#calgary fencing companies

[kimberlyharrisus]

https://www.csslight.com/profile/dlr-vinyl-products-inc

Looking For Fence Company In Calgary ? Contact DLR Vinyl Products

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[mostlysignssomeportents]

How to screw up a whistleblower law

I'm touring my new, nationally bestselling novel The Bezzle! Catch me THIS WEDNESDAY (Apr 17) in CHICAGO, then Torino (Apr 21) Marin County (Apr 27), Winnipeg (May 2), Calgary (May 3), Vancouver (May 4), and beyond!

Corporate crime is notoriously underpoliced and underprosecuted. Mostly, that's because we just choose not to do anything about it. American corporations commit crimes at 20X the rate of real humans, and their crimes are far worse than any crime committed by a human, but they are almost never prosecuted:

https://pluralistic.net/2021/10/12/no-criminals-no-crimes/#get-out-of-jail-free-card

We can't even bear to utter the words "corporate crime": instead, we deploy a whole raft of euphemisms like "risk and compliance," and that ole fave, the trusty "white-collar crime":

https://pluralistic.net/2021/12/07/solar-panel-for-a-sex-machine/#a-single-proposition

The Biden DOJ promised it would be different, and they weren't kidding. The DOJ's antitrust division is kicking ass, doing more than the division has done in generations, really swinging for the fences:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/03/22/reality-distortion-field/#three-trillion-here-three-trillion-there-pretty-soon-youre-talking-real-money

Main Justice – the rest of the DOJ – promised that it would do the same. Deputy AG Lisa Monaco promised an end to those bullshit "deferred prosecution agreements" that let corporate America literally get away with murder. She promised to prosecute companies and individual executives. She promised a lot:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/03/22/reality-distortion-field/#three-trillion-here-three-trillion-there-pretty-soon-youre-talking-real-money

Was she serious? Well, it's not looking good. Monaco's number two gnuy, Benjamin Mizer, has a storied career – working for giant corporations, getting them off the hook when they commit eye-watering crimes:

https://prospect.org/justice/2024-04-09-reform-groups-lack-of-corporate-prosecutions-doj/

Biden's DOJ is arguably more tolerant of corporate crime than even Trump's Main Justice. In 2021, the DOJ brought just 90 cases – the worst year in a quarter-century. 2022's number was 99, and 2023 saw 119. Trump's DOJ did better than any of those numbers in two out of four years. And back in 2000, Justice was bringing more than 300 corporate criminal prosecutions.

Deputy AG Monaco just announced a new whistleblower bounty program: cash money for ratting out your crooked asshole co-worker or boss. Whistleblower bounties are among the most effective and cheapest way to bring criminal prosecutions against corporations. If you're a terrified underling who can't afford to lose your job after narcing out your boss, the bounty can outweigh the risk of industry-wide blacklisting. And if you're a crooked co-conspirator thinking about turning rat on your fellow criminal, the bounty can tempt you into solving the Prisoner's Dilemma in a way that sees the crime prosecuted.

So a new whistleblower bounty program is good. We like 'em. What's not to like?

Sorry, folks, I've got some bad news:

https://www.corporatecrimereporter.com/news/200/stephen-kohn-on-the-justice-department-plan-to-offer-whistleblower-awards/

As the whistleblower lawyer Stephen Kohn points out to Russell Mokhiber of Corporate Crime Reporter, Monaco's whistleblower bounty program has a glaring defect: it excludes "individuals who were involved with the crime." That means that the long-suffering secretary who printed the boss's crime memo and put it in the mail is shit out of luck – as is the CFO who's finally had enough of the CEO's dirty poker.

This is not how other whistleblower reward programs work: the SEC and CFTC whistleblower programs do not exclude people involved with the crime, and for good reason. They want to catch kingpins, not footsoldiers – and the best way to do that is to reward the whistleblower who turns on the boss.

This isn't a new idea! It's in the venerable False Claims Act, an act that signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln. As Kohn says, making "accomplices" eligible to participate in whistleblower rewards is how you get people like his client, who relayed a bribe on behalf of his boss, to come forward. As Lincoln said in 1863, the purpose of a whistleblower law is to entice conspirators to turn on one another. Like Honest Abe said, "it takes a rogue to catch a rogue."

And – as Kohn says – we've designed these programs so that masterminds can't throw their minor lickspittles under the buss and collect a reward: "I know of no case where the person who planned or initiated the fraud under any of the reward laws ever got a dime."

Kohn points out that under Monaco, the DOJ just ignores the rule that afford anonymity to whistleblowers. That's a big omission – the SEC got 18,000 confidential claims in 2023. Those are claims that the DOJ can't afford to miss, given their abysmal, sub-Trump track record on corporate crime prosecutions.

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/04/15/whistleblown/#lisa-monaco

[coregeomatics]

Know What’s Rightfully Yours: Understanding Property Boundaries

Whether you're a homeowner, a real estate investor, or a developer, it's crucial to have a clear understanding of what land you legally own. This is where professional land surveying services in Saskatchewan can make a significant difference, providing you with the precise details you need to avoid potential disputes and make informed decisions.

Why Knowing Your Property Boundaries Matters

When you purchase a property, you're not just buying a piece of land; you're buying peace of mind. Clear and accurate property boundaries ensure that you can use and develop your land as you see fit, without encroaching on your neighbor's rights or facing unexpected legal challenges. Disputes over property lines can lead to costly legal battles, strained neighborly relations, and even the loss of valuable land.

