Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

New Delhi, Feb 3 (IANS): A public art installation on mental health awareness 'Moving Out to Go Within by nine Ashoka University students, under the guidance of designer Sumant Jayakrishnan will be on display at STIR Gallery here from February 2 to April 15. The installation is being promoted by the India Art Fair.

Ashoka University's Ashoka Centre for Well-Being (ACWB) in collaboration with Red Balloon's Young People for Change put together a week-long residential workshop to initiate conversations around mental health among the youth.

This workshop brought together nine young Ashoka students from diverse cultures and backgrounds to mindfully connect and explore the importance of emotional expression and self-awareness, and to build a sense of well-being. The experiential workshop was facilitated by psychotherapist and founding director of ACWB Dr. Arvinder J Singh.

The students' experience culminated into this interactive public arts installation that shared the participants' personal expression and messages of awareness on mental health, well-being and self-worth.

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Art installation on mental health awareness in Delhi - Daijiworld.com

Judging by his famous photographs of seemingly transparent midcentury modern dwellings, the late Julius Shulman might have been attracted to Sid and Teresa Scotts house in Dunthorpe.

Here, natural light is artfully guided inside through glass that wraps around a south-facing, central courtyard.

One could imagine Shulman, whose influential images of a patio-centric, post-World War II way of living ricocheted around the world, setting up a tripod at the edge of the courtyards pavers here and waiting for twilight.

Had the acclaimed architecture photographer done so, he could have perhaps captured another angle of entertaining at a house open to the outdoors.

AFTER photo by Pete Eckert

But the Scotts Northwest contemporary house didnt always have elegant movement between spaces.

Although it was built in 1960 when Modernist architectures open concept of fewer interior walls was spreading into suburbia, this floor plan was really more traditional with a series of rooms blocked by walls and doors, says Sid Scott.

"We stripped away everything, made the structure stronger" and energy efficient, "and brought it up to code. Then we started over to create a connection to the outdoors," says Sid, an architect and principle of Portland-based S|EA, a commercial and residential architecture and interior design firm.

AFTER photo by Pete Eckert

Teresas focus was on picturesque, water-wise landscaping. Together, they remade their home to follow the hillside topography. Glass walls, doors and windows frame garden vistas from every room.

Across a third of an acre, mature rhododendrons, azaleas and rosebushes thrive alongside new plantings of perennials showcasing seasonal colors. Irises and peonies bloom in spring and summer alongside a rocky stream that borders the property.

Its a beautiful site, says Sid Scott.

AFTER photo by Pete Eckert

Remaking a forlorn property

The Scotts bought the property as is in March 2017 and gutted the house, which was in rough shape. There was a tarp on the leaky roof, says Sid.

They removed unnecessary, confining walls, installed larger windows and oriented the two existing sides of the main floor plus a seamless garage addition toward a new courtyard were there once was unkept grass.

AFTER photo by Pete Eckert

Our courtyard is a wonderful activity space for dinner and events, says Sid, whose firms philosophy is People First. Design Forward.

The Scotts hosted a fundraising event at their home in 2019 to benefit the Architecture Foundation of Oregon.

Brian Libby, who writes the informative Portland Architecture blog and produces In Search of Portland podcasts, led a discussion at the event, which is part of an annual series to benefit the Architects in Schools program.

BEFORE photo provided by S|EA

Later, Libby talked about how Sid and Teresa Scott have transformed a number of forlorn Portland properties.

They really have a way of breathing new life into these spaces, says Libby. As an architect, Sid has a keen eye, but he also comes from a family in the lumber business, and I think that gives his homes a sense of warmth that can only come from the texture and color and patina of wood.

[BEFORE photo of the front of the house and carport]

AFTER photo by Pete Eckert

The exterior has vertical rough-sawn wood siding in two different widths installed in a random pattern.

An original windowless shop is now a family room with giant glass panels and a vaulted ceiling.

Scott says, The home told us what it wanted to be.

[AFTER photo of the new courtyard]

BEFORE photo provided by S|EA

AFTER photo by Pete Eckert

[AFTER photo of the family room with a large picture window that once was a workshop.]

BEFORE photo provided by S|EA

[BEFORE photo shows no windows in the front]

AFTER photo by Pete Eckert

Hidden from the street

Overgrown shrubs and blackberries once obscured the property. I went to the building department to get a permit and the guy at the counter pulled up a photo and it was funny that you could not even see the house, recalls Sid.

The split-level dwelling was easy to ignore for another reason: It looked like an unsurprising single story. Inside, however, original architect Daniel McGoodwin had designed five subtle elevation changes to accommodate the property, which gradually drops 20 feet from one corner to the other.

