text:
Alan Saga-Only Right Here Knife Holder
At Design Interviews
(Excerpt) Interview with Alan Saga : Frank Scott: What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?. Alan Saga : The main source of inspiration for my design was bullfights, which are part of a vast cultural diversity in my country. So I wanted to represent the same concept in the transition and awakening of consciousness about controversial issues not only in Mexico but worldwide. .Frank Scott: What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?. Alan Saga : My main aim was to achieve the fusion of an aesthetically minimalist element and an imposing piece. And that piece projects the cultural history of a country. .Frank Scott: What are your future plans for this award winning design?. Alan Saga : My goal is that this award serves as a platform, to introduce the product internationally. And from a personal standpoint, use it as a way of relating both commercially and socially with companies and designers. .Frank Scott: How long did it take you to design this particular concept?. Alan Saga : The initial concept of this project took approximately one or two months when I was still a student at my university. Subsequent to graduating I resumed the project design and perfect it, which took me 2 weeks to land it and start modeling. .Frank Scott: Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?. Alan Saga : I always wanted to share the culture of my country, and I think bullfighting is a potential topic, with ideas and representative level. The start of this project was completely free, and of my personal inspiration. .Frank Scott: Is your design being produced or used by another company, or do you plan to sell or lease the production rights or do you intent to produce your work yourself?. Alan Saga : I currently plan to sell the product to any interested company or lease the rights of it with a business plan. .Frank Scott: What made you design this particular type of work?. Alan Saga : I've always loved designing pieces which contain visual analogies, and also have a certain degree of controversy. .Frank Scott: Where there any other designs and/or designers that helped the influence the design of your work?. Alan Saga : Because it was a design that was made during college, I received feedback of a design teacher. On the other hand the trend of using multifaceted shapes is the most interesting and aesthetic considered for the type of products that I wanted to do. .Frank Scott: Who is the target customer for his design?. Alan Saga : Basically people with passion and sensibility for art. .Frank Scott: What sets this design apart from other similar or resembling concepts?. Alan Saga : The main feature that differentiates my design from similar ones, is the cultural history and all that entails (visual analogies). .Frank Scott: How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?. Alan Saga : What I was trying to represent with the name of my design, was to show the polemic and controversy that bull runs have in some countries, but also the global boom that has taken care of our planet. The name means in a peculiar way of saying that you only have the right to hurt an animal in a symbolic and fictitious way. .Frank Sco.[ End of Excerpt: Read complete interview with Alan Saga on Only Right Here Knife Holder at design-interviews.com ]
Alan Saga-Only Right Here Knife Holder Images:
End of the article, click here to go back to previous page, or alternatively go back to Big Architects homepage.


text:
Grundfos Singapore (GSI) sets a milestone in its history by groundbreaking for a new Green Building factory.
All employees of GSI and Grundfos' Asia Pacific Regional headquarters celebrated the occasion by visiting the new premises and witnessing the official groundbreaking ceremony performed by Mr Poul Due Jensen - GM of Grundfos (Singapore) Pte. Ltd; Mr Tan Wee Seng - Official Contractor representing Bovis Land Lease; and Mr Foo Yong Kai - Architect from W architect Pte Ltd.
The new environmentally friendly building, planned to be ready for operation in 2010, will be located at Tukang Innovation Park, envisaged as a business and educational centre of Jurong town in Singapore.
The proposed new facility will be one of the few Platinum-rated Green Mark Buildings in Singapore and home to both Grundfos Singapore Operations and Grundfos Asia Pacific Regional headquarters.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Nelson Marques
Dear Visitor,
My name is Nelson and I'm Portuguese. I'm a Linux enthusiast and I joined Fedora Marketing Team, where I've been learning lots of things in several fields. At a later stage I've joined the trans_PT team to help providing better contents in my native language, Portuguese (by localization pt_PT).
Some of my hobbies (past and recent):
- Warhammer 40.000 - A loyalist and fan of Codex Astartes; a Black Templar by nature, who loves to defy the Codex.
- World of Warcraft - A Protection Paladin serving Thrall on Grim Batol Europe. One of Illidan's slayers and Felmyst's day saver (WoTLK is for retards, no joy with free loot).
- Handball - Former goal keeper with 8 seasons and 1 National Cup.
- Nature - Activist and defender of our natural spaces. Many hours cleaning woods and beaches.
- Wi-Fi Security - enthusiast of technology. Pro GSM activist.
contacts and whereabouts
- name: Nelson Marques
- e-mail: email@example.com
- IRC: nmarques on Freenode at #fedora-mktg, #fedora-pt.
- Google Talk: firstname.lastname@example.com
- phone: email me first.
- fedora people: http://nmarques.fedorapeople.org/
- Location: Estarreja, Portugal
Project Fedora Marketing Team is like having a first row ticket into something wonderful, the Fedora Community. Far from being a traditional knife cutting marketing department, it's a sane world where people coexist peacefully and help creating something wonderful, Fedora Linux. Nothing in academical or theoretical therms can prepare you for such an exciting adventure.
By the way, we do real work!
The Portuguese (pt_PT) translation team. Not so strong in numbers, but providing good output.
More information on the Portuguese (pt_PT) here.
twisted suite
The twisted suite... started with a small hack to Equinox Radiance GTK Theme by Mathiew James using the Equinox GTK Engine.
The first mod was called "Blue Abomination", featuring a GTK2 theme and Metacity (with ugly icons).
The goals behind this was to explore promotion of artwork in http://www.gnome-look.org. Some report to write later on.
- Equinox Abomination: http://nmarques.fedorapeople.org/packages/equinox-abomination/
- Equinox GTK Engine (x86_64): http://nmarques.fedorapeople.org/packages/gtk-engine-equinox/
Goddard - DVD media lightscribe
- For those who have lightscribe enabled hardware I've made some small work for Goddard install DVD (x86_64). Keep in mind the following:
- I'm not an artist. This is provided as .xcf and .png. No skills with Inkscape.
- This is not official Fedora stuff. I've made this for my own needs.
- I've tried to my best to keep the Fedora Logo Guidelines. I've used the designated logo font, MgOpen Modata (package: mgopen-modata-fonts), but somehow it seems a bit different from the SVG logo's around.
- This was tested with OS X burning/lightscribe software. It works. Not sure on how is the lightscribe support under Linux.
- Stuff: http://nmarques.fedorapeople.org/fedora/goddard-lightscribe/


text:
Courtesy photo
Courtesy photo
Elite runners from all over the world gather in Boulder, Colo., each Memorial Day weekend to compete in its annual Bolder Boulder 10K race.
However, it's an event not just for the uber fit or young, but for runners and walkers of all ages and fitness levels.
Brush was well represented in this year's Bolder Boulder, which attracts about 50,000 people, with 42 Brush residents participating – more than double the 20 people that took part in 2013.
Three of them, who are longtime Bolder Boulder participants, recently shared their experiences in the event and their inspiring fitness journeys.
Andrea Strand
Long-time Brush resident and City Clerk Andrea Strand said she and her husband Dave first participated in the Bolder Boulder in 2009 not long after they became involved in running for the first time and have participated every year since then. She enjoys the Bolder Boulder event for a number of reasons.
"I think it's the atmosphere of the race, it's such a social event," Strand said. "It's also fun to see that many people who like to run or walk."
Although Strand said she has always been active, she didn't get serious about fitness until the mid-2000s when she joined the Body Firm in Fort Morgan in 2004. She said she and her husband started running around 2008 as part of an effort to get fit and "it was just something fun for us to do together."
For the last five years or so, she and Dave try to average about one racing event a month from 5Ks to half marathons. They have ran in events on the Eastern Plains, the Front Range area and points beyond, including the Savannah half marathon in Savannah, Georgia, which is one of her favorite races with the course meandering through the city's scenic parks and Spanish moss trees.
"We did it in November, so the weather was nice," Strand said. "It was really memorable."
Among the other many races in which the Strands have competed are the Las Vegas Rock and Roll race (three times), the Denver Rock and Roll, the Colfax Half Marathon, the Cherry Creek Sneak and the Frosty's Frozen Run series in the winter months at Chatfield State Park in Littleton.
In northeast Colorado, the Strands have participated in the Wiggins Fourth of July Freedom Run and in Brush the St. Patrick's Day run and the Brush Rush, another one of Strand's favorite races.
Strand said running and participating in the races "keeps me working toward something. It keeps me going."
Vicky Quinlan
Another long-time Bolder Boulder participant and also someone who started running a little later in life is Brush City Council member Vicky Quinlan, who also is the assistant coach for the Brush High School cross country team.
Quinlan said she didn't start running until age 37. At the time, she had injured her back and when she went to the doctor he told her she "was overweight and out of shape."
Quinlan decided to take action even though she had never been a runner. At the beginning she couldn't even run a short distance.
"I could not run one full lap on the high school track," Quinlan said. "I played softball, but I didn't take care of myself. I thought well ok what am I going to do about it."
Quinlan said her initial goal was being able to continuously run one mile. She said she started off by "going over to the high school track and ran the straightaways and just walked the curve." Her running stamina and distance gradually increased and since then she has done all kinds of races, including 5Ks, half marathons and even a marathon. She also has competed in a triathalon.
And she has not only become a runner, but a competitive runner often placing high in her age division.
Although Quinlan said she is only competitive with herself and thinks she is simply a recreational runner, one of her nephews disagrees and has told her, "no you're not."
Whatever the case may be, Quinlan's drive and training has led to impressive placements in a number of races, including the Bolder Boulder, and at an age when many people might be backing off somewhat in their fitness routine.
