text:
A huge win, it's also just a hit on the pause button. Here's some context and ideas about paths forward.
On Tuesday, Tom Barrett, the mayor of Milwaukee and one of the two leading Democratic candidates for governor against Scott Walker, spoke with The Progressive's political editor, Ruth Conniff, about the upcoming Democratic primary in Wisconsin, his recent decision to get into the race against Walker, and how he balances that with his swearing-in as mayor, on the morning of this interview.
Q: You were sworn in as mayor today and you are also running for governor. So how come you waited to get in the race? What's the deal with that?
BARRETT: Well, as you may or may not know, what I had said was that I would make an announcement of my intentions once the Government Accountability Board had certified an election. And the reasons for that were pretty obvious.
I did not know whether the Republicans would try to delay this for months or even years. And I thought, well, I'm going to see when this is a reality. And when it's a reality I'll make my announcement.
So at approximately 9:30 am on March 30, the Government Accountability Board made its announcement that the election was certified. And at 4:30 on the same day I announced to my supporters that I would be a candidate for governor.
So that's one level. But there were other levels here as well. Another level is that there is no question that the Republicans have their guns set for me. They want to keep me out of this race. That's why they started running commercials against me before I was even a candidate.
Had I been a candidate for governor in January, you could have added three months of additional commercials against me.
I want to set the terms of engagement in this; I don't want them to set the terms of engagement. So there was some strategy involved as well.
Q: So that's the strategy—getting in late—is it possible it's too late, though? The other candidates have been out there for a while. What do you make of your match-up with Falk and the criticisms of you by the unions?
BARRETT: There's was a poll yesterday by PPP (Public Policy Polling) for Daily Kos, it had me leading the Democratic primary by 14 points. More significantly, it had me leading among Democrats in the Democratic primary by 19 points.
That underscores one of my big contentions. As Scott Fitzgerald said, to the extent that Republicans are going to be messing around in the Democratic primary, they are going to be messing around to keep me out of the general election.
You take that, you couple that with the tremendous outpouring of support that I have gotten in seventeen, eighteen days from both present and former public elected officials in the state—that, I think, sends a powerful message.
There are probably over 60 of them now--people who either were waiting for me or were waiting for a candidate that they thought would be in the best position to defeat Scott Walker. So I would think that someone would say, "Wow, how did Tom Barrett amass over 60 endorsements in a ten-day period?"
I think it underscores my viability. I think it underscores my ability to work with people. And it underscores that there are people throughout this entire state—and it really, geographically is very, very widespread, and even, ideologically, within the Democratic Party, it goes from conservative Democrats to very liberal Democrats, from very pro-union Democrats to Democrats who represent poor areas, for example. So I think rather than people saying, "Wow, where did Barrett come from on this?" I think more people are saying, "Wow, talk about a guy who comes out of the chute fast. Here's a guy who comes out of the chute fast!"
Q: That same poll showed Walker at 50 percent, and you at 45 percent for a general election. So why won't this race be a repeat of 2010, when that was pretty much the outcome?
BARRETT: Several reasons. One, keep in mind that Scott Walker has already spent over $10 million. And when that poll was taken I probably had spent maybe $100,000. So among the major candidates, the amount that I've spent is literally chump change, when you look at how much is being spent. And I'm beating the Democratic field by a double-digit lead, and within the margin of error for a Republican who has spent over $10 million. That shows you, OK, this thing may not be over. But there are other factors as well.
Keep in mind that there are negative commercials that have been running against me for, again, five, six weeks now. There essentially have been no commercials going after Scott Walker. The money that has been spent on the Democratic side really hasn't been spent attacking his record. And I have a criticism of that. Why aren't we looking at his record? Whether it's his attack on collective bargaining, whether it's the fact that the state of Wisconsin under his leadership lost more jobs than any other state in this entire country in 2011, or the war against women, the way he handled foreclosure dollars, the voting legislation, you name it. I think that's been a mistake that Democrats have made, and groups that are supporting Democrats, through this process up to this point.
Honestly, I hope that changes very, very soon if people are serious about having a new governor.
Q: Can we get into the substance of union criticism of you? There has been some pretty harsh criticism of you from the unions. Particularly, Rich Abelson, head of AFSCME in Milwaukee, who has been friends with you, said that you were too slow to condemn Act 10 [the law eliminating public employees' collective bargaining rights], and that you used the end of collective bargaining to drive a hard bargain with public employees in Milwaukee.
BARRETT: I'd be happy to address that. I think it's important to keep in mind that I'm the only candidate in this race who has had to put together a budget in the post-Act 10 world. And that's an important point. And bear in mind that in the budget that corresponded with Act 10, the city of Milwaukee lost nearly $15 million in state aid. And that's the largest cut that this city has ever received from state government. And there's a levy limit. So those are the cards that are dealt to me. All right? I am the city with the fourth-highest number of children living in poverty in the entire country. I have foreclosures; I have people who are out of work. And my choice, quite bluntly, was, AA I going to lay people off, or am I going to have them pay towards their health insurance?
And there were some, and I would think Rich would probably acknowledge this, that given the choice between paying more towards health insurance or laying people off, he would probably have preferred to lay people off.
Q: And you feel that was the wrong choice?
BARRETT: From my standpoint, I feel the progressive move was to make sure that I was not laying people off in this economy. Again, this is the economy where Scott Walker lost more jobs than any other state in the entire country. I was not excited about laying people off into that environment.
Q: What about the slowness to criticize Act 10?
BARRETT: If you take a look at it, you'll see, my criticism probably began within 36 to 48 hours.
Q: So did you in fact see that as a major assault--the end of public employees' collective bargaining rights?
BARRETT: What I said consistently was that I did not support the end of collective bargaining. That I thought people had a right to organize, and to bargain.
Q: But then once it was ended, did you feel that was a tool that was reasonable for you to use, sitting on the management side?
BARRETT: I have the obligation of dealing with the real world. And literally my choice was: Was I going to lay people off? Or was I going to save public health services, neighborhood libraries, and make sure that we had public safety employees?
As I said to Rich and to others, we cannot print money at the local level.
Q: What about the takeover of the Milwaukee public schools? That was another big issue for unions.
BARRETT: To me, in many ways, that's a more legitimate criticism in that there's a philosophical disagreement there. What I was concerned about, and remain concerned about, in terms of education in Milwaukee, is both the educational attainment and system conditions in the school district. This goes back three years. I looked at the fiscal condition of that school district three years ago and compared it to a car going toward a cliff at 90 miles an hour. And I thought, What are we going to do here? We are going to have to deal with these issues. And so I felt, as did governor Doyle, as did others, that having a change in governance would be a way to stabilize that, and hopefully provide a leadership course. We did not prevail. But clearly, I would say, that was where things went south with WEAC, primarily.
Q: Aside from the labor issues, school privatization has been such a huge feature of the Walker Administration. Milwaukee has been ground zero for that for decades now, with voucher schools, charter schools, the defunding of public schools—do you see that as a big issue in this campaign?
BARRETT: I see it as a big issue. I'll tell you, as mayor of the city it's been a big issue, and I've worked on it for the last five years. And where I have placed my energies, and you can ask anybody who has been involved in this at the state level or the local level, where Tom Barrett's been involved, it has been to deal with the funding of those schools, because they were funded in a way that penalized Milwaukee taxpayers, and created economic incentives to create more choice schools, and my argument was always you had to eliminate the funding flaw that penalized Milwaukee taxpayers and rewarded school districts around the state, because it was intended to have every other school district make money as more seats were created in the Milwaukee public schools.
We were successful over two or three biennium, in getting language that dealt with poverty issues, that dealt with the funding flaw. And all of that was eliminated in one fell swoop in Governor Walker's budget. So I certainly would be intent on re-establishing those. If that happens, that gives you a clearer picture of the cost of this program. And I think legislators are less inclined to support the program or expand the program if it's not a money-maker for them.
Q: Do you see it as a threat that the school privatization lobby is as big as Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce? Do you see defending public education as a primary cause?
BARRETT: I absolutely do. I can tell you that my number-one funding priority for the state budget is to replenish the funding cuts that Scott Walker had in his budget.
Q: I want to ask you also about the pledge that Kathleen Falk made to restore collective bargaining rights, to veto any state budget that didn't include that. You're taking a different side. How do you see it as possible to restore those rights, if not in the budget, and what do you make of the promise that she made?
BARRETT: My approach would be a multifaceted approach to restore collective bargaining. I support the restoration of collective bargaining. I always have. And we will look for the right vehicle to get it accomplished. But let's talk about the state budget, because I think this deserves some attention.
I've asked this question at a number of forums. Obviously, they are forums that are attended primarily by Democrats. I ask how many people support the current Scott Walker budget. Of course, in Green Bay I think there was one hand that went up. In Madison I don't think there was a single hand that went up. And then I ask how many people are opposed to the current Scott Walker budget? And every single hand goes up.
So let's take that as a starting point. That under the current Scott Walker budget, the Republicans have gotten every single thing that they want.
So now we get to next year. Let's say that collective bargaining is not included in that budget. If I or any other governor want to say to the Republicans, all right, you have not included collective bargaining in this budget. I am going to veto this budget, which means I am not going to get what I want, and you are going to get everything that you want. What do you think their response is going to be?
Q: They are going to go for everything they want.
BARRETT: Yeah. So if you want a vehicle to have Scott Walker's current budget become the permanent budget for the state of Wisconsin, this is how you would go about doing it. And, they will blame the Democratic governor for vetoing out increases in educational funding, or increases in health care funding, and they'll be able to have it both ways. There won't be increases in educational funding, there won't be increases in health care funding, and they can blame the Democratic governor for that.
Q: So how will you get something done if there's no Democratic majority in the Assembly, and you want to restore public employees' collective bargaining rights and also do something on all these drastic budget cuts, what is the mechanism for doing that as governor then?
BARRETT: Let me go back a second, because this gets into the seriousness of this election and the damage that Scott Walker has done to this state. And it gets back to the 2010 election. And keep in mind that WEAC, they endorsed me, but when it came to more support than that, it was not there. OK? And so they now have obviously run into the most anti-education governor in the history of the state. And the damage that was done is not damage that is going to be repaired by me or any other Democrat overnight.
Again, I've been very clear that I'm going to support the restoration of collective bargaining rights and do everything I can to get it done. I've talked about, for example, a special session. And talked about doing it in a separate bill. And talked about doing it in the budget. So I am not going to paint myself in a corner with one strategy or another strategy. But I think what people are failing to recognize is that if I or another Democrat is successful in changing the leadership in Madison in the governor's office, that in itself is a monumental change.
And, along with that, I would argue, if I or another Democrat wins this election, the Senate will go back Democratic, so we would be able to get a special session bill through the Senate. The Assembly, obviously, is Republican. But there were Republicans in the Assembly who voted against this. And I am not convinced that Republican Assembly representatives, who are watching what goes on in the Senate recall and the governor's recall, would not think twice or rethink what their position is on restoration of collective bargaining. And if they don't, it gives us an issue for the fall election.
Q: So what are the things you would try to do immediately?
BARRETT: Restoration of collective bargaining rights would be at the top of the list. I also would reverse the actions the governor has taken in taking the money for foreclosure, and put that back with homeowners and communities that have been adversely affected by the foreclosure crisis. Here in Milwaukee we've got 4,300 abandoned homes. And I felt that that lawsuit dealt with people who were victims of a bait and switch. And then to have the governor and the attorney general take the $25 million made them second victims of a bait and switch, with the state purporting to help them but taking the money to fill the budget hole that didn't even exist the day before Scott Walker was governor.
