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Special thanks to Stephanie, who supplied the starting point for today's post. Stephanie writes that she's been convinced by a merry band of triathlete hooligans to compete in her first race a full MONTH before she originally intended. She wonders if I have any advice for her, and I'm happy to oblige!
Will I stand out like a woman with a baby stroller in the "Expert Security" line at the airport as a Plus Athlete?
Okay, so perhaps I've got traveling on the brain, but the question I get a lot – and is similar to the one Stephanie asked – is pretty normal: Just how out-of-the-ordinary am I, as a Plus Athlete? Will people stare? I mean, I'm used to being B-I-G-G-E-R than others, but am I going to feel like a freak of nature?
In short: it all depends on you. What I've found is that if you're doing a Sprint Triathlon, there really are people of all shapes and sizes out there. If you're familiar with the bell curve, I think that applies here – 10% of your racers are super, super fit. 20% are merely super fit, or just a smidge heavier than the average (which comprises 40% of the runners). And that last 10% are folks who carry more than a fair share of extra poundage. Okay, maybe it's more like 5%, but you get the idea. You won't be alone – especially if your race is a women's only race, which tends to be VERY open and encouraging of women of all shapes and sizes.
The other thing I've consistently found is this: the spectators are amazing. Simply amazing. They will actually cheer HARDER for you because you're bigger – because they know, watching, that it's incredibly difficult to complete a triathlon, and you are inspiring THEM with the fact that you're doing it. So if someone cheers for you when you leave the swim (and they will – by number) smile, and say THANK YOU. Or whatever makes you feel good. Just realize they're not going to mock you – they're really just going to support you. On the course, you'll find the same thing – riders who are more experienced or thinner will go out of their way to tell you "good job" because they admire what you're doing, and they want the sport to feel inclusive.
How you handle that attention is up to you. Some people are okay with the fact that others are looking at you in some skimpy tri wear. Some are less comfortable. I'd encourage you to think through what your response will be, and to own the fact that you're doing something amazing in your body. If you exude pride on race day, you will FEEL it, and it will help you perform better – I promise.
Any tips for the swim? How does one execute a chop block in the water, and any tips for not drowning?
Two questions here that deserve answering, really: first, how do you survive the craziness of a mass swim start, and second, what if I panic in open water?
The open swim start has a few variations, so before you get worried about what it will feel like, let me share them with you. First, some triathlons do a "mass start" where you go off in waves of 25-200 people. This start is what most of us think of when we think "crazy". If you're a first-timer, start at the back, and line yourself up with the series of bouys that you see heading into the distance. Then, after the masses have kicked for a few seconds (or 20), get into the water, and go. They'll have cleared out, you'll get to swim behind them, and you won't be swimming over (or getting swum over.)
The second type of start is a timed interval – where you start on a beach, and someone goes into the water every 3-5 seconds. This is a bit more of an "on display" start as everyone watches you run into the water (which I always thought was an invitation for me to hold my hands over my chest so the girls wouldn't knock me out, but that's me). It's also far less stressful because the water is mostly clear. Yes, you'll get swum over, but it won't happen as often.
The second question here is about managing the fear in the deep water. If you're a regular open-water swimmer, this probably isn't the biggest issue for you. But if it's got you concerned, think of it like this: there is a USA Triathlon requirement that for every 75 swimmers in the water, there are X number of lifeguards. All races must meet these requirements. (I think it's 1 per 75, but I'll have to check). This means that generally, on most courses, IF you get into trouble, there is a lifeguard or a boat nearby. Per the USAT rules, you can sidle on up to that boat or guard, ask how the weather is doing, and hang on for a chat – as long as you aren't moved forward by that boat or guard. So the thing to remember about the deep water is that there will always be someone within swimming distance of you – and even if you're having a hard time, you can tread water for a few minutes, then make your way over to them, hold on, regroup, and head back out there.
No race director wants you to be unsupported in the water, so you should feel going in that you will have a safety net. That said, keep your eyes on moving forward – and on those bouys – to feel like you're breaking up the swim into manageable chunks. Sometimes if I'm worried about how long the swim will feel, I set the interval on my watch to go off every five minutes, knowing, for example, that when it beeps twice, I'm usually halfway through my swim. You might want to do the same – it's a nice reminder that you're making progress and moving forward on your own.
I think I might require some food on race day. Any thoughts?
Ah, food. Race day food is something that presents a special challenge when you haven't had a chance to train with it, so I'll just share a few tips.
First, if you can, road-test your pre-race food with at least a few workouts before the Big Day. You'll want to test out whether your toast sticks with you for two hours; or whether you need some peanut butter on that bagel.
I generally go with two pieces of dry toast (Cinnamon Raisin, thank you very much) and have a half of a banana at least 2 hours before the race. The night before is important too – have something that won't upset your stomach, (pasta or a sandwich with some protein); throw in some greens, and dont' forget the water.
My friend Lisa has an approach you may also find helpful if you have used it before – she has one Clif Shot or Gu about 30 minutes before the race to top off her carb stores and she says that for a Sprint race, it's really all the fuel she needs.
So that's it for my race advice for Stephanie, and anyone else thrown into a race this weekend! Thanks for asking, and good luck with your race!!!


