Latest news with #EconomicDevelopmentCommission
Saudi Gazette
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
Ecuador approves controversial law on protected areas, sparking legal threats
QUITO — Ecuador's government passed a new law governing protected areas, triggering strong criticism from indigenous leaders, legal experts and environmental advocates who argue it violates national and international protection. The piece of legislation, passed on Thursday by a vote of 80-23 in the 151-seat chamber, permit private entities – including foreign companies – to participate in the management of conservation zones. Government officials claim the measure will bolster oversight of protect lands, enhance park security, support ecotourism and curb illegal mining, while maintaining a ban on extractive activities. However, critics warn the law could facilitate land grabs, weaken constitutional safeguards and lead to greater environmental degradation. They also accused lawmakers of pushing the bill through without consulting affected communities. 'This is constitutional vandalism,' said Oscar Soria, co-CEO of the international policy group The Common Initiative. 'Ecuador has shattered its international credibility and invited isolation from the global community.' Opponents also say the law violates at least 15 international agreements – including the ILO Convention 169 and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.'The legislators of Ecuador reopened a historic wound,' said Justino Piaguaje, leader of the Siekopai peoples and head of the NASIEPAI Indigenous slammed the law as 'dangerous and unconstitutional" and said it not only reinforces systemic violations of Indigenous rights but 'actively perpetuates a legacy of dispossession and violence that stretches back to the colonial era.'"It threatens our survival and desecrates the dignity of the Ecuadorian people,' he Centeno, president of the parliament's Economic Development Commission, insisted the law does not open the door to extractive industries and that here is a provision 'that explicitly prohibits' Indigenous leaders say the process lacked transparency and bypassed meaningful dialogue with their communities. Legal challenges are already underway, with Indigenous organizations vowing to take the case to Ecuador's Constitutional Court and international forums. — Euronews
Euronews
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Ecuador approves controversial law on protected areas
Ecuador's government passed a new law governing protected areas, triggering strong criticism from indigenous leaders, legal experts and environmental advocates who argue it violates national and international protection. The piece of legislation, passed on Thursday by a vote of 80-23 in the 151-seat chamber, permit private entities – including foreign companies – to participate in the management of conservation zones. Government officials claim the measure will bolster oversight of protect lands, enhance park security, support ecotourism and curb illegal mining, while maintaining a ban on extractive activities. However, critics warn the law could facilitate land grabs, weaken constitutional safeguards and lead to greater environmental degradation. They also accused lawmakers of pushing the bill through without consulting affected communities. 'This is constitutional vandalism,' said Oscar Soria, co-CEO of the international policy group The Common Initiative. 'Ecuador has shattered its international credibility and invited isolation from the global community.' Opponents also say the law violates at least 15 international agreements – including the ILO Convention 169 and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. 'The legislators of Ecuador reopened a historic wound,' said Justino Piaguaje, leader of the Siekopai peoples and head of the NASIEPAI Indigenous organization. Piaguaje slammed the law as 'dangerous and unconstitutional" and said it not only reinforces systemic violations of Indigenous rights but 'actively perpetuates a legacy of dispossession and violence that stretches back to the colonial era.' "It threatens our survival and desecrates the dignity of the Ecuadorian people,' he said. Valentina Centeno, president of the parliament's Economic Development Commission, insisted the law does not open the door to extractive industries and that here is a provision 'that explicitly prohibits' them. Still, Indigenous leaders say the process lacked transparency and bypassed meaningful dialogue with their communities. Legal challenges are already underway, with Indigenous organizations vowing to take the case to Ecuador's Constitutional Court and international forums.
