GRA says ‘higher taxation’ claims baseless
The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), responding on Friday to claims that higher taxation has led to the closure of BEV Enterprises’ shrimp processing facility, has said the accusations are baseless, since the Guyana Association of Trawler Owners and Seafood Operators continues to reap significant benefits.According to the GRA, as per an agreement signed between the Association and the Government since 2005, these benefits are being garnered.GRA has said the issue of higher taxation was raised by reports and letters published in the media, hence the tax body has sought to debunk the misleading claims. The GRA statement also indicated that the owners of BEV have refuted the allegations, and have noted that they have a “generous taxation” arrangement with the Government.Some of the soon-to-be- unemployed workers“It should be noted that GRA’s policy is to ensure that persons granted concessions act in accordance with the terms and conditions under which the tax exemptions were granted. As far as the GRA is aware, BEV Enterprises were utilising (their) concessions as per the agreement. Whilst recognising the rights of persons to pen letters voicing their opinions, the Authority hopes that opinions shared involving matters of taxation will be firmly grounded in facts, and not hearsay,” the GRA has said.With thousands of former sugar workers continuing to face challenges to find consistent employment, closure of the BEV processing facility will see over 390 employees being without employment. According to reports which surfaced on Tuesday, over 100 of the workers could be absorbed into other seafood operations, but many of BEV staff remain unsure as to how such an arrangement would be executed.The majority of the workers are women, and they are worried for their future as well as those of their children. Sources told this publication that proprietor and head of BEV Processors Inc, Bruce Vieira, held a recent meeting with staff, wherein he assured workers that they would receive benefits for their years of service.They were also informed that operations would cease by July 15, and the reactions were varied, ranging from sheer shock to passivity.Vieira was quoted in other sections of the media as saying he is hoping that Noble House Seafoods would purchase BEV’s plant and garner shrimp suppliers, which can provide employment. Vieira denied that his decision to leave the industry was due to a deal he has with an oil company which needs a sea front property.Union representationFollowing cries from some of the workers about the lack of representation by their union, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) officials met with the management of BEV Enterprises on Thursday, when the company agreed to pay the workers a series of incentives.According to the Union, the news of the company closing operations came as a shock to many workers, most of whom are single mothers already finding it challenging to solely maintain their families.During Thursday’s meeting, the company’s owner indicated that several factors would have impacted the decision to end operations in the fishing industry. For the past 34 years, the company, located at Houston, Greater Georgetown, has been one of the leading processors of fish and shrimp for local and foreign markets.The company has agreed to pay its workers some incentives to soften the impact that the closure will have on their livelihoods. Apart from the statutorily required redundancy payments, the company, through the union/company engagement, has agreed to pay workers for their full year’s annual leave. This would be done even though the year’s service would be incomplete when operations cease.Additionally, the workers are expected to receive their full incentive payment for July 2018, although the company would end operations around July 15, 2018.
Sole-sourced Demerara River bridge feasibility studyThe Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) is close to wrapping up its investigations into the awarding of a sole-sourced contract for a feasibility study into constructing the new Demerara River bridge.The Public Procurement Commission had stated that the sole sourcing of the contract for the new Demerara River bridge feasibility study was illegalThis is according to SOCU Head, Assistant Police Commissioner Sydney James, when contacted by Guyana Times. While he noted that investigations were in an advanced stage, he declined to give details on whether charges would be laid.“The investigation is almost completed. It’s an ongoing investigation, but it is being finalised. The report is being finalised,” James explained, although he would only say “shortly” when asked for a specific timeframe for completion.The contract in question was awarded to Dutch company LievenseCSO for a feasibility study into the new bridge. The Opposition had requested that the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) investigate the award of the $148 million sole-sourced contract.SOCU head, Assistant Police Commissioner Sydney JamesIn its report on the matter, the PPC had flagged Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson for requesting from Cabinet that the contract be sole-sourced, instead of being processed through the Procurement Board as the law says should be done.The PPC completed its investigation into the award of the contract for a feasibility study on a new Demerara River bridge, and handed its report over on August 7, 2018. The report noted that several companies had bid for the project to do the feasibility study and design for the new Demerara River bridge, and 12 companies had been shortlisted.The report had added that only two of the 12 companies had made proposals. As such, the bidding process was annulled. It added that on November 12, 2016, the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) approved the move for the project to be re-tendered. The project was not re-tendered; instead, Dutch company LievenseCSO was engaged by the Public Infrastructure Ministry to do the work.Page seven of the report noted that the bid from LievenseCSO was “unsolicited”, but Patterson took the company’s proposal to Cabinet for approval, and Cabinet granted its approval for the company to be engaged. The report, on page seven, stated that monies to be spent on the project were taken from the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation (Asphalt Plant Accounts).It was subsequently announced that SOCU would be investigating the matter. Patterson submitted a statement to the investigative unit in September of this year, although this was criticised as the Opposition said the same standard used on them should apply to the Government. Around that time, Opposition politicians were being questioned at SOCU headquarters over other matters.
