Religious Liberty Leaders Emphasize Connecting With the Marginalized – Adventist Review

October 23, 2019

By: Debbie Michel, Lake Union Conference, and Adventist Review

Public Affairs and Religious Liberty (PARL) representatives from regional (historically black) conferences across the United States met September 26-29, 2019, in Atlanta, Georgia, for the Conscience and Justice Council annual conference, which this year examined issues surrounding the theme, Faith, Justice and Community.

Speakers sought to inspire the audience of 200 to take the Adventist Churchs message of hope and wholeness and make a meaningful difference in their communities. Topics included religious accommodation; conscience and justice according to the Bible; housing segregation then and now; engaging millennials in social justice; and many others.

Religious Freedom and LGBT Rights

One of the sessions with a robust discussion asked the question, Can religious freedom and LGBT rights coexist?

Justin Giboney, executive team member of the AND campaign, explained that his organization tries to get Christians to engage in politics more faithfully.

Tim Schultz (left), president of 1stAmendment Partnership, told the audience at the Conscience and Justice Council that if you care about religious freedom, you have to care about social justice. On Shultzs left is AND campaign executive team member Justin Giboney. [Photo: Lake Union Conference News]

In his Sabbath morning message, U.S. Senate Chaplain Barry Black used the Bible story of the good Samaritan to illustrate that we must have compassion for those in need. If youre going to have social justice, stop blaming the victim. Help people, even when theyre responsible for the trouble theyre in, he said. [Photo: Lake Union Conference News]

Margie P. Gill, executive director of Tabithas House, a human trafficking ministry of the House of Hope Church near downtown Atlanta, said she and others are working to support victims of human trafficking. We want to give power back to the victims and restore lives, homes, and communities, she said. [Photo: Lake Union Conference News]

If we are Christians, we should be both about justice and moral order. Our political landscape today separates them, Gibbons said. Christians are supposed to be about both. We cant choose between the two. We often talk about this in terms of compassion and conviction. When we look at an issue like LGBTQ, our conviction is what the Bible says, and were not going to change our conviction, but have we showed compassion? he asked.

Adventist HealthCare vice president and chief compliance officer Dwayne Leslie shared why it is important for Adventists to get involved in the legislative process.

As Seventh-day Adventists, religious liberty has been one of our core tenets, but weve also believed we shouldnt use the legislative process to enforce or mandate our philosophy. Were not trying to legislate morality, Leslie said. We want to protect ourselves according to our theology, as opposed to using our theology to deny or take away the rights of other people.

Tim Schultz, president of 1st Amendment Partnership, told the audience that if people care about religious freedom, they have to care about social justice. In that vein, Melissa Reid, executive director of the North American Division Religion Liberty Association (NARLA), mentioned that her department is working alongside other faith communities to pass legislation known as Fairness For All, which would protect the rights of the LGBTQ community.

Were now making visits to members of Congress and think we will have bipartisan support. Because of the diversity of our coalition group, it adds to the likelihood of bipartisan support. Even though it may take a while for the legislation to be enacted, Reid said, We recognize that this is an opportunity to restore the idea of religious freedom.

Stop Blaming the Victim

In his Sabbath morning message, U.S. Senate Chaplain Barry Black used the Bible story of the good Samaritan to illustrate that we must have compassion for those in need.

If youre going to have social justice, stop blaming the victim. Help people, even when theyre responsible for the trouble theyre in. This traveler got himself in trouble. He knew about the dangerous Jericho Road, but he still took it.

We got to go across the spectrum of diversity. We got to help people regardless of their sexual orientation. We got to help people regardless of their ethnicity. We got to help people regardless of their accent. We got to help people regardless of their socio-economic level, or lack of a level, Black said.

On Saturday (Sabbath) afternoon, council attendees visited Tabithas House, a human trafficking ministry of the House of Hope Church near downtown Atlanta. Executive director Margie P. Gill explained that Atlanta is a major hub for sex trafficking, and the youngest client theyve helped was a five-year-old.

We want to give power back to the victims and restore lives, homes, and communities, Gill said.

First-Person Account

On Saturday evening, Yusef Salaam, who was wrongly convicted of the 1989 assault and rape of a female jogger in Central Park, spoke about serving years in prison for a crime he, along with four other youth, did not commit. The highly publicized case was the subject of a recent Netflix movie, When They See Us, directed by Ava DuVernay.

Salaam, now a father of ten living in Atlanta, spoke softly of how he has been able to move on with his life.

Knowing you were born with a purpose, you were born brave, God gave you the means to survive and thrive. Its not about what happens to you, but your response to whats happening to you. God is in control. The sun shines on the sinner and the person who is filthy at the same time. But the blessing comes to one who is faithful.

Carmela Monk Crawford, ofMessagemagazine, moderated a Questions and Answers session, during which she asked Salaam if he had forgiven all the people responsible for his imprisonment.

Forgiveness is a challenging concept. Ive been able to forgive to a degree, Salaam said. Im reminded,Forgive them, Father, for they know not what they do.

Working Together to Reach Out

On Sunday, Oakwood Universitys chair of the Department of Nutrition, Dietetics, and Public Health, Sherine Brown-Fraser, discussed Health Disparities: The Impact of Food Deserts. Brown-Fraser said that churches can engage with their community through a variety of avenues, including a simple yet effective project such as a community garden. She presented evidence to show that when we grow our fruits and vegetables, we are likely to eat more of these foods.

Ann Roda, Adventist Healthcare vice president for Mission Integration and Spiritual Care, said her organization was proud to sponsor the conference because, looking back in church history, it was Washington Adventist Hospital that denied treatment to a black patient in 1943.

Our team was shocked to hear the story, and this was the catalyst for us asking, what are we going to do with this info? she said. We have to own our part, not shy away from it and commit to not letting this happen again.

Going forward, Roda said, the local church and the Adventist Health System could play a huge role in addressing societal ills. We need a clear partnership between the health system and the church. If we partner, we can change the paradigm of what it means to change our community.

Edward Woods, Lake Region PARL leader and chairperson of the Conscience and Justice Council, said he hopes participants will take the information presented and put it into action.

Its important to ensure theres liberty of conscience and justice for all people, through a biblical and contemporary context that reflects the consciousness of Christ, Woods said.

The Conscience and Justice Council conference began in 2016 in Detroit, Michigan, and the next conference is scheduled for September 24-27, 2020, in Los Angeles, California.

The original version of this story was posted on the Lake Union Heraldnews site.

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Religious Liberty Leaders Emphasize Connecting With the Marginalized - Adventist Review

Is Liberty Property Trust (LPT) Going to Burn These Hedge Funds? – Yahoo Finance

Although the masses and most of the financial media blame hedge funds for their exorbitant fee structure and disappointing performance, these investors have proved to have great stock picking abilities over the years (that's why their assets under management continue to swell). We believe hedge fund sentiment should serve as a crucial tool of an individual investors stock selection process, as it may offer great insights of how the brightest minds of the finance industry feel about specific stocks. After all, these people have access to smartest analysts and expensive data/information sources that individual investors can't match. So should one consider investing in Liberty Property Trust (NYSE:LPT)? The smart money sentiment can provide an answer to this question.

Liberty Property Trust (NYSE:LPT) shares haven't seen a lot of action during the second quarter. Overall, hedge fund sentiment was unchanged. The stock was in 19 hedge funds' portfolios at the end of the second quarter of 2019. The level and the change in hedge fund popularity aren't the only variables you need to analyze to decipher hedge funds' perspectives. A stock may witness a boost in popularity but it may still be less popular than similarly priced stocks. That's why at the end of this article we will examine companies such as Etsy Inc (NASDAQ:ETSY), Guardant Health, Inc. (NASDAQ:GH), and American Homes 4 Rent (NYSE:AMH) to gather more data points.Our calculations also showed thatLPT isn't among the30 most popular stocks among hedge funds(see the video below). Video: Click the image to watch our video about the top 5 most popular hedge fund stocks.

