A Gilmer law firm will pay for providing Christmas decorations at the Upshur County Courthouse this year after the county commissioners court cut off funding because of a decades-old state attorney generals opinion that such county funding was illegal.

Goudarzi & Young will pay the $1,500, Upshur County Pct. 4 Commissioner Mike Spencer announced Friday morning. The law firm volunteered the funds after news reports that the countys funding cutoff might mean the courthouse would have no holiday decorations.

Gilmer Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Joan Small had said Thursday she did not know whether the courthouse and lawn would have decorations since the court did not include the usual $1,500 in this fiscal years budget. She said the county had provided that amount all 24 years she has managed the chamber and had funded the decorations even before that.

It was really upsetting, she said, since Theyve (county officials) given us something to decorate their courthouse for those 24 years.

The chamber has nowhere near sufficient funds for it, she said, as the annual Yulefest does not make money for the organization. Thus, Small had said she did not know whether the courthouse and lawn would have decorations this year unless we come up with something to fund them.

And while I have no idea where the money will come from, she said, where theres a will, theres a way.

The way surfaced Friday morning when attorney Brent Goudarzi contacted the county.

County Auditor Brandy Lee said Thursday she had advised County Judge Dean Fowler of an opinion issued in 1940 by then-Texas Attorney General Gerald Mann that funding for the decorations was illegal.

But theres (been) a lot of similar opinions since then (from the attorney generals office), Lee told The Mirror. This is just the one that specifically talks about that (funding Christmas decorations on a courthouse lawn.)

She said she came across Manns opinion as Ive been reading a lot of attorney generals opinions.

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Gilmer law firm pays for Christmas decorations

By John Wilkenson - Sunday, November 9, 2014

Uninfluenced by the general election just finished, huh? Does anybody actually believe that? Did all Mesa County voters supposedly fall off the turnip truck just yesterday? I can see no good reason for excluding the MC Sheriff from his or her own policy, other than to favor the re-election of incumbent sheriffs. That smells too much like Good Old Boy cronyism and unequal protection of law which raises more questions that it solves. For example, I can understand some rational purpose behind not using ones official title as an MCSD employee to promote a particular political race, but is the prohibited picture mentioned in the old policy the employees official MCSD picture, or any picture of that person? If the policy forbids any picture at all of the person, how would that be different from prohibiting the employees use of his or her own name as being attached to a recognizable political opinion? The new policy is allegedly: Employees, excluding the Sheriff, will not engage in political activities of any kind while on duty. No employee of the Sheriffs staff in an official capacity shall endorse or publicly oppose any candidate or issue without notification and approval of the Sheriff. Since when was a local sheriff given the constitutional authority to approve or disapprove of the public expression by his or her employees of their political opinions? What if a journalist asks, who are you voting for? Why is the sheriff allowed to answer that question while on duty, but his or her employees are not allowed to answer that very same question while on duty? In other words, if the sheriff publicly expresses his or her political opinion, is that supposed to create a fraudulent appearance that everybody in the department agrees with the sheriffs political opinion? It seems to me as though this policy arguably violates the 1st Amendment and equal protection of law on its face. I wonder what the Colorado ACLU would think of the policy. Hopefully one of the MCSD employees will ask them. I might consider asking them myself, but Im not an MCSD employee, and would lack standing. Problem is, does anybody believe that, in Good-Old-Boy-controlled Mesa County one of the MCSD employees could actually ask the ACLU that question without facing serious on-the-job retribution? It seems to me the easiest way to resolve any potential constitutional and/or public relations issues before they become problems is to subject the Sheriff to his or her own policy.

Link:
Policy allows on-duty sheriff to take part in political activities

On chamber board

Jay Skabo, with Montana-Dakota Utilities Co., will serve as chairman of the Greater North Dakota Chamber board of directors for fiscal year 2015.

The past chairman is Barb Aasen, of Eide Bailly, Bismarck, and Steve Schmitz, First Community Credit Union, Jamestown, is the vice chairman.

Among 10 new board members beginning three-year terms are Craig Lambrecht, Sanford, Bismarck; Rob Krom, JMAC Resources, Williston; Leslie Bakken Oliver, Vogel Law Offices, Bismarck; Travis Kelly, Target Logistics Management, Williston; and Mike Eggl, Basin Electric Power Cooperative, Bismarck.

New at NDAREC

Staff additions and changes have been made at North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives, Mandan.

