Letter on JSD budget contained mistakes
The JSD music program sustained some smaller cuts when the Board of Education made its first and second round of program and staff cuts. Other district programs sustained similar cuts as well.If the revised budget fails to pass with a super majority of 60 percent on June 19, we will be forced to adopt a contingency budget that will include additional cuts in staffing and programs throughout the district.I would encourage any district voters with budget questions or concerns to contact Superintendent Patricia Kilburn at pkilburn@johnstownschools.org or by calling 518-762-4611. I also welcome questions at my email address: kdougherty@johnstownschools.org.Kathy DoughertyJohnstownThe writer is president of the Board of Education for the Greater Johnstown School District.More from The Daily Gazette:EDITORIAL: Urgent: Today is the last day to complete the censusEDITORIAL: Find a way to get family members into nursing homesEDITORIAL: Beware of voter intimidationGov. Andrew Cuomo’s press conference for Sunday, Oct. 18EDITORIAL: Thruway tax unfair to working motorists Please allow me to correct several inaccuracies included in a June 10 letter from Johnstown resident Eunice Kilmer regarding the 2018-19 Johnstown School District [JSD] budget.The “bigwigs” are not getting a raise. The superintendent and assistant superintendent have accepted two-year salary freezes starting with the 2018-19 school year.The Gloversville and Johnstown Citizens Bands’ operations and budgets are completely independent of the JSD budget. Both groups are funded through several other sources and both are planning a full series of summer concerts in their respective communities this year. Categories: Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Both candidates for the Jakarta deputy governorship are convinced they can fulfill the demands of the vacant post and ease Governor Anies Baswedan’s official burdens. A confirmation hearing for the 2020-2022 deputy governorship is slated for March 23.The candidates have submitted administrative documents to Anies, marking their first personal meetings with the governor. They acknowledged having lobbied political parties with members on the City Council’s voting committee for support. Gerindra Party executive Riza Patria, one of the two candidates for deputy governor, together with the party’s Jakarta executive board members, visited Anies on Monday, enclosing in his files an approved resignation letter from the House of Representatives.“I will work with the governor to run policies optimally. I will be closely in touch with the city councillors to accommodate their aspirations and put them forward to Anies,” Riza told reporters.Gerindra said the Golkar Party had openly backed Riza. Golkar Jakarta deputy chairman Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita had extended the support on behalf of Golkar chairman Airlangga Hartarto, Riza said.Riza said he had been on “political trips” to various Council factions including the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) to gain support, although the faction said it had not made a choice. The PDI-P dominates the 106-strong Council with 25 seats, followed by Gerindra with 19 and the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) with 15.PKS executive – and the other deputy governor hopeful – Nurmansyah Lubis submitted his paperwork on Monday. He said Anies told him to make maximum effort in the campaign but to play fairly.He said he had gained the support of City Council Deputy Speaker Abdurrahman Suhaimi, a former PKS Jakarta Sharia Council head who was previously designated for the deputy governor post by the party but whose application was not processed for uncertain reasons.During a recent interview with The Jakarta Post, Nurmansyah said he was not too worried about being thought to stand alone in the Council or about his opponent’s claims of more robust support.“Since the voting will be close, party members will not feel obliged to choose the same person [that the party has officially chosen]. So, I’d rather take a personal approach. I have about 40 friends at the Council who are ready to send some support,” he said, declining to identify them.Despite his view of Anies as a visionary leader, Nurmansyah thinks the Governor has been overwhelmed by Jakarta’s many problems since the deputy seat was left empty by Sandiaga Uno, who decided to become the running mate of presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto in 2019.“Anies has a holistic point of view as a character of his leadership. He needs a companion who thinks in detail to complete his tasks in the city effectively,” he said. “When elected, I will form a harmonious relationship with him.”Neither candidate wanted to be a “spare tire” for the governor for the remainder of his administration. They wanted to revamp the programs of their focus.In addition to dealing with rampant flooding, both said they were determined to create more integrity in human resources and build systems that guaranteed transparency to encourage city officials to be more responsible.After administrative verification, the two candidates will advance to a fit and proper test where they will present their visions and missions to all Council members. After a break, the councillors will then vote.Eneng Malianasari, a member of the voting committee from the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI), said the new deputy governor would be expected to help direct policies, at least those listed in the mid-term regional development plan (RPJMD).“As the Governor always says: ‘collaboration’. Hopefully, he and his new deputy can share their tasks and not beat each other up. They must work together to address the problems for the people’s sake,” she said.Indonesia Political Review executive director Ujang Komarudin said the new deputy governor would be in an important position as the Governor had been distraught dealing with the mounting problems in the capital city.“Besides, the new deputy governor must also play a role in communicating with the public because, so far, Anies has seemed rather evasive when asked certain questions. A deputy should make his burden lighter,” Ujang said.Topics :
Chile registered a new high for coronavirus cases on Monday, with nearly 5,000 infections in 24 hours, including two ministers in President Sebastian Pinera’s government.Health authorities announced 4,895 new infections in the South American country and 43 deaths.Public Works Minister Alfredo Moreno and Energy Minister Juan Carlos Jobet said they were among those with the disease. Topics : “I have been informed that the COVID-19 test I had a few days ago was positive,” Moreno said on Twitter, adding that he had no symptoms so far.The 63-year-old minister had placed himself in quarantine after one of his staff tested positive. Jobet also tested positive after starting to quarantine preventatively on Saturday, “when he experienced mild symptoms, which could be associated with the disease,” a statement from the Energy Ministry said.The 44-year-old minister “has had no direct contact with President Sebastian Pinera or other cabinet members in recent days,” the statement said, without specifying how he became infected.
