diff --git a/site/app_controller.php b/site/app_controller.php
index 5ed9976..fd294fd 100644
--- a/site/app_controller.php
+++ b/site/app_controller.php
@@ -38,53 +38,158 @@ class AppController extends Controller {
   var $helpers = array('Html', 'Form', 'Javascript', 'Format', 'Time', 'Grid');
   var $components = array('DebugKit.Toolbar');
 
+  var $sidemenu_areas = array('SITE' => false, 'CONTROLLER' => false, 'ACTION' => false);
+  var $admin_area = 2;
+  var $dev_area = 3;
+
   function __construct() {
     $this->params['dev']   = false;
     $this->params['admin'] = false;
     parent::__construct();
   }
 
-  function sideMenuLinks() {
-    // Stupid Cake... our constructor sets admin/dev,
-    // but cake stomps it somewhere along the way
-    // after constructing the CakeError controller.
-    if ($this->name === 'CakeError') {
-      $this->params['dev']   = false;
-      $this->params['admin'] = false;
-    }
+  /**************************************************************************
+   **************************************************************************
+   **************************************************************************
+   * function: sideMenuAreaVerify
+   *  - Verifies the validity of the sidemenu area/subarea/priority,
+   *    and ensures the class member is set to appropriately handle it.
+   */
 
-    $menu = array();
-    $menu[] = array('name' => 'Common',      'header' => true);
-    $menu[] = array('name' => 'Site Map',    'url' => array('controller' => 'maps',       'action' => 'view', 1));
-    $menu[] = array('name' => 'Units',       'url' => array('controller' => 'units',      'action' => 'index'));
-    $menu[] = array('name' => 'Leases',      'url' => array('controller' => 'leases',     'action' => 'index'));
-    $menu[] = array('name' => 'Customers',   'url' => array('controller' => 'customers',  'action' => 'index'));
-    $menu[] = array('name' => 'Deposits',    'url' => array('controller' => 'transactions', 'action' => 'deposit'));
+  function sideMenuAreaVerify(&$area, $subarea, $priority = null) {
+    $area = strtoupper($area);
+    if (!array_key_exists($area, $this->sidemenu_areas))
+      $this->INTERNAL_ERROR("Sidemenu link '{$area}': Unknown");
+
+    if ($area == 'SITE')
+      $name = 'Common';
+    elseif ($area == 'CONTROLLER')
+      $name = Inflector::humanize($this->params['controller']);
+    elseif ($area == 'ACTION')
+      $name = Inflector::humanize(Inflector::singularize($this->params['controller']));
+
+    $subname = $name;
+    if ($subarea == $this->admin_area)
+      $subname .= '-Admin';
+    elseif ($subarea == $this->dev_area)
+      $subname .= '-Dev';
+    elseif ($subarea > 1)
+      $subname .= '-' . $subarea;
+
+    if (empty($this->sidemenu_areas[$area]))
+      $this->sidemenu_areas[$area] = array('name' => $name, 'subarea' => array());
+    if (empty($this->sidemenu_areas[$area]['subarea'][$subarea]))
+      $this->sidemenu_areas[$area]['subarea'][$subarea]
+	= array('name' => $subname, 'priorities' => array());
+
+    if (isset($priority) && empty($this->sidemenu_areas[$area]['subarea'][$subarea]['priorities'][$priority]))
+      $this->sidemenu_areas[$area]['subarea'][$subarea]['priorities'][$priority]
+	= array();
+  }
+
+
+  /**************************************************************************
+   **************************************************************************
+   **************************************************************************
+   * function: sideMenuAreaName
+   *  - Sets the name of the sidemenu area/subarea
+   */
+
+  function sideMenuAreaName($name, $area, $subarea = 1) {
+    $this->sideMenuAreaVerify($area, $subarea);
+    $this->sidemenu_areas[$area]['subarea'][$subarea]['name'] = $name;
+  }
+
+
+  /**************************************************************************
+   **************************************************************************
+   **************************************************************************
+   * function: addSideMenuLink
+   *  - Adds another link to the sidemenu area/subarea/priority
+   */
+
+  function addSideMenuLink($name, $url, $extra, $area, $subarea = 1, $priority = 10) {
+    $this->sideMenuAreaVerify($area, $subarea);
+    $this->sidemenu_areas[$area]['subarea'][$subarea]['priorities'][$priority][]
+      = array('name' => $name, 'url' => $url) + (empty($extra) ? array() : $extra);
+  }
+
+
+  /**************************************************************************
+   **************************************************************************
+   **************************************************************************
+   * function: addDefaultSideMenuLinks
+   *  - Adds the standard links present on all generated pages
+   */
+
+  function addDefaultSideMenuLinks() {
+
+    $this->addSideMenuLink('Site Map',
+			   array('controller' => 'maps', 'action' => 'view', 1), null,
+			   'SITE');
+    $this->addSideMenuLink('Units',
+			   array('controller' => 'units', 'action' => 'index'), null,
+			   'SITE');
+    $this->addSideMenuLink('Leases',
+			   array('controller' => 'leases', 'action' => 'index'), null,
+			   'SITE');
+    $this->addSideMenuLink('Customers',
+			   array('controller' => 'customers', 'action' => 'index'), null,
+			   'SITE');
+    $this->addSideMenuLink('Deposits',
+			   array('controller' => 'transactions', 'action' => 'deposit'), null,
+			   'SITE');
 