[AFTER photo of the family room more open to the kitchen]

BEFORE photo provided by S|EA

[BEFORE photo of one of the claustrophobic rooms]

AFTER photo by Pete Eckert

[AFTER photo of the living room and colorful landscaping]

BEFORE photo provided by S|EA

[BEFORE photo of one of the claustrophobic rooms]

AFTER photo by Pete Eckert

[AFTER photo of the light-filled dining room]

BEFORE photo provided by S|EA

[BEFORE photo of the dining room and kitchen]

AFTER photo by Pete Eckert

The elevation shifts start at the front door. Three steps lead to the main living level. Below, the vaulted master suite and bedrooms are linked by half flights of stairs.

The lowest level was an unfinished basement that the Scotts integrated into the remodeled home.

We put windows in and connected it to the north yard, he says.

AFTER photo by Pete Eckert

Teresa had boulders natural to the property moved to gardens bordering the sunny courtyard. Dogwoods, Mexican orange blossoms and Spiraea shrubs as well as grass-like, flowering Liriope and carex were selected for year-round color, fragrance and texture.

As a bonus, they require minimal maintenance and watering, she says.

With views now extending to the hills, this 60-year-old house, once closed up and concealed, just keeps going, says Sid.

--Janet Eastman | 503-294-4072

jeastman@oregonian.com | @janeteastman

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Architect's remodeled 60-year-old Portland home is picture perfect (before, after photos) - OregonLive

PARADISE, Calif. -The Building Resiliency Center has officially opened to the public with more space and Butte County staff is in to assist those rebuilding in the unincorporated areas of the County.

On Tuesday, Feb. 4, the town will hold a community meeting for those looking into manufactured homes.

Community Information Meeting: Tues. Feb. 4th, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.Paradise Alliance Church - 6491 Clark Rd

Paradise Town Council Meeting: Tues. Feb. 11th 6 p.m.Paradise Town Hall - 5555 Skyway

PID Regular Meeting: Wed. Feb. 19th, 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.PID Boardroom - 6332 Clark Rd

Fridays for Lunch Free Lunch: Fridays, Noon to 1:30 pmParadise Lutheran Church - 780 Luther Dr. Paradise, Ca

Paradise Community Dinner: Thursdays 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.Paradise Alliance Church: 6491 Clark Rd

Another Business Back On The Ridge: Mid Valley Title & Escrow Co. is back in Paradise with a reopening on Thursday, Jan. 30 at 5:30 p.m. They are located at 6848 Skyway, Suite D, in the Holiday Plaza.

Feb. 4 Community Information Meeting: At the Paradise Alliance Church, the meeting will be diving into manufactured housing and what that permit-approval process will entail. Staff from the Building Resilience Center will break down the process of getting rebuilding plans through the approval process and give an update on private-road tree removal.

Private Road Hazardous Tree Removal: The Town of Paradise and Butte County have been notified that many private roads in the Camp Fire area are eligible for public assistance funding to remove Hazard Trees through the State Hazard Tree Removal Program. Most of the roads in the Town of Paradise are eligible and about half of the roads in the County area are eligible. The Town of Paradise is working with Cal OES and FEMA to understand which parcels are eligible, and this information on the parcel-level will be available on the Property Tree Removal Map found here by the end of January.

Staff in the Hazard Tree Removal Center will gladly accept Right-of-Entry forms for the Government Program or Inspection Access Forms for the Private Program; however, staff will not be able to provide information regarding what private roads are eligible. We encourage property owners to continue checking the Private Property Tree Removal Map on ButteCountyRecovers.org which will be updated when we have further information about private roads.

Rebuilding Advocates at BRC: Advocates are available to residents of the Town of Paradise and Butte County to help navigate the process of rebuilding and be on hand to help guide people through the rebuilding process. They can also help guide residents through the financial resources available to make rebuilding more affordable such as help people apply for loans and connect with contractors. Call 530-872-6291 ext. 130 to schedule an appointment.

Hazardous Tree Removal Ordinance: A Town and County ordinance has passed requiring the removal of hazard trees damaged by the Camp Fire from private property that may fall into public roadways. Property owners may enter the Government Tree Program to have the trees removed by the State at no out-of-pocket cost. Enrollment in the Government Tree Program requires a Right-of Entry form. Property owners may also identify and remove hazard trees themselves but must submit an inspection form so an inspector may verify the removal of the hazard trees from the property. Property owners may also call the Tree ROE Center directly at (530) 552-3030 or submit Tree ROEs by email at TreeROE@buttecounty.net. The Tree ROE is available for download online at http://www.ButteCountyRecovers.org/treeremoval. ROE forms may also be picked up at the Tree ROE Centers when they open. Three Tree ROE Centers open at the Butte County Library, Paradise Branch Community Room: 5922 Clark Road, Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm.

