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Proposed Public Pension Formula Makes Bad Situation Worse
Posted on June 24, 2022 by David
The following important comment was posted by Actuary and Talk Show host Walter Blackman to respond to a comment raised on the blog 60 Love Can Lose – Blogmaster
Walter Blackman – Actuary and Brasstacks host
Pensions have surfaced as an extremely important issue at this stage of our national development, so I want to commend you for bringing this pension-related matter to the attention of BU readers.
The challenge for me is to distil esoteric, actuarial and mathematical concepts into information that you and all BU readers can understand. Please forgive me if I fail to overcome that challenge
We grew up hearing that one of the major benefits derived from working for the government was the receipt of a pension and gratuity.
I will use a 5-year average pay of $5,000 (assumed to be under the NIS ceiling, for illustrative purposes only). I simply want to show how the changes in pension legislation have affected government workers hired before September 1, 1975, those hired on or after September 1, 1975, and those to be hired on or after January 1, 2023.
A person born on January 1, 1945, who was hired before September 1, 1975 and who retired after 33 1/3 years of service will receive the following:
Government pension = $3,333.33
NIS Pension = $3,000
Total Pensions received = $6,333.33
Note that this pensioner is receiving a total monthly pension which is greater than the pay he was getting as an active worker.
This was a problem that the government decided to solve.A person born on January 1, 1945, who was hired on or after September 1, 1975 and who retired after 33 1/3 years of service will receive the following:
Government pension = $333.33
Note the drastic reduction in government pension. This was not the best approach to be taken by the Government of Barbados to solve the pension problem.
A person born on January 1, 2003, who will be hired on or after January 1, 2023 and who will retire after the following years or less of service will receive the following:
Government pension (1-36 years of service) = $0
Government pension (37 years of service) = $$83.33
Government pension (38 years of service) = $166.67
This proposed pension formula makes a bad situation worse. The unions ought to make their voices heard.
Walter Blackman – Audio Version
Gratuity = 25% x monthly pension x 150
Pension to be paid = 0.75% of calculated pension
Government Pension = $3,333.33 per month
Gratuity = $125,000.00
Monthly Pension to be paid = $2,500.00
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182 thoughts on "Proposed Public Pension Formula Makes Bad Situation Worse"
NorthernObserver on June 27, 2022 at 4:50 PM said:
The '$1M question' is, how will the FTC go about protecting the used vehicles industry?…"for reasons of unfair competition"
I was reaching….and it wasn't related to the Kia car issue, that was to establish the same entities sold both new and used…..for I am still lost what is to protect in the used car industry. If not the smaller dealers vs the larger dealers.
Artax on June 27, 2022 at 5:02 PM said:
NorthernObserver
My comments relative to the "$1M question," were BASED on the issue with Nassco and used car dealers.
I only MENTIONED WHAT OCCURRED.
Perhaps YOU should ask the used car dealers WHY they PROTESTED at that time and WHOSE interest were they seeking to PROTECT, when they did so.
It was interesting to note that, as a result of the protest, Nassco 'STOPPED' selling used cars.
I'm not the person you should be 'pointing fingers at.'
David on June 27, 2022 at 5:11 PM said:
@Artax
There is/was a massive problem with invoicing discrepancies. Also licensing office has been having a problem keeping track. With new systems being implemented this may not be an issue.
Donna on June 27, 2022 at 5:07 PM said:
Wuhlaus! I still laughing at how TLSN got muh class up!
Poor, destitute Donna wukkin' till she drop and she son scratching bout begging de white man fuh piece uh wuk, tie to de 2×3, cyan reach nuh furda.
And all the while Donna is lying in bed relaxing, AS USUAL and her son is sitting comfortably in cyberspace reaching into the wide wide world and bringing it home.
Suggesting that people tend to assume what they would like to be.
BU is a good place to learn about humans.
John A on June 27, 2022 at 5:13 PM said:
@ Artax
There in no cop out. I personally don't see the FTC being involved here. This is a matter of distribution rights and territory. This has to be addressed between the manufacturers and their appointed distributors when it comes to new cars.
The second hand cars however are a different story as anyone can buy a second hand car from anywhere and import it. So Toyota say and Nassco would need to sort the issue out if this other company tried to intervene in the local market with Toyota.
The other issue too is we as the consumer would need to decide where our loyalties lie. I personally don't see this as being an issue we should worry over.
For example Simpson Motors had the right to sell Suzuki throughout a large part of the region. They did not however have the same right to sell Mercedes throughout the said entire region. While this foreign company may represent many brands found here in other countries, that does not mean they will have the right to sell in our territory.
What the local representatives need to do is make sure their contracts are well sewn up with the manufacturers and not expect the FTC to protect them.
@John A
The FTC has to be concerned with the level of concentration of ownership, control and influence of players in a market. It is their role.
angela cox on June 27, 2022 at 5:26 PM said:
The situation in Barbados isn't going to improve anytime soon
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Home / Local News / 'Put digital ID on pause'
'Put digital ID on pause'
by Sandy Deane March 2, 2021
A University of the West Indies law lecturer Monday called for Government to put the brakes on the Barbados National Digital ID set to roll out soon and rethink the bill governing it, claiming it is an intrusive government's "assault on liberty".
Dr Ronnie Yearwood argued that the national identity register proposed under the Barbados Identity Management Bill "looks like an assault on liberty, and an unnecessary instruction by the government in the collection and use of personal data."
Last Tuesday, Attorney General Dale Marshall in tabling the bill in the House of Assembly said: "A computer chip containing an individual's fingerprint, driver's licence and other personal data are to be included in the pending Barbados Digital ID and National ID Card.
Marshall gave an assurance that the data on the chip would be protected and would only be shared with whom the holder allows to access the information.
But Yearwood, also an attorney-at-law, said he found the bill "troubling" on several grounds.
He first took issue with the AG's disclosure that the card could have one's fingerprint if so desired.
Marshall had told the House: "The last administration wanted to make fingerprint mandatory. The last administration wanted to introduce a new ID card but one of the hallmarks of what they were doing is that you had to give your fingerprint at all times.
"And in opposition, we took the position no .. this is not a police state and we cannot agree as a responsible political party representing Barbadians that we needed to give this kind of data. And now that we are in Government and have the opportunity to put these things in place, our position is that you can give your fingerprint if you wish but you cannot be compelled to do so."
Dr Yearwood challenged Section 12 of the bill which states that "where a person is unable to produce his identification card, the person authorised to require such identification shall, unless another form of identification is authorised by law, defer consideration of the person or refuse access until such time as the relevant identification card is produced".
He said: "This is not something to be taken lightly because in effect it says that an individual is not presumed to be who they are until they can prove so with the ID. It looks like a shift of power from the individual to the government, and not only a shift but a control of data, surrounding proof of who an individual says they are. This feels very much like the surveillance, police-type state that the AG had problems with when in Opposition, his words not ours."
Dr Yearwood went on to question suggestions from the AG that the new ID would significantly reduce opportunities for fraud, citing recent local reports of a list that carried personal information such as the names, addresses and COVID-19 statuses of close to 150 people making the rounds on social media sites WhatsApp and Instagram. He also pointed to the recent beach of Jamaica's JamCOVID app and website which exposed quarantine orders on more than half a million travellers to the island.
He said: "Governments in the Caribbean, most recently as reported in Jamaica where the immigration website was breached, have not showered themselves in glory when it comes to data security. We have no reason to believe that Barbados, like other Caribbean countries, is not the same. Take our own issue where it appeared that there was a breach of data regarding COVID patients. Should we be comfortable with massive data collection and centralization by the Government?"
The Constitutional Court of Jamaica has struck down the country's mandatory biometric National Identification and Registration Act and the National Identification and Registration System (NIDS), ruling three to none that it violates constitutional privacy protections.
The law required all Jamaicans to register biometric data and obtain a NIDS identity card, which would be needed to access government services, and also used for KYC and other business practices. What biometrics would be used, however, had not yet been determined. A panel consisting of Chief Justice Bryan Sykes, Justice David Batts and Justice Lisa Palmer Hamilton ruled in favor of a legal challenge brought by Julian Robinson, general secretary of the People's National Party (PNP) on behalf of himself, his constituents, and the party. Robinson claimed that several constitutional violations were included in the act
John A
I'll invite you to read the article entitled, 'FTC okays sale of automotive companies,' on page 5 of the Friday, June 24, 2022 edition of the 'Weekend Nation,' before going any further with this 'discussion.'
I remain confused as to the issue re:used cars.
As I said, I was reaching.
Cars are simply a product, not made in Barbados, like Kellogs or Heineken or motorcycles etc
I don't grasp the issue between new car dealers and uses.
Here, it is financing. But they piece that out to finance companies.
The entity bought Simpson Motors who sell certain brands in Barbados. They have a right to continue selling said brands, either new or in second hand form. If they decide to start selling new Nissans or Toyotas that is a job for the local companies attorneys based on what rights were given to them which predate the Simpson sale. If exclusive contracts were not given then its an open market. For example they are 2 agents for Hyundai in the Barbados. One sells cars and the other sells their trucks. This occurred because the initial Hyundai agreement never spoke to heavy duty vehicles.
I do not see the FTC getting involved in this. It is a legal matter revolving around issued rights to distribute certain brands owned by manufacturers. If the contracts are weak and have not been revised for years, then that is a matter for the local companies, their attorneys and the manufacturers. The same FTC will have to request this said documentation before they too could make a ruling.
Critical Analyzer on June 27, 2022 at 6:11 PM said:
The issue around new and used car dealers has to do with valuations for financing and insurance purposes.
Used car importers had to go to the authorized dealer for valuations were those dealers were accused of undervaluing cars especially those with unique features not available locally because they, the dealer did not sell them originally.
