Rafaela Prifti – Page 44 – Dielli

LaGUARDIA GETS A MAKEOVER AS ECONOMIES OPEN UP

June 14, 2020 by dgreca

By Rafaela Prifti

The new Terminal B Arrivals and Departures Hall at LaGuardia Airport opened to the public today as part of a transformed air travel experience awaiting travelers and airlines. The major redevelopment project offers opportunities for local community, women-owned business subcontractors and vendors, as some investors told Dielli.

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, the number of passengers serviced at New York City airports has dropped by 95 percent. Yet theoverhauling of LaGuardia is one of many infrastructure projects in the pipelines give a boost to the state’s economy.

At the formal ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, Governor Cuomo said that New York has entered a new phase in the fight against the virus. The number of new positive cases has been going down as the daily testing numbers are the highest per capita compared to any state in the US. He has repeatedly cautioned about reopening too quickly, which has been the case in some states that are experiencing a sharpincreasein infections. The focus,said Mr. Cuomo is “to have the most informed reopening of any state in the country because reopening is much harder than closing.Since Mr. Cuomo announced five years ago that the LaGuardia airport would be completely rebuilt, there have been several groundbreakings and unveilings. The $8 billion project, three-quarters of which is funded through private financing and existing passenger fees, broke ground in 2016. In February 2018, the new Terminal B parking garage opened with 3,200 spaces and a dedicated level for Uber, Lyft and other car servicesThe old Central Terminal which opened in 1964 was ‘an embarrassment’ to the city and the state, said the Governor. He added thatits completion will be the first,major city airport constructed in the United States in nearly 25 years. The last one to open was Denver International in the mid-1990s.The new LaGuardia will feature 72 new gates across six concourses, featuring artworks by world-renowned artists, security screening technology, no contact systems for ordering food etc. The new arrivals and Departures Hall at LaGuardia Airport is 50 percent bigger than the hall it replaces, represents a step toward a sweeping $8 billion redevelopment that the Port Authority Executive Director, Rick Cotton pledged would create 14,000 jobs and direct $500 million in contracts awarded to Queens Businesses.After months of lockdown, the Governor said that this type of redevelopment project is needed to energize the reopening of the state’s economy. “The pandemic did not significantly affect the completion of the main terminal,” he said. Mr. Cuomo added that the drop in traffic has allowed the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates LaGuardia, to accelerate construction of the roadways at the airport. The Governor and his guests were optimistic about the future of air travel.The rebuilt airport sits wedged between the Grand Central Parkway and the East River, butthe new terminals have stretched closer to the highway.To reduce the heavyflow of vehicles by LaGuardia, the airport includes anAirTrain station. The estimated $2 billion controversial project is designed to shorten travel time by connecting to the No. 7 subway line and the Long Island Rail Road.“The AirTrain and other projects planned by Port Authority are in doubt due the agency’s loss of revenue during the pandemic,” Mr. Cotton said.The redevelopment of LGA airport is anticipated to create a combined $10 billion in economic activity and $2.5 billion in wages over the life of the project. In his presentation, the Executive Director of Port Authority said that it is working hand in hand with local officials, investorsand the local community such as minority and women business owners, students and jobseekers. LaGuardia Gateway Partners was selected by the New York and New Jersey Port Authority to deliver the capital redevelopment at Terminal B of LaGuardia. The English Editor of Dielli attended the formal opening ceremony and talked to representatives like Thomas Nilsson of Skanska Walsh about opportunities for the Albanian local business community. For participation, the firms are required to be registered with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which is invested in developing minority, small and women-owned business enterprises.

