May '09 Nevada Government—Governor Jim Gibbons Column

Governor Releases Podcast On Assembly Speaker’s Statement Against Corporate Income Tax

Governor Jim Gibbons’ latest podcast addresses recent comments made by Assembly Speaker Barbara Buckley against a corporate income tax in Nevada.

The podcasts can be found at WWW.NV.GOV

Wildlife Director Receives Professional of the Year Award

Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) Director Ken Mayer will be awarded the Pope & Young Club’s Lee Gladfelter Memorial Award, which recognizes a wildlife professional who has made significant contributions to bowhunting and wildlife conservation.

Mayer will be presented the national award on Friday, April 24, at the Pope & Young Club’s Annual Awards banquet in Denver. Mayer, 56, is a Certified Wildlife Biologist and lifelong hunter with a passion for archery and bowhunting. Mayer’s contributions to bowhunting and wildlife conservation have been noteworthy throughout his professional career, including:

Selected as 1999 Professional of the Year by the Western Section of The Wildlife Society;
Selected California Bowman Hunters Professional of the Year, 2002;
The California Department of Fish and Game representative on the National American Archery Council, Professional Wildlife Management Advisory Committee (1990-2001);
An invited guest speaker: Missouri Department of Conservation Manager's Meeting Archery Hunting and Animal Rights Activism (1992);
A member of The Wildlife Society Technical Review Committee - The Use of Bowhunting in Wildlife Management (1994-1996);
Co-editor, Proceedings of the 1St National Bowhunting Conference, St. Louis MO, 2001;
Served as a speaker and general session chairman, at the First National Bowhunting Conference in St. Louis MO, 2001;

“I want to offer my congratulations to Ken on receiving this noteworthy award. We are pleased to have such an accomplished individual serving as our state Wildlife Director,” said Governor Jim Gibbons.

The Pope & Young Club is a nonprofit scientific organization that advocates and encourages responsible bowhunting by promoting quality, fair chase, and sound conservation practices. It is recognized as the official repository for records on bow-harvested North American big game animals. Together with the Boone & Crockett Club, the Pope & Young Club maintains the universally-accepted scoring system and sets the standards for measuring and scoring North American big game taken with bow and arrow.

Governor Gibbons Orders Swine Flu Preparations Efforts

Governor advises that this action is precautionary.
No human cases of swine flu have been found in Nevada at this time

Governor Jim Gibbons today ordered several agencies to take action to prepare for a rapid and comprehensive response in the event of a Swine Flu outbreak in Nevada. NOTE: NO HUMAN CASES OF SWINE FLU HAVE BEEN FOUND IN NEVADA AT THIS TIME. At the request of the Nevada State Health Division and the Nevada Division of Health and Human Services, medicine and medical supplies are already being moved into Nevada. This action is precautionary and is standard operating procedure for incidents of this type. The Nevada Division of Emergency Management, the Nevada Department of Public Safety, the Nevada National Guard, the Nevada Department of Homeland Security, and the Nevada Highway Patrol are also assisting.

As of 8:30 AM Monday April 27, 2009, there are no confirmed cases of Swine Flu among residents or visitors in Nevada. As a precaution, four cases have been sent for testing. None of the results are positive for Swine Flu.

“I am ordering all state agencies to be vigilant out of an abundance of caution,” Governor Gibbons said, “Every asset and employee of the State of Nevada is available to assist in any effort to protect the health our citizens and our visitors.”

State Health Officer, Dr. Mary Guinan said, “While we are unaware of any confirmed reports of human cases of swine flu in Nevada, we are watching this situation very closely and encouraging our health care provider community to test for influenza in people who are presenting with influenza-like illness.” Guinan added, “I urge everyone to wash your hands frequently, cover your cough or sneeze by doing so in your sleeve or a tissue, stay home if you are ill, and keep your children home if they are ill.”

“It is vitally important all of us to be prepared in the event the Swine Flu outbreak enters the state,” Nevada Health and Human Services Director Mike Willden said, “We are doing everything possible to make sure aid is available to any part of the state where it is needed.” Willden added, “We are patterning with federal agencies and we are prepared to move any needed medicine to any part of the state at a moment’s notice.”

The Nevada State Health Division has been participating in daily briefing calls with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), obtaining the most up-to-date information and guidance.

Special Statement From Governor Gibbons On Swine Flu

Governor Jim Gibbons is asking all Nevadans to stay educated about Swine Flu. Many people are suffering through needless anxiety. This is not a time for over-reaction, fear, or panic.

Here are some facts about Swine Flu in Nevada:

At this time, there is one case reported in Nevada. The victim has been treated and is recovering at home.
The most basic hygiene practices will do the most to help prevent the spread of swine flu:

Cover your mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you use your bare hand, wash your hands immediately.
Wash your hands often.
Do not share utensils during meals.
Do not share food during meals.
Avoid contact with sick people.

The symptoms of Swine Flu are similar to regular flu. If you feel you have a number of flu symptoms (fever of 101 degrees+, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue, in some cases diarrhea and vomiting), you should see a medical provider.

At this time, there is no vaccine for this strain of flu, however, Swine Flu is easily treatable.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano has been in direct contact with Governor Jim Gibbons to be sure Nevada is receiving all the resources it needs. There are 50-million doses of medicine for Swine Flu available in the United States. Right now there are more than 100-thousand doses in Nevada. About 200-thousand doses will be in Nevada by the beginning of next week. Secretary Napolitano also informed Governor Gibbons that a vaccine for this strain of Swine Flu will likely be developed by September. In the meantime, medicine to treat the disease is readily available with a prescription from a healthcare provider. Medicine to treat Swine Flu symptoms is not available “over the counter”.

Governor Gibbons has pledged all available assets of the state of Nevada to any local government requesting assistance. Over the last few years, emergency responders and government officials in Nevada have participated in dozens of exercises involving the spread of contagious disease.

The State of Nevada is in continuous contact with the Centers for Disease Control, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, as well as county health agencies and emergency managers.

Again, all Nevadans should keep informed about Swine Flu in our State. Please avoid needless anxiety or fear. For more information, watch, read, or listen to your local news media outlets and visit http://health.nv.gov/ or www.cdc.gov .