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The challenges for the newly-appointed IT leader
Bryan Glick
Plotting a route to the datacentre of the future – ComputerWeekly.com
Container automation still on the to-do list in ... – SearchITOperations
CIO role is confused, says survey – ComputerWeekly.com
It is increasingly common that the IT leader role has a faster turnover of personnel than it did many years ago. Many of today's CIOs tend to come in to a new job, see through a programme of change, then move on to the next challenge – unlike their forebears who might have stayed longer in what was often a more back-office operational role in the past.
So it is increasingly important that IT managers have not just the technical and business skills to be a success, but the ability to step into a new role, in a new environment, and make an instant impression.
Ian Campbell, the new CIO at Transport for London, not only faces managing a 500-strong IT team and a budget of £100m, but also following a high-profile predecessor in Phil Pavitt, who moved on last year to one of the biggest public sector IT jobs of all: CIO at HM Revenue & Customs.
There are many questions facing any new IT leader. Should the existing IT strategy be scrapped? What is happening with major projects already underway? What loyalties do existing staff have to the old regime? Even if the new starter has been brought in with a remit of managing and driving change, there is embedded inertia to overcome, and the inevitable response from employees of, "That's not how we do things around here."
Campbell faces one situation that many newly joined CIOs might recognise – a department that has made heavy use of outsourcing and external supplier resources. There might be a quick win to tell staff that retaining and using their skills is the priority, but the economic realities may mitigate against in-sourcing.
Campbell told Computer Weekly he is looking at the former – empowering his team to deliver change. Interestingly, British Gas CIO Dave Bickerton took a similar route, bringing a controversial multimillion-pound billing system back in-house.
But there is a common factor for all IT decision-makers finding themselves in the newbie's position – the need to be more decision-maker than IT.


The 1884 Home Nations Championship was the second series of the rugby union Home Nations Championship. Six matches were played between 5 January and 12 April 1884. It was contested by England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.
England won the championship for the second consecutive season and in beating the other three nations won the Triple Crown for the second time.
This Championship was most notable for a dispute arising from the game between England and Scotland, when the winning English try was disputed by the Scottish. The teams disagreed with the interpretation of a knock-on law from which England's Richard Kingsley scored and Scotland were told to accept the decision, and their request for adjudication was denied by England. The bitter feelings caused by this situation resulted in the creation of the International Rugby Board in 1886, to create an accepted body of rules that all members would agree to.
England: HB Tristram (Oxford University), CG Wade (Oxford University), CE Chapman (Cambridge University), WN Bolton (Blackheath), A Rotherham (Oxford University), HT Twynam (Richmond), JT Hunt (Manchester), CS Wooldridge (Blackheath), CJB Marriott (Cambridge University), Herbert Fuller (Cambridge University), EL Strong (Oxford University), WM Tatham (Oxford University), RSF Henderson (Blackheath), Charles Gurdon (Richmond), ET Gurdon (Richmond) capt.
This game was the first ever rugby union international game to be played in Yorkshire and the third game between the two countries. Although Wales lost the game by two tries, the result was a vast improvement on their prior two meetings, with Wales scoring their first try against their England. The try came from English-born Charles Peter Allen, and was converted by Charles Lewis who was also the vice-president of the Welsh Rugby Union. The English play was dominated by Wade and Bolton, continuing their strong play from the previous Championship; Wade scored a try while Rotherham's score was set up after a 75-yard run from Bolton.
The second meeting between the two teams resulted in another Scottish win. Both Scottish scores in this game were disputed by Wales, but this was a common occurrence. Welsh player William Gwynn took the ball over the line, but instead of touching down for a try he looked for support and was tackled. All three officials at the game were officials from three different rugby unions; the referee was James MacLaren, President of the RFU and the umpires were Richard Mullock, secretary of the WRU and JA Gardener, secretary of the SRU.
England: CH Sample (Cambridge University), Herbert Fallas (Wakefield Trinity), H Wigglesworth (Thornes), WN Bolton (Blackheath), JH Payne (Broughton), HT Twynam (Richmond), GT Thomson (Halifax), CS Wooldridge (Blackheath), CJB Marriott (Cambridge University), A Teggin (Broughton), EL Strong (Oxford University), WM Tatham (Oxford University), H Bell (New Brighton), A Wood (Halifax), ET Gurdon (Richmond) capt.
