text:
Three questions to ask before purchasing a home!Getting started on the right foot makes the homebuying purchase an easier decision! Knowing what you want, why and what you can afford makes
How Much Down Payment Do You Need
Dated: 07/17/2017
Views: 553
Down Payment Problem - Are You Sure?
There is increasing difficulty for first-time home buyers to save for their down payment as indicated in the graph. Several factors that contribute to this trend include rising rents, rising home prices, student loan debt and flat wages.
Some would-be buyers feel they cannot buy a home today but a large part of those decisions may be based on inaccurate assumptions.
Nine out of ten non-owners believe they need ten percent or more for a down payment. The typical down payment for first-time buyers is six percent. VA has 100% loan programs as well as USDA for certain qualifying areas and buyers. FHA is known for 3.5% down payments. And FNMA and Freddie Mac have down payments as low as 3% and 5%.
There are gift provisions available for buyers who have an "angel" who would like to help them with their down payment.
There are ways to borrow against a person's qualified retirement program for a down payment. It isn't necessarily limited to the buyer but could include a relative. Interestingly, a son or daughter can borrow against their retirement to benefit their parents.
In some respects, having good credit and sufficient income is more important than the down payment. Don't rely on "common knowledge." Get expert advice and counsel to see if there is a way to advance your dream of owning a home.
Contact us today to get more information!
Latest Blog Posts
Down Payment Problem - Are You Sure?There is increasing difficulty for first-time home buyers to save for their down payment as indicated in the graph. Several factors that contribute to this
Myths on Needing Perfect Credit to Buy a HomeMany think you need fabulous credit to buy a home! That's not the case! You need good credit! CONTACT US today to Learn more!;
Calling all Johnson County Car Enthusiasts....What an incredible opportunity to find this rare CLIMATE CONTROLLED 42 x 54 outbuilding to suit any car aficionado! It sits on 5.64 M/L acres


text: The city of North Miami Celebrates the 4th Annual Evening of Honors Dinner. This annual City of North Miami Black History Month event is cultivated to honor South Florida's brightest and those dedicated to community service beyond their specific industry. This year the City of North Miami is honoring local community builders who made an impact in the areas of civic engagement, humanitarianism, sports, entertainment and the arts. Attire: Semi-Formal

subset: commoncrawl


text:
|Photo by Hub Pacheco
In a vicious, bloody assault by the 6' tall masked monster known as The Apocalypse, the Siga ng Kanto Tinio reportedly suffered a lacerated eye, and will be out of action indefinitely.
|Photo by Hub Pacheco.
KT had been booked to host a pre-show "Lakas Tama" inuman contest with two fans in attendance, but was forced to rush to the ring during the actual show to rescue Mark D. Manalo, his partner in the ultra-popular Beer Promdi tag team, from a violent beatdown by The Apocalypse. The Apocalypse, who had not been booked to appear at PWR Live, had interrupted Manalo's Boot Camp Open Challenge, ambushing his scheduled opponent as he was making his way to the ring, and was in the process of dismantling the beloved Manalo with five successive Death Bells, his feared finishing move, before KT dashed in to make his attempted save.
In a scene reminiscent of a Game of Thrones episode, The Apocalypse had knocked KT unconscious with a Death Bell of his own, and was attempting to gouge out his fallen victim's eye before PWR officials intervened.
|We're relieved The Apocalypse's assault didn't come to this.
Mr. Sy, the General Manager of the Philippine Wrestling Revolution, issued the following exclusive statement to Smark Henry:
"The Apocalypse's actions at PWR Live are appalling and reprehensible and should not be celebrated. We apologize for anyone who may have been traumatized by The Apocalypse's attacks on several PWR superstars including PWR Champion 'Classical' Bryan Leo, 'The Senyorito' Jake De Leon, and Kanto Terror. The PWR Board will hold a meeting at the soonest possible opportunity to determine the appropriate course of action on The Apocalypse."
Kanto Terror was reportedly rushed by emergency medical staff to the nearby Makati Medical Center for examination by an ophthalmologist, and was scheduled for surgery early Sunday morning. Early indications are that the procedure was a success, and that KT remains currently confined for monitoring and intravenous antibiotic treatment.
|Photo from the PWR Facebook page
He posted the following from his personal Facebook page earlier this afternoon, and seems to be in decent spirits as he recovers from his operation.
Due to the sensitive nature of the injury, he will be barred from in-ring activity for the foreseeable future.
Our thoughts go out to Kanto Terror as he recovers from his horrific injury.
[UPDATE] Kanto Terror seems well enough to be bantering with "The Senyorito" Jake De Leon on Twitter. We're glad for this, but slightly nauseous over his choice of metaphor.


text:
Family Dental Office Near Jamison, PA
If you're seeking comprehensive dental care with a personal touch near Jamison, PA, than look no further than Dr. Partha B. Patel.
Why choose Dr. Partha B. Patel?
- We make it our priority to deliver gentle, compassionate care.
- We provide exceptional patient care in a modern, convenient atmosphere.
- We develop lifelong relationships with our patients by combining the latest dental technology with a professional, caring staff.
The result is a beautiful, healthy smile that lasts a lifetime.
Our office offers a full range of dental services, from routine cleaning, to crowns and bridges, and extractions. To learn more about our services, click here.
Call 215-918-2900 to schedule your initial oral examination today!
Jamison, PA is a small town located within Warwick Township in Bucks County, PA. For more information on Warwick, Bucks County, visit http://www.warwick-bucks.org/.


text:
KPFF Consulting Engineers for Washington State University
White Shield supported KPFF and the University with preparation of a site plan of a 400' x 400' area for expansion of WSU Chiller Plant facility between South Fairway Road and Round Top Road. Services included a topographic and utility survey with 1' contours; spot elevations along curbs, sidewalks, road centerline; and building corners, doors, and loading docks. All tree trunks 3' in diameter and larger were located and labeled with size and drip line included on the plan. White Shield used utility location services, WSU base maps, and existing as-built plans to compile the complete utility survey. Utility covers and lids were pulled to obtain or verify depths, sizes, direction, number, and type of material, and elevations were provided at the top and bottom inside tunnels and vaults. Deliverables were provided in AutoCAD 2004 format drawing files with LDD 2005 DTM files.


text:
No matter what intentions a leader may have for his country, the involvement of the masses in nation building is crucial in laying the foundation for success. There are other determining factors. And one of them is: the role the media plays in informing the people, by presenting a non-partisan approach through disseminating information about the reality on the ground – not the contaminated agenda of a disgruntled journalist. One person who has failed miserably in this respect, is the former President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists, Umaru Fofana, whose brutal concept of holding the government to account has been marred by a personal political agenda, with the ruthless games of the opposition SLPP at its very nucleus.
Fofana holds no punches back when he takes on the presidency, with total disregard for the ramifications of his actions. It is ok to hold the president and government to account, but not at the expense of feeding into the intrinsic appetite of stakeholders looking for the slightest opportunity to administer punitive measures on a government that has shown so much willingness to implement change. Fofana knows very well how things are with stakeholders, and is always too keen on stirring controversy that will get the attention of those who determine how much Sierra Leone is allocated in terms of funding and assistance. Everything is taken into consideration when stakeholders determine the way forward in a country.
The causes Fofana claims to be championing, are the very issues that are affected and deprived as a result of his camouflaged attempt to call the government to account. You cannot call for, or opt for change in a country, and then be at the forefront of destroying the reputation of those who will administer such change; those who are the recipients of the direct assistance that will instigate these changes. It simply doesn't work that way. If you accuse the Head of State of presiding over a corrupt administration, how do you expect the country to attract the mercy of those who define how much financial assistance it needs to stand on its feet? It becomes even more disingenuous when you provide no evidence to substantiate your claims.
Presenting circumstantial proof with opposition rhetoric at its heart, is simply misleading. Umaru Fofana has becoming an expert in presenting the opposition SLPP's nasty agenda, disguised as a lecture of modern day practice of politics in Sierra Leone. Fofana's role should have been more analogous to promoting the image of the country by presenting the resource potential and financial benefits of engaging the nation's natural wealth to investors. Claiming to be the voice of the people becomes insignificant when one engages in acts to destroy and tarnish the good name of those elected by the very people to negotiate the country's way out of the mess inherited from the corrupt cabal whose interests Umaru Fofana so cunningly prosecutes. Sierra Leone would be better prepared to demonstrate full democratic credentials when it can stand on its feet and gain full recognition as an important player in the world's economics.
For any government to succeed in achieving outstanding democratic stature, there needs to be the building blocks in place. This cannot happen overnight. A young democracy needs to be nutured and encouraged. There are signs Sierra Leone is heading in the right direction, and the intentions of the APC government has been tried and tested, and there is visible demonstration of development projects across the country. And Umaru Fofana's continued barrage of invectives on the government could hardly be a recipe to muster change. Fofana's contribution to change in Sierra Leone is non-existent. What we have had from this so called proponent of change is noise, mostly directed at the establishment, on behalf of a far less credible line-up of state embezzlers passing for an opposition party.
The people need to get behind the leadership, no matter how inadequate its effort to bring about much needed change may seem. A golden opportunity to achieve the desired transformation of the state of affairs is in the loom, and disregarding Umaru Fofana's rather obtuse itinerary by embracing the apparent Agenda for Prosperity, is a national necessity and responsibility of every positive thinking Sierra Leonean.
First published on Newstime Africa: Mar 1, 2014
© 2015, Ahmed M Kamara. All rights reserved. – The views expressed here are purely those of the author and not necessarily those of the publishers. – Newstime Africa content cannot be reproduced in any form – electronic or print – without prior consent of the Publishers. Copyright infringement will be pursued and perpetrators prosecuted.
172,012 total views, no views today


