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Published: Friday, January 17, 2014

New construction harming existing Everett businesses

By Noah Haglund Herald Writer

EVERETT They welcomed the arrival of new neighbors to a traditionally industrial patch of downtown.

But road tie-ups from construction of a hotel and farmers market going up between Grand Avenue and West Marine View Drive have hurt nearby businesses.

A boat-repair shop in September sued the developer over access to a public alley. Two other neighbors a hydraulics business and suspension shop on Grand Avenue have seen walk-in business dry up with repeated road closures.

They also fault the city for doing a poor job coordinating the work.

"We need the alley to get the boats in and out," said Tim Caudill, owner of Cascade Marine Service. "My major frustration was that I couldn't get the city to do anything to verify what was going on with the alley."

Everett spokeswoman Meghan Pembroke said public works officials tried to balance the needs of the development and existing businesses.

Among other measures, the city required the developer to coordinate construction with neighbors. That was an explicit requirement of lane-closure permits.

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New construction harming existing Everett businesses

Despite ongoing conflict between corporate authorities, construction on the Market Basket at the former Polaroid site will continue and the store could open by years end, according to the developers attorney.

Construction at 1265 Main St. was suspended in early September when developers stopped receiving consistent payments.

The hiccup in operations was a result of an ongoing power struggle between company president Arthur T. Demoulas and his cousin, board member Arthur S. Demoulas. Construction continued at the site, however, at the end of September, with the exception of Market Basket.

Last month after a board meeting, the Demoulas Supermarkets (DSM) Board of Directors gave authorization to sign a lease with site developers, securing Market Baskets space and allowing construction to continue.

Since that [meeting] we were notified by the board that they approved the lease, said Scott Lang, attorney for Retail Management and Development Inc. Since the board approved the lease, the focus has been on the co-tenants and getting the project moving ahead to meet construction deadlines.

The board started a website and wrote that it authorized management to sign the lease that would allow the project to proceed.

"Its great news for the city, Mayor Jeannette McCarthy said. Its a huge economic project for the city that means jobs and Im very happy its going forward because we put a lot ofworkinto it to assist them."

In a Dec. 18 letter addressed to associates and the public, board members wrote that they told management to proceed with the opening of Attleboro, and that other projects have issues that still need to be addressed and resolved by management.

The lease agreement secures Market Baskets space at 1265 Main, which means developers will not need to seek out a new tenant, according to Lang.

Despite multiple attempts, DSM board director and attorney Keith Cowan could not be reached for comment. The listed Market Basket corporate headquarters phone number went straight to a message saying its switchboard was closed.

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Waltham Market Basket construction moving forward again

For a split second, life seems to stop when the power goes out. Appliances stop humming, televisions go silent, and computers turn dark. Our lives are so connected to electricity that it is a bit disconcerting when that connection is broken.

According to Westar Energy, the most common causes of power outages in this area are failed equipment, wildlife, vegetation, and extreme weather. Senior Communication Representative Erin La Row said, Its important to note that outage causes are often related. In many cases, trees, wildlife and weather related factors may have contributed to the equipment failing. Or lightning may have caused a tree to fall onto a power line.

How long your home will be without power depends on the cause. For extreme weather outages, Westar said restoration time in the Topeka region was, on average, about 71 minutes in 2012 through 2013. For the companys entire territory, the average was 309 minutes, longer primarily because Topeka didnt experience the extreme weather events that took place in other areas.

Of course, weather disasters such as tornadoes and ice storms can cause outages that last days or weeks. La Row noted, It may be a matter of completely rebuilding parts of the electrical system. We hope these severe storms are few and far between, but these are the instances where having a storm kit and plan in place can be most beneficial.

Think Ahead

To make life easier should the power go out, plan ahead. Start by putting together a storm kit that includes:

Emergency phone numbers

A list of each family members date of birth, social security number, and medical information

Flashlight and extra batteries

A battery-powered or wind-up alarm clock

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At Home: Prepare in advance for power outages

White Plains, NY (PRWEB) January 17, 2014

During the winter months, having a clean air duct system in the home is important. EnviroGreen Restoration, a cleaning restoration and remediation company servicing the Tri-State area, has some tips and advice for homeowners on proper air duct maintenance.

