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	<title>Build To Minister</title>
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	<link>http://www.buildtominister.com</link>
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	<lastBuildDate>Fri, 18 May 2012 19:17:52 +0000</lastBuildDate>
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		<title>Hobbies: A homemade floral gift for Mother&#8217;s Day</title>
		<link>http://www.buildtominister.com/2012/05/hobbies-a-homemade-floral-gift-for-mothers-day/</link>
		<comments>http://www.buildtominister.com/2012/05/hobbies-a-homemade-floral-gift-for-mothers-day/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 18 May 2012 19:17:52 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Hobbies]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.buildtominister.com/?p=1363</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Hobbies: A homemade floral gift for Mothers Day Instead of the usual bouquet in a vase, I thought it would be special to make a floral Mothers Day card using glass saltshakers.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Hobbies: A homemade floral gift for Mothers Day<br />
					Instead of the usual bouquet in a vase, I thought it would be special to make a floral Mothers Day card using glass saltshakers.</p>
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		<title>Nuclear Power Emergency Plans: Regulators Scale Back Community Readiness &#8230;</title>
		<link>http://www.buildtominister.com/2012/05/nuclear-power-emergency-plans-regulators-scale-back-community-readiness/</link>
		<comments>http://www.buildtominister.com/2012/05/nuclear-power-emergency-plans-regulators-scale-back-community-readiness/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 18 May 2012 10:49:21 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Exercises]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.buildtominister.com/?p=1361</guid>
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			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><!--div></p>
<p>Without fanfare, the nations nuclear power regulators have overhauled community emergency planning for the first time in more than three decades, requiring fewer exercises for major accidents and recommending that fewer people be evacuated right away.</p>
<p>Nuclear watchdogs voiced surprise and dismay over the quietly adopted revamp  the first since the program began after Three Mile Island in 1979. Several said they were unaware of the changes until now, though they took effect in December.</p>
<p>At least four years in the works, the changes appear to clash with more recent lessons of last years reactor crisis in Japan. A mandate that local responders always run practice exercises for a radiation release has been eliminated  a move viewed as downright bizarre by some emergency planners.</p>
<p>The Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which run the program together, have added one new exercise: More than a decade after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, state and community police will now take part in exercises that prepare for a possible assault on their local plant.</p>
<p>Still, some emergency officials say this new exercise doesnt go far enough.</p>
<p>These changes, while documented in obscure federal publications, went into effect with hardly any notice by the general public.</p>
<p>Michael Mariotte, director of the anti-nuclear group Nuclear Information and Resource Service, normally tracks such rules very carefully. This time, he learned of them from an Associated Press reporter.</p>
<p>Unless there are public interest groups out there pointing to the things these agencies are doing, they generally prefer to be operating in quiet, especially if its likely to be controversial, he said. A typical American does not read the Federal Register.</p>
<p>The Web archives of FEMA and the NRC show no news releases on the changes during December 2011 and January 2012. The revisions took effect Dec. 23, at the peak of the holiday season when Americans tend to focus on last-minute gift shopping and social gatherings.</p>
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		<title>High on hobbies: A society chronicles history in its own way</title>
		<link>http://www.buildtominister.com/2012/05/high-on-hobbies-a-society-chronicles-history-in-its-own-way/</link>