When Ireland arrived in Wales for the 1884 encounter they were two players short. To allow the game to take place, uncapped substitute Welsh players were provided. Charles Jordan and Harry McDaniel, both of Newport RFC, took to the field as Ireland players, though contemporary reports continued to list the original chosen Irish players, Ernest Greene and Robert Gibson Warren.


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Video games could help adolescents with depression
20 April, 2012 By The Press Association
A new study suggests that the treatment of young people with depression can be just as effective through a 3D computer game as it can through face-to-face counselling.
Available on the British Medical Journal website, the research found that many adolescents feel uncomfortable seeking help for mental health issues.
The researchers therefore decided to create an interactive, self-help fantasy game called Sparx, in which players pick avatars and then have to restore balance by overcoming difficulties in a virtual place overpopulated with 'Gnats' (Gloomy Negative Automatic Thoughts).
The game adopts cognitive behavioural therapy techniques to help youngsters, and the study found it was just as beneficial as more common treatments as it lessened symptoms of depression and anxiety by at least 33%.
In fact, many more of the 187 young New Zealanders in the study made complete recoveries in the computer-playing group.
Of the youngsters who completed four or more Sparx modules, 44% made a recovery, whereas only 26% of the youngsters having face-to-face counselling did so.
The study's authors, based at the University of Auckland and the University of Otago, said Sparx is an "effective resource for help seeking adolescents with depression at primary healthcare sites.
"Use of the program resulted in a clinically significant reduction in depression, anxiety, and hopelessness and an improvement in quality of life."
Merry SN, et al. The effectiveness of SPARX, a computerised self help intervention for adolescents seeking help for depression: randomised controlled non-inferiority trial. BMJ 2012; Advance online publication.
Sister uses board games to support brain injury patients
5 October, 2015Steve Ford
A ward sister at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham has been helping patients with brain injuries on the road to recovery.
US academic uses board game to teach 'art of nursing'
5 February, 2014Steve Ford
A US nursing academic has created a board game designed to help students learn about the unpredictable and ever changing nature of what they are likely to experience on the wards.
NHS to launch young people's gambling addiction service
The first NHS gambling clinic for children will open this year, as part of a new network of services for addicts being rolled out as part of the NHS Long Term Plan.
CBT 'may' benefit mental health of children with chronic conditions
The mental health of children and young people with some long-term physical conditions could benefit from cognitive behavioural therapy, according to UK researchers.
Teens sent to adult mental health wards due to nurse shortages in NI
10 July 2019Jo Stephenson
Young people have been placed on adult mental wards because of a shortage of nursing staff at Northern Ireland's only inpatient unit for children with mental health problems, it has emerged.
Nursing professors to play pivotal role in childhood epilepsy trial
A major trial involving nursing academics and nearly 30 health service trusts is to investigate the best way of treating and managing childhood epilepsy.
Mental Wellbeing Nurse Wiltshire
Bupa Benefits
Registered Mental Health Nurse - Health and Wellbeing
Deputy Ward Manager -Child & Adolescent Mental Health (CAMHS)
£36k per year
Paediatric Nurse
Senior Staff Nurse Paediatric Outpatients - Chiswick
Paediatric Staff Nurse (Cardiac and Oncology)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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"Hello! BEAUTIFUL" followed by an enthusiastic thumbs up from the speaker.
This is the phrase which sometimes greets me at my local Superette by one of the men that works there.
I know he's meaning it as a compliment and trying to be friendly towards the foreigner trying to be understood at the checkout, but I always feel uncomfortable when someone comments on the way I look. I feel even more uncomfortable being commented on in a country where they have 'whitener' in many of their moisturizing lotions and top the list for plastic surgery.
It's hard to explain how I feel, I think there are two things going on:
Up until my early 20's I had really terrible self-esteem and although that is definitely not the case nowadays the past still echoes through from time to time. So from time to time part of me doesn't believe compliments are genuine and I laugh them off - a facet of my personality which has annoyed a number of people.
On the flip side, the other part of me feels like I'm upholding some kind of aesthetic evil by being blonde hair and blue-eyed. But the thing is - there is no truth in beauty. There never has been. It's fluid and ever changing. Think about walking on ground which is shifting constantly like moving tectonic plates. That's how unstable it is. The misnomer perhaps in Korea is that beauty is like a mathematical equation: 2+2=4.
But they're not alone in that belief. To some extent on a superficial level (and I really don't like to admit it) I play into the same game that 2+2=4, even though it doesn't. I'm disillusioned by the same myth, even though I grew up all the way over in New Zealand. I get blonde highlights and the clothes I choose to wear, it's all a manipulation of appearance and how I want to appear (or not appear) to other people.
