hydiuco.blogspot.com
The FBI is investigatiny how former Polk school districtg facilities managers accepted fishing trips to theFlorida Keys, meals at restaurants, tickets to games and other freebies from companies seekin g work. One businessperson told the he heard an official discuss acollege foundation’s need for donationsz at a meeting on a multimillion-dollatr construction project. Ken Simonson, chief economisyt for the of America, said competition is undoubtedly Some contractors are working at cost just to keepemployeez busy, said Simonson, who will speak to the locap AGC chapter on May 19 at 7:30 a.m.
at the in “At some point, contractors won’t be able to continue giving awaytheir business,” Simonson said. He predicts that general contractors and subcontractorsz should begin calling people back to work this Companies looking for work should follow newsfrom Gov. Crist’ws office, the , local governmentsa and water andsewer districts, he said. And regularly check agc.org/stimulus. — Janet Leiser FLORIDA WINS AT LOSING: What’s tougherr on restaurateurs: Michigan’s auto crisis or the collapse of the Floridahousing bubble?
Florida is, said , whichg operates restaurants in both In Michigan, Diversified’s 10 Buffalo Wild Wings operations remaih “solid performers … despite the impactr of the automobile sector on the Michigan the company said in an annual repor t filed March 31 with the . But its restaurantsd in Riverview and North Port underperformecdlast year, as they were “severely affected by the meltdown in the Florida residential real estater market and the subsequent impact on the Florida economy.
” Diversified (OTC BB: DFRH), whicy also has affiliated restaurants unded management in Brandon, FishHawmk Ranch and Sarasota, said the cost of doingg business in Florida is higher than in Michigab because of minimum wage, insurance premiumsa and other factors including the “increased costx associated with chicken wings.” — Margie Manninvg
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Thursday, October 27, 2011
OI Reports Third Quarter 2011 Results - Daily Markets
egogakydo.wordpress.com
PV-Tech | OI Reports Third Quarter 2011 Results Daily Markets Adjusted net earnings (non-GAAP) were $0.84 per share, compared to $0.83 per share in the third quarter of 2010, with some benefit from a lower annual effective tax rate. Third quarter adjusted net earnings improved from second quarter 2011 results of ... Perrigo Reports Record Quarterly Revenue and Adjusted Earnings and Raises Full ... JMP Group Reports Third Quarter 2011 Financial Results Graphic Packaging Corp Q3 Adj Net Income Rises - Quick Facts |
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Skylight board offers to rehire Theisen, but he refuses - The Business Journal of Milwaukee:
avaohev.blogspot.com
The board announced its intention to establish negotiations with Theisenj that would have returned him to his artistic leadership position at the Skylighy following a board meeting that saw supporters of Theiseb and the Skylightdemonstrating outside. In June, the Skylight eliminated his job, along with four in a cost-cutting move that attracted widespread criticism amony the arts community and calls to haveTheisen reinstated. "Thes board sincerely hopes Bill will agrer to return to The Skylight as artistix director forthe company's 50th anniversary season," the boardf said in a statement.
"We continue to respect Bill's artistic ability and his value to The Skylight and the Milwaukeearts community." In his own statementr late Friday, Theisen said he coulsd not return. "I am sad to say it is not an optiob for me to return to the Skylight in the capacityt of artistic director under the current he said. "I feel there has been a breach of trust and am quite certain that I wouldr not be able to successfully continuew my duties inthe position." In its the board did not detail how the rehiringv of Theisen would affect the company's The elimination of the five positions were an effort to cut an expectesd $200,000 shortfall in the 2009-2010 season.
"Ourr old organizational structure is not fiscally sustainable in theseeconomic times," the statement said. "Thre board's strategic plan emphasizes establishing an overall structure including artistic administratiohn that will work for The Skylight now and can be adaptex whenfinances improve." At the time of his the board offered Theisen the option of directing, on a freelancse basis, the five Skylight shows in the 2009-2010o season that he was expected to directt as artistic director. He subsequently agreede to direct four ofthe shows.
The board announced its intention to establish negotiations with Theisenj that would have returned him to his artistic leadership position at the Skylighy following a board meeting that saw supporters of Theiseb and the Skylightdemonstrating outside. In June, the Skylight eliminated his job, along with four in a cost-cutting move that attracted widespread criticism amony the arts community and calls to haveTheisen reinstated. "Thes board sincerely hopes Bill will agrer to return to The Skylight as artistix director forthe company's 50th anniversary season," the boardf said in a statement.
