Category Archives: Government

Highlights of The People’s Democratic Movement Public Meeting held in North Caicos

BOTTLE CREEK, North Caicos, April 22, 2016 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- The People's Democratic Movement started their tour around the Islands with a series of public meetings to promote their initiatives. North Caicos was the first island to receive the party and their supporters. The main topics covered on the meeting were crime, security, the 2016 budget and its failings, issues affecting the islands of North and Middle Caicos and our commitment to address them with particular emphasis on employment, travel for healthcare services and their requirement to pay for travel to Provo, the state of their clinics and our commitment to maintain and support a vibrant tourism industry.

Event: North Caicos Public Meeting
Who: The People's Democratic Movement Officials
When: April 13, 2016 7:30 p.m.
Where: King's Road, Bottle Creek, North Caicos.

Hon. Cartwright-Robinson emphasized PDM's compromise with the island, "We (PDM) will spare no efforts to ensure a safe place to live, work and visit." She also stated: "A PDM Government will bring people centered development where our people are active participants and not spectators."

The next Public Meeting will be held on the Island of Providenciales on April 22, 2016 at Times Square, Down Town area. We will continue to set the record straight on what we have been doing for our people, to raise the issues and to outline our priorities as the next Government of these Islands.

The Peoples Democratic Movement "PDM" is the longest functioning Party in the history of the Turks and Caicos Islands having been officially founded in June 1975. Today, it continues to rest on the dreams of its founders which can be summarized in its Party motto: "freedom, justice and equality for all" and it remains the grass root party, "The Peoples' Party."

For more information, visit: http://www.pdm.tc/

For media inquiries please contact, info@votepdm.com

Twitter: @pdmturkscaicos

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/highlights-of-the-peoples-democratic-movement-public-meeting-held-in-north-caicos-2016-0422-02.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE The Peoples Democratic Movement :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (who is solely responsible for its accuracy) by and Copr. © 2016 Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.

New Book ‘Reinventing Your City’ Reveals Strategies for Urban and Regional Planning

MIAMI, Fla., April 11, 2016 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Kim Briesemeister and Chris Brown's new book, "Reinventing Your City - Eight Steps to Turn Your City Around" (ISBN: 978-0986086007), is the essential guide for every city and business leader striving to make their community a better place. Authored by the co-founders of Redevelopment Management Associates (www.rma.us.com), their approach to helping cities grow has resulted in $1 billion in private sector investment.

The book provides insights into city management, urban and regional economics, project planning, public-private partnerships, economic development and more.

Available at Amazon, http://amzn.to/1YckIZL.

"If businesses are not gravitating towards a community or if redevelopment is passing them by, city leaders, business owners and residents need to create a better strategy," said Briesemeister. "Our book provides a blueprint that stakeholders can use to assure they are not skipping critical steps. Often times, city and civic leaders feel the need to seek immediate solutions to a crisis instead of focusing on long-term success. This is one of the most critical mistakes to avoid."

The key steps outlined in the book pose hard questions and propose solutions that leaders must consider if a city is to prosper. The book also provides national and global case studies including the reinventions of Charleston, S.C.; Delray Beach and West Palm Beach in Florida; The Hague, Netherlands and Bilbao, Spain.

While geared towards city leadership, the book is equally essential for business owners, developers, civic leaders, stakeholders and residents active in their community and vested in their community's future.

"There is no reinvention of a city, unless the private sector invests in the vision," said Brown. "'Reinventing Your City,' provides business and community leaders with insights that will help them evaluate their potential and set the stage for a successful city of the future."

Chris Brown and Kim Briesemeister's company, RMA, has transformed numerous blighted communities into successful role models for redevelopment and is comprised of award-winning experts in the fields of economic development, urban planning & design, marketing & business attraction, real estate and government administration.

"Having worked with RMA's team, I know first-hand their expertise in creating a business-friendly environment. If you want this critical skill, you must read this book," said renowned investor, Jeff Greene.

To learn more about "Reinventing Your City" and RMA, please visit, http://www.rma.us.com/.

*PHOTO for media: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/16-0411-chris-and-kim-300dpi.jpg

*Photo Caption: Chris Brown and Kim Briesemeister.

Twitter: @RMA_US

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/new-book-reinventing-your-city-reveals-strategies-for-urban-and-regional-planning-2016-0411-03.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE Redevelopment Management Associates :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (who is solely responsible for its accuracy) by and Copr. © 2016 Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.

City of Terre Haute, Indiana, Resumes Blight Elimination Program

TERRE HAUTE, Ind., March 24, 2016 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- The City of Terre Haute, Ind., and its program partner, the Terre Haute Department of Redevelopment, have approved 27 vacant/blighted residential properties for demolition through Round Two of Indiana's Blight Elimination Program (BEP).

The Department of Redevelopment has already completed the acquisition and demolition of approximately 30 residential structures with funds awarded to the city by the Indiana Housing & Community Development Authority (IHCDA)'s Blight Elimination Program. The program, funded by the U.S. Department of Treasury's Hardest Hit Fund, aims to revitalize neighborhoods in cities across the state.

Successful Round One and Round Two BEP applications prepared by the Terre Haute Department of Redevelopment have provided the city with approximately $2 million of additional funding sources to address the removal of vacant/blighted residential structures.

"The Blight Elimination Program has greatly benefited the community by providing significant funding to demolish condemned homes that create both a potentially unsafe and unsightly environment in our city," said Terre Haute Mayor Duke Bennett.

According to the Department of Redevelopment, all 26 properties from the city's Round One BEP award have been demolished, and significant funds remain to apply to additional properties. The Department anticipates that an additional 40 to 50 residential structures will be demolished throughout the life of the BEP program.

Phil Kesner, Grants and Planning Administrator for the Terre Haute Department of Redevelopment, said, "The Blight Elimination Program has helped the city stabilize and revitalize central neighborhoods, raising property values or at least stabilizing property values in neighborhoods, thus encouraging future investment."

On September 4, 2015, former Indiana Lieutenant Governor Sue Ellspermann recognized the City of Terre Haute's accomplishments under the BEP program as among the best in Indiana.

More information: http://terrehaute.in.gov/.

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/city-of-terre-haute-indiana-resumes-blight-elimination-program-2016-0324-03.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE Terre Haute Department of Redevelopment :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (who is solely responsible for its accuracy) by and Copr. © 2016 Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.

RMA Rises to the Challenge of Sea Level Change

MIAMI BEACH, Fla., Feb. 10, 2016 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- One of the most urgent issues South Florida's municipal leaders must tackle is sea level rise. Faced with inevitable flooding problems, leaders from around the state recently converged in Key West to discuss the coastal crisis. RMA (www.rma.us.com), which is currently planning and redeveloping several cities along the coast, sent their Director of Urban Design & Planning, Natasha Alfonso, to the Southeast Florida Regional Climate Leadership Summit to help their clients stay ahead of the challenge.

