text:
Filed December 5, 2007
In re Hall Adams, III
Commission No. 05 CH 30
Synopsis of Review Board Report and Recommendation
(December 2007)
The Administrator filed a three-count complaint charging Respondent-Appellee, Hall Adams, III, with misconduct based on false billing. In each count, the complaint charged that Adams engaged in conduct involving fraud, dishonesty, deceit, or misrepresentation, conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice, and conduct that tends to defeat the administration of justice or bring the courts or legal profession into disrepute. In his answer, Adams admitted many of the facts alleged in the complaint, plus additional incidents of false billing.
The Hearing Board found that Adams engaged in all of the misconduct charged. The Hearing Board recommended that Adams be suspended for five and a half months.
The case was before the Review Board on the Administrator's exceptions, objecting to the Hearing Board's sanction recommendation. Adams sought to have the Review Board uphold the Hearing Board's sanction recommendation or recommend a lesser sanction. Neither party challenged the Hearing Board's findings of misconduct, which the Review Board affirmed.
The Review Board majority concurred in the Hearing Board's recommendation of a five and a half month suspension. The Review Board majority relied on the mitigating factors presented and deferred to the Hearing Board's assessment of the demeanor of Adams and his witnesses, in concluding that it was highly unlikely that Adams would engage in similar misconduct in the future.
The third member of the review panel dissented from the majority's sanction recommendation. The dissent recommended a suspension for one year, given the seriousness of Adams's misconduct and the principle that there should be consistent discipline for similar misconduct.
|In the Matter of:
No. 6194886.
Commission No. 05 CH 30
The Administrator-Appellant filed a three-count complaint charging Respondent-Appellee, Hall Adams, III, with misconduct based on false billing. Each count charged that Adams engaged in conduct involving fraud, dishonesty, deceit, or misrepresentation in violation of Rule 8.4(a)(4) of the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct (210 Ill. 2d R. 8.4(a)(4)), conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice in violation of Rule 8.4(a)(5) of the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct (210 Ill. 2d R. 8.4(a)(5)), and conduct that tends to defeat the administration of justice or bring the courts or legal profession into disrepute in violation of Supreme Court Rule 770 (210 Ill. 2d R. 770).
Adams admitted many of the facts alleged in the complaint, as well as incidents of false billing in addition to that charged by the Administrator.
The Hearing Board found that Adams engaged in the misconduct charged and recommended that Adams be suspended for five and a half months.
The case is before the Review Board on the Administrator's exceptions. The Administrator challenges the Hearing Board's sanction recommendation, seeking to have the Review Board recommend a suspension of one year. Adams seeks to have the Review Board uphold the Hearing Board's sanction recommendation or recommend a shorter suspension.
Adams was licensed to practice law in Illinois in 1988. He has no prior discipline. At the time of the hearing, Adams was in private practice, sharing space with other attorneys. Adams concentrated in plaintiff's personal injury work. He also did some business litigation, as co-counsel with other attorneys. Two attorneys worked for Adams. Adams worked with those attorneys on a contractual basis, rather than employing them, pending the outcome of the disciplinary case.
Before opening his own office, Adams was employed at Williams, Montgomery, & John and concentrated his practice in insurance defense. Adams began working at Williams, Montgomery in 1990 as an associate. In 1995, Adams became a non-equity partner. He became an equity partner in 2002; as such, he shared in any firm profits. Adams was managing partner from 1998-2000 and again from 2002 until he resigned from the firm. As managing partner, Adams had various responsibilities, including recruiting new attorneys, assisting in managing the support staff, helping manage workloads, and dealing with outside service providers. Those duties occupied significant time, although it was less than half of Adams's time.
When Adams began working for Williams, Montgomery, the firm required attorneys to bill a minimum of 900 hours every six months. This was increased to 1000 hours while Adams was either an associate or a non-equity partner. About the time Adams became an equity partner, the minimum billing requirement was increased to 2100 hours per year. During his tenure at Williams, Montgomery, Adams's time was billed at an hourly rate that ranged from $100 to $250. In 2000-03, his annual salary was approximately $200,000 - $250,000.
While at Williams, Montgomery, Adams typically arrived at his office at 6:15 a.m. on Monday through Friday. He was the first person to arrive in the morning. He typically did not get home until 8:00 - 8:45 p.m. Adams generally worked every Saturday, from about
4:00 a.m. until mid-afternoon. He also regularly worked every Sunday morning. He took only two or three vacations in the over 13 years he was employed at the firm. Adams thus billed over the firm's customary billing requirements, and typically billed more than any other attorney in the firm, i.e. about 2300 - 2400 hours per year.
Compensation was determined by a committee of equity partners in the firm. Adams testified that the number of hours he worked did not have a direct impact on his compensation, except that, when he was an associate and a non-equity partner, the number of hours billed was used as a benchmark for compensation. When he became an equity partner, his share of the profits was small, so his own billed hours had a relatively small impact on his compensation.
When he worked on a case at Williams, Montgomery, Adams prepared records of the time he spent and any expenses he incurred. Adams forwarded these records to the firm's billing department, which used the records to prepare a billing memorandum. The memorandum was sent to the attorney who submitted the time and expense records, so the attorney could review the entries for accuracy and make any corrections needed. The partner in charge then also reviewed and, if necessary, corrected the memorandum and returned it to the billing department. The billing department then generated a bill and sent it to the client.
While at Williams, Montgomery, Adams was assigned to work for Alpha Therapeutic Corp. Multiple product liability cases were pending against Alpha Therapeutic, including three cases filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County that had been consolidated. Count I related to Adams's billing of Everest National Insurance Co., for legal services provided to its insured, Alpha Therapeutic, in connection with those cases.
When Adams attended court proceedings on the consolidated cases, the three cases were generally heard at the same time. Adams, however, billed the full amount of time spent in court for each of the three matters. Adams claimed to have spent 41.05 hours, for which fees totaling $9,853 were billed and paid. This represented triple billing. This conduct occurred between April 2000 and October 2002.
Count II related to Gwinner Oil Co., which was also insured by Everest. Adams represented Gwinner in litigation. He billed in that matter for court appearances that he did not make, depositions that he did not attend, and a vehicle inspection that he did not attend. In addition, Adams billed for expenses that he did not incur. Everest paid, on Gwinner's behalf, at least some of these false bills.
Between October 2002 and September 2003, Adams billed 30.80 hours, representing $5,388.00 in fees, to Everest for the Gwinner litigation. Between October 2, 2003 and November 23, 2003, Adams prepared time records in which he purported to have spent 49.20 hours on the Gwinner matter, which would represent fees of $8,856.00. Adams also purportedly incurred expenses of $293.60 on November 13, 2003. These items were not billed, as the misconduct was discovered before this bill was sent.
Count III involved allegations that, between January 2002 and October 2003, Adams submitted false billing statements for representing various clients. This count involved 34 entries, totaling 73.5 hours. Adams testified that, in those cases, he billed for activities that he did not perform, including court appearances, depositions, and travel time.
On November 18, 2003, Charles Barry Montgomery, a principal of the firm, received information that Adams had billed for attending a deposition in the Gwinner litigation that he had not actually attended. Montgomery met with Adams that day, and Adams admitted
the improper billing for the deposition in the Gwinner matter. Adams also told Montgomery that there were other matters in which he had billed for services that he had not actually performed.
The firm did an internal audit to identify any other potentially improper entries in Adams's billing over the preceding two years. Adams and his attorneys reviewed the audit results. Adams cooperated in providing information to the firm. He corrected some items and advised the firm of additional fictitious billing entries the firm had not identified. Adams testified that every fictitious bill he submitted was included in the allegations of the Administrator's complaint, as supplemented by his answer.
Adams resigned from Williams, Montgomery on December 15, 2003, after completing a previously scheduled trial. Adams reported his misconduct to the ARDC.
Adams agreed to reimburse the firm for any charges the firm's clients had paid for services Adams had not rendered and expenses he had not incurred, including any amounts later determined to have been improperly billed and paid. Adams and the firm reached an agreement as to the amount due; consistent with the agreement, Adams paid Williams, Montgomery a little over $28,000. Adams made this payment after his resignation, and very shortly after completion of the firm's audit into the amount of improper billing. The firm refunded this money to any clients who had been overbilled.
Adams testified that his misconduct arose out of his desire to achieve, rather than being motivated by financial gain. Adams stated that he had been ambitious, arrogant, and overly driven and that he thought he had to be "the number one guy." He perceived the number of hours billed as the way to achieve. Adams recognized that his behavior was wrong and accepted sole responsibility for his misconduct. He testified that this type of behavior was limited to billing at Williams, Montgomery and did not extend into other aspects of his life.
Adams also testified that he had come to understand that being number one was not the key and that being good was much more satisfying. He had learned from the lawyers with whom he shared space that the important thing was not to nickel and dime clients or sneak an hour here or there, but to help people. Adams testified that that was what he was trying to do in his current practice.
