Latest news with #AndyGordon
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Yahoo
'Reckless' Southend Airport customers slammed for parking outside allotments
HOLIDAYMAKERS have been accused of 'parking recklessly' and blocking access to allotments near Southend Airport. Owners of allotments at Gaynes Park, off Manners Way, have been left frustrated by holidaymakers parking outside the allotments 'for weeks on end' to allegedly avoid paying for airport parking. As well as blocking access, owners have been accused of littering and creating a mess. Southend Council has described the situation as 'unacceptable' and threatened fines against drivers involved, while Southend Airport is encouraging its customers to use public transport wherever possible. Committee - John Sheehy (left), Brian Howe (centre) and Andy Gordon (right) are frustrated with the parking. (Image: Sue Sheehy) Andy Gordon, committee member, said: 'People from the airport park there and it churns all the grass verges up, which we've had re-turfed at our own expense.' 'They leave their cars while they're away on holiday, and others chuck rubbish from McDonald's and drive off.' Andy and his wife are among 80 people using the allotments, and have been involved with the site for 15 years. Obstruction - Cars block the entrance gate on both sides. (Image: Sue Sheehy)Andy added: 'We're a happy community – we all have a chat and a cuppa, so to see it get like this is sad.' Sue Sheehy, committee chair, and husband John Sheehy, have been involved for many years, echoing the same concerns and fighting for a solution. Sue said: 'It's very difficult if a lorry comes in with deliveries, and ambulances have had difficulty getting in – god forbid we ever need the fire brigade, they've got no chance." Holidaymakers - Airport customers attempt to avoid the parking fees. (Image: Sue Sheehy)John added: "Nine times out of 10 it's fully jammed - there's no restrictions to prevent parking for the airport. "We've written to the council, now we're waiting in frustration and it's only getting worse - double yellow lines would help, which we've previously requested." Read more Traffic builds on roads surrounding Southend Airport ahead of Lionesses arrival Fourth victim of tragic Southend Airport crash named as 'cherished' Dutch pilot Rammed - Deliveries and emergency vehicles are unable to get through. (Image: Sue Sheehy) Daniel Cowan, Leader of Southend Council, said: 'We understand why residents are frustrated, the allotments matter to the community and it's unacceptable for holidaymakers to block access and damage the area. 'We've strengthened our enforcement powers to deal with these issues, including fines, formal notices, and installing bollards – we'll always start with advice but won't hesitate to take formal action when needed." A Southend Airport spokesperson said: 'Encouraging greater use of public transport helps reduce local congestion, which is an important part of our long-term vision.'
Glasgow Times
30-07-2025
- Health
- Glasgow Times
New NHS Golden Jubilee class helps heart transplant patients
Launched by the NHS Golden Jubilee, the physiotherapy-led class is designed for patients on the heart transplant waiting list to help maintain their fitness ahead of surgery. The sessions focus on improving physical strength, cardiovascular health, and mental well-being, all in a safe and supportive environment. Eireann Murray, a physiotherapist at NHS Golden Jubilee, said: "The aim is to encourage patients to leave the ward, engage in activities, and connect with others who are on a similar journey. "All patients are welcome to join, and participation is entirely voluntary – no one is expected to do anything they're uncomfortable with." The programme is part of the Scottish National Advanced Heart Failure Service (SNAHFS), based at the Golden Jubilee, which delivers specialist therapies to patients across Scotland. In 2024/25, SNAHFS carried out 29 heart transplants, following a record-breaking year in 2023/24. So far this year, nine transplants have been performed, with more planned in the coming months. Patients who take part in the exercise class report benefits that go beyond the physical. Andy Gordon, a patient who is participating in the programme, praised the class's straightforward exercises. He had a heart attack in June 2023 and was referred to NHS Golden Jubilee from the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, where he was told he needed a transplant. Andy said: "I would feel lost without coming to these classes twice a week. "The exercises are clear, simple, and easy to understand – the more you attend, the more you improve. "Having an issue which affects your heart knocks your confidence as you don't know how much to push yourself, but with the physios here, they build you up and keep you safe." The class also provides a valuable opportunity for social interaction, helping to reduce isolation and build emotional resilience during a difficult period. Mitchell Lindsay, associate medical director at NHS Golden Jubilee, said: "This programme is a vital part of NHS Golden Jubilee's commitment to person-centred care. "It provides tailored support to help individuals improve their fitness, achieve their goals, and feel a sense of connection as they prepare for life-saving and life-changing transplant surgery." Patients receive lifelong aftercare from the SNAHFS team after their transplant. Innovations such as the Organ Care System, also known as Heart in a Box, have improved heart donation opportunities. This technology has contributed to a 95% 90-day survival rate for transplant patients.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Milwaukee's War Memorial Center faces a financial crossroads. What's their path forward?