"We are charting a new course," said Alfonso. "Many of our clients are located in some of the most vulnerable areas and some have invested heavily on beach re-nourishment projects as well as building dunes along their beaches to protect them from the strong tidal waves," she stated. "However, after the recent devastating storms, many cities realized that beach dunes are merely the first line of defense."

The next form of defense, in some cases, is to raise roads and build higher infrastructure. Some cities like Ft. Lauderdale and Miami Beach have already identified in their respective Stormwater Management Plans the need for higher road elevations. Following that will be to raise buildings.

"Miami Beach will definitely be a model for what works and what doesn't work," explained Alfonso. "In the meantime, if cities do not take the lead and invest in their infrastructure now, they will not be doing the best job of providing public safety, enhancing quality of life; and decreasing property damage and land erosion which can result from poor and insufficient drainage capacities."

RMA's urban design and planning division coordinates with the city's public works, engineering and utility departments to ensure that the team understands the impact of the underground infrastructure improvements to the above ground streetscape improvements and the overall effect on the public realm.

This information is crucial in the early stages of a project's development, beginning with the visioning and master planning phase, and all the way through to implementation. RMA investigates the existing conditions and constraints thoroughly and is effective at communicating the issues and solutions during the public input process.

"RMA has also crafted some of the most innovative codes that provide incentives for green buildings," continued Alfonso. "The goal is to reduce the carbon footprint one project at a time. Our development standards are written for specific conditions that are unique to an area. The team evaluates the current minimum base flood elevations and the required new higher finished floor elevations due to sea level rise. Then, we determine the impact to the public realm resulting from the higher finished floor elevations or the inhabitable spaces that begin to populate the street level. Our codes provide design standards for the treatments of those spaces through architectural and landscape features."

"Navigating the sea change scenarios will not be easy," said Alfonso. "However, RMA is already rising to the challenge with the steps we are taking in our client communities."

More information: http://www.rma.us.com/.

* Photo Caption: RMA's Urban Design and Planning Team.

Twitter: @RMA_US

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/rma-rises-to-the-challenge-of-sea-level-change-2016-0210-02.shtml.

Clarke Schools’ Career Academy Focuses Students on Future Success

OSCEOLA, Iowa, Dec. 18, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Clarke Community Schools in Osceola, Iowa is developing a Career Academy that will provide a specialized course pathway for career-minded students. Aligned with Governor Branstad's new Future Ready Iowa initiative, this program is the genesis of Clarke's new curriculum director Jean Bahls and Bill Trickey of Clarke County Development Corporation. In recent weeks, the team kicked off meetings with local industry leaders to get their input on this unique education program.

The Career Academy will collaborate with local businesses to help develop a resource pool of young people in our community who will have the skills and knowledge necessary to be career-ready right out of high school. By establishing a career pathway early on, the Career Academy hopes to help lay out a sequence of courses and real-world experiences for kids as early as 8th grade, to get them ready to begin a career and not just get a "job" right out of school.

Through a curriculum that combines classroom time with immersion on the job site, students can get a true feel of all the different factors that go into keeping a business thriving. Industry experiences can be gained through guest speakers, internships, job shadowing or simply touring the facility, giving students the opportunity to ask questions and see first-hand the skills needed to be successful in a variety of career paths.

"I think the idea is fantastic. This program will allow for real-life scenarios to demonstrate the importance of learning concepts that incorporate math, physics and even the arts," said Joe Greving of Countryside Tank Company in Osceola. "I look at a picture of one of our trailers and think about all the components that went into making it. I would use that as an example for real life application to show them why it's important they're learning what they're learning in school and I think they'll maybe become better students because of it."

During her recent town hall meeting, Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds spoke about the importance of Future Ready Iowa.

"An initiative that we just launched a few weeks ago is 'Future Ready Iowa,' and it's a collaborative effort with schools, community colleges and business and industry to create job-training programs," she said. "We really want to make it a seamless pipeline, that we can work with students so they can see the various jobs available in communities all across the state of Iowa, what each career pathway looks like, the skills needed for each, and then align them with the local businesses that are ready to hire them immediately."

Clarke Community Schools hopes to launch their Career Academy by the 2017-18 school year. They will shape the curriculum to ensure young people are able to integrate their core classes such as math and science with real-world skills needed to be successful in a long-term career.

"A component, for sure, would be a class on leadership and other 'soft' skills such as communication, personal habits and interpersonal proficiencies that they may not necessarily know," said Jean Bahls at her recent meeting with Countryside Tank Company. "We want to give them usable skills while they're still in high school, help them earn training certificates, college credits, whatever is needed to take them down their particular pathway. We want to help them see that there are great opportunities available and they don't automatically have to go to a four-year college to have a good career, although some pathways may require that. There are positive role models in their own community who can show them what is needed in the industry for they have an interest and an aptitude for, and we want to facilitate that partnership."

For more information, contact Jean Bahls, Curriculum Director, Clarke Community Schools, 800 N Jackson Street, Osceola, IA 50213; phone: 641-342-6505

Or contact Bill Trickey, Executive Director, Clarke County Development Corporation, 115 East Washington Osceola, IA 50213; phone: 641-342-2944, Fax: 641-342-6352, WEB: http://ClarkeCountyIowa.com/ or email: info@clarkecountyiowa.com

*PHOTO for media: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/15-1218-career-acadamy-300dpi.jpg

*PHOTO Caption: Joe Greving of Countryside Tank Companies talks about the manufacturing processes students would be exposed to through the Career Academy.

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/clarke-schools-career-academy-focuses-students-on-future-success-2015-1218-03.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE Clarke Community Schools :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (who is solely responsible for its accuracy) by and Copr. © 2015 Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.

Civic Resource Group and TransitScreen Selected to Modernize MTC’s Transit Signage across the San Francisco Bay Area

LOS ANGELES, Calif., Dec 2, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Civic Resource Group (CRG) and TransitScreen, Inc. today announced they have joined forces to modernize the transit displays in 46+ different locations across the San Francisco Bay Area as part of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC)'s Hub Signage program.

CRG is a prime contractor to MTC for elements of its 511 Next Generation (Next Gen) System. The company will design and operate the new 511.org website, manage transit data, and migrate the existing Regional Transit Database to the cloud. CRG has subcontracted with TransitScreen, a pioneer in multimodal transportation displays, to modernize signage for the Electronic Traveler Information Displays portion of the project. TransitScreen provides rich, easy to use, and relevant transit information to millions of weekly users in locations throughout the US.

