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26 Questions & Answers about New Canaan cell service, cell towers
Cell Service Frequently Asked Questions - FAQs
The topic of cell towers has gotten more interest since they are being proposed for Irwin Park near the nature trail and West School 530 feet from the school. Questions of concern and curiosity flank the current talk around town, which has prompted the Utilities Commission to issue a list of answers to Frequently Asked Questions, which follow here. They were written by Commission Chairman Tom Tesluk and reviewed by other commission members and Cityscape Consultants.
"Our goal in preparing these FAQs was to provide the residents with as much background information as possible while describing the reasons the Commission has recommended a two phased strategy addressing our coverage problem," said Tesluk.
"We hope this document will help residents to understand that we have followed a careful and deliberate process based on factual data which we collected and that our intention is to improve coverage in a way which maximizes our collective control over what can be built and where it can be placed," he said.
The Utilities Commission is scheduled to make a presentation at the public Town Council meeting Thursday April 20, which starts at 7:30 p.m. in Town Hall.
The public is invited to speak out on the issues and ask questions at a Utilities Commission Public Information Forum on Monday, April, 24, at 7:30 in Town Hall.
— Grace Duffield
- What is the Utilities Commission's strategy for improving cell coverage in town?
Three principles have guided the Utilities Commission's strategy for improving cell service in town. First, the town government should play a proactive role in resolving this problem. Second, any new infrastructure to be built must follow strict design limitations and be minimally obtrusive. Third, there is no "one size fits all" solution to our problem.
Previously, town governments reacted to initiatives by carriers or infrastructure developers. Unlike other cities and towns across the U.S., New Canaan had never developed its own preferences or land use regulations on wireless infrastructure thus leaving it up to carriers and developers to guess what designs would satisfy the town. The UC argued that a better approach would have the town becoming a leading participant, with the goal of improving coverage while exercising the maximum possible control over what kind of infrastructure is built and where it is placed.
To do this, the town had to gather its own data set on service gaps. Relying on the network coverage data produced by either carriers or developers can lead to poor choices since there is a clear conflict of interest. Carriers or developers may be tempted to produce coverage data that justifies their application for a new site.
In 2014, Centerline Solutions LLC of Golden, Colorado was hired to conduct a drive test of the town, which they completed that summer. The Centerline study (released in December 2014) revealed significant service deficits in the north part of town. It was clear that it would take more than one new cell site to make inroads towards resolving the problem.
The study also evaluated available parcels of municipal and private property as potential sites for new wireless infrastructure. Their report produced a short list of eligible town properties, including Irwin Park, the Nature Center and West School.
Each candidate site was evaluated on the basis of its location, its surrounding foliage and its elevation. The UC also recommended that the town should follow an RFP process to award a master lease agreement to a single wireless infrastructure developer. The selected firm will commit to building the kind of minimally obtrusive infrastructure that the town desires in areas where coverage is needed.
The strategy calls for deploying new infrastructure in two phases. Phase one consists of building two or three concealed macro sites capable of projecting coverage over a wide area of the north side. These sites will create a signal "overlay," bringing service to large areas where reception is either not available or very weak. Phase two involves adding microcell sites or outdoor distributed antenna (ODAS) nodes to fill in remaining gaps and add capacity.
In 2015, the town retained Cityscape Consulting, an RF engineering and wireless planning firm, to help prepare an RFP inviting carriers or developers to apply for a master lease agreement giving the winner access to selected parcels of town property. Each location was chosen on the basis of its ability to host a concealed cell site that would substantially address northern coverage gaps.
The RFP was completed and proposals received from five bidders in 2016. Homeland Towers was awarded the most points and a master lease agreement was negotiated with them in the second half of 2016. Homeland then began to develop plans for building new wireless infrastructure according to the design limits developed by the UC.
- Why is the Utilities Commission Recommending New Concealed Cell Sites for our town?
Many residents know that cell coverage is poor or non existent in different parts of town, particularly in the north. A total of five cell sites currently provide service in New Canaan but only one site is located north of Parade Hill Road. Carriers are aware of this problem and have proposed sites at two locations in the north, one at Puddin Hill Road and another at the Clark property on Smith Ridge. Neither site was completed for various reasons. Complicating matters, previous town administrations were unable to develop a coherent policy that clearly expressed the town's preferences when it came to the design and placement of cell sites. As a result, the northern half of town continues to deal with spotty and, in some cases, nonexistent coverage.
- Why is it important to improve cellular service in town?
Poor cell coverage in town is more than just an inconvenience for our residents and visitors. Cell phones have become an essential communications and personal safety tool in the 21st century. According the FCC, last year, more than 75% of 911 calls were made using wireless phones.
Our lack of cell sites has made it difficult for our police, fire and EMS services to achieve the coverage they need to communicate with dispatch and medical direction services. Emergency service radio antennas and equipment are frequently co-located on commercial cell sites. When there is inadequate cell coverage, emergency services radio networks perform poorly and sometimes not at all.
In addition, our Emergency Service providers all make use of Mobile Technology Devices to aid in their emergency response. These devices provide important data about patient history for EMS, water sources for FD, or criminal history for PD. They rely solely on robust cell service to deliver the information to our responders in the field.
- Why use municipal property and not private property?
There is a very limited amount of privately held land in New Canaan that could be utilized for wireless infrastructure. By contrast, the town owns several suitable properties, which means that that multiple cell sites could be built simultaneously. Using different parcels allows multiple coverage gaps to be addressed at the same time and gives the town the maximum control over the design and precise placement of the facility. It also allows the town to insist that each new site meet its stringent standards and carry antennas for our emergency services networks, thus extending the reach and capacity of these networks.
- Why can't the town pass an ordinance requiring that only DAS or microcell sites will be allowed? Wouldn't this eliminate the need for towers? What about all those other towns in the United States that have reportedly achieved better coverage without the need for towers?
It's been argued that all we need to do is pass an ordinance limiting wireless infrastructure to unobtrusive designs such as DAS (distributed antenna systems) or microcell sites (antennas mounted on telephone poles) and we will achieve better coverage without the need for a single new tower. As evidence, proponents of this argument point to examples such as Gross Pointe, Michigan, Wellesley, Massachusetts and various other towns. The UC would like to address a number of reasons why this solution is unworkable for New Canaan.
The UC actually investigated this option in the summer of 2015 and spoke with town planners at a number of these towns to understand their approach to improving wireless service. We concluded that this solution is not as simple as it sounds.
First, a word or two about DAS and microcell site technology.
DAS technology was first developed to provide cellular coverage in indoor spaces with heavy traffic such as shopping malls, train stations, airports, arenas and other entertainment venues. The architecture uses small antennas and the remote location of radio equipment to create a low visual impact on the surrounding area. Eventually, DAS technology was introduced in outdoor settings as well, often in urban centers where population density and traffic is high.
Typically, ODAS (outdoor DAS) antennas are placed on utility poles or street lights approximately 35 to 45 ft off the ground. With their low elevation and reduced power levels, a typical DAS node (consisting of the antenna and connected fiber optic backhaul) will only send a signal a fraction of a distance that a typical cell tower will. The distances covered by ODAS signals may be as short as 75 yards, depending on the height of the antenna, the surrounding terrain and the number of trees and buildings sitting in the path of the signals.
This means that, in order to cover a wide area – such as the northern half of New Canaan – a very large number of ODAS nodes will be required and each node will have to be connected by a fiber optic network linking the antenna back to the radio racks which can be stored in a central location up to 3 km away from the furthest antenna.
Microcell Sites consist of cell antennas mounted on top of telephone or utility poles or even dedicated poles that are typically 35ft to 45 ft tall. Like ODAS nodes, the limited height of microcell sites considerably shortens the distance they can transmit their signals. Most often, microcell sites are typically deployed by carriers to add capacity to their networks rather than coverage. Verizon Wireless has built one microcell site in New Canaan on Cherry Street near the train station and is planning to install another on Ponus Ridge overlooking the Merritt Parkway. Both of these are high traffic areas with particularly high demand for data services.
So why is it that New Canaan cannot simply pass an ordinance and only allow ODAS and microcell technology in town instead of towers?
There are a number of reasons:
- First, many of the towns referred to as examples of this approach differ significantly from the northern half of New Canaan both in terms of their topography and population density. The fact is, we have more challenging terrain in the north part of town including hills, valleys, ridgelines and changes in elevation. In addition, we have 4-acre zoning (read: "low population density") and some very large homes that, together with our terrain and trees, can deflect and degrade wireless signals.
- The lower height and power of ODAS and microcell site antennas means that their radio signals will travel a shorter distance and therefore provide limited coverage. As a result, many more ODAS nodes or microcell sites would have to be built on rights of way throughout neighborhoods in the west, northwest, north, northeast and east parts of town. Based on the design model of Savannah, Georgia where Verizon developed a multi-carrier DAS system to provide reasonably seamless coverage, it would require 26 nodes to service 0.6 of a square mile on flat surface. Comparatively, by one estimate, it would take anywhere from 350 to 600 ODAS nodes to cover the current service gaps in town. Cityscape conservatively estimated the required investment to be $39 million. This figure covered only the support structures and fiber links, and did not include the actual operating electronics, transmitters/receivers, antennas, permits, surveying and design. Comprehensive coverage, leaving no gaps, might cost as much as $56 million.
- Return on investment (ROI) for wireless infrastructure depends on the amount of traffic each site can serve. With our low population density in the northern half of town, the ROI for each node would be extremely low, thus making it unlikely that tower developers or carriers would make such an investment. Tower developer Crown Castle said as much when they conducted their own drive test of the town in 2012.
- Even if the town itself decided to build such an infrastructure, carriers would be unlikely to invest the funds needed to employ it (including the cost of their radios, switching gear and backhaul links) since the traffic would not justify the expense.
- While the town can unilaterally dictate to carriers or tower companies the design and aesthetics of the network or wireless infrastructure they can build here, carriers and developers can also choose to invest their capital elsewhere. In 2015, carriers and tower companies participated in discussions with Cityscape on why the town has poor service. The overwhelming reason offered was that there are other towns that also want improved service, so the service providers decided not to waste any time and resources where they are not wanted. This probably one of the primary reasons New Canaan must cope with such poor cell coverage today. In the past 15 years, only one cell site has been built in New Canaan. We cannot continue to afford this rate of progress.
