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Underground Coal Mine
Fatal Exploding Vessel under Pressure Accident
January 11, 2012
Buchanan Mine #1
Consolidation Coal Company
Mavisdale, Buchanan County, Virginia
ID No. 44-04856
Accident Investigators
Jason D. Hess
Coal Mine Inspector
Michael A. Hockenberry
Fire Protection Engineer
Originating Office
Mine Safety and Health Administration
District 5
P.O. Box 560, Wise County Plaza
Norton, Virginia 24273
Gregory B. Meikle, District Manager
At approximately 7:40 p.m. on Wednesday, January 11, 2012, Joe E. Saunders (victim), a 44-year old Utility/Diesel Locomotive Operator, with one year and eight months mining experience, was involved in a serious accident, resulting in traumatic injury to his face and head. Saunders and two other miners were working to reinstall a 1 ½-inch fire hose outlet to the 6-inch fresh water supply pipe. As the miners were working to reinstall the outlet, water pressure built up in the 6-inch fresh water pipe due to the inby 6-inch valve not closing properly. The increase in pressure caused a previously damaged 1 ½-inch valve on the outlet to fail catastrophically, propelling the steel water outlet into the victim's face and head. The victim was hospitalized for seven days in an intensive care unit before he died as a result of his injuries.
Consolidation Coal Company's Buchanan Mine #1 is an underground coal mine located two miles south of Route 460, adjacent to State Route 632, at Mavisdale, Buchanan County, Virginia. Consol Energy Incorporated located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is the parent company of Consolidation Coal Company. The principal officers for the mine at the time of the accident were:
Jack Richardson ............... V.P. Central Appalachia Operations
Brett Holbrook ............... General Superintendent
Danny Atwell ............... Assistant Superintendent
Craig Dickerson ............... Assistant Superintendent
Eric Smith ............... General Mine Foreman
The mine has 13 shaft openings into the Pocahontas No. 3 Seam. The seam averages 72 inches in height. Five mine fans exhausting 2.6 million cubic feet of air per minute provide ventilation. Laboratory analysis of return air samples shows a methane liberation rate of 10.7 million cubic feet per day through the mine fans. The development units are ventilated using a double split system with exhausting line curtains or auxiliary fan and ventilation tubing.
Employment is provided for 694 underground and 65 surface miners working on three production shifts per day, seven days per week. No shifts are designated as maintenance shifts. The mine produces an average of 15,000 tons of raw material daily from 10 continuous mining machine units (five "super" sections), and one longwall unit. Coal is transported from the faces by shuttle cars, battery-powered ram cars and a longwall face conveyor. The coal is then transported to the production shaft bottom by belt conveyors, stored in bunkers, and hoisted to the surface by skip hoist cars. Employees and materials are transported in and out of the mine via hoists and underground travel is facilitated by a diesel-powered track haulage system.
The mine is developed with 10 active continuous mining machine sections supporting longwall mining. Longwall panels are developed 750 feet wide, by 11,500 feet long. At the time of the accident, mining was ongoing on all 10 active continuous mining machine sections and the longwall. In addition, development had been completed on the #18 right panel off 3 East Mains, and work was being conducted to set up for longwall retreat mining.
Methane within this mine is removed by degasification of the seam with vertical holes drilled and fractured in the virgin areas of the seam (frac holes) prior to mining, and horizontal degasification holes drilled on the tailgate side of the longwall during development. The frac holes later become vertical degasification boreholes (gob holes) as the longwall retreats and caving causes atmospheric communication between the gob and the vertical holes.
MSHA completed the last regular health and safety inspection (E01) of the mine on December 22, 2011. A regular safety and health inspection was commenced on January 03, 2012, and was ongoing at the time of the accident. The Non-Fatal Days Lost (NFDL) injury incidence rate for the mine in 2011 was 0.78, compared to a National NFDL rate of 3.73.
On January 11, 2012, Joe E. Saunders received traumatic head and face injuries when a pressurized water delivery manifold separated, striking him in the head. The accident occurred at approximately 7:40 p.m., while Saunders and fellow co-worker David Green were transporting a shuttle car along the track haulageway. Green operated the lead diesel locomotive with Saunders operating the tail diesel locomotive. A Freedom shuttle car was positioned on a rail-mounted lowboy hauler connected to the rear of the lead locomotive and to the front of the tail locomotive, forming a "haulage trip." Greg Addington, First Class Mine Foreman, was riding in the passenger seat of the tail locomotive and had been assigned to supervise these miners during the shift.
The day shift had brought the lowboy and shuttle car (haulage trip) from the Page Portal and parked it at the 8 left side track off the 4 north mains, allowing the shift change mantrip traffic to clear. Green, Saunders, and Addington met at the haulage trip lowboy and made preparations to continue transporting the shuttle car via the haulage trip to the 21st right panel off 3 East Mains. The miners drove the haulage trip approximately 10,300 feet along the 4 North Mains and the 3 East Mains track, arriving at crosscut #61.
As the haulage trip proceeded through crosscut #61 intersection, the shuttle car struck the tip of the manifold, dislodging a component of the 1 ½-inch valve from the valve body. The electrical panel board of the shuttle car protruded 38 inches from the left track rail, because of insufficient clearance for safe transport through the area. When the water valve was dislodged, water was sprayed into the air, wetting Saunders and Addington.
Green and Saunders drove the haulage trip through this area and stopped the trip just inby the broken water outlet. Green traveled on foot approximately five crosscuts inby to crosscut #66, where he closed a cut-off valve in the 6-inch water supply line to stop the flow of water. Saunders exited his locomotive and traveled on foot outby to crosscut #58¾, where he also closed a cut-off valve to stop the flow of water in the 6-inch water line. Saunders then traveled on foot back to crosscut #62, where he turned the cut-off lever of the 6-inch crossover pipe toward the "off" position. He believed he was stopping the flow of water from the 10-inch water line located in the adjacent #4 entry (see Appendix A). According to interview statements, Addington was wet and traveled on foot into the right crosscut, between the #5 and #6 entries in crosscut #61, to stay out of the air current.
Green and Saunders met at the cutoff valve located at crosscut #62. During the interview process, Green stated he observed Saunders cutting off the crosscut #62 valve. Green stated he observed Saunders reach down, push it over and tap it with his hammer to where it should have been closed. After the crosscut #62 crossover valve was turned by Saunders, Green and Saunders traveled outby to the crosscut #61 to investigate the broken water outlet and repair it. Both Green and Saunders examined the water outlet and found that the first quarter turn ball valve, which was connected to the 1 ½-inch nipple on the supply line, had separated into two pieces. The separation occurred when the brass tailpiece of the ball valve was pulled out of the brass valve body. The tailpiece is provided with male fine threads and is threaded into the female fine-threaded body of the ball valve. The tailpiece remained on the 1 ½-inch diameter nipple of the six-inch supply pipe. The tailpiece of the valve is attached to the supply nipple by a coarse threaded connection (see Appendix B). The water expelled from the dislodged outlet formed a pool of water, combined with mine dust and gravel covering the nipple. Green and Saunders used their hands to clean the loose mine dust and gravel from around the nipple to prepare for re-connection, but never visually observed the nipple or the tailpiece of the valve. The pool of water remained around the nipple due to a slight steady flow of water being expelled from the nipple. According to witness statements, the miners believed the water was residual water in the line and did not realize they had a supply line valve that was not fully closed. Because of the pooling water, they were unable to gain a clear view of the nipple and valve tailpiece. They attempted to evaluate the condition of the threads by touching them with their hands. They visually evaluated the threads within the body portion of the ball valve for damage. The miners believed the threads on both components were still in usable condition.
Green and Saunders began by disconnecting the 2-inch Victaulic® water pipe connection from the manifold to enable them to turn the manifold onto the tailpiece and nipple. The two miners turned the manifold and ball valve onto the tailpiece and nipple to re-thread the two components back together. According to witness statements, they turned the manifold multiple times by hand before Saunders tightened the manifold with a pipe wrench. During this process water continued to flow through the nipple into the manifold and out through the open outlets. Water was allowed to flow through to reduce pressure on the manifold as they turned the manifold onto the tailpiece and nipple. According to witness statements, Addington did not participate, nor provide any supervision or guidance to the miners related to the repair of the damaged fire valve.
After installing the manifold, Green stood and turned away from Saunders to speak with another miner standing behind him. Billy Davis, Utility Person, helped Saunders complete the connection of the 2-inch Victaulic® line leading to the rock dust distribution machine, located in the adjacent crosscut. Prior to making the Victaulic® connection, the previously separated ball valve was placed in the closed position to stop the flow of water.
With the 1 ½-inch ball valve closed, pressure began to build in the six-inch line, due to a partially closed valve still allowing water to flow in the line. As the pressure increased, the threaded connection between the valve tailpiece and the valve body failed at the location of the repair. This caused the manifold to again separate from the nipple and valve tailpiece, striking Joe Saunders in the face and head. The manifold then traveled through the air and landed 23 feet and 4 inches from its original location. Saunders suffered serious lacerations to his face and forehead and lost consciousness at the time of impact. Emergency responders evaluated Saunders' vital signs, confirmed he had a pulse, was breathing, and then took action to control bleeding. Greg Smith, Assistant Shift Foreman, and Billy Davis placed Saunders on a backboard and transported him to the Contrary Portal hoist via a rail mounted mantrip. Addington stated in interviews that during this time he was in communication with the surface to ensure that proper medical arrangements had been made and communicating with personnel in the mine to ensure the track way was clear for transportation of the injured miner. Emergency evacuation plans were being made on the surface, but due to adverse weather conditions, air transport was not an option. Upon arrival on the surface, Saunders was transported by ambulance to nearby Clinch Valley Medical Center in Richlands, Virginia. Saunders was later transported to the Bristol Regional Medical Center (BRMC) in Bristol, Tennessee. He was hospitalized in the intensive care unit at BRMC for seven days before passing away on January 18, 2012, at 4:12 p.m. from injuries sustained in this accident.
On January 11, 2012, at approximately 7:45 p.m., Mark Hlywa, MSHA Inspector at the Buchanan Mine #1, was notified by Corey Boyd, General Laborer, that a serious accident had just occurred at the crosscut #61 along 3 east mains in the #5 entry (belt/track entry). Boyd encountered Hlywa after he had traveled six crosscuts outby the accident scene to the #9 vent construction and rehabilitation area, where Hlywa was engaged in inspection duties as part of the ongoing E01 inspection.
Hlywa, along with Greg Smith, immediately traveled to the crosscut #61 accident scene. At 7:50 p.m., Hlywa issued a 103(k) Order, closing the area to ensure the safety of all persons. This order prohibited all activity from crosscut #58, inby to crosscut #66. The order required the operator to obtain prior approval from MSHA for all actions to recover and/or restore operations to the affected area.
Following the first aid evaluation and transport of the victim out of the area, Hlywa immediately began to collect preliminary data from the accident scene. He took note of specific locations of the victim and the scene. Hlywa took photographs and measurements of the accident scene and locations of information pertinent to the accident investigation. Hlywa also collected brief statements from miners present at the accident location. At 8:20 p.m. Hlywa modified the 103(k) Order to permit the Freedom shuttle car, located on the lowboy hauler, to be moved approximately two crosscuts inby the accident site to prevent the mine's secondary escapeway from being blocked.
At 7:51 p.m. Brett Holbrook, Mine Superintendent, contacted the MSHA Hazardous Condition Hotline and reported the accident. At approximately 8:45 p.m., Scott Beverly, Acting MSHA Field Office Supervisor, contacted Donald K. Phillips, MSHA District 5 Field Office Supervisor by telephone at the Vansant, VA field office and informed him of the accident. Phillips immediately telephoned Jason D. Hess, Accident Investigator, and assigned him to travel to the mine to investigate the accident. Phillips then proceeded to the mine site.
At approximately 9:35 p.m., Phillips arrived at the Contrary Portal, where he met with Eric Smith, General Mine Foreman. Phillips spoke briefly on the mine telephone with Hlywa, who was still underground. Phillips informed Hlywa that Hess was en route to the mine.
Hess arrived at the Contrary Portal surface area at 9:45 p.m. He met briefly with Phillips and Eric Smith in the mine office before proceeding underground. Hess traveled underground to the accident site with Dave Semones, Shift Foreman. Hess arrived at the accident site and met with Hlywa, Virginia Department of Mines Minerals and Energy (DMME) inspector, John Brown, and Consolidation Coal Company safety representative, Robert Baugh. They briefed Hess on the preliminary findings. Hess took additional notes and made measurements of the area. Hess conducted a brief interview with David Green and Greg Addington, witnesses to the accident.
At 10:50 p.m., prior to leaving the accident site, Hess modified the 103(k) Order to define the affected area as the #5 intersection of crosscut #61, along the 3 east mains and extending 20 feet into all four approaches. The order prohibited any further movement of the Freedom shuttle car and restricted all rail traffic in the affected area. A narrow walkway was established through the area by barricading each side with reflective ribbons. Upon completion of this portion of the preliminary investigation, the inspection party returned to the surface at the Contrary Portal. The inspection party met with Holbrook to inform him of the preliminary findings, and made arrangements to continue the investigation. The 103(k) Order and modifications were reduced to writing and served to mine management.
The accident investigation continued on the morning of January 12, 2012. Hess discussed the preliminary findings with John Hughes, Coal Mine Inspector, before leaving the Vansant Field Office. Hess and Hughes traveled to the mine, arriving at the Contrary Portal surface area at 9:25 a.m.
Hess and Hughes met Brett Holbrook, Mine Superintendent, in the mine office and notified him of their presence. Ray McKinney, MSHA District 5 Manager, and Hagel Campbell, Acting Staff Assistant for District 5, were also onsite. Duane Beggs, District 5 Mining Engineer, arrived shortly thereafter. Virginia DMME officials Opie McKinney, Inspector Supervisor; John Brown, Mine Inspector; Terry Ratliff, Mine Inspector; and Chris Whitt, Emergency Manager, were also onsite to participate in the accident investigation. Consolidation Coal Company representatives included Holbrook, Jack Richardson, Vice President of Central Appalachia Operations, Eric Smith, General Mine Foreman, and Darrel Johnson, Supervisor of Safety.
The investigation party met on the surface to discuss preliminary findings and to make plans for the underground investigation. The investigation party entered the mine and traveled to the accident site. The accident site was measured, sketched, and photographed. The fire hose outlet manifold was reconnected to the 6-inch water supply line to recreate the accident scene. The two diesel locomotives connected to the lowboy carrying the Freedom shuttle car were repositioned at the accident location to recreate the scene of the initial impact between the shuttle car and the fire hose outlet and manifold. Measurements were taken of the mine track, Freedom shuttle car, and the water manifold.
Upon completion of the underground portion of the investigation, the 103(k) Order was modified to permit resumption of rail traffic, with the exception of wide loads. This modification also restricted movement of the Freedom shuttle car until the operator developed an action plan.
Upon arrival on the surface, Hughes completed chain of custody documentation for MSHA to take custody of the water valve manifold involved in the accident, as well as a 6-inch ball valve believed to have failed to close properly. Holbrook released the items to MSHA's custody.
The investigation party met at the Contrary Portal and developed a schedule for conducting interviews and the expectations for an action plan. Hughes modified the 103(k) Order after approval of the action plan to move the Freedom shuttle car.
On January 13, 2012, interviews were conducted in the MSHA District 5 Vansant, Virginia field office. Nine miners who witnessed the accident were interviewed. Additional interviews were held January 20, 2012, with the two locomotive operators and an outby foreman. Final interviews were conducted on February 2, 2012, with three shift foremen and one follow-up interview.
The 1 ½-inch ball valve closure and the 6-inch ball valve closure were shipped to the Mine Safety and Health Administration Approval and Certification Center's (A&CC) Mechanical and Engineering Safety Division (M&ESD) in Triadelphia, WV for non-destructive evaluations.
Accident Site
The accident occurred in the #5 entry (belt/track) in the 3 east mains at #61 crosscut. This particular area had been developed to a height of approximately 13.5 feet to facilitate a previous belt drive.
The #5 entry was an average 22 feet wide, extending the entire length of 3 east mains. A 54-inch belt conveyor was installed on the left side of the #5 entry and a 48-inch wide track was located on the right side of the entry. The #5 entry contained three clearance zones, located left to right between the side of the coal pillar and the belt conveyor; between the belt conveyor and the track haulage; and between the track haulage and the opposite coal pillar. These clearance zones normally range in width from 12 inches, to 48 inches. The 6-inch fresh water line was positioned in the zone between the track haulage and the conveyor belt.
The location of the fire hose outlet and manifold prior to being damaged was in the #5 entry in the center of the #61 intersection. The manifold traveled approximately 23 feet 4 inches from its original position, after striking the victim.
A permanent rock dust distribution machine is located in the #6 intersection at Survey Station (S.S.) #21075. The rock dust machine receives rock dust through a borehole from the surface. It is provided with a sprinkler type fire suppression system that requires a connection to the fresh water supply. A 2-inch Victaulic® water pipe used to supply the fresh water supply to this fire suppression system was connected to the water valve manifold located in the #5 entry at cross cut #61 referred to in this accident (see APPENDIX A).
A 2-piece metal Victaulic® coupling was lying on the mine floor, adjacent to the original fire valve manifold connection point. This metal coupling had been removed by the miners in order to disconnect the 2-inch pipe from the manifold to allow the manifold to turn.
Ladder system water supply
The water supply system in the Buchanan Mine #1 consists of a dual supply line system, referred to as a ladder system. This system depicts a layout design which has a 6-inch supply line coursed through the mine's belt/track entry and a 10-inch supply line coursed through the adjacent entry. These two supply lines are connected routinely by 6-inch crossover lines forming an overall design resembling a ladder. This system is necessary to supply the required water supply volume needed for dust suppression and fire protection in the mine (see APPENDIX A).
Water supply pressure
The static water pressure in the mine averages 700 to 850 pounds per square inch, (psi) as a result of gravity effect. The water supply enters the mine through a bore hole, then free falls approximately 1,600 feet to the level of the coal seam. The difference in elevation increases the head pressure of the water flow prior to the water reaching the coal seam and beginning its course to the targeted areas of the mine. The water valves, manifolds, and components in service at this mine are subjected to this 700 to 850 psi static pressure.
Fire hose outlets
The 6-inch water supply line coursed through the mine in the belt/track entry has 1 ½-inch water outlet fire hose outlets located at 300 feet intervals. These fire hose outlets consist of a pipe nipple, a brass ball type closure valve, another pipe nipple, and a fire hose connector. The finished firehouse outlet normally ranges from 10 to 12 inches long, and extends up from and perpendicular to the water supply line.
Water manifold outlet
Various locations in the mine require a continuous supply of water. In these instances, the fire hose outlets are retro-fitted with additional plumbing to convert them into multi-outlet water manifolds. A manifold may contain two or more ball type closure valves to allow water to flow through to the areas requiring continuous water flow, while preventing the water from flowing through fire hose outlets. These manifolds normally range from 24 to 30 inches long and also extend perpendicular to the supply line.
Crosscut #61 water manifold
The crosscut #61 water manifold involved in the accident was a multi-valve outlet consisting of three outlet ports. Two of the outlet ports were fitted with fire hose outlets with ball type closure valves, and the third was fitted with a 2-inch steel Victaulic® coupler. The Victaulic® coupler was not provided with a closure valve. In order to stop the flow of water, the main valve at the base of the manifold had to be closed. This 2-inch Victaulic® coupler was connected to a 2-inch steel water line and was being used to provide continuous water flow to supply a fire suppression system for a rock dust supply unit positioned in the right crosscut between the #5 and #6 entries. The two 1 ½-inch water outlets installed on the manifold consisted of one, which had been used in the past to provide water to fill a water car, and the other was a standard fire hose connection. The 3 outlets on this manifold created a T-shaped design and extended perpendicular to the 6-inch water line. The 1 ½-inch nipple connector on the 6-inch supply line is 40 ½ inches from the left of the left side track rail (looking inby). This nipple is angled slightly toward the track entry, therefore extending the 26-inch long T-shaped manifold farther toward the mine track travelway. This resulted in the outermost projection of the manifold located 36 ¾ inches from the left track rail.
