Vicenza and Darby Military Communities www.italy.army.mil January 12, 2018 | Vol. 51 | Issue 1 What’s Inside Renew ZTL pass before end of February VICENZA — Military and civilian translating on “The housing department is here to personnel who live downtown Vicenza their behalf and assist anyone who needs help renewing 2 or other areas that require a Limited obtaining the their ZTL pass. We have some blocked Thrift Savings Plan Traffic Zone permit, or “permesso ZTL” renewal,” said appointment times with the local police, have until Feb. 28 to renew the permit Smith. and we will accompany residents to the contribution catchup with the Vicenza local police office. Renewing a appointment to help them renew. We According to Lewis Smith, chief of Vicenza ZTL pass can also help residents obtain copies Housing Division, United States Army involves a little preparation. To renew, of their 2017 TARI tax receipt, as that 3 Garrison Italy, many passes expired drivers must have their existing pass, is usually paid by the landlord. We 173rd officers help Dec. 31 but residents have until the end photocopies of their driver’s license or encourage anyone who needs assistance of February to renew. passport, and copy of their paid TARI to make appointments now to avoid a at scene of accident “The local police office in Vicenza is (refuse collection) tax for 2017. last-minute rush,” said Smith. only working on pass renewals on an Drivers must also purchase a €16 To schedule an appointment or obtain a appointment basis. The housing office renewal stamp from the Tabaccheria copy of the paid TARI tax, call housing 4 will provide assistance to personnel near the police office on the day of the at DSN 637-7950/7951, comm. 0444- Intervention services by accompanying them to the office, appointment. 61-7950/0444-61-7951. put children on track Garrison launches 5-9 Year in Review: survey to weigh Top stories of 2017 quality of life 9 VICENZA — The U.S. Army Europe News briefs South Community Health Promotion Council launched an online survey here Jan. 8 to take the pulse of the U.S. Army 10 Garrison Italy community on a range of Out & About quality of life issues. While there have been surveys looking at different aspects of life here such as recreation, child care, and information- sharing in the past, this one is intended to Precision guidance munitions crew chief Airmen from 731st Munitions Squadron be all encompassing. Military personnel, set up and inspect a munitions stand Nov. 30 at Camp Darby. Inspections are family members, and U.S. employees performed on a regular basis to ensure munitions are serviceable and able to are encouraged to participate. be shipped. “The Army Public Health Center developed a Standardized Community Motorcycle Show, Verona Strengths and Themes Assessment that Camp Darby delivers is based on a nationally recognized process sanctioned through the National 'boom' to USAFE 12 Association of County & City Health FMWR events, activities Officials,” said USAG Italy Community Story and photo U.S. and NATO bases. Fortunately, Readiness and Resiliency Integrator the 731st Munitions Squadron has a by Senior Airman Cary Smith unique framework of a dozen career Amy Cates. 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs “The information we receive from fields to help provide the means to Questions about take the fight to the enemy. this survey is important because it will CAMP DARBY — Minutes from the Embedded within the squadron are VA benefits? provide feedback on areas of quality of Pisa International Airport and the city aerospace ground equipment Airmen, life we’re doing good in and in areas of Livorno, tucked away in a stretch of vehicle maintenance technicians, fi- Make an appointment with the that need improvement.” woodland, sits the largest stockpile of Department of Veteran Affairs nance personnel, communications, Community members can take the conventional munitions within United Overseas Military Service and even medical technicians. online survey now through Feb. 8 at: States Air Force in Europe. Coordinator (OMSC). These sections work with the ammo https://www.surveymonkey.com/R/ At any moment, the 731st Munitions troops to ensure Darby is capable and The OMSC is available on the USAGItaly. Squadron at Camp Darby must be able following dates: According to Cates, there is an to supply a multitude of munitions to See SUPPORT, page 8 Jan. 29-Feb. 2 incentive to complete the survey, which Feb. 21-23 should take less than 10 minutes. March 5-9 “We were fortunate to receive a March 22-23 certificate from Morale, Welfare and Tax center to open for season Receive assistance with Recreation for a free two-night stay eBenefits enrollment, at the Edelweiss Lodge and Resort [in VICENZA — Tax season is about to during the normal tax