#Interim Management Agency

[bconsult]

Executive Search Firms: Finding the Right Talent

In today's competitive business landscape, securing top-tier talent is crucial for organizational success. Executive search firms, also known as headhunters, specialize in identifying and recruiting exceptional candidates for high-level positions. These firms leverage their extensive networks and industry expertise to fill critical roles efficiently and effectively.

The Role of Executive Search Firms

Executive search firms play a pivotal role in the talent acquisition process. They offer a range of services, including:

Candidate Identification: Leveraging their networks and industry knowledge to identify potential candidates.

Assessment and Evaluation: Conducting thorough assessments to evaluate candidates' qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.

Client Representation: Representing clients' interests throughout the search process.

Negotiations: Assisting with salary negotiations and offer acceptance.

Onboarding Support: Providing guidance and support during the onboarding process.

Benefits of Using an Executive Search Firm

Access to a Wider Talent Pool: Executive search firms have access to a broader network of potential candidates, including passive candidates who may not be actively seeking new opportunities.

Expertise and Industry Knowledge: They possess deep knowledge of specific industries and can identify candidates with the right skills and experience.

Time and Resource Savings: Outsourcing the search process can save organizations time and resources.

Confidentiality: Executive search firms maintain strict confidentiality throughout the process.

Customized Approach: They tailor their services to meet the specific needs and requirements of each client.

Choosing the Right Executive Search Firm

When selecting an executive search firm, consider the following factors:

Industry Expertise: Look for a firm with experience in your industry or functional area.

Track Record: Evaluate the firm's success rate in filling similar roles.

Network: Assess the firm's access to a wide network of potential candidates.

Reputation: Check online reviews and testimonials to gauge the firm's reputation.

Communication and Collaboration: Effective communication and collaboration are essential for a successful partnership.

The Executive Search Process

A typical executive search process involves:

Client Briefing: The client outlines the role requirements, company culture, and desired candidate profile.

Candidate Identification and Sourcing: The firm conducts extensive research and networking to identify potential candidates.

Candidate Assessment: Candidates undergo rigorous assessments, including interviews, reference checks, and background checks.

Presentation of Candidates: A shortlist of qualified candidates is presented to the client.

Negotiations: The firm assists with salary negotiations and offer acceptance.

Onboarding Support: The firm may provide guidance during the onboarding process.

By partnering with a reputable executive search firm, organizations can streamline their talent acquisition process, attract top-tier talent, and achieve their strategic objectives.

Visit US - https://bconsult.io/executive-search-recruitment-agency/

Contact US - Phone - 0409090434

Mail id- contact@bconsult.io

Timings- 8AM-5PM

[runwaysecretsaus]

Unlocking Talent: The Importance of Specialist Recruitment Agencies.

In a competitive job market, finding the right talent for specialized roles can be a daunting task for many organizations. This is where a specialist recruitment agency comes into play, offering targeted expertise and resources to streamline the hiring process. In this blog post, we will explore the unique advantages of using a specialist recruitment agency, how they operate, and tips for selecting the right one for your needs.

1. What is a Specialist Recruitment Agency?

Definition and Focus

A specialist recruitment agency focuses on specific industries or job functions, providing in-depth knowledge and expertise in those areas. Unlike generalist agencies that cover a broad range of positions, specialist agencies concentrate on niche markets, such as technology, healthcare, finance, or engineering. This specialization allows them to understand the unique demands and trends within those sectors, making them invaluable partners for businesses seeking specialized talent.

The Value of Industry Expertise

By working with a specialist recruitment agency, organizations gain access to recruiters who possess a deep understanding of their industry. These recruiters are familiar with the skills and qualifications that are most relevant to the roles they are filling, as well as the current market trends and candidate expectations. This expertise translates into more effective candidate sourcing, assessment, and placement.

2. Benefits of Using a Specialist Recruitment Agency

Targeted Talent Sourcing

One of the most significant advantages of partnering with a specialist recruitment agency is their ability to identify and attract top talent in specific fields. These agencies have established networks and relationships within their niche markets, enabling them to tap into passive candidates who may not be actively seeking new opportunities but are open to the right offer. This targeted approach ensures that businesses have access to a pool of qualified candidates who meet their specific requirements.

Streamlined Recruitment Process

The recruitment process can be time-consuming and resource-intensive, especially for specialized roles that require specific skills and experience. Specialist recruitment agencies streamline this process by handling various aspects of recruitment, including job advertising, candidate sourcing, screening, and interviewing. By outsourcing these tasks, organizations can save valuable time and focus on their core operations while ensuring they find the right talent.

Reduced Hiring Risks

Hiring the wrong candidate can be costly for organizations, both financially and in terms of team dynamics. Specialist recruitment agencies implement rigorous screening and assessment processes to ensure that only the most suitable candidates are presented to employers. This thorough vetting reduces the risk of bad hires and enhances the overall quality of the recruitment process.

