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- Home
- Government
- Departments
- Planning & Community Development
Planning & Community Development
Since 1909, when the City of Boerne was incorporated, growth management has been a complex issue. It is the Planning and Community Development Department's responsibility to work with individuals, developers, and city staff to implement city policy while facilitating community objectives
The Purpose of the Planning and Zoning Department is to provide planning, preservation and design services to make Boerne a thriving community of lasting value.
The City of Boerne Planning and Community Development Department is responsible for the implementation of the city's zoning ordinance (PDF), subdivision ordinance (PDF), and other ordinances as they pertain to the city's growth and development;
- Review of development and/or site plans and ensuring compliance with city ordinances, regulations, and codes and then to process for review by the Planning and Zoning Commission; the Planning and Zoning Commission then approves those requests or recommends them to the City Council.
- Processing requests for the Historic Landmark Commission that individuals or businesses located in the Historic District propose for development or change; the Historic Landmark Commission approves those requests or recommends them to the City Council.
- Companies and community service entities request grants for various projects; those grants are processed and tracked through the Planning and Community Services Department.
- Coordinating with the Boerne Kendall County Economic Development Corporation and the City Economic Development Work Plan (PDF).
- Providing public information to applicants and the evaluation of applications for land subdivision, site development, variances, easements, zoning, and more.
City Growth
The Planning and Zoning Department is responsible for guiding the city's long range planning efforts and the implementation of the city's comprehensive plan for future growth and development. This department also provides census and demographic information, in addition to growth and development information to the community for projecting population, building, and development trends and impacts.
Support of Commissions & Boards
Planning and Development staff also serve as the support for the Planning and Zoning Commission, and Historic Review Board.


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Stroke – Every Second Matters!
Dr. Francisco Albert, hospitalist at Lexington Medical Center, was on WLTX this month talking about stroke. South Carolina is in the region of the country known as the "Stroke Belt" because of our high incidence of stroke. Lexington Medical Center is certified as a Primary Stroke Center and has won the "Get With the Guidelines – Gold Plus Award" for stroke form the American Heart Association for its excellent care of stroke patients. May is Stroke Month.

subset: commoncrawl


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- Home
- Government
- Departments E - G
- Economic Development
- Why Garland
- Workforce
- Garland School District & College Partnerships
Garland School District & College Partnerships
In 2006, the Garland Economic Development Partnership partnered with Richland College of the Dallas County Community College District (DCCCD) to provide resources for qualified workforce and workforce training. We realize that finding and sustaining skilled workforce is a key for your success. The DCCCD can provide competitive pricing for employee training and may be able to obtain training grants from either local or State funding agencies.
In the last several years, as the nearly sixty-five million Baby Boomers approached retirement, the economic implications of losing such a large percentage of the workforce began to raise concerns. Across the nation, people saw an increased emphasis on the importance of maintaining and growing the workforce. Though the recent economic downturn slowed the progress of many impending retirements, businesses are more in tune than ever before with the significance of a qualified labor pool.
Work Ready Coalition
The necessity of meeting demands for an extensive, capable workforce was a catalyst for the development of the Garland Economic Development Partnership in 1995. When the City of Garland, Garland Independent School District and Garland Chamber of Commerce formally joined together to address opportunities for increasing the number of skilled workers available, the group also sought out the Dallas County Community College District, Workforce Solutions of Greater Dallas and the Dallas County Manufacturers Association to join them in a task force called the Work Ready Coalition, which works to develop the future of Garland's employment base.
As a part of the coalition under the DCCCD umbrella, Richland College secured more than $1.5 million dollars in grant-assisted training to date and the Garland Campus alone continues to train hundreds of potential and incumbent workers. The DCMA regularly hosts plant tours for teachers, students, and counselors in order to draw attention to the career possibilities Garland Independent School District (GISD) graduates have available right in their home town. Subcommittees in the areas of safety, human resources and supply chain work on various aspects of the workforce puzzle from generation gaps, attitudes, and skill development to how rapidly we can meet the challenge of an evolving work place.
State Representation
At the State level, Garland is represented on the Texas Workforce Investment Council. This federally-mandated group is responsible for developing and implementing a six-year strategic plan that is sent to the Governor and the Legislature. Members of the Councils include the Higher Education Coordinating Board, Texas Education Agency, Texas Workforce Commission, State Economic Development and agencies representing veterans, youth, prisons, and disabled workers. From this platform Garland stakeholders have direct input into the policy-making structure of the State of Texas.
At all levels of representation, Garland's leaders believe nothing is more vital to the city's success than the development and maintenance of a competitive workforce.


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More than quarter century ago, David Weinstein did not wait for an invitation to jump onto the UNC Pembroke bandwagon. He sent an invitation to the university, and it's still good.
In June, former state Sen. Weinstein from Lumberton established an endowed scholarship for a nursing student. He wanted the scholarship to be awarded immediately, so he added $750 to his $25,000 gift.
In a recent interview, Sen. Weinstein talked about the future of the university he has supported so effectively for so long.
"The university is doing well, and its economic impact is very important for Robeson County," he said. "We have a more educated workforce than ever.
"I see nothing but a bright future for the university, and I believe the nursing program will play a big role," Weinstein said. "My granddaughter is starting nursing school this fall; there is a great future in nursing."
Sen. Weinstein calls the new Health Sciences "my building" with good cause. The senator, who served in Raleigh for 13 years, convinced the General Assembly to set aside $10 million and then add another $19 million to build a new home for UNCP's growing nursing program.
He is still contributing to the program. "I hope some deserving student will be able to use this scholarship," Sen. Weinstein said. "There is a real need for financial support for UNCP students, and I have always believed it is important to give back to the community."
Weinstein grew up in a family of Lumberton merchants whose fortunes grew with their hometown. He would become Lumberton's mayor and join UNCP's Board of Trustees in 1992 before being elected to the North Carolina Senate in 1997, where he served for 13 years.
"When I was elected mayor and Joe Oxendine was the new chancellor, I invited him and his family to my home to meet with members of the Lumberton community," Sen. Weinstein said. "I wanted to get a relationship started, and I think it has benefited the university."
"David reached out and made me a part of this community," Chancellor Emeritus Joe Oxendine recalled. "He realized the importance of working with everyone. He reached out to everyone to say 'we will grow together.' I don't know anyone who has been a better friend to this university."
As chair of UNCP's board, Sen. Weinstein helped the university change its name, a critical step that has been critical to the enrollment growth of the university. But his best work was done in the North Carolina General Assembly, where he helped guide a total of $92 million to the university.
Two state bond referendums netted the university more than $60 million for new construction and renovations. Sen. Weinstein was also able to carve out $6.9 million to build the first new residence hall on campus in 25 years.
While he was in Raleigh, Sen. Weinstein was personally contributing. He established the Max M. Weinstein Endowed Scholarship in History in 2008. When his synagogue, Temple Beth El, closed, he guided it's final fund balance of more than $28,000 to UNCP.
"I thought it was important that money stayed in Robeson County," Sen. Weinstein said. "The money goes to building human relations among the students; I can't think of a better investment than that at one of the most diverse universities in the nation."
Sen. Weinstein was awarded the first Alumni Association Special Award of Distinction in 2010. In 2012, he helped dedicate the new Health Sciences Building with these words: "I will always have a special place in my heart for this University."
A student from Pembroke is the first recipient of the Weinstein Nursing Scholarship. To learn more about giving at UNCP, please contact the Office of Advancement at 910.521.6252 or email firstname.lastname@example.com.


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- "Angel" may also refer to a gang Burrito for the Angels of Death in GTA Chinatown Wars which attains the "Angel" name through a glitch. Refer to the Burrito article for the aforementioned "Angel" van.
The Western Motorcycle Company Angel is a motorcycle that has appeared in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories, The Lost and Damned and Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars. In GTA Vice City Stories, the vehicle is known as the Biker Angel.
GTA Vice City — GTA Vice City Stories
In GTA Vice City and GTA Liberty City Stories, the Angel is similar to the Freeway, featuring only minor alterations, including its side panniers (saddlebags) and patriotic paintwork, similar to Peter Fonda's motorbike in the film "Easy Rider". For GTA Vice City Stories, the Biker Angel features a different paint job (blue with orange flames), and lacks panniers.
Performance of the motorcycle is also nearly similar to the Freeway; being heavy, the vehicle has a wider turning radius and a further stopping distance, but makes up for with a powerful engine that provides the motorcycle moderately good top speeds and acceleration. Like the Freeway, it is also difficult to execute wheelies and stoppies with the bike, due largely, once again, to its heavy weight.
The Angel is the gang vehicle of both the Vice City Bikers and the Liberty City Bikers.
GTA IV — GTA Chinatown Wars
The Angel does not appear in Grand Theft Auto IV, despite Angel references and assets in the game files; the game can be modified to include the Angel. The Angel appears officially in the The Lost and Damned, where it is the main and favored bike of The Angels of Death (as opposed to the Hellfury in GTA IV). Although it has lost its patriotic paint job and side panniers in The Lost and Damned (the side panniers are still present on the beta version), it employs the same Harley-Davidson "panhead" engine seen on the bikes in "Easy Rider". The Angel is manufactured by Western Motorcycle Company. Angel is based on a Harley-Davidson FXSTC Softail Custom.
The Angel in GTA Chinatown Wars retains the side panniers of its pre-GTA IV renditions as a prominent feature, but the front wheel sticks out much less, making the Angel appear more like a customised cruiser than a chopper. A gang variant of the Angel, lacking the panniers and featuring a slimmer fuel tank, is ridden by members of The Angels of Death within their territory. Both variants feature average performance for a motorcycle, but minor performance differences may be noted between the two variants, as the regular Angel features more sensitive steering, and a higher top speed and rate of acceleration than the gang variant. However, given the limitations of riding a high speed vehicle in a top-down perspective, as well as manner in which the camera reacts to slight cornering, the gang variant may also be interpreted as being more suitable for practical use in the game. One may also notice that the Angel may come in two forms, one without the side panniers, or a variant with side panniers, which spawns as commonly as the normal variant.
- The Angel used in the mission "Alloy Wheels of Steel" for Mitch Baker has handling and acceleration superior to a normal Angel, and it retains these features after the mission is complete; however, if the player saves it in a garage, it will lose its abilities.
- In the PSP version of GTA Chinatown Wars, the handlebars of the Angel are trimmed down into more conventional ones, and the panniers are removed, adding to the ' custom cruiser' appearance. The gang variant of the Angel is also absent.
- The Angel plays the following radio stations by default when entered:
- VCFL and V-Rock in GTA Vice City Stories.
- Liberty City Hardcore in The Lost and Damned.
- The beta Angel was supposed to be on GTA San Andreas and has misson called AWOL-Angel but it was removed on the final version.
- In the Beta version of TLAD they used the Angel from the GTA IV Beta version who had a luggage rack (As seen in the first trailer of TLAD).
- Sometimes if a battle with the Vice City Bikers are going on in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories, shoot it with an Assault Rifle while it's driving fast, and it'll show the Angel doing the donuts with no driver.
- If an Angel is alone and you get on it, it's tuned to VCFL. If you get on an Angel while a Biker is driving it, it's tuned to V-Rock.
GTA Vice City
GTA Liberty City Stories
- Parking lot of the Ferry Terminal, Harwood, Portland.
- Head Radio building, Harwood, Portland.
- Marco's Bistro, Saint Mark's, Portland.
- Lane opposite the police station, Chinatown, Portland.
- Liberty City Memorial Stadium parking lot, Belleville Park, Staunton Island.
- Hogs 'n' Cogs store, Belleville Park, Staunton Island. To get it here, the player must bust the windows (preferably using melee weapons so as to avoid exploding the Angel).
- At the cottage in Belleville Park, Staunton Island.
- AMCo. underground garage, Torrington, Staunton Island.
- Western wall of Donald Love's office building, Torrington, Staunton Island.
- Western high rise apartment building, Wichita Gardens, Shoreside Vale.
GTA Vice City Stories
- Parked by every Biker empire site before being taken over.
- Inside the garage by Lance Vance's apartment after "Taking the Fall".
The Lost and Damned
- Commonly driven by the Angels of Death in the Gang Wars, along with the Daemon.
- Can be found at daylight on the crossroad in front of the Linen Lounge (North Holland) while driving a Double T Custom.
- Can also be found parked near the Angels of Death Clubhouse.


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The calendar says it's April 20, but it feels like "Groundhog Day" and I'm either Bill Murray or one of the other characters caught in a time warp.
The calendar says it's April 20, but it feels like "Groundhog Day" and I'm either Bill Murray or one of the other characters caught in a time warp.
For six years I've written columns here and there about efforts to increase gambling in Illinois. There has been talk of more gambling since riverboats hit the waters in the early 1990s. This year is no different.
There are measures in the Illinois General Assembly to allow more spots to play in existing casinos, to add casinos, allow 24-hour gambling, allow for an Internet Lottery and legalize betting on horse races on the Internet.
One gambling-related measure that went nowhere was a bill that would allow you to voice your opinion on whether the state should expand gambling.
Lawmakers see gambling as an easy way to raise revenue without ticking off voters. It doesn't matter whether they're Democrats or Republicans. State Sen. John Cullerton, D-Chicago, has proposed some of the additions mentioned above. House Republican Leader Tom Cross has a plan to pay for a capital plan by expanding gambling.
For a state that's more than $3 billion in debt, pays its bills late, has an underfunded pension system, a crumbling infrastructure and too many other problems to list here, the promises of gambling riches are tempting.
It's fool's gold.
I could fill this space — and have in the past — with all the social problems gambling causes. Studies have found that there are likely to be increases in divorce, separations, marital problems, less time spent with the family, work absenteeism, alcohol consumption, and reductions in work productivity, civic and religious activities.
As long as I'm in "Groundhog Day" mode, let me recycle this 2003 quote from Tom Grey, spokesman for the National Coalition Against Legalized Gambling.
"You see grandmothers embezzling money from their church to feed their addiction. There was a mother who let her child die in an overheated car while she went to play video poker," Grey said. "To say it's not harming people is a lie."
Grey left Rockford a couple of years ago for Spokane, Wash., to be closer to his grandchildren. When I first met him in 2002, I probably would have supported many of the gambling measures that have been proposed.
But Grey convinced me that gambling is bad public policy.
"The house always wins," he said. "It's a zero-sum game. You can't gamble yourself rich as an individual, why would you think a state could?"
Gambling proponents will tell you that the genie is out of the bottle and there's no way to put it back. Heck, if we already have gambling, let's have more and more.
It's time to quit playing games and find real solutions to the state's problems.
Wally Haas can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com.


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The country group Shenandoah narrowly escaped a fiery crash when a vehicle carrying a fuel tank exploded in front of their tour bus in Southeast Texas.
Shenandoah spokesman Don Murry Grubbs said Monday that no member of the band or crew was hurt in the early Saturday incident on the Neches River Bridge in Beaumont. Shenandoah was driving east along Interstate 10 after performing in Stafford, near Houston.
Drummer Mike McGuire says their bus was sideswiped by another vehicle then propelled through a massive fireball in the immediate aftermath of the explosion.
Two people in another vehicle were taken to a hospital for treatment. The Texas Department of Public Safety says a suspected drunken driver in a pickup truck will face charges in the wreck.


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I use USAA for some of my finances. They specialize in remote banking (i've never been in a physical branch). Sadly, they can still be pretty clueless about how to use the web properly. My latest frustration with them was trying to use their Deposit@Home service, where you scan your checks and upload them.
No problem, right? I've got a scanner and a web browser and i know how to use them both. Ha ha. Upon first connecting, i'm rejected, and i find the absurd System Requirements -- only Windows and Mac, and only certain versions of certain browsers. You also need Sun's Java plugin, apparently.
Deliberately naïve, i call their helpdesk and ask them if they could just give me a link to let me upload my scanned checks. They tell me that they want 200dpi images, and then give an absurd runaround that includes references to the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act as the reason they need to limit the system to Windows or Mac, and that security is the reason they need to control the scanner directly (apparently your browser can control your local scanner on Windows? yikes). But they let slip that Mac users don't have the scanner controlled directly, and can just upload images (apparently the federal law doesn't cover them or something). Preposterous silliness.
The Workaround
Of course, it turns out you can get it working on Debian GNU/Linux, mainly by telling them what they want to hear ("yes sir, i'm running Mac OS"), but you'll also have to run Sun's Java (non-free software) to do it, since their Java uploader fails with nasty errors when using icedtea6-plugin.
I set up a dedicated system user for this goofiness, since i'm going to be running apparently untrustworthy applets on top of non-free software. I run a separate instance of iceweasel as that user; all configuration described is for that user's homedir. If you do this yourself, You'll need to decide if you want the same level of isolation for yourself.
So i have the choice of installing
sun-java6-plugin from
non-free and having the plugin installed for all web browsers, or just
doing a per-user install of java for my dedicated user (and avoiding the
plugin for my normal user). I opted for the latter. As the dedicated
user, I fetched the self-extracting variant from
java.com, unpacked it,
and added it to the iceweasel plugins:
chmod a+x ~/Download/jre-6u25-linux-i586.binmkdir -p ~/lib ~/.mozilla/pluginscd ~/lib~/Download/jre-6u25-linux-i586.binln -s ~/lib/jre*/lib/*/libnpjp2.so ~/.mozilla/plugins/
Then i closed iceweasel and restarted it. In the relaunched iceweasel
sesson, I told Iceweasel 4 to pretend that it was actually Firefox 3.6
on a Mac. I did this by going to
about:config (checking the box that
says i know what i'm doing), right-clicking, and choosing "new >>
string". The new variable name is
and i found that setting it to the following (insane, false) value
worked for me:
Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; U; PPC Mac OS X Mach-O; en-US; rv:184.108.40.206) Gecko/20060426 Firefox/3.5.18
Note that this configuration might make hotmail think that you are a
mobile device.
:P If you try to use this browser profile for anything other than
visiting USAA, you might want to remove this setting, or install
to be able to set it more easily than using
Once these changes were made, I was able to log into USAA, use the Deposit@Home service to upload my 200dpi grayscale scans. I guess they think i'm a Mac user now.
The Followup
After completing the upload, I wrote them this review (i doubt they'll post it):
The Deposit@Home service has great potential. Unfortunately, it currently appears to be overengineered and unnecessarily restrictive.
The service requires two scans (front and back) of the deposited check, at 200dpi, in grayscale or black-and-white, in jpeg format, reasonably-cropped. The simplest way to do this would be to show some examples of good scans and bad scans, and provide two file upload forms.
Instead, Deposit@Home requires the user to present a User-Agent header claiming to be from specific versions of Mac or Windows, running certain (older) versions of certain browsers, and requires the use of Sun's Java plugin.
Entirely unnecessary system requirements to do a simple task. Disappointing. :(
I found good background for this approach on the ubuntu forums.
The Takeaway
I continue to be frustrated and annoyed by organizations that haven't yet embraced the benefits of the open web. Clearly, USAA has spent a lot of money engineering what they think is a certain experience for their users. However, they didn't design with standard web browsers in mind, so they appear to have boxed themselves into a corner where they think they have to test and approve of the entire software stack running on the end-user's machine.
This is not only foolish -- it's impossible. When you're designing a web-based application, just design it for the web. Keep it simple. If you want to offer some snazzy java-hooked-into-your-scanner insanity, i will only have a mild objection: it seems like a waste of time and engineering effort. My objection is much stronger if your snazzy/incompatible absurdity is the only way to use your service. A simple, web-based, browser-agnostic interface should be available to all your clients.
Even more aggravating is the claim that they don't think they should engineer for everyone. I was told during the runaround that they would only support Linux if 4% of their users were using Linux (which they don't think is the case at the moment -- if you are a USAA customer, and you use something other than Mac and Windows, please tell them so). I tried to tell them that I wasn't asking for Linux support; i was asking for everyone support. If you just use generic engineering in the first place, there's no extra expense for special-casing other users. But they couldn't understand.
And now, since i'll need to lie to them in my User Agent string every time i want to deposit a check online, those visits won't even show up in their logs to be counted. "Our web site deliberately disables itself for \$foo users; we haven't written it for them; but that's OK, we don't have any \$foo users anyway" is a nasty self-fulfilling prophecy. Why would you do that?


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Tis the season to be merry and green. Check out these tips from Campus Center & Event Services to make your holiday party more eco-friendly:
Invites: Save money and resources by sending invites via email or text message. If it's a formal occasion, think postconsumer recycled paper for the invitations—it's paper made from old paper, so you're helping to complete the recycling loop.
Decorations: Skip the paper and plastic and decorate with natural items from your yard—such as evergreens, pinecones, or seasonal houseplants. Or consider making your centerpiece an edible one with fruits, nuts, breads and holiday cookies.
Party supplies: Use reusable dishes, utensils and cloth napkins. Rent or borrow items you won't need more than once, like large punch bowls and chafing dishes. If you need to purchase items be sure that they are biodegradable or recyclable.
Food: Shop and serve local products. Avoid waste by thinking conservatively when planning the quantity of food.
Trash: Be sure to recycle all items that are not reusable-like bottles and cans. TIP: Did you know that clean aluminum foil can be crumpled up and tossed in your recycling bin? Cover those casserole dishes with aluminium foil and forget the plastic wrap.
Campus Center & Event Services wishes you a happy, healthy and green holiday season!
Stay connected to the people who know how to plan great events. Find us on Facebook today (keywords: Campus Center & Event Services).


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I've always wanted to post somewhere about this but haven't but now i will. I'm looking for opinions and hoping to provide people with facts that are true if they have any that they throw out. I believe that marijuana is nothing more than a miracle medicine and relaxant and by not legalizing it, we are missing out on helping tons of people.
Views: 833
I agree, and disagree, and then agree some more.
First, miracle medicine implies something supernatural is at work. I see no reason to think this.
Second, there are a number of points in favour of legalising cannabis (marijuana is(was?) Mexican slang).
When i say miracle I do not insist supernatural but I do insist amazing medicinal benefits for a wide variety of afflictions, as you said helping by reducing pain and nausea, but also it affects mental health as well, positively in my opinion.
I agree with all but 3, because if you could be sure you didn't interact with anyone else while under the influence of the drug, it would be an ideal world. Unfortunately that kind of isolation seldom happens and you end up making it somebody's business the instant you interact with someone else. I think this happens less in the medical application and more frequently than most care to admit in the recreational application.
Bob, please refer to item number 1 and apply your argument to other recreational drugs.
I agree #1 is likely true but my argument stands for all drugs including alcohol. The statement "It shouldn't be anyone's business but mine what I ingest" is only realistic if your actions have zero impact on the lives of others around you.You should have every right to ingest whatever you want but the moment you interact with the lives of others while under the influence, I believe you have made it their business to take action in their own defence.
so if I'm, smoking weed that's ok, but then when I walk to the corner store for some ice, then it's suddenly everyones business? Wrong. Lots of people smoke weed and act perfectly fine in public, even extra polite and patient. Lots of people are perfectly sober and act like insane assholes all the time. The content of my urin is not you're buisness, it's not the clerk at the stores buisness, it's not the buss drivers buisness, or the lady I pass in the street every day. It's just my buisness.
Yep, I say you suddenly made it everyone else's business when you went outside after smoking weed.I don't think your opinion that smoking weed doesn't effect you in any way is unique, as lots of people acknowledge it can have an effect on some people but not them.Science tells us, at the very least, your percepton and reaction times are different.The content of your urine can become others business when you are found liable for your actions while under the influence. Unfortunately your statement that "lots of people smoke weed and act perfectly fine in public" is not a constant as I am sure just as many people smoke weed and act badly in public as well. It is obvious you can perform many tasks while under the influence and nothing appears wrong but if in one instance the circumstances are different you could be found liable for your actions and it is no longer just your business.
It only becomes someone else's business WHEN it's the cause of some misbehavior or of an accident. But drinking soda or smoking a cigarette or engaging in an animated conversation with a passenger can also cause an accident, but people of your mind think that because it involves MARIJUANA that's evidence drugs need to be controlled whereas soda, cigarettes, or interacting with passengers would be considered too silly to discuss.
Exactly what I said, It becomes someone else's business when there is an incident resulting from the actions of the person under the influence of a drug.The point I was making was simply that in some cases the person taking the drug has to bear the responsibility of doing so. I was also pointing out some situations where it could become somebody' else's business what you ingest and that kind of attitude is rather irresponsible. I did say any drugs and "people of my mind" (whatever that is supposed to mean) don't necessiraly think that because it involves MARIJUANA that's evidence drugs need to be controlled.I didn't say anything about controling drugs. I am simply saying take responsibility for your actions.Maybe you should be cautious of "people of my mind" that cause you to express a knee- jerk reaction resulting in you exposing your paranoia of anyone you perceive as speaking out against drug use.
Maybe you should read your own posts. You wrote "you end up making it somebody's business the instant you interact with someone else." NOT when you have an accident. Not when using the drug causes some sort of harm or negative impact.
I do know how to read English.
Perhaps I should have said you have the potential of making it somebody's business. As you pointed out "It only becomes someone else's business WHEN it's the cause of some misbehavior or of an accident." Doesn't this contradict the " It's nobody's business" theory?
So that only applies to weed then? if I take benzodiazapines for bi-polar disorder then I should have to stay in my house twenty four 7? all those people sitting in bars drinking are wrong to be drinking in a public place? You want to aresst people for the things they possibly could do, not what they do, or intend to do. I don't owe you anything, certainly not my body.
"I don't think your opinion that smoking weed doesn't effect you in any way..."
I never said that. If marijuana didn't affect me in any way I wouldn't smoke it. And the contents of my urin are no ones buisness and the people who would make it their buisness are people who would trample the fourth amendment, as well as attempt to make my body communty property.


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Eberjey knows how to balance sweet and sexy, using touches of lace and soft colors. The clean white and buff hues of the Pima cotton selections provide a fresh, pretty lingerie look. Because the Pima cotton sets feature 100% cotton linings, items like the Pima Goddess Softcup Bra will create a look that feels even softer than it appears.
Eberjey especially comes to mind when we think of ideal mornings because of how perfect some of their pieces are for lounging. The Gisele Sleep Shirt is a game changer; it is sweetly sexy without going over the top, and can therefore be worn while preparing a breakfast-in-bed even if the kids are up and around! There's no need to don an oversized, unflattering t-shirt. Look cute in front of your guy with this sweetly sexy nightshirt!


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UPDATE (May 18):
Original post:
Hi there guys,
before I even start: I know that we wanted to have the DVD boxes shipped in February latest and you don't want to hear that we were busy with TOXIKK 1.1 Detroit build (which is true... but...)
Well, in short, Reakktor is a digital company and we kinda underestimated the effort it takes to ship physical goods around the world. The DVD boxes get shipped to over 30 countries. Many of them outside the US or the EU which means that some of them have quite exotic laws/regulations regarding tax and customs...
We officially gave up. We can't handle this ourselves and will sign a company to get the job done. Someone who is used to deal with stuff like this. At a first glance, It's all not that much of a big deal and we were eager to get this done ourselves, but had to realize that shipping physical goods around the world is none one of core skills.
We will contact companies tomorrow to get a quotes for the job and then sign a deal with one of them ASAP. I will report the status back here before the week is over.
All these delays had one good side-effect: The team seniors (Toni, Lenny, Thomas, Marco and myself) found the time to sign the DVD boxes. So, at least the waiting wasn't for nothing. And there's one more thing that makes the DVD edition special: It'll be the first AND LAST physical good Reakktor ever gave out. All this headache was simply too much for us... Future rewards & products will always be digital only.
We handle all of this in batches and we don't want to prefer one party over the other. This means that the keys will be given out the day the boxes get shipped.
The Godlike founders who gave us a name to be mentioned in the credits, will find their name in the upcoming 1.1 Detroit build.
Okay, that's it for now. I'll get back to this thread before the week is over with a status update (which will hopefully simply read "All DVD boxes were sent".


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Charlie Sheen may no longer be tweeting, but what he's doing instead is much more admirable.
The actor announced he is pledging to donate at least $1 million to the USO.
And during an appearance on Monday's Tonight Show, the Anger Management star spoke to Jay Leno about how such a generous offer came to pass.
U.S. & World
MORE: Did Charlie Sheen Just Quit Twitter?
"They reached out, and there's a TBI (traumatic brain injury) center that they asked if I wanted to have naming rights on and would I make a donation," explained Sheen. "And I said, 'How about I give you something that could be an asset that grows over time, which is one point in my show? It should be worth more than a million and hopefully a lot more than that, because these guys are the real heroes.'"
Sheen has guaranteed a minimum of $1 million will be given.
When Sheen acknowledged that the facility, located in Bethesda, Md., would indeed be named after him, Leno joked: "See, I'm not sure, if I'm injured, I'd want to go to the Charlie Sheen Traumatic Brain Injury Center. I might come out worse than I went in."
"But I'll be there to walk you through it," Sheen replied with a laugh before noting his involvement with the USO "gives me a chance to go there and spend time with the families and these heroes returning home. They can use all the help they can get and all the support we can give them."


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Eventually, big EMR vendors will be forced to provide a robust API that makes it easy to attach services on to their core platform. While they may see it as a dilution of their value right now, in time it will become clear that they can't provide everything to everyone.
For example, is pretty unlikely that companies like Epic and Cerner will build genomics applications, so they're going to need to connect using an API to add that functionality for their users. (Check out this video with John Lynn, Chris Bradley of Mana Health and Josh Siegel of CareCloud for more background on building a usable healthcare API.)
But as recent research points out, some of the vendors may be dragged kicking and screaming in that direction before they make it easy to connect to their systems. In fact, a new study by Health 2.0 concludes that smaller health IT vendors still face significant difficulties integrating with EMRs created by larger vendors.
"The complaint is true: it's hard for smaller health tech companies to integrate their solutions with big EMR vendors," wrote Health 2.0's Matthew Holt on The Health Care Blog. "Most EMR vendors don't make it easy."
The study, which was supported by the California Health Care Foundation, surveyed more than 100 small health technology firms. The researchers found that only two EMR vendors (athenahealth and Allscripts) were viewed by smaller vendors as having a well-advertised, easy to access partner program. When it came to other large vendors, about half were happy with Epic, Cerner and GE's efforts, while NextGen and eClinicalWorks got low marks for ease of integration, Holt reported.
To get the big vendors on board, it seems as though customer pressure is still critical at present, Holt says. Vendors reported that it helped a great deal if they had a customer who was seeking the integration. The degree to which this mattered varied, but it seemed to be most important in the case of Epic, with 70% of small vendors saying that they needed to have a client recommend them before Epic would get involved in integration project.
But that doesn't mean it's smooth sailing from there on out. Even in the case where the big EMR vendors got involved with the integration project, smaller tech vendors weren't fond of many of their APIs .
More than a quarter of those using Epic and Cerner APIs rated them poorly, followed by 30% for NextGen, GE and MEDITECH and a whopping 50% for eClinicalWorks. The smaller vendors' favorite APIs seemed to be the ones offered by athenahealth, Allscripts and McKesson. According to Holt, athenahealth's API got the best ratings overall.
All that being said, some of the smaller vendors weren't that enthusiastic about pushing for integration with big EMR vendors at present. Of the roughly 30% who haven't integrated with such vendors, half said it wasn't worth the effort to try and integrate, for reasons that included the technical or financial cost would be too great. Also, some of the vendors surveyed by Health 2.0 reported they were more focused on other data-gathering efforts, such as accessing wearables data.
Still, EMR vendors large and small need to change their attitude about opening up the platform, and smaller vendors need to support them when they do so. Otherwise, the industry will remain trapped by a self-fulfilling prophecy that true integration can never happen.


