Third Black Bear Sighting Reported In Weston - cbs4.com

Third Black Bear Sighting Reported In Weston - cbs4.com: "For the third time since Saturday, residents of a Weston neighborhood reported spotting a black bear in their back yards.
The million dollar estates in Windmill Reserve border suburban life and wildlife, but what Tomas Fernandez saw Sunday in his backyard was extremely wild.

'I was eating breakfast when I saw the bear behind the house in the lake. He was walking,' said Fernandez. 'I called my dad to see.'

His dad watched as the black bear spent a half hour in the backyard. This was enough time for Tomas to video tape his new neighbor. On the tape the bear is browsing around and then seen walking away toward trees."
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Hogs, bears, coyotes, cougars, fires...this is starting to remind me of the Book of Revelation. What's next? A plague of locusts?

The real issue may be that over the last decade or so, many very nice subdivisions and custom homes were built in what were previously remote and uninhabited locations. Nobody told the predators that they should relocate, and they decided that the trash and house pets were easy pickings. And there was no predator for them to fear, because of course you can't use a firearm near a subdivision. End result: you have bears in your yard.

I have an old friend who lives on Kodiak Island in Alaska. She had a nine foot tall brown bear rooting around in the dumpster. That fellow could have dismantled the building if he had been so inclined. In AK you know this sort of thing can happen occasionally, but in South Florida maybe you are surprised.

Freeeedom!!!

Dispute over mandatory membership at Kensington heads to court : Courts : Naples Daily News: "NAPLES — Residents are battling over whether to make membership mandatory in the country club at Kensington in Naples.

The fight has pitted neighbors and friends against each other in the private, high-end golf community off Pine Ridge Road _ and it has landed in Circuit Court in Collier County.

Two residents who want to keep membership voluntary have sued the community’s homeowners association and all of its board members, who unanimously support the idea."
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OK, it's not Braveheart, but still...

Sorry to boar you, but...

Say hello to my little friend...
I posted this due to questions about the Russian citizenship of the ones we find around us these days. It is a tough call, but this guy looks like a Rooski to me.

60% of Americans: feds have too much money and power

Rasmussen Reports™: "Sixty percent (60%) of Americans say the federal government has too much power and too much money, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.

Just nine percent (9%) say the government has too little power and money. Twenty-four percent (24%) believe the government has about the right amount of both."
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This is the main point the Tea Party folks were trying to make, I think. There were some folks with a more outlandish message, but if you ask what was the bottom line, I'd say that was it. I think if their message catches on they could make quite an impact. When Perot announced his candidacy I thought it was preposterous, and when he dropped out and got back in, I thought he was a joke. He picked the worst VP candidate ever--a heroic POW who himself had no idea why he was in the VP debate. Then Perot got 19% of the popular vote and handed the presidency to Bill Clinton. That's when I decided never again to underestimate the power of populism. The Tea Parties are all about populism.

And to confirm that, it seems that the favorable/unfavorable rating of the Tea Parties is 51/33. So watch out, political class

Jenner & Block Lights Bother Trump Tower Resident | ABA Journal - Law News Now

Jenner & Block Lights Bother Trump Tower Resident | ABA Journal - Law News Now: "The owner of a pricey 37th floor condominium at Trump International Hotel and Tower in Chicago is complaining that bright lights from a building across the street are keeping her up at night.

The culprits, according to the president of the company that owns the brightly lit building, are hardworking lawyers at Jenner & Block, the Chicago Tribune reports. Jenner & Block occupies 10 floors and operates 24 hours a day, Jeff Patterson, president and CEO of Prime Group Realty Trust, told the Tribune."
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Thanks to Gwen Osborne for sending me this link.

Acting Freddie Mac CFO commits suicide - wtop.com

Acting Freddie Mac CFO commits suicide - wtop.com: "VIENNA, Va. -- David Kellermann, acting chief financial officer of Freddie Mac, committed suicide in his Hunter Mill Estates home Wednesday morning."
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He had been with Fannie Mac for 16 years and was made CFO in September of 2008.

Privatization in Indiana--rolling it back?

Indy's News Center - 93.1 WIBC Indianapolis - Live. Local. First.: "Legislators could soon order a freeze in the privatization of food stamp eligibility determinations. Social services advocacy groups want them to go farther.

A coalition of labor-backed groups and advocates for the poor and senior citizens has opposed the privatization from the beginning. Now those groups want legislators to roll back the privatization in the 59 counties where it's already taken effect, and order an audit of the IBM-led consortium.

Former Vigo County welfare director Glenn Cardwell says one in five people denied food stamps the last six months shouldn't have been, the fourth worst rate in the country."
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People's Weekly World - Coalition demands greater transparency of Chicago city finances

People's Weekly World - Coalition demands greater transparency of Chicago city finances: "Chicago – With public outrage mounting over the privatization of the city’s parking meters, a coalition of labor and community groups and progressive aldermen called for greater transparency of the city budget and an accounting of the city’s privatization deals. The groups staged a protest in Chicago City Hall on April 20.

They claimed a $2.1 billion budget surplus exists including money from the parking meter and Chicago Skyway deals and funds hidden in Tax Increment Financing (TIF) accounts. After big one round of layoffs last fall Daley now says a new $300 million deficit has opened. He is demanding concessions from the city’s workforce or has threatened another 1,600 layoffs and service cuts."
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Privatization is often associated with secrecy, and that gives rise to suspicion. Daley is an elitist to his bones and he is a master at centralizing control of every function and all information in his own office. He is trying to amass some sort of war chest to bolster his bid for the Olympics. And Chicago has a record of corruption going back to the 19th century. I don't know if there has been any funny business with the parking deal, but I am sure that it is time for some sunlight on the city budget and the role of privatization in trying to balance it.

If he checks out OK, send him back for dinner

Woman attacked by 200-pound wild hog in her yard: "ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) - Officials said a wild hog attacked a woman in the back yard of her home. St. Petersburg Fire & Rescue reported that a 26-year-old woman was told there was a pig in her back yard Monday afternoon. When she went outside to investigate, the 200-pound animal charged her, cutting the back of her left leg.

Rescuers were able to treat the woman for her injury at the scene. An animal control officer lassoed the hog and transported it to the Pinellas County Animal Control Office for rabies testing."
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These wild piggies are not particularly afraid of people, they have two litters per year, and they eat everything that grows while leaving a trail of destruction behind them. And they taste great. A solution suggests itself...

And he's running for mayor

Detroit councilman walks away from his mortgage - Sacramento Bee: "The former residence of Detroit City Councilman Kwame Kenyatta is seen on April 15, 2009. Kenyatta, an advocate of neighborhoods, and his wife packed their belongings, locked the doors, mailed in the keys and simply walked away _ leaving another vacant house among the thousands standing empty"
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His explanation: "We're already underwater when it comes to what we're paying on the house versus what the house is worth," Kenyatta said.

But he doesn't seem to have lost his job, nor does he seem unable to repay the money he borrowed to buy this house. He just thinks it is a bad deal now. And all his expressed concerns about neighborhoods and blight seem to have vanished suddenly. Well, commitments like that can be expensive.

I guess he still might be a step up from the previous Mayor, who was also named Kwame (Kilpatrick). He resigned and was convicted of a crime.

Chicago Cancels $2.52 Billion Deal to Privatize MidwayAirport - WSJ.com

Chicago Cancels $2.52 Billion Deal to Privatize MidwayAirport - WSJ.com: "The city of Chicago said Monday it had canceled the planned $2.52 billion sale of Midway airport, dealing a blow to efforts to attract more private capital for U.S. infrastructure projects.

The showpiece deal collapsed after the winning consortium failed to line up funding amid tight credit markets and competing prospects, notably the planned sale of London's Gatwick airport.

Midway had been expected to open up a new asset class for investors in the U.S., joining existing privatization deals for toll roads, parking and other publicly owned facilities."
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Consolation prize: Chicago gets to keep the deposit, which was a cool $126 mill.

But I'm sure Mayor Daley will find something else to sell. The parks, maybe.

HOAs: Man May Lose Home Over Refusal To Pay Dog-Walking Fine

HOAs: Man May Lose Home Over Refusal To Pay Dog-Walking Fine: "A Florida man who won't walk his dog on a leash now seems set to lose his $380,000 home, all because he refuses to pay a $1,000 'leash violation' fine to his Homeowners Association. And he's ready to kill over it.

Robert Wirth, Jr., now owes around $100,000 in legal fees following the seven-year epic battle with his HOA, which foreclosed on his home (actually owned by his wife) to collect the debt incurred after he was caught walking his black lab, Cole, without a leash in the deed-restricted subdivision."
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This is from Mystery Reader--and what a story.

