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Name of the firms making the Tampa Bay BusinessdJournal ’s annual list are shownm below in alphabetical order. As part of the process, event sponsor Tampa accounting firm Kirkland RussMurphy & Tapp PA coordinates the data submitte by candidate firms to create a safe haven for potentialluy proprietary numbers. Among the criteria to make the list is a annual revenue thresholdof $1 millionb or more since 2006 and consecutive annua l growth since then. The ranking based on revenue growth for the pastthree years, will be revealed at TBBJ’s annual Fast 50 luncheon at the A La Carter Event Pavilion in Tampa July 23. AgileThought Inc. • Alltrusft Insurance Inc.
• American Healthcare Holdings Inc. • AnazaoHealtjh Corp. and Affiliates Celestar Corp. • Centrakl Maintenance & Welding Inc. • Corporate Interiorsa Inc.
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Banker group honors local companies - Dallas Business Journal:
coras-newport.blogspot.com
McKinney marketing and consulting firm and Plano specialtyh office supplier both earned the Independent Bankerds Associationof Texas' Five-Star awards at the group'sz recent convention in Fort AccuSource supplies forms and specialtyt office supplies to independent banks. It's the seconsd time AccuSource has receivedsthe five-star honor. Genesisa Group is receiving it for thefirst time. "Thisd award is reserved for those special contributors to our industryy that take the extraw step because they believe in the mission ofindependeny banking," IBAT President Chris Willistonh said in a written statement.
The Independent Bankersd Association is the largest state community banking organization in the nation representing morethan 2,0009 Texas banks and branches. says its Dallas office has increasedrevenue 24% in the most recenft fiscal year. Nationally, the accountin g firm says its revenueclimbef 17% in the fiscal year ended July 31. Grant one of the "next three" accounting firms chasiny the bignational "final four" accountintg firms, topped $1 billion in U.S. revenuee for the first time this year. Newcomer bank has hired Dallaa banker Frank Brinegar to be its Dallasmarkeg president. FC Holdings is baser in Houston and operatexs the institutioncalled .
It set up shop in Dallas-Forrt Worth with the summertime acquisition of First Nationalp Bankof Crockett, an insitution based 90 miles norty of Houston. The Crockett bank owned a branch in Richardsonn which is better known as First Bank ofCanyon Creek. Brinegar previously worked forPNC Bank, and has worked for , the formef Fidelity Bank and First Bank in Dallas. Brinegard is a Dallas native and grandsonof R.L. Thorntohn Sr., founder of Mercantile Bank.
McKinney marketing and consulting firm and Plano specialtyh office supplier both earned the Independent Bankerds Associationof Texas' Five-Star awards at the group'sz recent convention in Fort AccuSource supplies forms and specialtyt office supplies to independent banks. It's the seconsd time AccuSource has receivedsthe five-star honor. Genesisa Group is receiving it for thefirst time. "Thisd award is reserved for those special contributors to our industryy that take the extraw step because they believe in the mission ofindependeny banking," IBAT President Chris Willistonh said in a written statement.
The Independent Bankersd Association is the largest state community banking organization in the nation representing morethan 2,0009 Texas banks and branches. says its Dallas office has increasedrevenue 24% in the most recenft fiscal year. Nationally, the accountin g firm says its revenueclimbef 17% in the fiscal year ended July 31. Grant one of the "next three" accounting firms chasiny the bignational "final four" accountintg firms, topped $1 billion in U.S. revenuee for the first time this year. Newcomer bank has hired Dallaa banker Frank Brinegar to be its Dallasmarkeg president. FC Holdings is baser in Houston and operatexs the institutioncalled .
It set up shop in Dallas-Forrt Worth with the summertime acquisition of First Nationalp Bankof Crockett, an insitution based 90 miles norty of Houston. The Crockett bank owned a branch in Richardsonn which is better known as First Bank ofCanyon Creek. Brinegar previously worked forPNC Bank, and has worked for , the formef Fidelity Bank and First Bank in Dallas. Brinegard is a Dallas native and grandsonof R.L. Thorntohn Sr., founder of Mercantile Bank.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Amid abuse, neglect, it's time to consider politically incorrect solutions - Boston Globe
martaemimbzini.blogspot.com
Amid abuse, neglect, it's time to consider politically incorrect solutions Boston Globe LAWRENCE HARMON'S column “The case for orphanages'' (Op-ed, March 23) may be a politically incorrect solution amid the increasing awareness of child abuse and neglect, but the time for conversation and action is long overdue. |
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Insuring man
ogarawo.wordpress.com
Klyn recovered almost 80 percent of thatheftgy expense, because he opted to get a pet insuranc e plan before his energetic and accident-prones yellow lab could dig a gigantid hole in his bank account. “That’s just how they are. They’re very active, very lovable, into trouble kinds of dogs while they’re puppies,” says Klyn, who chosse a plan with San Antonio-based . “I like the feelingt of safety that if something devastatinggoes I’m not going to be raked over the coals financially. I’m going to be covered.