Zachary Smith, Bismarck, has been named director of communications and government relations and will also serve as legal counsel. Smith received his juris doctor degree from the University of North Dakota and was previously employed by the attorney generals office and the Bismarck-Mandan Chamber of Commerce.

Mary Stumpf, Mandan, is a rural development assistant. Stumpf previously taught music at Christ the King School. She received her bachelors degree from Dickinson State University.

Christina Roemmich, Bismarck, has been named director of safety services. She previously worked as a safety professional at Bobcat. She earned a masters degree in occupational therapy from the University of Mary.

Three safety instructors also have been hired: Jerry Nielsen, Jason Smith and Jeff Tweten.

Original post:
Business People - Nov. 9, 2014

Joseph Bacani stands in front of his portrait at the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial. Photo Courtesy AVDLM/C.J. Heatley

Joseph Bacani likes to be alone on Veterans Day, to reflect on his time in Iraq and the friends who died there. Its still raw, even though it has been more than seven years, he says.

Now a junior at Columbias School of General Studies, Bacani was a 21-year-old Army private in March 2007, when he was shot through the pelvis by a sniper while on foot patrol in Baghdad searching for improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

Unable to walk because of neurological damage and suffering from post-traumatic stress, Bacani returned to the U.S. for treatment. Grueling rehabilitation for two years lay ahead. Still in a wheelchair, he was awarded a Purple Heart in a ceremony at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in April 2007.

A photo taken at that ceremony of Bacani in his wheelchair is now a part of history, etched into the glass of a new memorial for disabled veterans in view of the Capitol in Washington, D.C. Bacani attended the Oct. 5 dedication of the memorial on and was surprised to see that his image takes up so much of a wall. When he gave permission to use his picture, I thought I would be a face among many, he says.

Being there that day was one of the best days of my life, Bacani says, but not because of his image on the wall. I saw so many veterans, some of them amputees. I could see on their faces the feeling that they were finally being recognized.

The American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial, on 2.4 acres within sight of the Capitol, was built with private donations to honor disabled veterans from all wars.

Bacani, who was discharged from the Army in 2009, says he went through an extremely dark period while in Fort Hood, Texas, for rehabilitation, but decided to persevere. He still has pain and his right leg is unresponsive to touch. He also has recurrent nightmares and other symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.

Five men in his platoon died in Iraq and another died after returning home. Bacani says he is always thinking of them, especially his best friend, Darrell Shipp, who was 25 when he was killed by an IED in January 2007. They never got to experience the life I have, Bacani says. My drive is to live for them.

Last spring he was a student at Irvine Valley College, a community college in Southern California, when he learned that a Columbia representative would be visiting the area and he might be eligible for admission to the School of General Studies. He met with Kari Razdow, associate director of admissions, took the General Studies admissions exam and was accepted. I never imagined going to an Ivy League university, he says.

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Army Veteran Joseph Bacani Graces New Disabled Veterans Memorial in Washington

There are few people who know more about bad days for flying than Brian De Bruin and his team at GEs jet engine testing facility in Peebles, Ohio. The teams job is to make sure that GE engines keep working when they run into bad thunderstorms or a stray seagull. They expose the machines to hail and monsoon rain, hit them with bird carcasses, and even set off small explosions inside to simulate blade failure. Some of these tests are relatively benign, but others are quite damaging, De Bruin says. Youve got to prove that your engines are good.

A GEnx engine is powering through a simulated hail storm.Top image: Internet sensationMarquese Scott recently dancedinside a Peebles test cell. Image credit: GE Aviation

De Bruin is the site leader at thePeebles Test Operation, located in a bucolic corner of Ohio where GE has been putting engines through their paces for six decades.

When the site opened in 1954, the five technicians who worked there poured concrete for the first test stand and brought their measuring instruments in a moving van. They were led by Leo Pappy White, a legendary GE engineer who had been previously firing captured German V-2 rockets at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.

The first jet engine testing control room at Peebles. Image credit: GE Aviation

White and his team started testing new jet fuels and engines at Peebles. "Back then, you could stand 100 feet behind the jet engine and have a conversation," remembers Orvile Jones, 93, who took over as manager of the site after White left.

At the time, Peebles was a lonely place. Besides the five of us, there were five security guards patrolling the property on horses and making sure that people didnt come near where we running secret operations, Jones says.

