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Simo Kirssi gets the first title for the BMW G 450 X
Kirssi Simo is the new champion of the German Cross Country Championship (GCC) in the professional class XCPro. When the final run in the GCC Schefflenz won the Finnish BMW factory driver one day after its 29th Birthday extremely low on the track a grand victory and the title for the team of BMW Motorsport motorcycle. For the success of the Belgians completed Wei?blauen Jeff goblet, in Schefflenz was third, and the young German Bert Meyer in the finals only on the 9th Square landed, but so are the third place in the championship secured.
The Le Mans start this time belonged Simo Kirssi alone. Directly behind him was his toughest rival in the championship, the French super star cross-Cyrille Coulon, the race, followed by Bert Meyer. In this sequence set the leading quickly from the rest of the field, and Meyer also brought much distance between himself and his pursuers.
Coulon did in the first round much pressure and could ultimately Kirssi pass. The Finn then left him the leadership job, but always remained like a shadow on strike distance. After about half of the race over Simo after the tank stopped again the leadership ..
After a distraction from Kirssi Coulon could again put at the top. The "Flying Finn" countered, however, continued its pressure on the French and took over after a driver of the Yamaha pilots back to Pace. The duo went over the entire distance downright in a separate class. The last 20 minutes belonged exclusively to the BMW Star, which is clear from his counterparts and finally was able to sell under the jubilation of his fan community went into the goal.
Bert Meyer, about half of the race to safely ranked third place, lost due to technical problems his podium place. He had several times in the box in which the mechanic a good job and delivers targeted with hand grips could fix the problem. The young driver was the race finally successfully quit.
Jeff Goblet drove a smooth race for him in this unusual sport and could - after Meyer had fallen behind - the ungef?ñhrdeten third place on the podium secure.
The Cross Country Series XCC now has only one date this year, which is in the Austrian Mattighofen for the European title goes. There are on 18 October is the strongest driver from Germany, Austria, Italy and the Czech Republic against each other.
Simo Kirssi: "I could start at the Holeshot pick. And then ran it only once actually quite calm. Although I wanted to start a little more pressure. It was very slimy and, therefore, I not quite as desired. I had then gone Coulon, which drove directly behind me. In hindsight view, was correct. We then drove together and had us together through the ?£berrundeten fight. Coulon this time was a little faster, sometimes I do. When refueling made our team a great job. We were faster, and I went back out to be the first. But Cyrille was directly behind me. Then we have three rounds, where many right gas. In a curve, I was not aggressive enough because he was able to pull back. Then we both turned even more. I then I just viewed the lines, which drove Cyrille. Then I have a draufgelegt times. Coulon was then no longer oppose. I am obviously on the huge victory and the title and I thank all who have helped me - the whole team, especially my brother and mechanic Juho. It was a great collaboration and mood in the team. "
Slide Show
Happy Birthday
US Forest Service: Fall color guide
urbanext.uiuc.edu: The Miracle of Fall ÔÇô About Fall Color
Another BMW is a winner this weekend and the owner is a fellow member!
BMW MOA/FORUM: My airhead won a blue ribbon today!
Nice bike!
solomot30.com: Yamaha Majesty Sport for 2009
And the beat goes on
motorevue.fr: BMW K1300R
solomoto30.com: Imminent BMW K1300S 2009
sportrider.com: BMW S1000RR Superbike - No More Excuses Or Fallbacks-BMW Is Dead Serious About Superbikes This Time
canada.com/edmontonjournal: MotorcyclingÔÇÖs SUV has arrived
dealernews.com: JapanÔÇÖs big four cut U.S. shipments 27%
dealernes.com: Sturgis seeks dealer distributor.
Despite the rally no dealers in Sturgis
Turn up or down the sound depending on your taste and get a glimpse of the man behind Zero Engineering and its special style of customs
southsiders-mc.com: Shinya Kimura interview
Vintagenet.com takes a couple looks at NSU
The Blue Box
Super-Secret NSU collection spy photos
thekneeslider.com: Harley Davidson VR1000 street version for sale
coroflot.com: Concept Bulle VRod 4V
Why not?
motojournal.com: KTM RC8 Kompresor
Vespas are more powerful than most of us think.
piaggiogroup.com: +81.1% growth in vehicle sales in the USA from January to August
This is sort of a ÔÇÿman bits dogÔÇÖ video from an old Top Gear show.
MotoGP is headed to a single supplier for tires. The process that took it their may be suspect, but for the fan this is good. It eliminates one of the last non rider, non marque issues from the racing equation. It levels the playing field in so many ways. For the fan this should mean closer racing that means something down through the field and more passing, if that is possible.
hellforleathermagazine.com: Michelin quits MotoGP; Bridgestone becomes single tire supplier
crash.net: Kubica ready for last chance to challenge
planet-f1.com: BMW aim to make up for lost ground
f1-live.com: [Peter] Sauber urges caution on F1 night races
Last week Ferrari President Luca Montezmolo said he was embarrassed by Singapore, now it is Bernie EcclestoneÔÇÖs turn.
[http://www.f1complete.com/content/view/10533/900/]f1complete.com: Ferrari are the clowns in the circuits
bmwblog.com: Review - BMW 730d
bmwblog.com: Is the BMW X6 excessive and expensive?
aotoreader.net: Alfa at the Paris motor show 2008
classicrallies.com: Lola Cars 50th Anniversary in 2008, Golden Parade
egmcartech.com: MINI crossover concept
leftlanenews.com: Ferrari boss says sedan out of the question
motorauthority.com: Rolls Royce plans to hire 200 additional staff for RR4 saloon
autobloggreen.com: 10th Petit Le Mans is over, the fridst green Challenge winner is
nytimes.com: Capitalism to the rescue.
worldofbmw.com: EBMWR08 Spanish success!
bmwmotorrad.co.za: Riding around Australia on a R850C
New Web Portal Allows MINI Enthusiasts to Choose or Create Own Interior and Exterior Vinyl Graphics for Unparalleled Level of Personalization
Woodcliff Lake, NJ - October 2, 2008... MINI USA -- automaker of the iconic and uniquely individualizable line of passenger cars that made small cars cool -- announced today a partnership with Lakewood, Colorado-based Original Wraps, Inc., a leading provider of on-demand and physical personalization. The partnership provides MINI enthusiasts the availability of interior/exterior graphics and complete personalization of their vehicles through a new Web portal - www.MINImotoringgraphics.com., which is currently live.
"We are delighted to have partnered with Original Wraps, a true leader in the vehicle customization industry," said Jim McDowell, Vice President of MINI USA. "Individualism has always been an important aspect of MINI, which our customers love, and this new partnership enhances the level of personalization we can provide. This gives MINI enthusiasts a nearly limitless palette to express their personalities."
The MINI Motoring Graphics are available for every year and model of MINI since 2002. Customers can choose from vinyl graphics ranging from original art, national flags and thousands more. In addition, users can even upload their own photos and images, or download templates to create their own designs, with Original Wraps manufacturing the custom graphics. The wrap itself is made from a professional-grade 3M vinyl, which is printed via a proprietary process that ensures detailed and premium images. The wrap is then coated with a glossy, 3M laminated finish and custom cut, which allows for a perfect fit for each MINI.
"MINI owners are already personalizing their vehicles in one way or another, but there hasn't been a reliable one stop shop with unique designs, until now. Partnered with MINI, we have created a comprehensive MINI personalization portal that will get every MINI driver's imagination flowing," said Tom Stemple, Chief Executive Officer and founder of Original Wraps. "MINI Motoring Graphics allows MINI owners multiple ways to personalize their MINIs, including the ability to display their own pictures and artwork on the vehicle."
MINI Motoring Graphics are made with the highest quality 3M vinyl and come with a performance warranty. Some of the graphics can be applied by customers, but professional installers are recommended for many of the graphics. The graphics can easily be removed without damaging the surface of the vehicle. This allows customers the ability to personalize their MINIs as often as they choose at a low cost.
The cost of each graphic ranges from $9.99 to $349.00 and can be purchased at www.MINIMotoringGraphics.com or any local MINI dealer. The wraps can be shipped direct to the consumer or to a MINI dealer, and usually arrive within days.
sportrider.com: Urban Guerrilla ÔÇô Motorcycle riding tips for in the city
motoring.co.za: Iceland chosen for ÔÇÿtrip of lifetimeÔÇÖ book No. 2
In a related thread ÔÇô Iceland ÔÇô non ride report
wheels.ca: TimeÔÇÖs up on street racing law
hemmings.com: Car ads from 1972
motorauthority.com: MichelinÔÇÖs active wheel technology in detail
reurters.com: Peru studies climate riddle as the world heats up
nytimes.com: Fry Baby Fry
Spiegel.de: How many died in the bombing of Dresden?
Spiegel.de: German towns saying ÔÇÿNeinÔÇÖ to Google ÔÇ£Street ViewÔÇÖ
Packers Blog ÔÇô jsonline.com
Packers.com ÔÇô News from the football shrine
Green Bay Post Gazette: Packer News, Commentary
Offical site of the Premier League
GasBuddy.com has gas temperature maps intended to let you see what gas prices are around the US and Canada. Areas are color coded according to the reported local average price for regular unleaded gasoline.
Bike Candy
A championship high.


