NYC DEP Released A Statement To Counter Water Contamination Claims
March 11, 2008
(Long Island, N.Y.) The New York City Department of Environmental Protection released a statement yesterday in response to the controversy of a possible contamination with pharmaceutical medications to the City’s water supply which puts the city’s residents in a minimal state of panic.
“New York City’s drinking water is among the best in the world, and though nothing in the information we’ve seen presents a risk to this water supply, we understand and take very seriously public concerns about pharmaceuticals in drinking water and continue to closely monitor this emerging national issue, in cooperation with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.” The statement read.
A recent water sample study conducted by the US geological survey and the New York State Department of Health produced conclusive evidence of possible traces of more than 15 types of drugs for different purposes such as for body aches, high blood pressure, sedatives, etc., and its derivatives among immaculate looking water reservoirs and rivers which holds as a means of water supply for New York. Several factors come into play for the contamination such as possible spillage of the medicines and incorrect disposal of the drugs which eventually enters water sources.
“DEP and DOHMH are working together to develop an education program about the best disposal methods for medications, targeting both watershed communities and city residents, and to consider appropriate next steps. It is also important that New Yorkers know that DEP is very aggressive in its efforts to protect our water quality at the source. Already, New York City mandates the highest level of treatment available — known as tertiary treatment — at its watershed wastewater treatment plants and is responsible for a robust watershed protection program that includes the replacement of old or failing septic tanks and the upgrade and continued maintenance of all watershed wastewater treatment plants.” The statement added as released by DEP in coordination with DOHMH.
Dow Jones Falls To Lowest Level Since 2006
March 11, 2008
(Long Island, N.Y.) Wall Street continues to struggle on downbeat economic forecast and soaring oil prices at the New York Mercantile Exchange as Dow Jones Industrial extended its two-week slide to settle at its lowest level since October of 2006 with 11,740.15 points at day’s close.
Several mortgage companies forged Wall Street’s decline with negative news spiraling out of control from the industry. A reported security fraud by Countrywide Financials which resulted into a possible inquiry by the government helped negate strong sales report for McDonalds Inc. for the month of February which would have given the market a much needed boost. Also on Monday, Thornburg Mortgage Inc. was downgraded by a Jefferies & Co. analyst a move experts surmise as a sign of things to come for other troubled mortgage companies.
“The next three days, there aren’t any set, big, market-moving reports,” said Ryan Detrick, senior technical strategist at Schaeffer’s Investment Research. “The economic data Thursday and Friday is going to be the last bit of news, the last showing, before seeing what the Fed will do on the 18th.”
Dow Jones Industrial lost 153.54 points or 1.29 percent on Monday to stretch its three day losses to over 515 points and drag down DJIA’s total points under the 12,000 barrier which is a first since early January this year to finish with 11,740.15 points. Broader indexes also fell with Standard and Poor 500 dropping 20 points or 1.55 percent to end with 1,273.37 while NASDAQ composites decreased 43.15, or 1.95 percent to finish with 2,169.34 points.
On March 18th, the Federal Reserves head by Chairman Ben Bernanke will meet to discuss current state of the economy and possible steps needed to insure avoidance of possible recession and inflation threats. Among the steps discussed is the further decrease of Interest rates and the government’s fast approval of the proposed stimulus package geared to help out our struggling economy.
Obama Secures Wyoming, Mail-in Primary For Florida Gains Support
March 10, 2008
(Long Island, N.Y.) IL. Senator Barack Obama secured the Wyoming caucus in dominating fashion to increase his number of delegates by 7 and a slight gain in momentum after rival New York Sen. Hilary Clinton notched several campaign saving wins in heavy delegate-laden states of Texas and Ohio in crucial primaries held last week.
In the over-all delegate count, Sen. Obama holds a marginal lead with 1,578 delegates after gaining seven with his win in Wyoming over Clinton’s 1,468 count which included the five delegates she managed to salvage at Wyoming. Both candidates need 2,025 in order to secure the Democratic Party nomination.
David Plouffe who acts as Obama’s campaign manager said of Obama’s recent win in Wyoming “I think its evidence that Senator Obama is going to be able to put more states in play because of his strength with independent voters.”
Clinton’s campaign manager Maggie Williams said of Clinton’s performance at Wyoming, “We are thrilled with this near-split in delegates and are grateful to the people of Wyoming for their support, although the Obama campaign predicted victory in Wyoming weeks ago, we worked hard to present Senator Clintons vision to the caucus-goers and we thank them for turning out today.” Referring to the 7-5 delegate count both candidates shared with Obama taking the upper hand after winning 61 percent to Clinton’s 38 percent in the state of Wyoming.
