$175,000 versus millions

The ultimate in hypocrisy was manifest tonight with the televising of Sen. B. Obama's infomercial. The Democrats condemned the Gov. from Alaska for getting some new duds to wear, $175,000 worth, during the campaign which will be auctioned off after the campaign is over and given to charity but not a peep from anyone about the millions spent by Sen. B. Hussein Obama to sell himself to the people of the United States. Doesn't that seem a little unfair and not balanced to you? If all its going to take to win the Presidency is a lot of money and good fitting suit and being able to read a teleprompter well this country is going to be in for some hard times. Leadership has nothing to do with money, TV time and slick talk but everything to do with keeping your promises and maintaining your core principles. Senator McCain did not break under seven years of torture at the Hanoi Hilton...I think the White House should be a breeze for him.

BEFORE YOU VOTE FOR SEN. OBAMA...CHECK THIS OUT!

www.americasright.com/2008/08/q-with-phillip-berg.html

David W McArdle...Back Again In Court

Remember the previous article about David W. McArdle, a managing partner of Zukowski, Rogers, Flood and McArdle, attorneys for the City of Woodstock Illinois and the phone call and meeting with Sgt. Gorski's attorneys to work out something more amicable and efficient in settling their differences? Well to the best of my knowledge Sgt. Gorski's attorneys received no calls back in regards to it but I am sure the Sergeant's legal bill increased and so did the city's because of this exercise in futility. I suspect it may have been just another tactic in trying to extend this whole matter by trying to bankrupt the Sgt. so that he could not go on and continue to defend his position in court and for the City of Woodstock to continue to not pay him any wages for more than a year now.

At court,Mr. McArdle brought out his tripod and poster boards and in a few minutes tried to convince Judge Maureen McIntyre that the 4 1/2 months of evidence and testimony presented by Anne Brophy, the attorney who handled the prosecution for the city against Sgt. Gorski and an attorney for Zukowski, Rogers, Flood and McArdle; that the decision in the case, by the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners should have been decided differently and against Sgt. Gorski. That they, the Board, should have found him guilty of the charges brought against him by the Chief of Police, Robert W. Lowen Jr. and he should have been fired from his job after 20 years of exemplary public service to the community of Woodstock Illinois. So much for advancing amicability, efficiency and trust but I will say it was a valiant effort in trying to rewrite history and a valiant attempt to forget about the concept of double jeopardy of the defendant. As far as justice...you be the judge.

Now the citizens of Woodstock and of McHenry County have an even clearer idea of what Sgt. Gorski and his attorneys have had to deal with.

LINE OF DUTY PENSION BENEFITS FOR POLICE OFFICERS

About three weeks ago a telephone conversation between two attorneys representing Sgt. Steven R. Gorski, an employee of the Woodstock Police Department for the last 20 years and Mr. David W. McArdle, a partner in the firm of Zukowski, Rogers, Flood & McArdle, representing the Chief of Police and City of Woodstock took place. It was my understanding that Mr. McArdle wanted to have a meeting of the legal representatives of the Chief of Police, Robert W. Lowen Jr. and the City of Woodstock and the Police Pension Board and those of Sgt. Gorski to see if this litigation on the part of the Police Chief and the City and the Police Pension Board could be resolved in a more amicable and efficient manner. I presume since Mr. McArdle arranged this meeting he self-assumed the role of moderator. This meeting took place in the afternoon of October 8, 2008 in the City Council Chambers.

After about two hours of talking and the usual "posturing" that attorneys are known for, the position of Sgt. Gorski was finalized to the understanding of Mr. McArdle and he said he would get back to Sgt. Gorski's attorneys after discussing this with the City Council as soon as possible. To date, Oct. 18, 2008, Sgt. Gorski's attorneys have not heard a word back from Mr. McArdle; so much for amicability and efficiency.

