One of the goals and primary focuses of the CEP from its inception has been to raise the wage level in our community. From our initial 5-year strategic plan (Moving Forward), one of the three BIG goals has been to not only attract new jobs but jobs which pay an average wage which is 15% higher than the county average. We evaluate every project we are working against this measure and we ask local government to only incent those businesses and jobs which will meet this standard.
The Census Bureau and various other economic entities provide a variety of ways for us to track this growth. The primary metric we use is the Average Weekly Wage as reported in the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages. Today, the average wage which is required for us to incent a project is over $42,000/year. This is a 27% increase over the initial target wage. Our AVW has grown nearly 9% in the last two years which is nearly triple the state average. Continue reading
By TomL
I guess the question today is Resist or Results? The American people are smarter than some would like us to think. The working people shopping a Walmart or spending money are what make our economy work. More and more of them are getting the idea that they need to vote. The working person was suppressed for eight years and now they are beginning to understand.
In the past, minorities have been promised a better way of life without contributing anything. That does not work. Look at all the people trying to flee other countries that have Socialism. Again it will only work for a little while. The rich move their money to another country where they don’t have to support people who don’t want to work.
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All can I say is, to the working man and woman, please pay your taxes – 12 million undocumented residents are depending on you! Continue reading
by A.J.(Tony) Powell
Who said “Restricting immigration is offensive, and contrary to American values”? Most media outlets label anyone who disagrees with them a ‘xenophobic’.
So, just because I disagree with you, I have a ‘phobia?’
Fact is that the law says “An alien is inadmissible if they are “likely to become a public charge”.
Doesn’t that mean that it’s ‘legal’ to stop the current invasion of the United States? Of course the argument is not new. It was way back in 1790 that James Madison said something like, “Legal immigration is intended to ‘increase the population’, but only if they add to the strength and wealth of America”. He said, “America should welcome the immigrant who can assimilate, but exclude the immigrant who doesn’t ‘fit in”
The (Legal) population of the United States of America includes just about every color and culture found anywhere in the world. So any ‘legal’ immigrant can ‘fit in’ if they have the determination to become acceptably ‘Americanized’. Continue reading
The term “Multi-modal” is commonly used to describe shared use paths since it accommodates multiple forms of transit.
Multi-modal or Shared Use Paths are paved, off-street travel ways designed to serve nonmotorized travelers. Across our community, golf carts and bicyclists are typically the most common users of shared-use paths. However, shared-use paths are frequently also used by pedestrians, roller skaters, skateboarders, wheelchair users, and users of many other modes except automotive.
Diamonds painted on the road indicate a restricted lane, which means only vehicles meeting certain criteria may use the lane. This is usually further indicated by a sign with the same diamond on it, displayed overhead of the lane or at the side of the road, or painted on the lane, which describes the restriction.
Local government agencies are frequently asked who is allowed to use the Multi-modal paths.
Within the Town of Lady Lake, Avenida Central, Del Mar Drive, Rio Grand Avenue and Chula Vista Avenue all have side lanes with the diamond painted on them. These are designated as PED or pedestrian lanes. It is a common misunderstanding that these lanes are dedicated for golf carts use only. These are considered “Shared Use” lanes since pedestrians, bicycles, and golf carts may utilize them. Continue reading
Print newspapers and their decline.In the US one of the largest print publications, with 13.2 million circulation, has been able to move only 750,000 to using digital format. Actually the same is true in the top three. AARP is the largest and Costco Connection is one of the top three.
A print newspaper is tangible, people can sit at the breakfast table with a cup of coffee and read the paper and any national poll will tell you that. Most full size tabloid newspapers are at least six times bigger than a smart phone and easier to manipulate. On a full size screen it is something else. I read our papers before we release it and it is easy to read on a full size computer screen and easy to go to the next page or back up.
By TomL
Where was the American Flag made that you are pledging allegiance too? Millions of American Flags that we pledge to are made in China. To date we don’t have tariffs on them. “I say we should not let anyone import them here!” I was talking to a local business that sells made in the USA flags. He says people are selling these flags online and it does not seem to matter where it’s made! My flags were made by the American worker, transported to stores all over the USA by trucking companies and sold in the stores here in the USA. They cost a little more, but they should be worth it to the people pledging to flag. Some of the people making the flag could be vets or family members of those that gave the ultimate sacrifice. So please take the time to look at the flag you are buying and look at the flag you are pledging to and make sure it is made in the USA, the greatest country on earth! Look at all of the products you buy, I mean everything including groceries, especially meats & produce. Steaks grown in the USA and processed in the USA will cost more, but you know what is in the meat. A cattle rancher in another country could spray a field with pesticides while the beef steers are grazing there. The pesticide is then in the steers’ stomachs. Do you see what I mean? Buy USA!
TomL said that!
The Active Shooter Training Lunch & Learn was hosted by the Lady Lake Library and presented by the Lady Lake Police Department. It was held at the Lady Lake Library September 27. The goal was to learn to recognize potential workplace violence indicators and know what to do and how to handle yourself before you’re in an active shooter situation. It was very informative. Thank you Lady Lake Chamber and Lady Lake Police Department.
(OCALA, Fla.) Sept. 17, 2018 – Ocala Fire Rescue responded to reports of a vehicular accident with rollover, Saturday, Sept. 15 at 3:23 p.m.
Arriving at the corner of SW 10 Street. and Pine Avenue, firefighters encountered an upside down sports utility vehicle (SUV) with passengers in need of extrication, and a minivan nearby. A utility pole taken down during the collision lay on the ground.
Crews assessed the state of the patients, stabilized the SUV and began extrication. A total of four patients were identified and transported to the hospital. Two of the four patients were trauma alerted.
Ocala Police Department and Marion County Fire Rescue also responded.
New members of the Ocala Business Leaders are pictured here along with the current president, Robert Heagy on left, and new members receiving their certificates of membership. Good luck to the new members.
(NAPSI)—Whether changing the oil, replacing the wiper blades or checking the tires, finding the time to perform simple preventative vehicle maintenance is money in the bank.
According to research conducted by automotive market research firm IMR Inc., one out of three consumers who put off routine vehicle maintenance do so because they cannot find a convenient time. In addition, millennials and those who own older vehicles are more likely to delay routine maintenance.
Expert Advice
“There is an old adage that if you take care of your car, your car will take care of you,” said Rich White, executive director of the nonprofit Car Care Council. “Making time to perform routine auto care not only ensures a safer, more dependable vehicle, but car owners can preserve the trade-in value and save money by addressing small issues before they become more complicated, expensive repairs.” Continue reading
