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Posts Tagged ‘Down’

An average of 50 to 90 inches of water is applied to L.A. lawns every year, but the average annual rainfall is only 15 inches. Faced with yet another dry summer, the various municipalities are beginning to impose water restrictions and rules on water usage.

Sacramento is the worst offender at 280 gallons per day; the highest per-person water usage in the U.S. An estimated 65 percent of that water is used for watering lawns. In an effort to set an example, this year, instead of the usual seasonal restrictions, the rules are permanent.

The changes include:

Lawn water banned from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (during the hottest times of the day when evaporation is at its peak).

When washing cars with a hose, it must be equipped with a shut off nozzle.

During standard time (November to March), watering is only permitted one day a week. Other times watering is allowed on alternate days (actual day is determined by your address), and no watering on Mondays.

Water waste is not permitted. Water cannot be allowed to run off the property into the gutters or streets during irrigation.

Washing driveways, sidewalks or parking lots is banned unless prior approval has been received.

Exceptions:

New sod or landscaping may be watered daily for 21 consecutive days from planting.

Penalties:

Ignoring these laws come with harsh penalties that include:

First violation: written notification.

Second violation: $25 fine which will be waived upon completion of a water conservation class.

Third violation: $100 fine.

Fourth and subsequent violations: $500 fine.

All of the above amounts are doubled during a water shortage. In Malibu, Topanga and Marina areas, the county is threatening to raise water rates if water usage is not reduced by 15%.

Although there are only three employees assigned to investigate reports, all city employees are encouraged to uphold the rules by reporting incidents of excess usage.

What is the city doing to market this program? For now, they are spending $80,000 to communicate the new rules and educate the public on water conservation. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power is offering a rebate up to $2,000 for those who replace their grass with an drought-friendly alternative, as outlined in the Residential Drought Resistant Landscape Incentive Program.

“It’s important we set an example, as a region and state capital, on conservation efforts,” said Mike Malone, field supervisor in the Utilities Department. “We don’t know what the future is going to hold. So it’s important we take steps to preserve this precious resource.”

“Our goal is for the city to be known as a water conservation capital,” said Marty Hanneman, assistant city manager and utilities director. “We know we’ve got a long way to go, but this is a big step forward.”

How has the public reacted to these new restrictions?

Many view this as a money grab intended to balance the skyrocketing municipal and state budgets. For the numerous home owners who don’t even water their lawns, how will they be rewarded? Others say that the wealthy home owners with massive lawns and multiple fountains, pools and hot tubs are the true culprits, and none of these penalties are likely to have any effect on their watering habits.

In today’s economy, No money, little money, low money down is available on delivery and cargo vans, light and medium duty trucks, box trucks etc. Some lenders are offering guaranteed financing and others offering special type financing. With this volatile economy, there are many buying and financing opportunities available…

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In today’s economy, No money, little money, low money down is available on Peterbilt semi trucks, big rig trucks, over the road trucks and tractor trailers for repos and off leases.

At the present time, lenders/dealers are loaded with repo and off lease trucks and trailers. These inventories are disrupting them from continuing their normal selling practices. In addition, these huge inventories are hurting their working capital and related cash flow. Today, we are seeing dealers/lenders offering concessions on a combination of pricing and financing.

Some lenders/dealers are offering easy financing, guaranteed financing and no money down to commence a buying opportunity. These economic conditions have given the first time buyer a large opportunity to enter this market as an owner operator. This can enhance their earning potential and free them from the employer/employee relationship. On the other hand, businesses looking to expand their fleet can use this favorable opportunity to obtain additional trucks and trailers for no money down or very little down and favorable financing.

Some lenders/dealers have waived strong credit scores as a criteria and will approve applicants for repos and off lease trucks that have credit scores below 600. All the lenders have different lending and financing options, therefore it is important to shop around and compare the information. In addition, the available repos, off lease trucks and trailers have been reconditioned and are ready to put back out onto the highways.

The ways to locate these specials are through publications like truckpaper, commercial trader, machinery trader, contacting banks, brokers and researching kewords throughThe internet… Additional publications and auctions are available to research These repo and off lease opportunities….

Examples of Semi Trucks, Big Rig Trucks, and Over the Road Trucks Include the following:

Peterbilt 379, Peterbilt Extended Hood, Peterbilt Raised Roof, Peterbilt 387, All other older models Peterbilts,

In conclusion, this economic downturn has created a buying and financing opportunity for the startup owner operator and the business that wants to expand its fleet. It is not unheard of that these lenders/dealers offer multiple units to a seasoned business for an expansion opportunity.. These financing deals usually are for sixty months and offer buy out clauses from $1.00 to 20%. It is always advisable for the buyer to consult a professional before acquiring and financing a truck and/or trailer. Additionally, there are new depreciation rules into effect for 2008 and 2009 that the buyer should be aware of …..

Happy hunting for your repo and/or off lease acquisition…