Shannon Conway, a fix line employee of TARTA, holds a sign during an Amalgamated Transit Union protest and rally outside of the Toledo Area Regional Paratransit Service headquarters on Knapp Street. THE BLADE/AMY E. VOIGT Enlarge | Buy This Photo Published: Thursday, 6/5/2014 - Updated: 12 minutes ago

BY DAVID PATCH BLADE STAFF WRITER

A transit funding system they consider "antiquated" and stalled contract talks for paratransit workers were both subjects for protesters who gathered today outside a Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority garage and administrative office.

"Fix it, fund it, make it fair," was one of two chants for the group of about a dozen people, mainly members of Amalgamated Transit Union 697, in front of the Toledo Area Regional Paratransit Service facility on Knapp Street.

Carly Allen, the union's business agent, said that slogan referred to the transit authority's two property levies, a combined 2.5 mills collected in its seven member communities that provides the bulk of the agency's local non-fare funding.

Mrs. Allen said local leaders need to take another look at switching to sales-tax funding, which would be "more equitable and pay-as-you-go" compared to property taxes, whose revenue has slumped during the past five years as area real-estate values have tumbled.

"It's time. We really need to move in that [sales tax] direction," Mrs. Allen said. "Our working families are paying the price for reactive leadership."

Perrysburg's relatively high share of property taxes was a main reason that city withdrew from the transit authority two years ago, with leaders complaining that their community did not receive service commensurate for the amount it paid in to TARTA. Spencer Township, the transit authority's smallest member, pulled out last year for similar reasons, leaving the agency with seven member communities.

But when the transit authority proposed four years ago to add Lucas County as a member community -- a prerequisite step toward enacting a county-wide sales tax -- Sylvania Township trustees and Maumee city council rejected the idea. State law requires existing members to approve any membership additions.

"The existing member communities do need to get on board," Mrs. Allen said. "I just hate to see one group make our entire region suffer. It [a sales tax] at least needs to go to voters."

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Transit workers protest outside TARTA garage

Construction

There were 12 fewer permits worth approximately $410,000 less in May 2014 compared to May 2013.

The city issued 49 building permits last month with a value of $6.38 million. In May 2013, the city issued 61 permits worth $6.79 million.

Among last months permits included nine commercial and industrial permits with a total value of $1.42 million.

The permit with the highest value was for a new grain elevator valued at $1 million. There was one permit for alterations, repairs and additions to apartments valued at $200,000.

There were two permits for alterations, repairs and additions to low-hazard storage rooms. Combined, this value is $84,000.

Another permit was for alterations, repairs and additions to a medical office worth $62,350 and there was one permit valued at $20,000 for alterations, repairs and additions to lodging houses.

Two commercial and industrial permits were for alterations, repairs and additions to offices with a combined value of $40,000. One permit valued at $10,000 is for a new market.

There was one permit for alterations, repairs and additions to a government and institutional office. The permit is valued at $45,000.

Most of the permits were for residential purposes, totalling 39 with a value of $4.92 million. Of those, 13 were for new houses with a joint value of $4.21 million. The city issued eight permits for alterations, repairs ad additions to houses with a collective value of $277,000.

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Fewer building permits, lower value in May 2014

Continued development of the Route 611 commercial corridor to Doylestown and Willow Grove helped put Warrington on home buyers' radar.

This development includes the Shops at Valley Square at Route 611 and Street Road and a 24-hour Wegmans, Spadaccini said.

"If you are looking for a four-bedroom, 21/2-bath with a garage and basement for an affordable price, it is Warrington," she said.

In the last six months, 101 houses have sold here, she said, from a $118,000 Cape Cod on an acre but in need of work, to new construction at Toll Bros.' Warrington Glen for $632,725.

These are not first-time buyers, but "someone who may be moving up from a condo or smaller house," she said.

The 130 active listings range in price from $169,900 for a flat to $687,700 (again, at Toll's Warrington Glen), Spadaccini said - with 39 of these under contract.

Of the 130 actives, 86 are resales, she said, adding that there are several other builders at work in Warrington these days.

Among them is Pulte Homes, which is building "upscale townhouses" starting at $365,000 at Warrington Pointe, she said.

There are also active-adult communities, including Katz Builders' Lamplighter Village and Meridian of Valley Square, Spadaccini said.

Good prices are not the only thing Warrington real estate has going for it. Frank Faber, owner of Faber Realty in Warminster, mentions both location and the Central Bucks School District.

