Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Steve and Natalie Brogan, owners of the nearly 20-year-old A-Plus Air of Stoney Creek, believe that everyone should understand the basics behind their home heating and cooling systems. This makes for informed consumers who can recognize top-notch, reliable service when they see it.

If youre looking for a heating and cooling specialist, look for a company that has taken on projects of all sizes. Make sure the contractors are not simply installers, but also have first-hand experience in custom designing, building and installing complete systems.

If youre a business owner, hire a company that has a full portfolio of varied commercial projects under its belt. It doesnt matter whether your own job is large or small; ideally, you want to hire a team that is expert in their field.

A reputable HVAC business will always look to create efficiencies for its customers, regardless of the scale of the project. Every job should be equally important, whether its a straightforward, minor residential repair or a complex, brand new commercial installation that involves several different heating and cooling zones.

The company should also be able to offer you a comprehensive range of products and services. The staff should attend ongoing training to keep their skills and knowledge sharp.

Look for a company that provides a personal and professional home consultation where you can gather information and have an open, relaxed and pressure-free discussion about your needs.

The Brogans last bit of advice is to insist on a business that is a long-time member in good standing with the Better Business Bureau. Its an important safeguard for consumers.

A really top-notch HVAC company can go beyond the basics to offer specialty services, such as designing and installing in-floor radiant heating, or expertly controlling your indoor environment through zoning systems and the use of separate thermostats. A-Plus Air can do all of this, and can even make recommendations on essentials like air purifiers and humidifiers.

A-Plus Air is a member of the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute, the Niagara Home Builders Association and the Ontario Home Builders Association, as well as the BBB. For more information about the company, please contact them at 905-385-6450. A-Plus Air is located at 1100 South Service Road, Unit 110, in Stoney Creek.

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What to look for in an HVAC provider - Hamilton Spectator

A vital program youve likely never heard of has been working behind the scenes to greatly improve the quality of life in Walla Walla.

In May 2013, the city of Walla Walla earned its status as an entitlement city Community Development Block Grant program.

Funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, CDBG helps the least privileged and the most vulnerable in our community.

With CDBG funds, the city has:

While the allocation varies from year to year, the city of Walla Walla received $368,678 in 2016.

CDBG funds are administered by the Citys Support Services Department.

The citys CDBG program has a number of projects and priorities for 2017.

The Home Repair Program, funded by CDBG and run by the Blue Mountain Action Council, provides home loans with no interest, and common house repairs such as roof replacement, heating/cooling system installation and electrical and plumbing improvements, to citizens with low to moderate incomes. CDBG will put $55,750 toward that effort this year.

CDBG will provide a total of $140,000 in funding for the construction of a teen center being built by BMAC.

The center will include a six-bed homeless youth shelter for youths ages 13-17, to be operated by Catholic Charities; The Health Center for Lincoln High School students; and a Childrens Home Society child-care facility.

With $35,000 in CDBG funding, Public Works employees will install a flashing pedestrian crossing at the intersection of 12th Avenue and Poplar Street to help Blue Ridge Elementary School students get to class more safely.

$20,000 in alley lighting will be installed in the Washington Park, Blue Ridge and Edith and Carrie neighborhoods. Homeowners in those neighborhoods can apply for lighting by emailing me at jbeckmeyer@wallawallawa.gov, or contacting Commitment to Community.

Habitat for Humanity will build three new affordable homes for families in the Edith and Carrie neighborhood.

A $31,500 contribution will go toward purchasing the land for the homes. Applications are currently being accepted by Habitat for Humanity for two of the homes.

More information and applications are available at ubne.ws/2oMY96i.

In 2018, approximately $50,000 in CDBG funds will be available for small-business loans with the goal of creating new jobs for low- to moderate-income individuals.

I am now accepting applications for these funds.