Critical Analyzer June 27, 2022 6:11 PM #: "The issue around new and used car dealers has to do with valuations for financing and insurance purposes."
Perhaps what you outlined was an issue in the past.
Importers of used cars can obtain valuations and road worthy certificates from reputable garages that are authorized to do so.
Insurance companies, financial institutions, credit unions and banks accept valuations and road worthy certificates from various garages such as, Corbin's Garage, Trans-Tech Inc., Turton's Garage, just to name a few.
Some Insurance companies include an approved list of garages that provide those services, with insurance renewal notices.
I asked someone who has intimate knowledge of FTC's operations a few questions.
And was told that such sales or mergers must be first investigated by the Commission's Fair Competition section before approval of the sale/merger is granted by the Commissioners.
I f the FTC had to investigate the sale for concerns over potetial market monopoly that is fine. What I am saying is that if the new entity started selling Toyotas or Nissans it would be a legal matter of distribution rights and territory, not a fair trade issue in my view. It would have to be settled between attorneys, distributors and manufacturers. I don't see the FTC being party to that type of distribution rights dispute that's what I am saying.
Artax on June 27, 2022 at 10:25 PM said:
"However, in an effort to ensure the future survival of Barbados' other automobile dealerships, the regulator has revealed that Inchcape International Holdings Limited will have to "notify the Commission if it plans to introduce any new brands to its portfolio of offerings that are already represented in Barbados." (Nation News, June 24, 2022)
My concerns are based on the above comments.
Are you implying that by REQUIRING Inchcape to "NOTIFY the Commission if it plans to introduce any new brands to its portfolio of offerings that are ALREADY REPRESENTED in Barbados,"……
…… the FTC essentially became caught up in an issue that DID NOT fall WITHIN its REMIT?
It's a simple question that requires a 'YES' or 'NO' answer.
Walter Blackman on June 28, 2022 at 12:39 AM said:
"Mr. Blackman
I understand that persons entering the public sector after September 1, 1975, would not be entitled to both government and NIS pensions, which essentially means they would be entitled to NIS pension only."
Artax,
I gave the example of such a person retiring after 33 1/3 years, with an average pay of $5,000 per month:
The NIS pension (max = 60% of pay) is calculated based on whether the person is born in or before 1946, in or after 1956, or in-between those years.
The year of birth for this case is before 1946
Thus, the NIS pension = 40% x avg pay + 1% x avg pay per year, after 10 years
NIS pension = (40% + 23 1/3%) x avg pay = 63 1/3% of avg pay. But the maximum is 60% of pay
NIS Pension = 60% x 5000 = $3,000
Government monthly pension :=
2% x 33 1/3 x 5000 – NIS pension
Government monthly pension := $3,333.33 – $3,000.00 = $333.33
Therefore, this participant gets two pensions.
Walter Blackman on June 28, 2022 at 1:08 AM said:
Recall that a few retired, 'appointed' National Assistance Board employees were receiving pensions from NAB and NIS, with government subsequently ceasing the pension from NAB.
You did not say that these employees were medically boarded and retired medically unfit, so I have to search for a different explanation.
A worker at the NAB could retire anytime between ages 60 and 65. The NIS pension is only taken away from the government pension when the employee actually starts to receive the NIS monthly pension
So an employee retiring at age 60 will receive a NAB pension until age 67, when the NIS pension kicks in. If the NIS pension is greater than the NAB pension, then the NAB pension should cease.
You said the employees "were receiving pensions from NAB and NIS". Could it be that NAB was simply tardy in stopping the NAB pension cheques for these employees after the NIS pension had kicked in?
Artax on June 28, 2022 at 7:09 AM said:
The NAB issue was used as an example and not one that would require an explanation. I'm fully aware of everything you outlined in your above contribution.
My question is as follows. If any individual employed by the public sector after September 1, 1975 is NOT entitled to both pensions, why did you calculate a government pension?
By those calculations, are you suggesting if a person decides to retire at 60 years old, he/she would receive a government pension of $333.33 UNTIL 67 years old, and then thereafter, a NIS pension of $3,000?
As it relates to the NAB, a few retired employeess were receiving both pensions, in some cases as long as 17 years, although they were entitled to one.
My concern was, why did Mia Mottley abruptly stopped payment of the NAB pensions, WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE, to a 'handful' of senior citizens, whose living standards would've been based on their income?
Ironically, Cynthia Forde, who was the Minister at the time, claimed she did not know anything about it. Mottley's elderly father would have benefited from the tax write-offs. And, Dame Antoinette 'Billie' Miller is being rewarded, at taxpayers expense, for some irrelevant post called, 'Ambassador at-Large.'
But, this is a topic for another discussion.
John A on June 28, 2022 at 7:35 AM said:
In is not a yes or no answer.
My final reply is that if they offered brands already represented that is a matter for the law courts, the lawyers and the affected parties.
In Bajan parlance….. 'I wid you and dat.'
"…… any individual employed by the public sector after September 1, 1975 is NOT entitled to both pensions,"
This statement is false.
I have demonstrated to you in my comments above that it is possible for a civil servant, hired after September 1, 1975, to receive an NIS and a government pension.
………are you suggesting if a person decides to retire at 60 years old, he/she would receive a government pension of $333.33 UNTIL 67 years old, and then thereafter, a NIS pension of $3,000?"
Each individual case is different. Please note the conditions below which apply to our individual.
I am saying that if a person, born in or before 1946, hired on or after September 1, 1975, retires at age 60 with a 5-year average pay of $5,000 per month, after having worked 33 1/3 years, then he would receive the following:
A government pension of $3,333.33 from age 60 to age 67
A government pension of $333,33 from age 67*
A NIS pension of $3000.00 from age 67**
*Since he receives a NIS cheque of $3,000 at age 67, the government pension would now drop to $333.33 at age 67 ($3,333.33 govt pension – $3,000.00 NIS) due to the principle of abatement.
**This example is for illustrative purposes only. Technically speaking, an individual born in 1946 would not have to wait until age 67 to receive a full NIS pension.
Artax on June 28, 2022 at 10:29 AM said:
I am not understanding the logic behind your examples.
I understand that persons joining the public sector after September 1975, would no longer receive two pensions, as you illustrated in your FIRST EXAMPLE.
I understand if a guy retires at 60 years he would receive a government pension until 67 years old.
But, if he applies for his NIS pension at 60 years as well, wouldn't he lose 0.05% until he reaches 67 years old?
If you read my first contribution, you would've realized I 'said' it would interesting to see the GUIDELINES you USED as a BASIS for those calculations, FOR MY EDUCATION.
Vincent Codrington on June 28, 2022 at 3:50 PM said:
Try this formula. He receives his full pension from GoB until he qualifies for an NIS pension. When he qualifies for a NIB pension ,his GOB pension is reduced by his NIB pension. In total he receives the same quantum. That is how it operates in the private and state corporations pension schemes. The NIS pension cannot provide livable pension for those above a certain income bracket. I hope this is more logical/understandable.
There is a ceiling to the amount the NIS ensures a pension regardless of the employees current income..
Mr. Codrington
What I'm aware of…… and I don't know of any recent changes, is that if a guy receives a government pension if he retires at 60, and at 67 his NIS pension is less than his GP, he would receive the NIS amount and government would pay the difference.
For example, GP = $1,000 and NIS = $975, then government would pay $25.
Walter Blackman on June 28, 2022 at 6:29 PM said:
This concept gives people a lot of trouble, so I understand the difficulty you are experiencing.
Vincent Codrington has nailed it.
To determine the amount of government pension payable at any point in time after retirement, use this formula:
Government pension payable at any point in time after retirement = Gross Government pension calculated – NIS Pension being actually paid (NIS abatement)
NIS abatement = 0 for civil servants hired before Set 1, 1975
Gross Government pension calculated = 2% x years of service (max = 33 1/3) x 5 yr avg salary for civil servants (not statutory Boards) hired before Jan 1, 2023
Mr Blackman
Isn't Mr. Codrington's comments similar to those I made in my June 28, 2022 6:10 contribution?
"He receives his full pension from GoB until he qualifies for an NIS pension. When he qualifies for a NIB pension ,his GOB pension is reduced by his NIB pension. In total he receives the SAME QUANTUM."
But, Mr. Blackman's calculations indicated the individual would receive less and not "the same quantum."
Anyhow, there won't be a need for further explanations. I'll conduct my own research.
This old paper coauthored by now Governor of the Central Bank in 1985 shows asset structure of the NIF.
http://www.centralbank.org.bb/Portals/0/Files/WP1984-02.PDF
Let us apply the formula for this case and see how it works.
Gross Government monthly pension at age 60 = $3,333.33
NIS pension payable at age 67 = $3,000
The employee decides to take his NIS pension at age 60. You correctly stated that the NIS pension is reduced by 0.05% per month, so NIS payable at age 60 = $3,000 x 58% = $1,740. He loses 42% of NIS pension by taking it 7 years early.
So Government pension payable at age 60 = Gross government pension payable at age 60 – NIS pension actually received at age 60
Government pension payable at age 60 = $3,333.33 – $1,740 = $1,593,33.
You asked if the employee would lose 42% of his NIS benefit "until he reaches 67 years old"?
In this case, he would lose 42% of his NIS benefit for life. The NIS pension will not increase when he reaches age 67. A lot of people make this mistake in their thinking..
Please note that, in this case, although the employee is hired after September 1, 1975, he still receives two pensions for life, starting at age 60 :
Government pension = $1593.33
NIS Pension = $1,740.00
"The NIS pension will not increase when he reaches age 67. A lot of people make this mistake in their thinking.."
A few ago, during a conversation with a childhood friend, who coincidentally works at the NIS, I said I was thinking of applying for 'early pension' at 59 1/2 years old.
I was told that I would receive 0.05% less until age 67.
Yes, the comments are practically the same.
However, I only saw your comments after I had already written and posted mine.
I was told that I would receive 0.05% less until age 67"
You were given bad advice. NIS pensions start at age 60. The reduction in NIS pension is for life.
I have all of the time in the world for you because I know the nature of your profession. Once you understand these concepts clearly, you will be in a position to offer good and proper advice to your clients.
Take a look at my example again:
Remember, with an average 5 yr salary of $5,000 per month, the Gross Government pension is $3,333.33, This is the same quantum as total pensions received below.
A person born on January 1, 1945, who was hired on or after September 1, 1975 and who retired after 33 1/3 years of service will receive the following:
• Government pension = $333.33
• NIS Pension = $3,000
• Total Pensions received = $3,333.33
I am aware that I wrote the following:
• Government pension (1-36 years of service) = $0
• Government pension (37 years of service) = $$83.33
• Government pension (38 years of service) = $166.67