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Town By Town: Route 611 development sweetens Warrington housing market

Published: Wednesday, May 28, 2014, 9:00p.m. Updated 23 hours ago

Within the next five years, Sewickley will see some kind of parking development, Mayor Brian Jeffe said.

What remains to be seen is whether that development will be a parking garage and whether it will be developed privately or publicly or an extension of an existing flat-surface lot.

Nothing is going to happen for some time, Jeffe said in an interview with the Sewickley Herald days after borough leaders hosted a public meeting to discuss a parking study made public last month.

That study completed by Khurshid Hoda, a consultant with Chicago-based Kimley-Horn and Associates at a cost of $25,700 determined Sewickley will need 300 additional parking spaces over the next five years to meet demand.

Hoda said his results took into account possible future developments, including a two-screen movie theater complex nonprofit group Village Theater Co. is seeking to build on Walnut Street and a nearby proposed 30,000-square-foot office building.

Those proposed developments have the borough at somewhat of a crossroads by our own rules, Jeffe said.

Municipal laws require developers address parking needs based on square footage of developments.

With the two proposed developments, we're tapped out, Jeffe said.

We have to address parking, he said.

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Sewickley leaders weighing pros, cons of parking options

This section displays the last 50 news articles that were published.

It's a small company that's making a big impact. And on Tuesday, Rep. Tom Reed toured Advanced Design Consulting in Lansing. Tamara Lindstrom reports about the facility's upcoming expansion.

LANSING, N.Y. -- Advanced Design and Consulting may have began in a garage in the mid-1990s, but IT has grown to do some pretty big work.

"We design and build scientific instruments for physicists who are trying to figure out why we are here, who the universe was created," said ADC president Alex Deyhim. "They do fundamental research."

On Tuesday, employees showed off their work to Rep. Tom Reed, R-Corning.

"Advanced manufacturing, like you see on display here, is one of the key opportunities for America's future," Reed said. "I'm very excited about the prospects we're hearing in U.S. manufacturing. And when you see it being done right here in Lansing, we can do it across America."

And for ADC, the prospects are about to get better. The company announced another 20,000 square-foot facility expansion.

Deyhim said the new manufacturing, engineering and administrative facility will allow the company to take on larger projects.

"Right now, for example, we have a project for NASA, which we just finished all the design, it's all done, we just released it to manufacturing," Deyhim said. "We're trying to figure out how to assemble and do the testing. Because this whole system is so big, it's going to be a struggle. We're confident we can do it, but space is an issue for us."

The company plans to add at least a dozen new jobs to their roster of 21 employees, and they're grateful to get a little attention from lawmakers.

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Lansing Facility Announces Expansion, Job Additions

The RiversEdge Amphitheater is ready for its third season of music festivities, kicking off Thursday with more show dates and more fun planned for the summer.

Former fan favorites Little Texas, 90 Proof Twang and Flawless will return this season along with tribute band Signs of Life, the Revivalists (fronted by Hamiltonian David Shaw), Lieutenant Dans New Legs and the Whiskey Gentry.

Hamilton Director of Resident Services and RiversEdge organizer Adam Helms said that concertgoers should have a blast at every show this season.

Basically, they can expect, if they come out to any of the shows, theyre going to be awesome, Helms said. These are nationally touring bands that are coming in to play in Hamilton.

The openers are more of a local flavor, according to Helms, including the Jim Burns Band and Seven Miles SOHIO. All three of Septembers shows are tribute shows, featuring the music of classic groups like the Beatles, the Eagles and Pink Floyd.

Helms noted new infrastructure additions to the theater, including the tent cover, which was added last September.

We have new lights, and we have our own sound system, which is state of the art, he said. And were going to add another beer booth, because one of the complaints we had last year was that the lines were too long.

Now at three separate beer booths, new beer offerings will include Blue Moon, Summer Shandy, Redds Apple Ale, and Fat Tire to join staples Miller Lite and Coors Light, all for $4. Richards Pizza, Neals BBQ, Slice of Life, and Flubs Ice Cream will provide concertgoers with sustenance.

The city will be offering free parking in the George McDulin Parking Garage on concert nights, Helms said. The garage, located between 3rd Street and Market Street will also serve as the concert venue in case of inclement weather.

The concert series will feature a produce and crafts market this year, with 11 vendors including Rising Phoenix decorative glass and jewelry, Barbaras Atlas Oils, Hamilton Urban Gardens produce, among others.

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Hamilton expands popular summer concert series

Orlando, Fla. (PRWEB) May 24, 2014

With a synchronized countdown from 19 (to mark the number of years since the introduction of Summer Bay Resort in 1995,) the EXPLORIA RESORTS brand was officially launched with a release of balloons featuring the new brand's website http://www.ExploriaResorts.com and hash tag: #exploriaresorts.

