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, a 97-acre nonprofit retirement communityin Centerville, is planningf a $30 million expansiomn this year that will add more than 80 The community will build a 60-bed dementiaw unit and a 21-bee freestanding traditional assisted-living unit. The expansion — whicjh will grow the facility to more than 700 totallbeds — will create roughly 60 jobs at St. which currently employs 360. Corna-Kokosing, which is basefd in Columbus and will handle constructioh of theadditional buildings, plans to breal ground in September. The project is a part of an overalol campus expansionat St. Leonard. The firstg phase, a $4 million wellness was announcedlast year.
The wellness center will be finished inJuly 2010. The two additionak buildings will follow, with a completion date of Januaruy 2011. The new in both the memorgy careand assisted-living units, are licensed through the state’ss certificate of need program. They will be privat rooms with larger floor plansthan St. Leonard currently offers. Executive Director Tim Dressmabn saidthe community’s 600 existin beds are not enough to serve the upcominvg senior citizen boom. The community has 700 residents now and expecta to increase that by 150 with the The community’s beds are betwee n 92 percent and 99 percent occupied, Dressman said.
He said ther is plenty of demand in the especially in dementia andmemory care. Dressman said the approach for the future is to have retirementg communities with all levels of including amenities foryounger patients. Many facilitiesx are expanding because they need youngerr residents to come into communities earlier in life to offsef the cost of patients at the othet end of the spectrum those living longer and requiringtmore care, he said. The St. Leonard projecr is one of many assisted-liviny expansions ongoing in the Dayton region to capture the firstf wave ofthe baby-boomer market.
Louisville-based announcefd earlier this month it will buildc two projects on nine acres in The $10 million projectg will include a memory care unit and a standard assistede living and skilled nursing similar to the upcoming project at St. Leonard. The Englewooed project, yet unnamed, will bring an additional 130 nursing beds to the The retirement community boom follows statistics that predict an expected 22 percent increasre in Montgomery County residents older than 60by 2020, accordiny to the at . The centerd estimates more than 122,000 senior citizens will live in the countytby then, up from the roughly 100,000 currentt residents.
“Retirement communities are looking at the and the demographic numbers are quite saidRobert Applebaum, director of the Scripp center. “The 85-plus group is the fastest growing groupl inthe country.” However, Applebaum said despite what the statisticd indicate, the current economyt does not support the number of assisted-living and retirementt communities expanding. “Occupancy is relatively stable,” he said. “Thde fact is, retirement is not doing well because people cannort selltheir homes.
” Applebaum said although there will be more of a need for care as baby boomerws age, they will have more trouble affording to move or pay the rent rangesz at many of the communities. Dressmaj said rent rates have not yet been set for the new bedsat St. but the current rates throughout the communit y rangefrom $300 to more than $4,000 a month. He said markeyt research does supportthe expansion, and because of the growing population of senioer citizens, along with the fact people are livingb longer, St. Leonard is looking towarxd another expansion as soon as the currenft oneis finished. The communitt owns 247 acres where it operatesin Centerville.
“Peopld are growing older every year, and there is a lot of unmegt demand in the he said.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Bay National Corp. pares 1Q loss - Baltimore Business Journal:
sucujovide.wordpress.com
For the three months ended March 31, Lutherville-baseed Bay National lost $884,000, or 41 centw a diluted share, compared with a loss of $1.4o million, or 69 centx a diluted share, in the firs t quarter of 2008. Total deposits rose 18.5 percent, to $274.0 while total assets increased 11.3 percent, to $297.2 As the real estate market continues to Bay National’s management is “working vigorously to sell increase collateral for non-performing loans, move collateral into real estate owned, and taking appropriate charge-offe to reflect the gap between collateral values and loan Hugh W.
Mohler, Bay National’s chairman and chiefd executive, said in a Mohler, in an interview Friday, describe d the results for the January-to-March period as “disappointing.” In the past 18 to 20 however, the bank has cleaned up most of its portfolik of underperforming commercial real estate loans and residential Mohler said. “We’re anticipating that we have most of the problemk loansbehind us,” he said. In February, The bank is currentlh consideredas “adequately capitalized.
” The 9-year-old whose customers are primarilgy locally based, privately held plans to raise between $8 million and $12 million this summer through private-placement stock sales, Mohler said. The proceeds will be used “to grow our capital back to well-capitalized he said. Bay National, which has 50 employeesa compared with about 72 ayear ago, operateds two full-services branches in Baltimore and Salisburg and residential mortgage lending operations in Baltimorer and Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Shares of Bay National, which tradeds on Nasdaq, were down less than one to $1.49, in trading Friday Shares have rebounded since hittinga 52-weeik low of 52 cents on March 17.
For the three months ended March 31, Lutherville-baseed Bay National lost $884,000, or 41 centw a diluted share, compared with a loss of $1.4o million, or 69 centx a diluted share, in the firs t quarter of 2008. Total deposits rose 18.5 percent, to $274.0 while total assets increased 11.3 percent, to $297.2 As the real estate market continues to Bay National’s management is “working vigorously to sell increase collateral for non-performing loans, move collateral into real estate owned, and taking appropriate charge-offe to reflect the gap between collateral values and loan Hugh W.
Mohler, Bay National’s chairman and chiefd executive, said in a Mohler, in an interview Friday, describe d the results for the January-to-March period as “disappointing.” In the past 18 to 20 however, the bank has cleaned up most of its portfolik of underperforming commercial real estate loans and residential Mohler said. “We’re anticipating that we have most of the problemk loansbehind us,” he said. In February, The bank is currentlh consideredas “adequately capitalized.
” The 9-year-old whose customers are primarilgy locally based, privately held plans to raise between $8 million and $12 million this summer through private-placement stock sales, Mohler said. The proceeds will be used “to grow our capital back to well-capitalized he said. Bay National, which has 50 employeesa compared with about 72 ayear ago, operateds two full-services branches in Baltimore and Salisburg and residential mortgage lending operations in Baltimorer and Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Shares of Bay National, which tradeds on Nasdaq, were down less than one to $1.49, in trading Friday Shares have rebounded since hittinga 52-weeik low of 52 cents on March 17.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Maderis stepping down from Five Prime - Business Courier of Cincinnati:
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The company has hired Julia Gregory, the former executivre vice president and chief financialp officerat , as replacement. Maderis’ health condition was not disclosed, but she will continu to serve onFive Prime’s boarx of directors and as a consultant. Her final day on the job is June 18. “Gail’ss leadership has been pivotalk in the progress Five Prims has made in developing our pipeline and our newdiscoveru platform,” said company founder and executivs chairman Dr. Lewis “Rusty” Williams in a presws release.
Maderis said the compangy had been looking for a replacement sinces late last year after doctorssaid "the 24/7 pace of a small-company CEO" could worsen her Besides her duties at Five Maderis has been a cheerleader for the Mission Bay serving on the Mayor’s . Five a privately held, 7-year-old company developing antibodyu and protein drugs for cancer andother diseases, was the first to locate in Mission Bay, taking aboug 30,000 feet in the building on Owenzs Street. Earlier this it took an additional 5,00 square feet next door at 1700 Owens as it makezs batches for its Phase I oncologydrug program.
The timin g of the executive chang as Five Prime moves forward with its lead cancer programmakess Gregory’s appointment a crucialk one. At Lexicon, Gregoru was responsible for financing strategies, mergerws and acquisitions, business operations and all financial management and She raisedabout $1 billion in publi c and private equity, product development financinfg and other transactions. who will join Five Prime’s was an investment banker for more than 20 Atand Dillon, Read & Co. Inc. she was head of healthcars andinvestment banking, leading several private and public equity dealzs as well as mergers and acquisitions.
Gregoryt also is a member of the board of The andthe ’d .
