Tickets use web for campaigns
Despite more stringent rules on campaigns for student body president and vice president, the five tickets in this year’s election used Facebook and other Internet promotions to spread their ideas while making personal connections around campus. Voting began at 8 a.m. this morning through a link sent to the entire student body from the Judicial Council. The voting site will close at 8 p.m. Judicial Council president Marcelo Perez said the council monitors the elections closely in order to ensure the campaigns proceed ethically and fairly. The Judicial Council made many changes to the rules in the constitution prior to this year’s election, including revisions to its Facebook policy. “Facebook statuses may now say ‘Vote for [candidate’s name]’ on the day of the election, whereas last year this was prohibited,” Perez said. The link to the voting website is also not allowed to be distributed through networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. “Concerning the actual Election Day the most important rule will be that now on [only] the Judicial Council will be allowed to distribute the election link,” Perez said. “Any candidate that is found distributing the link would have an allegation brought against them.” Web campaigns played a critical role for all of the candidates. They assembled websites, created Facebook fan pages, filmed YouTube videos and even Tweeted. Presidential candidate Catherine Soler and vice presidential candidate Emily LeStrange created a Facebook fan page, a Facebook voting event, a Twitter account and a website. “It is always hard to get all of your ideas across through posters,” Soler said. “So we hoped that by emphasizing our slogan, ‘Passion and Perspective’ as well as our website and Facebook and Twitter logos that students would find various ways to read more about what we offer students.” Candidates Ricky Bevington and Olivia Colangelo also created a Facebook page and an event to invite the student body to vote on Monday. “We might not have had the fanciest posters or the fanciest website,” he said. “But we thought it was more about the ideas on the website than the site itself.” The team filmed campaign videos and posted them on their YouTube channel. The channel received over 200 views, Bevington said. Presidential candidate James Ward said he and running mate Heather Eaton used Facebook as a starting point to spread their names and catch students’ interest, but talking one-on-one was the focus of their campaign. “We went with more of a grassroots strategy to engage people in actual conversation and try to help them realize we are in this for the students,” Ward said. The team used a Facebook ad in addition to their other campaign methods. “We had to make sure nothing we did on Facebook could be skewed as trying to solicit endorsements,” he said. The ticket wanted to make connections in the dorms through their door-to-door campaigns and found the greatest campaign challenge was finding the time to reach out to everyone, Ward said. Pat McCormick and Brett Rocheleau also visited every dorm on campus, and McCormick said the door-to-door conversations were the heart of his campaign. “Though we have used electronic communications like e-mail contacts, text messaging and Facebook, our belief was that these forms of communications were only means to the ultimate goal: having the chance to talk with students about the future of our school face to face, one person at a time,” McCormick said. McCormick said the ticket’s website and Facebook event pages were successful tools for the campaign as well. “One publicly available indicator of the interactive nature of our campaign though is that our event page has the most comments of any current candidate event page online,” he said. Campaigning is prohibited in the any of the Student Union offices or any venues occupied by the student union, Perez said, and all areas of LaFortune Student Center are off-limits for campaigns except pre-approved areas of the basement and first floor. Ward and Eaton received a violation and sanction for posting a campaign poster in non-bulletin space in the LaFortune Starbucks, Perez said. The sanction against their ticket required Ward and Eaton to remove their posters from LaFortune for 24 hours. Kevin Noonan and Matt Thomas, candidates on the perennial Zahm ticket for president and vice president, did not campaign as widely as the other tickets. They said they faced their biggest challenge in dealing with the campaign rules as well. “Really our biggest challenge was toeing the line between the fact that our campaign is a mockery of the process and actually getting our campaign materials approved by the Judicial Council, for whom we have the highest respect and in no way think that their time is wasted in their decisions to crack down in the election process,” Noonan said.