Adams no longer dealt with billable hours in his practice, because most of his cases were taken on a contingency basis. Adams did some work on an hourly basis, but solely in situations in which he was co-counsel. In those cases, all of Adams's time was billed through the lawyer with whom Adams was collaborating.
At the time of the hearing, Adams was 43 years old. He was married and had two daughters.
Adams had one sister. When Adams was seven years old, he witnessed their mother being murdered. His sister, then age 2, was also in the house. This information was presented as background, to explain the testimony regarding Adams's ongoing care and concern for his sister, who had been significantly affected by the incident. Adams testified that the incident did not affect his misconduct.
Adams participated in athletics during high school and college. While in high school, he was involved in a service organization and ran a Christmas tree sale to raise money to provide scholarships to disadvantaged youths. Adams regularly had summer jobs in high school.
While in college, Adams attended the Marine Corps Officers Training Camp in Quantico, Virginia. He intended to join the Marine Corps after graduation, but health issues prevented him from doing so at that time.
Therefore, Adams decided to go to law school. He was licensed to practice law in 1987. Adams then joined the Marine Corps. The health issues that previously prevented his enlistment had been resolved. During most of his active duty, Adams worked as a lawyer in the Marines. Adams was in the reserves for a couple of years after his active duty ended. He joined Williams, Montgomery after completing his active military duty.
Adams formerly worked with the Constitutional Rights Foundation, teaching grade school and high school students how the legal system worked. He donated blood on a regular basis.
John Clinton Mabie testified as a character witness. Mabie and Adams had been friends since childhood. Mabie was a client relationship manager for the Chicago Community Trust, a charitable endowment. Adams was a member of the Springboard Foundation, an organization founded by Mabie's brother, which worked to teach successful young professionals about philanthropy and to support after school programs and growing non-profit organizations. Members donated $5,000 per year to the foundation. In addition, Adams solicited others to join Springboard as members. Adams also reviewed several of the organizations the foundation supported and reported to the foundation how those organizations were doing.
Mabie testified that Adams was a person of unquestioned integrity and utmost truthfulness, who gave 110% to everything he did. Mabie was aware of the charges against Adams. While Mabie was disappointed in Adams because of this situation, it did not change his opinion of Adams.
Attorney Robert Cummings also testified as a character witness for Adams. Cummings had a long history of involvement in bar association work, particularly in the area of professional responsibility. He had chaired the Illinois Judicial Inquiry Board for eight years,
chaired the judiciary committee of the Chicago Bar Association, and served on the ARDC Review Board for seven years. Cummings had known Adams for about ten years. Cummings was in the suite of offices in which Adams practiced after leaving Williams, Montgomery. Adams and Cummings were co-counsel on a number of cases.
Cummings testified that Adams was a highly competent attorney and a person of highest integrity. Cummings considered Adams to be a very decent person and a good lawyer. Other people with whom Cummings had spoken had a similar opinion. Cummings knew of the charges against Adams; they did not change his opinion or Adams's reputation.
Attorney Edward Pacer met Adams when Pacer was an associate at Williams, Montgomery. Pacer testified that Adams acted as a mentor for many younger attorneys. Adams and Pacer set up training programs at the firm for summer associates and new associates. Pacer had worked with Adams on cases while at Williams, Montgomery. After leaving the firm, Pacer referred cases to Adams and worked with him on various cases. They had also become friends.
Pacer testified that Adams had a reputation, both in and outside the legal community, for being an honest person. Pacer described Adams as a good lawyer, with an excellent reputation for honesty, truthfulness, and integrity. Pacer was aware of the charges against Adams and testified that they did not change his opinion of Adams's reputation.
Jan Dragovich-Stulberg (Dragovich) is the executive director of the Center for Disability and Elder Law (CDEL). The CDEL primarily refers cases to attorneys for pro bono representation. Adams joined the CDEL as a pro bono attorney about two years before the hearing. Dragovich had frequent contact with Adams. She described him as someone whom she could call on in an emergency, on short notice, and for complex cases. Adams obtained good results for the clients Dragovich referred to him and CDEL's clients were very pleased with him.
Dragovich testified that Adams had a reputation within the CDEL for very high integrity. She was aware of the charges against him, and they did not change her opinion of his reputation.
Attorney Michael Coffield had been actively involved with the Chicago Bar Association and the American Inns of Court. He was a founder of the Chicago Inns of Court. Coffield had known Adams for five or six years. After Adams left Williams, Montgomery, Coffield invited Adams to office in a suite Coffield shared with other attorneys, including Cummings. Coffield had worked with Adams on various cases. Coffield testified that Adams performed pro bono work for many people, beyond his work for the CDEL. Coffield also testified that Adams acted as a mentor for the young attorneys who officed in the same space.
Coffield testified that Adams had a reputation of having the highest character, the highest legal abilities and professionalism. Coffield knew of the charges against Adams. They did not change Coffield's view of Adams, particularly as Adams responded to the situation with a desire to make things right and ensure that no one suffered financial loss.
The Hearing Board's findings of misconduct are unchallenged. The only issue concerns the sanction recommended by the Hearing Board.
The Hearing Board's recommendation as to discipline is advisory. In re Ingersoll, 186 Ill. 2d 163, 178, 710 N.E.2d 390, 237 Ill. Dec. 760 (1999). In fashioning the proper sanction in any given case, the Review Board must consider each case, based on its own particular facts and circumstances, while remaining aware that the system seeks to impose sanctions consistent with those imposed in other similar cases. Ingersoll, 186 Ill. 2d at 177-78, 710 N.E.2d 390, 237 Ill. Dec. 760; In re Timpone, 157 Ill. 2d 178, 197, 623 N.E.2d 300, 191 Ill. Dec. 55 (1993). In imposing discipline, the purpose is not to punish the individual respondent, but to protect the public, maintain the integrity of the profession, and protect the administration of justice from
reproach. In re Spak, 188 Ill. 2d 53, 719 N.E.2d 747, 241 Ill. Dec. 618 (1999); Timpone, 157 Ill. 2d at 197, 623 N.E.2d 300, 191 Ill. Dec. 55.
Aggravating and mitigating factors are to be considered. In re Witt, 145 Ill. 2d 380, 398, 583 N.E.2d 526, 164 Ill. Dec. 610 (1991). Mitigating factors can include a lack of prior discipline, cooperation in the disciplinary process, and favorable character evidence. See In re Twohey, 191 Ill. 2d 75, 90, 727 N.E.2d 1028, 245 Ill. Dec. 294 (2000). The extent to which a respondent is, or is not, candid with the Hearing Board is relevant, as is the extent to which a respondent does, or does not, accept responsibility for his or her misconduct. In re Gorecki, 208 Ill. 2d 350, 367-69, 802 N.E.2d 1194, 280 Ill. Dec. 673 (2003). Community service and pro bono legal activities are mitigating factors. Gorecki, 208 Ill. 2d at 368-69, 802 N.E.2d 1194, 280 Ill. Dec. 673.
In arguing for a one-year suspension, the Administrator relies primarily on the principle that consistent sanctions should be imposed in similar cases and the seriousness of Adams's misconduct.
Intentional, repeated false billing is serious misconduct, which merits serious discipline. See e.g., In re Walsh, No. M.R. 16705 (June 30, 2000); In re Quinlivan, No. 01 CH 10 (Review Board July 21, 2004), petition for leave to file exceptions denied, No. M.R. 9653 (Nov. 17, 2004). A suspension is warranted by the nature and extent of Adams's misconduct. Given the nature and extent of the misconduct, a shorter suspension than that recommended by the Hearing Board is not warranted.
The disciplinary system's goal of consistency in sanctions in similar cases is a valid consideration in choosing a sanction in a particular case. However, the goal of discipline is not punishment, but protection of the public. See Spak, 188 Ill. 2d 53, 719 N.E.2d 747, 241 Ill.
Dec. 618. Further, because each case is unique and must be resolved based on its own particular facts and circumstances, Spak, 188 Ill. 2d 53, 719 N.E.2d 747, 241 Ill. Dec. 618, different cases can legitimately result in different sanctions. Twohey, 191 Ill. 2d at 91-92, 727 N.E.2d 1028, 245 Ill. Dec. 294. Thus, while the system seeks to impose sanctions consistent with those in other cases, different circumstances, particularly aggravating and mitigating factors merit different sanctions for different cases. See Twohey, 191 Ill. 2d at 91-92, 727 N.E.2d 1028, 245 Ill. Dec. 294.
This case is distinguishable from those cases on which the Administrator relies primarily because of the differences in aggravating and mitigating factors.1
In In re Giamanco, No. 97 SH 27 (Review Board Feb. 17, 1999), approved and confirmed in part, No. M.R. 15818 (May 26, 1999), the respondent was suspended for two years. As the Administrator acknowledges, Giamance engaged in serious misconduct in addition to fraudulent billing and, therefore, deserved harsher discipline than Adams. The client whom Giamanco fraudulently billed was a non-profit organization on whose board of directors Giamanco had served. Giamanco overbilled by very significant amounts. While Giamanco presented favorable character testimony and other mitigating evidence, Giamanco's misconduct was aggravated by the fact that he had been disciplined in the past for similar misconduct. This is a significant aggravating factor. See In re Storment, 203 Ill. 2d 278, 786 N.E.2d 963, 272 Ill. Dec. 129 (2002). Given these circumstances, Giamanco does not support the Administrator's argument that a one-year suspension is warranted in this case.
The Administrator also relies on In re Solomon, No. 92 CH 159 (Hearing Board Feb. 26, 1993), approved and confirmed, No. M.R. 9073 (May 21, 1993), in which a one-year suspension was imposed. Solomon sought reimbursement for expenses from the accounting firm
by which he was employed. Over a period of about eight years, in approximately 150 instances, Solomon sought to be reimbursed for expenses for which he had previously been reimbursed. These items totaled over $21,000. Solomon's misconduct affected only the firm by which he was employed; the duplicate expenses involved were not billed to any clients. Solomon admitted his misconduct, was candid in the disciplinary proceedings, and presented favorable character testimony. Solomon had tendered restitution via a check to the firm for the full amount at issue; at the time of the hearing, the check had not been negotiated.
