Friday to Sunday Oct 23, 2020 by The San Juan Daily Star

October 23-25, 2020

San Juan The

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Jerry Lee Lewis to Celebrate His 85th Birthday with a Whole Lotta Shakin’

50¢

P20

The Perils of Poor Administration Legal Fees in Island’s Bankruptcy Process Approaching $1 Billion

PBA Union Will Go to Court Over FEMA Funds for School Renovations P5

Employees Proposed to Prevent the Inevitable, But 9-1-1 Centers Closed Due to COVID-19, Leaving Violence Victims, Others in Limbo Employee: Alternative Phone Numbers Provided Are Woefully Inefficient

NOTICIAS EN ESPAÑOL P 19

The San Juan Daily Star

October 23-25, 2020

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GOOD MORNING

October 23-25, 2020

The San Juan Daily Star, the only paper with News Service in English in Puerto Rico, publishes 7 days a week, with a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday edition, along with a Weekend Edition to cover Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Commonwealth’s legal fees for bankruptcy process surpass $800 million

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uerto Rico’s legal fees for its bankruptcy proceedings under the federal Puerto Rico Oversight, Management and Economic Stability Act (PROMESA) surpassed the $800 million mark as of Oct. 21, Fee Examiner Brady Williamson informed the court in a report this week. The billing for legal fees has continued to grow even though the island government is negotiating new debt agreements for the central government and for the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) that take into account the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their finances. The Financial Oversight and Management Board months ago requested an adjournment of the evaluation of the debt deals that have been negotiated so far. However, the entire amount is not outstanding as the government has already made payments. “Notwithstanding the disruption wrought by the continuing pandemic, natural disasters, and political change, these proceedings have continued, and professionals have continued to file fee applications and the Fee Examiner has continued the review and reporting process without interruption,” Williamson said. “The quantitative effects of COVID-19 on professional compensation remain difficult to assess.” The full brunt of the pandemic -- both on the island and on the mainland -- was felt neither uniformly nor universally during the first part of the compensation period, he said. Ongoing controversy surrounding PREPA and its transformation also continues to occupy a central role in the commonwealth’s overall reorganization. “The Court’s stay orders and the mediation process affected some professional firms more than others,” Williamson said. “For some firms, moreover, the pandemic and other

challenges visited on the island have meant even more effort and time in trying to respond to dramatic economic changes, changing fiscal plans and projections, and federal support. Many professionals working on these cases, both on and off the island, including professionals for the Fee Examiner and the Fee Examiner, continue to work from home. In several instances, this has caused delays in the submission of data or other supporting documentation. To that extent, the Fee Examiner recommends the deferral of a number of applications to December 9, 2020 or a subsequent omnibus hearing date.” Williamson made his remarks in a report addressing compensation applications for the period from Feb. 1, 2020 through May 31, 2020 and prior interim fee periods. He recommended the court’s approval of 34 negotiated, adjusted, and uncontested applications for professional compensation pursuant to PROMESA. “Professionals have requested about $808 million in fees and expenses through the Title III compensation process as of October 21, 2020,” he said. However, not all of the amount is outstanding. A number of flat fee financial professionals continue to submit applications, including McKinsey & Co., which continues in its role as strategic consultant to the oversight board, Williamson said. The report recommended for court approval a series of McKinsey’s interim fee applications for services performed in the last three periods from June 1, 2019 to May 31, 2020, totaling $28.8 million of the some $42.7 million in total fees recommended for court approval in the document. Notably, McKinsey has begun providing modest discounts to its fees, apparently at the request of the oversight board, Williamson said.

The San Juan Daily Star

October 23-25, 2020

With 911 centers shut down, emergency calls were ‘left in limbo,’ leaving domestic violence victims, others hanging By PEDRO CORREA HENRY Twitter: @PCorreaHenry Special to The Star

“T

he calls that could have been made by any human being in this country, including victims of domestic violence, were not answered properly. Many were left in the limbo because we are not working as a system like the one that works within the agency.” That is what 911 Emergency Systems Bureau (NSE911 by its Spanish initials) Public Safety Telecommunicators (PST) employee Ingrid Pérez told The Star on Thursday when asked what happened to the emergency phone calls after Public Safety Secretary Pedro Janer announced in a written statement that the only two 911 call centers on the island had to shut down after two employees tested positive for COVID-19. Pérez said some of the personnel that have been assigned to attend to the matter are not certified by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials, which certifies a PST as capable of serving the public in an emergency phone call. She added that “we are on the verge of one of the worst weekends that could ever be experienced in the modern history of Puerto Rico because there is no system that is working 100 percent.” “They are working like a switchboard. Calls are redirected to 787-343-2020 and 787-724-0140, [and] only one phone call is answered at a time; it’s unlike our system, which transfers calls randomly, and we are always waiting for calls and there are enough PSTs to answer all calls,” Pérez said. “What they have are two PSTs -- that’s what there is. It’s not that the agency opened, it’s not that everything is fine. On the contrary, that’s not true.” Pérez, who has worked for NSE911 for more than four years, told the Star that “the agency has done nothing other than patch up” and the bureau’s civil servants have been working under poor conditions. Those conditions are such that workers have been unable to comply with physical distancing protocols, while there is a lack of sanitization products. At the same time there is faulty technology, poor office furniture, and a hostile environment, which she said doesn’t feel

safe. She added that the PSTs have been unable to work remotely even though the bureau is self-sustainable from funds that come from a 50-cent or $1 tax on telephone service subscribers that are regulated by the Federal Communications Commission Law. “We could turn back to every phone call that was registered a long time ago in a former software we had installed; now, we are only able to run through the calls that were made since the system, for which $4.1 million was badly spent, was installed,” Pérez said. “The system is crazy. We have to use the heck out of Google Earth and try to use the software’s map as much as we can, but it doesn’t work -- we get lost as the map software is tough to maneuver where the caller is located.” As for the cases of gender violence that could have been left unattended after the sudden 911 call center shutdown, Colectiva Feminista en Construcción leader Shariana Ferrer said “we have seen the collapse of an entire government infrastructure for managing a public emergency.” Ferrer added that even though it has occurred to the collective to call the temporary phone number in case of an emergency, it should not surprise citizens that the government let “something as essential as that service collapse.” She said the organization has received complaints from both participants and gender violence victims as their reports are taken lightly and the response “has been slow, [making it] unable to prevent an aggres-

sion, or worse, a murder.” “We live in a country in a precarious situation. There have been protocols reviewed, but there’s not enough staff, there is no personnel to take emergency calls, and, right now, amid a pandemic, those who we thought were more than capable of working under a state of emergency, we’re witnessing that they’re not even [capable of] that,” Ferrer said. “It looks like the government is pushing us into an ‘every person for themselves’ and ‘to each their own’ type of situation when we should be getting collective outlets and governmental efficiency that, unfortunately, we’re not getting at the moment.” On the other hand, the rights activist said the next government should appoint civil servants who are capable enough to safeguard the island’s public safety and manage every public entity. “We have seen people with little to no experience leading government agencies, no matter how much they want to work, they’re not prepared to assume their roles,” she said. “So we must opt for other recruitment mechanisms for managerial positions that [emphasize] competencies because, in the end, it is the country that suffers.” Public Safety Dept. purchases laptops for employees Earlier in the day, Janer said on Radio Isla 1320 that the agency bought laptops for both NSE911 officials and other department employees “so they are capable of working at their homes and remotely.” “They are in the process of arriving; they must be programmed so they can

be used by 911 radio operators,” he said. Meanwhile, when reporter Julio Rivera Saniel asked for the date when the laptops were purchased for the PSTs, the Public Safety chief was unable to provide an exact date. He said “the computers were purchased months ago.” CWA Local 3010 president demands immediate response Communications Workers of America Local 3010 (CWA Local 3010) President Aramis Cruz Domínguez demanded that NSE911 Commissioner Yazmín González address the recent negligence immediately by preparing an adequate work plan amid the COVID-19 pandemic. “NSE911 receives about 10,000 calls a day. The personnel hired to attend them are certified and trained for that,” Cruz Domínguez said. “In March 2020, our organization presented a comprehensive plan for responding to the COVID-19 pandemic to the 911 administration. It included the garrisoning of employees in the facilities with 12-hour shifts and routine COVID-19 tests for the respective relief; we also suggest creating a plan for remote cell phones and sharing alternate phones with the public. Commissioner González took these suggestions and completely ignored them. She is the first person responsible for the disaster.” The CWA Local 3010 president added that “many are unaware that 911 is the line that activates an entire security scaffolding and, in many cases, includes agencies that are not part of the public safety component, such as the Women’s Advocate Office.” “PSTs are also trained to handle crises and channel emergencies,” Cruz Domínguez said. “The other safety components are not, which puts emergency care in the country at risk.”

The San Juan Daily Star

October 23-25, 2020

PBA unions going to court over plan to shift responsibility, FEMA funds for school renovations to Education Dept. By THE STAR STAFF

ublic Buildings Authority (PBA) workers are going to court over a Puerto Rico government plan to transfer the maintenance and construction of some 425 schools using funds allocated for that purpose by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to the island Department of Education because, they say, such a transfer would violate the PBA’s charter law. Heads of two PBA labor unions said a recent decision by the PBA’s board goes against the bankruptcy procedures under Title III of the PROMESA Law. PBA filed for bankruptcy in September 2019. The Union of Office Employees and Professionals and the Independent Union of Employees of the Public Buildings Authority, represented by their respective legal advisers, will challenge in U.S. District Court an agreement between the PBA and the Education Department. The unions rely on the fact that they are PBA creditors. The challenge is based on two fundamental legal approaches: First, the agreement between PBA and the Education Department violates PBA’s charter law, which does not allow it to transfer or delegate to persons or agencies of the central government that are not public corporations its duty to build, repair and provide maintenance to public

structures that guarantee public debt. Second, there is a judicial process under Title III of the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management and Economic Stability Act, and neither the PBA nor Education have requested the permission of the bankruptcy court or informed creditors of the agreement. Roberto Maldonado Nieves, an attorney hired by the unions, said at a news conference at the Minillas Govern-

ment Center that the transaction between the PBA and the Department of Education, called the “Inter-agency Understanding Agreement,” presented to the PBA board of directors by the secretary of Education and endorsed by PBA Executive Director Melitza López Pimentel, goes against the best interests of the island and endangers the livelihoods of dozens of PBA workers. “Transferring those responsibilities and the money to an agency of the Government of Puerto Rico that has neither the legal nor the constitutional responsibility to be in charge of the properties that it rents from PBA makes precarious those public assets that also serve as as a guarantee to bondholders,” said Freddie Rodríguez Rohena, president of the Union of Office Employees and Professionals of the PBA. Both Maldonado Nieves and Rodríguez Rohena said the transfer action, which is promoted by the current Education secretary, was part of the agenda of former Secretary Julia Keleher, who is currently awaiting trial in federal court for serious accusations of corruption. The PBA was created by law in 1958 as the public entity responsible for the construction and maintenance of government buildings, which today include 425 schools, 53 government centers, 107 police stations, 14 fire stations and 30 judicial centers, among others.

Truck drivers to mobilize for workers’ rights Monday By JOHN McPHAUL jpmcphaul@gmail.com

he “Frente Amplio de Camioneros” -- Truck Drivers Coalition -- will mobilize on Monday, starting at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in Hato Rey and proceeding to the Capitol in Puerta de Tierra where, along the way, they will pause and present to the candidates for governor their proposals for legislation that will help stabilize the economic conditions of Puerto Rico’s working class, with special attention to truck drivers and other transportation workers on the island. “Always, before the elections, we meet with the candidates for the governorship where we present our proposals for the country’s transportation sector and the alternatives that we propose to develop the economy of our people,” said Carlos Rodríguez, organizing coordinator for the Truck Drivers Coalition. “On this occasion, due to the COVID pandemic, we will do it differently. We have traced a route where along the way we will deliver our proposals to the candidates and dialogue with them.”

Rodríguez said the mobilization during which the truckers will deliver their proposals will begin in front of Hiram Bithorn at 10 a.m. with the candidate for the Puerto Rican Independence Party Juan Dalmau and will continue along Juan Ponce de León Avenue where they will stop first at the campaign committee headquarters of Pedro Pierluisi, candidate of the New Progressive Party at 11 a.m.; at the campaign headquarters of Alexandra Lúgaro of the Citizen Victory Movement at noon; at the Puerto Rico Bar Association with Dignity Party candidate César Vázquez at 1 p.m.; at El Escambrón with independent candidate Eliezer Molina at 2 p.m.; and with Popular Democratic Party candidate Carlos “Charlie” Delgado Altieri in front of El Hamburger in Puerta de Tierra at 3 p.m. before ending with a message in front of the Capitol. “On the established route we will make the stops,” the organizer said. “They have only confirmed that Juan Dalmau, Alexandra Lúgaro and Eliezer Molina will meet with us. The other three candidates have not answered us, but in the same way we will make the stops at the designated places to show our commitment to the country’s truckers and transportation workers.”

October 23-25, 2020

The San Juan Daily Star

Union: Candidates for governor have turned their backs on workers By JOHN McPHAUL jpmcphaul@gmail.com

espite making promises in the campaign, most of the candidates for governor “turned their backs on workers” by not signing an agreement consisting of 20 commitments to defend their rights, charged Puerto Rico Workers Federation (FTPR-AFLCIO) President José Rodríguez Báez on Thursday. The union leader said the document was intended to measure the aspirants’ commitment to labor rights, but also to the search for solutions to social ills that concern working people. “Beyond saying that they do not support more [job] cuts and taxes, the union members of the country demand a strong commitment,” Rodríguez Báez said. “We need a governor who shows us that she or he really believes in the rights and issues that matter to working people.” The agreement with the 20 commitments was sent to the six candidates for governor on Oct. 9. The deadline to reply expired last Monday, Oct. 19. Sen. Juan Dalmau Ramírez, the candidate for governor for the Puerto Rican Independence Party, was the only one of the six candidates who signed the pact on Oct. 17, Rodríguez Báez said. “In the Federation we call on working people to be very prudent and to evaluate the candidates well before exercising

FTPR-AFLCIO President José Rodríguez Báez (CyberNews) their right to vote. Examine their government plans and judge whether or not they are on the side of the workers,” he said. “This exercise that we did at the FTPR is an example of where their loyalties lie.” The union leader said that in the document of commitments the candidates were required to commit to respecting acquired benefits and repealing the labor reform, to promoting wage equity for female workers, increasing the minimum wage to

$15, promoting decent and quality jobs, and promoting training and retraining in technical and innovation areas. Likewise, they demanded that the applicants guarantee the collective bargaining agreements and that they reopen the negotiation process in the government in June of next year. The workers demanded that the candidates commit to unionization, that they reject the imposition of more austerity and fiscal emergency laws and any measure that threatens job security. In addition, they demanded a commitment to the permanence of temporary or contract employees in regular functions, to protecting the retirement systems and to carrying out a tax reform that does justice to working families. They required that the Environmental Quality Board be excluded from the reorganization of the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources because it represents a conflict of interest with the functions of both agencies. The document of commitments also sought to ensure that the applicants reject privatization, guarantee a universal health system, defend the public education system and promote educational reform. The FTPR also advocated that the candidates commit to the University of Puerto Rico by declaring it an essential service and respecting the budget formula. The union demanded that the candidates allocate resources to the recovery of the island, guaranteeing jobs and the inclusion of communities. It also required that they commit to fighting corruption and establishing transparency for that purpose.

Urban Train, bus service to resume Monday By JOHN McPHAUL jpmcphaul@gmail.com

etropolitan Bus Authority (AMA by its Spanish acronym) President and IntegratedTransportation Authority Executive Director Josué Menéndez said Thursday that the process of restarting bus service and the Urban Train are well under way. On Monday, public transportation services, which were suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, must resume ac-

cording to the most recent executive order issued Gov. Wanda Vázquez Garced. “The time is this coming Monday and we are on track to comply [with the executive order] and provide the service our people need,” Menéndez said in a written statement. He said the seats and handrails of AMA buses will be disinfected each time they arrive at their terminals. Meanwhile, the driver will be protected by an acrylic barrier and/or “face shield.” Menéndez added that the buses will be disinfected again when they complete their service for the day. In addition, hand sanitizer will be available for users on buses. All bus routes will be active, including those operated by First Transit: Metrobús, Metro Urbano and “Tu Conexión.” Space will be limited to between 15 and 20 people, depending on the configuration of the vehicle. Regarding the Urban Train, the official said the cars will be disinfected every time the train arrives at Sagrado Corazón Station in Santurce. There will be hand sanitizer available for users at the entrances of the stations. Handrails in common areas, and surfaces of ticket machines and at ticket offices, among other areas, will also be disinfected. As part of standard distancing measures, spacing will be required at all times. “The people must have the confidence that our commitment, that of all employees and that of this [public] servant, is to ensure that the best possible service is provided and to prevent infection by the coronavirus,” Menéndez said. “We also hope

that our fellow citizens who need transportation services are aware that there will be regulations for entering transportation systems, such as compulsory use of a mask at all times. We also want to protect workers who give their best day after day and that is why we have established rigorous protocols that everyone must follow.” For this reason, the official requested cooperation to guarantee the welfare of system users and employees. Guadalupe (Lupe) Sumners, 91

Passed away on 20 October 2020 while at hospice. She was the second of 13 children born to Tomas and Monserrate Villanueva in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. She attended the University of Puerto Rico where she majored in Home Economics, Science and Spanish. She married A1C Paul Thomas Sumners on 17 May 1952 and traveled the world while raising two children, Roxanne and Craig. Lupe’s teaching career covered over 25 years in Puerto Rico. In the Puerto Rican School System, she taught night classes in Home Economics to young disadvantaged mothers in the housing projects. During the day, she taught and touched the lives of many students in the Department of Defense School System at Ramey Air Force Base teaching life skills in Spanish, Science and Home Economics. She was cherished by many for her devotion to always giving without expecting returns. Lupe moved to the Villages in 1989 where she was a long standing member of The Chapel of Christian Faith. A celebration of her life will be held at a later date. Interment will be at Florida National Cemetery at Bushnell beside her beloved Tommy. In lieu of flowers, her desire was that donations be made to the National Down Syndrome Society in honor of her brother Juanito, whom she will see in Heaven. She will be missed by many but seen again in glory.