Three other ministers, who had self-quarantined after being in contact with infected people, all tested negative and resumed work.Chile suffered a surge in infections last week, prompting the government to order the lockdown of Santiago.The capital is the main focus of the pandemic in Chile, with 90 percent of the country’s 74,000 cases.Last week, the Senate was closed after three senators tested positive for the coronavirus. Sessions were held by video conference.
SHARE Email Facebook Twitter Community Leaders Join Gov. Wolf to Call for End to COVID-Related Discrimination April 07, 2020
Hate Crime, Press Release, Public Health Governor Tom Wolf’s advisory commissions are calling for the public to remain vigilant against hate after the Pennsylvania State Police reported it remains committed to preventing and investigating hate/bias crimes in Pennsylvania. The FBI is warning of an uptick of incidents targeting members of the Asian American community due to misinformation regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.“I am advocating for all Pennsylvanians to take a stand against anti-Asian racism and report any discrimination they see,” said Gov. Wolf. “Hate is just one more symptom of this terrible disease. If we want to win our war against COVID-19, then we all need to work together.”Governor’s Advisory Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs Chairperson Wasi Mohamed released the following statement:“All Pennsylvanians are facing the COVID-19 pandemic together, but not all are being blamed for it. As the number of coronavirus cases rise, so do the instances of harassment and discrimination targeting the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community in PA.“It is not just physical violence and verbal abuse, but the boycotting of AAPI-owned businesses, the denial of public accommodation, and the denial of access to relief efforts. Much of the abuse is being weathered by the over 2 million AAPI healthcare workers on the frontlines of responding to this pandemic.“Not only must we stop the overt forms of discrimination against the AAPI community, but we must not forget them in our response to this crisis. To push back against this racism and xenophobia we must speak out against xenophobic statements and misinformation, ensure AAPI communities have access to health and financial assistance information, and patronize the AAPI businesses that are being crippled by this crisis. In these times, it is critical for us to stand together, support our AAPI neighbors and communities, and move together as a Commonwealth to meet the needs of all Pennsylvanians.”Legislators and leaders of other communities voiced their support for the Asian community and called for an end to all discrimination.“We want to remind Pennsylvanians that it is unacceptable to tolerate racial slurs, xenophobic attacks and harassment, especially during this global pandemic. It’s wrong to shift blame or accuse Asian-Americans for this crisis,” said State Representative and Asian American community member Patty Kim. “Pathogens do not discriminate. I stand ready to help and protect anyone who is being discriminated against during the COVID-19 crisis. Moving forward, do not hesitate to contact my office for direct assistance and to report these instances of abuse and harassment. We stand united together in our fight against hate.”“Crimes against anyone based on their race, creed, gender, country of origin or sexual orientation are absolutely unacceptable,” said Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa Jr. “There is no place for discrimination in Pennsylvania at any time. But as we are in the midst of a public health crisis, we need now more than ever to work together and support each other as best we can.”“I am saddened to hear of the hateful rhetoric directed at our Asian communities,” said State Representative and Pennsylvania Commission for Women Commissioner Carolyn Comitta. “This is a crucial time for us to unite and work together to protect our friends, families, and neighbors. The only way we can overcome this unprecedented outbreak is by bringing all Pennsylvanians together. We cannot allow hateful acts and words to distract us from combatting this crisis.”“Senseless acts of hatred, violence, and microaggressions against Asians and Asian Americans is not the America that I know we can be,” said Pennsylvania Commission for Women Commissioner and Asian American community member Itha Cao. “Asians are not the ‘other.’ We have been a part of American fabric for generations and will continue to be. Stand up, speak up, and do what is right, not what is easy.”