View allAll Photos Tagged diversification
“I am dice of the cheats, the radiance of the radiant.
I am victory, I am true knowledge, I am goodness in the good”.
(“The Yoga of Diversifications” from the Upanishad of the Glorious Divine Lay, in the Gita)
I was walking at Manikarnika Ghat, the cremation ghat, where one comes face to face with life and death.
There, at the oldest and most sacred Ghats in Varanasi (Benaras), hot ashes of the burnt bodies makes one remember the inevitable destruction of everything in the world.
It is the gate of after death.
I respect those who are dead and I don’t take any picture there however this young brahman called me, he was standing on the top of a building facing the place where some logs are kept for cremations.
I took a few pictures of him, he was contrasting with the place, he was smiling, young and alive.
And if he was a cheater, if he was there just to pretend that death is nice and sweet in order that we let ourselves go blindly to the unknown.
Maybe all this is a game and he is a dice of the cheats...
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Iceland[4][5] i/ˈaɪslənd/ (Icelandic: Ísland, IPA: [ˈislant]; see Names for Iceland), officially called Republic of Iceland[6][7][8] and sometimes its counterpart Lýðveldið Ísland in Icelandic (for example this is a part of the name of the Constitution of Iceland, Stjórnarskrá lýðveldisins Íslands), is a Nordic European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.[9] The country has a population of about 320,000 and a total area of 103,000 km2 (40,000 sq mi).[10] The capital and largest city is Reykjavík,[11] with the surrounding areas in the southwestern region of the country being home to two-thirds of the country's population. Iceland is volcanically and geologically active. The interior mainly consists of a plateau characterised by sand fields, mountains and glaciers, while many glacial rivers flow to the sea through the lowlands. Iceland is warmed by the Gulf Stream and has a temperate climate despite a high latitude just outside the Arctic Circle.
According to Landnámabók, the settlement of Iceland began in AD 874 when the chieftain Ingólfur Arnarson became the first permanent Norse settler on the island.[12] Others had visited the island earlier and stayed over winter. Over the following centuries, Norsemen settled Iceland, bringing with them thralls (serfs) of Gaelic origin. From 1262 to 1918 Iceland was part of the Norwegian and later the Danish monarchies. Until the 20th century, the Icelandic population relied largely on fisheries and agriculture. Industrialisation of the fisheries and Marshall Aid brought prosperity in the years after World War II. In 1994, Iceland became party to the European Economic Area, which made it possible for the economy to diversify into economic and financial services.
Iceland has a free market economy with relatively low taxes compared to other OECD countries,[13] while maintaining a Nordic welfare system providing universal health care and tertiary education for its citizens.[14] In recent years, Iceland has been one of the wealthiest and most developed nations in the world. In 2011, it was ranked as the 14th most developed country in the world by the United Nations' Human Development Index,[3] and the fourth most productive country per capita.[15] In 2008, the nation's entire banking system systemically failed and there was substantial resulting political unrest.
Icelandic culture is founded upon the nation's Norse heritage. Most Icelanders are descendants of Norse (particularly from Western Norway) and Gaelic settlers. Icelandic, a North Germanic language, is closely related to Faroese and some West Norwegian dialects. The country's cultural heritage includes traditional Icelandic cuisine, poetry, and the medieval Icelanders' sagas. Currently, Iceland has the smallest population among NATO members and is the only one with no standing army.
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Lens: Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8 L II USM
Focal Length: 23mm
Aperture: f/4.0
Shutter Speed : .3
ISO: 200
Exposure: Manual
For my video; youtu.be/MDGvYrUBhGEKarlskrona,
Karlskrona stadsförs., Blekinge, Sweden,
Karlskrona, Sweden.
In 2003, the Ka brand was diversified, with the addition of a new SportKa featuring a sporty body kit, wider track with stiffened suspension and redesigned 16" (40 cm) alloy wheels. Both models came with slightly widened bumpers front and rear with integral fog lamps. A convertible model called StreetKa also appeared, launched with the help of Australian pop star Kylie Minogue at the Paris Motor Show. It featured a manually folding soft top or an optional detachable hardtop (on the Winter Edition).
StreetKa was designed and built by Pininfarina (the 2000 motor show concept was designed by Ghia, Turin) in Italy, and all StreetKas have sill plates inscribed "Pininfarina". Pininfarina produced 37,076 StreetKas between 2003 and 2005. The build quality of the Streetka was far superior to the standard three-door Ka, with improved rust proofing.
StreetKa came in two equipment levels, basic and luxury. The Basic had cloth seats and air conditioning was an option. The Luxury featured leather seats with matching leather door-card inserts, heated seats, a Thatcham approved alarm along with Ford's PATS immobiliser, air conditioning, and heated door mirrors. Options included upgrading the single CD/radio to an in-dash six-disc CD/radio and additional rear speakers beneath the rollover bars and a heated windscreen, standard on winter models. All models featured remote-control central locking with remote boot release, driver and passenger air bags with passengers air bag deactivation, electric windows and door mirrors, electric headlight aim adjustment, antilock brakes, power steering, front fog lights, racing Puma aluminium gear knob, electric hood cover release, and a tachometer.
The engine used in StreetKa (and SportKa) is called a Duratec, but it is of South African origin, where it is known as the Zetec Rocam. StreetKa features MacPherson struts front and rear and uses unique wider front lower arms (wishbones), giving it exceptional handling. The only exterior panel shared with Ka is the bonnet. The front headlights are also shared with Ka, but appear different due to the front bumper covering them partly to change their shape. The interior shares most parts with Ka, except the StreetKa has its facia painted blue rather than silver. Its seats are mounted lower than Ka's and it has aluminium effect detailing.
Both the StreetKa and SportKa received a new 95 PS (70 kW; 94 hp) 1.6-litre eight-valve Duratec petrol engine, whereas Ka, Ka Collection, and LuxuryKa retained the 1.3-litre Duratec petrol engine. The SportKa was noted for its surprising advertising campaign, "The Ka's Evil Twin", denouncing the Ka's traditionally perceived "cute" design. The StreetKa ceased to be officially on sale in late 2006.
In 2005, all Ka models, including the SportKa and StreetKa, received a slightly updated interior, bringing the cabin back up to date, while still retaining the look and feel of the original. The SportKa continued to be available until 2008. A pink version was produced to promote the new Thunderbirds film, and was supplied by Ford to the movie producer. The Thunderbird movie cars were unveiled at the Birmingham Motor Show. Only eight Pink StreetKas were produced by Ford for the film, five in right-hand drive and three in left-hand drive. All were signed by Sophia Myles (Miss Lady Penelope). The matching StreetKa dress designed by Bruce Oldfield of Ford was later sold in an auction during London Fashion Week to raise money for Barnados.
Lordington Lavender was established in 2002 as part of a diversification program and as an alternative to dairy farming.
Nestled in the South Downs, Lordington Lavender was established in 2002 by local farmer Andrew Elms. After selling his dairy herd he was looking for a new way to diversify and decided that Lavender would be a unique and exciting alternative.
The crop is grown with conservation of habitat and the environment very much in mind. No fertilizers or pesticides are used and it has become haven for wildlife with at least 12 red listed species of birds including skylarks and barn owls found on the farm.
Now, 4 acres of Mailette lavender, a French Provencal variety famed for its high quality oil is harvested once a year to produce a wonderful essential oil and the business has become a family affair. From originally just selling an essential oil a whole range has developed but all with one aim – to produce simple, pure and honest products using only the highest quality ingredients.
Every summer the lavender field is full of bumble bees and butterflies and when the sun shines you can imagine being in Provence!
Lavandula (common name lavender) is a genus of 39 known species of flowering plants in the mint family, Lamiaceae. It is native to the Old World and is found from Cape Verde and the Canary Islands, Europe across to northern and eastern Africa, the Mediterranean, southwest Asia to southeast India. Many members of the genus are cultivated extensively in temperate climates as ornamental plants for garden and landscape use, for use as culinary herbs, and also commercially for the extraction of essential oils. The most widely cultivated species, Lavandula angustifolia, is often referred to as lavender, and there is a colour named for the shade of the flowers of this species.
The genus includes annual or short-lived herbaceous perennial plants, and shrub-like perennials, subshrubs or small shrubs.
Leaf shape is diverse across the genus. They are simple in some commonly cultivated species; in others they are pinnately toothed, or pinnate, sometimes multiple pinnate and dissected. In most species the leaves are covered in fine hairs or indumentum, which normally contain the essential oils.
Flowers are borne in whorls, held on spikes rising above the foliage, the spikes being branched in some species. Some species produce coloured bracts at the apices. The flowers may be blue, violet or lilac in the wild species, occasionally blackish purple or yellowish. The calyx is tubular. The corolla is also tubular, usually with five lobes (the upper lip often cleft, and the lower lip has two clefts).
German company NSU was founded in 1873, initially manufacturing knitting machines. The company diversified into bicycles in 1880, and motorcycles in 1901. The first NSU automobile debuted in 1905.
Motorcycle production resumed after WWII, followed by the new Prinz automobile in 1957. The Prinz was a small rear-engine car, powered by a 583 cc twin-cylinder producing 20 hp (15 kW)
The Sport Prinz was a 2-seater sports coupe variant. It was designed by Franco Scaglione at Bertone studios in Turin. 20,831 were manufactured between 1958 and 1968. The first 250 bodies were built by Bertone in Turin. The rest were built in Heilbronn at Karrosseriewerke Drauz which was later bought by NSU.
The Sport Prinz was initially powered by the 583 cc (35.6 cu in) Prinz 50 straight-twin engine but a maximum speed of 160 km/h (99 mph) was nevertheless claimed. From late 1962 a 598 cc (36.5 cu in) engine was fitted.
The NSU Spider was a Wankel rotary powered two-seater roadster based on the Sport Prinz platform.
By the early nineteenth century, as ways of consuming the seaside matured and diversified, there was a growing appreciation of the joys and benefits to be gained by not just being beside the sea but venturing out onto the water itself without the disadvantages and dangers associated with boats.
The West Pier was designed and engineered by Eugenius Birch to attract visitors and survive in the hostile environment of the seashore. Built in 1866, it was a simple and functional structure built out from the sea using dozens of cast iron threaded columns screwed into the seabed and strengthened by a lattice of ties and girders that provide the necessary strength to support the promenade deck whilst allowing seas to pass harmlessly underneath.
Originally the West Pier had an open deck with only six small ornamental houses of Oriental design, two toll houses, glass screens at the pier head to protect visitors from the wind and lamps, with columns decorated with entwined serpents, placed around the perimeter and lit by gas. In 1875 a central bandstand was added and in the 1880′s weather screens the full length of the pier, steamer landing stages and a large pier head pavilion were constructed.
The final building, completed in 1916, was a graceful concert hall. The result was seaside architecture at its finest, designed to attract and entertain holiday-makers with all the pomp and frippery that is the essence of the English seaside resort.
The West Pier story closely follows the changing fortunes of the English seaside holiday. It began simply as a promenade pier where visitors could enjoy the thrill of walking on water; it was the place for the Victorian middle classes to socialise and exhibit their wealth, to see and be seen, to take in the sea air and admire the panoramic views of the land. By WW1 it had evolved into a pleasure pier with a great variety of seaside entertainment both indoors and out. Throughout the twenties it was immensely popular with attractions ranging from paddle steamer excursions, daring high divers and bathing from the pier head to military bands, recitals by the pier’s resident orchestra in the Concert Hall and an all-year-round programme of plays, pantomimes and ballets in the Theatre.
During WWII, the Pier was closed and mined for security reasons and sections were dismantled to prevent enemy landings. When the mines were removed and the pier reopened, after the repair of its war wounds, it completed its evolution into a funfair pier. The Theatre was converted into a restaurant on one floor and on the other the ‘Laughter Land’ games pavilion. The Concert Hall became a tea room, and the delights of the dodgems, helter-skelter, ghost train and miniature racing track could be enjoyed by all.
The pier was shut to the public in 1975 as it was deemed unsafe. A huge storm in December 2002 resulted in the dramatic collapse of the south east corner of the Concert Hall; in March 2003 the Pavilion was destroyed in an arson attack, and in May 2003 the Concert Hall was also burnt out deliberately. 2003 was a catastrophic year for the West Pier and by December 2003, a report concluded that despite the significant damage, given the wealth of salvaged material from the pier and the considerable photographic and video archive, repair and reconstruction of the pier was still viable. Unfortunately funding was not available.
The collapsed Concert Hall, being close to the beach, became a public hazard and in 2010 was removed. However, the skeletal ruin of the pier Pavilion has become an iconic feature of Brighton’s seafront. Its unique desolate beauty makes it much discussed, wondered about and photographed. The Pier has been too dangerous to access since the fires of 2003 and cannot be maintained. Over the coming years it will be reclaimed by nature and will inevitably degenerate and decay. The Trust has no intention of removing the remains unless overwhelming safety issues arise.
In 2006, planning permission was granted to the creators of the London eye to build the i360, an observation tower. It will be sited on the root-end of the pier and will open an exciting new chapter for the West Pier. This new landmark, which will be tied in with the original pier, has now commenced construction. At 175 metres high, and with an observation pod rising to 141 metres, the i360 will be Britain's highest observation tower outside London – taller even than the London Eye. The i360 follows in the spirit of the original pier, inviting visitors to "walk on air" and gain a different perspective of the city, just as they "walked on water" in the past and viewed the city from the sea. Chairman of the Brighton West Pier Trust, which owns the site of the former pier “believes that the Brighton i360 – a 'vertical pier' – is entirely in the spirit of the original pier's history and the best option to replicate its success and ethos." The i360 will restore parts of the original pier to their former glory, including the Victorian tollbooths. Parts of the cast iron supporting structure will be reused in the new visitor centre and an exhibition will enable visitors to learn about the pier's history. The cast iron structure off shore, known as the sea island, will stay but the wreckage of the derelict pier on the beach will be removed. A proportion of ticket revenues from the i360 will also go to the West Pier Trust charity, enabling it to continue promoting the pier's unique heritage.
This part of the plan really appeals to me - in the evenings, the Brighton i360 will transform into the Sky Bar – a chic, modern and accessible venue in which to relax and enjoy a glass of champagne, wine or a cocktail while taking in the stunning night-time views. The ride will be extended to 30 minutes to allow people plenty of time to enjoy their drink!!
The changing weather over a 3 day period is reflected in the photos I took of this fascinating and haunting structure – it looks quite eerie in the fog.
Lost Einsteins: Diversifying Innovation
Amy Brachio, Global Deputy Vice-Chair, EY, USA. Kevin Frey, Chief Executive Officer, Generation Unlimited, UNICEF, Generation Unlimited, USA. Tomas Lamanauskas, Deputy Secretary-General-elect, International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Geneva
Maria Leptin, President, European Research Council, Belgium. Magdalena Skipper, Editor-in-Chief, Nature, United Kingdom
Tuesday 2 May 2023
14.45 - 15.30
Stakeholder Dialogue
World Economic Forum Headquarters, Eiger
Copyright: World Economic Forum/Jean-Luc Auboeuf
The Growth Summit: Jobs and Opportunity for All 2023 in Geneva, Switzerland
List of the tallest towers.
1 Burj Dubai 2,684 feet 818 m 2009 Skyscraper
2 Warsaw Radio Mast 2,121 feet 646.4 m 1974 Guyed mast
3 KVLY/KTHI TV Mast 2,063 feet 628.8 m 1963 Guyed mast
4 KXJB-TV mast 2,060 feet 627.8 m 1998 Guyed mast
5 KXTV/KOVR Tower 2,049 feet 624.5 m 2000 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Walnut Grove, California Tallest structure in California
6 KATV Tower 2,000 feet 609.6 m 1965?1967? Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Redfield, Arkansas
7 KCAU TV Tower 2,000 feet 609.6 m 1965 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Sioux City, Iowa
8 WECT TV6 Tower 2,000 feet 609.6 m 1969 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Colly Township, North Carolina
9 WHO-TV, KDIN-TV,WOI-FM Tower 2,000 feet 609.6 m 1972 Guyed mast VHF-TV, FM radio transmission U.S. Alleman, Iowa
10 Des Moines Hearst-Argyle Television Tower Alleman 2,000 feet 609.6 m 1974 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Alleman, Iowa
11 WEAU-Tower 2,000 feet 609.6 m 1981 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Fairchild, Wisconsin
12 Diversified Communications Tower 2,000 feet 609.6 m 1981 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Floyd Dale, South Carolina
13 AFLAC Tower 2,000 feet 609.6 m 1984 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Rowley, Iowa
14 WBTV-Tower 2,000 feet 609.6 m 1984 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Dallas, North Carolina
15 Hearst-Argyle Tower 2,000 feet 609.6 m 1985 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Walnut Grove, California
16 WTTO Tower 2,000 feet 609.6 m 1986 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Windham Springs, Alabama
17 WCSC-Tower 2,000 feet 609.6 m 1986 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Awendaw, South Carolina
18 KTVE-Tower 2,000 feet 609.6 m 1987 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Bolding, Arkansas
19 WCTV Tower 2,000 feet 609.6 m 1987 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Metcalf, Georgia
20 WCIX/CH6 TV Mast 2,000 feet 609.6 m 1992 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Homestead, Florida
21 KDLT Tower 2,000 feet 609.6 m 1998 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Rowena, South Dakota
22 KMOS TV Tower 2,000 feet 609.6 m 2002 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Syracuse, Missouri
23 Liberman Broadcasting Tower Era 2,000 feet 609.6 m 2006 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Era, Texas
24 Winnie Cumulus Broadcasting Tower 2,000 feet 609.6 m ? Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Winnie, Texas
25 WRAL HDTV Mast 2,000 feet 609.5 m 1991 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Auburn, North Carolina
26 Perry Broadcasting Tower 2,000 feet 609.5 m 2004 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Alfalfa, Oklahoma
27 KY3 Tower 1,999 feet 609.4 m 2000 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Fordland, Missouri
28 SpectraSite Tower Thomasville 1,999 feet 609.4 m 2002 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Thomasville, Georgia
29 Pegasus Broadcasting Tower 1,999 feet 609.4 m Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Metcalf, Georgia
30 CBC Real Estate Tower Auburn 1,999 feet 609.4 m Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Auburn, North Carolina
32 KLDE Tower 1,999 feet 609.3 m 1986 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Liverpool, Texas
33 WCKW/KSTE-Tower 1,999 feet 609.3 m 1988 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Vacherie, Louisiana
34 American Towers Tower Elkhart 1,999 feet 609.3 m 2001 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Elkhart, Iowa
35 Salem Radio Properties Tower 1,999 feet 609.3 m 2002 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Collinsville, Texas
36 Stowell Cumulus Broadcasting Tower 1,999 feet 609.3 m ? Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Stowell, Texas
37 WLBT Tower 1,998 feet 609 m 1999 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Raymond, Mississippi
38 Beasley Tower 1,997 feet 608.7 m Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Immokalee, Florida
39 KYTV Tower 1,996 feet 608.4 m 1973 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Marshfield, Missouri
40 SpectraSite Tower Raymond 1,996 feet 608.4 m Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Raymond, Mississippi
41 Hoyt Radio Tower 1,996 feet 608.38 m 2003 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Hoyt, Colorado
42 Service Broadcasting Tower Decatur 1,995 feet 608.1 m 2000 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Decatur, Texas
43 WTVD Tower 1,994 feet 607.8 m 1978 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Auburn, North Carolina
44 Channel 40 Tower 1,994 feet 607.8 m 1985 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Walnut Grove, California
45 Liberman Broadcasting Tower Devers 1,994 feet 607.7 m 2006 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Devers, Texas
46 KHYS Tower 1,992 feet 607.2 m 1997 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Devers, Texas
47 Clear Channel Broadcasting Tower Devers 1,992 feet 607 m 1988 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Devers, Texas
48 Media General Tower 1,992 feet 607 m 1987 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Awendaw, South Carolina
49 Eastern North Carolina Broadcasting Tower 1,989 feet 606.2 m 1980 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Trenton, North Carolina
50 WNCN Tower 1,989 feet 606.2 m 2000 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Garner, North Carolina
51 KELO TV Tower 1,985 feet 605 m 1974 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Rowena, South Dakota
52 WITN Tower 1,985 feet 605 m 1979 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Grifton, North Carolina
53 Noe Corp Tower 1,984 feet 604.7 m 1998 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Columbia, Louisiana
54 Pappas Telecasting Tower 1,980 feet 603.6 m 2000 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Plymouth County, Iowa
55 KHOU-TV Tower 1,975 feet 602 m 1992 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Missouri City, Texas
56 Richland Towers Tower Missouri City 1,973 feet 601.3 m 2001 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Missouri City, Texas
57 Senior Road Tower 1,971 feet 600.7 m 1983 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Missouri City, Texas
58 KTRK-TV Tower 1,970 feet 600.5 m 1982 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Missouri City, Texas
59 Houston Tower Joint Venture Tower 1,970 feet 600.5 m 1985 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Missouri City, Texas
60 American Towers Tower Missouri City 1,970 feet 600.5 m 2000 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Missouri City, Texas
61 Fox-TV Tower 1,970 feet 600.4 m 1982 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Missouri City, Texas
62 Mississippi Telecasting Tower 1,969 feet 600 m 1982 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Inverness, Mississippi
63 WCNC-TV Tower 1,969 feet 600 m 1992 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Dallas, North Carolina
64 Capstar Radio Tower 1,969 feet 600 m 2001 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Middlesex, North Carolina
65 KDUH/CH4 TV Mast 1,965 feet 599 m 1969 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Hemingford, Nebraska
66 American Towers Tower Liverpool 1,963 feet 598.3 m 1992 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Liverpool, Texas
67 Media General Tower Dillon 1,962 feet 598 m 2001 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Dillon, South Carolina
68 Duffy-Shamrock Joint Venture Tower 1,960 feet 597.4 m 1990 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Bertram, Texas
69 AMFM Tower Collinsville 1,960 feet 597.4 m 2002 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Collinsville, Texas
70 KOLR/KOZK Tower 1,960 feet 597.3 m (orig. 609.6 m) 1971 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Fordland, Missouri
71 Cosmos Broadcasting Tower Winnabow 1,954 feet 595.6 m 1981 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Winnabow, North Carolina
72 Spectra Site Communications Tower Robertsdale 1,944 feet 592.6 m 2001 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Robertsdale, Alabama
73 CBC Real Estate Co. Inc Tower 1,944 feet 592.4 m 1985 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Dallas, North Carolina
74 Cosmos Broadcasting Tower Grady 1,935 feet 589.8 m 1977 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Grady, Alabama
75 American Towers Tower Columbia 1,929 feet 587.9 m 1986 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Columbia, Louisiana
76 Sonsinger Management Tower 1,928 feet 587.6 m 1988 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Splendora, Texas
77 Cedar Rapids TV Tower 1,927 feet 587.3 m 1974 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Walker City, Iowa
78 Channel 6 Tower Eddy 1,924 feet 586.4 m 1981 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Eddy, Texas
79 Entravision Texas Tower 1,920 feet 585.2 m 1998 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Greenwood, Texas
80 Multimedia Associates Tower 1,916 feet 584 m 1999 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Rio Grande City, Texas
81 American Towers Tower Randleman 1,910 feet 582.3 m 2004 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Randleman, North Carolina
82 KTUL Tower Coweta 1,909 feet 581.8 m 1988 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Coweta, Oklahoma
83 American Towers Tower Robertsdale 1,903 feet 579.9 m 2004 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Robertsdale, Alabama
84 Baldpate Platform 1,902 feet 579.7 m 1998 Offshore platform Oil drilling U.S. Garden Banks, Gulf of Mexico (Offshore)
85 WDJR-FM Tower 1,901 feet 579.42 m 1978 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Bethlehem, Florida
86 Clear Channel Broadcasting Tower Redfield 1,889 feet 578.8 m 1985 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Redfield, Arkansas
87 WFMY Tower 1,889 feet 575.9 m 2002 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Greensboro, North Carolina
88 Cox Radio Tower 1,879 feet 572.8 m 2000 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Shepard, Texas
89 Media General Tower Spanish Fort 1,879 feet 572.7 m 1986 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Spanish Fort, Alabama
90 WFTV Tower Saint Cloud 1,874 feet 571.1 m 2000 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Saint Cloud, Florida
91 Capstar Radio Operating Gray Court Tower 1,861 feet 567.1 m 1980 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Gray Court, South Carolina
92 KLKN Tower 1,854 feet 565.1 m 1965 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Genoa, Nebraska
93 Pinnacle Towers Tower Princeton 1,842 feet 561.3 m 1993 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Princeton, Florida
94 WTVJ Tower Princeton 1,841 feet 561.1 m 1993 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Princeton, Florida
95 Pappas Partnership Stations Tower Gretna 1,836 feet 559.6 m 1985 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Gretna, Nebraska
96 KBIM Tower 1,834 feet 559.02 m 1965 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Roswell, New Mexico
97 Tulsa Tower Joint Venture Tower Oneta 1,834 feet 559 m 1984 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Oneta, Oklahoma
98 KTBS Tower 1826 ft 556.5 m 2003 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Shreveport, Louisiana
99 CN Tower 1,814 feet 553 m 1976 Concrete tower Observation, UHF/VHF-transmission Canada Toronto, Ontario
100 SBA Towers Tower Haynesville 1,797 feet 547.7 m 1989 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Haynesville, Alabama
101 Channel 32 Limited Partnership Tower 1,797 feet 547.7 m 1990 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Haynesville, Alabama
102 KATC Tower Kaplan 1,793 feet 546.6 m 1978 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Kaplan, Louisiana
103 Cosmos Broadcasting Tower Egypt 1,793 feet 546.5 m 1981 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Egypt, Arkansas
104 Raycom Media Tower Mooringsport 1,791 feet 545.8 m 1975 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Mooringsport, Louisiana
105 Pinnacle Towers Tower Mooringsport 1,781 feet 542.8 m 1985 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Mooringsport, Louisiana
106 Bold Springs Salem Radio Properties Tower 1,779 feet 542.2 m 2005 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Bold Springs, Georgia
107 Branch Young Broadcasting Tower 1775 ft 541 m ? Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Branch, Louisiana
108 Ostankino Tower 1,772 feet 540.1 m 1967 Concrete tower Observation, UHF/VHF-transmission Russia Moscow 2000 Fire led to renovation
109 KLFY TV Tower Maxie 1,772 feet 540 m 1970 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Maxie, Louisiana
110 American Towers Tower Eglin[5] 1,766 feet 538.3 m 2001 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. 29045, South Carolina also known as WOLO TV Tower
111 Cusseta Richland Towers Tower 1,766 feet 538.2 m 2005 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Cusseta, Georgia
112 Cox Radio Tower Flowery Branch 1,765 feet 537.9 m 1984 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Flowery Branch, Georgia
113 Alabama Telecasters Tower 1,757 feet 535.5 m 1995 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Gordonsville, Alabama
114 WIMZ-FM-Tower 1,752 feet 534.01 m 1963 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Knoxville, Tennessee also known as WBIR TV-mast, World's tallest structure, 1963
115 Capitol Broadcasting Tower Broadway 1,749 feet 533.1 m 1985 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Broadway, North Carolina dismantled
116 Capitol Broadcasting Tower Columbia 1,749 feet 533.1 m 2000 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Columbia, North Carolina
117 WTVM/WRBL-TV & WVRK-FM Tower 1,749 feet 533 m 1962 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Cusseta, Georgia also known as WTVM TV Mast, World's tallest structure, 1962-1963
118 WAVE-Mast 1,739 feet 530.05 m 1990 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. La Grange, Kentucky
119 Moody Centex Television Tower 1739 ft 530 m 1985 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Moody, Texas
120 Louisiana Television Broadcasting Tower Sunshine 1,737 feet 529.4 m 1972 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Sunshine, Louisiana
121 Bullwinkle Platform 1,736 feet 529.1 m 1989 Offshore platform Oil drilling Gulf of Mexico Manatee Field Located appr. 160 miles (257 km) southwest of New Orleans
122 Pinnacle Towers Tower Addis 1,735 feet 528.8 m 1986 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Addis, Louisiana
123 Richland Towers Tower Cedar Hill 1,731 feet 527.6 m 2004 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Cedar Hill, Texas
124 Sears Tower 1,730 feet 527.3 m 1974 Skyscraper Office, observation, UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Chicago, Illinois
125 World Trade Center, Tower 1 1,727 feet 526.3 m 1973 Skyscraper Office, UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. New York City destroyed on September 11, 2001
126 WAFB Tower Baton Rouge 1,725 feet 525.8 m 1965 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Baton Rouge, Louisiana
127 WAEO Tower 1,721 feet 524.5 m 1966 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Starks, Wisconsin destroyed on November 17, 1968 at aircraft collision
128 Media Venture Tower 1,714 feet 522.5 m 1999 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Fincher, Florida
129 Media Venture Management Tower Fincher 1,714 feet 522.5 m 1999 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Fincher, Florida
130 Orlando Hearst Argyle Television Tower 1,714 feet 522.5 m 1980 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Orange City, Florida
131 Pinnacle Towers Tower Moody 1,714 feet 522.4 m 1988 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Moody, Texas
132 Clear Channel Broadcasting Tower Rosinton 1,707 feet 520.3 m 1981 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Rosinton, Alabama
133 Pacific and Southern Company Tower Lugoff 1,707 feet 520.2 m 1985 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Lugoff, South Carolina
134 Young Broadcasting Tower Garden City 1,705 feet 519.7 m 1978 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Garden City, South Dakota
135 Gray Television Tower Carlos 1,705 feet 519.7 m 1983 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Carlos, Texas
136 South Dakota Public Broadcasting Network Tower 1,695 feet 516.7 m 1974 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Faith, South Dakota
137 Spectra Site Communications Tower Orange City 1,695 feet 516.6 m 1984 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Orange City, Florida Height reduced to 512.7 metres
138 Christmas Brown Road Tower 1,695 feet 516.6 m 2001 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Christmas, Florida
139 Gray Television Tower Madill 1,694 feet 516.3 m 1984 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Madill, Oklahoma
140 American Tower Christmas 1,684 feet 513.3 m 2001 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Christmas, Florida
141 Richland Towers Bithlo 1,682 feet 512.7 m 2002 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Bithlo, Florida
142 Northland Television Tower Rhinelander 1,682 feet 512.6 m 1979 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Rhinelander, Wisconsin
143 Gray Television Tower Moody 1,679 feet 511.8 m 1978 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Moody, Texas
144 KFVS TV Mast 1,677 feet 511.1 m 1960 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Cape Girardeau County, Missouri World's tallest structure, 1960-1961
145 Taipei 101 1,671 feet 509.2 m 2004 Skyscraper Office, observation, UHF/VHF-transmission Taiwan Taipei
146 Cox Radio Tower Verna 1,667 feet 508.1 m 1994 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Verna, Florida
147 WMTW TV Mast 1,667 feet 508.1 m 2001 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Baldwin, Maine
148 American Towers Tower Cedar Hill 1,661 feet 506.2 m 1999 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Cedar Hill, Texas
149 American Towers Tower Oklahoma City 1,647 feet 502 m 1999 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
150 University of North Carolina Tower 1,642 feet 500.5 m 2000 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Columbia, North Carolina
151 Richland Towers Tower Cedar Hill 2 1,635 feet 498.4 m 2000 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Cedar Hill, Texas
152 WWTV Tower 1,631 feet 497 m 1961 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Cadillac, Michigan Tallest Structure in Michigan
153 WWRR Renda Tower 1,631 feet 497 m 1987 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Kingsland, Georgia
154 QueenB Television Tower 1,627 feet 496 m 1964 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. La Crosse, Wisconsin Height reduced to 484.3 metres
155 KDEB Tower 1,627 feet 496 m 1968 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Fordland, Missouri also known as American Towers Tower Fordland, dismantled
156 WPSD-TV Tower 1,627 feet 495.9 m 2004 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Kevil, Kentucky
157 NVG-Amarillo Tower 1,626 feet 495.6 m 1969 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Amarillo, Texas
158 WGME TV Tower 1,624 feet 495 m 1959 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Raymond, Maine World's tallest structure, 1959-1960
159 Sinclair Television Tower Oklahoma 1,619 feet 493.5 m 1979 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
160 Shanghai World Financial Center 1,614 feet 492 m 2008 Skyscraper Office, hotels, residential China Shanghai topped out
161 WFTV TV Tower Christmas 1,613 feet 491.6 m 2000 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Christmas, Florida
162 WJJY TV Mast 1,611 feet 491 m Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Bluffs, Illinois collapsed in 1978
163 Media General Tower Jackson 1,611 feet 491 m 1989 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Jackson, Mississippi
164 WHNS TV-Tower 1,611 feet 491 m 2001 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Brevard, South Carolina
165 KOBR-TV Tower 1,610 feet 490.7 m 1956 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Caprock, New Mexico also known as KSWS-TV Transmitter, World's tallest structure, 1956-1959, collapsed in 1960 at storm, rebuilt afterwards
166 Joint Venture TV Tower Bithlo 1,608 feet 490.2 m 1992 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Bithlo, Florida
167 American Towers Tower Bithlo 1,605 feet 489.2 m 1984 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Bithlo, Florida
168 NYT Broadcast Holdings Tower Oklahoma 1,601 feet 488 m 1965 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma also known as WKY TV Mast
169 Clear Channel Broadcasting Tower Boykin 1,600 feet 487.8 m 1997 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Boykin, Georgia
170 WVFJ Tower Saint Marks 1,600 feet 487.7 m 1998 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Saint Marks, Georgia
171 Paramount Tower Oklahoma 1,596 feet 486.4 m 1980 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
172 WTVA TV Tower 1,593 feet 485.5 m 1972 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Woodland, Mississippi
173 KTVT Tower 1,587 feet 483.7 m 2002 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Cedar Hill, Texas
174 GBC LP DBA Tower 1,582 feet 482.2 m 1997 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Cedar Hill, Texas dismantled
175 WLFL Tower Apex 1,579 feet 481.3 m 1986 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Apex, North Carolina
176 WFAA Tower 1,578 feet 481 m 1998 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Cedar Hill, Texas
177 Griffin Television Tower Oklahoma 1,576 feet 480.5 m 1954 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma also known as KWTV Tower, World's tallest structure, 1954-1956
178 WCOM-TV Mansfield, Ohio 1,576 feet 480.5 m 1988 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Butler, Ohio Was the tallest structure in Ohio until it was dismantled in 1995
179 Viacom Tower Riverview 1,575 feet 480 m 1998 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Riverview, Florida
180 Tampa Tower General Partnership Tower Riverview 1,573 feet 479.4 m 1987 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Riverview, Florida
181 Riverview Florida West Coast Public Broadcasting Tower 1,572 feet 479.1 m 1999 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Riverview, Florida
182 American Towers Tower Riverview 1,568 feet 478 m 2001 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Riverview, Florida
183 KBSI TV Mast 1,567 feet 477.6 m 1983 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Cape Giradeau, Missouri
184 Media General Tower Saint Ansgar 1,565 feet 477.1 m 1964 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Saint Ansgar, Iowa
185 Red River Broadcast Tower Salem 1,565 feet 477 m 1976 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Salem, South Dakota
186 Hearst-Argyle Television Tower 1,563 feet 476.4 m 1963 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
187 Augusta Tower 1,561 feet 475.6 m 2003 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Jackson, South Carolina
188 WAGT TV Tower 1,560 feet 475.5 m 1985 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Beach Island, South Carolina
189 KPLX Tower 1,559 feet 475.1 m 1969 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Cedar Hill, Texas
190 KTAL TV Tower 1,558 feet 474.9 m 1961 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Vivian, Louisiana
191 Mississippi Authority for Educational Television Tower 1,558 feet 474.9 m 2000 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Raymond, Mississippi
192 KRRT TV Tower 1,553 feet 473.3 m 1985 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Lake Hills, Texas
193 Hearst-Argyle Tower Watsonville 1,552 feet 473.1 m 1984 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Watsonville, California
194 Media General Tower Forest Hill 1,552 feet 473 m 1965 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Forest Hill, Louisiana
195 WVAH Tower 1,552 feet 473 m 1980 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Scott Depot, West Virginia destroyed on February 19, 2003
196 American Towers Tower Cedar Hill]] 2 1,551 feet 472.7 m 1980 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Cedar Hill, Texas
197 KXTV/KOVR/KCRA Tower 1,549 feet 472.1 m 1962 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Walnut Grove, California
198 SpectraSite Tower Holopaw 1,549 feet 472.1 m 1997 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Holopaw, Florida
199 Troll A platform 1,549 feet 472 m 1996 Offshore platform Oil drilling Norway North Sea
200 Morris Tower Perkston 1,540 feet 469.4 m 1986 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Perkston, Mississippi
Heres information about central florida broadcast stations
Broadcast Tower,WFTT-TV is the Telefutura affiliate for Tampa Bay, owned by Univision and operated by Entravision, owners of WVEA-TV. The station, which broadcasts on UHF channel 50, is based at WVEA's studios on Hillsborough Avenue in Tampa, and transmits from Riverview. WFTT can be seen on cable throughout the Bay Area on Bright House channel 5, and on Comcast in Sarasota County on channel 23.