text:
Friday, March 4, 2011
Some friends were lifting weights at a fittness club. There was the usual friendly banter. The discussion was about running. The topic was The Marathon. There was a lot of bragging. One guy was saying he had run 5 Marathons. He said that his time was about 3 hours for the 26.2 miles. Another said he had run 8. Another said he had run 10. Then they talked about a Marathon that was coming up soon. It was scheduled in 6 weeks. They finally agreed to run in the Marathon as a group. There was still more bragging. Time passed quickly. There was a lot of talk and very little training. The big day arrived. One showed up with his arm in a sling. Another showed up walking on crutches. Two didn't show up at all. There was a lot of talking and very little walking. The moral of this story. Actions speak louder than words.
You can tell everyone how much you love God. You can talk about being in Church every Sunday morning. You can talk about money you give to the church. You can talk about your support for Missions. It is easy to talk. It makes you feel good to tell others about your Christian walk. Someone has said that talk is cheap. What happens when you need to walk the talk? What about the time someone asked you to help in the Nursery? The regular person was not available. Did you say Yes or did you give an excuse? Did you really have a cold? Was that a fake cough? What about the time someone wanted help in the Soup Kitchen? All you had to do was take a place in the food line. All they asked you to do was wash a few dishes. It would have been two hours of your time. Did you tell them you couldn't make it because you had a conflict? You had something scheduled that could not be changed. What about the time someone asked you to teach a Sunday School lesson to a group of teenagers? Did you say you would be glad to help or did you make an excuse? There are many ways to serve our Lord. The church always has a need for volunteers. Walking the talk is difficult. What about it? There are many who say they love Jesus. Jesus said those who truly love Him are the ones who keep His Commandments. We have to read His word which contain these commandments. Faith without works is dead. If we are really going to follow Jesus we must obey Him.
Are you walking the talk?
11 comments:
- Gorges Smythe said...
Good post. Even when your as sincere as can be, walking is harder than talking!
- March 5, 2011 at 6:57 PM
- JT said...
Thanks for your comment Gorges.
- March 5, 2011 at 9:22 PM
- Starry Dawn said...
Dear JT,
Well, I must say that this one is a great post, JT. In fact, your words are exactly what I usually say to people. In my own words, I call it: "Christians in Action." I volunteer my work for the ones in need as much as I can. I give my helping hand and reach out for those helpless, and I have done it since I was a little child. I feel good with myself when I serve the Lord, not only with my messages, but also with my actions. I hold lasting moral values in my heart, and I wish to teach others about them, and I do it for free.
It'll be awesome if the whole world can read this message. Great food for thoughts you've got in here, and a wise thought provoking message, JT. By the way, thank you so much for posting your hearfelt comments in my poetry corner! I am happy to know you like my poems.
Thank you, JT for sharing your wonderful messages with the world!!
God bless you and those you love, JT!! In God's Garden, Starry.
- March 6, 2011 at 9:26 PM
- Starry Dawn said...
JT, thank you for sharing your wonderful messages with the world!!
God bless you always, JT!!
In God's Garden,
Starry Dawn.
- March 6, 2011 at 9:29 PM
- JT said...
Thanks for your comments Starry Dawn. God bless you.
- March 6, 2011 at 10:01 PM
- Tommy O said...
Great challenge and exhortation
- March 7, 2011 at 11:31 AM
- Tommy O said...
Great exhortation and challenge. Thanks!
- March 7, 2011 at 11:31 AM
- Ken said...
Great post JT. We must all walk the walk. Thank you for visiting my blog and leaving your much appreciated comments. God bless
- March 7, 2011 at 11:48 AM
- JT said...
Thanks for your comment Tommy.
- March 7, 2011 at 6:51 PM
- JT said...
Thanks for your comment Ken.
- March 7, 2011 at 6:51 PM
- God Is Enthralled By Your Beauty said...
JT, great post...convicting as well...conviction brings change...thank you for writing the truth. Great blog...I'm going to check out your blogs too...thank you for coming by for a visit!!! Looking forward to reading your other posts and your future posts as well!
God bless you JT...
- March 8, 2011 at 2:56 PM


text:
In Honor of the Military Wife
Tween fixing dinner and homework today
the pipes burst in a waterfall spray
my kids school called, she was in trouble
'get here tomorrow on the double'
my son fell and hit his head
to top it off the goldfish is dead
the stair lights popped and went to black
I stepped on a toy and threw out my back
The dryer broke, the car is squeeking
(I just KNOW that oil is leaking)
My daughter sobs" I miss my dad!"
Comforting her makes my 2 year old mad
he whips a car at my ear
(for THAT a small pop on the rear!!)
they eat, I bathe em, I put em to bed
"I need water" they both said
A drink, the potty, tucked back in
this, of course, once AGAIN
My back is sore, in need of a rub
I grab a towel and head for the tub
There, with Calgon, a book, and some wine
I think to myself."Things will be fine"
But when hubby returns to relaxation
I'M leavin I'll NEED the vacation!!
Borrowed from the Black Knight Wives HMM


text:
View Library
Chantel Acevedo was born in Miami to Cuban parents. She is the author of A Falling Star; Love and Ghost Letters, winner of the Latino International Book Award; and The Distant Marvels, among other books. She is an associate professor of English in the MFA program at the University of Miami.
Audiobooks Were Restored to Your Cart
[ShoppingCartItemsAddedOnMerge] audiobook(s) were left in your cart from a previous visit, and saved to your account for your convenience. You may view or remove these audiobooks on the shopping cart page.


text:
Pre K- 6 Bradley
From The Principal
Welcome Letter
My Name is Dana Berg and I am the principal of Bishop McNamara Catholic School at the Bradley site. I received my undergraduate degree from the University of Dayton in Dayton, Ohio and received my Master's degree from Lewis University.
My husband and I live in Bourbonnais, and we have 3 wonderful children who attend Catholic school. Not only am I a school employee, but also a parent who wants the very best for my own children. Bishop McNamara Catholic School is the only choice for our children's education.
At BMCS, your child and mine will receive rigorous academic instruction rooted in Catholic values. When you hear someone say that our school is like a family, you know you are home. We are an extended family that supports and lifts each other up - in and out of the school building.
Our students are held to higher academic standards as well as moral and spiritual expectations. Religious instruction, service learning and faith experiences help to shape our young people and pave the way for them to be the future leaders of our community. Bishop McNamara Catholic School partners with the parent to create the best possible academic and spiritual environment for the children of the area.
I welcome you to our family and look forward to giving you a tour of our facility as well as telling about all of the amazing things that make Bishop McNamara Catholic School the best choice for your child.
Many Blessings to You,
Dana Berg
Teacher Pages
Lunch Menu
Contact Us
School Day Hours
8:10 am - 3:00 pm
Extended day services are available before school beginning at 6:30 am and after school until 5:30 pm.


text:
This here -- in case you haven't seen it yet -- is what they call a classic case of "not waving but drowning!" When the elementary kids at the end of this next clip applaud, let's just say it's not because they're stoked about the utterly dazzling performance they've just witnessed.
Rather these younguns are simply clapping to express their gratitude for the gracious reprieve of no longer being forced to listen to what is clearly the most talent-depraved trio in the history of mankind.
Don't miss: the oblivious dancers in the background, the completely expressionless look on the kid in the front row, and bonus points if you can name any of the songs in this medley. Remember: With metal, anything is possible.
If you like this story, consider signing up for our email newsletters.
You have successfully signed up for your selected newsletter(s) - please keep an eye on your mailbox, we're movin' in!
Follow Denver Backbeat on Facebook and Twitter


text:
When we started working on Live, and finally showed a first Version in 2001, the big music software companies did not take us very serious. "A laptop on stage? You must be crazy!" or "This interface looks horrible!" were reactions we got often. However, we are now the most successful music software company out there, with an incredible number of customers all over the world, and our software massively changed the way electronic music is created and performed.
It became very easy to make music. And this is bad. Everyone can make a boring uninspired piece of music in a lunch break, and it will sound good and 'professional'. It became really very, very easy to make music with our software. And this is great! Because it not only allows highly musical people with limited budget to create fantastic and complex music, it also allows those folks like me to dive deeper into the creation and exploration of music, sound and structure than ever before. I never spent less time thinking of technology and more time making music with it. Well, apart from my engagement with the company.
. . . part of Music Mondays


text:
Do you celebrate St. Patrick's Day with your kids or students? I don't remember doing much, if anything, for St. Patrick's Day growing up, but that is being made up for now! My kids like to celebrate every holiday, big and small, with festive food, decor, crafts, and activities! We are getting an early start on our St. Patrick's Day projects with this Paper Plate Leprechaun Kid Craft.
We are combining two of our favorite crafting items, paper plates and tissue paper, again to create this leprechaun kid craft. We used both of these items to create a Tissue Paper Heart for Valentine's Day a few weeks ago. They are inexpensive, readily available, and easy for young kids to use.
- Paper plate
- Orange tissue paper
- Light cream/tan colored paint & paint brush (We had latte colored acrylic on hand & used that.)
- Leprechaun Hat template
- Scissors
- Glue stick
- Googly eyes
- Green, black, and yellow card stock or construction paper
- Black marker
1. Flip the plate over and apply a light coat of paint to the backside of the paper plate and allow to dry. Ours dried within a few minutes.
2. Tear or cut the tissue paper into small pieces. We did not measure ours and every piece was slightly different in size, but you want it to be about the be the length of the the outside rim of the plate. Our pieces were approximately 2″ squares.
3. Using the glue stick apply, apply glue to the outside rim of the paper plate, working in small sections. Fold the tissue paper slightly and apply to the glue. You want it to look almost like a small accordion fold. Continue to apply the tissue paper around the rim of the paper plate covering about 3/4 of the outside rim.
4. Print the template for the leprechaun's hat and use green paper to make the hat, a black piece for the belt and a yellow for the buckle. After gluing all those pieces together, glue the hat to the top of the leprechaun's head (where you have not applied tissue paper).
5. Using the glue stick, glue the googly eyes to the plate and use the black marker to draw the nose and mouth.
One of the great things about these types of crafts is that each child's comes out so unique and different! While there are instructions, it is great to also just give your kids the supplies and see how they create their unique paper plate leprechaun!
More St. Patrick's Day Fun
Looking for more fun learning activities this St. Patrick's Day? Have some sensory filled fun with our rainbow play dough kit or rainbow rice sensory bin! For some printable learning fun grab our pot of gold number mats or rainbow alphabet match!
For an entire month of March themed learning, grab our March printables pack! It is packed with 91 pages of themed math and literacy fun.


