Hey members of the media!
We wanted to give an end-of-boating-season update on our efforts in preventing quagga mussels from spreading this year. The numbers all increased from last year and a full recap can be seen below.
We also want to remind boaters that even during the "off-season" they need to clean, drain and dry their boats when leaving Lake Powell or other out-of-state infested waters. Thanks for spreading this message!
For Immediate Release
Nov. 6, 2019
Nearly 300K boat inspections completed in 2019 to prevent invasive quagga mussels from spreading
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and State Parks personnel were busy during the 2019 boating season, completing almost 300,000 boat inspections in an effort to prevent invasive quagga mussels from spreading from Lake Powell and other infested waters to other Utah waterbodies.
DWR and State Parks completed a total of 295,238 boat inspections across Utah, a 22% increase from the previous year’s 241,557 inspections. They also decontaminated 8,683 boats, a 13% increase from the 7,684 boats that required decontamination during the 2018 boating season.
Lake Powell is currently the only waterbody in Utah with quagga mussels, and saw a majority of this year’s efforts. DWR and National Park Service staff conducted 99,571 inspections at Lake Powell, a 54% increase from the previous year’s 64,482 inspections at the popular boating destination.
The busiest weekend for boating inspections and decontaimations fell on the weekend after the Fourth of July. A total of 9,730 inspections were done statewide on July 6-7.
“This was an extremely busy and exhausting year for our crews,” Nathan Owens, the DWR Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator, said. “However, despite that, our crews at Lake Powell were able to increase the numbers of inspections and decontaminations that were performed on departing boats, while simultaneously dealing with the huge increase in the number of boats that were retrieved from the water with mussels onboard.”
DWR law enforcement officers were also kept busy enforcing the mandatory inspection stations and administrative checkpoints. As of Sept. 23, conservation officers had stopped a total of 9,192 boaters in 2019, and had issued citations for 438 violations.
“Overall, boaters have been really supportive of our inspection and monitoring efforts,” Scott Dalebout, the DWR statewide operations lieutenant, said. “We really appreciate their cooperation and continued efforts to help us in preventing the spread of this invasive species.”
While the busiest part of the boating season typically ends by the first of November, DWR personnel will still be performing boat inspections year-round at Lake Powell and boaters are still required to comply with inspections.
“If you happen to be taking your boat off Lake Powell at a time when our staff isn’t available for an inspection, we are still asking boaters to clean, drain and dry their boat,” Dalebout said. “It is very important to continue to be vigilant throughout all times of the year.”
DWR also plans to increase efforts for next year to continue the containment of aquatic invasive species at Lake Powell.
“We are currently operating above capacity and our folks are exhausted,” Dalebout said. “We are trying to change some things to become more efficient and garner more resources for these efforts.”
Steps for decontaminating a boat
To help prevent the spread of quagga mussels, after you are done boating at Lake Powell or anywhere out of state, you must do the following to decontaminate your boat if you choose not to have a professional hot water decontamination done:
Clean: Boaters should wipe all mud, plant materials and other debris from their boat. In particular, make sure to inspect the anchor and sea strainer.
Drain: Boaters are required to pull all drain plugs and leave them out during transport
and storage after boating on Lake Powell. All water should be completely drained from
ballast tanks, bilges and live wells. Boaters with outboard or inboard/outboard engines
should drop the lower unit to drain those areas, as well. Also, flush and inspect the cooling intake or water system on the boat.
Dry: All boats with ballast tanks, inboard engines or inboard/outboard engines retain
water at all times. As a result, boats must remain out of the water for 30 days after a visit to Lake Powell before you can launch anywhere else in Utah, regardless of the time of year.
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Hi Jim,
Please see the below article that is free for your use. For an interview or comments from Jennifer Lynch please reach out and I will be happy to coordinate.
Ashley
How Parents Can Show The Love
Equally To Each Very Different Child
Children need love and attention from their parents, but having two or more children can pose a challenge for moms and dads to spread the warmth evenly.