In Solomon, the hearing panel majority recommended a one-year suspension, in lieu of the two-year suspension sought by the Administrator. The majority reasoned that two years was too harsh, given the mitigating evidence Solomon presented. The majority considered a censure, as recommended by the third panel member, too lenient, given the nature and extent of Solomon's misconduct. The dissenting panel member would have given greater weight to the mitigating evidence presented and considered the circumstances in Solomon's firm as factors mitigating the discipline to be imposed.
While Solomon is similar to this case, it is legitimate for a hearing panel, and for this Board, to give differing weight to the aggravating and mitigating factors present in different cases. That appears to be exactly what the Hearing Board did in this case, as more fully discussed below.
The Hearing Board relied on in In re Garfinkle, No. 97 CH 104 (Hearing Board Aug. 31, 1998), approved and confirmed, No. M.R. 15297 (Nov. 24, 1998), in which the respondent was suspended for six months. Garfinkle, an associate at a large law firm, submitted time records that included false entries. This misconduct occurred during a six-month period of time in which Garfinkle was facing significant personal hardship. Those problems caused
Garfinkle to miss work and distracted him when he was at work. Garfinkle admitted his misconduct when confronted about it. He self-reported to the ARDC; the firm had notified Garfinkle that it would report him to the ARDC. Garfinkle testified that some of his incorrect entries were based on an incorrect memory of his actual time. He testified that, in other instances, he just entered time in order to have something to put down, even though he knew doing so was wrong. Given Garfinkle's lack of prior discipline, personal problems at the time of his misconduct, remorse, timely good faith effort to rectify the consequences of his misconduct, and other mitigating factors, the Hearing Board rejected the Administrator's request for a one-year suspension and determined that a six-month suspension was sufficient. While Garfinkle presented character evidence, it was not as impressive as that presented by Adams.
In this case, the Hearing Board articulated the reasons behind its decision to recommend that Adams be suspended for five and a half months, instead of a longer period. The Hearing Board considered Adams a very credible witness. The Hearing Board was convinced that it was highly unlikely that Adams would engage in similar future misconduct. This was supported by the changes in his practice and the motivation behind his misconduct. The Hearing Board was particularly impressed with the fact that Adams not only admitted the wrongdoing of which his firm and the Administrator knew, but also brought forth evidence of and admitted additional fraudulent billing. The Hearing Board also noted other mitigating factors, including very favorable character evidence, cooperation in the disciplinary process, pro bono work, and lack of prior discipline. These are all legitimate mitigating factors.
Additionally, while we review the Hearing Board's sanction recommendation de novo, we are mindful of the fact that the Hearing Board saw Adams and his character witnesses testify. The Hearing Board members were able to assess the demeanor of the witnesses. In
particular, the Hearing Board members were in a unique position to evaluate Adams's demeanor and sincerity. After reviewing the record, the Hearing Board report, and the arguments of the parties, we are convinced that, in this case, the Hearing Board based its decision as to the sanction to recommend, at least in part, on its assessment of Adams's credibility and remorse. As to such factors, and their significance as to sanction, the Hearing Board's assessment deserves deference. See In re Schencker, No. 95 CH 704 (Review Board Dec. 30, 1997), petition for leave to file exceptions denied, No. M.R. 14598 (March 23, 1998).
For these reasons, we affirm the Hearing Board's findings of misconduct and concur in its recommendation that Respondent-Appellee, Hall Adams, III, be suspended for five and a half months.2
Date Entered: 05 December 2007
|Respectfully Submitted,
Leonard F. Amari
1 In two of the cases on which the Administrator relies, In re Alpert, No. 01 CH 13, petition for discipline on consent allowed, No. M.R. 17749 (Nov. 28, 2001) and In re Nadell, No. 90 CH 348, petition for discipline on consent allowed, No. MR. 12524 (May 28, 1996), discipline was imposed on consent. Such cases have limited precedential value, as they constitute only the Court's acceptance of an agreement between the parties. See In re Rinella, 93 CH 378 (Review Board April 10, 1996), approved in part, rejected in part on other grounds, 175 Ill. 2d 504, 677 N.E.2d 909, 222 Ill. Dec. 375 (1997). The limited precedential value of such cases is apparent here, in attempting to compare the relative weight of aggravating and mitigating factors between those cases and this one. While the petitions for discipline on consent in Alpert and Nadell do set out some of the aggravating and mitigating factors present in those cases, such descriptions do not equate with the presentation of full evidence in aggravation and mitigation. In this case, very significant mitigating evidence was presented to the Hearing Board. That evidence included favorable character evidence from particularly impressive witnesses. In addition, the Hearing Board saw and heard testimony from the respondent, whom the Hearing Board considered credible. This is a legitimate basis on which to give the consent cases less weight as precedent.
2 The Hearing Board also recommended that Adams continue participation in the ISBA mentor program. The record does not indicate any such participation, and we do not include that recommendation by the Hearing Board in our recommendation as to the sanction.
In re Adams, No. 05 CH 30
I concur in the majority opinion, insofar as it affirms the Hearing Board's findings of misconduct. I respectfully dissent, however, from the majority's recommendation that Mr. Adams be suspended for five and a half months.
The Hearing Board's sanction recommendation is advisory and does not bind the Review Board. In re Twohey, 191 Ill. 2d 75, 85, 727 N.E.2d 1028, 245 Ill. Dec. 294 (2000). The Supreme Court has directed that the sanction imposed on an attorney should be generally consistent with sanctions imposed on other attorneys for similar misconduct. Twohey, 191 Ill. 2d at 85, 727 N.E.2d 1028, 245 Ill. Dec. 294. While each case is unique and must be considered accordingly, the goal of consistency in sanctions for similar misconduct is important. It is the means of ensuring predictability and fairness in disciplinary cases. In re Spak, 188 Ill. 2d 53, 68, 719 N.E.2d 747, 241 Ill. Dec. 618 (1999). One of the functions of the Review Board is to review the disciplinary recommendations from hearing panels from across the State with a concern for, among other things, implementing the Court's requirement of consistency and predictability in sanctions imposed for similar misconduct. In re Ellis, No. 89 CH 476 (Review Board Jan. 22, 1992), approved and confirmed, No. M.R. 8225 (May 27, 1992). I consider that practically this is the most important purpose of the Review Board in the disciplinary process.
I also consider the recommendation of a five and a half month suspension for the misconduct of this respondent is strikingly inconsistent with the sanctions imposed in similar cases, and it is inconsistent with the seriousness of this respondent's misconduct. Respondent Adams intentionally submitted false billing statements. He repeated this misconduct numerous times, over a period of three and a half years. He triple billed one client for the same services. This was a single court appearance in three consolidated cases, billing the client for multiple
court appearances. In other instances, Mr. Adams billed for work that he had not performed and expenses that he did not incur. There is no question that Mr. Adams engaged in this misconduct. His known fraudulent billings totaled over $28,000.
In other cases involving false billing of similar magnitude, the attorneys have been suspended for one year. E.g., In re Solomon, No. 92 CH 159 (Hearing Board Feb. 26, 1993), approved and confirmed, No. M.R. 9073 (May 21, 1993); see also In re Alpert, No. 01 CH 13, petition for discipline on consent allowed, No. M.R. 17749 (Nov. 28, 2001). Mitigating circumstances were present in those cases too. In fact, Solomon and Alpert involved an additional mitigating factor not present here. In each of those cases the respondent's firm was harmed by the misconduct but no clients were overbilled. In this case, false bills were submitted to and paid by clients.
Cases such as In re Garfinkle, 97 CH 104 (Hearing Board Aug. 31, 1998), approved and confirmed, No. M.R. 15297 (Nov. 24, 1998) also demonstrate that a one year suspension is appropriate. Garfinkle was suspended for six months. However, Garfinkle submitted false bills totaling approximately $8,500, over a period of about six months. His misconduct was at least quantitatively and temporally less than that of Mr. Adams. Further, Garfinkle's misconduct was mitigated by the fact that, during the period in which he submitted the false bills, Garfinkle was experiencing significant personal problems. No similar circumstances are present in this case.
I also have a different view of some of the factors considered as mitigating by the majority. Mr. Adams presented an impressive record of pro bono legal work. However, most, if not all of his pro bono legal work began after the misconduct at issue was discovered. Mr. Adams has changed his practice so that he now primarily handles cases that involve contingent,
rather than hourly, fees. However, he still handles some hourly cases and could readily do so in the future; but Mr. Adams is now a sole practitioner. There are no systems in place to serve as a monitor or deterrent to false inflated billing in the future.
The deterrent value of a sanction and the need to preserve public confidence in the legal profession are legitimate considerations in recommending discipline. In re Discipio, 163 Ill. 2d 515, 528, 645 N.E.2d 906, 206 Ill. Dec. 654 (1994). Fraudulent billing more than any other unprofessional conduct, with the possible exceptions of conversion, erodes the public's perception of the legal profession. The client's almost total dependence on the attorney to be honest in recording his time demands that the abuse of this basic trust in the attorney / client relationship be stemmed by the imposition of significant, predictable and consistent discipline. To do less would cause the disciplinary commission's work to be an extension of the problem and an enabler of the conduct that perhaps more than any other brings the profession into disrepute.
For these reasons, I recommend that Respondent-Appellee, Hall Adams III, be suspended for one year.
Date Entered: 05 December 2007
|Respectfully Submitted,
David R. Rolewick


