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“I believe that over the next five years, the developmentr of the green-energy economu can drive this nation’s comeback,” the Democraticv governor said at the general session ofPV America, which is beingg held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia through The conference is the first by the to focuas solely on photovoltaic solar which comes from photovoltaic panels that convert sunlight into It’s being held in conjunctio with the IEEE’s 34th Photovoltaic Specialists Conference at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, which is adjacen to the convention from Sunday through Friday.
(IEEE used to stand for , but the nonprofitt now just refers to itself by its acronym becauser it has so many members from othe rengineering fields.) About 3,000 peopled are attending the conferences, the SEIA and IEEE Part of Rendell’s message was similar to the message deliverec by SEIA President and CEO Rhon e Resch later in the When they go the people at the conference should promotew solar energy’s virtues to everyone from theirr neighbors to their state and federal elected “You have to roll up your sleevea and be advocates,” Rendell said.
Both Rendell and Resch praisee President Obama for his efforts on behalcf of renewableenergy — “President Obamaw is becoming the solar president,” Resch said but they said they’d like the federal government to do more. Rendell said federak legislators should dotwo things: Make renewable-energy tax creditss permanent, rather than reauthorizing them everyh few years; and create a federakl alternative portfolio standard that mandates that a specifiee portion of energy sold in the country be createfd from alternative energy sources. Twenty eight states, including Pennsylvaniaz and New Jersey, and the District of Columbi a have alternativeportfolio standards.
Rendell said he’d like the federal standard to have minimuk figures that states coulfd exceed ontheir own. “If we do those things I think there’s no reason that America can’t be the dominant nation in solare energy for the he said. Rendel said alternative energyh will drivethe U.S. economy for the next 25 yearxs just asthe information-technology and life sciences industries have driven it for the last 25. Underf his leadership, Pennsylvania has moved to capitaliz onthat shift. In 2004, it established an alternative portfolio standare that requires 18 percent of energy sold in Pennsylvaniqa to come from alternative sourcess of energyby 2020.
Last summer, Pennsylvania created a $650 million renewable energy fund. Of that $180 million is to go to solatr energy, consisting of $100 million for grants and rebates to cover up to 35 percent of the costd incurred by homeand small-business ownerds who install solar energy systems, and $80 million for grantxs and loans for solar economic-developmentr projects. More than 300 applications forsolaf economic-development projects were received by the deadlinse last week, Rendell said. Philadelphia also has gotteh in onthe renewable-energy act. Mayor Michae Nutter in April by 2015. The city is one of 25 takinyg part in the federal Departmenof Energy’s Solar America Cities initiative.
As part of that, it’sw developing a plan to generate 2.3 megawatts of solar electricity by 2011and 57.8 megawattsw by 2021, which is its share of the statee of Pennsylvania’s solar installation goal. To help it meet those goals, Nutter said Monday, the city is lookintg to replace the roof at its fleet workshop with a roof that producea solar energy and has formulated plans forbuildinh large-scale solar arrays at Philadelphia Water Department locations.
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Pictures from 2012 that capture the spirit of Long Islanders - Newsday
mcfarlainofuqub1258.blogspot.com
Pictures from 2012 that capture the spirit of Long Islanders Newsday In the moment: Pictures from 2012 that capture the spirit of Long Islanders. December 29, 2012 10:47 AM. A lot happens in the span of 365 days. Small moments, the offbeat and the in-between â€" times that reveal our essence as Long Islanders. 2012 was ... |
Friday, December 28, 2012
Silicosis class action motion filed against South Africa gold firms - Reuters
efimtsovavadan.blogspot.com
Silicosis class action motion filed against South Africa gold firms Reuters JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - A South African lawyer has moved to file a class action suit against over 30 gold firms on behalf of 17,000 former miners who say they contracted silicosis, a debilitating lung disease, due to negligence in health and safety. |
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Steep learning curve on reef politics - The Australian
adamovaichive.blogspot.com
Steep learning curve on reef politics The Australian GBRMPA concluded: "The reef is under extreme and unsustainable pressure if the quality of water does not improve. Starfish outbreaks are not a 'natural event' when they occur with the frequency and intensity seen since the 1950s. We have enough ... |
Monday, December 24, 2012
California HS basketball standout breaks the rim on windmill dunk - Yahoo! Sports (blog)
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California HS basketball standout breaks the rim on windmill dunk Yahoo! Sports (blog) Jordan Bell was a household name in high school basketball circles before this week, but if you weren't familiar with the Long Beach Poly (Calif.) power forward's game ... well let's just say this dunk should do the trick. The University of Oregon ... |
Saturday, December 22, 2012
The Cost of Health Care: 1958 vs. 2012 - Forbes
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Forbes | The Cost of Health Care: 1958 vs. 2012 Forbes Mark Perry has posted some interesting comparison of how prices have plummeted between 1958 and 2012 when measured in terms of the hours of work required to purchase items. He concludes that today's consumer working at the average wage of ... |
Friday, December 21, 2012
Setback in US fiscal talks rattles shares, euro - Reuters
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National Post | Setback in US fiscal talks rattles shares, euro Reuters NEW YORK (Reuters) - Global stock markets skidded on Friday, and the euro and oil futures also slipped as a new setback in talks to avert a U.S. fiscal crisis and weak data out of Europe put investors on edge. A proposal from U.S. Speaker of the House ... US fiscal cliff s etback rattles global shares, euro Fiscal cliff setback rattles shares, euro Asian shares slide as anxieties show over U.S. budget impasse |
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Gas prices up 14 cents - Orlando Business Journal:
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Nationwide, the average price of regular unleaded gas rose by 14 centxs in thelast week, to $2.21 a gallon. It also rose 14 centsa in Florida, to $2.23 a gallomn from $2.09. The rise in gas pricews coincides with a hike in crudedoil prices, which climbed $5.43 a barrel to closre on Friday on the at $58.63 a the highest price yet this "Notwithstanding a recent run-up in wholesalse prices, retail price increases defy the fundamentalss that tell us we still have weak demand, a surpluds of oil and healthy output from said Gregg Laskoski, managing director of publifc relations, in a news release.
“Bu some analysts believe that news last week from the reportinhg a decline in unemployment benefit claims pointes to emerging recovery and growinh demand for fuel in thenear term."
Nationwide, the average price of regular unleaded gas rose by 14 centxs in thelast week, to $2.21 a gallon. It also rose 14 centsa in Florida, to $2.23 a gallomn from $2.09. The rise in gas pricews coincides with a hike in crudedoil prices, which climbed $5.43 a barrel to closre on Friday on the at $58.63 a the highest price yet this "Notwithstanding a recent run-up in wholesalse prices, retail price increases defy the fundamentalss that tell us we still have weak demand, a surpluds of oil and healthy output from said Gregg Laskoski, managing director of publifc relations, in a news release.
“Bu some analysts believe that news last week from the reportinhg a decline in unemployment benefit claims pointes to emerging recovery and growinh demand for fuel in thenear term."
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Avinger Receives FDA Clearance for Ocelot | PIXL - The Herald | HeraldOnline.com
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Avinger Receives FDA Clearance for Ocelot | PIXL The Herald | HeraldOnline.com Avinger Inc., a medical device manufacturer of innovative, multi-functional imaging catheters for crossing chronic total occlusions (CTOs) in patients with Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), has received FDA clearance to market Ocelot | PIXL in the ... |
Monday, December 17, 2012
A World of Maximum Guns - The Atlantic
vlastaowibopaj.blogspot.com
A World of Maximum Guns The Atlantic A World of Maximum Guns. By Ta-Nehisi Coates. Tweet Dec 15 2012, 6:38 PM ET Comment. This is probably as good a time as any to link to my colleague Jeff Goldberg's piece which argues for more gun safety measures along with a larger portion of the ... |
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Colonial looks to board to fill top jobs - Washington Business Journal:
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The appointments of Sippial and Beville are effective today but are subject to final approval by the appropriatreregulatory authorities, Colonial said in a release. Colonial BancGrou p (NYSE: CNB), headquartered in Montgomery, is a $26 billion holding companyt with 352 branches in five is among the largest bankss in the Tampa Bay area with50 $2.8 billion in deposits and a 3.6 percent deposit market share, accordinv to the most recent information available from the Colonial recentlu made a deal for a $300 milliobn capital infusion that gives of Ocalq controlling interest in the bank, which has struggled in part because of its exposurew to the Florida real estates market.
Sippial, president and founder of , a real estated investment company basedin Montgomery, Ala., has server on the board of directors of Colonial since 1997. In additioh to his regular board compensation, he will receive an annual retainerof $300,000 and an annuakl transportation allowance of $10,000, a filing with the Beville, who also has servecd on the Colonial boarfd since 1997, will be takinfg a leave of absence from his position as vice president/treasurerf at T&B Ltd., an insurance agency in Ala., operating under the name . Bevillwe does not have a written contract with but he will receive a base annual salary of the SECfiling said.
In lieu of a relocatiob package, he will receive up to $50,000 in annuaol housing allowance and an annual transportatioh allowanceof $10,000. Neither Sippial nor Beville will initially take part in a definedincentivr plan, and neither was granted any equityy compensation or signing bonus, the filing
The appointments of Sippial and Beville are effective today but are subject to final approval by the appropriatreregulatory authorities, Colonial said in a release. Colonial BancGrou p (NYSE: CNB), headquartered in Montgomery, is a $26 billion holding companyt with 352 branches in five is among the largest bankss in the Tampa Bay area with50 $2.8 billion in deposits and a 3.6 percent deposit market share, accordinv to the most recent information available from the Colonial recentlu made a deal for a $300 milliobn capital infusion that gives of Ocalq controlling interest in the bank, which has struggled in part because of its exposurew to the Florida real estates market.
Sippial, president and founder of , a real estated investment company basedin Montgomery, Ala., has server on the board of directors of Colonial since 1997. In additioh to his regular board compensation, he will receive an annual retainerof $300,000 and an annuakl transportation allowance of $10,000, a filing with the Beville, who also has servecd on the Colonial boarfd since 1997, will be takinfg a leave of absence from his position as vice president/treasurerf at T&B Ltd., an insurance agency in Ala., operating under the name . Bevillwe does not have a written contract with but he will receive a base annual salary of the SECfiling said.
In lieu of a relocatiob package, he will receive up to $50,000 in annuaol housing allowance and an annual transportatioh allowanceof $10,000. Neither Sippial nor Beville will initially take part in a definedincentivr plan, and neither was granted any equityy compensation or signing bonus, the filing
Saturday, December 15, 2012
NACA to add more than 1,000 jobs in Charlotte - Phoenix Business Journal:
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The hiring will begin immediately, with the national nonprofi hosting a job fair Fridayand Saturday. NACA focuses on lending to low- and moderate-incomwe families. Gov. Bev Perdue announced the expansion with the state giving NACAa $1 million grany from the One North Carolina Fund. It plan s to invest more than $4 millioj here, with 1,014 jobs expected to be added over the nextfive “North Carolina remains a strong presence in the U.S. finance and this is a tremendous opportunity for the Perdue said.
“Our top-rated business climatr and skilled financial-services work force are attractiv e to growing national NACA is headquartered in Boston and operates more than 40 offices nationwide. It currently employs about 100 workers in Mecklenbur g County to originate and processmortgage loans. Under the five-year state incentive agreement, the organization plansd to add 550jobs immediately. The jobs will pay an averag annual wageof $35,982. Salaries will ranged up to $80,000 annually. The hiring will focusx on mortgage negotiators, customer-service representatives, call-center managerd and mortgage counselors.
“NACA is excited that it’s putting more than 1,00 people to work during thesde tougheconomic times,” NACA Chief Executive Bruce Marks said Thursday. “Today’s announcement is more than just a souncbite — we are followinyg through on this investment by holdinhg a jobs fair tomorrowa to hire 550 people immediately.” Perdue said Thursdaty that she consulted with formee Bank of America Corp. Chairman Hugh McColl Jr. aboutr the deal. McColl has been a longtime supporterof NACA’ s work. BofA began a partnershipp with NACAunder McColl’s watc in 1995 and in 2004 committed $6 billion to its lendiny program.
Perdue says McColl confirmed to her that he expected NACA coulf follow through on its job commitmentsz in severalphone conversations. “Whebn someone begins something like thisin Charlotte, it alwayes grows,” McColl said in an interview “They’ll come in and find this is a good placde to find (a work I would hope it would be an eruptiomn of jobs, not just trickles down.” The group claims it will be the largest number of people hired immediately in one area and the largest job commitment in the countrty since the mortgage crisis began in 2007. The hirin g comes as NACA embarks on a nationwide Save theDreamk Tour.
Marks says the added jobs are cruciao as NACA leads its campaigmn to makemortgages affordable. Hundreds of NACA staffc will provide long-term solutions for homeownersx with anunaffordable mortgage. “Charlotte continuee to be attractive because of ourknowledgeable financial-service s work force and we welcome NACA’s investmen t in North Carolina,” N.C. Sen. Dan Clodfeltefr (D-Mecklenburg) said in a release. NACA’es Counseling Center is in the Charlotte East office park off Albemarlre Road between Central Avenue and FarmPond Lane.
“Charlott continues to be recognized as a leadefr in financial services with a talented and experienceclabor force,” says Charlotte Chamber Chairmamn Tim Belk. “We are pleasec to welcome NACA to the community and look forward to the investment in jobs and presence they will briny to ourEast side.” The chambe assisted NACA in its expansion effort. Charlotte East ownerr Roger Kellogg, principal of , and leasinh director Eric Speckman have worked closely with NACAsinces 2007, when the nonprofi t established a small office in the park.
NACA has legall binding agreements with all themajoer lenders/servicers to restructure the mortgages they The NACA agreements cover more than 90 percent of homeowner s with an unaffordable mortgage. The staff from the Counselingv Center in Charlotte will travelk nationwide to work on Save the Dream eventes where morethan 25,00p people are counseled over four days, with thousands receivingf affordable restructured mortgages with permanent interest rates oftenj at 4 percent, 3 percent and 2 percent and wherer necessary the principal reduced. The started in 1988, has the primary goal of buildingv strong, healthy neighborhoods nationwide throughaffordable homeownership.
NACA operations include financialo counseling, specialized mortgage services and a Home Save program for homeownerx with anunaffordable mortgage. NACA will host a job fair from8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Frida and Saturday at its CharlottdCounseling Center. For more informationm about Neighborhood Assistance Corporationof America, including employment opportunities, go to
The hiring will begin immediately, with the national nonprofi hosting a job fair Fridayand Saturday. NACA focuses on lending to low- and moderate-incomwe families. Gov. Bev Perdue announced the expansion with the state giving NACAa $1 million grany from the One North Carolina Fund. It plan s to invest more than $4 millioj here, with 1,014 jobs expected to be added over the nextfive “North Carolina remains a strong presence in the U.S. finance and this is a tremendous opportunity for the Perdue said.
“Our top-rated business climatr and skilled financial-services work force are attractiv e to growing national NACA is headquartered in Boston and operates more than 40 offices nationwide. It currently employs about 100 workers in Mecklenbur g County to originate and processmortgage loans. Under the five-year state incentive agreement, the organization plansd to add 550jobs immediately. The jobs will pay an averag annual wageof $35,982. Salaries will ranged up to $80,000 annually. The hiring will focusx on mortgage negotiators, customer-service representatives, call-center managerd and mortgage counselors.
“NACA is excited that it’s putting more than 1,00 people to work during thesde tougheconomic times,” NACA Chief Executive Bruce Marks said Thursday. “Today’s announcement is more than just a souncbite — we are followinyg through on this investment by holdinhg a jobs fair tomorrowa to hire 550 people immediately.” Perdue said Thursdaty that she consulted with formee Bank of America Corp. Chairman Hugh McColl Jr. aboutr the deal. McColl has been a longtime supporterof NACA’ s work. BofA began a partnershipp with NACAunder McColl’s watc in 1995 and in 2004 committed $6 billion to its lendiny program.
Perdue says McColl confirmed to her that he expected NACA coulf follow through on its job commitmentsz in severalphone conversations. “Whebn someone begins something like thisin Charlotte, it alwayes grows,” McColl said in an interview “They’ll come in and find this is a good placde to find (a work I would hope it would be an eruptiomn of jobs, not just trickles down.” The group claims it will be the largest number of people hired immediately in one area and the largest job commitment in the countrty since the mortgage crisis began in 2007. The hirin g comes as NACA embarks on a nationwide Save theDreamk Tour.
Marks says the added jobs are cruciao as NACA leads its campaigmn to makemortgages affordable. Hundreds of NACA staffc will provide long-term solutions for homeownersx with anunaffordable mortgage. “Charlotte continuee to be attractive because of ourknowledgeable financial-service s work force and we welcome NACA’s investmen t in North Carolina,” N.C. Sen. Dan Clodfeltefr (D-Mecklenburg) said in a release. NACA’es Counseling Center is in the Charlotte East office park off Albemarlre Road between Central Avenue and FarmPond Lane.
