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. 19 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 and housing updates, changes to soggiorno paperwork and the motorcycle policy.
A new process for soggiorno paperwork is in place. Aviano team members can now expect to receive a phone call for an appointment time. One month from the scheduled appointment, members will have their soggiornos in hand.
Germany has a new fuel ration card designed to be linked to the user's bank account. If members are on leave or on temporary duty in Germany, they can purchase the card on a 30-day basis. For more information, visit www.imcom-europe.army.mil/sites/news/fuelcard.asp.
Built-to-Lease housing will be having motion-sensitive security lights installed in each unit. Also, storage sheds can be picked up at the Furniture Management Office warehouse. GPS units will also be signed out on a space-available basis for customer use.
BTL tenants are encouraged to police their housing area, be a good neighbor and to keep the playground area free of trash.
Dormitory residents can expect new plasma televisions and furnishings for each dayroom. New washers and pool, foosball and game tables will also be added.
A new motorcycle policy is in place and a mentorship program has been created to help reduce the risk of motorcycle accidents.
As part of the new program, mentor rides will be required before receiving permanent motorcycle endorsement on AFI licenses.
Several key issues affecting the Aviano community were: Childcare options, bus safety, job opportunities and the Aviano Youth Programs.
The following is a list of questions and answers from the Town Hall meeting:
1. Are security lights going to be put in built-to-lease housing?
A: After checking the BTL homes in Maniago, the 31st Civil Engineer Squadron recommends installation of additional lights at each unit at the beginning and/or the end of the townhouse depending on how the house is situated. The 31 CES Housing Office is currently getting estimates and identifying funding. Additionally, the housing office is programming the additional lights for all other BTL units.
2. When will air conditioning units be put in?
A: A survey was accomplished in 2006, which found A/Cs were the number one "desired" feature. As a result, the housing office acquired funds, and the purchase/installation contract was awarded Sept. 28, 2007 for all BTL units. The contractor is currently working installation and has an estimated completion date of July 2008. We are confident the contractor will complete the work on time, if not ahead of time.
3. Can the base better control automobiles speeding in Pordenone built-to-lease and government rental housing program areas?
A: The roads in the BTL are owned by the city of Pordenone. The 31 MSG/CC will address this issue with the Pordenone mayor.
4. Can the base provide better wireless in flightline dorms? Internet speed is slow in dayrooms when 2-3 people are online.
A: Wireless Internet access is provided to the dormitories using mission funds as a quality-of-life initiative. The number of users that can be supported at one time depends on the activities being conducting. For example, the line can easily support 10 people who are checking email and are online banking. However, if two or three people are online at the same time and are gaming, downloading music/movies or using voice or video calling, they will use a lot of bandwidth. This will cause the connection to be very slow.
Airmen living in Area 2 dormitories currently have the capability to acquire
internet service at their own cost that is the same price and speed as those who live on the economy. Telecom Italia has started working on providing Area F dorms this same capability. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2008.
5. Could the Child Development Center ratios be lowered for the children?
A: CDC ratios are established at the Air Force level and those ratios are appropriate for the amount of children and the supervision required.
When we have challenges in a classroom or with a particular child, we do temporarily increase staff in the room to provide additional hands-on interaction, provided we have staff available.
6. Why is distance from base not factored when determining the amount of fuel-ration coupon people receive?
A: The Department of the Navy is responsible for monitoring and controlling fuel rations in Italy. According to NAVSPPACT INST 10340.1H, the basic rations of tax-free fuel coupons is part of a diplomatic agreement. The agreement ensures military readiness by allowing members of U.S./NATO forces to get to work affordably. The objective is to ensure at least 1,000 miles of tax-free commuting travel, based on 20 working days. On a case by case basis, U.S./NATO base commanders or delegated representatives may approve an additional gas allowance to those individuals for whom the established home-to-work travel monthly gas ration allowance can be proven to be inadequate.
7. Childcare is difficult on base and there very few options, can the base offer any more help? Also, CDC openings are not always available unless you are military-to-military or military-to-employed spouse, why is that?
A: The CDC's first priority is to ensure that dual and single military families are taken care of because they directly relate to successfully completing the wing mission. If families do not fall into that category, we encourage families to call the CDC each morning to see if hourly care is available. If a child is sick, the family is on vacation, member is TDY, etc. that frees up a space within the CDC that could be used for hourly care. If families are gone for a long period of time, they can sub-lease their slot to another family. If that is not an option, we encourage families to use the Co-Op Care, Italian Asilos, co-op systems within GRHP community or friends or Italian nannies/babysitters.