5 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds

To most traders, hedge funds are seen as worthless, old investment tools of yesteryear. While there are greater than 8000 funds in operation today, Our researchers choose to focus on the masters of this group, approximately 750 funds. These hedge fund managers have their hands on the majority of the smart money's total asset base, and by watching their inimitable picks, Insider Monkey has unearthed various investment strategies that have historically outrun the broader indices. Insider Monkey's flagship hedge fund strategy defeated the S&P 500 index by around 5 percentage points per year since its inception in May 2014. We were able to generate large returns even by identifying short candidates. Our portfolio of short stocks lost 25.7% since February 2017 (through September 30th) even thoughthe market was up more than 33% during the same period. We just shared a list of 10 short targetsin our latest quarterly update .

Unlikethis former hedge fund manager whoisconvincedDowwill soar past 40000,our long-short investment strategy doesn't rely on bull markets to deliver double digit returns. We only rely on hedge fund buy/sell signals. Let's take a gander at the key hedge fund action surrounding Liberty Property Trust (NYSE:LPT).

Heading into the third quarter of 2019, a total of 19 of the hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey held long positions in this stock, a change of 0% from the first quarter of 2019. Below, you can check out the change in hedge fund sentiment towards LPT over the last 16 quarters. So, let's check out which hedge funds were among the top holders of the stock and which hedge funds were making big moves.

Story continues

Clint Carlson, Carlson Capital

Of the funds tracked by Insider Monkey, Zimmer Partners, managed by Stuart J. Zimmer, holds the largest position in Liberty Property Trust (NYSE:LPT). Zimmer Partners has a $179.5 million position in the stock, comprising 1.9% of its 13F portfolio. Sitting at the No. 2 spot is Long Pond Capital, managed by John Khoury, which holds a $37.2 million position; the fund has 1.1% of its 13F portfolio invested in the stock. Some other members of the smart money that hold long positions comprise Clint Carlson's Carlson Capital, Jonathan Litt's Land & Buildings Investment Management and Renaissance Technologies.

Because Liberty Property Trust (NYSE:LPT) has experienced declining sentiment from the entirety of the hedge funds we track, logic holds that there exists a select few funds that decided to sell off their positions entirely last quarter. Interestingly, Benjamin A. Smith's Laurion Capital Management said goodbye to the largest stake of all the hedgies watched by Insider Monkey, comprising close to $1.7 million in stock, and Matthew Tewksbury's Stevens Capital Management was right behind this move, as the fund dropped about $1.5 million worth. These moves are interesting, as aggregate hedge fund interest stayed the same (this is a bearish signal in our experience).

Let's check out hedge fund activity in other stocks similar to Liberty Property Trust (NYSE:LPT). These stocks are Etsy Inc (NASDAQ:ETSY), Guardant Health, Inc. (NASDAQ:GH), American Homes 4 Rent (NYSE:AMH), and Galapagos NV (NASDAQ:GLPG). This group of stocks' market valuations match LPT's market valuation.

[table] Ticker, No of HFs with positions, Total Value of HF Positions (x1000), Change in HF Position ETSY,41,1228455,2 GH,19,225721,5 AMH,25,454005,6 GLPG,14,97279,-2 Average,24.75,501365,2.75 [/table]

View table hereif you experience formatting issues.

As you can see these stocks had an average of 24.75 hedge funds with bullish positions and the average amount invested in these stocks was $501 million. That figure was $338 million in LPT's case. Etsy Inc (NASDAQ:ETSY) is the most popular stock in this table. On the other hand Galapagos NV (NASDAQ:GLPG) is the least popular one with only 14 bullish hedge fund positions. Liberty Property Trust (NYSE:LPT) is not the least popular stock in this group but hedge fund interest is still below average. Our calculations showed that top 20 most popular stocks among hedge funds returned 24.4% in 2019 through September 30th and outperformed the S&P 500 ETF (SPY) by 4 percentage points. A small number of hedge funds were also right about betting on LPT, though not to the same extent, as the stock returned 3.4% during the third quarter and outperformed the market.

Disclosure: None. This article was originally published at Insider Monkey.

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Is Liberty Property Trust (LPT) Going to Burn These Hedge Funds? - Yahoo Finance

Slavery and liberty: A new exhibit explores the Thomas Jefferson paradox – Archinect

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Thomas Jefferson's Monticello

The Chrysler Museum of Art on the University of Virginia campus will put on an exhibit entitled "Thomas Jefferson, Architect: Palladian Models, Democratic Principles, and the Conflict of Ideals."

It looks at the Jefferson's influences and ideas around architecture, including displays of models based on his designs, reports Associated Press (AP). On the one hand, Jefferson was a man who sought to create architecture that symbolized "liberty and democracy," but on the other, he used enslaved Americans to construct the very same structures designed to embody these ideals.

"They helped build everything from Virginia's Statehousea precursor to the Capital Building in Washingtonto the University of Virginia and Jefferson's home of Monticello," writes AP, speaking of Jefferson's use of slave labor.

The exhibit opens this Saturday. It "juxtaposes Jefferson's visions with the realities of slavery." The exhibition catalogue,Thomas Jefferson, Architect, includes contributions fromGuido Beltramini,director of the Centro Internazionale di Studi Architettura Andrea Palladio and the Palladio Museum; critic and scholar Barry Bergdoll, and GSAPP professor Mabel O. Wilson.

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Slavery and liberty: A new exhibit explores the Thomas Jefferson paradox - Archinect

Hate LAX? Why New York’s Newark Liberty International Airport is a relative breeze – Stuff.co.nz

If you're among the Kiwi travellers who actively avoid flying into LAX, it might come as a relief that Air New Zealand is scrapping Los Angeles-London flights in favour of a new service from Auckland toNew York's Newark Liberty International Airport.

Like all major US international airports, Newark (EWR) gets pretty hectic at times, but it's less busy than Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), which was named the fourth busiest passenger airport in the world in 2018 in Airports Council International's recently released world traffic report. More than 87.5 million passengers flew though LAX in 2018, according to the report, while 46 million passed through Newark, making it the eleventh busiest airport in the US.

Located 15 miles (24 kilometres) southwest of Midtown Manhattan, Newark is the second most central of the threeairports serving the New York metropolitan area.LaGuardia, in Queens, is closer, but tends to get a worse rap in terms of facilities and wait times. JFK International, the busiest airport of the three, is slightly further from Midtown Manhattan.

SHUBHAM SHARAN/UNSPLASH

Just across the Hudson from Manhattan, Newark airport is a 30-minute monorail ride from Penn Station.

Opened in 1928, Newark lays claim to multiple airport firsts, including the first paved runway, the first airport weather stationandthe first air traffic control tower in the United States. Like LaGuardia and JFK, it's undergoing major redevelopment andupgrades. These include replacing outmoded Terminal A with the three-concourse, 33-gate Terminal One, a project expected to be completed in 2021.

READ MORE:*Air NZ axes LA-London route*Air New Zealand releases details of new New York flights* Airport review: LAX - Tom Bradley International Terminal, Los Angeles, US* Insider tip: A survivor's guide to LAX* Guide to the world's best and worst airports

Terminal A is one of three terminals at Newark, the others beingTerminal B and Terminal C. United Airlines, with which Air New Zealand has a partnership, occupies all of Terminal C, but operates some flights out of terminals B and C as well.

Passengers can travel between terminals and to the Airport Station, which connects Newark with New Jersey and Amtrak trains,on the AirTrainmonorail, which operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and is free to ride within the airport.

JARRED WILLIAMSON / FAIRFAX NZ

Air New Zealand's New York service will replace its Los Angeles-London route from October 2020.

Free wi-fi and charging stations are available in all three terminals, along with parent rooms and pet relief areas. There are a decent number of dining options and passengers can use the AtYourGateapp to have meals delivered anywhere in Terminals A and B and in the pre-security are of Terminal C.

Terminal C, which re-opened in 2017 after a US$120 million redesign, is the flashest of the three terminals at present.

David Rockwell, the man behind the bulk of the terminal's dining venues, described them as "part Get Smart, part James Bond, and part theatre technology", telling Bloomberg he also drew inspiration fromNew York's Madison Square Park and European town squares.