1 ½-inch Brass constructed ball type valve
The brass ball type valves used in assembling of the fire hose outlets and water outlet manifolds are constructed using a two piece valve body design. The two pieces that make up the valve body are referred to by the manufacturer as the body and the tailpiece. The body is the larger of the two pieces and contains the quarter turn rotating ball and stem. The smaller piece is the tailpiece, and is threaded into the body portion, which compresses the outer seal and the rotating ball into position. These two pieces of the valve body are connected using fine machined threads. The tailpiece threads into the female portion of the valve body, completing the valve assembly (see APPENDIX B).
The-6 inch ball type supply line valves
The 6-inch steel ball type closure valves control water flow within the 6-inch supply lines. Prior to the accident, the miners closed three of these valves to isolate or stop the water flow through the portion of the line containing the damaged fire valve outlet at crosscut #61. A closure valve located at crosscut #62 did not completely close. This valve was used to control water flow from the 10-inch main supply line to the 6-inch line at a crossover. This resulted in water being backfed into the 6-inch line the miners were working on. This partially open valve allowed water pressure to increase as they worked on the damaged manifold (see APPENDIX A, APPENDIX B, and APPENDIX C).
These 6-inch ball type closure valves were provided with a 22.5-inch removable leverage handle when originally purchased. The manufacturer of this ball type closure valve designed this handle to be inserted into the short receiver handle on top the valve and to be secured in place with a cartridge pin, also provided from the manufacturer. Inserting this 22.5-inch handle into the receiver handle gives the person turning the valve a total leverage handle surface of 28.13 inches. This leverage handle is necessary to give the person turning the valve the proper leverage needed to turn the large heavy gauged steel quarter turn closure ball and stem. Also, this handle being of a length that would extend perpendicular to the valve when closed, would enable a person to determine if the valve is setting in a 90 degree angle and therefore fully closed. The 6-inch ball valve, located at crosscut #62, was not provided with the leverage bar to provide proper use of the valve.
Victaulic® pipe coupling to fire suppression system
The 2-inch Victaulic® pipe connection consists of two grooved pipe ends joined together with a rubber seal over the seam. A two-piece coupling band is clamped over the rubber seal to prevent separation.
Freedom Car (shuttle car) being transported
The width of the shuttle car being transported was 10 feet, 1? inches. This was an oversize load for the track haulage entry and created clearance problems with coal ribs, water lines, high voltage cables, and belt infrastructure. The shuttle car projected out from the side of the low boy hauler 38 inches and therefore, into the path of the crosscut #61 fire hose outlet manifold.
Summary of findings of examinations of ball valves conducted at MSHA A&CC
1 ½- inch ball valve
The handle was attached to the valve body, but had been bent from its original orientation when compared to a new valve of the same model. The valve body had three noticeable identification markings cast into the body: 1 1/2, 600 WOG; and a unique symbol identifying the manufacturer. The manufacturer of the ball valve was Milwaukee Valve Company, Inc.
A non-contributing 104 (a) citation was issued to Consolidation Coal Company, Buchanan Mine #1 for violation of 30 CFR § 75.1100-3 for the use of firefighting equipment which was not rated for the high water pressures at this mine.
The female threads where the tailpiece would normally thread into the valve body appeared damaged and worn. The National Pipe Thread (NPT) threads appeared to be undamaged, but the male threads of the tailpiece, which would have threaded into the valve body, were damaged. The straight threads connecting the two sections together was the location where the valve separated when impacted by the piece of mobile equipment prior to the accident. Upon examining the straight threads on the tailpiece and comparing those to the threads on an exemplar valve, it appeared the crest of the accident valve threads were rounded, as well as gouges and cuts were noted. The tailpiece of the accident valve could be inserted into the valve body without rotating or threading the tailpiece into the valve body. These normally must be threaded together to achieve proper thread engagement. The accident valve was damaged by the impact of the mobile equipment, resulting in the male tailpiece threads to pull through the female threads of the valve body, which caused damage to both the female and male threads. Both outside diameter (OD) and inside diameter (ID) measurements were taken of the accident and exemplar valves. The OD measurement was 2.212 inches on the accident tailpiece and 2.246 inches on the exemplar tailpiece. The ID measurement was 2.215 inches on the accident valve body and 2.194 inches on the exemplar valve. The manufacturer recommends that the two-piece valve assembly not be disassembled once placed in service. These type and model of valves are considered "throw away" valves and should be replaced if any damage is suspected according the manufacturer's written recommendations.
Magnified photographs were taken of the threads at the separation point between the valve body and tailpiece. Photographs illustrated the damage sustained by both the male threads of the tailpiece and female threads of the valve body. The thread heights of the tailpiece threads of the accident valve were less than the same measurements on the new exemplar valve. The threads were noticeably rounded resulting in approximately 25 per cent reduction in thread height, when compared to new tailpiece. The damage to the female threads of the accident valve body consisted of threads not running parallel with one another, threads cut, gouged or no longer straight, and pieces of brass threads broken off and deposited into the root of the thread layout.
6-inch ball valve The manufacturer and model information was cast into the exterior body of the 6-inch ball valve. These markings indicate that the valve was constructed of ductile iron, Series 721 six-inch ball valve, manufactured by Victaulic. The valve was designed for 800 Pounds per Square Inch Gauge (psig) water, oil, and gas (WOG) service, with reinforced tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) seats.
The ball valve was not in the fully closed position when received at the A&CC. There was an opening between the ball and the valve seat that measured approximately 0.472 inches (12 mm) at its widest point and would have permitted water to flow through the valve. The valve body was secured against movement and the valve was closed from the "as received" position, until the valve stem contacted material that had built up between the valve stem and the valve stop. This material measured approximately 0.13 inches (3.3 mm) and prevented the valve stem from completely contacting the valve stop.
Key facts gathered during witness interviews • Contacting and damaging fire valves along the belt/track haulageway was common at the Buchanan Mine during equipment moves.
• Foreman Addington had searched for replacement fire valves at the shaft bottom area at the start of the shift, which were to be used if a valve was damaged during the equipment move for which he was preparing.
• Miners who have engaged in equipment moves at the Buchanan Mine in the past recollect fire valves being hit and torn off.
• Miners had identified the crosscut #61 fire valve and manifold as being a problem area in the past.
• At least one other fire valve had been contacted and damaged with the Freedom car load on the day shift prior to the accident involving Saunders.
• Miners have disassembled fire valves and or manifolds in the past to prevent them from contacting wide loads.
• Miners had witnessed this same type of separation (body and tailpiece) during similar incidents prior to the day of the accident. Many of the fire outlets in this mine were originally installed, projecting the fire outlet toward the mine track. When these fire outlets were damaged, they were repaired and/or replaced without improving the design.
An analysis was conducted to identify the most basic causes of the accident that were correctable through reasonable management controls. During the analysis, numerous root causes were identified that, if eliminated, would have either prevented the accident or mitigated its consequences.
Root Cause
This accident occurred as result of the mine operator's failure to develop effective policies, procedures, and training to protect miners as they carry out their respective duties and assignments relating to water line installations and track haulage.
Corrective Action
The mine operator has developed written safe work instructions (SWI), which include standard and specific policies, procedures and training to be followed while completing the tasks that led to the occurrence of this accident. These written policies and procedures give specific guidance and direction, both during the transportation of large mining equipment on the track haulage and during the repair and/or replacement of high pressure water lines and their components. The operator has included training on these policies and procedures as part of the curriculum in the revised training plan to be used during all annual, newly employed, hazard and task training sessions.
Root Cause
The mine operator failed to provide the necessary leverage bar for 6-inch ball type closure valve at the #62 crosscut, to ensure that miners could close the valve during repairs.
Corrective Action
The operator has taken the defective #62 crosscut 6-inch ball-type closure valve out of service and replaced it with a new ball type closure valve and leverage bar capable of properly closing to prevent bypass water flow.
Root Cause
The mine operator failed to maintain adequate clearance between the track haulage and the fire valves and to train the miners in how to move mining equipment safely on haulage trips.
Corrective Action
The mine operator retro-fitted all the fire hose outlets in this mine to project the fire hose outlets away from the mine track to prevent them from being contacted with equipment as it passes. The safe work instruction developed by the mine operator includes provisions for moving equipment on the track haulageway, including procedures to be followed to prevent inadvertent contact between the equipment being moved and mine structures. These procedures include the use of a gauge mounted to the lead locomotive to alert motor tram operators of locations with insufficient clearance. The procedures also include specific training for anyone involved in the movement of oversize loads. All movement of oversized loads will be performed under the direct supervision of a properly trained, qualified, and certified foreman.
This accident occurred due to mine management's failure to recognize the hazards associated with the high water pressure and the location of water valves along the mine haulage track. The water valves located between the mine track and the belt conveyor had been damaged repeatedly during transportation of equipment on the mine track haulage way. Mine management failed to develop effective policies and procedures for movement of large equipment and repair of high pressure water lines. The accident occurred when a 1 ½-inch ball-type closure valve connected to a water manifold separated catastrophically. The valve used to control 700 to 850 psi water flow, was damaged when the manifold was struck by a large unit of mining equipment being transported on the mine track haulageway. The water pressure built against the damaged ball valve due to an improperly closed 6-inch closure valve. As the damaged water manifold was being repaired, the 1 ½-inch ball valve was closed to prevent water flowing from the manifold. As repairs continued, water pressure increased, resulting in failure of the damaged valve. The valve separated violently, allowing the water manifold to strike the victim in the face/head, resulting in serious head trauma injuries. These injuries later resulted in the victim's death.
Section 103 (k) Order No. 8192570, issued on January 11, 2012 to Consolidation Coal Company, Buchanan No.1 Mine states:
A serious injury accident occurred at this operation on January 11, 2012 at approximately 19:35 when a 1.5" water cutoff valve catastrophically failed and struck a miner in the face/head at crosscut #61 along the 3 East mains track way. This order is issued to assure the safety of all persons at this operation. It prohibits all activity from crosscut #58 to crosscut #66 along the track way until MSHA has determined that is safe to resume normal mining operations in this area. The mine operator shall obtain prior approval from an authorized representative for all actions to recover and/or restore operations to the affected area.
104 (d)(1) Citation No. 8190902, issued to Consolidation Coal Company, Buchanan No.1 Mine for violation of 30 CFR § 75.1725(a) states:
The operator of this mine failed to maintain its equipment in safe operating condition. On January 11, 2012, a serious injury accident occurred at crosscut #61 along the 3 east mains, and the injured miner subsequently died due to the injuries he sustained during the accident. The accident occurred when the miner was struck in the face/head with 1 ½-inch water valve assembly. This water valve assembly was propelled through the air and into the face/head of this injured miner when the 1 ½-inch main ball type closure valve catastrophically separated at its base. The separation occurred at a threaded connection of the ball type closure valve and a portion of the ball valve remained on the nipple attached to the 6-inch pipe line. During the investigation of this accident, static water pressure readings in excess of 800 psi were measured in this immediate area. Therefore it was determined that this ball type closure valve, rated at only 600 psi, would have been subjected to water pressures exceeding its rating during its service life (see non-contributory citation for exceeding the rating). This ball type closure valve had been previously damaged and weakened from its original integrity when it was struck by a Freedom shuttle car being transported on a rail haulage low-boy. The manufacturer's recommendations for these ball type closure valves state that these are "throw away" type devices and should not be taken apart or repaired at the threaded connection.
Prior to beginning the repairs on this damaged 1 ½-inch water valve assembly, three 6-inch water feed valves were activated to close off the water fed to the 1 ½-inch fire valve assembly being repaired. One of the three valves failed to close properly, resulting in a continuous flow of water being expelled from the open port created at the broken valve. This expelling of water continued as the repairs were conducted, even traveling up through the fire valve manifold as it was reattached. This continuous flow of water was evidence that the water flow had not been ceased, and repairs should have been stopped. The act of reusing this damaged ball type closure valve is a failure to maintain equipment in safe operating condition. This failure resulted in the serious injury and subsequent death of the miner.
The operator and its agent displayed aggravated by allowing this damaged and separated ball type closure valve to be reused. Mine management, including the foreman assigned to supervise the miners making the repairs, were aware that the water valve assemblies were frequently struck and damaged during movement of oversized equipment. This knowledge should have prompted the operator and its agent to take extra care in the repair or replacement of these water valve assemblies. This extra care would include following the ball valve manufacturer's recommendations, which state that this is a throw away item and should not be repaired or rethreaded if a separation within the threaded portions occur. Also, management, despite the numerous previous times when fire valve assemblies were struck and damaged, failed to improve the design and layout of the fire valve assemblies in this mine to prevent them from being struck during equipment moves This is an unwarrantable failure to comply with a mandatory standard.
104 (d)(1) Order No. 8190903, issued to Consolidation Coal Company, Buchanan No.1 Mine for violation of 30 CFR § 75.1100-3 states:
The firefighting equipment which was in service at this mine on January 11, 2012, was not being maintained in usable and operable condition. The 6-inch quarter turn ball valve closure located at crosscut 62 along the 3 east conveyor belt mains was not being maintained in a usable and operable condition. This valve was plumbed into the 6-inch water feed crossover line, and was used to control the flow of water between the 10-inch water supply line located in the adjacent mine entry and the 6-inch supply line.
A serious injury accident occurred on January 11, 2012, which subsequently resulted in fatal injuries when a miner was struck in the face/head with a 1 ½-inch water valve assembly which was projected off the 6-inch water supply line. This accident occurred when water pressure was permitted to build up against the 1 ½-inch water valve assembly from within the 6-inch water supply line. Static water pressure in excess of 800 psi was measured from the 1 ½-inch water outlets in this area during the investigation.
Miners making the repairs to the 1 ½-inch water valve assembly used three 6-inch ball type closure valves, including the CC 62 crossover valve, in an attempt to isolate the area and stop water flow from entering the portion of the 6-inch supply line being repaired. When the miners turned the valve at CC 62 to stop the water flow, the valve failed to close completely. There remained an opening in the valve as large as 12 mm wide through which water was allowed to flow.
The failure of this 6-inch valve to close completely resulted in the water bypassing this valve and pressure building up in the 6-inch supply line after the damaged 1 ½ inch water valve assembly was re-attached. It was determined during testing and investigation that this 6-inch valve failed to close as a result of two factors. First, the track by which the quarter turn handle connected to the ball and stem within the valve was clogged with mine dust and grime which added a resistance for the handle to travel through to completely turn and stop the water flow. Second, this valve was not maintained with the leverage bar provided by the manufacturer for turning the handle and ball stem. This 6-inch valve consists of a short fabricated steel handle that remains connected to the ball stem exiting the valve. This handle is constructed with a circular opening in the end which allows a long steel extension bar to be inserted into the handle to provide leverage to turn the valve. As a result of the leverage handle not being available, miners had to use less effective means of turning this handle. Statements provided during witness interviews indicated that a hammer was used to strike the short handle in an attempt to close the ball valve.
The operator and its agents displayed aggravated conduct through two failures which resulted in the occurrence of this accident. First, the operator failed to ensure that the 6-inch ball valve in use at this mine was provided with the necessary leverage handle to be used when closing and opening the valve. These valves are provided with these leverage handles when purchased from the manufacturer to provide the necessary leverage when closing and opening the valve. It is the responsibility of the consumer to maintain them for use. The second display of aggravated conduct was on the part of the foreman assigned to supervise the miners making the repairs. This foreman failed to provide adequate supervision of the miners making the repairs. This foreman was aware that it was common for the fire valve assemblies in this mine to be struck and damaged during the movement of oversized loads. This foreman was also aware of the extremely high water pressures at this mine. These factors should have prompted this foreman to take extra care and provide guidance and instruction to the miners, particularly to ensure that the water line was properly isolated to prevent an inadvertent pressure build up. The foreman was in the immediate area and in plain sight and sound during the repair and took no actions to ensure that the repairs were being conducted properly and safely. This is an unwarrantable failure to comply with a mandatory standard.
Section 316 (b) Safeguard, No. 8190904, was issued to Consolidation Coal Company, Buchanan No.1 mine in accordance with 30 CFR § 75.1403 states:
A serious injury accident, which subsequently resulted in the death of one miner ,occurred at this mine on January 11, 2012. This accident occurred when a previously damaged ball type closure valve connected to a water water valve assembly catastrophically separated propelling the assembly into the face/head of the victim. The separation occurred at a threaded connection of the ball type closure valve and a portion of the ball valve remained on the nipple attached to the 6-inch water line. The static water pressure on the ball type closure valve was in excess of 800 psi when it was measured during the investigation of the accident. The ball type closure valve had been previously damaged, and its original integrity was weakened, when the water valve assembly was struck by a Freedom shuttle car being transported on a rail haulage low-boy. The shuttle car struck the water valve assembly due to the operator's failure to evaluate and address prevalent track haulage problems and to establish and maintain a clear and safe travel way when moving oversized equipment on the track way.
This is a notice to provide safeguard (s) requiring the operator to evaluate and address track haulage clearance when moving oversized loads; to maintain adequate clearance in all areas where there is not a permanent fixed obstacle such as a coal rib, head drive etc., and to establish a written plan to provide manpower resources, supervisory oversight and specific guidance to move oversize loads through the mine.
Persons Participating in the Investigation
Jack Richardson ............... V.P. Central Appalachian Operations
Brett Holbrook ............... General Mine Superintendent
Danny Atwell ............... Assistant Superintendent
Craig Dickerson ............... Assistant Superintendent
Eric Smith ............... General Mine Foreman
Darrel Johnson ............... Supervisor of Safety
Michael Canada ............... Manager of Safety
Ray McKinney ............... District Manager
Jason D. Hess ............... Coal Mine Inspector
Hagel Campbell ............... Conference Litigation Officer
Mark Hlywa ............... Coal Mine Inspector
John Hughes ............... Coal Mine Inspector
Duane Beggs ............... Mine Engineer
Steven Hale ............... Coal Mine Inspector/Family Liaison
Daniel Johnson ............... Staff Assistant
Michael A. Hockenberry ............... Fire Protection Engineer
Opie McKinney ............... Supervisor
Christopher Whitt ............... Emergency Manager
Terry Ratliff ............... Mine Inspector
John Brown ............... Mine Inspector