Southern California office market is hammered by recession - Los Angeles Times

Southern California office market is hammered by recession - Los Angeles Times: "Layoffs, tight credit and other fallout from the troubled economy have battered Southern California's office market, leading to vacancy rates as high as 30% in some areas."
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They say the economy may be starting to turn around, but it looks like there is some more rocky road ahead.

Dissing the Tea Party protesters

Terry Mancour: The tea party protests failed to fire up Republicans | Comment is free | guardian.co.uk
This is typical of the snarky media coverage of the Tea Party protests. They keep up the pretense that there was no message, these people are confused and stupid, they make the same dirty joke over and over, etc. From the Obama administration we hear that Obama didn't know it happened, which is obviously a lie. Then David Axelrod said the protests were potentially dangerous. From the far left we hear that it was all racially motivated.

The people who say these things have been telling us for eight years that protest was the highest form of patriotism. But that was when the left was protesting Bush. Now that the shoe is on the other foot, suddenly protest is dangerous.

So I have to conclude that the Tea Parties were a tremendous success, from the standpoint of the organizers and participants. The left is terrified that this is the start of a grass-roots movement. Obama and the Democrats understand the power of mass movements, and now they are scared to death that they are seeing a mass movement on the right. All their public disdain of the Tea Parties is just fueling more activism, I think.

As for the message of the protests, I think it is simple. These folks don't buy the Obama administration's claim that all the dramatic policy shifts are designed to save the nation in an emergency. They think that is a pretense, and the real agenda is to move the nation irretrievably toward a European-style social democratic economy with massive spending, high taxation and massive top-down federal control of all arenas of life.

They don't believe Obama's campaign claims that he wants to cut spending and keep taxation low. These folks were triggered into action by the stimulus bill, the Obama proposed budget with massive deficits, and the economic actions (re GM, banks, etc.) that they think are authoritarian. In short, they are protesting what they see as a revolutionary transformation of their nation's political economic system.

Maybe they are wrong--I don't know at this point, so early in the game--but the message seems pretty clear to me. And it certainly has the Democrats scared, because there is an election coming up next year. If the Tea Party activists repeat this protest on July 4, it would suggest that they may be able to sustain their momentum. That could lead to a nationalized election in 2010, and we know what happened when that occurred in 1994.

"Spengler" comes out of hiding

Asia Times Online :: Asian News, Business and Economy.: "I needed to tell the Europeans that their post-national, secular dystopia was a death-trap whence no-one would get out alive. I needed to tell the Muslims that nothing would alleviate the unbearable sense of humiliation and loss that globalization inflicted on a civilization that once had pretensions to world dominance. I needed to tell Asians that materialism leads only to despair. And I needed to tell the Americans that their smugness would be their undoing."
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The mystery man who has been writing provocative columns for Asia Times over the last decade under the pseudonym "Spengler" reveals his true identity--David P. Goldman, who was one of the main suspects. That photo is of the original--Oswald Spengler--whose name Goldman adopted for the columns about the major geopolitical and cultural currents of our age.

islandpacket.com | EMS officials push security-override systems at gated communities

islandpacket.com | EMS officials push security-override systems at gated communities: "At about 9:23 p.m. April 7, emergency personnel were dispatched to Bluffton's Baynard Park to respond to a 62-year-old man suffering a massive heart attack.

Though Beaufort County Emergency Medical Services paramedics arrived at the neighborhood's security gate in about four minutes, they were held up for two to three minutes because they couldn't open the unmanned gate, according to a report provided by the county Friday afternoon. Responders arrived at the patient's home nearly nine minutes after leaving the station.

They took him to Hilton Head Hospital, where he died Saturday afternoon, his son, Matt Smith of Rock Hill, said.

In emergency medical situations, each minute counts, county emergency officials say.To prevent delays like the one that occurred that night, the county will consider new policies to make sure responders are not slowed down at unmanned gates, county administrator Gary Kubic said this week. The discussion is a result of the episode at Baynard Park, which Smith recounted at last week's Beaufort County Council meeting.

Kubic said Friday he would like to consider requiring gated communities to install override systems for emergency responders"
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But that would violate the freedom of contract of the residents. They moved into a community that locked out ambulances because that's what they wanted. They hate ambulance rides. They don't want those zapper thingies clamped to their chests when they are dying of heart attacks.

I say privatopia doesn't need all this oppressive state regulation. The market will solve this problem, just like it solved the housing bubble and rescued the savings and loan industry. Government regulation, fie on thee. Who needs it?

Am I right, or am I right?

Dog fight -- baltimoresun.com

Dog fight -- baltimoresun.com: "Baltimore dog lovers are at war with people who are tired of dealing with the messy or sometimes frightening consequences of walking where dogs run free. These victims persuaded the City Council last year to raise the fine for walking a dog without a leash to $1,000. That's ridiculously high - 10 times the previous fine for first-time offenders. Even the original author of last year's legislation agrees. Councilman Edward L. Reisinger is promising to co-sponsor legislation to be introduced Monday to lower the fine to $250 for first-time offenders."
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That is a hefty fine. What do they do if your dog bites somebody--cut off your big toe?

Grand Rapids, MI: Another condo project looks likely to bite the dust

Downtown Grand Rapids Condo Project Faces Foreclosure - News : MediaMouse Progressive Left News Blog - Grand Rapids, Michigan: "Yesterday, the Grand Rapids Press reported that the Icon on Bond condo project faces foreclosure. The bank that loaned the money for the project says that the father-son development team built the project, Joseph A. and Joseph W. Moch, owe more than $40 million--even after getting tax breaks from the city government.

The Mochs launched the project with hopes back in 2003, saying that it would bring critical a critical development. However, the project has largely failed to deliver and has been a source of controversy for years. According to the Grand Rapids Press, only four of the 118 units have been sold and 50 have been leased."
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Thanks to Shu Bartholomew for this link. There are so many of these stories now that you have to wonder when it will end.

Canvassing in a gated community? Call the cops!

telegram.com News: "On April 6, selectmen candidate Thomas R. Creamer was campaigning at Bentwood Drive, off Route 15, when Town Clerk Lorraine Murawski called police to say there was “someone campaigning door-to-door” at the gated community. “It had nothing to do with me,” she said. “I was doing my job as town clerk, trying to get an answer to a question from a resident.” Ms. Murawski, a Bentwood resident, was working at the Town Hall when she got a call from concerned neighbor asking if campaigning on the grounds was allowed. “It’s a gated community, and I said I was not aware of whether or not it was legal for somebody to park and walk but that I would check it out,” she said. Ms. Murawski said she called police to find out if such solicitation was legal. They put her through to an officer and she explained the situation. Even though a resident had invited him into Bentwood, Mr. Creamer said, he parked his car outside and walked onto the grounds. He said he looked to make sure there were no signs posted outside. “There is nothing that says, ‘No soliciting’ and nothing that says, ‘You can’t come on these grounds,’ ” he said. “I looked just to make sure. So I go in, going door-to-door.”

After police sent an officer to Bentwood, Ms. Murawski got a call back from police saying Mr. Creamer wasn’t doing anything wrong. Shortly afterward, Mr. Creamer drove to Town Hall to file his campaign finance report. He told the town clerk he was very disappointed in her. "
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Hey, no campaigning in Privatopia. It might cause debate and deliberation about important issues, and that could lead to democracy.

Security still a concern in landed, gated and guarded projects

Security still a concern in landed, gated and guarded projects: "Developers believe landed gated and guarded (G&G) projects are preferred for two main reasons: security and community living. However, they are quick to add that nothing is fool-proof.

All the developers spoken to have, at one time or another, promoted – or are promoting – G&G living."
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Interesting interviews with Malaysian developers.

Miami-Dade water department turns off condo's water - Breaking News - MiamiHerald.com

Miami-Dade water department turns off condo's water - Breaking News - MiamiHerald.com: "The cash shortage plaguing South Florida's foreclosure-ridden condominiums reached a crisis at the Mirassou Condominium in Northwest Miami-Dade after the county shut off water to residents because the association failed to pay its water bill.

Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department said Thursday that it turned off the water to the 310-unit building after the condo association failed to abide by three separate repayment plans over the last nine months. The association has an outstanding balance of $109,000, the department said."
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Tough times...and this is the beginning.

Lenders give Summerlin condo project new life - Las Vegas Sun

Lenders give Summerlin condo project new life - Las Vegas Sun: "You wouldn’t think anyone would be brave enough to restart construction of a condominium project given the soft economy and continued credit crunch that has prevented many people from obtaining financing.

But three banks are stepping up to the plate with $37 million to complete construction on the first phase of luxury condominiums in Summerlin, where construction was halted in early 2008 after developer Westmark Homes filed for bankruptcy."
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Will the $500,000 and up condo market catch fire before the lower reaches of the market?

FactCheck.org: Counting Mexico's Guns

FactCheck.org: Counting Mexico's Guns: "President Obama says 90 percent of Mexico's recovered crime guns come the U.S. Not true."
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It goes beyond "not true." It is more like, "an intentional distortion."

