Published: 2:00 AM - 10/06/12

WAWARSING The new owners of the Nevele have already spent about $750,000 trying to bring gambling to the 564-acre resort.

Michael Treanor has sunk $500,000 into redevelopment everything from architects to consultants to lobbyists and paid as much as $250,000 in town, county and school taxes since spring.

That doesn't include the $1.63 million Treanor spent in April purchasing the faded jewel at the foot of the Shawangunks. The Nevele has been closed since 2009.

But that's a pittance compared with the overall price of rebuilding a modern resort and casino: $400 million. The project will be finished only if the state awards a casino permit to the Nevele. There's just a 50 percent chance of that happening, Treanor has said.

The Nevele is competing alongside two Sullivan County plans for up to seven gambling permits statewide. State legislators must first pass a resolution, then voters have their say in a referendum.

A revitalized Nevele with 450 hotel rooms, a 150,000-square-foot casino and 1,500 full- and part-time employees would change the face of Wawarsing, a project impact study found. "(The study) has identified several potential large impacts with a high probability of potential impacts occurring," the town's evaluation concluded.

The town's population, annual budget and energy usage would likely grow by more than 5 percent as a result of the project, according to the study.

A resort and casino could result in major traffic problems along Route 209. And additions such as a seven-deck parking garage, ballroom and indoor water park could ruin majestic views from the Shawangunk Ridge. Treanor has promised a "green" roof for the garage to help it fit into the landscape.

Residents can comment in a public session at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 18 at Wawarsing Town Hall. Written comments will also be accepted until Oct. 25.

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Nevele expenses hit $750K

ASUs 2012 Master Plan proposes future additions for parking, including new garages and surface lots on the outer edges of campus.

One garage would be placed behind the Carl R. Reng Student Union in place of the International Student Center. The plan proposes different services to be added to the garage such as a parking office and other ground floor uses.

A new lot near the Armory has also been proposed. This addition would bring about the demolition of the Faculty and Academic Circle housing.

According to the plan, ASU wants to increase walkability of campus and decrease unnecessary automobile trips.

Al Stoverink was unavailable for further information on the proposed plans, but David Handwork, director of planning, design and construction, said in an email that these ideas are not definite yet.

Other than these future plans, several changes in parking have occurred since the beginning of the semester.

Lot N-5E in NorthPark Quads (NPQ) has undergone such modifications. These spaces were previously designated for students, but Vera Forrest, customer service manager of Parking Services, said that last week these spots were given back to visitors.

The initial transition to student parking came about because of a shortage of resident parking.

After surveying NPQ and Red Wolf Den parking lots this year, the lot was reassigned back to visitor parking, Forrest said.

By switching these spots, 25 residence spots were lost to visitors.

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Parking still causes problems

So this is it, Temple. You are now officially in the Big East.

Welcome back!

How does everything look to you from the outside? Shiny and new?

Well, come take a look inside.

They said they wanted a bigger place to stretch their legs -- like 100 yards and not 94 feet. Yes, all that comes with just a teensy bit more money in their pockets. But none of it comes with the rivalries they built and forged in this house. Or with the friends they made. Or with loyalty or camaraderie. Sigh. It is so tempting to say good riddance for the way they turned their backs on family. But all that bravado hides the truth.

Losing them hurts. Badly.

But onward and upward, right? They were old fuddy-duddies, anyway. Out with the old guard, in with the new guard! Change is good! Reinventing yourself is even better! No sense in looking backward. Plus, there would be no room for you in the house if they were still here. And everybody is so thrilled to have you back. You do look so much better than you did eight years ago. Reinvigorated. You have a healthy, winning glow.

So, let's begin the tour. Put on this construction hat. Ignore the jackhammering. Watch that "Pardon Our Dust" sign. And the other that says, "Set to be completed: July 2015." Ah, the sights and sounds of expansion.