With winter finally behind us and the splendors of spring before us, there is no better time to break out of your seasonal rut than by hitting the trail. The NC Smokies boasts miles and miles of some of the most popular hiking trails in WNC, like Black Balsam, Graveyard Fields, Devils Courthouse, Water Rock Knob, the Art Loeb Trail, Max Patch, the Cataloochee Divide Trail, just to name a few. If you love epic trail adventure, scenic views that will bring a tear to your eye, and some of the very best photo ops in Western NC, Haywood County has got a hike for you.In addition to all the amazing trails easily accessed via the Blue Ridge Parkway and Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Haywood County holds two special hiking gems that we promise will be well worth your time – Purchase Knob and the Sam’s Summit Loop Trail. These year-round accessible hiking areas are each unique in their own regard and are often much less crowded than some of the other area trails. Purchase Knob and Sam’s Summit have both been highlighted by local naturalist, Ken Czarnomski, who created beautifully illustrated hiking guides of both trails. Each free guide not only offers an easy to follow map of with specific notes, but also a details about the many “must-see” highlights of the trail along with history, hiking tips, and other useful information to make the most out of your adventure.Purchase Knob, located along the Great Smoky Mountain National Park in Haywood County, offers a wide range of biodiversity and other appealing aspects all encompassed in a four-hour or less walk. Abundant flora and fauna combined with long rang views and noteworthy points of interest like the Appalachian Highlands Science Learning Center and the historical Ferguson Cabin, make this one of the most well-rounded hikes in Haywood County.
The Sam’s’ Summits Loop Trail is located in the Shining Rock Wilderness Area. As with the Purchase Knob guide, Ken wanted to highlight a year-round accessible hike, with the trail head located on Hwy 215 near the Blue Ridge Parkway. The hike is composed of six different trails that form a loop and can be broken down into individual shorter hikes. Features like the cascading Flat Laurel Creek Falls, incredible 360 views from the top of Sam’s Knob of Cold Mountain, Richland Balsam and Black Balsam, and even an opportunity to stroll through the dense quiet of a native spruce plantation, make this a perfect hike.
You can also snag a free copy of the Purchase Knob and Sam’s Summit Loop Trail guides by stopping by the Haywood County Visitor Center or by calling 800.334.9036. Once you’ve conquered the trails, make plans to stay the night in one of our five towns of Waynesville, Maggie Valley, Lake Junaluska, Canton, and Clyde. Enjoy local craft breweries, an eclectic culinary scene, live music venues, fun festivals, and much more. To plan your next hiking excursion in Haywood County visit www.visitncsmokies.com.
96SHARESShareShareSharePrintMailGooglePinterestDiggRedditStumbleuponDeliciousBufferTumblr Short of cash and unsettled in their careers, young Americans are waiting longer than ever to buy their first homes.The typical first-timer now rents for six years before buying a home, up from 2.6 years in the early 1970s, according to a new analysis by the real estate date firm Zillow. The median first-time buyer is age 33 — in the upper range of the millennial generation, which roughly spans ages 18 to 34. A generation ago, the median first-timer was about three years younger.The delay reflects a trend that cuts to the heart of the financial challenges facing millennials: Renters are struggling to save for down payments. Increasingly, too, they’re facing delays in some key landmarks of adulthood, from marriage and children to a stable career, according to industry and government reports.These shifts help explain why homeownership, long a source of middle class identity and economic opportunity, has started to decline. The share of the U.S. population who own homes has slid to 63.4 percent, a 48-year low, according to the Census Bureau.And when young adults do sign the deed, their purchase price is now substantially more, relative to their income, than it was decades ago. First-time buyers are paying a median price of $140,238, nearly 2.6 times their income. In the early 1970s, the starter home was just 1.7 times income. continue reading »
