NH amusement park reopens after power failureCONTENTS:
How many people showed up with discount coupons or other sort of discounts? I know i can get a ticket through my job for 20 bucks for the day. If i were there, and then i requested a refund, i now get the 30 dollar fee that i said i paid? That is the ENTIRE reason for the voucher. The park itself should not take a loss on the entire gate sales due to something they could not predict. If you figure that there were 20000 people in the park, and 10000 of those people used discount tickets, that means that the park itself would have lost 100000 just on giving refunds. its not fair to the customer, and its not fair to the park either. They did what they thought was acceptable. They didn't have to do anything. they could have left the park open until 8pm, and then closed it due to safety issues at 8pm when it got dark. [1] @ForThePeople: "The customers have the right to express their anger on a daffodil or two." They should have the right to destroy property? If Canobie's tickets are like most other tickets I've purchased, there is probably some disclaimer on the back that outline's the customers' rights in this situation. Even though those rights amount to squat, their customers have agreed to those terms when entering the park. That being said, it would have been a much greater gesture for them to allow people to mail in their tickets for that day for a refund.[1]  The park was right to provide vouchers. They can't afford to refund everyone's money, especially if patrons had been in the park for a number of hours already. It's analogous to a rain-out at a Sox game. [1] In addition to not spending a fun-filled day at the park, patrons had to contend with the long lines just to get out of the parking lot. Handing out vouchers just added insult to injury for those not able to use them, and were given out to mitigate the park's losses.[1] What did these people want the park to do? It wasn't their fault the power went out. A voucher for another day is a very reasonable gesture on their part.[1] About a half-hour later, another announcement informed patrons that the park was closing for the day. Daly's 15-year-old son, Jake, was sitting on the 'Xtreme Frisbee,'' a ride he described as a swinging ship, when the power went down. The Frisbee had not started yet, he said, but all of the riders had to be manually freed from their seats. 'When we were on the ride, they told us just the ride we were on lost power,'' he said. 'Then they announced the whole park and town of Salem had lost power.'' Visitors were stuck sitting in their cars while everyone attempted to leave the parking lot, Jake Daly said. One bus, he said, took 45 minutes to get from its parking spot to the exit. 'We ended up calling a local pizza place across the road, they delivered the pizzas to the parking lot,'' Wendy Daly said.[1] Most patrons had been at the park for a good part of the day at the point it had to close. I bet ripping out those flowers made those people feel so much better.[1] Most people were in long, winding lines to get out.'' Patrons who were at the park when it closed said they were given vouchers good for the remainder of the 2009 season. Despite the gesture, many were upset, saying the vouchers were useless because they were only visiting.[1] The power outage wasn't the park's fault, but, in the interest of fairness, people should have been given refunds.[1] It is a news story so people who may have been planing to go to the park know that it is open again and the reason for the closure was an area power outage.[1] There is no reason to do that at all, and the people who did are unreasonable and selfish. It's not like the park is at fault for a tree falling and stopping power from going.[1] I doubt insurance we cover the monetary loss if refunds were made. It you think about it. no admittance after 4:30 pm The park is open at night. The park lost their whole night business. [1] Completely illogical statement by ForthePeople. An act of nature causing the closing of the park does not mean that they're required to refund tickets should the park have to close early. It would have been nice of them to do so.[1] Refunds were not provided. A few angry park-goers ripped out flowers from large plant boxes outside the entrance as they left. [1] Maybe they couldn't refund because the power was down? Why not sell your rest-of-the-year voucher on ebay and make up the money you lost? What a bunch of dummies.[1] REFERENCES 1. N.H. amusement park reopens after power failure - Local News Updates - The Boston Globe Tigers lose another tough road game; Porcello earns his stripesCONTENTS:
