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News & Information

GSRMA Board Meeting Rescheduled

Please note: the September 20, 2017 GSRMA Board meeting has been rescheduled for September 27, 2017.  

Sep 2017 18 | Posted by liz.smith

MISSION: Stay Safe

Safety programs and training should never be (permanently) crossed off your to-do list.  Yet, evaluating the effectiveness and determining where to go next can be a challenge. Unfortunately, safety does not end with simply establishing a program suited to your operation. Managers and department...Read More

Sep 2017 12 | Posted by liz.smith

GSRMA’s 13th Annual Training Conference

GSRMA’s 13th annual training conference promises the perfect blend of education and entertainment!  The conference will be held on Thursday, October 19th and Friday, October 20th at Rolling Hills Resort in Corning. We are pleased to present several great speakers who will deliver relevant subject...Read More

Aug 2017 15 | Posted by liz.smith

Did you know?

The number one cause of employee death is motor vehicle collisions. How does your district protect employees from this risk? As our modern world becomes more and more complex, the simple task of driving and skill of driving defensively might be lost in the shuffle. Is this the case at your entity?...Read More

Aug 2017 10 | Posted by liz.smith

New Coverage Year…New Coverage Documents!

The 2017-2018 coverage year has begun! Please be on the lookout for the Summaries of Coverage that have been mailed to each district. Electronic copies of the Summaries of Coverage, MOCs and COCs are available via the GSRMA Member Portal.  If you require assistance logging into the Portal, please...Read More

Aug 2017 08 | Posted by liz.smith

LPIP to RMAP

Risk management is the means by which we evaluate financial risks together with the identification of procedures to minimize their impact. In the past, the intent of the Loss Prevention Incentive Program has been to assist our members in the reduction of losses, enhance existing safety or loss...Read More

Aug 2017 07 | Posted by liz.smith

Congratulations to All LPIP Participants!

At our May Board Meeting, the GSRMA Board of Directors approved the 2016/2017 Loss Prevention Incentive Program (LPIP) Awards. The LPIP was created to provide GSRMA members an incentive to develop, implement and maintain safety and loss prevention programs. Attention to these operation details (and...Read More

Jul 2017 25 | Posted by liz.smith

June is National Safety Month

Summer begins June 21st, but the season and all the opportunities for fun—and heat related hazards—are officially upon us.  We hope you are all in the safety mindset and heat and water safety have been topics both in your homes and workplaces.

If not, it’s not too late!  June is National Safety...Read More

Jun 2017 07 | Posted by liz.smith

Cynthia Retires!

Happy retirement to Cynthia Connelly, long time claims professional. Cynthia started with GSRMA in October of 1989 – 28 years of service! She has seen tremendous change in the organization that has grown from 3 employees to 15 and 40 members to over 266. Always witty and artistic, she has been a...Read More

Jun 2017 05 | Posted by liz.smith

Prepare to Sizzle

What was the high temperature in your city yesterday?  If you were anywhere in California, there is a good chance midday temperatures reached well in excess of 80 degrees, which is the temperature at which Cal OSHA’s Heat Illness Prevention measures are required to be in place by California...Read More

May 2017 23 | Posted by liz.smith

Mandated Ethics and Harassment Training a Success

GSRMA’s annual offerings of Ethics Training for Local Government & Harassment Prevention are now behind us.  For the second year in a row we are pleased to offer not one but two sessions of this important compliance training to our membership.  We sincerely appreciate all of you who attended and...Read More

May 2017 19 | Posted by liz.smith

GSRMA Board of Directors Election Results

At the May 10, 2017 meeting, the Golden State Risk Management Authority (GSRMA) Board of Directors ratified the election results for the Fire and Special District Representative seats on the Board. The following are the results of the election:

Nominated Fire...Read More

May 2017 19 | Posted by liz.smith

GSRMA 2016 Annual Report

The GSRMA Annual Report for 2016 is now available! 

Every year, GSRMA produces an annual report with detailed information about our entity, statistics and financials. Please click to view the 2016 Annual Report.

If you would like a printed copy of the Annual Report, please contact our Member...Read More

Mar 2017 01 | Posted by liz.smith

Labor Law Posters

The 2017 labor law posters have been shipped! Depending on the address of your district, they will arrive either via FedEx or USPS. If you do not receive your poster in the next week, please contact our Member Services Department at memberservices@gsrma.org or call us at 530-934-5633.