NICHOLAS JEHLY/UNSPLASH

Newark Liberty International s the eleventh busiest airport in the US.

The three-concourse, 68-gateterminalhas by far the best choice of the three terminals in terms of dining and shopping - Bloomberg went so far as to call it a "foodie theme park".

The more than 50 dining options range from a gourmet market and Global Bazaar to casual eateries with grab-and-go-options and sit-down restaurants helmed by celebrity chefs serving up everything from gourmet burgersand barbecue to authentic ramen, tacos, dumplings and Italian meatballs. Sliding walls and rotating signage enable venues to change as the day progresses.Even the casual cafes have iPad ordering stations, where you can both request and pay for meals.

If you're thirsty, head to Caps Brewery, which serves up more than 50 local and international brews,Oneo Wine Bar, Proof Whiskey Bar or Tacquila, where you can choose from more than 200 types of tequila.

If that's not enough to relax you or you have an extralong layover, you might want to check out the eco-friendly Departure Spa, where services includemanicures, pedicures, massages, facials and haircuts.

Given the partnership between the two airlines, it's possible that qualifying Air New Zealand passengers may be able to use the United lounges at the airport. The Polaris lounge is particularly well-equppied, with daybeds, a table-service dining area and rainfall shower suites.

Getting to and from the airport

The cheapest way to get to and from Newark is to take the AirTrain monorail, which connects passengers with NJ TRANSIT, PATH and Amtrak services at Newark Liberty International Airport Station. Ittakes about 30 minutes to get to Pennsylvania (Penn) Station in Manhattan, which connects to the New York City subway system.

Taxis, ride-share services such as Uber, an express bus and car hire are also available.

Many of the hotels within the vicinity of the airport, such as the Newark Liberty International Airport Marriott, offer free shuttle services.

432 PARK AVENUE

You can catch public transport or a taxi or ride-share service from Newark to Manhattan.

Air NZ's planned service to New York

Air New Zealand is set to launch a new service from Auckland to Newark Liberty International Airport from October 29, 2020.

The national carrier will fly the new route three times a week year-round under its flagship NZ1 southbound and NZ2 northbound flight numbers.

The New York service replaces the Los-Angles-London route, set to end in October 2020.

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Hate LAX? Why New York's Newark Liberty International Airport is a relative breeze - Stuff.co.nz

Liberty Ranch FFA students show children where their food comes from – The Galt Herald

Friday, Oct. 18 approximately 200 third grade students from Arcohe, River Oaks, Lake Canyon and Marengo Ranch elementary schools visited Liberty Ranch High School for its annual Fall Ag Day, where the FFA students gave the youngsters hands-on experience in the agricultural world.

The students were broken into groups led by an FFA member and rotated through 11 stations. The 11 stations were Agriculture and the Environment; Culture, Society and the Economy; Food and Healthy Lifestyles; Plants and Animals for Food; Science, Technology, and Math; Water Conservation; Food Waste; Petting Zoo, Animal Care; Pumpkin Patch, Proper Pumpkin Selection and Hayride; California Bees; and UC Davis Entomology & Bugs. Halfway through the rotation, students headed to the field for a quick healthy snack before they continued to their next station.

The entire event was led by the ag leadership students with the help of fellow FFA members and teachers. The core group planned and prepared for over two months to entertain, but more importantly educate the visiting elementary students.

Some of that preparation included writing and illustrating a book about the different uses for pumpkins and the process they go through. The book was written and illustrated by leadership students Austin Davis, Samantha Bauer and Jaelyn Farris.

Ag students read the book to the third graders at the pumpkin picking station, after which each elementary student was able to pick a small pumpkin to take home.

Liberty Ranch junior Luke Powers said that he had fun teaching the younger students, but his favorite part was being able to teach about the importance of agriculture.

Asked what he thought was the most rewarding part of the event, Powers replied: Knowing that the kids know more about where their food comes from, and they will spread what they learned.

Hannah Parker, a senior, and Teddy Lopez, a junior, both agreed that the most challenging part of the event was timing the lessons to start and end on time.

Lopez worked at the ag equipment station, which sported shiny new tractors. He said his favorite part was seeing the kids get excited about being able to see and get on the tractors. But the most rewarding part for Lopez was when the students were able to recite the information taught to them and, more importantly, expand on it.

Helping the students plant seeds at her station, Parker said that what she found the most rewarding was when the kids would express how much fun they had.

The agriculture students and teachers would like to thank the following for making the annual Fall Ag Day a success: Davis Ranch, Jim Welch Hay, River Rats Portable Toilets, BD Ranch, UC Davis Bohart Museum, Kubota Tractors, John Hospenthal, Peter VanWarmerdam and Galt Raleys.

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Liberty Ranch FFA students show children where their food comes from - The Galt Herald

Trenton Catholic boys soccer earns share of BCSL Liberty crown – The Trentonian

EWING With lightning quick goal scorers like Trenton Catholic Academys Chazz Jones and STEM Civics Anthony Ali on the same soccer field, who will win is anyones best guess.

These crafty seniors gave each others teams a run for their money one final time in Burlington County Scholastic League Independence Division action Wednesday.

Entering the game, Jones and Ali had combined to score 51 goals this season. That number grew to 54 yesterday.

With plenty of help from classmate Darwin Salguero, Jones and the Iron Mikes were able to get past Ali and the Purplefects, 3-1, to lock up a share of the Independence Division title with Burlington City. TCA and the Blue Devils went 9-1 in league play.

Jones and Ali made an immediate impact on Wednesdays contest as Ali got free ahead of the pack in the early going to rip a shot on which Iron Mikes junior goalkeeper Bryan Ovalle had to make a diving save.

On the counter-attack, Jones cashed in when he eluded an offside call to connect on a lead from Salguero in the games second minute.

Its not really anything new. Ive had hat tricks in the first half before, Jones said. They call Darwin and I The Dynamic Duo. Were always looking for one another.

With all the hype around the biggest goal scorers, it was easy to lose sight of Salguero, a senior midfielder who entered the game with 16 goals and nine assists.

Salguero lifted his goal count to 17 (second-best on the team) when made a 35-yard sprint to the net and scored with seven minutes left in the first half. He tied freshman teammate John Kestler for TCAs assist lead with 11 when he led Jones for goal No. 31 to ice the game with eight minutes left.

We had to stay strong as the game went on, Jones said. Sometimes we tend to buckle or fold. Not today.

Jones second score was a testament to his learning as play progressed. Eight minutes earlier, STEM Civics freshman goalie Pavel Espana (10 saves) had come off his line to stonewall Jones on a breakaway. Given a second chance, Jones held onto the ball a little longer, dribbled around Espanas charge and tucked a shot into the vacated net.

Hey, that happens in soccer, said Ali, whose club played much better in the second half, but could not make up for its two-goal halftime deficit. This is still the best season weve ever had.

Under former Notre Dame High coach Rich Leedom in their first year as part of the BCSL, the Purplefects finished the regular season 10-7 and went 6-4 in the Independence Division, placing them third behind second-year head coach Scott Alvarez Iron Mikes (10-6) and City (11-9).

Ali showed what STEM Civics is capable of when he sent a bicycle kick into the net off a head ball from Gabriel Luna midway through the second half to make the final 20 minutes intense.

I never thought Id end up as a striker, said Ali, who connected on his 23rd goal. I went from being a center fullback to a center halfback to the center of the attack. Weve trained since July and have had better conditioning this season than any other.

Jones can relate to the rewards that come from hard work.

Returning from minor knee surgery this season, I was hoping to score 20, Jones said. Now I have 31. So I guess its time to make new goals.

With state tournament games ahead for Jones and Ali, that is something both can focus on before their stellar senior seasons come to a close.

TCA (10-6) 2 1 3

STEMCivics(10-7) 0 1 1

Goals: CJones 2, DSalguero (TCA), Ali (SC); Assists: DSalguero 2, Ovalle (TCA), Luna (SC).

Shots: 13 (TCA), 7 (SC); Saves: Ovalle 6 (TCA), Espana 10 (SC).

