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Kirk LaPointe: Surrey directors sound alarm over Metro Vancouver governance Regional body faces scrutiny over soaring project costs, lack of transparency Kirk LaPointe Dec 4, 2024 3:30 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message The North Shore wastewater treatment plant is slated to cost nearly $4 billion and be ready by 2030. Chung Chow, BIV Listen to this article 00:05:18 Deep concerns raised by Surrey board directors about Metro Vancouver paint a troubling portrait of an organization that lacks expertise, fails to consult, and forces the region’s officials to make multibillion-dollar decisions affecting taxpayers without adequate information. The criticism, in the form of a sharply worded letter Nov. 12 to Metro’s finance committee and obtained by Glacier Media, is the most extensive and prominent challenge yet from board directors for change at the regional federation of 21 municipalities, one electoral area and one treaty First Nation. It calls for an overhaul of the 2025 budgeting methods, arguing that inaccurate and insufficient information has been provided to directors, including an exhaustive review of decisions on development cost charges (DCCs), and a repeal of various bylaws. More broadly it calls for changes in how the body is governed. It identifies as specific pain points two Metro Vancouver projects, the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant in North Vancouver and the looming Iona Island Wastewater Treatment Plant in Richmond, and disparages how they are among the seven top projects reporting directly into Chief Administrative Officer Jerry Dobrovolny “with no independent third-party engineering and financial auditor to provide transparency, accountability and evaluate cost-benefit design-based principles/assumptions.” The projects lack detailed and audited information on how costs are calculated, says the letter. In the case of the North Shore plant, the budget has soared seven-fold to $3.86 billion from an original $550-million contract with little public information along the way. Already the budget for the Iona plant in Richmond has risen to $14 billion from the $9.9 billion mark two years ago, and construction remains years away. The letter was submitted moments before the committee’s most recent Nov. 13 meeting by Surrey Coun. Pardeep Kooner on behalf of five other Surrey directors, including Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke. Surrey’s six directors are second-most to Vancouver’s seven on the 41-director board. The letter’s general contents were briefly discussed but the letter itself was not part of the meeting package. It wasn’t formally dealt with at the committee meeting and has been referred to Metro Vancouver staff for a response early in 2025. But its language argues nothing short of significant shifts in its operating culture and quality of competence are necessary. “I believe there must be additional board oversight and decisions made on the costing of these Major Capital projects at a minimum,” Kooner wrote. The letter reflects the frustration many directors have expressed of a staff-dominated operation that leaves them without the necessary decision-making information – but with the accountability as elected officials to taxpayers in their districts. There have been calls for a third-party audit to examine what Kooner and others have complained is a chronic sprawl of budgets and a culture of indifference about them. While a performance audit will be conducted in-house on the North Shore plant costs, it hasn’t satisfied those who feel it is insufficiently independent. The provincial government, which created Metro Vancouver as a corporate entity, has so far declined publicly to involve itself, whether to launch a fuller-fledged inquiry into costs, provide additional funds to defray significant property tax levies for the North Shore plant, or to take back the responsibilities of the operation, which at the moment is overseeing some 300 infrastructural projects. The three-page letter goes on: “The way the current board is operating has many gaps in information, lacks sufficient details to make the decisions we need to and the full financial impacts or options are not being provided. “For instance, the board is often asked to approve or endorse a very broad strategy that has a suite of staff-led sub-action items and staff-driven priorities. There is often little or no discussion on the broad strategy let alone no consultation is provided on the sub-action items. “This results in a lack of crystal-clear strategies and policies which enables staff to make their own interpretations and significant decisions without Board consideration. I have found that staff has been using the strategic plan to pick and choose areas of focus with no clear direct board resolution which is affecting the information we are provided. I believe that the current