Those of you who are able to spend time with your fathers today are blessed. The presence, or lack thereof, of a father in your life is profound. Take the time to honor your father and celebrate Fathers Day.
My father's untimely death at the age of 54 profoundly affected the course of my life. I was working at a job I hated in a place I hated. I was assistant general manager of J. M. Fields Department Store in Parsippany, NJ. My dad, after being laid off as what would now be called CFO of Industrial Machine Service, a custom machine manufacturer, had started his own bookkeeping service. After six years, he had computerized the business and grown a client list of 34 businesses. Plus, he did personal taxes for the owners and was a certified tax practicioner licensed to represent clients before the IRS. His services also included payroll service. He was quite ahead of his time for 1974.
The last time I was home, he had brought up the subject of my joining the family business. He had grown the business to the point it would support expansion. Also, since a bookkeeper / business consultant needs to know everything about a business, he thought it would be easier for me to gain their trust since I would be there for the long haul. We had pretty much decided to do this later in the year after tax season was over.
Unfortunately, he died on April 28th of that year. He had completed the quarterly reports for all his clients gone home. He suffered a massive heart attack and died before he got to the hospital.
My mother wanted me to take over the business. After a couple frank discussions, I convinced her that with only 2 years of accounting in college and not knowing his clients, I was not prepared to run this business and that the best thing was to sell the business, which we did, to a pair of CPA's who were looking to go out on their own. The money was put aside for my mother's retirement.
I went on to work for Binswanger Glass for almost 37 years. No regrets. I've had a good career with a fine company. But, at a time like this, I sometimes wonder what might have been. For one thing, I would not be here and I would not have all the great friends I have here.
But, I will always be thankful for the influence my father had on me. He has influenced my principles, my politics and my work ethic. If not for him, I would not be the person I am now.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011
The Department of NO Energy
Following the second Arab Oil Embargo in 1976, the Department of Energy was founded in 1977. The primary goal of the DOE was to ensure a that the United States would never again be at the mercy of a foreign power for the energy necessary to power the US economy. This would be a 3 prong effort:
1. Develop the energy technologies for the future
2. The expansion of nuclear energy and disposal of radioactive waste.
3. Ensure the domestic flow of energy
Somewhere along the way, something went wrong. Billions of dollars have been spent over 33 years and none of these goals have been accomplished.
1. There has been some development in new energy, but nothing yet that can replace fossil fuels. Wind, solar and waves can produce a small amount of power, but will never be able to be a primary supplier. Ethanol has been a bust. It takes more energy to grow the corn, distill it and then transport it to the end user than it provides. It also raises the price of corn and thereby inflates the cost of food.
2. The last nuclear plant built in the United States, the River Bend Plant in Louisiana was started in 1977. Coincidentally (?) the very year the DOE was formed. Also, the Yucca Flats facility for the storage of nuclear waste was scrapped after more billions of dollars. The only form of electricity that costs less than nuclear to produce is hydro, but there has been no political will to approve more than a token number of new nuclear plants. The US only obtains 20% of its power from nuclear compared to 88% in France.
3. There can be no case made that the DOE has insured the domestic flow of energy. In fact, it seems that they have fought all new uses of fossil fuels and nuclear since the onset. Under Clinton, the Department of the Interior grabbed up all the oil shale properties in the west and turned them into protected wilderness. They also banned drilling for oil in the Anwar area of Alaska, even though new drilling tecnologies have a very small footprint. They have banned all offshore drilling off the east and west coasts and the coast of Florida. The Department of the Interior and its Secretary Ken Salazar are currently in contempt of court for sitting on permits to drill for oil in the Gulf of Mexico.
In the meantime, there is instability in the Arabian (Persian) Gulf and the price of gasoline is ticking higher every day. This could not be a worse time to have an energy problem. The economy is shakily trying to get back on its feet and this could be a body blow.
Congress needs to take a new look at what the goals of the DOE should be and get them back on track. So far, this has been a horrible failure.
1. Develop the energy technologies for the future
2. The expansion of nuclear energy and disposal of radioactive waste.
3. Ensure the domestic flow of energy
Somewhere along the way, something went wrong. Billions of dollars have been spent over 33 years and none of these goals have been accomplished.
1. There has been some development in new energy, but nothing yet that can replace fossil fuels. Wind, solar and waves can produce a small amount of power, but will never be able to be a primary supplier. Ethanol has been a bust. It takes more energy to grow the corn, distill it and then transport it to the end user than it provides. It also raises the price of corn and thereby inflates the cost of food.
2. The last nuclear plant built in the United States, the River Bend Plant in Louisiana was started in 1977. Coincidentally (?) the very year the DOE was formed. Also, the Yucca Flats facility for the storage of nuclear waste was scrapped after more billions of dollars. The only form of electricity that costs less than nuclear to produce is hydro, but there has been no political will to approve more than a token number of new nuclear plants. The US only obtains 20% of its power from nuclear compared to 88% in France.
3. There can be no case made that the DOE has insured the domestic flow of energy. In fact, it seems that they have fought all new uses of fossil fuels and nuclear since the onset. Under Clinton, the Department of the Interior grabbed up all the oil shale properties in the west and turned them into protected wilderness. They also banned drilling for oil in the Anwar area of Alaska, even though new drilling tecnologies have a very small footprint. They have banned all offshore drilling off the east and west coasts and the coast of Florida. The Department of the Interior and its Secretary Ken Salazar are currently in contempt of court for sitting on permits to drill for oil in the Gulf of Mexico.
