text:
INTERVIEW: Retired Swedish Police Chief Says Malmo Crime Skyrocketing Due To Uncontrolled Immigration, No Go Zones
SCANPIX-SWEDEN/AFP/Getty Images
Oliver JJ Lane
MALMO, Sweden – Chief Superintendent Torsten Elofsson retired from police work in 2014 after 42 years on the Malmo police force, but he retains a key interest in the security of the city. He agreed to give Breitbart London his perspective on crime in Sweden's most notorious city over a coffee in it's historic town centre.
Recalling his early days on the force, Elofsson said the nature and volume of crime in Malmo had changed significantly, going from the organised crime perpetrated by biker gangs decades ago to the migrant crime boom of modern Sweden. Despite the population of Malmo growing by a 50 per cent in 20 years, the amount of crimes committed has increased out of all proportion – and the number of officers available to police the streets has halved.
The reasons for this are complex, Elofsson explains. As Malmo becomes a less easy place to police, officers with any experience request to transfer elsewhere, leaving the force with mainly young, rookie cops. These officers are at the typical time of life to get married and have children, and generous Swedish child care leave laws can take professionals, both male and female, away from their jobs for months at a time. This "negative circle", as Elofsson calls it, combined with again generous annual leave allowance can render much of Malmo with no police officers at all over the summer, as Breitbart London discovered when it called on an empty police station this week.
It is a problem the force acknowledges – and admits it is powerless to prevent. Sweden has started to redeploy officers from other cities to cover the shortfall, but this is expensive as the officers are housed in quality hotels and regularly travel home to see their families.
Torsten Elofsson
Violent crime is a problem in Malmo now unlike any time in the past, explains former director of criminal intelligence and INTERPOL cop Elofsson: "Sweden became a member of the European Union in 1995 and opened our borders.
"We are part of the Schengen treaty, so you have that freedom of movement which has also brought criminality here… Gun and drug related crime has definitely increased. Until recently the possession of guns by criminals was very rare – now finding people with firearms is a daily occurrence here… most of the guns we seize are used in criminal activity, are held illegally, and are smuggled into Sweden.
"Slovakia is very interesting right now – it is very easy to buy deactivated guns there but they are converted back when they are imported here".
"Malmo is infamous for explosions. Yet thankfully nobody has been killed by the explosions yet – some of them are just used to frighten people. We had one case in Rosengard where a group were given a court order to leave an apartment because they were a disturbance for the neighbours. And then suddenly hand grenades and explosions outside the office of the real estate company.
Elofsson explained trust was a major part of the problem – that migrant communities don't trust the police, and native Swedes were losing trust in the government.
"You have people getting shot here, and when they get to hospital they refuse to give any details".
While immigrants often came from countries where they had very bad experiences with corrupt police and didn't understand this wasn't the case in the developed world, the collapse in trust for the Swedish establishment is quite different. He says this change is a large part of the cause of the rise in suppose for the Sweden Democrats.
"The latest poll shows the Sweden Democrats at 27 per cent. This is a sort of explanation of what is going on – the politicians, the media sends out a message that everything is safe and secure, you don't have to worry. But people act according to their own experience – they see things, they experience things, they talk to their neighbours. And they feel the picture being presented in the media is not entirely accurate.
"Many people think the media and the politicians have merged together to make people believe that it is safe and sound to live here, and there are no problems. The media says immigration is always a positive thing because we have an ageing population and we need a young workforce to come from other countries. People don't buy that picture 100 per cent".
"Living here you can see a lot of the crimes are committed by people originating abroad. Look at the unemployment here – you have 15 per cent in Malmo, which is twice the rest of Sweden".
"Of the number of people arrested and dragged into police stations, the majority are of foreign origin to be honest. There is an over-representation of violent crimes committed by people from other countries".
"But you can't fool people. And that's why the Sweden Democrats are rising. It was 25 per cent last week, now it is 27. There is a debate happening, you see all of the refugees coming… but we don't have apartments, housing for them. How do we provide schooling for them? And then you see the costs. There is a feeling we can't afford an influx of immigrants".
Torsten is a member of the Christian Democrats, one of the smallest, and most right-wing parties in Swedish politics. Although stopping short of the hard-line views of the Sweden Democrats on matters of immigration, the Christian Democrats are much more right-wing on economic matters. Explaining that he thinks Sweden should still take genuine refugees, their stays should be limited to the duration of the wars they have fled, and should be sent back to rebuild their own countries when possible.
The newly-built, abandoned police station
He also rejects the notion as articulated by senior Sweden Democrat member of parliament Kent Ekeroth that Malmo is a "lost city", beyond saving. While acknowledging that the city is deeply divided, he says there is hope: "On the west side, people are high income, have very stable family situations… I don't think Malmo is a lost city. There are different sides to the city.
"IBM are setting up an office here – they see the young population of people who speak many languages as an advantage, and see potential because the work force is what they are looking for… if you look at the price of houses, they are rising here. Not as fast as Stockholm or Gothenburg, but it is a positive trend.
"I live in Malmo and I love this city. But of course it has changed – now we have the bridge from Copenhagen, this is a border town. Most of the drugs going to the rest of Scandinavia comes through here – this is a key route for smuggling drugs, weapons, people, and so on.
"The bridge brought good to the city, but from a police perspective it has brought more crime. Now since we are in the Schengen area we're not allowed to have border controls, which makes it difficult to supervise what is happening".
Elofsson confirms the disputed 'no-go-zones' in Swedish cities are real, and outlines the precautions emergency services have to taken when they want to enter: "We have a number of no-go-zones in Sweden and they are expanding… police can go to these places, but you have to take precautions.
"Years ago you could go with two officers, no problem. Now you have to send four officers and two cars – if the fire brigade want to go, they have to take a police escort. They throw stones and try to stop the fireman from putting out fires.
"They sabotage the police cars. You can't leave them unguarded – when you come back to it you find the windows smashed and the tyres deflated. It isn't quite a no-go zone, but we have had to develop special routines to go there".
All Sweden's local police forces were absorbed into a national, unified body on the first of January this year, a change Elofsson has campaigned against, arguing that giving responsibility for policing to the mayor would increase accountability. He also has views on the border with Europe, remarking that right now "control is right on the edge right now".
"I think it could be a good idea to make a temporary restriction on the border to get the situation under control".
Whether the border is closed or not, there is still a massive job ahead of Swedish society, Elofsson argues, to prevent the radicalisation of newcomers. As we go our separate ways, he articulates his concern for the future of Sweden:
"We have a lot of children coming to Sweden alone. Most of them are actually teenagers, between 15 and 18, and that is worrying. If we can't get them integrated into Swedish society, that is a huge recruitment base for criminal gangs and ISIS [The Islamic State]. I am concerned with the lack of integration, we have not succeeded to well at this".
Follow Oliver Lane on Twitter: Follow @Oliver_Lane or e-mail to: olane@breitbart.com
CrimeImmigrationLondon / EuropeEurope Migrant CrisisMalmoSweden


The SIL2B happily gave me the birdcages saying she was happy they would be used again. So that was the first part acquired. About 8 big ones and 9 little ones.
Next I bought mirror plates and gold photo frames. There are Facebook pages especially for selling and advertising wedding products and services for the area I live in and I utilised these a lot during the planning. These pages are often used by people to sell the items they have left from their wedding that they don't want to keep.
I found the mirror plates and gold photo frames being sold by a woman who had got married a couple months before hand and she only lived in the next town over. For 9 mirror plates and 9 gold photo frames I paid £20.00.
The rest of the centrepieces were made up with pine cones, scatter crystals, tea light candles and the wedding table bubbles.
1/3 of the pine cones were left natural, 1/3 were sprayed blue and 1/4 were sprayed gold. – sprayed gold.
The total cost of all of this was no more than £10. Which means my entire table centrepieces cost me £30! Now that is budget if ever I've heard of budget wedding centrepieces.
1 big birdcage used on each guest table, based on one of the mirror plates, with the pine cones scattered around the mirror plates. To the side of that was the gold frame table names, with scatter crystals used in the usual fashion completed the array.
A couple of the small birdcages were used for the long top table, while others were used for the cake table etc.
Post in the comments below how much you've spent or are planning to spend on your centrepieces and maybe tweet me a picture of them to @IDoOnABudget I'd love to see how you made your wedding breakfast centrepieces on your budget.


Professional services company Accenture, in collaboration with SAP, has implemented SAP S/4HANA for Expo 2020 Dubai to provide the event with a foundation for data-driven insights, from visitor preferences to sustainability.
The new digital platform transforms back-office and visitor-facing capabilities for the global mega event, which is expected to host 25 million visits over 6 months from October 2020.
Expo 2020 Dubai went live with SAP S/4HANA in only seven months. SAP S/4HANA is a real-time enterprise resource planning suite for digital business, built on an advanced in-memory platform, SAP HANA, and offers a personalized, consumer-grade user experience with SAP Fiori.
The new platform will allow Expo 2020 Dubai to better source its needs, manage financials, and enlist talent instantly and seamlessly. The platform will later support visitor-facing capabilities that can transform the experience for millions of visitors from around the world.
Accenture's collaboration with SAP is fast-tracking Expo 2020 Dubai to deliver innovations that help enable a world-class experience and support growing customer demands. For example, the finance, procurement and human resources processes across the Expo 2020 Dubai organization have been modernized and integrated on to a single platform, bringing increased speed and agility to operational productivity.


i) Goods returned by The Customer, or at his, her or their request on transport other than that owned or in use by The Company shall be at the risk of The Customer in respect of insurance for a value not less than the full invoice price along with any VAT.
ii) Specially ordered goods to The Customers own specification shall only be accepted back by The Company where The Company's own supplier agrees to the return of the goods in turn and all re-stocking charges shall, along with any reasonable charges in respect of packing, despatch or labour shall be borne by The Customer and any credit in respect of such goods shall only be made to The Customer when The Company has received a credit from it's supplier.
iii) Cost of collection and re-delivery of replacement items will be met by The Customer unless attributable to negligence on the part of The Company.
iv) Only goods returned with the consent of The Company and in full saleable condition will be accepted back for credit.
v) The Company reserves the right to impose a re-stocking and handling charge on any goods returned.