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With the recent shootings at the movie theater and the Sikh temple, a lot of people are pointing fingers at unbelief, and saying that the reason we have so much violence today is because we've lost the faith that used to guide us, that sense of supernatural reward and punishment that helped us resist evil and do good.
You know, they might have something. I mean, there's a pretty definite pattern here. Not just the two most recent gunmen, but any number of violent criminals before them, are men who have lost the simple faith they once had in Santa Claus, who "knows if you've been bad or good, so be good for goodness sake." I'm sure that if they had only held on to their original, childlike belief in an all-seeing Father Christmas, making a list and checking it twice, they'd have never done anything so terrible.
It just goes to prove that Santa actually exists, doesn't it.

subset: commoncrawl


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Cabinet Painting in Washington Crossing, PA 18977
Paint your Washington Crossing Pennsylvania Cabinets for an Inexpensive Update
Are your Washington Crossing kitchen cabinets in need of a fresh coat of paint? Is your bathroom looking outdated or dull? Cabinet painting in Washington Crossing is what we do best. Painting cabinets is an inexpensive way to update your kitchen or bath and give any room a fresh, new look. Henderson Custom Painting can also paint your book shelves or cabinets in dens and home offices. We'll paint any cabinet in your Washington Crossing home and create the look of your dreams. Your friends will think you spent thousands on cabinet replacements!
Endless Possibilities for your Washington Crossing Cabinets
Henderson Custom Painting uses your old cabinets as a canvass for a beautiful new look. Whether you are looking to enhance your Washington Crossing cabinets by painting a bust of color or adding subtle, neutral tones, cabinet painting will offer a huge impact in updating your kitchen. Henderson Custom Painting specializes in cabinet painting in Washington Crossing and can work with you to match the colors, styles and textures you've been dreaming of. From a burst of turquoise to a traditional white, the possibilities are endless! Some recent Washington Crossing cabinet painting styles we have worked with include:
- Contemporary
- Traditional
- Eclectic
- Mediterranean
Enduring Craftsmanship
The Washington Crossing cabinet painting specialists at Henderson Custom Painting use modern techniques and colors to create a new look. Simply painting your cabinets will give any room a whole new look. Top quality painting products are used so that your beautiful new cabinets will last for years to come. Choosing a semigloss will give a rich luster that is easy to keep clean. All of our work is guaranteed. The job is not done until you are fully satisfied.
★★★★★ - "I can't say enough good things about my recent experiences with Henderson Painting. My first experience was a complete kitchen cabinet face-lift. Glen's painter was personable and professional. My cabinets are perfect and I couldn't be happier. My second hire of them was to fill many drywall holes, completely prep and paint trim and paint my living room and kitchen walls and again, professional and perfect. Their workmanship is excellent and their workers are a pleasure to work with. Everything was done in a timely manner and they cleaned up everything as if they'd never been there. I will definitely call them again to do all my future home projects. I highly recommended Henderson Painting!"
S. Stone., Cabinet Painting in Yardley, PA
★★★★★ - "We recently hired Henderson Painting to address many of our house painting needs(front, back, and siding of house, patio, retaining walls..) and we are extremely happy we did. Henderson completed the job in a timely manner, and worked with the upmost professionalism. Staff showed up on time every day while giving 100% towards that days job. We received quotes from four different companies, and while Henderson was not the cheapest or most expensive, it is the company we felt most comfortable with. Our intuition was correct; do not hesitate to hire Henderson for your needs."
Feit Family, House Painting in Meadowbrook, PA
★★★★★ - "From my first phone call, I knew that Henderson Custom Painting was the company that I wanted to paint my kitchen cabinets. Glen was so helpful and promptly sent me emails explaining the entire process step by step, offering color choices and other options for my kitchen renovation. When I met Sean, the guy who was going to paint the cabinets, I knew I was in good hands. He was very courteous and personable, and very knowledgeable. His work is outstanding and I could not be happier! My kitchen looks amazing - fresh and bright! What a transformation!
Thank you Glen and Sean for your expertise and professionalism."
Michele M., Painting in Huntingdon Valley, PA
★★★★★ - "Very professional; very courteous; will gladly use them again in the future."
Joe D. in New Hope, PA
Call for FREE Cabinet Painting Quote


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Main :: BackTrack / MIDI Mobilizer
by Ira_Siegel on 2012-05-31 07:37:51.1200
I'm trying to sync some SMFs that I have in SysEx Librarian into the Midi Memo app on my iPhone 4S. The files do not show up on the phone. I've tried adding the files (there are 2 of them) manually into the "File Sharing" box in the Apps window in iTunes, but they still don't appear in Midi Memo.
by TheRealZap on 2012-05-31 07:50:29.6030
not sure if this is what you meant.. .but most apps that use files do it this way.
plug into usb, open itunes, select device, select apps tab... at bottom of the screenshot area, there is a list of apps that you can put files in...
select the midi memo from the list and there will be a box to the right...
you can drag and drop into this box, or use the browse button to locate the files you want to sync.
by Ira_Siegel on 2012-05-31 07:54:57.4740
Yes, that's exactly what I've done; I dragged and dropped the two files into that box and synced the phone. No dice. Unplugged phone, tried again. Nothing.
by TheRealZap on 2012-05-31 08:01:08.3920
when you hit the browse button rather than drag and drop, is it only looking for certain file types?
just curious if it might be filtering it by file type.
by Ira_Siegel on 2012-05-31 08:04:45.9990
No, it added the SysEx files right away...is that what you mean? It didn't specify file type.
by TheRealZap on 2012-05-31 08:08:46.0570
yeah i just meant that some apps only accept certain file types... usually the browse window has a pulldown that shows you the file types it wants...
no idea if your files would be on there or not... just thinking that might be one reason that they wont be accepted...
The information above may not be current, and you should direct questions to the current forum or review the manual.


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What are the job responsibilities of a Captain, Mate, and Pilot of Water Vessels? What does an individual in this position get paid in Oregon?
Here is the position summary for Captain, Mate, and Pilot of Water Vessels as found in BLR's Salary Finder:
Command or supervise operations of ships and water vessels, such as tugboats and ferryboats, that travel into and out of harbors, estuaries, straits, and sounds and on rivers, lakes, bays, and oceans. Required to hold license issued by U.S. Coast Guard.
In Oregon, the midpoint of salaries reported for the position (50th percentile) is $65,675. The 75th percentile (the rate below which 75% of salary data falls) is $74,954. The 25th percentile (the rate below which 25% of the data falls) is $51,612.
Get full salary data for Captain, Mate, and Pilot of Water Vessels, including data for your industry, geographic region or metro area and employer size. Get full access to your detailed salary information now!
How much should you pay a Captain, Mate, and Pilot of Water Vessels?
Compensation.BLR.com, a leading provider of compensation data, scores this job as nonexempt (entitled to overtime). According to Compensation.BLR.com's rate ranges, grade 13 has a minimum of $40,892. The midpoint is $54,503, and the maximum is $68,153.
How much should an employer be paying a Captain, Mate, and Pilot of Water Vessels in Oregon? It depends on many factors, but the most important are the experience and skills of the employee or applicant. Answer these questions: How much experience does he or she have? How highly skilled is he or she? Then, use the table below. Interpolate as necessary.


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Mississippi Man Arrested in Ricin Letter Case
FBI agents arrested a Mississippi man early Saturday in connection with ricin-laced letters sent this month to government officials, including President Barack Obama.
J. Everett Dutschke, 41 years old, of Tupelo, Miss., was charged with possessing a toxin for use as a weapon, among other charges, the U.S. attorney's office said. He is scheduled to appear in federal court in Oxford, Miss. on Monday.
Mr. Dutschke was taken into...


