ELIZABETHTOWN — First, Essex County lawmakers' chairs were collapsing. Now, it looks like the roof itself is in danger of coming down at the Old County Courthouse.
The County Board of Supervisors meets weekly at that building in Elizabethtown, but members were told Monday that the four pillars out front are in danger of snapping off if they're not repaired soon.
Department of Public Works Superintendent Anthony LaVigne said each pillar has an outer shell around a wooden post in the center.
"I'd like to head toward repairing these pillars. The ones in jeopardy are basically rotted through."
The County Public Works Committee unanimously approved immediate repairs to the pillars.
LaVigne said he has an estimate of about $47,000 to do the work, using treated posts and putting more vents in. Those pillars should have a 75-year life, he said.
He said the Old Courthouse is a historic building, so the State Historic Preservation Office must be consulted.
"They're (pillars) not properly vented to dry out," LaVigne said. "We're looking at it as a restoration and repair project."
The next step is the design and bid of the work, he said.
"Those are load-bearing pillars," LaVigne said. "They're not ornamental."
The courthouse was built in 1823 and has been modified several times since. It is no longer used for County Court; a new building was constructed nearby for that purpose.
Money for the work will probably come from the fund balance, supervisors said.
Supervisors previously learned their meeting-chambers chairs were breaking, and Board of Supervisors Chair Randy Douglas (D-Jay) said Monday that replacing them was a priority.
"Half these chairs are over 100 years old. It's a safety issue," he said. "The bottom line is the chairs need to be replaced. You'll fall off the chair, break your neck — that's what's going to happen."
Douglas has offered to buy new chairs so taxpayers don't have to foot the bill.
"We're not going to throw them away. I don't know about a museum, but we'll refurbish them."
At least one member of the board likes his chair, however.
"I, personally, am happy with my chair," Supervisor William Ferebee (R-Keene) said.
The pillars should be repaired as soon as possible, Supervisor Daniel Connell (D-Westport) said.
"We have a major safety issue here. We can't have the roof falling down."
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Source: pressrepublican.com
Essex Fire Dispute-Strike Ballot Papers Go Out - Market Wire
ESSEX, ENGLAND--(Marketwire - May 22, 2012) - Ballot papers are going out to Essex fire crews this week in a strike vote over unnecessary frontline cuts and changes imposed without agreement. The ballot starts on Wednesday 23rd May and closes on 13 June. The law then requires at least seven days notice of any strike action after that date.
Essex Fire Brigades Union is writing today directly to Councillor Tony Hedley, chair of Essex fire authority, seeking his agreement to lift the block on allowing the national fire service conciliators and ACAS to work together on a possible way forward for conciliated talks.
The union says the ballot is necessary because the fire authority is imposing changes whilst also planning further cuts. 100 full-time fire station based crews have been axed since 2008 with retained 'on call' crews cut by 60. Further cuts now being planned will bring total losses of around one in five frontline firefighters since 2008.
Backroom staffing has risen by 7.5% - from 238 in 2008 to 256 today. The latest budget review shows underspends of £1.3 million on wholetime firefighters, £206,000 on retained and £136,000 on control firefighters.
Mick Rogers FBU brigade secretary said: "Essex fire crews are furious at what is going on and will be giving their verdict on cuts and imposed changes. Managers need to get their heads out of the sand and realise the strength of feeling.
"There is still time enough to resolve the issues between us and we are now asking the Chair to the Fire Authority to use his good offices to remove the barriers to serious talks getting underway. But if there is no genuine intention or positive moves to resolve the very real concerns of the frontline professionals then strike action becomes an ever increasing prospect.
"Essex fire crews are united and very determined on this matter. This is not the small group of disgruntled militants the chief's PR team is suggesting, but a huge swell of opposition.
"No firefighter ever wants to take strike action but it will happen if things go on like this. I'd urge the Fire Authority to wake up, understand the strong views of their own crews and kick start talks to resolve this dispute."
Source: www.marketwire.com
Kent, Wiles, Miller and O'Connor Win 2012 BorgWarner Louis Schwitzer Award - Yahoo Finance
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., May 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The 46th annual BorgWarner Louis Schwitzer Award has been presented to engineers Mark Kent and Matt Wiles from General Motors (GM) and Steve Miller and Steve O'Connor from Ilmor Engineering for the Chevrolet IndyCar V6 Engine. Designed for fuel efficiency, performance and low friction, the 2.2-liter twin-turbo engine has demonstrated superior fuel economy while posting four wins in the first four IZOD IndyCar® Series races of the 2012 season.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120521/DE10277 )
GM's first IndyCar engine since 2004 was built through a collaborative effort, uniting GM's experience in E85 fuel and direct injection with Ilmor Engineering's race engine design expertise. GM's goal was to develop new technologies for a powerful fuel-efficient engine that could be transferred to production cars. To boost performance and throttle response, the engine uses twin turbochargers. The production-car based Hitachi fuel delivery system was enhanced with six high-pressure direct injectors in the heads and six lower-pressure injectors in the plenum. Operating at up to 12,000 RPM, this is the highest revving direct injection engine in racing competition today. Computer models and empirical testing led to a technology breakthrough in the placement of the injectors that could be utilized in production cars. Special coatings in the engine and exhaust system reduce friction and improve fuel economy. Compression ratios and piston shapes were also designed for optimal thermodynamics. A pool of engines has been produced to support Team Penske, Andretti Autosport, KV Racing Technology, Ed Carpenter Racing, Panther Racing, Dragon Racing, and Panther/Dreyer & Reinbold Racing this year.
Presented by engineers to engineers, the BorgWarner Louis Schwitzer Award recognizes individuals for innovation and engineering excellence in the field of race car design, specifically related to the annual Indianapolis 500 race. BorgWarner sponsors the prestigious $10,000 award to be presented by the Indiana Section of SAE International. The winners are also honored at an awards banquet, and their names are immortalized on the Schwitzer trophy on permanent display at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum.
Initiated in 1967, the award memorializes Louis Schwitzer, a true automotive pioneer who had close ties to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) at its very beginning a century ago. Both an engineer and professional race car driver, Schwitzer won the first auto race at the IMS in 1909 and designed the "Marmon Yellow Jacket" engine that powered the Marmon Wasp to victory at the first Indianapolis 500 in 1911. After working in the automotive industry for many years, he founded the Schwitzer Corporation, which produced innovative cooling fans, water pumps and turbochargers. In 1999, the Schwitzer Corporation joined BorgWarner. Throughout his career, Schwitzer enjoyed numerous technological accomplishments, supported higher education, led the IMS technical committee for many years and maintained a strong association with SAE.
BorgWarner continues his legacy of technology leadership as the official turbocharger supplier of the IZOD IndyCar® Series. The engine of every car in the 2012 field will be boosted by BorgWarner's new line of EFR (for "Engineered For Racing") turbochargers, which feature Gamma TiAl (titanium aluminide) turbine wheels, ceramic ball bearings and stainless steel turbine housings.
About BorgWarner
Auburn Hills, Michigan-based BorgWarner Inc. (BWA) is a technology leader in highly engineered components and systems for powertrain applications worldwide. Operating manufacturing and technical facilities in 59 locations in 19 countries, the company develops products to improve fuel economy, reduce emissions and enhance performance. Customers include VW/Audi, Ford, Toyota, Renault/Nissan, General Motors, Hyundai/Kia, Daimler, Chrysler, Fiat, BMW, Honda, John Deere, PSA, and MAN. For more information, please visit www.borgwarner.com.
Source: finance.yahoo.com
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