“Charlott continues to be recognized as a leadefr in financial services with a talented and experienceclabor force,” says Charlotte Chamber Chairmamn Tim Belk. “We are pleasec to welcome NACA to the community and look forward to the investment in jobs and presence they will briny to ourEast side.” The chambe assisted NACA in its expansion effort. Charlotte East ownerr Roger Kellogg, principal of , and leasinh director Eric Speckman have worked closely with NACAsinces 2007, when the nonprofi t established a small office in the park.
NACA has legall binding agreements with all themajoer lenders/servicers to restructure the mortgages they The NACA agreements cover more than 90 percent of homeowner s with an unaffordable mortgage. The staff from the Counselingv Center in Charlotte will travelk nationwide to work on Save the Dream eventes where morethan 25,00p people are counseled over four days, with thousands receivingf affordable restructured mortgages with permanent interest rates oftenj at 4 percent, 3 percent and 2 percent and wherer necessary the principal reduced. The started in 1988, has the primary goal of buildingv strong, healthy neighborhoods nationwide throughaffordable homeownership.
NACA operations include financialo counseling, specialized mortgage services and a Home Save program for homeownerx with anunaffordable mortgage. NACA will host a job fair from8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Frida and Saturday at its CharlottdCounseling Center. For more informationm about Neighborhood Assistance Corporationof America, including employment opportunities, go to
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Four Old Spice Ads Make YouTube's List of Most Popular Ads of 2012 - New York Times (blog)
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Four Old Spice Ads Make YouTube's List of Most Popular Ads of 2012 New York Times (blog) The list, called the YouTube 2012 Ads Leaderboard, underscores that point with the subheading, “Ads People Choose.†The list was compiled, according to YouTube, using a combination of factors that signaled viewer choice, including number of views and ... |
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Eddie Bauer buyer says it will turn retailer around - Baltimore Business Journal:
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Jonathan Lynch, a managing director of CCMP CapitallAdvisors LLC, said without the burden of debt, coulsd quickly become a profitable company. “In this we are talking about a good company with a badbalancse sheet, and we are going to turn it into a greaf company with a great balance Lynch said. Lynch said Eddie Bauer CEO Neil Fiske and his team havemade “impressivr strides in a very difficult economic Looking at key retail metrics, particularl y comparable-store sales, Eddie Bauert has outperformed its competitors, Lynch said. Lynch said CCMP Capital would keepthe company’s headquarters in Bellevue becausee he said there is no compelling strategic reason to move it.
He said that CCMP Capitalk typically holds on to companies for five to 10 And Lynch said his firm also woulx keep most ofEddie Bauer’s 371 retail stores although he said that some stores that can’t remain profitable woulx be closed. Lynch said he did not know how many storese thatmight be. Eddie Bauer f The retailert struck a deal withCCMP Capital, for $202 CCMP’s offer is essentially an opening bid for Eddie Bauer’s The sale must be approved by a bankruptc y judge, who will oversed an auction. CCMP likely woulcd emerge as Eddie Bauer’s owner, unlese there is an offer thatbeats CCMP’w price and terms. Eddie Bauer listefd total assetsof $476.
1 million and totall debts of $426.7 million as of May 30.
Jonathan Lynch, a managing director of CCMP CapitallAdvisors LLC, said without the burden of debt, coulsd quickly become a profitable company. “In this we are talking about a good company with a badbalancse sheet, and we are going to turn it into a greaf company with a great balance Lynch said. Lynch said Eddie Bauer CEO Neil Fiske and his team havemade “impressivr strides in a very difficult economic Looking at key retail metrics, particularl y comparable-store sales, Eddie Bauert has outperformed its competitors, Lynch said. Lynch said CCMP Capital would keepthe company’s headquarters in Bellevue becausee he said there is no compelling strategic reason to move it.
He said that CCMP Capitalk typically holds on to companies for five to 10 And Lynch said his firm also woulx keep most ofEddie Bauer’s 371 retail stores although he said that some stores that can’t remain profitable woulx be closed. Lynch said he did not know how many storese thatmight be. Eddie Bauer f The retailert struck a deal withCCMP Capital, for $202 CCMP’s offer is essentially an opening bid for Eddie Bauer’s The sale must be approved by a bankruptc y judge, who will oversed an auction. CCMP likely woulcd emerge as Eddie Bauer’s owner, unlese there is an offer thatbeats CCMP’w price and terms. Eddie Bauer listefd total assetsof $476.
1 million and totall debts of $426.7 million as of May 30.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Major alcohol reforms pass into law - New Zealand Herald
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3News NZ | Major alcohol reforms pass into law New Zealand Herald Justice Minister Judith Collins said the Alcohol Reform Bill, which was now divided into three bills, struck a "sensible balance" by reducing the serious harm caused by alcohol without penalising people who drank responsibly. She told the Herald ... MPs pass new alcohol legislation Alcohol Reform Bill 'a total failure' Alcohol Law Reform Passes Into Law |
Sunday, December 9, 2012
IHOP will change corporate name to DineEquity - Dallas Business Journal:
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Glendale's IHOP (NYSE: IHP) attributed the name chang e toits $2.04 billion purchase of . "Th acquisition of Applebee's required that we select a name for our companhy that reflectsour company's core competencies and recognizesx our ownership of multiple brands, and DineEquity does just IHOP CEO Julia Stewarr said in the "Further, DineEquity's tagline 'Grea Franchisees. Great Brands.' prominently identifies two of the most important contributors to our With Applebee's and IHOP, we have brought together two greag brands, and we are beginning to demonstrate how we are more successfuo together than we couldr ever have been apart.
Our name changes to DineEquity reflects the promise of our newlycombinedx company." IHOP Corp. owns and franchises more than 3,300 IHOP and Applebee'se Neighborhood Grill & Bar restaurantd combined.
Glendale's IHOP (NYSE: IHP) attributed the name chang e toits $2.04 billion purchase of . "Th acquisition of Applebee's required that we select a name for our companhy that reflectsour company's core competencies and recognizesx our ownership of multiple brands, and DineEquity does just IHOP CEO Julia Stewarr said in the "Further, DineEquity's tagline 'Grea Franchisees. Great Brands.' prominently identifies two of the most important contributors to our With Applebee's and IHOP, we have brought together two greag brands, and we are beginning to demonstrate how we are more successfuo together than we couldr ever have been apart.
Our name changes to DineEquity reflects the promise of our newlycombinedx company." IHOP Corp. owns and franchises more than 3,300 IHOP and Applebee'se Neighborhood Grill & Bar restaurantd combined.
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Timbers wrap up busy week of roster moves - Yahoo! Sports
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NBCSports.com | Timbers wrap up busy week of roster moves Yahoo! Sports On Thursday, the team announced it had picked up the contract options on goalkeeper Joe Bendik, defenders Futty Danso and Chris Taylor, midfielders Eric Alexander, Kalif Alhassan and Sal Zizzo, and forwards Bright Dike and Brent Richards. Players still ... Portla nd retains 11 players from 2012 squad |
Friday, December 7, 2012
Curtis Adkins: Compassionate construction - Washington Business Journal:
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He discovered a few years ago, while helping to builr an emergency shelter for homeless men inMontgomeruy County, that even in one of wealthiesr regions in the country, the other end of the spectrun is very close to "Everyone thinks of Montgomery County as an affluenty area, but here's a homeless shelter that has 100 peopl e going through there every says Adkins, vice president of McLean-based and presideng of the Home Builders Care a non-profit group that serves the District and five Marylansd counties. "You don't think there's a povertu issue in those kindsof places, but it's rightr in our back yard. It was an eye-opener.
" After spendinh five years on the foundation's board, Adkins recentlyt took the helm asits president. He and 15 other boardd members serve as matchmakers between the locao construction industryand non-profit groupx that need a hand with building and repairing shelterss for homeless and low-incomee residents. The labor performed by membera ofHBCF ( ) is donates in-kind or heavily Montgomery County's shelter would have cost $1 million if it was put out to bid, but HBCF volunteeres built it for $500,000. The refurbishmen t last year of a shelter for mentallyg challenged adults inPrince George's County was budgeted at Thanks to HBCF's efforts, it cost only Adkins says.
And for Adkins, the work is even more gratifyinf than topping offa million-dollar home. "It' always nice when a house gets finishefd and you can stand on the streeg lookingat it, knowing you had something to do with its Adkins says. "But when you see the folks that benefitg froma [HBCF] project, and you see how they appreciates it, it's incredibly satisfying." Adkinw caught the attention of Ken Malm back in when Adkins was a colleg e student looking to earn a few bucks and Malm was headingt up the Maryland division of NV Homes. Malm is president of Craftmark Group, whicnh includes Adkins' company and Craftmark Homes.
"When we hired Curt as a laborer, a superintenden on a job site asked him to move a steel Malm says. "Curt ran to the picked it up and ran it over to the new Curt is the kind ofguy who, when he's walkinbg up stairs, he's taking them two or thres stairs at a time." When Adkins graduatef from Ohio University in he re-connected with Malm at NV Homes. Througg 10 years with the company, Adkins climbed the ladderf from laborer to assistant supervisor toproject manager. During that time, Malm left the company to starf hisown venture, Craftmark Group. Adkins eventually followedx him and has been with Craftmark for aboufeight years.
It was Malm who convinced Adkins to get involved with which is the charitable arm ofthe Maryland-Nationak Capital Building Industry Association ( ). "Curtt has a calm demeanor at the office, but underneathn that is a lot of intensityand energy," Malm "I think that's the best combination, to have a laid-back interpersonao style while still maintaining that intensith for work." Since it was formexd in 1984, HBCF has provided donationsd of labor and materials valuede at more than $3 million to shelteer projects in the District and suburban Maryland.
Not everyone who worksz on HBCF initiatives is a member of the and board members are able to drawon "hundredsx of contacts" in the construction industry when it's time to starg a project, Adkins says. "There are a lot of guys out therwe who are just willing to donate their time and do a good Adkins says. Count Adkins in that group, says Patti HBCF's program manager. When the Silver Springy Interfaith Housing Coalition needed someone with drywal expertise to renovate the GoodShepherdc Cottage, a transitional home for needy families, Adkinw wasted no time answering the call, Kane says.
"Thw coalition had nobody who knew much about but Curt had somebody up there within a few days doing the Kane says. "Any time there'sz a hole to fill in a project, Curt volunteers to help. His hearr is really in his This year, HBCF is taking a new tack in itscharitablee efforts. The organization is working with District officials to develop affordable housing on a vacanft lot in the northeastg quadrant ofthe city. If the city agreess to donate the land, HBCF volunteers have a roug plan tobuild "three to 12" townhouse units on the site, Adkinxs says. "This would be a first for Adkins says.
"We've always done shelter-oriented projects, and new housing would be a big job for avolunteeer board. It's a project that would take full-timr management, but we're trying to see it through." The work also wouldf provide a nice change of pacefor Adkins, whos responsibilities at Craftmark typically include supervisinbg the development of homes valued between $900,000 and $2 million. That'ws what would make the District project a step in therighy direction, Adkins says. "There's clearly not enough affordabld housing inthis region," he says. "There's a limited supply of and there's an increasing amountf of fees and charges that add onto the costsz of buildinga home.
I don't see a let-uop in that pattern any time soon." Whether it's following througy at the office or starting the nextHBCF project, Adkins says he'll stick by a credk he adopted when he first entered the construction industryy nearly 20 years ago -- the harde r you work, the easier your job becomes. "Honestly, the more that you plan the fewersurprises you'll have," he says. "It'ws how I felt when I was workinh on ajob site, and it's how I feel now that I'm on the managemenyt side of the business.
Sometimes, all it takes is working an extra hour at night to make sure a hous is ready for the contractotr inthe morning, or staying at the officde a little bit longee to finish up the paperwork for an importanrt customer."
He discovered a few years ago, while helping to builr an emergency shelter for homeless men inMontgomeruy County, that even in one of wealthiesr regions in the country, the other end of the spectrun is very close to "Everyone thinks of Montgomery County as an affluenty area, but here's a homeless shelter that has 100 peopl e going through there every says Adkins, vice president of McLean-based and presideng of the Home Builders Care a non-profit group that serves the District and five Marylansd counties. "You don't think there's a povertu issue in those kindsof places, but it's rightr in our back yard. It was an eye-opener.
" After spendinh five years on the foundation's board, Adkins recentlyt took the helm asits president. He and 15 other boardd members serve as matchmakers between the locao construction industryand non-profit groupx that need a hand with building and repairing shelterss for homeless and low-incomee residents. The labor performed by membera ofHBCF ( ) is donates in-kind or heavily Montgomery County's shelter would have cost $1 million if it was put out to bid, but HBCF volunteeres built it for $500,000. The refurbishmen t last year of a shelter for mentallyg challenged adults inPrince George's County was budgeted at Thanks to HBCF's efforts, it cost only Adkins says.
And for Adkins, the work is even more gratifyinf than topping offa million-dollar home. "It' always nice when a house gets finishefd and you can stand on the streeg lookingat it, knowing you had something to do with its Adkins says. "But when you see the folks that benefitg froma [HBCF] project, and you see how they appreciates it, it's incredibly satisfying." Adkinw caught the attention of Ken Malm back in when Adkins was a colleg e student looking to earn a few bucks and Malm was headingt up the Maryland division of NV Homes. Malm is president of Craftmark Group, whicnh includes Adkins' company and Craftmark Homes.
"When we hired Curt as a laborer, a superintenden on a job site asked him to move a steel Malm says. "Curt ran to the picked it up and ran it over to the new Curt is the kind ofguy who, when he's walkinbg up stairs, he's taking them two or thres stairs at a time." When Adkins graduatef from Ohio University in he re-connected with Malm at NV Homes. Througg 10 years with the company, Adkins climbed the ladderf from laborer to assistant supervisor toproject manager. During that time, Malm left the company to starf hisown venture, Craftmark Group. Adkins eventually followedx him and has been with Craftmark for aboufeight years.
It was Malm who convinced Adkins to get involved with which is the charitable arm ofthe Maryland-Nationak Capital Building Industry Association ( ). "Curtt has a calm demeanor at the office, but underneathn that is a lot of intensityand energy," Malm "I think that's the best combination, to have a laid-back interpersonao style while still maintaining that intensith for work." Since it was formexd in 1984, HBCF has provided donationsd of labor and materials valuede at more than $3 million to shelteer projects in the District and suburban Maryland.
Not everyone who worksz on HBCF initiatives is a member of the and board members are able to drawon "hundredsx of contacts" in the construction industry when it's time to starg a project, Adkins says. "There are a lot of guys out therwe who are just willing to donate their time and do a good Adkins says. Count Adkins in that group, says Patti HBCF's program manager. When the Silver Springy Interfaith Housing Coalition needed someone with drywal expertise to renovate the GoodShepherdc Cottage, a transitional home for needy families, Adkinw wasted no time answering the call, Kane says.
"Thw coalition had nobody who knew much about but Curt had somebody up there within a few days doing the Kane says. "Any time there'sz a hole to fill in a project, Curt volunteers to help. His hearr is really in his This year, HBCF is taking a new tack in itscharitablee efforts. The organization is working with District officials to develop affordable housing on a vacanft lot in the northeastg quadrant ofthe city. If the city agreess to donate the land, HBCF volunteers have a roug plan tobuild "three to 12" townhouse units on the site, Adkinxs says. "This would be a first for Adkins says.
"We've always done shelter-oriented projects, and new housing would be a big job for avolunteeer board. It's a project that would take full-timr management, but we're trying to see it through." The work also wouldf provide a nice change of pacefor Adkins, whos responsibilities at Craftmark typically include supervisinbg the development of homes valued between $900,000 and $2 million. That'ws what would make the District project a step in therighy direction, Adkins says. "There's clearly not enough affordabld housing inthis region," he says. "There's a limited supply of and there's an increasing amountf of fees and charges that add onto the costsz of buildinga home.
I don't see a let-uop in that pattern any time soon." Whether it's following througy at the office or starting the nextHBCF project, Adkins says he'll stick by a credk he adopted when he first entered the construction industryy nearly 20 years ago -- the harde r you work, the easier your job becomes. "Honestly, the more that you plan the fewersurprises you'll have," he says. "It'ws how I felt when I was workinh on ajob site, and it's how I feel now that I'm on the managemenyt side of the business.
Sometimes, all it takes is working an extra hour at night to make sure a hous is ready for the contractotr inthe morning, or staying at the officde a little bit longee to finish up the paperwork for an importanrt customer."
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Feds ready to ramp up stimulus projects - Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal:
tarpleypymibujuh1491.blogspot.com
Vice President Joseph Biden said in a conferencs call with reporters Monday that the stimulue helpedcreate 150,000 jobs in the firsty 100 days after the American Recovery and Reinvestmentr Act was passed in February. Biden said the contractsd and funding could resultin 600,000 jobs being created this ARRA also will fund 135,000 state and local educatiob jobs and 125,000 summer youth To that end, Biden said the government is fast tracking stimulus projects, including: Constructio n and energy conservation contracts at 107 national parks. Improvementxs at 90 veterans medical centers. Construction funding for 200 watere and wastewater treatment plants inrural areas.
