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ERIC SUCAR staff Christian Brothers Academy’s Roy Mabrey tosses up a shot in front of a Freehold Borough defender during the second half of the Shore Conference Tournament semifinal game held at the Ritacco Center in Toms River on Feb. 25.
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The Hazlet Hammerheads summer swim team is still accepting new members for the 2011 summer swim season. Youths ages 5-18 who are members of the Hazlet Swim and Tennis Club are eligible to join. All levels of swimmers are welcome. For more information about the swim team, visit www.hazletswimteam.org. For more information about the Hazlet Swim and Tennis Club, including resident, nonresident, family and youth memberships and pricing, visit www.hazlettwp.org and click on the recreation tab.Matawan Regional High School, 450 South Atlantic, Aberdeen, will hold the Chris Dhume Memorial Alumni Soccer Game on July 22. The first of two games will start at 4:30 pm. The cost is $3 per ticket, with all proceeds benefiting the Chris Dhume Memorial Soccer Scholarship Fund. Any former MRHS soccer players interested in participating should contact Coach Deegan at the high school. There is a $15 per-player donation requested to play.The NJ Marlins travel baseball organization seeks players between the ages of 9 and 17 to compete in the fall. Tryouts will take place on the following dates and times at Cross Farms Field in Holmdel:July 19, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (ages 9- 12, 10-11 a.m.; ages 13-17, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.)July 21, 5:30-8 p.m. (ages 9-12, 5:30- 6:30 p.m.; ages 13-17 6:30-8 p.m.)July 27, 5:30-8 p.m. (ages 9-12, 5:30- 6:30 p.m.; ages 13-17, 6:30-8 p.m.)July 28, 5:30-8 p.m. (ages 9-12, 5:30- 6:30 p.m.; ages 13-17, 6:30-8 p.m.)If interested, email njmarlins@gmail.com or go to www.njmarlins.com and fill out a player prospect form.Rutgers University-Newark will run its 10th annual summer basketball program for children ages 7 to 17 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 25-29, andAug. 1-5. Early dropoff and late pickup times and discount rates are available. For more information or a brochure, call Joe Loughran at 973-353- 1483.
Infantino hits out at ‘FIFA bashing’ and ‘fake news’
FIFA President Gianni Infantino took aim at critics of world football’s governing body on Thursday, saying the organisation had reformed and was now a victim of “fake news” and “FIFA bashing”.Speaking to the organisation’s 67th congress in the Bahraini capital, Infantino, who replaced Sepp Blatter as head of FIFA in 2016, said it was truly transforming itself.“We are rebuilding FIFA’s reputation after all that happened. We took over the organisation at it’s deepest point,” said Infantino, adding that there was no room for anyone who wanted to enrich themselves by “abusing football”.Several dozen football officials, mainly from Latin America, were indicted in the United States in 2015 on corruption-related charges, sparking the worst crisis in FIFA’s history.Infantino said criticism of the organisation under his leadership had not been fair, given improved transparency, controls and ethics procedures.“There is a lot of fake news and alternative facts about FIFA circulating,” he said. “FIFA bashing has become a national sport in some countries”.The Swiss administrator also made some barbed comments about some of his critics among governance experts after a week in which FIFA’s Ethics heads were replaced.“In the past many highly-paid experts, paid millions, have been hired by FIFA to help reform FIFA. Let me ask you, what did they do? They simply rubber stamped a sick and corrupt system.“Where were all these self-proclaimed gurus and experts? They all miserably failed. I will, we will, not accept good governance lessons from any individuals who miserably failed to protect football,” said Infantino.While suggesting FIFA’s internal experts had failed he offered praise for outside investigations, thanking “courts all around the world” who had prosecuted corruption cases.“We need your help and we count on your help,” he added, saying there was no place in his organisation for any wrongdoing.“If there’s anyone in this room or outside of this room who still thinks he can enrich himself, that he can abuse football, I have one clear and strong message to tell him: Leave football and leave football now. We don’t want you.”FIFA’s budget plans for 2018 and their auditor’s report and financial statements for 2016 were all voted through without any questions being raised in the congress hall.
SARU: Crossing the line between recovery and reprisal?