1 JEP = 4.77 AED at the rate on 2019-04-22 .
The online converter will clarify the ratio between different currencies. For example, you can instantly convert 1 JEP to AED based on the rate offered by "Open Exchange Rates" to decide whether you better proceed to exchange or postpone currency conversion until better times.
The value of 1 JEP in United Arab Emirates Dirhams for the week (7 days) decreased by: -0.04 AED (zero dirham four fils).
The value of 1 JEP in United Arab Emirates Dirhams for the month (30 days) decreased by: -0.08 AED (zero dirham eight fils).
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More than eighy years ago Albert Schweitzer posed a question of enduring debate for New Testament scholarship. Did Jesus – and later Paul – believe the the apocalyptic kingdom of God was about to appear, bringing an end to this world? Indeed, what were teh e3schatological teachings of Jesus and Paul? Is there any appreciable continuity between the two?
Ben Witherington takes a hard look at the Gospel texts and makes a thorough and critical assessment of Paul's eschatology. For each topic examined – the language of imminence, the dominion of God, the community of christ, the Israel of God, the day of the Lord and the reurrection of the dead – he compares and contrasts Jesus and Paul. The result is an important contribution to our understanding of New Testament eschatology.


Digital marketing jobs in Pune in SRV Media Pvt.Ltd.
Write content for blogs, website content, brochures, products and B2B and B2C communication social media.
Scripts have to write for commercial based on client requirements.
We have to produce corporate, content,blogs, commercial copy writing.
Should have good copy writing skills.
Should have good knowledge on Digital marketing.
Level of education: Bachelor's Degree.
Industry: Marketing and Advertising ,Online Media.
Qualification: Bachelor's/Master's degree in mass media /communication.
Salary Range: Hike on the current salary.
Notice Period: 30 days maximum.
SRV MEDIA was started off in 2011 with the belief that innovative solutions in the field of Digital Media can change the look of your entire business.The company was started off and Co-Founded by two Symbiosis students, Vikram Kumar and Rohit Prasad, with no seed funding. Now we have grown to one hundred and fifty million rupee Company.


text:
Trolley Bus Development in Ring Road of the Kathmandu Valley
Rapid and unplanned urbanization and migration of rural people in Nepal has resulted in a rapid growth in the demand for transport in the urban areas over the past few years, especially in the capital city Kathmandu. The number of vehicles registered in Kathmandu alone in the past 10 years has increased by 211 percent. Needless to say, the increase in vehicles is putting immense pressure on the existing infrastructure and triggering numerous adverse effects. The environmental impact of these vehicles is mainly felt in terms of air pollution, primarily Greenhouse Gases (GHGs), from tail pipe exhausts and noise pollution. GHGs not only cause global warming but also impacts the health of the local populace adversely. The adverse health impact from the air pollution includes increased incidence of chronic bronchitis and acute respiratory illnesses, exacerbation of asthma, and impairment of lung function. Chronic bronchitis and asthma lead to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Different studies have indicated that the air quality in Kathmandu, especially the PM10 (particulate matter less than 10 microns) has a major impact on respiratory diseases leading to COPD. Various studies indicate that transport sector contributes the highest CO2 emissions in Nepal. In addition, as most of these vehicles are fossil fuel based, the government is spending the scarce foreign currency reserve to import fuel for these vehicles. Pollution can also be detrimental to our cultural heritage and can also have severe effects on the tourism industry. Electric based vehicles have a convincing potential to counter escalating pollution levels and adverse impacts thereof, and are currently being promoted in the country, especially in the mass transport system. The fleet of about 600 battery powered three wheelers, called "Safa Tempos", in the country are testimony to this new found public awareness of the benefits of clean energy. The concept of electric public transportation is not new to Nepal. In 1975, Chinese support enabled the operation of a 32 fleet trolley bus system between Tripureshwor in the city center (in Kathmandu) and Suryabinayak in the town of Bhaktapur in the Kathmandu Valley. Although an amalgam of problems led to the termination of Nepal's one and only trolley service in late 2001, the system has recently been partially revived by a consortium of three municipalities: Kathmandu, Thimi and Bhaktapur.
In an effort to address the current transport related problems in the Kathmandu valley, a prefeasibility study for the development of a trolley bus system in the Kathmandu valley Ring Road has been undertaken under the PREGA project. The project is being initiated at a time when the government policy is favorable for electric vehicles; this has the potential to contribute to the overall sustainable development of the Nepali economy. The project is expected to make a positive impact on poverty reduction through employment generation, support the tourism sector, and promote environment protection, positive health impact etc.
As an immediate 100% replacement of all diesel buses from the Ring Road is an unrealistic target, the trolleybuses are planned to be introduced in phases over three different periods during the project life. It is proposed that 50 trolleybuses will be introduced in the initial stage; followed by 25 trolley buses introduced in three, five year intervals. This would mean that an additional 75 buses would be added in the system during 2011, 2016 and 2021, resulting in a total of 125 trolley buses on the Ring Road by 2021.
In terms of replacing diesel buses, the 50 trolleybuses introduced in 2005 would replace about 34 diesel buses and 33 diesel minibuses. Ultimately, introduction of the total 125 trolleybus fleet during the project period (2005-2025) would replace about 85 diesel buses and 83 diesel minibuses from the Ring Road. Apart from other benefits, implementation of the trolleybus transportation system in the Ring Road would ultimately help reduce about 128,927 tons of CO2 equivalent emissions during the project period alone.
The project investment scheme will also be staggered over the project period. Investments are required at different intervals as additional numbers of trolleybuses are introduced over the project period 2005-2025. The initial investment, amounting to NRs 522.49 million (US$ 6.97 million) will be made in 2005 for the 50 trolley buses. The additional 75 trolleybuses, to be introduced at three five year intervals, require an additional investment of NRs 211.56, NRs 185.41 and NRs 211.56 million (US$ 2.82, 2.47 and 2.82 million) during the years 2011, 2016 and 2021 respectively. The total investment required for the infrastructure needed to implement the trolley bus project along the Ring Road amounts to about NRs 1,131 million (US$ 15.08 million). However, this cost can be reduced to NRs. 969.5 million (US$ 12.93 million) if the trolleybuses are assembled locally with imported components i.e., chassis from India and electrical components from China.
The estimated cost of an imported trolleybus is NRs 5.5 million (US$ 0.073 million) whereas the cost of a locally manufactured trolleybus is estimated at NRs 4.2 million (US$ 0.056 million). As the cost of imported trolley buses is substantially higher, the assembly of trolleybuses locally has been found as a cost effective option besides the appurtenant benefits thereto in the form of backward linkage. In addition, an annual operation cost of NRs. 1.18 million (US$ 0.015 million) per trolleybus per year has been estimated. The project can be financed in two ways: one time lump sum payment for the abatement during the life usually through Global Environment Facility (GEF) or payment each year upon delivery of abatement through the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).
CDM is a mechanism within the Kyoto Protocol that allows industrialized Annex I countries to implement projects that reduce emissions in non-Annex I countries (developing countries) and get credits for meeting their commitments to reduce emissions. In order to make the project commercially feasible and attract private investors, the FIRR needs to be at least 14%. Calculations suggest an incremental cost of about NRs 155 million (US$ 2.06 million) for imported trolleybuses, and NRs 63 million (US$ 0.84 million) for locally assembled ones. If the lifecycle costs of baseline and project case are considered, the incremental cost becomes Rs. 427.02 million (US$ 5.69 million) for imported trolley bus and Rs. 207.48 million (US$ 2.77 million) for locally assembled. However, the economic analysis indicates that the project will be beneficial to the society if implemented. But the financial calculation suggest that additional income like sell of CERs would be needed on top of the revenue from passenger service to be financially viable.
The abatement cost of CO2 varies depending upon the funding mechanism. Receipt of payment for the total GHG abatement during the life time of the project at the beginning of the project through one time lump sum payment makes the abatement cost of CO2 more economical compared to the abatement cost through CERs paid annually. If the project were to be implemented with imported trolleybuses, then the abatement cost would be US $ 16 per ton of CO2 eq mitigated. For locally assembled trolleybuses, this would be around US $ 6.5. On the other hand, if the project were to be paid for CERs generated each upon delivery, the cost of CO2eq would be around US $ 57 per ton of CO2eq mitigated for imported trolleybuses, while the cost of CO2eq would be around US $ 23 for locally assembled trolleybuses. Similarly, the abatement cost is US$ 44 per ton of CO2eq for imported trolleybuses, and US$ 21.5 per ton of CO2eq for locally assembled if the incremental cost computed on the basis of through lifecycle analysis. From the above results it is evident that the cost of CO2eq is higher if the payment for the generated CERs is to be made annually, and that, the project would be even more attractive if the trolleybuses could be manufactured locally.
On the other hand, a detailed monitoring plan needs to be developed for CDM funded projects. For certain projects, monitoring the performance and GHG impacts can be an important component of a project's total transaction costs. The latest draft simplified baseline and monitoring methodologies for selected small-scale CDM project categories, which also includes "Emission Reductions in the Transport Sector", requires monitoring to track the number of trolley buses operated and the annual units of service for a sample of the vehicles. An effective and efficient record keeping system can be established in the company based on the overall kilometers covered, total passengers traveled, the total number of trolleybuses as well as diesel buses in operation etc. This data can be reported on an annual basis and can be electronically archived.
A half-day workshop to gather stakeholder comments regarding the draft report was held on November 3, 2003 in Kathmandu. The overall consensus was that the project should be investigated further by conducting a detailed feasibility study. Questions pertaining to how the local costs would compare to the initial investments, how to raise the preliminary capital, the need to incorporate health impacts to strengthen the study, development of a concrete substantiation of benefits in order for EVs to be eligible to claim subsidies, involvement of the private sector in future trolleybus operations, and the need for a strong management system were suggested by workshop participants to further substantiate the study.
Source: Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities
Trolley Bus Development in Ring Road of the Kathma...
RE: India halts power supply deal (Ha!! I told you...
मस्यौदा "बिद्युत ऐन २०६५" मा अत्यावश्यक सुधारहरु
मस्यौदा "नेपाल बिद्युत नियमन आयोग ऐन २०६५" मा अत्य...