With the completion of the 442.550 repeater in Riverview at 805ft in January, the western pointing antenna on the 442.825 repeater caused a expected overlap that was unnecessary. Since 442.550 now blankets Hillsborough County, we have as of April 11th taken the antenna off the west leg of the Pebbledale tower site at 800ft and moved it to the east leg of the tower. What does mean for users? The tower has a 7 foot wide face, which creates a null that is created behind the antenna. This null used to face a huge portion of Polk County. By moving this antenna to the east, the null is now facing essentially Brandon/Riverview, where 442.550 is now located at 805ft. So far we have gotten incredible results from users in eastern Polk County. Some users in Sebring reporting almost full scale signal, and mobile users with hand helds on 27 at 5 watts can use 442.825 now. None of this was previously possible. So with this move, expect to hear more Polk, Osceola and I-4 corridor area users making it into the network.
A nother tower WVEA (channel 62) is Tampa Bay, Florida's first Spanish-language TV station, which had its start in the early-1980s as low-powered W50AC ch.50, which offered programming from the Spanish International Network (SIN), the forerunner of today's Univision. In 1988, to make way for new HSN flagship WBHS (now WFTT-TV), the station relocated to channel 61 and became W61BL. In the mid-1990s, the station was re-called "WVEA-LP". In 2000, WVEA's parent company, Entravision, acquired Sarasota English independent WBSV channel 62, with the intent of moving the transmitter from Venice to the antenna farm at Riverview. WBSV signed on May 3, 1991 as the Sarasota area's own independent station, designed to compete against WWSB and the other stations in the Tampa Bay and nearby Ft. Myers markets. Licensed to Venice, Florida the call letters stood for Bradenton, Sarasota, Venice, the three cities it primarily served. WBSV had a variety of syndicated and local programming, plus infomercials and home shopping programs. early on, they also had its own newscast. But, WBSV was eternally in red ink, and relied more on home shopping and infomercials to keep the station afloat....
And then,WTVT, channel 13, is a television station in Tampa, Florida. It is an owned and operated station of the Fox Broadcasting Company, a subsdiary of the News Corporation. WTVT's studios are located in Tampa, and its transmitter is located in Riverview, Florida.
Overall the WUSF (89.7 FM) is an NPR-member radio station licensed to Tampa, Florida, USA. The station is currently owned by the University of South Florida. WUSF signed on in 1963, seven years after USF's founding in 1956.
WOPX channel 56 is a television station based in Orlando, Florida, USA. An affiliate of the ION Television network, it transmits its analog signal on UHF channel 56 and its digital signal on UHF channel 48, both from a transmitter located near Holopaw. The station signed on the air in 1986.
WIWA (1160 AM) is a radio station broadcasting a Spanish language Christian format. Licensed to St. Cloud, Florida, USA, it serves the greater Orlando area. The station is currently owned by Centro De La Familia Cristiana Inc.
WAFZ-FM (92.1 FM) is a radio station broadcasting a Regional Mexican format. Licensed to Immokalee, Florida, USA, the station is currently owned by Glades Media Company LLC. WAFZ's programming is also heard on WAFZ AM 1490 in Immokalee.
WTVY or WTVY News 4 is a CBS-affiliated television station broadcasting on channel 4 in Dothan, Alabama, owned by Gray Television. The station's signal, originating from a transmitter in Holmes County, Florida, reaches large portions of Alabama, Georgia and Florida. WTVY is also the designated CBS affiliate for the Panama City, Florida market, where Gray also owns that city's NBC affiliate, WJHG-TV. In exchange, WJHG is available in Dothan on cable since Dothan does not have its own NBC affiliate. In fact, WTVY's transmitter is located within the Panama City market. WTVY-DT uses digital subchannels to operate MyNetworkTV affiliate My 4 and CW affiliate Dothan's CW.
WJED (91.1 FM) is a radio station broadcasting a Christian radio format. Licensed to Dogwood Lakes Estate, Florida, USA. The station is currently owned by Bethany Bible College.
WTVJ, channel 6, is the NBC owned-and-operated television station for South Florida, licensed to Miami. Its analog transmitter is located in Redland. The station's digital transmitter is located near Dolphin Stadium in north Miami-Dade County. Owned by NBC Universal, the station is sister to South Florida's Telemundo owned-and-operated station, WSCV. The two share studios at Peacock Plaza in Miramar.
WOIR (1430 AM) is a radio station broadcasting a Spanish News/Talk format. Licensed to Homestead, Florida, USA, the station serves the Miami area. The station is currently owned by Amanecer Christian Network, Inc..
WTLH is a Fox television affiliate licensed to Bainbridge, Georgia and serves the Tallahassee, Florida television market. It broadcasts its analog signal on UHF channel 49 and its digital signal on UHF channel 50. The station began operations on November 25, 1989. Its transmitter is located in Metcalf, Georgia. The Station is owned by CP Media, LLC. The station runs a duopoly with WFXU, The CW station in Tallahassee. WTLH programming is also seen on a low-powered, Class-A repeater, WBVJ-LP channel 35 in Valdosta.
WTXL-TV is the ABC affiliate station for Tallahassee, Florida, Thomasville, Georgia, and Valdosta, Georgia, broadcasting on channel 27. The station is owned by Calkins Media, Inc., a Pennsylvania-based mass media company that owns several small newspapers in Pennsylvania and two other television stations: WWSB in Sarasota and WAAY-TV in Huntsville, Alabama. It was previously owned by Media Ventures Management, and operated by the Sinclair Broadcast Group pursuant to an outsourcing agreement (See: [1]), the first of its kind in the United States. This agreement merged virtually all of WTXL-TV's operations with that of Sinclair's NBC affiliate WTWC. Denis LeClair, General Manager of WTXL-TV and WBXT-TV at the time, was made General Manager for WTXL, WBXT and WTWC under this agreement. He would be followed by Chris Butterick and then Bob Franklin. Eventually, Kim Urbuteit (who was fired in May, 2007) would be named General Manager of WTXL only as Bob Franklin (now in Mobile, AL) oversaw WTWC. Gary Wordlaw is the current General Manager of WTXL-TV.
WFSU is the callsign (or variations thereon) for public radio stations operated by Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida. WFSU also operates 3 radio stations that serve northern Florida: * WFSU-FM 88.9 FM: Tallahassee-based news/talk/public affairs station carrying several NPR programs and overnight BBC World Service programming. Also heard on these low-powered repeaters: * 97.1 - Carrabelle * 106.1 - Marianna * 96.7 - Apalachicola * 93.7 - Downtown Tallahassee (necessary because the main WFSU transmitter must conform its signal to protect WTSU in Troy, Alabama) * WFSQ-FM 91.5 FM: Tallahassee-based classical music station. Also heard on WFSL-FM 90.7 in Thomasville, Georgia, and on low-powered 92.7 FM in the northeast portion of the city of Tallahassee. * WFSW-FM 89.1 FM: Panama City-based news/talk/public affairs station. Offers many of the same programs as WFSU. Also heard on low-powered 91.1 FM in the Port St. Joe area along the Gulf of Mexico, as well as 94.5 FM in Fort Walton Beach.
WESH is the NBC affiliate in Orlando, Florida. It is licensed to Daytona Beach, with studio facilities in Winter Park. It transmits its analog signal on VHF channel 2 and its digital signal on VHF channel 11, when viewed over the air PSIP will display 2.1 for WESH DT and 2.2 for WESH Weather Plus. It is currently owned by Hearst-Argyle Television along with the area's CW affiliate, WKCF. WESH's transmitter is located in Orange City, Florida. The tower is the tallest man-made structure in Florida, at 1,740 feet (530 m). The station also serves as the default NBC affiliate for the Gainesville market, and can be seen on the fringes of the Tampa Bay and Jacksonville markets. WESH was the first station in Orlando to carry an on-site RADAR facility, SuperDoppler 2 as opposed to relying on National Weather Service RADARs. It is installed on top of the tower located at the Winter Park broadcast studio. Today it also promotes a VIPIR 3D RADAR system, taking advantage of the fact that the RADARs at Melbourne, Tampa, Jacksonville and Miami can all reach Orlando, in addition to SuperDoppler 2. The primary news anchors at WESH are Martha Sugalski and Jim Payne....
WOMX is a radio station located in the Orlando, Florida area and broadcasts at 105.1. WOMX 105.1 plays the "Best MIX of the 80s, 90s and Today," though the station programming focuses mostly on rock and modern rock music from the 90's and 2000's. Every Friday from 5:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m., Mix 105.1 presents Friday Night 80's. The "Saturday Night Party MIX" airs every Saturday night from 7 p.m. to midnight. The "Saturday Night Party MIX" replaced the Orlando heritage show "Seventies Saturday Night" in 2005.
WOTF-TV Channel 43 is the TeleFutura station serving the Orlando/Daytona Beach/Melbourne, Florida television market. It is owned by Univision and managed by Entravision which owns Univision affiliate WVEN-TV 26 and radio station WNUE 98.1 FM and offers a Spanish language entertainment format featuring movies, dramas, comedy shows, and kids shows. The studios are located in Altamonte Springs which is also shared by WVEN.
WOFL, "Fox 35", is the Fox owned-and-operated television station serving the Orlando, Florida metropolitan area. It is licensed to Orlando, with studios located in Lake Mary. It broadcasts its analog signal on UHF channel 35, and its digital signal on UHF channel 22. Its transmitter is located in Bithlo, Florida. Its Digital TV transmitter has a power of 1,000 kW. Its Analog TV transmitter has a power of 2,570 kW. WOFL and sister station WTVT of the bordering Tampa market commonly share reporters and footage, as other station groups do.
WFTV channel 9 is a television station based in Orlando, Florida, affiliated with the ABC network. It transmits its analog signal on VHF channel 9 from a transmitter located in Bithlo, Florida, and its digital signal on UHF channel 39 from a transmitter located in Christmas, Florida. It is owned by Cox Enterprises along with independent station WRDQ TV 27. The primary news anchors at WFTV are Bob Opsahl and Martie Salt. They anchored the main afternoon newscasts from 1984 through 1994, when Ms. Salt transferred to WFTS, a TV station in Tampa (where she was known as "Martie Tucker"). She returned to anchor WFTV's news again with Opsahl in 2003. Opsahl is one of the longest-serving (at one station) local news anchors in Florida. Barbara West, a 20 year veteran at WFTV and the station's medical reporter is paired with Opsahl at 5:30. Marla Weech, a former anchor for WFTV, was paired up with Bob Opsahl during most of Salt's absence. Weech currently works for WKMG. Tom Terry is the "Chief Meteorologist". WFTV's Severe Weather Center 9 includes WFTV's own doppler weather radar station located at Joint Venture TV Tower Bithlo. Its radar has features that are...
WRBW-TV is the MyNetworkTV owned and operated station serving the Orlando/Daytona Beach/Melbourne, Florida television market. It is owned by the Fox Television Stations Group, along with Fox station WOFL Channel 35. Known on-air as "My65", the station offers sitcoms, cartoons, court shows, and talk/reality shows. Its transmitter is located in Christmas, Florida.
WNTF (1580 AM) is a radio station broadcasting a News Talk Information format. Licensed to Bithlo, Florida, USA, it serves the Orlando area. The station is currently owned by Rama Communications, Inc.
WBCC is an educational television station serving the Orlando television market. It broadcasts on UHF channel 68, with a digital signal on channel 30. It is one of the Orlando market's PBS member stations. WBCC's digital signal, on channel 30, offers programming from the University of Central Florida (channel 68.2) and BPS-TV from Brevard Public Schools (channel 68.3), in addition to WBCC's standard programming.
WRDQ, channel 27, is an independent television station in Orlando, Florida. Its analog transmitter is located in northeastern Osceola County. The station's digital transmitter is located in Christmas. Onwed by Cox Enterprises, WRDQ is sister to ABC affiliate WFTV. The two stations share studios on East South Street in downtown Orlando. WRDQ offers the Retro Television Network on its second digital subchannel. It can also be seen on Bright House digital channel 1028. Syndicated programming on WRDQ includes: South Park, Scrubs, Merv Griffin's Crosswords, Oprah, According to Jim, and George Lopez. The station can be considered an alternate ABC affiliate. As such, it may take on the responsibility of airing ABC programs whenever WFTV may not be able to do so as in a news-related emergency.
WXPX is a television station licensed to Bradenton, Florida. Operating on channel 66, it is an ION Television affiliate, owned and operated by ION Media Networks (formerly Paxson Communications), which has owned the station since its founding in 1994. Current programming on WXPX is virtually the same as other ION affiliates -- infomercials throughout the day and during the overnights, plus ION programming in the evenings. WXPX also shows Tampa Bay Lightning hockey, Orlando Magic basketball, some college football and Tampa Bay Rays baseball, though most of these games are in the evenings only, as WXPX tend to reserve non-prime-time hours for infomercials. Rays games air in high definition on WXPX in the 720p format, the same format as FSN Florida, the producers of the games (See: [1]). The only local programming on WXPX is i on Tampa (public affairs) and the aforementioned Rays and Magic games. The station once aired Miccosukee Magazine along with WPXM Miami and WPXP West Palm Beach, but no longer airs the program. (the latter two stations still do, along with WOPX Orlando) WXPX started in 1994 as WFCT, which featured infomercials at all hours under...
Wesh News Cast Bay News 9 Cast Weather Channel
Kristina
Abernathy
Stephanie
Abrams
Natalie
Allen
Tetiana
Anderson
Adam
Berg
Mike
Bettes
Vivian
Brown
Jim
Cantore
Jennifer
Carfagno
Kelly
Cass
Betty
Davis
Kristin
Dodd
Jorma
Duran
Dr Marcus
Eriksen
Paul
Goodloe
Ryan
Goswick
Rich
Johnson
Bill
Keneely
Danny
Lipford
Warren
Madden
Mark
Mancuso
Dr Anna
Marie
Julie
Martin
Jeff
Mielcarz
Jarod
Miller
Nicole
Mitchell
Samantha
Mohr
Jeff
Morrow
Carl
Parker
Kim
Perez
Sharon
Resultan
Kevin
Robinson
Marshall
Seese
Mike
Seidel
Alexandra
Steele
Heather
Tesch
Nick
Walker
Alex
Wallace
Dr Steve Lyons
Dr Greg Forbes
Dr Heidi Cullen
Stu Ostro
Aixa Diaz (NEWS ANCHORS
Jen Holloway
Al Ruechel
Leigh Moody
Erica Riggins
Rick Elmhorst
(METEOROLOGISTS)
Mike Clay
Juli Marquez
Josh Linker
Diane Kacmarik
Brian McClure
Alan Winfield
(NEWS REPORTERS
Jennifer Anderson
Dalia Dangerfield
Laurie Davison
Melissa Eichman
Samantha Hayes
Chuck Johnson
Troy Kinsey
Jason Lanning
Emily Maza
Carol Minn Vacca
Jonathan Petramala
Josh Rojas
Summer Smith
Kathryn Simmons
Melanie Snow
Melissa Sogegian
Anna Tataris
Ferdinand
Zogbaum
(EN ESPANOL
Lydia Guzmán
Roy De Jesús
Sandra Pinto
Jim Payne
Syan Rhodes
Martha Sugalski
Scott Walker
Eryka Washington
Weather:
Jason Brewer
Tony Mainolfi
Malachi Rodgers
Amy Sweezey
WESH.com Web Staff:
Jeff Cousins
Managing Editor
Jessica Seeley
Washington Reporters:
Sally Kidd
Nikole Killion
Laurie Kinney
Orlando Sentinel:
Roger Moore
Movie Critic
Sports:
Pat Clarke
Guy Rawlings
Reporters:
Danielle Bellini
Dan Billow
Greg Fox
Bob Kealing
Jeff Lennox
Craig Lucie
Dave McDaniel
Michelle Meredith
Claire Metz
Amanda Ober
Kendra Oestreich
Gail Paschall-Brown
Tim Trudell
Todd Wilson
Other Talent:
Jason Chepenik
Financial Analyst
Dr. Todd Husty
Dan McCarthy
Chopper 2 Pilot
Kimberly Williams
Traffic Reporter
editor/compiler unknown. Willow Grove (USA), Cal Schenkel Artwerks for Metropolitan Entertainment & Polygram Diversified Entertainment at The Ritz, New York, for 7–9 november 1991. a machine-numbered edition of unique copies of unknown limitation (this copy nr.529 – of 1ooo?).
9 x 12 envelope printed offset recto only, sealed rear with approx.5-1/2 x 4 number-stamped offset label, containing 13 fascicles:
i) small (2-1/2 x 2) painted canvas swatch trim from production backdrop
ii) 1-1/4 x 2 colour swatch
iii) set of 6 photocopy 3 x 3-3/4 performer bio cards in (possibly broken) elastic band
iv) a folded & torn piece of map
v) 5-1/2 x 4 photocopy return postcard with copy number verso
vi) approx.2-1/2 x 17 strip of the offset poster for the event with list of Orchestra Of Our Time members on verso
vii) 5-3/4 x 3-3/4 photocopy broadsheet with photoportrait of Joel Thome & Zappa, bios rear
viii) 8-1/2 x 2-3/4 photocopy broadside bio of Maureen McNally
ix) Frank Zappa, a b c; 5-3/4 x 8-3/4, stapled selfwrappers, 166 pp printed offset with laid in folded 8-1/2 x 11 broadsheet of further material &8-1/2 x 3-1/4 photocopy broadsheet (recto with offset under) of errata; the collected lyrics from the performances, designed, collaged & covered by Cal Schenkel, 32 texts in all (including Drop Dead, I Come From Nowhere, Jesus Thinks You're A Jerk, Oh No!, Sofa, The Dangerous Kitchen...)
x) approx.9 x 17 offset broadsheet, reduced (blacks only) version of Schenkel's poster with song list on verso
xi) 11 x 8-1/2 offset broadsheet, Schenkel's set design notes
xii) 8-1/2 x 11 photocopy broadsheet, credits pages
xiii) 11-1/2 x 8-3/4 offset broadside, 2-colour graphic by Schenkel.
this describes the copy i've opened: this unopened copy is bound to be at least a little different. from the rear of fascicle vii: "...THOME got together with [Alexander] Calder and [Virgil] Thomson in 1975 to revive the [Erik] Satie work [Socrate], arranged for the reconstruction of the lost Calder mobile set, gained the sculptor's approval for it, and conducted the acclaimed memorial performance of Socrate in 1977, a year after Calder's death... preserved and protected the reconstructed set through the years... fashioned works of two iconclasts (Zappa and Satie) into the current production of ZAPPA'S UNIVERSE... arranged the Zappa pieces and is conducting all the music on both sides of the program". bearing a unique portrait of Zappa by Schenkel in blue marker on rear of envelope, signed & dated "92", Frank playing a guitar that's behaving like Plastic Man, an eyeball-plant watching from its pot on the table.
45o.oo
The Burj Khalifa is a skyscraper in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. With a total height of 829.8 m (2,722 ft, just over half a mile) and a roof height (excluding antenna, but including a 244 m spire[2]) of 828 m (2,717 ft), the Burj Khalifa has been the tallest structure and building in the world. The building was opened in 2010 as part of a new development called Downtown Dubai. It is designed to be the centrepiece of large-scale, mixed-use development. The decision to construct the building is based on the government's decision to diversify from an oil-based economy, and for Dubai to gain international recognition.
Port de Fontvieille
Monaco, officially the Principality of Monaco, is a sovereign city-state and microstate on the French Riviera a few kilometres west of the Italian region of Liguria, in Western Europe, on the Mediterranean Sea. It is a semi-enclave bordered by France to the north, east and west. The principality is home to nearly 39,000 residents as of the 2020s, of whom about 9,883 are Monégasque nationals. It is recognised as one of the wealthiest and most expensive places in the world. The official language of Monaco is French. Monégasque, English and Italian are also spoken and understood by many residents.
With an area of 2.08 km2 (0.80 sq mi), Monaco is the second-smallest sovereign state in the world, after Vatican City. Its population of 38,423 in 2024 makes it the most densely populated sovereign state. Monaco has the world's shortest national coastline: 3.83 km (2.38 mi). The principality is about 15 km (9.3 mi) from the border with Italy and consists of nine administrative wards, the largest of which is Monte Carlo.
The principality is governed under a form of semi-constitutional monarchy, with Prince Albert II as head of state, who still wields significant political power and is not merely a ceremonial figure like most modern monarchies. The prime minister, who is the head of government, can be either a Monégasque or French citizen; the monarch consults with the Government of France before an appointment. Key members of the judiciary are detached French magistrates. The House of Grimaldi has ruled Monaco, with brief interruptions, since 1297. The state's sovereignty was officially recognised by the Franco-Monégasque Treaty of 1861, with Monaco becoming a full United Nations voting member in 1993. Despite Monaco's independence and separate foreign policy, its defence is the responsibility of France, besides maintenance of two small military units.
Monaco's economic development was spurred in the late 19th century with the opening of the state's first casino, the Monte Carlo Casino, and a rail connection to Paris. Monaco's mild climate, scenery, and gambling facilities have contributed to its status as a tourist destination and recreation centre for the rich. Monaco has become a major banking centre and sought to diversify into the services sector and small, high-value-added, non-polluting industries. Monaco is a tax haven; it has no personal income tax (except for French citizens) and low business taxes. Over 30% of residents are millionaires, with real estate prices reaching €100,000 ($116,374) per square metre in 2018. Monaco is a global hub of money laundering, and in June 2024 the Financial Action Task Force placed Monaco under increased monitoring to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.
Monaco is not part of the European Union (EU), but participates in certain EU policies, including customs and border controls. Through its relationship with France, Monaco uses the euro as its sole currency. Monaco joined the Council of Europe in 2004 and is a member of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF). It hosts the annual motor race, the Monaco Grand Prix, one of the original Grands Prix of Formula One. The local motorsports association gives its name to the Monte Carlo Rally, hosted in January in the French Alps. The principality has a club football team, AS Monaco, which competes in French Ligue 1 and has been French champions on multiple occasions, as well as a basketball team, which plays in the EuroLeague. A centre of research into marine conservation, Monaco is home to one of the world's first protected marine habitats, an Oceanographic Museum, and the International Atomic Energy Agency Marine Environment Laboratories, the only marine laboratory in the UN structure.
History
Monaco's name comes from the nearby 6th-century BC Phocaean Greek colony. Referred to by the Ligurians as Monoikos, from the Greek "μόνοικος", "single house", from "μόνος" (monos) "alone, single" + "οἶκος" (oikos) "house". According to an ancient myth, Hercules passed through the Monaco area and turned away the previous gods. As a result, a temple was constructed there. Because this "House" of Hercules was the only temple in the area, the city was called Monoikos. It ended up in the hands of the Holy Roman Empire, which gave it to the Genoese in 1191, in return for cracking down on pirates. By the Early 1200s, the Genoese had built a castle on the rock, and were utilizing the port.
An ousted branch of a Genoese family, the Grimaldi, captured it in 1297 by posing as monks but then had to contest it for a century before gaining official control. Though the Republic of Genoa would last until the 19th century, it allowed the Grimaldi family to keep Monaco. Likewise, both France and Spain left it alone for hundreds of years due to agreements with either of them, especially for defense. France annexed it in the French Revolution at the end of the 18th century, but after the defeat of Napoleon it was put under the care of the Kingdom of Sardinia.
In the 19th century, when Sardinia became a part of Italy, the region came under French influence but France allowed it to remain independent and it escaped being incorporated into Italy. However, it shrunk considerably when it traded two nearby towns, in exchange for sovereignty from France. Monaco relied on tourism from the late 19th century to remain financially solvent, and it was at this time the famous casino and hotels were established. Monaco was overrun by the Axis powers in the 1940s during the Second World War and for a short time was administered by Italy, then Nazi Germany, before being liberated. Although the occupation lasted for just a short time, it resulted in the deportation of the Jewish population and execution of several French Resistance members from Monaco. Since then Monaco has been independent. It has taken some steps towards integration with the European Union.
Arrival of the Grimaldi family
Following a grant of land from Emperor Henry VI in 1191, Monaco was refounded in 1215 as a colony of Genoa. Monaco was first ruled by a member of the House of Grimaldi in 1297, when Francesco Grimaldi, known as "Malizia" (translated from Italian either as "The Malicious One" or "The Cunning One"), and his men captured the fortress protecting the Rock of Monaco while dressed as Franciscan friars – a monaco in Italian – although this is a coincidence as the area was already known by this name.
Francesco was evicted a few years later by the Genoese forces, and the struggle over "the Rock" continued for another century. The Grimaldi family was Genoese and the struggle was something of a family feud. The Genoese engaged in other conflicts, and in the late 1300s Genoa lost Monaco after fighting the Crown of Aragon over Corsica. Aragon eventually became part of a united Spain, and other parts of the land grant came to be integrated piecemeal into other states. Between 1346 and 1355, Monaco annexed the towns of Menton and Roquebrune, increasing its territory by almost ten times.
1400–1800
In 1419, the Grimaldi family purchased Monaco from the Crown of Aragon and became the official and undisputed rulers of "the Rock of Monaco". In 1612, Honoré II began to style himself "Prince" of Monaco.[36] In the 1630s, he sought French protection against the Spanish forces and, in 1642, was received at the court of Louis XIII as a "duc et pair étranger".
The princes of Monaco became vassals of the French kings while at the same time remaining sovereign princes. Though successive princes and their families spent most of their lives in Paris, and intermarried with French and Italian nobilities, the House of Grimaldi is of Genoese origin. The principality continued its existence as a protectorate of France until the French Revolution.
19th century
In 1793, Revolutionary forces captured Monaco and until 1814 it was occupied by the French (in this period much of Europe had been overrun by the French armies under the command of Napoleon Bonaparte). The principality was reestablished in 1814 under the Grimaldis. It was designated a protectorate of the Kingdom of Sardinia by the Congress of Vienna in 1815. Monaco remained in this position until 1860 when, by the Treaty of Turin, the Sardinian forces pulled out of the principality; the surrounding County of Nice (as well as Savoy) was ceded to France Monaco became a French protectorate once again. Italian was the official language in Monaco until 1860, when it was replaced by French.
Before this time there was unrest in Menton and Roquebrune, where the townspeople had become weary of heavy taxation by the Grimaldi family. They declared their independence as the Free Cities of Menton and Roquebrune, hoping for annexation by Sardinia. France protested. The unrest continued until Charles III of Monaco gave up his claim to the two mainland towns (some 95% of the principality at the time) that had been ruled by the Grimaldi family for over 500 years.
These were ceded to France in return for 4,100,000 francs. The transfer and Monaco's sovereignty were recognised by the Franco-Monégasque Treaty of 1861. In 1869, the principality stopped collecting income tax from its residents — an indulgence the Grimaldi family could afford to entertain thanks solely to the extraordinary success of the casino. This made Monaco a playground for the rich and a favoured place for them to live.
20th century
Until the Monégasque Revolution of 1910 forced the adoption of the 1911 Constitution of Monaco, the princes of Monaco were absolute rulers. The new constitution slightly reduced the autocratic rule of the Grimaldi family and Prince Albert I suspended it during the First World War.
In July 1918, a new Franco-Monégasque Treaty was signed, providing for limited French protection over Monaco. The treaty, endorsed in 1919 by the Treaty of Versailles, established that Monégasque international policy would be aligned with French political, military and economic interests. It also resolved the Monaco succession crisis.
In 1943, the Italian Army invaded and occupied Monaco, forming a fascist administration. In September 1943, after Mussolini's fall from power, the German Wehrmacht occupied Italy and Monaco, and the Nazi deportation of the Jewish population began. René Blum, the prominent French Jew who founded the Ballet de l'Opéra in Monte Carlo, was arrested in his Paris home and held in the Drancy deportation camp outside the French capital before being transported to Auschwitz, where he was later murdered. Blum's colleague Raoul Gunsbourg, the director of the Opéra de Monte-Carlo, helped by the French Resistance, escaped arrest and fled to Switzerland. In August 1944, the Germans executed René Borghini, Joseph-Henri Lajoux and Esther Poggio, who were Resistance leaders.
Rainier III, succeeded to the throne on the death of his grandfather, Prince Louis II, in 1949, and ruled until 2005. On 19 April 1956, Prince Rainier married the American actress Grace Kelly, an event that was widely televised and covered in the popular press, focusing the world's attention on the tiny principality.
A 1962 amendment to the constitution abolished capital punishment, provided for women's suffrage and established a Supreme Court of Monaco to guarantee fundamental liberties. In 1963, a crisis developed when Charles de Gaulle blockaded Monaco, angered by its status as a tax haven for wealthy French citizens.
In 1993, the Principality of Monaco became a member of the United Nations, with full voting rights.
21st century
In 2002, a new treaty between France and Monaco specified that, should there be no heirs to carry on the Grimaldi dynasty, the principality would still remain an independent nation rather than revert to France. Monaco's military defense is still the responsibility of France.
On 31 March 2005, Rainier III, who was too ill to exercise his duties, relinquished them to his only son and heir, Albert. He died six days later, after a reign of 56 years, with his son succeeding him as Albert II, Sovereign Prince of Monaco. Following a period of official mourning, Prince Albert II formally assumed the princely crown on 12 July 2005, in a celebration that began with a solemn Mass at Saint Nicholas Cathedral, where his father had been buried three months earlier. His accession to the Monégasque throne was a two-step event with a further ceremony, drawing heads of state for an elaborate reception, held on 18 November 2005, at the historic Prince's Palace in Monaco-Ville. On 27 August 2015, Albert II apologised for Monaco's role during World War II in facilitating the deportation of a total of 90 Jews and resistance fighters, of whom only nine survived. "We committed the irreparable in handing over to the neighbouring authorities women, men and a child who had taken refuge with us to escape the persecutions they had suffered in France," Albert said at a ceremony in which a monument to the victims was unveiled at the Monaco cemetery. "In distress, they came specifically to take shelter with us, thinking they would find neutrality."
In 2015, Monaco unanimously approved a modest land reclamation expansion intended primarily to accommodate desperately needed housing and a small green/park area. Monaco had previously considered an expansion in 2008, but had called it off. The plan is for about six hectares (15 acres) of apartment buildings, parks, shops and offices to a land value of about 1 billion euros. The development will be adjacent to the Larvotto district and also will include a small marina. There were four main proposals, and the final mix of use will be finalised as the development progresses. The name for the new district is Anse du Portier.
On 29 February 2020, Monaco announced its first case of COVID-19, a man who was admitted to the Princess Grace Hospital Centre then transferred to Nice University Hospital in France.
On 3 September 2020, the first Monégasque satellite, OSM-1 CICERO, was launched into space from French Guiana aboard a Vega rocket. The satellite was built in Monaco by Orbital Solutions Monaco.
Government
Politics
Monaco has been governed under a constitutional monarchy since 1911, with the Sovereign Prince of Monaco as head of state. The executive branch consists of a Prime Minister as the head of government, who presides over the other five members of the Council of Government. Until 2002, the Prime Minister was a French citizen appointed by the prince from among candidates proposed by the Government of France; since a constitutional amendment in 2002, the Prime Minister can be French or Monégasque. On 2 September 2024, Prince Albert II appointed a French citizen, Didier Guillaume, to the office.
Under the 1962 Constitution of Monaco, the prince shares his veto power with the unicameral National Council. The 24 members of the National Council are elected for five-year terms; 16 are chosen through a majority electoral system and 8 by proportional representation. All legislation requires the approval of the National Council. Following the 2023 Monegasque general election, all 24 seats are held by the pro-monarchist Monegasque National Union.
The principality's city affairs are managed by the Municipality of Monaco. The municipality is directed by the Communal Council, which consists of 14 elected members and is presided over by a mayor. Georges Marsan has been mayor since 2003. Unlike the National Council, communal councillors are elected for four-year terms and are strictly non-partisan; oppositions inside the council frequently form.
Members of the judiciary of Monaco are appointed by the Sovereign Prince. Key positions within the judiciary are held by French magistrates, proposed by the Government of France. Monaco currently has three examining magistrates.
Geography
Monaco is a sovereign city-state, with five quarters and ten wards, located on the French Riviera in Western Europe. It is bordered by France's Alpes-Maritimes department on three sides, with one side bordering the Mediterranean Sea. Its centre is about 16 km (9.9 mi) from Italy and only 13 km (8.1 mi) northeast of Nice.
It has an area of 2.1 km2 (0.81 sq mi), or 208 ha (510 acres), and a population of 38,400, making Monaco the second-smallest and the most densely populated country in the world. The country has a land border of only 5.47 km (3.40 mi), a coastline of 3.83 km (2.38 mi), a maritime claim that extends 22.2 km (13.8 mi), and a width that varies between 1,700 and 349 m (5,577 and 1,145 ft).
Jurassic limestone is a prominent bedrock which is locally karstified. It hosts the Grotte de l'Observatoire, which has been open to the public since 1946.
The highest point in the country is at the access to the Patio Palace residential building on the Chemin des Révoires (ward Les Révoires) from the D6007 (Moyenne Corniche street) at 164.4 m (539 ft) above sea level. The lowest point in the country is the Mediterranean Sea.
Saint-Jean brook is the longest flowing body of water, around 0.19 km (190 m; 0.12 mi; 620 ft) in length, and Fontvieille is the largest lake, approximately 0.5 ha (1.2 acres) in area.[88] Monaco's most populated quartier is Monte Carlo, and the most populated ward is Larvotto/Bas Moulins.
After the expansion of Port Hercules,[90] Monaco's total area grew to 2.08 km2 (0.80 sq mi) or 208 ha (510 acres); subsequently, new plans were approved to extend the district of Fontvieille by 0.08 km2 (0.031 sq mi) or 8 ha (20 acres), with land reclaimed from the Mediterranean Sea. Land reclamation projects include extending the district of Fontvieille. There are two ports in Monaco, Port Hercules and Port Fontvieille. There is a neighbouring French port called Cap d'Ail that is near Monaco. Monaco's only natural resource is fishing; with almost the entire country being an urban area, Monaco lacks any sort of commercial agriculture industry. A small residential expansion formerly called Le Portier was nearing completion in 2023, and additionally a new esplanade was added at Larvatto beach which also had some maintenance.
Climate
Monaco has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate (Köppen climate classification: Csa), with strong maritime influences, with some resemblances to the humid subtropical climate (Cfa). As a result, it has balmy warm, dry summers and mild, rainy winters. The winters are very mild considering the city's latitude, being as mild as locations located much further south in the Mediterranean Basin. Cool and rainy interludes can interrupt the dry summer season, the average length of which is also shorter. Summer afternoons are infrequently hot (indeed, temperatures greater than 30 °C or 86 °F are rare) as the atmosphere is temperate because of constant sea breezes. On the other hand, the nights are very mild, due to the fairly high temperature of the sea in summer. Generally, temperatures do not drop below 20 °C (68 °F) in this season. In the winter, frosts and snowfalls are extremely rare and generally occur once or twice every ten years. On 27 February 2018, both Monaco and Monte Carlo experienced snowfall.
Demographics
Monaco's total population was 38,400 in 2015, and estimated by the United Nations to be 36,297 as of 1 July 2023.[160][161] As of 2024, Monégasques make up 24.1% of residents, followed by French (21.8%), Italian (19.5%), British (7.6%), Swiss (3.1%), Russian (3.1%), Belgian (2.7%), and German nationals (2.5%).[162] According to 2019 studies, 31% of Monaco's population is reported to be millionaires equalling up to 12,248 individuals
Citizens of Monaco, whether born in the country or naturalised, are called Monégasque. Monaco has the world's highest life expectancy at nearly 90 years.
Language
The main and official language of Monaco is French, while Italian is spoken by the principality's sizeable community from Italy. French and Italian are in fact more spoken in the principality today than Monégasque, its historic vernacular language. A variety of Ligurian, Monégasque is not recognised as an official language; nevertheless, some signage appears in both French and Monégasque, and the language is taught in schools. English is also used.
Italian was the official language in Monaco until 1860, when it was replaced by French. This was due to the annexation of the surrounding County of Nice to France following the Treaty of Turin (1860).
The Grimaldi, princes of Monaco, are of Ligurian origin; thus, the traditional national language is Monégasque, a variety of Ligurian, now spoken by only a minority of residents and as a common second language by many native residents. In Monaco-Ville, street signs are printed in both French and Monégasque.
Sports
Two important sports for Monaco are football and racing, but there are a number of other sports played; sports are also a part of Monaco's economy and culture. Monaco has competed in the Olympic Games, and also hosted competitive athletic sporting events.
See Monaco at the Olympics for more on Monaco's participation at the Olympic Games. Monaco has competed to varying degrees in every Olympic games except 1932, 1956, and 1980.
Racing
In addition to Formula One, the Circuit de Monaco hosts several support series, including FIA Formula 2, Porsche Supercup and Formula Regional Europe. It has in the past also hosted Formula Three and Formula Renault.
