11 Temmuz 2012 Çarşamba
Update from the Interim CEO - Save the Date for CHRC's 21st Annual Conference 2012
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10 Temmuz 2012 Salı
Bellingham USDA Zero Down Home Loan | Helping Whatcom County First Time Homebuyers
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House Key State Bond Home Buyer Seminar | Tulalip Casino & Resort Marysville, WA
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9 Temmuz 2012 Pazartesi
Marysville Meadows Offers Washington USDA Home Loan for Zero Down Financing
To contact us Click HERE
As a Washington State USDA Mortgage Writer and Loan Officer, I am seeing a lot of homes in Snohomish County being sold with USDA Financing, but more specifically, homes are selling fast and oftern in the Marysville Meadows in North Marysville with the Washington State USDA Home Loan as the preferred financing option.
Washington State USDA Home Loan
The Washington State USDA Home Loan does have a few restrictions. Below, I address common mistakes that I see other loan officers and realtors make with their clients as it relates to getting approved for a USDA Home Loan.
There are a couple important things to consider as a first time homebuyer as you begin gathering information on buying a home:
(1) Does it make more sense to Rent or Buy right now (CLICK HERE FOR EXAMPLE)
(2) Do I even qualify for the Washington State USDA Home Loan
- annual household income restictions
- property eligibility guidelines
- is my credit good enough?
- what is the total monthly payment?
CLICK HERE FOR ANSWERS TO THE ABOVE-MENTIONED QUESTIONS
I have put together this website for you to see the True Value in purchasing a home in the Marysville Meadows. Click on the link below...
The Washington State USDA Home Loan Program is changing it's guidelines on October 1, 2011. Please click here - WASHINGTON STATE USDA GUIDELINES - OCTOBER 2011 for more information.
You can also contact me directly at (425) 350-7136 if you have any questions on qualifying for the USDA Home Loan or would like more information on buying a new home in the Meadows. Please contact me for more information on how Dan Keller and the Marysville Meadows can help pay all of your closing costs making this a TRUE Zero Down Home Loan Program!
Click on the link below for your Marysville Meadows USDA Homebuyer's Packet and a special Mortgage Discount for Marysville Meadows buyers.
Contact me directly for more information to see if you qualify for a USDA Home Loan in Marysville and see how I am helping my clients pay off their debt and mortgage in 10 years or less. I can be reached directly at (425) 350-7136 or you can message me below.
As a Washington State USDA Mortgage Writer and Loan Officer, I am seeing a lot of homes in Snohomish County being sold with USDA Financing, but more specifically, homes are selling fast and oftern in the Marysville Meadows in North Marysville with the Washington State USDA Home Loan as the preferred financing option.Washington State USDA Home Loan
The Washington State USDA Home Loan does have a few restrictions. Below, I address common mistakes that I see other loan officers and realtors make with their clients as it relates to getting approved for a USDA Home Loan.
There are a couple important things to consider as a first time homebuyer as you begin gathering information on buying a home:
(1) Does it make more sense to Rent or Buy right now (CLICK HERE FOR EXAMPLE)
(2) Do I even qualify for the Washington State USDA Home Loan
- annual household income restictions
- property eligibility guidelines
- is my credit good enough?
- what is the total monthly payment?
CLICK HERE FOR ANSWERS TO THE ABOVE-MENTIONED QUESTIONS
I have put together this website for you to see the True Value in purchasing a home in the Marysville Meadows. Click on the link below...
The Washington State USDA Home Loan Program is changing it's guidelines on October 1, 2011. Please click here - WASHINGTON STATE USDA GUIDELINES - OCTOBER 2011 for more information.
You can also contact me directly at (425) 350-7136 if you have any questions on qualifying for the USDA Home Loan or would like more information on buying a new home in the Meadows. Please contact me for more information on how Dan Keller and the Marysville Meadows can help pay all of your closing costs making this a TRUE Zero Down Home Loan Program!
Click on the link below for your Marysville Meadows USDA Homebuyer's Packet and a special Mortgage Discount for Marysville Meadows buyers.
Example of Total Monthly Payment Breakdown for the Marysville Meadows Home Above:
Contact me directly for more information to see if you qualify for a USDA Home Loan in Marysville and see how I am helping my clients pay off their debt and mortgage in 10 years or less. I can be reached directly at (425) 350-7136 or you can message me below.
Relationships are where the magic happens. It can also be a time waster if you’re connecting with the wrong people so it is important to stay away from the wrong people. So who are the 7 types people in social media to stay away from?
To contact us Click HERE
I love social media.
As the real estate marketing specialist on my team, it is my job to market my listings and website. I also use social media to connect with consumers and referral partners. Social media allows me to meet and connect with more people than I could possibly do physically. To me, not only is it the biggest asset – to connect me with the potential clients, clients....people who have questions. It saves time. I do have to watch what I do on social media or I can get off task easily.
Relationships are where the magic happens.
It can also be a time waster if you’re connecting with the wrong people so it is important to stay away from the wrong people.
So who are the 7 types people in social media to stay away from?
1) The Original Time Waster: This type of person may between career choices and will want to pick your brain. They will ask many questions about your business or a business you had been involved in. This person should not be confused with the person who ask just a couple questions. It becomes a point when this type of person will take advantage of your friendship. The conversations will go from being beneficial to a dump fest or a woe with me public outcry. I once met a loan officer who was the Original Time Waster. He really didn't know what he wanted. He also had many personal issues going on and he got social media friends to feel sorry for him. He eventually burned quite a few people and left the area. As a small business owner, you want to be really careful with these people, because they’re not beneficial to your business. In fact they may hurt your business reputation.
2) The Spammer: The spammer is hard to carry on a conversation with. Trying to engage with a spammer is like talking to a 3 month old baby. You can do all the talking and they will sit there and smile. They're too busy posting messages and promoting their agenda. They're even notorious for posting the same exact message multiple times and over many groups. If you comment or ask a question, they typically will not respond because they're busy posting. I've talked to a few and asked them why they post so many times. The responses I have heard back are “it is about the numbers””The more people I meet, the greater chance I can sell . . . “ or “I was posting because I figured people wanted to read it.” Spammers are great at killing the mood of a Facebook group and turning a Facebook group into a ghost town.
3) The So Called Expert Know It All: The trouble with the So Called Expert Know It All is they annoy people. They're too busy trying to prove that they are right and they will kill the conversation by cutting off debate. They will make fun of anyone who has an opinion different than their opinion. They have a knack for locating great discussions and sharing opinions only to ruin it by jumping in and forcing their way of thinking onto everyone else. They think their business is the center of the universe and how dare anyone have a different opinion. When they hop into a conversation you will notice that only people with their opinion will stay in the conversation. These type of wrong people represent the exact opposite of what social media is supposed to be about and are typically found on politically motivated sites and groups.
4) The Shameless Self-Promoter: This person has an agenda and they will keep wasting your time until you bite. Social media is full of these type of people. They want you to read their blog, watch their video or follow their link. They have an e-book or training seminar they want to sell. If you have a conversation with this type of person they will mention their promotion. They want to schedule an appointment with you. They're good at mentioning the DEAL, like “Save Now” “Training Starts Next Week” or “Once I Sell Out, I'm taking my Site Down.” Their great at pointing out the millions they have made and they want to share it with you, if you act now. These people have the same skills of the spammer. They will steal ideas and present them as their own. Stay away from this type of person in social media who does nothing but hawk their own stuff. Don't confuse this person with the marketer because there is a difference. The difference between being a marketer and being a shameless self-promoter is people tend not to enjoy speaking with the latter.
5) The Professional Social Media Employee: This person gets paid to spend their day to post data on behalf of their client. There are a few good ones but for the most part, most don't really know what their tweeting on Twitter or posting on Facebook. It is hard to engage with them because if they receive a detailed or technical comment or reply, they pass it on to the boss and wait for a reply from the boss. Carrying a conversation with this type of person is like playing a game of “Words with Friends” with a person who takes a day between the moves. The lag time kills the conversation. Be cautious of affiliating yourself with these people. It’s not that their bad people, but there’s nothing more dangerous than a person with too much time on their hands. Personally, these people are wonderful people who have great social media skills. Dealing with these people is like that of a relative who keeps you out to dinner for hours just because they have nowhere to go after dinner. Just like our relatives, we love them, but they can also be great time wasters. If you value your time during the business day, tread lightly. If you want to connect with the Professional Social Media Employee, connect with them on their personal time.
6) The Habitual Complainer: I guess somewhere it became acceptable and even encouraged to use social media as the diary of why your having a bad day. You’ve probably met these type of people, right? They’re the folks who always appear to be having a bad day and who spend all their social media interactions yelling and screaming and kicking their feet. Do yourself a favor and avoid these folks. Now don't get me wrong, I understand people have problems and sympathize for them. I have had my share of problems like blindness, diabetes and injuries. I just don't go on social media and do the “Woe with Me” stuff. The people who do are looking for attention and I’ve found that too much exposure to negative people can ruin your mood and your day. Negativity attracts more negativity. Surround yourself with positive people who are excited about what their doing and the people their talking to. Because excitement is also contagious. And which would you rather catch? I know I want to be surrounded by positve people, don't you?
