Latest news with #JeffMurray
Yahoo
01-08-2025
- Yahoo
New Saint John housing site 'committed' to being good neighbour, but businesses concerned
Saint John's first "green zone," a site with transitional housing for homeless people, will see residents moving in Friday, but some nearby business owners say they hope the operators are keeping public safety top of mind. The 12 Neighbours group will run the project, called Neighbourly Homes, for people who have been living in encampments. The site, on Egbert Street off Thorne Avenue in east Saint John, consists of two courtyards with a total of 28 tiny units and shared bathroom and kitchen space. Each unit has a bed, desk and iPad. The site is near a 60-plus bed shelter, which opened in the winter as the city's out-of-the-cold response but has since turned into a year-round overnight shelter. The shelter is run by the non-profit Fresh Start Services, which also identified the people who will live in Neighbourly area is also home to several auto-related businesses. Jeff Murray, owner of Saint John Spring Works Ltd., a truck shop directly behind the shelter, says he has experienced petty thefts, such as the theft of licence plates from cars, and other concerning behaviour since the shelter opened, and he fears the green zone's arrival will add to the problem. "It's sort of gotten worse since the winter. They were open 24/7 in the wintertime," he said. "Now we're having the people that are here when the shelter is not open, I guess, use it as a human dumping ground. It could be feces, it could be garbage, it could be drug paraphernalia — things of that nature." Another green zone will open later this year as part of Saint John's Housing for All strategy, launched last year. The two sites could be home to a total of 56 residents. Green zones were originally described as areas where homeless encampments would be permitted, with services such as heating and garbage pickup. But in May, the city provided full details of what has become a transitional housing site, supported by a $3.5-million funding agreement with the federal and provincial governments. Tenting won't be allowed around site Nick Shepard, Fresh Start's outreach co-ordinator, said the organization and city staff have met with businesses and are aware of concerns. He said the city will be expanding the presence of outreach workers to maintain safe areas around green zones. "One thing that will be a benefit to having spaces like these in this community is that the city will be having a 200-metre buffer around a lot of these spaces, where they're not going to allow tenting," Shepard said. The site will have security cameras, and city staff said Saint John police will do regular patrols for safety within and surrounding the green zone. Rick Dikens, whose shop, King Transmission Ltd., is across the street from Murray and steps from the green zone, has similar concerns. With a large encampment close by, Dikens said, he has experienced challenges for years. "It's nice to see the city doing something," he said. "I'm not sure if it will fix the problems that businesses like mine and the others in the area are having. I hope they can fix some lives with it." Murray said he understands that homelessness is a national problem, and that transitional housing is needed. He also believes the city cares about business's concerns. But businesses want to see governments ensure protocols are in place so he, his neighbours and their patrons aren't facing risks to their safety and properties. "Right now, I can't say that there is no risk," he said. "It is not uncommon for folks to drop off their vehicle and be confronted by someone who's on the street and not in the right mindset which is not a good feeling for anybody." Site will help rebuild lost skills Marcel LeBrun, founder of the 12 Neighbours group, said the project will break barriers that drive people to sleep in encampments instead of emergency shelters by offering a private, lockable place, without a curfew and open to pets. "The idea is to eliminate a lot of those barriers, why people might not choose emergency housing and they might choose to stay outside," LeBrun said. The Saint John site will have no rules about substance use. Admission is based on behaviour, and recovery services will be available to those who want them. "Most folks that are living rough are substance users — that's just what the reality is," LeBrun said. "Some people are substance users and functional in their lives, and for others it might cause them behavioural issues that make it difficult for them to live in communities. For us, it's really about the behaviour more than the substances." One goal of the project is to develop "tenancy maintenance skills," such as cooking, cleaning and budgeting for bills, which Shepard said can be lost when someone is homeless for years. "All the types of things that we just take for granted, like 'When do I need to clean my bathroom?'" he said. "We've seen situations where individuals are plucked out of the street or shelters and plopped into apartments and maybe the support is not enough, and they flounder because they've lost a lot of those soft skills, so they're right back to the shelters or onto the street." At Neighbourly Homes, tenants will not be required to pay rent but will instead pay roughly $5 a day for a warm meal program. Shepard said the groups operating the site are committed to being good neighbours. "If this is successful you'll see secondary sites, you'll see other agencies stepping forward, looking to do more of this alternative housing," he said. "So we really need this to be a success."