Over time, air ducts will get dirty and they should be cleaned for the best health and safety of the family within the home. This is especially true during the winter months when homes are closed up and dirt and particles trapped in a dirty air duct system can circulate and cause sickness.

Its important for home and business owners to choose an air duct cleaning company with experience and expertise. When an air duct system isnt cleaned properly, it can cause indoor air problems and release more dirt, dust and other contaminants into the air. Improper cleaning can also cause damage to air ducts, resulting in costly repairs.

Technicians may also need to cut access holes into the duct systems. Closing up these holes properly requires professional skills and technicians will need to know what theyre doing. This is another reason why its vital to choose a reputable company that is BBB accredited.

EnviroGreen Restoration is a locally owned and operated company that has been providing the Tri-State area with its green cleaning and restoration services for decades. Their technicians are experienced and professional, providing home and business owners with peace of mind.

To connect with EnviroGreen and to stay updated on news, please visit their Facebook page for more information: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Envirogreen-Restoration/196768130516351?ref=stream.

About the company: EnviroGreen is a leading, accredited "green-certified" cleaning restoration and remediation company servicing the Tri-State Area for decades. Using non-toxic cleaning solutions, they clean air ducts, exhaust vents and more in homes and businesses. They offer basement waterproofing and mold remediation services for the health of customers, their families and their employees. Give EnviroGreen a call today for an estimate, (914) 559-2500.

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EnviroGreen Restoration Offers Air Duct Cleaning Advice

By Katie Schoolov

Above: The San Diego River is one of the regions most scenic and historic treasures. Its also the birth place of California. But one San Diego group says its in need of a rebirth. They dream of a river-long system of parks and trails. KPBS reporter Susan Murphy tells us first, theyre working to clear a path through all the trash.

It's warm and dry, the middle of a mid-week morning, as Richie Aguilera looks for all the world like a fishing guide leading his band to the banks of the San Diego River.

But they're not carrying poles and bait boxes. Instead they've got black garbage bags and sharp, metal sticks ideal for snatching up trash.

"Were going to be in this area; and then if I can get a person or two, maybe you and Alex to help me scout out the other side," he says.

They're not here to pull fish from the historic waterway; they're harvesting trash, hoping to restore the river to its once-scenic splendor.

"Im willing to have a hand on this tarp here if anyone is willing to come over here with me," calls out one volunteer, balancing on a log as she retrieves debris from the river-bottom.

This small group is among thousands of volunteers credited with pulling 1.6 million pounds of trash from the river over the past six years.

Their main challenge? The refuse (and worse) left behind by homeless souls drawn to the river's edge by its seclusion and promise of a respite from hard times, however brief.

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San Diego River Restoration Involves Clearing Homeless, And Their Trash

No public money is available to build a replacement leisure centre and swimming pool in Shrewsbury should a 40 million five-star hotel get the go-ahead in The Quarry, Shropshire Council has revealed.

Private investors are being sought to fund the building of a new 200-bedroom hotel, with one site under consideration being The Quarry Swimming and Fitness Centre, which would be demolished to make way for the hotel.

It had been hoped the plans would include provision for a new leisure centre to be built elsewhere in the town centre.

But council bosses said today there are no public funds available for such a move.

Even if the hotel idea does not come to fruition, the council said the ageing leisure centre is coming to the end of its natural life. But they said there are no current plans to close the centre.

They said the current financial climate means there is no money available for a replacement, despite the scheme being identified by the former Shrewsbury & Atcham Borough Council as one in need of funding before it was replaced by Shropshire Council in 2009.

Councillor Gwilym Butler, Shropshire Councils Cabinet member for leisure, said: The Quarry swimming and fitness centre is coming to the end of its life and its replacement is something that has long been aspired to by both the former Shrewsbury & Atcham Borough Council (SABC) and Shropshire Council, subject to funding being available.

