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For most operational questions, please refer to the Regulations and Procedures
1. Purpose.
1.1 Policies. This statement sets forth the policies applicable to risk management and safety programs.
1.2 Establishment of Regulations. The Administration shall establish a risk management and safety program consistent with Board policies, applicable laws and regulations, and sound, equitable business and risk management practices.
2. Scope. The program's mission shall be to provide direction in maintaining a safe environment for Students, Employees, and visitors, and to conserve University assets from the consequences of loss.
3. Responsibility. Except where stated otherwise, the VPAT, or designee, shall be responsible for administration of the program. All Employees and Students are responsible for following established policies, regulations, procedures, and practices which foster a safe environment.
4. Operation of Vehicles
4.1 Minimum Qualifications for University Drivers. All individuals operating a vehicle for University business purposes shall be required to have:
4.2 Automobile Liability Insurance. The University shall maintain automobile liability insurance for University owned or leased vehicles. Individuals permitted to use a personally provided vehicle for University business purposes shall provide required insurance.
4.3 Suspension or Revocation of Driving Privilege. The Administration shall establish guidelines for the temporary suspension or revocation of an individual's driving privileges when the individual's driving record is deemed to warrant such action.
5. Missing Student Notification. The Administration shall establish procedures and regulations consistent with applicable law and regulations for notification to designated individuals and law enforcement when a Student residing in on-campus housing is determined to be a missing person.
5.1. Employee Responsibility. Any Employee who has reason to believe a Student residing in on-campus housing is missing shall immediately notify the Director of Residential Living. The Director shall gather information to determine if there is valid reason to believe such Student is missing. If the Director concludes the Student is missing, the Director immediately shall notify University Police.
5.2 Vice President for Student Life Responsibility. The Vice President for Student Life or designee shall be responsible for notifying:
6. Emergency Messaging. The Administration shall establish a system to send emergency messages to Students, family members or guardians of Students, and Employees upon approval of a member of the Administration.
7. Inclement Weather. The Administration shall establish regulations and procedures regarding the delay, cancellation, or suspension of normal University operations during a period of extraordinary weather or weather related conditions (inclement weather).


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Im sorry but the : is not suppose to be there at the end
This proof was done in class and will be on the test on Friday but I just don't understand it. Can someone save me please. Thank you.
1) Prove that if T1, T2 and T3 are spanning trees of a simple connected graph G then:
d(T1, T3) <= d(T1, T2) + d(T2, T3):
His way is CRAAAAAAAAAAZY it took up a front of a page and half of the back.
I rather learn your way which I can actually understand.
So let me give this a shot
The S_1,S_2,S_3 are basically the T_1,T_2,T_3.
Then we get the formula you got.
Next we plug that into a venn diagram
Is this venn diagram containing three circles one for each S_i.
Therefore the middle of S_1 S_2 will be shaded plus S_2 S_3
This shows that S_2 must be greater than the other two.
Is that the logic.

subset: commoncrawl


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The Bold And The Beautiful Spoilers And Videos For October 28 – November 1.
Have a peek at what's ahead this week.
Be sure to refresh this page daily for Soap Opera Fan Blog's latest updates of "The Bold And The Beautiful" spoilers and videos featuring the bad feelings and big schemes of the Forrester, the Logan and the Spencer families.
Rick and Caroline continue to spread the news of their engagement. Brooke and Eric get to hear all about it. Maya continues to wish she had never heard about it at all. Her doubts about pushing ahead with her plans to marry Carter increase exponentially.
Liam gets on Hope's good side by explaining once again that his marriage to Steffy is really and truly over. Not only that, he also tips her off about Quinn sending the video. Hope's furious and lectures Wyatt and his mother for being so underhanded. Quinn's not impressed. She has other tricks up her sleeve though, including one involving the Hope for the Future Diamond. Her son gets busy scheming too and comes up with another idea of how he can hype the business and win over Hope.
Wyatt and Quinn aren't the only ones with diamonds in their eyes. Liam hopes that the lady he loves will take back his ring. But he still finds time to talk to Katie about how she has been treating Bill, particularly regarding their child. Katie has second thoughts. She also has some pretty ominous premonitions that something bad is about to happen to Bill. Meanwhile, he and Brooke head off to Aspen for some magic but doom could be waiting.
SOD November Sweeps:
Bill has to face his own mortality while the two sisters who love him face what a life without Bill could be like. Meanwhile, Aly Forrester sinks into the middle of things. She idolizes Hope, who continues to deal with the half brothers who love her. And Pam gets a new man.
For more about what's ahead, be sure to check out these B&B spoilers.
**Please be aware that we have a link-only policy.**
To find out what's happening behind the scenes, check out Soaps.com's latest The Bold And The Beautiful News.
Follow Soap Opera Fan Blog on Twitter @soapoperafan and Soap Opera Fan on Facebook.
Photo Credit: CBS
- Matt Purvis
Fun fact! Matthew Purvis wrote this story just for you on October 31st, 2013 |


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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!
Ever notice how there are some evenings when you can't remove the smile on your face? Have you realized that those evenings always include this striking statement necklace? It's no coincidence that the dangling flourishes of blue and clear gems and grey baubles of this chain-linked necklace elicit ear-to-ear grins - this piece really makes your ensemble shine!
Sorry this item isn't available anymore


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CM Punk has gone through a boatload of character changes throughout his WWE career, and he's somehow managed to make every single one of those gimmicks work.
While it was his most recent run as a babyface that catapulted him to the pinnacle of the WWE, it was his first heel run that turned him into one of the company's top performers.
From 2009 to 2011, Punk had an amazing run as a heel, slowly evolving from a Straight Edge bad guy to the leader of the New Nexus.
Although Punk has performed incredibly well over his last year-plus run as a babyface, I always thought that he was much better as a heel performer, and I'll show you why.
Let's take a look at CM Punk's 10 best promos and angles of his last heel run.
NOTE: I know that some things may have slipped my mind, so be sure to share your thoughts in the comment section below.


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Thomas F Maney
Found 10 Records, 9 Photos and 59,373 Family Trees
Born in South Dakota, USA on 1897. Thomas F married Edith M Maney and had a child. He passed away on Jan 1973.
Family Members
Ready to discover your family story?
Simply start with yourself and we'll do the searching for you.
Potential photos and documents for Thomas F ManeyView All 9 Images
Top record matches for Thomas F Maney
Surname meaning for "Maney"
Irish: Anglicized form of Gaelic'descendant of Maine', a popular early personal name of unexplained origin.


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This fishing report has been generated from the best information available from officers and anglers. Conditions encountered after the report is compiled may differ, however, as stream, lake and weather conditions alter fish and angler activities.
Conchas Lake
Fishing for walleye was good for anglers using grubs, night crawlears, crank baits and spinner/ worm and spinner/minnow combinations. We had several good reports from anglers fishing the south side of the lake. Fishing for largemouth bass and smallmouth bass was good for anglers using senkos, top water lures, crank baits and spinners. Fishing for crappie was fair for anglers using minnows. Fishing for bluegill was good for anglers using worms.
Ute Lake
Anglers reported walleye fishing as good-to-excellent this past week. Several limits were taken by anglers trolling bottom bouncers/night crawler rigs, spinner/minnow rigs and crank baits for walleye suspended over brush in 15-to-20 feet of water. Fishing was good using jigs and minnows for crappie. The crappie were a bit smaller than previous weeks but still taken in good numbers. Fishing was fair using tubes and jigs for smallmouth bass. Most of the bass were taken in 10-to-25 feet of water off main lake points. Fishing was very good using cut bait, liver and night crawlers in 4-to-6 feet of water for catfish.
Catch of the Week
On May 23, Marc Ahlen of Albuquerque caught a 17 inch smallmouth bass at Conchas Lake. He was fishing from a float tube and using a triple threat green and orange grub.
If you have a catch of the week story, send it to us at firstname.lastname@example.com. Include date, location, type of fish, length and bait used to catch the fish.
This report was compiled by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.


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Divide grows within emerging markets M&A
There is a growing gap between what investment banks' mergers and acquisitions divisions are set up to do, and the types of deals that western companies are looking to execute, according to market participants.
Corporates are focused on more creative deal structures, such as joint ventures or licensing agreements and deals of a smaller size in emerging markets, precisely the areas where investment banks are least able to service their clients.
André Kronimus, principal in the corporate development practice at Boston Consulting Group in Frankfurt, said: "There is an increasing mismatch between what companies want to do, which are smaller deals in emerging markets, and what investment banking advisers are often able to provide."
One emerging market M&A specialist at a leading bank said: "In many emerging markets, there aren't that many sizeable opportunities on offer. As banks often don't spend time on transactions below a certain size, these sorts of opportunities are perhaps brought to the table less often."
Companies are responding by altering their own in-house business development teams, which in many cases have, like investment banks, been set up to focus on traditional M&A.
Many companies are now delegating responsibility for sourcing and executing deals to business units and regional managers, according to market participants. In some cases, for example, sales managers in China are taking responsibility for talking to clients about potentially attractive competitors.
This is in part a response to a subdued market, where few corporates are willing to contemplate sizeable M&A. Global $1bn-plus M&A volume stands at an eight-year low for the year to date, according to Dealogic.
However, there is a risk that by the time the M&A market returns, the relationship between banker and client will have altered, following the recalibration of corporates' in-house teams.
David Cogman, a partner at McKinsey in Shanghai, said: "The level of interest in emerging markets deals more generally, and the fragmentation of business development teams, does present a challenge, as it becomes that much harder to connect the dots."
Kronimus said: "It is a much more fragmented process now and, as a result, it is much more difficult to fulfil the role of presenting clients with innovative deal ideas that really excite them, as their people on the ground might have visibility on deals between $50m and $200m in size that no one else knows anything about."
-- write to firstname.lastname@example.com


