The Choctaw Casino Resort does not have to wait much longer before customers are streaming through its doors. The grand opening is now set for February 9th, and there will be some big celebrities in the gambling world on hand for the opening.
Final preparations are taking place at the casino and they span many different areas of the facility. There are still construction workers putting finishing touches on the establishment, and electricians are hard at work finalizing their work.
Opening ceremonies for the casino resort will begin at 6PM on the ninth. There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony, and then customers will be allowed to enter the casino and begin to gamble. It is an occasion that all involved are looking forward to.
"We'll be giving opening gifts to the first several thousand people to come in," said Edye Tomasello, Director of marketing at the Choctaw Casino Resort, "All the venues will be open for our guests to take advantage of that night."
The hotel is taking reservations, and a list of invited guests will get the first look at the resort a week before the grand opening. At that time the special guests will be allowed to experience what the rest of the public will see the following week.
The amenities will be plenty when the resort opens. Patrons of the hotel will have access to a spa, fitness center, conference center, and a business center. There will also be 110,000 square feet of gaming space, and a 175-seat amphitheatre.
January 31, 2010
Posted By Terry Goodwin
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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Sunday, January 31, 2010
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Electricians Working the Airport
PITTSTON TWP. – The $18.8 million in federal stimulus bucks for a new air traffic control tower delivered a bigger bang than the muffled explosion Friday at the groundbreaking for the project.
Outside a hangar at the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport officials pushed a ceremonial plunger a half mile away from where the dynamite went off. The ground heaved, collapsed and a cloud of dust rose from the charges detonated by construction workers on site.
The project funded by the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009 will retain the 25 air traffic controllers at the airport and put 120 laborers, electricians and tradesmen to work building the 92-foot-high tower set to open in the summer of 2012.
For the complete story, see Saturday's Times Lead
Outside a hangar at the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport officials pushed a ceremonial plunger a half mile away from where the dynamite went off. The ground heaved, collapsed and a cloud of dust rose from the charges detonated by construction workers on site.
The project funded by the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009 will retain the 25 air traffic controllers at the airport and put 120 laborers, electricians and tradesmen to work building the 92-foot-high tower set to open in the summer of 2012.
For the complete story, see Saturday's Times Lead
Friday, January 29, 2010
Electrician Licensing Law Debates Again in February 2010
Some Dutchess County legislators want to repeal a local law that requires the licensing of electricians.In 2008 when the licensing law was passed, proponents said the law would protect consumers, while opponents said the law would exclude some from being able to qualify for a license. County Executive William Steinhaus vetoed the law because he said it was driven by special interest lobbying from the electricians’ union. Legislators overrode the veto.
Legislators will discuss repealing the law next month.
Legislators will discuss repealing the law next month.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Master Electrician Honored in Chappell
By Sharon Holliday
ENTERPRISE CORRESPONDENT
Posted Jan 27, 2010 @ 02:28 AM
RAYNHAM —
Selectmen on Tuesday honored resident Raymond Chappell, who retired Dec. 30 at age 82 after serving 54 years as the town’s electrical inspector.
Surrounded by family and friends at Veterans Memorial Town Hall, Chappell accepted a plaque from selectmen honoring him for his years of service to the town.
Selectmen Chairman Donald McKinnon, who noted that Chappell had retired as fire chief in 1992, said that “like me, you continue to have annual retirement parties.”
“But I don’t know of anyone in Massachusetts,” McKinnon said, “who has served as long as wire inspector.”
“You trained (former Fire Chief) George Andrews. And you were already a veteran when I came on board,” said McKinnon, who is in his 70s, a retired teacher and currently serving a 13th consecutive, three-year term as selectman.
Chappell, the town’s first electrical inspector and a master electrician, served as an electrician in the Navy during World War II. He had been on his way to Japan, cruising the Atlantic coast between Maine and Cuba, when he learned on VJ day that the war had ended.
The owner of Chappell Electric for 25 years and a certified state electrical inspector, Chappell did electrical inspections for Raynham and worked as a call firefighter.
He was appointed as captain of the Fire Department in 1975 and then as chief in 1981, retiring in 1992 at age 65.
Selectwoman Marie Smith told Chappell on Tuesday that “you’ve worn many hats in the town of Raynham, and you’ve done a superb job in any job you’ve undertaken.”
ENTERPRISE CORRESPONDENT
Posted Jan 27, 2010 @ 02:28 AM
RAYNHAM —
Selectmen on Tuesday honored resident Raymond Chappell, who retired Dec. 30 at age 82 after serving 54 years as the town’s electrical inspector.
Surrounded by family and friends at Veterans Memorial Town Hall, Chappell accepted a plaque from selectmen honoring him for his years of service to the town.
Selectmen Chairman Donald McKinnon, who noted that Chappell had retired as fire chief in 1992, said that “like me, you continue to have annual retirement parties.”
“But I don’t know of anyone in Massachusetts,” McKinnon said, “who has served as long as wire inspector.”
“You trained (former Fire Chief) George Andrews. And you were already a veteran when I came on board,” said McKinnon, who is in his 70s, a retired teacher and currently serving a 13th consecutive, three-year term as selectman.
Chappell, the town’s first electrical inspector and a master electrician, served as an electrician in the Navy during World War II. He had been on his way to Japan, cruising the Atlantic coast between Maine and Cuba, when he learned on VJ day that the war had ended.
The owner of Chappell Electric for 25 years and a certified state electrical inspector, Chappell did electrical inspections for Raynham and worked as a call firefighter.
He was appointed as captain of the Fire Department in 1975 and then as chief in 1981, retiring in 1992 at age 65.
Selectwoman Marie Smith told Chappell on Tuesday that “you’ve worn many hats in the town of Raynham, and you’ve done a superb job in any job you’ve undertaken.”
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Electricians Life Can Be Dangerous - See Durbin Airport
Jan 26, 2010 7:15 PM | By NIVASHNI NAIR
An electrician was severely burned at a substation at Durban’s new international airport construction site in La Mercy.
Current Font Size:
Duncan Barry, the project director from the Ilembe Consortium developing the R7-billion airport north of the city, told The Times that two electricians employed by a sub-contractor were in a substation when an electric fault occurred.
It is believed that the man touched a power source and suffered an electrical shock.
"He was airlifted to a hospital. From what the other workers say, he was badly burned," Barry said.
ER24 spokesman Derrick Banks said the man was taken to St Augustine’s Hospital.
"He is in a critical condition. He sustained about 60 percent burns to his body," he said.
An electrician was severely burned at a substation at Durban’s new international airport construction site in La Mercy.
Current Font Size:
Duncan Barry, the project director from the Ilembe Consortium developing the R7-billion airport north of the city, told The Times that two electricians employed by a sub-contractor were in a substation when an electric fault occurred.
It is believed that the man touched a power source and suffered an electrical shock.
"He was airlifted to a hospital. From what the other workers say, he was badly burned," Barry said.
ER24 spokesman Derrick Banks said the man was taken to St Augustine’s Hospital.
"He is in a critical condition. He sustained about 60 percent burns to his body," he said.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Electricians Schooling Kids in the Powerof Electricity
When line electrician Tim Marquardt pressed the toy figurine to the electrically charged model car on Thursday, the results weren’t pretty.
Electricity flowed from the car through the toy figure and lit up a darkened John Muir Middle School classroom. The demonstration was enough to make some students gasp.
Marquardt used an electrical display board charged at 14,000 volts several times during a presentation on electric safety. Line electricians Marquardt and Keith Kind of Wisconsin Public Service traveled to nine central Wisconsin schools this month to teach students how to be safe around overhead and underground electric lines.
Kind and Marquardt also ran a slideshow with photos of vehicle crashes with downed power lines and other incidents involving electricity.
“There’s a lot of hazards out there,” Kind said. “Electricity’s safe to use but you have to respect it.”
Seventh-grader Cole Kubisiak heard the safety message loud and clear during the presentation. Wires are always energized, so steer clear of them when they hit the ground, Cole, 12, said.
For more on this story, read Tuesday's print and online editions of the Wausau Daily Herald.
Electricity flowed from the car through the toy figure and lit up a darkened John Muir Middle School classroom. The demonstration was enough to make some students gasp.
Marquardt used an electrical display board charged at 14,000 volts several times during a presentation on electric safety. Line electricians Marquardt and Keith Kind of Wisconsin Public Service traveled to nine central Wisconsin schools this month to teach students how to be safe around overhead and underground electric lines.
Kind and Marquardt also ran a slideshow with photos of vehicle crashes with downed power lines and other incidents involving electricity.
“There’s a lot of hazards out there,” Kind said. “Electricity’s safe to use but you have to respect it.”
Seventh-grader Cole Kubisiak heard the safety message loud and clear during the presentation. Wires are always energized, so steer clear of them when they hit the ground, Cole, 12, said.
For more on this story, read Tuesday's print and online editions of the Wausau Daily Herald.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Electricians Teach How-To Build Bicycle Generators - $10
HANNAH BOSTWICK - THE BELLINGHAM HERALD
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BELLINGHAM - A bicycle generator workshop will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30, at the American Museum of Radio & Electricity, 1312 Bay St.
Licensed electricians will be instructing participants on how to build bicycle-powered generators that have the ability to power anything from household appliances to a live concert, said Cat Sieh, Make.Shift chair.
The workshop, which costs $10 per person, is safe for all ages and no materials are required, Sieh said.
To reserve a spot, call (510) 499-0535 or e-mail info@makeshiftproject.com.
For more information, visit makeshiftproject.com.
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email this story to a friend E-Mail print story Print Reprint
Text Size:
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BELLINGHAM - A bicycle generator workshop will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30, at the American Museum of Radio & Electricity, 1312 Bay St.
Licensed electricians will be instructing participants on how to build bicycle-powered generators that have the ability to power anything from household appliances to a live concert, said Cat Sieh, Make.Shift chair.
The workshop, which costs $10 per person, is safe for all ages and no materials are required, Sieh said.
To reserve a spot, call (510) 499-0535 or e-mail info@makeshiftproject.com.
For more information, visit makeshiftproject.com.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Electricians Know How to Prevent House Fires
(Media-Newswire.com) - When owning a home, fire is one of the most dangerous aspects and something everyone should have an evacuation plan for. Many Nassau County electricians know first hand the importance of safe wiring as well as hard wired smoke detectors in the house.
A scary fact is that Nassau County electricians often come across panels or wiring that is overloaded or not the proper equipment/wiring for the job. This inadequate electrical capacity is mainly due to increasing the number of devices that Nassau County electricians day consume electricity in your home like new heating and cooling equipment, frost free refrigerators, clothes dryers, water heaters, electric ranges and ovens, dishwashers, and other powerful electric motor driven tools and appliances.
While many people are busy in their lives, few take the proper steps to ensure their home and more importantly their family is protected from electrical fires.