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Chapter 07 - Conduct
Chapter 07 - Conduct
4.0701 Responsibility and deportment- Off-the-job conduct.
It is the policy of the ASG to urge its career service employees and contract specialists to cultivate those personal qualities which characterize a good employee's loyalty to the United States Government and the ASG: a sense of responsibility for the public trust and a standard of personal deportment which is a credit to the individual himself and to the service. Off-the-job conduct is of concern to the government if it reflects adversely upon the dignity, integrity, and prestige of the governmental service.
4.0702 Misconduct.
Any criminal, dishonest, immoral, or any other conduct on the part of an employee which would adversely affect the government will be cause for his removal from employment. Gambling or the use of alcoholic beverages by employees in public buildings, construction sites, or offices administered by the government will not be tolerated.
4.0703 Subordination to authority.
An employee is required to carry out the announced policies and programs of the ASG. While policies related to his work are under consideration, he may -and is expected to express his opinions and points of view, but once a decision has been rendered by those in authority, he will be expected unreservedly to assure the success of programs which it is his responsibility to effectuate. If he fails to carry out any lawful rule, order, or policy or deliberately refuses to obey the proper requests of his superiors who have responsibility for his performance, he is subject to appropriate disciplinary action.
4.0704 Selling or soliciting.
Employees and other persons are prohibited from selling or soliciting for personal gain within a government building occupied or used by the government without proper permission. This prohibition does not apply to:
(1) authorized and installed business activities; e.g., employee cafeterias, etc.;
(2) solicitation for other approved purposes; and
(3) token solicitations for floral remembrances, retirement gifts, and for similar purposes.
4.0705 Outside business activity.
An employee shall not engage in any business activity or work either in the capacity of employee or otherwise, which prevents an employee from devoting his primary interests, talents, and energies to the accomplishment of his work for the government or tends to create a conflict between the private interest of an employee and his official responsibilities. The employee must notify his department head of his outside work or activity. If the department head finds there is a conflict of interest, the employee must choose between his government job and his private job.
4.0706 Community and professional activities.
Employees are encouraged to participate in activities of professional societies and of civic organizations whose purpose and objectives are not inconsistent with those of the ASG.
4.0707 Government property.
(a) Employees shall be held accountable for government property entrusted to them for their official use. It is their responsibility to protect and conserve government property, including motor vehicles and other self-propelled equipment, and to use it economically and for official purposes only. The following rules apply to all government-owned or government-leased motor vehicles and other self-propelled equipment:
(1) All government vehicles or equipment are to be used for official business only.
(2) No government vehicle shall be issued to any employee of the government who does not have a valid government official driving permit, and no other self-propelled equipment shall be issued to any person other than a qualified operator of the equipment.
(3) No passengers or riders are to be transported unless they are on official government business or are employees of the government.
(4) A valid government official driving permit must be in the driver's possession at all times while operating a government vehicle.
(5) All accidents and traffic citations must be reported by the driver or operator to his or her immediate supervisor within 24 hours after the accident or citation.
(6) Any department permitting an employee without a valid government official driving permit to drive a government vehicle shall be held responsible for any damage or liability incurred as a result of an accident in which such employee is involved.
(b) The rules pertaining to motor vehicles and other self-propelled equipment are the established rules of the heads of all departments, agencies and other instrumentalities of the executive branch of the government having motor vehicles and such equipment under their control and authority.
4.0708 Gifts.
An employee shall not accept from or bestow upon any person or organization with which he deals officially anything of economic value, such as a gift, loan, or gratuitous service. No employee shall solicit or make a contribution for a gift for an official superior nor accept such a gift, except as specifically authorized by law or as cited under 4.0704(3). Except as specifically authorized by law, employees are not authorized to accept from private sources on behalf of the United States Government or of the ASG voluntary donations or cash contributions for travel expenses or the furnishing of services in kind, such as hotel accommodations, meals and travel accommodations. This excep, tion does not apply to approved scholarship grants, etc., which the government has approved and supervises.
4.0709 Information.
It is the policy of the government to accord the public free access to information about its activities. Employees should confine statements made in their official capacity to factual matters, and statements on policies and programs should be limited to those policies and programs presently in effect. If an employee is requested to give information outside the scope of his authority, he should refer the request through the immediate supervisor to his agency head. Inquiries from the press, radio, or TV should be referred to the department head or the public relations officer of the department.
4.0710 Revolutionary organizations.
An employee may not knowingly advocate the overthrow of our constitutional form of government through membership in any organization which asserts the right to militate against the United States or ASG.
4.0711 Political affiliation.
No person in the Executive or Judicial Branch with authority to take or recommend a personnel action relative to a person in, or an eligible applicant for, a position in the government service may make inquiry concerning his political affiliation. All disclosures concerning political affiliation shall be ignored except membership in political parties or organizations constituted by law as a disqualification for government employment. Except as may be authorized or required by law, discrimination may not be exercised, threatened, or promised by any person in the Executive or Judicial Branch against or in favor of an employee in, or an eligible applicant for, a position in the career service because of his political affiliation.
4.0712 Political activity.
Employees shall not engage in unlawful political activities as defined in 7.0807 ASCA. Where doubt exists as to the legality of certain activities, the employee shall request a ruling in writing from the director.
4.0713 Financial responsibility.
Employees of this government are expected to satisfy their financial commitments. Failure to meet one's obligations reflects adversely on one's standing as a government employee.
4.0714 Contracts with employees.
Because contracts with its own employees are considered to be against public policy, such contracts are not permitted in the government except where it is clearly shown that the interests of the United States and ASG are the major consideration to be served thereby. The only announced exception to this policy concerns sales of certain types of surplus property to employees under competitive conditions as set forth by rules promulgated by the ASG.
4.0715 Financial interests.
Employees may not have direct or indirect financial interests that conflict substantially, or appear to conflict substantially, with their responsibilities and duties as employees, nor engage in, directly or indirectly, financial transactions as a result of, or primarily relying upon, information obtained through their employment. Aside from these restrictions, employees are free to engage in lawful financial transactions to the same extent as private citizens.
4.0716 Prompt filing of proper federal and territorial tax returns-Prompt payment of taxes due.
It is imperative that employees comply fully with all applicable requirements of government taxing authorities at all levels, federal. territorial. state and local. Employees shall:
(1) file timely and properly all tax returns in keeping with the requirements of law, rule or ordinance;
(2) pay timely any valid tax due. Employees who fail to adhere to this requirement are subject to removal from government service or other disciplinary action.


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iMac Pro review
Fibreglass how good is it for insulation.
Hi just how good is fibreglass insulation.
I was in the plumbing and heating trade from leaving school in 1962 for around twenty five years. As I live in the dales solid fuel and later oil was the only way to heat our houses.
I remember the first time I insulated a loft with one inch fibreglass.
A few years latter one inch went out and double wrap (one inch doubled over) came in around two inches thick and became the standard insulation.
In later years it was four inch and if I remember right it was two inch just doubled as it could be split into the old two inch with ease.
Then eight inch was introduced as the standard.
Now ten inches when will it stop.
My roof still has vermiculite in the attic a small cork granular substance around three inches and seems to work as snow and frost does stay on the roof.
Fiberglass is messy and cumbersome, and dirty stuff surely there are better products today.
The old four inch was perfect as it sat between the timbers and you could see where you were putting your feet.
Today Wall cladding insulation is only a few inches thick as it is for under floor heating would this not be a better move to the attic.
Why are we still stuck with fiberglass in the lofts getting thicker every several years it takes up space and storage in conventional lofts.
Like all these energy and eco-saving products nowadays, it pays to get the latest information, because expert views are changing all the time.
A number of years ago, we had the cavity wall and loft insulation done, but the regular cold callers are always telling us that we should have something far better. I still wonder how they will remove the old product from between the wall cavities, so as to install the latest specification superior product?.
You ask when will the standards stop being raised.
The answer to that is when we have a plentiful supply of cheap energy. That's never likely to be the case............in fact energy costs are more likely to continue rising in real terms driving the need to conserve as much as we can.
The thickness of the insulation is only a problem to those who use the loft for other purposes. There are probably more effective solutions which cost more to purchase and to lay where this a problem, but I expect most people wouldn't want to pay the difference.
There are alternatives to what is called 'mineral wool' insulation for lofts. An excellent substitute is a product that looks fairly similar, and comes on a roll, but is actually made from recycled plastic bottles. It's soft, easy to handle, non-irritant, and has excellent insulation properties.
The important thing to bear in mind with whatever you use is that it must comply with BS EN 13501-1 and/or be classified as Euroclass A1 as far as reaction to fire is concerned.
On a 200mm thick mat you should expect to see an R value of 4.50m2K/W
Generally speaking with this kind of insulation the thicker it is, the better the insulation value. Other,thinner materials are available that have high insulation values, but they are not really suitable for lofts where you need to walk on the joist tops. They consist of a blanket sandwich of layers of metallic foil and polythene, and are used extensively to insulate the inner side of roof pitches in loft conversions. They come in wide rolls, and are stapled to the underside of the roof joists before plasterboards are fixed. A blanket of this type approximately 15mm thick has the same insulation value as a 120mm high density polystyrene slab. It's expensive stuff, but it is very clean and easy to cut and fit, and of course it occupies very little space. You could put it on the loft floor if you were planning to board the floor afterwards.
I know that this is riding onto someone else's thread but:
I insulated the open part of my loft, a couple of years back, but left the part that was boarded over as I did not know how to do that without lifting all the boards.
Anyone know how this could be done, fairly simply, without lifting the boards?
Hi fiberglass seems to act like a sponge in water it will absorb the heat and slow the heat loss not stop it, as it proves we have gone from one inch to ten inches in around forty years.
Chronos the 2nd, interesting link thanks.
Spuds, Ah yes probably use a solvent who knows, but dose the cost to replace really pay.
oresome, I reckon it will pay for the best now if you are having a new build and have an option on your insulation type, I reckon you have to price on your age today and if it will give you full benefit over the years to come.
I want to replace like for like double glazing in my house at 65years young will it pay me to do so. The front wants five windows at £3.220.00 back of house will have to wait.
If I have my sums right in twenty years time it will have cost me £13.33 a month, god willing I live till then. I suppose it depends on the price of energy in the future. Including the back of house around £19.75 per month.
My cost on oil 2010 to 2011 was around £1.000 This year around £60 more.
wee eddie I have seen what they use for under floor heating very thick insulation board. You could lay that on the boards and cover with thin ply-wood or any kind of boarding and screw down to the the original floor.
wee eddie
The product mentioned by Ex plorer (insulation boards for underfloor heating) would certainly work in your situation. They are intended for laying on a floor prior to the installation of electrical heating grids, and minimise heat loss into the sub-floor.
These boards are designed to be tiled over, but there's no reason you couldn't cover them with high-density chipboard loft flooring panels. It's not a cheap solution, but it would provide you with a very nice, well-insulated loft floor.
No one know of any granule type thingy that I could blow into the space then.
vermiculite is no good as it blows away if there is any draft, wind, a lot of the slab stuff sold at builders is the best kind if you can get it in the loft and its best for walls
This thread is now locked and can not be replied to.


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She was born in 1920, in Russellville. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.
Ruth Ellen was an only child, who grew up on a small farm in Russellville during the Depression. Times were tough for the family with her father leaving in the middle of the night to work his second job as a baker, before completing farming activities for the balance of his day.
She was doted on by her parents and her granny (who was old enough to remember the Civil War and her father leaving on a horse to join the fight!).
She left home to work in Little Rock, where she met and married George Robert Lang in 1942. They made a life together raising two sons, Michael and John, as the family moved from Michigan to Illinois to Texas, finally landing in Palatine, Ill. When her sons married, she became a beloved mother-in-law to Gwen and Bonnie, respectively.
When Ruth Ellen and George retired, they moved back to her hometown of Russellville, where he continued to make her laugh by calling her "Old Whitey" in reference to her curly white hair, which she carefully had "set" every Wednesday afternoon.
Along the journey, she was briefly a candle maker (took days to clean up the wax), worked in the "Lay-a-way" department and as a gift wrapper at J.C. Penney ("Lady, you don't really expect me to pay for that job, do you?"), worked in the high school office in Schaumberg, Ill., and upon retirement, volunteered for 25 years at Saint Mary's Regional Medical in Russellville, where she was honored as volunteer of the year.
Ruth Ellen had an infectious and wholehearted "laugh," a house filled with cheerfully chiming clocks, but had limited success as a cook and photographer. She enjoyed her afternoon iced tea and appreciated bright-colored clothes, preferably with glittery gold accents. She was a roller coaster-riding grandma who indulged her grandchildren with candy, chips and other illicit freedoms, much to their delight. She lived a full life, sharing her grace and kindness with all she met.
Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Michael and Gwen Lang and John and Bonnie Lang; three grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and many friends.
A memorial service will be conducted at 9 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 17, 2013, at Oakland Cemetery in Russellville, under the direction of Shinn Funeral Service.
The obituary and guestbook are available online at www.shinnfuneral.com.


