





Weekly stories, facts, trends and other information from around the globe	April 1, 2008
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About FenceWeek - weekly email

This weekly email searches main media outlets finding stories that may be of interest to contractors in the fencing and access control industry. It is published by de facto, inc., which also publishes fencebids.

Industry News

High-Lift post drivers
Farmers Guardian, UK - Mar 26, 2008
TWYMAN have introduced a new High-Lift range of post drivers. Suitable for mounting on loaders, diggers and tractor linkages the new range of post drivers have a telescopic mast that increases the drop height from 2.8 to 4.8m – trebling the striking force of the hammer...

Weyerhaeuser mulls sale of polymer composites technology
Seattle Post Intelligencer, WA - Mar 31, 2008
FEDERAL WAY, Wash. -- Weyerhaeuser, one of the world's largest lumber and paper producers, says it's considering whether to sell off technology that uses plastics to make products with a wood-like appearance. ...

Decking Industry News

From Checkout to Decked Out – Trex Gives New Life to Discarded Plastic Bags
Business Wire (press release), CA - Mar 26, 2008
WINCHESTER, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ever wonder what happens to all of those plastic grocery bags you recycle? You might be pleasantly surprised to learn that more than 70 percent of them are used by a company called Trex to manufacture decks, fencing and other outdoor living products...

CertainTeed Vinyl Decking Now Available in Neutral, Earthy Almond
Press Release - Mar 27, 2008
(Valley Forge, Pa.) – Consumers can now enjoy the benefits of vinyl decking with more colors to choose from in the CertainTeed® Evernew® vinyl decking line. The company introduces Almond-colored vinyl decking to its popular line-up of Tan, White and Gray colors, rounding out a color palette that complements popular home styles and natural surroundings...

Deck Out Your Outdoor Project with Pavilion Decking
PR Web (press release), WA - Mar 26, 2008
Vancouver, BC (PRWEB) March 26, 2008 -- BuildDirect, the world's leading online wholesaler of building materials, has launched a new line of decking just in time for spring. Pavilion Hardwood Decking from BuildDirect is the ideal product for any high-end decking project. Pavilion hardwood decking from BuildDirect is a perfect addition to make your wood decking ideas into a reality...

UK. Solent Marine becomes exclusive supplier of SolDeck decking system
BYM News (press release), Spain - Mar 31, 2008
Hamble based Solent Marine has announced that it has become the exclusive world wide supplier of SolDeck, a revolutionary new synthetic decking which offers marinas a number of distinct advantages over other systems. SolDeck offers exceptional properties which provides extra longevity and is a more environmentally sympathetic alternative to hardwood...

Building Industry News

Construction spending falls in February
Yahoo News - Apr 1, 2008
WASHINGTON - Construction spending fell again in February as home building tumbled for a record 24th straight month. The Commerce Department reported Tuesday that overall construction activity dropped 0.3 percent in February, reflecting weakness not only in home building but also in nonresidential activity...

Local Government Issues - Chain Link Ban

Casting critical eye at chain-link, Saratoga planners consider ban
San Jose Mercury News, CA - Mar 31, 2008
Bruce La Fountain spent dollars - and days - gussying up the chain-link fences that line his spacious property in the Saratoga hills. Looks matter in this classy town, after all, so he settled on a black vinyl coating designed to mask the metal's telltale shine....

FENCE FACTS
San Jose Mercury News, CA - Mar 31, 2008
Saratoga now bans chain-link fences in a specially designated hillside district, but city planners are discussing whether to extend the ban to the rest of ...

Saratoga May Ban Chain-Link Fence
KCBS, CA - Mar 31, 2008
SARATOGA, Calif. (KCBS) -- Calling it unsightly, the city of Saratoga is considering banning chain-link fencing. It’s not a done deal yet, but the wheels are in motion to eliminate the sturdy, traditional fencing material in the trendy area...

Local Government Issues

Council hits a wall over fencing ordinance
Folsom Telegraph, CA - Mar 26, 2008
Philosophies are clashing within the Loomis Town Council over fencing. “I’m a community rights proponent,” said councilman Walt Scherer. “I believe we have the right to retain our semi-rural and small town feel.” Other council members disagree. “Three of us are more for property owners’ rights,” said councilwoman Rhonda Morillas....