governance model is not sufficient to ensure the Board is fully prepared and knowledgeable.” The letter outlines the need to defer the 2025 budget planning to deal with six issues, including what Kooner terms “a huge concern” about DCCs, how they are apportioned to communities, and the quality of the population and dwelling forecasts. “I have been told that there are many factors that are considered; however, these other factors have not been provided.” As it is, the budget information and methodology “is not accurate/insufficient and does not portray the true impact on the decisions that have been brought to the Board.” Kirk LaPointe is a Glacier Media columnist with an extensive background in journalism See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Get your daily Victoria news briefing Email Sign Up Related Kirk LaPointe: Alberta's 'get things done' edge leaves B.C. behind in investment race Nov 27, 2024 12:00 PM Kirk LaPointe: West Van's latest pay parking pitch raises a lot of questions Nov 27, 2024 9:00 AM Kirk LaPointe: John Horgan made his mark mixing fiscal competence with social prescription Nov 13, 2024 11:30 AM Kirk LaPointe: Sewage plant mess presents tough test for Eby government Nov 13, 2024 7:10 AM
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NoneThe winners of the 25th annual Grantham Journal Business Awards were crowned at a glittering ceremony tonight (Friday, November 22). The awards ceremony took place at Arena UK Allington this evening (Friday, September 27) and was attended by the finalists, main partners, sponsors and judges - nearly 250 guests in total. Eleven trophies were preseted during the event, which also featured a delicious three-course meal and the chance to party afterwards with The Mesh Band. The event, which was sponsored by Pentangle and Enva, celebrates business successes and recognise commitment to outstanding customer service. The winners were: Best New Start-Up (sponsored by Mark Bates Ltd) - Mum Made Meals Finalists: Bear and Bee Garage and the National Bereavement Advice Service. Apprentice of the Year category (sponsored by Specialist Engineering Plastics) - Sam Letchworth of Iconic Engineering Solutions Finalist - Ellie Clubb of Belvoir Group. Businessperson of the Year - Sam Vidler of CrossFit Grantham Finalists - Rachel Buckley of Domestic Bliss Specialist Cleaning Services Limited, and Tony Ruby of Tony Ruby Exquisite Homes Limited. Employee of the Year - Lee Carratt of Belton Park Golf Club Finalist - Abi Wainwright of the National Bereavement Advice Service Business Innovation (sponsored by South Kesteven District Council) - Mark Bates Limited Finalists - Farrow Friends and Harlaxton Engineering Services Limited Environmental Champion category, (sponsored by Enva) - Vale Clearances Finalists - Andy's Man and Van, Harlaxton Engineering Services Limited Business of the Year (sponsored by Downtown) - Mark Bates Limited Finalist - Farrow Friends John Cussell Independent Retailer of the Year category - MD Jewellers Limited Finalists - Hatties Tearoom and J&J Filipino Foods. Customer Care - MD Jewellers Limited Finalists - Inara Systems and Prime Therapy Clinic Best Social Enterprise (sponsored by PVS Media) - Be The Silver Lining Finalists - BEHIVE - South Lincolnshire Blind Society and Outwood C.I.C. Judge’s Prestige Award - Inara Systems A drinks reception started the evening before guests heard a few words from Journal editor Kerry Coupe. She told guests: “Hearing your success stories at this ceremony always makes me feel very proud about the area in which I live and work and I hope you feel the same sense of pride in the room tonight.” The awards ceremony itself was hosted by former BBC radio presenter Melvyn Prior and supported by MC Keith Reading. As well as celebrating business success, the generosity of guests in the room also led to hundreds of pounds being raised for Grantham ARK, a charity that helps provide temporary accommodation to homeless people in the area. More details will be online over the weekend and a special supplement will be in next week’s Journal, out on Friday, October 4, and available by subscribing to our digital edition here . Use promo code HALFPRICE to get the annual digital subscription for less than half price. With grateful thanks to our headline sponsors Pentangle and Enva, category sponsors Enva, Downtown, PVS Media, South Kesteven District Council and Specialist Engineering Plastics, event programme sponsor Hood Parkes and Co, drinks reception sponsor Lister, entertainment sponsor Grantham College, winner’s champagne sponsor Reflect Recruitment, trophy sponsor Iconic Engineering and table sponsor Belvoir Grantham.Arsenal moved into second place in the Premier League table with a 1-0 win over Ipswich at the Emirates. In their final fixture of 2024, Kai Havertz scored the only goal of the game midway through the opening period. Arsenal’s victory takes them back to within