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Sign up to receive information about new books, author events, and special offers.
John-Paul Flintoff is an author, broadcaster and journalist. He has written several highly praised books, including Sew Your Own, in which he investigated sweat shops and global resource shortages. As a writer with the Financial Times and The Sunday Times, Flintoff has changed government policy and raised money for many good causes. He lives in London.
John-Paul FlintoffDavid Thorpe


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Fans party all night in Trafalgar Square after Germany's sensational World Cup win
Trafalgar Square was a sea of red, black and gold as jubilant German fans celebrated their country's sensational fourth World Cup victory.
'Ha ha ha I've got all the money': what robber shouted as he fled central London bank
A bank robber who kicked down a security screen at Barclays flagship London branch to steal almost £1,000 in cash was caught after packets of red dye exploded as he made his getaway.
London parents 'most likely to take children on holiday during term time'
Parents in London are more likely to lie about taking their children out of school during term-time than those elsewhere in the country, a study has revealed.
Six firefighters called out to rescue a BEAN BAG
Published: 18 February 2013
Furious firefighters were dispatched after a 999 emergency call to rescue a bean bag today.
Six highly-trained crew were sent out to the address in Fulham after a member of the public called saying the object was "hanging precariously".
The fire service later tweeted: "And Monday starts with a 999 call to reports of a 'large beanbag on a flat roof in Fulham'. Fear not, it's been rescued & brought to safety."
A source said: "The crew were fuming. It just seems ridiculous, especially as Boris is trying to shut down fire stations to save money that people are getting sent out to rescue bean bags."
A spokeswoman for London Fire Brigade said they "would rather fire fighters went out and got whatever it is down and make sure it is safe" than not send anyone out.
She added that members of the public should "think carefully" before dialling 999.
Top stories in News
News in Pictures
Top stories in News
News in Pictures
- Arsenal's Jack Wilshere facing showdown with Arsene Wenger after being photographed smoking - again
- Ministers facing the sack in reshuffle mutiny against Cameron
- We can't find work and want to go home, say Romanians back sleeping rough at Park Lane
- Arsenal transfer news: Gunners set to beat Chelsea to land £24m Sami Khedira from Real Madrid
- Mario Gotze: the story behind Germany's 'miracle boy' after his stunning World Cup-winning goal
- 'Driverless' buses and 10mph zone on Oxford St could be the future for central London
- Artist's plan to drop a piano off 27-storey tower doesn't go down well with residents
- Rabbi stands on top of double-decker bus in west London as part of pro-Palestine protest against 'Israeli aggression'
- Twitter user who complained Met's helicopter was keeping her awake at night suffers barrage of abuse
- Nick Cameron and Nick Clegg to pass emergency 'snooping' laws by next week
- Family's tribute to young mother and son, 11, who died in horror car crash
- Man suffers serious injuries after stabbing in north west London
- RAF Gulf War veteran robbed and left for dead as he lay wounded in the street after motorbike crash
- Ambulance crashes into front of insurance agents' office in south London
- Revealed: London's worst bus routes at night
My Fit Lifestlye: week 3 update
3 weeks in Niki has lost 4lb and finding following the plan surprisingly easy. Read this week's update.
Team Standard: Ready for race day
With the British 10k London run on Sunday, find how ready Team Standard are, plus read great race tips from elite athlete Andy Baddeley.
#fashionhappy film competition
Calling all fashionistas! Enter our film competition to win a £2,000 Westfield Gift Card plus an internship at London Live.
Win a tailor-made trip to Graubünden, Switzerland's No. 1 holiday destination
Discover Swiss alpine holidays – your way
Win a family FreeCycle weekend experience
This summer we've teamed up with Prudential to offer readers a brilliant opportunity to get the whole family together to experience the fun and freedom of cycling around a 10-mile traffic-free circuit in central London.
Topman: Top tips from top stylists
Shop London has teamed up with Topman. View the latest film clips shot at Topman Oxford Circus.
The Gambia in the Summer
The Gambia may be the smallest country in mainland Africa but this is no reflection of it rich versatile offering.
Enjoy the freedom of the city streets
Prudential RideLondon is coming this August, so get on your bike and join in the family fun on traffic-free roads, passing historic landmarks
Get active
Take some invaluable advice for your running from a Virgin Active Health Club
Explore the very best of Britain by rail
With plenty of day-trip destinations right on London's doorstep, Simon Calder discovers the joy of travelling cross-country.
A running narrative
Up the pace on your morning run2work with a brilliant selection of audiobooks from Audible.co.uk, recommends Steve Cording
Summer Sports Lux
From silk track pants to a swimsuit to make a splash in, this summer's sport lux moment is certain to stretch your style credentials.
Get the look. See the trends.
Westfield and Snapfashion team up to create a new digital styling tool. Create a style board or browse this season's trends. #editme.
Reader Offers email A fantastic selection of
offers, giveaways and

subset: commoncrawl


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Packt is pleased to annouce the publication of Nmap 6: Network Exploration and Security Auditing Cookbook, a new book specifically aimed to understand and master the power of Nmap 6. This book is available now in print, eBook, Kindle and select library formats. The print book comes in at over 318 pages and is competitively priced at $40.49, whilst the e-book and Kindle versions are available for $22.94.
About the Author :
Paulino Calderon Pale has been writing codes and administering IT infrastructure ever since his early years. He has also worked with Google on the Nmap project as an NSE (Nmap Scripting Engine) developer. He is a software developer and a penetration tester in Mexico.
Nmap 6: Network Exploration and Security Auditing Cookbook is beneficial for security consultants and administrators, which will help them in developing their own script through practical tasks by working on the Nmap Scripting Engine.
Mastering basic scanning techniques in order to port scan and host discovery, implementing own host monitoring system with Nmap, performing security checks to web applications, mail servers, databases tune scaning and creating reports using the scan reports are some of the topics highlighted in this book.
- Chapter 1: Nmap Fundamentals
- Chapter 2: Network Exploration
- Chapter 3: Gathering Additional Host Information
- Chapter 4: Auditing Web Servers
- Chapter 5: Auditing Databases
- Chapter 5: Auditing Databases
- Chapter 7: Scanning Large Networks
- Chapter 8: Generating Scan Reports
- Chapter 9: Writing Your Own NSE Scripts
Packt has also published various related titles :
- Box2D for Flash Games (November 2012)
- VMware ThinApp 4.7 Essentials (November 2012)
- Marmalade SDK Mobile Game Development Essentials (November 2012)
All books are Published by Packt Enterprise. Packt Enterprise is a publishing division of Packt Publishing designed to serve the information needs of IT Professionals in the Enterprise space. Packt Enterprise also publishes on Microsoft, IBM, Oracle, Citrix, Java, Amazon, Google and SAP technologies.
|Nmap 6: Network Exploration and Security Auditing Cookbook
| Master the power of Nmap 6 using Packt's New Book and e-Book
For more information, please visit: Nmap 6: Network Exploration and Security Auditing Cookbook


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The Peninsula Seahawks boys soccer team finished fifth in the Class 3A South Puget Sound League last year, just out of reach of the postseason. Head coach Brian Lawson expects better results in his second year.
"We have aspirations to be in the top four," Lawson said. "Obviously, top three would be wonderful. We fell short of expectations last year, and this year we have our sights set on making the playoffs and going as far as we can."
Peninsula lost Matt Myers, Nate Jackson and Donovan Hobson to graduation but will return senior captains Noah Hanks and David Rodriguez.
Hanks, a forward, said the team was plagued by off-field issues last year, and it's been a point of emphasis to eliminate them this spring.
"It's all about sportsmanship (this season)," Hanks said. "We had bad things happen off the field last year. So we want to keep track on what we're doing and just always work hard. The school has really enforced it, the coach has really enforced it a lot, and especially the players that were on the team last year know, so we're really pushing it on the younger guys to know, 'You have a commitment to the team, and you gotta stick to it.' "
With a relatively small senior class — only three on the varsity squad — and several talented underclassmen, the Seahawks hope to change the culture and grow as a team.
Despite their youth, Lawson thinks his team can have success because of their work ethic and commitment to the game.
"They're hard workers," he said. "We're going to be very young, but at the same time, we have a stellar group of young players. Our freshman class is phenomenal this year. They are hard, hard workers. They're very intelligent soccer players, and, paired with that hard work, we're going to be successful."
Hanks, a second-team all-league selection last season, is aiming for first-team honors this year.
"If I can go second team, then I can surely go first team," he said.
Hanks and Rodriguez will lead the group that will have to step up in a hurry.
"We should be able to use them (the underclassmen) and their playing ability, because most of them played club," Hanks said. "We just have to be able to play strong and big, because they're going to be playing guys who are older than them, but I'm really excited for this year."
Rodriguez has his sights set higher than just competing for a league title.
"We just gotta shape up," he said. "I want to see us get to the state championship, and I want us to win this whole thing."
Rodriguez said he believes the team's youth will only contribute to their success.
"It's going to be a good year because all the young players have a lot of talent," he said. "We have a lot of young people that can move the ball. We're mainly a midfield team, so I think, with the ball movement skills that we have, we can get the teams running and get them frustrated."
Lawson said the team is doing the little things right so far this year.
"I think it's their commitment to daily improvement," he said. "I think it's their coach-ability. They respond well. If I ask them to do something, it gets done. It's their accountability as a team, too. They hold one another accountable. They look to one another to meet those expectations."
peninsula soccer
March 17Fife7:15 p.m.
March 19at Tyee7:30 p.m.
March 21at Central Kitsap7 p.m.
March 24South Kitsap7:15 p.m.
April 2at Gig Harbor5:15 p.m.
April 7Decatur7:15 p.m.
April 9Lakes7:15 p.m.
April 14at Enumclaw7 p.m.
April 16at Bonney Lake7 p.m.
April 21Auburn Mountainview7:15 p.m.
April 23at Decatur7 p.m.
April 28at Lakes7 p.m.
April 30Enumclaw7:15 p.m.
May 5Bonney Lake7:15 p.m.
May 7at Auburn Mountainview7 p.m.Sports reporter Jon Manley can be reached at 253-358-4151 or by email at email@example.com


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Product Recall: Voluntary recall of 260 cases of Velveeta Original Pasteurized Recipe Cheese Products. Click Here.
18 SKUs of Knudsen Cottage Cheese, 9 SKUs of Breakstone's Cottage Cheese, 5 SKUs of Simply Kraft Cottage Cheese and 2 SKUs of Daily Chef Cottage Cheese. Click Here.
HEAT oven to 325°F.
BEAT cream cheese, sugar and vanilla in large bowl with mixer until well blended. Add chocolate; mix well. Add eggs; mix just until blended. Pour into crust.
BAKE 40 min. or until center is almost set; cool.
REFRIGERATE several hours.