Also during this meeting one of the attorneys for either Workman's Comp or the Pension Board allegedly said that they were not sure that the injury ever happened during line of duty even though the appropriate form (Form 45) was filed and investigated an verified by a deputy chief of police. According to "Municipal Matters" dated July 2007, Vol. 2, Issue 3, a news letter produced by the firm of Zukowski, Rogers, Flood and McArdle a police officer is entitled to Line of Duty Pension Benefits and I quote:

"Any act of police duty inherently involving a special risk, not ordinarily assumed by a citizen in the ordinary walks of life, imposed on a policeman by the statutes of this State, or by ordinances or police regulations of the city in which this Article is in effect or by special assignment, or by any act of heroism performed in the city having for its direct purpose the saving of the life or property of a person other than the policeman."

Sgt. Gorski was at 3:30 am trying to do what he could for a man who was gravely injured in a single car accident on the side of Route 14 in Woodstock Illinois. The man expired and later it was found that his blood alcohol was in excess of the legal limit. It was at this scene during the course of his assisting in the later investigation that he incurred his injuries. Now that does not sound like an act "ordinarily assumed by a citizen in the ordinary walks of life " to me. How about you?

This gives you just a little feeling of what Sgt. Gorski has been dealing with in connection with the Chief of Police, the City of Woodstock and its hired and well paid attorneys.

To all the citizens of Woodstock Illinois don't forget that your elected officials are allegedly condoning this by setting policy and allowing their subordinates to proceed in this matter as regards Sgt. Gorski. Last but not least it is your tax money being used to pay the legal fees of these attorneys to pursue this course of action. That tax money could be used in a much better way in these troubled times.

Woodstock IL....Continuing Saga of Sgt. Gorski

On February 14, 2008 the Woodstock Illinois Fire and Police Commissioners vindicated Patrol Sergeant Steven R. Gorski, for lack of evidence, of all complaints filed against him by Police Chief, Robert W. Lowen Jr. This followed a 4 1/2 month prosecution by Lowen and his city paid attorney Anne Brophy of the firm of Zukowski, Rogers, Flood & McArdle. After all was said and done by the prosecution, including taking the testimony of a multitude of witnesses the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners returned a unanimous decision in Sgt. Gorski's favor; not one commissioner voted against him. Of even more significance is the fact that not one commissioner asked that any disciplinary action be taken against him.

On February 14, 2008 the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners signed the following official document:

"IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that the Charges against the Respondent (Sgt. Gorski) be dismissed. The Board having held that the Charges against the Respondent (Sgt. Gorski) are not sustained, orders that the Respondent (Sgt. Gorski) be reimbursed for any wages withheld as a result of the Respondent's suspension without pay pending the hearing. The Chief of the Police Department and other appropriate corporate authorities are directed to implement this order forthwith."

Well, it is now (8) eight months later and the Chief, Robert Lowen and other appropriate corporate authorities of the City of Woodstock Illinois have not implemented the direct order of the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners. From all sensible points of view that sounds like the Chief and appropriate corporate authorities are allegedly guilty of insubordination and not obeying a direct order given to them. Sgt. Gorski still has not seen one penny of the money due him. How many of you could survive and take care of a family on no income?

I would hope and pray that the City Council of the City of Woodstock Illinois would stop this travesty of justice and common sense from continuing by complying with the order and directly dismissing those individuals who were ordered to comply forthwith by the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners and freely choose not to follow the order. The Sgt. should also be paid all money due him per order of the Board.

No one in public service, no mater what rank or level of power and supervision they hold are above the rule of law and those who believe they are need to move on to some other endeavor. I pray that this foolishness ends.

WOODSTOCK ILLINOIS CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER...FILLED TO CAPACITY

The chamber was filled to capacity with about a dozen or so citizens standing along the side and back wall. I was only able to attend the first half of the public comments section of the meeting; I suspect another blog will give you a more in debt report (www.woodstockadvocate.com).

Two members of the public voiced their dissatisfaction on the apparent increase in crime and crime related activities in Woodstock and the apparent lack of leadership and transmission of information to the public. One of the speakers, was very displeased with the way the "man with a gun" incident was managed and questioned the alleged quality of the leadership of the Woodstock Police Department. The mayor, Dr. B. Sager stated that the council is aware of the communities concerns and will implement actions that will make sure this, to the best of their abilities, does not happen again. The Police Chief, Robert W. Lowen Jr. was present at the time of the public comments and had no comments.

PEOPLE UPSET WITH CHIEF LOWEN?...TO FILL CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS THIS TUESDAY?

