Message from the President

Greetings TEHA!

Happy New Year! It is unbelievable that the first month of 2010 has come and gone ALREADY! I have thought for a few years of all the things that I would say in my President’s messages and now that the time is here…where do the words go? Here my thoughts for today: Being a member of TEHA is so much more than just the membership and the continuing education credits. So one might ask: What should it mean?

We are members of the largest Environmental Health organization in the United States, we are 50 plus years old, we are financially stable, and our growth continues. We are amongst the best Environmental Specialists in the World. For these honors to stand-we all need to continue to support our great organization-get involved, share ideas and be grateful of what role TEHA has played in each of our professional and sometimes personal lives. Whether you have been a member 2 months, 2 years, or 20 years…your thoughts and ideas are needed for us to have continued success for ourselves and TEHA-so I know we are all way too busy to commit to another project…but just take a few minutes and think about what you have to offer!

October will be here before we know it and Steve Killeen and his Program Chairmen are all working really hard to put a very nice program together for us! If you have any ideas, requests or have a suggested speaker-please let us know! Be sure and check out the calendar for upcoming meetings and events on the web site.

Just a few last words...”Attitude is an important part of the foundation upon which we build a productive life. A good attitude produces good results, a fair attitude poor results, a poor attitude poor results. We each shape our own life, and the shape of it is determined largely by our attitude.” - M. Russell Ballard
Wishing each of you a year filled with successes, newfound knowledge and a chance to reflect on the differences we do make in other’s lives!

Happy New Year!
Jodie

Chapter Reports

Central Texas
CTEHA's Dec. 3 meeting was a great success with 90 members in attendance and 15 new members. The City of San Marcos provides them with a free place to hold their meetings and city employees attend free. CTEHA will hold a TFER meeting with Ruth Hendy presenting May 26-27. They currently have 60 people registered with several more on a waiting list. Ruth reported that she would also be presenting the TFER in September for the South Texas Chapter. Lori said CTEHA had recently purchased a new computer and projector that would be available for use at the AEC. Lori also said the sale of TEHA T-shirts is going very well.

Lori Calzoncit, RS
Chapter President

East Texas
The year 2010 will be full of many challenges and exciting opportunities. Early this year, the East Texas Chapter will have a six-hour Coordinated Local Enforcement class in Nacogdoches conducted by John Ockels of the Texas Illegal Dumping Council.

On Wednesday, February 24, 2010, the East Texas Chapter will have a chapter meeting immediately following the "Texas Conference Against Tobacco" workshop in Tyler at the UT Tyler Campus. The workshop will educate and inform tobacco retailers of the enforcement issues and help eliminate sales to underage youth in the communities. Educational hours will be available in the TCLEOSE, Registered Sanitarian and Code Enforcement areas.

Planning is under way for a training with swimming pool rules and enforcement workshop, as well as a meeting for food safety and code compliance issues.

Kevin Hammett, CEO, Chapter President

Gulf Coast
The Gulf Coast chapter held a dual track meeting in Conroe on November 19, 2009. This meeting represented twin "firsts" for us; the dual track was a first and it was also a first for pre-registration. Even though the OSSF track was not approved by TCEQ untiil the day before the meeting, we managed 69 attendees for the day-long session. There is apparently a need for more of this kind of OSSF training statewide, so this year we expect to expand our program and mailing to attract more of these professionals.

Our food/general environmental track was attended by another 80 or so sanitarians and environmental investigators.

We also registered 42 new members (including some renewals).

A good time was had by all.

Conrad Janus, RS
Administration Chief

North Texas
Greetings! In the beginning of 2009, the North Texas Chapter of the Texas Environmental Health Association (TEHA) began its year with personal losses, job losses, and ended the year showing perseverance, strength and tenacity. Through it all, North Texas has impacted our communities with EXCELLENCE! The City of North Richland Hills Health Department was awarded the TEHA Texas Excellence Award in the division of "Small Jurisdiction." Three TEHA Certificates of Achievement were awarded to the City of Richardson. They received a certificate of achievement for their (1) Education Program, (2) Program Management, and (3) TEHA Support/Participation/Training. The North Texas Chapter named Dhruv Rathod as the recipient of the "2009 Graduate Scholarship" and Summer Haffner as the recipient of the "2009 Undergraduate Scholarship."