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Brachymeles bonitae est une espèce de sauriens de la famille des Scincidae.

Répartition

Cette espèce est endémique des Philippines. Elle se rencontre dans les îles de Camiguin, de Tablas, de Sibuyan, de Polillo, de Mindoro, de Luçon, de Masbate, de Marinduque, de Calotcot et de Lubang.

Publication originale
 Duméril & Bibron, 1839 : Erpétologie Générale ou Histoire Naturelle Complète des Reptiles. , Roret/Fain et Thunot, Paris,  (texte intégral).

Liens externes

Notes et références

Saurien (nom scientifique)
Scincinae
Faune endémique des Philippines

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Samuel Hood Linzee1
M, #698911, b. August 1806, d. 26 December 1806
Last Edited=11 Jul 2017
Samuel Hood Linzee was born in August 1806.1 He was the son of Vice-Admiral Samuel Hood Linzee and Emily Wooldridge.1 He died on 26 December 1806 at Penzance, Cornwall, England.1
M, #698912, b. 19 December 1809, d. 11 July 1831
Samuel Hood Linzee was born on 19 December 1809 at St. Peter, Liverpool, Lancashire, England.1 He was the son of Vice-Admiral Samuel Hood Linzee and Emily Wooldridge.1 He died on 11 July 1831 at age 21, drowned off Cape Frio, South Africa.1
Emily Wooldridge Linzee1
F, #698913, b. 27 September 1807, d. 22 October 1870
Emily Wooldridge Linzee was born on 27 September 1807 at Plymouth, Devon, England.1 She was the daughter of Vice-Admiral Samuel Hood Linzee and Emily Wooldridge.1 She married Warwick Augustus Hunt on 3 November 1830 at Plymouth, Devon, England.1 She died on 22 October 1870 at age 63 at Wandsworth, Surrey, England.1
From 3 November 1830, her married name became Hunt.1
Child of Emily Wooldridge Linzee and Warwick Augustus Hunt
Emily Linzee Hunt+1 b. 4 Sep 1831, d. 1908
Warwick Augustus Hunt1
M, #698914, b. 1810, d. March 1891
Warwick Augustus Hunt was born in 1810 at Plymouth, Devon, England.1 He married Emily Wooldridge Linzee, daughter of Vice-Admiral Samuel Hood Linzee and Emily Wooldridge, on 3 November 1830 at Plymouth, Devon, England.1 He died in March 1891 at Glencairn, Torquay, Devon, England.1
Child of Warwick Augustus Hunt and Emily Wooldridge Linzee
Emily Linzee Hunt1
F, #698915, b. 4 September 1831, d. 1908
Emily Linzee Hunt was born on 4 September 1831 at Plymouth, Devon, England.1 She was the daughter of Warwick Augustus Hunt and Emily Wooldridge Linzee.1 She married Maj.-Gen. Charles Henry Owen on 10 December 1851 at St. Dunstan's Church, London, England.1 She died in 1908 at Camberley, Surrey, England.1
Child of Emily Linzee Hunt and Maj.-Gen. Charles Henry Owen
Brig.-Gen. Charles Cunliffe-Owen1 b. 1863, d. 1932
Maj.-Gen. Charles Henry Owen1
M, #698916, b. 4 June 1830, d. November 1921
Maj.-Gen. Charles Henry Owen was born on 4 June 1830 at Worksop, Nottinghamshire, England.1 He married Emily Linzee Hunt, daughter of Warwick Augustus Hunt and Emily Wooldridge Linzee, on 10 December 1851 at St. Dunstan's Church, London, England.1 He died in November 1921 at age 91 at Camberley, Surrey, England.1
He gained the rank of Major-General in the Royal Artillery.1
Child of Maj.-Gen. Charles Henry Owen and Emily Linzee Hunt
Brig.-Gen. Charles Cunliffe-Owen1
Brig.-Gen. Charles Cunliffe-Owen 1
Brig.-Gen. Charles Cunliffe-Owen was born in 1863 at Woolwich, Kent, England.1 He was the son of Maj.-Gen. Charles Henry Owen and Emily Linzee Hunt.1 He married Margaret Mary Cobbold in 1892 at St. Mary-le-Tower Church, Ipswich, Suffolk, England.1 He died in 1932 at France.1
He was appointed Companion, Order of the Bath (C.B.)1 He gained the rank of Brigadier-General in the Royal Artillery.1
Margaret Mary Cobbold1
F, #698918, b. 1867, d. 1894
Margaret Mary Cobbold was born in 1867 at The Cliff, Ipswich, Suffolk, England.1 She married Brig.-Gen. Charles Cunliffe-Owen, son of Maj.-Gen. Charles Henry Owen and Emily Linzee Hunt, in 1892 at St. Mary-le-Tower Church, Ipswich, Suffolk, England.1 She died in 1894 at Nimuch, Madhya Pradesh, India.1
From 1892, her married name became Owen.1
John Linzee1
M, #698919, b. 22 September 1812, d. 3 July 1886
John Linzee was born on 22 September 1812 at Penzance, Cornwall, England.1 He was the son of Vice-Admiral Samuel Hood Linzee and Emily Wooldridge.1 He married Ester Davies in 1861 at Kensington, London, England.1 He died on 3 July 1886 at age 73 at Richmond, Surrey, England.1
Child of John Linzee and Ester Davies
Clara Inman Linzee+1 b. 29 Jan 1868, d. 1960
Ester Davies1
Ester Davies was born in 1823.1 She married John Linzee, son of Vice-Admiral Samuel Hood Linzee and Emily Wooldridge, in 1861 at Kensington, London, England.1 She died in 1871 at London, England.1
From 1861, her married name became Linzee.1
Child of Ester Davies and John Linzee


text:
Mech Platoon, known in Japan as  is a real-time strategy video game developed and published by Kemco. It was the first real-time strategy game released on the Game Boy Advance platform, and was released in 2001.

Gameplay

Mech Platoon follows real-time strategy gaming standards, and is in the vein of other games such as StarCraft and Command & Conquer. The player assumes the role of an army commander for one of three in-game nations, and must battle on five planets each with multiple missions. In a battle, the player utilizes resources on a battlefield to build a base and attempt to overrun their opponent with "Mechs", the units featured in the game. There are three different types of resources found in the game: Energy Sand, Material Rock, and Laser Crystal. Resources are used to purchase units, and lower-grade resources such as sand can be used to buy more expensive resources such as rock and crystal.

Due to Game Boy Advance hardware limitations, there is a 30-unit maximum per stage and no fog of war. There are twenty standard mechs that are unlocked throughout the game to use during battles, but each of these are customizable with different variants. Each mech also has its own attributes, ranging from differing hit points to varying levels of attacks.

Development
The game was first displayed to the public at E3 2001, where critics were impressed by the game's graphics but noted problems with unit path finding. A later build was shown at the European Computer Trade Show in September 2001.

Reception

Mech Platoon received "generally favorable reviews" according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.

GameSpot lauded Mech Platoon for its graphics and standard real-time strategy conventions on a portable system, writing, "Mech Platoon compromises nothing compared with stalwart veterans like Starcraft or Command & Conquer." GameSpy praised the game for its level selection and detailed graphics. GamePro noted, "[Mech Platoon] boasts lots of nifty features and a few annoying flaws that keep it from beating up on its bigger PC cousins."

Criticism generally focused on the game's sound and the problems with a portable real-time strategy game. GameSpot noted, "[the game's audio] is composed of mostly ear-wrenching midi music with a smattering of crisp digitized sound effects." GameSpy compared Mech Platoon unfavorably against turn-based strategy games on the Game Boy Advance, such as Nintendo's Advance Wars.

References

External links

2001 video games
Kemco games
Game Boy Advance games
Game Boy Advance-only games
Real-time strategy video games
Video games developed in Japan
Video games scored by Hideki Sakamoto
Video games with isometric graphics


A Marvel Future Fight Clear Ticket can be used to complete a stage without actually having to play it. They can be gotten from many different locations in game, but have a few down sides that make them good for only certain situations.
For one you will never get and experience for your Heroes or S.H.I.E.L.D level. For this reason they Are the best to use when energy is needed to get ride of before leveling up and wasting it. Once your S.H.E.I.L.D level reaches 50 or your character levels reaches max the exp part isn't a worry anymore.
In the beginning these can be a little scarce and you probably wont have enough. Once your heroes start to get higher level gear you gonna need to farm Dimension Rifts for Debris where you'll also earn tickets on the side.
Visit our MARVEL Future Fight Wiki, Guide and FAQ for a ton more related info that's sure to shed some light on things. Please leave any insight or questions in the comments below.
Another downside besides not getting any exp is that they can only be used on Normal and Elite missions. Once you have gotten 3 star you can quick complete the mission from now on using tickets. The limit for Elite missions is 3 plays per day per stage.
When it comes to getting materials for upgrading equipment these things can really speed up the process. They are also great for getting a few things done on the fly.
There are multiple places to get these things in game with the most popular probably being Rift's for late game players. Once a players gets heroes that are close to level 40 you'll have a ton of left over CT's that could not all possible be spent. Unless of course you plan on using them a bunch regardless of the exp penalty.


