Petition Tag - current

When entire bee populations disappear or die out or are exterminated in large numbers, the ramifications are serious. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, about one-third of the human diet is derived directly or indirectly from honeybee pollinated crops. Unless measures are taken to protect honeybees, many fruits and vegetables may disappear from the food chain.

Here in California honeybees are responsible for nearly half of our state’s $18 billion agricultural industry, pollinating 47 different nut, fruit, vegetable and forage seed crops. The American Beekeeping Federation estimates that about 50 percent of the honeybee colonies in California have been killed or severely weakened. Just to pollinate the current California almond crop (which accounts for 80% of almonds worldwide) requires HALF the United State’s bee population be trucked in. The number of managed hives in California has dropped to around 400,000 hives, so many farmers are resorting to importing bees from Australia at tremendous cost.

With the crisis of Colony Collapse Disorder, it’s never been so important for all communities—urban and rural—to promote beekeeping, and preserve those survivor stocks of our own honey bees. Legal in cities throughout the country—including Yorba Linda, Laguna Woods,CA. San Francisco, Seattle, Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Minneapolis, Portland, Cleveland, Detroit, and Tulsa, beekeeping promotes the natural pollination of plant installations by both citizens and governments. Cities have recognized that honey bees are not only essential to a thriving natural environment that includes farmland, orchards, urban vegetable gardens and city parks, but a key part in providing food security to all citizens. The swarming of a honeybee colony is a natural process of reproduction.† Feral, or unintended, swarming is common worldwide.† Normally, a swarm collector is called (from a local list or 911 operator) and the bees are safely removed from unsuitable locations and into the care of nearby beekeeper.† Even government sites such as Laguna Woods, CA. City hall's roof and Chicago’s City Hall and the White House’s South Lawn have honeybee hives!

The purpose of O.C. Honeybee Rescue ;

The County & City’s current policy of exterminating feral bees on city property goes directly against Orange County's & Anaheim's push toward sustainability and greater environmental responsibility.

In response to the current honeybee crisis, a honeybee rescue in the city would kill two birds with one stone by providing humane removal of feral “nuisance” swarms / Hives for urban dwellers, while supplying healthy survivor-stock colonies to surrounding farmers in desperate need of more pollinators.

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We, the students, staff and faculty of Florida Gulf Coast University, care about our health and the health of those around us. Therefore, we support efforts to make Florida Gulf Coast University a tobacco-free campus.

We are aware of the dangers tobacco use poses on those who use it and those who are involuntarily exposed to it. These problems are completely avoidable. Secondhand smoke is a known killer and a hazard that we prefer to avoid while entering or leaving our campus buildings.

We view this educational institution as a place where knowledge is shared, discussed and integrated into our daily lives, a place that accepts scientific proof and adapts with it, as needed. Yet, our current campus tobacco policy seems at odds with nearly all of the current scientific knowledge about tobacco use.

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This petition of certain citizens of Australia draws to the attention of the House the National School Chaplaincy Program, built on the excellent history of school chaplaincy in Australia, which was introduced by the former Coalition Government in 2007/08 with a commitment of $165 million for its first three years. It was endorsed by Prime Minister Rudd who said “they (Chaplains) actually are providing the glue which keeps school communities rolling”.

The program offers pastoral care and spiritual guidance to all. Chaplains necessarily have religious beliefs which underpin their work. These beliefs are representative of the school communities the chaplains work in and they do not hinder chaplains from working with those of other beliefs or none. It operates in 1915 schools and enjoys strong support among principals, schools and in the community generally.

The Rudd Government has extended funding for the program, at a reduced level, until the end of 2011, after which time there may be no more funding despite the program's social benefits, sound administration and strong community support. If elected, the Coalition would continue funding the program in its current form, at its current level of $165 million over 3 years.

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Greetings Skijoring Enthusiast!

We are concerned about the future of the sport, the viability of the Midwest Skijorers club and critical relationships with cities and counties that provide excellent trails for our use.

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Legalization ( End Prohibition ) and Reform ( Current Laws ), of the current laws and policies which govern the use of Marijuana in the United States, it is time to seriously look into abolishing Prohibition of Marijuana, and change the laws accordingly to this issue.

