Latest news with #Helmsley
Washington Post
18-06-2025
- Washington Post
‘The Haves and Have-Yachts' mingles with the new aristocracy
In 1989, when the hotel tycoon Leona Helmsley was on trial for tax evasion, her former housekeeper testified that she'd once sneered: 'We don't pay taxes. Only the little people pay taxes.' Unsurprisingly, Helmsley was convicted; perhaps equally unsurprisingly, at least to those of us incensed by the injustices that regularly attend stark wealth inequality, she served less than half of her four-year sentence, spending a few months under house arrest (not exactly a crucible for someone who passed the time in a posh hotel) after just 18 months in prison. Helmsley features only in a parenthetical aside in 'The Haves and Have-Yachts: Dispatches on the Ultrarich,' the latest book by veteran New Yorker reporter and National Book Award winner Evan Osnos, but her debacle is emblematic of the collection's broader concerns. In 10 nimbly reported essays, all of which originally appeared in the New Yorker between 2017 and 2024, Osnos investigates the privileges and pretensions — and often, the crimes — of the outrageously affluent. Topics include the polite 'Country Club Republicans' of Greenwich, Connecticut, and their embrace of the gaucheries of Trumpism; gigayachts, or yachts that exceed 295 feet in length and are, per Osnos, 'the most expensive item that our species has figured out how to own'; and the entire industry designed to support rich people in their elaborate efforts to avoid paying taxes without technically breaking the law. (Of course, rich people with few qualms about breaking the law are well represented here, too.) It emerges that Helmsley's attitude is unfortunately characteristic. I am generally skeptical of books like 'The Haves and Have-Yachts.' Speaking of wealth and extravagance, there is no justification for charging people $30 for work that is already widely available, and collections made up entirely of previously published essays are rarely cohesive, even when the individual pieces are excellent. The only part of Osnos's book that has not been published before is an introduction that is not even 10 pages long, which feels a bit like cheating. Still, I grudgingly concede that this is about as good as a work of this sort could be. Osnos's essays fit unusually well together, his reporting is sharp, and his prose is charming. He has an especially keen eye for redolent detail: In 'The Floating World,' his dispatch from the rarefied air of the Palm Beach International Boat Show in 2022, he writes that yachts have 'grown so vast that some owners place unique works of art outside the elevator on each deck, so that lost guests don't barge into the wrong stateroom.' And his topic is regrettably timely. As its title suggests, there is little in 'The Haves and Have-Yachts' about the victims of wealth inequality. The book is a repository of noxious have-yachts and envious haves who fret about their comparatively small boats and modest mansions. Aside from a brief foray into the money struggles of average musicians — who often feel financially compelled to perform at rich people's parties — genuine have-nots are conspicuously absent. But Osnos's emphasis is understandable: The bizarre spectacles and amoral contortions of what he calls our 'new aristocracy' matter more than ever. 'Since 1990,' Osnos writes, 'the United States' supply of billionaires has increased from sixty-six to more than eight hundred, even as the median hourly wage has risen only 20 percent.' Indeed, as of 2019, 'America's four hundred richest individuals owned about $3 trillion in wealth — more than all Black households and a quarter of all Latino households combined.' Are these rare individuals subject to more regulations or constraints? On the contrary, 'the average tax rate on the top 0.01 percent has fallen by more than half,' prompting financial advisers to 'describe the current era as a golden age of tax avoidance.' There is every reason, then, to care about the contradictions at the heart of the ultrarich worldview. The book's theoretical centerpiece, 'Ruling-Class Rules,' delves into one of the most vexed of these: the extent to which prominent members of the MAGA coalition strive to position themselves as both elites par excellence and unassuming men of the people. There's Sen. Josh Hawley, son of a bank president and graduate of Stanford University and Yale Law School; Stephen K. Bannon, distinguished alumnus of Harvard Business School and erstwhile Goldman Sachs employee; and Tucker Carlson, graduate of an elite prep school. But as Osnos observes, 'Nobody in American public life has a more unsettled relationship to status than Donald Trump.' As the president 'elbowed his way into Manhattan and Palm Beach, he touted the exclusivity of his golf course ('the most elite in the country') and hotels ('the city's most elite property'),' but he also insisted on his populist bona fides throughout his campaigns. The