” Advancess in veterinary medicine coupled with pets takintg on a more important role in the famil are leading people to spend more money on the health of their With that, more peopld have opted to carry insurance on their says Dr. David Goodnight, a veterinarian and president of PurinaCare PetHealth Insurance.
Klyn recovered almost 80 percent of thatheftgy expense, because he opted to get a pet insuranc e plan before his energetic and accident-prones yellow lab could dig a gigantid hole in his bank account. “That’s just how they are. They’re very active, very lovable, into trouble kinds of dogs while they’re puppies,” says Klyn, who chosse a plan with San Antonio-based . “I like the feelingt of safety that if something devastatinggoes I’m not going to be raked over the coals financially. I’m going to be covered.
” Advancess in veterinary medicine coupled with pets takintg on a more important role in the famil are leading people to spend more money on the health of their With that, more peopld have opted to carry insurance on their says Dr. David Goodnight, a veterinarian and president of PurinaCare PetHealth Insurance.
Friday, March 23, 2012
Film News: 'The Hunger Games' Grosses $19.7 Million at Midnight - HollywoodChicago.com
disadvantage-unlimited.blogspot.com
CTV.ca | Film News: 'The Hunger Games' Grosses $19.7 Million at Midnight HollywoodChicago.com CHICAGO â€" If you weren't sure “The Hunger Games†was going to be as big as predicted, the news this morning may change your mind. Midnight showing totals for the new film are estimated to be $19.7 million. This record breaking number lands just above ... Fans of 'The Hunger Games' line up outside Austin theaters Utahns hungry for Hunger Games Josh Hutcherson talks "Hunger Games" and dances on BET's "106 & Park" |
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Ticket discount for 'Buffalo Rocks' - Orlando Business Journal:
zvonkovaleoqim.blogspot.com
From June 9 through June 25, anyone who buys ticketss through for all eight of the concerts will have to pay onesurchargr ($4.50) as opposed to having to pay the chargde for each ticket. The deal is only for those who buy ticketsz for all eight ofthe “Buffalo Placer Rocks the Harbor” shows. “Buffalo Place Rocks the Harbor” will be presentint the eight concerts at the Erie Canakl Harbor CentralWharf site. The firsr shows are on June 26 andJune 27. Afterf June 26, concert-goers will have to purchasse tickets for each show and not all eight asa • June 26, Medeski Martin & Wood with Umphrey’as McGee.
• June 27, Joan Osborne and the Yonder Mountai nString Band. • July 18, Robert Cray Band with the John Hammon Trioand Indigenous. July 19, The Black Crowes • Aug. 1, Bruc e Hornsby & the Noisemakers with Martin Sexton • Aug. 2, Gov’t • Sept. 4, The Wallflowers with Tea LeafGreen • Sept. 5, Great Big Sea with Kathleenj Edwards andJeremy Fisher. “There are not too if any, venues where you can see this leve of talent forjust $80,” said Steve Buffalo Place director of marketing. Joseph said tickets for the shows areselling “well” with the ones featuriny the Black Crowes (July 19), Gov’t Mule (Aug.
2) and Great Big Sea 5) selling the best. “All of the showws are moving well,” Joseph said. “We just wantefd to offer this incentive as a way to showour
From June 9 through June 25, anyone who buys ticketss through for all eight of the concerts will have to pay onesurchargr ($4.50) as opposed to having to pay the chargde for each ticket. The deal is only for those who buy ticketsz for all eight ofthe “Buffalo Placer Rocks the Harbor” shows. “Buffalo Place Rocks the Harbor” will be presentint the eight concerts at the Erie Canakl Harbor CentralWharf site. The firsr shows are on June 26 andJune 27. Afterf June 26, concert-goers will have to purchasse tickets for each show and not all eight asa • June 26, Medeski Martin & Wood with Umphrey’as McGee.
• June 27, Joan Osborne and the Yonder Mountai nString Band. • July 18, Robert Cray Band with the John Hammon Trioand Indigenous. July 19, The Black Crowes • Aug. 1, Bruc e Hornsby & the Noisemakers with Martin Sexton • Aug. 2, Gov’t • Sept. 4, The Wallflowers with Tea LeafGreen • Sept. 5, Great Big Sea with Kathleenj Edwards andJeremy Fisher. “There are not too if any, venues where you can see this leve of talent forjust $80,” said Steve Buffalo Place director of marketing. Joseph said tickets for the shows areselling “well” with the ones featuriny the Black Crowes (July 19), Gov’t Mule (Aug.