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subset: commoncrawl


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EDA in Focus
Town endorses Royal Arms Apartments redevelopment plan thru EDA bond
While it was a divided Front Royal Town Council that approved a resolution detailing the discovery of years of overpayments on bond issues though the Economic Development Authority on November 26, council was unanimous in approving a resolution in support of a new EDA bond issue of up to $17-million for the renovation of the Royal Arms Apartments on Criser Road inside the town limits.
Support for the bond issue was recommended to council following a late October EDA public hearing and unanimous project endorsement by the EDA Board of Directors.
During that EDA public hearing, two representatives of a nationwide affordable housing redevelopment company CPP-Housing pitched their plan to purchase and upgrade the Royal Arms Apartments. That plan, as explained by CPP-Housing Senior Project Manager John Fraser, is to upgrade the 144-unit complex, including an existing outdoor pool, but keep it affordable for the existing residents.
"The goal is for there to be no displacement of tenants during the project," Frazer told the EDA board.
"We are a for-profit but mission-based company," CPP-Housing Vice President Seth Gellis told the EDA. Of its "mission-based" business model, Gellis told the EDA, "It pays to care – the better you treat residents, the better they take care of the property."
CPP Project Manager Frazer told the EDA board and staff that the project's "main goal" was "to preserve and extend" the lower income, affordable housing aspect of the development over an anticipated 40 to 50-year life of the existing buildings. Frazer said his company projects additional renovation work on an approximate 15-year cycle. Responding to a question, Frazer said the plan was to maintain federal "Section 8" housing assistance parameters.
Of working with Frazer and Gellis' company, Citi Community Capital Managing Director Mike Hemmings is quoted on the CPP website stating, "CPP brings a creative and sophisticated approach to acquiring and developing low-income multifamily communities. Citi values their relationship with CPP because they are true professionals and have always performed as advertised."
CPP-Housing, with a home office in Irvine, California, and an "Eastern Division" headquarters in Reston, Virginia, is a subsidiary of WNC, described on its website as "a leading provider of investment, asset management and development services to a wide array of partners."
Those partners range "from for-profit and nonprofit developers and property owners to the nation's largest corporations and financial institutions" according to the WNC website. WNC is described as "a family-owned business for more than 47 years" which has "acquired more than 1,375 properties representing $9.3 billion in assets" since its 1971 inception.
"Our success is built on enduring partnerships with our developers and investors. We've earned their trust, which is why they choose to work with us time and time again," parent company WNC's website states.
As with the Valley Health revenue bond approved earlier by the EDA, Town and County, no liability for payment of the bond is incurred by the EDA or either involved municipality or member thereof. The bond issue is to a subsidiary entity "Royal Arms Community Partners LP" whose address is CPP's Irvine, California address.
CPP-Housing Vice President Gellis explained his company's desire for the revenue bond issued through the local EDA as a means to access federal and state tax credit programs from its resulting work.
The Resolution approved by the town council on November 26 notes that the Town's endorsement of issuance of the revenue bonds does not obligate the Town, County or EDA "to pay the Bonds or the interest … or other costs" associated with the issuance "except from the revenues and money pledged therefore" which in the Town's case is nothing, according to the wording of the resolution.
The resolution also notes that 100% of the principal amount of the bond issues will be allocated by the Town, with 0% by the County based on an estimation of "a reasonable relationship to the respective benefits to the Town and the County" from the bond issue.
EDA in Focus
Tran defense motions echo earlier filings, cite vague summary of allegations
On May 2, the attorney for ITFederal and its CEO Truc "Curt" Tran followed attorneys for the other seven defendants in the EDA civil suit of March 26 in filing defense motions attacking the style and substance of the case against their clients.
In the demurrer seeking dismissal of five of the six counts (1-4 and 6) in the EDA Civil Complaint it is asserted that the filing by attorney Cullen Seltzer of the Richmond law firm of Sand-Anderson lacks the legally-required specificity and factual basis to support its oft-stated conclusion that the defendants have acted to improperly divert EDA assets based "on information and belief".
"And many of the Plaintiff's allegations being made solely 'on information and belief' is fatal under the heightened pleading requirement for fraud," Tran/ITFederal attorney Brandon H. Elledge writes citing case history, adding of such wording, "and thus to avoid dismissal, a fraud plaintiff must supplement such allegations with 'a statement of facts on which the belief is founded' and also 'must delineate at least the nature and scope of plaintiff's efforts to obtain, before filing the complaint, the information needed to plead with particularity'."
As to the sixth count omitted from the Tran/ITFederal request for dismissal, Count 5 – "Breach of Fiduciary Duty of Loyalty" – the demurrer notes that it "does not purport to state a claim against Mr. Tran and ITFederal" but rather asserts actual claims "only against Defendant McDonald" – which does appear to be the case as it would impact all defendants other than McDonald. See Related Story:
Sheriff, ITFed principal Tran, Donnie Poe named with McDonald in EDA civil suit
"As an employee of the Warren EDA, Defendant McDonald owed the Warren EDA a fiduciary loyalty," Count 5 begins in recounting the obligations of McDonald's role as the executive director of the EDA.
And it is in the absence of the detail of the preceding 160 paragraphs leading to the $17.6 million-plus civil suit's call for compensation in six counts against all nine defendants upon which defense attorneys have focused their arguments for dismissal.
The six counts seeking a judgment of "not less than $17,640,446.16" against "the Defendants jointly and severally" are: 1/ Fraud and Fraud in the Inducement; 2/ Conversion; 3/ Conspiracy; 4/ Unjust Enrichment; 5/ Breach of Fiduciary Duty of Loyalty; and 6/ Ultra Vires (improper) Transactions and Agreements.
And other than that one mention of the minimum of $17.6-million-and-change of allegedly misdirected or embezzled EDA assets there is no other reference to specific amounts of money tied to any defendant in the plaintiff presentation of the resultant civil "Counts" against those defendants. In fact, only "Defendant McDonald" and "Defendant Earthright Energy LLC" are cited in the six counts – McDonald in the aforementioned Count 5 "Breach of Fiduciary Loyalty" that does appear focused on her alone; and Earthright Energy LLC in Count 6 "Ultra Vires Transactions and Agreements" related to work arrangements or contracts engaged in with Earthright Energy through McDonald without approval of the EDA Board of Directors "in the manner required by law."
However as alluded to above and noted in previous stories on the EDA complaint and defense motions against it, there is detail concerning specific amounts of money involved in specific transactions involving specific defendants throughout the first 160 paragraphs of the complaint. Those 160 graphs appear to present the basis of fact and finance leading to the final 39 paragraphs stating of the more generalized summary of offenses described in Counts 1 through 6 of the EDA civil suit. See Related Story:
Defendant attorneys cite vagaries, legal conflicts in EDA civil suit
However for Tran/ITFederal attorney Elledge that detail too, is lacking.
"While the Complaint is long on allegations as to McDonald's misconduct, it offers very little as to Defendants … Tran … and ITFederal except for conclusory recitations or vague statements made only 'on information and belief'," Elledge asserts, adding, "Mr. Tran and ITFederal expressly deny the meritless claims asserted against them and any alleged wrongdoing in this matter."
Of the summary nature of the stating of the Counts against the defendants, the Tran/ITFederal defense memorandum of support of the demurrer for dismissal states, "… the group pleading method employed by the Warren EDA in its Complaint is improper and fails to fairly inform Mr. Tran and ITFederal of the nature of the claims levied against them …"
However, is that true of the first 160 paragraphs of the 199-graph complaint – well 209-graphs if you include the 10 paragraph "Prayer for Relief" seeking return of EDA assets, attorneys fees and "punitive damages (of at least one million dollars) jointly and severally against the Defendants"?
The complaint devotes many paragraphs to the securing of a $10-million bank loan for Tran/ITFederal through the EDA, citing the involvement of McDonald and then-U.S. Congressman Robert Goodlatte, R-6th, along with Tran. It is noted that loan was made at Goodlatte's request despite repeated assertions by "Tran and Defendant McDonald …that Tran did not need the financial support of the Town and Warren EDA".
However that "unnecessary" $10 million dollars of financial support was acquired, along with the gift of a 30-acre parcel at the Royal Phoenix site publicly valued by the EDA at $2 million for a one dollar price. Conditions were attached to that gift, including completion of the project by an eventually extended completion date of mid-2020; and a reduction of the scope of the project from an approximate 40,000 s.f. in a three-building complex alleged by Goodlatte to produce over 600 high-paying tech jobs through ITFederal to the community, to a 10,000 square-foot building producing at least 10 jobs of indeterminate wage.
And while the complaint notes that far less than $10 million appears to have been spent to date on the ITFederal Project here, the Tran/ITFederal motion for dismissal asserts Tran did nothing wrong and has worked within the parameters of his agreement with the EDA, both on the loan and a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding nearly $1.5 million in what is described as "Subsequent Payments to ITFederal" alleged to have been unauthorized by the EDA.
Regarding the Count of "Conversion" of EDA assets to Tran's personal benefit, Elledge writes on behalf of his clients, "The only Warren EDA funds allegedly retained by ITFederal are a $10 million loan pursuant to a promissory note and a deed of trust and some $1.5 million pursuant to a Memorandum of Understanding. Thus, ITFederal received those funds in accordance with such agreements. Plaintiff does not – and cannot – allege a breach of such agreements, and it, therefore, alleges no right to immediate possession of the funds. Rather, it lawfully controls them subject to the terms of the loan documents and the MOU …
"The only payments due to Plaintiff is the repayment terms of the promissory note, and it has not – and cannot – allege that ITFederal has breached or defaulted on any of its contractual obligations," the Tran/ITFederal filing in support of its motion for dismissal states.
But at issue for the EDA as plaintiff is an alleged fraud perpetrated by Tran in conjunction with McDonald in her role as EDA executive director and possibly others, to acquire the loan, gift of property and "Subsequent Payments to ITFederal". That fraud is alleged to involve a $140 million in purported ITFederal government contract the plaintiff found no evidence exists – though Elledge asserts it does – as well as websites said to create a false impression of financial viability of Tran companies the plaintiff asserts there is no discovered substantive support of, and false representations of Tran's personal worth and intentions of investment in this community.
"Plaintiff does not allege any cohesive fraudulent scheme here, but rather a series of independent transactions connected only by the involvement of Defendant McDonald … In the portions of the Complaint referencing Mr. Tran and ITFederal, Plaintiff obscures who actually made what representations at issue by repeating the phrase 'Tran and Defendant McDonald represented, through McDonald (emphasis in context) … Such vague construction fails to establish Mr. Tran's connection to the alleged misrepresentations by omitting how Mr. Tran managed to represent anything 'through McDonald'," the Tran/ITF filing states, adding, "By lumping Mr. Tran together with Defendant McDonald and referencing 'multiple occasions,' Plaintiff unsuccessfully tries to create an impression of wrongdoing without articulating who made what statement to whom on which occasion."
From a different angle, Tran/ITFederal attorney Elledge echoes Jennifer McDonald attorney Lee Berlik's argument that his client is being villainized for the alleged actions of other defendants and/or bad decisions by past EDA boards.
"Plaintiff suggests every statement by every counterparty it now regrets crediting was a false statement by Ms. McDonald … instead of a false statement to Ms. McDonald (emphasis in context)," Berlik wrote in his April 16 filing on his client's behalf, adding, "The Warren EDA is looking for someone to blame for every decision it now regrets since new leadership has taken over – and Ms. McDonald is it."
From Tran's legal perspective he has simply taken advantage of a series of sweetheart deals offered by the EDA Board of Directors at the urging of friends in high places, including Congressman Goodlatte and the EDA's then executive director.
What could possibly be wrong with that?
At issue in the wake of the filing of the series of defense demurrers for dismissal of the cases against their clients is will that question in regard to all defendants ever be argued in front of a jury in a Warren County or any other courtroom?
EDA in Focus
2017 EDA Investigation Part 6: FRPD questions former Town Councilman Bret Hrbek
FRONT ROYAL – Just over two years ago, on May 18, 2017, McDonald telephoned the Front Royal Police Department to report a break-in at the office located at 400-D Kendrick Lane. Found at the scene were photos of McDonald with the face scratched out on the board meeting room table, and another photo of McDonald's face with a knife stuck through the forehead in the seat she normally occupied during board meetings, as well as some defaced family photos, also on the meeting room table.
According to the Front Royal Police Department investigative file, obtained through a Royal Examiner Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, McDonald also told police that May 18th morning, that a week earlier, on May 11, 2017, she arrived at work to find a knife lying in her desk chair. There was no signed of forced entry, nor was a call made to police.
Police said nothing was reported missing, there was no sign of forced entry and to this day, the case remains unsolved.
Despite the fact that McDonald reported to officers nothing was missing from her office, she later told police when they invited her in for a sit-down, recorded interview with Investigators Landin Waller and Crystal Cline that several files were missing from the office, specifically the ITFederal folder, the Regional Justice Academy folder and the Workforce Housing folder.
Using information gleaned from the interview with McDonald, the FRPD investigative team invited Ron Llewellyn and John Costello–both of whom McDonald said knew about the missing files—to sit down for interviews.
In late spring of 2017, this reporter was contacted by a source who relayed a conversation the source held with Bret Hrbek regarding Truc "Curt" Tran and his identity as the "anonymous benefactor" who would fund the building of an $8 million regional justice training academy in Warren County, that was described by McDonald and then-Sheriff Daniel McEathron during a radio interview I conducted with them in the spring of 2016.
As Front Royal Police Department Investigators continued interviews with anyone who might have a link to the case, Hrbek also came up on the Department's radar. He would prove, however, to be of little value to the investigation.
In the next video segment, Jennifer McDonald's longtime co-worker and EDA Director of Marketing Marla Jones answered investigator's questions as they attempted to unravel the mystery of exactly what transpired at the EDA office at 400-D Kendrick Lane on May 18, 2017.
EDA in Focus
EDA civil complaint: How does a gift become a $651,690 loss?
In Part 2 of Royal Examiner's look into details of the March 26 EDA civil suit, another prominent Front Royal-Warren County Economic Development project resulting in a significant, if not multi-million dollar financial loss will be explored. That project was the Workforce Housing apartment complex plan designed to provide affordable housing for entry-level workers in teaching, law enforcement and emergency services professions.
It was a project that immediately attracted Royal Examiner and one public officials' attention due to unanswered questions about costs, legality and eventually, changing circumstances.
Councilwoman Bébhinn Egger first publicly began asking hard questions about the price listed on a "gift"; and then EDA-requested town building code exemptions to reduce costs that would likely not be granted to a private-sector developer. Later County Supervisors Archie Fox and Tom Sayre joined in the questioning as the foundation of the project continued altering in a fluid and ever-changing manner.
In case you forgot, that manner was:
– In the fall of 2014 a 3.5-acre parcel at the end of Royal Lane in Front Royal is presented to the EDA Board of Directors as a gift for public use;
– It is a gift assessed at $305,000 with an inflated $445,000 price tag attached to it;
– It is a gift from relatives of EDA Executive Director Jennifer McDonald, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Campbell, who are in the real estate business;
– As of April 2017 it is no longer a gift;
– It is revealed there was an undisclosed developmental deadline tied to the original owners' receiving federal tax credits for the gift of the property for public use that was not met;
– The 3.5-acre property must be returned to the owners or purchased by the EDA at the inflated $445,000 price attached to the deed of gift;
– On April 28, 2017 the EDA Board of Directors agrees to purchase the property for $445,000 because it is indicated by EDA Executive Director McDonald and then-board Chair Patty Wines that the EDA has already invested nearly a half million dollars in preparatory work, including site planning, engineering, town and state DEQ permitting fees, though not a shovel of dirt had been turned on the parcel at the end of dead-end Royal Lane;
– Following the May 19, 2017 release of a 383-page summary of the project following a request for information by Councilwoman Egger, the EDA's executive director verifies to this reporter that only $10,500 of unrecoverable money had been invested in the property at the time of the EDA board decision to purchase;
See related story.
Some answers, more questions, (one hint) on EDA workforce housing
– It is revealed by the EDA that a private sector development group, the Aikens Group, has been involved secretly from the 2014 advent of the project and that Aikens had agreed to purchase the property from the original owners for the $445,000 price attached to the property transfer;
– The forensic audit of EDA finances launched in the wake of the Town of Front Royal's mid-2018 discovery of nearly a decade of debt service overpayments to the EDA totaling over $291,000 begins in mid-September 2018; and continues to this day at a cost of over three-quarters of a million dollars.
– On November 28, 2018, the EDA sells the Workforce Housing property to Cornerstone LLC for $10 (ten dollars).
– On March 26, 2019, "The Workforce Housing – Royal Lane Property Embezzlements" are listed as a $651,690 loss in a civil suit filed on behalf of the EDA as a result of the aforementioned forensic audit.
– Contacted in April after Royal Examiner received the Royal Lane Deed of Sale, EDA Board Chairman Gray Blanton, who was appointed chairman in September 2018, said he only saw the final page of the deed of sale, which was the signature page. Due to Dan Whitten's recusal for potential conflict of interest as both EDA and County Attorney, local real estate attorney Joe Silek Jr. represented the EDA in the transaction. Also contacted regarding the transaction, Silek said that no price was on the deed of sale when it was forwarded from the EDA to the Winchester law firm of McCarthy-Akers for completion. Asked why the EDA would agree to take a $444,990 loss (that appears to have grown to a $577,501.77 or even $651,690) on the property, Silek said, "I don't think they did," and referred us to attorney Doug McCarthy of McCarthy-Akers for further information. At publication of this story Royal Examiner had yet to get a response from a May 3 message left for McCarthy at the company phone number seeking information about the transaction.
EDA civil complaint
How does the EDA civil action view this project history in seeking the return of $651,690 of lost EDA money? Of the late November sale, it says this:
"When interviewed on December 6, 2018, Defendant McDonald continued to maintain that the Aikens Group would refund the Warren EDA the full cost of the Royal Lane Property and any improvements, when she knew said property had been conveyed by the Warren EDA on November 28, 2018 to Cornerstone for consideration of $10."
What the complaint doesn't state is why the EDA board or its legal representation would agree to sell a property under heavy scrutiny by the forensic audit at a loss in the range of $450,000 to $650,000.
That transaction came as scrutiny of the executive director was intensifying as the forensic audit progressed. Following several hours of closed session discussion of the forensic audit findings and her job performance on December 14, 2018, McDonald had her contract, check-writing and administrative authority over EDA bank accounts stripped by the EDA board. Facing a second closed session on the same topics a week later, McDonald submitted her resignation and according to the EDA lawsuit attempted to cap her financial liability at $2.7 million dollars.
However as noted above, it was not McDonald's signature on that $10 deed of sale, nor was she the EDA's legal representative in that transaction that is simply one chapter in what has been a twisting and seemingly inexplicable, nearly five-year saga surrounding the attempted transfer of the Campbells' 3.5-acre Royal Lane parcel to a public use.
As previously reported, in an initial defense motion filing McDonald attorney Lee Berlik claimed his client is being vilified and scapegoated for past bad decisions of the EDA Board of Directors. "The Warren EDA, Plaintiff in this action, is engaged in an attempt to smear Ms. McDonald by blaming her for every bad decision made by the Warren EDA board over the last several years and turning business deals the Warren EDA now regrets into implausible conspiracies."
However, the EDA civil action alleges a lengthy pattern of gaps, conflicting or misinformation from McDonald to the EDA board regarding what is termed the "Royal Lane Property Embezzlements".
"The Warren EDA Board minutes during the time of these discussions do not reflect that Defendant McDonald ever timely disclosed the true ownership of the property, or her own active real estate agent business relationship to the owners, thus depriving the Warren EDA Board of knowledge that Defendant McDonald had an interest in the transaction," paragraph 21 of the complaint states about the advent of the project.
That "active real estate agent business relationship" circa 2014-15 at the project's inception is described in the previous paragraph of the complaint as McDonald's role as "a real estate agent" in the Campbells' "Century 21 – Campbell Realty" business.
Whatever the EDA board's knowledge of the situation was, the complaint asserts further issues around the EDA workforce housing purchase, including an inflated sales price based on a sales contract it alleges McDonald forged.
"Notwithstanding that the Warren EDA authorized only up to $445,000 to purchase the Royal Lane Property, Defendant McDonald in fact directed the Warren EDA to pay $577,511.50 (emphasis added) for the Royal Lane Property which included property settlement costs of $2,511.50," graph 29 of the EDA complaint states.
The complaint continues with graph 31's assertion, "The original sales contract contemplated a purchase price of $445,000. See attached Exhibit 2. Defendant McDonald's forged contract with the altered purchase price information reflecting a purchase price of $575,000 included a payment of $125,000. See attached Exhibit 3. The unusual payment of $125,000 occurred on March 15, 2016 prior to and outside of property settlement to a third party.
"Thus at closing, the sellers of the Royal Lane Property, the aunt and uncle of Defendant McDonald, and/or Defendant McDonald, were enriched by an additional $130,000 to the detriment of the EDA …When confronted with this discrepancy , Defendant McDonald falsely stated that $575,000 was the Warren EDA authorized purchase price and that the Aikens Group, a company that Defendant McDonald represented intended to develop the Royal Lane property, had repaid $125,000 of the purchase price to the Warren EDA," graphs 32 and 33 of the complaint assert.