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The Norman Transcript
Mother Nature sometimes just doesn't play nice.
After looking at weather reports for Saturday, officials with Second Chance Animal Sanctuary have been forced to cancel its 23rd Annual Dog Day Afternoon. The event was scheduled at Reaves Park, however, cold temperatures and the possibility of rain have forced organizers to call off this year's event.
There are no plans to reschedule.
Second Chance Animal Sanctuary, 4500 24th Ave. NW, will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday for pet adoptions.


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On a scale of 1 to 10 (1 being no influence and 10 being extremely influential), how much influence does the National Rifle Association have on the gun-control debate in Congress?
Democrats (23 Votes)
Average: 8.9
1-3: 4%
4-6: 0%
7-10: 96%
8. "The NRA has been effective in ensuring that there has been relatively little gun-control debate in recent years."
8. "I suspect the influence is based in part on fear—that the feared effect of a negative NRA rating is much greater than the actual effect on voters."
9. "It's sad to say, but it's true."
9. "The NRA has a hold on a small but intense minority of voters. This has become a key cultural issue (versus the 'liberal elite'), and the supposed 'lessons' of the 1994 election are endlessly repeated."
9. "They're actually moderate compared to most state gun lobbies."
9. "Given the NRA largely ignores many of the nation's urban centers, their influence is concentrated and significant. Apparently, we can't even discuss the reasonableness of creating better regulatory controls for weapons that could cause substantial harm without the NRA and its supporters decrying that our individual liberties are being obliterated by haters of freedom and liberty."
10. "Only because—unlike the amp in Spinal Tap, this one doesn't go to 11."
10. "It is Darth Vader and Jack the Ripper rolled into one."
10. "They 'own' Congress."
10. "And that's 10 too high!"
10. "Thanks to the NRA, you can't even discuss the issue in a rational way, let alone pass commonsense gun-control measures, like restricting the number of bullets in a clip."
10. "They are the single most dominant group in America. Their members vote and are vocal about it."
10. "The NRA owns the Republican Party."
10. "The NRA, unfortunately, owns Congress."
10. "They have a great amount of say in how members see this issue. Right now, a very large number of members are afraid to upset the NRA."
On a scale of 1 to 10 (1 being no influence and 10 being extremely influential), how much influence does the National Rifle Association have on the gun-control debate in Congress?
Republicans (17 Votes)
Average: 9.0
1-3: 0%
4-6: 0%
7-10: 100%
9. "They are not a '10' only because occasionally smaller Second Amendment groups take positions to the right of the NRA, creating doubt about the NRA."
10. "Few if any advocacy groups are in the same league as the NRA. They are well funded, they have a committed and active grassroots network, and members both fear and respect them as a political force."
10. "The NRA has influence because the majority of Americans agree with their principles."
10. "The NRA is the best single-issue lobby in politics, bar none."
10. "As they should; their membership is vast and deep, and protecting our constitutional rights is an important advocacy."
Given the debate over Mitt Romney's taxes, should members of Congress have to release some of their returns?
Democrats (23 Votes)
Yes: 30%
No: 65%
Other (volunteered): 4%
"Why not?"
"Members of Congress are the ones who actually write and vote on tax law; they should release their tax returns."
"Yes, I think we all should. I have nothing to hide."
"Still, releasing tax returns, complying with the Stock Act, and such specific steps seem to have only a small effect on the crippling cynicism about members of Congress."
"As a pro-Obama Democrat, I think we have gone too far. I shudder to think what America would be like if we had disqualified Roosevelt, Washington, Lyndon Johnson, and John Kennedy—they certainly would not have released their personal information."
"Only when or if we run for president."
"We already have annual disclosure and Stock Act requirements. You want to check my personal bank account next?"
"No, not at all unless they are running for president. I think this is simply trying to take attention away from Romney's refusal to release his returns."
"Our disclosure is sufficient. We do not want to prevent some good people from running for office by intruding on their privacy, beyond what is now required. For president, more scrutiny is warranted."
"I never have. Same rules apply for every citizen's privacy. But if you expect to run for president, you should be expected to reveal more about yourself than the average citizen."
"I don't think that members of Congress should have to release their tax returns. But I choose to release mine. Let the voters reach their own conclusions."
"Yes and no. If it becomes an issue in their campaigns, they would be wise to release some of them. Some of them may want to double-check their returns before releasing them to make sure they're on the money."
Given the debate over Mitt Romney's taxes, should members of Congress have to release some of their returns?
Republicans (17 Votes)
Yes: 0%
No: 100%
"Members of Congress already have little financial privacy and spend a disproportionate amount of time trying to comply with vague and voluminous ethics requirements. All this would do is increase the amount of [opposition] research in the world. Not a step forward for democracy."
"No, but if a member of Congress calls on a presidential candidate to release tax returns they should do the same. Case in point—Debbie Wasserman Schultz and [Nancy] Pelosi have both called on Romney to release his returns, but they refuse to do the same."
"This is a waste-of-time distraction in a presidential race. We already have enough of those in Congress."
"Members already submit a maze of reports on their personal finances. The only people who read them are political opponents and members of the media seeking to discredit members. Why provide these people with more ammunition and burden members with more requirements?"
"Current disclosure laws are more than adequate. Tax returns are intended for entirely different purposes and so would disclose too little in some areas (such as assets), and too much in other areas (exact wages of spouse). The disclosure forms used for members of Congress are designed for exactly the purpose of disclosing what might be a conflict of interest, so we should stick with them."
"Substantively, not politically, what policy gain for the public is there? The financial disclosure already outlines sources of income, debts, assets, stock sales, boards, trusts, etc."
"The Ethics Committee's financial-disclosure process provides far more and better information about potential conflicts of interest than a tax return."
"Between the financial disclosure and now the Stock Act, I think the public knows enough about members of Congress to make a judgment call."
"The debate over Romney's taxes is a distraction by President Obama because he has nothing to talk about and an abysmal record."
This article appears in the July 28, 2012 edition of National Journal Magazine.
National Journal