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16 posts tagged with seattle by Blazecock Pileon.
Displaying 1 through 16 of 16.
What kind of lawyer do I need to look for?
We have a construction company in the middle of a year-long process of building two new houses next to ours. For the last couple months they have been dropping garbage (nails, insulation, chunks of 2x4) on our house's walkways and roof — some of it dangerous (boards with nails through them, for instance, along the walkway on the side of the house). I'd like to try to get this to stop. [more inside]
Recommendations for wedding photographers in Seattle?
If you got married in or around Seattle, if you used a wedding photographer would you recommend them? And did they do anything special or unique?
Nice places to get married somewhere in or around Seattle...
Where are nice places to get married somewhere in or around Seattle? For the place, what is the general cost? If the specifics help provide a better answer, we're trying for a late-summer, weekend ceremony and reception. Probably 55-65 people. [more inside]
Parlez vous éducation?
I am in Seattle. I'd like to learn French, to the point where I could (in 6 months, say) carry on a rough conversation with someone in Québec or France. I have knowledge of a few words but would essentially be starting from scratch. With which group/center/school should I take classes, but most importantly: why? (In other words, what would make that class better than those offered through alternatives?)
Asian clothing in Seattle
Where are good places to go in Seattle for mandarin suits? [more inside]
Currying favor in Seattle
What is the best source of kaffir lime leaves and holy basil in Seattle? [more inside]
Pardon me, would you have any Honeycup?
Where to find Honeycup mustard in or around Seattle? [more inside]
Small biz accountant recommendation for Seattle metro area
Which small business accountant would you recommend, who works in the Seattle metro area? [more inside]
Free Parking
What would be involved in building a driveway / basement-level garage for a house in Seattle, WA with respect to zoning, estimated costs, etc.? Specifically, it would be for a house that currently has on-street, city-zoned parking only.
Seattle digital photo printing options
I'm looking for (non-Kinko's) recommendation in Seattle for printing digital, 3x5 photos that meet all of the following impossible criteria: reasonably good quality, reasonable price-per-photo, reasonably fast. [more inside]
Streamless in Seattle
Does Comcast throttle hulu and other streaming video services in the Seattle area? Additionally, are there reliable, alternative high-speed Internet providers in the Seattle metropolitan area (which do not require a land-line phone connection)?
I'm not talking about Stone Temple Pilots
How to prepare one's body, mind and bicycle for a 200 mi bike ride? [more inside]
CBC in Seattle without cable?
Is there a way to receive CBC in Seattle, without going through Comcast?
Copper pot maintenance and repair
How do I know if a tin-lined copper pot really needs re-tinning? Are there reliable re-tinning services in or around Seattle? [more inside]
A change for the better...
Where can I trade spare change for bills in Seattle, without fees? [more inside]
Leapless in Seattle
Physical therapy recommendation in Seattle metro area? [more inside]
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As a child, in a time before I was aware of the existence of chocolate coated biscuits such as Tim Tams, Kingston biscuits were my favourite.
I loved their crunchy, crumbly coconut texture that were made even better by the chocolate cream filling sandwiching them together. I would pull the biscuits apart, scrape off the chocolate cream filling with my teeth until none was left and then eat the biscuits individually. That way it felt like I was having two biscuits, instead of one, which I suppose I was.
I would pull the biscuits apart, scrape off the chocolate cream filling with my teeth until none was left and then eat the biscuits individually. That way it felt like I was having two biscuits, instead of one, which I suppose I was.
As I grew older and began work at my first full-time job, in an accounting firm, Kingston biscuits, along with a variety of other biscuits, were provided for staff to enjoy with their cups of tea or coffee.
I loved dunking the biscuits in my tea, waiting until they softened slightly, before sucking the milky tea out of them and eating the biscuits. Ah, simple pleasures.
Times have changed now, though.
I no longer buy packet biscuits or cookies. In fact, I can't remember the last time I did, so I had all but forgotten about the existence of my once favourite biscuit until I came across a recipe for Milk Chocolate Sandwich Cookies in Gourmet Traveller recently.
When I saw them I was immediately reminded of Kingston biscuits, and couldn't wait to make them and see if they tasted like them as well. And well, they do, although in my mind they are better.
For the filling, I decided to go with two versions. A simple melted milk chocolate filling, as per the original recipe, but for nostalgia purposes I couldn't help but make a chocolate icing with which to fill the other half of the biscuits. While nowadays I prefer the melted chocolate filling, the chocolate icing filling transported me back in time to my childhood.
So tell me, what was your favourite biscuit or cookie when you were a child?
My KitchenAid give away ends in 2 days. Have you got your entry in? If you would like a chance to win a KitchenAid in your choice of colour valued at $749 you need to get your entries in ASAP. Good luck!
Milk Chocolate Sandwich Cookies
Just like Arnotts Kingston Biscuits. Makes 40 cookies. Australian Gourmet Traveller March 2012 Edition
- 65 g rolled oats
- 160 g softened butter
- 160 g raw caster sugar
- 55 g golden syrup
- 150 g plain flour all purpose
- 75 g desiccated coconut
- 300 g of milk chocolate chopped
- 1 cup icing sugar
- 1 tbs of cocoa
- 2 tsp of softened butter
- 1 tbs boiling water
- Preheat the oven to 160 Celsius (320 Fahrenheit) and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- Place the oats into a food processor and process until finely ground. Set aside while you make the cookies.
- Cream the butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment until smooth and creamy. Switch the mixer to it's lowest speed and add the golden syrup, flour, coconut, oats and mix until combined.
- Using a teaspoon form balls of the dough and place on the baking tray, lightly flattening each one. Repeat for the remainder of the cookie dough.
- Bake for 15 minutes, or until the cookies are golden before removing from the oven. Leave to rest on the tray for 5 minutes before placing on a wire rack to cool completely.
- For the milk chocolate filling half fill a small saucepan with water and place over a medium low heat. Place the chocolate in a heat proof bowl (a glass bowl is ideal) and ensure the bowl does not touch the water. Leave the chocolate to slowly melt, stirring occassionally. When the chocolate has melted set aside to allow it to thicken to a spreading consistency. Take a cookie and turn it over to the flat side. Spread the chocolate on the cookie and sandwich with another cookie. Repeat with the remaining cookies.
- For the chocolate icing filling, sift the icing sugar and cocoa into a bowl. Add the softened butter and stir to combine before adding the boiling water, little by little, until you have a spreadable consistency. Take a cookie and turn it over to the flat side. Spread the icing on the cookie and sandwich with another cookie. Repeat with the remaining cookies.
- Store in an airtight container


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The RSPB has been severely criticised for its plan to cull feral goats on the banks of Loch Lomond, amid fears that the centuries-old population could be wiped out.
The charity says the cull, near Inversnaid, is necessary to stop the animals destroying the woodland habitat. However, local campaigners believe the actions are going too far and could mean an end to the goats.
Strathard Community Councillor Andre Goulancourt, who runs a photography centre at Inversnaid, said the community was concerned that the RSPB cull, as well as one by the Forestry Commission near by, could be disastrous. He said:


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10th Annual Children's Reading Celebration and 38th Annual Young Authors' Fair
When: Saturday, April 25, 2015 from 10:00am to 1:00pm
Where: Broome Library
Please RSVP for this event here.
Children's Reading Celebration Guide
CSU Channel Islands (CI) will host the 10th Annual Children's Reading Celebration
and the 38th Annual Young Authors' Fair on Saturday, April 25, 2015 from 10:00am to
1:00pm at the John Spoor Broome Library.
The program is sponsored by the John Spoor Broome Library, Ventura County Reading Association (VCRA), the CI English Program, Four Pillars Chapter of Mortar Board, and the Ventura County Office of Education.
The featured author will be René Colato Laínez, with his picture book I am René, the Boy/Soy René, El Niño. René is a bilingual teacher at Fernangeles Elementary School and writes multicultural children's books featuring Latin American children living in the United States. His goal is to create stories that portray minority children in a positive way, where they can see themselves as heroes, and where they can have hopes for the future.
Children and their families will be able to meet the author and receive a free autographed book, while supplies last (one per family).
The day will feature hands-on participation in crafts and various activities. CI students enrolled in Claudia Reder's English 212 course, "Introduction to Children's Literature," will be reading aloud to children and helping children make watercolor bookmarks. Students in CI Four Pillars chapter of Mortar Board National Honor Society and Tomorrow's Teachers will be hosting a craft area and a creative writing station. New this year, Philip Ross will be leading a music station where children can participate through sing-alongs. Children will also have a chance to read dozens of books written and illustrated for the Young Authors' Fair by K-12 students in Ventura County. If a child's school participates in the Ventura County Reading Association's Young Authors' Fair, then that child is eligible to write a book and have his or her teacher enter it to be displayed and read at the Celebration on April 25.
The event is free and open to the public. Free parking will be available on campus in specific lots. Once on campus, follow the directional signs to the designated parking lot. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Books will be limited to one per family while supplies last.
Event Schedule: April 25, 2015
10:00am – 12:00pmStorytime
Bookmark making
Creative writing
Family Reading Area
10:00am – 12:00pm
Young Author's Fair
René Colato Laínez, author of Soy René, El Niño/I am René, the Boy, Presentation & Book Giveaway
For more information please contact Janet Pinkley at firstname.lastname@example.com.
For additional information about VCRA's Young Authors' Fair please click here.


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MICHAEL W. DONATELLI, AGE 45 OF INDIANA, DIED FEB. 10TH AS A RESULT TO INJURIES INCURRRED IN A HELICOPTER CRASH NEAR LOS ANGELES, CA. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by the Bowser-Minich Funeral Home in Indiana.
EEO Recruitment Source
Copyright © 2016 Renda. All Rights Reserved.
Kathleen Smathers
Copyright © 2016. All rights reserved.


