Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Mayflower Construction Group is a leading bathroom and kitchen remodeling company. In a recent update, the agency outlined what makes its bathroom remodeling team unique.

Vienna, VA December 24, 2021 In a website post, Mayflower Construction Group has outlined what sets its team apart forbathroom remodeling in Vienna.

The experts will guide clients through budgeting, material selection, and choosing a perfect layout. Once clients have planned with a design consultant, an experienced project manager will pick from there. That way, customers can be sure of a painless construction process that delivers outstanding results every time.

The agency takes charge of every aspect of thebathroom remodeling Viennaproject. Thanks to the in-house highly skilled and experienced project managers and craftspeople. Since they dont use subcontractors, they take care of everything from the initial planning and scheduling to installing the new kitchen or bathroom. The employees are experienced professionals and engage in ongoing training to stay current with the latest construction codes, installation techniques, and new materials.

Each job is assigned one of our 2-3 personVienna bathroom remodelteams. All of them are managed by a foreman who oversees every project to ensure a smooth, trouble-free experience. There are also licensed electricians and plumbers to perform specialized electrical and plumbing tasks. Even better, they use environmentally friendly materials, responsible waste disposal, and all the latest technologies and equipment.

About Mayflower Construction Group | Kitchen and Bathroom

Mayflower Construction is a leading kitchen and bathroom construction company. As a top-rated Northern Virginia contractor, the agency creates exceptional renovations, from upgrades to entirely new kitchens and bathrooms. Not only that, but they also deliver exquisite craftsmanship and attention to detail. The dedicated team is ready to work with clients to create the kitchen or bathroom of their dreams.

Media ContactCompany Name: Mayflower Construction Group | Kitchen and BathroomContact Person: Alexei Arjantsev OwnerEmail: Send EmailPhone: (703) 783-9357Address:8466-B Tyco Rd City: ViennaState: VA 22182Country: United StatesWebsite: https://mayflowerva.com/

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Mayflower Construction Group Highlights What Makes Its Bathroom Remodeling Team Apart - Digital Journal

Wondering where to spend and where to save in a small bathroom? Many new homeowners start out a small bathroom project assuming that it will be cheap because of the small size of the room. But because bathroom remodels can quickly become more complex than anticipated, the costs can quickly add up. Proper advance planning is the only way to ensure you stay within budget while achieving the bathroom look you wanted.

So, to convert you small bathroom ideas to reality you need a good understanding of where to spend and where to save.

(Image credit: Bathroom Mountain)

So, where should you spend the big bucks in a small bathroom? Scrimp in the wrong place you'll create more problems for yourself further down the line; splash on everything, and you'll run out of money. Here's how to get the balance just right, according to interior design experts.

If there's only one thing you can spend your money on, our interior designers recommend investing in the structural elements of your bathroom above anything else. Interior designer Karen B Wolf told us she had to admit that 'you do have to spend on the bones of the bathroom. That means the plumbing fixtures do need to be from accredited, well-reviewed brands.'

Bathroom plumbing may not be the most exciting thing to spend money on, but, as Wolf points out, 'If you have plumbing issues down the line, it can be an expensive proposition to replace diverters in walls. (Tile has to be removed and it can become a messy job). This does not mean buy the BMW, a Subaru of plumbing is just fine, steady and secure.'

Once you've invested into high-quality plumbing, consider investing in frameless shower doors. Wolf explains that these give an 'immediate indication of high-end vs lower-end bathroom'. Andra DelMonico, the Lead Interior Designer for Trendey, agrees, telling us that 'the right shower door can mean the difference between a small bathroom feeling bigger or more closed in.' Shower doors should be the priority when calculating your shower remodel costs.

(Image credit: Katie Lee/Future)

You may be wondering if you should spend good money on bathroom tile, and here our designers have slight differences of opinion. Bathroom tile ideas are probably the most noticeable element of your bathroom design, and our experts agree that it makes sense to invest in tile. However, as principal designer and co-founder of Twelve Chairs Interiors Roisin Giese told us: 'We typically spend on the finishes where things like tile and wallpaper have a big impact without requiring too much material.'

So, if you'll only be tiling a small section of your bathroom, or doing half-tile, half-paint, it may make sense to splurge on marble or another natural material. Wolf highly recommends spending extra on your tile 'you can use marble in a small space for quality and longevity (natural materials typically do not go out of style as fast as synthetic product)'.

However, interior designer at Kern & Co Chloe Spath thinks that it's more important to spend on bathroom cabinetry 'after all, it is the foundation of a bathroom.' Bathroom cabinet ideas are worth prioritizing when looked at in this way. If you fancy marble, she recommends finishing your vanity 'with a Carrara marble slab to make your small bathroom impressive.' This will cost a lot less than all-over marble, but will still give your small bathroom oomph.