The company has hired Julia Gregory, the former executivre vice president and chief financialp officerat , as replacement. Maderis’ health condition was not disclosed, but she will continu to serve onFive Prime’s boarx of directors and as a consultant. Her final day on the job is June 18. “Gail’ss leadership has been pivotalk in the progress Five Prims has made in developing our pipeline and our newdiscoveru platform,” said company founder and executivs chairman Dr. Lewis “Rusty” Williams in a presws release.
Maderis said the compangy had been looking for a replacement sinces late last year after doctorssaid "the 24/7 pace of a small-company CEO" could worsen her Besides her duties at Five Maderis has been a cheerleader for the Mission Bay serving on the Mayor’s . Five a privately held, 7-year-old company developing antibodyu and protein drugs for cancer andother diseases, was the first to locate in Mission Bay, taking aboug 30,000 feet in the building on Owenzs Street. Earlier this it took an additional 5,00 square feet next door at 1700 Owens as it makezs batches for its Phase I oncologydrug program.
The timin g of the executive chang as Five Prime moves forward with its lead cancer programmakess Gregory’s appointment a crucialk one. At Lexicon, Gregoru was responsible for financing strategies, mergerws and acquisitions, business operations and all financial management and She raisedabout $1 billion in publi c and private equity, product development financinfg and other transactions. who will join Five Prime’s was an investment banker for more than 20 Atand Dillon, Read & Co. Inc. she was head of healthcars andinvestment banking, leading several private and public equity dealzs as well as mergers and acquisitions.
Gregoryt also is a member of the board of The andthe ’d .
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Cancer drug to extend dog days - Houston Business Journal:
jabire2389.blogspot.com
The Pfizer Animal Health division has justreleased Palladia, an oral cancetr treatment for mast cell disease, to animalp oncologists. The approved the drug on June 3. Drug-makefr had initially developedthe drug; it became Pfizer’s when the companies merged in 2003. Mitchener was a part of the drug’d clinical development team. Dial the clock back to 2000 and she was in the mids of convincing a Pharmacia executive that the drug was a good one and that peopldneeded it. “I was told to change his mindit wouldn’t be the researcnh or the people from the Mitchener says.
“His heart is going to have to be Mitchener invited him to Memphis to meet with 25 of her caninw cancer patients andtheirf care-givers. By the end of two days of the executive relented and told Mitchenersomethinhg like, “You will have your drug,” she recalls. The drug was initiallyt developed by veterinarian Cheryl a researcherat . Palladia blocks certain pathways in the body that cancerr usesto grow. While the current formula is used specificallh for mast cell many other cancer treatmentse arebeing considered. Mitchener though, if it weren’t for the dog owners who came to her Palladia might still be an Accordingto Pfizer, roughly 1.
2 million cases of new mast cell disease cases are reported everyg year, which gives the closest estimation of Palladia’s market Mitchener says two-thirds of the cancer patients who come to her Bartlett-based have that type of She says mast cell disease, which is often seen as lump s on the skin, is the most commonb tumor for dogs. “At the completion of the Palladiaclinical study, approximately 60% of dogs had their tumors disappear, shrink or stop London says. Dogs with cancer are now treated withan IV-delivered chemotherapty drug that costs about $4,0009 and takes about 10 weekds to administer.
Mitchener says Pfizer has not give n her a cost for Palladia and treatment length is stillp beingworked out. “We’re goiny to start with the standar treatment for six to eight weeks and then flip over to she says. “It’s kind of like sendingg in the Air Force firs t and then sending in the The drug will stay in the hands of animal oncologists for eight to nine monthsd before it is made available togeneral veterinarians. Oncologistsd will monitor the drug’s effects and report their findingzsto Pfizer. Mitchener says she has two patient s already onthe drug.
She says she hasn’t been paid to participatee inthe drug’s clinical trials, but Pfizer has paid for lab work, X-rays and office She says her payment comes in the satisfactioj of moving canine cancer treatmenr along. She’s heard nearly from the beginninyg of her career in 1985 that canine cancer cannot be treated and that euthanasia is thebest “I can sit back and say that there’s a bunch of Labradort retrievers out there runniny around that had mast cell disease before and don’ t today,” she says.
The Pfizer Animal Health division has justreleased Palladia, an oral cancetr treatment for mast cell disease, to animalp oncologists. The approved the drug on June 3. Drug-makefr had initially developedthe drug; it became Pfizer’s when the companies merged in 2003. Mitchener was a part of the drug’d clinical development team. Dial the clock back to 2000 and she was in the mids of convincing a Pharmacia executive that the drug was a good one and that peopldneeded it. “I was told to change his mindit wouldn’t be the researcnh or the people from the Mitchener says.
“His heart is going to have to be Mitchener invited him to Memphis to meet with 25 of her caninw cancer patients andtheirf care-givers. By the end of two days of the executive relented and told Mitchenersomethinhg like, “You will have your drug,” she recalls. The drug was initiallyt developed by veterinarian Cheryl a researcherat . Palladia blocks certain pathways in the body that cancerr usesto grow. While the current formula is used specificallh for mast cell many other cancer treatmentse arebeing considered. Mitchener though, if it weren’t for the dog owners who came to her Palladia might still be an Accordingto Pfizer, roughly 1.
2 million cases of new mast cell disease cases are reported everyg year, which gives the closest estimation of Palladia’s market Mitchener says two-thirds of the cancer patients who come to her Bartlett-based have that type of She says mast cell disease, which is often seen as lump s on the skin, is the most commonb tumor for dogs. “At the completion of the Palladiaclinical study, approximately 60% of dogs had their tumors disappear, shrink or stop London says. Dogs with cancer are now treated withan IV-delivered chemotherapty drug that costs about $4,0009 and takes about 10 weekds to administer.
Mitchener says Pfizer has not give n her a cost for Palladia and treatment length is stillp beingworked out. “We’re goiny to start with the standar treatment for six to eight weeks and then flip over to she says. “It’s kind of like sendingg in the Air Force firs t and then sending in the The drug will stay in the hands of animal oncologists for eight to nine monthsd before it is made available togeneral veterinarians. Oncologistsd will monitor the drug’s effects and report their findingzsto Pfizer. Mitchener says she has two patient s already onthe drug.
She says she hasn’t been paid to participatee inthe drug’s clinical trials, but Pfizer has paid for lab work, X-rays and office She says her payment comes in the satisfactioj of moving canine cancer treatmenr along. She’s heard nearly from the beginninyg of her career in 1985 that canine cancer cannot be treated and that euthanasia is thebest “I can sit back and say that there’s a bunch of Labradort retrievers out there runniny around that had mast cell disease before and don’ t today,” she says.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Why Apple Strays from “Keep it Simple†- The Mac Observer
vadimsudigrenev.blogspot.com
The Mac Observer | Why Apple Strays from “Keep it Simple†The Mac Observer A subsection here will be Notes. If you have more than one account for Notes, there will be separate sub-subsections for each account. Getting back to a previous question, this is where you can drag notes from one account to another, allowing you to ... |
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Two more leave BofA board - The Business Review (Albany):
uzirukynurylew.blogspot.com
According to a filing with the Securities andExchanged Commission, Prueher and Frank didn’t resign because of any disagreement with the Jackie Ward and Patricia Mitchell resigned early this month. Mitchellk is a former New York television executive and currentlyh serves as chief executive of the Paleyh Centerfor Media, a New York Ward is the retired chief executivew of Atlanta-based Computer Generation Inc., a software Robert Tillman, a former Lowe’zs Cos. Inc. (NYSE:LOW) chief resigned from the BofA board effectivwMay 29. And on May 29, the bank announcefd former lead independentdirector O.
Templ Sloan had left the BofA didn’t disclose Sloan’s reason for Sloan had been a BofA director for13 years. In earlty June, four outside directors were electedto BofA’s board. They are former Federal Reserves GovernorSusan Bies, former Compassx Bancshares Inc. chief executive and chairmamn D. Paul Jones, former Federal Deposit Insurancde Corp. chairman Donald Powell and retiredd BankOne Corp. and Visa International Inc. executive William Boardman. BofA’s board has been under intenswe scrutiny in recent months as the bank sufferecd through asharp stock-price decline after acquiring Merrill Lynch & Co.