		<comments>http://www.buildtominister.com/2012/05/high-on-hobbies-a-society-chronicles-history-in-its-own-way/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 17 May 2012 21:25:47 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Hobbies]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.buildtominister.com/?p=1359</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[HYDERABAD: Madhuri Reddy calls herself a grave hunter. She got hooked to the hobby when she visited the Armenian cemetery at Uppuguda with her father as a 10-year-old. She got her first Hotshot camera soon after and capturing images of sombre tombstones became a fascination. A postgraduate student of History, Madhuri wants to study gravestone [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p> HYDERABAD: Madhuri Reddy calls herself a grave hunter. She got hooked to the hobby when she visited the Armenian cemetery at Uppuguda with her father as a 10-year-old. She got her first Hotshot camera soon after and capturing images of sombre tombstones became a fascination. A postgraduate student of History, Madhuri wants to study gravestone rubbing, which involves copying inscriptions from tombstones on to a parchment paper for preservation for future generations.</p>
<p> Madhuri can be called a taphophile, one who loves tombstones or cemeteries. It comes from the same origin as cenotaph and epitaph, says Sunder Behearwani, president, Hyderabad Philately and Hobby Society (HPHS). Madhuri and several such people pursuing rare and interesting hobbies inhabit his society. From vintage alcohol bottle label collectors to people who have dedicated their lives to the sole aim of acquiring railway tickets, its an assortment of all sorts. There are some who have the most curiously fascinating collection of match box labels and others who have been collecting erasers all their lives.</p>
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		<title>South Tampa religion calendar, and beyond</title>
		<link>http://www.buildtominister.com/2012/05/south-tampa-religion-calendar-and-beyond/</link>
		<comments>http://www.buildtominister.com/2012/05/south-tampa-religion-calendar-and-beyond/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 17 May 2012 05:15:58 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Religion]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.buildtominister.com/?p=1357</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Unity of Tampa, 3302 W Horatio St.: The church will offer a workshop with Brian England, Access Your Brains Joy Center: How to Clear Worry, Hurt, Anger or Fear by Tapping Into and Activating the Brains Natural Mood-elevating and Pain-killing Chemicals, from 6 to 9 pm Wednesday. Cost is $25. To register, visit unitytampa.org. St. [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Unity of Tampa, 3302 W Horatio St.: The church will offer a workshop with Brian England, Access Your Brains Joy Center: How to Clear Worry, Hurt, Anger or Fear by Tapping Into and Activating the Brains Natural Mood-elevating and Pain-killing Chemicals, from 6 to 9 pm Wednesday. Cost is $25. To register, visit unitytampa.org.</p>
<p>St. Chads Episcopal Church of Tampa, 5609 N Albany Ave.: The church will host a tea party at 4 pm Saturday. There will be tea, light refreshments, a fashion show, door prizes and a surprise celebrity guest. A minimum donation of $5 is suggested. Call (813) 872-7545.</p>
<p>Youth Conference: Beauty of a Woman Ministry will host its first Youth and Young Adult Conference June 1 and 2 at True Vine, True Love Ministries, 3725 10th Ave. For details, call Tonia Walker Singleton at (813) 380-9583.</p>
<p>New Beginnings Christian Church, 4100 S Manhattan Ave.: A food pantry is open from 9 to 11 am Tuesdays. Call (813) 837-3451.</p>
<p>Sunday morning mindfulness meditation: Join the Tampa Zen Center for traditional meditation at 9 am Sundays at the Lotus Room, 1101 W Kennedy Blvd. Instruction for newcomers begins at 8:30. Visit tampazencenter.org. </p>
<p>Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church, 3501 San Jose St.: A tai chi class meets at 3:30 pm Mondays. Line dancing is at 9:30 and 11 am Tuesdays. A walking group meets at 9:30 am Thursdays. Call (813) 253-6047.</p>
<p></p>
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		<title>Simon Cowell honest about relationships</title>
		<link>http://www.buildtominister.com/2012/05/simon-cowell-honest-about-relationships/</link>
		<comments>http://www.buildtominister.com/2012/05/simon-cowell-honest-about-relationships/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 17 May 2012 01:03:32 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Working Relationships]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Simon Cowell reportedly refers to his lady friends as toys. The music mogul has been at the centre of some lurid claims about his personal life recently, due to a new biography about him. Its been alleged he had a secret affair with his former UK X Factor judge Dannii Minogue, will only use black [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Simon Cowell reportedly refers to his lady friends as toys.</p>
<p>The music mogul has been at the centre of some lurid claims about his personal life recently, due to a new biography about him. Its been alleged he had a secret affair with his former UK X Factor judge Dannii Minogue, will only use black toilet paper and was once robbed by a woman he met in a nightclub.</p>