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Related quotes
"Now, looking at the album, the finished product, it's been a tough row to hoe to get to the end of this, but all of those things we've gone through has made this album better."
"She was up against it to begin with and she still has an extremely tough row to hoe. It certainly helps, but in and of itself it is not a savior of a campaign when there are significant problems. She's lost some of the best consultants in the country and money can't replace that."
"If they quit helping us, we'll have a hard row to hoe. We think that we're doing the right thing by maintaining the building, making it available for the city and honoring our ancestors."
"I once had a sparrow alight upon my shoulder for a moment, while I was hoeing in a village garden, and I felt that I was more distinguished by that circumstance that I should have been by any epaulet I could have worn."
"To own a bit of ground, to scratch it with a hoe, to plant seeds, and watch the renewal of life - this is the commonest delight of the race, the most satisfactory thing a man can do"


text:
If you have an emergency or need to have your water turned off for leak repairs, please call Maintenance at (503) 635-0280.
If you have any other reason for needing your water turned off, please call Utility Billing at (503) 635-0265.
Getting Your Water Turned Off
If you would like to schedule an appointment to turn your water off at the City's shut-off valve, please call Maintenance at (503) 635-0280 for emergencies and leak repairs or Utility Billing at (503) 635-0265 for all other reasons. Appointments can be made Monday through Friday from 8:00 am - 2:30 pm. There is no charge for this service during regular business hours, however, if you require after hours assistance there is a charge of $80.00.
Emergency Water Shut-off - Call 503-635-0238
If you have an emergency after business hours and need to get your water turned off, please call the Lake Oswego Police Dispatch at 503-635-0238.


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Madison, WI –The Senate Committee on Transportation, Public Safety, and Veterans and Military Affairs will hold a public hearing on the Second Chance Bill (Senate Bill 308/Assembly Bill 387) at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 31 in State Capitol Room 330 Southwest.
The Second Chance Bill would return first-time, nonviolent 17-year-old offenders to juvenile court jurisdiction. The legislation would reverse portions of current law enacted in 1996.
State Bar President Patrick J. Fiedler, who previously served as a Dane County judge and the secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Corrections, will be testifying in favor of the bill.
For more information contact Attorney Andrea Gage, public relations coordinator, State Bar of Wisconsin. She can be reached at org agage wisbar wisbar agage org, or by phone at (608) 250-6025.
Fiedler will be joined by Marc Levin, policy director for the conservative group Right on Crime, a project of the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Read a joint report on the bill from the Texas Public Policy Foundation and the MacIver Institute here.
Supporters of the Second Chance Bill include the Wisconsin Council on Children and Families, the State Public Defender, the Wisconsin Council of Churches, Disability Rights Wisconsin, WISDOM, the Wisconsin Catholic Conference, the Wisconsin Association of Family and Children's Agencies, Wisconsin Family Ties, A Helping Heart, the National Association of Social Workers—WI Chapter, and the National Council on Crime and Delinquency.
State Bar President Patrick J. Fiedler
Right on Crime Policy Director Marc Levin
Members of the 2nd Chance Alliance
Public Hearing, Senate Committee on Transportation, Public Safety, and Veterans and Military Affairs
11:00 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 31
State Capitol Room 330 Southwest


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Steiner chats about East, West Coasts
By / MLB.com
Charley Steiner: Hi folks. Welcome. It's only 24 days until pitchers and catchers report. Let's have at it.
Question: What is your take on the type of team the Dodgers will field this year with the players they have so far?
Steiner: I think, essentially, it is the same kind of team that we saw last year. The difference is the rotation, especially with the acquisition of Jason Schmidt and Randy Wolf, is considerably stronger than it was last year. The Dodgers won 88 games last year with primarily pitching and defense. No power hitters, per se. But tough outs, one though eight.
This is a very similar team offensively, in that regard. Juan Pierre is a younger version of Kenny Lofton. Luis Gonzalez is still a doubles machine and a great addition to the clubhouse for his maturity, experience and chemistry. Jeff Kent, who had his most injury plagued season of his career last year, has been working hard this offseason. Russell Martin, in talking with baseball people around the country, can only get better. And so there's an enormous reason for optimism. But let's temper it by saying that it's Jan. 23. But, heading into Spring Training, there is legitimate reason for optimism that it could be another very good year.
Question: Hi Charley, this is Mike from Irvine, Calif. I'm a big fan of yours. What has been your biggest thrill being a broadcaster for the Dodgers?
Steiner: It takes a grand total of a split second to get an answer for that. The bottom half of the ninth inning on September 18 -- the four home runs in a row by Kent, J.D. Drew, Martin and Marlon Anderson and then the two-run walk-off by Nomar Garciaparra in the 10th inning. I've been blessed to have been around this game for a very long time and I've called a lot of big and exciting games but nothing, nothing has come close to those four home runs in a row and the Nomar home run.
Question: What are your favorite Spring Training ballparks?
Steiner: Dodgertown in Vero Beach is a treasure trove of baseball history. Whether it's walking down a street named for Roy Campanella or Sandy Koufax or Vin Scully, and being on the fields where Duke Snider, Carl Furillo, Gil Hodges, Steve Garvey, Ron Cey, Dusty Baker -- all the great Dodgers have played before -- and seeing the young kids who play for the Dodgers now. Visually it's striking, historically it's unparalleled and so there will always been a special place for me at Dodgertown.
Question: Being a New York native who would you root for if the Dodgers met the Yankees in the World Series?
Steiner: The Dodgers. Period. End of story. The first time my father took me to a baseball game was Ebbets Field. The Dodgers played the Cincinnati Reds. I was always a Brooklyn Dodgers fan. I was an employee of the Yankees. But the Dodgers have always been my team. That one was easy to answer.
Question: What's it like to work with Vin Scully?
Steiner: Vin, simply put, is in my opinion the best baseball broadcaster who has ever lived. Now in my third year working in a parallel universe with Vin, I can't tell you how much I have learned both as a broadcaster and how a broadcaster conducts himself in the booth and away. He has an elegance and an ease and a confidence and a rhythm to his broadcast like no one else. And so to be around it and him almost every day of the season has been an absolute joy. One of the highlights that I have on a daily basis, especially at Dodger Stadium, is at about 5:30 in the afternoon before every home game, Vin, Rick Monday, Billy Delury and I have a bite to eat and just talk about life. It doesn't get a whole lot better than that.
Question: If I were to follow you to freedom, where would that lead?
Steiner: Dodger Stadium, Opening Day, April 9 against the Colorado Rockies. Any other questions, Jonathan?
Question: Do you prefer the older style Spring Training stadiums like Vero Beach or the newer ones like the Braves complex?
Steiner: Again, I think the beauty of Spring Training is that fans can get as close as they can to the players they come to see. And the beauty of Dodgertown, not only Holman Stadium but all the practice fields, affords fans a special opportunity to get as close to their favorite players as they possibly can. So, in another way, admittedly I guess I'm old school.
Question: Who were the broadcasters that influenced you in your career?
Steiner: It sounds crazy, but it's true. The first voice I heard doing a baseball game was Vin's doing a game in 1956 or 1957, so he immediately was the guy. And then I was very lucky to grow up in New York at the time that I did listen to Mel Allen, Red Barber and Lindsey Nelson and a little bit of Russ Hodges before he left New York for San Francisco. Those were the baseball broadcasters that certainly had an influence on me and whose work I most admired.
Question: Do you still live on the East Coast?
Steiner: No. I moved out to Los Angeles about two and a half years ago and I couldn't be happier and I consider it home. Especially when it's 20 degrees and snowing back East. One of the things I've discovered even during the rainy season in L.A. is that you can't shovel rain!
Question: What is it like to work with Rick and "Psycho" on your broadcasts? You do seem to enjoy what you do.
Steiner: I am the first one to admit that I couldn't be more fortunate in a) doing what I do for a living and b) working with both Mo on the radio and Steve Lyons on television. Rick and I genuinely like one another, which makes it real easy, and we implicitly trust one another, so that I know that if I say something that he's going to be there and if he says something, I'm going to be there and we'll always cover one another's backs. Not only that, but we have fun with one another. We do it 100 or 115 times a year, every single day. We eat together, we broadcast together and when we do a game, we're about three feet away from one another. You can't get any closer than that and so my heartfelt sympathies go out to Rick. Steve is a fella that I have known for about 10 years as a broadcaster when he was at FOX and I was at ESPN during the playoffs and the World Series, when we'd always be down on the field doing postgame interviews. For the first two years together for the 40-45 games we do on television, it's the same sense of trust with one another that we can say things and know that each other's best interest will be covered by one another.
Question: Who were your baseball heroes growing up?
Steiner: My first favorite player was the Duke of Flatbush, Duke Snider. That '57 Dodgers team was special to me because those were the guys that I really wanted to be growing up. Earlier, someone asked one of the highlights I've had with the Dodgers and one of them came in 2005 when I was fortunate enough and honored enough to host the luncheon honoring the '55 Dodgers. All of my childhood heroes were there and I told the players who are now elderly that I was as nervous that afternoon as I had been in my whole career because those were the guys I grew up idolizing. After the Dodgers left in '57 when I was 8 years old, my next favorite player became Mickey Mantle. But it was the Dodgers from '55, '56 and '57. Campy, Hodges, Gilliam, Reese, Furillo, Snider and Newk. When I come out to Dodger Stadium, there's Don Newcombe, one of my childhood heroes, there to greet me every day. It doesn't get a whole lot better than that.
Question: Do you have any plans on working some Spring Training games this year?
Steiner: Absolutely. The first game, Thursday, March 1, the Dodgers vs. the Braves from Orlando and we'll be doing most of the games from Spring Training. Then of course we'll be doing Opening Day, April 2 in Milwaukee against the Brewers. We're a little more than a month away from our first exhibition game.
Question: Do you still keep in touch with your old colleagues at ESPN?
Steiner: Yes. I was at ESPN for 14 years and it was a wonderful time in my life and my career and there are people there with whom I still maintain a close friendship and thankfully, I have an unlimited calling plan. So the answer is yes, absolutely.
Question: How do you feel about the moves Ned Colletti has made this offseason?
Steiner: I think what Ned has done in his first year and a half with the Dodgers has been absolutely spectacular. He inherited a team that had won 71 games that seemed lost and confused and upon his arrival in Los Angeles, he improved the team to one with 88 wins. Not a bad first year, a 17-game turnaround. In this offseason, getting two frontline pitchers, Jason Schmidt and Randy Wolf, to go along with Derek Lowe and Brad Penny, the starting rotation is probably the strongest in the National League West, which is a division based on pitching. So the pitching is solid. The heart of the Minor League system remains intact and the master plan of building around these wonderful young players remains intact so that the future with James Loney, Andre Ethier, Russell Martin, Andy LaRoche, Scott Elbert, Chad Billingsley, Clayton Kershaw, Matt Kemp and the rest, there's still a lot of great young talent in the organization that can come through the system in its own time and way without being rushed. And with the likes of Nomar, Kent, Rafael Furcal and Gonzalez, there's a wonderful tapestry of youth, veterans and good character people.
Question: Mr. Steiner, can you describe the differences, if any, of calling games on the West Coast vs. the East Coast? How does media coverage compare? The organizational rivalries? The fans, etc.?
Steiner: That's a good question. At the end of the day, it's still nine innings and 60 feet, six inches and 90 feet between the bags. There is a difference in the way the game is covered in Los Angeles as opposed to the Northeast, not in the broadcast but in the newspapers. There is far more intense scrutiny in the newspapers on the East Coast in New York, Boston and Philadelphia, where baseball is a 24/7, 365-day-a-year activity. Once the season ends here, you have to go looking long and hard into the Los Angeles Times or the Daily News to find any really hard core baseball information. It's just a fact of life. There is, for instance, no USC to compete for space in the papers. The Lakers are a bigger deal in L.A. than the Knicks or Nets are in New York. And so consequently, baseball is a seemingly bigger deal in the print medium back East than it is here.
Question: Having been a baseball broadcaster on both sides of the country, L.A. fans have a bad rap as being laid back and unpassionate about the game. What's your take?
Steiner: I think it's unfair. There was a moment last year and it may have been Marlon Anderson's home run, the fourth of four, and I remember watching the monitor and then having seen the tape over and over again. When the Dodgers hit that fourth home run, there was a fan in the right-field pavilion who was jumping up and down with such unrestrained joy -- that fella I don't think I'll ever forget. Just watching him and how happy he was and that reminded me of the passion that Dodgers fans have for this club. Let us not forget, you can talk about laid back or late-arriving or early-leaving, but 3.7 million people came out to watch Dodgers baseball last year and most of them arrived on time and almost all of them stayed until the end because the games were so darn exciting. So I can't speak to what it was like 10 or 15 or 20 years ago, but in the last two years and especially last year, there was great passion and love for this team.
Question: Besides the smell, why is it better to work at Dodger Stadium than Yankee Stadium?
Steiner: I've been very lucky to broadcast at two great ballparks. Yankee Stadium reeks with history and you can't help but feel it when you walk in and when you walk on the field or the clubhouse. Dodger Stadium, aesthetically, is as beautiful a ballpark as there is in the game. We forget it was built in 1962, 45 years ago. I wish I had aged as gracefully as it has. And it's also hard to believe that the Dodgers have spent more years at Dodger Stadium than they did at Ebbets Field. So it's just a beautiful place to watch a game and I can assure you, to broadcast one.
Steiner: Thanks for coming in, coming on and logging on. Twenty-four days until pitchers and catchers report, Opening Day is April 2, and the home opener is April 9. Let's tee it up and go play. Thank you.
This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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Every time i start my computer Internet is at risk but the icon says that the computer is protected. By pressing the 'Fix it' button the computer stays ok until next start.
I have installed Internet Security suite, cant fint the version but it is probably 10.
OS, Windows 7, 64-bit, windows fire wall and defender disabled.
Wrong configuration or is it windows itself giving this problem?