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5 'Beloved' DC Heroes that Could Join "Legends of Tomorrow"
TV, Comic Books
Start Time: 10:00AM End Time: 06:00PM
We are working hard this year to bring you even more amazing artists, guests and dealers from throughout the east coast. The Great Allentown Comic Con remains commited to a family-friendly event filled with comic books, toys, cards and collectible memorabilia, and more!
Merchants Square Mall
1901 S. 12th St
Allentown, PA 18103
More Info: http://www.allentowncomiccon.com/
This event was submitted by CBR.
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Current Residence: Sweden, The Land of Ooo
Favourite genre of music: Rock; Alternative, Indie, Metal
Favourite photographer: my little sister, and cousin...
Favourite style of art: Traditional, digital, Photoraphy, mixed media.
MP3 player of choice: Spotify!
Skype name: skogenlunden
Fur Affinity name: Whatty
Steam name: whatty
Favourite cartoon character: Wolverine, Joker, Whatty the Ware, Adventure Time Finn&Jake
Personal Quote: BANANA, "The quieter you become, the more you can hear", "Better weird than dead"
I Love my boyfriend Simon! www.zidz.deviantart.com/


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Annotations for
Martian Chronicles
Baker & Taylor
Interconnected, chronological stories of Earth's settlement of Mars include tales of human interaction with one another and with the Martians, interplanetary interracial strife, self-doubt, and the metamorphosis of humanity. Reissue.
Baker & Taylor
The tranquility of Mars is disrupted by the earthmen who have come to conquer space, colonize the planet, and escape a doomed Earth
Blackwell North Amer
Bradbury's Mars is a place of hope, dreams and metaphor - of crystal pillars and fossil seas - where a fine dust settles on the great, empty cities of a silently destroyed civilization. It is here the invaders have come to despoil and commercialize, to grow and to learn - first a trickle, then a torrent, rushing from a world with no future toward a promise of tomorrow. The Earthman conquers Mars...and then is conquered by it, lulled by dangerous lies of comfort and familiarity, and enchanted by the lingering glamour of an ancient, mysterious native race.
Soar above the fossil seas and crystal pillars of a deadworld in the pages of Ray Bradbury's
The Martian Chronicles.
A milestoneof American literature, Bradbury's classic collection of interconnectedvignettes about life on the red planet diverges from the
War of the Worlds
theme,in which humanity must defend its shores against its neighbors, for in Bradbury'sprismatic vision, humanity is the conqueror, colonizing Mars to escape an Earthdevastated by atomic war and environmental catastrophe. Bradbury's
TheMartian Chronicles
is a must-read for any fan of science fiction orfantasy, a crucial precursor to films like
andbooks like Kim Stanley Robinson's
Red Mars
and Dan Simmons'
,and a haunting prophesy of humanity's destiny to bring our old dreams andfollies along with us wherever we may venture forth.