This 90% figure is the percentage of guns Mexico asks US officials to trace that turn out to have come from the US. But Mexico only asks US officials to trace guns they recover that they already believe originated in the US because of their markings or other information. Of that sample, 90% actually did originate in the US. That is the best example of a horribly biased sample that I can imagine.

The truth is that the US government has no idea how many guns Mexican cops actually confiscate, and still less knowledge of what percentage of them originated in the US. The Mexican government doesn't know, either. Any figure is speculative.

Revealed: Antarctic ice growing, not shrinking | The Australian

Revealed: Antarctic ice growing, not shrinking | The Australian: "ICE is expanding in much of Antarctica, contrary to the widespread public belief that global warming is melting the continental ice cap.

The results of ice-core drilling and sea ice monitoring indicate there is no large-scale melting of ice over most of Antarctica, although experts are concerned at ice losses on the continent's western coast.

Antarctica has 90 per cent of the Earth's ice and 80 per cent of its fresh water. Extensive melting of Antarctic ice sheets would be required to raise sea levels substantially, and ice is melting in parts of west Antarctica. The destabilisation of the Wilkins ice shelf generated international headlines this month.

However, the picture is very different in east Antarctica, which includes the territory claimed by Australia.

East Antarctica is four times the size of west Antarctica and parts of it are cooling. The Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research report prepared for last week's meeting of Antarctic Treaty nations in Washington noted the South Pole had shown 'significant cooling in recent decades'.Australian Antarctic Division glaciology program head Ian Allison said sea ice losses in west Antarctica over the past 30 years had been more than offset by increases in the Ross Sea region, just one sector of east Antarctica. "Sea ice conditions have remained stable in Antarctica generally," Dr Allison said. "
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The usual arguments will not dispose of these findings. This is not a corporate funded think tank and it isn't Fox News. I am certainly no expert on this subject, but if you are trying to reconcile the dire predictions with the fact that sea levels are not rising as fast as predicted, this would explain it. Ninety percent of the world's ice is in Antarctica, and over the last 30 years, "Sea ice conditions have remained stable in Antarctica generally."

But the global warming zealots only look at evidence that supports their thesis, and they slander and vilify anybody who even considers evidence to the contrary. It is one ad hominem argument after another, coupled with attempts to panic the public and the media into acting without even thinking. That's why Al Gore and others insist "the debate is over." If we have a debate on the merits, they might lose.

I am very much in favor of finding new energy sources and would love to see this nation and the world stop using petroleum for transportation and electricity generation. I have been taking mass transportation to work since 1994, and when the weather cooperates I get around on a bike whenever I can. I will stipulate that the Bush administration was horrifically irresponsible on energy policy, and I'm hoping the next four to eight years will be different on that issue. But in all sincerity, I think the evidence in favor of human-caused catastrophic global warming is questionable at best, and in some cases deliberately deceptive.

The Cybersecurity Act--regulating the internet

S 773: Cybersecurity Act - THOMAS (Library of Congress)
Here it is. This is the bill (S 773) that Jay Rockefeller introduced. The stated purpose is basically to protect the internet. But it creates a new and powerful government regulatory agency to accomplish that.

The Raw Story | Cybersecurity Act would give president power to 'shut down' Internet

The Raw Story | Cybersecurity Act would give president power to 'shut down' Internet: "A recently proposed but little-noticed Senate bill would allow the federal government to shut down the Internet in times of declared emergency, and enables unprecedented federal oversight of private network administration.

The bill's draft states that 'the president may order a cybersecurity emergency and order the limitation or shutdown of Internet traffic' and would give the government ongoing access to 'all relevant data concerning (critical infrastructure) networks without regard to any provision of law, regulation, rule, or policy restricting such access.'

Authored by Democratic Sen. Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia and Republican Olympia Snowe of Maine, the Cybersecurity Act of 2009 seeks to create a Cybersecurity Czar to centralize power now held by the Pentagon, National Security Agency, Department of Commerce and the Department of Homeland Security.

While the White House has not officially endorsed the draft, it did have a hand in its language, according to The Washington Post."
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Nice to see some bipartisanship in Washington. Too bad it involves preparing to shut down the internet in case of "emergency."

FEMA on board with housing plan for Katrina victims - Breaking News from the Press-Register - al.com

FEMA on board with housing plan for Katrina victims - Breaking News from the Press-Register - al.com
"The Federal Emergency Management Agency is supporting an Alabama state agency's efforts to let a handful of Hurricane Katrina victims remain in rent-free travel trailers and mobile homes past a May 1 deadline, a spokesman has confirmed."
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At the risk of appearing churlish, does it strike anybody else as unusual that people are still living rent-free at taxpayer expense as a result of a hurricane that occurred in August, 2005? Is it possible that some of these folks need a gentle nudge out the door?

English Russia » Camaro Mod

Now that's what I call a Camaro!
If Chevrolet starts making these, they will be in the black in no time. Especially after civilization collapses.

March housing construction falls 10.8 percent - Yahoo! Finance

March housing construction falls 10.8 percent - Yahoo! Finance: "The Commerce Department said Thursday construction of new homes and apartments dropped by 10.8 percent last month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 510,000 units. That was the second lowest construction pace in records that go back 50 years.

The decline was worse than economists had expected and February activity was revised lower as well. That is more evidence that the steep slump in housing, which was a major factor triggering the current recession, has yet to run its course."
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Here in the Chicago area you can ask anybody in the housing industry and the answer is the same. Nothing is being built.

General Growth Files Biggest Real Estate Bankruptcy in U.S. - Bloomberg.com

General Growth Files Biggest Real Estate Bankruptcy in U.S. - Bloomberg.com: "April 16 (Bloomberg) -- General Growth Properties Inc. filed the biggest real estate bankruptcy in U.S. history after amassing $27 billion in debt during an acquisition spree that turned it into the second-largest shopping mall owner.

The owner of Boston’s Faneuil Hall and the South Street Seaport in New York City ended a seven-month effort today to rework its financing. The company listed $29.5 billion in assets and debts of about $27.3 billion in the Chapter 11 filing. General Growth will continue operating its more than 200 properties."
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The predicted collapse of the commercial real estate market seems to be underway.

BREAKING! Chicago Tax Day Tea Party Pictures! : Founding Bloggers

BREAKING! Chicago Tax Day Tea Party Pictures! : Founding Bloggers
Many photos here that give a flavor of the crowd's attitude. A CNN reporter had an on-the-air hissy fit. Apparently people were insufficiently deferential.

Perry fires up anti-tax crowd

Perry fires up anti-tax crowd: says Texas has power to secede from the Union: "'There's a lot of different scenarios,' Perry said. 'We've got a great union. There's absolutely no reason to dissolve it. But if Washington continues to thumb their nose at the American people, you know, who knows what might come out of that. But Texas is a very unique place, and we're a pretty independent lot to boot.'

He said when Texas entered the union in 1845 it was with the understanding it could pull out. However, according to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, Texas negotiated the power to divide into four additional states at some point if it wanted to but not the right to secede.

Texas did secede in 1861, but the North's victory in the Civil War put an end to that."
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Governor Perry will be challenged by Kay Bailey Hutchinson, so they say, and is concerned about his re-election chances. He is trying to capitalize on the Tea Party, anti-Washington, talk show, quasi-libertarian angst that is floating around right now. Throwing around the notion of secession may charge up the crowd, but if he isn't careful he will end up on Janet Napolitano's "rightwing (sic) extremist" list. I listened to his speech yesterday about the Texas legislature's resolution on state sovereignty, and he sounded like a demagogue then. I guess he thinks that role fits him.

List of Illinois legislators opposing manager licensing
I don't understand how any legislator who has the slightest concern for the public can oppose licensing of CID property managers. However, this just came in from the Illinois Chapter of CAI:

House Bill 271/Senate Bill 1579 - Community Association Manager Licensing Act. This measure is pending as House Bill 271 and Senate Bill 1579. Both bills have been approved in each Chamber. Senate Bill 1579 is now in the first reading in the House. The Senate passed this bill by a vote of 52-0. However, some Representatives apparently did not vote to approve the earlier House version of this bill. This bill will require that all individuals who are community association managers to be licensed in Illinois by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. This would also provide for disciplinary proceedings and loss of a license for illegal activities. The Illinois Chapter of CAI supports this bill.

House Representatives who serve Cook and other collar counties voted "No" are listed below, along with their corresponding district. ILAC respectfully requests that members of The Illinois Chapter of CAI contact these legislators urging them to vote "Yes" with respect to Senate Bill 1579 which is currently pending in the House.

