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When I have a bad year at work no one bails me out. When the CEO of my company does stupid stuff like start a trade war and mess with tariffs, the company doesn’t give every employee a check for $100,000.Our national deficit is now at record levels and the Congressional Budget Office estimates that the national debt will surpass the size of our economy in 13 years. Will I get my Medicaid? My Social Security?I want to know what you did with our money, farmers of America. Maybe most of it went to corporate factory farms? If it went to large corporate factory farms, isn’t that just stealing from the poor and giving to the rich? We just don’t know, there needs to be an accounting. I’m looking forward to hearing from farmers, so we know where the money went and how you are going to pay the rest of us back.MICHAEL WINNSaratoga SpringsPence not fit for czar positionAh, so VP Pence, another science-denier, is now in charge of handling the Covid-19 virus and possible pandemic. After all, he did such a bang-up job on healthcare in Indiana allowing HIV to become an epidemic due to his ideological blindness.He was also a proponent of gay conversion “therapy,” since debunked, and also stated that cigarettes don’t kill, a half-century after the Surgeon General placed warnings on cigarette packages. What a guy.This just makes me feel so much better, knowing that incompetent, ignorant and unqualified fools are in charge, which pretty much describes this entire administration. More retail tax breaks neededAs a life-long resident of Schenectady, I would like to thank the Metroplex board, Mayor and City/County Council, past and present for doing a great job at bringing back Downtown Schenectady. Downtown has not looked this good for the past 30 to 40 years. There are now many great eateries and luxury apartments. The streets and walkways are nice, clean, and well maintained.I think moving forward, to keep a growing momentum, and increase positive cash flow, we need higher end retail stores. Why can’t the Metroplex, along with city and county officials, give a tax break to all retail business and outlet companies to move into the nice new retail store fronts?I’m sure that with all the new businesses and people coming into town, the retailers moving into the new spaces with the incentive of tax breaks, would pay off in the long run.Again, thank you for a job well done on all improvements to downtown Schenectady.JOHN PUGLISISchenectadyStefanik unclear on health careI have just visited Representative Elise Stefanik’s office with several other people to discuss Health Care. Despite having supplied the meeting agenda one month previous for review, the office was unable to provide much information on Representative Stefanik’s positions. I had a follow up with a legislative aide in Washington and again Congresswoman Stefanik’s positions were not clear. At what point do we conclude that whether it is Medicare, Medicare for all, The Chips Program or The High Cost of Prescription Drugs, that Congresswoman Stefanik has little or no concern for the health care needs of the seniors, adults and children of the NY21 Congressional District? We as people can no longer send a person to Washington who does not see Health Care as an important issue.JIM NOVOTNYGloversville Hatred manifests from ignorance‘Supremacy’ as defined in Webster’s dictionary is a condition of power above all.It is quite a contradiction then that any person/s claiming supremacy would display such a cowardly act as to make terrorist threats against Jewish community centers across New York State. This anti-Semitic act, as well as any racist, cultural actions will not be tolerated. It is a hatred which manifested from some very ignorant people and perpetuates itself through ignorance, fear and hatred. As usual, the cowards hide behind masks, emails, phones or hoards and spreads its tentacles as far as they can reach.It is my hope that these persons will soon come to learn that they destroy any or all of the ideals one may strive to impose to better serve mankind.MARY ANN BRUNOSchenectadyGOP needs to stand up to TrumpThe impeachment trial and fall out since is complete and utter truth that the Republican Party has failed in their one true job of protecting the Constitution of the United States. Only one Republican, Romney, after undisputed evidence and getting worse every day, with more and more evidence of an assault of the Laws of the Constitution, voted to impeach. Here are the choices we are left. Stop and limit this president’s power or impeach. The last is that since the king reigns we no longer need the Senate, or House, or Justice Departments. We can save a lot of money in paychecks and benefits. Mrs. Stefanik and all who chose to turn their backs and destroy our Constitution that all others fought the Revolutionary War for in Saratoga, New York, and turned the war for freedom. As your King Trump said in his only money-making job he had “You’re fired.”DAVID KEENANSchenectady Categories: Letters to the Editor, OpinionWhat happened to farmers’ $25B?This is an open letter to American farmers; I want to know what you did with the $25 billion plus of U.S. taxpayer’s money that President Trump stole from us through an obscure 1940’s