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OPEN DAILY 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Get VIP access to get up-close, feed, and touch Aquarium animals.
People all over the world are telling us they love our live webcam inside
Penguins' Rock. Of course, they're even more fun to watch in person!
» Plan Your Visit » Sleep in the Deep » Large Groups
The Sleep in the Deep Program is offered any day that the Aquarium is open except for the months of June and July or when the facilities are booked for other events. Overnights are limited to a maximum of 80 participants and require a minimum of 30 to reserve a date. If your group is interested in reserving a date, please put a plan together soon as weekends fill quickly. All overnights include guided tours of River Journey and Ocean Journey, mini Behind-the-Scenes tour, evening snack, critter encounter and continental breakfast. Children must be at least six years of age and must be accompanied by chaperones in a ratio of at least one chaperone to ten children. Additional chaperones are welcome if space permits.
Reservation: If your group is interested in a date, please put a plan together soon, as some dates fill up quickly (Saturdays in January, February, March and April are often booked six months in advance). A minimum of one month's notice is required to reserve a date.
Note: All Friday and Saturday nights have been reserved through July of 2014. The first available weekends begin in August.
Your reservation is not confirmed until your deposit has been received. Deposits are due two weeks after you have booked your date. All deposits are $500.00 and nonrefundable. Deposits can be paid with organization checks, cashiers checks (no personal checks) or over the phone with a credit card. Nonpayment of deposit will be viewed as canceling the reservation and the date will be open to other groups.
They're a great souvenir of your overnight experience at the Tennessee Aquarium. The patches cost $3.50 each and you can order them before or after your trip. To order the patches please contact us via email at firstname.lastname@example.com.
Frequently Asked Questions What happens during the overnight?
A typical schedule includes: brief tour of Ocean Journey with Behind the Scenes stop, dinner (if included), IMAX film (if included), tour of River Journey with Behind the Scenes stops, snack, critter encounter, continue tour of Ocean Journey, bed down around 11:30 pm, lights out at midnight, breakfast at 7:30 am, final touring in River Journey, leave at 8:30 am. Will we see the whole facility?
A complete tour is planned. Provided your group follows our plan, all exhibits will be seen. Where and when will we sleep?
We plan for groups to bed down at 11:30 pm as the lighting turns off by midnight. Groups may sleep in one of two locations: Ocean Journey's Undersea Cavern or River Journey's River Giants. All sleeping areas have a carpeted surface. What time should we arrive?
The program begins at 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time, so we need your entire group at the Aquarium site around 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time. If you are coming from the Central Time Zone, keep in mind that we are an hour ahead of you.
Where should we park? Is parking provided?
There are six public parking faculties within easy walking distance of the Aquarium. The closest and easiest to use is directly in front of our River Journey building and is paid at a flat rate. Unfortunately we are unable to provide parking for your group. If arriving by bus, bus parking is available by the IMAX Center but you must arrive prior to 6:00 pm to secure that parking. After we arrive, where should we meet?
The overnight staff will meet you near the River Journey Member's Reception entrance at the large white tent. This is located between the two Aquarium Buildings. What is included in the meals?
Dinner - includes at least two slices of pepperoni or cheese pizza, carrots, a cookie, lemonade or water.
Snacks - water along with bags of Chex Mix, Cheez Its, pretzels or similar items.
Breakfast - includes mini bagels and spreads with a selection of fruit juices. (Coffee will be available for adults.) What IMAX film will my group view?
Overnight groups typically see the 8:00 pm movie. The IMAX schedule changes often, so check about a month before your date. If we choose a night without the IMAX film option, how will we spend the extra time?
You will have more time to tour the exhibits and take things at a slower pace. What is the minimum age for participating in an overnight?
Only attendees six years or older will be allowed to participate in the overnight. Is this only for children's groups?
While most of our groups are schools, scouts and youth groups, we can take groups of any age. How many adults are required?
For every group of ten children attending, one adult is required. For example, if you bring 27 children you need at least three adults. Can we have more than 80 participants?
At this time we can not comfortably accommodate more than 80 people. If we went over this number we could not guarantee the quality of the experience. Do all adults have to sleep at the aquarium?
If there are adults with your group that cannot stay the night, they may be able to leave around 11:30 pm. But you must still maintain the 1 to 10 ratio and adults not spending the night will still pay the same amount. When is the program over?
The program is schedule to end by 8:30 am Eastern Time. Are there showers available during our overnight?
Showers are not available, but there will be restrooms with sinks if people care to wash faces, brush teeth, etc. After the program ends, will we get to tour on our own?
Reentry to the Tennessee Aquarium is not an option as our staff needs this time to prepare the building for guests. Will there be time to look in the Gift Shops?
The gift shops at River Journey and Ocean Journey close at 6:00 pm and do not reopen until 10:00 am the following morning. If you care to look in the shops, please plan to arrive by 5:00 pm. When can we get Tennessee Aquarium Sleep in the Deep Patches?
Patches may be purchased before or after your overnight. Please contact Thaddeus Taylor by e-mail email@example.com for purchases or additional questions. How much is our deposit and when is it due?
All deposits are $500.00. Deposits are due two weeks after you book your event. This information will be sent to you in a confirmation letter shortly after your tentative reservation is made.
When should our final payment be made?
You must be paid in full for all of your confirmed attendees two weeks before your scheduled event. Payments will be used to determine your final number which we use for ordering food and staffing. Additional attendees may be added to your reservation after this point provided that payment accompanies these additions. You have up to two days before the event to increase your number. This information will be sent to you in a confirmation letter shortly after your reservation is made.
These are the group forms needed for each event:
One Broad Street, Chattanooga TN, 37402
phone: 800-262-0695
Map & Directions
The Tennessee Aquarium is a non-profit institution.
See how you can help support our many education, conservation and research programs.


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Romance scams are one of the many Internet schemes that target individuals all over the world. Scammers use dating sites, chat rooms and social networking sites, looking for the "perfect victim."
They target singles of any age and in any locale, creating fake profiles designed to woo singles and convince them to hand over money. The Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota (BBB) warns that while all demographic groups are susceptible to these schemes, criminals tend to focus on people who are over the age of 40, divorced or widowed, as well as elderly and the disabled.
"Online romance scams continue to grow and become more sophisticated each year," said Dana Badgerow, President and CEO of the BBB of Minnesota and North Dakota. "We're trying to make consumers aware of some warning signs which might indicate you're dealing with a scammer when using an online dating service or social networking site."
According to the Internet Crime Complaint Center, of the 314,246 complaints they received in 2011, 5,600 were related to romance scams. Women who are 50 and older are said to be the biggest targets of online romance scams.
In some cases, scammers will send their victims flowers and gifts while using stories of personal tragedy, injury, and other hardships to earn trust and sympathy. Common signs you might be dealing with a scammer include: emails containing poor grammar, misspelled words and requests for money. If an email or message you are sent through a dating service or online chat room contains any of these things, you may be dealing with someone intent on defrauding you.
The BBB provides the following tips for avoiding an online romance scam:
- Consider using an established dating service. Check out their record first at bbb.org.
- Don't get involved with a person who claims to be in love from the word go. Scammers usually use emotional ties to increase the chances of getting your money. If your match asks you to pay for their travel expenses, there is a high probability that it is a scam
- Make sure you only open emails, attachments, and links from people or dating services you're familiar with. Install updated anti-virus software, and beware of unsolicited emails with subject lines like, "Someone just sent you an e-card!"
- Never give credit card or online account details to anyone by email and be very careful about how much personal information you share. Scammers can use your information and pictures to create a fake identity or to target you with another scam.
- Consider focusing your efforts to meet someone locally. While it's certainly possible that special someone lives outside your area, there's also a far higher risk of running into a long-distance scammer when you're getting to know someone online.
The mission of the Better Business Bureau is to be the leader in building marketplace trust by promoting, through self-regulation, the highest standards of business ethics and conduct, and to instill confidence in responsible businesses through programs of education and action that inform, assist and protect the general public. Our hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Contact the BBB at www.bbb.org or 651-699-1111, toll-free at 1-800-646-6222. Visit our Centennial website at bbbis100.org.


text:
Marty Sheets sat with President Bill Clinton and has associated with movie stars. He has played golf with Gary Player, skied with Olympic medalist Billy Kidd, and played tennis with Arthur Ashe.
Sheets' is part of a portrait that hangs in the Smithsonian Institute and his picture has been used as the face of an international movement. He has even had a golf tournament named for him.
But Thursday night he will receive perhaps his greatest honor when he is inducted into the N.C. Sports Hall of Fame.
Sheets, 60, who has Down syndrome, is being inducted because of the more than 250 Special Olympics championships that he has won in swimming, tennis, golf and power lifting.
"Marty has lived a charmed life," said his father, Dave Sheets.
Sheets will be one of 11 people inducted during the hall's 50th anniversary. After Thursday's induction ceremony, the hall will have 300 members. Memorabilia and notable accomplishments are showcased on the third floor of the N.C. Museum of History in Raleigh.
The inductions will be celebrated with a free fan fest Thursday afternoon before the night's ticketed induction ceremonies.
Kevin Brafford, the associate director of the Hall of Fame, said Sheets, who has suffered from dementia in recent years, earned his spot among North Carolina's great athletes.
"He is a North Carolina treasure," Brafford said. "He has made many unique contributions to sports in North Carolina and is certainly worthy of induction."
Marty Sheets has surprised people his entire life. He was born prematurely at Rex Hospital in Raleigh and weighed 4 pounds, 13 ounces. He stayed in an incubator for 15 days before he went home to a house near the old Mary Elizabeth Hospital on Wake Forest Road
His parents still remember the doctor's words when they were told that their son had Down syndrome.
"Don't expect much," recalled Iris Sheets, his mother. "But who could have imagined?"
Iris said Marty inherited his athletic ability from his father, who came from New Jersey to Wake Forest University on an athletic scholarship when the school was located in Wake Forest. He worked at Montgomery Ward; Iris worked at the Carolina Country Club. They had no dreams of greatness for their son.
A gold medal
After the family moved to Greensboro, Marty became a good swimmer and was one of three athletes from North Carolina to attend the first International Special Olympics Summer Games in Chicago in 1968.
The Special Olympics athlete's oath of "Let me win. But if I can not win, let me be brave in the attempt" was introduced to about 1,000 athletes from 26 states and Canada at Soldier Field.
Sheets became ill and was too sick to swim, but at the banquet a spotlight hovered over him as founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver came to his table and presented him with a gold medal for epitomizing the spirit of the games. Sheets is part of a portrait of Shriver that hangs in the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery.
The Special Olympics movement continued to grow and in 1977 Sheets was selected to train for skiing. He learned to ski at the Swiss-French Ski College in Blowing Rock and went to the Special Olympics in Steamboat Springs, Colo., where he worked with Kidd. Sheets won two bronze medals.
He travelled to the University of Notre Dame for the games in 1987 to play tennis and was selected to join singer John Denver in leading the U.S. delegation into the stadium during the opening ceremonies. He played tennis with Ashe during practice and met gymnast Mary Lou Retton.
Sheets attended the World Summer Games in Minneapolis in 1991 as a power lifter and won two medals. He weighed 110 pounds, could dead lift 225 pounds and was featured on the national television coverage of the games.
Presidential honor
For the 25th anniversary of Special Olympics, Sheets played golf in Orlando, Fla. He was named to the Special Olympics Golf Committee and was the grand marshal of a parade at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom.
Sheets topped that in 1995 when he was invited to sit in the presidential box with Bill and Hillary Clinton at the World Summer Games in Connecticut. When the World Summer Games came to the Triangle in 1999, he was pictured on the promotional posters. He met Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver during the games and participated in the opening ceremonies with former Duke basketball star Grant Hill.
Sheets had been a volunteer at the PGA's Wyndham Championship in Greensboro for 15 years when he was named the PGA's national volunteer of the year in 2006. He recorded a hole-in-one the next year, acing No. 7 at the Oak Hollow Golf Course in High Point.
But going into the N.C. Sports of Hall Fame is special – a milestone – because he is the first Special Olympics athlete to be inducted.
"It is a major accomplishment," his father said. "It is mighty important that a Special Olympic athlete be recognized. I really think this is the dream that Mrs. (Eunice) Shriver had – that one day people like Marty would be recognized for what they can do, for their ability not their disability.
"He is going into the hall because he is a great athlete."


