Wednesday, November 30, 2011

McDonnell seeks to scrap two state agencies | Richmond Times-Dispatch

McDonnell seeks to scrap two state agencies | Richmond Times-Dispatch:

In his latest attempt at slimming the bureaucracy, Gov. Bob McDonnell will ask state lawmakers to dissolve two state agencies, scrap 19 boards and commissions, and deregulate hair braiders.

He also is seeking to merge about a half-dozen state agencies into others and to winnow 23 boards and commissions into 11, according to a proposed reorganization his office released Tuesday.

An early estimate by the Department of Planning and Budget pegs savings from the reforms at about $2 million a year.

McDonnell proposes axing two agencies — the Virginia National Defense Industrial Authority and the Board of Towing and Recovery Operators.

The proposal does not specify what would happen to employees of any of the agencies, but McDonnell spokesman Jeff Caldwell said Tuesday that "there will be efficiencies and staff reductions as a result of agency mergers, resulting in a savings for the taxpayers."

"There may be some opportunities for staff transfers to the new, merged agency, but those details have not been finalized," he said.

Some of the ideas McDonnell suggests spring from the ongoing work of his government reform and restructuring commission. Now in its second year, the panel made nearly 40 recommendations to the governor last week.

Del. Robert H. Brink, D-Arlington, who serves on the reform commission, said that in some cases, such as consolidating several social services agencies, the proposed action "cleans up the organization chart, but it's not going to save any money because the back-office operations already are consolidated."

"I think that's typical of a lot of these recommendations," he said of the commission's list. "They really aren't going to accomplish that much and even though the charge of the commission was to think big, I really don't think there's a lot of big thinking going on here."

Part of that stems from having a state government that has been called the best-managed in the nation, he said. "You're operating a pretty lean operation as it is."

McDonnell also issued two executive directives to make changes administratively, ranging from looking at expanding a pilot program of a four-day, 10-hour work-week schedule to streamlining policy and paperwork requirements for state employee time, attendance and leave.

"This coming General Assembly session we intend to advance even bolder reforms to reduce waste and ensure that we are providing the best services to our citizens in the most fiscally responsible manner," McDonnell said in a release.

The governor, who is in Orlando, Fla., through Thursday leading his first Republican Governors Association meeting, said the reforms he wants to advance "include eliminating two state agencies whose functions duplicate work already being done elsewhere."

The agency mergers are intended to streamline the delivery of services, he said. He chose to collapse boards and commissions that duplicate efforts or if he found them to be "no longer an efficient use of state resources."

Also, three professions would no longer be regulated by the state: hair braiders, mold inspectors and remediators, and interior designers.

omeola@timesdispatch.com (804) 649-6812
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Monday, November 28, 2011

Miller Industries and Chattanooga State develop leadership training program | timesfreepress.com

Miller Industries and Chattanooga State develop leadership training program | timesfreepress.com:

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Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Sad News From the International Towing Museum

International Towing: "It is with great sadness that we post the passing of Jerry Lee Bullock on Friday, October 7th 2011. Jerry had been ill for many months and is now finally at peace. Jerry was the backbone of the museum for many years. His passing leaves a void that will never be filled. Jerry was a member of the 1990 Hall of Fame and was a very proud man of his heritage. Please remember his family in your prayers."

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Here is his obituary: 

Jerry Lee Bullock was born in Walla Walla, Washington on January 14, 1942.  He passed away at his home in West Linn, Oregon on Friday, October 7, 2011.  Jerry was 69 years of age when he passed from congestive heart failure and COPD.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 43 years, Georgia “Jo” Bullock; his children Jim (Debbie), Dawn (Rick), Dana, Dean (Debbie), and Lori; his nephews Lance Bullock and L.G. Bullock (their children Ryan, Hannah, and Gracie); his grandchildren Shelley, Cassandra, Matt, Robin, Nicolas, Shaylah, and Samuel; his great-grandchildren Alyssa, Brooklyn, Maggie, Camryn, and Elijah; he is further survived by his beloved companion dog, Bandit.  Jerry was preceded in death by his mother Theda L. Kerr Bullock, his father Wallace F. Bullock, and his brother Daniel Wallace Bullock.