To assist...Read More

Jan 2017 04 | Posted by liz.smith

Important Reminder - OSHA Form 300A Due

It’s that time of year: February 1st marks the deadline for you to tabulate your annual OSHA Log Summary (OSHA Form 300A) and post it in a common area wherever notices to employees are usually posted. This is the summary only (300A), not the OSHA 300 Form.

The OSHA Form 300A summary must list the...Read More

Dec 2016 29 | Posted by liz.smith

Important Changes Coming

Federal OSHA has revised requirements for recording and submitting records of workplace injury and illness, and the rule is effective January 1, 2017. Under the new rule, some of the recorded information will be submitted to OSHA electronically for posting to the OSHA website. 

All public entities...Read More

Dec 2016 27 | Posted by liz.smith

GSRMA Board Vacancies – Nomination Deadline Approaching

At the September 20, 2016 meeting, the GSRMA Board of Directors reviewed and approved a trial run of an election process to fill the upcoming vacancies to the board. These vacancies will be for the board representative for the fire and special districts.

Please note: Nominations must be received...Read More

Nov 2016 28 | Posted by liz.smith

12th Annual GSRMA Training Conference a Success!

Another wonderful Golden State Risk Management Authority Annual Conference is in the books!  Although we might be a little biased, we think the 12th Annual GSRMA Training Conference was our best event yet.  This year we introduced a new format for the conference.  A second day of training, in the...Read More

Nov 2016 03 | Posted by liz.smith

Upcoming Property Appraisal Process

Golden State Risk Management Authority is a member of CSAC-EIA’s property program.  Every five (5) years, members of this program are required to participate in a property appraisal process.  This process ensures the scheduling of accurate replacement costs for your locations.  CSAC-EIA contracts...Read More

Sep 2016 30 | Posted by liz.smith

2017 Health Plan Open Enrollment

Thank you for your participation in the EIAHealth Program through GSRMA.  We are proud to be able to provide employee health plans with stable and predictable rates to our members.  Because of its stability and its competitive rates, the Program continues to attract new members, which only...Read More

Sep 2016 28 | Posted by liz.smith

GSRMA Trial Election Process for Board of Directors

At the September 20, 2016 meeting, the GSRMA Board of Directors reviewed and approved a trial run of an election process to fill the upcoming vacancies to the board. These vacancies will be for the board representative for the fire and special districts. Additional details and outreach will be sent...Read More

Sep 2016 26 | Posted by liz.smith

Loss Prevention Services

Allocating staff time and valuable, limited resources to safety programs and training can be difficult for small districts to justify. That is, until the inevitable day when OSHA comes knocking. When OSHA sits down to discuss safety with staff at your district, the value of your efforts is readily...Read More

Aug 2016 24 | Posted by liz.smith

Have Pokémon Invaded Your District?

Have you noticed a sharp increase of people in your district walking around strangely staring in their phones?  Then you may be the victim of Niantic, Inc.’s latest game, Pokémon Go.  Pokémon Go is similar to the original Pokémon game. You look for the critters called Pokémon, catch them by hitting...Read More

Aug 2016 22 | Posted by liz.smith

Traffic Control and Flagging Training

The GSRMA Loss Prevention Team and the City of Orland Safety Committee are pleased to offer Traffic Control and Flagging training at the Lely Park Recreation Center on September 27, 2016. The training will go from 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. and lunch will be provided.

This training is appropriate for public...Read More

Aug 2016 16 | Posted by liz.smith

GSRMA’s 12th Annual Training Conference

GSRMA’s 12th Annual Training Conference

We are holding our 12th annual training conference on October 20th - 21st at Rolling Hills Resort in Corning. Like our previous conferences, great speakers will present relevant subject matter in an entertaining manner. And this year we are expanding the...Read More

Aug 2016 10 | Posted by liz.smith

LPIP Applicants and GSRMA General Membership - Take Note

During the 2015-2016 year, GSRMA was no stranger to change--including adding staff to Member Services and Loss Prevention to continue to provide the best possible service to our ever-growing membership.  As the newest member to the GSRMA Loss Prevention team, I am pleased to announce that the...Read More

Aug 2016 08 | Posted by liz.smith

SB 272 Updates California Public Records Act with New Mandate

As a July 1, 2016 compliance date comes closer, many public agencies are starting to discuss what this Senate Bill means and how it will affect them. SB 272 requires each local agency, except a local educational agency, to create a catalog of enterprise systems.