The goal of the joint effort is to provide 511's comprehensive, real-time and scheduled transit departure information on current and future electronic transit information displays. The redesigned MTC displays will help drive increased transit use, sustainable transportation awareness, and overall usability by the traveling public. Once complete, the system will deliver transit information to 180 transit displays in 46+ high foot traffic locations throughout the nine county Bay Area including San Francisco, San Jose, Oakland, Berkeley, Mountain View and other Bay Area cities.

"This project is an opportunity to meaningfully improve the transit customer's experience. Bay Area travelers have come to trust 511's departure times delivered through MTC's network of digital transit information displays. Now, we have the opportunity to use TransitScreen's proven solutions to jointly create world class information signs," said TransitScreen CEO Matt Caywood.

MTC initiated its Hub Signage program in 2008 to standardize the signage system, beginning with 21 key transit hubs and three international airports in the Bay Area. The program seeks to simplify transit riders' experience by creating a consistent "look and feel" through actionable, real-time information.

"Urban mobility is becoming a key focus area for local governments. Transportation agencies now rely heavily on technical innovation to improve mobility while also reducing accidents, carbon footprint, traffic jams, crowding. We feel that it's our civic duty to help agencies be more creative not only in encouraging citizens to use alternative forms of transportation, but most importantly making it easy for today's mobile citizens to get around whenever and however they choose," said Dr. Gregory G. Curtin, Founder and CEO, Civic Resource Group.

About Civic Resource Group:

Civic Resource Group (CRG) is a leading digital government product company. The company pioneered CivicConnect(TM), its first-of-a-kind Mobile/Cloud/Data platform. CRG most recently rolled out its Augmented Reality-based product for the public sector, CivicAR(TM). Since 2000, CRG has been "Fulfilling the Promise of Technology(TM)" for the broad public sector, helping public agencies harness digital advances to connect with their constituents and deliver better and more efficient services. CRG is headquartered in Los Angeles, Calif., and Dublin, Ireland. In 2015 CRG was named to the list of Top 20 Government Technology Providers, along with being spotlighted as "Public Sector Augmented Reality Leader" by Wall Street Forensics. CRG is a new breed of company with a new signature approach, blending the best of technology, design and communications in the digital age to support Sustainable Communities, Efficient Public Services, Engaged Citizens and Better Quality of Life.

About TransitScreen, Inc.:

TransitScreen is a Washington, D.C.-based software company providing real-time transit information for the connected and walkable cities of the future. The TransitScreen service is a live, real-time display of all transportation choices at a specific location (including subway, bus, train, bikeshare, and carshare). Founded in 2012, TransitScreen makes transit information more accessible, viewable and engaging so that commuters, visitors, residents and employees can make informed transit decisions. Today, millions of people across North America and Europe live and work in institutions, organizations, companies and shops displaying TransitScreen's multimodal transportation information.

About 511 and the Hub Signage Program:

511 is a one-stop phone and web source for up-to-the-minute Bay Area traffic, transit, rideshare, bicycling, and parking information. It's free of charge and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week from anywhere in the nine-county Bay Area. 511 is managed by a partnership of public agencies led by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, the California Highway Patrol, public transit agencies and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans).

MTC's Hub Signage Program is improving transit signage and schedule information for bus, rail, and ferry travelers. MTC has installed new maps, better signage, and electronic displays with real-time transit information in and around Bay Area transit stations to make navigating easier for transit customers and to complement already available transportation information. For photos of Hub Signage Program installations, please visit: http://www.mtc.ca.gov/news/photos/hub_signage.htm.

MTC is the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area's transportation planning, coordinating and financing agency.

Visit CRG at http://www.civicresource.com/ or contact us info@civicresource.com.

Visit TransitScreen at http://transitscreen.com/ or contact us press@transitscreen.com.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Genia Kushner, Civic Resource Group
geniak@civicresource.com

Graham Caywood, TransitScreen
graham@transitscreen.com

Twitter: @CivicResource #TransitScreen

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/civic-resource-group-and-transitscreen-selected-to-modernize-mtcs-transit-signage-across-san-francisco-bay-area-2015-1202-03.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE Civic Resource Group International :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (who is solely responsible for its accuracy) by and Copr. © 2015 Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.

Civic Resource Group Int’l CivicConnect Parking Featured on California Mobile Gallery as ‘ParkItDTSD’ App

LOS ANGELES, Calif., Sept. 9, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Civic Resource Group International (CRGI) today announced inclusion of CivicConnect(TM) Parking, the Company's high performing product from its "Smart Cities" Portfolio, in California Mobile Gallery. The product was successfully implemented in San Diego as "ParkItDTSD" and is featured in the Gallery under this name.

The City of San Diego's owned non-profit organization CivicSD ("Civic San Diego") teamed up with Civic Resource Group International, a pioneering developer of "Smart City" digital products, to build a comprehensive parking solution to help streamline public and private parking for residents, workers and visitors in Downtown San Diego. This product provides real-time parking information. It is fully adaptable as a web portal, mobile app or digital display. ParkItDTSD features location-aware mapping and alerts, visuals, filtering tools, GIS integration, and the local operators are partners in updating the data. The app seamlessly integrates multiple vendor parking APIs and public and private real-time parking data so users can easily obtain off-street parking availability and general parking information on their portable devices.

ParkItDTSD is connected to CRGI's fully integrated Mobile/Data/Cloud Platform CivicConnect(TM). This connection will allow the City of San Diego to evolve the app because the future phases for CivicSD will include connecting information about San Diego events, neighborhoods and business districts, public transit, and more.

ParkItDTSD can be found in the Gallery by entering keywords in the search, such as City of San Diego, San Diego, ParkItDTSD. The California Mobile Gallery provides users with the ability to find services and information (local and state) nearest their location from their smart device wherever they are located. Inclusion of City of San Diego ParkItDTSD app in the gallery also provides the city with a unique location for any other apps they add to the gallery, in essence providing the city with its own virtual listing of their mobile apps for the public.

"We're excited to add the City of San Diego's ParkItDTSD mobile app to the California Mobile Gallery which further bolsters the public resources available at the fingertips of Californians," said Scott Paterson, Deputy Director of Enterprise Solutions for the California Department of Technology. "The goal of the California Mobile Gallery is simple - to provide the public with a single point of contact for all mobile government services and information. As of today, we have 35 unique local government apps and it is increasing everyday."

Dr. Gregory G. Curtin, Founder and CEO, CRG Int'l stated, "CRGI's signature approach is to connect applications and data through our CivicConnect(TM) platform in a way that evolves and continues to flourish over time."

