POSTED: 10:50 pm EST February 14, 2012
UPDATED: 7:33 am EST February 15, 2012

PITTSBURGH -- Residents at a community meeting on the Southside Tuesday night said they're sick of revelers partying and leaving messes behind."You feel like you're a prisoner in your own house," said Southside resident Rob Frank. "Everybody that lives here can probably say the same thing."The homeowners said they don't want to pay for extra security and cleanup."I think the burden of this is being put on the wrong people," one resident said. "It shouldn't be put on the homeowners. I'm not the one peeing in front of my house at night. I'm not the one tearing the bushes out of my yard at night.""It's always scary to think about paying more money," said neighborhood outreach coordinator Susie Puskar. "Realistically, the city isn't going to be able to do any more for the Southside. The Southside has already achieved a certain level of success, and at this point, if people want to see more services, they need to be able to have that control themselves."The residents at the meeting came up with a plan of action called the Southside Improvement District.Property owners, both residential and commercial, would pay an annual fee to receive regular security, litter cleanup, power washing and other services.The fees would be based on the total assessed value of the properties, but they wouldn't be more than $480 annually for residential property owners. Copyright 2012 by WTAE. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

More here:
Community Meets About Mess On Southside

STOCKHOLM--(BUSINESSWIRE)-- Regulatory News:

In preparation for the Electrolux (STO:ELUXA)(STO:ELUXB) Annual General Meeting on March 27, the Electrolux Nomination Committee proposes the election of Ronnie Leten and Fredrik Persson as new Board members. The Committee also proposes re-election of Marcus Wallenberg, Lorna Davis, Hasse Johansson, Keith McLoughlin, Ulrika Saxon, Torben Ballegaard Sørensen and Barbara Milian Thoralfsson. Peggy Bruzelius and John S. Lupo have declined re-election to the Board.

Ronnie Leten is President and CEO of Atlas Copco AB, an industrial group with world-leading positions in compressors, expanders and air treatment systems, construction and mining equipment, power tools and assembly systems. For more than 25 years he has served in different executive positions within Atlas Copco, and he has been in his present role since 2009. Leten, born 1956, is a Belgian citizen and holds a Master of Science in Applied Economics from the University of Hasselt, Belgium.

Fredrik Persson is President and CEO of Axel Johnson AB, a group that builds and develops businesses within retail trading and trading-related services in the European market. He is Board Chairman and board member of several companies in the Axel Johnson Group, including Axfood AB, Axstores AB and Mekonomen AB. He is also board member of the Swedish Trade Federation (Svensk Handel), the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise (Svenskt Näringsliv), Svenska Handelsbanken Regionbanken Stockholm and Lancelot Holding AB. Persson, born 1968, is a Swedish citizen and holds a Master of Science in Economics from the Stockholm School of Economics.

The Electrolux Nomination Committee comprises Petra Hedengran (Chairman), Investor AB; Kaj Thorén, Alecta; Marianne Nilsson, Swedbank Robur funds; and Ingrid Bonde, AMF. The committee also includes Marcus Wallenberg and Peggy Bruzelius, Chairman and Deputy Chairman, respectively, of Electrolux.

Electrolux may be required to disclose the information provided herein pursuant to the Securities Market Act. The information was submitted for publication at 09.00 CET on February 15, 2012.

Electrolux is a global leader in household appliances and appliances for professional use, selling more than 40 million products to customers in more than 150 markets every year. The company makes thoughtfully designed, innovative solutions based on extensive consumer research, meeting the desires of today's consumers and professionals. Electrolux products include refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines, cookers, air conditioners and small appliances such as vacuum cleaners, all sold under esteemed brands like Electrolux, AEG, Eureka and Frigidaire. In 2011 Electrolux had sales of SEK 102 billion and 58,000 employees. For more information go to http://www.electrolux.com/press and http://www.electrolux.com/news.

This information was brought to you by Cision http://www.cisionwire.com

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Ronnie Leten and Fredrik Persson proposed new Board members of Electrolux

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Feb. 14, 2012) - VMS Ventures Inc. (TSX VENTURE:VMS.V - News) ("VMS") is pleased to announce the results of a two-hole drill program and mechanical trenching on its 100%-owned Black Creek property. Two new zones of mineralization have been discovered.