Jerry grew up in Milton-Freewater, Oregon and graduated from McLoughlin Union High School in June 1960.  On September 3, 1968, Jerry married Georgia “Jo” Lee Wilding; who brought along her five children, Jim age 16; the twins Dawn and Dana, age 12; Dean, age 11; and Lori, age 7.

Jerry worked for Key Brothers Ranches, hauling peas and wheat.  He moved on to work for Pendleton Frozen Foods hauling throughout the United States.  He then worked for Dee Thomason Ford in Lake Oswego, Oregon and drove a tow truck part-time for Bill Nelson.  Eventually, Jerry bought Nelson Towing and changed the name to Bullock Towing.  He sold his company in 1985 and moved on to building tow trucks at Jerry Bullock Enterprises, Inc. in Sherwood, Oregon.

Jerry was instrumental in forming the Independent Towing Operators of Oregon, which eventually merged with the Northwest Towing Association and later became the Oregon Tow Truck Association.  He was one of 26 founding members of the Towing & Recovery Association of America, which was formed in August of 1979, in Kansas City, MO.  Jerry was also a founding member of the Friends of Towing, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the history of the towing industry.  With Jerry’s undying dedication and perseverance, the Friends of Towing eventually became known as the International Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum.  His passion was to improve the image of the towing industry throughout the world and to educate towers as well as the public about the towing industry.  Jerry continuously dedicated time, money, and expertise to this passion.  For years, he dedicated countless hours to helping create a solid place for a Tow Truck Museum that would also serve as an educational facility for current trainings and a place to honor both fallen and active towers.  It all started with a large trailer that was hauled all over the United States to various Tow Shows.  Jerry made sure that the trailer made it to each and every show.  Eventually, they outgrew the trailer and found a building at 4th and Broad Street in Chattanooga, TN. (the birthplace of the towing industry).  However, they quickly outgrew that building and Jerry was determined to help find a larger building in the same area; with much dedication and perseverance of Jerry and other men and women like him, they were able to find a much larger building further south on Broad Street.  Jerry’s dream was realized with this new home, referred, to as the ITRHFM.  This building is now a home for everyone to see and learn about the towing industry.  Jerry’s never-ending dedication to this organization earned him the name, “Mr. Museum” across the country.  He held great pride in seeing his dream come to life in something that is now inspirational to so many across the world.

We wish to thank KP Hospice for all their strength and support, which they have given to our dad and us (his family) during our time of need, especially Robert Yuille and Meredith Seiser.

A graveside service will be held in Milton-Freewater, Oregon on Friday, October 21, 2011 at 11:00AM.  Jerry’s “Celebration of Life” service will be held at Rolling Hills Community Church at 3550 SW Borland Road in Tualatin, Oregon on Friday, November 18, 2011, at 11:00AM.  Special room rates at Crown Plaza Hotel, Lake Oswego, Oregon. Call direct 503-624-8400 and ask for the “Bullock Block”. At Jerry’s request, in lieu of flowers, please send memorial donations to the International Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum, 3315 Broad St., Chattanooga, TN. 37408-3052.  423.267.3132.



Poem: by Shelley Ryan

While most have just two grandpas, count me lucky I had three
The subject of my poem last name Bullock, first & middle Jerry Lee

He grew up in a small town, Milton- Freewater is the place

From boy to man as time progressed with his trademark beard upon his face

In his twenties he met the woman he would marry

Georgia brought along more luggage than most do carry

Two sons & three daughters & a few years on her mate

Jerry didn't seem to mind, for him this was his fate

Bullock Towing consumed the family, trucks always on the go

Jerry provided for the kids and his wife known as "Jo"

In his thirties, he was father of the bride to my mother & walked her down the aisle Grandkids followed, getting used to that would take a while

Papa Jerry he became at such a young age that I don't know if he was ready

He came around through the years, but to me it seemed slow & steady

Trips back to Milton-Freewater I remember as a child

Jerry's parents, Theda & Wally and apples growing wild

We all loved visiting Grandma & Poppie and Jerry's brother, our Uncle Dan

Our cousins Lance & LG, their Uncle Jerry is their biggest fan

Jerry sold the towing company & decided trucks he will build

With my mother "in charge" and Dean out in the shop, the team was quite skilled

Jerry's collecting hobby soon filled the place

Match Box cars & toy tow trucks taking up a lot of space

Eventually it was time to build the last truck

He taught his kids well & wished them "Good Luck"