Formula One
Since 1929, the Monaco Grand Prix has been held annually in the streets of Monaco. It is widely considered to be one of the most prestigious automobile races in the world. The erection of the Circuit de Monaco takes six weeks to complete and the removal after the race takes another three weeks.
The circuit is narrow and tight and its tunnel, tight corners and many elevation changes make it perhaps the most demanding Formula One track.
One of the most famous, and slowest, turns in all of F1 Racing is the Loews hairpin, later renamed Fairmont hairpin when the hotel by this bend was renamed.
Formula E
Starting in 2015 Formula E started racing biennially with the Historic Grand Prix of Monaco on the Monaco ePrix and used a shorter configuration of the full Formula 1 circuit, keeping it around Port Hercules until 2021. For Season 11 of Formula E it will become a double header race.
Maserati MSG Racing, formerly named ROKiT Venturi Racing from 2014 to 2022, is the only motor racing team based in the principality, headquartered in Fontvieille. The marque competes in Formula E and was one of the founding teams of the fully-electric championship. The team is led by Co-Managing Partners Scott Swid and José M Aznar Botella, and Team Principal Cyril Blais. The outfit holds 21 podiums under the ROKiT Venturi Racing title, including 8 race wins, and to date has 6 podiums, including 2 race wins, in the series under the Maserati MSG Racing title. 1997 Formula One World Champion Jacques Villeneuve and eleven-time Formula One race winner Felipe Massa have raced for the team previously. Jake Hughes and Season 8 Formula E champion Stoffel Vandoorne currently race for the team.
Monte Carlo Rally
Since 1911 part of the Monte Carlo Rally has been held in the principality, originally held at the behest of Prince Albert I. Like the Grand Prix, the rally is organised by Automobile Club de Monaco. It has long been considered to be one of the toughest and most prestigious events in rallying and from 1973 to 2008 was the opening round of the World Rally Championship (WRC).[185] From 2009 until 2011, the rally served as the opening round of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge. The rally returned to the WRC calendar in 2012 and has been held annually since.[ Due to Monaco's limited size, all but the ending of the rally is held on French territory.
Tour de France
The 2009 Tour de France, the world's premier cycle race, started from Monaco with a 15 km (9 mi) closed-circuit individual time trial starting and finishing there on the first day, and the 182 km (113 mi) second leg starting there on the following day and ending in Brignoles, France.
Football
Monaco hosts two major football teams in the principality: the men's football club, AS Monaco FC, and the women's football club, OS Monaco. AS Monaco plays at the Stade Louis II and competes in Ligue 1, the first division of French football. The club is historically one of the most successful clubs in the French league, having won Ligue 1 eight times (most recently in 2016–17) and competed at the top level for all but six seasons since 1953. The club reached the 2004 UEFA Champions League Final, with a team that included Dado Pršo, Fernando Morientes, Jérôme Rothen, Akis Zikos and Ludovic Giuly, but lost 3–0 to Portuguese team FC Porto. French World Cup-winners Thierry Henry, Fabien Barthez, David Trezeguet, and Kylian Mbappe have played for the club. The Stade Louis II also played host to the annual UEFA Super Cup from 1998 to 2012 between the winners of the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League.
The women's team, OS Monaco, competes in the women's French football league system. The club plays in the local regional league, deep down in the league system. It once played in the Division 1 Féminine, in the 1994–95 season, but was quickly relegated.
The Monaco national football team represents the nation in association football and is controlled by the Monégasque Football Federation, the governing body for football in Monaco. Monaco is one of two sovereign states in Europe (along with the Vatican City) that is not a member of UEFA and so does not take part in any UEFA European Football Championship or FIFA World Cup competitions. They are instead affiliated with CONIFA, where they compete against other national teams that are not FIFA members. The team plays its home matches in the Stade Louis II.
(Wikipedia)
Monaco (deutsch [moˈnako], französisch [mɔnaˈko], italienisch [ˈmɔnako]) (amtlich Fürstentum Monaco, monegassisch Principatu de Mu̍negu, französisch Principauté de Monaco, italienisch Principato di Monaco) ist ein am Mittelmeer liegender Stadtstaat in Südeuropa. Die Staatsform des Fürstentums ist als konstitutionelle Monarchie verfasst; Staatsreligion ist der Katholizismus. Monaco ist nach der Vatikanstadt der zweitkleinste Staat der Erde mit 39.520 Einwohnern (Stand: 2021) auf einer Fläche von 2,084 Quadratkilometern. Die Bevölkerungsdichte weist mit 18.831 Einwohnern je Quadratkilometer die höchste Bevölkerungsdichte aller Staaten der Welt auf, gefolgt von Singapur und Bahrain. Von der Bevölkerung verfügen 77,5 Prozent nicht über die monegassische Staatsbürgerschaft. Der Staat liegt in den Seealpen und an der Côte d’Azur, der französischen Riviera, nahe der Grenze zu Italien.
Landesname
Der Landesname hat einen griechisch-lateinischen Ursprung. Monaco war ein antiker Handelsplatz der Phönizier und später der Griechen, die hier an der Nordküste des westlichen Mittelmeers einen Herkules-Tempel errichteten, der bald den Beinamen Monoikos („einzelnes Haus“) erhielt. Als der Ort ein römischer Hafen wurde, erhielt er den Namen Herculis Monoeci Portus, woraus Monaco entstand.
Territorium
Das Fürstentum liegt an der französischen Riviera, auf 43° 44′ nördlicher Breite und 7° 25′ östlicher Länge zwischen der französischen Stadt Nizza im Westen (13 km Entfernung) und der französisch-italienischen Grenze (etwa zehn Kilometer Entfernung) im Osten. Die Küstenlänge des Fürstentums ohne Häfen und Strände beträgt 4856 Meter. In den letzten Jahrzehnten wurde das Staatsgebiet durch Landgewinnung um mehr als 40 Hektar auf 208,4 Hektar (2,084 Quadratkilometer) vergrößert. Monaco verfügt über ein schmales Küstenmeeresgebiet. Die gesamte Fläche des Landes liegt am Rand der Seealpen.
Die einzige Staatsgrenze ist die zur Französischen Republik. Die französischen Nachbargemeinden, die unmittelbar an den Stadtstaat Monaco grenzen, lauten (im Uhrzeigersinn): Cap-d’Ail, La Turbie, Beausoleil, Roquebrune-Cap-Martin. Die Länge der Staatsgrenze beträgt 5469 Meter. Monaco grenzt mit 1341 Metern an Cap-d’Ail, mit 390 Metern an La Turbie, mit 3274 Metern an Beausoleil und mit 464 Metern an Roquebrune-Cap-Martin.
Physische Geographie
Geomorphologie
Die höchste Erhebung des französischen Umlandes unweit Monacos ist der 1148 Meter hohe Mont Agel, von dem aus früher Radio Monte-Carlo sendete. Die höchste Erhebung des monegassischen Staatsgebiets liegt auf gut 164,5 Metern Meereshöhe im Stadtteil Jardin Exotique, während der Platz vor dem fürstlichen Palast auf 62,2 Metern Höhe liegt.
Klima
In Monaco herrscht Mittelmeerklima mit milden Wintern und warmen Sommern, einer durchschnittlichen Niederschlagsmenge von 1092,2 Millimetern und einer durchschnittlichen Sonnenscheindauer von 2616 Stunden pro Jahr (alle Angaben von 2019). Die durchschnittlichen Temperaturen lagen im Jahr 2019 bei mindestens 15,4 Grad Celsius, höchstens bei 20,4 Grad Celsius.
Bevölkerung
Demografie
Am 31. Dezember 2019 waren in Monaco 38.100 Einwohner amtlich registriert. Im Vergleich zum 31. Dezember 2018 verzeichnete das Fürstentum 200 Einwohner weniger (−0,5 Prozent). Die Einwohner Monacos werden als Monegassen (französisch monégasques) bezeichnet. Die Fertilitätsrate beläuft sich für den Zeitraum 2017 bis 2019 auf 2,5. Im Jahr 2019 betrug die Geburtenrate 1,32 Prozent, die Sterblichkeitsrate 0,84 Prozent. Statistisch gebiert eine Frau mit monegassischer Staatsbürgerschaft im Alter von 32,4 Jahren (Zeitraum 2019 bis 2019). 2019 wurden 939 Neugeborene gezählt, hiervon waren 52,6 Prozent männlich, 47,4 Prozent weiblich. Die Lebenserwartung bei Geburten in den Jahren 2017 bis 2019 wurde durchschnittlich und unter Berücksichtigung des männlichen und weiblichen Geschlechts mit 86,5 Jahren angegeben (Männer: 84,4 Jahre, Frauen: 88,7 Jahre). Monaco war damit der Staat mit der weltweit höchsten Lebenserwartung. 524 Sterbefälle wurden 2019 registriert, davon 50,6 Prozent männlich und 49,4 Prozent weiblich.
Ethnien
Die einheimische Bevölkerung Monacos ist ligurisch-provenzalischen Ursprungs. Sie stellt knapp ein Viertel der Wohnbevölkerung dar. Somit ist Monaco ein Einwanderungsland und weist mit 77,5 Prozent einen der höchsten Anteile an Ausländern aller Staaten auf. Im Jahr 2016 verfügten 8.378 Personen (22,5 Prozent der Gesamtbevölkerung) über die monegassische Staatsbürgerschaft. 2016 waren 9.286 Einwohner Franzosen und stellten die größte Ausländergruppe dar. 8172 italienische Staatsangehörige stellten die drittgrößte Nationalität dar, gefolgt von den Briten (2795 Einwohner), Schweizern (1187), Belgiern (1073), Deutschen (907), Russen (749), Niederländern (555), Portugiesen (523), Griechen (401), US-Amerikanern (366), Schweden (323), Kanadiern (311) und Spaniern (294). Der Anteil der Franzosen an der Bevölkerung ist permanent rückläufig, da die in Monaco wohnenden französischen Staatsangehörigen aufgrund eines Abkommens zwischen Frankreich und Monaco in Frankreich steuerpflichtig sind, sodass sie die extrem hohen Lebenshaltungskosten (insbesondere Immobilienpreise) nicht durch eine Steuerersparnis kompensieren können.
Monegassische Staatsbürgerschaft
Als einziges Land der Welt unterteilt Monaco seine Bevölkerung in drei Kategorien: gebürtige Monegassen, Landeskinder (enfants du pays) und wohlhabende Ausländer. So verfügt erstere Gruppe über das Recht auf eine angemessene staatliche Wohnung (mit Möglichkeit der Vererbung). Die Landeskinder als zweite Kategorie sind nicht im Besitz der monegassischen Staatsbürgerschaft, leben jedoch seit Generationen im Fürstentum und haben einen Rechtsanspruch auf eine angemessene Wohnung aus nichtstaatlichem Immobilienbesitz.
Die monegassische Staatsbürgerschaft stellt die Zugehörigkeit einer natürlichen Person zum Fürstentum Monaco dar. Das Staatsbürgerschaftsrecht Monacos gilt als sehr restriktiv. Jährlich beantragen mehr als 500 Personen die monegassische Staatsbürgerschaft. Die Entscheidung über Zuteilung und Ablehnung der monegassischen Staatsangehörigkeit obliegt ausschließlich dem Fürsten Albert II. Im Jahr 2007 wurde 68 Personen die monegassische Staatsbürgerschaft verliehen, im Jahr 2010 nur sieben Personen.
Sprachen
Die alleinige Amtssprache Monacos ist seit 1792 das Französische. Seit 1858 ist es per Gesetz Unterrichtssprache. Vernakularsprachen sind bzw. waren Monegassisch und Okzitanisch. Während Letzteres als in Monaco nahezu ausgestorben gilt, hat sich die Position des Monegassischen seit den 1980er Jahren gefestigt. Das Monegassische (Eigenbezeichnung: munegascu) ist ein romanischer Dialekt, der mit dem an der französischen und italienischen Riviera beheimateten Ligurischen eng verwandt ist. Im Zusammenhang mit der Herkunft der Herrscherfamilie Grimaldi aus Genua wurde Monegassisch zu einem ordentlichen Lehrfach an den monegassischen Schulen erhoben; das Abitur (Matura) kann auf Monegassisch abgelegt werden. Über die muttersprachliche Verteilung der im Fürstentum gesprochenen Sprachen gibt es keine Erhebungen. Aufgrund ihres Status als offizielle Sprache, vorherrschende Unterrichtssprache und Muttersprache der starken französischen Minderheit ist das Französische als die in Monaco am häufigsten gesprochene Sprache zu betrachten, gefolgt von Italienisch. Das Französische ist seit dem Anschluss der Monaco umgebenden Ländereien, namentlich der Grafschaft Nizza und von Teilen Savoyens, an Frankreich im Jahre 1860 zur vorherrschenden Schrift- und Umgangssprache Monacos aufgestiegen; in der mit dem französischen Adelshaus Goyon de Matignon verbundenen Familie Grimaldi spielte die sprachlich-kulturelle Bindung an Frankreich bereits zuvor eine Rolle.
Religionen
Die römisch-katholische Kirche ist Staatskirche. Monaco ist Sitz eines Erzbistums, das, ohne Metropolitanbistum zu sein, direkt dem Heiligen Stuhl unterstellt ist. Bischofskirche ist die Kathedrale Notre-Dame-Immaculée. Die Freiheiten anderer Religionen und Konfessionen werden von der monegassischen Verfassung garantiert. Neben Katholiken und Protestanten bestehen orthodoxe und jüdische Gemeinden.
Geschichte
Nachdem Kaiser Heinrich VI. im Jahr 1191 der Republik Genua die Herrschaft über die Küstenregion um das heutige Monaco übertragen hatte, wurde am 10. Juni 1215 an der Stelle, an der heute der Fürstenpalast steht, mit dem Bau einer genuesischen Grenzfestung begonnen. Dieser Tag gilt als das Gründungsdatum Monacos. Die bürgerkriegsartigen Auseinandersetzungen im 13. Jahrhundert zwischen den Ghibellinen und Guelfen in Norditalien führten 1296 zur Vertreibung der papsttreuen Guelfen und damit auch der Familie Grimaldi aus Genua. Am 8. Januar 1297 gelang es Soldaten der Grimaldi und mit ihnen verbündeter guelfischer Familien unter der Führung von Francesco Grimaldi, in die bis dahin in ghibellinischer Hand befindliche Festung Monaco einzudringen und diese im Handstreich zu erobern. Von nun an war die Geschichte Monacos eng mit der Familie Grimaldi verbunden, deren Mitglieder mit kurzen Unterbrechungen bis zum heutigen Tag die Herrschaft dort ausüben.
Der erste Herrscher Monacos aus diesem Haus wurde 1297 Raniero Grimaldi, der Monaco 1301 wieder an Genua abtreten musste. Seinem Sohn Carlo I. gelang im Jahr 1331 mit Unterstützung des französischen Königs die erneute Eroberung Monacos sowie der Erwerb von Menton (1346) und Roquebrune (1355). 1357 wurde Monaco nochmals von Genua erobert und gelangte 1419 endgültig in den Besitz der Grimaldi.
Im Jahr 1489 wurde die Unabhängigkeit Monacos vom König von Frankreich und dem Herzog von Savoyen anerkannt. Eine letzte Belagerung Monacos im Jahr 1507 durch die Genuesen endete erfolglos, worauf König Ludwig XII. 1512 die monegassische Unabhängigkeit bestätigte.
Ab 1523, nach dem Regierungsantritt Augustins I. von Monaco, verschlechterten sich die Beziehungen zu Frankreich. Monaco schloss daraufhin 1524 mit dem römisch-deutschen Kaiser Karl V. den Vertrag von Burgos und Tordesillas und stellte sich unter den Schutz der spanischen Habsburger. Honoré II. bezeichnete sich ab 1612 als Fürst und Herrn von Monaco; 1633 wurde der Fürstentitel offiziell von Spanien anerkannt.
Ungefähr ab 1630 erfolgte eine Wiederannäherung an Frankreich, die schließlich 1641 im Vertrag von Péronne besiegelt wurde. Frankreich wurde erneut Monacos Schutzmacht; noch im selben Jahr wurde die spanische Garnison aus Monaco vertrieben. Mit dem Tod von Antoine I. 1731 starben die Grimaldi in männlicher Linie aus. In der Folge gingen Name und Herrschaft auf die eingeheiratete Familie Goyon de Matignon über.
Französische Revolutionstruppen eroberten Monaco 1793. Der Nationalkonvent erklärte die Grimaldi für abgesetzt und rief die Republik Monaco aus. Am 14. Februar 1793 wurde Monaco von Frankreich annektiert, die Mitglieder der Fürstenfamilie wurden inhaftiert.
Am 6. April 1814 und endgültig am 20. November 1815 wurde in den Verträgen von Paris die Unabhängigkeit Monacos wiederhergestellt, nun allerdings unter dem Schutz des Königreichs Sardinien. Wirtschaftliche Schwierigkeiten und politische Unruhen im Gefolge der Februarrevolution 1848 führten 1848 zur Abspaltung der Orte Menton und Roquebrune, die am 2. Februar 1861 durch den Vertrag mit Napoleon III. endgültig an Frankreich fielen. Zugleich erkannte Frankreich die volle Unabhängigkeit Monacos unter der alleinigen Souveränität des Fürsten an.
In diese Zeit fiel auch der wirtschaftliche Aufstieg Monacos. Mit der Gründung der Spielbank Monte-Carlo im Jahr 1853, der Zollunion mit Frankreich 1865 und dem Anschluss an das Eisenbahnnetz 1868 wurde die Grundlage für den mondänen Tourismus gelegt, aus dem Monaco in den folgenden Jahrzehnten einen großen Teil seiner Staatseinnahmen bezog. Fürst Albert I., der sich als Ozeanograph und Paläontologe betätigte, gründete 1889 das renommierte Ozeanographische Museum. 1911 gab er dem Land die erste Verfassung.
1918 wurde das erste bilaterale Abkommen mit Frankreich unterzeichnet, das erneut die Unabhängigkeit Monacos durch Frankreich garantierte. Im Zweiten Weltkrieg war Monaco zeitweise von deutschen Truppen besetzt. Das Frauenwahlrecht auf kommunaler Ebene wurde am 24. Mai 1945 eingeführt.[15] Monaco trat am 8. Juli 1948 der Weltgesundheitsorganisation bei. Seit dem 17. Dezember 1962 gilt die heutige Verfassung. Das aktive und passive Frauenwahlrecht auf nationaler Ebene wurde am 17. Dezember 1962 eingeführt.[16] 1981 erfolgte die Erhebung zum römisch-katholischen Erzbistum Monaco, 1993 der Beitritt zu den Vereinten Nationen. Am 7. Januar 2000 wurde ein ständiger Vertreter bei der Europäischen Union in Brüssel entsandt. 2002 folgte die Einführung des Euro (den Französischen Franc ablösend) in Monaco, das den Status eines assoziierten Euro-Nutzers hat (Buchgeld ab 1999). Monaco wurde am 5. Oktober 2004 nach sechsjähriger Wartezeit in den Europarat aufgenommen. 2005 wurde das zweite bilaterale Abkommen mit Frankreich geschlossen.
Internationale Aufmerksamkeit erlangte Monaco 1956, als Fürst Rainier III. die US-amerikanische Schauspielerin Grace Kelly heiratete, und erneut 2011, als ihr gemeinsamer Sohn und Thronfolger, Albert II., die Südafrikanerin Charlène Wittstock heiratete.
Das Fürstentum ist heute ein Finanzplatz und vornehmlich bei den Reichen der Welt als Hauptwohnsitz begehrt, da es keine Einkommen- und Erbschaftsteuer erhebt und im Ausland begangene Steuerdelikte nicht verfolgt. Französische Staatsbürger sowie Unternehmen zahlen hingegen Steuern.
Monaco ist nicht Mitglied der Europäischen Union, jedoch des Europarates sowie der Vereinten Nationen und der Internationalen Organisation der Frankophonie.
Politik
Verfassung und Thronfolge
Monaco ist seit 1911 eine konstitutionelle Monarchie, in der der regierende Fürst das Staatsoberhaupt ist. Er wird im Fürstentum gewöhnlich Patron („Schutzherr“) oder Monseigneur („mein Herr“) genannt.
Die Thronfolge ist im Artikel 10 der Verfassung des Fürstentums Monaco geregelt und wurde zuletzt 2002 geändert. Thronfolger ist der erste direkte und legitime Nachkomme des Fürsten mit Priorisierung der männlichen Nachkommen im gleichen Verwandtschaftsverhältnis. Wenn der Fürst keinen Nachkommen hat, gilt diese Regelung für die Brüder und Schwestern bzw. deren Nachkommen. Wenn der Thronfolger auf den Thron verzichtet, treten seine Nachkommen an seine Stelle. Der Thronerbe von Fürst Albert II. ist Alberts Sohn Prinz Jacques (* 10. Dezember 2014), gefolgt von dessen Zwillingsschwester Prinzessin Gabriella (* 10. Dezember 2014). Die frühere Regelung, dass Monaco an Frankreich zurückgefallen wäre, wenn es keine Thronerben der Grimaldis gegeben hätte, wurde im zweiten monegassisch-französischen Abkommen 2002 abgeschafft. Daher bliebe Monaco nach einem eventuellen Erlöschen der Dynastie Grimaldi ein souveräner Staat.
Die Regierungsgeschäfte Monacos werden seit April 2005 von Fürst Albert II. ausgeübt, nachdem sein Vater Fürst Rainier am 6. April 2005 verstarb. Nach einer üblichen Trauerphase wurde Albert II. am 12. Juli 2005 offiziell in sein neues Amt eingeführt. Dabei verzichtete er demonstrativ auf das sonst übliche Hofzeremoniell zugunsten einer volksnah gestalteten Feier.
Legislative
Seit der Verfassungsänderung 1962 teilt sich der Fürst seine Regierungsmacht mit dem Parlament (Conseil National). Dieses besteht aus 24 Mitgliedern, die in freien und geheimen Wahlen auf fünf Jahre gewählt werden. Das Parlament wurde zuletzt am 5. Februar 2023 gewählt. Regionale Angelegenheiten, die nur das Stadtgebiet Monacos betreffen, werden vom Gemeinderat beschlossen, der 15 gewählte Mitglieder hat, und vom Bürgermeister Georges Marsan – bzw. aktuell (Stand Januar 2024) nach Korruptionsvorwürfen gegen Marsan von Camille Svara – geleitet wird.
Exekutive
Die Exekutive besteht aus dem Regierungsrat, der aus vier Mitgliedern besteht, die das Kabinett bilden; Vorsitzender des Regierungsrates ist der Staatsminister.
Touristenziele
Die Place du Casino (von den Einheimischen liebevoll Camembert genannt) stellt in mehrfacher Hinsicht eines der touristischen Zentren Monacos dar. Erstens wegen seiner sehr zentralen Lage mitten im Fürstentum. Zweitens befinden sich dort das bekannte Hôtel de Paris sowie das berühmte Casino von Monte-Carlo und direkt daneben die prunkvolle Oper, wobei alle genannten Einrichtungen durch ihre historische Architektur beeindrucken. Drittens ist der Casino-Platz mit seinem Rondell die erste Anlaufstelle für Touristen, die auf Kreuzfahrt das Fürstentum besuchen, da die Schiffe direkt unterhalb des Casinos anlegen. In den Sommermonaten ist die Place du Casino speziell an Freitag- und Samstagabenden ein Treffpunkt für Monaco-Touristen aus aller Welt.
Als zweiter zentraler Touristenmagnet in Monaco gilt die Altstadt Monaco-Ville, die als Rocher (französisch für Felsen) bezeichnet wird. Sie ist auf dem sogenannten Fürstenfelsen gelegen, auf dem sich der Fürstenpalast, die politische und private Residenz der Fürstenfamilie, befindet. Die Altstadt Monacos ist, wie für das Fürstentum typisch, sehr eng bebaut; in den engen Gassen der Altstadt befinden sich zahlreiche Gaststätten und Souvenirläden. Speziell in der Hochsaison ist die Altstadt sehr stark von Monaco-Touristen bevölkert und mitunter schon als von Touristen überlaufen zu bezeichnen.
Der exotische Freiluftgarten Monacos – Jardin Exotique – bietet Pflanzenkundlern eine sehr große Anzahl der verschiedensten Pflanzen- und Baumarten zur Besichtigung. Der Exotische Garten zeichnet sich zudem durch seine Lage aus. Er befindet sich an der Staatsgrenze zu Frankreich in Richtung Nizza in großer Höhe, von der ein Panoramablick über das Fürstentum geboten wird.
Das Ozeanographische Museum befindet sich auf dem Felsen von Monaco in Monaco-Ville und bietet Besuchern eine Fülle von meereskundlichen Exponaten, darunter seltene lebende Meerestiere in Aquarien. Es beherbergt etwa 4000 Fischarten sowie Arten von 200 Familien Wirbelloser. Die prunkvolle Architektur des Museums weist auf seine Gründung 1910 durch Albert I hin. Der Gründer betätigte sich selbst als Ozeanologe, Walforscher und Teuthologe. Er war an dem damals als sensationell empfundenen Fund eines Lepidoteuthis grimaldii (ein geschuppter Tiefseetintenfisch) beteiligt, welcher nach seiner Familie Grimaldi benannt wurde. Das rasch danach erbaute Museum sollte diesen Fund gebührend präsentieren. Die Lage direkt 85 Meter oberhalb des Meeres auf einer Felsenklippe ist ebenfalls eindrucksvoll.
Die Jachthäfen Monacos sind regelmäßig beliebte Touristenziele, an denen große Privatjachten von vermögenden Eignern vor Anker liegen. Der größte Hafen, Port Hercule, befindet sich in La Condamine, entlang jener öffentlicher Straßen, die für den alljährlichen Formel-1-Grand-Prix genutzt werden. Weitere Jachthäfen finden sich direkt unterhalb des Fürstenfelsens in Fontvieille und auf der gegenüberliegenden Seite von Fontvieille in Richtung Cap-d’Ail (Frankreich).
In Larvotto befindet sich der öffentliche Strand Monacos, der vor allem in den warmen Sommermonaten ein sehr beliebtes Ausflugsziel für Einheimische und Touristen ist. Der dortige Sand ist indessen grobkörnig und nicht mit feinen, weißen Sandstränden an anderen Mittelmeerorten zu vergleichen, und im Wasser stellen mitunter Quallen eine Störung des Badebetriebes dar. Ein weiterer vergleichsweise großer und im Sommer recht bevölkerter öffentlicher Badestrand befindet sich unmittelbar hinter Fontvieille, zu Cap-d’Ail hin und auf französischem Staatsgebiet gelegen.
Als Kontrast zu den zahllosen Betonbauten in Monaco wurden mehrere öffentliche Gärten mit teils exotischen Pflanzen, Palmen sowie einheimischen und importierten Vogelarten angelegt. Erwähnenswert sind hier der japanische Garten, der sich südlich des Grimaldi Forums an der Avenue Princesse Grace befindet und durch große Pflanzenpracht, filigrane japanische Hütten- und Brückenbauten und Teiche mit seltenen Koi-Karpfen gefällt. Weitere Gärten findet man in Fontvieille und im Bereich zwischen Ozeanographischem Museum und Fürstenpalast.
Sport
Der 1911 gegründete Club Alpin Monégasque (CAM) ist ein Alpiner Verein.
Im Jahre 1929 fand erstmals der Große Preis von Monaco statt, seit 1955 gastiert die Formel 1 jährlich (mit Ausnahme 2020 aufgrund der COVID-19-Pandemie)[84] im Fürstentum. Außerdem führt die Rallye Monte Carlo in den Stadtstaat.
Die AS Monaco gehört mit acht Meistertiteln zu den erfolgreichsten Fußballvereinen der französischen Liga. Der monegassische Fußballclub spielt im Stade Louis II im Stadtteil Fontvieille. Das Fürstentum unterhält außerdem eine Fußballauswahl, der Verband Fédération Monegasque de Football ist hingegen weder Mitglied der UEFA noch der FIFA.
Im Frühling findet jeweils ein Tennisturnier der ATP Tour Masters 1000 statt. Gespielt wird dabei auf Sand. Das Monte Carlo Masters gehört zu den wichtigsten Turnieren im Herrentennis.
Von 2005 bis 2009 fand im Fürstentum jährlich im September der Ironman 70.3 Monaco, ein Triathlon über die halbe Ironman-Distanz (1,9 Kilometer Schwimmen, 90 Kilometer Radfahren, 21,1 Kilometer Laufen) statt.
Seit 1995 findet im November der Marathon de Monaco et des Riviera statt.
Die EPT Monte Carlo, die seit 2005 im Monte Carlo Bay Hotel ausgetragen wird, ist das bedeutendste jährliche Pokerturnier Europas.
Seit 2003 ist Monaco Ziel der Red Bull X-Alps.
Special Olympics Monaco wurde 1980 gegründet und nahm mehrmals an Special Olympics Weltspielen teil.
(Wikipedia)
Lost Einsteins: Diversifying Innovation
Amy Brachio, Global Deputy Vice-Chair, EY, USA. Kevin Frey, Chief Executive Officer, Generation Unlimited, UNICEF, Generation Unlimited, USA. Tomas Lamanauskas, Deputy Secretary-General-elect, International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Geneva
Maria Leptin, President, European Research Council, Belgium. Magdalena Skipper, Editor-in-Chief, Nature, United Kingdom
Tuesday 2 May 2023
14.45 - 15.30
Stakeholder Dialogue
World Economic Forum Headquarters, Eiger
Copyright: World Economic Forum/Jean-Luc Auboeuf
The Growth Summit: Jobs and Opportunity for All 2023 in Geneva, Switzerland
When Holocon Diversified Technologies' Expeditionary Enterprises Division first colonized the Utari System, it brought along its own design in space labor frames. The SLF-07Y was a top-of-the-line labor frame meant to fulfill a variety of needs.
Part construction frame, part tugboat, The SLF-07Y was useful for applications in zero gravity shipyards, asteroid mining, and orbital construction. The SLF-07Y was designed to have a more accommodating interior than most labor frames to facilitate longer hours in the frame for workers. This accompanied with redundancy systems made the frame treasured among laborers.
Its bottom-heavy, ovoid appearance lead to the frame being referred to as "Humpty Dumpty" or "Eggcrate" by the early colonists.
New farmer Leonardo Aguila harvested these American Beauty (red flesh) and Delight (white flesh) Dragon Fruit from his 6.3-acre farm in Fallbrook, CA, on Nov. 11, 2018.
Leonardo Aguila is extremely proud of his 6.3-acre farm in Fallbrook, Calif. The mature orchard of avocado trees, on its sunny hillside near San Diego, caught the eye of this Navy veteran three years ago, and he knew he had to buy it. Some of the trees showed signs of stress due to lack of irrigation from the high cost of water and regular drought - it just needed some tender loving care. Aguila knew he was the one to provide it.
Born in the Philippines, Aguila immigrated to Guam, a United States territory, as a young man and promptly enlisted into the U.S. Navy. He served in the military for 17 years and dedicated another 17 years as a civilian employee for the Department of the Navy. Once retired, he saw the avocado orchard and longed to live the life he remembered as a child, growing up near orchards of mango, coconut, and banana farming in the Philippines.
But in the Philippines, the island received plenty of rainfall to nourish plants. In California, farms need efficient irrigation to help the trees stay healthy. And, due to the orchard being on a steep hillside with erosion concerns, something had to be done to prevent the hillside from being washed away when it rained.
“The greatest challenge I have is during the summer,” said Aguila. “On average, I paid $800 per month for irrigation water. Even if I do not use a drop, I still get charged a minimum of $200 per month. So, I need to conserve and use as little as needed.”
Looking for help, Aguila discovered the USDA Natural Resources and Conservation Service (NRCS), where he met Soil Conservationists Daniel Holtz and Axel Sanchez. Together, they came up with a conservation plan, and eventually applied for financial assistance through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), to address gully erosion with an underground outlet pipeline, installed a new, efficient irrigation system, and began an irrigation water management (IWM) regimen.
Additionally, Aguila has diversified his crops with dragon fruit and cherimoyas, and propagates the plants himself, producing three varieties of dragon fruit: American Beauty (red flesh), Delight (white flesh), and Physical Graffiti (light purple flesh). In the future, he plans to begin selling these potted plants to help him cover operating costs, while the orchard matures and recovers from a prolonged drought.
Aguila remains committed to learning more and more about farming. Recently, he planted 100 more avocado trees and enjoyed his daily work of watering the potted dragon fruit, removing hungry snails, building more trellis, and various other projects. Additionally, he has been attempting to establish local Asian markets for commercial customers.
‘The best advice I can give to other farmers is to ‘get your hands dirty,’” added Aguila. “Don't depend on one crop. Try to diversify as much as possible. And, conserve resources as much as possible as well.”
Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC) is the Department’s focal point for the nation’s farmers and ranchers and other stewards of private agricultural lands and non-industrial private forest lands. FPAC agencies implement programs designed to mitigate the significant risks of farming through crop insurance services, conservation programs, and technical assistance, and commodity, lending, and disaster programs.
The agencies and services supporting FPAC are the Farm Service Agency (FSA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and Risk Management Agency (RMA).
The Natural Resources Conservation Service has a proud history of supporting America’s farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners for more than 80 years. USDA helps people make investments in their operations and local communities to keep working lands working, boost rural economies, increase the competitiveness of American agriculture, and improve the quality of our air, water, soil, and habitat.
From weather to pests, and from a lack of time to markets, each American farmer faces a unique set of challenges. The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) helps agricultural producers confront those challenges – all while conserving natural resources like soil, water, and air.
This voluntary conservation program helps producers make conservation work for them. Together, NRCS and producers invest in solutions that conserve natural resources for the future while also improving agricultural operations.
Through EQIP, NRCS provides agricultural producers with financial resources and one-on-one help to plan and implement improvements, or what NRCS calls conservation practices. Using these practices can lead to cleaner water and air, healthier soil and better wildlife habitat, all while improving agricultural operations. Through EQIP, you can voluntarily implement conservation practices and NRCS co-invests in these practices with you.
USDA Photo By Lance Cheung.
Image Description: “It is estimated that more than $2,500,000 worth of home and truck garden products were raised in Oregon in 1935. Here we see one of the big diversified truck gardens.”
Original Collection: Visual Instruction Department Lantern Slides
Item Number: P217:set 007 012
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Lost Einsteins: Diversifying Innovation
Amy Brachio, Global Deputy Vice-Chair, EY, USA. Kevin Frey, Chief Executive Officer, Generation Unlimited, UNICEF, Generation Unlimited, USA. Tomas Lamanauskas, Deputy Secretary-General-elect, International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Geneva
Maria Leptin, President, European Research Council, Belgium. Magdalena Skipper, Editor-in-Chief, Nature, United Kingdom
Tuesday 2 May 2023
14.45 - 15.30
Stakeholder Dialogue
World Economic Forum Headquarters, Eiger
Copyright: World Economic Forum/Jean-Luc Auboeuf
The Growth Summit: Jobs and Opportunity for All 2023 in Geneva, Switzerland
GOVERNOR TOMBLIN DELIVERS
FAREWELL ADDRESS TO STATE LEGISLATURE
CHARLESTON, W.VA. (January 11, 2017)-Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin today
delivered his farewell address to the West Virginia Legislature in the House Chamber at the State Capitol Complex after serving six years as governor and a total of 42 years in public service in the Mountain State.
Information on Gov. Tomblin's accomplishments during his six-year
administration can be found here.
See below for the speech as prepared for delivery:
Mr. Speaker, Mr. President, members of the Board of Public Works, justices of
the Supreme Court of Appeals, members of the Legislature, distinguished guests, and my fellow West Virginians, I stand before you today, after six years in the Governor's office and 42 years in this grand statehouse, with a deep sense of gratitude and reflection and an equally profound hope for West Virginia's future.
Public service has anchored my life's work-from a young 22-year-old in this very House chamber, to a desk across the hall in the State Senate, the Senate President's podium for 17 years and now as your 35th Governor.
It has been the greatest honor-and the greatest reward-to serve the people of this state that we all love. Together, we have put West Virginia first and moved our state forward-even in the midst of tough times, including far-reaching economic shifts, budgetary challenges and historic natural disasters.
West Virginians are strongest in the toughest times. We come together. We lift each other up. And we don't just hope for a better future; we fight for it.
ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION & JOB CREATION
Working hard is exactly what we've done over the past six years to create new economic opportunities for the Mountain State.
We have all seen the dramatic impact of the coal industry's decline in our state. We've seen thousands of jobs lost. Families and communities struggling. People beginning to lose hope.
But I believe in-and have fought to reach-the light around the corner.
Shortly after becoming Governor, I pledged to go anywhere and meet with anyone to grow our state's economy. Across West Virginia, the country and the globe, we have succeeded.