The infusion of federal funding into these local CDBG projects wont make headlines, but it makes a big difference to an elderly homeowner who cant afford to fix a roof, or a disabled person who has difficulty navigating a curb in a wheelchair, or a child who has to cross one of the busiest streets on the way to school, or a neighborhood that has been routinely victimized by criminals under the cover of darkness.

To apply for funding, please email me.

Jennifer Beckmeyer is the city of Walla Walla Community Development Block Grant coordinator.

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Community Development Block Grant program benefits Walla Walla's least privileged, most vulnerable citizens - Walla Walla Union-Bulletin

by Jon Wayne Service Company

Call for immediate service: (210) 293-6700

Many San Antonio home owners struggle with the dilemma of whether to repair or replace their current air conditioning system. Obviously, if the cost to get the unit back up and running is minor, then that may be a good option, but here are some factors you should consider before investing more repair dollars into your existing unit.

Heat pump or air conditioner is more than 10 years old. Consider replacing a HVAC unit that old with a high-efficiency model. Installed correctly, high-efficiency units can have a dramatic impact on your electric bill and actually pay for themselves over time.

Equipment needs frequent repairs. Frequent repairs are a sign that your old unit has reached the end of its life and is just worn out. Continuing to pay for more repairs is only prolonging the inevitable. The sooner you replace a unit in this condition, the sooner your energy bills will improve, which can end up paying for the new system and saving you money in the future.

Energy bills are very high. Your air conditioning system makes up as much as 60% of your utility bill each month. Older, inefficient systems use more electricity to deliver the same comfort level as current high-efficiency units do. It is not uncommon for our customers to report dramatic drops in their energy bills after we install their new system. Although each home is different, 50% reductions in utility bills (from the same time period during the previous year) have been reported.

Some rooms are too hot or too cold. These kinds of problems are usually the result of an improperly engineered system when the home was built or when the last unit was installed. A well trained technician can diagnose hot/cold spots in your house and determine if the problem is related to the unit's size (tons), inadequate insulation, improper duct work or some combination of these. You definitely want to have a Jon Wayne technicians perform a Complete Home Evaluation to make sure these problems are dealt with properly.

Home has humidity problems. Poor equipment operation, inadequate installation, improperly sized unit, and leaky ductwork can all cause the air in your home to be too dry in the winter and too humid in the summer. Again you will want a Jon Wayne technician to perform a Complete Home Evaluation to determine the cause and eliminate it completely.

Home has excessive dust. Leaky ducts can pull particles from your attic and crawl spaces and distribute them throughout your home. Sealing existing ducts or, if the duct work in your home is in poor condition, replacing your ductwork can be beneficial.

Heating and cooling system is noisy. Noisy units can be caused by a variety of factors including an undersized duct system or a problem with the indoor coil of your cooling equipment.

No two homes are exactly alike and as such, the only way to really know if repairing your HVAC system is the best option is to have a qualified Jon Wayne Comfort Advisor evaluate your home and explain to you their findings. In addition to a visual inspection of your equipment and attic space, we will also perform a Manual J Load calculation which uses information about your San Antonio area home (overall dimensions, window location, orientation to the sun, etc.) to determine the proper equipment needed to cool your home most efficiently. If serious issues exist (like rooms too hot or cold) we can perform a Blower Door Test which simulates pressure within your home and uncovers problems areas so they can be resolved.

Call for immediate service: (210) 293-6700 or click on jonwayneair.com

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Repair vs. Replace? - FOX 29

Students often attribute the rise in tuition to the renovations of the Quad residence halls, but what they do not realize are the strides Wake Forest is taking to reduce energy use and become a more sustainable campus.

The most recent completed renovation took place in Kitchin Hall, and as a result of improvements is more efficient in terms of overall energy consumption.

Kitchin feels fresh, secure, put together, just nothing seems wrong with it, said sophomore Mike Yurgelun, a current resident there. I have no complaints.

Were looking for anomalies, said Doug Ecklund the Building Systems Manager at WFU. Theres always an opportunity to do something better.