text:
Is there actually a Galaxy Note 9 with 8GB of RAM?
Samsung is currently in the endgame as far as the launch of the Galaxy Note 9 is concerned. Following months of (not-so-many) rumors and leaks, Samsung started teasing Galaxy Note 9 features with a handful of short videos. There's one for the bigger battery, another for more storage, and one for better performance as well. And the teaser video for better performance couldn't be more unclear about what it's actually hinting at. Is it general software optimization, or perhaps the fact that the top-end Galaxy Note 9 will have up to 8GB of RAM?
Galaxy Note 9 may have it all… except for 8GB of RAM
Actually, going by the teaser video, one would think Samsung is advertising faster data speeds. Why else would you turn off automatic updates, disable background data usage, and switch to Wi-Fi if your phone is unable to open a PDF file? Those are clear indications that faster data speeds may be a part of the marketing push. After all, the Galaxy S9 already trumps the iPhone X in LTE speeds, so it wouldn't be wrong to advertise the Galaxy Note 9 on that front. Even if that isn't the case, it seems unlikely that a Note 9 with 8GB of RAM exists.
The first piece of evidence (or the lack of thereof) is that we haven't yet seen a Galaxy Note 9 benchmark with 8 gigs of RAM. Neither have there been any solid rumors that would confirm an 8GB RAM model. Not to mention that bringing 8GB of RAM just a year after 6GB of RAM was introduced on the Note 8 would make little sense. Samsung needs to make sure the Galaxy Note 9 has plenty to offer for those looking to upgrade to a new phone, but it also needs to hold something back for next year. And 8GB of RAM will ultimately look better as a highlight feature on the tenth-anniversary Galaxy S flagship.
If you have been hoping to see Samsung make the shift to 8GB of RAM with the Note 9, you're likely to be disappointed. Should Samsung actually announce a Galaxy Note 9 with 8GB of RAM (with 512GB of internal storage, as the rumors say), no one is going to complain. But the company said in its earnings report today that the new Note "offers exceptional performance for a reasonable price." And there probably isn't going to be anything reasonable about the price of a Galaxy Note with 8GB of RAM.
What do you think?
12 CommentsSign in »
Leave a Reply
Yes, there is a 512GB internal storage variant, and only that single variant has 8GB of RAM. Leaked Indonesian advertising pamphlets for special deals that you'll get when you purchase the phone have revealed two storage capacities of 128GB and 512GB, there's no certainty for 256GB though.
Software optimization? Impossible.
8gb isn't actually necessary on any smartphone. One day it will be but that's three years away. 8gb on a phone now is just a gimmick.
You say that but the OnePlus 6 smokes the s9+ with its 8 GB ram
As already stated 8gb of ram means nothing. Go take a look at the ram management tests on YouTube. The S9 plus keeps more apps open in memory than the cheap Oneplus phone. 8gb doesn't matter. It's like trying to put a Porsche engine in a Ford Fiesta. Just doesn't work.
What makes you say it's inferior components? The processor is same as the s9 in USA and it's 6 GB / 8 GB LPDDR4X which is same as the galaxy.
It has metal and glass components.
Agree the screen is way off in terms of quality
But this ford fiesta st is smoking the so call 1litre BMW here
I think 8 GB RAM is gimmick. 6 GB is more that sufficient on a smartphone. Even if there is an 8 GB option, I will not be interested in it.
Not a gimmick as more is always best. Look at the OnePlus 6 6gm Vs 8gb ram performance. The latter is clear faster
You're forgetting Bixby which is integrated System wide and will likely be eating into the RAM almost always in the chance of being called to do something.
Additionally if you use the full screen resolution they takes up around 1/4 GB ram from my experience on both the s8 and s9.
Sometimes I have to use fhd+ for better performance and smoothness
This year is a write off for Samsung. Why introduce more cost to the production line. They are going to follow the s9 approach and reuse 90% of the s9+ and note 8 tech and rebadge as the note 9
Bet same screen tech, same cameras, same ram, 128gb memory, s9 speakers, but same modem Bluetooth etc..
£1000 for 6GB RAM and 128GB storage is NOT reasonable by 2018 Standards – especially as OnePlus has had 2 phones with 8GB RAM. Seriously misleading if they think they can advertise "no more slow phone" and a top selling feature if the S9 before it is on Par with this device.


text:
Font Size
Font Size
Dubai Internet City has launched a GoFreelance permit that will enable freelance talent to work in the technology sector
Dubai Internet City (DIC), the largest technology business hub in the region, has launched a GoFreelance permit that will enable freelance talent to work in the technology sector.
This product will further enhance Dubai's global credentials as an incubator that thrives by innovating, DIC said in a statement.
Introduced by TECOM Group, a member of Dubai Holding, the GoFreelance package is tailored to meet the needs of the region's technology sector.
The product will complement Dubai Internet City's mission to accelerate the emirate's economy through attracting top talent to the region's leading Technology community.
Freelancers will have access to various services and facilities offered by Dubai Internet City. Experts in the domains of web, mobile, software development and architecture, IT and telecommunication networking, data science and analytics, and customer service, as well as stakeholders providing technical support and related services are eligible to apply.
Freelancers will have the flexibility to choose the company they work with, the projects they work on, and manage their own schedule.
Ammar Al Malik, managing director, Dubai Internet City (DIC) and Dubai Outsource City (DOC), said: "There is no doubt that independence breeds and encourages creativity and innovation. The technology landscape in Dubai is evolving at breath-taking speed.
"It is imperative that businesses keep up with the pace at which technology is now being developed and consumed. In order to stay relevant, competitive and profitable, businesses need to ensure that they operate with a flexible business model, one that embraces the concept of freelance talent. GoFreelance is one such solution that businesses can take advantage of to keep up with the constant demand for talent."
Industry experts estimate that there are around 100,000 licenced freelancers paid on a short-term contract basis. An increasing number of companies are offering flexible work schedules and the option of working from home, which has not only helped increase productivity levels but also brought down operational costs.
Malik said: "Apart from retaining talent, GoFreelance will also attract and nurture young innovators from around the world, thereby infusing diverse skills and fresh thinking into the local mix. This will encourage healthy competition and facilitate the generation of new ideas and concepts, resulting in added value creation not just for themselves, but for the industry and economy at large."
He added that GoFreelance is competitively priced with simple documentation procedures. Applicants can register for the work permit at www.gofreelance.ae.


text:
By: MOHAMMED MUNIRAT NASIR, Gusau
Zamfara State is the worst hit by activities of bandits and cattle rustlers in the country, says the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshall Sadique Abubakar .
Sadique made the disclosure on Wednesday, in Gusau, Zamfara State at the commissioning of two helipads constructed at the state headquarters of the 207 Quick Response Group of the Nigerian Air Force.
He said the quick response group which was established in November, 2016, was part of Federal Government's efforts in counter terrorism and that the group was receiving further boost with the establishment of the helipads.
The Chief of Air Staff who was represented by Air Vice-Marshall Ismaila Kaita noted that "although there are serious concerns in the North Central states especially in Benue and Taraba, but the challenges in Zamfara are more serious.
"The helipads has brought improvements in air power against criminal hide outs and l want to advice all criminal elements to quickly surrender or face the terrible consequences," he said.
Sadique commended other security bodies in the state as well as the state government over their cooperation in the fight against terror groups.
In his speech, governor Abdul'Aziz Yari Abubakar said that state government was now partnering with all stakeholders to complement efforts of the security bodies in the fight against the criminal elements in the state.
Yari who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government(SSG), Prof. Abdullahi Shinkafi commended effort of the Federal government in tackling security issues in the state.
The Governor also assures maximum security to Internally Displace Persons (IDPs) in the state as the government is doing all its best to end the security challenges bordering the state.
He said as part of the efforts government had introduced community base security initiative in terms of intelligence gathering and sharing.
"This would complement the efforts of army and other security agencies in the fight against insurgents", he said.


