Latest news with #Whitestone
New York Post
a day ago
- Politics
- New York Post
AG Tish and Sen. Schiff's alleged fraud peril: Letters to the Editor — Aug. 12, 2025
The Issue: Potential charges of mortgage fraud against Letitia James and Adam Schiff. For New York Attorney General Letitia James, who openly campaigned on prosecuting President Trump and his family instead of rooting out corruption, this is a classic case of 'what goes around comes around' ('Donald's holding Dems accountable,' Miranda Devine, Aug. 11). It couldn't have happened to a bigger phony than James, who conspired with Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg on politically motivated indictments to destroy and jail Trump. Now that the worm has turned, James blames politics for facing her own investigation for false claims on mortgage applications for personal financial benefit. Anthony Scro Whitestone New York AG Letitia James and California Sen. Adam Schiff believed they were untouchable and above the law. They are proof that power unchecked leads to moral decline, unethical behavior and corruption. Robert Neglia The Bronx President Trump was targeted from the moment Letitia James ran for office. She didn't hide it one bit — instead, she flaunted it. The fact of the matter is it was an extraordinarily exaggerated approach of pure vengeance intended to disgrace and shame President Trump. It is hard not to wish for a little schadenfreude after absorbing everything James put Trump through. I guess if you wait long enough, what goes around really does come around. Revenge is a dish best served cold, especially on a sizzling hot summer day. Ronald Frank West Orange, NJ The chickens have come home to roost. Letitia James once claimed that no one is above the law. Letitia, do you believe in karma? Maybe you should. Remember to leave an aisle seat in the third row of the courtroom empty, so President Trump can sit in it while you're on trial. Gene O'Brien Whitestone President Trump and his administration have every right to prove to the American people once and for all just how corrupt the Democratic Party has become. There are plenty of smoking guns — a favorite term used by the Dems during another scandal that seems almost quaint in comparison to this one. The administration needs to declassify and release all evidence connected to the plot to destroy President Trump and prosecute everyone from Letitia James to the odious Adam Schiff. The American people have a right to know — if for no other reason than to prevent the Dems from thinking they can subvert our Constitution and get away with it. Michael D'Auria Bronxville It looks like the worm has turned for Tish. Maybe this is retribution for her part in allowing New York City criminals to be released without bail, only to commit more crimes, sometimes resulting in the deaths of innocent people. She owns a house in Norfolk, Va. Before she loses it, maybe she can pack a seabag and stow away on one of the US Navy aircraft carriers headed for ports unknown. Smooth sailing, Tish. Dick Mills Franklin Lakes, NJ Adam Schiff and Letitia James are being probed by grand jurors for falsifying mortgage loan applications. They join a growing list of people who had an obsession with bringing down President Trump. So, the question is: Is this a revenge tour, or just Attorney General Pam Bondi doing her job? It really doesn't matter. It's a simple yes or no question: Did you break the law, or not? Because, as James said many times, no one is above the law. Trump should also stop commenting on the pending legal actions, and let the process play out. Rob Feuerstein Staten Island I find it hysterically comical that Letitia James can say the Department of Justice is being weaponized against her in regards to the recent subpoenas issued. I still have one question: When will she be held accountable for her statements regarding President Trump being 'too male, too pale and too stale?' Steven Cassidy Franklin Square Want to weigh in on today's stories? Send your thoughts (along with your full name and city of residence) to letters@ Letters are subject to editing for clarity, length, accuracy, and style.