7) The Social Media Guru: Hey, don’t get me wrong. I like gurus and a lot of my friends are social media gurus. It’s not that they’re bad people, it’s just that they often will not bring much value to your business. What do I mean? How is connecting with XYZ social media guru in New York going to help your business in (your city)? As a small business owner, you don’t need to be connecting with hundreds of social media gurus on Twitter and Facebook. A couple is all you need. Read their blogs on Google Reader is ok, connecting with them on social media is useless, other than letting your friends know that you're connected to a famous person. I meet those people all of the time at networking events and they will tell me that social media doesn't work for them. After analyzing their social media presence, I notice that they spend their time retweeting social media gurus and commenting on the same social media gurus walls. Connecting with the Gurus will have little impact on your business.
So now that I shared with you the people to stay away from on Social Media, I'll post the type of people you should focus connecting with on social media tomorrow.
I hope this post will help you become more successful with using social media. By connecting with the right people, you will find that social media will not be a time waster and will in fact help your business grow.
If you’re selling your home, and would like to connect with potential buyers....let’s talk.
Who you connect with says as much about you, as the thoughts and ideas you post. Pick the right people, get the right results!
If you would like to connect with me, feel free to connect with my social media channels below.
Facebook Profile – http://www.Facebook.com/KansasCityRealEstateFacebook Real Estate Network – http://www.Facebook.com/KansasCityRealEstateNetworkTwitter: http://www.Twitter.comDowellTaggart
RE/MAX sells more homes than any other real estate company.
For a reason...should we talk?
Another blog post written by:
Comments are appreciated! Go ahead and add your 2 cents . . .
Checkout our 30 Day Real Estate Listing Program!View Olathe, Kansas Real Estate Facts, Stats, Blog Post and Important Links!
I love social media.
As the real estate marketing specialist on my team, it is my job to market my listings and website. I also use social media to connect with consumers and referral partners. Social media allows me to meet and connect with more people than I could possibly do physically. To me, not only is it the biggest asset – to connect me with the potential clients, clients....people who have questions. It saves time. I do have to watch what I do on social media or I can get off task easily.
Relationships are where the magic happens.
It can also be a time waster if you’re connecting with the wrong people so it is important to stay away from the wrong people.
So who are the 7 types people in social media to stay away from?
1) The Original Time Waster: This type of person may between career choices and will want to pick your brain. They will ask many questions about your business or a business you had been involved in. This person should not be confused with the person who ask just a couple questions. It becomes a point when this type of person will take advantage of your friendship. The conversations will go from being beneficial to a dump fest or a woe with me public outcry. I once met a loan officer who was the Original Time Waster. He really didn't know what he wanted. He also had many personal issues going on and he got social media friends to feel sorry for him. He eventually burned quite a few people and left the area. As a small business owner, you want to be really careful with these people, because they’re not beneficial to your business. In fact they may hurt your business reputation.
2) The Spammer: The spammer is hard to carry on a conversation with. Trying to engage with a spammer is like talking to a 3 month old baby. You can do all the talking and they will sit there and smile. They're too busy posting messages and promoting their agenda. They're even notorious for posting the same exact message multiple times and over many groups. If you comment or ask a question, they typically will not respond because they're busy posting. I've talked to a few and asked them why they post so many times. The responses I have heard back are “it is about the numbers””The more people I meet, the greater chance I can sell . . . “ or “I was posting because I figured people wanted to read it.” Spammers are great at killing the mood of a Facebook group and turning a Facebook group into a ghost town.
3) The So Called Expert Know It All: The trouble with the So Called Expert Know It All is they annoy people. They're too busy trying to prove that they are right and they will kill the conversation by cutting off debate. They will make fun of anyone who has an opinion different than their opinion. They have a knack for locating great discussions and sharing opinions only to ruin it by jumping in and forcing their way of thinking onto everyone else. They think their business is the center of the universe and how dare anyone have a different opinion. When they hop into a conversation you will notice that only people with their opinion will stay in the conversation. These type of wrong people represent the exact opposite of what social media is supposed to be about and are typically found on politically motivated sites and groups.
4) The Shameless Self-Promoter: This person has an agenda and they will keep wasting your time until you bite. Social media is full of these type of people. They want you to read their blog, watch their video or follow their link. They have an e-book or training seminar they want to sell. If you have a conversation with this type of person they will mention their promotion. They want to schedule an appointment with you. They're good at mentioning the DEAL, like “Save Now” “Training Starts Next Week” or “Once I Sell Out, I'm taking my Site Down.” Their great at pointing out the millions they have made and they want to share it with you, if you act now. These people have the same skills of the spammer. They will steal ideas and present them as their own. Stay away from this type of person in social media who does nothing but hawk their own stuff. Don't confuse this person with the marketer because there is a difference. The difference between being a marketer and being a shameless self-promoter is people tend not to enjoy speaking with the latter.
5) The Professional Social Media Employee: This person gets paid to spend their day to post data on behalf of their client. There are a few good ones but for the most part, most don't really know what their tweeting on Twitter or posting on Facebook. It is hard to engage with them because if they receive a detailed or technical comment or reply, they pass it on to the boss and wait for a reply from the boss. Carrying a conversation with this type of person is like playing a game of “Words with Friends” with a person who takes a day between the moves. The lag time kills the conversation. Be cautious of affiliating yourself with these people. It’s not that their bad people, but there’s nothing more dangerous than a person with too much time on their hands. Personally, these people are wonderful people who have great social media skills. Dealing with these people is like that of a relative who keeps you out to dinner for hours just because they have nowhere to go after dinner. Just like our relatives, we love them, but they can also be great time wasters. If you value your time during the business day, tread lightly. If you want to connect with the Professional Social Media Employee, connect with them on their personal time.
7) The Social Media Guru: Hey, don’t get me wrong. I like gurus and a lot of my friends are social media gurus. It’s not that they’re bad people, it’s just that they often will not bring much value to your business. What do I mean? How is connecting with XYZ social media guru in New York going to help your business in (your city)? As a small business owner, you don’t need to be connecting with hundreds of social media gurus on Twitter and Facebook. A couple is all you need. Read their blogs on Google Reader is ok, connecting with them on social media is useless, other than letting your friends know that you're connected to a famous person. I meet those people all of the time at networking events and they will tell me that social media doesn't work for them. After analyzing their social media presence, I notice that they spend their time retweeting social media gurus and commenting on the same social media gurus walls. Connecting with the Gurus will have little impact on your business.
So now that I shared with you the people to stay away from on Social Media, I'll post the type of people you should focus connecting with on social media tomorrow.
I hope this post will help you become more successful with using social media. By connecting with the right people, you will find that social media will not be a time waster and will in fact help your business grow.
If you’re selling your home, and would like to connect with potential buyers....let’s talk.
Who you connect with says as much about you, as the thoughts and ideas you post. Pick the right people, get the right results!
If you would like to connect with me, feel free to connect with my social media channels below.
Facebook Profile – http://www.Facebook.com/KansasCityRealEstateFacebook Real Estate Network – http://www.Facebook.com/KansasCityRealEstateNetworkTwitter: http://www.Twitter.comDowellTaggart
RE/MAX sells more homes than any other real estate company.
For a reason...should we talk?
Another blog post written by:
Comments are appreciated! Go ahead and add your 2 cents . . .
Checkout our 30 Day Real Estate Listing Program!View Olathe, Kansas Real Estate Facts, Stats, Blog Post and Important Links!
Yesterday I shared the 7 types of wrong people in social media to stay away from. I got feedback requesting the type of people to follow. Here are the 3 Types of people to connect with on social media:
To contact us Click HERE
Yesterday I shared the 7 types of wrong people in social media to stay away from. I got feedback requesting the type of people to follow. Here are the 3 Types of people to connect with on social media:
1) The first type of person to connect with on social media is the Influencers.
Who are Influencer?
Statistically, only about 1% of the social media users are influencers. They like to start conversations. Their posts are widely read and broadly shared. They are capable of influencing not only the people they know, but also people they don’t know. They belong to the major social networks—Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus and LinkedIn. They are typically the trendsetters and If they know you and care about you, they will help you achieve your goals. If you don't feel comfortable asking Influencers help in public, send them a private message. They understand how you feel because they were once in your shoes. They are great a starting Facebook Groups, starting trends and promoting fundraiser events. They understand it is not about them.
Influencers are like your city Mayor on social media. Good Influencers to connect with are those from your city and your profession.
2) The next type of person to connect with on social media is the Engager. The Engager makes up 5% of the people on social media and they act like the broadcasters. They're great at connecting with Influencers and broadcasting post and tweets. They're also good at generating their own post, sharing information and engaging in conversation. Engagers like to collaborate on ideas. Engagers are like the city council and school board members in your city. Good Engagers to connect with are those from your city and your profession.