3. How Specialist Recruitment Agencies Operate

Understanding Client Needs

The process typically begins with an in-depth consultation between the agency and the client. During this initial meeting, the recruitment agency will gather detailed information about the role, including specific skills, qualifications, and cultural fit. Understanding the client’s needs is crucial for developing an effective recruitment strategy.

Sourcing Candidates

Once the agency has a clear understanding of the position, they begin sourcing candidates through various channels. This may include leveraging their existing network, searching job boards, and utilizing social media platforms. Their specialization allows them to reach candidates who may not be actively looking but are ideal fits for the roles they need to fill.

Screening and Placement

After identifying potential candidates, specialist recruitment agencies conduct thorough screening processes, including interviews and reference checks. They present a shortlist of qualified candidates to the client, along with insights and recommendations based on their assessments. This targeted approach ensures that employers can make informed hiring decisions quickly.

4. Choosing the Right Specialist Recruitment Agency

Assessing Industry Expertise

When selecting a specialist recruitment agency, it’s essential to consider their expertise within your specific industry. Look for agencies with a proven track record of successful placements in your sector. This expertise will ensure they understand the nuances of your business and can provide candidates with the right skills and experience.

Reviewing Client Testimonials

Researching client testimonials and case studies can provide valuable insights into the agency’s effectiveness. Look for reviews that highlight the agency’s responsiveness, professionalism, and success in filling specialized roles. Positive feedback from previous clients is a strong indicator of an agency’s reliability and performance.

Evaluating Communication and Support

Effective communication is crucial for a successful partnership with a specialist recruitment agency. Ensure that the agency you choose is responsive, transparent, and willing to collaborate closely with you throughout the recruitment process. A strong working relationship will lead to better outcomes and a more efficient hiring experience.

5. Conclusion

In conclusion, a specialist recruitment agency offers significant advantages for organizations seeking to fill specialized roles. With their targeted talent sourcing, industry expertise, and streamlined processes, these agencies can help businesses save time, reduce hiring risks, and secure top talent. When choosing a specialist recruitment agency, consider their industry expertise, client testimonials, and communication practices. By partnering with the right agency, you can enhance your recruitment efforts and build a strong team that drives your business forward. Embrace the benefits of specialized recruitment and unlock the potential of your workforce.

Visit US - https://bconsult.io/

Contact US - Phone - 0409090434

Mail id- contact@bconsult.io

Timings- 8AM-5PM

[tannermenzies]

As technology continues to advance and become even more omnipresent in the world of recruitment, the onus of finding, engaging and attracting the best and the brightest candidates still depends largely on the recruiter’s skill and passion.

[dixkens]

2024 007 Fest Intro Post

Hi, I'm Liz-the-interim-HR-lead.

Station Pacific's HR manager quit abruptly a couple weeks back and I was the only person available from my temp agency with a security clearance.

I've spent the last several days trying to figure out whether anyone at Station Pacific has done any of their mandatory training or HR paperwork for the last 18 months. If they have, it certainly isn't recorded anywhere on the network that I can access. (Ugh, the SharePoint site. We won't talk about that.)

Maybe there's a paper record of it, but you can see the piles on my desk. (Don't ask about the filing cabinets behind me, we won't talk about those either.)

I got in late this morning because I had to pick up more hanging folders (for the third time!) to continue the battle against the filing cabinets.

It's very quiet.

--

Hi! dixkens here, or hypatia on AO3. Happy fest!

[idontlikeem]

hi! new to hockey here and i have a maybe dumb question: we got kyle as “president of hockey operations”. are we still looking for a general manager? or is president of hockey operations just another way to name the GM position? thank you 🤍🤍

Hi! Welcome. Not dumb at all, the front office stuff in the NHL can get obtuse.

POHO is a separate position from GM. Generally, for teams that employ both positions, the GM reports to the POHO, who has final say on the overall team strategy and vision, as well as other aspects of hockey operations (hiring scouts, training staff, the analytics department, etc—everything needed for the care and feeding of a successful hockey team). It is up to the GM to align with the POHO and execute the vision by handling trades, the draft, managing the cap, etc—basically the day-to-day running and team-building. Not all teams have a POHO (before Brian Burke the Penguins never had), and in those cases the GM generally handles all of the tasks of both roles.

Kyle said yesterday in his presser that since we are close to some key dates (the draft is at the end of the month and free agency starts July 1), he’s going to hold off on searching for a GM until July, and will be performing those duties himself on an interim basis. This is the right call IMO because it allows him to focus on learning the team and its organizational strengths and weaknesses, work on identifying where hires might need to be made, and focus on getting the draft and the start of free agency right. It also means he won’t be rushing the GM search just for the sake of hiring someone to be a body in that position, so he’s more likely to get that right, too.

The downside is a lot of the major GM work of the off-season might be finished by the time he’s conducting interviews and making his final decision, and that may put off some candidates—however, there are only 32 GM roles in the league, and my impression was that Kyle sees this as a long-term position for him, and thus presumably for whoever he hires as GM as well. That means that while they might miss out on this summer, they’ll have the foreseeable future to work on maximizing the Sidney Crosby window while also looking to shortening the rebuild window once the core retires—and as Kyle has said he plans to pick someone with a more progressive eye towards team construction, it’s likely they would have been aligned on the decisions Kyle will be making over the next few weeks anyway.

