Page 14
The INDEPENDENT, August 17, 2011
Don’t wait until it’s too late to make a business continuity plan
During the first half of 2011,
the U.S. experienced some of
the worst tornadoes, wildfires
and flooding in its history
demonstrating the importance
of a business continuity plan,
according to the Insurance In-
stitute for Business & Home
Safety (IBHS).
Before April’s disasters
struck, between 6,000 and
8,000 small businesses in Al-
abama, Tennessee, Mississippi
and Georgia were expected to
close in 2011, according to a
report by Dun & Bradstreet.
After the tornadoes, the re-
search company increased its
forecast to at least 10,000
small businesses.
“Small business owners may
find it difficult to find the time to
devote to planning ahead for a
disaster that may never strike,”
said Diana McClure, business
resiliency program manager at
IBHS. “But the alternative is
losing the business should a
disaster strike for which the
business is unprepared.”
One in four small business-
es that is forced to close be-
cause of a disaster never re-
opens. Businesses that have a
business continuity plan in
place – and use it during and
after disaster strikes – typically
experience less damage, loss
and downtime than businesses
without a plan.
A business continuity plan
should at a minimum include
the following measures:
• A pre-identified site where
the business can temporarily
relocate
• Means to retrieve data, in-
cluding employee, customer
and vendor records
• A process for operating ef-
fectively with a smaller staff of
key individuals
IBHS offers Open for Busi-
ness ® , a free, easy-to-use pro-
gram that provides small to
mid-sized business owners
with a tool to create a compre-
Council approves IGA for PSWCC
From page 13
compliance plan, welding - Fire
& Exposure Control, Electrical
and Ladder Safety.
In August 2008, Council ap-
proved an Intergovernmental
Agreement (IGA) creating the
Partners for a Sustainable
Washington County Communi-
ty (PSWCC), partnering with
other municipalities and special
districts to interact on matters
of environmental sensitivity
and sustainability. The IGA has
been revised and updated.
Councilor Brian Biehl serves on
the board, and will cast a vote
on the revised IGA. The motion
carried unanimously by all
present to approve an amend-
ment to an intergovernmental
agreement establishing the
Partners for a Sustainable
Washington County Communi-
ty, and authorized Councilor
Biehl to cast the Banks vote in
favor of approving the IGA, and
authorize the Mayor to sign on
behalf of the city.
The next Banks City Council
meeting will be held in Banks
City Hall on Tuesday, Septem-
ber 13, at 7:00 p.m.
hensive business continuity
plan. The toolkit includes plan-
ning worksheets, business
continuity and disaster recov-
ery tips and risk-specific prop-
erty protection information. Go
to www.disastersafety.org for
more information.
IBHS is an independent,
nonprofit, scientific and educa-
tional organization supported
by the property insurance in-
dustry. The organization works
to reduce the social and eco-
nomic effects of natural disas-
ters and other risks to residen-
tial and commercial property by
conducting research and advo-
cating improved construction,
maintenance and preparation
practices.
Hagg Lake gets dump station grant
The Oregon State Marine
Board approved a grant to re-
place the dump stations on
Scoggins Valley Ramps A and
C on Henry Hagg Lake, on
June 27, at their quarterly
meeting held in Sisters.
Washington County applied
for, and received a grant for the
dump stations since they man-
age much of the land around
the lake. The boat ramps pro-
vide access to the lake for
boaters, and also include vehi-
cle and trailer parking, rest-
rooms and other amenities.
The Board approved $6,125
in state boater funds, and
$18,375 in federal Clean Ves-
sel Act funds for a project total
of $24,500.
The Oregon State Marine
Board is funded entirely by
user fees, and revenue gener-
ated from the fees goes back to
boaters in the form of boating
facility improvements, law en-
forcement services, and edu-
cation and outreach.
A complete list of “Round
One” grant projects for the
2011-2013 biennium can be
found at http://www.boatore
gon.com/OSMB/BoatFac/docs/
11_13_grant_info.pdf.
66 th Annual Banks BBQ 2011 Schedule
Banks Sunset Park
Free General admission No pets allowed
Friday, Aug 19
6:00 PM
Hamburger Stand, Beer Garden & Grandstands open
6:00 PM
Gene Remero Flat Track Series ( Motorcycles)
6:30 PM
Texas Hold’em Poker tournament registration, Schlegal Hall
7:00 PM
Texas Hold’em Poker tournament begins, Schlegal Hall
Saturday, Aug 20
8:00-11:00 AM All you can eat Breakfast, Provided by Banks Lions Club
8:00-11:00 AM Car show Registration
10:00 AM
40 TH Annual Tractor pull registration begins
12:00 PM
Car show judging/ Beer Garden opens
1:00 PM
Grandstands open
1:00-5:00 PM Truck registration begins
2:00 PM
Tractor Pull Begins
5:00-6:30 PM Lawn Mower Races
7:00 PM
Truck Pull Begins, pit sales are closed
7:00-11:00 PM Music in the Beer Gardens
Sunday, Aug 21
7:00-11:00 AM
8:00-12:00 PM
8:30 AM
11:00 AM
12:00 PM
1:00 PM
1:30 PM
5:00 PM
5:30 PM
All you can eat breakfast, Provided by Banks Lions Club
Tractor & Truck Registration
Parade sign up - at Main St. & Sunset
BANKS GRAND PARADE
Flag Raising at Schlegel Hall, Famous BBQ Sandwiches
Grandstands open / Beer Garden opens
Kids Games & Rides in the picnic area
40 th ANNUAL TRACTOR & TRUCK PULL BEGINS
Kid’s Pedal Pull in the grandstands area,
Sponsored by Fisher Farm & Lawn in Hillsboro
Greased Pole/ Frog Jumping contest in the picnic area
12 th ANNUAL COMBINE DESTRUCTION DERBY
Truck Tug-of-War, pit sales closed
Car Blow Up
Grandstands Admission Prices:
Friday: Sunset speedway pricing Saturday: Adults $10 • Children ages 6-16 $5 • 5 & under free
Saturday Family Pass: $25, good for 2 adults & 2 children Sunday: Adults $12 • Children ages 6-16 $6 • 5 & under free
Sunday Family Pass: $30, good for 2 adults & 2 kids
www.bankssunsetpark.com