Police in Beaverlodge are now calling last night’s accident that killed one cyclist a “hit and run,” and they’re seeking the public’s assistance in the matter.The accident occurred Sunday night around 8 p.m. on Highway 59 just outside of Beaverlodge, Alberta. One male and one female cyclist were westbound when they collided with a tractor-trailer also travelling west. – Advertisement -Police say the vehicle continued to travel down Hwy 59 after the collision. The male cyclist was pronounced dead at the scene, and the female cyclist was taken to hospital. Anyone who witnessed the incident is urged to contact Beaverlodge RCMP at 780-354-2485.Advertisement
It was a sweet act of charity. But why can’t the Children’s Museum can’t get some, too? The museum has been plagued by money problems throughout its development. And now officials say sluggish fundraising could put off the planned opening until as late as spring 2008. Why doesn’t the plight of this important cultural gem stir the same sort of generosity as Holzer’s sad tale? Perhaps it’s because personal stories touch people more than institutional ones. But the lives of thousands of individual kids will be greatly enriched when the museum is built, and that ought to stir enough generosity in us to raise final donations to finish this project once and for all. WHAT does the Children’s Museum of Los Angeles have to do to get people to open up their wallets so the project can finally open? Put a dog in a freezer? Not to suggest that any of the people raising funds to finish the museum home at Hansen Dam would ever consider engaging in animal cruelty, of course. But it’s curious to note what moves people to give to good causes – and what doesn’t. An example of the former is the story of Kimberly Holzer’s unfortunate Chihuahua, Roxy, who nearly died after burglars stuck her in a freezer while cleaning out Holzer’s Lancaster home. Holzer’s having to endure such a hardship – while she’s pregnant with twins and her husband is serving in Afghanistan – touched sheriff’s station employees so much that they donated $800 and a bag of dog toys to help her back on her feet. 160Want local news?Sign up for the Localist and stay informed Something went wrong. Please try again.subscribeCongratulations! You’re all set!