Neil Richardson, VMS' Chief Operating Officer, states: "I am pleased with the results from our first phase of drilling and channel sampling on the Black Creek project. The VTEM anomaly tested by BC-11-002 has a strike length of 900 metres and is open at depth. The new base metal showing indicates the potential of a permeable breccia zone along the margin of the Cartier Batholith. Additional work is planned for 2012, including additional drilling, trenching and prospecting."

A total of 342 metres were drilled to test two separate Versatile Time-Domain Electromagnetic (VTEM) airborne geophysical anomalies with coincident magnetic highs. Hole BC-11-002 intersected 8.90 metres of 1.00 g/t Au, in a heterolithologic fragmental unit at the contact with an oxide to sulphide facies iron formation. Locally, the oxide facies iron formation is sulphidized and is mineralized with pyrite, pyrrhotite and minor chalcopyrite. A sulphide rich interval within the iron formation assayed 2.43% copper over 0.40 metres.

A new base metal showing was discovered in the central portion of the property by prospector John Brady. An excavator was utilized to remove overburden, followed by power washing of the outcrop, geological mapping and channel sampling. Highlights from the channel sample assays include 4.77% zinc, 1.17% copper, 23 g/t silver and 0.85% lead. This fracture-controlled mineralization is hosted by a gossanous andesitic unit within an intrusive marginal breccia zone of the Cartier Batholith, see figure #1 below.

To view Figure 1 associated with this news release, please click the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/VMSFig%201.pdf.

Black Creek Assay Data

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hole
Number From (m) To (m) Length (m) Cu % Zn % Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Zone
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
BC-11-001 No Significant Assays
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
BC-11-002 70.10 79.00 8.90 0.01 0.01 1.00 1.00 10
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(i) True widths unknown
Black Creek Collar Information
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
UTM
UTM UTM Elevation Azimuth Length
Hole Number East (1) North (1) (1) (2) Dip (metres)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
BC-11-001 504774.00 5186200.00 357.00 280.00 -45.00 162.00
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
BC-11-002 503002.00 5186803.00 336.00 250.00 -50.00 180.00
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Universal Transverse Mercator/North American Datum 1983/Zone 17
(2) "Azimuth" is degrees from True North

The Black Creek property is located 20 km north of the town of Capreol, Ontario, and consists of 63 claim blocks covering an area of approximately 1,501 hectares. Two (2) diamond drill holes were completed for a total of 342 metres in this first phase of drilling. Additional follow-up work on this project is scheduled for summer 2012 with mechanical trenching, prospecting and drilling.

For additional details on exploration on our Black Creek property, see VMS' press releases issued between April 6, 2010 and October 26, 2011, available at http://www.vmsventures.com.

Qualified Person

All technical information in this release has been reviewed by Dr. Mark Fedikow, P.Geo, who is the Qualified Person for the Company and Vice President of Exploration and Technical Services, VMS Ventures Inc.

Quality Assurance and Quality Control

Exploration core drilling was BQTK size. The core was logged and mineralized intersections were marked for sampling and assaying by geologists and geotechnicians employed by VMS Ventures Inc. The marked intersections or intervals were sawn in half by a diamond saw and one half of the core was placed in plastic bags and tagged with unique sample numbers, while the second half was returned to the core box and stored. Chemical analyses reported in this press release were performed by ALS Chemex Laboratories in Vancouver, BC, where it was dried, crushed and pulverized and a 250-gram sample was prepared for assaying. From each 250 gram sample 0.50 grams was removed and leached in aqua regia and analyzed by ICP-AES for Ag, Cu, Zn, As, Pb, Ni and Fe. Gold was analyzed by fire assay using a 30g charge, with gravimetric finish. Sampling and analytical procedures are subject to a comprehensive Quality Assurance and Quality Control program that includes duplicate samples, blanks and analytical standards.

About VMS Ventures Inc.