Each and every year medical science has stated that the use of marijuana is safer than alcohol,and should not be listed as a narcotic, is not as addictive as once was thought, and has far more uses in the medical arena in the treatment for patients either terminal,or chronic, and safer as a alcohol alternative. With current standing laws more than 800000, people this year have been arrested, and many either white collar or blue collar workers, taxpayers and voters such as yourselves their lives destroyed, jobs lost.

Laws like these are not a deterrent, with more than 100 million plus users of marijuana and growing each year there has to be Open mindedness, and change. More money 10 billion yearly, and more over a trillion since President Nixion was in office for the war on drugs, this money which could've been better spent on programs for schools, parks, the poor, etc. the time is now to tell our representatives that it is enough, it is a time for change.

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The Board will recommend to the ORSC at its September 9, 2009, meeting the following changes, effective for members retiring on or after August 1, 2015:

- to retire with no actuarial reduction to one’s retirement allowance, a member must be age 67 with 10 years of service or age 57 with 30 years of service;

- a member may retire early at age 62 with 10 years of service or age 60 with 25 years of service;

- f a member retires early, base early retirement reductions on actuarial reductions from the lesser of age 67 or possible attainment of 30 years of service.

To minimize the possibility of making unnecessary benefit changes and increasing member and employer contributions, SERS’ Board opted to periodically examine its 30-year funding responsibility and recommend benefit or contribution changes as needed. Should the recommended retirement eligibility changes for members retiring on or after August 1, 2015 fail to keep SERS within the 30-year funding window, the Board will consider other changes such as reducing cost of living adjustments and contribution increases for members and employers. The Board also understood that it could look at the costs of the Health Care program, if needed. This tiered approach addressed concerns from SERS’ advocacy groups that overreacting to the present funding situation could adversely affect members and retirees for many years.

Even before the current financial crisis began, SERS’ Board took action to keep the pension fund stable. SERS was the only Ohio public pension system to address pension design changes necessary to offset increased life expectancy when it introduced S.B. 148 in 2007 and advocated for its passage.

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This week Iranians turned out in record numbers not seen since the beginning of the Iranian revolution to change their current President Mahmood Ahmadinejad.

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End the postcode lottery for Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, and Hampshire
residents when it comes to IVF funding and to ensure that current guidelines for IVF funding are adhered to by Oxfordshire PCT, Buckinghamshire PCT, Milton Keynes PCT, Berkshire West PCT, Berkshire East PCT, Hampshire PCT, Southampton City PCT, Portsmouth City Teaching PCT and Isle of Wight PCT.

NICE clearly state in their guidelines for fertility;

“Couples in which the woman is aged 23-39 years at the time of treatment and who have an identified cause for their fertility problems (such as azoospermia or bilateral tubal occlusion) or who have infertility of at least 3 years’ duration should be offered up to three stimulated cycles of in vitro fertilization treatment.”

Unfortunately, many PCT’s do not adhere to this, leaving many couples facing a tough financial commitment or the bleak possibility of having to wait until they are old enough to meet the PCT’s criteria. Whereas some PCT’s do not offer funding for treatment at all.

Please note: Waiting for treatment reduces a women’s fertility rate.

It seems that funding for IVF is not given on the basis of fairness, but on where you live.

For example, if you are in the east of England, your local PCT may follow nice guidelines, however in Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, and Hampshire your PCT use their own rules which in some cases makes you wait until 35 years old. At this age success per cycle drops to only 23.6% (HFEA 2006).

This discrimination is unacceptable as National Health Insurance is not dependant on where you live, so why should healthcare be?

Former Secretary of State for Health, Dr John Reid, said that he wanted “all PCTs, including those who at present provide no IVF treatment, to offer at least one full cycle of treatment to all those eligible. In the longer term I would expect the NHS to make progress towards full implementation of the Nice guidance”. His deadline for this was April 2005, but little has changed

All we are asking for is - End the postcode lottery for Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, and Hampshire residents when it comes to IVF funding and ensure that current guidelines for IVF funding are adhered to by Oxfordshire PCT, Buckinghamshire PCT, Milton Keynes PCT, Berkshire West PCT, Berkshire East PCT, Hampshire PCT, Southampton City PCT, Portsmouth City Teaching PCT and Isle of Wight PCT.