Youkilis is a fine player, but a team can replace a corner infielder for one game a lot easier than they can a starting pitcher during the second inning of a crucial game, especially since the Tigers were already without Cabrera who left during his at-bat in the top of the second with a hand injury resulting from when he was hit. Cabrera's x-rays came back negative and he's listed as day-to-day. Jim Leyland had to scramble and piece together the rest of the game using his bullpen. Chris Lambert came in cold out of the pen and was asked to give the team as many innings as he could to save the rest of the pen from being overworked with two games still to be played in this series. Lambert gave the team five innings, unfortunately he also gave up five runs and four walks, giving away the 3-0 lead as quickly as the Tigers built it. [1] The White Sox are two games back and coming on strong. Detroit is struggling on the road and filled with players who look the same when they win as they do when they lose. Curtis Granderson, Placido Polanco, Carlos Guillen, Cabrera, Justin Verlander ……all of the Tigers best players have one thing in common, they are emotionless. The Tigers need to start showing some life if they want to win this division and make it to the playoffs. The bench clearing brawl didn't result in a win last night, but I think it could go a long way to bringing this team together and getting them to display an "us against the world" mentality.[1] No smiles during the highs and no frustration during the lows. Last night was the first time he has looked distraught or upset all season, and I was glad to see it. I guarantee he gained the respect of every single player on that roster last night. He had a six-year veteran with two World Series rings, a member of the U.S. team at the World Baseball Classic and a two-time All-Star come at him with full force and stood in there and took him to the ground. Then let it be known exactly what he thought of it when he was ejected, showing the rest of the squad that he wanted to stay out there with them and win the game and stick to the Red Sox. He showed emotion. I think he became a big leaguer last night.[1] Just a matter of when. The Tigers need every win they can get, so it wouldn't make much sense for the team to retaliate in the second inning of an important game with a 3-0 lead. Most likely they would wait until later on when a win was more of a sure thing and a pitcher who didn't really matter could come in to do the dirty work. For some reason Porcello decided to nail Youkilis in the back with his first pitch of the second inning. Youkilis charged the mound and in one of the more bush league displays I've seen, threw his helmet at a retreating Porcello. It's another unwritten rule that when a batter charges a pitcher he drops his bat and his helmet prior to getting to the mound as both can be used as weapons at that time. Youkilis missed with his helmet toss and then was wrestled to the ground by the much lankier and probably weaker Porcello. Benches cleared and after the dust cleared and the players returned to their respective dugouts both Youkilis and Porcello were ejected.[1] Miguel Cabrera was hit, which led Edwin Jackson to plunk Kevin Youkilis in retaliation. Later on Brandon Inge was hit leaving both teams a little steamed heading into game 2. It's been the golden rule of baseball that if you hit one of our players, we hit one of yours. It's been that way since the beginning of the time, and will continue to be as long as baseball is played.[1] There is no way Leyland would order a retaliation pitch at that point of the game. It was just too important and with Zach Miner unavailable and Armando Galarraga feeling ill and questionable for tonight's start, Porcello was too valuable to be used in that situation. Leyland knew the team needed to win that game and Porcello gave them the best chance to do it. There is no way Porcello or rookie catcher Alex Avila came up with the notion to throw at Youkilis on their own. Rookie batteries don't put the team in that kind of a position, not if they want to play again.[1] Win every game possible, which brings me to last night. Leading 3-0 heading into the bottom of the second inning, rookie Rick Porcello (10-7) coming off two great outings looked sharp once again after his team staked him to an early lead.[1] I think the Tigers accomplished both last night, and while doing so Porcello earned his big league stripes. It doesn't mean anything unless the Tigers can put together a couple of wins and avoid another road series defeat.[1] The Tigers have not won a road series since winning three out of five in Chicago June 8-11. They are a completely different team away from Comerica Park than they are at it, and if they cannot figure out a way to win today, they have guaranteed themselves yet another road series defeat. The Tigers are 40-13 at home this season, and incredible accomplishment making Comerica one of the great home field advantages in the American League. The flip side to that coin is their dreadful road record of 20-35. Ugh! I think it's fair to say that if the Tigers are lucky enough to make it to the postseason, they're ability to advance relies strictly on them getting home field advantage in each round. What do they need to do to achieve that? Win obviously.[1] Would it have resulted in a Tigers win? We can't say that for sure, but it was clear the game changed completely when Detroit had to go to the bullpen. That's what bothers me about the rule of throwing out the pitcher as well as the batter. [1] REFERENCES 1. Tigers lose another tough road game; Porcello earns his stripes Player Ratings: Republic Of Ireland 0-3 AustraliaCONTENTS:
Set up Keane'''s first wonderful chance but faded during the second half. Damien Duff ''' 6.0: Showed good feet through the first half and like McGeady before him was willing to take on his man, cutting in-field well at times. Found plenty of space for himself but was shackled by Carney, though suffered from O'''Shea'''s inability to get forward and support him. Kevin Doyle 5.5: Worked hard but was disappointing in terms of output, though it was clear that he was trying to sacrifice himself to make space for the players around him ''' like Keane ''' by dropping particularly deep but it also means the Wolves man didn'''t get on the end of anything himself. Robbie Keane 6.5: Looked dangerous with the ball at his feet and showed dazzling footwork to fashion a wonderful chance for himself during the first-half ''' only to fire the ball straight at Schwarzer from close range. Tried to galvanize his side as best he could, though didn'''t see enough of the ball just outside the box perhaps, the Irish midfield lacking his creative touch. Stephen Hunt ''' 7.0: Coming off the bench, helped to spark his side to life with a gallant individual performance. Always willing to take on his man, gave the Australians something to think about and stretched the defence, providing decent deliveries as well. [1] Made some crucial challenges, including one block from Keane from inside the area in the second half. Luke Wilkshire ''' 8.0: A quite outstanding display from a man not in his usual position, playing as a holding midfielder alongside Mile Jedinak. Had a good early effort on goal and was assured in the centre of the park, his challenges in midfield and composure on the ball absolutely crucial to Australia'''s dominance of midfield.[1] Rhys Williams ''' 8.0: A contender for man-of-the-match. The Middlesbrough man lived up to all of his hype and promise, combining defensive solidarity with attacking endeavour. His physical presence was felt also but it was his willingness to take players on and get forward that was crucial to Australia'''s performance. Jade North ''' 7.0: Overcame a shaky start to the game ''' his poor touch presenting Aiden McGeady with a shooting opportunity ''' to be the rock at the heart of Australia'''s defence before departing with injury. Nursed central defensive partner Madaschi into the game following his introduction and had a very strong second half. Patrick Kisnorbo ''' 7.5: Perfectly suited to the match, winning all the aerial battles and covering both of his full-backs well. Made his physical presence felt but also showed good timing in the tackle, judging his challenges well and making some crucial interceptions before being replaced.[1] Mark Schwarzer - 6.5: Typically commanding presence in the Socceroos goal, doing the simple things right and the difficult things even better. Saved superbly from Keane in the first half but it was in his willingness to come out and collect crosses constantly where his greatest impact was made ''' his presence behind the Australia back-line is crucial.[1] Was competent though on the ball and offered moments of quality. Tim Cahill ''' 8.5: Another two goals to his national team account ''' is there anything he can'''t do? The first finish was outstanding and the second sharp but again it was his work aside from the goals that made such a difference to his side, as he linked up superbly with McDonald during the first half, winning free-kicks in dangerous areas and generally being a handful for the Irish defence. Scott McDonald 7.5 ''' Worked really hard as the first-half wore on and began to link up extremely effectively during the first half with Cahill, setting the midfielder up for his first goal. Began to win free-kicks also and fully embraced his role as the team'''s target man, sacrificing himself willingly despite a lack of action immediately in front of goal.[1] Shay Given - 6.0: Made a good early save from Kisnorbo but was powerless to prevent Cahill from twice scoring in the first-half, on the second occasion saving well from Rhys Williams before seeing the Everton man fire past him from the rebound. [1] REFERENCES 1. Player Ratings: Republic Of Ireland 0-3 Australia - Goal.com Services That Eliminate Telephone TagCONTENTS:
RingCentral doesn't forward text messages to cell phones, something Google Voice does. In both cases, calls to numbers in the U.S. or Canada are unlimited. Other international calls incur fees based on the country called, but they're inexpensive. [1] Google Voice's biggest drawback is that you can't turn a number you already own into your Google Voice number. (New Yorkers may have to give up a 212 area code, which is like giving away a pet.) Google is talking about providing users with the ability to transfer a phone number to its service--what's known as "number portability." RingCentral already permits this.[1] The primary appeal of Google Voice, which is still in a testing phase, is that all of your phone lines--up to six in total--are consolidated into a single phone number. This may not be ideal if your spouse or kids use your home phone, because the call is routed to whichever line answers first.[1] On the Google Voice Web site you can set rules that allow the home phone to ring only if no other location picks up.