Hope that helps—let me know if anything doesn’t make sense or if you have more questions!

[horizon-verizon]

What do you think happened to Daenaera ?

*EDITED* 10/7/23

GRRM has a habit of not developing or bringing back some female characters past their relationships with certain male, more central characters--even with those women being forces of nature themselves--while their male partners, sons, brothers, fathers, etc. go on to perform various political deeds on a grander scale/reconnection to the main story being told. To iterate, women--before the main series--do not get noted as doing much of anything in comparison to their male counterparts in the history books Fire and Blood and A World of Ice and Fire partly because, yes, women will not have the same access to power or mobility as men in this world AND because they are supposed to be the first Targ women to be pushed out of politics after Rhaenyra was ousted....but again, Baela and Daena at least?! Those women who directly defied physical and other sorts of limitations on their bodies and choices from men? What series of events happen to make them peace out of the public or doing anything? Why aren't they doing or advising anything during the first Blackfyre War? We don't have to hear absolutely nothing of these women to recognize how they would/could be excluded from main politics, and it's just inconsistent with their characters, which raises the question of their inactivity! The absence of an answer or a story where they act is the narrative GRRM writes really just reinforcing the idea that women do not have as important roles in a central political conflict or their stories to tell as their male counterparts. (Again, this is a critique of the writing.)

Examples, with some repetitions:

Baela Targaryen's lack of a reaction towards Alyn's infidelity while we get his mention with Elaena. Was Baela dead, or did their relationship simply dissolve into a semi-friendly platonic one before Elaena ever came into the picture?

We don't hear of Daena after she births Daemon Blackfyre. What was she doing during her son's rebellion, when did she die, we don't know.

Aelora goes "mad" after allegedly killing her own brother, is made the next heir, and was "attacked" by leaders of a rebellion against her family (likely a sexual assault, GRRM also loves those) and she kills herself shortly thereafter. What was her life like in the interim, what was her relationship with her brother like, how did she--if she did--prepare to become Queen?

Daenerys Targaryen, aside from having been in love with Daemon Blackfyre, being forced to marry a much older man, and raising the Water Gardens at Dorne, never spoken of again. What other stuff did she do in Dorne, even if just to encourage good relations between her maiden house and the Martells?

[ASoIaF] Lyanna dies of childbirth after having Rhaegar's kid; Elia is sick for most of her adult life and pretty much out of commission to her death and rape.

[ASoIaF] Shae dies by choked-out-by-lover when she has been portrayed mostly as a passive means to Tyrion's coping mechanisms and we do not get information on how she's forced to live mostly by herself to avoid death in her pursuance of safety from Tyrion's taking her on as a paramour. (Her sexual agency in conflict sometimes with her need for protection as a young family-less commonborn girl [18yrs old] pushing her to consider depending on an aristocratic man she probably wouldn't have had relations with if she weren't vulnerable as she was).

Daenaera may have been a smiley woman who managed to help Aegon III be less depressed, but she didn't seem the political, big personality, or big-society-changing sort of person either. So it's easier to write her off and have fans less curious of her than Baela. Due to her personality, I think she was more or less just there publicly and performed the similar sort of actions any Queen Consort is expected to take (in terms of being as less personal about it and looking at her involvement with administration, public policy, economic stuff, etc., what, if there were any, her political actions): running the royal household and its arrears, servants, managers, etc. when she's not with her children/ladies-in-waiting or looking for some private time, quietly advising her husband, maintaining whatever little ties Aegon has with however small number of court nobles were seeking his favor or hers, and making sure he wasn't too deep in his depression. Ladies (noble women) and royal women were tasked with maintaining bonds between those within their own house as well as between those external houses' bond with their own husbands/children's--her maiden house, even.

It feels like Daenaera would have been a bit lonelier (sometimes) and feel more helpless regarding her family than other Queen Consorts that existed thus far (Visenya, Rhaenys, Alysanne, Aemma, Alicent) because of Aegon III's not bothering to engage with the nobles and is withdrawals even from his inner circle--he was most likely just that depressed and had irritable spells-- thus giving her less persons to interact with and possibly become closer to AND her feeling like she couldn't really help him a much as she wanted to. It's also possible that with her being his Consort/the Queen, first brought in to help his political and emotional needs (Unwin Peake), and his wife/romantic companion she felt throughout their marriage that she had a pressing desire and compulsion to make his days as happy and easy as possible...so a smiley Shonda Rhimes Queen Catherine with a husband with a much less severe mental illness.