The Role of Professional Land Surveyors

Engaging professional land surveying services in Saskatchewan offers several benefits. Professional land surveyors use specialized equipment and techniques to measure and map your property accurately. They can identify the precise location of boundary lines, easements, and any encroachments that might exist. This information is critical whether you are building a fence, constructing a new addition to your home, or selling a portion of your land.

What to Expect from a Professional Land Survey

When you hire a professional land surveyor, you can expect a thorough and precise process designed to establish accurate property boundaries and provide valuable information for legal and real estate purposes.

A professional land survey typically involves several steps:

Research. The surveyor will gather historical data about your property, including previous surveys, property deeds, and other relevant documents.

Fieldwork. Using advanced tools and technology, the surveyor will conduct a physical inspection of your property. This process may include measuring distances, angles, and elevations.

Mapping. The collected data is then used to create a detailed map of your property. This map will show boundary lines, structures, and other significant features.

Reporting. Finally, the surveyor will compile a report summarizing their findings. This report is essential for any legal or real estate transactions involving your property.

Avoiding Common Property Disputes

Many property disputes arise from misunderstandings about boundary lines. These disputes can be avoided by hiring professional land surveying services before making any changes or developments on your property. A professional surveyor can provide you with a clear and accurate understanding of your property's boundaries, helping you avoid encroachments and ensuring that any improvements you make are within your legal rights.

The Long-Term Benefits of Professional Land Surveys

Investing in a professional land survey is a proactive step that can save you time, money, and stress in the long run. By having a clear understanding of your property boundaries, you can make informed decisions about buying, selling, and developing your land. A professional survey also provides a legal document that can be used in court if a boundary dispute arises, giving you a solid foundation to protect your property rights.

Understanding and defining your property boundaries is essential for maintaining the integrity and value of your land. Hiring professional land surveying services in Saskatchewan ensures that you have the accurate and reliable information you need to make informed decisions and protect your property rights. Whether you're planning to build, buy, or sell, a professional land survey is a valuable investment that provides clarity and peace of mind.

By knowing what is rightfully yours, you can avoid disputes, enhance your property's value, and enjoy your land to its fullest potential.

For more information about Land Survey Companies Regina and Land Surveyors Calgary please visit:- CORE Geomatics

[otter1962crystalball]

White Picket Fence and all! - Part 1

June 8, 2024

In my other blog about my cancer experiences I wrote:

“Mouse, in Tales of the City by Armistead Maupin, said that you could have a good job, a great place to live or a boyfriend, but never the three at the same time. Well, I did several times in my life, but each ended for various reasons; some having to do with my issues and some from his.”

https://www.tumblr.com/otter1962/187033388033/boyfrienddo-you-exist-for-an-old-guy-with-cancer?source=share 

My Pride Blog for June 8th is about an early relationship that had so much potential but came to an end due to something next to trauma for me.

I’ve mentioned my escapades in the early 1980’s. I played the field with a lot of zest, but that’s not the focus of this blog. I had been employed at a major oil company in Calgary. In retrospect it was a great job and had potential, but I made a mistake and took a job with a software company that supported oil and gas companies. This company was run by a very WASPish man. I sent him my resume and he hired me - at substantially less than what I was making at the oil company. To make a long story short, the man was convicted of rape. Before that, he had let me go without much notice. There I was, suddenly without an income. I had to go on employment insurance. To supplement the EI, I took a job at a local bar in Calgary, called Trax. I was a busboy. I made decent tips, but knew I wanted more than cleaning up booze glasses and cigarette ashtrays.

One night, a man whom I had met at a party months before turned up there. For the sake of convenience, I’ll call him “Joe.”  The man had been with his boyfriend at that party so was off limits for me. When Joe came to the bar, he made it quite clear that he was interested in me and that he was single. I was over the moon because he was such a handsome man. He was also a professional in a job that involved a lot of creativity and skill. I immediately admired his skills and found that being with him was fun in and out of bed.

We saw each other on a regular basis and I landed a job due to Joe in an indirect manner from someone who knew him. The job was direct competition to the software company run by the rapist. I took great joy in stealing his clients and moving them to my current company. I did such a great job that I ended up a Product Manager for the software I supported. 

So here’s the reference to Mouse in Tales of the City. I had the boyfriend, I had a great job and next a house with Joe. The house was a sweet little place and it had a white picket fence! I literally had all the three things that Mouse desired so deeply!

Then it all changed. There were two reasons - one I will discuss in the next blog entry and the second that Joe succeeded in getting a fantastic job in Toronto. In my mind there was every reason to go as well. We sold the house, quit my job and moved ahead of Joe to Toronto with the Bailey the dog and TC the cat. Joe arrived later and we stayed in the little studio apartment. Despite the high interest rates, we bought a house in Mississauga for the massive amount (for that time) of around $180,000. Again, I had a partner, a house with a fence and a job. I hated the sales job I got selling Micro Vax equipment. I was better suited for customer support and sales wasn’t what I wanted. I sucked at it because I was petrified of cold calls. I wasted so much time doing virtually nothing and one day came to work to find that my desk was gone and I was pulled into my bosses office and told that I was fired. So, Mouse’s idea could apply to me. I had no job. Then Joe and I split for a major reason that I will explain in the next blog. That meant the house went as well. I ended up with very little due to having lost my job. Joe walked away with a large sum and I was left to pick up the pieces - selling my car, finding an apartment and ending up on welfare. So, Mouse, I ended up with none of the three!