(Image credit: Armac Martin)

Interior designers agree: where it comes to small bathrooms, you can save a lot by. going for cheaper bathroom fixtures likes toilets and sinks. The toilet, especially, doesn't need to be fancy it just needs to do the job.

DelMonico is emphatic about this: 'You dont need to spend a fortune on a new toilet for your bathroom. American Standard makes a quality toilet that can look modern and lovely, right out of the box.'

Wolf agrees, pointing out that it's worth looking for a toile 'from a reliable brand, but you do not need fancy bells and whistles or specialty finishes.' Chloe adds that 'when you are working with a budget dont splurge on the most expensive plumbing fixtures.' So, if you're wondering how to choose a bathroom sink, going for the respectable mid-range should always be your guiding principle.

(Image credit: The Albion Bath Company)

The other area where it's worth saving rather than spending is bathroom accessories. According to DelMonico, 'you can find great deals on towel bars, cabinet hardware, and toilet roll holders. These small touches are nice, but you dont need to spend a fortune to get the look you want.'

And as for that controversial question of marble, if you are on a tight budget, it's best to go for porcelain tile instead of natural stone. Chloe believes that 'marble floors and walls look incredible in a bathroom but can really drive up the price. You can achieve a similar look by using porcelain tile. The porcelain gives the same clean look that marble has but for a fraction of the price.'

If you're just getting into bathroom remodel ideas, and your bathroom is on the smaller side, David Mason, an interior designer and owner of The Knobs Company, recommends spending money the floor and the tile: this will give you a sense of luxury. And don't scrimp on the tile; get good quality.' If you have a mid-range budget, 'spend money on the vanity and the cabinet. It will give you so much bang for your buck.'

For truly budget renovations, Mason recommends on bathroom paint ideas and accessories: 'You can even change the feel of a bathroom by simply changing the paint color and adding some new accessories.'

If you're starting a small bathroom from scratch, Mason advises that 'you can easily save a lot of your funds by doing some or all of the work yourself.' With new bathrooms, costs can add up, so 'save on tile by using paintable tiles of a high quality.' Fixtures can also be bought at a lower price, but Mason does recommend making sure you go 'for streamlined, simple fixtures that will last a long time.' There is a line between saving and a false economy.

Overall, the advice from Mason (and other experts) is clear: 'focus on the big-ticket items like the floor and the tile; those will surely give the biggest impact to the overall texture and look of your washroom.' Whether you're subtly remodeling or building a brand-new bathroom, the floor and the walls really matter, as does quality plumbing. Everything else can be got for cheaper without affecting the style or quality of your bathroom.

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Where to spend and where to save in a small bathroom - Real Homes

A mold work order is created when:

Once you report a mold issue to NYCHA, either through the Customer Contact Center CCC, MyNYCHA app, or the website, NYCHA will schedule an inspection of your apartment. Remember! NYCHA does these inspections and repairs free of charge.

Note: Mold Service Requests are subject to NYCHAs Right of Entry.

The inspector (superintendent or assistant superintendent):

Identify the probable root cause(s) of the mold condition. This means the inspector will try to determine the underlying cause of mold and/or moisture and ensure the root cause repair is addressed. An example of a root cause may be leak from the apartment above, faade penetrating water or roof needing repairs. The inspector might take a few photographs of the reported complaint, and ask you a few questions about the mold issue in your apartment to be able to better assess the history.

If there is mold present, the inspector will also:

The timeline for taking care of the mold will depend on whether the mold condition in your apartment involves simple or complex repairs:

After completing the work, NYCHA will schedule a quality assurance inspection to evaluate the quality of the repair, ensure the mold removal work was done effectively, and that the root cause was addressed. This step is very important because it will reduce the risk of recurrence. If issues are observed during the inspection, NYCHA will correct those repairs.

What is Right to Entrythe Right of Entry?

Right to of Entry is used when NYCHA needs to address environmental hazards and perform critical mold-related inspections and repairs as soon as possible. According to your lease, a NYCHA worker can enter your apartment to make repairs whether or not you are home, if you are given written notice two days prior. See the sample Right to of Entry Notice below.

If repairs were made when you werent home, the NYCHA worker will leave a tag on your door noting the repairs that were completed.

If your door lock was changed due to the repair, pick up your new keys from the property management office the day the repairs were made, up until 4:30pm. After that, pick them up at your local Police Service Area (bring your ID).

This door tag will be used to indicate the presence of NYCHA staff or completed repairs when Right to of Entry is employed.

If you are not home for a scheduled mold inspection, the NYCHA worker will leave a notice with a new appointment date for you explaining that a staff member will be back again in 48 hours to do the inspection. If the NYCHA staff member is unable to get into your apartment for the second visit, NYCHA may use its right of entry under the lease to go into your apartment. See more details about scheduling mold inspections and the right of entry at on.nyc.gov/mold-busters.

If you missed your scheduled appointment, please contact the Customer Contact Center (718-707-7771).