I know that I did not give an insight into the mathematics used to arrive at these numbers . I know also the tremendous ability you have as a researcher, so it is quite possible that some time in the future you may use these BU pages as a reference guide.
Thus, I will see if, in a day or two, I can give you the mathematical guidelines I used to calculate these benefits.
It would be much easier and quicker for me to do so than for you to go researching.
Critical Analyzer on June 29, 2022 at 7:59 AM said:
@Walter Blackman June 28, 2022 7:39 PM
Thanks as well.
If I understand your calculation, someone entering the public service now and earning above that NIS maximum earning threshold will still receive an additional pension from government on top of their NIS pension once they work the years required to qualify.
Using an example, a government worker working for 9,000 would get a NIS pension based the first $5,000 if that is the NIS max earnings and a government pension based on the next $4,000.
Critical Analyzer
Critical Analyzer,
Using your example, let us assume the employee works 40 years.
Remember it takes 36 years for the employee to reach the maximum NIS pension of 60% of pay, and 40 years for the employee to reach the maximum government pension of 66 2/3% of pay
Average Government monthly salary = $9,000
Gross Government pension = 66 2/3% x $9,000 = $6,000
Average NIS monthly salary = $5,000
NIS pension = 60% x $5,000 = $3000
Government pension to be received by the employee = $6,000 – $3,000 = $3,000
According to the regulations, the actuarial present value of this government monthly pension = $3,000 x 150 = $450,000
The Prime Minister said that employees working above the NIS ceiling will have to contribute to their pensions. How much of this $450, 000 will this employee have to pay? Your guess is as good as mine. This is another area of pension reform that is a great cause for concern.
For completeness, this employee will receive the following benefits:
Gratuity = 25% x $450,000 = $112,500
Government monthly pension after gratuity = 75% x $3,000 = $2,250
NIS monthly pension = $3,000
Critical Analyzer on June 29, 2022 at 10:43 AM said:
@Walter Blackman
It sounds like this is where the problem really will be as I heard a caller on Brasstacks (Caswell Franklyn I think if I'm not mistaken) state that government workers were paid lower than contract government workers because that missing money was supposed to have been paid into a pension fund which the government appears to never have done and just paid government pensions out of the consolidated fund.
Will the PM attempt to pretend that arrangement never existed and deduct a pension from government workers now to cover that government pension or will they attempt to correct that situation first and seek to deduct additional to make up the shortfall to bring things back into balance?
Walter Blackman on June 29, 2022 at 12:26 PM said:
I heard Caswell Franklyn making that point, but I have never seen any document or agreement which supports it.
In any case, the issue relates to prefunding government pension benefits. If $1 billion had been put into that government pension fund, I would bet my last dollar that the politicians would have spent the cash and would have replaced it with government paper. Money would then have to be taken from the Consolidated Fund to liquidate that government paper, and we would be in the same position we are in now.
Government pensioners face a very uncertain future.
Walter Blackman on July 3, 2022 at 10:41 PM said:
Generally speaking, here are the tools needed to calculate NIS Old Age pensions, and Government pensions.
I am giving examples, under the proposed new government formula, of a person retiring after 36 years, and 40 years of service. I am also showing results for a person working for a salary under the NIS ceiling ($5,000) and a highly paid employee working for $10, 000 per month
NIS Old Age Pensions:
For persons born in or before 1946: 40% x Average Pay (for 1st 10 years) + 1% x Average Pay x (Years greater than 10) – OLD FORMULA
For persons born after 1956: 2% per year x Average Pay (for 1st 20 years) + 1.25% x Average Pay x (Years greater than 20) – NEW FORMULA
For persons born after 1946, and before 1956: 50% x (Result from OLD FORMULA + RESULT FROM NEW FORMULA)
Note: Average Pay = (Pay for the highest 5 years)/5
Maximum NIS Pension = 60% x Average Pay
Central Government Pensions:
For persons hired before September 1, 1975: 2% x Average Pay x Years of service (maximum = 33 1/3 years)
For persons hired on or after September 1, 1975: 2% x Average Pay x Years of service (maximum = 33 1/3 years) – NIS Pension actually received
For persons hired on or after January 1, 2023: 1/60 x Average Pay x Years of service (maximum = 40 years) – NIS Pension actually received
Note: Average Pay = Highest 5-year average
Maximum Central Government Pension = 66 2/3% x Average Pay
Example 1: Person hired on or after January 1, 2023
Date of Birth = 1/1/1996
Date of Hire = 1/1/2027
Date of Retirement = 12/31/2062
Age at pension commencement = 67 years
Years of service = 36
Average monthly pay = NIS Ceiling =$5,000
NIS pension = 2% x 20 x $5,000 + 1.25% x 16 x $5,000 = 60% x $5,000 = $3,000
Central Government Pension at age 67 = 36/60 x $5,000 – $3,000 = $3,000 – $3,000 = 0
Gratuity = 25% x 150 x 0 = 0
Monthly Government pension cheque payable at age 67 = 75% x 0 = 0
This person receives only a NIS cheque of $3,000 per month at age 67
Average monthly pay = $10,000
NIS ceiling = $5,000
Central Government Pension at age 67 = 36/60 x $10,000 – $3,000 = $6,000 – $3,000 = $3,000
Gratuity = 25% x 150 x $3,000 = $112,500
Monthly Government pension cheque payable at age 67 = 75% x $3,000 = $2,250
This highly paid person receives a NIS cheque of $3,000 per month at age 67, plus a government cheque of $2,250 per month.
Average monthly pay = NIS Ceiling = $5,000
But maximum NIS pension = 60% x $5,000 = $3,000
Government Pension at age 67 = 40/60 x $5,000 – $3,000 = $3,333.33 – $3,000 = $333.33
Gratuity = 25% x 150 x $333.33 = $12,499.88
Monthly Government pension cheque payable at age 67 = 75% x $333.33 = $250.00
This person receives a NIS cheque of $3,000 per month at age 67, plus a government cheque of $250.00 per month
Government Pension at age 67 = 40/60 x $10,000 – $3,000 = $6,666.67 – $3,000 = $3,666.67
Gratuity = 25% x 150 x $3,666.67 = $137,500.13
Monthly Government pension cheque payable at age 67 = 75% x $3,666.67 = $2750.00
This highly paid employee receives a NIS cheque of $3,000 per month at age 67, plus a government cheque of $2750.00 per month
NorthernObserver on July 3, 2022 at 11:27 PM said:
@WB
What is the function of the Gratuity calculations, they don't seem to impact anything?
Walter Blackman on July 4, 2022 at 9:22 AM said:
Northern Observer,
First, we calculate the "gross" pension, and then we have to calculate the gratuity.
The net pension (Gross pension – Pension used to calculate the gratuity) is the actual monthly cheque the employee will receive.
Pensioners in private, government, and NIS plans routinely compare benefits with other employees.
Practitioners involved in calculating or checking NIS benefits will come across participants who claim that their gratuities or net pensions are incorrect. For these practitioners, I have tried to cover all bases in my calculations.
Thats all. Thanks
NorthernObserver on July 4, 2022 at 10:07 AM said:
David on July 8, 2022 at 3:30 AM said:
34 dead getting pension
By Shawn Cumberbatch
shawncumberbatch@nationnews.com
Government has been paying millions of dollars in pension to some of its former workers even though they are dead – some for more than ten years.
This was discovered during an investigation by the Auditor General's Office and has prompted a separate probe by the Accountant General, who is now seeking to recover the $3.9 million in payments made by the Treasury Department.
The overpayment of pensions was flagged by Auditor General Leigh E. Trotman in his report for 2021 and followed an audit of Government's financial statements for the period ending March 31, 2021.
Trotman said a review of the Government's pension payroll "revealed that payments totalling $3.9 million were being made in the names of deceased persons; in some instances these payments were being made for over ten years.
"These payments were in respect of 34 former pensioners. Information from the Registration Department confirmed that these former pensioners were deceased. The controls for the payment of pensions need to be reviewed and a stop order should be placed on any additional payments. Efforts should be made to recover the outstanding amounts," he urged.
In a response published in the Auditor General's Report, the Office of the Accountant General, when presented with the findings on pensions being paid to deceased people, said that "the matter of overpayment of 34 former pensioners is being investigated".
"The accounts of those former pensioners have been inactivated in the system in order to stop any further payments to them. Stop payment orders have also been issued to the commercial banks for payments that were in transit in relation to the former pensioners," said the Accountant General, whose office prepares financial statements on the activities of Government ministries and departments.
"Efforts are being made to recover the amounts deposited to the relevant accounts subsequent to the death of those former pensioners."
The Accountant General said in the response that Death Register information "is very useful in the process of cleaning up the Treasury Department's Pension Payroll Register".
The official explained, however, that "over the years, the Treasury Department was unable to access the Death Register information".
"After discovering that the information from the Death Register was recently made available to the Auditor General's Office, the Registration Department
was requested to provide the Treasury Department with access to information from the Death Register," the officer added.
An audit of the information system at the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) also revealed that benefits were disbursed to people months after they died, while the Barbados Revenue Authority (BRA) had value added tax (VAT)-related activity on the TAMIS (Tax Administration Management Information System) account of a business owner who was no longer alive.
The Auditor General reported that an audit of the NIS computer system found that "payments were generated for persons who were recorded as deceased within the national Death Register".
"Payments were generated on behalf of ten persons for over five months after their recorded date of death. This is a concern as overpayment results in loss of funds that may be difficult to recoup. The national Death Register should be referenced regularly using computerised methods in order to prevent this," Trotman advised.
The NIS responded that its benefits section "receives information on deaths from the newspapers daily and members of the public", noting that on receipt of this information, "the account of the deceased is locked pending the receipt of the death certificate".
"The NIS previously received information from the Registration Department but due to [information technology] issues, the NIS has not received death dates in three years. It is agreed that a steady stream of information from a reliable source can reduce overpayments," the NIS stated.
A separate audit of the BRA's TAMIS system found instances in relation to VAT where the revenue agency "was not informed that the taxpayer, a sole trader, was deceased and activity continued under the TAMIS account", the Auditor General said.
"The Authority, being unaware of deceased taxpayers, may allow for unauthorised persons to conduct business with the entity. It may also allow for tax evasion in relation to income tax if the taxpayer who has taken over the business does not declare any additional income from the business," Trotman warned.
He recommended that "regular, automated, comparative checks be carried out of active taxpayers against the Death Register prepared by the Registration Department".
The BRA's response in the Auditor General's Report said that its management "accepts this comment and recommendation". It also committed to initiating "a cross-check of death records to taxpayer registration data" from February 1 this year.
Source: Nation