Last year, global giant Procter & Gamble announced it would build its first U.S. manufacturing facility since the 1970s right here in West Virginia in the Eastern Panhandle. This will ultimately be a half-billion dollar investment in the Mountain State and result in hundreds of new jobs.
P&G chose our state after an exhaustive search of many others. And as numerous companies have discovered, I know they will find it to be the best decision they've ever made.
Toyota Motor Manufacturing West Virginia, which recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, has expanded continuously-nine times, in fact.
Today, Toyota employs more than 1,600 people. And the company has invested $1.4 billion since 1996.
Manufacturing jobs, like those at P&G in Martinsburg and Toyota in Buffalo, will be among the most critical to our state's economic future.
In my time as your Governor, I have fought for jobs like these and many more. From Amazon in Huntington and Macy's in Berkeley County, to Bombardier Aerospace manufacturing in Harrison County-which just in November announced an expansion of 150 jobs.
Companies are finding that when they invest in West Virginia, it pays off.
In fact, since 2011, West Virginia has seen more than $15 billion in new investments, spanning 275 projects. We have welcomed more than 60 new companies and secured 215 competitive expansion projects.
Over the past six years, investment projects have reached 22 industries and provided West Virginians with more than 12,000 good-paying jobs.
Right here in the Kanawha Valley, we have one of the best examples of that remarkable progress.
Gestamp has grown beyond the bounds of any of our expectations. Since opening in 2013, Gestamp has tripled production and more than doubled its workforce, now employing nearly 900 West Virginians.
I know that one of the fundamental reasons behind their growth has been our ability to transform workforce training in West Virginia for the better.
STRENGTHENING WORKFORCE TRAINING & EDUCATION
For example, the Learn and Earn program which we launched in 2012, gives our community and technical college students classroom instruction and hands-on work experience simultaneously. These students earn a competitive salary while giving employers a cost-effective way to recruit and train new employees.
Joe Atha is one of these students. A former coal miner, Joe is now a student at BridgeValley Community and Technical College where he is also supporting his family by earning a wage through the Learn and Earn program at Gestamp.
Joe is here today with his wife, Rita. Please stand to be recognized... along with Dr. Sarah Tucker, Chancellor of our Community and Technical College System.
Through forward-thinking programs like this, we can make a real, lasting difference for West Virginians.
That's why I personally convened the West Virginia Workforce Planning Council, which has helped us break down bureaucratic silos and better align classroom learning with the workforce needs of our businesses and industries.
We've even started that process in high schools through the Simulated Workplace program.
Today, our career technical education classrooms have been transformed into businesses. Medical classes are now clinics. Hospitality programs are now catering businesses and restaurants.
And instead of just going to a welding or carpentry class, our students are now part of a construction company, complete with job foremen and safety inspectors.
Just last month, we celebrated a heartwarming moment as a result of the hard work of more than 2,000 of these students from 12 high schools across the state.
Together with the Department of Education's Career Technical Education division, the West Virginia National Guard and our Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, we presented keys to tiny homes that were designed and built by these students for survivors of the historic floods that hit our state last June.
REBUILDING FROM NATURAL DISASTERS
Time and again, in the aftermath of this tragic flooding we have seen the selflessness of West Virginians make a difference for one another.
The "Big Hearts Give Tiny Homes" project was a shining example of that West Virginia spirit-one that made an overwhelming difference for 15 families impacted by the flooding, including Brenda Rivers from Nicholas County, whose home was a total loss in the flooding. Brenda now lives in a new tiny home built by students, including Chance Ballard from Spring Valley High School in Wayne County.
Please join me in welcoming Brenda and Chance ... along with Dr. Kathy D'Antoni ... whose visionary leadership at the Department of Education has made Simulated Workplace the success it is today.
Working hand-in-hand with the federal government and local officials, our immediate response to the flooding was quick and effective. We were able to expedite federal assistance to our communities and families in need. And over the past seven months, we have been able to shift our focus to long-term recovery.
Through a public-private approach, we launched the RISE West Virginia program, which in total has provided nearly $2 million to 230 small businesses in the flood-impacted counties-funding that is helping them reopen or continue operations and keep fueling our local economies.
I would like to thank, once again, West Virginia native and champion Brad Smith-the CEO of Intuit, one of the world's leading financial software companies-and his wife Alys for their family donation of $500,000, which gave the RISE program its first, needed boost.
West Virginia has experienced more than its share of disasters during my time as your Governor-this historic flooding, the Derecho, Hurricane Sandy, Winter Storms Thor and Jonas and the water crisis.
Through it all, we have grown stronger, we have improved our emergency response capabilities and we have strengthened public safety.
Adversity demands resilience. That's what we have shown in these challenges and many more-including one of the most trying epidemics I believe the Mountain State has ever faced-with the sharp rise in substance abuse and addiction.
FIGHTING SUBSTANCE ABUSE
That's why in 2011, I issued an Executive Order to create the Governor's Advisory Council on Substance Abuse, made up of representatives of substance abuse prevention, behavioral medicine, law enforcement, child and adolescent psychology, the legal system, residential treatment facilities, the public school system, the faith community and health care.
My vision for this Council was a community-driven, ground-up approach to tackling this epidemic. Through community-based task forces in six regions across the state, we have made significant progress and enacted life-saving reforms.
We now look at substance abuse as an illness-not a crime.
We have decreased the number of meth labs across the state as the result of making it more difficult to obtain pseudoephedrine.
We have expanded access to the life-saving drug Narcan to first responders and family members of those struggling with addiction. Last year alone, hundreds of lives were saved as a result.
We have substance abuse prevention services in all 55 counties. We have expanded and improved community-based treatment options and recovery services. Across the state, we have 188 crisis detox beds in residential treatment facilities with more sites under development.
We have 118 beds designated for youth and postpartum treatment as well as short-term and long-term residential treatment. And we have over 1,000 beds for those seeking help and support through peer and provider recovery homes and facilities.
We are working closely with our prisons and correctional facilities to ensure all West Virginians are provided access to substance abuse rehabilitation.
In fact, the Division of Corrections operates nine residential substance abuse treatment units in correctional centers across the state and we have expanded this model to our regional jail facilities as well.
And-through Justice Reinvestment-we have successfully worked to address substance abuse, which is the root cause of many crimes.
Because of that work, we have expanded drug courts, substance abuse counseling and greater supervision after release.
And ultimately, we have better controlled incarceration rates, which prevented our state from having to build a new $200 million prison that was projected to be needed because of our previous rising prison population.
Just this week, we announced the news that West Virginia reached settlements with two additional drug wholesalers totaling $36 million, which resolves allegations by our state regarding the distribution of controlled substances in West Virginia.
This brings the total amount of drug settlement money paid to our state by drug wholesalers to $47 million, which will expand our efforts even further for more law enforcement diversion options, more treatment recovery services and many more efforts to fight this epidemic.
I am also deeply proud of the work we have done in creating the state's first 24-hour substance abuse call line, 844-HELP-4-WV, which has received nearly 8,500 calls since it launched in September 2015.
The help line provides referral support for those seeking help and recovery services. It's an opportunity for people who are struggling to talk with someone who cares, get connected to treatment options and begin the road to recovery.
No caller is ever placed on hold and they are immediately connected with treatment staff representing the best and most appropriate treatment options for them.
Administered by First Choice Health Systems of West Virginia, the help line is staffed by certified professionals, many who have overcome addiction themselves and want to help others turn their lives around as well.
One young gentleman I met did just that because he picked up the phone.
A.J. Walker, a recovering alcoholic and addict, was given the help line number by his brother.
A.J. said when he called, he was treated like a person-not like a drug addict-and he found hope. They got him into a detox facility and into recovery, and the help line staff called and checked in on him every step of the way.
Today, A.J. is employed by the treatment facility that helped him and he's in school studying to become a substance abuse counselor.
A.J. is here today with his brother, Andrew, and Vickie Jones ... Commissioner of our Bureau of Behavioral Health and Health Facilities.
A.J. we are so proud of you. And today ... you are giving hope to so many.
When I hear stories like A.J.'s, I am incredibly optimistic for West Virginia's future. With economic changes, job losses and families struggling, we have to seize every opportunity before us to become stronger as individuals and as a state.
One such opportunity lies in Boone and Lincoln Counties, where I believe we have the chance to revitalize Southern West Virginia and make the Mountain State stronger.
EMBRACING THE FUTURE
It was here in this chamber, one year ago during my State of the State Address, where I announced plans for the largest development project in West Virginia's history at the former Hobet surface mine site.
Since last year at this time, we have worked every day and we have made tremendous progress on this project, which is now known as Rock Creek Development Park.
We have worked with local landowners, who are generously donating land that will result in more than 12,000 developable acres for Rock Creek, which is the size of the city of Huntington.
The West Virginia National Guard-Rock Creek's first tenant-is on the ground with newly-expanded operations for maintenance work and training.
And we have a long-term strategic plan now in place, which looks at demographics and market trends to help us identify the best investment opportunities for Rock Creek.
For generations, our coal miners, workers and their families have kept West Virginia strong. Now, it's our turn to help them.
By realizing the full potential of Rock Creek Development Park for job creation and economic diversification, we can build up a region of our state hard hit by the downturn in the coal industry.
My vision for Rock Creek started many years ago as I rode my four-wheeler around the hills of Southern West Virginia and saw the possibilities that such an enormous site-with such a great amount of flat land-could have.
Embracing opportunities like this takes careful thought and planning, and this public-private project will require some investment by the state. But I believe wholeheartedly that the returns will vastly exceed our investment.
That isn't something I say lightly.
Throughout my 42 years in public service, fiscal responsibility has been at the heart of every project I've undertaken, every policy I've fought for and every decision I've made.
GOVERNING RESPONSIBLY
As a result of much hard work, over the years we have decreased taxes, embraced responsible spending, made great progress toward paying off the state's unfunded liabilities and controlled growth of the state's budget.
We have realized milestone tax reforms, including progressive elimination of the food tax, saving West Virginians $162 million each year.
We have gradually eliminated the state's business franchise tax and decreased the corporate net income tax-changes that make West Virginia more attractive for business investments.
As a result of responsible reforms, last year the National Council on Compensation Insurance filed the 12th reduction in workers' compensation premiums in 12 years. And West Virginia employers have seen a savings of more than $352 million since we privatized the program in 2006.
We addressed our Other Post Employment Benefits by dedicating $30 million annually to pay off the $5 billion unfunded liability, which was caused by previous promises that became too expensive to maintain.
As I did last year, I present to you today a budget that is balanced, but a budget that requires difficult decisions and thinking about the next generation rather than the next election.
I continue to be proud of the fiscal responsibility we have shown not just for the past six years, but over the last generation. Our commitment to paying down our long-term liabilities has not wavered and we have responsibly reduced taxes on both our employers and our employees.
Because of our improved fiscal policies, we have been able to refinance bonds that pay for schools, water and sewer lines, college campus improvements and roads to save more than $100 million in the past six years.
So when people ask me why I'm so concerned with maintaining our Rainy Day Fund and our bond rating, that's why. It means more schools, more roads and more homes with clean water.
As part of tough decisions during tough economic times, we have cut more than $600 million from our budget in the past five years. While we all continue to hope that the coal industry will rebound, that hasn't happened quickly and it likely won't ever return to the levels that we once saw.
We continue to work to diversify our economy and I know the improvements we've made will pay long-term dividends in job growth and investment.
But we're not there yet, and part of being fiscally responsible means making sure that we can pay our bills without taking the Rainy Day Fund to dangerously low levels or cutting services to the point where we cannot care for our people or educate our students.
Therefore, the budget I present to you today includes a 1 percent increase in the consumer sales tax to raise $200 million and elimination of the current sales tax exemption on telecommunications services-a move that would make our system the same as 80 percent of the country.
I understand these taxes will not be easy, but asking people to pay a few dollars more now is a far better choice than seeing PEIA cards not accepted by medical providers or going back to the days when we couldn't finance school and road improvements, or even pay the gas bill at the Governor's Mansion.
I urge you to consider these responsible actions to balance the budget until the brighter economic picture that we all expect comes into focus.
CLOSING
I believe the thing that compelled each of us to public service is our love for West Virginia. And that is the very thing that should compel us to work together.
When I became your Governor, I said that we must put West Virginia first.
That's what we have done. And I encourage you to continue working together out of that deep devotion to our beloved state-in the coming year and beyond.
I am proud of the work that we have accomplished. I look forward to the leadership of Governor-elect Jim Justice and I thank all of you who have worked with me over the years.
I thank my cabinet members and agency directors. And I thank my dedicated staff members who have worked every day-not for me, but for the people of West Virginia.
It has been the honor of my life to be your Governor-to be West Virginia's Governor. Joanne and I thank the people of West Virginia for your abiding trust, counsel and support.
And we look forward-with the greatest hope and optimism-to an even stronger West Virginia.
Thank you. God bless you. And God bless the great state of West Virginia.
###
Photos available for media use. All photos should be attributed “Photo courtesy of Office of the Governor.”
GOVERNOR TOMBLIN DELIVERS
FAREWELL ADDRESS TO STATE LEGISLATURE
CHARLESTON, W.VA. (January 11, 2017)-Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin today
delivered his farewell address to the West Virginia Legislature in the House Chamber at the State Capitol Complex after serving six years as governor and a total of 42 years in public service in the Mountain State.
Information on Gov. Tomblin's accomplishments during his six-year
administration can be found here.
See below for the speech as prepared for delivery:
Mr. Speaker, Mr. President, members of the Board of Public Works, justices of
the Supreme Court of Appeals, members of the Legislature, distinguished guests, and my fellow West Virginians, I stand before you today, after six years in the Governor's office and 42 years in this grand statehouse, with a deep sense of gratitude and reflection and an equally profound hope for West Virginia's future.
Public service has anchored my life's work-from a young 22-year-old in this very House chamber, to a desk across the hall in the State Senate, the Senate President's podium for 17 years and now as your 35th Governor.
It has been the greatest honor-and the greatest reward-to serve the people of this state that we all love. Together, we have put West Virginia first and moved our state forward-even in the midst of tough times, including far-reaching economic shifts, budgetary challenges and historic natural disasters.
West Virginians are strongest in the toughest times. We come together. We lift each other up. And we don't just hope for a better future; we fight for it.
ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION & JOB CREATION
Working hard is exactly what we've done over the past six years to create new economic opportunities for the Mountain State.
We have all seen the dramatic impact of the coal industry's decline in our state. We've seen thousands of jobs lost. Families and communities struggling. People beginning to lose hope.
But I believe in-and have fought to reach-the light around the corner.
Shortly after becoming Governor, I pledged to go anywhere and meet with anyone to grow our state's economy. Across West Virginia, the country and the globe, we have succeeded.
Last year, global giant Procter & Gamble announced it would build its first U.S. manufacturing facility since the 1970s right here in West Virginia in the Eastern Panhandle. This will ultimately be a half-billion dollar investment in the Mountain State and result in hundreds of new jobs.
P&G chose our state after an exhaustive search of many others. And as numerous companies have discovered, I know they will find it to be the best decision they've ever made.
Toyota Motor Manufacturing West Virginia, which recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, has expanded continuously-nine times, in fact.
Today, Toyota employs more than 1,600 people. And the company has invested $1.4 billion since 1996.
Manufacturing jobs, like those at P&G in Martinsburg and Toyota in Buffalo, will be among the most critical to our state's economic future.
In my time as your Governor, I have fought for jobs like these and many more. From Amazon in Huntington and Macy's in Berkeley County, to Bombardier Aerospace manufacturing in Harrison County-which just in November announced an expansion of 150 jobs.
Companies are finding that when they invest in West Virginia, it pays off.
In fact, since 2011, West Virginia has seen more than $15 billion in new investments, spanning 275 projects. We have welcomed more than 60 new companies and secured 215 competitive expansion projects.
Over the past six years, investment projects have reached 22 industries and provided West Virginians with more than 12,000 good-paying jobs.
Right here in the Kanawha Valley, we have one of the best examples of that remarkable progress.
Gestamp has grown beyond the bounds of any of our expectations. Since opening in 2013, Gestamp has tripled production and more than doubled its workforce, now employing nearly 900 West Virginians.
I know that one of the fundamental reasons behind their growth has been our ability to transform workforce training in West Virginia for the better.
STRENGTHENING WORKFORCE TRAINING & EDUCATION
For example, the Learn and Earn program which we launched in 2012, gives our community and technical college students classroom instruction and hands-on work experience simultaneously. These students earn a competitive salary while giving employers a cost-effective way to recruit and train new employees.
Joe Atha is one of these students. A former coal miner, Joe is now a student at BridgeValley Community and Technical College where he is also supporting his family by earning a wage through the Learn and Earn program at Gestamp.
Joe is here today with his wife, Rita. Please stand to be recognized... along with Dr. Sarah Tucker, Chancellor of our Community and Technical College System.
Through forward-thinking programs like this, we can make a real, lasting difference for West Virginians.
That's why I personally convened the West Virginia Workforce Planning Council, which has helped us break down bureaucratic silos and better align classroom learning with the workforce needs of our businesses and industries.
We've even started that process in high schools through the Simulated Workplace program.
Today, our career technical education classrooms have been transformed into businesses. Medical classes are now clinics. Hospitality programs are now catering businesses and restaurants.
And instead of just going to a welding or carpentry class, our students are now part of a construction company, complete with job foremen and safety inspectors.
Just last month, we celebrated a heartwarming moment as a result of the hard work of more than 2,000 of these students from 12 high schools across the state.
Together with the Department of Education's Career Technical Education division, the West Virginia National Guard and our Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, we presented keys to tiny homes that were designed and built by these students for survivors of the historic floods that hit our state last June.
REBUILDING FROM NATURAL DISASTERS
Time and again, in the aftermath of this tragic flooding we have seen the selflessness of West Virginians make a difference for one another.
The "Big Hearts Give Tiny Homes" project was a shining example of that West Virginia spirit-one that made an overwhelming difference for 15 families impacted by the flooding, including Brenda Rivers from Nicholas County, whose home was a total loss in the flooding. Brenda now lives in a new tiny home built by students, including Chance Ballard from Spring Valley High School in Wayne County.
Please join me in welcoming Brenda and Chance ... along with Dr. Kathy D'Antoni ... whose visionary leadership at the Department of Education has made Simulated Workplace the success it is today.
Working hand-in-hand with the federal government and local officials, our immediate response to the flooding was quick and effective. We were able to expedite federal assistance to our communities and families in need. And over the past seven months, we have been able to shift our focus to long-term recovery.
Through a public-private approach, we launched the RISE West Virginia program, which in total has provided nearly $2 million to 230 small businesses in the flood-impacted counties-funding that is helping them reopen or continue operations and keep fueling our local economies.
I would like to thank, once again, West Virginia native and champion Brad Smith-the CEO of Intuit, one of the world's leading financial software companies-and his wife Alys for their family donation of $500,000, which gave the RISE program its first, needed boost.
West Virginia has experienced more than its share of disasters during my time as your Governor-this historic flooding, the Derecho, Hurricane Sandy, Winter Storms Thor and Jonas and the water crisis.
Through it all, we have grown stronger, we have improved our emergency response capabilities and we have strengthened public safety.
Adversity demands resilience. That's what we have shown in these challenges and many more-including one of the most trying epidemics I believe the Mountain State has ever faced-with the sharp rise in substance abuse and addiction.
FIGHTING SUBSTANCE ABUSE
That's why in 2011, I issued an Executive Order to create the Governor's Advisory Council on Substance Abuse, made up of representatives of substance abuse prevention, behavioral medicine, law enforcement, child and adolescent psychology, the legal system, residential treatment facilities, the public school system, the faith community and health care.
My vision for this Council was a community-driven, ground-up approach to tackling this epidemic. Through community-based task forces in six regions across the state, we have made significant progress and enacted life-saving reforms.
We now look at substance abuse as an illness-not a crime.
We have decreased the number of meth labs across the state as the result of making it more difficult to obtain pseudoephedrine.
We have expanded access to the life-saving drug Narcan to first responders and family members of those struggling with addiction. Last year alone, hundreds of lives were saved as a result.
We have substance abuse prevention services in all 55 counties. We have expanded and improved community-based treatment options and recovery services. Across the state, we have 188 crisis detox beds in residential treatment facilities with more sites under development.
We have 118 beds designated for youth and postpartum treatment as well as short-term and long-term residential treatment. And we have over 1,000 beds for those seeking help and support through peer and provider recovery homes and facilities.
We are working closely with our prisons and correctional facilities to ensure all West Virginians are provided access to substance abuse rehabilitation.
In fact, the Division of Corrections operates nine residential substance abuse treatment units in correctional centers across the state and we have expanded this model to our regional jail facilities as well.
And-through Justice Reinvestment-we have successfully worked to address substance abuse, which is the root cause of many crimes.
Because of that work, we have expanded drug courts, substance abuse counseling and greater supervision after release.
And ultimately, we have better controlled incarceration rates, which prevented our state from having to build a new $200 million prison that was projected to be needed because of our previous rising prison population.
Just this week, we announced the news that West Virginia reached settlements with two additional drug wholesalers totaling $36 million, which resolves allegations by our state regarding the distribution of controlled substances in West Virginia.
This brings the total amount of drug settlement money paid to our state by drug wholesalers to $47 million, which will expand our efforts even further for more law enforcement diversion options, more treatment recovery services and many more efforts to fight this epidemic.
I am also deeply proud of the work we have done in creating the state's first 24-hour substance abuse call line, 844-HELP-4-WV, which has received nearly 8,500 calls since it launched in September 2015.
The help line provides referral support for those seeking help and recovery services. It's an opportunity for people who are struggling to talk with someone who cares, get connected to treatment options and begin the road to recovery.
No caller is ever placed on hold and they are immediately connected with treatment staff representing the best and most appropriate treatment options for them.
Administered by First Choice Health Systems of West Virginia, the help line is staffed by certified professionals, many who have overcome addiction themselves and want to help others turn their lives around as well.
One young gentleman I met did just that because he picked up the phone.
A.J. Walker, a recovering alcoholic and addict, was given the help line number by his brother.
A.J. said when he called, he was treated like a person-not like a drug addict-and he found hope. They got him into a detox facility and into recovery, and the help line staff called and checked in on him every step of the way.
Today, A.J. is employed by the treatment facility that helped him and he's in school studying to become a substance abuse counselor.
A.J. is here today with his brother, Andrew, and Vickie Jones ... Commissioner of our Bureau of Behavioral Health and Health Facilities.
A.J. we are so proud of you. And today ... you are giving hope to so many.
When I hear stories like A.J.'s, I am incredibly optimistic for West Virginia's future. With economic changes, job losses and families struggling, we have to seize every opportunity before us to become stronger as individuals and as a state.
One such opportunity lies in Boone and Lincoln Counties, where I believe we have the chance to revitalize Southern West Virginia and make the Mountain State stronger.
EMBRACING THE FUTURE
It was here in this chamber, one year ago during my State of the State Address, where I announced plans for the largest development project in West Virginia's history at the former Hobet surface mine site.
Since last year at this time, we have worked every day and we have made tremendous progress on this project, which is now known as Rock Creek Development Park.
We have worked with local landowners, who are generously donating land that will result in more than 12,000 developable acres for Rock Creek, which is the size of the city of Huntington.
The West Virginia National Guard-Rock Creek's first tenant-is on the ground with newly-expanded operations for maintenance work and training.
And we have a long-term strategic plan now in place, which looks at demographics and market trends to help us identify the best investment opportunities for Rock Creek.
For generations, our coal miners, workers and their families have kept West Virginia strong. Now, it's our turn to help them.
By realizing the full potential of Rock Creek Development Park for job creation and economic diversification, we can build up a region of our state hard hit by the downturn in the coal industry.
My vision for Rock Creek started many years ago as I rode my four-wheeler around the hills of Southern West Virginia and saw the possibilities that such an enormous site-with such a great amount of flat land-could have.
Embracing opportunities like this takes careful thought and planning, and this public-private project will require some investment by the state. But I believe wholeheartedly that the returns will vastly exceed our investment.
That isn't something I say lightly.
Throughout my 42 years in public service, fiscal responsibility has been at the heart of every project I've undertaken, every policy I've fought for and every decision I've made.
GOVERNING RESPONSIBLY
As a result of much hard work, over the years we have decreased taxes, embraced responsible spending, made great progress toward paying off the state's unfunded liabilities and controlled growth of the state's budget.
We have realized milestone tax reforms, including progressive elimination of the food tax, saving West Virginians $162 million each year.
We have gradually eliminated the state's business franchise tax and decreased the corporate net income tax-changes that make West Virginia more attractive for business investments.
As a result of responsible reforms, last year the National Council on Compensation Insurance filed the 12th reduction in workers' compensation premiums in 12 years. And West Virginia employers have seen a savings of more than $352 million since we privatized the program in 2006.
We addressed our Other Post Employment Benefits by dedicating $30 million annually to pay off the $5 billion unfunded liability, which was caused by previous promises that became too expensive to maintain.
As I did last year, I present to you today a budget that is balanced, but a budget that requires difficult decisions and thinking about the next generation rather than the next election.
I continue to be proud of the fiscal responsibility we have shown not just for the past six years, but over the last generation. Our commitment to paying down our long-term liabilities has not wavered and we have responsibly reduced taxes on both our employers and our employees.
Because of our improved fiscal policies, we have been able to refinance bonds that pay for schools, water and sewer lines, college campus improvements and roads to save more than $100 million in the past six years.
So when people ask me why I'm so concerned with maintaining our Rainy Day Fund and our bond rating, that's why. It means more schools, more roads and more homes with clean water.
As part of tough decisions during tough economic times, we have cut more than $600 million from our budget in the past five years. While we all continue to hope that the coal industry will rebound, that hasn't happened quickly and it likely won't ever return to the levels that we once saw.
We continue to work to diversify our economy and I know the improvements we've made will pay long-term dividends in job growth and investment.
But we're not there yet, and part of being fiscally responsible means making sure that we can pay our bills without taking the Rainy Day Fund to dangerously low levels or cutting services to the point where we cannot care for our people or educate our students.
Therefore, the budget I present to you today includes a 1 percent increase in the consumer sales tax to raise $200 million and elimination of the current sales tax exemption on telecommunications services-a move that would make our system the same as 80 percent of the country.
I understand these taxes will not be easy, but asking people to pay a few dollars more now is a far better choice than seeing PEIA cards not accepted by medical providers or going back to the days when we couldn't finance school and road improvements, or even pay the gas bill at the Governor's Mansion.
I urge you to consider these responsible actions to balance the budget until the brighter economic picture that we all expect comes into focus.
CLOSING
I believe the thing that compelled each of us to public service is our love for West Virginia. And that is the very thing that should compel us to work together.
When I became your Governor, I said that we must put West Virginia first.
That's what we have done. And I encourage you to continue working together out of that deep devotion to our beloved state-in the coming year and beyond.
I am proud of the work that we have accomplished. I look forward to the leadership of Governor-elect Jim Justice and I thank all of you who have worked with me over the years.
I thank my cabinet members and agency directors. And I thank my dedicated staff members who have worked every day-not for me, but for the people of West Virginia.
It has been the honor of my life to be your Governor-to be West Virginia's Governor. Joanne and I thank the people of West Virginia for your abiding trust, counsel and support.
And we look forward-with the greatest hope and optimism-to an even stronger West Virginia.
Thank you. God bless you. And God bless the great state of West Virginia.
###
Photos available for media use. All photos should be attributed “Photo courtesy of Office of the Governor.”
Coachwork by Guilloré
Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais
Bonhams
Parijs - Paris
Frankrijk - France
February 2019
Estimated : € 180.000 - 230.000
Based initially at Tours and from 1906 in Paris, Delahaye built its first automobile in 1894 and soon diversified into commercial vehicle manufacture. Its early products tended to be rather lacklustre, but then in 1935 came the first of a new generation that would change the marque's image: the T135 Coupe Des Alpes. A fine sporting car, the T135 somewhat paradoxically borrowed its engine from one of its maker's trucks. The 3.2-litre, six-cylinder, overhead-valve unit produced 110 bhp on triple Solex carburettors, while the chassis featured transverse-leaf independent front suspension, four-speed synchromesh or Cotal gearboxes, centre-lock wire wheels, and Bendix brakes.
Delahaye improved on the formula the following year with the 3.6-litre, 120/130bhp T135 MS, and the sports version was soon making a name for itself in competitions, taking 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th places in the run-to-sportscar-regulations 1936 French Grand Prix and winning the Monte Carlo Rally and Le Mans 24-Hour Race outright in 1937 and 1938 respectively. Prince Bira won the 1938 Donington 12-Hour Sports Car Race in Prince Chula's example and went on to take victory in Brooklands' 'fastest road car in England' race against some formidable opposition. The model reappeared post-WW2 as the 135M with the 3.6-litre engine and lasted in production until 1951.
Delahaye had no in-house coachworks, so all its chassis were bodied by inde¬pendents who created some of their most attractive designs on the Type 135. Chassis number '801186' wears coachwork by the Courbevoie-based coachbuilder A Guilloré, who bodied his first cars in 1937. Concentrating almost exclusively on Talbot, Delahaye, and Delage chassis, Guilloré was active until circa 1950, although manufacture of commercial vehicle bodies continued for some time thereafter.
A unique example, '801186' is featured in 'Delahaye – La Belle Carosserrie Française' by Jean-Paul Tissot, President of the Delahaye club (page 162). It carries 'Alpin' enclosed coupé coachwork very similar in appearance to that of Guilloré's 'Estérel' cabriolet. (Guilloré gave names of French provinces to some of his more luxurious models such as Béarn, Dauphiné, Estérel, and Alpin). '801186' also appeared in the October 1949 edition of 'La Revue l'Équipement Automobile' (copy entry available).
Right-hand drive like many quality French cars of the period, '801186' has the most powerful (125/130 bhp) engine, as fitted to the top-of-the-range MS model, and the Cotal semi-automatic gearbox. This Delahaye was first registered 11th April 1949 as '4359 YD1' in the name of Monsieur Francis Bonnerue of Bougival, Paris, and reregistered on 29th August 1952 as '9895 BK75', again in Paris. In the 1970s, '801186' was one of a number of Delahayes belonging to the Dejaiffe collection in Belgium. At the beginning of the 2000s it went to Retrolegends and afterwards back to France. Described by the vendor as '100%' throughout, this rare and beautiful French thoroughbred is offered with French Carte Grise and Netherlands registration documents.
Mais uma vez, muito obrigado ao Marcelo Cazani (Marcazani) pela identificação deste pássaro.
Once more, thank you very much Marcelo Cazani (Marcazani) for the identification of this bird.
A text, in english, from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
See at en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Kestrel
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American Kestrel
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Falconiformes
Family: Falconidae
Genus: Falco
Species: F. sparverius
Binomial name
Falco sparverius
Linnaeus, 1758
Synonyms
Cerchneis sparverius
Tinnunculus sparverius
The American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) is a small falcon. This bird was (and sometimes still is) colloquially known in North America as the "Sparrow Hawk". This name is misleading because it implies a connection with the Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus, which is unrelated; the latter is an accipiter rather than a falcon. Though both are diurnal raptors, they are only distantly related.
American Kestrels are widely distributed across the Americas. Their breeding range extends from central and western Alaska across northern Canada to Nova Scotia, and south throughout North America, into central Mexico, the Baja, and the Caribbean. They are local breeders in Central America and are widely distributed throughout South America.
Most of the birds breeding in Canada and the northern United States migrate south in the winter, although some males stay as year-round residents. It is a very rare vagrant to western Europe.
The American Kestrel is the smallest falcon in North America—about the size of an American Robin. Like all raptors, the American Kestrel is sexually dimorphic, although there is some overlap within the species. The female ranges in length from 23 to 28 centimeters (9-11 inches) with a wingspan of 53–61 centimeters (21–24 inches) and weighs an average of 120 grams (4.2 ounces). The length of the male varies between 20–25 centimeters (8–10 inches) with a wingspan ranging from 51–56 centimeters (20–22 inches) and weighing an average of 111 grams (3.9 ounces). These subtle differences are often difficult to discern in the field.
The coloration of the feathers, however, greatly varies between the sexes. Males have blue-grey secondary feathers on their wings, while the undersides are white with black barring. The back is rufous in coloration, with barring on the lower half. The belly and flanks are white with black spotting. The tail is also rufous, except for the outer rectrix set, which is white with a black subterminal band.
The back of the female American Kestrel is rufous with dark brown barring. The wings exhibit similar coloration and patterning to the back. The undersides of the females are white with rufous streaking. The tail of the female is noticeably different from the male, being rufous in color with numerous narrow dark brown or black bars. Juveniles exhibit coloration patterns similar to the adults.
In both sexes, the head is white with a bluish-grey top. There are also two narrow, vertical black facial markings on each side of the head; one below the eyes and one on the rear portion of the auriculars. Two black spots (ocelli) can be found on each side of the white or orangish nape. The wings are moderately long, fairly narrow, and taper to a point. While perched, the wingtips are noticeably shorter than the tail tip.
The American Kestrel has three basic vocalizations - the "klee" or "killy", the "whine", and the "chitter." The "klee" or "killy" is usually delivered as a rapid series - "killy, killy, killy, killy" when the kestrel is upset or excited. It is used at the apex of the dive display, during fights with other kestrels, and after unsuccessful hunting attempts.
The "whine" may last as long as one to two minutes and may be single or treble. The more intense the situation, the more likely the "whine" will move toward the treble extreme. "Whines" are given during courtship feeding and copulation. The treble whine is heard from breeding females and fledged hungry young.
The "chitter" is the most frequent vocalization in male - female interactions. Its volume and duration depends upon the stress or excitement of the situation. It is associated with friendly approaches and bodily contact between the sexes during breeding season. Occasionally a "chitter" follows a "whine."
Calling occurs throughout the day. Nestlings at two weeks can produce all three vocalizations. Female kestrels tend to have slightly lower pitched and harsher voices than males.
This bird is apparently not a true kestrel. mtDNA cytochrome b sequence analysis (Groombridge et al. 2002) indicates a Late Miocene split[1] between the ancestors of the American Kestrel, and those of the Common Kestrel and its closest relatives. The color pattern with its large areas of brown is reminiscent of kestrels, but the coloration of the head - notably the black ear patch, which is not found in any of the true kestrels - and the male's extensively gray wings are suggestive of a closer relationship with the hobbies, an informal grouping of falcons of usually average size.
Species such as the Merlin and the Aplomado Falcon are proposed as possible close relatives. Indeed, the Merlin is a highly polymorphic bird and although its grey tail and back are distinctive, certain morphs are the only birds that might conceivably be confused with American Kestrels. Conclusive evidence is lacking, and what can be said at present judging from the fairly noninclusive DNA sequence studies[2] is that the general relationships of the present species seem to lie with a number of rather basal "hobby" lineages, such as the Merlin and Aplomado Falcon mentioned already, or the Red-footed and Amur Falcons - or even the Peregrine Falcon lineage with its large species.
The American Kestrel is not very closely related to any of these groups, although it might be closer to the Aplomado Falcon (and its presumed close relatives, the Bat and Orange-breasted Falcons) than to any other living species (Wink et al. 1998) - an association that is also better supported by biogeography than a close relationship with the exclusively Old World true kestrels. It is nonetheless highly distinct in morphology from any of these and, interestingly, has a syrinx similar to the Peregrine and the hierofalcons[3].
In conclusion, until better evidence is available, it is best considered part of a radiation of falcon lineages that diversified around the North Atlantic at the end of the Miocene. Though several fossils of small falcons arte known from North America at roughly the correct time, the earliest testimony of the American Kestrel lineage is Pleistocene remains of the living species (Brodkorb 1964).
American Kestrels are found in a variety of habitats including parks, suburbs, open fields, forest edges and openings, alpine zones, grasslands, marshes, open areas on mountainsides, prairies, plains, deserts with giant cacti, and freeway and highway corridors.
In addition to requiring open space for hunting, American Kestrels seem to need perches for hunting from, cavities for nesting (either natural or man-made), and a sufficient food supply.
The American Kestrel is the only North American falcon to habitually hover with rapid wing beats, keeping its head motionless while scanning the ground for prey. The kestrel commonly perches along fences and powerlines. It glides with flat wings and wingtips curved upward. It occasionally soars in circles with its tail spread and its wings flat.
This falcon species is not long-lived. The oldest banded wild bird was 11 years and seven months old while a captive lived 17 years. A mortality rate average of 57 percent was found. First year mortality rates have declined since 1945 with a decrease in shooting. Major causes of death include collision with traffic, illegal shooting, and predation by other raptors, including the Red-tailed Hawk, Northern Goshawk, Cooper's Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, Barn Owl, and Great Horned Owl.
In summer, kestrels feed largely on grasshoppers, dragonflies, lizards, mice, and voles. They will also eat other small birds. Wintering birds feed primarily on rodents and birds. The birds characteristically hunt along roadsides from telephone wires, fence posts, trees or other convenient perches when not flying in search of food. When they are flying and looking for food they frequently hover with rapid wingbeats.