text:
Sarah Palin has nothing on Christopher Ruhm. On Thursday, the University of North Carolina, Greenboro, economist published a study showing that kids from high-socioeconomic-status families take a long-term hit when their moms work outside the home—at ages 10 and 11, they perform more poorly on cognitive tests and are also more likely to be overweight than those whose high-status mothers leave the workforce. Children from low-status families, on the other hand, don't seem to suffer as much when their moms work. In fact, many of them do better on the same tests, and they're more fit, than similarly disadvantaged kids with stay-at-home moms.Like everything else in social science, it's in the details. Mr Ruhm, who has since moved to the University of Virginia, provides the necessary disclaimers early in the paper.
The findings are surprising, and it's easy to read them as a warning to affluent, educated mothers: if you want the best for your child, don't work. (Conversely, if you're not well-off: get your kid to day care.) But those are dangerous conclusions to draw from the study, and even Ruhm—whose own wife worked while raising their children—says so. "This comes down to a fundamental principle of economics: something has to give. We can't have it all," he says. "But I would never tell anybody what to do or not do about that. I certainly wouldn't tell my wife." So what are women facing a choice between work and home—and those many more for whom work is an economic necessity—supposed to make of these findings?
As with all non-experimental analyses, caution must be taken in providing a causal interpretation to these findings. Compared to most previous research, however, particularly comprehensive controls for non-random selection into maternal employment are included and some effort is made to investigate reverse causation – where child outcomes influence future labor supply. Remaining omitted variables biases may lead to underestimates of the adverse effects and reverse causation is probably more important for low than high SES families. The qualitative pattern of results, however, seems unlikely to be strongly affected.There's a good deal of prior research on the topic, although a quick check of Google Scholar doesn't turn up any obvious ripostes or extensions. Here's how Mr Ruhm frames his finding.
The results suggest that maternal employment has small average effects but sharply disparate impacts across categories of youths. Moderate labor supplies is estimated to have no impact or to benefit "disadvantaged" children and long hours, which occur rarely, are unlikely to leave them much worse off. By contrast, maternal job-holding is predicted to have deleterious consequences for "advantaged" adolescents. One reason for the negative effects on cognitive development is probably that these children are removed from enriching home environments when their mothers work. The elevation in obesity is less easily explained, although the data suggest a role for determinants common to both the child and mother (like family eating habits).The translation into more laymanlike language at Newsweek elaborates, but says the same thing.
Why do mothers' choices have such different effects on kids, depending on their socioeconomic situations? Most likely, says Ruhm, the low-status kids get more intellectual stimulation in day care or with other caretakers, such as grandparents, than they do at home. Meanwhile, the high-status kids may find day care less enriching than being with their highly educated mothers. When these moms go back to work, "you're pulling the [high-status] kids out of these really good home environments," says Ruhm, "and a lot of the alternatives just aren't as good."Capital assets matter. Some are physical, some are human, and some are social.
The same pattern was true of weight: low-status kids weren't any thinner or fatter depending on what their mothers did, but high-status kids with working moms did have a slightly higher risk of being overweight at 10 or 11. The biggest effect on weight came when mothers were working during their high-status children's school years. Maybe, says Ruhm, these moms didn't have time to cook healthy dinners and after-school snacks: "If you're working a lot and you're eating out and buying fatty food, that could have an effect on obesity later in the child's life." Or maybe those kids were left unsupervised more often, and thus had more opportunities to eat cookies in front of the TV—and fewer opportunities to run around outside. "Parents who are working but want to make sure their kids are supervised and safe will often load up the house with sedentary activities, since they can't always be there to take them to sports or to the park," says Karen Eifler, an associate professor of education at the University of Portland. "Their kids are more likely to have a TV or computer and videogames in their room—and also, the higher your economic status, the more likely you are to have those three machines in your house."