VMS Ventures Inc. is focused primarily on acquiring, exploring and developing copper-zinc-gold-silver massive sulphide deposits in the Flin Flon-Snow Lake VMS Belt of Manitoba. The Company's VMS project property portfolio consists of the Reed Copper Project, McClarty Lake Project, Sails Lake Project, Puella Bay Project and Morton Lake Project. Outside of the Snow Lake camp, the Company holds massive sulphide prospective properties near the past producing Fox Lake and Ruttan copper-zinc mines, near the communities of Lynn Lake and Leaf Rapids in northern Manitoba. These properties are located in the mining friendly province of Manitoba, Canada. The Company also has optioned three properties in the Sudbury mining camp. They are Terra Incognita, Golden Pine and Black Creek.

VMS Ventures owns approximately 45% of North American Nickel Inc. (TSX VENTURE:NAN.V - News). For more information on North American Nickel Inc., please visit http://www.northamericannickel.com.

Forward-Looking Statement

Some of the statements contained herein may be forward-looking statements which involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Without limitation, statements regarding potential mineralization and resources, exploration results, and future plans and objectives of the Company are forward-looking statements that involve various risks. The following are important factors that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements: changes in the world wide price of mineral commodities, general market conditions, risks inherent in mineral exploration, risks associated with development, construction and mining operations, the uncertainty of future profitability and the uncertainty of access to additional capital. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events may differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. VMS Ventures Inc. undertakes no obligation to update such forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

John Roozendaal, President

VMS Ventures Inc.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

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VMS Ventures Drills 8.90 Metres of 1.00 g/t Gold in Hole BC-11-002 and Mechanical Trenching Uncovers Base Metal ...

ALBANY, New York, February 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

New Report Added in ResearchMoz Reports Database China Thermal Power Generation Industry, 2011

China thermal power generation Industry, 2011 is valuable for anyone who wants to invest in the thermal power generation industry, to get Chinese investments; to import into China or export from China, to build factories and take advantage of lower costs in China, to partner with one of the key Chinese corporations, to get market shares as China is boosting its domestic needs; to forecast the future of the world economy as China is leading the way; or to compete in the segment. The report provides in-depth analysis and detailed insight into the thermal power generation industry, market drivers, key enterprises and their strategies, as well as technologies and investment status, risks and trends.

Browse the full Report:  http://www.researchmoz.com/china-thermal-power-generation-industry-2011-report.html 

Browse All  Thermal Power Market  Research Reports  http://www.researchmoz.com/thermal-power-market.htm 

Data sources: Governmental statistics organizations, market research (monitoring) centers, industry associations and institutions, import and export statistics organizations, and others. 

This report is divided into 9 parts 19 chapters as follow: 

Part 1 Industry Overview 
1 Industry definition and development overview
2 Industry macroscopic environment and its influence analysis
3 Industry international market analysis 
4 Industry domestic market analysis

Part 2 Basic indices
5 Analysis of the industry's scale and condition: 2006-2010 
6 Status analysis of gross assets analysis: 2006-2010 

Part 3 Economic operation 
7 Analysis of gross industrial output: 2006-2010 
8 Industry sales income analysis: 2006-2010 
9 Industry gross profit analysis
10 Industry import/export analysis in 2010 

Part 4 Competition landscape 
11 Industry competition landscape analysis
12 Industry key enterprises' competitive power comparison (top 20) 

Part 5 Key enterprises 
13 Comparative analysis of the economic indicators of the industry's key enterprises 

Part 6 Business strategy 
14. Development bottlenecks and coping strategies in Industry 
15 Enterprise development strategy analysis and recommendations in Industry 

Part 7 Market investment 
16 Comparison and analysis of investment activity coefficient and rate of return on investment in Industry 
17 Industry investment environment and risks analysis 

Part 8 Technology 
18 Status and trends of the newest technology applications in Industry 

Part 9 Developments and trends 
19 Development trends and operation capacity forecast for 2011-2015 

There are more than 150 figures and tables in the report.

Knowledge is power. If you want to invest in, import into/from, partner with, or compete against any of the companies in this field, then China thermal power generation Industry, 2011 is required reading.