See more here:
GE Reports

A BEREAVED father and husband cycled coast to coast to raise thousands of pounds in memory of his wife and baby.

David Wood, 29, was left 'devastated' in May when his 'beautiful' wife Nicola, 28, collapsed and died while pregnant at their Ulverston home.

And just six days later their first child Charlotte also died, having been starved of oxygen for 30 minutes.

But the electrician and 44 friends decided to take on the challenging route from Whitby to Walney and braved the 180-mile journey through wind and rain earlier this month.

"I was a bit emotional - every emotion went through me and I was just so happy we had finished, and then of course I was thinking about why we were all doing it."

Starting out with a target of 30,000, the cyclists have raised more than 24,000 for the Nicola and Charlotte Fund which will go towards buying specialist equipment for the Royal Preston Hospital and Furness General Hospital, Barrow.

More:
'Devastated' widower honours his family

Members of an honour guard wait for the arrival of separatist leader Alexander Zakharchenko in front of a theatre in Donetsk, eastern Ukraine. Photo by Reuters

Warning of the threat of new offensive by Moscow-backed rebels, Ukraine's leader said newly-formed army units would be sent to defend a string of eastern cities.

NATO's highest ranking officer, a U.S. general, said conditions were now in place to create a "frozen conflict", a term the West uses to describe rebel regions carved out of other ex-Soviet states that Moscow protects with its troops.

The inauguration ceremonies in east Ukraine took place even as tens of thousands of people marched in Moscow for "Unity Day", a nationalist holiday celebrating a 17th century battle, revived under President Vladimir Putin to replace the Soviet-era celebration of the Bolshevik revolution. Ukraine featured heavily in speeches for the occasion.

Most fighting has halted in the war in eastern Ukraine since September, when Kiev agreed to a truce after its forces were pushed back by what it and Western countries say was an incursion by armoured columns of Russian troops.

But the frontline remains dangerous and tense, with both sides complaining of shooting nearly every day. Artillery from the direction of the wreckage of Donetsk's international airport, still under government control, thudded during the rebel leader's inauguration in the city.

Moscow says the election of Alexander Zakharchenko and Igor Plotnitsky as leaders of the Donetsk and Luhansk "people's republics", which jointly call themselves "new Russia", means that Kiev should now negotiate with them directly.

Kiev has always rejected this, describing the rebels as Russian-backed "terrorists" or "bandits", with no legitimacy.

The worry for the West is that Moscow, which has already annexed Ukraine's Crimea peninsula, will now also exert control over eastern Ukraine's industrial Donbass region in perpetuity, as it has done for two decades in parts of Moldova and Georgia that broke away when the Soviet Union collapsed.

"I'm concerned that the conditions are there that could create  a frozen conflict," said U.S. Air Force General Philip Breedlove, the highest-ranking NATO officer, said in Washington.

Originally posted here:
Ukraine rebel leaders sworn in

Mayor of London Boris Johnson backs the report. Photo: Getty Images

Australians would find it easier and cheaper to live and work in Britain under proposals in a new report backed by London mayor Boris Johnson.

Mr Johnson said he hoped the scheme would reverse the dramatic drop in Australian migration to Britain from 40,000 in 1999 to 26,000 in 2011.

Decrease in Australians: The Walkabout pub in central London. Photo: Supplied

Mr Johnson was due to launch the report, How to Solve a Problem Like a Visa, in the British Parliament on Monday morning.

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He - and the report - propose a "bilateral mobility zone" agreement between Australia and Britain, modelled on the trans-Tasman agreement between Australia and New Zealand.

Any Australian or New Zealander who wanted to travel to, live and work in Britainwould get a free visa although they would not get immediate access to welfare support.

The same would apply for British citizens who wanted to work in Australia.

"Extra Brits would never be seen as alien," the report predicted.

