Airmen, families voice their concerns at Town Hall meeting Published Feb. 26, 2009 By Staff Report 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy -- Aviano Team members had an opportunity to voice their opinions and concerns directly to the 31st Fighter Wing commander during a Town Hall meeting Feb. 17 in the base theater. Brig. Gen. Craig Franklin welcomed the direct comments, questions and feedback during the Town Hall meeting. He also informed the community about several construction updates and office moves, several new customer-service initiatives on base, the recent installation of end-of-runway traffic lights, and general safety concerns. Some topics covered included general crime trends. The biggest trend is "thefts of opportunity" due to people leaving valuables unattended in plain sight. Base members were also reminded to safeguard their military I.D. cards at all times. Another general concern is motorists speeding or driving too fast for road conditions--the No. 1 cause of vehicle accidents involving base members. Smokers were reminded that they are not allowed to smoke within 50 feet of a facility entrance. The commander also covered the general requirements for motorcyclists wanting to drive in Italy as well as the Italian recycling regulations. In regards to civilians and military dependents, the general informed attendees that all U.S. civilian employees and dependants are now required to have a Codice Fiscale in order to get their Soggiorno. For dependants younger than 18, they must accomplish this in Pordenone. The Department of Defense School System also changed its age requirements for kindergarten and first grade. Children must by 5 years old by Sept. 1 for kindergarten and 6 years old by Sept. 1 for first grade. The youth center's before and after school also mirrors the same requirements. Several offices have also recently moved or are moving to Area F, also known as the flightline area. One of the latest moves includes the chapel staff who are being relocated by the Italian Mensa Dining Facility and the stand up of the Consolidated Support Center across from the Dragon Fitness Center, which houses the traffic management office, Soggornio office, safety, the inspector general and public affairs just to name a few. The base library is also gearing up for a temporary move while its new facility is constructed and a new passenger terminal is scheduled to open this summer. The installation gate access is also scheduled to change later this year with the opening of Gate 9, which will become the new Main Gate located by the softball fields, and the opening of Gate 8, the new Large Vehicle Inspection Gate. Several key issues affecting the Aviano community were: Area 1 parking, motorcycle requirements, and summertime childcare options. The following is a list of questions and answers from the Town Hall meeting: 1. If I just accomplished the Experienced Riders' Course in the states within the last year, can I get credit for that course so I do not have to re-accomplish it again here at Aviano? A: 31st Fighter Wing Ground Safety Office is researching this. Q: As an experienced motorcycle rider, I was wondering if it would be able possible to get a one-time waiver to ride from my residence to the base in order to take the required course, so I wouldn't have to ask a stranger to ride my motorcycle for me? A: In order to get the motorcycle endorsement on your AFI license, you are required by Italian law and by the 31st FW motorcycle policy letter to take the Experienced Riders' Course and have a mentor ride. Driving the motorcycle from your house to the base without the proper endorsement on your license would be a big problem if you are pulled over by the Carabinieri. To get your motorcycle to the base, you can either trailer it or ask a qualified rider who has the AFI motorcycle endorsement to ride your motorcycle to the base for you. Wing safety can provide a listing of approved motorcyclists. Q: Is it possible for experienced motorcyclists to get a temporary waiver in lieu of taking the required courses in order to pick up their vehicle from their household goods shipment if they bring it directly to the base? A: The 31st FW commander said he would have his experts look into this one-time waiver in lieu of getting into the required base course for experienced riders. Q: Is it possible to create some designated parking spots for Child Development Center employees in Area 1 due to the limited parking availability near the center? A: The 31st FW commander said he would have his subject matter experts look into the possibility. Q: What kind of summer activities might be opening up to children in the 12 year old age-range as they are considered too young to be home alone at that age and the youth center doesn't offer full-time activities for that age group? The recreation center is available to them at 1 p.m., but what are children of two working parents supposed to do in the meantime? A: Youth age 12 are eligible for the school age program which hosts various weekly summer camps and includes field trips, swimming, bowling, tournaments and themed activities/events, Monday thru Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. For youth age 13-15, the youth center will offer the option of weekly summer camps for teens ages 13-15, Monday thru Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., to include two meals, multiple events, and trips for $75 for members and $90 for non-members. Other activities either in the planning stage or available for youth include: -- America's Kids Run, May 16, ages 5 and older -- Youth Talent Show on May 22, ages 6-18 -- July 4 special youth activities -- Missoula Children Theater July 20-24, multiple ages -- Soccer Camp (funded by USAFE); dates TBD; anticipate two 5-day camps; working details; multiple ages -- Basketball Camp; dates/times TBD; exploring possible instructors; multiple ages -- Multiple instructional classes at Youth Center and Community Center (dance, piano, martial arts, voice) for multiple ages -- Swimming classes/free swim; extremely popular in the summer; offered thru Outdoor Recreation -- Library Programs -- Flag Football ages 5 and older -- Various pre-teen/teen events on Friday/Saturday nights (Kids Night Out, dances, sleep-overs, etc) Q: With the recent move of the chapel staff from Area 1 to Area F, will those reserved chapel parking spaces become open to anyone? With the limited open parking in that parking lot by the education center and school, any extra parking spaces would be greatly appreciated by those who work there. A: The 31st Mission Support Group commander said the formerly reserved chapel parking spaces are now open to the general base public. He did note; however, that Area 1 employees need to understand that there will never be enough parking spaces for everyone who works in that area to park directly in front of their respective office buildings with the limited real estate and resources the 31st FW has. The parking situation is also accessed in three priority levels, with the first being force protection, the second customer service and the third employees. He added that employees should be parking in those spaces furthest from their office building, leaving the front spaces open to customers so that they can get in and out. There are enough parking spaces for both customers and employees in Area 1, employees just need to be willing to walk a further distance. Q: Would it be possible to recruit volunteers to man the back gate so that it could remain open for people who live in places like Vigonovo? This would save a lot of commute time for those people living in those towns neighboring the back side of the base. (This is based on the assumption that it is a security forces manning issue.) A: The decision not to open Gate 8, also known as the Large Vehicle Inspection Gate, to privately owned vehicles isn't based on a lack of manning, but on safety concerns. The gate was designed specifically to handle large vehicles inspections and isn't physically set up to handle POVs. The gate will however remain open to outbound traffic, including POVs, from 7 a.m. to 5:50 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays.