This message is in response to an earlier comment from an anonymous VDH employee. 

This new regulation will be difficult for all of us, change is never easy.  However, bickering will only be a hindrance to the processes at hand.

These are hard economic times, which is why I feel asking the public to provide and additional 2.1 million tax dollars is not a viable solution.  With 260 Environmental Health Specialist, at an average or $55,000 a year (including benefits), the state pays out roughly $14.3 million dollars.  I do not feel that a 15% increase in pay would go over well with the public, or our private sector counter parts for that matter.  AOSE’s and contractors are also going through these changes, and I’m sure they would be glad to trade places with any VDH staff.

We all need to work together in a professional manner to make this transition as smooth as possible.  I know it won’t be easy, and I myself have issues with the proposed regulations.  Still, I plan to get my AOSE, and on July 1, 2009 I will make application with DPOR for my interim license.  In the mean time I will meet with AOSE’s, contractors, and speak with the individuals in charge of making corrections to the proposed regulations to bring light to those areas with which I have concerns.  I will do this because the people who pay my salary would expect that from me, and those people are the residents of the Commonwealth of Virginia.  Let’s not forget that.

Lance Gregory

Environmental Health Supervisor

Chesterfield Health District