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Article by Josh Neumann
Golf Tips And Lessons On The Web-can You Really Trust Internet Sources? – Sports
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Today, golf tips and lessons on the Web are extremely popular, as just about everybody is putting their two
cents in how to improve your golf game. Quite simply, there are literally thousands of different tips that you can find on the Internet; some of them are helpful and some of them are. Here are some important tips and information to help you to sort through the clutter and find the best tips that will really improve your game.
Be very wary when searching for golf tips and lessons on the web. Remember, these tips can only be very general, because they are dealing with just about every type of golf swing imaginable. The owners of the sites don't know who will be visiting, and therefore can't offer customized instruction for you. While some of their tips might be useful for some golfers depending on their specific swings, some of it might actually hurt another golfer.
In fact, finding golf tips on the Web might not necessarily be a good idea for you, as there are literally thousands tips that you can search for four. Therefore, it is very easily to get information overloaded after doing a search on the Web, because you might have 10 or 15 different tips right to your head.
Remember, don't simply blindly believe everybody you hear; when a tip is written for thousands of golfers, it probably won't great for you unless you have just the right type of swing.
Probably the best way to get golf tips and lessons is to go to your local country club, where you can take lessons from your pro. This is definitely the quickest and easiest way to see improvement in your golf game, because you will be taking lessons from a proven golfer who knows how to help other people improve their games.
Also, you might consider purchasing a swing trainer, because these incredible machines can teach you the best swing simply by using them on a regular basis. With these devices, you get the feel of the right golf swing, and the more you use it, the more natural it will become. Remember, many PGA pros utilize these swings for their games, and they would certainly benefit you as well.
However, finding golf tips and lessons on the Web is not futile; in fact, the Web can be very helpful in helping you to find the best golf gloves, shoes, and other primitive or your golf game. Yes, your swing is the most important thing, but these other
equipment factors can certainly play a huge role in improving your golf game.
For these, simply read reviews on different websites that


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MacKinnon, Jones top preliminary rankings for 2013by Mike G. Morreale
While the lists certainly offer a good look into which players could be chosen in the early rounds, NHL Central Scouting director Dan Marr is quick to note that the rankings are subject to refinement by the time the mid-term report is released in January.
For the preliminary rankings, Marr and his staff ranked the top 25 skaters and top goaltenders in the Ontario Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, Western Hockey League and United States Hockey League, which has included the U.S. Under-18 National Team Developmental Program the past four seasons. The international rankings for eight countries also were released, as was a revised watch list for prospects starring in high school, college and Canadian provincial leagues.
The top storyline heading into the 2013 Draft, to be held June 28 at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., is the incredible depth across the board. The race for No. 1 likely will be between a pair of North American players -- forward Nathan MacKinnon of the Halifax Mooseheads in the QMJHL and defenseman Seth Jones of the Portland Winterhawks in the WHL.
The European contingent also is loaded with high-end talent, including a pair of forwards also vying for top honors -- Alexander Barkov of Tappara in Finland and Elias Lindholm of Brynas in Sweden.
Not since 2005, when Sidney Crosby of the Rimouski Oceanic was taken No. 1 by the Pittsburgh Penguins, has a player from the QMJHL gone first at the draft. Some believe that will change this year with the emergence of MacKinnon, who leads Halifax with 19 goals and 37 points in 22 games. He'll look to become the fifth player in history to go first in the QMJHL entry draft (in 2011 by Baie-Comeau Drakkar) before being selected No. 1 in the NHL Draft (Mario Lemieux, Pierre Turgeon, Alexandre Daigle, Crosby).
MacKinnon (6-foot, 182 pounds), who has 12 multipoint games, heads an impressive list of prospects from the QMJHL this season.
"There are top-end prospects and a lot more high-end players from the QMJHL in the top 100 this year … more so than there have been in the past few years for sure," Marr told NHL.com. "This is a very strong year in the Q."
MacKinnon, who has won 53 percent of his 516 faceoffs this season, is followed on the QMJHL list by teammate Jonathan Drouin of Halifax. The 5-10.75, 185-pound forward is second on the team behind MacKinnon with 35 points, including 16 goals, despite playing six fewer games. Drouin has 10 goals and 20 points in nine games since his return from a foot injury Oct. 24.
Barkov, Lindholm lead Euro prospectsBy Mike G. Morreale - NHL.com Staff Writer
Aleksander Barkov and Elias Lindholm are ranked first and second in Central Scouting's rankings of top European prospects for the 2013 NHL Draft. READ MORE ›
It's possible MacKinnon and Drouin could become the first tandem from the QMJHL to be taken among the top five picks at the NHL Draft since Sylvain Turgeon (No. 2) and Pat LaFontaine (No. 3) in 1983.
The top-ranked player in the WHL is Jones, a 6-foot-3.5, 208-pound defenseman, who hasn't missed a beat in his first season with the Winterhawks following an impressive campaign with the USNTDP U-18 last season. Make no mistake, MacKinnon and Jones are the frontrunners of this draft, and it wouldn't be too far-fetched to hear that the team owning the first pick decided to flip a coin rather than make the excruciating decision of choosing one over the other.
The Texas-born Jones, son of former NBA forward Popeye Jones, opted for Portland instead of the University of North Dakota this season. A sure-fire starter along the blue line for the U.S. National Junior Team at the 2013 IIHF World Junior Championship next month, Jones has six goals, 14 points and a plus-14 rating in 21 games for the Winterhawks. He had eight goals and 31 points in 52 games with the USNTDP U-18 team last season.
"Seth is a big, rangy defenseman who has a nice command of his shifts," NHL Central Scouting's B.J. MacDonald told NHL.com. "He has the ability to be a game changer because he has good instincts and awareness. He's an underrated passer, possesses solid one-on-one play and can skate the puck out of danger at any time. He's already the complete package, but I get the feeling he still has another gear to go to."
There has and will be plenty of healthy debate leading up to the draft on who might be considered the top forward from the WHL with No. 2-ranked Hunter Shinkaruk of the Medicine Hat Tigers, No. 5 Morgan Klimchuk of the Regina Pats and No. 8 Curtis Lazar of the Edmonton Oil Kings in the mix.
Shinkaruk, who may miss time due to an undisclosed injury suffered Saturday, is sixth in the league with 35 points, including 17 goals, in 24 games.
"He's a shifty, clever forward," MacDonald said of Shinkaruk. "He has the ability to switch to another gear when driving to the net and the puck does not slow him down. He's one of the best playmakers in the [WHL]; very good puck sense and velvet hands. He has a great overall understanding of the game."
Klimchuk has 13 goals and 25 points in 24 games after totaling 18 goals and 36 points in 67 games last season. Lazar, who racked up 31 points in 63 games in 2011-12, has eight goals and 14 points in 22 games for the Oil Kings in 2012-13.
"Right now, Shinkaruk would have the edge on being the No. 1 forward," MacDonald said. "He has proven he can be a reliable scorer. He's very smart and is showing this year he can find other ways to contribute.
"Lazar is on a much better team and the points aren't coming as everyone might have thought because maybe expectations were a little high for him because of his strong finish last year, but what he has improved on this year is his overall play. He pays attention to detail at both ends of the rink and is developing into a solid two-way player."
MacDonald was quick to point out that Klimchuk and No. 11 Oliver Bjorkstrand of the Winterhawks also should be high on everyone's draft list. Bjorkstrand leads all first-year WHL players with 11 goals and 21 points in 22 games. Coming in at No. 3 on the WHL list after Jones and Shinkaruk is defenseman Ryan Pulock of the Brandon Wheat Kings.
"He's positionally sound and a good puck-mover," MacDonald said of Pulock. "He has a very good awareness and an ability to run a power play because he has a big shot and gets the puck through."
The No. 1 player from the OHL is two-way center Sean Monahan of the Ottawa 67's. Monahan (6-2, 186) had 33 goals and 78 points for Ottawa last season, and already has 11 goals and 33 points in 23 games in 2012-13.
"His production probably would be quite a bit more if he had somebody who could finish for him," Central Scouting's Chris Edwards told NHL.com. "He gets pucks through traffic, has real good hands, real good play-making ability. He's got an excellent shot, gets it off real quick and gets himself involved in battles for pucks. He's used in every situation, double- and triple-shifted at times."
Darnell Nurse of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds is No. 2 on the OHL list. The 6-3.5, 189-pound defenseman has four goals, 17 points and a plus-6 rating in 23 games in his second season for the Greyhounds. Nurse had one goal and 10 points as a rookie in 2011-12.
"He's just a big, steady guy that doesn't make a lot of mistakes," Edwards said. "He gets the puck and he generally makes a good pass with it. He's a real smart guy, uses his size well, [is] physical and plays with an edge and toughness. He's a good all-round guy."
J.T. Compher, who stars for the USNTDP U-18 team, is the top-rated skater in the USHL. The 5-10.5, 184-pound left wing, who will attend the University of Michigan next fall, has two goals and three points in six games this season, but has been sidelined the past 15 games with an undisclosed injury.
Players from the USNTDP U-18 team account for half the USHL top 10. In addition to Compher, is No. 3 Hudson Fasching (committed to the University of Minnesota), No. 4 Steven Santini (Boston College), No. 5 Keaton Thompson (North Dakota) and No. 7 Michael McCarron (Western Michigan).
The top-rated non-USNTDP skater on the USHL list is Waterloo Black Hawks defenseman and No. 2-rated Ian McCoshen, who recently committed to Boston College for next fall.
McCoshen had eight goals, 20 points, 43 penalty minutes and a plus-4 rating in 55 games last season with Waterloo. He has one goal, four points and a plus-13 rating in eight games this season for the Black Hawks. He's currently sidelined due to an illness.
"He's definitely an attractive pro prospect, and you can see his game will translate well to being a pro … he has ice in his veins," NHL Central Scouting's David Gregory told NHL.com. "He handles all situations well and uses his strength. Once he starts to understand how much more he can dominate with his size (6-2.5, 207) and strength, he'll improve even more."
Among the goalies, Zachary Fucale of Halifax not only is the frontrunner in the QMJHL, but may also hold a slight edge among all other draft-eligible players at his position. The 6-1.25, 181-pound netminder is 15-2-1 in 18 games this season, with a 2.65 goals-against average and .883 save percentage. Central Scouting's Al Jensen said Fucale is fundamentally and technically sound and offers excellent net coverage. With good patience and poise, the native of Rosemere, Quebec, is no doubt an excellent prospect.
"He presents himself big in the net and spreads out very well," Jensen told NHL.com. "He hardly leaves any holes for shooters, and even looks and plays big even when in the butterfly. He keeps his body upright, protecting the upper corners, and makes saves look easy."
As a QMJHL rookie last season, Fucale went 32-18-6 with a 3.16 GAA and .892 save percentage.
The top two European prospects on the board are Barkov of Finland and Lindholm of Sweden.
Barkov, the son of longtime European pro Russian-born Aleksander Barkov, was born and raised in Finland. The 17-year-old center (6-2, 205), who grew up a big admirer of Eric Lindros, is lighting it up in for Tappara in SM-liiga with 12 goals and 24 points in 23 games.
"He's smart, cool, effective and creative," Director of European Scouting Goran Stubb told NHL.com. "He's a two-way strength, who sees the ice very well. His father was a great player who played in Russia and then spent 10 years with Tappara. Alexander Jr. plays the same style as his dad did."
Lindholm, who has five goals and 14 points in 22 games with Brynas in Sweden's top league, projects to be a future top-six forward with star potential. Stubb feels the versatile 6-foot, 191-pound forward "has a good chance to be a top-five pick."
"He's a complete package," Stubb said. "He could very well be the next Peter Forsberg. He's an excellent skater and great competitor who gives it 110 percent on every shift. He can skate, score and pass, and is physically strong even though he is a finesse-type of player."
The top Russian player is 6-4, 196-pound right wing Valeri Nichushkin. Some claim Nichushkin is the next Evgeni Malkin, and considering his blend of size, mobility and offensive skill, it's no wonder he'll command plenty of attention at the draft. At present, Nichushkin is playing for both the Chelyabinsk junior team and its senior second team. He's expected to stick with Chelyabinsk in the KHL.
"He's your classic Russian forward with speed, talent and skills," Stubb said. "He's very good with the puck and is very fast. He creates a lot of scoring chances with quick, surprising moves around the net."
Follow Mike Morreale on Twitter at: @mike_morreale