OKAY, wait, what?!? – "McDonald in fact directed the Warren EDA to pay" an additional $132,511.50 (and they agreed to that?); then the inflated-price contract was "forged"; then the Aikens Group appears out of a hat again?!?
Whoever was puppeteer whomever, however, the complaint continues that in order to support her assertion the Aikens Group had repaid the added $125,000, McDonald "provided a redacted loan statement from Ocwen Loan Servicing LLC that omitted the property address and name and address of the Borrower.
"Later investigation revealed, however, that $125,000 had not been repaid to the Warren EDA. Instead, records show that a check payable to 'Owen Loan Servicing LLC' had been written from a Warren EDA bank account in the amount of $125,000," graph 34 and 35 of the complaint states, leading to the conclusion the payment was made "to the benefit of Defendant McDonald and/or her family."
However, unlike ITFederal CEO Truc "Curt" Tran, Earth Right Energy principals Donnie Poe and Justin Appleton, and former Sheriff Daniel McEathron, the latter as a partner in McDonald's real estate companies, who were all listed as co-defendants with McDonald in the March 26 civil filing, despite the involvement of their property in this magical mystery tour real estate transaction the Campbells were not named as defendants in the March 26 civil suit seeking recovery of the above-cited EDA funds.
I don't know about you, but this one made me dizzy.
EDA in Focus
EDA Investigation, Part 5: Local businessman John Costello is interviewed by the FRPD
FRONT ROYAL – Those Royal Examiner readers and viewers who have been following the EDA Break-in Series will notice that this one – part 5 – does little to clarify facts or answer any questions for lead investigator Landin Waller.
After then-Executive Director Jennifer McDonald reported a break-in at the Front Royal-Warren County Economic Development Authority (EDA) office on May 18, 2017, detectives processed the scene, interviewing all subjects present, taking photographs, dusting surfaces for fingerprints, checking all doors and windows for signs of forced entry (there were no signs of forced entry, which were documented by photographs) and also questioning workers in adjacent offices and buildings within the Kendrick Lane campus.
McDonald was interviewed for about 90 minutes by Investigators Landin Waller and Crystal Cline, during which she cited a list of people whom she felt might be responsible for the alleged break-in, none of whom were ever established as substantive suspects by police. She also told the investigators that an EDA board member, Ron Llewellyn, had brought up the subject of files missing from her office.
Investigators found that interesting, as McDonald had previously reported that nothing was missing in the reported incident.
Officer Waller invited Llewellyn to have a conversation about the alleged missing files. Llewellyn's interview was remarkable in several ways:
- Llewellyn states that he went to former Town Councilman and Vice-Mayor Shae Parker's Hanna Signs business office after hours to pick up an order, and saw a group of people meeting there that included Parker, former Town Manager Mike Graham, former Town Mayor Stanley Brooks, former Town Councilman Tom Conkey and current Town Councilwoman Bébhinn Egger. Parker has stated to Royal Examiner that this meeting never occurred; Miss Egger stated that she has never even been in Parker's place of business. Graham, Brooks and Conkey have also stated, on the record, that this meeting never occurred, at Parker's shop or any other location.
- Llewellyn stated to Investigator Waller that the EDA board believed that some in the community weren't supportive of McDonald, so they got together and voted as a group to give her a pay increase to "reaffirm" the board's belief in her. Why, one might ask, would the board of an agency funded, in part, with tax dollars give a raise because of the public's displeasure with the employee's performance?
- Llewellyn stated that Congressman Goodlatte called McDonald, stating "you've got to resolve this" because this reporter – then the WZRV radio station News Director – had called Goodlatte's office inquiring about ITFederal's ability to accomplish what the congressman had claimed in the way of financial investment ($40 million) and job creation (600-plus). Llewellyn states that McDonald called the station owner, at Goodlatte's prompting. (Within days, perhaps coincidentally, I was fired May 13, 2016 by station owner Andrew Shearer by telephone, after completing the noon news and a daily talk show, with no reason provided.) WZRV news staffer Roger Bianchini's inquiries to ITFederal officials on the same topic were abruptly shut down by Shearer later the same day.
- According to a letter from then-EDA board Chairman Greg Drescher, Llewellyn stated the Front Royal Police Department did not take the break-in "seriously" and that "it never hurts to have another set of eyes on something" regarding the hiring of a private investigator by the EDA on July 17, 2017. The EDA board by way of its chairman, Drescher, eventually requested FRPD to shut down its investigation in favor of the private one being conducted by the EDA/McDonald-contracted investigator.
As a board member Llewellyn seemed to have a good bit of information involving the EDA, its inner-workings, and even knowledge of Congressman Goodlatte, and how important it was for him to contain certain information regarding Truc "Curt" Tran and ITFederal. So when Llewellyn told Waller that that he had learned of the missing EDA files from local businessman John Costello at a meeting at the Element restaurant in Front Royal, Waller was anxious to interview Costello.
John Costello had plenty of information to unpack it seemed—just not about EDA files. He seemed genuinely confused when asked about knowledge of any events occurring at the EDA office. Asked about meeting Llewellyn at Element, Costello explained that they were both part of a group of friends who had enjoyed playing tennis over the years, before poorer health set in, and that the group mostly met for drinks once a week. But Costello said that he and Llewellyn had not regularly talked for some time, citing a falling out that occurred after he and a group of friends got together in 2009 to help Llewellyn save a financially-strapped business.
Costello explained to Detective Waller that despite investing heavily in their friend Llewellyn's business, he was less-than a friend in return:
Front Royal Police Department detectives continued investigating the May, 2017 incident. As they worked the case, their next lead would have them call in local financial advisor Bret Hrbek, in July, 2017 for an interview. Next up in the series, Royal Examiner readers will witness a July, 2017 interview with Hrbek, as we explore the Front Royal Police Department's exhaustive attempts to clear the case.
EDA in Focus
EDA civil complaint details allegations surrounding key projects
While attorneys for defendants in the EDA civil litigation have focused on what they contend are vagaries in details of the cited misdirection of EDA assets, the complaint itself lists some detail, including specified amounts of money moved on a variety of projects contended to be conduits for the alleged embezzlement or misuse of EDA or EDA-enabled resources.
As previously reported by Royal Examiner, the projects or methods identified as those conduits for misdirection of EDA assets in the civil complaint are: the ITFederal Loan; Subsequent Payments to ITFederal; Workforce Housing – Royal Lane Property Embezzlements; Afton Inn Project Embezzlements; Criminal Justice Training Academy aka Skyline Regional Justice Training Academy; Unlawful Payments Concerning Earth Right Energy LLC; and Unlawful Payment of Town and Warren County Funds for Defendant McDonald Owned/Controlled Real Estate".
Due to the voluminous material cited in the 199-paragraph, 32-page EDA civil complaint concerning the above-cited EDA projects, loans, private business and contractual arrangements, we will begin Royal Examiner's more detailed exploration of the EDA lawsuit and initial defense responses by narrowing on specific portions of the complaint. Note that Royal Examiner is not asserting the truth of either the allegations in the complaint or defense responses to those allegations – merely reporting their existence and some detail.
Of particular focus regarding alleged false information being used to prop up the movement of the largest amount of misdirected EDA assets, a $10-million bank loan little of which appears to have been spent here nearly four years on is ITFederal's recruitment as the first commercial redevelopment client at the former Avtex Superfund site. Six pages of the complaint are devoted to the ITFederal loan process.
Of the securing of a $10-million dollar loan to ITFederal the complaint states in paragraph 89, "Tran and Defendant McDonald represented, through McDonald, to the Town, the County and the Warren EDA multiple times that (a) Tran was a high-net worth individual, (b) he did not need any financial assistance from the Town, the County and the Warren EDA to make the ITFederal Project financially viable, (c) ITFederal/VDN Systems had procured a $140 million contract with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to provide information technology services on a long-term basis and (d) Tran had the endorsement and support of U.S. Congressional Representative Robert Goodlatte …"
Continuing in paragraph 99, "On information and belief, despite any nominal award of any federal contracts to ITFederal and/or VDN, the actual work and payments under any such federal contracts … appear to be not more than $5,000 over the last five years."
Paragraph 100 of the complaint states, "The websites for ITFederal, VDN and ACRC (three Tran companies) all appear to be bogus websites with little or no substantive information or recent activity in connection with purported businesses. In some cases it appears they have not been updated since 2012. Based on information and belief, these websites were created to convey a false impression that ITFederal, VDN and ACRC were active businesses with a substantive source of income with the intent of fraudulently inducing the Warren EDA to make the ITFederal loan."
As previously reported here, in motions filings McDonald attorney Lee Berlik has contested the assumption that McDonald was consciously lying in regard to many of the allegations against her, rather than simply repeating lies she was being told; or in other instances following through on methods of moving EDA assets approved by the EDA board to facilitate projects it later regretted becoming involved in.
"The Warren EDA, Plaintiff in this action, is engaged in an attempt to smear Ms. McDonald by blaming her for every bad decision made by the Warren EDA board over the last several years and turning business deals the Warren EDA now regrets into implausible conspiracies," Berlik wrote on the first page of a defense motions filing on April 16, adding emphasis in context, "Plaintiff suggests every statement by every counterparty it now regrets crediting was a false statement by Ms. McDonald … instead of a false statement to Ms. McDonald."
Beginning with her presentation of Tran and ITFederal to the EDA board and town government in 2014, the complaint alleges a lengthy effort by McDonald to mitigate Tran and his company's costs and liability while at the same time working toward securing of a $10-million loan the complaint asserts she repeatedly told local officials Tran did not really need to accomplish his project.
Rather, the Town's initial assistance in the way of a $10-million dollar "bridge loan" to facilitate a $10-million bank loan then EDA Attorney Blair Mitchell noted Congressman Goodlatte had requested in a 2015 email correspondence with McDonald, was presented as a means of promoting long-sought commercial redevelopment at the site. It is perhaps also noteworthy that the EDA put up the 117-acre balance of the Royal Phoenix Business Park property as collateral for the $10-million dollar ITFederal loan from First Bank & Trust.
"Tran and Defendant McDonald stated that Tran did not need the financial support of the Town and the Warren EDA, but that such assistance was requested by Rep. Goodlatte," graph 90 of the complaint states; further noting the request that 30 acres of the 147-acre Royal Phoenix Business Park be donated to Tran and his company "free of charge" – well he did end up paying a dollar for the parcel valued at $2 million in open EDA meeting discussion – and to secure the loan to facilitate construction "of all or a part of the ITFederal Project."
Then U.S. Congressman Goodlatte, R-6th, participated in the October 2015 ITFederal ribbon cutting, taking credit for the company's arrival here and promoting a promised $40-million ITFederal investment in the community that would create 600-plus high-paying, largely tech industry jobs.
The EDA complaint filed by the Sands-Anderson law firm of Richmond also addresses Tran's alleged ties and access to resources from the federal EB-5 Visa Program created to trade U.S. citizenship in exchange for significant private investment – cited at $1 million dollars – in the U.S. economy.
"Tran and Defendant McDonald represented, through McDonald, on multiple occasions to the County, the Town and the Warren EDA that ACRC had obtained or was in the process of obtaining EB-5 financing to finance the ITFederal Project," the complaint asserts.
"The new venture must create and sustain at least ten full-time employees for at least two years in order for the investor seeking citizenship to convert his or her green card into full citizenship … ACRC (American Commonwealth Regional Center) is another entity established and controlled by Tran … ACRC represents it is an approved EB-5 regional center … However, based on a search on the USCIS website on February 12, 2019, ACRC does not appear to be an approved regional center for EB-5 financing.
"There is no evidence that ACRC has ever successfully obtained or used EB-5 financing in connection with the ITFederal Project or for any other purpose," the complaint states.
The complaint also notes that in 2017 Tran requested a modification of his Borrowers Note and Deed of Trust that would have forced the initially-discussed purchase price of about $2 million to kick in if certain developmental conditions were not met by specific dates. That extension to September 2020 significantly reduced the required scope of the project from its initial three-building complex housing all those high-dollar jobs Goodlatte had trumpeted in a press release.
"On information and belief, little to no proceeds of the ITFederal Loan has been applied to the ITFederal Project … Tran and Defendant McDonald have converted all or a portion of the proceeds of the ITFederal Loan to their own personal benefit," that section of the complaint concludes.
But there's more – under "Subsequent Payments to ITFederal" an additional four pages of the EDA complaint allege an additional $1.82 million dollars of "Unauthorized ITFederal Payments". Those payments include $1,432,771.32 in reimbursements to ITFederal for work done at the site and over $392,000 in vendor payments.
McDonald attorney Berlik also contends that the complaint fails to meet a legal obligation "to connect any alleged facts to specific claims" against defendants, limiting their ability to construct a viable defense against those claims against them.
But regarding those "Unauthorized ITFederal Payments" the complaint offers some specificity. It disputes McDonald's initial explanation to her board that those payments were draws on the ITFederal Loan. "The proceeds of the $10 million loan made to ITFederal was issued in full at the time of closing in 2015; there is no evidence that the Warren EDA retained those funds or had any ability to approve invoices or otherwise control or direct those funds."
The complaint then disputes representations attributed to McDonald that those payments would be reimbursed to the Warren EDA by a grant from the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP). "It is clear from the VEDP documentation that Tran and Defendant McDonald met with the VEDP relating to ITFederal in the 2014/2015 timeframe, but that Defendant McDonald was unable to provide the information VEDP was requesting to award a grant related to the ITFederal Project …Defendant McDonald deliberately took Warren EDA funds and gave them to Tran/ITFederal with no reasonable expectation that such funds would be repaid or otherwise funded from another source," the EDA litigation states.
The complaint concludes with an assertion that McDonald personally benefitted from those payments "as part of a scheme with Tran to fraudulently obtain Town and County funds for their own benefit."
Well laid out, fraudulent schemes or implausible conspiracies?
That will be at issue for attorneys on both sides when and if the civil litigation proceeds into the courtroom for the requested jury trial. As previously reported, several defendants have moved for either dismissal of charges or delays in the civil process until the special grand jury investigating potential criminality related to the EDA civil suit is completed.
Next up, Workforce Housing – not as much money, a total loss to the EDA cited at $651,700, but perhaps an even more convoluted trail to that loss on a project initially presented in 2014 as a free land "gift" to the EDA. That cited financial loss appears to have been cemented by the EDA's November 28, 2018 sale of the involved 3.5-acre Royal Lane parcel for $10. It is a sale accomplished over two months into the ongoing Cherry Bekaert forensic audit of EDA finances that resulted in the current civil litigation to recover lost assets.
Now why, you may wonder, would they do that?!?
EDA in Focus
New EDA executive director addresses opportunities, challenges of position
As reported Monday, April 29, the two-short Front Royal-Warren County Economic Development Authority Board of Directors has selected the person to lead the EDA past the current financial and legal turmoil it is enmeshed in. See Related Story:
State Economic Development Partnership official named new EDA executive
That person is Douglas J. Parsons, who as noted in the above story link comes here from a position as Business Manager for the Workforce Solutions Division of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP). In that role Parsons oversaw nearly 100 active accounts and prospective clients in the Northern Virginia area. Other experience includes three years as Business Development Manager for the Town of Leesburg; over a decade as the Lewis County EDA executive directorship; and project administration in the Region VI Planning and Development Council.
Parson has a Bachelor's of Science degree in a dual major of Journalism/Advertising with a minor in Psychology from the Perley Isaac Reed School of Journalism at West Virginia University. Parsons currently lives in Rippon, West Virginia, with his wife and son; and has a daughter currently living in Germany.
Parsons was selected from a pool of 12 applicants, four of whom were interviewed by the EDA board. As EDA Board Chairman Gray Blanton told us upon Parsons selection, "Mr. Parsons stood out and we're glad to have him; the timing is good and his experience is good." Other board members concurred.
"His experience in West Virginia and with the VEDP makes him an ideal candidate to lead our efforts to promote economic development in Front Royal and Warren County. His relationships with many area businesses and industry leaders will help us to move forward immediately," Ed Daley said in a press release.
In a media interview following adjournment of the April 29 EDA board meeting, Parsons addressed his hopes for, and the challenges presented by, his new job.
"I realize there is a lot going on here and I take very seriously the situation the EDA's in. I'm certainly committed to doing my part as the new director to help bring resolution to all the problems here," Parsons began. "But really I'm more focused on the present and the future. I think Front Royal and Warren County have a great deal of potential as it relates to economic development – to have the infrastructure, the sites… the quality of life that this community has. I just think there's incredible potential here for job creation and to expand the tax base.
"So as I come on board I obviously have to get the handle on the internal workings of what's going on here. I'm anxious at some point to get into a process to update our strategic plan and redefine the organization, what our focus is so that we can best serve the people as it relates, first of all to working with the existing businesses here. I need to get out there and understand what challenges there are in the existing business community and see what resources I can bring to the table.
"And then on top of that of course there's always opportunities to bring new businesses in. I want to make sure that my tools are as sharp as possible to help us be competitive and bring in as much new commerce as possible."
Parsons said he would be tying up loose ends as he leaves his position with VEDP until he returns on Wednesday, May 8, to his new job. In his old position he described a triangle between Winchester, Arlington and Fredericksburg, including Warren County, as the territory he was responsible for. So he should certainly know something about the competition Front Royal and Warren County face in maintaining old and recruiting new business.
We asked Parsons how he thinks the distractions of the EDA's current financial and legal situations might impact his ability to focus on those long-term goals of business maintenance and recruitment.
"My sense is that at the stage we are at now, with the pending litigation and with the FBI and the State Police involved, I don't know what part I'm going to have to play going forward. Obviously I'm going to cooperate in anything that is asked of me. But on a day-to-day basis, I think at this point I'm really going to be able to focus on the traditional, ordinary EDA work," Parsons replied. After all we observed, having not been here during the period under investigation, most anything he could offer would be hearsay as they say in the courtroom.
"Obviously any records that may still be here I'm gong to be completely forthright with, cooperating with the authorities with FOIA requests and all those things. But I think the first thing I need to do when I get in here is make sure I understand what's going on, especially … finding of some of the unknowns – that's priority one by a mile, making sure I understand what's going on with the loan programs, the operating budget, you know, everything. I'm just going to get a handle on that.
"That's priority number one, but at the same time I've got to get out in the community and understand what's going on with the businesses, if there are businesses out there that are having challenges that I might be able to bring resources to the table to help them overcome. There may be businesses out there that are thinking of expanding employees and as they buy machinery that contributes to the tax base for the town and county.
"I certainly want to be able to add fuel to that fire to help companies grow that are here. I think it's so important that an EDA takes care of the businesses that are here first because they are people who are here investing in the community now. They made the investment and they are employing people."
Referencing the interim executive director's April 29 meeting report on issues with some of the properties or buildings the EDA is currently renting out or trying to market, Parsons added, "That's something I'll need to get up to speed on … the properties we own and what the state is with those properties and the situation with their maintenance and operations, leases and all that. I just don't know about all that right now," Parsons said of another aspect of the task he is taking on.
As for aspects of that task there is also the largely vacant 147 acres of the planned Royal Phoenix Business Park portion of the former 467-acre Avtex Superfund site. Again Parsons pointed to his initial cram course in learning the dynamics of all EDA-controlled properties, particularly one with federally-imposed environmental covenants and restrictions.
"I understand some of it's been set aside in a conservancy," Parsons said of what he was informed is a large, perhaps 250 to 300-acre portion of the site abutting the Shenandoah River.
"I've got a lot to learn about that site and the environmental ramifications," he said glancing south out the EDA office conference room windows with the high ground of Shenandoah National Park looming in the distance.
As for any lingering after affect of the financial audit and consequent litigation interfering with his ability to market the community as a business destination, Parsons said, "I don't think so; I mean the assets of the community far outweigh the issues that we're having. You know, new businesses coming in, I think they're going to see all the things that we have to offer: we're in a great geographic location, close to D.C. and yet we can offer a lot of advantages as far as real estate value, quality of life. I think we'll be okay in that regard. I really don't think it will scare off any business prospects," Parson concluded on an upbeat note.
King Cartoons
Wind: 5mph SW
Humidity: 77%
Pressure: 29.91"Hg
UV index: 0