We are currently seeking additional staffing within our child care programs to open additional classrooms to help meet these needs. We encourage our family members in the community to apply for these positions. Information on employment opportunities is available at the Civilian Personnel Office, NAF Human Resource Office, and the Airman and Family Readiness Center.
8. Can the Dragon Fitness Center provide childcare, especially for spouses of deployed members?
A: The Dragon Fitness Center was designed based upon a base population of two fighter squadrons. The base population has increased, but the fitness center has not expanded to meet the increasing demands. As a result, the Dragon Fitness Center does not currently have enough room to add a child play area. Additionally, the fitness center staff is not certified to provide child care, and any full service care where parents do not have line-of-sight requires the facility, programs, and operations meet all CDC/Child Care certification requirements. However, two child play areas are offered in the Falcon Fitness Center located in Area 2.
The 31st Services Squadron will provide additional advertising on the child play areas in Area 2 via SVS Rocks, Compass, AFN, etc. Also, the Falcon Fitness Center offers a Mom-n-Tots class on Mon & Wed from 9-10 a.m., which is a great opportunity for parents with kids to get fit.
9. How can the base better ensure people are not smoking in no-smoking areas?
A: The 31 FW/CC responded at the meeting. It is up to the base to enforce the no-smoking areas rules by personally or asking commanders, senior NCOs and first sergeants to address the issue with the person smoking.
10. Why can't the base offer childcare with better hours than the than the Co-Op?
A: If hours were extended the scope of the program would change. Meaning, the Co-Op would become a third CDC, and an updated waiver, new facility and staff would be needed. The base will continue operations within the three-hour operational standard. The purpose of the Co-Op is to supplement short-term, unmet hourly care needs and provide socialization opportunities and free time for spouses.
The base suggests arranging reciprocal childcare arrangements with friends and neighbor. The base is re-evaluating the Saturday Give Parents a Break Program hours of operations and attendance to adjust hours to support evening operations as appropriate.
31 SVS provide continued, aggressive marketing programs on availability of other existing child care options and child/parent programs.
11. How are CDC rates factored?
A: Childcare rates are highly subsidized by the Air Force and are based upon the total family income of the family and not by rank of the military/civilian member. Depending on what category families fall in, a family could be paying as low as $1.17 to $2.43 an hour for childcare. The rates include supervised care, meals, formula, and any other expenses (excluding diapers) which are considerably lower than what you can find anywhere else. The 31 SVS is working with 31 Public Affairs in publishing an informative article in the Compass that will describe all the programs offered to the community.
12. Why do BX vendors charge Euro?
A: According to AAFES worldwide policy, vendors are required to price their items in the local currency. Customers may pay in U.S. dollars or in the local currency.
13. How is the safety of busses at school drop-off points improving for our children?
A: The school bus parking plan and traffic flow will be completely re-structured this summer. The design is still being finalized and should be out in early April. The new design will incorporate a much improved drop-off plan.
14. There is no parking for parents at the library - can anything be done to improve that?
A: With the completion of the new sidewalk in Area 1 for pedestrian traffic from the gravel parking lot to the school, chapel, and base education office, short-term parking spaces should increase. Additionally, renewed emphasis will be placed on those violators parking for the entire day in the two-hour parking areas.
15. Can a book drop be placed at a different location?
A: 31 SVS will actively engage with 31 MSG and 31 AT/FP for possible locations and feasibility.
16. BX stealing--What's the policy?
A: AAFES turns all suspected cases of shoplifting over to base security. According to Air Force Regulation 147-14 (Army and Air Force Exchange Service Operation Policies), installation commanders may take appropriate action to include revoking or suspending exchange privileges. AAFES does charge a fee of $200, under the "Civil Recovery Act" to all shoplifters.
17. DUI--why are all squadron's required to meet?
This is no longer required by any squadrons or units in the 31 FW.
18. Can the signs at the gate stating squadron's responsible for DUI be taken down after a certain amount of days?
A: The 31 FW/CC is looking into this question.
19. Value-added tax forms, why can't we use them?
A: The NATO SOFA allows each host country to determine its policy regarding the taxation of purchases by U.S. military members and dependants.