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Arco is a city in Butte County, Idaho, United States. The population was 879 as of the 2020 United States census, down from 995 at the 2010 census. Arco is the county seat and largest city in Butte County.

History
Originally known as Root Hog, the original town site was  south at the junction of two stagecoach lines (Blackfoot-Wood River and Blackfoot-Salmon). A suspension bridge that crossed the Big Lost River funneled traffic through the settlement. The town leaders applied to the U.S. Post Office for the town name of "Junction".

The Postmaster General thought the name too common and suggested that the place be named Arco for Georg von Arco (1869–1940) of Germany who was visiting Washington, D.C., at the time. Georg von Arco was an inventor and a pioneer in the field of radio transmission and would become the lead engineer of Telefunken, a German company founded in 1903 that produced radio vacuum tubes. The town later moved four miles southeast when the stage station was moved to Webb Springs at Big Southern Butte. When the Oregon Short Line Railroad arrived from Blackfoot in 1901 the stage lines became obsolete and the town of Arco moved northwest to its present site.

Arco was the first community in the world ever to be lit by electricity generated solely by nuclear power. This occurred for about an hour on July 17, 1955, powered by Argonne National Laboratory's BORAX-III reactor at the nearby National Reactor Testing Station (NRTS), now the Idaho National Laboratory. NRTS made further history on January 3, 1961, when the SL-1 reactor was destroyed through an operator maintenance error, with the ensuing steam explosion causing the deaths of all three personnel present.  It was the world's first and the United States' only fatal reactor accident.

Economy
The town's economic base is primarily derived from the Idaho National Laboratory (formerly the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory or INEL), agricultural products, and recreation in the Lost River Valley.

Highways
 US 20 — to Mountain Home (west) and Idaho Falls (east)
 US 26 — to Shoshone (west) and Blackfoot (east)
 US 93 — to Challis (north) and Twin Falls (south)

Geography

Arco is located along the Big Lost River and is a gateway to the Lost River Range from the Snake River Plain. Craters of the Moon National Monument is located along U.S. Route 20, southwest of the city. The Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is located east of Arco.

Arco Peak, located two mile north of the community at an elevation of 7547 feet, rises 2220 feet above the city.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which,  is land and  is water.

In town, the most striking physical feature is Number Hill, a rocky hill with numbers painted all over it. Butte County High School has a tradition of each class since 1920 painting its graduation year on the face of hill.

Climate

Demographics

2010 census
As of the 2010 United States Census of 2010, there were 995 people, 417 households, and 254 families living in the city. The population density was . There were 504 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 95.1% White, 0.3% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 1.7% from other races, and 2.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.0% of the population.

There were 417 households, of which 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.4% were married couples living together, 13.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 39.1% were non-families. 34.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 3.03.

The median age in the city was 41.2 years. 26.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.6% were from 25 to 44; 26.1% were from 45 to 64; and 18.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 51.8% male and 48.2% female.

2000 census
As of the 2000 United States Census of 2000, there were 1,026 people, 427 households, and 269 families living in the city. The population density was . There were 505 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 95.13% White, 0.49% African American, 1.36% Native American, 1.75% from other races, and 1.27% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.61% of the population.

There were 427 households, out of which 29.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.2% were married couples living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.0% were non-families. 34.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 27.9% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 22.4% from 25 to 44, 25.8% from 45 to 64, and 17.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $27,993, and the median income for a family was $34,688. Males had a median income of $34,688 versus $17,386 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,744. About 19.6% of families and 22.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.8% of those under age 18 and 15.8% of those age 65 or over.