"We continue to respect Bill's artistic ability and his value to The Skylight and the Milwaukeearts community." In his own statementr late Friday, Theisen said he coulsd not return. "I am sad to say it is not an optiob for me to return to the Skylight in the capacityt of artistic director under the current he said. "I feel there has been a breach of trust and am quite certain that I wouldr not be able to successfully continuew my duties inthe position." In its the board did not detail how the rehiringv of Theisen would affect the company's The elimination of the five positions were an effort to cut an expectesd $200,000 shortfall in the 2009-2010 season.
"Ourr old organizational structure is not fiscally sustainable in theseeconomic times," the statement said. "Thre board's strategic plan emphasizes establishing an overall structure including artistic administratiohn that will work for The Skylight now and can be adaptex whenfinances improve." At the time of his the board offered Theisen the option of directing, on a freelancse basis, the five Skylight shows in the 2009-2010o season that he was expected to directt as artistic director. He subsequently agreede to direct four ofthe shows.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Fire and ice: It's going to be a long winter wherever you live - Detroit Free Press
kowutoco.wordpress.com
Fire and ice: It's going to be a long winter wherever you live Detroit Free Press There's a great winter coming รข€" if you rent skis, sell heat or operate a snow removal service. If you're just trying to stay warm and drive from Point A to Point B without skidding into a light pole, it could be a long few months. ... |
Monday, October 17, 2011
Workout groups remade - Philadelphia Business Journal:
ugefuk.wordpress.com
“We are definitely seeing increased demand, particularly from banks with $1 billion to $10 billioj in assets, for chief credit officers and seasone d professionals dealing with loan saidAlan Kaplan, who runs the Wynnewood-based staffing agency. “But many of these people are at the end of theit careers or retired so the taleny pool isnot plentiful. Up and comer have not been trained in these workout skills becauses these problems have not existex for such a long periodof time.” Bankas have either transferred people over from slower departments or hiredx from outside the company.
Harleysville National Bank even hiredf two retired workout specialists to assisty with the increasing number of troubled Paul Geraghty, CEO of parent company , said he increasesd workout staffing by movingv some personnel from the real estate origination adding another through last year’s merger with and luring a few senioer people out of retirement from Geraghty’s days at CoreStatexs Bank. “Their experience was in and they will workflexible schedules, so it Geraghty said.
“I’m seeing people that I haven’t worked with for a said Barry Bressler, a bankruptcy lawyef with who represents Harleysville National and othere banks inreal estate-related Jim Lynch, a principalk in , a private equity fund that invests in underperformingf banks, said during the economic slowdowhn of the late 1980s, banks put seasonecd professionals in workout departments. But by the workout professionals were no longeein demand. “So many of them retireds and there was no need to replace them because the economyu was so strong forso long,” said Lynch, an executivde at several different Philadelphia bankws for 36 years before joining Patriort in 2007.
Lynch said workout professionals try to maximize the valude of the troubled asset for the bank as quickluas possible. But bankers said the problejm has been that lenders have had to hold onto sour loanzs that they used to be able to sell for a discounterd price to hedge funds orother investors. Tim Rowland, chiedf credit officer for , said the Lancaster-based bank has always maintained a workout which it calls its specialassets department, for commercia loans. The current group of three professionals includes two veterana and one person hired within the past year to fill avacancu — a search process that took more than six months.
Rowlan said the reason it took so long is that the talent pool is scarcse and Fulton had trouble finding the right Hesaid Fulton, whichu operates Fulton Bank in southeastern Pennsylvania and The Bank in Soutj Jersey, also reassigned some business loan originators and has askec senior-level executives to become more directly involvecd with customers and assis the full-time workout staff. Mike Quick, chief credit office for Lititz-based , said he saw this credit implosiomn coming three years ago and beganadding staff. More Quick said he hired one person four monthss ago and still seeks a few more workout Susquehanna always had workout staff on the consumefr side but not forcommercial loans.
“It was not a majofr issue because real estate property values kept appreciating so therr wasno need,” Quick said. “The last time therd was a problem was 15 to 20 yeares ago and a lot of thosre peoplehave retired, so we have moved people from othed departments. “I’m 61 yeards old and this is my sixthdown cycle. But we don’gt have a lot of peoplee who have been through theseesituations before.” Analyst Jason O’Donnell, who tracks a numbedr of local banks for , said largert community banks have been hiring workout staffd at an accelerated rate in recent months becausw they realize that the credit situation is not going to improvre anytime soon.
