On Wednesday the 17th, Gordon Schoonmaker, Fleet Operations Supervisor and Certified Emergency Vehicle Technician with the Spokane Valley Fire Department and one of his assistants will begin the evaluation of all fire department vehicles against the out of service criteria of the Spokane Valley Fire Department Safety and Operations Manual which follows NFPA and other regulatory requirements. This may take about 2 weeks to evaluate all of the trucks considering at least 3-5 hours per truck. Their shop rate is $85/hour so we are looking at a cost of at least $8,000 which does not include repairs or parts. Northern Lakes uses this shop for all of their apparatus maintenance and are very pleased with their service and attention to detail.
After Jeff Laird and I spoke with Gordon today and reviewed the attached Out of Service Apparatus and Equipment Criteria, there are items that we could apply to nearly every piece of fire apparatus we have that would technically place them out of service. We are not experienced certified Emergency Vehicle Technicians to know for sure, but we are mechanically inclined enough to know that we feel the items appear to meet the criteria. Not knowing if these trucks are safe to operate keeps many of us up at night. Some members and their families are concerned with the safety of the apparatus and whether they want to drive or ride in them.
The two in-service ambulances (EMS 61 and EMS 63) are owned and properly maintained by Kootenai County on a regular service and preventive maintenance schedule. Currently, there are no issues with those ambulances that would place them out of service according to the criteria. The fire boat is not in great shape and has its deficiencies, but Kevin Elmore has done an excellent job in keeping it maintained and safe for use at this time, Kevin maintains and repairs most of the boats in Bayview and I personally trust his work to be to standard. The fire boat remains in service under the winter use rules (only used for emergencies since we have to winterize it after each use).
If we take the conservative safety approach to do what’s best for our own responders and not risk their lives if we can help it, then we take the vehicles out of service until we know. However, then we are left with no fire apparatus. If we don’t take them out of service and something happens, then what?
Do we take every vehicle out of service immediately and until Gordon evaluates them to tell us for sure? That’s the question that several of the officers have been discussing.
The final resolution: all fire apparatus are out of service except for V2 (1986 International Engine), which only has one apparent out of service issue that we know of – the headlight high beam foot switch (when you turn the high beams on, everything goes dark, which startled me the other night test driving it on a dark road). It’s particularly concerning because this truck is a manual transmission and you are driving with two feet anyway. We just got a new switch installed this morning and that specific problem is solved.
We have already spoken with several fire departments and have calls into others to see if they have a reserve engine that has passed an NFPA inspection in the past year that we could barrow for 2 to 4 weeks. We are also speaking with fire apparatus dealers and manufacturers about short term options. If we get a loaner engine, we will take V2 out of service until Gordon evaluates it.
Be safe, drive slow, look out for each other.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Piracy ... Why Do We Allow It?
Somalia, a country that is the combined Italian and British colonies is lawless. As such it is time to stop legitimization of this place by calling it a country. It is simply a place for competing warlords to congregate without interference by government. It is also the center piece for modern piracy on the high seas.A crime that is and has been internationally recognized since the ancients roamed the Mediterranean and the Aegean Sea.International treaties have long existed, allowing any country to capture and prosecute pirates.
Why, then with satellites and modern detection devices,are these criminals getting away with this. For years, we have been supporting small groups of commando type warriors. Ours are Navy Seals and Delta Force. Both groups are highly trained in vertical development, a term meaning they can drop out of the sky in a number of ways, most of which are undetected until they want to be discovered.
With large ships with crews still living aboard, could be captured intact with crews rescued.Our satellites have undoubtedly pinpointed the exact location of each of these captured vessels. Why, then haven't we made piracy cost more, by capturing and hanging them from the yardarm as in past centuries?
The answer lies in having the will to do so. If governments are so afraid to take that last drastic step of wading in, capturing and releasing crews, we will continue to make instant millionaires of these crooks that even have managed to elicit sympathy for the poverty in their country from some of the media. It is time for our president to man up and do what needs to be done. Other countries also have elite troops that could be coordinated with. Patrolling the waterways to avoid piracy is not effective unless and until we and other countries go in after the captured vessels, cleaning out this rats nest. Not since we sent in marines at Tripoli, have we been faced with a problem of this magnitude. It needs to be handled in the same way.