3) The third type of person to connect with on social media is your Target Audience. Who is your audience? Your audience is your customers, past customers, referral partners, people from your city, people from your market area, close friends and family.
I hope this post will help you become more successful with social media. By connecting with the right people, you will find that social media will not be a time waster and will in fact help your business grow.
If you’re selling your home, and would like to connect with potential buyers....let’s talk.
Who you connect with says as much about you, as the thoughts and ideas you post. Pick the right people, get the right results! If you would like to connect with me, feel free to connect with my social media channels below.
BECOME A FAN, TODAY!
Facebook Profile – http://www.Facebook.com/KansasCityRealEstateFacebookNetworking Page – http://www.Facebook.com/KansasCityNetworkingFacebookReal Estate Betwork - http://www.Facebook.com/KansasCityRealEstateNetworkDowell Taggart Team - http://www.Facebook.com/DowellTaggartTeamTwitter: http://www.Twitter.comDowellTaggart
RE/MAX sells more homes than any other real estate company.
For a reason...should we talk?
Another blog post written by:
Comments are appreciated! Go ahead and add your 2 cents . . .
Checkout our 30 Day Real Estate Listing Program!View Olathe, Kansas Real Estate Facts, Stats, Blog Post and Important Links!
Yesterday I shared the 7 types of wrong people in social media to stay away from. I got feedback requesting the type of people to follow. Here are the 3 Types of people to connect with on social media:
1) The first type of person to connect with on social media is the Influencers.
Who are Influencer?
Statistically, only about 1% of the social media users are influencers. They like to start conversations. Their posts are widely read and broadly shared. They are capable of influencing not only the people they know, but also people they don’t know. They belong to the major social networks—Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus and LinkedIn. They are typically the trendsetters and If they know you and care about you, they will help you achieve your goals. If you don't feel comfortable asking Influencers help in public, send them a private message. They understand how you feel because they were once in your shoes. They are great a starting Facebook Groups, starting trends and promoting fundraiser events. They understand it is not about them.
Influencers are like your city Mayor on social media. Good Influencers to connect with are those from your city and your profession.
2) The next type of person to connect with on social media is the Engager. The Engager makes up 5% of the people on social media and they act like the broadcasters. They're great at connecting with Influencers and broadcasting post and tweets. They're also good at generating their own post, sharing information and engaging in conversation. Engagers like to collaborate on ideas. Engagers are like the city council and school board members in your city. Good Engagers to connect with are those from your city and your profession.
3) The third type of person to connect with on social media is your Target Audience. Who is your audience? Your audience is your customers, past customers, referral partners, people from your city, people from your market area, close friends and family.
I hope this post will help you become more successful with social media. By connecting with the right people, you will find that social media will not be a time waster and will in fact help your business grow.
If you’re selling your home, and would like to connect with potential buyers....let’s talk.
Who you connect with says as much about you, as the thoughts and ideas you post. Pick the right people, get the right results! If you would like to connect with me, feel free to connect with my social media channels below.
BECOME A FAN, TODAY!
Facebook Profile – http://www.Facebook.com/KansasCityRealEstateFacebookNetworking Page – http://www.Facebook.com/KansasCityNetworkingFacebookReal Estate Betwork - http://www.Facebook.com/KansasCityRealEstateNetworkDowell Taggart Team - http://www.Facebook.com/DowellTaggartTeamTwitter: http://www.Twitter.comDowellTaggart
RE/MAX sells more homes than any other real estate company.
For a reason...should we talk?
Another blog post written by:
Comments are appreciated! Go ahead and add your 2 cents . . .
Checkout our 30 Day Real Estate Listing Program!View Olathe, Kansas Real Estate Facts, Stats, Blog Post and Important Links!
Avoiding a Real Estate Foreclosure in Kansas City Doesn't Mean You Will Stay in the Home
To contact us Click HERE
The feeling of owning your own home is wonderful, especially for those couples that are first time home buyers; however, there are certain problems that can arise for real estate owners, the main one being foreclosure due to lack of payments.
When buying a home you do not expect to lose your job, a hidden bill to emerge, or a lack of money in your bank account, you expect to be able to make the payments just like you did the first few months of owning the real estate.
There are several ways of getting out of foreclosure, not many involve keeping your home. The best way to make sure the foreclosure does not appear on your credit report is to sale your real estate before the foreclosure is processed. If you choose to sell your real estate, the moment that the contract is signed by another individual the process of the foreclosure can be delayed, even if the home is already up for auction.
Foreclosures normally result in the real estate being sold under market value. This makes selling your home during a foreclosure, a better way out. If you sell your home, you can list it for market value and in return make enough money off the sale to pay your mortgage loan off and possibly find another place to live. The protection of your credit record is vital, most United States citizens never recover their excellent credit score after a foreclosure, thus making it important never to have one show up on your credit report.
During the foreclosure auction of real estate, you and your family have already heard the term vacate the premises, but if you choose to sell before the foreclosure, you will be able to stay in the home until the buyer asks you to vacate, which is normally thirty to sixty days after the sales contract was signed. In these thirty to sixty days, it is advised to plan ahead and find another place to live, as well as how you are going to be transporting your personal items and furniture from one place to the next.
No one ever wants to sell their home, especially if they have children and it is hard transferring them while in school, but at some point in your life you have to do what is best for you and your family. Keeping your credit record clean and safely insuring the new real estate that you purchase will be paid for will help your family in the long run when it comes to future foreclosure.
RE/MAX sells more homes than any other real estate company.
For a reason...should we talk?
Another blog post written by:
Comments are appreciated! Go ahead and add your 2 cents . . .
Checkout our 30 Day Real Estate Listing Program!View Olathe, Kansas Real Estate Facts, Stats, Blog Post and Important Links!
When buying a home you do not expect to lose your job, a hidden bill to emerge, or a lack of money in your bank account, you expect to be able to make the payments just like you did the first few months of owning the real estate.
There are several ways of getting out of foreclosure, not many involve keeping your home. The best way to make sure the foreclosure does not appear on your credit report is to sale your real estate before the foreclosure is processed. If you choose to sell your real estate, the moment that the contract is signed by another individual the process of the foreclosure can be delayed, even if the home is already up for auction.
Foreclosures normally result in the real estate being sold under market value. This makes selling your home during a foreclosure, a better way out. If you sell your home, you can list it for market value and in return make enough money off the sale to pay your mortgage loan off and possibly find another place to live. The protection of your credit record is vital, most United States citizens never recover their excellent credit score after a foreclosure, thus making it important never to have one show up on your credit report.
During the foreclosure auction of real estate, you and your family have already heard the term vacate the premises, but if you choose to sell before the foreclosure, you will be able to stay in the home until the buyer asks you to vacate, which is normally thirty to sixty days after the sales contract was signed. In these thirty to sixty days, it is advised to plan ahead and find another place to live, as well as how you are going to be transporting your personal items and furniture from one place to the next.
No one ever wants to sell their home, especially if they have children and it is hard transferring them while in school, but at some point in your life you have to do what is best for you and your family. Keeping your credit record clean and safely insuring the new real estate that you purchase will be paid for will help your family in the long run when it comes to future foreclosure.
RE/MAX sells more homes than any other real estate company.
For a reason...should we talk?
Another blog post written by:
Comments are appreciated! Go ahead and add your 2 cents . . .
Checkout our 30 Day Real Estate Listing Program!View Olathe, Kansas Real Estate Facts, Stats, Blog Post and Important Links!
Is this is an unethical way of doing business? If yes, why do some businesses in Kansas City do it?
To contact us Click HERE
Is this is an unethical way of doing business? If yes, why do some businesses in Kansas City do it?
Last week between running my kids between practices, we ate at a restaurant in Olathe. As usual during meals we discussed what was going on for the week and what the kids are doing. This lunch started out as usual but ended with a heavy discussion.
What was the heavy discussion about?
In the booth next to us a manager/trainer was having lunch with two newer employees and he was discussing how to do an estimate. The manager/trainer was explaining to the employees how to use the companies figures in figuring estimates. That seemed great until the manager/trainer was instructing the employees how to discuss the estimate to the clients.
In the discussions the manager/trainer said, " When the estimate comes out to $500, don't tell the client $500. Even though we know the job will come in at $500, Tell the client that the estimate for the job will come in between $200-$500 depending on parts and time."
In my family discussion, my younger son said "That is wrong dad."
My older son applied the analogy to real estate. Some real estate agents will give false information to a home seller when competing with other real estate agents just to get the listing.
I discussed this with my wife this morning on our daily walk. Her first words out of her mouth were that is totally unethical. I would rather get the worse case scenario up front. She went on to say that she would refer a business who came in under their estimate, but would probably not refer a business who came in over their estimate.
Is how the manager/trainer training his employees ethical? Would you refer a business who did business this way?
RE/MAX sells more homes than any other real estate company.