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As President Ronald Reagan once said "You and I are told we must choose between a left, or right, but I suggest there is no such thing as a left or right. There is only an up or down."

We at "Let's Get this Right" agree with that statement and we recognize that the US economy is in enormous trouble. This includes Wall Street, the US Government, and every American living on main-street; no one is immune to the impact of the current economic situation.

When Wall Street needs help it turns to the government, when the government needs help it turns to the American people and when the American people need help, it is often too late for us to obtain help because the government has already over spent the tax dollars, fees and fines it collects as part of its daily function.

When it needs money for a spending bill, or a financial bailout, the government either cuts spending somewhere, shifts spending temporarily, raises taxes on the American people or simply prints more money.

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I am starting this petition to change the current dress code policy. I would like the policy of requiring nylons to be removed. The policy's I'm referring to are:

1. Nylons must be worn with skirts, dresses and skorts unless the garment extends to below mid-calf.

2. Socks or nylons must be worn with pants at all times (including casual days).

3. Capri pants are acceptable when worn with nylons.

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The legitamacy of the current government of Kenya is questionable given the outcry and demonstration of disgust being expressed by the citizens after the announcement of the presidential results.

The results were further dented when the chairman of the electoral commission when asked in an interview after the announcement was non committal on whether the current president actually won.

To help in the reconciliation process, the truth about the actual winner should be established and if to the reverse then the present results revoked and either the actual winner sworn in or repeat presidential elections be organised by an independent body within three months and treat the present government as interim.

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It is intended to ask the KLCC Management to revise their current parking rate, and to show to them that many concerned members of the public are aware and agree that the current rate is just too expensive, if not unreasonable.

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If you would like more information or to help please contact us, leave a comment and fill in the email field. Your email will remain private.

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In the Phase II Renewing Regina Public schools report, one of the proposed options at the elementary level is to abandon the current dual-track French Immersion program and establish a few French Centers in its place (single-track).

This means that many of the current French Immersion school programs will leave the community school and students bussed to centralized schools.

Parents do not want to see the French program further pushed away from mainstream and made to be seen as ‘different’ to only integrate back into a French and English program in High School. We believe it is good for French and English students to have a relationship within the same school to further promote understanding of Canada’s second language rather than make those differences more apparent.

Parents do feel it more efficient to spend time learning how to better ‘integrate’ the dual track system at Hawrylak and other schools. We do not see the value in your proposed suggestions; let’s make our current system stronger!

Parents choose their community school French Immersion program to provide an opportunity for their children’s education. However if forced with the difficult decision of community versus French, typically 1/3 or more will not leave their community school. This means French Immersion enrolment will drop 33% across the board. Our vision includes more children in French, not less! Let’s provide children opportunities.
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WHAT IS THE NEGATIVE IMPACT?
• There will be a significant decrease in the number of students enrolled in French Immersion.
• Children segregated into far-away French centers.
• Children segregated at the elementary level based on English and French but then placed in a dual-track system in high school. Will students feel part of the high school, or more like outsiders? Will they be treated like outsiders?
(2006 RPS Annual Report “Regina Public Schools teaches students values such as respect, responsibility, and belonging.”)
• French and English students displaced from their family, friends and community.
• French-Immersion system in transition can be difficult for the children, parents and teachers if not effectively managed.
• Increased bussing needs and time, earlier school start times 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. replacing 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Siblings in different schools because one is in French and one is in English.
• Students leaving French and transferring to English to stay in their local community school.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF THE CURRENT DUAL-TRACK SYSTEM?
 It is beneficial for French and English students to work together within the same school to promote tolerance towards Canada’s second language rather than accentuate those differences through segregation.
 Learning from diversity, exposure to diversity, development of cultural tolerance.
 It is consistent at the elementary level and in high school.
 Providing non-French speaking parents a better choice to enhance their children’s education when accessible in the community.
 Parents are more likely to be engaged in their child(ren)’s school when that school is a part of the parents community.
 It is not elitist, it is inclusive.
 The system is producing highly competent French speaking students!
 Research indicates that French centre students were perceived by both teachers and students to be exposed to more French and less peer pressure than their dual-track counterparts. However, that same research also determined there were no significant differences between the two groups in regards to student use of French or student and teacher satisfaction with the program.1

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India’s communists have always opposed India’s strategic embrace of the U.S.