Because it feeds on both insects and vertebrates, the American Kestrel maintains fairly high population densities. It has a small breeding home range, from 1.75 square miles (4.5 km²) to 2 square miles (5.2 km²). Territory size has been estimated at 269 acres (1.1 km²) to 321 acres (1.3 km²) with much larger wintering home ranges.
Several hunting techniques are used by the American Kestrel. It will hover over one spot—when prey is sighted the kestrel will partly fold its wings and drop lower once or several times before striking. When the prey disappears the falcon will glide in a semicircle before turning back into the wind to hover again. It will also soar in circles, or figure eights, using the same stooping tactics as when hovering.
The kestrel commonly hunts from elevated perch sites, waiting for prey to move on the ground. The kestrel bobs its head and pumps its tail just before attacking.
Other prey capture techniques include direct pursuit, landing and flushing prey from the ground (especially for grasshoppers)and then taking them in flight, capturing flying insects from an elevated perch, and nest robbing including the burrows of Bank Swallows and the nests of Cliff Swallows. It is also an occasional bat catcher, taking bats from their tree roosts, or striking bats in flight from above or as the bats leave or enter caves. The kestrel will kill and cache food items.
The American Kestrel occasionally robs others of the same species. It has also been known to rob a shrike of its prey. Kestrels sometimes harass other hawks, and even Golden Eagles, in flight.
American Kestrels form pairs in which the bond is strong, tending toward permanence. Returning migrants commonly re-establish territories held the previous year. In one study[citation needed], a pair nested in the same tree for six consecutive years. Nesting occurs from late spring to late summer in North America, with incubation underway by the end of May[4]; in tropical South America the birds breed roughly from June onwards through to September or so[5].
Courtship begins shortly after the male establishes a territory. In early courtship, he may give the "dive display", a series of climbs and dives 33 to 66 feet (10 to 20 m) with 3-5 "klee" notes given near the peak of each climb. He may present the female with food during courtship feeding. He may entice her to the nest site by calling. He may "flutter-glide" toward her with quick and shallow wing beats while carrying food and she may also beg for food by flutter-gliding. The female initiates copulation by bowing with her tail in line with her body or slightly raised.
A cavity nester, American Kestrels will use holes in trees, rock cavities and crevices in cliffs, artificial nest boxes, or small spaces in buildings. The number of suitable breeding cavities limits this species' breeding density. The American Kestrel has adapted well to nest boxes. In one program, nest boxes were fixed to the backs of signs along a freeway thus allowing kestrels to breed in areas formerly devoid of nest sites. Pairs nesting in boxes on poles have much higher nesting success than pairs using boxes on trees. No nest is built inside. In nest boxes sawdust and wood shavings may be a suitable substrate for the eggs. Males and females defend the nest against intruders, with the male maintaining a small core territory and the female defending the nest cavity directly rather the surroundings[5].
Both sexes take turns incubating their eggs, a very rare situation among North American birds of prey where the female usually incubates exclusively. Correspondingly, both sexes develop bare oval patches on each side of their breasts where the warm bare skin can contact the eggs for warming. Eggs hatch 29 to 31 days after being laid.[6] There are from three to seven eggs laid, but four to six are average.[6] The eggs are typically short elliptical in shape, and are white or pinkish-white with an even covering of fine spots and flecks of brown shades, occasionally concentrating as a ring or a cap. They will renest if the first nest fails and have been reported to raise 2 broods per year in some of the southern states.
The young grow very quickly, becoming noisy between day 11 and 14 and assuming adult weight in about 2.5 weeks. The young fledge in 30 to 31 days.[7] [6]Early fledgling behavior varies. Broods typically stay together for a week or two. Some broods remain close to the nest area for a week or two while others travel throughout the parents' home range. Generally, young do not disperse more than 0.6 miles (one km) away from the nest area until two to four weeks old. Young disperse as hunting skills develop. Occasionally groups of older juveniles from various broods join together into flocks.
The American Kestrel can be double-brooded, particularly in the southern United States, in areas of abundant small mammals. Replacement clutches can be laid.
Um texto em português:
Falcão-americano ou quiriquiri (Falco sparverius) é um pequeno falcão (23-27 cm de comprimento e 85-140 g de peso). Tem uma ampla área de distribuição: desde o Alasca e Norte do Canadá até à ponta Sul da América do Sul (Terra do Fogo). Tem asas azul acizentadas. O dorso é avermelhado pontuado de preto. A cauda também é avermelhada possuindo uma larga lista preta. Na face possui 2 listas verticais que começam junto aos olhos e seguem para baixo. É um predador de pequeno tamanho, alimentando-se de insetos e microvertrebrados como roedores e pequenos pássaros; ocasionalmente caça morcegos.
Falcão é o nome genérico dado a várias aves da família Falconidae, mais estritamente aos animais classificados dentro do género Falco. O que diferencia os falcões das demais aves de rapina é o fato de terem evoluído no sentido de uma especialização no voo em velocidade (em oposição ao voo planado das águias e abutres e ao voo acrobático dos gaviões), facilitado pelas asas ponteagudas e finas, favorecendo a caça em espaços abertos – daí o fato dos falcões não serem aves de ambientes florestais, preferindo montanhas e penhascos, pradarias, estepes e desertos. Os falcões podem ser identificados, aliás, pelo fato de não planarem em correntes termais, como outras aves de rapina. O falcão-peregrino, especializado na caça de aves médias e grandes em voo, pode atingir 300 km/h em voo picado e é o animal mais rápido da terra. Diferentemente das águias e gaviões, que matam suas presas com os pés, os falcões utilizam as garras apenas para apreenderem a presa, matando-a depois com o bico por desconjuntamento das vértebras, para o que possuem um rebordo em forma de dente na mandíbula superior.
Na Idade Média, os falcões eram apreciados como animais de caça acessíveis apenas à elite.
List of the tallest towers.
1 Burj Dubai 2,684 feet 818 m 2009 Skyscraper
2 Warsaw Radio Mast 2,121 feet 646.4 m 1974 Guyed mast
3 KVLY/KTHI TV Mast 2,063 feet 628.8 m 1963 Guyed mast
4 KXJB-TV mast 2,060 feet 627.8 m 1998 Guyed mast
5 KXTV/KOVR Tower 2,049 feet 624.5 m 2000 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Walnut Grove, California Tallest structure in California
6 KATV Tower 2,000 feet 609.6 m 1965?1967? Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Redfield, Arkansas
7 KCAU TV Tower 2,000 feet 609.6 m 1965 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Sioux City, Iowa
8 WECT TV6 Tower 2,000 feet 609.6 m 1969 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Colly Township, North Carolina
9 WHO-TV, KDIN-TV,WOI-FM Tower 2,000 feet 609.6 m 1972 Guyed mast VHF-TV, FM radio transmission U.S. Alleman, Iowa
10 Des Moines Hearst-Argyle Television Tower Alleman 2,000 feet 609.6 m 1974 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Alleman, Iowa
11 WEAU-Tower 2,000 feet 609.6 m 1981 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Fairchild, Wisconsin
12 Diversified Communications Tower 2,000 feet 609.6 m 1981 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Floyd Dale, South Carolina
13 AFLAC Tower 2,000 feet 609.6 m 1984 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Rowley, Iowa
14 WBTV-Tower 2,000 feet 609.6 m 1984 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Dallas, North Carolina
15 Hearst-Argyle Tower 2,000 feet 609.6 m 1985 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Walnut Grove, California
16 WTTO Tower 2,000 feet 609.6 m 1986 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Windham Springs, Alabama
17 WCSC-Tower 2,000 feet 609.6 m 1986 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Awendaw, South Carolina
18 KTVE-Tower 2,000 feet 609.6 m 1987 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Bolding, Arkansas
19 WCTV Tower 2,000 feet 609.6 m 1987 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Metcalf, Georgia
20 WCIX/CH6 TV Mast 2,000 feet 609.6 m 1992 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Homestead, Florida
21 KDLT Tower 2,000 feet 609.6 m 1998 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Rowena, South Dakota
22 KMOS TV Tower 2,000 feet 609.6 m 2002 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Syracuse, Missouri
23 Liberman Broadcasting Tower Era 2,000 feet 609.6 m 2006 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Era, Texas
24 Winnie Cumulus Broadcasting Tower 2,000 feet 609.6 m ? Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Winnie, Texas
25 WRAL HDTV Mast 2,000 feet 609.5 m 1991 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Auburn, North Carolina
26 Perry Broadcasting Tower 2,000 feet 609.5 m 2004 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Alfalfa, Oklahoma
27 KY3 Tower 1,999 feet 609.4 m 2000 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Fordland, Missouri
28 SpectraSite Tower Thomasville 1,999 feet 609.4 m 2002 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Thomasville, Georgia
29 Pegasus Broadcasting Tower 1,999 feet 609.4 m Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Metcalf, Georgia
30 CBC Real Estate Tower Auburn 1,999 feet 609.4 m Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Auburn, North Carolina
32 KLDE Tower 1,999 feet 609.3 m 1986 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Liverpool, Texas
33 WCKW/KSTE-Tower 1,999 feet 609.3 m 1988 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Vacherie, Louisiana
34 American Towers Tower Elkhart 1,999 feet 609.3 m 2001 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Elkhart, Iowa
35 Salem Radio Properties Tower 1,999 feet 609.3 m 2002 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Collinsville, Texas
36 Stowell Cumulus Broadcasting Tower 1,999 feet 609.3 m ? Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Stowell, Texas
37 WLBT Tower 1,998 feet 609 m 1999 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Raymond, Mississippi
38 Beasley Tower 1,997 feet 608.7 m Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Immokalee, Florida
39 KYTV Tower 1,996 feet 608.4 m 1973 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Marshfield, Missouri
40 SpectraSite Tower Raymond 1,996 feet 608.4 m Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Raymond, Mississippi
41 Hoyt Radio Tower 1,996 feet 608.38 m 2003 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Hoyt, Colorado
42 Service Broadcasting Tower Decatur 1,995 feet 608.1 m 2000 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Decatur, Texas
43 WTVD Tower 1,994 feet 607.8 m 1978 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Auburn, North Carolina
44 Channel 40 Tower 1,994 feet 607.8 m 1985 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Walnut Grove, California
45 Liberman Broadcasting Tower Devers 1,994 feet 607.7 m 2006 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Devers, Texas
46 KHYS Tower 1,992 feet 607.2 m 1997 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Devers, Texas
47 Clear Channel Broadcasting Tower Devers 1,992 feet 607 m 1988 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Devers, Texas
48 Media General Tower 1,992 feet 607 m 1987 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Awendaw, South Carolina
49 Eastern North Carolina Broadcasting Tower 1,989 feet 606.2 m 1980 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Trenton, North Carolina
50 WNCN Tower 1,989 feet 606.2 m 2000 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Garner, North Carolina
51 KELO TV Tower 1,985 feet 605 m 1974 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Rowena, South Dakota
52 WITN Tower 1,985 feet 605 m 1979 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Grifton, North Carolina
53 Noe Corp Tower 1,984 feet 604.7 m 1998 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Columbia, Louisiana
54 Pappas Telecasting Tower 1,980 feet 603.6 m 2000 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Plymouth County, Iowa
55 KHOU-TV Tower 1,975 feet 602 m 1992 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Missouri City, Texas
56 Richland Towers Tower Missouri City 1,973 feet 601.3 m 2001 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Missouri City, Texas
57 Senior Road Tower 1,971 feet 600.7 m 1983 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Missouri City, Texas
58 KTRK-TV Tower 1,970 feet 600.5 m 1982 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Missouri City, Texas
59 Houston Tower Joint Venture Tower 1,970 feet 600.5 m 1985 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Missouri City, Texas
60 American Towers Tower Missouri City 1,970 feet 600.5 m 2000 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Missouri City, Texas
61 Fox-TV Tower 1,970 feet 600.4 m 1982 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Missouri City, Texas
62 Mississippi Telecasting Tower 1,969 feet 600 m 1982 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Inverness, Mississippi
63 WCNC-TV Tower 1,969 feet 600 m 1992 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Dallas, North Carolina
64 Capstar Radio Tower 1,969 feet 600 m 2001 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Middlesex, North Carolina
65 KDUH/CH4 TV Mast 1,965 feet 599 m 1969 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Hemingford, Nebraska
66 American Towers Tower Liverpool 1,963 feet 598.3 m 1992 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Liverpool, Texas
67 Media General Tower Dillon 1,962 feet 598 m 2001 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Dillon, South Carolina
68 Duffy-Shamrock Joint Venture Tower 1,960 feet 597.4 m 1990 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Bertram, Texas
69 AMFM Tower Collinsville 1,960 feet 597.4 m 2002 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Collinsville, Texas
70 KOLR/KOZK Tower 1,960 feet 597.3 m (orig. 609.6 m) 1971 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Fordland, Missouri
71 Cosmos Broadcasting Tower Winnabow 1,954 feet 595.6 m 1981 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Winnabow, North Carolina
72 Spectra Site Communications Tower Robertsdale 1,944 feet 592.6 m 2001 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Robertsdale, Alabama
73 CBC Real Estate Co. Inc Tower 1,944 feet 592.4 m 1985 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Dallas, North Carolina
74 Cosmos Broadcasting Tower Grady 1,935 feet 589.8 m 1977 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Grady, Alabama
75 American Towers Tower Columbia 1,929 feet 587.9 m 1986 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Columbia, Louisiana
76 Sonsinger Management Tower 1,928 feet 587.6 m 1988 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Splendora, Texas
77 Cedar Rapids TV Tower 1,927 feet 587.3 m 1974 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Walker City, Iowa
78 Channel 6 Tower Eddy 1,924 feet 586.4 m 1981 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Eddy, Texas
79 Entravision Texas Tower 1,920 feet 585.2 m 1998 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Greenwood, Texas
80 Multimedia Associates Tower 1,916 feet 584 m 1999 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Rio Grande City, Texas
81 American Towers Tower Randleman 1,910 feet 582.3 m 2004 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Randleman, North Carolina
82 KTUL Tower Coweta 1,909 feet 581.8 m 1988 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Coweta, Oklahoma
83 American Towers Tower Robertsdale 1,903 feet 579.9 m 2004 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Robertsdale, Alabama
84 Baldpate Platform 1,902 feet 579.7 m 1998 Offshore platform Oil drilling U.S. Garden Banks, Gulf of Mexico (Offshore)
85 WDJR-FM Tower 1,901 feet 579.42 m 1978 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Bethlehem, Florida
86 Clear Channel Broadcasting Tower Redfield 1,889 feet 578.8 m 1985 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Redfield, Arkansas
87 WFMY Tower 1,889 feet 575.9 m 2002 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Greensboro, North Carolina
88 Cox Radio Tower 1,879 feet 572.8 m 2000 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Shepard, Texas
89 Media General Tower Spanish Fort 1,879 feet 572.7 m 1986 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Spanish Fort, Alabama
90 WFTV Tower Saint Cloud 1,874 feet 571.1 m 2000 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Saint Cloud, Florida
91 Capstar Radio Operating Gray Court Tower 1,861 feet 567.1 m 1980 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Gray Court, South Carolina
92 KLKN Tower 1,854 feet 565.1 m 1965 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Genoa, Nebraska
93 Pinnacle Towers Tower Princeton 1,842 feet 561.3 m 1993 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Princeton, Florida
94 WTVJ Tower Princeton 1,841 feet 561.1 m 1993 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Princeton, Florida
95 Pappas Partnership Stations Tower Gretna 1,836 feet 559.6 m 1985 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Gretna, Nebraska
96 KBIM Tower 1,834 feet 559.02 m 1965 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Roswell, New Mexico
97 Tulsa Tower Joint Venture Tower Oneta 1,834 feet 559 m 1984 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Oneta, Oklahoma
98 KTBS Tower 1826 ft 556.5 m 2003 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Shreveport, Louisiana
99 CN Tower 1,814 feet 553 m 1976 Concrete tower Observation, UHF/VHF-transmission Canada Toronto, Ontario
100 SBA Towers Tower Haynesville 1,797 feet 547.7 m 1989 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Haynesville, Alabama
101 Channel 32 Limited Partnership Tower 1,797 feet 547.7 m 1990 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Haynesville, Alabama
102 KATC Tower Kaplan 1,793 feet 546.6 m 1978 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Kaplan, Louisiana
103 Cosmos Broadcasting Tower Egypt 1,793 feet 546.5 m 1981 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Egypt, Arkansas
104 Raycom Media Tower Mooringsport 1,791 feet 545.8 m 1975 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Mooringsport, Louisiana
105 Pinnacle Towers Tower Mooringsport 1,781 feet 542.8 m 1985 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Mooringsport, Louisiana
106 Bold Springs Salem Radio Properties Tower 1,779 feet 542.2 m 2005 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Bold Springs, Georgia
107 Branch Young Broadcasting Tower 1775 ft 541 m ? Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Branch, Louisiana
108 Ostankino Tower 1,772 feet 540.1 m 1967 Concrete tower Observation, UHF/VHF-transmission Russia Moscow 2000 Fire led to renovation
109 KLFY TV Tower Maxie 1,772 feet 540 m 1970 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Maxie, Louisiana
110 American Towers Tower Eglin[5] 1,766 feet 538.3 m 2001 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. 29045, South Carolina also known as WOLO TV Tower
111 Cusseta Richland Towers Tower 1,766 feet 538.2 m 2005 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Cusseta, Georgia
112 Cox Radio Tower Flowery Branch 1,765 feet 537.9 m 1984 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Flowery Branch, Georgia
113 Alabama Telecasters Tower 1,757 feet 535.5 m 1995 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Gordonsville, Alabama
114 WIMZ-FM-Tower 1,752 feet 534.01 m 1963 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Knoxville, Tennessee also known as WBIR TV-mast, World's tallest structure, 1963
115 Capitol Broadcasting Tower Broadway 1,749 feet 533.1 m 1985 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Broadway, North Carolina dismantled
116 Capitol Broadcasting Tower Columbia 1,749 feet 533.1 m 2000 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Columbia, North Carolina
117 WTVM/WRBL-TV & WVRK-FM Tower 1,749 feet 533 m 1962 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Cusseta, Georgia also known as WTVM TV Mast, World's tallest structure, 1962-1963
118 WAVE-Mast 1,739 feet 530.05 m 1990 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. La Grange, Kentucky
119 Moody Centex Television Tower 1739 ft 530 m 1985 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Moody, Texas
120 Louisiana Television Broadcasting Tower Sunshine 1,737 feet 529.4 m 1972 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Sunshine, Louisiana
121 Bullwinkle Platform 1,736 feet 529.1 m 1989 Offshore platform Oil drilling Gulf of Mexico Manatee Field Located appr. 160 miles (257 km) southwest of New Orleans
122 Pinnacle Towers Tower Addis 1,735 feet 528.8 m 1986 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Addis, Louisiana
123 Richland Towers Tower Cedar Hill 1,731 feet 527.6 m 2004 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Cedar Hill, Texas
124 Sears Tower 1,730 feet 527.3 m 1974 Skyscraper Office, observation, UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Chicago, Illinois
125 World Trade Center, Tower 1 1,727 feet 526.3 m 1973 Skyscraper Office, UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. New York City destroyed on September 11, 2001
126 WAFB Tower Baton Rouge 1,725 feet 525.8 m 1965 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Baton Rouge, Louisiana
127 WAEO Tower 1,721 feet 524.5 m 1966 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Starks, Wisconsin destroyed on November 17, 1968 at aircraft collision
128 Media Venture Tower 1,714 feet 522.5 m 1999 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Fincher, Florida
129 Media Venture Management Tower Fincher 1,714 feet 522.5 m 1999 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Fincher, Florida
130 Orlando Hearst Argyle Television Tower 1,714 feet 522.5 m 1980 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Orange City, Florida
131 Pinnacle Towers Tower Moody 1,714 feet 522.4 m 1988 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Moody, Texas
132 Clear Channel Broadcasting Tower Rosinton 1,707 feet 520.3 m 1981 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Rosinton, Alabama
133 Pacific and Southern Company Tower Lugoff 1,707 feet 520.2 m 1985 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Lugoff, South Carolina
134 Young Broadcasting Tower Garden City 1,705 feet 519.7 m 1978 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Garden City, South Dakota
135 Gray Television Tower Carlos 1,705 feet 519.7 m 1983 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Carlos, Texas
136 South Dakota Public Broadcasting Network Tower 1,695 feet 516.7 m 1974 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Faith, South Dakota
137 Spectra Site Communications Tower Orange City 1,695 feet 516.6 m 1984 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Orange City, Florida Height reduced to 512.7 metres
138 Christmas Brown Road Tower 1,695 feet 516.6 m 2001 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Christmas, Florida
139 Gray Television Tower Madill 1,694 feet 516.3 m 1984 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Madill, Oklahoma
140 American Tower Christmas 1,684 feet 513.3 m 2001 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Christmas, Florida
141 Richland Towers Bithlo 1,682 feet 512.7 m 2002 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Bithlo, Florida
142 Northland Television Tower Rhinelander 1,682 feet 512.6 m 1979 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Rhinelander, Wisconsin
143 Gray Television Tower Moody 1,679 feet 511.8 m 1978 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Moody, Texas
144 KFVS TV Mast 1,677 feet 511.1 m 1960 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Cape Girardeau County, Missouri World's tallest structure, 1960-1961
145 Taipei 101 1,671 feet 509.2 m 2004 Skyscraper Office, observation, UHF/VHF-transmission Taiwan Taipei
146 Cox Radio Tower Verna 1,667 feet 508.1 m 1994 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Verna, Florida
147 WMTW TV Mast 1,667 feet 508.1 m 2001 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Baldwin, Maine
148 American Towers Tower Cedar Hill 1,661 feet 506.2 m 1999 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Cedar Hill, Texas
149 American Towers Tower Oklahoma City 1,647 feet 502 m 1999 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
150 University of North Carolina Tower 1,642 feet 500.5 m 2000 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Columbia, North Carolina
151 Richland Towers Tower Cedar Hill 2 1,635 feet 498.4 m 2000 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Cedar Hill, Texas
152 WWTV Tower 1,631 feet 497 m 1961 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Cadillac, Michigan Tallest Structure in Michigan
153 WWRR Renda Tower 1,631 feet 497 m 1987 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Kingsland, Georgia
154 QueenB Television Tower 1,627 feet 496 m 1964 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. La Crosse, Wisconsin Height reduced to 484.3 metres
155 KDEB Tower 1,627 feet 496 m 1968 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Fordland, Missouri also known as American Towers Tower Fordland, dismantled
156 WPSD-TV Tower 1,627 feet 495.9 m 2004 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Kevil, Kentucky
157 NVG-Amarillo Tower 1,626 feet 495.6 m 1969 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Amarillo, Texas
158 WGME TV Tower 1,624 feet 495 m 1959 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Raymond, Maine World's tallest structure, 1959-1960
159 Sinclair Television Tower Oklahoma 1,619 feet 493.5 m 1979 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
160 Shanghai World Financial Center 1,614 feet 492 m 2008 Skyscraper Office, hotels, residential China Shanghai topped out
161 WFTV TV Tower Christmas 1,613 feet 491.6 m 2000 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Christmas, Florida
162 WJJY TV Mast 1,611 feet 491 m Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Bluffs, Illinois collapsed in 1978
163 Media General Tower Jackson 1,611 feet 491 m 1989 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Jackson, Mississippi
164 WHNS TV-Tower 1,611 feet 491 m 2001 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Brevard, South Carolina
165 KOBR-TV Tower 1,610 feet 490.7 m 1956 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Caprock, New Mexico also known as KSWS-TV Transmitter, World's tallest structure, 1956-1959, collapsed in 1960 at storm, rebuilt afterwards
166 Joint Venture TV Tower Bithlo 1,608 feet 490.2 m 1992 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Bithlo, Florida
167 American Towers Tower Bithlo 1,605 feet 489.2 m 1984 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Bithlo, Florida
168 NYT Broadcast Holdings Tower Oklahoma 1,601 feet 488 m 1965 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma also known as WKY TV Mast
169 Clear Channel Broadcasting Tower Boykin 1,600 feet 487.8 m 1997 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Boykin, Georgia
170 WVFJ Tower Saint Marks 1,600 feet 487.7 m 1998 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Saint Marks, Georgia
171 Paramount Tower Oklahoma 1,596 feet 486.4 m 1980 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
172 WTVA TV Tower 1,593 feet 485.5 m 1972 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Woodland, Mississippi
173 KTVT Tower 1,587 feet 483.7 m 2002 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Cedar Hill, Texas
174 GBC LP DBA Tower 1,582 feet 482.2 m 1997 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Cedar Hill, Texas dismantled
175 WLFL Tower Apex 1,579 feet 481.3 m 1986 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Apex, North Carolina
176 WFAA Tower 1,578 feet 481 m 1998 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Cedar Hill, Texas
177 Griffin Television Tower Oklahoma 1,576 feet 480.5 m 1954 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma also known as KWTV Tower, World's tallest structure, 1954-1956
178 WCOM-TV Mansfield, Ohio 1,576 feet 480.5 m 1988 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Butler, Ohio Was the tallest structure in Ohio until it was dismantled in 1995
179 Viacom Tower Riverview 1,575 feet 480 m 1998 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Riverview, Florida
180 Tampa Tower General Partnership Tower Riverview 1,573 feet 479.4 m 1987 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Riverview, Florida
181 Riverview Florida West Coast Public Broadcasting Tower 1,572 feet 479.1 m 1999 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Riverview, Florida
182 American Towers Tower Riverview 1,568 feet 478 m 2001 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Riverview, Florida
183 KBSI TV Mast 1,567 feet 477.6 m 1983 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Cape Giradeau, Missouri
184 Media General Tower Saint Ansgar 1,565 feet 477.1 m 1964 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Saint Ansgar, Iowa
185 Red River Broadcast Tower Salem 1,565 feet 477 m 1976 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Salem, South Dakota
186 Hearst-Argyle Television Tower 1,563 feet 476.4 m 1963 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
187 Augusta Tower 1,561 feet 475.6 m 2003 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Jackson, South Carolina
188 WAGT TV Tower 1,560 feet 475.5 m 1985 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Beach Island, South Carolina
189 KPLX Tower 1,559 feet 475.1 m 1969 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Cedar Hill, Texas
190 KTAL TV Tower 1,558 feet 474.9 m 1961 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Vivian, Louisiana
191 Mississippi Authority for Educational Television Tower 1,558 feet 474.9 m 2000 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Raymond, Mississippi
192 KRRT TV Tower 1,553 feet 473.3 m 1985 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Lake Hills, Texas
193 Hearst-Argyle Tower Watsonville 1,552 feet 473.1 m 1984 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Watsonville, California
194 Media General Tower Forest Hill 1,552 feet 473 m 1965 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Forest Hill, Louisiana
195 WVAH Tower 1,552 feet 473 m 1980 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Scott Depot, West Virginia destroyed on February 19, 2003
196 American Towers Tower Cedar Hill]] 2 1,551 feet 472.7 m 1980 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Cedar Hill, Texas
197 KXTV/KOVR/KCRA Tower 1,549 feet 472.1 m 1962 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Walnut Grove, California
198 SpectraSite Tower Holopaw 1,549 feet 472.1 m 1997 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Holopaw, Florida
199 Troll A platform 1,549 feet 472 m 1996 Offshore platform Oil drilling Norway North Sea
200 Morris Tower Perkston 1,540 feet 469.4 m 1986 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Perkston, Mississippi
We have a few of these Diversified coaches in Edmonton with the bluee swoosh livery. Maybe from out in BC somewhere?
The Burj Khalifa is a skyscraper in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. With a total height of 829.8 m (2,722 ft, just over half a mile) and a roof height (excluding antenna, but including a 244 m spire[2]) of 828 m (2,717 ft), the Burj Khalifa has been the tallest structure and building in the world. The building was opened in 2010 as part of a new development called Downtown Dubai. It is designed to be the centrepiece of large-scale, mixed-use development. The decision to construct the building is based on the government's decision to diversify from an oil-based economy, and for Dubai to gain international recognition.
Devoto Gardens is a 20 acre diversified family farm nestled among apple orchards, pinot noir vines, and a bounty of flowers for cutting. Situated west of downtown Sebastopol, the farm is often canopied with cool morning fog that lingers into the afternoon hours, providing a perfect climate for cultivating flowers, grapes, and apples.
In 1975, Susan and Stan Devoto bought the ranch that would become Devoto Gardens and began farming micro-greens and flowers the following year. But it didn't take long before the family became obsessed with apples, and now they grow over 50 varieties of heirloom species.
The Devotos grow as many heirloom apples as there are uses and tastebuds. Thousands of nuances make each individual apple delicious, whether its being used for raw eating, juicing, baking, or cider.
Jolie (the middle daughter of three) acknowledges that the best tasting apples are also the most difficult to grow, and therefore, require the most dedication. Although apple trees are resilient, the more TLC they receive, the better the flavor of the fruit. Having grown apples for nearly 40 years, the Devotos intimately know each variety: the time of harvest, what it tastes like at its best, and the amount of acid versus sugar in the fruit.
The apple harvest begins with the Gravenstein in August and will last into November. Once the apples have been picked, they are hauled from the orchard to a spot in front of the greenhouse where they are sorted, boxed, labeled, and loaded into a van for the markets.
Gravensteins have a sweet/tart flavor combo with a little spice and bright acidity. They’re perfect for eating, saucing, baking, or in the case of Jolie’s new venture with her husband Hunter, artisan sparkling hard cider. Regardless of use, the Gravenstein Apple remains a symbol of Sonoma County’s historical agricultural tradition.
GOVERNOR TOMBLIN DELIVERS
FAREWELL ADDRESS TO STATE LEGISLATURE
CHARLESTON, W.VA. (January 11, 2017)-Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin today
delivered his farewell address to the West Virginia Legislature in the House Chamber at the State Capitol Complex after serving six years as governor and a total of 42 years in public service in the Mountain State.
Information on Gov. Tomblin's accomplishments during his six-year
administration can be found here.
See below for the speech as prepared for delivery:
Mr. Speaker, Mr. President, members of the Board of Public Works, justices of
the Supreme Court of Appeals, members of the Legislature, distinguished guests, and my fellow West Virginians, I stand before you today, after six years in the Governor's office and 42 years in this grand statehouse, with a deep sense of gratitude and reflection and an equally profound hope for West Virginia's future.
Public service has anchored my life's work-from a young 22-year-old in this very House chamber, to a desk across the hall in the State Senate, the Senate President's podium for 17 years and now as your 35th Governor.
It has been the greatest honor-and the greatest reward-to serve the people of this state that we all love. Together, we have put West Virginia first and moved our state forward-even in the midst of tough times, including far-reaching economic shifts, budgetary challenges and historic natural disasters.
West Virginians are strongest in the toughest times. We come together. We lift each other up. And we don't just hope for a better future; we fight for it.
ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION & JOB CREATION
Working hard is exactly what we've done over the past six years to create new economic opportunities for the Mountain State.
We have all seen the dramatic impact of the coal industry's decline in our state. We've seen thousands of jobs lost. Families and communities struggling. People beginning to lose hope.
But I believe in-and have fought to reach-the light around the corner.
Shortly after becoming Governor, I pledged to go anywhere and meet with anyone to grow our state's economy. Across West Virginia, the country and the globe, we have succeeded.
Last year, global giant Procter & Gamble announced it would build its first U.S. manufacturing facility since the 1970s right here in West Virginia in the Eastern Panhandle. This will ultimately be a half-billion dollar investment in the Mountain State and result in hundreds of new jobs.
P&G chose our state after an exhaustive search of many others. And as numerous companies have discovered, I know they will find it to be the best decision they've ever made.
Toyota Motor Manufacturing West Virginia, which recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, has expanded continuously-nine times, in fact.
Today, Toyota employs more than 1,600 people. And the company has invested $1.4 billion since 1996.
Manufacturing jobs, like those at P&G in Martinsburg and Toyota in Buffalo, will be among the most critical to our state's economic future.
In my time as your Governor, I have fought for jobs like these and many more. From Amazon in Huntington and Macy's in Berkeley County, to Bombardier Aerospace manufacturing in Harrison County-which just in November announced an expansion of 150 jobs.
Companies are finding that when they invest in West Virginia, it pays off.
In fact, since 2011, West Virginia has seen more than $15 billion in new investments, spanning 275 projects. We have welcomed more than 60 new companies and secured 215 competitive expansion projects.
Over the past six years, investment projects have reached 22 industries and provided West Virginians with more than 12,000 good-paying jobs.
Right here in the Kanawha Valley, we have one of the best examples of that remarkable progress.
Gestamp has grown beyond the bounds of any of our expectations. Since opening in 2013, Gestamp has tripled production and more than doubled its workforce, now employing nearly 900 West Virginians.
I know that one of the fundamental reasons behind their growth has been our ability to transform workforce training in West Virginia for the better.
STRENGTHENING WORKFORCE TRAINING & EDUCATION
For example, the Learn and Earn program which we launched in 2012, gives our community and technical college students classroom instruction and hands-on work experience simultaneously. These students earn a competitive salary while giving employers a cost-effective way to recruit and train new employees.
Joe Atha is one of these students. A former coal miner, Joe is now a student at BridgeValley Community and Technical College where he is also supporting his family by earning a wage through the Learn and Earn program at Gestamp.
Joe is here today with his wife, Rita. Please stand to be recognized... along with Dr. Sarah Tucker, Chancellor of our Community and Technical College System.
Through forward-thinking programs like this, we can make a real, lasting difference for West Virginians.
That's why I personally convened the West Virginia Workforce Planning Council, which has helped us break down bureaucratic silos and better align classroom learning with the workforce needs of our businesses and industries.
We've even started that process in high schools through the Simulated Workplace program.
Today, our career technical education classrooms have been transformed into businesses. Medical classes are now clinics. Hospitality programs are now catering businesses and restaurants.
And instead of just going to a welding or carpentry class, our students are now part of a construction company, complete with job foremen and safety inspectors.
Just last month, we celebrated a heartwarming moment as a result of the hard work of more than 2,000 of these students from 12 high schools across the state.
Together with the Department of Education's Career Technical Education division, the West Virginia National Guard and our Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, we presented keys to tiny homes that were designed and built by these students for survivors of the historic floods that hit our state last June.
REBUILDING FROM NATURAL DISASTERS
Time and again, in the aftermath of this tragic flooding we have seen the selflessness of West Virginians make a difference for one another.
The "Big Hearts Give Tiny Homes" project was a shining example of that West Virginia spirit-one that made an overwhelming difference for 15 families impacted by the flooding, including Brenda Rivers from Nicholas County, whose home was a total loss in the flooding. Brenda now lives in a new tiny home built by students, including Chance Ballard from Spring Valley High School in Wayne County.
Please join me in welcoming Brenda and Chance ... along with Dr. Kathy D'Antoni ... whose visionary leadership at the Department of Education has made Simulated Workplace the success it is today.
Working hand-in-hand with the federal government and local officials, our immediate response to the flooding was quick and effective. We were able to expedite federal assistance to our communities and families in need. And over the past seven months, we have been able to shift our focus to long-term recovery.
Through a public-private approach, we launched the RISE West Virginia program, which in total has provided nearly $2 million to 230 small businesses in the flood-impacted counties-funding that is helping them reopen or continue operations and keep fueling our local economies.
I would like to thank, once again, West Virginia native and champion Brad Smith-the CEO of Intuit, one of the world's leading financial software companies-and his wife Alys for their family donation of $500,000, which gave the RISE program its first, needed boost.
West Virginia has experienced more than its share of disasters during my time as your Governor-this historic flooding, the Derecho, Hurricane Sandy, Winter Storms Thor and Jonas and the water crisis.
Through it all, we have grown stronger, we have improved our emergency response capabilities and we have strengthened public safety.
Adversity demands resilience. That's what we have shown in these challenges and many more-including one of the most trying epidemics I believe the Mountain State has ever faced-with the sharp rise in substance abuse and addiction.
FIGHTING SUBSTANCE ABUSE
That's why in 2011, I issued an Executive Order to create the Governor's Advisory Council on Substance Abuse, made up of representatives of substance abuse prevention, behavioral medicine, law enforcement, child and adolescent psychology, the legal system, residential treatment facilities, the public school system, the faith community and health care.
My vision for this Council was a community-driven, ground-up approach to tackling this epidemic. Through community-based task forces in six regions across the state, we have made significant progress and enacted life-saving reforms.
We now look at substance abuse as an illness-not a crime.
We have decreased the number of meth labs across the state as the result of making it more difficult to obtain pseudoephedrine.
We have expanded access to the life-saving drug Narcan to first responders and family members of those struggling with addiction. Last year alone, hundreds of lives were saved as a result.
We have substance abuse prevention services in all 55 counties. We have expanded and improved community-based treatment options and recovery services. Across the state, we have 188 crisis detox beds in residential treatment facilities with more sites under development.