     if ($this->params['admin']) {
-      $menu[] = array('name' => 'Admin',      'header' => true);
-      $menu[] = array('name' => 'Accounts',    'url' => array('controller' => 'accounts',   'action' => 'index'));
-      $menu[] = array('name' => 'Contacts',    'url' => array('controller' => 'contacts',   'action' => 'index'));
-      $menu[] = array('name' => 'Ledgers',     'url' => array('controller' => 'ledgers',    'action' => 'index'));
-      $menu[] = array('name' => 'Tenders',     'url' => array('controller' => 'tenders', 'action' => 'index'));
-      $menu[] = array('name' => 'Transactions', 'url' => array('controller' => 'transactions', 'action' => 'index'));
-      $menu[] = array('name' => 'Ldgr Entries', 'url' => array('controller' => 'ledger_entries', 'action' => 'index'));
-      $menu[] = array('name' => 'Stmt Entries', 'url' => array('controller' => 'statement_entries', 'action' => 'index'));
-      $menu[] = array('name' => 'New Ledgers', 'url' => array('controller' => 'accounts',   'action' => 'newledger'));
-      $menu[] = array('name' => 'Assess Charges', 'url' => array('controller' => 'leases', 'action' => 'assess_all'));
+      $this->addSideMenuLink('Accounts',
+			     array('controller' => 'accounts', 'action' => 'index'), null,
+			     'SITE', $this->admin_area);
+      $this->addSideMenuLink('Contacts',
+			     array('controller' => 'contacts', 'action' => 'index'), null,
+			     'SITE', $this->admin_area);
+      $this->addSideMenuLink('Ledgers',
+			     array('controller' => 'ledgers', 'action' => 'index'), null,
+			     'SITE', $this->admin_area);
+      $this->addSideMenuLink('Tenders',
+			     array('controller' => 'tenders', 'action' => 'index'), null,
+			     'SITE', $this->admin_area);
+      $this->addSideMenuLink('Transactions',
+			     array('controller' => 'transactions', 'action' => 'index'), null,
+			     'SITE', $this->admin_area);
+      $this->addSideMenuLink('Ldgr Entries',
+			     array('controller' => 'ledger_entries', 'action' => 'index'), null,
+			     'SITE', $this->admin_area);
+      $this->addSideMenuLink('Stmt Entries',
+			     array('controller' => 'statement_entries', 'action' => 'index'), null,
+			     'SITE', $this->admin_area);
+      $this->addSideMenuLink('New Ledgers',
+			     array('controller' => 'accounts', 'action' => 'newledger'), null,
+			     'SITE', $this->admin_area);
+      $this->addSideMenuLink('Assess Charges',
+			     array('controller' => 'leases', 'action' => 'assess_all'), null,
+			     'SITE', $this->admin_area);
     }
 
     if ($this->params['dev']) {
-      $menu[] = array('name' => 'Development', 'header' => true);
-      $menu[] = array('name' => 'Un-Nuke',    'url' => '#', 'htmlAttributes' =>
-		      array('onclick' => '$(".pr-section").show(); return false;'));
-      $menu[] = array('name' => 'New Ledgers', 'url' => array('controller' => 'accounts',    'action' => 'newledger'));
-      //array('name' => 'RESET DATA',  'url' => array('controller' => 'accounts',   'action' => 'reset_data'));
+      $this->addSideMenuLink('Un-Nuke',
+			     '#', array('htmlAttributes' =>
+					array('onclick' => '$(".pr-section").show(); return false;')),
+			     'SITE', $this->dev_area);
+      $this->addSideMenuLink('New Ledgers',
+			     array('controller' => 'accounts', 'action' => 'newledger'), null,
+			     'SITE', $this->dev_area);
+      //array('name' => 'RESET DATA',  array('controller' => 'accounts', 'action' => 'reset_data'));
     }
-
-    return $menu;
   }
 
+
+  /**************************************************************************
+   **************************************************************************
+   **************************************************************************
+   * hook: beforeFilter
+   *  - Called just before the action function
+   */
+
   function beforeFilter() {
     $this->params['dev'] =
       (!empty($this->params['dev_route']));
@@ -93,12 +198,50 @@ class AppController extends Controller {
 
     if (!$this->params['dev'])
       Configure::write('debug', '0');
+
+    $this->addDefaultSideMenuLinks();
   }
 
+
+  /**************************************************************************
+   **************************************************************************
+   **************************************************************************
+   * hook: beforeRender
+   *  - Called just before rendering the page
+   */
+
   function beforeRender() {
-    $this->set('sidemenu', $this->sideMenuLinks());
+    // Stupid Cake... our constructor sets admin/dev,
+    // but cake stomps it somewhere along the way
+    // after constructing the CakeError controller.
+    if ($this->name === 'CakeError') {
+      $this->params['dev']   = false;
+      $this->params['admin'] = false;
+    }
+
+    foreach ($this->sidemenu_areas AS &$area) {
+      if (empty($area['subarea']))
+	continue;
+
+      ksort($area['subarea']);
+      foreach ($area['subarea'] AS &$subarea) {
+	if (empty($subarea['priorities']))
+	  continue;
+	ksort($subarea['priorities']);
+      }
+    }
+
+    //pr($this->sidemenu_areas);
+    $this->set('sidemenu', $this->sidemenu_areas);
   }
 
+
+  /**************************************************************************
+   **************************************************************************
+   **************************************************************************
+   * override: redirect
+   */
+
   function redirect($url, $status = null, $exit = true) {
     // OK, since the controller will not be able to
     // utilize our overriden url function in AppHelper,
@@ -127,6 +270,14 @@ class AppController extends Controller {
     return parent::redirect($url, $status, $exit);
   }
 