Patricia Bellock (R) - Westmont; 630-852-8633, F 630-852-6530
Franco Coladipietro (R) - Bloomingdale; 630-582-0045, F 630-622-0406
Sandy Cole (R) - Grayslake; 847-543-0062, F 847-543-8862
Michael Connelly (R) - Naperville; 630-579-4848, NO FAX
Fred Crespo (D) - Streamwood; 630-372-3340, F-630-372-3342
Jim Durkin (R) - Countryside; 708-352-7700, F 708-352-7702
Keith Farnham (D) - Elgin; 847-841-7130, F 847-841-7140
Michael Fortner (R) - West Chicago; 630-293-9344, F 630-293-9785
John Franks (D) - Westchester; 815-334-0063, F 815-334-9147
Paul Froelich (D) - Schaumburg; 847-985-9210, F 847-891-8772
Emily McAsey (D) - Crest Hill; 815-588-0085, F 815-838-9460
Rosemary Mulligan (R) - Des Plaines; 847-297-6533, F 847-297-2978
Harry Osterman (D) - Chicago; 773-784-2002, F 773-784-2060
Sandra Pihos (R) - Glen Ellyn; 630-858-8855, F 630-858-8857
Harry Ramey (R) - West Chicago; 630-876-0703, F 630-231-3742
Dennis Reboletti (R) - Arlington Heights; 630-530-2730, F 630-530-2792
Tim Schmitz (R) - Geneva; 630-845-9590, F 630-845-9592
Darlene Senger (R) - Naperville; 630-219-3090, NO FAX
Ed Sullivan (R) - Mundelein; 847-566-5115, F 847-566-5155
Mark Walker (D) - Arlington Heights 847-640-8645, F 847-640-8690

Tijuana crime boosts demand for private security

Tijuana crime boosts demand for private security
"For the past two years, violent crime has spiked in Tijuana and other Mexican border cities, partly the result of a federal crackdown on drug cartels, prompting many who live in Tijuana or travel there from San Diego for business to hire private security.

These services have been in demand in the past but more so now, according to security firms in both cities. The number of businesses offering private security is also increasing."
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When the drug gangs are leaving baskets of heads on the police station steps, demand for private security increases. I think that is as solid a cause and effect relationship as you can find.

Economic survivalists take root - USATODAY.com

Economic survivalists take root - USATODAY.com: "When the economy started to squeeze the Wojtowicz family, they gave up vacation cruises, restaurant meals, new clothes and high-tech toys to become 21st-century homesteaders.

Now Patrick Wojtowicz, 36, his wife Melissa, 37, and daughter Gabrielle, 15, raise pigs and chickens for food on 40 acres near Alma, Mich. They're planning a garden and installing a wood furnace. They disconnected the satellite TV and radio, ditched their dishwasher and a big truck and started buying clothes at resale shops."
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I see how this can work for some people. Whenever I look out the kitchen window and see a few deer nibbling the grass 25 yards away, I am tempted to do a little backyard survivalism with my bow. But, as Nixon said, it would be wrong...

Swinestoppers as ornamental pig in garden sparks harassment claim from policeman neighbour | The Sun |News

Swinestoppers as ornamental pig in garden sparks harassment claim from policeman neighbour | The Sun |News: "A DAD was hauled out of bed and arrested for having an ornamental PIG in his garden — after his policeman neighbour claimed it was put there to poke fun at him."
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He says the pig has been there for 8 years. The copy moved next door 4 years ago.

Church, Kiddieland among institutions 'strong-armed' by police chief, prosecutors charge -- chicagotribune.com

Church, Kiddieland among institutions 'strong-armed' by police chief, prosecutors charge -- chicagotribune.com: "Former Melrose Park Police Chief Vito Scavo used 'extortion and strong-arm tactics' to get local institutions—including bars and restaurants, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church, Navistar and Kiddieland amusement park—to use guards from his security firm for protection, a federal prosecutor charged Tuesday.

But an attorney for Scavo defended his client's law enforcement record.

Assistant U.S. Atty. Stephen Andersson told a federal jury in his opening arguments in Scavo's racketeering and extortion trial that Scavo ran his private security firm out of the Melrose Park police station. He often used on-duty village police officers who were paid twice, once by the village and once by the client, for their service, Andersson said."
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Privatization gone bad?

Lehman Sits on Bomb of Uranium Cake as Prices Slump (Update1) - Bloomberg.com

Lehman Sits on Bomb of Uranium Cake as Prices Slump (Update1) - Bloomberg.com: "April 14 (Bloomberg) -- Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. is sitting on enough uranium cake to make a nuclear bomb as it waits for prices of the commodity to rebound, according to traders and nuclear experts.

The bankrupt bank, in the throes of paying off creditors, acquired uranium cake “under a matured commodities contract” and plans to sell it when the market improves “to realize the best prices,” Chief Executive Officer Bryan Marsal said."
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Maybe we need to invade and change that regime before they sell the yellowcake to terrorists.

Home

New Territory Sentinel
Here is a web site based in Texas that says, "What you don't know about your Home Owner Association could destroy you."

Wells Fargo May Need $50 Billion in Capital, KBW Says (Update1) - Bloomberg.com

Wells Fargo May Need $50 Billion in Capital, KBW Says (Update1) - Bloomberg.com: "April 13 (Bloomberg) -- Wells Fargo & Co., the second- biggest U.S. home lender, may need $50 billion to pay back the federal government and cover loan losses as the economic slump deepens, according to KBW Inc.’s Frederick Cannon."
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They have gotten enough of my money over the years to pay that bill.

Pakistan in danger of collapse

Pakistan in danger of collapse: "PAKISTAN could collapse within months, one of the more influential counter-insurgency voices in Washington says...We have to face the fact that if Pakistan collapses it will dwarf anything we have seen so far in whatever we're calling the war on terror now," said David Kilcullen, a former Australian Army officer who was a specialist adviser for the Bush administration and is now a consultant to the Obama White House. "You just can't say that you're not going to worry about al-Qaeda taking control of Pakistan and its nukes," he said."
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The man is a master of understatement. Time to get that Utah survival shelter all stocked up.

KTNV ABC,Channel 13,Las Vegas,Nevada,News,Weather,Sports,Entertainment,KTNV.com,Action News .:. Foreclosed community a mess for residents

KTNV ABC,Channel 13,Las Vegas,Nevada,News,Weather,Sports,Entertainment,KTNV.com,Action News .:. Foreclosed community a mess for residents: "The property is no longer owned by the builder, Astoria Homes. It was foreclosed on by one of Astoria's lendors KeyBank, back in December when still in the early stages of development.

Out of the 370 homes planned for Hillside, only 57 were actually built.

Astoria President, Tom McCormick tells Action news, 'no one expected what happened to be as bad as it is,' he continues, 'it's crushing.'"
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Yet another struggling HOA--courtesy of a builder who went under.
Fred Pilot sent this link.

Robbery suspect killed at AA meeting place - Local / Metro - The State

Robbery suspect killed at AA meeting place - Local / Metro - The State: "The AA visitor who fired his weapon and killed the suspect had a concealed weapons permit, police said...This is the second time in five weeks that a person with a concealed weapons permit has killed a person in the Midlands. In early March, an Irmo pizza delivery man shot and killed an attacker who telephoned in a phony order. In that case, pizza man Christopher Miller shot and killed Paul Andrew Sturgill, 17, as Sturgill and three others tried to rob him, police said."
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And if there were CCW holders in Illinois, as in South Carolina, there would be fewer robberies here. I realize there is room to differ on the scope of the Second Amendment and whether it should be incorporated into the 14th Amendment due process clause so it would restrict the states. But there is another way to see this. The most fundamental human right is self-preservation. People have the right to defend themselves, and to me that includes the right to have the means of effective self-defense, such as personal possession of firearms and the right to carry them. Background checks, training, and other limits are part of the deal. But here in Illinois there is no such thing as a carry permit, and that is just wrong.

The ideology is dead. Long live the deal - Haaretz - Israel News

The ideology is dead. Long live the deal - Haaretz - Israel News: "One of the last great ideological strongholds in the kibbutz movement is tumbling down, as the members of Shefayim have voted to privatize the kibbutz.

Shefayim its not just a kibbutz; it's The Kibbutz. No one driving along the coastal highway can miss the massive shopping center that it owns; it is one of the largest and richest kibbutzim. This is one of the reasons why, after over 150 kibbutzim have been privatized over the past decade, the privatization of Shefayim is drawing considerable press attention.
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The world's leading examples of socialist communities...turning capitalist.

My Way News - 2 more banks fail, lifting this year's tally to 23

My Way News - 2 more banks fail, lifting this year's tally to 23: "NEW YORK (AP) - Federal regulators shut down two more banks Friday, raising the number of bank failures so far this year to 23.

