Latest news with #Quinlan
Globe and Mail
13 hours ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Military Plumbing Relocates Headquarters to Quinlan, TX To Better Serve Northeast Texas Communities
Military Plumbing, a trusted name in residential and commercial plumbing across Northeast Texas, has officially relocated its headquarters to 5954 Highway 34 S, Quinlan, TX 75474. The move comes after years of growth and strong community support in Caddo Mills and surrounding areas. Owned and operated by Jeff and Kimberly Whitworth, Military Plumbing has served the greater DFW Metroplex with faith-based, family-style service since 2012. The relocation marks a new chapter for the company as it continues to expand operations, improve accessibility, and reinforce its long-standing commitment to exceptional service across 26+ cities in the region. 'We've always been deeply rooted in our community,' said co-founder Kimberly Whitworth. 'Relocating to Quinlan allows us to remain close to the families and businesses we've proudly served while creating more space for our team and tools to grow. We're excited to welcome our new neighbors with the same integrity and care that built our reputation.' A Strategic Move Rooted in Service The decision to move was not made lightly. After several years in Caddo Mills, the Whitworths sought a location that could support their growing staff, upgraded equipment, and broader service goals - while still staying true to their hometown values. Located just off Highway 34, the new Quinlan headquarters offers enhanced logistical access to Hunt, Rockwall, Kaufman, and Dallas Counties. This strategic positioning allows Military Plumbing to maintain fast response times for emergency calls and deliver same-day service to both long-time customers and new clients across East Texas. Military Plumbing is well known for delivering a wide array of essential plumbing services with professionalism, precision, and honesty. Their certified technicians handle everything from slab leak detection, hydrostatic testing, and sewer camera inspections to trenchless water line replacement and smart leak prevention systems. The company is also a certified HALO 5 water filtration installer, providing advanced water filtration and softener systems for Texas homes with hard water challenges. The newly expanded facility will help streamline scheduling for 24/7 emergency plumbing, water heater replacements, gas line repairs, and fixture upgrades - including toilets, showers, and faucets. For homeowners planning bathroom or kitchen remodels, Military Plumbing also offers plumbing-focused renovation support, ensuring all systems are code-compliant and future-ready. Rooted in Faith, Built on Integrity Military Plumbing's name is more than branding - it's a tribute to the values of service, loyalty, and discipline inspired by the Whitworth family's military roots. Over the years, those values have translated into thousands of five-star reviews, long-standing customer relationships, and community partnerships across the DFW area. The company maintains a clear customer-first promise, including: - Flat-rate pricing with no hidden fees - Licensed Master Plumbers on every major job - A 'No Surprises' Quote Guarantee - Exclusive Mission-Ready Maintenance Plans - Discounts for Veterans, Seniors, and First Responders As part of the company's continued growth, Military Plumbing also supports local causes, including breast cancer awareness and emergency aid for customers in need. Each October, the company donates 20% of proceeds to breast cancer research - honoring Kimberly Whitworth's own battle with Stage 4 cancer and her mission to help others through their toughest seasons. Now Serving Quinlan - and Still Just a Call Away Though the headquarters has changed, Military Plumbing's dedication to personalized, reliable plumbing service remains unchanged. 'We want our neighbors in Quinlan to know they can count on us - not just for expert plumbing, but for care that goes beyond the job,' added Jeff Whitworth. 'We're honored to be part of this community.' From general leak detection and sump pump installations to outdoor plumbing, water pressure troubleshooting, and garbage disposal replacement, the Military Plumbing team brings years of experience and a reputation for doing the job right the first time. For homeowners looking to protect their systems year-round, the company's Mission Ready Plan offers perks like annual water heater flushes, priority scheduling, waived service fees, and special discounts on repairs. The new office at 5954 Highway 34 S is now fully operational and welcoming service requests from both residential and commercial clients. Customers can expect the same prompt scheduling, respectful technicians, and top-notch craftsmanship Military Plumbing has become known for across North Texas. About Military Plumbing Military Plumbing is a family-owned plumbing company based in Quinlan, TX, proudly serving over 26 cities in the greater DFW Metroplex. Founded in 2012 by Jeff and Kimberly Whitworth, the company is built on faith, craftsmanship, and customer care. Offering everything from drain cleaning and leak detection to trenchless repairs and smart water systems, Military Plumbing stands behind every job with integrity and experience. Learn more at Media Contact Company Name: Military Plumbing Contact Person: Kim Whitworth Email: Send Email Phone: 9726357676 Country: United States Website:
Politico
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Politico
Jesse Jackson Jr. tops poll
Happy Wednesday, Illinois. Lazy days of summer are extinct. NEW: Trump administration requests voter data from Illinois elections board, by Capitol News' Peter Hancock TOP TALKER SCOOP: Jesse Jackson Jr. leads the pack of potential Democratic contenders in the 2nd Congressional District race, according to a new poll. By the numbers: Jackson dominates the field of seven candidates with 21 percent. Water Reclamation Board Commissioner Yumeka Brown is second with 11 percent, and Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller is at 10 percent, according to the survey. State Sen. Robert Peters, who's been endorsed by progressive activist David Hogg, is at 4 percent. Most noticeably, 43 percent of the 500 likely Democratic primary voters were undecided, according to the poll conducted July 21 to 25. The survey has a margin of error of plus-or-minus 4.5 percentage points. On the issues: The poll asked what voters care most about. Not surprising, the cost of living topped the list. Lester & Associates, a firm used by Hillary Clinton and numerous Black elected officials in Illinois, conducted the poll. It was paid for by the Friends of Jesse Jackson Jr. for Congress 2026 Exploratory Committee so it's perhaps no surprise Jackson has a big lead. The survey is part of an effort by Jackson's friends and allies to draft him into the race. They see Jackson as a come-back kid. The son of the Rev. Jesse Jackson represented the 2nd District for 17 years before stepping down for health reasons in 2012 and then getting caught up in campaign-finance legal troubles that put him in prison. He now has a two-hour national talk show on KBLA Radio, where he offers analysis on issues and events. Former Congressman Bobby Rush is a listener and is among those encouraging Jackson to get back into politics. Though Jackson's still in the analysis phase, his exploratory committee will host an event Sunday to begin the process of collecting 10,000 signatures for nominating petitions. Starting Tuesday, candidates statewide can gather signatures for the 2026 campaign. Jackson's team says it will also work to register 5,000 new voters in the process. The takeaway: A poll is just a moment in time of a campaign, but for now it signals that Jackson's name still has staying power. THE BUZZ FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Bill Quinlan, a high-profile attorney who recently represented former Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez in a standoff with the Chicago Teachers Union, is launching a civic group to tackle big-city issues such as 'shaky finances, public safety, education, housing and transit,' according to a spokesperson. Leading a Better Chicago, as the 501(c)(4) group is called, says it will take a 'structured, data-driven approach to policy development.' Quinlan's plan: Analyze an issue, develop best practical solutions and present those to Chicago neighborhoods. The group will also publish a report and push for City Hall to adopt it. Sounds like a political playbook, so we asked if Quinlan might be considering a run for office. 'Bill is focused on launching this group and producing data-driven solutions to these big problems confronting the city,' the spokesperson said. About Quinlan: He's represented big companies and corporate bigwigs, including the Maloof family that owned the Sacramento Kings and Jussie Smollett in his battle with Chicago. He worked in Gov. Rod Blagojevich's administration and briefly in the Illinois House. And he's engaged on the civic scene, too — he was board chair for Lawrence Hall, a social service agency that supports victims of childhood trauma. Interesting side note: The project is partly funded by Tusk Philanthropies, which is looking at how other cities also face challenges. That group was founded by Bradley Tusk, who was campaign manager for Mike Bloomberg's 2009 New York mayoral race — and deputy governor during Blagojevich's administration. If you are Bradley Tusk, Playbook would like to hear from you! Email: skapos@ WHERE'S JB No official public events WHERE's BRANDON At Soldier Field at 7 p.m. for the Premier League Summer Series Where's Toni At South Suburban College at 9:15 a.m. for the Forest Preserves Experience Program graduation Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or a (gasp!) complaint? Email skapos@ SPOTLIGHT — Former President Joe Biden returns to Chicago Thursday to address National Bar Association, by the Sun-Times' Tina Sfondeles BUSINESS OF POLITICS — Bipartisan group launches latest effort to remove partisanship from how Illinois legislative boundaries are drawn: Former White House Chief of Staff Bill Daley and former Congressman and U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood are co-chairs of Fair Maps Illinois, which will focus on state House and state Senate boundaries, by the Tribune's Rick Pearson. — Major gun control PAC endorses Congresswoman Robin Kelly's Senate bid, by the Tribune's Olivia Olander — State Sen. Mark Walker, a Democrat from Arlington Heights, announced he won't seek re-election in 2026 when his term is up. 