I always have the same hairstyle: long, with a few layers around my face. My clothes: neat but not immaculate. The idea was always to strike right in the middle of the continuum: too untidy - you're noticed, too stylish - you're noticed. Nothing flashy - no tattoos, only my ears pierced and only once. You have to strike that middle. The middle is where people don't comment because there is absolutely nothing of note to comment on and therefore you can grasp at some semblance of invisibility. Invisibility in a visually hungry world has always been my aim, mainly because I don't want my legacy to be - oh that blonde girl with the long hair.
But let's face it, humans take physical form and we have eyes. You are going to be looked at.
And my attempt at invisibility?
From time to time - like in the Superette - I still fail. Why? Because many of us still believe 2+2=4. But it doesn't. Not this time. It's just a lie we treat as truth so we can make it a concrete series of tasks to complete and achieve.


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New – Ukrainian Girl Greeting Card
I have made a new greeting card from a portrait of a Ukrainian Girl I drew in Brighton in 2014 – I remember her looking a little anxious and I asked her if she was OK, thinking that maybe she was feeling a bit nervous at sitting for her portrait:
"No" – she replied – "I am worried about my country. It is being invaded!"
The card will be available at the exhibition for donations in support of the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal but hurry they are going fast!
Portrait of the Portrait Artist as a Young Man
The young artist in 1971 in a Picasso inspired headpiece
Its not often that an artist is able to mount an exhibition drawn from a lifetime of work, but local artist Paul Houlton has a studio full of paintings that are only now seeing the light of day for the first time in a new exhibition during this year's Artists Open Houses in Brighton and Hove in May.
Paul Houlton: Arthur's Restaurant, Smithfield Market
1976 oil on canvas
The artist with an early work Art Deco Woman (1972) in front of his studio
Paul's first and only solo exhibition was back in 1976 at the Africa Centre in London, since when he has worked as a portrait artist in London and more recently in Brighton's Lanes but with the fashion nowadays more for selfies than for portraits, he has turned to a mountain of previously unexhibited paintings clogging up his studio and made them into a range of greeting cards that have proved a surprise hit recently with locals and visitors to Brighton alike.
Now the original paintings, drawings and prints from the 1960s to the present in a wide range of styles and influences are being put on display in Paul's amazing studio – a former chapel – with a daily tour of the exhibition by the artist most weekdays at midday.
Paul Houlton: Paintings – Drawings – Prints May 7 -29 daily 11.00 – 17.00 (except Mondays) at 6 Hove Place, Hove BN3 2RG see full listing either online here:
https://aoh.org.uk/house/may2022/paul-houlton/
or in the brochure under Independent No.9 (p.79)


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I have a story I wanted to share about just how valuable the right upgrades can be when you sell your home. One of our clients earned over $100,000 more on their home sale thanks to the right renovations.
Today I wanted to share a story about a client who had questions for us about the best way to make upgrades to their property. More specifically, they wanted to know what would give them the biggest bang for their buck.
A couple of months ago, some sellers who lived in the middle of Virginia approached me about selling their property for the most money possible. I visited the home and saw that it was pretty distressed and in need of a lot of repairs. I was able to recommend my contractor, and in six weeks, we put the property into a really nice, marketable condition.
We redid the bathrooms, kitchen, and finished the basement to take this property from probably only being able to sell for $320,000 to getting $456,000 for it.
The best part is that they only put in $40,000 for repairs! It's a great example of the money you can get in return with the right repairs.
If you're in the market to possibly sell your home but you don't have the resources to make the kind of repairs that will net you more money, I'd love to have a conversation with you. We have any tool you could possibly need when it comes to renovations and repairs.
Just give me a call or send me an email soon. I look forward to helping you!


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itriantafyllou[at]uth.gr
http://itriantafyllou.users.uth.gr/
Contact with students:
Tuesday 13.00-15.00 & Wednesday 09.00-11.00 & Thursday 08.00-10.00
Triantafyllou Ioannis
Applied Probability and Statistics
Statistical Reliability Theory, Theory of Order Statistics, Statistical Quality Control, Stochastic orderings, Theory of Run and Scan Statistics
Ioannis S. Triantafyllou is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Computer Science and Biomedical Informatics in University of Thessaly. He received his B.S. (2002) in Mathematics from University of Athens (Greece), a M.Sc. (2005) and Ph.D. (2009) in Applied Probabilities and Statistics from University of Piraeus, Greece. He has served as a visiting Lecturer at Department of Informatics, University of Piraeus (2009-10), at Department of Sociology, Panteion University (2010-12), at Department of Economic and Regional Development, University of Central Greece (2009-13) and at School of Science and Technology, Hellenic Open University (2012-). He has served as a reviewer for more than 15 scientific international journals. His research interests include reliability theory, statistical process control, theory of order statistics and theory of run and scan statistics. In this context, he has co-authored over 40 journal, conference papers and book chapters.