The first bank was Cape Fear Bank in Wilmington, N.C., the first North Carolina bank to fail in nearly 16 years. The other bank was New Frontier Bank of Greeley, Colo., the second Colorado bank this year to collapse.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. took over both banks Friday after their respective state regulators closed them down."
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Lee County condos linger in limbo | news-press.com | The News-Press

Lee County condos linger in limbo | news-press.com | The News-Press: "Some lenders in Lee County are deciding to not enforce mortgage foreclosures they’ve filed — leaving the properties in a limbo that homeowners associations say could destroy some communities...That creates a downward spiral that’s hard to escape from, said Bill Davis, secretary of the condominium board at the 112-unit Renaissance on the Winkler Avenue extension in Fort Myers.

The problem, he said, is the property is left effectively with nobody in control of it. The borrower still owns the property but can’t sell it because it’s worth less than the mortgage.

Meanwhile, the bank doesn’t have control because it’s still not the owner and the condo board can’t file its own foreclosure to get back maintenance fees because the lender’s mortgage has priority."
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The banks start foreclosure proceedings and then stop. That way they don't end up owning the unit, so they don't have to pay the six months of back assessments mandated by law, or any future units if it becomes their REO. The association, according to a Becker and Poliakoff attorney, then has no incentive to foreclose either, because the bank's lien has priority and they will end up with nothing. The net result of this practics: units that are abandoned and deteriorating, associations not getting their assessments, and a condo development in crisis.

fish condo fish bowl 2..0

fish condo fish bowl 2..0
OK, now I have seen the future.

New Jersey Community May Debate Gay Flag Displays | News | Advocate.com

New Jersey Community May Debate Gay Flag Displays  | News | Advocate.com: "Residents of Shark River Hills, an unincorporated area in New Jersey’s Neptune Township, may address the appropriateness of gay rights flag displays at their annual meeting on April 28.

The Asbury Park Press reports that a member of the community in Monmouth County submitted a question concerning the flags for consideration by the Township Committee and the Shark River Hills Property Owners’ Association.

'Ref: Display of sexual orientation flags,' the question begins. 'More and more, we are noticing flags being displayed on [Shark River Hills] properties declaring the occupants' sexual orientation or proclivity -- not just the multicolored 'gay' striped flags, but also banners indicating fetishes and or other 'lifestyle' choices. While this type of display may be acceptable in certain gay enclaves, there is simply no justification for it in a family-oriented neighborhood like [Shark River Hills]. Your comments?'"
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Here's a new flag issue. Question: how can there be such a place as "Shark River Hills"? Why not "Whale Desert Falls"?

The dark side of Dubai - Johann Hari, Commentators - The Independent

The dark side of Dubai - Johann Hari, Commentators - The Independent: "There are countless buildings half-finished, seemingly abandoned. In the swankiest new constructions – like the vast Atlantis hotel, a giant pink castle built in 1,000 days for $1.5bn on its own artificial island – where rainwater is leaking from the ceilings and the tiles are falling off the roof. This Neverland was built on the Never-Never – and now the cracks are beginning to show. Suddenly it looks less like Manhattan in the sun than Iceland in the desert.

Once the manic burst of building has stopped and the whirlwind has slowed, the secrets of Dubai are slowly seeping out. This is a city built from nothing in just a few wild decades on credit and ecocide, suppression and slavery. Dubai is a living metal metaphor for the neo-liberal globalised world that may be crashing – at last – into history."
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Amazing story sent by Mystery Reader.

'Forgotten' road burden of residents? :: Herald News :: Local News

'Forgotten' road burden of residents? :: Herald News :: Local News: "PLAINFIELD, IL -- For 13 years, most of the residents of Cambridge Circle apparently had no idea they were supposed to maintain their street. The village has been plowing it, changing street lights, even citing them for shoveling snow out onto the street. They had to call the police department to get permission to have a party on the street, said one resident. In June, the homeowners association discovered their subdivision's original annexation agreement, which states that Cambridge Circle was supposed to be a private road, maintained by the homeowners association. The residents were not informed of that and have never reserved cash to cover the cost of maintaining the road, said Mark Lindsay, president of the homeowners association. The homeowners association recently asked the village to take ownership of the road, seeking an amendment to the annexation agreement. Village staff recommended against it."
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Surprise!

BBC NEWS | UK | England | Manchester | CCTV cars snap distracted drivers

BBC NEWS | UK | England | Manchester | CCTV cars snap distracted drivers: "New CCTV cars to catch drivers using their mobile phones or being otherwise distracted at the wheel are being piloted by Greater Manchester Police. The small Smart cars, which have a 12ft (3.6m) mast with a camera attached, are parked at junctions to monitor traffic. Mike Downes of the Greater Manchester Casualty Reduction Partnership said the scheme was successfully 'driving the number of accidents down'. But the AA's Paul Watters said drivers 'might regard it as Big Brother'."
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Thanks to Mystery Reader for this report of what I would call "Little Brother" given the size of these dinky little cars.

Woody Harrelson claims he mistook photographer for zombie - CNN.com

Woody Harrelson claims he mistook photographer for zombie - CNN.com: "(CNN) -- Woody Harrelson defended his clash with a photographer at a New York airport Wednesday night as a case of mistaken identity -- he says he mistook the cameraman for a zombie."
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This is a defense I have not heard of before, but now that I think about it, perhaps it is plausible. You can't be too careful when dealing with zombies.

Local Governments Turn to Fees to Fill Budget Gaps - NYTimes.com

Local Governments Turn to Fees to Fill Budget Gaps - NYTimes.com: "With the economy flailing and budgets strained, state and local governments are being creative about ways to raise money. And the go-to idea is to invent a fee — or simply raise one."
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Fees for responding to traffic accidents, "streetlight user fees," charges for idling your car engine, massive increases in parking rates and dog tags...the list goes on.

The pols think that fees are easier to impose than taxes because each fee hits a minority of people, but taxes hit much larger groups and generate opposition. Clever, isn't it?

L.A. Houses Modeled after Fairytales (PICS)

L.A. Houses Modeled after Fairytales (PICS)
I like the hobbit house.

Condo groups gagged | Straight.com

Condo groups gagged | Straight.com: "There are about 460,000 strata-housing units across the province. Comprising 25 percent of taxable properties, according to VISOA figures, these are owned by some 600,000 British Columbians, or roughly 15 percent of the population."
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Strata property means condominiums.

Jewish Herald-Voice

Jewish Herald-Voice: "Texas homeowners’ associations no longer will be able to ban residents from affixing a mezuzah to their front doorposts if a bill pending the Texas House passes. The bill, HB 3025, is waiting for passage by the House Committee on Business and Industry. If the committee passes the bill, it will go to the House floor, where the Texas House of Representatives will vote on it."
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Another state making another special exception. Why not just force associations to show some respect for civil liberties in general?

Neighborhood Experiences Rank Side Effect of Foreclosure Crisis | NBC Washington

Neighborhood Experiences Rank Side Effect of Foreclosure Crisis | NBC Washington: "Thursday was trash day in the Lake Crest subdivision. At least, it was supposed to be trash day. As was Monday. And last Thursday. Actually, it's been about two-and-a-half weeks since the homeowners association was able to pay for pick up.

So trash bags and cans line the sidewalks. With Easter on the way, the whole thing smells like rotten eggs.

Not only does trash look bad and smell bad, it behaves poorly, as well, attracting birds, rats and other potentially unhealthy animals.

The problem? Foreclosures. The neighborhood is littered with them. Fewer homeowners means less dues in the homeowners association coffers."
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Another HOA in financial trouble. Insolvency is looming for an increasing number of community associations. Thanks to Fred Pilot for this link.

Pulte Homes agrees to buy Centex in $1.3B deal

Pulte Homes agrees to buy Centex in $1.3B deal: "NEW YORK – Pulte Homes Inc. is buying Centex Corp. for $1.3 billion in stock in a deal that will create the nation's largest homebuilder that caters to everyone from first-time homebuyers to grandparents looking to move into retirement communities.

The acquisition also will give Pulte large tracts of land in Texas and the Carolinas, two of the most resilient real estate markets, and a presence in 29 states and Washington, D.C.

The new company, which will include the Del Webb and Fox & Jacobs brand homes, will keep the Pulte name and headquarters in Bloomfield Hills, Mich. There will be an unspecified number of job cuts."
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"The two most similar companies in homebuilding" decide that...there can be only one!

Wood-bender Chris Mroz: Ahead of the curve | The News Tribune - TOP BUSINESS | Seattle-Tacoma News, Weather, Sports, Jobs, Homes and Cars | South Puget Sound's Destination

Wood-bender Chris Mroz: Ahead of the curve | The News Tribune - TOP BUSINESS | Seattle-Tacoma News, Weather, Sports, Jobs, Homes and Cars | South Puget Sound's Destination: "Imagine an indoor park four times the size of downtown Tacoma’s Tollefson Plaza – with a tiered amphitheater, rolling hills and winding paths formed entirely of bent red oak planks.

