Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Edwardsville American Legion Post 199 is among the organizations that say it can benefit from video gaming.

Edwardsville American Legion Post 199 is among the organizations that say it can benefit from video gaming.

Photo: Intelligencer File Photo

Edwardsville American Legion Post 199 is among the organizations that say it can benefit from video gaming.

Edwardsville American Legion Post 199 is among the organizations that say it can benefit from video gaming.

'It came as a shock': Edwardsville groups react to gaming ban

EDWARDSVILLE When a revised version of an ordinance allowing video gambling was voted on by the Edwardsville City Council on Sept. 25, proponents of the measure felt certain that it would pass.

But they were in for a surprise.

The council voted 3-4 against video gaming, with aldermen Jack Burns, Craig Louer and Art Risavy voting for the amended ordinance, which would have allowed the areas fraternal organizations, the Knights of Columbus, the Loyal Order of the Moose and the American Legion post, along with Class A and Class D liquor license holders to conduct video gaming.

The original video gaming ordinance would have allowed many bars and restaurants and other local businesses to have video gaming.

On Sept. 10, the administrative and community service (ACS) committee unanimously voted to modify the original ordinance.

With a limit on indoor dining and indoor drinking [due to the coronavirus], we have lost a lot of revenue, said Steve Bollman, manager of On the Hill Golf Course and Lounge at Edwardsville American Legion Post 199. Video gaming would be a great source of revenue that historically fraternal organizations have had. We had a couple of people from the city tell us that we had nothing to worry about and we would be getting the machines.

They said that the city cares about the fraternal organizations and the veterans organizations and they wanted to make sure [the video gaming ordinance] goes through to help those organizations, which are struggling at this time. That some of them went back on their word and changed their vote is kind of a sore subject.

Rob Eberhardt, a Post 199 board member and former post commander, is among those who spearheaded the push for video gaming.

Like Bollman, he was surprised not only by the amended ordinance being voted down but by some businesses being excluded.

It came as a shock because we felt we had enough support from the city, Eberhardt said. Running a restaurant is tough enough and running a Legion post is just as tough. Throw the pandemic on top of it and youve got some people who are in critical condition in terms of economics.

When Mayor [Hal] Patton came up with the proposal [for video gaming], it made great sense and he told me he hoped it would help the businesses that were struggling, as well as the service clubs in the area. He did extensive research on the impact that video gaming would have in the area and the new revenue that would be produced is significant.

The rejection of video gaming left some members of fraternal organizations feeling like they had been misled by the city. They feel that the alderman that voted against the ordinance are not representing the views of most residents.

Its not so much what you think its what the people of Edwardsville think, said Jim Acra, governor of Edwardsville Moose Lodge 1561. There was not one person that came to these meetings to oppose this. It was very disappointing because people didnt stand up and vote the way the way they need to vote.

I feel bad about the businesspeople of Edwardsville who are going to miss out on this. Then they turned around and voted so that nobody will be able to have it.

For organizations such as the Moose Lodge, video gaming could have a huge financial impact at a time when it is needed most.

Our gaming people have done games at the Moose Lodge for 30 years and they told us conservatively that if we bring in these machines, it could bring in $10,000 a month, Acra said. The big portion of our money was from renting our hall for parties and fundraisers and we havent had anything like that since March.

We did get a loan, but we also had money in the bank, so were blessed in two ways. But its still a huge challenge for us. If we get this money [from video gaming], we could do things like put down new carpeting in our social quarters, which is the bar area, and we could do some other improvements.

Bollman, likewise, cited a growing need for additional revenue at the American Legion.

We have much-needed maintenance on our building and we need money for scholarships, Eberhardt said. A lot of that money [from video gaming] can go to good things up here, including the citys Fourth of July fireworks display. They had to move it this year, but hopefully, we will get it back.