Full Curriculum vitae
Probability and Elementary Statistics (3ΚΠ02)
Biostatistics (4KB06)
Statistical Quality Control and Systems Reliability (7ΕΠ14)
Simulation of Biological Systems (8ΕB07)
Koutras, M.V., Triantafyllou, I. S. & Eryilmaz, S. (2016). Stochastic comparisons between lifetimes of reliability systems with exchangeable components, Methodology and Computing in Applied Probability, 18, 1081-1095.
Eryilmaz, S., Koutras, M. V. & Triantafyllou, I. S. (2016). Mixed three-state k-out-of-n systems with components entering at different performance levels, IEEE Transactions on Reliability, 65, 969-972.
Triantafyllou, I. S. (2015). Run and Scan Statistics Models and their applications in transposition systems and networks, Journal of Applied Mathematics and Bioinformatics, 5, 139-154.
Triantafyllou, I.S. & Koutras, M.V. (2014). Reliability properties of (n,f,k) systems, IEEE Transactions on Reliability, 63, 357-366.
Triantafyllou, I.S. & Koutras, M.V. (2014). Failure rate and aging properties of generalized beta- and gamma- generated distributions, Communication in Statistics-Theory and methods, 43, 4046-4061.


text:
News InsuranceMarkets / Coverages
Is the industry taking a consistent approach to overland flood coverage?
April 23, 2019 by Jason Contant
Are carriers taking a consistent approach to covering overland flood? The flood waters sweeping across New Brunswick and Quebec have brought the issue to the forefront. In general, overland flood was not covered in Canada until 2015; only sewer backup…
News BrokersInsurance
Alberta's new government: What next for the auto rate cap?
April 22, 2019 by David Gambrill
As the newly-elected United Conservative Party (UCP) prepares to take power in Alberta, it remains an open question what the victory will mean for the province's auto insurance companies and brokers. In his electoral victory speech, UCP Leader Jason Kenney…
News AdjustersBrokersClaimsClimate ChangeInsurance
How brokers can stop a flooded basement
A recent study suggests brokers have a golden opportunity to talk to homeowners one-on-one about how to protect homes from basement floods. With the right information and often for less than $500, homeowners can protect themselves from the increasing risks…
Why brokers need to take ownership of data
Brokers need to take ownership of the data they collect to personalize and improve the customer experience, a speaker suggested Tuesday at the CIP Symposium in downtown Toronto. "For the brokers in the room, how does your client feel if…
News Insurance
Why brokers need to check their dec pages
April 4, 2019 by David Gambrill
A Manitoba broker was fined $1,000 fine for not checking to make sure his client's request for a Single Limit Endorsement was included as part of the client's home insurance coverage. It wasn't, as it turns out, and the client…
News BrokersInsuranceMergers and Aqcuisitions
Hub acquires personal and commercial lines brokerage in Alberta
April 2, 2019 by Jason Contant
Hub International announced Tuesday it has acquired Del Fisher Insurance, an independent brokerage offering personal and commercial lines. Based in Calgary, Del Fisher Insurance has provided personal and commercial insurance solutions, including home, auto, business and contract bonding to area…
Jardine Lloyd Thompson acquired by Marsh & McLennan
April 1, 2019 by Greg Meckbach
Marsh & McLennan Companies Inc.'s acquisition of London, England-based Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group plc is now complete, New York City-based Marsh & McLennan announced Monday. The deal – which could form the world's largest commercial property and casualty brokerage –…
Archway Insurance moves into Saint John with acquisition
Archway Insurance, one of Atlantic Canada's largest brokerages, has moved into Saint John, N.B. with the acquisition of Hall & Fairweather Insurance, effective Monday. The Hall & Fairweather office expands independent brokerage Archway's footprint in New Brunswick and gives the…
News AppointmentsBrokersInsuranceProfessional Development
BFL Canada appoints vice chair
March 19, 2019 by Jason Contant
Commercial insurance brokerage BFL Canada has announced the appointment of Norman M. Steinberg as vice chair. Steinberg was appointed to BFL's board of directors in June of 2018. He was previously global chair of international law firm Norton Rose Fulbright.…
News InsuranceMGAs
How this broker is binding Lloyd's policies online
March 19, 2019 by Greg Meckbach