How does this affect her relationships with her kids? It doesn't seem like she had terrible relationships or even strained ones with them from the little we get of her, Aegon, Baelor, Daena, Daeron, Elaena, and Rhaena's lives before Aegon's death. But it is quite obvious that: with their 5 kids birthed in relatively close succession (as an anon reasoned); Daena herself being named either after Daenaera or Aegon's father Daemon and Daena naming her son after said grandfather that she was close with her parents and most of her siblings (yes, we know about her admiration for Daeron). She and her sisters came out more or less well adjusted, while of the two boys, Baelor came out a little cuckoo. Check out what I say HERE about these boys, but ultimately Rhaenyra and her son/their dad's legacies affected how they thought they should augment their dynasty's power, prestige, and relationship with the nobles. Thus he was brasher than some wanted him to be and eager for victories. So if she hadn't existed, the family would have definitely been more fraught and emotionally alienated from each other, but there's only so much Daenaera could do before AND if she ever lived into Daeron's or Baelor's reigns.

But I digress and am loath to present these as 100% facts publicly...even when I really think this was the case.

Daenaera most likely lived as most Queen Consorts did but without the death of childbirth. GRRM likes to at least "announce" when that happens. She served the purpose of getting Aegon "happier" and ending Unwin Peake's machinations with the Maiden Ball. Very important things, but much more limited.

[rambleonwaywardson]

Astronaut AU Definitions

Since we're getting into more mission oriented chapters and I'm not sure how technical things will get, a definition post that I will link on future chapters and add to as needed:

Flight Controllers: CAPCOM: Capsule communicator; direct line of contact between astronauts and mission control

CDH: Command and Data Handling Officer; manages computer systems, software, data, and display interfaces on Orion

EECOM: Emergency, Environmental, and Consumables Officer; monitors environmental controls, life support systems, and emergency procedures in Orion

FAO: Flight Activities Officer; manages and coordinates the flight plan to meet mission objectives, including timeline of all crew activities

FIDO: Flight Dynamics Officer; monitors the trajectory of Orion through the entire mission

Flight: The flight director; oversees all mission control activity

GNC: Guidance, Navigation, and Control Officer; operates and monitors navigation and flight control software on Orion

INCO: Integrated Communications Officer; monitors Orion's communication systems (data, telemetry, and video)

MPO: Mechanical and Power Officer; monitors electrical, mechanical, structural, and landing/recovery systems on Orion including batteries, solar arrays, thermal protection, etc.

PAO: Public Affairs Officer (Marge!); provides mission commentary, explains the mission and flight control operations to the public/media, and coordinates events between the media and crew/mission control

Prop: Propulsion Officer; monitors Orion's propulsion systems, engine burns, position control maneuvers

General Space Program/Mission Terminology: AGS: abort guidance system

ESA: European Space Agency

ESL: Earth Landing System - jettisons the crew capsule heat shield and releases the parachutes during re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere

EVA: Extravehicular activity (spacewalks and moonwalks)

ISS: International Space Station

JSC: Johnson Space Center in Houston TX

KSC: Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, FL

Neutral Buoyancy Tank: Giant water tank at JSC used to simulate working in zero gravity

OCS suits: Orion Crew Survival suits; the space suits worn inside the spacecraft during critical mission phases and in an emergency situation

Launch and Other Spacecraft Terminology: APU: Auxiliary Power Unit; provides power/electricity to the spacecraft

Feet Wet: Navy and Air Force speak for being over water

“G” or Gs: the force of gravity (7 Gs is 7 times the force of gravity on Earth)

GLS: Ground Launch Sequencer; automated system that controls the countdown from about T-10 minutes on. Starting at this point, 'T-' is used instead of 'L-'

H-dot: the time derivative of height (the ascent rate of a space vehicle) during launch

ICPU: Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage; another stage of the SLS with more engines that are used to reorient the spacecraft after core stage separation

LEO: Low Earth Orbit

LLO: Low Lunar Orbit

Max q: maximum dynamic pressure on the rocket due to pushing through the thickest part of the atmosphere at high speeds

MECO: Main Engine Cut Off (literally cutting off the main engine)

NRHO: Near-Rectilinear Halo Orbit; the orbit that Orion will be in around the moon, balanced between the moon's gravity and the Earth's gravity; spacecraft in constant contact with and view of Earth

PGNS: pronounced “pings,” Primary Navigation and Guidance System

RRT: Re-entry interface - the moment the capsule re-enters Earth’s atmosphere

SRB: Solid Rocket Booster; solid propellant motors providing additional thrust (there are two on the sides of SLS)

TLI: Trans-Lunar Injection burn; firing the engines to get the spacecraft on a path towards the moon

[beardedmrbean]

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California will provide 100% of the water requested by cities and farms for the first time in years thanks to winter storms that filled reservoirs and runoff from a record snowpack, regulators announced Thursday.

The State Water Project will provide full allocations to 29 water agencies supplying about 27 million customers and 750,000 acres of farmland, the Department of Water Resources said.

As late as March, the agency was only expecting to provide 75% of requested water supplies.

The last time the state agency fully met water requests was in 2006.

Meanwhile, the federal Bureau of Reclamation announced it was increasing water allocations for the Central Valley Project to 100% for the first time since 2017.