law without congressional approval? Sure must be nice. Surgical center closure a travestyHaving just begun my twenty-fourth year as a weekly volunteer at the McClellan Campus at Ellis Hospital, I must speak out. I have walked alongside the most caring, dedicated, and professional employees during my time there. The closure of this surgical center at McClellan Campus is such a travesty. These people have provided our community with much needed services in a most caring manner. The loss of their retirement benefits is devastating and disgraceful. Their daily quality of life is affected in a very serious manner. The state of New York and the Albany Catholic diocese must step up and do the right and honest thing for these fine people.KITTY FAVATARotterdam Please pay attention to the genuine professionals from the CDC and other doctors and scientists who know whereof they speak. And, wash your hands.CYNTHIA SWANSONNiskayunaTonko was wrong to vote for ERACongressman Paul Tonko betrayed women when he voted for the Equality Act allowing biological males access to women’s bathrooms, locker rooms, showers, dorm rooms, women’s shelters, as well as the right to compete against women in women’s sports.A recent case illustrates how Tonko’s policy violates women: At Crossgates, a man stalked and imprisoned women inside the woman’s bathroom. The man was charged with stalking and unlawful imprisonment and was released without bail. He was not charged with entering the woman’s bathroom, because that’s legal thanks to Democrats like Paul Tonko. Because of laws supported by Tonko, the predator legally entered the woman’s bathroom with intent to harm women. Tonko’s policy gives men the right to enter private spaces previously reserved for women. Women are most vulnerable and least capable of defending themselves in public bathrooms and locker rooms. Tonko’s policy empowers predators and victimizes women.While all people deserve to be treated with respect, that respect should not come at the expense of respect for women, and their rights to safety, privacy, and livelihood. We need a woman in Congress who will truly protect women, and that’s Liz Lemery-Joy.JENNIFER RICHARDSBurnt Hills More from The Daily Gazette:EDITORIAL: No more extensions on vehicle inspectionsHIGH NOTES: PPEs, fighting hunger, backpacks and supplies for kidsEDITORIAL: Thruway tax unfair to working motoristsEDITORIAL: Make a game plan for voting. Do it now.Foss: Schenectady Clergy Against Hate brings people together
Aziza Davids, from Manenberg, is gearing up for her solo career and will be performing at the Nomad Bistro and Bar, 33 Waterkant Street, Cape Town, on Wednesday December 12. Fans of Aziza Davids will be happy to learn that she will be releasing her first single, which will be followed shortly by her debut album, very soon.Although she could not give a timeline as to when it will happen, she will be celebrating her “coming out as a solo artist” with a performance on Wednesday December 12 at the Nomad Bistro and Bar, at 8pm.The powerful singer from Manenberg was introduced to the music world as a 9-year-old when she performed as part of her school choir at Downeville Primary.However, it was only after her first solo performance, when she was in Grade 7, that she realised this is what she wanted to do with her life.Being the humanitarian she is, she decided to share her skill with the younger generation, and has been teaching children visual arts, poetry writing and reading, as well as vocal training. She is the project manager for the Rosa Choir’s junior group. The choir forms part of the Cape Cultural Collective. Ms Davids’ singing career has also given her opportunities to perform beyond South African borders. In 2011, she performed in the Netherlands and in 2015, she did tribute shows in Spain for six months. Nothing beats home, however.Her singing is so versatile, that it is difficult to box it into a particular genre. “I sing anything and everything. However, jazz and rock are among my favourite kinds of music to perform,” she said.Chairperson of the Cape Cultural Collective, Mansoor Jaffer, said Ms Davids made a “major contribution” to the Rosa Choir.“She is not only a powerful lead singer, but she has also ensured the consistent participation of a group of teenagers over the years. She has kept the group of teenagers together, harnessing their energy and talent, and developing their overall skills.When the Junior Rosa Choir was formed in 2015, she recruited about half of the members. Since she became the junior choir’s project manager, the group is showing steady growth. They are starting to perform more regularly and participating in a range of social projects, such as the recent camp in Llandudno. The children played games, put on a talent contest and took part in a human rights workshop run by Molo Songololo. In addition to all of this, Ms Davids does poetry and performs as a solo artist where her star is beginning to shine brighter. “We are honoured to have Aziza as part of the Cape Cultural Collective team and look forward to be part of her ongoing and amazing journey,” Mr Jaffer said.Tickets to her show, on Wednesday December 12, at the Nomad Bistro and Bar, 33 Waterkant Street, Cape Town, are R50 each. For tickets, contact Ms Davids at 063 166 3344.