More here:
Paradise Rebuilding and Recovery: Manufactured homes community meeting - Action News Now

Q3 2020 Skyline Champion Corp Earnings Call

ELKHART Feb 4, 2020 (Thomson StreetEvents) -- Edited Transcript of Skyline Champion Corp earnings conference call or presentation Wednesday, January 29, 2020 at 1:00:00pm GMT

TEXT version of Transcript

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Corporate Participants

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* Laurie M. Hough

Skyline Champion Corporation - Executive VP, CFO & Treasurer

* Mark J. Yost

Skyline Champion Corporation - President, CEO & Director

* Sarah Janowicz

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Conference Call Participants

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* Daniel Joseph Moore

CJS Securities, Inc. - Director of Research

* Gregory William Palm

Craig-Hallum Capital Group LLC, Research Division - Senior Research Analyst

* Matthew Adrien Bouley

Barclays Bank PLC, Research Division - VP

* Michael Glaser Dahl

RBC Capital Markets, Research Division - MD of U.S. Homebuilders & Building Products

* Philip H. Ng

Jefferies LLC, Research Division - Senior Research Analyst & Equity Analyst

* Rohit Seth

SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc., Research Division - Associate

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Presentation

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Operator [1]

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Good morning. Welcome to Skyline Champion Corporation's Third Quarter Fiscal Year 2020 Earnings Call. The company issued an earnings press release yesterday after close. I would now like to introduce your host for today's call, Sarah Janowicz, the Company's Director of Investor Relations and External Reporting. Sarah, you may begin.

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Story continues

Sarah Janowicz, [2]

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Good morning, and thank you for participating in our earnings call to discuss our third quarter results. Joining me on today's call is Mark Yost, President and CEO; and Laurie Hough, EVP and CFO.

I would like to remind everyone that yesterday's press release and statements made during this call include forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations and projections. Such risks and uncertainties include the factors set forth in our earnings release and in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Additionally, during today's call, we will discuss non-GAAP measures, which we believe can be useful in evaluating our performance. A reconciliation of these measures can be found in the earnings release. I would now like to turn the call over to Mark.

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Mark J. Yost, Skyline Champion Corporation - President, CEO & Director [3]

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Sarah, thank you. Good morning, everyone. I'm pleased to report strong gross margin and operating income improvements this quarter compared to the same period a year ago. As we look at industry demand trends, we have seen HUD industry shipments rebound favorably over the last few months and anticipate that trend will continue throughout the calendar year.

With revenue down 3.5% to $342 million this quarter, we were able to deliver strong operating leverage with a year-over-year increase of nearly 50% in operating income. Adjusted EBITDA grew by 13% year-over-year reaching $29.7 million for the quarter. Adjusted EBITDA margin in the quarter was 8.7%, a 130 basis point improvement compared to a year ago. We saw strong gross profit improvement across all of our reporting segments, driven by merger synergies, standardization and operational improvements as we saw material inflation start to rise during the quarter. I'm particularly proud of the fact that we were able to deliver these results without the benefit of top line growth in the quarter.

During the quarter, we saw our Canadian and Star Fleet revenues down due to economic and housing conditions in Western Canada, along with softer RV market in the U.S. We anticipate that those markets will remain soft in the short term. In the U.S., we experienced marginal unit volume increases with a shift to single section product, resulting in lower average selling prices during the quarter.

Focusing on the market, there are ample opportunities for continued growth, driven by favorable demographic and economic factors. HUD industry volume for the 3 months ended November increased by approximately 6.7% year-over-year with strong growth in the South Central region of the country, offset by declines in California and parts of the Midwest. We are seeing strong demand for affordable housing and expect HUD industry's year-over-year volumes to continue at this mid- single-digit growth rate for the remainder of the calendar year with California rebounding towards the end of our fourth fiscal quarter and the Midwest expected to return late spring after the customer consolidation is finalized. The broader housing market is also showing signs of strong growth, especially at the affordable missing middle price point. This will translate into higher levels of demand for the industry later in the year due to the lag between single-family starts and HUD shipments. Additionally, we believe that manufactured and modular homes will play an increasingly significant role in filling the gap for new single-family homes at more affordable price points compared to other housing options. We are seeing evidence of this increasing role from recent events on the financing, regulatory and builder fronts. On the financing front, while we are still waiting for the GSEs to roll out their secondary market for Chattel loans outlined in their duty to serve, we are encouraged by the private placements that occurred late in 2019. Financing terms are starting to become more competitive as a result, which should translate into demand later this year. Zoning changes are additionally starting to happen throughout the country to help solve the housing shortage. We are seeing increased demand for alternative dwelling units, or ADUs, in states like California, which have lifted zoning restrictions to address the need for affordable living spaces in urban areas. The feedback from customers for our ADUs from the International Builders' Show in Las Vegas last week was very positive. The product provides a simple solution for affordable housing in those markets. Additionally, in Las Vegas at the International Builders' Show, we showcased our Genesis home series, an affordable housing solution for builder developers. The feedback from builders on the quality and features of those homes at that price point exceeded our expectations. They were surprised at the speed to market and labor solutions that these products provide. One supplementary benefit was that these products have lower financing costs due to the support from the GSEs. In addition to the interest we received at the IBS show, we have started to experience traction in this past quarter with a handful of models ordered for delivery to subdivisions. We are very excited about the long-term potential of this new class of homes.