This episode welcomes guest Mitchell Hanberg, software developer for SEP in Carmel, IN. Currently, he is working with Rails at his job and writes Elixir at home. Mitchell wrote a blog post about how to use Elixir LS with Vim. He is working on integrating ALE and Elixir LS for Vim. The panelists discuss some problems they are having with Elixir LS crashing. The panelists conclude by discussing their favorite features of the Elixir/ALE integration and their favorite features of VIM.


text:
package org.c4sg.dao;

import org.c4sg.entity.User;
import org.springframework.data.domain.Page;
import org.springframework.data.domain.Pageable;
import org.springframework.data.jpa.repository.JpaRepository;
import org.springframework.data.jpa.repository.JpaSpecificationExecutor;
import org.springframework.data.jpa.repository.Modifying;
import org.springframework.data.jpa.repository.Query;
import org.springframework.data.repository.query.Param;
import org.springframework.stereotype.Component;

import java.util.List;

import javax.transaction.Transactional;

@Component
public interface UserDAO extends JpaRepository<User, Long>, JpaSpecificationExecutor<User> {

    String FIND_ACTIVE_VOLUNTEERS =
    		"SELECT u FROM User u " +
            "WHERE u.status = 'A' and u.role = 'V' and u.publishFlag = 'Y' " +
    		"ORDER BY u.createdTime DESC";

    String FIND_BY_NOTIFY =
    		"SELECT u FROM User u " +
            "WHERE u.status = 'A' and u.role = 'V' and u.notifyFlag = 'Y'";

    String FIND_BY_ID_QUERY =
    		"SELECT u FROM UserProject up " +
            "JOIN up.user u " +
            "JOIN up.project p " +
            "WHERE p.id =:projId and up.status= :userProjStatus";

    String FIND_BY_ORG_ID =
    		"SELECT u FROM UserOrganization uo " +
            "JOIN uo.user u " +
            "JOIN uo.organization o " +
            "WHERE o.id =:orgId";

    String DELETE_USER_PROJECTS = "DELETE FROM UserProject up WHERE up.user.id=:userId";
    String DELETE_USER_SKILLS = "DELETE FROM UserSkill us WHERE us.user.id=:userId";

    String SAVE_AVATAR = "UPDATE User u set u.avatarUrl = :imgUrl where u.id = :userId";

    /*String FIND_APPLICANT_QUERY =
     		"SELECT upa.user_id, upa.project_id, u.first_name, u.last_name, u.title, upa.created_time as applied_time, upc.created_time as approved_time, upd.created_time as declined_time " +
     		"FROM user u " +
     		"LEFT OUTER JOIN user_project upa ON upa.user_id = u.id AND upa.project_id = :projectId AND upa.status = 'A' " +
     		"LEFT OUTER JOIN user_project upc ON upc.user_id = u.id AND upc.project_id = :projectId AND upc.status = 'C' " +
     		"LEFT OUTER JOIN user_project upd ON upd.user_id = u.id AND upd.project_id = :projectId AND upd.status = 'D' " +
     		"WHERE upa.project_id = :projectId " +
            "ORDER BY upa.created_time DESC";*/

    String SEARCH_FIRST =
    	       	"SELECT DISTINCT u"
    	           	    +   " FROM UserSkill us"
    	           	    +   " RIGHT OUTER JOIN us.user u"
    	           	    +   " LEFT OUTER JOIN us.skill s"
    	           	    +   " WHERE ("
    	           	    + 	"(:keyWord is null OR LOWER(u.userName) LIKE LOWER(CONCAT('%', :keyWord, '%'))"
    	           	    +   " OR LOWER(u.firstName) LIKE LOWER(CONCAT('%', :keyWord, '%'))"
    	           	    +   " OR LOWER(u.lastName) LIKE LOWER(CONCAT('%', :keyWord, '%'))"
    	                +   " OR LOWER(u.title) LIKE LOWER(CONCAT('%', :keyWord, '%'))"
    	                +   " OR LOWER(u.introduction) LIKE LOWER(CONCAT('%', :keyWord, '%'))"
    	                +	" OR LOWER(u.state) LIKE LOWER(CONCAT('%', :keyWord, '%'))"
    	                +   " OR LOWER(u.country) LIKE LOWER(CONCAT('%', :keyWord, '%'))"
    	                +   " OR LOWER(s.skillName) LIKE LOWER(CONCAT('%',:keyWord,'%')))"
    	                +   " AND (:status is null OR u.status = :status)"
    	                +   " AND (:role is null OR u.role = :role)"
    	                +   " AND (:publishFlag is null OR u.publishFlag = :publishFlag)";

     String SEARCH_LAST =
    		 ")  "
             + "ORDER BY u.createdTime DESC";

     String SEARCH_SKILL = " AND (us.skill.id in (:skills))";
     String SEARCH_JOB =  " AND ( u.jobTitleId in (:jobTitles))";
     String SEARCH_COUNTRY =  " AND ( u.country in (:countries))";

     String FIND_BY_KEYWORD = SEARCH_FIRST + SEARCH_LAST;
     String FIND_BY_KEYWORD_SKILL = SEARCH_FIRST + SEARCH_SKILL + SEARCH_LAST;
     String FIND_BY_KEYWORD_JOB = SEARCH_FIRST + SEARCH_JOB + SEARCH_LAST;
     String FIND_BY_KEYWORD_JOB_SKILL = SEARCH_FIRST + SEARCH_JOB + SEARCH_SKILL + SEARCH_LAST;
     String FIND_BY_KEYWORD_COUNTRY = SEARCH_FIRST + SEARCH_COUNTRY + SEARCH_LAST;
     String FIND_BY_KEYWORD_SKILL_COUNTRY = SEARCH_FIRST + SEARCH_SKILL + SEARCH_COUNTRY + SEARCH_LAST;
     String FIND_BY_KEYWORD_JOB_COUNTRY = SEARCH_FIRST + SEARCH_JOB + SEARCH_COUNTRY + SEARCH_LAST;
     String FIND_BY_KEYWORD_JOB_SKILL_COUNTRY = SEARCH_FIRST + SEARCH_JOB + SEARCH_SKILL + SEARCH_COUNTRY + SEARCH_LAST;

    @Query(FIND_ACTIVE_VOLUNTEERS)
    Page<User> findActiveVolunteers(Pageable pageable);

    @Query(FIND_BY_NOTIFY)
    List<User> findByNotify();

    User findById(int id);

    User findByEmail(String email);

    List<User> findAllByOrderByIdDesc();

    @Query(FIND_BY_ID_QUERY)
    List<User> findByUserProjectId(@Param("projId") Integer projId, @Param("userProjStatus") String userProjStatus);

    @Query(FIND_BY_ORG_ID)
    List<User> findByOrgId(@Param("orgId") Integer orgId);

    @Modifying
    @Query(DELETE_USER_PROJECTS)
    @Transactional
    void deleteUserProjects(@Param("userId") Integer userId);

    @Modifying
    @Query(DELETE_USER_SKILLS)
    @Transactional
    void deleteUserSkills(@Param("userId") Integer userId);

    @Transactional
    @Modifying
    @Query(SAVE_AVATAR)
    void updateAvatar(@Param("imgUrl") String imgUrl, @Param("userId") Integer userId);

    @Query(FIND_BY_KEYWORD)
    List<User> findByKeyword(@Param("keyWord") String keyWord, @Param("status") String status, @Param("role") String role, @Param("publishFlag") String publishFlag);

    @Query(FIND_BY_KEYWORD_JOB)
    List<User> findByKeywordAndJob(@Param("keyWord") String keyWord, @Param("jobTitles") List<Integer> jobTitles, @Param("status") String status, @Param("role") String role, @Param("publishFlag") String publishFlag);

    @Query(FIND_BY_KEYWORD_SKILL)
    List<User> findByKeywordAndSkill(@Param("keyWord") String keyWord, @Param("skills") List<Integer> skills, @Param("status") String status, @Param("role") String role, @Param("publishFlag") String publishFlag);

    @Query(FIND_BY_KEYWORD_JOB_SKILL)
    List<User> findByKeywordAndJobAndSkill(@Param("keyWord") String keyWord, @Param("jobTitles") List<Integer> jobTitles, @Param("skills") List<Integer> skills, @Param("status") String status, @Param("role") String role, @Param("publishFlag") String publishFlag);

    @Query(FIND_BY_KEYWORD_JOB_SKILL_COUNTRY)
	List<User> findByKeywordAndJobAndSkillAndCountries(@Param("keyWord") String keyWord, @Param("jobTitles") List<Integer> jobTitles, @Param("skills") List<Integer> skills, @Param("countries") List<String> countries, @Param("status") String status, @Param("role") String role, @Param("publishFlag") String publishFlag);

    @Query(FIND_BY_KEYWORD_SKILL_COUNTRY)
	List<User> findByKeywordAndSkillAndCountries(@Param("keyWord") String keyWord, @Param("skills") List<Integer> skills, @Param("countries") List<String> countries, @Param("status") String status, @Param("role") String role, @Param("publishFlag") String publishFlag);

    @Query(FIND_BY_KEYWORD_JOB_COUNTRY)
	List<User> findByKeywordAndJobAndCountries(@Param("keyWord") String keyWord, @Param("jobTitles") List<Integer> jobTitles, @Param("countries") List<String> countries, @Param("status") String status, @Param("role") String role, @Param("publishFlag") String publishFlag);

    @Query(FIND_BY_KEYWORD_COUNTRY)
	List<User> findByKeywordAndCountries(@Param("keyWord") String keyWord, @Param("countries") List<String> countries, @Param("status") String status, @Param("role") String role, @Param("publishFlag") String publishFlag);

    @Query(FIND_BY_KEYWORD)
    Page<User>  findByKeyword(@Param("keyWord") String keyWord, @Param("status") String status, @Param("role") String role, @Param("publishFlag") String publishFlag, Pageable pageable);