95 DITE PANDEMIJE DHE NJE JAVE PROTESTE NE NJU JORK

June 3, 2020 by dgreca

Nga Rafaela Prifti/

Për 95 ditë rresht, Governatori i Nju Jorkut, Andrew Cuomo, informon publikun për situatën shëndetësore lidhur me pandeminë dhe rihapjen e shtetit në varësi të përmbushjes së shtatë pikave tëparacaktuara. Shteti, i cili ishte epiqendra e infeksionit të Coronavirusit, ka tashmë numrin më të lartëtë analizave relative me numrin e popullsisë dhe treguesit infektiv janë të gjithë në nivele shumë të ulura. Në krye të faqes zyrtare të zyrës guvernatoriale jepet njoftimi se infeksioni nga coronavirus është ende aktiv dhe banorët duhet të mbajnë maksa dhe të respektojnë distancimin prej 2 metra nga njëri-tjetri. Aty jepen të dhëna për testim falas, për sigurimin shëndetësor, për statusin e përdatësuar tësecilit rajon, për planin e detajuar të hapjes, për një hua prej 100 millionë dollarë në ndihmë tëbizneseve të vogla madje edhe publikohen numra telefoni për shërbime terapije. Përmbledhtazi, Nju Jorku ka pasur numrin më të madh të rasteve të infeksioneve dhe vdekjeve nga COVID-19. Deri tani, burimet zyrtare shtetërore kanë raportuar mbi 370,000 të infektuar, nga këta mbi 200,000 ndodhen nëqytetin e Nju Jorkut. Rastet e vdekjeve mbi 29,000 përbëjnë thuajse një të tretën e numrit të atyre qëkanë humbur jetën në kohën e pandemisë në të gjithë Amerikën. Përafërsisht një në tetë raste vdekje në botë ndodhet në popullsinë e tri-shtetëshit. Në këtë hapësirë ka edhe një numër të madh tëkomunitetit shqiptar-amerikan. Gjendja e rënduar nga pandemia, humbjet e jetëve dhe kriza ekonomike e shoqëruar me shifra papunësije që arrijnë në 40 milionë në nivel kombëtar bëhen edhe më të tensionuara në sfondin e një situate të elektrizuar politike. Në konferencat e shtypit, z. Cuomo, i cili ka deklaruar se pandemia globale nuk hyn tek detyrat e guvernatorëve të shteteve, thotë se Nju Jorku arriti të ulte efektin e krizës duke lënë mënjanë politikën dhe pasionet, por duke ndjekur këshillat e ekspertëve mjekësor. Për të ndalësuar ritmin e përhapjes së infeksionit në muajin mars Guvernatori urdhëroi mbylljen e bizneseve, shkollave, objekteve fetare, shpalli masat e izolimit nështëpi, distancimin dy metra, pezulloi për 90 ditë debimet nga pronarët të qiraxhinjve që e kanë tëpamundur të paguajnë qiranë, institucionalizoi për herë të parë një rrjet të shërbimeve spitalore për tëpërballuar mbingarkesen e sistemit shëndetsor. Për disa ditë rresht gjatë muajit prill, në Nju Jork vdisnin mbi 700 vetë për ditë, thotë z. Cuomo. Ndërkohë, që ai kërkonte të rriste numrin e analizave si edhe regjistrimin e personave të kontaktuar nga cdo i infektuar, treguesit kryesorë të rasteve tëinfektimeve, intubimeve, kujdesit intensiv dhe të vdekurve filluan të zbresin për cdo ditë. Javën e kaluar Guvenatori deklaroi se në Nju Jork bëhen 50,000 analiza në ditë, shifra më e lartë e cdo vendi tjetër krahasuar për kapita, gjë që lejoi fillimin e etapave të para të hapjes së ekonomisë. Nëkonferencën me gazetarë, ditën e fundit të majit, z. Cuomo, i cili është ‘vendali’ në Nju Jork, vuri nëdukje se gjithcka u arrit nga 19 milionë banorët e këtij shteti, të cilët treguan disiplinë dhe u përkujdesen për njëri-tjetrin pavarësisht dallimeve. “Në këtë moment, ne nuk jemi nga Bruklin, Bronks a Queens, ne jemi të gjithë Amerikanë,” tha z. Cuomo. Ai ia kushtoi një pjesë