Cision Canada
30-07-2025
- Automotive
- Cision Canada
Notice of Boyd Group Services Inc. 2025 Second Quarter Results Conference Call
WINNIPEG, MB, July 30, 2025 /CNW/ - Boyd Group Services Inc. (TSX: BYD) will release its fiscal 2025 second quarter results on August 13, 2025, before markets open. Following the release, Management of the Company will hold a conference call at 10:00 a.m. ET to review the financial results. The call will be hosted by , President and Chief Executive Officer; and Jeff Murray, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. All interested parties are invited to participate. CONFERENCE CALL DETAILS: To join the conference call without operator assistance, you may register and enter your phone number at to receive an instant automated callback. The call will also be webcast live and archived for 90 days on the Boyd Group's website About Boyd Group Services Inc. Boyd Group Services Inc. is a Canadian corporation and controls The Boyd Group Inc. and its subsidiaries. Boyd Group Services Inc. shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) under the symbol BYD. For more information on The Boyd Group Inc. or Boyd Group Services Inc., please visit our website at About The Boyd Group Inc. The Boyd Group Inc. (the "Company") is one of the largest operators of non-franchised collision repair centres in North America in terms of number of locations and sales. The Company operates locations in Canada under the trade names Boyd Autobody & Glass ( and Assured Automotive ( as well as in the U.S. under the trade name Gerber Collision & Glass ( In addition, the Company is a major retail auto glass operator in the U.S. with operations under the trade names Gerber Collision & Glass, Glass America, Auto Glass Service, Auto Glass Authority and The Company also operates a third-party administrator, Gerber National Claims Services ("GNCS"), that offers glass, emergency roadside and first notice of loss services. The Company also operates a Mobile Auto Solutions ("MAS") service that offers scanning and calibration services. For more information on The Boyd Group Inc. or Boyd Group Services Inc., please visit our website at (
Business Wire
29-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
AVPro Global Acquires RTI Control
SIOUX FALLS, S.D.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AVPro Global Holdings LLC, parent company of AVPro Edge, AudioControl Pro, Bullet Train, ThenAudio, and Murideo, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Remote Technologies Incorporated (RTI), a recognized leader in intelligent home and business control and automation solutions. RTI's portfolio includes remote controls, automation apps, processors, touch panels, keypads, and AV signal routing solutions. By uniting AVPro's expertise in audio and video signal connectivity with RTI's renowned remote control and automation solutions, the company aims to drive accelerated innovation and deliver a seamless experience for end users. RTI's engineering expertise will accelerate AVPro's development of system drivers to integrate its AVPro Edge and AudioControl products with a broad array of third-party automation platforms and brands. In turn, AVPro's rapid product development and robust manufacturing resources will enable RTI to deliver more impactful products with greater speed and competitive pricing. Union Augments Audio, Video, and Control Capabilities for Residential and Commercial Integrators Share 'AVPro acquiring RTI brings together two innovators in software-driven audio, video, and control integration, creating unique synergies that deliver greater value for our customers,' said Jeff Murray, AVPro's Founder and CEO. 'Combining AVPro's robust product development and manufacturing capabilities with RTI's advanced control technologies and engineering expertise positions us to accelerate innovation and expand our offerings for our residential and commercial integration partners. We look forward to welcoming the talented RTI team to the AVPro family and working together to set new standards for connected experiences,' Murray added. 'Joining AVPro Global represents an exciting opportunity to amplify RTI's impact in the control and automation market,' said Joe Roberts, RTI CEO. 'AVPro's manufacturing scale and development resources will accelerate our product roadmap while ensuring the innovation and quality that RTI customers expect.' Leveraging AVPro's global manufacturing capabilities and technical strengths, the company is committed to supporting RTI's continued growth and leadership in the control and automation market. Following its successful integration of AudioControl in 2023, AVPro plans to incorporate RTI's respected legacy and strong product lines, including RTI and Pro Control branded solutions, into its broader portfolio. This move will expand AVPro's market presence and deliver enhanced value to residential and commercial integration professionals. About AVPro Global Holdings LLC AVPro Global is a privately held American company headquartered in Sioux Falls, SD, with satellite offices in St. Petersburg, FL, Seattle, WA, a European office in Bratislava, Slovakia, and an office in Shenzhen, China. The five AVPro Global audio/video-centric brands - AVPro Edge, AudioControl Pro, Bullet Train, ThenAudio, and Murideo – combine their respective strengths to create the fastest-growing AV signal distribution company in the residential and commercial systems integration spaces, perfectly complementing AVPro Global Founder and CEO Jeff Murray's vision, 'To be recognized as the best AV signal distribution and control products and services company on the planet.'