Residents who have already contacted the NYCHA Customer Contact Center (718-707-7771) but still have concerns or complaints regarding mold/leaks and any associated repairs can contact the NYCHA Compliance Department at compliance@nycha.nyc.gov or the independent court-appointed Ombudsperson Call Center (OCC) at 1-888-341-7152 or at ombnyc.com.

If the issue hasnt been fixed, call 311 or visit nyc.gov/health and search for mold. For more information about mold: Visit epa.gov/mold. For more information on NYCHAs Mold Busters Program, visit on.nyc.gov/mold-busters.

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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Staten Islands Tunnel to Towers Foundation gathered the community of Mayfield, Ky., together and distributed more than 15,000 toys during a free barbecue Tuesday in Americas Heartland.

The foundation also made a financial commitment promising millions of dollars to help Kentucky and the surrounding states recover and rebuild from the devastating storms going forward.

A Tunnel to Towers team, including about 50 active and retired New York City firefighters, arrived with about 2,000 hamburgers, 2,000 hot dogs and 4,000 buns for the event, aimed at helping families in the wake of this months deadly and destructive tornadoes. They handed out gifts and manned the grill for the families in attendance.

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation supports families with young children, and right now the families that need help are here in Americas Heartland,' said Frank Siller, of Westerleigh, the foundations CEO and chairman. After losing so much, I hope these gifts bring a little joy to these families this holiday season.'

Tunnel to Towers volunteers and more than 50 active duty and retired firefighters distribute lunch and toys to families in Kentucky on Dec. 21, 2021.

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation was founded by Siller and his family to honor the sacrifice of his brother, firefighter Stephen Siller, who lost his life at the World Trade Center on 9/11 after running through the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel while off-duty to help others.

For 20 years, the foundation has supported first responders, veterans and their families by providing them and the families they leave behind with mortgage-free homes.

The foundation also has a nearly 10-year history of helping communities rebuild following natural disasters. Starting in 2012 with Hurricane Sandy, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation has been raising funds and deploying teams of volunteers to assist with storm cleanup and recovery.

The foundation has raised funds and deployed volunteers to assist in the wake of hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Florence, and Tropical Storm Michael.

In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, the foundation gutted 1,500 homes, rebuilt more than 200 homes, distributed $5 million in strategic supplies to homeowners in need and performed mold remediation on more than 1,000 homes.

Tunnel to Towers volunteers and more than 50 active duty and retired firefighters distribute lunch and toys to families in Kentucky on Dec. 21, 2021.

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Tunnel to Towers Foundation delivers cheer and a promise to Kentucky in wake of devastating tornadoes - SILive.com

Its frozen pipes season in Park City, UT. Photo: Emily Witham

PARK CITY, Utah Frozen pipes can be a problem that will impose costly damage throughout the season. The government agency that oversees Utah counties has the following helpful tips and tricks.

Water expands as it freezes. This expansion puts tremendous pressure on whatever contains it, including metal or plastic pipes. Pipes can freeze when temperatures drop rapidly or stay below the freezing point (32 Fahrenheit/ 0 Celsius) for an extended period. Once a pipe freezes and has expanded, the pipe can break and cause flooding.

No matter the strength of a container, expanding water can cause pipes to break, posing a significant water damage risk during the winter months. When water invades, it creeps into every crevice and crack, causes thousands of dollars in damage to clean up and repair, and even opens the door for mold and mildew growth.

Pipes that freeze most frequently are exposed to severe cold, like outdoor hose bibs, swimming pool supply lines, and water sprinkler lines; water supply pipes in unheated interior areas like basements and crawl spaces, attics, or garages; and pipes that run against exterior walls that have little or no insulation.

Frozen pipes and the problems they cause can be prevented by following a few basic steps:

If pipes do freeze, there are steps you can take to minimize water damage:

If you experience frozen or, broken pipes take photos of the damage, which will help make an insurance claim easier to process and prove useful. Counties have the authority to call a restoration company (i.e., Utah Disaster Kleanup) immediately to mitigate their damages.

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Tis the season for frozen pipes - TownLift

Rocco & Roxie is a family-owned small business named after theMagleby family's pets Rocco, a Labradoodle, and Roxie, a former shelter tabby cat. They make a variety of pet supplies, including cleaners, treats, grooming tools, accessories, and toys.

Promising review: "I have six elderly cats, and a few of them oftentimes leave smelly pee puddles to register their disdain at whatever cats get 'peed off' about. It's not a litter box problem and, although I've caught one or two of them doing it, I can't blame them all. This product works great on fresh messes as well as dried ones. After blotting up fresh pee pads, I saturate the area with Rocco & Roxie's odor remover and let dry. For dried stinky stuff, I just saturate the area and let it dry. It has a pleasant odor and completely eliminates the ammonia odor. Believe me, I've tried all kinds of products, and this one works the best. I buy gallons now just to have on hand. It's better than smelling that awful pee!" mona mia

Get it from Amazon for $19.97.

