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Prime Minister Shinzo Abes central government has dismissed Sundays Nago mayoral election results as meaning little, and vows plans for a replacement airfield in northern Okinawa will continue as designed.

Despite threats from newly re-elected Nago Mayor Susumu Inamine that he will make every effort to block landfill operations that will lead to creation of the Futenma Replacement Facility at Camp Schwab in his citys Henoko district, both the Tokyo government and Okinawa Governor Hirokazu Nakaima say theres really little that the mayor can do to stop progress. Inamine, a longtime opponent of moving Futenma Marine Corps Air Station to his city, Sunday defeated pro-base challenger and former Okinawa Assemblyman Bunshin Suematsu 19,839 votes to 15,684 in an election that brought a high 76.1% voter turnout.

Japans Defense Minister, Itsunori Onodera, has brushed aside the election results, saying this is a local election, so I dont think this will directly influence the issue. Yoshihide Suga, the Chief Cabinet Secretary, called the Nago result very regrettable but insisted the central government will continue working to patiently change Inamines mind. Suga explains there will be no change in going ahead, because Japan is a country ruled by law and we will carry this out based on legal procedures.

Inamine says thats simply not going to happen, insisting hes got the power to stop the project by blocking and refusing to sign documents needed for construction of the airfield and the military port. I will reject all procedures that are premised on the landfill project. Without the mayors approval and consent, this process cannot go forward, he says, noting in order to protect the future for our children, I will not allow a new base to be built. Inamine says Futenma should be moved outside Okinawa, and not to his neighborhood.

Government officials concede Inamine could hamper use of roads and other facilities, but cannot shut down the project. Governor Nakaima last month approved the project, after wrangling that lasted several prefectural administrations over a 17 years period.

In the weeks leading up to the Nago election, the central government had committed billions of yen at least 300 billion per year through 2021 to help Okinawa develop its infrastructure for the future, as well as billions more to pay for a second runway at Naha International Airport and expansion of the islands light rail. That pledge came shortly before Nakaima agreed to support the landfill project and construction of the new airfield in Oura Bay adjacent to the Marines Camp Schwab.

On top of that, the central government only days before the election promised Nago City more than a half-billion U.S. dollars to improve its future. That works out to more than $8,000 per Nago City resident. Inamine blasted that government move, calling it bribery and noting only Nago residents would decide the future of their city.

Observers say Abes government is not going to give up on the Futenma Replacement Facility project, or go away, either. The central government says the project is necessary in order to fulfill promises to Okinawa which will lead to a reduction in the number of U.S. troops on the island, and thus, reduce the burdens Okinawans face. We will steadily proceed, taking seriously the approval for our application for the reclamation, says Defense Minister Onodera, who stresses The Futenma base remaining in the current site cannot be accepted. We dont think the local election will directly affect the relocation to Henoko.

The alternative, a scholar notes, would be for Tokyo to sit back and wait four years for the next election in Nago, in hopes a more conservative administration will win. That wont happen, he says, because Futenmas a dangerous airbase in densely populated Ginowan City. At the same time, he explains, the world situation, with China flexing its military might in southern Okinawa, has Japan and other countries concerned about security, much of which is provided by the U.S. presence on the island. A government source echoes that, pointing out We have no choice but to unemotionally proceed with the relocation.

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Base relocation plan to continue despite Nago election

Bulgaria and Romania need to do more to strengthen their legal systems and fight high-level corruption and organized crime, the European Union said in a report on the European Unions poorest states.

Romania has made progress in many areas and long-awaited legislative changes have remained on track, though concerns about judicial independence remain, European Commission spokesman Mark Gray told reporters in Brussels today. Bulgarias judicial reform progress has not been sufficient and remains fragile, he said.

The two countries that joined the 28-nation bloc in 2007 are judged to be among the EUs most corrupt along with Greece and Italy, according to Berlin-based research organization Transparency International. The Black Sea nations have had with repeated warnings to fight corruption harder to ensure a fair distribution of EU aid. Romania, the bigger of the two, stood to receive 32 billion euros ($43 billion) in EU aid through 2013. Bulgaria got less than 11 billion euros.

For reform to succeed, it needs a consistent and coherent approach based on a broad consensus in Bulgarian society, Gray said about Bulgaria, which was last the subject of a report 18 months ago. The fact that this period included three different governments has not helped to build this consensus, though events have also illustrated a widespread public aspiration for reform.

Bulgaria has been gripped by political turmoil since February, when anti-austerity protests that echoed unrest across Europe forced out Boyko Borissovs administration.

Premier Plamen Oresharskis minority cabinet took power after a May snap election. It survived two no-confidence votes and recurring protests against what demonstrators say is a corrupt political system.

In Bulgaria repeated controversies such as appointments having to be aborted due to integrity issues, the escape from justice of convicted organized crime figures and a succession of revelations about political influence on the judicial system have affected public confidence, the EU said in a statement. There remain very few cases where crimes of corruption or organized crime have been brought to conclusion in court.

