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News Briefs
Bids for University of Nevada, Reno, Property Deemed Disappointing
Washoe county officials are disappointed about the current bid for the University of Nevada, Reno property located along the Truckee River. The county asserts their position because of the potential impact it may have on local flood controls. County Manager, Katy Singlaub said, "We are certainly very disappointed and we hope to impact that decision because it clearly is in the public interest for that property not to be developed."
UNR accepted the 13.2 million dollar bid by PacificWest Properties of Reno over the county's minimum bid of $12.1 million as the bid to submit to the University of Nevada Board of Regents how will have make the decision regarding the properties future. The University of Nevada Board of Regents is slated to convene on September 22 and 23 in Las Vegas.
Type-O Blood Urgently Needed
The state of Nevada is urging its citizens to donate Type-O Negative blood to compensate for blood shortages. Nevadans were asked to give blood to add to existing supplies of 43 hospitals throughout Nevada. As of Monday, August 8, just five units (pints) of Type-O Negative blood were available on the blood banks shelves serving Southern Nevada hospitals.
Governor Guinn asked "If you can donate Type-O blood, I urge you to call your local blood collection agency because we have less than a day's supply." If you can donate blood supplies, you are asked to contact the phone numbers provided; in Northern Nevada (775) 324-6454 or (702) 233-9620.
SB 306 Would Aid Nevada Tourism
Nevada's legislature has passed a bill that will provide funds to develop tourist destination areas. Senate Bill 306 (SB 306) now awaits signature for passage into law. This bill will provide use of sales-tax revenues to support the construction of tourist destination industries.
Sparks City Manager Shaun Cary praises the new legislation "The potential...is fantastic for our region."
New Contractor Seminar August 30
The Nevada State Contractors Board is holding a new Contractor Seminar. The subject "The 4M's of successful Pool Contractors." This seminar will focus on managing risks, monitoring cash flow, mandatory contract elements and maximizing customer service within your contract. This seminar will be held Tuesday, August 30, 2005 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the NSCLB. Registration is $20 payable in advance (lunch is included). For more information log on to www.nscb.state.nv.us or email info@nscb.lvcoxmail.com or call (775) 688-1141 ext. 1139.
Voit Development Expanding Into Reno
Southern California based Voit Development company is scouting the Reno area for expansion. Voit is currently working on 18,668 square feet of industrial space in Sparks, Nevada.
According to the president of Voit Development Company Bob Voit "We are looking for new real estate opportunities in town. We look forward to being major players in town for a long time to come."
The company has begun a 14.5-acre project along Vista Business Boulevard in Sparks. Founded by Robert Voit, the development company has acquired more than 13 million square feet of office, industrial and retail projects in California and Arizona, with a total value of 1.4 billion.
Voit Companies was founded in 1971 by Robert D. Voit this company is headquartered in Woodland Hills, CA.
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News Stories
27 Years of Service To End
By ALFREDO GARCIA, Editor in Chief
Bob Abbey, of the Nevada Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is retiring after 32 years of dedicated service to the people of the Silver State. Mr. Abbey has worked for the BLM for the past twenty-seven years and he has served as director for the past eight years. Some of his past victories are well chronicled and he attributes his success to conducting business with a touch of balance.
Mr. Abbey is highly revered by his collogues for his distinctive ability to unite people with divergent or opposing viewpoints. The United States Senator Harry Reid, D-Nev., conjectured "Bob's motto that we have more in common than our differences has set the tone for the best working relationships between federal land managers and Nevadans in my memory-He has inspired his employees to solve problems, take pride in their work and serve the public with distinction. The results serve as a testament to his character, courage, and conviction." One of the many highlights of his distinushished career was "The massive rehabilitation after the 1999 and 2000 fires, that's something we can all take a great deal of pride in," explains Abbey.
Director Abbey's responsibility was to manage 48 million acres of land and found this aspect of his duties challenging. He states "Anytime you manage 48 million acres, there's going to some stresses involved." Employing the fine art of creating a sense of balance becomes a major undertaking. Mr. Abbey's work ethic and management style truly exemplified the benefits of mastering and implementing these concepts.
The Nevada Bureau of Land Management will miss the presence and leadership of Mr. Abbey, but the region will surely benefit from his expertise and valued insight.
