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Controversial Parking Changes Begin: News And Comment
Sunday parking charges in force from next week
Written by Simon Binns. Published on October 20th 2011.
MANCHESTER City Council will introduce Sunday charging across all city centre on-street bays from October 24.
The new measures will also increase the charging times on Monday - Saturday from 8am-6pm to 8am-8pm, despite a number of complaints from city centre businesses. And despite a 6100 strong petition presented by Manchester Confidential from readers, many of whom feel their livelihoods are threatened by any measure which might deter customers coming into the city centre.
"The new system will help us keep city centre congestion to a minimum while still encouraging people to come in during the evening to enjoy our restaurants and theatres."
These changes also relate to all single yellow lines across the city centre.
Parking limits at all on-street pay and display bays across the city centre will be at least two hours, instead of one hour.
The council claims the new system 'means motorists who pay for two hours will be able to park anywhere in the city centre at 6pm and stay there until 8am the following day.'
'This means they won't need to return to their cars to move them and cause congestion by driving around to find another parking spot,' it said
Parking meters across the city centre will also be changed, so instead of paying for parking in 15-minute periods motorists will pay for half hour periods.
These are small crumbs of comfort for hard pressed businesses.
Motorists will also be able to 'feed' parking meters up to the maximum period. A new telephone-based cashless parking system will come into place in November, similar to that already operated by numerous private car parks across the city.
The city council also said it would be reviewing the existing city centre residents' parking scheme and will be asking residents for their views.
Councillor Nigel Murphy, Manchester City Council's executive member for the environment, said: "Changes were needed to our hours of operation as the number of motorists visiting the city centre, and the times in which they come in, has changed over the past few years.
"We've listened to concerns raised by Manchester residents and business and taken some of their comments on board. The new system will help us keep city centre congestion to a minimum while still encouraging people to come in during the evening to enjoy our restaurants and theatres.
"The new cashless parking system will also provide motorists with an alternative way of paying which for some people will be more convenient."
Confusion reigns over congestion issue
In the 'Transport' section of the Manchester Partnership's recent State of the City report, Confidential learned many interesting things.
But a few facts jumped out.
Against the backdrop of the council's insistence it needs to ramp up parking charge hours, including abolishing free Sunday parking, are these nuggets.
'Non-car journeys (bus, tram, rail, walking, cycling) into the regional centre now account for over two-thirds of all trips, an increase from 62.7 per cent in 2005 to 69.4 per cent in 2010.
'Car usage has fallen by approximately 20 per cent while the number of rail passengers has more than doubled in the morning peak over the same period.
'Four out of six routes monitored in Manchester are less congested.'
According to this report, congestion appears to be going down. Fewer of us are driving into the city centre, more of us are using public transport.
The report also claims there's been a 5.5 per cent improvement in journey times into the city centre between 2009/10 and 2004/05 on 15 monitored routes.
The council claims the usage figures are not relevant to the parking argument, however, and that the number of cars coming onto the city is a different issue to the use of parking bays.
Maybe. But it's still hard to fathom.
Especially the one about being able to feed the meter. Surely popping out all the time to ensure you can continue filling your parking bay will only add to any problems in finding an on-street space - one of the key reasons for these proposals is to ease traffic movements and free up on-street parking. This works against that.
Meanwhile leaving your car from 6pm until 8am on a weekday is hardly helpful either.
Why would a person, for example, want to drive in, go for a drink (or ten) after work, then have to get back in via public transport for 8am the next morning to either feed the metre until the two hour time limit or move it?
It's all getting very confusing - for the council it appears some stats on congestion are relevant, others aren't and while they've listened to the businesses, who like their ideas, they've turned the other cheek to those who don't.
The changes are happening though, and the council claims it will be monitoring the effects.
We'll have a look-see as well. We just believe its fundamentally wrong. And that they're being stubborn not admitting it.
Michelle Partington of the Savin Hill stall on the Manchester Farmers Markets talked to the editor last week. She said: "This is the quietest we've known it since we started coming to central Manchester several years back. Many people have lost their jobs in the city centre, footfall is down, we're not taking anything like the same money. It's bad."
Anecdotal evidence maybe, but this is the mood of many city traders. Surely, this is simple: we should not be doing anything to jeopardise the delicate situation in the city centre.
147 comments so far, continue the conversation, write a comment.
Chris-afortunadoOctober 20th 2011.
AnonymousOctober 20th 2011.
I know someone who works for MCC and, unsurprisingly, the decision to change the parking charges is motivated 100% by money. Its so disappointing that they are not listening to the residents, businesses etc. If we aren't careful our lovely city will fade away.
Aaron CornishOctober 20th 2011.
Why am I not surprised! Lucky NCP - wonder how much they will make from people who aren't aware of the new rules next Sunday!
Stephen DouglasOctober 20th 2011.
Still waiting for Murphy to explain what city centre residents are meant to do with their cars now. Many of us are ineligible under the current rules.
Yes, the permit system is being reviewed but won't go out for consultation until the New Year at the earliest. Going to cost us an absolute fortune.
Sorry, that should have said "ineligible for a perrmit under the current rules"
Kevin PeelOctober 20th 2011.
One of the things I have called for in the new scheme is a relaxing of the eligibility criteria.
Jamie BeeOctober 20th 2011.
I get home from work at 6pm and leave at 8.30am, so at the moment I pay £1.35 for the 30 minutes needed in the morning. Under these new rules it's going to be difficult to park outside my flat as the meters are limited to two hours. So, I'll have to pay £5 to park from 6-8pm and then go back down four flights of stairs at 8pm to put in £1.35 for the half hour needed in the morning.
Kev, I'm aware of the call for the relaxation of the eligibility criteria (I attended the residents meetings a few weeks back).
My main complaint as a resident is that there's a gap of several months inbetween these changes and the new permit scheme coming in, during which it's going to cost an absolute fortune to park. I can't even leave it in one of the cheap car parks, as they close at midnight.
Nigel Murphy has refused to explain his comment that "it is not the intention to disadvantage residents", when it quite clearly will until the new permit scheme comes in.
Is this a response to the rejection of the congestion charge rejection. These guys just cant let go..........
its because they have allready done deals with NCP and they can't get out of them
I'm working closely with the council to develop a new residents parking scheme for the city centre. This will hopefully go out to consultation before the end of the year. I am determined to make sure city centre residents don't suffer as a result of any changes. I also called for a monitoring group to be set up to assess the impact of changes to on-street parking to see if any of the negative effects suggested come to fruition and act accordingly.
NikeOctober 21st 2011.
How do we get involved, we are thinking of moving away because of this. We have lived in the NQ for 5 years but this is just to much ?
E-mail me on cllr.k.peel@manchester.gov.uk and I'll keep you updated.
Natasha ThomasOctober 25th 2011.
We have been asking for permits around North manchester hospital for Years.. Zero results.. Can you help with this?
I think people would accept the changes more if the council were just honest and admitted it was an easy way to raise revenue. There'd be some grumbling but an acceptance that actually, in the face of the cuts, they were probably justified.
To hang it on several rather spurious strands of argument is insulting.
They were orignally introduced in the budget proposal earlier this year, hillariously under the "cost saving" section.
It is my understanding that local authorities are not allowed by law to profit from parking schemes, or any surplus be reinvested into transport schemes. If this is right, I suspect the increase is justified on the basis that the Council currently subsidises parking enforcement.
But doesn't this increase the number of hours that many "Parking enforcement officers" will be required? I know some are needed out of hours for parking on double yellows etc, but I fail to see how it can be passed off as a cost saving.
Here is what parking charges are for:
Executive – 16th February 2011
Budget Proposals for the Neighbourhood Services Directorate
In considering whether to take such action the Council has an obligation to exercise its functions so as to secure expeditious, convenient and safe movement of vehicular and other traffic and the provision of suitable and adequate parking facilities on and off the highway taking into account the factors contained in
section 122 Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984
Here is the issues to be addressed from the above.
A further study will be carried out to inform the final decision on this proposal.
The study will consider the existing and predicted levels and demand for
parking; the availability and pricing of on and off street parking places; the
extent of the congestion problem at the times when it is proposed that the
controlled parking zone will operate; the availability, accessibility and quality of
alternative public transport and the extent of competing demands for road
space and kerb space. Introducing charging for Council owned district centre
car parks will be introduced where it will not simply displace parking to
residential areas. These proposals will be the subject of a formal consultation
process and a further report to the Executive.
Here is the use of parking money for an alleged TRANSPORT SCHEME.
3. Neighbourhood Services – The Village
Pedestrian Zone: To increase the
capital budget by £50,000 in 2011/12, funded by the Parking Reserve. (from today's Executive Committee)
It is interesting that no one seems to have serve an FOI to get full details of the further study with compare with other studies and the traffic counts.
the Whalley RangerOctober 20th 2011.
Some only learn the hard way...
Charlie BOctober 20th 2011.
Kevin: Do you support these parking measures as applied to non-residents?
"means motorists who pay for two hours will be able to park anywhere in the city centre at 6pm and stay there until 8am the following day." - They're saying this as though it's a positive thing, even though you can do the same now and it's free.
"Parking meters across the city centre will also be changed, so instead of paying for parking in 15-minute periods motorists will pay for half hour periods." - Again, not a positive. This means that if you're going into a shop you have to pay for 30 minutes (£1.35) instead of just the 15 minutes that you need. This will make the council a great deal of money, especially as the machines don't give change so lot's of people will pay £1.50.
Jamie I encourage you to keep your eyes out for the consultation on the new residents parking scheme that will be happening soon. Will be a big benefit to city centre residents.
JohnthebriefOctober 20th 2011.
Manchester City Council's campaign of contempt against its own residents continues. These people are so arrogant and out of touch, it's amazing they even bothered with their sham "consultation" at all.
ConmanOctober 20th 2011.
Calm down dear.
Calum McGOctober 25th 2011.
I'm with John. It was mere lip service again.
PaulaOctober 20th 2011.
The council are trying to vouch for the charge, and the reason they are giving is ridiculous, you can park from 6pm - 8am for free now... as of monday you can do exactly the same, but for a fee!!
I live in town and use the street and the NCP currently, I didnt even know there was a parking permit scheme and i've been in town for 5 years!
Paula, the eligibility criteria for the permits were such that most people weren't actually eligbile. That's one of the things Kevin Peel (a city centre councillor) is trying to change, but it won't happen for at least a few months if at all.
Paula it is my sincere hope that in a few months we'll have a fantastic and well advertised scheme for you to sign up to.
I do think it's a shame that Manchester Confidential did not promote the petition they set up on the councils website in the same way they promoted their own.
Perhaps they felt it was a fait accompli?
We have learned one thing from this episode,it is that when the Council put something out to " consultation" it might as well say "it is going to happen no matter what,we'll just let you have a moan about it first" vote them out.
I don't get a vote about the councillor who forced this through - he represents Hulme.
Ironically, given his repeated bitching about people parking in Hulme and walking into the city centre, I think I'm going end up doing that as a direct consequence of this.
