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Minutes of an Executive meeting from June of that year state further action would be considered “as appropriate” if the DUP went ahead with a threat to rotate its ministers. The minutes are within files which have been declassified at the Public Record Office in Belfast. Devolved powersharing had been restored to Northern Ireland in May 2000 when Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble had received the backing of his party to go back into the Assembly, despite there having been no decommissioning of IRA arms at that point. Then DUP deputy leader Mr Robinson and Mr Dodds took up the offices as ministers for regional development and social development, but refused to attend Executive meetings due to the presence of Sinn Fein ministers. The party also said it would rotate its ministerial posts to prevent other parties from taking them. A minute of an Executive meeting on June 8 said Mr Robinson and Mr Dodds had refused a request from First Minister Mr Trimble and deputy First Minister Seamus Mallon to meet with them “to discuss recent public comments by the DUP concerning their positions as ministers”. The minute records that the Executive endorsed a proposal from the First and deputy First Ministers to write again to the two DUP ministers setting out sanctions against them. It says: “The First Minister and and Deputy First Minister would assume responsibility for representing the Executive Committee on transport matters at the British-Irish Council in place of the Minister for Regional Development. “The Minister for Social Development and the Minister for Regional Development would not be nominated to attend meetings of the Joint Ministerial Committee. “Pending the receipt of satisfactory assurances from DUP Ministers regarding the confidentiality and integrity of Executive Committee business, the Minister for Social Development and Minister for Regional Development would not receive Executive Committee papers as of right. “The First Minister and Deputy First Minister would seek briefing, as appropriate, from officials in the Department for Regional Development and Department for Social Development.” The minute continues: “If the DUP carried out their threat to change the holders of the two Ministerial offices on a frequent basis, the Executive Committee would consider other action as appropriate.” Mr Robinson and Mr Dodds resigned as ministers on June 27 and were replaced by party colleagues Gregory Campbell and Maurice Morrow. A minute from an Executive meeting that day says: “The Executive Committee noted that the Minister for Social Development and Minister for Regional Development would be resigning their posts that afternoon, and expressed concern at the proposed rotation of the ministries held by their Party Members.”Packers fail yet again to produce a premier performance against a top NFC team in loss to Vikings
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LysteMize Digestion of Livestock Waste: Lystek announces research project with support from Natural Resources Canada‘Training of extension agents/farmers key to improved livestock productivity’MONTPELIER — The drumbeat for a municipal tax rate increase that is in line with the current rate of inflation just got a little bit louder in Montpelier where city councilors are struggling with what amounts to a $460,000 problem. That’s the bad news. The good news, which may not be as good as it sounded in the moment Wednesday night, was that latest draft of the budget for the Montpelier Roxbury Public School District estimates Montpelier’s homestead tax rate would drop 1.62% — about 2 cents — after spiking last year. Fraser — and later Finance Director Sarah LaCroix — acknowledged that number was subject to change even as Superintendent Libby Bonesteel was across town warning school directors it was based on the fiscal equivalent of “quicksand.” Bonesteel explained there is reason to believe some of the preliminary numbers used to generate what may be an overly rosy projection with respect to the education tax rate are unreliable and, she said, it wouldn’t take much to turn what looks like a slight rate reduction into 6% increase. “We feel like we’re standing on quicksand right now,” Bonesteel told board members contemplating whether to make adjustments to a budget proposal that currently calls for spending nearly $32.4 million, an increase of about $1.8 million, or a little over 5.8%. The board made no decisions and neither did the council, though there appears to be a growing sense that the $19.2 million municipal budget recommended by Fraser last week will be altered next year. Fraser acknowledged as much during a self-described “rant” that spanned 10 minutes and framed the hour-long discussion that followed. It’s one during which Montpelier’s veteran manager sought to debunk the narrative he is “playing games” with the budget and “push back” on the suggestion the city is administratively “top heavy.” Fraser said the budget he recommended is what is required to provide the services, through its strategic plan, has indicated it wants. “If you want to do what you want to do, this is what it (costs),” he said before launching into a protracted defense of his administrative team. “I appreciate that we have difficult decisions to make, but I want to push back ... about this notion that we have ... all these people in their ivory towers doing nothing,” Fraser said, praising in some detail the work his multi-tasking department heads do on behalf of the city. “Every one of them is delivering services to our public, and if you were to change their titles the work they’re doing still needs to be (done),” he said. Fraser echoed that sentiment more than once before he was finished, noting that further staff cuts to a budget that already reflects a net reduction in employees would come at a cost. “If we reduce people we’re going to have to decide what work we’re not going to do,” he said. Flash forward an hour and Liberty Street resident Dave Bellini lamented the council hadn’t made more progress on that front. “You’re dancing around the issue,” Bellini complained. “You have to look at ‘necessary’ versus ‘nice-to-have.’” Fire, police and public works all got a thumb’s up from Bellini, who argued a communications specialist didn’t “pass the straight-faced test” in a community of 8,000 people. “Get real,” he said. “This is a small corner store that you’re managing here. This is not Walmart or something.” Bellini said limiting the tax rate increase to the rate of inflation — 3.5% — was reasonable and, he said he believed necessary. “I’m fed up