This email below, was sent complete. When I looked days later, the body had been removed.
But, this original did make it to Ms. Ward.
- Hide quoted text -
Date: Thu, Dec 18, 2008 at 9:58 AM
Subject: Target Location - Hawaii
--
VERNON BALMER JR.
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This one made it to all previous but, Ms. Ward's direct email address.
dateThu, Jan 8, 2009 at 2:21 PM
subjectTarget Location
hide details 1/8/09
I am a former Title Guaranty employee. I worked where records were stored, in the basement of what was the Costco location that is now occupied by Target.
We were housed in the basement with an air-conditioner as the only ventilation. I noticed mold growing in a hole, in the wall beneath the air-conditioner, adjacent to the room where I sometimes, but mostly my co-workers would eat lunch. I asked them about it and was told that management was made aware of it and did nothing. I decided to inform management myself, considering the untruths I had previously heard from some. I was thanked by the assistant to the woman in accounting who handled the repairs for the building.
I did not think it was a major undertaking by a very successful company to fix this problem, and was surprised at the length of time it was taking to address the situation, so I informed OSHA, Aug. 2003. This is when things started to go further south. Strangely, the day after going to the OSHA offices, the next day at work, my supervisor stated to a co-worker, " Vernon went to OSHA." This information was not given to her or any co-worker, by me.
When I went to Hawaii OSHA, the employee did not give me any type of reference number, or write one in the space provided on the complaint form, nor did she inform me at that time that mold is not OSHA'S jurisdiction, which is what I was told when I went to check on the status of the complaint.
Neither, did the employee inform me of laws governing discrimination. I was also told - it not being OSHA'S jurisdiction - the complaint was referred to the Department of Health. It was like pulling teeth to get an answer as to what office at the DOH it was referred to. Needless to say I could not inquire about the possible disposition of the complaint, not knowing where to inquire.
There was a flood upstairs after Costco vacated the ground level space. When I went around the rear of the building to go to the Tesoro station, I saw torrents gushing from the trucking bays. This water was obviously under pressure. It could not be due to an eccess of rain, which was the explanation I heard from the supervisor.
I saw no fire department personnel before I left and was told none were notified. We continued working after a cursory "mop up".
- Hide quoted text -
Vernon Balmer Jr.
General Delivery
Honolulu, Hawaii 96820
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Date: Wed, Dec 31, 2008 at 11:29 AM
Subject: Request for information on Indoor Air Quality and Mold in a Commercial Location in Hawaii
Dear Mr. Balmer,
Your letter to our information line was forwarded to our Indoor Environments Program for response. While we have a great deal of guidance on indoor air quality and mold, we do not have standards or regulations to apply to your situation. I'm sorry that you were not directed to the proper department at the Hawaii Department of Health. Please contact the following department and individuals:
Hawaii Department of Health
Russell S. Takata
Program Manager
Noise, Radiation and Indoor Air Quality Branch
Hawaii Department of Health
591 Ala Moana Blvd.
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813-4921
808-586-4700
and:
Shawn Haruno
Indoor Air Quality Specialist
Monique Nivolon
Indoor Environments Team
US EPA - AIR-6
75 Hawthorne Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
Tel: 415-947-4195 - Fax: 415-947-3583
==================================================
Your message:
----- Forwarded by Rosemary Hardy/R9/USEPA/US on 12/24/2008 11:56 AM -----
cc:
Subject: Information
I am a former Title Guaranty employee. I worked where records were stored, in the basement of what was the Costco location that is now occupied by Target.
We were housed in the basement with an air-conditioner as the only ventilation. I noticed mold growing in a hole, in the wall beneath the air-conditioner, adjacent to the room where I sometimes, but mostly my co-workers would eat lunch. I asked them about it and was told that management was made aware of it and did nothing. I decided to inform management myself, considering the untruths I had previously heard from some. I was thanked by the assistant to the woman in accounting who handled the repairs for the building.
I did not think it was a major undertaking by a very successful company to fix this problem, and was surprised at the length of time it was taking to address the situation, so I informed OSHA, Aug. 2003. This is when things started to go further south. Strangely, the day after going to the OSHA offices, the next day at work, my supervisor stated to a co-worker, " Vernon went to OSHA." This information was not given to her or any co-worker, by me.
When I went to Hawaii OSHA, the employee did not give me any type of reference number, or write one in the space provided on the complaint form, nor did she inform me at that time that mold is not OSHA'S jurisdiction, which is what I was told when I went to check on the status of the complaint.
