u/Marcus_Aurelius_161A

Are there any engineering firms that specialize just in solar permitting? Specifically I want to build my own ground mount system from 6x6 timber and I will still need to get permitted by the city for for that I'll need a PE (Professional Engineer) stamp. I've got an over-engineered design, I just need to work to get the stamp.

Previously I did a self-installed rooftop array in which I bought the kit from the solar wholesaler and they had their contracted engineer do the plans and permitted for the city. That's what I need again for this ground mount array.

Dear Gravel Tribe,

I'm a dedicated road biker who does several endurance rides per year (70-100miles). I've got a few adventure rides that I would like to do that would be on gravel roads for about 50-60 miles each. Some climbing would be involved.

I'm a big fan of Specialized bikes and I think that the Diverge line is the one for me. I'm currently watching the local used bike market for something to come up in my size.

What advice would you give a roadie who wants to do a few gravel adventure rides?

A few questions to get started:

- What gear would you take on a 50-60 mile gravel ride? Besides repair gear, lights, hydration, calories, first aid, sun screen and cycling computer? I'm a big fan of hydration packs (2L on the back + bottles). Note that I am a former ultrarunner and eagle scout, so I am comfortable in the outdoors in general.

- What width tires should I be looking at if there will be some climbing involved on jeep trails?

- What clip in system does the gravel community prefer? I use SPD on my road bike just because I don't like the clip-clops. I assume ya'll use SPD.

I have the ol' snip-snip scheduled for August. The doc says I have to shave my area before the procedure. How to approach this?

Do I need to go get a trimmer on Amazon or just use my face razor?

As an EDC (Every Day Carry) item, I find usefulness in a handkerchief. I use the standard American paisley pattern handkerchief and store it in my back pocket. I like certain colors.

Is there a manufacturer of this type of handkerchief that hasn't compromised their quality?

Specifically, I am looking for 100% cotton, the thicker the better as they last longer after years of washing.

I've had the arr stack downloading TV episodes for me and last night MS Defender popped up saying I had a severe warning. Come to find out that arr had pulled down multiple .exe files across differ6ed TV series episodes.

Has anyone else seen this attack technique before?

TLDR: Utah is paying Insure-Rite up to ~$7.2M (≈$2.385M/yr, apparently sole-source, vendor live since Sept 2025) to flag vehicles and vessels that are insured in Utah but registered out of state. In its first 9 to 10 months it has sent 1,494 notices and collected ~$1.64M. But the Commission refused to say how many people got flagged, how much is being assessed, or hand over any internal reports on the program, and I think most of those denials don't hold up under GRAMA. Appeal incoming.

Why I bothered

To be upfront about where I'm coming from, I think tax enforcement is genuinely important. Rules that only apply to the people honest enough to follow them aren't really rules. When some people quietly opt out of registration and taxes by gaming their paperwork, the cost doesn't disappear; it gets shifted onto everyone who plays it straight. Consistent enforcement is part of what makes the rule of law real, keeps government solvent enough to actually function, and keeps the system fair for people who don't have the means or the savvy to dodge. And credit where it's due: I'm genuinely glad the state has been as effective as it has at getting this new law off the ground. It's also worth remembering that "government" isn't some faceless machine. It's run by people trying to do their jobs, and the reflex to tear them down at every turn isn't healthy or fair. So this isn't a gotcha. I want to see the program run transparently and well, so that public money is being spent effectively and the enforcement is being done right.

The contract (who's running it and what it costs).

The Commission hired an outside vendor to do the data matching:

- Vendor: Insure-Rite, Inc. (Salt Lake City), President/CEO G. Richard Kasteler. Insure-Rite already operates the state's insurance-data/uninsured-motorist database, which is presumably why it was picked as the "designated agent" the statute authorizes.
- Contract #: 266088 (Solicitation JK26-10). The contract lists its solicitation type as "SS", which is Utah's coding for "sole source", meaning it appears to have been awarded without competitive bidding. (Worth confirming against the state procurement portal if that detail matters to you.)
- What they do: match insurance records against registration data to flag vehicles and vessels that are insured in Utah but not registered here.
- Start date: **September 23, 2025** (effective date)
- Initial term: through September 22, 2026 (a one-year "pilot"), with *two optional one-year renewals*
- One-year pilot cost: $2,385,000. $100,000 up front for "program development," the balance billed monthly over 12 months.
- Maximum contract value: $7,155,000, which is exactly three years at the pilot rate, i.e. the cap if both renewal years are exercised

So it's a multi-million-dollar, apparently sole-source program that could run up to ~$7.2M over three years.

