on Form 100-B. You will need to research your original cost and purchase dates for stocks and bonds and obtain a costbasis statement for the mutual Idyllwild Realty North Circle Office 54295 N. Circle Dr., Idyllwild, CA 92549 951-659-2125 off. 951-659-2235 res. 951-316-5213 cell Idyllwild Town Crier, January 12, 2006 - Page 17 It’s countdown to your tax return filing time funds you sold. If the company does not furnish you with a cost-basis statement, you will need to assemble a complete history of your time in the fund, including deposits, redemptions and reinvested dividends. Your financial planner should be able to help you with this. Form 1098 reports the interest you paid on your mortgage last year. If you refinanced last year, you will want to get form 1098 or the settlement statement showing the points you paid. If you have a seller-financed mortgage, you will need their Social Security number, name and address. You will need to know the date and amount of estimated taxes paid. If you sold property, you will need the settlement statement plus a record of the improvements made to the property over time. If you had childcare expenses, your preparer will need to know the name, address, telephone number and tax identification number of the provider, in addition to Tax tips By Stephen T. Peppler, EA, CFP the amount paid. Student loan payments are reported on form 1098-E and tuition is reported on form 1098-T. Both can be used to lower your taxes. You will want to assemble all the necessary records of your charitable contributions, both cash/check and non-cash. If your non-cash contributions total more than $500, you will need the date contributed, items donated, the receiving organization, its address, the value LET’S MAKE A DEAL! $419,000 MLS#2579 Avoid bank charges, owner is carrying, or will consider lease or lease/option. of the items and how you determined it. If a single gift is more than $250, you should have a receipt from the charity. If you donated a car, consult your preparer for special requirements. If you are receiving Social Security, you will need form 1099-SSA that lists your gross benefits before deductions. If deducting business mileage, make sure your log showing dates, miles driven and business purpose is in order. This expense is a frequent audit target. When you make a business purchase of equipment, furniture or vehicle for your business use, you need to list these items separately and show the date bought. January is a good time to get started on the sometimedemanding task of assembling your records. It is a good time to contact your tax preparer to ask questions regarding the records and documentation required to ensure you receive all the deductions for which you are entitled. MAGGIE MORPHETT FROM PEAKS TO CREEKS, FOR A WORRY-FREE TRANSACTION — USE ME! FERN VALLEY CHARMER $299,900 MLS#2667 Facts and online discussion about your water: hillwaterissues.blogspot.com Local Unification Gadfly Merchandise: www.cafepress.com/HillLugNuts Brand, spanking new construction in great Fern Valley location within minutes of hiking trails. Two bedrooms, two baths, forced-air heating and air conditioning, hardwood and carpeting, all new. BANANA BELT VIEWS LISTED AT $379,000 MLS#2569 This cozy cabin with two beds, 1.5 baths & laundry is set on over a quarter of an acre within walking distance of the Village and hiking trails. Cute country kitchen/dining opens to deck and views of the mountains. Living room has vaulted ceiling, French doors and newer wood burning stove. LOVELY CEDAR HOME WITH VIEWS LISTED AT $449,900 MLS#2681 Lovely home with knotty pine and vaulted ceiling. Open plan living leads to sliders and fabulous deck to enjoy the views. Two beds, two baths on main level. Lots of lower level space for third bedroom, hobbies, workshop, etc., F/A & A/C, plus fenced area for pets. Beautiful view property — enjoy San Jacinto & Lily Rock from house and hot tub on deck. This 4 bedroom, 3 bath, cedar-constructed home also features solarium, large living/dining/kitchen for gracious living & entertaining plus attached garage & workshop. ELEGANT CEDAR MOUNTAIN HOME LISTED AT $575,000 MLS#2567 Cedar-sided home overlooking Dutch Meadows. Huge country kitchen with 2 ovens + built-in microwave. Formal dining (presently used as office); central vacuum, 2 airtight wood stoves + F/A; kids’ playroom in attic; new 1,700 sq. ft. garage, circular driveway, room for RV parking; approx. 1 acre all fenced. Wonderful wildlife-friendly setting in the midst of lovely trees and boulders. Enjoy your morning coffee with birds and squirrels tapping at your window.
Page 1 and 2: News bites Passing crash Four vehic
Page 3 and 4: Outside Idyllwild Backpacker’s ch
Page 5 and 6: Mountain folk D a n i e l F i d d l
Page 7 and 8: Town talk By Michael Erlich, Staff
Page 9 and 10: Review Continued from page 1 said J
Page 11 and 12: Idyllwild Town Crier, January 12, 2
Page 13 and 14: David Jason Occupation: U.S. Forest
Page 15: Idyllwild Town Crier, January 12, 2
Page 23 and 24: Fireplace safety tips The Chimney S
Page 27 and 28: Bee Continued from page 19 Since th
Page 33 and 34: Electrical Contractors Resident Sin
Page 35 and 36: Creature corner By Jane Stonehill T

(951) 659-2145 - Idyllwild Town Crier

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?