“Now is a time when Pennsylvanians are coming together to support each other through a challenging time for all of us – and it’s also a time when we should be unequivocal in messaging that hate has no home here,” said Commissioner Adrian Shanker, Pennsylvania Commission on LGBTQ Affairs and Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission.“As we experience and survive this difficult time, we encourage all Pennsylvanias to join efforts in the battle of the pandemic by embracing all citizens indistinctively of race, ethnicity, gender, disability, etc.,” said Governor’s Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs Chairperson Teresa Donate. “This is not the time, and never has been, to discriminate against those who are perceived to be at fault for the current crisis, especially Asian Americans. There is no place for hate in this Commonwealth.”“Calling COVID-19 the ‘China virus’ creates confusion and is an affront to Chinese Americans and Chinese people across the globe,” said Governor’s Advisory Commission on African American Affairs Commissioner Blane F. Stoddart. “The virus is mobile and borderless. We should be taking a global leadership role in this pandemic, and working with Europe, Russia, Asia, and Cuba to come up with a solution to this pandemic.”“Yesterday is gone, tomorrow has not yet come, and we only have today,” said Pennsylvania Commission for Women Vice Chair Jazelle Jones. “Let us begin to love our neighbors. We are our brother’s keeper, so make peace not war. We are in this together.”“During this global pandemic, physical and verbal attacks against Asians should not be tolerated,” said Pennsylvania Commission for Women Commissioner Sara Manzano-Diaz. “Remember, hatred is also a contagious virus. Stop the spread!”Pennsylvanians are encouraged to report incidents of discrimination or harassment by visiting the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission’s website or emailing the commission at PHRC@pa.gov. Incidents can also be reported to the Pennsylvania State Police by calling the local troop.View this information in Spanish here.
Pension funds in Sweden are increasing their alternative investments, but the quality of their sustainability management for these investments is poorer than the efforts they are making for traditional asset classes, a new report concludes.In its latest annual analysis of the sustainability work of those Swedish pension providers which offer guaranteed products, Nordic consultancy Söderberg & Partners said that between 2009 and 2018, the proportion of alternative investments held by Swedish pension firms rose to 22% from 14%.Lingyi Lu, sustainability analyst at Söderberg & Partners, said: “Our conclusions are that the pension companies take some account of sustainability when investing in alternative asset classes, but that the methods and processes are unfortunately still insufficient to ensure thorough transparency and management of all potential sustainability risks.”In other words, she said, “everyone does something – but nobody does everything”. The analysis included the alternative asset classes of hedge funds, private equity funds and companies, real estate and real estate funds and microfinance.Data accessibility could be a reason for the lack of sustainability integration within alternatives, the firm said in the report, which covers the 12 Swedish pension companies providing traditional insured pensions and premium guaranteed pensions.Difficulties in getting hold of information led to many pension companies conducting their own research and assessment of alternative investments from a sustainability perspective, Söderberg & Partners said.“An overall conclusion is that companies’ sustainability work on alternative investments does not hold the same quality as their sustainability work on traditional asset classes,” it said.Lu said Swedish pension companies were generally better than other Swedish and foreign managers on sustainability integration and active ownership in equity and fixed income management.“Now they need to show the way, and take responsibility for their investments in alternatives,” she said.The report also includes Söderberg & Partners’ yearly ranking of the firms’ sustainability work, which uses a traffic light ranking to judge each provider’s overall efforts.The firms awarded the top level of green in 2019 Länsförsäkringar, for two out of three of its schemes, were Nordea, Skandia and SPP.In the yellow category were Alecta, AMF, Folksam, Handelsbanken, Länsforsäkringar’s “Gamla” (old) pension scheme, and one of SEB’s schemes.KPA, SEB’s “Gamla” scheme and Swedbank were listed in the red category for 2019.Among movers, Länsförsäkringar – for two out of three of its schemes – and Skandia rose to green from yellow, while AMF and Handelsbanken dropped in the ranking from green in 2018 to yellow in this year’s report.