What's been collected so far

Per the Commission's July 16, 2026 response. Keep in mind the vendor doing the identification only went live on September 23, 2025, so these numbers reflect roughly 9 to 10 months of actual enforcement, not a full year:

- 1,494 compliance notices issued
- $1,609,684.82 in sales tax collected
- $32,540 in penalties collected

That's about $1.64M brought in against a $2.385M annual cost, in under a year and with assessments still in process (see below). Too early to say whether it nets out ahead, but that's the trajectory so far.

What I asked for vs. what they actually answered

I asked for nine categories of records. Here's how it shook out:

Answered:
- #1, number of notices issued: 1,494
- #5, total collected: $1,609,684.82 sales tax plus $32,540 penalties
- #8, the vendor contract: provided

Not answered or withheld:
- #2, how many vehicles/vessels were flagged as potentially non-compliant: refused, citing a provision that says the agency isn't required to "compile information"
- #3, unpaid sales tax "assessed": "assessments are currently in process" (no number given)
- #4, penalties "assessed": they gave me the penalties *collected* ($32,540) instead, a different question than the one I asked
- #6, how many people voluntarily complied within the 60-day cure window: refused (same "compile" reason as #2)
- #7, any reports, dashboards, status updates, or internal memos on the program: denied entirely as "protected"
- #9, any data-sharing agreements with other agencies: "no responsive records"

So what they released is basically the headline "we collected $1.6M" number and the contract. The operational detail, how many people got swept up, how much is being assessed, and any internal analysis of how the program is performing, all got withheld or dodged.

Why I think most of those denials are appealable

I'm not a lawyer, but the short version:

- #2 and #6 ("not required to compile"): that exemption doesn't override the duty to search for records they already keep, and the exact figures they gave for #1, #4, and #5 show a tracking system exists. Produce the record or state that none exists.

- #3 and #4 (assessed amounts): GRAMA requires a grant, a specific-cited denial, or "no record." "In process" and answering #4 with the *collected* number are neither.

- #7 (reports/memos): the cited exemptions require showing that disclosure would actually interfere with enforcement, plus release of any non-exempt portions (severability). A blanket denial skips both.

- Public interest: the agency head can release protected records when access outweighs secrecy, and a multi-million-dollar, apparently sole-source program qualifies.

- #9 (data-sharing): weakest point. Utah's DMV is part of the Tax Commission, so internal data wouldn't need an agreement; the real question is any third-party "insurance" data arrangement.

One update: I've also been in touch with Macy Lipkin, who covers license plate and vehicle registration stories for KUER (our local NPR station!), and she may look into this as a possible story. So there's a chance it gets some real reporting behind it.

Happy to share the actual documents if anyone wants to dig in. Just DM me.

I have the Ford charger and the mobile app on Android. I've been unsuccessful in getting scheduled charging to work.

For example, I set the start time to 2200hrs to take advantage of cheaper rates and when I wake up I see the orange circle of death on the Mustang and the app says something like "charging error has occured".

Whenever I plug in without scheduling, it charges immediately without issue.

Has anyone else run into this issue and did you find a resolution?

I hate waking up to an uncharged vehicle.

West Haven City Newsletter – July 2026 Highlights

• Fireworks banned through July 22: Due to extreme fire danger, Governor Cox issued a statewide ban on personal fireworks. West Haven is fully enforcing it, with fines up to $1,000 for violations. The state will reassess before Pioneer Day (July 24). Report violations to Weber County Sheriff non-emergency dispatch: 801-395-8221.
• Newsletter survey: The city wants feedback on how residents prefer to get the newsletter (online vs. mail) to help cut costs. Quick survey here: https://forms.office.com/r/iRut2MJ4A6
• Senior Lunch Bunch: Wednesday, July 22, 11:30am-12:30pm at The Barn (3785 S. Green Farm Way). Fried chicken meal, $5/person. RSVP with City Hall by July 20 at noon.
• Yard sale sign rules: No signs on city property, road right-of-ways/park strips, utility poles, or private property without permission — and take them down right after your sale. Questions: 801-731-9716.
• Road work heads up: Crosswalk/curb painting and sidewalk repair near schools all summer, 5100 West widening (expect closures), 3600 South construction near Westwood (use 3300 South or 4000 South as alternates), and road shoulder grading starting in July.
• Water conservation tips: 10 outdoor water-saving ideas, from rain barrels to morning/evening sprinkler timing.
• Recreation registration open: Flag football, jazz basketball (girls/coed/boys), street hockey, adult volleyball, and a wellness event. Register at westhaven.sportsites.com.

https://preview.redd.it/g6i2e619ijah1.png?width=1374&format=png&auto=webp&s=ab3a78abdf0d112d668b71dff393974ff9fcd757

Well, the mayor finally had the guts to implement the full ban. Good for him, waffling on this was starting to be a disaster.

