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
Friday, October 23, 2009
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
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
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
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
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
An international city? Laredo?
Here's a "Coffee Talk Live" video/opinion piece on making Laredo into an international city.
Enjoy.
Enjoy.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Health care reform view from insurance side ...
Longtime Laredo insurance agent Henri D. Kahn said health care reform "no matter how you look at it, is a benefit to people in the United States" during a Tuesday noon Kiwanis Club meeting.
"It is a benefit more so for people who find themselves between Medicaid and Medicare," Kahn said in a speech at the Holiday Inn Civic Center.
Kahn, who has been in the insurance business for 40-plus years, is owner of Henri D. Kahn Insurance Services, located at 112 Del Court, Suite B.
He said health care reform is important "because it affects us all from birth to death."
Kahn also said any reform plan would not be for the poor. "They have Medicare, and Medicare has great benefits already," he said.
When asked what he thought about the quality of care here in the United States, Kahn said he thought it was a great system.
"There are so many different machines immediately available for patients who come into hospitals nowadays," he said. "Mexico's health care system is grossly inadequate."
Kahn questioned the Obama administration's claim that any health care reform plan will already be paid for when it starts.
"This will have to be paid for with an increase in taxes," he said.
Kahn said 177 million people in the U.S. have employer-paid insurance coverage.
"According to a study from the Urban Institute, which is a non-partisan organization, 91 percent of those already with health insurance will stay with their current coverage," he said
Kahn pointed out he makes sure his own company's employees are fully covered, making sure they would not have to worry should a health emergency occur.
"Employers should be concerned about the people who work for them first and care about them," he said.
Kahn knows about insurance and is willing to share his insights. It's good to hear from someone with his deep background speak out about these issues.
-- Joe Rutland
"It is a benefit more so for people who find themselves between Medicaid and Medicare," Kahn said in a speech at the Holiday Inn Civic Center.
Kahn, who has been in the insurance business for 40-plus years, is owner of Henri D. Kahn Insurance Services, located at 112 Del Court, Suite B.
He said health care reform is important "because it affects us all from birth to death."
Kahn also said any reform plan would not be for the poor. "They have Medicare, and Medicare has great benefits already," he said.
When asked what he thought about the quality of care here in the United States, Kahn said he thought it was a great system.
"There are so many different machines immediately available for patients who come into hospitals nowadays," he said. "Mexico's health care system is grossly inadequate."
Kahn questioned the Obama administration's claim that any health care reform plan will already be paid for when it starts.
"This will have to be paid for with an increase in taxes," he said.
Kahn said 177 million people in the U.S. have employer-paid insurance coverage.
"According to a study from the Urban Institute, which is a non-partisan organization, 91 percent of those already with health insurance will stay with their current coverage," he said
Kahn pointed out he makes sure his own company's employees are fully covered, making sure they would not have to worry should a health emergency occur.
"Employers should be concerned about the people who work for them first and care about them," he said.
Kahn knows about insurance and is willing to share his insights. It's good to hear from someone with his deep background speak out about these issues.
-- Joe Rutland
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