As I look back on the whole situation, I realize that I still love Joe very much and often dream of what would have happened if all of the situation hadn’t come to pass. It is now over 30 years since we split. He’s had a fantastic career and a great life. I don’t think he really searched for a partner in the years after me. I’ve been in touch with Joe and we chat once in a while. All the old issues have been set aside, but both of us have moved on. What strikes me is that I was so immature during that first major relationship of around five years. If I had the experience I have now, I wonder if the relationship would have survived…

For Pride, I am celebrating life experiences and how I got to where I am now. The white picket fence experience along with many others put me on the path upon which I am currently travelling. Right now, Mouse, I have a beautiful home (no picket fence), finished a 30 year teaching career as move into retire, but no boyfriend. I’ll be writing about as well at a later date.  All of those experiences, good, bad, mediocre, made me who I am today. The regrets did as well but I’ve come to let them go. In the next blog, I will go more in depth with the causes of our separation.

Happy Pride, everyone and as always, carpe diem.

[northernlightsrenovations]

Northern Lights Renovations & Home Repair Services

Northern Lights Renovations and High Quality Bathroom Renovations Services is a locally licensed, bonded and insured home renovations company serving Calgary and the surrounding areas including Bearspaw, Cochrane, and Airdrie. With over a decade of experience, our team provides kitchen renovations, bathroom renovations, basement developments, and deck and fence builds with an outstanding level of support, care, and communication. Our goal is to wow our clients with our quality workmanship and attention to detail. When you work with us you are dealing with family. You can trust us to complete your project on time and budget. Find out why we are considered one of Calgary’s most trusted home remodeling contractors.

[projectlandscapeltd]

Top places to visit in Calgary, AB

Calgary is a vibrant city that’s full of culture, history and nature. It has something for everyone, including the young and old alike. If you're planning a visit to Calgary, here are my top picks for places to explore during your time in this Alberta city.

Glenbow Museum

The Glenbow Museum is an art and history regional museum in the city of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The museum focuses on Western Canadian history and culture, including Indigenous perspectives.

The Glenbow Museum is an art and history regional museum in the city of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The museum focuses on Western Canadian history and culture, including Indigenous perspectives. The Glenbow was established as a private non-profit foundation in 1955 by lawyer, businessman and philanthropist Eric Lafferty Harvie with materials from his personal collection.

The museum moved to its current facility in downtown Calgary in 1976, and is funded by the governments of Calgary, Alberta and Canada, private donors, as well as an endowment provided by Harvie. In 2019, the Glenbow had a total of 148,668 visitors. The museum closed temporarily for renovations in 2021, and will re-open in 2024.

Glenbow is a place of confluence. A meeting point for people and communities to join a flow of ideas, knowledge, opinions and experiences. Our exceptional collection of art and historical objects represents the people and ideas that have shaped our region. That collection is complemented and contextualized by travelling exhibitions that explore historical and contemporary art, fashion, design and innovation from around the world.

We are committed to expanding the accessibility and impact of art and culture in our community through exhibitions and programs that provide meaningful experiences for all visitors. As an independent, non-profit member-based organization, we generate over 60% of our operating revenue through fundraising, museum and program admissions, and memberships.

The Military Museums

The Military Museums of Calgary, Alberta is the largest tri-service museum in Western Canada and the second largest military museum in the country. The Military Museums is home to eight separate museums including the Naval, Army and Air Force Museums of Alberta, the Air Force Cold War Museum, the four museums of the founding regiments, Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians), Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI), The King's Own Calgary Regiment and The Calgary Highlanders. It also includes the UCalgary Founders' Gallery and Library & Archives.

Most units, regiments and branches of the Canadian Armed Forces have museums dedicated to their specific history; some are large and well-funded, others are small and struggle to survive. Whatever their size, they are almost always housed separately, even when located within the same base or geographic area.

In the mid to late 1980s, a combination of environmental conditions and lack of public access to the existing regimental museums in Calgary created the catalyst for change. A group of dedicated citizens came together to find ways to preserve the valuable artifacts and archives belonging to the local regiments. When the Department of National Defence (DND) made Sir Sam Steele Junior High School surplus, Calgarians raised $6.5 million to convert the school and create The Museum of the Regiments (MOR).

With the support of DND, the collections of two regular force regiments and two reserve regiments became housed under one roof, each regiment being provided with its own gallery in which to display artifacts, memorabilia and equipment. This greatly enhanced the connection between Canada’s military heritage and the Canadian public, particularly its youth. It also enhanced the pride of veterans and serving members of the Canadian Armed Forces by showcasing their regimental history in a world class facility.

If you're looking for the best fences Calgary company, look no further than Project Landscape. We have a wide range of fencing options available to suit your needs and your budget.

We understand that not everyone wants the same kind of fence, so we've made sure to offer a wide selection of materials, styles, and other options. Whether you're looking for something classic or modern, we've got it! No matter what kind of fence you choose, we're confident that it will stand up to the elements and last for years to come. We are dedicated to providing our customers with quality products at affordable prices—and that's exactly what we'll do for you when you call us today!