Why, then with satellites and modern detection devices,are these criminals getting away with this. For years, we have been supporting small groups of commando type warriors. Ours are Navy Seals and Delta Force. Both groups are highly trained in vertical development, a term meaning they can drop out of the sky in a number of ways, most of which are undetected until they want to be discovered.
With large ships with crews still living aboard, could be captured intact with crews rescued.Our satellites have undoubtedly pinpointed the exact location of each of these captured vessels. Why, then haven't we made piracy cost more, by capturing and hanging them from the yardarm as in past centuries?
The answer lies in having the will to do so. If governments are so afraid to take that last drastic step of wading in, capturing and releasing crews, we will continue to make instant millionaires of these crooks that even have managed to elicit sympathy for the poverty in their country from some of the media. It is time for our president to man up and do what needs to be done. Other countries also have elite troops that could be coordinated with. Patrolling the waterways to avoid piracy is not effective unless and until we and other countries go in after the captured vessels, cleaning out this rats nest. Not since we sent in marines at Tripoli, have we been faced with a problem of this magnitude. It needs to be handled in the same way.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Verizon Quits
The nation's oldest independent phone company is about to throw the towel in on wired phone service. Founded in Wisconsin in 1918, Verizon went through many name changes and mergers throughout the subsequent years. Three accountants from the Wisconsin Public Utilities commission got together and formed a corporation. They promptly bought the Richland Center Telephone Company, serving 1466 customers in Southern Wisconsin. Eventually, they expanded acquiring 340 smaller companies serving over 437,000 customers.
The company reorganized after the Great Depression, renaming themselves General Telephone and Telegraph, or as we knew it, GTE. The year 2000 found GTE and Bell Atlantic merged and became Verizon.
Citing the arrival of both cell phones and Voice over Internet, land line use by individuals has become a flood, reported a mid-level manager, who asked not to be mentioned, as they didn't have authority to speak for the company. Business use, of course, at least in the near future will still be using wired lines. One large factor in addition to the above, is the free long distance that most all cell users enjoy, as well as the VOIP such as Magic Jack, Skype, Vonnage and others. Among those state affected, are portions of Washington and all of Idaho.
The surviving company in this sell off will be Frontier Communications, bases in Connecticut. They will control all wired equipment and continue to serve voice, broadband and video services. Below, is the original press release from Frontier:
STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May. 13, 2009-- Frontier Communications Corporation (NYSE: FTR) today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement with Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ) under which Frontier will acquire approximately 4.8 million access lines from Verizon. The all stock transaction is valued at approximately $8.6 billion. The transaction will create the largest pure rural communications services provider and the nation’s fifth largest incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC) with more than 7 million access lines, 8.6 million voice and broadband connections and 16,000 employees in 27 states. Frontier will offer broadband, new bundled services and expanded technologies to customers across its expanded geographic footprint.
Under the terms of the agreement, Verizon will establish a separate newly formed entity (“SpinCo”) for its local exchanges and related business assets in 14 states. SpinCo will be spun off to Verizon’s shareholders and simultaneously merged with and into Frontier. The transaction has been approved by the Boards of Directors of Frontier and Verizon, and is expected to be completed within approximately 12 months.
The transaction is extremely compelling for all stakeholders of Frontier. It will provide Frontier with enhanced scale and scope, improved positioning, a strong balance sheet, and greater cash flow generation capabilities. For the fiscal year ended 2008, the combined company would have had on a pro forma basis revenue in excess of $6.5 billion, EBITDA of approximately $3.1 billion, free cash flow of approximately $1.4 billion and would have had leverage of 2.6 times EBITDA at December 31, 2008.
Maggie Wilderotter, Frontier Communications Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, “This is a truly transformational transaction for Frontier. With more than 7 million access lines in 27 states, we will be the largest pure rural communications provider of voice, broadband and video services in the U.S. Frontier is committed to providing our customers with state-of-the-art technology and innovative products. We are confident that we can dramatically accelerate the penetration of broadband in these new markets during the first 18 months. We know that broadband is a catalyst for a healthy local economy and job growth.”