ultra-wealthy's ambivalence about their own advantage manifests in other ways, too. In many arenas, they seek both conspicuous opulence and total privacy. The people who hire famous musicians to play at their children's birthday parties for incredible sums want to impress their friends — but as an entertainment lawyer explained to Osnos, 'They don't want anybody to know how much they paid the artist' or 'the details of the party.' Yachts are the ultimate embodiments of the conflicting impulses to show off and to retreat. Of late, rich people have outfitted their boats with flashy amenities like 'IMAX theaters, hospital equipment that tests for dozens of pathogens, and ski rooms where guests can suit up for a helicopter trip to a mountaintop,' yet all of these offerings are sequestered at sea. As Osnos puts it, these 'shrines to excess capital operate, as vast fortunes do, on a principle of controlled visibility — radiant to the right audience, but veiled from the wider world.' In the end, what yachts really offer is 'seclusion as the ultimate luxury.' What are rich people hiding from when they take to the ocean? The answer can be found in 'Survival of the Richest,' Osnos's essay from 2017 about wealthy 'preppers' who purchase luxury bunkers in case of apocalypse. In part, rich preppers fear the usual gamut of wars and environmental disasters. But they are also seeking protection from the ire that their very existence provokes. 'The tensions produced by acute income inequality were becoming so pronounced that some of the world's wealthiest people were taking steps to protect themselves,' Osnos writes. One rich prepper told him, 'Anyone who's in this community knows people who are worried that America is heading toward something like the Russian Revolution.' Still, many of the ultrarich would rather weather the end of the world in a bunker than take any steps toward ameliorating the conditions that might induce it. Better total societal collapse than even the mildest checks on corporate or individual greed. No wonder Marie Antoinette gets mentioned in 'The Haves and Have-Yachts.' The billionaire David Sacks was dismayed when the theme of his 40th birthday party leaked to the press in 2012: It was, naturally, 'Let Him Eat Cake.' As venture capitalist and yacht enthusiast Bill Duker once joked, 'If the rest of the world learns what it's like to live on a yacht like this, they're gonna bring back the guillotine.' Well, Mr. Duker, we live in hope. Becca Rothfeld is the nonfiction book critic for The Washington Post and the author of 'All Things Are Too Small: Essays in Praise of Excess.' Dispatches on the Ultrarich By Evan Osnos. Scribner. 278 pp. $30
BBC News
17-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Helmsley public toilets given £30,000 overhaul
Public toilets in a North Yorkshire market town have been given a £30,000 work on the facilities on Borogate in Helmsley included installing a disabled toilet, replacing the urinals in the men's toilets and removing tiling for a more hygienic building's ironwork has also been restored and new window frames, flooring and handrails put work cost a total of £30,848, with funding coming from the Thirsk and Malton Area Committee Fund as well as councillors' locality funds. All councillors are given £5,000 per year to distribute. Councillor George Jabbour said he was "delighted" to have been able to contribute some locality funding to enable the work to go aheadHe said: "The toilet facilities on Borogate are well used by both residents and visitors and perform a vital function in a busy market town."People comment on the standard of public toilets, and so it is important that we give a good impression to those who may be visiting the town, as well as providing improved facilities for residents."Councillor Nigel Knapton said he was pleased to see cross-party support for the project."This is money well spent. The fact that councillors were able to come together to ensure the work was able to be carried out is even more satisfying," he the work was carried out, members of the public were redirected to alternative toilets in the Cleveland Way car park. Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Associated Press
11-04-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
$6.8 million grant to expand stroke care in Hawaii