We have 118 beds designated for youth and postpartum treatment as well as short-term and long-term residential treatment. And we have over 1,000 beds for those seeking help and support through peer and provider recovery homes and facilities.
We are working closely with our prisons and correctional facilities to ensure all West Virginians are provided access to substance abuse rehabilitation.
In fact, the Division of Corrections operates nine residential substance abuse treatment units in correctional centers across the state and we have expanded this model to our regional jail facilities as well.
And-through Justice Reinvestment-we have successfully worked to address substance abuse, which is the root cause of many crimes.
Because of that work, we have expanded drug courts, substance abuse counseling and greater supervision after release.
And ultimately, we have better controlled incarceration rates, which prevented our state from having to build a new $200 million prison that was projected to be needed because of our previous rising prison population.
Just this week, we announced the news that West Virginia reached settlements with two additional drug wholesalers totaling $36 million, which resolves allegations by our state regarding the distribution of controlled substances in West Virginia.
This brings the total amount of drug settlement money paid to our state by drug wholesalers to $47 million, which will expand our efforts even further for more law enforcement diversion options, more treatment recovery services and many more efforts to fight this epidemic.
I am also deeply proud of the work we have done in creating the state's first 24-hour substance abuse call line, 844-HELP-4-WV, which has received nearly 8,500 calls since it launched in September 2015.
The help line provides referral support for those seeking help and recovery services. It's an opportunity for people who are struggling to talk with someone who cares, get connected to treatment options and begin the road to recovery.
No caller is ever placed on hold and they are immediately connected with treatment staff representing the best and most appropriate treatment options for them.
Administered by First Choice Health Systems of West Virginia, the help line is staffed by certified professionals, many who have overcome addiction themselves and want to help others turn their lives around as well.
One young gentleman I met did just that because he picked up the phone.
A.J. Walker, a recovering alcoholic and addict, was given the help line number by his brother.
A.J. said when he called, he was treated like a person-not like a drug addict-and he found hope. They got him into a detox facility and into recovery, and the help line staff called and checked in on him every step of the way.
Today, A.J. is employed by the treatment facility that helped him and he's in school studying to become a substance abuse counselor.
A.J. is here today with his brother, Andrew, and Vickie Jones ... Commissioner of our Bureau of Behavioral Health and Health Facilities.
A.J. we are so proud of you. And today ... you are giving hope to so many.
When I hear stories like A.J.'s, I am incredibly optimistic for West Virginia's future. With economic changes, job losses and families struggling, we have to seize every opportunity before us to become stronger as individuals and as a state.
One such opportunity lies in Boone and Lincoln Counties, where I believe we have the chance to revitalize Southern West Virginia and make the Mountain State stronger.
EMBRACING THE FUTURE
It was here in this chamber, one year ago during my State of the State Address, where I announced plans for the largest development project in West Virginia's history at the former Hobet surface mine site.
Since last year at this time, we have worked every day and we have made tremendous progress on this project, which is now known as Rock Creek Development Park.
We have worked with local landowners, who are generously donating land that will result in more than 12,000 developable acres for Rock Creek, which is the size of the city of Huntington.
The West Virginia National Guard-Rock Creek's first tenant-is on the ground with newly-expanded operations for maintenance work and training.
And we have a long-term strategic plan now in place, which looks at demographics and market trends to help us identify the best investment opportunities for Rock Creek.
For generations, our coal miners, workers and their families have kept West Virginia strong. Now, it's our turn to help them.
By realizing the full potential of Rock Creek Development Park for job creation and economic diversification, we can build up a region of our state hard hit by the downturn in the coal industry.
My vision for Rock Creek started many years ago as I rode my four-wheeler around the hills of Southern West Virginia and saw the possibilities that such an enormous site-with such a great amount of flat land-could have.
Embracing opportunities like this takes careful thought and planning, and this public-private project will require some investment by the state. But I believe wholeheartedly that the returns will vastly exceed our investment.
That isn't something I say lightly.
Throughout my 42 years in public service, fiscal responsibility has been at the heart of every project I've undertaken, every policy I've fought for and every decision I've made.
GOVERNING RESPONSIBLY
As a result of much hard work, over the years we have decreased taxes, embraced responsible spending, made great progress toward paying off the state's unfunded liabilities and controlled growth of the state's budget.
We have realized milestone tax reforms, including progressive elimination of the food tax, saving West Virginians $162 million each year.
We have gradually eliminated the state's business franchise tax and decreased the corporate net income tax-changes that make West Virginia more attractive for business investments.
As a result of responsible reforms, last year the National Council on Compensation Insurance filed the 12th reduction in workers' compensation premiums in 12 years. And West Virginia employers have seen a savings of more than $352 million since we privatized the program in 2006.
We addressed our Other Post Employment Benefits by dedicating $30 million annually to pay off the $5 billion unfunded liability, which was caused by previous promises that became too expensive to maintain.
As I did last year, I present to you today a budget that is balanced, but a budget that requires difficult decisions and thinking about the next generation rather than the next election.
I continue to be proud of the fiscal responsibility we have shown not just for the past six years, but over the last generation. Our commitment to paying down our long-term liabilities has not wavered and we have responsibly reduced taxes on both our employers and our employees.
Because of our improved fiscal policies, we have been able to refinance bonds that pay for schools, water and sewer lines, college campus improvements and roads to save more than $100 million in the past six years.
So when people ask me why I'm so concerned with maintaining our Rainy Day Fund and our bond rating, that's why. It means more schools, more roads and more homes with clean water.
As part of tough decisions during tough economic times, we have cut more than $600 million from our budget in the past five years. While we all continue to hope that the coal industry will rebound, that hasn't happened quickly and it likely won't ever return to the levels that we once saw.
We continue to work to diversify our economy and I know the improvements we've made will pay long-term dividends in job growth and investment.
But we're not there yet, and part of being fiscally responsible means making sure that we can pay our bills without taking the Rainy Day Fund to dangerously low levels or cutting services to the point where we cannot care for our people or educate our students.
Therefore, the budget I present to you today includes a 1 percent increase in the consumer sales tax to raise $200 million and elimination of the current sales tax exemption on telecommunications services-a move that would make our system the same as 80 percent of the country.
I understand these taxes will not be easy, but asking people to pay a few dollars more now is a far better choice than seeing PEIA cards not accepted by medical providers or going back to the days when we couldn't finance school and road improvements, or even pay the gas bill at the Governor's Mansion.
I urge you to consider these responsible actions to balance the budget until the brighter economic picture that we all expect comes into focus.
CLOSING
I believe the thing that compelled each of us to public service is our love for West Virginia. And that is the very thing that should compel us to work together.
When I became your Governor, I said that we must put West Virginia first.
That's what we have done. And I encourage you to continue working together out of that deep devotion to our beloved state-in the coming year and beyond.
I am proud of the work that we have accomplished. I look forward to the leadership of Governor-elect Jim Justice and I thank all of you who have worked with me over the years.
I thank my cabinet members and agency directors. And I thank my dedicated staff members who have worked every day-not for me, but for the people of West Virginia.
It has been the honor of my life to be your Governor-to be West Virginia's Governor. Joanne and I thank the people of West Virginia for your abiding trust, counsel and support.
And we look forward-with the greatest hope and optimism-to an even stronger West Virginia.
Thank you. God bless you. And God bless the great state of West Virginia.
###
Photos available for media use. All photos should be attributed “Photo courtesy of Office of the Governor.”
GOVERNOR TOMBLIN DELIVERS
FAREWELL ADDRESS TO STATE LEGISLATURE
CHARLESTON, W.VA. (January 11, 2017)-Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin today
delivered his farewell address to the West Virginia Legislature in the House Chamber at the State Capitol Complex after serving six years as governor and a total of 42 years in public service in the Mountain State.
Information on Gov. Tomblin's accomplishments during his six-year
administration can be found here.
See below for the speech as prepared for delivery:
Mr. Speaker, Mr. President, members of the Board of Public Works, justices of
the Supreme Court of Appeals, members of the Legislature, distinguished guests, and my fellow West Virginians, I stand before you today, after six years in the Governor's office and 42 years in this grand statehouse, with a deep sense of gratitude and reflection and an equally profound hope for West Virginia's future.
Public service has anchored my life's work-from a young 22-year-old in this very House chamber, to a desk across the hall in the State Senate, the Senate President's podium for 17 years and now as your 35th Governor.
It has been the greatest honor-and the greatest reward-to serve the people of this state that we all love. Together, we have put West Virginia first and moved our state forward-even in the midst of tough times, including far-reaching economic shifts, budgetary challenges and historic natural disasters.
West Virginians are strongest in the toughest times. We come together. We lift each other up. And we don't just hope for a better future; we fight for it.
ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION & JOB CREATION
Working hard is exactly what we've done over the past six years to create new economic opportunities for the Mountain State.
We have all seen the dramatic impact of the coal industry's decline in our state. We've seen thousands of jobs lost. Families and communities struggling. People beginning to lose hope.
But I believe in-and have fought to reach-the light around the corner.
Shortly after becoming Governor, I pledged to go anywhere and meet with anyone to grow our state's economy. Across West Virginia, the country and the globe, we have succeeded.
Last year, global giant Procter & Gamble announced it would build its first U.S. manufacturing facility since the 1970s right here in West Virginia in the Eastern Panhandle. This will ultimately be a half-billion dollar investment in the Mountain State and result in hundreds of new jobs.
P&G chose our state after an exhaustive search of many others. And as numerous companies have discovered, I know they will find it to be the best decision they've ever made.
Toyota Motor Manufacturing West Virginia, which recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, has expanded continuously-nine times, in fact.
Today, Toyota employs more than 1,600 people. And the company has invested $1.4 billion since 1996.
Manufacturing jobs, like those at P&G in Martinsburg and Toyota in Buffalo, will be among the most critical to our state's economic future.
In my time as your Governor, I have fought for jobs like these and many more. From Amazon in Huntington and Macy's in Berkeley County, to Bombardier Aerospace manufacturing in Harrison County-which just in November announced an expansion of 150 jobs.
Companies are finding that when they invest in West Virginia, it pays off.
In fact, since 2011, West Virginia has seen more than $15 billion in new investments, spanning 275 projects. We have welcomed more than 60 new companies and secured 215 competitive expansion projects.
Over the past six years, investment projects have reached 22 industries and provided West Virginians with more than 12,000 good-paying jobs.
Right here in the Kanawha Valley, we have one of the best examples of that remarkable progress.
Gestamp has grown beyond the bounds of any of our expectations. Since opening in 2013, Gestamp has tripled production and more than doubled its workforce, now employing nearly 900 West Virginians.
I know that one of the fundamental reasons behind their growth has been our ability to transform workforce training in West Virginia for the better.
STRENGTHENING WORKFORCE TRAINING & EDUCATION
For example, the Learn and Earn program which we launched in 2012, gives our community and technical college students classroom instruction and hands-on work experience simultaneously. These students earn a competitive salary while giving employers a cost-effective way to recruit and train new employees.
Joe Atha is one of these students. A former coal miner, Joe is now a student at BridgeValley Community and Technical College where he is also supporting his family by earning a wage through the Learn and Earn program at Gestamp.
Joe is here today with his wife, Rita. Please stand to be recognized... along with Dr. Sarah Tucker, Chancellor of our Community and Technical College System.
Through forward-thinking programs like this, we can make a real, lasting difference for West Virginians.
That's why I personally convened the West Virginia Workforce Planning Council, which has helped us break down bureaucratic silos and better align classroom learning with the workforce needs of our businesses and industries.
We've even started that process in high schools through the Simulated Workplace program.
Today, our career technical education classrooms have been transformed into businesses. Medical classes are now clinics. Hospitality programs are now catering businesses and restaurants.
And instead of just going to a welding or carpentry class, our students are now part of a construction company, complete with job foremen and safety inspectors.
Just last month, we celebrated a heartwarming moment as a result of the hard work of more than 2,000 of these students from 12 high schools across the state.
Together with the Department of Education's Career Technical Education division, the West Virginia National Guard and our Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, we presented keys to tiny homes that were designed and built by these students for survivors of the historic floods that hit our state last June.
REBUILDING FROM NATURAL DISASTERS
Time and again, in the aftermath of this tragic flooding we have seen the selflessness of West Virginians make a difference for one another.
The "Big Hearts Give Tiny Homes" project was a shining example of that West Virginia spirit-one that made an overwhelming difference for 15 families impacted by the flooding, including Brenda Rivers from Nicholas County, whose home was a total loss in the flooding. Brenda now lives in a new tiny home built by students, including Chance Ballard from Spring Valley High School in Wayne County.
Please join me in welcoming Brenda and Chance ... along with Dr. Kathy D'Antoni ... whose visionary leadership at the Department of Education has made Simulated Workplace the success it is today.
Working hand-in-hand with the federal government and local officials, our immediate response to the flooding was quick and effective. We were able to expedite federal assistance to our communities and families in need. And over the past seven months, we have been able to shift our focus to long-term recovery.
Through a public-private approach, we launched the RISE West Virginia program, which in total has provided nearly $2 million to 230 small businesses in the flood-impacted counties-funding that is helping them reopen or continue operations and keep fueling our local economies.
I would like to thank, once again, West Virginia native and champion Brad Smith-the CEO of Intuit, one of the world's leading financial software companies-and his wife Alys for their family donation of $500,000, which gave the RISE program its first, needed boost.
West Virginia has experienced more than its share of disasters during my time as your Governor-this historic flooding, the Derecho, Hurricane Sandy, Winter Storms Thor and Jonas and the water crisis.
Through it all, we have grown stronger, we have improved our emergency response capabilities and we have strengthened public safety.
Adversity demands resilience. That's what we have shown in these challenges and many more-including one of the most trying epidemics I believe the Mountain State has ever faced-with the sharp rise in substance abuse and addiction.
FIGHTING SUBSTANCE ABUSE
That's why in 2011, I issued an Executive Order to create the Governor's Advisory Council on Substance Abuse, made up of representatives of substance abuse prevention, behavioral medicine, law enforcement, child and adolescent psychology, the legal system, residential treatment facilities, the public school system, the faith community and health care.
My vision for this Council was a community-driven, ground-up approach to tackling this epidemic. Through community-based task forces in six regions across the state, we have made significant progress and enacted life-saving reforms.
We now look at substance abuse as an illness-not a crime.
We have decreased the number of meth labs across the state as the result of making it more difficult to obtain pseudoephedrine.
We have expanded access to the life-saving drug Narcan to first responders and family members of those struggling with addiction. Last year alone, hundreds of lives were saved as a result.
We have substance abuse prevention services in all 55 counties. We have expanded and improved community-based treatment options and recovery services. Across the state, we have 188 crisis detox beds in residential treatment facilities with more sites under development.
We have 118 beds designated for youth and postpartum treatment as well as short-term and long-term residential treatment. And we have over 1,000 beds for those seeking help and support through peer and provider recovery homes and facilities.
We are working closely with our prisons and correctional facilities to ensure all West Virginians are provided access to substance abuse rehabilitation.
In fact, the Division of Corrections operates nine residential substance abuse treatment units in correctional centers across the state and we have expanded this model to our regional jail facilities as well.
And-through Justice Reinvestment-we have successfully worked to address substance abuse, which is the root cause of many crimes.
Because of that work, we have expanded drug courts, substance abuse counseling and greater supervision after release.
And ultimately, we have better controlled incarceration rates, which prevented our state from having to build a new $200 million prison that was projected to be needed because of our previous rising prison population.
Just this week, we announced the news that West Virginia reached settlements with two additional drug wholesalers totaling $36 million, which resolves allegations by our state regarding the distribution of controlled substances in West Virginia.
This brings the total amount of drug settlement money paid to our state by drug wholesalers to $47 million, which will expand our efforts even further for more law enforcement diversion options, more treatment recovery services and many more efforts to fight this epidemic.
I am also deeply proud of the work we have done in creating the state's first 24-hour substance abuse call line, 844-HELP-4-WV, which has received nearly 8,500 calls since it launched in September 2015.
The help line provides referral support for those seeking help and recovery services. It's an opportunity for people who are struggling to talk with someone who cares, get connected to treatment options and begin the road to recovery.
No caller is ever placed on hold and they are immediately connected with treatment staff representing the best and most appropriate treatment options for them.
Administered by First Choice Health Systems of West Virginia, the help line is staffed by certified professionals, many who have overcome addiction themselves and want to help others turn their lives around as well.
One young gentleman I met did just that because he picked up the phone.
A.J. Walker, a recovering alcoholic and addict, was given the help line number by his brother.
A.J. said when he called, he was treated like a person-not like a drug addict-and he found hope. They got him into a detox facility and into recovery, and the help line staff called and checked in on him every step of the way.
Today, A.J. is employed by the treatment facility that helped him and he's in school studying to become a substance abuse counselor.
A.J. is here today with his brother, Andrew, and Vickie Jones ... Commissioner of our Bureau of Behavioral Health and Health Facilities.
A.J. we are so proud of you. And today ... you are giving hope to so many.
When I hear stories like A.J.'s, I am incredibly optimistic for West Virginia's future. With economic changes, job losses and families struggling, we have to seize every opportunity before us to become stronger as individuals and as a state.
One such opportunity lies in Boone and Lincoln Counties, where I believe we have the chance to revitalize Southern West Virginia and make the Mountain State stronger.
EMBRACING THE FUTURE
It was here in this chamber, one year ago during my State of the State Address, where I announced plans for the largest development project in West Virginia's history at the former Hobet surface mine site.
Since last year at this time, we have worked every day and we have made tremendous progress on this project, which is now known as Rock Creek Development Park.
We have worked with local landowners, who are generously donating land that will result in more than 12,000 developable acres for Rock Creek, which is the size of the city of Huntington.
The West Virginia National Guard-Rock Creek's first tenant-is on the ground with newly-expanded operations for maintenance work and training.
And we have a long-term strategic plan now in place, which looks at demographics and market trends to help us identify the best investment opportunities for Rock Creek.
For generations, our coal miners, workers and their families have kept West Virginia strong. Now, it's our turn to help them.
By realizing the full potential of Rock Creek Development Park for job creation and economic diversification, we can build up a region of our state hard hit by the downturn in the coal industry.
My vision for Rock Creek started many years ago as I rode my four-wheeler around the hills of Southern West Virginia and saw the possibilities that such an enormous site-with such a great amount of flat land-could have.
Embracing opportunities like this takes careful thought and planning, and this public-private project will require some investment by the state. But I believe wholeheartedly that the returns will vastly exceed our investment.
That isn't something I say lightly.
Throughout my 42 years in public service, fiscal responsibility has been at the heart of every project I've undertaken, every policy I've fought for and every decision I've made.
GOVERNING RESPONSIBLY
As a result of much hard work, over the years we have decreased taxes, embraced responsible spending, made great progress toward paying off the state's unfunded liabilities and controlled growth of the state's budget.
We have realized milestone tax reforms, including progressive elimination of the food tax, saving West Virginians $162 million each year.
We have gradually eliminated the state's business franchise tax and decreased the corporate net income tax-changes that make West Virginia more attractive for business investments.
As a result of responsible reforms, last year the National Council on Compensation Insurance filed the 12th reduction in workers' compensation premiums in 12 years. And West Virginia employers have seen a savings of more than $352 million since we privatized the program in 2006.
We addressed our Other Post Employment Benefits by dedicating $30 million annually to pay off the $5 billion unfunded liability, which was caused by previous promises that became too expensive to maintain.
As I did last year, I present to you today a budget that is balanced, but a budget that requires difficult decisions and thinking about the next generation rather than the next election.
I continue to be proud of the fiscal responsibility we have shown not just for the past six years, but over the last generation. Our commitment to paying down our long-term liabilities has not wavered and we have responsibly reduced taxes on both our employers and our employees.
Because of our improved fiscal policies, we have been able to refinance bonds that pay for schools, water and sewer lines, college campus improvements and roads to save more than $100 million in the past six years.
So when people ask me why I'm so concerned with maintaining our Rainy Day Fund and our bond rating, that's why. It means more schools, more roads and more homes with clean water.
As part of tough decisions during tough economic times, we have cut more than $600 million from our budget in the past five years. While we all continue to hope that the coal industry will rebound, that hasn't happened quickly and it likely won't ever return to the levels that we once saw.
We continue to work to diversify our economy and I know the improvements we've made will pay long-term dividends in job growth and investment.
But we're not there yet, and part of being fiscally responsible means making sure that we can pay our bills without taking the Rainy Day Fund to dangerously low levels or cutting services to the point where we cannot care for our people or educate our students.
Therefore, the budget I present to you today includes a 1 percent increase in the consumer sales tax to raise $200 million and elimination of the current sales tax exemption on telecommunications services-a move that would make our system the same as 80 percent of the country.
I understand these taxes will not be easy, but asking people to pay a few dollars more now is a far better choice than seeing PEIA cards not accepted by medical providers or going back to the days when we couldn't finance school and road improvements, or even pay the gas bill at the Governor's Mansion.
I urge you to consider these responsible actions to balance the budget until the brighter economic picture that we all expect comes into focus.
CLOSING
I believe the thing that compelled each of us to public service is our love for West Virginia. And that is the very thing that should compel us to work together.
When I became your Governor, I said that we must put West Virginia first.
That's what we have done. And I encourage you to continue working together out of that deep devotion to our beloved state-in the coming year and beyond.
I am proud of the work that we have accomplished. I look forward to the leadership of Governor-elect Jim Justice and I thank all of you who have worked with me over the years.
I thank my cabinet members and agency directors. And I thank my dedicated staff members who have worked every day-not for me, but for the people of West Virginia.
It has been the honor of my life to be your Governor-to be West Virginia's Governor. Joanne and I thank the people of West Virginia for your abiding trust, counsel and support.
And we look forward-with the greatest hope and optimism-to an even stronger West Virginia.
Thank you. God bless you. And God bless the great state of West Virginia.
###
Photos available for media use. All photos should be attributed “Photo courtesy of Office of the Governor.”
The king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is a venomous snake endemic to Asia. The sole member of the genus Ophiophagus, it is not taxonomically a true cobra, despite its common name and some resemblance. With an average length of 3.18 to 4 m (10.4 to 13.1 ft) and a record length of 5.85 m (19.2 ft), it is the world's longest venomous snake. The species has diversified colouration across habitats, from black with white stripes to unbroken brownish grey. The king cobra is widely distributed albeit not commonly seen, with a range spanning from the Indian Subcontinent through Southeastern Asia to Southern China. It preys chiefly on other snakes, including those of its own kind. This is the only ophidian that constructs an above-ground nest for its eggs, which are purposefully and meticulously gathered and protected by the female throughout the incubation period.
The threat display of this elapid includes spreading its neck-flap, raising its head upright, making eye contact, puffing, hissing and occasionally charging. Given the size of the snake, it is capable of striking at a considerable range and height, sometimes sustaining a bite. Envenomation from this species is medically significant and may result in a rapid fatality unless antivenom is administered in time. Despite the species' fearsome reputation, altercations usually only arise from an individual inadvertently exposing itself or being cornered.
Threatened by habitat destruction, it has been listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List since 2010. Regarded as the national reptile of India, it has an eminent position in the mythology and folk traditions of India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Myanmar.
Taxonomy
The king cobra is also referred to by the common name "hamadryad", especially in older literature. Hamadryas hannah was the scientific name used by Danish naturalist Theodore Edward Cantor in 1836 who described four king cobra specimens, three captured in the Sundarbans and one in the vicinity of Kolkata. Naja bungarus was proposed by Hermann Schlegel in 1837 who described a king cobra zoological specimen from Java. In 1838, Cantor proposed the name Hamadryas ophiophagus for the king cobra and explained that it has dental features intermediate between the genera Naja and Bungarus. Naia vittata proposed by Walter Elliot in 1840 was a king cobra caught offshore near Chennai that was floating in a basket. Hamadryas elaps proposed by Albert Günther in 1858 were king cobra specimens from the Philippines and Borneo. Günther considered both N. bungarus and N. vittata a variety of H. elaps. The genus Ophiophagus was proposed by Günther in 1864. The name is derived from its propensity to eat snakes.
Naja ingens proposed by Alexander Willem Michiel van Hasselt in 1882 was a king cobra captured near Tebing Tinggi in northern Sumatra.
Ophiophagus hannah was accepted as the valid name for the king cobra by Charles Mitchill Bogert in 1945 who argued that it differs significantly from Naja species. A genetic analysis using cytochrome b, and a multigene analysis showed that the king cobra was an early offshoot of a genetic lineage giving rise to the mambas, rather than the Naja cobras.
A phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial DNA showed that specimens from Surattani and Nakhon Si Thammarat Provinces in southern Thailand form a deeply divergent clade from those from northern Thailand, which grouped with specimens from Myanmar and Guangdong in southern China.
Description
Scales of the king cobra
A baby king cobra showing its chevron pattern on the back
The king cobra's skin is olive green with black and white bands on the trunk that converge to the head. The head is covered by 15 drab coloured and black edged shields. The muzzle is rounded, and the tongue black. It has two fangs and 3–5 maxillar teeth in the upper jaw, and two rows of teeth in the lower jaw. The nostrils are between two shields. The large eyes have a golden iris and round pupils. Its hood is oval shaped and covered with olive green smooth scales and two black spots between the two lowest scales. Its cylindrical tail is yellowish green above and marked with black. It has a pair of large occipital scales on top of the head, 17 to 19 rows of smooth oblique scales on the neck, and 15 rows on the body. Juveniles are black with chevron shaped white, yellow or buff bars that point towards the head. Adult king cobras are 3.18 to 4 m (10.4 to 13.1 ft) long. The longest known individual measured 5.85 m (19.2 ft). Ventral scales are uniformly oval shaped. Dorsal scales are placed in an oblique arrangement.
The king cobra is sexually dimorphic, with males being larger and paler in particular during the breeding season. Males captured in Kerala measured up to 3.75 m (12.3 ft) and weighed up to 10 kg (22 lb). Females captured had a maximum length of 2.75 m (9 ft 0 in) and a weight of 5 kg (11 lb). The largest known king cobra was 5.59 m (18 ft 4 in) long and captured in Thailand. It differs from other cobra species by size and hood. It is larger, has a narrower and longer stripe on the neck.
Distribution and habitat
The king cobra has a wide distribution in South and Southeast Asia. It occurs up to an elevation of 2,000 m (6,600 ft) from the Terai in India and southern Nepal to the Brahmaputra River basin in Bhutan and northeast India, Bangladesh and to Myanmar, southern China, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines.
In northern India, it has been recorded in Garhwal and Kumaon, and in the Shivalik and terai regions of Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh. In northeast India, the king cobra has been recorded in northern West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram. In the Eastern Ghats, it occurs from Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh to coastal Odisha, and also in Bihar and southern West Bengal, especially the Sundarbans. In the Western Ghats, it was recorded in Kerala, Karnataka and Maharashtra, and also in Gujarat. It also occurs on Baratang Island in the Great Andaman chain.
Behaviour and ecology
Captive king cobras with their hoods extended
Like other snakes, a king cobra receives chemical information via its forked tongue, which picks up scent particles and transfers them to a sensory receptor (Jacobson's organ) located in the roof of its mouth. When it detects the scent of prey, it flicks its tongue to gauge the prey's location, with the twin forks of the tongue acting in stereo. It senses earth-borne vibration and detects moving prey almost 100 m (330 ft) away.
Following envenomation, it swallows its prey whole. Because of its flexible jaws, it can swallow prey much larger than its head. It is considered diurnal because it hunts during the day, but has also been seen at night, rarely.
Diet
King cobra in Pune
King cobra in Pune, India
The king cobra is an apex predator and dominant over all other snakes except large pythons. Its diet consists primarily of other snakes and lizards, including Indian cobra, banded krait, rat snake, pythons, green whip snake, keelback, banded wolf snake and Blyth's reticulated snake. It also hunts Malabar pit viper and hump-nosed pit viper by following their odour trails. In Singapore, one was observed swallowing a clouded monitor. When food is scarce, it also feeds on other small vertebrates, such as birds, and lizards. In some cases, the cobra constricts its prey using its muscular body, though this is uncommon. After a large meal, it lives for many months without another one because of its slow metabolic rate.
Defence
A king cobra in its defensive posture (mounted specimen at the Royal Ontario Museum)
The king cobra is not considered aggressive. It usually avoids humans and slinks off when disturbed, but is known to aggressively defend incubating eggs and attack intruders rapidly. When alarmed, it raises the front part of its body, extends the hood, shows the fangs and hisses loudly. Wild king cobras encountered in Singapore appeared to be placid, but reared up and struck in self defense when cornered.
The king cobra can be easily irritated by closely approaching objects or sudden movements. When raising its body, the king cobra can still move forward to strike with a long distance, and people may misjudge the safe zone. It can deliver multiple bites in a single attack.
Growling hiss
The hiss of the king cobra is a much lower pitch than many other snakes and many people thus liken its call to a "growl" rather than a hiss. While the hisses of most snakes are of a broad-frequency span ranging from roughly 3,000 to 13,000 Hz with a dominant frequency near 7,500 Hz, king cobra growls consist solely of frequencies below 2,500 Hz, with a dominant frequency near 600 Hz, a much lower-sounding frequency closer to that of a human voice. Comparative anatomical morphometric analysis has led to a discovery of tracheal diverticula that function as low-frequency resonating chambers in king cobra and its prey, the rat snake, both of which can make similar growls.
Reproduction
A captive juvenile king cobra in its defensive posture
The female is gravid for 50 to 59 days.The king cobra is the only snake that builds a nest using dry leaf litter, starting from late March to late May. Most nests are located at the base of trees, are up to 55 cm (22 in) high in the centre and 140 cm (55 in) wide at the base. They consist of several layers and have mostly one chamber, into which the female lays eggs. Clutch size ranges from 7 to 43 eggs, with 6 to 38 eggs hatching after incubation periods of 66 to 105 days. Temperature inside nests is not steady but varies depending on elevation from 13.5 to 37.4 °C (56.3 to 99.3 °F). Females stay by their nests between two and 77 days. Hatchlings are between 37.5 and 58.5 cm (14.8 and 23.0 in) long and weigh 9 to 38 g (0.32 to 1.34 oz).
The venom of hatchlings is as potent as that of the adults. They may be brightly marked, but these colours often fade as they mature. They are alert and nervous, being highly aggressive if disturbed.
The average lifespan of a wild king cobra is about 20 years.
Venom
Venom of the king cobra, produced by the postorbital venom glands, consists primarily of three-finger toxins (3FTx) and snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMPs).
Of all the 3FTx, alpha-neurotoxins are the predominant and most lethal components when cytotoxins and beta-cardiotoxins also exhibit toxicological activities. It is reported that cytotoxicity of its venom varies significantly, depending upon the age and locality of an individual. Clinical cardiotoxicity is not widely observed, nor is nephrotoxicity present among patients bitten by this species, presumably due to the low abundance of the toxins.
SVMPs are the second most protein family isolated from the king cobra's venom, accounting from 11.9% to 24.4% of total venom proteins. The abundance is much higher than that of most cobras which is usually less than 1%. This protein family includes principal toxins responsible for vasculature damage and interference with haemostasis, contributing to bleeding and coagulopathy caused by envenomation of vipers. While there are such haemorrhagins isolated from the king cobra's venom, they only induce species-sensitive haemorrhagic and lethal activities on rabbits and hares, but with minimal effects on mice. Clinical pathophysiology of the king cobra's SVMPs has yet to be well studied, although its substantial quantity suggests involvement in tissue damage and necrosis as a result of inflammatory and proteolytic activities, which are instrumental for foraging and digestive purposes.
Ohanin, a minor vespryn protein component specific to this species, causes hypolocomotion and hyperalgesia in experimental mice. It is believed that it contributes to neurotoxicity on the central nervous system of the victim.
Clinical Management
King cobra's envenomation may result in a rapid fatality, as soon as 30 minutes following a bite. Local symptoms include dusky discolouration of skin, edema and pain; in severe cases swelling extends proximally with necrosis and tissue sloughing that may require amputation. Onset of general symptoms follows while the venom is targeting the victim's central nervous system, resulting in blurred vision, vertigo, drowsiness, and eventually paralysis. If not treated promptly, it may progress to cardiovascular collapse and subsequently coma. Death soon follows due to respiratory failure.
Polyvalent antivenom of equine origin is produced by Haffkine Institute and King Institute of Preventive Medicine and Research in India. A polyvalent antivenom produced by the Thai Red Cross Society can effectively neutralise venom of the king cobra. In Thailand, a concoction of turmeric root has been clinically shown to create a strong resilience against the venom of the king cobra when ingested. Proper and immediate treatments are critical to avoid death. Successful precedents include a client who recovered and was discharged in 10 days after being treated by accurate antivenom and inpatient care.
It can deliver up to 420 mg venom in dry weight (400–600 mg overall) per bite, with a LD50 toxicity in mice of 1.28 mg/kg through intravenous injection, 1.5 to 1.7 mg/kg through subcutaneous injection, and 1.644 mg/kg through intraperitoneal injection. For research purposes, up to 1 g of venom was obtained through milking
Threats
In Southeast Asia, the king cobra is threatened foremost by habitat destruction owing to deforestation and expansion of agricultural land. It is also threatened by poaching for its meat, skin and for use in traditional Chinese medicine.
Conservation
The king cobra is listed in CITES Appendix II. It is protected in China and Vietnam. In India, it is placed under Schedule II of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Killing a king cobra is punished with imprisonment of up to six years. In the Philippines, king cobras (locally known as banakon) are included under the list of threatened species in the country. It is protected under the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act (Republic Act No. 9147), which criminalises the killing, trade, and consumption of threatened species with certain exceptions (like indigenous subsistence hunting or immediate threats to human life), with a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment and a fine of ₱20,000.
Cultural significance
The king cobra has an eminent position in the mythology and folklore of India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Myanmar. A ritual in Myanmar involves a king cobra and a female snake charmer. The charmer is a priestess who is usually tattooed with three pictograms and kisses the snake on the top of its head at the end of the ritual. Members of the Pakokku clan tattoo themselves with ink mixed with cobra venom on their upper bodies in a weekly inoculation that they believe would protect them from the snake, though no scientific evidence supports this.
It is regarded as the national reptile of India.
Sign of the renowned champagne house Taittinger at the entrance gate of the Château de la Marquetterie, Pierry (Épernay), Grand Est (Champagne), France
Some background information:
Taittinger is a famous producer of champagne. The family-owned company has diversified holdings including Champagne Taittinger, Société du Louvre and Concorde Hotels, whose flagship is the famed Hotel de Crillon on the Place de la Concorde in Paris, as well as the Loire Valley wine-producing firm of Bouvet-Ladubay.
Founded in 1734, the Taittinger champagne house is based in the city of Reims. However, it also owns the Château de la Marquetterie in Pierry, a village in the immediate vicinty of the French champagne capital Épernay in the department of Marne. The château was acquired by Pierre Taittinger in 1932, after he had fallen in love with the estate, and is now used for representational purposes, receptions and corporate events. Unfortunately, it is not open to the public. In the vicinity of the Château de la Marquetterie, Taittinger also owns some vineyards where grapes for the company’s champagnes are grown.
In 1734, Jacques Fourneaux established a wine-business in Champagne while working closely with the Benedictine Abbeys which, at that time, owned the finest vineyards in the region. The Taittingers were a family of wine merchants who moved to the Paris region from the Lorraine in order to retain their French citizenship after the Franco-Prussian War of 1870/71.
In 1932, Pierre Taittinger bought the Château de la Marquetterie from the wine house of Forest-Fourneaux. It had been used as a command post during World War I and he had been laid up there after suffering a heart-attack during combat. The vineyards of the château had been planted with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir since the 18th Century. The estate had been developed by Brother Jean Oudart, a Benedictine monk, one of the founding fathers of champagne wine, and later it had belonged to the writer Jacques Cazotte.
From 1945 to 1960 the business was run by Pierre's third son François. Under his direction, the Taittinger cellars were established in the Abbey of Saint-Nicaise, built in the thirteenth century in Gallo-Roman chalk pits dating from the fourth century. After François' death in an accident, his brother Claude took over and directed the business from 1960 to 2005. It was during this time that Taittinger became a champagne house of world renown.
In 2005, Champagne Taittinger was sold by the Taittinger family, along with its subsidiary, Société du Louvre, to the U.S. private investment firm Starwood Capital Group. Those in the profession (Champagne houses, wine-producers, cooperatives, distributors and customers) proposed that the objectives of short-term profitability, or even medium term, at any price, advocated by the then current managers of the business, were not compatible with the production of Champagne wine of quality, which takes time, trust and a large delegation of authority to the masters of the cellar. In addition, the arrival of investors completely foreign to the culture of Champagne could result in a major breakdown of the equilibrium of the industry.
Finally, on 31st May 2006, the Northeast Regional Bank of the Crédit Agricole, in collaboration with Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger, bought the business back for 660 million euros. The area covers almost 289 hectares of vineyards and has 12 to 13 million bottles in stock. The Château de la Marquetterie and its cellars were part of the overall purchase. But the Starwood group retained some of the hotels, including the luxury hotels Crillon, Lutetia and Martinez, and the hotel chains Campanile and Kyriad.