Advertisement Eden Hazard highlights Chelsea’s defensive lapses after dramatic Europa League victory over Eintracht Frankfurt Eden Hazard scored the winning penalty to book Chelsea’s place in the final (Getty Images)More: FootballRio Ferdinand urges Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to drop Manchester United starChelsea defender Fikayo Tomori reveals why he made U-turn over transfer deadline day moveMikel Arteta rates Thomas Partey’s chances of making his Arsenal debut vs Man CityAdvertisementAdvertisement‘We played a great game but the semi-final is not so easy. We are happy and we will go to Baku to try to win the trophy.‘In the first half we were better but then like always this season we conceded after five minutes of the second half.‘It was 50-50 at the end. In the end our character was good and we go through.‘I always take my responsibility when I have to. Today we are happy but it’s not finished. We have another game to play against Arsenal. We need to go there and play with quality and win the game.’More: Arsenal FCArsenal flop Denis Suarez delivers verdict on Thomas Partey and Lucas Torreira movesThomas Partey debut? Ian Wright picks his Arsenal starting XI vs Manchester CityArsene Wenger explains why Mikel Arteta is ‘lucky’ to be managing Arsenal Comment Metro Sport ReporterFriday 10 May 2019 1:14 amShare this article via facebookShare this article via twitterShare this article via messengerShare this with Share this article via emailShare this article via flipboardCopy link Eden Hazard says Chelsea conceded a goal ‘like always’ (BT Sport)Eden Hazard highlighted Chelsea’s defensive frailties after their dramatic penalty shootout victory over Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League semi-final on Thursday evening.Ruben Loftus-Cheek had put Chelsea in front in the first half at Stamford Bridge but Luka Jovic struck once again for Frankfurt to level the tie on aggregate.Chelsea eventually triumphed following a nervy penalty shootout and will now face Arsenal in the Europa League final in Baku on May 29.But in his interview after the game, Hazard conceded that Chelsea have a habit of ‘always’ conceding goals this season.ADVERTISEMENT‘It was hard but when you start the game you think you can reach the final, especially when you draw the first game away,’ said the Belgium international. Advertisement
Paul Merson names Manchester United’s most exciting player and hails two youngsters Advertisement Advertisement The Red Devils signed Fernandes from Sporting in January (Picture: Getty)Manchester United were only fifth in the Premier League when the 2019-20 season was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic but Merson feels the Red Devils are in a ‘really good place’.And the former Arsenal and England star has been impressed by striker Greenwood and defender Williams who have broke into the team over the past 12 months.‘No-one is enjoying the lack of football right now but I feel United are in a really good place,’ Merson added.More: FootballRio Ferdinand urges Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to drop Manchester United starChelsea defender Fikayo Tomori reveals why he made U-turn over transfer deadline day moveMikel Arteta rates Thomas Partey’s chances of making his Arsenal debut vs Man City‘All of a sudden, no-one is speculating about Solskjaer’s position and the club is getting good publicity again.‘There’s talk of Jadon Sancho moving there in the summer, perhaps Harry Kane too.‘Kids such as Mason Greenwood and Brandon Williams look really good players while of course Marcus Rashford, who was going great guns before his injury, will be fit again fairly soon.’Follow Metro Sport across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.For more stories like this, check our sport page.MORE: Rennes send message to Manchester United and Real Madrid over Eduardo Camavinga transferMORE: Dimitar Berbatov sends fresh message to Harry Kane over Manchester United transfer Metro Sport ReporterSaturday 2 May 2020 5:41 pmShare this article via facebookShare this article via twitterShare this article via messengerShare this with Share this article via emailShare this article via flipboardCopy link212Shares Comment Paul Merson has hailed Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes (Picture: Sky Sports)Paul Merson says Bruno Fernandes is the Manchester United player who excites him most and has hailed young prospects Mason Greenwood and Brandon Williams.Fernandes completed a £68million move to Old Trafford in January and the former Sporting midfielder has quickly established himself as a fans’ favourite at United.The 25-year-old scored three goals and made four assists in his first eight appearances for Manchester United and Merson says he could develop into one of the club’s ‘most important acquisitions in recent years’.‘Manchester United made good signings last summer bringing in Harry Maguire, Daniel James and Aaron Wan-Bissaka. But it’s Bruno Fernandes who really excites me,’ Merson wrote in a column for StarSport.AdvertisementAdvertisementADVERTISEMENT‘The £47m buy from Sporting Lisbon looks tailor-made for United and could prove to be one of the club’s most important acquisitions in recent years.‘He hit the ground running, seamlessly slotting into midfield and playing with the confidence and authority of someone who’d been there for years.‘It’s no coincidence that United’s form improved dramatically when Fernandes came in.’