Construction at 98 airportz nationwideand 1,500 highways and at just under 400 militaru bases. The priority projects have not yet been brokenn down by stateor locality. Stimulue money has been allocated to improvr runways at Phoenix Sky Harbor International lane improvements on Interstate 10 and 17 to improve public housing and homeless services in Glendale and otherlocal cities. The move come s as some city governments say it is takinfg months for ARRA money to hit the local level so contracyt biddingcan begin.
Othetr critics have complained that construction and government contractoras already working in the public sector are getting most ofthe
Vice President Joseph Biden said in a conferencs call with reporters Monday that the stimulue helpedcreate 150,000 jobs in the firsty 100 days after the American Recovery and Reinvestmentr Act was passed in February. Biden said the contractsd and funding could resultin 600,000 jobs being created this ARRA also will fund 135,000 state and local educatiob jobs and 125,000 summer youth To that end, Biden said the government is fast tracking stimulus projects, including: Constructio n and energy conservation contracts at 107 national parks. Improvementxs at 90 veterans medical centers. Construction funding for 200 watere and wastewater treatment plants inrural areas.
Construction at 98 airportz nationwideand 1,500 highways and at just under 400 militaru bases. The priority projects have not yet been brokenn down by stateor locality. Stimulue money has been allocated to improvr runways at Phoenix Sky Harbor International lane improvements on Interstate 10 and 17 to improve public housing and homeless services in Glendale and otherlocal cities. The move come s as some city governments say it is takinfg months for ARRA money to hit the local level so contracyt biddingcan begin.
Othetr critics have complained that construction and government contractoras already working in the public sector are getting most ofthe
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Macy's puts downtown Minneapolis office space up for lease - Business First of Buffalo:
karnergetajequ1416.blogspot.com
The listing includes 350,000 square feet on flooras six through 10 abovethe Macy’as store on Nicollet Mall, being marketed by Jim Damianoi and Bryan Beltrand at Welsh Cos. for Macy’sx Inc. The Macy’s site, once home to Dayton-Hudson Corp., was largely emptied last fallwhen Cincinnati-based Macy’sx cut about 1,000 jobs in Minnesota. The Macy’s spacde enjoys a prime location — Welsh’s Damiani termee it a “main-and-main” site. However, it is an olde building with some accessibility issues forthe office-spacew users.
Macy’s is sandwiched between City Centefr andIDS Center, near Target and Barnee & Noble and across from the headquartersa for U.S. Bancorp. The floors being offerexd can be accessed by escalatorsand elevators, but first requires people to walk througj Macy’s department store space. Damian declined to say if Macy’ss planned to invest any money for renovations priore tolanding tenants. A Macy’s spokeswoma n declined to comment. The space available for lease is on floors sixthrough 10, exceptr for an eighth-floor auditorium that Macy’s plans to keep for its annuao holiday display.
The retailed also plans to keep its restaurantsx operating on the12th floor, Damianj said. Damiani acknowledged that the space has drawbacks for Hesaid he’s “really bullish” that the space will leasw quickly, as Macy’s plans to seek out back-office -type users. There aren’t many blocks of spacs in downtown that have morethan 200,000p square feet of contiguous space, he added. Damianki said Macy’s would prefer to leasde the entire space to one or morelarge tenants, but it is willing to cut up the space to accommodatd smaller ones.
It recently responded to a requestr for proposals from a tenanf looking foronly 10,000 square
The listing includes 350,000 square feet on flooras six through 10 abovethe Macy’as store on Nicollet Mall, being marketed by Jim Damianoi and Bryan Beltrand at Welsh Cos. for Macy’sx Inc. The Macy’s site, once home to Dayton-Hudson Corp., was largely emptied last fallwhen Cincinnati-based Macy’sx cut about 1,000 jobs in Minnesota. The Macy’s spacde enjoys a prime location — Welsh’s Damiani termee it a “main-and-main” site. However, it is an olde building with some accessibility issues forthe office-spacew users.
Macy’s is sandwiched between City Centefr andIDS Center, near Target and Barnee & Noble and across from the headquartersa for U.S. Bancorp. The floors being offerexd can be accessed by escalatorsand elevators, but first requires people to walk througj Macy’s department store space. Damian declined to say if Macy’ss planned to invest any money for renovations priore tolanding tenants. A Macy’s spokeswoma n declined to comment. The space available for lease is on floors sixthrough 10, exceptr for an eighth-floor auditorium that Macy’s plans to keep for its annuao holiday display.
The retailed also plans to keep its restaurantsx operating on the12th floor, Damianj said. Damiani acknowledged that the space has drawbacks for Hesaid he’s “really bullish” that the space will leasw quickly, as Macy’s plans to seek out back-office -type users. There aren’t many blocks of spacs in downtown that have morethan 200,000p square feet of contiguous space, he added. Damianki said Macy’s would prefer to leasde the entire space to one or morelarge tenants, but it is willing to cut up the space to accommodatd smaller ones.
It recently responded to a requestr for proposals from a tenanf looking foronly 10,000 square
Saturday, December 1, 2012
At PV America, Rendell says alternative energy will boost economy - Austin Business Journal:
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“I believe that over the next five the development ofthe green-energy econom can drive this nation’s comeback,” the Democrativc governor said at the general session of PV which is being held at the Pennsylvania Conventio n Center in Philadelphia through Wednesday. The conference is the firsrt by the to focus solely on photovoltaicsolart energy, which comes from photovoltaic panelsw that convert sunlight into It’s being held in conjunction with the IEEE’s 34th Photovoltaic Specialists Conference at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, which is adjaceng to the convention center, from Sunday throughy Friday.
(IEEE used to stanr for , but the nonprofit now just referzs to itself by its acronym because it has so many memberss from otherengineering fields.) About 3,00 0 people are attending the conferences, the SEIA and IEEE Part of Rendell’s message was similar to the messager delivered by SEIA President and CEO Rhone Reschu later in the session: When they go home, the peopl at the conference should promote solar energy’ss virtues to everyone from their neighbors to thei r municipal, state and federal elected officials. “Youj have to roll up your sleeveas andbe advocates,” Rendel l said.
Both Rendell and Reschu praised President Obama for his efforts on behalf of renewabl eenergy — “President Obama is becominfg the solar president,” Resch said but they said they’d like the federal governmenr to do more. Rendell said federal legislators shoulc dotwo things: Make renewable-energy tax credits rather than reauthorizing them every few and create a federapl alternative portfolio standard that mandates that a specifierd portion of energy sold in the countryu be created from alternative energ sources. Twenty eight states, including Pennsylvaniz and New Jersey, and the District of Columbiaa have alternativeportfolio standards.
Rendell said he’d like the federapl standard to have minimum figures that states coule exceed ontheir own. “Ic we do those things … I think there’sz no reason that America can’t be the dominantr nation in solar energy for the he said. Rendel said alternative energgy will drivethe U.S. economy for the next 25 years just asthe information-technology and life sciencesx industries have driven it for the last 25. Under his leadership, Pennsylvania has moved to capitalizwe onthat shift. In 2004, it establishec an alternative portfolio standard that requires 18 percent of energy sold in Pennsylvania to come from alternative sources of energyby 2020.
Last Pennsylvania created a $650 millionn renewable energy fund. Of that money, $180 millionj is to go to solar energy, consisting of $100 millionm for loans, grants and rebates to cover up to 35 percent of the costd incurred by homeand small-business owners who install solar energy systems, and $80 million for grantws and loans for solar economic-development More than 300 applicationsz for solar economic-development projects were received by the deadline last week, Rendell said. Philadelphia also has gottenj in onthe renewable-energy act. Mayor Michae l Nutter in Aprilby 2015. The city is one of 25 takingg part in the federal Departmentof Energy’d Solar America Cities initiative.
As part of that, it’sz developing a plan to generate 2.3 megawattsw of solar electricity by 2011and 57.8 megawatts by which is its share of the state of Pennsylvania’es solar installation goal. To help it meet those goals, Nutter said the city is looking to replace the roof at its fleey workshop with a roof that producex solar energy and has formulaterd plans forbuilding large-scald solar arrays at Philadelphia Water Department
“I believe that over the next five the development ofthe green-energy econom can drive this nation’s comeback,” the Democrativc governor said at the general session of PV which is being held at the Pennsylvania Conventio n Center in Philadelphia through Wednesday. The conference is the firsrt by the to focus solely on photovoltaicsolart energy, which comes from photovoltaic panelsw that convert sunlight into It’s being held in conjunction with the IEEE’s 34th Photovoltaic Specialists Conference at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, which is adjaceng to the convention center, from Sunday throughy Friday.
(IEEE used to stanr for , but the nonprofit now just referzs to itself by its acronym because it has so many memberss from otherengineering fields.) About 3,00 0 people are attending the conferences, the SEIA and IEEE Part of Rendell’s message was similar to the messager delivered by SEIA President and CEO Rhone Reschu later in the session: When they go home, the peopl at the conference should promote solar energy’ss virtues to everyone from their neighbors to thei r municipal, state and federal elected officials. “Youj have to roll up your sleeveas andbe advocates,” Rendel l said.
Both Rendell and Reschu praised President Obama for his efforts on behalf of renewabl eenergy — “President Obama is becominfg the solar president,” Resch said but they said they’d like the federal governmenr to do more. Rendell said federal legislators shoulc dotwo things: Make renewable-energy tax credits rather than reauthorizing them every few and create a federapl alternative portfolio standard that mandates that a specifierd portion of energy sold in the countryu be created from alternative energ sources. Twenty eight states, including Pennsylvaniz and New Jersey, and the District of Columbiaa have alternativeportfolio standards.
Rendell said he’d like the federapl standard to have minimum figures that states coule exceed ontheir own. “Ic we do those things … I think there’sz no reason that America can’t be the dominantr nation in solar energy for the he said. Rendel said alternative energgy will drivethe U.S. economy for the next 25 years just asthe information-technology and life sciencesx industries have driven it for the last 25. Under his leadership, Pennsylvania has moved to capitalizwe onthat shift. In 2004, it establishec an alternative portfolio standard that requires 18 percent of energy sold in Pennsylvania to come from alternative sources of energyby 2020.
Last Pennsylvania created a $650 millionn renewable energy fund. Of that money, $180 millionj is to go to solar energy, consisting of $100 millionm for loans, grants and rebates to cover up to 35 percent of the costd incurred by homeand small-business owners who install solar energy systems, and $80 million for grantws and loans for solar economic-development More than 300 applicationsz for solar economic-development projects were received by the deadline last week, Rendell said. Philadelphia also has gottenj in onthe renewable-energy act. Mayor Michae l Nutter in Aprilby 2015. The city is one of 25 takingg part in the federal Departmentof Energy’d Solar America Cities initiative.
As part of that, it’sz developing a plan to generate 2.3 megawattsw of solar electricity by 2011and 57.8 megawatts by which is its share of the state of Pennsylvania’es solar installation goal. To help it meet those goals, Nutter said the city is looking to replace the roof at its fleey workshop with a roof that producex solar energy and has formulaterd plans forbuilding large-scald solar arrays at Philadelphia Water Department
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
State budget crunch could hit cities hard, deplete key reserves - Phoenix Business Journal:
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The stalled housing market, inflation and economic downshifts are resultingt in projections of furtherbudget deficits, beyond the currenty year's $1.2 billion shortfall and next year' $1.9 billion gap. "The soonest the state may have a surplux againis 2011," said Gretcheb Jacobs, a lobbyist for the Phoenic law office of who works on financial issues. "We are going to be usint up our cash said state Senate Appropriations ChairmabnBob Burns. That coulrd leave the state with two drastic both of which couldhit businesses, consumers and properthy owners: Increase state taxes, or placw the burden on city and county governments.
The state could shift the tax burden and its financia woes to cities and countiesx by cutting state outlays and shared tax revenuewto municipalities. That would pressure cities and countiew to raise their property and sales taxes and business fees to make up the Arizona cities and counties do not levyincom taxes. Instead, they get a share of statr tax revenue. Local governments received $717 millioh from the state durin the pastfiscal year, said Ken director of the , which represents local governments at the Glendale Mayor Elaine Scruggs said Arizona'sd mayors are lobbying Gov. Janet Napolitano and legislatorsa not to diminish the tax revenuwe transferredto cities.
She said state cuts to sharedx revenue wouldhurt cities' budgets and abilith to provide services. Othedr local leaders agree. "If the state uses our portion of the fundws to balancetheir budget, we are forced to cut into programxs such as public safety, infrastructure and otherr critical areas," said Romina Korkes, governmenf relations director for the city of Goodyear. Businesw attraction and tourism promotion effortas also couldbe cut, she said. Strobecjk said cities already are beint hit byhousing market-induced decreases in sales and construction tax "Any reductions to shared revenues would be doublu punishing," he said.
The state also could impose taxes on service s and items that noware tax-exempt. That translatews into new taxeson food, businesws and professional services, and other exemp t purchases such as aircraft engines, livestock, health club memberships and mining "Policymakers are in the unenviable position of havingb to select from a series of politically miserablee options of increasing or expanding taxes; shifting financial responsibilitied to other levels of government, which have their own fiscal concerns; and pursuing additional reductionss in state spending," said Stuartt Goodman, a principal at in Phoenix.
Lurking tax increasesa come as business advocates push for just the property and corporatetax cuts. The Arizona Chambetr of Commerce & Industry and others want to slice corporate incometax rates, expand researcbh and development tax breaks, and permanently repeaol a $250 million property tax that is on temporaryh hiatus. They argue Arizona needs to keep its taxes low to attracy jobsand investment. Napolitano and many business interests are lookingy to puta 30-year, 1-cent state salesz tax increase on the November ballot and earmark the resulting $42 billionb for transportation.
Burns said the statee needs tocut spending, or it will run out of reservs funds and other fiscal maneuvers aftetr this year's budget. Much of the statee budget, however, is voter-approved and cannotg be cut bythe Legislature. Other reductions are opposede by Napolitano, leaving just a smal slice of the state's budget pie to be cut. Burnd does not want to see tax increases and noted it takeda two-thirds vote to approve them. He said the state coule end up referring major tax increase tothe ballot. A more likelt scenario, he said, is the statr will cut the revenue it sharewith cities.
Greenberg Traurig LLP: League of Arizona Citiesx & Towns:
The stalled housing market, inflation and economic downshifts are resultingt in projections of furtherbudget deficits, beyond the currenty year's $1.2 billion shortfall and next year' $1.9 billion gap. "The soonest the state may have a surplux againis 2011," said Gretcheb Jacobs, a lobbyist for the Phoenic law office of who works on financial issues. "We are going to be usint up our cash said state Senate Appropriations ChairmabnBob Burns. That coulrd leave the state with two drastic both of which couldhit businesses, consumers and properthy owners: Increase state taxes, or placw the burden on city and county governments.
The state could shift the tax burden and its financia woes to cities and countiesx by cutting state outlays and shared tax revenuewto municipalities. That would pressure cities and countiew to raise their property and sales taxes and business fees to make up the Arizona cities and counties do not levyincom taxes. Instead, they get a share of statr tax revenue. Local governments received $717 millioh from the state durin the pastfiscal year, said Ken director of the , which represents local governments at the Glendale Mayor Elaine Scruggs said Arizona'sd mayors are lobbying Gov. Janet Napolitano and legislatorsa not to diminish the tax revenuwe transferredto cities.
She said state cuts to sharedx revenue wouldhurt cities' budgets and abilith to provide services. Othedr local leaders agree. "If the state uses our portion of the fundws to balancetheir budget, we are forced to cut into programxs such as public safety, infrastructure and otherr critical areas," said Romina Korkes, governmenf relations director for the city of Goodyear. Businesw attraction and tourism promotion effortas also couldbe cut, she said. Strobecjk said cities already are beint hit byhousing market-induced decreases in sales and construction tax "Any reductions to shared revenues would be doublu punishing," he said.
The state also could impose taxes on service s and items that noware tax-exempt. That translatews into new taxeson food, businesws and professional services, and other exemp t purchases such as aircraft engines, livestock, health club memberships and mining "Policymakers are in the unenviable position of havingb to select from a series of politically miserablee options of increasing or expanding taxes; shifting financial responsibilitied to other levels of government, which have their own fiscal concerns; and pursuing additional reductionss in state spending," said Stuartt Goodman, a principal at in Phoenix.
Lurking tax increasesa come as business advocates push for just the property and corporatetax cuts. The Arizona Chambetr of Commerce & Industry and others want to slice corporate incometax rates, expand researcbh and development tax breaks, and permanently repeaol a $250 million property tax that is on temporaryh hiatus. They argue Arizona needs to keep its taxes low to attracy jobsand investment. Napolitano and many business interests are lookingy to puta 30-year, 1-cent state salesz tax increase on the November ballot and earmark the resulting $42 billionb for transportation.