While students enjoy living in this newly renovated residence hall, they do not realize the long lasting implications these improvements can have on the environment. Some students may take a class or two on sustainability, but many are not exposed to the reality of climate change.

According to the Public Library of Science, more than 70% of primary energy used in education buildings in the U.S. is used for heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC), and water heating. If universities nationwide took steps to reduce their carbon footprint, we could be a part of the effort to slow the warming of our planet.

Students are constantly wanting to move into the newest residence hall just because it has new facilities and they dont care about the energy conservation, said senior Sarah Landis. Things that directly affect people are what students are going to notice more.

Maybe if Wake had some sort of requirement to take a class on sustainability, students would become more aware of how their actions directly affect the environment, said senior Daria Ruiz.

According to World Wide Energy, lately many college campuses are changing over to LED lighting because it not only cuts utility costs, but also provides brighter lighting increasing the safety of students walking during nighttime hours.

The interior lighting is LED, which uses very little electricity, has a one year payback period, and has a 10+ year life meaning were throwing away less light bulbs, said Ecklund in regards to energy consumption in Kitchin.

There is occupancy sensing for these lights, which is important because students tend to leave their lights on when leaving their rooms not recognizing the impact this may have long-term.

I lived in Poteat pre-renovation, Kitchins twin building, and remember a lot of people going to bed with their hall lights on, said Ruiz.

Before and after the renovation during occupied periods, Kitchin is showing a 19% reduction in energy use that can be attributed to the enhancements in the building, said Ecklund. Our goal is to analyze the buildings closely and focus on the worst ones.

According to Ecklund, other improvements made to reduce energy consumption are the installation of variable speed fans on the room heating and cooling units, the installation of reduced flow showers and fixtures and the ability of facilities to adjust room temperatures remotely during breaks.

Landis described her experience living in Kitchin pre-renovation as the air being damp so residents would request individual dehumidifiers, and remembers her suitemate having an insect problem.

The air quality was improved with the installation of basement dehumidifiers and the re-insulation of attic spaces, building piping, and ductwork, said Ecklund in regards to the renovation. The university does a lot to prevent mold growth.

Ecklund explained the Direct Digital Controls (DDC) that is connected to central campus and how it helps facilities monitor and control the efficiency of each building. In each mechanical room there are steam, water, and electric meters.

The retrocommissioning of building systems on campus is coming soon, an initiative to bring back design specifications and to operate as originally intended, said Ecklund about the future of this campus and sustainability.

Although the sustainable efforts are not being recognized as much in residence halls as in food locations such as the Pit, it is a matter of time and spreading awareness for more students to under the implications and take action.

Im glad these renovations can encourage students to act in a way that reduces our energy usage and therefore helps the environment, said Yurgelun.

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Quad renovations promote energy efficiency - Old Gold & Black

The Kansas Legislatures committee that monitors state building projects Thursday accepted the offer of a private firm to tour Docking State Office Building and formulate cost estimates for renovating or repurposing the Topeka building slated for demolition.

The administration of Gov. Sam Brownback has sought to take a wrecking ball to the tall office structure west of the Capitol after relocating hundreds of state employees to newly leased space in Topeka. That plan stalled when the 2016 Legislature compelled Brownback to sever a contract with a bank to finance construction of a $20 million heating and cooling plant to replace systems located in the basement of Docking.

The bipartisan Joint Committee on State Building Construction agreed to allow McGowan Gordon Construction, with offices in Manhattan and Kansas City, Mo., to tour Docking for the purpose of evaluating alternatives for the mothballed office building. The company offered to develop a report on possible uses of Docking at no cost to the state.

We require good information to make good decisions around here, said Rep. J.R. Claeys, a Salina Republican on the committee.

The Kansas Department of Administration was instructed by the joint committees chairman to cooperate with McGowan Gordon staff on a tour of Docking.

I hope you guys are on board to do that, said Rep. Adam Lusker, the Frontenac Democrat who chairs the committee.