Chicago Tribune
31-05-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
City council approves $117M bond request to assist Valparaiso University plan for financial rescue
The Valparaiso City Council agreed unanimously to be the gateway for struggling Valparaiso University to have access to up to $117 million in issued bonds to help refinance existing debt and finance new projects, including building renovations. Ordinance No. 9 2025 passed with a second reading during a special council meeting Friday. At the council's May meeting when the ordinance was first introduced, Valparaiso University officials emphasized the need for the city's support by the first week of June to allow time for the bonds to be purchased. Council members Diana Reed, 1st District, Robert Cotton, 2nd District, Barbara Domer, D-3rd, Jack Pupillo, R-4th, and Council President Ellen Kapitan, D-At-large, attended Friday's meeting in person and voted in favor of the ordinance, as did Peter Anderson, R-5th, who joined the meeting remotely. Council member Emilie Hunt, D-At-large, was not able to attend, and nor was Mayor Jon Costas or Clerk-Treasurer Holly Taylor. City Attorney Patrick Lyp opened the special meeting by recapping the discussion and direction of Wednesday's Economic Development Commission. 'It's the recommendation of the Economic Development Commission that the City Council support and pass this ordinance in the best interest of the community,' Lyp said. 'And as I have continued to emphasize, the City Council is only serving as the needed conduit in order for VU to have access to these bonds in this timely manner. There is not any financial obligation or impact from the bonds being issued which would affect the city or taxpayers.' Lyp and Valparaiso University officials have also emphasized it is likely that even though the window of funds can extend up to $117 million in general obligation bonds, the latest calculations indicate that it is around $55 million which will likely be used by the university for financial needs. Mark Volpatti, the university's senior vice president for finance and chief financial officer, once again represented the university at Friday's council meeting and fielded what were only a few follow-up general questions. When Volpatti attended the May meeting when the ordinance was first introduced, he announced the university has sold or is concluding the sale of the three paintings, a topic which has drawn much public debate and criticism about the fate of the valued works, including Georgia O'Keeffe's 'Rust Red Hills.' He said the university is moving forward with its freshman village, noting the renovation work was being done without taking on debt and through 'the proceeds from the artwork.' The other artwork being sold are 'The Silver Veil and the Golden Gate' by Childe Hassam and Frederic E. Church's 'Mountain Landscape.' Among those from the public to speak during the public hearing portion of Friday's meeting was Valparaiso University Senior Professor John Ruff, who has invested years caring for the collection of works at the Brauer Museum of Art at Valparaiso University. He presented the council with a letter with more than 50 signatures representing a stance against the sale of any artwork. Ruff admonished the university for keeping the sale of the O'Keeffe painting 'secret' until it was reported by the media in mid-May. Volpatti addressed Ruff's remarks. 'My thoughts do turn to Richard Brauer and John Ruff and I can't imagine the emotions they've had the past two years,' Volpatti said. 'I respect and admire them and their passion for their career. If more people had such passion for their careers the world would be a better place. We have two camps about whether the sale of artwork should be used for the purchase of new artwork or let's look at the university as a whole and use the sale's funds where they are needed at this time. This is a philosophical question and one that won't be answered today.'
Chicago Tribune
06-04-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Strong showing for Democrats in races for Oswego Village Board
It appears to be a sweep for Democratic candidates for Oswego Village Board, according to the final unofficial results from the April 1 election. Six candidates were vying for three four-year terms on the Oswego Village Board, while two challengers were seeking a two-year term on the board, during the recent election. Unofficial final results for the race for the three four-year seats show Rachelle Koenig as the top vote-getter with 21.64% of the votes, followed by incumbent Trustee Karen Novy with 20.80% and James Cooper with 20.33% of the votes. All three are Democrats. The other candidates running for the four-year seats were incumbent Trustee Jennifer Jones Sinnott and former trustees Terry Olson and James Marter, II. The unofficial final vote totals show Olson with 12.77% of the votes, Jones Sinnott with 12.46% and Marter with 12.01% of the votes. All three are Republicans. 'I would like to think it's a reflection of the relationships I have developed and the work I have done on various boards and committees,' Koenig said of the outcome. 'It may also be a reflection of the fact that I strive to find common ground with people as a means to understand each other and work together, regardless of our individual beliefs and ideologies.' Koenig recently completed her tenure on the village's Economic Development Commission. 'As a business owner and a marketing strategist, I'm continuously focused on business development and growth. There is so much opportunity to create more experiences in Oswego,' she said. 