An enterprise system is defined as...Read More

Jun 2016 24 | Posted by liz.smith

The “Hazardous Attitudes” of Managing a Small District

By Mark Velasquez, Hunt Jeppson & Griffin, LLP

Before becoming a lawyer I was a flight instructor, and a commercial pilot.  There are some interesting similarities between flight instructing and being a manager or board member of a district.   One of them is in decision making.   One thing flight...Read More

Jun 2016 16 | Posted by liz.smith

Incoming GSRMA Board Members – July 2016

Three representatives begin new 2 year terms on the GSRMA Board of Directors in July 2016. The Willows Unified School District and the City of Williams were selected by random drawing at the GSRMA board meeting in March to provide representatives for our school and city member districts. Willows...Read More

Jun 2016 13 | Posted by liz.smith

Heat Illness

Here we are again, it’s hot.  We have officially moved from ‘use caution’ to ‘use extreme caution’ with regard to the steadily rising, here comes summer temperatures. Prolonged sun exposure and/or physical activity can cause a number of problems for those who are not yet acclimated to the heat...Read More

Jun 2016 01 | Posted by liz.smith

Dividends Announced for Golden State Risk Management Authority Members

On May 11, 2016 the Golden State Risk Management Authority Board of Directors approved a $250,000 dividend for its members.

The availability of funds for a dividend can be directly attributed to lower than anticipated claims costs and the overall positive performance of the pool over the last 10...Read More

May 2016 16 | Posted by liz.smith

Amendments to California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA)

Amendments to California's Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) regulations take effect today Friday, April 1, 2016,  The California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) has released new final regulations that address (among other things) pregnancy and sexual harassment under the...Read More

Apr 2016 01 | Posted by liz.smith

GSRMA: The Healthcare Alternative

Many California public entities that provide their employees health insurance coverage through CalPERS suffered large increases – some as high as 21% - in their medical insurance rates last year. This was not the case for those in the GSRMA Small Group Health Program. The GSRMA Small Group Health...Read More

Mar 2016 31 | Posted by liz.smith

Labor Law Posters

Each year GSRMA provides our member agencies with an all-in-one state and federal labor law poster.  This year’s posters shipped in January.  If you have not received your poster, please contact our office. 

Please note, there have been revisions to the Pregnancy Disability Leave Notice that was...Read More

Mar 2016 24 | Posted by liz.smith

Selection of Cemetery Representative for the GSRMA Board of Director

This is a reminder that April 30th, 2016, is the deadline for cemetery members to notify us that their governing board has interest in having a board member serve on the GSRMA Board of Directors for the 2016 – 2018 term.

Last year, at the suggestion of PCA board representatives, the GSRMA Board...Read More

Mar 2016 21 | Posted by liz.smith

Tips for a Meaningful Interactive Process

One of the most challenging aspects of being an employer in California, and one that we are constantly asked about through Golden State Risk Management Authority’s HR Hotline program, is navigating the interactive process to determine whether an injured/ill/disabled employee can be reasonably...Read More

Mar 2016 01 | Posted by liz.smith

When and How to File Taxes Without a 1095-B or 1095-C Form

The Affordable Care Act requires most individuals to obtain minimum health coverage or pay a penalty, with some exceptions. The penalty for not having coverage will be assessed for the 2015 tax year. 