text:
Your Healing Strategy: an Invitation
How would you like to take control of your illness and make yourself better (even if you've tried ALL the therapies - from pharma to woo-woo - and nothing worked)?
I can show how to do that ...for FREE.
I'm Lishui Springford, personal health consultant for people who want to take control, empower their bodies, and achieve wellbeing.
- My satisfied clients are people who came to me because they:
Longed to feel listened to, understood, and accepted by someone who really gets what's going on with their health issue, who really knows the science.
- Wanted straight answers that put them in control of their symptoms, their bodies, and their lives.
- Wanted to resolve things on their own and never again feel like they have to be "rescued" with external "fixes."
- Hated their symptom and didn't want to learn to love it or even to just cope with it. They wanted their illness GONE.
So where are you stuck right now? I'm betting it's one (or more) of the following:
- You're cornered between a medical rock and hard place because you've tried ALL the approaches and you feel like you're out of options (and worse you're starting to blame yourself). You just want to get back in control so that you can empower your body and make yourself better.
- You're scared and frustrated because so far you just feel like Patient #79,483, and desperately lighting the candles and doing the vision boards kinda makes you feel like an idiot. Instead, you want to take full responsibility for your wellbeing...and you're determined to get it.
- You know there's a "mind-body connection," and no external "fix" - conventional or alternative - has ended your illness. You'd like to stop beating your head against the wall and start feeling that excitement about life you had when you were eight years old on Christmas morning.
If you're done with feeling sick, trying ALL the things, and getting down on yourself because it feels like nothing's ever going to cure your condition...
If you're ready to figure out how to get control over your illness, empower your body, and make yourself better…
...then I'm here for you. We can find the way to get you better. Today.
Here's how to get my help. For free.
I've set aside time to speak with you about what, exactly, is sapping you and keeping you on a constant, desperate search for external "fixes" that don't work (and may even leave you feeling that you're to blame).
On this call, I'll help you get absolutely clear on what's in the way of your wellbeing.
But I won't just leave you with the problem and no solution. You'll hang up from this call knowing the very next step to take to make yourself feel better.
Best of all, it's going to help you to believe in yourself like you never have before. To feel in control of your body and your life. To be excited to wake up in the morning and tackle this challenge for real.
How do I know I can help you? Because I've helped countless others to take control and achieve wellbeing. People with cancer or heart disease or innumerable other scary diagnoses or symptoms. People with addictions or personality disorders. People with genetic or contagious illness. And much more. If it's a symptom, I've probably helped someone to get control over it.
More importantly, I've been there. I myself have suffered crippling back pain, ovarian cancer, chronic bronchitis and asthma, blood sugar problems, and several other health issues that I've resolved and gone on to thrive.
So I know I can help you too.
Why I'm offering this:
I offer this consultation because it's super-valuable and creates goodwill for the right people (I want to "spread the love"). If you take the steps we identify, you'll see an immediate difference - not only as a shift of your symptom, but in actually getting past it altogether so that you can feel great and have a body you actually love being in.
And this is also how I get clients. Once we identify what they need to do to get well, many people ask to work with me so that we can solve their health issue with real, scientifically-valid answers, to get them to a point where they achieve and maintain a default level of perfect wellbeing. If that happens with you, I'll be very happy.
But if you get everything you need to take off from this one call, it will warm my heart to see where you take it (so please let me know)!
Sadly, I can't help everyone.
Time is my most precious commodity. So the last thing I want to do is waste yours. In order for me to help you:
- You must want 100% responsibility for your wellbeing.
My expertise lies in helping people who are used to taking control of their lives, and are determined to do the same with their health. If you're looking for the perfect diet, treatment, surgery, pill, or exercise regimen to "fix" or control your symptom, I just haven't got it.
(But if nothing delights you more than having the key in your very own hands that will dissolve your symptom and make you feel good naturally and sustainably, we should definitely talk)
- You must want this problem fixed yesterday.
I will fight hard for your wellbeing, if you will too. I will challenge you to get rid of the "stuff" that's in your way. So you've got to be motivated to do this work. If you're not up for that, if you tend to sign up for programs and not follow through, or if you just want to "cope" with your condition (or, God forbid, you actually want to keep your illness because it gets you sympathy), this is not for you.
My lifework is to help my clients create health "miracles" so they can build the lives of their dreams, and that takes some real effort on their part.
If that's the kind of challenge you are up for, if you're determined to stop applying bandaids and start solving your health problem with real, scientifically-valid answers, so that you achieve and maintain a default level of perfect wellbeing, then I would love to speak with you.
Here's what I want from you now.
Fill out a short qualifying application that will help me understand what health challenges you're facing, what you've tried, and what you'd like to accomplish.
And then ...3% of a day. 45 minutes. That's what we'll give one another to begin the transformation that changes the rest of my clients' lives for the better.
Not a moment to waste.
To deliver my results, I only work with a handful of people at a time. I'd like to help everyone, but it has to be first-come, first-served. Please don't miss out.
If you're ready to take control, empower your body, make yourself better and achieve the perfect wellbeing that you deserve, it's time to apply for your call.


text:
Contact us: 0118 391 3871
We offer the best way to save on the full selection of cheap ground transportation. We have the best deals for business and family travel by car hire in Manta - Eloy Alfaro Airport. We're the best kept secret for cheap travel in Manta - Eloy Alfaro Airport. Choose from our wide variety of discount vehicles with the help of our fast and reliable reservation system today. In addition to the best deals we are popular for cheap car hire in over 10,000 other popular holiday destinations around the world.
Be amazed by the surrounding areas, rent a car from Manta - Eloy Alfaro Airport by booking online today. When making your reservation we will provide all the vehicle collection details. Our prices are fully inclusive, we provide: Collision damage waiver, theft protection, third party liability insurance, tax (VAT), unlimited mileage, and location/airport fees.
To begin your reservation just choose your travel dates and click the "Search" button, it couldn't be easier to find the best prices for your next vacation. Book your Manta - Eloy Alfaro Airport car rental with us without delay. CarHireX.com is the frequent traveler's favorite website for online car rental.


text:
Video Chat Alternative is a cam chat for those who love random dating, enjoy talking to strangers and meeting new people online. Among all random chat sites, Chat Alternative provides the most immediate way to the huge community of guys and girls dating online and looking to get acquainted. 🌎👫
Want the old TeenChat? Go to old.teenchat.com. Hangouts. General Chat 0 Join; Teen Shack 0 I don't have a favorite room. I love them all! I have been coming on these chat rooms for only a couple of days, and made a few friends! This site rocks, the best chat site I have ever been to. Keep up the amazing work! Racheal. Teen Chat is an
You must stay on topic when using the singles chat room. Talking about anything that is unrelated will get you banned for the chat room. Most of the users in the chat room are searching for love. If you are single, but you aren't looking for a relationship, please use a different chat room. Do not advertise dating sites or websites other than
Chat with single girls and guys in your area. There could be a lady or guy next door. About Naijaplanet Nigeria dating site. Its high rate of subscribers engaging in romantic relationships and meeting live partners makes it a one-stop dating site.
Chatiw : Start free chat rooms without registration , cam online chat now with our users , Random chat with strangers anonymously A is a unique opportunity to get to know quickly and easily with singles from all regions and all ages. site of chat and serious meeting, it is also a platform easy to handle, and promotes contact between members
Meet young boys & girls in video chat room, It is the best online webcam chat site for Stranger Meetup. Private Chat Rooms 100% private conversation in Our random chatroom allows you to get paired with unknown stranger and all chats with strangers happen in completely private environment.
Do Fun Things We know meeting people can be tough, so we've made it our mission to bring people together from across the world to explore and embark on adventures together. Use
The Dating Chat room is free for single people to find love online. Meet single people online and chat on webcam in groups or private one to one chat. This chat room is …
Only Lads is a renowned gay and bisexual chat and dating service for men. Find new friends and dates in your area. We have over a million members chatting and dating on our gorgeous apps and our website.
Iranian women & men meet at this Persian dating site & Iranian chat room. Create a free account to meet Iranian singles.
Yesichat is a mobile online chat room which allows you to use our online chat facility on any platform, a big relief. A mobile chatting site is hard to find, a lot of chat sites claiming to be mobile online chat room are actually not responsive or mobile-friendly which makes it hard for to chat online in devices with smaller screen sizes.
Welcome to Fruzo, the world's first dating social network that uses video chat to connect potential matches. Unlike other dating apps or social network websites, Fruzo offer users the chance to find a match, connect with new people, video chat, follow people, and make friends all within the same service.
Chat & Meet New People. Join over 100 million people in public chat rooms, group chat, and private chat. Download our free app to get started.
Chat.com is a free video chat website where you can watch up to 4 webcams at the same time in multiple chatrooms, invite people you like to a private chat, send instant messages, create and view profiles with photos, send and receive offline messages, fan and rate people, get email notifications when someone you like comes online, send tokens, and more.
Twoo is the fastest growing place to chat, search, share photos and play fun introductory games. Free to join. Also available on iPhone, Android and other mobile devices.
Minichat opens doors for free online dating in chat rooms anywhere in the world. Our most popular chat rooms vary from country to country. Russian chat room, American Chatroulette, and video dating - these are just a few of many others.
Livelinks Chatline is the best place to chat with local singles like you, Join Livelinks chat line to start having phone conversations with local singles in your area. Phone chat FREE trial now available.
Dating chat The earliest figure your children work For anyone who is vacationing with young children, it is usually better to book a villa having a high quality bedroom, to select from comfort at the conclusion of an action-filled day time.
Onlinechat usa .com is the best no.1 chat room site in America, Online chat us provide unique chat experience wile sharing your emotions in to text free dating chat also onlinechatus provides freeindian chat sites, free online chatting in india - usa-uk you no registration need to chat here. chat online online dating chat, private chat room
Enter Chat Room. Welcome to Enter Chat Room! This is a place where you can find free chatrooms to video chat live with girls and guys from around the globe. Even though you're allowed to find love, please note that this is not like an online dating service website.
Free chat rooms for seniors can sometimes be pretty simple and not very exciting, but not on SeniorSite. They take things a step further by offering a chat room as well as the latest boomer news on a variety of subject, like health, finance, dating, and sex, so you'll always have stuff to talk about.
World's best 100% FREE chat dating site! Chat with cute singles in your area with our FREE dating service. Loads of single men and women are chatting online …
A list of free international chat rooms. Find chat rooms from all over the globe. Chat Room Enter send. Uganda Chat Room Enter send. Ukraine Chat Room Enter send. United Arab Emirates Chat Room Enter send. Uruguay Dating Chat Chat Room Enter send. Teen Chat Chat Room Enter send. Kids Chat Chat Room Enter send. Gay Chat
ArabianDate is the #1 Arab dating site. Browse thousands of profiles of Arab singles worldwide and make a real connection through Live Chat and Correspondence!
America's Free Dating Site 100% Free to contact and chat with other members I am a man interested in women I am a woman interested in men I am a man interested in men I am a woman interested in women
Dating normal women in Bangkok may be easier than you think! Bangkok Chat is a 100% FREE site , with no limitations for registered members. Before registration, you can run searches but not view details of members profiles.