2) and Great Big Sea 5) selling the best. “All of the showws are moving well,” Joseph said. “We just wantefd to offer this incentive as a way to showour
Monday, March 19, 2012
UCF wants to cut 5 programs, 51 jobs - The Business Journal of Milwaukee:
modestofyeyko.blogspot.com
The move is aimed at savin g $6.1 million and is in additioh to $38 million in cuts the universitg hasalready imposed. The cuts are a result of less money coming from the Programs being cut arecardiopulmonaruy sciences, engineering technology, management information systems, radiologic sciences and statistics and actuarial science. If approved by the the cuts will impactabout 1,100 Those close to graduation will receive assistance from the university to take the coursezs needed to complete their majors.
If the board approves the job cuts, the facultgy and staff would have two semestere notice before losing their job and some would remain employed through the spring 2011 semester to allow studentxs to complete their Students will also witness a 15 percentf increase in tuition beginnin with the fall2009 “I wish the severity of the budgegt cuts did not force us to consider these actions, but they are in the best interestz of the entire university. This is a very bittedr pill for the UCF communityuto swallow,” said UCF president John C. Hitt, in a preparedd statement.
The move is aimed at savin g $6.1 million and is in additioh to $38 million in cuts the universitg hasalready imposed. The cuts are a result of less money coming from the Programs being cut arecardiopulmonaruy sciences, engineering technology, management information systems, radiologic sciences and statistics and actuarial science. If approved by the the cuts will impactabout 1,100 Those close to graduation will receive assistance from the university to take the coursezs needed to complete their majors.
If the board approves the job cuts, the facultgy and staff would have two semestere notice before losing their job and some would remain employed through the spring 2011 semester to allow studentxs to complete their Students will also witness a 15 percentf increase in tuition beginnin with the fall2009 “I wish the severity of the budgegt cuts did not force us to consider these actions, but they are in the best interestz of the entire university. This is a very bittedr pill for the UCF communityuto swallow,” said UCF president John C. Hitt, in a preparedd statement.
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Fremantle to learn extent of Michael Johnson injury on Sunday - Herald Sun
ogarawo.wordpress.com
WA today | Fremantle to learn extent of Michael Johnson injury on Sunday Herald Sun FREMANTLE expects to know by today whether the ankle injury to Michael Johnson will put the defender in doubt for its Round 1 clash against reigning premier Geelong. Johnson (ankle) and fellow backman Luke McPharlin (concussion) were taken from the ... Fremantle' s Ryan Crowley returns to tagging role Fremantle suffers injury blow Hawthorn banking on former Lions ruckman |
Thursday, March 15, 2012
State Farm plans to drop property coverage in Florida - Orlando Business Journal:
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The plan includes insurance coveragefor renters, condominium unit owners, personal liability, boats, personalp articles and business property, and liability policies, State Farm, the largestr private property insurer in said in a release. It does not affectr auto insurance, life, healtnh insurance or other financial services. The company said its inability to obtain regularlyg approval for what it believes to be adequater property insurance rates weakened itsfinancia position. The company filed for an overall statewide homeowners insurance rate increaseof 47.1 percent in The filing was disapproved Jan.
12 by state Florida’s hurricane exposure poses financial risk for anyproperty insurer, Statd Farm said, adding that even withouf a hurricane, the company’s operatin g costs in Florida have rise as day-to-day claims increased both in number and severitty and state-mandated discounts further reducexd revenue. State Farm Florida’s surplue dropped by $201 million in the firsg three quartersof 2008, the releaser said. The plan to discontinue property insurance in Florid a would take two years to complete and requires regulatory State Farm said it wouldx not take any action until the regulatory processeis complete.
The Office of Insurance Regulationn will review the plans to ensure they are in compliancee with Florida law and will explore alllegao options, Kevin McCarty, , said in a separatde statement. “I will do everything withinb my power to protect Florida consumers from unnecessarh destabilization of the insurance market this mighyt cause and to ensure that Florida consumerzs are protected and have access to insurance at ratez that are not excessive orunfairlg discriminatory,” McCarty said. Regulators have 90 days to approveStatew Farm’s plan, and if approved, Stats Farm must then provide 180 days noticse to customers before any policies can be non-renewed, McCartty said.
State Farm Florida, headquartered in Winter had morethan 1.2 million propertt policies in force as of Sept. 30, including 703,00 0 homeowners policies.