- The truth is, the town must find a solution that balances the needs of residents with those of the developers and carriers. Unilateral solutions offered by any of these parties are unworkable. Compromise is necessary. This means following a hybrid approach that allows for a limited number of carefully designed and placed concealed macro towers with height restrictions, deploying either neutral host antennas or restricting antennas to two shared aperture levels.
- These concealed cell sites will provide the initial signal overlay needed to cover as wide an area as possible in as short a time as possible.
- Remaining coverage gaps and capacity deficits in the north part of town can then be filled in using ODAS or microcell sites on a selected basis, as appropriate.
- Why Not Do Nothing At All?
Given the difficult choices facing the town, it may be tempting to delay decisions indefinitely and avoid taking a stand. To do so, however, would leave these choices in the hands of the Connecticut Siting Council ("CSC") which has the full authority to override local zoning and land use laws and (if a local property owner is willing) permit the placement of cell towers on private land regardless of local objections. Because of their bias in favor of "co-location" of multiple carriers on a single tower, the CSC is predisposed in favor of tall and obtrusive cell towers. The UC wishes to conceal towers with a restricted height in wooded areas. The CSC would not be bothered with such esthetic concerns. The list of Connecticut towns where the CSC authorized tall cell towers over local objections is long and depressing.
Why don't carriers simply bypass town governments and go straight to the CSC for the necessary approvals?
In part because there is a lack of private property available for the placement of cell towers of any kind in New Canaan. This does not mean there is no private property available, however. The site proposed for Puddin Hill Road in 2013 was privately owned and remains a warning of what could land anywhere in town if a land owner is so inclined. One of the goals of this strategy is to pre-empt the need for ugly towers on private land in New Canaan.
Finally, further delay may carry a price that no one wants to bear. We have come close in the past to losing the lives of visitors and residents due to inadequate cell coverage in New Canaan. We all increasingly depend on our cell phones and reliable coverage and none more so than our first responders. We know that our old approach to solving this problem isn't working. We can delay no longer.
Site-Related Questions
- Which sites are under consideration at this time and why?
The Centerline study, released in December of 2014, identified both existing coverage gaps in the northern half of town and a list of municipal properties which (based on their locations and elevations) offered possible locations for new concealed cell sites that could help fill in the gaps. As a first step, our goal is to achieve wide coverage as quickly as possible by overlaying cellular signals across a broad area.
Phase 1
Potential sites identified through the study included the Nature Center, West School, Irwin Park and the Transfer Station. Through a Town-sponsored and financed review, it was determined that a tower at the Transfer Station proposed by a cell carrier would not yield a fundamental improvement to service in our town, but would in fact provide the carrier with more robust service in surrounding communities.
- A) Nature Center
This site is considered to be an alternative to the Irwin Park site. It is not an alternative to the West School site. Unfortunately, after reviewing the deed granting the property to the town in 1961, attorneys for Homeland Tower, the town and Cityscape concluded that there are too many restrictions to make it possible for the town to use the Nature Center to locate a concealed cell site. Copies of these legal opinions are included on the UC web page.
- B) Irwin Park
The proposed Irwin Park site can address coverage gaps to the north, south, east and west of the park. A concealed cell site has been proposed for the southwest corner of the park where the elevation is lower than land near the house but higher than other parts of the park. The specific location is recommended because it is surrounded by native trees that will minimize the visual impact. Click here to see a visual impact analysis of the site prepared by Saratoga Associates.[insert link]
- C) West School
A concealed cell site is proposed for town land located to the east of the Aquarion water tower approximately 580 ft from the nearest school building. This ground has the right elevation and location for a concealed cell site that can extend coverage towards the north, northwest, west, east and south. We have no alternative piece of municipal property for this location. Click here to see a visual impact analysis of the site prepared by Saratoga Associates.
- D) Northeast New Canaan
A third concealed site is also needed for the northeast corner of town. Unfortunately, the town does not have any municipal property in this area and so the UC is looking for opportunities to place a site on private property.
Phase 2
Once the initial three "overlay sites" are established, the second phase of the project will involve locating microcell sites or ODAS facilities to provide additional coverage in hard-to-reach areas. Municipal rights of way will be used for locating new 35-45 ft. poles with single antennas, as needed.
- What location and design criteria are being used?
Our goal is to address the greatest amount of coverage gaps in a way that has a minimal impact on New Canaan's view shed. We intend to avoid any use of obtrusive tall towers (towers taller than 130 feet), such as the design proposed for the town Transfer Station in 2013. No cell site developed on any of these town properties will be taller than 110 feet. The height of 110 feet was selected based on the general height of trees in the area. Physics dictates that wireless service using cell frequencies must have a near field unobstructed ability in the same aperture for the signal to properly develop or service is greatly hampered. This is a dimension that the town's own radio engineering analysis determined to be necessary in order to best address the coverage gaps. In addition, each new site will be required to incorporate the most up to date concealed designs such as the latest versions of monopines.
Design and Engineering
- What are the design parameters for these Phase 1 sites?
Sites built at either West School or Irwin Park must be limited to a maximum height of 110 ft. In addition, each site must incorporate the latest concepts in concealed designs to hide the presence of the cell site. Externally mounted antenna arrays are not acceptable unless they can be successfully sheltered within the branches of a monopine. (Please note: the so-called "tree cell tower" located at the Mobile Station on the Hutchinson Parkway is NOT an acceptable concealed design.)
In addition, the UC has stipulated its preference that each site placed on municipal property should incorporate a single, neutral host antenna. This approach involves one antenna that can be shared by multiple carriers, in contrast with a pole supporting separate antenna arrays for each carrier. The use of this technology will help limit the required height of the cell site and significantly reduce its obtrusiveness. Please note however, that carriers have expressed a long-standing preference for not sharing common antennas and that Homeland Towers and the town may not be able to unilaterally impose this condition on them. If a neutral host antenna cannot be deployed, the town will insist on the use of a "shared aperture" design, which means that carriers' antenna will be grouped at two levels on one concealed tower rather than each carrier occupying their own separate level. When combined with a concealed monopine, a shared aperture design acts to further reduce the visual impact of the site.
- Why 110 ft.?
Generally speaking, the height of a cell tower is driven by the size of the area that needs to be covered. Radio signals travel by line-of-sight and therefore need to clear tree tops or other structures to achieve maximum range. Tree canopies are typically 65 ft to 75 ft high. An elevation of 110 ft. will maximize the propagation of the signal and achieve a wider coverage area.
- How many carriers fit on a 110' pole?
Under federal law, the Town must allow all carriers the ability to provide service. The town cannot select which carriers are allowed to operate. This height gives us the full flexibility to provide the service without discriminating against any particular carrier. In addition, these sites can accommodate the town's emergency service antennas.
- Why not place fewer carriers on a 90 ft. pole?
Federal law prohibits discrimination between carriers with regard to tower access. There are currently four wireless carriers serving New Canaan. A 90 ft. pole would not allow enough room for four carriers assuming all antennas are stacked and separate. Excluding one carrier in favor of the other three is to discriminate.
- How big must the equipment pad be?
As landlord, the town can only limit the size of the equipment platform to what is actually needed. A standard footprint for the equipment pad is 75ft by 75ft, assuming it will include four carriers plus the town's own emergency services communications equipment. However, Homeland has assured the UC that a somewhat smaller footprint is also possible. The equipment pad at the Country Club site is smaller because that site was only designed to accommodate two carriers.
- How do these designs compare to existing poles such as the one at the Country Club of New Canaan?
The cell site located at the Country Club is a 120 ft concealed monopole design that carries the antennas of two carriers (AT&T Wireless and T-Mobile). The concealed monopole design contains the antennas within the skin of the pole, thus providing a minimal profile. The drawback to this design is that each carrier can only deploy a portion of their available service due to the limited space. As more carriers use the monopole (or carriers wish to deploy their full service capabilities), the height must be extended in order to accommodate the additional separate sets of antennas that are stacked, one on top of the other. A shared aperture design expands the width rather than the height and allows antennas of different carriers to be grouped together at fewer than four levels.
RFP and Master Lease Agreement
- Why did the town issue an RFP and what does the Master Lease agreement with Homeland Towers cover?
In order to provide the town with absolute control over the placement and design of future cell sites, the UC proposed that the town offer selected parcels of municipal property as potential locations for new infrastructure. By acting as landlord, the town can exercise considerable influence over the height, placement and appearance of concealed cell sites.
In March of 2016, the town released an RFP inviting bidders to apply for the right to enter into a master lease agreement (MLA) with the town granting access to selected parcels of municipal property for the purpose of building new concealed cell sites.
Bids were received by five companies and, based on a scoring system, the MLA was offered to Homeland Towers of Danbury. In August of 2016, the town concluded a master lease agreement with Homeland Towers that sets the terms and conditions for future concealed cell sites to be potentially located at Irwin Park, the Nature Center, West School and the Transfer Station. The Transfer Station site will not be offered until the town has an opportunity to review coverage requirements after the Norwalk Armory cell sites are activated.
- Why use municipal property? Why not use private property instead?
Placing concealed cell sites on municipal property allows the town to exercise absolute control over the design and location of each site. Although these will always be subject to review by the CSC, the Council has proven unwilling to push design changes for sites proposed on municipal property (in contrast to those proposed on private property). Using municipal property would also allow multiple sites to be built, provide space for public safety antennas and provide a more comprehensive solution to the town's coverage problem.
By acting proactively now to solve this problem, the town may also avert the real risk that taller and more obtrusive towers will be placed on private property. A few years ago, a private property owner on Puddin Hill Rd. proposed to lease his land to Verizon for the placement of a 150 ft tall tower. Fortunately, this was avoided when the carrier withdrew its application. But there is still a very real possibility that a New Canaan property owner will one day act in a similar way. If this happens, given the power and authority of the CSC, there is little or nothing the town can do to prevent such an ugly, obtrusive tower from being approved and built at 150 ft or higher.
- What is the Connecticut Siting Council and what is their role in approving cell sites?
The Connecticut Siting Council ("CSC") is a state agency responsible for reviewing and approving the placement of power stations, transmission wires and telecommunications facilities (including cell towers) across the state. It has the authority to overrule local zoning and land use regulations in order to approve cell towers applied for by carriers or tower developers. Because of its bias in favor of "co-location," or the placement of multiple carriers on a single tower, the CSC routinely approves applications to construct tall towers (+130 ft.). This approach can reduce the overall number of towers required to cover a given area, but it also drives up the required height of each tower, since each separate antenna array (typically one set for each carrier) must be separated by 10 vertical feet of spacing. The result of this policy is fewer, but taller and more obtrusive towers.
Health and Safety