+
+  /**************************************************************************
+   **************************************************************************
+   **************************************************************************
+   * function: reset_data
+   *  - Development function.  TO BE DELETED
+   */
+
   function reset_data() {
     $this->layout = null;
     $this->autoLayout = false;
diff --git a/site/controllers/accounts_controller.php b/site/controllers/accounts_controller.php
index 0554f26..0aed7a5 100644
--- a/site/controllers/accounts_controller.php
+++ b/site/controllers/accounts_controller.php
@@ -4,28 +4,37 @@ class AccountsController extends AppController {
 
   var $uses = array('Account', 'LedgerEntry');
 
-  var $sidemenu_links =
-    array(array('name' => 'Accounts',        'header' => true),
-	  array('name' => 'All',             'url' => array('controller' => 'accounts', 'action' => 'all')),
-	  array('name' => 'Asset',           'url' => array('controller' => 'accounts', 'action' => 'asset')),
-	  array('name' => 'Liability',       'url' => array('controller' => 'accounts', 'action' => 'liability')),
-	  array('name' => 'Equity',          'url' => array('controller' => 'accounts', 'action' => 'equity')),
-	  array('name' => 'Income',          'url' => array('controller' => 'accounts', 'action' => 'income')),
-	  array('name' => 'Expense',         'url' => array('controller' => 'accounts', 'action' => 'expense')),
-	  );
-
 
   /**************************************************************************
    **************************************************************************
    **************************************************************************
-   * override: sideMenuLinks
-   *  - Generates controller specific links for the side menu
+   * override: addDefaultSideMenuLinks
+   *  - Adds controller specific default side menu links
    */
-  function sideMenuLinks() {
-    return array_merge(parent::sideMenuLinks(), $this->sidemenu_links);
+
+  function addDefaultSideMenuLinks() {
+    parent::addDefaultSideMenuLinks();
+    $this->addSideMenuLink('Asset',
+			   array('controller' => 'accounts', 'action' => 'asset'), null,
+			   'CONTROLLER');
+    $this->addSideMenuLink('Liability',
+			   array('controller' => 'accounts', 'action' => 'liability'), null,
+			   'CONTROLLER');
+    $this->addSideMenuLink('Equity',
+			   array('controller' => 'accounts', 'action' => 'equity'), null,
+			   'CONTROLLER');
+    $this->addSideMenuLink('Income',
+			   array('controller' => 'accounts', 'action' => 'income'), null,
+			   'CONTROLLER');
+    $this->addSideMenuLink('Expense',
+			   array('controller' => 'accounts', 'action' => 'expense'), null,
+			   'CONTROLLER');
+    $this->addSideMenuLink('All',
+			   array('controller' => 'accounts', 'action' => 'all'), null,
+			   'CONTROLLER');
   }
 
-  
+
   /**************************************************************************
    **************************************************************************
    **************************************************************************
@@ -189,12 +198,12 @@ class AccountsController extends AppController {
     $stats = $this->Account->stats($id, true);
     $stats = $stats['Ledger'];
 
-    $this->sidemenu_links[] =
-      array('name' => 'Operations',       'header' => true);
-    $this->sidemenu_links[] =
-      array('name' => 'New Ledger',       'url' => array('action' => 'newledger', $id));
-    $this->sidemenu_links[] =
-      array('name' => 'Collected',        'url' => array('action' => 'collected', $id));
+    $this->addSideMenuLink('New Ledger',
+			   array('action' => 'newledger', $id), null,
+			   'ACTION');
+    $this->addSideMenuLink('Collected',
+			   array('action' => 'collected', $id), null,
+			   'ACTION');
 
     // Prepare to render
     $title = 'Account: ' . $account['Account']['name'];
diff --git a/site/controllers/contacts_controller.php b/site/controllers/contacts_controller.php
index ea2e20d..f9cb4e2 100644
--- a/site/controllers/contacts_controller.php
+++ b/site/controllers/contacts_controller.php
@@ -2,19 +2,7 @@
 
 class ContactsController extends AppController {
 
-  var $sidemenu_links = array();
 
-  /**************************************************************************
-   **************************************************************************
-   **************************************************************************
-   * override: sideMenuLinks
-   *  - Generates controller specific links for the side menu
-   */
-  function sideMenuLinks() {
-    return array_merge(parent::sideMenuLinks(), $this->sidemenu_links);
-  }
-
-  
   /**************************************************************************
    **************************************************************************
    **************************************************************************
@@ -78,13 +66,9 @@ class ContactsController extends AppController {
 	));
 
     // Set up dynamic menu items
-    $this->sidemenu_links[] =
-      array('name' => 'Operations', 'header' => true);
-
-    $this->sidemenu_links[] =
-      array('name' => 'Edit',
-	    'url' => array('action' => 'edit',
-			   $id));
+    $this->addSideMenuLink('Edit',
+			   array('action' => 'edit', $id), null,
+			   'ACTION');
 