Governor Wolf Thanks Emergency Personnel, Provides Update on Continuing Storms and Flooding SHARE Email Facebook Twitter Press Release, PSA, Weather Safety Harrisburg, PA – Governor Tom Wolf today thanked emergency personnel and first responders as they continue to work to address the effects of heavy rains in much of the central and southcentral portions of the state. Flash floods, stranded motorists, downed trees and closed roads have all been reported in counties across central Pennsylvania.“Our emergency agency personnel – state, county and local – are singularly focused on helping Pennsylvanians in need during all emergencies and specifically now during those that are weather-related,” Gov. Wolf said. “My sincerest thanks to them for their dedicated work as the state continues to handle the effects of severe rain storms affecting much of the central third and eastern portions of the state.”The Commonwealth Response Coordination Center (CRCC) was activated this morning at PEMA with staff in the Situation Awareness, Logistics, and Plans Support sections to plan operations and staffing throughout the rest of the week.State agencies continue to monitor the forecast for numerous storms which will continue to bring significant amounts of rain and flooding to areas across southcentral, northcentral and eastern Pennsylvania through late Wednesday.The risk of flash flooding is high as the storms move northeasterly throughout Wednesday. Numerous small streams and creeks have flooded, closing roads and forcing some evacuations. There are limited power outages and no major road closures. “The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) and local emergency management agencies are working around the clock to address needs,” Gov. Wolf said. “As of this hour there are no major road closures, but I urge those traveling to use extreme caution and to plan travel routes accordingly since there are rural roads closed in numerous mid-state counties.”Pennsylvanians are encouraged to follow ReadyPA on Twitter @ReadyPA and Facebook for the latest on the weather and how to prepare, and motorists can check road conditions on over 40,000 miles of roadway at 511PA.com.PennDOT cautions motorists to remember to never drive through flooded roadways, as it takes just two feet of fast-moving water to float a car. Anyone who drives around barriers intended to close a road can face increased penalties if emergency responders are called to rescue motorists who disregard traffic control signs.
July 24, 2018
Publica, Switzerland’s CHF37bn (€30bn) public pension fund, returned less than 6% last year and attributed its underperformance against the national average to its foreign-currency hedging.On average, Swiss pension funds returned 8% last year, according to Credit Suisse, UBS and Swisscanto, while Towers Watson’s estimate – based on ASIP members’ asset allocations – was even higher at 10%.In a statement, Publica said its return would have been 8.9% were it not for its policy of hedging all developed nations’ currencies in the portfolio.It was precisely this hedge, it said, that allowed the pension fund to avoid major losses in the wake of the Swiss National Bank’s decision two weeks ago to stop pegging the Swiss franc to the euro. Publica said its foreign-currency hedge had also helped eliminate “non-systematic and therefore unpaid” risks.Deputy chief executive Stefan Beiner told IPE that Publica introduced a policy last year aiming to make maximum and minimum hedging on EUR and USD more flexible.“We are regularly reviewing whether, for tactical reasons, the hedge on dollar and euro investments should be lowered from 100% to 80% at the most, or not,” he said.Swiss consultancy c-alm, in its most recent research newsletter, warned that the cost of foreign-currency hedging had “literally exploded over the past week”, reducing returns measured in USD by as much as 3%.According to c-alm research, a hedged USD Treasury portfolio would now return -2.64% after costs.The consultancy said pension funds would have to decide whether it “made sense” to stick with their hedging strategies in such extreme market conditions.It also warned that “major fluctuations” in hedging costs had made strategy reviews increasingly difficult.Publica, addressing its 2014 returns, also cited the harmful effect of its 2% exposure to energy commodities – comprising crude oil, fuel oil and petrol – which returned -28.9%, knocking another 110 basis points off its overall performance.The main performance drivers were bonds and equities, while real estate also contributed 250bps of return.Overall, the portfolios of the 21 member organisations in the Publica collective scheme reported an average funding level at year-end 2014 of 105%, compared with 104.1% at the end of the previous year.According to Swisscanto, the average funding level in its sample of public pension funds aiming for full funding stood at 106.2%, a 550 basis point increase on 2013.For all other funds, the asset manager calculated an average funding level of 115.6% (+56bps), its highest level since 2004, Swisscanto said.For more on Publica, have a look at Carlo Svaluto Moreolo’s On The Record interview from the December issue of IPE magazine
Brazil’s GranEnergia has been awarded a 93-day contract by Petrobras to support the P31 and P-50 FPSO maintenance campaign with its DP3 accommodation Floatel CSS Olympia.Source: GranEnergiaThe first campaign, P-31 turret-moored FPSO is located in the Albacora field of the Campos Basin offshore Brazil. The FPSO is located in 330m water depth.The compact semi-submersible completed its previous contract with Petrobras at the end of 2018 and has been moored at the Port of Açu since that time awaiting to be mobilized for a Brazilian contract with Equinor, starting late 2019 or early 2020.This six-month plus options commitment with Equinor covers both accommodation and related HUC services supporting expansion of production on the Peregrino II field.With this new contract, Olympia will be under contract until the start of the Equinor contract.Spotted a typo? Have something more to add to the story? Maybe a nice photo? Contact our editorial team via email. Also, if you’re interested in showcasing your company, product or technology on Offshore Energy Today please contact us via our advertising form where you can also see our media kit.