[1] The first, Google ( GOOG ) Voice, is a free service aimed at consumers with busy lives and multiple telephone numbers. The second, RingCentral, costs $99 a month and seems especially suitable for small businesses managing staff in several locations, though there is also a $9-a-month version aimed at individuals or very small businesses.[1] If I were running a four-person consulting firm, RingCentral might be invaluable. It would make my outfit seem, at least over the phone, like a much bigger operation. You get a toll-free 888 number, a local number in your area code, a toll-free fax line, an automated receptionist, and five extensions, each with its own voice mail account.[1] I sit at a desk, place a few calls and leave messages, step away for just a moment--then dig through voice mails when I get back. [1] REFERENCES 1. Services That Eliminate Telephone Tag - BusinessWeek Dems falling from favor, but GOP can't find a way to benefitCONTENTS:
Well, looks like the Republicans will out-poll the librul Democrats around 2029. All we got to do is say No and wait it out and hope this Obama don't flush the whole country down the toilet. Maybe Sarah's son Trig or whatever his name is will be ready to run for President by then. Course, we all know he ain't exactly a Norman Einstein, but nobody said you had to be extra bright to be a good President. My President spent most of his years partying and drinking and running businesses into the ground and butchering the English language and he made a great President. In other news, I see this guy shot a teenage driver ahead of him twice in the legs for not pulling up close enough to the stop sign. [1] This is actually nothing but good news for Republicans. At this rate, the two parties will be held in the same low regard by election time in 2010 and the party that was dismissed by silly people on the left as "irrelevant" will be on equal footing with the Dems in the first half of Obama's administration. The notion that this is not good news for the GOP is as absurd as the notion that the GOP is dead.[1] Which is all very good news if your running as an independant, libertarian or green. I'm hoping at some point we the people can get out of this 2 party rut we've stuck ourselves in.[1] In addition to sampling error, question wording and practical difficulties in conducting surveys can introduce error or bias into the findings of public opinion polls. There you go'''Anybody can do a phone poll and present it as hard fact on the news and people will just believe what ever the media tells them to believe'''." What can you gather from these polls in reality? That of the 2727 who answer their phones when a survey gatherer calls about have of them think obama and the democratic train wreck in congress is just peachy. That'''s all you can get out of it, nothing more in reality.[1] CHRIS SAYS: You keep throwing around the word "socialism" but do you even know what it means? Obviously not because what you call "socialism" isn't that at all. Liberalism is a mental disorder??? Considering the fact that if Jesus Christ himself descended on us today, people like you would brand him a LIBERAL and crucify him all over again.[1] You Republicans do realize that when those folks you've cuckolded so far catch on to your lies about euthanasia, death panels, &etc;, you are just going to lose more voters? People don't like to learn they've been had.[1] We have our idiot loudmouths for the same reason that you have idiot loudmouths like Olbermann and Maher: because mindless partisans enjoy hating people. That being said, you are the folks who claim to be so tolerant.[1] This poll just makes the Republican party look like they have gone and stagnated. It's as though they have been just sitting around saying no or sitting in their vacant foreclosed house, refusing to leave or something. That is really pathetic. [1] Clear-thinking people also reject the republican party to a lessor extent. It is merely a bounce, not un-like what we witnessed with Jay Bookman upon return from his excursion.[1] " i thought the gop was supposed to the '''big tent''' party. instead, you (and i mean the generic you) throw out there such bastions of tolerance and respect as limbaugh and coulter." Well both parties believes they are a big tent party. [1] Brother lemme tell ya something and Mean Gene Im talkin to you too. I receive millions of cards and letters from my little hulksters weekly and they seem to have one question. Thats Hulkster when are ya gonna chop this 7 headed dragon down to size.[1] When all is said and done me and the little hulkster, the hulkmaniacs are gonna rejoice in stupendous over the top victory party with vitamins and prayers for everybody.[1] When your numbers are cratering and you want a poll that some opinion writer will claim shows your opposition isn't benefiting you poll 1136 Americans with an over sample of African-Americans. It's hard to get a more meaningless sample than this poll. [1] Gallup’s latest numbers show Barack Obama stabilizing his own approval numbers, perhaps a consequence of some encouraging if perhaps premature economic news. Gallup puts his approval/disapproval at 56/38, compared to 52 percent a week ago. On this map, Gallup depicts Obama's average approval rating state by state over the last six months. Again, this is not a snapshot of approval today; it is an average of the approval rating since January.