Otago Daily Times
02-08-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
New look links history, nature, community
Waitaki has a new logo, and so does the Waitaki District Council, after the council approved both for use on Tuesday. The new logos, (one for the WDC as an organisation and one as a district brand) are part of the new branding and strategy developed in-house by the council's communications and engagement team, with input from elected members and staff, and shaped by community feedback gathered through consultations, surveys and the Waitaki Story project. "One of our transformation ambitions is to communicate with and engage our community better in the work we do on their behalf. This is a strategy for all of us — council staff, elected members and our community," chief executive Alex Parmley said. "This is about more than a logo or a plan. It's about how we show up as a council delivering the best for our community — more open, more accessible and more connected to the people we serve. "Now is the right time for this shift. Our district is growing and changing, and so must the way we engage and communicate as a council. Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher said he was proud of the "thoughtful and collaborative" approach taken to develop the strategy and logo. "The previous council brand has carried us through many significant chapters in our district's story. As Waitaki continues to grow and evolve, it's now time for a refreshed look that better reflects who we are today and where we're heading." The new WDC brand is a stylised version of the previous one, incorporating themes of Whitestone architecture, koru, the region's agricultural links and the deferent threads that "bind our community together", WDC statements say. The district logo is a stylised W. Last year, a proposed brand logo for the Waitaki district was dropped after its similarity to the logo of wool company Woolchemy was noticed. This week, the Oamaru Mail noticed the newly-adopted stylised W logo, had a striking similarity to another river-based entity, London Weekend Television, in particular its 1972 stylised logo (pictured). However, there is little chance of anyone from the UK objecting, LWT dissolved in 2002.
New York Post
07-07-2025
- Business
- New York Post
Trump's Big Beautiful Bill signing: Letters to the Editor — July 8, 2025
The Issue: President Trump signing the 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act' into law upon congressional approval. The passing of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act on the eve of Independence Day is poetic justice ('A great 'sign' for America,' July 5). Slowly but surely, President Trump is steamrolling over the anti-American rhetoric of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Jamie Raskin and Hakeem Jeffries to truly make America the greatest democracy. The president continues to be victorious because he is doing it the American way. Advertisement Nicholas Maffei Yonkers The Democrats, led by Pelosi-puppet House Speaker Hakeem Jeffries, just can't take it anymore now that Trump's OBBBA has passed. Advertisement All these recent wins by Trump have placed the left on suicide watch. The fact that this bill removes taxes from the tips of hard-working restaurant workers should be a source of praise from Democrats and their supporters. Instead, they cry that able-bodied males with older children will have to work 80 hours a month to retain their monthly payments and Medicaid coverage. Trump's victories must be a hard pill for these elites to swallow. Anthony Scro Advertisement Whitestone If you voted for Trump under the impression that he would rein in America's runaway debt and deficits, you've received a slap in the face. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that $3.3 trillion will be added to the national debt over 10 years. That means higher borrowing costs, higher rates, a weaker dollar and economic contraction. Daniel Dolgicer Advertisement Manhattan Finally, after days of wrangling and Democratic stalling, the bill that Trump has been advocating for passed. While Democrats continue to rail and rant about some of the bill's provisions, for the most part, it will be beneficial for Americans. It has been noted that this bill could add around $3 trillion to our national debt over the next 10 years, which is something that will certainly need to be monitored by the government. Regardless, America continues to be a wonderful country to live in, and despite all the problems that have beset our great nation, we will be okay. John Amato Fresh Meadows Get opinions and commentary from our columnists Subscribe to our daily Post Opinion newsletter! Thanks for signing up! Enter your email address Please provide a valid email address. By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Never miss a story. Check out more newsletters Advertisement Trump and his minions, with tight control, have passed the OBBBA. This is a failure for the average American. The president has robbed Peter to pay Paul and increased the deficit. America is not the land of opportunity anymore. Pete Sena Naples, Fla. Advertisement Here they go again: The Democrats are telling a Big Ugly Lie that the Big Beautiful Bill will cause millions of Americans to die when their Medicaid benefits are taken away. In reality, the Medicaid cuts are eliminating fraud from people who are fully capable of working but would rather collect free money and sit at home. The Democrats know if you make up a lie and repeat it enough, then people will believe it; that's what they have always run on. Phil Raschiatore Advertisement Tampa, Fla. The platform of the Democratic Party consists solely of obstructionism, and each elected Democrat adheres to this dogma without even giving thought to any particular issue. How can they believe that Trump never has American's best interest at heart? The spending in the OBBBA wouldn't be so excessive if former President Joe Biden had respected our borders and security. Colette Curry Advertisement Staten Island The biggest winners in the national debt-exploding, ruinous OBBBA are tax-preparers and accountants, who will reap a bonanza. The Trump administration has done a masterful job of making the already incomprehensible and massive Internal Revenue Code even more unwieldy through countless new provisions which will render it even more impossible for anyone who is not fluent in the gobbledygook of tax jargon to complete their own returns. With control of the executive and legislative branches, Republicans were in an ideal spot to bring tax simplification to the American people. Instead, they punted. Oren Spiegler Peters Township, Pa. Want to weigh in on today's stories? Send your thoughts (along with your full name and city of residence) to letters@ Letters are subject to editing for clarity, length, accuracy, and style.