See the article here:
Let Australians live and work in Britain: London mayor Boris Johnson backs migration report

Virtually all aircraft require maintenance in some form or other. The military along with airlines generally operate maintenance depots along with field support groups in strategic locations capable of handling the rigors of our profession. Specialized shops and fixed base operators provide mechanical repair along with an array of services to fit the needs of smaller general aviation aircraft. Traditionally, aircraft and some engine manufacturers establish service networks for operators of their products while larger maintenance repair organizations (MRO) exist to provide services for a significant percentage of the business aircraft fleet. Some larger corporate flight departments do staff for varying degrees of aircraft support. Capabilities range from accomplishing daily and routine checkups to and including major inspections and overhaul. National Business Aircraft Association (NBAA) In the United States the National Business Aircraft Association (NBAA) has been around for 67 years and is a tremendous ally of todays aviation technician. Many initiatives are underway to enhance the profession while providing liaison with airworthiness authorities around the globe. Leaders of the business aviation community have recognized the special activities required to not only make the worlds business aircraft safe for flight but fit for mission. Many corporations use their aircraft in a role as mobile offices to ensure travel time is productive and hopefully profitable. In addition these portable meeting rooms can be utilized once the aircraft arrives at smaller out of the way airports that just happen to be convenient to production or distribution centers and provide both comfortable and secure conference facilities. A dedicated NBAA Maintenance Committee made up of 137 of our industry peers that are actively engaged in the aircraft maintenance profession provides information and guidance to members while taking an active role in working to give value to member companies. Initiatives and challenges Some of the current initiatives include formation of a Connectivity Group addressing global airborne communications. Just how does the Airframe and Powerplant technician fit into all this? The question is presented frequently by executives experiencing Failures to Communicate. Most corporate IT departments are very savvy with supporting their internal networks and firewalls. Consider accomplishing this with a mobile asset traveling at sometimes 85 percent the speed of sound in excess of 40,000 feet above the planet? Oh by the way, many of these network geeks think that the term A&P applies to a food store chain. They dont realize that correcting a data discrepancy on an aircraft could require an approval for return to service. The NBAA is not only addressing the repair capability but is also looking to provide guidance to flight crews or cabin attendants capable of guiding passengers through the intricacies of establishing a secure and stable connection in unfamiliar surroundings. Another aspect is to provide some guidance regarding systems and overall capabilities so operators can be informed when planning a connectivity installation in their business aircraft. Currently the schools providing education to those entering the maintenance profession dont touch on connectivity. Prospective technicians do not receive exposure to data networks which in itself poses a challenge as most new aircraft include varying degrees of digital data transfer. It has been realized technicians do need the knowledge to install, inspect, and diagnose data buses as airframe or engine computer anomalies can prevent aircraft dispatch. Unfortunately AC43.13 does not provide adequate guidance regarding this technology. One of the greatest challenges faced by technicians today is dealing with analog regulations while working in a digital world. The NBAA Maintenance Committee Regulatory Group has undertaken this challenge and is currently pursuing concerns dealing with terminating actions for Airworthiness Directives, use of electronic documentation, and even approval of aircraft inspection programs. This can be accomplished by forming partnerships with the Federal Aviation Administration to provide industry guidance to ensure rule making is working as intended and will apply both to business aviation and in most cases, across the board to general aviation as well. NEXTTECH for NEXTGEN Currently the committee is keenly focused on the aircraft technician and has allied with a number of other professional organizations. The concern ours is a profession that has not stayed up with advancements in technology. An initiative called NEXTTECH for NEXTGEN is underway and includes a multidirectional approach to the dilemma. Reports produced by both Boeing and Airbus predict technician shortages across the globe and with newer technology finding its way into all corners of the aviation industry it is not only a question of enough technicians but enough qualified and competent people capable of ensuring airworthiness. Technicians involved in business aviation typically have a different need to know than the specialists most often engaged by airlines, maintenance repair organizations, or manufacturing sides of the profession. They are more the general practitioners of the field and demonstrate proficiency in numerous areas in addition to mechanical aptitudes such as administration, inspection, diagnostics, and teamwork. NEXTTECH does take into account the basic foundation knowledge of the aviation technician and has aligned with the Aviation Technician Education Council (ATEC) to address the need to amend the curriculum developed 50 years ago to ensure the basic need to know is realized prior to bestowing return to service authority. Considering the demographic that about 80 percent of those actively engaged in the business are over 40 years old, there lies an opportunity to provide for continuing education and to highlight the importance that those involved understand newer concepts such as set forth in Part 25-1701 known as Electrical Wiring Interconnect Systems (EWIS). EWIS does introduce methods and concepts not originally considered when installing, maintaining, or even testing aircraft wiring systems. In fact the Aircraft Electronics Technician (AET) certification is another initiative where NBAA has connected with industry partners and engaged the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) to create and champion a standard that hopefully will be adopted by global airworthiness authorities to ensure worldwide comprehension as technology continues to evolve. Promoting the Profession NBAA actively encourages members to promote our profession at school-sponsored career days as well as aviation events. This energy has been harnessed and the Maintenance Committee has created a program known as Technical Awards and Career Scholarship (TRACS). This program is funded by those with a vested interest in our livelihood and offers educational programs such as specific Maintenance Initial courses on an array of business aircraft along with more generic avionics and human factors programs. In addition, cash contributions have been distributed to scholarship recipients to assist in travel costs while attending their awarded program. Unfortunately, there have been years where the number of scholarships outnumber the applicants. The program is open to all current and aspiring technicians including active duty military personnel with a career interest in business aviation. The National Business Aircraft Association does have international affiliation and provides a network where a global community can share ideas and create strategy to steer our collective future. In addition to conducting one of the largest annual aviation gatherings, it does promote local events including seminars acceptable toward Inspection Authorization renewal. For more information please visit NBAA.org. Yes, the NBAA does champion the issues and concerns of member companies but can be a significant ally to all those tasked with preserving our profession and the guardians of airworthy.