A Calgary-based Lloyd's coverholder has re-launched its website to make it easier for brokers to bind policies for special events without having to deal with a lot of paper forms. PAL Insurance Brokers Canada Ltd. has allowed clients to apply…
News BrokersInsurancePodcast
Cannabis: Top 3 insurable risks — Part 2 of 2 [podcast]
March 14, 2019 Canadian Underwriter
You have a potential new client base — cannabis-producing operations. Fresh after the legalization of marijuana in Canada, these new businesses cultivate, produce, pack, and then transport the cannabis product to the customer or retailer. What specific insurance needs do…
Renowned independent broker returns to the big stage with a new brokerage
March 13, 2019 by David Gambrill
A big name in Manitoba's independent brokerage community, Peter Leipsic, is making a return to the scene as a senior partner at a new brokerage called Dimensions Insurance Management Inc. He was executive vice president at Horizon Insurance (the province's…


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Minor milestone: Lefty shuts out Halos
Rangers ace allows three hits and strikes out seven to secure series win
By T.R. Sullivan @Sullivan_Ranger
ARLINGTON -- Mike Minor wanted to be the Rangers' No. 1 starter with no limitations. He wanted the handcuffs off after the Rangers watched him with excessive care and pitch-count attention last season. He is proving worthy of the assignment. Minor, needing just 103 pitches and facing just three batters
ARLINGTON -- Mike Minor wanted to be the Rangers' No. 1 starter with no limitations. He wanted the handcuffs off after the Rangers watched him with excessive care and pitch-count attention last season.
He is proving worthy of the assignment.
Minor, needing just 103 pitches and facing just three batters over the minimum, delivered his first career shutout in pitching the Rangers to a 5-0 victory over the Angels on Tuesday night at Globe Life Park.
"He was just dominant all the way," Rangers manager Chris Woodward said. "It was pretty impressive. That's our No. 1 right there, that's how we're looking at him."
Minor, in his 142nd Major League start, allowed just three singles and two walks while striking out seven. After an Opening Day loss to the Cubs, he has turned in two strong seven-inning efforts and one shutout, allowing just two runs in his last 23 innings.
"It feels good, but it feels really good that we got the win," Minor said. "We've been playing well, and to give the bullpen a day off. [Catcher Jeff] Mathis did a hell of a job back there, and the defense behind me made some good plays."
Minor went as many as seven innings in just four of 28 starts for the Rangers last season. He had gone as as many as eight innings just three times previously, with the last one coming on July 21, 2013, in a 3-1 loss to the White Sox, while with the Braves. That eight-inning effort in a losing cause was the only complete game of his career prior to Tuesday.
Woodward likes to use the word "conviction," and that's what he is seeing from Minor right now.
"He wanted to be the guy," Woodward said. "He's just committed himself to saying 'I don't like that people think I'm not a No. 1.' He wants to prove that. He's taken ownership of that on this staff, and obviously, he has proven it every time he's gone out."
• Asdrubal's home run gets an assist over the wall
Minor put together this gem even though he said he never felt locked in all night.
"I thought my stuff was OK," Minor said. "Like I said, Mathis helped me out a lot, with what he put down. And we mixed it up last game -- I think 33 percent changeups -- and then this game it had to be 20 or something. We mixed it up because we felt like early on they were looking for that, looking for something slower."
The Angels last baserunner was a walk to Albert Pujols to open the seventh. Jonathan Lucroy followed with a hard grounder up the middle and shortstop Elvis Andrus made a terrific diving stop. He then flipped the ball with his glove to second baseman Danny Santana, who completed the breathtaking double play.
"It was huge," Minor said. "I should have made the play. It was a laser hit right back at me, and I turned around and Elvis is diving back there, and turns the double play."
Lucroy's grounder was one of the few balls hit hard off Minor all night.
"He threw the ball really well," Angels outfielder Kole Calhoun said. "He had all his pitches going, located well. Everything we hit hard got caught. Kind of the perfect storm. I think that's definitely one of the better games he's thrown against us."
