Beautiful vision: BREC is one of just four parks and recreations departments across the United States receiving a 2012 Excellence in Planning Award from The National Association of Recreation Resource Planners. BREC is being recognized alongside the likes of the National Park Service and California State Parks for its Imagine Your Parks strategic plan. “Since its development in 2004, it has charted the course for the parish’s 155 indoor and outdoor park and recreation facilities. Included in the plan are bold recommendations that address park and open space planning, recreation program development, operations and maintenance issues, and funding requirements,” NARRP says of the plan.
Going down slow: The average rate on the 30-year fixed mortgage has dipped to near its record low, keeping home-buying and refinancing affordable. Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac says the rate on the 30-year loan dropped to 3.88% this week, down from 3.9%. In February, the rate hit 3.87%—the lowest since long-term mortgages began in the 1950s. The 30-year loan is the most common financing option for homebuyers. The average on the 15-year fixed-rate mortgage, popular with homeowners who are refinancing, dipped to 3.12%, down from 3.13% last week. The national average hit an all-time low of 3.11% two weeks ago.
Help wanted: The number of people seeking U.S. unemployment benefits remained stuck near a three-month high last week, a sign that hiring has likely slowed since winter. The Labor Department reports today that weekly applications dipped 1,000 to a seasonally adjusted 388,000. It was little changed from the previous week’s figure, the highest since Jan. 7. The four-week moving average, a less volatile measure, rose to 381,750, also the highest in three months. Get the full details on the report from The Associated Press here.
Today’s poll question: Do you think spending $200,000 per year on a lobbyist in Washington, D.C., is a good investment for the city-parish?