Along with the other Tennessee and Missouri-based properties in the current portfolio, Summer Bay Resort has been re-branded to Summer Bay Orlando, By EXPLORIA RESORTS. We will continue to introduce exciting new destinations into the portfolio of existing resorts as we are prepare to launch a new member Club product to be introduced by fall, 2014 commented Paul Caldwell. Appointed CEO in October of 2012, Caldwell has served the organization for the past 19 years. Now at the helm of EXPLORIA RESORTS, Caldwell is supported by the leadership team including Juan Barillas, Executive VP/COO; Mary Kay Racher, Developer Controller; Santiago Creus, Director, Business Development; Santa Barillas, Director, Sales; Karen Kraftchick, Director Club Operations; Phil Brewer, Director Marketing; Bill Edmonds, Director, Financial Services & Compliance; Pat Cox, HOA Controller; Mario Plasencia, Director, Resort Operations; Celina Hallman, Director, HR; Martin R. Kandel, Director, Strategic Projects; Edison Perez, Director, Corporate Training and 500+ additional hospitality professionals based in the corporate headquarters located in Orlando, FL. With this leadership team in place, and with a strong foundation of line and management employees whose average length of tenure is over 10 years, EXPLORIA RESORTS is soundly positioned for continued growth and future expansion.

This news follows announcements made earlier this year for major renovation and product development plans now underway. These plans include:

Renovation of Summer Bay Orlando A 2-year renovation project - the largest renovation project of its kind to date at Summer Bay Orlando - is scheduled for completion in 2015. All 500+ units will be completely refurbished. Renovations and refurbishments include flooring, furnishings, lighting, kitchen appliances and countertops, bedding, accessories and bath upgrades.

Adventure Park scheduled to open in summer of 2014 The latest family vacation experience to be added to the Summer Bay Orlando resprt lineup is Buccaneer Bay Adventure Park, a pirate themed outdoor adventure park featuring family-friendly experiences including a floating dock with bumper boats, a rock climbing wall, zip lines, bungee jumping, a Wipe-Out style inflatable zone, a food & beverage outlet, shaded seating, and an integrated Kids Interactive Water Playground.

Activities Center- scheduled to open in April of 2015 As part of the resort renovations and continued growth, a new state-of-the-art, 10,000 sq. ft. Activities Center is planned to provide activity, gathering and entertainment spaces for every member of vacationing families.

Features will include:

New Luxury Condo Building - scheduled to open in spring of 2015 Features of this new, 6-story luxury high-rise condo building will include:

Also now underway are two new 3-bedroom houses scheduled to open in early fall of 2014. These additions will add to the existing 25 houses which each feature private entry, garage, screened in patio with heated swimming pool and spacious floor plans.

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Summer Bay Orlando Resort Provided the Backdrop Today for the Launch of the New EXPLORIA RESORTS Brand

Perhaps most closely associated with guitar music, Latitude is continually attempting to diversify.

Launching a late night line up, this year's instalment of the festival is set to bristle with electronic talent.

Amongst the latest additions, Manchester based producer Lone is planning to drop past.Recently completing his enthralling new album 'Reality Testing', Matt Cutler is set to perform at Latitude after the sun sets.

Also joining the bill are the likes of Wookie, UK garage innovator MJ Cole, Champion, Mo Kolours and more. Avant jazz ensemble BadBadNotGood are set to play Latitude, with Glasgow producer Auntie Flo also due to get the crowd moving.

Tickets are on sale now.

Latitude runs between July 17th - 20th.

Buy Clash Magazine Get Clash on your mobile, for free:iPhone/Android

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Lone, Wookie, MJ Cole For Latitude Late Night Line Up

It isnt just the Grand Prix organisers who have to deal with the unique logistical demands of Monaco - the F1 teams also have more than a few challenges in preparing for competing on the Monte Carlo streets. In the second instalment of our two-part feature, Force Indias race team coordinator Franco Massaro describes the demands and complexities of going racing in the Principality

Q: What are the logistical challenges of Monaco for the teams? A: Monaco stands out first and foremost because of its location really - it is not that accessible for all the trucks that arrive in the build up to a Formula One event. It is a small place, which perhaps you realise best when you go there. So in order to get everything there and set up it has to be very well coordinated.