- Are cell sites safe for those living or working nearby?
Some people believe it is dangerous to live or work near active cell sites. There are two issues involved: the effects of radio energy on biological tissue and the impact of thermal energy (heat) generated by cell sites.
- A) Radio Energy
Radio energy may be broken down into two types: ionizing and non-ionizing radiation. Ionizing radiation has the ability to split electrons away from molecules thus causing tissue damage. Examples of ionizing radiation include x-rays, gamma rays, alpha rays, beta rays, cosmic rays, CT scans and radon.
By contrast, non-ionizing radiation does not have the ability to modify the electrons of an atom. Some examples of non-ionizing radiation source include: visible light, infrared light, microwave ovens, radio waves, thermal radiation, LED bulbs, remote controls, cordless phones, televisions, AM and FM radios and computer screens.
Some studies in Europe and elsewhere suggest that radio energy may harm animal or human tissue and cause cancer. In reality, scientists have not been able to duplicate the results of these studies and thus their credibility is doubtful. The FCC commissioned independent studies of the impact of radio frequency (RF) energy on living tissue and after a 16-year program, set the standards for safe levels of RF exposure that all carriers are required to follow. It also regularly monitors scientific literature on RF safety issues and has concluded that cell sites do not present a health hazard to either children or adults. The American Cancer Society and the WHO (World Health Organization) both agree with this finding. Click on the links to read their respective papers on this subject.
- B) Thermal Energy
Thermal energy is the heat generated by radio frequencies, whether the transmitter is located on a cell tower or in a hand-held cell phone. According the EPA, thermal energy from radio frequency transmissions diminishes quickly over distance, so exposure from cell towers is usually very low.
It should also be remembered that cell phone handsets are dynamic devices that will adjust their power output up or down when they are required to interact with distant cell sites. The further the distance to the cell site, the greater the power output required from the phone, and the warmer it will become -- the range is usually between one-quarter watt to 1-watt. Anyone who has felt their cell phone becoming warmer while they hold it up to their head has experienced the battery making more power available to the electronics in the handsets. Adding cell sites to New Canaan will reduce the required energy output for cell phones in the covered area. With better coverage, your cell phones may no longer heat up to the same extent.
- Are any locations off-limits for health and safety reasons
Federal law limits the ability of states and municipalities to regulate the location of cell phone towers and antennas based on their RF emissions. Specifically, section 704 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 bars state and local governments from regulating the placement, construction, and modification of cell phone and other personal wireless service facilities on the basis of the environmental effects of RF emissions to the extent that such facilities comply with the FCC regulations concerning such emissions. Although Greenwich appears to have an ordinance restricting the placement of cell sites within 750 ft of a school, this limit is entirely arbitrary and is a violation of federal law. If challenged in court or before the Siting Council, it would be unenforceable.
The following language is copied from the FCC website:
Radio frequency emissions from antennas used for cellular and PCS transmissions result in exposure levels on the ground that are typically thousands of times below safety limits. These safety limits were adopted by the FCC based on the recommendations of expert organizations and endorsed by agencies of the Federal Government responsible for health and safety. Therefore, there is no reason to believe that such towers could constitute a potential health hazard to nearby residents or students.
- What science or federal and state law is relevant to the safety of RF transmissions?
There is a vast body of information to be found on the internet asserting that radio energy is dangerous to humans. As stated above, none of the results these "studies" have been replicated using sound scientific methods – a fact that speaks to their credibility. When it comes to RF safety standards, it is the FCC that sets the rules for safe exposure -- not the State of Connecticut, and not the town of New Canaan.
Process and Timeline
- What are the roles of the Town Council, P&Z, the UC and the Selectmen?
The Utilities Commission plays an advisory role for both the Board of Selectmen and the Town Council. The Planning and Zoning Commission is responsible for enacting and enforcing land use regulations in New Canaan. The Town Council is responsible for managing the use and disposition of municipal property. The First Selectman, subject to the approval of the Town Council, will sign and execute the Master Lease Agreement with Homeland Towers.
Once the Utilities Commission makes its recommendation to the Board of Selectmen and Town Council regarding specific cell sites, the applicant (Homeland Towers) will submit their site plans to P&Z for a review (known as an "8-24 process"). If P&Z approves them, they are forwarded to the Town Council for a vote. If the Town Council approves, the First Selectman will be able to execute the Master Lease Agreement.
Once the agreement is signed, Homeland will begin marketing the sites to the various carriers that serve New Canaan. When the first carrier is "signed" as a tenant, Homeland and the carrier will jointly file an application with the Connecticut Siting Council seeking their approval.
- Timing of UC recommendations
The Utilities Commission will hold a public information forum on Monday, April 24th at 7:30pm at the Town Hall Meeting Room. The issue will be taken up again at the next regularly scheduled UC meeting on Monday, May 1st.
- Timing of local approvals
Following the completion of the public forum, the UC will take up the issue again at its next scheduled meeting, to be held on May 1st. Depending on if further work is needed to develop the plans or whether alternative solutions must be explored, the UC will vote on the proposal either in May or June at its regularly scheduled meeting.
- Timing of state approvals
Once there is a signed Master Lease Agreement in place between Homeland and the Town, Homeland will secure a lease with a carrier interested in colocating on the facility. Once a lease is signed between Homeland and a carrier, Homeland will begin working on a technical report for filing with the Town of New Canaan and the Connecticut Siting Council.
There are many documents that will be included in the technical report, such as a health and safety report, visual report, NEPA/SHPO, FAA analysis, detailed site plans, carrier coverage plots justifying the need and height of the facility, etc. The First Selectman will then have the choice to either waive the municipal consultation period, which is a 90-day period after Homeland files the technical report with the Town, or chose to hold a public information meeting.
The purpose of this municipal consultation period is to provide information only, it is not an approval process. It should be noted that it is common for a First Selectman to waive this 90-day consultation period, especially when the sites are being located on municipal property and have already been "vetted" before the public and Town Boards during the leasing process.
Once the 90-day consultation period either passes or is waived, the application will then be filed directly with the Connecticut Siting Council (CSC). The timeline for this process is as follows:
- The council will review the application for completeness and schedule a public hearing in the town.
- On the day of the public hearing, the applicants will conduct a balloon float, which includes floating a 3' diameter balloon to the proposed height of the facility. Members of the CSC will visit the site on the day of the hearing for a walk through.
- The council will then conduct an afternoon session with the applicants, who will have the opportunity for testimony on their application materials.
- A 7:00 p.m. session is also held for the public to make comments on the record.
- The CSC will not close the meeting but will leave it open for a continuation at the next scheduled CSC meeting, conducted at their offices in New Britain. If members of the public are not able to attend the hearing conducted in New Canaan, they will have the opportunity to attend a hearing in New Britain, or submit written comments.
- The CSC will then decide to close the hearing or keep it open. CSC will then proceed with a "straw vote."
- At the next meeting, the CSC takes a final vote to either deny or approve the application. If the application is approved, the CSC will issue a Decision and Order, requesting a Develoment and Management Plan (D&M) from the applicants, incorporating all the final designs and comments into a set of final site plans.
- Upon review of the D&M, CSC will issue an approval, which comes in the form of a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility. The CSC process takes approximately 8-10 months, from the initial filing to receiving an approval.
- Timing to build and turn it on
Once CSC approval is received, Homeland Towers will prepare and file an application with the Town's building department. Once a building permit is issued, typically within 30 days, Homeland will then order the tower and make arrangements to start construction of the facility within 2-3 weeks. The construction of the facility takes approximately 90 days on average. This includes time to pour the tower foundation, erect the tower, bring utilities to the site, and install landscaping and fencing around the compound. A carrier will file for their own building permit and begin their own installation work approximately 3 months after Homeland has begun tower construction. A carrier will take approximately 46-60 days to complete the installation of their antennas and ground equipment, and another 30-45 days to integrate the site into their network. The total time from initial filing of the site with the CSC to the time that a carrier is operating on-air at the site is approximately 18 months.
Planning and Zoning Regulations
- Why is the UC Proposing to Change New Canaan's zoning regulations that cover wireless infrastructure?
In 2016, the UC proposed that the Planning and Zoning Commission adopt a new set of regulations governing the design and placement of cellular infrastructure on either private or public property within the town. The new language was intended to replace the current Section 7.8 of the Planning and Zoning Regulations which was drafted in the late 'eighties.
UC proposed the new regulations because the current language does not express the town's preferences amongst the various types of wireless infrastructure currently available. This creates a number of challenges for the town:
Developers are left to guess what infrastructure is acceptable and what is unacceptable to the town. This discourages new investment since there is no consensus among town officials as to what they will support. The town needs to lay out a transparent path which uses the zoning permit process to encourage developers to build the kinds of infrastructure the town prefers and discourage them from proposing the types we find unacceptable. When a town offers a clear process with defined steps, it encourages private investment in two ways:
- It streamlines the approval process and eliminates any confusion over the town's preferences; and
- It de-politicizes the process and removes much uncertainty regarding outcomes.
- The existing regulations are not current with Federal law including the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and the Middle Class Tax Relief Act of 2012. These are two important laws that affect the rights of local governments to regulate wireless infrastructure placed within their respective jurisdictions.
- By leaving the town's preferences unstated, we leave the choice of what is acceptable or unacceptable for New Canaan up to the Connecticut Siting Council ("CSC"). The CSC has jurisdiction and wide discretion over the placement of cell towers on private and public property and is not bound by local regulations when considering an application to build a site.
They are, however, required to take local preferences and regulations into account when making their decision on any given application. Specifically, Connecticut General Statutes §16-50x requires the Siting Council to "…consider any location preferences or criteria (1) provided to the Council pursuant to section 16-50gg, or (2) that may exist in the zoning regulations of said municipality…
Following conversations with the Chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission and Town Planner, the UC agreed to split the draft regulations into two documents: a shortened version of the regulations and a longer document containing "guidelines." The new draft of the regulations is intended to address those elements of wireless infrastructures that the town can regulate and which are not subject to the control of the CSC. These elements consist of wireless antennas mounted on existing structure (buildings, streetlights, water towers) that are not built for the express purpose of mounting antennas. By contrast, the CSC may rule on any application to build a tower of any size that is intended, as its primary purpose, to support antennas for wireless infrastructure.
The UC hopes to submit a new draft of the proposed regulations and guidelines to Planning and Zoning before the end of April.