However, its important to make clear that no money was set aside by SABC for the replacement of the swimming centre.

He added: Shropshire Council wants to provide people with the best possible swimming and leisure facilities. Unfortunately in the current financial climate there is no money available at the moment for the replacement of the swimming centre in Shrewsbury, and we have no current plans to close the centre.

Councillor Steve Charmley, Shropshire Councils cabinet member for business growth, has previously said it is estimated the hotel would cost 40 million to develop and build. He said: A number of possible sites in or close to the town have been identified, including the Quarry Pool site, and we are keen to talk to hotel operators and leisure developers about the options.

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No cash set aside for replacement Shrewsbury leisure centre

Southland Park Racing and Gaming, the West Memphis greyhound race track that now makes its big money from casino gambling,has announced a $37 million expansion and remodeling.

The work includes a new exterior, entrance and parking. Also planned is a 41,000-square-foot building with room for 500 slot machines, which will bring the total capacity of gambling machines to 1,950, plus a new restaurant and sports bar. It's the second expansion since 2012.

The track's release follows:

WEST MEMPHIS, Ark. (January 16, 2014) Southland Park Gaming & Racing today announced a $37.4 million project planned for 2014 to once again expand its gaming and hospitality amenities, plus redesign and enhance the venues exterior, main drive and south entrance.

The key component is the construction of a 41,000-square-foot building addition to house up to 500 new gaming machines which will bring Southland Parks total capacity to more than 1,950 games and a 150-seat themed restaurant and sports bar. Upon completion of the expansion, Southland plans to have more than 1,700 games featured on the gaming floor.

The current buildings exterior will be reskinned so that both it and the addition appear as one seamless complex. The exterior will feature new walls with improved signage and LED lighting, as well as improved disability access and parking. The southeast entrance from North Ingram Boulevard will be redesigned, and a new main drive created to a new porte-cochere and entrance of the venue. This will also create space for an expanded valet parking program. A new loading dock on the east side of the complex will also be constructed.

Southland Park is planning a ground breaking ceremony on January 27, 2014 and anticipates completing the expansion by the end of 2014.

Our business keeps growing, so we want to continue the expansion and transformation of Southland Park into the unquestioned premiere gaming destination in the Mid-South, said Troy Keeping, Southland Parks president and general manager. This project will provide our guests with more space and allow us to add more of the best gaming machines on the market and another popular restaurant and entertainment spot within our complex.

The project will mark the second major expansion and renovation project since 2012 for the increasingly popular regional entertainment destination in West Memphis, Ark., about 10 miles from Memphis, Tenn. Southland Park completed a $11 million renovation and expansion project in 2012 that added 200 gaming machines, a larger event center, kitchen and serving space for the World Market Buffet, and the new Shine Blounge.

In addition, Southland Park this summer relocated some of its office space in the complex to accommodate an addition of 50 gaming machines on the gaming floor; that gaming expansion will be complete in mid-December of this year. It also recently completed renovations to the popular Juke Joint entertainment venue by adding a new bar and well featuring a walk-up service window that allows guests to order drinks directly from the gaming floor, new carpeting throughout the room, a new elevated seating area, a new dance floor, larger performance stage and a public-accessible restroom.

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Southland Park announces $37 million casino expansion

At 97, Peg Rogers moved into a semi-private room at the Amie Holt Care Center. She said she was lucky; she likes her roommate. Rogers said that she couldnt ask for a better living situation but that if she had to gripe about something, it would be sharing a bathroom.

Carolyn McGill, 75, moved into the nursing home in November. She said she loves living at the Amie Holt Care Center and would recommend it to anyone, but she also has to share a bathroom.

The nursing home has 23 semi-private rooms and four private rooms. It was built in 1965, with subsequent additions in 1973, 1987 and 2006. Having a private bedroom and bathroom is an anomaly at the facility, but that may soon change.

At its Jan. 8 meeting, the Johnson County Hospital District Board gave the final nod to send a new nursing home project to bid and start construction.

