Grateful for rescuers of pet from pit bullLast week we experienced a traumatic situation, to which many people responded, and we would like to take this opportunity to thank them.While walking our dog, Mellie, near Central Park, a pit bull got loose from its home and attacked Mellie. The pit bull did not release its jaws from her for 30 to 40 terrifying seconds.We held onto Mellie, trying unsuccessfully to get the other dog to release her. Fortunately for us, some landscapers who were working down the street heard the commotion and rushed to our aid.It took the four of them to get the other dog off of Mellie. They then wrestled it to the ground and held it until someone came to get the dog.Mellie sustained several puncture wounds and deep lacerations.After excellent emergency care at Capital District Veterinary Referral Hospital, she is slowly healing.We realize that the situation could have been much more dire, if it hadn’t been for the quick action of the landscape workers down the street, who risked their own health and safety.Additionally, Lindsay from across the street and our neighbor, Jan, provided comfort and support. Several cars stopped to offer assistance before the paramedics and Animal Control arrived.We would like to thank everyone who assisted us during this traumatic experience, but especially the four landscapers, whose names we were unable to learn.For us, this act of bravery and compassion was a confirmation of humanity, for which we (and Mellie) are extremely grateful.Janet and Mark MattisNiskayunaMore from The Daily Gazette:EDITORIAL: Beware of voter intimidationEDITORIAL: Thruway tax unfair to working motoristsEDITORIAL: Find a way to get family members into nursing homesFoss: Should main downtown branch of the Schenectady County Public Library reopen?Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s press conference for Sunday, Oct. 18 Categories: Letters to the Editor, OpinionHatred of Trump is destructive to countryMy wife is a very wise woman.She announced, years ago, that there’s no room in her life for hatred or any negativity.She’s going to surround herself with people she loves and good things. Like I said, a wise woman.Almost half of our electorate has been infected with a deep, abiding and vitriolic hatred of everything that is Trump. This hatred has had celebrities who should know better dropping the F-bomb on live TV; even newscasters have done this.I don’t mean just an ordinary hatred of Trump, oh no.They hate the color of his hair, the way he combs his hair, his wife, his children, etc. This is a deep and abiding hatred that knows no bounds and, I fear, could destroy one’s soul.With this depth of hatred, one risks becoming blinded to the truth. One does not read of Hitler with his destruction of millions of souls, Stalin with his slaughter of the Ukraine, etc., ever receiving this level of hatred.I don’t like Obama or what he stood for as president, most especially his anti-hegemony belief in America. But I don’t hate him. Many of my good friends are Trump haters. I just avoid mentioning him to them for fear of losing a friendship. This isn’t a healthy thing for our relationship and our nation. I pray that this hatred will be dialed back to a normal emotion, not one so self-destructive.In the meantime, I think I’ll spend more time with my wife.Dr. Arthur SalvatoreMalta Clinton was the real ignorant fool in officeI would like to respond to Cynthia Swanson’s remarks made in her May 3 letter regarding the president of the United States.She, of course, had absolutely nothing good to say and I truly respect and admire both her attitude and her opinion. She stated, “He’s an ignorant fool and continues to soil the office of the presidency.”The only president that truly soiled the office of the president was Bill Clinton, in the Oval Office, while his wife and daughter were down the hall.Who’s the ignorant fool, really?Evelyn Shields-KennedySchenectady