Q: I also want to ask you about the grassroots energy for the recall and how much your campaign can tap into that: the 30,000 volunteers who gathered the million signatures, and whether or not, if this is going to become a TV ad war, and it's going to be outside groups spending money, that kind of squanders that grassroots energy?
BARRETT: I think it's important to look at what happens up to this point. And as I'm sure you're aware, Russ Feingold has been critical of what's happening in the race already in terms of the outside ads that are in play. None of those outside ads are ads that are in favor of Tom Barrett. And there's been over $2 million that has been spent on those ads just in the Democratic primary alone.
Q: Will that continue?
BARRETT: I don't know.
Q: Or do you feel that it's unilateral disarmament to allow the other side to spend millions and millions of dollars and not have that come in on your side?
BARRETT: Yeah, but we're talking about the Democratic primary. It would be different if that money were going against Scott Walker. That money's not being spent against Scott Walker.
Q: What about in the general election? The Wisconsin Democracy Campaign thinks there's going to be $60 to $80 million spent. And even though Democrats haven't spent a lot of money yet, with a lot of outside groups—the anti-Walker side is going to reach historic proportions as well. How much will your campaign rely on that and how much will you be able to do a genuinely grassroots campaign?
BARRETT: Well, I can tell you when people have asked me about independent expenditures, my response has been if there's independent expenditures they're really independent because I don't know anything about them.
So it's not as if we've set up an operation here to start establishing independent expenditures.
And what we're doing—and this goes back to your first question about the entry into the race and why I waited, March 30 roughly 6:00 is when the GAB then allowed people to circulate nomination papers. And ten days later we had collected probably 7,500 nomination signatures, which is far more than any other candidate in this race. So I think it shows you that I had the ability to hit the ground running. And clearly I did that.
If you take a look for example at the Facebook operations for me and either of the Kathleens or Doug LaFollette for that matter, take a look both at how many people are following it or talking about it, I have by far the highest number. And it's even what's been the most popular week--usually it's the week you get into the race. So if you look at either Kathleen Vinehout's or Kathleen Falks's—their most popular week was the week they got into the race. For me, the most popular week is the week starting April 8. So I think what that demonstrates is that we're building. Because it wasn't when I made the first splash that we got the most Facebook followers. It was actually subsequent to that.
And so what I've been able to do is connect with people throughout the state. And I understand that the social media is a big part of this now. And I understand that that's very important. And I think that was a lot of the success of the recall movement, was people communicating through social networking.
Q: So is that the main way this is going to be different from 2010? How are you going to run a different campaign from the one in 2010?
BARRETT: I think, first of all, every campaign is different. And Russ Feingold and I along with state legislators throughout the country ran into the Tea Party buzz saw. And it was the worst Democratic year in Wisconsin since the 1950s. It was a bad Democratic year. The base was dispirited. And now, what you have is a situation where the base is not dispirited. And both sides are fired up.
So right there, that's one thing that's different. Add to that what has happened with Governor Walker's leadership and his decision to "drop the bomb," and to start what has now been a 16-month political civil war in Wisconsin, people have a far different view of him than they did in November of 2010. So it's a much different environment.
Q: So what's going to be the key to turning things around, so it's not 50 Walker, 45 Barrett, but the other way around if you win the primary?
BARRETT: If you look at the 2010 election compared to 2008, there probably were 837,000 or 800,000 more people who voted in 2008 than in 2010.A lot of our base sat out. So I think that's certainly going to be part of it. But again, I'm not naïve: Their base is more ramped up. Our base is more ramped up. So a lot of this is going to be turnout.
Q: What do your next few weeks look like in terms of your schedule? Are you traveling all over the state?
BARRETT: I will continue to travel around the state, and we are developing more contacts and more position papers and everything that goes into a campaign. And that will continue at a very high speed over the next three weeks.
Q: And you don't think the primary is going to be harmful? Do you see it as a plus or a minus, this Democratic primary?
BARRETT: I think you could see it, if you look at my campaign, I'm running against Scott Walker. And shame on us if we spend any energy going after each other.
Q: I know you denounced the Youtube ad that compared you to Walker.
BARRETT: Well, not only did I denounce it, everybody who was objective did. And just to put that in perspective, what had happened there: I had literally made a decision that I would go into the lion's mouth, if you will, and call them out on the hypocrisy of what was going on. And so I chose deliberately not to walk into a room of people who were sympathetic to me, but a room of people who were hostile to me. And say, look, the union leaders have agreed that they would pay for their health care and pension. They have agreed to that. This is not about payments for health care and pension benefits. This is part of the ideological war to eliminate collective bargaining rights for public employees. And in that room there were probably, there were hundreds of people. And if there were three people in that room who agreed with me, they were very quiet.
But then to have AFSCME turn around and use that in the exact opposite way, first of all, undercuts its credibility, and I think does a disservice to its members and people who care about these issue. And anybody who listened to the audio of that and what they put together would agree with what I just said.
Q: It does seem like ultimately even AFSCME said it was wrong. But what about just getting the energized support of the labor base that's supporting Falk right now? And what promises can you make to them to really carry the ball for labor?
BARRETT: If you look at the Daily Kos poll that came out yesterday, you will see that there are more union members that are supporting me than are supporting her. So I would agree with you that the union leadership is very much in her camp. But I am trying to garner votes both from union members, from rank and file, people who are not members of the unions, from farmers, from people on fixed incomes, from students. So, again, if you look at what we have accomplished in seventeen days, you are going to hear fewer and fewer people saying, "Barrett got into this late," because how can they say I got into this late if I'm leading in the polls?
And basically every indicator from the number of public officials to Facebook to the nomination papers—every indicator of a grassroots candidate—is tilting in my favor.
Q: How about in Milwaukee? Are people mad that you are mayor, but now you are going to be campaigning? What's the plan for taking care of your post in Milwaukee?
BARRETT: Well, this is where I was honest with the people here. I made the decision that I was going to tell the people before the election what my plans were. And a lot of that has to do with what happened in 2010. One of my major criticisms of Scott Walker was that he never once in the entire campaign said that he was going to eliminate collective bargaining rights, which was a pretty big thing to forget. And that undercuts his credibility. If I had been elected mayor and then three days later had said, Oh, I forgot to mention I'm going to run for governor, I think that would have undercut my credibility. So I wanted people to know as they went into the polls exactly what I was considering doing.
Q: And you truly hadn't made up your mind soon enough to have another candidate run for mayor instead?
BARRETT: No. And, again, let's go back in time here. I had said the day after the 2010 election that I would be a candidate for re-election as mayor. And I just focused on that. As the recall movement went through the summer of 2010, at the conclusion of that there was a question of whether there would be a recall, and I think everybody assumed there would be, a lot of the speculation was that that recall would start January 3, which would have been the year anniversary of when Governor Walker was sworn in. Instead you may remember what happened was approximately a year after the election date you had the grassroots saying oh, we don't want to wait that long. So they started the signatures roughly November 15. My nomination signatures began December 1, ended January 3. The recall's ended January 17, so mine was literally tucked in there. And who knew what was going to happen after that? As time went on it became clear there were going to be enough signatures. But you didn't know about legal challenges, how many signatures would be knocked off. And I love being the mayor of Milwaukee, so I wasn't going to just say, well, I'm going to completely forgo this current job that I love because of this other thing.
So even earlier than I set the deadline I said to people that I was seriously considering running for governor again, to give full disclosure to the people who hired me—my bosses, the voters of Milwaukee, as to what I was thinking.
Q: Do you think it's unfair that people say you didn't have the fire in the belly to run last time and that's why Walker won?
BARRETT: I think it's totally unfair.
Q: Do you have it now?
BARRETT: Well, first of all, if you look at the vote totals, look at my totals and compare them to Sen. Feingold's, they're virtually identical. So clearly that wasn't the case. There was a dispirited base. And what I've had thus far is I've had people say, "Boy, Barrett's got a lot more fire in his belly this time." And my response is that, no, there was just nobody in the seats last time. The rooms were empty. That's the difference.
The base is more fired up.
Q: How important is this recall race in Wisconsin? Do you see this as a crucial moment politically for us and nationally?
BARRETT: Oh, it's huge. I think Governor Walker is portraying it, as well, that way, and wants to make it part of the national movement. But it's a huge election.
Q: Joe Biden said, well, you know they gathered the signatures so that shows they made it. I thought that was really depressing. How do you characterize what's at stake?
BARRETT: Well, I think obviously for labor there's a lot at stake. But it's not just labor. I think people are concerned about education financing cuts. We haven't talked about the war on women, which he clearly has embarked on: a war against women. My issues here, locally, for housing and foreclosures. All of these issues are huge issues.
Q: Do you want to respond to the ad Walker has on the air talking about your record in Milwaukee and job losses and tax increases? What's your response?
BARRETT: My response is, Governor Walker, and this is something he did say because we went toe to toe time and time again—he did repeatedly say that he would create 250,000 private sector jobs. And by initiating an ideological civil war in February 2011, he completely took his eye off that goal.
And in 2011 under his leadership the state of Wisconsin lost more jobs than any other state in this entire country. And that's why he's trying to use this statistic, or that statistic, or some other statistic, to hide that.
He was the one who set the benchmark—jobs created. And using his own benchmark, he had the worst performance of any governor in this country in 2011.
If you liked this article by Ruth Conniff, the political editor of The Progressive, check out her story "Wisconsinites Start Turning Back School Privatization."
Follow Ruth Conniff @rconniff on Twitter
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The reach of this story extends from the lowliest working stiff to the highest court in the land.
White supremacist posters on campuses play on ignorance and fear within the very institutions that should be our...
By Wendell Berry
Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Front
Love the quick profit, the annual raise, vacation with pay. Want more of everything ready made. Be afraid to know your neighbors and to die. And you will have a window in your head. Not even your future will be a mystery any more. Your mind will be punched in a card and shut away in a little drawer. When they want you to buy something they will call you. When they want you to die for profit they will let you know. So, friends, every day do something that won't compute. Love the Lord. Love the world. Work for nothing. Take all that you have and be poor. Love someone who does not deserve it. Denounce the government and embrace the flag. Hope to live in that free republic for which it stands. Give your approval to all you cannot understand. Praise ignorance, for what man has not encountered he has not destroyed. Ask the questions that have no answers. Invest in the millennium. Plant sequoias. Say that your main crop is the forest that you did not plant, that you will not live to harvest. Say that the leaves are harvested when they have rotted into the mold. Call that profit. Prophesy such returns. Put your faith in the two inches of humus that will build under the trees every thousand years. Listen to carrion—put your ear close, and hear the faint chattering of the songs that are to come. Expect the end of the world. Laugh. Laughter is immeasurable. Be joyful though you have considered all the facts. So long as women do not go cheap for power, please women more than men. Ask yourself: Will this satisfy a woman satisfied to bear a child? Will this disturb the sleep of a woman near to giving birth? Go with your love to the fields. Lie easy in the shade. Rest your head in her lap. Swear allegiance to what is nighest your thoughts. As soon as the generals and the politicos can predict the motions of your mind, lose it. Leave it as a sign to mark the false trail, the way you didn't go. Be like the fox who makes more tracks than necessary, some in the wrong direction. Practice resurrection.
Wendell Berry is a poet, farmer, and environmentalist in Kentucky. This poem, first published in 1973, is reprinted by permission of the author and appears in his "New Collected Poems" (Counterpoint).