The Supreme Court has expressed ‘great sympathy’ for former homeowners who may have been victims of ‘unprofessional and dishonest behaviour’ by solicitors appointed to act for them in sale-and-rent-back transactions.On Tuesday the Supreme Court unanimously dismissed an appeal in Scott (appellant) v Southern Pacific Mortgages Limited (respondents) [2014] UKSC 52. This was one of 10 test cases in which homeowners were persuaded to sell their properties to buyers who promised them the right to remain in their homes as tenants for an extended period after the sale.The buyers bought the homes with the assistance of mortgages from lenders who were not given notice of the promises made to the homeowners.Criminal charges are pending. The original owners and lenders, said Lord Collins, may have been victims of fraud. Some of the solicitors involved in the transactions, he noted, were subsequently the subject of disciplinary proceedings. He said: ‘[The former homeowners] may have claims against the Solicitors’ Compensation Fund, but the fact remains that they may lose their homes if they do not succeed on this appeal.’The purchasers/mortgagors were nominees for an entity called North East Property Buyers (NEPB). In each case the purchaser applied for a loan from one of the lenders. The application form disclosed that the property was being purchased on a ‘buy to let’ basis and that the tenancies granted would be assured shorthold tenancies of six months’ duration. Contract exchange and completion, and execution of the mortgage, took place on the same day.Neither the rights of occupation promised by the purchasers to the vendors, nor the tenancies granted by the purchasers were permitted by the lenders’ mortgages. When the purchasers defaulted on their mortgage payments, the lenders sought possession of the homes, which the tenants fought in the High Court in 2010 and in the Court of Appeal in 2012.The Supreme Court was asked to consider, in Scott, whether the appellant had interests whose priority was protected by virtue of section 29(2)(a)(ii) of, and schedule 3, paragraph 2 to, the Land Registration Act 2002.The five judges agreed that the purchaser was not in a position at the date of exchange, or any time up until completion, to confer equitable proprietary rights on the vendors, as opposed to personal rights only. The judges were divided over the secondary question of whether the contract should be seen as an indivisible transaction with the conveyance and the mortgage. In addressing the second issue, Lord Collins said: ‘[It is important] to emphasise that the scheme in the present case could not have worked if the solicitors for the vendors and the solicitors for the purchasers/lenders had complied with their professional obligations and proper and normal conveyancing practice.’Paul Heeley, partner at TLT, which acted for lender Southern Pacific, warned solicitors involved in sale-and-rent-back schemes to be very careful when giving advice to lender clients.‘Solicitors are under pressure to get transactions through quickly…but they have to balance [competing interests] in a way that is upfront and honest,’ he said.The court noted that there are about 90 other cases in Newcastle involving NEPB and some 20 different lenders, ’but also many other cases in other parts of England involving similar schemes’.Said Heeley: ’Some of these cases will involve court proceedings that have been put on hold. Many other cases have arisen but proceedings have not started.’
RENFE’s freight business has formed a joint venture with logistics company Algeposa aimed at increasing its share of the steel products market. The Spanish national operator owns 49% of Railsider which it hopes will increase its turnover from this sector to €71m this year from €67m in 2007. The planned merger of CD Cargo and ZSSK Cargo was endorsed by Czech and Slovak Prime Ministers Mirek Topolánek and Robert Fico on August 21. They agreed that both countries would have an equal stake in senior management after the merger, which has been under negotation since October 2007 (RG 8.08 p474). The equal representation is a political decision, as CD Cargo is a somewhat larger business than its Slovak counterpart. Passenger services between Shanghai and Chizhou in China’s Anhui province were launched on September 1. Construction of the line took four years. Swaziland Railways has spent US$16m upgrading the eastern line from Mpaka which connects end-on at Goba with the Mozambique Railways branch to the port of Maputo. SR CEO Gideon Mahlalela said the line is now in good condition for another five