The San Juan Daily Star

October 23-25, 2020

Republicans advance Barrett’s Supreme Court nomination over Democratic boycott By NICHOLAS FANDOS

he Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday voted to advance President Donald Trump’s nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court, with majority Republicans skirting the panel’s rules to recommend her confirmation as Democrats boycotted the session in protest. The lopsided 12-0 outcome set up a vote by the full Senate to confirm Barrett on Monday, a month to the day after Trump nominated her to fill the seat vacated by the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. If all goes according to plan, Trump and his party would win a coveted achievement just eight days before the election. “This is why we all run,” Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., the chairman of the committee, said. “It’s moments like this that make everything you go through matter.” Democrats, livid over the extraordinarily speedy process, spurned the committee vote altogether and forced Republicans to break their own rules to muscle through the nomination. Without the votes to block the judge in either the committee or the full Senate, though, their action was purely symbolic. Democrats have sharply opposed Barrett, a conservative in the mold of former Justice Antonin Scalia, on policy grounds. But their goal on Thursday was to tarnish the legitimacy of her confirmation, arguing that Republicans had no right to fill the seat vacated just over a month ago by the death of Ginsburg, when millions of Americans were already voting. Democrats were particularly angry that Republicans had reversed themselves since 2016, when they refused to consider President

Barack Obama’s Supreme Court nominee, citing the election nine months later. “Republicans have moved at breakneck speed to jam through this nominee, ignoring her troubling record and unprecedented evasions, and breaking longstanding committee rules to set tomorrow’s vote,” Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York, the Democratic leader, said in a statement ahead of the meeting. “We will not grant this process any further legitimacy by participating in a committee markup of this nomination just 12 days before the culmination of an election that is already underway.” Democrats planned to hold a news conference later Thursday on the steps of the Capitol to highlight their opposition to the process and drive home their health care-centric argument against Barrett. The only signs of their presence in the hearing room were large posters of Americans whose health care coverage they argued could evaporate if Trump’s nominee were to side with a conservative majority on the Supreme Court to strike down the Affordable Care Act when it hears a Republican challenge to the law next month. Republicans proceeded anyway with little hesitation, even though it meant tossing out Judiciary Committee rules that required members of the minority party be present to conduct official business. Graham decided that broader Senate rules that require only a simple majority of all committee members be present were sufficient. New public polling suggests American voters may increasingly be on the side of Republicans, with opposition to Barrett’s confirmation before the election waning, even among Democrats.

Judge Amy Coney Barrett, President Donald Trump’s nominee for Supreme Court, poses for a photo with Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) on Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020. If anything, Democrats’ absence after a week of heated sparring during Barrett’s confirmation hearings made the proceeding on Thursday quieter and faster than it otherwise would have been. Republicans dismissed the Democrats’ boycott as a childish stunt. “We’re not going to allow them to take over the committee,” Graham said ahead of the vote. “They made a choice not to participate.” Republicans regard the chance to install Trump’s third Supreme Court justice, cementing a 6-3 conservative majority on the court, as perhaps the most significant accomplishment of his presidency. And they hope the elevation

of Barrett will galvanize conservative voters before the election. Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the majority leader, has indicated that after the committee’s action, the full Senate would proceed on Friday to bring up Barrett’s nomination, with a final vote on Monday. That vote, too, is expected to fall mostly on party lines. At least one Republican, Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, has said she will join Democrats in opposition. She could be joined by Sen. Lisa Murkowksi, R-Alaska, a proponent of abortion rights, who was opposed to filling the seat so close to the election.

October 23-25, 2020

The San Juan Daily Star

Trump promised seniors drug discount cards. They may be illegal.

Mark Meadows, the White House chief of staff, said Wednesday morning that plans for the cards would be finalized within 48 hours, but that they would not be sent until after Election Day. By MARGOT SANGER-KATZ and NOAH WEILAND

month ago, President Donald Trump surprised much of his own government when he announced in North Carolina that he would soon send $200 discount cards to more than 30 million older Americans to offset the cost of prescription drugs. The promise set off a scramble among health and budget officials unaware that such a policy was being considered. At first, they rushed to figure out whether such a legally and logistically complicated plan could be delivered in October, as Mark Meadows, the White House chief of staff, had vowed in an interview the day of the speech. When many questioned its prudence before an election, they then tried to hand off the president’s $8 billion hot potato. Now, less than two weeks before the election, officials acknowledge that Medicare recipients will not be getting their $200 cards this month. “This whole thing looks like a real stretch to me, and is probably going to collapse soon as questions about it escalate,” said James C. Capretta, a resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, and a top budget official during the George W. Bush administration. The drug card promise was presented as a centerpiece of Trump’s health care agenda, what he called “another historic provision to benefit our great seniors.” Such boasts are becoming routine. Since the 2016 campaign, the president has repeatedly promised that a comprehensive overhaul of the health care system was imminent, that some measure was coming to protect people with preexisting medical conditions, regardless of his push to repeal the Affordable Care Act and its protections, and that prescription drug prices were coming down substantially. When Lesley Stahl of the CBS News program “60 Minutes” sat down with the president this week, the White House presented her with a thick book supposedly full of health care successes. But Trump’s policies have largely failed to materialize. In this case, the proposal that came out of Trump’s mouth so alarmed administration officials that they have spent the intervening weeks handing the policy back and forth, hoping to avoid affirming

anything before the election that could subject them to congressional and legal scrutiny. The plan was hastily devised in the weeks after the collapse of an agreement between the White House and pharmaceutical industry to lower Medicare drug costs. In negotiations, Mark Meadows, the White House chief of staff, had insisted that drugmakers pay for $100 discount cards that would be mailed to seniors before November, which some in the industry referred to as “Trump cards.” Days later, Meadows approached White House officials who work on health policy, steering his new idea of a government-funded discount card to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which is run by Seema Verma, a close White House ally. Administration lawyers and officials in the White House budget office began to assess the plan, and are still doing so. Many of the officials assigned to enact the policy view it as legally dubious. Generally, major changes in Medicare policy require Congress to pass legislation. And numerous officials balked at the election-eve timing of the plan, fearing liability if they delivered what the White House wanted. Meadows acknowledged that pushback on Wednesday. “I think that was a concern that there might have been a look that this was done for a political motivation,” he said. “That’s not the case.” Under the Hatch Act, government officials are prohibited from using government resources to engage in partisan political activity, and from commanding other government employees to do so. Paul Seamus Ryan, a vice president at the government watchdog group Common Cause, said that if explicit communications surfaced linking the discount cards to the president’s reelection, health officials could face punishment. “It is likely these are people who could face criminal and civil legal liability if they go through with this scheme and it is for a political purpose,” he said. In recent weeks, Bob Charrow, the top lawyer at the Department of Health and Human Services, became concerned by the timing of the move, warning colleagues that the policy could run afoul of election laws, according to senior administration officials with direct knowledge of a memo Charrow circulated. Department lawyers asked administration officials to consult with the Justice Department, where the public integrity division prosecutes election crimes by public officials. Charrow’s concerns were reported earlier by Politico. White House officials have still vowed to push ahead. Meadows told reporters Wednesday morning that plans would be finalized within 48 hours, but that the cards would not be sent until after Election Day. Senior officials familiar with the policy said it was unclear what Meadows was referring to, and were uncertain whether it would in fact be finalized this week. The proposal has already been stalled by multiple levels of review.The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is the primary agency responsible for it, since the drug cards are being justified as a “demonstration project” under Medicare. But officials there believe that the staff of the health and human services secretary, Alex Azar, should have to approve the plan as well, because of a recent memo the secretary wrote emphasizing his authority over new policy from health agencies. Members of Azar’s staff have said such Medicare demonstra-

tion programs do not fall under the purview of that memo and do not require the secretary’s approval, according to a senior administration official. “Secretary Azar has always been supportive of ideas to lower American seniors’ out-of-pocket drug costs — including the president’s copay card proposal and the plan to deliver discounts directly to seniors at the pharmacy counter,” Caitlin B. Oakley, a Department of Health and Human Services spokeswoman, said in a statement. The project must also be cleared by officials at the White House Office of Management and Budget, which has traditionally required that such projects do not add to the deficit. The Treasury Department is involved in procuring the cards, according to officials familiar with the plan. Health officials are trying to set up the program as a kind of experiment allowed in Medicare to test policy ideas that would improve health care and save the program money. The drug cards, which would be funded through a Medicare trust fund used to pay doctors, would help Medicare evaluate whether lowering drug copayments could increase seniors’ use of needed drugs and lower their medical spending on doctor’s visits and hospitalizations. Researchers who study the Medicare drug benefit say the proposal has little value. Numerous studies have established that lowering the costs of certain drugs can improve patients’ use of medicines and reduce health spending. But the design of the proposed program, with a relatively small discount, no randomized control group and no targeting of the discounts toward particular populations or categories of drugs, is unlikely to teach Medicare much or save the program any money. The timing of the program, during a pandemic that has altered the normal patterns of medical use, could also confound any results. (BEDemocrats in Congress began requesting an investigation even before the program’s details were announced. Reps. Frank Pallone Jr. of New Jersey and Richard E. Neal of Massachusetts and Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon, the top Democrats on the committees that oversee Medicare, called on the Government Accountability Office to scrutinize the plan, and have asked Azar for copies of Charrow’s memo and a draft of letters that could be used to announce the program. Some Republicans are also concerned, including Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, the Finance Committee chairman, who has spent years attempting to pass legislation lowering prescription drug costs. Priscilla VanderVeer, vice president of public affairs for the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, the main trade group for the industry, said, “One-time savings cards will neither provide lasting help, nor advance the fundamental reforms necessary to help seniors better afford their medicines.”

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The San Juan Daily Star

October 23-25, 2020

The San Juan Daily Star

October 23-25, 2020

Rudy Giuliani denies he did anything wrong in new ‘Borat’ movie By GLENN THRUSH and NEIL VIGDOR

resident Donald Trump’s personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, has become caught up in Sacha Baron Cohen’s new “Borat” satire, shown in an edited scene following an actress impersonating a reporter into a bedroom and at one point reclining on the bed and putting his hands in his pants in what he later said was an attempt to adjust his clothing.

Rudy Giuliani, President Donald Trump’s personal lawyer, and White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany listen as Trump speaks during a news briefing in the White House in Washington, Sept. 27, 2020.

The excerpt from Cohen’s new “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm,” which will be released Friday, was posted on social media early Wednesday after The Guardian reported that the movie contained “a compromising scene” featuring Giuliani, the former New York City mayor. Late Wednesday, Giuliani called into WABC radio in New York to say that he had been tucking in his shirt after removing microphone wires. He chalked the scene’s early release up to a scheme to discredit his recent attempts to push corruption accusations against Joe Biden’s son Hunter Biden. “The Borat video is a complete fabrication,” Giuliani, 76, tweeted after he got off the air. “At no time before, during, or after the interview was I ever inappropriate. If Sacha Baron Cohen implies otherwise he is a stone-cold liar.” “I called the police,” he said in a brief text exchange Wednesday. “He and all his crew ran away, leaving their equipment behind.” A clip that surfaced on social media, heavily edited to fit the actor’s signature mockumentary format, begins with Giuliani seated on a couch, answering questions. Soon after, the actress, who speaks with a heavy Eastern Euro-

pean accent, asks the former mayor if they can continue their discussion in the bedroom. Giuliani agrees and is then shown sitting on a bed, as she appears to take his microphone off and he appears to pat her. The segment then cuts to the image of Giuliani, reclining on the bed, placing his hands down the front of his pants. “I had to take off the electronic equipment,” Giuliani told the hosts of the “Curtis & Juliet Show.” “And when the electronic equipment came off, some of it was in the back and my shirt came a little out, although my clothes were entirely on. I leaned back, and I tucked my shirt in, and at that point, at that point, they have this picture they take which looks doctored, but in any event, I’m tucking my shirt in. I assure you that’s all I was doing.” The scene ends with Cohen, dressed in an outlandish pink costume, bursting into the room and shouting that the woman, played by actor Maria Bakalova, was 15 years old (she is 24, according to IMDb). Giuliani said Cohen was frightened by his call to the police, bolted away and left him talking with the filmmaker’s lawyer.

The former mayor is not the first Republican politician to be ensnared in one of Cohen’s cringe-inducing pranks. In 2018, Cohen tricked former GOP Senate candidate Roy Moore of Alabama into giving him an interview for the Showtime satire show “Who is America?” Later in 2018, a Republican lawmaker in Georgia resigned after he was fooled into repeatedly yelling a racial epithet on Cohen’s Showtime series. Sarah Palin, the former Alaska governor and 2008 Republican vice-presidential nominee, accused Cohen of pretending to be a disabled veteran to land an interview with her, which she said was part of his repeated attempts to humiliate and “devalue” middle-class Americans. “He’s got a lot of people — Newt Gingrich,” added Giuliani, who insisted he had not been taken in by Cohen. “He got Donald Trump before he was president.” Cohen’s new movie, “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm: Delivery of Prodigious Bribe to American Regime for Make Benefit Once Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan,” is scheduled to be released Friday on Amazon Prime.

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The San Juan Daily Star

October 23-25, 2020

The San Juan Daily Star

October 23-25, 2020

Europe challenges U.S. treasuries with pandemic bond sale

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here’s a new gorilla in the bond market. The European Union issued debt in a big way for the first time this week to finance pandemic relief programs, generating exceptionally strong demand from investors eager for an alternative to the U.S. Treasuries that dominate the government bond market. The bloc has borrowed from the bond markets before, for example to help Greece recover from a financial crisis, but never on the scale it did Tuesday. The European Commission sold 17 billion euros ($20 billion) in 10-year and 20-year bonds, the first of a series of issues that will raise a total of 900 billion euros during the next five years. Previously, national governments were responsible for almost all of their own financing. Countries like Germany and the Netherlands opposed issuing common debt because their leaders did not want to be responsible for paying back money spent in countries with low credit ratings, like Italy or Portugal. But the economic devastation caused by the pandemic changed their views. “The commission will borrow for the first time on financial markets on a large scale,” Johannes Hahn, the European commissioner in charge of budget and administration, told reporters at a news conference in Brussels on Wednesday to announce the results of the sale. “We have done it before, but we are entering a new level.” Treasuries have long set the standard for low-risk government debt. U.S. government bonds are the most widely held debt in the world, with a market value of $27 trillion. By comparison, the European Union remains a relatively small player. The demand for the EU bonds, even though they carried interest rates close to zero, comes when the bond market is flooded with Treasuries and investors are anxious for alternatives. Investors placed orders for 13 times as much debt as the EU issued, the European Commission said. Bond buyers are uneasy about soaring government spending by the U.S. government, a widening trade deficit and falling interest rates, George Saravelos, a bond strategist at Deutsche Bank, said in a research report. The sale is “a vote of confidence on the euro as a reserve asset, particularly at a time when the dollar’s dominant role is being questioned,” Saravelos said.

Central banks were among the biggest buyers in the bond sale, which was managed by Barclays, BNP Paribas, Deutsche Bank, Nomura and UniCredit. That probably reflects the central banks’ need to stock up on euro assets so they can meet demand on currency markets for the euro, which has gained value against the dollar in recent months. The money raised from the issue is earmarked for pandemic relief programs such as subsidized furloughs for workers in industries hard hit by the crisis. The need for aid is growing daily as a second wave of infections overtakes much of the continent. “It’s absolutely high time in view of higher infection rates,” said Hahn, the European commissioner. The funds will “allow us to address the urgent needs of our citizens to help them overcome this crisis,” he said. But the funds will take a while to reach European citizens because of a political impasse in Brussels. The European Parliament is demanding that money be withheld from Hungary and Poland because of their increasingly authoritarian governments and violations of EU rules. Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, and other European leaders are against withholding the money. The bond sale is supposed to be temporary. All of the money must be spent by 2026, according to the agreement among European leaders. Many European countries remain wary of giving the European Commission broad power to raise and spend money, usurping the authority of national governments and effectively shifting wealth from richer countries to poorer ones. But many political leaders see the bond issue as an important step toward deeper European unity and hope that the European Commission will become a permanent player in bond markets. “We will see how things evolve,” Hahn said.