text:
Harold Francis Dean
Dean, Harold Francis. b. October 17, 1914; Single, Seaman; CP November 1935 (YCL 1935); received passport# 29437 San Francisco series on June 11, 1937 which lists his address as 607 Montgomery, San Francisco, California, and 2311 Highland Avenue, Norwood, California; Sailed June 25, 1937 aboard the Ausonia; Arrived in Spain on July 15, 1937; Served with the XV BDE, Lincoln-Washington BN, MG Co., October 9-November 30, 1937; OTS December 2-24, 1937; Assigned to 4th Artillery Group, 35th Battery December 26, 1937-May 20, 1938; 129th BDE, American Anti-tank Battery May 20, 1938-August 23, 1938; Returned to the US on February 4, 1939 aboard the President Harding; d. May 1981, Hamilton, Ohio.
Source: Sail, SACB, Cadre, ALBA 284 Harold Francis Dean Papers, Ancestry.
ALB Archival MaterialsSearch the Tamiment Archives
Full Database Record
|Last Name
|First/Middle Name
|Harold Francis
|Ethnicity Note
|Immigration Status
|AKA Last Name 1
|AKA First / Middle 1
|AKA Last Name 2
|AKA First / Middle 2
|Foreign Nation
|Foreign Nation City
|Alt Pob State, City
|Family: Name
|Family: Relationship
|Family: Begin Date
|Family: End Date
|Family: Comments
|Education HS
|Education College / Univ 1
|Education College/Univ Notes
|Education College/Univ 2
|Graduate or Doctoral Work
|Graduate or Doctoral Work Notes
|Prior Military Service
|Passport #
|Passport Series
|Passport Reported Lost in Spain
|Passport Age
|Passport Date
|PP or Known Address Street
|PP or Known Address City
|PP or Known Address State
|ALT City
|Alt State
|Sail Date
|Marital Status
|Marital Notes
|Vocation 1
|Vocation 2
|Vocation 3
|Party Affiliation
|Date Affiliation
|ALT Affiliation
|ALT date
|ALT affiliation 2
|Arrival (in Spain) Date
|Units served with
|Battle action
|Returned Date
|Returned other
|WWII Service
|Place Died City
|KIA/MIA/Died other
|KIA/MIA/Died other Date
|KIA/MIA/Died other Location
|KIA/MIA/Died other Battle
|Additional Notes


text:
Beats Solo HD headphones are made to be a lighter, on-ear version of Studios. Compact enough to fit in your purse, Beats Solo HD headphones carry the powerful signature sound Beats by Dr. Dre products are famous for.
- Clearer sound. Deeper bass. Beats Solo HD headphones are the only Beats by Dr. Dre that come with not one, but two speakers inside each can. That means you get crystal clear highs and deep, rumbling lows in high definition.
- Every pair is now constructed of super-durable, flexible material, reinforced with a metal strip to make sure it never comes apart.
- Built-in mic for calls. Switch easily between songs and incoming calls. No need to take off your headphones or talk into the phone like a walkie-talkie.
- Remote control. Take calls, skip songs and adjust volume right from the cord of your Beats Solo HD headphones. No more searching for your phone or music player just to find the right song.
CHECK Special Price Today: click Here


text:
An elderly woman was killed after being struck by a car in the South Bronx, cops said.
The woman, 79 was struck at the intersection of East 135th Street and Cypress Avenue about 12:40 p.m. today, cops said.
She suffered severe head trauma and was transported to Lincoln Hospital where she later died.
The vehicle remained at the scene and no criminality was suspected, cops said.


text:
This blog contains accounting and income tax tips to help answer questions businesses and individuals have about topics that affect most businesses and/or individuals.
Friday, March 25, 2016
IRS: Impersonators Call Taxpayers to Verify Return Information
Criminals impersonating IRS agents are calling taxpayers under the guise of verifying tax return information, the IRS warned.
The scammers tell taxpayers that they have the individual's return and need to verify details to process it, the Internal Revenue Service said in a March 14 news release. This ploy is an attempt to get taxpayers to reveal personal and financial information such as Social Security, bank account or credit card numbers. The criminals may use threats to intimidate and bully a victim into paying a bogus tax bill, the IRS said.
"Don't be fooled," IRS Commissioner John Koskinen said in the release. "The IRS won't be calling you out of the blue asking you to verify your personal tax information or aggressively threatening you to make an immediate payment."
The IRS said it has seen a 400 percent increase in phishing schemes this year. "These schemes continue to adapt and evolve in an attempt to catch people off guard just as they are preparing their tax returns," Koskinen said
Posted by Kenneth Reid at 3/25/2016 01:58:00 PM
No comments:
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