Unless he can explain how residents aren't going to be disadvantaged. Anything to say, Councillor Murphy?
FurFoxAcheOctober 20th 2011.
Nothing like a bit of joined up thinking. The residents affected have to wait until months after the introduction of the new parking charges for a consultation on a new residents parking scheme. Shocking. Couldn't have done it at the same time? No, that would have meant saving money!
Jonathan SchofieldOctober 20th 2011.
Anonymous, I think it was a massive fait accompli and it mightily annoys us here. The decision was made and then tweaks happened seemingly as a sop. This is strange. Manchester council has one of the lowest turnouts in its wards in the UK, it should be bending over backwards to make sure that voices other than those in the Town Hall are listened to.
how come they spring the decision on us so quickly ,it only gives residents and busniess three days to make other arrangements,do they hope to make a killing on parking tickets orl will they have the sence to give people a bit of leaway,somehow i doubt it
P. Dan. TicOctober 20th 2011.
Its 'meter' not 'metre'.
Calum McGOctober 21st 2011.
Your so Pendantic
I think you meant 'You're so pedantic', not 'your'. ;)
Some FellaOctober 20th 2011.
I have to go into town every monday night. I used to drive because i am fat and lazy. This week i will use my bike. The charges wont stop me going into town to do my business but it will change my travel habits, which in this case means i wont use my car. I consider this a good thing. Stop wetting your pants everybody and making out that you are some sort of oppressed minority group. Just change your travel habits and become a smug git - just like me.
I would love to but I don't work in cycling distance of my work place and my office doesn't have any public transport links.
remember that when you get knocked off your bike
AsinineOctober 20th 2011.
Oh dear some fella, the point is the health of the city centre, not your health. Have you ever tried taking any substantial shopping home on a bike, maybe a quilt from Debenhams?
How to you ride your bike to Hassingden with 20kg of documents. Look at the big picture.
Colin SwinneyOctober 24th 2011.
Eventually you wont be even cycling in on a Monday night! Wait till you have a taste of the weather on a bike!
Lisa SpeakmanOctober 25th 2011.
I visited Japan, where there are 1000s of people cycling around Tokyo and Kyoto on their bikes, too and from work, because the pavements are extra wide and they are allowed to ride on them. There is no way in hell I would risk my life riding on a bike through the city centre! The number of times I have almost been hit whilst in my car is enough to make me realise you are dicing with death!!
Yeah, not sure how that applies to people who live in the city centre (you did say "everybody"...)
I've noticed that the houses over on George Leigh Street have reserved residents parking outside them and they're practically city centre.
I'm not moaning, good luck to those residents, I just wondered how they're different.
Possibly because the residents purchased them at the same time as their apartments? Just a thought.
Me again. I've just realised that my parking charges are going to go up 269% by these changes being made.
It's the city, duffusOctober 20th 2011.
From now on I will ease-in quantities of coins into those meters. Will it amount to Quadrozingbatsillion quid? I don't think so...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKKHSAE1gIs
I knew there was a reason I come on here (mini me)
AnonymousOctober 21st 2011.
what a load of nonsense... "to enjoy our restaurants and theatres"
errmm... enjoy how many theatres?
I can think of 3 in the city!
Restaurants are struggling as it is..
Plus where did the 'ghost' congestion come from.. sure we have rush hour traffic but normally the congestion is caused by ridiculously timed events and road works.
Bollocks!
J CampionOctober 21st 2011.
It is nonsense and the council forgetting their responsibilities. Shame on them.
F*ck the Council. Money-grabbing b*stards.
EditorialOctober 21st 2011.
Er Ali. Calm down. Abusive stuff that goes too far will be removed.
Sorry. Thank u for leaving it, though :)
Ryan O'hanlonOctober 21st 2011.
Stuart HayesOctober 21st 2011.
Crazy. Foolish. Stupid. Blinkered.
G KhanOctober 21st 2011.
Are they the four members of the Stone Roses? Now called after the rush on ticket sales Rich. Justified. Smug. Overwhelmed.
watch the council retune the traffic lights and prioities to get rid of the jams and declare its all down to the new parking rules they really belive we are all stupid
AnonymousNovember 4th 2011.
if only they would, though there's a few nice adverts here and there they want you to catch
funboi123October 21st 2011.
Its a bloody joke! it went up to 65p per 15 minutes not long ago as it is, now they're going to £1.35 per 30 minutes??
ATTN the person with a calculator in town hall 65p + 65p = £1.30, not £1.35
Again, that elusive 5p they always add in, in the hope you wont have it and so you'll put extra into their coffers.
And as for the telephone payment system, whats the bets there will be a 'handling charge' for using that too.
The only way Manchester can show this ignorant council, who don't listen to their people, is to vote them out next time round.
Lisa CraggOctober 21st 2011.
I only ever go shopping in the city centre on a Sunday as it's free parking. Looks like the Trafford Centre will be getting my money from now on. Ridiculous!
I agree. Or even a 45 min ride up to Leeds. Heard its still free on a Sunday! Alternatively, why not park up in Hulme!! (JOKE!)
No, park up in Hulme - their councillor is responsible for this, let him deal with the fallout.
Antony FoggOctober 21st 2011.
Just means i be going to the Trafford Centre more to shop now - shame as I like Manchester city center.
shabob1October 21st 2011.
I will go to other places like the Reebok or Trafford Centre which is a shame because I really like Manchester but genuinely can't afford to go. Talk about sounding the death knoll for businesses. How foolish and mercenary.
It's the city, duffusOctober 21st 2011.
Apparently, none of the city centre businesses signed the e-petition.
Have they been counted at with imminent knockouts to follow?
Nick CowanOctober 21st 2011.
Won't go there till after 8pm. End of ...... ?
On a Sunday as well? Seriously?
Have I just been out of the loop, because I work in the city centre and hadn't heard of this impending doom?
This also means that I'll need to watch out on Sundays when, after paying and displaying, I get my usual parking fine for 'not displaying a ticket'. The best one I had was when they put the fine on my windscreen RIGHT NEXT TO THE VALID TICKET.
funny i had the same thing happen to me and when i went on line to pay it took me 4 days before they would accept my payment
I had my ticked appeal rejected and then the system claimed there was an error consistently until the charge went back up to £70 when the system started working again
Jemma Taylor shared this on Facebook on October 23rd 2011.
Val WhiteheadOctober 23rd 2011.
Its unfair that people who live in the city centre have to pay for parking. The councils keep saying they want Manchester to be a vibrant city but want to be greedy as well. It will end up a ghost time as people will just start selling up. Its just always take, take take from them. Wonder how much the councilors pay to park in the city centre.
Dear Val Most people who live in the city centre pay for parking either in their service charges or separately for use of their building's car park. Mine with interest charges on buying the space and the service charge for the car park
cost £!600 per year.
Most developments in the last six years have parking at one space per flat.
I've lived in my building since 2000, since before the current planning regulations regarding parking spaces came in.
It has a handful of parking spaces for those in the "luxury" flats on the top floor. The fact that those spaces exist is enough for the council to deny me a residents parking permit, even though I don't have a space myself.
AnonymousOctober 23rd 2011.
This will be a good thing for the City all round. People will consider alternative modes of transport, congestion during peak times will be reduced and the health of the citizens will be improved. And the biggest bonus, no more lazy slobs hogging parking bays around the city centre whilst stores are still open. If you need to come into the City you will and that's the Council's point.
The City is what it is because the Council is prepared to stick its head above the parapet and say "we know what you want but we've got to do what is best economically". You can't have it every way. We rejected the congestion charge, everyone knew there would be a Plan B so accept it and move on. And no I don't work for the Council, just open-minded.
What about local residents, why do we have to pay road tax, council tax, massive mortgages and services charges. We have added to the NQ community for 5 years now and are now being forced away because of this.... We can't afford a bill of over a grand a year to park outside where we live.
well you and the council will be happy whan no one comes into manchester and all the big stores are gone and the clubs are all closed at night and we will be paying through the nose to park for 30 mins wake up take off the rose glasses and unblock you nose and smell what we can all smell manchester rotting from the inside from lack of use ...... will the last one out please turn of the light
A tad melodramatic there. This will change people's mindset not their needs.
"sale now on all prices up "
Might pop out of my apartment at 6.01pm tonight to see the lines of traffic wardens waiting, tickets in hand to slap them on rows of cars.
On a side note, as somebody who works in communications, I've got to say that the MCC have done nowhere near enough to promote these changes. Yes, there's stickers on the machines, but if you're used to parking for free after 6pm and on Sunday, then you don't go to the machine, you park and walk.
Got home at 6.20 and all of the parking bays outside of my apartment (which are usually full) were all empty, except for one car which was getting a ticket put on it.
Congratulations MCC, yes there's no congestion but there's also no cars paying for tickets or people parking up to spend money in the bars, restaurants and shops
Thats the idea there're not after the revenue from the machines there're after the £35 they get for parking tickets
This is one step to far and we are considering moving away from the City Centre, Its stressful enough as it is with out being robbed to park, its over 100 pounds a month, its unaffordable. We are part of a community for which the council have little regard. We work hard and just want to come home without feeling like we are being ripped off. The council simply don't care about residents, its really bad.
Another issue for the NQ is that without single yellows and loading bays to park in at 6 there arn't going to be enough spaces. Its just going to be to stressful. The council don't seem to care about local residents. We really need to vote them out at the next local elections. I pay massive council tax, the street is dirty, the road is so damaged it sends vibrations through the building, our car gets robbed a few times a year and there are scag-heads everywhere, things are going down hill and this is a kick in the face for local residents....
I can understand that the council need more money in the face of budget cuts so making the pay&display bays in use till 8pm is forgiveable.
But making ALL loading bays and single yellow lines follow the 8am-8pm rule (inc. sundays ) is just hugely mean spirited for all the residents of the city centre. It makes it plain as day that this isn't anything to do with congestion at all.
Democracy! The idea is you still have to fight for it!!
I've just noticed that Manchester Confidential has not posted my comment supporting the charge. What's the matter Manchester Confidential? Think you have the power to halt this like you thought you did a couple of months ago? Don't like views that do not support your own? Yes, I gathered that.
ManCon don't tend to remove comments. Suggest its something with your PC as you've repeated this 3 times.
Why are all you residents panicking? Just get on to the Council and look for a solution. Permit Parking is an option and I am sure the Council will be doing an impact assessment following the new plans. Be proactive not reactive - seek a solution and don't hide behind the problem.
There's already a parking permit, that has so many restrictions that there's only approx 30 people who have one (council's own figure).
They're looking into changing it, but this won't even go out for consultation until the new year. In the meantime, the council expects residents to pay to park for the extra 2 hours per weekday, plus Sundays, for the several months that the process will take.
I have attempted to get various people in the council to suggest what we should be doing with our cars in the meantime given that Councillor Murphy has stated "it is not our intention to disadvantage residents", but he has been unable to actually suggest a way in which we will not be disadvantaged during the several months the permit consultation will take.
We've sought a pro-active solution - I personally have been trying to get the pwermit system reviewed since I saw the proposal to change the parking hours, back in March. With the exception of Kevin Peel, I've had very little success trying to get the council to appreciate what the problem is with regards to residents.
The fact of the matter is that the impact on residents was simply not taken into consideration, and I for one cannot afford to pay to park 7 days per week for the several months it wil take to resolve.