A premier London landscape architect imagined it. Chris Mroz, an innovative Gig Harbor woodbender, may get the chance to build it.

Mroz likes his chances. Martha Schwartz Partners created the concept for a $1.6 billion development in Seoul, South Korea, around Mroz’s technological woodbending method – the only one of its kind in the Americas."
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This is amazing, but I'm sure no HOA will allow this sort of thing because wood is supposed to be straight and bent wood is bad for property values.

Developers plan first solar city - Florida AP - MiamiHerald.com

Developers plan first solar city - Florida AP - MiamiHerald.com: "Developers say they're planning the world's first completely solar-powered city in southwest Florida.

Syd Kitson, of the West Palm Beach-based Kitson & Partners, said Thursday that the new city will be powered by a $300 million 75-megawatt solar plant that Florida Power & Light plans to build in Charlotte County. He says the company plans to begin building homes on the large tract of land called Babcock Ranch by 2011."
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Too bad Del Webb already used that "Sun City" name...

Binmen blockaded by furious householder after they refuse to take garden waste... because it had five stones in it | Mail Online

Binmen blockaded by furious householder after they refuse to take garden waste... because it had five stones in it | Mail Online: "Mr Bilton saw red when the rubbish collectors refused to empty his neighbour's wheelie bin because it contained five small stones and a sweet wrapper. The council workers were collecting garden waste to be turned into compost – and according to the rulebook the stones, none bigger than a golf ball, and the wrapper were household waste. Even when Mr Bilton, 39, removed the offending items, the dustmen still refused to empty the brown bin. It was apparently 'contaminated' with the household waste. Stunned by such petty bureaucracy, Mr Bilton wheeled two bins into the road, trapping the lorry and its crew in the cul-de-sac in Royston, Hertfordshire. Mobile phone footage shows him leaning on one bin as the binmen look on."
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The Brits have such civilized disputes. In the US this would have turned into a gunfight or a hostage situation around the contaminated household waste stage. At least, if it was my trash.

With Advocates’ Help, Squatters Call Foreclosures Home - NYTimes.com

With Advocates’ Help, Squatters Call Foreclosures Home - NYTimes.com: "MIAMI — When the woman who calls herself Queen Omega moved into a three-bedroom house here last December, she introduced herself to the neighbors, signed contracts for electricity and water and ordered an Internet connection.What she did not tell anyone was that she had no legal right to be in the home.

Ms. Omega, 48, is one of the beneficiaries of the foreclosure crisis. Through a small advocacy group of local volunteers called Take Back the Land, she moved from a friend’s couch into a newly empty house that sold just a few years ago for more than $400,000.

Michael Stoops, executive director of the National Coalition for the Homeless, said about a dozen advocacy groups around the country were actively moving homeless people into vacant homes — some working in secret, others, like Take Back the Land, operating openly. "
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I'd be careful which land I was trying to take. Might meet up with somebody who has a shotgun and no tolerance for squatters. I wonder what a feature in the NYT will do for the squatter population.

D.A. investigates Brown Act violations - Los Angeles Times

D.A. investigates Brown Act violations - Los Angeles Times: "Dozens of local government agencies across Los Angeles County have silenced critics at public meetings, held secret conferences to hash out important business or taken other actions that violated the state's open meetings law, according to a Times review of the district attorney's records."
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Hard to see why the industry doesn't want HOAs and condo associations to be held to public standards, if the public agencies are behaving like this. What's the difference?

Widow fighting eviction, cancer - 4/08/09 - Raleigh News - abc11.com

Widow fighting eviction, cancer - 4/08/09 - Raleigh News - abc11.com: "DURHAM (WTVD) -- A widow fighting cancer is also fighting to keep her home.

The Treyburn Homeowners Association in one of the Triangle's most affluent neighborhoods is trying to toss out 67-year-old SueAnn Demmerle."
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It appears that she is heavily in arrears to the association, as well as to the mortgage company and the county. A sad situation.

Homeowners' Association Proposes ATV Ban in Meadow Village. - WBOY-TV - WBOY.com

Homeowners' Association Proposes ATV Ban in Meadow Village. - WBOY-TV - WBOY.com: "CLARKSBURG, WV -- The Harrison County Commission held its first public hearing on a proposed ATV ban in Meadow Village near Good Hope.

Members of the Homeowners' Association say ATV's pose a danger to the children in their small community of 14 households."
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In West Virginia, the journalists use apostrophes to indicate the plural. Or should I say, the "journalist's" use "apostrophe's" for that purpose.

Concrete Controversy: HOA Sues Woman Over Lawn - Central Florida News 13

Concrete Controversy: HOA Sues Woman Over Lawn - Central Florida News 13: "POINCIANA -- Carole Athias says her allergies are so extreme she had to replace the grass in both her front and back yards with concrete. Now the Poinciana resident has 20 days to respond to a lawsuit filed by her Homeowners Association.

Athias thought she was in the clear after she obtained permits from the city of Poinciana, but that's when the real headache began."
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One of her neighbors said, "We're actually paying people to harass us."
Thanks to Fred Pilot for paving the way to this link.

How Derivatives Got Cities and Counties in Hot Water -- Seeking Alpha

How Derivatives Got Cities and Counties in Hot Water -- Seeking Alpha
This is an interesting blog post that has some informative links.

Rasmussen Reports™: The Most Comprehensive Public Opinion Data Anywhere

Rasmussen Reports™: Americans favor capitalism...by a slight majority: "Only 53% of American adults believe capitalism is better than socialism.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 20% disagree and say socialism is better. Twenty-seven percent (27%) are not sure which is better.

Adults under 30 are essentially evenly divided: 37% prefer capitalism, 33% socialism, and 30% are undecided. Thirty-somethings are a bit more supportive of the free-enterprise approach with 49% for capitalism and 26% for socialism. Adults over 40 strongly favor capitalism, and just 13% of those older Americans believe socialism is better."
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I think that libertarian utopia that is being urged on us by advocates of CIDs may be lacking in popular support.

More States Look to Raise Taxes - WSJ.com

More States Look to Raise Taxes - WSJ.com: "A free fall in tax revenue is driving more state lawmakers to turn to broad-based tax increases in a bid to close widening budget gaps.

At least 10 states are considering some kind of major increase in sales or income taxes: Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, Oregon, Washington and Wisconsin. California and New York lawmakers already have agreed on multibillion-dollar tax increases that went into effect earlier this year.

Fiscal experts say more states are likely to try to raise tax revenue in coming months, especially once they tally the latest shortfalls from April 15 income-tax filings, often the biggest single source of funds for the 43 states that levy them."
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Illinois is looking at a budget deficit for the coming year that is equal to over 16% of this year's budget. New York and New Jersey are at about 25% and California is even higher than that. So, if these states were just going to spend next year what they are spending this year, they'd be way short. And of course many costs will have gone up, such as health care, so the gap is even greater than that.

Banks aren't reselling many foreclosed homes

Banks aren't reselling many foreclosed homes: "'We believe there are in the neighborhood of 600,000 properties nationwide that banks have repossessed but not put on the market,' said Rick Sharga, vice president of RealtyTrac, which compiles nationwide statistics on foreclosures. 'California probably represents 80,000 of those homes. It could be disastrous if the banks suddenly flooded the market with those distressed properties. You'd have further depreciation and carnage.'"
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Well, that's just peachy, isn't it? I wonder if Mr. Banker has any more surprises for us. I'm not one of those torch and pitchfork types, but it would be nice if we could at least get the full measure of this debacle so we can see how much the tab will be.

Governor signs community association pay bill | www.chesterfieldobserver.com | Chesterfield Observer

Governor signs community association pay bill | www.chesterfieldobserver.com | Chesterfield Observer: "Gov. Tim Kaine last week signed a revision of the Property Owners' Association Act (POAA) that allows members of community associations to get salary information for the top six persons earning over $75,000...The Community Association Institute opposed releasing salary information, saying community associations are private, non-stock corporations, which are not like governments. Last year, Brandermill Community Association President Joel Bradner called the change "unnecessary," saying it could jeopardize the ability of community associations to recruit and retain employees and be "a breach of privacy" for their staffs."
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Thanks to Shu Bartholomew for this update. I'm glad to hear Gov. Kaine signed it. I find CAI's rationale for opposing the law unconvincing and a red herring. Whether CIDs are governments or not is beside the point. Owners paying such sums to property managers and other employees should know who is getting how much. This is, after all, their money. They shouldn't be treated like a bunch of sheep waiting patiently for the shears. And they can't even make intelligent decisions about board elections without knowing how their money is being spent.