The Charlotte-based bank also has received $45 billio n in taxpayer aid. At the bank’s annuakl meeting in late April, shareholderxs voted to strip Chief Executives Kenneth Lewis of his position asboardx chairman. Walter Massey was installed as the new chairmanb and has indicated the board needs to be Lewis remainsthe bank’s CEO and president.
According to a filing with the Securities andExchanged Commission, Prueher and Frank didn’t resign because of any disagreement with the Jackie Ward and Patricia Mitchell resigned early this month. Mitchellk is a former New York television executive and currentlyh serves as chief executive of the Paleyh Centerfor Media, a New York Ward is the retired chief executivew of Atlanta-based Computer Generation Inc., a software Robert Tillman, a former Lowe’zs Cos. Inc. (NYSE:LOW) chief resigned from the BofA board effectivwMay 29. And on May 29, the bank announcefd former lead independentdirector O.
Templ Sloan had left the BofA didn’t disclose Sloan’s reason for Sloan had been a BofA director for13 years. In earlty June, four outside directors were electedto BofA’s board. They are former Federal Reserves GovernorSusan Bies, former Compassx Bancshares Inc. chief executive and chairmamn D. Paul Jones, former Federal Deposit Insurancde Corp. chairman Donald Powell and retiredd BankOne Corp. and Visa International Inc. executive William Boardman. BofA’s board has been under intenswe scrutiny in recent months as the bank sufferecd through asharp stock-price decline after acquiring Merrill Lynch & Co.
The Charlotte-based bank also has received $45 billio n in taxpayer aid. At the bank’s annuakl meeting in late April, shareholderxs voted to strip Chief Executives Kenneth Lewis of his position asboardx chairman. Walter Massey was installed as the new chairmanb and has indicated the board needs to be Lewis remainsthe bank’s CEO and president.
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Dayton region's Swine Flu count climbs to 12 - The Business Review (Albany):
gorbunovabowiper.blogspot.com
The reported that as of noon June 10 ther were 47 confirmed cases of Swinre Fluin Ohio, up from 38 in the past two Clark County has the most cases of the countiea in the Dayton region. Of the six cases reported in Clarok County, Northridge Middle School students accounted for five of the And inMontgomery County, a Vandalia-Butler studentf became a confirmed case last while two Dayton Publivc Schools students were confirmed this There are four total cases in Montgomery County. There are 27,73y7 confirmed cases worldwide, according to the , with 74countriesa having at least one There have been 141 deaths confirmed caused by SwinwFlu worldwide, according to the WHO. The U.S.
has the most with 13,217 confirmed cases. There are cases now in all 50 stateasplus Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, accordiny to the federal . There have been 27 confirmede deaths inthe U.S. Butler County 2 (30-year-old male, 13-year-old female)Clarj County – 6 (15-year-old 25-year-old male, 12-year-old 15-year-old female, 13-year-old male, 14-year-old male) Cuyahoga County – 6 (41-year-old female, 9-year-old 14-year-old female, 14-year-old female, 13-year-olr male, 14-year-old male) Franklin County – 16 (31-year-old 33-year-old male, 18-year-old male, 20-year-old female, 19-year-old female, 21-year-olc male, 20-year old male, 22-year-olx female, 23-year-old female, 19-year-old male, 11-year-old 13-year-old female, 35-year-old female, 44-year old male, 8-year-olsd male, 41-year-old male) Lawrence County – 2 (2-year-olfd male, 8-month-old male) Montgomery Countty – 4 (16-year-old male, 13-year-old female, 9-year-old female, 17-year-ol d female) Cuyahogaw County – 2 (20-year-old female, 16-year-old female)
The reported that as of noon June 10 ther were 47 confirmed cases of Swinre Fluin Ohio, up from 38 in the past two Clark County has the most cases of the countiea in the Dayton region. Of the six cases reported in Clarok County, Northridge Middle School students accounted for five of the And inMontgomery County, a Vandalia-Butler studentf became a confirmed case last while two Dayton Publivc Schools students were confirmed this There are four total cases in Montgomery County. There are 27,73y7 confirmed cases worldwide, according to the , with 74countriesa having at least one There have been 141 deaths confirmed caused by SwinwFlu worldwide, according to the WHO. The U.S.
has the most with 13,217 confirmed cases. There are cases now in all 50 stateasplus Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, accordiny to the federal . There have been 27 confirmede deaths inthe U.S. Butler County 2 (30-year-old male, 13-year-old female)Clarj County – 6 (15-year-old 25-year-old male, 12-year-old 15-year-old female, 13-year-old male, 14-year-old male) Cuyahoga County – 6 (41-year-old female, 9-year-old 14-year-old female, 14-year-old female, 13-year-olr male, 14-year-old male) Franklin County – 16 (31-year-old 33-year-old male, 18-year-old male, 20-year-old female, 19-year-old female, 21-year-olc male, 20-year old male, 22-year-olx female, 23-year-old female, 19-year-old male, 11-year-old 13-year-old female, 35-year-old female, 44-year old male, 8-year-olsd male, 41-year-old male) Lawrence County – 2 (2-year-olfd male, 8-month-old male) Montgomery Countty – 4 (16-year-old male, 13-year-old female, 9-year-old female, 17-year-ol d female) Cuyahogaw County – 2 (20-year-old female, 16-year-old female)
Friday, December 16, 2011
William Boyd Printing site sold for $1.3M - Baltimore Business Journal:
uqyvemiwu.wordpress.com
Ltd., an affiliate of Cos. in Clifton closed on the $1.3 million purchase on June 3. Cass Hill intendsw to convert theformer 1.3-acre industrial site at 39-49 Sheridanj Ave. into an office/retail/residential project. The property is locate d behindthe & Suites on Chapel Street, near the heart of the city’ s entertainment district. Tony Sabatino of represented the Cass Hill was represented by Eileen Lindbergof /Albany. Marc H. president of Cass Hill Development Cos.
, couldn’t be reached for Cass Hill owns severalproperties downtown, including a 30,000-square-foot office building on Monroe Streef across from the former printing Boyd Printing filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in September 2005. A federao bankruptcy judge in March 2008 approved the sale of the buildings to help satisfythe company’ s debts. Some of the company’s assets were purchaserd by Carl Johnson, an officer at Boyd Printing, who openefd a separate corporation, Inc., in Previous deals for the Sheridan Avenue property fizzlexd before Cass Hill signed a purchas contractlast year.
Ltd., an affiliate of Cos. in Clifton closed on the $1.3 million purchase on June 3. Cass Hill intendsw to convert theformer 1.3-acre industrial site at 39-49 Sheridanj Ave. into an office/retail/residential project. The property is locate d behindthe & Suites on Chapel Street, near the heart of the city’ s entertainment district. Tony Sabatino of represented the Cass Hill was represented by Eileen Lindbergof /Albany. Marc H. president of Cass Hill Development Cos.
, couldn’t be reached for Cass Hill owns severalproperties downtown, including a 30,000-square-foot office building on Monroe Streef across from the former printing Boyd Printing filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in September 2005. A federao bankruptcy judge in March 2008 approved the sale of the buildings to help satisfythe company’ s debts. Some of the company’s assets were purchaserd by Carl Johnson, an officer at Boyd Printing, who openefd a separate corporation, Inc., in Previous deals for the Sheridan Avenue property fizzlexd before Cass Hill signed a purchas contractlast year.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Gates Foundation, MDC give $1M grant - Boston Business Journal:
uvepexatawus.blogspot.com
Valencia will get $743,000 over threes years to create a centralize dremedial program, used across four campuses. It plans to aligh high school, remedial and college-level standards, expand its remedial learning and embed reading skills into remedial math The grants, announced June 22, will supporg remedial programs developed by Valencia throughn Achieving the Dream: Community Colleges Count, a multiyear nationalo initiative aimed at increasing college graduatiobn rates among disadvantaged students. The state will get also get $300,00 over three years to collaboratewith K-12 to reduce the need for remedial education.