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- International Trade Update Newsletter
- A Basic Guide to Exporting (10th edition)
- Export Programs Guide (2009 edition)
- Trade Finance Guide (2008)
- 2012 National Export Strategy
- Electric Current Abroad
- Business Ethics: A Manual for Managing a Responsible Enterprise in Emerging Market Economies
- Protect Your Intellectual Property; Stop Trade in Fakes
Electric Current Abroad
A useful tool for exporters, manufacturers, and travelers alike, "Electric Current Abroad" lists the characteristics of electric current available and the type of attachment plugs used in over 150 countries. It is an update of a similar handbook published in 1991. The booklet includes a comprehensive table that indicates the type of current (alternating or direct current), number of phases, frequency (hertz), and voltage, as well as the stability of the frequency and the number of wires to a commercial or residential installation. Accompanying illustrations clearly show the types of plugs and sockets in commercial use. Note that the information contained in this publication pertains to domestic and commercial service only. It does not apply to special commercial installations involving relatively high voltage requirements or to industrial installations.
(1998; 30 pages; ISBN 0-16-054786-5)
- Online: PDF Format
- Reprint: National Technical Information Service
Order Number: PB98-156466
Paper, CD, microfiche, or electronic download
- Updated Information: Electric Current Worldwide website.
The International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, manages this global trade site to provide access to ITA information on promoting trade and investment, strengthening the competitiveness of U.S. industry, and ensuring fair trade and compliance with trade laws and agreements. External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein. This site contains PDF documents. A PDF reader is available from Adobe Systems Incorporated.


text:
Dedicated to helping individuals realize their true potential, IMG Academy offers innovative, comprehensive, and specialized training programs. With expert instruction, a proven training methodology, professional-grade facilities and a challenging and motivating learning environment that brings together individuals of all ages and backgrounds, IMG Academy provides the ultimate foundation for future success.
We strive to develop the next generation of champions, leaders and influencers.
The inherent design of the ascender is to imply that we are always reaching, forever striving, and never satisfied. The five peaks define who we are and capture the spirit of what we hope to achieve.


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Roxspur Measurement & Control Ltd. - PRODUCT NEWS
Dual flow alarm and rate indicator is ultrasonic.
Roxspur Measurement & Control have released a new solid state flow switch, the UQS7, an adjustable dual flow alarm, with an additional digital flow rate indicator.
Suitable for monitoring any aqueous liquid flow, the unit uses a microprocessor based ultrasonic time of flight technique, and so offers full bore pipe flow, with no obstruction, and no moving parts to fail or block the pipe. With an operational flow range covering a 250:1 span, models are available with brass flow tubes suitable for installation using 0.75", 1", 1.25" or 2" male standard threads.
The directly mounted IP65 electronics provides a 4 digit LED display of flow rate, plus green LED indicators to show the switch output state and a yellow LED fault indicator. Powered by any DC supply between 15 and 32 Volts, the solid state switch outputs are capable of driving a 500mA load: an optional 4-20mA analogue output of the flow rate is also available, with the 20mA adjustable to represent a flow between 25% and 100% of the maximum flow range. The simple keypad allows adjustments to the switching set-points, deadband, and response delay time, and can be locked after installation.
The RM&C UQS7 offers a 2.5% accuracy measurement on aqueous flows between -10C and +70C, with the standard unit operating up to 25bar pressure. The unit is immediately applicable to flow monitoring systems on most cooling and heating circuits, offering two stages of flow alarm. The dual alarm output allows a low flow warning signal and then a flow failure alarm, for use in protecting equipment with cooling or lubrication flow systems. Ideal for machine builders and OEM skids, the unit is fully configurable, and the local flow rate display allows easy set-up adjustment and water flow system troubleshooting. The IP65 rating is ensured by using the optional plug for signal and power connection, allowing simple on site electrical installation.
Contact the RM&C flow sales office for further information on the UQS7.
For more information, please contact :-
Roxspur Measurement & Control Ltd.
January 2008
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Quote of the day – why we're not yet in a recovery edition
Yeah, I know, there are technical definitions of what constitutes a recession and a recovery. But if you're unemployed, underemployed or given up on finding a job, you find none of those technical definitions unimpressive.
Anyway, this particular quote, in a nutshell, tells you why the "recovery" isn't much to write home about:
Data released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis at the Commerce Department this morning shows that Americans earned a bit more, spent a bit less and saved more in June — all in line with economists' expectations. Consumer spending drives about 60 percent of the economy, therefore, economists do not expect the recovery to take strong hold until American families feel secure enough and are earning enough to spend again. Unemployment, of course, remains a major drag on the economy.
So, while savings is good in general, it's not good in a macro sense when you're in a recession. And, as the quote notes (and I frankly think the number is low) when 60% of the economy is driven by consumption, increased savings and less spending is not a good sign. It's all about confidence, and consumers simply aren't feeling it.
That may be because of the last sentence which has my vote for the understatement of the year.
The good news, however, is there was nothing, apparently, "unexpected" about these numbers.
4 Responses to Quote of the day – why we're not yet in a recovery edition
Consumers paying down debt is a good thing. You can make all the arguments you want about the Paradox of Thrift etc but the bottom line is that we are suffering through the disaster of a credit boom gone very bad. Fixing that takes time and pain. There's no other way to set the stage for a revival of significant growth. I'm all for identifying and stringing up the bad actors, but our government doesn't have the stones to do that since they were part of the problem.


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If you like George Mitchell's story, you might also like:
Ehud Barak,
Ruth Bader Ginsburg,
Mikhail Gorbachev,
John Hume,
Shimon Peres,
Alan Simpson,
Desmond Tutu,
Antonio Villaraigosa
and Andrew Young
George Mitchell can also be seen and heard in our Podcast Center
George Mitchell's recommended reading:
The Moon is Down
Related Links:
Mitchell Scholars
Mitchell Center
Mitchell Institute
Presidential Medal of Freedom
Print Interview
George Mitchell: It was a very difficult decision. I enjoyed practicing law. I was the United States Attorney for Maine for three years, and then was appointed a federal judge. Those are appointments for life, of course, and so I thought this is it for me, and I truly loved doing it. And then just six months later, Senator Muskie was appointed Secretary of State of the United States, and it created a vacancy.
The governor of Maine, Joe Brennan, called me. He was and is a good friend. And to my surprise and to the complete surprise of all the people of Maine, he appointed me to complete Senator Muskie's unexpired term. At the time, most people thought I was crazy, because the record of appointed senators seeking election is not good, and I was considered a dead duck. There were two very popular members of the House of Representatives, both Republicans, who immediately announced plans to run against me, and they both published opinion polls which showed them respectively 36 and 33 percentage points ahead of me in the polls. And one of the Democrats who wanted to run was a former governor. He published a poll showing that he was 22 points ahead of me in the contest for the nomination. So it was an awfully tough couple of years. Most people thought I had no chance, and stories were written about me in the past tense, and for a while it was tough to keep going. But things worked out, and I was fortunate enough to be reelected, and then later to be reelected by a very large margin.
[ Key to Success ] Perseverance
I'm glad I made the decision, although the practice of law -- and particularly serving as a federal judge -- was a part of my life that I really enjoyed and treasured and look back on it with fondness. I often think about how my life would have been different had I declined the offer to be appointed to the Senate and stayed on the federal bench. I'm sure I would have enjoyed it, but I left because I thought, "I'm in my early 40s, and 20 years from now I'll think about what would have happened had I gone to the Senate."
Is it true that you turned down a possible nomination by Clinton to the Supreme Court?
A vacancy occurred on the Supreme Court, and President Clinton told me that he wanted to nominate me to that vacancy. It was very flattering, and under almost any other circumstance, I would have immediately said yes and been thrilled about it. But I told him that I thought we had a real chance to pass health care reform. I'd been working closely with Senator John Chafee of Rhode Island, a Republican, a close personal friend of mine, a really wonderful man and a great senator, and we thought we might be able to develop a bipartisan package. As it turns out, we were wrong -- we couldn't. And my estimate of the situation proved incorrect, and we couldn't pass legislation. But at that time, in the spring of '94, it looked possible. So I told President Clinton, "I'm flattered, and I think I could do a good job. But you can get plenty of people to serve well on the Supreme Court. What's really important is if we can pass this health care reform. It'll be great for the country."
[ Key to Success ] Integrity
What went wrong with health care reform?
Could you tell us about your role in the Iran-Contra hearings? You have written that at times even you were bewildered by the intricacies of that case. Looking back, what was the significance of that affair?
George Mitchell: The significance of it is that...
In a democratic society, you have to observe the law, even if you disagree with it. And the alternative is not to engage in secret activities which go around the law, but to try to change it, if you don't believe in it, through the forum of public debate.
That's really the significance. People became imbued with an intense belief that they were right, and that the end justifies the means.
As I told Colonel North in the hearings, people admired his patriotism, his courage, and his loyalty, but he cast the argument in religious and patriotic terms, that if you believe in America, then you must give aid to the Contras, and if you don't, then it's somehow unpatriotic. And what I said to him was that in America people are free to criticize the policies of the government, and that's not evidence of lack of patriotism. In terms of religion, I said that, "Although he's regularly asked to do so, God doesn't take sides in American politics," and that it is possible for one to love America and to love freedom and to honor God, as much as did Colonel North, and still disagree on the policy of aid to the Contras. It is not a case of religion and patriotism on one side and lack of religion and patriotism on the other.
It's not unusual. In every society in human history, including the United States, those in power seek to imbue themselves with the attributes of religion and patriotism as a way of getting greater support for their policy and insulating themselves from any criticism. No party or faction has a monopoly on that approach. It's tried and true throughout history. What is good about the United States is the sense that you can disagree with the government and not be seen as unpatriotic, although many in the government will try to make you seem unpatriotic.
George Mitchell Interview, Page:
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East Grangeville Substation Sale
CX(s) Applied: B1.24
Date: 11/14/2013
Location(s): Idaho
Offices(s): Bonneville Power Administration
Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) is proposing to sell its existing East Grangeville Substation to Idaho County Light and Power (ICL&P), located east of the City of Grangeville, Idaho. ICL&P, a BPA network integration customer, owns the land occupied by the substation, proposes to purchase the substation to enhance the reliability of its local distribution system and reduce monthly low voltage costs and Use of Facility Transmission charges. Completion of the sale would relieve BPA of the cost of operating and maintaining the remotely located substation.