six points of leaders Liverpool, having played one match more than the Reds, and a point clear of Chelsea following their Boxing Day defeat to Fulham. Ipswich, although much improved in the second half, have now lost five of their last six games, and remain just one place off the bottom of the table, three points away from safety. Mikel Arteta’s men have been rocked by Bukayo Saka’s hamstring injury which could keep the England winger, who has nine goals and 13 assists this season, out of action for the next two months. Gabriel Martinelli was handed the unenviable task of filling Saka’s shoes on Arsenal’s right-hand side and the Brazilian was involved in the only goal of the evening. The Ipswich defence failed to deal with Martinelli’s cross, with the ball falling to Leandro Trossard on the opposite side of the area. Trossard fought his way to the byline before fizzing his cross into the box for Havertz to convert from a matter of yards. It was Havertz’s third goal in four matches, his 12th of the season, and no less than the hosts, who at that stage of the match had enjoyed a staggering 91.4 per cent of the possession, deserved. Heading into Friday’s fixture, Arsenal had lost only one of their last 75 Premier League games when they had opened the scoring, and their triumph here rarely looked in doubt following Havertz’s strike. Havertz thought he had doubled Arsenal’s lead with 34 minutes gone when he converted Gabriel Jesus’ cross. But Jesus – handed his third successive start for the first time in a year – strayed into an offside position in the build-up. When referee Darren England blew for half-time, Ipswich had failed to touch the ball in Arsenal’s box, becoming just the second side to do so in the Premier League this season. Nottingham Forest were the other, away at Liverpool, before they went on to inflict Arne Slot’s sole defeat of his tenure so far. And for all of Arsenal’s possession, while they held just a one-goal advantage, Ipswich knew they were still in the game. An encouraging start to the second half for the Tractor Boys ensued, albeit without testing David Raya in the Arsenal goal. Shortly after the hour mark, Gabriel should have settled any growing Emirates nerves when he arrived unmarked to Declan Rice’s corner, but the defender headed wide of Arijanet Muric’s post when it looked easier to score. Martin Odegaard then forced a fine fingertip save from Muric at his near post after a mazy run and shot from the Arsenal skipper. Rice’s stinging goal-bound volley from the following corner was blocked by Dara O’Shea as Arsenal pushed for a game-killing second. Havertz should have tapped home Trossard’s header but he fluffed his lines. And moments later, substitute Mikel Merino’s effort was diverted from danger by a diving Muric. Ipswich looked to catch Arsenal on the counter, but the match ended without them registering a single effort on Raya’s goal. Ipswich fans goaded their opponents with chants of “boring, boring Arsenal”, but it was the Gunners who enjoyed the last laugh as they saw out 2024 with a win which keeps the pressure on Liverpool.
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But you should still toss them, group saysMaryland is suing the company that produces the waterproof material Gore-Tex often used for raincoats and other outdoor gear, alleging its leaders kept using “forever chemicals” long after learning about serious health risks associated with them. The complaint, which was filed last week in federal court, focuses on a cluster of 13 facilities in northeastern Maryland operated by Delaware-based W.L. Gore & Associates. It alleges the company polluted the air and water around its facilities with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances , jeopardizing the health of surrounding communities while raking in profits. The lawsuit adds to other claims filed in recent years, including a class action on behalf of Cecil County residents in 2023 demanding Gore foot the bill for water filtration systems, medical bills and other damages associated with decades of harmful pollution in the largely rural community. “PFAS are linked to cancer, weakened immune systems, and can even harm the ability to bear children,” Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown said in a statement. “It is unacceptable for any company to knowingly contaminate our drinking water with these toxins, putting Marylanders at risk of severe health conditions.” Gore spokesperson Donna Leinwand Leger said the company is “surprised by the Maryland Attorney General’s decision to initiate legal action, particularly in light of our proactive and intensive engagement with state regulators over the past two years.” “We have been working with Maryland, employing the most current, reliable science and technology to assess the potential impact of our operations and guide our ongoing, collaborative efforts to protect the environment,” the company said in