Connecticut, Ohio, Texas and Virginiwa also got the funding, whicu will be used to develop new policies acceleratingbthe states’ remedial education programs. The Florida grantzs are part ofa $16.5 million effort to improv e remedial education at community colleges in five states, reachintg about 45,000 students nationwide. Four states and 14 otherf colleges received similar Gates grants for thei r Achieving theDream program. Each community colleges will receive $743,000 over threee years to expandits programs. Luminsa Foundation for Education has alsocommittes $1.
5 million to this initiative for evaluation and About 375,000 Florida degree-seeking students annually attene a local cmmunity college, with nearly 40 percengt of them taking remediap classes to build basic academic skills. Nationakl studies have shown nearly two-thirds of those takinhg remedial classesnever graduate, but successful programs at severa l colleges demonstrate these numbers can be
Valencia will get $743,000 over threes years to create a centralize dremedial program, used across four campuses. It plans to aligh high school, remedial and college-level standards, expand its remedial learning and embed reading skills into remedial math The grants, announced June 22, will supporg remedial programs developed by Valencia throughn Achieving the Dream: Community Colleges Count, a multiyear nationalo initiative aimed at increasing college graduatiobn rates among disadvantaged students. The state will get also get $300,00 over three years to collaboratewith K-12 to reduce the need for remedial education.
Connecticut, Ohio, Texas and Virginiwa also got the funding, whicu will be used to develop new policies acceleratingbthe states’ remedial education programs. The Florida grantzs are part ofa $16.5 million effort to improv e remedial education at community colleges in five states, reachintg about 45,000 students nationwide. Four states and 14 otherf colleges received similar Gates grants for thei r Achieving theDream program. Each community colleges will receive $743,000 over threee years to expandits programs. Luminsa Foundation for Education has alsocommittes $1.
5 million to this initiative for evaluation and About 375,000 Florida degree-seeking students annually attene a local cmmunity college, with nearly 40 percengt of them taking remediap classes to build basic academic skills. Nationakl studies have shown nearly two-thirds of those takinhg remedial classesnever graduate, but successful programs at severa l colleges demonstrate these numbers can be
Monday, December 12, 2011
Companies linking up to insure themselves - San Francisco Business Times:
llrx-royce.blogspot.com
Under this model, groups of similar businesses joinforces -- under the auspices of a risk-managemeny company -- to pool resources and self-insure againsft comp-related risks, in effecyt forming the equivalent of a mutuaol insurance company. This allows medium-sized businessez to cover themselves the way giant enterprises have long donein California. More than 25 such groupsd have formed in California since January after the approach wonregulatory approval.
One of the largesty is Compensation Risk Managers of a unitof Hamilton, Bermuda-based It managesz six industry programs in the Golden for auto dealers, bankers, contractors, health-care companies such as skille d nursing facilities and hospitals, plastifc manufacturers and vintners. Thousands of companies are members, includiny nearly 700 in one restaurant industrugroup alone, but exact numbers aren'tt available. The CRM-managed winery group got off the ground inAugusr 2005, with four core including Sonoma's and Healdsburg's , according to David Ferrari-Carano's controller. It's now up to 23 wineriezs with roughly $2 millionn in annual workers' comp premiums.
"It has exceeded The group is performing very saidPeggy Phelan, Cline Cellars' director of operations and a founding boarrd member of the winery Among the biggest benefits are rate which takes participants outside of the workers ' comp industry's notorious boom-bust cycle, and having an equity interest in the group' s performance. "That's been a real plus," Phelamn said, since any surplus premiums not used to pay claim belong to theparticipatinh companies. That provides a strong incentive to implementsafety programs, she since all members see regular reports on the group's performance and any laggardds soon become obvious.
The winery group's boarxd reviews any comp claimover $10,000, to make sure that all participant s are maintaining strong safety The model only works if all member s of the group meet high underwritinyg standards -- a weak link can creatd losses for the entire group sinced members can be held liable for others ' claims. That's why professional risk-management services are neededf to safely embark on such a project and why currenrt group board members can acceptt or reject any potential new Losing steam?
As of earluy December, CRM had operations in three states, California, New York and including managing self-insured groups that include an estimatedc 425 individual companies in the six California industry Its services are sold through independengt brokers, and must follow guidelines from the state Departmenft of Industrial Relations, which regulates self-insured groupxs and individual self-insured companies through its Self Insurances Plans unit. CRM Holdings, which operates the California unit, recently purchased , a San Francisco-basec workers' comp carrier, giving it anothee finger in thelocal workers' comp pie.
after that acquisition, publicly tradedx CRM Holdings has 250 saidChet Walczyk, its COO, including 80 full-time employees employed by Majestic. For the fiscal year endefd Sept. 30, CRM managed $72.3 millio in aggregate premium revenuein California, up from $64 millio n the prior year, but just a drop in the bucket in the state'zs $21.4 billion comp market, as of year-end 2005. The companhy expects to have managed premiujm totals ofabout $200 million for California and New York in but isn't breaking out the California But it gained 130 new employerd members last fiscal year, and saw its Californiaq premium revenue under management jump 55 percent.
Other management companies in this nicheinclude , , CHSI and , accordint to Mark Johnson, who heads the DIR's self insurancee program. Other industry niches served by self-insured groups include beverags distributors, farmers, private truckers, credit unions, golf nonprofit organizations andindependent Still, group self-insurance is becoming a harded sell for some potential Bay Area participants. Several localk brokers contacted by the Business Times said interes t in this approachis waning, given perceivedr liability risks and the dramatix recent rate drops offered by traditional workers' comp insurers.
"There's interest, but not as much as there a year ortwo ago, said Pete vice president at the Fremont-based brokerage. Even so, Alexandetr said he represents 20 auto dealefr clients ina self-insured groupo and all of them have elected to renew. "It'ds still the most competitive product out he said. "It gives businesds owners controlover claims, and also the potentialp to receive dividends" from premiums that aren'yt paid out in James Carter, area president and partner at Burlingame'sa brokerage, said the model workds best for organizations whose annual comp premiumd are more than $50,000 but less than abouy $1.2 million.
Those with larger exposures are typicallyy better off seekingindividual self-insurance options. But group self-insurance can be a great way for well-managed employers in that rangs to control their risks and reapthe rewards, he said -- so much so that companiesa that exit the traditional workers' comp "roller coaster" in this way rarely
Under this model, groups of similar businesses joinforces -- under the auspices of a risk-managemeny company -- to pool resources and self-insure againsft comp-related risks, in effecyt forming the equivalent of a mutuaol insurance company. This allows medium-sized businessez to cover themselves the way giant enterprises have long donein California. More than 25 such groupsd have formed in California since January after the approach wonregulatory approval.
One of the largesty is Compensation Risk Managers of a unitof Hamilton, Bermuda-based It managesz six industry programs in the Golden for auto dealers, bankers, contractors, health-care companies such as skille d nursing facilities and hospitals, plastifc manufacturers and vintners. Thousands of companies are members, includiny nearly 700 in one restaurant industrugroup alone, but exact numbers aren'tt available. The CRM-managed winery group got off the ground inAugusr 2005, with four core including Sonoma's and Healdsburg's , according to David Ferrari-Carano's controller. It's now up to 23 wineriezs with roughly $2 millionn in annual workers' comp premiums.
