Latest news with #TimBarnes
BBC News
23-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Possession order granted for Park Lane's 'illegal tents'
"Illegal tents" could be removed from Park Lane in central London after Transport for London (TfL) was granted a possession order to remove opposite the Hilton Hotel near Hyde Park Corner, the encampment currently includes about 12 tents. The court-issued possession order follows a separate order last October which saw about 40 people cleared from the site. Westminster City councillors called for the tents to be "removed as a priority" and said a lasting solution was needed otherwise "we will be back at square one". TfL said it had been working closely with the council and other partners over many months to try to resolve the issue at Park Lane "compassionately and safely". "We had to take enforcement action to regain possession of the site on two occasions last year, however, a number of people have returned with tents and other belongings," the spokesperson continued."We have been granted a possession order by the court and are working through the next steps with our partners."No one should be faced with sleeping rough on London's streets. Park Lane is a busy part of the road network that is not a safe place for people to sleep rough and our focus has always been on the safety and welfare of everyone involved." 'Continues to deteriorate' Paul Fisher and Tim Barnes, two of the West End's councillors, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that the tents were "unacceptable at the centre of our capital".The leader of Westminster's Conservative group, Paul Swaddle, said he had visited the site this week and that the area was "continuing to deteriorate"."I personally witnessed public urination and ASB [anti-social behaviour] at 11am," he said. "It is shocking that TfL and Westminster City Council failed to secure this site in the first action they took. For everyone's sake I hope it won't be another six months before they resolve this." A spokesperson for the transport authority said they were exploring other long-term options to reduce rough sleeping at that location and to "prioritise the safety and wellbeing of everyone involved".The LDRS asked TfL what long-term options were being considered, however it has not responded yet. 'Preventative response' A Westminster City Council spokesperson said London-wide rough sleeping teams "regularly" visited the people sleeping rough on Park Lane."Our support services are comprehensive and there is no reason a person should have to sleep rough – on this site or anywhere else in the city," the spokesperson said."The reasons people live on the street are complex, and many sleeping rough have a range of needs or disabilities. "We have supported TfL, who maintain the site, with their recent possession orders – ensuring anybody displaced is able to access help and has an opportunity to get off of the street and into accommodation."A spokesperson for St Mungo's, the homeless charity, said people should be supported in accessing emergency accommodation, housing in the privately rented sector and specialist added: "More than that, we need a preventative response to stop people from ending up homeless in the first place." Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has said he wants to end rough sleeping by 2030 and pledged to remove the requirement for individuals to be visibly sleeping rough before they could access support services in has also committed to opening a network of ending homelessness hubs across the city to provide 24/7 support to those most at Mungo's welcomed this announcement."A crisis of this magnitude needs bold systemic change. St Mungo's stands ready to work with government and all partners to end homelessness for good," the spokesperson added.
Yahoo
16-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Pool tournament racks up support for Best Buddies Iowa
CLIVE, Iowa — Pool enthusiasts gathered for the third annual Best Buddies Iowa 8-Ball Tournament at The Rack Billiard Club. Around 50 players took part in the tournament, all taking an opportunity to show off their skills. Activities were also available for non-players including a raffle and silent auction. Tim Barnes has been a buddy with Best Buddies for years and helped get the annual tournament started. Families learn to make maple syrup with Hamilton County Conservation 'I've been playing pool for 25 years and all of the individuals that are a part of this tournament have been friends and colleagues of mine for pretty much my entire life,' said Barnes. 'A pool tournament is a great way to bring individuals that don't want to be in the spotlight but still want to be a part of and donate to a cause they are passionate about.' Gary Steinke, Best Buddies Founder, says that being able to host these fundraisers and see the program help so many people means a lot to him. 'It's an absolutely fabulous organization and we always say it's about everybody needing a friend and this organization provides that to every school district all across the country,' said Steinke. 'For self-esteem, for acceptance, and involvement, and inclusion in all of these schools where best buddies is present, it's a fabulous thing.' Half of all proceeds from Saturday's event went directly to Best Buddies programs, supporting their efforts to build inclusive communities and foster lasting friendships. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Eaton County to hold a special election for county commissioner
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — Eaton County will hold a special election to elect a new county commissioner for District 1 later this year, officials announced Wednesday. The new commissioner will replace former Eaton County District 1 Commissioner Tim Barnes, who resigned Jan. 14 due to personal reasons. The primary election will be held on Aug. 5, and the general election will be held on Nov. 4. The election comes after two votes held by the Board of Commissioners failed to select an appointee on Feb. 6, within 30 days of Barnes's resignation. As a result, the board will continue to have a 14-member body until a new commissioner is elected in November. If you are a resident of District 1 and are interested in running for the position, you have until 4 p.m. on April 22 to file Nominating Petitions and an Affidavit of Identity with the county clerk, whose office is located in Charlotte. All prospective candidates must meet signature requirements—a minimum of three and a maximum of ten. You can file a non-refundable $100 fee in lieu of filing a signature petition. A campaign finance Statement of Organization form is also required, and if you plan to spend more than $1,000 on a campaign, you will also need to obtain a copy of the Candidate Committee Campaign Statement Instructions & Forms booklet. For further guidance, you can refer to the under the 'Elections' tab or the . Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Eaton commissioners deadlock on vote to fill vacant seat, will fund special election
CHARLOTTE — Voters will fill a vacant seat on the Eaton County Board of Commissioners after the 14-member board failed to appoint someone to replace former Commissioner Tim Barnes last week. The board's impasse leaves voters from District 1, which includes Sunfield, Roxand, Vermontville, and Chester townships, to decide the seat. A primary will be held in August and the seat will be decided in a November special election, a news release from Eaton County said. The move will cost the county an estimated $28,000, Eaton County Communications Director Logan Bailey said. The announcement comes nearly a month after Barnes, R-Roxand Township, resigned from his District 1 seat, a four-year term, in mid-January for "personal reasons." Barnes resigned after being re-elected to the commission in the November election, leaving the board without a majority. Currently, there are seven Republicans and seven Democrats on the board. The commission had 30 days to fill the vacant seat, according to the county's news release. At a Feb. 6 meeting the Board of Commissioners cast a split vote between two candidates, one from each party, resulting in a hung vote, Bailey said. Residents in District 1 interested in running for the vacant seat have until 4 p.m. on April 22 to file nominating petitions and an affidavit of identity with the Eaton County Clerk's Office, located at 1045 Independence Blvd. in Charlotte. "Requirements for signature petitions to run for the position are a minimum of 3 and a Maximum of 10, but individuals may file a non-refundable $100 fee in lieu of filing petitions," the release said. "A Campaign Finance 'Statement of Organization' form will also be due." Whoever is elected to the District 1 seat will serve through 2026. Contact Reporter Rachel Greco at rgreco@ Follow her on X @GrecoatLSJ . This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Eaton commissioners deadlock on vote to fill vacant seat, will fund special election