It believes that the U.S. is a hegemonic, deeply destabilizing power and India cannot become a close ally of Washington without sacrificing or compromising its policy independence and narrowing its room for manoeuvre in world affairs.

Second, the left argues that the text of the "123 agreement" differs significantly from the statements that Singh made in Parliament, promising that it would address all of India's concerns about full civilian nuclear cooperation with the U.S. and autonomy for the Indian nuclear programme.

The left says there are specific differences between the agreement and a law passed last December in the U.S. Congress as a prelude to "123", called the Henry J Hyde Act. The act mandates annual certification by the U.S. President that India is behaving in conformity with American foreign policy objectives, and also imposes a few other conditions that India said were not acceptable to it.

According to the left, the Hyde Act will prevail over the "123" agreement and can be used arbitrarily to terminate nuclear cooperation with India.

The act, it says, falls short of guaranteeing full-scale nuclear commerce with India, which was promised when Singh and President George W Bush inked the deal in July 2005. For instance, the U.S. will not export uranium enrichment or fuel reprocessing technologies to India.

The act, argue the communists, will erode India's sovereign decision-making in respect of its nuclear programme. Since the "123 agreement" essentially derives from the Act, it must be opposed.

In addition, the left is concerned at the likely impact of "123" on India’s traditional advocacy of universal nuclear disarmament. It says that by getting "accommodated in a U.S.-led unequal nuclear order", India’s leading role in championing nuclear disarmament "as a major country of the non-aligned community" will be given "the go-by".

The left also says that it is "debatable" whether nuclear power, which would be promoted under the U.S.-India deal, is a sustainable solution to India's energy problem.

"The bulk of the left’s current opposition to the agreement derives from procedural arguments (about Singh’s assurances to Parliament), and from differences between its text and what was promised in July 2005, and again in March and August last year," says M.V. Ramana, a physicist and energy expert attached to the Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies in Environment and Development, Bangalore told IPS.

The present position of the left parties significantly differs from its original stand on the U.S.-India nuclear deal two years ago, which emphasised its negative consequences for India's advocacy of global nuclear disarmament.

For decades, said the left parties in July 2005, India "was …committed to nuclear disarmament… The BJP-led government had begun the journey of accepting a junior partnership of the U.S. in return for a de facto recognition as a nuclear weapon-state… The current agreement marks an end to India’s nuclear disarmament policy".

Nevertheless, the communists have decided not to press for a vote on the "123 agreement" under Parliament's rules of procedure, unlike most of the non-UPA parties. A negative vote could lead to the fall of the Manmohan Singh government.

"The left is loath to topple the UPA government because it fears that that will pave the way for a return of the BJP," says Achin Vanaik, a professor of international relations and global politics at Delhi university.

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The current walkway is located between 629 and 631 Worcester Drive within the Grande at Kings Woods. It is used by children of the Grande to traverse between their properties and the West Deptford Middle School.

The property owners of 629 and 631 Worcester Drive are requesting that it be moved due to various reasons. According to Eric Campo, West Deptford Township Administrator, there are three alternatives regarding the placement of the walkway:

1. No action. Walkway remains at its current location.
2. Relocate the walkway behind the the following residences:
615 Worcester Drive
617 Worcester Drive
619 Worcester Drive
621 Worcester Drive
623 Worcester Drive
625 Worcester Drive
627 Worcester Drive
3. Remove the walkway from its current location and pursue the following options:
a. Bus the students to the Middle School.
b. Have the students walk onto Grove Road to the Middle School.

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The parents, school faculty, and concerned citizens of McCormick County are asking for a new High School to be built.

The current High School is out-dated and over 5o years old.

The open campus is a high security risk for our students and faculty.

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This is a petition to show interest in development and change for Chichester Skatepark for its current and future users.

The Chichester Skatepark is in drastic need of improvement to be able to cater for the sheer quantity and level of it's current users. Currently the skatepark is dated, seldom maintained, and poorly constructed.

In comparison to council funded skateparks in the local area and nationwide, the Chichester Skatepark is seriously in need of change.