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RecyCoal have applied to reclaim and restore a former colliery spoil heap by the recovery of coal at Hesley Wood, Chapeltown: Application no. 12/01946/FUL. There are a lot of objections from local people. Sheffield Friends of the Earth will submit an objection but will also draft a sample letter so members can also object individually. Our main objection is that it is destroying a recovering habitat to extract the dirtiest fossil fuel. The deadline for objections is 30th August.
The Clean British Energy campaign is looking at ways to get the campaign in front of MPs to tie in with the Electricity Market Reform Bill going through Parliament. This may take the form of a public meeting in the Autumn.
Fracking – Sheffield Campaign Against Climate Change's AGM is on Tues 16th October from 7-9pm at the Quaker Meeting House. Simon Bowens from FoE is to talk about Fracking at the meeting. The petition to make Sheffield a Frack Free Zone is continuing to grow.
Sheffield Renewables plan to start building their first renewable energy hydro electric scheme early in 2013. To build this scheme they need to raise £250,000 from a Community Share Offer. They have already raised £67,000 from their Early Bird Share Offer last year. Sheffield Renewables are about to launch their main Share Offer and would be grateful for your help by viewing their website: http://www.sheffieldrenewables.org.uk/get-involved/invest/
Artist's Impression of Kelham Island Hydro