Were a not-for-profit, so there are no owners that benefit from the money we make here. It all goes back into the place or around the community. It helps us keep the prices low for hall rentals, weddings and fundraisers on the golf course. Events like that are what keep this place open.

For owners of bars and restaurants, the loss of potential revenue from video gaming is equally disappointing.

I didnt go to the first city council meeting [on Sept. 1], but Steve Seibert [co-owner of Big Daddys with Tim Bauer] told me about the second one, said Jason Armbruster, co-owner and operator of the Foundry Public House in Edwardsville. We didnt know a lot about it, but once we got into it, we found that could help so many people out.

Theres a lot of talk about addiction, but we as bar owners deal with that every day. If we have a bad drunk, we kick them out, and if we had bad gamblers, we would get them out too. Thats our responsibility to the public.

Armbruster was especially upset that bars and restaurants were excluded from the video gaming ordinance before it even came to a vote.

It was a weird situation and they tried to give it just to the fraternal organizations and gas stations, which is totally unfair, and even a lot of people in the fraternal organizations said you cant do that, said Armbruster, whose business partner at the Foundry is Rodney Lanham. In a day and a half, we got 370 signatures [supporting video gambling], but no one from the council ever came to my bar and got my opinion about it.

For a lot of people on the council, everything was I this and I that, and it doesnt seem like they are representing the people. It seems like they have their own agenda.

Armbruster said that if video gaming eventually is approved by the city, the Foundry does not intend to have any machines installed. But he supports the rights of other businesses and organizations to have video gaming.

Were fortunate enough that we have a huge patio, so were doing way better than most, even if were down 60 percent on the year, Armbruster said. But places like the Corner Tavern can totally use that revenue stream and the city could use it. Youre talking hundreds of thousands of dollars if everybody gets on board with it.

The earliest that the issue could be put before the voters is the April 6, 2021, consolidated election.

Proponents of video gaming feel they would have the voters support.

Were looking to have this put on the ballot in April, but its unfortunate that it has to do that long, Acra said. At the Moose Lodge, were going to move on and do what we need to do to survive. I know several of our members are going to be adamant about not getting some people reelected to the City Council, and that also comes up in April.

The citys share of the tax revenue would have been directed to water system improvements, business development programs, including faade improvement grants and historic renovation grants that directly benefit businesses.

For now, though, neither the city, nor local businesses and organizations, will be able to generate revenue from video gaming. Edwardsville, Glen Carbon and Maryville all banned video gaming. It is allowed in Madison County.

There are a lot of businesses that wont reopen unless they get something like this, Armbruster said. Its legitimate help and its not a handout. The businesses and the city can gain revenue and the state will get their cut.

Theyre constantly making it sound like were going to have degenerates coming in here and were going to put big neon signs in front of our building saying Slots. Its unfortunate that every other county around us has gaming and Edwardsville doesnt.

Original post:
'It came as a shock': Edwardsville groups react to gaming ban - The Edwardsville Intelligencer

Trunk organizers are game-changers. They can quickly turn a cluttered, mess of an interior into a neatly packaged, nice place to spend time. This is especially true if you have kids, or love to go on long trips. Thinking about picking up an organizer for your car? Here are our favorites.

Drive Auto Collapsible Car Trunk Storage Organizer

Drive Auto's collapsible trunk organizer is the best-selling organizer on Amazon right now, and for good reason. It uses hooks to mount into place, so it doesn't move around while the car is in motion. There's also plenty of side pockets to all sorts of items, including work folders, mugs, phones, tablets, tools, and more.

Honey-Can-Do Folding Car Trunk Organizer

On a budget? This simple organizer from Honey-Can-Do has everything you need to get your trunk sorted out, all while being priced under $15. There are two main cargo areas, a handful of side pouches, and even handles on either end for easy transportation.

Picnic at Ascot Heavy Duty Rigid Base Trunk Organizer

On the higher end of the price spectrum sits Picnic at Ascot's heavy-duty trunk organizer. It's the most expensive item on this list, but its also the biggest, and comes with a removable cooler you can take with you once you arrive at your destination. If you're willing to drop the cash, you won't be disappointed.