Qinlan said she was 40 years old the first time she ran in the Bolder Boulder in 2002, only a few years after she started running. As the years passed and she continued to train and gathered up stamina and speed she ran her fastest time in the event at 51.40 when she was 49 years old, placing 20th in her age group. The following year, even though she ran slower she placed 16th.
The Bolder Boulder is one of Quinlan's favorite races one in part because of its festive, holiday atmosphere and also that it has become a family event for she and her extended family.
"I like the atmosphere and just being part of the running community," Quinlan said. "Also you run into Folsum Field (at Colorado State University) at the end and there is a big Memorial Day tribute. It's also such a big family affair."
Over the years, Quinlan has gradually encouraged various members of her family to become involved in the Bolder Boulder.
Her son ran the event with her the first year. Her daughter has also participated with her, and this year seven members of her family ran in the Bolder Boulder. Although they all run in different waves based on time, they gather afterward in the stadium and then enjoy a meal together.
Running has become an essential part of Qunilan's fitness routine and she finds running also to be a great stress reliever and a spiritual experience.
"I find running to be somewhat spiritual," she said. "It's my own time to get out. When I'm running in the summer in the morning I can smell fresh cut grass, see the water on lawns, hear the birds chirping – it's a sensory thing."
Quinlan said another marathon might be in her future and another goal might be qualifying for the Boston Marathon. She is a big proponent that age should not be a factor in approaching fitness and said she tells everyone at age 37 I could not run. She tells her track students, "If you say you can, you can. If you say you can't, you won't."
Brush Mayor
Chuck Schonberger
Another longtime Bolder Boulder participant is Brush Mayor Chuck Schonberger who said he has "done it many times." He first became involved in the event in 2000 when his daughter Beth participated in it with the Brush Middle School cross country team. He thinks it's a very enjoyable event calling it "a ton of fun" and with all bands and entertainment along the way "it's like a moving party."
Schonberger said people of all ages from young to old participate in the Bolder Boulder, some of them in costumes. This year he passed a man with a sign indicating all the ways he had participated in the event, which was launched in 1979 with about 2,000 participants.
"There was one guy that I passed with a sandwich type poster that started off with 'I have run, sprinted, jogged and walked and finally finished all 36 of the Bolder Boulders,'" Schonberger said.
Schonberger said he has "never totally run it" but usually tries to do a combination of jogging and walking. He said his best time for the hilly, 6.2 race has been an hour and half. This year he walked the entire race since he had an ankle bothering him and completed the race in two hours.
His son Greg and Greg's wife, Stephanie, also participated in the event with him.
Since 2000, Schonberger said he has missed it a couple of years, estimating he has participated in it nine or 10 times.
Another fitness event Schonberger is looking forward to being a part of is the third annual Pedal the Plains in September, which this year will pass through Brush. He participated in the event for the first time last year.


text:
Magnolias II by Hong Pham Black Framed Fine Art Paper Print
Select a Color
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Magnolias II by Hong Pham Black Framed Fine Art Paper Print
Product Description
Our museum quality fine art prints are; hand-framed, subjected to the highest standards of quality, and printed using state-of-the-art technology only available in the fine-art world. We use heavyweight, 300GSM, acid free paper, in tandem with fade-resistant archival inks.
- Indonesian Hardwood frame with matte finish. Handcrafted and detail finished with rounded filled miter joints for a clean and smooth finish.
- Printed on 300 GSM, Heavyweight, Cold Press, archival fine-art paper with a distinct textured surface in a bright white tone.
- Protected by Acrylite premium clear-coat, non-glare glazing. This premium glazing reduces glare and maintains color vividness.
- Fade resistant Epson UltraChrome™ archival inks.
- Our prints utilize dual D hooks for stable hanging and come with free hanging accessories, ready to hang right out of the box.
- For care, dust with a non abrasive, dry cloth, using a plastic cleaner.
- Measurements: 32 Width/Inches, 24 Height/Inches
- Weight (lb.): 3 Lb
- Base Material: 50% Paper, 50% Wood
- Care: Keep Out of Direct Sunlight
- Country of Origin: Made in US
Shipping & Returns
Convenient Shipping Options
Not available at your store? We can ship to you directly or to your favorite JCP location.
Easy Returns
Shop with confidence. Read our full, common sense


text: Enjoy our on site café and Museum shop during your visit! Located on the first floor of the Museum, both the café and shop are open to the public during the Museum's regular hours. Grab lunch or a snack at the Cross Keys Café, which features a colonial-era inspired menu of salads, sandwiches, entrees, and desserts. Discover unique gifts, books, and artifact reproductions in our shop at the Museum or online.


text:
Larry "Butch" and Judy Leady of Fayette, Ohio, will celebrate 50 years of marriage.
Larry Leady and Judith Ann Siders were united in marriage July 28, 1962, at Assembly of God Church in Weston, Ohio. They have lived in Fayette for the past 46 years.
The Leadys have four children, Dawn Leady and Suzette (and Kevin) Boesger both of Fayette, Blair "Duke" Leady of Urbana, Ohio, and Brent (and Andrea) Leady of Montpelier, Ohio. They also have two grandchildren, Jonathan Blair Boesger and Trinity Skylar Leady.
The family has scheduled an open house from 2 to 5 p.m. July 28, at Fayette Church of the Nazarene in the Leady's honor. Friends and family members are invited to attend the celebration.


text:
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M3U playlist empty
Hi all,
I just bought a new Clip Sport Plus (update 2.02 installed) and have been struggling with the empty playlist problem that so many seem to be experiencing with various Sandisk MP3 players. I'm sorry for yet another post on this topic but I really need some help.
I've researched articles on this blog and experimented with several approaches, but have had frustrating and inconsistent results after several hours of trying.
After several failed attempts, I decided to create a test folder with 3 files and meticulously follow the instructions on the Sandisk support page for the Clip Sport Plus using WMP. I decided to created a folder called FolderA with three MP3 audios, Song1, Song2, and Song3 so that I could send an example to this forum. Before I did, I dragged this folder (containing the playlist) to the Clip Sport /Music folder and amazingly it worked.
Having believed the problem solved, I went to my actual desired folder and followed the exact same procedure and was disappointed to find the playlist empty. Here's the contents of the test playlist FolderA that worked:
and a truncated version of the desired playlist folder ACI_1-10 that did not work
Both folders were built identically and both reside in the /Music folder on the device. Both playlists show up when I look in the playlists on the device, but FolderA is populated and works properly and the other is empty.
Thinking that the underscore and dash in the folder name might be causing the problem, I repeated the process with a folder having only letters and numbers to no avail.
I must be missing something basic, so if someone has cracked the code on how to make playlists work properly, I would very much appreciate the help. Thanks!!!
Solved! Go to Solution.
Re: M3U playlist empty[ Edited ]
02-12-2017 11:00 AM - edited 02-12-2017 11:18 AM
I am contributing these comments based on my experience using the SanDisk Clip Sport (not the Plus).
I recommend everyone to try using the software mp3tag to create m3u playlists for SanDisk players
My Clip Sport will properly access my playlists using MUSIC mode, but not FOLDER mode.
Also, my playlists work when my ID3 tag information is filled in for each cited audio file.
Here is the format of a playlist on my Clip Sport (created by mp3tag).
nnn=3-digit number (with no obvious relationship to the file information ?)
songtitle does not include .mp3
I hope this helps.....
Re: M3U playlist empty
Thank you for taking the time to respond, but the result was the same using mp3tag, an empty playlist.
Any other ideas would be appreciated.
Re: M3U playlist empty
Hi folks,
I just wanted to follow up on the e-mail I posted a couple of weeks ago, in hopes it may help others with the same 'empty playlist' issue.
First of all, let me send a shout-out to Sandisk International Support. They worked with me on two seperate occasions and the reps were very courteous and helpful.
In order to investigate the issue, I uploaded my files to a Sandisk dropbox site, and the technicians saw the same problem I had. They were able to resolve the issue by changing all the file names to Track 1, Track 2, Track 3, etc. Despite the fact that the orginal file names were a simple string of letters and numbers (i.e., B2M01101.mp3), the files weren't visibile on the Clip Sport Plus.
The tech did not know why this problem was happening and I haven't had time to investigate further by using different variations of file names, but renaming the files to Track 1, Track 2, Track 3, etc allows the playlist to be created correctly and played in the right order on my device.
I hope this helps others experiencing similar problems.
Re: M3U playlist empty[ Edited ]
02-27-2017 06:17 PM - edited 02-27-2017 06:18 PM
Thank you for posting a follow-up to this confusing problem.
I decided to try your original filenames on four simple mp3 audio files using my Clip Sport (not the Plus version).
I discovered that my player would not display the contents of my playlist using the filenames you reported.
My player would recognize and play the files using MUSIC mode and FOLDER mode.
Then I decided to try a few filenaming variations and I hit upon a solution in my first attempt.
I used "mp3tag" software to create a working playlist using these slightly modified filenames.
(I think the problem may relate to using 7 identical characters in a row at the beginning of each filename?)
Re: M3U playlist empty
Thanks for taking the time to respond! I think you may have hit on something. There must be a llimit on how many identical characters you can have at the start of a filename, and six seems that magic number. Thats why your renaming scheme worked and that's why Sandisk's support team solution worked with Track 1, Track 2, Track 3, etc.
I was concerned that without knowing why my filenames didn't work (even though I had a workaround), I could run into problems again in the future, but I think your broke the code. Thanks again!