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Money laundering a major threat, says CMC report — 20.01.2010
The report, Money laundering and organised crime in Queensland is one of a regular series published by the CMC to raise community awareness of organised crime issues of concern to the Queensland community.
The report states that money laundering is undertaken by criminal organisations to legitimise the proceeds of crime which are estimated to be somewhere between $2.8 billion and $6.3 billion per annum in Australia.
It notes there are many money laundering techniques ranging from those as simple as buying assets in the name of a family member or gambling at a casino to complicated financial transactions involving international money transfers or complex business structures.
"If there is one constant in money laundering techniques, it is the manner in which they can change to counter law enforcement efforts and regulatory regimes and to take advantage of technological opportunities," the report says.
It also notes that as a means of avoiding detection, organised crime groups may engage third parties known as 'money mules' to help move the proceeds of crime.
"This person may be recruited, often unknowingly, to receive sums of money into their own account and are then required to forward the money back to the organisers of the fraud."
The report says warning signs of this technique include an unsolicited email offering a 'too good to be true' work-from-home opportunity, or a job advertisement that simply requires someone to receive and forward funds.
It states that law enforcement investigators in Queensland have traditionally focussed on gathering evidence and prosecuting offender for various offences, but have not always targeted the associated money laundering activity.
However, the report also points out that law enforcement agencies are becoming increasingly aware of the value of investigating these techniques to prevent criminal organisations benefiting from the proceeds of crime.
The agencies are also able to take advantage of legislation that reduces the ability of criminals to make use of the proceeds of crime.
This includes the Criminal Proceeds Confiscation Act 2002 which enables the confiscation of property derived directly or indirectly from criminal activity or property used in the commission of a criminal offence even if that property was lawfully acquired.
A 2009 amendment to the Act also allows for the potential prosecution of professional advisers who have assisted with money laundering schemes even if it cannot be established the individual knew the funds were tainted.
CMC Director of Intelligence Chris Keen said this amendment was important in restricting the ability of criminal organisations to develop money laundering strategies.
"Criminal groups frequently use their vast proceeds of crime to engage financial, technical or legal experts who can devise complex strategies to move or legitimise money and other assets," Mr Keen said.
"Expanding the definition of money laundering to include those who provide such advice is one of the many strategies being use by law enforcement agencies to deal with organised crime in Queensland.
"The CMC has assessed money laundering as being a high level risk in terms of its cost to government, small business and financial institutions and ultimately the Australian public.
"The CMC therefore regards it as a priority to develop a better understanding of the money laundering strategies being developed and implemented so that law enforcement agencies can be more effective in countering them," Mr Keen said.
CMC Director of Intelligence, Mr Chris Keen, is available for interviews.
For further media information contact:
Ph: 07 3360 6275