FORTEM Car Trunk Organizer With Foldable Cover

If you want to keep your stuff covered or hidden from view, we recommend picking up Fortem's modular trunk organizer for your ride. It also uses hooks to hold itself in place, and comes with a handful of removable dividers, meaning you can modify it for your specific needs.

YoGi Prime Backrest-Mounted Car Trunk Organizer

Unlike your average box-type organizer, which sits on the floor of your back seat area or trunk, YoGi Prime's design is mean to be hung from your car's headrests. This saves space and makes for easy organization and access. Installation is easy, and hiding valuables is simple thanks to the built-in pouch covers.

Knodel Sturdy Car Trunk Organizer With Cooler Bag

Going on a road trip with family, and want to keep your snacks fresh? This organizer by Knodel comes with a built-in insulated cooler section perfect for keeping items at the right temperature for extended periods of time. Available in two- or three-compartment configurations, it's a must-have for long journeys.

Multipurpose Cargo Organizer Blocks

If your trunk consists of larger or heavier items, it might be worth it to pick up a few of these organizer blocks to keep everything in place. Designed to be mounted to the carpet of any wool trunk, they're perfect for keeping big items from sliding around.

High Road CargoCube Trunk and Car Organizer Bins

Want to keep things simple? These two "CargoCubes" from High Road are the perfect things for your trunk. They're basically nicely-dressed boxes with handles, easy for keeping stuff contained. There are front mesh pockets for storing smaller items, and handles for easy movement.

This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io

Read the original here:
The Eight Best Trunk Organizers on Sale Right Now - RoadandTrack.com

Thanks for reading! Log in to continue.

Enjoy more articles by logging in or creating a free account. No credit card required.

100 years ago

Sept. 21, 1920: Local businesses are spending almost $3 million on construction and remodeling this year. The Consistory building is still the biggest project at $600,000. Next is the Lafayette Apartments at $300,000. (The Lafayette is only project still serving its original purpose.)

75 years ago

Sept. 21, 1945: From the now it can be told file: The Sylvania plant in Bloomington made contributions to Britains radar program by making tubes the British couldnt. Other tubes were used against Japan in missile nose cones, making the missiles explode as they near their targets.

50 years ago

Sept. 21, 1970: Work crews are setting up a prefabricated portable classroom at Raymond School on the west side. Its a step to ease overcrowding but it wont have toilet facilities. Remedial reading and resource programs will be housed there.

25 years ago

Sept. 21, 1995: Danny Tomlinson of Gibson City was convicted of beating up Saybrook Police Chief Madeline Nickum. She had stopped him on suspicion of DUI. Tomlinson, 44, faces a 10-year sentence and possibly more. The chief is still suffering after-effects of her injuries.

Compiled by Jack Keefe; jkeefe@coldwellhomes.com.

Get local news delivered to your inbox!

More here:
100 years ago: $3 million in construction, remodeling set - Bloomington Pantagraph

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is a cornerstone treatment for locally advanced or metastatic prostate cancer (PCa). However, its potential effects on the tumor immune microenvironment (TIM) of PCa patients and the underlying mechanism remain largely unclear. To explore the effects of ADT on PCa TIM, RNA sequencing was performed on six paired pre-ADT biopsy and post-ADT PCa lesions, and five paired paracancerous benign tissues from patients receiving neoadjuvant ADT with locally advanced PCa. Bioinformatics methods including ESTIMATE and ssGSEA were used to evaluate the stromal immune score and immune cell infiltration in PCa and paracancerous tissues. Weighted correlation network analysis was used to screen hub genes in the ADT-induced immune remodeling process. The results showed differences exist between PCa and paracancerous tissues in response to ADT. Compared with paracancerous tissues, the immune remodeling effect of ADT in PCa was more intense. ZFP36, JUNB, and SOCS3 served as hub genes in the ADT-induced immune remodeling process and were associated with PSA recurrent-free survival in the TCGA and our neoadjuvant ADT cohort. To investigate the joint action of the above three hub genes, an immune signature score was constructed. The results showed that immune signature score-based immune subtypes reveal the heterogeneity of the immune microenvironment of PCa and showed significant differences in patient prognosis, tumor immune infiltration, mutation burden, and landscape.