    @Query(FIND_BY_KEYWORD_JOB)
    Page<User>  findByKeywordAndJob(@Param("keyWord") String keyWord, @Param("jobTitles") List<Integer> jobTitles, @Param("status") String status, @Param("role") String role, @Param("publishFlag") String publishFlag, Pageable pageable);

    @Query(FIND_BY_KEYWORD_SKILL)
    Page<User>  findByKeywordAndSkill(@Param("keyWord") String keyWord, @Param("skills") List<Integer> skills, @Param("status") String status, @Param("role") String role, @Param("publishFlag") String publishFlag, Pageable pageable);

    @Query(FIND_BY_KEYWORD_JOB_SKILL)
    Page<User>  findByKeywordAndJobAndSkill(@Param("keyWord") String keyWord, @Param("jobTitles") List<Integer> jobTitles, @Param("skills") List<Integer> skills, @Param("status") String status, @Param("role") String role, @Param("publishFlag") String publishFlag, Pageable pageable);

    @Query(FIND_BY_KEYWORD_JOB_SKILL_COUNTRY)
	Page<User> findByKeywordAndJobAndSkillAndCountries(@Param("keyWord") String keyWord, @Param("jobTitles") List<Integer> jobTitles, @Param("skills") List<Integer> skills, @Param("countries") List<String> countries, @Param("status") String status, @Param("role") String role, @Param("publishFlag") String publishFlag, Pageable pageable);

    @Query(FIND_BY_KEYWORD_SKILL_COUNTRY)
	Page<User> findByKeywordAndSkillAndCountries(@Param("keyWord") String keyWord, @Param("skills") List<Integer> skills, @Param("countries") List<String> countries, @Param("status") String status, @Param("role") String role, @Param("publishFlag") String publishFlag, Pageable pageable);

    @Query(FIND_BY_KEYWORD_JOB_COUNTRY)
	Page<User> findByKeywordAndJobAndCountries(@Param("keyWord") String keyWord, @Param("jobTitles") List<Integer> jobTitles, @Param("countries") List<String> countries, @Param("status") String status, @Param("role") String role, @Param("publishFlag") String publishFlag, Pageable pageable);

    @Query(FIND_BY_KEYWORD_COUNTRY)
	Page<User> findByKeywordAndCountries(@Param("keyWord") String keyWord, @Param("countries") List<String> countries, @Param("status") String status, @Param("role") String role, @Param("publishFlag") String publishFlag, Pageable pageable);

}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Panicum leersioides Hochst., Flora 38: 196 (1855).
Urochloa leersioides (Hochst.) A.M.Torres & C.M.Morton, Molec. Phylogen. Evol. 37: 42 (2005).
Brachiaria leersioides (Hochst.) Stapf in D.Oliver & auct. suc. (eds.), Fl. Trop. Afr. 9: 551 (1919).


No Grammy award for Childish Gambino this year, but with a TV Show in the works, he may be on the way to joining Drake as Hip Hop's second resident emcee/actor.
Gambino's new TV Show "Atlanta" is slated to premiere this year on FX, maybe his dream isn't too far from becoming a reality. The show will ideally give Childish the platform to establish himself outside of 140 characters and a mixtape.
Nevertheless, Glover's profile has certainly heightened since the release of Because the Internet, resulting in a nomination for Best Rap Album this year. But hip hop fans have likely given up on the Grammy's as a true measure of an artist's work, a Childish Gambino win for Best Rap Album over Iggy Azalea's The New Classic would've been a historical moment for the category. But older, out of touch Academy Voting Members voted "The Marshall Mathers LP 2" the winner for the category. Following last years upset over Macklemore's win, it would've been triumphant to see the award go to an album as innovative in its execution, scope, and vision as Because the Internet. Whether he deserved it or not is of no matter. It was just a joy to see an album like Because The Internet nominated in the first place. And not winning a Grammy might be at this point a sign of having a great album — at least in Hip Hop —so there.


Amy Campbell in Current Affairs Editor's Picks Environment on 17 November, 2018.
While it may be "too late" to reverse climate change, we are ignoring the reckless and irresponsible actions of the second biggest contributor to the climate crisis on the planet.
The USA has pulled out of the most significant climate agreement in history, abolished almost all previous regulations that tackled climate change, attempted to revitalise the coal industry, has climate change sceptics in the highest environmental positions, and the majority of the population is not aware that humans are causing global warming.
Trump made his opinion infamously known on Twitter in 2012 by saying that global warming is a "hoax invented by the Chinese to attack US manufacturing".
Trump has literally said (see above) that he doesn't "necessarily agree" that humans have been the overwhelming cause for climate change. That there are also scientists who "dispute" climate change, and all he wants is the "cleanest air". These are ill educated, propagandist, and nonsensical words from the most powerful man in the world. He urgently needs to implement all forms of green technology and every possible regulation to even come close to reversing climate change, now. However, he doesn't even believe it is happening .
She could not answer basic questions posed by the Senate committee on the environment; "You don't believe climate change is real?", she replies "I'm very uncertain".
She also criticised the 2007 Supreme Court decision that the federal government had the legal authority to regulate carbon dioxide as a pollutant under the Clean Air Act, "Carbon dioxide has none of the characteristics of a pollutant".
Robert Murray, the head of Murray Energy (one of America's largest coal companies) called the Paris Accord "illegal" and is in the running for a position at the Environmental Protection Agency right now.
New Greenhouse Gas regulations for coal fired power plants that allows individual states to decide voluntarily whether they wish to curb CO2 emissions.
Attempting to revere more than 70 environmental rules such as; overturning drilling and extraction regulations, infrastructure and planning regulations, the protection of endangered animals, regulations on toxic substances and water pollution.
Repealing of the Clean Power Plan which prevented the equivalent of 11 million metric tons of CO2 being released into the air by 2025.
Applying a cost benefit analysis to carbon; claiming 1 ton of CO2 emitted by a car/coal plant would cost precisely $1-$7 in economic damage (Obama argued the same ton would cost $50).
The policies above demonstrate one motive only, to maintain profits, and will quite literally exacerbate the effects of climate change. These are just a few of Trump's current policies, and this agenda may lead to 80,000 extra deaths per decade.
The frightening reality; Trump and his administration are climate change sceptics who are decimating critical legislation that sought to reverse climate change, they are encouraging fossil fuel use, and display a delusional tunnel vision to prioritise the American economy at all costs- all whilst we are in a climate crisis.
Most quintessentially, in 2015 Trump announced America's withdrawal from the Paris Agreement. The most important climate change agreement in history, signed by 195 countries to tackle the crisis that America is most responsible for.
Trump is viewing a crisis that his country is responsible for though a narrow, selfish, cost benefit and, as will be discussed, incorrect lens.
If the agreement will kill so many jobs and cost so much money, why are businesses so uniformly supportive?
Exxon (argues that cleaner burning natural gas can help the USA reach emissions goals), The World Coal Association (endorsed the deal as one that gives countries the chance to prioritize technology that could make coal fired power less environmentally damaging), The Business Council for Sustainable Energy, EBay, Lyft, HP inc. Overall, a staggering 360 companies wrote to him saying they support the agreement.
Solar jobs are growing 17 times faster than the overall U.S. economy, 1.2 million clean energy jobs are in states that voted for Trump and over 2.6 million clean energy jobs are in the US as a whole.
Obama displayed the necessary steps towards repairing America's contribution to climate change, attempting to implement the "Clean Power Plan" aiming to limit emissions from the energy sector. It would have saved the average American household $1,868 on electricity bills over 15 years.
However, of course, it never came into force. It was loathed by the US supreme court in 2016. Trump's words as he rolled back the plan "Boom, gone".
If we are to tackle climate change in the speed that is necessary, the first step is for America to take action. Instead of looking aghast at Trump from a distance, we must expose his stance on climate change, and hope that democratic oversight of the house of representatives takes on the responsibility of the green revolution.


Having secured a large client, SRP Healthcare urgently need Carers, health care assistants, support workers in Ware & Surrounding areas.
Are you an experienced carer or looking for a career in care- We require full time or part time carers!
SRP Healthcare are now recruiting for the position of Healthcare Assistant & Support Care Worker THROUGHOUT ESSEX & BEYOND. We can offer full flexibility to suit you and your lifestyle, excellent rates of pay starting from £9.00 - 10.00/hr, free training and 24/7 support.
Are you willing to make a real difference to people's lives in your local community?
Can you support people with a wide range of needs?
Can you deliver outstanding care?
This is an opportunity to develop your career in the Care Industry. We are currently recruiting Support Workers & Care Assistants / Care Workers to work in Nursing / Residential homes, Private hospitals. Can you provide high quality care and support to vulnerable adults who may be elderly, frail with Learning disability, Mental illness and Complex needs.
A minimum 3 months UK experience in the last 5 years.
Have the ability to adapt to different healthcare environments.
Works well in stressful situations and able to respond effectively to challenging situations.
Respects people's equality, diversity and rights.
Flexible working shifts - mornings, evenings, nights and weekends.
Free Comprehensive and relevant training provided.
Benefits such as: Supermarket & Cinema discounts, Phone Insurance, Car breakdown cover, Kids Pass, Taste card & many many more !!
Successful candidate must be able to demonstrate a commitment to providing a high standard of care to the company's service users. SRP Healthcare takes its reputation as a Caring company very seriously indeed, and constantly looks to recruit individuals who have that same burning dedication and passion for their chosen vocation.
If this sounds like you, then don't hesitate; apply today!
We are registered with Care Quality Commission & rated "GOOD"