AD Quality Auto 360p 720p 1080p Top articles1/5READ MORESanta Anita opens winter meet Saturday with loaded card Pansini, 50, of Shadow Hills, was hired after a nationwide job search and interviews by panels of fire and city officials and residents. “His interim leadership has been incredible,” City Manager Mary Alvord said during the change of command ceremony held Wednesday at Fire Department headquarters. “He won the respect of the entire executive team. I couldn’t be prouder.” Pansini is taking the $150,684-a-year post after serving as interim chief since May, when he replaced former Chief Mike Davis. “He leads by example,” said Capt. Lew Stone, the president of the Burbank Fire Fighters Local 778, the union that represents 120 active firefighters and 80 retirees. “When he was a captain, he was on the roof with his guys cutting the hole. He held the nozzle, pushing the head right into the seat of the fire.” Pansini, a Verdugo Hills High School graduate, didn’t start out as Pansini the firefighter. He was enrolled in pre-veterinarian classes at Pierce College when the Mill Creek Fire broke out in the Angeles National Forest in 1975, and his home in Big Tujunga Canyon was surrounded by fire. Pansini and three friends grabbed garden hoses and managed to save his house. “Tracy grabbed some hoses, and he said, ‘Come on let’s go on the roof. We got on the roof and started putting out some hot spots,” said Tony Varela, 49, a lifelong friend of Pansini’s and an assistant chief of the Los Angeles Fire Department. “I thought he was nuts. I could see Tracy taking a look at that, and saying ‘I can do this. I could be a firefighter.’ “Tracy lived up to every expectation I had of him as a friend. He is truly a doer.” Pansini joined the Burbank Fire Department in November 1979 and has since gone on “too many fires to count.” In the beginning, he said, he was “too stupid to know if they were harrowing” and went on “gut instinct.” In 1981, he became a paramedic firefighter. During a rotation through Providence Saint Joseph’s Medical Center, he said, he recalled helping a man who had walked into a spinning propeller at the Burbank Airport – and survived. “That was incredible,” Pansini said. “That was the worst injury I had ever seen where somebody was still talking and was coherent.” Later, Pansini trained in hazardous materials and responded to fires at the Skunk Works facility, Lockheed Martin’s top-secret lab where the U-2, the SR-71 and the F-117 were built. “Normally what we’re fighting in town is wood, paper, things like that,” Pansini said. “But to go out there and see all these chemicals and processes that were top secret, that were so exotic … We had to go in in special suits and open up the ovens and remove the material that was burning. It was incredible.” In 1992, Pansini became one of a few hundred firefighters from around the country on an elite “Red Card” team, on call to respond to wildfires anywhere in the West. “My goal is to build better relationships,” Pansini said. “Fires don’t just burn on one jurisdiction or on one city’s soil. They run many jurisdictions. Only through working together and collaborating are we going to be successful.” Jason Kandel, (818) 546-3306 jason.kandel@dailynews.com 160Want local news?Sign up for the Localist and stay informed Something went wrong. Please try again.subscribeCongratulations! You’re all set! BURBANK – A 26-year veteran of the Burbank Fire Department, Tracy Pansini describes himself as an “in-the-trench guy” who has gone out on “too many fires to count.” That’s why the then-assistant chief had a tough decision to make eight months ago, when he was offered a promotion to interim chief – a step that led to his appointment last week of the 145-member department. “I’d never done the administrative function of the Fire Department,” said Pansini, who becomes the sixth chief since 1935, the year the department became an all-paid force. “I was always a ground-pounder. I’m an in-the-trench guy. I get in the trench, get dirty, roll around and I get the job done like everybody else, regardless of rank.” 
Declaring that officers and the public may be in danger, the Police Commission called Tuesday for new radios for all LAPD officers, an overhaul city leaders have balked at because of the $50 million price tag. The commissioners asked the Los Angeles Police Department to look for a cheaper way to replace the radios, but they also vowed to press city budget directors on funding. “You’re talking about the safety of officers and the public,” said commission president John Mack. Communication glitches have been a recurring theme in the reports the commissioners review analyzing officer uses of force. AD Quality Auto 360p 720p 1080p Top articles1/5READ MORECasino Insider: Here’s a look at San Manuel’s new high limit rooms, Asian restaurant Police have failed in many cases to reach supervisors with notifications that force was used, the panelists said, and at other times they have found themselves dangerously out of touch with backup. Commissioner Alan Skobin said some of the problems may be innocuous as officers fail to hit the right button in a stressful situation, but the commissioners also suspect there may be underlying technical problems. Commissioner Anthony Pacheco said that on a recent ride-a-long in Northeast Los Angeles the officers avoided certain locations because they were “dead spots” for their mobile computers. “There were areas where they just had no communication,” he said. “It’s a pretty serious problem.” LAPD officials said the issue with the mobile computers is a wider problem with interference that the Federal Communications Commission should be resolving within months. The radio system will require a more costly overhaul, said Tim Riley, the LAPD’s chief information officer. “The backbone is in good condition but the handheld radios are in need of repair,” he said. Officers are currently using radios that Motorola stopped making in 2002, Riley said, making it difficult to get upgrades or support. The department has requested $43 million for new handheld radios and $8 million for new mobile units, he said – a request city administrators denied. City officials have said they must balance many competing priorities as Los Angeles faces a $270 million shortfall in its next budget that is currently being developed. Commissioner Shelley Freeman echoed the concerns but said perhaps new devices could be phased in or procured from a cheaper vendor. “That sounds like an awful lot for a radio,” she said. Dan Laidman, (213) 978-0390 dan.laidman@dailynews.com 160Want local news?Sign up for the Localist and stay informed Something went wrong. Please try again.subscribeCongratulations! You’re all set!
