AnonymousMe's blog

The following article reports about a web site for peer-to-peer lending.

http://www.charlotte.com/local/story/577645.html

Seems helpful to borrowers hit by obscene increases in credit card interest rates

Following this paragraph is a message from   Anna Hochhalter,  Urbana Public Arts Coordinator.  The document referred to is attached.    As our mighty leader IP would say:  "Discuss!!"

The Urbana Public Arts Task Force is seeking input on a DRAFT proposal for the Urbana Public Arts Program.  The Task Force invites you to review and comment on the draft proposal. Your comments will assist in shaping the Urbana Public Arts Program.  Comments can be presented to the Task Force at their meeting on Tuesday, February 12th, at 7:00pm in the Urbana City Council Chambers, at 400 S. Vine Street, or submitted to Anna Hochhalter, Public Arts Coordinator, through email at alhochhalter@city.urbana.il.us , phone at (217) 384-2311, or post at the Community Development Office (400 S. Vine Street, Urbana).  The draft proposal can also be reviewed in person at the Community Development Office, at 400 S. Vine Street, and on the City's website (www.city.urbana.il.us) .

The Urbana City Council established the Urbana Public Arts Task Force to create a permanent public arts program and structure for the City of Urbana.  Since March, 2007, the Task Force has been collecting input from artists, arts organzanizations, business representatives, and other stakeholders.  Additionally, they have researched other public art programs throughout the country.  After nearly a year of research and discussion, the Public Arts Program proposal is almost complete. 

The next Task Force meeting, on February 12th, will focus on public input regarding the proposal. The Task Force will listen to all comments offered by the public and will make any final changes to the proposal.  The Task Force intends to present the final Urbana Public Arts Program proposal to the Urbana City Council in the end of February.  I will let you know more details about the City Council presentation as they become available.

Please share this draft proposal with anyone who may be interested.  We hope to hear from a wide range of perspectives.

http://www.ddj.com/cpp/205917142

Which presidential candiate can best address this and why ?

After watching the video on the thread Technology Transforming Campaigns, Obama certainly does not yet convince anyone Obama is the best to handle this challenge

Mayor Prussing answered the following questions by email as indicated

#1 How much in rental registration fees are collected annually?  How many rental units are there in Urbana?
 Approximately $170,000 is billed out in rental registration annually.
Our registration rolls show 8,355 units in Urbana, including 6579 units in apartment buildings, 416 duplexes, and 1360 single family rentals. 
#2 Wasn't the idea that fees collected from owners would go to increase the inspection staff?     Has the inspection staff been increased?
 Yes.  We added a second Housing Inspector as a result of this program and also increased clerical and legal support.

#3 Prior to the rental registration program, official city policy was to periodically inspect rentals, but this seemed to occur one every 10-15 years.    Under the new rental registration program, how often do you expect rentals will be inspected?
 Our prior cycle (with one inspector and systematic inspections only of apartment buildings) was once every 7 years, but had lengthened to every 9 to 10 years due the increase in the City's housing stock.  Now with two inspectors, our goal cycle is once every 3 to 5 years.  This is a good minimum cycle to ensure ongoing safety of buildings.
#4 How many rental units have been inspected in the past 12 months?
 We inspected 1289 multi-family units in 125 buildings, 118 single family and duplex units, and 25 University certified housing buildings containing 1345 student residents.  Since our second inspector was hired mid-year and required training, we anticipate a higher inspection total in the next 12 months.