Check out our in-depth Rocco & Roxie Professional Strength Stain & Odor Eliminator review.

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38 Things You *Shouldnt* Buy If You Want To Continue To Live In Filth In 2022 - BuzzFeed

A private housing contractor that subjected military families across the country to toxic mold, insect infestations, water leaks, burst pipes and other problems pleaded guilty to major fraud against the United States on Wednesday, agreeing to pay more than $65 million in fines and restitution.

The contractor, Balfour Beatty Communities LLC, falsified its performance data and destroyed resident comment cards so it could pocket performance incentive fees from the Army, Air Force and Navy, the U.S. Department of Justice wrote in a press release. Balfour Beatty Communities operates military housing communities at 21 Air Force, 18 Navy, and 16 Army bases across the country.

Instead of promptly repairing housing for U.S. service members as required, BBC lied about the repairs to pocket millions of dollars in performance bonuses, said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, the second-highest ranking official in the Department of Justice. This pervasive fraud was a consequence of BBCs broken corporate culture, which valued profit over the welfare of service members.

Specifically, Balfour Beatty Communities was sentenced to pay over $33.6 million in criminal fines and over $31.8 million in restitution to the U.S. military, serve three years of probation, and engage an independent compliance monitor for a period of three years. Separately, Balfour Beatty Communities settled a False Claims Act case with the U.S. and was found liable for $35.2 million. However, any amounts paid under the civil settlement will be credited against the $65 million owed under the companys criminal plea, the Justice Department said.

The punishment was not enough for some onlookers, who wanted Balfour Beatty Communities taken off the government payroll and forbidden from military housing responsibilities.

This is a fucking joke right, there is no way the DoD is going to allow a company who pled guilty to defrauding its troops all over the country to continue to do business with its troops right? wrote one commenter reacting to the news on the unofficial Air Force subreddit.

They still have their contract, wrote another. So its basically a slap on the wrist and a warning to not do it again.

Balfour Beatty Communities may still run private housing for some bases for another four decades. In 2011, Air Force Global Strike Command announced the company was selected to privatize military family housing for Beale, F.E. Warren, Malmstrom and Whiteman Air Force Bases under a 50 year lease.

At closing, the houses become property of BBC who will own and operate the rental housing development for military families, as well as finance, plan, design, and construct improvements in the development that maintain the housing units for the 50-year lease period, said Jessie Barrera, who was program manager for Global Strike Commands Western Group bases at the time.

Still, the fines could have a dramatic impact on the bottom line of Balfour Beatty, BBCs United Kingdom-based parent company. The Guardian reported that the fines levied against BBC are more than Balfour Beattys entire profit before tax for 2020 of 48 million ($64.4 million). However, the company made 8.6 billion ($11.54 billion) in revenue that year.

American lawmakers and military officials have pressured Balfour Beatty Communities to clean up its act for years. In 2019, after Reuters and CBS reported that Balfour Beatty had falsified its Tinker Air Force Base maintenance records for years in order to appear responsive to resident complaints and secure its incentive fee bonuses from the Air Force, the Air Force gave the company 90 days to come up with a plan to fix those problems.

This is not the first time allegations have been raised that Balfour Beatty has used fraudulent work order practices at Air Force bases, said Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) and Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) at the time, in response to the Reuters report. This isnt even the second time. It is the third timeand it is completely unacceptable and disturbing. How much more should we ask military families to endure?

But two years later, Air Force and Army families were still filing lawsuits against Balfour Beatty Communities. One lawsuit alleged one instance after another of squalid conditions, such as plumbing issues, insect and rodent infestations, asbestos, and mold, that the housing provider did little to repair.

One family involved in the lawsuit alleged that they developed asthma and migraines after moving into their Balfour Beatty-maintained home at Sheppard Air Force Base. James Banner, the father of the family, had such intense migraines he was eventually discharged from the military, the lawsuit said. Another family at Fort Bliss said a hot water pipe ruptured in their childrens bedroom in the middle of the night, burning them with [scalding] hot water, the lawsuit said.

Theyre still doing the same things today that theyve got people in jail for, Air Force Staff Sgt. Jonn Roellchen told Task & Purpose in June. The airman and his family have been dealing with problems in Balfour Beatty homes since 2019.

The issues with the work orders that they were under federal investigation for, its still happening, he said. Nothing has changed.

In its defense, Balfour Beatty said on Thursday that it is committed to the highest standards of ethical conduct, the company wrote in a statement.

The wrongdoing that took place is completely contrary to the way the Company expects its people to behave, Balfour Beatty added. The Company apologizes for the actions of Communities to all its stakeholders. It has been made clear to all employees that breaches of policies, procedures, or law will not be tolerated.

Still, the scheme to which Balfour Beatty Communities pleaded guilty is despicable, said David Estes, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia, in the Department of Justice statement. Tens of thousands of service members and their families live in Balfour Beatty communities around the country, for which the company earns not only fees from the military, but also the payments of service members basic allowance for housing.