Originally posted here:

Trenton Catholic boys soccer earns share of BCSL Liberty crown - The Trentonian

Letter to the Editor Liberty or Tyranny | Letters To The Editor – Richfield Reaper

Todays society has been so devoid of real authentic history of USA and world that they no longer understand what liberty and freedom truly are and who designed it. Neither do they understand who the author of all forms of tyranny, control are. If you seek liberty and freedom of choice then you must learn from history those who taught it and those who oppose it. The Holy Bible, Book of Mormon, sacred books teach that the creator of all things, Jesus Christ is the author and defender of liberty. I stand as a witness of these facts. The US Constitution is inspired by Jesus Christ to protect our God given liberty. ALL forms of control, tyranny, bullying, those who seek to control any or all aspects of your life, liberty, freedoms, earnings, and those who will give up their natural God-given rights for security or money are the cause of all suffering on this Earth since the beginning. The author of all anti-liberty, anti-choice is Lucifer, the Devil, the master of lies. Who believes his WAR upon God and YOU is just, for HE and only he knows whats best for you. You are not smart enough to choose your own path in life. Some of his tools, governments ideologies like Democracy (mob rule) Progressivism, Socialism, Communism, Islamism, most isms, Globalists, United Nations. Look up isms about 1945 cartoon you might learn something. All who seek to obtain power and control over others are the true danger to humanity. We have seen the call for Hong Kongs fight for liberty against enslavement to China by an NBA member and now a gamer of Blizzard (WOW) etc. Attacked and punished. By corporations who created millions in free markets cower and bow to the anti-liberty nations like Communist China in order to make $$$$$$$$ vs supporting liberty. This is how countless millions have died, suffer and will continue to do so, because the cowards of the world who desire security, profits, power over liberty, justice, truth.

They support Lucifers control ideologies over Gods natural rights and plan of life in liberty for YOU to choose a path in this life. Stop supporting all who are anti-liberty, from your local, state, national, worldly groups. Stand for light and truth, fight the powers darkness. Or be enslaved for Lucifers agendas.

Warriors of light awaken and stand.

Stephen Huls

Monroe

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Letter to the Editor Liberty or Tyranny | Letters To The Editor - Richfield Reaper

Former Liberty-Eylau coach accused of sexual misconduct with students – TXK Today

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A former Liberty-Eylau coach resigned last year after allegations surfaced that he had sex with female students.

Treyvin Trey Norman, 26, is accused of having sexual contact with two girls at his home on Diane Street in Wake Village, Texas, in 2018, according to a probable cause affidavit. Norman left his job as a coach at Liberty-Eylau High School in October 2018 after allegations of sexual misconduct were brought to the attention of the Wake Village Police Department by Liberty-Eylau Independent School District police.

A 17-year-old student reported that Norman sent her messages on Snapchat telling her she was beautiful and that she began meeting him at the Neighborhood Walmart in Wake Village. From there Norman allegedly drove the girl to his house where he had sex with her. Police have collected surveillance video from the store which allegedly corrobates the girls account.

An 18-year-old student reported that she began exchanging messages with Norman on Snapchat which eventually became sexual in nature. The girl alleges that she went to Normans home in August 2018 and smoke marijuana with him before having sex with him at his house.

Improper relationship between educator and student is punishable by two to 20 years in prison.

At a hearing Monday before 202nd District Judge John Tidwell said the case is being referred to a Bowie County grand jury. If found guilty of improper relationship between educator and student, Norman faces two to 20 years in prison.

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Former Liberty-Eylau coach accused of sexual misconduct with students - TXK Today

Liberty Health Sciences Appoints George Gremse To The Board Of Directors – PRNewswire

TORONTO, Oct. 16, 2019 /PRNewswire/ - Liberty Health Sciences Inc. (CSE: LHS) (OTCQX: LHSIF) http://www.libertyhealthsciences.com("Liberty" or the "Company"), a provider of high quality cannabis, announced today that George Gremse has been appointed to the Board of Directors, effective immediately, replacing retiring board member Jeremy Straub. Gremse will serve as Liberty's Chair of the Audit Committee.

"On behalf of Liberty, we would like to thank Jeremy for his continuous support and invaluable guidance during his tenure as Board of Director and Chair of the Audit Committee, and we wish him much success in all of his future endeavors," said Victor Mancebo, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Liberty. "We are excited to welcome George to the Liberty Health Sciences Board of Director who will take over as Chair of the Audit Committee. George complements our board of directors' skills and experience and I am confident he will provide valuable perspectives as we continue to enhance value for all of our shareholders. He comes to us with an abundance of high-level corporate experience and possess exemplary financial acumen."

Gremse has held senior management positions in both Fortune 500 companies and startups. He is a past member of the Board of Directors at MetroBroward Economic Development Corporation and President of Jolizmo Consulting and Investments, Inc. His career encompasses significant strategic and tactical operational experience within start-ups, mergers and roll ups in Florida, across North America, and internationally. His business experience has provided him the opportunities to develop strong skills in P&L management, enterprise strategies, acquisition management, and franchise development and management.

Gremse served in South America in the Peace Corps and holds a B.S. from Cornell University and an MBA from Baruch College of the City University of New York. He currently resides in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

About Liberty Health Sciences Inc.Liberty is the cannabis provider committed to providing a high-quality cannabis experience based on our genuine care for all cannabis users and a focus on operational excellence from seed to sale. For more information, please visit: http://www.libertyhealthsciences.com.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Any statements that are contained in this news release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "may", "should", "anticipate", "expect", "believe", "plan", "intend" or the negative of these terms and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the expected closing date and the sale of the specified assets in Florida and Ohio. There is no certainty that the transactions will be completed by the anticipated closing date or at all. Forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks, including, without limitation, risks associated with general economic conditions; adverse industry events; marketing costs; loss of markets; future legislative and regulatory developments involving medical marijuana; inability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources, and/or inability to access sufficient capital on favorable terms; the medical marijuana industry in the United States generally, income tax and regulatory matters; the ability of Liberty to implement its business strategies; competition; crop failure; currency and interest rate fluctuations and other risks. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive. Readers are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

SOURCE Liberty Health Sciences Inc.

http://www.libertyhealthsciences.com/

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Liberty Health Sciences Appoints George Gremse To The Board Of Directors - PRNewswire

ZOM Senior Living, in a venture with Liberty Senior Living and funds managed by Ares Management Corporation’s Real Estate Group, announces…

WELLINGTON, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ZOM Senior Living, Liberty Senior Living, and funds managed by an affiliate of Ares Management Corporation (NYSE: ARES), have recently closed on construction financing for the development of a 46-acre lakefront parcel, adjacent to The Mall at Wellington Green. The expansive site is in Western Palm Beach County, one of the most affluent regions in the U.S. Construction of Phase 1 is expected to begin immediately and will include 283 premier independent living, assisted living and memory care units. The centerpiece of the community is a two-story, 65,000-square-foot clubhouse and amenity building, replete with multiple dining venues, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, membership-grade spa, salon and wellness center, billiards and cards room, and a theater, to name a few. The Class A senior living rental community will offer luxury rental housing in a variety of formats, including single-story villas (with attached garages), three-story garden flats, and residences within a six-story building, attached directly to the main amenity building. At full build-out, the project is anticipated to include 424 units.

We are excited to partner with Liberty Healthcare and Ares Management on this, our first ZOM Senior Living rental community, said Greg West, CEO of ZOM Living. We formed ZOM Senior Living to capitalize on this growing segment of the renter pool, and we plan to offer the same thoughtfully designed living spaces, amenities, and broad array of services to our senior residents, as we provide in our traditional market rate rental communities. We join forces with a seasoned senior housing operating partner, which perfectly complements ZOMs experience in luxury multifamily housing.

Liberty Senior Living is a subsidiary of North Carolina-based Liberty Healthcare, a 144-year old family-owned company with a wealth of experience delivering healthcare and residential services in the growing senior housing segment.

This is our first project in Florida and we are excited to partner with ZOM, said Will Purvis, Chief Development Officer of Liberty Healthcare. The large size of the Wellington site gives us the opportunity to create a unique resort style seniors community, in close proximity to well-established retail shops and dining venues. We have the ability to create a number of different residential formats and levels of healthcare services, and to maintain significant green space for the enjoyment of all of our residents.

