plus 4, Suit tossed over development near Mets' stadium - Napa Valley Register

Suit tossed over development near Mets' stadium - Napa Valley Register
Dear Summit County - Summit Daily News
Day 2: No end to CAT woes - Tribune
Perth Ambory body-shop owner Alexandra Amabile crashed through ... - MyCentralJersey.com
Police Calls: Car repair shop owner busted - Mansfield News Journal

Suit tossed over development near Mets' stadium - Napa Valley Register

Posted: 29 Nov 2009 02:47 PM PST

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Dear Summit County - Summit Daily News

Posted: 29 Nov 2009 02:12 PM PST

Wow! What a community! The Circle of Friends Benefit for Nancy Ring was a huge success!

We would like to thank everyone who contributed their time, monies, ideas to this benefit; however, please understand that is not possible to name everyone.

Thank you Timberline Adult Day Service — Candace Selk Barnes — for the venue.

Our advertising extradordinares: Fred Lord, Laser Graphics, Murray at Mountain Public Radio, Airport Road Auto Repair (donating minutes, Krystal 93, Summit Daily News.

Silent Auction Items — we had over 200! Thank you WSU, Inc for your support during Terri Johnson's hard work organizing this time consuming task. Everyone who donated ... to name a few: Arapaho Cafe, Keystone Lodge & Spa, A-Basin, Beaver Run Resorts, Summit Chiropractic, Tire Kingdom/Big O Tires, Carlson/Carlson/Dunkelman LLC, Colorado Mountain Express (CME), MyChelle Skin Care Products, Allure Medical Aesthetics & Laser Center, High Country Copiers, The Barr Team, High Country Auto Specialists and Dianne Jackson. A Big thanks goes out to the volunteers who manned the table: Maggie Cox, Kathie Kralik, Lyn Manton Krueger and Terri Johnson.

Much appreciation to all the unnamed businesses/people and the volunteers who hit the pavement to get donations. In a time when money is very tight, we appreciate everyone's donations! Thank you to all the people who bid on the items — you all were so generous!

Every Benefit needs food: Thank you to Kat Coffield and Becky Niggeler, and to all the volunteers who helped pick up the superb food at the various restaurants: The Boatyard, Deli Belly's, Vinnys, Tuscatos, Timo Cooks, Backcountry Brewery, Bagalis, Cake-LLC, Arapaho Cafe, and Kactus Kathy's cookies!

Thank you to all who participated with the music: Ed Billeaud — for his guidance and for being our Soundman, topnotch equipment from Mark Jeffery, and to our musicians — Jon, Paul & Ian Hans along with Jeb Milne; Jean Dowdle & Dave Beard (aka Jean & Rosco); Randall McKinnon; Jim Tabbot & Garrett Sullivan; Amy Mathesius; Terry Stinnett and the Mountain Majesty Chorus. The man who helped keep the entertainment flowing and the silent auctioneers bidding was Marshall McKinney — our M.C.

Thank you all for your time and talent — it was an incredible music journey.

The pavilion was a rockin' that afternoon with over 400 people showing support to Nancy. Having that many people walk through the door, says a lot about one person and how one person can have an impact on so many people's lives and a community. Nancy and John made an appearance and her heart was filled with joy. She mentioned she is used to being at the other side of a benefit. It felt strange for her to be the receiver, yet she went home that evening lit up by all the love that was poured out to her that afternoon. We all touched her heart.

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Day 2: No end to CAT woes - Tribune

Posted: 29 Nov 2009 12:46 PM PST

Open House
Review government role in private schools

WE appreciate educational institutions run by charitable organisations. Now, imparting education has become a business and trusts & societies are run by business enterprises. On one hand schools get their recognitions from the educational departments and affiliations with the state educational boards and on other hand raise hue and cry for their accountability and responsibility. No doubt the government should not meddle with the affairs of schools but if the situation arises the government should be in a position to address the grievances of the public at large against the management of the institutions.

Ravi Mallik,Chartered Accountant, Sector 44-B, Chandigarh

Pvt schools dependent on govt?

I agree with your thought that "It is not practically possible for private schools to behave independently." Why is it that children of government officers need to be put into private schools? Are the government schools not good enough, and if not why? I am in whole-hearted agreement with the unnamed "director" who felt that a list of the officer's recommendations, for admissions, should be circulated. In short, these officers first use pressure to get their children admitted to these schools, and then misbehave with the authorities.