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Excerpts from UOB Kay Hian report
|Addressing Concerns Of Unauthorised Share Transfers
Sunpower's 32% share price correction since its substantial shareholders fell prey to unauthorised share transfers on 17 Oct 18 appears to be overdone.
Core business remains robust and current valuation is attractive at 5.8x 2018F PE.
Maintain BUY and SOTP-based target price of S$0.76.
♦ Concerns overblown on unauthorised share transfers, downside is limited. Sunpower's share price underwent a series of sharp corrections since 22 Oct 18, shortly after two of its substantial shareholders, Mr Guo and Mr Ma, entered into a loan agreement with America 2030 Capital Limited on 17 Oct 18, by pledging a total 28m collateral shares.
On 3 Nov 18, both shareholders discovered that their collateral shares were no longer in the designated account, although the loan has not been disbursed.
We believe the concerns were overblown as the total exposure for this event is only 28m shares or 3.8% of the total issued shares and represents only a small portion of the total shareholding of both Mr Guo and Mr Ming, which stood at 37.4% before the pledge.
In the worst-case scenario, no more shares should be sold on the market even if the shareholders lose their case, as proceeds from shares sold in Oct 18 should cover the breakup fee. We estimate proceeds to be S$4.9m, assuming half of the 28m shares have been sold at an average price of S$0.35.
♦ Swift legal actions have been taken to limit downside risk. In response to the event, both substantial shareholders have taken swift actions including:
a) commenced legal proceedings in the Supreme Court of Singapore to seek the return of the collateral shares,
b) obtained a court order on 8 Nov 18 for interim injunction to restrain America 2030,
c) responded to a SGX query on 20 Nov 18 that it has not breached any listing rules and loan covenants, and
d) voluntarily lodged a report with the Commercial Affairs Department.
♦ Core businesses remain robust, expect a seasonally strong 4Q18. Sunpower reported a robust set of 3Q18 results. Revenue and net profit grew 87.5% and 276.7% yoy, respectively.
Management continues to focus on green investment (GI) projects to take advantage of the vast business opportunities in China's anti-smog sector. 2018 net profit is expected to be boosted significantly by:
a) continued ramp-up of GI projects started in late-17,
b) the newly acquired Yongxin plant in 3Q18, and
c) seasonally higher deliveries of manufacturing and services (M&S) projects in 4Q18 to meet year-end project deadlines.
♦ Expect a seasonally stronger 4Q18 and new GI projects to drive record profitability. Sunpower's results typically experience seasonality where heat and steam usage in existing GI projects tend to pick up in tandem with economic activities and falling temperatures in winter.
In addition, M&S projects typically enjoy higher deliveries in 4Q18 as clients need to meet their year-end project deadlines. While 9M18 earnings of Rmb129.2m represented only 52.4% of UOBKH full-year estimates, new GI projects and a record M&S orderbook of Rmb2.2b are set to pave the way for a record 2018.
♦ Share buyback provides support and indicates that share price is undervalued. Sunpower started its first share buyback on 2 Jan 19 and has continued to buy actively every day. So far, it has bought back over 1m shares at S$0.30-0.33 per share. We believe this could provide a good support for the share price and sends a positive signal that the share price is undervalued.
♦ Recent conversion of share options could minimise capital gain tax from low share price. Sunpower's employees converted 26.3m shares at an exercise price of S$0.116 per share, from their employee share options scheme granted in 2015. We note that the conversion at lower share price could reduce the capital gains tax of the employees, calculated based on the difference between share price at the point of conversion and exercise price.
♦ No changes to our earnings forecasts.
♦ Risks include: a) higher leverage from expansion, b) project execution risk, and c) forex.
♦ Maintain BUY and SOTP-based target price of S$0.76.
♦ Faster-than-expected ramp-up of GI projects.
♦ Higher-than-expected project wins for M&S segment.
♦ More EPS-accretive acquisitions.
Full report here.