BORACAY – The Land TransportationOffice (LTO) has recently opened its branch in Malay, Aklan. The measure was approved by the Houseof Representatives on the third reading on Aug. 2017. The opening will benefit residentsfrom the towns of Buruanga, Malay, Tangalan, Nabas, and Ibajay in Aklanprovince and the locals from the municipalities of Pandan, Libertad, Culasi,and Sebaste in Antique – which seeks to avail of the agency’s services. The Land Transportation Office has recently opened its branch in Malay, Aklan. AKEAN FORUM Rep. Carlito Marquez has introducedthe House bill which sought to establish an LTO satellite office in Malay withthe aim to help decongest transactions in its neighboring offices in Tigayon,Kalibo and San Jose, Antique. LTO assistant regional director Atty.Gaudioso Geduspan II led the blessing and inauguration ceremony last week withLTO-Kalibo acting chief Marlon Velez. LTO, an attached agency of theDepartment of Transportation, is also mandated to enforce land transportationrules and regulations, adjudication of traffic cases and collection of revenuesfor the government.(With a report fromAkean Forum/PN)
RelatedPosts Super Eagles soar on FIFA ranking COVID-19: FIFA count cost to football Blatter faces probe in Switzerland World soccer governing body, FIFA, has asked competition organisers to use “common sense” with players who display messages of protest over the death of George Floyd.Floyd, an unarmed black man, was killed in police custody in the United States. FIFA regulations barred players from displaying any “political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images” on their kit.Since 2014, this ban had included undershirts – a response to players lifting up their shirts to display a message when scoring.However, several players protested during matches in Germany’s Bundesliga at the weekend, with Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho and Achraf Hakimi displaying undershirts with the message: “Justice for George Floyd,” on Sunday.Schalke 04 defender Weston McKennie, displayed the same message on his armband in another game, while Borussia Moenchengladbach’s Marcus Thuram knelt to honour Floyd after scoring against Union Berlin.The German Football Association said it was reviewing the incidents where the message was shown. In a statement on Tuesday, FIFA said it fully understands the depth of sentiment and concerns expressed by many footballers in light of the tragic circumstances of the George Floyd case.It added that applying the laws of the game was the responsibility of competition organisers, such as domestic leagues, who FIFA said “should use common sense and have in consideration the context surrounding the events.“FIFA had repeatedly expressed itself to be resolutely against racism and discrimination of any kind and recently strengthened its own disciplinary rules with a view to helping to eradicate such behaviours.“FIFA itself has promoted many anti-racism campaigns which frequently carry the anti-racism message at matches organised under its own auspices.”Reuters/NAN. Tags: Aisia nameFIFAGeorge Floyd
Huddlestone has emerged as an outside candidate for an international recall since swapping the Tottenham bench for a pivotal role in the Tigers’ midfield. The 27-year-old has been in excellent form, playing every game and establishing himself as the club’s primary set-piece taker. “That celebration has been planned for 18 months! It was planned from the beginning of last season and it was just about finding the opportunity to do it. “I think the physio has cut a little bit too much out though. Obviously I can have it however I want now but it’s raised a good bit for the charity, which is the main reason behind it. “I could do with sorting it out before New Year’s Day, but if not then I’ll sort it out on the next day off that we get.” Tom Huddlestone is not anticipating a phone call from England manager Roy Hodgson but would still be happy with his season’s work if Hull stayed in the Barclays Premier League. He put in another man-of-the-match display in the stunning 6-0 win over Fulham on Saturday, ending a two-and-a-half year goal drought with a 20-yard strike and hitting the woodwork twice with free-kicks. That left Hull boss Steve Bruce touting him for a return to the England fold but Huddlestone knows that time is short to make a break for this summer’s World Cup squad having last played against Sweden last November. A more realistic ambition is continuing his Hull form and booking another season in the top flight. “It’s not particularly in my thoughts…obviously Roy Hodgson has said that he’s seen everybody who’s in contention,” he said. “It would be the icing on the cake, if we stayed up and I managed to get back in the England squad, but first and foremost is getting results like we did against Fulham and staying in the Premier League. “Forty points is usually the benchmark and we’re on 23 now so we’re well on course for that. Hopefully we get to that as soon as possible and kick on from there.” Huddlestone’s goal saw him receive a pitch-side haircut from physio Rob Price, delivering on a promise not to trim his afro until he found the net. When he made the pledge, to raise funds for Cancer Research UK, he cannot have envisaged it would be so long coming but is glad to have it out of the way. Press Association
Mullins said: “Ruby wanted to be bold and jumped out and let her go on. She was hanging off the rails a bit, which was a bit of a concern, but she’s not raced right-handed that much. “We didn’t put in the earplugs today, either, so that could also be a reason for her hanging. “We’ll probably give her a break now as she’s had a hard enough season. I’d love to see her jump those French hurdles, but she’s possibly done enough travelling this season.” Press Association The Willie Mullins-trained six-year-old’s spotless record was ended when she finished second in the World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, but she reminded everyone of her talents back on home territory and back against her own sex. Sent off the 1-6 favourite down in trip over two and a quarter miles, Annie Power made all the running under Ruby Walsh, who extended his advantage at the top of the home straight. Runner-up Jennies Jewel gave chase, but it was all in vain and she finished seven lengths in arrears, with British raider Cockney Sparrow a disappointing last of five. 