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The End of the Map
It's not often that maps make headlines, but they've been doing so with some regularity lately. Last week, tens of millions of iPhone users found that they could suddenly leave their homes again without getting either lost or cross. This was because Google finally released an app containing its own (fairly brilliant) mapping system. Google Maps had been sorely missed for several months, ever since Apple booted it in favor of the company's own inadequate alternative—a cartographic dud blamed for everything from deleting Shakespeare's birthplace to stranding Australian travelers in a desolate national park 43 miles away from their actual destination. As one Twitter wag declared: "I wouldn't trade my Apple Maps for all the tea in Cuba."


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Last week, I wrote a blog post about a 9-year-old boy who built an arcade from cardboard boxes in his father's used auto parts store in East Los Angeles. This industrious kid created a series of elaborate games that inspired a filmmaker named Nirvan to capture Caine's story in a short documentary.
The 10-minute Vimeo film quickly went viral and has been viewed more than 2.5 million times by adults and children all over the world. (If you haven't seen it, be sure to scroll down to the bottom of this post and watch it. I promise that you'll be touched and will probably shed a few tears of happiness!)
A teacher at Lafayette Elementary School in Lafayette, Calif., showed the video to her first-grade class and said her students were so touched by Caine's story that they decided to write him letters. Tina Skuce scanned a few of those letters and kindly shared them with SFGate.
The letters are all very sweet and the authors are eager to offer up suggestions for Caine. One student tells him to make a skee-ball game and a moving basketball hoop. And another kid suggests that Caine start serving lunch so visitors don't have to leave and can just play games all day. Smart kid!
I've pasted the letters below, and hope that you'll all show support for the Lafayette first graders.


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BENEFITING: National Multiple Sclerosis Society Gateway Area Chapter
EVENT DATE: May 26, 2012
Tired of giving money to your humblebragging friends who run charity races for the opportunity to tell you how awesome they are? Do you think they really suffered all that much doing something they enjoy?
Enough of that. We're going to do the worst thing imaginable so our heartfelt suffering more than pays for your donations to combat Multiple Sclerosis, a disease that affects John Simon as well as millions of others:
We will be attending a Creed concert in its entirety completely sober on May 26 at the Pageant.
We're hoping to raise $1000.00 for research to combat one of the few things that sucks more than going to a Creed concert, having Multiple Sclerosis. If $500 is raised I pledge to perform a Creed song and post a video online. If the goal of $1000 is attained I will personally buy a Creed t-shirt and wear it during and after the show.
Like us on facebook at facebook.com/creedsober4ms
Follow us on twitter at twitter.com/creed4ms
Watch and like our videos at youtube.com/creed4ms
*None of your donations will be going towards buying our ticket either. We will be paying for it out of pocket to add insult to injury.
The Team: $3,166 TOTAL RAISED SO FAR
Donor Comments
This is awesome! I heard about your fundraiser from my friend, Jill Detrick. I have MS and walk in the MS Challenge Walk (50 miles in 3 days). I know it's one of the boring fundraisers:) But it works for me. Hope you enjoyed the concert!!!! Now go have a beer... 8 years ago