text: My problem may have gone away but I'd like some information please. Two days ago my computer was acting strange. I looked at the Zone Alarm log and there was a file called tvdebug compressed/zipped at 7,932 kb, written on 3/14 at 8:12 p.m. It looked suspicious to me and I tried to delete it - it wouldn't let me. I then did a clean up of files on my PC last night and today, so far, everything is working fine. Has anyone ever seen this tvdebug file before? Any help is appreciated. Thank you.


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Sri Lanka: Treatment of Tamil returnees to Sri Lanka, including failed refugee applicants; information on specific asylum cases, including the Tamil asylum-seeker boat that stopped in Togo, the return of Sri Lankan asylum seekers from Australia in 2012, and any cases of voluntary repatriation (August 2011-January 2013)
|Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
|Publication Date
|12 February 2013
|Citation / Document Symbol
|Related Document(s)
|Sri Lanka : information sur le traitement réservé aux Tamouls qui retournent au Sri Lanka, y compris les demandeurs d'asile déboutés; information sur des cas particuliers de demandeurs d'asile, y compris les Tamouls qui se trouvaient à bord du bateau intercepté au Togo, le retour de Sri-Lankais qui ont demandé l'asile en Australie en 2012, et toutes les personnes qui sont retournées volontairement au Sri Lanka (août 2011-janvier 2013)
|Cite as
|Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Sri Lanka: Treatment of Tamil returnees to Sri Lanka, including failed refugee applicants; information on specific asylum cases, including the Tamil asylum-seeker boat that stopped in Togo, the return of Sri Lankan asylum seekers from Australia in 2012, and any cases of voluntary repatriation (August 2011-January 2013), 12 February 2013, LKA104245.E, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/51346a1f2.html [accessed 22 January 2018]
|This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.
1. Background
According to the UN's Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN), although the Sri Lankan government is focusing on the resettlement of Tamils that have been internally displaced during the final stages of the civil war, the government is "keen to welcome thousands of ethnic Tamil Sri Lankan refugees home after two and a half decades" (30 Aug. 2012). The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reports on the voluntary return of 1,728 refugees to Sri Lanka from India in 2011, and 1,300 between January and mid-December 2012 (UN 21 Dec. 2012, 7).
2. Arrests and Detention
According to UNHCR, "there is no systematic monitoring after arrival in Sri Lanka of the treatment of Sri Lankans who were forcibly returned" (UN 21 Dec. 2012, 8).
Several sources report on cases of arrest of Tamil returnees to Sri Lanka (UN 21 Dec. 2012, 7; Human Rights Watch 29 May 2012; The Sydney Morning Herald 29 Sept. 2012). Several sources also report on cases of detention of Tamil returnees to Sri Lanka (Human Rights Watch 25 Feb. 2012; Freedom from Torture 13 Sept. 2012, 5; TAG 16 Sept. 2012). Freedom from Torture, a UK-based medical foundation that helps torture survivors rebuild their lives (n.d.), also notes that three voluntary returnees from the UK were detained twice after returning to Sri Lanka (13 Sept. 2012, 5, 10).
Several sources report on cases of arrest of Tamil returnees at the airport upon arrival (Human Rights Watch 29 May 2012; Freedom from Torture 13 Sept. 2012, 10, 14; TAG 16 Sept. 2012, 13). However, according to Tamils Against Genocide (TAG), a US-based non-profit litigation advocacy organization, there is also a "practice" of waiting until returnees have left the airport before making arrests (ibid., 1, 13). Sources report on arrests of Tamil returnees from:
- their home (ibid.) or a street near their home (Freedom from Torture 13 Sept. 2012, 5, 10, 14);
- public places such as bus stops (TAG 16 Sept. 2012, 13);
- outside of a police station (Freedom from Torture 13 Sept. 2012, 14);
- a local police station when reporting after receiving a summons (ibid., 10); and
- checkpoints (ibid., 5, 14; Human Rights Watch 25 Feb. 2012; TAG 16 Sept. 2012, 13).
There are widespread checkpoints in northern and eastern Sri Lanka (US 24 May 2012, 25; MRG Jan. 2011, 12). Sources also report that some returnees have been picked up by "white vans" (TAG 16 Sept. 2012, 13; Freedom from Torture 13 Sept. 2012, 13).
Sources report that Tamil returnees have been arrested or detained by
- the police (Freedom from Torture 13 Sept. 2012, 5; The Sydney Morning Herald 29 Sept. 2012);
- the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) (Adjunct Professor 14 Jan. 2013; Human Rights Watch 25 Feb. 2012); and
- the military (ibid.; Freedom from Torture 13 Sept. 2012, 5).
On 8 December 2012, the Sri Lankan government reported that 29 Sri Lankans, including 25 Tamils, who were deported after being denied refugee status in the UK, "were directed for further investigations by the CID unit of the Airport" and would be released after "questioning by the state intelligence division." Further information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.
2.1 Reports of Torture
At the end of 2011, the UN Committee Against Torture indicated that allegations of the "widespread use of torture" in police custody are "continued and consistent" (UN 8 Dec. 2011, 2). Freedom House's Freedom in the World 2012 report states that torture occurs during "routine interrogations" (2012).
Several sources report on cases of torture of Tamil returnees to Sri Lanka by state authorities (Human Rights Watch 25 Feb. 2012; Freedom from Torture 13 Sept. 2012, 2; TAG 16 Sept. 2012, 3). Human Rights Watch reports on cases of failed Tamil asylum seekers from the UK and various other countries who have been subjected to torture upon return to Sri Lanka (Human Rights Watch 29 May 2012). In February 2012 and May 2012, Human Rights Watch documented thirteen cases of torture of Tamil deportees to Sri Lanka, from which the most "recent" alleged torture occurred in February 2012 (ibid.). The organization claims to have obtained "medical evidence" of torture for the eight cases published on 25 February 2012 (ibid. 25 Feb. 2012). Human Rights Watch indicates there is medical evidence for four of the five cases of torture, which were published on 29 May 2012.
In September 2012, Freedom from Torture released a publication documenting 24 cases of Tamils who faced torture upon voluntary return to Sri Lanka from the UK after the civil war, and have subsequently returned to the UK (13 Sept. 2012, 1, 3). Twelve of these cases, which occurred between 2009 and 2012, were based on forensic reports documenting physical and psychological consequences of torture, which are prepared by their Medico Legal Report Service consisting of specialist clinicians, who also consider the possibility of fabrication of evidence (Freedom from Torture 1, 2, 4, 8). The remaining 12 documented cases of torture took place between 2011 and 2012, and came to the attention of Freedom from Torture through referrals for treatment sent to the organization by the UK's National Health Service, or other health and social care professionals (ibid., 1, 13).
A report by TAG reviews the torture allegations of 48 Tamils who returned to Sri Lanka from the UK between 2010 and 2012 (TAG 16 Sept. 2012, 5). TAG indicates that the data used include 26 successful refugee appeal determinations in the UK "exclusively shared with TAG," 11 interviews with asylum seekers, diaspora members, activists and journalists, and 21 medico-legal reports produced for an unpublished thesis at a UK university (ibid., 3-6). According to TAG, "a period of residence in the UK or other Western' country may itself constitute a risk factor" for torture (ibid., 3). The organization further states that "[d]emographic determinants are sufficiently broad so as to assume that a majority of Tamils are at risk of arrest and torture upon involuntary return" to Sri Lanka (ibid., 14).
Sources report on several torture methods that returnees have reportedly been subjected to, including:
- beatings with various objects (Human Rights Watch 25 Feb. 2012; The Sydney Morning Herald 29 Sept. 2012; Freedom from Torture 13 Sept. 2012, 6, 11, 14);
- burning (ibid.; Human Rights Watch 25 Feb. 2012);
- suffocation (ibid. 29 May 2012; The Guardian 15 Sept. 2012; Freedom from Torture 13 Sept. 2012, 6, 11, 14;);
- submerging head in water (Human Rights Watch 25 Feb. 2012; TAG 16 Sept. 2012, 14);
- hanging upside down (The Sydney Morning Herald 29 Sept. 2012; Human Rights Watch 25 Feb. 2012; TAG 16 Sept. 2012, 14); and
- sexual violence (ibid., 15; Human Rights Watch 25 Feb. 2012; Freedom from Torture 13 Sept. 2012, 6, 11, 14).
Sources report on the use of torture to elicit "confessions" (Freedom from Torture 13 Sept. 2012, 11; TAG 16 Sept. 2012, 4; UK Oct. 2012, Sect.13.1), including confessing to being a member of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) (Human Rights Watch 25 Feb. 2012). Some returnees have reportedly been forced to sign confessions in Sinhala (ibid.), a language that some Tamil returnees were unable to understand (TAG 16 Sept. 2012, 4; Freedom from Torture 13 Sept. 2012, 11). Some returnees have also reportedly been forced to sign blank documents (ibid.; TAG 16 Sept. 2012, 4).