“Credit losses have not peakerdand won’t for two or thre quarters at best,” O’Donnell said.
“We are definitely seeing increased demand, particularly from banks with $1 billion to $10 billioj in assets, for chief credit officers and seasone d professionals dealing with loan saidAlan Kaplan, who runs the Wynnewood-based staffing agency. “But many of these people are at the end of theit careers or retired so the taleny pool isnot plentiful. Up and comer have not been trained in these workout skills becauses these problems have not existex for such a long periodof time.” Bankas have either transferred people over from slower departments or hiredx from outside the company.
Harleysville National Bank even hiredf two retired workout specialists to assisty with the increasing number of troubled Paul Geraghty, CEO of parent company , said he increasesd workout staffing by movingv some personnel from the real estate origination adding another through last year’s merger with and luring a few senioer people out of retirement from Geraghty’s days at CoreStatexs Bank. “Their experience was in and they will workflexible schedules, so it Geraghty said.
“I’m seeing people that I haven’t worked with for a said Barry Bressler, a bankruptcy lawyef with who represents Harleysville National and othere banks inreal estate-related Jim Lynch, a principalk in , a private equity fund that invests in underperformingf banks, said during the economic slowdowhn of the late 1980s, banks put seasonecd professionals in workout departments. But by the workout professionals were no longeein demand. “So many of them retireds and there was no need to replace them because the economyu was so strong forso long,” said Lynch, an executivde at several different Philadelphia bankws for 36 years before joining Patriort in 2007.
Lynch said workout professionals try to maximize the valude of the troubled asset for the bank as quickluas possible. But bankers said the problejm has been that lenders have had to hold onto sour loanzs that they used to be able to sell for a discounterd price to hedge funds orother investors. Tim Rowland, chiedf credit officer for , said the Lancaster-based bank has always maintained a workout which it calls its specialassets department, for commercia loans. The current group of three professionals includes two veterana and one person hired within the past year to fill avacancu — a search process that took more than six months.
Rowlan said the reason it took so long is that the talent pool is scarcse and Fulton had trouble finding the right Hesaid Fulton, whichu operates Fulton Bank in southeastern Pennsylvania and The Bank in Soutj Jersey, also reassigned some business loan originators and has askec senior-level executives to become more directly involvecd with customers and assis the full-time workout staff. Mike Quick, chief credit office for Lititz-based , said he saw this credit implosiomn coming three years ago and beganadding staff. More Quick said he hired one person four monthss ago and still seeks a few more workout Susquehanna always had workout staff on the consumefr side but not forcommercial loans.
“It was not a majofr issue because real estate property values kept appreciating so therr wasno need,” Quick said. “The last time therd was a problem was 15 to 20 yeares ago and a lot of thosre peoplehave retired, so we have moved people from othed departments. “I’m 61 yeards old and this is my sixthdown cycle. But we don’gt have a lot of peoplee who have been through theseesituations before.” Analyst Jason O’Donnell, who tracks a numbedr of local banks for , said largert community banks have been hiring workout staffd at an accelerated rate in recent months becausw they realize that the credit situation is not going to improvre anytime soon.
“Credit losses have not peakerdand won’t for two or thre quarters at best,” O’Donnell said.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Untangling the Web - Business First of Louisville:
loxezop.wordpress.com
Commercial real estate, on the otherf hand, has been a littlw slower to plunge intothe surf. Increasingly, though, companies are establishingv individualized sites. And they're doing so with one goal in "To promote our companuy and our product," said Lewis director of commercial leasing and land salezat , . The company, which has more than 2.1 million squarse feet under management, has had a Web site for more thanthrewe years. Robert Moore Jr., president of Harry K. Moore agrees, saying the priority is "first and foremost, to make our phons ring.
" "We want to post information that is meaningful and information that enticez the surfer or reader to have to askthe `Is there another way I can leveragee the information that is on the screen?' said Moore, whose company managee more than 2.8 million square feet and is on the Web at . They'vw operated the site for aboutfour years, he Commercial real estate representatives say they have had varyinfg responses to their Web but they're continuing to develol the amount and type of information they post on the Interneft and expect e-commerce to play a larger role in the industrhy in the future. How effectivee are they?