I will now turn the call over to Laurie to discuss our quarterly financials in more detail.

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Laurie M. Hough, Skyline Champion Corporation - Executive VP, CFO & Treasurer [4]

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Thanks, Mark. Net sales decreased to $342 million in the current quarter from $355 million in the year ago quarter. We saw revenue declines of $4.7 million in the U.S. factory-built housing segment, as well as declines in our Canadian factory-built housing segment and transportation business revenue of $7.7 million. The number of homes sold in the U.S. increased slightly versus the same quarter last year while the decline in the U.S. factory-built revenue was driven by a reduction in average selling price per U.S. home sold of 2% to $60,600.

The decline in average selling price was due to a shift in product mix as we sold a larger percentage of single section homes this third quarter versus the December quarter last year.

Canadian revenue decreased by 16% to $23 million, with corresponding decreases in the number of homes sold in the quarter. The number of Canadian units sold decreased to 276 homes compared to 329 homes in the prior year period.

Average home selling prices were stable at $82,600. We expect similar Canadian year-over-year volume shortfalls for the remainder of the fiscal 2020 compared to the same period in fiscal 2019, consistent with the broader housing market in Western Canada. Consolidated gross profit increased to $69 million, up 6% versus the prior year quarter. Our U.S. housing segment gross margins were 20.1% of segment net sales, up from 18.5% last year. Sequentially, from the September 2019 quarter, U.S. factory-built housing segment gross margins were down 80 basis points from 20.9%, driven by the impact of normal seasonal shutdowns as many of our facilities reduced or ceased production during the holiday season.

SG&A in the third quarter decreased to $45 million versus $49 million in the same period last year. The decrease was primarily due to a reduction in noncash equity-based compensation expense and integration costs.

Net income for the third quarter was $17 million or $0.30 per share compared to net income of $10.5 million or earnings per share of $0.19 during the same period in the prior year, driven by an increase in profitability from higher operating income, a reduction in equity compensation and other expenses and lower net interest expense.

On an adjusted basis, we generated $0.32 of net income per diluted share compared to $0.27 in the year ago quarter. The company's effective tax rate for the 3 months ended December 28, 2019, was 27% versus an effective tax rate of 29.7% for the fiscal 2019 third quarter. The change in the effective rate was primarily due to higher nondeductible share-based compensation expense incurred in the prior year.

Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $29.7 million, an increase of 13% over the same period a year ago. The adjusted EBITDA margin expanded 130 basis points to 8.7%, largely due to continued margin capture from synergies related to last year's combination reaching their run rate levels earlier this fiscal year and execution and identified operational improvements.

At the end of December, our consolidated backlog was $133 million compared to backlog last December of $181 million. Although backlog varies significantly by plant, our average U.S. plant backlog stood at 5 weeks of production at the end of the quarter. Backlog remains within our optimal range of 4 to 6 weeks, which allows us to effectively schedule production and manage the supply chain with our vendors. We believe backlogs have returned to more normal levels compared to the elevated levels experienced over the last year. We are focused on continuing to execute on our operational improvements and product rationalization initiatives, while bringing more value to our customers by continuing to elevate opportunities to refine and strengthen our costing and pricing strategies on our products, as well as prioritizing efforts on operational improvements and efficiencies, leveraging our knowledgeable and capable team members. We feel that these self-help initiatives will allow us to achieve a 10% adjusted EBITDA margin target at our current volume levels. We are on track to achieve this target in the next 18 to 24 months.

As of December 28, 2019, we had $171 million of cash and cash equivalents. Cash generated from operations during the third quarter of fiscal 2020 decreased slightly to $21 million compared to $23 million in the same period last year as cash flow generated by increased profitability was offset by cash utilization for working capital purposes. During the quarter, we used excess cash to pay down $5 million of our revolving credit facility. As a result, the company had $44 million of unused borrowing capacity under our $100 million revolving credit facility as of December 28, 2019.

We have a strong cash position with added liquidity from our credit facility that provides ample flexibility to invest in our core business and our strategic initiatives. We continue to be focused on identifying areas to utilize our strong free cash flow and opportunistic growth, which could include potential acquisitions or further organic capacity expansions. I'll now turn it back to Mark for some closing remarks.

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Mark J. Yost, Skyline Champion Corporation - President, CEO & Director [5]

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Laurie, thank you. As you can see from our results, we continue to achieve solid financial and operational performance. We are pleased with our continued track record of progress as we continue to achieve incremental improvements along our path to reaching our medium and long-term goals. We are encouraged by the feedback from our retail and community partners on the product and services we're providing them as well as the future opportunities to expand our off-site construction model offerings with an evolving customer channel like builder developers. As we look forward, we expect our markets to remain healthy, driven by the increased demand across the country for affordable housing. Our optimism is supported by the improvements that we've seen in the financing environment and the attention by regulators to suggest changes that are -- ultimately benefit our end customer. With favorable long-term demand fundamentals, we continue to invest and evaluate opportunities to position Skyline Champion as a sustainable solution for the future of our customers and their families. And with that, operator, you may now open the lines for Q&A.