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H.R.3915 - Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act of 2007110th Congress (2007-2008)
BillHide Overview
|Rep. Miller, Brad [D-NC-13] (Introduced 10/22/2007)
|House - Financial Services | Senate - Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
|Committee Reports:
|H. Rept. 110-441
|Latest Action:
|Senate - 12/03/2007 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. (All Actions)
|Roll Call Votes:
|There have been 6 roll call votes
This bill has the status Passed House
Here are the steps for Status of Legislation:
- Introduced
- Passed House
Subject — Policy Area:
- Housing and Community Development
- View subjects
Summary: H.R.3915 — 110th Congress (2007-2008)All Information (Except Text)
Shown Here:
Passed House amended (11/15/2007)
Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act of 2007 - Title I: Residential Mortgage Loan Origination - Subtitle A: Licensing System for Residential Mortgage Loan Originators - Encourages the states, through the Conference of State Bank Supervisors and the American Association of Residential Mortgage Regulators, to establish a Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry (NMLSR) for the residential mortgage industry.
(Sec. 103) Includes among licensing and registration requirements that a loan origination business obtain: (1) a unique identifier; and (2) instruction on fraud, consumer protection, and fair lending issues.
Exempts certain loan processors and underwriters from the licensing or registration requirements.
Requires independent contractors who work as loan processors or underwriters to be either licensed or registered.
(Sec. 104) Sets forth state license and registration procedures.
(Sec. 105) Prescribes minimum standards for license renewal for state-licensed loan originators.
Requires the NMLSR to review and publish, but prohibits its from offering, directly or indirectly, pre-licensure educational courses for loan originators.
(Sec. 106) Requires federal banking agencies to develop and maintain jointly a system for registering employees of depository institutions or their subsidiaries as registered loan originators with the NMLSR.
Requires such agencies to: (1) include in the information furnished to the NMLSR the personal history and experience of such employees; and (2) authorize the NMLSR to obtain information related to any administrative, civil or criminal findings by any governmental jurisdiction.
(Sec. 107) Instructs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide for a licensing and registration system governing loan originators operating in a state which: (1) does not have such a system in place within a prescribed time frame; or (2) does not participate in the NMLSR.
Instructs the Secretary to coordinate with the NMLSR to establish protocols for assigning a unique identifier to each loan originator licensed by HUD as a state-licensed loan originator that will facilitate electronic tracking and uniform identification of, and public access to, the employment history and the publicly adjudicated disciplinary and enforcement actions against loan originators.
(Sec. 108) Directs the Secretary to establish a back-up licensing and registry system any time the Secretary determines that the NMLSR is failing to meet the requirements and purposes of this Act for a comprehensive licensing, supervisory, and tracking system for loan originators.
(Sec. 109) Authorizes the federal banking agencies, HUD, and the NMLSR to charge fees to cover the costs of maintaining and providing access to NMLSR information to the extent such fees are not charged to consumers for access to such system and registry.
(Sec. 110) Instructs the Attorney General to provide access to all criminal history information to state regulators of loan originators if such checks are required for state licenses.
(Sec. 111) Provides for confidentiality of information.
(Sec. 112) Shields from liability regulatory entities performing in good faith information collection and dissemination under this Act.
(Sec. 113) Grants the Secretary enforcement authority to implement this Act, including assessment of civil monetary penalties.
Subtitle B: Residential Mortgage Loan Origination Standards - (Sec. 122) Amends the Truth in Lending Act to set forth a duty of care standard for residential mortgage loan originations.
(Sec. 123) Prohibits the payment of steering incentive compensation to mortgage originators based on, or varying with, the terms (other than principal amount) of any loan that is not a qualified mortgage.
Requires the federal banking agencies jointly to prescribe regulations to implement this Act.
(Sec. 124) Subjects mortgage originators to liability for monetary penalties for violations of this Act.
Title II: Minimum Standards for Mortgages - (Sec. 201) Sets forth minimum repayment standards for residential mortgage loans.
Requires creditors to determine, based on verified and documented information, that a consumer has a reasonable ability to repay the loan, according to its terms (taxes, insurance, and assessments), including the consumer's repayment ability if multiple loans are secured by the same dwelling.
Requires a creditor to take into consideration: (1) variable rate loans that defer repayment of any principal or interest (nonstandard loans); (2) interest-only loans; and (3) any balance increase that may accrue from any negative amortization.
(Sec. 202) Prohibits a creditor from extending credit for residential mortgage loans that involve refinancing of a prior residential mortgage loan unless the creditor determines that refinancing provides a net tangible benefit to the consumer.
Describes residential mortgage loans which do not provide a net tangible benefit to the consumer.
(Sec. 203) Sets forth a rebuttable presumption of the ability to repay.
(Sec. 204) Subjects a creditor to civil liability for violations of this Act, including rescission of a residential mortgage loan and certain additional costs, including a reasonable attorney's fee of the obligor.
Subjects an assignee or securitizer of such a loan, acting in good faith, to liability for a creditor's violations, but only for rescission of the loan, plus related costs and attorney fees. Exempts an assignee or securitizer from such liability if it provides a cure, and meets other specified requirements.
Permits a consumer to maintain a civil action against an assignee to cure, but not rescind, a residential mortgage loan, if a creditor or assignee of a loan has: (1) ceased to exist as a matter of law; (2) filed for bankruptcy protection; or (3) had receivers or liquidating agents appointed.
Subjects good faith assignees and securitizers of such a creditor to the same liability for a creditor's violations, unless they provide a cure for such violations or they meet specified conditions.
Prohibits class action suits against assignees and securitizers.
Excludes from such assignee and securitizer liability any residential mortgage loans aggregated in a pool of assets held to issue or sell instruments representing interests in such pools, including through a securitization vehicle.
(Sec. 205) Authorizes a consumer who has the right to rescind with respect to a residential mortgage loan against the creditor (or any assignee or securitizer) to assert such right as a defense or counterclaim to foreclosure against the mortgage loan holder (or its agent).
(Sec. 206) Proscribes certain practices, including: (1) certain prepayment penalties; (2) single premium credit insurance; (3) mandatory arbitration (except for reverse mortgages); (4) mortgage loan provisions that waive statutory cause of action by the consumer ; (5) negative amortization mortgages.
Reserves the right of a securitizer to retain access to any residential mortgage loan in any document establishing a pool of assets including such loan in order to provide for and obtain a remedy for the obligor under such loan.
Sets forth the effect of foreclosure on a preexisting lease.
(Sec. 208) Declares that: (1) this Act supersedes any state law that provides additional remedies against any assignee, securitizer, or securitization vehicle; and (2) the remedies in this Act constitute the sole remedies against any assignee, securitizer, or securitization vehicle for specified violations.
(Sec. 210) Doubles civil money penalties for certain violations.
Extends to three years the statute of limitations for certain violations.
(Sec. 211) Exempts a creditor, assignee, or securitizer from liability and rescission in the case of borrower fraud or deception by an obligor.
(Sec. 212) Requires the creditor or servicer of a loan to notify the consumer with a written explanation, including alternative moves, during the one-month period that ends six months before the interest rate in effect during the introductory period of a hybrid adjustable rate mortgage adjusts or resets to a variable interest rate.
(Sec. 213) Requires additional information disclosures for: (1) variable payments or interest rates; (2) escrow or impound accounts; (3) aggregate settlement charges; (4) aggregate mortgage origination loan fees; (5) payment schedules; and (6) updating of annual percentage rates of interest (APRs).
(Sec. 214) Requires specified disclosures in monthly statements for residential mortgage loans, including: (1) the amount of the principal obligation under the mortgage; (2) the current interest rate in effect for the loan; and (3) the date on which the interest rate may next reset or adjust.
(Sec. 215) Authorizes appropriations to the Attorney General for FY2008-FY2012 for prosecution of mortgage fraud.
(Sec. 217) Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on the effects of this Act upon the availability and affordability of credit for homebuyers and mortgage lending.
Title III: High-Cost Mortgages - (Sec. 301) Redefines high cost-mortgages with respect to: (1) introductory rates; (2) adjustment of percentage points; (3) points and fees; (4) high-cost mortgage lenders; and (5) bona fide discount points.
(Sec. 302) Revises requirements governing prepayment penalties.
Prohibits: (1) balloon payments for high-cost mortgages; (2) lending without due regard to debtor's repayment ability; (3) creditor recommendation to debtor to default; (4) certain late fees in connection with a high-cost mortgage; (5) debt acceleration at creditor's sole discretion; (6) creditor financing of certain financing points and fees; (7) evasions, structuring of transactions, and reciprocal arrangements; and (8) certain creditor-imposed fees for modification, deferral, and payoff statements.
