Saturday, June 23, 2007

THE GANG'S ALL HERE










govarchive.hawaii.gov/.../Newsletter.2004-04-23

Governor Lingle is pictured with John L. Henshaw (center), assistant secretary of labor-OSHA, U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL). Also shown are (from left) James Hardway, special assistant to the director, Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR); Colleen LaClair, deputy director, DLIR; Lt. Governor Aiona; Mrs. Henshaw; Nelson Befitel, director, DLIR; Alan Traenkner, USDOL director of analysis and evaluation – OSHA; and Frank Strasheim, USDOL administrator – OSHA Region IX.









Could I have written to any higher?

Thursday, June 21, 2007

ARE THEY AWARE, OR SHOULD THEY BEWARE ?

Target Buys The Old Costco Site


Below is email I sent to TARGET STORES VIA MY PERSONAL EMAIL AND THEIR SITE EMAIL FORM. IF THERE'S SOME FUTURE OCCURRENCE, SEEMS IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A SET UP.


Mon, 18 Jun 2007 00:19:45 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Vernon Balmer Jr." Add to Address Book Add Mobile Alert
Subject: Hawaii Salt Lake Location Basement


To: skannel@crt-tanaka.com, kyoungstrom@kaplowpr.com, lluba@laforce-stevens.com, lsher@laforce-stevens.com, lhofstetter@laforce-stevens.com, genna@laforce-stevens.com, aalonso@kaplowpr.com, crawling@laforce-stevens.com, sliberman@behrmanpr.com, bdubreuil@kaplowpr.com, tara@tlcommunicate.com, alaury@kaplowcommunications.com, dzemke@kaplowpr.com, edna.silva@fleishman.com, heather.woodard@fleishman.com








We were housed in the basement of what is now the former Costco building in Salt Lake with an air-conditioner as the only ventilation. When I noticed mold growing in a hole, in the wall beneath the air-conditioner, adjacent to the room where I sometimes, but mostly my co-workers would eat lunch, I asked them about it and was told that management was made aware of it and did nothing. I decided to inform management myself, considering the untruths I had previously heard, from some. I was thanked by the assistant to the woman in accounting who handled the repairs for the building.

I did not think it was a major undertaking by a very successful company to fix this problem, and was surprised at the length of time it was taking to address the situation, so I informed OSHA, Aug. 2003. This is when things started to go further south. Strangely, the day after going to the OSHA offices, the next day at work, my supervisor stated to a co-worker, " Vernon went to OSHA." This information was not given to her or any co-worker, by me.

When I went to Hawaii OSHA, the employee did not give me any type of reference number, or write one in the space provided on the complaint form, nor did she inform me at that time that mold is not OSHA'S jurisdiction, which is what I was told when I went to check on the status of the complaint.

Neither, did the employee inform me of laws governing discrimination. I was also told - it not being OSHA'S jurisdiction - the complaint was referred to the Department of Health. It was like pulling teeth to get an answer as to what office at the DOH it was referred to. Needless to say I could not inquire about the possible disposition of the complaint, not knowing where to inquire.










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Thank you! Your e-mail has been sent.


Subject: Target Business Card
First Name: VERNON
Last Name: BALMER JR.
Address 1: 401 ATKINSON DR 211
City: HONOLULU
State: HI
Zip / Postal Code: 96814-
Phone: 808-941-3344 Ext.RM211
E-Mail Address: 
Comments: I think you're being set-up. [We were housed in a basement of what is now a former Costco building, with an air-conditioner as the only ventilation. When I noticed mold growing in a hole, in the wall beneath the air-conditioner, adjacent to the room where I sometimes, but mostly my co-workers would eat lunch, I asked them about it and was told that management was made aware of it and did nothing. I decided to inform management myself, considering the untruths I had previously heard, from some. I was thanked by the assistant to the woman in accounting who handled the repairs for the building. I did not think it was a major undertaking by a very successful company to fix this problem, and was surprised at the length of time it was taking to address the situation, so I informed OSHA, Aug. 2003. This is when things started to go further south. Strangely, the day after going to the OSHA offices, the next day at work, my supervisor stated to a co-worker, "Vernon went to OSHA." This information was not given to her or any co-worker, by me. When I went to OSHA, the employee did not give me any type of reference number, or write one in the space provided on the complaint form, nor did she inform me at that time that mold is not OSHA'S jurisdiction, which is what I was told when I went to check on the status of the complaint. Neither, did the employee inform me of laws governing discrimination. I was also told - it not being OSHA'S jurisdiction - the complaint was referred to the Department of Health. It was like pulling teeth to get an answer as to what office at the DOH it was referred to. Needless to say I could not inquire about the possible disposition of the complaint, not knowing where to inquire. ] I apologize if I have contacted you before, but I can not give up. I may be going in circles at this point, but it beats capitulation. One day people will know, and GOD will bring attention and justice to this situation. It can't just be me. If someone would look at this, I'm sure they will find a class.