Project Landscape 3511 64 Ave. SE, Calgary, AB T2C 1N3 +1 403-257-4059 https://www.projectlandscape.ca/ https://www.google.com/maps?cid=11747008283103314784

[college-girl199328]

As the clock hits 11:30 a.m., children spill out from behind the chain-link fence at Escuela Rafael Rivera Otero, joining parents waiting on the sidewalk. The elementary school serves a working-class neighbourhood in the centre of San Juan, Puerto Rico.

There's little remarkable about the two-storey tan and peach building — except that it's been without electricity for more than eight weeks. As a result, when the lunch bell rings, the school day begins.

"The Department of Education says the only options you have are to close the school or for the kids to finish in the middle of the day," says Sandra Vargas as she waits for her daughter. "It's been many months. The kids are in school without electricity. Please, if you can help, help us."

Power outages like this are just part of daily life in Puerto Rico. The U.S. territory, home to 3.3 million people, has one of the least reliable electrical systems in the developed world. It's subject to breakdowns (in this case, a blown substation on school property that triggered a lengthy dispute about who was responsible for the repairs) and liable to catastrophic collapse when tropical storms and hurricanes roll through.

The headquarters of the company that are supposed to be fixing the threadbare grid is only a 15-minute drive from Escuela Rafael Rivera Otero. LUMA Energy — 50 percent owned by Calgary's ATCO Ltd. — has been handed a 15-year, $2-billion contract to manage Puerto Rico's grid and oversee the modernization of the island's electrical system.

But the company charged with keeping the lights on has become a lightning rod. Customers complain that blackouts have become more frequent and last longer. And when the power does come back on, the voltage surges, frying appliances and causing fires.

There's a proposed $800-million US class-action lawsuit over an April 2022 island-wide blackout caused by a fire at a substation, in which the company failed. Meanwhile, the cost of electricity has more than doubled, leaving Puerto Ricans to pay some of the highest rates in the world.

LUMA's Canadian CEO, Wayne Stensby, has become a target when he is out in public. At one point, the legislature tried to have him arrested for contempt in a legal fight over company documents.

More recently, Gov. Pedro Pierluisi demanded his resignation — to no avail. There are regular demonstrations against the company on the streets. Bad Bunny, Puerto Rico's global superstar, cursed the firm from the stage.

"We have the most horrible electrical system. I tell you, it's shit," the singer said. "I do a tour around the world, and the only place I have to put 15 industrial generators is here." LUMA has been in charge of the grid since June 2021, and the company says progress is being made, pointing to the installation of 3,800 steel poles and the replacement of 10,000 streetlights.

"People here need a stronger system. They need to have more resilience and trust in their system. And that's why we've been making investments," says Mario Hurtado, LUMA's chief regulatory officer. "Unfortunately, it takes longer than any of us want it to. And certainly longer than customers want it to."

The company declined a CBC News request for an interview with Stensby. What semblance of public confidence there was in LUMA seems to have been badly shaken by the events of the past hurricane season. On Sept. 18, Hurricane Fiona swept across the western corner of the island as it began tracking north toward Eastern Canada. The Category 1 storm brought lots of rain and damaging winds, but it was nothing compared to past disasters, like Hurricane Maria in 2017. Yet the lights flickered out and stayed out.

"I think we were all shocked," says Ruth Santiago, a community activist and lawyer. It was quite a surprise to find along the southern coast or, you know, south of the southern coast. And then it blew in for a bit as a Category 1 hurricane to take down the whole electric grid. That was incredible."

LUMA officials defend their storm response, noting that 90 percent of customers had power restored within 12 days of the storm. They also point out that they inherited a badly broken system. Puerto Rico's grid was devastated by Maria, a Category 4 storm that killed thousands and triggered an island-wide blackout that dragged on for almost a year in some communities. And it was hardly in pristine condition, to begin with.

The Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) has been through a decades-long cycle of cost-cutting, deferred maintenance and rate freezes, all while accumulating $9 billion US in debt. The utility, which remains responsible for power generation on the island, filed for bankruptcy in 2019 and is trying to work out a deal with creditors.

"I would describe the electrical system as fragile and vulnerable. And that's because of years and years of mismanagement," says Alejandro Figueroa, infrastructure director for Puerto Rico's Financial Management and Oversight Board.

Hopes for a quick fix aren't likely to be realized. "I think people have assumed it's possible to fix 30 years of mismanagement in 18 months, and I think that's unrealistic. Getting the system to where it needs to be will take many years, if not decades."

That's certainly the case in Aguadilla, on the island's northwest coast, where some neighbourhoods were without power for 45 days post-Fiona. Mayor Julio Roldan takes a visitor through narrow alleyways, pointing to power poles decorated with flowers.

He says he spent the first days after the storm on the phone, fruitlessly pleading with LUMA to send repair crews. When they failed to arrive, he formed his brigades of ex-PREPA workers and sent them into the streets to clear fallen trees and replace downed lines.

"We had to fix everything here, OK? They didn't come," says Roldan. "I don't know what happened, if they were scared or what's going on. The federal government gave a lot of money to LUMA to improve the system, to fix everything. And we didn't get any response."

Instead, Roldan says he received pushback from the company about his ex-PREPA "shark teams," which escalated to threats of legal action. "They said they were planning to arrest me, and I told them I was planning to send them my pin location so they could come to arrest me right then," says Roldan. "I love my city. I love my people. And no matter what I do, my people will be OK."