text:
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Ratings & Reviews
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Directions For Oxydrene Elite: As a pre-workout supplement, take 2 capsules 1 hour before exercise. Always take with a full glass of water.
Warnings: Consult your physician before use if you are taking prescription medications. Not for use by individuals under the age of 18 years. Do not use if pregnant or nursing. Use only as directed. Keep out of reach of children.
- Manufacturer Information
- Novex Biotech Products and Information


text:
'They' say we need 8 hugs a day to be at our best.
'They' say each person needs 56 trees' oxygen to offset her personal production of carbon dioxide.
How many hugs then do trees need – or deserve – for taking care of us each and every day?
Before you read further: go hug. Hug a person and/or a tree.
Not aware of Earth Day? It's probably because it's not a Hallmark holiday. That's a good thing – (wasted) paper would exhaust the very resources to celebrate: trees and water.
But the downside: it's not well celebrated – and our survival depends on it. Literally.
Wikipedia 'facts': Earth Day (the first in 1970) and International Mother Earth Day (by the United Nations in 2009) is observed annually on April 22 in support for environmental protection. Around the planet, people are listening to music, learning about eco-friendly technology, recycling electronics, clothes, bottles and cans, and participating in cleanups.
I've done beach clean-ups, including in the Hurricane Sandy devastated Rockaway's. One long-time Rockaway resident observed: 'lots of people come here to clean up on one day. Then, nothing. Nobody comes to clean when the beaches get crowded – and dirtier.'
It's true of course.
We put a lot of momentum into one day, and then go about our business.
That one day is our consolation, and a commemorative prize.
But I wonder: why do the beaches need to be 'picked up' so often? We've picked up cigarette butts, toys, bottles, cans, socks, towels, styrofoam cups, those big plastic cups, straws, and suntan lotion bottles. In April or May. Long before beach season begins.
People must believe it's okay to bury their garbage along with their heads or feet in the sand…. Or that small stuff, like thousands of cigarette butts won't make a difference because they are small.
Btw, cigarette butts don't degrade.
Saturday, I volunteered with Riverkeeper, at NYC's Hudson River Greenway. The bright sunny day masked the freezing wind, keeping people moving along the beautiful green space that parallels the High Line and the Hudson River. This event brought several environmental groups together to share information.
(Interestingly, I was told, environmental groups compete for attention and funding, often not communicating and sharing thoughts and action.)
The passing public collected 'swag': reusable bags from Magnolia Bakery, Aveeno face cream, and pamphlets. People love free stuff.
I asked one event participant why Earth Day wasn't a widely celebrated 'event'.
'Exhaustion from being over publicized'
I wonder if it's become like the boy calling 'wolf': the environmentalist calling 'global warming, global devastation' one time too many.
And we deal best with catastrophes when they strike – all of us trying to stay afloat between devastating events from super storms to job loss. Exhausting!
It's almost understandable that clean air, water, healthy food, the diverse ecosystems that provides these things are exhausting to think about. Much less do anything about it. I've often seen bottles in cans in Whole Foods garbage cans when a recycling bin is steps aways (and yes, I take them out and settle them in their proper receptacle!)
But here's the most interesting thing: Earth Day and Holocaust Remembrance Day are days apart.
Maybe. But these two days are joined in a tight hug.
Last year I wrote about the Bielski Partisans (movie: Defiance) WWII survival in the forests.
Wars, hate crimes, genocides ultimately are over resources. Natural resources that come from the Earth.
People are killed over land, water, diamonds. Food. Not to mention Nike's.
So my thoughts on this beautiful Earth Day are: Stand-up!
Hug a tree. Hug a person.
Fight Genocide – fight for a healthy planet.
You can prevent war- reduce your consumption of 'stuff', turn off the water, drive less, recycle.
Let's focus on quality – not quantity. Let's care enough about ourselves and future generations to leave them a real inheritance.
Stand up by donating time, money, and energy. Talk about and share these organizations:
JNF (starting planting trees in Israel in 1901!)
A Meaningful World (anti-Genocide)