Following some basic rules and tips can make the difference. Read more about electrical fires and safe home tips at http://LongIsland-Electricians.com
A scary fact is that Nassau County electricians often come across panels or wiring that is overloaded or not the proper equipment/wiring for the job. This inadequate electrical capacity is mainly due to increasing the number of devices that Nassau County electricians day consume electricity in your home like new heating and cooling equipment, frost free refrigerators, clothes dryers, water heaters, electric ranges and ovens, dishwashers, and other powerful electric motor driven tools and appliances.
While many people are busy in their lives, few take the proper steps to ensure their home and more importantly their family is protected from electrical fires.
Following some basic rules and tips can make the difference. Read more about electrical fires and safe home tips at http://LongIsland-Electricians.com
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Fed Money Trains Solar Electricians in Oregon
By Amy Sienicki
January 21, 2010
NEAR PHOENIX, Ore. - The state of Oregon is receiving more than $5 million in federal grant money for green jobs training.
In Southern Oregon, the Job Council is helping to administer the federal grant. Some of the funds will be used to help certify electricians to install solar grids. There will be two solar grid training classes this spring. Each class is three days long and has 15 students.
Crater Lake Electrical JATC is responsible for teaching electricians solar fundamentals in Southern Oregon.
"You learn the principals of silicon and sun, how the solar panels actually work. You learn about the voltage created. You learn how to do the wiring, and series and parallel, and just how to make that into renewable energy in the home," said Bruce Fiero with Willpower Electric.
JATC says it's seen a lot more interest in the certification in the last year.
The Job Council says there are some large solar projects that could come to Southern Oregon soon. There is currently a proposed solar farm near the Medford Airport.
For more information on the training visit www.clejatc.clearwire.net/
January 21, 2010
NEAR PHOENIX, Ore. - The state of Oregon is receiving more than $5 million in federal grant money for green jobs training.
In Southern Oregon, the Job Council is helping to administer the federal grant. Some of the funds will be used to help certify electricians to install solar grids. There will be two solar grid training classes this spring. Each class is three days long and has 15 students.
Crater Lake Electrical JATC is responsible for teaching electricians solar fundamentals in Southern Oregon.
"You learn the principals of silicon and sun, how the solar panels actually work. You learn about the voltage created. You learn how to do the wiring, and series and parallel, and just how to make that into renewable energy in the home," said Bruce Fiero with Willpower Electric.
JATC says it's seen a lot more interest in the certification in the last year.
The Job Council says there are some large solar projects that could come to Southern Oregon soon. There is currently a proposed solar farm near the Medford Airport.
For more information on the training visit www.clejatc.clearwire.net/
Friday, January 22, 2010
Electricians Help Demolish Nuclear Plant
Electricians who helped to build the Dounreay nuclear power plant more than 40 years ago have been brought back in to aid in its demolition.
The workers assisted in identifying cabling before it was ripped out of the site's prototype fast reactor.
Dounreay Site Restoration Limited (DSRL), which has dubbed the group "old timers", said 15 miles of cables have been removed.
The wiring was used to control the operation of the reactor.
Construction started on Dounreay in 1955, but work on a large prototype fast reactor began in the 1960s.
The electricians work for JGC Engineering & Technical Services.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/highlands_and_islands/8472270.stm
The workers assisted in identifying cabling before it was ripped out of the site's prototype fast reactor.
Dounreay Site Restoration Limited (DSRL), which has dubbed the group "old timers", said 15 miles of cables have been removed.
The wiring was used to control the operation of the reactor.
Construction started on Dounreay in 1955, but work on a large prototype fast reactor began in the 1960s.
The electricians work for JGC Engineering & Technical Services.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/highlands_and_islands/8472270.stm
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Green Force Electric Open for Business
Green Force is locally owned and operated company and takes pride in putting its customers first. The company aims to help customers reduce their carbon footprint through efficient electrical installations.
Littleton, CO, January 19, 2010 - Today Green Force Electric has arrived as a new electrician company for the Denver area. Founded by two accomplished master electricians, Green Force will strive to be the leader in customer service and quality when it comes to electrical installations.
Green Force is locally owned and operated company and takes pride in putting its customers first. The company aims to help customers reduce their carbon footprint through efficient electrical installations. The army background of the founder ensures a focus on delivering quality and timely service to all customers with no question being too silly and no job being too small. Visit them at: http://greenforceelectric.com
How Green Force works:
Often when customers call a service provider for work on their house they're not sure what will happen and how pricing will work, the aim at Green Force is to make that process as easy and transparent as possible.
First: Call or email Green Force with a question/bid
Second: Green Force will call you back with 24 hours to discuss the issue on the phone, we will be able to give you a rough estimate of cost as well as time needed to finish the job. If this is acceptable then we'll schedule a time, at your convenience, to come to your house.
Third: We accept checks and cash payable when service is completed. Our rates are $80 for the first hour and $65 for each additional hour plus materials (not including the initial phone consultation).
Fourth: We know having a stranger come to your house is sometimes scary, so if you'd like a reference from one of our previous customers please feel free to let us know.
What Green Force does:
* Trouble shooting
* Service / Maintenance
* Remodel and new construction
* Electrical panel change/upgrade
* Lighting control and energy saving solutions
* Home automation systems
* Whole house Audio / Video solutions
* Home network
* CCTV's
* TVSS (lighting protection)
* Replacing or adding smoke detectors
and carbon monoxide detectors (good to know)
For any electrical problems call Green Force Electric, the friendly and on time Denver electrician: 303 478 1960 or send an email query via the website: http://www.greenforceelectric.com
About Green Force Electric :
Green Force Electric is a Denver electrician company specializing in high quality service at affordable rates. With years of experience and many happy customers, Green Force Electric can help resolve any electrical need whether is be commercial, residential or industrial. For more information on this Denver electrician and his company visit: http://www.greenforceelectric.com
Contact:
Patrick Honegger
Green Force Electric
Littleton, CO
(303) 478 1960
http://www.greenforceelectric.com
Littleton, CO, January 19, 2010 - Today Green Force Electric has arrived as a new electrician company for the Denver area. Founded by two accomplished master electricians, Green Force will strive to be the leader in customer service and quality when it comes to electrical installations.
Green Force is locally owned and operated company and takes pride in putting its customers first. The company aims to help customers reduce their carbon footprint through efficient electrical installations. The army background of the founder ensures a focus on delivering quality and timely service to all customers with no question being too silly and no job being too small. Visit them at: http://greenforceelectric.com
How Green Force works:
Often when customers call a service provider for work on their house they're not sure what will happen and how pricing will work, the aim at Green Force is to make that process as easy and transparent as possible.
First: Call or email Green Force with a question/bid
Second: Green Force will call you back with 24 hours to discuss the issue on the phone, we will be able to give you a rough estimate of cost as well as time needed to finish the job. If this is acceptable then we'll schedule a time, at your convenience, to come to your house.
Third: We accept checks and cash payable when service is completed. Our rates are $80 for the first hour and $65 for each additional hour plus materials (not including the initial phone consultation).
Fourth: We know having a stranger come to your house is sometimes scary, so if you'd like a reference from one of our previous customers please feel free to let us know.
What Green Force does:
* Trouble shooting
* Service / Maintenance
* Remodel and new construction
* Electrical panel change/upgrade
* Lighting control and energy saving solutions
* Home automation systems
* Whole house Audio / Video solutions
* Home network
* CCTV's
* TVSS (lighting protection)
* Replacing or adding smoke detectors
and carbon monoxide detectors (good to know)
For any electrical problems call Green Force Electric, the friendly and on time Denver electrician: 303 478 1960 or send an email query via the website: http://www.greenforceelectric.com
About Green Force Electric :
Green Force Electric is a Denver electrician company specializing in high quality service at affordable rates. With years of experience and many happy customers, Green Force Electric can help resolve any electrical need whether is be commercial, residential or industrial. For more information on this Denver electrician and his company visit: http://www.greenforceelectric.com
Contact:
Patrick Honegger
Green Force Electric
Littleton, CO
(303) 478 1960
http://www.greenforceelectric.com
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Electricians Light the Way
DETROIT -- Nearly 100 tenants of a Detroit apartment building have been without power for almost a week as the management company and Detroit Energy point fingers at each other, said residents.
The residents at Casamira Apartments have been using candles and their ovens for light and heat while they wait for the management company, Ressco of Southfield, to resolve the problem.
"Each hallway is pitch black," said Casamira resident Dina Ivy.
Some residents stuck in the cold, dark building are even dangling their food with ropes out of the window in an attempt to keep it from spoiling.
Ivy said that the power went out last week when a transformer blew out.
A note posted on the door from Ressco said that they were waiting for Detroit Energy to resolve the problem.
DTE crews came to the building Tuesday afternoon and said they are working to restore the power. However, DTE has said the electrical wiring inside of the building is faulty and there is little it can do until the wiring is fixed.
Ressco told Local 4 News Tuesday afternoon that the company had contacted electricians. A few hours later, electricians, with generators in hand, arrived at the apartments.
Ressco said the generators will temporally run while they work to fix the wiring.
Detroit fire marshals said that if the generators are unsafe, they will force everybody to leave and stop the electricians from working.
The fire marshals added that they are inspecting the building, and if it's not safe, they will condemn the entire building.
The tenants said that they had tried to contact Ressco, but until Local 4 stepped in, they were not getting back to them.
"We've paid our rent. Now they need to resolve it," said Ivy.
Local 4 will keep you an updated on the building's progress.
Copyright 2010 by ClickOnDetroit.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/22276252/detail.html
The residents at Casamira Apartments have been using candles and their ovens for light and heat while they wait for the management company, Ressco of Southfield, to resolve the problem.
"Each hallway is pitch black," said Casamira resident Dina Ivy.
Some residents stuck in the cold, dark building are even dangling their food with ropes out of the window in an attempt to keep it from spoiling.
Ivy said that the power went out last week when a transformer blew out.
A note posted on the door from Ressco said that they were waiting for Detroit Energy to resolve the problem.
DTE crews came to the building Tuesday afternoon and said they are working to restore the power. However, DTE has said the electrical wiring inside of the building is faulty and there is little it can do until the wiring is fixed.
Ressco told Local 4 News Tuesday afternoon that the company had contacted electricians. A few hours later, electricians, with generators in hand, arrived at the apartments.
Ressco said the generators will temporally run while they work to fix the wiring.
Detroit fire marshals said that if the generators are unsafe, they will force everybody to leave and stop the electricians from working.
The fire marshals added that they are inspecting the building, and if it's not safe, they will condemn the entire building.
The tenants said that they had tried to contact Ressco, but until Local 4 stepped in, they were not getting back to them.
"We've paid our rent. Now they need to resolve it," said Ivy.
Local 4 will keep you an updated on the building's progress.
Copyright 2010 by ClickOnDetroit.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/22276252/detail.html
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Electricians Wanted in Waco Texas
Life Style Staffing is looking for Machine Operators and Electricians.
Positions are open immediately! These are longterm, full-time positions. Machine Operators start off at $12.00/hr and electricians make $19.00/hr.
REQUIREMENTS:
Must have a clean criminal background and be able to pass a drug screen. Must be willing to work 12 hour shifts -- 7AM-7PM or 7PM-7AM. Six months of previous work history in the past year. We are looking for people who are mechanically inclined and quick learners. Previous machine operator experience is a plus.