a statement, noting a Dec. 18 report that contains nearly two years of groundwater testing results. But attorney Philip Federico, who represents plaintiffs in the class action and other lawsuits against Gore, called the company’s efforts “too little, much too late.” In the meantime, he said, residents are continuing to suffer — one of his clients was recently diagnosed with kidney cancer. “It’s typical corporate environmental contamination,” he said. “They’re in no hurry to fix the problem.” The synthetic chemicals are especially harmful because they’re nearly indestructible and can build up in various environments, including the human body. In addition to cancers and immune system problems, exposure to certain levels of PFAS has been linked to increased cholesterol levels, reproductive health issues and developmental delays in children, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Gore leaders failed to warn people living near its Maryland facilities about the potential impacts, hoping to protect their corporate image and avoid liability, according to the state’s lawsuit. The result has been “a toxic legacy for generations to come,” the lawsuit alleges. Since the chemicals are already in the local environment, protecting residents now often means installing complex and expensive water filtration systems. People with private wells have found highly elevated levels of dangerous chemicals in their water, according to the class action lawsuit. The Maryland facilities are located in a rural area just across the border from Delaware, where Gore has become a longtime fixture in the community. The company, which today employs more than 13,000 people, was founded in 1958 after Wilbert Gore left the chemical giant DuPont to start his own business. Its profile rose with the development of Gore-Tex , a lightweight waterproof material created by stretching polytetrafluoroethylene, which is better known by the brand name Teflon that’s used to coat nonstick pans. The membrane within Gore-Tex fabric has billions of pores that are smaller than water droplets, making it especially effective for outdoor gear. The state’s complaint traces Gore’s longstanding relationship with DuPont , arguing that information about the chemicals’ dangers was long known within both companies as they sought to keep things quiet and boost profits. It alleges that as early as 1961, DuPont scientists knew the chemical caused adverse liver reactions in rats and dogs. DuPont has faced widespread litigation in recent years. Along with two spinoff companies, it announced a $1.18 billion deal last year to resolve complaints of polluting many U.S. drinking water systems with forever chemicals. The Maryland lawsuit seeks to hold Gore responsible for costs associated with the state’s ongoing investigations and cleanup efforts, among other damages. State oversight has ramped up following litigation from residents alleging their drinking water was contaminated. Until then, the company operated in Cecil County with little scrutiny. Gore announced in 2014 that it had eliminated perfluorooctanoic acid from the raw materials used to create Gore-Tex. But it’s still causing long-term impacts because it persists for so long in the environment, attorneys say. Over the past two years, Gore has hired an environmental consulting firm to conduct testing in the area and provided bottled water and water filtration systems to residents near certain Maryland facilities, according to a webpage describing its efforts. Recent testing of drinking water at residences near certain Gore sites revealed perfluorooctanoic acid levels well above what the EPA considers safe, according to state officials. Attorneys for the state acknowledged Gore’s ongoing efforts to investigate and address the problem but said the company needs to step up and be a better neighbor. “While we appreciate Gore’s limited investigation to ascertain the extent of PFAS contamination around its facilities, much more needs to be done to protect the community and the health of residents,” Maryland Department of the Environment Secretary Serena McIlwain said in a statement. “We must remove these forever chemicals from our natural resources urgently, and we expect responsible parties to pay for this remediation.” Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Click to share on X (Opens in new window) Most Popular Get healthier in the new year with these resources in the Williamsburg area Get healthier in the new year with these resources in the Williamsburg area James City County officer, 17-year-old injured in Christmas Eve crash James City County officer, 17-year-old injured in Christmas Eve crash How to dispose of natural Christmas trees in Hampton Roads How to dispose of natural Christmas trees in Hampton Roads Longtime Phoebus Auction Gallery to close after New Year’s Day event Longtime Phoebus Auction Gallery to close after New Year’s Day event Williamsburg leaders to prioritize funding for regional Trail757 project Williamsburg leaders to prioritize funding for regional Trail757 project ‘We’re buddies now’: William & Mary students work with dementia patients as part of new program 'We're buddies now': William & Mary students work with dementia patients as part of new program New Kent administrator’s capital improvement plan has some big ticket items New Kent administrator's capital improvement plan has some big ticket items RUSSIANS, U.S. FLY SIDE-BY-SIDE RUSSIANS, U.S. FLY SIDE-BY-SIDE Juvenile humpback whale washes ashore on Outer Banks Juvenile humpback whale washes ashore on Outer Banks Hitman who killed Navy officer in Newport News among 37 death row inmates commuted by Biden Hitman who killed Navy officer in Newport News among 37 death row inmates commuted by Biden Trending Nationally Body found in wheel well of plane from Chicago to Maui How Diddy and Luigi Mangione spent Christmas in Brooklyn jail Massive invasive python is freed into the Palm Beach County wilderness. 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You might think your personality is unique, but all it takes is a two-hour interview for an AI model to create a virtual replica with your attitudes and behaviors. That’s according to published by researchers from Stanford and DeepMind. In the study, 1,052 participants were asked to complete a two-hour interview which covered a wide range of topics, from their personal life story to their views on contemporary social issues. Their responses were recorded and the script was used to train generative AI models – or “simulation agents” – for each individual. To test how well these agents could mimic their human counterparts, both were asked to complete a set of tasks, including personality tests and games. Participants were then asked to replicate their own answers a fortnight later. Remarkably, the AI agents were able to simulate answers with 85% accuracy compared to the human participants. What’s more, the simulation agents were similarly effective when asked to predict personality traits across five social science experiments. While your personality might seem like an intangible or unquantifiable thing, this research shows that it's possible to distill your value structure from a relatively small amount of information, by capturing qualitative responses to a fixed set of questions. Fed this data, AI models can convincingly imitate your personality – at least, in a controlled, test-based setting. And that could make deepfakes even more dangerous. Double agent The research was led by Joon Sung Park, a Stanford PhD student. The idea behind creating these simulation agents is to give social science researchers more freedom when conducting studies. By creating digital replicas which behave like the real people they’re based on, scientists can run studies without the expense of bringing in thousands of human participants every time. They may also be able to run experiments which would be unethical to conduct with real human participants. Speaking to , John Horton, an associate professor of information technologies at the MIT Sloan School of Management, said that the paper demonstrates a way you can “use real humans to generate personas which can then be used programmatically/in-simulation in ways you could not with real humans.” Whether study participants are morally comfortable with this is one thing. More concerning for many people will be the potential for simulation agents to become something more nefarious in the future. In that same MIT Technology Review story, Park predicted that one day “you can have a bunch of small ‘yous’ running around and actually making the decisions that you would have made.” For many, this will set dystopian alarm bells ringing. The idea of digital replicas opens up a realm of security, privacy and identity theft concerns. It doesn’t take a stretch of the imagination to foresee a world where scammers – who are already using AI to imitate the voices of loved-ones – could build personality deepfakes to imitate people online. This is particularly concerning when you consider that the AI simulation agents were created in the study using just two hours of interview data. This is much less than the amount of information currently required by companies such as , which create digital twins based on a trove of user data.Trump names David Sacks as White House AI and crypto czarTrump names David Sacks as White House AI and crypto czar