text:
Background: The cholera outbreak in 2018 in Nigeria reaffirms its public health threat to the country. Evidence on the current epidemiology of cholera required for the design and implementation of appropriate interventions towards attaining the global roadmap strategic goals for cholera elimination however seems lacking. Thus, this study aimed at addressing this gap by describing the epidemiology of the 2018 cholera outbreak in Nigeria.
Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of surveillance data collected between January 1st and November 19th, 2018. A cholera case was defined as an individual aged 2 years or older presenting with acute watery diarrhoea and severe dehydration or dying from acute watery diarrhoea. Descriptive analyses were performed and presented with respect to person, time and place using appropriate statistics.
Results: There were 43,996 cholera cases and 836 cholera deaths across 20 states in Nigeria during the outbreak period, with an attack rate (AR) of 127.43/100,000 population and a case fatality rate (CFR) of 1.90%. Individuals aged 15 years or older (47.76%) were the most affected age group, but the proportion of affected males and females was about the same (49.00 and 51.00% respectively). The outbreak was characterised by four distinct epidemic waves, with higher number of deaths recorded in the third and fourth waves. States from the north-west and north-east regions of the country recorded the highest ARs while those from the north-central recorded the highest CFRs.
Conclusion: The severity and wide-geographical distribution of cholera cases and deaths during the 2018 outbreak are indicative of an elevated burden, which was more notable in the northern region of the country. Overall, the findings reaffirm the strategic role of a multi-sectoral approach in the design and implementation of public health interventions aimed at preventing and controlling cholera in Nigeria.
Keywords: Cholera, Outbreak, Attack rate, Case fatality rate, Global roadmap, Nigeria, Multi-sectoral
Lassa fever (LF) is endemic to Nigeria, where the disease causes substantial rates of illness and death. In this article, we report an analysis of the epidemiologic and clinical aspects of the LF outbreak that occurred in Nigeria during January 1–May 6, 2018. A total of 1,893 cases were reported; 423 were laboratory-confirmed cases, among which 106 deaths were recorded (case-fatality rate 25.1%). Among all confirmed cases, 37 occurred in healthcare workers. The secondary attack rate among 5,001 contacts was 0.56%. Most (80.6%) confirmed cases were reported from 3 states (Edo, Ondo, and Ebonyi). Fatal outcomes were significantly associated with being elderly; no administration of ribavirin; and the presence of a cough, hemorrhaging, and unconsciousness. The findings in this study should lead to further LF research and provide guidance to those preparing to respond to future outbreaks.
Lassa fever cases have increased in Nigeria since 2016 with the highest number, 633 cases, reported in 2018. From 1 January to 28 April 2019, 554 laboratory-confirmed cases including 124 deaths were reported in 21 states in Nigeria. A public health emergency was declared on 22 January by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control. We describe the various outbreak responses that have been implemented, including establishment of emergency thresholds and guidelines for case management.
In September 2017, Nigeria experienced a large outbreak of human monkeypox (HMPX). In this study, we report the outbreak experience and response in the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital (NDUTH), Bayelsa state, where the index case and majority of suspected cases were reported.
In a cross-sectional study between September 25th and 31st December 2017, we reviewed the clinical and laboratory characteristics of all suspected and confirmed cases of HMPX seen at the NDUTH and appraised the plans, activities and challenges of the hospital in response to the outbreak based on documented observations of the hospital's infection control committee (IPC). Monkeypox cases were defined using the interim national guidelines as provided by the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
Of 38 suspected cases of HMPX, 18(47.4%) were laboratory confirmed, 3(7.9%) were probable, while 17 (18.4%) did not fit the case definition for HMPX. Majority of the confirmed/probable cases were adults (80.9%) and males (80.9%). There was concomitant chicken pox, syphilis and HIV-1 infections in two confirmed cases and a case of nosocomial infection in one healthcare worker (HCW). The hospital established a make-shift isolation ward for case management, constituted a HMPX response team and provided IPC resources. At the outset, some HCWs were reluctant to participate in the outbreak and others avoided suspected patients. Some patients and their family members experienced stigma and discrimination and there were cases of refusal of isolation. Repeated trainings and collaborative efforts by all stakeholders addressed some of these challenges and eventually led to successful containment of the outbreak.
Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic disease endemic in Nigeria. The 2018 Lassa fever outbreak in Nigeria was unprecedented, with 8% of all cases occurring among healthcare workers (HCWs). A disproportionately high number of these infections occurred in HCWs working in a tertiary health facility in Nigeria. This paper describes the cluster of Lassa fever infections among HCWs in a treatment centre and the lessons learnt.
We analysed clinical, epidemiological and laboratory data from surveillance and laboratory records kept during the 2018 outbreak. Interviews were conducted with surviving HCWs using a questionnaire developed specifically for the investigation of Lassa fever infections in HCWs. Descriptive analysis of the data was performed in Microsoft excel.
The index case was a 15-year-old male who presented at the health facility with fever and uncontrolled nasopharyngeal bleeding, following a recent uvulectomy by a traditional healer. Overall, 16 HCWs were affected (15 confirmed and 1 probable) with five deaths (CFR-31.6%). Of the 15 confirmed cases, five (33.3%) were asymptomatic. Nine HCWs were direct contacts of the index case; the remaining six HCWs had no direct contact with the index case. HCW interviews identified a low index of suspicion for Lassa fever leading to inadequate infection prevention and control (IPC) practices as possible contributing factors to nosocomial transmission.
Maintaining a high index of suspicion for Lassa fever in all patients especially in endemic areas, is essential in maintaining adequate IPC practices in health facilities in order to prevent nosocomial transmission of Lassa fever among HCWs. There is need to continually train and sensitise HCWs on strict adherence to IPC measures while providing care, irrespective of a patient's provisional diagnosis.
Recently, concern has been raised about the emergence of human monkeypox virus and the occasionally severe clinical presentation bearing resemblance to that of smallpox. In 2018 3 patients in the UK were diagnosed with monkeypox, and the frequency and geographic distribution of cases across West and Central Africa have increased in recent years. In Nigeria, most monkeypox patients are aged <40 years and lack cross-protective immunity because they were born after discontinuation of the smallpox eradication campaign. This article reviews the epidemiology, clinical features, and management of monkeypox and discusses its growing public health threat in this context
We reviewed data pertaining to the massive wave of Lassa fever cases that occurred in Nigeria in 2018. No new virus strains were detected, but in 2018, the outbreak response was intensified, additional diagnostic support was available, and surveillance sensitivity increased. These factors probably contributed to the high case count.
A series of disease outbreaks in Nigeria demonstrated the need for countries to invest more in improving their health security capabilities.1 Nigeria experienced five major disease outbreaks in 2017 which stretched the response capacity of its epidemiologists and its public health system.2 There are three levels of public health delivery in Nigeria: national, state and local government levels. At the national level, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) coordinates the response to disease outbreaks of public health importance. At the state and local levels, epidemiology teams and disease surveillance officers are responsible for disease prevention and control.
The Staged Development Tool (SDT) was created to help national public health institutes (NPHIs) assess their current capacity and develop roadmaps for achieving a higher level of functioning. This article discusses the current use of the SDT by national public health institutes to establish baseline capacity and inform strategic planning and its proposed use in a 3-step sequence for measuring the impact of capacity-building interventions over time. The article also includes descriptions of how national public health institutes have been using the SDT to assess their baseline capacity in management issues and core public health functions. The first use of the SDT by a national public health institute provides essential baseline information on their capacities and levels of functioning and plans for addressing gaps. By repeating the SDT after time for the plans to be implemented, the SDT can be used to evaluate changes in capacity and the effectiveness of the interventions made. Because the SDT is built to be complementary to existing assessments and public health strengthening tools and guidelines, implementing the SDT provides concrete, complementary information that can help countries achieve global health security goals and address current and future threats to public health.
There is general acknowledgment that strong health systems require robust public health infrastructures.1,2 Achieving the objectives of the sustainable development goals and ensuring global health security depend on systems that promote, maintain, and restore health. Health systems are stronger and more effective with integrated core functions of public health, including but not limited to surveillance of population health and well-being; monitoring and response to health hazards and emergencies; advancing public health research to develop the evidence to inform policies and programs; and assuring a sufficient and competent public health workforce.1,3,4 Epidemiologic data and public health research data provide an evidence base for decisions and policies affecting all aspects of the larger health system. Furthermore, a strong public health workforce increases the capacity of a country to ensure the existence of the conditions in which people can be healthy.4,5
In many countries, public health activities are spread across several organizational units, sometimes across several ministries. Even when they are concentrated in the ministry of health, public health priorities are often overshadowed by the perceived greater urgency of providing clinical care. Fragmentation of public health efforts among multiple organizational units hinders effective coordination, leadership, and management of public health activities (eg, public health laboratory services, surveillance, and emergency response and preparedness) for preventing recurring outbreaks. These problems can be mitigated by developing a national public health institute (NPHI) that serves as a single focal point that leads or coordinates public health activities.6-8 National public health institutes are organizations that are typically part of ministries of health, or closely aligned with them, that promote health by coordinating public health functions and programs to prevent, detect, and respond to public health threats, for both infectious and noninfectious conditions. In some countries, they also serve as the public health focal point for One Health and regularly liaise with ministries of agriculture, environment, and other relevant ministries and partners.
In recent years, many national public health institutes have been created or augmented, often in response to health security concerns or events. For example, the Canadian national public health institute, the Public Health Agency of Canada, was created after what was perceived as a poor response to the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreaks.7 Liberia's national public health institute was created very rapidly following lessons learned from the country's less than optimal response to Ebola.
In contrast, Nigeria's response to the Ebola virus disease outbreak, with guidance from the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC, Nigeria's NPHI) is widely considered a success story.
In early September 2018, two cases of monkeypox were reported in the United Kingdom (UK), diagnosed on 7 September in Cornwall (South West England) and 11 September in Blackpool (North West England). The cases were epidemiologically unconnected and had recently travelled to the UK from Nigeria, where monkeypox is currently circulating. We describe the epidemiology and the public health response for the first diagnosed cases outside the African continent since 2003.
After the successful roll out of MenAfriVac, Nigeria has experienced sequential meningitis outbreaks attributed to meningococcus serogroup C (NmC). Zamfara State in North-western Nigeria recently was at the epicentre of the largest NmC outbreak in the 21st Century with 7,140 suspected meningitis cases and 553 deaths reported between December 2016 and May 2017. The overall attack rate was 155 per 100,000 population and children 5–14 years accounted for 47% (3,369/7,140) of suspected cases. The case fatality rate (CFR) among children 5–9 years was 10%, double that reported among adults ≥ 30 years (5%). NmC and pneumococcus accounted for 94% (172/184) and 5% (9/184) of the laboratory-confirmed cases, respectively. The sequenced NmC belonged to the ST-10217 clonal complex (CC). All serotyped pneumococci were PCV10 serotypes. The emergence of NmC ST-10217 CC outbreaks threatens the public health gains made by MenAfriVac, which calls for an urgent strategic action against meningitis outbreaks.
On September 22, 2017, a suspected human case of monkeypox was reported to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) from Bayelsa State in southern Nigeria. Because monkeypox had not been reported in Nigeria since 1978 (1), the case raised national and international concern. A multisectoral, international outbreak investigation was undertaken to identify sources and risk factors, establish surveillance, and enhance preparedness. A suspected case was defined as the sudden onset of fever, followed by a vesiculopustular rash primarily on the face, palms, and soles. A confirmed case was any suspected case with laboratory confirmation (by serology, molecular detection of viral DNA, or virus isolation). A probable case was a suspected case epidemiologically linked to a confirmed case. As of February 25, 2018, a total of 228 suspected cases (including 89 confirmed and three probable cases) had been investigated in 24 of Nigeria's 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. Six deaths (6.7%) were recorded among the 89 confirmed cases. The outbreak has not been declared over, and NCDC continues to collect data to develop a baseline level for this disease, which had not been reported in 40 years and now might be endemic to Nigeria. Given the zoonotic nature of the disease, this outbreak has required a robust One Health outbreak collaboration among human, animal, and environmental health institutions.
Nigeria reports high rates of mortality linked with recurring meningococcal meningitis outbreaks within the African meningitis belt. Few studies have thoroughly described the response to these outbreaks to provide strong and actionable public health messages. We describe how time delays affected the response to the 2016/2017 meningococcal meningitis outbreak in Nigeria.
Using data from Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), World Health Organisation (WHO), and situation reports of rapid response teams, we calculated attack and death rates of reported suspected meningococcal meningitis cases per week in Zamfara, Sokoto and Yobe states respectively, between epidemiological week 49 in 2016 and epidemiological week 25 in 2017. We identified when alert and epidemic thresholds were crossed and determined when the outbreak was detected and notified in each state. We examined response activities to the outbreak.