Re: M3U playlist empty
One final follow up here for Clip Sport Plus owners, the playlist must be located in the same folder as the .mp3 files in the device's Music folder, not in the device's Playlist folder.
For example, if you have an album of music that you've put in a folder called Album A, then the playlist for that album must also be stored in folder Album A on the device.
Interesting enough though, when you want to select that playlist, it will show up in the devices Playlist folder.
Also, the playlist is simply an ASCII text file with a list of the songs you have in the folder. No extra header information is required. For example,
Make sure there is a carriage return after the last file in the playlist or that last song will not play.
As part of the investigation of my problem, Sandisk tech support sent me the following link to a batch file
Simply put the batch file in your desired music folder, i.e., Album A, and run it. The batch file with create a playlist titled Playlist.m3u in the correct format. You can rename that playlist to Album A or whatever, and store it on your device.
Good Luck!
Re: M3U playlist empty[ Edited ]
02-28-2017 10:32 AM - edited 02-28-2017 10:56 AM
I think everyone who has struggled to understand how SanDisk players interpret m3u files will appreciate your effort to obtain and post the link to the SanDisk batch file for automatically compiling m3u Playlists.
One limitation of this simple method is that it does not allow for a playlist compilation of audio files from several subdirectories. The software "mp3tag" can produce a slightly more complex m3u file that can point to audio files residing in multiple subdirectories inside the main Music directory. The m3u file can be saved into the main Music directory or any subdirectory inside the Music directory.
Re: M3U playlist empty[ Edited ]
03-01-2017 01:11 PM - edited 03-01-2017 01:14 PM
I am still inspired by the helpful contribution of member John-Z and his effort to resolve the basic syntax of m3u Playlists.
I modified the simple batch file that John obtained from SanDisk Tech Support.
This version allows for the inclusion of multiple subdirectories in one m3u playlist file.
I added the command /s to include all subdirectories below the current resident directory.
@echo off
The output file "Playlist.m3u" should be renamed as needed.
Re: M3U playlist empty[ Edited ]
08-26-2017 07:34 AM - edited 08-26-2017 07:55 AM
I'm sorry, but this seems a bit ridiculous. I can't do a simple sync or copy from a typical media player on windows and have playlists work? I've had older clips and haven't had issues. I go and use media monkey and syncing the playlist fails. I transfer the playlist to the playlist folder. The music copies over and the playlist is empty. This is in addition to those same tracks already existing on my Clip. Yet the playlist is empty.
Having to jump through hoops, renaming tracks, placing in specific folders outside the norm seems to be a bit much. This isn't 2003 on my original Rio Player. And this isn't a first gen Sansa product. I only bought a Sport Plus out of necessity on vacation, and now I'm really regretting it and more mad I left my Shanling M1 at home.
I even copied the folder containing the songs and m3u file over to the music folder like the sandisk instructions recommend. And I still have an empty playlist. I can manually do a go list, but god forbid I forget one track. I can't easily add it in and put it in its proper spot. Just frustrating. I should be able to be in WMP or MediaMonkey and just transfer a playlist and have it show up and be working. Going backwards makes no sense.


text:
President Barack Obama's decision to bring home within a year about half of the 66,000 U.S. troops now in Afghanistan will shrink the force to the size he found it when he entered the White House vowing to reinvigorate a stalemated war.
Still to be decided: how many troops will remain beyond 2014, when the U.S.-led combat mission is scheduled to end. The stated goal is to prepare Afghanistan's army and police to handle the Taliban insurgency largely on their own by then.
Obama determined that his war goals could be achieved by bringing 34,000 U.S. troops home by this time next year, officials said, leaving somewhere between 32,000 and 34,000 to support and train Afghan forces. That is about the number in Afghanistan when he took office in January 2009; in a series of moves designed to reverse the Taliban's battlefield momentum, he tripled the total American force before starting to scale it back in the summer of 2011.
Obama's new move coincides with a major shake-up in his war command. Gen. Joseph Dunford took over Sunday for Gen. John Allen as the commander of all allied forces in Afghanistan, and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta is planning to retire as soon as his replacement is confirmed. Obama has nominated former Sen. Chuck Hagel to take the Pentagon post, and the Senate Armed Services Committee voted 14-11 Tuesday to advance the nomination to the full Senate for a vote possibly later this week.
Obama's decision also reflects Obama's determination to wind down a war that is the longest in America's history. He has many other security problems to consider around the globe - from North Korea's development of nuclear weapons to civil war in Syria to the worrisome spread of al-Qaida affiliated terrorist groups in the Middle East and North Africa.
In advance of Obama's announcement in his State of the Union speech, the White House said the president made his decision about 2013 troop reductions based on recommendations by the military and his national security advisers, as well as consultations with allies such as Britain and Germany and talks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai.
A Pentagon statement said Panetta fully supports Obama's troop reductions.
In farewell remarks to Pentagon employees, Panetta said Tuesday he is confident that the war strategy is on track.
"We will be able to transition over these next two years to a point where the Afghans themselves can govern and secure themselves," he said.
The White House did not spell out the pace at which the 34,000 troops will be withdrawn over the coming year. Defense officials said it's likely that the bulk of them will be kept through summer. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because details of the withdrawal had not been announced.
Private analysts are divided on the wisdom of accelerating the withdrawal of American forces. Michael O'Hanlon of the Brookings Institution wrote that he believes the current U.S. troop level should remain until autumn, when a seasonal lull in Taliban activity usually begins. "The president should now be patient with what happens over the next eight months," O'Hanlon wrote in an opinion piece for Politico, adding that Dunford needs time to consolidate progress in eastern Afghanistan.
The U.S. is still finalizing plans for the size and scope of its military presence after the allied combat mission ends in December 2014.
Stephen Biddle, a professor of international affairs at George Washington University, said the decision on post-2014 force levels is more important than the pace of 2013 withdrawals.
"The real issue is what you're ultimately going to draw down to - what does the end of this road look like, not the weigh stations," Biddle said.
Officials have said the White House is considering a range of options that would leave between 5,000 and 10,000 troops beyond 2014, but it also is hoping for help from NATO allies. Those troops would limit their missions to training Afghan troops and hunting down terrorists.
Obama discussed the next phases of the drawdown with Karzai during a meeting in Washington last month, their first since Obama's re-election. They agreed to accelerate their timetable for putting Afghan forces in the lead combat role nationwide, moving that transition up from the summer to the spring.
A persistent worry is that pulling out of Afghanistan too quickly will leave the battle-scarred country vulnerable to collapse. In a worst-case scenario, that could allow the Taliban to regain power and revert to the role they played in the years before 9/11 as protectors of al-Qaida terrorists bent on striking the U.S.
Many Americans, however, are weary of the war, according to public opinion polls, and are skeptical of any claim that Afghanistan is worth more U.S. blood. Registered voters are roughly split between those who say the U.S. should remove all troops and those who favor leaving some troops in place for counterterrorism efforts, according to a recent Fox News poll.
Associated Press writer Lolita C. Baldor and AP Broadcast correspondent Sagar Meghani contributed to this report.


text:
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North Americ
You can run, but you can't hide
UK HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have made it very clear that it is not acceptable for those with overseas assets to not pay UK taxes where they are liable to do so. This article explains the measures the UK Government has put in place and the effect these measures have on UK taxpayers.
In April 2014, UK HMRC issued its strategy for tackling offshore tax evasion. The main objectives for this strategy were to ensure:
Since issuing their objectives, the intention of HMRC has become a lot clearer: if an individual has not taken the opportunities which are available to them to disclose unpaid tax liabilities and is later identified, the individual will face tough consequences and the threat of a criminal conviction.
International tax transparency has been high on the agenda in recent years for many governments, and the UK has been at the forefront of this drive to recover revenue and crack down on offshore tax evaders.
Since the beginning of July 2014, financial institutions have been collecting information on individuals and will, from May 2015, start sharing this information with home state tax authorities or foreign tax authorities. This is a universal initiative introduced following the US imposed Foreign Account Tax-Compliance Act legislation. More than 90 territories* have agreed to share information with each other under the Common Reporting Standards regime, which is based on the rules and principles introduced by the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act and the UK and Crown Dependencies Tax Information Sharing Agreements.
The Common Reporting Standards will supersede the UK and Crown Dependencies Tax Information Sharing Agreements, FATCA will remain in place. The intention behind these agreements is for Governments to obtain and share information on individuals who own financial accounts with financial institutions in the other territory, in order to aid the collection of unpaid taxes and to reduce tax evasion.
*Albania, Andorra, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Aruba, Austria, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bermuda, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Curacao, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland, Grenada, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Isle of Man, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jersey, Korea, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao, Malaysia, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Montserrat, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niue, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Singapore, Saint Maarten, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Turks and Caicos Islands, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay.
The UK opened a number of disclosure agreements between, but not limited to, the Isle of Man, Guernsey, Liechtenstein and Switzerland. These initiatives have assisted UK HMRC to recover £1.5 billion. These disclosure facilities are available to those who have not taken part in any other disclosure facilities and those who have not been subject to any other tax investigations.
It was announced in the UK Budget 2015, that a new disclosure facility will introduce tough new measures and penalties of at least 30%. These will be introduced by the end of 2015. Unlike the current disclosure agreements, there are no guarantees around criminal investigation. As a result of the introduction of a new disclosure facility, the previous disclosure facilities were shortened and closed early on 15 December 2015.
The amount of penalty under the disclosure facilities varies and depends on whether the asset is based in an automatic exchange of information country (100% of lost revenue), an exchange of information on request country (150% of lost revenue) and countries where there are no agreements (200% of lost revenue).