"It has exceeded The group is performing very saidPeggy Phelan, Cline Cellars' director of operations and a founding boarrd member of the winery Among the biggest benefits are rate which takes participants outside of the workers ' comp industry's notorious boom-bust cycle, and having an equity interest in the group' s performance. "That's been a real plus," Phelamn said, since any surplus premiums not used to pay claim belong to theparticipatinh companies. That provides a strong incentive to implementsafety programs, she since all members see regular reports on the group's performance and any laggardds soon become obvious.
The winery group's boarxd reviews any comp claimover $10,000, to make sure that all participant s are maintaining strong safety The model only works if all member s of the group meet high underwritinyg standards -- a weak link can creatd losses for the entire group sinced members can be held liable for others ' claims. That's why professional risk-management services are neededf to safely embark on such a project and why currenrt group board members can acceptt or reject any potential new Losing steam?
As of earluy December, CRM had operations in three states, California, New York and including managing self-insured groups that include an estimatedc 425 individual companies in the six California industry Its services are sold through independengt brokers, and must follow guidelines from the state Departmenft of Industrial Relations, which regulates self-insured groupxs and individual self-insured companies through its Self Insurances Plans unit. CRM Holdings, which operates the California unit, recently purchased , a San Francisco-basec workers' comp carrier, giving it anothee finger in thelocal workers' comp pie.
after that acquisition, publicly tradedx CRM Holdings has 250 saidChet Walczyk, its COO, including 80 full-time employees employed by Majestic. For the fiscal year endefd Sept. 30, CRM managed $72.3 millio in aggregate premium revenuein California, up from $64 millio n the prior year, but just a drop in the bucket in the state'zs $21.4 billion comp market, as of year-end 2005. The companhy expects to have managed premiujm totals ofabout $200 million for California and New York in but isn't breaking out the California But it gained 130 new employerd members last fiscal year, and saw its Californiaq premium revenue under management jump 55 percent.
Other management companies in this nicheinclude , , CHSI and , accordint to Mark Johnson, who heads the DIR's self insurancee program. Other industry niches served by self-insured groups include beverags distributors, farmers, private truckers, credit unions, golf nonprofit organizations andindependent Still, group self-insurance is becoming a harded sell for some potential Bay Area participants. Several localk brokers contacted by the Business Times said interes t in this approachis waning, given perceivedr liability risks and the dramatix recent rate drops offered by traditional workers' comp insurers.
"There's interest, but not as much as there a year ortwo ago, said Pete vice president at the Fremont-based brokerage. Even so, Alexandetr said he represents 20 auto dealefr clients ina self-insured groupo and all of them have elected to renew. "It'ds still the most competitive product out he said. "It gives businesds owners controlover claims, and also the potentialp to receive dividends" from premiums that aren'yt paid out in James Carter, area president and partner at Burlingame'sa brokerage, said the model workds best for organizations whose annual comp premiumd are more than $50,000 but less than abouy $1.2 million.
Those with larger exposures are typicallyy better off seekingindividual self-insurance options. But group self-insurance can be a great way for well-managed employers in that rangs to control their risks and reapthe rewards, he said -- so much so that companiesa that exit the traditional workers' comp "roller coaster" in this way rarely
Friday, December 9, 2011
Buffalo unemployment rate soars to 9% - Business First of Buffalo:
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The state reported the unemployment rate jumped to 9 percenglast month, compared with 6.3 percent in Januaryu 2008 and 7.1 percent in December. According to statistics datinvg backto 1990, the previous monthly high was 8.8 percen in February 1992. The revised figures for the year-over-yeafr period from January 2008 to January 2009 were released The number of nonfarm jobs locallyy has decreasedby 4,600, or 0.9 percent, the report Also, this is only the sixt h time in that span that unemployment in the Buffalk area has topped 8 percent. The downward spiral is beiny felt across the state as unemployment roseto 5.4 percent for all of 2008 the highest annual level since 2004. Gov.
David Paterson, wrappingy up two days of meetings in the Buffalo noted morethan 125,000 New Yorkers have lost their jobs in the last six months. “These numbers clearly demonstrate what wealready know: New York is at the epicentere of this global fiscal and the worst is yet to come," Patersobn said, noting that almost half a million New Yorkere are collecting unemployment benefits. Rochester’s private-sector job count was relativelu flat in thepast year, dropping by 400, or 0.1 That metro area’s unemployment rate was 8 percent in Januargy 2009, compared to 5.7 percent in January 2008 and 6.7 percentt in December of last year.
Among othedr Upstate New York metropolitan Albanylost 6,400 private-sector jobs in the past a fall of 1.5 percent, with an unemploymentt rate of 7.1 percent. Syracuse was down 2,000 such jobs, or 0.8 percent, while the jobless rate was 8.3 percent. Glens Fallw had the highest unemployment rateat 9.3 One bit of good news was founsd in a separate report. The New York Employeee Confidence Indexrebounded 9.6 points to 45.5 in January, accordinyg to the latest (Corp.) Employment The monthly survey of New York workers, conducted by Rochester-baser , shows that more workerxs are confident in their ability to find a new job.
nearlg half (48 percent) of workera surveyed reported that they were confident in theirr ability to find anew job, an increase of 15 percentage points from December. slightly more workers (10 believe more jobs are available, a five-percentage-point increase from the previous month. 65 percent of workerzs are confident in the future of theircurrenyt employer, an increase of six percentage pointsx from December.
The state reported the unemployment rate jumped to 9 percenglast month, compared with 6.3 percent in Januaryu 2008 and 7.1 percent in December. According to statistics datinvg backto 1990, the previous monthly high was 8.8 percen in February 1992. The revised figures for the year-over-yeafr period from January 2008 to January 2009 were released The number of nonfarm jobs locallyy has decreasedby 4,600, or 0.9 percent, the report Also, this is only the sixt h time in that span that unemployment in the Buffalk area has topped 8 percent. The downward spiral is beiny felt across the state as unemployment roseto 5.4 percent for all of 2008 the highest annual level since 2004. Gov.
David Paterson, wrappingy up two days of meetings in the Buffalo noted morethan 125,000 New Yorkers have lost their jobs in the last six months. “These numbers clearly demonstrate what wealready know: New York is at the epicentere of this global fiscal and the worst is yet to come," Patersobn said, noting that almost half a million New Yorkere are collecting unemployment benefits. Rochester’s private-sector job count was relativelu flat in thepast year, dropping by 400, or 0.1 That metro area’s unemployment rate was 8 percent in Januargy 2009, compared to 5.7 percent in January 2008 and 6.7 percentt in December of last year.
Among othedr Upstate New York metropolitan Albanylost 6,400 private-sector jobs in the past a fall of 1.5 percent, with an unemploymentt rate of 7.1 percent. Syracuse was down 2,000 such jobs, or 0.8 percent, while the jobless rate was 8.3 percent. Glens Fallw had the highest unemployment rateat 9.3 One bit of good news was founsd in a separate report. The New York Employeee Confidence Indexrebounded 9.6 points to 45.5 in January, accordinyg to the latest (Corp.) Employment The monthly survey of New York workers, conducted by Rochester-baser , shows that more workerxs are confident in their ability to find a new job.
nearlg half (48 percent) of workera surveyed reported that they were confident in theirr ability to find anew job, an increase of 15 percentage points from December. slightly more workers (10 believe more jobs are available, a five-percentage-point increase from the previous month. 65 percent of workerzs are confident in the future of theircurrenyt employer, an increase of six percentage pointsx from December.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
The Multilateralist: Reconsidering Bolton at the UN - Foreign Policy (blog)
ysynut.wordpress.com
The Multilateralist: Reconsidering Bolton at the UN Foreign Policy (blog) Putative GOP frontrunner Newt Gingrich made waves today by announcing that he would appoint John Bolton--the bete noire of internationalists--as his Secretary of State. That announcement got all the expected reactions. Over the years, Bolton has become ... |
Monday, December 5, 2011
Prosecutor: NJ man weighed down car seat with tire iron, then threw daughter ... - Washington Post
ukatekexo.wordpress.com
The Star-Ledger - NJ.com | Prosecutor: NJ man weighed down car seat with tire iron, then threw daughter ... Washington Post FREEHOLD, NJ â€" A New Jersey man accused of killing his 2-year-old daughter weighed her car seat down with a car jack before throwing it into a creek with the child still strapped inside, a prosecutor said Monday. The child was “awake, . .. Prosecutor: Morgan Weighted Seat With Car Jack Prosecutor: NJ man weighed down toddler's car seat with car jack to ensure death Prosecutor: NJ Man Threw Girl's Car Seat In Creek |
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Some industries see higher sales taxes as better fix - bizjournals:
qalymeled.wordpress.com
Some of the businesses that back Brewer’s plan don’t want new taxesa imposed specifically on them if a broader sales tax increase is not Business lobbyists and those familiar with the budget issues say othetr alternatives couldhit utilities, alcohol distributors and retailers with new taxews to help close the deficit. Vice President Martim Shultz saidthe Phoenix-based parent of supports Brewer’ds budget plan because the statwe needs to find new revenue to avoidd further cuts to education and health programs.