There were 12,535 suspected meningococcal meningitis cases and 877 deaths (CFR: 7.0%) in the three states. It took an average time of three weeks before the outbreaks were detected and notified to NCDC. Four weeks after receiving notification, an integrated response coordinating centre was set up by NCDC and requests for vaccines were sent to International Coordinating Group (ICG) on vaccine provision. While it took ICG one week to approve the requests, it took an average of two weeks for approximately 41% of requested vaccines to arrive. On the average, it took nine weeks from the date the epidemic threshold was crossed to commencement of reactive vaccination in the three states.
There were delays in detection and notification of the outbreak, in coordinating response activities, in requesting for vaccines and their arrival from ICG, and in initiating reactive vaccination. Reducing these delays in future outbreaks could help decrease the morbidity and mortality linked with meningococcal meningitis outbreaks.
Outbreaks of viral haemorrhagic fevers, such as the Ebola virus disease epidemic in west Africa, have caught the attention of the global health community because of perceived and real threats to local, national, and global health security and their economic impact.1 Although viral haemorrhagic fever outbreaks primarily affect settings in which pathogens emerge from animal hosts, they also have the potential to spread worldwide. Consequently, models that accurately predict the emergence and spread of viruses that cause viral haemorrhagic fevers are needed. In The Lancet, David Pigott and colleagues2 use a combination of approaches to assess and understand the threat of viral haemorrhagic fevers across Africa by identifying locations that have the greatest potential for zoonotic spillover, regions that are susceptible to ongoing secondary transmission, and areas with the highest potential for local and global spread. A key strength of this study is the provision of subnational estimates of risks.
The use of models to inform the distribution of resources to prevent or respond to outbreaks requires prospective validation. Gaps and bias in surveillance data on viral haemorrhagic fevers in human beings in most African settings3 limit the ability to correctly predict zoonotic spillover. Pigott and colleagues predicted probable zoonotic transmission from animal hosts to human beings by combining geographical information on index cases of outbreaks and viral detection in animals and related this information to drivers in the environment to generate profiles that characterise where disease is likely to be found. In the absence of unbiased prospective surveillance, using similarities between environmental profiles to predict disease spread and which areas to focus surveillance should be used with appropriate caution. Nevertheless, this comprehensive assessment justifies investment in better surveillance and further animal–host surveys.
Projects such as the US Agency for International Development's (USAID's) PREDICT programme4provide an opportunity to improve the quality of viral reservoir data, but these data must be combined with better local disease surveillance and human–animal interaction behavioural data. By contrast, the quality of data on human connectivity, especially for air travel, is more robust and predictions of subsequent spread after emergence are therefore likely to be accurate.
In Pigott and colleagues' study,2 countries that have the greatest potential for spillover from animals reflect the original zoonotic niche of the viral haemorrhagic fevers examined, as expected. Analysis of outbreak receptivity, which relates to susceptibility to ongoing secondary transmission, showed that 90% of districts in the Central African Republic, Chad, Somalia, and South Sudan ranked in the top 90th percentile. These countries stand out for their political instability. Strikingly, estimating epidemic potential based on local and international connectivity showed that at-risk districts in Nigeria represented many of those with the highest potential for global spread of viral haemorrhagic fevers.2
Pigott and colleagues suggest that this work should inform investment at each stage of potential epidemic progression and propose areas in which they should be made. However, the authors did not mention where the investment will come from or which institutions should be the primary recipients.
Sustainable action to prevent the emergence and spread of viral haemorrhagic fevers requires investment to include local sources and to strengthen national and local capacity. Science-led national public health institutes (NPHIs) are needed to use complex information to make informed decisions on preparedness and response. NPHIs can provide leadership in disease surveillance and outbreak investigations, reference laboratory services, including specialist diagnostic services for rare organisms, and advise their governments on development and evaluation of public health interventions. These institutes need scientists who are knowledgable in the local context. Many African countries already recognise the need to bring the requisite expertise together into one institute, which led to the establishment of several NPHIs.5 Equally pertinent is the need for regional cooperation and resilience, which has led to new regional bodies such as the West African Regional Centre for Surveillance and Disease Control and the Africa Centres for Disease Control. These institutes are supported with modest resources compared with similar entities in high-income countries, despite the increased risk of major outbreaks from zoonotic and human sources.
Not enough emphasis in the post-Ebola narrative has been placed on strengthening NPHIs to fulfil their global health security mandate. Instead, too much responsibility has been placed on WHO, which, despite improvements in technical expertise on emergency response,6 does not have sufficient resources—should they be expected—to respond to all threats in a continent as vast as Africa, or the local presence to rapidly deal with emerging viral haemorrhagic fever threats. What if Guinea had a strong NPHI with the right expertise to respond to information on infectious disease risk and use this information to persuade its own government to act? An outbreak of the size and scale experienced might never have happened.
Establishment of NPHIs provides the crucial national resources required to underpin the prevention, detection, and response to outbreaks of emerging infections. These organisations should be designed with relevant disciplines and expertise to ensure they are fit for purpose, such as technical, epidemiological, microbiological, research, and communication skills, and supported by adequate and stable financing.7 To build strong, science-based institutions takes time and effort; however, it is the only sustainable way that research can lead to the development of a robust global health response capacity to emerging infections including viral haemorrhagic fevers. Although Pigott and colleagues2 did not explore specific interventions, such as the ability to respond to outbreaks or the use of protective equipment with their model, future research using such models should investigate measures to mitigate spread.
CI is the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and acting lead for the West Africa Regional Centre for Surveillance and Disease Control. IA and CI are investigators on the European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership-funded Pandora consortium and the UK Space Agency-funded scoping study to develop tools for predicting zoonotic infections.
Nigeria and several other African countries have been battling with public health challenges for decades. These challenges came to fore during the Ebola virus disease (EVD) crisis that affected many countries in the West African region, including Nigeria.
As a result, many African countries have established their National Public Health Institutes as a focal point to prevent, detect and respond to diseases of public health importance, but currently, only 9 of the 15 countries in West Africa have a designated national public health institute.
Before the EVD crisis, Nigeria established the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), which played a pivotal role in the control of the EVD outbreak in Nigeria, as well as provided support to other countries that were affected by the crisis.
Modelled on the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the NCDC has institutionalised Nigeria's capacity to respond to the increasing threats of outbreaks of infectious diseases and other public health emergencies. This is achieved through building collaborations and taking the lead in prevention, preparedness and surveillance, and also coordinating the public health laboratory networks.
African public health institutes are currently in early stages of evolution. Building a national public health institute requires strong commitment, clarity of vision. The experience of setting up the public health institute of Nigeria can inform similar efforts in other African countries.
Only a few African countries like Ethiopia and Mozambique have long standing National Public Health Institutes (NPHI). However, since the large 2014–2016 Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in West Africa, many African countries have been setting up NPHI1 2to optimise the use of scarce resources to prevent, detect and respond to infectious disease threats. The Africa Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have also set up regional disease control centres.3
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) was conceived much earlier in 2007 as an attempt to establish an institution that can effectively mobilise its resources to respond to these outbreaks and other public health emergencies. Modelled after the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, the first formal step to establish NCDC took place in 2011 when units of Federal Ministry of Health—the Epidemiology Division, the Avian Influenza Project and its laboratories—and the Nigeria Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program (NFELTP) were moved to form the nucleus of NCDC.
Detecting and responding to infectious disease outbreaks has long presented a major public health challenge in Nigeria, given its size and complexity. Several large infectious disease outbreaks have been reported in Nigeria, including the yellow fever outbreak in 19864 and 19875 that affected 9800 and 1249 people, respectively, the large meningitis outbreak in 1996 with 109 580 cases and 11 717 deaths,6 cholera outbreaks in 2001 and 20047 and more recently, the meningitis outbreak in 2017.8 9 In between these was the much acclaimed successful response to the outbreak of EVD in September 2014.10
Nigeria's public health challenges continue to grow—rapid population growth, increasing movement of people and destruction of infrastructure in the North East of Nigeria following the 'Boko Haram' insurgency and outbreaks from new and re-emerging pathogens. The year 2017 saw an increase in the rate of infectious diseases like Lassa fever,11 yellow fever, monkey pox, cholera and new strains/subtypes/serotypes of existing pathogens like Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C in Nigeria.12 In addition, Nigeria has had to address emerging public health threats, such as increasing antimicrobial resistance,13 and increasing incidence of non-communicable diseases14 and high maternal mortality rates.15
The establishment of NCDC is indeed more justifiable now than when it was conceived in 2007. The value of the NCDC to the country became most obvious from its role in the coordination of the response to the 2014 EVD outbreak in Nigeria16 17 and coordinating the support that Nigeria provided to the Governments of Sierra Leone and Liberia during the EVD outbreak in those countries. This outbreak and the need for strong, country-led coordination become the basis for further growth of the NCDC. Notably, NCDC now takes the front seat in preventing and preparing for public health emergencies, and in managing the surveillance and reference laboratory architecture for Nigeria. NCDC has strong partnerships with the WHO and the US CDC, which support various activities at the Centre through grants and technical assistance to support disease surveillance, establishment of reference laboratory systems, outbreak response activities and others.
Together with the African Field Epidemiology Network, NCDC also manages the delivery of the Nigeria Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme (NFELTP). The NFELTP is a 2-year in-service training in applied epidemiology and laboratory practice within the NCDC/Federal Ministry of Health and Federal Ministry of Agriculture. The programme also offers basic epidemiology training to health workers at Local Government levels to improve surveillance and response to priority diseases.18The NFELTP is modelled after the US-CDC Epidemiology Intelligence Service and has been replicated in >80 countries around the world. In Nigeria, NFELTP has developed a pool of Field Epidemiologists and Laboratory experts with skills to gather critical information and turn it into public health action, and it is a major public health asset within Nigeria's national public health institute.19
The NCDC also has a very strong relationship with the new ECOWAS Regional Centre for Disease control which is also the regional hub for the Africa Centre for Disease Control. Other partnerships that the Centre has recently developed include with the University of Maryland, Baltimore, the Robert Koch Institute, the Global Outbreak and Response Network and Public Health England, all focusing on specific aspects of its mandate.
The NCDC has strengthened its focus on prevention and preparedness; stockpiling and prepositioning of supplies for outbreak response in the states; development of guidelines and checklists for emergency preparedness; and generally increasing its role in supporting the States. NCDC also provides guidance and support to other professionals and sub-national government public health organisations and officials.
One way that NCDC has been able to coordinate preparedness and response activities is the establishment of its Incident Coordination Centre. This serves as a location to review outbreak reports and decide on preparedness and response activities. Dashboards are available to display data from the subnational level, which provides a snapshot of disease trends in the country. The Incident Coordination Centre is also tasked with daily intelligence gathering and risk analysis of public health events to identify potential threats. It serves as an Emergency Operations Centre during outbreaks, with an incident manager leading the response, bringing together the various pillars of outbreak response working in a command and control structure.
The NCDC is also the focal point for the implementation of the International Health Regulations (IHR), which is a global legal agreement that aims to prevent and respond to the spread of diseases and to avoid their becoming international crises. A Joint External Evaluation was carried out in June 2017 to assess Nigeria's capacity to prevent, detect and respond to treats of public health importance. Several areas of strength were highlighted as well as areas requiring an improvement in capacity.20Subsequently, a National Action Plan is being developed to strengthen areas of weakness.
The journey of NCDC shows that building NPHI takes clarity of vision, perseverance, commitment and a strong legal mandate. Achieving a legal mandate will demonstrate Nigeria's commitment to providing a strong scientific focus for ensuring the health security of Africa's most populous nation. Over the next 5 years, the NCDC's mission is to work in partnership with other arms of Government and partners to protect the health of Nigerians. This will be accomplished through integrated disease surveillance; a linked and connected public health laboratory network within the country and the sub region; and the coordination of emergency preparedness and response activities.
NPHI help to concentrate a country's resources for the prevention, detection and response to infectious diseases in a single organisation. Nigeria's experience of setting up its NCDC can inform similar efforts in other African countries.
In Nigeria, before 2017 the most recent case of human monkeypox had been
reported in 1978. By mid-November 2017, a large outbreak caused by the
West African clade resulted in 146 suspected cases and 42
laboratory-confirmed cases from 14 states. Although the source is
unknown, multiple sources are suspected.