( NewMediaWire) - April 10, 2025 - HONOLULU – Cardiovascular disease, including heart and stroke conditions, is the leading cause of death in Hawaii. [1] The American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association devoted to changing the future to a world of healthier lives for all, is leading a statewide initiative to strengthen the full spectrum of stroke care across Hawaii with a new multi-million dollar commitment for its Mission: Lifeline Stroke supported by a $5.8 million grant from The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust and a commitment of $1 million from the American Heart Association. Stroke is the No. 3 cause of death in Hawaii and is the number one cause of disability across the islands. [2] The acute nature of strokes is particularly deadly and requires time-sensitive treatment to save lives and reduce lasting disability. Mission: Lifeline Stroke focuses on connecting all components of acute stroke care into a smoothly integrated system that reinforces the use of evidence-based guidelines to timely and effectively treat stroke patients. It brings together hospitals, emergency medical services and first responders, rehabilitation facilities, communications and regulatory agencies, and state and local government to forge a proactive system of stroke care that saves and improves lives. 'When it comes to stroke, every second counts,' stated Governor Josh Green, M.D. 'As governor and a physician, I am deeply committed to improving healthcare for all our residents. This initiative is a transformative step in ensuring that even our most rural communities have access to lifesaving stroke care. By enhancing coordination among emergency responders, hospitals, and healthcare providers, we can deliver timely and effective treatment to every stroke patient, including rehabilitation and access to post-acute care facilities, no matter where they live.' This is the latest in a series of Helmsley grants in Mission: Lifeline's system of care model for cardiac and stroke care. 'We believe this program is the best way to significantly enhance stroke care, especially in underserved rural communities,' said Walter Panzirer, a trustee for the Helmsley Charitable Trust. The stroke program in Hawaii builds upon the success of similar initiatives funded by the Helmsley Charitable Trust across the country. Since 2010, Helmsley has committed more than $96.7 million to the American Heart Association's mission, playing a foundational role in strengthening statewide systems of care. Their support has advanced Mission: Lifeline STEMI and Stroke projects in South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska, Wyoming, Montana, Minnesota and Iowa. These efforts are strengthening statewide networks and implementing quality standards in post-acute facilities, ultimately improving patient outcomes and access to lifesaving care for rural and culturally and linguistically diverse communities. 'The Mission: Lifeline Stroke initiative is a groundbreaking effort to enhance stroke care across the Hawaiian Islands, reinforcing our commitment to advancing equitable health for all,' said Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association. 'We are proud to lead this initiative in collaboration with Hawaii's leaders, ensuring that patients—regardless of where they live—have access to timely, high-quality stroke care.' As a key component to Mission: Lifeline Stroke Hawaii, the Association will increase coordination among 24 hospitals across Hawaii, including the seven certified stroke centers, six additional community hospitals and nine critical access hospitals. Additionally, 18 facilities will implement Post-Acute Stroke Care Quality Standards to improve recovery outcomes. The initiative also focuses on increasing awareness of hypertension and stroke through culturally authentic education resources, addressing higher stroke mortality rates among Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders. Mission: Lifeline Stroke will further strengthen the collaboration with diverse stakeholders across the state representing local hospitals, the Hawaii Stroke Coalition, the Hawaii Department of Health and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) champions to guide a statewide stroke system of care, including: Improved public awareness of the risk factors and symptoms of a stroke and the need to call 911, with focused attention on diverse ethnic populations disproportionately impacted by cardiovascular risk factors and disease A coordinated EMS network, well-trained to identify and treat suspected stroke patients quickly and transport them to the most appropriate facility, and early activation of downstream care teams; Well-trained hospital staff who are prepared to properly treat stroke patients and transfer, when appropriate, to higher levels of care and high-quality rehabilitation services; Coordination and collaboration among hospitals across the islands; Seamless discharge to high-quality, post-acute stroke rehabilitation and recovery care; Guideline-directed, standardized care in post-acute stroke care facilities to improve recovery and quality of life and skilled nursing facilities certified in post-acute stroke care; A sustainable statewide quality improvement data system to monitor patient care, identify successes and areas in need of further improvement and support; Robust, collaborative infrastructure for long-term attention to stroke outcomes across the state; and a report to guide future stroke efforts for key stakeholders across the state. Additional Resources: ### About the American Heart Association The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public's