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Questions and Answers

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Operator [1]

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(Operator Instructions) Our first question is from Daniel Moore with CJS Securities.

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Daniel Joseph Moore, CJS Securities, Inc. - Director of Research [2]

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Starting with, I guess, backlog's obviously now back down to, as you described, a more normalized level of 5 weeks. You certainly laid out a scenario where shipments likely start to increase. So just maybe talk about underlying demand trends, traffic at the dealer level, expectations for backlog as we look into fiscal Q4. Do you expect that to stay flat for the next quarter or 2? Start to build again? How should we kind of think about all that over the next, say, 90 to 180 days?

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Mark J. Yost, Skyline Champion Corporation - President, CEO & Director [3]

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Very good. Thanks, Dan. I think we see good traffic at the dealership level. Overall, the industry and activity across the board, it's very good, very healthy. So I think everything is very positive. We've seen strong growth as we mentioned in South Central Atlantic region recently. The past few months is -- 77% of the increase in the industry has been in that kind of Alabama through the Carolinas, Mississippi type region. So we've seen that rebound first, which was hardest hit last year by the weather. So we're seeing other markets start to kind of come back right now across the board, which is very good. Backlog should build into the first -- or into the fourth quarter -- end of the fourth quarter here, and then continue into, obviously, the June time period. So very confident in that. We have a normal seasonal backlog dip normally, especially with our Northeastern footprint. So this is very normal. Our backlogs actually were very good for this point in time of the year.

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Daniel Joseph Moore, CJS Securities, Inc. - Director of Research [4]

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Very helpful. And then just in terms of mix and modest decline in ASPs, do you expect that to continue as far as the U.S. product is concerned in Q4? And any -- obviously, you can't necessarily predict the impact of raw materials going out further, but what are your thoughts for trends as we get into fiscal '21?

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Mark J. Yost, Skyline Champion Corporation - President, CEO & Director [5]

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No, I would expect multi wides to pick up as we go through the season kind of into the June time period. Most of the dealers, as we talked about on the last earnings -- probably last 2 earnings calls, dealers have low inventory levels and I think this quarter particularly what they focused on is they had their sites ready for Single Wides. So they were able to take that product quickly because it's easier to set up a Single Wide product in the field for some of the community customers and some of the retails because of the -- there's less site work involved in setting those up. So during the winter period, keeping inventories lean, they probably tend towards those products first. But I think as the fall happens and things warm up, you'll see a more -- a larger trend to multi wides as the season picks up throughout the year. So you'll see a general uptick, a gradual uptick, as the year goes on in ASPs into the June, July, August time period.

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Daniel Joseph Moore, CJS Securities, Inc. - Director of Research [6]

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Perfect. Lastly for me. A subject I know you don't mind talking about, maybe just elaborate on Genesis and the builder developer channel. You mentioned a couple of specific orders that you've seen. Any more specific tangible evidence of progress and detail that you can provide for us would be helpful.

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Mark J. Yost, Skyline Champion Corporation - President, CEO & Director [7]

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Yes. Thanks, Dan. I think Genesis was well received at the International Builders' Show this past week. We've seen a tremendous amount of inquiry and activity from that. As we've mentioned earlier, we have seen a handful of orders start to be produced for subdivision to get in the ground with subdivisions. So they're actually in production now, being produced. So that's very encouraging that those are -- those levels of activity have happened. We've already produced MH Advantage in the field, but this is kind of a main forage in going into subdivision builder developer channel and it's actually starting. So we're encouraged by that.

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Operator [8]

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Our next question is from Rohit Seth with SunTrust.

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Here is the original post:
Edited Transcript of SKY earnings conference call or presentation 29-Jan-20 1:00pm GMT - Yahoo Finance

The key to fixing the homeless crisis in places like New York Cityisfewer regulations andless money unceremoniouslyflung at the issue, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Ben Carson said Tuesday.

Appearing on Fox & Friends with host Ainsley Earhardt and New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) Chairwoman Lynne Patton,Carson said in order to solve the issue of homelessness, policymakers must first askwhy homelessness is a problem in the United States in the first place.

HOMEOWNERS GIVEN $20G BILL TO CLEAN UP FORMER CALIFORNIA HOMELESS CAMP

You know, you look at Japan, you look at Tokyo they havevirtually no homelessness there, and what is the difference? he asked. They dont have stacks and stacks of regulations that keep you from being able to use technology.

We have some very innovative people in our country who have come up with modular homes, tremendous advances in manufactured housing, tiny homes there are a whole host of things that could be used, he added.

Patton reported that her officials had recorded more than78,000 homeless New Yorkers including 20,000 homeless children during the annual Point In Time count,ahomeless assessment report done yearly across the United States.

New York is trying our best to put them into shelters to give them the services they deserve and this administration is investing record funding to do that, she told Earhardt.