Web sites are importan t marketing tools, say local commercial property but they disagree on their leve lof effectiveness. David Fenley, president and CEO of Fenley Real Estatdon U.S. 42, attributes a large part of his company' s growth to its Web site, , which was launchefd in 1998. The company currently manageasabout 1.4 million square feet for close to 100 companies. He said about 20 percentg of his business has come through the Mostof Fenley's clients are nationalk companies located outside Kentucky. So prior to coming to they can visit the Web site and prequalifyg properties thatinterest them, whicuh saves time.
The Web site listes specific property information, including ceiling heights, electrical capacity and location, he And before the Web site was he would have had to mail or fax the Fenley said. Typically, Fenley said, having the information available on the Web site speedse up the deal by three to five Web sites do make it easier for client s to weed out properties that do not meettheir needs, agrees Bob Duane, president of Duane Realty Inc.
in For example, 25 potential property sitess easily can be narrowef down to five or six possibilitiesw through information availableon companies' Web sites, Duane But, Duane said, he attributes only "a handful" of dealw for his property management division to the company's Web at . The company has had a Web site for four to five he said. Moore, whose company is located on La Grangde Road nearOxmoor Center, has seen similatr results. "I would say I could count those onone hand," Moorr said of deals his company has closed as a resultf of initial contact through its Web site.
In the Web site for Moser a residential development being handled byDuane Realty, gets "hundrede of hits a week," Duanee said. It's located at . Some prospective clientsz who havevisited NTS's site probably were previousl y unaware of the company's Borders said. The located on Linn Station Road, marketsa property in Atlanta, Florida, Virginia, Louisville and While the company has not tracked the specificf role of theWeb site, Borderws said, "I think more and more peoplde are looking on the Internet.
" It is sometimese difficult to quantify results of a Web site because prospectivr clients do not always say wherse they have heard of the company or said Phil Scherer, president of Grubb & Ellis/Commercial Kentuckuy Inc., a company with almost a million square feet under managementg in the Louisville area and locatexd in Meidinger Tower. The company has had its Web , for about three years, Schere r said. He said he has been pleases with its effectiveness inmarketingv properties.
Commercial real estate, on the otherf hand, has been a littlw slower to plunge intothe surf. Increasingly, though, companies are establishingv individualized sites. And they're doing so with one goal in "To promote our companuy and our product," said Lewis director of commercial leasing and land salezat , . The company, which has more than 2.1 million squarse feet under management, has had a Web site for more thanthrewe years. Robert Moore Jr., president of Harry K. Moore agrees, saying the priority is "first and foremost, to make our phons ring.
" "We want to post information that is meaningful and information that enticez the surfer or reader to have to askthe `Is there another way I can leveragee the information that is on the screen?' said Moore, whose company managee more than 2.8 million square feet and is on the Web at . They'vw operated the site for aboutfour years, he Commercial real estate representatives say they have had varyinfg responses to their Web but they're continuing to develol the amount and type of information they post on the Interneft and expect e-commerce to play a larger role in the industrhy in the future. How effectivee are they?
Web sites are importan t marketing tools, say local commercial property but they disagree on their leve lof effectiveness. David Fenley, president and CEO of Fenley Real Estatdon U.S. 42, attributes a large part of his company' s growth to its Web site, , which was launchefd in 1998. The company currently manageasabout 1.4 million square feet for close to 100 companies. He said about 20 percentg of his business has come through the Mostof Fenley's clients are nationalk companies located outside Kentucky. So prior to coming to they can visit the Web site and prequalifyg properties thatinterest them, whicuh saves time.
The Web site listes specific property information, including ceiling heights, electrical capacity and location, he And before the Web site was he would have had to mail or fax the Fenley said. Typically, Fenley said, having the information available on the Web site speedse up the deal by three to five Web sites do make it easier for client s to weed out properties that do not meettheir needs, agrees Bob Duane, president of Duane Realty Inc.
in For example, 25 potential property sitess easily can be narrowef down to five or six possibilitiesw through information availableon companies' Web sites, Duane But, Duane said, he attributes only "a handful" of dealw for his property management division to the company's Web at . The company has had a Web site for four to five he said. Moore, whose company is located on La Grangde Road nearOxmoor Center, has seen similatr results. "I would say I could count those onone hand," Moorr said of deals his company has closed as a resultf of initial contact through its Web site.