Notable residents
 C. A. Bottolfsen, Governor of Idaho, (1939–1941, 1943–1945)
 Warren Jones — justice, Idaho Supreme Court, valedictorian of Butte County High School in 1961

See also

Idaho National Laboratory
Borah Peak
Lost River Range
Big Lost River
Salmon-Challis National Forest
Snake River Plain
Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve
Big Southern Butte
Blizzard Mountain Ski Area
Butte County High School

References

External links

 1949 Life Magazine Photos

Cities in Butte County, Idaho
Cities in Idaho
County seats in Idaho
1955 establishments in Idaho
Articles containing video clips

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Summit's success story
Tuesday March 09th 2010
Three years after reinventing itself as U.S. distributor, Summit Entertainment has achieved a level of prestige that comes only from winning Oscars.
With "The Hurt Locker" winning Best Picture along with the directing, original screenplay, editing and both sound categories, Summit has elevated its status in the kudos realm to complement its box office success as home to the "Twilight" franchise.
"We have a deep debt of gratitude to Summit Entertainment," said producer Greg Shapiro in his acceptance speech.
It's an outcome that few could have foreseen in April 2007, when Rob Friedman and Patrick Wachsberger began transforming Summit from a foreign sales company into a full-service production and distribution studio. Friedman, who had been vice chairman at Paramount, came aboard as Summit announced a $1 billion financing deal with Merrill Lynch and a consortium of investors.
A year and half later, Summit bought "The Hurt Locker" at the Toronto film festival — a few months before "Twilight" opened.
"We fell in love with it," Friedman recalled last year of the decision to acquire "Locker" for $1.5 million. "We see this as being about heroes like Steve McQueen and John Wayne, and it just happens to be set in Iraq."
When Summit hit it big with "Twilight," it followed up almost immediately with plans for three more films based on the Stephenie Meyer novels. Friedman and Wachsberger said Summit would stick to its original strategy of releasing and distributing 10-12 films per year with a focus on the mid-range films that the majors are less likely to greenlight.
Summit also decided to hold off on a 2008 release for "Hurt Locker," staying out of the fall scramble for kudos despite having received mostly laudatory reviews and a Venice film fest grand prize. The reasoning was that the film might stand a better chance with a platformed summer release, so Summit screened the pic at ShoWest in March of 2009, began a low-key publicity campaign and launched the pic in four theaters on June 26.
The film never went wider in the United States than 535 locations during its run, which generated $14.7 million — far better than most other Iraq dramas such as "In the Valley of Elah," which grossed $6.8 million. "Locker" took in another $6 million overseas.
That's miniscule compared to the $1.1 billion combined worldwide grosses thus far for Summit's two "Twilight" films, but the company now has a level of added status that comes from backing a film that enjoyed a strong awards-season run.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
CM Radio - Nov. 9, 2016 - David Usher, Alexis Normand & More
David Usher, Alexis Normand & More
While many know him best for fronting Moist and his successful solo career, David Usher does much more than music. He's a best-selling author, speaker, entrepreneur, and currently runs Concordia University's Human Impact Lab (http://humanimpactlab.com). His latest project, though, is a solo album called Let It Play that finds him not only covering some of his favourite Francophone artists; he actually reworks the songs in English while also offering a fresh take of his hit "Black Black Heart" en Francais. He talks about what first initiated the unique project, how his work in other creative streams affects his songwriting, and more. And keeping with the Francophone theme, we speak with bilingual troubadour Alexis Normand. In addition to being one quarter of quirky and quaint throwback act Rosie & the Riveters, she's about to drop her second French language solo album. We speak with the Regina-based artist about her quest to break into the French Canadian market with the latest release and more.


text:
Q: Problem sharing dial up internet through a network on XP I've got 2 computers in a network, 1 with a dial up connection connected to another computer with a crossover cable. I've enabled internet sharing (with the wizard) on each end, and created a shared internet connection between them. I can remote into the slave computer with the host, the host see's the slave on the network, but the slave doesnt see the host. When using the slave to look for workgroup computers, I keep getting  permission errors with the workgroup. The shared connection is established though, or it says it is, but I dont get a connection to the internet. I get a correct IP address, and the gateway of the slave is the ip of the host. When connecting to the internet, the DNS is resolving IP names, so I'm nearly there...Everything I've read tells me it should be working. I have a feeling it has something to do with the fact that the slave computer can't see the host through the network, nor can it ping it. Yet, it shows a shared internet connection with the host as connected.

A: Here's a good site for manually configuring ICS in XP.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


King, Joseph Crockett age 35 of 1117 West Central Avenue – La Follette for public intoxication (PI) and criminal trespassing.
McKnight, Corrine Duncan age 29 of 36 Log Lane – Jacksboro for driving under the influence (DUI) and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Smith, Everett Lee age 26 of 367 Demory Road – La Follette for sexual exploitation of a minor.
York, Willis Gene age 60 of 500 River Drive – La Follette for driving under the influence (DUI) (3rd offense).


How awesome would this be if it works? Solar Roadways.
I don't know if it's doable but I would love to see this implemented if they can get it to work. Even if it is doable I'm not sure how easy it would be to see the warnings on the road during the day but it is an awesome idea.


text:
CREATE TRANSFORM FOR int LANGUAGE SQL (
    FROM SQL WITH FUNCTION prsd_lextype(internal),
    TO SQL WITH FUNCTION int4recv(internal));

DROP TRANSFORM FOR int LANGUAGE SQL;

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
The Garden of Eve
Going, K. L.
Eve gave up her belief in stories and magic after her mother's death, but a mysterious seed given her as an eleventh-birthday gift by someone she has never met takes her and a boy who claims to be a ghost on a strange journey, to where their supposedly cursed town of Beaumont, New York, flourishes.
Publisher: Boston, MA : Sandpiper/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2007.
Characteristics: 234 p. ;,20 cm.
Read more reviews of The Garden of Eve at iDreamBooks.com
GoldenRequiem Jan 29, 2010
It is the world's most wonderful book, wonderful story of a young girl and a twin brother. One dead, one alive, making it to where we were once banished from but things have to be given up in order for it to enter it.
It's like once you pick the book up and start reading it, you cannot put it back down!
tia_cheetahs15 Mar 14, 2010
tia_cheetahs15 thinks this title is suitable for 10 years and over
Seeds — Juvenile Fiction.
Magic — Juvenile Fiction.
Orchards — Juvenile Fiction.
Death — Juvenile Fiction.
Grief — Juvenile Fiction.
Privacy Terms Crowsnest Pass Library Chinook Arch Suggest a Title for Purchase Borrow from other libraries


text:
Q: How to replace an existing file in SharePoint Online using REST API I am trying to upload a file using REST API as below:
String.format("{0}/_api/web/getfolderbyserverrelativeurl('{1}')/files" +"/add(overwrite=true, url='{2}')",serverUrl, serverRelativeUrlToFolder, fileName);

But if a file already exists, it doe not replace the existing file, instead throws error "A file with an equivalent name exists."
Please advice me how to proceed with replacing the file.

A: I think you are using the code in this article to upload a file:
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sharepoint/dev/sp-add-ins/upload-a-file-by-using-the-rest-api-and-jquery
In fact, the code will upload the file then change the file name after uploading. When uploading, it will replace the exisiting file if a file already exists.
However,if you try to change the name of the file with existing files'. You will get this error.
For example:
I have a file with name aa.xlsx in the library:

I upload a file test.xlsx and try to rename it with aa.xlsx. I would get this error.

Infact, the file test.xlsx is uploaded successfully, but we cannot changed it name with aa.xlsx.

As a workaround, you could rename the file (test.xlsx) in the local machine (aa.xlsx). Then upload it. Just do not enter the name for the file.

It replaced the existing aa.xlsx.