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'Taste of Rutland' event is ThursdayStaff Report | April 09,2013Mount St. Joseph Academy will hold its annual "Taste of Rutland" at 6 p.m. Thursday.
The menu will include signature dishes from many local restaurants. The event usually draws around 400 diners, who can reserve tables of any size.
The dinner will be held in the Martin McDonough Gymnasium, located at 127 Convent Ave. Tickets are $25 per person and must be purchased in advance.
To purchase tickets, call the MSJ Development Office at 775-0151, ext. 112, or email firstname.lastname@example.com IN This Just InMONTPELIER — FairPoint Communications is being purchased by Illinois-based... Full Story
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Boy's Under Armour 'Playoff' Heatgear Polo, Size L
Four-way stretch and sweat-wicking technology increase the comfort of a lightweight, three-button polo that he can wear on the green or to school. An antiodor treatment keeps him feeling fresh all day long. Color(s): carbon heather/ black, cardinal/ overcast gray, fuel green/ black, geode green/ nova teal, graphite/ black, red/ ... Learn More


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AMARILLO -- Amarillo Range Riders ropes in their Sixth Annual Rope For A Cure Event.
It's all to benefit kids with Type-1 diabetes.
It's happening all weekend long, starting tomorrow, at the Range Riders Indoor Arena in south Amarillo.
It's free to get in.
Roping won't begin until saturday morning at nine.
All proceeds help fund research for a cure and to send local children with Type-1 diabetes to specialized camps throughout the region.
Copyright 2016 Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.


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Notre Dame picked up their 1st commit for the 2012 class on Wednesday, when Rivals250 to watch CB Tee Shepard committed to the Irish. The 6-foot-1, 175-pound prospect will bring size and physicali...
AMP: Shepard ends recruitment
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Matt Pryor (of The Get Up Kids and The New Amsterdams) and James Dewees (formerly of The Get Up Kids and Reggie And The Full Effect) have announced a brief east coast tour showcasing their solo work with support from Into It. Over It..
"This is something we've talked about for a while," says Pryor. Adds Dewees, "Our schedules just never seemed to allow it until now."
The two will also launch a weekly "Tuesdays with Reggie" podcast companion to Pryor's "Nothing To Write Home About" show.
Jan 16 -- Amityville, NY -- Ollie's Point
Jan 17 -- Cambridge, MA -- T.T. The Bear's
Jan 18 -- Brooklyn, NY -- Knitting Factory
Jan 19 -- Philadelphia, PA -- North Star Bar
Jan 20 -- Baltimore, MD -- Ottobar
Pre-sale tickets will be available today at 3 p.m. EST. General sales begin Friday, November 30.


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Napoleon Hill
36 of 63
The lower vibrations, which do not blend with or otherwise contact the ether, probably live a natural life and die out. All the so-called geniuses probably gained their reputations because, by mere chance or otherwise, they formed alliances with other minds which enabled them to "step up" their own mind vibrations to where they were enabled to contact the vast Temple of Knowledge recorded and filed in the ether of the universe.
All of the great geniuses, as far as this author has been enabled to gather the facts, were highly sexed people. The fact that sexual contact is the greatest known mind stimulant lends color to the theory herein described. Inquiring further into the source of economic power, as manifested by the achievements of men in the field of business, let us study the case of the Chicago group known as the "Big Six," consisting of;
Wm. Wrigley, Jr., who owns the chewing gum business bearing his name, and whose individual income is said to be more than Fifteen Million Dollars a year;
A reliable financial reporting company has estimated the yearly
income of these six men at upwards of Twenty-five Million Dollars
($25,000,000.00), or an average of more than Four Million Dollars a
year per man.
Analysis of the entire group of six men discloses the fact that not one of them had any special educational advantages; that all began without capital or extensive credit; that their financial achievement has been due to their own individual plans, and not to any fortunate turn of the wheel of chance. Many years ago these six men formed a friendly alliance, meeting at stated periods for the purpose of assisting one another with ideas and suggestions in their various and sundry lines of business endeavor.
With the exception of Hertz and Ritchie none of the six men were in any manner associated in a legal Partnership.
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There is a great scene in the movie, The Passion of the Christ, where Simon of Cyrene is helping Jesus stand up after a fall and get under the cross again… Simon says to Jesus, "It's almost over. You can do it. We're almost there." Even in simply imagining what it must have been like to go through the torture that Jesus did, it becomes apparent that by this point, it must have taken every ounce of His energy, will, obedience to the Father, and love for us to stand back up and continue up that hill to Calvary.
You Can Do It!
You may be experiencing something similar… that your cross is heavy to the point of being unbearable, but don't give up, you can do it. Does it seem like every day is a struggle just to keep it together? Don't get discouraged, you can do it. Are you looking for that light at the end of the tunnel, but are seeing nothing but darkness? Don't lose hope, you're almost there. These are the struggles that fashion you into a world-class spiritual athlete and every moment of pain will change you into a better, stronger person, especially if you unite your cross to Christ's.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me–the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing. – 2 Timothy 4:7-8
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The Kia Amanti still drives like a charm! It's ME. I wanted to let you know what happiness it is to see YOU posting on this site. And as history has already shown – your gift to all who walk this hill is a treasure. Thank you personally for all that you have done to help me in the healing. I love You!!!


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This is the April 21, 2013 news archive. View today's Cleveland Sports rumors and news.
Cleveland Sports
Cleveland Sports News and Rumors
Cleveland Cavaliers reach out to Phil Jackson about open coaching position, sources say
ESPN.com Updated Apr 21, 2013
As they did eight years ago when he was in retirement, the Cleveland Cavaliers have reached out to Phil Jackson about their head coach opening, sources told ESPN.com.Share Tweet
Cleveland Browns built to withstand latest off-field crisis: Bud Shawcleveland.com Apr 21, 2013Owner Jimmy Haslam's issues shouldn't affect the Cleveland Browns on the field, unlike the sale of the team by Randy Lerner last year.Share Tweet
Reynolds puts Indians over Astros with HRESPN.com Apr 21, 2013Mark Reynolds' seventh homer of the season put Cleveland on top in the seventh inning and the Indians held on for a 5-4 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday.Share Tweet
NFL Draft 2013 Scouting Report: Running backscleveland.com Apr 21, 2013While running back is not a position of need for the Cleveland Browns, the top running back in this year's draft is again from the University of Alabama. Like Trent Richardson in 2012, Eddie Lacy in 2013 is a member of the Crimson Tide expected to be th…Share Tweet
The Weekend Wrap: Those of you who read me (or who employ me) under…Those of you who read me (or who employ me) understand that I rarely work or write with a plan. I pretty much look at the three Cleveland sports teams and maybe the Buckeyes and go off on whatever tangent I may have for a given article. I write a lot of…Share Tweet
Talking Browns Football with Scotland's Sad FactoryBeing a fan of Cleveland sports is one of the better aspects of life, aside from the no championship thing, of course. The allure of the Browns, Indians and Cavaliers is not just confined to Northeast Ohio, however, as the power of Cleveland sports exte…Share Tweet
Indians place Myers on DL with elbow injuryThe Cleveland Indians have placed starter Brett Myers on the 15-day disabled list with inflammation in his right elbow.Share Tweet
E.J. Manuel: Rob Chudzinski says I remind him of Cam Newtonprofootballtalk.com cleveland.com Apr 21, 2013Quarterback E.J. Manuel met with the Browns in Cleveland last week and then had another private workout with the team on Saturday at Florida State and Manuel says that Browns coach Rob Chudzinski wasn't shy about comparing Manuel with the quarterback thShare Tweet
Top Cleveland Sports Figures, By the Numbers - #41The contest for top honors at #41 in our series was really a two-man race between a pair of modern era Indians players, as both the Browns and Cavs had nothing but lesser-lights to offer as nominees...with all due respect to Ray Ventrone and Mark West, …Share Tweet
Chudzinski envisions 'rocking' home-openerclevelandbrowns.com Apr 21, 2013Coach Rob Chudzinski is excited about starting the 2013 NFL season at FirstEnergy Stadium, Home of the Cleveland Browns against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Sept. 8.Share Tweet
Haslam's company hires lawyer who represented Eddie DeBartoloprofootballtalk.com Apr 21, 2013With plenty of NFL observers already comparing the case against the company run by Browns owner Jimmy Haslam to the case that brought down Eddie DeBartolo as owner of the 49ers, Haslam voluntarily has made another connection between the two situations. …Share Tweet