të raportimit punëtorëve të nevojave imediate si personeli i spitaleve, stafi sanitar dhe shërbimeve të komunikacionit. “Ndërkohë që jepja urdhrin që asnjeri të mos dilte nga shtëpia, unë ju kërkoja atyre tëdilnin në pune për ne,” theksoi Cuomo. Ata u sakrifikuan për hir të dashurisë për njerëzimin në kohën e pandemisë së COVID-19 në Nju Jork dhe ai tha se e kishte për nder të nënshkruante projektligjin për beneficione për familjet e tyre. Në kontekstin e sistemit shëndetësor, z. Cuomo tha se kriza e zbuloi qartë pabarazinë e rrënjosur në sistemin shëndetësor. Minoritetet e varfëra si ato afrikano-amerikane dhe latine pësuan humbjet më të mëdha njerëzore në raport me komunitetet e tjera. Një pjesë të kohës Governatori ia kushtoi protestave të ditëve të fundit që shpërthyen si manifestime kundër dhunës policore vecanërisht kundrejt afrikano-amerikanëve, sic ishte rasti në 25 maj me z. George Floyd nëMineapolis. Z. Cuomo, i cili ka qenë Prokuror i Pergjithshem i Nju Jorkut ne fillim të viteve 2000, bëri analogjinë midis virusit Corona dhe racizmit, padrejtësisë dhe pabarazisë. Por dënoi aktet e vandalizmit dhe grabitjeve, të cilat janë në kundërshtim me mesazhin e protestuesve kundra diskriminimit racial. Nga ana e vet, forcat policore ushtruan akte dhune eksesive ndaj demonstruesve në disa raste. Guvernatori ka kërkuar nga Prokurorja e Përgjithshme Letitia James të kryejë një hetim të pavarur brenda tridhjetë ditëve sepse “publikut i duhet dhënë përgjigje”. Në pjesën e pyetjeve me gazetarët, unë e pyeta për të dhënat mjekësore për shqiptarët, si numri i infeksioneve, të shtruar nëspital, vdekjet. Guvenatori tha se do të interesohej. Z. George Cymon nga Zyra e Shtypit dhe Sophia Zayas, Përfaqësuesja e zyrës guvernatoriale për Bronksin, komunikuan me mua. Sophia Zayas vazhdon të jetë përkrah komunitetit tonë dhe banorëve të Bronksit. Ditën e hënë, në zyren e z. Cuomo në Nju Jork, ai paraqiti situatën në spitale dhe gjendjen e përgjithshme pas një nate tjetër përplasjesh tëdhunshme midis policisë dhe protestuesve. Guvernatori u përqendrua te efekti i tubimeve në aspektin mjekësor dhe social: pas tre muajve izolimi, kontaktet masive mund të rrisin numrin e infektimeve, dhe së dyti aktet e vjedhjeve dhe shkatërrimeve nga persona me motive personale nuk i shkojnëmesazhit të revoltës popullore për drejtësi. Përkundrazi, shtoi ai, i japin shkas kritikëve t’i etiketojnëdemonstruesit si “vagabondë” dhe u krijojnë shansin politikanëve ta tërheqin vëmendjen e publikut nga tema e ditës. Z. Cuomo përmendi rastet e ngjashme të dhunës së policisë së Nju Jorkut për dekada me rradhë. Për ta ilustruar këtë pikë, ai kujtoi fjalimin që mbajti babai i tij, Mario Cuomo, Guvernator i Nju Jorkut nga 1983-1994, në Kuvendin e Partisë Demokratike në 1984. Fjalimi mbahet mend për thënien se “Nuk kemi të bëjmë me një vend që vezullon në majë të kodrës por me një ndarje të thellë të dy Amerikave”. E njëjta histori shpaloset cdo herë kur vjen fjala për barazi në strehim, pagesa, shkollim, punësim etj. Për të sjellë ndryshime, protesta nuk mund të shpreh vetëm pakënaqësi, prej saj duhet të dalin kërkesa konkrete, tha Governori i Nju Jork-ut. Ai shtoi se në takimin me Kryetarin e Bashkisë Bill de Blasio do të diskutonte taktikat e policisë gjatë protestave dhe mundesinë e vendosjes së orës policore në Nju Jork për të ruajtur rendin.

