Dynamic Libecki Duo Bring Technology to Remote Peru
Earlier this year, Dell was proud to partner once again with famed National Geographic Explorer and Dell Ambassador, Mike Libecki; this time to bring technology to a remote village in Paspha, Peru. This small mountain community is populated by a vibrant people that showcase some of the most recognizable culture associated with Peru.This proud community did not have access to some of the latest technology that could help them in their day to day lives and enhance the education of their children, the wealth of the village. Mike Libecki and his intrepid 14-year-old daughter, Lilliana, brought solar power, internet, and Dell Latitude products to serve a need and give back to the world that they have explored and shared with so many. In order to ensure a lasting impact on the village, we sent Latitude Educational laptops, engineered with lessons learned from Latitude Rugged. Because Dell employs a unified engineering team each of our product lines benefits from the lessons learned from another. So even in a remote village, Latitude Educational products have inherited some of the features that make Latitude Rugged great: MIL STD 810G certification, stronger hinges, robust keyboards, and other refinements courtesy of Dell Latitude Rugged that you won’t find in competing products.Here’s Lilliana on her experience during that incredible adventure, in her own words:“In a world where we can be and do anything, be kind and do good!” – Lilliana LibeckiOur Rays of Joy Humanitarian Expedition to Peru was a success! With the most incredible team, we explored through Peru, climbed to the summit of Mount Ishinca, and most importantly, gave back in hopes to make the planet a better place. This year, we did a humanitarian trip at the Pashpa School in Pashpa, Peru.There, we brought new laptops provided by Dell and taught the teachers and students how to use them to help advance their education and ultimately create opportunity and a better quality of life now and in the future. To power these computers and keep them working throughout the year, Goal Zero provided solar panels, lights, and solar generators which we installed hands-on to make sure everything was 100 percent in working order and sustainable for years to come.Along with this new technology, we painted the inside and outside of the new computer center. And, this new computer center building did not even exist a month before we arrived! We worked with the locals, Human Outreach Project, and my personal nonprofit organization The Joyineering Fund, to have the new computer center built and complete the entire project. An incredible success, and giving to the local community is a gift of joy for all of us.While all of this was amazing, the community, families and children couldn’t have been more welcoming, kind and appreciative. This humanitarian effort gave us the opportunity to create memories, spread joy, and make a positive impact on a beautiful global community. Who knows what these efforts of giving back can make! We even brought thousands of new socks, shoes and other products to add more quality in their lives, that was very much needed, it all comes down to teamwork!Anything in this world happening that is quality takes ultimate teamwork! We really can be the change we want to see! It’s important to ask ourselves and those around us, what are we doing to make the world a better place? What do we have planned to give back both locally and globally? Its very clear to me: ‘In a world where you can be and do anything, be kind and do good.’https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUhwo76GYdQ&feature=youtu.beLilliana Libecki is 14 years old and was born in Salt Lake City, Utah. Some of her first passions in life were skiing, soccer, playing music and traveling. She started skiing when she was two years old, playing soccer at four, and went to on her first international adventure trip at 8 months old with her dad to Thailand. She has now been to 26 countries, all seven continents, five major expeditions with her dad to Antarctica (twice), Africa, Nepal, and Peru. These expeditions are humanitarian/philanthropy based expeditions. Lilliana has been inspired to give back to our planet and people, and that is her focus in life (she started her own nonprofit 501c3 to give back), aside from being an honor roll student, playing musical instruments (currently Mandolin), spending time with friends and her interest in photography and filmmakingShe has climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa; she is the youngest girl to accomplish a backcountry ski expedition in remote Antarctica, and climbed ascents/mountains in Nepal over 19,000 feet on a 150+ mile trek. She just returned from climbing 18,000+ foot peaks in Peru during a humanitarian trip. Lilliana and her dad just finalized a nonprofit 501c3 organization, The Joyineering Fund, conceived of by Lilliana, committed to giving back to the planet, people and animals.Her main goal while traveling and adventuring is to find ways give back to the planet and people in hopes of improving the quality of life of people, as well as creatures great and small.She loves animals (has dogs, cats, parrot, pig, chickens), playing music (banjo and piano and mandolin), art, reading, writing and spending time with family and friends.Lilliana received the Zack Martin Breaking Barriers Grant from the American Alpine Club twice as well as a Young Guns Grant. She is now presenting her stories to the public and is always looking for new ways to share her message and help inspire others to get out in nature and care about our planet, people and animals…All of Mother Earth!
