Letters to the Editor for Saturday, Nov. 16
Categories: Letters to the Editor, OpinionRidding city of Riggi not a worthy goal“We worked really hard and took out Vince Riggi how about that?” That’s Councilman John Polimeni’s quote. So he feels the election was all about beating Riggi, the one of maybe two council persons that doesn’t rubber stamp all of Mayor Gary McCarthy’s items.The people of Schenectady have lost a good voice and it will come around to bite them. I don’t vote strict party lines, but I won’t vote for anyone that lacks common sense and feels it’s more important to beat Vince Riggi than help the people of this city. I can see some dirty dealings between the Democrats and Republicans here.Albert DeMarcoSchenectadyPraise for reporter, Galway historian Everyone may discuss any issueDiane Sanders Hombach’s Oct. 30 letter (“Writer has no right to discuss abortion”) seems to hold to the idea that unless one is able to have a baby, one has no right to discuss abortion.If that is her criterion for inclusion in the discussion, then she must also accept that as the criterion for discussion of issues that pertain to individuals possessing male reproductive parts.By her logic, toxic masculinity, “mansplaining,” and “manspreading” are out of bounds for her. If she is not disabled, then she has no voice on any issue regarding the acceptance or treatment of individuals who need special services.If she is not Catholic, then she has no voice about child sexual abuse in a religion she does not share. By her own rule, if she does not participate in any “group,” then she has no right to voice any opinions about said group should she find something egregious happening.When the surgeon general says that drinking while pregnant harms a developing fetus, does Ms. Hombach pass this off as none of his business because he doesn’t have a womb? Her opinion on the matter does not affect medical knowledge. If drinking harms the developing fetus, abortion certainly does, too. Dave HartLathamThanks for Polish festival supportThe Church of St. Adalbert would like to thank everyone in the Capital Region who attended our festival (Dozyniki), which was a huge success. All our Polish food is homemade and delicious. The Polish dancers, raffles, gift baskets, genealogy, baked goods, crafts, kids’ room and Polish music help keep the Polish tradition and heritage alive. Thanks to all of our talented volunteers and donors. Thank you, St. Gabriel, for the use of the parish center. See you next year. God bless and thank you (dziekuje).George SykalaRotterdamCarolyn KozubalColonieThe writers are Polish festival co-chairs.Shot at executive wasn’t necessaryAlthough Pete Demola’s Nov. 8 piece was well written on the DEC develop plans for the High Peaks, I could not see the reason for describing a person that had a skirmish with Keene Supervisor Joe Pete Wilson as a “BMW-driving Canadian bank executive.” Was that really necessary to the article?Rita MurtaghDuanesburgMore from The Daily Gazette:EDITORIAL: Find a way to get family members into nursing homesFoss: Should main downtown branch of the Schenectady County Public Library reopen?EDITORIAL: Urgent: Today is the last day to complete the censusEDITORIAL: Beware of voter intimidationGov. Andrew Cuomo’s press conference for Sunday, Oct. 18 A big thanks to Stephen Williams for his wonderful article in the Nov. 10 Gazette, “Historian marks 50 years.” Stephen Williams has consistently written articles that dive beneath the surface, getting to the heart of whatever or whomever he is writing about, especially when the subject relates to local history.Phyllis Keeler is a treasure to the Galway community. Her work as historian for the town of Galway truly deserves to be honored. She has shown, over the years, a joy and enthusiasm for preserving and celebrating the town’s history and has encouraged and helped others to do the same.Stephen Williams captured this dedication. His article is not just a tribute to Phyllis Keeler, but to Galway. I hope The Gazette and its readers appreciate this fine writer’s commitment to excellence and his genuine interest in the subjects he writes about.Mary Cuffe PerezGalwayClimate change will hurt homeownersThe response to climate change is going to hit homeowners in ways they neither know or suspect.Banks may not allow homeowners to get mortgages if their property lies in a region of natural disasters like wildfires and flooding. If homeowners cannot get mortgages, they may not be able to sell their current homes and, as a result, they will see property values plummet.If property owners cannot get mortgages and property values plummet, this will have a direct impact on taxes, as homeowners seek to reduce the assessed value of their homes. This just means that entire neighborhoods will see a massive loss of taxable properties.For banks to mortgage at-risk properties, they will have to charge exorbitant rates.We may even see the end of 30-year mortgages, as banks will not want to lend money if the mortgages they loan out are at rates that homeowners cannot afford.Richard MoodyMiddleburghVoters should get chance to fix ballotsAs it was for me, and many