Good news, as you can see. The framework of the house is still standing. Check that. The framework of the house is BIGGER and still standing. What do they say in Texas, again? Right! Bigger is better. In this case, seven additions are being put into the house. Seven! Really strong ones, too, from places like Boise, Houston, Orlando, Dallas, San Diego and Memphis. Combine that with what is already in place, and you have a house made of championship-grade material.

Seriously!

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Welcome back, Temple!

The following is the May list of building permit recipients, contractors when applicable, property addresses, job descriptions and cost of the planned improvements: McLaughlin, 262 North End Blvd., vinyl siding, $16,000 Pare, 466 North End Blvd., mechanical heating and a/c, $10,950 Godbout, 54 Locust St., windows, $2,600 Twoomey, 53 Dock Lane, renovation, $20,000 Fortin, 75 Main St., sign, $2,400 Moran, 9 Schoolhouse Lane, replace door, $3,000 Ct. Beach Bums, 15 Vermont St., remodel, $8,500 Holmes, 9 Commercial Ave., siding, $1,750 Godfrey, 15 Common. Ave., roof porch, $2,950 Bridges, 65 Folly Mill Road, roof, $4,500 Sullivan, 457 North End Blvd., addition/decks, $240,000 Town of Salisbury, Broadway, pergolas on islands, $10,000 Bonheur, 118 Cable Ave., roof, $6,900 Keiley, 229 North End Blvd., bath remodel, $2,740 Buttaro, 8 Souther Lane, solar, $29,148 Winners Circle, 211 Elm St., commercial sprinkler system, $5,560 Fortin, 131 Rabbit Road, demo, $3,500 Splash, 3 Broadway, sign, $1,200 Smith, 3 Broadway, condo renovation, $35,000 Twomley, 14A Vermont St., 2nd egress, $800 Twomely, 14B Vermont St., 2nd egress, $500 Bistany, 124 Cable Ave., windows/doors/deck rep., $18,000 Blais, 71 Rabbit Road, window replacements, $4,400 Dragon, 22 Forest Road, remodel, $25,000 Coates, 11 Rabbit Road, single family, $55,000 Casey, 100 Cable Ave., roof, $5,200 Sass, 187 Folly Mill Road, deck, $2,700 Langmaid, 7 Short Lane, repairs, $2,000 Gertein, 322 North End Blvd., repairs, $800 Avery, 22 Gerrish Road, garage, $25,000 MacDonald, 194 No. 27N Lafayette Road, deck, $1,950 Marino, 60 Central Ave., roof, $10,375 Painter, 32 Ferry Road, roof, $5,000 Petryk, 1 Wolperts Way, roof, $15,000 Desjardin, 40 Main St., garage existing foundation, $8,000 Medeiros, 17 Rabbit Road, additions, $80,000 Valerio, 15 Main St., handicapped bath, $5,700 English, 131 North End Blvd., roof, $12,000 North End Blvd., 595 North End Blvd., sprinkler, $14,700 Cleary, 8 Vermont St., bath basement, $11,600

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Salisbury building permits

By Jason Garcia and Sara K. Clarke, Orlando Sentinel

Universal Orlando this morning will hold a small grand-opening celebration for its newest ride, "Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem," in Universal Studios Florida.

It's the last of several new additions Orlando's big theme parks have introduced ahead of the busy summer rush.

SeaWorld Orlando in the spring added "TurtleTrek," and its limited-admission sibling park Discovery Cove on Friday officially opened "Freshwater Oasis." And Walt Disney World has opened "Storybook Circus," part of its broader Fantasyland expansion in the Magic Kingdom, which includes an expanded"Dumbo" ride and a new children's water-play area.

There is still another big addition to come later this year: the "Fantasyland Forest" phase of Disney's Fantasyland expansion, which will include a Little Mermaid-themed ride and a Beauty and the Beast-themed restaurant.

Rosen adds free Internet

Rosen Hotels & Resorts has announced plans to drop its daily fee for web access and offer free Internet at its three local convention hotels.

Guest at the Rosen Shingle Creek, Rosen Centre and Rosen Plaza will be able to access wireless and hard-wired Internet in guest rooms and public areas starting July 4. The hotel previously charged $9.95 for a 24-hour period of Internet access.