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Offline normally means that LeafSpy has not been told which Bluetooth device it should use. Just pairing with Android is only the first step. On starting up LeafSpy you need to bring up the Menu and then use the Select OBDII function to connect LeafSpy to the paired device.WillW wrote:I've paired the 'mini' ELM327 v1. 5 with my Samsung Galaxy S6 & it appears in the list of paired devices but I can't get it to connect to the phone. I turn off the connection with the car. When I run LeafSpy Lite I get the blue 'offline' bottom right of the screen. How do I turn it on? The car was in 'run' mode.
Pls help.
Try the latest test version 0.39.98 and see if it fixes this problem.Danl wrote:I have an ELM327 and it worked well for almost a year.
When LeafSpy Pro updated to version 0.39.97 it dropped the connection and I went through the process you described to get bluetooth connecting again.
Now it works with the car on, but during charging, the SOC opdates when the EVSE is first plugged in but stops after a few seconds. The Gids update fine. So on the chart the red (SOC) line stays flat while the Magenta (%GIDs) line rises with charge.
How can I fix this?

subset: commoncrawl


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The Massachusetts workers' compensation lawyers at Kantrovitz & Associates are industry leaders in disability law. We have successfully represented injured workers in Essex, Middlesex, Suffolk, and Plymouth Counties, ensuring that they receive full compensation for their harm. At Kantrovitz & Associates, we put almost 30 years of knowledge and experience to work for you, striving to maximize your award after a workplace injury.
Workers' Compensation Overview
Massachusetts law provides a "no fault" insurance system that protects employers from personal liability for an employee's job-related injury. Regardless of who was at fault for the accident, injured workers may recover workers' compensation benefits rather than suing for personal injury damages in court. The statute covers numerous workplace accidents, often involving:
- Slip-and-falls
- Crushing injuries
- Construction injuries
- Manufacturing risks
- Loss of vision, hearing
- Broken bones and joints
- Motor vehicle injuries at work
- Traumatic brain or head injuries
- Injuries of state, municipal workers
Common Workplace Injuries
Massachusetts workers face numerous dangers every day on the job. They spend more time at work than in any other place and are more likely to be injured there. Whether employees are hanging from bridges or sitting behind a desk, they all suffer some "wear and tear," and often push through discomfort to get the job done. This can cause serious harm involving:
- Carpal tunnel
- Exacerbated injuries
- Pre-existing conditions
- Repetitive stress injuries
- Mental or physical illness
- Exposure to asbestos, toxins
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Recurring neck, joint, back pain
- Chronic fatigue, somatic disorder
Workers with pre-existing conditions must show that a job-related injury aggravated the condition to be eligible for workers' compensation. In other words, the workplace accident must have directly caused the exacerbated harm, requiring compensation for new medical treatment or disability leave.
Workers' Compensation Benefits
Massachusetts' "no fault" system requires employers to insure their workers in the event of an accident. Regardless of which party was negligent, the injured worker will receive workers' compensation benefits. In case of injury, disability, or death, workers' compensation covers:
- Medical expenses
- Prescription drug costs
- Lost income from injury
- Vocational rehabilitation
- Partial disability benefits
- Temporary total disability
- Permanent total incapacity
- Permanent loss of function
- Partial loss or disfigurement
- Survivor, dependent benefits
Injured workers will receive monthly cash payments reflecting a calculated proportion of their former earnings. The payments may continue until the condition or illness heals, permitting them to return to work. If the disability prevents employment in the same or a similar position, the worker may receive training for another. In cases of workplace fatalities, surviving spouses and dependents are entitled to recover workers' compensation benefits owed to the deceased.
Successfully Recovering Workers' Compensation Benefits
If you have suffered a workplace injury, the experienced Massachusetts disability attorneys at Kantrovitz & Associates can help. For over almost 30 years, we have concentrated on recovering compensation for injured workers across the state. While you are not required to have an attorney file your claim for you, having legal representation dramatically improves your chances of obtaining the maximum relief the first time. Even if your claim was denied, Kantrovitz & Associates may be able to help you recover compensation on appeal. We understand that you may feel hesitant to engage in a legal battle after an accident. But quality counsel often means the difference between repeated denials and the monthly payments on which your life depends. Call our Boston office at (800) 367-0871 for a free consultation or contact us online.
Scarring/Permanent Disfigurement
Workers' Compensation Benefits
Workers' Compensation Settlements
Denied Workers' Compensation Claims
Permanent and Total Disability
Aggravation of Pre-existing Injury
Dealing with Insurance Companies
Degenerative Bone or Joint disease
Vocational Rehabilitation Costs
Injuries caused by mechanical equipment failure
Injuries caused by improper use/placement of support devices
Injuries caused by falling objects
Construction & Manufacturing Injuries
Office and Professional Injuries
Retaining a Workers' Compensation Lawyer
The Impartial Physician Examination
Why Do Insurers Use A Vocational Expert?
Post Lump Sum Claims for Medical Benefits
How Social Media Can Be Used in Workers' Compensation Claims
Medical Malpractice in Workers' Compensation Claims
Utilization Review Procedure & Appeals
How to Calculate Average Weekly Wage
Willful Misconduct By Employer


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Geisha Girl George Henry Silk Scarf
National Galleries of Scotland
Sold Out
This delicate scarf is inspired by the artwork Geisha Girl, 1894, by George Henry (1858-1943), part of the Scottish National Gallery Collection, NG 2583
Produced in pure silk, this beautiful scarf has a translucent ethereal quality
100% silk, hand-rolled edges
Size: 163 x 50 cm
Dry clean only
Made in United Kingdom
George Henry's Biography
George Henry (Scottish, 1858 - 1943)
Henry's paintings include depictions of striking landscapes, symbolic folk tales, Japanese themes and society portraits. Born in Ayrshire, he studied at the Glasgow School of Art and joined the circle of painters known as the Glasgow Boys. His friendship with Edward Atkinson Hornel led to some collaborative work and they were among the first British artists to visit Japan, traveling there together in 1893. On their return in 1895 Henry's compositions reflected the impact of this visit but he concentrated on the more lucrative painting of portraits and established a successful studio in London.
Silk Scarf exclusive to CultureLabel and the National Galleries of Scotland


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Originally published in: 2016
What it's about: Notable female scientists throughout history.
What made me pick it up: I think I saw it on Twitter. It was about women scientists and I placed a hold immediately because I immensely enjoyed Lab Girl and Headstrong.
My favorite things: This book is like a good mixed drink: smooth, flavorful, and designed to be sipped slowly. I only read a few pages a day so I could savor the unique illustrations and layouts as well as the mostly new-to-me knowledge of these amazing scientists. The message is empowering for girls of any age and the colors are fabulous. It'd make a great gift for any young devotee of STEM in your life.
Who it's great for: Those interested in women's contributions to science. Readers of all ages. Fans of great illustrations. Graphic novel readers who want a nonfiction book. Girls, girls, girls.
Erica's rating:
Pick up copies of the books mentioned above at Amazon using our affiliate links: Lab Girl; Headstrong; Women in Science or look for them in your local library.