Retained by Verizon In the merger of Bell Atlantic and GTE were the following companies.The merger is on hold while each state's public untility commissions review approval of the sale.
Verizon California, Inc.
Verizon Florida, Inc.
Verizon Northwest, Inc.
Verizon South, Inc.
GTE Southwest, Inc. d/b/a Verizon Southwest
Verizon North, Inc.
Contel of the South, Inc. d/b/a Verizon Mid-States
Sold/transferred/shut down
GTE Arkansas, Inc., sold to CenturyTel in 2000
GTE Midwest, Inc. d/b/a Verizon Midwest, Inc., sold to CenturyTel
GTE Hawaiian Telephone Company, Inc., later Verizon Hawaii, Inc., sold to The Carlyle Group in 2005
GTE Alaska Inc., sold to Alaska Power and Phone Company in 2000
Contel of the West, Inc. d/b/a GTE West - discontinued in 1996
Contel of Minnesota, Inc., sold to Citizens Communications
GTE of Iowa - Spun off to Iowa Telecom
Verizon Dominicana (CODETEL), sold to América Móvil
Telecomunicaciones de Puerto Rico d/b/a Puerto Rico Telephone, assets sold to América Móvil
GTE Government Systems to General Dynamics (The Information Systems Division of GTE Government Systems was sold to DynCorp.[34]
GTE Wireless (assets in Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Ohio, New Mexico, South Carolina and Texas) sold to Alltel.[35]
compiled from Wikepedia
Ninety-one years of tradition, starting with crank phones, dial phones, push button dialing and now, the beginning of the end.What next? Perhaps they will hard wire a communications modem to our brains.Then we would be on-line 24/7.
The company reorganized after the Great Depression, renaming themselves General Telephone and Telegraph, or as we knew it, GTE. The year 2000 found GTE and Bell Atlantic merged and became Verizon.
Citing the arrival of both cell phones and Voice over Internet, land line use by individuals has become a flood, reported a mid-level manager, who asked not to be mentioned, as they didn't have authority to speak for the company. Business use, of course, at least in the near future will still be using wired lines. One large factor in addition to the above, is the free long distance that most all cell users enjoy, as well as the VOIP such as Magic Jack, Skype, Vonnage and others. Among those state affected, are portions of Washington and all of Idaho.
The surviving company in this sell off will be Frontier Communications, bases in Connecticut. They will control all wired equipment and continue to serve voice, broadband and video services. Below, is the original press release from Frontier:
STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May. 13, 2009-- Frontier Communications Corporation (NYSE: FTR) today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement with Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ) under which Frontier will acquire approximately 4.8 million access lines from Verizon. The all stock transaction is valued at approximately $8.6 billion. The transaction will create the largest pure rural communications services provider and the nation’s fifth largest incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC) with more than 7 million access lines, 8.6 million voice and broadband connections and 16,000 employees in 27 states. Frontier will offer broadband, new bundled services and expanded technologies to customers across its expanded geographic footprint.
Under the terms of the agreement, Verizon will establish a separate newly formed entity (“SpinCo”) for its local exchanges and related business assets in 14 states. SpinCo will be spun off to Verizon’s shareholders and simultaneously merged with and into Frontier. The transaction has been approved by the Boards of Directors of Frontier and Verizon, and is expected to be completed within approximately 12 months.
The transaction is extremely compelling for all stakeholders of Frontier. It will provide Frontier with enhanced scale and scope, improved positioning, a strong balance sheet, and greater cash flow generation capabilities. For the fiscal year ended 2008, the combined company would have had on a pro forma basis revenue in excess of $6.5 billion, EBITDA of approximately $3.1 billion, free cash flow of approximately $1.4 billion and would have had leverage of 2.6 times EBITDA at December 31, 2008.