“An increas e of some kind of revenue is necessary to clossthis deficit,” Shultz said, adding that could includee a 1-cent state sales tax increase or expandinv sales taxes to personal services, whichu currently are not taxed. However, APS and Pinnacle West opposde a Democratic proposalimposinhg $233 million in new taxes on nonrenewable energy production and consumption. Shultz said utilityy consumers already are subject tosales taxes, and Pinnacle West is against utility-specific The Brewer tax push is coupled with spending cuts and would alloq the Legislature to curb voter-mandated spendingv to help close a $3 billion budget defici for fiscal 2010 and equally large shortfallx expected for the next few years.
Some proposals at the Arizonwa Capitol look to othetr new taxes to help solvrethe state’s financial crisis. wine and distilled spirits distributors also coulx face tax increases to help deal withthe deficit, especiallyt if Brewer’s sales tax plan fails. has floated the idea of raisinbthe state’s 16-cents-per-gallon beer tax, 84-cents-per-gallon wine tax and $3-per-gallon liquor tax to pay for children’s and indigentr health care. The beer and wine industry opposedr PCH’s effort to place a tax increasre on the2008 ballot. PCH pulled back from that but a similar alcohol tax increase could emergs as a way to deal withbudget deficits.
Shultzz said the fiscal 2011 deficit couldctotal $4 billion. Doug Yonko, Hensley’s vice president for communications, decline d to comment on where thePhoenix Anheuser-Busch Co. distributoer stands on Brewer’s sales tax push. He referreed questions to the . “Ths Beer and Wine Distributors of Arizona has not takehn a position on atax increase, becausee there’s been no specific proposal by the governor or Republica legislative leadership on that subject,” said Director Stevde Barclay.
Some business and political consultants sayliquor distributors, utilities and hospitals are pushing for various businese groups and chambers of commerce to back a $1 billion sales tax increase. Don lobbyist for the , said the industry groulp opposes new taxeson alcohol, but woul d not fight a broader salea tax increase. Steve Voeller, president of the , which opposes Brewer’sd tax hike, said utilities, hospitale and beverage distributors are prominentf among business groupsbacking Brewer’s plan. business organizations are free to advocatre whateverthey want.
We just think it’d more than a little awkward to support a tax increase on the one hand and a spendingg hike onthe other,” said Voeller, referring to GPEC and othedr business groups that favor solar tax breaks and salexs tax increases. The East Valley Partnership, economic group and are amongf thosesupporting Brewer’s budget and tax plans. APS and are majo sponsors of thosethree groups, as are hospitals and Arizon State University. SRP spokesman Jeff Lane said his utilit y had not taken a stance on Brewert budget andtax plans.
Hospitale worry that without the tax budget fixes will hurt health reimbursements to hospitals for indigent and the Arizona Health Care CostContainmentr System, the state’s Medicaid CEO John Rivers said hospitals are open to sale s tax and other revenue streams to help avoird what could be “devastating” cuts to healtn care programs. However, he opposes Brewer’a call for voters to approve a measurr that would allow the Legislature tocut voter-mandated spendinbg on education and health care. Pinnacle West Capital Corp.
: Arizona Licensefd Beverage Association: Beer and Wine Distributors of Arizona FreeEnterprise Club:
Some of the businesses that back Brewer’s plan don’t want new taxesa imposed specifically on them if a broader sales tax increase is not Business lobbyists and those familiar with the budget issues say othetr alternatives couldhit utilities, alcohol distributors and retailers with new taxews to help close the deficit. Vice President Martim Shultz saidthe Phoenix-based parent of supports Brewer’ds budget plan because the statwe needs to find new revenue to avoidd further cuts to education and health programs.
“An increas e of some kind of revenue is necessary to clossthis deficit,” Shultz said, adding that could includee a 1-cent state sales tax increase or expandinv sales taxes to personal services, whichu currently are not taxed. However, APS and Pinnacle West opposde a Democratic proposalimposinhg $233 million in new taxes on nonrenewable energy production and consumption. Shultz said utilityy consumers already are subject tosales taxes, and Pinnacle West is against utility-specific The Brewer tax push is coupled with spending cuts and would alloq the Legislature to curb voter-mandated spendingv to help close a $3 billion budget defici for fiscal 2010 and equally large shortfallx expected for the next few years.
Some proposals at the Arizonwa Capitol look to othetr new taxes to help solvrethe state’s financial crisis. wine and distilled spirits distributors also coulx face tax increases to help deal withthe deficit, especiallyt if Brewer’s sales tax plan fails. has floated the idea of raisinbthe state’s 16-cents-per-gallon beer tax, 84-cents-per-gallon wine tax and $3-per-gallon liquor tax to pay for children’s and indigentr health care. The beer and wine industry opposedr PCH’s effort to place a tax increasre on the2008 ballot. PCH pulled back from that but a similar alcohol tax increase could emergs as a way to deal withbudget deficits.
Shultzz said the fiscal 2011 deficit couldctotal $4 billion. Doug Yonko, Hensley’s vice president for communications, decline d to comment on where thePhoenix Anheuser-Busch Co. distributoer stands on Brewer’s sales tax push. He referreed questions to the . “Ths Beer and Wine Distributors of Arizona has not takehn a position on atax increase, becausee there’s been no specific proposal by the governor or Republica legislative leadership on that subject,” said Director Stevde Barclay.
Some business and political consultants sayliquor distributors, utilities and hospitals are pushing for various businese groups and chambers of commerce to back a $1 billion sales tax increase. Don lobbyist for the , said the industry groulp opposes new taxeson alcohol, but woul d not fight a broader salea tax increase. Steve Voeller, president of the , which opposes Brewer’sd tax hike, said utilities, hospitale and beverage distributors are prominentf among business groupsbacking Brewer’s plan. business organizations are free to advocatre whateverthey want.
We just think it’d more than a little awkward to support a tax increase on the one hand and a spendingg hike onthe other,” said Voeller, referring to GPEC and othedr business groups that favor solar tax breaks and salexs tax increases. The East Valley Partnership, economic group and are amongf thosesupporting Brewer’s budget and tax plans. APS and are majo sponsors of thosethree groups, as are hospitals and Arizon State University. SRP spokesman Jeff Lane said his utilit y had not taken a stance on Brewert budget andtax plans.
Hospitale worry that without the tax budget fixes will hurt health reimbursements to hospitals for indigent and the Arizona Health Care CostContainmentr System, the state’s Medicaid CEO John Rivers said hospitals are open to sale s tax and other revenue streams to help avoird what could be “devastating” cuts to healtn care programs. However, he opposes Brewer’a call for voters to approve a measurr that would allow the Legislature tocut voter-mandated spendinbg on education and health care. Pinnacle West Capital Corp.
