| Conflict in Iraq blamed for Vernon population loss
New U.S. Census estimates indicate Vernon Parish — home to the Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk — has lost nearly 9 percent of its population, or 4,430 people, since the March 2003 invasion of Iraq. Even more residents than that actually left the area during that period, but the loss was countered by a birth rate nearly three times the death rate. Residents of this central Louisiana parish that touches the Texas border have a hard time believing their numbers are dwindling. There’s a Lowe’s and Walgreens under construction. A new modular building manufacturer with 170 workers has set up shop in the industrial park. Byrd Regional Hospital in Leesville just finished a $9 million expansion. New homes are in demand. National chain restaurants are scouting locations.
Pinon Hills defeats threat to lifestyle
SAN BERNARDINO - The passion of Pinon Hills residents paid off Tuesday as they successfully won an appeal against a development that jeopardized the community's rural character. A motion from 1st District Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt and a unanimous 3-0 vote overturned a decision made by the Planning Commission in December that would have allowed 160 manufactured homes on 40 acres near Goss and Buckwheat roads. The Pinon Hills community plan calls for a minimum lot size of 2 1 /2 acres. "This is severely out of character with the community," said Don Slater, chairman of the Pinon Hills Municipal Advisory Council. He gave a presentation to the Board of Supervisors outlining reasons that the project should not go forward. He was followed by more than 10 residents who pleaded with the board to grant the appeal and protect their rural lifestyle.
Tax Appraisals Skyrocket in Butler Co
4-20-07 - Butler County homeowners are finding some unwelcome news in their mailboxes. Some property owners say their appraised value increased by 75 percent. Several of the cases involve manufactured homes. The county appraiser's office says there is a reason for the drastic increases. "The reason why is because over the last several years they had been selling for significantly more than what the county had them appraised at," said Butler County Deputy Appraiser Richard Batchellor. He says the state division of property valuation recommended Butler County make the appraisal changes. Homeowners have till April 30 to appeal. .
Gerkros Boilers wins the Overall SFA National Small Business Award ...
Gerkros Boilers, a leading Irish domestic renewable heating company, has won the Overall SFA (Small Firms' Association) National Small Business Award 2007, partnered by O2 Ireland and Bank of Ireland Business Banking. The prize package awarded to Gerkros Boilers includes a 15,000 cash prize and lifetime SFA membership. The presentation took place at a gala banquet in the Mansion House on Wednesday evening, 21st March. In making his address, An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, TD, the Patron of the Awards, acknowledged "the extraordinary contribution that the small business sector is making to our economy", noting that there are some 250,000 small businesses currently operating in the Irish economy, which together employ about 800,000 people. The Taoiseach stated that "the diversity and quality of the nominees exemplify the creativity and commitment of our small business sector and its capacity to embrace innovation".
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