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Acid reflux seminar
Traverse City — Michael Nizzi, DO, will offer a seminar today, Oct. 25, on a new non-invasive procedure for patients suffering from gastroesophageal reflux.
Using transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF), Dr. Nizzi can, with minimal discomfort, repair the anti-reflux valve that allows acid to travel up the esophagus. He will discuss the procedure from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in Munson Medical Center's conference rooms 1-3, 1105 Sixth St. The seminar is free, but registration is requested; call (888) 838-9160 or visit www.munsonhealthcare.org.
Pavilions' job fair
Traverse City — Registration is required and due Friday, Oct. 26, for a Grand Traverse Pavilions Job Fair for direct care staff. No calls or walk-ins will be accepted after Friday.
The fair's "Meet and Greet" times are 8-10 a.m., 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 4-6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 30. It is specifically for certified nurse aides, universal workers, and individuals interested in training to be a nurse aide.
Author signs books
Traverse City — Timothy Basil Ering, author of "The Story of Frog Belly Rat Bone" and illustrator of "The Tale of Despereaux," will sign his books from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26, at Horizon Books, 243 E. Front St. For details, call 946-7290, (800) 587-2147 or visit www.horizonbooks.com.
Dennos holiday fair
Traverse City — The annual Dennos Museum Holiday Art Fair will be held Friday through Sunday, October 26-28.
Holiday shoppers can choose fine arts and crafts from 50 area artists, Christmas and Chanukah gifts, arts and crafts kits and more from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 1-5 p.m. Sunday.
Again this year there will be an education benefit raffle to help raise funds to offset the cost of school visits. The holiday artists have donated art for the raffle. Tickets will be sold onsite only and are $2 each or six for $5.
Museum admission is free during the sale. The Dennos Museum Center is at 1410 College Dr., at the entrance to Northwestern Michigan College. For details, call 995-1586.
Masquerade dance
Traverse City — A Masquerade Partner Dance will be hosted Saturday, Oct. 27, at the City Opera House, 106 E. Front St.
A waltz workshop from 6 to 7:30 p.m., will be followed by dancing from 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Tickets are available at www.cityoperahouse.org, at the door or by calling 941-8082. Call Mykl Werth, 499-9793, for details.
Pumpkin carving
Maple City — T.E.A.M. Gallery of Little Traverse Lake will hold its inaugural Pumpkin Carving Contest, hosted by the Little Traverse Inn.
The contest will be held Saturday, Oct. 27, at 2 p.m. at the inn on M-22. Prizes will be awarded in several categories and entries will be judged by T.E.A.M. Gallery owner/curator, Timothy Chapman. A evening exhibition of all entries will follow at 6 p.m. at T.E.A.M. Gallery, 497 East Harbor Highway (M-22).
Wigglers parade
Traverse City — The Youth Services Department will sponsor the annual Wigglers Halloween Costume Parade on Tuesday, Oct. 30.
Children and adults are invited to come in their costumes for a 10 a.m. parade around the Traverse Area District Library's main floor, 610 Woodmere Ave. No registration is required. Learn more at www.tadl.org.
Kids' Trunk or Treat
Traverse City — Old Mission Peninsula United Methodist Church will host Trunk or Treat Wednesday, October 31.
All children are invited to come and trick or treat from 4:30 until 6:30 p.m. The church is located at 16426 Center Road. For details, call 223-4393.
History group meets
Traverse City — The Old Mission Peninsula Historical Society will meet Thursday, Nov. 1, at the History Center of Traverse City, 322 Sixth St.
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. and guests are welcome. Following a business meeting and a program on the center's archives, attendees may tour the building. For details or if planning to attend, contact Kennard R. Weaver, 947-0947 or firstname.lastname@example.com .
Dems will meet
Traverse City — All Democrats are invited to the Thursday, Nov. 1, Grand Traverse County Democratic Executive Board meeting at 6 p.m., at the former UAW Hall, 703 Rose St. Attendees are asked to bring non-perishable food items for area food banks. To learn more, call 946-5555 or e-mail firstname.lastname@example.com.
Heritage Group
Empire — The Empire Area Heritage Group's last meeting of 2012 will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1, at the museum. The public is invited. For details, call 326-5519.
Clean Up, Green Up
Traverse City — Michigan Green Consortium will hold its seventh "Clean Up and Green Up" free community-wide recycle, repurpose and reuse event on Sunday, Nov. 4.
The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the grounds of American Waste's facility, 280 Hughes Dr. It is held two times a year the morning following the time change and encourages area residents to bring difficult-to-recycle items, items that have salvageable components or materials, and items that can be repurposed or reused to one central location for collection.
For details and a comprehensive list of accepted items and items that will not be accepted, visit www.cleanupgreenup.com, visit Clean Up and Green Up on Facebook, or call 947-1688.


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Daniel Fisher, Forbes Staff
I cover finance, the law, and how the two interact.
Supreme Court arguments over the fate of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act this week have revealed one inconvenient fact about the law better known as Obamacare: It doesn't do much for the vast majority of Americans.
Existing federal laws already cover the poor, the elderly, and the roughly 60% of Americans who get their insurance through their employers. Those laws provide free or low-cost care to just about anyone who needs it, and ban practices like charging higher rates for people with preexisting conditions in employer-based plans. The law won't help them much and could make them worse off, if you agree that the minimum standards for health insurance policies and broader access to subsidized healthcare by the poor will drive taxes and costs up instead of down.
And as Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito pointed out in arguments Tuesday, the typical 27-year-old could be much worse off under Obamacare: She consumes, on average, less than $900 a year in healthcare services but will be required to spend more than five times that much to buy an insurance policy with many bells and whistles, like low deductibles and pediatric care, that most young consumers don't need.
"Isn't it the case that what this mandate really doing is not requiring the people who are subject to it to pay for the services that they are going to consume?" Alito asked U.S. Solicitor General Donald Verrilli. "It is requiring them to subsidize services that will be received by somebody else."
The fact is Obamacare is designed to address a relatively small segment of the population which, according to the government's own briefs in support of the law, runs up something like $43 billion in medical expenses that hospitals and providers recover by charging everybody else more. That unpaid tab, the government says, increases the average family insurance premium by $1,000 a year.
That's it. The fundamental reason for healthcare reform, according to the government's own brief, is to fix a problem that each year costs about as much as five nuclear submarines or a year's worth of federal highway expenditures. There are lots of other costs that Obamacare is supposed to address, such as the economic drag of people staying in jobs simply because they need to maintain health coverage. And the law purports to control healthcare spending, although Congress's record of annually voting to increase Medicare reimbursements in excess of a federal cost-control law suggests legislators are not very good at the politically unpopular job of cutting health expenditures.
But the fundamental market failure that Congress sought to fix was this cost-shifting from the uninsured to the privately insured.
So if nothing else, the Supreme Court arguments have demonstrated that one big problem with the debate over Obamacare is how people conflate "health insurance" with "health care." The Census Dept. estimates there are 50 million uninsured in this country. No one knows how many Americans go without healthcare entirely because they can't afford it, despite laws that require hospitals to provide care regardless of the ability to pay. The Kaiser Family Foundation estimates a quarter of the uninsured "go without needed care" for financial reasons, compared with 4% of the insured.
The federal law that covers the poor, etc. is being paid for by myself and other Americans who pay taxes. It's time that is changed. It is an easy solution…..either you pay for your healthcare or you pay for your services…no more handouts.
And trust me, those people with pre-existing conditions are paying higher rates. Trying to tell us some law is protecting us from that is a lie. How do I know….because I have paid a hight rate on a pre-existing condition and if I didn't I didn't get insurance or service.
I haven't seen in the proposed bill where we would have to pay for things we don't need. Perhaps the author needs to go back and do some more research.
Sorry, say what you wish, however it does exist and I know because it is part of my life.
Your comment is confused and makes no sense.
if you get in a car crash your insurance rate goes up, I suppose this is also unfair?
you haven't seen in the proposed bill that we have to pay for things we don't need? Well gee, that's pretty amazing, considering just last week Kathleen Sebelius mandated that health plans have to cover contraception medication.
You idiot.
A few points: "Obamacare" is a compromise the legally questionable part of which came from a prior Republican/Heritage Foundation proposal. Isn't it strange how it's now some sort of draconian repression of freedoms that the evil Obama dreamt up!
I've heard others suggesting rebranding the individual mandate as the "anti-freeloader act" since everybody eventually needs medical care, and providers are legally and morally compelled to provide it in many cases. A sad irony is that the first lead plaintiff against the individual mandate filed for bankruptcy and left thousands of dollars in unpaid medical bills. Who pays for that? The rest of us.
The title of the article with "it doesn't help many" is because of all the compromises to the right. We could insure everybody in the country for much less money with a simple overhaul, say by offering expanding Medicare or even offering the Veterans Health system to everybody at cost. The Democrats were forced to incorporate some market forces, but restricted from others that might have helped too. In general the market is the problem however, not the solution.
And I find some of the ideas discussed here and elsewhere pretty funny. Like I shouldn't have to pay for "x" because I'm not going to use it. Do people with no kids not have to pay taxes that go to schools? Or do Christians not have to pay for the military? The whole point of insurance is to spread risk. And the ideas that subgroups get to pick and choose the minutia of public policy or insurance when it suits them seems only to apply to health care. Why?
As for birth control, that's a HUGE cost savings- unwanted children much more money than the $60/mo. pills cost. Strange how the Catholic church can muster such a strong organized opposition so quickly to contraceptives (despite the fact the pope calls health care a basic human right.) Yet they took decades to start cleaning their own messes with child sex abuse. More importantly, where is the outrage that Catholics and other Christians have to pay taxes for war? Is this really where they should be putting their efforts?
I drive a car, I have to pay insurance. I've never been in an accident. It's called an accident because if it does happen it won't be on purpose. Seems reasonable, no? It might make sense to try and incentivize good healthy behavior to some degree, like I expect to pay a bit less for my auto insurance. But the market for health care is less useful than many other goods and services because it's harder to shop around when if you are in the back of an ambulance in need of emergency care. And many illnesses have nothing to do with choices or lifestyle.
How can conservatives can keep throwing out criticism and no concrete plans of their own flies in the face of common sense. If the rest of the rich world can do so much more with much less money, why can't we learn anything?
The term "Obamacare" is derisive and your use of it and suggestion that the Affordable Care Act is "better known as…" exposes your bias. I expected more from Forbes.
Barack Obama has been informed by his advisors that some at the Heritage Foundation or the Republican Party once favored health coverage mandate to solve the free-rider problem. This explains his attempt to rationalize this unconstitutional law by suggesting that his opponents were once in favor of what he is doing and only oppose the current law for political reasons. This is a typical Obama and leftist lie. There were those in the conversation back in the 1990s on both sides of the political spectrum, and in academia, who once toyed with the idea of the mandate, but it was never widespread, and the idea was abandoned years ago as unworkable.
Indeed, Michael Tanner of the Cato Institute argued in 2006 that mandated health insurance "would involve a costly and complex bureaucratic system of tracking, penalties, and subsidies. More important, an individual mandate crosses an important line: accepting the principle that it is the government's responsibility to
ensure that every American has health insurance. In doing so, it opens the door to widespread regulation of the health care industry and political interference in personal health care decisions. The result will be a slow but steady spiral downward
toward a government-run national health care system." All this is coming true with Obamacare.
Obamacare was built on a sea of lies, exaggerations, and miscalculations. It will ultimately cost $4-5 trillion, or more, not the current $1.76 trillion projection, In fact, if we knew what we know now, it is unlikely that the Democrats would have been able to force it through Congress, even with all the bribes and kickbacks.
In 2005, the CBO projected that existing entitlements will cause middle class tax rates to rise to 63% by 2080. With the costs of Obamacare, that scary scenario will be even worse. Can you imagine your children and grandchildren forking over 63% of their marginal income to the federal government? Add in state and local taxes, and we are talking economic slavery to the government unless we repeal this unconstitutional law and reform "entitlements.
Obamacare is not only bad medicine, but also disastrous fiscal policy.