     // Prepare to render.
     $title = 'Contact: ' . $contact['Contact']['display_name'];
diff --git a/site/controllers/customers_controller.php b/site/controllers/customers_controller.php
index 5244feb..6b47e64 100644
--- a/site/controllers/customers_controller.php
+++ b/site/controllers/customers_controller.php
@@ -1,28 +1,33 @@
 <?php
 
 class CustomersController extends AppController {
-  var $sidemenu_links =
-    array(array('name' => 'Customers',     'header' => true),
-          array('name' => 'Current',       'url' => array('controller' => 'customers', 'action' => 'current')),
-          array('name' => 'Past',          'url' => array('controller' => 'customers', 'action' => 'past')),
-          array('name' => 'All',           'url' => array('controller' => 'customers', 'action' => 'all')),
-          array('name' => 'Add Customer',  'url' => array('controller' => 'customers', 'action' => 'add')),
-          );
-
-  //var $components = array('RequestHandler');
 
 
   /**************************************************************************
    **************************************************************************
    **************************************************************************
-   * override: sideMenuLinks
-   *  - Generates controller specific links for the side menu
+   * override: addDefaultSideMenuLinks
+   *  - Adds controller specific default side menu links
    */
-  function sideMenuLinks() {
-    return array_merge(parent::sideMenuLinks(), $this->sidemenu_links);
+
+  function addDefaultSideMenuLinks() {
+    parent::addDefaultSideMenuLinks();
+    $this->addSideMenuLink('Current',
+			   array('controller' => 'customers', 'action' => 'current'), null,
+			   'CONTROLLER');
+    $this->addSideMenuLink('Past',
+			   array('controller' => 'customers', 'action' => 'past'), null,
+			   'CONTROLLER');
+    $this->addSideMenuLink('All',
+			   array('controller' => 'customers', 'action' => 'all'), null,
+			   'CONTROLLER');
+    $this->addSideMenuLink('Add Customer',
+			   array('controller' => 'customers', 'action' => 'add'), null,
+			   'CONTROLLER');
+
   }
 
-  
+
   /**************************************************************************
    **************************************************************************
    **************************************************************************
@@ -229,42 +234,35 @@ class CustomersController extends AppController {
     }
 
     // Set up dynamic menu items
-    $this->sidemenu_links[] =
-      array('name' => 'Operations', 'header' => true);
 
-    $this->sidemenu_links[] =
-      array('name' => 'Edit',
-	    'url' => array('action' => 'edit',
-			   $id));
+    $this->addSideMenuLink('Edit',
+			   array('action' => 'edit', $id), null,
+			   'ACTION');
 
-    $this->sidemenu_links[] =
-      array('name' => 'Move-In',
-	    'url' => array('action' => 'move_in',
-			   $id));
+    $this->addSideMenuLink('Move-In',
+			   array('action' => 'move_in', $id), null,
+			   'ACTION');
 
 /*     if ($show_moveout) { */
-/*       $this->sidemenu_links[] = */
-/* 	array('name' => 'Move-Out', */
-/* 	      'url' => array('action' => 'move_out', */
-/* 			     $id)); */
+/*       $this->addSideMenuLink('Move-Out', */
+/* 			     array('action' => 'move_out', $id), null, */
+/* 			     'ACTION'); */
 /*     } */
 
     if ($show_payment || $outstanding_balance > 0)
-      $this->sidemenu_links[] =
-	array('name' => 'New Receipt',
-	      'url' => array('action' => 'receipt',
-			     $id));
+      $this->addSideMenuLink('New Receipt',
+			     array('action' => 'receipt', $id), null,
+			     'ACTION');
 
     if (!$show_moveout && $outstanding_balance > 0)
-      $this->sidemenu_links[] =
-	array('name' => 'Write-Off',
-	      'url' => array('action' => 'bad_debt',
-			     $id));
+      $this->addSideMenuLink('Write-Off',
+			     array('action' => 'bad_debt', $id), null,
+			     'ACTION');
 
     if ($outstanding_balance < 0)
-      $this->sidemenu_links[] =
-	array('name' => 'Issue Refund',
-	      'url' => array('action' => 'refund', $id));
+      $this->addSideMenuLink('Issue Refund',
+			     array('action' => 'refund', $id), null,
+			     'ACTION');
 
     // Prepare to render.
     $title = 'Customer: ' . $customer['Customer']['name'];
diff --git a/site/controllers/double_entries_controller.php b/site/controllers/double_entries_controller.php
index 42a61a9..1d4f494 100644
--- a/site/controllers/double_entries_controller.php
+++ b/site/controllers/double_entries_controller.php
@@ -2,20 +2,7 @@
 
 class DoubleEntriesController extends AppController {
 
-  var $sidemenu_links = array();
 
-
-  /**************************************************************************
-   **************************************************************************
-   **************************************************************************
-   * override: sideMenuLinks
-   *  - Generates controller specific links for the side menu
-   */
-  function sideMenuLinks() {
-    return array_merge(parent::sideMenuLinks(), $this->sidemenu_links);
-  }
-
-  
   /**************************************************************************
    **************************************************************************
    **************************************************************************
diff --git a/site/controllers/leases_controller.php b/site/controllers/leases_controller.php
index ed501c7..e109f38 100644
--- a/site/controllers/leases_controller.php
+++ b/site/controllers/leases_controller.php
@@ -2,26 +2,31 @@
 
 class LeasesController extends AppController {
 
-  var $sidemenu_links =
-    array(array('name' => 'Leases',     'header' => true),
-	  array('name' => 'Active',     'url' => array('controller' => 'leases', 'action' => 'active')),
-	  array('name' => 'Closed',     'url' => array('controller' => 'leases', 'action' => 'closed')),
-	  array('name' => 'Delinquent', 'url' => array('controller' => 'leases', 'action' => 'delinquent')),
-	  array('name' => 'All',        'url' => array('controller' => 'leases', 'action' => 'all')),
-	  );
-
 