Freedom from Torture reports that one returnee reported their detention and torture to a local police station upon release (Freedom from Torture 13 Sept. 2012, 10). This person was reportedly sent to the hospital for treatment, and subsequently re-arrested, detained, and tortured again (ibid.). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.
Sources indicate that the Sri Lankan government has denied the use of torture (The Sydney Morning Herald 29 Sept. 2012; UK 4 July 2011, para. 8.35). The British High Commission stated in a letter dated 11 May 2011 to the UK Home Office that, according to Sri Lankan intelligence officials, the wounds of detainees are self-inflicted with the purpose of providing evidence for future asylum claims (ibid.). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.
An October 2012 UK Border Agency Policy Bulletin on the allegations of mistreatment and torture of returnees to Sri Lanka from the UK presented by Human Rights Watch, Freedom from Torture, TAG and Amnesty International, expresses the opinion that
in general the acts of torture are random and usually used to extract confessions. As reflected in the OGN [Operational Guidance Note] for Sri Lanka, the Agency accepts that ill treatment amounting to torture does exist and that certain categories of individual by the fact of their profile, or by accumulative risk factors, might be at risk. This is in accord with existing UK and European case law. The Agency does not accept that Tamils in general would be at risk on return to Sri Lanka. [ ] A key question in light of improvements in the overall security situation remains whether any past involvement in the LTTE, actual or perceived, is currently likely to bring returnees to the adverse attention of the Sri Lankan authorities. (UK Oct. 2012, Sect. 1, 3, 13.1, 13.9)
3. Political Activity
In a telephone interview with the Research Directorate, an adjunct professor of Asian studies and political science at Temple University, Pennsylvania, US, indicated that airport security procedures in Sri Lanka are not dependent on a person's ethnicity, but on the person's political activities (Adjunct Professor 14 Jan. 2013). The Adjunct Professor added that Tamil returnees with "very significant" political or military involvement against the government are "very likely" to be detained and subjected to the "use of force" (ibid.). He added that this may be in order to gather information about people's connections and activities in Sri Lanka and Canada, or the other country from which the person has returned (ibid.). According to TAG, there is a "clear pattern: that any association with any form of political activity in support of minority rights, either on the island or abroad, places an individual at risk of arrest - thereby making a large proportion of the Tamil community vulnerable" [emphasis in original] (16 Sept. 2012, 14).
Sources indicate that some Tamil returnees have been interrogated about their political activities abroad (Human Rights Watch 29 May 2012; TAG 16 Sept. 2012, 10; Freedom from Torture 13 Sept. 2012, 3). Freedom from Torture reports that in at least 12 of the 24 cases documented, returnees indicated that they were interrogated about their or other Tamils' activities in the UK (ibid.).
Sources report that during interrogation, some returnees have been shown photographs of themselves at protests in the UK (TAG 16 Sept. 2012, 10), as well as photographs of others (Freedom from Torture 13 Sept. 2012, 11). The Adjunct Professor indicated that the Sri Lankan government has agents in "key countries," including Canada, who monitor peoples' activities (14 Jan. 2013).
Sources indicate that informants have identified Tamil returnees as having an association with the LTTE (TAG 16 Sept. 2012, 10; Freedom from Torture 13 Sept. 2012, 5, 10, 14; Adjunct Professor 14 Jan. 2013). The Adjunct Professor indicated that LTTE opponents, such as the Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP) and former LTTE members that have been "rehabilitated" or unable to find work and have agreed to work with the EPDP, have been hired to stay at the airport and identify Tamils with "direct and indirect" connections to the LTTE (ibid.). Human Rights Watch reports that, in 2011, soldiers told a Tamil who was deported from the UK and allegedly arrested upon return that he "had to work as an informer for the army to identify former LTTE cadres"; the Tamil was released after his family paid a bribe (25 Feb. 2012). Sources report on the release of returnees from detention through the payment of bribes (TAG 16 Sept. 2012, 4; Human Rights Watch 25 Feb. 2012; Freedom from Torture 13 Sept. 2012, 5, 10).
3.1 Links to LTTE
According to Freedom from Torture, the cases of torture they documented
reveal that Sri Lankan Tamils who in the past had an actual or perceived association at any level with the LTTE but were able to leave Sri Lanka safely now face risk of torture on return. These cases demonstrate that the fact the individuals did not suffer adverse consequences because of this association in the past does not necessarily have a bearing on risk on return now. (13 Sept. 2012, 2)
The UNHCR states that people who have had any previous real or perceived links to the LTTE, that "go beyond prior residency within an area controlled by the LTTE continue to expose individuals to treatment which may give rise to a need for international refugee protection" (21 Dec. 2012, 27). The Sydney Morning Herald reports that, according to a Colombo human rights advocate, "Tamils broadly, people who had contact with the LTTE even minor contact or if they were forcibly recruited," as well as people who live in or travel to the north, could face "persecution" from state authorities (29 Sept. 2012). Similarly, TAG states that the extent of LTTE association is not correlated with the likelihood of arrest and torture (16 Sept. 2012, 12.).
The UNHCR said that the perceptions of peoples' political opinions are "usually linked to their ethnicity" (21 Dec. 2012, 28). According to Freedom from Torture, one returnee indicated that during interrogation, the authorities said that they were "'killing the supporters'" of the LTTE and since "'all Tamil supporters are LTTE, if we kill them we will not get this problem again'" (13 Sept. 2012, 6). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.
The UNHCR states that "all persons" living in the northern and eastern provinces of Sri Lanka "and at the outer fringes of the areas under LTTE control, necessarily had contact with the LTTE and its civilian administration in their daily lives" (UN 21 Dec. 2012, 26). Similarly, TAG indicates the following:
As a popular social movement the LTTE was integrated within many aspects of Tamil society, particularly in the period during which the LTTE controlled their own de-facto state .... Nearly every family would be likely to have some tie to the movement through either bloodlines or their own engagement in legitimate or illegitimate activities. (16 Sept. 2012, 12)
According to TAG, "failed asylum seekers are more likely to be readily associated with the LTTE either by virtue of the fact that they sought asylum or because of a presumption of involvement in Tamil diaspora activities which are viewed by the Sri Lankan government as being supportive of the LTTE" (TAG May 2012, para. 1.3.3). Freedom from Torture indicates that, according to a returnee, interrogators said that "'the Sri Lankan authorities know that Tamils who are in the UK support the LTTE'" (13 Sept. 2012, 11).
Freedom from Torture reports that in 11 of the 12 cases of torture documented in medico-legal reports, the returnee had an actual or perceived association with the LTTE before going to the UK, with all but one who indicated that they were interrogated about their LTTE association upon return to Sri Lanka (Freedom from Torture 13 Sept. 2012, 4-6, 9-10). The organization reports that, at times, such interrogation also included questions about activities in support of the LTTE while the returnee was in the UK, and information about other members and supporters of the LTTE in the UK (ibid., 11).
3.2 Criticism of or Opposition to Government
Sources indicate that returnees who have been critical of the government face "risk" when returning to Sri Lanka (TAG 16 Sept. 2012, 3; The Sydney Morning Herald 29 Sept. 2012). The Sydney Morning Herald reports that, according to a Colombo human rights advocate, anyone who criticizes the government could face "persecution" upon return to Sri Lanka (29 Sept. 2012). TAG indicates that criticizing or protesting against the Sri Lankan government or being returned from a country that has, through government or media, criticized the Sri Lankan government or encouraged accountability and reform, is a "new risk factor" (16 Sept. 2012, 3).
4. Identity Documents
Human Rights Watch documented two cases of returnees being "specifically targeted because they did not possess the required IDs" (25 Feb. 2012). According to the Adjunct Professor, if a Tamil returnee does not have identity documents, the government will search for that person's records, and the individual may be interrogated in an attempt to acquire information about the location of their documents and why they left Sri Lanka (14 Jan. 2013). Further information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.