text:
Cheltenham Badlands
The Cheltenham Badlands are a bizarre geographical spectacle that lies hidden in the Caledon Hills. This area consists of bare, windswept red hills and gullies that are very similar to that of the Alberta badlands. What makes them so bizarre is that they are found in Ontario.
The reddish hue of the Queenston Shale is caused by iron oxide, while narrow greenish bands show where groundwater has transformed the rock from red to green iron oxide. The cause of this phenomenon was poor farming practices in the 1930's which caused overgrazing of this land and the resultant exposure of the Queenston shale that supports little or no vegetation.
Although the Cheltenham Badlands span a vast area, the best location for visitors is along Old Base Line Road, just east of Creditview Road. Care should be taken as this area is very fragile. Visitors should not climb on the hills after a rainfall or when the ground appears soft. Bring your camera in the afternoon for some fantastic "Mars" like shots.
Is this your business or attraction? Claim this listing today!


text:
A three-hour event to keep your kids moving and engaged in activities, crafts, and fun while you get a chance to catch a three-hour cat nap, do some uninterrupted grocery shopping or have dinner with a friend. Food is provided. $15/child and if you have three or more kids its $10/child. Please call by 12 noon to RSVP.
December 20th: Christmas - Cookie Decorating, present wrapping ( we provide personalize wrapping you provide the present to be wrapped)
January 17th: Ice Age - activities that are sure to be cold and blustery but loaded with fun
****February 14th*** 5 - 9 pm - Valentine's Day, donut decorating, card making and sledding. (Longer hours for parents to go out on a date)
March 21st: Crazy games and high energy exertion (outdoors and indoors, inflatables)


text:
On Friday 5 Judges of the Court of Appeal dismissed the Government's appeal against Justice Heath's High Court declaration that the 2010 law that barred all prisoners from voting breached the Bill of Rights and cannot be justified in a free and democratic society. (The Attorney-General v Taylor [2017] NZCA 215).
This case wasn't just important for prisoners because as a result of it governments who use their majority in Parliament to pass laws that infringe the basic and most fundamental rights of New Zealanders, as set out in the Bill of Rights, can now be taken to court and those rights vindicated. Non-lawyers might be surprised to learn that isn't already the case.
Although this case concerned the voting rights of prisoners it illustrates well that the Bill of Rights can be overridden and the rights enshrined there (including the Rights to Life and Security of the Person — sections 8 to 11; Democratic and Civil Rights — sections 12 to 18; Non-Discrimination and Minority Rights — sections 19 and 20; Rights to be Free from Unreasonable Search and Detention and securing fair trial rights – sections 21 to 26; and Right to Justice – section 26) are at the mercy of any Government with a majority in Parliament.
Section 12 of the Bill of Rights has always said; `
Every New Zealand citizen who is of or over the age of 18 years has the right to vote in genuine periodic elections of members of the House of Representatives, which elections shall be by equal suffrage and by secret ballot.
Pretty clear you would think, notably it doesn't say every NZ citizen except prisoners! You will also note that it is supposed to enshrine some pretty fundamental rights that are essential to the functioning of our democracy — equal suffrage and secret ballot.
So if they Government had got way scot free with tampering with part of section 12, the dangerous precedent was set that they override anything in the Bill of Rights.
Unfortunately, much of the mainstream media and legal/electoral law commentators (with the notable and commendable exception of Otago Law Professor Andrew Geddis) failed to realise that undermined all New Zealander's basic rights in the sense of making it easier to change or remove them once the precedent was set that they could be changed or removed with seeming impunity.
Predictably (especially as Act/National believes most of the 10,000 prisoners would vote for parties other than them if they had the vote) Bill English came out and said:
"Look if [the Judgment] raises significant policy issues, went look at it them but up to now we haven't seen reason to change the law."
Well Bill, put partisan politics aside and read what six Judges in two different Courts have said about the ban on prisoner voting not to mention several newspaper editorials and Andrew Geddis – probably NZ's most authoritative commentator on electoral law – and you'll see ~ plenty of reasons why this very bad law needs to be repealed.
You might also want to read what Justice Ellis said about it in a case l took to the High Court in 2014, including that it was "constitutionally objectionable"} Unfortunately because we haven't got a constitution the Courts cannot strike down this bad law but there can be absolutely no doubt that they would have if they did have that power.
The courts in most countries we like to compare ourselves with, in Canada, Australia, South Africa, all of the 27 countries in the European Union, the UK and many others have already ruled unlawful or struck down as unconstitutional blanket prisoner voting bans where they existed in those countries.
So has the European Court of Human Rights. International treaties the Government has given a solemn undertaking to abide by, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights, are also being flouted with attendant
damage to New Zealand's reputation as a country that respects and upholds human rights.
No matter what sort of gloss/spin you put on it a country has no moral authority to take other countries to task when those other countries can point to you allowing a law that takes from thousands of New Zealand citizens a fundamental right, and which your highest courts have formally declared cannot be justified in a fee democratic society.
Other countries (hello Zimbabwe, Fiji and others that NZ has condemned for human rights breaches) can justifiably say:
"You ought to be fixing human rights breaches at home before preaching to us – you have a law that no free and democratic society would tolerate — your own courts at the highest level have said so."
One of the Bill of Rights most important functions is to protect minority rights from being overridden by an oppressive or overzealous majority.
How far is that majority able to restrict the rights and freedoms of minorities?
And before you say "But the majority in New Zealand can be expected to exercise restraint and not oppress minorities." Reflect on the experience of Maori the victims for most of our history to what they rightly saw as an oppressive majority overriding their rights as Tangata Whenua. This in the face of the Crown agreeing in the Treaty of Waitangi to respect and uphold their rights.
The prisoner voting ban law was simply another law passed by the majority to take away the rights of a minority one that they no doubt saw was powerless and vulnerable just as Maori were seen, at least until more recent and enlightened times when they were able to begin enforcing their rights through the courts.
Just so you are in no doubt Bill, the declaration Justice Heath made and which the 5 Judges upheld on Friday is a formal remedy and solemn declaration informing all New Zealanders that Parliament has enacted legislation incompatible with a fundamental right and serves the important function of bringing to the attention of the executive branch of government that the Court is of the view that there is a measure on the statue book which infringes protected rights and freedoms, which the court has decided is not a justified limitation.
The court is, in the nicest possible way, advising you that the blanket voting ban on prisoners voting is a bad law that no self-respecting Parliament would pass or allow to remain on the law books.
Once Crown Law gets over its having lost the argument on this issue in every court it has gone to, it might want to advise the Government that it must repeal this law.
And if it doesn't. l have another case before the Court of Appeal (heard and argued in March —- reserved decision). See para. 145 of the Court Appeal Judgement )that if the Court accepts it will mean another significant first – the Court deciding that it has the jurisdiction to actually strike the prisoner voting ban down .
This would be on the grounds that interfering with the qualifications of electors ( the prisoner voting ban took away the existing right to vote of several thousand citizens ) required a 75% majority in Parliament to pass.
As the Act/National majority that passed it, against the opposition of all other parties including Peter Dunne , was only 2 votes then it were not validly passed by Parliament so is invalid legislation.
One thing the Government can be certain of is that this issue is not going away , so the sooner they bite the bullet and right the wrong the better for everyone – as well as our international reputation and our lucrative international trade deals which are usually linked to human rights.
Arthur Taylor is The Daily Blog's Prisoner Rights Blogger who is currently serving time inside prison.