There were 1,228 new regular benefit claims for Unemployment Insurance last week, an increase of 342 from the week before, as claims increased following a steady decline. Altogether 12,821 new and continuing claims were filed, an increase of 456 from a week ago and 2,696 fewer than a year earlier. The Department also processed 2,089 First Tier claims for benefits under Emergency Unemployment Compensation, 2008 (EUC08), 20 fewer than a week ago. In addition, there were 964 Second Tier claims for benefits processed under the EUC08 program, which is an increase of 11 from the week before. The Unemployment Weekly Report can be found at: http://www.vtlmi.info/(link is external). Previously released Unemployment Weekly Reports and other UI reports can be found at: http://www.vtlmi.info/lmipub.htm#uc(link is external)
By Gonzalo Silva Infante/Diálogo October 12, 2018 From July to September 2018, the Peruvian Armed Forces neutralized more than five terrorists, destroyed several guerrilla camps, and seized firearms and ammunition in the Apurímac, Ene, and Mantaro Rivers Valley (VRAEM, in Spanish), a hotbed for crime. Service members also carried out joint operations with the Peruvian National Police (PNP) to fight narcotrafficking. Under a new law, the Armed Forces can conduct law enforcement duties against narcotrafficking in areas of the VRAEM under a state of emergency. Law No. 30796 of June 21, 2018, authorizes the Armed Forces to intervene in VRAEM by land, water, and air to counter narcotrafficking. The law amends Legislative Decree No. 1241 of 2015, which strengthens the fight against narcotrafficking. Under the new law, the military will be able to arrest narcotraffickers and seize drugs to then bring detainees and illicit goods to PNP. The law “makes collaboration with PNP more flexible in its constitutional mission to counter narcotrafficking, as we can carry out operations to counter this crime without depending on police,” said Peruvian Army Major General Manuel Gómez de la Torre, commander of the VRAEM Special Command and commander of the Army’s Fourth Division. “However, I think it’s important to continue the comprehensive work that would allow us to add the capabilities of each state institution in our quest to reduce or remove threats to security and development in Peru,” he told Díalogo. Limited actions The role of the Armed Forces against narcotrafficking in VRAEM was limited to joint patrols with PNP, when they requested it, and providing logistics support to neutralize illicit trafficking in the area. Service members also participated in territorial and riverine control operations jointly with PNP, and generated intelligence through air monitoring. However in the absence of police, service members couldn’t take action. “I think it’s completely illogical that an Army officer, a captain in charge of a base, cannot conduct an interdiction with their personnel if someone comes and informs them that some narcotrafficking will happen near their base,” Peruvian Congressman Carlos Tubino Arias Schreiber told Diálogo. “No, the narcotrafficking happens just under their noses, because they have to call PNP to take action. And in the end, narcotrafficking happens. So, any observer might think that this captain is involved with narcotrafficking, because they were informed and narcotrafficking happened.” Although support of the Armed Forces to PNP has been crucial, Tubino, who presented the law, believed that drug interdiction needed further attention. “Colombia, with the National Police and the Armed Forces under the Ministry of Defense, acts directly against narcotrafficking, and its interdiction percentage is about 40 percent, and here we can’t even reach 12 percent,” he said. Involving the Armed Forces Although Congress passed the law, it’s pending presidential approval to take effect. The legislation isn’t the first to grant law enforcement duties to the Armed Forces in the fight against narcotrafficking. In 1993, Law No. 26247 authorized military participation to capture people involved in narcotrafficking in areas lacking PNP’s presence. In April 1996, the act was repealed. Tubino, a retired Navy vice admiral, introduced the current law based on the former one for its effectiveness against narcotrafficking. “Back then, we put narcotraffickers up against the wall,” said Tubino, who was a political military chief in VRAEM at the time. “That experience led me to always keep in mind that it is possible to involve the Armed Forces, well-trained and prepared, to conduct interdictions, although they cannot replace PNP in their constitutional crime investigation and follow-up role.” Positive impact The Armed Forces and PNP welcomed the law for the most part, but certain groups in both institutions have shown some resistance. Some people are also concerned with granting too much power to the military. “We are talking about inhospitable areas in a state of emergency, areas of complex military operations, where we tell the Armed Forces they have to fight not only against terrorism, but also against these groups’ logistics, to commit to conduct interdiction,” Tubino said. “If there is no real commitment to this, peacekeeping efforts in VRAEM won’t be successful.” To balance the knowledge between service members and PNP, the new law takes into account the need to train units and implement programs and specialized courses in schools of both institutions. Tubino ponders the creation of a school with military and police instructors, both active and retired. According to the congressman, the exchange of information and experience will be highly beneficial. Maj. Gen. Gómez de la Torre highlighted the achievements of his units. “The VRAEM Special Command conducted an ongoing, sustained effort—before and after the law was passed—in the fight against narcotrafficking with the joint and integrated use of land, air, police, and special forces components,” the officer said. “The success achieved attests to this, as we commit ourselves to continue these accomplishments in tasks assigned, with the obvious positive impact the Peruvian state expects.”