Neither, did the employee inform me of laws governing discrimination. I was also told - it not being OSHA'S jurisdiction - the complaint was referred to the Department of Health. It was like pulling teeth to get an answer as to what office at the DOH it was referred to. Needless to say I could not inquire about the possible disposition of the complaint, not knowing where to inquire.
Nov, 2003, there was a flood upstairs after Costco vacated the ground level space. When I went around the rear of the building to go to the Tesoro station, I saw torrents gushing from the trucking bays. This water was obviously under pressure. It could not be due to an eccess of rain, which was the explanation I heard from the supervisor.
I saw no fire department personnel before I left and was told none were notified. We continued working after a cursory "mop up".
Vernon Balmer Jr.
General Delivery
Honolulu, Hawaii 96820
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Don't give up
VERNON BALMER JR.
Date: Wed, Apr 1, 2009 at 1:33 PM
Subject: RE: Copies
Thank you for the compliment Mr. Balmer! I really do appreciate it! Friday is good. Our office is located in the same place you came the last time I believe. Next to Immigration. Our address is 591 Ala Moana Blvd. When you get here, just go to room 133 and ask the girls for a "request for public record" and in the requested record field, write in IAQ letter to Title Guaranty, 235 Queen Street, dated 12/1/03. I'll leave a copy with them in case I'm out in the field when you come. Thanks again!
Shawn
Sent: Wednesday, April 01, 2009 10:18 AM
To: Haruno, Shawn H.
Subject: Re: Copies
Thank you Mr. Haruno, more people like you are needed in state positions. I would like to come to the offices this friday. I know the DOH has more than one location. Where is yours?
Mr. Balmer, I apologize for the delay in response. I have been out of the
office since the 25th. If you have access to a fax machine, I can fax you a
request for public record. The cost is $.50 a page and the letter is one
page. If you don't have access to a fax machine, you can come to our office
and fill it out in person. Let me know what you prefer. Thanks! Have a
nice day Mr. Balmer!
-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, March 25, 2009 10:08 AM
To: Haruno, Shawn H.
Subject: Re: Copies
Yes, Mr. Haruno, that is the one I am referring to. My copy is out of
state and I would like one available here. Is it possible to get one?
Mr. Balmer,
I searched our records again under "Title Guaranty" since the first
Mention of the location of your concern was in the email dated 3/17/09 addressed
to Mr. Takata. I did find a letter to Mr. Koizumi dated 12/1/03. Is this
the record that you are requesting or is it a newer complaint? Please
clarify.
Sent: Tuesday, March 24, 2009 9:10 AM
To: Haruno, Shawn H.
Subject: Re: Copies
I can only reiterate what I have stated before. The only additionsl
information I can give you is that the records show that the complaint was
sent to Myron Koizumi, at Title Guaranty and he did not respond.
I received one from the offices that were behind the Immigration station
On Ala Moana. Now that it is the Department Of Homeland Defense, I am not
Sure if the DOH offices are still there.
Can you tell me, are they? I would like to contact that office and get
another.
On Tue, Mar 24, 2009 at 8:20 AM, Haruno, Shawn H.
Aloha Mr. Balmer,
As stated previously, we did not receive a copy of your complaint, therefore no follow up was performed regarding the Title Guaranty Offices.
Could you call me at 586-5800 so I can get some information from you?
Once I receive the information, I can follow up with your concerns and
Hopefully remedy the situation there. Thank you,
Shawn Haruno
Sent: Friday, January 23, 2009 11:21 AM
To: Vernon Balmer Jr.
Cc: Haruno, Shawn H.
Subject: RE: Copies
Vernon,
I do not have a copy of your complaint, and therefore, no disposition
document.
Russ
Russell S. Takata, Program Manager
State of Hawaii - Dept. of Health
591 Ala Moana Blvd., Rm. 133
Honolulu, HI 96813
Ph. (808) 586-4700 FAX (808) 586-5838
Sent: Friday, January 23, 2009 9:10 AM
To: Takata, Russell S.
Subject: Copies
I would like a response to my last email below, please.
dateMon, Jan 5, 2009 at 10:17 AM
subjectRe: Vernon Balmer Jr.
To be more specific, I would like copies of my complaint and the
Subsequent disposition of it.
On Sat, Jan 3, 2009 at 4:55 PM, Takata, Russell S.
Vernon,
If I can have your address, I will have IAQ/mold information sent to you.
Russ
Sent: Sat 1/3/2009 4:45 PM
To: Takata, Russell S.
Subject: Re: Vernon Balmer Jr.
I would like copies of what is available.
On Sat, Jan 3, 2009 at 11:49 AM, Takata, Russell S.
Vernon,
What can we do for you?
Russ
VERNON BALMER JR.