A: I have found the same problem with Inuktituk (Unified Canadian Aboriginal Syllabics Unicode block) even though the two files have different names with different lengths and different number of characters.  Adding some ascii character to the beginning or end of the file name resolves it.


text:
All On Demand articles
Codes of conduct are not a new concept, but have been a comparatively rarely used mechanism in the European privacy landscape.
How to Avoid Sanctions Under the POPIA
South Africa now has one of the world's leading data protection regimes. And along with strict rules on the processing and security of personal information, the POPIA brings large fines and even prison sentences for those who break the rules.
The CISOs Role in Driving Trust: Why it Matters, How to Define it, and What Success Looks Like
Watch this session, The CISOs Role in Driving Trust: Why it Matters, How to Define it, and What Success Looks Like with OneTrust's GRC Offering Lead. Gain insight on why more companies are naming chief trust officers, creating formalized trust initiatives, and measuring trust as a metric for themselves and their business partners.
South Africa Cybercrimes Act: How Will the Law Impact South African Businesses?
South Africa's Cybercrimes Act passed in May 2021 but has yet to come into force. The law creates new criminal offences for many cyber crimes, including hacking, ransomware, and cyber forgery.
GRC World Forums Analyst and Research Director Robert Bateman asked Robert Baugh, CEO of Keepabl, about his experiences working with UK data protection professionals over a turbulent few years professionals on keeping calm and compliant in this fast-changing and complex field
Dynamic Data Discovery as the Foundation of your Privacy Program
Data discovery and mapping is the first step towards building an effective privacy program. But traditional data discovery is resource-intensive, static, and incomplete. Modern data discovery tools are rising to these challenges: always-on, secure, and deeply integrated with privacy management software. These advances open up exciting use cases like dynamic ROPAs and DPIAs. With the right approach, you can build efficiency and effectiveness for your legal and data teams.
In this webinar, we will shine a spotlight on environmental crime: one of the 22 crimes named in 6AMLD's expanded list of predicate offences.
When Good Data Goes Bad: How to Shine a Light on Sensitive, Toxic, and Risky Data
With numerous state-based (California, Virginia, Colorado….) privacy regimes now in place, the mishandling of sensitive data won't be tolerated – by regulators or consumers. The challenge is: with mounting volumes of user created data under management, most of which is "dark", how can you protect what you don't even know you have?
Operationalizing privacy: A key to legal defensibility for in-house Counsel
There was a time when a successful privacy program could only rely on documentation, checklists, spreadsheets, and emails. However, the complexity of today's privacy concerns necessitates smarter, faster, and more scalable solutions, and the old programs must become pragmatic.
Critical Data Collection Methodologies and Use Cases
Each legal case or investigation has its own unique challenges, objectives, and goals. Experts must understand how to work with proven, advanced technologies to deliver a methodical and defensible data collection approach – regardless of whether it's for a forensic investigation or e-discovery matter.
As the threat and regulatory landscape continues to evolve, along with the acceleration in remote working and access to data, how do you protect your most prized assets, whilst growing innovatively and securely, and delivering a seamless customer experience?
Embracing today's privacy landscape and leaning into privacy management
We are sharing data more than ever before and while it has simplified day-to-day business, it has also increased considerations for organizations across the globe. Countries are passing regulations with comprehensive privacy requirements and within the next two years, 53% of countries will have GDPR-like regulations.
Why your law firm needs to layer your email security in Microsoft 365 for maximum protection
Risks to your law firms' email security have never been greater. With remote work still as popular as ever and an explosion in digital transformation projects, there is an increase in the risks of outbound data loss. In fact, we know that 85% of law firms using Microsoft 365 had an email data breach in the last 12 months.
Data Awareness to Data Intelligence: Leveraging the power of automation
The increasing number and complexity of privacy laws, like the upcoming California Privacy Rights Act, as well as the continued emergence of good privacy practices and compliant data use as a competitive differentiator have been the driving force for organizations to shift focus from tick-the-box compliance exercises to automated privacy solutions.
Not All Assurances are Created Equal – Assessed Entities and Relying Parties Beware!
With the cyber threat landscape constantly evolving, and the number and complexity of business-vendor relationships continuously growing, there is an increasing market need for reliable assurances.
The Future of Anti-Financial Crime? Enhancing Effectiveness with the Investigator-Centric Approach
In this webinar we will discuss how FIs can apply innovative approaches developed for national security and law enforcement agencies to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of their anti-financial crime controls.
The events of 2021 have created a paradigm shift in cybersecurity. The steady cadence of large-scale cyber attacks have accelerated a move away from perimeter-focused security to Zero Trust. While core foundations of Zero Trust have been implemented, many tech leaders are still missing a critical piece of the puzzle for safeguarding their data.
Investigating the Kleptocrats: A fireside chat
Robert Bateman, Analyst and Research Director at GRC World Forums speaks with Casey Michel on investigating the kleptocrats.
Regulator Rhetoric, Tech Realities
A discussion of how well regulators are actually doing - beyond the rhethoric - in terms of supporting and promoting regtech solutions, and how the private sector would engage with regulators on the topic.


Finished the 2011 Buller Gorge Marathon Relay in 03:41:05 in Female Tea class!
They came 5th in class and 37th overall!
No photos of Charleston Cave Girls in 2011 , we may still be uploading/processing, check back later.