Good Morning! In this a.m.'s eBlog, we consider the serious municipal fiscal challenges in Ohio, where the decline in coal-fired power has led Adams County auditor David Gifford to warn that if its existing power plants close, the county could be forced to raise its property tax rates at least 500% in order to make its requisite school district bond interest payments. Then we turn to the steep fiscal trials and tribulations of implementing San Bernardino's post-chapter 9 exit, before finally considering the governing challenges affecting the City of Flint's physical and fiscal future, and then to the criminal charges related to Flint's fiscal and moral insolvency. Finally, we turn to the potential for a new fiscal chapter for the nearly insolvent Virginia municipality of Petersburg.
Under its plan of debt adjustment, San Bernardino began making distributions to creditors this month: Mayor Carey Davis noted: "From the beginning, we understood the time, hard work, sacrifice and commitment it would take for the city to emerge from the bankruptcy process," in asking the Council to adopt the proposed $160 million operating budget and a $22.6 million capital budget.
In making his charges, Attorney General Schuette declined to say whether he had subpoenaed Governor Rick Snyder—with the charges coming some 622 days after Gov. Snyder had acknowledged that Flint's drinking water was tainted with lead—and that the state was liable for the worst water tragedy in Michigan's history—a tragedy due, in no small part, from the state appointment of an emergency manager to displace the city's own elected leaders.
The state Attorney General has charged HHS Director Lyon in relation to the individual death of Robert Skidmore, who died Dec. 13, 2015, "as a result of [Mr.] Lyon's failure to warn the public of the Legionnaires' outbreak; the court has also received testimony that the Director "participated in obstructing" an independent research team from Wayne State University which was investigating the presence of Legionella bacteria in Flint's water. In addition, four defendants who have been previously charged, former Flint Emergency Manager Darnell Earley, former Michigan Department of Environmental Quality drinking water Director Liane Shekter-Smith, DEQ drinking water official Stephen Busch, and former City of Flint Water Department manager Howard Croft, each now face additional charges of involuntary manslaughter in Mr. Skidmore's death—bringing, to date, 15 current or former Michigan or Flint city officials to have been charged.
Manager Ferrell-Benavides won out in a field of four aspirants, with Mayor Parham noting: "She was definitely head and shoulders above the other candidates…She had clear, precise answers and a 90-day plan of action," albeit that plan has yet to be shared until after she meets with department heads and residents in order to get a better understanding of the city's needs. Nevertheless, City Councilman Charles Cuthbert noted: "Her energy and her warm personality and her expressions of commitment to help Petersburg solve its problems stood out…My sense is that she truly views these problems as an opportunity." In what will mark a fiscal clean slate, Manager Ferrell-Benavides will officially begin on July 10th, alongside a new city Finance Director Blake Rane, and Police Chief Kenneth Miller, who is coming to Petersburg from the Virginia Beach Police Department. She brings considerable governmental experience, including more than 25 years of work in government for the State of Maryland, the Chicago Public Housing Authority, the City of Sunnyvale, Calif.; and Los Alamos, New Mexico—in addition to multiple jobs with the District of Columbia.
Good Morning! In this a.m.'s eBlog, we consider the long-term recovery of Chocolateville, or Central Falls, Rhode Island—one of the smallest municipalities in the nation; then we head West, even as no longer young, to consider the eroding fiscal situation confronting California's CalPERS' pension system, before, finally considering how Congress and the President, in trying to replace the Affordable Care Act, might impact Puerto Rico's fiscal and service-related insolvency.
The Long & Exceptional Fiscal Road to Recovery. It was nearly five years ago that I sat with my class in a nearly empty City Hall in Central Falls, or Chocolateville, Rhode Island, the small (one square mile former mill town of indescribably delicious chocolate bars) with the newly appointed Judge Robert Flanders on his first day of the municipality's chapter 9 municipal bankruptcy after his appointment by the Governor: a chapter 9 bankruptcy which that very same evening so sobered the City of Providence and its unions that their contemplation of filing for chapter 9 was squelched—and the State initiated its own unique sharing commitment to create teams of city managers, state legislators and others to act as intervention advisory teams so that no other municipality in the state would fall into insolvency. Our visit also led to our publication of a Financial Crisis Toolkit, which we promptly shared with municipal leaders across the State of Michigan at the Michigan Municipal League's annual meeting in Detroit.
Today, it is Mayor James Diossa who has earned such deserved credit for what he describes as the "efforts and dedication to following fiscally sound budgeting practices," efforts which, he said, "are clearly paying off, leaving the city in a strong position." In the school of municipal finance, those efforts were rewarded with the credit rating elevation in its long-term general obligation rating three notches to BBB from BB, with credit analyst Victor Medeiros describing the fiscal recovery as one where, today, the city is "operating under a much stronger economic and management environment since emerging from bankruptcy in 2012…The city has had several years of strong budgetary performance, and has fully adhered to the established post-bankruptcy plan….The positive outlook reflects the possibility that strong budgetary performance could lead to improved reserves in line with the city's new formal reserve policy." The credit rating agency added that the city's fiscal leadership had succeeded in ensuring strong liquidity, assessing total available cash at 28.7% of total governmental fund expenditures and nearly twice governmental debt service, leading S&P to award it a "strong institutional framework score." That score should augur well as the city seeks to exit state oversight a year from next month: a path which S&P noted could continue to improve if it can build and sustain its gains in reserves and adhere to its successful financial practices, particularly after the city exits state oversight, or, as S&P put it: "Improving reserves over time would suggest that the city can position itself to better respond to the revenue effects of the next recession," noting, however, the exceptional fiscal challenge in the state's poorest municipality.
As all, except readers of this blog, are getting older (and, hopefully, wiser), cities, counties, states, and other municipal entities confront longer lifespans, so that, similar to the fiscal chasm looming in California, the day could be looming that what was promised thirty years ago is not fiscally available. In the Golden State, CalPERS has been paying benefits out faster that it has been gathering them, leading, at the end of last year, the state agency to reduce the assumed return on its investments to 7 percent from 7.5 percent—an action which, in turn, will requisition higher annual contributions from municipal and county governments, actions mandated by its fiduciary responsibility. While the state agency does not negotiate or set benefits, it does manage them on behalf of local governments, most of which are fulfilling their obligations.
Unpromising Turn. The PROMESA oversight board, deeming Puerto Rico's liquidity to be critically low, has demanded the U.S. territory immediately adopt emergency spending cuts, writing to Gov. Ricardo Rosselló in an epistle that unless the government immediately adopted emergency measures, it could be insolvent in a "matter of months," suggesting the government consider the immediate implementation of furloughs of most executive branch employees for four days each month, and teachers and other emergency personnel positions, such as law enforcement, two days a month; the Board urged Puerto Rico to put in place comparable furlough measures in other government entities, such as public corporations, authorities, and the legislative and judicial branches, in addition to recommending cutting spending for professional service contract expenditures by half. In addition, threatening public service solvency, the PROMESA Board directed the reduction of healthcare costs by negotiating drug pricing and rate reductions for health plans and providers. Mayhap most, at least from a governing perspective, critically, the PROMESA the board called for the Fiscal Agency and Financial Advisory Administration to implement a new liquidity plan by immediately controlling all Puerto Rico government accounts and spending, writing: "Given Puerto Rico's lack of normal capital market access and our need to focus on a sustainable restructuring of debt is neither practical nor prudent to address this cash shortfall with new short-term borrowing," warning Puerto Rico could face a cash deficit of about $190 million by the start of the new fiscal year, and that the Employment Retirement System and the Teachers Retirement System funds will be insolvent by the end of the calendar year. Adding to the threatening fiscal situation, Puerto Rico anticipates the loss of some $800 million in Affordable Care Act funding in the coming fiscal year.
Doctor Needed. As the U.S. House of Representatives reported out of two committees, yesterday, legislation to partially replace the Affordable Care Act, bills which, as introduced by the House Republicans—with the blessing of the Trump White House, omitted Puerto Rico, raising the specter that Congress could also fail to fund the U.S. territory's Children's Health Insurance Program, omissions Gov. Rosselló's representative in Washington, D.C. warned might have implications threatening the reauthorization of the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which could happen this summer, attributing Puerto Rico's exclusion from the two initial bills seeking to repeal and replace Obamacare—the first aimed at granting tax credits instead of direct subsidies, and the other which seeks to convert Medicaid in the states into a plan of block grants, like in the Island—to its colonial status: "As a territory, Puerto Rico isn't automatically included in health reform legislation. It already happened with Obamacare. The Republican plan is a reform bill for the 50 states." Indeed, Governor Rosselló's fiscal plan complied with the PROMESA Oversight Board's mandate to exclude any extensions of the nearly $1.2 billion in Medicaid funds currently granted under the Affordable Care Act, funds which could be depleted by the end of this year—and without any explanation for such clear discrimination against U.S. citizens.
Good Morning! In this a.m.'s eBlog, we consider the post-chapter 9 municipal bankruptcy trajectories of the nation's longest (San Bernardino) and largest (Detroit) municipal bankruptcies.
Exit I. So Long, Farewell…San Bernardino City Manager Mark Scott was given a two-week extension to his expired contract this week—on the very same day the Reno, Nevada City Council selected him as one of two finalists to be Reno's City Manager—with the extension granted just a little over the turbulent year Mr. Scott had devoted to working with the Mayor, Council, and attorneys to complete and submit to U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Meredith Jury San Bernardino's proposed plan of debt adjustment—with the city, at the end of January, in the wake of San Bernardino's "final, final" confirmation hearing, where the city gained authority to issue water and sewer revenue bonds prior to this month's final bankruptcy confirmation hearing—or, as Urban Futures Chief Executive Officer Michael Busch, whose firm provided the city with financial guidance throughout the four-plus years of bankruptcy, put it: "It has been a lot of work, and the city has made a lot of tough decisions, but I think some of the things the city has done will become best practices for cities in distress." Judge Jury is expected to make few changes from the redline suggestions made to her preliminary ruling by San Bernardino in its filing at the end of January—marking, as Mayor Carey Davis noted: a "milestone…After today, we have approval of the bankruptcy exit confirmation order." Indeed, San Bernardino has already acted on much of its plan—and now, Mayor Davis notes the city exiting from the longest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history is poised for growth in the wake of outsourcing fire services to the county and waste removal services to a private contractor, and reaching agreements with city employees, including police officers and retirees, to substantially reduce healthcare OPEB benefits to lessen pension reductions. Indeed, the city's plan agreement on its $56 million in pension obligation bonds—and in significant part with CalPERS—meant its retirees fared better than the city's municipal bondholders to whom San Bernardino committed to pay 40 percent of what they are owed—far more than its early offer of one percent. San Bernardino's pension bondholders succeeded in wrangling a richer recovery than the city's opening offer of one percent, but far less than CalPERS, which received a nearly 100 percent recovery. (San Bernardino did not make some $13 million in payments to CalPERS early in the chapter 9 process, but did set up payments to make the public employee pension fund whole; the city was aided in those efforts as we have previously noted after Judge Jury ruled against the argument made by pension bond attorneys two years ago. After the city's pension bondholders entered into mediation again prior to exit confirmation, substantial agreement was achieved for th0se bondholders, no doubt beneficial at the end of last year to the city's water department's issuance of $68 million in water and sewer bonds at competitive interest rates in November and December—with the payments to come from the city's water and sewer revenues, which were not included in the bankruptcy. The proceeds from these municipal bonds will meet critical needs to facilitate seismic upgrades to San Bernardino's water reservoirs and funding for the first phase of the Clean Water Factor–Recycled Water Program.
Now, with some eager anticipation of Judge Jury's final verdict, Assistant San Bernardino City Attorney Jolena Grider advised the Mayor and Council with regard to the requested contract extension: "If you don't approve this, we have no city manager…We're in the midst of getting out of bankruptcy. That just sends the wrong message to the bankruptcy court, to our creditors." Ergo, the City Council voted 8-0, marking the first vote taken under the new city charter, which requires the Mayor to vote, to extend the departing Manager's contract until March 7th, the day after the Council's next meeting—and, likely the very same day Mr. Scott will return to Reno for a second interview, after beating out two others to reach the final round of interviews. Reno city officials assert they will make their selection on March 8th—and Mr. Scott will be one of four candidates.
Nonetheless, the fiscal challenge remains steep: Detroit confronts stiff fiscal challenges, including an unexpected gap in public pensions, and the absence of a long-term economic plan. It faces disproportionate long-term borrowing costs because of its lingering low credit ratings—ratings of B2 and B from Moody's Investors Service and S&P Global Ratings, respectively, albeit each assigns the city stable outlooks. Nevertheless, the Mayor is eyes forward: "If we want to fulfill the vision of a building a Detroit that includes everybody, we have to do a whole lot more." By more, he went on, the city has work to do to bring back jobs, referencing his focus on a new job training program which will match citizens to training programs and then to jobs. (Detroit's unemployment rate has dropped by nearly 50 percent from three years ago, but still is the highest of any Michigan city at just under 10 percent.) The Mayor expressed hope that the potential move of the NBA's Detroit Pistons to the new Little Caesars Arena in downtown Detroit would create job opportunities for the city: "After the action of the Detroit city council in support of the first step of our next project very shortly, the Pistons will be hiring people from the city of Detroit." The new arena, to be financed with municipal bonds, is set to open in September as home to the Detroit Red Wings hockey team, which will abandon the Joe Louis Arena on the Detroit riverfront, after the Detroit City Council this week voted to support plans for the Pistons' move, albeit claiming the vote was not an endorsement of the complex deal involving millions in tax subsidies. Indeed, moving the NBA team will carry a price tag of $34 million to adapt the design of the nearly finished arena: the city has agreed to contribute toward the cost for the redesign which Mayor Duggan said will be funded through savings generated by the refinancing of $250 million of 2014 bonds issued by the Detroit Development Authority.