By Elroy StephneyFORMER national under 19 wicket-keeper/batsman Nathan Persaud is still focused on the 2020 cricket season despite the Covid-19 pandemic.The diminutive left-hander who hails from the village of Bush-Lot on the Essequibo Coast is one of the county’s most prolific run-scorer.He is among four centurions in the current South/Central Essequibo T20 tournament which was suspended due to the virus. Persaud, however is using his time meaningfully by having his routine training indoors and watching previous global T20 matches on television.“I am fully committed to ensuring that I remain mentally and physically ready for the resumption of the season and to continue my rich form,” responded Persaud when asked about his schedule.He currently represents Bacchus Bulls and had his first semi-professional stint last year in Canada, representing Apollo Cricket Club.The 22-year-old was also eager to state that he has aspirations of representing Guyana in the future and has been putting in the hard work to constantly improve his game.“There are areas that I am seeking advice on including my glove-work and batting technique and so far there are improvements that augurs well for my general development,” posited Persaud who represented the winning Guyana team at the youth level in 2016 when the tournament was held in Jamaica.He has since become one of the most identifiable cricketer in the county with his trade-mark square-cuts and flicks and his lightening glove-work behind the stumps.Despite not having the chance to be on the field at this time, the flamboyant cricketer made the appeal to the general public to adhere to the medical advice and take the necessary precautions to preserve lives.He is also encouraging athletes to use the time being away from the sport to reflect and make new goals that can be achieved whenever play resumes.
…Ian Whatmore cleared to succeed himCOLIN Graves will end his five-year tenure as ECB chairman on August 31, with Ian Watmore cleared to succeed him following a review into the circumstances of his departure from the Football League.The decision was confirmed by the ECB board in the wake of the decision to postpone the first season of the Hundred until 2021.Graves, who was appointed as chairman in May 2015, had been an integral figure in the creation of the new competition, and last year agreed an extension to his tenure until November 2020, in order to oversee its inaugural season, which had been due to run from July 22 to August 14.Now, however, with the Covid-19 outbreak forcing a suspension of all cricket in England and Wales at least until July 1, Graves has agreed to end his term early. While there is much work to be done in the interim as English cricket grapples with the challenge of the pandemic, Graves’ focus is sure to veer towards his bid to become the new ICC chairman, with the election due to take place at the AGM in June.Commenting on his decision, Graves said: “With the launch of The Hundred unavoidably moved to 2021, I have reviewed last year’s extension of my term as Chair, and put a request to the Board to now finish early, on 31 August.“It feels important to both the game and the ECB Board, to allow Ian Watmore to commence his role earlier than originally agreed. I have no doubt that his wealth of experience in sport, business and government will be invaluable as we navigate through this crisis“I have been extremely heartened by how cricket has come together in these recent, unimaginable times. There remains a long road ahead, but I have immense confidence in the excellent leadership of Tom Harrison, our Executive Management Team and the ECB Board as they shape the direction of our response to COVID-19.“It has been a privilege to work with so many passionate people across the game who are driven by their belief in cricket’s power to improve lives and connect communities.“There is still much to be done in the coming months as I continue to lead the ECB during this challenging time. As we get closer to August I will look forward to saying my farewells and sharing good wishes to all those I have worked alongside.”Watmore’s tenure still needs to be rubber-stamped by the first-class counties at the ECB’s AGM at the end of May, but he has received a vote of confidence from the board following a week of newspaper allegations about his conduct while serving as the chairman of the Football League.According to a report in the Daily Mail, Watmore had been involved in discussions over a breakaway league that could have jeopardised a £595 million broadcast deal with Sky Sports, who are also the ECB’s principal partners. The report also claimed he left his role, citing ill health, the week after the EFL had announced an independent inquiry.However, the ECB confirmed that a review into his appointment, by a sub-committee of directors comprising Barry O’Brien, Katie Bickerstaffe and Martin Darlow, had uncovered no wrongdoing. In addition, it was concluded that the appointment process had been undertaken in a “thorough and professional manner” and the Board now regards the matter closed.Watmore’s appointment was unanimously endorsed by the ECB Board on Wednesday, where fellow board members Darlow and Lucy Pearson also had their terms extended.(ESPN Cricinfo)