Homelessness is not a Republican or Democrat problem, Pattonwrote on her Instagram account yesterday. Its a human problem.

Carson admitted that millennials and recentcollegegraduatesearning starting salaries of $50,000 a year cannot afford to live in large cities like New York. He said that a strong back and a willingness to work are not necessarily going to be enough to pull people out of poverty anymore andargued that we need to retool people now while the economy is doing well.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FOX NEWS APP

The other thing we have to remember is, its not just a matter of throwing money at this and more and more vouchers and more and more services. Its also a matter of getting people out of the system, giving them the tools, helping to retool them so they can function in a more sophisticated society that we have now, the secretary explained.

They say, Repair the roof while the sun is shining and not when its raining.'

Excerpt from:
HUD Secretary Ben Carson on NYC's homeless crisis: More regulations are not the answer - Home - WSFX

WESTERLY State officials are reviewing an early version of a report outlining options for improving the quality of water that is discharged into the Pawcatuck River after it is treated at the municipal sewer treatment plant.

While town officials await feedback on the report from the state Department of Environmental Management, efforts are underway to secure grant funds to build a berm around the plant. The report was developed by Jacobs Engineering, the company the town contracts with to operate the plant.

Additionally, town officials learned recently that two grant awards totaling $304,000 had been approved from the Resilient Rhody Resilience Program for construction of a retaining wall for the old Canal Street pump station and for establishment of an infiltration swale on State Street and a wet swale around Timothy Drive. The swales and retaining wall are all flood protection efforts.

The Jacobs report presents three options, each with a different level of nitrogen removal. William Beauregard, the town's utilities superintendent, told the Town Council on Monday that DEM will make a determination based on input from federal environmental authorities and based on a study the department conducted of Little Narragansett Bay last summer.

"We'll have to come to a middle ground somewhere ... but the amount of funding that is going to be required no matter what level we have to go to, in my opinion, will require a bond because it will be a substantial sum," Beauregard said.

Town officials are also seeking a $4.2 million Federal Emergency Management Agency grant to build a protective berm around the treatment plant. Town Manager J. Mark Rooney said the berm is needed to protect the plant and future investments in it from potential flooding. The grant would require a $1 million match from the town. An answer on the town's grant application is expected in late March or April, said Lisa Pellegrini, director of the municipal Development Services Department.

Town Council President Christopher Duhamel said the review by Beauregard and Pellegrini points to one of the council's financial priorities in addition to the School Committee's work on a school building project.

"It's not just the school bond ... we have to protect our infrastructure. We can't let this slide," Duhamel said.

Protecting the town's sewage treatment plant and its drinking water supply emerged as two of the top priorities during a community resilience building workshop in August. Conducted as part of the Resilient Rhody Resilience Program, a climate resilience action strategy undertaken by Gov. Gina Raimondo and her administration, the workshop positioned the town to qualify for about $1 million in grant funding, according to Pellegrini.

Altogether Pellegrini's department has submitted applications for up to $7.2 million in grants, including required matches, to state and federal agencies for measures to protect the treatment plant and for a stormwater drainage project. Pellegrini thanked Gina Fuller, a resident and Southern Rhode Island Conservation District manager, who played a primary role in organizing the Resilient Rhody Resilience workshop.

A more detailed presentation before the Town Council on needed improvements to the treatment plant is scheduled for Feb. 24.

Go here to read the rest:
Westerly weighing its waste treatment options | Westerly - The Westerly Sun

More News04 Feb 2020 | 3:08 PM

Puducherry, Feb 4 (UNI) Puducherry unit of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Tuesday held a demonstration in front of the AFT mill here to press their demands.

Chennai, Feb 4 (UNI) Several crucial issues were discussed during the two hour long Cabinet meeting chaired by TamilNadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami at the Secretariat here today.

Puducherry, Feb 4 (UNI) Puducherry Welfare Minister M Kandasamy on Tuesday met ESI Corporation Director General Santhosh Kumar in New Delhi and held discussions pertaining to labourers problems in the Union Territory.

Chennai, Feb 4 (UNI) The Tamil Nadu government today announced cancellation of board exams for fifth and eighth classes, amid opposition by various parties and other organisations.

Kozhikode, Feb. 4 (UNI) Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan has urged the political party leaders to read the Constitution before making irresponsible comments.

Read the original post:
AP CM sanctions Rs 125 cr for completion of retaining wall along Krishna River bund - United News of India

Land north of Spring Mountain Drive in Brighton is hilly, shown Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020. A 70-home development is proposed on the land and neighbors are concerned the new homes will add to existing problems with erosion and flooding.(Photo: Jennifer Timar/Livingston Daily)

Several Brighton residents living next to the site of aproposed 70-home developmentareconcerned about the new homes after experiencing drainage and erosion issues in their neighborhood.

Farmington Hills-based Schafer Development has proposed 70 single-family homes on about 30 acres ofhilly, wooded land between off Flint Road between Interstate 96 and Spring Mountain Drive.It would be called The Bluffs at Spring Hill.