Dr. Curtin further explained, "While working with CivicSD we kept in the view the big picture of San Diego becoming a true 'Smart City.' Starting with the parking app, we took it a step further and offered a comprehensive 'Smart City' solution, that will over time connect information about San Diego's arts and cultural events, neighborhoods and business districts, public transit and tourism. ParkItDTSD turned out to be a successful 'Smart City' app and we are delighted to see it in the California Mobile Gallery, which is fast becoming the biggest, richest, best Public Sector Apps Gallery on the planet!"

"We are proud and excited to have our ParkItDTSD featured on the California Mobile Gallery. The goal of the app is to make navigating for parking downtown San Diego easier. Now, with this added exposure, visitors from across the State, even country, can have access to this resource. We hope the app, as a parking tool and as it evolves to include additional features, becomes a model for other cities," said Reese A. Jarrett, President of Civic San Diego.

About Civic Resource Group International:

Civic Resource Group International (CRGI) is a leading digital government product company. The Company pioneered CivicConnect(TM), its first-of-a-kind Mobile/Cloud/Data platform. The most recently rolled-out its Augmented Reality-based product for the public sector, CivicAR(TM). Since 2000, CRGI has been "Fulfilling the Promise of Technology(TM)" for the broad public sector, helping the sector to harness digital advances to connect with their constituents and deliver better and more efficient services. The Company is headquartered in Los Angeles, CA and Dublin, Ireland. In 2015 CRGI was named to the list of Top 20 Government Technology Providers, along with being spotlighted as "CRG International a Public Sector Augmented Reality Leader" by Chief Research Analyst Matt Margolis of Wall Street Forensics. CRGI is a new breed of Company with a new signature approach, blending the best of technology, design and communications in the digital age to support Sustainable Communities, Efficient Public Services, Engaged Citizens and Better Quality of Life.

Visit the company's website at http://www.civicresource.com/ and/or contact CRG at info@civicresource.com.

Video: https://youtu.be/m7kgIsqJIVU.

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/civic-resource-group-intl-civicconnect-parking-featured-on-california-mobile-gallery-as-parkitdtsd-app-2015-0909-03.shtml.

5 Bars to Develop the City of Sacramento’s Wireless Master Plan

IRVINE, Calif., Aug. 31, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- 5 Bars, a leading innovator in DAS and Wi-Fi wireless services for intelligent infrastructure, announced today an agreement to develop the City of Sacramento's Wireless Master Plan.

5 Bars has entered into an agreement to deliver a high speed wireless connectivity Master Plan for the City of Sacramento and when fully implemented, will provide the ability for all citizens to publicly access high speed wireless internet in key areas. This capability supports intelligent infrastructure technologies providing Sacramento new capabilities, strong benefits to its economy, and a modern framework to create a livable, sustainable, smart city.

"This initiative supports the City's IT Digital Strategy and is in alignment with Mayor Johnson's move toward City 3.0," said Sacramento CIO, Maria MacGunigal.

"We are delighted to work with the city's progressive leadership to contribute technologies and a smart infrastructure that will positively impact its citizens for many years to come," said Karen Sessions, 5 Bars Chief External Affairs Officer. "Smart infrastructure is the backbone of a progressive city economy, and urban development projects such as this create a smart network, help integrate hardware, software and data that work holistically, to improve quality of life, sustainability and efficiencies in metropolitan areas. The 5 Bars team will work with Sacramento to help implement its visionary 'Cities 3.0' master plan towards a renaissance of urban innovation."

About 5 Bars:

5 BARS(TM) is an Irvine, California based premier neutral host provider that delivers state-of-the-art DAS and Wi-Fi systems for communities, venues, stadiums and properties. Venues that carry the 5 BARS(TM) certification possess the highest standards of wireless connectivity.

About 5 Bars Media:

5 Bars Media provides in-venue applications delivered over the Wi-Fi network. Our app enterprise helps venues communicate and engage with guests through their mobile devices.

About 5 Bars Communities:

5 Bars Communities(TM) provides Municipal Wireless Master Planning and management of network infrastructure including cell tower, outdoor small cells and distributed antenna systems. The 5 Bars team has experience designing and developing over 500 wireless projects nationwide.

More information: http://www.5bars.com/.

* LOGO for media: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/15-0831-5bars-300dpi.jpg

MEDIA CONTACT:
Raylene Gonzalez
5 Bars
(949) 933-8137
raylene.gonzalez@5bars.com

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/5-bars-to-develop-the-city-of-sacramento-s-wireless-master-plan-2015-0831-01.shtml.

Civic Resource Group Int’l Launches CivicConnect Parking as part of its Rapidly Growing ‘Smart City’ Product Suite

LOS ANGELES, Calif., Aug. 5, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Civic Resource Group International (CRG) today announced availability of CivicConnect(TM) Parking, the Company's newest addition to its rapidly expanding "Smart Cities" Product Portfolio. CivicConnect(TM) Parking helps cities by streamlining and simplifying public and private parking for residents, workers and visitors.

Traffic congestion and parking are priority issues for local governments throughout California and beyond. Civic Resource Group Int'l, a recognized developer of "Smart City" digital products, continues its steady supply of business-specific mobile solutions with this parking solution.

Built on CRG's first-of-a-kind CivicConnect(TM) Mobile/Cloud/Data Platform 3.0, the new product provides real-time parking information and is fully adaptable as a web portal, mobile app or digital display. The product was created and implemented specifically for public agency management of parking assets and data, and can easily be extended to connect other urban mobility components such as public transit, rideshare and bike share, events and local business promotions, etc. Most recently, the product was successfully implemented in San Diego where ParkItDTSD is simplifying parking for those who visit, live and work in downtown San Diego. Future phases for CivicSD include connecting information about San Diego events, neighborhoods and business districts, public transit, and more.

CivicConnect(TM) Parking features location-aware mapping and alerts, visuals, filtering tools, GIS integration, and provides administrative GUIs (graphical user interfaces) for local parking operators. The product seamlessly integrates multiple vendor parking APIs and public and private real-time parking data so users can easily obtain on and off-street parking availability and general parking information. The readily available cloud-based nature of CivicConnect(TM) Parking allows for easy replication to other locales, and easy expansion of data and connected services.

"CRG doesn't build one-off applications such as standalone parking apps that don't connect to anything else...and inevitably become stale," said Dr. Gregory G. Curtin, Founder and CEO, CRG Int'l. "We place major value on connecting the various smart city components-transportation and public transit, arts and culture, utilities, tourism and local businesses, regional planning, City services, etc. -- and creating new mobile user experiences while simultaneously providing Cities with better data and more efficient service delivery. We are developing the 'Smart Cities' of tomorrow, if you will, but don't get me wrong when I say 'tomorrow' -- as we've shown time and again we are 'Delivering Tomorrow's Technology Today.'"

