Garrett's Hiring

For those looking to work for Representative Scott Garrett, or a Conservative in Washington in general, this could be your chance:

Legislative Assistant - Congressman Scott Garrett has an opening for a Legislative Assistant handling a variety of issues including Foreign Affairs, Environment and Energy. A successful candidate will have a strong conservative philosophy, be a self-starter, able to manage multiple projects at the same time and perform well under tight deadlines. Strong writing and analytical skills are a must. Please email a cover letter, writing sample and resume to NJ05jobs@mail.house.gov.

Congressional Art Competition

This is one of the cool things that Representative Scott Garrett and other members of Congress get to do every year. From the Garrett Gazette:

Please join me for this year's Congressional Art Competition on Saturday, May 16 at Sussex County Community College, from 10:00am to noon.

I have been collecting submissions from fifth district high school students for the competition, and this Saturday, we will showcase all of their submissions and announce this year's winners.

The Congressional Art Competition showcases paintings, drawings, collages, and prints submitted by high school artists. A panel of local judges will determine the best artwork and I will announce the winners at an awards ceremony following the reception. This is a great opportunity to view the work of local students and support their creative efforts.

The first place winner will have his or her piece displayed for a year in the U.S. Capitol Complex, along with other winning pieces from around the country. The second place piece of artwork will be displayed for a year in my Washington, D.C. office and the third and fourth place pieces will be showcased in my district offices.

The response from area high school students has been simply outstanding. I am proud to have my office participate in this competition every year, and so pleased to recognize the efforts of student artists in our community.

Sincerely,

Scott Garrett
Member of Congress

Stimulus Scams

Another piece of the update from Representative Scott Garrett covers stimulus scams:


SEEING THROUGH STIMULUS SCAMS

With talk of stimulus plans ruling the news, it’s no surprise a new round of stimulus scams are afoot.

Here’s how it goes: An email, online ad, or website says you’re eligible to get an economic stimulus payment. You just have to send back a form or submit one online to get it. The message might appear to come from a rebate company or look like it’s straight from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

But the promise of stimulus money in return for a fee or financial information is always a scam, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency.

There’s more than one way to perpetuate a stimulus scam. Some scam artists ask you to send a small processing fee, supposedly to get a much larger check in return. That’s money you’ll never see again. Others skip the fee, and instead, ask for your bank account number so they can “deposit” your check. Then, they use the information to clean out your account or open new ones using your identifying information.

Some stimulus scams encourage you to click on links, open attached forms, or call phony toll-free numbers. But simply clicking the link or opening the document can install harmful software, like spyware, on your computer. The result could be your personal information ending up in the hands of an identity thief.

If you get a message offering you money from the stimulus program in exchange for your personal information, ignore it, delete it, or throw it out. The IRS doesn’t send emails like this asking for personal information, and rebate companies claiming to have stimulus payments for you should not be trusted, regardless of how plausible the script sounds or how official the forms look.

When a stimulus plan does involve a check to you (it may not), you won’t need to fill out a separate form in an email or give out personal information — like account numbers or your Social Security number — to someone who calls you out of the blue.

If you get an unexpected email from someone claiming to be from the IRS and asking you to call a number or email back personal information, forward it to phishing@irs.gov, then delete it without clicking on any links or opening any attachments. If you think you are the target of a scam, you also can file a complaint with the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint.

If you need to reach an agency like the IRS, don’t use phone numbers or links included in an email. Always type the web address directly into your browser, and look up any url you aren’t sure about. Use phone numbers listed on agency websites or in other reliable sources, like the Blue Pages in your phone directory.

The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters consumer complaints into the Consumer Sentinel Network, a secure online database and investigative tool used by hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.

USDA Disaster Designations

From this week's Garrett Gazette:

Due to the losses caused by hail, high winds, and excessive rain on June16, 2008, parts of Bergen, Passaic, and Sussex counties have been designated as agricultural disaster areas by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in a letter released last week. As a result, many residents in our district may be eligible for Farm Service Agency emergency loans. These emergency loan funds can be used to restore or replaces property that is deemed "essential" by the USDA, pay all or part of production costs associated with the disaster year, pay essential family living expenses, reorganize the farming operation, and refinance certain debts. For further information on eligibility, loan terms, and applicationdeadlines, please contact any of my offices.

Here's the office information:

Washington, DC
1318 Longworth House Office Bdg.
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-4465 Fax: (202) 225-9048

Eastern District Office
210 Route 4 East, Suite 206
Paramus, NJ 07652
Phone: (201) 712-0330Fax: (201) 712-0930

Western District Office
93 Main Street
Newton, NJ 07860
Phone: (973) 300-2000Fax: (973) 300-1051

Cause of the Month

I've posted a link off to the right for the 2nd Annual Edison, NJ Hydrocephalus WALK and Family Fun Day. I hope those who can will help this important cause.