(Sec. 303) Prohibits a creditor from extending credit to a consumer under a high-cost mortgage without first receiving certification from a counselor approved by either HUD or a state housing finance authority that the consumer has received counseling on the advisability of the mortgage.
Prohibits a creditor from knowingly or intentionally engaging in the unfair act or practice of flipping in connection with a high-cost mortgage (defined as a loan or extension of credit in the form a high-cost mortgage to a consumer which refinances an existing mortgage when the new loan or extension of credit does not have reasonable, tangible net benefit to the consumer considering all circumstances).
(Sec. 305) Directs the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Federal Reserve Board) to promulgate regulations implementing this Act.
Authorizes the Board to prescribe regulations requiring or encouraging creditors to provide consumer mortgage education to prospective customers, or direct such customers to qualified consumer mortgage education or counseling programs.
Prohibits any construction of a Board requirement as affecting or superseding any state law requirement regarding consumer mortgage counseling or education.
Title IV: Office of Housing Counseling - Expand and Preserve Home Ownership Through Counseling Act - (Sec. 402) Establishes within HUD the Office of Housing Counseling, headed by the Director of Housing Counseling.
Requires the Secretary to appoint an advisory committee.
(Sec. 403) Sets forth counseling procedures.
Instructs the Director to develop and conduct national public service multimedia campaigns designed to make persons facing mortgage foreclosure, persons considering a subprime mortgage loan to purchase a home, elderly persons, persons who face language barriers, low-income persons, and other potentially vulnerable consumers aware that it is advisable, before seeking or maintaining a residential mortgage loan, to obtain home ownership counseling from an unbiased and reliable sources, and that such home ownership counseling is available from HUD.
Requires HUD to provide advice and technical assistance to states, local governmental entities, and nonprofit organizations regarding the establishment and operation of consumer education programs (particularly for those most vulnerable with respect to residential mortgage loans, mortgage refinancing, home equity loans, and home repair loans).
(Sec. 404) Amends the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 to require the Secretary to make financial assistance available to states, local governments, and nonprofit organizations providing home ownership or rental counseling.
Authorizes appropriations for FY2008-FY2011.
(Sec. 405) Revises requirements for use of HUD-certified counselors under HUD programs.
(Sec. 406) Instructs the Secretary to study and report to Congress on the root causes of default and foreclosure of home loans, including an examination of the role of escrow accounts in helping prime and nonprime borrowers to avoid defaults and foreclosures.
(Sec. 408) Amends the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act of 1974 (RESPA) to require HUD to prepare, periodically, in various languages and cultural styles, a booklet to help consumers applying for federally related mortgage loans to understand the nature and costs of real estate settlement services.
Title V: Mortgage Disclosures Under Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act of 1974 - (Sec. 501) Amends RESPA to set forth a universal mortgage disclosure requirement for good faith estimates of settlement services costs.
Requires the Secretary to prescribe a standard form for such disclosure, to be used without variation in all transactions in the United States that involve federally related mortgage loans.
Title VI: Mortgage Servicing - (Sec. 601) Requires a creditor, in connection with the formation or consummation of a consumer credit transaction secured by a first lien on the consumer's principal dwelling (other than a reverse mortgage or a credit card transaction), to establish in a federally insured depository institution, at the time of consummation, an escrow or impound account for the payment of taxes and hazard insurance, and, if applicable, flood insurance, mortgage insurance, ground rents, and other required periodic payments or premiums.
(Sec. 602) Requires the creditor or servicer of a mortgage loan to advise a consumer in writing of the consumer's responsibilities and the implications for the consumer in the absence of an escrow or impound account, if one is not established or the consumer chooses to close one.
(Sec. 603) Amends RESPA to prohibit certain practices by federally related mortgage loan servicers, including: (1) obtaining force-placed hazard insurance unless it is reasonable to believe the borrower has failed to comply with the loan contract's requirements to maintain property insurance; (2) charging fees for responding to valid qualified written requests; (3) failing to respond timely to borrower's requests to correct errors relating to standard servicer duties; and (4) failing to respond within 10 business days to a borrower's request to provide relevant contact information about the owner assignee of the loan.
Prescribes requirements for a federally related mortgage loan servicer to meet when obtaining force-placed insurance (hazard insurance coverage obtained by a servicer when the borrower has failed to maintain or renew hazard insurance on a property as required under the mortage terms).
Requires prompt crediting of a borrower's payments on the business day received by a home loan lender or servicer.
Increases the maximum additional damages for RESPA violations: (1) from $1,000 to $2,000 for an individual action; and (2) from $500,000 to $1 million for a class action.
Reduces the maximum length of time for a loan servicer to respond to borrower inquiries: (1) from 20 to 10 days to acknowledge receipt of an inquiry; and (2) from 60 to 30 days to take certain actions in response to an inquiry.
Requires: (1) a creditor or servicer to send a payoff balance within seven business days of receipt of a borrower's written request; and (2) prompt refund of escrow accounts upon payoff.
(Sec. 604) Requires the Secretary to study and report to Congress on: (1) mortgage servicing practices and their potential for fraud and abuse; and (2) mortgage servicing improvements.
(Sec. 605) Amends the Truth in Lending Act, in any case of a consumer credit transaction secured by a first mortgage or lien on the consumer's principal dwelling (other than a reverse mortgage or a credit card transaction), for which an account is set up for property taxes, hazard insurance, and other periodic payments, to require the repayment analysis to account for escrow payments and the taxable assessed value of the real property securing the transaction.
Title VII: Appraisal Activities - (Sec. 701) Amends the Truth in Lending Act to prohibit a creditor from extending credit in the form of a mortgage to any consumer without first obtaining a written property appraisal prepared, in accordance with the requirements of this Act, by a qualified appraiser after conducting a physical property visit of the interior of the mortgaged property.
Requires the creditor to provide one copy of each such appraisal, without charge, to the consumer at least three days before the transaction closing date. Subjects violations to a monetary penalty.
(Sec. 702) Proscribes certain unfair and deceptive practices in connection with a consumer credit transaction secured by the consumer's principal dwelling, including: (1) mischaracterizing, or suborning a mischaracterization of, the property's appraised value; (2) seeking to influence an appraiser or otherwise to encourage a targeted value in order to facilitate the making or pricing of the transaction; and (3) failing to timely compensate an appraiser for a completed appraisal, regardless of whether the transaction closes.
Requires the federal banking agencies and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to jointly prescribe regulations defining with specificity unfair or deceptive practices in the provision of mortgage lending services.
(Sec. 703) Creates the Appraisal Subcommittee of the Financial Institutions Examination Council to protect the consumer from improper appraisal practices and the predations of unlicensed appraisers.
Authorizes the Appraisal Subcommittee to prescribe regulations.
Requires each state with an appraiser certifying and licensing agency meeting certain criteria to report to the Appraisal Subcommittee's national registry on sanctions, disciplinary actions, license and certification revocations, and license and certification suspensions.
Increases from $25 to $40 the annual registry fees for persons performing appraisals in federally related transactions. Authorizes the Appraisal Subcommittee to adjust such fees within certain limits.
Directs the Appraisal Subcommittee to: (1) make grants to state appraiser regulatory agencies to help defray costs of enforcement activities; and (2) report to state appraiser certifying and licensing agencies when a license or certification is surrendered, revoked, or suspended.
Requires the Appraisal Subcommittee to monitor state appraiser certifying and licencing agencies for compliance with certain requirements.
Prohibits specified interested parties in a real estate transaction from engaging in certain practices to influence improperly the development, reporting, result, or review of a real estate appraisal sought in connection with a mortgage loan.
Subjects violators to civil penalties.
(Sec. 704) Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on possible improvements in the appraisal process, including the consistency and the effectiveness of improvements in state compliance efforts and programs in accordance with title XI of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 (FIRREA).
(Sec. 705) Requires that, in any case in which an appraisal is performed in connection with an extension of credit secured by an interest in real property, the mortgage originator make available to the credit applicant a copy of all appraisal valuation reports upon completion, but no later than three business days before the transaction closing date.