Schenectady residents, waking up and seeing Vince Riggi lost his seat on the City Council was shocking. I must tell what I saw at my polling place. As I waited for my husband to vote, I saw several people being told their ballots were kicked out due to them voting for more than four City Council people. I was concerned that they were not made to fill another ballot out, but were told if they wanted to let it go through, they could, but it would register the first four on the ballot. I’m going to register a complaint with the Board of Elections. The correct thing to do is tell the voter, whose ballot kicks out due to it being filled out incorrectly, is that they need to complete a new ballot. I believe this is the reason Vince Riggi lost the election.Joanne HwaszczSchenectady
Blaming business doesn’t workThe state and the federal governments are now considering laws that would charge a tax for carbon pollution with no regard for how companies would transition to carbon-free energy. The government seems to think climate change is not their problem, but the companies’ responsibility to solve.The number of carbon-free options is extremely limited. The solar option is limited in its ability to generate substantial amounts of electricity. The new Mohanasen solar farm is a drop in the bucket in terms of total energy needs. Based on the projected generation of 1,918 MWH per year, 2,450 solar plants would be needed to equal one Ginna nuclear plant. The Ginna plant generates electricity on demand not dependent on the sun shining.There is a business-friendly country that is building more hydroelectric dams and 12 new nuclear plants. Once these facilities are built, they will supply carbon free energy for decades to businesses and people. This country is China.Corporations and businesses are not the enemy. Businesses supply the jobs and the things we buy and the services we want. If these laws are passed, doing business will be more expensive and the added expenses will be passed on to us as they pay fees or forced to use more expensive energy. Why is Exxon/Mobil seemingly backing these bills? Is it because Exxon/Mobil knows this approach will not work?It’s time for voters and the government to realize that big problems require big government-sponsored solutions.John DworakRotterdam
With a smile and a heartwarming “peace be with you” churchgoers exchanged greetings, but there were neither handshakes nor hugs during Sunday mass at the Jakarta Cathedral in Central Jakarta as people took precautionary measures against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) disease.Jakarta Archdiocese vicar-general Samuel Pangestu has advised parishioners to avoid physical greetings and direct contact with fellow church members to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 — which has taken thousands of lives globally after it emerged in Wuhan, China, late last year.Pastor Albertus Hani Rudi Hartoko of Jakarta Cathedral said that there were several changes in the ceremonies at weekly church services, including in the Communion practices. He suggested to congregants on Sunday that they boost their immune system by consuming traditional jamu (herbal drinks) and doing daily physical exercise.On Sunday, the cathedral was still packed with churchgoers.”I am okay with these changes because we are aware of the current situation,” Susyana Suwadie, the church spokesperson said.”Even before the coronavirus outbreak, I was always irritated by anyone sneezing or coughing without covering their mouth or cleaning their hands afterward. Indeed, maintaining personal hygiene is a must,” she said.The Health Ministry reported on Sunday two more patients had tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total confirmed cases in Indonesia to six. Authorities said Case 5 was being treated at the Sulianti Saroso Infectious Diseases Hospital in North Jakarta, while Case 6 was being treated at the Persahabatan Central General Hospital in East Jakarta.Panic buying of everyday goods, ranging from face masks to instant noodles, hit supermarkets and drugstores across Jakarta following the government’s announcement of the first two cases last Monday.In South Jakarta, the management of Nurul Hidayah mosque cleaned the mosque on Sunday using disinfectant.The effort followed an instruction by the Indonesian Mosque Council (DMI) calling on mosque managements to participate in COVID-19 containment efforts in Indonesia, which is home to at least 800,000 mosques.”Nurul Hidayah mosque is an example that I wish other mosques would follow,” DMI chairman and former vice president Jusuf Kalla said while inspecting the mosque on Sunday.”I recommend Muslims bring their own sajadah [prayer mats] because the mosque’s mats are used by many people. If you’re unable to bring your own sajadah, at least bring a small handkerchief as a mat for your face when bowing down during salat [prayers],” he said.According to Kalla, the DMI is cooperating with the company Unilever to provide 20,000 bottles of disinfectant to be distributed to mosques in Jakarta. He said that mosque managements would be trained on how to use the disinfectant optimally.The