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The San Juan Daily Star

October 23-25, 2020

13 Stocks

Wall Street rises as hopes rise for U.S. fiscal stimulus

.S. stocks dropped on Thursday as an unexpected rise in weekly jobless claims compounded fears of a stalling economic recovery against the backdrop of dimming hopes for more fiscal aid before the election. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits totaled a seasonally adjusted 898,000 for the week ended Oct. 10, compared to 845,000 in the prior week, the Labor Department said on Thursday. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast 825,000 applications in the latest week. A separate report showed manufacturing activity in New York State fell more than expected in October. “Going into the fall it will be difficult for unemployment to make a lot of positive headway because of the lack of stimulus,” said Christopher C. Grisanti, chief equity strategist, MAI Capital Management in Cleveland. A day after Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said a deal on more federal aid was unlikely before the Nov. 3 presidential election, President Donald Trump said there was still a chance. The CBOE volatility index, investors’ fear gauge, hit a one-week high and Wall Street’s indexes fell for the third straight day. The S&P 500 is now nearly 4% below its intraday record high hit on Sept. 2, after rising to within 1% of that level earlier this week. With less than 20 days to Election Day, Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden will hold dueling primetime town halls on Thursday instead of their second presidential debate, which was canceled after Trump declined to take part in a virtual matchup. Focus is also on the quarterly results for corporate America, with expectations for third-quarter earnings improving to an 18.8% drop from a 25.0% tumble forecast on July 1, according to Refinitiv IBES data. Morgan Stanley edged 1.5% higher after it beat thirdquarter profit estimates, winding up mixed results from major U.S. lenders. The earnings reports saw those focused on trading clocking big gains, while retail banks took a hit from the COVID-19 pandemic. Financial stocks added 0.2%, while communication services and technology shares posted the steepest losses among S&P sectors. At 12:35 p.m. ET, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 140.43 points, or 0.49%, at 28,373.57, the S&P 500 was down 27.98 points, or 0.80%, at 3,460.69. The Nasdaq Composite was down 151.04 points, or 1.28%, at 11,617.69. Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc gained 2.7% as the drugstore chain forecast profit to grow in single digits in 2021 after reporting a better-than-expected fourth-quarter profit. The S&P 1500 airlines index shed 2.2% as United Airlines reported a 78% drop in quarterly revenue. Shares of drug developer Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc sank 20.2% after it discontinued its trial of a protein deficiency disorder treatment.

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October 23-25, 2020

The San Juan Daily Star

South Korea tries to quell anxiety over flu shots after 9 mysterious deaths No serious harm had been reported from those lots, although dozens of people who received those doses reported fevers or other minor complaints -- which are common reactions to flu shots, officials said. None of the nine people reported dead received vaccines from those that had been recalled, they added. After suspending the vaccination program for teenagers for three weeks, it resumed Oct. 13. Three days later, a 17-year-old boy in Incheon, just west of Seoul, died after receiving his shot. On Tuesday, a 77-year-old woman was found dead at her home in Gochang, south of Seoul, after being vaccinated a day earlier. On the same day, an 82-year-old man who had also been inoculated died in the central city of Daejeon. Four of the five people who died Wednesday ranged in ages from 53 to 89. Information about the two other people who died, one Tuesday and one Wednesday, has not been released. The nine who died, all of whom had received flu shots in the past, received vaccines supplied by several different local drugmakers, officials said. “Since most people who got flu shots with the same vaccines reported no major problems, we concluded that those vaccines do not contain toxic materials,” said Kim Joong-gon, a professor of medicine at Seoul National University who led a team of investigators. “We concluded that we can exclude the vaccine as a problem.” In general, flu vaccines have a good safety record. In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that the body of scientific evidence over decades “overwhelmingly” Shoppers in Seoul’s Hongdae district on Sunday. Officials worry that concerns over the safety of flu vaccines supports their safety. could undermine efforts to fight coronavirus and develop a vaccine for that pandemic. The anxiety over flu shots could also undermine public trust in an eventual coronavirus vaccine, which is already faltering as countries race to get their candidates approved. In a survey this By CHOE SANG-HUN and SUI-LEE WEE suspending of the inoculation program.” Jung convened a special news conference Wednesday af- month of 2,500 people in Gyeonggi-do, a populous province surouth Korean authorities are investigating the mysterious deaths ter the series of deaths, starting with a teenager who died Friday, rounding the South Korean capital of Seoul, 62% of respondents of nine people after they had been vaccinated against sea- grabbed headlines in South Korea. But with autopsies likely to take said they would not get vaccinated against the coronavirus until sonal influenza. And although officials said there was no link days, public anxiety is running high in a country where anti-vaccine after the vaccine was proved to be completely safe. Many scientists have expressed concern about the speed between the deaths and the vaccinations, there was worry that the sentiment has flared before. South Korea, and many other countries, have seen annual with which coronavirus vaccines are being developed. But getting cases could cause panic at a critical time for vaccination efforts. The deaths happened over the past week, including five re- flu inoculation programs as critical to efforts to also deal with the a vaccine approved is only one hurdle. Managing public perception ported Wednesday. Officials said two of the deaths might have re- coronavirus, especially for children, the elderly, pregnant women is another, especially if there are concerns about the vaccine being sulted from anaphylactic shock, a serious allergic reaction, but gave and medical personnel. Officials unveiled plans to procure 20% mishandled during transportation and storage. Most vaccines have to be kept at low temperatures from the more flu vaccines for this winter than last year to inoculate up to 30 no further details. time they are manufactured to the time they are administered to The deaths are under investigation, but officials were quick to million people, more than half the country’s population. But the campaign made headlines last month when it was prevent them from spoiling — what the industry calls a “cold chain.” rule out the vaccines themselves — which they said were all from local drugmakers and not from lots for export — as the main cause. discovered that some vaccines supplied by a local company, which The flu vaccine, for example, needs to stay refrigerated at between Given the scope of South Korea’s flu vaccination program, and the needed to be refrigerated at all times, had been exposed to room 2 and 8 degrees Celsius (35.6 and 46.4 degrees Fahrenheit). That could complicate the distribution of a coronavirus small number of other problems reported so far, some experts said temperature while being transported.A recall was ordered, and ofvaccine. A number of the leading candidates under development that coincidence is more likely to be involved. ficials said about 2,300 people had received doses from the faulty would need to be kept at temperatures as low as minus 80 degrees Instead, officials vowed to step up a government flu-vacci- batch, which was meant mainly for young children and teenagers. Celsius (minus 112 degrees F). Still, officials said that alone should not have rendered the nation campaign to prevent the country’s health care system from In the United States, transportation and warehouse compabeing overloaded with flu patients amid the coronavirus pandemic vaccines dangerous. According to the Centers for Disease Control — both viruses have similar symptoms of early infection, like fever and Prevention, the concern about lack of temperature control is nies are scrambling to build “freezer farms.” Airlines are fitting their planes with freezers, and glass vial makers are inventing methods to that it can render the vaccines ineffective, rather than toxic. and cough. Then, earlier this month, 615,000 doses of a flu vaccine make vials that do not crack from very cold temperatures. Courier “We have not found a direct connection between these deaths and vaccines, or a relationship between the deaths shipped by another company were also recalled after some of services like UPS and FedEx are making dry ice. But cold facilities are lacking in other parts of the world, inand adverse effects reported after flu shots,” said Jung Eun- them were found to contain white particles, which the government cluding Central America, rural India and Southeast Asia, which exkyeong, commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Pre- described as being a harmless protein. Almost 18,000 people had perts say could hinder mass immunization. vention Agency. “We don’t think that the situation calls for the received doses before they were recalled.

The San Juan Daily Star

October 23-25, 2020

Europe wonders if it can rely on U.S. again, whoever wins By STEVEN ERLANGER

reated with contempt by President Donald Trump, who considers them rivals and deadbeats instead of allies, many European leaders look forward to the possibility of a Biden presidency. But they are painfully aware that four years of Trump have changed the world — and the United States — in ways that will not be easily reversed. Even if civility can be restored, a fundamental trust has been broken, and many European diplomats and experts believe that U.S. foreign policy is no longer bipartisan, so is no longer reliable. “The shining city on the hill is not as shining as it used to be,” Reinhard Bütikofer, a prominent German member of the European Parliament, put it bluntly. For the first time, said Ivan Krastev, director of the Center for Liberal Strategies, “Europeans are afraid that there is no longer a foreign-policy consensus in the United States. Every new administration can mean a totally new policy, and for them this is a nightmare.” The ideological divide will be on display Thursday, when Trump and Joe Biden are scheduled to hold their final presidential debate. There will be what most consider low-hanging fruit for a Biden administration that will please Europeans. The crop includes an extension to New START, the nuclear arms control treaty with Russia, and returns to the Paris climate accord, the World Health Organization and even the Iran nuclear accord. There will be feel-good meetings and statements about multilateralism, less confrontation about trade, renewed efforts to reform the World Trade Organization and a less combative atmosphere at summits of the Group of 7 and NATO. But Trump’s complaints are shared by many Americans, and given the polarization in America, President Emmanuel Macron of France has pushed Europe to step up in an altered world, where China is rising and the Trump administration is only a symptom of a U.S. retreat from global leadership, not the cause. The idea of European “strategic autonomy” — of a Europe less dependent on Washington and with its own strong voice in the world — has been gaining ground, even if it is more aspiration than reality. Some, like Nathalie Tocci, director of Italy’s Institute of International Affairs, and François Heisbourg, a French security

The stage where the final presidential debate is scheduled to take place at Belmont University on Wednesday in Nashville, Tenn. Many European diplomats and experts believe that U.S. foreign policy is no longer bipartisan, so is no longer reliable. analyst, fear that a Biden presidency could short-circuit European autonomy and let Europeans continue, as Tocci said, “sticking our heads in the sand.” A Trump reelection, of course, might accelerate the trend toward autonomy, even if few believe that Trump would be able to pull out of NATO, as one of his former national security advisers, John Bolton, suggested he might. U.S. foreign policy was traditionally bipartisan — the old phrase that “politics stops at the water’s edge” had merit, especially during the Cold War. But the collapse of the Soviet Union meant that foreign policy, too, was subject to deepening political polarization in the United States. “There is an incredible decay in Europe of the sense of the United States as a leader,” accelerated and symbolized by mishandling of the coronavirus, said Jeremy Shapiro of the European Council on Foreign Relations. “Biden doesn’t solve their America problem,” he said. “He’s not going to be president forever, and Democrats won’t always be in power, and people have learned that the U.S. can’t be trusted on foreign policy, because the next administration will come in and wipe it away.”

The inconsistency of U.S. foreign policy has undermined U.S. credibility, some warned. There is “an American decline in geopolitical weight,” said Francis Fukuyama of Stanford University. “The single fact that shapes the U.S. role in global politics is polarization, and this polarization will not disappear if Joe Biden is elected,” he said. “Americans simply don’t agree with one another on basic premises, even on how much America should be involved in global affairs and NATO.” William J. Burns, a former senior U.S. diplomat who now runs the Carnegie Endowment in Washington, thinks the damage is lasting, no matter who wins the election. “One of the more insidious effects of polarization is to make foreign policy a tool of partisan politics,” he said. “It’s done enduring damage to America’s reputation in the world for being able to keep its word.” While Europeans would see a Biden presidency “as a return to civilization,” as Heisbourg called it, a new partnership would come with demands for new obligations and commitments, especially on China. After Trump, however, there would also be a new wariness and unwillingness to take big risks on the part of America’s allies, said Mark Leonard, director of the European Council on Foreign Relations. “If you know that whatever you’re doing will at most last until the next election, you look at everything in a more contingent way,” he said. For Burns of the Carnegie Endowment, U.S. global hegemony is over. He sees little U.S. appetite “for grand foreign-policy crusades” and says: “We cannot return to 1949 or 1992 — or even 2016. The world has changed, and the trans-Atlantic relationship must change with it.” A Biden administration would first concentrate on domestic renewal in a country clobbered by the coronavirus, he said. It would seek a more collaborative partnership with Europe, supporting “a European security identity that doesn’t come at the expense of NATO.” The Europeans have “their own skepticism, given the drift they’ve seen in a more inward-looking America,” Burns said. But workable coalitions are possible on China, 5G, Russia, Africa and climate change. But Europeans must commit, too, Burns said. “Both sides must step up to invest in a new relationship, which they haven’t always done in the past.”

October 23-25, 2020

Grenell pursued talks over change of power in Venezuela

Richard Grenell’s trip surprised senior administration officials, including the secretary of state. By KENNETH P. VOGEL and LARA JAKES

ichard Grenell, a close Trump ally who has served numerous roles in the administration, quietly embarked on a preelection mission last month that was at least partly intended to persuade President Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela to give up power. Grenell, a vocal and combative supporter of President Donald Trump’s reelection campaign, met near Mexico City on Sept. 17 with Jorge Rodríguez, a former Venezuelan vice president and close ally of Maduro, to facilitate a peaceful transition of power, a White House official said. Had Maduro agreed to stand down, it could have been a major foreign policy victory for Trump in the weeks before the election. But there is no evidence that Grenell’s trip had any effect, and it was not clear why Maduro, a socialist strongman who has maintained power despite international opposition, would suddenly consider stepping down. The trip, which was reported by Bloomberg News on Wednesday night, caught the State Department and even some White House officials off guard and created confu-

sion about its purpose. A person involved in the planning of the trip said that it was intended at least partly to negotiate for the release of U.S. detainees in Venezuela, but the White House official and Grenell denied that. Under current U.S. policy, officials can negotiate only with Maduro or his loyalists to discuss the terms of his departure. Trump demanded last year that Maduro resign, and the United States has formally recognized Juan Guaidó, the former leader of Parliament, who heads the country’s popular opposition movement, as Venezuela’s president. Trump’s stance, which was at the fore of the international community’s condemnation of Maduro, won him plaudits among U.S. hard-liners, including among Latino voters in Florida, a pivotal swing state. But people close to Trump questioned his commitment to leadership change; his former national security adviser, John Bolton, wrote in a book published this year that Trump was impressed by the resilience of Maduro, who has retained the support of his country’s military. In the closing months of the presidential campaign, Trump has sought to showcase his work on the international stage, including freeing U.S. hostages in Yemen, sealing a landmark peace accord between Israel and the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, and promising to withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq and Afghanistan. He has also been seeking a new nuclear arms deal with Russia. Grenell, who had served as Trump’s ambassador to Germany and the acting director of national intelligence, was involved in another recent effort to broker a major international deal. He was named special envoy for peace talks between Serbia and Kosovo late last year, even though the State Department already had a special envoy to the region. His brash style and partisan background ruffled feathers among some of those he worked with in the roles. Grenell’s trip to Mexico City surprised senior administration officials, including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. At the State Department, officials scrambled to learn the details of the trip after being asked about it by reporters,

with some worrying that it could confuse Guaidó about the U.S. diplomacy and fuel concerns that the Trump administration was not forthcoming about its strategy. It also revealed a divide between the White House and the State Department, where officials have long denied that the Trump administration was growing frustrated with Guaidó and the stalemate in Venezuela as Washington issued blistering economic sanctions against Maduro’s government and its loyalists. The White House did not immediately respond to questions about who specifically authorized the trip. Maduro has defied demands to leave since a popular revolt in Venezuela in January 2019 against his selfdeclared victory in widely disputed presidential elections in 2018. Since then, however, Venezuela’s economy has crumbled under widespread isolation, forcing Maduro to rely on illicit trade and other assistance from Cuba, Iran, Russia, Turkey and other states that have faced financial punishment or condemnation from the United States as a result. His government has detained six executives of Citgo — five naturalized U.S. citizens and a permanent legal U.S. resident — since consolidating power in 2017. The Houston-based refining company is a subsidiary of Venezuela’s state-run oil company. While securing their release could bolster Trump’s credentials among voters as a deal-maker who brought American hostages and other detainees safely home, it could provoke the ire of hard-liners who do not want to negotiate with Maduro’s government. Grenell declined to comment other than to deny that the trip was related to hostage negotiations. The White House official also rejected the idea that Grenell’s trip was intended to negotiate for the release of detainees, instead portraying it as an effort to facilitate Maduro’s resignation. “We are very much committed to seeing Maduro leave power and have Juan Guaidó in office,” the official said.