Unofficial word on the street is that the citizens of Woodstock Illinois are allegedly very, very upset with the way things have been handled by the Chief of Police Robert W. Lowen Jr. From what I have heard a number of them will be showing up for the Tuesday meeting of the City Council to voice their complaints of the way public safety and crime matters have been handled over the last several days and I don't think they will be willing to settle for a cup of coffee...even a premium imported blend.
PS: Meeting will be held a 7 PM on this coming Tuesday at the City Hall in the Council Chambers.

POLICE CHIEF ROBERT W LOWEN JR QUERIED BY RESIDENTS OF WOODSTOCK ILLINOIS AND THE PRESS

In a Editorial printed by the Northwest Herald on Sept. 12, 2008 the paper stated that Police Chief Lowen "needs to understand that dealing with the public and releasing information on crime that occurs in Woodstock (Illinois) is an important part of his job." They also stated "Woodstock residents deserve better."
Read the entire Editorial entitled "Information was lacking" on line at NWHerald.com for Sept. 12, 2008

WOODSTOCK ILLINOIS..MAN WITH GUN..HELD ON RAPE CHARGES

In follow-up to my previous article about a "Man With Gun" earlier this week it appears that Tim Kane, a reporter for the Northwest Herald has gotten the "rest of the story".

According to Tim Kane's article the Woodstock Illinois Police Department said: "a homeless man was in custody Thursday after being charged with two counts of sexually assaulting a 26-year old woman in a laundromat last week."

The article by Mr. Kane stated that the alleged offender was identified as Jeffrey A. Cole, 25 years of age. He was charged Wednesday with:

• aggravated sexual assault
• aggravated unlawful restraint
• one count of burglary
• one count of disorderly conduct in relation to his actions with what looked like a handgun in the backyard of a Woodstock residence in the 200 block of Fremont Street

Cole was arrested Wednesday after he was pulled over by police for speeding. They then ascertained he had no insurance and was driving with a suspended license.

He is in jail and needs $30,000 for bond. His next date in for court is next week Wednesday, Sept. 17th.

Good job Mr. Tim Kane for alerting the public...keep up the good work!

WOODSTOCK ILLINOIS..MAN WITH GUN..NO PROBLEM?

Finally some 60 or more citizens of Woodstock Illinois are not only going to "Coffee with the Chief, Robert W. Lowen Jr, Program" on Monday nights just to drink some free coffee and chat with the Chief but according to the Northwest Herald article by Northwest Herald reporter Tim Kane "to vent their frustrations" to him in regards to how a report of a man with a gun report was handled. The report was telephoned into the Woodstock Police Department by a lady in the 200 block of Fremont Street at about 9:15 am last Thursday. The lady went into her yard to fetch some wood from a wood pile and found a man hiding behind it with a handgun in his hand; now how often has that happened to you? The man told the lady that he was going to use the gun for his cat....sure! So what was he going to do...discharge a firearm within the city limits? Some officers were sent out to patrol the area and look for the suspect and when they found someone who matched the description the lady could not identify him for certain. So far so good it appears that they did what they, the police, could up to this point.

From this point on however I question the judgment of whomever made the final decision. Common sense would dictate that most Patrol Sergeants would have contacted a superior, either a Deputy Chief or the Chief and filled him in on the situation. That and armed man has been reported and that the police had not been able to apprehend or find and contain him and that all of this was happening not very far from Dean Street School. As a prudent Sergeant he should have called and let someone who was in a "higher pay grade" make the decision as to whether we notify and secure the Dean Street School and post a patrol officer there for the day just to be on the safe side or walk away and do none of the above.

The principal of the school did not find out about all of this until the following Monday. Some example of community policing and communicating potential threats to the civilian community. Ultimately the Chief is responsible for the Police Department and the buck and responsibility and final decisions should end in his lap.

Thank God nothing happened and maybe the only injury was to that cat....hmmmm. But this could have also turned into a real nightmare.