Sometimes this imbalance occurs when siblings are sharply different in terms of talents and personality. Jennifer Lynch, an educator, child advocate and author of the children’s book Livi and Grace (www.jenniferlynchbooks.com), says giving children equal attentiveness is important to their happiness and starts with parents appreciating their uniqueness.
“Children are unique, unknown little people waiting to be revealed,” Lynch says. “Parents need to ask themselves, how can I embrace these differences and make each child feel and recognize their beautiful uniqueness?
“Let the mystery of who they are and who they are meant to be unfold in their own authentic way, however awesome or peculiar it is. Everyone is different and it’s important to make every child feel special, important and loved.”
Lynch offers these tips to help parents balance their attention on multiple children who have different interests, personalities, and talents:
Give them quality one-on-one time. Consistently taking time to give your children one-on-one time, Lynch says, shows them you care and that they are important. “This means no phones, no distractions, and being 100 percent present with your child,” Lynch says. “Make eye contact, ask questions, and just listen and let them lead at whatever activity or interaction is taking place. This makes them feel safe, in control and loved.”
Celebrate their uniqueness. An imbalance in parental attention can lead to siblings comparing themselves — never a good idea because that can create jealousy and low self-esteem, thus accentuating a sibling rivalry. At the same time, children may think the parent is showing favoritism. “Susie may be faster than Johnny, but Johnny may be a brilliant chess player,” Lynch says. “So when they begin to compare themselves with their siblings, take that conversation and turn it into how great it is that they each have a place that shines. And bring in more examples of how their differences are beautiful and important. Set up scenarios showing examples of how those differences are good.”
Show your love for them. “You obviously love your children, so don’t be afraid to show it,” Lynch says. “Give them that authentic shout-out, or the gentle, grace- filled redirection and encouragement when they need to try again at something, whether it’s poor behavior or just losing a game. Leave the shame out of it.”
Validate them but be authentic. When it comes to praise, Lynch says quality is much more important than quantity. “Children can recognize a fake compliment a mile away,” Lynch says. “They know if you’ve really seen them or not. They know if it’s from the heart or just surface praise.”
“In these ways, showing appreciation for who each of them are will help your children develop confidence in themselves,” Lynch says. “They will take your lead and begin to find other amazing things about themselves and their friends. Making each of your very different children feel truly loved and valued will help them grow up to be happy and responsible adults.”
About Jennifer Lynch
Jennifer Lynch, author of the children’s book Livi and Grace (www.jenniferlynchbooks.com), is an educator and child advocate who serves as a guardian ad litem, a person appointed to represent a child’s interests in a court case. She has worked as a special education teacher for an elementary school and as a preschool teacher. In addition, Lynch created the You Are Good brand of T-shirts and other products for sale and for donations. Thousands of the shirts have been donated to children and teenagers in the system. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Texas A&M University.
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he US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is sounding the alarm as the 2019–2020 flu season is escalating FAST.
Local employers are scrambling to keep their offices flu-free. Unfortunately, many workers who come to work sick pass along germs at the office, which becomes a breeding ground for disease. Studies indicate the average adult brings their fingers to the nose, mouth or eyes about 16 times per hour, and germs thrive on human touch. The flu can cost the United States up to $167 billion per year in healthcare costs and lost productivity.
Local cleaning pros with Stratus Building Solutions, the nation’s leading commercial cleaning and janitorial company, recently conducted a study that sheds a light on why the flu may be running rampant in office spaces across the country:
That’s why Stratus created “Fight the Office Flu” kits to help businesses stay as flu-free as possible.
This flu season, our local cleaning experts are heading out to offices to drop off flu kits and help employees clean up Office Germ Hot Spots!
Top Office Germ Hot Spots:
Key Prevention Tips:
Flight the Flu Kits Include:
Flu recap:
Ways To Avoid Reckless Holiday Spending
That Could Wreck Your Retirement
While an enjoyable part of the holiday season is giving to others, those nearing retirement would be prudent to give something back to themselves as the year nears its end.