While Balfour Beatty Communities usually receives a monthly base fee, the company also received performance incentive fees from service branches paid quarterly or semi-annually, the Department of Justice explained. To obtain the incentive fees, Balfour Beatty Communities had to submit proof that it was maintaining the properties and satisfying residents. But from 2013 to 2019, Balfour employees altered or manipulated data in property management software, and destroyed or falsified resident comment cards to make it seem like they were doing a better job than they actually were, the Department of Justice wrote.

As a result, according to court documents, there were lengthy and unnecessary delays in the resolution of maintenance issues to the detriment of service members and their families, the department said.

Earlier this year, two of those employees, former community manager Stacy Cabrera and former regional manager Rick Cunefare, pleaded guilty to charges related to those fraudulent incentive fee submissions.

The defendants greed undermined a program designed to protect service members homes while they courageously fight to protect our homeland, said Robert Troester, acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma on Wednesday. Service members and their families deserve better.

Those families have understandably had enough.

You can sit here and tell me that youre sorry all you want, Roellchen said in June. I dont want sorry, I want you to do the job.

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Military housing company to pay $65 million after years of 'pervasive fraud' - Task & Purpose

In Mayfield, Kentucky, storm warnings had been coming for days, then came radar observations of a rotating storm of debris to the south, and finally urgent alerts to the imminent strike of a severe tornado.

In the seconds it took for the quad-state storm to pass over the higher elevations of the city soon after midnight on 10 December, the notional separation between the man-made and natural world was effectively obliterated as were large sections of Mayfield

Damage to life and limb caused by the vast and powerful tornado that passed over Mayfield was epic and profound. The broader storm front also caused havoc as more than 30 powerful tornadoes tore through Dixie Alley. There were 76 dead in Kentucky alone, with eight lost in a candle factory where night-shift workers, some on work-release from jail, later claimed they were dissuaded from leaving their positions or seeking shelter by threats of termination.

Last week, as collapsed houses were marked clear of victims and turned back in on themselves by bulldozers and condemned to demolition, Mayfield residents barely had time to assess the impact. The raging winds had left metal siding wrapped tight around dismembered trees, demolished the town hall Christmas tree and torn the roof off the building itself and scattered debris for miles around in a manner reminiscent of an air-crash.

Its not normal to get a tornado in December, but then its not normal for it to be 73 degrees at night, said Mayfield resident Tim Wetherbee, referring to the local temperature on the day the onslaught destroyed 15,000 buildings and trailer-homes and caused at least $3.5bn in damage.

In a world that is failing to do enough to curb emissions that cause global heating and thus make extreme weather events more likely, the wider context of what happened in Mayfield was not lost on Wetherbee. People think about today, not tomorrow, and its only going to get worse, he said.

His niece, Huda Alubahi, was sheltering in a bathroom closet when the tornado struck. Clutched to her side was her three-year-old son, Jhalil, who was struck and killed as the house collapsed. His other niece and her children narrowly escaped injury when their house over the road was struck.

On the other side of the post office, which lost its roof, his sisters house was also destroyed. In all, Wetherbee, a refrigeration and heating contractor, counted five family members whose houses were destroyed.

As power company workers began restoring power to Mayfieldfor some there was little to do but gawp at the scale of the destruction.

Lengths of two-by-four had become airborne spears, penetrating the metal skins of cars; overturned school buses and semis; storage bins ruptured to reveal tons of grain now exposed to the elements; a collapsed water tower; and dozens of structures, from statuesque municipal buildings or private homes, that will now likely be demolished to prevent black mold from setting in.

Smaller tornadoes bounce, but an EF-4 stays on the ground, said property owner Hoot Gibson surveying several of his ruined properties. The only difference between this and an atom bomb is that a bomb would have fried people.

Climate change was not a subject all were willing to be drawn on.

Most people dont want to know, said James Hyatte, owner of The Catfish House. Theyll go with what Fox News or their church tell them.

Joava Good, deputy director of the Church of Scientologys disaster response team, ascribed the event to an act of evil. Good, who has attended the aftermath of 45 tornadoes, said that to have one of this magnitude in December was open to interpretation. Its quite amazing to see whats happening. Something has changed.

Following the track of a tornado is a relatively straightforward task of following a trail of broken trees and debris.

Half a mile out of town is the Mayfield Candle Factory, that had 110 workers on night shift when the storm hit. For many, it was work of last resort: poorly paid but easily accessible to those without transport. It offered consistent work, running 10-12 hour shifts around the clock at starting pay of $8 an hour to meet demand from customers like Bed, Bath & Beyond.

Its pitiful, said a project manager for the factory. We lost eight lives, but we could have lost more.