WOODSTOCK ILLINOIS TAX PAYERS...BEWARE?..THE SAGA CONTINUES

It has been about a year or more since the City of Woodstock Police Chief, Robert W. Lowen Jr., who I believe still lives in Carpentersville after more that three years on the job as Chief, filed a complaint with the Woodstock Fire and Police Commissioners, who are considered officers of the City of Woodstock. He, the Police Chief, Robert W. Lowen Jr. alleged that Sergeant Steven R. Gorski, a 19 now 20 year veteran of the force be fired because of alleged abuse of prescription medications that he used to control pain that had been caused by two in the line of duty injuries that he sustained to his lower back and his neck. At an "open" meeting the attorney for the City of Woodstock, at that time, made sure that all the alleged details that she, Anne Brophy, an attorney of the firm of Zukowski, Rogers, Flood & McArdle, and the Chief wanted to be publicly disseminated was done so to the media which was present. It did not appear to me that they were allegedly too concerned about private personnel or private health issues whatsoever. They accomplished what they set out to do; to allegedly air private personnel and health issues to the public via newspapers, Internet, etc.

I have served on many boards of directors over the last thirty plus years and I cannot recall once when a board discussed personnel or health matters of an employee in a public, open forum; to me the manner in which this initial complaint of the Chief that was presented to the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners was allegedly done to injure and defame Sergeant Gorski before he even had the chance to defend himself. It was, I allege, unscrupulous behavior at best.

It then took Ms. Brophy about four and one-half months, (all in closed session to the public) to present the evidence that was to prove the Chief's complaint. In January of 2008 the prosecution (Ms. Brophy) rested it's case; it had presented all the evidence it had. Why it took four and one-half months to do so I do not know and why all of a sudden it had to be in "closed session" after the supposed complaint was announced in detail in public is beyond my understanding. I allege a murder trial might have been resolved sooner and this whole matter I allege has a certain distinct smell to it.

Sergeant Gorski's attorney, Tom Loizzo then asked the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners to consider a directed decision since to his perspective the Chief and the City did not prove their case. The Board of Fire and Police Commissioners in February of 2008 then granted the motion for a directed decision and deliberated in private for several minutes to arrive at a decision. The decision of the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners was unanimous, 3 to 0 in favor of Sergeant Gorski with absolutely no disciplinary action recommended. The City was directed to pay him all his back pay and interest that he had not been receiving and to reinstate him when he had recovered from surgery on his lower back which had incurred in the interim. None of the directives of the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners were obeyed by the Chief or corporate city authorities. The Chief, Robert W. Lowen Jr. filed for Administrative Review with the Circuit Court. Two scheduling hearings have already happened in the hope that this could be resolved but so far it has not. Each time a junior member of the law firm of Zukowski, Rogers, Flood & McArdle appeared (musical lawyers) who could not and did not have the authority to act for the law firm. A hearing before Judge M. McIntyre is finally set for October 15, 2008.

You have to understand one thing, the Chief has named the Fire and Police Commissioners as Defendants in his action for an Administrative Review...the City in a sense suing the City. Sergeant Gorski was also named as a Defendant although he had absolutely nothing to do with the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners' decision to accept the motion for a directed decision and with the final decision of the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners, 3 to 0 in his favor.

This whole misadventure has only one winner at this time, I allege it is the law firm of Zukowski, Rogers, Flood and McArdle who will collect their legal fees for over the last year of continued litigation on their part. The losers will be Sergeant Gorski who has not been paid in almost one year and the tax paying citizens of Woodstock who are going to pick up the legal tab. What are the City of Woodstock leaders thinking? The hole is just getting deeper and deeper.

DOCTORS..VENDORS....LABOR DAY THOUGHT

Since mankind lived in caves thousands of years before writing and language skills developed there existed the "healer", "witchdoctor", "medicine man", "shaman" or any one of a thousand other names that person may have been called...most of them long since forgotten over the eons since they walked and practiced what we today call medicine. They were individuals in a tribe or clan that had the secret knowledge passed onto them from their father or mother; in a true sense ...a family affair that continued as long as that family continued to exist. When the family died out that line of healing died out with it. Their skills were composed of many parts: mysticism, religion, observation of nature and the creatures around them and to some extent experimentation and magic and common sense. These skills though ancient and seemingly crude serviced mankind for thousands of years and apparently worked to some degree to get us through in spite of their inadequacies.