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July 31, 2014
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July 26, 2012
"I think people know that," Melvin said Thursday.
Melvin confirmed Greinke's availability in comments to USA Today and Milwaukee's WTMJ radio earlier Thursday.
Melvin did not go into detail on how many teams have expressed interest in the 2009 AL Cy Young Award winner, saying only that the trade market always heats up with the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline approaching.


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American Economic Review: Vol. 96 No. 3 (June 2006)
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Matching and Price Competition
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Bulow, Jeremy, and Jonathan Levin. 2006. "Matching and Price Competition." American Economic Review, 96(3): 652-668.
DOI: 10.1257/aer.96.3.652
DOI: 10.1257/aer.96.3.652
We develop a model in which firms set impersonal salary levels before matching with workers. Wages fall relative to any competitive equilibrium while profits rise almost as much, implying little inefficiency. Furthermore, the best firms gain the most from the system while wages become compressed. In light of our results, we discuss the performance of alternative institutions and the recent antitrust case against the National Resident Matching Program. (JEL D44, J41, L44)
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Levin, Jonathan


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Golia 63W Desk with Return
Our classic Golia collection features a modern mix of materials to fit the way you live and work. Choose a desk size that fits your office or living space, add leaning bookcases and media storage. The desks are made with venge or walnut melamine tops and a natural steel base. The leaning bookcases, media storage and occasional tables are available in cherry, venge or walnut melamine with a natural steel base. Choose from over 20 components to customize your space. Components sold separately. Please see PDF below for a complete listing with individual pricing. Pictured here Golia 63" Desk, the right/left Desk Return, modesty panel and the mobile file pedestal.
Golia 22W Leaning Bookcase , Price: $149.00
Golia 30W Leaning Bookcase , Price: $169.00
Golia 32W Desk, Price: $189.00
Golia 47W Desk, Price: $279.00
Golia Leaning Bookcase with 47W Desk, Price: $449.00
Uprato Graphic, Price: $35.00


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Morehead —
The Boys 16th Region Tournament begins Tuesday with 64th District champion Ashland facing off against 62nd runner-up West Carter at 6 p.m. at Morehead State's Ellis T. Johnson Arena.
The second game pits 61st champions Fleming County and Lewis County, the 63rd runner-up.
On Wednesday, first round action resumes with Russell (63rd champs) and Boyd County, the 64th runner-up. Morgan County and Rowan County square off at 7:30 p.m. The Cougars won the 62nd District, while two-time defending champions Vikings come in as 61st runners-up.
The semifinals are slated for Thursday at 6 and 7:30 p.m. The championship is scheduled for Friday at 7 p.m.
Rowan County coach Shawn Thacker said while his team is inexperienced, he feels like the Vikings have the right mindset to earn a third straight region title.
"We've got a shot," he said. "We've felt that way for a while now."
West Carter just recently lost to Ashland, 63-50, at Anderson Gym.
Lewis County took Fleming County to overtime before the Panthers prevailed earlier this month.
Russell and Boyd County split their meetings, with the Lions having a 79-59 win in the second clash.
Read the full story in Sunday's edition.


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Bluefield Daily Telegraph
Sandy left a fair amount of damage in her wake before leaving the two Virginias, but the resilience of local residents shined through after surviving a one-two punch of high winds and snow.
"We've been through this before," Welch Mayor Reba Honaker said Tuesday afternoon during a cell telephone interview. Thousands of Appalachian Power Co., customers in McDowell County lost power when strong winds and snow pushed through the mountains of southern West Virginia. On Tuesday morning, more than 20,000 APCO customers in the Bluefield Daily Telegraph's 7-county service area were powerless, but power crews worked through the challenges.
"We lost power at 2:30 a.m., (Tuesday)," Honaker said. "We have had firefighters and city crews out cutting trees out of the streets. When I was up on Belcher Mountain, it looked like we had about 5 or 6 inches of snow, but the wind was what got us.
"We don't have any electricity at city hall," Honaker said. "Wendy's (in Junior Poca) doesn't have any power. Goodson's (also in Junior Poca) has power now, but they're closed, but the Sterling Drive-in is open. Most of North Welch along Stewart Street didn't lose power. The winds are still blowing, but we're mostly quiet now." The city canceled its trunk or treat event scheduled tonight, and the county Fighters' Association canceled its ladder truck fundraiser scheduled Saturday at Riverside Park in downtown Welch.
"Right now, cell phones are about the best means of communication in the county," Honaker said. "I don't know how we ever got along without them." Cell service in several McDowell County communities remains spotty at best.
"Things are winding down now," Nick Fillo said Tuesday afternoon. Fillo is a meteorologist with the Blacksburg, Va., office of the National Weather Service. "We're keeping an eye on it, but the worst of the storm is over now and it's making its way north into central New York State. The circulation center of the storm is over Pennsylvania now. The winds are not nearly as strong as they were last night, but I guess I don't have to tell anyone in that area about that."
By 8 a.m., Tuesday morning, Bluefield had 11 inches of snow, while both Tazewell, Va., and Richlands, Va., reported 8 inches. The Winter Storm Warning is set to expire at 8 a.m., today, but the Weather Service is keeping a chance of snow in the forecast until early Thursday afternoon. Local night time temperatures should climb above the freezing mark on Friday and the daytime high temperature on Sunday should reach 54 degrees under mostly sunny skies.
During the height of the storm Monday night and early Tuesday morning, Craig Hammond said that the Bluefield Union Mission provided shelter for 12 people. "They were real hard luck cases," Hammond said. "A couple of them were elderly folks.
"It doesn't stop when the snow stops coming down," Hammond said. "It's non-stop with providing blankets, kerosene and food."
Bland County Administrator Eric Workman said that he. Sheriff Jerry Thompson and Lorin Handshew, emergency management coordinator for Bland County, traveled through the county Tuesday to access the extent of the problems.
"APCO is in the process of getting power restored to the people who lost power during the storm," Workman said. "Some parts of the county didn't get very much snow at all, but Rocky Gap and Ceres got quite a bit of snow. Of course, it wasn't anything in comparison to what they got up in Bluefield," Workman said.
The Wytheville, Va., based Division IV of the Virginia State Police responded to 617 calls for service starting at 12:01 a.m. Sunday through 10 a.m., on Tuesday. Statewide, the state police in Virginia answered a total of 5,098 calls during the Hurricane Sandy period.
— Contact Bill Archer at firstname.lastname@example.com


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Weatherford Democrat
— Jannett is a beautiful chocolate Aussie mix and is this week's Weatherford Parker County Animal Shelter's Pet of the Week.
She loves playing in the yard and going for long walks. She would be a great hiking partner or Frisbee girl because she is young and loves exercise. She is good with other dogs and ignores the kittens. She likes kids, too.
She is spayed and vaccinated and can pack a bag in a hurry. If you are interested in Jannett or any of her friends, they can be visited at the Weatherford Parker County Animal Shelter Tuesdays-Saturdays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., with extended hours on Wednesdays and Fridays until 6 p.m., or, visit the shelter's website at www.weatherfordtx.gov.
For the month of November the shelter is running a special with all adoptions just $40 that includes sterilization, vaccinations, microchip and all the love they will bring your family.
For those who can't adopt but would still like to help, Weatherford Parker County Animal Shelter always appreciates donations of cat litter, dog food, cat food, trash bags, cleaning supplies and monetary donations.