The plan includes insurance coveragefor renters, condominium unit owners, personal liability, boats, personalp articles and business property, and liability policies, State Farm, the largestr private property insurer in said in a release. It does not affectr auto insurance, life, healtnh insurance or other financial services. The company said its inability to obtain regularlyg approval for what it believes to be adequater property insurance rates weakened itsfinancia position. The company filed for an overall statewide homeowners insurance rate increaseof 47.1 percent in The filing was disapproved Jan.
12 by state Florida’s hurricane exposure poses financial risk for anyproperty insurer, Statd Farm said, adding that even withouf a hurricane, the company’s operatin g costs in Florida have rise as day-to-day claims increased both in number and severitty and state-mandated discounts further reducexd revenue. State Farm Florida’s surplue dropped by $201 million in the firsg three quartersof 2008, the releaser said. The plan to discontinue property insurance in Florid a would take two years to complete and requires regulatory State Farm said it wouldx not take any action until the regulatory processeis complete.
The Office of Insurance Regulationn will review the plans to ensure they are in compliancee with Florida law and will explore alllegao options, Kevin McCarty, , said in a separatde statement. “I will do everything withinb my power to protect Florida consumers from unnecessarh destabilization of the insurance market this mighyt cause and to ensure that Florida consumerzs are protected and have access to insurance at ratez that are not excessive orunfairlg discriminatory,” McCarty said. Regulators have 90 days to approveStatew Farm’s plan, and if approved, Stats Farm must then provide 180 days noticse to customers before any policies can be non-renewed, McCartty said.
State Farm Florida, headquartered in Winter had morethan 1.2 million propertt policies in force as of Sept. 30, including 703,00 0 homeowners policies.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Genetic Testing Lab spins into the money - bizjournals:
martaemimbzini.blogspot.com
When The Genetic Testing Laboratory Inc. was a projecr at ’s , it was losing $300,00p0 to $400,000 a year. In the company was spun off into the private Since then, the firm, which offers a variety of inexpensivre genetic tests and runs the only fully accredited, private crimwe laboratory in New Mexico, has experience d a 1,200 percent growth rate. It has grown from threed employees tonearly 40, and it expectsz to double its growth by December. “We’ve just gone through the roof in terms of said Genetics General ManagerStefan Long. “This we’ll have 10,000 square feet of spacew in theGenesis Center. We’re in negotiations to doublre that.
” It helps that the company offersa services that arein demand, and offers them at affordable prices. “Ouf prices are 40 to 50 percent lower than what you can find Our goal is to providsaffordable prices,” Long said. The firm offers several products, including an Ancestrap Origins DNA kit that allows people to determinee where their ancestors a BioResolve kit that tests for predisposition to 27 and a DNAid kit that can quickly help identify victims ofnatural disasters, terrorism and battlefield causalities. The company’s 9,000-square-footy crime laboratory has quickly picked up business and provides a fast turnarounsdon cases.
The Ancestral Origins kit offers a simple way for people to learnj more abouttheir roots. It involves swabbing a cheek with a cotton swab and comparingthe customer’s DNA to a worldwidde DNA database. The company then produces a map that showsd how stronglythe customer’s DNA matches the profile of an anthropologicak region. Results take about a One recent customer wasstate Sen. Mary K. Papen, D-Las who was adopted and told that her mothedr had diedduring childbirth. The test showefd that Papen had a heavy ancestrap link tosouthern Europe. “I’m very exciterd to have had it I think it is a great Papen said.
According to Long, the best thing about the Ancestralk Origins kit isits cost: “Most of the other tests like this out ther e are in the $300 to $400 range,” Long said. The compangy soon will roll out itsBioResolve kit. The process will test for predisposition to27 diseases, includin g lung, skin and prostate cancer, macular degeneration, Alzheimer’se and heart disease. “Our biggest competition in this area offers a panel of 23 diseased andcharges $400,” Long “We’re offering it at half the price.” The company’s crimw lab, the Forensic Testing Laboratory, was builf from scratch and earned its forensic accreditatiob in March.
It has been helpinvg the Las Cruces Policd Department andthe Doñw Ana County Sheriff’s Department work to solve cold cases. It also has been activew on a global scale. A recentt case came in from Australia. A couplew had been in a bar watching arugb match. They complained that the TV was too Some employees apologized and then offeredc the womanice cream. It turned out the ice creamn was laced withhuman excrement. The Forensifc Laboratory was able to identify the man who tamperexd with theice cream. Anotheer case came from the Dominican Republic, where a medicap device company was manufacturing small bottle tohold eye-drop solutions.
A disgruntled worker had urinater insome bottles.
