JAS_BHS62

Bellefontaine, OH

Obamaville

Richard Clark knew terrorists were going to fly passenger airplanes into the World Trade Center towers, the Pentagon, and a field in Pennsylvania ? That is really interesting. How did he know ? Did he provide that specific info to Bush ? Did you see a copy of the memo ? If that specific info was not provided, what exactly was Bush supposed to set up defense against ? Please provide your valuable opinion, Ollie. Do you suppose that right now, Obama has been warned that terrorists MIGHT attack the US ? Besides the steps already undertaken by Bush, what preventive measures is he taking ? Oh, wait, there has already been a terrorist attack on US soil under Obama. On a US Army Post in Texas. 13 killed and 38 wounded. By an Islamist who had known contacts with Mid-East radicals and who, by his actions, warned of his intent. Why didn't Obama read his mind and prevent the attack ? Please tell us, Ollie.  (14 hrs ago | post #37)

Bellefontaine, OH

Economic Opportunity for Bellefontaine

High Point Vocational School was established in large part with funds donated to the local school system by Dr. Sloan to establish a source of vocational education for local students. It wasn't established to provide employees only for local employers, it was established to provide local people an education that would prepare them to work and provide for the well-being of their families, regardless where they may live their lives. Most of us who have availed ourselves of the opportunities provided by the education we received through the charity of Dr. Sloan have moved away from Bellefontaine and earned good livings and provided well for our families. If they administration of that school waits for a company to move to the area and ask it to establish a learning center for people who may want to work for it, the school will not be fulfilling its designated goal. If it establishes a curriculum in fields it knows will benefit locals best, irrespective of where that education may take them, it will have served its intended purpose and, local people will have been best served.  (14 hrs ago | post #171)

Bellefontaine, OH

Economic Opportunity for Bellefontaine

continued Companies like Royal Dutch Shell and Statoil want more exposure to natural gas fields in the U.S. and the technology to extract gas. Potential targets include big natural gas companies like Chesapeake Energy, Devon Energy and Anadarko, Gheit said. Chesapeake Energy shares rose 6 percent in trading Monday morning and other companies saw shares rise as well. Exxon is moving beyond the U.S. to ramp up natural gas production and last week gave the go-ahead for a $15 billion natural gas project in Papua New Guinea, a nation just north of Australia. The deal would position Exxon to provide energy to a fuel-hungry China. Once the XTO deal closes, Exxon said it will establish a new organization to manage global development and production of so-called unconventional resources. XTO's chairman and founder, Bob Simpson, said his company has the capability of developing the unconventional resources that have given North America more than 100 years' worth of natural gas supplies. The deal was valued at about $31 billion based on Exxon's closing stock price Friday. Exxon shares fell nearly 5 percent on Monday, placing the deal's value closer to $29 billion. Exxon, based in Irving, Texas, will issue about 0.7 shares of common stock for each common share of XTO, a 25 percent premium to XTO stockholders. Exxon will also assume $10 billion in XTO debt. The deal values XTO's shares at $51.69, based on the closing price Friday. XTO shares rose $6.11, or 15 percent, to $47.60 in trading Monday. Exxon shares fell $3.41 to $69.42. Simpson is one of the highest paid executives in the United States. His compensation last year was valued at $53.5 million. He retired as CEO of XTO, based in Fort Worth, Dallas, in 2008.  (14 hrs ago | post #170)