The Company's "Smart City" Suite offers practical, business-specific products including "Smart Tourism," "Water," "GeoSocial," "Community" among others all on the award winning CivicConnect(TM) Platform. The Company recently released its CivicAR(TM) mobile augmented reality product for Smart City solutions, the first augmented reality product of its kind in the public sector.

About Civic Resource Group International:

Civic Resource Group International (CRGI) is a leading digital government product company. The Company pioneered CivicConnect(TM), its first-of-a-kind Mobile/Cloud/Data platform. The most recently rolled-out its Augmented Reality-based product for the public sector, CivicAR(TM). Since 2000, CRGI has been "Fulfilling the Promise of Technology(TM)" for the broad public sector, helping the sector to harness digital advances to connect with their constituents and deliver better and more efficient services. The Company is headquartered in Los Angeles, Calif. and Dublin, Ireland.

In 2015 CRGI was named to the list of Top 20 Government Technology Providers, along with being spotlighted as "CRG International a Public Sector Augmented Reality Leader" by Chief Research Analyst Matt Margolis of Wall Street Forensics. CRGI is a new breed of Company with a new approach, blending the best of technology, design and communications in the digital age to support Sustainable Communities, Efficient Public Services, Engaged Citizens and Better Quality of Life.

Visit the company's website at http://www.civicresource.com/ and/or contact CRG at info@civicresource.com.

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/m7kgIsqJIVU .

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/civic-resource-group-intl-launches-civicconnect-parking-as-part-of-its-rapidly-growing-smart-city-product-suite-2015-0805-02.shtml.

Planning for the Future, Osceola Wastewater Plant, City Move On Renovations

OSCEOLA, Iowa, July 21, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- A city's growth and continued development relies on up-to-date, effective wastewater treatment and regulation, according to the City of Osceola, Iowa. This is always a priority for city administrators, managers, and their employees. How they manage the updates and costs associated with them is often a reflection of the care and commitment they have to residents and businesses.

The City of Osceola's current wastewater plant, designed and built in the late 1970's, was showing the wear of community growth and time by the early 2000's. So, in 2003, the plant underwent significant updates to sustain much needed services and help with the growth we see today. These updates addressed issues like corrosion of lines, concrete and infrastructure, volume limitations, as well as state and federal regulation updates.

"That's pretty standard," said Donnie McCuddin, Superintendent of the city's wastewater plant. "In an aggressive atmosphere like ours, a wastewater plant will need upgrades about every 15 to 20 years."

Now, 12 years after the 2003 renovations, the City and the Water Treatment Plant have embarked on plans for updating to meet the most recent demand and Osceola's future growth, as well as updated DNR standards required by the next certification deadline.

"Clean water regulations are being ramped up and they're affecting everyone's permits," McCuddin stated. "They're reviewing issues at big plants, handling of a million gallons of wastewater or more, first. Osceola is just below that benchmark, so we wanted to start now, making sure we were proactive in our management and upkeep of the plant."

An estimated $12 million will be needed to achieve the new wastewater plant renovation project. At an increase of 20 percent, this will affect rates for Osceola residents and businesses across the board. But, in an effort to lighten the burden, the city developed a plan to spread the rate increase out in 5 percent increments over the next few years. This computes to an annual increase of approximately 40 cents for average users. Businesses and residents alike will benefit from this slow distribution of costs over having the entire increase applied at once.

According to Ty Wheeler, Osceola's City Administrator, "While other similar-sized cities have applied the renovation update costs in a single rate increase - some as much as 65 percent - that just didn't bode well with us. So spreading the rate out over the next few years will make it easier on our residents as well as keep the cost of doing business in Osceola low."

DNR inspections are expected to take place at the Osceola plant within the next 12 to 18 months. If the necessary updates and repairs to the plant aren't made, Osceola could have their certification held or be fined until the issues are resolved.

"We've seen this on the horizon for almost five years, now. We can either plan now or pay later," said McCuddin. "They (DNR) appreciate the efforts that we are making. It happens everywhere. It's just something that needs to be done. And we wanted to do it right, for the plant, for our residents and businesses, as well as the future of Osceola."

Renovations to the wastewater plant will be complete, upgrading or completely replacing the current plant, by 2020. While some renovations have already started, the wastewater plant and the city will continue their sustainability and feasibility study, finishing by 2017. By 2019 a final wastewater plant design will be presented.

For more information on Osceola City, visit: http://www.osceolaia.govoffice2.com/ .

For more information on Clarke County, visit: http://ClarkeCountyLife.com/ .

* Photo (Web): Send2Press.com/mediaboom/15-0720-ty-wheeler-500x375.jpg

* Photo Caption: Ty Wheeler, Osceola City Administrator.

For more information, contact:
Ty Wheeler, Osceola City Administrator
15 North Fillmore, Osceola, IA 50213
Phone: (641) 342-2377
FAX: (641) 342-4005
e-mail: oscadmin@iowatelecom.com

Media Contact:
Andrew B. Clark
SPOKE Communications, LLC
5400 SE 30th Street, Des Moines, IA 50320
phone: 515-257-6584
e-mail: andrew@spokecom.com

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/planning-for-the-future-osceola-wastewater-plant-city-move-on-renovations-2015-0721-02.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE City of Osceola :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (who is solely responsible for its accuracy) by and Copr. © 2015 Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.

SAN FRANCISCO: SB277 Protest Rally and Health Freedom March

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., July 3, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- The Council for Vaccine Safety announced today that on Friday, July 3, Californians will rally simultaneously in cities across the state, to illuminate the truth and stand for health, safety, education, medical freedom and justice for all. Join us as we stand in sincere opposition to the unwarranted and threatening force of the government as it moves - in partnership with big pharma - to strip us of our parental, health and medical freedoms through proposed mandated healthcare legislation, such as California Senate Bill 277.

WHEN AND WHERE:
July 3, 2015 at The Golden Gate Bridge Pavilion near the Flag Pole, 12 p.m. Parking: Battery East Lot; Rally at 12, directly followed by a march across the Golden Gate Bridge. The rally will feature educated freedom fighters and experts on SB277.

SB277, which was just signed into law by California Governor Jerry Brown on June 30th, mandates that all children entering public and private schools, including daycare and preschool, have a full 35 vaccine doses, including vaccines that target non-spreadable diseases and diseases transferred via intravenous drugs and sexual activity. SB277 eliminates all personal belief exemptions as well as religious exemptions. Parents will no longer have the choice to decide with their doctor, based on their own child's specific health conditions, to delay or selectively vaccinate that child and have that child attend public or private school.