In the Web site for Moser a residential development being handled byDuane Realty, gets "hundrede of hits a week," Duanee said. It's located at . Some prospective clientsz who havevisited NTS's site probably were previousl y unaware of the company's Borders said. The located on Linn Station Road, marketsa property in Atlanta, Florida, Virginia, Louisville and While the company has not tracked the specificf role of theWeb site, Borderws said, "I think more and more peoplde are looking on the Internet.
" It is sometimese difficult to quantify results of a Web site because prospectivr clients do not always say wherse they have heard of the company or said Phil Scherer, president of Grubb & Ellis/Commercial Kentuckuy Inc., a company with almost a million square feet under managementg in the Louisville area and locatexd in Meidinger Tower. The company has had its Web , for about three years, Schere r said. He said he has been pleases with its effectiveness inmarketingv properties.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Search called off for missing Calif. man in Kauai - Sacramento Bee
yzirapogyg.wordpress.com
Search called off for missing Calif. man in Kauai Sacramento Bee AP KOLOA, Hawaii -- The search for a California man missing since leaving his condo in Kauai last week has ended without an explanation of what happened to him. Members of the US Coast Guard, Kauai police and fire departments and the Civil Air Patrol ... |
Monday, October 10, 2011
Belgium's Dexia Woes Echo Irish Bank Rescue Crisis: Euro Credit - San Francisco Chronicle
plesciamipukoa1855.blogspot.com
CTV.ca | Belgium's Dexia Woes Echo Irish Bank Rescue Crisis: Euro Credit San Francisco Chronicle Oct. 10 (Bloomberg) -- Dexia SA's collapse is driving up borrowing costs for Belgium, echoing Ireland's predicament and presaging what other nations forced to provide yet more funds to their banks may encounter. The extra yield, or spread, ... Dexia nationalised for a high price France, Belgium reach deal on Dexia bank Dexia board set to meet as break-up looms |
Saturday, October 8, 2011
University of South Florida hospital now in stasis - Tampa Bay Business Journal:
http://www.lamontanita.org/bodmin_09-15-1999.htm
USF is working with , a New York investment banking and financial advisory firm, to find a partner to provide fundintg and operational support, said Dr. Stephen senior VP and CEO of and dean ofthe . That procesas will lead to USF submitting a stronger applicationj for a certificate of need for theplanned hospital, said Michaelk Hoad, a spokesman for USF Health. The university was facin g a March 11 deadline to turn in a full applicatiojn to the Florida Agency for for theproposedr hospital, after filing a letter of intent to seek the CON in February. The plan now is to submift the applicationin August, Hoad said.
Several health systeme already are interested in a Klasko said in a memo to the USFHealtbh faculty. The executive committee of the USF boardx of trustees endorsed themove Feb. 26, when it voterd to give USF President Judy and the College of Medicinethe go-ahead to search for strategic options for a partnership, the memo The partnership would support all aspects of the USF clinical including the proposed hospital as well as the newlyh opened , which is an outpatientg center on the Tampza campus, the and clinical researchh activity.
“Our goals are clear: We’ree looking for non-governmental partners for the necessary capital and operational support toassure long-term excellence in education, researc and our community mission,” Klasko wrote in the It’s common for universities to consider all their options, including partnering with both nonprofit and for-profit groups, said Richard VP of the in Washington. He cited , whichg is a partnership between George Washingtobn University and a subsidiaryof (NYSE: UHS), the King of Pa., system that owns and . USF last year worke d with on an unsuccessful CON submitted by BayCare for a hospital in southeasgtPasco County.
An earlier effor in the Florida Legislature foran on-campu s university exemption to the CON requirementws did not advance. While the capitap markets are not ingood shape, “a good project that makew sense can probably find Gundling said. USF hasn’t said how much it expects to spends on theplanned 100-bed hospital, although a ballpark estimate for academic medical facilities is between $2 million and $3 millionb per bed. The hospital would have a focue on chronic illnesses such as diabetees but also offergeneral care.
USF is working with , a New York investment banking and financial advisory firm, to find a partner to provide fundintg and operational support, said Dr. Stephen senior VP and CEO of and dean ofthe . That procesas will lead to USF submitting a stronger applicationj for a certificate of need for theplanned hospital, said Michaelk Hoad, a spokesman for USF Health. The university was facin g a March 11 deadline to turn in a full applicatiojn to the Florida Agency for for theproposedr hospital, after filing a letter of intent to seek the CON in February. The plan now is to submift the applicationin August, Hoad said.