The hotel said it is making the change because travelers today are "even more reliant on their smartphones, iPads, tablets and laptops for work or play." In addition to business travelers who need Internet access to work, people on vacation are using the Internet for last-minute planning and research on attractions, the company said.

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Theme parks open summer attractions

Northeast Ohio residents are urged to take special precautions during the unusually dry summer weather, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry.

Dried grasses, weeds, leaves and crops are providing fuel for wildfires.

Homeowners, farmers and woodland owners should be especially cautious during this dry period, Gregg Maxfield, northern region supervisor for the ODNR Division of Forestry, said. Much of the small fuels that carry wildfire are tinder dry and will stay this way through the summer unless we have moisture for new growth. High temperatures, low humidity and wind are not in our favor.

Residents can take measures to prevent accidental wildfires. These include avoiding burning trash and debris, keeping grass trimmed, not discarding cigarettes and other smoking materials outside, postponing fireworks and not having open cooking fires or campfires.

The ODNR Division of Forestry works to promote the wise use and sustainable management of Ohios public and private woodlands. To learn more about Ohios woodlands, visit http://www.ohiodnr.com/forestry.

Cuffs and collars

One late spring day, Champaign County Wildlife Officer Jeff Tipton was working sport fishing enforcement at Kiser Lake State Park. He had watched a family fish for a while and then went to check their fishing licenses. Officer Tipton was checking the husband, while the wife and little girl were down the bank.

The man also had his wifes fishing license. Out of the corner his eye he could see the wife running towards him. When she got to them, she ripped her fishing license out of her husbands hand, pushed it into Officer Tiptons face, and said, I am SO glad that you are checking my fishing license! She explained that she had spent hard earned money on the license and was excited that she got to show it to someone. Officer Tipton explained to her that people arent usually quite so happy to see him.

Busted!

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Watercraft participated in Operation Dry Water, a nationwide crackdown to remove impaired boaters from public waterways June 22-24.

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Outdoors Insider, with Dale Sunderlin: ODNR urges burn caution

LAS VEGAS (FOX5) -

If you've gotten work done on your home without obtaining the necessary permits or submitting it for inspection, now is the time to come clean, penalty-free.

From July 1 through September 30, homeowners who have skirted the rules are encouraged to participate in an amnesty program.

Homeowners in unincorporated Clark County will pay normal fees for permits, inspections and plan reviews, but will not be charged penalties.

Fees for residential-related construction projects range from $150 to $400. The Building Department's Permit Application Center is located at 4701 W. Russell Road.

"This initiative gives homeowners the opportunity to come forward to address and resolve any repair work in their home that requires permits and inspections," said Clark County Commission Chair Susan Brager. "The goal of the program is to not penalize homeowners but to ensure that any repair or remodeling work done at their residence is safe and built to code."

The most common projects on residential properties done without necessary permits include garage conversions, room additions, patio covers and water heater installations.

Copyright 2012 KVVU (KVVU Broadcasting Corporation). All rights reserved.

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County announces construction amnesty program

The city of Fort Pierce may be taking a trip into the future by taking a trip into the past.

Returning to a time when more bicycles not to mention more horses than automobiles were used for transportation in the downtown area, the city is encouraging more bicycle use by creating facilities to store and repair bikes.

And, in a high-tech innovation, the stations also will be solar-powered so riders can monitor their riding.

Earlier this month, city commissioners approved the expenditure of $20,500 from more than $225,000 in available transportation impact fees to finance the bicycle stations. Efforts to secure a $10,000 grant for the project fell through.

The city will install bike racks, long-term storage lockers, repair stations with tools and tire pumps, mobility trackers and covered parking in the City Hall parking garage and along the downtown waterfront. Facilities will be placed at the three entrances to the parking garage and to the west and south of the marina building and along a fence adjoining marina slips.

The free facilities will include solar-powered monitoring stations where bicyclists can scan registered radio-frequency identification tags attached to their bicycle wheels. Bicyclists can get the tags from the city's Planning Department and log on to a website to view their travel statistics, including distance traveled, calories burned, pounds of carbon dioxide emissions reduced and gallons of gas saved.