Dear Editor,The recent outburst of Major (Rtd) Aubrey Heath-Retemeyer, CEO of the State Assets Recovery Unit (SARU), is the latest example of the constant denouncing of groups and individuals who have expressed reservations about aspects of the SARU Bill. This behaviour reinforces an impression that the agency is not overly concerned about putting in place the impartial, broad-based national anti-corruption programme that Guyana so urgently requires.Indeed, SARU’s constant and excessive allegations are fragmenting the broad national consensus on anti-corruption which contributed significantly to the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition electoral victory. From what ought to be the easiest issue on which to generate formidable national support, SARU has succeeded in politically polarising the society, as reflected in the heavy list of speakers that forced consideration of the SARU Bill to be postponed in the last session of Parliament.SARU by these and related actions is succeeding in creating the impression that it seriously lacks the political judgment and skills needed to assure the success of the technical and legal aspects of its mandate. The price of the evangelical animosity towards the major Opposition party employed by the head of SARU since its inception and taken up recently by its CEO will be counted in terms of constitutional reform, electoral issues and all matters that require cooperation of the major Opposition.Major Heath-Retemeyer’s criticism of the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) in questioning “where the GHRA was when hundreds of young men lost their lives with no steadfast commitment to pursue justice…” is a trite and quite misplaced response to the GHRA’s comments and criticisms of sections of the SARU Bill. For his information, while acknowledging the need for the nation to confront those deaths, the GHRA is at least on record at the time as having denounced them. Which prompts the question as to where the zealous Major and his military organisation were at that time. This new-found sensitivity to “the tears of parents and wives and children” stands in marked contrast to its silence when the deaths were generating the tears.The GHRA collaborated closely in the early stages of setting up the SARU. This civil society organisation continues to fully support a vigorous anti-corruption programme, incorporating preventative measures as well as asset recovery and criminal action.However, the anti-corruption drive is contaminated when corruption is effectively interpreted as beginning and ending with the last Administration. Rehabilitating the impartiality of SARU will be an up-hill task, notwithstanding Major Heath-Retemeyer’s belated assurance that members of the current Administration suspected of corrupt acts would also be pursued.There are many imaginative and indeed successful anti-corruption programmes in existence around the world. Guyana does not have to re-invent the wheel. The common feature running through them is that while anti-corruption is a crowd-pleaser, it requires shrewd political skills to achieve.Sincerely,Executive CommitteeGuyana HumanRights Association
Pumaren rejoins Adamson a day after surgery: I’ won’t leave them in heat of battle’
Negros Occidental gov’t, church call for prayers for safety of Taal evacuees “As a true leader, I don’t want to leave them. As long as I can walk, I’ll be showing up to games and practices.” No need to wear face masks in Metro Manila, says scientist ‘People evacuated on their own’ MOST READ Taal Volcano’s lava fountain weakens, but Phivolcs says it’s not sign of slowing down “The main thrust is to show the team that I won’t leave them in the heat of battle,” said Pumaren, who said he has to go back to the hospital for further assessment on his condition.Pumaren said he was on his way to the Falcons’ practice when he experienced “pain so excruciating” that surgery was immediately needed.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSAndray Blatche has high praise for teammate Kai SottoSPORTSBig differenceSPORTSAlmazan status stays uncertain ahead of Game 4The 55-year-old former PBA point guard was first rushed to The Medical City along Ortigas Avenue but had to transfer to VRP Medical Center in Mandaluyong to have his kidney stones removed.“At the back of my mind, I, as a head coach, made an effort just to be here when in fact I’m supposed to be on medical leave,” said Pumaren as his Soaring Falcons dropped to 3-6 for the sixth seed. LATEST STORIES Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next PBA: RR Garcia nails winner to lift Phoenix past Rain or Shine Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. LOOK: Taal Volcano island 2 days after eruption For the complete collegiate sports coverage including scores, schedules and stories, visit Inquirer Varsity. Adamson coach Franz Pumaren. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.netMANILA, Philippines—Adamson head coach Franz Pumaren was just a few days removed from surgery but he made sure to be on the sidelines when his Soaring Falcons faced defending champion Ateneo Wednesday in the UAAP Season 82 men’s basketball tournament.Pumaren underwent an emergency procedure to remove kidney stones on Tuesday but asked for clearance to join the Soaring Falcons, who made the Blue Eagles sweat despite the 80-74 loss, just a day after.ADVERTISEMENT Daybreak as smoke, ash billows from Taal volcano PLAY LIST 01:04Daybreak as smoke, ash billows from Taal volcano01:05Poor visibility, nakaapekto sa maraming lugar sa Batangas03:028,000 pulis sa Region 4-A, tuloy ang trabaho03:57Phivolcs, nahihirapan sa komunikasyon sa Taal01:04Sold-out: Stores run out of face masks after Taal spews ash01:45Iran police shoot at those protesting plane shootdown LOOK: Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Part 3 takes you straight to hell with a Music Video and First Look-Images Francis Kong, Jason Magbanua headline ‘The School for the Passionate, New Bold U 2020’ Taal Volcano eruption: House to develop rehab plan for Batangas, Cavite, Laguna View comments
BLUES RAISE OVER $6,000 IN THINK PINK CAMPAIGN