Ares has a long track record of developing core-quality real estate in major U.S. markets, said Andrew Holm, Partner in the Ares Real Estate Group. With top tier management, unrivaled amenities, high-quality and varied housing options, and a great location in Palm Beach County, this project is a prime example of what we look for in a development opportunity. We look forward to building upon a strong relationship with ZOM and Liberty, who have designed a great property.

This project represents a huge milestone for our entre into the senior living space, said Brett Gelsomino, Vice President of ZOM Senior Living. Wellington Bay is our first senior living project to break ground, within our growing national pipeline. We have enjoyed working with the Village of Wellington and their staff. We look forward to getting underway, and contributing positively to the community by providing high-quality housing for our senior citizens.

LS3P Architects (Wilmington) and MSA Architects (Miami) provided project design and architectural services, and RD Jones provided interior design services. Balfour Beatty and Kaufman Lynn are providing construction services. Construction financing was co-arranged by SunTrust Bank and PNC Bank, NA, with Comerica Bank as a participating lender.

About ZOM Living

ZOM Living is one of the most highly regarded luxury multifamily developers in the United States, and has joint ventured or directly developed nearly 20,000 apartment units nationwide, with an aggregate value of over $4 Billion. Throughout its 42-year history, ZOM has garnered more than 160 industry awards for project design and development expertise, including the prestigious National Multifamily Development Firm of the Year award and garnering two national Pillar Awards from the (NAHB) National Association of Home Builders, for Best Low-Rise Project (Baldwin Harbor/Orlando) and Best High-Rise (Monarc at Met3/Miami).

ZOM Living is headquartered in Orlando and has regional development offices in South Florida, Dallas, Washington D.C., Chicago and Raleigh. ZOM has 6,000 units currently under construction or in design/predevelopment throughout the U.S., with a total capitalization of $1.6 Billion. For more information on ZOMs business activities and development portfolio, visit http://www.zomliving.com.

About Liberty Senior Living

The Liberty Group is a family-owned and operated company with a strong commitment to Caring with Excellence. Since 1875, the McNeill family has developed and operated health care services in the Southeast. Liberty Senior Living oversees all Independent Living and Assisted Living operations outside of their skilled nursing facilities. Based in Wilmington, North Carolina, Liberty is currently developing new projects in Cary (Raleigh), and in Charlotte, North Carolina, and in Mt. Pleasant (Charleston), South Carolina. For more information, visit http://www.libertyseniorliving.com

About Ares Management Corporation

Ares Management Corporation (NYSE: ARES) is leading global alternative investment manager operating three integrated businesses across Credit, Private Equity and Real Estate. Ares Managements investment groups collaborate to deliver innovative investment solutions and consistent and attractive investment returns for fund investors throughout market cycles. Ares Managements global platform had $142 billion of assets under management as of June 30, 2019 and employs more than 1,000 employees in over 20 offices across four continents. Please visit http://www.aresmgmt.com for additional information.

Ares Real Estate Group manages comprehensive public and private equity and debt strategies, with approximately $11.9 billion of assets under management as of June 30, 2019.

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ZOM Senior Living, in a venture with Liberty Senior Living and funds managed by Ares Management Corporation's Real Estate Group, announces...

EAST LIBERTY DEVELOPMENT: Vote Wednesday could help clear way for controversial $50 million project in East Liberty – WPXI Pittsburgh

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Vote Wednesday could help clear way for controversial $50 million project in East Liberty

EAST LIBERTY, Pa. - Pittsburgh City Council is preparing to give the final vote needed to push ahead a project to redevelop the site of the former Penn Plaza Apartments in East Liberty.

The $50 million project, which has seen pushback from former residents and city officials, was given the green light in February by the City Planning Commission.

You can customize your WPXI News App to receive alerts to Allegheny County news. CLICK HERE to find out how.

Residents are worried about the impact the nine-story building for office and retail space would have on congestion, traffic and affordable housing in the area.

Former residents of the Penn Plaza Apartments fear the project is a money grab that will continue to force people out of the area and leave them homeless.

>>RELATED:Protesters want city to reject proposed development plan

City council is set to answer questions about housing concerns Wednesday, when a preliminary vote on the project will take place. A final vote is scheduled for next week.

On Tuesday, city council looked at legislation for a land swap with the city and the developer on part of the project, Channel 11s news exchange partners at TribLIVE.

Here is a look at the Penn Plaza Apartments in 2017 and what the area could potentially look like in the future:

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EAST LIBERTY DEVELOPMENT: Vote Wednesday could help clear way for controversial $50 million project in East Liberty - WPXI Pittsburgh

Take A Look! | Black Bear Spotted Swimming In Liberty Reservoir – CBS Baltimore

BALTIMORE (WJZ) Two people fishing in Liberty Reservoir this past weekend got quite the surprise when they spotted a bear swimming in the water.

It was a fishing trip Ben Orlando wont soon forget.

At first I didnt know what it was, he said. It just looked a little odd.

Upon further inspection, it turned out to be a black bear swimming across the Liberty Reservoir.

I wound up getting my camera out and I started to record it, Orlando said. The main thing was, I wanted to see how big it was.

Orlando estimates the bear was upward of 250 lbs.

We spent a lot of time out there, and weve never seen anything like it before, Orlando said.

The video was posted on the Fishing Liberty Reservoir Facebook page where its been shared more than 600 times.

It was just a nice event, it was good that I was able to share it so that other people could see it, Orlando said.

Sgt. Smith, with the Baltimore Environmental Police, says black bears arent common in the area but they do, from time to time, make their way to the reservoir.

Theyre exploring, just widening their area of range, Smith said. Sometimes, it may be a young cub trying to find a proper suitor.

Smith says if you should see a bear, its best to keep your distance.

I thought it was pretty cool, it was nice, Orlando said. Obviously black bears in the area, he wanted nothing to do with us. He just wanted to be on his way.

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Take A Look! | Black Bear Spotted Swimming In Liberty Reservoir - CBS Baltimore

Religious Liberty, Nondiscrimination, and the Left – National Review

Democratic 2020 presidential candidate Beto ORourke takes part in a televised town hall on CNN dedicated to LGBTQ issues in Los Angeles, Calif., October 10, 2019. (REUTERS/Mike Blake)

Beto ORourkes position on religious liberty isnt uncommon.

During CNNs Equality Town Hall last week, Don Lemon asked ORourke, Do you think religious institutions like colleges, churches, charities should they lose their tax-exempt status if they oppose same-sex marriage?

ORourke responded, There can be no reward, no benefit, no tax break for anyone, or any institution, any organization in America that denies the full human rights of every single one of us.

The following day his campaign clarified that ORourke meant no rewards, benefits, or tax breaks should be conferred on institutions that take discriminatory action related to same-sex marriage (as opposed to holding discriminatory beliefs regarding the same).

Much of the ensuing commentary characterized ORourkes position as unrepresentative of the progressive view of the intersection of religious belief and nondiscrimination. But, in fact, ORourkes comments are unremarkable on the Left, which generally elevates nondiscrimination over religious liberty.

The increasing tension between principles of nondiscrimination and religious liberty is a complicated issue. The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights held an expansive hearing on the matter a few years ago titled, Peaceful Coexistence: Reconciling Nondiscrimination Principles with Civil Liberties.

The Lefts forthright hostility toward religious freedom was noteworthy. There was little peaceful coexistence and even less of an effort to balance the interests of religious freedom with nondiscrimination. The progressive-dominated commission held that in almost every instance in which the two principles intersect, religious freedom must yield to nondiscrimination.

The Lefts view of religious liberty perhaps was best captured by then- Chairman Martin Castros claim that [t]he phrases religious liberty and religious freedom will stand for nothing except hypocrisy so long as they remain code words for discrimination, intolerance, racism, sexism, homophobia, Islamophobia, Christian supremacy, or any form of intolerance.

Unfortunately, many on the Left view tolerance only as a one-way street.

