George Gombossy | CT Watchdog

Lyme Disease Guidelines: CT Atty Gen testifies on standards

Sun, 02 Aug 2009 11:52:02 -0500

press release

ATTORNEY GENERAL SAYS IDSA HEARING SHOULD SET STANDARD FOR ESTABLISHING MEDICAL GUIDELINES

Attorney General Richard Blumenthal said last week's hearing by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) to review its Lyme Disease guidelines -- the result of a settlement with Blumenthal's office -- should set the standard for transparency and fairness in the promulgation of medical guidelines.

"This hearing accomplished a key goal -- compelling a fair and full discussion, free of conflicts of interest by panelists, so that all scientific facts and perspectives are considered before medical guidelines are established," Blumenthal said.

"Medical guidelines have profoundly powerful consequences for countless lives, driving doctors' treatment decisions and insurance company coverage determinations. Such significant clinical standards deserve the most intensive scrutiny from all perspectives -- physicians, scientists and patients -- before they are published.

"Whatever the outcome of today's hearing, the bar has been raised for the IDSA and other medical associations in their development of clinical practice guidelines. Medical practice guidelines are too integral and important to be developed without a rigorous conflicts-free process."

The IDSA hearing was held pursuant to an agreement between Blumenthal and the IDSA. The agreement was reached after an investigation by Blumenthal's office revealed that IDSA panelists who developed the existing guidelines in 2006 had conflicts of interest and failed to consider divergent medical opinion and evidence.

Mophie Juice Pack Air Review: great product, extends battery life of all iPhones, iPod Touch

Sat, 01 Aug 2009 15:10:45 -0500

Gadget Of The Week

If you own an iPhone or an iPod Touch, have I got a toy for you. It's the Mophie Juice Pack Air -- a combination lithium rechargeable battery and hard case.

Us iPhone (available for all models) and Touch owners know how quickly the batteries drain on our units.

The $80 to $100 units double your battery life and protect your investment.

I have been using one for my 3G iPhone a week and it performs as advertised. It's simple to use: just slide it open into its two halves, and insert your unit.

Buying A PC Or MAC? Wait

Sun, 26 Jul 2009 12:52:50 -0500

With both Microsoft and Apple coming out with new operating systems this fall, waiting to buy a new computer might be a smart move.

Wall Street Journal columnist Walter S. Mossberg reported last week that the new Windows 7 OS, due out Oct. 22, is great.

But he warned that upgrading from Windows XP to 7 is going to be a real hassle. So if you have an XP as your operating system, and you are ready for a new computer, hold off until Oct. 22. The upgrade from Vista is relatively simple, he reported.

For Apple customers, a new operating system (Snow Leopard) is due in September. So why spend money on a Mac now and then have to pay for an upgrade?

But if you want a real deal and don't care about having the latest operating system, there should be great sales of computers with XP and OS X systems as retailers clear their shelves for the next holiday season.

Heating oil, propane gas wholesale and retail average prices

Sun, 26 Jul 2009 12:39:07 -0500

Q: John Eickel of Bloomfield is wisely thinking about his winter heating bill now and wants to know where he can find information on the Internet to help him choose a heating-oil dealer and to keep track of oil prices.

A: Check www.connecticutheatingoil.com for many of the heating-oil dealers listed by towns that are served. Click on a town, and you will get a list of at least some of the dealers that service that municipality. The list appears to be incomplete -- Windham only has one dealer listed. So only use this list as a starting point.

Another important site is tinyurl.com/ld5sbn. It lists wholesale prices for heating oil and compares them to prices in other areas as well as prior year's prices.

At tinyurl.com/n8yc2n, you'll find retail heating-oil prices in Connecticut by area and compares prices to last year's.

At tinyurl.com/krq8wk, you'll find a weekly list of average home heating-oil and propane prices in Connecticut during the heating season.

At tinyurl.com/nvcyq8, you'll find heating-oil and propane prices throughout the country. But, according to state officials, the prices are a little out of date.

It would be smart to bookmark these sites. If you have additional ones, please let me know.
You can follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ctwatchdog

Propane Gas tips: what you can do to reduce your propane gas bill

Sun, 26 Jul 2009 12:29:15 -0500

If you are part of the smart/lucky 4 percent of propane users in Connecticut who already own their own tank, you need to read only a few paragraphs of this column.

But if you are one of the 96 percent who don't, odds are you can save a lot of money by following the advice of hundreds of propane users who were kind enough to send me their issues and suggestions.