Otago Daily Times
10-06-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Award-winning Oamaru restaurant hired teens with no contract
An award-winning Oamaru restaurant must pay two teenagers $500 each after they were employed with no contract. The two employees took Cucina Oamaru Ltd to the Employment Relations Authority because they believed they had been illegally sacked. They both received confusing texts from their employer, Yanina Tacchini, and were not offered any more shifts after they picked up second jobs as "cheese hosts" at Whitestone Cheese Diner & Deli. But authority member Andrew Dallas said they had not been illegally sacked and, due to the casual nature of their employment, Cucina had no obligation to keep offering them shifts. Cucina is an upmarket restaurant in Oamaru and the name of the company, which also operates another restaurant, Del Mar, and Tees Street Cafe. Last year, Cucina was nominated for five awards at the Otago Hospitality Awards and won the outstanding restaurant award, the people's choice award and the award for supreme establishment. It was awarded one hat in the Cuisine Good Food Awards in 2023, a ranking that denotes excellence and was given to fewer than 90 restaurants throughout the country. The two teenage employees worked across all three establishments. At the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) hearing it became clear neither girl had an employment contract. Mrs Tacchini said she prepared employment agreements for them and provided these to managers but only discovered they were not in force when the personal grievance claims were filed. Both girls were in high school when they started working for Cucina and they stopped working there in November 2023. The first employee started working in 2021 after she responded to a Facebook advertisement for a last-minute kitchen hand shift. During the shift, Mrs Tacchini asked the girl if she could work another shift at Tees Street Cafe the next day. Mrs Tacchini said she made it clear to the girl employment with Cucina was on a "casual" basis. The girl told the ERA Mrs Tacchini said a contract was not needed because of this, but the employer denied saying that. In September 2023, the employee talked to Mrs Tacchini about starting a second job, to which Mrs Tacchini was open. But in November 2023, when the employee advised her boss of her new role, she was told Cucina viewed working at Whitestone as a "conflict". Before the employee could respond, she received two more texts stating: "so it's OK you can work there but we will remove you from Del Mar's roster" and "good luck with your future ventures". The girl said she was "completely taken aback by [her] sudden dismissal" and it was very confusing. Mrs Tacchini said Cucina managers conveyed to the teen later that night she had not been "dismissed" from her casual employment with Cucina, but she would not be offered further shifts if she chose to work at Whitestone. A similar situation unfolded for the second employee when she too got a job as a "cheese host" at Whitestone. She thought a second job there would be viable as Cucina had previously approved her working a second job at Pita Pit. The girl said she "reached out" to Mrs Tacchini, who was initially supportive, but again things changed and she was advised Cucina saw working at Whitestone as a conflict. Despite assurances the girl said she gave about maintaining the company's confidentiality, Mrs Tacchini sent her a text message stating: "That's OK. We will remove you from Cucina's roster. Good luck ... I wish you the best". This was followed by another text saying "please just email me the resignation letter". Mrs Tacchini accepted her choice of words when texting both girls was poor, but maintained they had not been "dismissed". Authority member Mr Dallas found the girls were not unjustifiably dismissed, even though they both believed they were permanent employees. "A genuine belief about employment status and the absence of an in-force employment agreement, which certainly would have assisted, does not, of itself, create a permanent employment relationship," Mr Dallas said. He ordered Cucina to pay each girl $500 for the lack of an employment contract.
