An opinion editorial respectfully submitted by State Senator Florence Shapiro

November 3 is a big day for Collin County.  Sure it's Election Day across our state, when Texans in every municipality will cast their votes on the 11 Constitutional Amendments the Legislature passed this spring.  But for our community, it's an opportunity to preview a new pilot program that could become the model for Texas elections in the future. 

Collin County has been selected to participate in the countywide election program, allowing voters in our community to cast ballots at any of 57 vote centers, or polling places, rather than precinct-specific locations.  The idea is to make voting as convenient as possible, thereby increasing voter turnout.  The County applied to the Secretary of State's office for this pilot, and was selected.  According to the Collin County Elections Division, this special election will be a trial run for the countywide concept to ensure voters are not confused, and that polling places are able to close and report totals in a timely fashion. 

The initial pilot program for countywide elections was created in 2005 and continued in 2007 with legislation that I helped sponsor.  During the 81st session this year, the program was permanently placed into state statute for counties wishing to participate.  I am proud of this program and hope that my friends and neighbors in Collin County will help make it a success statewide.  

This Election Day, Collin County voters will not only cast ballots on the Constitutional Amendments, but they'll also be able to vote in the City of Farmersville Local Option election, and on the Wylie ISD Bond Propositions.  The countywide program applies only to this November's special election.  To find out where the nearest polling place is, log onto the County's website wt www.collincountytx.gov. 

I encourage you to vote on November 3 - not just to make your voice heard, but to participate in this exciting new, convenient, approach to the way Texas holds elections.  Be a part of history in the making, and make Collin County proud. 

Senator Florence Shapiro has represented District 8, consisting of Collin and Dallas Counties, since 1993.  For the past six years she has chaired the Senate's Committee on Education, focusing on reforms at both the public and higher education levels. 

As a reminder, weather permitting, the next Outdoor Warning System Test will be conducted this Wednesday, October 7, 2009, at 1:00 p.m. and will last approximately 3 minutes. For additional information regarding the system, test schedule, siren locations, and steps you can take to protect yourself and your family during an actual emergency, please visit www.knowwhat2do.com or contact Mark Lee with Murphy Fire Rescue at mlee@murphytx.org or 972-468-4300. As a reminder, if there is inclement weather, the test will be cancelled.

(McKINNEY, Texas) -- Collin County’s District Clerk will hold a Saturday passport fair on Oct. 10 to help meet the demand for passport applications due to recent government travel requirements.

Increased demand for passport services at the District Clerk’s Office is a result of a June 2009 change in U.S. travel law, requiring most U.S. citizens to present a valid U.S. passport upon entry into the United States. Previously, returning travelers from Mexico and Canada were not required to present a U.S. Passport.

“We are looking forward to processing as many applications as possible, and we hope people will take advantage of the extended weekend hours,” said Patricia Crigger, Chief Deputy Clerk.

Who:     Hannah Kunkle, Collin County District Clerk
What:    Collin County Passport Fair
When:   Oct. 10, 2009; 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Where:  Collin County Courthouse, 1st Floor
              2100 Bloomdale Road
              McKinney, Texas

The public should bring the following to help the application process run smoothly:

• Passport application (available at www.co.collin.tx.us (under departments-District Clerk) or www.travel.state.gov
• Proof of US Citizenship (certified birth certificate issued by the city, county or state; a previous U.S. passport; a certificate of citizenship; or a naturalization certificate
• Proof of identity (valid driver’s license, government ID or military photo ID; a recently issued U.S. passport, a recently issued naturalization certificate; a recently issued certificate of citizenship
• Two recent 2” x 2” identical color passport photos (available on site for $10.83)
• Assessed fees must be paid by check or money order (visit www.co.collin.tx.us (under departments-District Clerk) or www.travel.state.gov for current fees)
• All applicants must appear in person
• Minors under the age of 16 must appear with both parents.  If one parent is not available, a notarized authorization from the absent parent is required.  When renewing a passport for minors under the age of 16, they must bring the old passport and a valid birth certificate.

On Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009; U.S. Citizens in all 50 states plus the District of Columbia, are invited to cast a transparent, and constitutionally correct, paper ballot for up to three (3) citizen delegates to represent their state at the Continental Congress 2009.

For two weeks in November, delegates representing The People of the fifty states will join together in the tradition of the Founding Fathers and their Continental Congress of 1774. Continental Congress 2009 will convene as a national assembly of We The People and attest to the increasing abuses of our Governing Documents. Together, we will decide what peaceful, legal steps can be taken to bring about compliance with our Freedom documents. For voting information see: www.CC2009.us

There will be a Voting Center open Oct 10th,  from 10AM-4PM for walk up paper ballots in Collin County.........
VFW Post 4380
3420 Avenue K, Suite 122
Plano, TX 75074
In the Northeast corner of Parker and Ave. K
(next to Rent-A-Center)
 
For further questions on the Plano Voting Center, please contact Grady Hamlett, the Team Leader for the Plano Voting Center @ 214 681-9420
grady.hamlett2@verizon.net

These vaccinations will be offered Monday through Friday from 8 to 11 a.m. and from 1 to 4 p.m. at 825 N. McDonald Street in McKinney.  Both Medicare Part B and Medicaid will be accepted. 

 For those without Medicare Part B or Medicaid, the flu shot for an adult is $20 and for children the cost ranges from $0 to $14 depending on income.  However, no child will be turned away.  To determine the availability of the flu vaccines on any given day, please call our clinic at 972-548-5500.

When it comes to the flu, some in our community are considered at high risk. This group includes:
•  Adults 65 or over;
• Children 6-23 months;
• Children 2 years of age or older who live with one or more children less than 6 months old;
• Adults and children with other long-term health problems;
• Pregnant women;
• Residents of nursing homes or long-term care facilities;
• Health care workers; and,
• People who live with or care for children less than six months of age.

There are also some people who should not be vaccinated without first consulting with their physician.  They include:
• People with a severe allergy to chicken eggs;
• Those who have had a severe reaction to flu shots in the past;
• Anyone with an allergy to Thimerosol;
• Those who have a fever; and,
• Children less than 6 months old.

Collin County recently was awarded a $707,309 grant from the U.S. Center for Disease Control to address the H1N1 - or swine flu -- vaccinations.  These vaccinations should be available by mid-October.  The primary focus of the grant is to increase availability to people who are considered high risk, such as those listed above. When available, this vaccination will be provided free of charge.

Even with the vaccines, the best way to prevent any strain of flu is to develop good health habits.  For example:
• Washing your hands sounds so basic, but over 20 infectious agents can be avoided by doing this;
• If you are sick, say at home!  One school has already closed for a day due to sickness;
• When you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue.  If a tissue is not available sneeze into your elbow to avoid contaminating your hands; and,
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth-especially after shaking hands.

In preparation for the flu season Collin County's Homeland Security Department will establish a flu surveillance system.  This will allow both situational awareness and easy calculations of school absenteeism on a daily basis, district-wide, for school nurse coordinators, superintendents and public health officials. 

2-1-1 is the local access point for all calls related to H1N1 (general and medical inquires).  An Information Call Specialist will be responsible for responding to inquires from the general public regarding to the following:
•  Location of vaccine clinics
• Providing general information about symptoms of H1N1
• Dispelling any myths
• Providing possible school closure information

Also, for more information on this year's influenza season the Center for Disease Control has a weekly update that can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/.