LUMA disputes Roldan's account, saying it never threatened him with arrest. But the company acknowledges it did warn many mayors of trying to fix the damage on their own, noting that they were legally required to co-ordinate all such plans with the utility, saying it was a matter of safety for its employees and the public.

"We made clear to them the dangers of working on the electrical system without certified personnel," says Hurtado. "Those linemen had to be certified every year." The former PREPA workers have become a sore point on the island. LUMA ended up hiring 1,200 of the public utility's almost 6,000 employees. Its current workforce is one-third smaller than PREPA's was and less familiar with the quirks of the aging grid.

Robert Garcia Cooper spent 20 years as a metering specialist with PREPA. But like thousands of his colleagues, he says he couldn't afford to take a LUMA contract with a loss of seniority and increased benefit costs.

Garcia Cooper says, "we said no to all the veterans we left." After returning to school to finish a master's degree focusing on microgrids, he worked as a master electrician with another government agency, only to find his services weren't required.

"When I arrived, I was told I would be working as a janitor because the electrical work was subcontracted," says Garcia Cooper. "The government did it this way to force us to abandon our benefits. It was a Catch-22."

The soaring cost of power is also stoking public anger. Since LUMA officially took over the grid 18 months ago, there have been seven rate hikes. The company says the increases have been driven by the cost of oil and gas burned by the island's generating stations. This is a part of the system that it does not control.

In the mountain town of Adjuntas, Sharon Cedeño and Israel Sierra are struggling to keep their corner grocery store afloat. Their power bills now top $300 US a month, a payment expense on an island where the median household income is just $22,000 — almost $50,000 less than on the mainland United States.

"We are poor people … young people trying to succeed. They make our lives tougher day by day," says Cedeño. The couple will soon transition to solar energy with the help of a local community group, Casa Pueblo.

"We want solar power as the primary energy source and LUMA as the alternative energy source," says Arturo Massol, Casa Pueblo's executive director.

"Every time the electricity was out or came back, our equipment got damaged," says Robyn Russell Orama, the hospital administrator. Patients haven't been affected, but the costs have been steep for the 10-bed hospital, which serves 12,000 residents.

"We had equipment damage in our imaging system and labs," says Orama. "A simple machine can cost you more than $10,000 to $13,000, plus all the reactive and everything that comes with it."

The switch to solar makes sense. Puerto Rico averages more than 2,800 hours of sunshine every year. But renewable energy makes up just three percent of the island's power mix.

It's a focus that causes activists like Ruth Santiago to despair. "Areas like Puerto Rico are in this cycle of destruction, repair and reconstruction of these centralized systems like transmission and distribution systems that keep getting knocked down."

LUMA says solar is part of its plan, but only after the transmission and distribution network is made safe and reliable. That in itself is a mammoth task. The company's grid management contract is just a fraction of the estimated $26 billion that it will cost to fully modernize the power system, a bill that will be paid by the U.S. government.

LUMA says solar is part of its plan, but only after the transmission and distribution network is safe and reliable. That in itself is a mammoth task. The grid management contract is a fraction of the estimated $26 billion it will cost to modernize the power system. The bill will be paid by the government.

This means lots of opportunities for outside firms — potentially including LUMA's parents, ATCO and Quanta Services. Puerto Rico's government recently announced plans to privatize power generation.

Under current rules, ATCO and Quanta Services bid on that work. But LUMA, which helps determine the winners and losers and oversees all the contracts, can propose changes to those conditions — subject to existing government regulations.

Both parent companies are keeping their options open about future projects on the island. But a recent scandal involving ATCO has raised concerns with some critics in Puerto Rico about transparency and fairness.

Last year, ATCO agreed to pay a $31-million penalty levied by the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) over a 2018 power line project in Jasper National Park.

Stensby, then head of ATCO's electric division, approved that contract. And he was among senior management members who "deliberately buried critical information to hide it from the Commission."

CBC News reached out to Stensby. He declined to comment on the AUC decision. An ATCO representative said the company has "learned and improved" from the Jasper project penalty.

"We have acknowledged that we made regulatory and administrative errors. The reasons for the errors were complex and were not solely attributable to."

The spokesperson added that ATCO "fully supports" Stensby and his LUMA team and their work in Puerto Rico. Back in San Juan, outside the Escuela Rafael Rivera Otero, frustrated parents and staff suffer from much smaller fiscal problems.

"LUMA came, LUMA left us without power, LUMA passed the responsibility to the Office of Public Building Management," says Lydimar Garriga Vidal, a school social worker.

A CBC News request to tour the building and speak with the principal was denied. But immediately following that request, the school board hired a private firm to carry out the repairs that LUMA says were never its responsibility.

[oshey]

هل فكرت في بناء سياج لممتلكاتك في كالجاري؟ هناك العديد من المزايا لهذا وهي تأتي في أنماط مختلفة حتى تتمكن من اكتشاف شيء سيساعدك في المظهر الأخير لمنزلك من التحكم. بالنسبة للأفراد الذين يبحثون عن خبراء سياج كالجاري ، سيجدون أن Project Landscape لديها معدل إنجاز مرتفع ، ولديهم أيضًا رؤية حقيقية فيما يتعلق بنوع السياج الأفضل للممتلكات.

[nickmooreca1-blog]

Garage Builders Calgary

We are Calgary’s most professional Garage builder contractors and offer you exceptional services at affordable prices. From repair and maintenance to building, we are dedicated to providing inventive garage development and renovation services in Calgary.