[1] President Obama has taken on the hard issues and given us the information needed to make informed decisions. It is a leadership quality that helps informed citizens make mature and rational choices.[1] The reason the Repugs cannot take advantage of sliding Democrat unfavorable numbers is quite simple. They have no clue. They have no plan. They've been in a simpering, shrinking violet mode since last November, acting like a bunch of beaten down dogs (no apologies to Micheal Vick), which, in fact, they have become. [1] REFERENCES 1. Dems falling from favor, but GOP can't find a way to benefit | Jay Bookman Full Trailer For The Imaginarium of Doctor ParnassusCONTENTS:The full trailer for the movie also gives us a real (albeit quick) look at Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell and Jude Law, who were cast to portray Ledger's many magical personas after the actor sadly passed away back in January of 2008 (yes, it really has been that long). Ledger finished filming all the real-world stuff, but didn't film that much (if any) of the fantasy world scenes since he passed away during the movie's principal shoot. It looks like Gilliam has found an excellent way of incorporating the trio of new actors - they're actually done up so well to look like the way Ledger does that I actually had to look twice to see it was a different actor. [1] "Nothing's permanent, not even death." A somewhat ironic line spoken by Depp since this is a trailer for Ledger's final movie and it doesn't even say anything like the final performance as Ross said. Will definitely see this at some point.[1] I like that the trailer only hints at what the true nature of the movie will be, as opposed to trying to cram the full explanation into 90-odd seconds.[1] REFERENCES 1. Full Trailer For The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus - Screen Rant The Healthcare Debate Heats UpCONTENTS:My health care in England, was first class when I lived in there, without financial worries and no distractions from profiteering insurance companies. Since the inception of the European common market and the directive of open borders for cheap labor pouring into the industrialized nations, they have been overwhelmed by the impoverished needing health care. Such conditions didn't exist before the 1960's, as the their was no mass immigration and waiting periods. In America today and since the newest waves of legal and illegal immigration, costs to medicate these people have sky rocketed who have never paid one penny into the system. Each previous government never have restricted immigration, but allowed taxpayers to pay for their health care and welfare benefits. [1] Just look at the Massachusetts state health system, which is going bankrupt because the state does not have the money to pay for it. Why should anyone pay for health insurance if they can get a government funded benefit? That is the future of Obama's healthcare--it is just that he and others are not willing to learn from the past. Both major parties should focus on finding some kind of workable solution instead of putting so much effort into damning each other's ideas.[1] Now Obama is insisting on yet another AMNESTY, which will be even costlier to the American taxpayers, so says the Heritage foundation. American taxpayers should not have to subsidize U.S. businesses, which has been happening for years? A large majority of pariah corporate executives, do not want any restrictions on foreign national workers, that is why they have tried to kill a mandated E-Verify identity data base, to extract all illegal immigrants from the working environment. That SANCTUARY STATES like California must rescind illegal immigrant refuge policies. That President Obama's health care renewal plan'''WILL--attract millions more impoverished people from around the world. That they can join with the 20 plus million already here, to get free medical care under the Democrats law now passing through Congress.[1] The arithmetic shows that the reckoning has finally arrived. Now it is claimed that this is the fault not of over-active politicians, but of "evil" insurance companies! Illogically the Deomocrats conclude that action must be taken to "rationalize" our medical care by taking ever-more control of the shrinking portion of health care that is still the domain of the private sector. It is said the opponents of this "reform" are the illogical ones, fearing change without basis in fact. People well understand that what is being proposed is centralization of control over their lives to an extant that is truly unprecedented in the history of the Republic.[1] We are retired and have Medicare and secondary health insurance. My husband is alive today and he has had two serious health issues. If we hadn't had Medicare and insurance he wouldn't be alive today.