This infringes on the state of California's Constitution that states all Californian children have a right to free public education without discrimination. Discrimination includes discrimination based on health status. Currently under California law, children who actually carry diseases such as Hepatitis and HIV are, by law, allowed to be in public school and cannot be discriminated based on their health conditions. Yet children who are healthy and do not carry these diseases will not be allowed in either public or private school across the state.

It is a clear case of discrimination that targets families who choose to a different vaccination schedule due to another family member's previous reaction, countless hours of research on the toxicity of vaccine additives or even a sincere religious objection to vaccine ingredients (which includes aborted fetal cells and animal DNA).

The United States recommends 53 vaccine doses before by age five, which is two to three times the average of other developed countries. The US also has one of the highest infant mortality rates of developed nations despite spending more per capita on healthcare (please see: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3170075/).

Vaccines have never been studied for safety in combination yet 6-9 doses are routinely given during childhood doctor visits. Many vaccine additives, such as aluminum, MSG and formaldehyde, have been repeatedly linked to neurotoxicity, auto-immune diseases and cancer. Currently in the US, vaccines are the only product that has complete liability protection, meaning if you or your child is injured or killed by a vaccine, you cannot sue the vaccine maker. If vaccines are so safe, why must they be mandated and given complete liability protection by the federal government?

The Supreme Court has declared that vaccines are "unavoidably unsafe" (Bruesewitz vs Wyeth LLC, 2011), yet with SB277 California has moved to strip parents of the fundamental right to choose what medical treatments our children are subjected to. While SB277 targets children and their fundamental right to a public education, lawmakers are also planning mandatory vaccination laws that will apply to college students, hospital workers, school staff and the entire adult population. SB277 is a slippery slope and the first of many planned steps to strip Californians of their medical freedoms.

Through this fight, we have found strength and community. Thousands of Californian families stand in objection of SB277 for the following reasons:
• We as individuals have the right to make informed and conscious decisions about our well-being, and that of our children.
• The lives of our children must never be used as collateral, nor one child's life ever deemed more valuable than another. Our children should not be subjected to medical treatments that are "unavoidably unsafe" without parental consent.
• Every child has a right to receive an education, free from condition, prejudice or duress.
* Free exercise of religious rights must be defended under the First Amendment of the United States of America, without punishment.

The immeasurable and unstoppable power of our love for our children, families and our communities - immediate and globally - serves to raise awareness to the importance of retaining health choice and medical freedom for one and for all.

#### Rally and march sponsored by Council for Vaccine Safety and Million Mamas Movement ####

Council for Vaccine Safety (http://councilforvaccinesafety.org/), founded by a former pharmaceutical representative, is a non-profit organization focused on education and public awareness of vaccine risks while advocating for safer vaccines and medical freedom, a fundamental right.

Million Mamas Movement is an organization dedicated to empowering mothers and ensuring that all children thrive locally and globally.

INFORMATION:
http://www.safevax.org/
http://www.sb277.org/
http://www.millionmamasmovement.org/
http://www.nvic.org

Twitter: @safevax / #NoOnSB277 #HearUs #noforcedvaccinations

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/san-francisco-sb277-protest-rally-and-health-freedom-march-2015-0703-01.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE Council for Vaccine Safety :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (who is solely responsible for its accuracy) by and Copr. © 2015 Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.

CA SB277: Marin Chiropractor Charges California with ‘Chemical Child Molestation’

CORTE MADERA, Calif., June 30, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Dr. Don Harte, Marin chiropractor, notes with disgust, "Today, June 30th, California Governor Brown signed SB277, stripping away both personal belief and religious exemptions for childhood vaccinations."

"In his 'signing message,'" says Dr. Harte, "the governor says 'The science is clear that vaccines dramatically protect children against a number of infectious and dangerous disease.' What the governor refers to is not science; it is whored-out pseudo-science bought and paid-for by Big Pharma. And, just to be accurate, one of those diseases is not infectious, and several are not dangerous."

"There are two basic problems, here, that have brought about this sad day in California," according to Dr. Harte. "The first is that society assumes that whatever Medicine says must be true, must be scientific, and must be for the public good. A lack of critical thinking in science is always disastrous. So, let's think! Medicine has figured out a way to circumvent the normal pathways of the immune system with vaccines, upping their 'effectiveness' by adding a number of poisonous substances that no one would tolerate in their water supply. That's the relatively theoretical part of this."

"Medicine's historical mythology," declares Dr. Harte, "is based upon a grotesque lie. The old scourges of infectious disease went away due to modern sewage systems, clean water, refrigeration, etc. There was a polio epidemic in the 1920's, which disappeared without any vaccine."

Dr. Harte goes on. "The proof in the pudding is that, as the number of required vaccinations has gone from five to 89, previously rare childhood disease have now become commonplace -- autism, Type I diabetes, life-threatening allergies, juvenile arthritis, leukemia, asthma and Crohn's Disease. In these couple of generations, the environment has gotten cleaner, except for the internal environment of the children, polluted by mercury, aluminum, formaldehyde, ethylene glycol, MSG, etc."

"The second basic problem," according to Dr. Harte, "is that of Big Brother in a White Coat. People are willing to give up liberty, even do damage to the parent-child bond, to secure some false sense of medical security, and our power-mad politicians are eager to take that liberty."

"I charge the governor and every legislator who voted for SB277, this piece of medical Nazism, as destroyers of the family, enemies of liberty and chemical child molesters," says Dr. Harte. As a note to parents, he states, "If my son was still in school, I'd be thinking of methods of resistance."

Dr. Don Harte, former medical student, is a straight chiropractor serving Marin and the Greater Bay Area since 1981. He is an activist in the struggle for free speech for chiropractors. Dr. Harte was named 2006 "Chiropractor of the Year" by the World Chiropractic Alliance (WCA). He has served on the Boards of the WCA and the Council on Chiropractic Practice. His articles have been published in OMNI magazine, San Francisco Chronicle, Chiropractic Journal and Journal of the California Chiropractic Association.

Media Contact:
Dr. Harte
o: (415)460-6527
c: (415)847-9678
harteofchiropractic@gmail.com

More information on Dr. Harte: http://www.chirodrharte.com/.

The Harte of Chiropractic, Prof. Corp., 21 Tamal Vista, Suite 170, Corte Madera, CA 94925. Phone: (415) 460-6527.

Twitter: @drdonharte

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/sb277-marin-chiropractic-charges-california-with-chemical-child-molestation-2015-0630-10.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE Dr. Don Harte :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (who is solely responsible for its accuracy) by and Copr. © 2015 Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.

Road Safe America Applauds Resolution on Commercial Truck Safety by the US Conference of Mayors

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., June 24, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Road Safe America applauds the passage of a resolution on commercial trucking by the U.S. Conference of Mayors at their 83rd Annual Meeting today.