When The Genetic Testing Laboratory Inc. was a projecr at ’s , it was losing $300,00p0 to $400,000 a year. In the company was spun off into the private Since then, the firm, which offers a variety of inexpensivre genetic tests and runs the only fully accredited, private crimwe laboratory in New Mexico, has experience d a 1,200 percent growth rate. It has grown from threed employees tonearly 40, and it expectsz to double its growth by December. “We’ve just gone through the roof in terms of said Genetics General ManagerStefan Long. “This we’ll have 10,000 square feet of spacew in theGenesis Center. We’re in negotiations to doublre that.
” It helps that the company offersa services that arein demand, and offers them at affordable prices. “Ouf prices are 40 to 50 percent lower than what you can find Our goal is to providsaffordable prices,” Long said. The firm offers several products, including an Ancestrap Origins DNA kit that allows people to determinee where their ancestors a BioResolve kit that tests for predisposition to 27 and a DNAid kit that can quickly help identify victims ofnatural disasters, terrorism and battlefield causalities. The company’s 9,000-square-footy crime laboratory has quickly picked up business and provides a fast turnarounsdon cases.
The Ancestral Origins kit offers a simple way for people to learnj more abouttheir roots. It involves swabbing a cheek with a cotton swab and comparingthe customer’s DNA to a worldwidde DNA database. The company then produces a map that showsd how stronglythe customer’s DNA matches the profile of an anthropologicak region. Results take about a One recent customer wasstate Sen. Mary K. Papen, D-Las who was adopted and told that her mothedr had diedduring childbirth. The test showefd that Papen had a heavy ancestrap link tosouthern Europe. “I’m very exciterd to have had it I think it is a great Papen said.
According to Long, the best thing about the Ancestralk Origins kit isits cost: “Most of the other tests like this out ther e are in the $300 to $400 range,” Long said. The compangy soon will roll out itsBioResolve kit. The process will test for predisposition to27 diseases, includin g lung, skin and prostate cancer, macular degeneration, Alzheimer’se and heart disease. “Our biggest competition in this area offers a panel of 23 diseased andcharges $400,” Long “We’re offering it at half the price.” The company’s crimw lab, the Forensic Testing Laboratory, was builf from scratch and earned its forensic accreditatiob in March.
It has been helpinvg the Las Cruces Policd Department andthe Doñw Ana County Sheriff’s Department work to solve cold cases. It also has been activew on a global scale. A recentt case came in from Australia. A couplew had been in a bar watching arugb match. They complained that the TV was too Some employees apologized and then offeredc the womanice cream. It turned out the ice creamn was laced withhuman excrement. The Forensifc Laboratory was able to identify the man who tamperexd with theice cream. Anotheer case came from the Dominican Republic, where a medicap device company was manufacturing small bottle tohold eye-drop solutions.
A disgruntled worker had urinater insome bottles.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Unions, Paterson reach agreement to avoid mass layoffs - Kansas City Business Journal:
xosawewaqa.wordpress.com
Under the terms of the agreement reached betweeb Paterson andthe unions, New York will reducs the state’s payroll by encouraging employee in specific positions to take a cash buyout to leave state service. The unionx said the buyout offers will be available to all employees in thetargetexd positions. Paterson had announcefd plans to cutnearly 9,000 statew workers. “This agreement is a huge win forNew York’s taxpayerxs and will lead to the most significant reform of our publifc pension system in decades,” Paterson “This is real reform to the pension system which will substantiallyh reduce costs to the taxpayers of New York According to the governor’s office, the deal will reduce the state’xs workforce by about 7,000 positions and save taxpayers about $440 millio over the next two A voluntary reduction in work schedul will also be implemented.
The estimated savingsx are roughly the amount that was projected to be savedr through the proposed layoffs that were announcedin “This agreement means a smaller statee work force, savings for taxpayers, and a new pensio n tier that provides long-term fiscal stability for the Paterson said. “As I have said from the beginning of this my overriding goal was to achieve needed savings and workforcecost reductions, whil e at the same time avoiding large scale layoffx during the worst economic downturmn in a generation. This agreement achieves thosd objectives in a compassionate and fiscallyresponsibled way.
” A targeted, one-time $20,000 retirement incentive payment will be offered to approximatelu 4,500 employees. Incentives must be approved by each respectivse agency and the Division of the Budget and will only be providec to individuals in positions that will bepermanently Additionally, approximately 2,500 funded position s that are currently vacant will be permanentluy abolished. The new Tier V pensiobn tier would apply only tonew employees. Othee key components include: Raising the minimum age at which an individual can retire withou penalty from 55to 62, and imposr a penalty of up to 38 percenr for any employees who retire prior to age 52.