decades, and he foresees a revival of iron ore mining, the original reason for building the railway. On September 15 Class 120 Alvia gauge-changing trainsets replaced Talgo IV formations on RENFE’s Vigo – Barcelona service, which at 1 341 km is the Spanish national operator’s longest daytime route. Using high speed infrastructure between Zaragoza and Barcelona has cut 2 h 04 min from the journey time, with the service now operating daily instead of three days a week in each direction.Czech Railways began running test trains through the Vitkov tunnels in Praha on September 1. The KC9bn cross-city link provides a high-capacity connection between three of the country’s main rail corridors (RG 1.06 p42). Pakistan’s Minister for Railways told the senate last month that a study has determined that is it not commercially feasible to construct a rail link from Havelian to China over the Khunjerab Pass which crosses the mountains at 4 700 m. Following electrification of the Tours – Vierzon route, the Centre region of France has funded the introduction of a suburban service between Tours and Bléré-la-Croix, comprising 11 return workings each day. The region provided €1·5bn or 65% of the necessary investment, including turnback facilities at Bléré to avoid conflicting movements with other services.On September 17 DB Schenker subsidiary Railion Italia announced its offer to buy a 49% stake in Milano-based NordCargo had been accepted. Spun off from Ferrovienord in 2003, NordCargo transports freight between Germany, Switzerland and Italy, with 182 employees and revenue of €34m in 2007. To finance the acquisition of 24 double-deck EMUs and 16 AGC trainsets for SNCF TER services, France’s Rhône-Alpes region has signed a leasing agreement with a consortium of three banks led by Caisse D’Epargne Rhône-Alpes. The 38-year lease represents a saving of €25m on orders worth €300m, according to the region. On August 25 Prime Minister Vladimir Putin formally postponed construction of the 460 km Kyzyl – Kuragino railway in the Tuva region of Russia from 2012 to 2014. The governments of Chile and Argentina have both now declared the project to build a 23 km base tunnel under the Andes (RG 3.08 p137) to be of public interest. A new hydroelectric plant at Punta de Vacas has been proposed to provide power for the electrified route. As part of a programme of legal reform in anticipation of possible EU membership, last month Croatia passed legislation to establish a railway agency which will provide independent safety regulation and ensure non-discriminatory access to the network. Under the Gröna Tåget research programme (RG 9.08 p725), a Bombardier Regina EMU set a Swedish rail speed record of 303 km/h between Töreboda and Skövde on September 14. On September 10 the European Commission approved an extension to the financial support being provided by the French and Italian governments during the experimental phase of Modalohr rolling motorway services on the 175 km Fréjus corridor between Aiton-Bourgneuf and Orbassano. Train services are suspended for three months until November 18 on the 94 km Torralba – Soria route in Spain as a €16·6m programme of track renewals is undertaken. On August 8 the Croatian and Serbian national railways restarted regular freight traffic across the Bogojevo bridge over the Danube. Passenger services are planned for December. SNCF and the Pays de la Loire region have signed an agreement covering the operation and funding of TER services in 2008-14. The French region is planning to undertake €700m of rail investment up to 2014. Discussing the Singapore – Kunming Rail Link at the 10th ASEAN-Mekong Basin Development Co-operation meeting held in Singapore during August, ministers agreed that a conference to attract investment for the project will be convened in early 2009. Malaysia accepted an invitation to be permanent chair of the working group.
NETHERLANDS: ‘Prices in the market for renewals are under great pressure’, said Strukton Rail on October 19, announcing a reorganisation under which the company’s four regions will be reduced to two. Around 350 jobs are to go across the country, and Strukton has started negotiations with its staff and unions over the proposed redundancies. Noting that the company had invested considerable sums over the past five years to support a ‘substantial’ improvement in the quality of the Dutch rail network, Strukton Rail said new ‘output-oriented’ contracts for daily maintenance were characterised by low prices. It expressed concern about ‘the current situation in which quality becomes subordinate to price’.