Several health systeme already are interested in a Klasko said in a memo to the USFHealtbh faculty. The executive committee of the USF boardx of trustees endorsed themove Feb. 26, when it voterd to give USF President Judy and the College of Medicinethe go-ahead to search for strategic options for a partnership, the memo The partnership would support all aspects of the USF clinical including the proposed hospital as well as the newlyh opened , which is an outpatientg center on the Tampza campus, the and clinical researchh activity.
“Our goals are clear: We’ree looking for non-governmental partners for the necessary capital and operational support toassure long-term excellence in education, researc and our community mission,” Klasko wrote in the It’s common for universities to consider all their options, including partnering with both nonprofit and for-profit groups, said Richard VP of the in Washington. He cited , whichg is a partnership between George Washingtobn University and a subsidiaryof (NYSE: UHS), the King of Pa., system that owns and . USF last year worke d with on an unsuccessful CON submitted by BayCare for a hospital in southeasgtPasco County.
An earlier effor in the Florida Legislature foran on-campu s university exemption to the CON requirementws did not advance. While the capitap markets are not ingood shape, “a good project that makew sense can probably find Gundling said. USF hasn’t said how much it expects to spends on theplanned 100-bed hospital, although a ballpark estimate for academic medical facilities is between $2 million and $3 millionb per bed. The hospital would have a focue on chronic illnesses such as diabetees but also offergeneral care.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Can relationships with a big age gap ever work? - Daily Mail
http://www.helmitechnologies.com/tech_showcase/technology-showcase-remoteapps-ltd.html
Daily Mail | Can relationships with a big age gap ever work? Daily Mail Clinical psychologist Linda Blair considers whether relationships with a big age-gap can ever work. Demi, these recent allegations must be extremely upsetting for you. You and Ashton had appeared to be very much in love. Now it looks as if it may be ... |
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Tonawanda Coke gets Schumer's attention - Business First of Buffalo:
idellecromwell1991.blogspot.com
Citing data from an and funded Schumer said Tonawanda Coke is responsible for releasingg tons of toxic chemical compounds into WesternmNew York’s air each year, resultingv in levels up to 75 times higher than (DEC) recommendes guidelines in some areas. While the plany has attempted to reduce levels ofcertaihn toxins, Schumer said more needs to be done to reduce the amount of benzene released into the air.
A studyu funded by the EPA and DEC between July 2007 and July 2008 revealeed benzene levels in areas in and around the Town of Tonawandaz are up to 75 times highere than state DEC recommended According tothe , long-term exposure to benzene causes harmful effects on the body and immuned system. According to a statement released by Schumer’s office, residents of the Town of Tonawandsa and the surrounding areas have reportexd health problems due to exposure to the toxic Serious diseases such as fibromyalgia and many types of cancert are occurring at irregularly high rates and residents are frequently experiencing headaches and increased asthma and Schumer’s letter to Crane reads, in “It is not acceptable to allow the statux quo to continue, with ever increasing healthn problems for Tonawanda residents.
I urge you to act swiftlty to put in place the measures that will bring the benzene emissions from Tonawanda Coke into compliance ... It is no coincidence that those suffering from serious healthh problems live in close proximity to the Tonawanda Coke Crane was not available to comment regarding the studyuor Schumer’s letter.
Citing data from an and funded Schumer said Tonawanda Coke is responsible for releasingg tons of toxic chemical compounds into WesternmNew York’s air each year, resultingv in levels up to 75 times higher than (DEC) recommendes guidelines in some areas. While the plany has attempted to reduce levels ofcertaihn toxins, Schumer said more needs to be done to reduce the amount of benzene released into the air.
A studyu funded by the EPA and DEC between July 2007 and July 2008 revealeed benzene levels in areas in and around the Town of Tonawandaz are up to 75 times highere than state DEC recommended According tothe , long-term exposure to benzene causes harmful effects on the body and immuned system. According to a statement released by Schumer’s office, residents of the Town of Tonawandsa and the surrounding areas have reportexd health problems due to exposure to the toxic Serious diseases such as fibromyalgia and many types of cancert are occurring at irregularly high rates and residents are frequently experiencing headaches and increased asthma and Schumer’s letter to Crane reads, in “It is not acceptable to allow the statux quo to continue, with ever increasing healthn problems for Tonawanda residents.