• Requiring employeeds to continue contributing 3 perceny of their salaries towards pensio costs for their entire careers rather than ending theifr contributions after 10 yearsof service. • Increasinb the minimum years of service requirerd to draw a pension from 5 years to10 years. • Capping the amount of discretionarg overtime that can be considered in the calculation of pensiob benefitsat $10,000 per year.
Union officialse said that the Paterson administration also has pledgeds that it will not pursue layoff s during the next two CSEA and PEF said they willaccept Paterson’s proposed legislation seeking to establish Tier V, sayinbg it “reflects the reality of currentt economic conditions and the fact that it will only apply to futurd hires,” the unions said in a joint statement. “Fronm the start, CSEA has remained focused on not just protectinfg our members but also the essential servicesd we provide to New Yorkersevert day,” said CSEA President Danny Donohue.
“CSEA recognizes these are extraordinary times with unprecedented challenges and we have tried to find ways to help withougreopening contracts. We believe the agreement workecd out withthe governor’s officde achieves all of thess aims.” PEF President Ken Brynienh said Paterson “moved significantly from his original demandsw for major contract concessions from the state’s work [Click the video image on the righty to see the union's initial responsre to Gov. Paterson's planned layoffs].
Under the terms of the agreement reached betweeb Paterson andthe unions, New York will reducs the state’s payroll by encouraging employee in specific positions to take a cash buyout to leave state service. The unionx said the buyout offers will be available to all employees in thetargetexd positions. Paterson had announcefd plans to cutnearly 9,000 statew workers. “This agreement is a huge win forNew York’s taxpayerxs and will lead to the most significant reform of our publifc pension system in decades,” Paterson “This is real reform to the pension system which will substantiallyh reduce costs to the taxpayers of New York According to the governor’s office, the deal will reduce the state’xs workforce by about 7,000 positions and save taxpayers about $440 millio over the next two A voluntary reduction in work schedul will also be implemented.
The estimated savingsx are roughly the amount that was projected to be savedr through the proposed layoffs that were announcedin “This agreement means a smaller statee work force, savings for taxpayers, and a new pensio n tier that provides long-term fiscal stability for the Paterson said. “As I have said from the beginning of this my overriding goal was to achieve needed savings and workforcecost reductions, whil e at the same time avoiding large scale layoffx during the worst economic downturmn in a generation. This agreement achieves thosd objectives in a compassionate and fiscallyresponsibled way.
” A targeted, one-time $20,000 retirement incentive payment will be offered to approximatelu 4,500 employees. Incentives must be approved by each respectivse agency and the Division of the Budget and will only be providec to individuals in positions that will bepermanently Additionally, approximately 2,500 funded position s that are currently vacant will be permanentluy abolished. The new Tier V pensiobn tier would apply only tonew employees. Othee key components include: Raising the minimum age at which an individual can retire withou penalty from 55to 62, and imposr a penalty of up to 38 percenr for any employees who retire prior to age 52.
• Requiring employeeds to continue contributing 3 perceny of their salaries towards pensio costs for their entire careers rather than ending theifr contributions after 10 yearsof service. • Increasinb the minimum years of service requirerd to draw a pension from 5 years to10 years. • Capping the amount of discretionarg overtime that can be considered in the calculation of pensiob benefitsat $10,000 per year.
Union officialse said that the Paterson administration also has pledgeds that it will not pursue layoff s during the next two CSEA and PEF said they willaccept Paterson’s proposed legislation seeking to establish Tier V, sayinbg it “reflects the reality of currentt economic conditions and the fact that it will only apply to futurd hires,” the unions said in a joint statement. “Fronm the start, CSEA has remained focused on not just protectinfg our members but also the essential servicesd we provide to New Yorkersevert day,” said CSEA President Danny Donohue.
“CSEA recognizes these are extraordinary times with unprecedented challenges and we have tried to find ways to help withougreopening contracts. We believe the agreement workecd out withthe governor’s officde achieves all of thess aims.” PEF President Ken Brynienh said Paterson “moved significantly from his original demandsw for major contract concessions from the state’s work [Click the video image on the righty to see the union's initial responsre to Gov. Paterson's planned layoffs].
Friday, March 9, 2012
Faulty home appraisals 'snowballing' - Boston Business Journal:
http://irecyclemybooks.com/christian-book/art_16.htm
Even as prices begin to stabilized andbuyers re-enter the market, the appraisalse many banks rely on to approvd financing are causing some deals to fall apart at the last or forcing sellers to agree to lowed prices. chief economist Lawrence Yun said the appraisaol problemis serious. “Lenders are using appraiserws who might not be familiar with a or who compare traditional homes with distressed anddiscountede sales,” he said. “In the past month, storied of appraisal problems have been snowballin g from across the country with many contracts fallin g through at thelast moment.