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Speed Expectations for Julia
In this blog post I want to analyse the speed of Julia a little bit. It is a very tedious task to write representative benchmarks for a programming language. The only way out is to rely on a multitude of sources and try to find analytical arguments. Julia's own benchmark suite will be used in … [Read more…]


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April 14, 2005International Law
JEFFREY TOOBIN: Welcome to the Council. My name is Jeff Toobin. I am moderating today. This session is on the record, and it is also being broadcast live on the Council's website. Let me explain a …
January 31, 2006United States
Council on Foreign RelationsNew York, NYMeeting HighlightsSkip to transcriptTax Cuts:Daniel TARULLO: "Go back to the tax cuts of 2001, where Alan Greenspan possibly was decisive in turning the debat…
May 1, 2006Religion
Watch former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright discuss her new book The Mighty and the Almighty: Reflections on America, God & World Affairs.
May 1, 2006Religion
6:00 - 6:30 p.m. Cocktail Reception6:30 - 7:30 p.m. MeetingPlease note special time.This meeting is part of the Religion and Foreign Policy Series.
May 3, 2006United States
8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
May 3, 2006Global
May 3, 2006Human Rights
12:15 - 1:00 p.m. Lunch1:00 - 2:00 p.m. Meeting
May 11, 2006Intelligence
Watch the principal authors of the Pentagon's Joint Forces Command's "Iraq Perspective Project" Kevin Woods and James Lacey discuss the inner workings of Saddam Hussein's regime.
May 11, 2006Intelligence
The key authors of the Pentagon's secret study of Saddam Hussein's regime, based on captured Iraqi documents and prisoner interviews, will discuss the Foreign Affairs article, "Saddam's Delusions: Th…
September 8, 2006Homeland Security
Watch experts assess New York's emergency preparedness for future attacks, and potential scenarios for the immediate aftermath of an attack.


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Featured Communities
Click to show only Assisted Living, Independent Living, Residential Care, Salmon Arm opportunities
Learn more about the difference between living options.
Do you need help selecting the level of care you need?
We can help you select the level of care you're looking for, ranging from Independent Living, through to Assisted Living or around the clock Residential Care. Please see our handy selection guide, or call us at 1.855.484.5415 to talk about your needs.


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Product Information
Divya Ashwagandha Churna
Additional Information
|Item Code
|Pack Size
|Main Ingredient
Divya Ashwagandha Churna
This herbal supplement is considered an adaptive that it works to normalize physiological function, working on the HPA axis along with the neuro-endocrine system. Ashwagandha in Sanskrit means horse'S smell, probably originating from the odor of its root which resembles that of sweating horse. It is also known to comprise anti carcinogenic properties.
Ashwagandha, also known as "Winter Cherry," it improves the ability of body to maintain physical effort and helps the body to tackle various types of stress. This is the most famous Ayurvedic immune booster herb that is used in many tonics and formulas. This is a revitalizing herb that maintains proper nourishment of the tissues, particularly muscles and bones, while supporting the proper function of the adrenals and reproductive system.
Beneficial in following conditions:
- Ashwagandha is beneficial in various types of spermatic disorders, spermaturia, Oligospermia, zoospremia etc.
- Ashwagandha is beneficial in any condition of excessive content of Vata in the body.
- Helps in combating against nervous exhaustion.
- Ashwagandha brings about treatment of various types of inflammation.
- Ashwagandha protects the body from any types of infections or illness.
- Ashwagandha boosts the immune system.
- Ashwagandha improves memory and increases alertness.
- Increase in sperm count.
- Brings about thickening of seminal fluid.
- This is also know to be benefiting is premature ejaculation.
- Also beneficial in diabetes mellitus.
- Ashwagandha brings about the strengthening of both the mind as well as the body.
- Ashwagandha very beneficial in insomnia.
- Ashwagandha brings about the strengthening of the cardiac muscles.
- Ashwagandha is also used for the treatment of tumors.
- Ashwagandha decreases the levels of stress, increases mental activity, and also acts as an antioxidant.
- Restores the working of neurotransmitters in various types of mental disorders.
- Used in various types of mental and nervous disabilities.
Indication: Useful in stress, fatigue and general debility.
- Ashwagandha (Winter Cherry)
- Vidhara
Suggested Dosage: 3-4g is consumed twice a day in the morning and the evening with milk.
About Divya Ayurveda Products (Swami Ramdev Patanjali Yoga)
Divya Ayurveda has had the exalted vision bringing Ayurveda to global society in a contemporary form and to unravel the mystery behind this hallowed and revered Indian system of health by a thorough exploration and selection of indigenous herbs and ancient Ayurvedic literatures. Then by subjecting these formulations to modern pharmacological and toxicological safety tests, and performing further clinical trials to create new treatments and therapies.
Divya Ayurveda hopes that treatment be available to the common man at the minimum price. In the years 2002-03, they modernized the pharmacy, and added a new expanded unit well equipped with machines for large scale production.
A computer controlled herbal extraction plant commissioned in the facility is used for extracting from the various parts of the plant like the leaves, roots, fruit etc. The salient feature of this facility is the production of ayurvedic products using latest SCADA technology under controlled environmental conditions of temperature and pressure. Exact concentrations are finalized by vacuum drying which preserves the maximum valued contents of the herbs.
While maintaining production of the finest grade extracts, this method utilizes the cost-efficiency of bulk production. This unit has the capacity to process 10,000 kgs. of raw herbs at once. The desired fluid component is added to this extract in the process of making the treatments.
Divya Ayurveda uses an automatic high speed spray drier unit for the manufacturing processes, a fluid wed processor for quick liquification, tablet compressing device with the capacity for preparing one hundred thousand tablets per hour, a high speed auto-coater for coating the tablets, in addition to a high speed mixer-grinder, fluid wed driers and cleaning, and a crossing and pulverizing units.
In the packing section of Divya Ayurveda computer controlled packing equipment is being used, having the capacity of 300 volts per minute, with automatic blister packing machines. A utility center has been set up in this production unit which has two 500 KVA generators, softners and cooling towers including boilers and air compressors having the capacity to produce 300 tons of steam.
As a result of this Divya Ayurveda has become the first ayurvedic treatment manufacturing unit of Uttarakhand to get ISO-9001 and WHO-GMP certifications. In the facility, international standards like Good Manufacturing Practices(GMP), Good Packaging Practices(GPP), Good Agricultural Practices(GAP) and Good Harvesting Practices(GHP) are being strictly followed.
Divya Ayurveda's R and D department is dedicated to product development, quality control and standardization. Divya Ayurveda has begun demanding work and initiated a revolutionary change by making three stage standardization and clinical testing the standard in the field of the manufacturing of ayurvedic treatments:
1. Quality Control and Quality Assessment.
2. Toxicological Study-Animal Trial.
3. Clinical Trial.
For Quality Control and Quality Testing the following three steps are followed :
1. For Raw Material
3. For final product
1. Quality Control and Quality Testing for Raw Material: The raw material to be used in production of ayurvedic products are used only after they have been tested for their purity. Quality control of the raw material to be used for preparation of the products is a difficult task, as there are many varieties of the herbs. Much depends on their place of procurement and the season in which they have been collected. To accomplish a thorough review that is both appropriate and effective, an herb research department has been established in which efficient, trained scientists and research personnel from the fields of botany, pharmacology, chemistry, microbiology and ayurvedic products have been employed.
In this Department standards relating to botanical and mineral identification, adulteration, the knowledge about the mixture of the representative ingredients and appropriate proportions for the manufacturing of the products is being adopted, so that the quality of products in every batch remains same.
1. Determination of foreign matter or adulterants
2. Morphological Study
4. Solubility in different solvents like water, alcohol, ether etc.
5. Ash value
6. Moisture content
7. Oil contents
8. Bulk density of raw material
9. Comparative Chromatographic Study by TLC and HPTLC
10. ORD-Optical Rotary Diahroism-Polarography
11. X-Ray Photo Electron Spectroscopy
12. U.V. Photo Electron Spectroscopy
To carry out these tasks a laboratory (QA and QC Laboratories) has been constructed which uses modern equipment like ovens, microwave ovens, moisture balance, bulk density apparati, microscopes, computerised microscopes, polarimeter, extraction apparati, Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC), High Profile Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC). At present Botany, Chemistry and Microbiology departments are working in these laboratories.
2. Quality Control and Quality testing for Extracts/ Bhasmas at different stages: For extraction in the production unit the most modern SCADA controlled extraction unit is being used. For properly maintaining quality control of the various extracts at different stages of extraction, the following standards are strictly followed:
1. Measurement of the Solid Content
2. Measurement of Ph value
3. Study of the comparative TLC and HPTLC tests
4. Chemical analysis
5. Study of the science of metal formation, etc.
3. Quality Control and Quality testing for final products: Various processes are followed for quality control and standardization of the final products like Choorna, Vati, Bhasm etc.
1. Identity Test
Physical Test
Quantity of ingredient
Molecular Weight
Spectrum of ingredient
X-ray diffraction of ingredient
Comparative Chromatography
TLC and HPTLC
2. Measurement of set Physical parameters
Rapid dissolvement
Moisture content
Ash value
Solubility in different solvents like water, alcohol, either etc.
3. Assay
4. Microbiological Test
In this way, by giving a new form to the ayurvedic products, a new step has been initiated in the direction of quality control and standardization, by which ayurveda is clearly bound to make a mark on the world. This will not be an effort only for the benefit of India but for whole world and in the time to come it will help make the medical treatment available for everyone. As the ancient sages were well versed with the knowledge of ayurveda and there has been refinement of the knowledge from time to time by the learned in the field, in the same way Divya Ayurveda is trying to bring refinement to the knowledge of ayurveda. At Divya Ayurveda the formulations of rasrasayan vati, gugullu, choorna, avaleha, ghansatva, kwath, ghrita, taila, mandoor, lauh, parpati, pishti, aasav, arishta etc. are pure, of high quality and are prepared strictly according to the classical treatise. Divya Ayurveda puts in all the efforts to make the treatments pure and rich in quality.
*** Please note that this product is packaged in a Plastic Bottle***
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Audio Video
Audio / Video has become a widely used and generic term. Unfortunately, most AV companies take a "generic" approach to your installation by selling the same speakers and displays to everyone. Admit One Home Systems takes a much more customized approach. Whether you are an audiophile looking for great 2-channel sound or a homeowner looking for a discrete installation, our designers will find the right solution. And ... our service model is second to none ensuring that your products are serviced FOR FREE, for the life of the product or for as long as you own it. Guaranteed.
Distributed Audio & Speakers
Mood in the home can often be influenced by great sound. A properly designed audio system will allow music to flow through the rooms of your house and into your outside environment.
It's easy to incorporate both in-wall and in-ceiling speakers during the build process for a new home or retro-fitted into an existing home. Music can come from any number of sources including Pandora®, Apple®, Spotify® or your own music library. You can even play one song in the family room while the kids are listening to their music in the media room. Systems can be easily controlled with in-wall controls or by simply using your smart phone.
Distributed Video & TV
If you have more than two televisions in your home, then you are a candidate for a distributed video system. And if you have more than two televisions in your home that can simultaneously display different material, congratulations: you already have a form of distributed video in your home!
Distributed video systems can simplify the satellite/cable box frenzy and even save you money. Our experts will help you design a system that no longer waits for the cable guy to fix the TV but rather cleanly installs video sources in a single rack and then distributes the sources on-demand to the different displays in your home.
Outdoor Audio & Video
Extend the fabulous features of your entertainment systems to the great outdoors. Admit One can supply you with specialty all weather outdoor speakers which look as great as they sound and lighting features which will make your backyard a showcase. The next time visitors come to your house, they will experience the best in outdoor sound.


