Detained Philippines ex-President Duterte poised to win mayoral race in his home city
At least five candidates backed by his family were also among those leading the race for 12 Senate positions, in a stronger-than-expected showing in Monday's mid-term elections . Pre-election surveys had indicated only two of them would emerge victorious.
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Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
SOAP LAKE MAYOR: Peter Sharp
Aug. 5—SOAP LAKE — As the current mayor of Soap Lake, Peter Sharp is running to continue as mayor with a vision to keep improving the quality of life for residents and enhancing community infrastructure, he said. Sharp was running unopposed on the November ballot until City Council Member Karen Woodhouse opted to run against him last week as a write-in. Sharp has a background in municipal leadership, bolstered by numerous certifications, including the Certificate of Municipal Leadership and Advanced Certificate of Municipal Leadership, awarded by the Association of Washington Cities. "For the first time in Soap Lake since 2018, the city is financially on track," Sharp said. "We're creating sustainable revenue for the city and ensuring that employees receive the wages and benefits they deserve." Sharp said his focus on fiscal responsibility and equitable treatment of municipal workers highlights a commitment to improving local governance while making the best use of taxpayers' dollars. Affordable housing is a significant issue that Sharp is keen to address in his re-election campaign. "I envision a Soap Lake where every family has access to secure, stable living conditions, which will enable them to thrive and contribute to our community's growth and diversity," he said. Sharp said he believes that by developing strategies for affordable housing, the community can retain its residents and attract newcomers. Active promotion and support of local businesses are also pivotal components of Sharp's plan, he said. He plans to leverage the unique character of Soap Lake to foster economic development. "I will actively promote our local small businesses while working to attract new industries that are compatible with Soap Lake's character," he said. Safety and security remain crucial priorities for Sharp, he said. As a proponent of community policing initiatives, he plans to foster trust and cooperation between law enforcement and residents. "I am committed to collaborating closely with law enforcement agencies to uphold and enhance the safety and security of Soap Lake for both residents and visitors," he said. Sharp's plans extend beyond safety, aiming to significantly improve the city's infrastructure, including upgrading roads, modernizing utilities, and enhancing public spaces, he said. "By improving accessibility and amenities, we can create a welcoming environment that draws people in and encourages them to explore all that Soap Lake has to offer," he said. In an interview, he discussed his management style, describing it as hands-on and thorough. "I act in the capacity of full-time mayor," he said. This involvement encompasses grant writing, financial oversight and ensuring that community issues are addressed promptly. Sharp said his view is that a proactive and engaged leadership model fosters positive relations between the city administration and the community. As for the challenges facing Soap Lake, Sharp acknowledged that previous practices have created obstacles for the city. He indicated a desire to separate council responsibilities from city operations to enhance governance. "There cannot be overlap where council members involve themselves in day-to-day activities with city administration or public works," Sharp said. Sharp's political background includes serving on the council and as mayor pro tempore for a short time before being appointed mayor. Although he said he does not come from a conventional political background, he has engaged extensively in professional development that equips him for municipal leadership roles. He believes his diverse experiences contribute to effective governance. "If I don't know the answer, I'll be the first to tell you I don't know. But I will find out," Sharp said. Sharp is the only listed candidate on the ballot this November; however, there is a write-in candidate. "I am here for them. My only goal is to make Soap Lake a great place, to ensure that every resident has a voice, and to address their concerns," Sharp said. "My goal is to make Soap Lake great again." Solve the daily Crossword
Bloomberg
3 hours ago
- Bloomberg
How a New Asia Alliance Is Challenging China
A new alliance between India and the Philippines is emerging to counter China's actions in the South China Sea — a sign that nations across the region are filling the gaps left by an increasingly disengaged America. It's a smart strategy. This week the Asian democracies held their first joint naval exercises in the waters, much of which China claims as its own. Despite Beijing's vessels shadowing them, officials said the two-day drills were a success.