Following the 2014 consultations, 'Tackling offshore tax evasion: A new criminal offence' and 'Tackling offshore tax evasion: Strengthening civil deterrents', the UK Government have introduced legislation which extends the scope of the existing penalty regimes.
This means that UK taxpayers who deliberately move assets to a specified territory and the main or one of the main purposes to of the move is to prevent or delay the discovery by UK HMRC of a potential loss of income tax, capital gains tax or inheritance tax for which that person is liable, will be penalised in-line with these new measures.
For example, the Liechtenstein Disclosure Facility provided HMRC with evidence that funds were intentionally being moved out of jurisdictions with which the UK had announced agreements to jurisdictions in which individuals mistakenly thought would still protect their evasion by the local banking secrecy rules. Anyone taking such action, and moving money to a non-disclosure jurisdiction, will be prioritised for criminal investigation by HMRC where they have deliberately or mistakenly provided inaccurate returns.
One noticeable distinction between this and older penalty regimes is the inclusion of UK Inheritance Tax (IHT). This is the first time UK IHT has been considered and included as part of the UK's disclosure and penalty regimes. The reason for this being that some taxpayers invest offshore in order to place the assets out of HMRC's reach, sometimes in the hope of transferring their wealth to the next generation without paying UK Inheritance Tax, either throughout the lifetime of the settlor, or on their death.
The Finance Act 2015 introduced the following penalty rates.
(i) For careless action, the penalty is 37.5% of the lost revenue.
(ii) For deliberate but not concealed action, the penalty is 87.5% of the potential lost revenue; and
(iii) For deliberate and concealed action, the penalty is 125% of the potential lost revenue.
Over the last few years the Governments have taken the issue of tax evasion more seriously than they ever have done. The coming together of a universal system which allowed information to be shared cross-border was widely thought to have been impossible to implement and unmanageable to maintain. Its success is yet to be seen, however with the regime which has been in place since July 2014 many see this as a success in itself.
The introduction of legislation in the UK shows a clear intention that any resistance by an individual to pay taxes that they are liable to pay will not be tolerated. These rules are not aimed at the offshore market or offshore products; they are aimed at UK taxpayers who have previously evaded tax, mistakenly or deliberately, and at those who continue to do so.
For those UK taxpayers who hold offshore assets and declare their assets and self-assess tax returns, the offshore life and redemption market still offers legitimate tax planning opportunities in a tax efficient environment.
For those who don't declare their assets, they face a real risk of being identified and liable to tougher sanctions and penalties in the future.
The information provided in this article is not intended to offer advice.
It is based on Old Mutual Wealth's interpretation of the relevant law and is correct at the date shown on the title page. While we believe this interpretation to be correct, we cannot guarantee it. Old Mutual Wealth cannot accept any responsibility for any action taken or refrained from being taken as a result of the information contained in this article.
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JoshWedin wrote:I really like the Cimmerian Axe as a socketed weapon! That makes it much more versatile.
Dravin Darklore wrote:I love them all, will they be available in trans colors?
mencot wrote:Hi
New to this forum and post was one of the firsts that came up that I had to reply to
Mark of Falworth wrote:The halberd is splendid!! The others are nice too, but that halberd... Wow!!
When will these be avalible??
Bruce N H wrote:Consolidated BrickArms thread.
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text:
Makeover Favorite Corn Bake
Total TimePrep: 20 min. Bake: 30 min.
Makes12 servings
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup reduced-fat sour cream
- 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 1 can (15-1/4 ounces) whole kernel corn, undrained
- 1 can (14-3/4 ounces) cream-style corn
- In a large bowl, combine the first five ingredients. In a small bowl, whisk the egg, sour cream, applesauce and butter. Stir in corn. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened.
- Transfer to a 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until a thermometer reads 160°. Serve warm. Refrigerate leftovers.
Nutrition Facts1 each: 211 calories, 7g fat (4g saturated fat), 34mg cholesterol, 395mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 2g fiber), 5g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1 fat.
Recommended Video
Dec 9, 2011
Best corn casserole ever! You can't tell it is healthier. My toughest family food critics asked for more!
Jun 29, 2010
I haven't made this recipe but I have one little different. I brown 1lb hamburger meat drain, add 1 T chili powder can tomto soup or Rotel or stewed tomatoes which ever you have in stock, one can water, can corn and simmer for 10 minutes. Pour into casserole dish and then mix Jiffy cornbread mix and drizzle on top and bake 400 for 15 minutes or until brown on top. We love this and is very quick and easy to make.
Jun 28, 2010
I haven't made this but I make the cornbread casserole quite often (family fav) and this makeover corn bake doesn't sound like a casserole dish to me. I will try this however.
Dec 4, 2009
I just made this recipe for the first time and it was a huge hit. It was easy to make with readily available ingredients. This is definately a keeper!!
Jun 24, 2009
Is this a make over of Corn-Bread Casserole (https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Corn-Bread-Casserole) that was in one of the very early issues of Quick Cooking? It is one of our favorites (actually the whole meal featured with it is a favorite). It is hard to determine how the nutrition has really changed (if it is the same recipe) as it is a different size pan and number of servings. Thanks.


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McFadden smashes course record with London Marathon win
Prince Harry congratulated Tatyana McFadden after she won the London Marathon on Sunday, which also marked her 24th birthday.
U.S. Paralympian Tatyana McFadden celebrated her 24th birthday with her second marathon victory in a week, crossing the line ahead of compatriot Amanda McGrory to win the Virgin London Marathon on Sunday. The win came just six days after her triumph in Boston.
The win in London was that bit more special than most for McFadden, who won four medals in five events at the London 2012 Paralympic Games. She was determined to show her support for those affected by the tragic events that took place at the finish line of the Boston Marathon on Monday and throughout the week in the city.
"This win means a lot to me because the support from London was huge," she said. "The marathon community came together to help out Boston and that meant the world to me.
"The claps and cheers were phenomenal, and it was the best support that I've ever received, so it made the win really exciting and memorable. The win was definitely for the people back in Boston."
McFadden was one of the strong favorites in the field of eight elite wheelchair racers in London, despite never previously having enjoyed success over the winding, and often bumpy, 26.2 mile course.
Last year, she finished in eighth position after suffering punctures to her tires. McFadden suffered a similar fate during the marathon at the 2012 Games, but this time around there was no such disappointment.
"I was nervous because of what had happened here before, and I knew I would be pretty upset if I punctured because I've had no luck here," she said. "I even flatted at the Paralympics, so finally to have a clean race was amazing."
At the 20 kilometer mark, McFadden was up at the front of the pack alongside her training partner McGrory, and the pair continued to pull away as each mile passed. At the halfway mark, McGrory, who finished third in Boston, clocked 00:52:12 with McFadden following one second behind, with the rest of the field 27 seconds further back.
"We worked together a little bit – we were in a pack for a while, so I didn't know what was going to happen but we just played to our strengths," McFadden said. "The girls are strong so it was hard, but around mile ten we finally made the breakaway. The course is so flat, with lots of turns, so you have to use your strengths wisely."
Sure enough, the pair turned up the Mall well clear of their rivals, but it was McFadden who pushed ahead as they approached the line, setting a new course record of 01:46:02 in the process.
"No matter how tired you are, I always try and conserve a little bit for a sprint," she said. "If you are coming in with a pack, or with two racers, it will always come down to a sprint.
"We were both working hard together to keep that distance so we were both exhausted in the end. Just having that one-two finish from the University of Illinois is always so much fun."
McGrory, 26, clocked 01:46:04 to finish in second place, whilst Switzerland's 2008 winner Sandra Graf finished almost two minutes later in third. Last year's champion, Shelly Woods, finished in fifth place.
There will be no big birthday bash for McFadden tonight though – instead, it's an early night as she prepares to head back across the Atlantic to return to her studies. Not a typical week away for any University student – but then McFadden is no ordinary athlete.


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Not joking. I've finally gained the Drawing technique in the game we know as Life, and as soon as I have access to a scanner and a month or so of strips drawn, I'll be putting them up!
Huzzah!<P>P.S: I'm now coldacid, go to the Avalon forum, thanks.
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Catchers, pitchers working on slowing baserunners
HOUSTON -- If there's one department on the Angels that needs to improve from last season -- and surely there is more than one -- it's shutting down the running game. They ranked 28th in the Majors in caught-stealing percentage in 2013 (21.1 percent), while giving up the second-most stolen bases in baseball (131).
"I don't care about the numbers; it needs to get better for us to win," Angels catcher Chris Iannetta said. "It's tough to go no outs, one out, guy on first base and you have a double play in order, and all of a sudden it's the same scenario with a runner on second or third and now they're in scoring position. We need to keep guys out of scoring position, keep a double play in order so we can get a ground-ball double play."
Iannetta gunned down 19.2 percent of would-be base-stealers and Hank Conger's rate was 24.2 percent (the Major League average is 27.2 percent). But the consensus on the Angels -- from the coaching staff to the pitchers to the catchers themselves -- is that the pitchers have to be quicker to the plate to give Iannetta and Conger a chance.
The Angels' struggles with opponent stolen bases came to a head from Aug. 6-7, when the Rangers stole a combined 13 bases in two games. After that, though, the Angels put a greater emphasis on pitchers being quicker to the plate and got a little better in that department, with an opponents' stolen-base percentage that ranked 13th.
"Before that," Iannetta said, "we were terrible at it."