Shivneet Singh

Independent monitoring body needed

There is no doubt that the private schools are doing a yeomans service by providing quality education and also by filling the gap between demand and supply in education sector. The administration more often than not interferes not in public interest, but for its vested interest. The remedy to this malice lies in setting up of a permanent Independent Monitoring Body under the chairpersonship of the Mayor of Chandigarh, with three members from Independent Schools Association, one member of DPI schools and one public member who may be the municipal councillor/president of the welfare association of the ward/sector in which the school is situated.

Sumer Singh Wg. Cdr.(Retd.) Zirakpur

Increase number of government schools

For the very first time, a fairly impartial assessment has been made and placed before the public by Sanjeev Singh Bariana. Usually in their spirit of one up-manship and rivalry, the reporters print outrageous and sensational headlines with little regard for truth.

My mother is a teacher in a government school, whereas I'm a senior teacher in one of the reputed private schools of Chandigarh and the difference between the two, in terms of child development and child care, is undisputable. Teachers in my mother's school rarely take any personal interest in their children whereas I get pulled up if I don't call up parents who have been absent for two PTM's.

The most telling fact on the deplorable condition of government schools is that many teachers send their children to private schools especially for early education. So why are the misdemeanors of government schools not highlighted while the administration is ready to jump down the throats of private schools?

The main reason I feel is that there is a class difference between those studying in government schools and those in private schools. Barring a few, most government schools cater to a class of society that is economically not as sound as their private school counterparts. The teacher of my driver's daughter tore her register and flung it at her face.

And the administration which cannot run its own schools properly is certainly not qualified to monitor private schools. Instead of training its guns at private schools, administration must increase the number of government schools which in terms of quality should be at par with private schools. In the USA only the very rich opt for a private school.

Roshnee Sharma

Dedicated staff at pvt schools

Missionary schools like St John's have provided our children wholesome education imparted by a dedicated staff. My own son is an alumnus of this great school and passed out some 25 years ago. Things may have changed since then, but I very much doubt this considering the mad rush for admissions to this school, which was not so acute in those years. Obviously the school has, not without reason, developed an enviable reputation! How many bureaucrats, have their children, (including those of the ones gunning for St John's now), studying in schools, which are run by the government?

KL Bhasin

Laws must be followed

"Show me the person and I will tell you the rules ", is an old quote, which goes well with the Chandigarh Administration i.e. "Show us the school and we will tell you the rules". There is no fixed ideology/ rules. The controversy about promotion of pornography in St. John's has been blown out of proportion, because complainant happens to be a PCS officer. It should have been settled /solved at the school level. In the extreme case if some individuals were suffering, matter should have been reported to the police with solid proof.

Chandgarh Administration sleeps over anomalies/ flouting of rules by the private schools run by influential persons/bodies. For example, a school in sector 15 C is being run in a building /land meant for 'sarai', ignoring all bye-laws, without sewerage/ water connection /occupation certificate and administration shuts its eyes. The school is not recognized by education department, but has managed affiliation with CBSE. The estate office should ensure strict implementation and follow up of land and building bye-laws etc.

This is not the isolated case. So many other institutions are flouting the rules in the name of being minority educational institute. Minority Institute status doesn't give licence to make mockery of bye-laws pertaining to land, building, state administration and the board to which they are affiliated. The CBSE / ICSE boards should ensure that schools affiliated with them follow bye laws i.e. service condition of teachers, adherence to syllabi and welfare of students etc.

Er. B.P.S. Waraich

Arm twisting by officials

Why we are made to forget that the issue at St John's is related to a teacher who had been provoking the children to visit adult sites and this should have been addressed as the primary issue by the school authorities. If some one suggests the administration to remain mute on the issue,then it would be too much to ask for. Allegation of arm twisting by the management of the schools by the officers of the administration seeking admission in them for their favoured also has no relevance. Arm twisting should be thwarted.

The school conducted the enquiry but did not complete it because the parents of the students allegedly did not cooperate in the matter of enquiry. That does not amount to denying enquiry by the education department or any other agency to conduct an independent probe. Since the administration has conducted an enquiry where in the parent of the child has also provided proofs against the teacher and there is an indictment against the teacher, so the school should further probe to satisfy itself on the basis of the facts enumerated in the enquiry. The enquiry does not pass judgment against the teacher or the school but bares the facts of the case.