<p>Several women who are close to Simon have spoken out in his defence, insisting he isnt the womaniser hes being made out as.</p>
<p>He never makes any bones about wanting more from relationships &#8211; hell openly call me his toy, one told the British edition of Grazia magazine. To me, thats honesty. If you dont know where you stand with Simon, then theres something wrong with your brain. I wish there were more men like him.</p>
<p>Another woman who is close to Simon insists he is always clear about what he wants from relationships. He uses humour to ensure ladies dont expect too much from him.</p>
<p>No girlfriend is ever going to come first to Simon. He even says romance is number five on his list (business is at one, money is two, his mother three and working relationships, four). Although, he is very cheeky, and when hes dating someone and theyve had a good week, hell say, Oh, youve moved up to number four, she said. Its only girls who think they are too special who get offended by Simon.</p>
<p> Cover Media</p>
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		<title>eLECTION lETTERS</title>
		<link>http://www.buildtominister.com/2012/05/election-letters/</link>
		<comments>http://www.buildtominister.com/2012/05/election-letters/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 16 May 2012 19:04:06 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Working Relationships]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.buildtominister.com/?p=1353</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Voting for Heckert I worked with the District Attorneys Office for 31 years 14 of those years with Beth Heckert and three years with Rob Patridge. Like most lawyers out of law school, they start with no experience. It takes more than three years to learn to prosecute. Yes, Rob made mistakes, like they all [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Voting for Heckert
<p>I worked with the District Attorneys Office for 31 years  14 of those years with Beth Heckert and three years with Rob Patridge. Like most lawyers out of law school, they start with no experience. It takes more than three years to learn to prosecute.</p>
<p>Yes, Rob made mistakes, like they all do. He was still learning when he decided to leave and become a politician.</p>
<p>I want an experienced prosecutor. Beth has been a prosecutor for 23 years. She has managed the office and supervised other lawyers for the past 14 years. We all know that public offices have to do more with less money every year. We need a trusted, experienced, working prosecutor and manager, not a politician who has his eye on his next career.  Retired Medford Police Detective Sgt. Roy Skinner, Jacksonville</p>
<p>Heckert is most qualified
<p>I have practiced law in Southern Oregon since 1973, and I can tell you that the district attorney should be a professional prosecutor, not a politician. The district attorney needs to have the skill and experience to try and get convictions in the most serious cases. The DA also needs to be able to supervise deputy district attorneys in their prosecution of serious criminal cases.</p>
<p>Beth Heckert is, by far, the most qualified candidate to serve as our next district attorney. With 23 years experience in the DAs office, she is the chief deputy district attorney and a career professional who has tried the most serious cases brought by the DAs office.</p>
<p>The choice is clear: elect Beth Heckert, a professional prosecutor, not a politician.  Allen Drescher, Ashland</p>
<p>Heckert has my vote
<p>In these tough and challenging times we need a district attorney with experience. I have met Beth Heckert and her opponents. They are very nice people. My vote will be cast for the candidate with the knowledge and understanding to do the job, and get it done right. Beth Heckert has my vote!  Sandy Lighthall, Medford</p>
<p>Elect Heckert
<p>Heres your chance. We all are sick to death of politicians, of their great ability to get elected and of their great inability to do what they say they will do. In the district attorney race there is a real alternative. Beth Heckert is competent, committed, professional, and caring. We should elect her to the office.  Sam Elliott, Medford</p>
<p>Vote for Heckert
<p>Be responsible. Vote for Beth Heckert, the best-prepared candidate for the post of district attorney, having served 23 distinguished years as a prosecutor with Jackson County, currently as chief deputy.</p>
<p>Beth has a singularly committed career honing vast experience from inside this demanding office. She is endorsed by Huddleston, the current DA. She will waste no taxpayer money having to learn the ropes.  Marilyn Briggs, Ashland</p>
<p>Voting for Hoppe
<p>I find the reasons for your choice for district attorney to be very strange.</p>
<p>You admit that Rob Patridge has limited experience as a prosecutor, but then praise him for his alleged political leadership &#8230; reaching across the aisle &#8230; building partnerships &#8230; . Blah, blah, blah!</p>