The Angels, who had thrown out two of five runners heading into Sunday, should be better with three lefties in the starting rotation this year. But that won't matter if C.J. Wilson, Hector Santiago and Tyler Skaggs aren't holding runners well.
"If you're slow to the plate and you don't give catchers and middle infielders a chance to make a play, then it doesn't matter [if you're right-handed or left-handed]," Iannetta said. "You have to be able to hold a guy close and they have to not be able to outrun your leg kick, too."


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Dang money: Protests on the Mall, UVA, Lee Park
85 commentsSuggest Shawn October 14th, 2011 | 5:11pm
You can see more of these dirty hippies on Saturday October 15th (tomorrow) at 11:00am in Lee Park.
Come join. Come mock. Come bearing gifts. Come for the competing Chocolate Festival.Caesonia October 14th, 2011 | 5:29pm
What abigot. Dirty? These people are dirty? They look pretty white middle class to me.Trustfund Libertarian October 14th, 2011 | 5:47pm
Great writing Dave! I really liked the sneering & dismissive tone. Every bit as good as the articles you wrote when you were employed by the Rutherford institute!HarryD October 14th, 2011 | 6:19pm
I suggest that those who want others to pay "their fair share", be very sure that you are........
Wait until it gets a little colder and perhaps wetter..........even the die-hards will get it.
Curious- if I were to take in their money and say that I was going to invest it and give them a great return, would they give it to me?
Perhaps Barney Fwank and Cwiss Dodd can offer some advice.............Ice Dogg October 14th, 2011 | 7:14pm
Back in the day, around integration for a reference point, we used to pay big time for a checking account. Only students got them free. Now I dont need to know nothin. Online banking is the best think since cornbread and a young Miss Juicy....mer October 14th, 2011 | 7:59pm
disinterested=unbiased not uninterested
or indifferentCabaret October 14th, 2011 | 9:24pm
At least from the photo shown, I, a conservative, agree with the protestors. Support credit unions (a local business) YES, no government payday loans YES. That I do agree. However, the rant against BoA because of an increase in fees for debit card usage is a big NO to the protestors. The complaint shouldn't be against the bank but against the government. The bank invests millions into developing a debit card system, businesses agree to pay a fee because they think it will increase their business, then they later complain about the fee (That they agreed to!) and send lobbyists to Washington to complain. Then the government steps in and tell the bank they can't charge the fee...so the banks pass the cost onto the consumer. Wake up folks.JennSilv October 14th, 2011 | 10:26pm
Do Kristen Szakos and her husband talk to one another? Her votes on the Meadowcreek Parkway and the Ragged Mountain Dam will only help enrich the sort of people her husband rails against.amigo1 October 14th, 2011 | 10:41pm
got to agree with that last comment. Come on Kristen; think outside of whatever box you have gotten trapped in. That dam pipeline project is a loser.amigo2 October 14th, 2011 | 11:41pm
Yeah Kristen! Don't you know that you are supposed to vote according to your husband's wishes?!!cookieJar October 15th, 2011 | 1:00am
When her husband was arrested in 2009, KristinSzakos has this to say on another local blog.
"Posted by: Kristin Szakos Location: Charlottesville on Jul 26, 2009 at 01:28 PM
Although I'm delighted to be connected to this fine man and his actions, Joe Szakos is far more than the husband of a city council candidate! He is the Executive Director of a statewide citizens organization and state coordinator of Health Care for America Now campaign. He has been working for justice and citizen empowerment for more than 30 years.
She claims to be "delighted" to be associated with Joe Szakos and lauds the work he has done for "justice and citizen empowerment." She on the other hands seems to want to empower some really wealthy landowners who want to stiff local citizen ratepayers with the bill for providing infrastructure for their development projects. That's some serious cognitive dissonance.Feet To The Fire October 15th, 2011 | 1:19am
Instead of crashing the Chocolate festival in Lee Park (the sponsors have a permit), their circus now moves to McGuffey Park. Of course, if it rains, the anti-corporate crowd won't be able to seek shelter under the "corporate umbrella" of the named NTELOS Wireless Pavilion as they did Wednesday night. Note to organizers: image matters.
Charlottesville City Council candidate and self-identified socialist Brandon Collins is the ringmaster.HarryD October 15th, 2011 | 5:13am
What ever happened to "money can't buy everything"?Still Living October 15th, 2011 | 7:45am
They seem to have two points: They don't like Wells Fargo. Fine so don't bank there. And they don't like paying for payday loans. "Why do we have to pay to use your own God dang money?" News flash, if it is a payday loan, then its not your money, its a loan and hopefully you will have earned your own dang money by the end of the week so you can pay it back. Stop living above your means and you wont have to pay to use someone else's money.City Voter October 15th, 2011 | 9:16am
How about this --Joe Szakos and the VO could demonstrate to stop the dam/pipeline project --a project whose main beneficiaries are the Nature Conservancy and speculative developers. That would be a meaningful way to support the poor and middle class in our community, who will be hit with the bill to destroy the assets they own, and then be forced to build all new stuff we don't even need.
Hey Joe, think global - act local ?City Voter October 15th, 2011 | 9:19am
If they'd actually done the above, many of us would be more willing to take them seriously and they would gain support here in Charlottesville.A little perspective October 15th, 2011 | 10:38am
The low income residents of Albemarle and Charlottesville will be hit a lot harder by the water rate hikes that Kristin Szakos supports than by the bank fees that Joe Szakos opposes.meanwhile October 15th, 2011 | 10:52am
Most likely the city will enact means testing to help lower-income ratepayers pay their water bills if it's needed to support city agreed upon and mandated infrastructure projects. Problem solved!
I know that those that have been beating the 'low-income ratepayer' drum will immediately see the logic and compassion of such a proposal. That is, unless they wish to keep this issue alive in a cynical attempt to derail the quite sensible infrastructure project?
Anyone that cares about 'low-income ratepayers' more than their objection to a sensible infrastructure project should immediately back subsidies to help these low-income ratepayers.A little perspective October 15th, 2011 | 11:34am
Or, instead of adding more taxpayer funded subsidies for the poor how about we just use a less costly approach that still gets us ALL the water we need and doesn't jack up water rates nearly as high? Seems like a much, much more sensible solution.Rod October 15th, 2011 | 11:43am
BOA saves me about $3.50 per month in stamps (dependent upon the whim of Congress and the PM General). That savings and the convenience of one click pay is worth $5.00 per month to me. It is a service over and above a checking account.
My Pentagon Credit Union account charges for bill pay over a defined limit. A Credit Union not always the better deal. I will say the Pentagon Credit Union people are a great lot of folks
Using a credit card and paying it off monthly is an alternative to go; in fact, inasmuch as a credit card is protected, and a debit card is not, I think, a CC is a better way to go.
Pay Day loans: I think I would check first the risk statistics, which supposedly justify the high rates of interest, before I would complain (I don`t think the borrowers are complaining).
The protesters, it seems to me, are supporting capitalism, i.e. ,advocating moving to a better mousetrap. Isn`t that what we are about, competitive money-making?A little perspective October 15th, 2011 | 12:16pm
And if you think the Republicans and Tea Partiers who run Albemarle County are going to approve funding for a new program to subsidize water bills for the poor then you have not been paying attention. No, the poor and elderly and disabled and everyone on a fixed income will suffer because of the hefty rate increases that the Szakoses either support (Kristin) or turn a blind eye to (Joe).HarryD October 15th, 2011 | 2:04pm
"Still Living"- THANK YOU!!meanwhile October 15th, 2011 | 5:16pm
It's the city poor that can't afford to pay that should be subsidized, by the city gov't. The city gov't agreed to the water plan. If the city plan results in higher rates for poor people, why shouldn't the city help those people? Many county folk are on wells.
What does the tea party have to do with the water plan agreed to by the city? You really aren't making much sense.City Voter October 15th, 2011 | 6:39pm
If the Szakos's really cared about the poor and middle class ( many who will become poor ) if they can't pay their bills, they would fight spending money on a new dam for the wealthiest environmental group, the Nature Conservancy, and speculative excesses of water supply for developers.
Ragged Mt. is a beautiful park for those who want a rugged hiking experience, in a magnificent setting, without driving an hour to the Blue Ridge Mts. Why would the Szakos want to destroy this opportunity to commune with nature for their citizens when there are far less damaging and less costly alternatives that encourage conservation.
I'm sick of liberal hypocrites !Ratepayer October 15th, 2011 | 7:01pm
Hey Mr. Szakos, have you read this ? Why don't you do what other posters are saying and go after these rich folks who are going to bleed the community for their own agenda.
http://www.readthehook.com/99648/flaws-tripled-rates-spun-numbers-and-co...Ratepayer October 15th, 2011 | 7:55pm
If you really want to help the 99% who will be harmed by the loss of community assets, and higher water bills for a new dam- how about a demonstration here:
Nature Conservancy | Protecting Nature, Preserving Life
The Nature Conservancy protects Earth's natural resources and beauty.
490 Westfield Road
Charlottesville, VA 22901-1633
(434) 295-6106mer October 15th, 2011 | 8:42pm
"pulled off course by the light of gold and
treasure"HarryD October 15th, 2011 | 10:38pm
OK- I give up, what the heck are these people doing? What are they protesting? Are they part of the solution or part of the problem?Cville Eye October 15th, 2011 | 11:06pm
"Most likely the city will enact means testing to help lower-income ratepayers pay their water bills if it's needed to support city agreed upon and mandated infrastructure projects. Problem solved!" I have been told that it is against state law for the city to use tax money to pay water and sewer bills. The bills must be paid by the rate payers.meanwhile October 16th, 2011 | 12:48am
The University of Virginia also supports the water plan. Why are NONE of these protesters brave enough to protest the single biggest fiscal entity in the area? Why are these cowards picking on some bank tellers when it is UVA that drives much of the growth in the area that requires the water plan.