Cell death & disease. 2020 Sep 19*** epublish ***

Xingbo Long, Huimin Hou, Xuan Wang, Shengjie Liu, Tongxiang Diao, Shicong Lai, Maolin Hu, Shengqi Zhang, Ming Liu, Hong Zhang

Department of Urology, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, No 1, Dongdan Dahua Road, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China., Graduate School of Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, No. 9, Dongdan Sanjiao Alley, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100001, China., Department of Urology, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, No 1, Dongdan Dahua Road, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China. ., Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China. .

PubMed http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32951005

Originally posted here:
Immune signature driven by ADT-induced immune microenvironment remodeling in prostate cancer is correlated with recurrence-free survival and immune...

Latest updates on Remodeling market, a comprehensive study enumerating the latest price trends and pivotal drivers rendering a positive impact on the industry landscape. Further, the report is inclusive of the competitive terrain of this vertical in addition to the market share analysis and the contribution of the prominent contenders toward the overall industry.

High intensity of natural calamities particularly in China and Japan display high scope for disaster repair remodeling services. Extreme climatic variations majorly in North America and Europe show strong potential for services related to snow removal and property improvement. Requirement among the aged population to live in a peaceful house environment after their retirement will generate high investments in porch and gardens particularly in developed nations.

Residential remodeling market is expected to witness a CAGR of over 4% during the forecast period 2018 to 2024. Higher count of house gatherings along with rising consumer spending in developing economies will enhance the application market. Technological advancements providing better energy efficiency, enhanced designs, and highly durable materials along with need to increase the house security will drive the business growth globally. Increasing real estate prices in highly populated cities accompanied by the need for improved house space and design will support the services penetration.

Request Sample Copy of this Report @ https://www.theresearchprocess.com/request-sample/5377

Lower lending rates along with design innovations will primarily drive the global remodeling market growth. Increasing private infrastructural investments along with favorable government conditions offering tax concessions on home loans will enhance the services demand. Expanding tourism sector along with technological innovations particularly in Asia Pacific and Europe will boost the business advancement.

Request Sample Copy of this Report @ https://www.theresearchprocess.com/request-sample/5377

North America remodeling market revenue was registered over 800 billion in 2017. Design innovations along with large disposable incomes & highest consumer spending are primary drivers for the expanding services demand in the region. Extreme climatic variations accompanied by frequent disasters support the market development in the region. Increasing necessity to improve the employee productivity and reduce energy expenses will propel the services adoption in the commercial segment.

The key industry players in the global remodeling market share include GAF Materials Corporation, JELD-WEN, Andersen Corporation, ABC Supply, Builders First Source, the Home Depot, Dow Building Solutions, Hanley Wood LLC, Ferguson Enterprises, and Fortune Brands Home & Security. Other prominent players in the industry are Lutron Electronics, Kohler Co., Masco Corporation, Move Inc., USG Corporation, National Gypsum Company, Oldcastle Building Products, Owens Corning, Pella Corporation, Ply Gem Industries Inc., ProBuild Inc., The Sherwin-Williams Company, and Mergers & acquisitions are among the key strategies adopted by the service providers to expand their product portfolio and gain market share. For instance, Norcraft companies was acquired by Fortune Brands Home and Security to expand their product portfolio in the residential segment.