What are you talking about. A parking permit is now 800 pounds a year. I don't have 800 pounds a year, we are worried about our jobs, we pay huge council tax, road tax and service charges. We simply can't afford it. Whats next no parking till 10, 24hr, where does it end. Plus without single yellows and loading bays at 6 there isn't enough room. Nobody has thought this through. I rang the council parking office this morning to try and understand eligibility, the website hasn't been updated, they don't know what the policy is. The lady on the phone told me they had had scores of calls and they just can't help people. She told me the council simply haven't planned this properly and even the parking office don't know whats going on. Its a total incompetent mess. Ring them and speak to them yourself and you try and seek a solution.
My comment would seem to have been taken down, or I cocked it up. Top and bottom the council don't know their own policy of resident passes. Ring them up and ask them they simply haven't a clue. One department doesn't know what the other is doing. I you don't believe me ring them yourself.
We don't take down comments Anonymous unless personally abusive of others. You can abuse us pretty much as you want.
The rant facility doesn't work properly and hasn't done since the most recent redesign.
I have found that the only way I can both post (using my preferred pseudonym rather than the default option of 'post reply') and then read my contribution, is if I clear cookies before and after posting, making sure that before posting, I log in on the front page, following links through to the page I want to contribute to.
If this isn't sorted out, more and more people will start shopping at the Trafford Centre. Or something.
Would it be fair to say that MCC has allowed NCP to build up to much of a monopoly on parking in the city,where is the competition that should help keep prices in check,it seems that JC decaux and NCP are running the Town Hall
I just got a ticket for parking and not displaying a ticket was there any sign's saying new charges in operation? no there wasn't if you always got free parking after 6pm why should you suddenly think to go check the machine to see if changes had been made especially with no announcements! not happy, will not be eating at that restaurant again not when you get tickets!
IzzyOctober 25th 2011.
....and why is the fault of the restaurant? Take up the issue with MCC, the restaurant is likely struggling already, as many are; do you suggest they add a little note to the menu informing customers of new parking charges on the public highway outside their premises?
If the signage hasnt been updated, you are well within your right to dispute the parking charge. Write a letter and they will cancel it.
But please dont blame the restaurant for your choice of parking. How are they to know you came by car and not taxi/ tram etc?
my comments just been taken down as well, why dont they want people to know that I just got a ticket for not knowing you now need to pay to park after 6pm. presumably because the council thought it best not to inform the residents. as i said before I will simply avoid eating in town if I cant park. this will have an effect on business as more and more people turn away from teh CC. at least the Trafford centre has free parking and much nicer restaurants!
G KhanOctober 25th 2011.
The Trafford Centre has much nicer restaurants than the city centre, is that what you are really saying. Mr Anonymous has clearly had his tastebuds surgically removed
Simon TurnerOctober 25th 2011.
You've lost it mate.
The comment bit doesn't refresh for me unless I hit ctrl-F5 - so it doesn't show my own comments until I do. I suspect that's what's happening to the posters who think they're being censored. Then at some point, it'll get refreshed and they'll feel a bit silly.
Something to consider fixing, ManConf?
looks like the trafford centre is going to get a lot busier. Another fine example of politicians not having a clue about supporting local business growth.
my mate chaz got a ticket last night. Didnt remember about the reg changes. He's well miffed.
actually he's just told me he didnt even know about the changes - and he lives in the city ! - what a berk :-/
Ed HughesOctober 27th 2011.
If it hadn't been for ManCon, my girlfriend would have got a ticket the other night after parking in a regular haunt, only for me to suddenly remember that the changes were supposed to be in place sometime this week...
The arguments against these changes are well documented, but the fact that MCC haven't even publicised this (in any real way) is absolutely disgraceful. Seriously, how many people who don't read ManCon even know about this change? Where is the advertising campaign? Another example of the Council *wanting* people to get caught out so they can make a few quid.
One question - can anyone tell me how far out of the city centre these changes are going to be enforced? Castlefield, for example? Any precise boundaries? I can imagine it being massively confusing around the M.E.N./Blackfriars area in particular...
I believe it's everything inside the inner ring road, on the Manchester side of the river. So Castlefield is included, the St. Georges area the other side of the Mancunian Way aren't. Southern Gateway is included, the area to the rear of MMU isn't.
I've had a look the past few days, and although there's been more parked cars outside my flat than I thought there would be between 6-8pm, a quick glance showed that approximately 50% hadn't paid the meters so were presumably chancing it. I haven't seen any of them with tickets though, so I wonder if there's an unspoken grace period or whether the cuts to the number of attendants in combination with the 33% increase in hours they're needed means more cars are getting away with it.
I wouldn't be surprised if - far from chancing it - a large majority of those drivers simply had no idea the changes had even been put in place...
Ed. The council have completely got this wrong. It's a foolish and stupid thing to do.
Completely agree Jon, it doesn't make sense on practically any level except financially (for the Council), and even then, surely it makes more sense to encourage people to spend money in the city centre, not dissuade them from coming in because of parking charges? Madness.
And Stephen, thanks for the help - I just found the council's map of the parking zone, courtesy of my flatmate: maps.google.co.uk/…/ms…
Just occurred to me that we can't win - if the streets are devoid of cars between 6 & 8, then the aim of reducing parking congestion was met.
Alternatively, if they're packed, then it shows it hasn't stopped people coming into the city. The council will spin it however it suits them and we'll have no argument.
Stephen.. the question is what is the information about congestion etc on which the policy is based. Have you asked for it.?
And as for it being packed, this means the policy hasn't worked. I posted the objectives earlier on and also a note about a survey which was to be done in the Spring.
Two questions remain unanswered:
What do the Council expect to make per annum on this?
Will they review their policy if they miss that target?
This is the 50p tax rate argument, surely it applies here...
A warden has just told me the council had a soft touch approach at the beginning of the week,presumably to lure us in to a false sense of security,but now they have put extra shifts on to ticket everyone. All those signs saying I love Manchester and not one to tell us we are about to be shafted.
Yep, that fits in with what I've seen - lots of cars that hadn't paid but hadn't been ticketed earlier in the week, but I've seen double figures whilst walking back from the aquatics centre.
They could have put warning notices on the windscreens of those who would have received tickets earlier in the week, if they genuinely wanted to give people time to adjust.
Sorry, that should have read "I've seen double figures with tickets on whilst walking back from the aquatics centre"
Dear Whalley Ranger Why don't you ask the Council for their estimate of the yield and and cost of the charges compared with the actuals October to December last year? Its easy to do the FOI form in on the Councils website.
You can actually ask for a review in two ways. 1) a petition followed up by a request for a report to be considered by the relevant scrutiny committee, 2 ) and lobby the councillors if it is put on the agenda.
Democracy involve engagement in it, rather than posting on Man Con
A forum's a forum. A FOI is a FOI.
Thanks for clarifying that.
Democracy comes in all shapes and forms...signing petitions, participating in marches, engaging in political discussions with your peer group, voting for a council that actually represents you etc.
Are you saying I'm not doing that?
Jonathan SchofieldOctober 31st 2011.
For God's sake Anon, we had more than 6,000 people petition with no. Look up the definition of democracy would you. 6,000 is more than double any of the votes of any city councillor of Manchester.
Congratulations MCC its working ,all the parking bays on Liverpool Rd Castlefield are empty ,mind you so are the pubs and resturants
JoanOctober 31st 2011.
Anon - they usually are fairly empty at 4.00pm on a Monday; charging at this time on a Monday is nothing new. The test is what happens after 6.00pm and on a Sunday.
This is the most pig-headed thing the Council have done in the city centre for years. It's stubborn and unpopular.
Jamie BeeOctober 31st 2011.
I walked from Tariff St to Tescos on Piccadilly yesterday morning and every car I passed had PCN (parking ticket) on the window, this is obviously due to a lack of communication on the part of MCC. A ticket on the machine doesn't help people who've been parking free after 6pm and on Sunday as they don't look at the machine.
MCC must be making a fortune from this stupid change, but perhaps that was the plan all along. Anyway, I've submitted my FOI request and am looking forward to the reply.
Jamie that's a good idea. Make money from the charge through fines of people who don't know there is a charge and then maybe after two or three months say hey we've been listening to people all along so we were wrong and now we're going to remove the charge. Best of both worlds. Doubles all round.
Stephen DouglasNovember 2nd 2011.
Got a reply to my objection to the proposal, 10 days after said proposal became fact. The reply addresses things that I made clear were not issues (such as the 2 hour parking - I live in zone 2, which already had a max stay of 2 hours). It's worded in such a way as leads me to believe that my objection was not even read.
So much for democracy.
AnonymousNovember 3rd 2011.
Democracy as far as I know is not about getting your own way.
Stephen DouglasNovember 3rd 2011.
No, but it is (partially) about having your objections at least read and hopefully taken into consideration.
If you request the Manchester City Centre Parking Study Report from March 2011, you can see what they based their data on. 4 days worth of parking surveys in March 2011 and a year's worth of congestion analysis from 1st September 2009 to 31st August 2010. Two vastly different variables have been correlated and a rather slapdash conclusion has been reached. The reasoning the Council provides for the increase in parking charges is not mentioned in the Transport Strategy for Manchester November 2010. Is this going to be investigated further?
Stephen DouglasNovember 4th 2011.
It's to pay for the pedestrianisation (is that a word?) of Canal Street. There's an item in the minutes of the council executive, dated Oct 26 (Item 12 - Capital Increases, appendix 1) where the pedestrianisation scheme ("Village Pedestrian Zone") is shown as costing £50,000 to be funded from the Parking Reserve Fund.
The parking reserve fund is where revenues from parking goes, and is ringfenced for transport & parking improvements. However, the use of the fund is meant to be for parking improvements, and if none are needed then it can be considered for other transport schemes. It's not meant to be increased with the intention of paying for a scheme, and this directly contradicts the reason given when my objection was rejected, which was that it was to reduce parking congestion and (this was explicitly stated) was not intended to generate revenue.
An anonymous commenter posted this above, but to my shame I didn't really pay attention. I've since been pointed in the right direction by another councillor, and it's correct. It's been admitted by Councillor Pat Karney, after I forced him to back down on his claims that it's to make up for the shortfall from central government - that would definitely be illegal for the council to do.
Just to be clear and to hopefully alleviate any concerns that editorial staff may have about my post, the comments of Cllrs Karney and Ramsbottom that led to this, plus Cllr Karney's admission are available on a publicly-viewable forum. I can provide details on request.
ashimotoNovember 4th 2011.
as if things are not hard enough for the bars and restaurants in the city they might as well build barriers around the perimeter to stop people coming in
Calum McGNovember 4th 2011.
Why can't we have a Council that doesn't fudge things. If I did that in my day job, I'd get fired. But in the public domain it's fine to just make it up as you want and spin it as much as you see fit. Nonsense.
Had fun explaining our new parking rules to some German guests last night,they recommended that we should just shoot the Council, never thought I'd find myself agreeing with a German
www.localgov.co.uk/index.cfm…
I think we need to keep fighting this ridiculous parking charges in Manchester!!
If it's considered a debacle when they manage to stop the changes I wonder what they'd call our situation
CobbydalerJanuary 29th 2012.
So now they're reducing the width of Deansgate to discourage people from driving into the centre. Really joined up thinking when Great Ancoats Street is down to one lane in several places due to roadworks! I'm beginning to think the council are taking bungs from the Trafford Centre!
Jonathan SchofieldJanuary 30th 2012.
Cobbydaler - I've got a call into the Council asking what on earth is going on.
It would be nice to know!


