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You may have noticed the new LSMP logo premiering on the cover of this issue, as well as the new cover design and a renovated editorial emphasis throughout the publication . . .

2009 will be LSMP?EUR??,,????'?????<

We did this through a number of readership and advertiser surveys, by asking your opinions at about a dozen trade shows and by the good old standby of picking up the magazine and flipping through the pages . . .

Since your wish is our command, you will begin to see several changes in the magazine over the next few months . . .

First of all, rather than having a bunch of short articles on nearly every subject within the industry, LSMP has cut down the regular departments from eight (8) to three (3). Those three are ?EUR??,,????'?????<

Having fewer editorial departments will allow LSMP to focus more energy on getting in depth with the feature articles, which is what you have asked us to do . . . Of course, the feature articles are all about showcasing the work of successful Landscape Superintendents and the work you do at your job sites.

By the way . . . Having your work appear in LSMP is like winning a National Award. LSMP reviews dozens of potential articles for every issue and can only move forward with the best of the best. Don?EUR??,,????'?????<>>) and include about 50 words on the scope of your responsibilities. If we select your work for a feature, we will contact you and since you are the Landscape Superintendent and we are the writers . . . I think you get the picture .

Anyways . . .To this end the 2009 Editorial Calendar is now available and can be found at landscapearchitect.com (just click on the ?EUR??,,????'?????<

So . . . On to the economy . . . With things changing on a day-to-day basis and since this issue will not hit your desk until about 14 days from today (10/8/08) it is hard to predict what will happen next. However, I can say housing prices are beginning to stabilize and if the lending industry can get it together, the inventory of 400,000 new homes will begin to diminish and the real estate market will begin to climb out of its hole over the next several months. This will mean greater property tax revenues, which will help those who rely on city budgets.

Also, with the American dollar gaining strength and oil prices falling, gas prices will continue to drop. This will allow more travel, which allows the consumers to get to your facilities. This will help those facilities that rely on travel to keep your budgets in the green.

As far as the election is concerned, I?EUR??,,????'?????<

In any event, we?EUR??,,????'?????<

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