This event was brought to my attention by Michael "AJ Sparxx" Illions, over at Conservatives With Attitude. He has a 3 year old son name Cole who has Hydrocephalus, which is an abnormal accumulation of liquid in the brain. At this point, while there is treatment, there is no cure.

Michael was on Comcast Newsmakers explaining the condition back in April:



Michael's personal goal is $3,000 ($100K+ for the event) and I hope more than a few folks will be able to help out.

2nd Veteran History Project Event

The Garrett Gazette is back. As a reminder, Garrett included the following:

I recently hosted a kick-off event for my Veterans History Project. This exciting project, created in 2000 by Congress is aimed at collecting oral history interviews, memoirs, letters, diaries, photographs, andother original materials from veterans like you.

Our Second Veterans History Project Forum will be Tuesday, July 1st at 9am - 11 am at the Tice Senior and Community Center, 411 Chestnut RidgeRoad, Woodcliff Lake, NJ 07677.

If you have questions regarding this event or would like to sign up foran interview, please call my Newton office at 973.300.2000. Additional information can be found at http://www.loc.gov/vets/

Veterans History Project

This from the latest Garrett Gazette:

IMPORTANT NOTICE: CALLING ALL VETERANSI am hosting an event kicking off our Veterans History Project onMonday, June 2nd. This exciting project, created in 2000 by Congress isaimed at collecting oral history interviews, memoirs, letters, diaries,photographs, and other original materials from veterans like you. Thekick off event will be Monday, June 2nd at 10 am - 12 pm. at SussexCounty Community College, 1 College Hill Road, Newton, NJ 07860 in thePerforming Arts Center. If you have questions regarding this event orwould like to sign up for an interview, please call my Newton office at973.300.2000. Additional information can be found at http://www.loc.gov/vets/

Service Academy Information Days

This is from the latest Garrett Gazette:


This month, I will be hosting three 5th Congressional District ServiceAcademy Information Days. These events are designed to help raisestudent awareness of the opportunities available at our United StatesService Academies. All interested high school students, guidancecounselors and parents within the 5th Congressional District of NewJersey are invited to come and meet with representatives from each ofour nation's service academies.

I strongly believe that this event will greatly benefit our young peopleas they begin to plan their future beyond high school. Attending a Service Academy is a great honor and any student accepted to theseschools should feel proud of this great accomplishment. I hope that thisservice information day will help answer questions for our interestedstudents and parents.

The first session will be held on Saturday, May 3, 2008 at 2 pm. Details regarding this event and the other two events in May are below. If you have any questions regarding a Congressional Appointment to a UnitedStates Service Academy please feel free to contact my Newton office at973-300-2000.

Saturday, May 3, 2008 - 2-4pm - Northern Valley Regional High School,150 Central Avenue, Old Tappen, NJ 07675 in the South Gym.

Saturday, May 10, 2008 - 10am-12pm - High Point Regional High School,299 Pigeon Hill Road, Sussex, NJ 07461.

Saturday, May 10, 2008 - 2-4pm - Warren County Vocational TechnicalSchool, 1500 Route 57, Washington, NJ 07882 in the cafeteria.

PSAs from Garrett Gazzette

I normally don't post the entire Garrett Gazzett, but this week's has two important notices for residents of the Fifth.

The IRS has just announced that some disabled veterans may be eligible for tax refunds for benefits received through the Department of Veterans Affairs' Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) program.

A U.S. Tax Court decision issued earlier this year held that CWT payments are tax-free veterans benefits. This reversed a 1965 ruling that had classified the payments as taxable income. Disabled veterans who paid tax on these benefits in tax years 2004, 2005, or 2006 can claim a refund by filing an amended return (IRS Form 1040X). And, as the benefits will not be taxable for tax years 2007 and beyond, the Department of Veterans Affairs will no longer distribute a Form 1099 toCWT beneficiaries.

More than 19,000 veterans received CWT benefits in Fiscal Year 2007. This program provides assistance to veterans unable to work and supportthemselves, helping them learn new job skills and secure gainfulemployment. The Department of Veterans Affairs contracts with bothprivate industry and public sector for work by veterans through this program.

If you think that you may be eligible for a refund, IRS forms can be accessed at: http://www.irs.gov/formspubs/index.html

[snip]

ISSUE OF THE WEEK: WARREN COUNTY SMALL BUSINESSES MAY QUALIFY FOR DISASTER LOANS

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) recently announced that federal economic injury disaster loans are available for small businesses in Warren County as a result of hail and high winds thatoccurred on August 17, 2007. The disaster declaration by the U.S.Secretary of Agriculture extends to Hunterdon, Mercer, Morris, and Somerset Counties as well as Warren.