In the late 1940s, Milwaukee launched the largest fundraising effort in city history to honor service members who died in World War II with a living memorial, not just another stagnant flagpole or statue. Nearly eight decades later, the War Memorial Center — an architectural gem along Lake Michigan — is again seeking support as it faces a financial crossroads. Funding from Milwaukee County will sunset over the next decade, a long-anticipated shift based on a 2013 agreement. The center is seeking $9 million from the state, matched by private donations, to kickstart a preservation fund that will generate enough interest to more than make up for the loss. "We want to continue to be good stewards of the building for generations to come," said Andy Gordon, who chairs the center's Board of Trustees and served in the Army for seven years. "We're doing it in a way that we don't need to come back to the well every year." The building was designed by Eero Saarinen, who also created the St. Louis Gateway Arch, and is full of symbolism. The boxy exterior calls to mind pillbox bunkers. It's situated 200 feet from the lake — the distance troops fought under fire at Normandy. The bars on the birdcage staircase represent POW prison cells. But the center strives to be more than a building — its mission is to honor the dead by serving the living. That includes a focus on mental health through events like Frost Fest and Freezing for a Reason, which raise awareness of veteran suicide and homelessness. Schools across the state download online lesson plans and use traveling exhibits, including one that highlights local women veterans. The War Memorial Center is unique not just in Wisconsin, but across the country, Gordon said. "There are very, very few places like us," he said. Milwaukee County's annual contribution to the War Memorial Center, which represents about 20% of the center's revenue, will fade out by 2033. It was an agreement made years ago as the county faced a large structural deficit. Cultural institutions drive tourism, create jobs and provide important mental and emotional experiences for visitors, County Executive David Crowley said in a statement to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "The unfortunate truth is that the increased costs of state-mandated services have a direct impact on our ability to continue public support for non-mandated services, such as our arts and cultural institutions," Crowley said. "We need creative solutions and bipartisan support from the state Legislature to invest more public dollars into arts and culture in Milwaukee County and across Wisconsin," he said. A similar plan was reached last year for the Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum and Charles Allis Museum, which will transfer out of county ownership. More: Improving sales tax income helps push Milwaukee County's financial forecast into the black The War Memorial Center will continue to be a public-private partnership, Gordon said, though the public dollars will be a one-time amount from the state. Around $2 million in private donations will support the Vietnam Memorial on the grounds, where nearly 3,000 memorial bricks need restoration. Gordon pointed out the county's involvement will continue in other ways. Milwaukee County is ending operational funding but remains responsible for the exterior of the building, like repairs to windows. "The county has been very supportive of us," he said. The War Memorial Center has long prepared for its next chapter. Part of that strategic plan involved approaching Rep. Tony Kurtz, a Republican from Wonewoc, and Sen. Eric Wimberger, a Republican from Oconto. Both have military experience — Kurtz served in the Army for two decades and is a veteran of the Persian Gulf War and Iraq War. "Especially for the next generation that comes up that's not going to know what so many people did before them, it's just important that we honor that (ultimate sacrifice) and make sure people don't forget," Kurtz said. Their bill to provide $9 million in state funds received a public hearing May 22, which several veterans attended to support the measure. Kurtz wanted to reach that first step toward becoming law before Memorial Day. The proposal has bipartisan support with nearly 40 cosponsors, unifying the Legislature's most conservative members and Democratic representatives from Milwaukee. Kurtz said the center is not just a Milwaukee County issue — it's a monument for veterans across Wisconsin, and it should be the state's obligation to preserve it. It's possible the funding could make its way into the state budget rather than a standalone piece of legislation. Kurtz is a vice-chair on the powerful Joint Finance Committee that's currently crafting the budget. A spokeswoman for Democratic Gov. Tony Evers hasn't yet said whether he supports the funding proposal. "My goal, at the end of the day, is whatever the easiest path (is)," Kurtz said. "Whatever we can get done and across the finish line is important to me." The center has also worked to bring in new streams of revenue. A newly renovated ballroom is rented out for corporate events and luncheons. The Lake Michigan backdrop makes the center a popular wedding venue. A beer garden opened in 2021 through a partnership with Kegel's Inn. A community gathering space was the original intention behind the War Memorial Center. In 1946, civic leaders planned to make the memorial part of a $5 million complex with an art museum and symphony hall. "(They) wanted a space where the citizens of this state could come and enjoy the freedoms that those who didn't make it home sacrificed, so the rest of us could enjoy," Gordon said. "We could come together after a tumultuous (war)time." More: Premieres, prayers and movie stars: The past lives of Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra's new home The center also provides low-cost office space for veterans groups, including the Military Officers Association of America southeastern Wisconsin chapter. It's a convenient place for veterans to meet with students working on school projects, for example, especially as veterans grow older and seek more engagement with new generations. "If the War Memorial Center wasn't here, I don't know where that would happen," said Tim Wendt, the chapter's president who served across the country in the U.S. Coast Guard. Right now, the center is in a good position. There are no deferred maintenance projects, though the 68-year-old building will have long-term needs. The center wants to avoid cutting back on services and educational programs. Admission is free, and they want to keep it that way. The center needs volunteers throughout the year, including more than 600 people to place 27,316 flags for every Wisconsinite killed in action. The Field of Flags ceremony takes place at 11 a.m. May 23. "(The center) helps you appreciate what you have, and sometimes on a daily basis, that can get lost," Gordon said. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: As county funding fades, War Memorial Center looks to state for help