Voters have a chance to vote early this yearElection Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5, but for the first time, New Yorkers will be able to vote before then. You may now cast your vote early, beginning Saturday, Oct. 26, through Sunday, Nov. 3. The early voting sites are: Karen B. Johnson Library, 99 Clinton St., Schenectady; Glenville Senior Center, 32 Worden Road, Glenville; Niskayuna Town Hall, 1 Niskayuna Circle, Niskayuna; and, ViaPort Rotterdam, 93 West Campbell Road, Schenectady.Voters may go to any of these sites to vote early. All sites are handicap accessible, and there is public CDTA transportation to these locations.The times for early voting at all of the sites are Sat., Oct. 26 and Sun., Oct. 27 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Mon., Oct. 28 from noon to 8 p.m.; Tues., Oct. 29 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Wed. Oct. 30 from noon to 8 p.m.; Thurs. Oct. 31 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Fri. Nov. 1 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sat. Nov 2 and Sun. Nov. 3 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. On Election Day, Nov. 5 voters must go to their regular assigned polling site.To see if you are registered to vote, visit www.nyearlyvoting.org or the Schenectady County Board of Elections at www.schenectadycounty.com/boe. For information about voting, contact www.Lwvschenectady.org or www.vote411.org.Ann HatkeSchenectadyThe writer is president of the League of Women Voters of Schenectady County.Holmes offers a kind alternative for mayorA prominent Saratoga Springs Democrat contacted me about my support for Tim Holmes, a Republican. The Democrat, considering voting for Holmes, asked why I don’t support the re-election of Mayor Meg Kelly, who is running as a Democrat.I wasn’t acquainted with Ms. Kelly previously to her request that the Saratoga Springs Democratic Committee endorse her candidacy for mayor in 2017. Soon after, I visited the mayor’s office to introduce myself and get acquainted with Meg and Lisa. I was met with abject disdain. I had never been treated so poorly by any government staff.Mayor Kelly routinely treats constituents with cold disdain. The constituencies I hold most dear are those whom she appears to hold with the greatest contempt. Our city deserves a mayor who recognizes that each citizen has value and deserves to be treated with respect. I have had the pleasure of working with Tim on the Open Space Advisory Committee, where his diligence, congenial demeanor, deep understanding of municipal policy and administration is an asset.Please vote for Tim Holmes on Nov. 5. We are fortunate to have the option of electing a kind, thoughtful and capable person who will work for the good of all Saratoga Springs residents.Suzanne “Zuzia” KwasniewskiSaratoga SpringsPraying for Trump and his speedy trialPresident Trump’s newest ploy is to try and use Hunter Biden to get his supporters up in arms.It seems every time he’s cornered, he throws another Pinocchio tale to distract from the fact that he’s without doubt our worst president.His language shows just how much his intelligence is limited.His audience members bring their children to hear his filthy language as he spews his hate for the news media and clap when he curses. Is it no wonder why these children grow up with twisted minds? How anyone can stand the stench coming out of this man is unbelievable. A draft dodger he is, but he’s willing to start wars where our sons, daughters and grandchildren will die or be maimed.His loyalty to Putin and other dictators instead of America is shown by his actions.Evangelicals look to him as their messiah and have all but forgotten the Christian Bible. They evidently have a different set of commandments than those of us who follow the teachings of Jesus Christ.Trump’s language is straight from the gutter and should be condemned by those of every faith. What’s happening to him was brought on by him and he will one day be judged by a power greater than any on Earth. This goes for his supporters. And for that fact, so will I be judged. Will his supporters stay with him when he throws them under the bus? I wish Trump a speedy trial and each day I pray for him.Gary Philip Guido Rotterdam Categories: Letters to the Editor, OpinionTrump not making America great for disabledWhile making a trip to the market the other day, I parked in the lot and walked to the store when a big pickup truck cut me off and pulled into the handicapped spot closest to the store.The driver jumped out, and with his bright red “Make America Great Again” hat on, walked briskly into the store.There was nothing on his truck to indicate that he had the right to park in a handicapped spot. But if Donald Trump can make fun of disabled people, then I guess it must be OK to take their parking spots as well.Yes sir, making America great again, one parking spot at a time. David MorganSchroon Lake More from The Daily Gazette:Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s press conference for Sunday, Oct. 18EDITORIAL: Find a way to get family members into nursing homesEDITORIAL: Beware of voter intimidationEDITORIAL: Urgent: Today is the last day to complete the censusFoss: Should main downtown branch of the Schenectady County Public Library reopen?