February 15, 2003 Regular News Insurance lawyers get conflict, firm name guidance Insurance lawyers get conflict, firm name guidance
Recommendations from a special Bar committee that studied ethics rules for attorneys hired by insurance companies to represent policyholders have been approved by the Florida Supreme Court.They include that insurance company staff attorneys can practice under a traditional law firm name, as long as one person named in the firm title has supervisory responsibility over the staff lawyers. The new rule, though, requires that all such letterhead, business cards, and such state that the lawyers are employed by the insurance company and function independently of the insurance company.The Special Commission on Insurance Practices II looked at conflict issues facing attorneys doing defense insurance work, and related questions, including the desire for insurance staff counsel to use a firm-like name. Its findings were endorsed by the Board of Governors last year.On the conflict issue, the court approved adding subsection (e) to Rule 4-1.7. It reads: “Representation of Insured. Upon undertaking the representation of an insured client at the expense of the insurer, a lawyer has a duty to ascertain whether the lawyer will be representing both the insurer and the insured as clients, or only the insured, and to inform both the insured and the insurer regarding the scope of the representation. All other Rules Regulating The Florida Bar related to conflicts of interest apply to the representation as they would in any other situation.”This paragraph was also added to the comment on the rule: “The unique tripartite relationship of insured, insurer, and lawyer can lead to ambiguity as to whom a lawyer represents. In a particular case, the lawyer may represent only the insured, with the insurer having the status of a non-client third-party payer of the lawyer’s fees. Alternatively, the lawyer may represent both as dual clients, in the absence of a disqualifying conflict of interest, upon compliance with applicable rules. Establishing clarity as to the role of the lawyer at the inception of the representation avoids misunderstanding that may ethically compromise the lawyer. This is a general duty of every lawyer undertaking the representation of a client, which is made specific in this context due to the desire to minimize confusion and inconsistent expectations that may arise.”In Rule 4-7.10 on trade names, a new subsection (g) was added. It allowed attorneys employed by an insurance company to use a trade name, like a law firm name, as long as several conditions are met. Those include that one person named in the title must have supervisory authority over all the lawyers in the unit; letterhead, Web sites, business cards, and other forms that list the name must disclose that all the lawyers are employees of the insurance company; clients must be specifically told that the lawyers are insurance company employees; court filings must also reveal that relationship; and a disclosure must be made any time the lawyer reasonably knows his or her role could be misunderstood by a client or potential client.The comment to the rule also specifies there must be physical and functional separation between the attorneys and the rest of the insurance company. It also says that filings that would be submitted to a jury in cases where insurance coverage is not being disclosed do not have to reveal that the attorney is an employee of the insurance company.The court ordered that the new rules become effective, and lawyers must be in compliance with them, on July 1. The complete text of the new rules and comments can be found on the Bar’s Web site, www.flabar.org, and the opinion and test of the rules can also be found on the court’s site at www.flcourts.org.