   /**************************************************************************
    **************************************************************************
    **************************************************************************
-   * override: sideMenuLinks
-   *  - Generates controller specific links for the side menu
+   * override: addDefaultSideMenuLinks
+   *  - Adds controller specific default side menu links
    */
-  function sideMenuLinks() {
-    return array_merge(parent::sideMenuLinks(), $this->sidemenu_links);
+
+  function addDefaultSideMenuLinks() {
+    parent::addDefaultSideMenuLinks();
+    $this->addSideMenuLink('Active',
+			   array('controller' => 'leases', 'action' => 'active'), null,
+			   'CONTROLLER');
+    $this->addSideMenuLink('Closed',
+			   array('controller' => 'leases', 'action' => 'closed'), null,
+			   'CONTROLLER');
+    $this->addSideMenuLink('Delinquent',
+			   array('controller' => 'leases', 'action' => 'delinquent'), null,
+			   'CONTROLLER');
+    $this->addSideMenuLink('All',
+			   array('controller' => 'leases', 'action' => 'all'), null,
+			   'CONTROLLER');
   }
 
-  
+
   /**************************************************************************
    **************************************************************************
    **************************************************************************
@@ -467,28 +472,21 @@ class LeasesController extends AppController {
     // yet still have an outstanding balance.  This can happen if someone
     // were to reverse charges, or if a payment should come back NSF.
     if (!isset($lease['Lease']['close_date']) || $outstanding_balance > 0) {
-      $this->sidemenu_links[] =
-	array('name' => 'Operations', 'header' => true);
-
       if (!isset($lease['Lease']['moveout_date']))
-	$this->sidemenu_links[] =
-	  array('name' => 'Move-Out', 'url' => array('action' => 'move_out',
-						     $id));
+	$this->addSideMenuLink('Move-Out',
+			       array('action' => 'move_out', $id), null,
+			       'ACTION');
 
       if (!isset($lease['Lease']['close_date']))
-	$this->sidemenu_links[] =
-	  array('name' => 'New Invoice', 'url' => array('action' => 'invoice',
-							$id));
+	$this->addSideMenuLink('New Invoice',
+			       array('action' => 'invoice', $id), null,
+			       'ACTION');
 
-      $this->sidemenu_links[] =
-	array('name' => 'New Receipt', 'url' => array('controller' => 'customers',
-						      'action' => 'receipt',
-						      $lease['Customer']['id']));
-
-/*       if ($outstanding_balance < 0) */
-/* 	$this->sidemenu_links[] = */
-/* 	  array('name' => 'Transfer Credit to Customer', */
-/* 		'url' => array('action' => 'promote_surplus', $id)); */
+      $this->addSideMenuLink('New Receipt',
+			     array('controller' => 'customers',
+				   'action' => 'receipt',
+				   $lease['Customer']['id']), null,
+			     'ACTION');
 
       // REVISIT <AP>:
       //  Not allowing refund to be issued from the lease, as
@@ -500,19 +498,19 @@ class LeasesController extends AppController {
 	$this->INTERNAL_ERROR("Should not have a customer lease credit.");
 
 /*       if ($outstanding_balance < 0) */
-/* 	$this->sidemenu_links[] = */
-/* 	  array('name' => 'Issue Refund', */
-/* 		'url' => array('action' => 'refund', $id)); */
+/* 	$this->addSideMenuLink('Issue Refund', */
+/* 			       array('action' => 'refund', $id), null, */
+/* 			       'ACTION'); */
 
       if (isset($lease['Lease']['moveout_date']) && $outstanding_balance > 0)
-	$this->sidemenu_links[] =
-	  array('name' => 'Write-Off', 'url' => array('action' => 'bad_debt',
-						      $id));
+	$this->addSideMenuLink('Write-Off',
+			       array('action' => 'bad_debt', $id), null,
+			       'ACTION');
 
       if ($this->Lease->closeable($id))
-	$this->sidemenu_links[] =
-	  array('name' => 'Close', 'url' => array('action' => 'close',
-						  $id));
+	$this->addSideMenuLink('Close',
+			       array('action' => 'close', $id), null,
+			       'ACTION');
     }
 
     // Prepare to render
diff --git a/site/controllers/ledger_entries_controller.php b/site/controllers/ledger_entries_controller.php
index d1e7805..cd7d855 100644
--- a/site/controllers/ledger_entries_controller.php
+++ b/site/controllers/ledger_entries_controller.php
@@ -2,19 +2,6 @@
 
 class LedgerEntriesController extends AppController {
 
-  var $sidemenu_links = array();
-
-
-  /**************************************************************************
-   **************************************************************************
-   **************************************************************************
-   * override: sideMenuLinks
-   *  - Generates controller specific links for the side menu
-   */
-  function sideMenuLinks() {
-    return array_merge(parent::sideMenuLinks(), $this->sidemenu_links);
-  }
-
   
   /**************************************************************************
    **************************************************************************
diff --git a/site/controllers/ledgers_controller.php b/site/controllers/ledgers_controller.php
index 5aa073b..eddcfa0 100644
--- a/site/controllers/ledgers_controller.php
+++ b/site/controllers/ledgers_controller.php
@@ -2,25 +2,28 @@
 
 class LedgersController extends AppController {
 
-  var $sidemenu_links =
-    array(array('name' => 'Ledgers',      'header' => true),
-	  array('name' => 'Current',      'url' => array('controller' => 'ledgers', 'action' => 'current')),
-	  array('name' => 'Closed',       'url' => array('controller' => 'ledgers', 'action' => 'closed')),
-	  array('name' => 'All',          'url' => array('controller' => 'ledgers', 'action' => 'all')),
-	  );
-
 