Were certainly happy to give them a tour, said Sarah Shipman, secretary of the state Department of Administration.

The McGowan Gordon construction company was involved in the Flint Hills Discovery Center and the Kansas Department of Agriculture administration building, both in Manhattan; the KBI Forensic Science Center in Topeka; and the American Museum of Natural History at Prairiefire in Johnson County.

The joint committee tentatively scheduled its own tour of Docking for April 26. There is an expectation lawmakers on the panel will review the construction firms findings later in the 2017 legislative session, said Sen. Laura Kelly, D-Topeka.

I feel, finally, the Legislature is taking some control of this project, Kelly said.

Sen. John Skubal, R-Overland Park, said he was curious whether the committee would have interest in hiring a company to propose a design-build plan authored by a builder in conjunction with an architect. Renovation of Docking will be complex if it involves removal of several floors and retention of the heating and cooling infrastructure in the basement, he said.

This is going to be very, very complicated. I think that (design-build) delivery system for this building, as complicated as its going to be, may be something that we should investigate, he said.

Lusker said the committee could end up recommending a design-build approach, but input from McGowan Gordon staff appears to be a logical move.

This is a first step in a seemingly long process, the chairman said. After we get some findings back from the contractor, then maybe we can look at our other options if there are options for the building, which hopefully there will be.

More here:
Kansas House-Senate panel seeking fresh insight into future of Docking - Topeka Capital Journal

Soak up the sun, recline with a book, watch the kids playing in the backyarddecks, gazebos, and porches make perfect perches for these and a number of other warm season activities. If you are thinking of replacing a decaying deck or aging porchor adding one on to your homenow is the time to plan and schedule.

As with any construction or renovation project, your dream outdoor space needs to be designed with both your budget and your expectations in mind.

Decks

To renovate an existing deck that has seen better days, a contractor like Chris Healy of Shoreline Deck Company in Guilford will start by doing a thorough evaluation of the existing deck framing.

If you are replacing a rotting and splintering natural wood deck with maintenance-free man-made composite materials like Trex or Azek, you want to make sure the framing below will hold up to these heavier products to protect your investment.

"If the existing deck framing is in good shape, it costs little to bring that framing up to code," said Healy, "which includes checking how the posts are attached to the footings, the installation of joist hangers if there aren't any, and making sure the ledger board is properly attached to the house. Bringing the existing framing up to code can cost as little as a $100 in extra hardware."

The deck surfacing material is also something to consider carefully and discuss with your contractor. While a natural product like wood, according to Healy, is the lightest material to put over the deck framing, wood has weathering and maintenance characteristics that durable man-made materials do not.

Besides issues of durability and care, the design and over-all look of your deck should be discussed. While many homeowners will have heard about such popular decking products at Trex and Azek, someone building a high-end deck might lean toward what are termed "enhanced composites" or "high-end composites." These decking materials give the homeowner a bigger range of color and hue choices to more closely simulate the look of natural wood species and give a superior look to the surface grain.

Three- and Four-Season Rooms

A similar approach applies to adding a three or four season room to your home, or a stand-alone outbuilding like a gazebo.

"First we determine the homeowner's budget," said Jason Digiandomenico, production manager at Building Concepts in Branford, "and we ask the customer if they see themselves using the room addition for three seasons or year-round."

Prices will vary when building a three-season room verses four-season, and Digiandomenico noted that many people who end up building a three-season porch or porch enclosure end up wanting to upgrade to a four-season solarium, sunroom, loggia, or conservatory. The structure options that Building Concepts provides allow for later upgrades.

The four-season room also becomes a logical choice if you want to maximize its use to justify the expense of adding the room in the first place. Four-season rooms can also be designed to function as porches in the summer, while becoming energy-efficient, cozy, heated enclosures during the coldest of the winter months.

Roof lines also need to be considered when adding a porch or four season room, so that the architectural lines of the room addition are in keeping with the existing house.