Browse All  Energy MarketResearch  Reports & Industry Analysis
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ResearchMoz: China Thermal Power Generation Industry - Market Research Report

Once, when I was a small boy of six or seven years, my dad came home from work very tired and in need of rest. After supper, he said it sure would be nice if someone would wash his feet.

I volunteered to do the job, for I knew he would give me a dime. I got a pan of warm, soapy water and a clean cloth and gently washed his feet. My mother and dad told me I was doing a good job and I was glad to help my dad –– and get a dime!

Washing another’s feet is a humble task, and I doubt if many have ever had the experience. Jesus washed His disciple’s feet, as told in John, chapter 13.

Afterward, He said, “Do you understand what I have done for you? You call me teacher and Lord, and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I have washed your feet, you should wash one another’s feet. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”

Some Christians believe that Christ intended to institute a foot-washing ordinance to be practiced regularly. Most seem to interpret Christ’s action here as providing an example of humble service. Christians should be willing to perform the most menial services for one another. We should cultivate a servant-attitude in our personalities.

In my experience, I have known people who would do most anything to help someone else, whether it was some kind of work or providing food or clothing, even money.

I have also known those who would not help anyone and were very selfish. Those who helped others seemed to be happy and well-adjusted and with good attitudes. Jesus said we would be blessed if we served others, and this is incentive enough for me. However, we should never think that Christians serve others for personal gain or that they want something for their services. True Christians want to help others and be of service because they want to follow Jesus’ example and please Him.

They don’t want to be paid or paid back. If you want to do something, then follow their example and serve others yourself.

I realize there are people who are humble servants and are not Christians. I pray for them, for I know anyone with a servant’s heart surely loves his fellowman and must be a good person. There are many, today, who believe if they live their life being good, and if there is a God and a heaven, then they will surely go there when they die.

This idea sounds good and is logical, but it doesn’t agree with the teachings of God found in His Holy Word, the Bible. God, the mighty and righteous One, the only God there is, knew man could not be free of sin in his own power, so He gave us His great plan of salvation for all who would believe in Him through His Son, Jesus Christ (John 3:16, Eph. 2:8-9).

In this way, God reconciled Himself to a sinful world and to all mankind. There is no other way we can find forgiveness for our sins. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes unto the Father except by me.” (John 14:6).

We can’t be good enough to go to heaven, we can’t earn our way there, we can’t buy it or deserve it. Only through faith in Christ can we attain eternal life in heaven.

Is this too high a price to pay — our faith and trust in Christ and God’s forgiveness of our sins? It really isn’t a price at all, for salvation is the free gift of God through Jesus Christ. He paid it all when he died on the cross, so that we might have life and have it more abundantly (John 10:10).

Decide today to be a Christian and a servant of God. Then, surely goodness and mercy shall follow you all the days of your life, and you shall dwell in the house of the Lord, forever (Psalm 23:6). I pray you will.

More:
Christians are servants of the Lord — Jim Bell

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Feb. 8, 2012) - VMS Ventures Inc. (TSX VENTURE:VMS.V - News) ("VMS") today announced results from a mechanical trenching, outcrop power washing, mapping and sampling program at its 100% owned Sails Lake Property in northwestern Manitoba.

Neil Richardson, VMS' Chief Operating Officer, states: "I am pleased with the results from our channel sampling program at Sails Lake and look forward to incorporating these results into our 3D IP/geological model. The Long Zone mineralization is still open to the east and high grade samples from the M-Zone are not drill tested. Both areas warrant follow-up work."

The program was carried out in August of 2011 in three main areas of the property named the Long Zone, M-Zone and the E-Zone. Each area consists of numerous large trenches that expose gold mineralization in association with quartz vein and bedrock-hosted blocky and acicular arsenopyrite. Host rock to the gold mineralization is a multi-phase tonalite-gabbro intrusion. The mineralized zones are marked by Induced Polarization (IP) chargeability anomalies and well developed Mobile Metal Ions soil geochemical anomalies.