DMI is also collaborating with Jakarta-based pest control company Turacon Wirasta in the campaign.The Jakarta administration has called on people to stay calm but remain cautious by exercising a healthy lifestyle and personal cleanliness.The city launched on Friday corona.jakarta.go.id, a website specifically designed for the COVID-19 response and information, following the first two cases of COVID-19 being confirmed in Indonesia. The website provides updates on the number of suspected and confirmed COVID-19 patients in the capital, as well as information on how to prevent the transmission of the disease.Meanwhile, at the Hian Thian Siang Tee Chinese Buddhist temple in South Jakarta, visitors seemed unconcerned about the disease. Worshippers visited the temple without face masks.The temple’s management said the number of temple-goers remained the same and the twice-a-month prayers were held with no changes regarding the coronavirus outbreak. “We believe it is God who gives life and takes it from us, anytime God wants it,” Joti Mano from the temple’s management told the Post.The World Health Organization advises people to maintain a distance of at least 1 meter from others and to wash their hands frequently. The new strain of coronavirus can spread from person to person through droplets from the nose or mouth when a person with COVID-19 coughs or exhales. It can also be transmitted by touching objects or surfaces where these droplets land before touching the eyes, nose or mouth. (trn)Topics : The communion bread is now no longer given directly to the mouth, but in the hands of the congregants, while the receiving of holy water is optional.Jakarta Cathedral also encourages its members to bring their own hand sanitizer and recommends churchgoers suffering from respiratory illnesses or fever to pray at home.The mass practice of kissing the church’s crucifix during the veneration of the cross in the upcoming Good Friday on April 10 will be scrapped and members of the church have been advised to bring their own cross, according to Albertus.”However, there is no need to panic over the spread of the virus,” Albertus told The Jakarta Post. “Do not believe in hoaxes and maintain personal hygiene and a healthy lifestyle.”
The approximately 100 tenants who live in the units believe the hospital’s establishment violates the Consumer Protection Law by breaching their right to security and safety and by failing to disclose information regarding the emergency hospital. Additionally, they claim that by changing the building’s function from residential to a hospital, the developer violated the 2011 law on apartments.On April 1, property developer Lippo Cikarang advisor Henry Riady posted on his Instagram account that James Riady, his father and the deputy chairman of Lippo Group, and Caroline Riady, his sister and the executive director of Siloam Hospitals owned by Lippo, had turned Lippo Plaza in Mampang into a Siloam emergency COVID-19 hospital. The post has since gone viral on social media.The post showed the hospital’s progress from its initial construction. “This is to save lives, malls can be rebuilt again (or you can make new ones), but you can’t replace lives. But after this COVID-19 [pandemic] is over, Caroline, you owe your brother a new mall,” Henry wrote on one of the pictures posted.The emergency COVID-19 hospital has been operational since early April. Tenants of the Nine Residence apartment complex in Mampang, South Jakarta, are preparing legal action after the building owner Lippo Group turned the Lippo Plaza in Mampang –a shopping center located on the ground floor of the complex– into a COVID-19 emergency hospital without their consent or prior notification.Nine Residence tenants’ representative A. “Alif” Fimualif said that the tenants were planning to take the matter to court after receiving no significant response from the Lippo Group and the Jakarta administration regarding their complaints.“We are preparing two legal actions, one to cancel the hospital’s establishment through the State Administrative Court, and a lawsuit in the South Jakarta District Court [seeking damages],” Alif told The Jakarta Post on Thursday, adding that all apartment tenants opposed the hospital’s establishment. “This video shows that not only are the [apartments and hospital] in the same building, but they share the same access,” @tim.p9r, the tenant association Instagram account, posted on April 10.As of Friday, Danang had not responded to the Post’s question about the tenants’ plan to take legal action.Topics :
