Man City, Chelsea in big clash
CECH IN SPOTLIGHT EARLY START LEICESTER CONTROVERSY LONDON (AP): How José Mourinho must long for the days last season when Chelsea was being goaded for being “boring”. The start to the new campaign has been anything but mundane at Stamford Bridge. Tumult has replaced apparent tranquility after losing the Community Shield to Arsenal and starting the Premier League title defence with a draw to Swansea. A victory over Manchester City on Sunday, though, would quickly transform the mood surrounding the champions. Perhaps that is why Mourinho has shielded his players from criticism even though goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will miss the trip to Manchester after being sent off against Swansea, with new signing Asmir Begovic taking his place. Instead, it’s the Chelsea medical staff in Mourinho’s firing line. By publicly criticising his medical staff and removing doctor Eva Carneiro from her match-day role, Mourinho has generated a new wave of damaging headlines for the club. But Mourinho’s failure to strengthen the squad is now biting, with a couple of weeks remaining in the summer transfer window. First-choice striker Diego Costa is not fully fit and new backup Radamel Falcao has much to prove after a lacklustre season at Manchester United. Mourinho wants to strengthen a defence that was exposed against Swansea with the addition of John Stones but Everton is rebuffing Chelsea’s pursuit of the centre back. Manchester City, meanwhile, face Chelsea on a high after starting their quest to regain the trophy from the London club with a victory at West Bromwich Albion. Unlike Chelsea, City made a high-profile addition to their squad by signing Raheem Sterling from Liverpool for 49 million pounds (US$76 million). “It’s going to be a really tough season,” Sterling said. “With it being our first home game of the season, we want to get off on the right foot.” Leicester striker Jamie Vardy will not be sacked over a racial slur captured on camera at a casino, manager Claudio Ranieri said Thursday. “Jamie apologised to everyone; it was a mistake,” Ranieri said. “The club has said it is OK.” There’s an early opening to the second round of Premier League, with Manchester United facing Aston Villa tonight. Although Friday night games will feature more regularly from next season, this is a one-off due to a march by the far-right English Defence League group in the Birmingham area tomorrow and United being unable to play the following day due to their Champions League playoff against Bruges on Tuesday. David de Gea was dropped from United’s opening-day win over Tottenham and the goalkeeper will be left out of the team again. Manager Louis van Gaal is concerned that the Spaniard is not mentally fit as he continues to be linked with a move to Real Madrid. Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero will instead seek another clean sheet at the start of his United career. The pre-season optimism at Arsenal was quickly deflated by losing to West Ham at the start of its search for a first league title since 2004. There’s another London derby for Arsenal on Sunday against Crystal Palace and goalkeeper Petr Cech will want to avoid a repeat of the mistakes that contributed to a 2-0 collapse to West Ham.
Mr. Benoni Wilfred Urey, one of the notable Liberians on the US assets freeze and sanctions list, has told the Daily Observer that delisting him and others is “indeed a great day for democracy in Liberia.”Mr. Urey, who now heads one of the opposition political parties, said that he and others worked for the Liberian government, and not for former Liberian President Charles Taylor. It is widely believed that it was for some alleged misdeeds of Mr. Taylor that Mr. Urey and others were placed on the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) Specially Designated Nationals’ (SDN) sanctions list. According to the US authorities, anyone, group or business on this OFAC SDN list, will see their assets in the US blocked and with US nationals generally prohibited from doing business with them.But with the delisting and removal of the sanctions placed against them since 2004, it is expected that their assets be returned and American citizens can now do business with them.Mr. Urey, speaking to this newspaper via telephone, commended the American government and President Barack Obama for removing him and others from the list.He stated that he and other Liberians delisted were singled out and misrepresented to the international community, leading to the sanctions against them.“It is time for some Liberians to stop misleading our friends in the international community about their fellow Liberians. The people have now found out that everything they say everyday about people like me is all lies,” Mr. Urey, who is the founder of the All Liberian Party, said.“In Liberia, we have the culture of talking about everything but knowing very little about anything. Too often, people will lie on others just to get their aims accomplished.”Asked to give the names of those who might have told lies against him, the famous Liberian businessman turned politician said, “You know them and I know them; they were involved with the execution of the 13 men on the poles. They were involved with the removal of the [Samuel K.] Doe regime. They were involved with the removal of the Charles Taylor regime. But the time for them to continue lying to the Liberian people has passed and the people can no longer be fooled by the lies they will still want to tell.”When the news broke that their first partisan has been removed from the US’ sanction list, there were hundreds of jubilant supporters and sympathizers seen at the Careysburg residence of Mr. Urey. They sang, danced and congratulated him. One told the Observer, he sees it as the most positive