For a reason...should we talk?
Another blog post written by:
Comments are appreciated! Go ahead and add your 2 cents . . .
Checkout our 30 Day Real Estate Listing Program!View Olathe, Kansas Real Estate Facts, Stats, Blog Post and Important Links!
Last week between running my kids between practices, we ate at a restaurant in Olathe. As usual during meals we discussed what was going on for the week and what the kids are doing. This lunch started out as usual but ended with a heavy discussion.
What was the heavy discussion about?
In the booth next to us a manager/trainer was having lunch with two newer employees and he was discussing how to do an estimate. The manager/trainer was explaining to the employees how to use the companies figures in figuring estimates. That seemed great until the manager/trainer was instructing the employees how to discuss the estimate to the clients.
In the discussions the manager/trainer said, " When the estimate comes out to $500, don't tell the client $500. Even though we know the job will come in at $500, Tell the client that the estimate for the job will come in between $200-$500 depending on parts and time."
In my family discussion, my younger son said "That is wrong dad."
My older son applied the analogy to real estate. Some real estate agents will give false information to a home seller when competing with other real estate agents just to get the listing.
I discussed this with my wife this morning on our daily walk. Her first words out of her mouth were that is totally unethical. I would rather get the worse case scenario up front. She went on to say that she would refer a business who came in under their estimate, but would probably not refer a business who came in over their estimate.
Is how the manager/trainer training his employees ethical? Would you refer a business who did business this way?
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8 Temmuz 2012 Pazar
Environmental Health News Publicizes Environmental Justice
To contact us Click HERE
Today Environmental Health News (EHN) begins a three-week series, Pollution, Poverty and People of Color. They will be examining the long-discussed, rarely-addressed issues of environmental justice in urban and rural communities across America.
Today's story focuses on the refineries and close-in neighborhoods of Richmond, California. The Bay Area city of 103,000 is ringed by five oil refineries, three chemical factories, eight Superfund sites and more.
Help us spread the word. Contact me or editor Marla Cone if you have questions or comments on the series.
Peter DykstraPublisherEnvironmental Health Newswww.ehn.orgThe Daily Climatewww.dailyclimate.org(o) 770-929-8052(c) 404-272-3304Twitter: pdykstra
Today Environmental Health News (EHN) begins a three-week series, Pollution, Poverty and People of Color. They will be examining the long-discussed, rarely-addressed issues of environmental justice in urban and rural communities across America.Today's story focuses on the refineries and close-in neighborhoods of Richmond, California. The Bay Area city of 103,000 is ringed by five oil refineries, three chemical factories, eight Superfund sites and more.
Help us spread the word. Contact me or editor Marla Cone if you have questions or comments on the series.
Peter DykstraPublisherEnvironmental Health Newswww.ehn.orgThe Daily Climatewww.dailyclimate.org(o) 770-929-8052(c) 404-272-3304Twitter: pdykstra
Environmental Justice in the Workplace
To contact us Click HERE
When people go to work, they put their lives in the hands of their employers. Those employers have a duty of care to their employees to protect them from harm. However, many people are exposed to harmful substances during the course of their work. Sometimes, they contract life-limiting diseases as a result. There is a tendency among some to think exposure to toxic substances only happens in the third world and that in America, we had consigned dangerous working conditions to history with our labor laws. They are wrong. An estimated 350,000 workers contract an industrial disease each year in the United States, caused directly by their working environment. 50,000-70,000 die of them.
Disease and Damage
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is responsible for protecting workers in the US. They exist to enforce legislation on workplace health and safety. The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 makes employers responsible for their workers’ health and safety at work, but that does not mean that they always do, despite the OHSA’s best efforts. Some workers, such as farm workers, are not covered by the OSHA but should be covered by state agencies. While legal protection for workers does exist, there are many examples of workers suffering because their employers failed to adequately protect them. Often, these workers come from the most vulnerable groups in society, such as migrant workers. People on low incomes often have no option other than to take jobs in the most dangerous industries. African American and Hispanic workers are over-represented in low-wage, hazardous jobs, and so these communities are more likely than others to be impacted by poor working conditions.
Industrial, construction and agricultural jobs tend to be the most dangerous. Construction and maintenance workers can be exposed to chemicals such as asbestos and other chemical dusts in the fabric of buildings. Manufacturing workers can be exposed to all kinds of liquid and other chemicals in the course of the manufacturing process. Miners often breathe in large quantities of harmful coal dust and other residue. Farm workers are exposed to harmful pesticides and even sometimes to dangerous diseases spread by animals, such as anthrax. Even without exposure to chemicals, workers health can be damaged by long hours and dangerous machinery.Nearly all of the diseases caused by these (and other) hazards can be prevented by good working practices, such as providing proper safety equipment to those handling chemicals, carrying out asbestos surveys and giving all workers safety training.
Workers Fight Back
We know that there are numerous violations of safety legislation every day, as many employers believe they can get away with lax safety standards. However, some workers are not willing to just accept dangerous working conditions and the risks that go with them. Many of them will have seen what those conditions have done to former colleagues.
In California, California Rural Legal Assistance helps farmworkers fight for justice in their working conditions. The California Labor Code exempts farm workers from its forty-hour maximum working week. Instead, they can work for up to sixty hours, despite often facing harsh conditions and physical fatigue. Several farmworkers die just from heat exhaustion each year, and many others’ health is damaged by exposure to chemicals.
The Environmental Justice for Cleaning Workers Campaign fights on behalf of cleaning workers exposed to harmful chemicals in the course of their work. They recognize that cleaning workers are more likely than others to suffer from a range of diseases, including certain cancers, asthma and neurological diseases. Children of cleaning workers are more likely to be born disabled, and women are more likely to miscarry than others. They have had some success in persuading employers to limit the use of harmful chemicals.These are two local organizations working for change. There should be more.
Can We Do More?
We have legislation in place designed to protect workers from harm, and yet it often fails to do so. No-one should die trying to make a living. Those who suffer most are often those least able to fight back, such as migrant farm workers. National organizations need to help support local groups in their fight against poor working conditions. Individual workers cannot fight back without risking their jobs, and few if any vulnerable workers are unionized. United and with help on their side, they could do so much more.
When people go to work, they put their lives in the hands of their employers. Those employers have a duty of care to their employees to protect them from harm. However, many people are exposed to harmful substances during the course of their work. Sometimes, they contract life-limiting diseases as a result. There is a tendency among some to think exposure to toxic substances only happens in the third world and that in America, we had consigned dangerous working conditions to history with our labor laws. They are wrong. An estimated 350,000 workers contract an industrial disease each year in the United States, caused directly by their working environment. 50,000-70,000 die of them.Disease and Damage
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is responsible for protecting workers in the US. They exist to enforce legislation on workplace health and safety. The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 makes employers responsible for their workers’ health and safety at work, but that does not mean that they always do, despite the OHSA’s best efforts. Some workers, such as farm workers, are not covered by the OSHA but should be covered by state agencies. While legal protection for workers does exist, there are many examples of workers suffering because their employers failed to adequately protect them. Often, these workers come from the most vulnerable groups in society, such as migrant workers. People on low incomes often have no option other than to take jobs in the most dangerous industries. African American and Hispanic workers are over-represented in low-wage, hazardous jobs, and so these communities are more likely than others to be impacted by poor working conditions.
Industrial, construction and agricultural jobs tend to be the most dangerous. Construction and maintenance workers can be exposed to chemicals such as asbestos and other chemical dusts in the fabric of buildings. Manufacturing workers can be exposed to all kinds of liquid and other chemicals in the course of the manufacturing process. Miners often breathe in large quantities of harmful coal dust and other residue. Farm workers are exposed to harmful pesticides and even sometimes to dangerous diseases spread by animals, such as anthrax. Even without exposure to chemicals, workers health can be damaged by long hours and dangerous machinery.Nearly all of the diseases caused by these (and other) hazards can be prevented by good working practices, such as providing proper safety equipment to those handling chemicals, carrying out asbestos surveys and giving all workers safety training.
Workers Fight Back
We know that there are numerous violations of safety legislation every day, as many employers believe they can get away with lax safety standards. However, some workers are not willing to just accept dangerous working conditions and the risks that go with them. Many of them will have seen what those conditions have done to former colleagues.
In California, California Rural Legal Assistance helps farmworkers fight for justice in their working conditions. The California Labor Code exempts farm workers from its forty-hour maximum working week. Instead, they can work for up to sixty hours, despite often facing harsh conditions and physical fatigue. Several farmworkers die just from heat exhaustion each year, and many others’ health is damaged by exposure to chemicals.
The Environmental Justice for Cleaning Workers Campaign fights on behalf of cleaning workers exposed to harmful chemicals in the course of their work. They recognize that cleaning workers are more likely than others to suffer from a range of diseases, including certain cancers, asthma and neurological diseases. Children of cleaning workers are more likely to be born disabled, and women are more likely to miscarry than others. They have had some success in persuading employers to limit the use of harmful chemicals.These are two local organizations working for change. There should be more.