<p>To me, the DA has one job: putting bad guys away. His political connections should not overshadow his qualifications  or lack thereof  for convicting criminals.</p>
<p>Im ignoring your political-connections nonsense and voting for David Hoppe, a man of convictions. He has a solid record of doing what a prosecutor is supposed to do: putting criminals behind bars.  Craig Callaway, Eagle Point</p>
<p>We need Heckert
<p>This is a letter in support of Beth Heckert for Jackson County district attorney. Beth is a superb attorney who has more than 23 years of legal experience handling myriad serious cases and trials. She knows how to get criminals off our streets.</p>
<p>Beth has dealt with budgetary, managerial issues as well as supervising and training other prosecutors. She is simply more qualified than her competition and will be a top prosecutor and not just another politician. We need Beth Heckert as Jackson County district attorney.  Shirley and Doug Noakes, Ashland</p>
<p>Use facts, not dogma
<p>Congressman Walden states in the recent Oregon Voter Pamphlet We dont have deficits because Americans are taxed too little.</p>
<p>The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has stated that federal revenues from 2009 to 2011 were about 15 percent of Gross Domestic Product. This is the lowest level since 1950, and is significantly lower than the 18 percent average in the past 40 years.</p>
<p>It is clear that federal revenues are too low today when compared to the levels that gave us prosperity in the past, under both Democratic and Republican presidents. Part of the drop in federal revenue was due to the Bush tax cuts. These were justified by stating that the economy would grow to make up the loss in revenue.</p>
<p>We all know that the economy did not grow, it almost collapsed. Our representatives cannot solve our economic problems if they present dogma rather than true and complete facts.  Marcus Heritage, Rogue River</p>
<p>Supporting Holton
<p>As Jackson County district attorney since 1992, I know that the office of attorney general is an important one for our state. In the area of criminal justice, the Oregon Department of Justice provides legal assistance to local district attorneys, defends convictions in the appellate courts, provides victim advocacy services and much more.</p>
<p>Dwight Holton served for 15 years as a federal prosecutor, successfully prosecuting drug traffickers, Internet child predators and people who defraud families out of their homes. Dwight was appointed as interim US Attorney for Oregon in 2010. As US attorney, Dwight forged strong working relationships with law enforcement agencies and prosecutors throughout the state. Dwight has the experience Oregonians can trust to uphold the law and make our communities safer and stronger. Please join me in giving Dwight Holton your vote for Oregon attorney general in the May primary election.  Mark Huddleston, Medford</p>
<p>Replace the assessor
<p>It is time that the Jackson County assessor, as well as the members of the appeal board who sit in judgment of our property values, be replaced! The existing group is made up of long-since-retired Realtors, not qualified appraisers, out of touch with declining residential real estate values.</p>
<p>The recently appointed (not elected) Josh Gibsons credentials are certainly not equitable to those of Roy Wright.</p>
<p>Roy has more than 30 years experience as a qualified real estate appraiser, has published a monthly home sales report for 20 years and therefore is familiar with current values.</p>
<p>We need an expert, experienced, qualified and skilled assessor for Jackson County in these changing economic times. Now we have a chance to vote for someone who is independent, knowledgeable and unbiased, and we can be confident that fair and equitable values will be placed on our real estate.  Kay Maser, Ashland</p>
<p>A campaign sign surprise
<p>While out running errands the other day, I was confronted with all the campaign signs that seem to be growing in number every day. However, I was pleasantly surprised by one particular candidate for surveyor, who had opted away from the typical red, white and blue or smiling portrait type sign.</p>
<p>Instead I was presented with a sign that sported a very pleasing scenic view of our beautiful Rogue Valley, along with the simple Bradshaw for County Surveyor logo that seemed to fit well with the scenic image.</p>
<p>I have seen these same signs in other locations and appreciate that they are placed appropriately and show some thought and workmanship behind them. Many of the signs I see are hastily thrown up, lopsided or drooping, a kind of just-catch-my-name-and-vote-for-me message. Thanks for the uplifting change!  Heather Webb, Medford</p>
<p></p>
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		<title>Grazing Management in the New &#8216;Normal&#8217;</title>