Otago Daily Times
10-06-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Restaurant must pay teens $500 each because employment contracts lacking
An award-winning Oamaru restaurant must pay two teenagers $500 each after they were employed with no contract. The two employees took Cucina Oamaru Ltd to the Employment Relations Authority because they believed they had been illegally sacked. They both received confusing texts from their employer, Yanina Tacchini, and were not offered any more shifts after they picked up second jobs as "cheese hosts" at Whitestone Cheese Diner & Deli. But authority member Andrew Dallas said they had not been illegally sacked and, due to the casual nature of their employment, Cucina had no obligation to keep offering them shifts. Cucina is an upmarket restaurant in Oamaru and the name of the company, which also operates another restaurant, Del Mar, and Tees Street Cafe. Last year, Cucina was nominated for five awards at the Otago Hospitality Awards and won the outstanding restaurant award, the people's choice award and the award for supreme establishment. It was awarded one hat in the Cuisine Good Food Awards in 2023, a ranking that denotes excellence and was given to fewer than 90 restaurants throughout the country. The two teenage employees worked across all three establishments. At the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) hearing it became clear neither girl had an employment contract. Mrs Tacchini said she prepared employment agreements for them and provided these to managers but only discovered they were not in force when the personal grievance claims were filed. Both girls were in high school when they started working for Cucina and they stopped working there in November 2023. The first employee started working in 2021 after she responded to a Facebook advertisement for a last-minute kitchen hand shift. During the shift, Mrs Tacchini asked the girl if she could work another shift at Tees Street Cafe the next day. Mrs Tacchini said she made it clear to the girl employment with Cucina was on a "casual" basis. The girl told the ERA Mrs Tacchini said a contract was not needed because of this, but the employer denied saying that. In September 2023, the employee talked to Mrs Tacchini about starting a second job, to which Mrs Tacchini was open. But in November 2023, when the employee advised her boss of her new role, she was told Cucina viewed working at Whitestone as a "conflict". Before the employee could respond, she received two more texts stating: "so it's OK you can work there but we will remove you from Del Mar's roster" and "good luck with your future ventures". The girl said she was "completely taken aback by [her] sudden dismissal" and it was very confusing. Mrs Tacchini said Cucina managers conveyed to the teen later that night she had not been "dismissed" from her casual employment with Cucina, but she would not be offered further shifts if she chose to work at Whitestone. A similar situation unfolded for the second employee when she too got a job as a "cheese host" at Whitestone. She thought a second job there would be viable as Cucina had previously approved her working a second job at Pita Pit. The girl said she "reached out" to Mrs Tacchini, who was initially supportive, but again things changed and she was advised Cucina saw working at Whitestone as a conflict. Despite assurances the girl said she gave about maintaining the company's confidentiality, Mrs Tacchini sent her a text message stating: "That's OK. We will remove you from Cucina's roster. Good luck ... I wish you the best". This was followed by another text saying "please just email me the resignation letter". Mrs Tacchini accepted her choice of words when texting both girls was poor, but maintained they had not been "dismissed". Authority member Mr Dallas found the girls were not unjustifiably dismissed, even though they both believed they were permanent employees. "A genuine belief about employment status and the absence of an in-force employment agreement, which certainly would have assisted, does not, of itself, create a permanent employment relationship," Mr Dallas said. He ordered Cucina to pay each girl $500 for the lack of an employment contract.