That’s the advice from some retirement planners: Reduce holiday spending to provide more money for one’s retirement savings. But it’s a well-known fact that much of America wakes up with a credit card hangover on New Year’s Day, and curtailing holiday expenses in favor of financial planning for one’s future requires more discipline and a stronger commitment.
“It’s easy to overspend during the holidays and make too many emotional purchase decisions,” says Jay Sharifi, an investment advisor at Legacy Wealth Management (www.lwealthmanagement.com) and author of Building a Better Legacy: Retirement Planning for Your Lifetime and Beyond. “That hurts your long-term financial goals.
“The holiday shopping list may seem to get longer as you get older, but at some point you need to draw a line and balance your urge to give with the must of retirement considerations. It doesn’t mean you leave people out, but rather, you don’t go overboard and leave a little more for yourself. It can make a big difference in the long run.”
Sharifi offers these tips on saving more for retirement during the holiday season:
Review your past expenses and plan for the big picture. The holidays are a good time to reflect on how you spent your earnings over the past year. Adjustments may be necessary to get your retirement savings on track. “All through the year, money gets away from people a little bit at a time,” Sharifi says. “That’s often because they don’t have a firm plan. Not dealing with your expenses correctly can be very costly to your retirement. The holidays are the right time to recalibrate for the future.”
Make a holiday list, check it twice. Sharifi says people should approach their holiday season spending in a way that can help them get on track toward retirement goals. That starts with a budget and sticking to it, but many people overspend during the holidays and end up paying for it well into the new year. “If you have a budget set for holiday shopping, you can prioritize and figure out how you will get it done within those boundaries,” Sharifi says. “Look for deals to stretch your dollars. Setting a budget will help you avoid spending sprees that leak onto your credit cards. The carryover there is you may need to dedicate funds in the coming year to reduce that debt, which makes it harder to save for retirement.”
Sock away gifts from the company. Getting extra money from your company is a reward that can be used wisely toward retirement. “If you receive a nice bonus, don’t spend it,” Sharifi says. “Put that extra cash in a 401(k). That lowers your taxable income and gives you a boost toward your savings goals. And if your company offers you a raise, set a healthy percentage of that raise aside for retirement savings in the coming year.”
Make extra money. Holiday seasonal jobs are an excellent opportunity to put extra money away for retirement. Online positions allow someone to work from home, and pet sitting is another popular part-time job with more people traveling during the holidays.
“It’s very tempting to spend this extra money, but if you have the big picture in mind, putting it in a long-term savings account is a great gift to yourself,” Sharifi says. “With many Americans sinking further into debt during the holidays, it might be the right time for them to rethink how they spend and how it affects retirement,” Sharifi says.
About Jay Sharifi
Jay Sharifi, author of Building a Better Legacy: Retirement Planning for Your Lifetime and Beyond, is founder and investment advisor with Legacy Wealth Management (www.lwealthmanagement.com). He has passed the Series 65 securities exam and holds a life and health insurance license in Virginia. He has an MBA from the Keller Graduate School of Management and a Certificate of Financial Planning from Georgetown University.
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A tight grip on our nuclear toys
by Robert C. Koehler
940 words
“Everyone wants to play with the big boys, and the only way to become one of the big boys is to have nuclear toys.”
Attention Planet Earth! Attention Planet Earth! It is time to grow up.
The words are those of Mohamed ElBaradei, then director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, from a 2005 interview, several months before he and the agency were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. They remain eerily relevant in 2019, summing up as they do the puerile recklessness that is in the process of regaining its grip on geopolitics. Nuclear weapons treaties are withering on the vine and proliferation threatens a triumphant return.