The choice of building materials vary too, according to Digiandomenico. When a customer prefers a glass ceiling for a sunroom, various materials can be used including aluminum, vinyl, wood, or a combination of those materials to provide structural support for a glass roof while also addressing the homeowner's aesthetics and maintenance concerns.

If you are thinking of yard enhancement other than decks and sunrooms, companies like Carefree Small Buildings of Clinton specialize in providing such yard enhancements as picnic tables, gazebos, swings, gliders, pool cabanas, gazebos, pergolas, and playhouses.

Most of Carefree's buildings are manufactured on a custom built basis and homeowners are able to create exactly what they want rather than be forced to live with look-alike cookie cutter structures. Carefree offers onsite construction or they will build your desired structure offsite in its warehouse, and then truck the finished product to your yard for quickest install.

Expanding in Stages

When it comes to balancing budget and desire, it's advisable to discuss building your dream outdoor oasis in stagesa new deck this year, a pergola next year, a sunroom the year after that. Based upon your annual budget, a larger backyard oasis can be planned and constructed in stages until your ideal yardscape is realized.

Think about what you want and expect from your outdoor spaces and discuss them fully with the contractors you solicit for estimates.

After you settle on your design, are happy with the price, and sign the construction contract, let your dream yardscape be shaped into reality. Then kick back and enjoy years of fun and relaxation.

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Decks, Pergolas, Gazebos, and Porches - Zip06.com

Have a green thumb? As a gardener, you know that when you buy a house, youre also buying a garden. And for some garden lovers, the outdoor area can be just as important as whats inside. Here are 10 things to consider putting on your home-buying wish list if you love to garden.

1. Not-just-for-looks landscaping. Sometimes well-meaning homeowners update the landscaping to boost curb appeal for a sale, without realizing that the plants they put in are far too close together for long-term growth or are inappropriate for the climate. Be sure any new landscaping was done thoughtfully and wasnt overcrowded just to look good for staging purposes.

2. Ample sun, fertile soil. Aim to visit the homes on your short list at several points during the day to get a feel for how the sun reaches each part of the yard. You can also use your GPS to check the orientation of the house and get a better sense of how the sun moves across the property. If there is already a flourishing garden on-site, this is a good sign that the yard gets adequate sun and has rich soil.

3. Garden shed. A sturdy shed with room to store tools and supplies makes a practical addition to any garden. Look for a shed that is in good condition, is large enough to store all your tools and equipment, and has a door that latches to keep out curious pets and kids.

4. Potting area. A shed may be used as a potting area, but sometimes its easier to work out in the open. Look for a sheltered outdoor area with room for a work surface. Does it have easy-to-maintain flooring and an outdoor faucet within reach?

5. Healthy trees. Mature trees are a wonderful feature, improving air quality and providing shade to the yard. But sick trees, or those that have been neglected or improperly pruned, can be costly to treat (and may even need to be removed). Be sure any trees on the property are healthy and have been regularly maintained by an arborist.

6. Well-maintained hardscaping. Retaining walls, patios, decks, fences, water features, outdoor kitchens and fireplaces basically any permanent feature that is a part of the homes landscape should be inspected to ensure that theyre in good condition. These features form the backbone of the landscape, so you should also like the design!

RELATED: Fire Pits to Enjoy Your Landscape Longer

7. Greenhouse or conservatory. Whether its an elaborate conservatory attached to the house or a basic greenhouse in the garden, some kind of protection for young and overwintering plants can be a big boon to a serious gardener. Look for a free-standing greenhouse (or room to add one) if you plan to use the space to cultivate a large number of seedlings each spring. However, even a small sunroom can provide a handy spot for starting seeds and sheltering sensitive potted plants in winter.

8. Working irrigation system. A good irrigation system can save you time and usually uses less water than watering by hand. If the home you are considering has an irrigation system, be sure to give it a thorough test. Just because its there doesnt mean it works!