The IRS has clarified that individuals do not have to delay filing their 2015 income tax returns...Read More

Feb 2016 08 | Posted by liz.smith

Affordable Care Act Reporting for Under 50 Employees

Overview

The ACA created two new reporting requirements for calendar year 2015 to be reported in 2016. The reports are the Minimum Essential Coverage report (also known as MEC, the 6055 report or the 1094B and 1095B “B series” reports) and the Applicable Large Employer report (also known as ALE,...Read More

Jan 2016 27 | Posted by liz.smith

Affordable Care Act Reporting for Over 50 Employees

Overview

The ACA created two new reporting requirements for calendar year 2015 to be reported in 2016.This will be an annual requirement with data from the prior year being reported to the IRS and individuals in the first quarter of each year. The reports are the Minimum Essential Coverage report...Read More

Jan 2016 27 | Posted by liz.smith

Labor Poster Update

UPDATE: The 2016 labor law posters have been shipped! Depending on the address of your district, they will arrive either via FedEx or USPS. If you do not receive your poster in the next week, please contact our Member Services Department at memberservices@gsrma.org or call us at 530-934-5633. Thank...Read More

Jan 2016 21 | Posted by liz.smith

Important Reminder: OSHA 300A Form Due

It’s that time of year: February 1st marks the deadline for you to tabulate your annual OSHA Log Summary (OSHA Form 300A) and post it in a common area wherever notices to employees are usually posted. This is the summary only (300A), not the OSHA 300 Form.


The OSHA Form 300A summary must list the...Read More

Jan 2016 15 | Posted by liz.smith

Are You Ready for Flu Season?

According to flu.gov, nearly 111 million workdays are lost due to the flu each year, costing employers approximately $7 billion per year in sick days and lost productivity. The flu season can begin as early as October and last until May. Influenza costs businesses an additional $10.4 billion in...Read More

Jan 2016 14 | Posted by liz.smith

Happy Holidays from GSRMA!

Wishing you the happiest of holidays from all of us at Golden State Risk Management Authority!

The GSRMA office will be closed December 24th and 25th, and December 31st through January 1st, 2016.

Dec 2015 18 | Posted by liz.smith

GSRMA Participates in PCA 2015 Annual Conference Activities

Golden State Risk Management Authority participated in the Public Cemetery Alliance’s Annual Conference held on October 23rd, at Rolling Hills Resort in Corning, CA.

Twelve GSRMA staff attended the pre-conference dinner the evening of October 22nd. GSRMA co-sponsored the event with the PCA and...Read More

Nov 2015 16 | Posted by liz.smith

11th Annual Golden State Risk Management Authority Training Conference

By all accounts, the 11th Annual Golden State Risk Management Authority Training Conference was another great success. We held the event on October 22nd, at Rolling Hills Resort in Corning, CA. The 123 people that attended the conference represented 51 of our member agency districts. Based on...Read More

Nov 2015 13 | Posted by liz.smith

We Work for California Public Cemeteries

Golden State Risk Management Authority (GSRMA) is unique in California risk pools. Currently serving 121 cemetery districts across the State of California, we are proud to provide them, and all of our members, not just competitive insurance rates, but a solid, respected risk sharing pool, a variety...Read More

Nov 2015 02 | Posted by liz.smith

Covered California - Subsidy Eligibility Information Due 9/30/2015

In the past few weeks Covered California sent out a letter notifying their members that they must give their consent to Covered California to verify their income and family size to determine their subsidy eligibility for their health plan in 2016. If you have employees that you know are members of...Read More

Sep 2015 11 | Posted by naomi.whatley

GSRMA Board Member Selection Process - Cemetery Districts

Golden State Risk Management Authority is testing a new process for filling future vacancies of the cemetery district representative position on the GSRMA Board of Directors.

But, first, a little history:

In 2001, GSRMA expanded the geographical area we serve to include all of California. Within...Read More

Sep 2015 09 | Posted by liz.smith

Over $255,000 Awarded to GSRMA Members

At the May 13, 2015 Board Meeting, the GSRMA Board of Directors approved the 2014/15 Loss Prevention Incentive Program (LPIP) Awards. The LPIP was created to provide GSRMA members with an incentive to develop, implement and maintain safety and loss prevention programs. The development of safety and...Read More

Jun 2015 09 | Posted by naomi.whatley

HEAT ILLNESS REGULATION CHANGES EFFECTIVE MAY 1, 2015

Cal OHSA recently approved changes to Heat Illness Prevention.  These changes are effective May 1, 2015; in time for this year’s summer season.  These regulations make substantial changes to the existing regulations and require your immediate review of and likely revisions to your policies,...Read More

Apr 2015 21 | Posted by naomi.whatley

CAL OSHA Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) e-tool

Employers in California are required to have an effective written Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP). The benefits of an effective IIPP include improved workplace safety and health, better morale, increased productivity, and reduced costs of doing business. Whether you need to develop a...Read More