APPLY IN PERSON AT:
Life Style Staffing
4209 W. Waco Dr.
Waco, TX 76710
Positions are open immediately! These are longterm, full-time positions. Machine Operators start off at $12.00/hr and electricians make $19.00/hr.
REQUIREMENTS:
Must have a clean criminal background and be able to pass a drug screen. Must be willing to work 12 hour shifts -- 7AM-7PM or 7PM-7AM. Six months of previous work history in the past year. We are looking for people who are mechanically inclined and quick learners. Previous machine operator experience is a plus.
APPLY IN PERSON AT:
Life Style Staffing
4209 W. Waco Dr.
Waco, TX 76710
Monday, January 18, 2010
Wal-Mart Owned Asda Campaigns Against UK Tax
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/jan/17/asda-against-builders-tax-reform
Asda has joined a campaign to block the Treasury in its plans to stamp out the building industry practice of treating labourers as self-employed, which saves the companies tens of millions of pounds in costs.
The government launched a consultation on its plans last year. It said the use of false self-employed status in the building industry costs the Exchequer £350m a year.
Government insiders say the culture of self-employment has destroyed investment in training a new generation of skilled labour, leading to the influx of tens of thousands of eastern Europeans to work on British construction sites.
Asda, owned by the notoriously anti-union American retailer Wal-Mart, has now become the biggest firm to join the lobby group, Stop the Unfair Building Tax, which includes construction industry giants Barratt and Persimmon.
Asda believes the move would lead to a loss of jobs and add millions of pounds to its construction costs. The supermarket group declined to comment.
The stance has attracted fierce criticism from the builders' union, Ucatt. Its general secretary, Alan Ritchie said: "Asda is a multibillion-pound company and part of the world's biggest retailer. By opposing the government's reforms, which would place the taxation policy of the construction industry in line with all other industrial sectors, Asda is greedily protecting its vast profits, while denying workers the most basic employment rights, such as holiday pay."
Richie said giant construction firms are exaggerating the cost of the extra tax workers will pay if they go on the books. He suggested the campaign is more about building firms avoiding hundreds of millions of pounds in national insurance costs.
It is estimated there are 300,000 self-employed builders in Britain working more or less constantly for the same firm.
The Treasury has long been concerned that hundreds of thousands of building workers are falsely classed as self-employed even though they work permanently with a contractor or sub-contractor. It believes big building firms gain an unfair advantage over competitors that employ tradesmen directly.
Some building are refusing to back the anti-Treasury campaign. Garvis Snook, chief executive of quoted construction firm Rok employs much of his workforce directly. He said: "Industry leaders have come up with the most damaging wheeze: they encouraged the labour force to become self-employed, citing freedom and reduced taxation as inducements …
"The trouble is, the distance between the customer and the person who does the work has been widened by layers of contractors, their sub-contractors and so on. Is it any wonder so often a customer's dream becomes mired in poor quality, increased cost and late delivery."
But the Stop the Unfair Building tax insiders say the government proposals will fail to capture the intended extra tax, instead fuelling a surge in black market construction work, further reducing the tax take and risking a marked decrease in quality work. They also argue the government's official figure of how much tax revenue is being lost is not based on reality.
The campaigners also say reform would lead to a loss of jobs and production from the entire housing and construction industry.
But the Treasury said: "The government remains committed to addressing false self-employment in the construction industry, but recognises the pressures on the industry at this time. That is why the government has consulted with the industry to ensure legislation will be effective and targeted while retaining a flexible labour supply."
Asda has joined a campaign to block the Treasury in its plans to stamp out the building industry practice of treating labourers as self-employed, which saves the companies tens of millions of pounds in costs.
The government launched a consultation on its plans last year. It said the use of false self-employed status in the building industry costs the Exchequer £350m a year.
Government insiders say the culture of self-employment has destroyed investment in training a new generation of skilled labour, leading to the influx of tens of thousands of eastern Europeans to work on British construction sites.
Asda, owned by the notoriously anti-union American retailer Wal-Mart, has now become the biggest firm to join the lobby group, Stop the Unfair Building Tax, which includes construction industry giants Barratt and Persimmon.
Asda believes the move would lead to a loss of jobs and add millions of pounds to its construction costs. The supermarket group declined to comment.
The stance has attracted fierce criticism from the builders' union, Ucatt. Its general secretary, Alan Ritchie said: "Asda is a multibillion-pound company and part of the world's biggest retailer. By opposing the government's reforms, which would place the taxation policy of the construction industry in line with all other industrial sectors, Asda is greedily protecting its vast profits, while denying workers the most basic employment rights, such as holiday pay."
Richie said giant construction firms are exaggerating the cost of the extra tax workers will pay if they go on the books. He suggested the campaign is more about building firms avoiding hundreds of millions of pounds in national insurance costs.
It is estimated there are 300,000 self-employed builders in Britain working more or less constantly for the same firm.
The Treasury has long been concerned that hundreds of thousands of building workers are falsely classed as self-employed even though they work permanently with a contractor or sub-contractor. It believes big building firms gain an unfair advantage over competitors that employ tradesmen directly.
Some building are refusing to back the anti-Treasury campaign. Garvis Snook, chief executive of quoted construction firm Rok employs much of his workforce directly. He said: "Industry leaders have come up with the most damaging wheeze: they encouraged the labour force to become self-employed, citing freedom and reduced taxation as inducements …
"The trouble is, the distance between the customer and the person who does the work has been widened by layers of contractors, their sub-contractors and so on. Is it any wonder so often a customer's dream becomes mired in poor quality, increased cost and late delivery."
But the Stop the Unfair Building tax insiders say the government proposals will fail to capture the intended extra tax, instead fuelling a surge in black market construction work, further reducing the tax take and risking a marked decrease in quality work. They also argue the government's official figure of how much tax revenue is being lost is not based on reality.
The campaigners also say reform would lead to a loss of jobs and production from the entire housing and construction industry.
But the Treasury said: "The government remains committed to addressing false self-employment in the construction industry, but recognises the pressures on the industry at this time. That is why the government has consulted with the industry to ensure legislation will be effective and targeted while retaining a flexible labour supply."
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Kansas Electricians Head to Haiti
Abilene Reflector-Chronicle
Saturday, Jan 16, 2010
Kansas Air National Guardsmen deployed to Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, are tasked to assist with Haitian crisis.
As part of their annual two-week training requirement, 48 members of Topeka’s 190th Air Refueling Wing deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to assist with several base construction projects Jan. 4. Following the disaster in Haiti, 190th personnel are now assessing personnel and equipment for providing disaster relief response at the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo.
“Within a short time of a ceremony to send soldiers and airmen to a critical mission in Afghanistan we get another mission,” said Maj. Gen. Tod Bunting, Kansas adjutant general. “This is what we do and it is an honor to be called upon to support this. Our Guardsmen are prepared to do whatever is necessary to help the victims in Haiti.”
The 190th's Civil Engineering Squadron, which is comprised of construction personnel, utility workers, plumbers and electricians, is currently preparing for the possible assembly of tents and deployment of other logistical requirements that may be used to support on-site humanitarian assistance.
“We have a very experienced team here. This is what we are trained to do,” said Lt. Col. Mark Green, 190th Civil Engineering Squadron commander.
As part of their original assignment, 190th members worked to install electrical conduits and outlets in the base’s migrant processing centers. Near that same area, members also cleared away brush and trees, laying the groundwork for the construction of tents to house migrants after a crisis event, if necessary.
“The work that the members of our Civil Engineering Squadron are performing at Guantanamo Bay is outstanding. They are a credit to the 190th, the Kansas National Guard and the United States Air Force. Their efforts are another indication of the level of expertise and dedication to duty that members of the Kansas National Guard exhibit each and every day,” said Col. Keith Lang, 190th Air Refueling Wing commander.
“I’m very proud of the work our team has done since arriving at Guantanamo,” Green said. “It’s another great example of how Guardsmen are making a difference in service to their state and country every day.”
http://www.abilene-rc.com/index.cfm?event=news.view&id=339D3718-19B9-E2F5-46B4A9AFBC110878
Saturday, Jan 16, 2010
Kansas Air National Guardsmen deployed to Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, are tasked to assist with Haitian crisis.
As part of their annual two-week training requirement, 48 members of Topeka’s 190th Air Refueling Wing deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to assist with several base construction projects Jan. 4. Following the disaster in Haiti, 190th personnel are now assessing personnel and equipment for providing disaster relief response at the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo.
“Within a short time of a ceremony to send soldiers and airmen to a critical mission in Afghanistan we get another mission,” said Maj. Gen. Tod Bunting, Kansas adjutant general. “This is what we do and it is an honor to be called upon to support this. Our Guardsmen are prepared to do whatever is necessary to help the victims in Haiti.”
The 190th's Civil Engineering Squadron, which is comprised of construction personnel, utility workers, plumbers and electricians, is currently preparing for the possible assembly of tents and deployment of other logistical requirements that may be used to support on-site humanitarian assistance.
“We have a very experienced team here. This is what we are trained to do,” said Lt. Col. Mark Green, 190th Civil Engineering Squadron commander.
As part of their original assignment, 190th members worked to install electrical conduits and outlets in the base’s migrant processing centers. Near that same area, members also cleared away brush and trees, laying the groundwork for the construction of tents to house migrants after a crisis event, if necessary.
“The work that the members of our Civil Engineering Squadron are performing at Guantanamo Bay is outstanding. They are a credit to the 190th, the Kansas National Guard and the United States Air Force. Their efforts are another indication of the level of expertise and dedication to duty that members of the Kansas National Guard exhibit each and every day,” said Col. Keith Lang, 190th Air Refueling Wing commander.
“I’m very proud of the work our team has done since arriving at Guantanamo,” Green said. “It’s another great example of how Guardsmen are making a difference in service to their state and country every day.”
http://www.abilene-rc.com/index.cfm?event=news.view&id=339D3718-19B9-E2F5-46B4A9AFBC110878
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Electricians Waiting for the Opportunity
uesday, January 12th, 2010, by Blake Farmer
A public hearing Monday night on the planned downtown convention center attracted supporters and opponents alike.
Many of those who spoke in favor of the $585 million building project had a business interest. Others, like Don McGee of the Nashville-based Southern Baptist Convention, said he just wanted a bigger convention center so the denomination could again hold its annual gatherings in its hometown.
Christopher Wild is looking for a more personal impact. He’s an unemployed electrician who is hopeful he could be hired for one of the 2,000 jobs needed for the construction phase.
“It’s surprising to me that there is such resistance for an opportunity for this city to capitalize on its greatness, not only for the jobs that it would create for the construction industry short term, but long term, for those who would maintain this facility.”
A consultant hired by the city estimates the convention center would support 1,500 new jobs after construction is finished.
But business consultant Jody Lentz and dozens of others questioned the underlying assumptions for the economic estimates. Lentz says the convention business may not be as reliable as the forecasts predict.