Choicemaking and requesting may be the most frequently targeted areas for beginning communicators who are starting out with their AAC systems. That makes sense for some learners because making choices is a very concrete focus for interaction and is loaded with motivational power. It seems pretty straightforward but, like anything else we do clinically, there are lots of decisions and choices to be made as we delve deeper into the process.
How can we craft an AAC system that targets requesting for now, but also supports core language learning? For communicators who are at the earliest stages of making requests with AAC symbols, the strategy we discussed earlier this month or simple choice boards are a good starting point. But unless we quickly address where this is all going, the client will be strictly limited in their language learning. There are many ways to do this. Here is one approach.
Then, think about how many your learner can handle at this stage, with the understanding that these are words that YOU will be using to talk to them (not the reverse) using aided language input. We usually start with 8-12.
Look at your core word board with 50+ symbols, and decide which 8-12 are the best to start with. Again, these are words that WE are using when we talk to the learner. These are NOT words we are eliciting from the learner, for the most part, at this stage.
Make a version of the core word board that covers up all but the 8-12 words you've decided to start with. We usually use gray boxes to hide the remaining 38-42 symbols, so that the beginning communicator learns to ignore the gray boxes and focuses on the symbols.
Use the core word boards before and after the learner makes requests to narrate the actions and make conversation. Present the choicemaking board when eliciting requests, and then go back to the core word board to 'speak AAC' to the learner.
"So, am I going back and forth between two boards?" Yes. One tip: make them the same size and don't laminate them. Instead insert them back-to-back into a page protector so that you can just flip it over to go from requesting to core language. Of course, there are other approaches, too. We're not saying this is the best for everyone, but we wanted to give a concrete idea of how to do this for those who just aren't sure how to proceed.
Over time, make additional versions of the core word board that reveal more and more of the 50+ words on the original board. Replace the old boards with the slightly expanded versions as you and the learner acclimate to the vocabulary.
Teaching someone to choose something they want or the way they want to do something is a great way to build personal autonomy, highlight the real power of communication, and give frequent opportunities for prAACtice. We'd love to hear some of the fun ways that you're doing this in your own practice.
Great Post Carole, although I find the hardest thing to do is to figure out WHAT core words will make sense to my son. I have stuck to requesting choice boards that are 'similar' in nature but not exactly the same. The top few boxes are I WANT, MORE, FINISHED, and the next row is all requesting options. The third row is 'something else', 'I like', 'I don't like' etc. But I find the more I add to the boards the more visually confusing it appears to be for him. He doesn't have the best of vision and won't tolerate his glasses on full time. To have 50+ boxes on a board would be just TOO much, greyed out or not. So we have basically a 'menu' of food items and I just continually change the choice boards over dependant on the time of the day. We have since got a TV choice board, and a Bedtime choice board with book selections, and DVD choices etc. But I have had a difficult time teaching him anything other than nouns and cannot fathom how to incorporate 'core' words into his vocabulary or make AAC motivating for him (he has an AAC app on his iPad but isn't motivated to use it).
Vivien, you are not alone in trying to make the general case scenario work for an individual child. Here are some thoughts. First, our 'go-to' strategy is aided language input. If we uses the AAC tools all day long when we are talking to the learners, it helps to establish a solid foundation. I always figure that the kids will do about 5% of what they see me do, so if I want them to do more, then I try to do more. Also, we often separate out the core vocabulary (pronouns, verbs, etc) from the activity-specific vocabulary (particularly the nouns). For beginning communicators, we generally don't focus on having them combine words to make sentences (e.g., I want more, finished puzzles). Hope that helps a little. Thanks for taking the time to comment, Vivien!