Bellefontaine, OH

Economic Opportunity for Bellefontaine

The following article might help ignite a fire under the seats of those that could provide training for those interested in learning crafts relative to natural gas production that will occur in western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio over the next few decades: Exxon Mobil Makes $29B Bet on Natural Gas 12/14/2009 Associated Press/AP Online Exxon Mobil, the world's largest publicly traded oil company, is making a $29 billion bet that pressure to curb climate change will mean natural gas - cleaner than coal and suddenly much easier to reach - will become a crucial source of U.S. power. Exxon agreed to buy XTO Energy in an all-stock deal at a 25 percent premium, showing how eagerly a company that is among the most conservative in a conservative industry is jumping into the market for natural gas. As negotiators haggled in Copenhagen over a global plan to curb carbon emissions, the deal suggested Exxon sees change coming for an energy source best known now for heating homes. The deal announced Monday was also the largest for the U.S. energy sector in at least four years and Exxon's biggest acquisition since it bought Mobil Corp. for $75 billion in 1999. The technology to unlock natural gas from tight rock formations has advanced so rapidly that energy experts have raised their estimates of how much fuel is available by 35 percent in just two years. The emergence of massive supplies of natural gas in the U.S. coincides with the nation's focus on cutting emissions. The newfound supply and looming climate legislation have been cited by utilities this year as they have shuttered old coal-fired power plants and scrapped plans to build new ones. Climate legislation would put utilities in the crosshairs, and many are aggressively seeking new fuels like natural gas to minimize the economic hit. "From the outside view, it does look like this move makes much more sense in a world where there's carbon policy because that ensures a growing market for natural gas," said Amy Jaffe, a fellow at the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy at Rice University. Just this month, Progress Energy became the latest utility to announce it would close coal-fired power plants in favor of natural gas. Exxon Mobil expects global demand for gas to grow 50 percent by 2030. "Natural gas is really well-suited to meet that growing power generation demand, both from the standpoint of its lower environmental impact, but also its capital efficiency and its flexibility," Exxon Mobil chairman and CEO Rex Tillerson told analysts on a conference call. Through August, utilities used gas to generate 23 percent of the nation's electricity, up nearly three percentage points from last year. Coal's share was down about 13 percent. XTO claims about 45 trillion cubic feet of gas, much of it trapped in tight shale formations. Technology developed over the past decade has made it much cheaper to pull natural gas from those formations. Already on Monday, energy experts were laying odds as to which natural gas companies would be sold next, and which major oil companies might follow Exxon's lead by snapping them up. "Exxon is the group leader, and it sets the trend. I would expect more acquisitions in the next three to six months," said Fadel Gheit, senior energy analyst for Oppenheimer. European oil companies are already cutting deals with Chesapeake Energy, one of the biggest independent U.S. natural gas companies. continued  (14 hrs ago | post #169)

Bellefontaine, OH

BELLEFONTAINE CITY DEPT! ARE YOU SERIOUS???PLEASE READ THIS.

The money used for the projects listed was allocated long before this economic downturn occurred, wasn't it ? And, while some of the money may have been spent during the downturn, didn't it provide some jobs although some of them may have been short-lived ? Someone else pointed out the money spent has been on projects that will be of benefit for years down the road. Actually, Bellefontaine needs more of this type spending, not less. People who are most apt to spend money, are most apt to spend it in surroundings that exude the appearance of success. They are less likely to visit and spend money in depressing surroundings. Vibrancy is a word that comes to mind and a phrase would be "it takes money to make money". Or, success breeds success. The city could go out on a limb and sell bonds to fund some projects to spruce up downtown Bellefontaine. It could finance the construction of a performing arts center to be the off-season home to the Columbus or Cincinnati Symphony and Ballet as well as host a weekend jazz festival and other concerts. It could be tailored after SPAC in Saratoga Springs, NY. The communities that will grow and prosper in the wake of this recession are those with the testes to stand up and be counted. Those that don't will wither and die.  (Sunday Dec 13 | post #15)

Bellefontaine, OH

The Heisman Trophy Winner Will Be:

It's hard to believe Alabama, with all the great teams they've had, have never had a Heisman winner. Ingram will now have the opportunity to repeat and possibly threepeat. I thought McCoy would win but, whenever Texas faced a real defense, they had problems. The Buckeyes beat them last year in the Fiesta Bowl until they left Texas with 1:26 and the defense took the rest of the game off. I'm still crying about that one !  (Sunday Dec 13 | post #14)

Bellefontaine, OH

Will President Obama serve a second term?

With the arrow pointed up ?  (Saturday Dec 12 | post #53)

Bellefontaine, OH

Economic Opportunity for Bellefontaine

Project management. Irrespective of the field in which you work, project managers are always utilized to maintain a smooth and efficient work flow. You do not have to have a degree in the particular field of endeavor, you just have to know how to organize it and allocate the necessary resources.  (Saturday Dec 12 | post #166)

Bellefontaine, OH

Economic Opportunity for Bellefontaine

How much of this type activity is going on in Bellefontaine ? Surprise launches angel group for AZ TechCeleratorPhoen ix Business Journal An angel investment group is launching in Surprise, with a forum slated for next month. The Surprise Angel Investment Forum will be held Jan. 26 at the Surprise City Hall. The group will be based out of the city’s AZ TechCelerator, a technology incubator at the former Surprise municipal complex on Bell Road. “As we get more familiar with Surprise, we are amazed by the wealth of prospects surrounding the AZ TechCelerator,” said Rick Gibson, a director of the new group and managing director of HOTventures, a longtime investment group. “I am struck by the immense value of professional talent in the local retirement communities, the Sun Health Research Institute and Brain Center. And, to top it off, we have the power of hundreds of high-net-worth individuals living in our own neighborhood.” Gibson has been involved with several investment groups, including the Desert Angels in Tucson. Fred Weih, the Surprise group’s executive director, said the forum will offer a chance for businesses and entrepreneurs to meet. Many of the Phoenix area’s angel groups are based in the East Valley because of the proximity to numerous technology businesses and Arizona State University. Surprise has made a push recently to develop more technology for an employment base.  (Friday Dec 11 | post #164)

Bellefontaine, OH

Good Morning!!!!!!!!

