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Tetra Tech will continue its work on the Mandalay Bay seawalls and perform a geotechnical investigation and seismic analysis. (File photo by Chris Frost)

By Chris Frostchris@tricountysentry.com

Oxnard-- The Public Works and Transportation Committee, Sept 8, approved a second amendment to its agreement with TetraTech, Inc. for geotechnical investigation and seismic analysis of seawalls at Mandalay Bay.

The $121,319 amendment shall not exceed the contract amount of $296,801 and extends the agreement term from March 14, 2021, to March 14, 2022.

The city approved developing 740 attached and detached single-family homes and 37 greenbelts that became Mandalay Bay in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

The developer installed reinforced concrete Boise and Zurn style seawalls to create the Oxnard waterways portion of the Channel Islands Harbor and allowed residential lots by the water.

The seawalls started to degrade because of their adverse reaction to the marine environment and needed repair.

Tetra Tech recommended installing panels and waler tiebacks or installing cantilever sheet piles.

The tie-back option installs a new panel in front of the existing wall, filling the space between the wall and installing tiebacks that dig into the non-liquefiable soils.

These tiebacks are similar to the ones in place now but would extend to 80 feet deep, which is deeper.

The cantilever sheet pile installs new sheets over the existing one using a pressing method. That means less vibrations and noise for homeowners.

The new seawalls will withstand seismic activity.

City Engineer Tatiana Arnoudt presented the item to the committee, and she said Tetra Tech would do seismic work and technical analysis in the development.

The second amendment confirms the tie back method feasibility before initiating phase two of the original contract: the plans and specs for the Hemlock St repairs.

"The second amendment to the Tetra Tech agreement will allow the consultant to confirm this feasibility of the tie-back method prior to initiating phase two of the original contract, which are the plans and specs for the repairs along Hemlock St," she said. "The scope for this amendment includes due technical field exploration, four exploratory borings across the site to the depth of 40-50 feet below the ground surface. Two of the borings are planned in vacant lots, and two are planned in the street right-of-way. The final locations will be determined based on the consultant's coordination with the individual property owners."

The scope also calls for laboratory testing of the boring samples, she said, along with inspecting the existing piles to determine their current condition and completing the seismic vulnerability study of the existing seawalls and the development of the structural design of the tie-back panel.

"With the approval of the FEMA HMDP Grant recognition, and the appropriation for $132,000 in grant funds from the FEMA staff report that goes to council on Oct. 26, there will be sufficient money for this amendment," Arnoudt said.

Committee Member Tim Flynn said he's anxious to get the work started.

Chairman Bert Perello asked about observing the walls in low tide in the report, and he wanted to know if that happens once a year.

"It happened to land on the low tide, but we were looking at it on a quarterly basis," Arnoudt said. "We did on it the next lowest tide in the next quarter after the city manager approved the first amendment. It happened to land on the annual low tide."

Perello asked about ongoing work between 3900-3966 W Hemlock St, and he wanted to know if there is potential litigation at those addresses.

City Attorney Stephen Fischer said there'd been litigation relating to certain repairs.

"As far as those addresses, I don't have that particular case file with me to see how those relate to the plaintiffs in that matter," he said.

Perello appreciates the sheet pile press down method.

"One of the big concerns of the neighbors is not the noise, but the potential for vibration and what that would do to the foundations," he said. "On this pressing of the items into the ground, how is the pressure exerted, so it does it not cause vibrations?"

Arnoudt said the sheet pile gets pushed down very slowly.

"It's a slow, arduous process," she said. "It's a giant machine pushing this thing down, so you won't have something constantly hitting against it. It's like trying to drive a credit card through the sand."

The estimated completion date is 20 weeks, plus six months for the construction documentation.

The motion passed unanimously.

See the original post here:
Seawall repair amendment gets approved by Public Works and Transportation - Tri County Sentry

Image from facebook, cropped and scaled by Dean Weingarten

U.S.A. -(AmmoLand.com)- In the early morning hours of 17 August 2020, the residents of a home in Garden City, Alabama woke to the sounds of four home invaders breaking into the house. The invaders did not expect what happened next: armed homeowners confronted them with firearms.

The invaders fled the scene, pursued by the homeowner(s).

In an exchange of gunfire, one of the four suspects was wounded. The wounding greatly aided the Sheriff's office in the investigation of the home invasion. Over the next three days, all four suspects were identified and arrested. Cullman County Sheriff lauded the homeowners. From Cullman County Sheriff's Office:

Sheriff Matt Gentry supports an armed citizenry with more than mere words.

The Cullman County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) offers Women's Self Defense classes for free, throughout the year, because of demand from the citizens.

Sheriff Matt Gentry is pleased to announce that the Cullman County Sheriff's Office is now offering Women's Self-Defense Classes. Our deputies developed these courses in response to the high volume of requests from citizens regarding self-defense classes for the public. Our safety courses are free of charge and will be offered throughout the year.