Can We Do More?
We have legislation in place designed to protect workers from harm, and yet it often fails to do so. No-one should die trying to make a living. Those who suffer most are often those least able to fight back, such as migrant farm workers. National organizations need to help support local groups in their fight against poor working conditions. Individual workers cannot fight back without risking their jobs, and few if any vulnerable workers are unionized. United and with help on their side, they could do so much more.
California Cap & Trade Discrimination Complaint To EPA
To contact us Click HERE
The Center on Race, Poverty and the Environment has filed a complaint with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Friday on behalf of a coalition of environmental justice and civil rights activists alleging that cap-and-trade provisions in California's pioneering program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions discriminate against people of color.
The groups, which represent minority communities, accused the California Air Resources Board of violating the Civil Rights Act of 1964 when it agreed to allow polluters in low-income areas to use carbon offsets to buy their way out of pollution reduction under the state's global warming reduction plan. Cap and trade allows them to buy allowances from other facilities or offsets from out of state or even internationally, denying communities next to refineries and other polluting businesses the benefits that would occur through direct regulationwhich filed the complaint.
The groups assert that it is discrimination because these communities, which are overwhelmingly populated by people of color are very close to cap-and-trade facilities. In particular, the African American population is disproportionately affected.
The groups fought against oil companies and global warming skeptics to support - AB32, the landmark law passed in 2006 that requires California to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. However, the groups opposed the cap and trade provision of AB32 and want to see the benefits on site in the communities that suffer from disproportionately large numbers of pollution-caused illnesses. The EPA complaint mirrors a lawsuit previously filed by the same groups that is still pending in state court.
The Air Resources Board believes efforts to reduce greenhouse gases, including cap-and-trade provisions, will benefit every community, but the goal of AB32 was to reduce statewide carbon emissions, not localized smog. There are separate regulations, he said, that control diesel emissions from buses and trucks and restrict smokestack pollution in ports and rail yards.
The EPA's Office of Civil Rights now has 20 days to decide whether to accept the complaint. If it is accepted, then regulators will have 180 days to investigate the case and make a preliminary finding. The complaint cites studies that show that people of color make up 66 percent of the state's population most heavily hit by pollution, with African Americans making up the vast majority of the victims. (San Francisco Chronicle, 6/12/2012)
The Center on Race, Poverty and the Environment has filed a complaint with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Friday on behalf of a coalition of environmental justice and civil rights activists alleging that cap-and-trade provisions in California's pioneering program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions discriminate against people of color. The groups, which represent minority communities, accused the California Air Resources Board of violating the Civil Rights Act of 1964 when it agreed to allow polluters in low-income areas to use carbon offsets to buy their way out of pollution reduction under the state's global warming reduction plan. Cap and trade allows them to buy allowances from other facilities or offsets from out of state or even internationally, denying communities next to refineries and other polluting businesses the benefits that would occur through direct regulationwhich filed the complaint.
The groups assert that it is discrimination because these communities, which are overwhelmingly populated by people of color are very close to cap-and-trade facilities. In particular, the African American population is disproportionately affected.
The groups fought against oil companies and global warming skeptics to support - AB32, the landmark law passed in 2006 that requires California to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. However, the groups opposed the cap and trade provision of AB32 and want to see the benefits on site in the communities that suffer from disproportionately large numbers of pollution-caused illnesses. The EPA complaint mirrors a lawsuit previously filed by the same groups that is still pending in state court.
The Air Resources Board believes efforts to reduce greenhouse gases, including cap-and-trade provisions, will benefit every community, but the goal of AB32 was to reduce statewide carbon emissions, not localized smog. There are separate regulations, he said, that control diesel emissions from buses and trucks and restrict smokestack pollution in ports and rail yards.
The EPA's Office of Civil Rights now has 20 days to decide whether to accept the complaint. If it is accepted, then regulators will have 180 days to investigate the case and make a preliminary finding. The complaint cites studies that show that people of color make up 66 percent of the state's population most heavily hit by pollution, with African Americans making up the vast majority of the victims. (San Francisco Chronicle, 6/12/2012)
EPA EJ Office's New Video Series
To contact us Click HERE
EPA's Office of Environmental Justice has officially launched its 20th Anniversary Video Series. These videos feature federal and local government officials, non-profit leaders and students who share stories about the lessons that they have learned over their time working on environmental justice. They will be featured on the Environmental Justice in Action Blog.
The first video available on the blog today features Vernice Miller-Travis. Watch the video, share it, and let EPA know your thoughts in the comments section. Also, be sure to add your e-mail to the subscribe link on the upper right side of the blog's home page to receive EPA's weekly posts. Clicking the "Like" button is another way to let your friends know about this great resource.
EPA's Office of Environmental Justice has officially launched its 20th Anniversary Video Series. These videos feature federal and local government officials, non-profit leaders and students who share stories about the lessons that they have learned over their time working on environmental justice. They will be featured on the Environmental Justice in Action Blog.The first video available on the blog today features Vernice Miller-Travis. Watch the video, share it, and let EPA know your thoughts in the comments section. Also, be sure to add your e-mail to the subscribe link on the upper right side of the blog's home page to receive EPA's weekly posts. Clicking the "Like" button is another way to let your friends know about this great resource.
Interagency Working Group Town Hall Meeting.
To contact us Click HERE
The Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice will hold a community stakeholder meeting in conjunction with the Department of Health and Human Services and other federal partners on Monday, July 16, 2012, from 7pm - 9pm at the Hyati Heritage Center, 804 Old Fayetteville Street, Durham, NC.
These meetings provide an opportunity for stakeholders to discuss best practices and model programs to create more healthy and vibrant communities. Stakeholders include grassroots communities; federal, state, tribal, and local government agencies; business/industry; academics and other interested parties. These regional meetings also provide an opportunity to explore how the federal government can meet its responsibilities and work effectively with communities experiencing environmental justice issues.
Doors open at 6:00 pm.
This events are open to the public.
Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice Announces a Town Hall Meeting in Durham, North Carolina
The Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice will hold a community stakeholder meeting in conjunction with the Department of Health and Human Services and other federal partners on Monday, July 16, 2012, from 7pm - 9pm at the Hyati Heritage Center, 804 Old Fayetteville Street, Durham, NC. These meetings provide an opportunity for stakeholders to discuss best practices and model programs to create more healthy and vibrant communities. Stakeholders include grassroots communities; federal, state, tribal, and local government agencies; business/industry; academics and other interested parties. These regional meetings also provide an opportunity to explore how the federal government can meet its responsibilities and work effectively with communities experiencing environmental justice issues.
Doors open at 6:00 pm.
This events are open to the public.
7 Temmuz 2012 Cumartesi
America's Natural Gas Highway Coming to Kentucky Thanks to Clean Energy
To contact us Click HERE
Clean Energy will be building a public LNG/CNG refueling site in Walton, Ky. (Flying J's) as part of America’s Natural Gas Highway. They expect to complete the project this summer. The station will feature the latest state-of-the-art technology for natural gas vehicle fueling. They will initially deploy LNG at the station to service big rig heavy-duty trucks. They may add CNG to the station at any time when needed by the market.
Read more about the Clean Energy program - http://www.kentuckycleanfuels.org/resources/naturalgashighway.pdf.
Clean Energy will be building a public LNG/CNG refueling site in Walton, Ky. (Flying J's) as part of America’s Natural Gas Highway. They expect to complete the project this summer. The station will feature the latest state-of-the-art technology for natural gas vehicle fueling. They will initially deploy LNG at the station to service big rig heavy-duty trucks. They may add CNG to the station at any time when needed by the market.Read more about the Clean Energy program - http://www.kentuckycleanfuels.org/resources/naturalgashighway.pdf.
KCFC Members Tour ThomasBuilt
To contact us Click HERE
A few KCFC members enjoyed a field trip to HIgh Point, North Carolina recently to tour the ThomasBuilt School Bus manufacturing plant.
Brian Bane (Cummins Crosspoint0, David Huff (LG&E/KU), Marie Burnett (Waste Management), Jeff Jacobs (Eaton), Barry Zink and Frank Lewis (Whayne Power) and Melissa Howell (KCFC), not only toured the manufacturing facility where 33 busses come off the line daily but also got a first hand look at CNG busses bound for California and the solar panels on site that were provided by Duke Energy. Due to growth in production demand, the plant has brought back 250 laid off workers from last year and is hiring an additional 100.
A few KCFC members enjoyed a field trip to HIgh Point, North Carolina recently to tour the ThomasBuilt School Bus manufacturing plant.
Brian Bane (Cummins Crosspoint0, David Huff (LG&E/KU), Marie Burnett (Waste Management), Jeff Jacobs (Eaton), Barry Zink and Frank Lewis (Whayne Power) and Melissa Howell (KCFC), not only toured the manufacturing facility where 33 busses come off the line daily but also got a first hand look at CNG busses bound for California and the solar panels on site that were provided by Duke Energy. Due to growth in production demand, the plant has brought back 250 laid off workers from last year and is hiring an additional 100.