On June 6, Michael John Colitz, Jr., whose last known business address is in Largo, was suspended from the practice of law in Ohio for five years, with two years stayed, and will not be reinstated to the practice of law in Ohio until such time as he is reinstated to the practice of law by the U. S. Department of Commerce, U. S. Patent and Trademark Office, according to the Ohio Supreme Court.Colitz’ Ohio attorney registration number is 0027952.For more information, see the Ohio Supreme Court’s entry in Disciplinary Counsel v. Colitz, 99 Ohio St.3d 1216, 2003-Ohio-3302, at www.sconet.state.oh.us/ROD/documents.Tampa Bay Red Cross honors Stetson law Briefs The Fourth Annual Conference of the Florida Trial Court Staff Attorneys Association is set for October 9 – 10 at the Adam’s Mark Daytona Beach Resort.Attendees will earn CLE hours in areas that specifically apply to judicial staff attorney positions.On October 9, attendees also can mix and mingle with other staff attorneys at high rates of speed during a group outing to Daytona USA, home of NASCAR’s Daytona 500. The next day participants will enjoy a luncheon while participating in a panel discussion with other staff attorneys on the latest issues affecting the trial courts.The registration fee for the conference is $70 for members and $140 for nonmembers. Late fees apply to those who register after September 8.FAMU law establishes scholarship Florida Bar members should now have paid their annual Bar fees.The fee statements were mailed in late May. The fees were payable July 1 and are late after August 15.Members will receive one of two fee statements: one designed for active members and another for those who have elected inactive status. Annual fees are still $265. Inactive members pay $175. Eligible members may pay online at www.FLABAR.org.Under the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar, fees postmarked after August 15 will be assessed a late fee.Gogel petitions for reinstatement Pursuant to Rule 3-7.10, Steven Werner Effman of Plantation has petitioned the Supreme Court for Florida Bar reinstatement.Effman was suspended for 91 days for engaging in inappropriate sexual relationships with clients which affected the attorney-client relationship.Any person having knowledge bearing upon Effman’s fitness or qualifications to resume the practice of law may contact Joel M. Klaits, Bar Counsel, The Florida Bar, 5900 North Andrews Ave., Ste. 835, Ft. Lauderdale 33309, telephone (954) 772-2245.Ohio suspends Colitz The Florida Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission is accepting applications for two Capital Collateral Regional counsels appointed by the governor within the middle and southern regions of the state.The middle region consists of the Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Ninth, 10th, 12th, 13th, and 18th judicial circuits; and the southern region consists of the 11th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 19th, and 20th judicial circuits.Applicants must indicate each regional office for which they are applying.Applicants must have been a member in good standing of The Florida Bar or a similar organization in another state for the preceding five years. Additionally, an applicant should meet the standards as set out in Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.112.Applications may be obtained from the Florida Bar Web site at www.flabar.org.Eleven copies of the completed application with attachments must be received by John E. Fisher, JNC chair, 20 N. Orange Ave., Ste. 1500, Orlando 32801-4624, no later than 5 p.m., September 2. Interviews will be conducted on September 18 in Orlando at the office of the chair.The Supreme Court JNC will recommend three qualified applicants to the governor for each appointment. Subject to Senate confirmation, each counsel will serve for a term of three years with an annual salary of $110,000. A description of duties can be found in F.S. §27.702. A person appointed as a regional counsel may not run for or accept appointment to any state office for two years following vacation of office.Bush makes more JNC appointments After a decade of rapid membership growth, the Labor and Employment Law Section is looking for new ways to serve members, and working to help members cope with changes in employment law.“We have revised our committee structure to provide better service to members,” said section Chair Cathy Beveridge.The section is examining all of its operations and CLE courses, she said, and that includes beginning a new membership directory.The council has also arranged to have all of its meetings right before CLE courses, with a reception after the seminar as a way to welcome members and get them involved in section activities.On CLE courses, Beveridge said the section has been following trends and working to keep members informed.Since September 11, there has been a change in cases involving discrimination based on national origin. Beveridge said people with Arabic backgrounds have been facing more discrimination and consequently bringing more cases.Another change is more lawyers are turning to state instead of federal courts for employment-based cases.“There are some real positives to going to state court as opposed to federal court, and vice versa,” she said. “The attorney has to decide which venue is best.”For more information about the section, contact its administrator Angela Froelich at (850) 561-5633.Miami PD goes international The Tampa Bay chapter of the American Red Cross awarded Stetson University College of Law a Good Neighbor Award at its recent annual meeting in Safety Harbor.The award was presented to organizations that “made a significant humanitarian contribution to the local community in support of the American Red Cross.” Stetson supported the Tampa Bay chapter’s Speakers Bureau by providing facilities, equipment, and staff support for its volunteer training session.