Lined up end-to-end, the pizzas would span almost 10 times the length of the 689-foot Lewis and Clark.160Want local news?Sign up for the Localist and stay informed Something went wrong. Please try again.subscribeCongratulations! You’re all set! AD Quality Auto 360p 720p 1080p Top articles1/5READ MORE11 theater productions to see in Southern California this week, Dec. 27-Jan. 2The previous world record for pizza delivery was 13,386, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. The event was filmed and recorded by independent witnesses, and Papa John’s spokesman Doug Terfehr said he is confident the tally will be authenticated by Guinness. Terfehr said each worker received two specially made 6-inch pizzas, and all pies arrived within 30 minutes via heated delivery vans. Making 13,500 pizzas is no small feat. A total of 2,275 pounds of cheese and 36,000 slices of pepperoni were used. The pizzas were cooked in 15 Papa John’s restaurants across San Diego and were made at a rate of about one per second throughout Thursday morning. The pies were distributed to shipyard workers at 17 distribution centers. When sailors and shipbuilders in San Diego ordered pizza to celebrate finishing the Navy’s newest cargo ship, they knew it was going to take more than a couple of 12-inch pepperoni pies to satisfy their hunger. Quite a lot more, in fact. A total of 13,500 pies were delivered to 6,000 or so workers Thursday, setting an unofficial world record for the biggest pizza delivery in history. The mega-delivery of doughy dinners was organized by Papa John’s pizza to mark the end of 2 1/2 years of construction of the Lewis and Clark, a cargo and ammunition ship scheduled for delivery to the Navy later this month. 
ResultsOn Wednesday 15th June Portsalon golf club staged an open gents stableford competition. Ken Sharpe (23) returning from a recent trip to the home of golf at St Andrews golf course in Scotland played some inspiring golf and recorded his first major open victory of the year with 39 points, runner up Connor Mc Fadden (16) 39 points, Gross Stephen Connolly (5) 33 points, 3rd Phillip Durning (8) 38 points. The CSS was 37 points.On Saturday 18th June the winner of the open competition played at Portsalon Golf club was Gerard Mc Gettigan (20) 36 points, runner up Sam Faulkner (13) 36 points points. The CSS was 36 points. The winner of the Sunday members competition was Pat Green (13) 41 points, Runner up John Sandilands (20) 39 points, Gross Damian Toland (5) 30 points, 3rd John Strain (19) 37 points. The CSS was 37 points.Events On Saturday 26th June there is an open gents stableford competition. On Sunday 27th June there is the usual members competition, and on Wednesday 29th June a gents 18 hole stableford open competition. A time sheet is in operation for all competitions at Portsalon Golf Club, contact 074 91 59459 for your tee time or go online at portsalongolfclub.comOpen WeekFinal preparations are underway for one of the major golfing festivals in the North West namely the Portsalon Golf Club Open week. The open week will run from Saturday 2nd July to Sunday 9th July. On Saturday 2nd gents four ball better ball sponsored by Callaghan Transport. Sunday 3rd Ladies & Gents stableford sponsored by The Golf Shop, Monday 4th Ladies & Gents stableford sponsored by Milford Inn Hotel , Tuesday 5TH gents stableford sponsored by Value Centre, Wednesday 6th gents stableford sponsored by Mc Gee Butchers, Thursday 7th gents stroke sponsored by Finn Valley Pheasantries, Friday 8th Ladies &Gents stableford sponsored by Dunleaveys XL Store, Saturday 9th gents four ball betterball sponsored by B Coyle & Sons, Sunday 10th Ladies &Gents stableford. Golfer of the week prize is sponsored by Seamus Clinton . Members and visitors should remember that all competitions at Portsalon Golf Club are on a time sheet. To ensure your place on this