The factory, reduced to a pile of twisted metal and concrete, lies a quarter mile from a feed factory that was relatively unscathed, a demolished chicken hatchery missing its chicks, likely drawn 35,000ft up into the storm; a tractor dealership that while badly damaged lost none of its equipment.

Many in town, including workers at the factory that night, contradicted managements claims that employees had been free to leave after multiple tornado warnings were issued for the area. Even with weather like this, youre still going to fire me? 20-year-old worker Evan Johnson reportedly asked a manager. Their response, Yes.

Amos Jones, an attorney representing Haley Conder, one of those trapped in the factory after it collapsed, said the candle factory, along with the partial collapse of an Amazon fulfillment center in Edwardsville that killed six, could be a turning point for labor rights.

Amid the tragedy, we hope there will be more responsible care for employees and an end to all American sweatshops, Jones said.

Jones said he he was compelled to file a workers compensation suit after a spokesman for the factorys owner, Mayfield Consumer Products, continued to discredit and eyewitness declarations that workers were prevented from leaving and subjected to roll-calls and line-ups to determine who had left so they could be disciplined or fired. Company officials denied the allegations.

The tornado also helped focus some minds on exactly who those workers were.

Jaime Mass, pastor of Primera Iglesia Bautista Hispana, who had turned his small church into a outreach to supply Mayfields Mexican and Central American migrant worker population with food, said many workers at the factory registered under assumed names leading to confusion over who was missing.

Its part of the problem theyve been looking for the wrong people, Mass said. Theres a fear of authorities, and theyre not going to risk exposing themselves. Theyre here, but weve got emergency responders searching the rubble.

Jane Hoopingarner, a crisis responder with the Red Cross, said the job for emergency workers was to start to build trust with communities that often see themselves and are seen as outsiders. We are here to walk beside and support them not provide everything they need because theyre already being provided for by their own community.

The storm itself, though, did not discriminate.

Ten miles south-west of Mayfield, Amish farms dot the landscape, and the communities horse-drawn buggies are a common sight on the country lanes and in town.

The storm tore apart the home of Jacob and Emma Gingerich, killing both along with two of their five children. Chris Crawford, a nearby farm owner an Englisher to the Amish said hed been over to warn the couple of the storms approach. They had no way to know what was coming. We talked, they thanked me, and then 30 minutes later it came through.

Crawford went back after it had passed to find the couples infant baby, Ben, wearing only a diaper, under a vehicle more than 50 yards from the home and some distance from where his mother lay dead. I heard the whimper. He was laying in the driveway. I cuddled him up, and just ask God dont let him die on me.

Timber supplier Ronnie Murphy, helping to co-ordinate the barn rebuilds, said he believed the infant had been ripped from his mothers arms. All the babies that made it through are miracles, but this one he trailed off.

By midweek, the family were buried in a single grave, and 200 of the community were coming from as far away as Canada by train to help rebuild the sawmills that had been destroyed. I guess thats the way God wanted it, commented neighbor Joe Stutzman.

He declined to speculate on climate-science interpretations. We dont get involved in stuff like that, but the end is getting closer for sure. Why did this thing come through here? I think it was to wake people up. Hey! Work together better. Show your love. Pray.

Much of the Gingrichs farm ended up a quarter-mile away in the wood next to Joey Rogers, who lost his home, four barns, poultry and livestock. Many of his surviving cattle were still too spooked to be rounded up.

They sense the storm coming and go crazy, but theres not much place to go when youre out in a field, said local vet Timothy Jones. But in the manner of natural disasters, he said, human life was first and foremost, but the animals were part of the trickle down, expansive consequences of a tornado strike.

Domestic animals, too, had been injured a dog with a splinter in his chest, another that required a leg amputated. Others, though, had been simply swept up into the story and lost for good. How far they go, who knows?

It maybe too early to talk of recovery in Mayfield. For some, it is a going to be a haul that goes on long after the immediate dizzying intensity of the event itself and its aftermath subsides.

Sandra Delk, co-ordinator for Mayfields community response, said she slept in her car the first two nights, then moved into a trailer with electrical issues, and finally moved back home, though still without light or heating.

People are in a daze, and some are never going to go back to their homes, she said.

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Tornadoes in Mayfield, Kentucky caused profound losses: Some are never going back to their homes - The Guardian

RICHMOND, Ind. Richmond's parks enjoyed so many 2021success that they didn't really fit into a top 10 list.

Parks Superintendent Denise Retz highlighted those successes Monday to Richmond Common Council. She labelled it a top 10 list, but with a 3.5, 4.5 and a 5.5, it really became a baker's dozen list that also included multiple entries under some categories.

The support and the generosity that we continue to receive in this community is very humbling, and we just cant thank the community enough for all the support they give the parks department," Retz said. "The parks team continues to amaze me. They power through low manpower and high expectations each and every day, and they are doing a wonderful job.

The presentation came just a few days after the city's Board of Public Works and Safety approved two contracts with Taylor Siefker Williams Design Group to develop a Farmers Market Strategic Plan and a Whitewater Gorge Activation Plan. Both plans are part of the parks Master Plan and show the department's commitment to implementing that plan.