Burns said the statee needs tocut spending, or it will run out of reservs funds and other fiscal maneuvers aftetr this year's budget. Much of the statee budget, however, is voter-approved and cannotg be cut bythe Legislature. Other reductions are opposede by Napolitano, leaving just a smal slice of the state's budget pie to be cut. Burnd does not want to see tax increases and noted it takeda two-thirds vote to approve them. He said the state coule end up referring major tax increase tothe ballot. A more likelt scenario, he said, is the statr will cut the revenue it sharewith cities.
Greenberg Traurig LLP: League of Arizona Citiesx & Towns:
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Law to protect workers has others fearing for jobs - The Business Journal of Milwaukee:
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The state’s Independent Contractor law, also knowm as the Misclassification Law, was created in 2004 to protecty construction workers from being deliberately “misclassified” by companies as contract workers who receive no instead of as employees who by law are entitled to a varietgy of benefits. Companies that violate the law are subject totreble damages, as well as potentia l criminal charges. Since the law was the attorney general’s office has gone after construction firms, the apparent intent when the measure passed througuhthe Legislature.
But the law is in no way limited toconstructiob companies, which left some lawyers specializing in employmenr matters wondering in recent years whethe r other businesses might become targets. Moreover, the law explicitly holds top executivexs liablefor violations. Earlier this month, executives at Pearsonj Education, a textbook publisher in UppedrSaddle River, N.J., apparently decided to interpret the law more Not wanting to risk prosecutiojn by Massachusetts authorities, the companh decided to discontinue work with all of its freelancers in the Freelance editor and writer John Sisson counted Pearso Education as one of his largest clients unti he received e-mails from the company notifying him citing the Independent Contractor Law, no longe r would use Massachusetts contract workers.
“I’vw lost business and I stand to lose more said Sisson, a Newton resident. “It hurts firmss in Massachusetts because it does not allow them to outsourcse the work they need to do and it hurtds independent professionals who rely on that Sisson said. “The fact of the mattetr is that theattorney general’ office is between a rock and a hard place. It’s a bad law and they’re in charge of enforcing A Pearson spokeswoman declined to commenyt forthis story. Critics of the law are also concernedd that a successor to Attorneg General Martha Coakley could choose to interpret the law more broadlyg than she or her staffapparently has.
“z number of employment lawyers have worries since the law was enacted that a differentg attorney general might take a much broader and aggressive approacbto it,” said Joshua M. Davis, managing shareholder of the labof and employment lawfirm Ogletree, in “The law was designed to protect folks who the Legislature believed were being wrongfully denied benefits.” Davis noted that some clear guidance from the AG’s office aboutt the scope of the law is needed. The fact that an out-of-statw firm has decided not to work with Massachusetts freelancersxis worrisome, but not yet a crisis, said Stephe n Adams, a small-business advocate in the ’a Boston office.
“We don’ty know if it’s isolated and we don’ t know if it’s warranted,” Adams said. “The problem is for the future, you’re relying on the AG’sz interpretation and power toset priorities. you do want to fix the problem.”
The state’s Independent Contractor law, also knowm as the Misclassification Law, was created in 2004 to protecty construction workers from being deliberately “misclassified” by companies as contract workers who receive no instead of as employees who by law are entitled to a varietgy of benefits. Companies that violate the law are subject totreble damages, as well as potentia l criminal charges. Since the law was the attorney general’s office has gone after construction firms, the apparent intent when the measure passed througuhthe Legislature.
But the law is in no way limited toconstructiob companies, which left some lawyers specializing in employmenr matters wondering in recent years whethe r other businesses might become targets. Moreover, the law explicitly holds top executivexs liablefor violations. Earlier this month, executives at Pearsonj Education, a textbook publisher in UppedrSaddle River, N.J., apparently decided to interpret the law more Not wanting to risk prosecutiojn by Massachusetts authorities, the companh decided to discontinue work with all of its freelancers in the Freelance editor and writer John Sisson counted Pearso Education as one of his largest clients unti he received e-mails from the company notifying him citing the Independent Contractor Law, no longe r would use Massachusetts contract workers.
“I’vw lost business and I stand to lose more said Sisson, a Newton resident. “It hurts firmss in Massachusetts because it does not allow them to outsourcse the work they need to do and it hurtds independent professionals who rely on that Sisson said. “The fact of the mattetr is that theattorney general’ office is between a rock and a hard place. It’s a bad law and they’re in charge of enforcing A Pearson spokeswoman declined to commenyt forthis story. Critics of the law are also concernedd that a successor to Attorneg General Martha Coakley could choose to interpret the law more broadlyg than she or her staffapparently has.
“z number of employment lawyers have worries since the law was enacted that a differentg attorney general might take a much broader and aggressive approacbto it,” said Joshua M. Davis, managing shareholder of the labof and employment lawfirm Ogletree, in “The law was designed to protect folks who the Legislature believed were being wrongfully denied benefits.” Davis noted that some clear guidance from the AG’s office aboutt the scope of the law is needed. The fact that an out-of-statw firm has decided not to work with Massachusetts freelancersxis worrisome, but not yet a crisis, said Stephe n Adams, a small-business advocate in the ’a Boston office.
“We don’ty know if it’s isolated and we don’ t know if it’s warranted,” Adams said. “The problem is for the future, you’re relying on the AG’sz interpretation and power toset priorities. you do want to fix the problem.”
Monday, November 26, 2012
2 New Homes May Be Constructed on Rose Hill Rd - Patch.com
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2 New Homes May Be Constructed on Rose Hill Rd Patch.com BROOMALLâ€"Rose Hill Road residents in Broomall may be seeing two new homes constructed on their street. A conditional use approval request was presented before the Marple Township Board of Commissioners at a meeting on Nov. 13 to construct two ... |
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Contractors say upsurge in MACs leads to duplication, added costs - FederalNewsRadio.com
ikefageze.blogspot.com
Contractors say upsurge in MACs leads to duplication, added costs FederalNewsRadio.com The Coalition for Government Procurement has called on senior administration leaders to take more action to combat increasing contract duplication, largely from the spread of multiple-award contracts (MACs). Member companies say they are seeing more ... |
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Israel and Hamas agree to Gaza cease-fire - CBS News
showarticle-cultura.blogspot.com
CBS News | Israel and Hamas agree to Gaza cease-fire CBS News GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip Israel and the Hamas militant group agreed to a cease-fire Wednesday to end eight days of the fiercest fighting in nearly four years, promising to halt air strikes and rocket attacks that have killed scores and to discuss easing ... |
Monday, November 19, 2012
Voter confidence high as registration kicks off - The Star
fusajacuxejilyp.blogspot.com
Voter confidence high as registration kicks off The Star A section of voters are confident that the ongoing electronic voter registration exercise will give a credible register at the end of the 30 days. A spot check by the Star at the Westlands primary polling station revealed high morale in the process ... |
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Texas A&M RB Christine Michael ejected after throwing punch against Sam ... - Washington Post
ovaluleq.wordpress.com
San Francisco Chronicle | Texas A&M RB Christine Michael ejected after throwing punch against Sam ... Washington Post COLLEGE STATION, Texas â€" Texas A&M running back Christine Michael has been ejected against Sam Houston State for throwing a punch. Michael was ejected at the end of a play during which Johnny Manziel threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Mike ... Texas A&M's Sumlin says Christine Michael has 'got to be a little bit smarter ... |
Friday, November 16, 2012
McGlynn focussed on football - Yahoo! Eurosport UK
acklinegymejac1362.blogspot.com
Yahoo! Eurosport UK | McGlynn focussed on football Yahoo! Eurosport UK McGlynn focussed on football. PA Sport â€" 1 hour 10 minutes ago. Related Content. Hearts manager John McGlynn has his mind on footballing issues View Photo. Hearts manager John McGlynn has his mind on footballing issues. Hearts manager John ... |
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Republican givers gather around McCain - Business First of Columbus:
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McCain raised $228,617 in donations of $200 or more from area including big names in thebusinesse community, from April 1 through July 31. His four-monthg total after wrapping up the Republican nomination in the sprinh was more than double what the Arizonaa senator raised in Central Ohio in the priore15 months, according to campaign finance data compileds for Columbus Business First by the in Washington, D.C. McCain’sx push in that period also trumpedthe $126,2821 raised in Central Ohio by Democrat U.S. Sen. Baracm Obama of Illinois.
Obama, however, still held a comfortable lead over McCain for the first 19 monthsw of thepresidential campaign, havingg raised $473,694 in Central Ohio compared with $337,475 for The fundraising gains locally reflecty the momentum the McCain campaign has built in Ohio and said Doug Preisse, chairman of the Executive And that was before the enthusiaskm generated for McCain and his runnin g mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, at the Republican nationalp convention, Preisse said. National polls now show McCain in a dead heatwith “It will be tight all the way to Electionm Day,” Preisse said. “No one will open up a big lead.
” Paul former chairman of the , sees the presidentiaol race going down tothe wire, even though he thinks the Obama campaign won’t be As of July 31, Obama had raised $389.4 million from individualo donors nationally, according to the Centeer for Responsive Politics’ analysis of filings with the . McCaim had brought in $174.2 million. But moneyu won’t be the only factor in who winsthe race, Tipp said. The nation’s economic woes and continued involvement in the war in Iraq will play as will race becausew Obama is the first black persobn to winhis party’s presidential Tipps also remains convinced Ohio is a battlegrouncd state for the presidency.
That label may also applt to Franklin County, which Tipps said slighty fa Democrats. But big-name executives in Central Ohio have aligne themselves with Republican McCain by donating to his SinceApril 1, McCain has received contributions from CEO Leslire Wexner, executive Ann Crane, medical researche r Dr. Carlo Croce, Chairman F.W. Englefiels III, retired executive Dan Evans, CEO Edgar Ingran III, ’ Katherine LeVeque, founder John O’Neill, CEO Charle s Penzone, founder George Skestos, Co-chairman Alan Wasserstrokm and Columbus attorneyCraig Wright, a formerf justice. McCain struggled for donationa from Central Ohio business leaders beford wrapping up theGOP nomination.
Much of the earlyg business-sector support went to former New York MayoeRudy Giuliani, a Republican who fell to the waysid in the primaries. Obama, who has changed the coursre of presidential fundraising by tappinvg into legions of small fell behind McCain in the chase for prominentr contributors in Central Ohio from April 1 througjJuly 31. But the Democrat received donationd from some recognizable names in the publicf andbusiness arenas, including retired Ohio AFL-CIO Ohio President Williaj Burga, attorney Thomas Long, Deputy Director John Mahoney, OSU professor Deborah Merritt, executive Debra Plousha Moore, Columbus City Attorney Rick Pfeiffer, attorneh Frederick Ransier, and President Glenn Weber.
The fundraisin race shifted gears Aug. 31, when McCain entered the publicfinancing system, landing $84 million to carr y his campaign through the Nov. 4 Obama opted out of publicv funding for the chance to buildr on his fundraising lead with more private By entering thepublic system, McCain isn’t allowedr to raise private contributions except for donations to defray the legal and accountinf costs of complying with the publix funding requirements. But his campaign can steer donords to the national and stateRepublican parties, whic h can spend contributions to help McCain.
“Th e is fairly flush, so they will help out (McCain),” said Emmettg Buell, emeritus professor of political science atin Granville. “I’mk confident he will have enough money to get hismessagd across.” Buell also said the candidate or partyy raising the most money doesn’t always win. For example, Democrats outspenft the Republicans in the presidential race in Ohio fouryears ago, but John Kerryy lost the state in part because of a superiofr ground operation for President he said. “To win Ohio,” Buell said, “McCainh will have to have a prettu massiveground operation. The questiom is whether he’ll have the moneyu to do that.
” Another wild he said, is how much money is spenyt in Ohioby so-called 527 tax-exempt organizations that engage in politicap activities. One such group, Swif Boat Veterans, struck a devastating blow to Kerry’s chances in 2004 by challenginb his VietnamWar record. “There is a huge pot of moneuy out there,” Buell said, “and the left is desperate to win I assume Ohio is theball
McCain raised $228,617 in donations of $200 or more from area including big names in thebusinesse community, from April 1 through July 31. His four-monthg total after wrapping up the Republican nomination in the sprinh was more than double what the Arizonaa senator raised in Central Ohio in the priore15 months, according to campaign finance data compileds for Columbus Business First by the in Washington, D.C. McCain’sx push in that period also trumpedthe $126,2821 raised in Central Ohio by Democrat U.S. Sen. Baracm Obama of Illinois.
Obama, however, still held a comfortable lead over McCain for the first 19 monthsw of thepresidential campaign, havingg raised $473,694 in Central Ohio compared with $337,475 for The fundraising gains locally reflecty the momentum the McCain campaign has built in Ohio and said Doug Preisse, chairman of the Executive And that was before the enthusiaskm generated for McCain and his runnin g mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, at the Republican nationalp convention, Preisse said. National polls now show McCain in a dead heatwith “It will be tight all the way to Electionm Day,” Preisse said. “No one will open up a big lead.
” Paul former chairman of the , sees the presidentiaol race going down tothe wire, even though he thinks the Obama campaign won’t be As of July 31, Obama had raised $389.4 million from individualo donors nationally, according to the Centeer for Responsive Politics’ analysis of filings with the . McCaim had brought in $174.2 million. But moneyu won’t be the only factor in who winsthe race, Tipp said. The nation’s economic woes and continued involvement in the war in Iraq will play as will race becausew Obama is the first black persobn to winhis party’s presidential Tipps also remains convinced Ohio is a battlegrouncd state for the presidency.
That label may also applt to Franklin County, which Tipps said slighty fa Democrats. But big-name executives in Central Ohio have aligne themselves with Republican McCain by donating to his SinceApril 1, McCain has received contributions from CEO Leslire Wexner, executive Ann Crane, medical researche r Dr. Carlo Croce, Chairman F.W. Englefiels III, retired executive Dan Evans, CEO Edgar Ingran III, ’ Katherine LeVeque, founder John O’Neill, CEO Charle s Penzone, founder George Skestos, Co-chairman Alan Wasserstrokm and Columbus attorneyCraig Wright, a formerf justice. McCain struggled for donationa from Central Ohio business leaders beford wrapping up theGOP nomination.
Much of the earlyg business-sector support went to former New York MayoeRudy Giuliani, a Republican who fell to the waysid in the primaries. Obama, who has changed the coursre of presidential fundraising by tappinvg into legions of small fell behind McCain in the chase for prominentr contributors in Central Ohio from April 1 througjJuly 31. But the Democrat received donationd from some recognizable names in the publicf andbusiness arenas, including retired Ohio AFL-CIO Ohio President Williaj Burga, attorney Thomas Long, Deputy Director John Mahoney, OSU professor Deborah Merritt, executive Debra Plousha Moore, Columbus City Attorney Rick Pfeiffer, attorneh Frederick Ransier, and President Glenn Weber.
The fundraisin race shifted gears Aug. 31, when McCain entered the publicfinancing system, landing $84 million to carr y his campaign through the Nov. 4 Obama opted out of publicv funding for the chance to buildr on his fundraising lead with more private By entering thepublic system, McCain isn’t allowedr to raise private contributions except for donations to defray the legal and accountinf costs of complying with the publix funding requirements. But his campaign can steer donords to the national and stateRepublican parties, whic h can spend contributions to help McCain.
“Th e is fairly flush, so they will help out (McCain),” said Emmettg Buell, emeritus professor of political science atin Granville. “I’mk confident he will have enough money to get hismessagd across.” Buell also said the candidate or partyy raising the most money doesn’t always win. For example, Democrats outspenft the Republicans in the presidential race in Ohio fouryears ago, but John Kerryy lost the state in part because of a superiofr ground operation for President he said. “To win Ohio,” Buell said, “McCainh will have to have a prettu massiveground operation. The questiom is whether he’ll have the moneyu to do that.
” Another wild he said, is how much money is spenyt in Ohioby so-called 527 tax-exempt organizations that engage in politicap activities. One such group, Swif Boat Veterans, struck a devastating blow to Kerry’s chances in 2004 by challenginb his VietnamWar record. “There is a huge pot of moneuy out there,” Buell said, “and the left is desperate to win I assume Ohio is theball
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Perdue cool toward special session - Business First of Columbus:
tenamup.wordpress.com
Perdue told members of the during a luncheo n speech that the state constitution gives governors the authority to adjusr state spending to fit availabls revenues when the legislature is notin session. With the recessiomn still going strong, state tax collectionsd fell an average of nearly 20 percent duringg the first five months of this Perdue said he plans to confe r with legislative leaders after the July 1 starty of the new fiscal year onwhat cost-cutting steps mightr be necessary to offsert those falling revenues.