Mayor Duggan reiterated his commitment to stand with Detroit Public Schools Community District and its new school board President Iris Taylor against the threat of school closures. His statements came in the face of threats by the Michigan School Reform Office, which has identified 38 underperforming schools, the vast bulk of which (25) are in the city, stating: "We aren't saying schools are where they need to be now…They need to be turned around, but we need 110,000 seats in quality schools and closing schools doesn't add a single quality seat, all it does is bounce children around." Mayor Duggan noted that Detroit also remains committed to its demolition program—a program which has, to date, razed some 11,000 abandoned homes, more than half the goal the city has set, in some part assisted by some $42 million in funds from the U.S Department of Treasury's Hardest Hit Funds program for its blight removal program last October, the first installment of a new $130 million blight allocation for the city which was part of an appropriations bill Congress passed in December of 2015—but where a portion of that amount had been suspended by the Treasury for two months after a review found that internal controls needed improvement. Now, Major Duggan reports: "We have a team of state employees and land bank employees and a new process in place to get the program up and running and this time our goal isn't only to be fast but to be in federal compliance too." Of course, with a new Administration in office in Washington, D.C., James Thurber—were he still alive—might be warning the Mayor not to count any chickens before they're hatched.
Are American Cities at a Financial Brink?
Good Morning! In this a.m.'s eBlog, we consider the ongoing fiscal and physical challenges to the City of Flint, Michigan in the wake of the disastrous state appointment of an Emergency Manager with the subsequent devastating health and fiscal subsequent crises, before turning to a new report, "When Cities Are at the Financial Brink" which would have us understand that "the risk of insolvency for large cities is now higher than at any point since the federal government first passed a municipal bankruptcy law in the 1930's," before briefly considering the potential impact on every state, local government, and public school system in the country were Congress to adopt the President-elect's proposed infrastructure plan; then we consider the challenge of aging: what do longer lifespans of city, county, and state employees augur for state and local public pension obligations and credit ratings?
Nevertheless, progress is happening: in the last six months of water sampling in Flint, lead readings averaged 12 parts per billion, below the federal action level of 15 ppb, and down from 20 ppb in the first six months of last year. Marc Edwards, a Virginia Tech researcher who helped identify the city's contamination problems, said: "Levels of bacteria we're seeing are at dramatically lower levels than we saw a year ago." However, the physical, fiscal, public trust, and health damage to the citizens of Flint during the year-and-a-half of using the Flint River as prescribed by the state-appointed Emergency Manager has had a two-fold impact: the recovery has been slow and residents have little faith in the safety of the water. Mayor Karen Weaver has sought to spearhead a program of quick pipeline replacement, but that process has been hindered by a lack of funding.
Have authority to preempt local authority and take over a municipality (New Jersey and Atlantic City.).
The authors added: "The recent experience of some bankrupt cities, as well as much legal scholarship casts doubt on the effectiveness of municipal bankruptcy." It is doubtful the citizens in Stockton, Central Falls, Detroit, Jefferson County, or San Bernardino would agree—albeit, of course, all would have preferred the federal bailouts received in the wake of the Great Recession by Detroit's automobile manufacturers, and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Similarly, it sees increasingly clear that the State of Michigan was a significant contributor to the near insolvency of Flint—by the very same appointment of an Emergency Manager by the Governor to preempt any local control.
Despite the current chapter 9 waning of cases as San Bernardino awaits U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Meredith Jury's approval of its exit from the nation's longest municipal bankruptcy, the two authors noted: "Cities' debt-levels are near all-time highs. And the risk of municipal insolvency is greater than at any time since the Great Depression." While municipal debt levels are far better off than the federal government's, and the post-Great Recession collapse of the housing market has improved significantly, they also wrote that pension debt is increasingly a problem. The two authors cited a 2014 report by Moody's Investors Service which wrote that rising public pension obligations would challenge post-bankruptcy recoveries in Vallejo and Stockton—perhaps not fully understanding the fine distinctions between state constitutions and laws and how they vary from state to state, thereby—as we noted in the near challenges in the Detroit case between Michigan's constitution with regard to contracts versus chapter 9. Thus, they claim that "A more promising approach would be for state-appointed receivers to manage municipal bankruptcy plans – subject, of course, to federal court approval." Congress, of course, as would seem appropriate under our Constitutional system of dual sovereignty, specifically left it to each of the states to determine whether such a state wanted to allow a municipality to even file for municipal bankruptcy (18 do), and, if so, to specifically set out the legal process and authority to do so. The authors, however, wrote that anything was preferable to leaving local officials in charge—mayhap conveniently overlooking the role of the State of Alabama in precipitating Jefferson County's insolvency.
American Infrastructure First. In his campaign, the President-elect vowed he would transform "America's crumbling infrastructure into a golden opportunity for accelerated economic growth and more rapid productivity gains with a deficit-neutral plan targeting substantial new infrastructure investments," a plan the campaign said which would provide maximum flexibility to the states—a plan, "American Infrastructure First" plan composed of $137 billion in federal tax credits which would, however, only be available investors in revenue-producing projects—such as toll roads and airports—meaning the proposed infrastructure plan would not address capital investment in the nation's public schools, libraries, etc. Left unclear is how such a plan would impact the nation's public infrastructure, the financing of which is, currently, primarily financed by state and local governments through the use of tax-exempt municipal bonds—where the financing is accomplished by means of local or state property, sales, and/or income taxes—and some user fees. According to the Boston Federal Reserve, annual capital spending by state and local governments over the last decade represented about 2.3% of GDP and about 12% of state and local spending: in FY2012 alone, these governments provided more than $331 billion in capital spending. Of that, local governments accounted for nearly two-thirds of those capital investments—accounting for 14.4 percent of all outstanding state and local tax-exempt debt. Indeed, the average real per capita capital expenditure by local governments, over the 2000-2012 time period, according to the Boston Federal Reserve was $724—nearly double state capital spending. Similarly, according to Census data, state governments are responsible for about one-third of state and local capital financing. Under the President-elect's proposed "American Infrastructure First" plan composed of $137 billion in federal tax credits—such credit would only be available to investors in revenue-producing projects—such as toll roads and airports—meaning the proposed infrastructure plan would not address capital investment in the nation's public schools, libraries, etc. Similarly, because less than 2 percent of the nation's 70,000 bridges in need of rebuilding or repairs are tolled, the proposed plan would be of no value to those respective states, local governments, or users. Perhaps, to state and local leaders, more worrisome is that according to a Congressional Budget Office 2015 report, of public infrastructure projects which have relied upon some form of private financing, more than half of the eight which have been open for more than five years have either filed for bankruptcy or been taken over by state or local governments.
Moody Southern Pension Blues. S&P Global Ratings Wednesday lowered Dallas's credit rating one notch to AA-minus while keeping its outlook negative, with the action following in the wake of Moody's downgrade last month—with, in each case, the agencies citing increased fiscal risk related to Dallas' struggling Police and Fire Pension Fund, currently seeking to stem and address from a recent run on the bank from retirees amid efforts to keep the fund from failing, or, as S&P put it: "The downgrade reflects our view that despite the city's broad and diverse economy, which continues to grow, stable financial performance, and very strong management practices, expected continued deterioration in the funded status of the city's police and fire pension system coupled with growing carrying costs for debt, pension, and other post-employment benefit obligations is significant and negatively affects Dallas' creditworthiness." S&P lowered its rating on Dallas' moral obligation bonds to A-minus from A, retaining a negative outlook, with its analysis noting: "Deterioration over the next two years in the city's budget flexibility, performance, or liquidity could result in a downgrade…Similarly, uncertainty regarding future fixed cost expenditures could make budgeting and forecasting more difficult…If the city's debt service, pension, and OPEB carrying charge elevate to a level we view as very high and the city is not successful in implementing an affordable plan to address the large pension liabilities, we could lower the rating multiple notches." For its part, Fitch Ratings this week reported that a downgrade is likely if the Texas Legislature fails to provide a structural solution to the city's pension fund problem. The twin ratings calls come in the wake of Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings report to the Texas Pension Review Board last November that the combined impact of the pension fund and a court case involving back pay for Dallas Police officers could come to $8 billion—mayhap such an obligation that it could force the municipality into chapter 9 municipal bankruptcy, albeit stating that Dallas is not legally responsible for the $4 billion pension liability, even though he said that the city wants to help. The fund has an estimated $6 billion in future liabilities under its current structure. In testimony to the Texas State Pension Review Board, Mayor Rawlings said the pension crisis has made recruitment of police officers more difficult just as the city faces a flood of retirements.
The Stark Differences in How Cities May Exit Municipal Bankruptcy, & The Hard Challenges of Municipal Governance in Insolvencies.
Good Morning! In this a.m.'s eBlog, we consider the green light flashed by U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Meredith Jury yesterday, clearing the way for San Bernardino to exit the longest chapter 9 municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history—and in ways profoundly different than Detroit because of the very different state roles and laws with regard to chapter 9 and governance in municipal bankruptcy, and that San Bernardino—like Jefferson County—remained under elected local leadership throughout their respective journeys into and out of municipal bankruptcy. Then we turn to last night's recall by voters in the small, insolvent municipality of East Cleveland, in the wake of the narrowest of margins—but at an unaffordable cost.
Smooth Sailing Out of Municipal Bankruptcy. In what San Bernardino Mayor Carey Davis yesterday described as a "monumental day…[where] the hard work has paid off," referring to U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Meredith Jury's statement yesterday: "We have a lot left to do, but this clears the way for us to do much of that work," as she yesterday confirmed the City of San Bernardino's plan of debt adjustment, confirming its path early in the new year to exit from the nation's longest ever chapter 9 municipal bankruptcy as early as next March. San Bernardino City Attorney Gary Saenz expressed elation at Judge Jury's green light, noting: "I'm so pleased and excited about where the city is now compared to where we were when we filed bankruptcy and what we were able to accomplish and that we now have a solid foundation upon which to build this city. The confirmation should certainly help the rest of the city and the world recognize that San Bernardino is back." Even Judge Jury joined in praising the city for its endurance and stamina over the long road, noting that over the four-year span she had observed that had improved not just its finances, but also its governance, pointing to the municipality's voter-approved new charter and better working relationships among elected officials: "The city came in financial chaos, and it's leaving in much better shape…I have lived in this region for 40 years…and I've always said the city needed help. I'm glad it got it." Under the city's now approved plan of adjustment, it will pay the bulk of its creditors far less than they would otherwise be entitled to—in many instances merely one cent for every dollar such a creditor is owed; however, the city's plan also outlines changes to the structure of the city, some of which, including outsourcing of refuse and fire services, and the passage of a new city charter, have already been implemented. City Attorney Saenz estimated that even though the costs to the city of its filing will be in excess of $20 million, its now approved chapter 9 plan of debt adjustment will save the city's taxpayers more than $300 million worth of debts that will be officially discharged.
Pearl Harbor Day on East Cleveland. East Cleveland voters yesterday recalled both Mayor Gary Norton Jr. and City Council President Thomas Wheeler in a special election, with the final, unofficial results finding that Mayor Norton lost by a margin of 20 votes (548 to 528), according to the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections website, while City Council President Wheeler lost by an even narrow margin of 18 votes—with the official tally to be released on December 19th. Yesterday's recall election marked the third time Councilmember Wheeler had been subject to recall: he prevailed exactly one year ago, and then, again, last June—albeit by a mere 51-49 percent margin, and with a turnout of only 7 percent of the city's registered voters. For the ousted Mayor, the recall marked the first such election. In a statement last night, Mayor Norton noted: "I love the people of East Cleveland, and it has been an honor to have served them." In the wake of the recall, Council Vice President Brandon King will be sworn in as the new Mayor in three weeks, and the remaining City Council members will have to appoint two leaders to the Council to fill the empty slots: under the Council's procedures, should the Council find itself unable to agree upon such appointments, Mayor-to-be King will choose who fills those seats, according to Council President Wheeler.
For the small, insolvent municipality of East Cleveland, a city which Ohio Auditor Dave Yost's office four years ago declared to be in a state of fiscal emergency, and last year stated that municipal bankruptcy or merging with Cleveland were the two most viable options for the suburb, the interim has been like waiting for Godot. Indeed, the small municipality has been awaiting some response from the State of Ohio with regard to its request for authorization to file for chapter 9 municipal bankruptcy, and some response from both the state and City of Cleveland with regard to its proposal to be annexed, the disruptive election carries a fiscal cost: yesterday's election could cost the city between $25,000 and $30,000. (The city explored filing for chapter 9 municipal bankruptcy in May, but has been stymied by the state, because the Ohio Tax Commissioner's office said the Council should ask permission from the state, not the Mayor.) Now, in the wake of last night's results, the outcome could mean what outgoing Council President Wheeler last night described as "dramatic chaos:" "They wanted me out, and it took them three times…Obviously they don't want the city to move forward; they want to go back to the way things used to be." In contrast, Devin Branch, who led the effort to recall the city's elected leaders last night said the people of East Cleveland had spoken, and while voter turnout was low, the majority of the city opposes the current mayor: "Working class people of the City of East Cleveland are soundly against Mayor Norton." The city explored filing for bankruptcy in May, but hit a roadblock when the Tax Commissioner's office said council should ask permission from the state, not the mayor. The letter from the commissioner also detailed the plans that the city must have prior to filing for bankruptcy.