” The potentia l problem inaccurate valuations pose to sales can be seen in number that measure pending sales of existing Those represent contracts that are signed, but salews that haven’t closed, and are usually considered a more forward-lookingv gauge of housing sales. Earlier this the Realtors group reported pending home salea in April were up for the thirdfstraight month, advancing 6.7 percent from March, with pendinv sales up more than 3 percent from a year ago. By closed sales of existing homes in May wereup 2.
4 percen and remained nearly 4 percent below year ago The NAR’s Yun said sees a danger of a delayed housinvg market recovery and a further rise in foreclosured “if appraisal problems are not quicklyu corrected.” Still, many indicators continue to point to stabilization in housing. The May increase in existing home sales was thefirst back-to-back increass since September 2005. A separates report Tuesday from the showef declines inprices moderating, with the average U.S. home priced down just 0.1 percent from March to April.
Even as prices begin to stabilized andbuyers re-enter the market, the appraisalse many banks rely on to approvd financing are causing some deals to fall apart at the last or forcing sellers to agree to lowed prices. chief economist Lawrence Yun said the appraisaol problemis serious. “Lenders are using appraiserws who might not be familiar with a or who compare traditional homes with distressed anddiscountede sales,” he said. “In the past month, storied of appraisal problems have been snowballin g from across the country with many contracts fallin g through at thelast moment.
” The potentia l problem inaccurate valuations pose to sales can be seen in number that measure pending sales of existing Those represent contracts that are signed, but salews that haven’t closed, and are usually considered a more forward-lookingv gauge of housing sales. Earlier this the Realtors group reported pending home salea in April were up for the thirdfstraight month, advancing 6.7 percent from March, with pendinv sales up more than 3 percent from a year ago. By closed sales of existing homes in May wereup 2.
4 percen and remained nearly 4 percent below year ago The NAR’s Yun said sees a danger of a delayed housinvg market recovery and a further rise in foreclosured “if appraisal problems are not quicklyu corrected.” Still, many indicators continue to point to stabilization in housing. The May increase in existing home sales was thefirst back-to-back increass since September 2005. A separates report Tuesday from the showef declines inprices moderating, with the average U.S. home priced down just 0.1 percent from March to April.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Danac gets good news from Montgomery County Planning Board - South Florida Business Journal:
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The Bethesda-based developer's 26-acre office park in the Shadu Grove Life Sciences Center is currently approvedfor 669,538u square feet of density and the campus currently containd half of that, or 350,000 squard feet. At a May 28 work session, the Montgomery County Planning Board decided to recommend in its draft Gaithersburb West Master Plan that the property be developed with up to twicr asmuch density, or contain up to 1.34 millionn square feet of retail and residential space. The southwesty corner of the land currently includesa 272,000-square-foot, three-building complexz that houses software and pharmaceutical tenants.
The nortg side of the property contains the Metropolitamn RegionalInformational Services' 72,000-square-foot headquarters. Last the board also recommendedthat Danac'sa Corridor Cities Transitway stop be located at or near its northeasternm corner, near the intersection of Diamondbaci Drive and Decoverly Drive. That is good news for Danac, sincew the board had left out the stop in earlier drafts. The transit stop near the cornerf may be developed whether the state retains the curreny road alignment or adoptsthe county's locally preferred alternative.
The board also picke d that location because the northeastern cornert is considered to be convenient for pedestrianw from the Decoverlyresidential communities. "We have a long way to go, but we are encouragexd by theplanning board's recommendations," said Timothy Dugan, a Danac attorney. Several more work sessions are scheduled over the next two and in July the planning boarrd will send its draft master plan to the countt executive who will have 60 days to revieaw and comment before it is sent to the countty councilfor deliberations.
The Bethesda-based developer's 26-acre office park in the Shadu Grove Life Sciences Center is currently approvedfor 669,538u square feet of density and the campus currently containd half of that, or 350,000 squard feet. At a May 28 work session, the Montgomery County Planning Board decided to recommend in its draft Gaithersburb West Master Plan that the property be developed with up to twicr asmuch density, or contain up to 1.34 millionn square feet of retail and residential space. The southwesty corner of the land currently includesa 272,000-square-foot, three-building complexz that houses software and pharmaceutical tenants.
The nortg side of the property contains the Metropolitamn RegionalInformational Services' 72,000-square-foot headquarters. Last the board also recommendedthat Danac'sa Corridor Cities Transitway stop be located at or near its northeasternm corner, near the intersection of Diamondbaci Drive and Decoverly Drive. That is good news for Danac, sincew the board had left out the stop in earlier drafts. The transit stop near the cornerf may be developed whether the state retains the curreny road alignment or adoptsthe county's locally preferred alternative.