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Design is no longer an artistic practice and creativity is not just an artist's emotional expression. Designers are the solution to solving problems that enable people, businesses, and technology to impact how the world works. Through personal experience, experiments, and research, I've evolved from being an artist into a scientific designer. Designers who are systematic, methodic, and process driven innovate more strategically.
My process
Starting with why..
My process is about gaining an understanding of the big picture, identifying goals and pain-points, and taking a User-Centered approach in designing usable solutions. The methods and techniques I use within each phase of my process may vary depending on the design challenges.
Define project goals & discover user pain points
Evaluations, User Interviews, C&C Analysis, Card Sorting
Synthesize research & brainstorm possible solutions
Persona, User Flows, Information Architecture, Wireframing
Refine user interface & create clickable prototype
Design Spec, UI Design, Interaction Design, Responsive Design
Conduct usability tests & implement user feedback
User Testing, Data Collection, Infographics, Design Iteration
Ultimately the solutions designed will have gone through cycles of testing and iterations just like in an experiment. The feedback from users is then adapted into the final designs. I believe that in establishing a process.


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To have business briefs listed in The Arlington Connection, mail to 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102, e-mail to firstname.lastname@example.com or fax to 703-917-0991. Deadline is 2 p.m. the Thursday before publication. This free community listing is reserved for events that are open to the public at no or minimal cost. Call Elizabeth Orr at 703-917-6449 with any questions.
DROdio Realty will hold a free tax strategy investment seminar Monday, Dec. 13, at 6:30 p.m., in Arlington. The seminar series is titled "Equity Tips: Learning to Minimize Your Tax Burden While Investing in Real Estate." RSVP for this seminar at www.EquityTips.com. The seminar location will be provided upon RSVP.
First Edition Toastmasters meets every Friday, at 12 p.m., at 1700 N. Moore St., Suite 1275, Arlington. The diverse membership of this Toastmasters chapter includes small business owners and employees with a variety of government agencies and associations. Come visit to find out how Toastmasters can help improve skills in all areas of public speaking and communication. For more information on First Edition Toastmasters, contact Barbara Hicks at 703-558-2266 or visit the Web site www.firsteditiontm.org.
The Arlington Chapter of Business Networking International (BNI) meets for breakfast every Tuesday, from 7:30-9 a.m., at the Silver Diner, 3200 Wilson Blvd., Arlington. BNI leverages the power of word-of-mouth marketing and offers members the opportunity to share ideas, contacts and referrals as they grow their business. Only one person per professional classification or specialty may join a chapter. For more information, contact Greg Brewer at 703-237-2705.
The Northern Virginia Business Referrals group meets every Tuesday at 7 a.m. for breakfast at the Metro 29 Diner, 4711 Lee Highway, Arlington. The group facilitates networking by limiting membership to one member per profession, and has been in existence since 1996. For more information on Northern Virginia Business Referrals, call 703-312-7117 or visit the NVBR Web site, www.nvbr.org.
The Arlington Chamber of Commerce has announced the election and appointment of the following members to the Arlington Chamber's Board of Directors. The Board Elections for 2005, who will serve three-year terms, were; Loran M. Adams, Crescent Potomac Yard Development LLC; Robert Bushkoff, Dittmar Company; Pam Gottfried, Dominion Virginia Power; Mark Ingrao, Apartment and Office Building Association (AOBA); Vicki Kirkbride, Arlington Community Foundation; Scott McGeary, Washington Gas; John J. Moore, Ballston Common Mall; Barbara Nicastro, Law Offices of Barbara E. Nicastro, Esq.; Leslie E. Parker, Virginia Commerce Bank; Gordon Thrall, Guernsey Office Products; Pat Williamson, WETA; and Dr. Barbara Wyles, Northern Virginia Community College. The Board Appointments for 2005, who were appointed to a one year term, were: Paul Giovanini, Sheraton National Hotel; H. Mark Goetzman, Walsh, Colucci, Lubeley, Emrich & Terpak, P.C. ; Steve Gutterman, E*TRADE Financial; Fernanda S. Howard, Branch Banking and Trust Company of Virginia; Scott Laughlin, LM&O Advertising; Ed Murn, KSI Services; Frank Poli, Keating Partners; and Scott J. Spooner, ESQ., Bean, Kinney & Korman P.C.
SOC Enterprises (in partnership with Arlington Works!) has been awarded $195,000 from the Virginia Department of Human Services to continue the SOC JOBS/TANF program for the next 18 months. The SOC JOBS program, a public/private venture designed to move welfare recipients with disabilities off of the TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) rolls and into a life of sustained self-sufficiency, has been serving needy individuals in the Arlington/Alexandria areas since 1999. For more information about the SOC JOBS program, contact Project Director Tina Azcuy at 703-521-4441 or visit www.socatwork.org.


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Hello to everyone who subscribes to the MDWebPro blog! My name is Deacon, and I'm the web designer with MDWebPro. I thought since this is my first blog entry, I might introduce myself. I'll be writing primarily about how web design affects the usability and conversions for your website. Thanks for reading!
Imagine yourself walking down a quiet street.
You've been trying to find a grocery store, and this street will offer you two separate options. Both grocery stores offer the same products for the same price, only one store is to your left, and the other to your right. As you look down the road, you notice that it comes to a "T." To your left is Store A, and to your right is Store B. All you have to do now is choose the road you'd like to take. To get to Store A, you must first travel through this alley,
while Store B is at the end of this street.
Which would you choose?
This is roughly the same choice clients are faced with when looking for someone to do business with.
What does your website look like? Is the important information about you and your practice mashed together in a "good enough" fashion? Is it a place where your experience, professionalism and skill is undermined by the midi file of "Yankee Doodle" playing in the background with no foreseeable end? I hope not!
With 56% of internet users looking for information about a certain medical treatment or procedure, and 44% looking for information about doctors or other health professionals (Pew Internet & American Life Project Survey), you can imagine that your website's first impression is extremely important.
Let's look at some examples to illustrate my point. First off, we have a past design of The Medical Center's website.
This home page is riddled with competing information, small website width (less room to portray information efficiently), small font (less emphasis on important information), and much more.
Now, here's a shot of Health Angle's website:
This website boasts clean design, easy accessibility , a clear hierarchy of information, and more.
Which practice seems more credible?
As a consumer I want to find information quickly, easily, and enjoyably. I don't want to have to search through vast oceans of unimportant information to find what I'm looking for. I don't think I'm alone.
It is a well-known saying that you only get one chance at a first impression, and the internet is no different. In this internet age, will you continue to allow customers to pass you on? Or would you rather wow them first with your website, and then with your medical service? You decide.