The San Juan Daily Star

October 23-25, 2020

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The San Juan Daily Star

NEW YORK TIMES EDITORIAL

How to break the hold of conspiracy theories By FARHAD MANJOO

ately, I have been putting an embarrassing amount of thought into notions like jinxes and knocking on wood. The polls for Joe Biden look good, but in 2020, any hint of optimism feels dangerously naïve, and my brain has been working overtime in search of potential doom. I have become consumed with an alarming possibility: that neither the polls nor the actual outcome of the election really matter, because to a great many Americans, digital communication has already rendered empirical, observable reality beside the point. If I sound jumpy, it’s because I spent a couple of hours recently chatting with Joan Donovan, the research director of the Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy at Harvard’s Kennedy School. Donovan is a pioneering scholar of misinformation and media manipulation — the way that activists, extremists and propagandists surf currents in our fragmented, poorly moderated media ecosystem to gain attention and influence society. Donovan’s research team studies online lies the way crashscene investigators study aviation disasters. They meticulously take apart specific hoaxes, conspiracy theories, viral political memes, harassment campaigns and other toxic online campaigns in search of the tactics that made each one explode into the public conversation. This week, Donovan’s team published “The Media Manipulation Casebook,” a searchable online database of their research. It makes for grim reading — an accounting of the many failures of

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emails in 2016. But our society remains profoundly susceptible to mendacity. Donovan worries about two factors in particular. One is the social isolation caused by the pandemic. Lots of Americans are stuck at home, many economically bereft and cut off from friends and relatives who might temper their passions — a perfect audience for peddlers of conspiracy theories. Her other major worry is the conspiracy lollapalooza known as QAnon. It’s often short-handed the way Savannah Guthrie did at her town hall takedown of Donald Trump last week — as a nutty conspiracy theory in which a heroic Trump is prosecuting a secret war against a satanic pedophile ring of lefty elites. But that undersells QAnon’s danger. To people who have been “Q-pilled,” QAnon plays a much deeper role in their lives; it A QAnon hat seen in the crowd at President Donald Trump’s has elements of a support group, a political party, a lifestyle brand, fly-in campaign rally in Mosinee, Wis., Sept. 17, 2020. a collective delusion, a religion, a cult, a huge multiplayer game and an extremist network. Donovan thinks of QAnon represents a new, flexible injournalists, media companies, tech companies, policymakers, law enforcement officials and the national security establishment to an- frastructure for conspiracy. QAnon has origins in a tinfoil-hat story ticipate and counteract the liars who seek to dupe us. Armed with about a D.C.-area pizza shop, but over the years it has adapted to include theories about the “deep state” and the Mueller prothese investigations, Donovan hopes we can all do better. I hope she’s right. But studying her work also got me won- be, Jeffrey Epstein, and a wild variety of misinformation about face dering whether we’re too late. Many Americans have become so masks, miracle cures, and other hoaxes regarding the coronavirus. deeply distrustful of one another that whatever happens on Nov. QAnon has been linked to many instances of violence, and law 3, they may refuse to accept the outcome. Every day I grow more enforcement and terrorism researchers discuss it as a growing sefearful that the number of those Americans will be large enough curity threat. “We now have a densely networked conspiracy theory that to imperil our nation’s capacity to function as a cohesive society. “I’m worried about political violence,” Donovan told me. is extendible, adaptable, flexible and resilient to take down,” DoAmerica is heavily armed, and from Portland to Kenosha to the novan said of QAnon. It’s a very internet story, analogous to the Michigan governor’s mansion, we have seen young men radicali- way Amazon expanded from an online bookstore into a generalzed and organized online beginning to take the law into their own purpose system for selling anything to anyone. Facebook and YouTube this month launched new efforts to hands. Donovan told me she fears that “people who are armed are going to become dangerous, because they see no other way out.” take down QAnon content, but Q adherents have often managed Media manipulation is a fairly novel area of research. It was to evade deplatforming by softening and readjusting their messages. only when Donald Trump won the White House by hitting it big Recently, for instance, QAnon has adopted slogans like “Save the with right-wing online subcultures — and after internet-mobilized Children” and “Child Lives Matter,” and it seems to be appealing to authoritarians around the world pulled similar tricks — that serious anti-vaxxers and wellness moms. QAnon is also participatory, and, in an uncertain time, it may scholars began to take notice. The research has made a difference. In the 2016 election, seem like a salvation. People “are seeking answers and they’re fintech companies and the mainstream media were often blind to the ding a very receptive community in QAnon,” Donovan said. This is a common theme in disinformation research: What ways that right-wing groups, including white supremacists, were using bots, memes and other tricks of social media to “hack” the makes digital lies so difficult to combat is not just the technology public’s attention, as the researchers Alice Marwick and Rebecca used to spread them, but also the nature of the societies they’re targeting, including their political cultures. Donovan compares Lewis documented in 2017. But the war since has been one of attrition. Propagandists QAnon to the Rev. Charles Coughlin, the priest whose radio show keep discovering new ways to spread misinformation; researchers spread anti-Semitism in the Depression-era United States. Stopping like Donovan and her colleagues keep sussing them out, and, usua- Coughlin’s hate took a concerted effort, involving new regulally quite late, media and tech companies move to fix the flaws — tions for radio broadcasters and condemnation of Coughlin by the by which time the bad guys have moved on to some other way of Catholic Church. Stopping QAnon will be harder; Coughlin was one hatespreading untruths. While the media ecosystem has wised up in some ways: monger with a big microphone, while QAnon is a complex, deNote how the story supposedly revealing the contents of Hunter centralized, deceptive network of hate. But the principle remains: Biden’s laptop landed with a splat last week, quite different from Combating the deception that has overrun public discourse should the breathlessly irresponsible reporting on the Democrats’ hacked be a primary goal of our society. Otherwise, America ends in lies.

The San Juan Daily Star

October 23-25, 2020

Charlie Delgado no ha convencido a Carmen Yulín Cruz para darle su voto Por THE STAR

unque la alcaldesa de San Juan, Carmen Yulín Cruz Soto dijo este jueves que votará a favor del Programa de Gobierno del Partido Popular Democrático (PPD), expresó que el candidato a la gobernación por la Pava, Carlos “Charlie” Delgado Altieri no la ha convencido para votar por su candidatura. Expresó que Delgado Altieri tendría una oportunidad en el Debate Decisivo de Telemundo (WKAQ-DTV 2) para ser contundente en sus expresiones. “Yo creo que aquí hay una masa de electores populares que van a votar por el compañero Charlie Delgado. Y Charlie Delgado tiene hoy la responsabilidad histórica de darle, no al Partido Popular, de darle una victoria a Puerto Rico utilizando un instrumento que es el Partido Popular. Y para eso tiene que ser contundente en sus explicaciones. Si uno lee, como me he leído yo, las 347, creo que son

47 o 74, las páginas del programa de gobierno del Partido Popular que fue aprobado unánimemente el pasado domingo, yo puedo tener algunas diferencias, pero no son sustantivas. Ese programa de gobierno representa para el pueblo de Puerto Rico una alternativa de cambio”, dijo Cruz Soto en conferencia de prensa. “Así que no es Charlie Delgado, es el Partido Popular Democrático y quién representa una alternativa para detener al Partido Nuevo Progresista. Te tengo que decir que para muchos electores Juan Dalmau también representa esa alternativa de cambio. Así que, como popular, el trabajo de Charlie Delgado hoy es convencer a esos que no son populares. Y ceñirse a ese programa de gobierno. Si se ciñe a ese programa de gobierno, yo voy a votar popular”, añadió. Las expresiones de Cruz Soto se dieron en una conferencia de prensa donde anunció el inicio de servicios de Head Start y Early Head Start.

Tribunales adoptan medidas especiales para atender casos electorales durante las elecciones generales Por THE STAR

os centros judiciales de las 13 regiones judiciales de Puerto Rico, así como las secretarías del Tribunal de Apelaciones y del Tribunal Supremo, permanecerán abiertas para atender casos y asuntos electorales el martes, 3 de noviembre de 2020, en horario de 9:00 de la mañana a 5:00 de la tarde, con motivo de la celebración de las elecciones generales. Así lo dispuso este jueves mediante Orden administrativa la jueza presidenta del Tribunal Supremo, Maite Oronoz Rodríguez, y lo dio a conocer el director administrativo de los Tribunales, Sigfrido Steidel Figueroa. Para ello se designaron los jueces y las juezas del Tribunal de Primera Instancia que atenderán los casos y controversias que involucren asuntos electorales. “Estos jueces y juezas fueron seleccionados mediante el método de selección aleatoria establecido por el Tribunal Supremo mediante reglamento”, indicó Steidel Figueroa en comunicación escrita. También se designaron dos paneles especiales de turno en el Tribunal de Apelaciones para atender casos electorales. En lo concerniente a la revisión judicial de las decisiones de la CEE, se dispuso que durante

los fines de semana del 24 y 25 de octubre y del 31 de octubre y 1 de noviembre de 2020, se podrán recibir asuntos electorales de naturaleza civil en todos los Centros Judiciales, en el Tribunal de Apelaciones y en el Tribunal Supremo en horario de 9:00 de la mañana a 5:00 de la tarde. Steidel Figueroa explicó que los casos electorales de naturaleza civil se podrán presentar a través del Sistema Unificado de Manejo y Administración de Casos (SUMAC). También

se podrán presentar por medio del SUMAC las denuncias en casos electorales de naturaleza criminal. Las personas que comparecen por derecho propio podrán presentar sus escritos físicamente en los centros judiciales o mediante los correos electrónicos disponibles para ello en cada región judicial. Copia de la Orden Administrativa OAJP2020-068 está disponible en www.ramajudicial.pr.

October 23-25, 2020

The San Juan Daily Star

Whole Lotta Celebratin’ Goin’ On ‘85 Years of The Killer,’ Jerry Lee Lewis, adds Ringo Starr, Keith Richards, John Fogerty, Andy Grammer, Kris Kristofferson, Peyton Manning and more By ELSA VELÁZQUEZ SANTIAGO Special to The STAR

lift themselves out of poverty. The current list of celebrities lined up to celebrate “The Killer” include (new announcements in bold): Andy Grammer, President Bill Clinton, Billy F Gibbons, Bonnie Raitt, Brenda Lee, Chris Isaak, Chris Janson, Drew Carey, Elton John, Freda Payne, Gavin DeGraw, Jacob Tolliver, James Burton, Jerry Kennedy, Jerry Phillips, Jimmy

“T

he Last Man Standing,” Jerry Lee Lewis keeps rockin’ and along with some of the biggest names in music, sports, movies, television and politics, he is going to throw a huge birthday bash. We are all invited! Lewis’ 85th birthday has to be celebrated in the biggest possible way, without a doubt, even if it will be broadcast via livestream. And what a better way than throwing the biggest livestream concert/party with an outstanding lineup. The living legend Jerry Lee Lewis is ready for a whole lotta celebrating. Announced last week, a star-studded event will be held to celebrate Lewis’ birthday. It will be hosted by actor John Stamos and will feature Ringo Starr, Keith Richards, John Fogerty, Andy Grammer, Kris Kristofferson, Peyton Manning and more for performances and well wishes for the “The Killer,” one of the founding fathers of rock ‘n’ roll. There will be special appearances from Jerry Lee Lewis himself and it gets better: he will interact with fans via the live chat. “Whole Lotta Celebratin’ Goin’ On: 85 Years of The Killer” will air on Tuesday, Oct. 27 at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT via Jerry Lee Lewis’ official Facebook and YouTube channels and JerryLeeLewis. com. The event will benefit World Vision, a Christian organization working to help communities

Swaggart, Joe Walsh, John Fogerty, Keith Richards, Kris Kristofferson, Lee Ann Womack, Linda Gail Lewis, Lindsay Ell, Marty Stuart, Mickey Gilley, The Beach Boys’ Mike Love, Nancy Wilson, Peyton Manning, Priscilla Presley, Randy Houser, Ringo Starr, Tanya Tucker, Tom Jones, Willie Nelson and Wink Martindale along with appearances from Jerry Lee Lewis’ road band, Kenny Lovelace, Ray Gann and Kenny Aronoff. “Whole Lotta Celebratin’ Goin’ On: 85 Years of The Killer” is being produced and directed by Zach Farnum / 117 Entertainment in association with Jeff Franklin and Tisha Fein.

The living legend Jerry Lee Lewis Jerry Lee Lewis is one of the all-time best singersongwriters, musicians and pianists. He was born in 1935 to Mamie and Elmo Lewis of Ferriday, La. In November of 1956 Jerry Lee made his way to Memphis, Tennessee where he would join Sun Records and launch hit records with “Crazy Arms,” “Whole Lotta Shakin,’” and “Great Balls of Fire.” Lewis, along with his friends Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley and Carl Perkins, would become known as the Million Dollar Quartet and there is not any part of music that their influences haven’t touched. Myths also surround Lewis. The legend is also linked to a famous performance in which he literally set his piano on fire, burning as he performed his signature theme, “Great Balls of Fire.” Lewis’ discography leaves everyone like the title of one of his biggest hits: “Breathless.” The list includes 59 studio albums, almost 100 singles and nine live albums. His legendary performances will always, always, remind us how big Jerry Lee is in rock ‘n’ roll and country music, and in general. As a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s very first class of inductees, “The Killer” holds numerous awards including a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Award and countless other honors. Lewis is truly rock n’ roll’s first great wildman, and shows no signs of stopping, touring around the globe and recording new music still today. There’s only one Jerry Lee Lewis. So “shake it, baby, shake it” and tune in on Oct. 27.

The San Juan Daily Star

October 23-25, 2020

Jacob Lawrence painting, missing for decades, is found by Met visitor By HILARIE M. SHEETS

he Metropolitan Museum’s celebrated exhibition “Jacob Lawrence: The American Struggle” has drawn many visitors, but recently one of them had a revelation: She suspected that one of five panels missing from the artist’s original series of 30 reexamining the nation’s early history had been hanging in her neighbors’ Upper West Side apartment for decades. She returned home and encouraged them to contact the museum. The neighbors had purchased the small painting by the renowned Black artist for a very modest sum at a friend’s Christmas charity art auction in 1960, to benefit a music school. They are an elderly couple and asked the Met and The New York Times that they not be identified to protect their privacy. They are not art collectors; they had only become aware that their painting of confrontation between soldiers and farmers in Revolutionary War times might possibly be part of a larger series when they read stories about the Lawrence exhibition premiering earlier this year at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts, and the curators’ efforts to locate the lost works. Last week, the couple finally contacted an art adviser to help them navigate the Met, one of the country’s largest museums. On Wednesday, their painting — Lawrence’s Panel 16 from his series “Struggle: From the History of the American People” — was hung at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, reunited with the rest of the known works for the remaining two weeks of the exhibition, through Nov. 1. On view starting Thursday, it will travel on loan to venues in Birmingham, Alabama, Seattle and Washington, D.C., through next fall. “The painting has been hanging in my living room for 60 years untouched,” one of the painting’s owners said, adding that she bought it with her husband when she was 27. She said the pair had initially put off contacting the Peabody Museum early in the year because they were traveling to Florida. A child of immigrants, the owner said she grew up in the South Bronx and studied Latin and art appreciation — her daughter and granddaughter are both artists. She said she has always loved Lawrence’s work

Technicians install a Jacob Lawrence painting at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020. and is happy to share it. “Last week a friend of mine went to the show and said, ‘There’s a blank spot on the wall and I believe that’s where your painting belongs,’ ” she continued. “I felt I owed it both to the artist and the Met to allow them to show the painting.” The Met’s director, Max Hollein, said in a statement, “It is rare to make a discovery of this significance in modern art, and it is thrilling that a local visitor is responsible.” Randall Griffey, the co-curator of the Met’s presentation (with Sylvia Yount), said in an interview Tuesday that he learned of the panel’s existence just last week, when he was copied on a long email chain. “Given that this body of work was now just across the park from the owners, at the Met, that’s what tipped the balance for them to figure out a way to reach out,” Griffey said. Any curator would be suspicious at the outset of the work’s authenticity, Griffey said, but the images he was sent were immediately compelling. The work was signed and dated 1956, the year Lawrence completed the series. The subject, Shays’ Rebellion, also lined up historically to the missing Panel 16 in the cycle, for which no photograph exists — only the title given it by Lawrence from a letter by George Washington referencing the lead-up to the rebellion in Massachusetts: “There are combustibles in every State, which a spark might set fire to. — Washington, 26 December 1786.”

Drawing out missing works is what the exhibition’s organizing curators — Austen Barron Bailly, formerly at the Peabody and now chief curator of the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas, and Elizabeth Hutton Turner, a professor at the University of Virginia — had hoped would happen as they worked to reconstitute the dispersed series through many years of research. Lawrence, one of the leading artists of the 20th century, painted “Struggle: From the History of the American People” from 1954-56 in the midst of the civil rights movement — presenting a more expansive view of building a democracy that integrated Black people, Native Americans and women in the narrative cycle. In 2000, at the publication of Lawrence’s catalog raisonné, six panels from “Struggle” were still unaccounted for. Then in 2017, in the midst of exhibition research, Panel 19, titled “Tensions on

the High Seas” (1956), resurfaced. It sold at Swann Auction Galleries in 2018 for $413,000 (quadruple its high estimate of $100,000) to Harvey Ross, who now owns half the series and is the largest lender to the Met exhibition. The auction high for a work by Lawrence is just over $6.1 million in 2018, for a 1947 painting, “The Businessmen.” “Any new and important Jacob Lawrence that surfaces would be a candidate for selling in the seven figures,” said Eric Widing, deputy chairman, Americas, at Christie’s New York. Barbara Haskell, a curator at the Whitney Museum of American Art who often shows Lawrence’s work, said the discovery of the missing panel is “really something to be celebrated,” adding that it was “very exciting to begin to pull this whole landmark series together and see it as Lawrence wanted it to be seen.” But the whereabouts of four works remain unknown. Could lightning strike again?