“Stetson is proud to offer assistance to the American Red Cross,” said Dean Darby Dickerson, who is also a board member for the organization’s Tampa chapter. “Many Stetson students and professors have participated in chapter events.”Professor Richard Graves, instructor of legal research and writing, accepted the award on behalf of Stetson on June 26 at Safety Harbor Resort and Spa.Labor and Employment Law Section works to better serve its members The Paralegal Association of Florida, Inc. has set its 27th Annual Seminar and Membership Meeting for September 12-13 at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort in Orlando.The seminar includes general and double-track sessions focusing on civil litigation and business entities. In addition, general sessions include Jennifer Eden, speaking on “Piercing the Corporate Veil” and “Drafting Asset/Purchase Agreements.”Double-track sessions offer a choice of topics on the civil litigation track of “Discovery and Litigation: Requests to Admit” and “Trial Documents: Jury Instructions;” Andrew Hament speaking on “Hiring and Firing Employees and Avoiding Legal Nightmares: An Overview of the Many Laws and Regulations Affecting Employment Relationships;” and James Fallace speaking on “Covenants Not to Compete.” The business entities track features Kenneth Norman speaking on “What are the Choices? LLP, LLC, FLP, C-Corp, S-Corp, GP or LP,” Frank A. Rodriguez speaking on “Liability and Asset Protection Strategies in Transactional Law,” Kenneth Gluckman speaking on “Buying/Selling/Merging,” and Robin A. Lloyd, Sr., speaking on “Drafting Closing Documents.”The event also offers for its certified legal assistant participants a “CLA Breakfast,” with a presentation by L. Scott Fairchild, Psy.D. Participants may also enjoy a Friday evening that includes admission to and a buffet dinner served in one of the several themed nightclubs at Pleasure Island.Association members may attend the PAF’s 27th Annual Membership Meeting, during which the 2003-2004 board will be elected. A membership forum will be held on September 13 at 1 p.m. where paralegal regulation and other issues concerning PAF members will be discussed.Seminar rates are $145 for PAF members and $160 for nonmembers, and include educational sessions, handout materials, two continental breakfasts, and one luncheon. The Paradise Island admission and restaurant buffet dinner, CLA Breakfast, and Installation Banquet are optional and charged separately.For more information call the Paralegal Association of Florida at (800) 433-4352 or visit its Web site at www.pafinc.org.Walker to lead Caribbean Bar August 15, 2003 Regular News
When Holly Marie Stutz entered the Florida A&M University College of Law in August 2002, she was pursuing a long-deferred dream to become an attorney. Now her family wants to help other students achieve that goal.Stutz, a member of the FAMU College of Law’s inaugural class and an employee in the 10th Circuit Public Defenders Office, passed away in December after a battle with cancer. Her family now has established the Holly Marie Stutz Memorial Scholarship Fund at the law school to benefit a part-time evening program student working for an agency that provides legal services to the indigent.The new scholarship fund was announced in July when the family presented its gift. James and Ann Stutz and Suzanne Dengler, Stutz’ sister, were in attendance, as well as Marion Moorman, the 10th Circuit public defender.“The fact that the scholarship benefits students who work for an agency that provides legal services to the indigent matches the law school’s core mission of serving the under served,” said Dean Percy R. Luney, Jr.Dean Luney described Stutz as a “standout” in the school’s inaugural class.Carlos Woody, president of the Student Bar Association, presented the Stutz family with a proclamation on behalf of the 2002 inaugural class.The first Holly Marie Stutz scholarship will be awarded this fall.Volunteer lawyers sought for tax work Because Miami-Dade County has the highest immigration rate in the country, many clients of the public defender’s office are not U.S. citizens.Miami-Dade Public Defender Bennett H. Brummer recently met with local consular officials from 20 countries to increase cooperation to improve indigent defense representation.One of the main concerns expressed by the consular officials was the need to locate their detained citizens who may be experiencing great distress or confusion because of cultural and language barriers.“Authorities do not always notify us when one of our citizens is detained and that is a disappointment,” one consular official said, according to Brummer’s office.Brummer responded that although consular notification is the responsibility of law enforcement, the public defender’s office for the 11th Circuit would implement a process for consular notification, upon the request of a detained foreign national.Other topics discussed included consular notification under the Vienna Convention, access to critical information about detainees’ home countries, and clients’ difficulty in understanding the American criminal justice system and its consequences, particularly deportation.Proposals were discussed, such as addressing several treaties that allow foreign nationals to serve their sentences in their home countries. If the defendant, the state, consulate, and governor agree that the sentence could be served abroad, Brummer said, Florida’s taxpayers would not have to pay the cost of incarceration or supervision, which can range from $17,000 to $27,000 per inmate.“Intercultural exchange for support of indigent defense goes beyond the scope of the criminal justice system,” Brummer said in a prepared statement.