Improvements to the skatepark will mean:
- Current and future park users will be able to reach a higher skill level and be more likely to progress further in the industry.
- The park will bring in revenue to the city's tourism trade as more people will want to travel to use it.
- More children/youths participating in fun sports which means a healthier population.
- Fewer people resorting to street riding which means fewer complaints to the council.
- A skatepark that Chichester can be proud of and that it's users enjoy!

We are aiming to work very closely with the council to change the park for the better.

To do this, we need your support.

Thank You

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There are a few reasons we want the board to step down and here are some supporting evidence:

1. Grounds are not maintained consistently.

2. Rare communication from board members.
a. Do not return emails
b. Do not return phone calls

3. There is limited communication between board members and also with the community.

4. Money is being spent without proper authorization from community:
a. Purchased a tractor.
b. Hired a maintenance man.
c. Hired someone to put out newsletters.
d. Hired officers; we don't know what their contract
states, how many there are, how much they are
getting paid, etc.

5. Individuals are added to payroll without proper
authorization from community.

6. Vendors come out and are not met by any board
member and leave.

7. Pool is not up to code.

8. Club house dues were raised without proper
authorization.

9. Board members have been rude and obnoxious with
the community.

10. Promises are made and not kept.
a. The opening of the club house on Sundays.

11. Board members do not show up for scheduled
meetings.

12. Emergency meeting called by previous treasurer,
which was denied by board members.

13. Not a fully functional board with only 4 members.

14. Monies sent in by homeowners have not been
cashed after months of being held onto or they
have been lost by the board.

15. The board is not forthcoming with information that
is privileged to the community.

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The Genesee County Community Mental Health Board is a board that is appointed by the Genesee County Commissioners. This board runs without term limits and has been jeopardized by the current management at Genesee County Community Mental Health.

They have made poor financial decision that have impacted our budget, reduced services available to clients and increased the job loss in this county.

Currently a decision has been made by the board that will impact the jobs of 40 staff and once again will place our clients at risk. Management continues to give themselves raises of 10, 20 and 30% while cutting services to our clients.

Please let your voice be heard and put a stop to your tax dollars being wasted.

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Stillness Juniors was once a sought after school where parents would move into the catchment area so that their children could attend.

This school used to have a waiting list as classes were too full. So why in the last 4 years have parents been removing their children and placing them into other local schools or more drastically, moving out of the area all together?

Almost all the classes are now not fully subscribed. The amount of Teachers that have come and subsequently left the Juniors in the last 4 years is unprecedented. This in turn is affecting the superbly run infants & nursery school. If like me and many others you are unhappy with the way the Juniors is being run and feel that Stillness Junior School is desperately in need of a change of management then please sign this petition.

Let's again make Stillness Juniors a school we want to send our kids to. When we have enough signatures a copy will be sent to Ofsted, Lewisham Education Authority, the Mayor, our Local MPs, and the board of Governors. This petition in no way reflects against the hard working teachers in the juniors.

(If you tick the anonymous box your signature will only show on the completed petition to be used, but will not be visible to others online.)
Please visit our blog using the link above or copy and paste this address-http://stillness-petition.sampasite.com/ alternatively you can contact me using the contact author button below.

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Cumberland Township is being forced through Pennsylvania Law (Landowner Curative Amendment) to entertain an application to cure our zoning laws of an omission of the term "water park" on behalf of Cali Entertainment, Mechanicsburg PA. Cali Entertainment wants to purchase land, develop a "mixed used facility" including a hotel/theater/indoor out door water park and condominium space/retail space. The land in question, 96.7 acres of privately owned parcels is located at the intersection of Business 15 & Cunningham Road, Gettysburg, PA.

Cumberland Township residents, Freedom Township residents/businesses in the impact area were invited by certified letter to attend a special April 17th 2007 Curative Amendment Application Hearing at the Cumberland Township Offices, Fairfield Road. The residents in attendance who expressed opinion did so overwhelmingly against this curative amendment application and in fact against this project as a whole. The residents were not expecting such a high density development with multiple and ongoing demands of water and septic when the area was rezoned 3 years previous. Additionally, the size of the facility and it's components remove every spectre of real nature and wipes forever the serene bucolic quiet views. This facility will operate days, nights, weekends and all season long.

The attendees were informed that there is no public referendum required or permitted to deny this application at the outset. The Township soliciter advised that current PA law permits for only acceptance of curative amendments - there is no denial in a direct sense. They have to approve it and take the time and money to research what changes need to be made to the plan to make it happen.