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The San Juan Daily Star

October 23-25, 2020

In trying times, 20 wines under $20 that revive and restore

Twenty bottles under $20 in Newburgh, N.Y. on Oct. 14, 2020. These bottles, from nine different countries, represent the wide range of great values now available. By ERIC ASIMOV

he hours of daylight are shrinking, and the nervous tension grows. These are strange days in which the daily cocktail of pandemic, politics, protest and natural disaster continually challenges the capacity to endure. “When you think that you lost everything, you find out you can always lose a little more,” as Nobel laureate Bob Dylan once put it. I’m not here to tell you that wine will make anything better. But good food, good wine and engaging conversation seem as necessary to getting through 2020 as riveting books, bingeworthy shows and walks among the trees. They relieve, heal and restore, because tomorrow will doubtless raise the ante again. Of all these balms to the spirit, good wine may seem the most difficult to come by. The choices can overwhelm. Prices of old favorites keep rising (thank you, American tariffs on certain European wines). And just maybe, after months spent largely at home, the same old bottles are getting you down just as my own cooking is me. Here’s the good news: Regardless of everything else that’s going on in the world, there has never been a better or easier time for escaping the wine rut. Great wine is being produced around the world, so much so that the moment everybody rushes toward one great wine and prices rise, a new one is ready to step in. Just recently, shopping online in Manhattan retail stores, I found 20 wines, all under $20 a bottle, that surprised, delighted and, yes, fulfilled a restorative role they were not intended for but which I assigned to them. These 20 bottles came from nine different countries, reflecting the rising level of quality just about everywhere. They were not merely sound wines that succeed by not offending. They were interesting, distinctive, even provocative, meaning that all of them will not be to everybody’s taste. In pursuit of good wine, that’s a risk worth taking. The reward is bottles that will turn your head and demand your attention. I’ve made the case over the years that spending a little more for wine, say $15 to $20 rather than $8 to $12, brings an

exponential rise in quality and interest. These bottles again make that case. Here are the wines, in order of price. Dautel Württemberg Weissburgunder Trocken 2017 $15.99 Dautel, in the up-and-coming Württemberg region in southwestern Germany, is best known for its spätburgunders, or pinot noirs. Its rieslings are excellent, too. And so are its weissburgunders, or pinot blancs. Some might call a wine like this “neutral,” and they would not be wrong. You won’t get pronounced fruit or floral aromas or flavors. But what it lacks in extravagance it makes up for with delicious, textured creaminess. (A Terry Theise Estate Selection/Skurnik Wines, New York) Pedro Parra y Familia Secano Interior Itata Vinista País 2018 $15.99 Pedro Parra is a Chilean geologist who consults with wineries around the world, leaving behind him a trail of freshly dug soil pits he uses to examine the geological underpinning of vineyards. He knows good terroir when he sees it, like this vineyard of old-vine país, better known by its English name, mission, planted on granite and quartz. The wine is fresh and alive, with flavors of red fruits and herbs along with a refreshing bitterness. (Skurnik Wines) Fabre Montmayou Mendoza Cabernet Franc Reserva 2019 $16 Methoxypyrazines are the substances in wine that produce the aromas and flavors of bell peppers, which many people dislike. Cabernet franc wines are legendary for them, although they are much rarer today in the era of climate change and improved viticulture. Strangely, though, in cabernet francs from the Mendoza region of Argentina, like this one, I’ve sometimes found the aromas of jalapeños, which I find quite attractive, along with earthy flavors of red fruits. The grapes for this wine come from a high-altitude vineyard in the Luján de Cuyo area. (Petit Pois/Sussex Wine Merchant, Moorestown, New Jersey) Domaine de la Bastide Côtes du Rhône 2018 $16.96 Côtes du Rhône was once a go-to choice at French restaurants, where it offered easygoing refreshment that could bridge many disparate dishes. This bottle is a throwback reminder of how good those wines were and perhaps another sign that South-

ern Rhône producers, who for quite some time have been aiming for power and impact, are returning to making wines of balance and restraint. It’s composed of Grenache, syrah, carignan and mourvèdre, smells like red fruits and flowers, and goes down easy. (Bonhomie Wine Imports, South Orange, New Jersey) Storm Point Swartland chenin blanc 2019 $16.99 Chenin blanc is the leading white grape of South Africa, although it has not always been easy to find good bottles in the United States. The good news is that more have been reaching American shores over the last decade. This moderately priced bottle, from Storm Point in Swartland, is dry and crisp, floral and tangy, just right for seafood or poultry dishes. (Vine Street Imports, Mount Laurel, New Jersey) Château la Grolet Côtes de Bourg 2017 $17.96 Not so long ago it was difficult, if not impossible, to find Bordeaux producers who farmed biodynamically. But more and more are converting to either organic or biodynamic viticulture. Château la Grolet in the Côtes de Bourg, however, is no newcomer. The Hubert family has been farming biodynamically since 2000. This wine — a blend of 70% merlot and 30% cabernet sauvignon — is plummy, spicy, herbal and elegant in the best Bordeaux tradition. (Summit Selections, Staten Island, New York) A Los Viñateros Bravos Itata Pipeño Tinto 2019 1 liter $17.99 Pipeño is the quaffing wine of Chile, made to be consumed young and fresh and, until recently, almost never seen outside the country. This version is made from old-vine cinsault, grown in the Itata region of southern Chile, and it is absolutely delicious, bright and spicy with flavors of earthy red fruit. A Los Viñateros Bravos is a label of Leonardo Erazo, an exceptional Chilean winemaker who has several other projects in Chile, along with making the wine at Altos Las Hormigas in Mendoza. (Ripe Wine Imports, New York) Trediberri Dogliani Bricco Mollea 2019 $17.99 Trediberri is a relatively new producer in the Piedmont region of Italy, although the proprietors, the Oberto family, have been involved in growing grapes and producing wine for generations. Trediberri’s Barolos are excellent, and I especially admire its Dogliani, a fresh, lively wine with a welcome touch of bitter chocolate flavor. Dogliani is considered a prime area for the dolcetto grape. Wines like this demonstrate why that’s true. (Vintus, Pleasantville, New York) Foxglove Paso Robles Zinfandel 2016 $18 I’ve written about an older vintage of this wine, but as I’ve had zinfandel on the mind recently, I wanted to revisit it. I’m so glad I did. This is superb zinfandel and a great value, with plenty of dark, spicy, focused fruit flavors. At 14.3% alcohol, it is far from over the top. This is the sort of zinfandel I remember from the 1980s, forceful yet inviting, assertive yet balanced, and faintly tannic. Another winner from brothers Bob and Jim Varner, who also make wine from the Santa Cruz Mountains under the Varner label. Roca Altxerri Getariako Txakolina Camino 2019 $18.99 This lightly sparkling wine, made entirely of the local hondarrabi zuri grape, comes from Basque Country in Spain. It’s delicate but intense, crisp and bracing. As you drink it, you can almost feel the stiff salt breeze blowing in off the Atlantic. It’s

The San Juan Daily Star just the thing for oysters, clams and other light seafood preparations, or maybe for an aperitif. (Valkyrie Selections, Healdsburg, California) Matthiasson Napa Valley Chardonnay Village 2019 $18.99 Twenty years ago, Steve and Jill Matthiasson were among those spearheading the movement in California to make more restrained, balanced wines. Back then, they were little known and practically had to give bottles away. Today, their wines are revered and predictably more expensive. Yet the Matthiassons make an effort to offer a few easily affordable bottles, like their Tendu wines and now this Village series. The 2019, the first bottling, is rich yet fresh, lively and unpretentious — simply a good, solid glass of Napa chardonnay. Bodegas Hermanos Peciña Rioja Blanco Señorío de P. Peciña 2018 $19 I remember the first time I tried a traditionally made white Rioja, from the producer R. López de Heredia. It was thrilling. I had never had a wine like it before, made with the viura grape and aged in barrels of American oak. Demand for López de Heredia has gone up, as have prices. Nonetheless, few Rioja producers make old-school whites. Hermanos Peciña is one of them. This lovely wine is made of organically grown viura and offers rich, spicy, coconutinflected, earthy apple flavors. It’s a lovely entry-level wine, not aged nearly as long as a López de Heredia. It will be delicious with fish or poultry in creamy sauces. (Polaner Selections, Mount Kisco, New York)

October 23-25, 2020

Bodegas Yuste Aurora Manzanilla NV 500 milliliters $19.99 All seasons are sherry seasons. That goes especially for manzanilla, which by reputation is the lightest, most delicate form of fino sherry. But this example, from Bodegas Yuste, does not fit the stereotype of manzanilla as fragile. It’s amber-colored, scented with sea brine, almonds and chamomile, and richer and more robust than the typical manzanilla. It’s more fino weight, which makes it particularly appropriate for colder weather. It’s wonderful, just right for typical Spanish bar treats like ham or Marcona almonds, and would make an excellent aperitif. (Classical Wines, Seattle) Keller Rheinhessen riesling Trocken 2019 $19.99 Julia and Klaus Peter Keller make sublime rieslings. Their highend bottles are difficult to find, but this entry-level bottle offers a fine introduction to the precision and minerality that characterize their wines. It’s floral, complex, surprisingly rich for a wine of 11% alcohol, bone dry and a great value. (Petit Pois/Sussex Wine Merchant) Aslina by Ntsiki Biyela South Africa cabernet sauvignon 2017 $19.99 Ntsiki Biyela is South Af-

rica’s first Black female winemaker. She established her own label, Aslina, named for her grandmother, in 2016. The 2017 cabernet sauvignon is superb, full-bodied, fresh, balanced and complex, with lingering flavors that are more herbal than fruity. Take a moment to savor this wine and to toast a pioneer. By the way, Aslina also makes an excellent chardonnay. (Wines for the World, Dover, Delaware) Compañía de Vinos del Atlántico Vara y Pulgar Vino de la Tierra de Cádiz Tintilla 2015 $19.99 I wrote about the 2014 vintage of this wine last year, and I very much wanted to try it again because it was so unusual. It comes from the Cádiz region of Andalusia in southern Spain, which is far better known for its sherries than for red wines. This is made of the tintilla grape, known elsewhere in Spain as graciano, which is often used in Rioja blends but only occasionally bottled as a varietal wine. The fruit flavors in the 2015 are a little darker than in the ’14, the tannins a bit more apparent, but this nonetheless is a fresh and original wine that would go well with lamb or sausages. (Olé & Obrigado, New Rochelle, New York) Casa de Saima Bairrada Baga Bruto 2017 $19.99 The Bairrada region of Portugal has come into its own over the last decade, producing primarily graceful red wines made with the baga grape. It’s also an excellent source for sparkling wines, like this one, made with baga, using the same method as in Champagne. The wine is dry and refreshing, smells like grapefruit and oranges and offers a touch of

WINE

salinity. (Savio Soares Selections, New York) Feudo Montoni Sicilia Nero d’Avola Lagnusa 2017 $19.99 I often find Nero d’Avola a tough grape to love. While I have had some great varietal examples, like Arianna Occhipinti’s, too often the wines just seem heavy and thick. But here is another excellent version from Feudo Montoni, which practices organic viticulture at its vineyards in central Sicily and ferments the grapes in concrete. The result is a spicy, herbal, lightly tannic wine that might be nice with eggplant Parmesan. (Wilson Daniels, Napa, California) Chiara Condello Romagna Sangiovese Predappio 2017 $19.99 I tried the 2016 vintage of this wine earlier this year and wrote about it in July. When the ’17 came out I was eager to try it again, as the ’16 had stayed in my mind as an excellent example of Sangiovese from Emilia-Romagna. The ’17, a hotter, trickier vintage, is paradoxically a little more floral than the ’16, generously fruity and energetic. The tannins are firm, so while this wine is enjoyable now, it should benefit from a couple of years of aging. (Bowler Wine, New York) Xavier Weisskopf Le Rocher des Violettes Vin de France Chenin 2019 $19.99 Here’s another expression of chenin blanc, quite different from the South African bottle. Xavier Weisskopf is based on Montlouis, across the Loire from Vouvray, and makes a variety of wines, often from old vines. This wine, labeled Vin de France, comes from old vines in a section of Montlouis that is scheduled to be reclassified as Touraine next year, so Weisskopf decided to simply call it Vin de France. It’s dry and delicious, with aromas and flavors of lemon, honey and flowers, just right for scallops or other seafood dishes. (Skurnik Wines)

24 se ha radicado una demanda de ejecución de hipoteca en ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO su contra. Se le notifica que DE PUERTO RICO TRIBU- deberán presentar su alegaNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA ción responsiva a través del CENTRO JUDICIAL DE BA- Sistema Unificado de Manejo y YAMON SALA SUPERIOR DE Administración de Casos (SUVEGA BAJA. MAC), al cual puede acceder WILMINGTON SAVINGS utilizando la siguiente dirección electrónica: httus://uni.redrana] FUND SOCIETY, FSB, NOT INDIVIDUALLY BUT ucLLciil.pr, salvo que se repreSOLELY AS TRUSTEE sente por derecho propio, en cuyo caso deberá presentar FOR FINANCE OF su alegación responsiva en la AMERICA STRUCTURED secretaria del Tribunal SupeSECURITIES rior de Puerto Rico, Sala de Vega Baja y enviando copia ACQUISITION TRUST a la parte demandante: Lcda. 2018-HB1 Frances L. Asencio -Guido, Demandante vs. FERNANDO ALBERTO Greenspoon Marder, LLP, Trade Centre South, Suite 700, ALVAREZ PEREZ 100 West Cypress Creek Road, T/C/C FERNANDO Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309, ALVARES PEREZ POR Tel: (954) 343-6273, Fax: (954) 3436982, Correo electrónico: SI Y EN LA CUOTA Frances.Asenciogmlaw.com. USUFRUCTUARIA; Se le apercibe y notifica que SUCESION CARMEN si no contesta la demanda raHILDA VALENTIN VEGA dicada en su contra dentro del T/C/C CARMEN H. término de treinta (30) días de VALENTIN T/C/C CARMEN la publicación de este edicto, se H. VALENTIN VEGA T/C/C le anotará la rebeldía y se dicHILDA VALENTIN VEGA tará sentencia concediendo el COMPUESTA POR ALBA remedio solicitado en la demanda, sin más citárseles, ni oírseALVAREZ VALENTIN, les. Expedido bajo mi firma, MIRTHELINA ALVAREZ y sello del Tribunal, en Vega VALENTIN, JOHN DOE Baja, Puerto Rico, hoy 13 de octubre de 2020. Lcda. Laura I. Y JANE DOE COMO POSIBLES HEREDEROS Santa Sanchez, Sec Regional. Maritza Rosario Rosario, Sec DESCONOCIDOS; Auxiliar del Tribunal I.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMERICA; CENTRO DE RECAUDACION DE INGRESOS MUNICIPALES (CRIM)

Demandados CIVIL NUM. BY2020CV02794. SOBRE: COBRO DE DINERO Y EJECUCION DE HIPOTECA. MPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO. SS.

A: FERNANDO ALBERTO ALVAREZ PEREZ T/C/C FERNANDO ALVARES PEREZ, POR SI Y EN LA CUOTA VIUDAL USUFRUCTUARIA; MIRTHELINA ALVAREZ VALENTIN; JOHN DOE Y JANE DOE COMO POSIBLES HEREDEROS DE LA SUCESION CARMEN HILDA VALENTIN VEGA T/C/C CARMEN H. VALENTIN T/C/C CARMEN H. VALENTIN VEGA T/C/C HILDA VALENTIN VEGA

Quedan emplazados y notificados de que en este Tribunal

LEGAL NOT ICE ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE BAYAMÓN.

CONDADO I, LLC Demandante, v.

JOSÉ MANUEL BERDECIA FIGUEROA; YAHAIRA MELÉNDEZ ESTRELLA

Demandados CML NÚM. BY2020CV02415. SOBRE: COBRO DE DINERO Y EJECUCION DE HIPOTECA. EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO. LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMERICA EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS EE.UU. EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE P.R. s.s.

convenga, en el presente caso. POR LA PRESENTE, se le emplaza para que presente al tribunal su alegación responsiva a la demanda dentro de los TREINTA (30) días de haber sido diligenciando este emplazamiento, excluyéndose el día del diligenciamiento. Usted deberá presentar su alegación responsiva a través del Sistema Unificado de Manejo y Administración de Casos (SUMAC), al cual puede acceder utilizando la siguiente dirección electrónica: https://unired.ramajudicial. pr /sumac/, salvo que represente por derecho propio, en cuyo caso deberá presentar alegación responsiva en la secretaria del tribunal. Si usted deja de presentar su alegación responsiva dentro del referido termino, el tribunal podrá dictar sentencia en rebeldía en su contra y conceder el remedio solicitado en la demanda, o cualquier otro, si el tribunal, en el ejercicio de sana discreción, lo entiende procedente. Se le advierte que si no contesta la demanda radicando en su contra , radicando el original de la misma y enviando copia de su contestación a la parte demandante, Lcda. Ana J. Bobonis Zequeira a su dirección PO Box 9749 San Juan, PR 00908, Tel. (787) 722-3040, Fax (787) 722-3317, dentro del término de treinta (30) días de su publicación de este edicto, se le anotara la rebeldía en su contra y se le dictara sentencia en su contra, conforme se solicita en la Demanda, sin más citarle ni oírle. EXPEDIDO BAJO MI FIRMA Y SELLO DE ESTE TRIBUNAL. En Bayamón, Puerto Rico, hoy día 18 de octubre de 2020. LCDA. LAURA I SANTA SANCHEZ, Secretaría Regional. Sandra I Cruz Vazquez, Sec Servicios a Sala.