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gold s58 #002
Ltd ed. #1 of 5 / digital art print on SilverMetallicPaper
mounted in clear acrylic 10+3 mm
dimensions 120 x 90 cm / 47,2" x 35,4"
(metal grid on back for hanging)
All rights reserved.
Reproduction of any kind without prior written consent from the author is prohibited.
© 2017, plum5 – SOFAM
Please allow 4 to 6 weeks for production & delivery.
Prices include 21% VAT according to Belgian law.
Shipments outside Belgium may be subject to import duties and taxes, which are the sole responsibility of the recipient. Contact your respective customs office for further information about specific duties and taxes for your country.
Return policy: items can be returned within 14 days of delivery.


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Obama Expands Lobbying Ban
By Philip Rucker
The White House announced this afternoon it is bolstering its restriction on lobbying for stimulus funds by expanding the ban on communications with administration officials to include not only federally registered lobbyists but also consultants and other individuals who seek to exert influence over the spending process.
The changes would ban oral communications between the administration and any individual trying to influence the federal agencies tasked with awarding money from the government's $787 billion economic recovery program. Instead, communications must be in writing and will be posted on the Internet, according to a White House memorandum released this afternoon.
The administration's restriction will target the period after competitive grant applications are submitted and before awards are made, with the goal of ensuring that competition for stimulus funds is based on merit alone.
"It will, for the first time, break down the barrier, which everybody complains about, between registered lobbyists and non-registered lobbyists," said Norm Eisen, the White House ethics counsel, who authored the memorandum. "You're going to be reaching not just the lobbyists, but the influencers. It is a step forward in the president's commitment to pursue the public interest over the special interest."
Under the administration's prior rules, only federally registered lobbyists were banned from communicating with administration officials. Some companies sidestepped the restrictions by enlisting consultants, lawyers or other company officials who are not registered as lobbyists to try to pitch federal officials.
"Our concern was you're not going to let a lobbyist talk but you're going to have the corporate vice president talk?" said Melanie Sloan, executive director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, a watchdog group that worked with the White House to develop the new rules. "This changes that to apply the rules in a more even-handed fashion."
Public Citizen, a consumer advocacy group, also applauded the administration's expanded restrictions. David Arkush, director of the group's Congress Watch division, said the policy would "ensure that the massive infusion of government funds to stimulate the economy is spent openly, by the books and with the public's interest in mind."
Web Politics Editor
May 29, 2009; 6:49 PM ET
Categories: The Green Zone
Save & Share: Previous: White House: Sotomayor's Latina Comment Was Poor Choice of Words
Next: Obama Decries 'Usual Political Games' Over Sotomayor Nomination
Mr. President-- right on! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hW_tVDDdro
Posted by: Victoria5 | May 31, 2009 11:59 PM | Report abuse
This is progress, but for the most part it is more illusory than substantive. If you really want to put the cabosh on lobbying, rewrite that memo and include all members of Congress, and their appointed staff members.
But of course, that won't happen.
Posted by: Curmudgeon10 | May 30, 2009 4:47 PM | Report abuse
well, if obama was actually expanding the lobbying ban his new appointee to NASA would be withdrawn. He both worked for the industry and was a lobbyest.
obama, the hypocrite
Posted by: newagent99 | May 30, 2009 2:16 PM | Report abuse
Personal to Mr. Eisen:
What are the ethics of the continuing federal enablement of a nationwide vigilante citizen army that uses covertly planted GPS tracking devices to "community stalk" unjustly targeted Americans who have been labeled by witch-hunting security/intel operatives as "dissidents" or "undesirables"?
And in the process, destroying their livelihoods and degrading their health?
Please discuss this article with Atty. Gen. Holder, Mssrs. Axelrod and Emanuel, and POTUS:
OR (if link is corrupted / disabled):
Posted by: scrivener50 | May 29, 2009 9:10 PM | Report abuse
Posted by: rooster54 | May 29, 2009 7:18 PM | Report abuse
The comments to this entry are closed.


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|"Many Faces of NF" Team - Top Fundraising Team for Omaha - $10,502 for CTF
Neurofibromatosis encompasses a set of distinct genetic disorders that cause tumors to grow along various types of nerves and, in addition, can affect the development of non-nervous tissues such as bones and skin. Neurofibromatosis causes tumors to grow anywhere on or in the body. NF1 is the most common neurological disorder caused by a single gene; occuring in one in every 3,000 children born. The Neurofibromatoses are genetically-determined disorders which affect more than 2 million people worldwide; this makes NF more prevalent than cystic fibrosis, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and Huntington's Disease combined. NF is worldwide in distribution, affects both sexes equally and has no particular racial, geographic or ethnic distribution. Therefore, NF can appear in any family and it happened to appear in mine.
|My Top Fundraiser award ($4550 in donations!) was a medal in the shape of underpants.
Trust me, if you have kids, winning a big medal of a pair of underpants makes you "Mom of the Year".
In 2010, I decided to paint a portrait of Reggie Bibbs, mostly as a "thank you" to him for all he has done to raise awareness. With his face completely disfigured with tumors, he started the "Just Ask!" Foundation and wears a "Just Ask!" t-shirt because he knows people are wondering what happened to his face. After the initial portrait, I was surprised by the incoming requests via Facebook to paint more portraits of NF heroes. All people with NF who had help raised awareness and/or donated to NF charities. Soon parents began requesting portraits of their kids who had NF. I am happy to say as of today, I have painted 107 watercolor portraits and everyone depicted has fundraised to help find a cure. And, the people depicted are from all over the world: The United States, The United Kingdom, Australia, Ireland, the Netherlands, Colombia, Chile and the Philippines to name a few.
|My amazing mother took the 2nd place
Fundraising Award with bringing in $2305 for CTF!
CTF Nebraska Chairman, Andy Schafer was stoked!
He and his wife, Amy, also have a son with NF
and work tirelessly to help raise awareness.
In 2012, I took the project farther and wanted to start showing people with NF as something other than a statistic. Painting is a way that allows viewers to look at people with NF without the awkwardness of face to face interaction. It gives them permission to gaze. And with gazing, comes learning and education. Taking my cues from Vermeer and Hopper, I decided upon was placing them within familiar contextual frameworks so the viewers would just happen upon paintings of people doing their everyday activities only to realize that each person painted has NF and has a complicated life story. Each painting also has a placard with the person's story next to it. In some sense, the NF is just apart of the individual, but it is not the defining characteristic.
If I want my son (and other kids with NF) to grow up happy and secure, it was my thought to make sure he realized he was not alone with this disorder. And by redefining what "normal" is by having him participate in getting to know each person with NF that I paint, I believe I am on the right track. The more awareness I can create for NF, ultimately means the more people will be likely to donate. The more money that is donated to researchers increases the likelihood of finding a cure.
In October 2013, CTF and the Cupid Undie's Omaha Race directors, Suzanne Gibbs and Hannah Patrick approached me to form a team as this was the first time the run was here in Omaha. I cannot lie. I about died. I even told them that I wasn't really the "right" person for this and I wondered if I could just offer to volunteer to take bags, pass out water or do something as a way to get out of actually doing the race. Anyone who knows me, knows that I do not exercise...I hate the cold, running around in my undies sounded horrible and even more than that, I hate fundraising. To ask people to give up their hard-earned money to help my son and other families? I just wasn't sure.
|I was actually relieved that my boys were wearing stocking caps
and had their coats zipped up even though
I am standing around in a sports bra.
How ridiculous is that?
Well...we did it and my friends and family had a lot of fun. Henry was beaming that the entire city of Omaha would run around in their underpants for him and for other kids with NF. After the race was over, donations still kept coming in, much to my surprise. The city of Omaha raised over $35,000 for CTF and my team, Many Faces of NF, raised $10,502. Now that is really amazing and it is all thanks to all the amazing donors.


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Clearance - Pore Cleansing Hydrating Facial Mask, 2.0 oz
* Sale/Clearance items are only available online and not for pickup in our stores due to their consolidation at our warehouse. They are also final sale. Thank you.
This gentle and creamy skin quenching mask is packed with 85% organic ingredients, including clarifying Activated Charcoal, and hydrating Organic Olive, and Jojoba Oils, plus antioxidant-rich Organic Rooibos. Pomegranate & Green Tea Extracts, and DMAE for toning.
Masks offer a synergistic, active delivery system that helps to provide maximum ingredient impact for your skin. Whether at a resort spa or at home spa, masks are a pampering treat that provides big rewards and add wonderful benefit to your total skin care.
To Use: Apply a thin layer to cleansed skin, avoiding eye area. Rinse off after 10-15 minutes. Tone and moisturize as usual. Afterwards, your skin will feel deeply cleansed, hydrated, soft and supple.
2oz Glass Jar
Ingredients: *Aloe Leaf Juice, *Alcohol, Glycerin, Emulsifying Wax, *Olive Oil, *Jojoba Seed Oil, Activated Charcoal, DMAE Bitartrate, Sodium Hyaluronate, *Rooibos Leaf Extract, *Green Tea Leaf Extract, Beta Carotene, Panthenol , Niacinamide, *White Willow Bark Extract, Pomegranate Seed Extract, Tocopherol, Soybean Oil, Xanthan Gum (*Denotes Organic)
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This product is great! Only been using it for a week and my skin is already smoother and softer!
I love the smell in the texture of this product the only thing I would love to live without is the slight tingling/burning on your face but I feel like that's kind of a good thing to say it tells you that it's working into your face. My skin has not broke out and the reason why it probably tingles is because I have sensitive skin but it still makes my skin feel amazing.
Hate the smell of this. HOWEVER love the way it makes my face feel after using. So I will just ignore the smell. It does exactly what it says it will do. Leave ur skin soft, hydrated, cleansed. My face has never felt so good.