Read also: Family moves to forest to avoid stigma after being examined for COVID-19Nine Residence tenants, however, said that they had not received any prior notice that their ground floor would be converted into a COVID-19 hospital.Chantya Arentina, a 23-year-old apartment resident, said that she found out about the hospital’s establishment through social media posts, adding that she had not personally received any written notice from the apartment management as of Thursday.“When I found out that the building I was living in would have a COVID-19 hospital, I began to wonder if it would be safe staying at home?” she told the Post on Thursday.Danang Nizar, a 28-year-old apartment resident, also said that he initially heard about the hospital’s establishment through social media. Since then he had moved out of the apartment to stay with his parents because of safety concerns.“All matters [relating to the hospital] were conducted in a secretive manner, even access to the building is constantly changing and confusing,” Danang said.Lippo Karawaci spokesperson Danang Kemayan Jati said on April 1 as quoted by kompas.com that Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan had welcomed the help from Lippo Group. A photo handout distributed by Lippo Group showed that Anies visited the emergency hospital on March 31.On April 6, Danang said that the developer made sure the tenants would not have direct interaction with either patients or medical workers. “Entrances and exits, access to elevators, water supply, electricity, AC supply and others are separate and will not intersect,” Danang said on April 6 as quoted by kompas.com. He said the air from the hospital would also not circulate in the living area but would be routed back to the hospital.The residents, however, have posted a video on Instagram that appeared to show that the hospital and apartments used the same building and access.
Governor Wolf Statement on SEPTA and TWU Strike Statement Harrisburg, PA – Governor Tom Wolf today released the following statement regarding the SEPTA and TWU strike, and his intention to file an amicus in support of the immediate injunction pending before the court:“Over the last several weeks, I have had multiple conversations with both SEPTA and TWU and urged them to come together and reach a fair agreement. Hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvania residents rely on SEPTA to travel each day to and from work and school, and to the grocery store and medical appointments among other needs.“It is clear that both sides have failed to reach an agreement and the work stoppage has crippled the City of Philadelphia’s transportation system. It has become not only an issue that is impacting the ability of the elderly and individuals with disabilities to access care, and students to receive an education, but it is also one that has grave economic consequences for both the city and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The strike is also unfair to the workers who want to return to do the job they were trained to do and to serve the people of Pennsylvania.“Due to the inability of SEPTA and TWU to reach a compromise, I will file an amicus brief in support of the immediate injunction pending before the court to ensure that the system is fully operational and able to serve the individuals who rely solely on SEPTA for their transportation needs.“This strike has been devastating for so many individuals and their families and has created extreme hardships for the city and for businesses. The time for it to end is now.”Like Governor Tom Wolf on Facebook: Facebook.com/GovernorWolf SHARE Email Facebook Twitter
November 06, 2016
One of the Netherlands’ largest pension schemes has warned it would need to develop an entirely new IT structure if the country’s expected pension reform comprises individual pension accrual.The current system used by PGGM – the provider for the healthcare scheme PFZW – cannot deal with extensive defined contribution (DC) arrangements, PFZW director Peter Borgdorff told IPE’s Dutch sister publication Pensioen Pro.As a consequence, the €197bn pension fund would not be able to implement a DC-type system of individual pensions accrual combined with collective risk sharing, as is being considered by the social partners in the Social and Economic Council (SER), Borgdorff said.Other customers of PGGM, which include the €10.5bn doctor’s scheme SPH, would also hit this barrier. According to Borgdorff, PGGM’s new IT system would not be ready before 2021. Peter Borgdorff, PGGMThe Dutch government wants to introduce a new pension model in 2020, but this is increasingly seen as unachievable by people within the sector.In its annual report, PFZW said that the required IT investment would be “substantial”, but Borgdorff declined to elaborate on the costs.“It would be easily a matter of millions,” he said. “However, I think this would be worth spending if the new system delivers real improvement.”In his opinion, IT innovation at PGGM is necessary anyway, “as we can’t automate and digitise the contact with our participants fast enough”.In the scheme’s annual report, PFZW’s supervisory board lamented that IT problems at PGGM were “unmanageable and complex”, and the mapped-out route to a solution had repeatedly missed its deadline.Asset manager MN was forced to write off €15m from a €70m budget in 2016.However, Borgdorff emphasised that PGGM’s IT project would not take place simultaneously with a reorganisation “because PGGM has already restructured its organisation”.He said that PGGM’s plan had been assessed at an early stage by external consultancy Gartner at the request of PFZW.“Gartner concluded that PGGM was heading in the direction and has given useful advice,” Borgdorff said.