In the meantime, there is instability in the Arabian (Persian) Gulf and the price of gasoline is ticking higher every day. This could not be a worse time to have an energy problem. The economy is shakily trying to get back on its feet and this could be a body blow.
Congress needs to take a new look at what the goals of the DOE should be and get them back on track. So far, this has been a horrible failure.
On Air Fresheners -
What has happened to "Vanilla Essence?" I've looked everywhere for it.
OK, my kitty litter box is kept in the closet under the stairs. My aging cat has forgotten that she is supposed to cover it up after going and I can come home to an unpleasant surprise. The vanilla essence scented oil is perfect. I always come home to a pleasant aroma like something is cooking in the kitchen.
But, I can't find it anymore. I've been to Walgreens, Harris Teeter and Lowes Foods to no avail. I don't want florals. I don't want the smell of water (neither mountain nor clean.) And, the one that everyone stocks is clean linen. Why would I want my house to smell like laundry? If I did, I could just go around throwing Bounce sheets behind all the furniture. What? Some of you do that???
I WANT MY VANILLA ESSENCE!
OK, my kitty litter box is kept in the closet under the stairs. My aging cat has forgotten that she is supposed to cover it up after going and I can come home to an unpleasant surprise. The vanilla essence scented oil is perfect. I always come home to a pleasant aroma like something is cooking in the kitchen.
But, I can't find it anymore. I've been to Walgreens, Harris Teeter and Lowes Foods to no avail. I don't want florals. I don't want the smell of water (neither mountain nor clean.) And, the one that everyone stocks is clean linen. Why would I want my house to smell like laundry? If I did, I could just go around throwing Bounce sheets behind all the furniture. What? Some of you do that???
I WANT MY VANILLA ESSENCE!
Saturday, January 22, 2011
SC Supreme Court Stikes Again
The South Carolina Supreme Court has made a few disturbing rulings over the past several years that have been detrimental to small businesses in the construction industry. Here is an alert just received from the American Subcontractors Association of the Carolinas. If you think your Comprehensive General Liability Insurance protects you from damages due to faulty installation, you could be wrong.
For your Information:
The SC Supreme Court recently rendered a decision with Crossmann Communities vs. Harleyville that will have a major impact on general liability insurance coverage.
At issue in this case was whether a typical Commercial General Liability insurance policy provides insurance coverage for damages arising from faulty workmanship or defective construction. The SC Supreme Court held that any damages which are the “natural and probable” result of faulty or defective workmanship are NOT covered by CGL Policy. Applying that holding to the CGL policy in the Crossmann Communities case, the SC Supreme Court held that damages relating to water intrusion, which occurred because of improperly installed siding, are not covered by insurance since water intrusion is a natural and probable result of faulty or defective siding work. This is true whether or not the developer or contractor or subcontractor was aware of the faulty work or the actual water intrusion.
This decision very likely will have a major impact on your business, and your exposure to risk, since it applies to all similar CGL policies and applies whether the faulty or defective work is done now, in the future, and even in the past. In other words, if you, or a contractor or subcontractor you employed, performed faulty or defective work, you are not covered by a typical CGL policy for the “natural and probable” damages caused by that work, whatever those damages may be (this opinion is not limited to cases involving water intrusion). Obviously, as you seek new work, you should be aware that, in light of Crossmann Communities, you may not have any coverage for damages caused by faulty or defective work performed by you or someone you employ. You should also expect owners who are knowledgeable about the Crossmann Communities case to want to discuss their recourse in the event of building problems, now or in the future. Note: This summary was provided by the CTHBA Watchdog Report.
ASAC, in conjunction with the MCASC, is filing an Amicus Brief in Crossmann Communities case.
What this means is if you are a subcontractor, you better make sure your job is properly installed or you could be paying the damages, your insurance won't protect you. For a general contractor or owner, you better make sure your contractors are well financed as their insurance policy you made them furnish you may not protect you.
For your Information:
The SC Supreme Court recently rendered a decision with Crossmann Communities vs. Harleyville that will have a major impact on general liability insurance coverage.
At issue in this case was whether a typical Commercial General Liability insurance policy provides insurance coverage for damages arising from faulty workmanship or defective construction. The SC Supreme Court held that any damages which are the “natural and probable” result of faulty or defective workmanship are NOT covered by CGL Policy. Applying that holding to the CGL policy in the Crossmann Communities case, the SC Supreme Court held that damages relating to water intrusion, which occurred because of improperly installed siding, are not covered by insurance since water intrusion is a natural and probable result of faulty or defective siding work. This is true whether or not the developer or contractor or subcontractor was aware of the faulty work or the actual water intrusion.
This decision very likely will have a major impact on your business, and your exposure to risk, since it applies to all similar CGL policies and applies whether the faulty or defective work is done now, in the future, and even in the past. In other words, if you, or a contractor or subcontractor you employed, performed faulty or defective work, you are not covered by a typical CGL policy for the “natural and probable” damages caused by that work, whatever those damages may be (this opinion is not limited to cases involving water intrusion). Obviously, as you seek new work, you should be aware that, in light of Crossmann Communities, you may not have any coverage for damages caused by faulty or defective work performed by you or someone you employ. You should also expect owners who are knowledgeable about the Crossmann Communities case to want to discuss their recourse in the event of building problems, now or in the future. Note: This summary was provided by the CTHBA Watchdog Report.
ASAC, in conjunction with the MCASC, is filing an Amicus Brief in Crossmann Communities case.
What this means is if you are a subcontractor, you better make sure your job is properly installed or you could be paying the damages, your insurance won't protect you. For a general contractor or owner, you better make sure your contractors are well financed as their insurance policy you made them furnish you may not protect you.
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