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Jewish Organizations, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver — committed to building a strong, vibrant and enduring Jewish community in the Lower Mainland, in Israel and throughout the world by nurturing the values, practices and traditions which sustain and enrich Judaism and Jewish culture. Check out their Calendar and Community Directory to get connected!
Vancouver Jewish Film Centre —The Vancouver Jewish Film Festival is the longest running Jewish film festival in Canada and is one of the best festivals of its type in North America. The Film Centre also presents films outside of the Festival period.
Jewish Museum & Archives —The Jewish Museum and Archives of BC is dedicated to the collecting and sharing of community memories of Jewish life in British Columbia.
Jewish Seniors Alliance — Information of interest to seniors, including a link to calendars of programs and events from various organizations.
Chutzpah! Festival — Chutzpah! Festival is an annual performing arts festival committed to bringing world-renowned international dance, music, theatre, and comedy to Vancouver audiences.
Jewish Independent — Vancouver's weekly Jewish newspaper for over 70 years. (Formerly, The Western Jewish Bulletin.)
Jewish Secular Humanist Organizations
Congress of Secular Jewish Organizations —The CSJO is composed of independent organizations whose unity of purpose is a secular expression of our Jewish heritage, with particular emphasis on the cultural and ethical precepts of Jewish learning.
Society for Humanistic Judaism — Humanistic Judaism is a nontheistic congregational alternative in contemporary Jewish life. It was established by Rabbi Sherwin T. Wine in 1963 in Detroit, Michigan.
Other Sites of Interest
Yiddishpop: YiddishPOP uses lively, engaging content to teach Yiddish to speakers of other languages. Lessons are built around animated movies and supporting features that introduce and reinforce vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, reading comprehension, and writing skills. See what a difference it can make for Yiddish students of all ages!
YIVO — YIVO Institute for Jewish Research was founded by scholars and intellectuals in Poland, in 1925 to document and study Jewish life in all its aspects: language, history, religion, folkways, and material culture. Today, YIVO's collections are the primary source of the documentary history of East European Jewry and the surviving record of millions of lives of Jewish victims of the Holocaust.
Vilnius Yiddish Institute — The VILNIUS YIDDISH INSTITUTE is the first Yiddish centre of higher learning to be established in post-Holocaust Eastern Europe. Each August, the Institute offers the intensive four-week Vilnius Summer Program in Yiddish Language and Culture, attended by some seventy participants from around the world. During the academic year, it provides a rich selection of credit courses in Yiddish and East European Jewish Studies.
Jbooks.com — the online Jewish book community — Focuses on secular culture and ideas.
Jewish History Resources —Links to a variety of international Jewish history websites.


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Spain's "Unfinished" - Winner of the Golden Lion at the 2016 Venice Biennale
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As part of ArchDaily's coverage of the 2016 Venice Biennale, we are presenting a series of articles written by the curators of the exhibitions and installations on show. Spain is one of the countries where the practice of architecture has been most affected by the economic crisis. There are few places on earth where such large numbers of buildings were built in such a short period of time. The lack of reflection over whether these projects were necessary or valid resulted in the subsequent abandonment of many buildings when their completion or maintenance was discovered not to be economically viable. Their appearance throughout Spanish territories has generated a collection of unfinished buildings where the factor of time was eliminated from the formula for making architecture. Using photography as a filter to portray this reality, the Pavilion's central space represents the optimistic view of those who have fought back against this recent past, understanding these inherited constructions as an opportunity.
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Spain's "Unfinished" - Winner of the Golden Lion at the 2016 Venice Biennale
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HexproofDragons of Tarkir SpoilersHexproof - RSS 2.0
No matter how disparate the Magic community gets between varying formats and different levels of commitment to the game, spoiler season has a little something for everyone. It's hard to not get at least a little excited for new cards, well except maybe Legacy and Vintage players who are only hoping, or dreading, another "opps, Treasure Cruise." There genuinely is a little something for everyone though, whether it's assembling ratings and pick orders for limited, speculating on what cards to buy cheap, or brewing and playing new decks with sharpie proxies before the set releases. Wizards of the Coast has kicked off the first spoilers for Dragons of Tarkir, and I thought I'd share a few worth talking about.
Dragonlord Silumgar
This is our first look at Dragons of Tarkir's cycle of mythic dragons and it's a direct tie in to the block's time travel story line. Back in the past, Fate Reforged, Silumgar was simply Silumgar, the Drifting Death, but now that all the dragons haven't been killed off he's back as a Legendary Elder Dragon. Silumgar has traded some toughness and other abilities to straight up Mind Control any creature of planeswalker, granted it's only for a long as you control Dragonlord Silumgar - I guess we can't have him showing up Nicol Bolas, Planeswalker. Thankfully, this card would be stupidly good if Silumgar still had hexproof. The lack of protection means Dragonlord Silumgar is generally going to be at its best when it's doing a Zealous Conscripts impersonation to borrow your opponent's planeswalker at a key moment to tick them down off the board, like to ultimate. It's still a powerful effect regardless, and I'm interested to see what the rest of the dragons end up being. I wouldn't be surprised if the jump from rare to mythic pushes at least one of them into a Standard or Commander staple. Also, some folks have speculated that that's Tasigur, the Golden Fang's corpse dangling around his neck.
Ojutai's Command
Ojutai's Command is perhaps the card that most folks are excited for and is another preview of an upcoming Dragons of Tarkir cycle. As I've mentioned in the past, there's just a certain floor when it comes to cards like charms. Even when you're paying a little bit of a premium on the casting cost, these cards are just too flexible that even the bad ones tend to not be that bad. For those unfamiliar, commands are essentially charms that do two things instead of one. Cryptic Command is the most well-known and heavily played one, but the others have had their moments and are generally included in most Commander decks. Ojutai's Command already has sort of a Cryptic Command vibe with its counter draw mode. However, its first mode has the potentially for it to see play outside of straight control decks. Although you do get to do "fun" things with it and Snapcaster Mage in a Modern control shell, like cast Ojutai's Command to get back Snapcaster Mage and then flashback Ojutai's Command with that Snapcaster Mage. And yes, this works because Snapcaster Mage won't be added to the stack until after Ojutai's Command has finished resolving, so it's in the graveyard and a target.


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John MacMillan
John has focused his civil litigation practice in the areas of construction defect, product liability, personal injury defense and subrogation. He practices in the states of Oregon and Washington. Since first joining MacMillan, Scholz & Marks as a legal clerk in 1994, he has worked on and tried a broad array of cases, ranging from personal injury/automobile accidents to multi-party, multi-million dollar construction defect claims, and from boundary disputes to product claims.
- Lewis & Clark Northwestern School of Law, J.D., 1997
- University of California, San Diego, B.A., Psychology, 1993
Professional Involvement
Member, Oregon State Bar Association
- Member, Washington State Bar Association
- Member, Idaho State Bar Association
- Member, Multnomah Bar Association
- Member, Oregon Association of Defense Counsel
- Admitted, United States District Court for the District of Oregon


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Empire State Development is partnering with the Israel Innovation Authority to find solutions that will improve public service delivery and citizens' quality of life.
Five cities in New York State will be chosen as smart city testbeds with funding support of up to $2 million.
The smart cities programme has been launched by New York State's economic development organisation, Empire State Development, in collaboration with the Israel Innovation Authority.
Five cities will be designated smart cities and work with technology companies and academic experts throughout the state. They will use emerging technologies to improve government services and citizens' quality of life.
Local governments can apply to be a designated testbed site and develop smart cities project lists to be funded through the programme. Once cities are selected, interested companies will be able to submit technological concepts and solutions to help them tackle their specific challenges. There will be a strong focus on solutions from start-ups in New York State and Israel.
Chosen municipalities will designate physical or virtual sites to pilot new technologies aimed at improving public services.
ESD will provide up to $1 million in funding and the Israel Innovation Authority, which fosters the nation's industrial research and development, will contribute up to $1 million in additional funding for Israeli companies delivering projects in New York.
"We're excited about the innovative ideas that will come to life through this partnership between cities, community members and technologists."
"Under Governor Cuomo's leadership, New York has made tremendous investments to grow its technology industry and innovation economy," said Jeremy Goldberg deputy secretary for technology and innovation. "The concept of a smarter city is about using technology to better deliver on government's responsibility to residents: health, safety and opportunity.
"We're excited about the innovative ideas that will come to life through this partnership between cities, community members, and technologists."
The application period for municipalities is open and ESD will conduct webinars to answer questions about the partnership and build awareness.
Beginning in the summer, companies will be able to submit proposals that solve the locally identified problems within each chosen city.
By the end of 2020, projects will be chosen for funding and will be implemented in the municipalities in 2021. To stay up to date on programme information sessions, announcements, and key dates, interested New York municipalities, technology companies, and others can learn more here.
"Smart cities provide the opportunity to help municipalities deliver better programs and services to residents while expanding innovative industries that use technology for social impact," said ESD acting commissioner and president and CEO-designate Eric Gertler.
"I look forward to selecting New York's Smart Cities and helping them solve their pressing local challenges while creating investment and jobs in the New York economy."
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