Në seacën e pyetjeve, unë kërkova të di nëse i kishin mbledhur të dhënat mjekësore për shqiptarët. Melissa DeRosa, Sekretarja pranë Guvernatorit tha se spitalet i marrin të dhënat për të bardhët, afrikano-amerikanët, latinot, aziatikët. Megjithatë, tha ajo, po interesohemi me Departamentin e Shëndetësisë për të kërkuar nga spitalet nëse mund të japin të dhëna më specifike. Governatori i Nju Jorkut vazhdon të jap konferenca shtypi për ditë. Në takim me gazetarët të tërheq vëmendjen stema e zyrës guvernatoriale, ku lexohen qartë fjalët: UNE PUNOJ PER POPULLIN! (I WORK FOR THE PEOPLE) Z. Cuomo, i cili po kryen mandatin e tretë në këtë detyrë, ka fituar respekt për lidership, maturi dhe qartësi mesazhi ne kohën e pandemisë. Zgjedhjet e ardhshme për guvernator mbahen nëvitin 2022.

THE PANDEMIC AND RECENT PROTESTS STILL TELL THE TALE OF TWO CITIES, SAYS GOVERNOR CUOMO

June 3, 2020 by dgreca

By Rafaela Prifti/

On day 91 of the pandemic, Governor Cuomo delivered his daily briefing at the New Settlement Community in the Bronx. After introducing the officials standing next to him, Rossana Rosado, NY Secretary of State, and Melisa DeRosa, Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Cuomo presented the data on hospitalization, intubation, and deaths at 67. He announced that the capital regions are moving forward with the next phases of the scaled lifting of restrictions, and announced that New York City plans to open on June 8. He called attention to the inequality in healthcare that was made painfully evident in the recent crisis. There are ten hotspots in the outer boroughs like Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens, and ten more testing sites will be added to each spot. “The challenge that we face,” the Governor said, “is a non-existing hospital system.” Mr. Cuomo placed emphasis on the fact that the approach to controlling the virus in the New York state, an epicenter of the pandemic, was driven by data and world specialists with expertise in the area of health crisis, not by politics or emotions.