“This strikes me as a huge bet on one particular project when I’m a betting man. I like to spread my bets around, and putting all the money on this one number in hopes it will pay off is not a good strategy.”
The Metro Council is scheduled to take a final vote on the convention center next Tuesday.
A public hearing Monday night on the planned downtown convention center attracted supporters and opponents alike.
Many of those who spoke in favor of the $585 million building project had a business interest. Others, like Don McGee of the Nashville-based Southern Baptist Convention, said he just wanted a bigger convention center so the denomination could again hold its annual gatherings in its hometown.
Christopher Wild is looking for a more personal impact. He’s an unemployed electrician who is hopeful he could be hired for one of the 2,000 jobs needed for the construction phase.
“It’s surprising to me that there is such resistance for an opportunity for this city to capitalize on its greatness, not only for the jobs that it would create for the construction industry short term, but long term, for those who would maintain this facility.”
A consultant hired by the city estimates the convention center would support 1,500 new jobs after construction is finished.
But business consultant Jody Lentz and dozens of others questioned the underlying assumptions for the economic estimates. Lentz says the convention business may not be as reliable as the forecasts predict.
“This strikes me as a huge bet on one particular project when I’m a betting man. I like to spread my bets around, and putting all the money on this one number in hopes it will pay off is not a good strategy.”
The Metro Council is scheduled to take a final vote on the convention center next Tuesday.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Electrician Helps the Poor
Reporting from Nairobi, Kenya — In a year as a "freelance" slum electrician, Francis Otieno has been shocked five times. Three of the accidents were "not so bad," just enough to throw him across the room. Two nearly killed him.
"I just cried out. I didn't know what was going on. I passed out," he says. "For two days, I didn't know where I was."
But he was luckier than his best friend, who had the job before him: He was killed when he jumped on a roof to fix a short, unaware that the roof was live because a rat had nibbled at a wire. If people here in the Kibera slum outside Nairobi, the capital, waited for the government to connect every mud hut and corrugated iron shack to electricity, they'd never have light.
It's DIY or do without.
Here's how it works: Otieno's boss gets electricity legally from Kenya's power authority, then sells it to Otieno and two others.
From there, it gets a little less legal. He supplies Otieno with wire to connect any of the 40 households in his patch.
Otieno collects a monthly payment of about $5 per house, skimming off a small commission and delivering the rest to his boss.
Otieno, 36, is a hero to his neighbors. Electrical problems are frequent. He gets calls from dawn until after dark. If he's sitting down to dinner, he abandons his plate and goes to investigate.
"I leave my dish of food and go to serve them first," he says.
But the dangers are many.
"Sometimes children or mothers died when they have a short," says Otieno, a father of three. "Sometimes people's houses burn down." He speaks slowly, searching for words, pausing frequently.
The main problem for a freelance electrician is rats. There are millions of the rodents in Kibera, creeping into people's shacks, chewing through electrical wires.
The other danger is the rainy season, which turns Kibera into a slippery, muddy swamp -- particularly "downtown," as the bottom of the hill where Otieno lives is known.
The water trickles through shack roofs as leaky as colanders, dripping into electrical wiring and sometimes shocking the person trying to fix the damage.
Out in the rain, struggling to fix wiring with wet shoes and sopping clothes, Otieno has had a couple of shocks that way.
Sometimes the problems are caused by people hanging clothing on the electrical wires to dry.http://articles.latimes.com/2010/jan/03/world/la-fg-slum-electrician3-2010jan03
"I just cried out. I didn't know what was going on. I passed out," he says. "For two days, I didn't know where I was."
But he was luckier than his best friend, who had the job before him: He was killed when he jumped on a roof to fix a short, unaware that the roof was live because a rat had nibbled at a wire. If people here in the Kibera slum outside Nairobi, the capital, waited for the government to connect every mud hut and corrugated iron shack to electricity, they'd never have light.
It's DIY or do without.
Here's how it works: Otieno's boss gets electricity legally from Kenya's power authority, then sells it to Otieno and two others.
From there, it gets a little less legal. He supplies Otieno with wire to connect any of the 40 households in his patch.
Otieno collects a monthly payment of about $5 per house, skimming off a small commission and delivering the rest to his boss.
Otieno, 36, is a hero to his neighbors. Electrical problems are frequent. He gets calls from dawn until after dark. If he's sitting down to dinner, he abandons his plate and goes to investigate.
"I leave my dish of food and go to serve them first," he says.
But the dangers are many.
"Sometimes children or mothers died when they have a short," says Otieno, a father of three. "Sometimes people's houses burn down." He speaks slowly, searching for words, pausing frequently.
The main problem for a freelance electrician is rats. There are millions of the rodents in Kibera, creeping into people's shacks, chewing through electrical wires.
The other danger is the rainy season, which turns Kibera into a slippery, muddy swamp -- particularly "downtown," as the bottom of the hill where Otieno lives is known.
The water trickles through shack roofs as leaky as colanders, dripping into electrical wiring and sometimes shocking the person trying to fix the damage.
Out in the rain, struggling to fix wiring with wet shoes and sopping clothes, Otieno has had a couple of shocks that way.
Sometimes the problems are caused by people hanging clothing on the electrical wires to dry.http://articles.latimes.com/2010/jan/03/world/la-fg-slum-electrician3-2010jan03
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Electrician Helps Fast Attack Submarine
VALPARAISO | For Cory Kennedy, it's pretty much just a regular job.
He provides security, Kennedy said, for the country and the government. The 2002 Valparaiso High School graduate just happens to do a lot of it in the middle of the ocean under hundreds of feet of water.
The U.S. Navy sailor, home on leave for the holidays, is an electrician's mate aboard the Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine USS San Juan.
Life aboard the 360-foot vessel, where he is one of about 10 seamen responsible for generation and distribution of electric power, can get into a routine similar to working in a factory, he said -- you get up, you eat, you go to work.
It's just a quirk of the job that Kennedy and the 140 other crew members may go weeks without seeing sunlight or breathing fresh air. On its recent six-month deployment to the Indian Ocean, the San Juan stayed submerged for up to 60 consecutive days.
"Once you're down there and you get used to it, you don't really notice it," Kennedy said -- not until the ship returns to the surface "and (you) notice how bright the sunlight is."
Much of life onboard is compartmentalized, he said. Kennedy's days are 18 hours long, split among six hours of watch, six hours of his job and six hours of down time and sleep. His bunk, or "rack," is 6 feet long, 24 inches wide and 18 inches high. Because of his seniority, he has his own bunk. But in other cases, three sailors will share two bunks, rotating through during their off-duty time in a procedure known as "hot racking" -- "because the mattress never gets cold," Kennedy said.
"We're used to tight quarters."
But life in the all-volunteer submarine service has provided Kennedy with many unique experiences, such as mid-ocean swims from the deck of the sub and port calls from Greece to the Seychelles. At a stop in South Africa, Kennedy got the chance to go on a wildlife park safari.
The San Juan returned to base in Groton, Conn., earlier this month following the deployment that was in support of the global war on terrorism. Kennedy said he couldn't be any more specific than that.
Kennedy, who completed two years of college and then worked in construction before joining the Navy, has another two years to his enlistment. He's undecided whether he'll re-enlist, but for now he's focused on getting the most from his undersea service.
"It's been a great experience, and it's shown me what certain parts of the world are all about," he said.
He provides security, Kennedy said, for the country and the government. The 2002 Valparaiso High School graduate just happens to do a lot of it in the middle of the ocean under hundreds of feet of water.
The U.S. Navy sailor, home on leave for the holidays, is an electrician's mate aboard the Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine USS San Juan.
Life aboard the 360-foot vessel, where he is one of about 10 seamen responsible for generation and distribution of electric power, can get into a routine similar to working in a factory, he said -- you get up, you eat, you go to work.
It's just a quirk of the job that Kennedy and the 140 other crew members may go weeks without seeing sunlight or breathing fresh air. On its recent six-month deployment to the Indian Ocean, the San Juan stayed submerged for up to 60 consecutive days.
"Once you're down there and you get used to it, you don't really notice it," Kennedy said -- not until the ship returns to the surface "and (you) notice how bright the sunlight is."
Much of life onboard is compartmentalized, he said. Kennedy's days are 18 hours long, split among six hours of watch, six hours of his job and six hours of down time and sleep. His bunk, or "rack," is 6 feet long, 24 inches wide and 18 inches high. Because of his seniority, he has his own bunk. But in other cases, three sailors will share two bunks, rotating through during their off-duty time in a procedure known as "hot racking" -- "because the mattress never gets cold," Kennedy said.
"We're used to tight quarters."
But life in the all-volunteer submarine service has provided Kennedy with many unique experiences, such as mid-ocean swims from the deck of the sub and port calls from Greece to the Seychelles. At a stop in South Africa, Kennedy got the chance to go on a wildlife park safari.
The San Juan returned to base in Groton, Conn., earlier this month following the deployment that was in support of the global war on terrorism. Kennedy said he couldn't be any more specific than that.
Kennedy, who completed two years of college and then worked in construction before joining the Navy, has another two years to his enlistment. He's undecided whether he'll re-enlist, but for now he's focused on getting the most from his undersea service.
"It's been a great experience, and it's shown me what certain parts of the world are all about," he said.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
AFL CIO President Says, "Don't Ignore the Union Membership"
AFL-CIO president Richard Trumka spoke at the National Press Club a few minutes ago and slammed the Senate bill and its tax on high-end insurance plans and predicted an electoral catastrophe for Democrats, circa 1994, should the party take working people for granted.
From Trumka's speech:
Initiatives should be rooted in a crucial alliance of the middle class and the poor. But today, as I speak to you, something different is happening with health care.
On the one hand we have the House bill, which asks the small part of our country that has prospered in the last decade—the richest of the rich—to pay a little bit more in taxes so that most Americans can have health insurance. And the House bill reins in the power of health insurers and employers by having an employer mandate and a strong public option.
But thanks to the Senate rules, the appalling irresponsibility of the Senate Republicans and the power of the wealthy among some Democrats, the Senate bill instead drives a wedge between the middle class and the poor. The bill rightly seeks to ensure that most Americans have health insurance. But instead of taxing the rich, the Senate bill taxes the middle class by taxing workers’ health plans—not just union members’ health care; most of the 31 million insured employees who would be hit by the excise tax are not union members.
The tax on benefits in the Senate bill pits working Americans who need health care for their families against working Americans struggling to keep health care for their families. This is a policy designed to benefit elites—in this case, insurers, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies and irresponsible employers, at the expense of the broader public. It’s the same tragic pattern that got us where we are today, and I can assure you the labor movement is fighting with everything we’ve got to win health care reform that is worthy of the support of working men and women.