Unless and until the people opposed to the water plan go after the real enemy and the elephant in the room, they will appear to be hypocritical cowards to those of us capable of critical thinking.Ratepayer October 16th, 2011 | 7:53am
The Nature Conservancy is not the only billion dollar enterprise out to fleece the ratepayers, you're right meanwhile, look at these sponsors and note the connection between the Nature Conservancy and Goldman Sachs in the Hook cover story " Flaws" linked above.
UVa joins elite water alliance
UVa is the first university to be invited to join the group. The alliance is concerned with assessing and responding to increasing global water shortages and risks.
The group was organized by environmental think tank the World Resources Institute and includes experts from the public and private sectors. Information gathered from the group's work will be used to influence water conservation strategies.
The Aqueduct Alliance is being supported by Goldman Sachs, General Electric, Bloomberg, the Dow Chemical Company and Coca-Cola.
http://www2.dailyprogress.com/news/2011/sep/30/uva-joins-elite-water-all...Ratepayer October 16th, 2011 | 7:56am
If groups led by Mr. Szakos and the Tea Party movement refuse to protest the local special interests that are draining the pockets of the taxpayer/ratepayers in their own community - what good are they ?Jen October 16th, 2011 | 8:10am
I was told by the city finance director that already there are city residents coming to him for relief with their water, sewer, and gas bills and unable to pay. If they can't pay now what will they do when the rate increases ?
I just don't get Ms. Szakos's support for this water plan it kills the need to conserve, by overstoring water, and is far more costly than dredging, not to mention the destruction of Ragged Mt. Natural Area.
Huja's support makes more sense, he has always been a friend to the developers, and is an employee of UVA. And David Brown is just friends with the Nature Conservancy folks, and David is a true friend.
I would also like to see the protest take on the entities supporting what will be the largest destruction of natural resources and unnecessary rate increases in the history of Charlottesville.Jen October 16th, 2011 | 8:16am
One thing people are neglecting to realize is that our Water Authority has enough money in the bank to dredge now and not even have to go into debt or borrow. They have taken 25cents of every dollar from our payments to them and put it in a slush fund, now in the millions of dollars.
Where are the street protesters. This new dam is a scam !Ratepayer October 16th, 2011 | 8:30am
Maybe UVA isn't the elephant in the room meanwhile - maybe it is the Nature Conservancy/Goldman Sachs connection leaning on UVA to support their global water agenda . Look at their director who replaced Henry Paulson, another Goldman Sachs, CEO . And look at the board.
Mark Tercek
President and CEO
Before joining The Nature Conservancy, Mark was a managing director at Goldman Sachs, where he played a key role in developing the firm's environmental strategy. He headed the firm's Environmental Strategy Group and Center for Environmental Markets, which worked to develop and promote market-based solutions to environmental challenges.
Much bigger fish than Wells Fargo in this town for this group to targetget shorty October 16th, 2011 | 11:22am
virginia organizing has been silent on the
water plan and the economic impact to rate payers.
one might ask why ?
has virginia organizing worked with TNC having them sponsor
or partner with them in the past ?
i would imagine that sponsorship or partnership would not
considered an endorsement in any way.cookieJar October 16th, 2011 | 12:45pm
It would be interesting to see what hidden connections the Szakos family has to the people behind the big dam agenda. Keep digging folks. Don't forget they both have parents. Probably parents with money.Ratepayer October 16th, 2011 | 3:53pm
It is curious given their mission statement that the VSO wouldn't be supporting rate paying citizens trying to get the officials to use new information ( paid for by the ratepayers) that shows we don't need the new dam. I do wonder if there is a relationship with the Nature Conservancy that is preventing their speaking out.
here's their mission statement:
Virginia Organizing Project
Joe Szakos
703 Concord Ave.
Charlottesville, VA 22903-2803
904 984-4655
fax: 804 984-2803
www.virginia_organizing.org Focus: Statewide grassroots organization dedicated to challenging injustice by empowering people in local communities to address issues that affect the quality of their lives.
Current Activities: Community projects to foster citizen involvement in local events; training and education.Cville Eye October 16th, 2011 | 4:31pm
@meanwhile, "The University of Virginia also supports the water plan." No, UVa has not officially adopted the water supply proposal. That was Leonard Sandridge and he's gone. UVa's Alliance has other missions and has not endorsed the proposal either.Jen October 16th, 2011 | 5:01pm
I'm a fan of VOP, but am completely baffled by their lack of support for citizens, locally, trying to fight off special interests taking advantage of the average guy and gal in town trying to make ends meet. Everyone I know would rather work to conserve water during a drought, rather than destroy the beautiful hiking area and nature preserve at Ragged Mt. And we would rather take care of the reservoir we have thru the sustainable practice of dredging.
I seem to remember that at one time the VOP was against the dam plan when Kendra Hamilton spoke out and wrote a letter to the Hook. I think Mr. Szakos sent it to his members and asked them to contact council and vote against the dam.
Maybe he and his wife are not on the same page this time, but he certainly is not publicly supporting the citizens on this issue.
http://www.readthehook.com/75521/hamilton-reject-pig-poke-water-schemeRatepayer October 16th, 2011 | 5:15pm
Cville Eye you are correct. The University has never officially said they support the new earthen dam, and it was Sandridge who delivered this message to a group of neighborhood leaders never to our elected officials.
Now that we have new information, the University should be asked to study that ( since one would think they are interested in facts, conservation, and best practices) . This opinion was rendered before the new information was available. Although my guess is -behind the scenes they are on board with the dam/pipeline plan no matter what the new information shows. Follow the money, as they say .
from CT:
"Leonard W. Sandridge, UVa's executive vice president and chief operating officer, told a gathering of neighborhood leaders Tuesday that the university favors building a new dam downstream of the existing Lower Ragged Mountain Dam "
http://cvilletomorrow.typepad.com/charlottesville_tomorrow_/2010/12/uva_...meanwhile October 16th, 2011 | 8:58pm
Has UVA ever corrected what Leonard Sandridge said?
Please answer yes or no.
If the answer is 'no', then everyone reading should understand that those words ARE the operative words regarding UVA policy. Until UVA states for the record that they do not support the water plan, then Leonard Sandridge's words are the only official UVA statement on the matter.
'Some guy on the internet' vs. Leonard Sandridge? I think when the question is "what is UVA's position?", then Leonard Sandridge's words carry CONSIDERABLY more weight.
Nice try.meanwhile October 16th, 2011 | 9:03pm
But thanks for displaying so clearly how completely terrified these people are of the elephant in the room. UVA is the largest local driver of growth. They are easily the largest contributor to economic disparity in the local area, hands down.
If you don't like the policies that result naturally from that growth and you don't like that economic disparity, you should decry the growth of the University of Virginia (founder, Thomas Jefferson) and their policies that resulted in such economic disparity.
Or, you could go picket a branch of a bank because they charge fees for the services that they provide. Banking should be free but education should cost tens of thousands of year? Ok......60's Girl October 16th, 2011 | 9:14pm
Looks like they headed to UVA on Saturday
http://www.nbc29.com/story/15703018/occupy-charlottesville-protest-held-...Biff Diggerance October 16th, 2011 | 9:37pm
Let's not miss an opportunity to salute "Tobacco" Tom Bliley for co-sponsoring the repeal of Glass-Steagall with the Gramm–Leach–Bliley Act.
Well done sir!tim taylor October 16th, 2011 | 9:48pm
So how is that hopey changy thing working out for you?
These people should be in front the White House.
Repeal Obabacare and start over.
THAT will bring new investment and jobs.....We are the 99% October 17th, 2011 | 9:17am
The reason I do not like Wells Fargo is threefold :
1) Yes the debit card fee. The old transaction fee that banks got on every debit transaction was .44 cents and the Durbin amendment to Dodd-Frank put a limit on that which the Fed eased to .21 cents - .24 cents per transaction. The American people already bailed out the banks one time because of their avarice, now we need to bail them out again each month to use the money we deposit into these banks? Is this just a push to get bank customers back to primarily using more lucrative credit cards?
2) the predatory lending practice of their PAYDAY LOAN program, Direct Deposit Advance
3) Wells Fargo having foreclosed on homes on "very questionable" paperwork.Cville Eye October 17th, 2011 | 9:47am
@meanwhile, The Board of Vistors establishes UVa policy. Sandridge was a member of the executive branch and is involved in making the rules for carrying out that policy. UVa is also a water customer of the City. There is no record that Council solicited UVa's opinion about anything concerning water. If, as a customer, UVa wanted to weigh in after reading all of the information presented in the various studies recently conducted rather than just having a staff member read the questions posed by the panel established by RWSA, It would have written a position paper or at least a letter to Council and perhaps copies to the BoS, RWSA and ACSA. Lacking any of this, it is clear that so far, VUa has chosen to remain quiet on the issue.jimi hendrix October 17th, 2011 | 2:55pm
People really want to put a hurting on banking profits, pay in cash. Local biz saves money on swipe fees and paybacks, and the price of good sold is reduced a touch. I can say this, every month when I get my debit/credti card statement for my biz I just sigh.