Cumberland and Fairfield Township residents have grave concerns regarding the consequences of such a project from water use of this facility: not only the pools proposed but the regular commercial use. This project presents a bevy of environmental concerns from loss of habitat for native creatures, loss of greenspaces (note: handy landscaping does NOT replace greenspaces) to increased noise pollution from traffic, congestion on this road as there is no possible way this can go in without a traffic light; light intrusion from the facility, visual intrusion of this facility the folks who have to face this compound.

The plans as originally stated call for 85% impervious coverage which nearly doubles the current standards in the township of no greater than 45%.

In adequate EMS support in terms of manpower and equipment and water resources is a huge safety issue.

In this particular case harm comes to not only the quality of life for Cumberland Township residents but Freedom Township residents in the immediate impact area. Given the two townships being governed by separate entities and the final say being in the hands of Cumberland Township, the rights of those in Freedom Township appear to be swept under the rug as their supervisors have left them alone with their issues with no hope of support or protection.

We the undersigned are resolved that future problems resulting from approval of this curative amendement will be caused by a flurry of land speculation and rampant residential development. This will cause an influx of more residents to an area that will be woefully unprepared for their immediate and future needs, including but not limited to water, septic, educational, emergency/medical and professional services. The loss of greenspace and the further flushing of our wildlife from rural areas will also be devastating.

We also believe that despite the thousands of dollars and time spent rezoning the area over 3 years ago were not adequate to meet the savvy methods of developers/builders of this era.

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We have been trying to get a company, Angelus Block, the GARDENA PLANT, 252 E. Redondo Beach. Blvd.
Gardena, CA 90248, (310) 323-8841, FAX (310) 327-2291, to stop making noise 24 hours a day. They have refused to honor our request claiming they have permits that allow them to do as they please.

Our research shows that they are in violation, complaints have been made and we have yet to get a sustained resolution to the problem. Zoning Enforcement, Section I, County of Los Angeles Dept. of Regional Planning, 320 W. Temple St.,Los Angeles, CA 90012 has rendered the following,
"The Conditonal Use Permint (CUP) for the property 252 E. Redondo Beach Blvd. is current. Unfortunately, in reviewing the conditions placed on the business by the CUP, none of the conditions address your concerns. There are no conditions that limit the hours of operation.
Nonetheless, while the CUP gives Angelus Block the right to operate, it by no means gives them the right to operate through the night. If the current operation is in violation of other sections of the County Code, they should be enforced. If the property owner has stated that he has a permit that allows him to operate at night, then that is incorrect and because hours of operation is not part of the conditions placed on the property, it does not give them the right to operate at any hour if it violates the County Code, such as Title 13. Therefore steps can be taken to make Angelus Block comply with the other sections of the County Code."

The materials used to manufacture bricks, concrete, ete contains hazardous material which infiltrate the lungs and Angelus Block does not make any attempts to contain those materials.

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Homelessness is as old as the United States itself. When the first settlers came to America they were homeless.

Today more families are needing support services and are not being provided those services because the current definition of homelessness is based on individuals and not families. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) definition prohibits services to families with children. However, today, more and more families are becoming homeless.

The United States Conference of Mayors (2005) shared that the causes of homelessness is due to “lack of affordable housing, low paying jobs, mental illness, the lack of needed services, substance abuse, domestic violence, unemployment and poverty. There are many consequences for families being homeless.

When families become homeless they not only loose their homes, they also loose all of their possessions. Children may not receive an education or may have to change schools, family separation becomes an issue because most shelters do not allow women, men and children to be together.

Therefore, the current definition of homelessness as defined by HUD must be expanded to include families with children.

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On Friday September 29, 2006, a union vote took place concerning modifications in the Driver and Monitor Contract. Many union members feel that they were not properly notified or given accurate information concerning the vote.

Specifically, members were not notified in a timely manner to make arrangements or allocations of their time to participate in the vote. Some members were notified the very day of the vote and some were not notified at all. The preferred current ASCME communication style is to put paper flyers in the transportation building lounge. This style operates under the assumption that all drivers and monitors visit the lounge, which is not true.