5. Sri Lankan Asylum Seeker Boat in Togo
Sources indicate that more than 200 Sri Lankan asylum seekers that were en route to Canada were stopped in Togo in 2011 (Sri Lanka 29 May 2012; IOM 3 Feb. 2012; BBC 31 Jan. 2012). In 2012, sources indicated that these asylum seekers were being detained in a stadium in Lome (ibid.; IOM 3 Feb. 2012).
On 3 February 2012, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) indicated that 164 of the 209 asylum seekers decided to return to Sri Lanka voluntarily, including 9 who had already returned, while 3 migrants sought asylum in Togo, and 42 had not yet decided what to do. The IOM also indicated that four migrants escaped from the stadium (3 Feb. 2012). Further information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.
On 1 February 2012, the BBC stated that they spoke to Tamil detainees over the telephone. According to the BBC, one of the asylum seekers reportedly indicated that detainees have been told that if they do not voluntarily return to Sri Lanka, they "'would be deported forcefully'" (BBC 31 Jan. 2012). The BBC adds that, according to the detainees, the UNHCR, IOM, Canadian government and local immigration authorities told them that "it would be better to be deported than being put in the local prison," and allege that they are forbidden from meeting with people, other than the international bodies (ibid.). The BBC states that they have not been able to "independently verify" the claims of detainees (ibid.). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.
6. Sri Lankan Deportees and Voluntary Returnees from Australia
On 18 January 2013, the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship announced that, since 13 August 2012, the date when the Australian government announced that "irregular maritime arrivals would be liable to transfer to regional processing facilities in Nauru and Papua New Guinea," a total of 935 Sri Lankans returned to Sri Lanka involuntarily and voluntarily. According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), the Australian government does not release information regarding the ethnicity of returnees "as a matter of course" (24 Sept. 2012). The Australian newspaper indicated that 550 of 700 Sri Lankan returnees in 2012 are reportedly Sinhalese (17 Dec. 2012).
On 19 December 2012, the Sri Lankan government news source, News Line, reported that 100 Sri Lankans had returned to Sri Lanka from Australia voluntarily, and added that 682 were involuntarily returned.
Media sources report on the voluntary repatriation of 18 Sri Lankan asylum seekers from Australia in September 2012 (The Sydney Morning Herald 29 Sept. 2012; ABC 24 Sept. 2012). Media sources also indicate that 14 out of 18 of these returnees are Sinhalese, 3 are Tamil, and 1 is Muslim (ABC 24 Sept. 2012; The Sydney Morning Herald 29 Sept. 2012). The voluntary returnees were told they would be provided with "re-integration packages" of approximately US$3,000 (ibid.) by the Australian government (ABC 24 Sept. 2012). The ABC reports that refugee advocates have questioned whether the 18 voluntary returnees made their decision to leave with "informed consent," indicating that the returnees did not have access to independent information (ABC 24 Sept. 2012). According to The Sydney Morning Herald, a Sinhalese returnee reportedly said that the Australian authorities "'just wanted [him] to go back to Sri Lanka'" (29 Sept. 2012). The Sydney Morning Herald reports that all 18 voluntary returnees were interrogated upon return to Sri Lanka by immigration officials, police and the CID on why and how they went to Australia, and why they came back, and provides the account of a returnee who was "hauled" to the police station and questioned twice in the first week of his return to Sri Lanka (ibid.). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.
According to the Refugee Action Coalition Sydney, a refugee advocacy organization in Australia (n.d.), on 30 November 2012, a "plane-load" of 35 mostly Tamil asylum seekers were arrested upon return to Sri Lanka from Australia and taken to Negombo prison, near Colombo (Refugee Action Coalition Sydney 3 Dec. 2012). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
Adjunct Professor, Temple University, Pennsylvania, US. 14 January 2013. Telephone interview with the Research Directorate.
Australia. 18 January 2013. Department of Immigration and Citizenship. "More Sri Lankans Choose to Return Home from Nauru."
The Australian. 17 December 2012. Cameron Stewart and Paul Maley. "Criminals Moving in on Asylum Rackets." (Factiva)
Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). 24 September 2012. Sarah Dingle. "Mystery Surrounds Returned Asylum Seekers." (Factiva)
British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). 1 February 2012. Sivaramakrishnan Parameswaran. "Sri Lanka Togo Refugees Condemn 'Miserable Conditions'."
_____. 31 January 2012. Sivaramakrishnan Parameswaran. "Bound for Canada, Stranded in Togo."
Freedom from Torture. 13 September 2012. Sri Lankan Tamils Tortured on Return from the UK.
_____. N.d. "About Us."
Freedom House. 2012. "Sri Lanka." Freedom in the World 2012.
The Guardian [London]. 15 September 2012. Peter Walker. "Tamils to be Deported Despite Clear Torture Evidence." (Factiva)
Human Rights Watch. 29 May 2012. "UK: Suspend Deportations of Tamils to Sri Lanka."
_____. 25 February 2012. "UK: Halt Deportations of Tamils to Sri Lanka."
_____. 2012. "Sri Lanka." World Report 2012: Sri Lanka, Events of 2011
International Educational Development, Inc. (IED). 11 June 2012. Written Statement Submitted by International Educational Development, Inc., a Non-governmental Organization on the Roster. (A/HRC/20/NGO/42)
International Organization for Migration (IOM). 3 February 2012. "Stranded Sri Lankan Migrants Return Home from Togo."
Minority Rights Group International (MRG). January 2011. No War, No Peace: The Denial of Minority Rights and Justice in Sri Lanka.
Refugee Action Coalition Sydney. 3 December 2012. "Stop the Deportations: Urgent Legal Action as Darwin Tamil Asylum Seekers Protest at Screening Out."
_____. N.d. "About."
Sri Lanka.19 December 2012. News Line. "Boat Arrivals from SL Declining, Asylum Seekers Getting the Message - Aus Minister."
_____. 8 December 2012. News Line. "UK Deports More Asylum Seekers."
_____. 29 May 2012. Sri Lankan Government News. "Arrested Cargo in Ghana Reported to be Carrying Sri Lankan Migrants Mostly Ethnic Tamils." (Factiva)
The Sydney Morning Herald. 29 September 2012. Ben Doherty. "Lure of Good Life Dashed on Nauru's Shores." (Factiva)
Tamils Against Genocide (TAG). 16 September 2012. Returnees at Risk: Detention and Torture in Sri Lanka.
_____. May 2012. Treatment of Failed Asylum Seekers: An Overview of the Persecution Faced by Failed Asylum Seekers Returning to Sri Lanka..
United Kingdom (UK). October 2012. Home Office. Country Policy Bulletin Sri Lanka. (1/2012, v2.0)
_____. 4 July 2011. Home Office. Sri Lanka Country of Origin Information (COI) Report.
United Nations (UN). 21 December 2012. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). UNHCR Eligibility Guidelines for Assessing the International Protection Needs of Asylum-seekers from Sri Lanka. (HCR/EG/LKA/12/04)
_____. 30 August 2012. Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN). "Sri Lanka: Government Welcomes Refugee Repatriation from India."
_____. 8 December 2011. Committee Against Torture. "Consideration of Reports Submitted by States Parties Under Article 19 of the Convention." Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. CAT/C/LKA/CO/3-4.
United States (US). 24 May 2012. Department of State. "Sri Lanka." Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2011.
Additional Sources Consulted
Oral sources: Attempts to contact the following individuals and organizations were unsuccessful within the time constraints of this Response: Amnesty International, Associate Professor of Global Studies at the University of Gothenburg, Associate Professor of Political Science at Wake Forest University, Canadian High Commission in Sri Lanka, Canadian Tamil Congress, Centre for Asia Studies, Center for Human Rights and Development, Centre for Land Warfare Studies, Centre for Policy Alternatives, constitutional and human rights lawyer in Colombo, human rights lawyer in Colombo, INFORM Human Rights Documentation Centre, International Conflict Research Institute, Law and Society Trust, Network for Rights, Refugee Action (Choices AVR), Sri Lanka — High Commission in Ottawa, Sri Lanka Human Rights Project, Transparency International, UNHCR, US NGO Forum on Sri Lanka.
Internet sites, including: Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Limited; ecoi.net; European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights; International Crisis Group; Ireland Refugee Documentation Centre; Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission; Migrant News Sri Lanka; Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism; Sri Lanka — Ministry of Defence and Urban Development, Ministry of Justic, Ministry of Public Administration and Home Affairs, Ministry of Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms, official website of the government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.