[projectpridebomb]

Project Pridebomb Question Masterpost

What is Project Pridebomb?

At its most basic, a small project to spread pride around neighbourhoods. Like yarnbombing is placing knit and crochet projects around a neighbourhood. We just "bomb" a neighbourhood with pride. No actual bombs involved.

What does Pridebomb entail?

Putting up small, affirming, queer-positive messages around. Here's some examples of messages that may be put up on a fence or at a nearby playground! (Image descriptions in alt text)

What are your/the person who runs this account's pronouns?

They/them/their/theirs/themself or ze/zem/zir/zirs/zemself

What is your stance on [insert sexuality/gender]?

All are valid. This includes microlabels and xenogenders. Neopronouns are valid too. So are multispec gays and lesbians.

Queer identities aren't rigid, and never have been. If you think otherwise, you're forgetting an important aspect of pride.

Where are you located?

Southwest Calgary.

Where do you plan to put up your messages?

Somewhere visible and ideally not on private property. It'd be a real jerk move to decorate someone's outer wallpaper without permission, so the plan is to, well, not do that.

When and how did Pridebomb start?

The idea of Pridebomb spawned on May 7th, 2021. As for the how, I don't remember.

When will these posters/messages be put up?

Hopefully around the first of June! I can't promise anything—I'm disabled and my energy levels are often low—but I will try my best! And if not June 1st, then hopefully sometime within the following days.

Why are you doing this?

To spread joy and pride, to help folks feel seen. Sometimes even just seeing a small pride badge or flag can be affirming, especially for younger queer folks. It's a reminder that, hey, we're not alone! We're here, and that's something to celebrate, even in minuscule ways.

Why are the first letters of "Project" and "Pridebomb" capitalized?

For folks who use screen readers that may otherwise have trouble discerning where and when to start a word. Accessibility is important, and for this reason, I also plan to add image descriptions in the alt text of images, or in a thread if the character limit doesn't cut it.

How can I participate?

Draw, write, or print your own queer-positive messages! Take a picture, and tag us @ProjectPridebomb and/or tag it with #ProjectPridebomb.

Are you a corporation or company?

Nope. Just an enby with a Tumblr blog and a bunch of markers.

Are you affiliated with a corporation or company?

Not as of this post.

Can I donate to you?

I'm not financially lacking or in desperation for supplies. Please consider donating to transition fundraisers or to Skipping Stone instead.

Isn’t this illegal?

The Calgary Police Service website states that “Any figures, letters, drawings or stickers that are applied, scribbled, scratched, etched, sprayed or attached to the surface of any premises, structure or other property is considered graffiti vandalism.” These are posters and print-outs, which are being taped, not “applied” or “attached.” So technically, no.

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Ways to interact with us:

You can tweet at us

Or follow us on Instagram

Or e-mail us at projectpridebomb@gmail.com

This blog also accepts asks and submissions.

[sungreenca-blog]

Deck Builders Calgary - Sun Green

Find the right contractor or company for your construction project in Calgary on Deck Carpenter. Fence, Deck and Basement Builder. Contact us for more info- 4032567500.

[painterskingston-blog]

Painters Kingston

Painters Kingston offers homeowners and local business owners a better value for their painting service needs. We provide a full range of painting services for both interior and exterior, in residential and commercial properties.  Our Kingston painters use top quality professional grade paints and tools, and provide our customers with a great experience from start to finish.  That’s why we continue to be among the best local painting companies you can hire.

Managed by Paul Smith, we stand out from the rest by taking pride in our quality of work.  We provide our customers with plenty of information, and are able to eliminate unnecessary mixups by focusing on great communication from the start!  We will go over your goals, and give you a great idea of what the finished results will look like as well.

A Kingston Painting Company At Your Service

For the best in-home painting services in the greater Kingston area, call us first! You can make us your go-to professional house painter to hire, and the results will speak for themselves. If you are struggling to find reasonable painters who do more than the bare minimum when painting your house or commercial spaces, schedule us and save more on a better quality finish!  When you choose our company as your home painting contractor, you are choosing the team that does more for less on every job. The best house painting result comes from using better quality paints and materials, and having a team made up of skilled local painting contractors with the experience you can depend on.  Our professional house painters get the finished look you desire for your space, and can do so on multiple types of surfaces.

Call us today and experience the difference of the best in:

Interior Painting

Exterior Painting

Deck & Fence Painting

Wallpaper Installation & Removal

Ceiling Repair

Cabinet Refinishing and Repainting

Popcorn Ceiling Removal

Textured Ceilings

Knockdown Ceilings

Power Washing

Drywall Repair

Plaster Repair

Caulking

Featured Walls

Staining

Stucco

Stripping

Stain and Mold Treatment

Varnish Finishes

Concrete Staining and Epoxy Finish

Crown Molding Services

Color Consultation

House Painter Kingston ON

From custom painting needs to total interior & exterior coverage, we can paint any surface you need painted or touched up inside your home. A beautifully applied coat of paint can transform any home inside and out, sometimes this might be all you need to improve the look of your house!  Whether you are trying to find soft earthy neutral tones for a home office or a fun, bright or whacky color for a kid’s playroom, we can help you find the right solution for your preferred style.