LEGAL NOTICE Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico TRIBUNAL GENERAL DE JUSTICIA Tribunal de Primera Instancia Sala Superior de CAROLINA.

CONDADO3 , LLC Demandante v.

JOSE LUIS MOLINA IRIZARRY

Demandado(a) Civil: CA2019CV04468. SALA: 404. Sobre: COBROD E DINEQueda emplazado y notificado ROy EJECUCION DE HIPOTEque en este Tribunal ha radica- CA. NOTIFICACIÓN DE SENdo Demanda sobre Cobro de TENCIA POR EDICTO. Dinero y Ejecución de HipoteA: JOSE LUIS ca en su contra. Se le notifica MOLINA IRIZARRY para que comparezca ante el (Nombre de las partes a las que se Tribunal dentro del término de le notifican la sentencia por edicto) treinta (30) días a partir de la EL SECRETARIO (A) que suspublicación de este edicto y cribe le notifica a usted que exponer lo que a sus derechos el 27 de agosto de 2020 este

A: JOSÉ MANUEL BERDECÍA FIGUEORA

staredictos@thesanjuandailystar.com

Friday, October 23, 2020

Tribunal ha dictado Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución en este caso, que ha sido debidamente registrada y archivada en autos donde podrá usted enterarse detalladamente de los términos de la misma. Esta notificación se publicará una sola vez en un periódico de circulación general en la Isla de Puerto Rico, dentro de los diez (10) días siguientes a su notificación. Y, siendo o representando usted una parte en el procedimiento sujeta a los términos de la Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución, de la cual puede establecerse recurso de revisión o apelación dentro del término de 30 días contados a partir de la publicación por edicto de esta notificación, dirijo a usted esta notificación que se considerará hecha en la fecha de la publicación de este edicto. Copia de esta notificación ha sido archivada en los autos de este caso, con fecha de 16 de octubre de 2020. En CAROLINA, Puerto Rico, el 16 de octubre de 2020. LCDA MARILYN APONTE RODRIGUEZ, Secretario. F/BETHZAIDA MERCADO ALVAREZ, Secretario(a) Auxiliar.

LEGAL NOTICE ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE CAROLINA.

ción electrónica: https://unired. ramaiudicial.pr, salvo que se represente por derecho propio, en cuyo caso deberá presentar su alegación responsiva en Ia secretarIa del tribunal. Este caso trata sobre Incumplimiento de Contrato, Cobro de Dinero y Reposesión en que Ia parte demandante solicita que se condene a los demandados a pagar al 1 de julio de 2020 las siguientes cantidades: $21,854.62 de principal, más $1,797.46 de intereses los cuales continUan acumulándose hasta eI total y completo pago de Ia deuda, más $459.25 de cargos los cuales se continúan acumulándose hasta el saldo total y completo pago de Ia deuda, más una suma equivalente al 5% del total adeudado para honorarios de abogados según pactado. Se le apercibe que si dejare de hacerlo, se dictará contra usted sentencia en rebeldía, concediéndose el remedio solicitado en Ia demanda, sin más citarle ni oírle. Lcda. Carolina M. Mejia Lugo, Número del Tribunal Supremo 19857 221 Ponce de Leon Ave., Suite 900, San Juan, PR 00917, Teléfono: (787) 296-9500, Correo Electrónico: cmejia@lvprlaw.com EXTENDIDO BAJO Ml FIRMA y Sello del Tribunal, hoy 14 de octubre de 2020. Lcda. MariLyn Aponte Rodriguez, Secretaria Regional. Rosa M Viera Velazquez, SubSecretaria.

The San Juan Daily Star

PAGAN, IRIS ENEYDA POSIBLES TENEDORES ESTRADA PAGAN, DESCONOCIDOS DEL LUCIA ESTRADA PAGARÉ. (Nombre de las partes a las que se PAGAN, FULANO Y les notifica la sentencia por edicto) MENGANO DE TAL COMO EL SECRETARIO(A) que susPOSIBLES HEREDEROS cribe le notifica a usted que DESCONOCIDOS, LA el 9 de octubre de 2020 este SUCESIÓN DE GLORIA Tribunal ha dictado Sentencia, PAGAN RIVERA T/C/C Sentencia Parcial o Resolución en este caso, que ha sido deGLORIA PAGAN DE bidamente registrada y archiESTRADA COMPUESTA vada en autos donde podrá POR GONZALO ESTRADA usted enterarse detalladamenPAGAN, FULANEJO te de los términos de la misma. Y SUTANEJO DE TAL, Esta notificación se publicará POSIBLES HEREDEROS una sola vez en un periódico de circulación general en DESCONOCIDOS, la isla de Puerto Rico, dentro GLORIA MARGARITA de los 10 días siguientes a su ESTRADA PAGAN notificación. Y, siendo o repreCOMO HEREDEROS DE sentando usted una parte en GONZALO ESTRADA el procedimiento sujeta a los GARCÍA Y DE GLORIA términos de la Sentencia, SenPAGAN RIVERA T/C/C tencia Parcial o Resolución, de la cual puede establecerse GLORIA PAGAN DE recurso de revisión o apelación ESTRADA, SUTANO Y dentro del término de 30 días PERENCEJO DE TAL, contados a partir de la publicaPOSIBLES TENEDORES ción por edicto de esta notificaDESCONOCIDOS DEL ción, dirijo a usted esta notificación que se considerará hecha PAGARÉ. Demandado CASO NUM. CG2020CV00020. SOBRE: CANCELACION DE PAGARE EXTRAVIADO POR LA VIA JUDICIAL. NOTIFICACIÓN DE SENTENCIA POR EDICTO ENMENDADA.

vez en un periódico de circulación general en la Isla de Puerto Rico, dentro de los 10 días siguientes a su notificación. Y, siendo o representando usted una parte en el procedimiento sujeta a los términos de la Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución, de la cual puede establecerse recurso de revisión o apelación dentro del término de 30 días contados a partir de la publicación por edicto de esta notificación, dirijo a usted esta notificación que se considerará hecha en la fecha de la publicación de este edicto. Copia de esta notificación ha sido archivada en los autos de este caso, con fecha de 20 de octubre de 2020. E n GUAYAMA , Puerto Rico , el 20 de octubre de 2020. MARISOL ROSADO RODRÍGUEZ, Secretario(a). F/ ILEANA CRUZ VAZQUEZ, Secretario(a) Auxiliar.

LEGAL NOTICE Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico TRIBUNAL PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE MAYAGÜEZ.

DAMARIS en la fecha de la publicación de este edicto. Copia de esta notiRIVERA VARGAS ficación ha sido archivada en Parte Demandante vs. los autos de este caso, con fe- ANA I. MÉNDEZ RIVERA cha de 20 de octubre de 2020. JERON J. En Caguas, Puerto Rico, 20 IRIZARRY MÉNDEZ de octubre de 2020. CARMEN Parte Demandada ANA PEREIRA ORTIZ, SecreCivil Número: tario (a). JESSENIA PEDRAZA, MZ2020RF00359. Sobre: Secretaria Auxiliar. CUSTODIA. EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO. ESTADOS LEGAL NOTICE UNIDOS DE AMERICA EL Estado Libre Asociado de Puer- PRESIDENTE DE LOS E.U. EL to Rico TRIBUNAL GENERAL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE JUSTICIA Tribunal de Pri- DE PUERTO RICO. ss. mera Instancia Sala Superior A: ANA l. de GUAYAMA.

A: LA SUCESION DE GONZALO ESTRADA GARCIA COMPUESTA FIRSTBANK LEGAL NOTICE POR: NANCY ESTRADA PUERTO RICO Estado Libre Asociado de PuerT/C/C NANCY ESTRADA Demandante V. to Rico TRIBUNAL GENERAL PAGAN, GONZALO JONATHAN SANTIAGO DE JUSTICIA Tribunal de PriESTRADA PAGAN, mera Instancia Sala Superior NORIEGA; MELISSA MARITZA ESTRADA FIALLOS SANABRIA de Caguas. BANCO POPULAR DE Demandados MÉNDEZ RIVERA PAGAN, IRIS ENEYDA ORIENTAL BANK CIVIL NUM. CA2020CV01568. PUERTO RICO URB. SAN JOSÉ CALLE ESTRADA PAGAN, LUCIA Demandante v. SOBRE: INCUMPLIMIENTO Demandante vs. 10 Q-8, SABANA ESTRADA PAGAN, SENIOR MORTGAGE DE CONTRATO, COBRO DE DORAL FINANCIAL GRANDE, PR 00637 FULANO Y MENGANO BANKERS, INC. Y OTROS DINERO Y REPOSESION. EMCORPORATION POR Por la presente se notifica que DE TAL COMO Demandado(a) PLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO. CONDUCTO DE SU POSIBLES HEREDEROS Civil Núm.: GM2020CV00910. la parte demandante de epíESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMEgrafe, ha presentado ante este AGENTE RESIDENTE, RICA EL PRESIDENTE DE DESCONOCIDOS, LA Sobre: CANCELACION DE PA- Tribunal una demanda sobre DORAL MORTGAGE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS EL SUCESIÓN DE GLORIA GARE EXTRAVIADO. NOTIFI- CUSTODIA en su contra, seESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO CORPORATION T/C/C PAGAN RIVERA T/C/C CACIÓN DE SENTENCIA POR gún surge de las alegaciones EDICTO. DE PUERTO RICO. SS. DORAL MORTGAGE, de la demanda en el caso de GLORIA PAGAN DE A: JOHN DOE, RICHARD epígrafe. Se le requiere para A: JONATHAN SANTIAGO LLC, POR CONDUCTO DE ESTRADA COMPUESTA NORIEGA; MELISSA SU AGENTE RESIDENTE POR GONZALO ESTRADA ROE, SECRETARIO DE que notifique con copia de su DESARROLLO URBANO contestación a la demanda a FIALLOS SANABRIA CT CORPORATION PAGAN, FULANEJO Y la abogada de la parte demanY VIVIENDA DE LOS 2801 Carter Grove In., SYSTEM, FEDERAL SUTANEJO DE TAL, dante, cuyo nombre, dirección y ESTADOS UNIDOS Kissimmee, FL 34741-7025 DEPOSIT INSURANCE POSIBLES HEREDEROS (Nombre de las partes a las que se teléfono, son los que se indican DE: FIRSTBANK CORPORATION(FDIC) le notifican la sentencia por edicto) a continuación: DESCONOCIDOS, PUERTO RICO LCDA . CAREN A. RUIZ PÉREZ COMO SINDICO DE EL SECRETARIO(A) que susGLORIA MARGARITA Se le emplaza y requiere que cribe le notifica a usted que el 160 Ave. Universidad Interamericana DORAL BANK, LA ESTRADA PAGAN San Germán, PR 00683 conteste Ia demanda dentro de SUCESION DE GONZALO COMO HEREDEROS DE 16 de octubre de 2020, este Teléfono (787) 264-4444 , los treinta (30) días siguientes Tribunal ha dictado Sentencia, (787) 362-5770 ESTRADA GARCIA a Ia publicación de este edicto. GONZALO ESTRADA Sentencia Parcial o Resolución E-mail:Fax.ruizcaren@yahoo.com COMPUESTA POR: Usted deberá presentar su aleGARCÍA Y DE GLORIA en este caso, que ha sido debibraceteruiz@gmail.com gación responsiva a través del NANCY ESTRADA T/ PAGAN RIVERA T/C/C damente registrada y archivada Se le apercibe que si no comSistema Unificado de Manejo y CIC NANCY ESTRADA en autos donde podrá usted en- pareciere usted a contestar GLORIA PAGAN DE Administración de Casos (SUterarse detalladamente de los dicha demanda dentro del térPAGAN, GONZALO ESTRADA, SUTANO Y MAC), al cual puede acceder términos de la misma. Esta no- mino de 30 días a partir de la ESTRADA PAGAN, PERENCEJO DE TAL, tificación se publicará una sola publicación del Edicto, excluutilizando Ia siguiente direcMARITZA ESTRADA

(787) 743-3346

The San Juan Daily Star yéndose el día de la publicación , podrá dictarse sentencia en rebeldía en su contra concediendo el remedio solicitado en la demanda o cualquier otro, si el Tribunal, en el ejercicio de su sana discreción, lo entiende procedente . Usted deberá presentar su alegación responsiva a través del Sistema Unificado de Manejo y Administración de Casos (SUMAC), al cual puede acceder utilizando la siguiente dirección electrónica: https:// unired.ramajudicial.pr /sumac, salvo que se represente por derecho propio, en cuyo caso deberá presentar su alegación responsiva en la secretaria del Tribunal. Expedido bajo mi firma y sello del Tribunal en Mayagüez , Puerto Rico a 19 de octubre de 2020. Lic. Norma G. Santana Irizarry, SECRETARIA REGIONAL. Rosa I Reyes Laguer, Sec Auxiliar.

LEGAL NOTICE ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA CENTRO JUDICIAL DE SAN GERMAN SALA SUPERIOR.

WANDA IVELISSE ARROYO RIVERA Demandante ¯ V.

EDILBERTO ROJAS ADAN

Demandado Civil Núm.: SG2020RF00044. Sobre: DIVORCIO Ruptura Irreparable. EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO. SS.

A: SR. EDILBERTO ROJAS ADAN

POR LA PRESENTE, se le emplaza para que presente al Tribunal su alegación responsiva a la Demanda dentro de los treinta (30) días de haber sido diligenciado este emplazamiento, excluyéndose el día del diligenciamiento a través del Sistema Unificado de Manejo y Administración de Casos (SUMAC) al cual puede acceder utilizando la siguiente dirección electrónica: https://unired. ramajudicial.pr, de no tener representación legal. Si usted deja de presentar su alegación responsiva dentro del referido término, el tribunal podrá dictar sentencia en rebeldía en su contra y conceder el remedio solicitado en la demanda o cualquier otro, si el tribunal, en el ejercicio de su sana discreción, lo entiende procedente. Bufete Bracete & Ruiz Lcdo. José M. Bracete, Rua Número 19,038 Lcda. Caren A. Ruiz Pérez, Rua Número 19,900 #160 Ave. Universidad Interamericana San German, PR 00683 Tel-Fax 787-264 4444 Expedido bajo mi firma y el Se-

Friday, October 23, 2020

llo del Tribunal, hoy dia 13 de octubre de 2020. LIC. NORMA G. SANTANA IRIZARRY, SECRETARIA REGIONAL II. WANDA RIVERA ORTIZ, SubSecretaria.

LEGAL NOTICE ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE SAN JUAN.

ANTONIO J. PURAS MONSERRATE y LAURA I. BIBILONO RODRÍGUEZ

Demandante, SUCESIÓN DE CARMEN JULIA MASCARO GARCÍA compuesta por FULANO DE TAL, MENGANO DE TAL y SUTANO DE TAL y JOHN DOE Demandados CIVIL NUM.: SJ2020CV03964. SOBRE: CANCELACIÓN DE HIPOTECAY PAGARÉ EXTRAVIADO. EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMERICA EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO.