The move was cheered by contractors who supply the federal water to the state's agricultural heartland. It will provide much-needed water to communities, farms and families in the San Joaquin Valley, said a statement from Jose Gutierrez, interim general manager of Westlands Water District.

"Following two years of 0% allocations, this water supply will assist growers in Westlands with putting the land to work to grow the food that feeds the world,” he said.

Both the state and federal governments control networks of reservoirs and canals that supply water across California.

Three years of drought had pinched off supplies drastically in the nation’s most populous state. Late last year, nearly all of California was in drought, including at extreme and exceptional levels. Wells ran dry, farmers fallowed fields, and cities restricted watering grass.

The water picture changed dramatically starting in December, when the first of a dozen “ atmospheric rivers ” hit, causing widespread flooding and damaging homes and infrastructure, and dumping as many as 700 inches (17.8 meters) of snow in the Sierra Nevada mountains.

The statewide reservoir storage on Thursday was at 105% of the average for the date, the Department of Water Resources said.

The runoff from the melting snow will supply additional water that the state agency said it is working to capture.

As of this week, more than 65% of California no longer had drought conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

However, the Department of Water Resources urged people to continue using water cautiously. State officials have warned that in the era of climate change, one extremely wet year could be followed by several dry years, returning the state to drought.

The state water agency noted that some northern areas of the state still have water supply issues. In addition, some areas, including the agricultural Central Valley, are still recovering after years of pumping that has depleted underground water.

“Millions of Californians rely on groundwater supplies as a sole source of water," the agency warned.

“The Colorado River Basin, which is a critical water supply source for Southern California, is still in the midst of a 23-year drought,” the agency added. “Californians should continue to use water wisely to help the state adapt to a hotter, drier future.”

[cleanwaterchronicles]

Road salt, a stealthy pollutant, is damaging Michigan waters

In a dim hangar outside of Traverse City, towering piles of white crystals cast a glow in the twilight. 

Salts like those stored at the Grand Traverse County Road Commission maintenance facility keep Michigan roads, parking lots, and sidewalks clear of ice in the winter, a prudent safety measure for motorists and pedestrians. The mobility benefits of salt for a car-centric society, though, have an undesirable environmental side effect that has built up over decades of use: extensive damage to ecosystems and infrastructure.

Chloride -- the catch-all term for salts -- does not discriminate. It hurts mayflies and freshwater mussels, taking out species at the base of the freshwater food chain. It acts as a chemical instigator, loosening metals and nutrients that are otherwise bound in sediment and freeing them to flow downstream, thus feeding toxic algae in troubled places like Lake Erie. As with sun on skin, excess salt accelerates infrastructure aging. The metals and concrete in bridges, roads, and cars deteriorate faster when exposed to salts.

The state issued its first water quality standards for chloride in 2019. Not written with infrastructure in mind, the standards are intended to protect fish, insects, and other freshwater species. But the state has not yet translated those standards into a plan for limiting chloride in the eight stream sections that already exceed the limit.

Developing those pollution diets takes years. In the interim, state regulators this year are directly asking municipalities with storm sewer systems to outline steps for controlling salt runoff from roads. Roads, however, are only part of the problem. Salt applied to parking lots and sidewalks also enters streams and groundwater. But regulators say that municipalities do not have the staff or budgets to oversee salt application on private property. In part, this is a consequence of state court rulings that have deterred cities from creating agencies to manage pollutants that are flushed from paved surfaces.

The best way to deal with salt pollution is to bar it entry -- not to allow it in the water in the first place. By and large, that outcome will rely on the widespread and voluntary adoption of salt-reducing practices by road agencies, shopping mall owners, apartment complex managers, and homeowners. Reducing salt use also hinges on societal shifts: public acceptance in urban areas of slower winter driving speeds and less driving in hazardous weather.

“You can think of chloride as a permanent pollutant in the water,” said Christe Alwin of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. “Once it’s there, there’s very little opportunity to treat it.”

 

(Photo © J. Carl Ganter/Circle of Blue)

Last year marked the 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act, the landmark federal law that intended to give new life to waterways that were fouled by all manner of chemical and bacterial pollutants. The goal was to make rivers and lakes fishable and swimmable once again. The law, part of a package of national environmental reforms in the early 1970s, was transformative. By mandating pollution controls on wastewater treatment plants and industrial facilities, it marked a new era of environmental stewardship -- an era in which rivers and lakes were viewed not as dumping grounds but as civic assets that fostered recreation, ecological rebirth, and economic development.

Despite undeniable progress, substantial impediments to clean water remain. The law did little to stanch the flow of dispersed pollution that comes from roads, lawns, and farms. More waters today are fishable and swimmable, particularly in major metropolitan regions. But many, especially streams and rivers that drain agricultural regions, still are not. The consequences are measured in toxic algal bloom dead zones, human sickness, and the rising cost of water treatment. 

Urban Areas on a High-Sodium Diet

A little salt can cause a lot of harm. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends water quality standards for rivers and lakes to prevent death and damage to fish, mussels, insects, and other aquatic species. For chloride, the EPA determined the threshold at which long-term damage could occur to be 230 milligrams per liter. That equals about one teaspoon of salt in five gallons of water.