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Sold for $118,000
on Jun 26, 2018
Well maintained home with mature landscaping located a minute between downtown Hartsville and Prestwood Lake. All open floorplan - kitchen, dining, den. Spacious utility/mudroom off kitchen with sink and lots of cabinets and counter space. Living room with corner fireplace. Beautiful hardwood floors. Cedar lined closets. Covered patio area for outdoor enjoyment and entertaining. Large backyard with workshop/storage. Blueberry bushes with plentiful berries in the summer and gorgeous foliage in fall!
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We have some old bricks in our garden which we plan to turn into outside book ornaments.
First we brushed them down to clean them up a bit. Then the boys painted a base colour for the cover on three sides, making sure the smooth side would be the front cover.
Once dry we painted the fourth side and the top white to symbolise the pages. (We left the underside free of paint).
Next we added some further white detail – a label area for the title and some 'gilding'.
Once completely dry we added the lettering. We each chose our favourite title.
A dressed as a knight, writing the title of a knight book!
We drew on some ruled lines to look like pages.
After applying a coat of varnish we put our book bricks on display in the garden.
I think we may make a whole outside library!


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Why is HONESTY so attractive with women? Simple. Because they've been lied to their entire life. It's true! It all began with Walt Disney telling them to be princesses and a handsome young prince would save them if they were pretty, learned how to cook and raise children. Then the brutal reality set in of
Month: October 2016
I have a confession: vulnerability is confusing to me. Like, really confusing! It feels counter-intuitive. Why is there a fascination with the human struggle and failure? Stand in any checkout line and a dozen magazines bombard the celebrities with public mishap of the affair, drinking binge or poorly posed swimsuit photo with greater attention than
Love shared with another is the adventure of the brave, the ultimate of life's gamblers that throw the false veil of safety from before them and stand naked in the mirror's reflection. We yearn. We ache. We rejoice and in the end the choice to love ourselves first is portioned back to us in the
She was a good woman. Nah, not for what she did, or how she looked it was deeper than that. It was in her greater sense of things, a way of being that scooped everyone else into a vortex of feminine greatness. She's a good woman. Damn good. ~Love Letters instagram @ RelationshipAcademy


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MysticMD Inc. has been awarded a Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the National Science Foundation. The $98,622 grant will fund the development of a screen printable conductive ink for RFID antenna applications.
MysticMd is an advanced materials company which develops nanocoatings and nanofilms used to improve the function of a variety of products, while making manufacturing processes cheaper and easier. The projected bendable RFID antennas which would result from the newly funded research are expected to cost about 90% less than comparable copper antennas, offering improved reliability and encouraging expansion of the technology.
Under the terms of the grant, MysticMD will develop and print a conductive ink, and form an antenna for an ISO 15693 compliant system. Identica Holdings Corp., a developer biometric identification and security solutions, will test the new antenna. If the results are positive, MysticMD will seek SBIR Phase II funding to build prototypes for commercial applications in situations where low cost and reliability are critical.


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Savings Account Rates for Business & Charity Customers
Reliance Bank Base Rate with effect from 3 August 2018 - 0.75 %
As is currently the case, the Reliance Bank Base Rate, ordinarily, mirrors the Bank of England Base Rate. Please note that the Bank is unlikely to set its own Base Rate level below 0.40% in response to falls in the Bank of England Base Rate below this level. This minimum Base Rate level helps to minimise the risk of Reliance Bank incurring losses which would ultimately be borne by our owners, The Salvation Army, and would impact the funds available for their continued mission.
Instant Access Saver
*(interest paid quarterly end of March, June, September and December) with effect from 1 October 2018
Balance Gross Rate PA%
Business Fixed Term Saver
*(minimum balance £50,000 - interest paid on maturity of deposit)
For cleared sums of £50,000 and above, fixed rates are available linked to money market rates for fixed terms from 7 days to 12 months. Please call us for a quote - we welcome your call.
Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS)
We are covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). The FSCS can pay compensation to depositors if we as a Bank fail to meet our financial obligations. In general, all retail depositors and businesses are covered by Deposit Guarantee Schemes. Exceptions for certain deposits are stated on the website for the Finanacial Services Compensation Scheme.
With effect from 30 January 2017 the deposit limit is in respect of deposits, an eligible depositor is entitled to claim up to £85,000. For joint accounts each account holder is treated as having a claim in respect of their share so, for a joint account held by two eligible depositors, the maximum amount that could be claimed would be £85,000 each, making a total of £170,000. The £85,000 limit relates to the combined amount in all the eligible depositor's accounts with the Bank, including their share of any joint account, and not to each separate account.
For further information about the compensation provided by the FSCS (including the amounts covered and eligibility to claim) please call us on 020 7398 5400, refer to the FSCS website www.fscs.org.uk or call the FSCS on 0800 678 1100 or 020 7741 4100. Please note only compensation related queries should be directed to the FSCS.