They all ended up in towing, one way or another

With knowledge passed on from the man who married their mother

Papa Jerry has slowed down a bit and now has great grandkids to spoil

His hands are less often covered in grease & in oil

He changed the life of my grandma & the five children that with her she had brought

I hope he knows we love him a lot a lot a lot!                                 By Shelley Ryan





October 7, 2011



Dear Papa Jerry –



            We still wonder if you were crazy in love or crazy insane when you married Grandma Jo with 5 kids.  Little did you know you would soon start to have grandkids?  Early on, I remember being surrounded by tow trucks and grease.  My ability to take trucks and cars out of gear really made you happy when I did it to your truck and it crashed into some bricks.  I especially remember the summer when I was ten, answering phones for Mom.  I got to see you everyday. When you got the shop in Sherwood I loved going out there to help Mom.  I was always so worried what you thought.

             In 2001 when you had bypass surgery a week before Alyssa was born, I finally got a lecture from Snood telling me to get over myself and just go see you in the hospital.  Then I made you a GREAT grandpa!  Those next 3 ½ years I became closer to you, then I had in along time.  I loved bring Alyssa over.  Grandma Joe loved seeing Alyssa and I could see you did too.  Then in 2005 a week before Maggie was born you had your stroke.  I remember telling you to quit stealing my thunder.  Ever since then you smiled more and even laughed more, at least more then I remember.

             When you started collecting Tow Mater stuff I thought it was so funny.  Being around tow trucks all your life and now you want toy tow trucks.  I told you I would one day get a tattoo of it and you laughed.  I remember the day I showed you what I had done.  You just smiled and shook your head.  Now I will always have you with me.

             Thank you for marrying my Grandma, thank you for giving me some of the BEST Great-Grandparents.  Thank you for being a Dad to my Mom and raising her to be the strong woman she is today.  Thank you for always loving your little turd bird.

                                                                         LOVE,

                                                                        Robin

 The last time you said something to me, I told you I was leaving and I loved you.  You said I love you too and thanks for coming.

Sad News From NJ

Our condolences to the family and acquaintances of Mark Angelo, a driver for Nick's Towing of Rutherford, NJ. Angelo was killed on Friday, Oct. 14, when he was struck by a tractor trailer on the side of the road. Here is the information that was sent to us from Nick's Towing:


Nicks Towing Service, Inc.
In Memoriam Mark A. Angelo 
August 14, 1960-October 14, 2011
It is with a heavy heart that I regret to inform you of the loss of our driver Mark Angelo. He was tragically killed in the early morning hours on Friday, October 14, 2011. Mark was struck by a tractor trailer after loading a disabled vehicle on a ramp in Rutherford, NJ. Mark was a loyal employee of nearly 10 years. He loved helping others and was one of the kindest people you could meet.
 
It has been a very difficult few days for everyone. The burden has been made easier by all of you who have been there for us. Be it a phone call, your presence, your prayers, donations and your offers of help; it all has meant so very much.
 
I can't think of anything worse as an owner than losing one of your men and in this case it is a man who holds a special place in my heart. There will never be another Mark.
 
God bless,
 
Nick Testa
President

Mark is survived by his sons Mark and Matthew, his mother Lucille, stepfather Charles and, father and stepmother Mr. & Mrs. George Angelo.
 
Donations can be sent to the Mark Angelo Memorial Fund
and mailed c/o Nick's Towing Service, Inc.
158 East Passaic Avenue, Rutherford, NJ 07070
dove
mark angelo
Special Thanks
There are many people who spent many hours making the arrangements for the tow truck procession. We thank all of the towing companies that came and proved just how close knit the towing community is. We can't help but think how much Mark would have loved and appreciated everyone's efforts.

Chief James O'Connor, Lyndhurst PD
Chief Louis Ghione, North Arlington PD
Captain Hal Ciser, Rutherford PD
Chief Larry Minda, East Rutherford PD
Chief Joseph Rutigliano, Wood-Ridge PD
Mary Leigh Barbusin, Executive Director, Garden State Towman's Association
 
We would also like to thank John Raineri, owner of Raineri's Towing and Don Francis, owner of A&D Towing for covering our towing calls during the funeral services so that our men could attend.

Tow Truck Procession for Mark Angelo
Tow Truck Procession for Mark Angelo
 

For death is no more than a turning of us over from time to eternity.