Encore Broadbeach.A glam new $78 million development at Broadbeach will feature a 25-storey tower with 84 apartments.The Encore Broadbeach tower is the second high-rise project in the suburb for developer Andrews Projects, which is due to deliver Vue Broadbeach in First Ave later this year.Andrews Projects sales manager Sarah Andrews said constructing two towers in Broadbeach at the same time reinforced the company’s confidence in Broadbeach’s property market.“It’s not only picturesque and home to the Gold Coast’s best and widest range of entertainment and dining options, but boasts a level of infrastructure and public transport options to rival anywhere,” she said. FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK Luxury ‘budget’ house wins top gong MORE: Living a life of luxury in a unit Check out Encore Broadbeach.Ms Andrews said Encore Broadbeach’s curvy design and architecture possessed a “wow factor”.“When people walk into our showroom there’s definitely a wow moment. Our finishes are the best in the market.”Construction on the development started six months after selling began of apartments off-the-plan.The tower’s expansive apartments feature ocean and city skyline views, while floor-to-ceiling double-glazed windows will wrap the entire building.With high-end finishes, two and three-bedroom ocean view apartments are selling from $599,000.More from newsParks and wildlife the new lust-haves post coronavirus12 hours agoNoosa’s best beachfront penthouse is about to hit the market12 hours ago The views from Encore Broadbeach.Ms Andrews said some interstate buyers from Melbourne and Sydney had purchased apartments off the plan with the view of moving to the Coast in two or three years.She said the Encore Broadbeach had “everything here”.“It’s in a central location. And the Gold Coast has done a really good job, there’s an event on nearly every weekend.”With only four units per floor, there is a diverse product mix on each level. The pool area at Encore Broadbeach.A wellness-club style facility across two floors will be part of the tower, including a 25m heated lap pool, sauna, yoga lawn, gym, spa, private residents’ lounge and barbecue facilities.Ms Andrews said many buyers, aged over 50, were snapping up apartments to use as weekenders and holiday homes.“The interesting trend has been people from Brisbane are buying here. I thought it would be Gold Coast people looking to buy,” Ms Andrews said.“Some aren’t even looking to get an income off it, they are not even considering it as an investment property.” Downsizers drawn to unit living Video Player is loading.Play VideoPlayNext playlist itemMuteCurrent Time 0:00/Duration 0:58Loaded: 0%Stream Type LIVESeek to live, currently playing liveLIVERemaining Time -0:58 Playback Rate1xChaptersChaptersDescriptionsdescriptions off, selectedCaptionscaptions settings, opens captions settings dialogcaptions off, selectedQuality Levels720p720pHD432p432p216p216p180p180pAutoA, selectedAudio Tracken (Main), selectedFullscreenThis is a modal window.Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.TextColorWhiteBlackRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanTransparencyOpaqueSemi-TransparentBackgroundColorBlackWhiteRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanTransparencyOpaqueSemi-TransparentTransparentWindowColorBlackWhiteRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanTransparencyTransparentSemi-TransparentOpaqueFont Size50%75%100%125%150%175%200%300%400%Text Edge StyleNoneRaisedDepressedUniformDropshadowFont FamilyProportional Sans-SerifMonospace Sans-SerifProportional SerifMonospace SerifCasualScriptSmall CapsReset restore all settings to the default valuesDoneClose Modal DialogEnd of dialog window.This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button.Close Modal DialogThis is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button.PlayMuteCurrent Time 0:00/Duration 0:00Loaded: 0%Stream Type LIVESeek to live, currently playing liveLIVERemaining Time -0:00 Playback Rate1xFullscreenHow much do I need to retire?00:58