Commercial Painting Contractors

Our Kingston painting contractors are equipped to handle the biggest commercial and industrial jobs, whether it's a brand new development, office buildings, or restaurants, we are able to to any job exterior or interior.   Give us a call today and we can give you a great competitive price quote for your commercial painting project, satisfaction guaranteed!

The Best Result comes from the Best Prep!

At Kingston Painting, our professional painters take the necessary precautions to correctly prep any areas to  be painted.  Although generally, the prepping phase takes the longest it is because we take the extra care not to damage your belongs or leave paint behind where it should not be. Because we use a better quality of primer and paint, we can achieve a flawless and more even finish without using as much as low-quality paints require.

Our team also has the experience you can rely on for receiving the best professional advice possible.  We will take every step to properly examine the project, and consult you on the correct steps needed for the best results.  For instance, if your surfaces already have a particular type of finish, it may need to be completely sanded down first.  Simply painting over could cause the fresh paint to peel away in less than a year.  Rather than risk having to repaint your home again in just a few months’ time, take a moment to call Kingston Painting first and have it done the right way.

Exterior Painting Kingston

ON

Finding an exterior painting service around Kingston has another caveat that other areas may not have; extreme cold temperatures. We are all too familiar with how cold our winters here can be, so cold in fact that paint can freeze before it sets. When that happens, it can turn into a blob that slides right off!  Because of the seasonal window to offer exterior home painting services, some companies simply don’t offer it at all.  

​Luckily our team never shies away from a job.  If we cannot provide exterior painting at the moment due to the season and weather, we will always book a date to schedule you for when exterior painting is best, and when the weather cooperates. In fact, booking us ahead of time for the warmer months helps ensure that we have time saved just for you, and we can offer our best services to you for the job.

Exterior painting should do more than just look nice.  When done correctly, your fresh paint should help protect the rest of your home. From assisting in insulating your home from the sun’s rays to filling in cracks and sealing them, exterior home painting is one of the best steps in maintenance you can make for your house.  Realtors will tell you that painting your house is a sure way to add value and curb appeal! ​

Contact us if you are looking for Exterior & Interior Painting in Calgary.

Why and How To Have Your House Painted

Whether you’re a new homeowner or have seen the exterior of your house decline slowly over the years, there is a special draw to a freshly painted house.

Yes, painting your house’s exterior can change your home. It can even be a drastic change if you plan your colors correctly! This can be a go-to if you’re trying to make a big difference without remodeling a whole room or adding on to the house. However that doesn’t mean that every house is a quick, easy or inexpensive job. We’re here to help you find out how to get your house painted and all the decisions in between!

Benefits of a Fresh Coat of Exterior Paint

Let’s talk about what the real benefits of painting the exterior of your home are. It looks visually nice but if you’re planning on selling, showing or upgrading it goes beyond the visual appeal.

Fresh paint can help the materials of your home look newer (especially true for siding)

Increase your home’s value

Inspection before paint can reveal early signs of pest damage

A more budget-friendly home upgrade when compared to many popular home renovations.

That is a pretty great list isn’t it? This list all adds up to one thing which is very important every homeowner, whether they plan on living there forever or not: resale value.

Resale Value!

You can plan on selling your home within the next year or holding onto it until time stops, but the value of your home is important. This is an investment that you worked hard for, and as expected it should continue to increase in value as an asset.

But! Your work as a homeowner didn’t stop after you signed the paper and picked up the keys. The work only just begun at that point, but a major increase in value can be obtained just by painting your house’s exterior. From the list above, every single one of those benefits is part of building your home’s value.

Freshen Up Your Home

Maybe you want to continue living in your home, and don’t have any intention of selling any time soon. That’s great because you’ll still get that burst of pride when you pull into the driveway of a freshly painted house.

How can you use color choices to make your home seem fresher, and more inviting? We have the breakdown to help your decision making!

Color Choices Make a Difference

While there isn’t one color that will mean a great increase in resale value that you can love too there are some tried and true schemes.

Grey/Beige – the perfect combination of neutrals is a popular choice. Why? Well, it doesn’t fade as noticeably as other neutrals, and doesn’t show dirt or rain patterns the way white, cream, or more orange-y hues do.

Oatmeal – the adorable little sister of cream, oatmeal is not only more appealing to the eye because it isn’t as harsh but is also an inviting warm tone.

Yellows, Oranges, and Purples – should be reserved for special forms of architecture. An old style Victorian or Spanish style home isn’t suited for muted neutrals. You have a lot of room to have fun with these traditionally, non-traditional homes.

Trim Away

This is one area where a professional painter can come in handy! The trim is important, and can act as an accent, or a bold statement. Typically a few shades darker can give your house a more distinct shape; while a few shades lighter can play up some colors.

Doors are Important Too!

Who has forgotten the bright red front door on Elm Street? We don’t want your neighbors, friends or potential buyers to think of a nightmare when they’re walking up to your house!

Consult with your painting contractor or local painting company on what works with your exterior paint color. You want something inviting, like a warm blue or a cool charcoal.

Do-It-Yourself Isn’t Always Best

Painting seems easy right? Although we might have all tried our hands at a bedroom, the exterior of a house is different because of one primary reason: materials. Both the home’s exterior material and the exterior paint!