Romania is scheduled to hold a presidential election at the end of this year and has been embroiled in a feud between President Traian Basescu and Prime Minister Victor Ponta in the past two years over judiciary and taxes.

Pontas coalition, which now holds a two-thirds parliamentary majority, tried unsuccessfully to oust Basescu in 2012. The bickering between Ponta and Basescu was rekindled in late 2013 over changes to a criminal code and some fuel taxes.

Concerns about judicial independence remain in Romania and there are many examples of resistance to integrity and anti-corruption measures, Gray said. The rushed and intransparent amendment of the Criminal Code in December 2013 sparked widespread concern as a challenge to the regime for tackling corruption and promoting integrity.

Shrewsbury's Quarry leisure centre and swimming pool is not fit for purpose and needs updating, the towns MP has said.

Daniel Kawczynski said recent conversations with local swimmers have highlighted the need for the towns current facilities to be improved.

It comes as he asks county swimmers to contribute to a new report about the centre.

Mr Kawczynski has asked representatives of various county swimming clubs to provide him with statistics about how many people currently use the pool and what replacement facilities would be required.

Shropshire Council has earmarked the site as a potential location for a new 40 million five-star hotel.

Private investors are being sought to fund the building of a new 200-bedroom hotel, with the Quarry Swimming and Fitness Centre named as one location under consideration.

But the local authority revealed last week it has no money available to build a replacement swimming pool.

The report being drawn up by Mr Kawczynski will include details on how many clubs make use of the pool from across Shropshire, what the effect of the potential pool closure would be if there was no replacement and how facilities could be improved.

It will be sent to Shropshire Council bosses for them to take into consideration.

Mr Kawczynski said whether the hotel plans come to fruition or not, it is clear from his conversations with swimmers that the facilities are in need of updating.

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Call for debate on Shrewsbury swimming pool future

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STAFFORDSHIRE County Council has apparently gone to great lengths to consult on the future of Learning Disability Day Services initial briefings, questionnaires, focus groups for carers, one to one meetings, focus groups for service users and market place events over a period of three months.

We were told in the report that went to the county councils Conservative cabinet last week that the consultation adhered to the guidelines of consultation best practice, and all necessary steps were taken to gather as many views as possible.

The response rate of 750 was good, in addition to petitions signed by thousands of local residents.

But, as 80 per cent of respondents rejected the preferred option of the county council to close day centres for people with learning disabilities and farm out support for our most vulnerable citizens, the consultation has been totally ignored. The whole process has been a monumental scam.

What does this mean for around 460 people currently supported by Day Centres in Staffordshire? Their lifeline is being is being stripped away with nothing credible to replace it.

The day centres are a haven for users, giving them a social life and providing the only respite most carers ever get.

The centres have been characterised as taking people with learning disabilities away from their communities. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Most clients do not attend the centres every day, and even when they do, the caring, trusted professional staff help them use local community facilities such as swimming, gardening and sailing.

Thirty per cent of all adults who currently use the day centres, around 140 vulnerable people, are likely to be assessed as no longer eligible for any support.

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Charlotte Atkins: Staffordshire County Council ignored public's ...

HENDERSON, Ky. The planned six-month-long closure of a section of Kentucky 136-East about midway between Anthoston and Niagara has been pushed back from Monday to Wednesday, according to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.

A contractor is preparing to construct a new bridge over the East Fork of Canoe Creek at mile point 24.6. The site is approximately one mile southeast of the Pennyrile Parkway overpass, between Upper Delaware Road/Kentucky 520 and Kentucky 416-East.

The contractor has quite a bit of equipment to get into place before work can actually start. Delaying the closure until Wednesday will help avoid unnecessary inconvenience to the public and school bus traffic, according to the Transportation Cabinet.

There will be a marked detour for light vehicles using Upper Delaware Road/Kentucky 520 and Kentucky 416-East, as well as a marked truck detour using Kentucky 416-East and U.S. 41-South.

The closure will affect motorists traveling from U.S. 41-South to Niagara Elementary School, which is located just east of the construction site, for the remainder of the school year.

The Henderson County Schools Transportation Department suggested two alternate routes:

Niagara School Route 1:

From the city of Henderson, drive past Kentucky 136 on U.S. 41 South at Anthoston.

Continue south on U.S. 41 for an additional 3.5 miles.

Turn left on West T. Royster Rd.

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Ky. 136-East closure coming Wednesday; access to Niagara School to be affected

No public money is available to build a replacement leisure centre and swimming pool in Shrewsbury should a 40 million five-star hotel get the go-ahead in The Quarry, Shropshire Council has revealed.

Private investors are being sought to fund the building of a new 200-bedroom hotel, with one site under consideration being The Quarry Swimming and Fitness Centre, which would be demolished to make way for the hotel.