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@2stnyc presents a powerful and moving story contextualized by Latin culture.
Tag Archives: Tony Plana
Some excerpts from Ta-Nehisi Coates's tour de force on Obama, race and the limits of integration.
A perspective on the Oak Creek, WI shootings from a member of the Sikh community
In case you missed it, Ms. Badu's choice words to Mr. Coyne
A worthwhile read on the go-go legend


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|veto (ˈviːtəʊ)
|—n , pl -toes
|the power to prevent legislation or action proposed by others; prohibition: the presidential veto
|the exercise of this power
|(US) government Also called: veto message a document containing the reasons why a chief executive has vetoed a measure
|—vb , -toes, -toes, -toing, -toed
|to refuse consent to (a proposal, esp a government bill)
|to prohibit, ban, or forbid: her parents vetoed her trip
|[C17: from Latin: I forbid, from vetāre to forbid]
A vote that blocks a decision. In the United Nations, for example, each of the five permanent members of the Security Council has the power of veto.
The power of a president or governor to reject a bill proposed by a legislature by refusing to sign it into law. The president or governor actually writes the word veto (Latin for "I forbid") on the bill and sends it back to the legislature with a statement of his or her objections. The legislature may choose to comply by withdrawing or revising the bill, or it can override the veto and pass the law, by a two-thirds vote in each house.
Note: Originally intended to prevent Congress from passing unconstitutional laws, the veto is now used by the president as a powerful bargaining tool, especially when his objectives conflict with majority sentiment in Congress. (See also checks and balances.)


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Beachhead - Events for Suits
The planning for the conference at the Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina in Florianopolis, Brazil was proceeding well. Several tracks had been selected for the technical subjects, and the planning committee had put out a call for papers and selected several "invited talks" from speakers on topics they knew would be of interest to everyone—at least to all the techies.
But today, the organizers wanted to plan some conference topics for business people—managers who might not understand free software from a technical perspective and who would be bored by sessions on the brilliance of the emacs text editor.
"What about the suits?", asked JR, "What types of things should we do for them?"
I told JR that it is hard to get business people for even one day, and that you have to develop a special program for them. Also, their interests do not lie in technical subjects, but in making and saving money. Often their interests also relate to better products or customer service that can come from the careful application of free software.
We decided to set up a short four-hour conference for the business people, starting with a breakfast sponsored by a few computer vendors. The sponsorship would pay for the room, food and travel for some of the speakers.
"First, we will discuss briefly what free software is, and make it clear that the real value to the software is the freedom to change it to meet your needs", I said. "Some managers think that low cost is the only value."
We also decided to ask a local computer magazine to send one of its writers to discuss subjects such as "where to use free software in the enterprise" and "how to migrate and interoperate using free software". We knew this writer would be fair to free software and would tell customers the truth about how it would fit in to their environment.
"Next, we need case studies", I said. The best way of convincing business people that something will work is to show them another similar business person making money with free software. This makes the attendees see success, and later they can become your best case studies for future events, after they have been successful in their own businesses.
"How do we find these case studies?", Carlos asked. I answered, "You can go to the Web sites of your sponsoring companies or of local magazines and see if they have any articles about companies similar to the ones that you want to invite to your event. Often the sponsoring companies would be happy to work with their customers to get them to come to your event, and perhaps they will even sponsor the customer's travel to speak at your event."
Other items where business people want clarification are licensing, where to get support, where to get training and other business issues associated with using free software.
After the meeting is over, the business people can talk to the vendors at the vendor exhibit, so the breakfast room would have to be near the main event.
A lot of conferences do not like to have vendor exhibits, but I like having a small vendor exhibit area just to allow attendees to see "the latest and greatest" of the vendors' wares. It is recommended, however, to tell the vendors that you want tabletop displays, small displays that do not take up much room or resources, and that they should mirror the themes of the conference. If the conference deals with multimedia, you might invite vendors who make sound cards, solid-state music players, midi instruments and so on to your event—particularly if these work with free software. If your theme is rapid development, you might invite vendors of compiler suites, test harnesses and so on.
You also should recommend that vendors send some technical people who can answer technical questions, as well as marketing people.
Do not forget to invite the .org groups. These are often the most popular exhibits—a lot of the .org people are doing some really innovative and fun things. Also remember that .orgs usually have even less money than small start-up companies, so often you have to donate the booth to them or sell it to them at a real discount. And, any money you can save the vendors on items such as electricity and Internet support, which is typically very expensive in large venues, will be appreciated twice over by the .org people.
"What about advertising?", asked Dennis.
Although advertising is key, so is timing. These days, the Web is used to allow last-minute changes to programs, accommodations, travel tips and other things, but unless your Web site motivates attendees to come on the first viewing, you may never get them to come back for a second viewing. So, you need to make sure that enough information is available the first time potential attendees go to your site to make them register, and then update it with small items and changes as necessary.
Things necessary on the first showing of the Web site are location, time, themes for the event, main speakers (and hopefully the main speakers' topics, abstracts and bios), and fees (if any) to attend. The more speakers you have lined up by the time you take your Web site live, the better the Web site is for your event. A Web site with a lot of blank spaces does not inspire people to come to an event.
Although you should not advertise your site too early, you also should not advertise too late, as people make plans and may not be able to attend your event simply due to conflicting arrangements. With earlier warning, they might be able to reschedule the conflicting event or have enough time to talk their employers into sending them to the conference.
Once the Web site is ready, look for places to get low-cost or free advertising. Most Linux and PC magazines and on-line portals have event calendars. Most would be happy to include your event in those calendars. Local and public radio shows also have community calendars where they announce local events for free. University bulletin boards, library calendars and local newspapers are also good places to place small advertisements.
Entrance fees are always a touchy subject. A lot of free software people want everything to be free, not realizing that floor space, custodial care, security guards, insurance needs, electricity and Internet usage cost money. Some events charge very little to the attendees and get all of their money from sponsors and vendor sales. Often these low-cost events do not supply food to the attendees and instead have some type of meal plan available for a small fee or suggest that people eat outside of the event at a restaurant of their own choosing.
I have seen some free events, such as LinuxTAG in Germany, put together a small bag of goodies, such as donated CD-ROM collections, T-shirts and other donations from vendors, which are then sold to the attendees to raise money. And, some people either pass the hat for donations or raffle off items, such as a T-shirt signed by all the speakers. One time such a T-shirt brought several thousand dollars for the organizers to help cover costs.
Finally, have fun with your event. Putting together a one- or two-day conference should not be a person- and relationship-killing proposition. By planning ahead, you should be able to take the time to plan events without burning out anyone.
Jon "maddog" Hall is the Executive Director of Linux International (www.li.org), a nonprofit association of end users who wish to support and promote the Linux operating system. During his career in commercial computing, which started in 1969, Mr Hall has been a programmer, systems designer, systems administrator, product manager, technical marketing manager and educator. He has worked for such companies as Western Electric Corporation, Aetna Life and Casualty, Bell Laboratories, Digital Equipment Corporation, VA Linux Systems and SGI. He is now an independent consultant in Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) Business and Technical issues.
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The Norman Transcript
NORMAN — Oklahoma economic developers usually have their eyes on big-name employers who make a splash when they land. Boeing, Dell and Bass Pro get the headlines. But it's the small businesses that make the biggest impact on Oklahoma's economy.
A new report from the Small Business Administation says all of the net new jobs in Oklahoma from 2007 to 2010 were created by businesses with fewer than 500 employees.
The Tulsa World reports that in 2010, the state had 332,998 small businesses that employed 673,373 Oklahomans. Most of those employers work with companies with 20 to 499 employees.
The SBA says small businesses are responsible for 54.3 percent of private-sector jobs within Oklahoma compared to 49.1 percent for the nation, The World reports.
For local news and more, subscribe to The Norman Transcript Smart Edition, or our print edition.


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06 December 2011
As part of the 2010/11 federal budget, the government announced a $466.7 million investment over two years for a national PCEHR system for all Australians who choose to register online, beginning in 2012.
The new National E-Health Security and Access Framework (NESAF) is designed to provide the information security foundation for the PCEHR system. It provides the health sector a common approach and language for protecting patient information in Australia and reassurance to people concerned about their privacy, said Peter Fleming, NEHTA's chief executive officer, in releasing the framework.
The NESAF defines both conceptual and implementation guidance for managing the control and monitoring of access to personal health information as it transits the country's health sector.
The framework is based on international and local standards for information security drawing on experience in the e-health arena and has been constructed as a toolkit to support organizations designing, implementing, and operating e-health products, Fleming explained.
In addition, IBM is building a national authentication service for the PCEHR system under an A$23.6 million NEHTA contract awarded earlier this year.
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To the editor:
I moved to Newbury two and one half years ago because of its refreshingly simple, yet self-reliant way of life. Its rugged beauty, uncluttered in contrast with many other already too-busy and exploited suburbs, was intriguing. Unlike what supporters of the trash tower may believe, I do not look at Newbury as old-fashioned; I look at it as wise and cautious in its decisions and a respite from a lot of clutter in other areas.
If it is solely for the sake of aesthetics that the trash tower be turned down, that's fine with me. I would like Carol Baum to think about visual arts in harmony with their surrounding and their community. This project should not be a statement from one person only. Why would anyone even think of turning the beautiful Upper Green into an arresting statement when everything about it displays a strong tie with a community ethos, a pretty, central, pleasant area to just "be." If Carol Baum can think of a solution to rid the Upper Green of the Canada geese, then I might consider supporting her, but to erect a 12-foot trash tower on the Green is ludicrous, at the least.
I am not sure where she sees all the trash that she collects in her daily walks. I walk 5 to 6 miles three times each week and I never see much trash at all. I agree with the selectmen that perhaps an electronic signboard would be helpful to announce town events and I, likewise, agree with Joe Storey that the posters, etc. that are placed alongside the Green can be very unsightly. So, yes, we should think of a solution to these dilemmas — one that is based in common sense and respect for Newbury's uniqueness. Let's remember why we live in Newbury ... and not Cambridge.
Claire Dix


