A work in progress
Posted on January 26th, 2012
The city of Montgomery now has a visual of what its about 190,000 square feet in the former Montgomery Mall will look like. Actual construction on the transformation could begin as early as April or May, Mayor Todd Strange said last week.
“We have architects working and met this week with fire and police to get the scope of what we want to do there,” Strange said.
The city plans to put a police substation, meeting space and a public-use, indoor walking track in former Steve and Barry’s space. It will also add space, including fire truck bays, for Fire station No.
Orange delays law requiring gas stations to post prices
Posted on January 20th, 2012
Orange County leaders delayed a decision Tuesday on whether to require gasoline stations to display pump prices prominently.
Orange County leaders delayed a decision Tuesday on whether to require gasoline stations to display pump prices prominently.
The postponement until Feb. 7 came after a debate over which price the stations should post its highest or lowest charge.
The ordinance follows the lead of Orlando leaders, who approved a law requiring highly visible signs at stations near Orlando International Airport, where customers often rush to top off the tank of a rental car.
The Orange law would give businesses 90 days to put up signs. Stations that do not comply would face a fine of up to $1,000 a day.
Tags: Prices
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Can’t Pay Income Tax
Posted on January 17th, 2012
First of all, even if you owe more taxes than you can pay by the income tax filing deadline, you should still file your income tax return on time to avoid late-filing penalties. (See the Income Tax FAQ “What happens if I don’t file my income tax on time?”.)
Once the CRA has processed your income tax return, they’ll send you a Notice of Assessment. If the Notice of Assessment shows an income tax balance owing that you can’t pay immediately, you should contact a tax services office, which will help you set up a mutually acceptable payment schedule.
Tags: Income Tax, Tax
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Uncle Sam’s PMS: What’s next?
Posted on January 10th, 2012
The White House has announced a new system for evaluating the performance of Senior Executive Service members. The system should establish greater consistency among agencies, according to a memo by the Office of Management and Budget and the Office of Personnel Management.
White House proposes 0.5 percent pay raise for feds in 2013 As part of its 2013 budget proposal, the White House will include a 0.5 percent pay increase for civilian federal employees, according to an administration official. Take the poll and share your opinion of the proposed pay increase.
Newly signed bill adds requirements for intelligence community Last week, the President signed the 2012 authorization bill for the intelligence community. It calls on the I.C. to report on what happens to detainees once they’ve left the Guantanamo Bay detention center. It absolves the ODNI from having to submit an audited financial statement.
Honda scrambles to revamp Civic
Posted on December 29th, 2011
ROMULUS, Mich. — Honda is scrambling to revamp its Civic just eight months after a new version hit showrooms, and critics say it’s an admission that the compact car fell short in quality and handling.
The revamp, to come by the end of 2012, is rare because new models aren’t usually overhauled for at least three years. Honda executives say they’re simply trying to stay ahead in an increasingly competitive small-car market.
The move comes as small car sales are on the rise in the U.S., and more people choose them because of worries about gas prices and car payments. Compacts also are no longer the cramped econoboxes of the 1980s and 1990s, and they have many of the same amenities as larger cars.
The new Civic was panned by critics when it started arriving at dealerships April 20. Consumer Reports magazine said it was less agile than its predecessor, and its interior quality was worse.
Tags: Civic
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Osceola tops state for foreclosure actions
Posted on December 15th, 2011
Osceola County was ranked No. 1 in the state for foreclosure filings in November, according to a report released Thursday by RealtyTrac Inc.
The Central Florida county, home to many of the region’s tourism workers, had one foreclosure filing for every 227 homes — a far greater proportion than the state’s overall rate of one filing for every 358 homes. Across the nation in November, there was one filing for every 579 homes.
So Osceola had more than double the rate of foreclosure actions as the U.S. as a whole last month.
Kissimmee real estate broker Kim Goodwin said she expects to see foreclosures churning in the Osceola market for months or even years to come. S
Tags: State, State Foreclosure
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Business Opportunities 2012
Posted on December 7th, 2011
Here are five more of what I consider to be the best business opportunities of 2012:
6) Senior Care
The burgeoning numbers of senior baby boomers also provide burgeoning business opportunities for senior care. In-home care and senior residences are the obvious ones, but don’t forget all the related opportunities such as driving, delivery, catering and cleaning services for seniors who want to stay in their homes. You can certainly develop your own business providing care for seniors, but there are also quite a few senior care franchise opportunities available.
Medical and Assistive Technologies
This was on the list last year and the business opportunities are even bigger this year as increasing numbers of hospital and medical clinic administrators appreciate the value of healthcare IT, smart devices and diagnostic and medical devices that can provide better health care and decrease costs.