Commercial remodeling is expected to account for over USD 2 trillion by 2024. Necessity to reduce the fixed costs particularly electricity expenses along with providing a better environment to work in corporate offices will surge the business expansion. Trend towards transforming the office into eco-friendly to improve employee health, working conditions along with the benefit of social marketing for the company.

Major Highlights from Table of contents are listed below for quick lookup into Remodeling Market report

Chapter 1. Methodology and Scope

Chapter 2. Executive Summary

Chapter 3. Remodeling Industry Insights

Chapter 4. Company Profiles

Request Customization on This Report @ https://www.theresearchprocess.com/request-for-customization/5377

Read the rest here:
Remodeling Market Trends, Companies, Driver, Segmentation, Forecast to 2024 - The Research Process

Brandessece Market Research recently added the Bioabsorbable Stent Market research report which offers a thorough study of the market scenario regarding the market size, share, demand, growth, trends, and forecast from 2020-2026. The report deals with the impact analysis of the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted exports, imports, demand and trends in the industry and is expected to have some economic impact on the market. The report offers a comprehensive analysis of the impact of the pandemic across the industry and provides insights into a post-COVID-19 market scenario.

List of TOP KEY PLAYERS in Bioabsorbable Stent Market Report are Abbott, BIOTRONIK SE & Co. KG, REVA Medical, Inc, Elixir Medical Corporation, Arterial Remodeling Technologies, others.

Download Premium Sample of the Report: https://brandessenceresearch.com/requestSample/PostId/600

Bioabsorbable Stent Industry 2020 Global Market research report studies the latest Bioabsorbable Stent industry aspects market size, share, trends, Opportunities and Strategies To Boost Growth, business overview, revenue, demand, marketplace expanding, technological innovations, recent development, and Bioabsorbable Stent industry scenario during the forecast period (2020-2025).

What are the key segments in the market?

Geographically, the global culture media market can be segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. Geographically, North America is expected to hold the largest share of the market, and it is also anticipated to continue this trend in the forecast period. Increased government initiatives for research, the invention of new technologies and advancements in cell culture applications, clinical studies on cancer, the presence of the world-class biotechnology & research institutes in the region are likely to propel the growth of the market in North America. Europe is projected to hold the second-largest share of the market. The growth of the market in this region can be attributed to the enormous investments and research activities in the biotechnology sectors, as well as the increasing trend in the adoption of new technologies. However, the Asia Pacific region is likely to hold the significant potential for the growth of the Bioabsorbable Stent market due to the increase in technological advances in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sector, development of vaccines, and rising initiatives for in-vitro cultivations. Moreover, the emerging economies like China and India are expected to boost the growth of the market due to the growing capital and purchasing power of the countries in the Asia Pacific region. Latin America and the Middle East & Africa are increasing steadily in the market.

Highlights of the Report:

Request Customization of the Report: https://brandessenceresearch.com/requestSample/PostId/600

Important Facts About Bioabsorbable Stent Market Report:

-The Bioabsorbable Stent industry report features different approaches and procedures endorsed by the market key players to make vital business decisions.-Bioabsorbable Stent market depicts some parameters such as production value, Bioabsorbable Stent marketing strategy analysis, Distributors/Traders and effect factors is also mentioned in this Bioabsorbable Stent research report.-This research report reveals Bioabsorbable Stent business overview, product overview, market share, supply chain analysis, demand and supply ratio and import/export details.

TABLE OF CONTENT

1 Report Overview

2 Global Growth Trends

3 Market Share by Key Players

4 Breakdown Data by Type and Application

5 United States

6 Europe

7 China

8 Japan

9 Southeast Asia

10 India

11 Central & South America

12 International Players Profiles

13 Market Forecast 2020-2025

14 Analysts Viewpoints/Conclusions

15 Appendix

View Full Report @https://brandessenceresearch.com/medical-device/bioabsorbable-stent-market-size-and-share

About Us:

We publish market research reports & business insights produced by highly qualified and experienced industry analysts. Our research reports are available in a wide range of industry verticals including aviation, food & beverage, healthcare, ICT, Construction, Chemicals and lot more. Brand Essence Market Research report will be best fit for senior executives, business development managers, marketing managers, consultants, CEOs, CIOs, COOs, and Directors, governments, agencies, organizations and Ph.D. Students.

