Faux sensationalism sells

To the editor,

The Durango Herald’s inflammatory reporting revolts me. Last summer, a labor audit of a local business brought a sensational headline about the investigation. Despite “no comments” from the authorities involved, the Herald published it because Alison Dance is “well known.” A few weeks ago, another front-page headline blared, “Cyprus Café owner broke labor laws,” trumpeting that Dance “violated minimum wage, overtime, record-keeping and child-labor laws.” However, the Herald reporter quoted only disgruntled employees, but chose NOT to include positive interviews she’d had with Dance’s other employees. In fact, one employee not cited was asked by the reporter, “Do you think Alison has had enough public humiliation?”

The actual findings of the DOL audit are as follows:

- Record keeping: A total of $40 in unsubstantiated time cards edits found in the 24 months audit period.

- Minimum wage: Dance asked her servers to share tips with kitchen staff, a traditional restaurant arrangement but illegal, evidently. She has apologized and paid back the wage differences involved. Done.

- Overtime: If employees asked to work extra hours, or to change their schedules to accommodate time off, Dance let them but did not pay overtime. If Cyprus requested the overtime, the employees were paid overtime. Illegal. All overtime – a total of $2,400 – has been repaid.

- Child labor laws broken: two high school kids each worked 20 minutes longer on a single shift than permitted over two years.

Not mentioned? The two other restaurant audits ongoing right now in Durango. That manager Kristin Harmon, a complainant, was as responsible for changing as many time cards – including her own – as Dance. Especially when Harmon clocked in regularly for an hourly wage to do duties (the payroll, in fact) that were already covered by a separate monthly retainer. That Dance’s employees expressed to the DOL their full, voluntary agreement with the record edits noted. That Alison Dance has served the community here honorably for 19 years, paying a half million in payroll yearly, spearheading the revitalization of 2nd Ave., contributing time and money to local causes, pushing for local, sustainable foods. Dance deserves our kudos – and patronage – not the Herald’s shameful sensationalism.

 – Anne Markward, Durango
 

Health centers give access to care

To the editor,

In 2015, America’s community health centers (CHCs) will celebrate 50 years of success in expanding access to quality and affordable primary and preventative health-care services to millions of people nationwide. Locally, in 2014, we were fortunate that Axis Health System was able to open La Plata Integrated Healthcare (LPIH), a CHC serving our community. This month, LPIH celebrates its first year providing primary and behavioral health care to all residents, including those who are un- and under-insured.

CHCs, like La Plata Integrated Healthcare, are in place to reduce health disparities and to work for a healthier community. They comprise the nation’s largest primary care network of over 1,200 health-care organizations, collectively serving more than 24 million patients in over 9,000 rural and urban communities in every state and territory. CHCs are locally governed, publicly supported, not-for-profit businesses that provide a comprehensive range of health-care services while remaining responsive to community needs.

This fall, with the hiring of an Outreach & Enrollment Specialist, La Plata Integrated Healthcare joined other local not-for-profit and public agencies helping people gain access to health insurance and health care, including San Juan Basin Health Department (SJBHD), La Plata Family Centers Coalition, and Mercy Regional Medical Center. This group, organized as the Medical Coverage Collaborative, started by SJBHD and supported by the newly re-named Community Health Action Coalition (CHAC), has for more than a decade provided eligibility and enrollment assistance to area residents seeking public and private health insurance.

In 2012, the most recent year data is available, 24 percent of La Plata County residents under age 64 were uninsured. From Nov. 15 – Jan. 15 of this year, 2,002 La Plata County residents enrolled in private health insurance through Connect for Health Colorado. They join another 120,000 Colorado residents during this same time period renewing and obtaining health insurance, sometimes for the first time.

Open enrollment ends Feb 15. After this date, unless an individual experiences a qualifying life event, e.g., moving to a new state, certain changes in income, marriage, divorce or having a baby, the opportunity to sign up for private health insurance is gone until next October, though Medicaid enrollment can occur at any time. Most individuals are now required to have health insurance or pay a fine.

Having health insurance has many benefits: Coverage cannot be denied; charges cannot be increased for a pre-existing conditions and preventative care is free with no copays. In addition, physician, urgent care, specialty and emergency visits are covered as are hospitalization, prescription drugs, lab services, counseling and more.

America’s community health centers have a lot to celebrate this year and are particularly excited to be helping citizens gain access to health insurance, health care and to take a more active role in their health and wellness. La Plata County’s community health center, La Plata Integrated Healthcare, is located at 1970 east. 3rd Ave., north of the Durango Public Library, and can be reached at 335-2288.

– Ellen Stein, Director of Development, Axis Health System

It’s property tax time

 To the editor,

2014 property tax bills have been mailed to all La Plata County property owners. Property taxes are paid retroactively, meaning that 2014 taxes are paid in 2015. It is the property owner’s responsibility to pay his or her property taxes even if a bill is not received. If the property has a mortgage and an escrow account, the mortgage-holder will pay the property taxes for you – the property tax bill is for notification purposes only.

Please contact the Treasurer’s Office if you haven’t received your bill by the end of January. Interest accrues on unpaid taxes.

You may elect one of two ways to pay your property taxes: two payments or in one lump sum.

If you elect to pay one lump sum, that payment is due by April 30. If you choose to make two payments, 50 percent is due by Feb.28, and 50 percent is due by June 15. As Feb. 28 is a Saturday, if it is postmarked on this date, we will consider it received by this date. 

 Here are some common mistakes that will result in returned checks:

Check is unsigned or post-dated.

Numeric amount does not match the written-out dollar amount.

Amount is less or more than 50 percent of the bill, if paid by two payments.

 Please contact the Treasurer’s Office with any questions or concerns at 970-382-6352, or in person at 1060 Main Ave., Suite 103, Durango between 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

– Allison Morrissey, La Plata County Treasurer