RHE will switch to vinyl fencing
Daily Breeze, CA - Mar 27, 2008
Rolling Hills Estates' iconic, white three-rail fencing is entering the modern age. For the first time in its history, the city will accept bids to replace worn sections of city-owned wooden fencing only from vendors who use a vinyl product. Goodbye wood...

Commissioners will consider security fence for fairgrounds property
Brenham Banner Press, - Mar 27, 2008
Rolling Hills Estates' iconic, white three-rail fencing is entering the modern age. For the first time in its history, the city will accept bids to replace worn sections of city-owned wooden fencing only from vendors who use a vinyl product. Goodbye wood...

Fence Disputes

Family Threatened Over Fence
Central Florida News 13|, FL - Mar 27, 2008
PORT ORANGE -- A mother and son received a rude awakening Monday night, when several screaming men tore down their chain-link fence, and shouted death threats. Karen Rozwadowski and her son admitted they and their neighbor have been going through a property line dispute...

Hallowell fence legal, but not nice
Kennebec Journal, ME - Apr 1, 2008
We don't know the exact latitude or longitude of the disputed boundary line between state-owned property and the Hallowell home of Andrea Lapointe and Michael Barden. We don't know or understand the finer details of the legal fight between the couple and the state. ...

HALLOWELL RAIL FENCE IN DISPUTE
Kennebec Journal, ME - Mar 30, 2008
HALLOWELL -- A couple battling with state rail officials over ownership of track-side land next to their house came home in December and found a 7-foot-tall wooden fence within 10 inches of their garage. The fence separates their garage from a 19-foot strip of land separating their Academy Street property from nearby state-owned railroad tracks. It was put up on property that a judge says is owned by the state...

Man removes fence to comply with zoning laws
Lancaster Eagle Gazette, OH - Mar 28, 2008
LANCASTER - A Lake Road man has removed a portion of fence that the Fairfield County Commissioners and county engineer deemed to be a hazard. The commissioners approved a resolution March 18, ordering Jim Custer to remove the portion of fence in question. Custer was going to remove the fence today, according to his attorney Ed Beery...

USA Mexico Border Fence

Where US-Mexico border fence is tall, it works
Arizona Republic, AZ - Mar 31, 2008
YUMA - U.S. border patrol agent Michael Bernacke guns his SUV down the wide desert-sand road that lines the U.S.-Mexican border through urban San Luis, Ariz. To his right stands a steel wall, 20 feet high and reinforced by cement-filled steel piping. To his left another tall fence of steel mesh. Ten yards beyond, a...

On the Secure Fence Act
Christian Science Monitor, MA - Mar 31, 2008
When the "Secure Fence Act" became law in October 2006 – instructing the Department of Homeland Security to build 700 miles of fence along the US-Mexican border and instituting other measures to slow the tide of illegal immigrants into the US – it was hailed by supporters and derided by critics...

Fence up, but will it work?
Douglas Daily Dispatch, AZ - Mar 27, 2008
BISBEE — Some fence construction along the U.S.-Mexico border in Cochise County that was slated for last year is still being completed this year. Meanwhile, the government is planning to build about 11 miles of fencing in other areas of Arizona this year...

Fence Contractors in the News

Economy's woes no barrier to growth for some Genesee County businesses
The Flint Journal, MI - Mar 29, 2008
It wasn't long ago that the fate of the U.S. Fence Inc. on Longway Boulevard in Flint was unknown. It was no overnight success, but plant officials at the east side manufacturing plant believe they have turned the plant around for the long haul. "We are just an extremely efficient facility," said Dustin Ondovcsik, production manager for U.S. Fence, which makes a variety of plastic lattice and related products...

Fences open doors for local business
The Flint Journal, MI - Mar 29, 2008
That’s what Watkins Fence owner Levi Watkins said is his priority, since selling something that will last is what makes his business profitable. Watkins, 26, said quality is more important than quantity. “And, it’s better to have it done right the first time,” he said. ...

Schools and Fences

Concord wants to fence in students
Contra Costa Times, CA - Mar 27, 2008
CONCORD - Ditchers, beware: City leaders are trying to fence you in. If you go to Mt. Diablo High School, you won't be able to leave class during the day and your nonstudent friends won't be able to get in to see you because the City Council has decided to spend $43,000 to complete a fence around the campus ...

Community Fence Projects

Spending time mending fences, literally
Chincoteague Beacon, VA - Mar 27, 2008
ASSATEAGUE -- Members of the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company and the National Fish and Wildlife Service have teamed up to mend fences in an effort to protect and shelter the world famous wild pony herd. About 40 people from both agencies joined together on Saturday, March 15 to rebuild an over four-mile stretch of barbed wire fence near the north wash flats of Assateague, where the endangered piping plovers nest ...