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Registrar's Office
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Class Cancellations
Under-enrolled classes are canceled the Wednesday prior ro the first day of class. Students should contact the Academic Advising Office at 219-473-4220 to find out if a class has been canceled. Cancellations are posted on the bulletin board outside of the Academic Advising Office.
Though Calumet College of St. Joseph does not charge a late registration fee, it does cancel classes that are under-enrolled. Students may find classes canceled for that reason. Avoid
canceled classes by registering early.
Registrar Office Resources
Contact Information Registrar's Office
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 9:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.
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Monday Apr 30 2012
Del Oro, Placer ready for playoff race
By: Justin A. Lawson Journal Sports Writer
Placer looks to win second-consecutive Division III title
April brought us rained-out games galore and sometimes full weeks without contests because of the weather. But now that the sun is shining high above and April has turned into May that could only mean one thing: High school sports playoffs are here. Tennis gets the action started today while baseball, softball, track and field and most other sports have another week of the regular season this week before playoffs begin the following week. Here?s a look at to watch for in the coming week from the tennis court: Sac-Joaquin Division Section III Coed The Pioneer Valley League has belonged to Placer High. The Hillmen have won 68 consecutive league matches and continued that success behind the strength of Steven Fraguglia and Blair Meyer. The duo went through the league undefeated and then battled each other Friday for the PVL singles title. Meyer, who wore the No. 2 tag all season long, beat Fraguglia 6-4, 6-2 head-to-head but it just goes to show the Hillmen?s depth. Placer also has experience behind it with back-to-back trips to the Section finals and three titles in the last five years. The Hillmen fell 4-3 to Escalon in 2010 but rebounded last season to win the title. The Hillmen never lost more than two matches during the run to the championship. ?You can look up Escalon in the Trans Valley League and you can see that they?re No. 1 and No. 2 singles players also finished one and two in their league tournament,? Placer coach Tom Isaac said. ?And you?ll see that their girl finished No. 1, just like our girl, in their league tournament and their doubles team finished No. 1 in their league just like us. ?There are a lot of teams that don?t have the depth that we have but the ones that are going to compete with us, they have the depth that we have.? Fraguglia won the boys doubles title last season along with teammate Andrew Carducci but should expect to contend for the singles title this year. Placer will face three seed Consumnes Oaks at 3:30 p.m. today. Colfax is the PVL?s No. 3 seed in the tournament and faced No. 2 seed Riverbank on Monday. Results weren?t immediately available. Section II Boys We may have already had a preview to the Section finals ? two actually. Del Oro and Granite Bay battled it out twice this season and while they split the head-to-head matchup the Golden Eagles walked away with the Sierra Foothill League title. Fortune seems to favor the Eagles when they beat Granite Bay. The Eagles had been winless against the Grizzlies the last two seasons but when Del Oro beat them in 2009 it went on to win the section title. ?Brett and I both won it our freshman year,? Del Oro senior Paul Villa said. ?If we win it again my senior year it will be a perfect end to high school. Our team is great and we all are really trying our best and it feels great to have a team that tries their all and goes as hard as they can. I?d really like to win sections again.? The Eagles are led by Brett Bacharach, who will play at UC Davis next season. The senior walked through the season undefeated and will be the favorite to win the individual title.