text:
Strictly speaking, the "marginal cost" is the cost to produce "one more". For complicated functions, that is difficult to calculate and can be approximated by the derivative- and depends upon how many are being produced.
For a linear function, however, that is easy. If c(x)= 20.4 - 0.0007x, then c(x+ 1)= 20.4- 0.0007(x+ 1)= 20.4- 0.007x- 0.0007. Here, the cost of producing x+ 1 is -0.007, 0.0007 less than producing x. The marginal cost is -0.0007 no matter what x is.
Or, in terms of the derivative, yes, the derivative is c'(x)= -0.0007, a constant function. But that just means that c(1255)= -0.0007- the marginal cost is -0.0007.
You might want to check your problem again- costing less to produce more is a bit unusual!

subset: commoncrawl


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Tag Archives: west sac
Storm info: where to get sandbags, how to prevent local flooding
From the City of West Sacramento
The City of West Sacramento is taking steps in advance of the heavy storm expected to strike the area, beginning Dec. 10. Incidents of flooding caused by fallen leaves and clogged drains are anticipated. The City will respond to emergencies as quickly as possible. The Fire, Police and Public Works departments request the public's assistance, as follows:
- Before the storm arrives, keep drain inlets clear by placing leaves and debris in the green waste containers. If full, use plastic bags to bag excess leaves. Do not sweep leaves into the street.
- The City has dedicated two street sweepers to picking up fallen leaves.
- Public Works has crews ready to assist for overnight duty.
- Sandbags are available at the City of West Sacramento Corporation Yard, 1951 South River Rd., weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Residents are allowed up to 10 bags per address. Sand is also available at the Corporation Yard, but residents need to fill their own bags.
- A limited number of sandbags are available after 4 p.m. on a first come, first served basis.
- Residents are recommended to use plastic or visqueen sheeting as a water barrier with sandbags used to hold the sheeting in place.
- Sandbags and sand will also be in supply at Fire Station 42, 3585 Jefferson Blvd.
- For additional questions about sandbags, local flooding and clogged storm drains, call Public Works, (916) 617-4850.
City staff thank the public for its cooperation. As the City checks storm emergencies, residents are urged to stay safe and drive safely. Be prepared for street signs advising caution. The City will continue responding to storm issues as quickly as possible.
Copyright News-Ledger 2014
Breakfast with Santa on Saturday
Bring the kids for breakfast with Santa on Sat., Dec. 13, at the community center (1075 West Capitol Ave.). There will be brunch, pancake decorating and Christmas-themed activities such as mailing a letter to the North Pole and pictures with Santa. Pre-sale prices: $12 for those 13 and up, $10 for kids 12 and under or $6 for children under two. All tickets $15 at the door. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Choose first seating from 8:30-10 a.m. or second seating 10:30-noon.
Sponsored by the West Sacramento Chamber of Commerce; 371-7042 or www.WestSacramentoChamber.com.
Copyright News-Ledger 2014
Free concert by West Sac orchestra
The West Sacramento Community Orchestra invites you to a free concert of holiday favorites, 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 7, at the West Sacramento City Hall Galleria, 1110 West Capitol Avenue. On the program will be the "Hansel and Gretel Overture" from Humperdinck, "Christmas at the Movies," "Sleigh Ride" and more.
You'll have a second chance to catch the concert at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 9 at Centennial Methodist Church, 5401 Freeport Boulevard, Sacramento.
For information, call 991-5262.
Copyright News-Ledger 2014
Santa rides a fire truck around West Sac: annual 'Santa Run' returns
EDITOR"S UPDATE, DEC 14: We heard from a Fire Department rep that last Thursday's Santa Run route was canceled due to the rain. It is rescheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday, Dec. 16. This is the route that includes: "SOUTHPORT NORTHEAST": Kinsington, Aster, Manchester, Gateway, Sausalito, Sansome, Hearst, Randolf, Mojave, Merced, Rubicon, Ironwood, Spruce, Redwood, Alder, Limewood, Almond, Peppertree, Peachtree.
Santa Claus returns to town for his traditional ride around local neighborhoods from atop a fire engine from Dec. 8-15, in the evenings.
His helpers will pass out canes, and collect your donations of canned food for the needy. Sponsored by the West Sacramento Firefighters Association and City of West Sacramento.
Monday, Dec. 8, Broderick and Bryte areas: Fremont, Douglas, Andrew, Sixth, Cummins, Anna, Kegle, Carrie, Lisbon, North Hobson, and Fourness.
Tuesday, Dec. 9, North Business 80: Pine, Palomar, Marigold, Doran, Garnet, Green Meadow, Evergreen, Sycamore, Buckeye, Poplar, Proctor, Willow, Rockrose, Chaparral, Lilac, Manzanita, Washington, Oxford, Michigan, Maple, Walnut, Holly, Pecan.
Wednesday, Dec. 10, Old West Sacramento: Deerwood, Lakewood, Fernwood, Sonora, Haverhill, Meadow, Webster, Virginia, Alabama, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland.
Thursday, Dec. 11, Southport Northeast: (See 'Editor's Update' at top) Kinsington, Aster, Manchester, Gateway, Sausalito, Sansome, Hearst, Randolf, Mojave, Merced, Rubicon, Ironwood, Spruce, Redwood, Alder, Limewood, Almond, Peppertree, Peachtree.
Friday, Dec. 12, Southport Southwest: Independence, Lagoon, Meadowlark, Starling, Sandpiper, Pheasant Hollow, Duet, Constitution, Summerfield, Jacquelan, Janet, Betty, Shirley, Leslie, Diane, Brenda, Kathy, Nancy, Violet, Mareca, Teal, Canvasback, Pitzer, Allen.
Monday, Dec. 15, Southport West (Bridgeway Island): Cayman, St. John, Martinique, St. Croix, Haiti, Swan, Suisun, Ryer, Catalina, Santa Cruz, Half Moon Bay, Cooper, Fiji, Bowen, Solomon, Stuart, Graham, San Salvador, Abaco, Bridgeway Lakes, Henshaw, Eagle, Lewiston, Tahoe, Coyote.
Please understand that Santa's Fire Truck cannot get to every street. Santa's route will not include mobile home parks, courts, or dead-end streets. For information, call the West Sacramento Fire Dept., (916) 617-4600. (Please do not call 9-1-1. Emergency response operators do not have information about this event.)
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You can even try it for free for two months if you live in West Sacramento. Just send your name and mailing address to email@example.com (offer open to new subscribers in West Sacramento ZIP codes 95691 & 95605).
Copyright News-Ledger 2014
Twenty West Sac homeowners to receive free or low-cost solar
The first 20 qualified applicants will receive a free or low-cost solar system for their home. Learn more at a reception hosted by the City of West Sacramento and the nonprofit GRID Alternatives, 5:30-7 p.m. on Dec. 10 at the city hall galleria, 1110 West Capitol Avenue.
A reception is scheduled for 5:30-6, followed by the 6 p.m. workshop. For information or to RSVP, call (530) 217-6116 or email email@example.com.
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You can even try it for free for two months if you live in West Sacramento. Just send your name and mailing address to email@example.com (offer open to new subscribers in West Sacramento ZIP codes 95691 & 95605).
Copyright News-Ledger 2014
Mike McGowan: the man whose name is on West Sac's newest bridge
By Steve Marschke
News-Ledger Editor
EDITOR'S NOTE: Friday (Dec. 5), West Sacramento officials will cut the ribbon on a new bridge across the barge canal. The bridge is a few hundred yards west of the existing bridge that takes Jefferson Boulevard over the same canal. It will provide a new connection between Southport and the freeway and other points north.
In another year or so, the new bridge will fully connect South River Road north of the canal to Village Parkway in the south.
The bridge's name?
It will be called the "Mike McGowan Bridge," in honor of the city's first mayor.
Earlier this year, the News-Ledger sat down with McGowan for a wide-ranging chat about his experiences and service in this city. With the planned opening of the Mike McGowan Bridge this week, perhaps this is a good time to bring that interview to you.
We'll present it in multiple parts starting here this week.
It was midget car racing that brought Mike McGowan to West Sacramento in the early 1950s.
"We moved here when I was probably about five," recalled McGowan, talking from a chair in Southport's Eagle Café. "We came here from the Bay Area. My father was essentially a concessionaire. His business model was to sell beer, soda, hot dogs, popcorn and whatnot at different race tracks around the state."
At the time, West Sacramento was home to a popular track on West Capitol Avenue called the "Capital Speedway." The roar of the engines was a familiar sound in the air on Saturday nights. The speedway attracted McGowan senior.
"He liked the town, and moved us up here. It was quarter-mile dirt tracks," said McGowan, 66. "This was right after the war, and dirt track racing was becoming more and more popular. At that time, the cars were called 'midgets.' They were little open-cockpit cars, mini-roadster cars. After the war, we started seeing what we called jalopies, which were modified street cars. The guys would take all the glass out, put roll bars around them, hop up the engine and cut out the wheel wells. It was the ultimate entry-level racing, very amateur."
When the track's owner contemplated shutting it down, the elder McGowan took over as its promoter to keep it going (and kept it going into the 1970s).
"That's where I grew up," recalls Mike McGowan. "That's how I grew up – selling popcorn, cleaning the bathrooms, doing anything and everything that had to be done. It was a family business and everybody worked in some capacity."