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Facebook Likebox Module
Facebook Likebox inside Module Position On Joomla Site. Smart & FastDownload the Module
General Description
Built For
A smart module to display Status and Share from Facebook page as stream. After Authentication, simply select the FB page from dropdown, select style and enjoy. Keep your visitors on your site while giving them all important updates from your FB page.
Quick Overview
Joomla 3
Joomla 2.5
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Supported PluginsFacebook Likebox, Facebook Comment plugin(new). Facebook Activity plugin(new), Facebook Recommend plugin
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[i]The ISS will host up to nine persons for a while – a record that has not been broken since retirement of the Space Shuttle in 2011.[/i]
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Out On Top
DBO_Article_article_image Object ( [__table] => article_article_image [_database] => gonyc [id] => 1321 [article_id] => 171 [image_id] => 1326 [image_caption] => Zona Designs: Zoa Martinez
When Zoa Martinez jumped into a wheezing pickup truck to move to New York City with a friend a few decades ago, she didnt fear the monstrous challenge the city usually represents to young artists who leave college early. Obstacles? Thats not a word thats in my vocabulary, Martinez says. I didnt see any obstacles. I just kept going.
What stayed with her throughout her fast-paced life was a constant sensitivity to color and environment and a desire to channel it into creation. And companies noticed. NBC hired Martinez as a designer and soon Martinez joined ABC, where she remained for ten years, while also doing projects for VH1 and MTV. The inherently restless, courageous artistic spirit Martinez exhibited years ago as a college dropout thrives now with Zona Designs, the firm she co-founded in 1999, targeted at the youth, Hispanic, and general populations. Its tagline is, appropriately, Design Made to Move.
Were bold and we get right to the point, Zoa says, laughing. I wonder where that comes from?
As in Martinezs history, movement is infused in each of the Zona Designs. The opening credits of the History Channel, HBO, ESPN and BBC (all by Zona) are startlingly colorful, sharp, fast-flowing and diversefunctioning as multimedia installations in themselves. Its the kind of vision that won the firm an Emmy as well as high-profile clients like A&E, AOL/Time Warner, and the Discovery Channel. Beyond the accolades, Martinez remains in love with the process of artistic creation. Even during this interview, she wonders out loud about writing a book and perhaps starring in a movie. You go, girl! [image_credit] => [image_highlight] => 0 [image_page] => 0 [image_display_order] => 7 [_DB_DataObject_version] => 1.8.5 [N] => 1 [_database_dsn] => [_database_dsn_md5] => 7d5a85f3960d9d91223e571f24c76791 [_query] => Array ( [condition] => [group_by] => [order_by] => [having] => [limit_start] => [limit_count] => [data_select] => * ) [_DB_resultid] => 15 [_resultFields] => [_link_loaded] => [_join] => [_lastError] => )


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Robber run down in RutlandMarch 15,2013
Vyto Starinskas / Staff Photo Rutland City Police investigate a robbery on Center Street in Rutland on Friday at noon.A quick-thinking barista has been credited with saving the day in an attempted robbery at the Coffee Exchange in downtown Rutland today.
At around noon, police said Nicholas Young, 22, of Rutland, walked behind the counter at the popular bistro at the corner of Center Street and Merchants Row, grabbed a bag full of cash intended for the bank along with an employee's purse, then walked quickly from the store, according to witnesses.
In the ensuing chaos, employee Kate Barcellos bolted out the door and pursued Young down the sidewalk on Merchants Row, through the Asa Bloomer Building and onto the bus terminal under the downtown transit center.
Barcellos, who is 22 and stands 4 feet 11 inches tall, said she kept up a steady stream of shouts for help and for the man to stop.
At the terminal, three bystanders heeded her calls and tackled Young, who was taken into police custody. The purse and the bag of money were returned to the Coffee Exchange, Barcellos said.
Police said Young has been charged with felony grand larceny and two misdemeanor counts of simple assault for allegedly biting two of the bystanders who tackled him. One of the bystanders had to be taken to the hospital for treatment.MORE IN This Just InMONTPELIER — FairPoint Communications is being purchased by Illinois-based... Full Story
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Demand for computer artists in communications and entertainment industries continues to grow. Career opportunities in content creation are exploding in entertainment production, animation, modeling, interactive application design, user interface design, product design, game development, audio and video editing, web design, industrial visualization, and a myriad of other visual communications areas.
Cogswell Polytechnical College offers WASC accredited bachelor degrees that prepare students for the fast paced, creative technologies industries.
At Cogswell, the Digital Arts Department coursework spans many multi-disciplinary activities. It includes traditional drawing, illustration, sculpture, graphic design, 3D modeling, animation, video, sound design, story development, storyboarding, storytelling, and media integration. The programs offer technical and applied courses utilized by companies embracing integrated media and are structured to allow students to refine their work and skills in a focused area of interest. Digital Arts and Animation project classes provide many opportunities for collaborations with other programs at Cogswell, including Digital Audio Technology and Digital Arts Engineering. The Portfolio classes provide a format for bringing together all of the elements of the concept to delivery pipeline as students collaborate on multidisciplinary teams to complete real world projects.
3D Animation
The animation program encompasses character, non-character and experimental animation. Character animation fuses acting, performance and the principles of movement to create believable, genuine, emotive characters. Character design, story structure and strong animation fundamentals are used by students to create a short, animated film project in their senior year. Fundamentals and the development of the "craft" of animation are stressed. Students may produce animations fusing both traditional and computer techniques. Non-character animation focuses on visual effects, abstract animation or the motion of inanimate objects. Students are encouraged to combine media to produce original, creative work and content.
Digital Arts and Animation Curriculum – 123 Credits


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SILLES Genealogy in All Regions
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Cheats and Walkthroughs(81)
The sequel to innovative vocabulary game Scribblenauts is coming this fall. Super Scribblenauts for the Nintendo DS promises to expand the vocabulary base and add adjectives to the mix.
The basis of Scribblenauts' gameplay -- write a noun and make that object appear in order to solve a puzzle -- will be expanded exponentially by the addition of adjectives. As I'm sure you remember from English class, adjectives modify nouns, so now you'll be able to change the color, size, style, behaviors and other aspects of the objects you describe in the game. Multiple adjectives can be combined together to produce things like pious, troubled, flying zombies and purple, skinny, winged elephants.
The game is being developed by 5TH Cell, the same company who developed Scribblenauts, and took an unknown title and made it into a sleeper hit.
Did you play the first Scribblenauts? What did you think? I loved it. Any game that has vocabulary as its main mechanic is alright with me. Or should I say, "I approve of interactive experience that reward my verbosity."


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Dismiss NoticeLike to discuss POLITICS? Come join us at PUNNDITS.com!If you like discussing politics and other related topics then your new home (hopefully) for doing just that can be found on Punndits.com! Come join us and help us grow Punndits into a wonderful and safe place to discuss politics with everyone.
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5 Reasons You Should Become a Freight Broker
It's a fantastic time to become a freight broker, as several industry trends from 2013-2014 are coming together to make 2015 look great for the industry. Here's why:
Reason 1: Increasing Standards
The entire industry is still adjusting to the huge 750% increase in bond requirements instituted in October 2013 under the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21).
This new law has had wide ranging effects, but on the most basic level, MAP-21 increased standards by ensuring that fly-by-night brokers are pushed out of the industry. It's also helped brokers understand their liabilities in case they fail to fulfill a contract. This means new brokers won't have to deal with competitors who operate under lower standards.
Reason 2: Decreasing Competition
MAP-21 effectively pushed 35% of all US freight brokers out of the industry. These were largely brokers who were unable to comply with the greater bonding amounts, or the fly-by-nighters we just mentioned.
So, alongside increasing industry standards, we're seeing decreased competition. But while this has been the trend for 2014, the advantage won't continue forever, as brokers adjust to the new industry reality. Thus, it's clearly better to enter the freight broker industry sooner rather than later.
Reason 3: Improving Economic Conditions
Current forecasts predict solid 3% GDP growth for 2015. The high level of integration which shipping enjoys within the larger US economy means that this trend is sure to benefit trucking brokers as well. If you can couple this with starting your business in a high growth area of the country, then you'll be positioning yourself well!
Reason 4: New Technology
New software promises to make the process of finding the right carrier for your client's freight easier and easier. With hundreds of options out there and new ones entering the market regularly, you're sure to have ample opportunities to keep your business running efficiently.
Combine this with the declining costs of the most basic tools of the trade, like computers, and it's clear that technology is another reason to enter the freight brokerage industry.
Reason 5: Low Cost of Entry
Becoming a freight broker is surprisingly affordable, here's a breakdown of all the costs.
Freight Broker License: $300
This is a one time fee for obtaining a license from the FMCSA.
State Registration and Fees: Varies by State
The process and cost of registering a business is different in each state. But fortunately, the federal process is standard and described in our article on getting your MC Authority & other legal requirements. [LINK}
Equipment: Varies
For a basic freight broker just getting started, a computer, phone, and an internet connection should suffice. As you expand, you can consider renting office space, but there's no need to factor that into your initial budget, as most freight brokers initially work from home.
Annual Freight Broker Surety Bond: $900-$2000
It's important to note here that this is going to vary depending on your credit score, business financials, and the agency with which you obtain your bond. With JW Surety Bonds, 90% of bonded freight brokers pay less than $2000 a year.
Software: $600-$1,200
There's a huge variety of software available (100+ just in 2015) and new market products are constantly arriving. Some of the most popular options include:
- Brokerware: This software from 3PL Systems includes all of the major features you would expect (customer and sales portals, accounting integration, truckload management systems, etc.) in addition to innovational XML software, which streamlines the process of determining the least expensive and most reliable carrier for a particular piece of freight.
- Tailwind Express: Tailwind offers several software packages designed for freight brokerages of varying sizes. Their basic Express package is specifically created for brokers just getting started and combines affordability with a good set of basic features and solid functionality.
- Load Pilot: One of the most affordable and powerful options out there, Load Pilot has many high-end features like advanced encryption, universal access, international shipping functionality, and access to their database of shippers and carriers.
Insurance: $3,000+
Like any business, you need insurance to control legal liability. Freight brokers can be sued for fatalities or injuries from a third party carrier, for not following legal contracts or for employment disputes.
Marketing: Varies
There are a lot of potential marketing strategies out there from simple cold calling to complex online content marketing campaigns. These have widely varying costs. If you're starting off with personal contacts to get your business off on the right foot, you might save a bit of money here. But if you're really starting from scratch, it would be best to budget for some serious marketing.
Extra for Unexpected Costs: Varies
This is really up to you. Ideally, you'll want to keep a reserve, so you'll be prepared for unexpected costs like having to replace equipment, which might suddenly break, or handling payment issues from a shipper. Keep in mind that early cash flow problems are a classic small business killer.
Starting Your Freight Brokering Journey
Ultimately, making the decision to become a freight broker (or not) is all about taking a hard look at the big picture and seeing where your opportunities lie. The combination of factors affecting the freight broker industry today aren't repeated often, but only you can decide if they'll make for the perfect opportunity for you.
For a complete guide to every aspect of becoming a freight broker, download our free e-book, The Freight Broker Starter Kit:


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Globe and Mail: "This fall season has seen the release of several high-profile first-person shooters in the latest instalments of the Halo and Call of Duty franchises. Both are likely to break sales records, but neither is a good indicator of where the FPS genre as a whole is heading.
In a future where player choice and agency will be of paramount importance, the largely linear experiences continually being delivered by these two franchises will seem increasingly constrained and archaic. The genre is ripe and ready for a shakeup.
Far Cry 3, one of the best games of the year, may just be the game that does it."
N4G: xbox-360 news feed
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HMI and Boschman hold camp in Caronport
For 14 seasons, Laurie Boschman continually put the puck in the net at the highest level.
Now, Boschman is trying to teach other hockey players the skills to succeed — on and off the ice.
The Kerrobert native and former Winnipeg Jets forward was in Caronport this week as part of a Hockey Ministries International (HMI) camp.
There were about 100 boys and girls aged nine to 17 participating in the weeklong hockey, and faith-based camp.
"We talk to the kids about different techniques for skating, passing and puck handling … those basic techniques of hockey," said Boschman. "Of course, we are a Christian camp as well. We talk to the kids about values and principles that are found in Scripture and how they can apply them in their lives."
HMI puts camps and other programs on throughout Canada, the United States and Europe in the summer months.
Boschman has been involved with HMI since he was 25 years old and was playing with the Jets in the NHL.
"I have been involved with them for 29 years doing this kind of hockey programming," he said. "I am involved with them on a full-time basis now, but before, I just used to help out in the summer months in camps."
According to their website, the organization uses professional instructors, including David Booth, Derek Whitmore, Chico Resch, John Vanbiesbrouck and Boschman, among others.
"We use players like myself who are former NHL players, we use collegiate players, junior hockey players, U.S. college players and American Hockey League players," he said. "We use a variety of individuals to share with the kids on and off the ice."
The camp was a weeklong sleepover in Caronport and this program has been going on out there for about 20 years.
"We provide a really high quality camp," said Boschman. "Our camp is unique because we use an international flavour when we teach these young athletes about skill development.
"We also have the Christian training and we feel you can combine faith and hockey. It is about combining their love for hockey and introducing concepts that are found in the Scriptures that can help them as hockey players and as people."
Throughout the week, the athletes participated in various activities, including swimming in Moose Jaw, ball hockey, dry land training as well as the three-hour on-ice training sessions. In the evenings, instructors would talk about their faith and how it has impacted their lives.
"Our hope for our off-ice program is that these young people will consider some of the claims in the Scriptures," said Boschman. "Get a chance to understand who God is and how applying some of those principles can help them navigate some of the challenges they may face in life."
For more information on upcoming camps or about the program, visit www.hockeyministries.org.


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Ethel Paxson papers, 1903-1982
Paxson, Ethel Easton, b. 1885 d. 1982
Painter, Educator, Sculptor, Author, Illustrator
Active in Essex, Conn.
Collection size: 0.6 linear ft. (on 1 microfilm reel)
Collection Summary: Biographical material, including resumes, membership cards, and an award certificate; correspondence, including letters to her teacher, (Charlotte) Lilla Yale; writings, 1960 and 1976, including a manuscript "My Memories of Lilla Yale", 1976; a scrapbook of clippings and loose clippings; exhibition annoncements and catalogs; three books, MY LOVE AFFAIR WITH BRAZIL, 1970, EUROPE WITH PEN AND BRUSH: RIO REVISITED, 1975, and PARTING WORDS FROM ETHEL, 1982; photographs and an annotated photo album; and printed materials.
Biographical/Historical Note: Painter, sculptor, illustrator, block printer, writer, and teacher; Essex, Conn. Also known by Ethel Paxson DuClos, but rarely used this name professionally.
The donor, Chester DuClos, is the widower of Ethel Paxson.
How to Use this Collection
- Microfilm reel 3832 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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GALVESTON — Authorities on Tuesday arrested 14 people on felony drug charges after a long investigation into what police said is a growing cocaine and methamphetamine problem in Galveston.
The seven-month narcotics investigation resulted in 21 indictments, police said. Arrest warrants have been issued for five Galveston men who were not detained in a police sweep Tuesday, said Sgt. Rene Vela of the police department's vice and narcotics division. One of the men was indicted on two separate drug charges.


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Recently Yale Divinity School organized a conference to mark a major ecumenical event of the last decade (some would even argue, the major ecumenical event of the last century). It was the signing of the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification by the Lutheran World Federation and the Roman Catholic Church.
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THIS IS A DIRECTORY PAGE. Britannica does not currently have an article on this topic.
Alternative Title: Cooraboorama canberrae
Learn about this topic in these articles:
raspy crickets
Among the more widely known raspy crickets are the Illawarra raspy cricket ( Apotrechus illawarra), the Canberra raspy cricket ( Cooraboorama canberrae), and the thick-legged raspy cricket ( Ametrus tibialis). A species belonging to the genus Glomeremus is endemic to the wet forests on the Mascarene Islands in the Indian Ocean. This...


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Linda Boaz
Services: Have been held.
Linda Kay Copeland Boaz, 58, of Snyder, Texas, died Sunday, May 22, 2005, at her home.
She was born on Feb. 7, 1947, in Clovis, to W.N. and Martha Heffington Copeland.
She married Charlie Boaz on Aug. 16, 1968, in Saint Vrain.
Family members said she enjoyed quilting and church.
Survivors include her husband; her mother; a daughter, Haley Ratliff (and husband, Steven) of Belmont, Texas; two sons, Stan Boaz (Sonny Jo) of Missoula, Mont., and Monte Boaz (Dana) of Amarillo; three brothers, James Copeland of Veso, Raymond Copeland of Saint Vrain and John Copeland of Lubbock; and five grandchildren.
Alan Henderson and Tom Holcomb will officiate the services.
Burial will be at 4 p.m. Wednesday at Melrose Cemetery.
Arrangements are by Bell-Cypert-Seale Funeral Home of Snyder, Texas.