Annie Power emphatically returned to winning ways in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Champion Hurdle at Punchestown.
The first game on the slate is Game 5 of the Orlando-Milwaukee Eastern Conference first-round series, with the Bucks holding a 3-1 lead and putting the Magic on the brink of elimination. If the Bucks win, the Eastern Conference first round would be completed in just 17 games. That would be the fastest opening round, in either conference, since the league went to the best-of-seven format in 2003.Later Saturday, Oklahoma City takes on Houston with that series tied 2-2, and the Lakers, up 3-1, try to close out Portland.NHL PLAYOFFSNHL returns to the iceUNDATED (AP) — The NHL playoffs resume Saturday after an unplanned two-day break to protest racial injustice. The Eastern Conference series between Tampa Bay and Boston picks up at noon, Eastern time, with the Lightning up two games to one. Later, the New York Islanders take on Philadelphia and Toronto and Vegas faces Vancouver.TENNIS-WESTERN & SOUTHERN OPENOsaka out of Western & Southern Open final, citing hamstringNEW YORK (AP) — Naomi Osaka pulled out of the Western & Southern Open final Saturday because of a left hamstring injury, giving the title to Victoria Azarenka in a walkover.The tournament announced Osaka’s decision about 90 minutes before the championship match was supposed to begin in Louis Armstrong Stadium at the site of the U.S. Open. August 29, 2020 Associated Press Update on the latest sports Delayed but alive, Tour de France sets off from NiceNICE, France (AP) — The Tour de France has finally set off from the Riviera city of Nice in an extraordinarily subdued atmosphere amid fears the race could be stopped well before it reaches Paris. Since its inception in 1903 the race has been canceled only twice, both times due to world wars. But the number of daily COVID-19 cases has been rising steadily in recent weeks across France which is prompting concerns the Tour will have to be stopped early if the situation deteriorates further.The sight of the 176 riders on the starting line was already seen as a big win by organizers and French government officials relieved that the mega-event that draws hundreds of thousands of roadside fans every summer could take place. The 59th-ranked Azarenka collects her first title since 2016 and the 21st of her career, 20th at a hard-court event. She is a two-time Australian Open champion, two-time U.S. Open runner-up and has been ranked as high as No. 1. Azarenka also won the Western & Southern Open in 2013.The 31-year-old Azarenka considered retiring at the start of the year. The Western & Southern Open normally is held in Ohio but was moved to New York this year because of the coronavirus pandemic as part of a two-tournament “controlled environment.” The U.S. Open starts Monday. One of Osaka’s two Grand Slam titles came at Flushing Meadows in 2018. F1-BELGIAN GPHamilton takes Belgian GP pole position, Ferrari strugglesSPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium (AP) — Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton set a track record at the Belgian Grand Prix as he clinched a record-extending 93rd pole position on Saturday, finishing well ahead of Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas.Hamilton is primed to extend his championship lead, which stands at 37 points over Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and 43 over Bottas.TOUR DE FRANCE Share This StoryFacebookTwitteremailPrintLinkedinRedditNBA PLAYOFFSPlayoffs resume after 3-day pauseLAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — The NBA playoffs resume Saturday after three-day pause in protest of the shooting by police of Jacob Blake, a Black man, in Kenosha, Wisconsin, last weekend. 