I am an architectural historian and consultant, and here you can read about my writing, broadcasting, lecturing and conservation management work on a variety of historic buildings. I do hope you find it useful, please feel free to get in touch with any queries.
I hope you'll enjoy looking around the site and find what you're looking for. I welcome your feedback and look forward to hearing from you. Thank you for visiting.


This strong durable tote comes in a rainbow of colors and is a tremendous value.600 denier polyester..
A light compact basic carryall tote at a great value. 100% cotton sheeting Reinforced stitching on h..
This reusable grocery tote features a square bottom to sit upright. Double-stitched seams and reinfo..


Turneriella parva Levett et al. 2005 is the only species of the genus Turneriella which was established as a result of the reclassification of Leptospira parva Hovind-Hougen et al. 1982. Together with Leptonema and Leptospira, Turneriella constitutes the family Leptospiraceae, within the order Spirochaetales. Here we describe the features of this free-living aerobic spirochete together with the complete genome sequence and annotation. This is the first complete genome sequence of a member of the genus Turneriella and the 13th member of the family Leptospiraceae for which a complete or draft genome sequence is now available. The 4,409,302 bp long genome with its 4,169 protein-coding and 45 RNA genes is part of the GenomicEncyclopedia ofBacteria andArchaea project.
Spirochaeta caldaria Pohlschroeder et al. 1995 is an obligately anaerobic, spiral-shaped bacterium that is motile via periplasmic flagella. The type strain, H1T, was isolated in 1990 from cyanobacterial mat samples collected at a freshwater hot spring in Oregon, USA, and is of interest because it enhances the degradation of cellulose when grown in co-culture with Clostridium thermocellum. Here we provide a taxonomic re-evaluation for S. caldaria based on phylogenetic analyses of 16S rRNA sequences and whole genomes, and propose the reclassification of S. caldaria and two other Spirochaeta species as members of the emended genus Treponema. Whereas genera such as Borrelia and Sphaerochaeta possess well-distinguished genomic features related to their divergent lifestyles, the physiological and functional genomic characteristics of Spirochaeta and Treponema appear to be intermixed and are of little taxonomic value. The 3,239,340 bp long genome of strain H1T with its 2,869 protein-coding and 59 RNA genes is a part of the GenomicEncyclopedia ofBacteria andArchaea project.
Spirochaeta africana Zhilina et al. 1996 is an anaerobic, aerotolerant, spiral-shaped bacterium that is motile via periplasmic flagella. The type strain of the species, Z-7692T, was isolated in 1993 or earlier from a bacterial bloom in the brine under the trona layer in a shallow lagoon of the alkaline equatorial Lake Magadi in Kenya. Here we describe the features of this organism, together with the complete genome sequence, and annotation. Considering the pending reclassification of S. caldaria to the genus Treponema, S. africana is only the second 'true' member of the genus Spirochaeta with a genome-sequenced type strain to be published. The 3,285,855 bp long genome of strain Z-7692T with its 2,817 protein-coding and 57 RNA genes is a part of the GenomicEncyclopedia ofBacteria andArchaea project.
Anaerobaculum mobile Menes and Muxí 2002 is one of three described species of the genus Anaerobaculum, family Synergistaceae, phylum Synergistetes. This anaerobic and motile bacterium ferments a range of carbohydrates and mono- and dicarboxylic acids with acetate, hydrogen and CO2 as end products. A. mobile NGAT is the first member of the genus Anaerobaculum and the sixth member of the phylum Synergistetes with a completely sequenced genome. Here we describe the features of this bacterium, together with the complete genome sequence, and annotation. The 2,160,700 bp long single replicon genome with its 2,053 protein-coding and 56 RNA genes is part of the GenomicEncyclopedia ofBacteria andArchaea project.