Jim Sparks has been in aviation for 30 years and is a licensed A&P. His career began in general aviation as a mechanic, electrician, and avionics technician. Currently when not writing for AMT, he is the manager of aviation maintenance for a private company with a fleet including light single engine aircraft, helicopters, and several types of business jets. You can reach him at sparks-jim@sbcglobal.net.

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Business Aviation Supporting the Maintenance Function

The City Secretarys Office is currently seeking biographical information forms for the following boards:

Board of Adjustment Seven (7) vacancies with terms to 4-4-16. The board hears appeals for interpretations of the zoning ordinance.

Building Code Board of Appeals Four (4) vacancies with terms to 5-4-16 representing the following categories: 2 Building Industry, 1- Engineer and 1- Member Not Connected with the Building Industry. The board hears appeals of decisions and interpretations of the building official on rulings and alternate materials and methods of construction and considers variances of various City Codes.

Cable Communications Commission One (1) vacancy with term to 7-27-16. The commission advises City Council on adherence to the provisions of any franchise agreement approved by the City Council, recommend regulations, and encourage, develop and promote the use of access channels.

Citizens Advisory Health Board Four (4) vacancies (one (1) vacancy appointed jointly by the City and Nueces County) with terms to 11-11-17. The board studies and assists in health and human service operations, services and programs, and makes recommendations to the City and County through the Director of Health and Human Services.

Community Youth Development (78415) Program Steering Committee Eight (8) vacancies with terms to 8-31-15 and 8-31-16 representing the following categories: 5 Residents of the 78415 Zip Code and 3 At Large. The committee advises the City Council on a periodic basis of the progress regarding the Community Youth Development Program.

Corpus Christi Community Improvement Corporation/Loan Review Committee Three (3) vacancies with terms to 5-7-17 representing the following categories: 2 Community at Large and 1 Financial Institution. The committee reviews and approves loan applications submitted through the various loan programs.

Corpus Christi Regional Economic Development Corporation One (1) vacancy with term to 12-31-17. The corporation performs as an advisory board to the City Council and investigates and recommends to the Council such projects as in its opinion would be advantageous to the future growth of the City and to assist the City in the establishment and location of industries.

Electrical Advisory Board Ten (10) vacancies with terms to 12-31-15 and 12-31-16 representing the following categories: 2 - Master Electricians (with at least 5 years active experience), 1 - Regular Engineer (registered professional with at least 5 years experience)), 1 - Commercial Builder (with 5 years experience), 1 - Electrical Supply Business (with at least 5 years experience), 1 - Field Representative from a Utility Power Distribution Company that Services the Corpus Christi Area (with at least 5 years experience), 1 - Resident of Corpus Christi not Connected with the Electrical Industry, 1 - Journeyman Electrician (with at least 5 years active experience), 1 - Home Builder (with 5 years experience), and 1 - Electrical Engineer (with at least 5 years experience). The board reviews grievances pertaining to contractors and the City Electrical Code. It also can recommend to the City Council changes regarding the City Electrical Code.

Joint Airport Zoning Board (Reactivating) This board is currently being reactivated to assist in administering regulations controlling the creation of hazards in the area surrounding Corpus Christi International Airport. There are two (2) vacancies to be appointed by the City Council. These appointees must be residents of Corpus Christi.

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City Board, Committee and Commission Vacancies