The Long Zone trench uncovered two sets of quartz veins. One set trends in a northeasterly direction, is mineralized with arsenopyrite and appears to be the host for the gold mineralization with values of up to 61.73 g/t gold. The second set trends north-northwesterly and is barren. Two previous holes drilled by VMS beneath the Long Zone trench assayed 1.21 g/t gold over 58.89 metres core length (DDH SA-10-007) and 1.48 g/t gold over 13.41 metres core length (DDH SA-11-013). Channel sample results from the current program will be incorporated with our 3D IP data and drill data in the upcoming months. Two additional trenches were excavated at locations 35 metres and 75 metres from the main trench at the Long Zone. These new trenches uncovered a large broad northeast-trending shear zone with lesser gold values of up to 0.31 g/t. This shear zone is interpreted to be a late feature and unrelated to the main gold mineralizing event.

The M and E Zone trenches exposed gold mineralization associated with quartz veins in a tonalite intrusion with values of up to 13.58 g/t. These gold values are associated with blocky to acicular arsenopyrite and similar to the Long Zone mineralization. Gold values are generally sporadic and correspond with the amount of quartz veins observed in outcrop. These veins are quartz-filled tension gash structures developed at the boundaries of the multi-phase tonalite intrusion.

The Sails Lake property is located 25 km east of the mining community of Snow Lake, Manitoba and consists of 8 claim blocks covering an area of approximately 1,900 hectares. Additional follow-up work on this project is warranted and will be reviewed in the upcoming months.

For additional details on exploration on our Sails Lake property, see VMS' press releases issued between January 24, 2007 and September 9, 2011, available at http://www.vmsventures.com.

Qualified Person

All technical information in this release has been reviewed by Dr. Mark Fedikow, P.Geo., who is the Qualified Person for the Company and Vice President of Exploration and Technical Services, VMS Ventures Inc.

Quality Assurance and Quality Control

Geological mapping was carried out at 1:100 scale by geologists and geotechnicians employed VMS Ventures Inc. Channel samples were marked on outcrop with spray paint and samples were cut with a portable diamond saw approx. 4cm thick and 5cm deep with the maximum sample length of 1.2 metres, but average 0.60 metres. The channel samples were then placed in plastic bags and tagged with a unique sample number. A metal tag with the sample number was placed in cross slots at the end of samples for future reference. Chemical analyses reported in this press release were performed by TSL Laboratories in Saskatoon, SK, where it was dried, crushed and pulverized and a 250-gram sample was prepared for assaying. Gold was analyzed by fire assay Atomic Absorption using a 30g charge, with gravimetric finish for assays greater than 3 g/t. Sampling and analytical procedures are subject to a comprehensive Quality Assurance and Quality Control program that includes blanks and analytical standards.

About VMS Ventures Inc.

VMS Ventures Inc. is focused primarily on acquiring, exploring and developing copper-zinc-gold-silver massive sulphide deposits in the Flin Flon-Snow Lake VMS Belt of Manitoba. The Company's VMS project property portfolio consists of the Reed Copper Project, McClarty Lake Project, Sails Lake Project, Puella Bay Project and Morton Lake Project. Outside of the Snow Lake camp, the Company holds massive sulphide prospective properties near the past producing Fox Lake and Ruttan copper-zinc mines, near the communities of Lynn Lake and Leaf Rapids in northern Manitoba. These properties are located in the mining friendly province of Manitoba, Canada. The Company also has optioned three properties in the Sudbury mining camp. They are Terra Incognita, Golden Pine and Black Creek.

VMS Ventures owns approximately 45% of North American Nickel Inc. (TSX VENTURE:NAN.V - News). For more information on North American Nickel Inc., please visit http://www.northamericannickel.com.

Forward-Looking Statement

Some of the statements contained herein may be forward-looking statements which involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Without limitation, statements regarding potential mineralization and resources, exploration results, and future plans and objectives of the Company are forward-looking statements that involve various risks. The following are important factors that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements: changes in the world wide price of mineral commodities, general market conditions, risks inherent in mineral exploration, risks associated with development, construction and mining operations, the uncertainty of future profitability and the uncertainty of access to additional capital. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events may differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. VMS Ventures Inc. undertakes no obligation to update such forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

John Roozendaal, President

VMS Ventures Inc.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

See original here:
VMS Ventures Trenching Program Returns Assays of Up to 61.73 g/t Gold at Its Sails Lake Property Near Snow Lake ...