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Religious Liberty, Nondiscrimination, and the Left - National Review

‘Citizens for Liberty and Labor’ PAC drops another $40K against Woodward’s campaign – KXLY Spokane

Former TV news anchor Nadine Woodward is running for mayor ofSpokane. Former TV news anchor Nadine Woodward is running for mayor ofSpokane.

SPOKANE, Wash. - The Citizens for Liberty and Labor Political Action Committee has contributed another $40,000 against the Nadine Woodward campaign.

The PAC is run by Randy Marler, the former president of the Spokane Firefighters Union. The PAC's major contributors are the Spokane Firefighters Union PAC, the Washington Education Association and WA for All PAC.

The money will be used for online advertising, according to a report filed with the Washington Public Disclosure Commission.

RELATED: 'Citizens for Liberty and Labor' PAC puts down $131K against Woodward campaign

The money is considered an independent expenditure money that neither Woodward, nor her competitor Ben Stuckart, haveany control over.

Earlier this month, the PAC contributed an initial $131,000 against Woodwards campaign. That money was used to create a television ad that slams Woodward for her relationship with outside developers.

RELATED: Woodward campaign responds to 'Citizens for Liberty and Labor' PAC ad

The ad is a direct response to the Washington Realtor's Association PACs large contribution in favor of Woodward. That PAC has contributed $173,741 in favor of Woodward.

RELATED: Washington Realtor's PAC contributesover $161Kin favor of Woodward campaign

RELATED:Washington Realtor's Association PAC contributes $43,500 in support of Woodward

RELATED:Complaints allege violations in 'Nadine Woodward for Spokane Mayor' ads

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'Citizens for Liberty and Labor' PAC drops another $40K against Woodward's campaign - KXLY Spokane

Kelvin Edwards honored to have his jersey retired at Liberty – Lynchburg News and Advance

The names kept rolling off Kelvin Edwards tongue in rapid-fire succession.

Fred Banks. Richard Shelton. Mark Mathis. Wayne Haddix. Rennie Jones. Steve Clark.

Each name carried an NFL team with it as Edwards memory flooded back with memories of his former college teammates time at the professional level.

For the 55-year-old Edwards, who also donned NFL jerseys, those teammates on the Liberty football team were equally responsible for the gaudy numbers he put up as a wide receiver and his eventual selection in the fourth round of the 1986 NFL Draft.

Those same teammates are reuniting with Edwards this Saturday for the football programs Homecoming game against Maine. This reunion, however, carries extra significance for Edwards.

He will be the fourth person to have a jersey retired by the football program as his No. 83 will be unveiled in between the first and second quarters of the Flames 6 p.m. matchup with Maine at Williams Stadium.

These guys are going to be there and thats going to be another experience, Edwards said in a recent phone interview. One thing I told them, Look here, I didnt get this jersey retired by myself. You guys helped me to get there. You guys pushed me to be who I am right now. You guys worked me even the days I didnt want to play, practice, you made me practice because your competitiveness in you allowed me to get on that field to compete every day.

The jersey retirement ceremony marks only the fourth jersey retired by the football program.

The No. 71 was retired in 2006 in honor of Jerry Falwell and no player wears that number in any sport at Liberty. Former coach Sam Rutigliano and tight end Eric Green (No. 86) had jerseys retired in their honor in 2008.

Edwards, a native of Atlanta, was named to the Associated Press Little All-America first team in 1985 and selected to play in the Blue-Gray All-Star game that same season.

He graduated from Liberty with 2,546 receiving yards and 22 touchdowns, and was one of seven inducted into the athletic departments inaugural Hall of Fame class in 2009.

The inaugural class included Jerry Falwell, Arthur Williams, Elena (Kisseleva) Bengds, Bob Bonheim, Sid Bream and Karl Hess.

First off, its always an honor to get an award for anything that you do in life that you think that youre really deserving of a lot of time, Edwards said. When I look at the honor, first off, I would like to thank Jerry Falwell Jr., Dr. Falwell, and then Id like to thank the school itself, the faculty and staff, and just the student body.

I know I couldnt do it without the student body, being motivated by them to go out and play in these games that were cold, snow on the field, rain on the field, and it wasnt that many, but the ones that showed up, I want to thank them for being a part of it. To me, that is the greatest honor of them all: to be accepted by your peers, be accepted by the people around you to respect for what youve done and the body of work youve put in.

The gaudy numbers he produced on the gridiron are particularly impressive given the number of future pros on the roster. All six former teammates attending the jersey retirement ceremony played for at least one NFL team. Banks played for three teams over eight seasons and Haddix was voted to the NFL Pro Bowl in 1990 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

I think we had an unusual team with a bunch of unusual players that came from different ethnic backgrounds and different places, Edwards said. For us to mend together as one, its probably one of the greatest scenes that probably ever happened. If you really go and dissect our team, just dissect that 82, 83, 84, 85 team, you will see there were more pros on any team that ever been in Liberty history.

Do I think playing and being an All-American and being drafted was a key impact? Yes, it was. I think it was a key design only by God. Only God could do that. Only God could have put that team together like that. So, so many different athletes from different places of the country was able to play together and really talented players.

Practice was like playing in the Big 12 or playing in the SEC or playing in the Big 10 for our skill position, because our skill position, you noticed we had a lot of people drafted from our skill positions. It was always competition going on every day.

Edwards owns a pair of car dealerships in the Dallas, Texas area in the cities of Cedar Hill and Lancaster south of Dallas and has attended several recent Liberty football games.

He made the 90-minute trip to Waco for the 2017 season opener that saw the Flames defeat Baylor 48-45 for the programs first victory over a Power 5 program, and he attended this seasons opener against Syracuse, which marked the first time an ACC team visited Williams Stadium.

The evolution of the program is something he said he never would have envisioned when he was 18 years old and first stepping foot onto Libertys campus.

Right now as an older gentleman, I think this is an amazing scene. Its coming into fruition in my own time, he said. Im able to live through this thing and can see this right here.

Some teammates of mine have passed away, and now Im able to see what Dr. Falwell was visualizing all from the beginning that playing in an 80,000-seat stadium, playing against North Carolina, playing against Syracuse.

This is an awesome moment in time for Liberty University. People need to take advantage of it. We might not win, but were starting to change how people look at us, how people feel about Liberty University.

Damien Sordelett covers Liberty University athletics and local golf for The News & Advance. Reach him at (434) 385-5550.

Damien Sordelett covers Liberty University athletics and local golf for The News & Advance. Reach him at (434) 385-5550.

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Kelvin Edwards honored to have his jersey retired at Liberty - Lynchburg News and Advance

Liberty City and Brownville will not rise | Letters to the Editor – The Miami Times

What many residents of the public housing community did not know is that the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (USHUD) is getting out of the business of owning and managing public housing - for good. A fact, that should have been passed onto them by their resident councils. In less than 20 years, threemain public housing communities, which helped to make up the residential population of Model City, have been dismantled. The first of the three is James E. Scott, a.k.a. Scott Projects and the other two projects are the Liberty Square Projects, known as the Pork n Beans, which is in the process of being demolished in Liberty City, and Annie Coleman 14 in Brownsville, which is slated to be next with the Annie Coleman 15 and 16sites likely to follow.

What the resident council of Annie Coleman 14 never knew was just how shrewd and Machiavellian the county could be when dealing with public housing resident councils and its parent body, the Overall Tenant Advisory Council (OTAC). But resident councils before them know all too well.

In the midst of chaos,thereis alsoopportunity,says Sun Tzu in the book, The Art of War.

The county sows confusion among public housing residentsand the councils that are supposed to be representing them.Theone thing that Ive noticed about all of these resident councilsis that theyrarelycomebackto the residents and explain to them what they'venegotiated, nor do theyapologize to the communitywhen they are bamboozledby the county.

The other thing thatappears likelyis that in the midst of all the back and forth,not one of those resident councilshadreached out to HUD and filed a complaint,nordid theycontacttheir U.S.Congressional representativeoreither of their U.S. Senators.But there is one body that all of these resident councilsdidreach out to extensively, a body that they all leaned on heavily, and a body that would ultimately betray and fail them miserably the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners.After countless meetings with Commissioners and two-minute intervals of testimony at County Commission meetings, residents and their councils found themselves frustrated, confused and defeated, time and time again.