I would like to thank each of you for your personal contributions to TEHA in 2009. Tony Hiller was always ready to lend a helping hand, Bob Henderson imparted a wealth of wisdom on the sideline, Keith Clark cheered the "show must go on," Krista Pender exhibited conciseness and commitment to TEHA in her elected role for Governing Councilor in 2009, and Richard Briley's ingenious efforts resulted in the fee reduction of the vector control license! YOU have influence! Your influence is seen at your jobs, in your professional decisions, in your role of servant to our communities every single day. Willy Acuna had influence! In his service of TEHA as President of the North Texas Chapter, Willy embraced Environmental Health in a very real way. In loving memory of Willy Acuna and in remembrance of his allegiance to this profession, TEHA changed the name of the TEHA Chapter Meritorious Service Award to the "Willy Acuna Chapter Meritorious Service Award." The recipient of the 2009 Willy Acuna Chapter Meritorious Service Award was Susan Yates. Susan was issued this award for her professional commitment and dedication as President of the North Texas Chapter. In December, you gave canned food items to the Tarrant County Food Bank at the 2009 Annual Christmas meeting. Overall, you made a difference!

Your Council works relentlessly to improve the quality of learning for each member. Please give your suggestions to your local governing councilors-Pamela Webb, Chuck Dumas, Tom Vyles, Susan Yates, Janice Tower, Carol Primeaux, Rebecca St. John, Marshall Ward, Trishida Watson, Andria McAuley and Keith Clark. This is YOUR Association. TEHA has moved into an era of conservation by going "GREEN." Check your E-mails for upcoming meetings! TEHA will endure the tough times and we will continue to give back! We will exceed beyond our personal expectations and beyond the expectations of our association! Remember, we are very blessed even in the midst of crisis. The Environmental Health profession assists in making our nation, Haiti, and the rest of the world, a better place. By the way, welcome to 2010! If you didn't know already, we ARE going to have a great year!

Pamela Webb, RS, CP-FS
Chapter President

Panhandle/West Texas
The Panhandle/West Texas Chapter will host a Certified Pool/Spa Inspector Training session on March 25 and 26. Classroom training will be on the 25th and a field trip on the 26th to see the new Texas Tech Aquatic Center. Watch your emails for details and registration information that will be sent out soon.

Cheryn Hargrave, RS
Panhandle/West Texas Chapter President

South Texas
On behalf of the South Texas Chapter, we would like to thank everyone who attended the South Texas Annual Conference in December on South Padre Island. It was a great success! Our STC membership continues to grow and everyone please spread the word about our organization.

The Victoria City-County Health Department hosted its annual mosquito training for three continuing education hours on February 3 from 8:30 a.m.-Noon.

We will also be hosting an OSSF training day in late May or early June. No date has been set; however, we will post information on the TEHA web site as soon as we set a date.

James Soderholtz, RS
South Texas Chapter President

Willy Acuna
Meritorious Service Award

In Memory of Willie Acuna, the North Texas Chapter developed the annual Willy Acuna Meritorious Service award. The first annual award was presented to Susan Yates at the North Texas Christmas meeting last December in Dallas.

The Beacon
Volume 16, Number 1
Winter, 2010

Quarterly Newsletter of
Texas Environmental Health Association
PO Box 860099
Plano, TX 75086-0099
Phone 972-461-9644
Fax 972-429-9066

Web-site: www.myteha.org
Email: steve.berry@myteha.org

The Texas Environmental Health Association has not tested any of the products or services advertised or referred to in this publication, nor has it verified any of the statements made in any of the advertisements or articles. Opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily the official opinion of the Texas Environmental Health Association.

The Beacon: Published quarterly as the official publication of the Texas Environmental Health Association. This publication is intended to keep all interested parties informed on matters as they relate to environmental health, especially in Texas.

Editorial and Advertisements: Address all correspondence regarding technical editorial matters or purchase of advertisements to:

Steve Berry, REHS, RS, DAAS
Editor, The Beacon

Association Business: Address all correspondence concerning the Texas Environmental Health Association to:

Steve Berry, REHS, RS, DAAS
Executive Secretary - Treasurer