Earlier this year, the city installed a similar facility at the Police Athletic League Park on 21st Street.

By encouraging bicycle traffic, city officials hope to reduce the automobile traffic and parking problems in the downtown area on Saturday mornings during the weekly downtown farmers market.

The new bicycle facilities also are expected to complement the city's transportation alternatives in conjunction with a potential Amtrak passenger station proposed in the downtown area.

With the move to more bicycle traffic, a remaining issue will be assuring those who bicycle to and from the facilities that they can do so safely. That's an issue that will have to be carefully monitored if the new additions to downtown are to be successful.

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Editorial: City of Fort Pierce takes a step into the future with installation of bicycle stations downtown

Abbottstown Borough's new stormwater management ordinance will be ready for adoption within the next few months and will include an exemption for any building of less than 800 square feet.

The new stormwater ordinance that is under consideration in Abbottstown is a variation of the one suggested by Adams County, said borough engineer Chad Clabaugh.

Adoption of a stricter stormwater ordinance is required by the state, said Clabaugh, but each municipality can set exemptions so that property owners are not required to have full stormwater management studies completed on smaller projects.

If the borough did not include a square footage exemption with its new stormwater plan, said Clabaugh, then each and every plan would be required to be prepared by a stormwater management engineer and then be reviewed by the borough engineer.

"The reason we are recommending that exemption is because a two-car garage can be built under 800 square feet," said Clabaugh. "This would allow borough property owners to use a simplified approach for those types of plans and save them a lot of money."

For example, said Clabaugh, a property owner wanting to build a new shed under 800 square feet would only need to fill out an application at the borough office and present the borough with a simple plan showing the location of the intended building, and that it is under the exemption size.

Residents can buy aerial views of their lots for $7 at the Adams County Office of Planning

Clabaugh said that notes on each building on a property will be kept on file indefinitely at the borough office because the exemptions pertain to the total cumulative impervious surface, not just a single project.

"Anytime a property owner is adding to a building and it will exceed the 800 square feet, then they will need to have a stormwater management plan for that project," said Clabaugh.

Clabaugh presented council and the borough solicitor with copies of the proposed stormwater management document. Council directed solicitor Guy Beneventano to review the document and make suggestions for any additions, such as the types of fines that would be included for violations.

Continued here:
Abbotstown stormwater rules to change

There's no actual porch at The Front Porch, the Southern-inspired eatery in Bernal Heights known for its deep-fried... lots of things. Instead, you are greeted on the sidewalk to an outdoor dining setup unlike one we've ever seen: a line of benches facing a trellis, which covers a handful of small tables among a mishmash of houseplants, rocking chairs and strung lights. It may take you a few minutes to notice that the whole space is a converted driveway and garage, cozied up next to a seemingly residential staircase. The eclectic abundance is inviting, and it all feels somewhat neighborly -- if your neighbor is the kind of person who parks salvaged chairs outside her house to relax in and sip iced tea (or a Bloody Mary). It's during brunch service (10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday) that the makeshift "porch" really shines, particularly on a sunny day when the indoor area of stuffed leather booths and low ceilings seems far too dim.

The brunch menu is similar to the dinner one, with Cajun and Creole classics from New Orleans guiding the theme. A few breakfast and lunch additions bring a morning slant to the line-up, such as the Country Breakfast ($9) with eggs, biscuits and your choice of meat, or the Po'Boy ($15), a homey sandwich filled with cornmeal-crusted shrimp, oysters or flounder.

Coffee, both regular hot and iced, is brewed with chicory, just like they do it at New Orleans' famous Cafe du Monde. For those sticking with typical brunch beverages, The Front Porch offers the regular suspects to choose from, like a mimosa ($6) or Bloody Mary ($8) -- and even a couple of surprises, such as red beer with spicy tomato juice ($6).

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The Front Porch Brunch: Prop Up Your Feet and Dig In