Apr 2015 16 | Posted by naomi.whatley

AB 1432 - Mandated Child Abuse Reporting

On September 29, 2014, Governor Brown signed Assembly Bill 1432 - Mandated Child Abuse Reporting: School Employees Training.  This law became effective January 1, 2015, and requires school districts, county offices of education, charter schools, state special schools and diagnostic centers operated...Read More

Mar 2015 24 | Posted by naomi.whatley

2014 Annual Conference Update: $1,000 WINNER!

In October 2014, Golden State Risk Management held our 10th Annual Conference.  Due to popular demand we welcomed back speaker Fred Shafer.  Fred’s enthusiasm and motivation encouraged many attendees to focus on a healthier version of who they are.  During his presentation, Fred mentioned his...Read More

Mar 2015 09 | Posted by naomi.whatley

TargetSolutions Training Program Changes

As users of TargetSolutions, our online training program, we wanted to notify you of some upcoming changes to the training platform.  The majority of the changes will occur on the back end of the program, and should have very little impact on your usage.  The main change you may experience is in...Read More

Jan 2015 30 | Posted by naomi.whatley

GSRMA Monthly Newsletter

Golden State Risk Management has rolled out a new monthly member newsletter series, and I would like to take a moment to introduce you to it.  Our Loss Prevention and Member Services personnel have been working hard at composing information and resources regarding health and wellness for this...Read More

Nov 2014 24 | Posted by naomi.whatley

LPIP Letter of Intent requirements

For those of you that plan on applying for GSRMA’s Loss Prevention Incentive Program this year, this is just a quick reminder that the first deadline to apply is quickly approaching.  Those who plan on applying are required to submit a Letter of Intent to Apply for the LPIP by the first Monday in...Read More

Nov 2014 18 | Posted by naomi.whatley

Property Insurance Value Trending

The property values utilized in GSRMA’s coverage program are automatically “trended” each year. Trending increases or decreases the property values to reflect inflation or deflation of construction, building materials and other costs associated with replacement or repair of damaged property. In...Read More

Oct 2014 28 | Posted by naomi.whatley

Property Program

GSRMA is a member of the CSAC-EIA property program, one of the largest property insurance programs in the country. The program is not only one of the largest, but provides some of the most comprehensive coverage as well. The program consists of 82 member agencies and over $53 billion in total...Read More

Oct 2014 10 | Posted by naomi.whatley

New Sick Leave Requirements

Gov. Brown signed AB 1522 enacting the “Health Workplaces, Healthy Families” law.  This law makes paid sick leave mandatory for all public and private employers in California, regardless of the number of employees. 

All of your employees—full-time, part-time and temporary—will be eligible for paid...Read More

Sep 2014 19 | Posted by naomi.whatley

Workers’ Compensation Coverage for Volunteers

The California labor code defines who is considered an “employee”, and who must be covered by a Workers’ Compensation policy. Under most circumstances, volunteers to public agencies are not considered employees, and are therefore excluded from Workers’ Compensation coverage. An exception to this is...Read More

Sep 2014 18 | Posted by naomi.whatley

Health Care Reform Survival Guide For Employees

What you will find in this guide:

1.   What is Healthcare Reform?

2.   What is individual mandate?

3.    What is the tax penalty for an individual not obtaining Minimum Essential Coverage?

4.   What does healthcare reform mean for my employer?

5.   What is considered affordable coverage?

6....Read More

Sep 2014 17 | Posted by naomi.whatley

Health Care Reform Survival Guide For Employers

What you will find in this guide.

1. Plan Benefits
2. Plan Administration
3. Plan Finances and Taxes
4. Pay or Play
5. Communications
6. Participant Issues

Download here

Sep 2014 17 | Posted by naomi.whatley

Domestic partnership rules through CSAC-EIA health plans

Q.  Does CSAC allow for domestic partners?  If yes what are the requirements. 

A.  The plan permits either the “Standard AB25 law” domestic partner rules, or “extended version of the law that will cover all domestic partners including opposite-sex partners”.  The group may choose either version...Read More

Sep 2014 08 | Posted by naomi.whatley

Labor Law Changes- It’s Impact on Heat Illness Regulations

There have been changes to the California Labor Code that affect heat illness prevention and cool down recovery periods.  Below please find some important information from Robert Hunt regarding this subject.