text:
Representative Brenda Gilmore
Representative Brenda Gilmore's strong background in volunteer work and political campaigns has played a large role in her successfully representing her constituents in the state legislature since 2006. While she was initially reluctant to volunteer to work for her first political campaign as she was juggling a lot of responsibilities at the time, she quickly rose through the ranks to become the campaign's manager. Indeed, she found that she had a real knack for politics, noting that whenever she made asks ranging from hosting a party or running a poll, people were very receptive. Her success gave her the confidence to run for office, and in her first campaign, she beat an incumbent to gain her current seat in the Tennessee House of Representatives.
During her tenure in the Tennessee House, Representative Gilmore has been a champion for her constituents, and one of her key issues is criminal justice reform. Her passion for criminal justice reform was sparked when she hosted a job fair for those who had been incarcerated and was stunned by the turnout with 3,000 former inmates in attendance. It was a sharp contrast to a perception held by some that men and women with a criminal record do not want to work, and she was determined to provide a much-needed second chance for those who paid their debt to society.
After she was elected as the Chair of the Tennessee Black Caucus of State Legislators, Representative Gilmore held public hearings on incarceration and its impact on the communities. From this public hearing came multiple pieces of draft legislation, including HB 2442, sponsored in January 2016 by Representative Gilmore personally to "ban the box" or prohibit state employers from including boxes on initial application forms to check whether an applicant has a criminal background when applying for state jobs in Tennessee.
With the support of the governor who had recently created a task force to look into incarceration, it was an opportune time to sponsor HB 2442, which passed with support of both legislative houses and was signed into law by the governor in April 2016. While she had originally intended the bill to apply to both the public sector and the private sector, she acknowledged that there was not sufficient support from business associations for this legislation.
She argued that a willingness to compromise is absolutely key to passing legislation. "You need to be willing to reach across the aisle," said Gilmore. "If it means that much to you, then you also have to be willing to negotiate."
A high priority piece of legislation that Representative Gilmore will push for in 2017 is a modification of the Drug-Free School Zone Act that provides for enhanced criminal penalties for any drug offenses within one thousand feet of a school, child care agency, library, or public park. While she clearly condemns the illegal nature of drug use, she finds that this results in those living in urban areas facing higher penalties that those living in rural areas due to the density of these public facilities. Representative Gilmore pointed out the Kentucky recently reduced this zone from 1,000 feet to 300 feet and that she looks to use this legislation as a model for her own work next year.
When asked what advice she would give to girls and women who hope to run for office, Representative Gilmore stated, "Talk to as many people as you can, both those who have been successful and those who have not been successful."
She noted the importance of attending neighborhood meetings to get to know the issues and to volunteer for other campaigns to support other women. Gilmore added, "Don't be afraid to ask for money, and in the end just do it!" Representative Gilmore declared that while many women have the skills necessary to run for office, they do not recognize how these skill sets can transfer into being a public servant.
Representative Gilmore proudly joined the ranks of Women In Government leadership as a State Director due to its support of not only women in Nashville but also women across the country. She is a true champion for women as evidenced by her call to action for women who do not ultimately choose to run for office. – "If you don't want to run for office, you should support other women," said Gilmore. "There's still a role for you to help and build good public policy."
About Future WIG
Women In Government supports women of all ages in leadership roles, and is working hard to ensure that young women are given the resources and mentorship they need in order to achieve their goals. This program takes place at WIG Regional conferences, where WIG asks women state legislators and leaders in the private sector to encourage young women across the country to pursue leadership roles. This program is made possible by Southwest Airlines.
See all upcoming events >
2019 WIG-Kennedy Center Outstanding Women State Legislator Supporting the Arts
A Year of Pearls of WIGdom
Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter
Assemblywoman Lisa Krasner
Assemblywoman Jill Tolles

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


The capital city of the Czech Republic Prague, is one of the most beautiful cities in the world with an unforgettable atmosphere created by years of history. The Czech Republic is dotted with historical towns, castles, churches, monasteries, countless museums, galleries, and other tourist sights. It has an area of 496 km² and is home to 1,200,000 people. In the year 870, Prague castle was established, this period is regarded as the beginning of the city's existence. However, people inhabited the area in the early Stone Age. In 1918, at the end of World War I, Prague was declared the capital of a new country – the Czechoslovak Republic. In 1993 it became the capital of an independent Czech Republic.


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text:
Food insecurity: How do you measure the problem?
By FSD Staff on Apr. 11, 2019
Photograph by Jason Little
With an issue as far reaching as food insecurity, how does one possibly get at its scope?
"I think that globally when people poll students, we're not all speaking the same language, and I think that's been one of the challenges," says Jill Horst, executive director of campus dining at the University of California Santa Barbara, noting that a number of different questions may be asked to gain a sense of the issue, each of which measures something different. Some examples she gave: Do you feel you're food insecure? Do you feel you can get food? Do you feel that you're eating what you want to be eating every day?
The USDA Economic Research Service (USDA ERS) examines the nation's food security on an annual basis. Every December, close to 40,000 households are asked a series of questions related to food security as an add-on to the monthly Current Population Survey undertaken by the U.S. Census Bureau (the population sample is representative at both state and national levels, per the USDA). Analyzing that data supplied by the Census Bureau, USDA ERS estimated that 11.8% of American households experienced food insecurity in 2017.
"Still Hungry and Homeless in College," a report issued by the Wisconsin HOPE Lab in April 2018 and widely discussed in the media at that time, was based on research that used a USDA-developed 10-item survey to measure food security among adults. (The researchers also asked questions about access to housing.) The study determined that 36% of college students had been food insecure in the month (30 days) prior to taking the survey.
The 43,000 responses it received from 66 higher-education institutions were voluntary and nonrandom, per the report, and schools promoted 10 $100 prizes in an effort to garner responses. "Given these constraints, the results may not be generalizable on either institutional or national levels," the report said, urging the government and other organizations to allot funding for a more comprehensive study.
Not quite a snap
The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) has noted a gap in the number of college students who may be eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and those who actually utilize them. Looking at data from the U.S. Department of Education, the GAO concluded in a December 2018 report that close to 2 million "at-risk" students who could be eligible to receive SNAP benefits "did not report receiving benefits in 2016." Close to a third of state SNAP agencies told the GAO last spring that they were working to boost college students' awareness of the program and to assist them with accessing benefits. A low income is "the most common risk factor for food insecurity among college students," notes the GAO report.
Food security, stratified
The USDA breaks down food security into these four buckets:
High food security: "No reported indications of food-access problems or limitations."
Marginal food security: "One or two reported indications—typically of anxiety over food sufficiency or shortage of food in the house. Little or no indication of changes in diets or food intake."
Low food security: "Reports of reduced quality, variety or desirability of diet. Little or no indication of reduced food intake."
Very low food security: "Reports of multiple indications of disrupted eating patterns and reduced food intake."


text:
package com.ibm.icu.text;

import java.io.IOException;
import java.text.CharacterIterator;
import java.util.Stack;

import com.ibm.icu.lang.UCharacter;
import com.ibm.icu.lang.UProperty;
import com.ibm.icu.lang.UScript;

class ThaiBreakEngine implements LanguageBreakEngine {
    /* Helper class for improving readability of the Thai word break
     * algorithm.
     */
    static class PossibleWord {
        // List size, limited by the maximum number of words in the dictionary
        // that form a nested sequence.
        private final static int POSSIBLE_WORD_LIST_MAX = 20;
        //list of word candidate lengths, in increasing length order
        private int lengths[];
        private int count[];    // Count of candidates
        private int prefix;     // The longest match with a dictionary word
        private int offset;     // Offset in the text of these candidates
        private int mark;       // The preferred candidate's offset
        private int current;    // The candidate we're currently looking at

        // Default constructor
        public PossibleWord() {
            lengths = new int[POSSIBLE_WORD_LIST_MAX];
            count = new int[1]; // count needs to be an array of 1 so that it can be pass as reference
            offset = -1;
        }

        // Fill the list of candidates if needed, select the longest, and return the number found
        public int candidates(CharacterIterator fIter, DictionaryMatcher dict, int rangeEnd) {
            int start = fIter.getIndex();
            if (start != offset) {
                offset = start;
                prefix = dict.matches(fIter, rangeEnd - start, lengths, count, lengths.length);
                // Dictionary leaves text after longest prefix, not longest word. Back up.
                if (count[0] <= 0) {
                    fIter.setIndex(start);
                }
            }
            if (count[0] > 0) {
                fIter.setIndex(start + lengths[count[0]-1]);
            }
            current = count[0] - 1;
            mark = current;
            return count[0];
        }

        // Select the currently marked candidate, point after it in the text, and invalidate self
        public int acceptMarked(CharacterIterator fIter) {
            fIter.setIndex(offset + lengths[mark]);
            return lengths[mark];
        }

        // Backup from the current candidate to the next shorter one; return true if that exists
        // and point the text after it
        public boolean backUp(CharacterIterator fIter) {
            if (current > 0) {
                fIter.setIndex(offset + lengths[--current]);
                return true;
            }
            return false;
        }

        // Return the longest prefix this candidate location shares with a dictionary word
        public int longestPrefix() {
            return prefix;
        }

        // Mark the current candidate as the one we like
        public void markCurrent() {
            mark = current;
        }
    }