'I may have been the highest vote-getter, but I wasn't the only vote-getter,' she said. 'There are residents who wanted a different outcome. So, not only am I committed to hearing from the people who are happy to see me as a trustee, I also will be seeking out conversations with those who are not. And hopefully, we can find some common ground.' Novy, who was appointed in July 2023 to fill an unexpired term on the board, said hard work was behind the successful campaign. 'I believe our canvassing and door knocking was the key to the win,' Novy said. Cooper said while he is gratified by the votes, it did take a concerted effort. 'Campaigning for these important roles is not an easy process, and these numbers could not have been achieved without the support of a community. I would be remiss if I didn't mention the efforts of the Kendall County Dems,' he said. Cooper said he intends to take what he heard from residents during the campaign to the seat he will hold on the Oswego Village Board. 'After talking with people in the community, I know they care a great deal about bringing in new businesses downtown and supporting those that currently exist,' he said. Jennifer Hughes, a Democrat, was the highest vote-getter for the two-year term on the Oswego Village Board up for election April 1, garnering 63.10% of the votes, according to unofficial final results, while Lori West, a Republican, had 36.90% of the votes. Hughes is retiring as Oswego Public Works director. She will be recognized at Tuesday's Village Board meeting, the official day of her retirement, for her years as the leader of the Public Works Department in the village. She was hired in November 2013. 'Although I am retiring from the director's position, my desire to serve Oswego remains. The trustee's position is one way that I can utilize my knowledge of what it takes for a community to be successful,' she said. Hughes will be recognized by the village as being instrumental in advancing two 'mega projects' in Oswego – the Wolfs Crossing Road widening project and for work to help bring Lake Michigan water to the village in the near future. 'A key difference between being an employee and a trustee is that while the employee can have significant input on policy, it is the Village Board who actually sets the policies. For nearly 28 years of working in municipal government, I have interacted with residents, businesses, developers and boards. The mechanics of government, from budgeting to setting policy, to approving developments and communicating with residents, is second nature. I believe this experience will help the board make good decisions,' Hughes told The Beacon-News.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
UPDATED: Special election for 40th House District takes place today
Voters in parts of Groton and New London are voting today in the special election for the 40th House District. They are choosing between Republican Robert Boris, the chairman of the Town of Groton's Economic Development Commission, and Democrat Dan Gaiewski, a Groton Town Councilor. Boris, 54, a principal at Command Technology, Inc., a Groton City-based cloud computing company, is vice chairman of the City of Groton's Planning and Zoning Commission and president of the Groton Rotary Club. Gaiewski, 24, is a constituent engagement coordinator in the Connecticut General Assembly, vice chairman of the Groton Democratic Party, and secretary of the Young Democrats of Connecticut. Longtime legislator Christine Conley, a Democrat from Groton, held the seat but resigned in January before the session started because she was being nominated to a workers' compensation administrative judge position. Gaiewski and Boris were both outside the City of Groton Municipal Building on Tuesday afternoon. 'The voters will decide,' said Gaiewski. 'I'm just honored to be on the ballot and hope I can earn the vote of the 40th district voters.' Boris said he felt really good and it was good to see familiar faces he saw while meeting people at their doors. As of 7 p.m. nearly 18% of the 11,526 registered voters in Groton's three voting districts that are part of the 40th House District had voted, said Groton Republican Registrar of Voters Kristen Venditti. As of 7 p.m., nearly 25% of the 2,605 registered voters in New London's District 3, the district in the city that is part of the 40th House District, had voted, according to the registrar of voters' office. Groton resident Tom Turnquist, voted Tuesday in Mystic, and called it a duty. He said he voted for Boris because he thinks he is a good candidate and liked his stance on most issues. Groton couple Donna and Carl Speaks said they also voted for Boris. Donna Speaks said Boris' fiscal responsibility intrigued her and she wants to see more of a balance between the parties in Connecticut. Carl Speaks said he liked that he's a Republican and said he doesn't like the one-party state that Connecticut is. Groton voter Ann Ditchburn said she was impressed by a group of young people who showed up at to her door excited about Gaiewski. She said young people are scared about the future of this country and they needed this candidate. 'I'm very impressed with young people today,' she said. Eric McElroy of Groton said he voted for Gaiewski because he's a 'fresh face.' He said he knows Gaiewski and called him a 'good young gentleman.' New London resident Imna Arroyo, who voted Tuesday evening at the Nathan Hale Arts Magnet School in New London, said she is committed to voting as it is a privilege. She said she was voting because of all those who fought for voting rights, such as John Lewis and Martin Luther King, Jr.