season (Feb. 1 to disability compensation, Garmisch, Germany] to give away. We kick off, and the Vicenza Tax Center will April 17), the center will offer walk-in claims development, will have a drawing from a list of emails open in February. services for “simple” returns. education benefits, housing, from those who complete the survey. Active-duty service members, military To assist with tax returns, tax preparers survivor benefits and more. "But even without the drawing, retirees, Department of Defense civilian will need to review several documents. everyone’s input is critical to help assess employees, and authorized dependents Please be sure to bring all relevant docu- Active-duty service members, are eligible to use the center for free tax ments with you to the Tax Center, which veterans, survivors, spouses the needs of the USAG Italy community. The results will help us make the right preparation and e-filing services begin- may include: and dependents may make ning in early February. decisions about resources, programs and •Military ID Card individual appointments. To ensure your return is filed on time •W2 Call DSN 637-8155/8156, services. Results may also open doors to and without unnecessary penalties, all •Forms 1099 and/or 1098 comm. 0444-61-8155/8156. new opportunities,” she said. Email are encouraged to visit the Tax Center as •Social Security cards or other proof of Survey results will be shared with the soon as possible after receipt of the W2. Social Security numbers for all members [email protected] or community after garrison leadership has [email protected]. While “complex” returns require an of the household an opportunity to review the data. appointment with one of our preparers, See TAX CENTER, page 3 In Memoriam Relief act caps interest “She always wore Marta Fogato a kindly smile and talked with a on pre-service debt VICENZA — Marta Fogato, a 12- gentle voice when year U.S. Army host nation employee, speaking to us in VICENZA — Interested in saving in student loan debt payable over 20 died Jan. 5 at the Vicenza San Bortolo the office. She was money on credit card or loan years. The monthly payment on this Hospital from an undisclosed illness. also a woman of payments? loan at nine percent interest would be She was 44. incredible energy, Soldiers who are still making $674.79, but at six percent would be Fluent in English, and with a degree and lived a life of payments on debt incurred prior to $537.32. This is a savings of $33,000 in Japanese Language from the service to others entering active duty service may be over the life of the loan. University of Venice, in 2005 Fogato while pursuing her entitled to a significant interest rate The SCRA does provide some was hired as a local national civilian many interests,” reduction. recourse for creditors. If a person’s employee by the garrison’s Directorate added Marina Borgo, friend and The Servicemembers Civil Relief ability to pay an interest rate above of Resource Management. In 2009, she colleague of 12 years. Act (SCRA) sets a six percent six percent is not “materially was promoted to the position of budget “Despite her illness, she managed interest rate limitation (including affected” by one’s service obligation, analyst, with the main responsibility of to continue working until the last any fees or service charges) on debt the creditor can seek a waiver of the overseeing funding requirements for the hospitalization. Her courage and a Soldier incurred, either individually limitation. Housing Division. stamina say a lot about the wonderful or jointly with their spouse, before However, few creditors are willing To those who were aware that Fogato person she was.” entering active duty. to incur the necessary legal expenses had fought her illness for more than two Surviving Fogato are her husband, The interest rate cap applies to to secure court approval of the higher years, her untimely passing leaves an Satoshi Iketani, and their three teenage all debts incurred before entry into rate. unfillable void. children: Natsumi, Yuuichi and Masaki. active-duty service, including student In order to take advantage of “Marta was a great professional and Fogato had met the love of her life loans, credit cards, mortgages and the interest rate reduction, service extremely competent in her job. A during a college exchange in Japan, and car loans, and remains in effect for members must provide written notice sensible and discreet woman, she was he came back to Italy with her. She is the duration of a service member’s to the creditor and a copy of the a model of unselfish devotion to her also survived by her parents, Enrico and active-duty service. military orders bringing the Soldier family, friends and colleagues, and will Lisa Xodo. Interest in excess of six percent on active duty.