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Eyewitness News
19-05-2025
- Business
- Eyewitness News
45 ratepayer associations call on CoCT to mitigate proposed municipal tariff hikes
CAPE TOWN - A collective of 45 Ratepayers Associations is calling on the City of Cape Town (CoCT) to create additional revenues to mitigate proposed municipal tariff increases. The proposed tariff structure, which is set to be implemented on 1 July, could see ratepayers forking out up to 40% more for municipal bills. Homeowners face paying fixed charges for water, sanitation, and a new city-wide cleaning tariff, all based on property value. The Cape Town Collective Ratepayers Association (CTCRA) has garnered more than 10,000 signatures from homeowners across the metro to petition against the city's proposed rate increases. ALSO READ: Thousands of ratepayers call on CoCT to relook its proposed rate increases CTCRA spokesperson, Bas Zuidberg, said the collection is calling on the city to offer ratepayers more relief. "Besides budget cuts, we also need to look at additional revenue, such as a tourist tax that can make sure the burden on homeowners is lightened." Zuidberg said the collective believes rates and charges should not be based on property value. "Secondly, to return to the fixed charges as they were in previous years without the link to property values, since the Municipal Systems Act requires charges to be fair and in proportion to usage of the service." The city said measures to reduce the tariff increases will be considered at a council meeting on 29 May.
Winnipeg Free Press
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Salt Lake City and Boise make pride flags official city emblems, skirting new flag ban laws
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The Democratic controlled cities of Salt Lake City and Boise adopted new city flags this week showing support for LGBTQ+ people in defiance of their states' Republican-controlled Legislatures, which have banned traditional rainbow pride flags at schools and government buildings. Utah's capital of Salt Lake City created new flag designs while Boise, the capital of Idaho, made the traditional pride flag one of its official city flags. The move in Utah came hours before a ban on unsanctioned flag displays took effect Wednesday. The cities' mayors spoke Monday night to discuss their individual plans and offer each other support, said Andrew Wittenberg, a spokesperson for Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall's office. FILE - People march following a Pride rally at the Utah State Capitol, June 2, 2023, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File) 'My sincere intent is not to provoke or cause division,' Mendenhall said. 'My intent is to represent our city's values and honor our dear diverse residents who make up this beautiful city and the legacy of pain and progress that they have endured.' Idaho's flag ban took effect April 3, barring government buildings from displaying any flags except those on a short list including the U.S. flag, flags of military branches, and official flags of government entities. A separate ban containing additional exemptions for school buildings takes effect July 1. Supporters said the laws would encourage political neutrality from teachers and other government employees. Opponents argued they aimed to erase LGBTQ+ expression and wrest authority from cities and towns that did not align politically with the Republican Legislatures. The pride flag has regularly flown over Boise's City Hall for years, and Mayor Lauren McLean kept the flag aloft even after Idaho's law took effect. McLean said she believed the law was legally unenforceable. But Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador recently warned he would ask lawmakers to add an enforcement mechanism in the 2026 legislative session. Last week, McLean responded by issuing a proclamation retroactively making the pride flag an official city flag, along with a flag commemorating organ donors. She maintained the law was not legally valid, but said the proclamation would bring the city into compliance, allowing both flags to be flown alongside Boise's traditional blue flag featuring the Capitol building and the slogan 'City of Trees.' The city council voted 5 to 1 for a proclamation during a packed and sometimes rowdy meeting Tuesday night. 'Removing the flag now after years of flying it proudly would not be a neutral act,' said council member Meredith Stead. 'It would signal a retreat from values we've long upheld and send a disheartening message to those who have found affirmation and belonging through its presence at city hall.' Some attending the meeting held pride flags while others waved the U.S. flag. At times, shouts erupted, prompting a brief recess. Utah in March became the first state to enact a ban on unsanctioned flags at all government buildings. Republican Gov. Spencer Cox let the bill become law without his signature. He said he had serious concerns but chose not to reject it because his veto would likely be overridden by the Republican-controlled Legislature. Under Utah law, state or local government buildings can be fined $500 a day for flying any flag other than the U.S. flag, the state flag, a city or county flag, military flags, Olympic and Paralympic flags, official college flags or tribal flags. Political flags are not allowed. Utah's law does not explicitly mention LGBTQ+ pride flags, but the bill's sponsor, Republican Rep. Trevor Lee, repeatedly stated he aimed to ban them. Council members in Salt Lake City formally adopted new city flag designs Tuesday evening, adding the city's emblem — a sego lily — atop the traditional rainbow LGBTQ+ pride flag and the blue, pink and white transgender flag. Utah's Republican House Speaker Mike Schultz called that a 'clear waste of time and taxpayer resources.' Winnipeg Free Press | Newsletter Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Sign up for The Warm-Up 'This law is about keeping government spaces neutral and welcoming to all,' Schultz said. 'Salt Lake City should focus on real issues, not political theatrics.' Other Idaho communities are also grappling with the restriction. City buildings in Bonners Ferry, roughly 30 miles (50 kilometers) from the Canadian border, have long flown Canada's flag in a sign of cross-border friendship, removing it only in April after Idaho's governor approved the flag restriction. But the law contains an exception that allows government entities to fly the flags of other countries during 'special occasions.' Seeking to again fly the flag year-round, the Bonners Ferry City Council passed a resolution Tuesday designating every day of the year a 'special occasion' to commemorate friendship with Canada. ___ Boone reported from Boise, Idaho.