The only thing that might stop the project now would be bids coming in substantially more than the estimated $12.8 million cost, said Sandy Ward, administrator of the Johnson County Healthcare Center.

I dont anticipate that happening, Ward said. Both (Fletcher Construction and CTA Architects and Engineers) have done detailed cost estimates for the project. We are pretty comfortable that we are pretty close.

Come March, health care center officials, CTA Architects and Fletcher Construction will request bids for the 39,307-square-foot facility. The new nursing home, which will be constructed just west of the current health care center, will include 44 private bedrooms and baths, two levels, a large dining room over looking the golf course, administrative offices and sitting areas.

A semi-private room in the existing facility is 200 square feet and is attached is a 20-square-foot bathroom. Rooms in the new facility will be 330 square feet and will be attached to a 49-square-foot bathroom.

The new rooms will all be private, so its a pretty dramatic increase, Ward said. Its going to be a substantial increase for these folks.

If the board approves the bids, construction would start in late April or early May.

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Amie Holt Care Center gets thumbs up for new digs

BARBARAELLEN KOCH FILE PHOTO | Riverhead Councilwoman Jodi Giglio.

The tax bill on Riverhead Councilwoman Jodi Giglios Baiting Hollow home increased by 43 percent for 2014 amounting to a $5,200 increase due in part to a $2,300 payment owed on a previously untaxed finished basement and second-floor addition. The bill bump comes months after a contentious Republican primary for her council seat, during which news surfaced that the home improvements lacked proper town approvals.

The $2,300 represented an increased assessment for the current and prior tax years, based on those improvements, which is all the town can collect from Ms. Giglio and her husband, Mike, said Riverhead Assessor Laverne Tennenberg.

Even though the improvements, a second-story addition to the house and a finished basement, went unassessed for several years, the town by law can only go back one year in recouping unpaid taxes. Nevertheless, Ms. Giglio said, she and her husband will voluntarily pay the rest of the back taxes owed on those improvements, a figure Ms. Tennenberg estimated at about $15,000.

It was revealed during last years primary that the Giglios had failed to pay taxes on additions to the property dating back several years. However, because the town is only legally allowed to collect back taxes a year after they were due, the rest will come in the form of a donated gift to the town.

Under the law, she has no obligation to pay that, Ms. Tennenberg said. We can only legally go back one year, on anybody.

But Ms. Giglio says the couple will begin making gifts this year, spreading the payments over several years once the amount owed is pinned down. She said, however, that she believes the total will be lower than $15,000.

I believe elected officials should be held to a higher standard, Ms. Giglio said in an interview Tuesday.

The additions to the home, and the fact that Ms. Giglio hadnt received certificates of occupancy for them or paid property tax on them, came to light last summer during the town election campaign, in which Ms. Giglio ran in both a Republican primary and in the general election to retain her council seat. GOP primary candidate Anthony Coates who ultimately finished third in a field of three candidates had called for her resignation at the time.

That was stuff we hadnt picked up, Ms. Tennenberg said of the oversights.

Continued here:
Councilwoman Giglio’s past taxes come due, in part

Friday January 17, 2014 9:11 AM UPDATED: Friday January 17, 2014 9:58 AM

Spring is still a few months away but the Wilds is already celebrating a booming baby season.

Two healthy white rhino calves were recently welcomed at the Wilds. A female calf was born on November 21, 2013. The second calf, also a female, was born two weeks ago on January 3, 2014.

The Wilds spokesperson says both mothers and calves are doing fine and will be slowly introduced to the rest of the herd after the weather warms up in the spring.

The birth of these calves are the 19th and 20th rhinos born at the Wilds since 2004.

Southern white rhinos were almost extinct in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The Wilds says effective conservation efforts in the 1950s led to the exportation of individual wild white rhinos to zoos in North America and Europe. The current wild population is estimated to be about 20,000 animals.

Calves are born after a gestation of 16 months. White rhinos can grow to be 4,000 pounds and 6 feet tall at their shoulder.

Click here for more information about the Wilds - http://www.thewilds.org.

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The Wilds Welcomes Two Southern White Rhino Calves