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Tech Titans in 2024: The Year AI Took Center Stage In 2024, the technological landscape was transformed by breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, leading to both spectacular gains and unexpected setbacks for key players. MicroStrategy soared past rivals, driven largely by its substantial Bitcoin reserves. As Bitcoin climbed to a staggering $108,000, MicroStrategy’s stock skyrocketed by over 440%, outpacing the cryptocurrency’s own growth. MicroStrategy’s strategic pivot in 2020, transitioning from software to Bitcoin holdings, proved fruitful. The company now claims nearly 2.2% of the Bitcoin supply. Critics argue the stock is overvalued, yet its five-year growth story is impressive. Meanwhile, Nvidia solidified its dominance in AI chip technology, achieving a 183% stock rise and reaching a massive $3.6 trillion market cap by November. This tech giant continues to meet the increasing demand for AI technologies, with projections indicating a sustained upward trajectory in sales and influence. Palantir Technologies navigated 2024 successfully, joining the Nasdaq 100, propelled by impressive earnings and a 378% stock increase. Its growth was underpinned by robust business performance and lucrative government projects. Yet, not all tech companies thrived. Once celebrated for its AI advancements, Super Micro Computer now grapples with accounting scandals and market cooling, causing its share value to drop significantly and its future to look uncertain. As industry juggernauts like Apple, Microsoft, and Tesla set the pace, the emergence of AI continues to shape these companies’ paths and challenge market dynamics. The sector faces regulatory hurdles and varied demand, making the future ever more uncertain. The Hidden Truths Behind AI’s Dominance in 2024 Understanding MicroStrategy’s Bold Bitcoin Move In 2024, MicroStrategy’s decision to pivot from software to Bitcoin holdings shines as a strategic foresight that exceeded expectations. By amassing nearly 2.2% of the Bitcoin supply, the company not only fortified its market position but also presented a unique investment case blending traditional corporate strategy with cryptocurrency ventures. This move has stirred debates among financial analysts, with some expressing skepticism over its long-term viability amidst broad market volatility. Nvidia’s Unmatched Surge in AI Technology With Nvidia’s market cap reaching a jaw-dropping $3.6 trillion, the company has solidified its position as a leader in AI chip technology. This achievement underscores the soaring demand for AI-powered solutions across various sectors, from autonomous vehicles to advanced data analytics. As Nvidia continues to innovate, its influence is expected to persist, fueling technological advancements that redefine industry standards. Palantir Technologies’ Ascension and Challenges Palantir Technologies’ inclusion in the Nasdaq 100 is a testament to its substantial growth backed by government collaborations and a resilient earnings trajectory. The company’s stock surge of 378% in 2024 highlights its strategic expansion into lucrative markets. However, analysts caution that maintaining this momentum will require navigating increasing competition and enhancing its data integration capabilities to meet diverse client needs. Super Micro Computer: The Roadblock of Scandals Unlike its peers, Super Micro Computer wrestles with reputational damage stemming from accounting controversies that have roiled investor confidence. As the AI market faces regulatory scrutiny and cooling investor sentiment, the company must address internal governance issues to reclaim its standing in the tech sphere. AI Regulatory Landscapes and Future Predictions As AI technologies carve more significant roles in various sectors, regulatory frameworks are poised to become more stringent. Companies will need to align their practices with evolving compliance standards to mitigate risks and embrace AI’s potential responsibly. This landscape presents both challenges and opportunities, sparking dialogue on ethical AI implementation and innovation. Emerging Insights and Innovations in AI The transformative power of AI is illustrated through emerging trends such as explainable AI, quantum computing compatibility, and sustainable AI development. Innovations in these areas promise to enhance transparency, computational power, and environmental stewardship, ensuring AI’s role as a pivotal force in global technological evolution. For more insights into these technological developments, visit MicroStrategy , Nvidia , and Palantir Technologies .Re. Feds ban 324 more guns (Castanet, Dec.5) The best analogy I heard regarding the (latest federal firearms ban) is this, because drunk drivers are killing sober drivers, let’s ban all the sober drivers from driving on the roads. Problem solved. I think this (bad) is an abomination. I think no compensation makes up for the historical attachment to many of these items people may have and I think a government that does this cannot be trusted by the people it purports to govern. What I see in this (ban) is it’s purely political and ideological and it has nothing to do with statistical analysis or the data on anything to do with firearms. All this does is target law-abiding people who have no inclination whatsoever to engage in criminal activity. Tom Cotter