I have no choice but to use use the things as no one carries cash around. But I will say this, if you are railing against overly profitable banks while buying a a slice and a soda with your debit card well, your supporting the banks...meanwhile..... October 17th, 2011 | 3:57pm
Yes, cville eye, it is clear that the only words that could possibly be construed as UVa's preferred policy in regards to the agreed-upon water plan were uttered by Leonard Sandridge. Other than those words, UVa has chosed to remain quiet on the issue.
You can parse his words or depict UVa's separation of powers all you want. But Leonard Sandridge's words will remain and will continue to have far more weight than yours or mine. But, really, nice try.Old Timer October 17th, 2011 | 6:46pm
"It's the city poor that can't afford to pay that should be subsidized, by the city gov't. The city gov't agreed to the water plan. If the city plan results in higher rates for poor people, why shouldn't the city help those people? Many county folk are on wells."
I happen to be one of those county folks on wells who thinks you are full of garbage and probably will profit directly of of the plan. You are the only one not making sense.
The City doesn't need the water. The County does if it wants to keep its massive development projects supported projects going so they can hope to avoid paying the taxes they should be paying for the infrastructure they want. How about the County subsidize the City poor who will have to pay higher rates, but see none of the benefits, or lower taxes, or anything from the developers who make massive profits.
I have no intention of seeing my tax dollars to go pay for this worthless boondoggle of a plan.meanwhile October 17th, 2011 | 7:12pm
Really, now. I have a different opinion so therefore I must profit directly?
Come on, old timer. You are supposed to be wiser than one that would make such an assumption (which isn't true). How could I profit directly from the water plan anyway? I'm commenting on many subjects on this forum. You think I'm a dam engineer or something?
As you well know, the county does subsidize everything the city does, every year, and it will never stop. The very definition of Taxation without representation. Also, the city has a direct interest in the county's tax base.
It's a symbiotic relationship. What is good for one is good for the other, no matter how histrionic and hyperbolic the opponents of this agreed upon plan wish to get.
The county has kept its side of the bargain in the revenue sharing agreement for 30 odd years now, an agreement which could also be termed a boondoggle.
The city has agreed to this water plan. They should keep its side of their bargain too. A deal is a deal. In Virginia, that's supposed to mean something.HarryD October 17th, 2011 | 7:18pm
Come on everyone, someone has to be able to explain what these folks are protesting against. All you need are two of them to agree on something.............what is it that they want?
Free food? Free place to live? Free place to protest? Free car? Free education? Just what do they want?
Please tell us and perhaps we can figure something out!Cville Eye October 17th, 2011 | 8:26pm
@meanwhile... "You can parse his words or depict UVa's separation of powers all you want." Council is worrying about it, too, at its meeting on Oct. 17th. It is wondering if it is appropriate for the City to criticize UVa's burning of coal. You don't have much sense and prob ably no education, so I will no longer respond to your comments, but, instead, skip over them.
As for the Occupy people who are asking for special permission to Occupy Lee Par, it would be of more benefit if you requested permission to put your tents up at the Ragged Mt. Natural Area. Wall Street can't hear you hear but we locals can.Barbara Myer October 17th, 2011 | 8:28pm
Can anyone tell us what the Tea Party is really protesting against?Ratepayer October 17th, 2011 | 9:28pm
Tents at Ragged Mt. what a brilliant idea --stop the dam. Now that would be an action that would have local consequences that would help the poor directly and put Huja, Kristin Szakos, and David Brown to shame for selling out their citizens to please the Nature Conservancy .
Nestle Water and Goldman Sachs, i.e., the Nature Conservancy, should not be taking over our water plan for their own fund raising and PR campaigns.Ratepayer October 17th, 2011 | 9:31pm
Occupy Ragged Mt. - stop the dam. Now that could be a movement that would bring out 100's of people and truly make a difference in our community. How about it folks --just say the word.meanwhile October 17th, 2011 | 9:37pm
re:"Now that could be a movement that would bring out 100's of people"... as opposed to the thousands who consistently vote against this movement?
The people have spoken again and again and again. Responsible adults have made responsible decisions and in the appropriate venues.
Only children act in the way you are proposing.Caesonia October 17th, 2011 | 10:04pm
"Responsible adults have made responsible decisions and in the appropriate venues. Only children act in the way you are proposing"
Hm. A few hundred years ago some British Citizens dressed as American Indians tossed three shiploads of tea into Boston Harbor in protest of undue corporate influence and the taxes by MPs who did not represent them.
A childish act, no doubt, but one which led to you not having a British passport today, but an American one. And having a US Constitution to try and hide behind.
No doubt parliament felt the way you do now, but when things are done in such a grossly rigged way, things have a way of changing course dramatically.meanwhile October 17th, 2011 | 10:55pm
Caesonia, the only people being taxed with government representation are the taxpayers of Albemarle County when the city skims right off the top of Albemarle's tax receipts.
The city's voters voted for the current city council. They will also vote for the next city council. There is more than adequate representation for the city approved water plan to be deemed the will of the people.
Of the candidates that opposed the plan and ran in the Democratic primary only one made the cut; she finished THIRD out of THREE on the SEVENTH ballot by a whopping margin of 31 votes. There was NOTHING rigged about the vote, just ask Dave Norris and he'll tell you.
The Sons of Liberty had no representation in Parliament. City voters have representation in city government. The Democratic primary was largely seen as a referendum on the water plan with the afore mentioned results. Had 16 voters switched their votes from Smith to Beyer, then there would not have been a single successful anti water-plan candidate.
Stop with the hyperbole. This is not the American revolution. It's a dam. It's been voted upon SEVERAL times. The opponents have raised their objections to a shrill, fever pitch. They have been unsuccessful each and every time.
But, fine. Put your money where your mouth is. Either go camp out all winter at the future site of the ragged mtn reservoir or admit that you do not have the courage of your convictions. The number of people "occupying" that land will be directly proportionate to the validity of their opposition.HarryD October 18th, 2011 | 7:03am
"Barabara Myer"- yes, and I am not a Tea Party member- (I don't need a group affiliation.) They are not protesting or "against" anything. They seem to be "for" reforming our representative Government by voting in those who they feel will eliminate wasteful spending and our deepening debt. They appear to be united in that move. Some of whom they have voted in, have not performed and will be voted out next time around- perhaps eventually we will get the proper group in office to take care of business and eventually being a government lawmaker will actually be an honor and not a job.
One thing I do not think anyone wants to have happen or hear, is anyone, especially a POTUS, telling any of us that they "have to pass this bill".
What I have seen is that when the Tea Party hardliners and even those who are there for the "party" atmosphere, are done with their rallys, they actually go to or back to work. They seem to not be obtuse in their goal.
What we have seen with the OWS group, is confusion as to who or what is behind door #1, #2 and #3. ("1984", Marx, Stalin ??) Now I wonder what they are going to do with $300K+ they have collected? File the tax forms? Deposit in a bank? Pay off protestors debts?
Just curious.TJ October 18th, 2011 | 11:10am
Corporate greed is behind the dam/pipeline plan and corporate greed is fueling these protests. It's the 99% of ratepayers that will suffer if we allow the new dam/new pipeline plan to go forward.
There is still a chance to elect candidates that do not support the dam plan, so I hope these folks get out the vote and oust Huja and Galvin from continuing down the special interest/Nature Conservancy/Monticello Business Alliance PAC grip on Charlottesville.Old Timer October 18th, 2011 | 11:30am
You like to rewrite history, don't you, and you don't laws that aren't convenient as well. How typical of what is wrong with the County these days.
"Caesonia, the only people being taxed with government representation are the taxpayers of Albemarle County when the city skims right off the top of Albemarle's tax receipts."
This is patently untrue, as are many of your other statements. The County of Albemarle 30 years ago, made voluntary choices on which the entire county voted - not their representatives, but the entire population. Then, as now, many County residents were dependent on City services, primarily the water, but also gas and some other items. The growth, then as now, around the City was the result of County residents who wanted to live in a more urban environment, with the services and conveniences associated with it. It was not only logical, but reasonable for the City to annex these areas when it had become primarily their burden to deal with maintaining it. After all, the County wasn't building squat in infrastructure, and they still don't want to if they have to pay for it.
But the County liked the incoming revenue a little too much, so they decided that they would buy off the City from doing the logical, and legal thing. They especially didn't want the possible revenue from development going to the City. After all, the great landed estates don't generate much of value in taxes, and they never seem to be the fiscal conservatives they like to claim.
I voted against it at the time. I have no interest in this sort of urban sprawl, or paying for it. If people want to live in a city like environment, they should just part of the City. I have watched my taxes go up to pay for one school after another, as the County BOS bends over for developers, and continues to do so. In spite of which, the County continues to run a deficit. All this growth never generates the money they need. But I expect that these days from the 'right thinking' sort of folks. Deficits only matter when its a 'left thinker' in office.
Were't you the one just squealing about a deal is a deal? That isn't always true, but I think you should have to live by your own words.
The County of Albemarle is not getting taxed on City projects without representation. They directly voted for it. They made a deal. So live with it. Unless you are willing to give up the area that was to have been annexed to the City, as should have been done to begin with.Jen October 18th, 2011 | 11:53am
I have tremendous respect for Dave Norris and Holly Edwards, the only 2 elected officials who have stood up to the Nature Conservancy and the Chamber, and stuck to their principles of fact based decisions, looking at the new information and not decimating the environment, or their citizens pocketbooks for a corporate agenda that has nothing to do with water supply and everything to do with special interests.
I hope the Occupy Charlottesville folks will work to influence the election and make sure those who support this dam plan are not elected !Old Timer October 18th, 2011 | 12:50pm
Harry D,
"What I have seen is that when the Tea Party hardliners and even those who are there for the "party" atmosphere, are done with their rallys, they actually go to or back to work."