I just couldnt be happier with the current condition and the current outlook for our entire parks department, Mayor Dave Snow said.

He also thanked parks team members for their hard work as well as council members and parks board members for their support.

I dont have to tell community members as you go around: Our parks are just in beautiful, thriving condition," he said. "We are seeing growth in every one of our beautiful 19 city parks.

Richmond Farmers Market was listed as No. 2 on Retz's 2021 list and occupies some of the future focus. Among vendors who report weekly sales, they have accumulated nearly $290,000 in sales this year compared to about $200,000 in sales during 2020. The Reid Double Dollars program that doubles the buying power of SNAP money at the market has resulted in $60,107 spent this year compared to $39,634 last year.

The market is doing great things right now," Retz said. "We are in a very good place. We dont want it to be stagnant. We want to continue to press forward and grow, so we need to know where we are, where weve been and then where were going to go from here.

The Winter Farmers Market in the Starr Gennett Building shows one use of theWhitewater Gorge Park that stretches along the Whitewater River from Test to Waterfall roads. Using the river, which will flow more freely after the removal of Weir Dam,and that park for more recreation and to generate income is a major focus.

In fact, the project was accepted as one of about 50 included in the eight-county East Central Indiana Regional Partnership's proposal for the Indiana Economic Development Corporation's Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative. The regional group was awarded $15 million from the state's American Rescue Plan Act money.

The Whitewater Gorge Activation Plan will be focusing on the gorge initiative and activating the gorge to make it a phased approach how we can get funding and make it a place where we can continue to recreate, preserve, maintain and highlight what all it has to offer," Retz said.

The plan will incorporate new ideas, such as a river walk, ziplining and boating along with existing assets such as the Starr Gennett Building, Walk of Fame, trails and Veterans Memorial Park. Retz said the plan is about using the water as a resource and "seeinghow these things can actually function for us as a city to make more of a destination area in the gorge.

Having that project accepted into the READI application was part of Retz's No. 1 success for 2021: celebrations. The category also included the 60th anniversary of the city's senior center and a Community Improvement Award from the Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce honoring the winterization of the Starr Gennett Building.

Retz also highlighted grants and donations totaling$130,528.17 that were supplemented by an additional $101,815.67 from Wayne County Foundation's Challenge Match.

Following the Farmers Market at No. 2, Retz highlighted volunteers at No. 3 on her list. The parks department received help from two deployments of AmeriCorps workers and has applied for a 2022 deployment. There also were cleanup days at the gorge, Middlefork Reservoir and Glen Miller Park, as well as organized volunteer efforts from 3Rivers, Hill's Pet Nutrition, Ivy Tech Community College, Seton Catholic school and Central United Methodist Church.

At 3.5, Retz highlighted revenue increases. The parks department began an online reservation system for rentals of things like shelters. There were 982 online rentals that increased revenue $18,345.98. At Middlefork, there were 481 boat rentals that boosted revenue $5,0049.09.

Highland Lake Golf Course will celebrate its 50th anniversary during 2022, and its successes during 2022 were No. 4 for Retz. The course'srevenue increased $50,000, withmemberships rising 40% and food and beverage sales increasing9%.

Improvements at the course included the irrigation system, tree and stump removal, new tee signs, new ball washers, newtrash cans and a new tee box for the first hole.

The 4.5 on Retz's list was theSpringwood Enhancement Project. The park on Waterfall Road received a makeover that includes the building of Springwood Chapel that can be rented for weddings and other services and as an outdoor classroom. In addition, trails werecleared, a boardwalk built over wetlands, the pavilion interior was painted, 250 trees were planted and new outdoor lights installed.

In 2022, more trails and siding and windows for the pavilion are planned at Springwood.

New gardens and landscaping ranked No. 5 for 2021. New landscaping and a serenity garden were installed at the senior center and a sensory garden at Clear Creek, plus work around Middlefork Reservoir's bathroom and deck and Highland Lake's tee signs. It also includes the flowers forming "It's Spring," "Richmond" and "It's Fall Y'all" messages along U.S. 40 in Glen Miller Park.

We get more and more calls and letters about these message boards on 40, so we thank our floral crew for that, Retz said.

Retz highlighted successful and safe events at 5.5 on her list. The parks department hosted more than 55 events, including a drive-through egg hunt, Just Us Kids Outdoors, father/daughter and mother/son events, Middlefork Family Day, Halloween Howl, Veterans Parade, Frostbite 5K and Celebration of Lights.

New buildings and rehabbed roofs sit at No. 6 on the list. A new shelter that seats 60 was built in Glen Miller Park, and a new pole barn at the greenhouse improves storage. New roofs were put on the C&O Depot, the Bicentennial garage and three Middlefork Reservoir buildings. In addition, new shade sails are available for Elstro Plaza.