CNG Station to Open in Louisville:
To contact us Click HERE
PetroCard and Waste Management are excited to announce they are constructing a public compressed natural gas fueling station in west Louisville (7501 Grade Lane - near the airport) and estimates opening in June. The site will be open 24 hours all year long. We are also proud to announce that PetroCard is now a Silver member of KCFC.
For additional information on the station, card acceptance or how to open an account, contact them at 800.950.3835 or sales@petrocard.com.
You can also visit http://www.cleanngreenfuel.com/
PetroCard and Waste Management are excited to announce they are constructing a public compressed natural gas fueling station in west Louisville (7501 Grade Lane - near the airport) and estimates opening in June. The site will be open 24 hours all year long. We are also proud to announce that PetroCard is now a Silver member of KCFC.
For additional information on the station, card acceptance or how to open an account, contact them at 800.950.3835 or sales@petrocard.com.
You can also visit http://www.cleanngreenfuel.com/
Kentucky Fleets Encouraged to Join Green Fleets of the Bluegrass
To contact us Click HERE
Join Green Fleets of the Bluegrass this spring as we gear up to improve the performance and ratings of fleets across Kentucky for 2012!
Green Fleets of the Bluegrass aims to improve the environmental performance of vehicle fleets across Kentucky by reducing petroleum fuel use. Participating fleets are evaluated and rated annually. A special session at KCFC’s April 27th event at Mammoth Cave National Park will feature Green Fleet best practice sharing and implementation guidance. Current and prospective Green Fleet participants are encouraged to attend.
• Learn how your fleet can improve its Green Fleet rating for 2012
• Learn about other fleets‘ best practice efforts
• Share your fleet’s successes and challenges
• Share how the Green Fleets program can best support your fleet’s goals and efforts
Data submissions for 2012 ratings are due November 1. New participants should submit their baseline data as soon as possible. For more information see http://www.kentuckycleanfuels.org/greenfleets.htm or email emily@kentuckycleanfuels.org.
Join Green Fleets of the Bluegrass this spring as we gear up to improve the performance and ratings of fleets across Kentucky for 2012! Green Fleets of the Bluegrass aims to improve the environmental performance of vehicle fleets across Kentucky by reducing petroleum fuel use. Participating fleets are evaluated and rated annually. A special session at KCFC’s April 27th event at Mammoth Cave National Park will feature Green Fleet best practice sharing and implementation guidance. Current and prospective Green Fleet participants are encouraged to attend.
• Learn how your fleet can improve its Green Fleet rating for 2012
• Learn about other fleets‘ best practice efforts
• Share your fleet’s successes and challenges
• Share how the Green Fleets program can best support your fleet’s goals and efforts
Data submissions for 2012 ratings are due November 1. New participants should submit their baseline data as soon as possible. For more information see http://www.kentuckycleanfuels.org/greenfleets.htm or email emily@kentuckycleanfuels.org.
NAT GAS ACT Failed
To contact us Click HERE
Yesterday, the U.S. Senate voted 51-47 to add the Senate version of the NAT GAS Act as an amendment to the Transportation Bill (Amendment #1782). The amendment was offered by Sens. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.) and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV). Yesterday, Sen. Burr spoke in favor of the NAT GAS Act for 50 minutes on the floor of the Senate. Despite the amendment receiving 51 votes in support, 60 votes were required for it to pass, so the amendment failed. Among the yeas votes were 45 Democrats and 6 Republicans. Among the nays votes were 39 Republicans, 7 Democrats and 1 independent. Two Senators were not present, one of which was Sen. Orrin Hatch, a supporter of NGVs (who was in Utah for a primary on Thursday).
5 Temmuz 2012 Perşembe
EPA EJ Office's New Video Series
To contact us Click HERE
EPA's Office of Environmental Justice has officially launched its 20th Anniversary Video Series. These videos feature federal and local government officials, non-profit leaders and students who share stories about the lessons that they have learned over their time working on environmental justice. They will be featured on the Environmental Justice in Action Blog.
The first video available on the blog today features Vernice Miller-Travis. Watch the video, share it, and let EPA know your thoughts in the comments section. Also, be sure to add your e-mail to the subscribe link on the upper right side of the blog's home page to receive EPA's weekly posts. Clicking the "Like" button is another way to let your friends know about this great resource.
EPA's Office of Environmental Justice has officially launched its 20th Anniversary Video Series. These videos feature federal and local government officials, non-profit leaders and students who share stories about the lessons that they have learned over their time working on environmental justice. They will be featured on the Environmental Justice in Action Blog.The first video available on the blog today features Vernice Miller-Travis. Watch the video, share it, and let EPA know your thoughts in the comments section. Also, be sure to add your e-mail to the subscribe link on the upper right side of the blog's home page to receive EPA's weekly posts. Clicking the "Like" button is another way to let your friends know about this great resource.
EPA Environmental Justice Blog
To contact us Click HERE
Agency's EJ Blog Launched on April 17th
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE IN ACTION
By Mustafa Ali
Nothing brings about change faster than when local communities get involved and organize to improve the conditions in their cities, towns, and neighborhoods. Over the years, I have travelled to communities across the country, where the impacts of pollution and public health problems are all too real. On each of these visits, I have been struck by what a difference it makes when residents are involved in the environmental decision-making and have a voice in designing a vision for the future in the places they call home.
Community engagement is a key tenant of environmental justice and why it is so important that we have a place to share our stories, or successes, and our expertise. It is our hope that this blog will support the online community of advocates working for environmental justice and create a space where we can highlight the positive activities happening in communities to reduce environmental and health disparities. Organizations, businesses and citizens throughout America are trying a wide range of approaches to advance environmental justice. We want to capture these good ideas and connect them to others across the country.
Additionally, many government agencies offer resources for overburdened communities, but it can seem daunting to locate them all. And, since EPA’s Administrator, Lisa P. Jackson, promoted environmental justice as one of her top priorities, there has been important progress at EPA and other federal agencies to address environmental justice concerns and expand the benefits of government programs in low-income and minority communities. Environmental Justice in Action! will also serve as a space where we can share information about the resources, tools, and programs available to help achieve healthy and sustainable communities.
My goal for this blog is to make this a resource for you and to provide an opportunity for everyone to join the conversation on environmentalism. So, it is important that we hear from you! Let us know what types of information would be most useful and interesting to you.What do you want to learn more about? Please post your thoughts and comments here and on future posts to help us better design this blog to meet your needs. While the government can provide support and assist in building capacity in communities, putting environmental justice into action takes you!
About the author: Mustafa Ali currently serves as the Associate Director of Communications for EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice. He has been a national speaker, trainer and facilitator on social justice issues for the past 20 years and focused on the issue of environmental justice for the past 19 years.
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| Mustafa Ali |
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE IN ACTION
By Mustafa Ali
Nothing brings about change faster than when local communities get involved and organize to improve the conditions in their cities, towns, and neighborhoods. Over the years, I have travelled to communities across the country, where the impacts of pollution and public health problems are all too real. On each of these visits, I have been struck by what a difference it makes when residents are involved in the environmental decision-making and have a voice in designing a vision for the future in the places they call home.
Community engagement is a key tenant of environmental justice and why it is so important that we have a place to share our stories, or successes, and our expertise. It is our hope that this blog will support the online community of advocates working for environmental justice and create a space where we can highlight the positive activities happening in communities to reduce environmental and health disparities. Organizations, businesses and citizens throughout America are trying a wide range of approaches to advance environmental justice. We want to capture these good ideas and connect them to others across the country.
Additionally, many government agencies offer resources for overburdened communities, but it can seem daunting to locate them all. And, since EPA’s Administrator, Lisa P. Jackson, promoted environmental justice as one of her top priorities, there has been important progress at EPA and other federal agencies to address environmental justice concerns and expand the benefits of government programs in low-income and minority communities. Environmental Justice in Action! will also serve as a space where we can share information about the resources, tools, and programs available to help achieve healthy and sustainable communities.
My goal for this blog is to make this a resource for you and to provide an opportunity for everyone to join the conversation on environmentalism. So, it is important that we hear from you! Let us know what types of information would be most useful and interesting to you.What do you want to learn more about? Please post your thoughts and comments here and on future posts to help us better design this blog to meet your needs. While the government can provide support and assist in building capacity in communities, putting environmental justice into action takes you!
About the author: Mustafa Ali currently serves as the Associate Director of Communications for EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice. He has been a national speaker, trainer and facilitator on social justice issues for the past 20 years and focused on the issue of environmental justice for the past 19 years.