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Here's a one page summary of leading stories from Barron's Weekly Magazine, noting stocks to watch for Monday morning when the market opens and brief comments on the Barron's articles. Clicking on a stock ticker pulls up opinion, analysis and a quote for that stock; clicking on a headline takes you to the full Barron's article (paid subscription required). You can get this summary emailed to you every week by signing up here.
Driving Down the Middle by Catherine Shu
Highlighted companies: Constellation Brands Inc. (NYSE:STZ), Continental Airlines Corp. (NYSE:CAL), AMR Corp. (AMR), Electronic Arts Inc. (ERTS), GameStop Corp. (NYSE:GME), DaVita Inc. (NYSE:DVA), Genesis Healthcare Corp. (GHCI), Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings (NYSE:LH)
Summary: Interview of Will Chester, Chief Portfolio Manager of the Westcore Select Fund. Chester follows and invests in mid-cap stocks, because they're "more established less volatile than their smaller-cap brethren." Stocks he likes: (1) Constellation Brands Inc. (STZ) -- breadth-of-product has helped it capture market in both the restaurant and non-restaurant business. He expects its wine business to accelerate, and likes its beer business too. (2) Continental Airlines Corp. (CAL) and AMR Corp. (AMR) -- has been buying them for the past nine months, in anticipation of substantial industry improvement on the tails of renegotiated labor contracts. (3) Electronic Arts Inc. (ERTS) and GameStop Corp. (GME) -- he has a 9% exposure to video games. Console launches speak of "pent-up demand." (4) Healthcare: DaVita Inc. (DVA), Genesis Healthcare Corp. (GHCI), Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings (LH) -- their common denominator is that they stand to gain from government policy, DaVita through its dialysis which should soon come under serious Medicare, and Genesis should benefit from federal and state programs that offer incentives to companies trying to improve location of care. Stocks he's selling: T. Rowe Price Group Inc. (NASDAQ:TROW) -- he likes the company, but feels the current run-up gives it limited further potential.
Related: Stocks With Momentum: Constellation Brands • You Don't Have to be Crazy to Buy Airlines • Electronic Arts: Let the Games Begin! • Electronic Arts' Earnings Exceeds Expectations • GameStop Jumps On Strong Earnings Report • Knee-Jerk Drop in Healthcare May Be Buying Opportunity
Medicine's Cocktail Party by Bill Alpert
Highlighted companies: Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:VRTX), Idenix Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:IDIX), Schering-Plough Corp. (SGP), Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS), Achillion Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:ACHN), InterMune Inc. (NASDAQ:ITMN), ViroPharma Inc. (VPHM), XTL Biopharmaceuticals Ltd. (NASDAQ:XTLB), Wyeth (WYE)
Summary: Hepatitis C virus [HCV] kills over 10,000 Americans a year of an estimated 3,000,000 infected -- 2/3 of which don't know it yet -- and 170 million worldwide. Current treatment involves 6-12 months with interferon and ribavirin (supplied mainly by Roche and Schering-Plough (SGP)), costs over $20,000, cures less than half, and has debilitating side-effects; fewer than 90,000 people a year currently undergo it. Now medical and investment communities are buzzing over drugs in testing that could be more effective and tolerable: offerings from Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. (VRTX), Schering-Plough, Achillion Pharmaceuticals Inc. (ACHN) and InterMune Inc. (ITMN) target an enzyme that makes components of the HCV virus; Idenix Pharmaceuticals Inc. (IDIX), ViroPharma Inc. (VPHM), Roche and XTL Biopharmaceuticals Ltd. (XTLB) are testing drugs that sabotage the protein that copies the viral genome. VRTX and its drug VX-950 lead the first race, and its shares have climbed from $10 to $45 over the past 18 months, giving it a rich market cap of $5b. IDIX (56% owned by Novartis AG (NVS)) with its NM283 lead the second race, but its shares are down from a recent $25 to just $8.70 due to gastrointestinal side-effects in patients currently under testing, giving it a valuation of just $500m. While some analysts feel VRTX merits its premium, its current lead giving it "unprecedented opportunity," others argue that the stock could drop once investors realize it will likely be sharing the HCV market with competitors. The latter seems to be the view of the medical community, which is puzzled by the Street's narrow focus on one of many drugs they foresee becoming part of the antiviral 'cocktail' that will ultimately help HCV sufferers. They don't understand, says hepatitis researcher Douglas Dieterich, that the first drug off the block won't necessarily dominate. "This is not a zero-sum game." Liver expert Robert Brown Jr. concurs that Vertex seems overvalued: "I think all the boats are going to float higher."
Related: Searching for Shorts: VRTX • Vertex May Win Race for Hepatitis C Drug • Vertex Pharmaceuticals Q3 2006 Earnings Call Transcript
Who's Afraid of Leverage? Not the Buyout Kings by Andrew Bary
Highlighted companies: Gap Inc. (NYSE:GPS), Micron Technology (NASDAQ:MU), Bed Bath and Beyond (NASDAQ:BBBY), Nike (NYSE:NKE), Liz Claiborne (LIZ) EMC (EMC), Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ:COST), Apache (NYSE:APA), Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO), Hess (NYSE:HES), Transocean (NYSE:RIG), Avon Products (NYSE:AVP), Kimberly-Clark (NYSE:KMB), Estée Lauder (NYSE:EL), KB Home (NYSE:KBH), DR Horton (NYSE:DHI), Lennar (NYSE:LEN), Toll Brothers (NYSE:TOL), MDC (NYSE:MDC), Hovnanian Enterprises (NYSE:HOV), Linear Technology (NASDAQ:LLTC), Maxim Integrated (NASDAQ:MXIM), Analog Devices (NYSE:ADI), Altera (NASDAQ:ALTR) and Xilinx (NASDAQ:XLNX)
Summary: $227 billion of leveraged buyouts [LBOs] have been announced so far this year -- 34% of all merger activity, and nearly double last year's $119 billion (18%). Now pundits say a $50b LBO is possible, making all but the top 60 publicly-traded companies potential targets. Some large companies that could be taken private: Gap Inc. (GPS), Micron Technology (MU), Bed Bath and Beyond (BBBY), Nike (NKE), Liz Claiborne (LIZ), EMC (EMC) and Costco Wholesale (COST). Potential energy targets: Apache (APA), Valero Energy (VLO), Hess (HES) and Transocean (RIG) -- low price/earnings multiples healthy cash flow make them attractive. Consumer stocks: Avon Products (AVP) has been the subject recent rumors; a Merrill Lynch analyst placed Kimberly-Clark (KMB) and Estée Lauder (EL) at the top of a list of companies that would benefit from the greater financial leverage LBO's bring to the table. Homebuilders: Almost every one has been mentioned as a candidate, including KB Home (KBH), DR Horton (DHI), Lennar (LEN), Toll Brothers (TOL), MDC (MDC) and Hovnanian Enterprises (HOV). Technology: cash-rich analog semiconductor companies like Linear Technology (LLTC), Maxim Integrated (MXIM) and Analog Devices (ADI), as well as Altera (ALTR) and Xilinx (XLNX) are prime targets in an industry that has the healthiest balance sheets of any. But LBO firms are playing with OPM (other people's money) -- many LBO firms buy companies with 35% cash and 65% debt -- and the boom could get ugly if financing dries up.
Related: Takeover Chatter Around Marvell, SanDisk • Fitch: Convergys, CA and Dell Are Buyout Candidates • Five Semi Equipment Buyout Candidates • Investment Banks Have Too Much Money On Their Hands • Bond Bull Funding of LBOs -- No End in Sight
BofA Gains Clout in Private Banking With a Smart Deal
Highlighted companies: Bank of America Corp. (NYSE:BAC), Wachovia Corp. (NASDAQ:WB), Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS)
Summary: In early 2005 Barron's published a skeptical piece on Bank of America (BAC). Now they say, "We were wrong; the stock has rallied 16% since then, outperforming not only its financial-services peers, but the broader market, too." BAC's $3.3b buyout of U.S. Trust looks good: its acquisition of a solid name in wealth-management is likely to lift Bank of America's private banking efforts. With combined assets under management of $328 billion, BAC goes to fifth from ninth in Barron's 2006 rankings of the top wealth management firms in the U.S., just ahead of Wachovia (WB) and just behind Morgan Stanley Global Wealth Management. Analysts say the deal demonstrates the bank's willingness to draw on outside expertise to boost key portions of its business, leading a top CIBC analyst to lift her price target on Bank of America's stock to $65 from a previous $59 (shares closed Friday at $54.56). BAC currently trades for 11 times 2007 estimated earnings of $4.94 a share and yields a rich 4.10%, "which ought to keep shareholders happy as they wait for the latest purchase to pay off."
Related: Bank of America , Citibank Takeover Targets On Paper Only • Bank of America Acquires U.S. Trust in Bid To Lure the Uber-Rich • $1.5 Billion Ruling Against Bank of America Overturned • Bank of America Accelerates Free Trading: Time to Short Ameritrade, E-Trade and Charles Schwab?
Buyout Talk Lifts Avon. Time to Sell.
Highlighted companies: Avon Products Inc. (AVP)
Summary: At $33 Avon Products Inc. (AVP) is up 16% since March. Much of the gain has been due to rumors of an impending leveraged buyout. Q3 results were mixed: total sales were up 9% ($2.1b), but only 4.5% after stripping out the effects of foreign-currency translation and an acquisition. Even the lower figure beat the company's guidance and encouraged investors. But net income fell 47% ($86.4m) and EPS fell to $0.19 cents from $0.35 -- results were hurt by $56m in restructuring charges and a $21m one-time tax increase. Bulls hope restructuring charges will cool off by 2007, allowing earnings to improve. As far as the LBO rumors, it's no sure thing. Barron's: "It's tough to see how a buyer, financial or strategic, could earn an adequate return on investment," seeing as the company already trades at 11.6x Ebitda; consumer sector buyouts have been going for 12x. And the Federal Trade Commission has proposed new rules for multilevel marketers that could take a heavy toll from Avon value if approved. "At 21 times 2007 estimated earnings of $1.61 a share, we see little upside left."
Related: LBO Fever -- Barron's Look at Who May Be Next • MLM Legislation Ignites Short Sellers • Avon Misdirects Ad Spending • Avon Q3 2006 Earnings Call Transcript
Snap-on Tools Suited for a Trade
Highlighted companies: Snap-on Inc. (NYSE:SNA)
Summary: In April 2005 Barron's went positive on Snap-on Inc. (SNA) based on new CEO Jack Michaels accelerating SNA's lackluster restructuring, improving operations, and utilizing dealers better; since then shares are up 55%. Q3 sales ($600m) were up 8% and EPS ($0.48) were up 33% and beat analysts' estimates of $0.43. At $47/share, they're trading at 21x 2007 estimated earnings of $2.30. The downside: A weakening economy could take a toll on industrial sales, and dealer sales have not picked up. SNA recently announced a $500m acquisition of ProQuest Business Solutions, which provides tracking software for car companies and dealers and fits well with Snap-on's diagnostic- and information-services group, but may pose "growing-pain" integration problems; conversely, its high-margin business could easily add 10-20 cents to earnings. Margins are up to 7.7% from 6%, but still have plenty of upside before hitting Michael's 10% goal. Bottom line: "If Snap-on can achieve a 10% operating margin, it's easy to envision the company earning north of $3 a share, and its stock climbing to the low- to mid-50s in the next year or so."
Related: Will ValueAct Capital Add Some Snap to Snap-On Inc. ?
A Battle Dripping With Irony by Neil A. Martin
Highlighted companies: ASM International (ASMI), Mellon Financial Corp. (MEL)