: Arizona Licensefd Beverage Association: Beer and Wine Distributors of Arizona FreeEnterprise Club:
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Morton's steakhouse closes in Minneapolis - Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal:
esyy23mozy.blogspot.com
The Chicago-based restaurant chain cited the economu as its primary reason for closint its onlyMinnesota location. “The Morton’x restaurant team in Minneapolis has been working diligently to improveoperating results, but this restaurant has not been able to reacuh the base financial targets needed to support continuesd operation,” said Gary Young, a Minneapolis-based public relationz consultant for Morton’s. The restaurants leased space at 555 Nicollet Mallin Morton's opened in this market in December 1991. Some of its famoux guests have included PresidentGeorge H.W.
Bush and Mitt Romney who visitedx duringlast year's Republican National Convention, many current and former professional athletes including Harmon Killebrew, and musicianes Josh Groban, Wynonna Judd, and members of the bands White Stripees and Gnarls Barkley, according to a Morton's companyu statement. Morton’s owns and operates 78 steakhouses worldwide. The restaurant's 7,800-square-foot space is now availablr for lease, said David Sternberg, who heads the Minneapolis officde of landlordBrookfield Properties. Toronto-based Brookfielfd was notified that the restaurant would be closinglast week, only shortlhy after employees were told the Sternberg said.
"We will be getting possessiobn back to the space and we willbe enthusiastically, and aggressivel y marketing it," Sternberg said. Morton's had several yearws left on its lease and it is negotiating terms of a lease settlementwith Brookfield, he The space is on the concourse or lowerd level of Gaviidae Common near Neimanh Marcus. It is likelh to attract another restaurant operator due to the ease of parkintg in the attached ramp and the proximity todowntown hotels, he
The Chicago-based restaurant chain cited the economu as its primary reason for closint its onlyMinnesota location. “The Morton’x restaurant team in Minneapolis has been working diligently to improveoperating results, but this restaurant has not been able to reacuh the base financial targets needed to support continuesd operation,” said Gary Young, a Minneapolis-based public relationz consultant for Morton’s. The restaurants leased space at 555 Nicollet Mallin Morton's opened in this market in December 1991. Some of its famoux guests have included PresidentGeorge H.W.
Bush and Mitt Romney who visitedx duringlast year's Republican National Convention, many current and former professional athletes including Harmon Killebrew, and musicianes Josh Groban, Wynonna Judd, and members of the bands White Stripees and Gnarls Barkley, according to a Morton's companyu statement. Morton’s owns and operates 78 steakhouses worldwide. The restaurant's 7,800-square-foot space is now availablr for lease, said David Sternberg, who heads the Minneapolis officde of landlordBrookfield Properties. Toronto-based Brookfielfd was notified that the restaurant would be closinglast week, only shortlhy after employees were told the Sternberg said.
"We will be getting possessiobn back to the space and we willbe enthusiastically, and aggressivel y marketing it," Sternberg said. Morton's had several yearws left on its lease and it is negotiating terms of a lease settlementwith Brookfield, he The space is on the concourse or lowerd level of Gaviidae Common near Neimanh Marcus. It is likelh to attract another restaurant operator due to the ease of parkintg in the attached ramp and the proximity todowntown hotels, he
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Goldman's motions denied in General American case - St. Louis Business Journal:
ycoguqi.wordpress.com
Ohmer issued two orders July 18: one denying Goldman'x motion to dismiss the lawsuit entirely and one denying its request to be droppec fromthe lawsuit. The long-running case stemsz from the collapse of General Americanh after a liquidity crisisin 1999. The firm was once the largesg life insurance company in Missouri and among the largest private companies inthe St. Louis It was considering a publicc stock offering before it was forcedfinto receivership. General American's collapse resulted in what has been estimatex atbetween 1,000 and 2,000 jobs lost in the region, and lost equitu of more than $1 billion.
Lawyers representing Albery Riederer, the special liquidator in the case forthe , broughyt Goldman into the suit in March aftee reaching settlements with a number of otheer defendants. Attorneys for Riederer -- Paul Kovacs of Armstrong Teasdalein St. Louis and Richare Lombardo of in KansasCity -- have amended theire complaint several times. The lawsuit was originallty filed in 2004 against investment firm MorganStanley & Co.
and Leonard Rubenstein, formere president and chief executive of Conning an asset management companyu that was controlled by General Morgan Stanley settled in the case last yearfor $95 Rubenstein is the only executive from the formerr General American to be sued by the liquidators as an He remains a defendant. Representing Goldman is Gandolfo Deblasij of in New York and David Welld ofin St. Louis. Wellsw said Goldman cannot appeal eitherof Ohmer'z rulings. The rulings againsty Goldman said attorneys for the receivershiphave "sufficiently allege d each necessary element of all causes of action.
" The suit makesd eight claims against Goldman, includiny that it aided and abetted Morganb Stanley in its breach of dutie s and aided and abetted General American's senior managers in their breach of duties. like Morgan Stanley, was hired by General Americanj to assist with strategic alternativesw forthe company's businesses. Goldman was hired independentl y ofMorgan Stanley, the suit said, and had agreerd to provide General American $1 billionh to support potential liquidity needs.
Goldman's attorneys, in arguing for the firm'se dismissal from the case, told the court in June that the receivershipl lawyers waited more than seven and a half years afterGeneral American's collapsre to name Goldman in the matter. Ohmer's rulinh said parties in the case have already starteds pretrialdiscovery work. The judge has scheduled a status reporft on the casefor Sept. 11.
Ohmer issued two orders July 18: one denying Goldman'x motion to dismiss the lawsuit entirely and one denying its request to be droppec fromthe lawsuit. The long-running case stemsz from the collapse of General Americanh after a liquidity crisisin 1999. The firm was once the largesg life insurance company in Missouri and among the largest private companies inthe St. Louis It was considering a publicc stock offering before it was forcedfinto receivership. General American's collapse resulted in what has been estimatex atbetween 1,000 and 2,000 jobs lost in the region, and lost equitu of more than $1 billion.
Lawyers representing Albery Riederer, the special liquidator in the case forthe , broughyt Goldman into the suit in March aftee reaching settlements with a number of otheer defendants. Attorneys for Riederer -- Paul Kovacs of Armstrong Teasdalein St. Louis and Richare Lombardo of in KansasCity -- have amended theire complaint several times. The lawsuit was originallty filed in 2004 against investment firm MorganStanley & Co.
and Leonard Rubenstein, formere president and chief executive of Conning an asset management companyu that was controlled by General Morgan Stanley settled in the case last yearfor $95 Rubenstein is the only executive from the formerr General American to be sued by the liquidators as an He remains a defendant. Representing Goldman is Gandolfo Deblasij of in New York and David Welld ofin St. Louis. Wellsw said Goldman cannot appeal eitherof Ohmer'z rulings. The rulings againsty Goldman said attorneys for the receivershiphave "sufficiently allege d each necessary element of all causes of action.
" The suit makesd eight claims against Goldman, includiny that it aided and abetted Morganb Stanley in its breach of dutie s and aided and abetted General American's senior managers in their breach of duties. like Morgan Stanley, was hired by General Americanj to assist with strategic alternativesw forthe company's businesses. Goldman was hired independentl y ofMorgan Stanley, the suit said, and had agreerd to provide General American $1 billionh to support potential liquidity needs.
Goldman's attorneys, in arguing for the firm'se dismissal from the case, told the court in June that the receivershipl lawyers waited more than seven and a half years afterGeneral American's collapsre to name Goldman in the matter. Ohmer's rulinh said parties in the case have already starteds pretrialdiscovery work. The judge has scheduled a status reporft on the casefor Sept. 11.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Loss, sales, shares fall at Toll Brothers - Denver Business Journal:
http://www.alcorconwireless.net/meetings/next-meeting.html
million, and has decided to discontinu givingearnings guidance. The Horsham, Pa., company’s net loss was 52 cents a share, which includexd pre-tax write-downs totaling $119.6 million. During the same perioc last year, Toll (NYSE:TOL) reported a $93.7 or 59 cents a loss, which included pre-tax write-downs totaling $288.1 Revenue for the quarter came inat $398.w million, a plunge of 51 The average analyst estimate for this year’ s fiscal second quarter was a loss of 50 centzs per share and revenue of $395 million, accordinv to Thomson Reuters.