Additionally, the amendments to the contract were not given to each union member in a timely manner to develop an opinion of good or evil. Only two pieces of paper that were confusing to some lay next to the vote box for drivers and monitors to make a very quick decision to vote yes or no. Furthermore, union members were not provided their own personal copy

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July 17, 2006

Teen smoking rates - which plummeted dramatically over the past eight years - now appear to be leveling off, a trend that concerns many public health experts.

They're worried not just about the diminishing numbers of teens who are choosing to quit, but also about what may be in store for the 1 million plus new smokers who are succumbing to the habit each year.

Cigarette smoking during childhood and adolescence produces significant health problems among young people, including cough and phlegm production, an increase in the number and severity of respiratory illnesses, decreased physical fitness, an unfavorable lipid profile and potential retardation in the rate of lung growth and the level of maximum lung function.

An estimated 440,000 Americans die each year from diseases caused by smoking.

• Each day, nearly 6,000 children under 18 years of age start smoking; of these, nearly 2,000 will become regular smokers. That is almost 800,000 annually.

• It is estimated that at least 4.5 million U.S. adolescents are cigarette smokers.

• Approximately 90 percent of smokers begin smoking before the age of 21.

• If current tobacco use patterns persist, an estimated 6.4 million children will die prematurely from a smoking-related disease.

• According to a 2001 national survey of high school students, the overall prevalence of current cigarette use was 28 percent.

• Nearly graders and 5.5 percent of 8th graders smoke cigarettes daily.

• Adolescents who smoke regularly can have just as hard a time quitting as long-time smokers.

• Of adolescents who have smoked at least 100 cigarettes in their lifetime, most of them report that they would like to quit, but are not able to do so.

• Cigarette advertisements tend to emphasize youthful vigor, sexual attraction and independence themes, which appeal to teenagers and young adults struggling with these issues.

• Tobacco use in adolescence is associated with a range of health-compromising behaviors, including being involved in fights, carrying weapons, engaging in high-risk sexual behavior and using alcohol and other drugs.

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June 8, 2006

We, the undersigned request a review and re-design of the current speed bumps placed at the entrance to City Park car park.

This is due to numerous complaints of cumulative motor vehicle damage.

Sincerely,

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June 7, 2006

As a counter measure to the request by 40 Dragons Fans to make the Region the Newport Black and Ambers and provide Newport regional stand alone status.

We, the undersigned, would like to propose a counter measure of the Gwent Dragons actually retaining their title and becoming a real Welsh region with a balanced board of directors containing members of all of the regions member clubs, covering Gwent and the dis-enfranchised region containing Pontypridd and Brigend RFC.

This team will play at a neutral venue and seek to court the support of all regional member clubs. Current Head Coach, Paul Turner, is to remain in charge with the current squad. A new benefactor is to be sought by the new board of directors, and a proposal is to be generated for the development of sports facilities for the region at a central and neutral location, on main transport access routes, for all sports, with a stadium and running track.

This proposal is to be submitted to the Welsh Parliament and National Lottery for funding support, amongst other sources.

The on line link to the original proposal is identified below.

http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/0500rugbyunion/0200news

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May 19, 2006

No to immigration snatch squad -
These detention centres are effectively the same as prisons.

It is inconceivable that at the same time that human rights advocates and campaigners are calling for them to be shut down in England and Scotland, that there are plans to establish one here.

The centre will lead to the criminalising of the immigrant community living here.

At a time when racist attacks are spiralling out of control this will contribute to fuelling racist attacks. We are further opposed to the plans for a special immigration squad who will carry out raids on workplaces to try to identify undocumented workers. This will breed the idea that the majority of overseas workers are here unlawfully when that is not the position.

There is a tiny number of asylum seekers and undocumented immigrants living here and there is no justification for having either a detention centre or a special immigration squad.

The current plans should be scrapped and the available resources used to tackle the real problems of race hate crimes.

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April 24, 2006

We are Albemarle county residents opposed to the county adding high density developement while the area infrastructure will not support it.

Increasing the area density will result in a higher population and a greater tax burden on our current county residents.

The area's current infrastructure cannot support the almost 5,000 units and the traffic problems they will bring.

As a result, and most importantly, an increase such as the one being proposed for Biscuit Run will have a grave impact on the quality of life of all Albemarle County residents.

View petition