    // Constants for ThaiBreakIterator
    // How many words in a row are "good enough"?
    private static final byte THAI_LOOKAHEAD = 3;
    // Will not combine a non-word with a preceding dictionary word longer than this
    private static final byte THAI_ROOT_COMBINE_THRESHOLD = 3;
    // Will not combine a non-word that shares at least this much prefix with a
    // dictionary word with a preceding word
    private static final byte THAI_PREFIX_COMBINE_THRESHOLD = 3;
    // Ellision character
    private static final char THAI_PAIYANNOI = 0x0E2F;
    // Repeat character
    private static final char THAI_MAIYAMOK = 0x0E46;
    // Minimum word size
    private static final byte THAI_MIN_WORD = 2;

    private DictionaryMatcher fDictionary;
    private static UnicodeSet fThaiWordSet;
    private static UnicodeSet fEndWordSet;
    private static UnicodeSet fBeginWordSet;
    private static UnicodeSet fSuffixSet;
    private static UnicodeSet fMarkSet;

    static {
        // Initialize UnicodeSets
        fThaiWordSet = new UnicodeSet();
        fMarkSet = new UnicodeSet();
        fEndWordSet = new UnicodeSet();
        fBeginWordSet = new UnicodeSet();
        fSuffixSet = new UnicodeSet();

        fThaiWordSet.applyPattern("[[:Thai:]&[:LineBreak=SA:]]");
        fThaiWordSet.compact();

        fMarkSet.applyPattern("[[:Thai:]&[:LineBreak=SA:]&[:M:]]");
        fMarkSet.add(0x0020);
        fEndWordSet = fThaiWordSet;
        fEndWordSet.remove(0x0E31); // MAI HAN-AKAT
        fEndWordSet.remove(0x0E40, 0x0E44); // SARA E through SARA AI MAIMALAI
        fBeginWordSet.add(0x0E01, 0x0E2E); //KO KAI through HO NOKHUK
        fBeginWordSet.add(0x0E40, 0x0E44); // SARA E through SARA AI MAIMALAI
        fSuffixSet.add(THAI_PAIYANNOI);
        fSuffixSet.add(THAI_MAIYAMOK);

        // Compact for caching
        fMarkSet.compact();
        fEndWordSet.compact();
        fBeginWordSet.compact();
        fSuffixSet.compact();

        // Freeze the static UnicodeSet
        fThaiWordSet.freeze();
        fMarkSet.freeze();
        fEndWordSet.freeze();
        fBeginWordSet.freeze();
        fSuffixSet.freeze();
    }

    public ThaiBreakEngine() throws IOException {
        // Initialize dictionary
        fDictionary = DictionaryData.loadDictionaryFor("Thai");
    }

    public boolean handles(int c, int breakType) {
        if (breakType == BreakIterator.KIND_WORD || breakType == BreakIterator.KIND_LINE) {
            int script = UCharacter.getIntPropertyValue(c, UProperty.SCRIPT);
            return (script == UScript.THAI);
        }
        return false;
    }

    public int findBreaks(CharacterIterator fIter, int rangeStart, int rangeEnd, boolean reverse, int breakType,
            Stack<Integer> foundBreaks) {
        if ((rangeEnd - rangeStart) < THAI_MIN_WORD) {
            return 0;  // Not enough characters for word
        }
        int wordsFound = 0;
        int wordLength;
        int current;
        PossibleWord words[] = new PossibleWord[THAI_LOOKAHEAD];
        for (int i = 0; i < THAI_LOOKAHEAD; i++) {
            words[i] = new PossibleWord();
        }
        int uc;

        fIter.setIndex(rangeStart);

        while ((current = fIter.getIndex()) < rangeEnd) {
            wordLength = 0;

            //Look for candidate words at the current position
            int candidates = words[wordsFound%THAI_LOOKAHEAD].candidates(fIter, fDictionary, rangeEnd);

            // If we found exactly one, use that
            if (candidates == 1) {
                wordLength = words[wordsFound%THAI_LOOKAHEAD].acceptMarked(fIter);
                wordsFound += 1;
            }

            // If there was more than one, see which one can take us forward the most words
            else if (candidates > 1) {
                boolean foundBest = false;
                // If we're already at the end of the range, we're done
                if (fIter.getIndex() < rangeEnd) {
                    do {
                        int wordsMatched = 1;
                        if (words[(wordsFound+1)%THAI_LOOKAHEAD].candidates(fIter, fDictionary, rangeEnd) > 0) {
                            if (wordsMatched < 2) {
                                // Followed by another dictionary word; mark first word as a good candidate
                                words[wordsFound%THAI_LOOKAHEAD].markCurrent();
                                wordsMatched = 2;
                            }

                            // If we're already at the end of the range, we're done
                            if (fIter.getIndex() >= rangeEnd) {
                                break;
                            }

                            // See if any of the possible second words is followed by a third word
                            do {
                                // If we find a third word, stop right away
                                if (words[(wordsFound+2)%THAI_LOOKAHEAD].candidates(fIter, fDictionary, rangeEnd) > 0) {
                                    words[wordsFound%THAI_LOOKAHEAD].markCurrent();
                                    foundBest = true;
                                    break;
                                }
                            } while (words[(wordsFound+1)%THAI_LOOKAHEAD].backUp(fIter));
                        }
                    } while (words[wordsFound%THAI_LOOKAHEAD].backUp(fIter) && !foundBest);
                }
                wordLength = words[wordsFound%THAI_LOOKAHEAD].acceptMarked(fIter);
                wordsFound += 1;
            }

            // We come here after having either found a word or not. We look ahead to the
            // next word. If it's not a dictionary word, we will combine it with the word we
            // just found (if there is one), but only if the preceding word does not exceed
            // the threshold.
            // The text iterator should now be positioned at the end of the word we found.
            if (fIter.getIndex() < rangeEnd && wordLength < THAI_ROOT_COMBINE_THRESHOLD) {
                // If it is a dictionary word, do nothing. If it isn't, then if there is
                // no preceding word, or the non-word shares less than the minimum threshold
                // of characters with a dictionary word, then scan to resynchronize
                if (words[wordsFound%THAI_LOOKAHEAD].candidates(fIter, fDictionary, rangeEnd) <= 0 &&
                        (wordLength == 0 ||
                                words[wordsFound%THAI_LOOKAHEAD].longestPrefix() < THAI_PREFIX_COMBINE_THRESHOLD)) {
                    // Look for a plausible word boundary
                    int remaining = rangeEnd - (current + wordLength);
                    int pc = fIter.current();
                    int chars = 0;
                    for (;;) {
                        fIter.next();
                        uc = fIter.current();
                        chars += 1;
                        if (--remaining <= 0) {
                            break;
                        }
                        if (fEndWordSet.contains(pc) && fBeginWordSet.contains(uc)) {
                            // Maybe. See if it's in the dictionary.
                            // Note: In the original Apple code, checked that the next
                            // two characters after uc were not 0x0E4C THANTHAKHAT before
                            // checking the dictionary. That is just a performance filter,
                            // but it's not clear it's faster than checking the trie
                            int candidate = words[(wordsFound + 1) %THAI_LOOKAHEAD].candidates(fIter, fDictionary, rangeEnd);
                            fIter.setIndex(current + wordLength + chars);
                            if (candidate > 0) {
                                break;
                            }
                        }
                        pc = uc;
                    }

                    // Bump the word count if there wasn't already one
                    if (wordLength <= 0) {
                        wordsFound += 1;
                    }

                    // Update the length with the passed-over characters
                    wordLength += chars;
                } else {
                    // Backup to where we were for next iteration
                    fIter.setIndex(current+wordLength);
                }
            }

            // Never stop before a combining mark.
            int currPos;
            while ((currPos = fIter.getIndex()) < rangeEnd && fMarkSet.contains(fIter.current())) {
                fIter.next();
                wordLength += fIter.getIndex() - currPos;
            }

            // Look ahead for possible suffixes if a dictionary word does not follow.
            // We do this in code rather than using a rule so that the heuristic
            // resynch continues to function. For example, one of the suffix characters
            // could be a typo in the middle of a word.
            if (fIter.getIndex() < rangeEnd && wordLength > 0) {
                if (words[wordsFound%THAI_LOOKAHEAD].candidates(fIter, fDictionary, rangeEnd) <= 0 &&
                        fSuffixSet.contains(uc = fIter.current())) {
                    if (uc == THAI_PAIYANNOI) {
                        if (!fSuffixSet.contains(fIter.previous())) {
                            // Skip over previous end and PAIYANNOI
                            fIter.next();
                            fIter.next();
                            wordLength += 1;
                            uc = fIter.current();
                        } else {
                            // Restore prior position
                            fIter.next();
                        }
                    }
                    if (uc == THAI_MAIYAMOK) {
                        if (fIter.previous() != THAI_MAIYAMOK) {
                            // Skip over previous end and MAIYAMOK
                            fIter.next();
                            fIter.next();
                            wordLength += 1;
                        } else {
                            // restore prior position
                            fIter.next();
                        }
                    }
                } else {
                    fIter.setIndex(current + wordLength);
                }
            }

            // Did we find a word on this iteration? If so, push it on the break stack
            if (wordLength > 0) {
                foundBreaks.push(Integer.valueOf(current + wordLength));
            }
        }

        // Don't return a break for the end of the dictionary range if there is one there
        if (foundBreaks.peek().intValue() >= rangeEnd) {
            foundBreaks.pop();
            wordsFound -= 1;
        }

        return wordsFound;
    }

}


PDM Plumbing, Heating, Cooling / Improving Indoor Air Quality / When Was The Last Time You Cried?
Hopefully not because of Allergies. Do you think Allergies Are Normal? What comforts allergies?
Watch a video about air purity in your home.