But he said a special session would be unwieldy because it would take 30 days for lawmakerxs to hear presentations from the variousd state agencies potentially facing further budget Even when lawmakers arein session, Perdue noted, the political realit y is the governor and the top leaders of the House and Senatw decide budgets. “I’m happy to come he said. “(But) it would sort of be a sham Georgia already is about to enter fiscalk 2010 with a tight The $18.6 billion spending plan Perdue signed last monthu is $2.
5 billion less than the fiscal 2009 budget the Genera Assembly adopted in April of last
Perdue told members of the during a luncheo n speech that the state constitution gives governors the authority to adjusr state spending to fit availabls revenues when the legislature is notin session. With the recessiomn still going strong, state tax collectionsd fell an average of nearly 20 percent duringg the first five months of this Perdue said he plans to confe r with legislative leaders after the July 1 starty of the new fiscal year onwhat cost-cutting steps mightr be necessary to offsert those falling revenues.
But he said a special session would be unwieldy because it would take 30 days for lawmakerxs to hear presentations from the variousd state agencies potentially facing further budget Even when lawmakers arein session, Perdue noted, the political realit y is the governor and the top leaders of the House and Senatw decide budgets. “I’m happy to come he said. “(But) it would sort of be a sham Georgia already is about to enter fiscalk 2010 with a tight The $18.6 billion spending plan Perdue signed last monthu is $2.
5 billion less than the fiscal 2009 budget the Genera Assembly adopted in April of last
Friday, November 9, 2012
The College of Physicians of Philadelphia Company Profile | Company Information
ignatiywulyxura.blogspot.com
Today, over 1,500 Fellows (elected members) continued to convene at the College and work towards better servinvthe public. Throughout its 200 year history, the Collegee has provided a place for both medicao professionals and the general public to learmn about medicine as both a science and asan art. This historif spirit continues in ourcurrent mission: advancin g the cause of health and upholding the ideals and heritag e of medicine. The Colleges fulfills its mission through the followingfour - To enable individuals, families and communitiew to take greater responsibility for their - To improve the health of the publiv through service to health - To enhance appreciation of the heritage of...
Today, over 1,500 Fellows (elected members) continued to convene at the College and work towards better servinvthe public. Throughout its 200 year history, the Collegee has provided a place for both medicao professionals and the general public to learmn about medicine as both a science and asan art. This historif spirit continues in ourcurrent mission: advancin g the cause of health and upholding the ideals and heritag e of medicine. The Colleges fulfills its mission through the followingfour - To enable individuals, families and communitiew to take greater responsibility for their - To improve the health of the publiv through service to health - To enhance appreciation of the heritage of...
Thursday, November 8, 2012
AP Interview: American jailed for insulting Thailand's king says law holds ... - Washington Post
sasutezew.blogspot.com
BBC News | AP Interview: American jailed for insulting Thailand's king says law holds ... Washington Post BANGKOK â€" A Thai-born American who spent more than a year in prison on charges of insulting Thailand's king says the country's harsh laws outlawing criticism of the monarchy are holding back its democratic development. He has vowed never to return ... Thailand's king pardons US man jailed for royal insult US man jailed for Thai insult says law must change |
Monday, November 5, 2012
Ebix Accounting Practices Said to Be Probed by SEC - Bloomberg
lehoquvuhu.wordpress.com
Ebix Accounting Practices Said to Be Probed by SEC Bloomberg Ebix Inc. (EBIX), the insurance software company that said it was targeted by short sellers last year, is being investigated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for its accounting practices, four people with direct knowledge of the probe said. Report: SEC investigating Ebix Inc. for accounting issues Ebix Sto ck Plunges On SEC Probe Of Insurance Software Firm EBIX Ebix (EBIX) CEO Raina Unaware of Any SEC Probes, Stands Behind Accounting ... |
Sunday, November 4, 2012
ofycagvezi.blogspot.com
At a time when most businessesx arecutting expenses, Pyle is spending money. He’s hired a public relations firm and a directorrof development, and he’s strengthening some of the internakl systems in his company, , locatec near Marsh Landing in Jacksonville Beach. “We’re usinvg this time to get even said Pyle, 48, president and CEO of LandSouth. Pyle foundexd LandSouth Construction in Jacksonvilles in 1998 with two other partners and movede to Atlanta to run the Georgia brancyh ofthe company. Then several yearsz ago, Pyle bought out his returned to Jacksonville and now runs theentired business.
LandSouth’s specialty is multifamily construction, be it townhomes, condos or assisted living. In 2008, despitd the economic downturn, the company enjoyed its best year everwith $77 milliobn in sales compared with $61 million in 2007, an increasde of 26 percent. Pyle attributew the increase to several larg e projects completedin 2008, including a 272-uniyt luxury apartment complex in Orange City and a 304-unit luxury apartment complex in Davenport. The company is building two additional luxury apartment complexesd in Palm Coast andDaytona Beach.
“2009 isn’tg going to be as good as 2008 wasfor us, but hopefullhy by the end of this year, we’lo start to see some light at the end of the Pyle said. The company, which once had 50 now employs 37. Pyle was born in Winted Park and grew up in Orlando workingh summer jobsin construction. After graduatinvg with an accounting degree from FloridaState University, Pyle got a job with in He hated it. So Pyle dumped the desk job and went back tohis construction.
“I literally went from a three-piece suit to short and a shovel and lovedr every minuteof it,” he Pyle is known in the construction world as a developer’s builder, which means he understands what a developefr needs and wants and deliverds it. “A lot of his work has been withrepeag developers,” said Mike Taylor, LandSouth’s director of businessw development. “His work with them was pretty much entrenched. And to me, says you’re a developer’s builder.” In a Pyle has taken on a similar role at his Ponte Vedra United where he’s a trustee.
The church brokes ground last December on a new andthe church’s Jeff Bennett, said Pyle has been an invaluable resource, helping church leaderx work with the contractor. “He knows how to budget for the soft and what are the reasonable expectations we shouldf have fromour contractor,” Bennett said. “He helpas us know what to ask and how to understansdthe answers.” When he’s not at the job site, Pyle likex to spend time with this wife whom he met at FSU and his threew children. His oldest daughter Lindsay is now in college at the Universitgof Florida.
“It took me awhile, but I’mn okay with the fact that she’s now a Gator,” Pyle As far as the future goes, Pyle is thinkingg about developing a construction project of his own insteadof “alwayw bidding on things.” He said he spent some time recently meetingb with an architect about partnering together in the “The good thing about this slowdown is that peoplwe now have time to talk to each other,” Pyle time to talk to each other and figuree out the next best move.
At a time when most businessesx arecutting expenses, Pyle is spending money. He’s hired a public relations firm and a directorrof development, and he’s strengthening some of the internakl systems in his company, , locatec near Marsh Landing in Jacksonville Beach. “We’re usinvg this time to get even said Pyle, 48, president and CEO of LandSouth. Pyle foundexd LandSouth Construction in Jacksonvilles in 1998 with two other partners and movede to Atlanta to run the Georgia brancyh ofthe company. Then several yearsz ago, Pyle bought out his returned to Jacksonville and now runs theentired business.
LandSouth’s specialty is multifamily construction, be it townhomes, condos or assisted living. In 2008, despitd the economic downturn, the company enjoyed its best year everwith $77 milliobn in sales compared with $61 million in 2007, an increasde of 26 percent. Pyle attributew the increase to several larg e projects completedin 2008, including a 272-uniyt luxury apartment complex in Orange City and a 304-unit luxury apartment complex in Davenport. The company is building two additional luxury apartment complexesd in Palm Coast andDaytona Beach.
“2009 isn’tg going to be as good as 2008 wasfor us, but hopefullhy by the end of this year, we’lo start to see some light at the end of the Pyle said. The company, which once had 50 now employs 37. Pyle was born in Winted Park and grew up in Orlando workingh summer jobsin construction. After graduatinvg with an accounting degree from FloridaState University, Pyle got a job with in He hated it. So Pyle dumped the desk job and went back tohis construction.
“I literally went from a three-piece suit to short and a shovel and lovedr every minuteof it,” he Pyle is known in the construction world as a developer’s builder, which means he understands what a developefr needs and wants and deliverds it. “A lot of his work has been withrepeag developers,” said Mike Taylor, LandSouth’s director of businessw development. “His work with them was pretty much entrenched. And to me, says you’re a developer’s builder.” In a Pyle has taken on a similar role at his Ponte Vedra United where he’s a trustee.
The church brokes ground last December on a new andthe church’s Jeff Bennett, said Pyle has been an invaluable resource, helping church leaderx work with the contractor. “He knows how to budget for the soft and what are the reasonable expectations we shouldf have fromour contractor,” Bennett said. “He helpas us know what to ask and how to understansdthe answers.” When he’s not at the job site, Pyle likex to spend time with this wife whom he met at FSU and his threew children. His oldest daughter Lindsay is now in college at the Universitgof Florida.
“It took me awhile, but I’mn okay with the fact that she’s now a Gator,” Pyle As far as the future goes, Pyle is thinkingg about developing a construction project of his own insteadof “alwayw bidding on things.” He said he spent some time recently meetingb with an architect about partnering together in the “The good thing about this slowdown is that peoplwe now have time to talk to each other,” Pyle time to talk to each other and figuree out the next best move.
Friday, November 2, 2012
'Inspired' thinking veers off course - ESPN
mastering-input.blogspot.com
SB Nation | 'Inspired' thinking veers off course ESPN Runners looked at the New York City course and wondered if the great bridges would be targeted. I interviewed a priest who was still dealing with the memory of blessing body parts; he was one of many who ran in honor of the dead. Everyone ran for a ... Bloomberg reverses cou rse on New York Marathon NYC Marathon: Will the course change? NY Mayor Bloomberg Reverses Course, Cancels NYC Marathon |
Thursday, November 1, 2012
State cuts could spark legal fight with Science Foundation Arizona - Phoenix Business Journal:
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Budget battles related to SFAZ andits government-fundesd partner group, the 21st Century Fund, could sparjk a legal fight over budget cuts and contracts the foundatiomn has with the SFAZ officials wouldn’t say whether they will take the statde to court, but CEO Bill Harris indicatec the group is considering its options. He did not rule out legal action. SFAZ Chairman Don a Phoenix businessman and said he expects the statr to honor its November contract renewal withthe foundation. The 2-year-ols Phoenix group administers grant programs, attracts nurtures biomedical research and supportwsolar energy, mining technologies, and math and sciences education statewide.
It gets roughly half of its $50 milliojn annual budget from private donationa and the other half from thestated government’s 21st Century Fund and other public-sectod sources. Late January budget cuts to narroethe state’s $1.6 billion deficit swept $22.5 million from the 21st Century Fund — all the money earmarkerd for the current fiscal The state faces a largerf $3 billion budget gap for the next fisca year and could nix an additionaol $25 million slated for the fund. Legal actionj could arise from the November contract renewal between the Arizonwa Department of Commerce and SFAZ to allocatethe $22.6 million for this fiscal year.
Harris and Margaretr Mullen, SFAZ’s interim chief operatinfg officer, said the state asked to dole out that moneyy in installments because offiscal problems. The foundation recently received $6.8 million, but the state could ask for that money back as a resulty of the Januarybudget cuts, Mullebn said. SFAZ leaders and backers say slashinbgthe foundation’s budget will hurt efforts to diversifyy the state’s economy and will discouragew future public-private economic development programs. Fiscap conservatives who opposed SFAZ’s creation said the $3 billionn budget deficit should compel the state to cutthe foundation’s funding.
“With a $3 billion deficit for 2010, programse have to be cut, and the 21st Centur Fund’s $25 million annual appropriation is a logicalp placeto begin,” said Stever Voeller, president of the . “Research will but there has to be a recognitiobn that thestate can’t affors what it once I don’t think most lawmakers intended SFAZ to be a permanenrt and ongoing government Voeller and others who questio the foundation’s efforts also poinft to Harris’ $520,000 annual salary and the $300,000 spent in 2007 on publi relations.
Harris said his salary and externaloPR outlays, which went to Phoenix-based , come from privater revenue streams and not from the stat e dollars. “The core operating costws of Science Foundation which includesmy salary, are paid by the three statewide CEO groups, not state funds. The same is true of most public relations expenses,” Harris said, referring to moneh SFAZ gets annually from the Flagstaff 40, and the Southerb Arizona Leadership Council. When Harriw was hired away from a similar economic developmenty groupin Ireland, it was well-knowjn that he would earn $500,00 0 a year, Mullen said. That salarty level, she added, was necessary to bring him to the Arizona group.
Harris said his salary has increasexd by 4 percent since he took the jobin 2006. Mulle said the $300,000 outlay to Resnik’es PR firm was earmarked for communicationsz efforts in 2007 by Scottsdale real estate developeerJerry Bisgrove, who donated $25 milliom to SFAZ. Mullen also said SFAZ spent lessthan $100,0090 on outside PR effort in 2008. She said the issue came up this year becaus e the Legislature has a number of freshmam members who are unfamiliar withthe SFAZ’s backers include former Chairman Craig Barrettr and CEO Steve Zylstra, who said he wante to see SFAZ and the 21st Century Fund Other business interests would prefer keeping recent tax cuts in place to keep Arizona competitive.
“Creatintg a more competitive tax structure, whicy includes repealing the state equalization property tax and lowetregulatory costs, are the best way to attract businesses in diversed industry sectors,” said spokeswoman Lucina Science Foundation Arizona:
Budget battles related to SFAZ andits government-fundesd partner group, the 21st Century Fund, could sparjk a legal fight over budget cuts and contracts the foundatiomn has with the SFAZ officials wouldn’t say whether they will take the statde to court, but CEO Bill Harris indicatec the group is considering its options. He did not rule out legal action. SFAZ Chairman Don a Phoenix businessman and said he expects the statr to honor its November contract renewal withthe foundation. The 2-year-ols Phoenix group administers grant programs, attracts nurtures biomedical research and supportwsolar energy, mining technologies, and math and sciences education statewide.
It gets roughly half of its $50 milliojn annual budget from private donationa and the other half from thestated government’s 21st Century Fund and other public-sectod sources. Late January budget cuts to narroethe state’s $1.6 billion deficit swept $22.5 million from the 21st Century Fund — all the money earmarkerd for the current fiscal The state faces a largerf $3 billion budget gap for the next fisca year and could nix an additionaol $25 million slated for the fund. Legal actionj could arise from the November contract renewal between the Arizonwa Department of Commerce and SFAZ to allocatethe $22.6 million for this fiscal year.
Harris and Margaretr Mullen, SFAZ’s interim chief operatinfg officer, said the state asked to dole out that moneyy in installments because offiscal problems. The foundation recently received $6.8 million, but the state could ask for that money back as a resulty of the Januarybudget cuts, Mullebn said. SFAZ leaders and backers say slashinbgthe foundation’s budget will hurt efforts to diversifyy the state’s economy and will discouragew future public-private economic development programs. Fiscap conservatives who opposed SFAZ’s creation said the $3 billionn budget deficit should compel the state to cutthe foundation’s funding.
“With a $3 billion deficit for 2010, programse have to be cut, and the 21st Centur Fund’s $25 million annual appropriation is a logicalp placeto begin,” said Stever Voeller, president of the . “Research will but there has to be a recognitiobn that thestate can’t affors what it once I don’t think most lawmakers intended SFAZ to be a permanenrt and ongoing government Voeller and others who questio the foundation’s efforts also poinft to Harris’ $520,000 annual salary and the $300,000 spent in 2007 on publi relations.
Harris said his salary and externaloPR outlays, which went to Phoenix-based , come from privater revenue streams and not from the stat e dollars. “The core operating costws of Science Foundation which includesmy salary, are paid by the three statewide CEO groups, not state funds. The same is true of most public relations expenses,” Harris said, referring to moneh SFAZ gets annually from the Flagstaff 40, and the Southerb Arizona Leadership Council. When Harriw was hired away from a similar economic developmenty groupin Ireland, it was well-knowjn that he would earn $500,00 0 a year, Mullen said. That salarty level, she added, was necessary to bring him to the Arizona group.
Harris said his salary has increasexd by 4 percent since he took the jobin 2006. Mulle said the $300,000 outlay to Resnik’es PR firm was earmarked for communicationsz efforts in 2007 by Scottsdale real estate developeerJerry Bisgrove, who donated $25 milliom to SFAZ. Mullen also said SFAZ spent lessthan $100,0090 on outside PR effort in 2008. She said the issue came up this year becaus e the Legislature has a number of freshmam members who are unfamiliar withthe SFAZ’s backers include former Chairman Craig Barrettr and CEO Steve Zylstra, who said he wante to see SFAZ and the 21st Century Fund Other business interests would prefer keeping recent tax cuts in place to keep Arizona competitive.
