Perpetual chief came under fire over attitude to women

THE chief executive of the company being sued in a $1.2 million sexual harassment case has previously been criticised for his attitude to women in the male-dominated finance industry, with one senior businesswoman saying she was "lucky" that she had worked with men "who don't sound like David".

The remark was a reference to David Deverall, who heads Perpetual, the funds management firm that is being sued in the Federal Court by former senior employee Fiona Dunn.

Ms Dunn was earning $672,000 a year before she went on maternity leave last year. She claims to have been bullied and the subject of "blatant and unashamed discrimination".

In her claim to the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, Ms Dunn included a claim against Mr Deverall personally but her claim in the Federal Court is only against Perpetual.


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Rays' Newcomers Help Bring Team Effort In Win

The Rays have chatted all spring about their positive new attitude. There is a new and much improved level of talent. Let's not forget the new uniforms, either. They look pretty good. It has made for a new outlook that is unlike anything we've seen around these parts in, like, forever.

So, with so much spanking newness everywhere you looked, there was only one way to write the script on the first day of the new season for a team with so much newness it even needed a new name (sans Devil).

It wasn't just the 6-2 win against the Baltimore Orioles on Monday on a drab, rainy day at Camden Yards that had a fresh feel for a team looking to prove, as owner Stu Sternberg said before the game, "We're no laughingstock any longer." Not that anyone is taking wins for granted around here.


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Players praise Beach for calm attitude, kindness

Even with a 10 run lead, Charlie Beach will still let his pitcher know he's unhappy with her not backing up home plate on a ball hit to the outfield.

But, he'll do it calmly and directly. Entering his 23rd season as the head coach of the Keene State College women's softball team, Charlie Beach has another year of enthusiasm, intelligence and calm leadership to offer his players.

Beach, originally from Rochester, completed his undergraduate degree at the University of New Hampshire in 1967, before earning his Ph D. at Michigan State University in 1978 with a specialization in exercise physiology and kinesiology, the study of body movement.

Beach coaches alongside his wife Deb, who serves as the team's assistant coach.

Deb Beach has been coaching with Charlie since he took over the softball program in 1986.


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PG South: Just missing playoffs last year has Mt. Lebanon geared for a run

Missing the playoffs by a tiebreaker after losing four extra-inning section games was motivation enough for the Mt. Lebanon baseball team this offseason.

Blue Devils coach Pat McCloskey said his team has put together the best offseason in the four years he has been coaching at the school.

After the four extra-inning losses last year, all to Section 3-AAAA foes and all by one run, Mt. Lebanon sat at 7-8 in the section along with Canon-McMillan and they lost the tiebreaker to the Big Macs (head-to-head results).

"The expectations they have placed on themselves [this season] is exceptionally high," McCloskey said. "If we would have won one of the extra inning games, we would have been in the playoffs.

"They realize that this is their senior season and this is it.



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Living with Susie

Welcome to the Write Stuff with me, Loretta Foo. This week, we bring you a story about two real life dogs who won the heart of one woman with their engaging personalities. Some of the most beloved childrens books of all time feature animals as the main characters. Beatrix Potters Tale of Peter Rabbit, the Talking Beasts from the Chronicles of Narnia, the story of Charlottes Web and of course, the ever-green Aesops Fables. There is something special about animals that young children identify with. Joining the ranks of these stories is the book, Living with Suzie by first time Singaporean author Jillien Foo. JF: Most stories start with an inspiration. But in my case, it was quite different. I was having a little bit of problem at work and it was getting me really down. But at the same time, because of the nature of the work that I had just taken on, it was a lot of writing and it was if, suddenly I was hearing from different quarters that, Hey! You write in an interesting manner.


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Vale plan for young people

All children and young people should be listened to, treated with respect and have their race and cultural identity recognised. This is the message of the newly announced Vale of Glamorgan Children and Young People's Plan for 2008 to 20011. The plan in full: Foreword This plan has been prepared after considering what children, young people and providers of services have told us are their needs and aspirations. We would like to ensure that children and young people in the Vale of Glamorgan are able to achieve their full potential in every area of their lives and enable them to become fulfilled citizens both now and in their adult future. We are committed to working in partnership to achieve this. We are aware that we must strive to make the most of whatever resources are available to us and the best way to do this is by working with others.


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Smokers need out help to kick their habit

He was the first guy I ever looked up to. I never knew my dad until very late in life and my mom died when I was a teenager. But my cousin, Leon Taylor — he was the man.

Leon was a catcher for the Kankakee (Ill.) Jaycee Little League team and helped propel the team to the Little League World Series championship game in 1958. He won one of the big playoffs leading up to the Series with a last-inning, three-run homer. I was so proud.

Leon went on to college — the first in our family to go. He was a counselor, dedicated to talking through problems and lending a hand to those falling through the cracks.

Leon is the reason I went into social work and counseling. He made me see that a life of making things better — working with people — could change the future for all of us.


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