Let me be even blunter. In 1992, workers voted for Democrats who promised action on jobs, who talked about reining in corporate greed and who promised health care reform. Instead, we got NAFTA, an emboldened Wall Street – and not much more. We swallowed our disappointment and worked to preserve a Democratic majority in 1994 because we knew what the alternative was. But there was no way to persuade enough working Americans to go to the polls when they couldn’t tell the difference between the two parties. Politicians who think that working people have it too good – too much health care, too much Social Security and Medicare, too much power on the job – are inviting a repeat of 1994.
http://www.politico.com/livepulse/0110/Trumka_warns_Dems_not_to_take_workers_for_granted.html
From Trumka's speech:
Initiatives should be rooted in a crucial alliance of the middle class and the poor. But today, as I speak to you, something different is happening with health care.
On the one hand we have the House bill, which asks the small part of our country that has prospered in the last decade—the richest of the rich—to pay a little bit more in taxes so that most Americans can have health insurance. And the House bill reins in the power of health insurers and employers by having an employer mandate and a strong public option.
But thanks to the Senate rules, the appalling irresponsibility of the Senate Republicans and the power of the wealthy among some Democrats, the Senate bill instead drives a wedge between the middle class and the poor. The bill rightly seeks to ensure that most Americans have health insurance. But instead of taxing the rich, the Senate bill taxes the middle class by taxing workers’ health plans—not just union members’ health care; most of the 31 million insured employees who would be hit by the excise tax are not union members.
The tax on benefits in the Senate bill pits working Americans who need health care for their families against working Americans struggling to keep health care for their families. This is a policy designed to benefit elites—in this case, insurers, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies and irresponsible employers, at the expense of the broader public. It’s the same tragic pattern that got us where we are today, and I can assure you the labor movement is fighting with everything we’ve got to win health care reform that is worthy of the support of working men and women.
Let me be even blunter. In 1992, workers voted for Democrats who promised action on jobs, who talked about reining in corporate greed and who promised health care reform. Instead, we got NAFTA, an emboldened Wall Street – and not much more. We swallowed our disappointment and worked to preserve a Democratic majority in 1994 because we knew what the alternative was. But there was no way to persuade enough working Americans to go to the polls when they couldn’t tell the difference between the two parties. Politicians who think that working people have it too good – too much health care, too much Social Security and Medicare, too much power on the job – are inviting a repeat of 1994.
http://www.politico.com/livepulse/0110/Trumka_warns_Dems_not_to_take_workers_for_granted.html
Monday, January 11, 2010
Electrical Belt Tightening in Los Angeles
By Erik Olson / The Daily News | Posted: Saturday, January 9, 2010 10:40 pm | (0) Comments
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New construction slowed to a crawl last year and will likely get worse, according to an industry trade group, and area contractors say they're cutting costs and trying to survive until better times come.
"People are having to really low-ball on bidding. And this is after they've already cut in other ways," said Jeff Richter, the incoming president of the Lower Columbia Contractors Association.
Nationwide, construction spending fell by $137 billion in November to hit a six-year low, according to an analysis released last week by the Associated General Contractors of America, an industry trade group.
The trade group is forecasting construction spending will fall by another 5 percent this year, said Brian Turmail, spokesman for the Arlington, Va.-based association.
"We'd love to be wrong on this, but we don't see much reason for the construction picture to improve before the end of 2010," Turmail said Friday.
Construction recovery won't happen nationwide until the labor market picks up, because people need jobs before they buy houses, said Scott Bailey, regional economist for the state Employment Security Department.
The decline in building has reduced construction employment in 324 out of the 337 geographic regions the trade group surveyed nationwide recently. In the greater Longview area, jobs in construction, mining and logging sector fell by 24 percent in the 12-month period ending in November, among the highest in the state, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
For Andy Hamer, owner of Longview-based Advanced Electrical Technologies Inc., the recession has forced him to diversify.
The company started a decade ago doing electrical work mostly for lumber mills and the wood products industry, but Advanced Electrical has expanded to other sectors, Hamer said. The company did electrical work on the Cameron Family Glass plant in Kalama before it closed last year and helped build the new Pacific Surgical Institute on Ninth Avenue in Longview, he said.
Advanced Electrical has also partnered with another local company, Five Rivers Construction, on building a new truck shop at the Weyerhaeuser Co. sawmill, one of the few construction jobs in the area, Hamer said.
Advanced Electrical, which employs 28, has been able to avoid long-term layoffs, but the company's backlog of work is gone, Hamer said. The building climate was last this bad during the recession of the early 1980s, Hamer said.
"I've went through this before, but it was 25 years ago."
These days, area construction workers are managing their money more conservatively and expanding their job hunt to other regions, said David Myers, business manager for Longview-based International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers local 970.
That strategy has paid off during previous recessions, because construction is cyclical, with booms and busts going on in different places, Myers said.
It's harder this time, he said.
"This time, there is nowhere to go in the United States where there is excess work," Myers said.
Despite the gloomy picture, rays of hope are on the horizon. WalMart is expected to finish building two new stores in Longview and Woodland this year, and Portland-based EGT Development LLC broke ground on a $200 million grain terminal at the Port of Longview this fall. The port also expects to finish its new Berth 9 to accommodate the grain terminal this year.
Combined, those projects support nearly 1,000 jobs, though none of the general contractors are from the Cowlitz County area and many of the jobs have gone to out-of-state workers.
Richter, the Lower Columbia Contractors Association president, said he's trying to remain hopeful. The Kalama resident was the second employee hired at the Tri-County Truss plant at the Mint Farm in 2006, and he was the last one out the door when the plant shut down two years later.
Jobless for a few months, he started Northwest Home Automation last spring with two partners. The business integrates lighting, heat and other electrical systems in homes.
Work has been slow, but Richter said he started the business with the idea that construction will turn around eventually.
"I'm optimistic about the future of the industry."
Font Size:
Default font size
Larger font size
New construction slowed to a crawl last year and will likely get worse, according to an industry trade group, and area contractors say they're cutting costs and trying to survive until better times come.
"People are having to really low-ball on bidding. And this is after they've already cut in other ways," said Jeff Richter, the incoming president of the Lower Columbia Contractors Association.
Nationwide, construction spending fell by $137 billion in November to hit a six-year low, according to an analysis released last week by the Associated General Contractors of America, an industry trade group.
The trade group is forecasting construction spending will fall by another 5 percent this year, said Brian Turmail, spokesman for the Arlington, Va.-based association.
"We'd love to be wrong on this, but we don't see much reason for the construction picture to improve before the end of 2010," Turmail said Friday.
Construction recovery won't happen nationwide until the labor market picks up, because people need jobs before they buy houses, said Scott Bailey, regional economist for the state Employment Security Department.
The decline in building has reduced construction employment in 324 out of the 337 geographic regions the trade group surveyed nationwide recently. In the greater Longview area, jobs in construction, mining and logging sector fell by 24 percent in the 12-month period ending in November, among the highest in the state, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
For Andy Hamer, owner of Longview-based Advanced Electrical Technologies Inc., the recession has forced him to diversify.
The company started a decade ago doing electrical work mostly for lumber mills and the wood products industry, but Advanced Electrical has expanded to other sectors, Hamer said. The company did electrical work on the Cameron Family Glass plant in Kalama before it closed last year and helped build the new Pacific Surgical Institute on Ninth Avenue in Longview, he said.
Advanced Electrical has also partnered with another local company, Five Rivers Construction, on building a new truck shop at the Weyerhaeuser Co. sawmill, one of the few construction jobs in the area, Hamer said.
Advanced Electrical, which employs 28, has been able to avoid long-term layoffs, but the company's backlog of work is gone, Hamer said. The building climate was last this bad during the recession of the early 1980s, Hamer said.
"I've went through this before, but it was 25 years ago."
These days, area construction workers are managing their money more conservatively and expanding their job hunt to other regions, said David Myers, business manager for Longview-based International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers local 970.
That strategy has paid off during previous recessions, because construction is cyclical, with booms and busts going on in different places, Myers said.
It's harder this time, he said.
"This time, there is nowhere to go in the United States where there is excess work," Myers said.
Despite the gloomy picture, rays of hope are on the horizon. WalMart is expected to finish building two new stores in Longview and Woodland this year, and Portland-based EGT Development LLC broke ground on a $200 million grain terminal at the Port of Longview this fall. The port also expects to finish its new Berth 9 to accommodate the grain terminal this year.
Combined, those projects support nearly 1,000 jobs, though none of the general contractors are from the Cowlitz County area and many of the jobs have gone to out-of-state workers.
Richter, the Lower Columbia Contractors Association president, said he's trying to remain hopeful. The Kalama resident was the second employee hired at the Tri-County Truss plant at the Mint Farm in 2006, and he was the last one out the door when the plant shut down two years later.
Jobless for a few months, he started Northwest Home Automation last spring with two partners. The business integrates lighting, heat and other electrical systems in homes.
Work has been slow, but Richter said he started the business with the idea that construction will turn around eventually.
"I'm optimistic about the future of the industry."
Sunday, January 10, 2010
green Energy a Challenge for Electricians
By JANET ZIMMERMAN
The Press-Enterprise
All work on a controversial plan to route 80 miles of electrical transmission lines through undisturbed desert near Joshua Tree National Park has been suspended as part of cost-cutting measures by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.
The utility's board on Tuesday approved a 29-page budget amendment that included only one reference to Green Path North. The hotly debated project would move geothermal, solar and wind power from the Salton Sea area of the Imperial Valley to an electrical substation near Hesperia en route to Los Angeles.
DWP spokesman Joseph Ramallo declined comment, and Lee Kanon Alpert, the board president, was unavailable Friday afternoon. Board Vice President Edith Ramirez said she was not authorized to comment but added that the item passed without specific discussion of Green Path North.
Project opponents have included environmentalists, residents and local governments. Those alerted to the action Friday said they were surprised.
Ruth Rieman is vice chair of the California Desert Coalition, a group formed to fight Green Path North. She said she won't believe the project is dead until DWP withdraws its right-of-way application from the Bureau of Land Management.
"That's our litmus test, and we've always said it was," said Rieman, who lives in Pipes Canyon near Landers. "I'm the first one that's going to dance when that application comes down."
Environmentalists have decried the project since DWP unveiled its "preferred route" for the power line through the Mojave Desert three years ago. They have insisted that the 200- to 330-foot towers should run along an existing transmission corridor next to Interstate 10, not pristine and sensitive areas of the desert.
The lines would cut through the Big Morongo Canyon Preserve in Morongo Valley, a critical water source for migratory birds and wildlife, and through parts of the privately owned Pipes Canyon Wilderness near Pioneertown in San Bernardino County, critics said.
In September, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's office confirmed that the project might be abandoned because of community outrage. It is unclear whether the board action means the project is dead; the DWP board recently approved millions to lease land for geothermal development in the Imperial Valley. No one at the agency was available Friday to explain how that power would be carried to Los Angeles.
A month later, the embattled head of DWP, David Nahai, resigned and was replaced by Deputy Mayor David Freeman.
Freeman has said his focus is on a 600-plus-acre solar project on dry Owens Lake, in the eastern Sierra Nevada, that is close to existing transmission lines. DWP has scheduled a community meeting Monday in Bishop to discuss the project.
Background materials for the board's budget item Tuesday say DWP is "transmission rich," with more transmission lines than any other utility in the state, and "has no justification to pursue" building new lines unless they are deemed critical.