Meanwhile, Florida which conducted voting across the state earlier this year but was ruled ineligible after Democratic Party bosses determined that the state made their primaries along with Michigan too early, a clear violation to Party rules, gained little support of holding another round of voting through mail-in option. DNC Chairman Howard Dean acknowledged that a “mail-in primary is actually a very good process. Every voter gets a ballot in the mail, It’s comprehensive, you get to vote if you’re in Iraq or in a nursing home. It’s not a bad way to do this.”
Possible problem in conducting a mail-in voting is the financial aspect of the matter. DNC chairman Howard Dean dismissed the possibility of the Party paying for the process. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla. gave his approval of the mail-in option which he compared to an absentee ballot process. “Since Governor Dean has said he’s not going to do it in the DNC, the Florida Democratic Party’s going to have to go out and raise the money,” he said. “We’re looking at about $6 million.” Referring to the expenses needed to conduct a mail-in voting for the Democratic Party supporters of Florida.
New Yankee Manager Joe Girardi Displeased With Rays Hard Play
March 10, 2008
(Long Island, N.Y.) New York Yankees General Manager Joe Girardi expressed his displeasure over the Tampa Bay Rays for their hard play in spring training which resulted in Yankees catcher Francisco Cervelli breaking his wrist at home plate in a collision with the Ray’s Elliot Johnson.
“I think it’s uncalled for,” Girardi said. “It’s Spring Training. You get people hurt, and that’s what we’ve got — we’ve got Cervelli hurt. I know they had an incident four or five days ago. I’m all for playing hard, but I don’t think it’s the time when you run over a catcher in Spring Training. I’ve always known that you don’t do it; I know kids are playing aggressive and playing hard. That’s how you want them to play. But maybe if it happens too much, you should mention something.”
The crushing hit occurred last Saturday when the two teams met in a spring training game at Legends Field in Tampa FL. Elliot Johnson was rushing to home plate trying to capitalize off Willy Aybar’s double to left field when Yankees prospected catcher Francisco Cervelli attempted to tag him. Johnson delivered a devastating shoulder hit which he lowered in an attempt to pry the ball away from Cervelli resulting into a fractured wrist for the Yankee’s catcher.
Elliot Johnson, a roster hopeful for Tampa Bay’s regular season line-up as an infielder said, “I’m not trying to hurt anybody, especially in a Spring Training game,” Johnson said. “I hope he doesn’t lose his job. But I’m trying to show these guys what I can do. I’m just trying to score the run. Looking back on it, I’d have to say I’d probably do the same thing. With the time that I had there, the instinct was to slide and be out, or hit him and see if I could pop the ball loose,”
Francisco Cervelli is an international prospect for the Yankees from Venezuela. He was signed on 2003 by New York but was relegated to the minors after struggling in his first year with the team. Then manager Joe Torre for New York projected the 22-year old Cervelli as the future catcher for the Yankees.
New Regulation Requires NYC Restaurants To Display Calorie Information
March 10, 2008
(Long Island, N.Y.) Starting March 31, 2008, New York City restaurants with 15 or more branches nationwide will be required to display calorie and other nutritional information prominently in their menus to allow New York City residents better access to health information on their daily consumption.
The new regulation was passed by the New York City Board of Health last January in an effort to further decrease Obesity, Diabetes and Heart problems which is prominent among residents of the city. New York City Health Department estimates that over 3.2 million of its residents are considered Obese or overweight.
“Obesity and Diabetes are the only major health problems that are getting worse in New York City,” said Dr. Thomas R. Frieden, New York City Health Commissioner. “Today, the Board of Health passed a regulation that will help New Yorkers make healthier choices about what to eat; living longer and healthier lives as a result.”
Chain restaurants in New York currently display health information of any food choices which can be found in their menu through several mediums such as in the internet, through plastic food wrappers and in some cases through tray liners. A survey conducted deduced that these methods are insufficient ways of handing out necessary health figures. Almost three quarters of New York City consumers suggest importance of Health information on any product they purchase half of which indicate that their food selection centers around the figures.
“Obesity poses one of our most serious health risks,” said DOHMH Commissioner Dr. Thomas R. Frieden, MD, MPH. “In some New York City neighborhoods, more than one in four people is Obese. The toll on personal health is enormous. Most Obese and overweight people describe unhealthy eating habits and report poorer health than other City residents. Understanding one’s weight is an important first step in reducing health risks.
10,000 B.C. Sits Atop Box Office
March 10, 2008
(Long Island, N.Y.) Award winning director Roland Emmerich who was born in West Germany produced yet another colossal hit movie “10,000 B.C.” which topped the box office in its opening week raking in over $35.7 million last week.