[1] Within Medicare our President proposes to enact "cost savings" to reduce looming deficits. Who is going to pay for those cost savings - he claims hospitals, drug companies and doctors will pay. In reality these "payments" can only be achieved through reductions in benefits provided to Medicare recipients. Obama claims otherwise, but this claim is likewise illogical on its face.[1] REFERENCES 1. The Healthcare Debate Heats Up - Letters and Comments (usnews.com) Honda Europe Giving Away VIP World Superbike Tickets To Celebrate ...CONTENTS:Honda Europe has announced a new website that covers all its motorcycle racing activities, from trials and motocross to World Superbike and MotoGP. To mark the announcement, the company is running a competition to win exclusive VIP passes with team hospitality to a series of World Superbike events in Europe. Visitors to the Honda site can research all the world championship motorcycle series in which the company participates, together with national racing undertaken by various Honda importers via links to their own web pages. Race fans can select their favourite series and personalise the site to suit their own preferences, including receiving race reports to their email inbox every Monday morning during the racing season. [1] REFERENCES 1. Honda Europe Giving Away VIP World Superbike Tickets To Celebrate Launch Of Its New Racing Website News Article // RoadracingWorld.com From California, a Note of Concern Sent to City Council Regarding ...CONTENTS:Term of lease -- The proposal is for a 25 year lease, with 5-year renewal options thereafter requiring only approval from the City Manager and Park and Recreation Department Director. Problem: This management agreement would lock the city into a contract for 25 years -- that would be difficult to reverse. Discussion: As stated above, this deal is being rushed through City Council, and it has not been properly vetted, nor has the public been given the opportunity to review and comment on the proposal. The city cannot anticipate problems that may arise with this new venture, and comparisons to other cities do not suffice. A long-term contract benefits only the DZS it is not in the interest of the city of Dallas and the citizens who are the owners of this property. [1] The Dallas City Council -- proving intelligent design is wrong for over one hundred years. They can raise a little extra cash selling their extra livestock to Fuddruckers. When Dallas contracts with the nonprofits to run the museums do they give their priceless art collection away to the nonprofit? WHY on earth would Dallas City Council give away assets (i.e. animals)? There is no need to reliniquish assets for this management contract; there is no reason to enter into a 25 YEAR contract. Why the rush to enter into this agreement? Something is fishy here - it just doesn't add up. These folks say that the "proposal is being rushed through without proper vetting," yet they had time to make a detailed analysis and lengthy recommendations based on the proposal. I think this translates to mean "you must not have looked at it long enough because you don't agree with our conclusions." The group's "mission is to end animal exploitation, cruelty, and abuse by protecting and advocating for the rights, welfare, and habitats of animals, as well as to raise their status beyond mere property, commodities, or things."[1] Problem: In transferring "ownership" the city will be giving away a valuable asset and abdicating responsibility for the animals it currently "owns." Under the terms of the proposed Zoo Management Agreement, the City will no longer be able to ensure their adequate care and welfare.[1] Problem: Privatization of zoo management and ownership of the animal collection removes access to information about zoo operations and animal care now protected by the Texas Public Information Act. Discussion: This will prevent citizens from accessing information about zoo animal care, finances and other operations, yet citizens will still be responsible for contributing $14 million per year for zoo operations. Public access to records has been critical in holding the zoo accountable for its care and treatment of animals, among other issues. Limiting access to these records would seriously impede the citizen's right to know about operations of this public entity.[1] No oversight mechanisms are included for ongoing zoo operations, nor do there appear to be any reporting requirements. Discussion: This proposal turns the management and operation of the Dallas Zoo entirely over to the DZS Board of Directors, even though the city will continue to fund the zoo. The citizens of Dallas and their elected representatives are left out of this equation. Please remember that zoological society board membership is exclusive -- members are often chosen for their financial ability and are frequently required to make substantial annual donations. Wealth does not qualify individuals to run a zoo, nor does it ensure that the citizens' wishes will be represented in the operation of this public entity.[1] Solution: The City of Dallas must maintain ownership of the animal collection, just as it intends to maintain ownership of the land and the physical exhibits at the zoo. This will not impact the zoo's ability to maintain AZA accreditation. This will positively impact the citizens' ability to ensure that animal welfare is a priority at the Dallas Zoo. It will allow the city to fulfill its moral and legal obligation to these animals, who are completely at our mercy.