EPA EJ Title VI Comment Period Ends June 19th
To contact us Click HERE
Advancing Environmental Justice through Title VI Plan EJ 2014 Draft Supplement Comment Period Ends June 19th. Administrator Jackson has made improving EPA's civil rights program a priority. Complying with EPA's statutory civil rights obligations is a critical part of the Agency's efforts to advance environmental justice. As part of this effort, EPA is pursuing long overdue, vigorous, robust, and effective implementation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other nondiscrimination statutes.
The Office of Civil Rights (OCR), in consultation with the Office of Environmental Justice (OEJ) and the Office of General Counsel (OGC), have developed a draft supplemental implementation plan, "Advancing Environmental Justice through Title VI", for Plan EJ 2014. The draft focuses on Title VI of Civil Rights Act and its integration with Plan EJ 2014.
EPA continues to ask for your comments on the Title VI Draft Supplement. Please visit to review and provide comments on the supplement.
As a reminder, the opportunity to submit comments via the internet, by email and through postal mail will end at 11:59 p.m. (EST) on Tuesday June 19, 2012.
Advancing Environmental Justice through Title VI Plan EJ 2014 Draft Supplement Comment Period Ends June 19th. Administrator Jackson has made improving EPA's civil rights program a priority. Complying with EPA's statutory civil rights obligations is a critical part of the Agency's efforts to advance environmental justice. As part of this effort, EPA is pursuing long overdue, vigorous, robust, and effective implementation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other nondiscrimination statutes.
The Office of Civil Rights (OCR), in consultation with the Office of Environmental Justice (OEJ) and the Office of General Counsel (OGC), have developed a draft supplemental implementation plan, "Advancing Environmental Justice through Title VI", for Plan EJ 2014. The draft focuses on Title VI of Civil Rights Act and its integration with Plan EJ 2014.
EPA continues to ask for your comments on the Title VI Draft Supplement. Please visit to review and provide comments on the supplement.
As a reminder, the opportunity to submit comments via the internet, by email and through postal mail will end at 11:59 p.m. (EST) on Tuesday June 19, 2012.
NEJAC Community Conference Call
To contact us Click HERE
Intended Audience: Environmental Justice and Tribal Communities or Organizations When: June 27, 2012
Time: 1:00pm-2:00pm EST
Conference Line: 1-866-299-3188; code: 919-541-5624#
(To participate, please plan to join the call at least 10 minutes prior to the start time. The phone line is limited to 125 participants on a first-come first-served basis)
Purpose: To provide information on upcoming activities in EPA's Air Programs and foster a dialog with communities on their air quality issues. This call will provide updates on the:
Intended Audience: Environmental Justice and Tribal Communities or Organizations When: June 27, 2012Time: 1:00pm-2:00pm EST
Conference Line: 1-866-299-3188; code: 919-541-5624#
(To participate, please plan to join the call at least 10 minutes prior to the start time. The phone line is limited to 125 participants on a first-come first-served basis)
Purpose: To provide information on upcoming activities in EPA's Air Programs and foster a dialog with communities on their air quality issues. This call will provide updates on the:
- National Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC) Meeting scheduled for July 24-25, 2012
- Federal Action Plan to Reduce Racial and Ethnic Asthma Disparities
- New features of the Ultraviolet Index and how it differs from EPA's Air Quality Index
- Air emissions and associated health impacts as a result of shale gas drilling, fracturing and production
- EPA's Air Programs and Regulations
- Federal Implementation Plan and Revisions to Regional Haze
- Particulate Matter National Ambient Air Quality Standards (PM NAAQS)
- Portland Cement-Amendments in Response to Reconsideration
- Polyvinyl Chloride and Copolymers Production (PVC) NESHA
Southeast Regional Environmental Justice Conference
To contact us Click HERE
When: August 16-17, 2012
Where: Atlanta Federal Center - Sam Nunn Bldg.
61 Forsyth Street SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
Cost: FREE
Audience: communities, states, local businesses, colleges, and universities in GA, AL, MS, TN, KY, FL, SC, NC
There are three easy ways to register:
Registration Now Open
Conference InformationWhen: August 16-17, 2012
Where: Atlanta Federal Center - Sam Nunn Bldg.
61 Forsyth Street SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
Cost: FREE
Audience: communities, states, local businesses, colleges, and universities in GA, AL, MS, TN, KY, FL, SC, NC
There are three easy ways to register:
- Online: https://epa.connectsolutions.com/e5t4ysila62/event/registration.html
- By Email: Send an email to mclendon.ella@epa.gov with "Register for the Regional EJ Conference" in the subject line. Please provide your name, organization, mailing address, email address, telephone number, and workshop selections for breakout sessions 1 and 2.
- By Phone: Please call Ella McLendon at 404-562-8316. On the voice message system, please say and spell your name, organization, mailing address, email address, telephone number, and workshop selections for breakout sessions 1 and 2.
- Learn about tangible solutions to address environmental, social, and health Impacts associated with environmental pollution
- Engage in networking opportunities with environmental justice leaders and organizations
- Participate in various interactive workshops
4 Temmuz 2012 Çarşamba
GE LED Lamps Bring New Glow to New Zealand’s Wanganui City Bridge
To contact us Click HERE
22 June 2012
GE LED Lamps Bring New Glow to New Zealand’s Wanganui City Bridge
GE Lighting invents with the vigor of its founder Thomas Edison to develop energy-efficient solutions that change the way people light their world in commercial, industrial, municipal and residential settings. The business employs over 17,000 people in more than 100 countries, and sells products under the Reveal® and Energy Smart® consumer brands, and Evolve™, GTx, Immersion ™, Infusion ™, Lumination™ and Tetra® commercial brands, all trademarks of GE. General Electric (NYSE: GE) works on things that matter to build a world that works better. For more information, visitwww.gelighting.com.
GE LED Lamps Bring New Glow to New Zealand’s Wanganui City Bridge
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- Energy savings: from 165-watts to 80-watts: Each LED fitting consumes only 80 watts of power (less than the amount of power consumed by a 100-watt bulb in your home). There is a 52 percent power saving from the previous Sodium Light fittings. The new luminaires direct the light to where it is needed while reducing the glare from the fitting to less than 5 percent. There is no wasted upward light leakage from the new fittings.
- Reduced maintenance: LEDs have a longer life than Sodium Lights and can last between 12 to 15 years. Over the same period, the existing Sodium fittings would have to be changed 3 to 4 times.
- Improved light output: White light, produced by the installed LEDs, makes driving at night a pleasure. Colors are rendered more accurately, so drivers can see more clearly while behind the wheel. Security cameras also become more effective with the improved color rendition.
GE Lighting invents with the vigor of its founder Thomas Edison to develop energy-efficient solutions that change the way people light their world in commercial, industrial, municipal and residential settings. The business employs over 17,000 people in more than 100 countries, and sells products under the Reveal® and Energy Smart® consumer brands, and Evolve™, GTx, Immersion ™, Infusion ™, Lumination™ and Tetra® commercial brands, all trademarks of GE. General Electric (NYSE: GE) works on things that matter to build a world that works better. For more information, visitwww.gelighting.com.
Southern Supermarket Chain Rings Up $235,000 in Energy Savings with Full Cart of GE Lighting Solutions
To contact us Click HERE
Press release:
26 June 2012
Southern Supermarket Chain Rings Up $235,000 in Energy Savings with Full Cart of GE Lighting Solutions
About Brookshire BrothersFounded in 1921, Brookshire Brothers has 72 retail supermarkets in predominantly rural markets and in the outskirts of the Houston metro area. With 6,000 employee-owners in two states, the company is also one of the largest retail outlets of Conoco fuel. Brookshire Brothers also operates thirty Polk Pick It Up convenience stores in the markets it serves.
About GE Lighting
GE Lighting invents with the vigor of its founder Thomas Edison to develop energy-efficient solutions that change the way people light their world in commercial, industrial, municipal and residential settings. The business employs over 17,000 people in more than 100 countries, and sells products under the Reveal® and Energy Smart® consumer brands, and Evolve™, GTx, Immersion ™, Infusion ™, Lumination™ and Tetra® commercial brands, all trademarks of GE. General Electric (NYSE: GE) works on things that matter to build a world that works better. For more information, visit www.gelighting.com.
26 June 2012
Southern Supermarket Chain Rings Up $235,000 in Energy Savings with Full Cart of GE Lighting Solutions
About Brookshire BrothersFounded in 1921, Brookshire Brothers has 72 retail supermarkets in predominantly rural markets and in the outskirts of the Houston metro area. With 6,000 employee-owners in two states, the company is also one of the largest retail outlets of Conoco fuel. Brookshire Brothers also operates thirty Polk Pick It Up convenience stores in the markets it serves.
About GE Lighting
GE Lighting invents with the vigor of its founder Thomas Edison to develop energy-efficient solutions that change the way people light their world in commercial, industrial, municipal and residential settings. The business employs over 17,000 people in more than 100 countries, and sells products under the Reveal® and Energy Smart® consumer brands, and Evolve™, GTx, Immersion ™, Infusion ™, Lumination™ and Tetra® commercial brands, all trademarks of GE. General Electric (NYSE: GE) works on things that matter to build a world that works better. For more information, visit www.gelighting.com.