   /**************************************************************************
    **************************************************************************
    **************************************************************************
-   * override: sideMenuLinks
-   *  - Generates controller specific links for the side menu
+   * override: addDefaultSideMenuLinks
+   *  - Adds controller specific default side menu links
    */
-  function sideMenuLinks() {
-    return array_merge(parent::sideMenuLinks(), $this->sidemenu_links);
+
+  function addDefaultSideMenuLinks() {
+    parent::addDefaultSideMenuLinks();
+    $this->addSideMenuLink('Current',
+			   array('controller' => 'ledgers', 'action' => 'current'), null
+			   'CONTROLLER');
+    $this->addSideMenuLink('Closed',
+			   array('controller' => 'ledgers', 'action' => 'closed'), null,
+			   'CONTROLLER');
+    $this->addSideMenuLink('All',
+			   array('controller' => 'ledgers', 'action' => 'all'), null,
+			   'CONTROLLER');
   }
 
-  
+
   /**************************************************************************
    **************************************************************************
    **************************************************************************
diff --git a/site/controllers/statement_entries_controller.php b/site/controllers/statement_entries_controller.php
index b260699..1fa76fb 100644
--- a/site/controllers/statement_entries_controller.php
+++ b/site/controllers/statement_entries_controller.php
@@ -2,20 +2,7 @@
 
 class StatementEntriesController extends AppController {
 
-  var $sidemenu_links = array();
 
-
-  /**************************************************************************
-   **************************************************************************
-   **************************************************************************
-   * override: sideMenuLinks
-   *  - Generates controller specific links for the side menu
-   */
-  function sideMenuLinks() {
-    return array_merge(parent::sideMenuLinks(), $this->sidemenu_links);
-  }
-
-  
   /**************************************************************************
    **************************************************************************
    **************************************************************************
@@ -293,24 +280,16 @@ class StatementEntriesController extends AppController {
 
     if (strtoupper($entry['StatementEntry']['type']) === 'CHARGE') {
 
-      $reversable = $this->StatementEntry->reversable($id);
-
       // Set up dynamic menu items
-      if ($reversable || $stats['balance'] > 0)
-	$this->sidemenu_links[] =
-	  array('name' => 'Operations', 'header' => true);
-
-      if ($reversable)
-	$this->sidemenu_links[] =
-	  array('name' => 'Reverse',
-		'url' => array('action' => 'reverse',
-			       $id));
+      if ($this->StatementEntry->reversable($id))
+	$this->addSideMenuLink('Reverse',
+			       array('action' => 'reverse', $id), null,
+			       'ACTION');
 
       if ($stats['balance'] > 0)
-	$this->sidemenu_links[] =
-	  array('name' => 'Waive Balance',
-		'url' => array('action' => 'waive',
-			       $id));
+	$this->addSideMenuLink('Waive Balance',
+			       array('action' => 'waive', $id), null,
+			       'ACTION');
     }
 
     // Prepare to render.
diff --git a/site/controllers/tenders_controller.php b/site/controllers/tenders_controller.php
index 8e8be18..c44925a 100644
--- a/site/controllers/tenders_controller.php
+++ b/site/controllers/tenders_controller.php
@@ -2,20 +2,7 @@
 
 class TendersController extends AppController {
 
-  var $sidemenu_links = array();
 
-
-  /**************************************************************************
-   **************************************************************************
-   **************************************************************************
-   * override: sideMenuLinks
-   *  - Generates controller specific links for the side menu
-   */
-  function sideMenuLinks() {
-    return array_merge(parent::sideMenuLinks(), $this->sidemenu_links);
-  }
-
-  
   /**************************************************************************
    **************************************************************************
    **************************************************************************
@@ -163,16 +150,11 @@ class TendersController extends AppController {
 	));
 
 
-    // Set up dynamic menu items
-    $this->sidemenu_links[] =
-      array('name' => 'Operations', 'header' => true);
-
     // Watch out for the special "Closing" entries
     if (!empty($tender['TenderType']['id']))
-      $this->sidemenu_links[] =
-	array('name' => 'Edit',
-	      'url' => array('action' => 'edit',
-			     $id));
+      $this->addSideMenuLink('Edit',
+			     array('action' => 'edit', $id), null,			     
+			     'ACTION');
 
     if (!empty($tender['Tender']['deposit_transaction_id'])
 	&& empty($tender['Tender']['nsf_transaction_id'])
@@ -181,10 +163,9 @@ class TendersController extends AppController {
 	// (or if we're in development mode)
 	&& (!empty($tender['TenderType']['data1_name']) || !empty($this->params['dev']))
 	) {
-      $this->sidemenu_links[] =
-	array('name' => 'NSF',
-	      'url' => array('action' => 'nsf',
-			     $id));
+      $this->addSideMenuLink('NSF',
+			     array('action' => 'nsf', $id), null,
+			     'ACTION');
     }
 
     // Prepare to render.
diff --git a/site/controllers/transactions_controller.php b/site/controllers/transactions_controller.php
index eca9677..12382ca 100644
--- a/site/controllers/transactions_controller.php
+++ b/site/controllers/transactions_controller.php
@@ -4,26 +4,31 @@ class TransactionsController extends AppController {
 
   var $components = array('RequestHandler');
 