Schafer Development's President, Steven Schafer says he wants to assure neighbors the proposed storm water system and soil grading planswill not only address potential erosion risks but could also potentially improve neighboring residents' situation.

If city officials approve final site plans and a planned unit development agreement, then Pulte Homes will construct the homes. The city's Planning Commission is expected to review final plans and vote on whether to recommend City Council approval in February, but a date has not been set.

Maddalena Fanelli, who lives on Spring Mountain Drive, said she fears The Bluffs at Spring Hill would cause additionaland worsen existingsoil erosion and drainage issues.

Fanelli's home is one of 29 on the street, immediately south of the proposed development.

She said the way grading and storm water management was constructedin her neighborhood caused many problems for homeowners.

"If they go in and compact the land and remove land and trees, what then?" Fanellisaid. "This could be an erosion disaster area."

She pointed out a 1974 Livingston County Soil Survey that identified the hilly, sandy land as a severe erosion hazard. She enumerated her concerns in an October letter she submitted to city officials and Schafer Developmenton behalf of herself and her neighbors.

Court records show properties on Spring Mountain Drive the neighborhood is called Spring Hill have had erosion and drainage problems. Thecityhad to force the builders who constructed Fanelli's neighborhood to address the issues.

In 2014, the City of Brighton filed a lawsuit against Three-T LLC, Surgrady & AssociatesLLC, and Surdu Development Group Inc.

The city's lawsuit claimed the developers were out of compliance with a county ordinance on soil erosion and sediment control. It listed a variety of problems residents of Spring Hillwere experiencing.It also claimed work to bring the site into a safe condition caused "substantial deviations" from the city-approved site plan.

Residents on Spring Mountain Drive in Brighton, shown Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020, live south of a a 70-home development that is proposed on the land. Neighbors are concerned the new homes will add to existing problems with erosion and flooding.(Photo: Jennifer Timar/Livingston Daily)

The Livingston County Drain Commission performed several inspections in the neighborhood and discovered multiple problems caused by the way Spring Hill builders developed the land.

For instance, in 2014,drain commission inspectors discovered unstable ground along the edge of a basin that caused a sinkhole to form, according to court records. They also found sediment accumulation and numerous other problems.

Other issues found onSpring Mountain Drive included washed out slopes, eroded rock retaining walls, and water draining toward at least one home's foundation due to steep slopes.

In August2014,Livingston County Circuit Court Judge Michael Hatty ordered Spring Hill builders to immediately remediate the issues or prevent access to problem areas.

A 2015 consent judgement signed by Hatty established the conditions of a new, amended site plan and compelled Spring Hill builders to bring the development into compliance with the plan and address erosion and grading issues.

Nancy Durance, who lives on Spring Mountain Drive, was impacted.

"When they put in landscaping, it fell down the hill," Durance said. "When they tried putting the sod in, the grass wouldn't adhere to the soil. The soil wasn't staying because the angle of the land was such that even the soil was washing away. When there is water or rain, all of that runs down hill, a rock wall in back actually deteriorated."

She said she is skeptical the proposed The Bluffs at Spring Hill won't cause similar issues.

"Don't you remember, we have this issue, it's the same soil, the same hill, so are we going to end up with the same issues?" she said.

"We've engaged the right professionals, soil engineers, and we've been ensured that it's not a concern," Schafer said.

Schafer said the proposed storm water system for The Bluffs at Spring Hillis expected to capture a lot of the water currently flowing towardSpring Mountain Drive.

"Water will be captured into our storm water system into our detention basin and into a county drain," he said.

He said he and his team have taken residents' concerns seriously.

"It's not falling on deaf ears," Schafer said. "We will be responsible and we want to be a good neighbor.

"I understand what they went through. It was a busted job, so I understand, but we're working with a national home builder, Pulte Homes, and they don't cut anycorners," he said.

He said installing a water pressure booster could improve water pressure for neighboring homes.

"We're going to do the right thing. We're not going to put their housing develop at any time in jeopardy," he said.

The Bluffs at Spring Hill homes would range between about 2,000 to 3,000 square feet.

"They will probably start in the upper $300,000's to $400,000's range," Schafer said.

ContactLivingston Daily reporterJennifer Timar at 517-548-7148 or at jtimar@livingstondaily.com.Follow her on Facebook @Jennifer.Timar99 and Twitter @JenTimar99.

Read or Share this story: https://www.livingstondaily.com/story/news/local/community/brighton/2020/02/03/brighton-70-new-homes-neighborhood-impact-erosion-flooding/2856494001/

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Neighbors fear erosion, water issues at proposed site of 70 new homes in Brighton - Livingston Daily

During my recent trip to Israel, an Orthodox rabbi took me to see something that most outsiders do not usually see. It was Friday night (Shabbos, the Jewish Sabbath), and he wanted to go to pray at the Western Wall plaza in Jerusalem. Before that, he took me to see Kotel Katan an older, smaller, less well known section of the Western Wall located within the Muslim Quarter of Jerusalems Old City and from therewe went to one of the gates that serve as an entrance to the Temple Mount.