GE Introduces Major Energy Efficiency Breakthrough for Desalination Plants
To contact us Click HERE
Press release:
02 July 2012
GE Introduces Major Energy Efficiency Breakthrough for Desalination Plants
Singapore International Water WeekBooth #PO2SINGAPORE—July 2, 2012—GE (NYSE: GE) today introduced its newIntegrated Pump and Energy Recovery (IPER) system, a major engineering breakthrough that overcomes a significant technical obstacle for larger desalination facilities by reducing the energy demands associated with pumping water by at least 10 percent.
GE announced its breakthrough IPER solution during the 2012 Singapore International Water Week in Singapore.
Considerable progress has been made in membrane and energy recovery device improvements, dramatically lowering the energy requirement of seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) desalination plants over the past 10 years. Until now, energy efficient positive displacement (PD) pumps have been able to achieve significant energy savings in smaller desalination operations. Meanwhile, modest improvements to large, conventional centrifugal pumps have been able to deliver only incremental energy savings.
However, with IPER, GE is offering a new positive displacement pump system that will significantly lower energy requirements for large desalination plants.
Water and Sewerage Corporation, a desalination facility in Tarpum Bay, Bahamas, has installed a pilot IPER system to further demonstrate the efficiency and reliability of the technology.
“IPER is designed to offer customers reliable uptime for their packaged desalination water treatment plants while reducing their energy costs in a significant and quantifiable way,” said Heiner Markhoff, president and CEO—water and process technologies for GE Power & Water. “IPER represents a major economic and technical break-through that is poised to help desalination operators play an even greater role in addressing the world’s mounting water scarcity problems.”
The Earth’s surface is 70 percent water, yet less than 1 percent of it is usable. With water scarcity already affecting one in five people around the world—a number that is expected to climb to three in five within 20 years—IPER illustrates GE’s ongoing commitment to drive innovation in the global water treatment and reuse, enabling the delivery of cleaner water where it is needed most.
Lower-capacity desalination plants have often utilized PD pumps because of their high efficiency and availability. These small but efficient pumps are based on the use of a fixed geometry and either rotating axial pistons or crank-driven pistons to pressurize water in the chambers. As the size and pumping capacity of these chambers increase, these smaller PD pumps face mechanical challenges. As a result, previous larger PD pumps have either featured a larger crankshaft or high crankshaft speeds to overcome these mechanical challenges. But due to the larger size and operating speeds, these solutions have led to significant vibration and maintenance issues.
IPER solves these problems by eliminating the crankshaft and replacing it with a unique hydraulic drive system for both functions. This hydraulic drive powers three double acting pistons in the water displacement unit and does this at very slow cycle speeds as compared to traditional PD pumps.
These innovations allow larger SWRO systems that today use less efficient centrifugal pumps to incorporate IPER positive displacement pumps in the future. Since positive displacement pumps are typically used on systems with a capacity of less than 1,000 m3/day, this offers opportunities for any plant of 1,000 m3/day or larger to achieve substantial energy savings.
IPER is the latest solution to join GE’s industry leading desalination platform, which also features innovative membrane technologies that transform seawater and brackish water into fresh water for drinking, irrigation and industrial applications. GE’s versatile, energy efficient SWRO andelectrodialysis reversal technologies produce water reliably and affordably while accommodating a range of sizes, across continents, for almost any salt or brackish water source.
Since RO facilities typically require 53 percent less energy than thermal desalination facilities, IPER’s introduction underscores how GE is committed to helping desalination operators reduce their energy costs during both the filtration and pumping stages.
About GE
GE (NYSE: GE) works on things that matter. The best people and the best technologies taking on the toughest challenges. Finding solutions in energy, health and home, transportation and finance. Building, powering, moving and curing the world. Not just imagining. Doing. GE works. For more information, visit the company's website at www.ge.com.
GE Energy works connecting people and ideas everywhere to create advanced technologies for powering a cleaner, more productive world. With more than 100,000 employees in over 100 countries, our diverse portfolio of product and service solutions and deep industry expertise help our customers solve their challenges locally. We serve the energy sector with technologies in such areas as natural gas, oil, coal and nuclear energy; wind, solar, biogas and water processing; energy management; and grid modernization. We also offer integrated solutions to serve energy- and water-intensive industries such as mining, metals, marine, petrochemical, food & beverage and unconventional fuels.
Follow GE Energy on Twitter @GE_Energy.
02 July 2012
GE Introduces Major Energy Efficiency Breakthrough for Desalination Plants
- GE’s IPER System Reduces Energy Demands of Desalination Pumping by at Least 10 Percent
- New Positive Displacement Pump Significantly Lowers Energy Use of Larger Desalination Plants
- GE Continues to Drive Innovation in the Global Water Treatment and Reuse Segments
Singapore International Water WeekBooth #PO2SINGAPORE—July 2, 2012—GE (NYSE: GE) today introduced its newIntegrated Pump and Energy Recovery (IPER) system, a major engineering breakthrough that overcomes a significant technical obstacle for larger desalination facilities by reducing the energy demands associated with pumping water by at least 10 percent.GE announced its breakthrough IPER solution during the 2012 Singapore International Water Week in Singapore.
Considerable progress has been made in membrane and energy recovery device improvements, dramatically lowering the energy requirement of seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) desalination plants over the past 10 years. Until now, energy efficient positive displacement (PD) pumps have been able to achieve significant energy savings in smaller desalination operations. Meanwhile, modest improvements to large, conventional centrifugal pumps have been able to deliver only incremental energy savings.
However, with IPER, GE is offering a new positive displacement pump system that will significantly lower energy requirements for large desalination plants.
Water and Sewerage Corporation, a desalination facility in Tarpum Bay, Bahamas, has installed a pilot IPER system to further demonstrate the efficiency and reliability of the technology.
“IPER is designed to offer customers reliable uptime for their packaged desalination water treatment plants while reducing their energy costs in a significant and quantifiable way,” said Heiner Markhoff, president and CEO—water and process technologies for GE Power & Water. “IPER represents a major economic and technical break-through that is poised to help desalination operators play an even greater role in addressing the world’s mounting water scarcity problems.”
The Earth’s surface is 70 percent water, yet less than 1 percent of it is usable. With water scarcity already affecting one in five people around the world—a number that is expected to climb to three in five within 20 years—IPER illustrates GE’s ongoing commitment to drive innovation in the global water treatment and reuse, enabling the delivery of cleaner water where it is needed most.
Lower-capacity desalination plants have often utilized PD pumps because of their high efficiency and availability. These small but efficient pumps are based on the use of a fixed geometry and either rotating axial pistons or crank-driven pistons to pressurize water in the chambers. As the size and pumping capacity of these chambers increase, these smaller PD pumps face mechanical challenges. As a result, previous larger PD pumps have either featured a larger crankshaft or high crankshaft speeds to overcome these mechanical challenges. But due to the larger size and operating speeds, these solutions have led to significant vibration and maintenance issues.
IPER solves these problems by eliminating the crankshaft and replacing it with a unique hydraulic drive system for both functions. This hydraulic drive powers three double acting pistons in the water displacement unit and does this at very slow cycle speeds as compared to traditional PD pumps.
These innovations allow larger SWRO systems that today use less efficient centrifugal pumps to incorporate IPER positive displacement pumps in the future. Since positive displacement pumps are typically used on systems with a capacity of less than 1,000 m3/day, this offers opportunities for any plant of 1,000 m3/day or larger to achieve substantial energy savings.
IPER is the latest solution to join GE’s industry leading desalination platform, which also features innovative membrane technologies that transform seawater and brackish water into fresh water for drinking, irrigation and industrial applications. GE’s versatile, energy efficient SWRO andelectrodialysis reversal technologies produce water reliably and affordably while accommodating a range of sizes, across continents, for almost any salt or brackish water source.
Since RO facilities typically require 53 percent less energy than thermal desalination facilities, IPER’s introduction underscores how GE is committed to helping desalination operators reduce their energy costs during both the filtration and pumping stages.
About GE
GE (NYSE: GE) works on things that matter. The best people and the best technologies taking on the toughest challenges. Finding solutions in energy, health and home, transportation and finance. Building, powering, moving and curing the world. Not just imagining. Doing. GE works. For more information, visit the company's website at www.ge.com.
GE Energy works connecting people and ideas everywhere to create advanced technologies for powering a cleaner, more productive world. With more than 100,000 employees in over 100 countries, our diverse portfolio of product and service solutions and deep industry expertise help our customers solve their challenges locally. We serve the energy sector with technologies in such areas as natural gas, oil, coal and nuclear energy; wind, solar, biogas and water processing; energy management; and grid modernization. We also offer integrated solutions to serve energy- and water-intensive industries such as mining, metals, marine, petrochemical, food & beverage and unconventional fuels.
Follow GE Energy on Twitter @GE_Energy.
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