In Italy, laws regarding taxation of most goods and services purchased on the economy apply equally to U.S. members and local nationals.
While there may be some inconsistency regarding the enforcement of tax law in different Italian regions, the local tax authorities have not allowed any VAT exemptions for military members or their dependants in this region.
20. CLEP testing- Why doesn't the base offer computer-based testing instead of written testing which has a 10-week turnaround?
A: Both CLEP and GRE/LSAT testing fall into Voluntary Education Examinations which are managed by the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support. At this time, DANTES only allows online testing to be conducted at national/international test centers. National test centers are located on college and university campuses. Air Force education center testing sites are not national test centers and are not allowed to conduct online testing. Bottom line: DANTES online testing policies do not allow Aviano to offer online testing for CLEP and GRE/LSAT at this time.
21. Why can't there be childcare opportunities for EU citizens who can legally offer childcare?
A: Home businesses, including child care, are not legal for U.S. citizens unless prerequisites are met. The 31 SVS aggressively markets availability of existing child care. 31 FW/CC encourages families to use the child development center, Italian Asilos, co-op systems within GRP community or friends or Italian nannies/babysitters.
22. Bay orderly shouldn't be responsible for weekend vandalism - do you agree?
A: Every Airman needs to lookout for their wingman and be responsible for each other. If things happen in the dormitories, take the lead and make sure you own up to it, or help clean it up.
23. Aviano Youth Program - Can they reschedule baseball games instead of cancelling them?
A: Yes, the youth center is working on a schedule that will ensure there is 8-10 baseball games offered this season. Weather last year had a huge impact on our baseball season and caused games to be cancelled. However, this year the youth center is working on a make-up game schedule that will ensure children get the opportunity to play while ensuring time for practices. We are also hoping for Mother Nature to cooperate as well.
24. Can the Area 2 fitness center be expanded and hours of operation improved?
A: A Fitness Center Expansion project is on the books waiting funding and scheduled for Fiscal Year 2014. The 31 FW recognizes the need for an expansion of this facility and the impact it has on the community fitness needs.
The Area 2 Fitness hours of operation currently are conducive with the foot traffic in that facility. When we took the headcounts from 5:30 - 6:30 a.m. and 7 - 8 p.m., the average headcount was 6 people. What we noticed were Airmen residing in Area 2 needed an avenue for fitness on the weekends; hence the opening of the Fitness Center on Saturday's from 12- 4 p.m. The hours of operation for Area 2 Fitness Center are Monday - Friday from 6:30 a.m. - 7 p.m., and Saturday 12 - 4 p.m.
25. Can we move the flag football dates up so kids/parents won't freeze?
A: Yes, the AYP is looking at its entire sports calendar to ensure outdoor sports are in a season that is more conducive for games/practices. In fact, AYP is looking into rescheduling the flag football season to an earlier play date.
26. AYP sign-ups - can programs be increased?
A: The youth center pursues every option to place all youth on appropriate teams during the sports season and create new teams when there is no significant impact to play/practice for each child. The AYP will continue to provide continuous feedback to leadership on wait list and options to ensure as many youth as possible participate. Currently, there are no waiting lists for sports.
27. Can a running path be put around the entire base?
A: A long-term plan does exist to build a running path around the entire base but it will take several years and will be accomplished in phases. We're confidant that a second segment of the perimeter running path will be completed in FY 08. This segment will run from the main gate and connect to the sidewalk in between the housing office and the dormitories.
28. Can the name of the AFN morning show Buzz and the Crave be changed? Sounds like they are promoting alcohol and drugs.
A: The Buzz was named after the sound created by aircraft taking off from Aviano. It is also used to reference what was the latest news and information people were talking about. "Hey, what's the buzz?."
The Crave was named because people liked the sound of it. Also, the music, information and DJ were something you craved to listen too. The names were not designed to promote alcohol or drugs and most people do not associate them with that.
29. Issue raised with the cleanliness of Area 2 Fitness Center and the broken TV in child play area- what is being done to fix this?
A: A contractor is responsible for cleaning. Fitness Center staff will accomplish spot cleaning in between contractor cleanings and will request Quality Assurance Evaluation to do spot checks on the contractor. Additionally, patrons can report any problems/issues to Fitness Center staff or fill out a comment card through http://www.31svs-aviano.com/.