Education Minister Ruel Reid Newly appointed Jamaica Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Ruel Reid, takes the campaign for child abuse awareness to South Florida this Saturday, as scheduled keynote speaker for the PROTECT THEM Gala. Hosted by the local NUH GUH DEH campaign against child abuse in Jamaica and the Diaspora, Minister Reid will address the nation’s current efforts in protecting its children, and outline ways the Diaspora can contribute.Child abuse prevention will be a critic issue under his tenure, says Minister Reid in an interview with National Weekly. “We are working with UNICEF [United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund] to train our teachers to spot abuse, as well as change how they relate to their students,” said Minister Reid. “We are also working on our parenting program to better equip our parents on how to handle discipline.”But meaningful change will also require a cultural shift in discipline, says Minister Reid, particularly for children with behavioral conditions, as too often children with developmental challenges suffer abuse because parents and institutions are unable to manage.“We need to understand more as a society about childhood development,” says Minister Reid. “If children have biological challenges, schools and families need to recognize and accommodate children that need special support. They can’t be abused because they behave differently.”The Minister is encouraging the Diaspora to contribute in any way they can to the Ministry’s new initiatives targeting these needs, from provide safe facilities for children escaping chronic abuse, to curriculum reform to help integrate students with behavioral conditions such as autism.“The Diaspora can contribute by fundraising. Children in abusive environments need to be in safe homes, and homes and boarding institutions require extensive funding,” says Minister Reid. “The Diaspora can also help by speaking out. Write articles, post on social media. Make your voices be heard though your consulates. Collective influence can bring pressure on this issue.”“We thought it ideal for Senator Reid to be invited to address this critical manner of preventing child abuse affecting children in Jamaica, the USA and elsewhere,” said the founder of the NUH GUH DEH campaign, Lavern Deer. “We are extremely pleased that even as the new administration in Jamaica grapples with the challenges of government, Senator Reid, who has three very critical portfolios coping with, has taken time out to attend the gala and join us in this very important struggle.”Senator Reid who is also the principal of Jamaica College (JC), one of Jamaica’s oldest high schools, took leave from that institution to accept Prime Minister Andrew Holness’ invitation to join his Cabinet after the Jamaica Labor Party’s general election victory on February 25.Referred to as the “reluctant politician” Senator Reid is generally regarded as an “outstanding educator” among Jamaica’s education circles, and has been targeted by previous administrations to serve under the education portfolio.Kevin Turner of Miramar, who was a senior at Jamaica’s Munro College when Senator Reid began his teaching career there in 1996, describes the minister as “not only an A-class educator, but someone who take the positive development of youth very seriously. He’s ideal for addressing the need to protect young people from all forms of abuse.” . Senator Reid was conferred with the Jamaican Order of Distinction (Commander Class) in 2011, and formerly served as chairman of Jamaica’s National Council on Education, and chairman of the National Council on Technical and Vocational Education and Training.Also at Saturday nights Gala, Florida State Representative, and Hazelle Rogers, and Angela Messam, wife of Miramar’s mayor Wayne Messam, will be honored with the PROTECT THEM Humanitarian Award. Both women are being honored for “their outstanding efforts in the community to educate, integrate and motivate via information-sharing, as well as their proven ability to make a difference in the lives of the people they’ve touched through their work and community involvement.”The gala will take place on Saturday, April 23, starting 6 p.m. at the Carolina Golf Club in Margate.
Nigeria’s military is set to turn the Sambisa forest, a former bastion of militant Islamist group Boko Haram, into a training centre for its troops.The new base will also be used as ground for testing acquired equipment before putting them into operation.The move is to prevent the militants from rebuilding a presence in the area.Last Friday, Nigeria’s military overran the militants’ last camp in the forest.Sambisa had become their main base after they lost control of urban strongholds in north-eastern Borno state in 2015.
Cameroon imposes curfew in restive anglophone regions Cameroon loses US military support over Anglophone crisis Members of the Cameroonian Rapid Intervention Force patrol on the outskirt of Mosogo in the far north region of the country where Boko Haram jihadist have been active since 2013, on March 21, 2019. (Photo by Reinnier KAZE / AFP) (Photo credit should read REINNIER KAZE/AFP/Getty Images) Members of the Cameroonian Rapid Intervention Force patrol on the outskirt of Mosogo in the far north region of the country where Boko Haram jihadist have been active since 2013, on March 21, 2019. (Photo by Reinnier KAZE / AFP) (Photo credit should read REINNIER KAZE/AFP/Getty Images)Leaders of the African Union (AU), Commonwealth and International Organization of the Francophone, commonly known as La Francophonie, have voiced their commitment to support the peace process in Cameroon’s two troubled English-speaking regions.Moussa Faki Mahamat, chairperson of the African Union Commission, Louise Mushikiwabo, secretary general of La Francophonie and Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland, on Wednesday expressed their willingness and resolve to assist the country in its peace process after a joint audience with Cameroonian President Paul Biya.“Our major concern is to contribute towards peace and stability. We believe that Cameroonians do not merit any form of violence and differences ought to be resolved peacefully,” Faki told reporters.“What is of importance is peace, security and equality and we are determined to do all we can as three organisations to support the peaceful process. This is a moment of change, an important moment which we have to seize and support in solidarity. So all those who love good governance and peace need to work hard to deliver it,” Scotland added.The leaders will also meet with opposition parties and civil societies during their two-day mission in Cameroon.“We believe that we have an obligation to contribute modestly through advice, interventions in mediation or on technical subjects such as bilingualism and multiculturalism,” Mushikiwabo told reporters.Since 2017, government forces have been clashing with armed separatist forces who want the two English-speaking regions of Northwest and Southwest to secede from the majority French-speaking nation.Related
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