seasons open week contact 074 9159459 or go online to portsalongolfclub.comTeam News Senior CupThe Portsalon senior golfing team travelled to Portstewart on Sunday last for the GUI qualifying event. The team under the leadership of John Shields was Connor Connolly, Stephen Connolly, D P Logue , Pascal Cullen and John Shields. The Portsalon senior team made history by qualifying for the next round for the first time in the clubs history. The next round will be a match play event and will take place on Sunday 26th June in Portstewart Golf Club against Portstewart. Congratulations to the team on reaching the later stages and good luck on Sunday.Senior over 50’sThe return leg of the over 50’s match against Donegal Golf Club (Murvagh) was staged on Tuesday 14th June last. The Portsalon team trailing by four and half matches to one half match had a lot to do to overcome this score line. The team under the leadership of club captain Donal Callaghan pulled off a remarkable recovery by winning all five matches and advance to the next round against Ballyliffen golf club.Membership All members who are paying their fees by the instalment method should note that the third payment will be due by 30th June 2011.Divot BagsMembers and visitors please note that divot bags are now available on entry to the first tee box. Please ensure that you pick up a bag and assist with the course maintenance.GOLF NOTES: PORTSALON GOLF CLUB was last modified: June 21st, 2011 by StephenShare this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window)Tags:Portsalon Golf Club
Paddy Bond, Laura Harvey and Anthony sheridan after their fine performances.Swilly Seals coaches Paddy Bond and Anthony Sheridan travelled to Derry on Saturday 31st January to compete in the Masters Swimming Competition.Paddy put up a fine display finishing 1st in the 100m Backstroke, and 3rd in the 100m Freestyle, 100m Individual Medley and 50m Backstroke. He also placed 4th in the 50m Butterfly.Anthony took Bronze in the 50m and 25m Freestyle. Ex Seal Laura Harvey now swimming for NAC of Dublin picked up silver in the 50m Freestyle and Gold in the 25m Freestyle. She also took home 3 Golds in her relay events.Local Man Conor Mc Guigan swimming for The Belfast Masters cleaned up with Bronze in the 50m Free, Gold in the 50m Fly, 25m Free, 100m Individual Medley, 100m Free. He lifted Gold also in the 200m Individual Medley breaking the Ulster record in the process. SWIMMING NEWS: SOME NEW TRICKS FOR SOME OLD SEALS! was last modified: February 1st, 2015 by StephenShare this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window) Tags:donegalSwilly SealsSWIMMING
Pictured L-R Kevin Donnelly Calor Sales director, Raymond Sweeney, Mark McClements, cylinder sales manager.PROMOTED POST:Ben Sweeney Euronics Calor Gas Centre has won yet another prestigious Calor retailer award from the major gas supplier.Sweeney’s won the award for the highest LPG gas cooker sales in the entire country. The Calor retailers awards was held at the exclusive Galgorm Resort, in Co Antrim.Raymond and Ben Sweeney thanked Calor gas for all their support especially their very successful free gas promotion on gas cookers and hobs.They also singled out the new Calor branded gas regulators, hoses,cooker kits, pigtail hoses and replacement gas fire coals as reasons for their incredible success.Raymond Sweeney said cooking with gas is still the Cooks favourite, because it’s fast and efficient with the famous sizzling sound. Raymond and Ben Sweeney would also like to thank all their loyal band of customers for their support and business over the years.BEN SWEENEY EURONICS WINS PRESTIGIOUS CALOR GAS AWARD was last modified: June 8th, 2015 by Mark ForkerShare this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window) Tags:awardsCalor GasnewsRaymond SweeneyRetailers
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