Instead, to meet the mayor's order that the city receive 40 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2020, DWP "will aggressively pursue renewable energy projects near existing transmission lines first. Therefore, all work on the Green Path North renewable energy transmission line has been suspended."
According to the board action, there appears to be no funding for the project in the near future. But it was unknown what will happen with Green Path's partners and agreements.
Reach Janet Zimmerman at 951-368-9586 or jzimmerman@PE.com
The Press-Enterprise
All work on a controversial plan to route 80 miles of electrical transmission lines through undisturbed desert near Joshua Tree National Park has been suspended as part of cost-cutting measures by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.
The utility's board on Tuesday approved a 29-page budget amendment that included only one reference to Green Path North. The hotly debated project would move geothermal, solar and wind power from the Salton Sea area of the Imperial Valley to an electrical substation near Hesperia en route to Los Angeles.
DWP spokesman Joseph Ramallo declined comment, and Lee Kanon Alpert, the board president, was unavailable Friday afternoon. Board Vice President Edith Ramirez said she was not authorized to comment but added that the item passed without specific discussion of Green Path North.
Project opponents have included environmentalists, residents and local governments. Those alerted to the action Friday said they were surprised.
Ruth Rieman is vice chair of the California Desert Coalition, a group formed to fight Green Path North. She said she won't believe the project is dead until DWP withdraws its right-of-way application from the Bureau of Land Management.
"That's our litmus test, and we've always said it was," said Rieman, who lives in Pipes Canyon near Landers. "I'm the first one that's going to dance when that application comes down."
Environmentalists have decried the project since DWP unveiled its "preferred route" for the power line through the Mojave Desert three years ago. They have insisted that the 200- to 330-foot towers should run along an existing transmission corridor next to Interstate 10, not pristine and sensitive areas of the desert.
The lines would cut through the Big Morongo Canyon Preserve in Morongo Valley, a critical water source for migratory birds and wildlife, and through parts of the privately owned Pipes Canyon Wilderness near Pioneertown in San Bernardino County, critics said.
In September, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's office confirmed that the project might be abandoned because of community outrage. It is unclear whether the board action means the project is dead; the DWP board recently approved millions to lease land for geothermal development in the Imperial Valley. No one at the agency was available Friday to explain how that power would be carried to Los Angeles.
A month later, the embattled head of DWP, David Nahai, resigned and was replaced by Deputy Mayor David Freeman.
Freeman has said his focus is on a 600-plus-acre solar project on dry Owens Lake, in the eastern Sierra Nevada, that is close to existing transmission lines. DWP has scheduled a community meeting Monday in Bishop to discuss the project.
Background materials for the board's budget item Tuesday say DWP is "transmission rich," with more transmission lines than any other utility in the state, and "has no justification to pursue" building new lines unless they are deemed critical.
Instead, to meet the mayor's order that the city receive 40 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2020, DWP "will aggressively pursue renewable energy projects near existing transmission lines first. Therefore, all work on the Green Path North renewable energy transmission line has been suspended."
According to the board action, there appears to be no funding for the project in the near future. But it was unknown what will happen with Green Path's partners and agreements.
Reach Janet Zimmerman at 951-368-9586 or jzimmerman@PE.com
Saturday, January 9, 2010
New Electrician Jobs for New Economy Needed
by Mike Hall, Jan 6, 2010
After meeting with several unemployed San Diego workers this morning, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka spoke at a rally of workers, union, community and faith leaders calling for creation of a local jobs program.
What I’ve seen here this morning as I sat with some of the hard-working people of this great city—people who through no fault of their own are without jobs—is another grim reminder of the ever-present struggles of working families in this city, this state, this country.
He said the labor movement and the nation’s leaders must “respond as never before to create a different kind of economy.” Click here to read his entire speech.
The San Diego rally was one of several stops on Trumka’s California tour to spotlight the need to create good jobs for America’s workers and to call for justice and fair contracts for hotel workers engaged in a bitter contract struggle with several national hotel chains.
The rally highlighted the San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council’s Local Jobs Agenda, which emphasizes hiring local workers for public works projects. The central labor council is pressing the City Council to adopt the agenda.
Before the rally, Trumka met with several long-term unemployed workers, including a laid-off hotel worker and single mom. The woman’s son has hemophilia and she not only lost her health coverage when she lost her job, but she cannot afford the premiums to keep her health care through COBRA.
In an example of what can be done to address the jobs crisis, Trumka spent part of the morning with students at the San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council’s pre-apprenticeship training program that helps prepare students for construction and building trades unions’ apprenticeships. The program focuses on at-risk youth. Trumka praised it for
taking kids who had no where to go—kids who many folks had given up on them—and giving them the school and job skills they need to have a future.
Later today, Trumka will meet with union members, labor leaders and Orange County officials to discuss job creation projects and prospects there, especially a massive construction project in Irvine dubbed, “The Great Park.”
Tomorrow in Los Angeles, he will meet with students at the Electrical Workers (IBEW) Training Institute, where they are learning skills to prepare for family supporting jobs—with a special emphasis on green jobs. He also will join workers for a rally and picket in front of the Hyatt Century Plaza in Los Angeles.
After meeting with several unemployed San Diego workers this morning, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka spoke at a rally of workers, union, community and faith leaders calling for creation of a local jobs program.
What I’ve seen here this morning as I sat with some of the hard-working people of this great city—people who through no fault of their own are without jobs—is another grim reminder of the ever-present struggles of working families in this city, this state, this country.
He said the labor movement and the nation’s leaders must “respond as never before to create a different kind of economy.” Click here to read his entire speech.
The San Diego rally was one of several stops on Trumka’s California tour to spotlight the need to create good jobs for America’s workers and to call for justice and fair contracts for hotel workers engaged in a bitter contract struggle with several national hotel chains.
The rally highlighted the San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council’s Local Jobs Agenda, which emphasizes hiring local workers for public works projects. The central labor council is pressing the City Council to adopt the agenda.
Before the rally, Trumka met with several long-term unemployed workers, including a laid-off hotel worker and single mom. The woman’s son has hemophilia and she not only lost her health coverage when she lost her job, but she cannot afford the premiums to keep her health care through COBRA.
In an example of what can be done to address the jobs crisis, Trumka spent part of the morning with students at the San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council’s pre-apprenticeship training program that helps prepare students for construction and building trades unions’ apprenticeships. The program focuses on at-risk youth. Trumka praised it for
taking kids who had no where to go—kids who many folks had given up on them—and giving them the school and job skills they need to have a future.
Later today, Trumka will meet with union members, labor leaders and Orange County officials to discuss job creation projects and prospects there, especially a massive construction project in Irvine dubbed, “The Great Park.”
Tomorrow in Los Angeles, he will meet with students at the Electrical Workers (IBEW) Training Institute, where they are learning skills to prepare for family supporting jobs—with a special emphasis on green jobs. He also will join workers for a rally and picket in front of the Hyatt Century Plaza in Los Angeles.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Electrcian Jobs for London
Published: 07/01/2010
Thousands of jobs could be created at the London Gateway, according to the prime minister, which could benefit workers who have taken electrician training courses.
Gordon Brown visited the port construction site with business secretary Lord Mandelson this week, it was recently revealed, to mark the start of construction at the location.
He stated that the huge infrastructure project, which is worth in the region of £1.5 billion, will benefit the country greatly once completed.
"It will help bring the largest deep sea vessels here and improve the efficiency of the UK's freight distribution, creating thousands of jobs, future growth and economic prosperity," he said.
A survey by owner of London Gateway DP World found that 36,000 jobs will be made available in total, with 12,000 short-term opportunities to workers in construction and logistics.
The firm was formed in 2005 and is one of the largest marine terminal operators in the world.
Thousands of jobs could be created at the London Gateway, according to the prime minister, which could benefit workers who have taken electrician training courses.
Gordon Brown visited the port construction site with business secretary Lord Mandelson this week, it was recently revealed, to mark the start of construction at the location.
He stated that the huge infrastructure project, which is worth in the region of £1.5 billion, will benefit the country greatly once completed.
"It will help bring the largest deep sea vessels here and improve the efficiency of the UK's freight distribution, creating thousands of jobs, future growth and economic prosperity," he said.
A survey by owner of London Gateway DP World found that 36,000 jobs will be made available in total, with 12,000 short-term opportunities to workers in construction and logistics.
The firm was formed in 2005 and is one of the largest marine terminal operators in the world.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Green Jobs for Electricians in Training
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/money_co/2010/01/labor-department-gives-nearly-100-million-in-green-jobs-training-grants.html
The government is funneling nearly $100 million into training programs for green jobs, Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis said today.
The funds, part of a $500-million green workforce development initiative through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, will go to 25 projects around the country.
The programs are designed to help workers find jobs -- such as hybrid and electric auto technicians, weatherization specialists, wind and energy auditors, and solar panel installers -- in growing energy-efficiency and renewable-energy industries.
The money will be parceled out in Energy Training Partnership Grants ranging from $1.4 million to $5 million each. Projects in communities affected by the restructuring in the auto industry will receive $28 million.
Only one project based entirely in California will get funding. $5 million will go to develop training for the state’s unemployed and underemployed electricians through the California State Labor Management Cooperation Committee for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the National Electrical Contractors Assn.
But four other grantees will spread their new resources across several states including California. For example, the Utility Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO, will spend part of its nearly $5-million package on women, minorities, incumbent workers and young people in Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside counties.
The International Training Institute for the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Industry will also include parts of the state as it creates training for veterans, minorities, women and the unemployed and underemployed using its nearly $5-million grant.
Funding figures for two remaining green grant categories will be released over the next few weeks, according to the Labor Department.
The government is funneling nearly $100 million into training programs for green jobs, Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis said today.
The funds, part of a $500-million green workforce development initiative through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, will go to 25 projects around the country.
The programs are designed to help workers find jobs -- such as hybrid and electric auto technicians, weatherization specialists, wind and energy auditors, and solar panel installers -- in growing energy-efficiency and renewable-energy industries.
The money will be parceled out in Energy Training Partnership Grants ranging from $1.4 million to $5 million each. Projects in communities affected by the restructuring in the auto industry will receive $28 million.
Only one project based entirely in California will get funding. $5 million will go to develop training for the state’s unemployed and underemployed electricians through the California State Labor Management Cooperation Committee for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the National Electrical Contractors Assn.
But four other grantees will spread their new resources across several states including California. For example, the Utility Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO, will spend part of its nearly $5-million package on women, minorities, incumbent workers and young people in Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside counties.
The International Training Institute for the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Industry will also include parts of the state as it creates training for veterans, minorities, women and the unemployed and underemployed using its nearly $5-million grant.
Funding figures for two remaining green grant categories will be released over the next few weeks, according to the Labor Department.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Varad Engineers Present Their Information
Varad Engineers is a full service licensed electrical contractors. We offer complete full service licensed electrical installations using union electricians, the best Electrical tools and the proper materials required to give our customers a high end product for the best money value. We specialize in licensed electrical Construction for Heavy Industrial, Power Generation, Residential, Manufacturing, Chemical Processing, Mining, Health Care, Educational, and Commercial Customers.