-  var $sidemenu_links =
-    array(array('name' => 'Transactions', 'header' => true),
-	  array('name' => 'All',          'url' => array('controller' => 'transactions', 'action' => 'all')),
-	  array('name' => 'Invoices',     'url' => array('controller' => 'transactions', 'action' => 'invoice')),
-	  array('name' => 'Receipts',     'url' => array('controller' => 'transactions', 'action' => 'receipt')),
-	  array('name' => 'Deposits',     'url' => array('controller' => 'transactions', 'action' => 'deposit')),
-	  );
-
 
   /**************************************************************************
    **************************************************************************
    **************************************************************************
-   * override: sideMenuLinks
-   *  - Generates controller specific links for the side menu
+   * override: addDefaultSideMenuLinks
+   *  - Adds controller specific default side menu links
    */
-  function sideMenuLinks() {
-    return array_merge(parent::sideMenuLinks(), $this->sidemenu_links);
+
+  function addDefaultSideMenuLinks() {
+    parent::addDefaultSideMenuLinks();
+    $this->addSideMenuLink('Invoices',
+			   array('controller' => 'transactions', 'action' => 'invoice'), null,
+			   'CONTROLLER');
+    $this->addSideMenuLink('Receipts',
+			   array('controller' => 'transactions', 'action' => 'receipt'), null,
+			   'CONTROLLER');
+    $this->addSideMenuLink('Deposits',
+			   array('controller' => 'transactions', 'action' => 'deposit'), null,
+			   'CONTROLLER');
+    $this->addSideMenuLink('All',
+			   array('controller' => 'transactions', 'action' => 'all'), null,
+			   'CONTROLLER');
   }
 
-  
+
   /**************************************************************************
    **************************************************************************
    **************************************************************************
@@ -36,10 +41,9 @@ class TransactionsController extends AppController {
   function invoice()  { $this->gridView('Invoices'); }
   function receipt()  { $this->gridView('Receipts'); }
   function deposit()  {
-    $this->sidemenu_links = array
-      (array('name' => 'Operations', 'header' => true),
-       array('name' => 'New Deposit', 'url' => array('controller' => 'tenders',
-						     'action' => 'deposit')));
+    $this->addSideMenuLink('New Deposit',
+			   array('controller' => 'tenders', 'action' => 'deposit'), null,
+			   'ACTION');
     $this->gridView('Deposits');
   }
 
@@ -410,20 +414,19 @@ class TransactionsController extends AppController {
       $this->redirect(array('action'=>'index'));
     }
 
-    if ($transaction['Transaction']['type'] === 'DEPOSIT' || $this->params['dev']) {
-      $this->sidemenu_links[] =
-	array('name' => 'Operations',    'header' => true);
+    if ($transaction['Transaction']['type'] === 'DEPOSIT')
+      $this->addSideMenuLink('View Slip',
+			     array('action' => 'deposit_slip', $id), null,
+			     'ACTION');
 
-      if ($transaction['Transaction']['type'] === 'DEPOSIT')
-	$this->sidemenu_links[] =
-	  array('name' => 'View Slip',  'url' => array('action' => 'deposit_slip', $id));
-      if ($this->params['dev'])
-	$this->sidemenu_links[] =
-	  array('name' => 'Destroy',    'url' => array('action' => 'destroy', $id),
-		'confirmMessage' => ("This may leave the database in an unstable state." .
-				     " Do NOT do this unless you know what you're doing." .
-				     " Proceed anyway?"));
-    }
+    if ($this->params['dev'])
+      $this->addSideMenuLink('Destroy',
+			     array('action' => 'destroy', $id),
+			     array('confirmMessage' =>
+				   "This may leave the database in an unstable state." .
+				   " Do NOT do this unless you know what you're doing." .
+				   " Proceed anyway?"),
+			     'ACTION', $this->dev_area);
 
     // OK, prepare to render.
     $title = 'Transaction #' . $transaction['Transaction']['id'];
@@ -482,10 +485,9 @@ class TransactionsController extends AppController {
     if ($deposit['Transaction']['amount'] != $deposit_total)
       $this->INTERNAL_ERROR("Deposit items do not add up to deposit slip total");
 
-    $this->sidemenu_links[] =
-      array('name' => 'Operations',    'header' => true);
-    $this->sidemenu_links[] =
-      array('name' => 'View Transaction',  'url' => array('action' => 'view', $id));
+    $this->addSideMenuLink('View',
+			   array('action' => 'view', $id), null,
+			   'ACTION');
 
     $title = 'Deposit Slip';
     $this->set(compact('title', 'deposit'));
diff --git a/site/controllers/units_controller.php b/site/controllers/units_controller.php
index 50f15a0..cd5c4f9 100644
--- a/site/controllers/units_controller.php
+++ b/site/controllers/units_controller.php
@@ -2,23 +2,28 @@
 
 class UnitsController extends AppController {
 
-  var $sidemenu_links =
-    array(array('name' => 'Units',        'header' => true),
-	  array('name' => 'Occupied',     'url' => array('controller' => 'units', 'action' => 'occupied')),
-	  array('name' => 'Vacant',       'url' => array('controller' => 'units', 'action' => 'vacant')),
-	  array('name' => 'Unavailable',  'url' => array('controller' => 'units', 'action' => 'unavailable')),
-	  array('name' => 'All',          'url' => array('controller' => 'units', 'action' => 'all')),
-	  );
-
 
