Regular hours to resume at all facilities on Tuesday, Nov. 13

DAVENPORT, IA–Waste Commission of Scott County facilities will be closed on Monday, Nov. 12, 2012, in honor of Veterans Day.  Facilities closed include :

• Scott Area Recycling Center, 5640 Carey Ave., Davenport

• Scott Area Landfill, 11555 110th Ave., Davenport

• Electronic Demanufacturing Facility, 1048 East 59th St., Davenport

Regular hours will resume at all facilities on Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2012.

Waste Commission of Scott County is an inter-governmental agency whose mission is to provide environmentally sound and economically feasible solid waste management for Scott County. For more information about the Commission, please call (563) 386-9575 or visit www.wastecom.com.

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SPRINGFIELD, IL (11/05/2012)(readMedia)-- Illinois Air National Guardsman Col. Rich Neely of Springfield was named the Illinois National Guard's Chief of the Joint Staff today by Maj. Gen. Dennis Celletti of Springfield, Acting Adjutant General at Camp Lincoln in Springfield.

Although an Airman, Neely has led the Illinois Army National Guard's Directorate of Information Management for the last two years as the Chief Information Officer.

"As an Airman who led an Army directorate, Col. Neely is perfect for this position," Celletti said. "His work as the lead planner during the NATO Summit this spring, as well as his past experience in communications, logistics, finance and domestic operations, has prepared him to take the Joint Staff to new heights."

This position oversees the Illinois National Guard's domestic operations as well as various programs such as family programs, counterdrug, International State Partnership Program, civil support and chemical, biological, radiological/nuclear and explosive (CBRNE) enhanced response force package (CERFP).

He will replace Illinois Army National Guardsman Col. Chris Lawson of Springfield who will deploy early next year to Afghanistan with Bilateral Embedded Staff Team 11 as the deputy task force commander for a Polish task force.

"Rich is a brilliant and talented senior officer who will excel as the Chief of the Joint Staff. He understands the environment and players in the joint community at the international, federal, state and local levels," Lawson said. "He knows how to cultivate unity of effort to achieve results for the Illinois Air and Army National Guard."

Neely started his military career as a U.S. Army Reservist in 1984. He transitioned to the Illinois Air National Guard in 1987, then commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1990. His most recent military assignment was commander of 183rd Air Component Operations Squadron (ACOS), 183rd Air Operations Group at the 183rd Fighter Wing in Springfield.

Other highlights of Neely's career include chief of logistics plans and programs, financial officer, wing executive officer, communications flight commander and Illinois Air National Guard Deputy United States Property and Fiscal officer. He has also deployed overseas twice in support of operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

Quad Cities, USA: The ninth Annual Project Bundle Up Campaign helps meet the cold weather clothes needs of Quad Cities school children. This Collection Campaign is winding down for 2012, and The Salvation Army is asking for your donations.

On Saturday, November 3rd, both QC Iowa Wal-Marts will be hosting the Project Bundle Up Campaign from 10am - 5pm. Wal-Mart customers will be asked to purchase the items in the store and return them to the volunteers. This campaign has already taken place at the QC Illinois Wal-Marts.

In addition, items can be dropped off in NorthPark Mall at Guest Services in Younkers Court, or in SouthPark Mall at Guest Services located in the mall office until November 10th. The Salvation Army will deliver thousands of cold weather clothing items to Quad Cities' elementary & middle schools to fill the needs of students who arrive at school without these essential items. School teachers are on the frontlines watching for children who come to school without mittens & gloves, hats, socks, underwear, and scarves, and Project Bundle Up fills this need.

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I live in Jackson, N.J., about 10 miles inland, and did not get the devastating storm surge from Hurricane Sandy. And yet, I have never experienced such a catastrophic weather event.

High winds brought down thousands of trees, taking out power lines and crashing into homes. The destruction here is something I never imagined I would see.

The Mantoloking Bridge, where the sea came into the bay, is where I crab all summer. It's now crumpled in the water, surrounded by flooded homes. It's heartbreaking to see images of the place you love destroyed.

Since most homes did not have power or internet immediately after the storm, we did not get to see the images of ravaged iconic Jersey Shore towns like Seaside Heights, Point Pleasant, Manasquan, Mantoloking, Atlantic City and Asbury Park. Local residents are shocked at the extent of the devastation revealed in newspaper photos. Entire shore towns are gone; there is nothing left.

People are starting to lose it by the day; they've never gone so long without power. People in New York are eating from Dumpsters. The lines for gas, if you can find it, are miles long. A few more days like this and I worry civilization will start to break down.

Thankfully, my family is OK. I'm nutty about preparation, so we have everything we need. It is so important to be prepared for disaster.

Since I had a generator and plenty of fuel, the loss of power was tolerable. I was able to run my refrigerator and freezer, charge my cell phone and iPad, light my house and watch DVDs on the flat screen. The biggest complaint from those without generators has been boredom.

My 4G iPad was a lifesaver. I was able to tune into local radio stations and keep up with the news; view pictures and videos of the devastation; and play games to pass the time.

Water is worth its weight in gold during a crisis, you can never have too much. Canned food, candles, flashlights and batteries are other must-have prep items.

It is very difficult to get gasoline as many stations have no power or have not had any gas delivered. There are mile-long lines at the stations that do have power and gas. The traffic around them is incredible -- it's a wild scene!

Why did so many people have so little gas that they would line up for hours to fill their tank? Because they did not prepare for the major disaster that had been forecast for the greater part of a week. My three cars are all full because I filled up BEFORE the storm.

The Jersey Shore will come back, but it will take a very long time. I feel a profound sadness seeing the beautiful shore destroyed and witnessing the suffering of those who have lost everything.

Please use this tragedy to prepare your family for disaster natural or man made. The best investment you can make is a generator. Buy one BEFORE a crisis hits.

About Louis Scatigna

Louis Scatigna is a Certified Financial Planner, national radio talk show host and author of The Financial Physician: How To Cure Your Money Problems and Boost Your Financial Health (www.thefinancialphysician.com). Lou is a regular guest on both national and local television programs and has been quoted in hundreds of publications and Web sites. He also provides additional comments and advice on his daily blog.