A: SUCESIÓN DE CARMEN JULIA MASCARÓ GARCÍA compuesta por FULANO DE TAL (personas desconocida), MENGANO DE TAL (personas desconocida) y SUTANO DE TAL (personas desconocida), y JOHN DOE (personas desconocida con posible interés)

con terrenos de Victoria Odor. Consta inscrita al folio 117 del tomo 180, finca número 7363, Registro de la Propiedad de San Juan, sección 1, demarcación Santurce Norte. La parte demandante alega que dicho Pagaré se ha extraviado según más detalladamente consta en la Demanda radicada que puede examinarse en la Secretaría de este Tribunal. Por tratarse de una obligación hipotecaria y pudiendo usted tener interés en este caso o quedar afectado por el remedio solicitado, se le emplaza por este edicto que se publicará una vez en un periódico de circulación diaria general de Puerto Rico y se le requiere para que radique en este Tribunal su contestación y notificación de ella a: Lcdo. Alfredo A. Infante Gutiérrez, 500 Muñoz Rivera Ave., El Centro I, Oficina 215, San Juan, PR 00918, dentro de los treinta (30) días siguientes a la publicación de este Edicto, apercibiéndole que de no hacerlo así dentro del término indicado, el Tribunal podrá anotar su rebeldía y dictar Sentencia concediendo el remedio solicitado en la Demanda sin más citársele ni oírle. EN TESTIMONIO DE LO CUAL, expido el presente Edicto por Orden del Tribunal, bajo mi firma y sello del Tribunal, en San Juan, Puerto Rico, a 2 de septiembre de 2020. Griselda Rodriguez Collado, Sec Regional. Ivelisse Gonzalez Nieves, SubSecretario.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA En este caso la parte demanSALA SUPERIOR DE BAYAdante ha radicado Demanda MON. para que se decrete judicialPEDRO RIVERA mente el saldo del pagaré hiCHEVRES Y ANA LUZ potecario a favor del Portador, MOLINA CUEVAS por la suma de $239,000.00 de principal con intereses al 5% EX- PARTE anual, vencedero a la presentaPETICIONARIA ción, garantizado por hipoteca CIVIL NUM. BY2019CV02215. sobre la siguiente propiedad: SOBRE: EXPEDIENTE DOURBANA: Parcela de terreno MINIO. RESOLUCION. POR radicada en el Barrio de San- CUANTO: Los Peticionarios de turce Norte de esta ciudad con epígrafe, Pedro Rivera Chevres una cabida de doscientos cin- y Ana Luz Molina Cuevas, macuenta y seis metros ochenta yores de edad, casados entre y tres centímetros (256.83) si al adquirir la propiedad, procuadrados; que colinda por su pietarios y vecinos de Naranjito, frente en línea de diez metros Puerto Rico, presentaron el 30 noventa y tres centímetros, con de abril de 2019 la Petición, obla Calle Hermanos Latimer, por jeto de este caso, por conducto el Sur, o sea el fondo, en línea del licenciado Jorge Manuel de cuatro metros noventa y tres Díaz Rodríguez, bajo juramento centímetros con terrenos de y por escrito para que se acredila finca principal propiedad de te a su favor el dominio del bien los hermanos Delgado y Lati- inmueble que a continuación se mer; en línea de dos metros en describe: “RUSTICA”: Predio dirección Norte a Sur, con te- de terreno radicado en el barrenos también propiedad de rrio Achiote dentro del término dichos hermanos Delgado y La- municipal de Naranjito, Puerto timer; y en línea de seis metros Rico, compuesto de VEINTIcon terrenos de la finca princi- TRÉS MIL SETECIENTOS pal perteneciente a los herma- CINCUENTA Y CINCO PUNTO nos Delgado y Latimer; y por el SETECIENTIOS TREINTA MEOeste, en línea de veinticuatro TROS CUADRADOS (23,755 . metros cuarenta y centímetros 730 M.C.), equivalentes a SEIS

PUNTO CERO, CUATROCIENTOS CUARENTA Y UNO CUERDAS (6.0441 COAS.); en lindes por el NORTE, con Sucesión Padilla y camino municipal; por el SUR, con Edwin Padilla y otra propiedad del Sr. Pedro Rivera; por el ESTE, con Sucesión Padilla y Luis A. Nieves, y por el OESTE, con Pedro Rivera y Quebrada. POR CUANTO: De la Certificación del Registro de la Propiedad , Sección de Barranquitas del 15 de abril de 2019 surge el hecho de que la propiedad objeto de la solicitud del Expediente de Dominio no aparece inscrita . POR CUANTO: Los Peticionarios adquirieron la propiedad siendo mayores de edad, casados entre sí, propietarios y vecinos de Naranjito, Puerto Rico, por escritura número siete (7) otorgada el día catorce de marzo de mil novecientos noventa y cinco, otorgada en Bayamón, Puerto Rico, ante el Notario Rafael Pacheco Rivera, sobre Compraventa a Nicomedes, Benita, Maximina, Carmen, Quintina, t/c/c Cristina, Justino, todos de apellidos Vázquez Vázquez. POR CUANTO: Los anteriores dueños conocidos son Ni comedes Vázquez Vázquez, Benita Vázquez Vázquez ,; Maximina Vázquez Vázquez; Carmen Vázquez Vázquez; Quintina Vázquez Vázquez t/c/c Cristina, y Justino Vázquez Vázquez, quienes a su vez adquirieron por herencia de Feliciana Vázquez Rivera, fallecida el 7 de marzo de 1973; Ezequiel Vázquez Vázquez fallecido el 16 de julio de 1979 ; y Arsenio Vázquez Vázquez fallecido el 20 de junio de 1991. POR CUANTO: La cabida exacta de la propiedad de la parte Peticionaria es la anotada en el primer POR CUANTO de esta Resolución . POR CUANTO: Consta en los autos copia de las notificaciones cursadas a todas las siguientes posibles partes interesadas : a) a los colindantes; b) al Secretario del Departamento de Transportación y Obras Públicas; c) Departamento Recursos Naturales y Ambientales; d) Autoridad Energía eléctrica; e) Autoridad de Acueductos y Alcantarillados; f) al Fiscal de Distrito, y al g) al Alcalde de Naranjito. Las notificaciones aludidas fueron realizadas mediante correo certificado con acuse de recibo, por edicto y la del Fiscal de Distrito por entrega personal. POR CUANTO: Se autorizó la publicación de edictos en los cuales se describió la propiedad objeto de este procedimiento, citándose a cualquier persona ignorada a quien pudiera perjudicar la inscripción solicitada, a los que tuvieran en el inmueble derecho real. POR CUANTO: Tales edictos fueron publicados los días 14, 16 y 18 de octubre

de 2019, en el periódico The San Juan Daily Star; periódico de circulación general en el Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico. Así consta de la copia del edicto publicado y de la declaración jurada del periódico sometida en evidencia. POR CUANTO: La finca se identifica, para propósitos contributivos, según aparece del Centro de Recaudación de Impuestos Municipales (C.R.I.M.), con el número 141-000-006-83000. POR CUANTO: La propiedad no está sujeta a cargas y gravámenes . POR CUANTO: La parte Peticionaria y los dueños anteriores han estado en la posesión material de la finca a título de dueños , quieta, pública y pacíficamente, con buena fe y justo título, sin interrupción de clase alguna desde que la adquirieron, por lo menos en el año 1995, sumando su posesion y la de los dueños anteriores por más de 48 años, lo cual es más del término mínimo requerido por ley. POR CUANTO: La finca objeto de este procedimiento, con sus alegadas dimensiones actuales se constituyó mucho antes del 1970 . POR CUANTO: El Peticionario le ha adjudicado un valor real a la descrita cabida de $25, 000.00. POR CUANTO: Transcurrido el término de veinte (20) días establecido en Ley, después de la publicación del último edicto, se celebró la vista correspondiente el día 7 de noviembre de 2019, sometiendo prueba testifical y documental. Durante la vista declararon los peticionarios Pedro Rivera Chevres y Ana Luz Mojica Cuevas y los testigos Luis Padilla Ferrer y Ramón Nieves Villegas. POR CUANTO: El Ministerio Público intervino en la vista, manifestando no tener objeción alguna a lo solicitado. Durante el término de Ley ni posteriormente hasta el presente ninguna persona o entidad ha presentado reclamación contra la petición. Se alegó que la finca descrita en el primer POR CUANTO de esta Resolución exhibe la misma configuración y cabida desde que la poseían los anteriores dueños. POR CUANTO: La finca objeto de esta Petición es una independiente de cualquier otra, por lo cual no se trata de una segregación de una finca de mayor cabida. POR CUANTO: La finca objeto de este caso con su actual dimensión y configuración existe por lo menos desde 1970, cumple el periodo transcurrido con los términos establecidos en los artículos 1, 857 y 1, 859 del Código Civil de Puerto Rico. POR TANTO: Habiéndose probado todos los hechos alegados, y cumplido con todas las formalidades de . Ley, este Tribunal dicta RESOLUCION, declarando justificado a favor de la parte Peticionaria

el dominio de la finca anteriormente descrita con todas sus acciones. En su consecuencia, se Ordena al Honorable Registrador de la Propiedad de Puerto Rico, Sección de Barranquitas, que, previo el pago de los aranceles correspondientes, y luego que esta Resolución sea final y firme, proceda a inscribir a favor de Pedro Rivera Chevres y Ana Luz Molina Cuevas el dominio de la finca en los libros del Registro de la Propiedad a su cargo. Previo el pago de derechos, expídase copia de esta Resolución a los interesados. DADA en Bayamón, Puerto Rico, hoy 31 de enero de 2020. f/SYLVIA G. DIAZ SOLLA, JUEZ SUPERIOR.

LEGAL NOTICE ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE BAYAMON.

JORGE IVÁN ROSADO NARVÁEZ; CARMEN TERESA PÉREZ COLÓN EX-PARTE

PETICIONARIA CIVIL NUM. : BY2019CV01898. SOBRE: EXPEDIENTE DOMINIO. RESOLUCIÓN. POR CUANTO: La parte Peticionaria de epígrafe, Jorge Iván Rosado Narváez y Carmen Teresa Pérez Colón, mayores de edad, casados entre sí, propietarios y vecinos de Naranjito, Puerto Rico, al adquirir la propiedad y al presentar la Petición, por conducto del licenciado Jorge Manuel Díaz Rodríguez, presentó Petición bajo juramento y por escrito el 12 de abril de 2019, para que se acredite a su favor el dominio del bien inmueble que a continuación se describe: “RUSTICA”: Predio de terreno radicado en el barrio Anones de Naranjito, Puerto Rico, con una cabida superficial de DOS MIL OCHOCIENTOS VEINTISIETE PUNTO NUEVE MIL TRESCIENTOS NOVENTA Y SIETE METROS CUADRADOS (2, 827. 9397 m. c.), equivalentes a PUNTO SIETE MIL CIENTO NOVENTA Y CINCO CUERDA (. 7195 cda,) , en lindes por el NORTE, con Luis Ángel Rosado, Benjamín Archilla y camino municipal asfaltado; por el SUR, con Carmen Lydia Castro Bonilla y Nelson Archilla; por el ESTE, con Nelson Archilla, y por el OESTE, con Carmen Nydia Guzmán Rodríguez. POR CUANTO: Surge de la Certificación reciente del Registro de la Propiedad, Sección de Barranquitas, el hecho de que la propiedad objeto de la solicitud del Expediente de Dominio no aparece inscrita. POR CUANTO: Los Peticionarios adquirieron la finca descrita el 13 de abril de 1988 mediante documento privado de manos de Leonardo Cosme Rodríguez y

Margarita Alicea Roque, mayores de edad, casados entre sí, propietarios y vecinos de Naranjito, Puerto Rico, documento del cual al día de hoy se desconoce su paradero ; los dueños anteriores Leonardo Cosme y Margarita Alicea adquirieron en el año 1982 de manos de Manuel Pérez y Carmen M. Guzmán , mediante documento privado del cual se desconoce su paradero; los dueños Leonardo Cosme y Margarita Alicea anteriores adquirieron en el año 1950 de manos de Tavo Archilla, mediante documento privado del cual se desconoce su paradero; el dueño anterior Tavo Archilla adquirió en el año 1930 de manos de Escolástico Archilla, mediante documento privado del cual se desconoce su paradero. POR CUANTO: La cabida exacta de la propiedad de la Peticionaria es la anotada en el primer POR CUANTO de esta Resolución. POR CUANTO: Consta en los a uto s copi a de las notificaciones cursadas a todas las siguientes posibles partes interesadas: a) a los colindantes; b) al Secretario del Departamento de Transportación y Obras Públicas ; c) al Fiscal de Distrito ; d) al Alcalde de Naranjito ; e) Secretario Del Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales; f) Director Ejecutivo de la Autoridad de Energía Eléctrica ; y g) Director Ejecutivo de la Autoridad de Acueductos y Alcantarilladas. Las notificaciones aludidas fueron realizadas mediante correo certificado con acuse de recibo. POR CUANTO: Se autorizó la publicación de edictos en los cuales se describió la propiedad objeto de este procedimiento, citándose a cualquier persona ignorada a quien pudiera perjudicar la inscripción solicitada a los que tuvieran en el inmueble derecho real y a los dueños anteriores. POR CUANTO: Tales edictos fueron publicados los días 14, 16 y 18 de marzo de 2020 , en el periódico The San Juan Daily Star; periódico de circulación general en el Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico . Así consta de la copia del edicto publicado y de la declaración jurada del periódico sometida en evidencia. POR CUANTO: La finca se identifica, para propósitos contributivos, según aparece del Centro de Recaudación de Impuestos Municipales (C.R . I . M.) , con el número 42-169-000 - 001- 93 - 000. POR CUANTO: La propiedad no está sujeta a cargas y gravámenes. POR CUANTO: Los Peticionarios se encuentran en la posesión material de la finca a título de dueños , quieta, pública y pacíficamente, con buena fe y justo título , sin interrupción de clase alguna desde que la adquirieron, sumando su posesión más del término de trein-

ta (30) años requerido por ley. POR CUANTO: La finca objeto de este procedimiento, con sus alegadas dimensiones actuales se constituyó por lo menos para el año 1930. POR CUANTO: La Peticionaria le ha adjudicado un valor real a la descrita propiedad de $25,000. 00. POR CUANTO: Transcurrido el término de veinte (20) días establecido en Ley , después de la publicación del último edicto, se celebró la vista correspondiente el día 7 de noviembre de 2019, sometiendo prueba testifical y documental. POR CUANTO: El predio que es motivo de esta Petición no es una segregación de una finca de mayor cabida. POR CUANTO: El Ministerio Público intervino directamente en la Petición, manifestando no tener objeción alguna a lo solicitado. POR CUANTO: El colindante Nelson Archilla Cosme manifestó dudas sobre su colindancia con la propiedad objeto de esta petición, luego manifestó él haber aclarado las mismas en corte abierta, no obstante, la Honorable Juez ordenó que el Ing . Erwin Rodríguez Lample visitara el predio junto a los peticionarios y el Sr. Archilla y por medio de declaración jurada el ingeniero expresara si había conformidad, lo cual se hizo y fue sometida la declaración jurada del 3 de febrero ratificando las colindancias. Se aclaró la duda presentada por el Sr . Nelson Archilla y expresó estar conforme con el plano y el expediente de dominio. Durante el término de Ley ni posteriormente hasta el presente ninguna persona natural o jurídica ha presentado reclamación contra la petición. Se alegó y probó que la Finca que se describe en la presente petición exhibe la misma configuración y cabida desde que la compraron los peticionarios. POR TANTO: Habiéndose probado todos los hechos alegados, y habiéndose cumplido con todas las formalidades de Ley, este Tribunal dicta RESOLUCION, declarando justificado a favor de la Peticionaria el dominio de la finca anteriormente descrita con todas sus acciones. En su consecuencia, se Ordena al Honorable Registrador de la Propiedad de Puerto Rico, Sección de Barranquitas, que, previo el pago de los aranceles correspondientes y luego que esta Resolución sea final y firme, proceda a inscribir a favor de Jorge Iván Rosado Narváez y Carmen teresa Pérez Colón el dominio de la finca en los libros del Registro de la Propiedad a su cargo. Mediante el pago de derechos, expídase copia de esta Resolución a los interesados. DADA en Bayamón, Puerto Rico, hoy 13 de marzo de 2020. f/SYLVIA G. DIAZ SOLLA, JUEZ SUPERIOR.

The San Juan Daily Star

October 23-25, 2020

Construction of a new coliseum in Caguas will take several years By MARCOS MEJÍAS ORTIZ Special to The Star

he Caguas Criollos of the Roberto Clemente Professional Baseball League hope to return in 2021 to their Yldefonso Solá Morales Stadium. The Caguas Criollas professional women’s volleyball team will have to wait several years to return home to Héctor Solá Bezares Coliseum. Caguas Mayor William Miranda Torres announced on Tuesday an investment of $5 million for restoration work at Solá Morales Stadium; however, Solá Bezares faces a different fate, since the damages inflicted by Hurricane Maria in 2017 make repairing the facility impossible. “It is considered a total loss,” Miranda Torres told The San Juan Daily Star. “When it was negotiated with them [the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA] three months ago, they saw it that way.” FEMA evaluated hundreds of facilities in Caguas during the past three years to determine the aid the municipality would receive. Miranda Torres and the municipality’s engineer, Luis Herrera, said FEMA has yet to make an official estimate of the damages to the coliseum.

“The matter with FEMA has been very uphill. It has taken three years,” the mayor said. “There is money that is beginning to arrive now.”

The estimated damage to Héctor Solá Bezares Coliseum is around $11 million, according to the Municipality of Caguas. It is expected that in the next four years the construction of a new arena will begin. (Marcos Mejías Ortiz)

Miranda Torres expects to build a new coliseum where the remains of the Solá Bezares are located, but not right away. “That could begin within the next four years,” he said of the arena built in the 1960s that has been home to the Criollas, the 13-time champions of the Superior Women’s Volleyball League, and the Criollos of National Superior Basketball (BSN), who won that league’s title in 2006. Herrera said FEMA estimated the damage to the coliseum at less than half of what the municipality projected. “Our estimate was $11 million. FEMA told us it was $5 million and we did not accept [that estimate],” Herrera said. “Now they acknowledge the damages and we hope that the numbers are close. If not, we will continue with the negotiation.” This means that the Criollas will surely continue to play their home matches in Roger Mendoza Coliseum, which is just steps away from the old Solá Bezares, and which has been the new home of the Criollas since 2018. Caguas has not had a team in the BSN since 2009. The original franchise played there until 2008. The following year, the Guayama Brujos moved to Caguas for a year. Since then, the BSN has not returned to Caguas.