thing the US government has done in recent times for the development of Liberia.In the White House press release announcing the delisting of Mr. Urey, former President Taylor and others, US President Obama said, “By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) (IEEPA), the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.) (NEA), Section 5 of the United Nations Participation Act, as amended (22 U.S.C. 287c) (UNPA), and Section 301 of title 3, United States Code, I, Barack Obama, President of the United States of America, find that the situation that gave rise to the declaration of a national emergency in Executive Order 13348 of July 22, 2004, with respect to the actions and policies of former Liberian President Charles Taylor and other persons, in particular their unlawful depletion of Liberian resources and their removal from Liberia and secreting of Liberian funds and property, has been significantly altered by Liberia’s significant advances to promote democracy and the orderly development of its political, administrative, and economic institutions, including presidential elections in 2005 and 2011, which were internationally recognized as freely held; the 2012 conviction of, and 50-year prison sentence for former Liberian President Charles Taylor and the affirmation on appeal of that conviction and sentence; and the diminished ability of those connected to former Liberian President Charles Taylor to undermine Liberia’s progress.”The US President thereby terminated the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13348 and ordered that his decision be transmitted to the Congress and published in the Federal Register.Other Liberians delisted along with Mr. Urey and President Taylor are: Charles R. Bright, Former Minister of Finance; Kaddieyatu Darrah (Dara), Special Assistant to former President Taylor; Jenkins Dunbar, Former Minister of Lands, Mines and Energy; Juanita Neal, former Deputy Minister of Finance; Charles Taylor, Jnr. (alias Chuckie), advisor and son of former President Taylor, and; Benjamin Yeaten, former Director, Special Security Services of Liberia.The US leader also removed businesses and other nationals that they (US government) said were associated with Mr. Taylor’s action or policies. Meanwhile Information Minister Lewis Brown told the Voice of America (VOA) that the lifting of the sanctions should inspire confidence that Liberia is a country open and ready for development. He also said it shows that Liberia is a shining example of what a country, once considered a failed state, can achieve by a united people under a decisive leadership that is dedicated to strengthening the tenets of democracy.“Since the end of our conflict, we’ve worked as a government and as a people to deepen our democracy, to rebuild our institutions, to get our economy back on track. And so we’re pleased by this development, especially in the light that it takes into account the enormous progress that this country has made,” he said.Brown said Liberia’s sense of freedom is best tested by the wave of freedoms of speech, of the press and of worship that Liberians enjoy under the government of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf.But the Obama administration said much remains to be done in Liberia, including transferring security responsibilities from the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) to Liberian forces next year and holding national elections in 2017.Brown expressed appreciation to UNMIL for providing the necessary training and mentoring, saying Liberia is ready to take over its own security.“Each day we take a step toward being ready, each day we take a step toward achieving those milestones, and that is all that anyone can ask for – that each day Liberia remains steady toward making progress in deepening its democratic institutions, deepening its aspirations to become a society that is free, a society that is secure not necessarily by armament but by shared values of commitment to the rule of law, commitment to transparency, commitment to an open government that is responsive to the needs and aspirations of its people,” Brown said.The U.S. government and the United Nations’ assets freezes and travel bans were imposed against individuals considered dangerous to Liberia’s security. But two months ago, the United Nations lifted its assets freeze and travel ban.According to one Liberian government source, President Sirleaf personally lobbied both the United Nations and the U.S. government to lift all sanctions.The source, who requested anonymity in order to speak about the matter, said there has been concern that if all sanctions are not lifted and elections are held in 2017, some candidates or their supporters may claim that the atmosphere was not conducive for free and fair elections. Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
City Hall sexual assault fiascoBy Lakhram BhagiratThe two Constabulary officers dismissed by City Hall, are expected to be reinstated and then sent on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation of the alleged sexual assault on a minor and dereliction of duty, by the Legal Affairs and Security Committee of the municipality. This action comes following a letter to the Town Clerk by Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan last week.Corporal Quacy Baveghems claimed that he witnessed a Lance Corporal of the City Constabulary engaged in a sexual act with a minor in August. The incident allegedly occurred when a 15-year-old boy was taken into custody on August 17, 2017, and placed before the court on a charge of wandering. At some point during his detention, for reasons unknown, the minor was transferred to the Regent Street Outpost where the alleged incident occurred between August 22 and 23.Mayor Patricia Chase Green addressing the