Our licensed electrical contractors have experience and our qualified management teams, professionally and competently perform the electrical installation for your project utilizing a series of computer programs for Job Cost, Scheduling, completion status, and Productivity information for all aspects of the project.
When you choose Varad Engineers, licensed electrical contractors in India, you are choosing an experienced licensed electrical contractors with a strong set of values who will consistently provide the technical and professional expertise to construct even the most complex projects. We want to get the job done on time and within budget.
As a community-building service, TMCnet allows user submitted content which is not always proofed by TMCnet editors. If you feel this entry is of inferior quality or wish to report it for some reason, please forward the URL to "webedit [AT] tmcnet [DOT] com" with your comments.
Our licensed electrical contractors have experience and our qualified management teams, professionally and competently perform the electrical installation for your project utilizing a series of computer programs for Job Cost, Scheduling, completion status, and Productivity information for all aspects of the project.
When you choose Varad Engineers, licensed electrical contractors in India, you are choosing an experienced licensed electrical contractors with a strong set of values who will consistently provide the technical and professional expertise to construct even the most complex projects. We want to get the job done on time and within budget.
As a community-building service, TMCnet allows user submitted content which is not always proofed by TMCnet editors. If you feel this entry is of inferior quality or wish to report it for some reason, please forward the URL to "webedit [AT] tmcnet [DOT] com" with your comments.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Privitization of Electrical Maintenance has Problems
By Tom Whitehead, Home Affairs Editor
Published: 7:00AM GMT 30 Dec 2009
The "waste of taxpayers' money" was described in a scathing report by probation officers which also claimed an electrician drove two and half hours to repair a switch and window cleaners were employed on jobs that involved a seven hour overnight trip.
Napo, the probation officers' union, claimed millions of pounds is being wasted and accused officials of "incompetence". It claimed repair jobs are costing up to five times more than they used to as a result. It blamed the situation on a centralised, privatisation of maintenance contracts which meant local probation offices could no longer fulfil "simple tasks" by employing local company around the corner.
The report, Waste and Excessive Bureaucracy, also claimed the Ministry of Justice, whose responsibilities include the probation service, spent £54 million on external consultants last year even though some were said to have simply told staff there was no such thing as stress or explain information workers already knew.
In one maintenance example, a worker allegedly drove 175 miles from London to Cheshire to replace light bulbs in an office while a plumber was apparently asked to travel from Birmingham to Norwich to repair a lavatory seat – a round trip of 320 miles.
An electrician also was said to have travelled from Newmarket to the West Midlands to fix an electrical switch and replace a cover on a light – a journey of two and half hours each way.
Other electricians were said to have journeyed from Manchester to Aberystwyth to change light fittings while window cleaners allegedly travelled from Preston to Leicester, n then stayed overnight and went on to Lincoln for another job, according to the staff surveys.
The report claims the problem stems from a decision five years ago when probation maintenance contracts were centralised and privatised which means any job now has to be processed through centralised offices and then private contractors.
Prior to that the probation service would look for local companies to solve problems, the report said.
Harry Fletcher, Napo assistant general secretary, said: "It is quite clear that millions is being wasted by the National Offender Management Service on incompetent maintenance contracts, excessive bureaucracy and the overuse of consultants.
"Contractors are travelling hundreds of miles to carry out fairly simple tasks. It is now costing four to five times more than it did when contractors were hired from round the corner.
"This is the price of centralisation and privatisation."
The report, which surveyed staff in 26 of 42 probation areas in England and Wales.
In one area, staff were given a "motivational and inspirational" session from consultants and later claimed they were just told there was no such thing as stress.
In another, consultants provided email trained which the in-house IT staff allegedly said they were capable of providing.
A Probation Service spokesman said: "“Maintenance contracts are handled within a regional structure that ensures the relevant facilities management contractor is sent to deal with work as quickly as possible.
“The majority of facilities management costs – including all planned maintenance and cleaning – are fixed in these regional contracts
“NOMS is undertaking a full review of services as part of its efficiency saving initiative in 2010/11.
“The amount of money spent on consultancy is monitored very carefully within NOMS." All proposed consultancy spends in excess of £100k require ministerial approval.”
Published: 7:00AM GMT 30 Dec 2009
The "waste of taxpayers' money" was described in a scathing report by probation officers which also claimed an electrician drove two and half hours to repair a switch and window cleaners were employed on jobs that involved a seven hour overnight trip.
Napo, the probation officers' union, claimed millions of pounds is being wasted and accused officials of "incompetence". It claimed repair jobs are costing up to five times more than they used to as a result. It blamed the situation on a centralised, privatisation of maintenance contracts which meant local probation offices could no longer fulfil "simple tasks" by employing local company around the corner.
The report, Waste and Excessive Bureaucracy, also claimed the Ministry of Justice, whose responsibilities include the probation service, spent £54 million on external consultants last year even though some were said to have simply told staff there was no such thing as stress or explain information workers already knew.
In one maintenance example, a worker allegedly drove 175 miles from London to Cheshire to replace light bulbs in an office while a plumber was apparently asked to travel from Birmingham to Norwich to repair a lavatory seat – a round trip of 320 miles.
An electrician also was said to have travelled from Newmarket to the West Midlands to fix an electrical switch and replace a cover on a light – a journey of two and half hours each way.
Other electricians were said to have journeyed from Manchester to Aberystwyth to change light fittings while window cleaners allegedly travelled from Preston to Leicester, n then stayed overnight and went on to Lincoln for another job, according to the staff surveys.
The report claims the problem stems from a decision five years ago when probation maintenance contracts were centralised and privatised which means any job now has to be processed through centralised offices and then private contractors.
Prior to that the probation service would look for local companies to solve problems, the report said.
Harry Fletcher, Napo assistant general secretary, said: "It is quite clear that millions is being wasted by the National Offender Management Service on incompetent maintenance contracts, excessive bureaucracy and the overuse of consultants.
"Contractors are travelling hundreds of miles to carry out fairly simple tasks. It is now costing four to five times more than it did when contractors were hired from round the corner.
"This is the price of centralisation and privatisation."
The report, which surveyed staff in 26 of 42 probation areas in England and Wales.
In one area, staff were given a "motivational and inspirational" session from consultants and later claimed they were just told there was no such thing as stress.
In another, consultants provided email trained which the in-house IT staff allegedly said they were capable of providing.
A Probation Service spokesman said: "“Maintenance contracts are handled within a regional structure that ensures the relevant facilities management contractor is sent to deal with work as quickly as possible.
“The majority of facilities management costs – including all planned maintenance and cleaning – are fixed in these regional contracts
“NOMS is undertaking a full review of services as part of its efficiency saving initiative in 2010/11.
“The amount of money spent on consultancy is monitored very carefully within NOMS." All proposed consultancy spends in excess of £100k require ministerial approval.”
Monday, January 4, 2010
Retired Electricians have Experience
By Mark Geary, Reporter
By Mark Geary
Story Created: Jan 3, 2010 at 4:17 PM CST
Story Updated: Jan 3, 2010 at 4:17 PM CST
CEDAR RAPIDS – A group of retired electricians stepped up after the June 2008 flood and volunteered to help people get their power back. They nicknamed themselves, "Old Farts Electric.” On Sunday, they celebrated a milestone.
What started as a kind gesture for a handful of homeowners has become a full-fledged organization complete with “official” job titles.
"I'm vice president in charge of 'day old donuts,'” volunteer Jim Ryan said.
While they love to poke fun at themselves, the volunteers have helped rewire two-hundred flood victims' homes -- free of charge.
"By the time you finish a house, you know a lot about the people and they know a lot about you,” volunteer Wayne Engle said.
People like Jacqueline Gasper attended a special celebration on Sunday to thank the "Old Farts" for all their hard work.
"With the economy today and everything else, I don't know how a lot of people would do it. We couldn't have done it,” she said.
Cindy Koehler, another flood victim, said, "With the flood, it's been a lot of red tape and they've been able to get a lot of things done quickly to avert the red tape."
Now that the program's almost over, the guys are already trying to find new projects and challenges.
Engle said, "There hasn't been a cross word. It's been fun. The wives have liked it, too because they like to get the guys out of the house."
Organizers estimate the program has generated about one million dollars worth of free labor and material costs for flood victims. They expect to finish their final homes within the next few months.
By Mark Geary
Story Created: Jan 3, 2010 at 4:17 PM CST
Story Updated: Jan 3, 2010 at 4:17 PM CST
CEDAR RAPIDS – A group of retired electricians stepped up after the June 2008 flood and volunteered to help people get their power back. They nicknamed themselves, "Old Farts Electric.” On Sunday, they celebrated a milestone.
What started as a kind gesture for a handful of homeowners has become a full-fledged organization complete with “official” job titles.
"I'm vice president in charge of 'day old donuts,'” volunteer Jim Ryan said.
While they love to poke fun at themselves, the volunteers have helped rewire two-hundred flood victims' homes -- free of charge.
"By the time you finish a house, you know a lot about the people and they know a lot about you,” volunteer Wayne Engle said.
People like Jacqueline Gasper attended a special celebration on Sunday to thank the "Old Farts" for all their hard work.
"With the economy today and everything else, I don't know how a lot of people would do it. We couldn't have done it,” she said.
Cindy Koehler, another flood victim, said, "With the flood, it's been a lot of red tape and they've been able to get a lot of things done quickly to avert the red tape."
Now that the program's almost over, the guys are already trying to find new projects and challenges.
Engle said, "There hasn't been a cross word. It's been fun. The wives have liked it, too because they like to get the guys out of the house."
Organizers estimate the program has generated about one million dollars worth of free labor and material costs for flood victims. They expect to finish their final homes within the next few months.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Electricians Under Pressure to Perform
Efforts to reconnect Kirkwood Mountain Resort to electricity after the resort's generator caught fire on Friday afternoon delayed its opening during one of the busiest ski days of the year.
As of Saturday morning, the resort was still without power, and officials were not sure when electricity would be restored.
“We have been working on the power issue literally all night,” Kirkwood Senior Vice President Tim Cohee said on the resort's snow recording. “We do not have a solution this morning.”
The resort asked skiers to delay their trips until there was some word on when power would be restored.
The generator caught fire at about 2 p.m. New Year's Day when a filter overheated and ignited. workers in the building smelled smoke 30-40 minutes before the fire reached its height and were able to evacuate safely. About 150 workers were evacuated from nearby employee housing. No one was injured in the fire, but the blaze consumed the building where the generator was housed.
About half of the resort's guests canceled their reservations for the New Year's weekend. Another 2,000 guests stayed overnight waiting for the electricity to come back.
Moutain Utilities, which operates the resort's generator, has delivered a new generator that is capable of restoring power to the resort. But electricians ran into trouble connecting the new generator to the resort's power grid.
“They are continuing to attempt to restore power as quickly as possible, but we do not have a projected time as of now, early Saturday,” officials said. “Our expectations are that we will again have power sometime today.”