The movie tells the story of a prehistoric man and his quest, which included slaying several mammoth monsters and saber tooth tigers along the way, to gain security for the future of his beloved tribe. Several reviewers gave poor ratings prior to the movie’s release last week but “10,000 B.C.” managed to usurp those negative remarks despite a cast with no proven star power both in the US and internationally. It was shot in several locations worldwide majority of which was filmed in Namibia. Other filming locations spanned different geographies of New Zealand and South Africa including the cities of Queenstown, Warnaco and Southland in New Zealand.
Director Roland Emmerich who also co-wrote the movie with best-pal Harald Kloser both of which are members of the Writers Guild Association in America have made several box-office shattering movies in the past including “Godzilla” in 1998, “Independence Day” in 1996, “Eight Legged Freaks” in 2002 and “The Day after Tomorrow” in 2004.
”"10,000 B.C.” came in well behind the openings of past blockbusters from director Roland Emmerich “Independence Day,” “Godzilla” whose best debut came four years ago with “The Day After Tomorrow” at $68.7 million. Those movies opened up in the summer. We’re very strong for this time of year,” said Dan Fellman, head of distribution for Warner.
Rounding out the top five for last week’s best performers at the Box-Office are the movies “College Road Trip” at second gathering in over $14 million. A far third ranks “Vantage Point” with $7.5 Million in sales. Previous weekend top movie “Semi Pro” from New Line Cinema which stars Will Ferrell tumbles to the fourth spot making just $5.8 million in its second week while debuting at the fifth spot is a movie produced by Lion Gate films called “The Bank Job” with $5.7 million in total sales.
Mr. James Desmond of Commack High School Named Dowling College/News 12 Educator of the Month
March 7, 2008
(Oakdale, N.Y.) Mr. James Desmond, English Teacher at Commack High School has been named a 2007-2008 Dowling College/News 12 Long Island Educator of the Month. Nominations were accepted from schools throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties, and a committee of distinguished educators selected the winners.
Mr. Desmond’s approach to teaching emphasizes the fact that all students are capable of learning at the highest standards. He utilizes both a student-centered and teacher-centered lessons. Mr. Desmond has become a champion of the use of the Socratic Dialogue, and has become the in-house expert in its use and has taught in-service courses on this method. He is the founder and advisor of Lambda Iota Tau, the Commack High School English Honor Society, and he is the Graduation/Senior Awards Coordinator and Master of Ceremonies for the program. Mr. Desmond encourages community service and philanthropy through his creation of “Young Writers Night” where proceeds go to charity. He is also the Coordinator of the Community Service and Involvement Program for Commack High School. He is the Director of the Commack High School Annual Book Drive, coordinates the Commack High School Movie Night and the Walt Whitman Birthplace Annual Poetry Contest and has advised the National Honor Society. Mr. Desmond is very active in professional organizations like the National Council of Teachers of English and ASCD. He is a role model for teachers and students, and is a significant force in the many successes of the school.
Dr. Clyde Payne, Dean of Dowling’s School of Education says, “Since Long Island is known for having the best teachers in the nation, and we received so many nominations from across Nassau and Suffolk, James Desmond is truly a remarkable educator.” A special feature announcing Mr. Desmond’s award will air soon on News 12. In June the award winners and their guests will be honored at a special dinner.
About Dowling College
Dowling College is an independent, coeducational college that serves more than 6,500 students at its historic Rudolph Campus on the banks of the Connetquot River in Oakdale, NY, and the 105-acre Brookhaven Campus in eastern Long Island and a business center located near the Nassau-Suffolk border in Melville. Dowling offers Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees in several disciplines through its four schools: Arts and Sciences, Aviation, Business, and Education. www.dowling.edu
Abysmal Showing at Wall Street
March 7, 2008
(Long Island, N.Y.) Wall Street absorbed heavy losses yesterday as investor’s initial fears of dreadful economic figures translated into reality earlier this week to help drive off activity trading and keep optimism in check.
Several determining forces handed the Stock Market a devastating blow which included surging numbers for home foreclosures threatening to break record levels during the last quarter of 2007 which the Mortgage and Bankers Association reported last Wednesday. Another factor heavily affecting Wall Street are concerns coming out from the Credit industry involving Thornburg Mortgage Inc. and a Carlyle Group bond fund after it revealed bad investments backed by mortgages. Both companies failed to meet marginal figures, which are payments to guarantee much larger future debt or investments.
“I think these are near-term, unfortunate events that if they had the luxury of time and capital they could probably weather but unfortunately with this leverage-based system we have, time is a very expensive luxury,” Jack Ablin, chief investment officer at Harris Private Bank in Chicago, said in reference to the difficulties at Thornburg and Carlyle.