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A little less than a year ago, I crowd sourced a possible contract extension for catcher Russell Martin. Obviously, no such extension was offered or signed. Now, though, Martin is a free agent, probably the best free agent catcher on the market. The Yankees have seemed to like Martin in his two years in the Bronx and I'd bet a reunion is a pretty solid possibility.
Now that we've had a year of Martin, and up and down one at best and a bad one at worst, what do you think Martin can and will fetch? Use the comments to discuss. As for me, I think Martin will get a three year contract worth somewhere in the 8-10 million dollar range. And that's just fine with me. Martin isn't the strongest hitter in the world, but he hits just fine for a catcher and draws plenty of walks and has a good deal of pop. He also plays fine defense and seems to have a good rapport with all the pitchers.
We should note, tough, that the leverage in this situation is most definitely skewed in Martin's favor. Everyone could use a catcher like Martin and the Yankees are definitely going to be desperate for a catcher. Austin Romine had a completely lost year; Francisco Cervelli isn't any good and neither are Chris Stewart or Eli Whiteside. Without Jesus Montero in the picture and Gary Sanchez way too far away to even think about MLB in 2013, Martin is the best possible option for the Yankees.


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Browsing articles in Analisa Quintero
News: Guest Posts
"Squashing" the benefits out of a pumpkin! Digestive Health Excellent source of fiber. Helps with constipation. Helps with diarrhea. Urinary Health Fatty acids and antioxidant source. Contains vitamin A, beta-carotene, potassium and iron to prevent cancer. Oils around the seed help keep the urinary tract clean. Weight loss Fiber keeps them full for longer periods of time...
News: Guest Posts
National Portrait Gallery exhibit reminds us why we love her
A riveting photographic exhibition, Portraits of an Icon, recently opened at London's National Portrait Gallery illustrates the life of actress and fashion maven Audrey Hepburn (1929-1993). This exhibit features photographs from Hepburn's early years in London as a dancer to her later years as an impassioned philanthropist. From the museum's description: "A selection of more than seventy images...
News: Guest Posts
Man posts Craigslist ad rehoming his girlfriend
Several days ago a man posted a Craigslist ad that seemed to be offering a free Beagle to a good home. In the post he explains that his girlfriend wants to get rid of the dog. He proceeds to describe his Beagle pup saying "I have had her 4 years. She likes to play games. Not totally trained. Has long hair so she's a little high maintenance, especially the nails, but she loves having them done."...
News: Guest Posts
Surfers get furry
We were first introduced to Jedi through our Smiling Dog submissions, and we think Jedi Seja may be the next worldwide furry celebrity. Born on a puppy mill farm and surrendered to a rescue, Jedi had a rough start. Luckily he was then adopted by his parents Katie and Patrick Seja, and they've turned his life upside-down. His surfing career started in 2011, and has taken him across the nation for...
Wellness: Recipes
A perfect recipe for summer
Stepping out with our furry friends during the sunniest time of the year makes for hot and hungry dogs. This quick, simple recipe is designed to cool off your pup, while providing a delectable, tasty treat! Makes 30-40 cubes, enough to last the summer. Feel free to add other tasty items like raspberries and strawberries, or any of the superfoods listed here (yogurt-fish-honey pops, anyone?)....
Copyright © 1997-2016 The Bark, Inc. Dog Is My Co-Pilot® is a registered trademark of The Bark, Inc


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I would like to extend a big thank you to Lt. Tim Wakefield, Chief Griffin and the Oldham County Police Department for offering the Citizens' Academy.
This 10-week course was informative and a lot of fun. The academy was an eye-opening experience into the workings of local law enforcement. I continue to be amazed at how professional these officers act during interactions with the public.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Wal-Mart.com USA, LLC at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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Razor Pro XX Scooter: Features a double-stacked head tube clamp and welded head tube angle at 83 degrees Patented rear fender brake 14-spoke, 110mm, high-grade urethane wheels with RZR Pro 20 bearings Fixed T-bar style handlebar 21.65" tall and 18" wide with pro style soft rubber grips Threaded 110mm compatible fork Constructed from 100 percent aircraft-grade aluminum Deck length 20" 3.81" wide Full deck grip tape Maximum weight capacity: 220 lbs Some assembly required Tools included for assembly Dimensions: 27.5"L x 18.5"W x 31.75"H Model# 13018101. Price: $33.08
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40,408pages on
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|Ligos VII
|Ligos system
|United Federation of Planets
Ligos VII was the uninhabited seventh planet in the Ligos planetary system. This planet was known to be prone to periodic volcanic activity. There were rich deposits of Vendarite on this planet.
During the mid-24th century, the planet was the location of a Federation science station, with a complement of 103 personnel.
In 2369, the station was briefly captured by DaiMon Lurin, a Ferengi privateer. The crew of the station were made to work as forced labor, extracting ore from dangerous mines on the planet. When Lurin's men captured the USS Enterprise-D, its crew was forced into slavery as well. (TNG: "Rascals")


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Jan 11, 13 •
4605 Views •
Elaine Schwartz • No Comments
Moving 5 MPH in rush hour traffic, do you ever think that you are the problem? In rush hour traffic, we create an extra 4 second delay for each car behind us. Add it all together and you get 4.8 billion hours that people wasted during 2010 in traffic. For the...... [read more]
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Is this tank worth 120?
She wants 120 for this tank, will come with everything needed.
Is this a good deal? I currently have a 39 bowfront, and would like to expand to something bigger for a new design. Should I do this or a long tank?
Your picture or is not showing up.
What size tank and what does it come with?
It is a 75 tall
What kind of fish do you have. price is ok. But your limited to what kind of fish your going to put in is like little fish. neons guppies, ect. I bout a 75 gallon 4 footer for 20 on craigslist. maybe look there to. But yes the price is ok depends what it comes with
and when i got the pic to better size that is a 55 gallon or smaller tell by the size of every thing in side i wouldnt pay more then 75 sory
You said you found a 75 g tank on clist for 20, was that just the tank? Arent filters really expensive to? Im looking for combo deals
Oh btw mollies, I am in omaha!
Realy Big O huh. Yes it acualy came from omaha 6 months ago the tank. with the filter the lady just wanted to get rid of it. As to it was her kids and they never came back for it. like new. they even have 125s and 150 for like 200
See, I saw the sweet deal for a 100g, sump, over flow, filer, lights, stand, the whole deal for 220 but he sold it!
googl craigslist nebraska, omaha, pets. an start looking or even lin. they have a lot there to. cbluf iwoa ect.
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Dion's rep slams lawsuitFri, 29 Jun 2012 11:41 AM
Celine Dion says an ex-employee who is suing her turned down a $10,000 payout when he was fired.
Keith Sturtevant — a former "warehouse manager" for Dion and her husband — filed a federal lawsuit claiming he was never paid overtime even though he regularly worked more than 40 hours per week during more than three years of service.
A representative for Dion told website TMZ.com: "[Keith was] paid a handsome yearly salary that covered overtime for his services for three years."
In his lawsuit, the prosecutor claimed he originally made about $50 000 per year but eventually got a raise to $63 000 per year.
The spokesperson also claimed he turned down a good severance package, holiday pay and $10 000 when he was fired in May.
He was apparently let go due to poor performance.
Shortly before the case opened, Dion started recording her new album.
The My Heart Will Go On singer — who was forced to cancel many of her Las Vegas residency shows earlier because of a virus — had been put on vocal rest but doctors gave her the all-clear to go back into studio.
BANG Showbiz


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Topic: Anti-Idle: The Game / phantomwolf13's TFCG deck list with statistics
I accidently used Relentless killer to fight Tukkun with surprisingly good results. I might have just had awesome luck, but i won pretty easily even though I had a 5 win streak. Perhaps with a little altering Relentless killer would make a nice Tukkun killer.