The big tip for everyone (besides shopping for the best prices) is to consider prohibiting automatic deliveries.

Too many propane retailers have taken advantage of their customers by topping off tanks when in the neighborhood, sticking the consumer with the extra delivery charges, dramatically raising the per-gallon cost, especially for those only needing small amounts.

The second key tip for all propane users -- in Connecticut, that's an estimated 300,000 families -- is to fill up your tank as soon as you can afford to do it in summer.

Joseph U. Rose, president of the Propane Association of New England, says the price for propane is dramatically cheaper in the summer than in the winter. It makes sense; supply and demand.

Chimney Clean Scam: BBB warns of Chimney Cleaning Con Gams

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 19:07:42 -0500

Connecticut Better Business Bureau Warns Consumers about Chimney Cleaning Con
Game (Press Release)

Dishonest Operators Use Fear, High Pressure Tactics and Lowball Estimates to Cheat Consumers

Wallingford, CT - July 23, 2009 - In light of the recent arrest of two New York men who tried to cheat a Milford homeowner, Connecticut Better Business Bureau is warning consumers about chimney cleaning scams.

The arrests followed an investigation by the Department of Consumer Protection (DCP), which alleges the men turned a $39.95 chimney cleaning estimate into a recommendation for $3,200 in unnecessary repairs.

Charges against the pair ranged from impersonating home contractors to performing work without a license.

According to Connecticut Better Business Bureau President, Paulette Scarpetti, this is not a new scam, and the intervention by DCP shows its potential to cheat consumers.

"When a contractor tells you that your life is in danger or part of your home needs urgent repairs to prevent serious damage, your first instinct is to protect yourself and your property. Unlicensed and dishonest contractors often use fear tactics to turn routine maintenance into an unnecessary costly and potentially unsafe job."

Heating Oil, Propane Gas: Conn AG gives tips on buying Heating Oil and Propane Gas

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 07:55:05 -0500

From Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal

Heating Oil Tips:

•   Shop around. Literally dozens of home heating oil companies are competing for your Business. Take your time and ask lots of questions. An excessively low price, especially for a pre-buy contract, may be an indication of financial problems at the company. If it's too good to be true, it probably is;

•   Only purchase oil from a retailer registered with the Department of Consumer Protection. You can check whether a dealer is registered by visiting DCP's website, www.ct.gov/dcp;

•   Retain all delivery slips and scrutinize them to assure that the price, number of gallons and other information is mechanically printed on them. The slips also include information on the efficiency of your burner that will help you decide whether it's time to buy a new furnace;

•   If you agree to pre-payment, fixed price or monthly payment plan, ask the dealer to state in writing that it has purchased futures contracts or posted a bond as required by state law;

•   Carefully weigh the pros and cons of price cap, pre-payment, fixed price or monthly payment plans. Make sure you fully understand the plan and the contract before signing. Keep in mind that the petroleum markets are extremely volatile and can fluctuate wildly based on anything from weather patterns to refinery breakdowns to unrest overseas.

Propane Tips:

third party telephone charges: AT&T agrees to permit blocking

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 09:16:39 -0500

AT&T has agreed to honor all customer requests to block third-party charges to their accounts in Connecticut -- a major victory for consumers.

State Attorney General Richard Blumenthal last week requested that AT&T permit its customers to block third-party charges after I informed him that the telephone company was not honoring all such requests.

AT&T, in a Monday letter to Blumenthal, said it would comply with his request, and by Sept. 30 at the latest the company will be able to block these charges that have frustrated hundreds of Connecticut consumers.

Blumenthal on Tuesday said that he was thrilled with AT&T's response and that he had already mentioned it to other state attorneys general and expected them to make similar requests.

Consumers have complained to me for months about being billed on their AT&T land lines or cellphones for services they did not need and never ordered. Internet consumer sites are filled with similar complaints from all over the country.

Some unscrupulous firms get access to people's telephone numbers when consumers fill out forms on the Internet for discount coupons and at other sites and then bill them for such services as voice mail or electronic faxes through their telephone companies.

Under federal law, AT&T and other telephone companies are required to permit these charges -- referred to as third-party -- to be billed. Whichever telephone company is the dominant one in that state must honor the billings.