Contact us at: +44-2038074155 or mail us at [emailprotected]

Blog: https://businessstatsnews.com

Blog: http://www.dailyindustrywatch.com

Blog: https://marketsize.biz

Blog: https://technologyindustrynews.com

Blog: https://marketstatsreport.com

Top Trending Reports:

https://brandessenceresearch.com/semiconductor/sensors-controls/global-gas-sensors-market-2018-2024/

https://brandessenceresearch.com/healthcare/continuous-glucose-monitoring-cgm-market-size

https://brandessenceresearch.com/heavy-industry/global-steel-processing-market-2018-2024

https://brandessenceresearch.com/technology-and-media/voice-recognition-market-size

Read the original here:
Bioabsorbable Stent Market Size Share Analysis and System Production (2020-2026) | Abbott, BIOTRONIK SE & Co. KG, REVA Medical, Inc, Elixir...

Credit: Melissa Turtinen

If someone wants to build or add onto their home in Excelsior, they'll now face a far more rigorous process to get it approved.

A new ordinance the Excelsior City Council passed on a 3-2 vote Monday which goes into effect Oct. 1 gives Excelsior some of the strictest zoning regulations in the state.

Residents in Excelsior, a city with fewer than 3,000 people established in the 1850s on Lake Minnetonka, have been embroiled in a years-long debate over preserving the city's charm or allowing people to build their dream homes.

Neighborhoods in the small city include some homes that date back to the 1800s, and then on the same street are newly-built or remodeled homes that some argue just don't fit in with the area.

The Excelsior City Council determined that traditional zoning regulations haven't sufficiently preserved Excelsior's character and have failed to ensure that new homes are compatible with the neighborhood in which they're built, city documents state.

This led to the creation via the ordinance passed Monday of a Residential Review Process and Good Neighbor Guidelines, which require new builds, additions and remodels of single-family homes to be reviewed by the city's Planning Commission, architect and zoning administrator, as well as give residents who own property within 350 feet the opportunity to weigh in on the project prior to the city issuing a residential review permit.

Some small-scale projects that don't require a building permit are not subject to this process as they don't require a residential review permit, the ordinance notes.

Proponents of the ordinance, including the group Excelsior Forever, say it will ensure new houses fit in with their surroundings, preserving Excelsior's character and scale, which is why people chose to live there in the first place.

However, opponents, which include the group Unite Excelsior, have argued the guidelines are subjective and would negatively impact families, lower property values and discourage people from moving to the city.

Find a realtor using the Bring Me The News directory

The ordinance is not designed to regulate the architectural design of new construction and remodeling unless it affects mass, scale, bulk and/or orientation, documents say.

The residential review process ordinance wasn't the only zoning-related ordinance to pass on Monday. The City Council voted 5-0 to amend its ordinance related to landmark buildings within the city, allowing non-property owners to nominate single-family homes for landmark status so long as two people, including one resident, are part of the nomination.

If a landmark nomination is approved, the property owner has to get a special permit in order to do any major work to the exterior, the city's website says.

The change to the landmark ordinance came after a nomination was made by a renter, not a property owner, so it was rejected, the Sun Sailor reported.

Go here to read the rest:
In Excelsior, neighbors now can have a say on whether you can expand your house - Bring Me The News

Two years after a Kennewick Taco Bell was torn down and rebuilt, a north Richland Taco Bellis gettinga makeover of its own.

Taco Bell,at1825 George Washington Way, istemporarily closed for an $800,000 makeover to bring it to the modern brand standards spelled out by Taco Bell owner Yum! Brands.