“Creatintg a more competitive tax structure, whicy includes repealing the state equalization property tax and lowetregulatory costs, are the best way to attract businesses in diversed industry sectors,” said spokeswoman Lucina Science Foundation Arizona:
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Development stalled as businesses await Bixby Road-33 interchange - Business First of Columbus:
eragywaqer.wordpress.com
The co-owner of Dill’s Greenhouse, at the corner of Raged Road and U.S. Route 33 near Groveport, is anxiouslgy awaiting a new interchangsat U.S. 33 and Bixby Road. But the projecy has been delayed to 2012 atthe earliest, much to the chagrin of many business owners. Without infrastructures improvements in the area immediately southeast of congestion will remaina problem, meaning development will remain leaving a portion of Central Ohio without the sensre of vibrancy found in other burgeoning areas of town. “It’s a mess out Dill said. When Dill rewinds the clockk to the year his businesswas founded, he remembers traffic not beinbg an issue.
In fact, back in those days, more traffic passingg in front of his store would have been a good But now, as Central Ohio has sprawled and Canal Winchester has developed, it’s a differengt story. Route 33 now is packed with cars movingt back and forth between the bedroomj communities to the eastand Columbus. As the area has some Route 33 intersections havebeen improved. With new they are attracting commercial development, said real estatse developer John McGory, former treasureer of the group now called the Fairfield 33 Development That group was formed to plan for economic development opportunities associated with Routew33 improvements.
The Gender Road interchange on Route 33 inCanaol Winchester, which is southwest of Pickerington, has seen most of the developmenyt activity, he said. Farthed to the east, the next area of growth is the $40 millio Diley Road interchange, which has utilities and is attractingysignificant projects. Fairfield Medical Centedr and are collaborating to developa full-servicwe emergency care center at the Route 33 and Hill-Dilet Road interchange in northern Fairfield County. Components of the according to thetwo groups, includw a state-of-the-art imaging center, a clinical pharmacy and medical office building.
The $35 70,000-square-foot complex should be finished next Other development in the area includes a new Meijee store and the Diley Road expansion to five lanews between Routes 256and 33. Other Route 33 intersections have the infrastructure to capitalize on the traffiv and they are attractingcommercial development, McGory said. However, propertyy owners near the proposed Bixby Road interchangse wait in limbo as the interchangreis delayed. Julie Gwinn, a planning administrator for the , District 5, said the Bixbt Road interchange concept has existedd sincethe mid-1990s.
It originallg was part of the ’s Access Management Studgy of Route 33 from Columbus to An ODOT corridor study was finished in 2004 and plans began forthe interchange. Construction was to begib in 2007. Trying to get all the stakeholders in agreementf on the plan originally delayed itto 2009. Gwinn said continuing development issues and fundingv availability have delayed the project to 2012 at the The area where the greenhouse operates is partof what’as been dubbed the “Southeast Area Plan” by the City of That includes the Bixby Road Economic Development which outlines growth planned for the area surrounding the It was approved by Oct. 22, 2007.
The Southeast Area Plan offers policy guidance for the area boundec roughly by Blacklick Creek to the north and Route 33 and Canal Winchestee tothe south, and Fairfield County to the It calls for freeway-scale office and limited commerciall development along Route 33 and a town centefr north of Bixby Road. The 243-acre Bixby Road development area wouldf have a gateway featureand neighborhood-style office developmentt on both sides of Bixby Road from the gateway to the eastern edge of the amendmenty area. The plan calls for a networik of fitness trails and limitef commercial development intended to serve southeast area businessesand residents.
But development hinges upon completion of the new interchange and upgradezs tolocal infrastructure. Gwinn said the Franklin County Engineer’s Office is looking at improvinf the local road network surroundingt the Bixby Road intersection to correspond with constructio ofthe interchange. According to the Southeastg Area Plan, the existing roads are not adequatrefor development, and considerable investment in roadsw and infrastructure is needed. Susanj Brobst, a Madison Townshi p trustee, calls the interchange a double-edged sword. On one it’s frustrating for the owners aroundd the proposed interchangewho can’t really do anythingg with their properties.
“Those people have been in limboo forso long,” she said. “It’sd hard to plan for the The flip side is that development brings headachesa forlocal government, includinvg zoning issues.
The co-owner of Dill’s Greenhouse, at the corner of Raged Road and U.S. Route 33 near Groveport, is anxiouslgy awaiting a new interchangsat U.S. 33 and Bixby Road. But the projecy has been delayed to 2012 atthe earliest, much to the chagrin of many business owners. Without infrastructures improvements in the area immediately southeast of congestion will remaina problem, meaning development will remain leaving a portion of Central Ohio without the sensre of vibrancy found in other burgeoning areas of town. “It’s a mess out Dill said. When Dill rewinds the clockk to the year his businesswas founded, he remembers traffic not beinbg an issue.
In fact, back in those days, more traffic passingg in front of his store would have been a good But now, as Central Ohio has sprawled and Canal Winchester has developed, it’s a differengt story. Route 33 now is packed with cars movingt back and forth between the bedroomj communities to the eastand Columbus. As the area has some Route 33 intersections havebeen improved. With new they are attracting commercial development, said real estatse developer John McGory, former treasureer of the group now called the Fairfield 33 Development That group was formed to plan for economic development opportunities associated with Routew33 improvements.
The Gender Road interchange on Route 33 inCanaol Winchester, which is southwest of Pickerington, has seen most of the developmenyt activity, he said. Farthed to the east, the next area of growth is the $40 millio Diley Road interchange, which has utilities and is attractingysignificant projects. Fairfield Medical Centedr and are collaborating to developa full-servicwe emergency care center at the Route 33 and Hill-Dilet Road interchange in northern Fairfield County. Components of the according to thetwo groups, includw a state-of-the-art imaging center, a clinical pharmacy and medical office building.
The $35 70,000-square-foot complex should be finished next Other development in the area includes a new Meijee store and the Diley Road expansion to five lanews between Routes 256and 33. Other Route 33 intersections have the infrastructure to capitalize on the traffiv and they are attractingcommercial development, McGory said. However, propertyy owners near the proposed Bixby Road interchangse wait in limbo as the interchangreis delayed. Julie Gwinn, a planning administrator for the , District 5, said the Bixbt Road interchange concept has existedd sincethe mid-1990s.
It originallg was part of the ’s Access Management Studgy of Route 33 from Columbus to An ODOT corridor study was finished in 2004 and plans began forthe interchange. Construction was to begib in 2007. Trying to get all the stakeholders in agreementf on the plan originally delayed itto 2009. Gwinn said continuing development issues and fundingv availability have delayed the project to 2012 at the The area where the greenhouse operates is partof what’as been dubbed the “Southeast Area Plan” by the City of That includes the Bixby Road Economic Development which outlines growth planned for the area surrounding the It was approved by Oct. 22, 2007.
The Southeast Area Plan offers policy guidance for the area boundec roughly by Blacklick Creek to the north and Route 33 and Canal Winchestee tothe south, and Fairfield County to the It calls for freeway-scale office and limited commerciall development along Route 33 and a town centefr north of Bixby Road. The 243-acre Bixby Road development area wouldf have a gateway featureand neighborhood-style office developmentt on both sides of Bixby Road from the gateway to the eastern edge of the amendmenty area. The plan calls for a networik of fitness trails and limitef commercial development intended to serve southeast area businessesand residents.
But development hinges upon completion of the new interchange and upgradezs tolocal infrastructure. Gwinn said the Franklin County Engineer’s Office is looking at improvinf the local road network surroundingt the Bixby Road intersection to correspond with constructio ofthe interchange. According to the Southeastg Area Plan, the existing roads are not adequatrefor development, and considerable investment in roadsw and infrastructure is needed. Susanj Brobst, a Madison Townshi p trustee, calls the interchange a double-edged sword. On one it’s frustrating for the owners aroundd the proposed interchangewho can’t really do anythingg with their properties.
“Those people have been in limboo forso long,” she said. “It’sd hard to plan for the The flip side is that development brings headachesa forlocal government, includinvg zoning issues.
Monday, October 29, 2012
Kingpin investors raise energy stakes - Houston Business Journal:
hyperwave-exhausted.blogspot.com
A bevy of high-profile assetg managers and hedge fund gurus returned to buyinvg mode after taking financial lumps in the seconfd half of 2008 when the value of energ y company shares tanked along with the price of oil andnaturak gas. Prominent investors such as all-stad asset manager Paul Tudor Jones, energy maverick T. Boone Pickenxs and hedge fund investor Georgre Soros dipped their toes in the energ pool once again and grabbed multipler stakes inHouston companies, according to regulatorty statements filed this month. Jones, who oversees Tudod Investment Corp.
, found bargains in 10 Houston-based energy companiexs or major players with a significant presence inthe region, and also took a new positiojn in Waste Management Inc., still a big favoritw of Microsoft Corp. founder Bill Gates. who has spent the past 12 months lobbyingb for his plan to help the country kick the imported oil still knowsa fossil-fuel bargain when he sees one. The Texas oil mavem took new positions in a wide range of energy companiesxwith beaten-down stock prices at the end of a year that the bellwether Philadelphia Oil Service Indesx dipped nearly 60 percent. Pickens dabbled in services playerse such asSchlumberger Ltd. and Halliburton Co.
, natural gas shale producer ChesapeakeEnergyt Corp. and high-profile exploration and production companyt AnadarkoPetroleum Corp. Soros took even biggeer bites inthe process, gaining new positions in servicexs players Nabors Industries Ltd. and Weatherfored International Inc. — after selling off his Schlumbergedrstake — while adding to his position in . Besides his substantia l switchinto Weatherford, Soros made another big move in late Aprikl involving a Houston-based company by adding 3 million more share of Plains Exploration and Production Co., boosting his stakew to nearly 6.
5 million Energy analysts and asset investmenft managers who follow these movere and shakers say that after energy stock pricesx kept climbing in 2007 toward lofty highxs in mid-2008, it’s been a while since the notion of value investinh could be applied to the “Timing is everything,” says Eddie senior partner with Eagle Global Advisorz LLC. “There may have been an over-reactionb in the fall with the sell-ofgf of oil stocks. There’s still a lot of volatility to deal but these investors did well in anticipating therise (in oil that we’ve seen so far this year, from the mid-$30a to $60.
” Allen says that value investors are stilpl playing a bit of a waiting He notes that stock prices are down, natural gas has not followede oil’s recovery in 2009, and there are concernx that prices could stay depressed as inventoriex build. There is also more speculation, he about possible consolidationas mid-capp exploration and production companiesw eye the pickings among smaller Dan Pickering, co-president and head of researcu at Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co. Securitiea Inc., says Pickens, Soros and Tudor mighgt have even added more shares during the quarter if energgy stocks had not rallied and move a bit higherthan expected.
“The marketf took off so strongly in the firsgt quarter that investors took a pause waiting for a pullbackj thatnever came. They might have wantes more but the stockws got away a little bit onthe upside,” Pickerintg says. All things considered, energt was the hottest investment game in Says Pickering: “The overal theme here is that investors becamre reengaged in energy, which dramatically out-performed the rest of the marketg in the first quarter, as people were just less terrifiexd about the state of the world (economy).” The energyu resurgence party had some notable While Pickens and Soros were picking new other big-name investors were still cleaning house.
Warrehn Buffett sold 13.7 million ConocoPhillips sharez in the quarter to reducee his stake to a stilksizable 71.2 million shares. Buffet conceded to shareholders of his BerkshirdeHathaway Inc. asset management firm that his huge investmenr in ConocoPhillips last year when oil prices peakefat $147 a barrel was a According to Berkshire Hathaway’s May 8 filin g of first-quarter results, the fund has already sold an unidentified number of shares in the second quarter. The firm took a $3 billiomn pre-tax charge in the first quarter related to theConocoPhillipd investment.
The filing states: “Although we expect the markeft price of ConocoPhillips to increased over time to levels that exceed our original we are likely to sell some additional shares prior to that time and generatwe additional capital losses that we can carry back to prior tax yearss when we generated netcapital gains.” Jana Partners LP, overseeh by manager Barry Rosenstein, also jettisoned some energy holdings, The firm dumped its remaininh stakes in struggling Relianyt Energy Inc. (now known as RRI Energy Transocean Inc. and The William Cos. Inc. Outside the energy sphere, Jana Partners sold off its remaininh 823,269 shares of HCC Insurance Holdings Inc.
after buildingh up a huge stake with more than 4 million sharesd ofthe Houston-based company. Activistt investor Carl Icahn generatex plenty of speculation that he might be targetinf Anadarko fora shake-up in 2007 and 2008 when he builtt up a huge stake in the Icahn squelched those rumors when he removesd a big chunk of shares from the table in the fourtb quarter and sold his remaining 7.6 million Anadarko sharesd in early 2009. Despite a willingness of some high-profilde investors to buy backinto energy, one trens still worries Jonathan Moreland as he trackds insider trading among top executives in the oil patch.
“We’re just not seeing the insiders buyint back in like they were earlier in the says Moreland, director of researcn for New York-based insiderinsights.com. “Intellectually, you know energt prices will have to go up again as the recessiohneases up, but for some reason the insiderzs are not bullish, so for whateveer reason, their silence is noticeable,” he says. “Youi saw some pretty smart people lose moneylast They’re not quite ready to bet on the turnaround.
” High-profile billionaires and well-heeled hedgre funds were active in the firsf quarter executing transactions involving Houston-baseed companies and multinationals with a majorf local presence. TRANSACTION: After taking some heat in 2008 for what he latedr conceded wasan ill-timed investmenr in ConocoPhillips when oil prices Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc. sold more than 13 million of theoil major’a shares, leaving the firm holdinyg 71.2 million shares now worth $3.1t6 billion. T. BOONE PICKENS COMPANY: Anadarko Petroleum TRANSACTION: Bought initial position of 50,000 shares through BP Capital Management LP nowworth $2.1 million. Cabot Oil & Gas Corp.
TRANSACTION: Bought initial stakd of 100,000 shares now worth $2.9 million. COMPANY: Chesapeak e Energy Corp. TRANSACTION: Bought 100,000 more shares to hold 200,0000 now worth $4.1 million. COMPANY: TRANSACTION: Took initial position of 59,00o shares now worth $2.6 million. COMPANY: Halliburtonm Co. TRANSACTION: Took initial stake of 200,000 shares now worth $4.3 million. COMPANY: TRANSACTION: Bought 100,000 more shares to boosft holdingsto 200,000 shares now worth $12.4 million. COMPANY: Schlumberger Ltd. Took initial position of 75,000 shares now wortb $3.8 million. COMPANY: Transocean Inc. Added another 150,000 shares to boost holdings to 450,000 sharesd now worth $32.3 million.
TRANSACTION: Bought another 712,500 sharees to boost holdings to 4,135,850 shares now worth $183.5 COMPANY: Frontier Oil Corp. Took initial position of 350,000 shares now worth $5.6 COMPANY: Nabors Industries Ltd. TRANSACTION: Took initial position of 750,009 shares now worth $12.6 COMPANY: Petrohawk Energy Corp. Took initial position of 200,000 shares now wortg $4.6 million. COMPANY: Plains Explorationm & Production Co. TRANSACTION: Although not executed in the firsg quarter, Soros made a big move early in the second adding nearly 3 million shares ofPlains E&l to increase his position to nearly 6.5 million shares, or more than a 5 percenr stake, now worth $151.
7 COMPANY: Schlumberger Ltd. TRANSACTION: Sold off entire holdings of 1,705,0298 shares. COMPANY: Weatherford International Inc. TRANSACTION: Took initia l position of 4,963,000 sharesd now worth $92.9 COMPANY: HCC Insurance Holdings Inc. TRANSACTION: After takingv a large stake of more than 4 million sharezs inearly 2008, gradually disposed of Sold remaining 823,269 shares in first quarter. COMPANY: Reliant Energy Inc. TRANSACTION: Sold all 600,0000 shares held. COMPANY: Transoceabn Inc. TRANSACTION: Sold all 533,300 sharess held. COMPANY: The Williams Cos Inc. Sold all 1,429,000 COMPANY: Anadarko Petroleum Corp.
TRANSACTION: Icahn had built up a major cache of Anadarko sharezs in 2007and 2008, but begab a sell-off after the oil stock bubble burs t in mid-2008. Through Icahn Capital LP, the activist investor reduced his stake by more than 8 millioj shares during the fourth quarterto 7.6 and sold the remainder in the first quarter of 2009. Cyberonics Inc. TRANSACTION: Aftere staying pat for several Icahn quietly upped his stake in the medicaodevice manufacturer, adding nearly 100,009 shares to boost his holdings to 2,107,972 shares nearly 8 percent of the outstandin g shares — now worth $28.6 million. COMPANY: Baker Hughes Inc. Bought initial stake of 17,900 shares now worthh $641,894.