AT&T Agrees to Ct AG Blumenthal's request to block third party charges

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 16:13:48 -0500

Letter of Response to CT AG on 3rd Party Billing Blocks.pdf

Buster Brown Children's Clog Shoes Recalled

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 15:04:58 -0500

News from CPSC

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, D.C. 20207

For Immediate Release Firm's Recall Hotline: (888) 869-1044

July 21, 2009 CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772

Release #09-281 CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Buster Brown Clog Children's Shoes Recalled by Brown Shoe Co. and Pagoda International Footwear Ltd. Due to Choking Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following products. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Buster Brown & Co.'s Clog Children's Shoes

Units: About 1.4 million (73,000 pair of shoes were previously recalled in April 2009)

Distributor: Brown Shoe Co. Inc., of St. Louis, Mo. and its affiliate Pagoda International Footwear Ltd., of Hong Kong.

Hazard: The shoe has decorative wheels that can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.

Utility Executive Compensations: TOOOO much says Ct AG

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 12:39:39 -0500

Press Release

ATTORNEY GENERAL SAYS EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION SOARS, EVEN AS PUBLIC UTILITIES SEEK RATE INCREASES

Attorney General Richard Blumenthal today called for executive compensation reform for utilities that disclosed increased salaries and benefits to top executives even as they sought unconscionable rate hikes.

Blumenthal was joined by State Rep. Vickie Nardello, D-Prospect, House co-chair of the Energy and Technology Committee.
:
Electric and gas consumers -- many losing jobs and homes -- are compelled to provide pay raises to utility executive millionaires," Blumenthal said. "These compensation disclosures should drive reform, and energize consumers who have endured rate increases over the past year. I urge legislation again to cap the expense to ratepayers for excessive executive pay."

Farmers' Markets open in Hartford area

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 17:25:43 -0500

By Luis Edgardo Cotto (Hartford councilman)

It's that time of year when you can get a bevy of quality nutritious greens and produce grown and harvested in the region and, in some cases, our own back yards. Below you will see a list of ongoing farmers markets in the city as well as note from our friends at Four Fields Farm who sell at the West End Farmers Market. I hope we can support these entities. ~peace and ashé

--------------------------------------
HARTFORD - OLD STATE HOUSE FARMERS' MARKET
Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
May 1 - December
Old State House, 800 Main Street

HARTFORD - PARK STREET FARMERS' MARKET
Mondays 9:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
July 6 - October 26
Walgreen's Parking Lot,
Corner of Park and Washington Streets

Propane Gas purchase tips: Ct Consumer Protection gives tips on what propane gas customers should do before buying

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 10:46:30 -0500

Tips courtesy of Ct Consumer Protection Commissioner Jerry Farrell Jr.

Make sure the dealer you buy from is registered with the Department of Consumer Protection, as required by law. See License Verification at www.ct.gov/dcp or call 860-713-6160. Some propane dealers offer guaranteed price plans. Retail contracts for propane gas that offer a guaranteed price, including fixed price contracts, must be in writing. All terms and conditions must be disclosed in plain language and must be printed in at least twelve-point boldface type.

Ask for a signed, dated copy of any contract that you sign, and hold on to all your delivery receipts for at least a year, in case there is a dispute.

Propane dealers may also offer pre- buy contracts. If you sign a pre-buy contract, use a credit card that has purchase protection and only buy from a reputable dealer. Pre-buy contracts can be no longer than 18 months and shall indicate:

• The amount of funds you paid to the dealer under the contract.
• The maximum number of gallons of propane committed by the dealer for delivery to you under the contract.
• That performance of the prepaid propane gas contract is secured.

Buying a used car: check NICB.ORG first to see if it has nasty history

Sun, 19 Jul 2009 12:27:53 -0500

When buying a car, check www.nicb.org for whether the vehicle had been stolen or declared a total loss by an insurance company.

The VINCheck service, recommended recently in Consumer Reports Money Adviser, is free and made available through the National Insurance Crime Bureau.

But just like CarFax or AutoCheck -- paid services -- none will guarantee that the car is pristine. Its best to take it to a trusted mechanic who should be able to tell you whether its been in a major accident or in a flood.

Heating Oil Tips: what to do to prepare for heating oil season

Sun, 19 Jul 2009 12:20:02 -0500

Summer has barely begun but it's time for many Connecticut residents to make a crucial decision about next winter: how to deal with your heating oil.

The first critical decision: whether to lock in prices now or pay the market price when you need heating oil next winter. Either way, it's gambling, and it could be as risky as last year, when oil topped out at $147 a barrel in the summer, then plunged 50 percent by winter.

Oil was trading Friday at about $63 a barrel. Most experts say that the $55-to-$75 range is reasonable in the next 12 months considering all the economic and geopolitical forces that exist now.