Michigan has been slow to react to the salinization of its fresh water. The Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy finalized water quality values for chloride only in 2019, three decades after the federal EPA published guidelines. Based on the numbers, EGLE determined last year that eight stream sections exceed the state threshold for chronic exposure, which is 150 milligrams per liter. 

Those streams -- largely in the urban areas of southeast Michigan -- include the Shiawassee River (Genesee County), Thread Creek (Genesee County), Sashabaw Creek (Oakland County), Bishop Creek and the Upper Rouge River (Rouge River watershed), Belle River (St. Clair County), Rush Creek (Ottawa County), and County Line Drain (Arenac/Iosco County), which also exceeded the sulfate standard.

The next step for those stream sections is a regulatory tool known as a total maximum daily load, or TMDL, which caps pollution discharges. However, there is no timeline yet for developing the pollution diet for those streams, according to Kevin Goodwin, an aquatic biology specialist at EGLE.

It’s no mystery where most of the salts are coming from. Water softeners and fertilizers are sources of chloride, but the major contributor, Goodwin and others said, are the salts spread on roads, parking lots, and sidewalks to keep the pavement free from ice.

Salinization of streams is a problem across the United States, where at least 20 million tons of salt were used in 2021 for highway deicing. The U.S. Geological Survey studied 19 streams in eight states and the District of Columbia, including five Great Lakes states. The researchers found that chloride levels related to road salt increased in 84 percent of sampled streams. Increases were especially notable in urban areas with a large percentage of paved surfaces.

Those findings have been replicated at the state and local level. EGLE found chloride hot spots that align with high concentrations of highways and housing developments. The Huron River, a 900-square-mile watershed in southeast Michigan that flows through Ann Arbor, is one such area. For the last two decades the Huron River Watershed Council has tested streams for pollutants. Volunteers and staff now regularly take water samples from about 40 or 50 sites in the watershed, according to Ric Lawson, a watershed planner. 

“We see that we have much higher [chloride] levels in our urban drainages,” Lawson said. 

Following up on its stream samples, the Huron River Watershed Council did additional investigation at sites with abnormally high chloride levels. Were those salts coming from a particular source? Were there, as Lawson put it, any “smoking guns?”

In short, the council didn’t find any -- no leakage from a salt storage facility, no obvious surface runoff. No smoking guns. “So it does appear it’s been broad-based, long-term application,” Lawson said, referring to the salt source. “And probably, the salts moving through groundwater are how it's getting to the surface waters.”

Broad-based is the classic definition of non-point pollution. It’s the type of threat that the Clean Water Act, which focused on pollution coming from a pipe, is not at all equipped to address. The law exempts most sources of such pollution from regulation and oversight. That’s why non-point pollution is a long-term problem. Curbing it requires, in the case of salt, a voluntary change in practices.

Less Bounce, Less Scatter

Michigan’s ground transportation network is a lattice of roughly 122,000 miles of roads. To maintain these surfaces, the state’s road agencies balance three competing objectives, said Gregg Brunner, director of the Bureau of Field Services for the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT). Mobility, cost, and environmental protection.

Salt -- the sodium chloride form, in fact -- is the cheapest, most effective deicing agent available, Brunner said. On that measure it beats out magnesium chloride and potassium chloride.

A non-chloride option -- calcium magnesium acetate -- is on the market. But it costs about 40 times more than sodium chloride, which is mined locally, from deposits beneath Lake Erie.

The primary objective for MDOT and other road maintenance agencies is to use less of it. In pursuit of that goal, they participated in a work group to help EGLE develop salt management guidelines. Published in 2021, the guidelines are a compilation of voluntary “best management practices” that road agencies should strive to implement. The County Road Association of Michigan, which represents the 83 county road agencies, published a similar guide based on a survey of its members.

Read the complete article here

Source: Bridge Michigan

[gus-romo]

Gus Romo - MBA From the University of Redlands

Gus Romo founded the Romo Planning Group, Inc., also known as RPG, in 2001. The company brings independent contractors together along with a group of employees to assist public agencies with civic staffing needs, including planners, building inspectors, environmental professionals, and administrative assistants to provide interim solutions as well as project managers for complex assignments.

[bconsult]

Interim Management Solutions: Bridging the Leadership Gap

Interim management offers a strategic approach to addressing short-term leadership challenges within organizations. By providing experienced professionals on a temporary basis, interim management solutions enable businesses to navigate critical periods and achieve their goals.

Understanding Interim Management

Interim management involves engaging experienced executives on a contractual basis to fill leadership vacancies or manage specific projects. These professionals bring a wealth of expertise and industry knowledge to drive business performance.

Benefits of Interim Management

Speed and Agility: Interim managers can be deployed quickly to address urgent business needs.

Expertise: They offer specialized skills and experience to tackle complex challenges.

Objectivity: Interim managers provide an unbiased perspective and can make tough decisions.