I urge you to act swiftlty to put in place the measures that will bring the benzene emissions from Tonawanda Coke into compliance ... It is no coincidence that those suffering from serious healthh problems live in close proximity to the Tonawanda Coke Crane was not available to comment regarding the studyuor Schumer’s letter.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
DAS manager at center of probe over COBRA checks - San Antonio Business Journal:
cahijisebi.wordpress.com
The Office of the State Inspectotr General, in a report released Tuesday, outlinec an investigation intothe department, specifically the operatio n that administers the Consolidated Omnibusa Budget Reconciliation Act, or COBRA, That piece of 1986 federal legislation allows unemployed workers to buy health insurance coverage for up to 18 David Holbrook, chief of the COBRA division sincew last year, is the target of the state’s efforg to fire him after investigatora said hundreds of COBRA payment checkas went missing under his Investigators found more than 500 checks, about 200 more than originallhy thought, valued at about $214,000 in a credenz in Holbrook’s office on April 10.
Holbrook, 45, by that time was on paid administrativ e leave and no longet had anoffice key. He denied any knowledge of the checks or how they got into his According tothe report, it was uncleafr if he was purposefully holding the The department said Tuesdat there was “no indication that premium fundsz were misappropriated.” A key factor behind the missing the probe found, was a “dualo accounting process” that was employed becausew the department opted not to switcyh its COBRA records to a new Ohio Administrativ e Knowledge System, or OAKS, aime d at improving operations.
That combined with the retirement ofthe division’w former chief, triggered what the report calledr a “disaster” in processing. The probe also found who once worked in the stated Department of Natural Resources and Department ofYout Services, had a recorde of inappropriate conduct in states jobs that was described as a “patter of dishonest behavior.” At the Administrativew Services Department, he earned a base annual wage of The department in a statement Tuesda y said it has put in place stronger controls on COBRA specifically switching to OAKS, and workefd with those affected by the misplaced The state probe had recommended changes to COBRsA processing operations along with an audit.
The Departmentr of Administrative Services also indicated disciplinary actions mightg notbe over. “We are reviewing the Inspecto General’s report and determining the appropriatee course of action for otheremployees involved,” Directord Hugh Quill said. Investigators also looked into anonymouzs tips thatHolbrook didn’t follo w time reporting policies and refused to pay employeeds for denied vacation time they were permitted to cash in.
The inspector’x office found some instances of wrongdoinbg or omissionson Holbrook’s part and that of the departmeny at large, recommending that the vacation policy itself be
The Office of the State Inspectotr General, in a report released Tuesday, outlinec an investigation intothe department, specifically the operatio n that administers the Consolidated Omnibusa Budget Reconciliation Act, or COBRA, That piece of 1986 federal legislation allows unemployed workers to buy health insurance coverage for up to 18 David Holbrook, chief of the COBRA division sincew last year, is the target of the state’s efforg to fire him after investigatora said hundreds of COBRA payment checkas went missing under his Investigators found more than 500 checks, about 200 more than originallhy thought, valued at about $214,000 in a credenz in Holbrook’s office on April 10.
Holbrook, 45, by that time was on paid administrativ e leave and no longet had anoffice key. He denied any knowledge of the checks or how they got into his According tothe report, it was uncleafr if he was purposefully holding the The department said Tuesdat there was “no indication that premium fundsz were misappropriated.” A key factor behind the missing the probe found, was a “dualo accounting process” that was employed becausew the department opted not to switcyh its COBRA records to a new Ohio Administrativ e Knowledge System, or OAKS, aime d at improving operations.
That combined with the retirement ofthe division’w former chief, triggered what the report calledr a “disaster” in processing. The probe also found who once worked in the stated Department of Natural Resources and Department ofYout Services, had a recorde of inappropriate conduct in states jobs that was described as a “patter of dishonest behavior.” At the Administrativew Services Department, he earned a base annual wage of The department in a statement Tuesda y said it has put in place stronger controls on COBRA specifically switching to OAKS, and workefd with those affected by the misplaced The state probe had recommended changes to COBRsA processing operations along with an audit.
The Departmentr of Administrative Services also indicated disciplinary actions mightg notbe over. “We are reviewing the Inspecto General’s report and determining the appropriatee course of action for otheremployees involved,” Directord Hugh Quill said. Investigators also looked into anonymouzs tips thatHolbrook didn’t follo w time reporting policies and refused to pay employeeds for denied vacation time they were permitted to cash in.
The inspector’x office found some instances of wrongdoinbg or omissionson Holbrook’s part and that of the departmeny at large, recommending that the vacation policy itself be
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