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Senate Sues Over Referendum Funds, AAV Justifies Added SEC Allocation… Toledo Denies Rossello’s Plot Allegations… New Ferry Schedules For Vieques, Culebra… Rossello-McClintock Issue Unresolved… NBA Returns… ATI Marks New Era… Teacher’s Eco Summer… Arroyo On Familiar Turf… AA Low-Fares… McClintock: Don’t Start War Of Complaints
Senate Sues Over Increased Funds For Referendum May 24, 2005 SAN JUAN (EFE) — The Puerto Rico Senate filed a lawsuit against Gov. Anibal Acevedo Vila and other government agencies on Monday for using the Government Budgetary Fund to allocate more money for the referendum on whether to change the current legislative system into a single-chamber assembly. The referendum has been slated for July 10. Senate President Kenneth McClintock said the government increased the referendum’s budget without amending Law 477, which had already established a specific amount for the electoral event. According to the lawsuit, the additional $2.11 million allocation was authorized through an executive order issued May 18. Acevedo Vila Justifies Additional Allocation For SEC May 24, 2005 MAYAGUEZ (EFE) — Gov. Anibal Acevedo Vila on Tuesday said the executive order, which, he signed to allocated additional money to the State Elections Commission (SEC) to finance the referendum slated for July 10 is legal. "The courts will decide, but the allocation is legal. The Budgetary Fund is there precisely to take care of situations in which forecasted money is just not enough," said Acevedo Vila during a press conference. He also said the SEC president had already stated that the moneys, which had been allocated at first are not enough to hold a referendum. The governor’s statements came after the Puerto Rico Senate filed a lawsuit against Acevedo Vila and other government agencies on Monday for using the Government Budgetary Fund to allocate more money. The referendum is intended to decide whether the current legislative system should become a single-chamber assembly. Senate President Kenneth McClintock said the government increased the referendum’s budget without amending Law 477, which had already established a specific amount for the electoral event. According to the lawsuit, the additional $2.11 million allocation was authorized through an executive order issued May 18. Police Chief Denies Rossello’s Allegations May 24, 2005 SAN JUAN (EFE) — Police Superintendent Pedro Toledo on Tuesday denied allegations about his involvement in a plot to damage the reputation of New Progressive Party (NPP) Sen. Pedro Rossello. Rossello had asked the Justice Department and Special Investigations Bureau on Tuesday to investigate Police Superintendent Pedro Toledo. The NPP senator said Toledo attended a meeting in which he allegedly plotted a defamation scheme against him, with the help of Popular Democratic Party (PDP) Sen. Antonio Fas Alzamora and attorney Victor Rivera. The former governor denounced the alleged scheme after a man who claimed to be one of Rossello’s former bodyguards accused him of using his bodyguards to harass and persecute Senate President Kenneth McClintock and wife Maria Elena Batista. Toledo said Rossello’s statements were false and perverse. The Police chief said it is true he participated in a social meeting with members of the Senate, and that he may have even discussed the dispute over the Senate presidency during that meeting. However, he repeatedly denied having anything to do with the alleged conspiracy. Nevertheless, Toledo promised to investigate the issue until authorities figure out who called a radio station to make such allegations against Rossello. Rossello Requests Investigation Against Police Chief May 24, 2005 SAN JUAN (EFE) — New Progressive Party (NPP) Arecibo Sen. Pedro Rossello asked the Justice Department and Special Investigations Bureau on Tuesday to investigate Police Superintendent Pedro Toledo. Rossello said Toledo attended a meeting on May 7 in which he allegedly plotted a defamation scheme against him with the help of Popular Democratic Party (PDP) Sen. Antonio Fas Alzamora and attorney Victor Rivera. The former governor denounced the alleged scheme after a man who claimed to be one of Rossello’s former bodyguards accused him of using his bodyguards to harass and persecute Senate President Kenneth McClintock and wife Maria Elena Batista. Rossello denied everything and said he is convinced that the owners of El Nuevo Dia and Primera Hora newspapers are behind it all. The NPP senator said Toledo should be investigated to see whether his actions constitute a violation of civil rights. He also asked that Toledo take a lie detector test and give a sworn statement. He asked authorities to do the same with his own bodyguards, whom will confirm that the allegations against Rossello are false. Rossello said he has evidence to prove that the alleged former bodyguard is a fictitious character. New Schedules For Ferry Trips To Vieques & Culebra May 24, 2005 SAN JUAN (EFE) — Officials from the Maritime Transportation Authority (ATM by its Spanish acronym) on Tuesday announced new schedules for ferry trips to Fajardo, Vieques, and Culebra. The schedules will begin June1. ATM Executive Director Juan Cirino said the new itinerary would provide Vieques and Culebra residents with more time to do their shopping on mainland Puerto Rico. Starting next Wednesday, three passenger ferries will depart to Vieques from Fajardo at 9 a.m., 3 p.m., and 7 p.m. Trips from Vieques to Fajardo will depart at 6:30 a.m., 1 p.m., and 5 p.m. These schedules will also apply to Culebra. All trips will run Monday through Sunday. Senators Fail To Address The Rossello-McClintock Issue May 24, 2005 SAN JUAN (EFE) — The dispute over the Senate presidency wasn’t addressed by New Progressive Party (NPP) senators on Monday because of insufficient quorum, said Senate Vice President Orland Parga. The low attendance was in part due to a meeting called by NPP Sen. Pedro Rossello at noon. NPP Sen. Norma Burgos said she was one of seven senators who attended Rossello’s meeting. Around 12:30 p.m., Senate President Kenneth McClintock held a caucus. Seven of the 17 NPP senators showed up. These senators were Lucy Arce, Carmelo Rios, Migdalia Padilla, Orlando Parga, Roberto Arango, and Jorge de Castro Font. They all have expressed their support for McClintock. Rios, however, has lately preferred not to issue any comments. Meanwhile, Burgos, Margarita