In the same year, Claude Taittinger retired and his nephew Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger replaced him as head of the business. In 2017, Taittinger became the first champagne house to plant vines in the UK. Champagne Taittinger entered into a joint venture with UK wine agents Hatch Mansfield and bought up land in Chilham, Kent, to plant 40 hectares of vines over the next three years.
At the end of 2019, Vitalie Taittinger, who had already been working for the company for twelve years, has become the company’s new president. She undertakes her new responsibilities with the support of Damien le Sueur and her brother Clovis Taittinger, who have both been appointed general managers.
Incidentally, the whole Champagne area was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015. It was named "Champagne Hillsides, Houses and Cellars" and was admitted into the World Heritage List for being the site, where the method of producing sparkling wines was developed.
Lost Einsteins: Diversifying Innovation
Amy Brachio, Global Deputy Vice-Chair, EY, USA. Kevin Frey, Chief Executive Officer, Generation Unlimited, UNICEF, Generation Unlimited, USA. Tomas Lamanauskas, Deputy Secretary-General-elect, International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Geneva
Maria Leptin, President, European Research Council, Belgium. Magdalena Skipper, Editor-in-Chief, Nature, United Kingdom
Tuesday 2 May 2023
14.45 - 15.30
Stakeholder Dialogue
World Economic Forum Headquarters, Eiger
Copyright: World Economic Forum/Jean-Luc Auboeuf
The Growth Summit: Jobs and Opportunity for All 2023 in Geneva, Switzerland
Lost Einsteins: Diversifying Innovation
Amy Brachio, Global Deputy Vice-Chair, EY, USA. Kevin Frey, Chief Executive Officer, Generation Unlimited, UNICEF, Generation Unlimited, USA. Tomas Lamanauskas, Deputy Secretary-General-elect, International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Geneva
Maria Leptin, President, European Research Council, Belgium. Magdalena Skipper, Editor-in-Chief, Nature, United Kingdom
Tuesday 2 May 2023
14.45 - 15.30
Stakeholder Dialogue
World Economic Forum Headquarters, Eiger
Copyright: World Economic Forum/Jean-Luc Auboeuf
The Growth Summit: Jobs and Opportunity for All 2023 in Geneva, Switzerland
Devoto Gardens is a 20 acre diversified family farm nestled among apple orchards, pinot noir vines, and a bounty of flowers for cutting. Situated west of downtown Sebastopol, the farm is often canopied with cool morning fog that lingers into the afternoon hours, providing a perfect climate for cultivating flowers, grapes, and apples.
In 1975, Susan and Stan Devoto bought the ranch that would become Devoto Gardens and began farming micro-greens and flowers the following year. But it didn't take long before the family became obsessed with apples, and now they grow over 50 varieties of heirloom species.
The Devotos grow as many heirloom apples as there are uses and tastebuds. Thousands of nuances make each individual apple delicious, whether its being used for raw eating, juicing, baking, or cider.
Jolie (the middle daughter of three) acknowledges that the best tasting apples are also the most difficult to grow, and therefore, require the most dedication. Although apple trees are resilient, the more TLC they receive, the better the flavor of the fruit. Having grown apples for nearly 40 years, the Devotos intimately know each variety: the time of harvest, what it tastes like at its best, and the amount of acid versus sugar in the fruit.
The apple harvest begins with the Gravenstein in August and will last into November. Once the apples have been picked, they are hauled from the orchard to a spot in front of the greenhouse where they are sorted, boxed, labeled, and loaded into a van for the markets.
Gravensteins have a sweet/tart flavor combo with a little spice and bright acidity. They’re perfect for eating, saucing, baking, or in the case of Jolie’s new venture with her husband Hunter, artisan sparkling hard cider. Regardless of use, the Gravenstein Apple remains a symbol of Sonoma County’s historical agricultural tradition.
he Burj Khalifa is a skyscraper in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. With a total height of 829.8 m (2,722 ft, just over half a mile) and a roof height (excluding antenna, but including a 244 m spire[2]) of 828 m (2,717 ft), the Burj Khalifa has been the tallest structure and building in the world. The building was opened in 2010 as part of a new development called Downtown Dubai. It is designed to be the centrepiece of large-scale, mixed-use development. The decision to construct the building is based on the government's decision to diversify from an oil-based economy, and for Dubai to gain international recognition.
Bangladeshi farmer Gopal Mohanta and his wife work together cutting up feed for their livestock. They did not previously have animals, but were able to buy them thanks to a dramatic improvement in their livelihood after they began to work with CIMMYT. They now grow a variety of crops that meet their food and feed needs, and each day prepare and mix a balanced meal for their animals.
The family's fortunes began to change when Mohanta attended a farmer training session provided by CIMMYT in collaboration with partners in Bangladesh. This opened a door for him to take advantage of a range of resources from CIMMYT and its partners—including seed, technologies, and practices—and to combine these with the family's own hard work and talent.
One of the changes Mohanta made was to plant a more diverse range of crops, and in 2005 he planted maize for the first time, using improved seed based on CIMMYT materials. He achieves high yields of 12-13 t/ha, which he is able to sell at a good profit, as a growing market is fueling high and stable maize prices in Bangladesh. As well as being able to invest in livestock and other farm diversification, such as a pond stocked with fish, the increased income has brought other benefits for the family. Mohanta and his wife have built a new, larger house and are able to provide a better education for their two children.
The family has come a long way, providing a shining example of what is possible to others in their community of Boiragee, Dinajpur. However, the success story is far from over; looking to the future, Mohanta plans to buy more land and to plant more crops.
Photo credit: S. Mojumder/Drik/CIMMYT.
For the latest on CIMMYT in Bangladesh, see CIMMYT's blog at: blog.cimmyt.org/?tag=bangladesh.
South Asian sweets are the confectionery and desserts of South Asia. Thousands of dedicated shops in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka sell nothing but sweets; however, outside of South Asia, South Asian sweet shops are uncommon.
Sugarcane has been grown in India for thousands of years, and the art of refining sugar was invented there. The English word sugar comes from a Sanskrit word sakhar, while the word candy comes from Sanskrit word khand (jaggery) - one of the simplest raw forms of sweet. Over its long history, cuisines of the Indian Subcontinent developed a diversified array of sweets. Some claim there is no other region of the world where sweets are so varied, so numerous, or so invested with meaning as the Indian Subcontinent.
In India's diverse languages, sweets are called by numerous names, one common name being Mithai (मिठाई). They include sugar, and a vast array of ingredients such as different flours, milk, milk solids, fermented foods, root vegetables, raw and roasted seeds, seasonal fruits, fruit pastes and dry fruits. Some sweets such as kheer are cooked, some like burfi are baked, varieties like Mysore pak are roasted, some like jalebi are fried, others like kulfi are frozen, while still others involve a creative combination of preparation techniques. The composition and recipes of the sweets and other ingredients vary by region. Mithai are sometimes served with a meal, and often included as a form of greeting, celebration, religious offering, gift giving, parties, and hospitality in India. On Indian festivals - such as Holi, Diwali, Eid, or Raksha Bhandan - sweets are homemade or purchased, then shared. Many social gatherings, wedding ceremonies and religious festivals often include a social celebration of food, and the flavors of sweets are an essential element of such a celebration.
HISTORY
Ancient Sanskrit literature from India mention feasts and offerings of mithas (sweet). One of the more complete surviving document, with extensive description of sweets and how to prepare them is the Sanskrit document, Mānasollāsa (Sanskrit: मानसोल्लास; literally, the delight of an idea,[or delight of mind and senses); this ancient encyclopedia on food, music and other Indian arts is also known as the Abhilaṣitārtha Cintāmaṇi (the magical stone that fulfils desires). Mānasollāsa was composed about 1130 AD, by the Hindu King Somesvara III. In this document, meals are described to include a rice pudding it calls payasam (Sanskrit: पायसं), which is another word for kheer. The document mentions seven kinds of rice.
Mānasollāsa also describes recipes for golamu as a donut from wheat flour and scented with cardamom, gharikas as a fried cake from black gram flour and sugar syrup, chhana as a fresh cheese and rice flour fritter soaked in sugar syrup that the document suggests should be prepared from strained curdled milk mixed with buttermilk, and many others. Mānasollāsa mentions numerous milk-derived sweets, along with describing the 11th century art of producing milk solids, condensed milk and methods for souring milk to produce sweets.
The origin of sweets in Indian subcontinent has been traced to at least 500 BC, where records suggest both raw sugar (gur, vellam, jaggery) as well as refined sugar (sarkara) were being produced. By 300 BC, kingdom officials in India were including five kinds of sugar in official documents. By the Gupta dynasty era (300–500 AD), sugar was being made not only from sugar cane, but other plant sources such as palm; sugar-based foods were also included in temple offerings, as bhoga for the deities, which after the prayers became Prasād for devotees, the poor or visitors to the temple.
VARIETIES
BARFI
Barfi is a sweet, made of milk solids (khoya) or condensed milk and various other ingredients like ground cashews or pistachios. Some barfi use various flours such as besan (gram flour). Barfi may be flavored with pastes or pieces of fruits such as mango, banana, berries, coconut. They may include aromatic spices such as cardamom and rose water to enhance the sensual impact while they are consumed.
Sometimes a thin inert silver or gold layer of edible foil is placed on top face of burfi for an attractive presentation. Gold and silver are approved food foils in the European Union, as E175 and E174 additives respectively. The independent European food-safety certification agency, TÜV Rheinland, has deemed gold leaf safe for consumption. Gold and silver leaf are certified kosher. These inert metal foils are neither considered as toxic to human beings nor broader ecosystem.
CHAM-CHAM
Cham Chams are prepared from flattened paneer (a form of curdled milk solids, cheese) sweetened in syrup.
CHENA MURKI
Chhena murki, or chenna murki, is a sweet made from an Indian version of cottage cheese, milk and sugar in many states such as Odisha. Milk and sugar are boiled to a thick consistency. Round, cubes, cuboid or other shapes of cottage cheese are soaked in the milky condensate. Other flavors and aromatic spices are typically added. It is also known by Bangladeshi and Guyanese people as pera.
CHIKKI
Chikki is a ready-to-eat solid, brittle sweet generally made from casting a mix of dry nuts and hot jaggery syrup. Peanuts and jaggery mix are most common. Other than almonds, cashews, walnuts, sesame and other seeds, varieties of chikki are also prepared from puffed or roasted Bengal gram, puffed rice, beaten rice, puffed seasonal grains, and regional produce such as Khobara (desiccated coconut). Like many Indian sweets, Chikki is typically a high protein delicacy.
GAJRELA
Gajrela, also called Gajar halwa, is a seasonal pudding-like sweet made from the root vegetable carrot. It is popular in Punjab regions of India and Pakistan, agricultural belt of North India, now common in many parts of South Asia. It is made by slowly cooking carrot with ghee, concentrated and caramelized milk, mawa (khoya) and sugar; often served with a garnish of aromatic spices, almonds, cashews or pistachios. The recipes vary by region, and Gajrela may be cooked without ghee, then include cheese or other milk solids for sophisticated mix of flavors. It is common in Indian restaurants, and also a seasonal street and cafe food during post-monsoon through spring festive celebrations.
GULAB JAMUN
Gulab jamun is a common sweet found in Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan. It is made out of fried chenna (milk solids and cheese) balls soaked in sweet rose-water flavoured syrup.
JALEBI OR IMARTI
Jalebi is made by deep-frying a fermented batter of wheat flour with yoghurt, in a circular (coil-like) shape and then soaking it in sugar syrup. Imarti is a variant of Jalebi, with a different flour mixture and has tighter coils. Typically Jalebi is brown or yellow, while Imarti is reddish in colour. Often taken with milk, tea, yogurt or Lassi. In classical Sanskrit literature, jalebis have been referred to as kundalika or jalavallika.
KHAJA
Khaja is a sweet of India. Refined wheat flour, sugar and oils are the chief ingredients of khaja.
It is believed that, even 2000 years ago, Khajas were prepared in the southern side of the Gangetic Plains of Bihar. These areas which are home to khaja, once comprised the central part of Maurya and Gupta empires. Presently, Khajas are prepared and sold in the city of Patna, Gaya and several other places across the state of Bihar. Khajas of the Silao and Rajgir are known for their puffiness.
Khajas have travelled to some other parts of India, including Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. Khaja of Kakinada is a coastal town of Andhra Pradesh. Where as khaja of Puri is too famous. At first, the batter is of wheat flour, mawa and oil. It is then deep fried until crisp. Then a sugar syrup is made which is known as "pak". The crisp croissants are then soaked in the sugar syrup until they absorb the sugar syrup. In Kakinada, Khaja is dry from outside and full of sugar syrup from inside and is juicy.
KULFI
Kulfis are traditional South Asian ice-cream, where flavored milk is first condensed and caramelized by slow cooking in presence of a small quantity of rice or seasonal grain flour; once condensed, dry nut pastes and aromatic spices are added, the mix frozen in small earthen or metal cans. This creates one of the densest known form of frozen sweets; it is typically served between -10 to -15 C when they are easier to spoon and eat. It comes in a variety of flavours such as mango, kesar, pistachios, badam (almond), coconut and plain. It is also a street side urban as well as rural India summer time snack and festive sweet, where food hawkers carry around frozen mounds of kulfi in a big earthen pot and play a particular horn music to attract customers. These vendors are known as "kulfiwalla" (one who sells kulfi).
KHEER OR PAYAS
Kheer is a pudding, usually made from milk, sugar and one of these ingredients - vermicelli, rice, Bulgar wheat, semolina, tapioca, dried dates, and shredded white gourd. It is also known as "Payas".
As sweet rice pudding, payas has been a cultural dish throughout the history of India, being usually found at ceremonies, feasts and celebrations. In many parts of India, ancient traditions maintain that a wedding is not fully blessed if payas (or payasam as known in South India) is not served at the feast during traditional ceremonies like marriage, child birth, annaprasan (first solid feed to child), and other occasions. Other than sweet yoghurt, some families include kheer in the last meal, as hospitality and auspicious food, before a family member or guest departs on a long journey away from the home.
LADDU
Kulfis are traditional South Asian ice-cream, where flavored milk is first condensed and caramelized by slow cooking in presence of a small quantity of rice or seasonal grain flour; once condensed, dry nut pastes and aromatic spices are added, the mix frozen in small earthen or metal cans. This creates one of the densest known form of frozen sweets; it is typically served between -10 to -15 C when they are easier to spoon and eat. It comes in a variety of flavours such as mango, kesar, pistachios, badam (almond), coconut and plain. It is also a street side urban as well as rural India summer time snack and festive sweet, where food hawkers carry around frozen mounds of kulfi in a big earthen pot and play a particular horn music to attract customers. These vendors are known as "kulfiwalla" (one who sells kulfi).
Kheer or payas
Kheer is a pudding, usually made from milk, sugar and one of these ingredients - vermicelli, rice, Bulgar wheat, semolina, tapioca, dried dates, and shredded white gourd. It is also known as "Payas".
As sweet rice pudding, payas has been a cultural dish throughout the history of India, being usually found at ceremonies, feasts and celebrations. In many parts of India, ancient traditions maintain that a wedding is not fully blessed if payas (or payasam as known in South India) is not served at the feast during traditional ceremonies like marriage, child birth, annaprasan (first solid feed to child), and other occasions. Other than sweet yoghurt, some families include kheer in the last meal, as hospitality and auspicious food, before a family member or guest departs on a long journey away from the home.
MALPOA
Malpoa is the most ancient homemade sweets of India. It is a form of pancake (made of wheat or rice flour) deep fried and sugar syrup.
NARKEL NARU
Narkel Naru is a dessert from Bengal. They are ball-shaped and made from khoa/condensed milk and coconut, a traditional food during Pujas such as the Lakshmi Puja
PARWAL KI MITHAI
Parwal Ki Mithai is a dry sweet made of the vegetable parwal, a kind of gourd. The shell of parwal is filled with milk solids, then cooked. It is rather popular in Bihar, but also found in Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.
PATHISHAPA
Pathishapta is a Bengali dessert. The final dish is a rolled pancake that is stuffed with a filling often made of coconut, milk, cream, and jaggery from the date palm. These desserts are consumed in Thailand as well.
RASGULLA
Rasgulla is a popular sweet in South Asia. They come in many forms, such as Kamalabhog (Orange Rasgulla), Rajbhog (Giant Rasgulla), Kadamba often served with kheer, Rasamundi, Raskadamba, and others. Some are white, others cream, brown, gold or orange colored. They are called Rasbari in Nepal. This dish is made by boiling small dumplings of chhenna and semolina mixture in sugar syrup. Once cooked, these are stored in the syrup making them spongy. Increasing the semolina content reduces the sponginess and hardens them, creating variety of textures. Some Rasgulla are stuffed inside with treats, such as dry fruits, raisins, candied peel and other delicacies to create a series of flavors experienced as they are consumed. Some versions, called danedhar, are removed from syrup and sugar coated into shapes of fruits and other creative designs. These are festive foods found year round, in many parts of India.
SANDESH
Sandesh is a sweet made from fine cheese made from cow's milk kneaded with fine ground sugar or molasses. This is a sweet from West Bengal and Odisha. Revered for its delicate making, and appreciated by the connoiseur, this represents sweet making at its finest. Sandesh comes in two varieties, "Norom Pak" (the softer version) and "Koda Pak" (the harder version). The softer version although more gentle and considered better, is fragile. The harder version is robust and often easier for storage. Molasses made from dates can be used to make a special variation of Sandesh called "Noleen Gurher Sandesh" (a Sandesh made from "Noleen Gurh" or molases from dates) or simply "Noleen Sandesh".
SEL ROTI
Sel roti is a Nepali home-made circular-shaped bread or rice donut, prepared during Tihar, a widely celebrated Hindu festival in Nepal. It is made of rice flour with adding customized flavors. A semi liquid rice flour dough is usually prepared by adding milk, water, sugar, butter, cardamom, cloves and other flavors of personal choice.
SHRIKHAND
Shrikhand is a creamy dessert made out of strained yogurt, from which water is drained off completely. Dry fruits, mango puree, saffron or cardamom and sugar are added to the thick yoghurt to get the desired flavour and taste. It is served chilled. It is a West Indian traditional dish.
OTHER INDIAN & PAKISTANI SWEETS
Other traditional Indian sweets and desserts famous throughout the history of Indian food include:
- Mysore pak (a dessert made out of ghee, sugar and chick pea flour),
- Halwa (or Halva in modern English spelling); made out of flour, butter and sugar
- Jangiri
- Jhajariya
WIKIPEDIA
Governor Tomblin applauds
BOMBARDIER aerospace EXPANSION
BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. (November 15, 2016) - Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin issued the following statement after an event he participated in with Bombardier Aerospace officials today, where it was announced that the aircraft manufacturer plans to expand its plant in West Virginia:
"From my first days as West Virginia's Governor, I've made it my priority to bring new investments and jobs to our state. Today's expansion announcement by Bombardier represents continued momentum toward a stronger, more diversified state economy. I thank and congratulate Bombardier, its leadership team and employees on this milestone. And I look forward to seeing the far-reaching impact of new jobs in North Central West Virginia."
Bombardier Press Release
Bombardier Plans Expansion of Maintenance Capacity at its Commercial Aircraft Service Centre in Bridgeport, West Virginia
Bridgeport, November 15, 2016 – Bombardier Commercial Aircraft and the State of West Virginia today announced plans to expand Bombardier’s aircraft service center in Bridgeport, West Virginia. The planned expansion is intended to enhance Bombardier’s capacity to provide heavy maintenance, component repair and overhaul support for its CRJ Series and Q Series aircraft. Ground breaking for the project is expected to take place in the spring of 2017.
“The fleet of Bombardier commercial aircraft in North America has grown to over 1,620 CRJ Series regional jets and Q Series turboprops – that’s an impressive fleet number that can only be supported by expanding Bombardier’s service centres,” said Todd Young, Vice President and General Manager, Customer Services, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “We’re excited with this growth plan for WVAC, as it confirms our commitment and ability to continue to deliver on the comprehensive service solutions that our customers have come to expect from us. In addition to serving our operators with improved turnaround times and enhanced service solutions, we are also pleased to be collaborating with the State of West Virginia on this project.”
“From my first days as West Virginia’s Governor, I’ve made it my priority to bring new investments and jobs to our state,” said Governor Earl Ray Tomblin. “Today’s expansion announcement by Bombardier represents continued momentum toward a stronger, more diversified state economy. I thank and congratulate Bombardier, its leadership team and employees on this milestone. And I look forward to seeing the far-reaching impact of new jobs in North Central West Virginia.”
The announcement was made at the facility and was attended by Governor Earl Ray Tomblin, other local government representatives and members of the Bridgeport business community. Alongside Todd Young, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft was represented by Stephen McCoy, General Manager, Commercial Aircraft Service Centres; and Chad Hill, Director of Operations, WVAC.
The existing 145,000 square-foot (13,470 square-metre) service centre, would double in size to approximately 300,000 square feet (27,870 square metres). Currently, the service centre has a capacity to operate at 500,000 man-hours a year; post expansion, its capacity could increase to one million man-hours per year to accommodate up to 20 maintenance lines at a time -- up from the nine lines operating today.
Following the expansion, WVAC will offer complete maintenance services including a sheet metal back shop with repair and fabrication capabilities; heat treat services; non-destructive testing; CNC
2
machining and fabrication capabilities; tooling design and fabrication; composite repair and fabrication; welding services; interior refurbishment; wheel and tire overhaul; and paint services.
About Bombardier’s Commercial Aircraft Service Centres Over the last few years, Bombardier has secured several long-term heavy maintenance contracts –covering maintenance and repairs for commercial aircraft. Bombardier’s commercial aircraft service centres are designed to maximize quality and increase return-to-service speed within a competitive, predictable cost structure. The facilities are backed by Bombardier’s 24/7 technical help desks, in-service engineering teams and support staff deployed around the world.
In addition to the WVAC, Bombardier also operates commercial aircraft service centres in Tucson, Arizona and Macon, Georgia. Each of the three centres has received the FAA’s AMT Diamond Award of Excellence, the highest honour bestowed on an aviation maintenance employer, for many consecutive years (Bridgeport 18 years, Tucson nine years and Macon five years). The corporation also operates a US network of business aircraft service centres in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; Dallas, Texas; Hartford, Connecticut; Wichita, Kansas; and Tucson, Arizona.
About Bombardier Bombardier is the world’s leading manufacturer of both planes and trains. Looking far ahead while delivering today, Bombardier is evolving mobility worldwide by answering the call for more efficient, sustainable and enjoyable transportation everywhere. Our vehicles, services and, most of all, our employees are what make us a global leader in transportation.
Bombardier is headquartered in Montréal, Canada. Our shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD) and we are listed on the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index. In the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, we posted revenues of $18.2 billion.
Photos available for media use. All photos should be attributed “Photo courtesy of Office of the Governor.”
List of the tallest towers.
1 Burj Dubai 2,684 feet 818 m 2009 Skyscraper
2 Warsaw Radio Mast 2,121 feet 646.4 m 1974 Guyed mast
3 KVLY/KTHI TV Mast 2,063 feet 628.8 m 1963 Guyed mast
4 KXJB-TV mast 2,060 feet 627.8 m 1998 Guyed mast
5 KXTV/KOVR Tower 2,049 feet 624.5 m 2000 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Walnut Grove, California Tallest structure in California
6 KATV Tower 2,000 feet 609.6 m 1965?1967? Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Redfield, Arkansas
7 KCAU TV Tower 2,000 feet 609.6 m 1965 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Sioux City, Iowa
8 WECT TV6 Tower 2,000 feet 609.6 m 1969 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Colly Township, North Carolina
9 WHO-TV, KDIN-TV,WOI-FM Tower 2,000 feet 609.6 m 1972 Guyed mast VHF-TV, FM radio transmission U.S. Alleman, Iowa
10 Des Moines Hearst-Argyle Television Tower Alleman 2,000 feet 609.6 m 1974 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Alleman, Iowa
11 WEAU-Tower 2,000 feet 609.6 m 1981 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Fairchild, Wisconsin
12 Diversified Communications Tower 2,000 feet 609.6 m 1981 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Floyd Dale, South Carolina
13 AFLAC Tower 2,000 feet 609.6 m 1984 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Rowley, Iowa
14 WBTV-Tower 2,000 feet 609.6 m 1984 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Dallas, North Carolina
15 Hearst-Argyle Tower 2,000 feet 609.6 m 1985 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Walnut Grove, California
16 WTTO Tower 2,000 feet 609.6 m 1986 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Windham Springs, Alabama
17 WCSC-Tower 2,000 feet 609.6 m 1986 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Awendaw, South Carolina
18 KTVE-Tower 2,000 feet 609.6 m 1987 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Bolding, Arkansas
19 WCTV Tower 2,000 feet 609.6 m 1987 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Metcalf, Georgia
20 WCIX/CH6 TV Mast 2,000 feet 609.6 m 1992 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Homestead, Florida
21 KDLT Tower 2,000 feet 609.6 m 1998 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Rowena, South Dakota
22 KMOS TV Tower 2,000 feet 609.6 m 2002 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Syracuse, Missouri
23 Liberman Broadcasting Tower Era 2,000 feet 609.6 m 2006 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Era, Texas
24 Winnie Cumulus Broadcasting Tower 2,000 feet 609.6 m ? Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Winnie, Texas
25 WRAL HDTV Mast 2,000 feet 609.5 m 1991 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Auburn, North Carolina
26 Perry Broadcasting Tower 2,000 feet 609.5 m 2004 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Alfalfa, Oklahoma
27 KY3 Tower 1,999 feet 609.4 m 2000 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Fordland, Missouri
28 SpectraSite Tower Thomasville 1,999 feet 609.4 m 2002 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Thomasville, Georgia
29 Pegasus Broadcasting Tower 1,999 feet 609.4 m Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Metcalf, Georgia
30 CBC Real Estate Tower Auburn 1,999 feet 609.4 m Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Auburn, North Carolina
32 KLDE Tower 1,999 feet 609.3 m 1986 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Liverpool, Texas
33 WCKW/KSTE-Tower 1,999 feet 609.3 m 1988 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Vacherie, Louisiana
34 American Towers Tower Elkhart 1,999 feet 609.3 m 2001 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Elkhart, Iowa
35 Salem Radio Properties Tower 1,999 feet 609.3 m 2002 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Collinsville, Texas
36 Stowell Cumulus Broadcasting Tower 1,999 feet 609.3 m ? Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Stowell, Texas
37 WLBT Tower 1,998 feet 609 m 1999 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Raymond, Mississippi
38 Beasley Tower 1,997 feet 608.7 m Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Immokalee, Florida
39 KYTV Tower 1,996 feet 608.4 m 1973 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Marshfield, Missouri
40 SpectraSite Tower Raymond 1,996 feet 608.4 m Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Raymond, Mississippi
41 Hoyt Radio Tower 1,996 feet 608.38 m 2003 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Hoyt, Colorado
42 Service Broadcasting Tower Decatur 1,995 feet 608.1 m 2000 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Decatur, Texas
43 WTVD Tower 1,994 feet 607.8 m 1978 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Auburn, North Carolina
44 Channel 40 Tower 1,994 feet 607.8 m 1985 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Walnut Grove, California
45 Liberman Broadcasting Tower Devers 1,994 feet 607.7 m 2006 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Devers, Texas
46 KHYS Tower 1,992 feet 607.2 m 1997 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Devers, Texas
47 Clear Channel Broadcasting Tower Devers 1,992 feet 607 m 1988 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Devers, Texas
48 Media General Tower 1,992 feet 607 m 1987 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Awendaw, South Carolina
49 Eastern North Carolina Broadcasting Tower 1,989 feet 606.2 m 1980 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Trenton, North Carolina
50 WNCN Tower 1,989 feet 606.2 m 2000 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Garner, North Carolina
51 KELO TV Tower 1,985 feet 605 m 1974 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Rowena, South Dakota
52 WITN Tower 1,985 feet 605 m 1979 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Grifton, North Carolina
53 Noe Corp Tower 1,984 feet 604.7 m 1998 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Columbia, Louisiana
54 Pappas Telecasting Tower 1,980 feet 603.6 m 2000 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Plymouth County, Iowa
55 KHOU-TV Tower 1,975 feet 602 m 1992 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Missouri City, Texas
56 Richland Towers Tower Missouri City 1,973 feet 601.3 m 2001 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Missouri City, Texas
57 Senior Road Tower 1,971 feet 600.7 m 1983 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Missouri City, Texas
58 KTRK-TV Tower 1,970 feet 600.5 m 1982 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Missouri City, Texas
59 Houston Tower Joint Venture Tower 1,970 feet 600.5 m 1985 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Missouri City, Texas
60 American Towers Tower Missouri City 1,970 feet 600.5 m 2000 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Missouri City, Texas
61 Fox-TV Tower 1,970 feet 600.4 m 1982 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Missouri City, Texas
62 Mississippi Telecasting Tower 1,969 feet 600 m 1982 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Inverness, Mississippi
63 WCNC-TV Tower 1,969 feet 600 m 1992 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Dallas, North Carolina
64 Capstar Radio Tower 1,969 feet 600 m 2001 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Middlesex, North Carolina
65 KDUH/CH4 TV Mast 1,965 feet 599 m 1969 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Hemingford, Nebraska
66 American Towers Tower Liverpool 1,963 feet 598.3 m 1992 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Liverpool, Texas
67 Media General Tower Dillon 1,962 feet 598 m 2001 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Dillon, South Carolina
68 Duffy-Shamrock Joint Venture Tower 1,960 feet 597.4 m 1990 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Bertram, Texas
69 AMFM Tower Collinsville 1,960 feet 597.4 m 2002 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Collinsville, Texas
70 KOLR/KOZK Tower 1,960 feet 597.3 m (orig. 609.6 m) 1971 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Fordland, Missouri
71 Cosmos Broadcasting Tower Winnabow 1,954 feet 595.6 m 1981 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Winnabow, North Carolina
72 Spectra Site Communications Tower Robertsdale 1,944 feet 592.6 m 2001 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Robertsdale, Alabama
73 CBC Real Estate Co. Inc Tower 1,944 feet 592.4 m 1985 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Dallas, North Carolina
74 Cosmos Broadcasting Tower Grady 1,935 feet 589.8 m 1977 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Grady, Alabama
75 American Towers Tower Columbia 1,929 feet 587.9 m 1986 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Columbia, Louisiana
76 Sonsinger Management Tower 1,928 feet 587.6 m 1988 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Splendora, Texas
77 Cedar Rapids TV Tower 1,927 feet 587.3 m 1974 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Walker City, Iowa
78 Channel 6 Tower Eddy 1,924 feet 586.4 m 1981 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Eddy, Texas
79 Entravision Texas Tower 1,920 feet 585.2 m 1998 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Greenwood, Texas
80 Multimedia Associates Tower 1,916 feet 584 m 1999 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Rio Grande City, Texas
81 American Towers Tower Randleman 1,910 feet 582.3 m 2004 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Randleman, North Carolina
82 KTUL Tower Coweta 1,909 feet 581.8 m 1988 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Coweta, Oklahoma
83 American Towers Tower Robertsdale 1,903 feet 579.9 m 2004 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Robertsdale, Alabama
84 Baldpate Platform 1,902 feet 579.7 m 1998 Offshore platform Oil drilling U.S. Garden Banks, Gulf of Mexico (Offshore)
85 WDJR-FM Tower 1,901 feet 579.42 m 1978 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Bethlehem, Florida
86 Clear Channel Broadcasting Tower Redfield 1,889 feet 578.8 m 1985 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Redfield, Arkansas
87 WFMY Tower 1,889 feet 575.9 m 2002 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Greensboro, North Carolina
88 Cox Radio Tower 1,879 feet 572.8 m 2000 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Shepard, Texas
89 Media General Tower Spanish Fort 1,879 feet 572.7 m 1986 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Spanish Fort, Alabama
90 WFTV Tower Saint Cloud 1,874 feet 571.1 m 2000 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Saint Cloud, Florida
91 Capstar Radio Operating Gray Court Tower 1,861 feet 567.1 m 1980 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Gray Court, South Carolina
92 KLKN Tower 1,854 feet 565.1 m 1965 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Genoa, Nebraska
93 Pinnacle Towers Tower Princeton 1,842 feet 561.3 m 1993 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Princeton, Florida
94 WTVJ Tower Princeton 1,841 feet 561.1 m 1993 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Princeton, Florida
95 Pappas Partnership Stations Tower Gretna 1,836 feet 559.6 m 1985 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Gretna, Nebraska
96 KBIM Tower 1,834 feet 559.02 m 1965 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Roswell, New Mexico
97 Tulsa Tower Joint Venture Tower Oneta 1,834 feet 559 m 1984 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Oneta, Oklahoma
98 KTBS Tower 1826 ft 556.5 m 2003 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Shreveport, Louisiana
99 CN Tower 1,814 feet 553 m 1976 Concrete tower Observation, UHF/VHF-transmission Canada Toronto, Ontario
100 SBA Towers Tower Haynesville 1,797 feet 547.7 m 1989 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Haynesville, Alabama
101 Channel 32 Limited Partnership Tower 1,797 feet 547.7 m 1990 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Haynesville, Alabama
102 KATC Tower Kaplan 1,793 feet 546.6 m 1978 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Kaplan, Louisiana
103 Cosmos Broadcasting Tower Egypt 1,793 feet 546.5 m 1981 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Egypt, Arkansas
104 Raycom Media Tower Mooringsport 1,791 feet 545.8 m 1975 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Mooringsport, Louisiana
105 Pinnacle Towers Tower Mooringsport 1,781 feet 542.8 m 1985 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Mooringsport, Louisiana
106 Bold Springs Salem Radio Properties Tower 1,779 feet 542.2 m 2005 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Bold Springs, Georgia
107 Branch Young Broadcasting Tower 1775 ft 541 m ? Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Branch, Louisiana
108 Ostankino Tower 1,772 feet 540.1 m 1967 Concrete tower Observation, UHF/VHF-transmission Russia Moscow 2000 Fire led to renovation
109 KLFY TV Tower Maxie 1,772 feet 540 m 1970 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Maxie, Louisiana
110 American Towers Tower Eglin[5] 1,766 feet 538.3 m 2001 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. 29045, South Carolina also known as WOLO TV Tower
111 Cusseta Richland Towers Tower 1,766 feet 538.2 m 2005 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Cusseta, Georgia
112 Cox Radio Tower Flowery Branch 1,765 feet 537.9 m 1984 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Flowery Branch, Georgia
113 Alabama Telecasters Tower 1,757 feet 535.5 m 1995 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Gordonsville, Alabama
114 WIMZ-FM-Tower 1,752 feet 534.01 m 1963 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Knoxville, Tennessee also known as WBIR TV-mast, World's tallest structure, 1963
115 Capitol Broadcasting Tower Broadway 1,749 feet 533.1 m 1985 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Broadway, North Carolina dismantled
116 Capitol Broadcasting Tower Columbia 1,749 feet 533.1 m 2000 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Columbia, North Carolina
117 WTVM/WRBL-TV & WVRK-FM Tower 1,749 feet 533 m 1962 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Cusseta, Georgia also known as WTVM TV Mast, World's tallest structure, 1962-1963
118 WAVE-Mast 1,739 feet 530.05 m 1990 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. La Grange, Kentucky
119 Moody Centex Television Tower 1739 ft 530 m 1985 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Moody, Texas
120 Louisiana Television Broadcasting Tower Sunshine 1,737 feet 529.4 m 1972 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Sunshine, Louisiana
121 Bullwinkle Platform 1,736 feet 529.1 m 1989 Offshore platform Oil drilling Gulf of Mexico Manatee Field Located appr. 160 miles (257 km) southwest of New Orleans
122 Pinnacle Towers Tower Addis 1,735 feet 528.8 m 1986 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Addis, Louisiana
123 Richland Towers Tower Cedar Hill 1,731 feet 527.6 m 2004 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Cedar Hill, Texas
124 Sears Tower 1,730 feet 527.3 m 1974 Skyscraper Office, observation, UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Chicago, Illinois
125 World Trade Center, Tower 1 1,727 feet 526.3 m 1973 Skyscraper Office, UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. New York City destroyed on September 11, 2001
126 WAFB Tower Baton Rouge 1,725 feet 525.8 m 1965 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Baton Rouge, Louisiana
127 WAEO Tower 1,721 feet 524.5 m 1966 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Starks, Wisconsin destroyed on November 17, 1968 at aircraft collision
128 Media Venture Tower 1,714 feet 522.5 m 1999 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Fincher, Florida
129 Media Venture Management Tower Fincher 1,714 feet 522.5 m 1999 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Fincher, Florida
130 Orlando Hearst Argyle Television Tower 1,714 feet 522.5 m 1980 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Orange City, Florida
131 Pinnacle Towers Tower Moody 1,714 feet 522.4 m 1988 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Moody, Texas
132 Clear Channel Broadcasting Tower Rosinton 1,707 feet 520.3 m 1981 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Rosinton, Alabama
133 Pacific and Southern Company Tower Lugoff 1,707 feet 520.2 m 1985 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Lugoff, South Carolina
134 Young Broadcasting Tower Garden City 1,705 feet 519.7 m 1978 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Garden City, South Dakota
135 Gray Television Tower Carlos 1,705 feet 519.7 m 1983 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Carlos, Texas
136 South Dakota Public Broadcasting Network Tower 1,695 feet 516.7 m 1974 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Faith, South Dakota
137 Spectra Site Communications Tower Orange City 1,695 feet 516.6 m 1984 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Orange City, Florida Height reduced to 512.7 metres
138 Christmas Brown Road Tower 1,695 feet 516.6 m 2001 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Christmas, Florida
139 Gray Television Tower Madill 1,694 feet 516.3 m 1984 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Madill, Oklahoma
140 American Tower Christmas 1,684 feet 513.3 m 2001 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Christmas, Florida
141 Richland Towers Bithlo 1,682 feet 512.7 m 2002 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Bithlo, Florida
142 Northland Television Tower Rhinelander 1,682 feet 512.6 m 1979 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Rhinelander, Wisconsin
143 Gray Television Tower Moody 1,679 feet 511.8 m 1978 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Moody, Texas
144 KFVS TV Mast 1,677 feet 511.1 m 1960 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Cape Girardeau County, Missouri World's tallest structure, 1960-1961
145 Taipei 101 1,671 feet 509.2 m 2004 Skyscraper Office, observation, UHF/VHF-transmission Taiwan Taipei
146 Cox Radio Tower Verna 1,667 feet 508.1 m 1994 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Verna, Florida
147 WMTW TV Mast 1,667 feet 508.1 m 2001 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Baldwin, Maine
148 American Towers Tower Cedar Hill 1,661 feet 506.2 m 1999 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Cedar Hill, Texas
149 American Towers Tower Oklahoma City 1,647 feet 502 m 1999 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
150 University of North Carolina Tower 1,642 feet 500.5 m 2000 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Columbia, North Carolina
151 Richland Towers Tower Cedar Hill 2 1,635 feet 498.4 m 2000 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Cedar Hill, Texas
152 WWTV Tower 1,631 feet 497 m 1961 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Cadillac, Michigan Tallest Structure in Michigan
153 WWRR Renda Tower 1,631 feet 497 m 1987 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Kingsland, Georgia
154 QueenB Television Tower 1,627 feet 496 m 1964 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. La Crosse, Wisconsin Height reduced to 484.3 metres
155 KDEB Tower 1,627 feet 496 m 1968 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Fordland, Missouri also known as American Towers Tower Fordland, dismantled
156 WPSD-TV Tower 1,627 feet 495.9 m 2004 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Kevil, Kentucky
157 NVG-Amarillo Tower 1,626 feet 495.6 m 1969 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Amarillo, Texas
158 WGME TV Tower 1,624 feet 495 m 1959 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Raymond, Maine World's tallest structure, 1959-1960
159 Sinclair Television Tower Oklahoma 1,619 feet 493.5 m 1979 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
160 Shanghai World Financial Center 1,614 feet 492 m 2008 Skyscraper Office, hotels, residential China Shanghai topped out
161 WFTV TV Tower Christmas 1,613 feet 491.6 m 2000 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Christmas, Florida
162 WJJY TV Mast 1,611 feet 491 m Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Bluffs, Illinois collapsed in 1978
163 Media General Tower Jackson 1,611 feet 491 m 1989 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Jackson, Mississippi
164 WHNS TV-Tower 1,611 feet 491 m 2001 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Brevard, South Carolina
165 KOBR-TV Tower 1,610 feet 490.7 m 1956 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Caprock, New Mexico also known as KSWS-TV Transmitter, World's tallest structure, 1956-1959, collapsed in 1960 at storm, rebuilt afterwards
166 Joint Venture TV Tower Bithlo 1,608 feet 490.2 m 1992 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Bithlo, Florida
167 American Towers Tower Bithlo 1,605 feet 489.2 m 1984 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Bithlo, Florida
168 NYT Broadcast Holdings Tower Oklahoma 1,601 feet 488 m 1965 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma also known as WKY TV Mast
169 Clear Channel Broadcasting Tower Boykin 1,600 feet 487.8 m 1997 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Boykin, Georgia
170 WVFJ Tower Saint Marks 1,600 feet 487.7 m 1998 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Saint Marks, Georgia
171 Paramount Tower Oklahoma 1,596 feet 486.4 m 1980 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
172 WTVA TV Tower 1,593 feet 485.5 m 1972 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Woodland, Mississippi
173 KTVT Tower 1,587 feet 483.7 m 2002 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Cedar Hill, Texas
174 GBC LP DBA Tower 1,582 feet 482.2 m 1997 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Cedar Hill, Texas dismantled
175 WLFL Tower Apex 1,579 feet 481.3 m 1986 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Apex, North Carolina
176 WFAA Tower 1,578 feet 481 m 1998 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Cedar Hill, Texas
177 Griffin Television Tower Oklahoma 1,576 feet 480.5 m 1954 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma also known as KWTV Tower, World's tallest structure, 1954-1956
178 WCOM-TV Mansfield, Ohio 1,576 feet 480.5 m 1988 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Butler, Ohio Was the tallest structure in Ohio until it was dismantled in 1995
179 Viacom Tower Riverview 1,575 feet 480 m 1998 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Riverview, Florida
180 Tampa Tower General Partnership Tower Riverview 1,573 feet 479.4 m 1987 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Riverview, Florida
181 Riverview Florida West Coast Public Broadcasting Tower 1,572 feet 479.1 m 1999 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Riverview, Florida
182 American Towers Tower Riverview 1,568 feet 478 m 2001 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Riverview, Florida
183 KBSI TV Mast 1,567 feet 477.6 m 1983 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Cape Giradeau, Missouri
184 Media General Tower Saint Ansgar 1,565 feet 477.1 m 1964 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Saint Ansgar, Iowa
185 Red River Broadcast Tower Salem 1,565 feet 477 m 1976 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Salem, South Dakota
186 Hearst-Argyle Television Tower 1,563 feet 476.4 m 1963 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
187 Augusta Tower 1,561 feet 475.6 m 2003 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Jackson, South Carolina
188 WAGT TV Tower 1,560 feet 475.5 m 1985 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Beach Island, South Carolina
189 KPLX Tower 1,559 feet 475.1 m 1969 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Cedar Hill, Texas
190 KTAL TV Tower 1,558 feet 474.9 m 1961 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Vivian, Louisiana
191 Mississippi Authority for Educational Television Tower 1,558 feet 474.9 m 2000 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Raymond, Mississippi
192 KRRT TV Tower 1,553 feet 473.3 m 1985 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Lake Hills, Texas
193 Hearst-Argyle Tower Watsonville 1,552 feet 473.1 m 1984 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Watsonville, California
194 Media General Tower Forest Hill 1,552 feet 473 m 1965 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Forest Hill, Louisiana
195 WVAH Tower 1,552 feet 473 m 1980 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Scott Depot, West Virginia destroyed on February 19, 2003
196 American Towers Tower Cedar Hill]] 2 1,551 feet 472.7 m 1980 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Cedar Hill, Texas
197 KXTV/KOVR/KCRA Tower 1,549 feet 472.1 m 1962 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Walnut Grove, California
198 SpectraSite Tower Holopaw 1,549 feet 472.1 m 1997 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Holopaw, Florida
199 Troll A platform 1,549 feet 472 m 1996 Offshore platform Oil drilling Norway North Sea
200 Morris Tower Perkston 1,540 feet 469.4 m 1986 Guyed mast UHF/VHF-transmission U.S. Perkston, Mississippi
GOVERNOR TOMBLIN DELIVERS
FAREWELL ADDRESS TO STATE LEGISLATURE
CHARLESTON, W.VA. (January 11, 2017)-Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin today
delivered his farewell address to the West Virginia Legislature in the House Chamber at the State Capitol Complex after serving six years as governor and a total of 42 years in public service in the Mountain State.