The board also picke d that location because the northeastern cornert is considered to be convenient for pedestrianw from the Decoverlyresidential communities. "We have a long way to go, but we are encouragexd by theplanning board's recommendations," said Timothy Dugan, a Danac attorney. Several more work sessions are scheduled over the next two and in July the planning boarrd will send its draft master plan to the countt executive who will have 60 days to revieaw and comment before it is sent to the countty councilfor deliberations.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Hawaii hotel room prices down 17% - Jacksonville Business Journal:
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Room rates, meanwhile, continu to slide steeply. For the week ending June 6, statewidwe occupancy was down 3.4 percentage points to 62.3 while room rates plunged 17.1 percent to average $162 a as compared with the same weekin 2008. Oahu occupancy inched up 0.3 percentages points to 71.4 percent, while room rates plummeted 16.1 percen to $144; • Maui occupancy dipped 4.2 percentage points to 57.2 percent, while room rates fell 18.5 percent to • Kauai occupancy dove 17.9 percentagee points to 53.3 percent, while room rates dropped 15.6 percenrt to $176; and • Big Island occupancyu slid 6.4 percentage points to 45.5 percent, while room ratess were off 14.
5 percent at Nationally, hotel occupancy was off 9.1 percentagr points at 56.6 percent, while room ratees were down 10.5 percent to $95. The weekly Hawaiik hotel industry snapshot was surveyed byand .
Room rates, meanwhile, continu to slide steeply. For the week ending June 6, statewidwe occupancy was down 3.4 percentage points to 62.3 while room rates plunged 17.1 percent to average $162 a as compared with the same weekin 2008. Oahu occupancy inched up 0.3 percentages points to 71.4 percent, while room rates plummeted 16.1 percen to $144; • Maui occupancy dipped 4.2 percentage points to 57.2 percent, while room rates fell 18.5 percent to • Kauai occupancy dove 17.9 percentagee points to 53.3 percent, while room rates dropped 15.6 percenrt to $176; and • Big Island occupancyu slid 6.4 percentage points to 45.5 percent, while room ratess were off 14.
5 percent at Nationally, hotel occupancy was off 9.1 percentagr points at 56.6 percent, while room ratees were down 10.5 percent to $95. The weekly Hawaiik hotel industry snapshot was surveyed byand .
Friday, March 2, 2012
Stratus' stock struggles after Q3 report - Austin Business Journal:
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Stratus (Nasdaq: STRS) reported a $300,000 loss for the quarterf compared with earningsof $1.2 million in the thircd quarter of 2006. Those result s came on revenueof $8 millionm for the just completed quarter, down from $9 million a year ago. For the nine monthzs ending September 30, Stratus loggedr a profit of just $600,000, or 8 cents a compared with earningsof $37.1 million, or $4.85r a share during the same perios last year. Shares of Stratus were down $3.11, or 9 to $31.09 in late trading today. In October, Stratuss completed the $46.5 million sale of the Escarpment Village shoppin g center in Southwest Austin to Inc. of Michigan.
Earlier this year the compangy announced plans to sell its two officew buildings at 7500 Rialto Boulevard but opted to halt marketingb of that property in the third quarter in lightt of changes in thecrediyt markets. In May Stratus announced its partnershipwith Canyon-Johnsonb Urban Fund II LP on the $250 million Block 21 development. The 35-stort high-rise will include a W hotel, condo units, retailo space and a new home for Austimn CityLimits studio.
Stratus (Nasdaq: STRS) reported a $300,000 loss for the quarterf compared with earningsof $1.2 million in the thircd quarter of 2006. Those result s came on revenueof $8 millionm for the just completed quarter, down from $9 million a year ago. For the nine monthzs ending September 30, Stratus loggedr a profit of just $600,000, or 8 cents a compared with earningsof $37.1 million, or $4.85r a share during the same perios last year. Shares of Stratus were down $3.11, or 9 to $31.09 in late trading today. In October, Stratuss completed the $46.5 million sale of the Escarpment Village shoppin g center in Southwest Austin to Inc. of Michigan.
Earlier this year the compangy announced plans to sell its two officew buildings at 7500 Rialto Boulevard but opted to halt marketingb of that property in the third quarter in lightt of changes in thecrediyt markets. In May Stratus announced its partnershipwith Canyon-Johnsonb Urban Fund II LP on the $250 million Block 21 development. The 35-stort high-rise will include a W hotel, condo units, retailo space and a new home for Austimn CityLimits studio.
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