Facelift: The building at 3869 Government St. is undergoing exterior renovations in preparations for a new tenant. Jak Kunstler, the building’s owner, won’t disclose the identity or the nature of new business that will operate at that location, except to say it is a small business that is not food related. Kunstler says the goal of the exterior renovations is to restore the building’s appearance as it was 50 to 60 years ago. Renovations include stucco replacement, removal of steel on the outside of the building and replacing the windows, according to a permit for the project. Kunstler says the goal is to complete exterior renovations by week’s end. Interior improvements will be performed by the new tenant.
More payouts: Nearly $1.24 billion in punitive damages arising from BP’s 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill will become available to property owners and some fishermen affected by the spill under a pending settlement with two corporations that also had a role in the disaster. The Associated Press reports a federal court hearing has been set for Nov. 10 on the agreement involving Halliburton Energy Services, Transocean Deepwater Inc. and related companies. The companies have agreed to pay punitive damages—payments meant to discourage future harmful acts—in addition to earlier settlements for actual damages. A news release on the settlement issued today says most affected property owners won’t have to file a claim because they have filed claims for actual damages under a 2012 settlement.
New face: Amedisys has hired David Pearce as its new senior vice president and chief compliance officer, the company announced today. The hire become effective July 5. Pearce replaces Jeffrey Jeter, who was placed on one year of paid leave in May. In his job, Pearce will oversee ethics and compliance programs with Amedisys, which includes developing policies, procedures and practices to observe state and federal health care regulations. “The cornerstone of our compliance program is to maintain the highest possible standards of integrity,” Paul Kusserow, president and CEO of Amedisys, says in a statement. “It’s important to our company to always do what’s right for our patients, our employees and referral sources in the communities we serve.” Pearce comes to Amedisys from Kindred, where he served as senior vice president and chief counsel for the company’s Home division.