The Dow Jones Industrial soaked up the most damage after it conceded majority of their gains earlier in the week in losing 214.60 points on Thursday’s trading which is a mind-numbing 1.75 percent decrease from the previous day to settle with 12040.39 points. Broader indexes Standard & Poor 500 and NASDAQ composites also experienced declines after S&P 500 lost 29.36 points or 2.20 percent lower to finish at 1,304.34 points while NASDAQ fell 52.31 points a 2.30 percent decrease and end with 2,220.50 points.
Meanwhile, Sweet and Crude Oil maintained above the $105 mark as it closed down at $105.47 a barrel on Thursday in the New York Mercantile Exchange. Earlier in the day, OPEC rejected a US government request to increase production after a surprising decline in US Oil supplies which drove oil prices surging further.
“There are expectations that the dollar will go lower, and that’s driving money into commodities,” said Victor Shum, an energy analyst with Purvin & Gertz in Singapore. “Traders now have this mantra: sell the dollar and buy oil, or buy commodities.”
Study Shows Confidence Among US Consumers at All Time Low
March 7, 2008
(Long Island, N.Y.) A recent survey conducted and funded by RBC capital market shows sliding US consumer confidence which is at an all-time low at 33.1 percent since the RBC Cash Index was first implemented in 2002 as a means in gauging consumer spending and buoyancy surpassing previous lows set last month.
“We’ve gotten to a point where there’s very little for the consumer to cheer about. Everywhere you look — homes, grocery stores, gasoline stations — there are things that are all weighing on consumer attitudes,” said Richard Yamarone an economist for Argus Research. “You have soaring energy and food prices, rising home foreclosures and uncertainties about the jobs climate. When you mix it altogether it is a recipe for miserable consumer sentiment,” he added.
The RBC cash index has experienced a decline each month from the previous year when confidence ratings at more than satisfactory levels of 92.3 percent nationwide. The survey is based on figures gathered by International polling company Ipsos Isay and includes a broadened outlook on all products from major industries such as Construction, Housing, Food Industry, etc.,
“The U.S. consumer is definitely in full defensive mode due to several factors that is out of our consumers hands” said T.J. Marta, a fixed-income strategist at RBC Capital Markets.
The declining figure worries US economists as the public seems to reflect negatively on economic measures conducted by the Feds, Congress and the White House. Recent efforts of slowing down threats of Recession and possible stagflation includes implementing and the speeded process of the “stimulus package” aimed at injecting over $160 Billion of monetary support to our failing economy and Small businesses through tax-rebates and investments. Other measures proactively made by the Federal Reserve to help out the economy is by lowering current interest rates numerous times bridging the month of January and February to boost struggling Housing and credit markets.
Ron Paul Indicates Possible End of Presidential Bid
March 7, 2008
(Long Island, N.Y.) 10-term R- Texas Congressman Dr. Ron Paul hinted of a possible end to his tumultuous bid for the Oval Office through GOP nominations in a 7-1/2 minute video released for his supporters and staff through his campaign website.
In the video which was posted at his official site www.ronpaul2008.com and on Youtube, Dr. Paul said “Elections are short-term efforts,” but “Revolutions are long-term projects.” He also added that his campaign is “winding” down and was heard referring to his campaign using the past tense.
“We are still in the early stages of bringing about the changes that this revolution is all about,” Paul said in the video. “Let us hope that we can one day look back and say that this campaign was a significant first step that signaled a change in direction for our country. Our job now is to plan for the next phase.”
Dr. Ronald Ernest Paul was born on August 20th, 1935 in Green Tea, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Dormont High School in the South Hills suburbs of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with Honors in 1953 and set a school mark for the 100-yard dash with 9.7 seconds. Ron Paul studied his collegiate years at Gettysburg College. He received a partial scholarship as a track and field athlete before graduating in 1957 with a bachelor’s degree in biology. On February 1, 1957, Ron Paul married his collegiate sweetheart Carol Wells and produced five siblings in their union.
His first presidential campaign was in 1988 after he defeated activist Russell Means to win the Libertarian nomination for president but eventually lost to George H W. Bush. Placing third in the popularity votes, Paul amassed considerable amounts of
supporters who agreed with him on many fronts including gun rights, fiscal conservatism, homeschooling, and abortion. To this date, Paul spreads his message beyond the campaign trail of that initial flirt with the White House. Close supporters insist that Paul is optimistic of making an umbrella organization that could strengthen some of the grassroots support which was so unyielding on his latest presidential bid.
“The message of freedom is popular, and I will continue to trumpet it in Congress and across America as I fight on behalf of the conservative, common-sense values which made our country so great. In conclusion, I would like to offer my thanks and gratitude to all of the wonderful people who supported me in this campaign. I look forward to representing all of the good people of the 14th District of Texas in Congress in the years to come.” Rep. Ron Paul of Texas said in a written statement last Tuesday.