A little chilly in AZ this morning. 34.8F when I logged on. Headed for a high of 60. Really nice sweater weather ;-)~  (Friday Dec 11 | post #477)

Bellefontaine, OH

Good Morning!!!!!!!!

velley = valley  (Tuesday Dec 8 | post #470)

Bellefontaine, OH

Good Morning!!!!!!!!

Blizzard in Flagstaff and rain in the velley. It's a beautiful day in Arizona ! Unless you're stuck on I 17.  (Tuesday Dec 8 | post #469)

Bellefontaine, OH

Native American Mounds Destroyed

Here is a link to the Gochampaign.com website and their forum discussion about the wind turbines. Their discussion also has links to simulated "photos" of what the turbines will look like when installed: http://www.gochamp aign.com/discussio ns.html?topic/1025 There are a lot of long reads but, some of the information and opinions are interesting. Please also note, the forum requires registration to be able to post and, people have to use their real names.  (Sunday Dec 6 | post #44)

Bellefontaine, OH

Bellefontaine is falling apart

For those of you who are complaining, how often do you sign up to get on the city council agenda so you can speak at their meetings ? How often do two or three hundred city voters show up at city council meetings ? How often do even twenty city voters show up ? If you're not one of the people who do show up, how do you feel you have the right to complain ? Once you elect the people, your job and responsibility is not over. Go meet with your councilperson or, call or write or email them. Let them know your concerns. Have your neighbors do the same thing. Remember, they are your employees. You, as their employer have the responsibility to instruct your employees as to their duties and obligations. How often have you attended a meeting of your economic development committee ? You are supposed to take the iniative to find out what they are doing and how they are spending your money to bring in new companies or get the existing companies to expand. Do you patronize the local stores or, do you go to other cities to shop ? How about staying local to dine out ? If you don't do these things, your city's demise is your fault, not theirs.  (Saturday Dec 5 | post #31)

Bellefontaine, OH

An interesting twist on Wind Farms

Some more info on wind farms to keep the debate going: Study: Wind Farms Have No Effect on Property Value 12/02/2009 Associated Press/AP Online Text size: AABy SANDY SHORE DENVER - Wind farms have no measurable effect on nearby property values, according to a government report published Wednesday. In the latest study, researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory spent three years examining nearly 7,500 sales of homes in 10 communities near two dozen wind farms in nine states. The findings, however, are unlikely to cool the debate over the placement of massive wind turbines which to some represent progress, but to others an intrusion. Questions about the integrity of the $500,000 Berkeley study were aired even before the report was released. New energy infrastructure almost always runs into opposition, and in many cases for good reason. There is a lot of research showing that nearby coal-fired power plants, transmission lines or other permanent fixtures can suck the value out of a home. The Berkeley study, however, is not the first to show that wind turbines might be different, and previous studies have not tamped down opposition. About 150 miles south of Denver in the tiny town of La Veta, many believe a proposed 7,000 acre wind farm would forever alter the postcard view of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Two other projects have been proposed as well. Mayor Mickey Schmidt is aware of previous studies, but says he still believes it's just common sense that wind turbines will hurt property values when it is the mountain vistas that bring many people to La Veta. Researchers at the Berkeley National Laboratory looked at homes 800 feet to five miles from wind farms. About 1,000 sales involved homes that had views of the turbines, including sight lines through trees or just blade tips. Researchers say the took into account the recession and other characteristics such as the number of bedrooms in a home or location of schools, said Ryan Wiser, a study co-author and project manager for the Berkeley Lab. "That's not to say there are not individual homes or small groups of homes that have been impacted by the presence of wind projects," Wiser said. If there is an impact, Wiser said, the frequency was to small to measure statistically. Conflicts will likely become more frequent in coming years. About 1,649 megawatts of capacity from wind farms was added from July through September - enough to power 480,000 average households. That is about 18 percent more than the same period last year and more projects are coming on line next year. Texas dwarfs any other state as far as wind power goes. Not far from Big Spring, about 300 miles west of Dallas, hundreds of turbines churn out power at one of the biggest wind farms in the country, without much effect on home prices, said real estate agent Sherri Key. Some potential buyers say turbines are too noisy, while others say "they're so gorgeous," said Key.  (Thursday Dec 3 | post #3)