Maggie Wilderotter, Frontier Communications Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, “This is a truly transformational transaction for Frontier. With more than 7 million access lines in 27 states, we will be the largest pure rural communications provider of voice, broadband and video services in the U.S. Frontier is committed to providing our customers with state-of-the-art technology and innovative products. We are confident that we can dramatically accelerate the penetration of broadband in these new markets during the first 18 months. We know that broadband is a catalyst for a healthy local economy and job growth.”
Retained by Verizon In the merger of Bell Atlantic and GTE were the following companies.The merger is on hold while each state's public untility commissions review approval of the sale.
Verizon California, Inc.
Verizon Florida, Inc.
Verizon Northwest, Inc.
Verizon South, Inc.
GTE Southwest, Inc. d/b/a Verizon Southwest
Verizon North, Inc.
Contel of the South, Inc. d/b/a Verizon Mid-States
Sold/transferred/shut down
GTE Arkansas, Inc., sold to CenturyTel in 2000
GTE Midwest, Inc. d/b/a Verizon Midwest, Inc., sold to CenturyTel
GTE Hawaiian Telephone Company, Inc., later Verizon Hawaii, Inc., sold to The Carlyle Group in 2005
GTE Alaska Inc., sold to Alaska Power and Phone Company in 2000
Contel of the West, Inc. d/b/a GTE West - discontinued in 1996
Contel of Minnesota, Inc., sold to Citizens Communications
GTE of Iowa - Spun off to Iowa Telecom
Verizon Dominicana (CODETEL), sold to América Móvil
Telecomunicaciones de Puerto Rico d/b/a Puerto Rico Telephone, assets sold to América Móvil
GTE Government Systems to General Dynamics (The Information Systems Division of GTE Government Systems was sold to DynCorp.[34]
GTE Wireless (assets in Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Ohio, New Mexico, South Carolina and Texas) sold to Alltel.[35]
compiled from Wikepedia
Ninety-one years of tradition, starting with crank phones, dial phones, push button dialing and now, the beginning of the end.What next? Perhaps they will hard wire a communications modem to our brains.Then we would be on-line 24/7.
Monday, December 21, 2009
The End Of An Era
Since the death of the widely respected partner in ownership, Jerry Berry, along with previous partner, Jim Campbell, the future of the Captain's Wheel Restaurant has been in question. Widowed Carletta Berry wanted to take over and silent partner, Michael McFarland, based on advice of his mentor, Jerry, chose to rise from silent partner to CEO. Those issues are to be decided in court sometime in January.
What can't be adjudicated in court, is the dismantling of the local infrastructure. As developers flocked to Bayview a few years ago, it became obvious that at least some of the investors wanted to transport this lazy backwater into a mecca for wealthy summer water sports enthusiasts. Unfortunately this included the task of getting rid of long time residents, some, third and even fourth generation. Situated 8 miles from the main highway, (hwy95) Bayview sits at the foot of Farragut State Park.
First, the town trailer park, often referred to as an eyesore, was purchased and razed. This purchase was engineered by Bob Holland , currently owner of the Vista Bay Marina, The previously know as Bayview Marina, and now called Harborview, and then Boileau's Marina, which included the patio and the Buttonhook.
The trailer park property was subsequently sold to James Darling, of WSU and NFL fame as a linebacker. Darling came into the community knowing that his predecessor, Holland, had stepped on many toes and wanted to avoid that. He worked assiduously to heal community breaches ,and is continuously trying to balance his interests with the community.Currently, he is building the first of three phases, involving about 32 condo units.
The former RV park at Boileaus' was turned into a parking lot to satisfy parking requirements for other Holland enterprises. The Bayview Motel was sold to a former NBA basketball player, about the same time. Not wanting to be subject to motel taxes and regulations, he turned that project into monthly rentals.That project has crashed since with the current economy, only about four units are rented. We now have less than half of the temporary RV and tent capacity for tourist than a few years ago.
