Haiti’s Preval meets with President Bush

Haitian President Rene Preval, on his first official visit to the United States since being elected as Haiti’s president a year ago, met with President Bush at the White House last week. Reports are that Preval outlined a long list of issues he wants the U.S. to assist Haiti with. This included better protection for undocumented Haitian migrants and more U.S. investment in Haiti.

It has also been reported that the American president quietly rebuked Preval for his relationship with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, one of US’s nemeses. Chavez has promised Haiti, among other kinds of aid, $57 million to rebuild airports, an oil deal that could save Haiti up to $150 million and a new oil refinery. Preval attended a summit of leftist leaders hosted by Chavez in Caracas, Venezuela last month. The reports state that Bush reminded Preval that the U.S. actually delivered on its commitment.

The United States is currently providing some $200 million in aid to Haiti annually, and has provided the country with $700 since 2004. In contrast, much of what Chavez has promised has yet to arrive.

Referring to Preval’s requests for consideration for Haitian immigrants Bush said he would take Haiti’s special concerns into consideration as he attempts to get the U.S. Congress to pass immigration reforms this year.

U.S. postal stamps price increase

Effective Monday, May 14, the United States Postal Service increased the price of postal stamps by two cents from 39 to 41 cents for first class letters weighing 1 oz. However there are other increases as well, with the rates of priority and express mail also having been increased. The rate increase announced earlier this year, was initiated to counter losses being incurred by the USPS, which was reported to be a $925 million net loss during the second quarter of its fiscal year. It also reported 0.6 percent decrease in mail volume and a $1.6 billion increase in expenses.

To counteract the impact of the rise in postal stamps, which has risen consistently from 20 cents back in 1985, the USPS have created a Forever Stamp, which also cost 41 cents, but which can be used even if the price of stamps go up in the future.

Other increases that went into effect include the rate for priority mail (1lb) from $4.05 to $4.60; express mail (1/2 lb) from $14.40 to $16.25; certified mail from @.40 to $2.65 and money orders (up to $5000 from 95 cents to $1.05.

A representative from USPS reminded the public that stamps are available from other sources than post offices. They can be purchased by mail by contacting mail carriers, or calling 1-800-STAMP-24, or ordered through the Interne at www.usps.com.

Water restrictions tighten in Broward and Palm Beach Counties

With still no appreciable rainfall, especially in Broward and Pam Beach counties, the South Florida Water Management District has announced more stringent restrictions for both counties, effective Wednesday, May 16. Under the new restrictions homeowners in both counties are limited to one day for watering their lawn weekly. This is reported to be the most severe restriction that the District has implemented since they have been drawing up water restrictions during period of droughts over the past twenty years.

Residents of Miami-Dade have been spared the new restrictions since that county has been experiencing normal rainfall and higher ground water levels. However, notwithstanding, that county is still restricted to twice per week watering of lawns.

To make the water situation in both Broward and Palm Beach more serious it has also been announced that if the groundwater levels along the coast in both counties’ coast fall any further, rising salt concentrates from encroaching sea water could threaten the well fields that supply thousands of residents. Reports are that rising salt concentrates are a potential threat in the cities of Dania Beach and Hallandale Beach in Broward, and Lantana and Lake Worth in Palm Beach. As a result the water district has ordered these cities to either shut down wells or sharply curtail pumping.

Under the new restrictions water by sprinkler is restricted to Saturdays from 4 to 8 a.m.; hose watering on Saturdays or Sundays from 5 to 7 p.m.; and car and boat washing on Saturdays or Sundays from to 4 to 8 a.m. and 5 to 7 p.m.

Executions could restart in Florida soon

With the state of Florida having making changes in the application of lethal injections which Florida uses as the means of executing convicts condemned to death, such executions are to restart shortly. Executions had been suspended for over five months, after it took the unusual lengthy time of 34 minutes and two doses of lethal drugs to execute Angel Nieves Diaz, c convicted murderer, last year.

Former Governor Jeb Bush immediately appointed a commission to look into what went wrong in Nieves execution, and make recommendation for changes, while further executions were suspended. The commission made 37 recommendations to Florida’s new governor, Charlie Crist, last March. As a result of these recommendations, and subsequent talks with other states as to how they implemented executions, Crist announced that he was ready to start signing death warrants. The state’s prison chief, Jim MacDonough has said the state can resume executions within two weeks.

The 37 recommendations to be implemented by the state is geared at giving convicts a humane and dignified death, making sure the execution process is not too long. The changes include expenditure of $200,000 to double the size of the execution chamber, more training for the execution team, and a close circuit monitoring system through which execution can be closely observed.