'Whether helping to improve Illinois' fiscal position or enacting reforms to help all Illinoisans, my focus has always been on moving our state forward. I'm deeply thankful to the residents of the 27th District for trusting me to represent them,' he said in a statement. Walker served in the Illinois House from 2009 to 2011 and then from 2019 to 2024 before being appointed to the state Senate. — Ted Mason has been endorsed by Illinois Treasurer Mike Frerichs in his bid for Cook County commissioner. 'I have known Ted since 2014, and I know him to be a person of integrity and hard work. He will be a great addition to the board,' Frerichs said in a statement. THE STATEWIDES — Why Gov. JB Pritzker and former Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker are at the center of quantum computing: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign students were part of the early creation of the internet, but they left the state, Gov. JB Pritzker told the Wall Street Journal. State leaders 'really didn't take seriously the responsibility' of keeping them in Illinois. 'Coming in as governor in 2019, I knew that quantum was on the verge. And so I didn't want Illinois to have the same story happen again,' by the Journal's Isabelle Bousquette. — Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias and AARP want your stories about car insurance price discrimination: 'As part of a larger effort to push for legislative change in how car insurance is priced, Giannoulias is looking at how non-driving factors like age, credit score and ZIP code impact a driver's insurance rate,' by the Sun-Times' Stephanie Zimmermann. Watch for Giannoulias, state Sen. Ram Villivalam, state Rep. Rita Mayfield and AARP Illinois State Director Philippe Largent to give more details at a press conference this morning. — Atty. Gen. Raoul hosts fellow AGs in town hall on pain of Trump administration policies: 'At a community meeting in the West Loop, Kwame Raoul joins Democratic counterparts from other states in a discussion on the impacts of cuts to services, unlawful enforcement actions and ways to respond via courts,' by the Sun-Times' Kade Heather. — Bread and butter issue: Gov. JB Pritzker pushed back at New York mayor candidate Zohran Mamdani and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson wanting the government to run grocery stores Tuesday during a roundtable discussion in East St. Louis. 'I don't think the government could do a good job running a private business.' A better way, Pritzker said, is for government to 'step up to help open' a store to get it running, via Lee Enterprises' Brenden Moore. — After a DOJ hearing in Springfield in 2024, a collaborative community action plan emerges: The move comes after Sonya Massey was fatally shot in her home last year, by the State Journal-Register's Steven Spearie. CHICAGO — Mayor Johnson's crossroads — budget decisions that will define his financial stewardship of Chicago: Johnson should have been 'more proactive in meeting the moment we knew was coming' when $1.9 billion in federal pandemic relief funds dried up, says Civic Federation President Joe Ferguson, adding, 'This is the budget that will define the mayor's first term,' by the Sun-Times' Fran Spielman. — Mayor floats revived tax on corporations to raise cash, by Bloomberg's Shruti Date Singh… More from CBS 2's Chris Tye — Chicago says it will step in and help some arts groups that lost critical NEA dollars, by WBEZ's Courtney Kueppers — FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: World Business Chicago is announcing the return of the Chicago Venture Summit: Future of Food, set for Oct. 14 in Fulton Market. The invite-only gathering is expected to attract 500 founders, venture capitalists and corporate leaders. New this year: a Future of Food Waste Forum. HIGHER-ED — Northwestern University eliminates more than 400 staff positions amid funding freeze: 'Roughly half of the positions were already vacant, President Michael Schill told the school community in an email. The reduction will decrease Northwestern's staff-related expenses by 5 percent,' by the Tribune's Kate Armanini. ILLINOIS' POPE — Pope Leo requests special vestments from local retailer, by Chicago Catholic's Michelle Martin Reader Digest We asked if it's better to change the system from inside or outside. Denise Barreto: 'Outside after doing time inside. You must understand systems you want to change.' Matthew Beaudet: 'I've advocated for change from the outside, but you can only make the actual change from the inside. You have to be in the game and on the field, not watching the game, screaming from the stands.' Terry Cosgrove: 'They aren't mutually