Both farm-related and non-farm-related small businesses and small agricultural cooperatives that suffered financial losses as a direct result of this disaster are eligible to apply. Farmers and ranchers are not eligible to apply to the SBA. Under this disaster declaration, the SBA cannot provide loans to agricultural producers.

Eligible applicants may qualify for up to $1.5 million in loans with a 4 percent interest rate and terms up to 30 years. The SBA determines eligibility based on the size and type of business and its financial resources and sets loan amounts and terms based on the applicant's financial condition.

If you think you may be eligible for this disaster relief, you can call the SBA's Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955, Monday throughFriday from 8:00am to 9:00 pm. Applications must be returned to the SBA no later than July 7, 2008. You can download a loan application at:

http://www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance/businessesofallsizes/appyforloan/index.html

Completed applications should be mailed to:
U.S. Small Business AdministrationProcessing and Disbursement Center
14925 Kingsport Road
Fort Worth, TX 76155

Medicare Part D Enrollment

Seniors are in the open enrollment window for Medicare Part D, and the Garrett Gazette reminds constituents of what is going on:

November 15th marked the beginning of open enrollment for the new Medicare prescription drug program, Medicare Part D. This is your opportunity to review your current coverage and determine if you’d like to change plans. Open Enrollment season runs through December 31st, but the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recommends that you enroll by December 7th if you expect to change your coverage to ensure that there is no break in your prescription services in the new year.

There are a number of resources available to help you navigate this process. The New Jersey SHIP network (State Health Insurance Program) at the NJ Department of Health and Senior Services can be found online at http://www.state.nj.us/health/senior/ship.shtml.

They can be reached at 1-800-792-8820 (toll free for in-state calls only) or at 1-877-222-3737. You can also go online to http://www.medicare.gov/ or call 1-800-MEDICARE for assistance. CMS has added a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Finder and Formulary Finder to help you narrow down the wide array of choices to fit your personal needs. CMS also has several publications to help you make the most of your benefits and assess your plan for cost, coverage, and customer service:

Rx Enrollment Check-Up (www.medicare.gov/publications/pubs/pdf/11220.pdf)
Guide to Rx Drug Coverage (www.medicare.gov/publications/pubs/pdf/11109.pdf)
Medicare & You 2008(http://www.medicare.gov/Publications/Pubs/pdf/10050.pdf)

This is the only opportunity you will have to change your plan until November 15, 2008. Of course, you can always contact me and my staff for assistance as well. We will help put you in touch with the right people or materials so you can make an informed decision. My Paramus office can be reached at 201-712-0330 and my Newton office can be reached at 973-300-2000.

Help A Voter Out!

Recently, candidates in both the 24th and 39th Legislative Districts had debates. In this modern age, I had hoped to find a video or audio of the debates on-line. However, it does not appear to be in the works, and it would be a great service to voters if it was.

The debate in the 24th was moderated by Fred Snowflack of the Daily Record, and was covered in the Daily Record and New Jersey Herald. Yet no audio seems to be available. As required by the Clean Elections campaign, there will be a second one on Oct. 25 at the Sussex Bank Theater at Sussex County Community College. Maybe somebody could plug an MP3 recorder in the sound board and throw it up on the site. Even a transcript would be nice to have.

Unfortunately, here in my 39th District it seems we have all missed the chance. The candidates debated the other night, with the Record and the League of Women Voters as the sponsors. From the Record's account, it seemed like a feisty affair but only those in attendance really will know. The Record didn't mention another date, so the boat may have sailed without us.

The more information voters have to go over the better informed and comfortable with their choices they'll be. Help a voter out.

Veteran's Expo

This is from the latest Garrett Gazette:

Dear Friends:

Next month, on September 17th, I will be hosting a Veterans Expo at the Paramus Veterans Home from 1:00 to 3:00 pm. This will be an opportunity for area veterans and their families to come gather information on programs and benefits available to our nation’s veterans.

I have invited representatives from a wide variety of agencies and organizations that serve our nation’s heroes. You will be able to:

-Learn more about health and other benefits available through the U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs and the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs,

-Get glaucoma and blood pressure screenings,

-Talk to representatives about Social Security and Medicare,

-Meet other local veterans and find out about local veterans service organizations,

-Get involved with efforts to help local military families with loved ones in Iraq, and

-Find out more about the Paramus Veterans Home.

If you are a veteran or have a family member who is a veteran, I hope that you will be able to join me and my staff at the Expo on September 17th. Please feel free to spread the word to other veterans you know as well.

Sincerely,

Scott Garrett
Member of Congress