During 2021, the parks department celebrated openings of the Riverside Heritage Trail and the Whitewater Gorge Connector Trail, the City Bike Park at Freeman Park, new walkways at Richmond Rose Garden, the Mary Scott Community Orchard, a Negro League baseball marker at Glen Miller Park and a new playground and landscaping at Starr Park. Those rank No. 7.

The installation of security at Clear Creek and Elstro Plaza occupies No. 8 on Retz's list. Five of the city's 19 parks are now better protected with this ongoing project.

The parks department's greenhouse became a certified composting facility, one of only two in Richmond, and Izzi Wilhelm became a certified arborist. Those certifications placed ninth among 2021's successes.

At No. 10 is arts and culture. The parks department hosts Art in Parks and Art Along Main, while partnering with Richmond Symphony Orchestra for the RSO Music Garden in Glen Miller Park.

Council members were complimentary and appreciative of Retz and the parks department following the presentation.

I know the park team is strong. I believe in our parks, and I think our parks are beautiful," Bill Engle said. "It takes great leadership to get there, and I think youve done a great job. Thank you.

Jane Bumbalough added: I would like to tell you also, Denise, I thank you for everything that you do. You do a fantastic job. I am so thankful that you are part of the leadership team here in Richmond.

Read the original here:
Richmond Parks Department bursting with successes, future plans - Palladium-Item

The council issued a conditional use permit for the project, which includes a lower level therapy pool to help patients who are dealing with pain, stiffness, swelling and mobility limitations.

The main floor addition will not be finished at this time, according to Alomere. One possibility was mentioned in the permit request expanding the existing emergency room.

The addition will not change the hospitals bed capacity.

The pool will be built on the northeast corner of the existing hospital, adjacent to the emergency room exit.

The permit was approved with three conditions: a building permit must be obtained, a revised drainage plan must be submitted, and Alomere must replace any trees that are removed or mitigate the loss.

In other zoning action, the council denied a request from Douglas and Rachel Selchow to vacate a portion of the Summer Meadows plat and street, south of Scenic Heights Road.

The planning commission cited four reasons for their decision: The street still serves a purpose; the request isnt consistent with the citys comprehensive plan; the request isnt consistent with the character of the surrounding area because it would result in one house on 13 acres when the average lot size is half an acre; and the request would place a financial burden on the city for repeated flushing and maintenance on the existing utility lines.

The city of Alexandria will receive a total of $1,510,499 through the American Rescue Plan Act.

The city will get half of that amount in 2021 and the second half next year.

Congress enacted ARPA this past March. It includes $65 billion in recovery funds to help cities across the nation recover from the financial losses caused by the pandemic.

The council authorized city staff to work with Mayor Bobbie Osterberg to make recommendations on how ARPA funds will be spent.

The owners of seven parcels of land who failed to maintain their properties will have to reimburse the city for doing it for them.

The work included snow removal, cutting grass and weeds, maintaining trees and shrubs, and removing junk and rubbish. The charges will be included as a one-year special assessment on the property owners taxes. The combined amount of the reimbursements is $5,300.

The council voted to certify the citys charges with the Douglas County Auditor-Treasurer Office.

The council agreed to authorize the city to act as the legal sponsor for the Twenty08 workforce housing project.

The city and D.W. Jones are partners in the development. The citys authorization will have no cost impact on the city, according to Administrator Marty Schultz.

Twenty08 Apartments and has an estimated development cost of $9.2 million. The site is 2008 Runestone Ave., north of County Road 82 and west of Birch Avenue, adjacent to the existing Central Lakes Apartments.

The majority of the units, 49 of 62, would be market rate and the others would be for low-income or homeless people. The building will be 73,202 square feet and include a mix of studio, one, two and three bedroom units for workforce housing.

D.W. Jones plans to request an amendment to the existing TIF district if the project gets funding from the states workforce housing development program.

If all goes well, D.W. Jones plans to start construction next September and complete the project by June, 2023.

Bids were accepted for materials that will improve electrical lines in Alexandria in 2022 and move some of the lines underground.

Three bids were awarded $218,640 from Irby Utilities in Eagan for switchgear; $353,127 from Border States Electric of Fargo for power cable, and $134,110 from WESCO of Fargo for secondary power cable. The total cost of the bids was about 3% higher than ALP Utilities originally thought but still reasonable, according to Chris Olson, general manager.

ALP Utilities, which recommended the bids, is paying for the distribution improvements with funds from a previous bond issue. The projects will take place near 3Ms main line and the west circuits main line between 17th and 4th Avenue.

Bids were also considered for electrical transformers but none were accepted. One bid came in at $519,000, more than triple the estimate of $145,00. Because of supply and demand, the transformers wouldn't have been delivered for 130 weeks, so ALP will use its stockpile of transformers instead.

Link:
Alomere Health in Alexandria gets green light for therapy pool addition - Echo Press