text:
Works perfectly
Crutchfield Customer Review (What's this?)
I have this mounted in the attic with no amplifier and picks up 44 digital channels, 20 of them in HD. Being in the attic the only downside is that it has to be aimed just right to get the weaker or more distant signals. Most stations are between 15 and 30 miles away.
Pros: Easy to assemble, looks good
Cons: Awkward shape for attic mount in small space


text:
Echochrome Cheats
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text:
6 seek 3 CDC seats
Staff Writer
BENNINGTON -- Six candidates, three of whom are incumbents, are vying for four three-year seats on the Southwest Vermont Career Development Center school board this Town Meeting Day.
Looking to retain their seats are Gloria Alexander, Francis Kinney and Leon Johnson, while challengers Jessica Gulley-Ward, John MacDonald and Jason Mativi are seeking their first terms on the county-wide board.
Gloria Alexander
Alexander, of Sunderland, is seeking her third term on the board with hopes of continuing the work she has been involved with as chairwoman of the board's Strategic Planning Committee and to continue efforts of attracting more females to technical education.
Until last year, Alexander, a retired social worker who has also taught college social work classes, had long been the only woman on the 11-member board. Maintaining a female presence on the board, she said, is important as she brings a different and important perspective to issues.
"It's important to have women on the board, and I can share my experiences as an educator," Alexander said.
The Strategic Planning Committee is in the process of evaluating CDC's mission and vision, which Alexander said she hopes to continue to help lead as the group seeks input from the community and then updates the school's mission.
Alexander said she also wants to help with initiatives to get more females to take classes at CDC. In previous years Alexander has helped secure funding to attract more girls to technical education.
"I helped coordinate a gender equity grant to interest more girls in technical skills and technical careers," she said. "I believe all jobs are going to be needing people with technical skills training."
Alexander, who is one of the minority of members who live outside the Mount Anthony Union School District lines, also wants to help come up with new ways to attract more students from other parts of the county. Mount Anthony students currently make up more than 95 percent of the CDC student body.
Jessica Gulley-Ward
A Bennington native and a local professional, Gulley-Ward is running for her first public office position with hopes of becoming more involved and giving back to the community.
With a Master of Education degree in administration and supervision -- a field she worked in for 14 years until recently changing careers and becoming the manager of Curves of Bennington -- Gulley-Ward said she has the experience, knowledge and commitment to offer a lot to the school board.
"I'm passionate about education and devoted my career to education," she said.
The 1993 Mount Anthony graduate took a number of classes at CDC in high school that she said taught her life skills and featured a curriculum she connected with. Gulley-Ward said she believes in the mission of the CDC and now wants to assist its continued growth.
Gulley-Ward said she is not running because of specific things she wants to see changed, but instead she hopes to become a part of the board to learn more about what is and is not working and then offer assistance.
"Making an uneducated decision (or) suggestion is detrimental to any team, organization or board. I will evaluate, absorb and gain as much knowledge on a given topic before voicing an opinion," she said.
Leon Johnson
Nobody has more experience on the CDC school board than Johnson, who has sat on the board since its separation from Mount Anthony Union nearly a decade ago. He has also sat on the MAU board the last 19 years. That history, the North Bennington resident said, is important as similar issues and recommendations resurface from time to time and he can offer insight regarding how those matters may have been handled in the past.
Johnson, who retired earlier this month from Energizer, has also been chairman of the Policy Committee since being on the CDC board, which he said is an important role to ensure policies that govern the school are up to date and effective.
In the three years of the term, Johnson said he wants CDC to restart an agriculture program, which the technical school eliminated two years ago. This time, Johnson said, he wants the program to be more connected to the community and work collaboratively with other entities that share common goals.
"We're working to make sure that we take and institute a gardening program through the center that represents everybody in the community including the middle school, the hospital and others," he said.
Johnson also wants to continue work to increase enrollment at CDC by strengthening programs and better advertising the opportunities it offers. At the same time, he said it is important to monitor spending to ensure money is being spent efficiently.
"I always want to look at the amount of money we pass on to the taxpayers in terms of a budget and want to make sure these things are sound and really necessary," he said.
Francis Kinney
Kinney is running for a third term on the CDC board because he wants to continue a positive momentum the technical center has gained over the past year and a half since the hiring of Superintendent and Director James Culkeen.
More than any of the previous directors, Kinney said Culkeen is looking to revamp the school by evaluating programs that have low enrollment and either looking to strengthen them or replace them.
"(I'm running) to support the new director, to make sure things get put in place that he wants put in place, to make sure we look at programs and if there's not enough students in the program then get rid of the program and get a new program, something that kids would want," he said.
Kinney, who also sits on the Shaftsbury and Mount Anthony Union school boards, believes technical education is an important part of the region's school system. Owner of a vehicle collision repair business, Kinney has benefited from technical education himself and believes CDC offers positive career opportunities for many high school students.
"I just think that technical education is important. You got some kids that are going to college and you got some that are not. (Not all high school graduates) are going to be doctors and lawyers," Kinney said, "we need plumbers, electricians too ... and we need to make sure we got the programs to teach that."
Kinney is also focused on keeping education affordable, which he said can only be done with a critical eye on spending.
John MacDonald
MacDonald, a retired special educator who worked at CDC for 13 years, believes his experience in the school would help bring a needed perspective to the school board.
"I feel like I know a number of the issues and can see what student needs are and that kind of thing because I was involved for a long time there," MacDonald said.
MacDonald, who lives in Bennington, also has experience as director of a special needs school in New Hampshire, a position that, among other things, required him to have oversight of finances. That experience, he said, could also help when it comes time to look at CDC's own spending.
"I believe it's important to have somebody who knows both students and teachers and the business end of running anything, but running a school especially," MacDonald said.
MacDonald said the school needs to continue its efforts of working with the community and area businesses to ensure students are learning the required skills in various fields. "I think that more than anything else, meeting the needs of the community in regards to technical education is one of the biggest questions we have over the next few years."
He also wants to ensure the CDC remain a separate entity from Mount Anthony Union -- a discussion that seems to come up every couple of years. Being a separate entity, he said, better serves all of the students in the county including those outside of the MAU district.
Jason Mativi
Mativi, who took a number of courses at CDC while at Mount Anthony, is a network administrator and physics teacher at The Bennington School who believes his experience in those fields can be a valuable asset to the board.
"My background in science and technologies gives me a very strong position to push from for what students are really going to need when they enter that field for a career," he said. "Basically, my goal here is to improve the technological engineering aspect of the CDC."
Mativi, who lives in Pownal, believes CDC's sole focus should be the STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) fields and it should do away with other programs such as cosmetology.
"I do not think cosmetology should be offered at someplace that is a technical school district," he said.
Based on his own experiences, Mativi said he would like to add to existing curriculum in other areas and create more collaboration between programs -- such as having students in the artificial intelligence program working with instructors from the engineering and machine programs, and even technical English. "It would be really beneficial for students as they progress into the real world or technical career (at which time) they are going to be working with all different fields in whatever career they choose," he said.
Mativi would also maintain a focus on controlling spending, which he said will require allocating money in the right areas and attracting students to the technical center.
Contact Dawson Raspuzzi at firstname.lastname@example.com or follow on Twitter @DawsonRaspuzzi
If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us. We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom.


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UNEP Beijing Office
The new UNEP China office opened in Beijing in September 2003, will work closely with the State Environmental Protection Administration of China (SEPA) and other ministries, international agencies and non-governmental organizations in implementing programmes in environmental assessment, law, education and training, management, technology transfer and innovation and natural disaster prevention.
It will also develop and support projects under the Global Environment Facility, an international fund to address climate change, biodiversity, land degradation, transboundary water and chemical management issues.
Press releaseUnited Nations Environment Programme opens China Office - 19 sep 2003
Contacts:UNEP China Office2 Liangmahe Nalu RoadBeijing 100600P.R. ChinaTelephone: +86-10-8532 0921 Extension 219Fax: +86-10-65322567E-mail: email@example.com


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Ford previously announced that a lineup of four crossovers would be announced for the Chinese market for the 2012 Beijing Auto Show. We predicted they would be the global EcoSport B-class crossover, Kuga, Edge and Explorer. Turns out we were right on target, with those four models being officially announced for China today. Much like U.S. car buyers, Chinese consumers have shown a fondness for sport-utility vehicles, buying 1.59 million of them sold in 2011, representing a 20 percent increase from the previous year.
The sole engine offering announced for the Chinese-market Explorer is Ford's bread-and-butter 3.5-liter V-6, which will also be used in the Chinese-market Edge crossover. The Ford Kuga (sold in the U.S. as the 2013 Ford Escape) will be offered with the 1.6 and 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engines.
First introduced at the 2012 Auto Expo India show in Delhi in January, the Ford EcoSport is targeted for more than 100 worldwide markets, and will be built at three factories in Brazil, India and Thailand. The five-passenger EcoSport crossover features dual front and side curtain airbags, anti-lock brakes, hill launch control, stability control, and rear parking sensors.
The Chinese-market EcoSport, like models sold in other markets, will employ Ford's new 1.0-liter EcoBoost three-cylinder engine, producing 118 hp and 125 lb-ft of torque.
The Titanium trim level of the Ford EcoSport was showcased in Beijing, featuring 16-inch alloy wheels, a chrome grille, Sync with voice control, smart keyless entry, pushbutton start, and a cooled glovebox bin.
Source: Ford


text:
I'm trying to download 007: Blood Stone right now.
I'm trying to download 007: Blood Stone right now.
Twitter: @ReubenJRD NBA, Raptors writer for Daily Hive Vancouver, Toronto.
Tsk, you shouldn't be mentioning those kinds of websites on this forum!
We should be keeping The Pirates at Bay
Last edited by theycallmeZZ; Tue Oct 9th, 2012 at 10:48 PM. Reason: *wink wink*
dishonored is amazing
AC3 looks sick too! ima get that
One more thing to those who are pirating. Ask yourself this, if they're clever enough to beat the security measures on these apps, don't you think they're smart enough to sneak in spyware, trojans and the lot? Maybe you should worry about entering your banking information on the same device you use compromised software on. Or maybe these strangers are all putting that stuff up out of the goodness of their hearts, what do I know.
AC3 looks pretty wild but i think im going to way for far cry 3
Lemme know if any of you pick up 2k13 from the psn store
Anyone tried Diablo 3? is it worth buying?
I haven't got any of those games, but just as I was about to sign out I noticed I have 996 posts so I am hanging around here hoping a couple more people post so I can hit the 2000 mark tonight. I don't want to start a new thread just to pump up my count, but it doesn't seem as bad if I am responding to some inane post on a video game thread.
Well, thanks for the opportunity. I have to leave now to see if there are any posts I can reply to.
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