Welcome to this week's edition of the POB eNews...   

A month after November's historic elections, the buzz of politics is still very much in the air. President Bush is making exit plans, our president-elect is busy making his entrance plans, our legislators are pushing through bills in lame-duck sessions, and the public is still engaged in the whole political process--more than it has been in decades.

Recently, I had the opportunity to participate in politics in a manner I'd never done before. One of the ways I serve my community in my "spare time" outside of my work at POB is by being involved in a volunteer-led nonprofit that provides consumer education on funeral-related matters. (It's a long story.) As president of the society, I have been involved in doing some last-minute lobbying against a cemetery bill that would unintentionally make new green burial grounds less economically viable to establish in my home state of Michigan. Yesterday, I traveled to my state capital to testify against that bill.

Though it was apparent that the minds of the committee members were already made up in favor of the bill, it was nonetheless a worthwhile endeavor. The legislators, who up until recently were unfamiliar with this growing movement, now have a better understanding of the land-conservation benefits that a natural burial cemetery provides to their state. They now realize that this is an issue of importance to constituents and indicated their willingness to address the matter in the future. But what I found most encouraging was the participation of the society members who not only supported my effort on their behalf but also took personal responsibility by submitting written testimony for the hearing.

For me, the whole experience has underscored the importance of getting personally involved on issues that matter to each of us. Whether it's health care, taxes or other legislation, we can't expect someone else to step up to the plate. So when your professional association calls on you to contact your legislators on a matter of importance to the surveying and mapping professions, I encourage you to take the time to educate yourself and then make that phone call or send a letter to your legislators.

The work of your professional association and its members will be most effective--and satisfying--if it's a team effort.

  -Wendy Lyons, eNews Editor

This month, we want to know how much the economic downturn has impacted your business. Take a moment to vote in our quick poll at www.pobonline.com.   

POB Launches 2009 Highlights in Surveying Contest

Highlights in Surveying recognizes great surveys and surveyors around the world. The contest winner will not only hold bragging rights but also a $2,000 check from POB. We've completely revamped the competition format for easier entry. Visit http://his.pobonline.com to learn more.

Our December issue is now online!

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Zoller+Fröhlich GmbH Introduces the Z+F IMAGER 5006i The Z+F IMAGER 5006i has improved point cloud data quality and is now more resistant to a higher temperature range.

O Tannenbaum
A retired land surveyor applies his eye for precision to a new career planting seeds.

Changes to St. Tammany flood maps anger residents
When residents from Eastern St. Tammany Parish, La., find out their flood insurance rates may quadruple, they turn to land surveyors to prove FEMA wrong.

New flood maps put land surveyors back in demand
Florida surveyors find a hot business in a cold economy--thanks to FEMA.

Dream home trouble
When a real estate agent sells the wrong vacant lot, the 5,300-square-foot dream home built for a family of nine becomes a nightmare. Is the homeowner, the realtor, the builder or the original surveyor to blame?

Alameda County Registrar of Voters Improves Election Processes with ESRI's GIS
The Registrar of Voters of Alameda County, Calif., used ESRI's geographic information system software to simplify precinct analysis and polling station siting processes during the 2008 election.

Merrick & Company Opens San Antonio, TX Office
The firm has been involved in the planning and design of projects in Texas for over 15 years and, through this new office, will continue to provide ongoing services to existing clients while expanding the office through new projects in the region and nationally and internationally.

GITA Announces New "CIP-ER" White Paper Series
The Geospatial Information & Technology Association announced the release of a new Geospatial Dimensions of Critical Infrastructure Protection and Emergency Response white paper series, which will include at least seven white papers published into the fall of 2008 and spring of 2009.