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TillVAS Till Valley Archaeological Society
Flodden 1513 Ecomuseum: www.flodden1513ecomuseum.org/project
Although the Flodden 500 Project has come to an end, the Flodden 1513 Ecomuseum website continues and is being kept up to date with information on the battle, the ecomuseum, the 41 sites in the network and the results of the Flodden 500 Project. All the contributions to the ecomuseum's 2016 publication, FLODDEN LEGENDS & LEGACY The findings of the Flodden 500 Project are there, to be read online.
Battlefields Trust website: www.battlefieldstrust.com < click on the link
The Battlefields Trust aims to:
* Save battlefields from destruction by motorways, housing developments etc.
* Provide a range of battlefield-related activities and information, including the quarterly magazine 'Battlefield', battlefield walks and conferences.
* Liaise with local and national organisations to preserve battlefields for posterity.
* Improve interpretation and presentation of battlefields.
Coquetdale Community Archaeology: www.facebook.com/pages/Coquetdale-Community-Archaeology/239819912702826 < click on the link
For details of our sister organisation with photographs and descriptions of all their current and past projects, there is a wealth of information on the group's Facebook page. We are grateful for the help that the group gives to us and to Flodden 1513 with CCA members heading north to take part in the Flodden digs. The group has a full programme of excavations, talks and other activities.
Northumberland Archaeological Group (NAG): http://northumberlandarchaeologicalgroup.wordpress.com< click on the link
Our Society also has very close links with NAG whose members are always willing to provide professional and volunteer help and advice to us. The Group's base is Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. All the Flodden excavations and field walking have NAG members taking part. The Group has a full programme of excavations, walks, talks and other activities, details of which can be found on the above site.
Carham Parish website
www.carhamparish.org.uk
The websites of local parishes and communities up and down the Till valley and to the east and west of the valley are of interest to TillVAS members. They provide information about what is currently happening in their areas and often give information on interesting historical topics.
Border Archaeological Society
www.facebook.com/BorderArchaeologySociety
The Society has been active since 1997 with members from Northumberland and the Scottish Borders and is based in Berwick. All aspects of archaeology are covered, reflected in the nine lectures held each year. Many of the speakers come from far afield and are highly specialised and qualified in their own field of study.
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TillVAS webinars
We are returning to our zoom talks for the winter moneths. Our next webinar will be on Wednesday 3rd February.
Our speaker will be
Emily Freeman from the National Museum of Scotland talking about
Treasure Trove.
The Society has an extensive collection of documents and photographs held in its secure archives. These are invaluable for members wishing to study the local history of the area or wishing to gather information for e.g. the Village Atlas Project. Please click on the tag above to see the catalogues. Anyone wishing to access the archives should contact the Society's Archivist, Julia Day.
Please click on the Latest Newsletter page to see 'whats on' information for the current month.
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