Deputy Chad Whaley will be instructor for the classes. Deputy Whaley has been with the Cullman County Sheriff's Office for more than ten years. He has helped train police officers and deputies throughout Cullman County and looks forward to assisting the public in safety awareness and women's self-defense.

Citizens' Firearms Classes are held twice a year, at no charge. The classes teach firearms safety and Alabama firearms law. The classes include both classroom and range work. From cullmansheriff.org:

We believe that it is the responsibility of every gun owner to be as educated and as safe as possible. This course is designed for anyone that wants to enhance their knowledge on firearms, their safe handling, and the safe storage of guns, and understanding of Alabama gun laws.

The CCSO has a unique program that could be valuable in all the United States. It is the Citizen's Academy. From cullmansheriff.org:

The Cullman County Sheriff's Office Citizens' Academy offers a different and exciting program unique to our area. Typically, the students attracted to the academy are a culturally diverse group of people including bankers, businessmen and women, housewives, school teachers, retirees, former military, college students, farmers, and citizens from all walks of life.

Participants meet on Tuesday evening once a week for nine weeks. They learn about virtually every aspect of a deputy's job including patrol, administration, dispatch, communications, criminal law, SWAT, crime scene investigations, jail operations, and many other areas.

The Citizen's Academy doesn't limit participants to just classroom training. Students are also given the opportunity to:

Although graduates of the Citizen's Academy are not qualified for daily street duty, they do acquire a better understanding of the Cullman County Sheriff's Office operations and responsibilities.

When sworn officers and the citizenry work together, crime rates are greatly reduced. Cullman County is in rural northern Alabama.

A program like this would be valuable anywhere in the country. Any program that promotes understanding between the police and the residents they serve, is a good idea. Even criminals benefit if they understand the rule of law and the process better.

Many criminals do not know the law, or how it is administered. There cannot be deterrence if the potential perpetrator has no knowledge of the potential punishment.

About Dean Weingarten:

Dean Weingarten has been a peace officer, a military officer, was on the University of Wisconsin Pistol Team for four years, and was first certified to teach firearms safety in 1973. He taught the Arizona concealed carry course for fifteen years until the goal of Constitutional Carry was attained. He has degrees in meteorology and mining engineering, and retired from the Department of Defense after a 30 year career in Army Research, Development, Testing, and Evaluation.

Read more:
Alabama Sheriff Praises Armed Homeowner, Second Amendment & Walks the Walk - AmmoLand Shooting Sports News

Lori Qualls, Victoria Ritter and Ashley Schafer

President Donald Trump addresses a crowd of supporters during a campaign rally Thursday, Sept. 10, 2020 at MBS International Airport in Freeland. (Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net)

President Donald Trump addresses a crowd of supporters during a campaign rally Thursday, Sept. 10, 2020 at MBS International Airport in Freeland. (Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net)

Photo: (Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net)

President Donald Trump addresses a crowd of supporters during a campaign rally Thursday, Sept. 10, 2020 at MBS International Airport in Freeland. (Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net)

President Donald Trump addresses a crowd of supporters during a campaign rally Thursday, Sept. 10, 2020 at MBS International Airport in Freeland. (Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net)

Rally attendees leave with thoughts on Trump's event

FREELAND Attendees to the Trump campaign rally on Thursday began to leave before the president was done with his 90-minute speech, which ended before 9 p.m.

As they left, they were handed bumper stickers, lawn signs and other supportive gear. Though the event was over, many were still feeling the energy, sending the president off with cheers.

Here's what some of them had to say before they headed home.

"I like a president who is proud of his country and not ashamed of it," said Doug Engwis, of Rhodes, on his way out of the rally. "I like the idea of a president who wants to put this country back on the path of manufacturing leading this world and not getting on plane and apologizing to every country."

Shelly Ross, of Midland, said she wanted to get a couple of assurances at the rally.

"What I really wanted to hear was he was going to continue to make sure the unborn was protected and our jobs were going to be secure here in Michigan and he's still for us as the people and to get that sign that he is still for us, I do."

Clinton Township resident Tara Warner said she attended with her fianc and mother, arriving around 4 p.m. Shes attended many rallies in addition to Trumps inauguration, though she said she usually keeps her political views low key, meaning not many people know her political affiliation.

His rallies are just fun! she said. I feel like Im at Coachella or something.

Lindzy Jackson, Nancy Jo Serna and Ben Serna attended the event together, traveling from Grass Lake. Jackson said it was her first Trump rally but they all left feeling energized. Theyre excited for the election, which they emphasized they will be voting in-person at the polls for.

It was electric, Nancy Jo said about the event.

It honestly felt like family, Jackson said. We all connected in some sort of way.

Jacksons words rang true as two new friends walked out of the event together. Elise Bennett and Christopher Ward said they met inside the rally.

We were happy strangers that found each other, Ward said.

They were both impressed with what Republican senate candidate John James had to say.