		<link>http://www.buildtominister.com/2012/05/grazing-management-in-the-new-normal/</link>
		<comments>http://www.buildtominister.com/2012/05/grazing-management-in-the-new-normal/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 16 May 2012 05:28:22 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Your Animals]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.buildtominister.com/?p=1351</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Grass Whisperer By Troy Bishopp (Town of Eaton, NY) As a veteran grazier, I&#8217;m concerned about the phrases, &#8220;The 300 year flood, Peak Soil, Peal Oil, Climate Change and The New Normal&#8221; frequently heard in the news. Should I discount them as just an anomaly, or should I be planning on how this will [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[</p>
<p>The Grass Whisperer</p>
<p>By Troy Bishopp</p>
<p>(Town of Eaton, NY) As a veteran grazier, I&#8217;m concerned about the phrases, &#8220;The 300 year flood, Peak Soil, Peal Oil, Climate Change and The New Normal&#8221; frequently heard in the news. Should I discount them as just an anomaly, or should I be planning on how this will affect my grazing operation?</p>
<p>For me, it boils down to a simple concept: keep the soil covered with perennial, highly diverse, biologically active pastures; however it has taken me 48 years of farming to become a true believer and holistic planner in this.</p>
<p>It&#8217;s rather embarrassing to admit I missed this mark as a &#8220;yute,&#8221; while continually being stumped by a grazing system always headed in the path of what Andre Voisin termed; untoward acceleration, where each successive grazing period provides less forage and the rest period is shortened until the rotation collapses.</p>
<p>Grazing Consultant Jim Gerrish says grazing too short is the biggest problem in production.</p>
<p>With hairline receding and the prospect of a sixth generation farming here, I found the &#8220;Ah ha!&#8221; moment I needed 12 years ago in a hurricane and in the mirror. The forces came together after a long dry spell followed in earnest by a five-inch rain.</p>
<p>As I flashed a picture of my swollen, muddy stream, I turned the lens to wipe off the rain and I caught my reflection, this was my fault.</p>
<p>This single event of losing topsoil put me on the path to become a better grazier and, in turn, a better land manager.</p>
<p>But I needed a better plan, more measuring and monitoring and long-term goals. I am lucky to live in an era with access to knowledge from influential grazing notables: Andre Voisin to Newman Turner, Darrell Emmick to Jim Gerrish and Allan Savory to Greg Judy, to name a few</p>
<p>This has led me to think about grazing in a more holistic, management-driven style predicated on a triple bottom line mentality and stop blaming the animals for over-grazing.</p>
<p>&#8220;Create the farm you want&#8221; is a quote I like in approaching the upcoming grazing season. Like any good game of chess, it starts with a tactical plan. I start by planning (hypothetically) on my 12-month grazing chart (in pencil) before I go into Mother Nature&#8217;s domain, around specific financial, production, environmental and family goals.</p>
<p>I plan in recovery periods, certain grazing strategies for each field, expected dry matter intakes and plan back from major events such as my daughter&#8217;s wedding, droughty times, breeding, bluebird fledging, frost and stockpiling dates. This futuristic decision-making and constant monitoring allows me to think deeply about what&#8217;s ahead and works nicely with my experience and gut feelings to make management changes sooner and level out the new norms of weather.</p>
<p>You&#8217;re probably thinking, easier to plan than to implement. But the impetus for the organic farmer is if you run out of grass you&#8217;re out of options. We&#8217;ve got to get in the mindset that it takes grass to grow grass and stop being scared of wasting a little grass if you want top performance for your animals and soil.</p>
<p>I do agree that the forage should be trampled, harvested or clipped 60 days before the first frost to enable possible extended grazing of rested plants.</p>
<p>My observations over 26 years of grazing on our farm are this: rain now comes down in buckets and we need to catch it all for the uncharacteristic dry periods that are happening.</p>
<p>On our farm, the shorter always vegetative sward of plant species of yesteryear has given way to a taller, more mature grazing style with a higher grazing residual (four inches) and, in turn, longer rest periods, averaging 45 days for last season.</p>
<p>This has changed my naturalized sward into having a more prairie-like composition which have deeper, stronger roots and puts more litter on the ground to feed the soil microbes.</p>