New York Times
3 hours ago
- New York Times
Eric Adams Assembles Religious Leaders to Bless His Candidacy
Mayor Eric Adams of New York City says he is a man of God, and on Tuesday morning, at an event billed as the 'largest citywide religious endorsement ceremony in New York history,' he sought to prove his point. Standing among New Yorkers in saffron robes, white robes, turbans, kurtas, skullcaps, collars, black hats and even, aberrantly, a cowboy hat, Mr. Adams argued that he could not have lived through the three and a half years of his first term in office without his belief in God. 'You don't survive this without faith,' Mr. Adams said. Those three and a half years have been nothing if not tumultuous. Mr. Adams took office as the city was emerging from the coronavirus pandemic, and soon faced an influx of more than 200,000 migrants whom he was legally required to shelter. He was indicted on federal charges of bribery and fraud, and mounted an ultimately successful campaign to get the Trump administration to abandon the charges. He saw half of his deputy mayors resign after the Justice Department moved to dismiss the charges, in what both the prosecutor who brought them and the judge who dismissed them described as an apparent quid pro quo, an agreement reached in exchange for Mr. Adams's help with the president's deportation agenda. And through it all, he has endured, openly describing himself as the divinely ordained leader of a city where crime has begun to fall, in keeping with national trends, and where he has (with some exceptions) championed pro-growth housing strategies in a bid to make apartments more affordable. It is an endurance he has taken to touting as an asset, frequently drawing a contrast with Andrew M. Cuomo, the former governor, who resigned from office after the attorney general of New York found that he had sexually harassed 11 women, allegations he denies. Mr. Adams 'delivers,' read the sign adorning his lectern on Tuesday. 'Never quits.' Mr. Adams, a registered Democrat, is now facing an unusual predicament for the mayor of a city where Democrats outnumber Republicans six to one. After opting out of the Democratic primary, seemingly because he knew he could not win it, Mr. Adams is now running for re-election as an independent. The polls consistently suggest his path to victory is a long shot. In November, he will face off against Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist from Queens who won the June Democratic primary and who has a formidable polling lead; Mr. Cuomo, who lost the primary to Mr. Mamdani and is now running as an independent; Curtis Sliwa, the Republican nominee and founder of the Guardian Angels; and Jim Walden, a lawyer running as an independent. The advisory for Tuesday's event promised an unusual, if hard-to-verify, spectacle: the mayor of New York City holding 'the largest multifaith endorsement event ever,' one featuring 'pastors, priests, rabbis, imams, sheikhs, lamas, Rastafarians and gurus.' People in religious garb were certainly in abundance on the steps of City Hall on Tuesday morning, though it was unclear if they comprised a congregation of historical proportions. Men blew shofars to call the media event to order, and the proceedings began with a prayer from Bishop Chantel Wright, an ally of the mayor's who wore a white robe and a gold cross. She compared Mr. Adams to biblical figures, including Moses — 'We lift up his arms the same way that Aaron did for his leader,' she said — and to Gideon, whose small army vanquished a far larger one, thanks to the hand of God. 'We are your army,' Bishop Wright said. 'We are the ones who are going to be the credible messengers that get the word out that, yes, you are a man of integrity.' And she alluded to Mr. Adams's frequent condemnation of the news media, which he derides as dishonest and claims is unwilling to cover him fairly. 'Although the press may never say anything good about you,' she said, 'we will open up our mouths like trumpet and Zion, and we will tell of the goodness that you've done for this city.' Sikh, Buddhist and Rastafarian leaders spoke, as did Michael Landau, a rabbi who said the mayor was 'at the very pinnacle of integrity, decency, honesty, wisdom and intelligence,' and credited his 'moral clarity' on Israel. (Mr. Adams has been an ardent defender of Israel during its war in Gaza, in sharp contrast to Mr. Mamdani.) An imam, Izak-El Pasha, described Mr. Adams as a 'great man.' 'This is good news being brought, good news that we have a man here who comes up through the ranks, who was born here in this great city, knows the ups and downs, knows the crevices and the corners,' he said. 'He is not a man that tells lies,' Mr. Pasha said, ignoring Mr. Adams's history of tall tales and difficult-to-pin-down stories. 'He is not a man that exaggerates the circumstances.' Several of Mr. Adams's longtime associates were also in the mix, including Winnie Greco, the mayor's former aide who resigned months after federal agents searched her homes; and Fernando Cabrera, Mr. Adams's former senior adviser whose prior embrace of anti-gay positions caused controversy. When, finally, Mr. Adams took to the lectern, accompanied by chants of 'four more years,' he warned reporters that he would not be taking any questions because he was not going to let them ruin his day. 'After I speak, I'm bouncing,' he said. 'And you're not going to tarnish the good news of today.' Then he asked for a 'special prayer': 'Lay hands on our media,' he said. 'Heal them. Put honesty in their hearts.'