   /**************************************************************************
    **************************************************************************
    **************************************************************************
-   * override: sideMenuLinks
-   *  - Generates controller specific links for the side menu
+   * override: addDefaultSideMenuLinks
+   *  - Adds controller specific default side menu links
    */
-  function sideMenuLinks() {
-    return array_merge(parent::sideMenuLinks(), $this->sidemenu_links);
+
+  function addDefaultSideMenuLinks() {
+    parent::addDefaultSideMenuLinks();
+    $this->addSideMenuLink('Occupied',
+			   array('controller' => 'units', 'action' => 'occupied'), null,
+			   'CONTROLLER');
+    $this->addSideMenuLink('Vacant',
+			   array('controller' => 'units', 'action' => 'vacant'), null,
+			   'CONTROLLER');
+    $this->addSideMenuLink('Unavailable',
+			   array('controller' => 'units', 'action' => 'unavailable'), null,
+			   'CONTROLLER');
+    $this->addSideMenuLink('All',
+			   array('controller' => 'units', 'action' => 'all'), null,
+			   'CONTROLLER');
   }
 
   
@@ -233,36 +238,35 @@ class UnitsController extends AppController {
     }
 
     // Set up dynamic menu items
-    $this->sidemenu_links[] =
-      array('name' => 'Operations', 'header' => true);
-
-    $this->sidemenu_links[] =
-      array('name' => 'Edit', 'url' => array('action' => 'edit',
-					     $id));
+    $this->addSideMenuLink('Edit',
+			   array('action' => 'edit', $id), null,
+			   'ACTION');
 
     if (isset($unit['CurrentLease']['id']) &&
 	!isset($unit['CurrentLease']['moveout_date'])) {
-      $this->sidemenu_links[] =
-	array('name' => 'Move-Out', 'url' => array('action' => 'move_out',
-						   $id));
+      $this->addSideMenuLink('Move-Out',
+			     array('action' => 'move_out', $id), null,
+			     'ACTION');
     } elseif ($this->Unit->available($unit['Unit']['status'])) {
-      $this->sidemenu_links[] =
-	array('name' => 'Move-In', 'url' => array('action' => 'move_in',
-						   $id));
+      $this->addSideMenuLink('Move-In',
+			     array('action' => 'move_in', $id), null,
+			     'ACTION');
     } else {
       // Unit is unavailable (dirty, damaged, reserved, business-use, etc)
     }
 
     if (isset($unit['CurrentLease']['id']) &&
 	!isset($unit['CurrentLease']['close_date'])) {
-      $this->sidemenu_links[] =
-	array('name' => 'New Invoice', 'url' => array('controller' => 'leases',
-						      'action' => 'invoice',
-						      $unit['CurrentLease']['id']));
-      $this->sidemenu_links[] =
-	array('name' => 'New Receipt', 'url' => array('controller' => 'customers',
-						      'action' => 'receipt',
-						      $unit['CurrentLease']['customer_id']));
+      $this->addSideMenuLink('New Invoice',
+			     array('controller' => 'leases',
+				   'action' => 'invoice',
+				   $unit['CurrentLease']['id']), null,
+			     'ACTION');
+      $this->addSideMenuLink('New Receipt',
+			     array('controller' => 'customers',
+				   'action' => 'receipt',
+				   $unit['CurrentLease']['customer_id']), null,
+			     'ACTION');
     }
 
     // Prepare to render.
diff --git a/site/views/elements/sidemenu.ctp b/site/views/elements/sidemenu.ctp
index c1e8958..dca30c9 100644
--- a/site/views/elements/sidemenu.ctp
+++ b/site/views/elements/sidemenu.ctp
@@ -8,17 +8,29 @@
  * @package       pmgr
  */
 
-foreach ($menu AS $item) {
-  if (isset($item['header']))
-    echo('<DIV CLASS="header">' . $item['name'] . '</DIV>' . "\n");
-  elseif (isset($item['hr']))
-    echo('<HR>' . "\n");
-  elseif (isset($item['url']))
-    echo('<DIV CLASS="item">'
-	 . $html->link($item['name'], $item['url'],
-		       isset($item['htmlAttributes']) ? $item['htmlAttributes'] : null,
-		       isset($item['confirmMessage']) ? $item['confirmMessage'] : null,
-		       isset($item['escapeTitle'])    ? $item['escapeTitle'] : null)
+foreach ($menu AS $area) {
+  if (empty($area['subarea']))
+    continue;
 
-	 . '</DIV>' . "\n");
+  foreach ($area['subarea'] AS $subarea) {
+    if (empty($subarea['priorities']))
+      continue;
+
+    echo('<DIV CLASS="header">' . $subarea['name'] . '</DIV>' . "\n");
+    foreach ($subarea['priorities'] AS $priority) {
+      foreach ($priority AS $item) {
+	if (isset($item['header']))
+	  echo('<DIV CLASS="header">' . $item['name'] . '</DIV>' . "\n");
+	elseif (isset($item['hr']))
+	  echo('<HR>' . "\n");
+	elseif (isset($item['url']))
+	  echo('<DIV CLASS="item">'
+	       . $html->link($item['name'], $item['url'],
+			     isset($item['htmlAttributes']) ? $item['htmlAttributes'] : null,
+			     isset($item['confirmMessage']) ? $item['confirmMessage'] : null,
+			     isset($item['escapeTitle'])    ? $item['escapeTitle'] : null)
+	       . '</DIV>' . "\n");
+      }
+    }
+  }
 }