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Flyers invite Hal Gill to training camp on tryout
Hal Gill has spent the past two seasons with the Nashville Predators. (USA Today Images)
VOORHEES, N.J. -- It would be an understatement to say the Flyers have a legitimate log jam on defense right now.
As in nine players -- including all of their projected top seven -- on one-way contracts.
They also have $34.2 million tied up in salary cap space committed to their blue line, including Chris Pronger, who will go on LTIR at some point in 2013-14.
They are also $2 million over the $64.3 million cap going into full training camp next week.
So then why would the club offer a tryout invitation to 38-year-old veteran defenseman Hal Gill?
Unless … the Flyers were planning on trading at least one player of significant salary and replacing that player with someone with a far lesser cap hit.
"I am going to do the best I can to impress people," Gill told CSNPhilly.com. "I am not looking at it as trying to get a roster spot. I am looking at it as a chance to play."
The Boston Globe reported Gill's tryout on Saturday.
Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren confirmed that Gill will attend training camp on a tryout. Gill announced the news on his Twitter account.
I'm excited to play ice hockey at the @NHLFlyers camp! #PTO #foundateam— Hal Gill (@Skillsy75) September 7, 2013
One club source said the Flyers were hoping some organization will call them in the next few weeks needing a defenseman, so they can shed salary.
Gill, who's been around 15 seasons, won a Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2009, and brings a wealth of on-ice composure, leadership and experience.
Then again, among the Flyers' starters, is he better than any of their expected top seven -- Kimmo Timonen, Mark Streit, Braydon Coburn, Luke Schenn, Erik Gustafsson, Nick Grossmann, or Andrej Meszaros?


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Daniel Zamir: I Believe *
1 CD / Tzadik Records / 2008-05-27Tracks: 7 Midot; Poem 51-52; Poem 54 (770); Love; Poem 10; Let Me in Under Your Wing; Fifth Letter in the Hebrew Alphabet, The; You Are My G-D; Nine Minute (Or So) Chabad Nigun; I Believe
Artists: Daniel Zamir
Personnel: Daniel Zamir (soprano saxophone); Uri Caine (piano); Joey Baron (drums).
Audio Mixer: Marc Urselli.
Liner Note Author: Daniel Zamir.
Recording information: Eastside Sou...continue...
Paul Shapiro (Reeds): It's in the Twilight
1 CD / Tzadik Records / 2006-02-21Tracks: Light Rolls Away the Darkness; Children of Abraham; Sun Keeps on Coming Up, The; Lecha Dodi Twilight; Kiddush; Oy Veys Mir; Adon Olam; One Must Leave So Another May Come
Artists: Paul Shapiro (Reeds)
Personnel: Paul Shapiro (vocals, tenor saxophone); Paul Shapiro ; Peter Apfelbaum (vocals, tenor saxophone); Steven Bernstein (vocals, trumpet, slide trumpet); Brian Mitchell (piano); Booker King (aco...continue...
Paul Shapiro (Reeds): Midnight Minyan
1 CD / Tzadik Records / 2003-02-25Tracks: Ma Lecha Hayam; Freigish Behavior; Sim Shalom; Haftorah Prelude; Aitz Chiam He; To Life; Amidah; Lester Young's Misheberakh; Haftorah Prelude
Artists: Paul Shapiro (Reeds)
Personnel includes: Paul Shapiro (tenor saxophone); Steven Bernstein, Peter Apfelbaum, Brian Mitchell, Booker King, Tony Lewis.
Personnel: Paul Shapiro (soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone); Pet...continue...


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Topic: Technical Support / Achievements missing? Please Help.
Ok, so everyone knows Sonny 2, correct? Well I've played it numerous times before and now I am missing two achievements and all my saved records are gone. Any tips of what to do? I couldn't report the achievement cause I don't have any pictures of my progress.


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Top Definition
term often used to describe a real gun.
"Dude nice ak! Is it airsoft?" dude 1
"No it's real steel." dude 2
"No it's real steel." dude 2
by fingersticks January 31, 2010
Type your email address below to get our free Urban Word of the Day every morning!
Emails are sent from email@example.com. We'll never spam you.×


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Memorial Lecturer Advocates for Better Child Welfare Outcomes
Contact: Joanna Klimaski
(212) 636-7175
Bryan Samuels has served as Commissioner of the Administration on Children, Youth, and Families under President Obama; Chief of Staff of Chicago Public Schools under Arne Duncan; and director of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.
Photo by Dana Maxson
When Bryan Samuels took over the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services in 2003, the number of children in the system had dropped from a record-high of 51,000 in 1997 down to 23,400.
While those in the field took the numbers as a good sign, Samuels saw them as too good to be true, the child welfare expert said on Nov. 12 at Fordham.
Samuels, the executive director of Chapin Hall Center for Children in Chicago and a child welfare advocate, delivered the
Graduate School of Social Service's
(GSS) James R. Dumpson Memorial Lecture. The talk honors GSS Dean Emeritus James Dumpson, Ph.D.,
who died last year at the age of 103
Fearing that an emphasis on shrinking the child welfare population took focus away from helping children fare better, Samuels launched a process of assessing every child who entered the welfare system. The assessments found that an overwhelming percentage of children displayed symptoms of trauma—concentration and sleeping problems, depression, anxiety, and angry outbursts.
Moreover, these symptoms did not improve once children were out of the system and back in permanent situations (which was how the welfare population was "successfully" reduced). Studies revealed there was no statistical difference between children placed in foster care and children left at home when it came to overall cognitive, emotional, behavioral, or substance use problems.
This means, Samuels said, it is insufficient to simply remove a child from an abusive or neglectful environment or leave him at home and connect him with social services. Healing trauma and improving outcomes for children requires evidence-based interventions and treatments—not a smaller system.
"With laser focus on reducing size, one of unintended consequences was not adequately meeting children's needs," Samuels said. "This data suggests that it doesn't matter where you leave or place kids—abuse, neglect, and trauma leave a consistent fingerprint on their development."
Samuels implemented more effective interventions, such as introducing evidence-based trauma treatment, structuring the placement system to keep foster children in their home schools, bolstering transitional living that prepares youth for adulthood, and evaluating welfare agencies according to wellbeing outcomes, rather than just a reduction in numbers.
"If you came into child welfare in 1997, you weren't thinking about normal child development—you were thinking about making the system smaller. So introducing these ideas took some work," he said. "We got folks to embrace the idea that we need to… find out whether kids are getting better in the key domains of their lives—in school, in the community, and in their families."
Even with this shift in mindset, Samuels said that by the time he left his position as director, Illinois had still been able to decrease its child welfare population to 16,500.
"We have the obligation not to just make the system smaller, but to make it better for children and their families," he said. "And we're not left to choose between smaller or better—we can have both. You simply have to choose both, pursue both, measure both, and celebrate both."
The memorial lecture was part of an ongoing series associated with the
James R. Dumpson Chair in Child Welfare Research
, a position created in 1980 to honor Dumpson and use Fordham's education and research resources to improve the quality of life for vulnerable children.
To read more about Dumpson and see a timeline of his career highlights,
click here
Bryan Samuels was the speaker at the James R. Dumpson Memorial Lecture, honoring the late dean emeritus of the Graduate School of Social Service.
Photo by Dana Maxson
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Johnson hounds Dixon's star in win
ROCK FALLS – Aubree Johnson's stat line Friday night against Dixon isn't going to wow anyone. But the Rock Falls senior was still tabbed as the player of the game by her coach and teammates.
Johnson's cross country background came in handy against the Duchesses, as she chased standout Brooke Bailey all over the court at Tabor Gym in a 36-24 Rockets win.
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COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The mother of an Ohio man who was fatally mauled by a bear has thrown her support behind an exotic pet ban being written in the state.
Deirdre Herbert says in a letter dated Saturday to Gov. Ted Strickland that keeping wild animals as pets is a "prescription for more tragedies." The Humane Society of the United States, which is pushing for the ban, posted her letter on its website.
Twenty-four-year-old Brent Kandra died after an Aug. 19 attack as he fed the bear owned by another man at a suburban Cleveland animal facility.
Herbert urges Strickland to closely examine whether current owners of dangerous pets — such as bears, lions, tigers, chimpanzees and big snakes — should be able to keep the animals after the ban takes effect.
Who cares what she thinks? She raised a son who didn't have enough sense to take the necessary precautions for safety when he voluntarily went inside the bear's cage.
And being the vindictive pig she is, she demanded the bear get killed because of her son's lack of sense.
I feel bad for the guy who was killed, who obviously cared about the bear. And I feel bad for the bear.
I have a napkin for you 1970mach1. It's to wipe the compassion just dripping from your mouth. Don't feel bad for the young man who died, he won't appreciate it. Feel bad for the mother who's heart is broken and is grieving. Had this not happened, she probably would never even consider this ban.
I feel sorry for the mother, her son that died and the dead bear. But none of that is any reason to align one's self with the like of HSUS. These are the same people that allowed a sheep to be shot several times while chained to a fence, all so they could film a supposed "canned hunt." husu is the same type of pond scum as peta. And both money grabbing groups want an end to ANY and ALL pets, dogs, cats, horses ect. They want no interaction with any animals and man. It's best to stay away from hsus, peta and any other groups that support them.
These are not pets.They are dangerous wild animals who deserve to be respected for the damage they can do to a human being.If you think these are pets than you better be able to suffer the consquences.Its a shame these aminals have to be put down because of human stipidity
Its like having a pit bull....its not the pets/animals....Its the owners.