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Brighton seen by Albert Millaud – 1873
January 29, 2023 January 13, 2023 / suzannethinton / Leave a comment
When Albert Millaud boarded the ferry in Dieppe bound for Newhaven he found that: sur le bateau où je me suis embarqué, tout le monde était anglaise. [everyone on my boat was English.]
Paddle Steamer Alexandra sailed the Dieppe-Newhaven route from 1863 until 1883. Millaud would have travelled on P.S. Alexandra or P.S. Paris. Image courtesy of "Our Newhaven" / Derek Longly / Del White.
French cinema in Brighton (1) 1896-1907
January 1, 2023 January 1, 2023 / suzannethinton / Leave a comment
School-friends Jemima and Annabel are swapping their experiences of a new invention.
Albion House,
135 King's-road,
Saturday, 4th July, 1896
My Dearest Jemima,
How I love being on holiday in Brighton! We're staying in Mr Hockley's boarding house on the corner of Preston Street and my room has a view of the sea and the West Pier. Everything is so exciting but last night was really special. I cut out the advertisement for you from the Brighton Gazette on Thursday. Mother, Father and I just had to go and see what it was all about.
Brighton man murdered in France
November 1, 2022 October 30, 2022 / suzannethinton / Leave a comment
When John Basil Cartland walked out of his front door and down the steps of his home at 11 Powis Square, Brighton on Monday 12 March 1973, he was not to know that within six days he was to be brutally murdered in France.
11 Powis Square: Google Capture 2009 ©Google 2022
John Sebastian Glouton
September 1, 2022 August 31, 2022 / suzannethinton / 1 Comment
When John Sebastian Glouton died in at 98 Western Road, Brighton in 1864, he was described as "a very plain and unpretending man, possessing a kind and genial nature." He was much more complex than that. Forget the unfortunate name of Glouton [Glutton]. Monsieur Glouton was a highly intelligent man and reputedly a brilliant teacher. Alas, he was no businessman.
French elections – Brighton style 2022
August 1, 2022 / suzannethinton / Leave a comment
For four days in 2022, part of the Unitarian Church in New Road, Brighton became a little bit of France. Look hard and you will see the "writing on the door". On a background of the French tricolore is the single word Élections.
Image: S. Hinton
Sunday 10 April was the day of the first round of the French les présidentielles [presidential election]. The several thousand French voters in the Brighton area and wider afield (postcodes BN, PO and SO) seemed to have preferred to stay in bed.
Only 25% of those registered to vote in Brighton voted. Few came to Brighton. Not surprising. Many roads were closed for the Brighton marathon and movement around the city was difficult. Of the 25%, some had already voted by post; a very large number had opted to vote via Internet. Several Brighton residents were registered to vote at polling stations in other parts of the UK (London, Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester and Leeds, Aberdeen, Edinburgh or Glasgow). Perhaps more significantly, there were 12 candidates on the list. No one candidate was likely to take an outright win. Voters would have to return to les urnes [the ballot box] for le deuxième tour [second round].
That was indeed the case: in the first round, Emmanuel Macron (of La république en marche – a "centrist- liberal" party) gained the support of 44% of that small band of voters, followed a considerable way behind by left-winger Jean-Luc Mélenchon (24%).
Environmentalist Yannick Jadot came third in the ballot with a respectable 9%. (Brighton is, of course, noted for its "Green thinking" population) Finally came the two extreme right-wingers: Eric Zemmour and Marine Le Pen (both around 4%).
The second round of voting was a run-off between incumbent president, Emmanuel Macron, and Marine Le Pen. On April 24 just over one third (34%) of local eligible French voters cast their vote. And there was no doubt about their decision: M. Macron clocked in at just over 88% while Mme Le Pen trailed far behind at just under 9%. Pity the poor French voters in our area. No sooner had they been asked to turn out for les présidentielles than on 12 June they were invited to come and vote in les législatives [parliamentary elections].
North-west Europe sends one député [M.P.] to the French Assemblée Nationale [lower house of parliament / House of Commons].
The first round of voting attracted less than 3% of local French voters into Brighton in person. It is not surprising, then, that two of the 12 candidates received 0% votes at the Brighton polling station. And back again the voters had to come on 19 June for the second round. This time nearly 5% of them came to do their civic duty (bearing in mind that the majority had a postal or internet vote). And surprise, surprise, many of the roads were again closed – this time for the British Heart Foundation London-Brighton Bike Ride.
In the second round, the incumbent, Alexandre Holroyd , a close ally of M. Macron, was opposed by Charlotte Minvielle of Europe Écologie Les Verts [a Green party]. Alexandre Holroyd kept his seat. But no thanks to voters in Brighton. Nor to those in any other of the nations which form the 3rd circonscription [constituency].
French voters in Copenhagen, Dublin, Edinburgh, Helsinki, Oslo, Reykjavík, Riga, Stockholm, Tallin and Vilnius all gave Mme Minvielle a majority – Reykjavik massively at 75% as opposed to a mere 25% for M. Holroyd. "London" (i.e. all the English polling stations) voted overwhelmingly for M. Holroyd (60%). And "London" has, of course, far more French voters than practically all the other constituent nations combined (31,000 as against, for example, 97 in Riga).
However, these statistics hide what happened in Brighton. In the second round, Charlotte Minvielle outstripped Alexandre Holroyd. She won 54% des voix [of the votes] to 42% for the sitting member. Again, Brighton's "Green" credentials came to the fore.
So what would greet you as you walked into the Unitarian Church Hall? Smiling faces and a relaxed atmosphere. A good start.
Next you will spot la table de décharge [the issuing table]. On the table are the registers of voters, a pile of envelopes and two piles of cards. Today, for the deuxième tour des législatives, one pile contains blue and white cards. They are those bearing the name of Alexandre Holroyd. The other pile is of green and white cards. They have Charlotte Minville's name on them.
Image: Deuxième tour des législatives, Brighton June 2022 © Frédéric Laloux
After showing a form of identity, you will be allowed to pick up one card from each pile and a blue envelope (which will be the identical shape or colour whether you are in Oslo, Paris, Nouméa, Fort-de-France or Canberra – Vive Napoléon and uniformity).
[Note: if there are 12 candidates, as is often the case in a first round of elections, there will be 12 identically sized cards, each card with the name of one candidate. Voters must pick up a minimum of two cards and up to a maximum of however many candidates there are.]
Next you will move into an isoloire [voting booth]. It is very unlike the very casual and largely open British booths. You would do well not to suffer from claustrophobia. Once inside, you will choose one card (and one card only, otherwise you spoil your vote), put it into the envelope and leave you hidey-hole.
Image: Image: © Ceridwen Creative Commons
When you emerge from the isoloire you will be asked to place your envelope in the urne [ballot box] and sign your name on the register of voters. And voilà, you have cast your vote.
Image: Brighton polling station. Image: © Frédéric Laloux
Many thanks to M. Frédéric Laloux, Honorary French Consul for Brighton and Newhaven for supplying the photographs and all of the information about the Brighton Polling Station.
Education 1: Thyra Creyke-Clark
June 1, 2022 June 23, 2022 / suzannethinton / Leave a comment
When I started work in October 1974 as the part-time French teacher at Davies's College in Cromwell Road, Hove, all I knew of my predecessor was that she was called Thyra Creke-Clark and had died suddenly the previous July. According to the Principal of the college she had been "a formidable woman"
Window detail, 47 Cromwell Road, 2006. © S. Hinton
Caen Stone: Part Three – 20th and 21st centuries
May 1, 2022 / suzannethinton / Leave a comment
Once they became mined out, the underground quarries of Caen stone generally presented no problems. They were excellent for producing mushrooms on a commercial basis. However, with pressure to build for an expanding population in the mid-20th century, many of the voids had to be filled in before building could take place. Several quarries, however, played an important and very positive role in the 1940s. During the bombardment of Caen by the Allies in 1944 these quarries provided safe refuge.
Refugees (including dogs) from Allied bombing on Caen in June 1944. Image courtesy of "Le Parisien" newspaper.
Although nearly 2000 inhabitants of the city died within two months of the D-Day landings on 6 June, many hundreds more owed their lives to the redundant quarries where their forefathers may have worked for many generations before them.
Comte et Comtesse de Flahaut
March 27, 2022 / suzannethinton / Leave a comment
French diplomat Auguste-Charles-Joseph de Flahaut de La Billarderie, comte de Flahaut had the characteristics of a Don Juan and those of a courageous soldier in equal parts. With his charm and tact, he must have been a popular visitor to Brighton. It is not entirely clear whether the same can be said of his wife.
Portrait of Charles de Flahaut c. 1864 Source: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Portrait_de_Charles_de_Flahaut.JPG">MOSSOT
Caen Stone: Part Two – 19th century
February 27, 2022 / suzannethinton / Leave a comment
In the 11th century, the honey-coloured French limestone used in Sussex may well have come from quarries beneath the centre of the town of Caen itself. William of Normandy had his own quarry at the foot of his castle in the town. Other quarries opened and closed over the centuries.
Today there are over 250 hectares (600 acres) of mined galleries beneath the streets of Caen and its suburbs. In a somewhat unpatriotic statement, an inhabitant of the town has compared the area to a certain Swiss cheese: Le sous-sol de Caen est devenu un véritable gruyère constellé d'anciennes carrières. [Underground Caen has become a veritable gruyere cheese, with its constellation of ancient quarries.]
A quarry somewhere in Normandy in 2017. Image courtesy of the Rouen Norwich Club.
Being a "monumental" stone, the variety from Caen was rarely used during the 18th century or early 19th century in Brighton. Neither the Royal Pavilion (completed 1823) nor St Peter's Church (1827) originally contained any Caen stone. When the construction of these two building was first planned, the Napoleonic wars had barely ended and it was probably thought more patriotic to use render on brick (Pavilion) or Portland Stone (St Peter's).
A few years later, however, Caen stone became very fashionable in Brighton. There seem to have been two reasons for this: first, the development of the ports of Shoreham and Newhaven and the railway lines from these two ports to Brighton (opened in 1840 and 1847 respectively); second, the fact that import duty on the stone had been lowered in 1845.
Brighton is fortunate in its close sea links with Normandy. It was relatively easy to import the stone by ship. This was not always without mishap.
In the afternoon of Sunday 5 October 1852 the 150-ton schooner Honoria left Caen "laden with a cargo of stone". The next day' Brighton "was visited with a tempest of unparalleled violence. During the whole of the day the rain descended in torrents". And that was just on land. At sea, the Honoria was battling the elements "her sails all torn and hanging in tatters from her mast." By 8pm she had lost her battle, having been out of control and driven onto the rocks at Blackrock just east of Kemp Town.
The vessel suffered catastrophic damage. The crew lost everything except their lives. Fortunately all five of them were saved. But what of the cargo? "Her cargo being stone, will, in all probability, roll out when the ship goes to pieces, and the greater part of it recovered when the tide goes down again."
Just one month later, the Brighton Gazette carried this advertisement:
The mid-to-late 1800s were a boom time for the use of Caen stone in Brighton, coinciding with a spate of church building to cater for the still rapidly expanding population. The following examples are the tip of the iceberg:
1846: Cornices and parapets of the London Road Viaduct topped out in Caen stone.
Image courtesy of Royal Pavilion & Museums, Brighton & Hove.
1847: St Paul's West Street Brighton: "In the south aisle of the church is an octagonal font of Caen stone, with a beautifully carved panel on the eastern side representing the baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ in the river Jordan. The exterior of the church is built of flint and dressed with Caen stone." 11 November 1847 Brighton Gazette
1850: In St Peter's Church, Brighton, there is a memorial to Emily Jane Crozier: "over the north-east aisle … a gothic Caen-stone monument has been placed; and in the niche is a white marble female figure … weeping over an urn." 13 June 1850 Brighton Gazette
1851: Royal Pavilion: On 14 September 1850, the Pavilion Committee of ten local male worthies made a major decision. The committee would accept the designs of sculptor John Thomas for "Chimney Pieces in Caen Stone for the two Galleries in the eastern front & the breakfast room." Mr Thomas's estimate for the work at £120 was also accepted. At the same meeting it was "Resolved That Messrs Cheeseman do supply Caen stone Chimney pieces … to the Long Gallery." In all, the committee was to authorise six new chimney pieces in Caen stone.
© Royal Pavilion and Museums Review, 1978 Number 2
I am indebted to David Beevers (Keeper of the Royal Pavilion) and Alexandra Loske (Curator (Royal Pavilion Estate and Archives) for information about the fate of these replacement Chimney Pieces:
"The two in the Banqueting Room are still in place and there are two in the Red Drawing Room. The North Drawing Room was renamed about 20 years ago and is now called the Music Room Gallery. It has two Caen stone chimneypieces.
The Music Room chimneypiece was replaced in 1987-8 with a fibrous plaster replica of the original The South Drawing Room is now called the Banqueting Room Gallery. This room no longer has its Caen stone chimneypieces. They were removed in the 1980s and replaced by replicas of the originals."
The sad news is, according to Mr Beevers and Dr Loske, that not only are the 1850s Chimney pieces "now at Buckingham Palace" but that also "one is in pieces in the basement, and in about 2005 the other was placed in an upstairs room called the Prince Regent Gallery."
1852: All Saints Church, Compton Road, Brighton: "The walls are externally of cracked flint, with dressings of Caen stone; internally of the same stone dressings, with plaster." 12 August 1852 Brighton Gazette.
[By 1904, the building was in need of much repair: "Messrs Jacob Elliott and Sons, Patent Stone Manufacturers, Hastings, have just restored in their Patent Stone Composition the Decayed Natural Stonework (Caen Stone) to the west side of All Saints' Church, Brighton … Some of the stonework was so badly decayed as to be thought to be beyond repair being decayed to a depth of five inches." This report in Hastings and St Leonards Observer confirms the general observation that only the very best and hardest Caen stone is suitable for outside masonery. All Saints' Church was built to serve the railway workers from the nearby Brighton station and loco works. Had it been built on the cheap? The church was demolished in 1957.]
1861: St Mary Magdalen Church, Brighton: "Internally the walls are stuccoed, and Caen stone is adopted for the pillars, arches, windows ,&c." 24 July 1861 Brighton Guardian.
1871: St Anne's Church, Kemp Town: "A reredos carved out of a block of Caen stone 8ft. long and 4ft. high, weighing nearly 20cwt. And bearing a representation of the Last supper." 30 May 1872 Brighton Gazette. The church was demolished in 1986. The reredos could not be saved.
1878: St Mary the Virgin Church, Kemp Town, Brighton "the Caen stone pulpit at the north-east corner of the nave with panels [depicts] Biblical subjects including: Satan and the Tree of Knowledge and Christ with the Woman at the Well; carvings by Bennett and Nicholls costing 202 pounds." Historic England listing.
Pulpit, St Mary's Church, Kemp Town Photo: S. Hinton
Caen stone can be found across the city in many other forms such as the Memorial tablet to 1st Duke of Bristol in St Mark's Church, Kemp Town (1860) and the columns flanking the proscenium arch of the newly reconstructed (1866) Theatre Royal in New Road.
So popular did Caen stone become, especially in England but also in the United States, that by the late 19th century, nearly all the quarries were exhausted. Was Brighton ever to use Caen stone again?
To be continued …
Les Jumeaux de Brighton
January 30, 2022 / suzannethinton / Leave a comment
On 5 February 1908, two little girls were born at 18 Riley Road, Brighton. They were the conjoined twins, Daisy and Violet Hilton.
Five weeks later, Tristan Bernard published his comedy Les Jumeaux de Brighton [The Brighton Twins ].
Title screen of the 1936 film version of the Bernard play. Rights owner sought