And when the smoke clears, community advocates and residents find themselves mercilessly dismembering each others character with shame and finger-pointing for the deeds of a County that misled and dismantled them like a serial killer.

If you think about it, a complaint to a federal body would ultimately have to be lodged against the County, itself the great escape artist and snake charmer of resident councils, everywhere. Because even when dealing with a population peppered with demonstrably lower educational successes, its not as easy as you would think to fool another human being. And, to do it successfully, three times in a row, is a feat that should make ole Jim (Crow) blush.At some point, the barrels of protests, marches and petitions should be aimed squarely at local elected officials who would allow two decades of bait and switch policies to be carried out without limit against the most vulnerable families in the Black community.

What the resident councils have done, consistently, is go along with the program.But when they find outhow they were tricked,theybecome irate about it because now they understand that what they have done(or didnt do) haverepercussionsthat couldmake many of those families homeless. And then theres the right-of-return for the hundreds of families that are being vacated due to an emergency criminal element in the neighborhood. This is the greatest bait and switch of them all. Crime has existed in America from its beginning. It has thrived in Black America not because of public housing or because of the color of our skin, nor is it because of cultural considerations. Crime has thrived in Black America because of its driving forces: illiteracy, poverty and racism. None of which are addressed by HUDs RAD program or the mass-exodus of hundreds of families from the neighborhood.

Activist Leroy Jones recently addressed the Board of County Commissioners with a furious rebuke of the Countys plans for Annie Coleman 14 when he said, Now, what you are going to do since its crime, you are going to give them a section 8 vouchers so that the crime will move to other communities.

Maybe his ties to the mayor and Commission Chairwoman Audrey Edmonson will shift the atmosphere and put a stop to another ill-advised and hastily implemented initiative in the Black community? This mass-exodus also presents the eerie possibility of several school closures in Brownsville due to the low-enrollment adjustments that will occur after all of these public housing families have been scattered. However, with the prospect of charter schools taking over public schools in the Black community, this may be just what the doctor ordered for the master planners. Are you starting to get the picture yet?

The county has allowed public housings community policies to rot with no real enforcement to safeguard the community. As a result, there are families with people on their leases who have gone to jail, yet they remain in public housing. So, instead of following public housing guidelines of HUDs One Strike Policy, which provides for an automatic vacate of that unit for criminal convictions, countless numbers of drug dealers and violent criminals are living throughout public housing communities and wreaking havoc on those sites and neighborhoods. What Miami-Dade County has done is criminal and it is liable to every public housing family because their inaction has helped to contribute to the gang environment in public housing. And this environment has attributed too many of the deaths of the young brothers who we have seen firsthand in public housing across Miami-Dade.

Miami-Dade Public Housing & Community Development now has the audacity to present section 8 vouchers to families to move out of Annie Coleman 14, knowing that some will have a hard time because of their criminal background. All PHCD had to do was vacate the bad apples when they had the chance.

And maybe those who silently cheer the demise of public housing never realized how public housing and their illiterate, unemployed, ex-felon occupants were the real reason that they qualified for that small business grant, or that affordable or workforce subsidized apartment or that, lower-than-average, property tax bill that theyve enjoyed for all of their adult lives? Oh well, its their problem, not yours, right?

For as much as we talk about gentrification and its impacts, we sure are sluggish about the storm thats threatening us right now. I think the next time that a storm heads for a neighboring state or island Ill pay more attention and be better prepared to help in the aftermath. You never know if the storm will turn, suddenly, and wipe outyourneighborhood, instead.

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Liberty City and Brownville will not rise | Letters to the Editor - The Miami Times

Have you ever wanted to fly in a World War II-era B-17 or P-51 Mustang? Heres your chance – Commercial Appeal

John Hess, a volunteer pilot with Liberty Foundation, talks about flying the B-17 flying fortress. Maxwell Gersh, Memphis Commercial Appeal

Military history buffs and aviation enthusiasts will have the opportunity to get up close and personal and airborne if they choose with two flying pieces of history this weekend.

The Liberty Foundation brought two operational, World War II-era aircraft, a B-17 bomber and a P-51 Mustang, to Olive Branch. Both will be available for the public to tour on the ground and take flights in Saturday and Sunday at theOlive Branch Airport.

Pilot John Hess said he hoped people would visit the planes to gain a deeper understanding of what World War II veterans endured during their service. He said he hoped the experience would inspire people to listen to and learn from veterans.

Our mission is to honor our veterans and to thank them and to show you what they were doing, he said.

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AIRCRAFT: Several FedEx Express planes to retire, domestic flight hours cut after weak earnings

WORLD WAR II: Sweethearts reunite inFrance after 75 years

Of the 16 million Americans who served in some capacity during World War II, only about 558,000 are still alive, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs. An estimated 372 World War II veterans die each day.

As those veterans die, many of their stories go with them, and the collective memory of the war fades. Thats where the planes come in, Hess said. They provide younger generations with a way to learn about veterans experiences and can be cathartic conversation starters for veterans.

The view from the nose of a B-17 Flying Fortress on Monday, Oct. 14, 2019, at the Olive Branch airport in Miss.(Photo: Max Gersh / The Commercial Appeal)

The Liberty Foundations P-51 Mustang was built in Australia in 1944 and participated in atomic bomb testing conducted by the Australians after World War II.

The B-17 available for tours and flights, named Ye Old Pub, was built in 1944 and was in service at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base during the war but never saw combat. After the war, it was used in Georgia to disperse a chemical concoction meant to kill fire ants before being acquired by the Liberty Foundation.

John Hess (left) and Jim Lawrence fly a B-17 Flying Fortress on Monday, Oct. 14, 2019, from the Olive Branch airport in Miss.(Photo: Max Gersh / The Commercial Appeal)

Pilot Jim Lawrence said more than 12,000 B-17s were built and about 5,000 were lost in combat in World War II. Today, there are 11 still flying. A B-17 operated by the Collings Foundation crashed in Connecticut earlier this month, killing seven people.

Hess said The Liberty Foundation had been in communication with the Federal Aviation Administration and the National TransportationSafety Board regarding the crash. He said mechanics with The Liberty Foundation did frequent inspections and maintenance on the planes and if there were any problems, members of the public would not fly.

Both pilots described flying the B-17 as amazing, both because of its history and for its feel when flying, though its definitely not for amateur pilots. All the planes controls are manual a safety feature, so automated systems couldnt fail in combat and Hess likened it to driving an old car without power steering. Lawrence was slightly more descriptive.

Its like a monkey making love to a football to get this thing started, he said.

A B-17 Flying Fortress sits on the tarmac Monday, Oct. 14, 2019, at the Olive Branch airport in Miss.(Photo: Max Gersh / The Commercial Appeal)

All joking aside, Lawrence said he hopes seeing the plane or flying in itwill make people consider the price of freedom.

Those guys had an 80 percentchance of not coming back, he said of B-17 crews. And they still went out there every time.

Corinne Kennedy is a reporter for The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached via email at Corinne.Kennedy@CommercialAppeal.com or on Twitter @CorinneSKennedy.

Where: Olive Branch Airport, 8000 Terminal Drive in Olive Branch

When: Oct. 19 and 20

Cost: $475 per person for a 30-minute B-17 flight; $1,195 or $1,995 for a 10- or 20-minute P-51 flight, respectively. Ground tours are free.

Details: Call678-589-7433 for times and to book a ride

Read or Share this story: https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/2019/10/15/wwii-era-plane-flights-liberty-foundation-olive-branch-memphis/3856149002/

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Have you ever wanted to fly in a World War II-era B-17 or P-51 Mustang? Heres your chance - Commercial Appeal

Water Main Break On Liberty Ave. In Front Of Wyndham Grand Hotel Floods Road – CBS Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) Water gushed onto the sidewalk and road due to a water main break on Liberty Avenue Monday afternoon downtown.

(Photo Credit: KDKA)

The water main break, which is in front of the Wyndham Grand Hotel, caused significant flooding.