Walking through the Muslim Quarter, the air was thick with tension. Since I am a Christian, nobody bothered me. But there were people who went out of their way to bump into and shove my friend, who is easily identifiable as a Jewish rabbi. They were trying to start a fight. So I was surprised, upon arrivingat the gate to the Temple Mount, to find a large gathering of Jewish students. There, deep within the Muslim Quarter, these Jewish students wereprotesting about how they are not allowed to pray at Judaisms holiest site. Armed guards were there to keep Jews out. This is what he wanted me to see.

The Temple Mount, of course, was the site of the first and second Jewish Temples and where according to the faithful the third Temple will be built. I had some understanding about the rules governing the Temple Mount. According to theTimes of Israel, Under the current 52-year-old status quo at the site, Muslims can pray at the site while Jews are allowed to visit under heavy restrictions, in a predetermined route and only for several hours on weekdays but not pray there.

I wanted to know more about these students, who are brave enough to fight for change. So I was told to contactTom Nisani, the Israeli-born leader of Students for the Temple Mount and head of campus activity in the Im Tirtzu organization. I interviewed him briefly:

Mitsotakis (SM): What is happening on the Temple Mount and why?

Nisani (TN): The Temple Mount was liberated by the Israel Defense Forces in 1967. [There was] a total lack of interest among the Israeli public, and due to various historical realities that caused the national consciousness among the average Israeli, and even among the political leaders and military personnel of Israel, to be drawn simply to theKotel(Western Wall) despite it being only a retaining wall for the Temple Mount. The Mount itself was forgotten and the Jordanian Waqf that abandoned it during the battles was brought back to administer it by the State of Israel itself! Today, more than even 50 years later, basic freedoms such as prayer and freedom of movement are still ignored for all those ascending the Mount who are not Muslim. The Temple Mount is a place where these basic human rights and others are trampled on in the most outright and direct way. And this is happening in the holiest place for the Jewish people in the Jewish state! And just like in the other holy places for Jews in Israel, improvement is a process we are trying to hasten but at this stage on the Temple Mount, there are clear human rights violations and infringements of the rights of all non-Muslims.

SM:What is your organization, why do you do what you do, and what do you hope to change?

TN: Our organization was established about five years ago and includes students and young Israeli adults secular, religious, and so forth. We are from all over the nation of Israel. We want to return the Temple Mount to its fitting place in Israeli society. This means, practically, that we work towards normalizing the Temple Mount under full Israeli sovereignty and once it is, all other challenges, problems, and difficulties will cease. It would be beneficial to all involved parties for the Temple Mount to be under complete Israeli sovereignty. Today, as the Jordanians, Qataris, Hamas, and so many more, all attempt to influence what happens on the Temple Mount, we all lose. Peaceful tourists are routinely assaulted, Jewish worshippers are restricted and oppressed, and even the Muslims suffer from the corruption of their leaders including the Jordanians and the senior Waqf members. We will not rest until we change this situation, and we have already begun seeing change.

SM: I amtold that your group is secular. Yet this is an issue of enormous religious significance. Is the religious community supporting you?

TN: In our movement, we have members who are from all the types and stripes of Israel. And this is the beauty in our movement, Students for the Temple Mount. We reflect the Israeli public and understand the import of our mission. The Temple Mount is a place for all of the nation of Israel and so too will it be in the future. Even the most secular among us, or those who would be considered less religious, are connected to our faith and Jewish nationality and see those as important aspects of our identities. In fact, it is the Temple Mount that connects us the most.

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MITSOTAKIS: Meeting The Jewish Students Fighting For Freedom On The Temple Mount - The Daily Wire

Diane Smith @DianeSmith_RC

ThursdayJan30,2020at2:53PMJan30,2020at10:59PM

RAVENNA One of Ravennas international companies is planning to expand.

The citys planning commission recently approved site plans for Saint-Gobain to add a storage building and a new truck lane at its property at 335 N. Diamond St.

Ted Manfrass, architect for Saint-Gobain, said plans were approved by the city panel in 2018, but the company delayed funding for the expansion, and has since changed its plans. Originally, the company wanted another storage building to house waste materials, such as paint, until they could be properly disposed of. But since then, the company has changed its procedures for having such materials hauled off its site, and that building is no longer needed.

However, Manfrass and Dale Sibert, facilities manager at the Ravenna plant, said the plant needs more storage for the items that it manufactures.

The Paris-based company designs, tests and manufactures a variety of products, including airline equipment.

Ravenna Mayor Frank Seman, who has toured the plant many times, said he has a hard time going between the companys buildings because of traffic, something that the truck lane will help address.

Sibert said there will be a retaining wall between the truck lane and the storage building.

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Saint-Gobain to expand in Ravenna - Business - Wooster Daily Record