with the taxes,” he said. “Last year, the taxpayers got kicked in the teeth. Enough!” Bellini’s comments served as a bookend to Fraser’s pre-buttal and capped a council conversation that featured a mix of frustration and confusion. The latter was supplied by Councilor Sal Alfano who mistakenly believed the council previously voted to ask Fraser to prepare a budget that would require an inflation-based tax increase of 3.5%. Though that was the suggestion of Councilor Tim Heney, and others voiced support for it at the time, Fraser noted, the council never voted. “If there had been a motion made and passed that’s what you would have got,” he said, recalling a conversation that was more brainstorming than directive. Absent clear direction, Fraser recommended a budget he said limited the increase as much as possible, while still meeting the goals outlined in the council-approved strategic plan. Heney suggested Wednesday night the plan, which in his view is little more than a too-long list of “bullet points,” is treated by staff as council priorities, which becomes a problem when budget season rolls around. “Not every service that we provide is essential for a community our size,” he said, adding: “We provide a lot of good services to people, but it’s OK to review that and determine when we’re over the top.” Heney said he would like to explore the city’s information technology contract and is intrigued by the possibility of facilitating the Montpelier Senior Activity Center’s possible shift to a stand-alone non-profit. Others, like Alfano and Councilor Adriene Gil, said they were uncomfortable recommending specific reductions and believed that should be left to those who know more about how the city functions. According to Fraser, limiting the tax increase to 3.5% would require cutting an additional $460,000, identifying that much new revenue, or some combination of the two. For the second straight week he dangled the prospect of enacting a 1% tax on sales, while being careful to note he wasn’t recommending it and suggested most other alternatives would require additional layoffs. “We are in an impossible situation. I don’t think we can reduce the tax rate significantly without affecting something we do,” he said. “That’s not a threat, that’s just a fact. So the question is which area do you want to choose?” If Fraser was expecting an answer in real time he didn’t get one and councilors agreed to resume their budget discussion on Jan. 8. In order to meet the Town Meeting Day warning requirements, the budget must be adopted on Jan. 22. david.delcore @timesargus.com
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Caitlin Clark is right to snub Unrivaled, claims Skip Bayless after 'jealousy and resentment' WNBA star suffered READ MORE: Fans slam 'disgusting' Unrivaled for 22-minute Caitlin Clark video By LEOCCIANO CALLAO Published: 22:34 GMT, 21 November 2024 | Updated: 22:42 GMT, 21 November 2024 e-mail 13 shares View comments Skip Bayless claims that Caitlin Clark is right to skip the Unrivaled 3-on-3 league in January after the Indiana Fever star walked with a target on her back throughout her rookie campaign. WNBA stars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart founded the 3-on-3 league to provide an alternative for women's basketball players who typically play overseas during the offseason to make up for financial gaps. After the promising competition failed to land Clark on their small, yet star-studded, roster, Bayless took to X to express his thoughts on Clark waving off the reportedly massive offer. 'Good for Caitlin Clark not playing in this new 3-on-3 league,' Bayless wrote. 'After all the jealousy and resentment she felt last season - all the cheap shots and bullying attempts - she made a late-season run at MVP. 'SHE'S the reason WNBA popularity exploded last season. She doesn't need 3-on-3,' he continued. Good for Caitlin Clark not playing in this new 3-on-3 league. After all the jealousy and resentment she felt last season - all the cheap shots and bullying attempts - she made a late-season run at MVP. SHE'S the reason WNBA popularity exploded last season. She doesn't need 3-on-3 — Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) November 21, 2024 Skip Bayless claimed that Caitlin Clark was right to turn down the Unrivaled 3-on-3 league Read More BREAKING NEWS Caitlin Clark makes Unrivaled decision ahead of breakaway league's debut season After getting drafted by the Fever with the No 1 overall pick, Clark became a catalyst in the WNBA's popularity soaring to unprecedented heights. Upon her entry, the league saw records broken for both attendance and viewership numbers. However, Clark was also on the receiving end of 'welcome to the league' moments early into the season. The most infamous incident was when she got body-checked by veteran guard Chennedy Carter in her first game against college rival Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky. Clark got hit with five flagrant fouls and a handful of close calls. Four of the five flagrant fouls were committed by the Sky. Nonetheless, Clark took care of business on the court, leading Indiana to their first playoff appearance since 2016. While the Fever got swept by Connecticut in the first round, Clark won the WNBA Rookie of the Year and made a run for the MVP award to cap off a spectacular campaign. Bayless insisted Clark dealt with jealousy and resentment while making the WNBA popular Clark received five of the 30 flagrant fouls in the WNBA during her rookie season with Indiana In October, Front Office Sports reported that Unrivaled offered Clark a lucrative deal similar to what Inter Miami handed Lionel Messi to bring him over to MLS from Europe. Furthermore, several of Clark's friends have already filled roster slots for the league's inaugural season. Namely Fever teammates Aliyah Boston and Lexie Hull and former Iowa teammate Kate Martin, who was drafted by the Las Vegas Aces this year. After claims of taking her offseason away from the game were followed by hints of her participation, the plans to get her on board ultimately failed to materialize. Unrivaled will be based in Miami, Florida, and its inaugural season will begin in January 2025. The league will feature 30 players from the WNBA and NCAA and have the highest average salaries in women's sports history. On Oct. 16, Unrivaled announced a multi-year media rights deal with TNT. Games will also be available on Max and truTV. Caitlin Clark WNBA Share or comment on this article: Caitlin Clark is right to snub Unrivaled, claims Skip Bayless after 'jealousy and resentment' WNBA star suffered e-mail 13 shares Add comment