Cost-Effectiveness: Interim management can be a cost-efficient alternative to permanent hiring.

Risk Mitigation: Reduces the risk associated with hiring the wrong permanent candidate.

When to Consider Interim Management

Interim management is particularly beneficial in the following situations:

Leadership Vacancies: Filling leadership gaps during recruitment processes.

Project Management: Overseeing complex projects with specific timelines and deliverables.

Turnaround Situations: Implementing turnaround strategies for struggling businesses.

Organizational Change: Managing organizational restructuring or mergers.

Peak Workload: Handling increased workload during busy periods.

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Interim managers typically assume full responsibility for their assigned role, working closely with the client's team. Their responsibilities may include:

Strategic Planning: Developing and implementing short-term business strategies.

Operational Improvement: Identifying and implementing process improvements.

Team Leadership: Motivating and leading teams towards achieving goals.

Change Management: Guiding the organization through periods of transition.

Knowledge Transfer: Sharing expertise and mentoring the permanent team.

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Selecting the right interim management firm is crucial for successful outcomes. Consider the following factors:

Experience: Look for a firm with a proven track record in your industry.

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[news-venue]

Anil Ambani's wife Tina appears before ED in FEMA case

The investigation against the couple pertains to the possession of certain alleged undisclosed assets abroad and the linked movement of funds, the sources said.

MUMBAI: Tina Ambani, the wife of Reliance ADA Group Chairman Anil Ambani, on Tuesday appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) here for questioning and recording her statement in connection with an investigation linked to the alleged contravention of the foreign exchange law, official sources said.

Anil Ambani recorded his statement in the case on Monday under sections of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) and he is expected to appear before the federal agency again later this week for completion of the exercise.

The investigation against the couple pertains to the possession of certain alleged undisclosed assets abroad and the linked movement of funds, the sources said.

Anil Ambani’s alleged links to some offshore companies based in Jersey, the British Virgin Islands and Cyprus are under the probe scanner of the ED.

He had been questioned by the agency in 2020 in a money laundering case against Yes Bank promoter Rana Kapoor and others.

In August last year, the income-tax department issued a notice to Anil Ambani under the anti-black money law for allegedly evading Rs 420 crore in taxes on undisclosed funds of more than Rs 814 crore held in two Swiss bank accounts.

The Bombay High Court in March ordered an interim stay on this I-T show-cause notice and penalty demand.

[brumeraven]

🪫: On Fates || chronic illness, decay, exhaustion, depression, fatigue, helplessness, self-harm, the mirror

"Have a nice day-oh..." She trailed off mid-platitude, blinking and looking away as she noticed my Fate. I knew that's what it was; I'd grown accustomed to the sudden loss of eye contact. One quick saccade, realization, revulsion, and finally embarrassment.

For the first time, I allowed myself to become aware of the other figure, standing beside and a bit behind her, like an over-controlling manager.

Old. Tired, yes, but at peace, nothing at all like the vivacious youth she'd once been.

Not a bad way to go.

No one knows where Fates came from, or at the very least if someone does, they're not telling. Maybe they sprung from our collective subconscious. Maybe there was a data breach at the Akashic records. Maybe it was just divine revelation.

Or maybe a Witch decided once and for all that She was tired of explaining Herself, tired of the rest of us not seeing the world through Her eyes.

All I know is that one day, they were suddenly there, just beside and a little behind each of us.

Didn't take long to figure out what they meant.

Even if there'd been the possibility for doubt, well, a sizable majority of that first bunch showed all the hallmarks of a myriad novel and varied means of suicide.

And then all of them came true.

Once people came face to face with an inerrant, tangible proof of their own mortality, well, they just gave up. Taking matters into your own hands was a means of control, of reclaiming agency, snatching back some false sense of free will from the jaws of predestination.

It was paradoxical, come to think of it, all wrapped up in retrocausality. None of them ever saw any other death but by their own choice. Perhaps it was just the finality of it all, but it hardly seems as if that could have driven any to it.

And yet...

It was a matter of proof incontrovertible that one just wasn't strong enough to survive in a world devoid of make-believe, one in which it seemed impossible to forget.

They were wrong. The human capacity for self-delusion and willful blindness should never be underestimated.

I nodded politely to the girl and wandered out of the shop to the street. Those who survived adapted quickly.

It became gauche to even notice another's Fate, much less comment on it, and how could one acknowledge one's own without tacitly, indirectly doing the same to others?

People just ignored them.

If your Fate was to die fast and young, what was there but to squeeze in every last drop of life in the interim?

And if instead one was to die after a long life, why bother thinking of the future? Damn the consequences; apparently they wouldn't matter.

And so it was that, after a short period of adaptation, society all but returned to normal.

All but us, the afflicted.

I peered furtively at passersby, taking in the myriad endings their Fates foretold.

Cancer.

Heart disease.

An overdose.

Vehicle accident.

The usual fare.

For them, death was a state, the finality of an outcome so unlike one's current state as to be near impossible to consider. And as such of no concern to them.