Two decades without a back-to-back champ By MARCOS MEJÍAS ORTIZ Special to The Star

s the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Tampa Bay Rays play to see who will be the new king of Major League Baseball (MLB) -- the World Series is tied at a game apiece going into tonight’s Game 3 -- 2020 marks the 20th anniversary of the last time a team bathed in champagne in consecutive years at the end of the October Classic. Several teams have reached the World Series in consecutive years during the first two decades of the new millennium, but none have been able to repeat the feat achieved by the New York Yankees when in 2000 they won a third consecutive title. Since the Yankees’ three-peat from 1998 to 2000, no team has won back-toback World Series, which in itself is a record in the major leagues, which saw countless dynasties during the 20th century, when the classic began to be played in 1903. The Philadelphia Phillies (20082009), Texas Rangers (2010-2011), Kansas City Royals (2014-2015) and the Dodgers (2017-2018) have been in the World Series in back-to-back years, but only the Phillies (2008) and Royals (2015) raised

the championship trophy, although they could not repeat. The franchise closest to achieving consecutive titles was the San Francisco Giants, who won the World Series in 2010, 2012 and 2014 -- three championships in five seasons. What has happened in the last 20 years that nobody has been able to get the “backto-back”? “That has a lot to do with the free agent market and how players are managing who they want to play with,” baseball statistician and historian Jossie Alvarado told The San Juan Daily Star. When compared, for example, to basketball, where NBA franchises like the L.A. Lakers (twice), Miami Heat and Golden State Warriors achieved back-to-back championships and countless trips to the Finals in the 21st century, since 2000, 16 of the 30 NBA franchises have reached the Finals. That number rises to 20 of the 30 MLB franchises in the World Series. Except for two decades, since the World Series began in the first decade of the 1900s, in all there was at least one team that won the title in consecutive years in each decade of the 20th century. The exceptions were in the 1940s and 1980s.

The 1990s saw the Toronto Blue Jays (19921993) and the Yankees (1998-1999) win back-to-back in the Fall Classic. “Each time organizations are striving to create those dynasties, which is what the Houston Astros have done since 2015, and which in the last five years have been able to bring together players who have become attractive players for the general market,” Alvarado said, pointing out the case of Astros outfielder George Springer, who will be a free agent in the next offseason. “It’s a very complicated game,” Alvarado said of the nature of baseball. And like the other franchises, the Astros are vying with opposing teams to acquire and retain the top players, and unless they have the economic power to do so, it makes it difficult for a team to repeat as champion, in the opinion of Alvarado, author of several books of statistics on Puerto Ricans in the major leagues. Of the examples mentioned in the 2000s, Kansas City has come the closest to winning the World Series in consecutive years. Before winning it all in 2015, the Royals fell just short of an MLB championship in 2014 when they lost in seven games to the San Francisco Giants. The luck factor seems to play an important role.

“There are people who call it luck, but there are also opportunities,” Alvarado said. “Luck is complemented by opportunity. If you have the opportunity and you are prepared, sometimes you execute in favor of your team. Every day is more complicated. But from my point of view it is better that there are no dynasties in baseball.” Alvarado expects a higher quality in the minor leagues given the decrease in the number of affiliates of the big league organizations in the minors. “Now with this, what will happen in 2021 in the minor leagues, the teams were reduced [in number], the number of players will go down and the quality will be purer and [will go] up,” he said. “That may benefit organizations, but not necessarily players who develop later. Now it is the front office that coaches, and they have to complement each other with the manager. This game is not easy; it is very complex. That’s why there are so many statistics.”

The San Juan Daily Star

October 23-25, 2020

Clause in Citi Field lease could impede Steve Cohen’s Mets purchase By DANA RUBINSTEIN and DAVID WALDSTEIN

teven Cohen’s long, arduous pursuit of the Mets is headed toward a conclusion, but New York City may throw up a last-minute roadblock. Mayor Bill de Blasio’s office notified the Mets and MLB last Friday that they were looking into whether the team could be legally sold to Cohen, a spokesperson for the mayor said Wednesday. There is no indication that the mayor’s office is bent on thwarting the deal. But it has a 30-day window, which began last Friday, to collect information and potentially take action as the leaseholder of Citi Field, the Mets’ stadium in Queens. “The Mayor has an obligation to the people of New York City to closely examine new leases on culturally important and incredibly valuable city-owned land,” said Bill Neidhardt, a spokesperson for the mayor. USA Today first reported that the mayor might have the power to determine whether Cohen, as the employer of a felon, is qualified to be the new owner of a commercial venture on city-controlled property. Cohen, a billionaire hedge fund manager who grew up as a Mets fan in Great Neck, N.Y., entered into an agreement last month to buy the Mets from Fred Wilpon and Saul Katz, the principal owners of the team, for about $2.42 billion. It seemed that the only remaining hurdle for Cohen to clear before taking over the team would be a vote by the owners of the other 29 teams in MLB, and many people within baseball expected Cohen to have little trouble getting the requisite approval from 23 owners. But de Blasio could theoretically obstruct the deal based on the 99-year lease agreement between the Mets and New York City, which specifically rules out certain “prohibited” persons as potential owners. The Mets lease Citi Field from the city. The mayor’s power lies in the language of the lease agreement, which is a public document. It stipulates that if there is a transfer of ownership of the team, the new owner cannot be a felon or a person

Citi Field, the Mets’ stadium, on opening day this year. who has “controlled” a felon. Cohen has never been charged with a crime, but his former company, SAC Capital Partners, was found to have engaged in insider trading in 2014 and was forced to pay $1.8 billion in fines. One of his employees, Mathew Martoma, was convicted of insider trading and sentenced to nine years in prison. The Citi Field lease states that a transfer of ownership is a “permitted transaction” only if the buyer is not a “prohibited person.” The lease agreement defines a “prohibited person” as anyone who “directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with a person that has been convicted in a criminal proceeding for a felony or any crime involving moral turpitude.” The Mets declined to comment, as did a representative for Cohen. Whether the mayor can — or wants to — hold up the sale to Cohen remains to be seen, and any attempt to block the

transaction would surely be met with legal challenges. But the process could put on hold some of the hopes of Cohen and legions of Mets fans, many of whom are eager for Cohen to take over the club before the start of the new year and begin pumping some of his billions into the club’s operations and roster. Cohen has already announced that he will hire Sandy Alderson, the former Mets general manager, to run his baseball operations department, and the current Mets owners are eager to sell the team before the end of the year. De Blasio previously expressed his favored choice for new Mets owners, and it was not Cohen. In August, he said he supported the bid by a group headed by singer and actor Jennifer López and her husband, Alex Rodríguez, the former baseball player and current television analyst. “If a very important franchise like the New York Mets ended up being led by

a people-of-color ownership group, I actually think that would be very good for baseball and very good for this country,” de Blasio said at the time. López and Rodríguez made a competitive bid, with López as the control person, but the Mets’ owners chose last month to sell to Cohen. Another potential beneficiary, in the unlikely case the Cohen agreement falls through, would be the group headed by Josh Harris and David Blitzer, who own the New Jersey Devils of the NHL, and the Philadelphia 76ers of the NBA. The sale of the Mets to Cohen appeared to be scuttled once before, after an initial agreement had been reached at the end of last year. But in January the deal fell apart over control of the team during a five-year interim period. Months later the Mets reopened the bidding and narrowed the field to three potential candidates, including Cohen, the López and Rodríguez group and the Harris and Blitzer group.

The San Juan Daily Star

October 23-25, 2020

Going from his childhood bedroom to the NBA draft By JONATHAN ABRAMS

yrese Haliburton didn’t imagine he would ever find himself living with his parents again inside his Wisconsin childhood home. Certainly, he did not throughout a sophomore season at Iowa State in which his stock skyrocketed in NBA mock drafts everywhere. But once he realized the pandemic, and its effect on the sports calendar, would be prolonged, Haliburton settled in for the long haul. He claimed his old room by banishing his older brother to the basement and started labeling his food in the refrigerator to ensure it would remain there when he returned. “There’s so much that’s unknown right now, but I’m just taking it a day at a time, attacking whatever is on my schedule for that day,” Haliburton said. “I feel like when I look at the bigger picture, I can get overwhelmed or maybe a little stressed out with all the questions that everybody’s asking, because I don’t have a lot of answers to those questions.” While there is much to still figure out about when and how the NBA will return next season, one protracted date is finally on the horizon: the draft will be held in less than a month and top prospects like Haliburton will finally have their professional destinations. The NBA long ago evolved into a year-round league. The pandemic knocked its circadian rhythm off balance. Rookies, in a normal year, would have been drafted months ago, played in the summer league and be preparing themselves for opening night at around this time. Instead, some of the most talented basketball players in the world have been left without a team for the better part of a year. “You’re missing out on summer league, the in-person physical draft, shaking the commissioner’s hand, once-in-a-lifetime opportunities,” said Haliburton, while also noting that he is privileged for basketball to be among his primary concerns right now. “The ultimate goal is to play in the NBA. We don’t know when, but we know eventually that we’re going to get there.” Haliburton, though, is not lacking for confidence in terms of where he believes he should be picked. “I feel like I should be the No. 1 pick, but I’m not the guy who makes those decisions,” Haliburton said. “We can revisit this in a couple of years and see if there was any regrets by anybody who picked anybody ahead of me.” For now, Haliburton and other draft-eligible players say they are taking things one day (which often contains two or three workouts) at a time. “I’m grateful to have this extra time to be able to work on my game,” said Obi Toppin, the former Dayton forward and national player of the year. “Nobody could have predicted the things that we’re going

Tyrese Haliburton believes he has the talent to be the No. 1 pick in this year’s draft. through today. Being able to have this extra time, it’s only helping me on the court and off of the court.” Toppin did not have to look far for competition during quarantine. He was at his New Jersey home with his brother, Jacob, who recently transferred from Rhode Island to Kentucky. “He pushes me just like I push him,” Obi Toppin said. “We’re both super competitive. Every day was a grind.” Toppin has spent the past few months playing pickup basketball and picking the minds of NBA players like the New York Knicks’ Kevin Knox and the Dallas Mavericks’ Jalen Brunson, and training under former NBA point guard Rick Brunson, Jalen’s father. “I ask those guys questions every single day on how I can prepare myself for the next level, how I can get better for the next level,” Toppin said. Josh Green is using this time to appreciate how far he has traveled in a short amount of time. A couple years ago, Green, an Australian, simply wanted to land a college scholarship. In the spring, Green and his Arizona teammates were readying to play Southern California in the Pac-12 tournament quarterfinals when their coach, Sean Miller, reconvened the team. The rest of the tournament had been canceled, Miller told them. They hoped that the season would eventually continue. “But that three weeks led to five weeks to six weeks to the season being canceled,” Green said. “It was a continuous thing. It was awful for our team. I felt bad for all of us. Because I felt like we were going to have a really good end-of-the-season run.” Green declared for the NBA draft in April, joining two other Arizona freshmen, Zeke Nnaji and Nico Mannion. He debated returning home to Australia to see extended family members against continuing to train in Phoenix and Las Vegas. Ultimately, he decided to remain in the United States.

“There’s a huge quarantine rule in Australia now where you have to quarantine for two weeks and I figured those two weeks, that’s a lot of time to get better as a player,” Green said. “I’d love to see my family and friends, but I have to make sure that I’m ready to go for the draft.” The NBA announced last month that the draft combine would take place virtually and in teams’ home markets. ESPN, citing a league-distributed memo, reported last week that teams would be allowed up to 10 visits with draft-eligible players for in-person evaluations. Of course, one can only train for so many hours a day. Devin Vassell, the former Florida State star, is binge-watching “Stranger Things” and “Fargo.” After his final workout of the day, Haliburton typically catches up with friends or plays cards with his family, the choice games being Uno and Phase 10. “I just started reading,” he added with a laugh. “I know my English teachers will love to hear that, but I started reading a little bit, give me something to do. Then I got a gaming computer during quarantine, so I’ve been learning how to do a lot of different things on the computer.” Vassell, like Haliburton, moved back home. “All the places that I work out at are probably about 10 minutes away from the house,” he said. “It’s kept me grounded and humble while I’ve been here.” Nothing has been normal about this pre-draft process. Some things, though, will be the same. Sixty players will soon have their names called in the two rounds on draft night, their professional careers starting in earnest, a dream worked into fruition, even if it’s solidified through a video conference and not a handshake from NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. “It’s a dream walking across that stage and shaking his hand, putting that hat on, of course, but I think when you get that phone call and your name is called, you still get that experience of a dream coming true,” Vassell said.

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The San Juan Daily Star

October 23-25, 2020

Sudoku How to Play: Fill in the empty fields with the numbers from 1 through 9. Sudoku Rules: Every row must contain the numbers from 1 through 9 Every column must contain the numbers from 1 through 9 Every 3x3 square must contain the numbers from 1 through 9

Crossword

Answers on page 30

Wordsearch

GAMES

HOROSCOPE Aries

(Mar 21-April 20)

You don’t need to do anything to receive the rewards and recognition due to you now. Your past hard work speaks for itself. Although you shouldn’t be too sure of yourself, you can expect positive results from your dedicated efforts. People are starting to recognise what you are capable of. Relax and let things happen.

Taurus

(April 21-May 21)

Take advantage of a last-minute sale and you will find something you have been looking for at an incredibly low price. This is an excellent time to go hunting for bargains. Whether you have a special collection you would like to add to or you’re knowledgeable about antiques or old paintings, keep your eyes peeled.

Gemini

(May 22-June 21)

You’re having second thoughts about joining in an annual event that will bring a lot of people together. Your hesitation makes you realise how much your attitude towards social gatherings has changed this past year. Your main consideration is whether or not this will be a safe and sensible thing to do.

Cancer

(June 22-July 23)

Your common-sense ability to judge circumstances and situations will help you take the initiative without waiting for instructions or guidance. Some people will try to hold you back. You know you are making the right decision. When mixing with people you have never met before you will feel immediately at ease and in sparkling form.

Leo

The San Juan Daily Star

October 23-25, 2020

(July 24-Aug 23)

Libra

(Sep 24-Oct 23)

Sadness relates to a parting but you accept this is necessary. The fact that this has been planned for a while doesn’t make it any easier. A friend or neighbour’s words don’t ring true to you. They are steadfastly sticking to their story but you suspect some dishonesty. Give them the benefit of the doubt.

Scorpio

(Oct 24-Nov 22)

A quiet walk by a river or the sea would help soothe your frantic thoughts. Even a walk in a park or in the woods will feel refreshing. If you can’t get out, turn your mind to a pleasing memory. You don’t have to withdraw from the world altogether, just accept the need for peace and privacy every now and again.

Sagittarius

(Nov 23-Dec 21)

Capricorn

(Dec 22-Jan 20)

This isn’t a time to hide yourself away from the company of others. If you’ve been keeping to yourself over recent times make an effort to see the people you feel comfortable with and any lethargy you may be feeling will swiftly disappear. Your brain will benefit from some spirited debate.

You’ve enjoyed the feeling of being there for someone who needs you. It has felt good to have been able to help make their life easier. Now you are recognising signs of them coming to depend on you too much and it may be time to encourage them to start fending for themselves.

Aquarius

(Jan 21-Feb 19)

You could do with a change of scene or routine. There’s a sense of closeness in your relationships that makes you feel happy and inspired. Let routine chores wait for another day and take up a friend or partner’s suggestion to do something completely different. Don’t hesitate to take up an unusual offer.

Taking a long break will make you feel years younger. It will also make you realise you’ve been working too hard and neglecting your health. Now you’ve managed to clear away a backlog of work you feel more able to relax and have some much-needed fun. At last you can concentrate on the lighter side of life.

Virgo

Pisces

(Aug 24-Sep 23)

There can be no better way of encouraging honesty in relationships than by your own example. Some plain speaking will be needed when dealing with close relatives or neighbours. The best way to avoid misunderstandings will be to keep communications honest and above board. Remember too, that respect is earned and not given automatically.

(Feb 20-Mar 20)

You know your priorities. Someone will take So many people seem to want your advice, guidance, help or support. You can’t seem to escape all this attention and it’s understandable that you are starting to feel overwhelmed by this. You will have your own ways of dealing with such situations and might decide to seek out a quiet place for a while.

Answers to the Sudoku and Crossword on page 29

October 23-25, 2020

CARTOONS

Herman

Speed Bump

Frank & Ernest

Scary Gary

Wizard of Id

For Better or for Worse

The San Juan Daily Star

Ziggy

The San Juan Daily Star

October 23-25, 2020

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