With the advancement of mankind and writing came the codification of all this knowledge passed on (verbally) over the ages; much of it nonsense and some of it true. Science as we understand it only began about 500 t0 600 years ago with observation of the world around us and gradually the scientific method evolved which involved theories and experimentation to verify the theory (hypothesis).

Today the healer of yesterday is called doctor or physician or even more recently denigrated to the level of a "vendor" and in that vending machine delivering an item or service. I personally would rather be called a "healer", "shaman" or anyone of multiple other terms lost to antiquity than a "vendor". The family of the ancient "healer" has now become the corporation which controls it's "vendors" by owning and controlling it's vending machines....hospitals, clinics, emergent care centers and anyone of many other entities. They are generally run and controlled by MBAs and accountants and laymen (business men) with their own agendas...not necessarily the same healing ones of the doctor...oh excuse me... the "vendor". This has been called progress. I sometimes wonder if it is progress in the right direction and with the correct people at the helm. If the people want a Walmart mentality servicing their health they will get the service they deserve.

In the last century or so we have seen more changes in medicine than have occurred in thousands of years. Let us not change it so much that the human element, the person to person connection along with the compassion is lost forever for then we who are "healers" will be forever delegated to the realm of "vendor" and the "vending machine" will take us into the future. A terrifying thought to me.

RESULTS...SOURCE OF STRESS POLL

The results were pretty much spread evenly across the board...home, work, driving, relationships and other. The one interesting fact the small poll revealed was no one stated they had NO STRESS in their lives...a sign of the times?

Pregnant...Don't Drink Alcohol

According to a recent article in the Chicago Tribune by Bonnie Rubin about 40,000 babies (1% of all live births) are born with some alcohol -related neurological impairment, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That is more than spina bifida, Down Syndrome and muscular dystrophy combined. A new term has been coined for this disorder, FASD, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders and it is 100% preventable. Just remember and do one thing.....

IF YOU ARE PREGNANT DON'T DRINK ANYTHING WITH ALCOHOL IN IT !

Simple....YES.

IS THERE A DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE?

As some of you may know I am retired and have been serving on the Board of Health for McHenry County for almost 10 years. We need some help. The State of Illinois requires two physicians, MDs or DOs, to sit on the Board of Health. Recently one of the two physicians retired from service on the Board. Please consider contacting me if you are interested in volunteering some time in service to the public health needs of the county. We meet once a month and occasionally for committee meetings or special meetings called. It will not take up an inordinate amount of your time and is interesting and stimulating. If you are interested in providing a needed public health service for McHenry County contact me at rgorski@embarqmail.com

I will pass on your information to the Public Health Administrator, Mr. Patrick McNulty.

HOSPITALS VIE FOR OLYMPICS

In yesterday's Chicago Tribune, Business Section is the headline noted above in the title of this article.
I contend that if people can afford to travel thousands of miles, spend thousands of dollars when they get here to have a good time they can afford to buy travel insurance to pay for their medical bills if they incur any on their trip to the U.S. Now we are supposed to pay the tab for the world's travelers so that the mayor and the state can then raise our taxes to subsidize hospitals who may loose millions of dollars. We really are stupid at times...seems lately most of the time. The state does not even pay the medical bills it owes to take care of its citizens. Just look at the job the politicians are doing in Springfield led by Governor Rod. Before these folks (foreign travelers) are allowed in the country they should have to show proof of health insurance. No foreign country has ever paid my medical bills when I visited them. In fact some health facilities won't even see you until they see cash or a travel insurance policy. When are we going to get some common sense?

HELPFUL HINT IF STUNG BY BEE

It is best to scrape a stinger away is a side-to-side motion with a straight-edged object like a credit card. Don't use tweezers because it may push more venom into the skin. After removing a stinger, wash the area with soap and water. You can apply ice or another cold compress to help reduce swelling.

BUGS AWAY!

Things you can do:

• Use structural barriers such as window screens and netting.
• Avoid wooded, brushy, grassy areas.
• Don't wear scented soaps, perfumes.
• Use caution eating outside and drinking; don't leave drinks and garbage cans uncovered.
• Don't wear bright colors, which attract bees.
• Wear long sleeves and long pants when possible.
• Tuck pant legs into socks or shoes.
• Wear a hat for extra protection.
• Get rid of containers with standing water that give mosquitoes a breeding ground.
• Use insect repellent if non chemical methods are ineffective and you spend time in tall grass and wooded areas.
• Treat camping gear, clothes, and shoes with permethrin, which repels and kills ticks, mosquitoes, and other insects. Clothing that is pre-treated with permethrin is also available commercially.
• Good luck this summer and be careful out there.