Information on Gov. Tomblin's accomplishments during his six-year
administration can be found here.
See below for the speech as prepared for delivery:
Mr. Speaker, Mr. President, members of the Board of Public Works, justices of
the Supreme Court of Appeals, members of the Legislature, distinguished guests, and my fellow West Virginians, I stand before you today, after six years in the Governor's office and 42 years in this grand statehouse, with a deep sense of gratitude and reflection and an equally profound hope for West Virginia's future.
Public service has anchored my life's work-from a young 22-year-old in this very House chamber, to a desk across the hall in the State Senate, the Senate President's podium for 17 years and now as your 35th Governor.
It has been the greatest honor-and the greatest reward-to serve the people of this state that we all love. Together, we have put West Virginia first and moved our state forward-even in the midst of tough times, including far-reaching economic shifts, budgetary challenges and historic natural disasters.
West Virginians are strongest in the toughest times. We come together. We lift each other up. And we don't just hope for a better future; we fight for it.
ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION & JOB CREATION
Working hard is exactly what we've done over the past six years to create new economic opportunities for the Mountain State.
We have all seen the dramatic impact of the coal industry's decline in our state. We've seen thousands of jobs lost. Families and communities struggling. People beginning to lose hope.
But I believe in-and have fought to reach-the light around the corner.
Shortly after becoming Governor, I pledged to go anywhere and meet with anyone to grow our state's economy. Across West Virginia, the country and the globe, we have succeeded.
Last year, global giant Procter & Gamble announced it would build its first U.S. manufacturing facility since the 1970s right here in West Virginia in the Eastern Panhandle. This will ultimately be a half-billion dollar investment in the Mountain State and result in hundreds of new jobs.
P&G chose our state after an exhaustive search of many others. And as numerous companies have discovered, I know they will find it to be the best decision they've ever made.
Toyota Motor Manufacturing West Virginia, which recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, has expanded continuously-nine times, in fact.
Today, Toyota employs more than 1,600 people. And the company has invested $1.4 billion since 1996.
Manufacturing jobs, like those at P&G in Martinsburg and Toyota in Buffalo, will be among the most critical to our state's economic future.
In my time as your Governor, I have fought for jobs like these and many more. From Amazon in Huntington and Macy's in Berkeley County, to Bombardier Aerospace manufacturing in Harrison County-which just in November announced an expansion of 150 jobs.
Companies are finding that when they invest in West Virginia, it pays off.
In fact, since 2011, West Virginia has seen more than $15 billion in new investments, spanning 275 projects. We have welcomed more than 60 new companies and secured 215 competitive expansion projects.
Over the past six years, investment projects have reached 22 industries and provided West Virginians with more than 12,000 good-paying jobs.
Right here in the Kanawha Valley, we have one of the best examples of that remarkable progress.
Gestamp has grown beyond the bounds of any of our expectations. Since opening in 2013, Gestamp has tripled production and more than doubled its workforce, now employing nearly 900 West Virginians.
I know that one of the fundamental reasons behind their growth has been our ability to transform workforce training in West Virginia for the better.
STRENGTHENING WORKFORCE TRAINING & EDUCATION
For example, the Learn and Earn program which we launched in 2012, gives our community and technical college students classroom instruction and hands-on work experience simultaneously. These students earn a competitive salary while giving employers a cost-effective way to recruit and train new employees.
Joe Atha is one of these students. A former coal miner, Joe is now a student at BridgeValley Community and Technical College where he is also supporting his family by earning a wage through the Learn and Earn program at Gestamp.
Joe is here today with his wife, Rita. Please stand to be recognized... along with Dr. Sarah Tucker, Chancellor of our Community and Technical College System.
Through forward-thinking programs like this, we can make a real, lasting difference for West Virginians.
That's why I personally convened the West Virginia Workforce Planning Council, which has helped us break down bureaucratic silos and better align classroom learning with the workforce needs of our businesses and industries.
We've even started that process in high schools through the Simulated Workplace program.
Today, our career technical education classrooms have been transformed into businesses. Medical classes are now clinics. Hospitality programs are now catering businesses and restaurants.
And instead of just going to a welding or carpentry class, our students are now part of a construction company, complete with job foremen and safety inspectors.
Just last month, we celebrated a heartwarming moment as a result of the hard work of more than 2,000 of these students from 12 high schools across the state.
Together with the Department of Education's Career Technical Education division, the West Virginia National Guard and our Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, we presented keys to tiny homes that were designed and built by these students for survivors of the historic floods that hit our state last June.
REBUILDING FROM NATURAL DISASTERS
Time and again, in the aftermath of this tragic flooding we have seen the selflessness of West Virginians make a difference for one another.
The "Big Hearts Give Tiny Homes" project was a shining example of that West Virginia spirit-one that made an overwhelming difference for 15 families impacted by the flooding, including Brenda Rivers from Nicholas County, whose home was a total loss in the flooding. Brenda now lives in a new tiny home built by students, including Chance Ballard from Spring Valley High School in Wayne County.
Please join me in welcoming Brenda and Chance ... along with Dr. Kathy D'Antoni ... whose visionary leadership at the Department of Education has made Simulated Workplace the success it is today.
Working hand-in-hand with the federal government and local officials, our immediate response to the flooding was quick and effective. We were able to expedite federal assistance to our communities and families in need. And over the past seven months, we have been able to shift our focus to long-term recovery.
Through a public-private approach, we launched the RISE West Virginia program, which in total has provided nearly $2 million to 230 small businesses in the flood-impacted counties-funding that is helping them reopen or continue operations and keep fueling our local economies.
I would like to thank, once again, West Virginia native and champion Brad Smith-the CEO of Intuit, one of the world's leading financial software companies-and his wife Alys for their family donation of $500,000, which gave the RISE program its first, needed boost.
West Virginia has experienced more than its share of disasters during my time as your Governor-this historic flooding, the Derecho, Hurricane Sandy, Winter Storms Thor and Jonas and the water crisis.
Through it all, we have grown stronger, we have improved our emergency response capabilities and we have strengthened public safety.
Adversity demands resilience. That's what we have shown in these challenges and many more-including one of the most trying epidemics I believe the Mountain State has ever faced-with the sharp rise in substance abuse and addiction.
FIGHTING SUBSTANCE ABUSE
That's why in 2011, I issued an Executive Order to create the Governor's Advisory Council on Substance Abuse, made up of representatives of substance abuse prevention, behavioral medicine, law enforcement, child and adolescent psychology, the legal system, residential treatment facilities, the public school system, the faith community and health care.
My vision for this Council was a community-driven, ground-up approach to tackling this epidemic. Through community-based task forces in six regions across the state, we have made significant progress and enacted life-saving reforms.
We now look at substance abuse as an illness-not a crime.
We have decreased the number of meth labs across the state as the result of making it more difficult to obtain pseudoephedrine.
We have expanded access to the life-saving drug Narcan to first responders and family members of those struggling with addiction. Last year alone, hundreds of lives were saved as a result.
We have substance abuse prevention services in all 55 counties. We have expanded and improved community-based treatment options and recovery services. Across the state, we have 188 crisis detox beds in residential treatment facilities with more sites under development.
We have 118 beds designated for youth and postpartum treatment as well as short-term and long-term residential treatment. And we have over 1,000 beds for those seeking help and support through peer and provider recovery homes and facilities.
We are working closely with our prisons and correctional facilities to ensure all West Virginians are provided access to substance abuse rehabilitation.
In fact, the Division of Corrections operates nine residential substance abuse treatment units in correctional centers across the state and we have expanded this model to our regional jail facilities as well.
And-through Justice Reinvestment-we have successfully worked to address substance abuse, which is the root cause of many crimes.
Because of that work, we have expanded drug courts, substance abuse counseling and greater supervision after release.
And ultimately, we have better controlled incarceration rates, which prevented our state from having to build a new $200 million prison that was projected to be needed because of our previous rising prison population.
Just this week, we announced the news that West Virginia reached settlements with two additional drug wholesalers totaling $36 million, which resolves allegations by our state regarding the distribution of controlled substances in West Virginia.
This brings the total amount of drug settlement money paid to our state by drug wholesalers to $47 million, which will expand our efforts even further for more law enforcement diversion options, more treatment recovery services and many more efforts to fight this epidemic.
I am also deeply proud of the work we have done in creating the state's first 24-hour substance abuse call line, 844-HELP-4-WV, which has received nearly 8,500 calls since it launched in September 2015.
The help line provides referral support for those seeking help and recovery services. It's an opportunity for people who are struggling to talk with someone who cares, get connected to treatment options and begin the road to recovery.
No caller is ever placed on hold and they are immediately connected with treatment staff representing the best and most appropriate treatment options for them.
Administered by First Choice Health Systems of West Virginia, the help line is staffed by certified professionals, many who have overcome addiction themselves and want to help others turn their lives around as well.
One young gentleman I met did just that because he picked up the phone.
A.J. Walker, a recovering alcoholic and addict, was given the help line number by his brother.
A.J. said when he called, he was treated like a person-not like a drug addict-and he found hope. They got him into a detox facility and into recovery, and the help line staff called and checked in on him every step of the way.
Today, A.J. is employed by the treatment facility that helped him and he's in school studying to become a substance abuse counselor.
A.J. is here today with his brother, Andrew, and Vickie Jones ... Commissioner of our Bureau of Behavioral Health and Health Facilities.
A.J. we are so proud of you. And today ... you are giving hope to so many.
When I hear stories like A.J.'s, I am incredibly optimistic for West Virginia's future. With economic changes, job losses and families struggling, we have to seize every opportunity before us to become stronger as individuals and as a state.
One such opportunity lies in Boone and Lincoln Counties, where I believe we have the chance to revitalize Southern West Virginia and make the Mountain State stronger.
EMBRACING THE FUTURE
It was here in this chamber, one year ago during my State of the State Address, where I announced plans for the largest development project in West Virginia's history at the former Hobet surface mine site.
Since last year at this time, we have worked every day and we have made tremendous progress on this project, which is now known as Rock Creek Development Park.
We have worked with local landowners, who are generously donating land that will result in more than 12,000 developable acres for Rock Creek, which is the size of the city of Huntington.
The West Virginia National Guard-Rock Creek's first tenant-is on the ground with newly-expanded operations for maintenance work and training.
And we have a long-term strategic plan now in place, which looks at demographics and market trends to help us identify the best investment opportunities for Rock Creek.
For generations, our coal miners, workers and their families have kept West Virginia strong. Now, it's our turn to help them.
By realizing the full potential of Rock Creek Development Park for job creation and economic diversification, we can build up a region of our state hard hit by the downturn in the coal industry.
My vision for Rock Creek started many years ago as I rode my four-wheeler around the hills of Southern West Virginia and saw the possibilities that such an enormous site-with such a great amount of flat land-could have.
Embracing opportunities like this takes careful thought and planning, and this public-private project will require some investment by the state. But I believe wholeheartedly that the returns will vastly exceed our investment.
That isn't something I say lightly.
Throughout my 42 years in public service, fiscal responsibility has been at the heart of every project I've undertaken, every policy I've fought for and every decision I've made.
GOVERNING RESPONSIBLY
As a result of much hard work, over the years we have decreased taxes, embraced responsible spending, made great progress toward paying off the state's unfunded liabilities and controlled growth of the state's budget.
We have realized milestone tax reforms, including progressive elimination of the food tax, saving West Virginians $162 million each year.
We have gradually eliminated the state's business franchise tax and decreased the corporate net income tax-changes that make West Virginia more attractive for business investments.
As a result of responsible reforms, last year the National Council on Compensation Insurance filed the 12th reduction in workers' compensation premiums in 12 years. And West Virginia employers have seen a savings of more than $352 million since we privatized the program in 2006.
We addressed our Other Post Employment Benefits by dedicating $30 million annually to pay off the $5 billion unfunded liability, which was caused by previous promises that became too expensive to maintain.
As I did last year, I present to you today a budget that is balanced, but a budget that requires difficult decisions and thinking about the next generation rather than the next election.
I continue to be proud of the fiscal responsibility we have shown not just for the past six years, but over the last generation. Our commitment to paying down our long-term liabilities has not wavered and we have responsibly reduced taxes on both our employers and our employees.
Because of our improved fiscal policies, we have been able to refinance bonds that pay for schools, water and sewer lines, college campus improvements and roads to save more than $100 million in the past six years.
So when people ask me why I'm so concerned with maintaining our Rainy Day Fund and our bond rating, that's why. It means more schools, more roads and more homes with clean water.
As part of tough decisions during tough economic times, we have cut more than $600 million from our budget in the past five years. While we all continue to hope that the coal industry will rebound, that hasn't happened quickly and it likely won't ever return to the levels that we once saw.
We continue to work to diversify our economy and I know the improvements we've made will pay long-term dividends in job growth and investment.
But we're not there yet, and part of being fiscally responsible means making sure that we can pay our bills without taking the Rainy Day Fund to dangerously low levels or cutting services to the point where we cannot care for our people or educate our students.
Therefore, the budget I present to you today includes a 1 percent increase in the consumer sales tax to raise $200 million and elimination of the current sales tax exemption on telecommunications services-a move that would make our system the same as 80 percent of the country.
I understand these taxes will not be easy, but asking people to pay a few dollars more now is a far better choice than seeing PEIA cards not accepted by medical providers or going back to the days when we couldn't finance school and road improvements, or even pay the gas bill at the Governor's Mansion.
I urge you to consider these responsible actions to balance the budget until the brighter economic picture that we all expect comes into focus.
CLOSING
I believe the thing that compelled each of us to public service is our love for West Virginia. And that is the very thing that should compel us to work together.
When I became your Governor, I said that we must put West Virginia first.
That's what we have done. And I encourage you to continue working together out of that deep devotion to our beloved state-in the coming year and beyond.
I am proud of the work that we have accomplished. I look forward to the leadership of Governor-elect Jim Justice and I thank all of you who have worked with me over the years.
I thank my cabinet members and agency directors. And I thank my dedicated staff members who have worked every day-not for me, but for the people of West Virginia.
It has been the honor of my life to be your Governor-to be West Virginia's Governor. Joanne and I thank the people of West Virginia for your abiding trust, counsel and support.
And we look forward-with the greatest hope and optimism-to an even stronger West Virginia.
Thank you. God bless you. And God bless the great state of West Virginia.
###
Photos available for media use. All photos should be attributed “Photo courtesy of Office of the Governor.”
GOVERNOR TOMBLIN DELIVERS
FAREWELL ADDRESS TO STATE LEGISLATURE
CHARLESTON, W.VA. (January 11, 2017)-Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin today
delivered his farewell address to the West Virginia Legislature in the House Chamber at the State Capitol Complex after serving six years as governor and a total of 42 years in public service in the Mountain State.
Information on Gov. Tomblin's accomplishments during his six-year
administration can be found here.
See below for the speech as prepared for delivery:
Mr. Speaker, Mr. President, members of the Board of Public Works, justices of
the Supreme Court of Appeals, members of the Legislature, distinguished guests, and my fellow West Virginians, I stand before you today, after six years in the Governor's office and 42 years in this grand statehouse, with a deep sense of gratitude and reflection and an equally profound hope for West Virginia's future.
Public service has anchored my life's work-from a young 22-year-old in this very House chamber, to a desk across the hall in the State Senate, the Senate President's podium for 17 years and now as your 35th Governor.
It has been the greatest honor-and the greatest reward-to serve the people of this state that we all love. Together, we have put West Virginia first and moved our state forward-even in the midst of tough times, including far-reaching economic shifts, budgetary challenges and historic natural disasters.
West Virginians are strongest in the toughest times. We come together. We lift each other up. And we don't just hope for a better future; we fight for it.
ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION & JOB CREATION
Working hard is exactly what we've done over the past six years to create new economic opportunities for the Mountain State.
We have all seen the dramatic impact of the coal industry's decline in our state. We've seen thousands of jobs lost. Families and communities struggling. People beginning to lose hope.
But I believe in-and have fought to reach-the light around the corner.
Shortly after becoming Governor, I pledged to go anywhere and meet with anyone to grow our state's economy. Across West Virginia, the country and the globe, we have succeeded.
Last year, global giant Procter & Gamble announced it would build its first U.S. manufacturing facility since the 1970s right here in West Virginia in the Eastern Panhandle. This will ultimately be a half-billion dollar investment in the Mountain State and result in hundreds of new jobs.
P&G chose our state after an exhaustive search of many others. And as numerous companies have discovered, I know they will find it to be the best decision they've ever made.
Toyota Motor Manufacturing West Virginia, which recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, has expanded continuously-nine times, in fact.
Today, Toyota employs more than 1,600 people. And the company has invested $1.4 billion since 1996.
Manufacturing jobs, like those at P&G in Martinsburg and Toyota in Buffalo, will be among the most critical to our state's economic future.
In my time as your Governor, I have fought for jobs like these and many more. From Amazon in Huntington and Macy's in Berkeley County, to Bombardier Aerospace manufacturing in Harrison County-which just in November announced an expansion of 150 jobs.
Companies are finding that when they invest in West Virginia, it pays off.
In fact, since 2011, West Virginia has seen more than $15 billion in new investments, spanning 275 projects. We have welcomed more than 60 new companies and secured 215 competitive expansion projects.
Over the past six years, investment projects have reached 22 industries and provided West Virginians with more than 12,000 good-paying jobs.
Right here in the Kanawha Valley, we have one of the best examples of that remarkable progress.
Gestamp has grown beyond the bounds of any of our expectations. Since opening in 2013, Gestamp has tripled production and more than doubled its workforce, now employing nearly 900 West Virginians.
I know that one of the fundamental reasons behind their growth has been our ability to transform workforce training in West Virginia for the better.
STRENGTHENING WORKFORCE TRAINING & EDUCATION
For example, the Learn and Earn program which we launched in 2012, gives our community and technical college students classroom instruction and hands-on work experience simultaneously. These students earn a competitive salary while giving employers a cost-effective way to recruit and train new employees.
Joe Atha is one of these students. A former coal miner, Joe is now a student at BridgeValley Community and Technical College where he is also supporting his family by earning a wage through the Learn and Earn program at Gestamp.
Joe is here today with his wife, Rita. Please stand to be recognized... along with Dr. Sarah Tucker, Chancellor of our Community and Technical College System.
Through forward-thinking programs like this, we can make a real, lasting difference for West Virginians.
That's why I personally convened the West Virginia Workforce Planning Council, which has helped us break down bureaucratic silos and better align classroom learning with the workforce needs of our businesses and industries.
We've even started that process in high schools through the Simulated Workplace program.
Today, our career technical education classrooms have been transformed into businesses. Medical classes are now clinics. Hospitality programs are now catering businesses and restaurants.
And instead of just going to a welding or carpentry class, our students are now part of a construction company, complete with job foremen and safety inspectors.
Just last month, we celebrated a heartwarming moment as a result of the hard work of more than 2,000 of these students from 12 high schools across the state.
Together with the Department of Education's Career Technical Education division, the West Virginia National Guard and our Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, we presented keys to tiny homes that were designed and built by these students for survivors of the historic floods that hit our state last June.
REBUILDING FROM NATURAL DISASTERS
Time and again, in the aftermath of this tragic flooding we have seen the selflessness of West Virginians make a difference for one another.
The "Big Hearts Give Tiny Homes" project was a shining example of that West Virginia spirit-one that made an overwhelming difference for 15 families impacted by the flooding, including Brenda Rivers from Nicholas County, whose home was a total loss in the flooding. Brenda now lives in a new tiny home built by students, including Chance Ballard from Spring Valley High School in Wayne County.
Please join me in welcoming Brenda and Chance ... along with Dr. Kathy D'Antoni ... whose visionary leadership at the Department of Education has made Simulated Workplace the success it is today.
Working hand-in-hand with the federal government and local officials, our immediate response to the flooding was quick and effective. We were able to expedite federal assistance to our communities and families in need. And over the past seven months, we have been able to shift our focus to long-term recovery.
Through a public-private approach, we launched the RISE West Virginia program, which in total has provided nearly $2 million to 230 small businesses in the flood-impacted counties-funding that is helping them reopen or continue operations and keep fueling our local economies.
I would like to thank, once again, West Virginia native and champion Brad Smith-the CEO of Intuit, one of the world's leading financial software companies-and his wife Alys for their family donation of $500,000, which gave the RISE program its first, needed boost.
West Virginia has experienced more than its share of disasters during my time as your Governor-this historic flooding, the Derecho, Hurricane Sandy, Winter Storms Thor and Jonas and the water crisis.
Through it all, we have grown stronger, we have improved our emergency response capabilities and we have strengthened public safety.
Adversity demands resilience. That's what we have shown in these challenges and many more-including one of the most trying epidemics I believe the Mountain State has ever faced-with the sharp rise in substance abuse and addiction.
FIGHTING SUBSTANCE ABUSE
That's why in 2011, I issued an Executive Order to create the Governor's Advisory Council on Substance Abuse, made up of representatives of substance abuse prevention, behavioral medicine, law enforcement, child and adolescent psychology, the legal system, residential treatment facilities, the public school system, the faith community and health care.
My vision for this Council was a community-driven, ground-up approach to tackling this epidemic. Through community-based task forces in six regions across the state, we have made significant progress and enacted life-saving reforms.
We now look at substance abuse as an illness-not a crime.
We have decreased the number of meth labs across the state as the result of making it more difficult to obtain pseudoephedrine.
We have expanded access to the life-saving drug Narcan to first responders and family members of those struggling with addiction. Last year alone, hundreds of lives were saved as a result.
We have substance abuse prevention services in all 55 counties. We have expanded and improved community-based treatment options and recovery services. Across the state, we have 188 crisis detox beds in residential treatment facilities with more sites under development.
We have 118 beds designated for youth and postpartum treatment as well as short-term and long-term residential treatment. And we have over 1,000 beds for those seeking help and support through peer and provider recovery homes and facilities.
We are working closely with our prisons and correctional facilities to ensure all West Virginians are provided access to substance abuse rehabilitation.
In fact, the Division of Corrections operates nine residential substance abuse treatment units in correctional centers across the state and we have expanded this model to our regional jail facilities as well.
And-through Justice Reinvestment-we have successfully worked to address substance abuse, which is the root cause of many crimes.
Because of that work, we have expanded drug courts, substance abuse counseling and greater supervision after release.
And ultimately, we have better controlled incarceration rates, which prevented our state from having to build a new $200 million prison that was projected to be needed because of our previous rising prison population.
Just this week, we announced the news that West Virginia reached settlements with two additional drug wholesalers totaling $36 million, which resolves allegations by our state regarding the distribution of controlled substances in West Virginia.
This brings the total amount of drug settlement money paid to our state by drug wholesalers to $47 million, which will expand our efforts even further for more law enforcement diversion options, more treatment recovery services and many more efforts to fight this epidemic.
I am also deeply proud of the work we have done in creating the state's first 24-hour substance abuse call line, 844-HELP-4-WV, which has received nearly 8,500 calls since it launched in September 2015.
The help line provides referral support for those seeking help and recovery services. It's an opportunity for people who are struggling to talk with someone who cares, get connected to treatment options and begin the road to recovery.
No caller is ever placed on hold and they are immediately connected with treatment staff representing the best and most appropriate treatment options for them.
Administered by First Choice Health Systems of West Virginia, the help line is staffed by certified professionals, many who have overcome addiction themselves and want to help others turn their lives around as well.
One young gentleman I met did just that because he picked up the phone.
A.J. Walker, a recovering alcoholic and addict, was given the help line number by his brother.
A.J. said when he called, he was treated like a person-not like a drug addict-and he found hope. They got him into a detox facility and into recovery, and the help line staff called and checked in on him every step of the way.
Today, A.J. is employed by the treatment facility that helped him and he's in school studying to become a substance abuse counselor.
A.J. is here today with his brother, Andrew, and Vickie Jones ... Commissioner of our Bureau of Behavioral Health and Health Facilities.
A.J. we are so proud of you. And today ... you are giving hope to so many.
When I hear stories like A.J.'s, I am incredibly optimistic for West Virginia's future. With economic changes, job losses and families struggling, we have to seize every opportunity before us to become stronger as individuals and as a state.
One such opportunity lies in Boone and Lincoln Counties, where I believe we have the chance to revitalize Southern West Virginia and make the Mountain State stronger.
EMBRACING THE FUTURE
It was here in this chamber, one year ago during my State of the State Address, where I announced plans for the largest development project in West Virginia's history at the former Hobet surface mine site.
Since last year at this time, we have worked every day and we have made tremendous progress on this project, which is now known as Rock Creek Development Park.
We have worked with local landowners, who are generously donating land that will result in more than 12,000 developable acres for Rock Creek, which is the size of the city of Huntington.
The West Virginia National Guard-Rock Creek's first tenant-is on the ground with newly-expanded operations for maintenance work and training.
And we have a long-term strategic plan now in place, which looks at demographics and market trends to help us identify the best investment opportunities for Rock Creek.
For generations, our coal miners, workers and their families have kept West Virginia strong. Now, it's our turn to help them.
By realizing the full potential of Rock Creek Development Park for job creation and economic diversification, we can build up a region of our state hard hit by the downturn in the coal industry.
My vision for Rock Creek started many years ago as I rode my four-wheeler around the hills of Southern West Virginia and saw the possibilities that such an enormous site-with such a great amount of flat land-could have.
Embracing opportunities like this takes careful thought and planning, and this public-private project will require some investment by the state. But I believe wholeheartedly that the returns will vastly exceed our investment.
That isn't something I say lightly.
Throughout my 42 years in public service, fiscal responsibility has been at the heart of every project I've undertaken, every policy I've fought for and every decision I've made.
GOVERNING RESPONSIBLY
As a result of much hard work, over the years we have decreased taxes, embraced responsible spending, made great progress toward paying off the state's unfunded liabilities and controlled growth of the state's budget.
We have realized milestone tax reforms, including progressive elimination of the food tax, saving West Virginians $162 million each year.
We have gradually eliminated the state's business franchise tax and decreased the corporate net income tax-changes that make West Virginia more attractive for business investments.
As a result of responsible reforms, last year the National Council on Compensation Insurance filed the 12th reduction in workers' compensation premiums in 12 years. And West Virginia employers have seen a savings of more than $352 million since we privatized the program in 2006.
We addressed our Other Post Employment Benefits by dedicating $30 million annually to pay off the $5 billion unfunded liability, which was caused by previous promises that became too expensive to maintain.
As I did last year, I present to you today a budget that is balanced, but a budget that requires difficult decisions and thinking about the next generation rather than the next election.
I continue to be proud of the fiscal responsibility we have shown not just for the past six years, but over the last generation. Our commitment to paying down our long-term liabilities has not wavered and we have responsibly reduced taxes on both our employers and our employees.
Because of our improved fiscal policies, we have been able to refinance bonds that pay for schools, water and sewer lines, college campus improvements and roads to save more than $100 million in the past six years.
So when people ask me why I'm so concerned with maintaining our Rainy Day Fund and our bond rating, that's why. It means more schools, more roads and more homes with clean water.
As part of tough decisions during tough economic times, we have cut more than $600 million from our budget in the past five years. While we all continue to hope that the coal industry will rebound, that hasn't happened quickly and it likely won't ever return to the levels that we once saw.
We continue to work to diversify our economy and I know the improvements we've made will pay long-term dividends in job growth and investment.
But we're not there yet, and part of being fiscally responsible means making sure that we can pay our bills without taking the Rainy Day Fund to dangerously low levels or cutting services to the point where we cannot care for our people or educate our students.
Therefore, the budget I present to you today includes a 1 percent increase in the consumer sales tax to raise $200 million and elimination of the current sales tax exemption on telecommunications services-a move that would make our system the same as 80 percent of the country.
I understand these taxes will not be easy, but asking people to pay a few dollars more now is a far better choice than seeing PEIA cards not accepted by medical providers or going back to the days when we couldn't finance school and road improvements, or even pay the gas bill at the Governor's Mansion.
I urge you to consider these responsible actions to balance the budget until the brighter economic picture that we all expect comes into focus.
CLOSING
I believe the thing that compelled each of us to public service is our love for West Virginia. And that is the very thing that should compel us to work together.
When I became your Governor, I said that we must put West Virginia first.
That's what we have done. And I encourage you to continue working together out of that deep devotion to our beloved state-in the coming year and beyond.
I am proud of the work that we have accomplished. I look forward to the leadership of Governor-elect Jim Justice and I thank all of you who have worked with me over the years.
I thank my cabinet members and agency directors. And I thank my dedicated staff members who have worked every day-not for me, but for the people of West Virginia.
It has been the honor of my life to be your Governor-to be West Virginia's Governor. Joanne and I thank the people of West Virginia for your abiding trust, counsel and support.
And we look forward-with the greatest hope and optimism-to an even stronger West Virginia.
Thank you. God bless you. And God bless the great state of West Virginia.
###
Photos available for media use. All photos should be attributed “Photo courtesy of Office of the Governor.”