Promoted Content7 Of The Wealthiest Universities In The World7 Actors Who Quit Movies For Shocking Reasons6 Interesting Ways To Make Money With A DroneCouples Who Celebrated Their Union In A Unique, Unforgettable WayBest & Worst Celebrity Endorsed Games Ever Made8 Best 1980s High Tech Gadgets7 Things That Actually Ruin Your PhoneWho’s The Best Car Manufacturer Of All Time?Mind-Bending Technology That Was Predicted Before It Appeared7 Facts About Black Holes That Will Blow Your MindWho Earns More Than Ronaldo?6 Incredibly Strange Facts About Hurricanes Correio de Manha says City boss Pep Guardiola is preparing a mega £86million (€100m) bid for the 25-year-old, which would see Fernandes join the club at the end of the season. Rivals United have been chasing a deal for Fernandes since Christmas. The Red Devils were also very close to finalising a move for the Portugal international last week.Advertisement Loading… FacebookTwitterWhatsAppEmail分享 
But, talks stalled over the transfer fee, with Sporting demanding £68m up front. United were only willing to pay £50m, with a further £15m in add-ons. A shock move for Fernandes would make sense for the current Premier League champions. They’re set to lose David Silva at the end of this season, after a 10-year stay at the Etihad Stadium. Read Also:Bruno Fernandes deal to Man Utd going through There will be a vacancy in centre-midfield for Guardiola’s side, and Fernandes would fit straight into Guardiola’s system. Manchester City are ready to challenge Manchester United for wantaway Sporting CP midfielder Bruno Fernandes.
The UAE’s state-run WAM news agency madethe announcements citing the Health and Prevention Ministry, but offered nodetails on where they were receiving treatment, nor when they arrived. The UAE, a federation of sevensheikhdoms on the Arabian Peninsula that includes Dubai and Abu Dhabi, is hometo long-haul carriers Emirates and Etihad Airways and is a hub for global airtravel. Authorities at Abu Dhabi’s airport and Dubai International Airport, theworld’s busiest for international travel, continue to screen passengers andcrew from incoming China flights. (AP) Visitors and exhibitors wear masks at the Arab Health Exhibition in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2020. AP
DUBAI – The United Arab Emirates onWednesday confirmed the first cases in the Mideast of the new Chinese virusthat causes flu-like symptoms, saying doctors now were treating four members ofa Chinese family that had just come from a city at the epicenter of theoutbreak.
Aklan governor Florencio Miraflores urges his fellow Aklanons not to fear their returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who can be carriers of coronavirus disease 2019. Last week, 37 Aklanon OFWs arrived in this province. BORACAYINFORMER.COM Cerezo was one of the 688 OFWs who were repatriated by the Department of Foreign Affairs from Germany to Manila last Sunday.“Before our repatriation flight, we already underwent a 14-day quarantine in Frankfurt, Germany and we expect to do the same now that we are in Manila. We are willing to do whatever the national government tells us to do to ensure that we are not carriers of COVID-19,” Cerezo, a resident of Libacao town said./PN KALIBO, Aklan – Aklanons were urged by Gov. Florencio Miraflores not to fear their returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who can be carriers of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The governor said that the OFWs are also cautious of their health and that they need to go home.
“We must be reminded that we consider the OFWs as heroes for bringing in economic relief for all of us for several years. We must treat them with respect,” said Miraflores.Recently, five OFWs – all of them seafarers – who arrived in Iloilo City from Manila via a 2GO ship tested positive for COVID-19. The 37 Aklanon OFWs who returned in this province were with them during the trip.Currently, the said Aklanons are undergoing quarantine for 14 days at a hotel in this capital town.On the other hand, the Provincial Health Office in Aklan is waiting for the test results for COVID-19 of the OFWs based on their swab samples sent to the Western Visayas Medical Center in Mandurriao, Iloilo City last week.Jovel Cerezo, a worker of a Cruise Ship based in Germany, posted a video on social media asking fellow Aklanons not to fear for their health.
Franklin County, In. — The Franklin County Public Library locations in Brookville and Laurel invite the public to “Build a Gingerbread House.” Registration is required and supplies are provided.The event will be held at the Brookville location on Monday, December 10 at 6 p.m. Please call 765-647-4031 to register.The event will be held at the Laurel location on Tuesday, December 18 at 6 p.m. Please call 765-689-2582.