text:
About Us
Established in 1976, Sidtor Industries Inc. offers a complete range of acid-etched, stainless steel nameplates, decals and instrument panels used primarily for the worldwide aeronautic/aerospace industries. Our customers are extremely varied, ranging from plates shops to nuclear plants and from electronic packaging houses to telecommunication and military related industries.
Our modern plant and sales offices are centrally located and provide our customers with the perfect blend of experienced people supported by modern machines and advanced production techniques. Our company is primarily driven by a business philosophy based on the skills of our human resources, the quality of our products, the excellence of our work, our respect for deadlines and the reliability of our services.
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Renowned for our reliable, quality-oriented service available at competitive pricing, we've earned and successfully maintained a positive reputation within our industry that has allowed us to grow and expand throughout the years. Our professional staff will guide you through the entire process, from design concepts to fabrication to the final product to ensure that all of your expectations have been met and/or exceeded by us.
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text:
Hack the browser window to be fluorescent pink with green polkadots. The chances that someone will design a phishing web site that mimics that look is quite low.
"hvae" should be "of"]]>
"Who was the second person I ever held hands with?"
"Enter my favorite HipHop song title from the 1980s?"
"Enter an old musical chorus that reminds you hvae when you first met your spouse?"
They are pretty obscure. So obscure that you probably wouldn't answer them the same way twice.
Does having border-line ridiculous security questions make them any more secure?
Nobody knows the brand name of the first pair of shoes I bought for myself. Does that make it more secure?
Those with interaction, are your choose your own adventure books..
You don't need to back up your web mail because the server records the authors thoughts and just sends them back when needed.]]>
@Zian: Hehe. Yes I have. the computer sits right next to the window and I have tried to use the fact that what appears to me to be a 2-dimension image of a house (its flat, i know it is - I can touch it and none of it is any farther than any other part) is actually the light reflected off a 3-dimensional object in the distance, owned by someone else even though I perceive it as an image within the pane of a window which I (well, she) owns.
Too technical, I think she got lost at 2 v 3 dimensional, or why would I perceive the neighbor's house as merely an image when it is clearly an actual house next door.
Explaining the difference between files and folders (directories) didn't take either (and thats on Windows, imagine Linux!) I considered myself to have reached the plateau of success when I got my dad to stop shutting down the computer by simply switching off the power strip to the computer without exiting running programs first (granted it is much faster that way). Plus she keeps worrying about backing up her PC hard drive so she doesn't lose her webmail...
That is excellent. =)]]>


text:
September 14, 2016 – Meeting Minutes
Leave a reply →
Attendance: 12 members, 8 guests
Leader: Carol Kearney
Spotlighter: Lisa Brill
On Deck: Dr. Eric Saxton – September 28
Action Points
Visit other groups, but we don't steal other members.
Our group has fallen to 20 members, so make sure to invite people to our next meeting and hand out the Potomac Promoters cards.
Spotlighter: Lisa Brill – Value Blinds and Heirloom Drapery
A little bit about Lisa:
- Originally from Roanoke, VA
- Went to Radford College – which later became Radford University
- She studied Interior Design while she was there
- Did interior design for 7 years but eventually got tired of retail
- Started selling materials to designers and that morphed into her job with Hunter Douglas
- Stopped working with Hunter Douglas and hoped to never work with blinds again
- Then the owner of Value Blinds called and now she does most of the marketing for the company
Value Blinds and Heirloom Drapery
- They bring the store to you so that you can see the products in your home.
- They interview their clients to find out what they need, not just what they want.
- Offering UV filtering products to reduce furniture, carpet and hardwood floor fading.
- Some products have R-values and may pay for their costs in heating/cooling savings
- Will install Ready-Shades for free so that you don't have to live in a fishbowl until your blinds come in.
- Looking for smaller builders, painters, carpet/flooring stores


text: This centennial custom made, solid mahogany lowboy is in the Chippendale style. Centennial furniture refers to furnishings produced in the last quarter of the 1800's. We were celebrating the 100th anniversary of our nation and the styles from the 1770's were of interest and revived again. The top has a lovely moulded edge with carved corners. There is a long drawer over 3 side by side drawers. All the drawers have a moulded lip, original brass pulls and are hand dovetailed. The center drawer has a finely and deeply carved shell. All the drawers open and close smoothly. Notice the shapely cut out skirt on the front and sides of the cabinet. The lowboy rests on graceful legs with boldly carved ball and claw feet. The finish is original and in excellent condition. The top has some rubs and subtle scratches, which is to be expected. The color is rich and has a very desirable patina.


text:
This page is to help consolidate the links for everyone so that all of our articles on health care can be found under one roof (so to speak).
If you want to check back on what we are writing, this is the place to check for updates as well as scheduled pending updates.
Scheduled updates:
My personal experience with injury in military
Nationalized Health Care Plan – simplified, comprehensive, must read!
According to our new Dan Quayle replacement and Vice President, no one knew what would happen with the costs of the stimulus plan, the effects, how far things would move, etc.
Without beating a dead horse too much – most conservatives were either right on or had hedged to the (pardon the pun) conservative side of […]
Our Health Care Plea:
You know, there are some things that I have been hearing lately that are really making me quite angry as a conservative.
Barack Obama – the opponents of this plan are lying. I am not trying to take over the medical industry with government.
First of all, Mr. President – I am not lying, I just know […]
Obama's ABC infomercial and Mrs. Scoundrel's analysis of healthcare:
According to Fox News today:
ABC News will host an hour-long special on health care reform in the U.S. next Wednesday from the White House East Room — a move that ABC is defending but critics are calling a surrender to the Obama administration's effort to control the debate.
The prime time special — called "Questions for […]
The Truth About Health Care:
One VERY important note:
This debate is just about to start. The fight isn't over as the Gitmo situation illustrated. They WERE going to bring those terrorists here until polls came out. When you spoke up and 75% said "no way", the government backed down and quickly.
The same applies here. Learn the lesson. Make the Congresspeople […]
Health Care – How About a Real Fix?
We're going to war on my wallet again? I work 60 hours a week to pay for someone else to sit at home, to retire and now to go to the hospital?
This isn't right.
This is going to harm us. This is being based on the Massachusetts model, which is FAILING.
What part of FAILING don't you […]
Secret Lingo in bill may deny people medical rights:
Here's something that is transparent.
Like a brick wall.
President Obama, in his everlasting battle to oppose trickery and fakery in the politics of today, has unveiled a new plan
President Obama is insisting on arcane procedural language tucked away in the budget resolution conference report that will dramatically expand the federal government's control over your personal health […]
Obamedicaid – How cost effective will it really be?
I am in the process of reading a very humorous, very enlightening book entitled, "Welcome to Obamaland – I have seen your future, and it doesn't work", by British author James Delingpole.
In this book, Mr. Delingpole enlightens us as to what imposed Socialism does to a Capitalist society. He shows us most clearly what has […]
Obamedicaid – How Cost Effective will the Socialized Medical Plan REALLY be?