exclusive. Executing both strategically is highly successful.' Peter Creticos: 'Working inside gives comfort to those satisfied with the status quo. Working outside, I can publicly challenge conventional wisdom and give space to young change-makers.' Charles Keller: 'There is no 'inside change' in the U.S. political system. Trump is an outsider, and that is why he's hated on both sides of the aisle.' Kevin Lampe: 'You can throw a lot of rocks through windows and break them, but if you want to remodel, you need to move inside in order to move walls.' Kathy Posner: 'Working inside allows direct access to decision-makers. Working outside can bring new perspectives. Ultimately, a synergistic approach can yield the most lasting change.' Terry Poulos: 'You cannot objectively observe something if you're on the inside, yet you also cannot accurately observe it from outside the system either. Both are required in government and politics.' Patricia Ann Watson: 'Best to be totally outside agitating for change. Inside, it's easy to become corrupted, complacent, dependent and fearful of losing income and position.' NEXT QUESTION: What's the wildest thing you've seen on a video call at work? KEEPING UP WITH THE DELEGATION — This morning: Democratic lawmakers will mark the 60th anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid by protesting cuts made to those agencies in the Trump administration's megabill. Expected to attend: U.S. Reps. Robin Kelly, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Mike Quigley, Sean Casten, Jan Schakowsky and Bill Foster, as well as state Sen. Graciela Guzman. Citizen Action/Illinois will also release a new report detailing the impact of megabill cuts on Illinois. Similar events are planned in Peoria and Carbondale. Details here — Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski has launched the bipartisan Congressional Postal Service Caucus that will focus on 'improving on-time delivery rates, protecting postal employees and stopping USPS facility consolidations that impact rural areas,' according to her team. Budzinski is a chair of the caucus. THE NATIONAL TAKE — Democrats sue over efforts to defund Planned Parenthood, by POLITICO's Rachel Bluth — MAGA is turning on Israel over Gaza, but Trump is unmoved, by POLITICO's Eric Bazail-Eimil, Connor O'Brien and Jake Traylor — UK to recognize Palestinian statehood in September — unless Israel backs off in Gaza, by POLITICO's Esther Webber, Emilio Casalicchio and Noah Keate EVENTS — Tonight at 7 p.m.: Congresswoman Robin Kelly headlines a conversation with former Congresswoman Marie Newman on her Substack site. Watch here TRIVIA TUESDAY's ANSWER: Congrats to Bill Utter for correctly answering that David Corzine, a former Bulls player and native of Arlington Heights, coached the Chicago Rockers of the Continental Basketball Association. TODAY's QUESTION: Who was the Olympic gold medal winner who went on to serve in the Chicago City Council and U.S. House? Email your answer to: skapos@ HAPPY BIRTHDAY State Rep. Dan Swanson, former Illinois Atty. Gen. Lisa Madigan, former state Rep. Mike Tryon, former Ald. Deb Mell, former MWRD Commissioner Cynthia Santos, journalist and foundation leader Cornelia Grumman, Chicago Police spokesman Don Terry, Northwestern University Associate Dean of External Affairs Roderick Hawkins, World Business Chicago marketing VP Andrew Hayes, Lofty Ventures founder Christopher Deutsch, Willkie Farr & Gallagher Legal Recruiting Manager Kendra Abercrombie, LBH Chicago Project Director Lauren Cvengros, Plus Communications Managing Director Ben Marter and WBEZ reporter Kristen Schorsch -30-
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Will the Big Beautiful Bill Make Your Utility Bills More Expensive? Experts Weigh In
Trump's Big Beautiful Bill, signed into law on July 4, rolls back clean energy tax credits, repeals climate-focused funding and expands oil and gas development. While some Senate Republicans claim the bill is pro-growth, energy experts warn it could raise utility bills across the U.S. and make long-term power costs more volatile — below is what they had to say. Also here's ChatGPT's simple explanation of what the Big Beautiful Bill is. Explore More: Read Next: Power Bills Could Jump According to a report from Energy Innovation, households across the U.S. could pay a combined $170 billion more for energy between 2025-2034 due to the Big Beautiful Bill. Patrice Williams-Lindo, a workforce futurist, visibility strategist and CEO of Career Nomad, who has advised energy firms on digital adoption and job transitions, said the Big Beautiful Bill doesn't support the energy systems people actually rely on. 'Consumers might see temporary dips in prices if domestic oil and gas production is amped up,' she said. 'But that's a supply illusion. Without long-term investment in resilient grids, diversified energy sources or consumer subsidies, bills will spike again — especially in disaster-prone regions.' Owen Quinlan, head of data at Arbor, said households are already feeling it. 'In many cities, rates have jumped 10% to 45% this summer,' he said. 