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Traverse City Record-Eagle
---- — Gift of warmth
TRAVERSE CITY — Precision Plumbing & Heating in Traverse City is looking nominations for its Extreme Precision Make-Over.
Nominations should include the submitter's name and telephone number, the nominee's name, telephone number, home address and mailing address if different, details of the nominee's current heating situation (forced air, boiler, etc.), type of home, general age of home, and most importantly an explanation of the nominee's situation and why they should be chosen. Precision Plumbing & Heating will chose a situation they feel will benefit the most and install a top-of-the-line Trane Comfort System at no charge.
Entries must be postmarked or emailed by Sunday, Dec. 15. Submission forms are available at www.precisiontc.com and may be mailed to P.P.H.S., attn.: Extreme Precision Make-Over, 2829 Cass Rd., Traverse City, MI 49695. Completed entries also may be emailed to firstname.lastname@example.com.
Garden Club lunch
TORCH RIVER — The Juniper Garden Club of South Torch Lake will host their annual Christmas luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4, at the Torch Riviera. New members are welcome.
Benzie Dems party
BENZONIA — All Benzie County Democrats are invited to a free winter holiday celebration on Friday, Dec. 6.
The event will start at 5:30 p.m. at Grow Benzie, 5885 M-115. A potluck dinner will be followed by socializing and live music. Celebrants should bring a dish to share and also may bring their own alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages. Meat and some beverages will be provided. Donations for the Benzie County Baby Pantry also will be collected.
Lego competition
TRAVERSE CITY — Fifteen teams of northern Michigan students will gather on Saturday, Dec. 7, at Grand Traverse Academy for the qualifying tournament of Michigan's 2013 FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Lego League "Nature's Fury" Challenge.
Teams have found a community partner, identified a problem faced by the community's people and property in a natural disaster and, using Lego Mindstorm kits, built, programmed and tested autonomous robots to create an innovative solution to the problem that will be judged in three categories at the competition. Winners will advance to the Michigan championship competition Dec. 14 in Flint.
The public is invited to observe the all-day competition at the school, 1245 Hammond Road. For details, visit http://firstlegoleague.org/challenge/2013naturesfury.
Holiday confections
TRAVERSE CITY — The Old Mission Women's Club will hold its 18th annual Christmas Cookie Sale on Saturday, Dec. 7.
Sale hours are 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at Peninsula Fire Station #2, 8150 Center Road. Homebaked cookies are $7 per pound and come in hand-decorated containers. There also will be free coffee and harp music by Sharon Olson.
Candle lighting
TRAVERSE CITY — The Grand Traverse Chapter of the Compassionate Friends will host a Memorial Candle Lighting for families who have lost a child or individuals who have lost a sibling at Central United Methodist Church, 222 Cass St.
A gathering at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 8, will be followed by the candle lighting at 7 p.m. Candles will be furnished and music will be provided by the Woody Swift Eagle. Participants are invited to bring a framed photo of their child or sibling for the picture table. Refreshments will be served. For details, call 946-9306 or 256-9343.
Backpack project
TRAVERSE CITY — Performance Chiropractic is helping the local branch of Blessings in a Backpack this holiday season.
Blessings fills backpacks with food every Friday and sends them home with qualified students. The students return the backpack on Monday to be filled again on Friday. Donations for food items appropriate for the program will be accepted through Wednesday, Dec. 18, at Performance Chiropractic, 551 S. Garfield Ave.
The business is offering a free chiropractic/neurological consultation in exchange for donations. For details about donating monetarily, a list of specific food items, drop-off hours or directions, call 922-0110 or visit www.performancechirointc.com.
Madrigal Dinner
TRAVERSE CITY — Tickets are on sale for the West Senior High School Madrigal Dinner.
The dinner will be hosted at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13, through Sunday, Dec. 15, at the West Senior High School Commons Area, 5376 N. Long Lake Road. Tickets are $35 each. For details or tickets, call 933-7509.


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Jim Grobe usually begins a post-game press conference by soliciting questions, not with editorial comments or game analysis. But after Wake Forest defeated N.C. State 28-13 on Saturday at Winston-Salem, the veteran Deacon coach opened with a heartfelt and perhaps strategic departure from custom, praising and thanking his supportive boss, athletics director Ron Wellman.
Displaying the lightheartedness that often accompanies victory, Grobe elicited laughter from his media audience by observing of the AD, He was at nearly every practice this week, and he didnt suggest one play.
The decisive win did more than improve Wakes season record to 3-3 on the heels of what Grobe called an embarrassing 56-7 demolition at Clemson. The immediate impact went beyond the extension of a home winning streak against the Wolfpack to six straight, or raising Grobes record against North Carolina schools to 32-10, 21-3 at BB&T Field.
For a moment, at least, the Wake Forest program earned a respite from the carping of those whod apparently forgotten what life was like before Grobes arrival for the 2001 season.
Were in a business where the results are very important, and theyre very measurable too, Wellman said in an interview just prior to kickoff against N.C. State. You cant get away from wins and losses in our profession. We all are measured by that. Thats a part of what we do.
By that standard, until recently Grobes tenure at Wake tied for seventh-longest among active FBS coaches has been a thing of beauty. If Clemson is the most difficult place to win in ACC basketball, then Wake Forest presents perhaps the greatest mountain to climb in conference football.
In the 48 ACC seasons prior to Grobes arrival from Ohio University, the Deacons managed 10 winning records and a single league championship (1970) under 11 different coaches. The program was rarely relevant in conference competition; only Duke had fewer winning seasons since the mid-60s.
By contrast, the Deacons posted winning records in five of Grobes first eight seasons. That included three in a row, a first at the school since 1950-52. The 2006-08 run was capped by an ACC title in 2006 and an Orange Bowl berth, achieved despite the leagues addition of football-oriented Boston College, Miami and Virginia Tech.
Wakes championship was last matched by one of North Carolinas other ACC schools when Steve Spurriers Blue Devils tied Virginia for first in 1989. The most recent Orange Bowl appearance by one of the states other ACC members was Dukes at the conclusion of the 1957 season.
Even taking into account the modern games bloated bowl roster, its noteworthy that Wake Forest made five postseason appearances prior to Grobes arrival, and five since. His programs cumulative bowl record is 3-2.
All this was accomplished at the third-smallest FBS school in the nation after Tulsa and Rice; at an academically rigorous university; with few top-level recruits but plenty of savvy and discipline; and during an era when the resources and attention commanded by college football have reached unprecedented levels.
No doubt Wake has stumbled recently. The Deacons finished higher than fourth in the Atlantic Division once in the past four seasons (2011), and dont look to be in great shape this year, either. Last seasons injuries, off-field problems, and poor play led to four losses in the final five games.
Program slippage continued this September with the decisive defeat at third-ranked Clemson and a home loss to lowly Louisiana Monroe. Combined with the ongoing travails of Wake basketball under Jeff Bzdelik, the level of frustration with Wellmans regime rumbles on the horizon like thunder, threatening to engulf all within the path of the gathering storm.
Conventional wisdom holds that boosters are less likely to bestow largesse upon a struggling program. No one can doubt, either, that big-time college athletics is a bottom-line business. And the average fan (or media member) need not worry about Grobes welfare when the personable, plain-spoken West Virginian reportedly makes $2.25 million annually and has three years left on a decade-long contract.
Yet the notion Grobe should be expected to maintain a level of success at Wake more appropriate to a traditional football school ought to give pause. As it is, the win over the Wolfpack left him one shy of tying Peahead Walker for the most victories (77) in Wake history.
Sure, coaches stay too long and have to be pried from the helm of a faltering program. The slow decline of Florida State under Bobby Bowden comes to mind. At some point, though, reformers seeking to lessen booster influence and reduce compromises in recruiting, admissions and ongoing player eligibility must ask whether a principled coach fielding competitive teams should command job security similar to that of a college professor.
The possibility of tenure left Grobe chuckling in the hallway outside the cozy press room at BB&T Field. Itd be nice, he said. We could try it, Id be happy to try it.
Not that he took the notion seriously. If you knew no matter what you did, other than do bad things with the kids, if you knew no matter how many games you won or lost you were always going to have a job, I think youd lose your edge a little bit, said the 61-year-old.
Instead he expressed satisfaction with his lot despite improved ACC competition, impatient fans and the realization hes unlikely to have another chance to go to a power program such as Arkansas, which came calling in 2007.
We want to go back to the Orange Bowl. We want to win an ACC championship again, Grobe said, voice shifting to a staccato rhythm. We want to go to bowl games. We want to win bowl games. We want to do all those kind of things. But Wake Forest is a place where theres more to it than the Xs and Os. Thats why Ive been here for 13 years, because weve got the right people at Wake Forest that have their priorities straight.
Well see.