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The sounds of Christmas filled the Fox 8 Studios on Monday as the Trinity Cathedral Gateway Jazz Band performed.
The band provides music for Cleveland's Trinity Cathedral.
Music coordinator Jennifer Cochran leads George Lee on bass, John Perrine on saxophone, L.R. Smith on piano and Chris Vandall on percussion.
For more information, click here.


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In my opinion this is exactly how all weapons should spawn with ammo near or in the gun … what do you think ?
they said they were going to make weapons spawn with random attachments and or with clips in them i think that would be awesome if that was implemented cause i would love to find a pistol already having a silencer or a blaze with a scope and ammo already in it those are my hopes but yes having ammo spawn near or on the gun would be awesome but i hope not always
no i dont think so as there going fro the feel of real life here …….
one how many guys well you find in real life is 85 miles ……..
…..2 why would you leave a gun behind …. its not working … no ammo for it … you have some thing all ready better in your hand …
……the timeline for dayz and story is set years past so any guns left over from the start has been looted already so in real life any ammo you do find would be lost or forgotten to the owner
……yes if dayz started today you well find lots of guns with ammo just a few days in but where talking years here
to me crying for ammo in a gun is like crying for every car and truck in the game to have a good battery and full of gas ready to go
So why is there still food, clothing, ammo, furniture… left? I think that yes, the game is set at some time after the apocalypse started but there are things you have to ignore to make better gameplay, for example: IRL you can survive a few days on a can of baked beans and a canteen of water… It would just make the game a better (imo) and quicker if it's the normal case that a gun spawns with a magazine/ammo.
i have looted tons of police stations in fact i have maped out a root that i will run through the middle of the map then peel back out to the east coast and start all over with an other server. I have found tons of mp5k's but not a single magazine. I have literally have had a fully kitted mp5 laying at the bottom of a barrel in the middle of the woods for about 2 weeks and i havent used it once.


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Turning vac tray waste into treasure, renewable resources, is to implement the scientific concept of development, the establishment of a resource-saving society works good, should be vigorously promoted. However, the resource "regeneration" is also required, not blindly "regeneration." June 3, Hunan Bureau of Quality Supervision Inspection Corps and Changsha City Bureau of Quality Supervision plastic packaging design law enforcement packaging design officers investigated a recycled waste plastics processing food packaging container case, the scene of such poor quality food seized 40,000 bottles only. Law enforcement officers are currently on the flow of the product plastic package for further investigation.
This processing dens located plastic packaging company packaging in Changsha City institute road, name is Pearl Yuhua District, plastic processing plants, legal representative called Liling Ming. Reporter with the law enforcement officers came here to clamshell packaging see, warehouse stacked with a large variety of food packaging containers, such as costumes, candy, pickles with a plastic bucket, dressed drink beverage bottles; production area on the other side, filled with recycled to the waste plastics, including various waste food packaging containers, non-food packaging packaging box design containers, industrial plastic, etc., and some have been broken into granules; one machine being melted these granular waste plastic, emitting a pungent blame flavor. Site supervision and enforcement of the Provincial Quality Supervision Bureau Deputy Director said late Rhone, recycling of waste plastics can be processed into other products, but it can not be used plastic packaging box to processed food containers. Ministry of Health issued a "food with plastic products plastic box and raw materials health management approach" In this regard there are clearly defined.
Reporters checked this legislation, Article VII of this is clear plastic packaging clearly defined: "Where the processing of plastic utensils, containers, food packaging materials, shall not use recycled plastic." Regulations is November 26, 1990 promulgated the. Now, however, many people are not aware of this requirement, see the recycling, he cried, said yes. According to the Changsha Municipal Bureau of Quality Supervision Inspection Detachment captain Zhang Lian introduced since January this year, they dealt with a lot of such cases, even worse is that individual companies also use recycled syringes, IV bags and other medical waste processed food plastic trays containers. By the end of March, they investigated a bucket with waste plastics processing cases dealt with two factory, the scene found a total of more than 7,000 low-quality barrel. Factory production of these two buckets, Changsha market accounted for 60% of the buckets.


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Join us for dinner and variety show featuring the Rise Youth Ministry students on Friday May 19th @7pm doors will open at 6:30pm
This is a fundraiser to raise money to send students to our annual Youth Camp. Many of the students in our community cannot afford to go to camp, the lord will use fundraiser will make the impossible POSSIBLE!
Tickets cost $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Last year the show sold out prior to the show, be sure to get your tickets early.
Tickets can be purchased on Sundays at Rise Community Church or you may purchase them directly from any of our youth during the week.
We also have Business Sponsorships available- Do you know a business owner who is interested in sponsoring the event? Refer them to Teresa Boyd at 954-559-0857
All proceeds raised will benefit the youth ministry.
Youth camp is July 2-7 at Camp Sparta in Sebring, Fl the cost of camp is $375