It had been hoped the plans would include provision for a new leisure centre to be built elsewhere in the town centre.

But council bosses said today there are no public funds available for such a move.

Even if the hotel idea does not come to fruition, the council said the ageing leisure centre is coming to the end of its natural life. But they said there are no current plans to close the centre.

They said the current financial climate means there is no money available for a replacement, despite the scheme being identified by the former Shrewsbury & Atcham Borough Council as one in need of funding before it was replaced by Shropshire Council in 2009.

Councillor Gwilym Butler, Shropshire Councils Cabinet member for leisure, said: The Quarry swimming and fitness centre is coming to the end of its life and its replacement is something that has long been aspired to by both the former Shrewsbury & Atcham Borough Council (SABC) and Shropshire Council, subject to funding being available.

However, its important to make clear that no money was set aside by SABC for the replacement of the swimming centre.

He added: Shropshire Council wants to provide people with the best possible swimming and leisure facilities. Unfortunately in the current financial climate there is no money available at the moment for the replacement of the swimming centre in Shrewsbury, and we have no current plans to close the centre.

Councillor Steve Charmley, Shropshire Councils cabinet member for business growth, has previously said it is estimated the hotel would cost 40 million to develop and build. He said: A number of possible sites in or close to the town have been identified, including the Quarry Pool site, and we are keen to talk to hotel operators and leisure developers about the options.

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No cash set aside for replacement Shrewsbury leisure centre

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UP TO 300 disabled adults will lose access to council-run day centres within two years following the approval of modernisation plans.

Staffordshire County Council yesterday rubber stamped the decision to close two day services for adults with learning disabilities as part of wider changes to provision.

Families have criticised the council's plans to encourage those with less complex needs to access non-council services in the community.

Campaigners heckled cabinet members throughout the discussion, claiming the proposals would result in vulnerable people being left to 'wander the streets'.

But Alan White, cabinet member for care, insisted the move from building-based facilities to community-based provision was 'best practice'.

He said the transition to the new model would take up to two years, and that no service user would be barred from a day centre without alternative services being available.

Mr White said: "In our experience, the outcomes from modernising services have been extremely positive.

"The consultation results show that people don't want change. However, the evidence from experts points towards the direction where we are proposing to go. A consultation isn't a referendum. If 70 per cent of people want no change, we will have to work doubly hard to implement the changes in the right way." Around 440 people currently use day services across the county, which cost 8.6 million to run.

Under the council's plans the centres in Kidsgrove and Codsall will close, while the facility in Leek will be downsized.

Eleven months after former Small Business Administration boss Karen Mills announced her resignation, President Barack Obama is set to nominate a replacement today: Maria Contreras-Sweet, a native of Mexico with a background in small business financing and government service.

In addition to her banking experience, the 58-year-olds diversity is a quality being sought for Cabinet jobs. Her impending nomination, which is expected to come at a formal event in Washington, was first reported by the Washington Post.

Contreras-Sweet immigrated to the U.S. at the age of 5 and went on to achieve a number of firsts, including being the first Latin American woman to serve on the board of Blue Cross California (WLP), and first to hold a cabinet secretary position in California state government. (She was Californias secretary of Business, Transportation, and Housing from 1999 to 2003.)

She is chair of the board at ProAmerica Bank (PMRA), a publicly traded Los Angeles community bank she founded in 2006. Before that, Contrereas-Sweet served as president of Fortius Holdings, a private-equity fund she co-founded specializing in California small businesses.

Those experiences should help her tackle the SBAs core function of helping small businesses find capital. Under Mills, the SBA has backed about $30 billion in loans in each of the last three years, up from $17.8 billion in 2009. The International Franchise Association and Main Street Alliance were among advocacy groups to issue statements touting Contreras-Sweets lending credentials.

Once nominated, Contreras-Sweet would have to be confirmed by the Senate, although that process would appear to be simpler under new Senate rules. Senator James Risch, the Idaho Republican who serves as ranking member for the Senates Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, did not respond to a request for comment.

Contreras-Sweets nomination would end a long wait for a permanent SBA chief, which has led to speculation that President Obama plans to eliminate the SBA as a standalone agency. If confirmed, Contreras-Sweet would take over from Jeanne Hulit, who has served as acting administrator since Mills left the SBA for Harvard University in August.

Contreras-Sweets experience as an entrepreneur will serve her well in the new role, says former SBA chief Hector Barreto, who once traveled to Israel with Contreras-Sweet on a mission for Hispanic business leaders.

Barreto, who now chairs the nonprofit Latino Coalition, says Contreras-Sweet was responding to a need when she decided to open ProAmerica. With all of the growth of the Hispanic business community in Los Angeles, she felt it was unacceptable that there werent Hispanic-owned banks, he says. So she founded one of the first Hispanic-owned banks in L.A. Thats the kind of vision and leadership that you need at the SBA.

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Obama Is Finally Picking a New SBA Chief