Officials are asking potential guest to visit www.kirkwood.com ;or call (877) 547-5966 (KIRKWOOD)
Annie Flanzraich of the Tahoe Daily Tribune contributed to this report
As of Saturday morning, the resort was still without power, and officials were not sure when electricity would be restored.
“We have been working on the power issue literally all night,” Kirkwood Senior Vice President Tim Cohee said on the resort's snow recording. “We do not have a solution this morning.”
The resort asked skiers to delay their trips until there was some word on when power would be restored.
The generator caught fire at about 2 p.m. New Year's Day when a filter overheated and ignited. workers in the building smelled smoke 30-40 minutes before the fire reached its height and were able to evacuate safely. About 150 workers were evacuated from nearby employee housing. No one was injured in the fire, but the blaze consumed the building where the generator was housed.
About half of the resort's guests canceled their reservations for the New Year's weekend. Another 2,000 guests stayed overnight waiting for the electricity to come back.
Moutain Utilities, which operates the resort's generator, has delivered a new generator that is capable of restoring power to the resort. But electricians ran into trouble connecting the new generator to the resort's power grid.
“They are continuing to attempt to restore power as quickly as possible, but we do not have a projected time as of now, early Saturday,” officials said. “Our expectations are that we will again have power sometime today.”
Officials are asking potential guest to visit www.kirkwood.com ;or call (877) 547-5966 (KIRKWOOD)
Annie Flanzraich of the Tahoe Daily Tribune contributed to this report
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Electricians Contribute in Oklahoma
By Craig Day, The News On 6
MUSKOGEE, OK -- A Muskogee mom and her children will start 2010 off in a new home, thanks to the generosity of volunteers.
Before Thanksgiving, The News On 6 told you how carpenters, electricians, roofers and other volunteers stepped in to save the day when the home was condemned and set to be demolished.
Thursday, the family got to move in to their totally remodeled home.
All these people are getting a look at what kindness can accomplish, what teamwork can achieve, what caring hearts and talented hands can build.
Tina Brown's home was condemned but volunteers would not let it be demolished. They would not let Tina Brown and her children lose their home.
Randy Campbell, Homes by Custom Touch, said, "The house was going to be torn down, the family was going to be without a house and a home and we could do something about it."
"I just prayed and asked God to give me a miracle, and he did just that. He gave me a miracle," Brown said.
Just eight weeks and thousands of hours later that prayer was answered.
More than 200 volunteers renovated the home and even added a second floor. It went from 1200 square feet to 2900, three bedrooms to eight.
Many people Thursday came not only to see it but also to witness Brown and her children as they see it for the first time.
"I've had a lot of people help me fill my dreams in my life, and to give someone else their dream is the best feeling in the world," Campbell said.
Everyone is fully furnished and customized to fit their personalities.
They can't make enough tissues for moments like these.
"Oh this is definitely the Lord's doing and it's marvelous in my eyes," Brown said.
They are shocked. They're amazed. But most of all, they are very grateful.
"Oh God is so good, he's so good," Brown said.
It's a new years eve they will never forget and as one year comes to an end, they look forward to many happy years to come in their home.
One built on love and with the kindness of others.
"Today is probably one of the most rewarding days of my life," Campbell said.
"It just proves that there is still love in the world, there's still good people in the world," Brown said.
11/14/2009 Related Story: Volunteers Save A Muskogee Family's Home From Demolition
MUSKOGEE, OK -- A Muskogee mom and her children will start 2010 off in a new home, thanks to the generosity of volunteers.
Before Thanksgiving, The News On 6 told you how carpenters, electricians, roofers and other volunteers stepped in to save the day when the home was condemned and set to be demolished.
Thursday, the family got to move in to their totally remodeled home.
All these people are getting a look at what kindness can accomplish, what teamwork can achieve, what caring hearts and talented hands can build.
Tina Brown's home was condemned but volunteers would not let it be demolished. They would not let Tina Brown and her children lose their home.
Randy Campbell, Homes by Custom Touch, said, "The house was going to be torn down, the family was going to be without a house and a home and we could do something about it."
"I just prayed and asked God to give me a miracle, and he did just that. He gave me a miracle," Brown said.
Just eight weeks and thousands of hours later that prayer was answered.
More than 200 volunteers renovated the home and even added a second floor. It went from 1200 square feet to 2900, three bedrooms to eight.
Many people Thursday came not only to see it but also to witness Brown and her children as they see it for the first time.
"I've had a lot of people help me fill my dreams in my life, and to give someone else their dream is the best feeling in the world," Campbell said.
Everyone is fully furnished and customized to fit their personalities.
They can't make enough tissues for moments like these.
"Oh this is definitely the Lord's doing and it's marvelous in my eyes," Brown said.
They are shocked. They're amazed. But most of all, they are very grateful.
"Oh God is so good, he's so good," Brown said.
It's a new years eve they will never forget and as one year comes to an end, they look forward to many happy years to come in their home.
One built on love and with the kindness of others.
"Today is probably one of the most rewarding days of my life," Campbell said.
"It just proves that there is still love in the world, there's still good people in the world," Brown said.
11/14/2009 Related Story: Volunteers Save A Muskogee Family's Home From Demolition
Friday, January 1, 2010
Electricians Promoting Solar Power Installation
By DAVE DEWITTE
The Gazette
9:02 a.m. CST, December 28, 2009
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CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Iowa's lack of specific professional standards for solar-systems installers is impeding the development of a solar power industry in Iowa, some longtime observers say.
The problem, said Greg Watkins, renewable energy planner for the Iowa Office of Energy Independence, is that Iowa's regulatory framework prevents some installers with specialized training and certification in solar systems from working and allows others with no specific solar-systems knowledge to do the work.
"A lot of people who aren't certified are installing systems," Watkins said. "The work isn't up to par. It does the whole renewable energy industry a disservice."
The implementation last year of statewide licensing for plumbers and electricians required virtually everyone who installs electrical and plumbing systems in Iowa to have a statewide license. Those statewide licenses allow plumbers to install solar hot-water heating systems and electricians to install solar heating or electrical systems, regardless of training or certification with the systems.
Retired schoolteacher Tom Snyder of Dyersville has been installing solar hot-water systems for about 40 years and has a national certification in them. None of that mattered under Iowa's statewide licensing.
Snyder and a handful of other solar installers in the state had to either get a license in the appropriate trade or hire a licensed plumber or electrician to pull permits for the jobs and review their work.
Snyder decided to pay $250 and take the test to obtain a master plumber's license.
Solar electric installer Dennis Pottratz of Go Solar! in Decorah has a special certificate from the state that allows him to keep working on the systems, as he has for about 14 years, and he must hire a licensed electrician to pull the permits.
"Im effectively paying someone for something I consider to be of little value," Pottratz said.
Watkins said the Office of Energy Independence has begun looking into the issue, largely at the urging of Snyder.
The Iowa Department of Public Health oversees licensing for plumbers and mechanical contractors, while the Iowa Department of Public Safety oversees licensing for electricians. The law doesn't specifically identify solar thermal systems but does refer to hydronics (recirculating liquid heating and cooling) and related systems, Public Health's Cindy Houlson said.
The Midwest Renewable Energy Association is considered by many the leading organization for education of renewable energy installers in the Midwest. Executive Director Tehri Parker said Iowa's lack of standards specific to solar is not unusual.
Dyersville installer Snyder said consumers are the real losers in Iowa's current regulatory framework.
"When I started this in the '70s, I ended up fixing up an incredible number of really poor installations," Snyder said. "Its going back to that again now. People call me and say, 'How can I straighten this out?' Well, Im not going to touch that. If I try to correct something somebody else did, Im responsible for their project."
State Sen. Rob Hogg, D-Cedar Rapids, who recently called for Iowa utilities to install 7,000 kilowatts of solar power over the next five years, believes the legislative climate is good for addressing installer regulation.
"Where the momentum is going to come from is interest in clean energy jobs," Hogg said. "We need to make sure our regulatory framework not only is not a barrier, but encourages more people to get work in these areas. Anytime you get new technologies, you need to adjust your existing regulations to those technologies."
Last year, Iowa legislators did create a special license for installers of geothermal heating and cooling systems.
The Gazette
9:02 a.m. CST, December 28, 2009
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CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Iowa's lack of specific professional standards for solar-systems installers is impeding the development of a solar power industry in Iowa, some longtime observers say.
The problem, said Greg Watkins, renewable energy planner for the Iowa Office of Energy Independence, is that Iowa's regulatory framework prevents some installers with specialized training and certification in solar systems from working and allows others with no specific solar-systems knowledge to do the work.
"A lot of people who aren't certified are installing systems," Watkins said. "The work isn't up to par. It does the whole renewable energy industry a disservice."
The implementation last year of statewide licensing for plumbers and electricians required virtually everyone who installs electrical and plumbing systems in Iowa to have a statewide license. Those statewide licenses allow plumbers to install solar hot-water heating systems and electricians to install solar heating or electrical systems, regardless of training or certification with the systems.
Retired schoolteacher Tom Snyder of Dyersville has been installing solar hot-water systems for about 40 years and has a national certification in them. None of that mattered under Iowa's statewide licensing.
Snyder and a handful of other solar installers in the state had to either get a license in the appropriate trade or hire a licensed plumber or electrician to pull permits for the jobs and review their work.
Snyder decided to pay $250 and take the test to obtain a master plumber's license.
Solar electric installer Dennis Pottratz of Go Solar! in Decorah has a special certificate from the state that allows him to keep working on the systems, as he has for about 14 years, and he must hire a licensed electrician to pull the permits.
"Im effectively paying someone for something I consider to be of little value," Pottratz said.
Watkins said the Office of Energy Independence has begun looking into the issue, largely at the urging of Snyder.
The Iowa Department of Public Health oversees licensing for plumbers and mechanical contractors, while the Iowa Department of Public Safety oversees licensing for electricians. The law doesn't specifically identify solar thermal systems but does refer to hydronics (recirculating liquid heating and cooling) and related systems, Public Health's Cindy Houlson said.
The Midwest Renewable Energy Association is considered by many the leading organization for education of renewable energy installers in the Midwest. Executive Director Tehri Parker said Iowa's lack of standards specific to solar is not unusual.
Dyersville installer Snyder said consumers are the real losers in Iowa's current regulatory framework.
"When I started this in the '70s, I ended up fixing up an incredible number of really poor installations," Snyder said. "Its going back to that again now. People call me and say, 'How can I straighten this out?' Well, Im not going to touch that. If I try to correct something somebody else did, Im responsible for their project."
State Sen. Rob Hogg, D-Cedar Rapids, who recently called for Iowa utilities to install 7,000 kilowatts of solar power over the next five years, believes the legislative climate is good for addressing installer regulation.
"Where the momentum is going to come from is interest in clean energy jobs," Hogg said. "We need to make sure our regulatory framework not only is not a barrier, but encourages more people to get work in these areas. Anytime you get new technologies, you need to adjust your existing regulations to those technologies."
Last year, Iowa legislators did create a special license for installers of geothermal heating and cooling systems.
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