Members of the Varsity Blues women’s basketball, hockey and volleyball teams volunteered their time and took donations at the Woodsworth College Student Association pancake breakfast events throughout the week before Junior Blues gymnastics kicked off a busy Saturday with their annual bake sale. Back at the Athletic Centre, track and field gathered over $1000 in online donations in support of the cause. Earlier in the fall, the Varsity Blues field hockey team raised $780 and four Blues cut their hair in support of the Canadian Cancer Society. The University of Toronto Varsity Blues are proud to announce that $6019.75 was raised over the course of the 11th annual Think Pink campaign, January 13-20.The promotion began on January 13 as donations were accepted at the women`s hockey home game versus the Guelph Gryphons. The women’s hockey team raised $655 in online donations in support of the Canadian Cancer Society. For more information, scores and highlights on your favourite U of T athletes and teams, please visit www.varsityblues.ca. Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook for the latest and greatest in Varsity Blues intercollegiate athletics. Print Friendly Version Story Links The Junior Blues gymnastics bake sale raised an astounding $1155.60. They then highlighted the women’s basketball halftime festivities with their annual Think Pink performance. On the court, the women’s volleyball team raised $200, while women’s basketball raised $555 and rookie Elise Holt cut her hair in support of the cause. The U SPORTS women’s basketball schools initiated the Think Pink ‘Shoot for the Cure’ campaign 11 seasons ago. U SPORTS schools raise money through regular season games, tournaments and other special events. A cheque will be presented to CCS – which merged with the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (CBCF) in February – during the gold medal game of the 2018 U SPORTS Women’s Basketball Final 8, hosted by the University of Regina.
Support activities that help senior citizens lead meaningful lives – First Lady urges
Guyana’s First Lady, Mrs Sandra Granger, has called on residents of Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice) to support the Wisroc Senior Citizens’ Club as it aspires to bridge the generational gap through transfer of knowledge and sharing of experiences.A prayer breakfast held on Friday at the Wisburg Secondary School to officially launch the club — where the First Lady asked for support for the club — saw seniorSenior citizens enjoying breakfast at the launch of the Clubcitizens from the Dorfor Home for the Elderly and from communities such as Blueberry Hill, Silvertown, One Mile and Christianburg well in attendance.Later on Friday, the First Lady turned the sod at the site in the Wisroc Housing Scheme where a building would be constructed to house the Club.“This Club will not only provide opportunities for seniors of Wisroc to meet and share their knowledge, it will also promote intergenerational interaction by having the seniors interact and share their knowledge and experiences with the young people in the communities. The young people, too, will be given opportunity to share their experiences and their knowledge, and to learn from those of our seniors,” the First Lady said.The First Lady pledged to provide assistance to advance the Club’s programmes.She also committed to exploring the possibility of hosting the Care for the Elderly and Early Childhood Education workshops in Region 10 next year, to complement programmes with similar missions that are already ongoing.Club President Ruperta Fanfair said she was divinely inspired to gather all the senior citizens in Wisroc and spearhead programmes that would enhance their lives. The club would be benefiting from accommodation and other forms of tangible support from Food for the Poor (Guyana) Incorporated (FFTP) and Caring for Others Guyana Incorporated and Corporate Guyana.Fanfair said the 60 members of the Club meet every Wednesday to socialise and create craftwork and other items, such as hand-painted and applique pillow cases, bedsheets and tablecloths.The six-month-old Club also benefits from assistance from teenage girls in the community, and principally from those enrolled at the Mackenzie High School, who help with the production of scented candles and other novelty items for sale.
Little or no water for some West Dem residents
GWI blamedThe service of the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) is being criticised by residents in La Grange and La Parfaite Harmonie Housing Scheme on the West Bank of Demerara, since residents in those communities are forced to deal with low water pressure or no water at all.The issue have been ongoing for over three weeks, and residents are calling on the relevant authorities to have it addressed.Since August 10, residents in Independence Street and several parts of La Parfaite Harmonie Housing Scheme has been continuously forced to endure low water pressure, and in most cases no water at all. According to the residents, several complaints have been made to the GWI Office at Pouderoyen on the West Bank of Demerara, but to no avail.“We are not getting any water, sometimes for days; and if we do get water, it come around 3am and very slow; so we have to get up early morning to full water to do our work, and it is tough,” Independence Street housewife Veronica said.She added that residents would have made several calls to the GWI office, only to be told that they are working on the issue, with no additional information.“The water does come one-one time, but when it come it is coming slow, and we have to use bowls to full our containers; and it is hard, because it take a long time to full a small bucket, and we need the water to wash clothes and bathe the children to send to school,” Recht Door Zee resident Shafrana Khan told the Guyana Times.Several calls have been made to the GWI office at Pouderoyen, WBD, and this publication was informed that the issue is being worked on, but the employee there was unable to say what exactly the issue is.The Guyana Times made contact last Tuesday with the Public Relations Department of GWI to source additional information, and was told that the sought-after information would be gathered and forwarded to us. However, the information is yet to be forwarded, and several follow up calls have gone unanswered.