Toys boost creative thinking in kids and hence it's important to buy the correct toys for your children. Discover the most popular toddler boy toys, educational toys, outdoor toddler toys, and toys for 1-year-olds. Find car toys, magnetic toy, and dinosaur toys to keep your kids from getting bored. Stimulate healthy and positive mental development in your kids.


text:
Amy in the Garden
Devoted to Raising Things Well
« Real Estate, Spring 2011
Endless March »
In Place
March 20, 2011 by amykefauver
The gourd birdhouses were hung in place today, and a red-tailed hawk was laid to rest in my garden. It was a day to set out, to rearrange, and to appreciate beginnings and endings.
My son and I noticed the red-tailed hawk in our neighbor's backyard. The neighbors are away for a bit, and the bird was so large, and so beautiful, that I couldn't bear to leave it untended. We moved it into our yard, and I decided that burying it in our newest flower bed, and planting flowers there, would make a fitting resting place.
A beautiful and regal bird.
I did wonder why I felt the need to bury this bird, when other dead animals are not treated with the same consideration. Mice, chipmunks, sparrows, insects — I would never think about burying them. I'd toss them away, out of reach of the dog, perhaps up on the hillside to go back to the earth, and feel that I had done the appropriate thing. Was it because the hawk was so large? Was it because the hawk was a predator, and so I felt it was more worthy of care? I only know that I wanted to place it properly, and this did feel right. I have ordered Cosmos seeds for the spring, and will plant those lovely annuals in the bed, thinking of that hawk when the pink, red and white blossoms appear. The bird is properly in place now.
My daughter helped me place our gourd birdhouses in the trees. I dragged the stepladder out of Husband's workshop, but my daughter has grown more than I realized, and we only needed the ladder once! For the first two birdhouses, she simply reached up and put them in place.
The first to go up was a "Bottle/Birdhouse" gourd. Placing it was easy, with a ready-made branch just waiting:
This will be visible from our living room window.
Daughter and I agreed that we should twist the wire, to minimize the birdhouse from swinging too much in the breeze.
The wire was soft enough to easily twist and pinch together.
And the final photo for this particular birdhouse:
In place!
The second birdhouse was a "Speckled Swan" gourd, with a very long neck. We would need a tall branch, indeed.
High up on the hillside, we can see it from the back patio and from the kitchen window.
The third and final birdhouse hung today was also a "Bottle/Birdhouse" variety. Daughter chose to have it hang in her cherry tree, inside my vegetable garden. For this placement, the ladder was needed:
The birdhouse rests its back and sides against the trunk and branch, making it quite stable.
And the final photo for today:
Placed high in the tree, it waits for a tenant to make a place for her babies.
My son returned to school this morning, to his place in his new college life. My eldest is in place in India, settled with her host family, with people she calls Mother and Father. (I alternate between feeling stung and comforted when hearing that. But of course I want her to feel at home, and comfortably in place, in that foreign land and so far away from me.)
The hawk is at rest. The birdhouses await. It was a good day, and I am content with how I spent it, moving things about, setting everything in its place.
WORDS FROM OTHERS
"A place for everything, everything in its place."
"All things have their place, knew wee how to place them."
— 1640, G. Herbert Outlandish Proverbs no. 379
"In a well-conducted man-of-war‥every thing in its place, and there is a place for every thing."
— 1842 Marryat Masterman Ready II. i.
"There was a place for everything, and everything was in its place."
–1855 T. C. Haliburton Nature & Human Nature I. vi.
"'I thought you were rather partial to anatomical specimens.' 'So I am, but not on the breakfast-table. "A place for everything and everything in its place," as my grandmother used to say.'"
— 1928 D. L. Sayers Lord Peter views Body x.
"The sailor's apothegm—'a place for everything, and everything in its place'—guided us, until at length everything was stowed away"
— 2002 A. Vanneman Sherlock Holmes and Giant Rat of Sumatra ix. 80
Posted in Animals, Issues, and What To Think about them, Plants, Uncategorized | Leave a Comment
"Probably one of the most private things in the world is an egg until it is broken."
— M.F.K. Fisher, food writer (1908-1992)
Appreciating:
"As far back as 6050 BC, salt has been an important
an integral part of the world's history, as it has
been interwoven into countless civilizations. Used as
a part of Egyptian religious offerings and valuable trade
between the Phoenicians and their Mediterranean
empire, salt and history have been inextricably
intertwined for millennia, with great importance
placed on salt by many different cultures. Even
today, the history of salt touches our daily lives.
The word "salary" was derived from the word "salt."
Salt was highly valued and its production was legally
restricted in ancient times, so it was historically used
as a method of trade and currency. The word "salad"
also originated from "salt," and began with the early
Romans salting their leafy greens and vegetables.
Undeniably, the history of salt is both broad and
unique, leaving its indelible mark in cultures
across the globe."
www.seasaltcom


Why did I read this? Because Pat Conroy will always be my favorite author and I wanted to hear a little less fictionalized of his life that he has exaggerated and added to in his novels.
Pat Conroy in a series of telephone conversations with the author explains his life. There are many things I can relate to in his recollections, like moving so much, being the new kid, being subject to military regulations just because my parent was in the military and other things. This is an engaging look at the life of one of the best writers of my lifetime.
What is with the title of the review? There is so much of Pat Conroy's life and experience that I can relate to, that he could be my voice on many things.
Why did I read this? Because Pat Conroy is the man, and always will be the man as far as I am concerned. He is the author who has shared a life with me and has a wonderfully awesomely splendiferous way with words and I would read his to do list if they published it.
Pat Conroy passed away in March of 2016 and the world is not as beautiful as it was. This book came out on what would have been Pat's seventy first birthday. The chapters are blog entries that Pat had shared online with his readers, covering all kinds of topics about his books, his friends, his readers and more. It also includes a interview with him, an introduction by his wife the novelist Cassandra King and the eulogy that was delivered by his best friend. When he left he took a piece of my heart.
Why did I read this? With the passing of Pat Conroy on March 4 I wanted to read something about him. This book examines his books from The Boo to Prince of Tides. There is a biographical chapter about Pat's life and how that has affected his writing. Each book is looked at for themes and style. Each book is looked at through a different type of criticism, Freudian, Feminist, Marxist and so on. I would like to find an expanded copy of this which covers the entire body of work.


text:
#include "slikenet/WSAStartupSingleton.h"

#if   defined(_WIN32) && !defined(WINDOWS_STORE_RT)
#include <winsock2.h>
#include <ws2tcpip.h>

#endif
#include "slikenet/defines.h"
#include <stdio.h>

#ifdef _WIN32
#include <tchar.h>
#else
#ifndef _T
#define _T(x) (x)
#endif
#endif

int WSAStartupSingleton::refCount=0;

WSAStartupSingleton::WSAStartupSingleton() {}
WSAStartupSingleton::~WSAStartupSingleton() {}
void WSAStartupSingleton::AddRef(void)
{
#if defined(_WIN32) && !defined(WINDOWS_STORE_RT)

	refCount++;

	if (refCount!=1)
		return;

	WSADATA winsockInfo;
	if ( WSAStartup( MAKEWORD( 2, 2 ), &winsockInfo ) != 0 )
	{
#if  defined(_DEBUG) && !defined(WINDOWS_PHONE_8)
		DWORD dwIOError = GetLastError();
		LPTSTR messageBuffer;
		FormatMessage( FORMAT_MESSAGE_ALLOCATE_BUFFER | FORMAT_MESSAGE_FROM_SYSTEM | FORMAT_MESSAGE_IGNORE_INSERTS,
			NULL, dwIOError, MAKELANGID( LANG_NEUTRAL, SUBLANG_DEFAULT ),  // Default language
			( LPTSTR ) & messageBuffer, 0, NULL );
		// something has gone wrong here...
		RAKNET_DEBUG_TPRINTF( _T("WSAStartup failed:Error code - %lu\n%s"), dwIOError, messageBuffer );
		//Free the buffer.
		LocalFree( messageBuffer );
#endif
	}

#endif
}
void WSAStartupSingleton::Deref(void)
{
#if defined(_WIN32) && !defined(WINDOWS_STORE_RT)
	if (refCount==0)
		return;

	if (refCount>1)
	{
		refCount--;
		return;
	}

	WSACleanup();

	refCount=0;
#endif
}