The track provided family entertainment, he said, although "the families could be a little rough."
"Especially the jalopy types – but they were all good, hardworking people. It was a wonderful place for a kid. In those days, we could hire a 12 year old, give them a basketful of peanuts, and they could work all night and make a dollar-fifty. For me, it was also the place where I could watch this incredible array of mankind. I learned a lot. . . There were a lot of interesting characters on the racetrack!"
McGowan spent most of his elementary school years at Westmore Oaks Elementary School, then Westacres School, following that up at James Marshall High. He met his future wife, Sue, there. He graduated in 1966 and went to Sacramento City College.
"I flunked out because I was in a band and having way too much fun," he remembers. (He still plays drums in a popular local band).
That was during the Vietnam War, and there was a draft going on. McGowan rated high on the draft list.
"I was classified 1A, and I didn't want to be drafted, so I joined the Marine Corps," he chuckled. "That was a 19-year old's logic."
But he said the decision to join up was really a little more complicated than that. At college, McGowan had met some returned veterans and had been impressed.
"None of them had been in a war zone, but they had these great stories about being in Germany, or wherever they had been stationed. . . I believed at the time that this (war) was going to be my generation's story. And I didn't want to be 50 years old, sitting around when guys are telling their story, and I didn't have one."
"There was anti-war sentiment, there were protests, there were people going to Canada" to avoid the draft," he added. "But West Sacramento in 1966-67 was a very patriotic, blue-collar, middle class town. VFW (the patriotic Veterans of Foreign Wars organization) loomed large in our world."
"Most of our fathers had been in the war – not that they were rah-rah for us to go," he continued. "My friend's father, who had been in the Pacific in World War II, was basically telling me 'don't go, you don't want to go to war.' But at 19, I was invincible."
McGowan was sent into the Marines and "lucked out," he said. He was assigned to artillery, and was a section chief for a 105 millimeter Howitzer gun for 13 months, mostly in 1968.
He came home from Vietnam in one piece and turned Sue Barber into Sue McGowan. Then:
"I went to work for PG&E as a field clerk," McGowan recalled. "I'm proud to say I was the world's worst field clerk. It was a terrible job. I was sitting there one day, talking to a co-worker, and all he did every day was talk about retirement. I was 21 years old, working, trying to start my family. I had this epiphany, that I did not want to be sitting here at 38 (like that coworker) counting the years to retirement. I decided, 'I'm getting out now.'"
He went back to school on the GI bill, graduating from Sacramento State and then from McGeorge School of Law.
"I wasn't a master student, but I got through," said McGowan. "I opened my own office January 1, 1977, just about where the massage parlor is over by West Sacramento Land Company (near Merkley and Jefferson). I wound up doing almost extensively indigent defense. I was a private attorney but I was doing public defender work, both in Yolo and Sacramento. I was doing lots and lots of trials, which I truly enjoyed."
McGowan kept a hand in his practice through his later years on the West Sacramento City Council, and into his the first years of his service on the Yolo County Board of Supervisors. He had a partner only briefly, but shared an office at various times with Clark Cameron and with Doris Shockley (who later became a Yolo judge).
Meanwhile, what's now the City of West Sacramento was really just a group of neighborhoods in what was called "East Yolo," governed by the county supervisors in Woodland. It was a troubled area, and dissatisfaction was brewing. There were a couple of failed attempts at shaping part of the area into a new city.
McGowan was still in college in 1976 when one of those efforts sprouted and dried up.
"I had virtually no role," he said. "As a matter of fact, I went to some hearings with (the late activist) Grace Ohlson. I wound up writing a paper about the incorporation."
Then, in 1986, a new incorporation effort sprang up. This one was championed by a variety of people, including enthusiastic citizens. Developers and other businesspeople provided most of the campaign funds.
"The motivation primarily was that we were sending a lot of tax money over there (to Yolo County), and we weren't liking what we were getting back," remembered McGowan. "Also, we don't need those folks from Davis and Woodland telling us how to live our lives."
The community also was unhappy with crime and the services provided by the county sheriff's department, and it was fed up with the "sin city" character of its decaying main street, West Capitol Avenue. That was a place were prostitutes were commonplace and respectable people didn't linger.
"There was a growing dissatisfaction with the sheriff's department and the way they were treating us," said McGowan. "Rod Graham was the sheriff at that particular time and he didn't have anything good to say about us."
Also, McGowan said, "there's no question that development – the monied interests that are here – wanted to have greater influence over the governing body and would rather have a group of local policy makers than have to go to Woodland and Davis to get their stuff approved. . . This successful incorporation was, as you know, significantly backed by development money and the business community – (Frank) Ramos, (Tom) Raley. Those folks over here, for a variety of reasons that were not all self-serving. But certainly there was a feeling that hey, we want to have our own team here to work with."
McGowan gives credit to people like County Supervisor Clark Cameron (an "unsung hero" of the effort) and Jake Misfedt (who actually "wasn't a fan of incorporation") for paving the way for the separate communities of Bryte, Broderick, "old" West Sacramento and Southport to become one city. They laid groundwork including arranging a county incorporation study and consolidating the various communities' water and fire services.
Cameron also helped create a "redevelopment agency" in what later became West Sacramento, drawing out a large mapped-out area which would help keep in more of its property tax money local to pay to fight blight. The city kept that agency until recently, and although some aspects of it were controversial, the redevelopment agency helped to fund many of the city's bridges, roads and other infrastructure.
"There was an evolution, then there was a revolution," said McGowan.
At the same time voters were asked to vote up or down on incorporation in November of 1986, they were asked to choose from a slate of candidates who would serve as the first five people on the city council.
"It was a beauty contest – a popularity contest," he remarked with a chuckle.
McGowan was on that list, and he drew the most votes. Does that mean he won the beauty contest?
"Go figure that one out!," he answered.
Today's elections in West Sacramento are fairly sophisticated, with money raised and spent and most of the campaigning done with mailers and other impersonal communication. Then, it was different.
"I wasn't politically involved when I ran for city council," said McGowan. "I was sitting there watching everybody else sign up for this thing. I was thinking, 'I know this guy, I know that guy, I can do a better job than they can.' And I thought it would be fun. I'd do one term and get out."
As for some of the other candidates:
"Ben Davis was the only candidate who ran opposed to incorporation, but he wasn't able to articulate that in a very effective way," McGowan remembers. "And then Mike Zimmerman, a barber, was in it, Fred Pierini was in it, Bob Mahalisin was in it – it was 21 people It was the best campaign I've ever been in. We were making it up, no one knew what they were doing."
"We'd go to candidates' nights," he recalled. "There were about 12 or 13 of us who were serious, and we'd go to the candidates forums and then we'd all go to dinner afterwards, and say 'yeah, I got you on that one!' and 'yeah, you didn't know the answer to that question, but I did!' And then on election night, instead of going to our own little camps, we all went to the El Rancho (a hotel near the current city hall) and watched the results come in together. It was entirely different atmosphere."
Turnout was high, and incorporation passed with an approval rating that was "off the charts.". The new council was scheduled to take office and take charge of a city just a half-year later – in January, 1987. Questions about everything from land uses to policing would fall on their laps. The other council members-elect agreed that McGowan, top vote-getter in that election, would be the first mayor.
"Being the first mayor, to this day, is the most fun I ever had," said McGowan. "It was fantastic."
Next week: Finding some police, fighting zoning wars.
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Copyright News-Ledger 2014
Tree-lighting party this Friday
The West Sacramento Chamber of Commerce announces a celebration during the lighting of the "community tree" on Friday, Dec. 5, from 6-8:30 p.m. in front of city hall (1110 West Capitol Ave.). Music, holiday refreshments, and kids can get a picture taken while on Santa's lap. Free. For information, call 371-7042.
Do you like what you see here?
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You can even try it for free for two months if you live in West Sacramento. Just send your name and mailing address to firstname.lastname@example.com (offer open to new subscribers in West Sacramento ZIP codes 95691 & 95605).
Copyright News-Ledger 2014