health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1. About the American Stroke Association The American Stroke Association is a relentless force for a world with fewer strokes and longer, healthier lives. We team with millions of volunteers and donors to ensure equitable health and stroke care in all communities. We work to prevent, treat and beat stroke by funding innovative research, fighting for the public's health, and providing lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based association was created in 1998 as a division of the American Heart Association. To learn more or to get involved, call 1-888-4STROKE or visit Follow us on Facebook and X. About the Helmsley Charitable Trust The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust aspires to improve lives by supporting exceptional efforts in the U.S. and around the world in health and select place-based initiatives. Since beginning active grantmaking in 2008, Helmsley has committed more than $4.5 billion for a wide range of charitable purposes. Helmsley's Rural Healthcare Program funds innovative projects that use information technologies to connect rural patients to emergency medical care, bring the latest medical therapies to patients in remote areas, and provide state-of-the-art training for rural hospitals and EMS personnel. To date, this program has awarded more than $800 million to organizations and initiatives in the states of Hawaii, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, and two U.S. Pacific territories, American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. For more information, visit
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
'I love my daughter' says Iowa mom in Trevor Project PSA on LGBTQ+ youth in rural areas
The Trevor Project launched a public awareness campaign spotlighting suicide rates among LGBTQ+ youth in rural areas. The campaign includes a nine-minute documentary short film with the story of an Iowan mother and daughter. Angie, a Methodist pastor, and Jubilee, her 19-year-old daughter who identifies as bisexual, share how the two navigated Jubilee's sexuality. The short film is part of the Trevor Project's "Learn With Love" series that tells stories of what it means to treat others with acceptance — no matter what. With LGBTQ+ issues in the news — both in Iowa and at the national level — Zach Eisenstein, director of communications at the Trevor Project, said misinformation is being spread. "There is far too much media about LGBTQ+ young people, but not enough media that includes them," he said. The campaign encourages viewers to see LGBTQ youth "for who they really are: our friends, our family members, and our neighbors" instead of political talking points, he said. More: Iowa once led on LGBTQ rights. Activists say removing trans rights takes state 'backwards' In the short film, Jubilee shares her experience living in a "very conservative" community where she remembers individuals being "practically shunned" for coming out as members of the LGBTQ+ community. Angie, a pastor at two Methodist churches in Iowa, said she gets nervous to tell people her daughter is bisexual. She was unsure how people would respond in a rural, conservative area. Anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in Iowa has been difficult for their family to endure, but it hasn't changed her relationship with her daughter, "I love my daughter and will always be in her corner. No legislation can change that." Researchers at The Trevor Project published data that found LGBTQ+ youth living in rural communities less likely to live in a supportive community and have less access to mental health care, Eisenstein said. LGBTQ+ youth in places like Iowa are also more likely to have considered suicide compared to their peers living in non-rural communities. "It's crucial to note that no LGBTQ+ young person is inherently prone to suicide risk because of who they are," Eisenstein said. "Rather, they are placed at higher risks because of how they are mistreated and stigmatized.' More: 'We will win': LGBTQ Iowans rally at the Iowa Capitol after bills targeting their rights This three-year public awareness campaign created by the Trevor Project is supported by a $5 million grant from Helmsley, a rural healthcare program that supports Hawaii, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming. Iowans can expect to see ads from the campaign on social media and on streaming platforms like Max, Peacock and Paramount+. The main goal of the campaign is to spread awareness of the public health crisis of LGBTQ+ youth suicide and connect young people with the care they need in rural communities across the U.S., Eisenstein said. Victoria Reyna-Rodriguez is a general assignment reporter for the Register. Reach her at vreynarodriguez@ or follow her on Twitter @VictoriaReynaR. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: 'I love my daughter' says Iowa mom in Trevor Project PSA on LGBTQ kids