Housing agencies faulted in audits to get $300M of stimulus - USATODAY.com: "WASHINGTON — The federal government will soon send more than $300 million in stimulus funds to 61 housing agencies that have been repeatedly faulted by auditors for mishandling government aid, a USA TODAY review has found.s

The money is part of a $4 billion effort to create jobs by fixing public housing projects that have fallen into disrepair. Recipients include housing authorities in 26 states that auditors have cited for problems ranging from poor bookkeeping to money that was spent improperly, according to the review of summaries the agencies must file with the federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB)."
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Congress said the Obama administration could hold up the funds to "troubled" agencies, but they chose to let the money flow forth. Oh, and the Chicago Housing Authority is getting more dough than any other troubled agency: $144 million.

Hawaii, suffering tourism drop, appeals to Obama - Los Angeles Times

Hawaii, suffering tourism drop, appeals to Obama - Los Angeles Times: "Hawaii has suffered one of the worst winters for tourism in recent years and has appealed to the state's most famous native son -- President Obama -- to help turn its fortunes around.

Hotel occupancy rates in the winter were the lowest in at least five years, and in February -- traditionally the state's busiest month -- the rate dropped to 75%. That was the lowest level since 1991, during the Persian Gulf War, when it fell to 69.7%, according to Smith Travel Research."
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No surprise here. Vegas is hurting, too. Fewer people have the money to spend on a vacation.

heraldsun.com: Eviction of Treyburn widow put on hold

heraldsun.com: Eviction of Treyburn widow put on hold: "DURHAM -- The 67-year-old cancer-stricken widow nearly tossed out of her home in a northern Durham subdivision has been saved from eviction again, at least until Monday."
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This link requires registration. Thanks to Mike Reardon for the link.

Apartment rents fall in Southern California - Los Angeles Times

Apartment rents fall in Southern California - Los Angeles Times: "Apartment rents are falling across most of Southern California as unemployed tenants double up with friends or family and the affordability of foreclosed homes makes some renters into buyers, a new survey has found.

The average rent in Los Angeles County fell almost 4% in 2008 as apartment occupancy rates dropped and new units came online. The decline should continue this year as more renters lose their jobs, according to the annual USC Casden Forecast expected to be released by the university today."
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Chicago Public Radio Blog » Blago Photo: Is it real or photoshopped or a year old? Who cares, it’s funny. | News and Notes from WBEZ

Chicago Public Radio Blog » Blago Photo: Is it real or photoshopped or a year old? Who cares, it’s funny. | News and Notes from WBEZ
Check out this photo. Look closely at Blago's left arm.

Small U.S. Towns Caught on Downside of Risky Bond Scheme - NYTimes.com

Small U.S. Towns Caught on Downside of Risky Bond Scheme - NYTimes.com: "Lewisburg is one of hundreds of small cities and counties across America reeling from their reliance in recent years on risky municipal bond derivatives that went bad. Municipalities that bought the derivatives were like homeowners with fixed-rate mortgages who refinanced by taking out lower-interest, variable-rate mortgages. But some local officials say they were not told, or did not understand, that interest rates could go much higher if economic conditions worsened — which, of course, they did."
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This relentless search for easy money by local governments is proving to be costly beyond anybody's expectations. You would think that after the Orange County, CA, bankruptcy in the early 1990s others would taken note, but apparently not. The insistence on building only in CIDs is another free lunch strategy that may be backfiring.

Eight Forty-Eight - The Role of Privatization in Efficiency and Democracy

Eight Forty-Eight - The Role of Privatization in Efficiency and Democracy
Here is what I hope is a permalink to the audio of the NPR/WBEZ broadcast I was on this morning.

Group digs up dirt on swing set -- chicagotribune.com

Group digs up dirt on swing set -- chicagotribune.com: "In the latest episode of Life Under the Microscope, the White House playground for Sasha, Malia and friends is stirring controversy. An environmental health group is contending that the playground's ground-up-tire mulch poses a health risk.

'This is not a material that children should be playing on,' wrote Nancy Alderman, president of Environment and Human Health Inc., which calls itself a 'non-profit organization composed of doctors, public health professionals and policy experts ... dedicated to protecting human health from environmental harms.'

The group said an analysis of ground-up tires done by the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station found a carcinogen as well as chemicals that irritate the skin, eyes and mucous membranes."
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I have never heard of this problem before, although I have noticed how hot these materials get. My kids have spent countless hours on public playgrounds made of ground up tires. It seems odd that a President of the US can follow the recommendations of the National Recreation and Park Association and then be told that he is responsible for building The Doomsday Playground.

$1 million worth of fixtures vanish from foreclosed home

$1 million worth of fixtures vanish from foreclosed home: "ENCINITAS — After a high-profile foreclosure, the county's largest and possibly most luxurious bank-owned home is missing an estimated $1 million worth of fixtures, from antique doors to top-of-the-line toilets...The 16,000-square-foot Spanish hacienda-style house on 1.24 acres in rural east Encinitas cost $13 million to build and furnish. In February, it failed to sell at a bank foreclosure auction with a starting bid of $2.3 million. "
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I used to live in Encinitas. It is in northern San Diego County. This is a pretty bold burglary. Fred Pilot ran down this lead.

HOA seminar focuses on meaning of bankruptcy | west, invite, association - Surprise - YourWestValley.com

HOA seminar focuses on meaning of bankruptcy | west, invite, association - Surprise - YourWestValley.com: "Surprise and the West Valley Homeowners Association invite residents to attend the next HOA Connection seminar, where the discussion will be centered on 'Bankruptcy: What does it mean for your community?'"
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Coming to a community near you...

The American Suburb Is Bouncing Back - Forbes.com

The American Suburb Is Bouncing Back - Forbes.com: "Nationwide, existing home sales--predominately in the suburbs--have been on the rise for the last few months. The strongest growth is occurring in Sunbelt markets in Arizona, Nevada and Florida, as well as in California. These places experienced some of the greatest surges in prices, which forced many buyers to turn to subprime and interest-only loans.

These loans are largely not available today, Guerrero notes. Instead of financial quackery, lower prices--sometimes as much as 50% below peak--are allowing new buyers to buy affordably. In 2007, Inland Empire median house prices were roughly seven to 10 times the average annual income of potential buyers. Now they are settling close to the historic norm of three times."
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As Kotkin points out, the academic anti-suburban types will lament this.

Communities print their own currency to keep cash flowing - USATODAY.com

Communities print their own currency to keep cash flowing - USATODAY.com: "A small but growing number of cash-strapped communities are printing their own money.

Borrowing from a Depression-era idea, they are aiming to help consumers make ends meet and support struggling local businesses.

The systems generally work like this: Businesses and individuals form a network to print currency. Shoppers buy it at a discount — say, 95 cents for $1 value — and spend the full value at stores that accept the currency.

Workers with dwindling wages are paying for groceries, yoga classes and fuel with Detroit Cheers, Ithaca Hours in New York, Plenty in North Carolina or BerkShares in Massachusetts"
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What would happen if local HOA does the same thing and sets up a currency exchange market where private and public "community currencies" co-exist?

Mortgage delinquencies soar in the U.S. | Special Coverage | Reuters

Mortgage delinquencies soar in the U.S. | Special Coverage | Reuters: "More U.S. consumers are falling behind on their mortgages, an indication that the housing market has yet to hit bottom, a top credit bureau executive told Reuters.

Dann Adams, president of U.S. Information Systems for Equifax Inc, reported that 7 percent of homeowners with mortgages were at least 30 days late on their loans in February, an increase of more than 50 percent from a year earlier."

US Banks 'Basically Insolvent': Soros - Economy * US * News * Story - CNBC.com

US Banks 'Basically Insolvent': Soros - Economy * US * News * Story - CNBC.com: "The U.S. economy is in for a 'lasting slowdown' and could face a Japan-style period of relatively low growth coupled with high inflation, billionaire investor George Soros said on Monday.

Soros, speaking to Reuters Financial Television, also warned that rescuing U.S. banks could turn them into 'zombies' that draw the lifeblood of the economy, prolonging the economic slowdown."
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He probably wonders why he doesn't get invited to more parties.

YouTube - Barack Obama thinks Austrian is a language
"It was also interesting to see that political interaction in Europe is not that different from the United States Senate. There's a lot of -- I don't know what the term is in Austrian -- wheeling and dealing."

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Now imagine that George Bush or Sarah Palin had said that. I don't think you'd have to search for it on YouTube because it would be on the front page of the Washington Post and the New York Times.

Ft. Lauderdale Condo Complex Abandoned After Foreclosures Hit - cbs4.com

Ft. Lauderdale Condo Complex Abandoned After Foreclosures Hit - cbs4.com: "FORT LAUDERDALE (CBS4) When CBS4 News cameras first toured the property at the New River condos in Ft. Lauderdale back in November, we saw months' worth of garbage piled up and residents furious about living in filth.

When CBS4 Reporter Carey Codd went back in early April, the garbage bags were gone. And so were the residents.