Union sports focuses on more than scoresIn our society, wins and losses are the norm in evaluating athletic performance.However, I gained a much deeper appreciation for Union College sports programs recently at an event hosted by men’s hockey coach Rick Bennett, women’s coach Josh Sciba and Athletic Director Jim McLaughlin, who shared their philosophies and approaches.Unlike many collegiate athletic programs across America, engaged in a single minded, “win at all cost” mentality, incubating athletes for professional levels, Union fosters a different approach. Instead, Union is focused on more holistic coaching of individual young men and women, who must prove and maintain their academics and a host of other character-building requirements in order to represent the college athletically.At Union, metrics such as graduation rate, academic performance and community service are among the norms. As public ambassadors of the college, all Union athletes are held to strict high standards.This comprehensive approach strives to make everyone, not only the best athlete, but more importantly the best person they can be.So, while Union’s teams may not always be ranked number one in the standings, the athletes are finishing on top in character and integrity.Keep up the great work, Union athletes and coaches.Michael DaviNiskayuna Categories: Letters to the Editor, OpinionTo get more priests, expand search poolI was born a Catholic, and I will always be a Catholic. My education is entirely Catholic. My teachers were nuns, priests, and brothers — nuns in grammar school, priests in high school and brothers in college.I have traveled the world and lived in Peru and Brazil.I have attended mass in Europe, the Far East, Mid-East, Africa, South America and all over the United States.A consistent Sunday homily theme is that we should pray for more young men to choose the priesthood vocation. Currently, there are not enough priests to practice the church’s teaching.I propose a fix for the priesthood shortage.First, allow the priests to marry and let already-married men become priests. These men will better understand what it is like to be the head of the family, what it takes to grow a family. They will be better shepherds of their flocks.Second, allow women to become priests. I have met many women that are more intelligent, courageous and pious than men.They would make outstanding priests. I often witness women taking leadership roles in my church.They perform tasks that no one else wants to do, and they do it with vigor and exceptionally well.Wake up, Vatican. It is time to stop complaining and time to take action.Rafael PoloNorthville Cuomo is creating a NY ‘State of Chaos’Let’s get serious here. Gov. Andrew Cuomo, in his third term, has brought our state into a true “State of Chaos” — one of which a thriving state could never sustain. Yet here we are.Despite his State of the State rhetoric of grand accomplishments and initiatives, a $6 billion budget deficit remains. His vision of “E Pluribus Unum” has instead divided us. And ironically, as he claimed “ … to address the issues causing anxiety and frustration,” he has pushed the very issues (none of which were covered in his speech) that have produced record levels of anxiety.The dangers of a third term, as history has shown us, have now come to full realization. His previous controversial agendas, including Common Core and legalization of gambling, have affected families in harmful ways that he has yet to acknowledge.Who could possibly understand his end-game intentions, as he proceeds with the most personal and community-altering issues that impact all?With his recent push of bail reform, mandated HPV/flu vaccine, undocumented immigrant driver’s licenses, legalization of alcohol in theaters and the legalization of marijuana, one can only assume he is aiming for a total “State of Chaos.”These issues continue to affect us all in dangerous ways.This governor, and the state legislators supporting him in this chaos, need a reality check.Contact the governor’s office and your state legislators to address these life-altering issues that affect each of us. The time to act is now.Laura DieterichScotiaMore from The Daily Gazette:EDITORIAL: Make a game plan for voting. Do it now.EDITORIAL: No chickens in city without strong regsFoss: Schenectady homeless assistance program Street Soldiers dealing with surge in needEDITORIAL: Thruway tax unfair to working motoristsEDITORIAL: No more extensions on vehicle inspections
To access this article REGISTER NOWWould you like print copies, app and digital replica access too? SUBSCRIBE for as little as £5 per week. Would you like to read more?Register for free to finish this article.Sign up now for the following benefits:Four FREE articles of your choice per monthBreaking news, comment and analysis from industry experts as it happensChoose from our portfolio of email newsletters
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To access this article REGISTER NOWWould you like print copies, app and digital replica access too? SUBSCRIBE for as little as £5 per week. Would you like to read more?Register for free to finish this article.Sign up now for the following benefits:Four FREE articles of your choice per monthBreaking news, comment and analysis from industry experts as it happensChoose from our portfolio of email newsletters
To access this article REGISTER NOWWould you like print copies, app and digital replica access too? SUBSCRIBE for as little as £5 per week. Would you like to read more?Register for free to finish this article.Sign up now for the following benefits:Four FREE articles of your choice per monthBreaking news, comment and analysis from industry experts as it happensChoose from our portfolio of email newsletters