CouncilThe alleged perpetrator was dismissed for gross misconduct while Baveghems, who claims that he witnessed the assault, was also given the boot after he failed to report the matter to the relevant authorities.Although the incident occurred in August, it was never reported to the Police until October 17. The matter was also brought to the attention of the M&CC’s Legal Affairs and Security Committee after one month and City Hall has been since accused of covering up the incident. There have also been calls for Town Clerk Royston King to be disciplined as well, since he knew of the incident and ‘interviewed’ the victim but failed to report it.However, there have been protests by civil society and some Councillors who claimed that Baveghems was wrongfully terminated, and as such, called for his reinstatement. The disgruntled Corporal wrote to President David Granger and Minister Bulkan voicing his dissatisfaction with the treatment meted out to him.Bulkan has since written to Town Clerk, Royston King, indicating that due process was not taken and that Baveghems should be allowed a fair hearing to answer to the allegations.“It is important that you note that the Ministry of Communities will not condone unfair and/or wrongful treatment meted out to employees of any Local Democratic Organ, and will endeavor to safeguard their employment and natural justices,” Bulkan wrote.“It is clear that at the time of Mr Baveghems’ dismissal, the Legal Affairs and Security Committee (of the city) was in the process of investigating the matter brought to its attention and had not yet completed its work…further, there is no mention that the Minutes provided were placed before the Legal Affairs and Security Committee for confirmation and signature by the Chairman, in accordance with Section 66 of the Municipal and District Councils Act, Cap 28:01. Therefore, your actions may be deemed as ultra vires since the Legal Affairs and Security Committee was not given the opportunity to complete its responsibilities, neither was the Committee allowed to report its findings and make recommendations to the Council,” the Minister added.The Mayor’s responseIn response to the letter, Georgetown Mayor Patricia Chase Green called an Extraordinary Statutory Meeting on Tuesday to discuss the way forward. During the meeting, she related that her office got wind of the matter on the morning of August 23 when Chief Constable Andrew Foo related the incident. Foo informed that he received a report that Lance Corporal (name given) was involved in a matter in the Inquiries Office of the City Constabulary.“The Inquiries Office is a big open space, I said what did you (Foo) do, he said nothing. I put down the phone and then I called him back and asked him to repeat what he said and he said Madam Mayor, Corporal Baveghems reported to me that he saw Corporal (name given) having sex with this boy…I said that he was supposed to be locked up because if someone is having sex in the open then they should be locked up. I said to investigate the matter and to send a report to me,” Chase Green said.She noted that the report was never presented to her until after the matter appeared in the press. The Mayor said that when she got the report it was in parts with several key links missing. The report stated that the accusations, levelled against the Lance Corporal, should be accepted since he was involved in a matter of similar nature. It also recommended that the Corporal be charged with neglect of duty and that the incident be referred to the Legal Affairs Committee.“The questions arise and I ask the question of the Chief Constable, when Mr Baveghems saw this act did he come in? He left the prosecutions department, a little room, came out and has to pass a big door, the inquiries door, and these two persons are allegedly having sex in the inquiries room and went to the window on Regent Street to peep. He stood there and allowed the sex act to be performed to completion, to the point where he saw where the Corporal take off the condom and come outside,” the Mayor related.She stated that she was informed that it was Baveghems who arrested the minor and was never taken to court until August 22, where he was charged for loitering. However, the Magistrate indicated that the minor was supposed to be charged with wandering and the case was dismissed.“If the case was dismissed, tell me on what basis was he brought back here to spend the night; he should have been released into the care of his guardian,” she questioned.The Mayor indicated that the report clearly stated that the Corporal was the one on the receiving end of the alleged sexual act.“I was told…this is not the Corporal having sex with the juvenile, it is the juvenile having sex with the Corporal. A boy of 15, and you (Baveghems) did nothing. My concern is why did the Chief Constable release the boy because in the boy’s statement he said that ‘if I see the man I could identify he’; you got a right as Chief Constable to call that man and arrest him,” she said.She added that justice was not done to the minor who is yet to be examined and determine whether he is suffering from any trauma.After the Mayor finished making her statement, Legal Affairs and Securities Committee member, Councillor Akeem Peter told the meeting that judging from the evidence, the Committee says the story does not add up, as they are yet to determine who is really the victim. He then made the suggestion that the officers be sent on administrative leave just to appease the Minister.At this point, Councillor Oscar Clarke stated that the incident was handled badly from the start and supported Peter’s suggestion and in the end, Town Clerk Royston King, who indicated he would act accordingly, agreed to it.The Police investigation is still ongoing and the accused has been released on bail.