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Having already given us Colourmusic's blitzkrieg album this year, Stillwater, Oklahoma ups its batting average for 2011 with Other Lives, currently over here and at Green Man this weekend (and End Of The Road a fortnight beyond that) ahead of an August 29th release for their debut-to-this-territory album, also Tamer Animals, on the beleagured PIAS. We saw their first UK date ever at the end of last week and were mightily impressed by their post-Grizzly Bear sweep of keyboard textures and multi-instrumental washes, a lushly arranged chamber odd-folk in which every layer, voice and instrument adds something to the cinematic scope.
Other Lives - Tamer Animals by Stayloose


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Christmas and New Year's have passed – two guilt-free days of complete overindulgence. With the year well underway, it's time to rid yourself of that holiday 'boep' with a bit of a detox. Have a look at these nutritious dishes(no we aren't talking about rabbit food here), that will leave you feeling cleansed, happy and healthy.
Blueberry-Coconut Baked Oats
As they say, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Instead of accompanying that hot coffee with a piece of dried toast or simply nothing at all, treat yourself with a bowl of Blueberry-coconut Baked Oats.
Not only does this colourful, tasty meal fill the spot, but it is easy to make for those rushed mornings before work – give yourself enough time to prep the meal the night before.
Here's what you'll need:
For the 0ats:
One and a half cups (260 grams) of oats
• Half a teaspoon of ground ginger
• Half a teaspoon of fine Sea Salt
•One teaspoon of Baking Powder
•Four cups (950 ml, 32 ounces) of unsweetened vanilla almond milk
•Two cups (480 ml, 16 ounces) of light, unsweetened coconut milk
•One and a half (240 grams) cups fresh Blueberries (frozen OK too, do not thaw first)
• One quarter cup (47 grams) unsweetened dried Blueberries
•One Quarter cup (22 grams) unsweetened Coconut Flake
•Vanilla Stevia Drops or your favorite natural sweetener to taste
For the Blueberry Sauce:
•Two cups (360 grams) fresh or frozen Blueberries
For even more flavour (optional):
•Coconut Flake
•Whipped Cream (vegan or not)
•Extra dried and fresh Blueberries
•Coconut Milk
Before you start assembling your dish, pre-heat your oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Afterward, lightly coat a baking tray with some spray and cook.
In a large-sized bowl, combine all your ingredients, adding your blueberries and coconut shavings in last.
Sweeten the combination with a sugar-substitute – stevia drops comes recommended.
Bake the mixture for approximately an hour. Once out of the oven you may notice that the oats aren't fully cooked – this is entirely normal. Allow them to cool at room temperature as this allows the consistency of the oats to thicken. For optimal results, refrigerate overnight before eating.
To make your sauce, you'll need to heat your blueberries over a medium-to-high heat. Splash in a flute of water to prevent the fruit from drying out. Leave them to cook until you hear them sizzle, then reduce the heat and continue to simmer for around five minutes. Quickly mash the blueberries before pouring them over your oats. For more flavour, add a splash of almond or coconut milk.
Mushroom and Chickpea Burgers
Lunchtime around the workspace is often characterised by the stale smells of French fries, burgers, chocolate shakes or perhaps a diet coke to placate that guilty conscience. While these meals are quick and convenient, they leave you feeling bloated, overfill and tired.
If your craving for burgers and a side of slap chips are hard to ignore, we suggest you try out a better alternative, a mushroom and chickpea burger (for the practising banters, rest your patty on a bed of greens rather than sandwiched between two buns).
Here's what you'll need:
One tablespoon of olive oil
250g chestnut mushroom, finely chopped
Two garlic cloves, crushed
One bunch of spring onions, sliced
One tablespoon of medium curry powder
Zest and juice and a quarter of a lemon
400g can chickpea, rinsed and drained
85g fresh wholemeal breadcrumb
Six tablespoons of Greek yoghurt
Pinch ground cumin
Two mixed-grain muffin or rolls, toasted and halved
Two plum tomatoes, sliced
Handful of rocket leaves
Drizzle a teaspoon of oil in a non-stick frying pan at medium heat. Add your mushrooms, a dollop of garlic and spring onion to the pan and cook for approximately five minutes. Mix in the lemon zest and juice and cook until mixture looks quite dry – for a bit of spice add a spoonful of curry powder. Take the mixture off heat and allow to cool slightly.
Mash the chickpeas in a bowl with a potato masher until you're left with a chunky consistency. Add the mushroom mix and the crumbs, then shape into four patties. Fry in the remaining oil for around on each side until crisp and lightly golden in colour.
Combine the yoghurt with the cumin. Place half a muffin or bun on each plate and smother with the yoghurt sauce. Top with the burgers, a few slices of tomato and a little rocket.
Crudité Platter with White Miso Dip
We have all been there, we hit a mid-afternoon slump, our concentration wades and our tummies begin to rumble. We automatically turn to a sugar-loaded chocolate bar or a packet of Simba crisps for a quick pick-me-up.
If you're looking for something healthier to nibble on, a crudité platter and dip is just the ticket. We know what you're thinking – dried-out, taste-free carrot or celery sticks with bland mayonnaise – think again! The 'Miso Dip' combines a variety of flavour-filled ingredients and the veggies used are varied, innovative and colourful!
As this platter serves eight people, feel free to feed your hungry work colleagues too!
Here's what you'll need:
For the dip:
- 3 tbsp. white miso paste
- ⅓ cup Greek yogurt
- ¼ garlic clove, grated
- 1-2 tbsp. honey
- 2 tbsp. rice wine vinegar
- ½ tsp. toasted sesame oil (optional)
- carrot sticks, assorted colours
- sugar snap peas
- 1 large watermelon radish, sliced thin
- cauliflower florets
- red radishes, left whole with their leafy green tops
Combine the dip ingredients into a bowl, starting out with a tablespoon of honey. Whisk well and before adding your remaining honey, give the mixture a taste. The flavour should be a combination of salty, tangy and slightly sweet.
Arrange your vegetables onto a serving platter – to add a little pizzazz to the meal cut the veggies into different shapes, open up a few of the sugar snap pods and sprinkle the peas around the plate.
Serve with the dip and enjoy!
Quick and Easy Flavoured Waters
We are at the height of Summer, it's is hot and continually hydrating is essential. For many of us, Coca-Cola is the ultimate thirst quencher. If you're looking for a flavour-filled drink that doesn't rot your teeth, Jamie Oliver has come to our rescue with his DIY flavoured water – pimp out your water with these recipes!
Here's what you'll need:
•Fresh lemon and lime
• One orange
• One handful of strawberries or raspberries
• One handful fresh mint
• Lemon or lime juice
• Cucumber
Turn room-temperature water into something more exciting with these easy steps:
Get yourself a glass jug and plop in handfuls of ice. Add a few slices of fresh lemon, and squeeze the juice of an orange into your water. For optimal flavour and colour, toss in the now juiceless slice.
Mash up your strawberries with a fork and add them to your water jug, stir thoroughly.
Scrunch up the fresh mint in your hand and infuse into your water. Add cucumber to the mix as an optional extra.
Enjoy this refreshing drink in your overheated office or by the poolside!


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The Imperial Heritage Hotel Melaka No 1, Jalan Merdeka 1, Taman Melaka Raya, 75000 Melaka, Malaysia [email protected]
The Executive Room at The Imperial Heritage Hotel comes with 1 King or Twin Beds, Bedside Tables, Desk and Chair. This room offers view of Melaka City. The room is decorated in a fresh business style chosen to blend with heritage side of Melaka. The room is designed with distinguished features, complementing the comforting ambience of warm earthen tones for a relaxing experience.
*FREE Himalayan Crystal Salt Room Therapy worth MYR100+ when Book Direct with us.
Specifies :
Accommodation include the following :
All rates will be charged in Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) at the time of booking.
Any miscellaneous expenses incurred during the stay are charged at the time of check-out.
Cancellations are not possible without incurring a charge.
Check-in at 15:00 PM | Check-out at 12:00 PM
Effective from 1st September 2017, Malaysia imposed Tourism Tax (TTx) on foreign tourist staying at an accommodation premises in Malaysia at a flat rate of RM10.00 nett per room per night.
This rate also applies on a stay for part of the day. This tax is applicable to all foreign guests, regardless of their nationality or purpose of travel such as holiday, business and studies.
Melaka State Goverment imposed a mandatory RM2.00 nett Heritage Tax Fee per occupied room per night for all hotel accommodation. The collected funds will be used for the upkeep of Melaka Heritage Sites.
Tourism Tax and Heritage Tax Fee will be collected from guests upon check-in at hotel.
Valid from 1st June - 31th December 2019
Repeat guests receive extra benefit of one free night on minimum stay of 4 nights and above reservation.
Terms and Conditions Apply


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URIS 2012 Project One – led by Dr. Yontem Sonmez and Dr. Matthew Gobey
Project Title: Croatia's EU Accession: Implications on Trade Patterns
Project Outline: Difficulties with keeping the Eurozone crisis under control, the EU and Croatian leaders signed Croatia's EU Accession Treaty in December 2011 and Croatia will become the EU's 28th Member State on 1 July 2013 subject to ratification of the Treaty by all the Member States and Croatia.
The aim of this project is to estimate the potential trade flows from Croatia to the EU27 based on panel data from the period 1990 to 2011 and then comparing the estimated flows with the actual trade flows to find out whether there is still some trade potential between EU27 and Croatia that could be exploited.
Croatia's most important export and sectors will be analysed by using the sectoral data on a two-digit level, based on the harmonised systems (HS) classification, from the EUROSTAT's trade database COMEXT. For this project, an improved econometric specification of the gravity model will be used together with panel data.
URIS 2012 Project Two – led by Professor Philip B. Whyman and Dr. Alina I. Petrescu
Project Title: Determinants of Charitable Donations
Project Outline: The project will carry out an analysis of the determinants of charitable donations. The aim is to ascertain which characteristics of charities are likely to be associated with charities collecting a higher volume of charitable donations. Increasing the extant knowledge of the way charities could be more successful at attracting donations is expected to have wide societal benefits.
Using a combination of secondary data (such as from the Charities Aid Foundation), supplemented by primary data, the project will test which charity characteristics are associated with more charitable donations.
The project involves the intern in all of its stages, from initial literature search, collation of secondary data (from the industry or web-search) as well as design and distribution of survey, to data entry, and ending with provisional data analysis (if time and skills permit).
URIS 2012 Project Three – led by Dr. Mitch Larson
Project Title: Workplace Spirituality
Project Outline: One difficulty in modern business is maintaining effective engagement between employees and the organisation. Companies are increasingly concerned with squeezing the most out of each employee already on staff, but this kind of energetic commitment on the part of the employee can prove hard to create. One recent innovation in this regard is an effort by large companies to return 'meaningfulness' to the working experience through a variety of programmes. Often this is done by appealing to the employees' external personal interests in social causes and/or providing small levels of support to help people feel that they are making a difference in their work rather than just a pay cheque.
This project aims to analyse this new phenomenon and situate it in the broader landscape of corporate social responsibility and responsible business practices. What sort of results have companies been having with this activity and has it led to increased employee loyalty and productivity? This research is still in its early stages which allows the intern to see how business research can be designed whilst also offering insight into the preliminary stages of literature and data collection.
This research project derives from an existing research project on which I have done some preliminary work already. It fulfils the mission of the Lancashire Institute for Economic and Business Research (under Prof. Phil Whyman) to pursue research in the social sciences and runs parallel to the research on Corporate Social Responsibility undertaken by Institute member Professor Andrei Kuznetsov. The research has potential impact for the corporate world if we can determine what element(s) of workplace engagement appear to be most successful or most valued by employees of big companies.
This is not the first time that LIEBR members have been successful in this competition.