Greg Dohler/The Gazette Hyattsville resident Bart Lawrence, a member of the Parent Teacher Association at Hyattsville Elementary School, organizes books in the school's library Saturday as part of a volunteer effort to make improvements to the school.

In the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet program Maurice Morris takes part in at Northwestern High School in Hyattsville, he is used to taking orders. But Saturday he had a new task that also required skill and focus: sanitizing and power washing cafeteria tables at Hyattsville Elementary School.

Morris, 15, was one of 210 volunteers — which included members of the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Navy, and parents and other community members — who put new mulch in the playground, painted the staff lounge, painted hallways, sanitized the kindergarten to second-grade classrooms, sanitized the cafeteria tables and reorganized the library.

?I wanted to come back because it?s good to see where you came from,? said Morris, a freshman at Northwestern and former Hyattsville Elementary student. ?It?s been a pretty good experience doing whatever we can to help others.?

Hyattsville Elementary Principal Jeanne Washburn said she was concerned that there would be a low turnout for the cleanup with meteorologists predicting snow and sleet Friday evening into Saturday morning.

?It?s all the things you want to do, but just don?t have enough time to,? Washburn said of the cleanup tasks. ?This has been a blessing to the Hyattsville community and the children of our school.?

As this year marks Hyattsville Elementary?s 95th anniversary, the service branches thought their efforts could provide an internal ?facelift? for the school, said Olivia Hunter with the Naval District Washington Regional Community Service Program. Last year, the joint services group cleaned up Rosa L. Parks Elementary School in Hyattsville. Saturday was the first service outreach at Hyattsville Elementary.

?Just like when you?re celebrating your 50th birthday, you want to do something special, we thought this provided us a good opportunity to do a special job for them,? Hunter said.

Colleen Aistis, the city of Hyattsville?s volunteer coordinator, helped arrange the event in conjunction with military coordinators.

?We?ve partnered with them for the past four or five years on projects throughout the city ... . I knew this would be a good fit,? Aistis said.

The Prince George?s County school system paid for painting supplies, and the city covered cleaning supply costs, Washburn said. The county school system?s maintenance staff helped prepare the building by priming walls for painting and installing new sinks, Washburn said.

Although she didn?t initially recognize Morris, Washburn said upon hearing his name, she was filled with pride.

?I?m so happy to see him today and proud of what he?s doing,? Washburn said.

Although the cleanup was scheduled for four hours, with nearly 90 minutes left, school officials had run out of tasks for volunteers.

?It was amazing to see a wall of people gathering here and willing to help our school,? said Bart Lawrence, the school?s PTA president.

Lawrence said one of the most significant efforts was done at the library where volunteers not only sanitized shelves but also put books in the correct location on the shelves — a task frequently left to parent volunteers.

?Our librarian, Linda Bradley, is here two days a week, and she handles the important things like working with the students so organizing the books and putting them on the shelves is secondary,? Lawrence said. ?It?s a well-used library, so this is a great thing for our students and Ms. Bradley.?

Hyattsville resident Christine Williams, helping to clean the library with her second-grade daughter, Ella, said with constant school budget cuts, volunteer efforts are essential.

?To have this as a resource for the kids is really important,? Williams said. ?They get to have a fresh coat of paint to the school walls to make it look better and to make them feel better about coming to school.?

jlyles@gazette.net

See more here:
Gazette.Net: Service members lead mission to clean Hyattsville Elementary School

Posted: Tuesday, February 7, 2012 12:00 am | Updated: 6:41 am, Tue Feb 7, 2012.

While walking through Downtown Lodi on Monday afternoon, business owner John Graffigna and Downtown Lodi Business Partnership Executive Director Jaime Watts occasionally stopped to point out where paint had almost completely chipped off lamp posts and dirt had discolored the sidewalks.

Graffigna, who owns Graffigna Fruit Company, and Watts are both in support of the formation of an improvement district to take care of a variety of maintenance issues in Downtown, including new coats of paint and power-washing the sidewalks.