A porter met his demise on Friday morning after he was pinned in a diesel laden truck, which experienced a blow out and crashed into the fence of the Providence National Stadium, East Bank Demerara.Dead is 45-year-old Kirk Peters of Sophia, Greater Georgetown. He succumbed while receiving treatment at the Diamond Diagnostic Centre just after 07:00h onThe section of the Providence National Stadium fence that was damagedFriday morning.The driver and owner of the truck, with registration number GTT 2491, has been identified as 51-year-old John Da Silva of Albouystown, Georgetown.Guyana Times understands the vehicle, which was laden with 30 drums of diesel, was proceeding South along the eastern carriageway of the road when the left front wheel of the vehicle suffered a blow out.According to reports, despite Da Silva’s attempts to bring the vehicle to a halt, the lorry spun out of control and ended up crashing into the left side fence of theThe damaged vehicle following the accidentstadium, damaging about 15 feet of the fence.Road repair workers, who witnessed the accident, rushed to the aid of the two men. However, only Da Silva was able to be quickly pulled from the vehicle.Peters was reportedly trapped in his seat by his seatbelt for some time before he was rescued and rushed to the hospital. He succumbed while receiving treatment. Da Silva was treated for minor injuries and taken into Police custody where he is reportedly assisting with investigations.When this publication visited the scene of the accident, relatives of the driver had gathered.The badly damaged truck had been pulled from the fence, however, a large quantity of diesel was spilled on the roadway.A female relative of Da Silva told Guyana Times that eyewitnesses confirmed that at the time of the accident, the driver was not speeding.“The workers them told us when we got here that John was not speeding and they say that he was really trying not to crash but the weight of the vehicle caused him to lose control,” the woman relayed.The woman also revealed that the wife of the porter recently gave birth, express her regret at his untimely death.Investigations are continuing.
Yesterday’s sale of BC natural gas and petroleum rights resulted in 98 million dollars in bonus bids, raising the calendar year-to-date total to over 760 million dollars.Energy Minister Bill Bennett notes the August sale, like others earlier this year, was larger than anticipated, and he says it again reflects international investment community confidence.This year’s 8-month total is already about 85 percent of last year’s 12 month total and it puts the province in position to record its third billion dollar plus sale year.- Advertisement -68 of the 81 parcels offered yesterday were sold, and they covered just over 31,000 hecatres, meaning the per hectare sale price was more than 3,100 dollars.The key parcels in the August sale were two drilling licences, 70 kilometers northwest of Fort Nelson, with bids of more than 5,700 and 9,800 dollars per hectare.At more than 64 million dollars their total represented about two-thirds of full sale total.Advertisement The next sale is set for September 22nd and will offer 71 parcels covering more than 35,000 hectares.