Bull. Look at the number of retirees in the Tea Party. I guess they just aren't tough enough to stick it out. Its really cute to listen to a bunch of whining old farts who get/got all the benefits of socialism, and better wages provided by things like unions, while they voted against them, and now are mad about the results of their stupid votes. They want to deny the young men and women today from getting the same opportunities they had.
OWS is full of college grads who want jobs, just like the Tea Partiers were given.Tea Partiers have also preached out right violence and revolution.
Folks like you are such flaming hypocrites.HarryD October 18th, 2011 | 1:26pm
Old Timer- which door are you choosing?meanwhile..... October 18th, 2011 | 2:10pm
Sorry, Old Timer, but the percentage of county taxpayers that voted for this deal 30 years ago is going down every day and you, as an old timer, should know that.
And all I did was point out that current taxpayers of albemarle county are being taxed with out any say in what a portion of their taxes pay for. It's a fact that you in no way dispute.
A deal is a deal and the county is living with its deal just as it will live with the minor shortfall (not a deficit, by the way; there's a difference between the two).
The city should live up to its word as well, just as the county is doing and has always done.
You may disagree with building schools all you want, but at least county taxpayers have a say in such things. They don't have a say in junkets to Italy, $30,000 christmas trees, playgrounds that undergo endless construction, and a school board that is spending $2.4 million dollars on unproven technology.Old Timer October 18th, 2011 | 2:24pm
Harry D,
Sorry, I don't have to choose any door. I am sick and tired of hearing people like you cry about a reality that never existed. Its time to stop the manchild attitude and accept your responsibility. As a libertarian I look forward to the day when the wool is completely pulled from your eyes, and that of the Tea Party.Suggest Shawn October 18th, 2011 | 2:53pm
Is the same anti-Semitism that is rampant in the Occupy Wall Street movement present here in Charlottesville?Old Timer October 18th, 2011 | 3:00pm
"the percentage of county taxpayers that voted for this deal 30 years ago is going down every day"
A non-sequitor. A deal is a deal is a deal, right? Aren't you the one who said a deal is a deal? The city shouldn't be allowed to change its mind? Something about rational adults in appropriate places making decisions?
"And all I did was point out that current taxpayers of albemarle county are being taxed with out any say in what a portion of their taxes pay for. It's a fact that you in no way dispute"
On the contrary, I have disputed it very clearly. You just don't find it convenient to hear..County voters overwhelmingly chose to hand over a % of their tax dollars to the City in exchange for the retention of land. That is what they are spending their tax dollars on. It's none of their business how the recipient spends that money anymore than its the business of a mortgage holder to have a say in how the interest from their mortgage is spent. Or their landlord spends the money they pay in rent.
In the real world, you don't get to have your cake and eat it, which is what you seem to think you have the right to do.
But I am happy to end the agreement, provided the City gets the land that would have been annexed.
You are making a specious argument becauseHarryD October 18th, 2011 | 4:07pm
Old Timer- I know you are sick, didn't know you were tired. Not crying at all.
Which door?meanwhile October 18th, 2011 | 10:14pm
Old Timer,
I agree a deal is a deal, but I do not agree that I, as a county voter, am being taxed fairly.
But I agree that I would abide by a deal made in which I had no say.
The city, on the other hand, does not show the same level of integrity when it renegs on deal after deal after deal.
That's all I've been saying and it appears to me that YOU are the one having trouble hearing the truth. Maybe you need a hearing aid, maybe you need some medicine to clear your head.
Have a nice nap.Caesonia October 18th, 2011 | 11:42pm
"The city, on the other hand, does not show the same level of integrity when it renegs on deal after deal after deal."
I really don't see where you get of saying that. What are all these magical deals the city is supposedly getting backed out of with county? Would you like to list them? And as for being taxed fairly, that's really no the problem of the city. Plenty city residents don't feel they are being taxed ether.
Oh, and by the way, the revenue sharing agreement is not taxation without representation. The county residents got a referendum, and the BOS supported it as well. As Old Timer says, the Albemarle got to keep a large piece of real estate and permanently halt the growth of the city so they could do their own bit of city like development using city infrastructure. Its actuallya pretty good deal for the county, which is why they went for it so quickly so many years ago.
If you disagree with the county using your tax money to preserve land assets, then I suggest you get crackin' on all those wonderful estate tax breaks.HarryD October 19th, 2011 | 6:12am
I thought this article had to do with the illegal protester/occupiers?
Just what is their cause? Just what are their backgrounds? Why are they there? Where have they gone?meanwhile October 19th, 2011 | 7:54am
I'm not going to go around the same circle with those that refuse to see something very simple.
I never voted on this boondoggle of a plan and never will. Many, if not most, county resident got no chance to vote against it either.
And yet, despite this lack of representation, we are taxed.
The Meadowcreek Parkway is a deal that the city agreed to but has not lived up to. The agreed upon water plan is another. The city also agreed to share educational resources as a result of the 2.6 million the city is unfairly receiving from the state but never did.
The City Council and School Board of the City of Charlottesville lack integrity. They say one thing and do another. In Virginia, that used to be known as lying.meanwhile October 19th, 2011 | 8:11am
I'm not going to go around the same circle with those that refuse to see something very simple.
I never voted on this boondoggle of a plan and never will. Many, if not most, county resident got no chance to vote against it either.
And yet, despite this lack of representation, we are taxed.
The Meadowcreek Parkway is a deal that the city agreed to but has not lived up to. The agreed upon water plan is another. The city also agreed to share educational resources as a result of the 2.6 million the city is unfairly receiving from the state but never did.
The City Council and School Board of the City of Charlottesville lack integrity. They say one thing and do another.Ratepayer October 19th, 2011 | 8:56am
PROTEST NEEDED: Meeting tonight at Lane Auditorium 6pm to discuss running the new reservoir under I64 - and all the work and cost required to shore up the embankment.
Another waste of taxpayer dollars. We don't need the new dam. If we don't build a new dam we wouldn't need to spend millions of dollars protecting the reservoir from toxic spills and an embankment collapse on I64.
Where are the folks that are upset about how close a new Western ByPass might come to South Fork Rivanna Reservoir . This meeting is about running the new Ragged Mt. Reservoir UNDER our major highway I64.
Occupy Charlottesville folks how about walking across the street from Lee Park to Lane Auditorium and protest an unnecessary project that will raise water rates (unfairly burden the poor and middle class), and destroy the beautiful Ragged Mt. Natural Area ( clear cutting 60,000 trees).
This is clearly a dam project for special interests not for those who need water.
Dredging will give us all the water we need for decades - help stop this dam nonsense.
If you want background on this issue the Hook has been reporting on this for years.
http://www.readthehook.com/73751/story-archive-hook-water-supply-articlesDawg October 19th, 2011 | 9:18am
I think the city should annex a big chunk of the county and put an end to the revenue sharing agreement. Then the county people will stop whining--at least about that.Old Timer October 19th, 2011 | 10:42am
"The Meadowcreek Parkway is a deal that the city agreed to but has not lived up to."
Road construction is going on at this time. How many more fairy tales do you plan to make up Pinocchio?
And why should the City make a road for the convenience of the County? Talk about taxation without representation.....
Just give up the land, and you can end the agreementmeanwhile..... October 19th, 2011 | 10:48am
re:"why should the City make a road for the convenience of the County?"
Because any increase in county tax revenue results in an increase in city revenue via the revenue sharing agreement.cookieJar October 19th, 2011 | 11:01am
Money isn't the only consideration.HarryD October 20th, 2011 | 7:55am
I would highly recommend that these "occupiers" be part of the solution rather than part of the problem.
They should not "throw rocks while living in glass houses".
The media should also check the backgrounds on those who choose to give out their name.....it has been interesting to google those who have chosen to do so. try it, you'll like it.Look Deeper October 22nd, 2011 | 9:27pm
Interesting conversation. A couple of observations:
1. What do the Occupy Charlottesville and The TEA Party have in common? The Constitution. And it will be the Constitution that will help to fix the problems that face our country.
2. The discussion about the City and County Revenue Sharing has been clearly argued. If the County wishes to stop Revenue Sharing, then trade the land and the businesses over that the City had sought to annex. The revenue clearly exceeds revenue sharing.
3. To really solve the City-County issues and get maximum benefit and reduce service duplication is through a City County merger. It also eliminates the revenue sharing issue. We can do it better together!
4. When it comes to unemployment that others are facing; Charlottesville is in a much better place because of UVa. Most people in our community are employed and have one of the lowest unemployment rates any where.
Just sayin...Cville Eye October 22nd, 2011 | 10:19pm
State law has placed a moritorium on annexation throughout the state. I am not sure that the County can give the land to the City since the County does not own it. The City and County can consolidation, however, the City and County will have to negotiate the City's substantial debt it already owes. As for duplication of service, the City (town) will not get rid of its teachers, firemen and policmen, nor ther nor the rest of its employees. It owns far more fire equip than the County. The City has recreation facilities, the County has parks. The City also directly subsidizes housing, the County does not. What's going to happen to the City's assets and services under consolidation? How much of a savings will there be, as much as $1M?Look Deeper October 22nd, 2011 | 11:52pm
Cville Eye,
Its not just about saving money, it is also about creating a more effective way of utilizing all of the resources. More savings will come. It also does not require all resources to be eliminated but it does create a more regional approach to the planning process.
Although it is a pie in the sky idea as the politics will never allow it any way.