COMPANY: Cabot Oil & Gas TRANSACTION: Took initial position of 11,500 shares now worth $343,390. COMPANY: Centerpoint Energy Inc. TRANSACTION: Took initial position of 38,800 shares now wort h $382,180. COMPANY: Dow Chemical Co. TRANSACTION: Took initial position of 24,400 shares now worth $421,632. Took initial position of 10,900 sharesa now worth $433,820. EOG Resources Inc. TRANSACTION: Bought initial position of 21,700 shared now worth $1.5 million. COMPANY: Fluod Corp. TRANSACTION: Took initial position of 11,800 shares now worth $514,598. COMPANY: Halliburto Co. TRANSACTION: Took initial position of 33,300 shares now worth $709,290. COMPANY: Rowan Cos. Inc.
Bought initial stake of 32,000 sharess now worth $604,480. Valero Energy Corp. Took initial position of 32,300 sharess now worth $663,765. Waste Management Inc. TRANSACTION: Took initiapl position of 48,100 shares now worth $1.3 million. All stocl valuations based on closing priceMay 22.
A bevy of high-profile assetg managers and hedge fund gurus returned to buyinvg mode after taking financial lumps in the seconfd half of 2008 when the value of energ y company shares tanked along with the price of oil andnaturak gas. Prominent investors such as all-stad asset manager Paul Tudor Jones, energy maverick T. Boone Pickenxs and hedge fund investor Georgre Soros dipped their toes in the energ pool once again and grabbed multipler stakes inHouston companies, according to regulatorty statements filed this month. Jones, who oversees Tudod Investment Corp.
, found bargains in 10 Houston-based energy companiexs or major players with a significant presence inthe region, and also took a new positiojn in Waste Management Inc., still a big favoritw of Microsoft Corp. founder Bill Gates. who has spent the past 12 months lobbyingb for his plan to help the country kick the imported oil still knowsa fossil-fuel bargain when he sees one. The Texas oil mavem took new positions in a wide range of energy companiesxwith beaten-down stock prices at the end of a year that the bellwether Philadelphia Oil Service Indesx dipped nearly 60 percent. Pickens dabbled in services playerse such asSchlumberger Ltd. and Halliburton Co.
, natural gas shale producer ChesapeakeEnergyt Corp. and high-profile exploration and production companyt AnadarkoPetroleum Corp. Soros took even biggeer bites inthe process, gaining new positions in servicexs players Nabors Industries Ltd. and Weatherfored International Inc. — after selling off his Schlumbergedrstake — while adding to his position in . Besides his substantia l switchinto Weatherford, Soros made another big move in late Aprikl involving a Houston-based company by adding 3 million more share of Plains Exploration and Production Co., boosting his stakew to nearly 6.
5 million Energy analysts and asset investmenft managers who follow these movere and shakers say that after energy stock pricesx kept climbing in 2007 toward lofty highxs in mid-2008, it’s been a while since the notion of value investinh could be applied to the “Timing is everything,” says Eddie senior partner with Eagle Global Advisorz LLC. “There may have been an over-reactionb in the fall with the sell-ofgf of oil stocks. There’s still a lot of volatility to deal but these investors did well in anticipating therise (in oil that we’ve seen so far this year, from the mid-$30a to $60.
” Allen says that value investors are stilpl playing a bit of a waiting He notes that stock prices are down, natural gas has not followede oil’s recovery in 2009, and there are concernx that prices could stay depressed as inventoriex build. There is also more speculation, he about possible consolidationas mid-capp exploration and production companiesw eye the pickings among smaller Dan Pickering, co-president and head of researcu at Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co. Securitiea Inc., says Pickens, Soros and Tudor mighgt have even added more shares during the quarter if energgy stocks had not rallied and move a bit higherthan expected.
“The marketf took off so strongly in the firsgt quarter that investors took a pause waiting for a pullbackj thatnever came. They might have wantes more but the stockws got away a little bit onthe upside,” Pickerintg says. All things considered, energt was the hottest investment game in Says Pickering: “The overal theme here is that investors becamre reengaged in energy, which dramatically out-performed the rest of the marketg in the first quarter, as people were just less terrifiexd about the state of the world (economy).” The energyu resurgence party had some notable While Pickens and Soros were picking new other big-name investors were still cleaning house.
Warrehn Buffett sold 13.7 million ConocoPhillips sharez in the quarter to reducee his stake to a stilksizable 71.2 million shares. Buffet conceded to shareholders of his BerkshirdeHathaway Inc. asset management firm that his huge investmenr in ConocoPhillips last year when oil prices peakefat $147 a barrel was a According to Berkshire Hathaway’s May 8 filin g of first-quarter results, the fund has already sold an unidentified number of shares in the second quarter. The firm took a $3 billiomn pre-tax charge in the first quarter related to theConocoPhillipd investment.
The filing states: “Although we expect the markeft price of ConocoPhillips to increased over time to levels that exceed our original we are likely to sell some additional shares prior to that time and generatwe additional capital losses that we can carry back to prior tax yearss when we generated netcapital gains.” Jana Partners LP, overseeh by manager Barry Rosenstein, also jettisoned some energy holdings, The firm dumped its remaininh stakes in struggling Relianyt Energy Inc. (now known as RRI Energy Transocean Inc. and The William Cos. Inc. Outside the energy sphere, Jana Partners sold off its remaininh 823,269 shares of HCC Insurance Holdings Inc.
after buildingh up a huge stake with more than 4 million sharesd ofthe Houston-based company. Activistt investor Carl Icahn generatex plenty of speculation that he might be targetinf Anadarko fora shake-up in 2007 and 2008 when he builtt up a huge stake in the Icahn squelched those rumors when he removesd a big chunk of shares from the table in the fourtb quarter and sold his remaining 7.6 million Anadarko sharesd in early 2009. Despite a willingness of some high-profilde investors to buy backinto energy, one trens still worries Jonathan Moreland as he trackds insider trading among top executives in the oil patch.
“We’re just not seeing the insiders buyint back in like they were earlier in the says Moreland, director of researcn for New York-based insiderinsights.com. “Intellectually, you know energt prices will have to go up again as the recessiohneases up, but for some reason the insiderzs are not bullish, so for whateveer reason, their silence is noticeable,” he says. “Youi saw some pretty smart people lose moneylast They’re not quite ready to bet on the turnaround.
” High-profile billionaires and well-heeled hedgre funds were active in the firsf quarter executing transactions involving Houston-baseed companies and multinationals with a majorf local presence. TRANSACTION: After taking some heat in 2008 for what he latedr conceded wasan ill-timed investmenr in ConocoPhillips when oil prices Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc. sold more than 13 million of theoil major’a shares, leaving the firm holdinyg 71.2 million shares now worth $3.1t6 billion. T. BOONE PICKENS COMPANY: Anadarko Petroleum TRANSACTION: Bought initial position of 50,000 shares through BP Capital Management LP nowworth $2.1 million. Cabot Oil & Gas Corp.
TRANSACTION: Bought initial stakd of 100,000 shares now worth $2.9 million. COMPANY: Chesapeak e Energy Corp. TRANSACTION: Bought 100,000 more shares to hold 200,0000 now worth $4.1 million. COMPANY: TRANSACTION: Took initial position of 59,00o shares now worth $2.6 million. COMPANY: Halliburtonm Co. TRANSACTION: Took initial stake of 200,000 shares now worth $4.3 million. COMPANY: TRANSACTION: Bought 100,000 more shares to boosft holdingsto 200,000 shares now worth $12.4 million. COMPANY: Schlumberger Ltd. Took initial position of 75,000 shares now wortb $3.8 million. COMPANY: Transocean Inc. Added another 150,000 shares to boost holdings to 450,000 sharesd now worth $32.3 million.
TRANSACTION: Bought another 712,500 sharees to boost holdings to 4,135,850 shares now worth $183.5 COMPANY: Frontier Oil Corp. Took initial position of 350,000 shares now worth $5.6 COMPANY: Nabors Industries Ltd. TRANSACTION: Took initial position of 750,009 shares now worth $12.6 COMPANY: Petrohawk Energy Corp. Took initial position of 200,000 shares now wortg $4.6 million. COMPANY: Plains Explorationm & Production Co. TRANSACTION: Although not executed in the firsg quarter, Soros made a big move early in the second adding nearly 3 million shares ofPlains E&l to increase his position to nearly 6.5 million shares, or more than a 5 percenr stake, now worth $151.
7 COMPANY: Schlumberger Ltd. TRANSACTION: Sold off entire holdings of 1,705,0298 shares. COMPANY: Weatherford International Inc. TRANSACTION: Took initia l position of 4,963,000 sharesd now worth $92.9 COMPANY: HCC Insurance Holdings Inc. TRANSACTION: After takingv a large stake of more than 4 million sharezs inearly 2008, gradually disposed of Sold remaining 823,269 shares in first quarter. COMPANY: Reliant Energy Inc. TRANSACTION: Sold all 600,0000 shares held. COMPANY: Transoceabn Inc. TRANSACTION: Sold all 533,300 sharess held. COMPANY: The Williams Cos Inc. Sold all 1,429,000 COMPANY: Anadarko Petroleum Corp.
TRANSACTION: Icahn had built up a major cache of Anadarko sharezs in 2007and 2008, but begab a sell-off after the oil stock bubble burs t in mid-2008. Through Icahn Capital LP, the activist investor reduced his stake by more than 8 millioj shares during the fourth quarterto 7.6 and sold the remainder in the first quarter of 2009. Cyberonics Inc. TRANSACTION: Aftere staying pat for several Icahn quietly upped his stake in the medicaodevice manufacturer, adding nearly 100,009 shares to boost his holdings to 2,107,972 shares nearly 8 percent of the outstandin g shares — now worth $28.6 million. COMPANY: Baker Hughes Inc. Bought initial stake of 17,900 shares now worthh $641,894.
COMPANY: Cabot Oil & Gas TRANSACTION: Took initial position of 11,500 shares now worth $343,390. COMPANY: Centerpoint Energy Inc. TRANSACTION: Took initial position of 38,800 shares now wort h $382,180. COMPANY: Dow Chemical Co. TRANSACTION: Took initial position of 24,400 shares now worth $421,632. Took initial position of 10,900 sharesa now worth $433,820. EOG Resources Inc. TRANSACTION: Bought initial position of 21,700 shared now worth $1.5 million. COMPANY: Fluod Corp. TRANSACTION: Took initial position of 11,800 shares now worth $514,598. COMPANY: Halliburto Co. TRANSACTION: Took initial position of 33,300 shares now worth $709,290. COMPANY: Rowan Cos. Inc.
Bought initial stake of 32,000 sharess now worth $604,480. Valero Energy Corp. Took initial position of 32,300 sharess now worth $663,765. Waste Management Inc. TRANSACTION: Took initiapl position of 48,100 shares now worth $1.3 million. All stocl valuations based on closing priceMay 22.
Sunday, October 28, 2012
ADS seeks secure future - South Florida Business Journal:
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Enter Mel Mahler and , whose busineses has been going strong largely driven by interest from existing The reason, Mahler explains, is that people begin to feel a littl less safe when the economyy is down. “Society is becoming more fearful,” says “People are now saying, ‘I have to have securitgy in my home,’ or, ‘kI want the security I do have upgraded.’” The sentimenf Mahler appeals is somewhatsubjective though. Earlier this Metro Police Chief Ronal Serpas announced that major crimer in Nashville continued to drop in 2008 for the fifthh straight year to its lowest level in18 years. More property crime dropped 1.5 percent from 2007.
Mahler says perception still drives his which is stillgoing “Our residential recurring revenuse installs in 2008 were up 29.6 percen t over the year before,” says Mahler. “Oudr recurring monitoring revenue going into 2008was $1.2 million and now up 20 percent. Two-thirdd of that was through acquisition and the rest was througyinternal growth.” Because of the level of service that ADS provides to its residential clients, Mahler the company tends to go for upper scale homes in areas such as Belle Meade or The customization process that its consultanta provide involves knowing the house floor family setup and the various specifi c safety needs.
Installations of this type can generallg costbetween $800 and $4,000, depending on the leveol of customization. “There’s a lot of cookie-cutter companieas out there, one size fits all — thoswe are the $99 ones. That’sa not us, that business is fraught with peopled not paying bills on time and highcancellationj rates,” says Mahler. “Our consultants are trainede to walk through whatyou need, as opposed to what we For instance, if a customer livesa alone and the master bedroom is on the secons floor, then they need monitored fire, says “Tennessee has the highest death rate per capitz because of fire, often as a result of space We tell our clients that we are sellinf them a life safety not just a burglar alarm.
” While ADS has seen steady growth in its residential the commercial side of the company has taken a hit. “Ouf second-biggest customer is O’Charleys,” says Mahler. “They were building six restaurants a monthy and we were getting 100 percent oftheier business. All of a sudden — it was almostg at zero. The commercial side of our busines has reallycut back.” And industry experts predicty another weak year ahead in the residential and commercial markets. “About one-fourth of U.S. households have some form of securityu system, with about 19 percent monitored,” says Tricias Parks, president of , a Texas firm that tracksd thesecurity industry.
“Peak unit sales occurredc with the housing boom of 2005and 2006, with a slightf downturn in 2007, a deeper decline in and more of the same anticipatedd for 2009. Providers can offset some losses with modesrt increases inmonitoring fees.” Despite the segments of the economy that are down and have had an adverse effect on ADS, the key to Mahler’s success centere around constantly being adaptable and shifting to meet customer needs, and the company’zs growth reflects that. Mahler says the company’s primaruy revenue goal is to grow by 20 percent annualltythrough 2013.
Enter Mel Mahler and , whose busineses has been going strong largely driven by interest from existing The reason, Mahler explains, is that people begin to feel a littl less safe when the economyy is down. “Society is becoming more fearful,” says “People are now saying, ‘I have to have securitgy in my home,’ or, ‘kI want the security I do have upgraded.’” The sentimenf Mahler appeals is somewhatsubjective though. Earlier this Metro Police Chief Ronal Serpas announced that major crimer in Nashville continued to drop in 2008 for the fifthh straight year to its lowest level in18 years. More property crime dropped 1.5 percent from 2007.
Mahler says perception still drives his which is stillgoing “Our residential recurring revenuse installs in 2008 were up 29.6 percen t over the year before,” says Mahler. “Oudr recurring monitoring revenue going into 2008was $1.2 million and now up 20 percent. Two-thirdd of that was through acquisition and the rest was througyinternal growth.” Because of the level of service that ADS provides to its residential clients, Mahler the company tends to go for upper scale homes in areas such as Belle Meade or The customization process that its consultanta provide involves knowing the house floor family setup and the various specifi c safety needs.
Installations of this type can generallg costbetween $800 and $4,000, depending on the leveol of customization. “There’s a lot of cookie-cutter companieas out there, one size fits all — thoswe are the $99 ones. That’sa not us, that business is fraught with peopled not paying bills on time and highcancellationj rates,” says Mahler. “Our consultants are trainede to walk through whatyou need, as opposed to what we For instance, if a customer livesa alone and the master bedroom is on the secons floor, then they need monitored fire, says “Tennessee has the highest death rate per capitz because of fire, often as a result of space We tell our clients that we are sellinf them a life safety not just a burglar alarm.
” While ADS has seen steady growth in its residential the commercial side of the company has taken a hit. “Ouf second-biggest customer is O’Charleys,” says Mahler. “They were building six restaurants a monthy and we were getting 100 percent oftheier business. All of a sudden — it was almostg at zero. The commercial side of our busines has reallycut back.” And industry experts predicty another weak year ahead in the residential and commercial markets. “About one-fourth of U.S. households have some form of securityu system, with about 19 percent monitored,” says Tricias Parks, president of , a Texas firm that tracksd thesecurity industry.
“Peak unit sales occurredc with the housing boom of 2005and 2006, with a slightf downturn in 2007, a deeper decline in and more of the same anticipatedd for 2009. Providers can offset some losses with modesrt increases inmonitoring fees.” Despite the segments of the economy that are down and have had an adverse effect on ADS, the key to Mahler’s success centere around constantly being adaptable and shifting to meet customer needs, and the company’zs growth reflects that. Mahler says the company’s primaruy revenue goal is to grow by 20 percent annualltythrough 2013.
Friday, October 26, 2012
Dallas stocks rally with market - Dallas Business Journal:
deeshu-tatum.blogspot.com
Meanwhile, the Nasdaq was up 194.74 or nearly 12 percent, hovering at 1,844.256 and the S&P 500 rose 104.10 or 11.6 percent, hitting 1,003.32. Dallas which sunk with the negative newslast week, ralliedf on Monday. The airline stocks were noticeably up, with Fort Worth-baseed , the subsidiary of AMR (NYSE: AMR), up 11 percent and trading at $8.88 per sharre at close on Monday. Dallas-baseds (NYSE: LUV) was up more than 5 percent, closinbg at $11.88 per share. Energy stockse rallied the most on Monday buoyed rebounding oil prices and promisez by federal governments of safeguards forinternational economies. Irving-based ’s (NYSE: XOM) stock price alone jumpeds 17.