Hello, omnicide. We may not be as lucky as we were in the Cold War era, when the consequences of nuclear accidents and political brinkmanship were relatively contained and the victims of nuclear development were limited to the people who lived near test areas like the Marshall Islands, Kazakhstan or the Nevada Test Site in the western United States. Nuclear stockpiles have shrunk, not grown, and nuclear-armed nations number nine.
This is still insane, of course. That number should — must — find its way to zero, as declared by the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which was passed by a United Nations vote of 122-1 in 2017 but still awaits actual ratification by 50 countries (32 have ratified it so far). Hope-inspiring as that treaty is, the big boys — who boycotted the U.N. vote two years ago — still control the game, and led by the USA, they are pulling out of the treaties that constrain them.
“After the recent death of the treaty covering intermediate-range missiles, a new arms race appears to be taking shape, drawing in more players, more money and more weapons at a time of increased global instability and anxiety about nuclear proliferation,” Steven Erlanger wrote recently in the New York Times, referring to the Intermediate Nuclear Forces Treaty, signed by Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev in 1987, which the Trump administration pulled out of.
Since then. Trumpica has also indicated it wants to dump the New START Treaty, brokered by Barack Obama with the Russians in 2011, which expires in February 2021, shortly after the inauguration of whoever is the next president. New START limits the two countries’ “strategic arsenals” (not their “tactical arsenals”) to 1,550 weapons each — still enough to, uh, destroy the world and all, but . . .at least they bring the concept of limits into the nuclear discussion, putting, you might say, a parental check on the big boys and their nukes.
Thus, writes Erlanger: “The dismantling of ‘arms control,’ a Cold War mantra, is now heightening the risks of a new era when nuclear powers like India and Pakistan are clashing over Kashmir, and when nuclear Israel feels threatened by Iran, North Korea is testing new missiles, and other countries like Saudi Arabia are thought to have access to nuclear weapons or to be capable of building them.
“The consequence, experts say, is likely to be a more dangerous and unstable environment, even in the near term. . . .”
He then quotes Joseph Cirincione, a nuclear analyst and president of the Ploughshares Fund: “If there’s not nuclear disarmament, there will be proliferation. If big powers race to build up their arsenals, smaller powers will follow.”
In other words, global leadership is adolescent in nature. Big boys rule and lust for power takes control of the brain, especially power in a competitive context. If you represent the interests of a nation-state, you could easily become consumed by the hostile environment in which those interests are trying to establish themselves. And the interests of the planet as a whole (e.g., survival, a future) could easily disappear as anything but idealistic, ignorable abstractions. Disarmament? Give me a break. Not when regional powers, as Erlanger also writes, are “challenging American hegemony.”
Add to this the transnational, corporate interest in militarism. There’s no money in peace, which is seen mostly as a black hole, the lull between wars. Money doesn’t start to flow until the bullets and the bombs start to fly. If you’re opposed to war, the real enemy isn’t Russia or China’ it’s the military-industrial complex (which can smell, for instance, the trillion-plus-dollars earmarked for an upgraded nuclear arsenal).
So what we have right now is a world in which the public’s natural desire for peace is diverted to the status of impossible, at least until we destroy our enemies and secure our hegemony; and the growing global peace movement remains utterly marginalized. How much time do you think will be devoted to the issue of denuclearization, let us say, in the looming presidential race?
All of which leads me back to the Kings Bay Plowshares 7, the seven courageous peace activists who were arrested last year after they cut through the fencing around the Kings Bay Naval Base, in St. Mary’s, Ga., the Atlantic home port of the country’s Trident nuclear missile-carrying submarines, and entered the base without permission. There, they poured out vials of blood (their own) on the grounds, hung up signs and issued an indictment of the U.S. military for violating the 1968 U.N. Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Their trial, during which they were not allowed to present their case on the global danger of nuclear weapons, recently ended. To no one’s surprise, they were found guilty and await sentencing.
“. . . and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.”