New River Condos, located at 510 N. 24th Avenue, appears to have fallen victim to the foreclosure crisis. The complex, which has more than 50 units, is a haven for the homeless and a burden to the people who still own units there."
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This isn't the first condo complex to be abandoned, and it won't be the last. Thanks to Fred Pilot for the link.

Eight Forty-Eight 4/6/2009

Eight Forty-Eight 4/6/2009
I will be on 848, on WBEZ, which is Chicago's NPR affilate, tomorrow morning at 9:00 am (that is Tuesday). The topic is...privatization! Chicago style, that is. That includes selling off the parking meters, the Chicago Skyway (which is really a toll road), and Midway Aiport.

CaliforniaCityNews.org: gadfly hall of fame

CaliforniaCityNews.org: gadfly hall of fame
Here is the corrected link to the local government Gadfly Hall of Fame, sent to us by Fred Pilot, who is not a gadfly.

Indianapolis Mayor Robbed In Detroit - Breaking News: The Post Chronicle

Indianapolis Mayor Robbed In Detroit - Breaking News: The Post Chronicle: "Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard was robbed while visiting Detroit, losing his cell phone in the incident, his communications director says."
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The Motor City is distinguishing itself in so many ways. You can buy a house for a hundred dollars, and even visiting mayors get robbed.

YouTube videos unflattering to Doral mayor - South Florida - MiamiHerald.com

YouTube videos unflattering to Doral mayor - South Florida - MiamiHerald.com: "Three videos have popped up on YouTube that point to turbulent times at Doral City Hall.

Posted by CrazyPoliticians on March 23, the videos show Doral Mayor Juan Carlos Bermudez in action. The recordings from three council meetings -- one from last month and two from 2007 -- have picked up nearly 1,000 combined views."
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I wonder if there is a web site for posting viral videos of crazy HOA/condo directors.

The Purple Center: Outside authorities should review the slow police response in Binghamton mass killings

The Purple Center: Outside authorities should review the slow police response in Binghamton mass killings
Here is a blog post on the issue.

I really don't blame the police, because situations like this underscore the problems with over-reliance on the police for public safety.

It seems that when a mass murder takes place in a building, the police always treat it as a hostage situation, where the procedure is to surround the building and set up communication with the hostage-taker, then proceed cautiously to enter the building as safely as possible. All that makes perfect sense--if you are dealing with a hostage-taker.

But mass murderers aren't usually interested in hostages. They just want to kill as many people as possible before the police kill them. It seems that sometimes they get tired of waiting for the police to enter the building, so they kill themselves. This maniac in Binghamton was wearing body armor, so I assume he wanted a shootout with police. The police remained outside, so he killed himself.

Result: 14 dead civilians, 25 wounded civilians, one dead mass murderer, and zero police casualties.

The hostage situation response doesn't save civilian lives if the murderer's objective is mass murder and suicide. The only kind of police response that might make a difference in a Binghamton-type situation is the John Wayne type, where the first patrol officers on the scene crash through the door as fast as they can and try to kill the murderer before he kills them or anybody else.

That would help only if they get there while the murderer is still killing people. Often it is already over within a few minutes. And that is really too much to ask of patrol officers, isn't it? They aren't equipped for it, they aren't trained for it, they don't know what is going on inside, and they could be walking into a trap with explosives or an ambush.

That's why the only really effective response would come from armed citizens who are capable of defending themselves.

As condo owners default, neighbors left holding bag | Portland Press Herald

As condo owners default, neighbors left holding bag | Portland Press Herald: "'A quarter of our income has been withdrawn, and it has been now for a long time,' said David Pitt, one of the owners and president of the Rosemont Condominium Association.

Associations rely on those fees to pay insurance and to maintain and repair common property. But under current law, they're hard-pressed to recover that money when an owner stops paying. The remaining owners in the association must pick up the tab.

Associations around the state increasingly are facing that burden as the recession, falling property values and a wave of troubled mortgages generate drawn-out foreclosure procedures.

Now, condo association officials are seeking some relief. They're asking for a change in the law governing condominium rules to allow them to recover some of that lost money from lenders, after the owners bail."
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Portland, Maine. Not a whole lot of condos in Maine, but about half of them are in the Portland area.

Homeowners’ Hard Times Are Good for the Foreclosure Business - NYTimes.com

Homeowners’ Hard Times Are Good for the Foreclosure Business - NYTimes.com: "Welcome to the spring 2009 Reomac conference, which has attracted nearly 3,000 real estate agents and property managers to this lush desert resort. The crowd brimmed with a gusto that is hard to find in this recessionary era. The hotel bar did more business on Saturday night than it did on New Year’s Eve. Small wonder: These are the people cashing in on the boom in foreclosed properties.

R.E.O. is industry lingo for “Real Estate Owned,” the term that bankers assign to homes they have taken in a foreclosure. Reomac is the industry group that serves the mortgage default trade, specializing in selling the busted-up American dream.

“Things are going tremendously,” said Darren Johnson, an R.E.O. agent from the Detroit area, who has handled about 180 bank property sales in the last year. “It has never been this good.”"
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There are supposedly 700,000 REO properties for sale now. In all of 2006 there were 100,000.

BBC NEWS | Middle East | Mecca mosques 'wrongly aligned'

BBC NEWS | Middle East | Mecca mosques 'wrongly aligned': "Some 200 mosques in Islam's holiest city, Mecca, point the wrong way for prayers, reports from Saudi Arabia say.

All mosques have a niche showing the direction of the most sacred Islamic site, the Kaaba, an ancient cube-like building in Mecca's Grand Mosque. But people looking down from recently built high-rises in Mecca found the niches in many older mosques were not pointing directly towards the Kaaba.

Some worshippers are said to be anxious about the validity of their prayers.

There have been suggestions that laser beams could be used to make an exact measurement."
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This may explain the outcomes of all those wars with Israel.

My Way News - Binghamton officials defend response to massacre

My Way News - Binghamton officials defend response to massacre: "BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (AP) - Even if police officers had immediately entered the immigrant center where a gunman had just shot down 13 people, the victims' injuries were so severe that none would have survived, a county prosecutor said Sunday.

But police didn't enter the American Civic Association until nearly 45 minutes after the first 911 calls came in at 10:30 a.m. Friday. They began removing the wounded about 15 minutes after that.

It took more than two hours to clear the building. Survivors reported huddling for hours in a basement, not knowing whether they were still in danger after the gunman, 41-year-old Jiverly Wong, killed 13 people."
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But the police didn't know the extent of people's injuries, as they milled around the building for 45 minutes. The bottom line, unfortunately, is that the only defense against massacres by lunatics is armed citizens. In these situations, we cannot count on the police to do anything more significant than picking up the bodies. In nearly all cases, it seems that these mass murderers are done with their work, and often have taken their own lives, before the police even have time to respond, much less take up positions and coordinate a building entry.

Quinn signs foreclosure grace period bill - Chicago Breaking News

Quinn signs foreclosure grace period bill - Chicago Breaking News: "Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn has signed legislation that gives delinquent homeowners facing foreclosure a grace period of up to 90 days. The bill gives people extra time to work with lenders. It was passed by the state legislature in January and Quinn signed it early Sunday afternoon at a church on Chicago's southwest side. The legislation prohibits lenders from beginning foreclosure proceedings within the first 30 days that a homeowner is delinquent. After that, lenders have to tell homeowners that they have another 30 days to seek credit counseling before legal action could begin. People who get housing counseling approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development have an additional 30 days to develop a plan with their lenders."
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And if they say "Candyman" three times while looking in a mirror, they get another 30 days. Or else a monster chases them down the street. I forget which.

Washington Times - EDITORIAL: The traffic-camera scam

Washington Times - EDITORIAL: The traffic-camera scam: "Arlington, Falls Church, Fairfax and Virginia Beach are preparing to stimulate public spending with new red-light camera programs. This is part of a push to fill government budget shortfalls by ramping up tickets for moving violations."
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Aren't these CID-heavy communities?

Get Your Walk Score - A Walkability Score For Any Address

Get Your Walk Score - A Walkability Score For Any Address
This web site ranks neighborhoods in terms of how "walkable" they are.

Ohio.com - Judge orders animal removal

Ohio.com - Judge orders animal removal: "Common Pleas Judge Judy Hunter issued a permanent injunction against Pearson and his ex-wife, Barbara Pearson-Brown, on Friday for keeping animals in unsanitary conditions. They are permanently barred from keeping exotic animals.

The two were also found in contempt of court and each was fined $150.

Hunter's 10-page order allows the Summit County Health Department and Copley Township to remove six horses, three goats, four pigs, three pot-bellied pigs, 20 ducks, one calf, five guinea fowl, seven chickens and pigeons from the Columbus Avenue property."
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I guess the judge let them keep the partridge in a pear tree.