9. Critter-proof fencing. If the current owners have fencing around their garden, thats a pretty good sign that critters are a problem. Of course, if youre moving to an area where wild animals are prevalent, youll be thankful to have the fencing already installed! See what you can find out from the owners about the types of animals spotted around the property and what methods seem to help keep the critters away from tender plants.

10. A place to enjoy a good view of your handiwork. Whether its a spacious porch or an outdoor dining room, a comfortable area to kick back and relax is the ultimate retreat after a hard days work in the garden.

Continued here:
The Avid Gardener's House Hunting Checklist - Fox News

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Around the world and home again The view out the windows of a beautiful sunroom that overlook the mountains and the land farmed by his ancestors and, to the north, the Pocahontas County Country Club must be a bit of heaven for a West Virginia boy who loves to golf and returned home in his retirement. Thats where Jack Gay and his wife, Ellie, are these days. The road to retirement has been a long and serendipitous journey for this couple. Jack was born in Buckeye in 1937, a son of Lewis and Marguerite Gay. He graduated from Marlinton High School, received his Bachelors in Animal Science from WVU and his Masters from the University of Kentucky. From there he planned to enlist in the military because he was tired of school. Out of the blue, he said he got a call from his advisor asking if he would be interested in teaching for a year at Berea College in Berea, Kentucky. The college need-ed someone to teach animal science while its usual teacher was on sabbatical. Jack agreed to the one year, short term contract, and it was there that he met Ellie Gibson, who was a senior at Berea that year. The two became engaged, and married in 1962. Again, out of the blue, Jack received a call asking him to be involved in a 2,500 acre experimental station project at Auburn University in Alabama, and the couple began their married life there. It was a good fit, Jack said. He was raised on a farm, had a degree in animal science, and Ellie was raised on a tobacco farm in Ohio. Ellie taught first grade in Alabama that year, and in the fall of 1963, Jack was asked, out of the blue to be a part of a new program, implemented by WVU, which would provide teachers to Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. In their early and mid-20s, Jack and Ellie stepped up, and Jack became a teacher at Bukalasa College in Uganda. It was so natural, Ellie said. We loved the people, and they loved us. It was quite an opportunity to see the world. Jack said there was a lot of optimism there at the time a different and very peaceful climate. One of Ellies hobbies in, and prior to, retirement is birdwatching.

ELLIEGAYBIRDWATCHING in Panama. She said it is the couples passion for birds that keeps them traveling. Ellies goal is to see every bird in the world.

JACKGAYPLAYING golf in Jamaica. Jack got interested in the game while working in Uganda. Now that hes retired, he volunteers at the Pocahontas County Country Club.

JACKGAY WITHhis Real Deal Brazil recycled-tarp hat just right for a puttering farmer and Ellie with a book about her favorite hobby, Sumi-e, Japanese Brush Painting. Puttering and painting are just two of many activities that keep this couple busy in retirement.

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Enjoying ~ and staying active in ~ retirement - Pocahontas Times