[1] The City will be giving away and lending for free millions of dollars in assets but will still be required to pay $11 million to $14 million per year to run the zoo. It will be locked into this contract for a term of 25 years. Most importantly the city will be giving up oversight, accountability, transparency and its ability to set policy for this venerable public institution. It's a bad deal for the taxpayers.[1] The city owns the land, buildings, and animal collection and contracts with the zoological society (Friends of the Zoo) to manage the zoo.[1] Please note that similar threats about loss of AZA accreditation have been used in other cities to thwart city council involvement in zoo operations, particularly with regard to animal welfare.[1] Establish regular reporting requirements on zoo operations and finances, including animal acquisitions, disposition proposals, identification of long and short-term goals for facility and animal management and capitol improvement.[1] Following are two examples of zoo management agreements which guarantee public access to zoo information and records.[1] Chief among the issues: the city's turning over to DZS complete ownership of the animals, and concern over access to medical records at the zoo.[1] After state approval of a records retention schedule for City Documents, the Superintendent and WPZS shall negotiate an agreement for transferring custody of City Documents to WPZS to the extent permitted by law. That agreement shall, at a minimum, condition the transfer of custody as follows, and shall hold WPZS liable to the City for failure to comply with WPZS's obligations under the agreement.[1] The city of Dallas will be "giving away the store" -- personal property, the animal collection, use of a revenue-generating facility and an unspecified sum in city dedicated funds. The value of this giveaway is not quantified in the presentation.[1] In exchange the city is getting a modest reduction in the amount of funding it commits to the zoo (31 percent less in the first three years, but thereafter 11 just percent less than it is currently paying).[1] Indeed many zoos that are city-owned (including the animals) and managed under contract by zoological societies maintain AZA accreditation.[1] REFERENCES 1. Dallas - Unfair Park - From California, a Note of Concern Sent to City Council Regarding Dallas Zoo Transfer [Editorial] Maintaining guidelines on fair trade in the newspaper ...CONTENTS:The Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) will convene a full meeting tomorrow to decide on how to proceed with the guidelines regulating newspaper marketing and distribution. According to convention, guidelines that are five years old and have not been revised since their enactment are automatically annulled. Although the KFTC has indicated that it has plans to re-instate them, one cannot help but be concerned whether the FTC will discuss doing away with them entirely. It is well-known that since the start of the Lee Myung-bak administration, disturbances in the industry by the so-called Chosun Ilbo, JoongAng Ilbo and Dong-A Ilbo dailies (ChoJoongDong) has grown much more serious. These newspapers, which had earned the stigma of being ''bicycle newspapers'' after giving away bicycles as one of their high-pressure sales techniques, are being seen touting their newspapers on the street and giving away department store gift certificates. They are also resorting to giving away cash, and if these financial inducements were not enough, they are also giving away free three-year subscriptions to consumers. [1] The number of complaints the FTC has received for violations of the industry''s distribution guidelines has skyrocketed from 197 in 2005 to 585 last year. Despite this situation, the FTC has weakened its enforcement, has stopped conducting direct investigations and hardly maintains a system of penalties.[1] REFERENCES 1. [Editorial] Maintaining guidelines on fair trade in the newspaper industry : Editorial : Home Not about Compassion???It's about MoneyCONTENTS:Had anything like that language been in the ballot measure there is a distinct possibility the measure would have failed. That would have been a terrible outcome for people who need medical marijuana but the voters did not approve of cannabis clubs or storefront dispensaries and the Legislature has clearly amended the CUA with these additional sections. We will watch to see what the City Council does with store front dispensaries and how they explain the sections mentioned above in regard to the State Constitution. [1] Qualified patients, persons with valid identification cards, and the designated primary caregivers of qualified patients and persons with identification cards, who associate within the State of California in order collectively or cooperatively to cultivate marijuana for medical purposes, shall not solely on the basis of that fact be subject to state criminal sanctions under Section 11357, 11358, 11359, 11360, 11366, 11366.5, or 11570.