'And that's before factoring in the potential impact of this bill.' Quinlan's team tracks real-time energy prices across the country. He warned that pulling back on clean energy now could make things more difficult for households already feeling the strain of higher bills. For You: Clean Energy Keeps Prices Down, but That Could Change Quinlan pointed out that solar already plays a big role in keeping daytime prices low. 'The challenge comes when the sun goes down and demand stays high — that's when the grid relies on costly backup power and prices can spike dramatically,' he explained. 'Without more investment in clean energy and the infrastructure to support it, those price spikes could become more common and expensive.' Williams-Lindo said rolling back clean energy also hits the workforce. 'Rolling back climate-forward policies will stall the growth of future-ready jobs in solar, wind, grid optimization and green infrastructure,' she said. She added that it could mean fewer affordable energy options for consumers and fewer high-wage jobs in underserved regions. What's Missing From the Energy Conversation Williams-Lindo shared what she called the RNA framework: Rebrand, Network, Achieve Recognition and said that consumers and industry leaders will need to rebrand how they engage with energy, moving from passive users to educated advocates. 'Utilities will need to network across sectors — tech, policy, labor — to build smarter, equitable pricing models,' she said. 'And marginalized communities, especially Black and brown households often hit hardest by utility hikes, must be recognized in energy policy as stakeholders, not just line items.' According to Lindo, patriotic branding doesn't pay your power bill. Without transparency, equity and investment in energy innovation, the Big Beautiful Bill could lead to big ugly bills for everyday Americans. Editor's note on political coverage: GOBankingRates is nonpartisan and strives to cover all aspects of the economy objectively and present balanced reports on politically focused finance stories. You can find more coverage of this topic on More From GOBankingRates 3 Reasons Retired Boomers Shouldn't Give Their Kids a Living Inheritance (And 2 Reasons They Should) This article originally appeared on Will the Big Beautiful Bill Make Your Utility Bills More Expensive? Experts Weigh In
Qatar Tribune
29-06-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
Markets rally, Trump's policymaking stirs concerns
Agencies As Wall Street slowly puts April's tariff shakeout behind and indexes set record highs, investors remain on edge and wary of U.S. President Donald Trump's rapid-fire, sometimes chaotic policymaking process and see the rally as fragile. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq composite index advanced past their previous highs into uncharted territory on Friday. Yet traders and investors remain wary of what may lie ahead. Trump's April 2 reciprocal tariffs on major trading partners roiled global financial markets and put the S&P 500 on the threshold of a bear market designation when it ended down 19% from its Feb. 19 record-high close. This week's leg up came after a U.S.-brokered cease-fire between Israel and Iran brought an end to a 12-day air battle that had sparked a jump in crude prices and raised worries of higher inflation. But a relief rally started after Trump responded to the initial tariff panic that gripped financial markets by backing away from his most draconian plans. JPMorgan Chase, in the midyear outlook published on Wednesday by its global research team, said the environment was characterized by 'extreme policy uncertainty.' 'Nobody wants to end a week with a risk-on tilt to their portfolios,' said Art Hogan, market strategist at B. Riley Wealth. 'Everyone is aware that just as the market feels more certain and confident, a single wildcard policy announcement could change everything,' even if it does not ignite a firestorm of the kind seen in April. Part of this wariness from institutional investors may be due to the magnitude of the 6% S&P 500 rally that followed Trump's re-election last November and culminated in the last new high posted by the index in February, said Joseph Quinlan, market strategist at Bank of America. 'We were out ahead of our skis,' Quinlan said. A focus on deregulation, tax cuts and corporate deals brought out the 'animal spirits,' he said. Then came the tariff battles. Quinlan remains upbeat on the outlook for U.S. stocks and optimistic that a new global trade system could lead to U.S. companies opening new markets and posting higher revenues and he said he is still cautious. 'There will still be spikes of volatility around policy unknowns.' Overall, measures of market volatility are now well below where they stood at the height of the tariff turmoil in April, with the CBOE VIX index now at 16.3, down from a 52.3 peak on April 8. 