Phillip Makselan, PNJ.com/HOMES 9:44 a.m. CT April 6, 2017

5058 High Pointe Drive, front view. (Photo: Phillip Makselan/PNJ/HOMES)Buy Photo

A large, well manicured lawn welcomes you to this updated, two story traditional brick home in the Marcus Pointe community. The four bedroom, three bath home boasts over 2,436-square feet with an open kitchen, spacious living area with an adjoining dining space. Additionally, a sunroom offers an additional 240-square feet of living or entertaining space. This home is just right for a family wanting a warm & traditional home feel, says Realtor Pam Heinold. Upon entering the home, the foyer welcomes you with a soaring ceiling and leads into the comfortable and elegant living space. The living area features a fireplace and is open to both the kitchen and the spacious dining area, allowing family and friends at large gatherings to interact seamlessly from space to space. Throughout the home youll find the walls freshly painted in neutral tones, oak hardwood flooring, and updated light fixtures. The kitchen is very inviting with lots of hardwood cabinets and storage space, new granite countertops, a granite sideboard with extra storage underneath, a stone backsplash, a new oil rubbed bronze goose-neck faucet with a pullout spray, oil rubbed bronze light fixtures and hardware, a new garbage disposal, black appliances, a new built in microwave, a window over the sink, and a pantry, says Heinold. One bedroom and a bath are located on the first floor, along with a den/office/game room that could easily be used as a bedroom if desired. Three bedrooms, including the master suite, two baths and a laundry room are located upstairs. The master suite includes a spacious bedroom with a view, a large walk-in closet and a private spa-like bath. The master bath features a double vanity area with a makeup station, abundant cabinet storage and a glass enclosed shower. Two French doors lead to the first floor sunroom where homeowners will enjoy morning coffee, dinner or hosting friends and family. The space overlooks the rear lawn and keeps you close to nature. The large privacy fenced backyard is perfect for children to play, pets to roam, for gardening or a pool, notes Heinold. In addition to the fabulous living space and lawn area, the home includes a side-entry two car garage with a work bench, making it a great space to work on projects. This quiet, friendly neighborhood is convenient to shopping centers, schools, medical facilities and is only minutes from the interstate.

HOME OF THE WEEK

5058 High Pointe Drive, Pensacola, FL

List price: $295,000

Approximate square feet: 2,436, plus asunroom

Bedrooms: 4

Baths: 3 full

Built: 1991

Listing Agent Pam Heinold Main Street Properties, Inc. Office: 850-912-4123 Cell: 850-232-2332 e-mail: Pam@PamHeinold.com

Online: http://www.mainstreetproperty.com

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Home of the Week April 8: Traditional, Updated Home In Marcus Pointe - Pensacola News Journal

Dent County voters went to the polls Tuesday to consider a number of election issues and several local offices.

The most discussed decision for many was Proposition 1 and Proposition 2, each a countywide half-cent sales tax to construct and operate a new Dent County Jail, respectively. Despite some outspokenness in online forums, an overwhelming majority cast ballots to authorize both taxes.

With all precincts reporting, both propositions passed by wide margins.

Proposition 1 passed by a vote of 1,525 yes and 731 no. Proposition 2 passed by a tally of 1,485 to 758.

Both measures had to pass in order for the jail project to move forward.

Proposition 1 has a 21-year sunset for the construction of a new 84-bed jail. Proposition 2 would be ongoing to fund the continuing operating costs of the new jail.

The taxes will not go in effect until October.

The project has been in development for more than a year. With the victory, the next phase of the $11 million facility will commence.

Incumbent West Ward Alderman Chad Heithold won a second term by defeating challenger Gene Baker. The final tally was 261-146.

Incumbent East Ward Alderman Haydn "Buzz" Powell was also reelected by defeating Jerry (Jay) Gibbs by a vote of 170-127.

Oak Hill R-Is proposed tax levy increase to fund improvements to school facilities passed by a margin of 160 to 105. The proposition increases the levy from $3.0850 per $100 of assessed value to $3.43. The school board voted to include a 10-year sunset clause in the ballot language, meaning the increase will go away after the 2026 tax year.

An onsite building project is planned to be funded, including a stud-wall wooden framed structure with sheet metal roof and siding.

Other concerns are the energy inefficiency of 56-year-old exterior windows and doors as well as 56-year-old heating systems that are costing the district each year in the form of high energy bills and repairs.

The levy will provide the funding necessary to make the building more energy efficient through the installation of new insulated windows and doors as well as replace the current HVAC units with high efficiency central heating and air conditioning units.

The levy increase is for improvements to facilities only. Revenue from this increase will be earmarked for Capital Projects only.

Incumbents secured their seats for the Salem Memorial District Hospitals Board of Directors

Sue Terry defeated Willie Strader by a vote of 1,087-915 in the District Four contest. George Gruendel also secured his District Six seat by a vote of 1,018 to 897 over Sheri Green.

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New Dent County Jail approved by a wide margin - The Salem News