OK. You've acquired a drum set (or practice rig) that's small enough for your pre-school child. You've set it up. You've taught the youngster to listen and feel, the backbeat flow of every song that crosses their ears.
If you click the links below, remember to click the BACK BUTTON when you are ready to return to this document. There won't be any return links at the (online) web page below.
Maybe you've devoted another two or three minutes to Holding the Sticks, and kicking the Pedals. You may have even dealt with the 'Southpaw' issue, if it exists. It really shouldn't exist, since the child is so young. The odds are good that you can teach the full right-handed approach.
If they learn, the 'right-handed' way, they should always remain right-handed, thus avoiding all the unnecessary confusion that goes with that. Anyway . . . that topic is also covered on the above linked page, as well. See that lesson if you have any curiosities about those things.
Walk out of the room, and tell the child to play and have fun. Let the kid bang away at his/her heart's content. Encourage them to just plow into the drum set their own way. Allow them to have a ball!
After all . . . the kid sees that drum set as a SUPER TOY!
That's exctly what we want! We want that drum set to remain in the 'toy' category forever, as far as the child is concerned. If he/she sees it as a toy, we probably won't ever have much trouble getting them to practice, and play.
Try it these two ways . . .
Put on a good solid rock beat song, and instruct them to pretend they are the drummer on the recording. See if the child will TRY to play along with music for awhile.
It's also good to shut the music off, and allow them to just bang away.
Let the kid, be a kid! Permit them make all the noise they want to make.
Leave the room, and grab your favorite brew, from the fridge. Pop the lid, and head for the hammock, or lawn-chair, in the yard. Get as far away as you dare.
Get accustomed to teaching this way. You'll be doing it THIS way, 90% of the time.
Isn't it great to be a teacher? Now you know my best kept secret! This is the REAL REASON I became a career teacher, haha!
Seriously though . . . it's true! Every second you can get your child to bang and flail away, is a second gained, when it comes to developing coordination. All that aimless banging and flailing is good!
The child is building delicate muscles every time he or she hits any drum.
They're also learning to trust their own instincts! They're USING THEIR OWN IMAGINATION, at creating their own ideas, and rhythms too.
All of that is very, very important!
Drumming is largely a 'creative' endeavor. Creating our own individual rhythmic ideas, is half the fun. That's really what it is all about! Creativity BEGINS in the imagination!
So . . . Let the child be in charge! Don't worry too much about what it sounds like right now. I'm certain it sounds great to them, and that's what really counts the most!
Before leaving the room, point at the bass drum pedal. Tell them to hit it too! They'll need to learn to press on the bass pedal, and strike that drum as well. Be CERTAIN they are pressing the bass pedal with the RIGHT-FOOT! Tell them it's important . . . then back away.
NOTE: The left-foot (hi-hat) isn't as important, in the beginning. We drummers tend to keep the Hi-hat closed most of the time anyway. We'll train and develop the left-foot later. Right now . . . it's almost too much to worry about, so don't.
But . . . DO coax the child to use the right-foot (bass drum) as much as possible. It's very important to develop the delicate (right) leg and foot muscles too. The development is occurring each time they connect that pedal and make the beater-ball hit the bass drum head.
If the child is having trouble making the pedal connect . . . check the springs on the pedal. The springs on the pedal may be adjusted too tightly. Loosen and adjust those springs in such a way that makes it easiest for the child to get a sound, each time they press the pedal.
Also; Occasionally coax the child to push harder and harder. Then . . . back away. It's often VERY DIFFICULT for the smaller children to accomplish this, in the beginning. Those muscles will develop as they play, and have fun. We'll be tackling this very common problem in the upcoming lesson(s).
OK! YOUR BREAK IS OVER!
GET OUT OF THAT HAMMOCK!
After giving our young tyke a little time to get familiar with the set, maybe we should now give them a few 'coordinating projects' to occupy a little more of their attention.
Once we've allowed them ample time to just PLAY and HAVE FUN, we will want to focus on an ultimate objective, then follow a specific path towards reaching that objective. Expect this to take some time.
Our objective is to eventually teach our pre-schooler to repeat the 8th rock beat at super human tempos (speeds.) This, in most cases, will take some doing. It will often consume up to 3 or 4 months, with most kids at age 5! Maybe longer! Remember this and expect it!
Sure! I've dealt with a very limited 'few' kids who have learned to play the 8th rock beat on the very first day, but that was only on very rare occasions. Do not expect that to happen! If it does happen, it's a plus . . . but it problably will NOT happen.
Three-months tends to be more like the average, NORMAL, amount of time we need to expect, as we're headed into this daunting task. Be prepared to push your own 'patience-level' to the max! You'll be needing a lot of 'hammock time', as we tackle this project.
Be ready for that! It's a tough job, haha!
We must remember that we're dealing with a kid that possibly just learned to walk and talk, a year or so ago. Don't ever forget that!
We need to accept that we're dealing with a 'normal attention span' of maybe 10 seconds or less! If we do not keep these, very normal, and very natural, facts in mind, our possibilities at suceeding will be extremely limited.
We'll be injecting very short, ten-second lessons, over a period of many weeks and maybe several months. Kids will need a LOT more time to learn on their own, without us baggering them. That equates to a LOT of Hammock-time for us teachers.
"YOU", the teacher will need to learn to repeat the 8th rock beat at super-human speeds. You should give it a try right now; Then (click the back button and) return to this page, once you get the hang of it. Teach yourself to play the 8th rock beat, now! It may take "YOU" ten or fifteen minutes!
Are you doing it yet? Can you repeat the 8th rock pattern and can you recognize it in the music you hear around you every day?
If not . . . Don't worry! The next lessons will lead you there . . . at the same level we'll be taking with your pre-school child. You'll surely get the hang of it this way . . . BEFORE THEY DO!
You'll get it as we go! Don't panic!
This NEXT PAGE, will break the 8th rock beat down into VERY easy steps. It's designed to build the needed cordinating, and concentration abilities, into almost anyone. Click on the next lesson, even if you don't think you are ready yet.