For some small number of us, though, death was a process. Dying, dying was hard. And living in spite of it harder still.

I looked to my side, forcing myself to see what others refused to, what I'd seen every single day since that first.

I saw myself, as I was.

My own life, as I lived it.

All the suffering and resentment I lived with, day after day after day.

Only, it wasn't the same at all.

Decades older, she was nevertheless a mirror of me, a cruel reflection in which every ounce of pain and frustration and resentment had been magnified, every bit of exhaustion redoubled.

Decrepit and decaying, I saw the truth of my future every single day.

Decline.

Despair.

Every time I looked at her, I saw that I would only worsen.

Every time I looked at her, I saw that, soon enough, my bad days would be good ones, and the bad to come worse still.

Every time I looked at her, I knew I would go on existing anyways, spared even the mercy of death.

No wonder then that I walked alone in a bubble of averted eyes down these crowded streets.

With time, they'd all found it easy enough to know that they'd die.

How much crueler a fate to know that you'd never be allowed to live.

~🪫

[ripondhar]

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[darkmaga-retard]

Wendell Potter

Sep 20, 2024

BREAKING: As we were getting this story ready for publication, the FTC announced this afternoon that it is suing Big Insurance’s biggest pharmacy benefit managers, including Express Scripts (ESI), for inflating the price of insulin. This is from the agency’s press release: 

“Millions of Americans with diabetes need insulin to survive, yet for many of these vulnerable patients, their insulin drug costs have skyrocketed over the past decade thanks in part to powerful PBMs and their greed,” said Rahul Rao, Deputy Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Competition. “Caremark, ESI, and Optum — as medication gatekeepers—have extracted millions of dollars off the backs of patients who need life-saving medications. The FTC’s administrative action seeks to put an end to the Big Three PBMs’ exploitative conduct and marks an important step in fixing a broken system—a fix that could ripple beyond the insulin market and restore healthy competition to drive down drug prices for consumers.”

Let me take you behind the scenes at Cigna to provide a glimpse into the reasoning behind the lawsuit the company filed this week against the Federal Trade Commission. Having been a part of the Legal and Public Affairs team there for 15 years, reporting to the general counsel for much of that time, I can assure you that the decision to sue the FTC over an interim report it released more than two months ago about how big insurers’ pharmacy benefit divisions are harming both patients and pharmacists, was borne out of equal measures of confidence and fear.

[bllsbailey]

Law Firm: Venezuelan Gang Operating Within Colorado Apartments First Gained A ‘Stranglehold’ In 2023

An inmate handcuffed with a plastic cable tie remains in a cell

The Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang making headlines for taking over an Aurora, Colorado, apartment complex reportedly first gained a “stranglehold” late last year.

A Denver law firm, who wished to remain anonymous, was tasked with looking into the foreign criminal group’s activity in Aurora claims to have found evidence of the gang’s activity in the Whispering Pines Apartments towards the end of 2023, according to CBS News.

The report states that Tren de Aragua has been engaged in violent assaults, extortion, child sex trafficking, and death threats.

The findings were sent to Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman, City Manager Jason Batchelor, and the interim police chief.

“The evidence we have reviewed indicates that gang members are engaging in flagrant trespass violations, assaults and battery, human trafficking and sexual abuse of minors, unlawful firearms possession, extortion, and other criminal activities, often targeting vulnerable Venezuelan and other immigrant populations,” wrote T. Markus Funk, a former U.S. Attorney.

The complex property manager running Whispering Pines was interviewed by the firm, in which he stated: “He had never seen anything remotely like the Tren de Aragua takeover of Whispering Pines in his entire career.”

The manager also stated that the gang members were arrested after they threatened to “kill him” over a late rent payment. Additionally, the gang members have also reportedly been collecting “rent” from residents of the complex and one even stabbed a resident who had caught on to the con and refused to pay.

“Tren de Aragua has threatened to kill [and has allegedly attempted to kill] members of Whispering Pines management,” the report continued.

Additionally, the property manager reported that members of the gang offered him a compromising deal if he agreed to provide the gang with 50% of the rent money that he collected from residents.

The property manager began his job in January of 2024, and by that point, the gang was already active within the complex. The report added that in November of 2023, a consultant for the property management company had been “so severely beaten and stomped by gang members that he had to go to the hospital.”

“This is our business plan,” one Tren de Aragua member allegedly told a housekeeper. “If he [property manager] doesn’t like it, we’ll fill him with bullets.”

“This conduct’s brazen and public nature further exhibits the suspected gang members’ sense of comfort and control consistent with their taking over the property and not fearing the law enforcement of the property management,” the report added.

“The property manager further shared that TdA (the gang) now uses the formally vacant units to host ‘parties’” where they “serve drugs and child prostitution.”

An Aurora city spokesperson stated that they had received the report and “immediately included it in its ongoing investigative work.”

“The information and claims in the letter underscore why APD (and other law enforcement agencies) formed a special task force to investigate violent crime impacting migrants and other communities in the Denver metro area,” the city spokesperson wrote.

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