Supervisors Approve $309,600 for Montebello Center
165Let’s talk business.Catch up on the business news closest to you with our daily newsletter. Something went wrong. Please try again.subscribeCongratulations! You’re all set! LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, in its role as the community development commission, approved $258,000 Tuesday for architectaul plans for a community center at Potrero Heights Park in Montebello. It also approved $51,600, or 20 percent of the total amount, to be used for any unseen costs. The park is located at 8051 Arroyo Drive.
Officials get recall notices
AD Quality Auto 360p 720p 1080p Top articles1/5READ MOREFrumpy Middle-aged Mom: My realistic 2020 New Year’s resolutions. Some involve doughnuts.The residents said they had originally planned to serve the three notices of intention to circulate recall petitions, with 25 required signatures on each, prior to the meeting. They were prevented from doing so by city and Sheriff’s Department officials. Lt. Christopher Reed of the sheriff’s Pico Rivera Station asked the residents to refrain from taking action in City Council chambers, saying the action would be too disruptive. All three council members stayed calm while accepting the notices. Ramirez became the first recipient on the steps at City Hall, followed by Armenta and Beilke in the lobby. But they also shared some angry words. “Instead of these people working for the betterment of Pico Rivera, all they have done is create lies to divide the city,” said Armenta. “Basically, I feel like I have not done anything wrong, and the city will continue moving in a positive direction.” Beilke, who worked with some members of the group during the city’s last recall effort in 2004, described the residents as sad and lonely people who have nothing better to do. “This particular group of people is never happy,” he said. “Do they really think people will sign a petition for these issues?” Deputy City Clerk Evelyn Izaguirre said the served council members can now respond to the notices. She said the number of signatures the group will need for the recall depends on the total number of registered voters in Pico Rivera. Murga said the hope of CTIP was to put the issue on the ballot in the March election. This is the third recall effort in the city in the last nine years. In 1997, a group calling itself Pico Rivera Concerned Citizens successfully recalled longtime council members John Chavez and Gil De La Rosa after accusing the two of gross abuse of elected authority. The two were ousted in the first recall election in the city. Councilman Carlos Garcia, who opposed the recall, was elected to replace Chavez. Ramirez was elected to replace De La Rosa. In 2004, the North-Southeast Coalition to Reform Local Government launched a recall against council members Gregory Salcido, Garcia and Beatrice Proo after the three voted to give then City Manager Dennis Courtemarche a $40,000 pay raise. The raise put Courtemarche’s salary at more than $200,000 a year. The effort failed after the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk’s Office and then-City Clerk Chris Schaefer found insufficient valid signatures on recall petitions for an election to go forward. Despite that most recent failure, organizers of the latest recall say they are determined to do what it takes to oust Beilke, Armenta and Ramirez. “These council members conspired to bring in their intimate friend, Chuck Fuentes, to be the city manager and it has reached the point where we feel the city is being mismanaged,” said resident Miguel Meraz. “So we believe we have to do this.” debbie.pfeiffer@sgvn.com (562) 698-0955, Ext. 3028160Want local news?Sign up for the Localist and stay informed Something went wrong. Please try again.subscribeCongratulations! You’re all set! • Video: 08/01: Pico Rivera Recall PICO RIVERA – A group of discontented residents served the mayor and two council members with notices of intent to recall on the steps and in the lobby at City Hall following Tuesday’s City Council meeting. Members of Pico Rivera Community for Truth in Politics said they were targeting Mayor Pete Ramirez and Councilmen Ron Beilke and David Armenta because of the hiring of City Manager Chuck Fuentes, the closure of the Pico Rivera Stables and the decision to throw out the Chamber of Commerce. “The city manager, fiasco at the stables, misspending of taxpayer funds, backroom dealings and basic abuse of power are the main reasons for our actions,” said Raul Murga, executive director of CTIP. “Today is the first day we return control of this city to honorable people.” 