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After forking out upwards of $500 for an iPad, your wallet might harbour some resentment towards you, so when it comes to stocking up on accessories there's at least one that might offer a little cash relief.
Frank Hsueh is clearly a man's man, and as such understands that shelling out upwards of $45 for an iPad case is just for rich suckers. With duct tape already filling so many niches in society, it was only a matter of time before someone used it to make an iPad case, so kudos to Frank.
Techi.com salutes you Frank, you manly man amongst nerds.
Source: TUAW


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Curriculum Guide · Courses
Law and Economics Workshop
Professors Brian Galle and Joshua Teitelbaum
J.D. Seminar 276 | 3 credit hours
The Law and Economics Workshop is a research workshop. In a majority of the class sessions, outside speakers (typically faculty members from other institutions) will present their current work in the field of law and economics. The specific topics considered will vary depending on the interests of the speakers, but the general focus will be the application of economic concepts and tools to legal and regulatory issues. Other class sessions will focus on selected basic topics in law and economics, including methodology commonly used in law and economics scholarship. Students are responsible for preparing brief weekly memoranda that discuss and question the presented papers.
Students must register for the 3 credit section of the course if they wish to write a paper fulfilling the Upperclass Legal Writing Requirement. The requirements of the 2 credit section will not fulfill the Upperclass Legal Writing Requirement.


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ROOSEVELT - An audit by the state comptroller claims a Long Island charter school isn't properly keeping track of its money.
The audit concluded that officials at Roosevelt Children's Academy Charter School don't monitor how money is spent. The comptroller says there are thousands in unaccounted spending and more than $1 million in contracts awarded without competition.
The audit, done from July 2011 to January 2013, also revealed that the school gave board members unauthorized reimbursements for such things as undocumented credit card charges, food, lodging and transportation to regular board meetings.
READ MORE: Education Stories
Critics of the system say they are not surprised about the findings because there is little oversight over charter schools' spending.
Officials say the district cuts checks to the charter school based on the number of students that attend from the area.
The comptroller says nothing it found was criminal, but changes have been recommended, including creating a committee to oversee and approve expenses.
The school's new board chairman tells News 12 Long Island that the school has already implemented recommendations contained in the state audit.