Update 3: I've got a GRAMA request submitted to the tax commission for records and data around the enforcement of SB 52. I've also got a voicemail into the bill's author.

Update 2: SB 52 passed on Mar 25, 2025. Written by state senator Brady Brammer, Pleasant Grove. It is estimated that 16,000 cars and 4,800 boats are registered in Montana by Utah citizens costing the state 120 mil.

Update 1: I have a call into my state rep for get a status update on this.

Many people in Utah were registering their RVs and exotic cars in Montana to avoid paying Utah registration.

I know the legislature passed a law to close this up and supposedly letters were to be sent to Utah residents to register with the state or pay all the back taxes owed.

Can anyone confirm that this loophole got closed and that the offenders were made to come clean?

I have two stalls and a pasture for anyone being evacuated that needs a place to keep their horses. I'm located in West Haven. DM me for contact info.

USAA gets credit for efficient customer service. I hit a deer this morning and called them this afternoon to make the claim.

​

My assigned agent was thorough and efficient. I've only ever had to do this one other time in 30 years but each experience with their claims service has been good.

I made it to the city council meeting. Very few people showed up. I'll report in the comments.

M53 - I'm good on personal hygiene practices with daily showering and making sure all crevices are cleaned thoroughly. I've been a consistent user of Old Spice deodorant daily for decades.

​

However, as I prepare to jump into the dating pool post-divorce, what recommendations do you have to ensure that i have the right smell at the right level, appropriate for my age?

​

Both genders are welcome to respond.

Hello fellow suffers. I made an appointment to meet with VA audiology regarding treatment options for severe tinnitus. I've been suffering from tinnitus for about 20 years and I wanted to know the current state of treatment.

I consulted with the audiology specialist on staff at my local VA and he told me the following:

- They are "dipping their toes in the water" with the Lenire device. They have 2 patients using it at the moment. The jury is still out.
- I asked about pharmaceutical options and they don't really prescribe out of audiology, they would just kick that up to ENT and even then, it would likely just be something to manage the mental side-effects of tinnitus.

- He gave me a tinnitus workbook which basically provides guidance around trying to treat the mental effects of tinnitus. The workbook was published by 3 PhD's and one AuD. It covers the following topics:

1. Using Sound to Manage Tinnitus
2. Changing Thoughts and Feelings to Manage Reactions to Tinnitus
3. Protect your Ears

That's it.

Not much to report I'm afraid.

DM me if you want a copy of the workbook. I'll send you the PDF.

He did add a program to my Phonak hearing aids to provide background noise to help mask the tinnitus. I can turn it on and off using a 1 sec press of the volume down button.

Be an informed voter.

My opinion:  Vote out incumbents, so vote Karianne Lisonbee for house district 2. James Ebert was the smartest one on the debate panel for Weber Commission Seat A, and I do support re-electing Sharon Bolos for Seat B.

Republican for U.S. House District 2

Debate Video:  Utah 2nd Congressional District 2026 Republican Primary Election Debate

Blake Moore:  https://votesearch.utah.gov/cb/638855506.pdf

 

Candidate Website:  https://www.electmoore.com/

Karianne Lisonbee: https://votesearch.utah.gov/cb/638855504.pdf

Candidate Website: https://www.votekarianne.com/

Weber Commission Seat A

Debate Recording:  2026 (May) Weber County Commissioner Seat A - Debate

Katrina Gibson: https://votesearch.utah.gov/cb/638964399.pdf

Candidate Website: https://vote4katrina.com/

 

James Ebert: https://votesearch.utah.gov/cb/638964396.pdf

Candidate website: https://www.jamesebertforweber.com/

 

Richard Hyer: <no profile available>

 

Duane Kearsley:  https://votesearch.utah.gov/cb/638964404.pdf

Candidate website: http://votekearsley.com/

 

Weber Commission Seat B

Debate Recording: 2026 (March) Weber County Commissioner Seat B

 

Jon Beesley: https://votesearch.utah.gov/cb/638964411.pdf

Candidate Website: https://www.jonforweber.com/

 

Sharon Bolos: https://votesearch.utah.gov/cb/638964409.pdf

Candidate Website:  https://www.electsharonbolos.com/