This brings us to there present condition. The local economy has tubed. Many permanent residents have moved away, leaving a shell for the winter months. New condo projects probably will not help, as most will be purchased as second or vacation homes. The Buttonhook Restaurant has closed, with an opening date up in the air. Terry's Cafe, owned by Chan of Scenic Bay Marina, may reopen soon for breakfast and lunches. The patio, now leased from Chan by Scott & Jeanne Bjerge, has stayed open much later in the year, due to other closures, and will stay open throughout the Winter season. The hours of operation at the Patio will be 11:00 am to 7:00 pm.Cocktails are available at the Patio.There is still a possibility of the former Terry's Cafe opening soon, as lights are on again and remodeling is in progress.
Today, we morn one more stake in the heart of Bayview. Losing hundreds of dollars per month trying to stay open during the slow months, the Captain's Wheel is throwing in the towel for, at least the next two months. The last days of this drama will play out after January 3, when the lights will dim over the most stable full service restaurant & bar that has existed since 1996. The possibly last hurrah of the 'Wheel will be New Years Eve, with the ever popular, "The Keep" playing for your listening pleasure.
Left open, will be the JD's, a bar and the patio, along with Ralph's internet cafe, which along with the patio brings snacks to the table, but puts Bayview into a category of not having a sit down restaurant in operation during this winter season.
Asked why this was necessary, Captain's wheel management just sighed and said, " There are either not enough people living here during the winter season, or due to the economy, choose not to eat out. Either way, we can't keep on losing money where the bottomless pit equals the total loss of equity and bankruptcy.
Folks, It's going to be a long winter. The hopes and prayers of local residents continue to come up negative, as the cards are turning up as a pair of deuces.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Merry Christmas
Today marks the seventh day before Christmas. Since the beginning of our country, we have, one way or the other, celebrated Christmas, as a national holiday. certainly, other religions should and are respected. Hanukkah, the Jewish holiday celebrating the re-dedication of the temple of Jerusalem hits right smack in the middle of the Christmas holiday, and lasts for 8 days. Most of us respect them also, if for no other reason, than that Jesus was a Jew as were all that came before him in the Christian tradition.
Next Friday, we celebrate, as we do every year, the birth of Christ. Now we know that the actual date of his birth is up for grabs, as records of the day were sketchy and inaccurate. But that doesn't matter. This date will do just fine, as nitpicking over the day and week tend to overshadow the reason we celebrate. Many feel that without Christianity or at least Judism, we would not have the moral compass that leads most of us. The ten commandments were valid then and are still valid to the point of becoming law in many countries. I'm pretty much with it on most of those commandments, except for occasionally coveting my neighbor's wife, but hey, no follow through, right?
One of the most satisfying parts of the holiday season is that it brings out generosity from those that perhaps don't feel that the rest of the year. Food banks need our help, especially this year with so many unemployed. Relatives that we haven't spoken to for months seem just that much closer.
I want to end this by wishing each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas, a happy Hanukkah, and to those that worship Buddha and other more eastern religions, peace be upon you and yours. Please click on the link below for a Christmas greeting from me. Well, I wasn't able to set up the link, but if you copy and paste it you get there. (back to the drawing board)When you access this site, click on view gallery, then click on 2004 admissions greetings, then enjoy.
http://ecard.ashland.edu/index.php?ecardYear=2004adm>
Next Friday, we celebrate, as we do every year, the birth of Christ. Now we know that the actual date of his birth is up for grabs, as records of the day were sketchy and inaccurate. But that doesn't matter. This date will do just fine, as nitpicking over the day and week tend to overshadow the reason we celebrate. Many feel that without Christianity or at least Judism, we would not have the moral compass that leads most of us. The ten commandments were valid then and are still valid to the point of becoming law in many countries. I'm pretty much with it on most of those commandments, except for occasionally coveting my neighbor's wife, but hey, no follow through, right?
One of the most satisfying parts of the holiday season is that it brings out generosity from those that perhaps don't feel that the rest of the year. Food banks need our help, especially this year with so many unemployed. Relatives that we haven't spoken to for months seem just that much closer.
I want to end this by wishing each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas, a happy Hanukkah, and to those that worship Buddha and other more eastern religions, peace be upon you and yours. Please click on the link below for a Christmas greeting from me. Well, I wasn't able to set up the link, but if you copy and paste it you get there. (back to the drawing board)When you access this site, click on view gallery, then click on 2004 admissions greetings, then enjoy.
http://ecard.ashland.edu/index.php?ecardYear=2004adm>
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Global Warming A Hoax?