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Control club is celebrating this Friday 5 years of existence, and has as special guests the British band The Orb, who interrupted their tour to visit Romania. During the concert, they will perform live their first two albums: The Orb's Adventures Beyond The Ultraworld and U.F.Orb.
Along with The Orb band, the Romanian band Steaua de Mare & Future Nuggets Crew will also step on the stage on October 4.
The concert will begin at 21:00. Tickets cost RON 45 and ca be purchased from easytickets.ro or at the gate.


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For the record;
I met Dan several years ago, CRA was relentless, they were out to crucify me, my business and take everything I had. I trusted in my auditor, my accountant, my Board. I ran my business as a businessman should putting confidence in their University degrees,…. C.A., B.A., C.M.A, that my so called professional high paid staff touted.
I paid my taxes, my company paid its taxes, my company was voted as one of Canada's 50 Best managed Companies, I was businessman of the year, and exporter of the year, I did everything right,… so I thought.
All that went to waste because of these so called high priced professionals who failed to do their jobs made serious fundamental errors and did NOT admit to it until I had an outside accounting firm check their work.
To be treated so poorly by one of Canada largest Accounting firms, with them saying "oh, we made a few errors and we need to withdraw as your auditors",… all the while knowing that they along with one of Canada's largest Legal firm were to oversee their work made crucial blunders that landed me and my company is serious hot water.
I trusted in these professionals to do their jobs and when the heat was on, they bailed.
Devastated, who can I trust? How to trust? When major law firms and Account firms can't get it straight and under fire from CRA, where does one go to find a solution?
Dan White read in the newspapers of my plight and called me one day and suggested we meet. I met with Dan White on a Saturday, afternoon. His approach was radical, unorthodox, and totally far-reaching.
Here is the clincher,… Dan needed me to ---trust--- him. How can I do so when so many people I trusted took their money and bailed? Above this, Dan's approach being vastly different and contrary to all that has been done in the recent past had me totally in panic. Dan took me for a walk, we talked man to man, and he called it straight, no fancy words, no false promises, no B.S., the straight goods,….! How refreshing.
As a businessman I have achieved great things, been on TV, reported in the media, newspapers, documentary about me and my company and Dan quoted,… Norman Vincent Peale, the man who taught America how to think positively,…"Powerful People get powerful results".
He went on to say that we need to handle CRA in a powerful manner, not to be defensive but to go on the offensive. That all my life I have achieved great things, why let CRA destroy all of this!
With my last $30,000.00 I paid Dan to begin turning things around. The result: • I kept my business • I kept my house • CRA, backed off and negotiated with Dan White a fair and equitable settlement (from millions to a few thousand).
I restructured my business, and last month the Discovery Channel was in to shoot a documentary on my business, and product.
When everyone else that I trusted jumped ship when the going got tough, it was Dan White and his team that worked with me day, night, weekends and turn things around.
My good name is now restored, CRA no longer harass' me, and Dan and I remain close friends to this very day.
If you are reading this and you are in trouble do NOT waste another minute, call Dan, he and his team will help. Careful, I do warn you, there are counterfeit operators out there who claim to know the system, do not go there. Dan wins in court against the mighty and mean CRA, and in my books, with my 30 years of successful business record, success follows success,… Dan White will protect your interests.
P. Fabian Gatineau, Quebec
"I received a phone call from a CRA auditor who informed me that she wanted to meet with me. She also informed me that a letter to that effect has been sent to me. I did not feel comfortable dealing with the audit myself and looked for help. I found Tax Audit Solutions and contacted them.
They were very professional and very quickly I found my stress level go down. Having clearly explained how they plan to approach the audit and me not needing to deal with the auditor myself I signed up for TAS to represent me.
TAS contacted the auditor and informed them that they will be representing me. TAS prepared the audit ready booking in 3 ring binders as promised. Having seen the work myself, I am confident that my case will be wrapped up in due course.
Dealing with an audit can be very stressful. It can also be very expensive if your tax returns numbers are not properly supported by audit ready books. I would recommend the services of Tax Audit Solutions to anyone who is being audited by CRA"
I can stop by this week to pick up the banker boxes. I am honestly glad it is all over.
I just wanted to say thank you very much for all your help. You have done a wonderful job. From start to finish I was able to concentrate on working instead of worrying about the tax audit and that made a huge difference. The outcome was better than I expected. You were able to avert a net worth audit and I have no penalties to pay. Please let Dan know I am a satisfied customer and I will definately recommend tax audit solutions to all of my friends and colleagues.
Thanks again,
All the Best,
CHRIS from Ajax, Ontario
To whom it may concern,
I had a serious tax problem that I knew if not handled properly would cost
me a lot of money. I found Tax Audit Solutions (TAS) on the web site and
upon meeting them decided they were my best option.
TAS had the expertise on how to properly package the information for CRA, in
the correct legal manner that avoided a long drawn out expensive disaster.
They were successful in dealing with CRA, put the matter to rest and saved
me about a hundred thousand dollars of unnecessary tax.
In today's complex world CRA is your biggest creditor and if you don't have
the right protection, CRA will take an unfair share.
All I can say is that if you have a tax problem, there is no better place to
go than to Tax Audit Solutions...
Dear Dan:
As you know, our audit has finished and we cut a cheque to the vultures last week.
Surely they could see that for the past few years we've been struggling after all of the records we've supplied them with. We've been networking and delivering fliers as much as we can to
promote the family business.
The CRA doesn't go behind the scenes to see what a small business goes through in order to make it. They can't fathom putting in 15 hour days, sometimes seven days a week just to
stay on top of the expenses, while trying to make an income.
I'm advising all of my friends and family that they should NEVER deal directly with any auditors.
When we called Dan White he took the time to explain a lot of things to us but he never pressured us to use his services. We decided to go with Tax Audit Solutions after
a day of talking it through with my husband, and we've never regretted it.
Both Dan and Melissa are very professional to work with and no questions ever go unanswered. Calls and emails were returned promptly and we never felt neglected or confused.
All it takes is one phone call and a chat with Dan White to know what your legal obligations are.
Thanks again for everything and we'll keep in touch.
Audrey L
To anyone thinking about who to hire in an audit defence... it has to be Tax Audit Solutions. I had a two year audit, $ 75,000 of expenses were disallowed by auditor. After hiring Tax Audit Solutions to handle my audit defense, they achieved an agreement from CRA to settle and allow $63,000 of expenses.
To Whom it may concern, Tax Audit Solutions looked after my case to get things wound up professionally and were genuine in every way. I wish I could say the same about my previous Tax accountant/lawyer…after 7yrs of dealing with cra my lawyer advised me to go bankrupt and now that is not even an option..my actual amount owing approx 150,000 but cra requiring $450,000 now due to equity and properties liens have been issued….just saying my lawyer hasn't fought anything not even penalties or interest releif….so I'm glad that you can actually make some people happy at the end of the day…keep up the good work cuz we as canadians need brave people to fight this government of ours. thank you
In an ongoing audit nightmare.
On a personal note ... I am starting to feel more confident and less panicky ... and the last few nights I have been able to sleep better too. The scenes I was initially playing through my mind (of CRA coming to our house, freezing our bank accounts ... and then taking everything we own) are starting to fade somewhat. Those fears are slowly morphing into anger and incrudulity that we, as Canadians, have allowed such a destructive and unaccountable monster as CRA to live among us.
I cannot tell you how eternally grateful I am that some Canadians (ie. Mr. White and company) have the courage to fight this monster head on. "Thank you" doesn't really seem like an adequate response.
Note to OL
Attached is the decision of the Minister on your Appeal – It has been allowed in full!!!!


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Conservative ideas to be argued in the primary.
One of the best parts of any election season is the opportunity for the candidates to argue that they are best equipped to represent a particular set of ideas and philosophy. When incumbency is used to mask what might be a crappy candidate, we all lose.
Yesterday, a challenger has filed to face the Red light camera king in the Northern Michigan district.
Republican activist Jim Gurr is not sitting this cycle out, and is not going to let the man who would have all property owned by government have a free shot. From his site:
Our current State Senator serves many masters, but unfortunately not the voters in the 37th State Senate District. This is unfortunate, and sadly typical of those who hold power of office to be more important than the needs of the people they serve.
And lists a number of grievances.