And Isaiah 2:4, the 3,000-year-old cry for peace, remains irrelevant.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~end~~~~~~~~~~
Robert Koehler (koehlercw@gmail.com), syndicated by PeaceVoice, is a Chicago award-winning journalist and editor. He is the author of Courage Grows Strong at the Wound.
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Governor appoints new public information officer
SALT LAKE CITY (Nov. 7, 2019) – Gov. Gary R. Herbert has appointed Brooke Scheffler as public information officer.
Scheffler has served in the Herbert administration for the past two years. Prior to that, she worked in the Office of the Utah Attorney General. She graduated from the University of Utah with a bachelor’s degree in communications.
“Throughout her years in Gov. Herbert’s office, Brooke Scheffler has demonstrated strong written and interpersonal communications skills, solid work ethic, and dedication to public service,” said Anna Lehnardt, communications director to Gov. Herbert. “She has been and will continue to be a great asset to the Governor’s Office.”
Scheffler formally assumes her position immediately. She can be contacted for media requests at bscheffler@utah.gov or 801-674-0132.
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# # #
*For a review copy of The Busy Leader's Handbook or an interview with Quint Studer, please contact Dottie DeHart, DeHart & Company Public Relations, at (828) 325-4966 or simply reply to this email.
How to Have Tough Conversations Without Damaging Relationships
Great leaders handle conflict while preserving the strong relationships
that help organizations thrive. Quint Studer shares some advice to help you
have those difficult but necessary conversations.
Hoboken, NJ (November 2019)—No one enjoys conflict and confrontation. We all want to be liked and accepted, and very few of us enjoy hurting people's feelings. Unfortunately, leaders must be able to handle conflict or we're not doing our job. We need to be able to hold tough and productive conversations with others, and address conflicts that arise inside the organization.
"The goal with tough conversations is twofold," says Quint Studer, author of Wall Street Journal bestseller The Busy Leader's Handbook: How to Lead People and Places That Thrive (Wiley, October 2019, ISBN: 978-1-119-57664-8, $28.00). "One, you want to solve a problem. Two, you want to do it without damaging your relationship with the other person. Remember that an organization is simply a network of strong, collaborative, mutually beneficial adult relationships. The better the relationships, the better the company. It benefits all leaders to master the art of resolving conflict while preserving great relationships."
The good news is that tough conversations can actually strengthen relationships and help both parties grow personally and professionally if you handle them the right way.
Before you go into a tough conversation, ask yourself these three questions:
1. Am I being fair and consistent? It's important that you don't have one set of rules for one person and a different set for another.
2. Am I too focused on being "right"? Just because you may disagree with someone doesn't mean they are wrong. People have different experiences and points of view. Life isn't always about "right" or "wrong." When you have that attitude, you probably won't even listen to what the other person is saying.
3. Do I need to call in a witness, document the conversation, or consider other legalities? Depending on the nature of the situation, you might. If you're not sure, consult an HR rep or employment attorney.
Read on for Studer's tips for having difficult conversations:
Stay focused on preserving the relationship. It is possible to convey difficult messages while still treating the person with dignity, respect, and empathy. This conversation is just one moment in time. If you damage the relationship, you shut down future opportunities for collaboration and innovation. Keeping this in mind should help you stay civil, focused, and sensitive to how you say what needs saying. In fact, tell the person up front that the relationship is important to you.
Consider that you might be wrong. "Go in with an open mind," says Studer. "You're diagnosing, not condemning. You may not know all the variables causing the person to do the things they're doing. Often, we hear something totally unexpected that shifts our perspective. We can always be wrong! Knowing this and being willing to admit it is a sign that you're a strong leader. It will also help you be a better listener."
Before you call the meeting, get clear on what you want to say. Be sure you can express up front what the problem is, how it's impacting others, and what must change. Stick to these points and don't go off topic. Be prepared with hard metrics if you can: "You missed the sales goals by 37 percent last quarter" or "You've been absent 13 days in the past 6 months." Productive conversations are grounded in facts, not observations.
