SnF Management and its Windsor 
June 2, 2008
June 2, 2008
(West Hollywood , CA West Hollywood , California
SnF Management, a leader in skilled nursing facility management throughoutCalifornia , operates a 29 facility portfolio that includes the Windsor Gardens
SnF Management, a leader in skilled nursing facility management throughout
The plan has been formally approved by Chief Operating Officer, Lawrence Feigen, who, in an e-mail message to company executives issued today, said the Environmental Sustainability Plan "will serve as both the long-term vision and a blueprint for our company's environmental sustainability efforts." The plan's mission statement confirms SnF "is committed to global leadership for sustainability through education, research, and action."
Developed as a "living system" that will be flexible to environmental change and technological development, the plan was drafted by the company’s newly formed Green Team Committee for Environmental Sustainability, chaired by Aruna Poddatoori, Sr. VP of Operations. The group worked in consultation with a broad-based coalition of energy experts to address the immediate and long-term ecological goals of the company. "Our staff has made an enormous contribution in raising awareness of the importance of sustainability in our own healthcare facilities and the broader communities in which we serve” – Aruna Poddatoori.The Environmental Sustainability Plan's primary objectives and areas of focused resource allocation shall be:
Research and Development: Promote education and research on the social, economic, and environmental impacts of sustainability by building community, corporate and facility-based staff awareness.
Construction: Create superior places to work and live that enhance the health and performance of building occupants through sustainable planning, design, operations, retrofits and efficiency implementation.
Energy: Establish climate-neutral healthcare facilities through energy efficiency, conservation, on-site power generation and strategic procurement of clean and renewable energy sources.
Food: Develop local and organic closed-loop food systems by observing sustainability criteria for food purchasing, preparation, service, cleaning, waste disposal, and purchase of equipment and supplies.
Landscape/Biotic Environment: Protect and maintain the natural healthcare environment through restoration and preservation of recreational areas, building landscapes and native habitat.
Procurement: Employ efficient procurement strategies, processes and systems for the acquisition and responsible use of resources in a manner that supports a "triple bottom line" of economy, society, and environment.
Transportation: Develop transportation strategies that reduce fuel consumption, air pollution and carbon dioxide emissions, while providing opportunities for alternative transportation, telecommuting and work-from-home programs.
Waste Management: Reduce waste streams in the healthcare facilities through implementation of “cradle to cradle” process and practices, with the ultimate goal of net zero waste healthcare structures.
Water: Reduce potable water use while protecting and conserving all water resources within the healthcare facility watersheds through implementation of efficiency measures, collection technologies, re-processing and re-use techniques.
The Green Team Committee for Environmental Sustainability will advise company executives and owners on environmental issues, make recommendations on sustainability initiatives, help prioritize and monitor SnF sustainability goals, set funding priorities, and provide guidance on sustainability issues and questions.
Implementation of the plan is the responsibility of
Widespread crackdown on phone scams
ReplyDeleteFederal and state officials launch “Operation Tele-PHONEY”
The Associated Press
updated 4:24 p.m. PT, Tues., May. 20, 2008
WASHINGTON - Federal and state officials announced a widespread crackdown Tuesday against telemarketing scams that have bilked thousands of consumers, many of them elderly, out of tens of millions of dollars.
The sweep, dubbed “Operation Tele-PHONEY,” was coordinated by the Federal Trade Commission and has yielded more than 180 enforcement actions in the United States and Canada. That makes it the largest such operation the FTC has ever coordinated, the agency said.
William Kovacic, chairman of the FTC, said the 180 cases include new civil charges filed by the FTC against 13 telemarketers that defrauded more than 500,000 consumers out of $100 million.
In one case, a company called Handicapped & Disabled Workshops Inc. aggressively marketed household products, such as light bulbs and trash bags, to elderly consumers at exorbitant prices, the FTC said. Callers told consumers that the sale supports handicapped people, but Handicapped & Disabled Workers is a for-profit corporation, the agency said.
Betty Bruni’s 94-year-old mother was charged almost $400 by the group for light bulbs she received but didn’t remember ordering, the Syracuse, N.Y. resident said at a press conference. When Bruni sought a refund from Handicapped & Disabled Workshops, an employee said her mother’s money represented a donation rather payment for a product.
The company has in the past sold eight light bulbs for over $300, the FTC said in a complaint filed in federal court. The complaint asks the court to bar the company from telemarketing and seeks restitution for consumer losses.
“This organization completely took advantage of my mother,” Bruni said.
Handicapped & Disabled Workshops is based in Phoenix, according to the FTC’s complaint. Company representatives couldn’t be reached for comment.
In addition, state and federal law enforcement agencies have brought criminal cases against 90 defendants and eight cross-border fraud actions have been filed by Canadian authorities, the FTC said.
“Fraud is one of the worst poisons to commerce, and telemarketing fraud is one of its worst manifestations,” Kovacic said. “This is a remarkable exercise in strategic cooperation among different agencies.”
The FTC also filed complaints against two Canadian-based companies, Med Provisions and Union Consumer Benefits, that allegedly called consumers in the United States and offered discounted prescription drugs and medical services in return for upfront fees of nearly $400. Some consumers were told they would lose Medicare benefits if they didn’t sign up.
“All the claims are false, and many consumers could not get a refund,” the FTC said.
The FTC has won temporary restraining orders against 11 of the companies and is seeking court orders to permanently bar all 13 companies from any further telemarketing.
Kovacic and other officials urged consumers to do their part to fend off fraud.
“There’s an easy and surefire way to avoid getting stung,” said Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wadsen. “Just say ’No,’ and hang up. It isn’t rude, it’s smart.”