He praised the discipline and mindfulness demonstrated by 19 million residents who rose up and heeded the stay-at-home orders to curb of spread of the virus, thanking the “people of New York” who protected one another by doing what’s right and “being smart.” Special credit went to frontline workers, “the ones who were asked to go to work when everyone else was under orders to stay home,” Governor said. To honor the legacy of the ultimate sacrifice made in the name of love for humanity, Mr. Cuomo signed a “bill that gives death benefits to the families of all the frontline workers that gave their lives for us, fighting the COVID-19 pandemic in New York.” Statistics have shown that communities of color and low income levels have been affected disproportionately. He drew an analogy between the infection virus and the “virus of racism”, “racial injustice and social inequality.” Referencing the latest protests prompted by the death of an African-American man in police custody in Minneapolis, New York governor, who has served as the State’s General Attorney under President Clinton, stated that there is injustice in the criminal justice system. While he stands with protesters against police brutality, “the message of fighting discrimination is obscured by the acts of violence,” said Mr. Cuomo. In response to last night’s protests in Brooklyn and the police tactics used on demonstrators the governor said he has directed Attorney General James to review all actions and procedures, because “the public deserves answers and accountability,” adding that the impartiality of the investigation is an important factor. In the New York State, the General Attorney is not appointed by the Governor, it is elected by the people. At the end of the thirty-minute briefing, the governor took questions from members of the press. I asked if the state has any medical data in relation to COVID-10 such as hospitalizations, infections, fatalities in the Albanian community. The Governor, who is a Queens’ native, said that he will look into it and provide an answer. Mr. Jeorge Cymon, Deputy Press Secretary to Governor’s Office and Ms. Sophia Zayas, the Bronx Regional Representative of the Governor’s Office, were in contact with me. Mr. Sophia Zayas has been a dependable source of support for our community and lift the spirits of the Bronx residents. On June 1, Governor Cuomo gave his 93 consecutive press briefing at his office in midtown joined by Melisa DeRosa, Secretary, and Dr. Howard Zucker, Health Commissioner of New York State. Starting with a little steam, Mr. Cuomo issued the new low numbers on the pandemic statewide and repeated that the reopening date for the city is June 8 whereas all across the state the restrictions are being lifted following the phased approach. The briefing moved to another night of violent clashes with the police at protests against racial injustice prompted by the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Governor Cuomo restated the historic roots of racism and expressed his support for social justice and reform. Once again he strongly voiced his frustration that the massive gatherings are undercutting the efforts to control the spread of the coronavirus in the state that experienced the highest number of hospitalizations, infections and deaths in the country. “We will not know the impact of these gatherings for a few weeks now,” said the Governor, underlining the heightened risk of infections from potential “super spreaders”. Criticizing the looting and destruction by ‘outsiders and individuals with personal motives”, Mr. Cuomo repeated that acts of violence hurt the message of injustice and discrimination. Not only are such irresponsible actions harmful to the cause, they allow the critics to label protesters as “thugs” and serve as distractions for the politicians who want to divert from the real issue. New York has had its share of well-publicized racial killings by police going back decades. Some names on that list include Amadou Diallo, Eric Garner. To illustrate the point, Mr. Cuomo echoed the speech delivered by his late father and fellow Democrat at the National Convention in 1984. The key note address by then Governor Mario Cuomo was televised and watched by nearly 80 million people. The speech that spoke of ‘two Americas’ became the legacy of the elder Cuomo governorship. From the 1980s up to day, there have been several moments that have called for change like affordable housing, payment and gender inequities, gun laws, said the third-time Governor of New York. This is the time to rally “in a smart way” by presenting an agenda to the politicians. He opened the floor to questions. I followed up on the medical data for the Albanian-American community, more specifically the number of deaths of Albanians in the state. Melissa DeRosa, Governor’s Secretary answered: “So, it’s actually not broken out that way. The way the hospitals report the data, they report Caucasian, African-American, Hispanic, Asian and other. We have asked the Health Department to follow your question on Friday if there’s a way to go back and discuss with the specific hospitals, and see if there’s a way to break down that number further. And we’re working on that right now. Also Governor Cuomo elaborated oninstituting for the first time the “surge-and-flex” operation under the coronavirus, which in essence directs all hospitals private and public to coordinate in terms of capacity, supply and man power. He added that “we’re now codifying that and refining that.” Governor Cuomo announced that he had a meeting with Mayor de Blasio to discuss the handling of last night’s protests by police and a possible curfew in the city. Governor of New York has received praised for his clarity of message, wisdom and leadership style during the coronavirus pandemic. Governor Cuomo took office in 2011. He will be eligible to seek a fourth term in 2022.

UPDATE: PRESS BRIEFING AT GOVERNOR’S OFFICE

June 1, 2020 by dgreca

By Rafaela Prifti/

DIELLI FOLLOWS UP ON MEDICAL DATA AT THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE BRIEFING/

Governor Cuomo to discuss with Mayor de Blasio the handling of last night’s protests and possible curfew. Dielli follows up on the virus medical data at the Governor’s Office

The city is approaching the reopening date of June 8 and all around the state the restrictions are being lifted following the phased approach. At the Monday briefing, the Governor restated the historic roots of racism. While supporting the need for social justice and reform, he voiced his frustration that the massive gatherings are undercutting the efforts to control the spread of the coronavirus in the state that experienced the highest number of hospitalizations, infections and deaths in the country. “We will not know the impact of these gatherings for a few weeks now,” said the Governor. Criticizing the looting and destruction by ‘outsiders and individuals with personal motives”, Mr. Cuomo repeated that acts of violence hurt the message of injustice and discrimination. Referencing previous moments that called for change like housing, payment and gender inequities, gun laws, the Governor said that this is the time to rally “in a smart way” by presenting an agenda to the politicians.