Nolasco, Jose Garriga Pico, Lornna Soto, Carlos Pagan, and Jose Emilio Gonzalez showed up at Rossello’s meeting. Burgos and Gonzalez have declined to say who they will favor. Carlos Diaz didn’t attend the caucus because he was late. Luis Daniel Muñiz failed to attend Rossello’s meeting because he was late also. Hector Martinez didn’t show up to either one of them. Parga, McClintock, and Padilla weren’t invited to Rossello’s meeting. Heat To Play Preseason Game In Puerto Rico May 24, 2005 By Keven Lerner The Heat returns to Puerto Rico on Oct. 14 to face the Memphis Grizzlies in a preseason game. The game, which will be played in San Juan, marks the eighth time the Heat will play internationally and the sixth time in Latin America. "It is an honor to serve as a global 'ambassador' for the NBA and the Heat while playing abroad," Heat General Manager Randy Pfund said in a statement. "We are committed to representing the NBA in a very positive way while providing local fans in Puerto Rico with first-class sports entertainment." The Heat is no stranger to Puerto Rico, having played on the island on three previous occasions. They played against Philadelphia at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum in 2003, Denver in 1993 and a two-game series with Atlanta in 1994. Both teams are expected to travel with their full preseason rosters. ATI Operations Mark New Era For Local Public Transportation May 23, 2005 SAN JUAN (EFE) — Adaline Torres Santiago, president of the Metropolitan Buses Authority (AMA by its Spanish acronym) said the start of ATI operations on Monday have marked a new era for public transportation on the island. The ATI system has integrated 21 bus routes to Urban Train operations in the metropolitan area. AMA will provide transportation at one or more of the 16 Urban Train stations from 4:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. The train stations will open every day from 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., including holidays and weekends. Torres Santiago said that for now, AMA bus fare would stay at 25 cents. She added that the agency would finish evaluating costs before making adjustments. "Right now we want to analyze the integration of the routes and study additional operation costs, as well as market fuel prices, among other things," Torres Santiago said. Teacher To Summer In Puerto Rico May, 2005 HOWARD -- Ned Dorff, a fifth-grade teacher at Lineville School, will travel to Puerto Rico this summer with the Global Environmental Teachings Program of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Dorff will spend two weeks exploring diverse ecosystems while participating in environmental education workshops, cultural experiences and other classroom enhancing field opportunities. Dorff is one of 10 Wisconsin educators selected for the trip, along with 10 teachers from Puerto Rico. Dorff will visit the Karst region, Vieques Island and the Caribbean National Forest. The program is a collaborative effort between the Wisconsin Center of Environmental Education and the Global Environmental Management Program, based out of the College of Natural Resources at UW-Stevens Point. Arroyo On Familiar Turf By Michael Cunningham May 23, 2005 Auburn Hills, Mich. · Pistons guard Carlos Arroyo is a native of Puerto Rico, but South Florida is like home for him. Arroyo, a Florida International University product, owns a home in Miami and lives there in the offseason. Even after four years in the league, Arroyo said going back doesn't get old. "It means a lot to go to Miami," Arroyo said Sunday before the Pistons left for their Eastern Conference finals matchup with the Heat. "I still love it there. It's great to have family and friends there I have known through the years. Puerto Rico is close, and they all get to travel. They always come to show support." Arroyo's play could be key for the Pistons. The Heat boasts a deep bench, but if Arroyo isn't contributing, Detroit's bench basically consists of forward Antonio McDyess and guard Lindsey Hunter. Arroyo played in four of five games in Detroit's series against Indiana, averaging 3.8 assists and one turnover in 11.8 minutes per game. That was after he averaged 1.5 assists and 0.5 turnovers against Philadelphia in the first round. Arroyo, who can be effective off pick-and-rolls, said he expects he'll be used that way against the Heat. "I think so," he said. "We have better `pick-and-pop' shooters as far as McDyess and [Rasheed Wallace]. But we will see what happens." American Offers Low-Fare Service May 23, 2005Copyright © 2005. All rights reserved. AmericanAirlines is offering low fares for service from Miami to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands through mid-June. Monday through Thursday, round-trip fares (tax excluded) for service through June 15 from Miami include $158 to San Juan, Puerto Rico, and $208 to St. Croix. ''Slightly higher fares apply for travel other days of the week,'' American said. To qualify for the fares, buyers must purchase tickets at least three days in advance of travel. Other restrictions apply. McClintock, Parga Urge Not To Start War Of Complaints By PRWOW News May 23, 2005 Senate President Kenneth McClintock and Senate Vice President Orlando Parga on Monday called on New Progressive Party (NPP) Secretary General Thomas Rivera Schatz to prevent a war of complaints over NPP Senate Majority Leader Jorge De Castro Font. The senators’ petition was issued after pro-statehood activists Peter Muller and Luis Oscar Casillas–who support NPP Sen. Pedro Rossello’s bid for the Senate helm–announced their plans to file complaints with the NPP to have De Castro Font expelled from the party. De Castro Font has said on numerous occasions that he won’t let Rossello wrest the Senate presidency from McClintock. During a press conference on Monday, Parga said everyone should keep in mind that the NPP was founded by dissident members of other political parties. He also noted that De Castro Font has already been expelled from the Popular Democratic Party (PDP) for exercising his right to free speech, and said the NPP should not do the same. McClintock said Rivera Schatz is capable of handling the issue so that it doesn’t get out of hand. On a more positive note, the Senate president said he is sure the NPP will heal its wounds, will grow, and will win the 2008 general elections.
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