Aside from the materials, it is easy for the simple task of oh… painting your house… to quickly become overwhelming. Then the job is rushed and the end result just isn’t what you wanted. Hopefully you’ll never experience this and you’ll hire a professional, exterior painting service from the start. Call a local painting company for a quote. Most often you won’t be shelling out more than a thousand or so, depending on your house size and the exterior material.

Spending Pitfalls

A lot of people experience the pitfall of spending to paint the house twice. A lot of DIY-ers are ambitious and some are even determined to love the result of their labor. But usually a few months goes by and the small mistakes, patchy painting or outright painting mishaps become eyesores. Instead of increasing the value of your home, it’s been decreased!

Hiring a professional painter or painting contractor can end up saving you money. Rather than doing it yourself and then paying a professional, have the job done by a pro the first time!

Find a Great Painting Company or Professional Painter

So how do you go about finding a great contractor or professional painter? House painting is one of those jobs that many people claim to be wonderful at, and that isn’t always the case.

Look for these key points when hiring a professional painter:

They don’t just claim to use top-quality materials; they tell you what they regularly use. (High-quality paint for the exterior of a home could cost anywhere between $40-$70 per gallon, beware if the price sounds too good to be true.)

They inform you that house painting takes a lot of prep work too! If someone shows up and just gets right to painting, something is wrong!

Ask how they handle touchups and whether there is a time frame involved.

After you’ve evaluated these aspects and think you might have found the one, ask for: estimates, references, and a contract. (This isn’t just to make sure you get everything you’re looking for, a great painting company knows that these protect them too!)

Happy Painting!

With a professional painting service, this renovation can be painless and require minimum effort on your part. Take the chance and call our local painting company to see if your home upgrade is something that you can do not just for visual appeal but for the physical improvement of your home as well!

Painters Kingston

407 Division St., Kingston, ON, K7K 4A6, Canada

Phone: (613) 900-1204

paul@painters-kingston.ca

Mon-Sat 8:00am – 6:00pm

https://painters-kingston.ca

[calgarypaintingcontractor]

PROFESSIONAL PAINTERS CALGARY

Calgary Painting Services

15 Years of Experience

Free & Quick Quotes

Perth Wide Painting Company

Early Starts

Highly Experienced with New Homes & Repainting

Residential & Commercial

Interiors & Exteriors

Fully Insured

Quality Work Guaranteed

At Calgary Painters, we offer expert residential and commercial painting services all around Perth.

Our team of experienced painters offer comprehensive painting and decorating services across both the northern and southern Calgary. Whether you want to redecorate your home or your business, our painting contractors can help.

Dedicated to Service & Quality

We’re dedicated to providing the best customer service to all our customers, which is why we offer painting quotes and advice in a timely manner. In addition to ensuring our customers understand the painting process; we use only the best painting options and finishes. Click here to read our client’s testimonials and hear what they have to say about our painting company.

Calgary Painters has been servicing the Calgary region for over 15 years and we have an excellent reputation in the industry. Unlike other painting companies, we’re committed to using the highest quality paints and we also use environmentally friendly paints.

Feel free to fill out our contact form so that we can organise a free, no obligation quote.

Calgary Painting Services

The painting team are highly experienced in both new home and business painting services. We have a long history of working alongside our valued clients to paint a space in their house that they love being in.

We’ve completed a wide range of painting and decorating projects around Calgary, . You can see some of our past projects here. Some of these painting projects include painting flats and homes, restaurants, retail stores, shopping centres, offices, schools, retirement villages, units, hotels and motels, and warehouses.

Whatever property you need to renovate, we can offer our expert advice for both interior decorating and exterior painting services. We’ve worked on small flats as well as large blue-chip companies and public bodies.

Feel free to fill out our contact form so that we can organise a free, no obligation quote.

Our Services

Interior Painting

Exterior Painting

Deck & Fence Painting

Wallpaper Installation & Removal

Ceiling Repair

Cabinet Refinishing and Repainting

Popcorn Ceiling Removal

Textured Ceilings

Knockdown Ceilings

Power Washing

Drywall Repair

Get in Touch

Calgary Painters North

528 710 20 Crowfoot Cres NW, Calgary, AB T3G 2P6, Canada (587) 887-8374

https://calgary-painters.ca/okotoks/

https://calgary-painters.ca/airdrie/

https://goo.gl/maps/jN67ixaeyJ8i288e9

[localizee]

We paint walls, cabinets, ceilings, doors, siding, garages, decks, fences and more.

[projectlandscapeltd]

Searching for the best Fences Calgary company?

Project Landscape is the best Fences Calgary company. We take pride in our work and provide quality fences at affordable prices. If you're looking for the best Fences Calgary company, look no further than Project Landscape.

We offer a wide range of services to help make your home or business more beautiful and functional. Our team is highly trained and experienced in all facets of landscaping, from design to installation and maintenance, so no matter what you need, we can help.

For more details, visit: https://www.projectlandscape.ca/ https://www.google.com/maps?cid=11747008283103314784

[greenteklandscapingsolutions]

Landscaping Construction Company in Calgary | Greentek Landscaping Solutions

Greentek Landscaping is a reliable #1 Calgary landscaping company that has been in the landscape business for over 20 years. We offer you a wide range of services including deck & fence installation, lawn fertilizing, landscape maintenance, irrigation, lawn & tree care, snow plowing, blowing & shoveling services under your budget. Our main goal is to ensure that all of our customers acquire the landscape of their dreams and the value of their investment. For more queries or updates, visit our website!