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The Girondins de Bordeaux are delighted to confirm the arrival of Willy Sagnol as the club's new manager. The current head coach of the France U21 side has signed up for three seasons, his first management role in club football. Welcome to Bordeaux Willy, we wish you every success!
It's official: Willy Sagnol is the new manager of FC Girondins de Bordeaux. He will take up his post after the France U21s' tour of La Réunion. The ex-international has signed up for three years with the club, keeping him under contract until June 2017.
This will be Willy Sagnol's first taste of life as a manager in club football. He has been head coach of the France U21s since 2011, after previously working with the U20 side.He is currently preparing for the team's tour of La Réunion, where they will play a friendly against Singapore A on Monday 2nd June.
Although the former France right-back has not yet managed a club, he did serve on the coaching staff at AS Saint-Etienne in 2010. He has also served as a member of Bayern Munich's scouting team.
The legendary Bavarian club played a huge role in Willy Sagnol's playing career. After training at Saint-Etienne and winning a Ligue 1 title with Monaco (2000), he joined international colleague Bixente Lizarazu in Munich. From 2000 to 2009 he was a member of the team that won five Bundesliga titles (2001, 2003, 2005, 2006 and 2008), four German cups (2003, 2005, 2006 and 2008) and three league cups (2000, 2004 and 2007). He also helped Munich win the UEFA Champions League in 2001 and the Intercontinental Cup in that same year.
Willy Sagnol also won 58 caps for the national side, featuring in four major tournaments (World Cups in 2002 and 2006, Euro 2004 and 2008). He reached the World Cup final in 2006, and won the Confederations Cup in 2001 and 2003.
The Girondins de Bordeaux are delighted to welcome Willy Sagnol as the club's new first team coach. All of us Girondins - fans, employees and supporters of the club - are looking forward to seeing Willy launch his managerial career in Bordeaux. We wish him every success in the famous navy blue and white.
Welcome to Bordeaux ! #WelcomeWilly


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Maria's Day by John Zakour and Scott Roberts
- April 21, 2013
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A classic scenario in all comic strips involving kids… it's always fun to see how the creator's pull it off!
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LaPorte free on bond awaiting trial
(Published October. 21, 2006, 12:28 p.m.)
New trial scheduled for wife accused of killing husband
By Mike Heine
The Week
A woman who was granted a new trial after being convicted of killing her husband is free on bond.
Carole L. LaPorte posted $250,000 Tuesday and was released from the Walworth County Jail.
In the event the state Attorney General's Office decides not to appeal the overturned reckless homicide conviction, a new trial is slated for the woman who stabbed her husband in the heart in 2003.
LaPorte will tentatively go through a second trial starting Jan. 8. The trial is expected to last two weeks, less Martin Luther King Jr. Day when the courts will be closed.
A jury convicted LaPorte, 36, of Chicago, in April 2005 of first-degree reckless homicide and aggravated battery for stabbing her husband, Anthony, with a steak knife.
LaPorte testified that she stabbed her husband in self-defense when the two were involved in a domestic dispute following a night of drinking and partying. She said she grabbed the knife to scare her husband, but he lunged at her and he was accidentally stabbed.
Judge Michael Gibbs awarded Carol LaPorte a new trial due to ineffective assistance of counsel.
District Attorney Phil Koss has asked the Attorney General's Office to review the case and make a decision on whether or not it wants to appeal the overturned conviction.
"I have no idea what the Attorney General is going to do," he said. A decision is expected within the next few weeks.
If there is an appeal, the case will go before an appellate judge to decide if Gibbs was correct in overturning the conviction. If the Attorney General does not appeal, LaPorte will have the scheduled jury trial in circuit court.
Defense attorney Jerome Buting said new evidence will be presented at trial to prove the stabbing was accidental and in self-defense.
"Carol LaPorte was basically presented as a cardboard, two-dimensional cartoon figure," Buting said, referring to how she was portrayed at last year's trial. "The jury did not know anything about her except what was narrowly tailored (to them). You can expect that will change."
Affidavits supporting the motion for a new trial said Anthony had a history of violent behavior toward Carol.
A forensic pathologist is also expected to testify that the stab wound Anthony received could have been incidental in nature. The state relied heavily on the testimony of Milwaukee County Medical Examiner Dr. Jeffrey Jentzen, who testified that the wound was forcible and likely not an accident.
|© 2006 The Week Extra. All rights reserved.


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Above: Foreigner will be performing many of its greatest hits Saturday night, Feb. 18, at the Klein Memorial Auditorium in Bridgeport. Contributed photo
It certainly won't be the first time that Foreigner ascends to a stage when the band comes to the Klein Memorial Auditorium in Bridgeport on Saturday, Feb. 18. With hits such as "Feels Like the First Time," Double Vision," "Cold as Ice," "Hot Blooded" and "I Want to Know What Love Is," the band has made a lot of fans over its more than three decades in rock. If you go, look for the Bridgeport Central High School Choir, who will be singing with the band during the concert.
There is other music to be had, as well, including an all-day, all-night Mardi Gras fundraiser in Black Rock on Saturday, Feb. 18, , featuring local and regional performers. Lucy Kaplansky is coming to Fairfield. Lynyrd Skynyrd is at Foxwoods. And, The Pink Floyd Experience comes to Storrs.
There are plenty of chances to see some quality cinema this weekend, too. At the Avon in Stamford the Oscar-nominated foreign language film, "A Separation," will be screened followed by a question-and-answer session led by Ardeshir and Eleanor Ommani, co-founders of the American Iranian Friendship Committee.
There is plenty for children to do too, which is fortunate, since many of them are on their winter breaks. My colleague Scott Gargan has compiled many events and programs that should keep all ages occupied. Chili fans, too, which undoubtedly include many in the younger set, can take a trip to Danbury to not only sample some spicy fare, but see who earns top prizes.
Perhaps you are a fan of Ben Vereen and have always wanted to know more about his career as a successful actor, dancer and singer. You are in luck, since the Brooklyn, N.Y., native will be at the Edgerton Center for the Performing Arts on Sunday, Feb. 19, to talk about his career as part of the center's American Legends series. Or maybe you are looking for performing magic of a different sort. Just know then that the Amazing Kreskin will be working hard for his money when he performs over the weekend at Bridgeport's Downtown Cabaret Theatre.
Over at Mohegan Sun, more than 40 comics will be gathering in the hopes that they will soon be named the funniest comic in New England. There a number of contestants from Connecticut, particularly the Fairfield County area, so if you want to cheer on the local talent, make sure to save some time on Friday, Feb. 17, or Saturday, Feb.18.
Dance fans have a chance to catch the Stage Ballet Theatre of Russia bring the classic ballet "Romeo and Juliet" to the stage in New Haven for two performances on Saturday, Feb. 18.
Clearly, there is not enough hours in the weekend to catch all the many programs and activities scheduled this weekend, but here are a few more you may want to save time to check out. The New England Air Museum in Windsor Locks will be hosting an Open Cockpit Day on Sunday, Feb. 19, including an appearance by Tuskegee Airman Connie Nappier. Canines will be put through their paces in Hartford. "Winter's Aweigh" finds its way to Mystic Seaport.
Until next time …


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Michele Burlew
Episystems, Inc.
Michele Burlew
Michele Burlew
Michele M. Burlew, president of Episystems, Inc., designs and programs SAS applications for data management, data analysis, report writing, and graphics for academic and corporate clients. A SAS user since 1980, Burlew has expertise in many SAS products and operating systems. Her company has been a SAS Alliance partner since 1996. She is the author of seven SAS Press books: SAS Hash Object Programming Made Easy; Combining and Modifying SAS Data Sets: Examples, Second Edition; Output Delivery System: The Basics and Beyond (coauthor); SAS Guide to Report Writing: Examples, Second Edition; SAS Macro Programming Made Easy, Second Edition; Debugging SAS Programs: A Handbook of Tools and Techniques; and Reading External Data Files Using SAS: Examples Handbook.
How long have you been using SAS®?
32 years.
What SAS products have you used in the past? What products and solutions are you currently using?
Base SAS®, SAS/STAT®, SAS/GRAPH®, Macros, ODS, JMP®, SAS/QC®, SAS/ETS®, SAS® Enterprise Guide®
What is a problem you have solved using SAS?
I've had the good fortune to work on many different kinds of projects over my consulting career, and I love it when the project requires SAS macros. A few years ago, I wrote a system of macros that managed the analysis of several years of survey data. The macros generate the code, process the output data sets, and create CSV files that are loaded into a Web-based application. Because of the large number of models, a year's processing can take two weeks running all day, each day without any user intervention, so having macros manage the processing details was really important.
What is the most innovative way you have used SAS?
Several years ago I worked on a project where we needed to extract variable information from over 30 years of data dictionaries from a national survey. The data dictionaries were either in text files or PDFs. A programming solution was needed because having people key in or cut-and-paste all this information was a monumental task. Each year of the survey contained several hundred variables. I converted the PDF files to text. Then I wrote a library of macros that parsed the elements of the text files. The output from these routines constructed SAS DATA steps, SAS format libraries, and new uniform data dictionaries that were output to Excel.
What is your most memorable SAS moment?
My most memorable SAS moment was when the proposal for my first book, SAS Macro Programming Made Easy was accepted. I love books and I love writing SAS programs and to be able to combine the two was a wonderful opportunity for me. I liked working with SAS Press so much that I've kept on writing ... my seventh SAS book SAS Hash Object Programming Made Easy was published in September 2012.
How has SAS changed in the time you have been using it?
The capacity of what SAS and computers can do now compared to what it could do 30 years ago is vastly different. When I worked at a university computer center nearly 30 years ago, we had to be so careful how we wrote our code because the time and resources that it took to do some analyses was lengthy and jobs were submitted in batch fashion. It might be several hours before I discovered that my program was missing a semicolon because a job could sit in a batch queue for hours before it executed.
Have you ever attended a SAS users group meeting or SAS Global Forum? If yes, please list them.
I've attended several since 1982, both national and regional.
Has your work with SAS been influenced by any other members of the SAS community?
SAS Technical Support and SAS developers have been extremely helpful to me over and over! Also, working with SAS Press to write books has been a delight.
If you could point a new SAS user to one resource, what would it be?
Definitely support.sas.com! This website has links to everything you need to get started.
SAS Milestones
Tell us your story
Fill out a short online survey, providing as much detail as you can. Select stories will be featured – we'll let you know if yours is one of them.
Contact Buffie Silva