PUBLIC EMPLOYEE DISABILITY ACT (PEDA)

Your employer may not volunteer this information to you so I am quoting it word for word for your information and benefit should you need it.

GENERAL PROVISIONS

(5 ILCS 345/) Public Employee Disability Act

(5 ILCS 345/0.01) (from Ch. 70, par. 90.9)

Sec. 0.01. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Public Employee Disability Act. (Source: P.A. 86-1324.)

(5 ILCS 345/1) (from Ch. 70, par. 91)

Sec. 1. Disability benefit.

(a) For the purposes of this Section, "eligible employee" means any part-time or full time State correctional officer or any other full or part-time employee of the Department of Corrections, any full or part-time employee of the Prisoner Review Board, and full time or part-time employee of the Department of Human Services working within a penal institution or a State mental health or developmental disabilities facility operated by the Department of Human Services, and any full-time law enforcement officer or full-time firefighter who is employed by the State of Illinois, any unit of local government (including any home rule unit), any State supported college or university, or any other public entity granted the power to employ persons for such purposes by law.

(b) Whenever an eligible employee suffers any injury in the line of duty which causes him to be unable to perform his duties, he shall continue to be paid by the employing public entity on the same basis as he was paid before the injury, with no deduction from his sick leave credits, compensatory time for overtime accumulations or vacation, or service credits in a public employee pension fund during the time he is unable to perform his duties due to the result of the injury, but not longer that one year in relation to the same injury. However, no injury to an employee of the Department of Corrections or the Prisoner Review Board working within a penal institution or an employee of the Department of Human Services working within a departmental mental health or developmental disabilities facility shall qualify the employee for the benefits under this Section unless the injury is the direct or indirect result of violence by inmates of the penal institution or residents of the mental health or developmental disabilities facility.

(c) At any time during the period for which continuing compensation is required by this Act, the employing public entity may order at the expense of that entity physical or medical examinations of the injured person to determine the degree of the disability.

(d) During this period of disability, the injured person shall not be employed in any other manner, with or without monetary compensation. Any person who is employed in violation of this paragraph forfeits the continuing compensation provided by this Act from the time such employment begins. Any salary compensation due the injured person from workers' compensation or any salary due him from any type of insurance which may be carried by the employing public entity shall revert to that entity during the time for which continuing compensation is paid to him under this Act. Any disabled person receiving compensation under the provisions of this Act shall not be entitled to any benefits for which he would qualify because of his disability under the provisions of the Illinois Pension Code.

(e) Any employee of the State of Illinois, as defined in Section 14-103.05 of the Illinois Pension Code, who becomes permanently unable to perform the duties of such employment due to an injury received in the active performance of his duties as a State employee as a result of a willful act of violence by another employee of the State of Illinois, as so defined, committed during such other employee's course of employment and after January 1, 1988 shall be eligible for benefits pursuant to the provisions of this Section. For purposes of this Section, permanently disabled is defined as a diagnosis or prognosis of an inability to return to current job duties by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches.

(f) The compensation and other benefits provided to part-time employees covered by this Section shall be calculated based on the percentage of time the part-time employee was scheduled to work pursuant to his or her status as a part-time employee.

(g) Pursuant to paragraphs (h) and (i) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution, this Act specifically denies and limits the exercise by home rule units of any power which is inconsistent herewith, and all existing laws and ordinances which are inconsistent herewith are hereby superseded. This Act does not preempt the concurrent exercise by home rule units of the powers consistent herewith.

This Act does not apply to any home rule unit with a population of over 1,000,000.

(Source: P.A. 88-45; 89-504, eff. 7-1-97.)

RESULTS OF FEEL SAFE POLL

Though the poll numbers of those who responded was small (10) they were 80% for the "I feel safe in McHenry County". I will repeat the poll next summer to see if there is any change. Thanks for participating!