“It contributes to the attainment of social justice, civil stability, the rule of law, and the overall improvement of commerce and opportunities for development.”Participating in the meeting were consular officials from countries including Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Germany, Honduras, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Switzerland, Trinidad, Tobago, and Uruguay. Officials from Peru, Bolivia, Honduras, and Nicaragua are also participating in the program.For more information on the consular and public defense cooperation project, contact Sonia Slaughter, project coordinator, at (305) 545-1900 or Brummer by e-mail at pd@pdmiami.com.PAF sets 27th Annual Seminar for September 12-13 in Orlando The Caribbean Bar Association recently elected Dahlia A. Walker as its president for the 2003-2004 calendar year.Other new officers include Robert C.L. Vaughan, vice president; Alana Dasent, secretary; and Andre Hall, treasurer.“As an organization, the Caribbean Bar Association holds a unique position as a unifier of the Caribbean-American community in South Florida, and as an instrument of information, education, and empowerment to the community,” Walker said.“The Caribbean Bar is poised for continued growth in serving the needs of its members and the community at large,” said Marlon A. Hill, the immediate past president. “This new leadership team will provide a sense of promise, energy, and talent to the organization’s mission and vision.”The 11th Circuit’s Put Something Back program recently presented the Caribbean Bar Association its Voluntary Bar Association of the Year award for its presentation of a series of community forums and annual citizenship drives, which benefited thousands of economically disadvantaged residents.For more information about the CBA call (305) 548-3800, or visit www.caribbeanbar.org.Lawyers volunteer to help artists The Children’s Services Council of Broward County is leading an effort to promote the Earned Income Tax Credit and is seeking volunteers to help working families obtain the credit.VITA, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program sponsored by the IRS, is looking for volunteers to help taxpayers with their returns.VITA assists individuals who have problems preparing their own returns and cannot afford professional assistance. VITA helps these people fill out basic tax returns, and answer tax questions. Assistance is provided at locations such as community centers, libraries, and churches.If you would like to become a volunteer contact Doris Kramer at (954) 423-7626. Pursuant to Rule 3-7.10, William A. Gogel of New York City has petitioned the Supreme Court for Florida Bar reinstatement.Gogel was suspended for 30 months as a result of a felony conviction. The suspension was effective October 16, 1997, the date he ceased practicing law due to his suspension in New York.Any persons having knowledge bearing upon Gogel’s fitness or qualifications to resume the practice of law should contact Edward Iturralde, Bar Counsel, The Florida Bar, 651 East Jefferson Street, Tallahassee 32399-0200; phone (850) 561-5786.Effman petitions for reinstatement South Florida’s ArtServe recently hosted an open house to spotlight the Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts Program.More than 20 entertainment law attorneys, law students, and deans from the local law schools attended to learn more about the VLA program and the various ways they can volunteer their services.ArtServe’s coordinator, Andrew Leone, and VLA intern Aisha Salem of the University of Florida Levin College of Law, gave presentations describing the important role the VLA program plays in supporting artists and cultural organizations. Volunteer Meagan Adler of Florida Coastal School of Law also participated.The Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts at ArtServe is one of 48 legal assistance programs operating in the United States that specifically addresses the legal issues concerning the arts and entertainment communities. The VLA’s mission is to strengthen the cultural community by providing pro bono and reduced-cost legal counseling to individual artists and nonprofit arts organizations. The VLA provides a legal referral program to artists and arts and cultural organizations from all creative disciplines including, among others, the visual arts, performing arts, music, literary arts, dance, film, and video. Requests for services often include issues related to contracts, copyright, and other intellectual property matters, and non-profit incorporation and compliance. Individuals and organizations are referred to attorneys who have agreed to take cases on a pro bono basis or for a reduced fee.For more information on the VLA program contact Andrew Leone at (954) 462-9191, ext. 319 or vla@artserve.org.Trial Court Staff Attorneys slate October conference Two CCRCs needed Gov Jeb Bush has made two more appointments to circuit judicial nominating commissions, based on nominations from The Florida Bar. He also made his final two direct appointments to two other circuit JNCs.At its May meeting, the Bar Board of Governors made nominations for 24 of the 26 JNCs, but sought more applications for the Third and 19th circuits before forwarding names to the governor. Under state law, the board nominates three attorneys for each seat.When Bush’s office made the appointments in late June, one direct appointment each in the Fifth and 12th circuits remained vacant.The governor’s office announced all those appointments last month. They were:• In the Third Circuit, Thomas W. Brown of Lake City. Others nominated by the Bar were S. Austin Peele of Lake City and George T. Reeves of Madison.• In the Fifth Circuit, Janice “J.J.” Dahl, a Clermont attorney.• In the 12th Circuit, Nicole A. Ryskamp, a Bradenton attorney.• In the 19th Circuit, James L.S. Bowdish of Jensen Beach. Others nominated by the Bar were Paul R. Berg of Ft. Pierce and Richard J. Dungey of Stuart.Bar fees are due Aug. 15