[1] When voters approved the Compassionate Use Act (CUA) in 1996 ensuring that seriously ill Californians would have the right to obtain and use marijuana for medical purposes they had no idea that they had inserted themselves into the middle of an already unfolding effort to legalize Marijuana in the United States.[1] In introducing the bill, the Legislature stated that reports from across the State had revealed problems and uncertainties in the act (CUA) and impeded the ability of Law enforcement officers to enforce provisions as the voters had intended, preventing patients and caregivers from obtaining the protections afforded by the act.[1] The Appellate Court in striking down that part of SB 420 stated that: "Section 11362.77 amends the CUA, and therefore it is unconstitutional. They were referring to Article II, section 10, subdivision (c), of the California Constitution which provides: "The Legislature may amend or repeal referendum statutes. It may amend or repeal an initiative statute by another statute that becomes effective only when approved by the electors unless the initiative statute permits amendment or repeal without their approval."[1] Section 11570 addresses buildings where selling, serving, storing, keeping, manufacturing, or giving away any controlled substance. The Legislature planned that buildings would somehow be used and added protections to those associated with them to the CUA. What would have influenced them to do that? One can only speculate that it had something to do with the Cannabis clubs or dispensaries of Oakland and San Francisco.[1] REFERENCES 1. CityWatch - An insider look at City Hall - Not about Compassion'It's about Money Selling When Business Valuations Are LowCONTENTS:
Although seller financing -- transactions in which sellers agree to hand over the business in return for installment payments -- has picked up steam, it doesn't encourage business owners with low-valued businesses to sell. Many owners are increasingly turning to transactions known as "earn outs" in which business owners agree to sell their lower valued firms today in exchange for a cut of the company's future profits, Citrolo says. [1] Investors weren't the only losers when the stock market crashed last September. Business owners also watched their company valuations plummet. Timothy Butler, the president and chief executive of Tego, an RFID chip maker in Waltham, Mass., saw his firm's value fall quickly with the market's downturn.[1] We had to rewrite our business plan to recognize current realities." Many firms turned to equity financing during the downturn to make up for their cash shortage. That solution can help keep a business afloat, but each time this type of funding is raised, a company must be appraised, says Jeffery Sohl, the director of the University of New Hampshire's Center for Venture Research. If owners revaluate their companies when values are lower, they may have to hand over more ownership in the company because the same amount of money buys more when values sink, he says. In an effort to shore up his firm's valuation, Butler decided to forgo traditional equity financing. He issued convertible debt, which is seen as less risky than regular equity investments.[1] Let's say a business that was worth $2 million a year ago was broken down into 10,000 shares worth $200 each. Let's also say that business lost 20% of its value after the downturn, sinking the firm's shares to $160 each. Instead of being restricted to giving away 5,000 shares (to stay within the $1 million exclusion), the owner can now give away a larger percentage of her business (6,250 shares) to her children.[1] Since February, Butler has managed to raise $1 million in debt financing. Butler was able to avoid a lower valuation, but many other business owners -- especially those who are older and angling for retirement -- haven't been so lucky.[1] In the second quarter, the median sale price for completed business sales dropped 20% to $160,000, from $200,000 the year before, according to BizBuySell.com, a web site that tracks business sales. "There's no question that it's a challenging environment," says Anthony J. Citrolo, a principal at New York Business Brokerage, a business brokerage firm in Melville, N.Y. "If the last three or four quarters haven't been great, some owners will have to accept about 12% to 15% less than what they would have gotten a year ago," he says.[1] "Depressed values are going to bounce back," Painter says. At a time when buyers are scarce, another option for owners is to sell the firm to its employees.[1] Employees may be more willing to purchase the company via stock transfers today, Vandenack says. "It's an opportunity to get into the business for cheap," he says. "If you sell them a portion of the business today, that percentage of the business will presumably increase. Even if the company's value goes up before finish buying it, they've at least gotten a discount on a portion of the business." Getting anyone to pay for a business in full is a tough proposition these days.[1] Got an awesome software application or tech service that makes your life easier as a small business owner? Share your knowledge here. [1] REFERENCES 1. Selling When Business Valuations Are Low - WSJ.com |