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The extreme cold in upper parts of the Midwest and remnants of the snow storm in the Northeast are affecting some flights at Portland International Airport.
KGW reports some flights Monday to Chicago, New York, Detroit and other destinations are listed as cancelled or delayed.
Travelers should check with their airline.


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Check in from 14h / Check out prior to 12h
Hotel Festival Cannes: Find photos, reviews, information, amenities and compare prices for 3 stars hotels in Cannes, France.
Offering a sauna and a Jacuzzi, Hotel Festival Cannes is located in Cannes and is a short stroll from Intercontinental Carlton Beach. It is ideally situated in the city centre.
Hotel description
This charming hotel features a number of amenities, such as internet, a safe and an express check-in and check-out feature. A gym is available to guests wishing to keep up their exercise regimes while travelling.
The rooms include internet access, a mini bar and a private bathroom. A hair dryer, a shower and cable/satellite channels are also provided.
A satisfying breakfast is served each morning at Hotel Le Festival, and there are numerous cafés and eateries close by.
Cannes's well-known tourist spots are within close proximity to Le Festival, with Palais des Festivals et des Congres only minutes away. The hotel also offers parking for guests with a car.
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Testy Sparano defends decision to limit TebowNew York Jets offensive coordinator Tony Sparano got into a testy exchange with reporters Thursday when he refused to discuss last week's poor showing against the Pittsburgh Steelers except to defend his decision to limit Tim Tebow's snaps. In other words… (more)Source: ESPN.com
Jets Insider: Sparano, Tebow are two cool WildcatsEven as the master of the Wildcat, Tony Sparano is still figuring out what it means to have Tim Tebow in the offense. Because no one else can run a Wildcat with a passer like Tebow, he doesn't have a blueprint.Source: nydailynews.com


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Saturday, June 27 2015
Time: 9:00 AM
Location: Wakefield Event Center
Address: 306 Dogwood, Wakefield, Kansas 67487
Don't miss this amazing living estate auction!!! We have Outdoorsman equipment, antique coins, antique fishing lures poles rods reels and equipment as well as unused fishing gear with over 30,000 plastic baits and lures. A must for fishing enthusiast, bait dealers, Ebay sellers, small business owners, and antique store owners, something for everyone! A massive amount of soft plastic baits, also unused black powder guns and huge gun safe, unique fish sculptures and artwork, power tools and shop equipment, office supplies, business display items and equipment, furniture, office fixtures, lawn and garden, household and many other miscellaneous items.


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Jonathan Sturges papers, 1834-1866
Sturges, Jonathan, b. 1802 d. 1874
Art patron
Active in New York, N.Y.
Collection size: 0.2 linear ft.(on partial microfilm reel)
Collection Summary: 6 letters to Dudley B. Fuller from his family, a friend, and Sturges concerning the Apollo Association's desire to have Danforth engrave Mount's "Undutiful Boys" and Danforth's inability to do so; 3 letters to Luman Reed, one from artist George W. Flagg detailing his impressions of Paris and art; and 2 receipt books, recording Sturges' payments for paintings, framing, subscriptions, taxes, and general household expenditures.
Biographical/Historical Note: Art patron; New York, N.Y.
Donated 1978 by Mrs. Frederick Sturges, wife of Jonathan Sturges' grandson.
How to Use this Collection
- Microfilm reel 2672 available at Archives of American Art offices and through interlibrary loan.
- Use of original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C., Research Center. Microfilmed materials must be consulted on microfilm. Contact Reference Services for more information.
- For more information on using the Archives' resources, see the FAQ or Ask Us.


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Liking us on Facebook currently requires no access to any personal information, and will help keep you updated on
promotional offers we run from time to time. Simply click the "Like" below, or from our
Facebook page.
It's just that simple!
Scraper Mats have nibs that scrape shoes clean of dirt, debris, and moisture so that your home stays clean. The debris is then trapped below the walking surface. Clean up is a breeze, just use a hose. Rubber construction ensures durability and mat features a high resolution image that won\'t fade! Textured backing keeps mat in place.Size: 19"x30"Note: Please note this item cannot be shipped to APO/FPO addresses. Since the product is made to order, it will take 9-15 business days to ship.
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NBA Golden State Warriors Sidelines Bedding - Comforter
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Sports Coverage Golden State Warriors Sidelines Bedding Series Custom Package
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Imperial MLB Chicago Cubs BlueTooth Video Chair
SportsKids.com is an advocate of COPPA Childrens' Privacy Protection. Since certain personally identifiable information must be obtained to complete a shopping transaction, children under 13 MUST
be in the presence of a parent or guardian when making a purchase here.


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The Style Gallery is a great new way for you to view, love, and share outfit photos. It's meant to showcase
all the expressive, creative, and inspirational personalities of our community!
Love you too!
Your email has been sent!
It's obvious your fashion smarts will shine through the cloudiest days when you wear these translucent Juju rain boots! Juju has been creating jellies and wellies in their family-run Northampton factory since 1986. Crafted from flexible, 100% recyclable plastic material, these ankle boots are 100% rad. Touting neon pink laces, tread soles, and 1-inch heels, these silver-glittered, lace-up wellies are pure positivity. Show off a pair of intarsia-print socks through their translucent silhouette, alongside a posh trench and rainbow brelly!
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Conversation Partner- Resturant Hops
Fri, 25 Apr 2014 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: Downtown Harrisonburg
Experience the Downtown resturants with your conversation partner. We'll walk from Hoffman Hall to the downtown area, where you and your parnter plus others can select from one of the many resturants. We'll meet at Klines ice cream for dessert then head back to campus. Taste the Downtown flavor!


text: Dropping ClassesStudent Financial Services How Dropping Classes Can Affect Your Financial Aid To be in compliance with SAP, students are required to successfully complete a minimum number of credits. If you are considering dropping classes after the start of the semester, please keep the following credit guidelines in mind. Minimum Credit Hours: Credits Enrolled at Beginning of SemesterCredits That Must Be Completed 12 or More Credits Must complete a minimum of 12 credits 9–11 Credits Must complete a minimum of 9 credits 6–8 Credits Must complete a minimum of 6 credits 5 or Less Credits Must complete all credits attempted If you fail to make satisfactory academic progress during any term, you will be placed on a one-term warning status or may have your aid denied. The following criteria is used to determine your status: Warning Status Warning Status occurs when students fail to complete the minimum number of hours required, based on their individual enrollment. Students are allowed one warning term to complete the minimum credit hours that are needed in order to get back into compliance. Credits Enrolled in at Beginning of Semester:Placed on Warning if Completed Only: 12 or more credits 6–11 credits 11 credits 6–8 credits 10 credits 5–8 credits 9 credits 5–8 credits 8 credits 4–5 credits 7 credits 4–5 credits 6 credits 3–5 credits Denial of Financial Aid Funds Denial of financial aid funds occurs when students fail to complete the minimum number of hours required during a warning term or students fail to complete at least 50% of the minimum number of hours required based on individual enrollment. Students attempting 5 or less credits will be in denial if they do not complete ALL of their credits during any term. If a student is placed in a denial status, they must successfully complete a SAP Appeal to continue receiving their aid. Pace Towards Degree – Credit Completion In addition to completing the minimum credit hours, you must complete at least 67% of your overall attempted credits, which includes any additional credits transferred to WSU. If you drop below the cumulative 67% completion rate you will be placed on "warning" status and have one term to bring your completion rate above 67% before losing your eligibility for aid. If you are still below the cumulative 67% completion rate at the end of the warning term your financial aid will be suspended. You may regain your eligibility for aid if you successfully appeal or complete a term on your own and are no longer in suspension status. For more information, please consult the comprehensive Washington State University SAP Handbook.


