5A- Identifying Local Opportunities

Identifying Local Opportunities

Your mission is to identify 5 potential opportunities and describe these opportunities in a post.

o    “LA fire revives push for sprinklers in older high rises”

o   https://www.gainesville.com/ZZ/news/20200130/la-fire-revives-push-for-sprinklers-in-older-high-rises

o   Many LA residents were displaced when flames destroyed a 1960s-era Los Angeles apartment tower, injuring 13 people this week. Many are wondering why this apartment complex’s management failed to install sprinklers. City officials said that after the fires in 2013 “that it shouldn’t take another tragedy” to get sprinklers into older buildings, but it did.  Los Angeles Fire Chief Ralph Terrazas recommended in 2017 that sprinklers be installed in all high rise buildings, that did not already have them. At the time, the estimated cost of this was $6,000. These fires were said to have destroyed the apartment complex before the firefighters could get up there. Jacob Woocher of the Los Angeles Tenants Union claims that, Landords neglecting fire safety is an ongoing issue. Two firefighters received minor burns as they scrambled to reach the apartments. After hundreds of firefighters attempted to save the building, the building was deemed too dangerous to inhabit, causing 339 tenants to find new homes. This problem affects the residents of LA high rises, the firefighters, the LAPD, and the landlords of properties in LA.

o   UF student dies days after being struck by vehicle

o   https://www.alligator.org/news/uf-student-dies-days-after-being-struck-by-vehicle/article_069afbb6-42ce-11ea-b438-d76df92018c9.html

o   Denise Griffith, a UF student has died after being struck by a vehicle in east Gainesville Monday evening. The 21-year old English language and literature major, was his on 2500 East University Avenue at 8:16 pm, says Sgt. Michael West of the Gainesville Police Department. Griffith was immediately transported to UF Health Shands Hospital, in critical condition following the accident. Denise was very involved at UF, as an avid member of many clubs as well as a resident assistant. The problem faced is that a fellow UF student passed away after being hit by a car. This affects the student body as a whole, the Griffith family, the person who hit Denise, and the UFPD.

o   Future of Gainesville Lucky’s Market remains unclear

o   https://www.alligator.org/news/future-of-gainesville-lucky-s-market-remains-unclear/article_158d3cc4-426f-11ea-9004-cffc3a103c6e.html

o   With the recent closing of Lucky’s Market located at 1459 NW 23^rd Ave, the shelves cleared out with the announcement it would close February 12^th. Recent reports indicate that Aldi’s Discount Grocers are looking to purchase six Lucky’s Market stores, including the Gainesville location. With the recent closing of Lucky’s Market, many workers have been laid off and are patiently waiting to hear back from local stores such as Whole Foods Market, Fresh Market, Winn-Dixie and Publix. The problem with Lucky’s Market closing is affecting the former Lucky’s employees, those who shop at Lucky’s and the owner of the property that leases their land to the property owner. 

o   UF Health monitors rumors of coronavirus spreading to Gainesville

o   https://www.alligator.org/news/uf-health-monitors-rumors-of-coronavirus-spreading-to-gainesville/article_69a9b1a0-426c-11ea-86b2-87354e5a2a4e.html

o   With a notice that a UF student’s family member traveled from China to Gainesville before the corona virus quarantine broke out, UF Health Directors were made aware and monitored the student who was in contact with this family member. Up until this point, the threat of the corona virus is still “relatively low.” The rumor of this traveler was reached through a popular Chinese social media app, We Chat. A translation of this message reads: “Friends in Florida, note that a UF parent flew over from Wuhan for the Chinese New Year. Please be careful. Wear a mask and carry hand sanitizer. If an outbreak occurs, report it.” After the UF International Center identified four people who traveled from China to Gainesville within the last two weeks, none of them traveled from Wuhan, UF spokesman Steve Orlando says.  The problem presented is the potential threat for a corona virus outbreak in Gainesville. The problem is UF student, faculty and staff and Gainesville/Alachua County Residents.

o   Local vape shops lose profits due to recent tobacco law

o   https://www.alligator.org/news/local-vape-shops-lose-profits-due-to-recent-tobacco-law/article_6033000a-42d4-11ea-bd9f-4f3ed2b963e4.html

o   With the signing of a recent bill by President Donald Trump raising the buying age of tobacco to 21, many local smoke/vape shops are experiencing a decrease in profits. Mary Ewing, owner of Escape 2 Vape smoke shop claimed “30 percent of our customers were between 18-20 years old.” This bill makes it illegal for these business owners to sell tobacco products to those under the age of 21. With the vaping epidemic, this seems like a good idea for the health of the future generation, but ultimately this law will affect the profit margins of these vape shops. Not surprisingly, many of these vape shop owners claim their products are a healthy alternative for smokers, but with many attractive flavors such as Banana Ice, Melon Ice, Cantaloupe and many more, these vape shops are attracting non-smokers who are adopting a nicotine addiction. Many of these vape shops are claiming to have lost at least 25% of their business since the law was passed. The problem is mainly non-smokers who are between the ages of 18-20 and vape shops.