Rest and relaxation are in store for the former director in the near future. He does not have any absolute plans for retirement aside from spending time with his family. The Reno Builders' Exchange salutes a fine career and wishes Mr. Abbey much happiness.
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Safety is a Key Building Component...
Make Sure You Call Before You Dig
By STAFF WRITER
Each day, excavation activities are being performed all over California. Most of these activities are done safely and responsibly because construction companies are aware of the vast underground network of pipes and cables that provide Californians' with natural gas, electricity, water, sewage, telecommunications, crude oil, and other vital products and services. They also know that damage to this network could jeopardize public safety, the environment, and continued service reliability through out the state. Advanced planning, the one-call system, and digging safely can prevent unfortunate consequences.
A critical element in preventing damage to the underground network is the one-call system. In California, it's the law (Government Code Section 4216) that "Except in an emergency, every person planning to conduct any excavation must contact the appropriate regional notification center, at lest two working days, but not more than 14 calendar days, prior to commencing that excavation...." There are two call notification centers in California. In Central and Northern California, Underground Service Alert North (USA) provides a free Call before You Dig service to all excavators (contractors, homeowners, and others). Their number is (800) 227-2600. For Southern California, the Underground Service Alert South can be called at the same number or at (800) 442-4133.
One call to USA will trigger notification of USA members who may have underground facilities at the proposed work site and provide the excavator with an "inquiry identification number" (Dig Alert ticket). A permit for digging will not be valid without the ticket number. USA service members will then mark or stake the horizontal path of their underground facilities (as mandated by law), provide information about and give clearance to dig. This simple, safe service protects the excavator from personal injury and underground facilities from being damaged. Failure to call can result in fines in the thousands of dollars and repair costs for damaged underground facilities. An emergency situation does not relieve the excavator of damage-ensuing financial responsibilities.
Digging without a Dig Alert ticket is dangerous, not to mention illegal. A dig could damage a basic telephone cable and disrupt service to a home or cut a fiber optic cable carrying millions of calls and expose the excavator to costly repairs. There's also the possibility of an explosion from hitting a gas line or an electrocution from an electrical line. Not only would it be expensive to replace the ruined equipment, but it could put many lives at risk. Why risk it? Call before you dig.
Source Issue Two, 2005 Safety News State Compensation Insurance Fund
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More Services To Be Provided
By VALERIE HAWKINS
After almost four decades at the helm of the Reno Builders Exchange, Rowland Oakes is retiring. On July 1, 2005, the Reno Builders Exchange, Inc. was acquired by the Sacramento Builders' Exchange, Inc. (SBX). The former owners, Joanne and Rowland Oakes, felt that the Sacramento organization, one of the largest most progressive builders exchanges in the nation, would provide a wide range of services not presently available to Northern Nevada's construction industry.
The relationship between the two organizations began back in August 2003, when the Reno Builders Exchange contracted with SBE to make the On-Line Service available to Reno's subscribers at a minimal fee. Mr. Oakes's decision to join the Sacramento group only came after an exhaustive examination of such programs throughout the United States. Reno subscribers have overwhelming accepted the program.
The Sacramento Builders Exchange recognizes the outstanding contribution Mr. Oakes has made to the construction industry in Nevada. Under his leadership, the Reno Builders Exchange has grown to about 750 members and has provided quality services for almost 40 years.
Along with his leadership of the Reno Builders Exchange, Mr. Oakes has been registrar of the Nevada State License Board, Executive Director of the Nevada branch of Associated General Contractors and Chairman of the Construction Opportunity Trust. Mr. Oakes and his wife, Joanne, also own Oakman's, an office and architectural/engineering supply store which also provides copying, laminating and mounting services.
The Reno Builders Exchange will continue to provide its subscribers/members with the quality of information that they expect and plans to add more services in the months to come. The first change is to the format of the Reno Builder. In addition to the information presently available, the new newspaper-style format will include information on the construction industry in Nevada, news about member companies and articles on upcoming new member services for the exchange.
The Sacramento Builders' Exchange welcomes suggestions from subscribers/members of the Reno Builders Exchange on what types of services they would like to see added. If you have a suggestion, an idea or questions, please contact Jim Lambert at lambertj@sbxchange.net.
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