The resolution calls for collision avoidance requirements for Heavy Commercial Vehicles (HCV), elimination of legal Schedule II opioid drug use by HCV drivers, and a deadline for raising the minimum insurance requirements for the trucking industry.

"It's a tragedy when people are hurt or killed in needless crashes with heavy big-rigs," said Steve Owings, President and co-founder of Road Safe America. "Support by the U.S. Conference of Mayors is helping to raise awareness of this important issue and helps gain additional national support, and for that, we are very grateful."

Over 4,000 motorists die annually in HCV involved crashes and over 100,000 are injured. Approximately 1,000 HCV crashes occur daily in the United States, each one resulting in a multi-hour economic paralysis event.

The use of comprehensive collision avoidance systems has been shown to effectively help avoid the most violent type of truck crashes, when trucks drive into the back of passenger vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that requiring this technology would be extremely cost-effective.

It is currently legal to operate a tractor-trailer while using schedule II opioids, with verbal, undocumented, permission from the prescribing professional. The Large Truck Crash Causation Study conducted by the U.S. Department of Transportation found that the most commonly cited contributing factor when a truck driver was seen as contributing to a crash was prescription drug use.

The insurance minimum of $750,000 per crash was set in 1980 and has never been increased, even for inflation. The effect of this minimum requirement has diminished significantly as inflation has occurred, which is especially dangerous since trucking occurs 100% of the time on public roads.

Road Safe America applauds the U.S. Conference of Mayors for addressing these important issues that impact truck safety. The resolution was passed by unanimous voice vote.

Road Safe America is dedicated to reducing the injuries and deaths resulting from collisions between tractor-trailer trucks and passenger vehicles by effecting change to improve safety on America's Roadways. RSA is supported by private donations and has no financial ties to the transportation industry. The organization is pro-safety. Steve Owings and his wife, Susan, founded Road Safe America in 2003 after their son, Cullum, was killed when his car - stopped in an interstate traffic jam - was crushed from behind by a speeding tractor trailer going eight miles per hour above the posted speed limit on cruise control. Since that tragic event, Steve and Susan have worked to make our highways safer for all travelers.

For more information: http://www.roadsafeamerica.org/.

Twitter: @RoadSafeAmerica

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/road-safe-america-applauds-resolution-on-commercial-truck-safety-by-the-us-conference-of-mayors-2015-0624-03.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE Road Safe America :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (who is solely responsible for its accuracy) by and Copr. © 2015 Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.

World’s First Postal Mail Elimination System, Aims to Save Millions of Tax Dollars While Improving Security

TAMPA, Fla., June 16, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- SmartKiosk today announces their new technology designed to reduce the cost of incarceration. Tax payers across the country are spending Billions of dollars annually to house and provide services to incarcerated people in U.S. jails and prisons. Little has been done to find ways to reduce those costs and still maintain the security that is necessary. The problems are complex and the solutions have been few.

Drugs and other contraband smuggled through the postal mail has hit epidemic levels. Letters, envelopes, stamps, photos and all other items mailed, are soaked in odorless, colorless, highly potent drugs and poisons. Unable to detect drug tainted mail, it is hand delivered by Deputies to inmates much like dealers on the street. Maintaining security and control is beyond challenging and expensive.

SmartKiosk announces their no cost solution. The world's first patent pending, postal mail elimination system for corrections. SmartKiosk has been a pioneer in the corrections industry, implementing the first two-way email system ever used in a county jail. The latest addition to their multifunction SmartKiosk system is aimed to save millions in tax dollars, by allowing inmates postal mail to be delivered electronically as a copy through the SmartKiosk system.

Eliminating staff from sorting and hand delivering each piece of mail, while also eliminating contraband sent in the postal mail from ever reaching the inmate. Mail is processed by SmartKiosk at their regional receiving hubs and is instantly delivered to the inmates through the kiosk system inside the correctional facility, completely removing the task of mail from the agency. Large Department of Corrections such as Florida with 140 facilities, can deliver mail electronically to all locations, eliminating daily staff labor with postal mail at 140 facilities, saving millions of tax dollars each year.

Jon Logan, founder of SmartKiosk says "We are very excited about this new patent pending technology and the savings it will bring to every correctional agency at zero cost."

He adds, "This system will eliminate tons of daily labor for agencies, document a searchable record of all postal mail, offering new monitoring tools as well as completely eliminate contraband from entering the facility by mail. Every governor and county sheriff could implement this technology at no cost and tighten up security while saving their tax payers millions."

SmartKiosk is a Tampa, Florida based corporation formed in 2009, showing strong growth. The company specializes in innovative no cost corrections technology, designed to reduce operating cost by streamlining communications and leveraging technology to add efficiencies in daily operations.

More information on their solutions can be found at http://www.smartkioskcompany.com/.

SmartKiosk has a patent pending on the postal mail system they believe will revolutionize the Department of Corrections.

Reducing costs and improving security are top priorities of every state and county agency. This technology hits the mark for achieving both goals, all at no cost.

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/worlds-first-postal-mail-elimination-system-aims-to-save-millions-of-tax-dollars-while-improving-security-2015-0616-02.shtml.

County Awards Contract to CARR for Development of Assisted Living Facility Rating System

SAN DIEGO, Calif., May 5, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- The County of San Diego, Aging & Independence Services awarded Consumer Advocates for RCFE Reform (CARR) a fixed price contract for a pilot project to create a rating system for the County's assisted living facilities, and to develop a consumer-friendly website to display the ratings and facility information. The pilot program is a six-month effort with a current contact value of $50,000.

Demonstrating the Board of Supervisor's commitment to providing a trusted information source about senior care for residents of San Diego County, the contract terms allow additional funding for up to 3 follow-on years.

This award results from a competitive procurement authorized by the County Board of Supervisors in December 2014. This contract is the first step in the initiative launched by Supervisors Dianne Jacob and Greg Cox in spring of 2014 to create a rating system for local assisted living facilities.

The rating system relies on voluntary participation by facilities. The UTSanDiego's extensive expose of problems related to state oversight of assisted living facilities was the impetus for the Board's initiative.

The goal of the County program, the first of its kind in California, is to help seniors and their families find a safe assisted living facility to provide necessary care and assistance.

"CARR is honored to be the County of San Diego's vendor entrusted with developing a fair rating system deserving the confidence of the public and providers," said Chris Murphy, CARR's Executive Director. "We hope its introduction will raise the bar for all assisted living facilities operating in San Diego County, while providing consumers and allied professionals with an additional tool for making care placement decisions."