'Our clients seem to have become somewhat desensitized to the headlines, but it's still an unhealthy market, with everyone aware that trading could happen based on the whims behind a bunch of' social media posts, said Jeff O'Connor, head of market structure, Americas, at Liquidnet, an institutional trading platform. Trading in the options market shows little sign of the kind of euphoria that characterized stock market rallies of the recent past.'On the institutional front, we do see a lot of hesitation in chasing the market rally,' Stefano Pascale, head of U.S. equity derivatives research at Barclays, said. Unlike past episodes of sharp market selloffs, institutional investors have largely stayed away from employing bullish call options to chase the market higher, Pascale said, referring to plain options that confer the right to buy at a specified future price and date. Bid/ask spreads on many stocks are well above levels O'Connor witnessed in late 2024, while market depth, a measure of the size and number of potential orders, remains at the lowest levels he can recall in the last 20 years. 'The best way to describe the markets in the last couple of months, even as they have recovered, is to say they are unstable,' said Liz Ann Sonders, market strategist at Charles Schwab. She said she is concerned that the market may be reaching 'another point of complacency' akin to that seen in March. 'There's a possibility that we'll be primed for another downside move,' Sonders added. Mark Spindel, chief investment officer at Potomac River Capital in Washington, said he came up with the term 'Snapchat presidency' to describe the whiplash effect on markets of the president's constantly changing policies on markets. 'He feels more like a day trader than a long-term institutional investor,' Spindel said, alluding to Trump's policy flip-flops. 'One minute he's not going to negotiate, and the next he negotiates.' To be sure, traders seem to view those rapid shifts in course as a positive in the current rally, signaling Trump's willingness to heed market signals. 'For now, at least, stocks are willing to overlook the risks that go along with this style and lack of consistent policies, and give the administration a break as being 'market friendly,'' said Steve Sosnick, market strategist at Interactive Brokers.
National Post
29-06-2025
- General
- National Post
They saved Jews from the Nazis. Eighty years later, two Dutch-Canadian couples named among the 'righteous'
Article content In accepting the honour on behalf of her late grandparents, Quinlan, a retired judge who lives in Barrie, Ont., noted Canada's dismal record of admitting Jewish refugees during the war era, the lowest among western countries. Article content 'The inactions of our country underscore the empathy and humanity of our grandparents, who could also have done nothing,' Quinlan told those assembled. 'A supposed civilized country could ignore the suffering around it, but Moeke and Opa could not.' Article content Her grandparents never talked about their valour. The sentiment, according to one of their daughters — Quinlan's mother — was 'it was just something we did. Anyone would have done it.' Article content That isn't so, Quinlan said. 'It was dangerous. It was an act of heroism that until now, was unrecognized.' Article content Hedrick and Frederika Veldboom, meantime, were newly married and members of the Dutch underground who turned their rural farmhouse into a hiding place for Jews and young Dutch men fleeing forced labour. Among the Jews were Lena Kropveld and her husband, Yitzchak Jedwab, a cantor. Wed secretly in 1942, they spent months in a hidden space behind a wardrobe, relying on coded warning systems. Article content Article content The dangers rose to new heights when Lena gave birth to a baby boy. She held her newborn for an hour before Hendrik Veldboom placed him in a cardboard box and bicycled in darkness to put the baby on the doorstep of the leader of the underground resistance, who took the child in despite having eight children. The baby, registered as abandoned, was reunited with his parents after liberation. Article content In 1952, the Veldbooms immigrated to Brockville, Ont., where they became farmers. What would they have said about being honoured as righteous rescuers? Article content 'I think they would be terribly surprised,' said their daughter, Jantina Veldboom Devries, who lives in Hamilton, Ont. and accepted the distinction 'I think it would be almost unthinkable for them because they didn't see themselves as heroic. They did the right thing at the right time. Doing the right and honourable thing doesn't need recognition, they would say.' Article content Idit Shamir, Israel's consul general in Toronto and western Canada, echoed that sense of humility expressed by the two couples — indeed by many other Righteous Among the Nations. Article content 'Were they heroes?' Shamir asked. 'They would laugh. They were farmers. Parents. Neighbours who kept chickens and worried about harvest. Article content 'Were they saints? They would object. They made mistakes. They felt fear. They were gloriously, beautifully human. We call them what they were: Righteous. Not perfect. Not fearless. Not superhuman. Simply people who saw clearly when the world went blind.' Article content
