December Safety Message

Safe Driving:  we all think we are safe drivers but do we every experience even mild road rage?  Do you ever get distracted?  Do you know the basic safe driving tips?  Do know what should be in your highway emergency kit?  Click the link below to the December safety link.

http://www.athighmark.com/ccToolkitDE/files/pdf/health-promotions/Dec2018SafeDriving_BCBSDE.pdf

December Anniversaries

12/1	2 YRS	Matthew Roy	West Valley
12/3	6 YRS	Timothy Mastro	Delaware State News
12/5	18 YRS	Zenaida Matute	Valley Printing
12/9	15 YRS	Victoria Rosado	Delaware State News
12/11	12 YRS	Kristina Schwartz	Okeechobee News
12/12	2 YRS	Cindy Witt	Corporate Services
12/13	3 YRS	Robert Cook	Delaware Printing
12/14	9 YRS	Tonda Parks	Delaware State News
12/17	9 YRS	Yvonne Kirksey	Delaware State News
12/17	6 YRS	Karen Riggin	Crisfield Times
12/18	3 YRS	Jennifer Antonik	Milford/Harrington
12/22	4 YRS	Antoine Sample	Delaware Printing
12/22	2 YRS	John Brooks	Delaware Printing
12/24	1 YR	Cheyenne Watson	Delaware Printing
12/29	16 YRS	Darin Powell	Corporate Services
12/30	4 YRS	Melissa Fittro	North Valley
12/31	1 YR	Talbon Mitchell	Valley Printing

Independent Updates Building Repairs & Improvements Policy

Below is the updated policy for building repairs and improvements.  We feel this provides a better explanation of repairs and where the responsibility of cost falls.  Send any comments/questions to inicorporate@newszap.com

Building Repairs & Improvements

Many building repairs or improvements are subject to the terms of the lease with the landlord.  For buildings owned by Independent, we tend to follow those outside  leases.   Repairs and improvements generally fall within three different areas: Emergency, Preventative (wear and tear) and Cosmetic (Improvements). 

• Emergency repairs: Such repair that require immediate action, do not require a cost justification.  Operations should always notify inicorporate@newszap.com of the repair so that a quick determination can be made if the repair falls under the company insurance.
• Preventative (wear and tear) repairs: It is recommended that two quotes are obtained for cost comparison.  A cost  justification is required if the cost to repair is $500 or more.
• Cosmetic (improvements): Requires a cost justification if cost is $500 or more.  It is also recommended that a couple of quotes for cost comparison are reviewed by the operational managers.  

For buildings owned by Independent, the expense for major needed structural repairs (i.e. roof, walls, flooring), major mechanical systems for heating and plumbing, or parking lot will be absorbed by Independent as the landlord. Otherwise, other repairs as well as improvements within the building will be the expense of the operational division (tenant); unless it is determined that the improvements are required as part of a major repair to the building.  In this instance, each case will be evaluated by the CEO and Corporate Vice President  separately to determine the best method of applying the costs.

Revised 11/1/2018

Sun City Independent

The Sun City Independent received a $100 voluntary pay donation with the following comment:

“I truly enjoy the newspaper. It covers everything that’s happening in our town, with excellent coverage. The layout of the paper is great with everything easy to read, and follow ‘thru’ on. Once again, you all do an excellent job. Thank you! – Nancy DeRuiter

A Satisfied Reader

Received in the Arizona West Valley office from a satisfied reader:

Thank you so much for the great newspaper you publish for the Sun City West community!  I look forward to receiving it each week and find it has many interesting and newsworthy articles.  It’s also a great resource to find out what is going on in SCW both in the community in general and in the many clubs. – Beverly Coulthart

Announcing the winners of the 2018 BOOST! Prize

The Pakis Center for Business Philanthropy Names Winners in the BOOST! Prize Competition

Two Arizona Companies receive $40,000 each for their innovative philanthropy initiatives  The Arizona Community Foundation's Pakis Center for Business Philanthropy is pleased to announce the prize winning companies in its second BOOST! Prize competition. Independent Newsmedia Inc. USA, a unique publishing and printing company, and Willmeng Construction Inc., a locally owned and operated building contractor, will each receive $40,000 to boost their efforts as good corporate citizens.   Independent Newsmedia Inc. USA supports every American's First Amendment rights and encourages and assists citizens in exercising those rights responsibly. They pursue this mission by publishing community newspapers, providing printing services to other publishers, and creating citizen-driven community websites. Their unique structure is designed to maintain independence. Owned by a nonprofit trust, the organization has no shareholders, no dividends are paid, and all after-tax profits are reinvested in serving the mission. Willmeng Construction Inc. has specialized in Arizona's ground-up and tenant improvement projects since 1977. Built on relationships, the 125-employee company remains committed to building excellence and workplace culture. Led by President and CEO James Murphy, the company's operations reflect three fundamental principles: client service, community growth and service, and fostering an altruistic service culture. As an organization, Willmeng understands that their employees are their greatest asset and recognizes the importance of deliberately aligning that asset with philanthropic efforts to achieve the higher good of serving and improving the community. Learn more about what each winner hopes to accomplish with the BOOST! Prize.

DSN staffer participates in chair-ity ball

My coworker, Dianna Sellers saw the advertisement on-line calling for local artists to get involved and thought I would be a good candidate to design a chair. I contacted our local Habitat for Humanity ReStore facility and they gave me a donated chair to craft into a piece of art for the auction. My chair will be among 18 submitted for the Charity Ball.