Friday, October 23, 2009

Leave LISD's Nelson alone ...

I don't want to give up all the goodies on this Monday's "Coffee Talk" within the LMT Business Journal. Let me simply say this: It would be wise for Laredo Independent School District officials, especially the Board of Trustees, to allow superintendent A. Marcus Nelson to do his job.
Nelson is a curriculum-focused educator who does care about seeing kids improve in the classroom and doesn't have time for the adult Jedi mind games which have been prevalent within LISD over the past few years.
Let him do his job.
Want more? Read "Coffee Talk" on Monday morning in the LMT Business Journal.

-- Joe Rutland

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Checking in on the peso ...

Here's a "Coffee Talk Live" video for your enjoyment on this wonderful Tuesday:

Monday, October 12, 2009

Laredo International Airport receives FAA honor ...

Following up on Monday's centerpiece story on the Laredo International Airport in the LMT Business Journal, this information crossed my desk late last week.
The Federal Aviation Administration has selected LIA as the recipient of the 2009 Southwest Region Airport Safety Award for "consistently demonstrating a high level of safety in ensuring compliance with FAA standards and regulations," according to an FAA statement.
Laredo International is one of a number of airports in the FAA's five-state Southwest Region which received honors.
For what it is worth, LIA is the lone South Texas border region airport to receive FAA honors geared toward aviation safety.
Congrats to all those who work hard at Laredo International.

-- Joe Rutland

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Raising awareness key for Children's Advocacy Center ...

Sylvia Bruni, Children's Advocacy Center of Laredo-Webb County executive director, said Tuesday the CAC brings together all local agencies which serve children in crises.
Bruni, who addressed the weekly Kiwanis Club meeting at the Holiday Inn Civic Center, said "CAC is one of 62 centers in Texas."
She said one of the biggest changes taking place in Laredo and Webb County is people are speaking up more about childhood abuse ... whether it's physical, sexual, mental and/or emotional.
Bruni has a background in education, ranging from service as English teacher to principal at a Laredo Independent School District school to an interim role as LISD superintendent. She retired from public education in 2005, then returned to the CAC -- where she worked as a co-chairperson from its initiation in 1993 to 2000.
"Someone asked me recently if it's worse today? No, it's been there all along -- it was just a secret," Bruni said.
That "secret" began to crack apart in the 1980s, Bruni said, which led then-District Attorney Joe Rubio, in 1993, to bring together numerous agencies toward addressing these issues.
Bruni said a majority of children whom are sexually abused are under the age of 12.
The CAC has been focusing more on outreach opportunities in this year, "especially to groups which help children and support similar causes," Bruni said.
In my humble opinion, abuse is abuse. Keeping it a secret doesn't help. It only manifests a continual dysfunctional society ... one which seems more keen to what's happening with Jon and Kate Gosselin than what's happening right in front of their noses.
Let me offer this last piece about childhood abuse and, well, abuse, period.
No more secrets. No more.

-- Joe Rutland

Monday, October 5, 2009

Vocations in health care ...

At Monday's Laredo Gateway Rotary Club weekly meeting, Laredo Medical Center chief executive officer Tim Schmidt spoke on vocational opportunities within health care.
His address was part of Rotary International's worldwide recognition of October as a month which highlights different vocations.
Schmidt said it takes a team of people to run a hospital.
He also said among those vocations include accountants, administrative specialists, admissions department employees, business office and health and information management.
A couple of other high spots in Schmidt's speech not related to the main topic included him saying LMC would undergo a $20 million construction project in 2010. He also reminded those present who had not received their flu shot as of yet to go and get one.

-- Joe Rutland