Mt Erebus South PoleAs we watch the conference on global warming come apart at the seams in Copenhagen, perhaps it is time to stop being defensive when ridiculed by the liberal media and like minded scientists. Unusually, there doesn't seem to be an honest debate between those that believe and those that do not. Virtually all scientific theories are argued over and over by the experts. That didn't happen here. The cart is pulling the horse in this case.
It was only after a hacker opened up a Pandora's box of lies and deceits in a Watergate type expose in Great Britain has the playing field started to level. Suddenly there are dozens of renown scientists including some highly touted researchers that chose up until now to keep their collective mouths shut so as to not be publicly discredited by the massive propaganda campaign. Nobody was bothered by those that shut down debate by saying, "hey that has already been irrefutably settled. We don't need to go there anymore."
One reason that has been put forth is that the green earth radicals see this as a route to much more political power that they enjoy as a fringe group. That can be debated by others, but it is clear to me that a vast intimidation campaign is under way to railroad us into more and more government control. Not just our government, but the United Nations as well. It is time for thoughtful research, not knee jerk politics. Below is a link that I suggest any person interested in this debate should visit. It is from a European study. Apparently their experts aren't as easily cowed by the political side. (Hat tip to Bent for the lead)
http://www.dailyexpress.co.uk/posts/view/146138
Friday, December 11, 2009
Civility Is Gone
I have finally decided that the current crop of adults, and I use that term very loosely, cannot seem to disagree politically without throwing insults, sarcasm and examples of why the person that they disagree with is a moron. In doing this they also fail to address the very subject being discussed. apparently, form is considered better than substance.
Why these miscreants do this is beyond me unless they would just rather throw out cute remarks without needing to lower themselves to an actual debate on issues.Name calling isn't just limited to ultra liberals, though I sense that there are more of them than conservatives. Most conservatives, even those that are so far aright that they need bleacher seats, seldom go out of their way to insult their detractors. Actually they find ignoring them is just as effective. Some tend to be very pompous though.
Talk Radio hosts are in the business of making money. Hey, it is a profession. Show business.I once had a job as a talk radio host, but I didn't get into the personality parade that exists now. People put down the three or four conservative shows, but the fact that more liberal productions don't get enough action to warrant advertisers spending money on them. One even had to run for political office in order to make a living. This would appear to mean that they great unwashed as eastern liberals would say, the common man or woman are far more conservative that the eastern establishment would like to see. Especially out here in the west.
Unfortunately, we here in Idaho are beset with extremists on both sides. It reminds me of a 70's song. "Clowns to the left, Jokers to the right, Here I am stuck in the middle with you." That about sums it up. somehow, the Republican Party and the Democrat party need to swing closer to the middle. Right now, even in the Senate, we have centuries of tradition thrown out for partisan debate.
Why these miscreants do this is beyond me unless they would just rather throw out cute remarks without needing to lower themselves to an actual debate on issues.Name calling isn't just limited to ultra liberals, though I sense that there are more of them than conservatives. Most conservatives, even those that are so far aright that they need bleacher seats, seldom go out of their way to insult their detractors. Actually they find ignoring them is just as effective. Some tend to be very pompous though.
Talk Radio hosts are in the business of making money. Hey, it is a profession. Show business.I once had a job as a talk radio host, but I didn't get into the personality parade that exists now. People put down the three or four conservative shows, but the fact that more liberal productions don't get enough action to warrant advertisers spending money on them. One even had to run for political office in order to make a living. This would appear to mean that they great unwashed as eastern liberals would say, the common man or woman are far more conservative that the eastern establishment would like to see. Especially out here in the west.
Unfortunately, we here in Idaho are beset with extremists on both sides. It reminds me of a 70's song. "Clowns to the left, Jokers to the right, Here I am stuck in the middle with you." That about sums it up. somehow, the Republican Party and the Democrat party need to swing closer to the middle. Right now, even in the Senate, we have centuries of tradition thrown out for partisan debate.
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