Pay our farmers what they’re worthI would like to express my opinion about the situation with the farmers. If it wasn’t for farmers, we wouldn’t have fruits and vegetables.The farmers should be paid more money, as they get up at 4:30 in the morning and they are on the go until approximately 10 p.m.Steven P. GoldbergSchenectadyUse excess military funds on healthcareIf you support the military, you should support Medicare for all.Americans have all agreed long ago that we are willing to pool our money together, in the form of taxes, to contribute to our collective safety, in the form of the military.I appreciate the vigor with which we the people fund our military. It shows a dedication to collective, mutual, bi-partisan national defense. But enemies abroad are not the only threat to Americans.Today I am much more concerned about mundane health concerns such as common colds, hypertension, cancer, heart disease etc. than I am about the minuscule militaries of the Middle East. Yet the profit-driven American healthcare system offers minimal solutions to these threats, unless of course you are an investor.The private, corporate, completely for-profit American healthcare system simply fails at defending Americans from the threats that surround us, and it’s no surprise. It’s why the U.S. military is run by the United States not a few multi-national conglomerates.Reduce the abhorrent military spending and redirect those “national defense funds” back towards things that Americans actually need defending from.Americans need healthcare, not more bombs dropping worldwide.Galen HeinsAlbanyImpeachment is a scam; shovel walksAll the phony impeachment antics by Socialist/Democrats, and media aside, the constitutional scholars that testified for the Republican side, like Jonathan Turley, really hit the nail on head.He said you cannot rush to impeachment and accuse the president of doing things that you yourselves are doing. He made the case that there are no impeachable offenses. Anyone with common sense knew all along this was true. The hatred on the Democratic side has been there before Trump got elected. It is all a sham. Long before Trump asked Ukraine to look into Biden’s son, he was written about and being investigated.CBS, Channel 13, CNN and others are so hell-bent about helping Democrats and making a name for themselves, it smells. This Schenectady area is so brain-washed about ridding us of Trump instead of having Congress do what they were hired to do — taking care of the people’s business, not a vendetta.One last thing: It is the duty of all to shovel the sidewalks where you live, not the government’s. What is happening to this nation? Laziness, that’s what is happening. If someone is old, sick, etc., do it for them. Good grief.Al MarvellScotiaMore from The Daily Gazette:EDITORIAL: Find a way to get family members into nursing homesEDITORIAL: Urgent: Today is the last day to complete the censusFoss: Should main downtown branch of the Schenectady County Public Library reopen?EDITORIAL: Thruway tax unfair to working motoristsEDITORIAL: Beware of voter intimidation Categories: Letters to the Editor, OpinionNo excuses for city’s poor snow removalThe excuses for lack of snow removal are lies and a cover-up for not being able to plow the streets in our city. There are 66 miles of roads in the city. Ten plows have just six miles apiece to clear. You make a pass to give people a way to shovel and move their cars. On tight streets, you go down the middle with smaller trucks. First come back after all have been done once and hit the snow removal parts. The employees are hired to be there for the city during emergencies and overtime is expected, not an option. It is their job to clear snow, trees down, flooding, any and all disasters. That’s why employees need to live in the city. They are the first responders to protect and clear our city. When emergency vehicles — fire, ambulance, etc. — can’t make it down the streets, that is unacceptable. No more excuses.David KeenanSchenectady
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The World Health Organization (WHO) said it was moving to update its guidelines on treating people stricken with COVID-19 to reflect results of a clinical trial that showed a cheap, common steroid can help save critically ill patients.Trial results announced on Tuesday showed dexamethasone, used since the 1960s to reduce inflammation in diseases such as arthritis, cut death rates by around a third among the most severely ill COVID-19 patients admitted to hospital.The WHO’s clinical guidance for treating patients infected with the new coronavirus is aimed at doctors and other medical professionals and seeks to use the latest data to inform clinicians on how best to tackle all phases of the disease, from screening to discharge. Topics : Although the dexamethasone study’s results are preliminary, the researchers behind the project said it suggests the drug should immediately become standard care in severely stricken patients.For patients on ventilators, the treatment was shown to reduce mortality by about one third, and for patients requiring only oxygen, mortality was cut by about one fifth, according to preliminary findings shared with WHO.The benefit was only seen in patients seriously ill with COVID-19 and was not observed in patients with milder disease.The positive news comes as coronavirus infections accelerated in some places including the United States and as Beijing cancelled scores of flights to help contain a fresh outbreak in China’s capital.”This is the first treatment to be shown to reduce mortality in patients with COVID-19 requiring oxygen or ventilator support,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a statement late on Tuesday. The agency said it was looking forward to the full data analysis of the study in coming days.”WHO will coordinate a meta-analysis to increase our overall understanding of this intervention. WHO clinical guidance will be updated to reflect how and when the drug should be used in COVID-19,” the agency added.