Consumer Advocates for RCFE Reform (CARR) is a San Diego-based 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization specializing in public document research (http://www.rcfereform.org/) on assisted living facilities, and the state's oversight of the industry.

TWITTER: @RCFEreform

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/county-awards-contract-to-carr-for-development-of-assisted-living-facility-rating-system-2015-0505-07.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE Consumer Advocates for RCFE Reform :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (who is solely responsible for its accuracy) by and Copr. © 2015 Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.

Civic Resource Group International Makes Cloud-based CivicConnect Water Conservation Platform Available to Cities, Water Agencies in Drought-Stricken California, Nationwide

LOS ANGELES, Calif., April 16, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Civic Resource Group International (CRG) today announced immediate availability of its award-winning CivicConnect(TM) Water Conservation and Drought Management Platform to all the Cities and Water Agencies throughout California.

As Governor Brown has officially mandated water restrictions/conservation throughout the State of California, CRG is proactively stepping up its efforts to raise the awareness of availability of its CivicConnect(TM) Water Conservation and Drought Management Platform primarily in drought-stricken State of California. In the near future the Solution will be made available to the states also affected by the drought - Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Washington, and Wyoming among them.

The first release of CivicConnect(TM) Water Conservation and Drought Management Solution was pioneered in California. The application was originally developed with support from the California Department of Water Resources and Federal Bureau of Land Management. This project represented a groundbreaking approach to Water Conservation on a regional basis, and was awarded the California Internet Project of the Year. Today the Solution is in full production in a SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) model for the City of San Diego.

The new cloud-based version is deployable in rapid and cost-effective manner, without traditional investment in new hardware. Most importantly, the cloud-based nature of the Solution allows for easy replication for virtually any interested customer.

Built on the first-of-a-kind CivicConnect(TM) Mobile/Cloud/Data Platform 3.0, CivicConnect(TM) Water is a comprehensive online water conservation/management system. The system includes a unique GIS Landscape Area Measurement (LAM) Tool which allows agencies to create accurate measurements of customer sites for water budgeting and tracking purposes. The system integrates the consumption and billing data with sophisticated infrared imagery for classifying vegetation, satellite imagery for viewing/validating, parcel data layers, and real time evapotranspiration data from State managed CIMIS stations and sensors throughout the county to automatically create a range of water budget targets, reports, and analyses for individual business and residential customers as well as the agency.

The system utilizes cloud applications, big data, analytics, and can be utilized horizontally across any given city government or water agency to connect data/service offerings between agencies' personnel and consumers of water resources through online and mobile services.

About Civic Resource Group International:

Civic Resource Group International (CRGI) is one of the world's leading providers of digital government solutions. The Company provides highly secure Mobile/Cloud/Data solutions that touch every facet of citizen's lives. Since 2000, CRGI has been "Fulfilling the promise of technology(TM)" for clients in the broad public sector, helping them to harness digital advances to effectively connect with their target audiences. By leveraging the award-winning and first-of-a-kind CivicConnect(TM) Mobile/Cloud/Data platform and deep domain expertise, CRGI has delivered impactful, engaging and cutting-edge solutions that facilitate openness, transparency, safety and efficient service delivery for external and internal users alike.

CRGI is a new breed of Company with a new approach, blending the best of technology, design and communications in the digital age to support Sustainable Communities, Efficient Public Services, Engaged Citizens and Better Quality of Life.

Visit the company's website at http://www.civicresource.com/ , contact CRG at info@civicresource.com.

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/civic-resource-group-international-makes-cloud-based-civicconnect-water-conservation-platform-available-cities-water-agencies-drought-stricken-california-nationwide-2015-0416-05.shtml.

Seventy-two Cats Dead and Alleged Animal Abuser Unable to be Prosecuted Due to Humane Officer Breach of Duty

PITTSBURGH, Pa., Aug. 29, 2014 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Neighbors and concerned citizens are appalled that an Allegheny County Humane Officer who was called to investigate the abuse and abandonment of over 70 cats, removed two cats and sent the rest to die, according to Frankie's Friends Cat Rescue.

Kathy Hecker, a Humane Officer working for the largest "No-Kill" shelter in Pittsburgh, investigated a call for hoarding and abandonment of a large number of cats in a Mt. Lebanon, Pa. house. The cats were found in unsanitary conditions and without food and water; abandoned after the tenant, Jennifer Fix, was evicted.

Hecker took two cats and allegedly "refused to take any of the other cats because most of them were too sick or too wild to be saved," according to Big Daddy Wildlife Removal, the agency contracted to trap and kill the remaining cats. Seventy-two cats were removed and destroyed, while neighbors were allegedly told they were going to the "No-Kill" shelter. An additional five kittens and two adult cats were taken to the shelter due to pressure by neighbors.

Cats that were able to be removed from traps prior to being taken by the wildlife exterminators were found to be in good health by a veterinarian. None of the 72 cats were evaluated by a veterinarian for health or temperament prior to their death. Although animal abandonment is considered a form of animal cruelty according to Pennsylvania law, Hecker has not yet filed charges against Fix, and is unlikely to do so since all of the cats that would be considered "evidence" have already been removed from the property.

"It is an absolute breach of duty when an officer sworn to protect animals not only sends seventy-two cats to their deaths without a proper veterinary evaluation, but in doing so, also destroys any chance of successfully prosecuting a person who will likely subject animals to abuse at her next address," said Dr. Becky L. Morrow, Founder of Frankie's Friends Cat Rescue and expert witness in the Tiger Ranch institutionalized hoarding case.

Margo Cicci, a member of the Pittsburgh Feral Cat Movement, was involved in the rescue attempt for these cats. "When we first heard that a Humane Agent was involved, we were relieved, thinking that everything would be done correctly so that charges could be filed against the former tenant, and every effort would be made to save as many of these cats as possible. To find out that this is how the Humane Agent handled it is beyond devastating."

Please contact Frankie's Friends Cat Rescue at (724) 230-6485 for more information or to interview those involved in this case.

Frankie's Friends Cat Rescue was formed in 2010, after a sanctuary was created for unadoptable cats rescued from the Tiger Ranch Cruelty Case. Frankie's Friends is dedicated to relieving suffering caused by cruelty/neglect, disease, injury, and homelessness of cats, by providing shelter, low or no-cost veterinary care, and spaying and neutering thousands of cats annually. More information: http://www.frankiesfriendscatrescue.org/ .

*PHOTO: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/14-0829-rescued-cat-300dpi.jpg .

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/seventy-two-cats-dead-alleged-animal-abuser-unable-prosecuted-due-humane-officer-breach-duty-2014-08-0829-001.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE Frankie's Friends Cat Rescue :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (who is solely responsible for its accuracy) by and Copr. © 2014 Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.

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