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May 5, 2016
ATLANTA (AP) -- A new federal study suggests a new wrinkle in the
debate about the dangers of eating too much salt.
The research found that the people who are most at risk are
those who get too much salt but also get too little potassium. They
were twice as likely to die from a heart attack as those who ate
about the same amount of both nutrients.
Sodium increases the risk of high blood pressure, a major cause
of heart disease and stroke. One of the researchers says potassium
may neutralize the heart-damaging effects of salt.
Many foods have potassium. Good sources are spinach, bananas,
broccoli and prunes.
The study was led by researchers at the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention. It was published in Monday's Archives of
Internal Medicine.
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Mary Gannon Graham returns as 'Shirley Valentine' in Sebastopol
Mary Gannon Graham's reprise of the one-woman show, "Shirley Valentine," about a middle-aged English housewife searching for freedom, gets another turn onstage this month. Main Stage West, 104 N. Main St., Sebastopol, will run the show from Jan. 25 through Feb. 17. Admission: $10-$25. Information: 823-0177, mainstagewest.com. Graham previously starred in sold-out runs of the show during 2008 at the old Sonoma County Repertory Theater (now the home of Main Stage West) in Sebastopol, and in 2011 at the Cinnabar… Read More »


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PNG Parliament Passes $6.2 Billion Budget For 2013
By Isaac Nicholas
PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (PNG Post-Courier, Nov. 28, 2012) – Parliament yesterday unanimously passed the K13 billion [US$6.2 billion] budget for 2013 with the full support of Opposition Leader Belden Namah.
Mr. Namah did not respond to the budget as is the tradition, opting to have the reply delivered by the Shadow Treasury spokesman Joe Lelang.
The Opposition Leader said he supported the 2013 budget as it moved resources away from Waigani to empower the rural people.
Mr. Lelang in his budget reply said the 2013 Budget was not solid, it was unsustainable and contained a lot of wastages and unproductive expenditure that ran into millions of kina and would not stimulate the economy in 2012.
He said PNG's real growth had been revised downwards from 9.2 percent in 2012 to 4 percent in 2013.
"We see that the 2013 budget deficit of -7.2 percent or K2.538 billion [US$1.2 billion] will only have a destabilizing impact on the country. Rise in inflation is guaranteed with the excessive borrowing and with too much money chasing fewer goods," Mr. Lenag said.
He said the Opposition supported the tax review in 2013 but more needed to be done about those that continued to evade and avoid taxes.
Mr. Lelang also questioned why the Government continued funding shady and controversial projects that were under investigations like the Konebada Petroleum Park and the PNG Chancery in Solomon Islands despite the fact that funding of K9 million [US$4.3 million] was unaccounted for.
"While we make some constructive input we feel that more needs to be done to get the Government public finances to improve fiscal predictability, improve domestic resource mobilization and to avoid potentially a debt crisis through an effective restructuring and rescheduling of domestic debt repayments over the medium term," he said
"We say that much of the medium term fiscal outlook is unrealistic due to large hidden state liabilities and costs not reflected.
"It is out view that the large 2013 budget cannot be sustained and therefore a commitment to reform and restructuring of the expenditure side of the budget, domestic debt and broadening of the tax base becomes paramount."
Mr. Lelang said the estimated 2012 budget deficit figures must be revised and the accurate expenditure of K10.681 billion [US$5.1 billion] is inserted and appropriate financing numbers are updated to allow for correct records to be reflected before the budget is implemented.
"Nevertheless, we support the general thrust of the budget to support our rural population but we also request that more efforts is done to improve the capacity in the
districts as well otherwise such rural initiatives will be slow to take effect or not turn out the way we desire." Mr. Lelang said.
National Planning Minister Charles Abel described the Oppositions reply as shallow and does not offer alternatives.
"We are trying to bring longer term outlook into this financing process and it is unfair to be critical at 2013 budget but look at the longer term budget framework and context," the Alotau MP said.
PNG Post-Courier:http://www.postcourier.com.pg/
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text:
Friday, April 19, 2013
AIKEN, S.C. (WRDW) -- The driver involved in a crash that killed a pedestrian is being charged with careless driving in Aiken.
The Aiken Department of Public Safety says Lukisha Nicole Thomas, her son and Ray Charles Wooden Jr. were walking on the sidewalk near the corner of York Street and Eastern Place when a driver, Thomas Woodruff Jr., jumped the curb and hit both Thomas and Wooden on March 30.
Thomas, 29, died while in surgery from multiple body trauma that same day.
Wooden was also injured in the accident.
Investigators say there was no evidence of alcohol or drug impairment or excessive speed as a factor in the accident.
They also say they found no indication Woodruff was using a cellular phone or texting.
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