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This was such a great year for us as a ministry. God took us all over the country and let us share the Gospel with over 30,000 people. I had the opportunity to take the Bryan Drake Show to Guatemala which was a great experience.
My favorite thing about 2013 was seeing hundreds of students come to know Jesus. My 2nd favorite thing though for 2013 was looking forward to the birth of our daughter Harper. At the time of writing this, she isn't here yet, but we can't wait.
Thanks for making 2013 an awesome year. Pray with us for an even crazier 2014 (except without looking forward to another child…2 under 2 I don't think so lol)
Check out this great Flipagram Karla made for us.
Does it even matter? Part 1
How old is the Earth?
Some people say that it is very young, only about 6000 years.
While others would say that it is very old.
The main question to consider in all of this however (and slightly overlooked by both sides sometimes) is this most important question…
In the grand scheme of eternity and kingdom work, does it matter how old the Earth is?
Think about it for a second. Before we dive in to looking at the two sides (as if it were just that easy and 2 sided) we need to remember one very important thing. Much like the talks about end times, once saved always saved, women's role in ministry or discussions on the genre and structure of Biblical texts, this is an in-house debate for Christians. What I mean by that is, this is something that we need to discuss and dialogue about amongst each other, but when it comes to being in front of atheists and other non-believers, this should not be our hobby-horse or main focus.
Breaking Fellowship?-Not necessary.
The problem really comes in when the two sides start attacking each other in front of others. This doesn't happen too often thankfully, but again much like any of the other topics listed above, there are multiple viewpoints each with their own merits.
I have personally seen one side tell the other side that if they don't agree with them, then they have a very low view of scripture. This is particularly evident when it comes to the age of the earth argument.
Young earth creationists (I'll call them YECs) think that OECs have a low view of scripture because they are not reading the 7 days of creation as literal seven days. However the OEC's would argue that they are in no way diminishing the scripture because of the Hebrew language and the genre of the Pentateuch.
But before we even look at the merits of either side we have to note that there are multiple YECs and OECs views. For instance a YEC might hold the view based on modern cosmology and physics that the universe is in fact around 13.6 billion years old, with a relatively young earth. Likewise many OEC might take the view of a very old earth with 7 literal days of creation with ages in between the days.
So just in the last paragraph alone you see that the issue is not so cut and dry as we tend to think it is.
What's important to remember is that neither view diminishes what Christ did on the cross for us. Neither view keeps Him in the grave. That is why this is an in-house debate, because if we are honest with ourselves, at the end of the day it really doesn't matter how old the earth is if Christ is risen. That's the central claim to our faith not the age of the earth or the timing of the rapture.
Apologetics Tuesday: Apologetics meets Evangelism
Friends or Enemies?
So today is a quick post to get you thinking. Some people I've talked to have an aversion to apologetics because they fear that it creates a "win the argument not the person" mentality. This is a slightly unfair criticisms since this is not what the approach to apologetics should be at all.
As you know one of my hobby horses is evangelism. Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with everyone we encounter as commissioned to us by Jesus himself in Matthew 28. What I have discovered is that using apologetics IN evangelism is a very useful tool for some people.
There are really only two kinds of disbelief. Those who do so out of scientific knowledge and those who have an emotional block. You may be tempted to say that only the scientific doubter would be the person who could be reached with apologetics, but you'd be thinking too small. When it comes down to it, it is the Holy Spirit who does the work in someone's life to make them new, but using something such as the moral argument to help people understand the true hopelessness without God can be an effective bridge to sharing the Gospel.
We will dive more in to this at another time, but I wanted to let you know that apologetics and evangelism can definitely go hand in hand.
False Dilemma is no Dilemma at All.
If you have been in a philosophy class for more than a month, then you have heard this argument presented.
One of the oldest arguments about morality comes from Plato's dialogues. A student named Euthyphro asks Socrates if the gods will something because it is good, or is something good because the gods will it to be good?
Let's break down these two "horns" of the dilemma.
1. Do the gods will something because it's good?
This means that there is some concept of universal good that is outside of God that he just ascribes to. This means that God is in essence unnecessary for morality.
2. Is something good just because the gods will it?
This basically means that God can just will whatever He wants to be good or evil. For instance if today God willed murder and rape to be moral and kindness to be evil, then it would be. That God can choose on a whim what's good and what's bad, and that He can change it at any time arbitrarily. This is clearly not the God that we see.
This presented through the ages by atheists against God and biblical morality because it's presented as a real dilemma. The problem is that it isn't a real dilemma at all. An actual dilemma means that you are presented with two and only two options that you must choose between.
di- "two" + lemma "premise, anything received or taken,"
However it's not an actual dilemma at all. A false dilemma is a situation where there are only two options presented, but they are in fact not the only two options available. This is known as splitting the horns.
So what is the answer then?
The true answer is that "the good" that Plato wrote about is in fact grounded in God's nature. Or to say it as @ReasonableFaith 's Dr. William Lane Craig says it, That something is good because God IS good. Things like love, compassion, justice, kindness are part of God's unchanging nature. They are not arbitrary, but they are also not from something external either.
God is Himself the good and is the source of our moral duties.
How have you heard this presented before?
Torn and Restored Card
This is a classic Torn and Restored Card trick done in a very visual way backstage on the CIY Believe Tour.
The tour has been awesome so far!
Check it out and see more soon.
Apologetics Tuesday: Embarrassing Testimony
So we have had a short break from our "Can We Trust the New Testament" series because of Christmas and New Years. The last time we looked at the evidence we talked about the idea of certain types of criteria that are examined anytime an ancient source is examined to trust its historicity.
We have already covered early, and enemy attestation, and today we are going to look at embarrassing testimony.
Now this isn't the type of embarrassing we think of when you do that thing where you're walking down the sidewalk and do the slight trip only to notice everyone saw it. This type of embarrassment comes from including certain elements in the Gospel narratives that would be considered embarrassing for the writers.
There are two very clear examples of this in the passion narrative in the Gospel of Mark.
First is the burial of Jesus in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea. For the Jews at this time (Which the writer of Mark was) the Sanhedrin (council who tried and sent Jesus to Pilate) basically orchestrated a judicial murder of their Messiah. The sentiment toward the Sanhedrin would have been very negative. So one has to wonder why if Mark was just merely making up the story of Jesus' resurrection why on earth would he make up a story where a member of the very same council who killed Jesus suddenly does right by Jesus. Giving Jesus his own brand new tomb was an awfully nice gesture, but why would Mark make that up?
That's why embarrassing testimony is so important, is that it lends credibility to the narrative. Surely if Mark were making this up he would have had someone not on the Sanhedrin give Jesus their tomb.
Even more telling, are Jesus' first witnesses to His resurrection. The Gospel of Mark shows that a group of women discovered the tomb empty, and were the first witnesses to Jesus' resurrection. Now in our culture today, nothing would be wrong with this notion at all, and will cause you to overlook this if you aren't careful. Looking at 1st century story through the lens of the 21st century is anachronistic.
However in the 1st century according to ancient historians including Josephus, the testimony of women meant nothing. Critics try to claim that this isn't true pointing to events such as the destruction of Masada in which women were used as witnesses, but the problem with this is that they were only used as a witness in this case because they WERE the only witnesses that survived.
Surely if Mark was making up this story, he would have made male disciples the first discoverer's of the empty tomb. But he didn't.
In fact what this shows is that the first witnesses to the empty tomb actually were Jesus' women disciples.
That covers two clear examples of embarrassing testimony in the Gospel account. There are numerous other examples including the disciples doubting Jesus and running away from Him, as well as not realizing what He was telling them.
Next up Eye-witness.
Update From the Road
Karla and I have been gone since mid September touring different dates around the country. From CO to GA to VA to CA to TX. The coolest thing about getting to do what Karla and I do is that we get to see people come to know Christ from all over the place. Now that's not to say that there isn't opposition form the enemy.
Friday night we were in Lynchburg, VA at Thomas Road Baptist Church. There were about 700 students from the community in the room, packing it out. All of the sudden as soon as I got to the meat of the Gospel presentation, the entire sound/video system shut off.
Now if you've read some of my posts about hecklers and dealing with issues from the stage, you know how this could easily derail an entire show, but God is bigger than the opposition. I decided I was going to just continue and pray that I was able to project my voice loud enough that everyone could hear. The miraculous part was that in a room of 700 students, you could have heard a pin drop. It was silent, giving me the perfect atmosphere to continue and share the Gospel without the mic.
God moved, and changed lives that night.
It's something that Karla and I will never forget. Sometimes we rely so much on making sure that the sound and video are working properly so that everything hits at the right time, that when something like that happens, it reminds us that no matter what I think is going on, God is bigger than this world. That when I feel like even from the stage things are going crazy, Jesus has overcome this world, and I can put my trust and cares on Him, and He will carry us through.
Nothing fires us up more than seeing lives changed for Christ. Pray with us, and for us that God will continue to open doors and give us new strategies to reach people with His message that this world so desperately needs.


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Laurel Golf Club is an 18-hole course. Tee Times - may be made one week in advance. Saturday for the next Saturday, Sunday for the next Sunday, and so on. No telephone calls before 7:00am.Green fee: $80 Cart Rental: $18.00 for 18 holes Tuesday - Ladies' Day - Women only until 12:00pm are allowed on the golf course Thursday - Men's Day - Men, age 18 years and older, only are allowed on the golf course after 1:00pm
Mailing Address
Not AvailableStreet Address1020 Golfcourse RoadLaurel,
Phone: 406-628-4504
West of Laurel, off Main Street.
All YearHoursDaylight
American Express, Cash, Discover, Master Card, Personal Check (In State), Travelers Checks, VisaReservationsNot Available
Bar/Lounge, Club House, Driving Range, Golf Cart, Golf Equipment Rental, Golf Instruction, Restaurant
Southwest Montana Travel Information
Southwest Montana travel information and a free Visitor's Guide.
Central Montana Travel Information
Central Montana travel information and a free Travel Planner.
Big Sky Montana Hotels
Visit Big Sky, Montana this Winter!


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Let the Bullet Fly 3
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Published: 2013-09-03
Category: Shooting


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Photo Gallery:New Organs
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and Additions
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Articles:Pipe Organ Standards
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The 1926 Barton Theatre Organ at the Grand Theatre in Fitzgerald, Georgia
The 1926 Barton theatre organ was well received by an enthusiastic audience at it's inaugural concert on Saturday, March 26, performed by internationally known concert theater organist R. Jelani Eddington. The organ was originally installed at one of the Orpheum Theatres, and in 1964 was moved to Illinois by Dr. John Near. John lovingly reassembled the organ in his home. He corresponded and visited the organ's builder, Dan Barton, as he was learning more about the world of organs.
When it became necessary for the instrument to be removed, John searched for a suitable home for his beloved organ, and donated the organ to the Grand Theatre in Fitzgerald, Georgia. A.E. Schlueter Pipe Organ Company was selected to remove, rebuild and install the organ.
The organ console was rebuilt to fit the art deco styling at the Grand Theatre, and is lighted with color changing LED lights that can be set for the season, or faded from color to color. The console has 199 stop tabs, 15 general pistons, 5 dynamic pistons per manual and pedal, 10 divisional pistons per manual, and 5 divisional pistons for the pedal. In addition the toys and traps may be controlled from pistons and/or toe pistons.
The 12 h.p. Spencer organ blower which delivers 20 inches of wind pressure and was originally installed on a Barton organ at the Rialto Theatre in Middletown, Ohio.
Click here to view a copy of the inaugural concert program with installation photos.
Click here for the abbreviated online version of the Theatre Organ cover story from the May/June 2011 issue.
Pipe Organ Project? Need information? Click here!
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David Kocsis Web Master


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Insurance News, brought to you by Flint Insurance
Published: 27/03/12
The current economy creates an interesting environment for insurers. It is unusual for UK insurers to fail and this is largely due to the solvency margins that have been enforced by Government and the FSA over a period of years. This means that the UK is very safe place for people to insure their business and property.
One of the problems that the industry will face over the coming months will however be one of stability. The investments that insurers have used to maintain solvency levels have traditionally been regarded as very safe vehicles. However as the financial crisis continues to bite these traditional safe investments have come under attack; this in turn may effect how they are rated by rating agencies.
Evidence of an insurer's financial rating is something that we take into consideration when assessing and recommending cover. In the majority of cases we look for insurers with an A credit rating; something that we consider to be essential for your peace of mind and an indication of the professionalism that we employ on behalf of our clients.
In recent times there has been an abundance of such companies to choose from, however if the current package of measures that have been put forward to save the Euro are unsuccessful, then a situation could arise whereby the gold plated A rating becomes much more elusive and exclusive.
Standard and Poor recently downgraded eight European insurers, including Allianz's Italian operation and Ageas's Portuguese unit. Whilst these are big name insurers, the operations affected are the overseas companies, rather than the main European arms. The ratings downgrades follow on from the downgrading of the sovereign ratings of 17 Euro zone countries in February.
Increasingly we will be looking at the security of our markets as the whole marketplace potentially becomes more turbulent.
News Archive »


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Canadian Home and Renovation Team Inc. has been serving as a renovator and builder in Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge and Guelph, Ontario for over 39 years. We are now also renovating in Paris, Ayr and Brantford.
Trust takes time to build. That's why CHART takes every possible measure to secure your trust, for a home renovation project that's worry free – done right and on time. This is why clients trust CHART for their home renovations.
We realize that you won't trust your home renovation to just anyone. Each member of the CHART team is important to maintaining client satisfaction and renovation excellence. Our combined home renovation and building experience, and ability to cohesively work together is what makes CHART different!


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God's strong summons and incentives for a season of prayer.
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