Will There Be Fire Station Closures on the West Bank?

 The east bank of Jefferson Parish consolidated its fire districts many years ago, and they are considering doing the same on the west bank of the parish. Jefferson Parish Council is currently conducting a study to see what would need to be done to consolidate the six west bank fire districts.

The study which was unanimously approved now needs consultants. The Jefferson Parish Council will now take between eight months to a year to find a consultant who will do the study. If the study goes as the council predicts, then it will lead to closing fire stations and putting trucks into storage. This does not sound too appealing but according to firefighter Deano Bonano, this could mean additional firefighters would need to be hired.

"If you consolidate all the districts, you can eliminate some stations, eliminate some trucks and cut back on administrative staff and costs," he said.

Through the years, west bank fire departments have had a harder and harder time with financing and keeping firefighters. The department has both volunteer and paid firefighters. The west bank volunteer departments are run as private non-profits with their own boards.  For some of the smaller departments in the parish, it has been hard to get volunteers. The training requirements are very strict for volunteer firefighters.

These small districts are having to tap into financial reserves to hire paid staff to fill the positions not filled by volunteers. State firefighters are also not able to work in the departments because the districts are not part of the state firefighters' retirement system. The benefits of the government-run fire departments are also taking qualified firefighters from the area.

The study will take these issues and others into account as they concluded how much it will cost every year for Jefferson Parish to run a west bank consolidated district. They will look at every issue as a big picture.

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A New Orleans Lakefront Condo Under Controversy

 The Pearl condominium, a planned new residential development on the Old Basin Canal in New Orleans, has some flooding concerns. The West End development is being proposed by Oceana USA LLC and is located on South Roadway Street across from the Municipal Yacht Harbor.

The project will be on a segment of the New Basin Canal that is north of the Sewerage & Water Board's Pump Station 12. This puts the development outside the lakefront hurricane levee. The original project was to be 15 stories but was revamped to six floors of condos, parking, and amenity space. The larger and smaller concept of the project needs 800 cubic yards of fill material to be added to the canal. This means that part of the building and its balconies would be built on what is current canal water.

This is why many such as the Lakeshore Property Owners' Association, the Municipal Yacht Harbor Management Corp. and the Southern Yacht Club, as well as several tenants of nearby boathouses, are concerned with this project going forward. If they were to fill 800 cubic yards of the canal, this would make it more narrow increasing the potential of flooding boathouses and businesses that surround the project.

The canal is very important when it comes to rainfall runoff. In fact, it serves as the outlet for rainfall runoff pumped from about 1,600 acres of the Lakeview neighborhood by Pump Station 12, and if the pump station is operating during high tides, the narrowing of the waterway could cause water levels to rise a foot or more.

Oceana defends its project saying the canal would not increase water heights high enough for concern. The engineering firm that is working for Oceana points out that the canal is only 165 feet long and the water level raised in the area would only be around 10 inches. Changes would be unnoticeable in other parts of the harbor and the lake.

"While we generally support future development in our city, our utmost priority is to protect our canals from any potential negative impacts that may diminish our ability to pump storm water," S&WB Executive Director Ghassan Korban said.

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Tips and Strategies for Building and Managing Your Credit

 Good credit has lasting financial benefits but building credit can look like a huge task. The trick is the more you practice good credit habits, the better your credit will get. There are several things you can do to build, rebuild and improve your credit. Here is what you need to do to start the process.

Build Your Credit

One of the best ways to do this is to apply for a secured credit card. A secured credit card is guaranteed upfront by a cash deposit. If you deposit $500 then your credit limit will be $500. You will want to make payments on time and keep a low balance to ensure you are building your credit.

Another good way to help boost your score is to ask a family member to add you as an authorized user on their credit card. You will get a credit card with your name on it and the primary cardholder will set a limit on how much you can charge. This is a good way to manage a credit line.

A major loan like a student loan or car loan is reported to the major credit bureaus making this a great way to build up your credit. Paying your loan payments on a car or student loan will build good credit. Creditors like to see a history of on-time payments which shows you can manage your line of credit responsibly.

Keep Up Good Credit Habits

Make payments on time on everything such as your utility bills, credit card companies and other accounts. Also, you want to have different types of credits because having different types of credit improves your credit score. Accounts like cell phone bills cannot be included.

Don't just apply for a card and let it sit, use it on a regular basis. This keeps your credit utilization low. Your credit utilization ratio is the percentage of your available credit that you actually use.  For example if you have a $1,000 credit limit, ty to keep your balance under $300 which is around 30% of your credit limit.

Get Your Credit Back on Track

To do this, you need to make sure your credit report does not have any errors. Knowing your credit score is a big plus to having an idea of your financial holdings. Getting a credit report from one of the credit bureaus will show you your credit activity, your credit history, and the status of your accounts. If there is an issue or a change in your financial situation, contact a creditor directly. They will work with you to create a payment plan.

Overall remember, that the best way to handle your credit is to live within your budget and avoid bad credit. If you do find yourself with bad credit, catch the problems early.

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5 Things To Do To Turn Your Patio Into a Living Room

 An outdoor space should feel like an extension of your house. Outdoor furniture, fabrics and decor can make your outdoor space a place to relax and never want to leave. Sunbrella fabrics give these 5 ways to turn your patio into a living room.

1. Add an Awning for a Retractable Ceiling

Adding an awning will not only shield you from the rain but can also give you a bit of shade. If you want the sun or a view of the stars at night, then a retractable awning is the perfect versatile way to go. Retractable awnings can also make a statement as well as protect you from the harmful UV rays. These retractable awnings come in an array of colors in both solids or stripes and are water repellant, mildew-, mold-, and stain-resistant, and low maintenance.

2. Pick Patterns that Pop

The outdoor living space is the perfect place to try something bold. Mix and match stripes with solids and choose colors that will stand out. Using different patterns and textures can create dimension and visual interest. Matching everything is a thing of the past.

3. Up the Plushness

When you think of a sofa, you think of softness and plushness, a place you want to snuggle up and never leave. A plush place to relax is not only for the living room but can also be used in an outdoor space. To make your outdoor space a comfy and cozy area, use quality cushions along with couches or daybeds. Be sure to choose water repellant and resistant fabrics that are durable. They will dry fast after a quick rain storm and are resistant to mold and mildew.

4. Make Space for Your Favorite Hobbies

Take your favorite activities outdoors such as listening to music, playing board games, reading, or watching the game on a big screen tv. A good idea is to make many mini interest areas. For example, you can make a grilling zone with an outdoor kitchen, a sitting area and a book nook. You want to mix in shading and furniture that is comfortable so you can enjoy your space day or night.

5. Pull it All Together With a Rug

A rug pulls any space together by anchoring your space and creating visual interest. Make sure to purchase an outdoor run that can withstand the outdoor elements. You will want to find a rug that is made of synthetic materials like acrylic, nylon and polypropylene.

Follow these five tips when creating your perfect outdoor space. Have fun and mix it up!

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