Community Issues

Sandfield's 15-year fence campaign goes on
The Corkman, Ireland - Mar 26, 2008
This is despite the fact that funding of ?1.9m was put in place 18 months ago for the repair of fencing at Sandfield Estate, some of which is now falling down. ...

Fence Curbs Neighborhood's Crime Problems
Live 5 News, SC - Mar 26, 2008
A mile long fence, that's ten feet high, has gone up in a neighborhood known for crime. Residents at Pine Harbour in Goose Creek say it’s made the apartment ...

Parents demand action to fence off ‘death-trap’ pond
ic Wales, United Kingdom - Mar 27, 2008
A MOTHER-OF-THREE is calling for a “death trap” pond to be fenced off after her son fell in and got stuck. Sian Williams, of Cae Canol, Nottage, said son Alex was just three when the incident happened...

Beach sits on fence mandate
The News Herald, FL - Mar 27, 2008
In an effort to reduce visual blight from stalled real estate projects, the City Council on Thursday took up a proposed ordinance that would require property owners to erect permanent fencing around the sites. Currently, construction projects that have been halted because of economic conditions must have temporary fencing ...

Tenants could pay £15000 for security fence
Burnley Citizen, UK - Mar 31, 2008
A £15,000 security fence could be erected around a vandal-hit garage and caravan storage site - but may cost tenants more rent in return. It is thought a three-metre high palisade fence would help increase levels of security at the The Old Destructors Yard,Burnley Road, Colne...

Rural area tries to fence out resorts
Capital Press (subscription), OR - Mar 29, 2008
Rural Crook County residents have banded together to halt new destination resorts from locating in the Central Oregon county, fearing they are losing their ...

Electric Fence

Electrified fencing humane way to control cattle, livestock conference told
Moose Jaw Times Herald, Canada - Mar 31, 2008
The concept of the electric fence was first described in Mark Twain's A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, in 1889, as a defensive weapon. Today the electric fence is a barrier that uses electric shocks to deter animals or people from crossing a boundary. The voltage of the shock may have effects ranging from uncomfortable to painful. ...

The Arts and Fences

Art, age and arrogance - On the Mt. Vernon fence controversy
Baltimore Sun,, MD - Mar 31, 2008
There are at least as many definitions of art as there are bristles on a brush. Maryland Institute College of Art student Lee B. Freeman's gold fence project in Mount Vernon Square has prompted not only different viewpoints but a flood of Sun articles involving at least three reporters and five photographers. ...

Park will no longer be fenced in
Baltimore Sun, MD - Mar 30, 2008
The saga of the golden fence -- the contentious artwork that blocked access to Mount Vernon Place in an attempt to make people see the historic park anew -- started coming to an early end this week after vandals removed bolts from several of its sections, making it unstable...

Pool Safety

Swimming pool fence laws to tighten
TVNZ, New Zealand - Mar 30, 2008
The government's planning a shake-up of swimming pool fencing laws - the first since legislation came into force 20 years ago. Building and Construction Minister Shane Jones says since then, the number of children under six who drown in pools has been cut by nearly two-thirds. ...

Pool-safety measures proposed
El Paso Times, TX - Mar 31, 2008
Owners of homes with pools may need to spend thousands of dollars in safety precautions if the El Paso City Council approves changes to its pool and hot tub ordinance on Tuesday. If approved, the changes will require homeowners with children age 6 and younger to raise the walls around their pool, hot tub or spa from a minimum of 4 feet to a minimum of 5 feet. The ordinance would waive the new height requirement if a heavy pool cover is installed...

International

Calais fences to be boosted
TeleText, UK - Mar 27, 2008
British and French ministers have agreed to reinforce fences around the port at Calais, three weeks after a glaring loophole was exposed. Illegal immigrants have been able to sneak aboard lorries in Calais after supposedly foolproof searches have been carried out, due to inadequate fencing...

Weird News - April Fools

Google and Virgin Team Up to Spell 'Virgle'
Wired News - Apr 1, 2008
In about the funniest April Fool's Day spoof I have seen, Google hilariously outlines their new 100 year "vision" to select a group of Virgle Pioneers to start a Plan B civilization on Mars- "The Adventure of Many Lifetimes."..