Metro Sport ReporterSaturday 4 May 2019 11:04 amShare this article via facebookShare this article via twitterShare this article via messengerShare this with Share this article via emailShare this article via flipboardCopy link48Shares Lacazette has formed a strong partnership with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at Arsenal (Getty Images)More: FootballRio Ferdinand urges Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to drop Manchester United starChelsea defender Fikayo Tomori reveals why he made U-turn over transfer deadline day moveMikel Arteta rates Thomas Partey’s chances of making his Arsenal debut vs Man CityAdvertisementAdvertisementThe report claims that Lacazette is ‘very close’ with Barca’s technical secretary Eric Abidal but discussions over a potential move to Camp Nou have not yet taken place.Lacazette is reportedly valued at €70m (£60m) but Barca could lower that by offering either Samuel Umtiti or Andre Gomes as part of the deal.Gomes, who has spent the season on loan at Everton, has already been linked with a move to Arsenal, while Unai Emery has already admitted he would be interested in signing Umtiti.More: Arsenal FCArsenal flop Denis Suarez delivers verdict on Thomas Partey and Lucas Torreira movesThomas Partey debut? Ian Wright picks his Arsenal starting XI vs Manchester CityArsene Wenger explains why Mikel Arteta is ‘lucky’ to be managing Arsenal Barcelona target Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette as alternative signing to Antoine Griezmann Advertisement Alexandre Lacazette is on Barcelona’s summer shortlist (Getty Images)Barcelona are considering a move for Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette, according to reports in Spain.The 27-year-old, who joined the Gunners in a £46.5 million deal from Lyon in the summer of 2017, has scored 18 goals in all competitions for Unai Emery’s side this season.The France international has also formed a solid partnership with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who has found the net 25 times this season.Barcelona, meanwhile, are in the market for a new forward and have reportedly been in talks to sign Antoine Griezmann from Atletico Madrid.ADVERTISEMENTBut according to Mundo Deportivo, Barca view Lacazette as an alternative signing to Griezmann this summer. Comment Advertisement
Advertisement Comment Delph joined Everton from Manchester City (Picture: Getty)Paul Merson has questioned why Unai Emery didn’t try to sign Fabian Delph this summer.Delph left Manchester City to join Everton in July, but Arsenal were never linked with a transfer move for the midfielder.Summer signing and Real Madrid playmaker Dani Ceballos is already impressed fans at Arsenal, but Merson insists Delph is an upgrade on Arsenal’s current midfielders.‘I look at him and wonder why Arsenal didn’t sign him,’ Merson said on Sky Sports.ADVERTISEMENT Merson thinks Delph is better than Arsenal’s current crop of midfielders (Picture: Getty)‘He is better than the midfield three that played against Tottenham.‘He could have played at left back instead of Kolasinac on Sunday.AdvertisementAdvertisement‘I am a big fan of Delph. He can play in certain positions and is an excellent signing for Everton.’ Arsenal should have signed Fabian Delph, says Paul Merson
Metro Sport ReporterTuesday 3 Sep 2019 8:36 amShare this article via facebookShare this article via twitterShare this article via messengerShare this with Share this article via emailShare this article via flipboardCopy link265Shares Advertisement Arsenal 2-2 Tottenham: Unai Emery press conferenceTo view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Play VideoLoaded: 0%0:00Progress: 0%PlayMuteCurrent Time 0:00/Duration Time 7:47FullscreenArsenal 2-2 Tottenham: Unai Emery press conferencehttps://metro.co.uk/video/arsenal-2-2-tottenham-unai-emery-press-conference-1997076/This is a modal window.Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.TextColorWhiteBlackRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanTransparencyOpaqueSemi-TransparentBackgroundColorBlackWhiteRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanTransparencyOpaqueSemi-TransparentTransparentWindowColorBlackWhiteRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanTransparencyTransparentSemi-TransparentOpaqueFont Size50%75%100%125%150%175%200%300%400%Text Edge StyleNoneRaisedDepressedUniformDropshadowFont FamilyProportional Sans-SerifMonospace Sans-SerifProportional SerifMonospace SerifCasualScriptSmall CapsReset restore all settings to the default valuesDoneClose Modal DialogEnd of dialog window.Lucas Torreira, Granit Xhaka and star performer Matteo Guendouzi played in midfield for Arsenal against Tottenham, with Ceballos coming on in the second half.The Gunners came back from two goals down after errors from Xhaka and goalkeeper Bernd Leno, while Delph made his first Premier League start for Everton in their win over Wolves.MORE: Tottenham or Arsenal? Jose Mourinho predicts who’ll have north London bragging rights this seasonMore: FootballRio Ferdinand urges Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to drop Manchester United starChelsea defender Fikayo Tomori reveals why he made U-turn over transfer deadline day moveMikel Arteta rates Thomas Partey’s chances of making his Arsenal debut vs Man City