I would qualify him as a military cheerleader for the president, Ward said.

Janae Zettle and Connor Robelli of West Branch thought there was a good turnout despite the cloudy, cool weather. Robelli is an employee with the McNally Nimergood Crane, which supplied the crane that hung the American flag on the tarmac.

Trump supports the farming community, Zettle said, adding she works for a dairy farmer and comes from a small family farm. Hes here for the businesses.

Tamera Feldhouse of Elkton and member of America Bikers Aiming Toward Education (ABATE) of Michigan, called the rally uplifting, encouraging. She was particularly moved by the presidents comments about the Edenville Dam and the Soo Locks.

Ive been to the Soo Locks and they need a lot of work. Thankfully, theyre going to get the work they need, Feldhouse said.

She appreciates Trumps stance on schooling, stating her concerns about educating students.

Thankfully, he cares about the future of our young people," she said.

David Langley, of Bad Axe focused, on the presidents comments on the Second Amendment, bringing back jobs to the country and saving Social Security.

It was awesome. I loved it. I wish we couldve gotten more people to come, Langley said. Trumps got the go to push people. I think he can get a lot to swing over to vote for him.

Read the original:
Rally attendees leave with thoughts on Trump's event - Huron Daily Tribune

(The Center Square) A Republican state representative recently scored a legal victory in his fight against a ban on firearms at the Statehouse in Concord.

The New Hampshire Supreme Court sided with Rep. John Burt, R-Goffstown, but stopped short of overturning the ban.

New Hampshire Public Radio reported that Burt filed a lawsuit in response to the ban, calling it an infringement of his Second Amendment rights. In 2018, the majority Democratic New Hampshire House of Representatives enacted a rule forbidding weapons inside Representatives Hall.

While a lower court tossed Burts complaint, the four-member Supreme Court opined that the judicial branch does not have a role to play when internal rules raise constitutional questions.

The case has been remanded to the same lower court.

Burt told WMUR he was excited about the ruling.

It's a huge win for the Second Amendment, in my eyes, the lawmaker told the station.

Dan Hynes, Burt's attorney, said the state Supreme Court did what the lower court refused to do.

They're sending it back to Superior Court, saying, 'You have to hear this case,' Hynes told WMUR. It involves the Constitution, and they said the Legislature does not have the authority to violate the Constitution.

Burt and Hynes feel good about the ruling but are unsure what the lower court has in store.

If we start allowing any state to start dictating what they can do to the Constitution over a 50-year period, a 25-year period, we will start losing the Constitution, Burt told WMUR.

Weapons in the Statehouse has been a much-debated issue for at least half a decade.

The Bangor Daily News reported that depending on which party controlled the House, firearms were either allowed or forbidden.

When Burt and his partymates held the majority, it was legal to walk into Representatives Hall with a firearm.

Go here to see the original:
New Hampshire Supreme Court ruling allows state representative to continue fight to carry firearm at Statehouse - The Center Square

Alleged corruption within the National Rife Associationhasnt exactly been a secret.

But thescope ofthe organizations problemsgotnew attentionafter New Yorks Attorney General, LetitiaJames, filed a lawsuit to dissolve the organizationin August 2020.

One of the people the Attorney General namedis Joshua Powell,former NRA senior strategist and CEO WayneLaPierreschief of staff.

Powell was fired from the organization in January. Since then, he published a book:Inside the NRA: A Tell-All Account of Corruption, Greed, and Paranoia within the Most Powerful Political Group in America.In it, he made some big claims abouthow the organization was run.

He spoke to NPRs Brian Mann about his work there.

The term pour gasoline on the fire is from Waynes lips to Gods ears and was used regularly. If youre pandering to the fringe of the gun movement and you beat it into their head that Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden are going to jump out of a black helicopter and take their guns and jackbooted thugs are just around the corner, its very easy to raise money off of fear.

What does he make of the groups influence? And what else did he see while he was there?We ask him about that and more.

We reached out to the National Rife Association about this show.

Lets get this straight a self-confessed wrongdoer who was terminated for cause is now glorifying himself, hawking books, and blaming everyone else? The facts are that Mr. Powell was fired for cause after his financial abuse was discovered by the accounting staff at the NRA, says Andrew Arulanandam, managing director, NRA Public Affairs. This is a fictional account of the NRA, period.Arulanandam continued, Mr. Powells words speak for themselves. As recently as last year, he was a full-throated supporter of Mr. LaPierre, the NRA, and its Second Amendment advocacy. Today, he has been outed as someone who abused the NRA for years directing contracts to family members, using NRA money to fly his family to Palm Beach, and other abuses.Arulanandam added, Here are the important points: the NRA is in great financial shape, enjoying record support, and moving on from the cloud of this individual and a handful of other fiduciaries who took advantage of the trust placed in them.

Read more:
Its Very Easy To Raise Money Off Of Fear: The NRA, According To A Former Inside | New Hampshire Public Radio - New Hampshire Public Radio