English Editor of Dielli followed up on her question about the medical data for the Albanian-American community, more specifically the number of deaths of Albanians in the state. Do you have that? And, could you elaborate on instituting “surge and flex” in the absence of a hospital system?

Governor Cuomo: Yes, you did say that Friday. Did we get that number yet?

Melissa DeRosa, Governor’s Secretary answered: So, it’s actually not broken out that way. The way the hospitals report the data, they report Caucasian, African-American, Hispanic, Asian and other. We have asked the Health Department to follow your question on Friday if there’s a way to go back and discuss with the specific hospitals, and see if there’s a way to break down that number further. And we’re working on that right now.

Governor Cuomo: In terms of the hospitals, this is one of the lessons, right? Lessons learned from this terrible situation. Our public health system, we all talk about our public health system. The hospitals are not a public health system. The mayor talks about a public hospital system because there is a system called H&H– Health and Hospitals— which are 11 public hospitals in New York City. The eleven hospitals that the city runs, are nowhere near the ability to manage a health problem in the City. There are 100 hospitals in the New York City area, but they’re private— and they’ve never really worked together. NYU Langone is one hospital, Columbia-Presbyterian is another hospital, Northwell is another hospital are separate hospitals. They don’t share patients, materials or resources. What we were forced to do in a public health crisis like this, we instituted the “surge-and-flex” for the first time. Elmhurst gets overwhelmed as a hospital. If the public ones cannot because it then we have to figure out how to get these 100 privates to actually operate as a system. I said to them to increase capacity by 50%. That was the surge. After we increased capacity, we said “when one of you gets overwhelmed, or one of you doesn’t have the staff, or one of you doesn’t have the PPE, — we’re going to share among and coordinate among all 100 private hospitals.” That had never been done before. And when you talk about a worst-case-scenario— a worst-case-scenario is you exceed your hospital capacity. That has never been thought of. And that’s what we developed during the Coronavirus, but we did it very quickly. And we’re now codifying that and refining that— because it’s also very disruptive to the hospitals.

Governor Cuomo is meeting with Mayor de Blasio to discuss the handling of last night’s protests by police and a possible curfew in the city.

This update has been lightly edited for clarity.

A HOSPITALITY STORY WITH A FORTUNE

May 31, 2020 by dgreca

By Rafaela Prifti / In the time of the pandemic, the Economic and Business series aims to inform and support the efforts of our community across the country. Initially, my conversation with Mynyr Nazifi, owner of Wingate by Wyndham Detroit Metro Airport, intende to prioritize the hospitality business in the time of the global crisis, his experience of previous economic downturns in the US and outlook for the future. Mr. Nazifi, who is a member of the Elderly Council with the Vatra Michigan Branch, covered these topics and then told me about his friendship with Xhevat Kallajxhiu, with whom he has had a long correspondence. It is our hope that one day these letters will be made available.