<p>Having stronger, more vibrant plants has also increased our graze-able days by two weeks in the spring and two months in the fall. This strategy in conjunction with stockpiling has raised our farm&#8217;s organic matter from 3.4 to 4.6 percent over the last three years, which has essentially drought-proofed the farm while sequestering the big rain and adding resiliency to the whole farm system without buying expensive inputs.</p>
<p>I&#8217;ve been monitoring Brix levels of plants and the cows that eat them and continue to see higher energy levels in more mature swards later in the day, especially in young blossoms and leaf tips. To garner more of this production, I move animals one-third of an acre in the morning and two-thirds in the afternoon. The difference can be seven brix in the early morning and double that by 3 pm</p>
<p>Capturing this free energy just takes moving a fence. I&#8217;m also hearing many farmers having good success spraying raw milk on pastures to raise the energy.</p>
<p>Grazing for energy and not towards Jerry Brunetti&#8217;s &#8220;funny proteins&#8221; has been a learning curve, but also good for the wallet as it takes less expensive grain and baleage to even out the animal&#8217;s diet and production. At the same time, it allows the plant roots to rest and add mass in the soil, which stimulates soil life and increases water holding capacity.</p>
<p>Probably the most often-overlooked question of grazing management in the new normal is: What are you managing toward and why?</p>
<p>Without tangible sustainable goals, you may fall prey to buying prescriptions that fix problems without addressing root causes.</p>
<p>In my humble opinion, making money from grazing is absolutely about keeping the soil surface covered with diverse swards and soil life, collecting solar energy while sequestering moisture and carbon. One only has to remember 2011 to see this is a great strategy for the future.</p>
<p>How do you get it done? Create farm family goals that incorporate the triple bottom line, plan out in detail how to make these goals happen, question everything, measure and monitor progress often, join a mentoring team, record your results and, most of all, have fun honing your grazier&#8217;s eye because the world needs more pasture-based systems.</p>
<p>Troy Bishopp is grazing specialist for the Madison Co. SWCD/Upper Susquehanna Coalition. He can be reached at (315) 824-9849 ext. 110, troy-bishopp@verizon.net or thegrasswhisperer.com. Republished courtesy Horizon Organic&#8217;s Producer Post Newsletter.</p>
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		<title>Reader: South Fire, CVH Can Share Services, Save Money</title>
		<link>http://www.buildtominister.com/2012/05/reader-south-fire-cvh-can-share-services-save-money/</link>
		<comments>http://www.buildtominister.com/2012/05/reader-south-fire-cvh-can-share-services-save-money/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 15 May 2012 10:20:13 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Working Relationships]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.buildtominister.com/?p=1349</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[  #13; To the Editor: I applaud the mayor, staff and Common Council members for there joint efforts in bringing forward a well-thought-out city budget during these most difficult fiscal times. #13; Our city from Main Street to the most remote areas, including Westfield and South Farms, has never been more focused on a positive [...]]]></description>
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<p>#13;</p>
<p>To the Editor:</p>
<p>I applaud the mayor, staff and Common Council members for there joint efforts in bringing forward a well-thought-out city budget during these most difficult fiscal times.</p>
<p>#13;</p>
<p>Our city from Main Street to the most remote areas, including Westfield and South Farms, has never been more focused on a positive new direction. The revised energy management cost reduction plans and improved BOE working relationships speak for themselves.</p>
<p>A special kudos for the department directors of our city services who best understand their respective operational needs and the always present and difficult balance of limited fiscal resources.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, our state, cities and towns have never been more pressed to achieve positive outcomes with fewer resources. Certainly one only needs to acknowledge the stalled economy which, at best, may only realize a 1½ percent to 2 percent growth rate going forward.</p>
<p>We can no longer attempt to address and balance such challenges with the past practices of increasing taxes to accommodate more spending, especially on the backs of our residents. Along these lines of fiscal management, I offer for your consideration the proven concept of SHARED SERVICES.</p>