The updates include a down-to-the-studs interior remodel, electronic menu boards, more space in the kitchen and a new drive-thru, said John Arthur, president of Yakima Restaurants Inc., an Ohio-based company that owns and operates 32 Taco Bell franchises in Ohio andWashington.

Arthur manages the10 in Washington.

His identical twin brothermanagesthe Ohio ones.

The city of Richland issued permits on Aug. 21.

Taco Bell is one of two restaurants thatoperateinpadsat WashingtonPlaza,a Safeway-anchored strip mall at McMurray Street and George Washington Way. Sharis is the other. The complex was firstdeveloped in 1981.

Arthur said the exterior hasnt been significantly updated in the 30 years since itwasbuilt.Yum! Brandsnew standards for Taco Bell supplied the impetus to remodel, but he said Yakima Restaurants is going well beyond the minimum expected.

A bump out will add more space in the kitchen as well as storage space to better accommodate employees.

The restaurant is in the top 3 of the 10 Northwest locations for sales, he said.

It is also the mostaffected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Arthur attributes that to the loss of drive-by traffic since many Hanford site workers began working from home.

The restaurant will reopen in earlytomid-November as adrive-thru. Although restaurants can open at 25% capacity, Arthur wont reopen the dining room until it feels it is safe for employees.

About a third of the Richland employees are posted to the companys Road 68 location in Pasco. The remaining workers were laid off.

Arthur plans to remodel four Yakima-area Taco Bell locations in the nextone to twoyears.

Baxter Construction is the general contractor.

Read more:
Richland Taco Bell gets makeover, more square feet - tricitiesbusinessnews.com

Don Magruder| For the Daily Commercial

Recently, there was a controversial shooting in Georgia. One of the justifications pushed for this attack was that the victim was caught on video snooping around a construction job site in a neighborhood. This justification holds no merit because an unwanted visitor snooping around a construction job site is commonplace and a daily occurrence.

For that reason, builders and homeowners should take tangible and passive measures to guard and protect their construction job site to prevent theft and vandals without shooting people.

The other aspect motivating unwanted job site visits is the current price of building materials. With lumber, plywood, and other construction materials at record-high prices, people who have projects of their own would love to stop at your project to find building materials.

I thought it was trash, is the excuse most thieves use when caught stealing things from a job site. Have a firm policy for all contractors and subcontractors working on your job site nothing leaves, including the trash, without your permission.

The first thing a builder or homeowner should do after putting up the permit box is post No Trespassing signs throughout the job site. Prominently posted signs with strong language about pressing charges for trespassing will discourage honest, nosy people from walking onto your job site. Do not be stingy with posting them make the signs prominent and plentiful.

When the construction process starts, guard and protect all building materials. Thieves understand pricing better than you, and currently the prices of many building material items are at record levels. During the foundation and framing stages of your construction project, do not ship out more material in a day that can be nailed down or locked up.

Unemployment is high, building material prices are at record levels, and many items are hard to get with extended lead times. This is not the time to have building materials stolen only have on the job site what can be installed or used that day.

Prioritize the completion of the outside shell of your new home or remodel project quickly so that windows and doors can be locked. While this will not keep a hardened criminal out, it will generally keep most teenagers, vandals, and wild critters out of your project. Do not make it easy for just anyone to walk onto your project.

Modern motion sensor lights and cameras are very affordable and provide a real deterrent if the homeowner or builder advises would be trespassers that the premises are under surveillance. Some people have a misconception when it comes to using a surveillance system.

Security cameras and surveillance systems are not designed to simply catch people doing bad things on your property they are also installed to deter them from making the attempt. In my view, installing a security camera and surveillance system without prominently posting a warning sign is a waste.

Do not store expensive tools or materials inside your project. Also, if you are doing a remodeling project while you are living in the home, lock up and secure all your valuables. Labor is very tight in the construction industry and many companies have been forced to hire employees and subcontractors with blemished backgrounds. While most contractors or subcontractors are extremely honest, it only takes one dishonest person. Until work is completed on the project, secure all your valuable items.