The Irish Sun
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
‘Simply beautiful' cry fans as Una Healy shows off ‘amazing' figure in dazzling jumpsuit for jazz festival
UNA Healy has wowed her fans as she stepped out in a jaw-dropping outfit for the City of Derry Jazz Festival. The former Saturday's star is renowned for her effortlessly chic and stylish fashion sense. 2 Una stepped out in an 'amazing' outfit Credit: Instagram 2 The singer performed at the City of Derry Jazz Festival Credit: Getty Images - Getty took to Instagram yesterday to share a behind the scenes snap ahead of her performance at the City of The mum-of-two looked sensational as she struck a pose in the mirror backstage. The Irish singer wore a show-stopping navy blue jumpsuit covered in sequins. The figure-hugging outfit featured an asymmetrical neckline and one dramatic cape-style sleeve. READ MORE ON UNA HEALY She completed the look with a black belt fastened with a gold buckle. Una wore her hair down in soft waves and finished off her outfit with a full-glam makeup look. She captioned her post: "#bts @derryjazzfest." Una's fans and friends all flocked to the comment section to share their love for her look. most read in the irish sun One fan said: "Wow Una. Amazing figure. Congratulations and enjoy your bank holiday weekend." Nicola wrote: "You look so amazing." Una Healy shows off figure Heather gushed: "The outfit is brilliant." Sean commented: "Stunning, simply beautiful." Another added: "So gorgeous." Una recently sent her fans wild as she teased a The Tipperary beauty is constantly kept busy as she raises her two kids and recently WAITING GAME Una hasn't released any new original music since 2023, but has remained active by Taking to her The mum-of-two looked fabulous as she took time away from recording to take a quick snap. The former Saturdays star donned a black tee and wore her hair down in some natural waves. Making the exciting announcement, she wrote: "So happy to be back working on loads of new original music. "As well as upcoming shows/festivals this summer with my uncle @declan_nerney,@luke_thomas_and_the_swing_cats and pop shows @mightyhoopla @birminghampridefestival and many more." Delighted fans raced to the singer's comment section to gush over the news.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
PRCS introduces 2026 Park System Master Plan project
(COLORADO SPRINGS) — The City of Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department (PRCS) addressed the 2026 Park System Master Plan project, an update of the 2014 plan that aims to create a vision and address the needs of the growing community. On Friday, April 25, multiple City officials met to discuss and present the 2026 Park System Master Plan Project, which is kicking off Phase One: The Planning Phase. According to PRCS Director Britt Haley, the phase includes a team gathering essential data, park facilities, and programs. The new master plan will also begin offering opportunities for the public to get involved in the planning starting in late Spring/Summer and continuing through 2025. 'This is a collaborative effort that requires input and involvement from each of you,' said Executive Director of Trails and Open Space Coalition Glen Carson. 'It's your park system. The voice of the entire community is essential as we look to create a plan that truly reflects the needs and aspirations of the citizens of Colorado Springs. I encourage every one of you to get involved in this process.' Carson encouraged individuals to attend public meetings, community workshops, comprehensible surveys, and pop-up events. The plan aims to create a roadmap for the next 10 to 15 years that reflects the interests of Colorado Springs residents. 'Share your ideas, participate in the surveys, and help us envision a park system that we can all take pride in as a community, Carson added. 'Let's come together to celebrate what makes Colorado Springs great. Let's work hand in hand to preserve our parks, recreation, and cultural services and make them even better for future generations. Together, we can ensure that our city remains a vibrant place for recreation, relaxation, and community connection.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