However, the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority does not anticipate an interruption of water service for customers in the area.

Crews are on scene tell KDKAs Shelby Cassesse that the water has been shut off.

(Photo Credit: KDKA)

Crews say the break appears to be an eight-inch PWSA line.

Repairs are expected to take until midnight.

Despite the flooding, traffic is not being impacted at this time. Only the sidewalk is closed off.

Stay with KDKA for the latest on this developing story.

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Water Main Break On Liberty Ave. In Front Of Wyndham Grand Hotel Floods Road - CBS Pittsburgh

No Parking Ordinance Vexes Some Liberty Residents – The Tube City Almanac

By Marcy CendroskiThe Tube City AlmanacOctober 16, 2019Posted in: Liberty Borough News

Some Liberty residents are upset over the way the borough has implemented new parking regulations.

In response to concerns from police, firefighters and paramedics that emergency vehicles couldn't get through some streets because of cars parked on both sides, council in August drafted an ordinance that designated many streets as "no parking" zones on one side.

The ordinance was officially adopted at September's council meeting, but many residents complained that the borough had given them insufficient notice about the change.

Borough officials said the ordinance was legally advertised in the Mon Valley Independent newspaper and in notices stapled to street poles.

Residents said few people in Liberty subscribe to the Independent, and that most of them thought the paper notices were advertising garage sales or lost pets.

At the Oct. 9 council meeting, resident Dan McClelland asked why yellow lines were painted on some streets designating no parking zones before council officially adopted a parking ordinance.

Borough Solicitor Matt Racunas said that the state's pending ordinance doctrine covers that action.

McClelland asked if the painting process was complete yet. Council member Chris Ponchak said the borough is still working on the details of parking on some streets.

Residents asked officials to advertise future changes on the Liberty Borough Facebook page. They said it would likely reach more people than a notice in the newspaper.

A suggestion also was made to post such notices on the electronic sign in front of the borough building, or resort to the former stationary sign.

In response to requests, the borough also now makes an allowance for handicapped parking in no-parking areas; but a formal request has to be made to the borough so that a curb can then be painted blue, officials said.

In other business, council authorized payments of$31,000 toward repairs on Glenn Avenue and $41,000 toward sewer repairs on B Street.

Council awarded a contract to trim the trees at the veterans' memorial on Liberty Way to Original Tree Service.

A resident asked about a house on Jeffrey Drive that has been vacant for several years. The house was reportedly sold but borough workers are continuing to cut the grass and trim the shrubs. Racunas said although an offer was made on the house, the closing never took place.

A resident asked about the upcoming municipal election, in which three candidates are running for four open seats. All three won both Democratic and Republican nominations in the primary.

A fourth candidate, Jennifer Riley, also won both Democratic and Republican nominations for the fourth seat, but was forced to withdraw for health reasons. Her health has improved and she is now running as a write-in candidate.

Racunus said any write-in candidates will need to have their election to the fourth seat certified by the county's Elections Division.

Councilman Mike Zrenchak asked borough residents to be mindful about when raking leaves not to block sewer grates in the streets, because that has the potential to cause flooding.

Police Report: Mayor Larry Sikorski presented the police report. For the month, Liberty police answered 15 calls to assist the ambulance, made 20 traffic stops, answered 25 traffic calls, investigated seven criminal complaints, made 12 arrests and served eight warrants. Citations totalling $1,796 were issued.

Sikorski noted that because there is no longer an ambulance base in the borough, police are assisting on EMS calls. He is seeking to reduce the police response time to five or six minutes, he said.

The next council meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Nov. 13.

Marcy Cendroski is a Liberty Borough resident.

Originally published October 16, 2019.

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No Parking Ordinance Vexes Some Liberty Residents - The Tube City Almanac

Review: Liberty: Mother of Exiles pays tribute to the statue – Los Angeles Times

The fine HBO-produced documentary Liberty: Mother of Exiles serves as a comprehensive primer on all things Statue of Liberty. The film is also a vital reminder of the longtime value and significance of immigration and freedom, for which the iconic statue, which attracts 4 million visitors a year, has been perhaps the ultimate symbol.

Award-winning directors Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato, who have collaborated on a wealth of well-regarded feature and TV docs (The Eyes of Tammy Faye, Carrie Fisher: Wishful Drinking, Becoming Chaz, to name a few) largely structure their portrait around renowned fashion designer Diane von Furstenbergs efforts to raise money for and oversee the building of a Statue of Liberty museum on New Yorks Liberty Island.

Von Furstenberg, whos been dubbed the statues godmother, helps the filmmakers explore their subject as she observes the museums development, discusses her own immigrant roots as the daughter of a Holocaust survivor (Von Furstenberg came to America from Belgium in 1970), and hops the globe to learn more about the statues creators and history.

Shes an ebullient and committed force (People project their dream on Lady Liberty!) though there is some thematic dissonance as she visits the dusty museum construction site maybe a bit too stylishly dressed and is driven around in a Bentley. On the other hand, its proof positive that, yes, immigrants can and do make it big time in America.

We meet up in Paris with the descendants of academic, author and anti-slavery activist douard de Laboulaye, who, in the 1860s, inspired sculptor Frdric Auguste Bartholdi to build a monument that France could gift the United States to strengthen their relationship. After many incarnations, Bartholdis masterwork became what would eventually be known as the Statue of Liberty (a.k.a. the Mother of Exiles); the film neatly tracks its bumpy creative and financial trajectory.

Von Furstenberg and company take a jaunt to Colmar, France, for a ceremony at the lovely Muse Bartholdi, located in the home where the artist was born. Museum director Isabelle Brutigam proves a warm guide (and she wears a Von Furstenberg-designed wrap dress, so theres that.)

Were also introduced to the ancestors of Gustave Eiffel (of Eiffel Tower fame) who designed Lady Libertys complex metal framework. Later, we get a tour inside the statue to witness Eiffels enduring scaffolding work. (Related factoids: The statue is said to be only two pennies thick and was built to move in the wind, which came in handy, as the movie recounts, during 2012s Hurricane Sandy.)

As interesting and informative as this all is (theres also strong supporting archival footage and photos), the film hits a deeper level of engagement when it focuses on the average folks whose lives have intersected with the statue, including locals whove lived and worked on Liberty Island. (Its last remaining residents park superintendent David Luchsinger and his family left after Sandy flooded them out).

Also represented here: recent young immigrants on a class trip to Lady Liberty, the construction guys building the new museum (it opened May 16) plus another who was notably involved in the statues mid-1980s restoration, factory workers in China and Long Island City who churn out Statue of Liberty souvenirs, a Russian graffiti artist whose output often features the statue, and several activists whove used the monument in high-profile ways to protest recently toughened immigration policies.

Their appearances all effectively underscore how, first and foremost, the Statue of Liberty exists for the people. Or at least thats always been the intention.

As for politics, until the films final stretch, Bailey and Barbato dont overly focus on the Trump administration and its harsh stance on dealing with refugees, one that negates the welcoming words of Emma Lazarus legendary, Lady Liberty-inscribed sonnet, The New Colossus.

In addition to shots of said protestors, the filmmakers pointedly include the says-it-all clip of White House senior policy adviser Stephen Millers misleading claim to CNNs Jim Acosta that Lazarus poem was an afterthought to the Statue of Liberty, said as if to somehow undermine the meaning of the monument, Colossus and Americas commitment to immigration. (The facts: Lazarus 1883 poem, which, in part, expressed empathy for eastern European refugees, was written to raise money for the statues pedestal. It was not affixed to Miss Liberty until 1903, 17 years after the statue was unveiled.)

Although it occasionally plays as a Statue of Liberty promotional tool (there are worse things), the film is a timely, engaging and well-assembled look at one of our national treasures and its eternal place as a beacon of light for anyone yearning to breathe free.

'Liberty: Mother of Exiles'

Not rated

Running time: 1 hour, 22 minutes

Playing: Starts Friday, Laemmle Music Hall, Beverly Hills; available Oct. 17 on HBO

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Review: Liberty: Mother of Exiles pays tribute to the statue - Los Angeles Times