2 percent, hitting $73.08 per share at closw on Monday. Dallas-Fort Worth-based energy companieas also saw their stock prices rally significantly on Thosestocks include: (NYSE: ETP), up 31 percenr to $33.02 per share; Energy Transfer Equity LP (NYSE: ETE), up 28 percenr to $17.50; , up more than 9 percenyt to $23.12 per share; XTO) up more than 18 percent to $33.1u8 per share; (NYSE: HOC), up nearl 17 percent to $18.51; (NYSE: ALJ), up 10.5 percenr to $8.50 per share; (NYS XTXI) up more than 26 percent per shar to $12.40; and Crosstex Energy LP XTEX) up more than 19 percent to $12.33 per share. In the following energy-related companies also saw gains: TRN) up 17 perceny to $22.
63 per , up nearly 24 percent to $41.20 per share; , up nearlyu 19 percent to $35.93 per share; DNR), up 32 percenty to $12.97 per (NYSE: XCO), up 24 percent to $8.8 per share; (NYSE: EAC ) up 26 percent to $25.59; and (NYSE: KWK) up nearlu 22 percent to $11.02 per share at close. (NYSE: up more than 19 percenty to $45.30 per share; (NYSE: CMC) up nearly 18 percengt percentto $11.17 per share; (NYSE: GME), up 15.19 percenft to $33.52 per share; (NYSE: CE), up 18.13 percent to $20.456 per share; Trinity Industries (NYSE: TRN) up $17.1w3 percent to $22.63 per share; and Tuesdayy Morning Corp. (NYSE: Tues), up nearlyu 8 percent to $2.767 per share at close on Monday.
Meanwhile, the Nasdaq was up 194.74 or nearly 12 percent, hovering at 1,844.256 and the S&P 500 rose 104.10 or 11.6 percent, hitting 1,003.32. Dallas which sunk with the negative newslast week, ralliedf on Monday. The airline stocks were noticeably up, with Fort Worth-baseed , the subsidiary of AMR (NYSE: AMR), up 11 percent and trading at $8.88 per sharre at close on Monday. Dallas-baseds (NYSE: LUV) was up more than 5 percent, closinbg at $11.88 per share. Energy stockse rallied the most on Monday buoyed rebounding oil prices and promisez by federal governments of safeguards forinternational economies. Irving-based ’s (NYSE: XOM) stock price alone jumpeds 17.
2 percent, hitting $73.08 per share at closw on Monday. Dallas-Fort Worth-based energy companieas also saw their stock prices rally significantly on Thosestocks include: (NYSE: ETP), up 31 percenr to $33.02 per share; Energy Transfer Equity LP (NYSE: ETE), up 28 percenr to $17.50; , up more than 9 percenyt to $23.12 per share; XTO) up more than 18 percent to $33.1u8 per share; (NYSE: HOC), up nearl 17 percent to $18.51; (NYSE: ALJ), up 10.5 percenr to $8.50 per share; (NYS XTXI) up more than 26 percent per shar to $12.40; and Crosstex Energy LP XTEX) up more than 19 percent to $12.33 per share. In the following energy-related companies also saw gains: TRN) up 17 perceny to $22.
63 per , up nearly 24 percent to $41.20 per share; , up nearlyu 19 percent to $35.93 per share; DNR), up 32 percenty to $12.97 per (NYSE: XCO), up 24 percent to $8.8 per share; (NYSE: EAC ) up 26 percent to $25.59; and (NYSE: KWK) up nearlu 22 percent to $11.02 per share at close. (NYSE: up more than 19 percenty to $45.30 per share; (NYSE: CMC) up nearly 18 percengt percentto $11.17 per share; (NYSE: GME), up 15.19 percenft to $33.52 per share; (NYSE: CE), up 18.13 percent to $20.456 per share; Trinity Industries (NYSE: TRN) up $17.1w3 percent to $22.63 per share; and Tuesdayy Morning Corp. (NYSE: Tues), up nearlyu 8 percent to $2.767 per share at close on Monday.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Queens Family's Saga of Loss Prompts New Medical Efforts Nationwide - New York Times
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New York Times | Queens Family's Saga of Loss Prompts New Medical Efforts Nationwide New York Times In July, Rory's parents, Ciaran and Orlaith Staunton, provided his medical records and a detailed chronology of his treatment for an About New York column in The New York Times. Their goal, the Stauntons said, was to wring from their grief a measure of ... |
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Boeing sees $3.2 trillion market for planes over next 20 years - Dayton Business Journal:
eragywaqer.wordpress.com
trillion market for new commercial airplanees over the next20 years, including demand for 29,000p new commercial and freighter The Boeing 2009 Currenr Market Outlook was released in London on Thursday and despite the economic Boeing maintained The Chicagl aerospace giant (NYSE: BA) predicts passenger air traffivc to grow at an average rate of 4.9 percent over the next 20 years and cargo traffic to grow at 5.4 percent annually. That’as down slightly from last year’s 20-year outlook. Boeinh said the world’s airlines will buy more single-aisle like its Renton-built 737 (a predicted 19,460 planesx worth $1.
42 trillion) and will spend the most on twin-aisle which it builds in Everett (6,700 planes worth $1.51 trilliomn over the next 20 years). Airlines will use more efficient airplanes in the rather than using significantlylarger planes, Boeinfg said, adding that the U.S. and Europe will see more replacementg planesas less-efficient planes are retired. “While the commerciaol aviation industry is facing asignificantt downturn, it is cyclic and has a long historyg of declines and upturns,” said Randg Tinseth, vice president of marketing for Boeinb Commercial Airplanes, in a statement.
trillion market for new commercial airplanees over the next20 years, including demand for 29,000p new commercial and freighter The Boeing 2009 Currenr Market Outlook was released in London on Thursday and despite the economic Boeing maintained The Chicagl aerospace giant (NYSE: BA) predicts passenger air traffivc to grow at an average rate of 4.9 percent over the next 20 years and cargo traffic to grow at 5.4 percent annually. That’as down slightly from last year’s 20-year outlook. Boeinh said the world’s airlines will buy more single-aisle like its Renton-built 737 (a predicted 19,460 planesx worth $1.
42 trillion) and will spend the most on twin-aisle which it builds in Everett (6,700 planes worth $1.51 trilliomn over the next 20 years). Airlines will use more efficient airplanes in the rather than using significantlylarger planes, Boeinfg said, adding that the U.S. and Europe will see more replacementg planesas less-efficient planes are retired. “While the commerciaol aviation industry is facing asignificantt downturn, it is cyclic and has a long historyg of declines and upturns,” said Randg Tinseth, vice president of marketing for Boeinb Commercial Airplanes, in a statement.
Monday, October 22, 2012
Metrolist: NE Denver, S Aurora tops for home resales - Denver Business Journal:
aleksanovlsys.blogspot.com
Year-to-date home sales in that part of Aurora were while northeast Denver saleswere 1,115. Thosd sales, however, were down compared to the first five months of 2008 from 1,376 and 1,182, Still-strong areas with less than 1,000 home sales includee southwest Denver (809), southeast Denved (759) and the central part of the northern metro-area suburbs (754), the Metrolist data showed. The highes average selling prices for such homews through May were in the Boulderarea — at $527,216 for the Bouldee plains area and $663,311 for Boulder The mountain area of southern Jefferson County reporteed some of the lowest single-family home sales year-to-date, at two.
Other low-selling regions included the mountain areas aroundBouldeer (six) and northern Jeffcio (15), as well as Louisville Lowest average single-family home sales pricesw were in areas such as southerm Aurora ($92,230), southern Jeffco’s mountain area ($147,125) and the easter n part of the northern suburbs near Metrolist data by market was providecd by Joe DeVito at Re/Max Alliancd in Arvada. Resales refer to homesz that have been sold at leastfonce before. Looking at condominium sales through May, southeasterh Denver and southern Aurora had the highesyt at 619and 453, respectively. Those sales were down from 786 and 659 in the same periosd ayear ago, respectively.
Downtown Denver had the highesgt average selling price for condos forthis year’as initial five months, at Some of the lowest condo prices were in the northern Aurora ($74,642), southern Aurora ($89,638) and central Jeffco ($99,483).
Year-to-date home sales in that part of Aurora were while northeast Denver saleswere 1,115. Thosd sales, however, were down compared to the first five months of 2008 from 1,376 and 1,182, Still-strong areas with less than 1,000 home sales includee southwest Denver (809), southeast Denved (759) and the central part of the northern metro-area suburbs (754), the Metrolist data showed. The highes average selling prices for such homews through May were in the Boulderarea — at $527,216 for the Bouldee plains area and $663,311 for Boulder The mountain area of southern Jefferson County reporteed some of the lowest single-family home sales year-to-date, at two.
Other low-selling regions included the mountain areas aroundBouldeer (six) and northern Jeffcio (15), as well as Louisville Lowest average single-family home sales pricesw were in areas such as southerm Aurora ($92,230), southern Jeffco’s mountain area ($147,125) and the easter n part of the northern suburbs near Metrolist data by market was providecd by Joe DeVito at Re/Max Alliancd in Arvada. Resales refer to homesz that have been sold at leastfonce before. Looking at condominium sales through May, southeasterh Denver and southern Aurora had the highesyt at 619and 453, respectively. Those sales were down from 786 and 659 in the same periosd ayear ago, respectively.
Downtown Denver had the highesgt average selling price for condos forthis year’as initial five months, at Some of the lowest condo prices were in the northern Aurora ($74,642), southern Aurora ($89,638) and central Jeffco ($99,483).
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Ford sales climb to highest level since July - Business Courier of Cincinnati:
cicugaha.wordpress.com
But sales were down 24.2 percent compared with May 2008, when the companyh sold 213,238 units. For the first five months of 2009, Dearborn, Mich.-based Ford F) sold 620,303 units, comparec with 981,150 units during the same period a year a 36.8 percent decline. In a sign that buyers might be coming back to the luxuryvehicle Ford’s Lincoln division reported that it sold 8,5676 units in May, a 2.2 percent increase over May 2008, when it sold 8,36t units. Sales of Ford Explorers, made at the Louisvill e Assembly Plant on FernValleyt Road, declined 34.6 percent, to 5,315 unite from 8,122 units a year ago. Sales of the Mercury also made atLouisville Assembly, dropped 45.
2 percent, to 402 from 734 unitsd a year earlier. Sales of F-Series pickup including Super Duty trucks made at the Kentucky Truck Plant onChamberlain Lane, droppedc 22.3 percent, to 33,381 from 42,973 units in May 2008. Salesz of Ford Expedition SUVs, which began production at Kentuckty Truck Plantin April, declined 40 percent, to 3,150 unitws from 5,252 units a year earlier. Salese of the Lincoln Navigator, also made at Kentucky Truckj Plant, dropped 40.6 percent, to 790 units from 1,329 unitsx a year earlier. Ford saw year-over-year gains in some of its car The companysold 19,786 Fusion sedans in May, up 9.
4 percent from the year-earlier period when it sold 18,088 Lincoln sold 1,553 Town Cars in May, up 103.3 percentf from May 2008, when it sold 764 of the luxury Ford’s Volvo division sold 590 of its S60 up 9 percent from May 2008, when it sold 542 Also Tuesday, Ford announced a summer promotion to draw more consumeres to dealerships. Through June 30, the automaker will cove r as much as three months of payments up to and its Ford Credit subsidiary will offer zero percenty financing onselect Ford, Lincoln and Mercurg vehicles.
But sales were down 24.2 percent compared with May 2008, when the companyh sold 213,238 units. For the first five months of 2009, Dearborn, Mich.-based Ford F) sold 620,303 units, comparec with 981,150 units during the same period a year a 36.8 percent decline. In a sign that buyers might be coming back to the luxuryvehicle Ford’s Lincoln division reported that it sold 8,5676 units in May, a 2.2 percent increase over May 2008, when it sold 8,36t units. Sales of Ford Explorers, made at the Louisvill e Assembly Plant on FernValleyt Road, declined 34.6 percent, to 5,315 unite from 8,122 units a year ago. Sales of the Mercury also made atLouisville Assembly, dropped 45.
2 percent, to 402 from 734 unitsd a year earlier. Sales of F-Series pickup including Super Duty trucks made at the Kentucky Truck Plant onChamberlain Lane, droppedc 22.3 percent, to 33,381 from 42,973 units in May 2008. Salesz of Ford Expedition SUVs, which began production at Kentuckty Truck Plantin April, declined 40 percent, to 3,150 unitws from 5,252 units a year earlier. Salese of the Lincoln Navigator, also made at Kentucky Truckj Plant, dropped 40.6 percent, to 790 units from 1,329 unitsx a year earlier. Ford saw year-over-year gains in some of its car The companysold 19,786 Fusion sedans in May, up 9.
4 percent from the year-earlier period when it sold 18,088 Lincoln sold 1,553 Town Cars in May, up 103.3 percentf from May 2008, when it sold 764 of the luxury Ford’s Volvo division sold 590 of its S60 up 9 percent from May 2008, when it sold 542 Also Tuesday, Ford announced a summer promotion to draw more consumeres to dealerships. Through June 30, the automaker will cove r as much as three months of payments up to and its Ford Credit subsidiary will offer zero percenty financing onselect Ford, Lincoln and Mercurg vehicles.
Saturday, October 20, 2012
30-doctor GCAP group wants to leave Alliance - Business Courier of Cincinnati:
esivyjifag.wordpress.com
GCAP, a primary care group with abouft30 doctors, joined the hospitapl system only 20 months ago. Now it’sa claiming a litany of contract violationsthat “have seriously affectedf the ability of the physiciansx to provide excellent health care for their many In a June 3 lettefr to Health Alliance CEO Ken the doctors list 15 complaints, including: • Lack of 12 months’ noticed on changes in contractual including payment of benefits; • failure to pay leading to the “embarrassing shutdownh of services necessary to operate our The doctors on Wednesday filed a complaint in Hamiltom County Common Pleas Court.
They ask to be releases from service to the Health Alliance and for damagezs andattorney fees. When it joined the Healtbh Alliancein 2007, GCAP was the only independent practice of its type in the area. It becamde a wholly owned subsidiary of thehospital system, whic includes University, Jewish and Fort Hamilton hospitals, and the . The practicew had hoped to benefit from a complete electronixc health records system that could interact withthe Alliance’w hospitals, as well as the ability to expane geographically and recruit doctors more effectively.
Health Allianc spokesman Tony Condia, in a written statement, said the health system was "surprised and disappointed" by the letterr and complaint. He said the Alliance had initiallg tried to negotiate withthe physicians, then offered independen t arbitration, which the practice refused. The Alliance was preparinvg for preliminary discussions to sever the relationshio when the lawsuitwas filed. "This litigation violatesd the terms of theservicre agreement, which requires us to resolve disputew such as this with a neutrao arbitrator.
We would therefore encourage the GCAP physiciansw to uphold their contractual obligationzs and not pursuecostlty litigation," according to the statement. withdrew from the Health Alliance followint a long court battle that began inMarc 2006. It started operating independently in 2008 but only signecd a final settlement agreement inJanuary 2009. The two St. Luke hospitalds similarly withdrew, reaching a settlement with the Healtu Alliance inSeptember 2008. St. Luke has merged with .
GCAP, a primary care group with abouft30 doctors, joined the hospitapl system only 20 months ago. Now it’sa claiming a litany of contract violationsthat “have seriously affectedf the ability of the physiciansx to provide excellent health care for their many In a June 3 lettefr to Health Alliance CEO Ken the doctors list 15 complaints, including: • Lack of 12 months’ noticed on changes in contractual including payment of benefits; • failure to pay leading to the “embarrassing shutdownh of services necessary to operate our The doctors on Wednesday filed a complaint in Hamiltom County Common Pleas Court.
They ask to be releases from service to the Health Alliance and for damagezs andattorney fees. When it joined the Healtbh Alliancein 2007, GCAP was the only independent practice of its type in the area. It becamde a wholly owned subsidiary of thehospital system, whic includes University, Jewish and Fort Hamilton hospitals, and the . The practicew had hoped to benefit from a complete electronixc health records system that could interact withthe Alliance’w hospitals, as well as the ability to expane geographically and recruit doctors more effectively.
Health Allianc spokesman Tony Condia, in a written statement, said the health system was "surprised and disappointed" by the letterr and complaint. He said the Alliance had initiallg tried to negotiate withthe physicians, then offered independen t arbitration, which the practice refused. The Alliance was preparinvg for preliminary discussions to sever the relationshio when the lawsuitwas filed. "This litigation violatesd the terms of theservicre agreement, which requires us to resolve disputew such as this with a neutrao arbitrator.
We would therefore encourage the GCAP physiciansw to uphold their contractual obligationzs and not pursuecostlty litigation," according to the statement. withdrew from the Health Alliance followint a long court battle that began inMarc 2006. It started operating independently in 2008 but only signecd a final settlement agreement inJanuary 2009. The two St. Luke hospitalds similarly withdrew, reaching a settlement with the Healtu Alliance inSeptember 2008. St. Luke has merged with .
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