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It's Time to Review Retirement Path
"Spend 'Til the End" challenges traditional retirement planning advice.
"Consumption smoothing" is an ungainly label to describe a different way of analyzing your lifetime spending needs. It is the centerpiece of a recent book called Spend 'Til the End, by Laurence Kotlikoff, an economist at Boston University, and Scott Burns, a syndicated personal-finance columnist.
By way of a disclaimer, I have known Larry for a few years and Scott for a few decades. I don't always agree with what they say, but I can vouch for the integrity they bring to the process. If Larry and Scott could gain Suze Orman popularity by changing their views or dumbing down their message, they would happily choose conscience-clear lives of obscurity.
With their book resting comfortably at number 24,711 in the Amazon rankings, I don't think Suze has anything to worry about.
But the rest of us have lots to worry about. The gravity of our economic condition will become even more painfully clear as the election buzz wears off and we're confronted with the reality of a continuing global malaise that is proving resistant to all forms of financial antibiotics.
Even as banks show signs of resuming lending, the pool of borrowers is shrinking, and we are pretty much assured of a serious recession that will hang around for a long time. Investment markets will be slow to recover, and consumer spending, the engine of the U.S. economy, has gone into early hibernation that will last not only through this winter but quite possibly next winter as well.
Against this backdrop, it is a very good time to revisit fundamental assumptions about your future spending needs, and Larry and Scott are excellent guides for this journey.
Because I do aspire to Suze Orman status, let me dumb down their arguments for you.
1) Traditional financial planning models are built on needlessly conservative assumptions, including post-retirement spending needs that do not reflect the actual spending needs of real households. These models primarily serve the interests of financial advisers, retirement fund companies, and others whose livelihoods depend on the fees they earn from consumers.
2) Individuals often ask the wrong questions and rarely have the information needed to make sound decisions.
3) Consumption smoothing uses sophisticated computer models to more accurately help consumers plot lifelong spending and investment programs. The goal is to build spending plans over a lifetime, enabling people to meet their goals as they age and still have sufficient resources to live out increasingly long retirement periods.
"Economic common sense, you'll come to see, is at complete odds with conventional financial planning," the authors say. "Indeed, this book will argue that virtually every bit of conventional financial wisdom you've heard over the years is simply wrong."
Whether you end up agreeing with this point of view, making your way through Spend ' Til the End is a great way of testing your own assumptions about the important objectives in your life and whether the cost of achieving those objectives is really what you thought it was. In the end, the book is all about asking the right questions. You're the only one who can supply the answers that reflect your resources, needs, and goals.
Many of those questions are not so obvious. I found, for example, that the book was a particularly effective tax guide. Even for mere mortals who don't run hedge funds, tax consequences affect virtually all major spending and investment decisions, and their impact is often decisive in guiding what you should do. State tax rates can be particularly important for retirees and should be factored into major spending decisions.
Larry has embodied the discipline of consumption smoothing in a fee-based online program called ESPlanner. It sits on top of databases that contain details on state and federal taxes and other information that should be factored into consumption planning. It also provides some good, and free, looks into specific arguments contained in the book. Scott provides an investment service called AssetBuilder that is consistent with the book's philosophy.


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Helena G. Roman
ONEONTA — Helena G. Roman, 84, of Oneonta, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013, at home with her family at her side.
Helena was born in Cohoes on Oct. 15, 1928, the daughter of Georges Henri and Helena Margaret (Wagner) Giroux.
She married Michael W. Roman on Oct. 14, 1950, and he predeceased her on July 28, 2008.
Helena was a graduate of Catholic Central High School in Troy. She attended the College of St. Rose in Albany, the Cohoes Conservatory of Music, and SUNY Oneonta.
Helena had a great passion for music, as she was a charter member of the Catskill Choral Society, and at one time performed with the Saratoga-Potsdam Chorus.
She was a member of St. Mary's Church, the Rosary Society, and sang in the choir for more than 60 years.
She is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Patricia Rein, and her husband, Eugene of Rotterdam, Kathryn Tsoukatos, and her husband, Michael of Clarendon, Margaret Linkous of Erie, Pa., and Susanne O'Donnell, and her husband, James of Oneonta; 12 grandchildren, Erik Rein, Rebecca O'Connor (Brian), and Cynthia Rein, Michelle and Andrew Tsoukatos, Aaron Linkous, Stephanie Pierce, Danielle Linkous, and Amanda Aldrich (Bill), James S. O'Donnell (Leslie), Shaun O'Donnell (Elizabeth) and Adam O'Donnell; 10 great-grandchildren; a brother, George Giroux of Cohoes; her brother-in-law, Joseph Roman of Oneonta; and a sister-in-law, Donna Giroux of Schuylerville; as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was predeceased by her brother, Joseph Giroux; and a grandson, Edward J. O'Donnell.
A funeral Mass will be offered at 10:15 a.m. Monday, Oct. 7, 2013, at St. Mary's Church, 39 Walnut St., Oneonta with the Rev. David Mickiewicz, officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Emmons.
Friends may call at the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, 14 Grand St., Oneonta, from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013, at which time the family will be in attendance.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Catskill Area Hospice, 1 Birchwood Drive, Oneonta, NY 13820
Condolences to the family may be made online by visiting the website at www.grummonsfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are by the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, Oneonta.


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Sam Lunt, the Head Trainer of the men's basketball team, responsibilities revolve around the athletic department's sports medicine and medical operations. This year marks his 28th season with the Seminoles and throughout these seasons he has been the associate director of sports medicine. Lunt oversees the team's medical needs, maintains all emergency action plans and is in charge of purchasing for the sports medicine department, as well as continues to teach courses in sports medicine curriculum.
Lunt began working with the men's basketball team in 1988 and is the longest tenured member of the Florida State basketball staff. The Seminoles have appeared in seven NCAA Tournaments, four NIT tournaments and won the 1991 Metro Conference tournament with Lunt on the sidelines. He has been the trainer for both of Florida State's NBA Draft Lottery selections: Al Thornton in 2007 and George McCloud in 1989 and worked extensively with Toney Douglas who was selected in the first round of the 2009 NBA Draft and Chris Singleton who was selected in the first round of the 2011 NBA Draft.
Lunt came to Florida State in 1983 after receiving his bachelor's degree in athletic training from the University of Miami. While at Miami, he worked as a student trainer in the Hurricane athletic department and served as an assistant trainer with the Miami Dolphins of the NFL during the summer of 1982. As a graduate assistant at Florida State, Lunt worked with the Seminole football team while earning his master's degree in sports psychology. During the 1985 spring football season, he worked for the Jacksonville Bulls of the USFL.
Lunt was a member of the training staff at the 1989 World University Games in Duisburg, Germany, the 1987 U.S. Olympic Festival and 1991 AAU Junior Olympics that were held in Tallahassee.
Lunt was named the Professional Outreach Athletic Trainer of the Year by the Athletic Trainers' Association of Florida in 2004. He became the first recipient of the award given by the ATAF to the trainer who has done their best to advance the profession and the association.
Lunt,50, is married to the former Agnes Bundick. The couple has three children: Ryan, (14) and 11-year old twins, Sean and Erin. He is a certified member of the National Athletic Trainers Association.
updated September 2011


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The Town of Locust Grove received a jaw-dropping bill from Tracy Engineering Services, demanding payment for over $64,000 for services provided over a four-year period. Tracy Engineering was to have provided services to the town in regard to a major upgrade project at the wastewater treatment plant.
Bill Tracy first presented an invoice in the amount of $64,272.50, including a detailed invoice, on April 6, 2010. He addressed the board of trustees later in the month, but the issue was tabled.
Recently, the town received a letter from Attorney James E. Saunders, representing Tracy in the
Town Attorney Tammy Ward said she has an original contract, dated Sept. 6, 2005, but she has questions about that document.
"The engineering contract I have contains a signature from Odie Butler, Jr., witnessed by Jessica Noble," Ward said. "There is no signature from Tracy or an additional witness on this contract." Butler was mayor and Noble was the office manager at that time.
In addition, City Clerk Tamatha Ogilvie said she couldn't find a corresponding town meeting where the contract was on the agenda to be approved.
"I looked on either side of that date to try and find a meeting that addressed it, but didn't find anything," Ogilvie said, adding that her search will broaden to make sure nothing was missed.
In addition, Ward said that in paragraph three of the contract, which may or may not be valid, it states that engineering services are not expected to exceed $5,000.
"It also states that services are to be invoiced monthly with balance due by the 10th," Ward said.
Ogilvie has come up empty on that issue as well.
"I could not find anything. No statements, no proof of payment. Nothing," Ogilvie said.
No one on the current board was serving in that capacity at the time of the supposed contract with the exception of Heath Holman, who was new to the board and had no prior knowledge of Tracy.
Former mayor Shawn Bates appeared at the meeting to answer questions about Tracy's contract.
"When I came onto the board, you know, I didn't know anything about water plants," Bates said. "You find out that there's a major project underway and you have to jump in the middle of it and find out what's going on."
Bates said he discovered that "plans" submitted by Tracy to the Department of Environmental Quality had been sent back.
"Then plans were resubmitted and turned back again," Bates said. "Then we get a letter from DEQ and we get whopped upside the head that we've lost a $250,000 grant on the project because we did not meet time constraints that we had to meet."
Public Works Authority Supervisor Janet Donnelly said while she wasn't at Locust Grove at the time, she could say the plans that were submitted were most likely engineer reports and one was finally approved by DEQ.
Bates said that while Tracy "did do work," he understood that Tracy would only be paid if the project was done and that the loss of the grant sidelined the project.
"We decided to concentrate on (water) distribution problems instead of treatment plant issues," Bates said.
After discussion, trustees asked Ward to draft a letter to Tracy's attorney in response.
"I'm writing the attorney and stating that we do not have a legal contract that we can find and request a copy of such a contract if it exists," Ward said.
A new engineering firm was retained by the town a year before Tracy began contacting the town regarding payment for services rendered.