"When you walk down the street or drive by it looks charming, but if you really look, it needs a lot of (tender loving care). ... It's the little details. If you power-washed everything, got the lights working and put plants in the pots, it would make a world of difference," Watts said.

A group of Downtown property owners are considering forming a Property and Business Improvement District, or a PBID. The district would consist of a group of property owners that vote to assess themselves an annual fee and then use the money to make improvements in Downtown.

The money is managed through a non-profit board made up of the property owners who have full control over how the money is spent, Watts said. It can go for regular maintenance, improved security, capital improvement projects or marketing the district.

The city, which owns property throughout Downtown, will also be required to pay an assessment, Watts said.

Property owners plan to hold a meeting on Thursday to share what type of projects they would want the PBID to do in Downtown. They are working with Civitas, a Sacramento-based consulting firm, to learn about the process to create the district.

The owners will likely decide at this meeting whether there is enough support to hire Civitas and move forward with the process, Watts said. She estimates it will cost about $100,000 to establish the district.

"The whole process is flexible," she said. "We are custom designing a plan that will work for everybody in Downtown."

John Della Monica, who owns DellaMonica Snyder Architects on Pine Street, said he knows many of the property owners would like to see uniform signage directing tourists from the highways to Downtown.

Della Monica also would like to see some of the improvements, like the sidewalks on School Street, expanded to other streets like Pine and Sacramento. He said it will make all of Downtown feel more integrated.

"It will just make it more viable in terms of the downtown core. Great downtowns have solid cores, but they also have the ancillary places tied to them, which makes walking around really nice," Della Monica said.

Della Monica said the appeal of the PBID is that the property owners will have full control over the money.

All of the property owners that assessed themselves to conduct the original Downtown improvements about 15 years ago finished paying their assessment in September, city spokesman Jeff Hood said.

The idea for a PBID originally started in 2006 with former City Manager Blair King, who suggested it as a way of keeping up with maintenance, Watts said. She often hears that the city of Lodi or the DLBP should pay for maintenance in Downtown, but the reality is that they do not have the money, Watts said.

Hood said it is up to the property owners if they want to create the district, and that it would pay for more services than the city can afford.

"The level of service in Downtown would be significantly higher than in other parts of the city where those amenities don't exist," he said.

One option on the table is that the property owners could decide to take on some of the tasks of the DLBP and the two could gradually merge into one organization, Watts said. The two organizations could also co-exist, she said, depending on what plan emerges.

The PBID would provide a more stable source of funding than the DLBP, Watts said. One of the main reasons is because business owners often will not pay their assessment if they are going out of business, while property owners are forced to pay regardless of whether they have tenants in the building.

The city also is required to pay a set amount for its properties, as opposed to now, where the Lodi City Council decides every year how much to give the DLBP. Since the DLBP was founded in 1998, the city's funding for the organization has been slashed in half, Watts said. Donations and sponsorships have also drastically shrunk with the economy.

"It needs to be done. There was a huge investment in Downtown, and for us to let it go is reckless and irresponsible," Watts said.

PBIDs have been used in a variety of districts, including small towns or large cities with hundreds of businesses, Civitas project manager Verna Sulpizio said. The goal of the districts is to go above and beyond what city services can provide, Sulpizio said.

"City budgets can fluctuate. While they are required to give a certain amount of services to an area, that can change year-to-year. PBIDs give property owners more control over what type of services their area receives," Sulpizio said.

Because property owners create the district, as opposed to business owners, there is usually uniform vision, she said.

"Property owners can look through a longer lens and think longer-term for the district, as opposed to a merchant who is looking for their next sale," Sulpizio said.

For Graffigna, whose family has owned property in Downtown for 60 years, the main concern is making sure that Downtown remains viable for business owners and customers.

"Keeping Downtown clean promotes business and can help us rent out some of the empty spaces. ... We need to make things a little more inviting for people to come down," he said.

Watts said that improving Downtown's appearance it will also help with local events.

"We spend all this time and energy putting on events, and we need to make sure the backdrop is beautiful," she said.

Contact reporter Maggie Creamer at maggiec@lodinews.com. Read her blog at http://www.lodinews.com/blogs/citybuzz.

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