With the price of plywood currently over $20 per sheet and 2 x 4 studs nearing $6 per piece, it only takes a few pieces of each to lose $100. Guarding and protecting your construction job site can save real money. However, please do so peacefully do not be alarmed when you find out that your neighbor wandered onto your job site simply being nosy while it is under construction.

Don Magruder is the CEO of RoMac Building Supply and host of Around the House, which can be seen at AroundtheHouse.TV.

See the original post:
Guard and protect your job site - Daily Commercial

Dear Liz: Because of COVID, my 27-year-old son lost his job and health insurance. He was unable to afford continued health insurance and did not qualify for Medicaid. He contracted spinal meningitis and was hospitalized 12 days. The hospital reduced his bill to $28,000 from the original $80,000, but he is still unable to pay. He remains unemployed and without any savings. What would you suggest he do?

Answer: Your son should first call the hospital and ask about applying for financial assistance. Federal law requires nonprofit hospitals to offer this help to low-income patients, and many for-profit hospitals also offer programs that can reduce or even eliminate the charges.

He also should ask about a payment plan geared to whats left of his income. He should resist any hospital pressure to put the bill on a credit card, because hospital payment plans typically dont charge interest while credit cards do.

If hes still left with a bill he cant pay, he should consult a bankruptcy attorney, and do so as soon as possible. Bankruptcy experts are predicting a big uptick in filings as people and businesses struggle with fallout from the pandemic.

Dear Liz: Should we take out a home equity loan so we can do some improvements on our house and make it work better for us, or should we sell it and upgrade to a bigger house? We are not in a rush to move, so we are content to take our time to find the right new home at the right price. We are also considering staying and doing work on our current home. But we have a lot of equity and are wondering: Would it be smarter to cash that in? We both remember the housing crash and are very nervous about getting in over our heads.

Answer: People are spending a lot of time at home these days, and many are longing for a little extra space. Interest rates are low, which makes borrowing for improvements or a bigger home more affordable for many.

Youre smart to be cautious about taking on too much debt, though. Lenders are much more cautious than they were before the Great Recession of 2007 to 2009, but its still possible to borrow more than you can comfortably repay. Big mortgage payments could prevent you from saving for important goals such as retirement or your childrens college education.

If you like your current neighborhood, remodeling is often the more economical route. You spend roughly 10% of your homes value when you sell it and buy another. Real estate commissions take a big chunk, as do moving costs. Bigger houses whether through remodeling or moving also can mean higher tax, insurance and utility bills. Thats not to say you should never upgrade, but youre smart to consider all your options because the cost of exchanging homes is pretty high.

By the way, you arent really cashing in equity when you use it to buy another home or borrow against it to make improvements. Some people would say thats putting your equity to work, but the idea that equity needs employment is what led many people to borrow excessively against their homes before the last recession. Its perfectly fine, and often desirable, to have lots of equity just sitting around. That way, its there for you when you really need it. You can tap it in an emergency, for example, or to help fund your retirement.

Dear Liz: Im considering converting an old 401(k) to a Roth IRA. Will the gains from the 401(k) account be treated as capital gains? And can you only convert 401(k) plans you no longer participate in, or can you convert both current and former 401(k) plans?

Answer: Youll pay income taxes on the conversion. Retirement plans, including 401(k)s and IRAs, dont qualify for capital gains tax rates. You may be able to convert your current 401(k) as well. Ask your plan administrator if in plan Roth conversions are allowed.

Liz Weston, Certified Financial Planner, is a personal finance columnist for NerdWallet. Questions may be sent to her at 3940 Laurel Canyon, No. 238, Studio City, CA 91604, or by using the Contact form at asklizweston.com.

See more here:
How to deal with a big hospital bill when jobless, uninsured - Los Angeles Times