Satish Chandra Sharma,Progressive Enclave, Chandigarh

Improve education

There are over hundred government schools and unlimited funds for these institute run by the education depart. Are these able to compare with the private schools. No, not necessarily. Instead of assessing the performance of private schools while sitting in AC rooms the authorities should come out and take steps to improve the education in government schools. By the way how many children of IAS,HCS and PCS and other officers are studying in government schools I am sure none of them will ever agree for a government school.

R K Garg Convener RTI Chandigarh

Chalk out fresh plans

It is estimated that there are 12 crore children going to 9.5 lakh government schools for which total annual budget outlay for 2008-09 was Rs.27, 850 crores. It works out to be Rs 2320 per annum per student expenses. Result of which is, single teacher schools, open air schools and less than 50 per cent pass results. World's largest school feeding programme the Mid-day meal scheme is well known for it's substandard food.

School holidays for IAS examinations, school children being taken to welcome VIPs and even to political meetings is a common thing for government schools.

It clearly shows that government has miserably failed to provide quality education in it's schools, fresh plans should be chalked out to streamline the education system.

Lissum Sharan Panchkula

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Perth Ambory body-shop owner Alexandra Amabile crashed through ... - MyCentralJersey.com

Posted: 29 Nov 2009 11:20 AM PST

PERTH AMBOY — Alexandra Amabile doesn't believe in cutting corners in her work or in life.

In her work as owner of Like New Auto Body, a collision repair shop, that means being precise with every vehicle that enters her Mitchell Place business.

In her personal life it has meant going through rough times, such as getting married at age 15, moving to the U.S. not knowing English, going through divorce, and losing a son-in-law serving in Iraq.

But now living a life she had always dreamed of, with a new husband who is her business partner and an extended family she now considers her own, she's thankful.

"They are not my blood, but I have a family," said Amabile, who considers her mother-in-law her mother. "I thank God for everything."

Amabile was recently named the 2009 Best New Owner of a collision repair shop in the October 2009 edition of FenderBender magazine, a publication geared to collision repair professionals. Amabile was honored for "overcoming adversity far greater than the gender challenges inherent in a male-dominated industry."

Amabile said she's honored to be in the magazine. She said other shop owners have called to congratulate her.

"It's good to see a woman in the male-dominated industry," she said.

Her husband, Joe Amabile, said he's proud of his wife.

"She can work circles around most guys. If the body work is not right, she tells them. She's very good, a perfectionist," he said.

"The finish has to look right," she said. "I treat a car as if it's my car. I want it done right."

"If it's not perfect, it's not done. She won't let anything slide," Joe Amabile said.

And that, Alexandra Amabile said, is what makes her customers happy.

"In a body shop, it's not production but quality. It's my reputation," she said.

Born in Colombia, Alexandra was a toddler when her mother left her family. She was raised by her father, who had a farm. She describes her father as a womanizer who had children with several different women.

As a child, she never had a birthday party or cake or even a Christmas tree.

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Police Calls: Car repair shop owner busted - Mansfield News Journal

Posted: 29 Nov 2009 07:02 AM PST

First block of Lexington Avenue, Mansfield -- A Richland County Humane agent took custody of several dogs Saturday afternoon, after a landlord told police he checked his house after hearing that a tenant had abandoned several dogs inside. The landlord said the female tenant had not been seen in the area for a couple of weeks. Police reports said the residence was in disarray with animal feces on the floor in every room, no food or water available for the animals and at least two puppies reportedly suffering from infestations. The tenant called police afterward wanting to know why officers were there. She told officers she'd been gone two weeks, but that she had someone staying at her residence.

Rod's Auto Repair, 723 Springmill St., Mansfield -- Rodney Parsons, 30, of Springmill Street, was arrested Saturday on charges of aggravated menacing and possessing weapons while under a disability, and a probation violation, after police were called to the business Saturday. A former employee who lives on Burns Street told officers he got into an argument with an employee over how much pay he was owed, and that when his friend, a 27-year-old Cedar Street man, intervened to calm things down, Parsons threatened to shoot the friend.

The News Journal does not identify people charged with misdemeanor offenses in the Emergency Calls. Offenders are identified through subsequent court listings.

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