Schedule a time to discuss the issue and give the person a fair warning beforehand. Otherwise, it gets blurted out in the moment and results in unfavorable outcomes. For example, say, "Chris, I'd like to chat with you about what happened with the Jones account earlier this week. Can we meet tomorrow morning at 8:00?" This gives the person a chance to gather their thoughts and prepare emotionally for the meeting. Ambushing people or not being transparent about the nature of the discussion creates anxiety and breaks down trust.
Meet on neutral ground. It's usually best not to call the person into your office. This shifts the balance of power to your side and puts the other person on the defensive. It's better to meet in a conference room or a restaurant. This sends the signal that this is a solutions-centered discussion, not a dressing down from an authority figure.
Seek to be collaborative, not authoritarian. You want the other person to work with you to make things better. Outcomes are so much better when the person feels a sense of ownership for the solution. Ask positive questions like, How are you feeling about our partnership? What factors do you think led to this issue? Do you have any ideas on what both of us might do differently moving forward? Don't exhibit a "my way or the highway" attitude. It's good to listen to the other person's perspective and to compromise when you can. It shows the person you respect and value them. Might doesn't always mean right, and the loudest voice shouldn't always win.
When you ask questions, give the person time to gather their thoughts. "Don't just talk to assert your point of view or fill up silence," says Studer. "This comes across as you steamrolling over the other person. This is especially important when you're dealing with an introvert who needs time to think before they speak."
Listen actively. It's all too easy to spend your time calculating your response and not really listening. Try to stay focused on understanding what the person is saying, both verbally and nonverbally. Summarize what they are saying and confirm that what you think they said is actually what they meant. Trying to understand where someone is coming from is a way of showing empathy. It helps them accept what you have to say, even if it isn't what they wanted to hear. When people don't feel heard or listened to, it's upsetting. It damages relationships.
Keep things civil. Never yell, insult, threaten, or bully the person. This should go without saying, but we're all human and emotions can get out of control. If things start to escalate, end the meeting and reschedule when you're both calmer. A single episode of bad behavior can tear down a relationship that took years to build. The person may appear to comply in the future but there will be an underlying resentment that affects performance and outcomes. The issue will get lost, and the focus will be on your bad behavior. It's okay to take a break or come back later if you need to calm down. Remember, odds are good you'll still be working together.
End with an action item. Ideally, you and the person will both have a task to do going forward. This way you can schedule a follow-up conversation to see if things have changed for the better.
"Most people will never enjoy tough conversations, but one can get more comfortable with them," concludes Studer. "People often find they are the catalyst for growth. They get people unstuck and moving in a positive direction. When one thinks of tough conversations this way, they may feel more inspired to get better and better at having them."
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About the Author:
Quint Studer is the author of Wall Street Journal bestseller The Busy Leader's Handbook and a lifelong businessman, entrepreneur, and student of leadership. He not only teaches it; he has done it. He has worked with individuals at all levels and across a variety of industries to help them become better leaders and create high-performing organizations. He seeks always to simplify high-impact leader behaviors and tactics for others.
Quint has a great love for teaching his insights in books and has authored nine of them in addition to The Busy Leader's Handbook. His book Results That Last also made the Wall Street Journal bestseller list. Building a Vibrant Community, published in 2018, is a blueprint for communities seeking to revitalize themselves.
Quint is the founder of Vibrant Community Partners and Pensacola's Studer Community Institute. He currently serves as the Entrepreneur-in-Residence at the University of West Florida.
To learn more, please visit www.thebusyleadershandbook.com, www.vibrantcommunityblueprint.com, and www.studeri.org.
About the Book:
The Busy Leader's Handbook: How to Lead People and Places That Thrive (Wiley, October 2019, ISBN: 978-1-119-57664-8, $28.00) is available at bookstores nationwide, from major online booksellers, and direct from the publisher by calling 800-225-5945. In Canada, call 800-567-4797. For more information, please visit the book's page at www.wiley.com.