All GSRMA members with outside workers already have developed and implemented, with the...Read More

Sep 2014 05 | Posted by naomi.whatley

Playground Safety

The playground is a fun-filled place.  However, with the dramatic increase in playground-related injuries over the past two decades, it is also a place that requires adult supervision.  United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) statistics estimate that more than 200,000...Read More

Aug 2014 22 | Posted by naomi.whatley

How Did That Happen?

“There has been an accident!” These are words every supervisor dreads to hear.   However, it is important topic that should be given some thought.  It is critical to have an Accident Investigation Policy and process in place.  In the event that an accident occurs, there is a known process to...Read More

Aug 2014 21 | Posted by naomi.whatley

An Employer Must-Have: Good Job Descriptions

One of the most critical elements of a successful employer-employee relationship is the job description.  Unfortunately, a large majority of employers treat job descriptions as just another paper to help plump up the files instead of making them effective management tools.  Almost daily we are...Read More

Jul 2014 28 | Posted by naomi.whatley

Social Networks…Know The Risks & Issues

Social networking sites allow you to express yourself and keep in touch with coworkers, associates, friends by exchanging messages or comments and posting personal profiles describing you and your interests.

If practiced safely, there can be many positive aspects of social networking. You can...Read More

Jun 2014 28 | Posted by naomi.whatley

Managing Employment Risk in a Slowing Economy

A Roadmap for Public Entities

One only has to take a quick look at recent news stories to see the economy’s powerful effect on municipalities nationwide.  Earlier this year, Kansas City closed nearly 50 percent of the district’s public schools, eliminating more than 700 jobs, in an attempt to...Read More

Jun 2014 27 | Posted by naomi.whatley

Government Code Procedural Primer

GOVERNMENT CODE PROCEDURAL PRIMER

Compliance with the procedural requirements of the Tort Claims Act found in the California Government Code is a condition precedent to most lawsuits against California public entities. They are designed to give the public entity an opportunity to conduct a timely...Read More

Jun 2014 27 | Posted by naomi.whatley

Heat Illness Prevention Resources

Heat Illness Prevention Resources

Despite the temperature indicated by your thermometer, it is time to get started on preparing your staff for the coming scorching summer temperatures.  Heat illness is a potentially life threatening, progressive illness that is preventable if the proper...Read More

May 2014 27 | Posted by naomi.whatley

Glossary of Risk Management and Insurance Terms

A

Absolute Liability: Liability arising from extremely dangerous operations. For example, builders would be liable for damages caused by vibrations after detonating an explosive. Claimants usually do not need to establish that the operation is dangerous. (See Strict Liability)

Accident: An...Read More

May 2014 26 | Posted by naomi.whatley

AB 1825 Sexual Harassment Training & Education Law

Frequently Asked Questions about California’s AB 1825 Sexual

Updated October 10, 2007

1.   Q.  What is California Assembly Bill 1825 (AB 1825)?
       A.  AB 1825 is a law mandating all employers with 50 or more employees to provide
            a minimum of two (2) hours of classroom or other...Read More
Apr 2014 27 | Posted by naomi.whatley

Medicare-Who Pays First?

Q.  We have an employee on our insurance and Medicare; however, he informed me that Medicare does not pay on any of their claims. Medicare told this employee that they will not because he is employed. Is that true? If yes, why is it mandatory that he purchase insurance that does not pay on claims?...Read More

Sep 2013 08 | Posted by naomi.whatley

Contract Risk Transfer

Background:

  • Each entity should have their own risk philosophy that meets their individual risk tolerance, and that philosophy should be reflected in their required contract provisions.
  • The primary purpose of the contract is not risk transfer, but rather to obtain needed services or goods.
  • The...Read More
Aug 2013 27 | Posted by naomi.whatley

AB 2298 Public Safety Employees

On January 1, 2013 Assembly Bill 2298 (AB 2298) became effective.  All public safety agencies should be aware of this bill.  A recent California Association of Joint Powers Authorities (CAJPA) Legislative Update provided the following analysis on the potential impact of this bill.  “Do you have any...Read More

Aug 2013 27 | Posted by naomi.whatley