Summary: The Mellon hedge fund (MEL), which owns about 8% of ASM International (ASMI), wants the company's to spin-off its money-losing chip-making operations from its highly profitable semiconductor-assembly and packaging-equipment division. Hedge-fund chief Mickey Harley: "Failure to achieve long-promised synergies between the two businesses has eroded investors' confidence." He claims to have the support of 30% of shareholders. Arthur del Prado, president and 22% owner of ASMI, says he wants to maintain the integrity of ASMI's two main operations, especially since its chip division recently went profitable: "To split the company now would be to squander our investment over the years and seriously jeopardize the continued release of value from our chip-equipment-making operations." Tomorrow the two sides will face-off at an extraordinary shareholders meeting Monday near Amsterdam. Even if Mellon activists carry the day and the nonbinding resolution is approved, indications are that management will reject it, forcing a court-battle. Barron's: Regardless of what happens, holders of ASMI should be winners: ASMI shares closed Friday at $21.34, a 52-week high. The chip-equipment division is now profitable, and new digital technologies promise gains; continuing profitability should fuel the stock price -- bulls see another 10%-to-15% rise over the next year. And if the chip operations are sold, that would produce some sort of payout for shareholders.
Related: More Proof Semis Headed in Right Direction • Jim Cramer's Take on MEL
In China, Multiple Mobile-Phone Winners by Jon Ogden
Highlighted companies: China Mobile Limited (NYSE:CHL), China Unicom Ltd. (NYSE:CHU), China Telecom Corp. Ltd. (NYSE:CHA), China Netcom Group Corp. (NYSEARCA:CN)
Summary: With 400 million subscribers China's mobile-telecom market is the biggest in the world. Yet it houses just two players: China Mobile Limited (CHL) and China Unicom Ltd. (CHU); both are listed in Hong Kong and have American depositary receipts trading in New York. China Mobile is the dominant provider, yet remains a "growth company," piling up profits, cash and new subscribers at a rapid rate. In September, for example, CHL added 4.5m million subscribers (78.4%), taking its client base to 287 million. CHU has suffered since being saddled by the Chinese government with the task of running two separate networks, one based on the European GSM standard, the other on the U.S. CDMA standard. The next big opportunity in China is in the countryside, where people are just beginning to be able to afford mobile phones. Estimates are that only 12% have mobile phones, compared with 60% in the cities; analysts project up to 600 million new rural subscribers in the next few years. China Mobile should win most of these customers because Unicom doesn't have the resources to build two separate networks in the countryside, and has decided to focus on cities. CHL's downside: (1) How much of its strength is already priced in? (2) Will the government license new competitors? Many say for sure one, possibly two. (3) Will CHL be forced by the government to roll out China's unproven third-generation TD-SCDMA technology? The upside of CHU: (1) Some traders are speculating that Unicom's two networks will be sold off to fixed line companies China Telecom Corp. Ltd. (CHA) and China Netcom Group Corp. (CN), and CHU shareholders could get HK$10 for their shares (currently worth HK$8.47). (2) The possibility that CHU will sell one network, allowing it to focus on the other. Barron's: "The dominant provider is still a strong long-term prospect, though its weaker rival could be worth a side bet."
Related: China Netcom Embraces Corporate Governance • How to Play the Delay in China's 3G Rollout • Seeking Alpha's China Telecom/Wireless Site • Jim Cramer's Take on CHL, CHU
Google: 500 Reasons to Worry by Jacqueline Doherty
Highlighted companies: Google Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG), Yahoo! Inc. (NASDAQ:YHOO), IAC/InterActiveCorp (IACI)
Summary: Barron's was (wrongly) skeptical about Google Inc. (GOOG) stock at $360; yet it's even more wary today. Google now has the 15th biggest market cap in the U.S., and its P/E ratio (close to 40) is 3x comparable companies'. Earnings estimates for 2007 are $13.70 (+33%), which looks great, but is actually weak compared to 2006 growth of 81% -- and the 2007 number ignores $1/share of stock option expenses and gives earnings-credit of $1/share for interest earned on GOOG's $10b stash of cash. U.S. search revenue growth, its mainstay, was down to 6% growth q/q in Q3, compared to double-digit growth a half-year ago. Competitors Yahoo! Inc. (YHOO) and Ask.com (owned by IAC/InterActiveCorp (IACI)) grew search volume (30% and 25%) by more than GOOG (23%), resulting in a market-share slippage to 49.6% from 50.2% in August. The average price per search keyword is down 11% since the beginning of the year and 34% since April 2005. Net revenue should rise 81% this year, but R&D will go up 133%, sales and marketing 96%, admin expenses 119%, and capital expenditures 129% (to $1.9b), meaning GOOG must continue to grow revenues rapidly to keep up with its spending. A setback in consumer spending, if it materializes, will hurt advertising revenues. "Could Google have a great fourth quarter? Sure. Could the shares soar if it decides to split its stock? Definitely. But, at some point investors will focus on the company's slowing growth rate and bloated expenses. And when that happens, look out below."
Related: How Google Slips To $100 a Share - And Stays There • Google, Yahoo Gain Search Share at MSN's and AOL's Expense • AmTech Likes Yahoo In 2007 • Morningstar: Google Earnings Growth To Settle At 28% • Lessons From Google's Big Run • Jim Cramer's Take on GOOG
Yum by Kopin Tan
Highlighted companies: Yum! Brands Inc. (NYSE:YUM), McDonald's Corp. (NYSE:MCD), Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. (NYSE:CMG), Starbucks Corp. (NASDAQ:SBUX)
Summary: Shares of Yum! Brands Inc. (YUM), which owns KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, A&W and Long John Silver's, have soared 43% since Aug. 1, more than twice the average of other restaurant stocks and 4x the S&P 500. Up its sleeve: A new KFC logo (with a trimmer colonel), a resuscitated Taco Bell, and plans to turn around a "flat" Pizza Hut chain including a co-branding scheme to sell WingStreet wings together with pizzas. But it's YUM's China foray that has investors buzzing, with 22% projected growth (compared to 10% worldwide and 5% domestic) Yum has 3x McDonald's Corp.'s (MCD) presence in China. But in the short-term YUM may have a hard time producing numbers that can "wow" the Street, having already touted its China growth (which still only accounts for 24% of its 2007 projected revenues) in a September analyst meeting, and the Pizza Hut turnaround presently a long-term project. It is already at 20x earnings -- the top of its range. Given the poor odds for a short-term surge to the upside, and how expensive YUM options are, GS strategist John Marshall suggests selling out-of-the-money calls against the stock to pad yield.
Related: Are Yum!'s China Margins Sustainable? • Yum!'s Quarterly Call Focuses on KFC, Pizza Hut & New Businesses in China • Yum! Localizes China Fast Food Strategy • Jim Cramer's Take on YUM • Yum! Brands F3Q06 (Qtr End 9/9/06) Earnings Call Transcript
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Residents scrutinize County Attorney's earnings and contributions in Westmoreland
- Details
- Last Updated on Wednesday, 17 December 2008 16:46
- Published on Wednesday, 17 December 2008 16:46
- Hits: 1010
The Westmoreland County Citizens' Association has spent an entire year observing their local government in action and looking for ways county government might conserve the tax revenue that it collects.
During the most recent Board of Supervisors meeting, Association President and spokesperson Kennon Morris raised a question about the County Attorney's position.
"Do we need a County Attorney to be retained during these difficult economic times?" was the first question that he asked.
Morris suggested that it may be better "to just pay for legal services as needed, like other neighboring counties on the Northern Neck."
Thomas Bondurant currently holds the position of County Attorney in Westmoreland. He owns a weekend home in neighboring Northumberland County and practices law in the Richmond area, traveling to Montross to attend the monthly Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors meetings.
According to information gathered by some members of the Westmoreland County Citizens' Association, Westmoreland County paid Bondurant just under $60,000 for the work he did for the local government between July 1, 2007 and June 30, 2008.
According to the group's research, his salary was $36,000.00 and additional work performed at the local government's request brought his earnings in that period to $53,811.00.
When the County Attorney attended an LGA Conference that cost local taxpayers $1,255.00 and his running total climbed to $55,066.00. The county's contribution of $4,812.00 for the part-timer's hospitalization insurance coverage raised the total to $59,878.00.
The employment contract that the county government executed with attorney Thomas Ogburn Bondurant, Jr. on March 22, 2005 mirrors language contained in contracts made with past county attorneys Gordon Wilkins and Richard Stuart in March and December of 2003.
The 2003 and 2005 contracts state that the County Attorney "will represent the county in certain legal matters as counsel, to-wit: Provide legal advice to the Board of Supervisors, Industrial Development Authority, Planning Commission, and the County Administrator, together with county agencies and departments, and as authorized by the Board of Supervisors or County Administrator, as long as ethically appropriate.
"[The County] Attorney will also associate other counsel in matters requiring specialized advice, upon authorization by the County Administrator.
"[The County] Attorney will not be representing [the] County in the following matters: as Attorney for Social Services," which instead engages Valerie Mayo as its attorney of record.
According to the contract, the County Attorney is paid "a fixed fee of $36,000.00 per fiscal year."
The contract then states that the County Attorney is compensated "on an hourly basis at the rate of $90.00 an hour for all trial work in the General District Courts, Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, Circuit Court, and any other courts in Virginia, or elsewhere, including trial preparation, drafting of pleadings or any other work related to litigation or court orders or appearances."
The County Attorney is additionally compensated at the rate of $90.00 per hour for "all work related to utility systems, water, sewer, or other, which are owned by or participated in by the County, including, but not limited to, title work, drafting of easements, documents, agreements or any other papers, meeting attendances which are separately designated from regular or special Board of Supervisors business meetings, and any other work related to utility systems."
"Mr. Bondurant will really earn a lot of money if the Phase 2 Washington District sewer project goes through next year," an Association member commented when the reporter initially reviewed the copy of the employment contract that the Association had obtained.
The same payment of $90.00 per how will be allocated to Bondurant as compensation for "all work related to County bond issues, including preparation of County Attorney opinions, coordination with bond counsel, and any other matters related to bond issue financing for the County of County-related projects."
The "County will further pay for [the County] Attorney's participation in the County health plan," a provision believed to cost local taxpayers the previously noted $400.00 per month.
The contract states that the "County agrees to reimburse [its County] Attorney for all expenses for travel, conferences and conference fees, meals, court reporters, transcripts, court costs, private investigators, expert witnesses, medical examinations, printing, and any other expenses arising out of said representation by [County] Attorney, subject to annual appropriation, and budget approval.
"Reimbursement for expenses shall be due at the time [the County] Attorney incurs such expense [and] monthly itemized statements of all expenses will be provided to [the] County.
"[The County] Attorney shall bill the County on an annual or monthly basis for accrued hourly fees and expenses not yet paid, if any.
"In all respects, the County Attorney shall serve at the pleasure of the Board of Supervisors.