<p>There are endless opportunities for cost reduction relative to duplicate administrative and operating equipment expenses, that if shared between the city and the South Fire District could effect a tax reduction not only for the residents of our tax district but also for the city taxpayers. At present and in addition to the proposed city tax hike, residents of the South Fire District are being asked to approve a budget with increased spending and the resulting increased tax rate.</p>
<p>The old days of increased taxes to accommodate needless spending should be long behind us. Times are most difficult for homeowners, renters and small businesses. I encourage the Common Council and also ask for your help to aggressively revisit such opportunities and hopefully effect tax relief throughout the entire city.</p>
<p>#13;</p>
<p>Such tax relief could be achieved in a manner that would not negatively impact labor or critical services being provided by our dedicated and hard working Firefighters throughout Middletown.</p>
<p>#13;</p>
<p>Such efforts may also free up other resources to better fund BOE critical needs for the benefit of our children.</p>
<p>Management solutions that address both administrative and support equipment<br />duplications provide a win-win for all!</p>
<p>Dan Penney, Middletown</p>
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		<title>ERHS&#8217;s &#8220;Grease&#8221; generates fun-filled fifties</title>
		<link>http://www.buildtominister.com/2012/05/erhss-grease-generates-fun-filled-fifties/</link>
		<comments>http://www.buildtominister.com/2012/05/erhss-grease-generates-fun-filled-fifties/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 14 May 2012 19:37:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Fun]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.buildtominister.com/?p=1346</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[by Bruce Strand, Arts editor When ERHS actors took on the challenge of bringing Grease to life for its spring musical, their director Michelle Brooks told them  Go big or go home, would be the motto. She might have added and dont go home until everyones had fun, because gobs of fun is what the [...]]]></description>
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<p>by Bruce Strand, Arts editor</p>
<p>When ERHS actors took on the challenge of bringing Grease to life for its spring musical, their director Michelle Brooks told them  Go big or go home, would be the motto. She might have added and dont go home until everyones had fun, because gobs of fun is what the players and their audience had at opening night Friday.</p>
<p>When  Grease is done well its hard not to have a good time what with all the peppy 50s music, massive dance scenes, the girls gaily-colored poodle skirts and sweaters and big hair, the boys oh-so-cool black leather jackets and jeans and greasy duck-tails, and lots of little romances popping up like dandelions.</p>
</p>
<p>The 30-member cast has clearly gone the extra mile to make the scenes as vibrant and fun as they can. Brooks commented that whenever the production team suggest a scene or dance move could be simplified, the response was, No, it will look better to master it; we can master it.</p>
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		<title>It&#8217;s HOT! Do Not Leave Your Children or Animals Inside Your Vehicle</title>
		<link>http://www.buildtominister.com/2012/05/its-hot-do-not-leave-your-children-or-animals-inside-your-vehicle/</link>
		<comments>http://www.buildtominister.com/2012/05/its-hot-do-not-leave-your-children-or-animals-inside-your-vehicle/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 14 May 2012 05:05:09 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Your Animals]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.buildtominister.com/?p=1344</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It&#8217;s hot outside, so don&#8217;t leave your children or your animals inside a vehicle when you&#8217;re not in it! Here&#8217;s an email we received regarding an incident on Saturday in Pleasant Hill&#8230;. At about 6:30 on Saturday evening Pleasant Hill Police and ConFIRE responded to a 911 call at the new Safeway on Contra Costa [...]]]></description>
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<p>It&#8217;s hot outside, so don&#8217;t leave your children or your animals inside a vehicle when you&#8217;re not in it!</p>
<p>Here&#8217;s an email we received regarding an incident on Saturday in Pleasant Hill&#8230;.</p>
<p>At about 6:30 on Saturday evening Pleasant Hill Police and ConFIRE responded to a 911 call at the new Safeway on Contra Costa Boulevard in Pleasant Hill. The caller reported seeing one or more children, one of which was a toddler left in a car in the heat.</p>
<p>Please once again remind the people out there in the world that still don&#8217;t get it about the dangers of leaving children and pets in their cars in the heat.</p>
<p>Thanks for the note and the good reminder!</p>
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