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Exxon raised $9.5 billion by selling five different bonds with a variety of durations ranging from five years to 31 years, up from $9 billion which it had originally planned to raise, indicating robust investor demand.In an example of how the company’s borrowing costs have come down in recent weeks, it priced a 10.5-year bond worth $2 billion at a 185 basis-point premium to US Treasuries with a 2.61 percent yield. On March 17, Exxon sold $2 billion in debt with a 10-year duration where the premium to US Treasuries was 240 basis points and the yield was 3.482 percent.In August last year, Exxon raised $1.25 billion through a 10-year bond with a premium to US Treasuries of just 75 basis points and a yield of 2.44 percent.The new issue by Exxon comes as highly rated US companies have been tapping debt markets for cash at a record clip, stocking up on cash due to the uncertainty surrounding the economic impact from coronavirus. The logic behind Exxon’s deal was to stock up further on cash while the market is still open to issuers of new debt, according to a person familiar with the matter.Exxon’s stock has been hammered this year by the collapse in oil prices, with its share price down 38.7 percent so far in 2020, a steeper fall than the 14.5 percent drop in the benchmark S&P 500 Index.In a regulatory filing, Exxon said it planned to use the proceeds for “general corporate purposes.”Oil prices were mixed on Monday, as the historic production-cut deal signed by major global oil producers was not enough to assuage existing worries about the demand destruction brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.Other companies to issue new debt on Monday included US industrial conglomerate General Electric Co, drug store chain Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc and movie theater operator Cinemark Holdings Inc.Topics : Exxon Mobil Corp on Monday raised US$9.5 billion in new debt, with the largest US oil producer seeking to bolster its finances while debt markets remain open to new deals.Exxon paid a lower price to borrow than it did in a similar debt deal almost four weeks ago, a sign of how investor confidence is gradually returning after a rout in energy prices and a stock market collapse fueled by the coronavirus outbreak.Nevertheless, borrowing costs for Exxon were still higher than prior to the coronavirus outbreak.
“I cannot rule out a broader lockdown,” North-Rhine Westphalia’s premier Armin Laschet told German television ZDF on Sunday.Outbreaks in recent weeks have occurred in nursing homes, hospitals, institutions for asylum seekers and refugees, in meat processing plants and logistics companies, among seasonal harvest workers and in connection with religious events, RKI said.The 2.88 rate is a jump from 1.06 on Friday, based on RKI’s moving 4-day average data, which reflects infection rates one to two weeks ago.Based on a 7-day average, infection rates have risen to 2.03, RKI said, adding that an accurate reading for long-term patterns will take a couple of days.The spike in infections is mainly related to local outbreaks including in North Rhine-Westphalia, RKI said. North-Rhine Westphalia was one of the regions most vocal about urging Merkel to ease lockdown restrictions.A high 7-day incidence rate was observed in the towns of Guetersloh and Warendorf, North Rhine-Westphalia. Further outbreaks were detected in the cities of Magdeburg, in Saxony Anhalt and the Berlin district of Neukoelln, RKI said.In total, Germany has reported 189,822 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases and 8,882 deaths due to COVID-19 have been reported, RKI said.In an interview published on Sunday, Bundesbank President Jens Weidmann told German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung that the economy had passed the worst of the crisis caused by the coronavirus outbreak and was now expected to recover gradually. Topics : Germany’s coronavirus reproduction rate jumped to 2.88 on Sunday, up from 1.79 a day earlier, health authorities said, a rate showing infections are rising above the level needed to contain the disease over the longer term.The rise brings with it the possibility of renewed restrictions on activity in Europe’s largest economy – a blow to a country that so far had widely been seen as successful in curbing the coronavirus spread and keeping the death toll relatively low.To keep the pandemic under control, Germany needs the reproduction rate to drop below one. The rate of 2.88, published by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for public health, means that out of 100 people who contract the virus, a further 288 people will get infected.
Chancellor Angela Merkel had favored maintaining lockdown measures for longer but gradually eased restrictions in recent weeks following pressure from regional politicians to reboot the economy.Already, the country is grappling to get people to adhere to isolation rules in places where they have been imposed. Over the weekend, authorities in Goettingen needed riot police to enforce quarantine measures.In North-Rhine Westphalia, more than 1,300 people working at a slaugterhouse in Guetersloh tested positive for coronavirus, up from 803 infections on Friday.As a result, North-Rhine Westphalia has put 7,000 people under quarantine and closed kindergartens and schools close to the abattoir.
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