Q: And who is responsible for that? Do teams make arrangements between themselves? A: The organisers do their best to try and coordinate all the different areas they have, and to allocate vehicle parking space. But ultimately it comes down to everybody from all the different teams, TV crews, hospitality and everyone else adhering to a collective plan and not working on their own agenda. It goes to a plan of sorts, but it is difficult compared to most circuits where you drive in and there is plenty of parking space for everybody.

Q: How has it changed over the years? A: Ten years ago there was even less space, so it has improved - but it hasnt altered too much from year to year because it cant really expand that much. Historically the organisers set the guidelines, with the traffic regulations, whether certain streets are closed so we have some extra parking space - for example by the swimming pool. They coordinate all of that, working with the local police as well. Occasionally youll get someone who ignores the instructions, and it doesnt take much to suddenly scupper proceedings. It doesnt tend to happen when you are setting up: that is normally pretty well organised and stuck to. Packing up can be more complicated - you have to do it in stages, as you cant have everyone arrive at the same time. Last year, for example, security didnt get an instruction of when trucks were allowed down, so we were just waiting there for an hour. It can be frustrating, but at the same time there is simply no other venue that has the atmosphere of Monaco - at least once you are set up and working.

Q: And how does it compare to other venues, especially the more modern additions to the calendar? A: On a logistical side it is not one I look forward to particularly, because it is a lot more work for everybody, and a lot more challenging. We dont send as many vehicles there for example. We have to swap loads about to try and make it easier for ourselves - we normally take five trucks to an event, plus an additional one that DHL take for us, but for Monaco we send two back to the UK and have another one that we then load those two into, to try and make it easier and have fewer vehicles. Once you are set up and get to the end of Tuesday afternoon, Wednesday morning, it is then like any other event, but with a lot more atmosphere about it. You have the public very close, a lot of parties at night in the quay, so the atmosphere is very different.

Q: How do you cope with having to split locations, and having personnel both in the garage and the paddock? A: At a normal circuit you have the garages, and immediately behind them your support vehicles which function as an extension of the garage. In Monaco there just isnt the space. There are no trucks behind the garages there, so the garages are two storeys as opposed to one everywhere else. It is very tight working in there, but people have to work around it. We are allowed one truck down on the harbour. Teams take different approaches as to what truck is down there and what uses it has - ours is for bulkier spares. The other support vehicles we would normally have are scattered around Monaco in various parking locations, some up to 15 kilometres away, so they arent really accessible during the weekend - there is only one vehicle we can use for the race. On Saturday night GP2 move out so we can bring a few more trucks down, just so they are closer when we pack down on Sunday night. So even on Saturday, when people are out enjoying themselves, we have a crew that have to move trucks around - and you cant start until midnight. We try and take it in turns so it doesnt spoil everyones night every year.

Q: So how early do you send set-up crews out? A: We have an early set-up crew going out, two people, who leave on Thursday morning the week before the race. They will get there on Friday night with a small support vehicle and will start work on Saturday in advance of our main race set-up crew, who arrive on Sunday night in order to start Monday. We get a little bit done beforehand, because otherwise you lose space and time to other people. Over the years it has started earlier and earlier. Traditionally we would start set-up work on a Tuesday morning at any other venue, but at Monaco we start on Saturday.

Q: How many Monaco Grands Prix have you worked? A: This will be my 11th. I enjoy all of them, at least once the logistical side is complete. From Wednesday afternoon it tends to be enjoyable, and then the chequered flag drops on Sunday afternoon and the work starts all over again.

Q: Overall is it more a pleasure or a headache? A: Overall, even though there are headaches, of course it is a pleasure to be there because it is just so different to everywhere else; you dont get another Grand Prix like it. You have to take the good with the bad. Once the nightmare side of it is done, there is nothing else that compares to racing in Monaco.

To read part one with Michel Ferry, general commissioner of race organisers the Automobile Club de Monaco, click here.

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Monte Carlos miracle, Part two - taking the team to Monaco

NEW PORT RICHEY --

Plans are underway to give a popular Pasco county park a makeover.

For the first time last week, New Port Richey city councilmembers looked at renderings for Sims Park.

According to our partners at the Tampa Bay Times, the renderings are part of an ambitious three-phase master plan created by JAHarchitects, LLC.

New additions include a four-story parking garage, bigger restroom structures and relocating the playground fronting Main Street. A new playground is also planned for the northern edge of the park, across from Orange Lake.

Work on some items, like relocating the playground and creating docks on the riverside of the park will get started right away. Cost estimates for those requests hover around $1.8 million.

The council is expected to have a staff proposal to vote on at an upcoming meeting.

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New parking garage, playground and docks proposed for popular Pasco county park