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Wanted: Suspect for Multiple Commercial Robberies in the 6th District [VIDEO]
Central Detectives Division is looking to identify the suspect for multiple commercial robberies in Washington Square.
Incident # 1:
On February 27, at . 2:30pm, an unknown male entered the "Spruce Street Video Store," located at 252 South 12th Street and engages the clerk in a conversation for a short time, asking about the pricing of the items. The suspect then leaves the store and returns approximately 10 minutes later with his face partially covered and armed with a handgun. When the clerk ran to the back of the store the suspect grabbed the cash register slamming it on the floor forcing it open taking an undetermined amount of money. The Male then fled the store in an unknown direction.
Incident# 2:
On March 10, 2014, at 4:30pm, an employee, a 24 year-old male, of the Scorpio Boutique & Book store located at 205 South Juniper Street was working inside when an unknown male entered the store pointing a handgun at him demanding money. After the suspect was handed an undisclosed amount of money from the register he fled the store and was last seen south on Juniper Street.
Incident #3:
On March 21, 2014, at 8:23pm, an unknown entered the Scorpio Adult Store located at 205 South Juniper Street with his face partially covered pointing a handgun at the clerk demanding money from the cash register. Before leaving the store the suspect also took the clerk's laptop from the counter. The male then fled and was last seen South on Juniper Street.
Incident #4:
On March 25, 2014 at 12:56pm, an unknown entered the "Danny's Adult Store," located at 133 south 13th Street with his face partially covered and armed with a handgun. demanding money. The Complainant opened the cash register drawer and placed an unknown amount of money in a brown paper bag. The suspect then fled the store and was last seen south on 13th Street.
- Suspect Description: Black male, 30-35 years-of-age, 6'0″ light complected, medium to stocky build, 180-200lbs., wearing a light tan jacket or a black winter jacket with hooded a sweatshirts underneath, dark colored jeans, and dark colored boots possibly two–tone, and armed with a handgun.
- To view the surveillance video: Visit The Philadelphia Police YouTube Channel or visit http://phillypolice.com/news
- If you see this suspect do not approach him, contact 911 immediately.
- To submit a tip via telephone, dial 215.686.TIPS (8477) or text a tip to PPD TIP or 773847.
- Use this electronic form to submit a tip anonymously.
If you have any information about this crime or this suspect, please contact:
Central Detectives Division


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November 19, 2001
Progress of the Spallation Neutron Source Project
When completed, the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) will be the world's foremost neutron-scattering facility. It will be an important scientific tool for basic research in materials science, life sciences, chemistry, solid state and nuclear physics, earth and environmental sciences, and engineering sciences. Approximately 1,000 to 2,000 users are expected to conduct research at the SNS facility each year. The facility is being built in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, as a partnership among six of the Department of Energy's national laboratories. The $1.4 billion project, currently under construction, is scheduled for completion in June 2006.


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Strike 1.
The first and perhaps the most important mistake in social media is to start out with what you want to say rather than what engages people. Sure, you might be on strategy with your message, but nobody will talk about it. You can't take the classic advertising agency approach and buy yourself in, and thus you won't exist.
Strike 2.
Bending the truth will guarantee long term failure. Honesty and transparency is key. Charlatans will be exposed.
Strike 3.
Staying safe means staying anomymous. If you remove the sharp edges there will be nothing to grab on to and nothing to care about. You need to move away from the middle of the road mediocrity to become remarkable. And if you're not remarkable, you won't be at all.
You're out.


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LBJ School of Public Affairs Long-Time Faculty Member and Renowned Internet Policy Expert, Gary Chapman, Suffers Fatal Heart Attack
AUSTIN, Texas-- December 15, 2010-- Gary Chapman, Senior Lecturer at the LBJ School of Public Affairs, Associate Director of the Telecommunications and Information Policy Institute at The University of Texas at Austin and internationally recognized expert on Internet policy, telecommunications and technology policy, died of a heart attack Tuesday, December 14, in Guatemala while on a kayaking trip, according to his family.
"The LBJ School has lost a beloved colleague, inspirational teacher, and wonderful friend. Gary was a man of shining integrity, whose memory and example we will carry with us," said Dean Robert Hutchings. "Our deepest sympathy goes out to his family and friends along with our heart-felt gratitude for a life of such profound contribution. We will miss him dearly."
Chapman, who joined the LBJ School in 1994, served as the most recent graduate advisor for the Master of Public Affairs degree program and as the School's Director of the 21st Century Project, which explores ways for citizens to be involved in policymaking involving technology, particularly in the areas of telecommunications, the Internet and digital media. He was the author of numerous articles on technology and society for a wide variety of publications, including The New York Times, The New Republic, The Washington Post, Technology Review, Communications of the ACM and many others. In 1995, his 21st Century Project helped bring computers and the Internet to low-income areas of Austin.
From 1995 to 2001, he was an internationally syndicated columnist on technology for The Los Angeles Times, and his column, called "Digital Nation," was carried in over 200 newspapers and websites. Chapman was also a technology columnist for Texas Monthly magazine and a general editorial columnist for The Austin American-Statesman. He has taught and lectured all over the world, most recently as a guest faculty member at the University of Porto in Porto, Portugal.
In early 2000, Chapman was named one of the "25 Most Powerful Texans in High Tech" by Texas Monthly. In 1999, The Austin American-Statesman named him one of its "Ten to Watch." Chapman has also served as chairman of the selection committee for the Turing Award, the world's highest award in computer science.
From 1984 to 1991, Chapman was executive director of Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility, the only national public interest group of computer scientists. The organization investigated international security, arms control, the role of computers in the arms race, and computers and privacy. In 1991, Chapman co-founded the Computers, Freedom and Privacy Conference, which is still held annually.
Gary Brent Chapman was born on Aug. 8, 1952, in Los Angeles. In the mid-1970s, he served as a media with the Army Special Forces or "Green Berets."
Chapman earned his B.A. in political science from Occidental College in 1979 and attended Stanford University's Political Science Ph.D. program in 1984, when he left to work at Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility.
Mr. Chapman's survivors include his wife, Carol Flake Chapman; his father, Arthur S. Chapman, and stepmother, Pierrette Chapman, of Solvang, California; and a half-brother, Duane Chapman, of Bakersfield, California.
To post personal remembrances, please visit: http://lbj.utexas.edu/news/2010/gary-chapman
Susan Binford
Assistant Dean for Communications
Gary Chapman, Internet policy expert and visionary, dies at 58 - The Washington Post, Dec. 28, 2010
Gary Chapman dies at 58; visionary thinker about technology's effect on society - LA Times, Dec. 24, 2010
LBJ School lecturer was Internet expert, Gary Chapman 1952-2010 - Austin American Statesman, Dec. 15, 2010
RIP Gary Chapman by Omar Gallego - Austin American Statesman, Dec. 15, 2010
LBJ School Internet Expert Gary Chapman Dies Suddenly at 58 - KUT Radio, Dec. 15, 2010
UT community mourns loss of long-time lecturer - News 8 Austin, Dec. 15, 2010
Internet Policy Expert Gary Chapman Dies - Technorati, Dec. 15, 2010
Gary Chapman - Weblogsky, Dec. 15, 2010
Remembering Gary Chapman - Peter Lewis on Technology, Dec. 18, 2010
Transparency in Texas - Policy Research Project website
The Interactive Budget Project - policy research project
LBJ School Student Research Calls for Open-Standard Data, Better Transparency in Texas State Finance -
LBJ School Senior Lecturer Gary Chapman Builds Website for Austin City Aimed at Luring Google's 'Big Gig' Fiber Project
LBJ School Senior Lecturer Gary Chapman to Speak at The Austin Forum on Science, Technology and Society
LBJ School Senior Lecturer Gary Chapman to Serve as Co-Master of Ceremony for "Conversations with Bob Taylor" Event
LBJ School Professor Gary Chapman Co-Directs First International School on Digital Transformation in Porto, Portugal
Open Government on the Internet: A New Era of Transparency - Conference focuses on the importance of open/free government information; role of the Internet
Aug. 29, 2009 - Gary Chapman Shares His Experiences on Bob Taylor, One of the Fathers of the Internet
May 15, 2009 - Open Government and the Internet: Panel on Transparency and Application Development - Intro by Gary Chapman
Dec. 5, 2008 - The Lyndon Baines Johnson Centennial Symposium - Panel on Resources and Technology