Mynyr Nazifi, an Albanian born in Prespa, a region by the highest tectonic lakes in the Balkans, came to the United States in search of better opportunities. As an immigrant he travelled wherever there were jobs or employment prospects, first to Alaska, Chicago, California before he settled in Michigan in 2005. I asked him about the situation of the hotel industry in the time of the Coronavirus pandemic. “For the most part, Albanian businessmen are owners of moms’ and pops’ stores, as well as construction and cleaning contractors. In the statewide efforts to manage the health crisis, their business and companies had to close down and not operate inflicting significant losses. As far as I know, I am the only Albanian hotelier in the community. Since we are located near the Detroit airport, the hotel has stayed open the whole time. The location worked in our favor. Secondly, some big contractors with trucking companies have been bringing us business at this difficult time for the country,” said Mr. Nazifi. Last January, Vatra delegates of the 2020 Convention hosted by the Michigan Branch stayed at his hotel. Being one of his guests there, I asked him about his memories. “It was the best time. Thinking back I realize how the timing couldn’t have been better. A few weeks later, the world changed,” said the Wingate owner. In response to my question about possible ways of overcoming the losses in the business owned by fellow Albanians, he was confident that the stimulus plans will really help pick up the businesses that are suffering. “This is truly new,” said Mr. Nazifi, “but we have always managed to get back on our feet,” referencing the previous crisis of the 1970s, the bubble.com and the 2008 collapse of the housing market. “We have seen time and time again that after the crush there is a rebound. This, too, shall pass,” said he. Where does his optimism come from? The human resilience in the face of adversity is the most amazing trait that fuels his hope for the future. For now, his family follows the social distancing rules. His daughter Bonnie told me that the priority “for me and my sister, Ardiana” is the parents’ wellbeing. “I would like them to be around for a long time and be there for their grandchildren’s weddings. During the virus restrictions, we do get our family time while respecting social distancing. My father stays involved with the hotel business remotely and, on rare occasions, drops in,” said Bonnie. She added that her father appreciates the Vatra members and friends who have called to check in on the Nazifi head of the family. His connection with the Federation arches back at the time he met with Xhevat Kallajxhiu at the Baba Rexhep (also spelled Rexheb) Teqe (Tekke). Both men were born in the town of Gjirokaster and shared a unique devotion for Albanian Bektashism, a Sufi dervish order. Records show that in 1929, Baba, then Dervish Rexhep and Xhevat Kallajxhiu were delegates at the Bektashi Congress held at the Turan Teqe outside Korca. Both men were forced to leave Albania after communists seized power and, years later, settled in the United States. Baba Rexhep was the founder of the First Albanian Bektashi Teqe and Mr. Kallajxhiu played a key role in its founding in 1954. Ten years later, Xhevat Kallajxhiu authored the book Bektashizmi dhe Teqeja Shqiptare në Amerikë (Bektashism and the Albanian Teqe in America) that records the crucial role of Bektashism in matters of religion and natinality for the Albanian people. During the frequent visits of Mr. Kallajxhiu with Baba Rexhep at the Teqe located in Taylor, Michigan, Mynyr joined in the conversation sessions sharing sorrows and laughter with them. A sincere friendship between a distinguished career journalist and a fellow patriot whom he called “little brother” continued for years. Mr. Nazifi recalls the letters he received from Mr. Kallajxhiu when he worked in Alaska and California. Mr. Kallajxhiu, who was Editor of Dielli from 1976 to 1986, was a career journalist widely respected for his professionalism, fierce penmanship and national pride. He has authored literature works, monographs and collection of poems. Mr. Nazifi has a number of the books signed by Kallajxhiu with affection and appreciation. Mynyr told me that he has made donations to help with the publishing of Xhevat’s books in the 80s. And he gets emotional when he recalls the last letter he received from Mr. Kallajxhiu before his passing. I asked if it would possible to locate these letters but it might be a tall order “since he has moved so many times over the years.” Mr. Nazifi shared some of his life struggles of an imigrant with such positive outlook and humble wisdom. The doors of Wingate by Wyndham in Romulus have remained opened during the pandemic, just like the heart of those Vatra community members who have shown each other consideration and mindfulness. My conversation with Mynyr Nazifi had mainly intended to bring to readers updates on the hotel and hospitality business in the face of these extraordinary times. As fortune would have it, the story revealed an enduring friendship founded on national pride and boundless love for the country.