After the double play, Minor retired the next seven hitters to finish the complete game. Woodward had the bullpen on alert in case Minor ran into trouble, but he had 96 pitches through eight so there was no question about sending him back out for the ninth.
"Yeah, that's always the hard one, right?" Woodward said. "I wanted him to [get it]; any time you've got a chance to get a shutout as a starting pitcher nowadays, it's so rare. I'm kinda old-school in that way; I was going to let him go a little further than I wanted."
Woodward had Chris Martin warming up in the ninth, but Minor finished off the top of the Angels' order in just seven pitches.
"It's just about pitching, there's no other obstacles in the way," Minor said. "It's, if I'm getting guys out and the pitch count is right, then go back out there and pitch."
That's just the way Minor wants it and the Rangers were rewarded on Tuesday night.
T.R. Sullivan has covered the Rangers since 1989, and for MLB.com since 2006. Follow him on Twitter @Sullivan_Ranger and listen to his podcast.


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Local groups push back against Cuomo's share…
Local groups push back against Cuomo's share services plan
NYSNYS News Photo
From left, Sen. Kathy Marchione, Glenville town supervisor Chris Koetzle, and Saratoga County Board of Supervisors Chairman Edward Kinowski discuss Gov. Andrew Cuomo's shared services plan.
By Kyle Hughes NYSNYS News |
PUBLISHED: March 8, 2017 at 7:21 p.m. | UPDATED: July 21, 2021 at 7:13 a.m.
ALBANY, N.Y. >> Gov. Andrew Cuomo's plan to link state aid money to downsizing local government came under sharp criticism Tuesday as a "top down" dictate that doesn't reflect the fiscal realities facing municipalities.
"We certainly support shared services (and) we support working with local governments, counties, villages and towns and school districts across the state, but this has to come from the community up," said Chris Koetzle, the town supervisor of Glenville, Schenectady County. "Not from a command and control structure down."
"What I was hope for was less mandates, unfunded mandates … relieve us of the mandates, allow us to do our own governing," said Edward Kinowski (R-Stillwater), chairman of the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors.
"We need relief and it's relief from you telling us what to do when we know what to do at the local level," he added. "We've been doing it for a very long time."
He and others said the biggest problem is the costs of pensions, employee healthcare and other mandates handed down by the state and shouldered by local taxpayers.
CSEA Capital Region President Ron Briggs called Cuomo's plan a "dangerous scheme" which "undermines local government leadership and erodes vital services taxpayers rely on. It also sets up local governments for failure."
He also said any consolidation or shared services planning should include rank and file employees who will be affected by any change.
They spoke at a press conference with Sen. Kathy Marchione (R-Halfmoon), who is opposing Cuomo's plan to tie $715 million in funding for municipalities to creation of a government consolidation plan. Under the plan, county governments would draw up merger plans to downsize local governments and put the recommendations up for a vote.
"Local property taxes are crushing New York families and seniors and that's why the Governor wants to empower them under his plan to cut costs and lower property taxes," Cuomo's office said. "Taking it out of their hands preserves an untenable status quo and, frankly, misses the point entirely."
Marchione said any consolidation plan "should be 100 percent voluntary and that localities that decide to pursue consolidation should keep any realized savings." She also said the Aid to Municipalities program has been flat for nine years and funding should be increased.
"I believe our local elected officials have already been elected to do their jobs and put something out as simple as shared services, I think the local government bodies can certainly make those decisions off the top of their community," Marchione said.
The proposal is part of Cuomo's $162 billion budget plan for 2017-18 which is on track to be adopted by the end of March. Legislators are expected to make changes in the plan before its final adoption, possibly including a revision of the consolidation proposal.
Marchione's proposed amendments to the plan include decoupling any vote on shared services to state aid and allowing school districts and BOCES districts to participate.
CSEA says it has not endorsed all the specifics of Sen. Kathy Marchione's amendments to Gov. Andrew Cuomo's local government consolidation plan. Tuesday, the union's Capitol Region president Ron Briggs joined Marchione and local government officials to condemn Cuomo's plan and support efforts to amend it as part of the 2017-18 budget.
Kyle Hughes NYSNYS News


ATHENS – The Greek Parliament ratified today the Prespa Agreement between Greece and Macedonia, according to which the latter country will be named Republic of North Macedonia. The agreement was ratified with the support of the narrow majority of 153 members of parliament out of 300. Greek portal Ekathimerini reports that the parliamentary debate lasted for more than 38 hours.
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