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino insists the upcoming League Cup final will not distract his side when they face Fiorentina in the Europa League on Thursday.The next few days have the potential to decide whether the Argentine’s first season at the White Hart Lane helm is deemed a success or failure.Sunday offers the mouth-watering prospect of silverware in the Capital One Cup final, when victory against London rivals Chelsea would end a seven-year wait for a trophy.Before the Wembley showdown, though, comes another important match as Spurs take on Serie A high-fliers Fiorentina for a place in the Europa League last-16.A 1-1 draw in the first leg means the north Londoners face a tough challenge at the Stadio Artemio Franchi – a match which has Pochettino’s full attention, describing it as merely their “first final”.“The problem is the decision that you take is always about the result that you get,” the Spurs boss said when asked about rotating his side in Florence.“If tomorrow you make the rotation and after on Sunday you win, you are a genius.“Sunday you may rest some players and play others and win against Chelsea in final – you’re a genius.“But if you lose tomorrow and lost in the final, you are a very bad manager, a very bad coach. I think it’s not fair.“The most important thing is to be clear, analyse and to identify that tomorrow is our first final.“We need to decide the team after we analyse every case and every player.“After, the players we play tomorrow is because they are in full recovery and fully fit.“But if you take one decision or another decision, after it’s about result. If you take a positive result, it’s the same. I’m the same manager, the same coach.“But when you take a decision sometimes you are right or wrong, but this is all football.“We take the decision to try to win tomorrow, for trying to play better than Fiorentina and after, analyse the game and try to put the best team out for the final on Sunday.”Spurs have brought a full-strength side to Italy, although it does not include Emmanuel Adebayor, Etienne Capoue or captain Younes Kaboul. 1
0Shares0000Rui Faria will end his 17-year association with Jose Mourinho by leaving Man United at the end of the season © AFP/File / Glyn KIRKLONDON, United Kingdom, May 12 – Manchester United assistant coach Rui Faria is to leave the club at the end of the season, the Premier League giants announced on Saturday just a week after Jose Mourinho said he would not force him to stay.Mourinho said on the United website that 42-year-old Faria, who he has worked with since 2001, was ideally situated now to become a manager in his own right. Faria is one of the names who have been linked with filling the large vacuum being left by Arsene Wenger at Arsenal.“17 years… in Leiria, Porto, London, Milan, Madrid, London again and Manchester,” said Mourinho.“Training, playing, travelling, studying, laughing and also a few tears of happiness.“17 years and the kid is now a man. The intelligent student is now a football expert, ready for a successful career as a manager.”United — who round off their Premier League campaign against Watford on Sunday and then face Chelsea in the FA Cup final — wished him well after his two years at the club.“#MUFC announces that assistant manager Rui Faria is to leave the club at the end of the season. We wish him all the best for the future,” the club tweeted.Faria, like Mourinho, never played top-level football, but became a significant part of his fellow Portuguese’s coaching staff after meeting the future United manager during a seminar day at Barcelona’s Camp Nou stadium in 2000.At the time, Mourinho was assistant to Louis van Gaal at Barcelona but, when he became a manager in his own right at Portuguese club Uniao de Leiria in 2001, he took Faria on as his fitness coach, and the two remained together for spells at Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid.However, Faria’s touchline antics have also made him a controversial figure.In 2014 he was handed a four-game stadium ban for using abusive language towards the officials in a shock 2-1 home defeat for Chelsea at the hands of Sunderland.0Shares0000(Visited 1 times, 1 visits today)
EDUCATION: It took more than a decade to complete new campus, whichwillallowformorestudents. By Paul Clinton STAFF WRITER Mary Star of the Sea High School’s new campus enters the final stage of a 13-year construction odyssey Sunday, when Cardinal Roger Mahony blesses a building expected to house students by Christmas. Church leaders and volunteers who managed the project said they’re looking forward to students flowing into new classrooms, a gymnasium and locker rooms, an art room, a computer room and science labs. “I would describe it as a sense of accomplishment,” said Al DiRocco, chairman of the steering committee for the new campus. “It’s been a difficult project in some ways, but we’ve gone over every hurdle.” DiRocco, the sole remaining member of the initial committee, remembers starting work on the project when his daughter was a ninth-grader at Mary Star. That same daughter graduated from college five years ago. In that time, the parish’s bid to replace its campus – and to eliminate a 150-person waiting list – has faced numerous delays in construction, fundraising and gaining approval from Mahony for an $8 million loan. About 470 students now attend the Catholic high school, a landmark on Eighth Street and Cabrillo Avenue since 1951. Work is nearly complete on the 60,000-square-foot campus built on 27 acres of surplus federal property at the northern tip of Taper Avenue. Students will begin classes at the two-story school after it receives its occupancy permit from the city of Los Angeles, said the Rev. Nicholas Tacito, the school’s rector. The campus was initially scheduled to open in 2000. Parish officials declined to provide the Daily Breeze access to see or photograph the new campus. Parish officials are finishing work on a U-shaped building with 23 classrooms, administrative offices and two science labs. An open courtyard between two classroom wings serves as a passway between classrooms. Student lockers line the wings. Larger windows have already created a more airy feel