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Finger Lakes Land Trust secures property along Chemung River. How land will be utilized
The Finger Lakes Land Trust has acquired more property along the Chemung River to provide for protection of wildlife and outdoor recreation opportunities. The latest acquisition includes 24 acres with 1,680 feet of frontage along the Chemung River off county Route 60 in the town of Chemung. The wooded property contains roosting habitat for bald eagles and migratory birds. Small ponds and stands of mixed hardwood trees define the parcel, which also contains scenic views of the surrounding hills, the Land Trust said. The agency plans to ultimately transfer the parcel to the state Department of Environmental Conservation for future use as a public conservation area and fishing access site. "The Chemung River is a remarkable natural resource that provides outstanding opportunities for outdoor recreation," Land Trust President Andrew Zepp said in a news release. "By working together with local partners, we can secure vital habitats for fish and wildlife while expanding public access to the river." To date, the organization has protected more than 14 miles of streambank and over 3,000 acres in the Chemung River watershed. Protected lands include the Steege Hill, Houghton, and Plymouth Woods nature preserves, and three parcels acquired in partnership with New York state to create the Big Flats Wildlife Management Area. MORE Watchdog releases DEC's Peanut the squirrel incident reports. What documents show By working cooperatively with landowners and local communities, the Finger Lakes Land Trust has protected more than 34,000 acres of the region's undeveloped lakeshore, rugged gorges, rolling forest, and scenic farmland. The agency owns and manages a network of over 45 nature preserves that are open to the public, and holds perpetual conservation easements on 200 properties that remain in private ownership. For more information, go to Follow Jeff Murray on X (Twitter) @SGJeffMurray. To get unlimited access to the latest news, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: Chemung River habitat to be preserved by Finger Lakes Land Trust
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Fabric and craft retailer Joann closing 500 locations nationwide, including Horseheads
Nationwide retailer Joann, formerly Joann Fabrics, plans to close hundreds of outlets across the country, including a location in the Elmira area, as part of a companywide financial restructuring. Joann originally filed for bankruptcy in March 2024 and transitioned from a publicly traded entity to private before filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy again last month as the company's fiscal struggles continued. The latest development has Joann, which was founded in 1943, closing 500 of its roughly 850 locations nationwide. Included on that list is the Joann outlet at the Southern Tier Crossing shopping center, 1530 County Route 64 in Horseheads. Closures are occurring in all 50 states, and New York is among those hardest hit. Other closures include stores in Olean, Canandaigua, Rochester, Middletown and Poughkeepsie, among others. "This was a very difficult decision to make, given the major impact we know it will have on our team members, our customers and all of the communities we serve," Joann said in a statement to the Hagerstown Herald-Mail, part of the USA Today Network. "A careful analysis of store performance and future strategic fit for the company determined which stores should remain operating as usual at this time," the statement said. "Right-sizing our store footprint is a critical part of our efforts to ensure the best path forward for Joann." Public safety Steuben County 911 shifts to new and improved public notification platform. How to sign up A court hearing to approve the closures is scheduled for Friday, and if approval is granted, company officials anticipate going-out-of-business sales will begin at these stores Saturday and could continue for several months. A full list of stores affected by the closure plan is available at Follow Jeff Murray on Twitter @SGJeffMurray. To get unlimited access to the latest news, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: Horseheads Joann location among 500 that will close nationwide