in the new space, said Lauren Costa, an 11th-grader and Mary Star Fiesta Queen. “I’m liking the idea of open lockers, because it builds community,” Costa said. “(Wider windows) give the rooms a bigger quality. It makes it a better learning environment.” A spacious interim gymnasium replaces a multipurpose room for basketball and volleyball games. Bleachers retract with the push of a button. Two electronic scoreboards will record sports tallies. The campus would also, for the first time, give girls a full locker room with showers. Sunday’s dedication marks the completion of a $22 million first phase. The parish also plans to build athletic fields with bleachers for football, baseball and softball. Future plans call for a new multipurpose room with a kitchen, a performing arts area and a chapel. A permanent gymnasium, a weight room and a student services area would also be added. On Sunday, Mahony will sprinkle holy water on the new building to symbolically initiate it into the Mary Star community. “It’s a big deal,” Costa said. “It’s like christening a kid.” A whiff of protest could work its way toward the event. A group representing survivors of priest abuse sent a letter to Mahony and Monsignor Patrick Gallagher of Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church. The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests asked for a forum for one or two victims to speak at the event. The group also asked Mary Star to display a handmade quilt with childhood photos of more than 160 victims in front of the church’s altar. Mary Grant, the regional director, said the group had not received a response. When classes begin at the new campus, parents will use Taper Avenue to drop off and pick up students under an agreement between the school and local homeowners signed a year ago. San Pedro Peninsula Homeowners United agreed to the plan, under the condition that the school eventually cut a road leading to Western Avenue. The Los Angeles Unified campuses of Taper Avenue Elementary and Cooper Opportunity High School already cause congestion, said Chuck Hart, the group’s president. “Those three schools are all within one block of each other,” Hart said. “There are major concerns for traffic impacts when all three schools are essentially trying to get to the same destination all around the same time.” Councilwoman Janice Hahn’s office said the city would require the road from Western in any project built on land now owned by Bob Bisno. “There has always been an understanding that an access road for Mary Star will be included in any project built on the Ponte Vista site,” Hahn said. “We have been very clear that this is a priority, and Mr. Bisno has committed to making it a part of Ponte Vista.” paul.clinton@dailybreeze.com 160Want local news?Sign up for the Localist and stay informed Something went wrong. Please try again.subscribeCongratulations! You’re all set!
1 Barcelona sent scouts to watch Arsenal and Liverpool target Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in action at the weekend as they gear up for a busy January transfer window.The Catalan club will have their transfer ban lifted in the New Year and have drawn up a long hit list of targets – with Borussia Dortmund hotshot Aubameyang now added to it.The 26-year-old has been in staggering form so far this term, scoring 13 goals in just 11 Bundesliga outings, and Arsenal and Liverpool are both reportedly keen.But they may have to do battle with Barca, who sent top scout Ariedo Braida to keep an eye on him in the weekend’s 3-1 victory at Werder Bremen.Although Aubameyang did not find the net, it was reported that Braida was impressed by the striker, who is under contract until 2020.The player himself has also given Barca hope of signing him after revealing he promised his grandfather that he would one day test himself in La Liga – which could come as a blow to his Premier League admirers.Aubameyang told Telefoot: “I signed until 2020, even though I always dream of playing in Spain.“My grandfather died last year, and I promised him to play one day in Spain. He was a fan of Real [Madrid].“I really hope to play in Spain one day, but the important thing for now is to focus on Dortmund.” Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang 
Traders are across the county are hoping tomorrow’s sales will help them see out 2011 with a bang!Donegal traders have reported that business leading up to Christmas was much better than last year with tills in some shops up more than 30%.And many are hoping that the traditional post-Christmas sales, many of which start tomorrow, will help them get off to a strong start for 2012. Among those starting sales tomorrow will be McElhinney’s in Ballybofey as well as a range of others.Other shops offering super sales include Evolve Menswear in Letterkenny.Toni Forrester, CEO of Letterkenny Chamber, said many businesses had reported a steady Christmas trade with a rush in the final couple of days.“The town was very busy in the final couple of days and it was certainly up overall compared to last year. “The weather was a major factor and we are hoping we can continue that busy trend with the sales.“We need a solid start to the New Year and the message to people is that there are bargains out there to be had.“If people held back before Christmas then they will certainly get value for money and see their money go a lot further in the sales,” she said.The shop local message as well as the strength of the sterling against the euro means that a lot more people are now consciously opting to shop in Donegal rather than cross the border.“People are beginning to realise that if they shop locally then they will protect jobs locally,” she said. © 2011 donegaldaily.com, all Rights ReservedThe copying, republication or redistribution of donegaldaily.com Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited by law.Follow us on www.twitter.com/donegaldailyFollow us on www.facebook.com/donegaldaily Sell anything on www.donegaldailyclassifieds.comDONEGAL SHOPS TO GO OUT WITH A BANG WITH BUMPER SALES was last modified: December 26th, 2011 by StephenShare this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window)Tags:CHristmasdonegalJanuarysales