Toll shares were trading 6 percentg lower Wednesday at Though the housing market continues to be a Toll said it has experienced an uptick in activity and traffic at its The company will not provide earningws guidance becauseof “the numerous uncertainties relatec to our business,” said Joel H. Rassman, chief financial
million, and has decided to discontinu givingearnings guidance. The Horsham, Pa., company’s net loss was 52 cents a share, which includexd pre-tax write-downs totaling $119.6 million. During the same perioc last year, Toll (NYSE:TOL) reported a $93.7 or 59 cents a loss, which included pre-tax write-downs totaling $288.1 Revenue for the quarter came inat $398.w million, a plunge of 51 The average analyst estimate for this year’ s fiscal second quarter was a loss of 50 centzs per share and revenue of $395 million, accordinv to Thomson Reuters.
Toll shares were trading 6 percentg lower Wednesday at Though the housing market continues to be a Toll said it has experienced an uptick in activity and traffic at its The company will not provide earningws guidance becauseof “the numerous uncertainties relatec to our business,” said Joel H. Rassman, chief financial
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Green Township OKs Mercy hospital plan - Business Courier of Cincinnati:
burdukovahycel.blogspot.com
The plan passed 3-0. “We’rde very pleased to get to this stag e and excited to take thenext step,” said Pete spokesman for Mercy. “We realize thers is still a lot of work to do and we look forwarrd to continuing to work with the residents and the township leaderw to develop a hospital everyoner can beproud of.” The projecrt will now be submitted to the Hamilton Countyy Regional Commission for consideration, probably next Gemmer said. The planned hospital and parkinvg areas would cover about 40 acrews and sit near toInterstate 74. The to cost $200 million, coulcd open in early 2014.
The proposed site is 60 Mercy has said it will closed itstwo West-Side hospitals: Merch Hospital Western Hills and Mercy Hospital Mouny Airy. The new with 200 to 250 beds, will be a replacement for Some residents in the area had expressed concern about increased traffic as a result ofthe hospital, whosse main access road would be from North Bend at roughly the midway poin t between Kleeman and Gemmer said a traffic impact studu through the Hamilton Counthy Engineer’s Office is nearly complete.
The plan passed 3-0. “We’rde very pleased to get to this stag e and excited to take thenext step,” said Pete spokesman for Mercy. “We realize thers is still a lot of work to do and we look forwarrd to continuing to work with the residents and the township leaderw to develop a hospital everyoner can beproud of.” The projecrt will now be submitted to the Hamilton Countyy Regional Commission for consideration, probably next Gemmer said. The planned hospital and parkinvg areas would cover about 40 acrews and sit near toInterstate 74. The to cost $200 million, coulcd open in early 2014.
The proposed site is 60 Mercy has said it will closed itstwo West-Side hospitals: Merch Hospital Western Hills and Mercy Hospital Mouny Airy. The new with 200 to 250 beds, will be a replacement for Some residents in the area had expressed concern about increased traffic as a result ofthe hospital, whosse main access road would be from North Bend at roughly the midway poin t between Kleeman and Gemmer said a traffic impact studu through the Hamilton Counthy Engineer’s Office is nearly complete.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
High Moral Standards, But Only When Politically Expedient: Republican Campaign ... - Catholic University of America The Tower
yqyqynesara.blogspot.com
High Moral Standards, But Only When Politically Expedient: Republican Campaign ... Catholic University of America The Tower If there's one thing we have learned from the Republican presidential campaign thus far, it's that Rick Perry can't count. And if there are two things we've learned, they're that Rick Perry can't count, and that Republicans will seemingly toss aside ... |
Friday, November 18, 2011
Mergers: Districts ponder joining forces - Business First of Louisville:
ofycagvezi.blogspot.com
The Town of Tonawanda resident headedthe 17-member boardx for seven years before stepping down in Yet he didn’t retire. He continues to serve as WesterjnNew York’s regent, and he remaina as outspoken as ever aboug educational issues. One of his pet topics is the sheer numbeer of localschool systems. There are too many of he says, and their enrollments are generallytoo “Why do you need 28 schook districts in Erie he asks. “I’d like to see somethinbg like five districts in the countyy insteadof 28. I’d even like to start talking aboug a countywideschool district, like they have in Nortyh Carolina and a few other states.
” Bennett’s standc is buttressed by a report released last December by the Stated Commission on Property Tax Relief. “New York Statr has too many school districts,” the report says It suggests that districts with fewerthan 1,000 students shoule be required to mergre with adjacent systems, and districts with enrollments between 1,000 and 2,000 should be encouraged to folloew suit. Such proposals hit home in WesternmNew York, where 66 of the region’sz 98 school districts have enrollments below including 38 with fewer than 1,000 students from kindergarten through 12th grade.
The heart of this issue is a mattedr of benefits andcostsw -- pitting the perceived advantages of combininv two or more districts against the potential loss of localk control and self-identity. Advocates maintaib that mergers allow consolidated districts to be more construct better schools and offefr a wider range ofchallenging courses. “It’ not only a financial To me, it’s a matter of says Bennett. “If you had a regional high school, maybe serving seven or eighyt ofthe (current) districts, it would give kids the opportunity to work with each othed -- and to have the best of the best.
” But opponentxs contend that mergers bring more bureaucracy, longer bus ride for students and diminution of localk pride. “In this community, the world revolves arouned this school,” says Thomas Schmidt, superintendenr of the 478-pupil Sherman Central Schoool District inChautauqua County. “If the school went away, N.Y., would lose a great deal of its School consolidation has beena volatile, emotionakl issue for a century. The state was crosshatched by 10,565 districts in many of them centeredon one-roo m schoolhouses. A push for greater efficiency reduced that numberto 6,40 by the outbreak of Worlsd War II, then swiftly down to 1,30p by 1960.
New York now has 698 Statewide enrollment works outto 2,540 pupilss per district, which falls 25 percent below the national average of 3,400, according to the State Commissionh on Property Tax Relief. The gap is even larger in WesternnNew York, which had 104 districts when Business First began ratingg schools in 1992. Mergers have since reduced that numbee to 98school systems. They educate an average of 2,268 students, 33 percent belowa the U.S. norm. A comprehensive effory to push regional enrollmentr up to the national average would require the eliminatiobn of 33 Western NewYork districts. That process woule be complicated, messy, rancorous -- and extremelg unlikely.
There is no shortage of candidates for tobe sure. Business First easily came up with 13hypotheticak mergers, most of them basedc on standards proposed in last December’s report. These unions would involve districts from alleightf counties. for a summary of thesee 13 potential consolidations. It should be stressed that this list is not reality. State officials lack the power to force districtzto consolidate. Initiative must be taken at thelocaol level, which happens infrequently. Only one prospectives merger in Western New York has currently reachecd an advanced stageof negotiations.
Brocton and Fredoniaz began consolidation talks last eventually commissioning a feasibility study at the beginningbof winter. If they decide later this year that a mergetmakes sense, voters in both districts would be given their say in a
The Town of Tonawanda resident headedthe 17-member boardx for seven years before stepping down in Yet he didn’t retire. He continues to serve as WesterjnNew York’s regent, and he remaina as outspoken as ever aboug educational issues. One of his pet topics is the sheer numbeer of localschool systems. There are too many of he says, and their enrollments are generallytoo “Why do you need 28 schook districts in Erie he asks. “I’d like to see somethinbg like five districts in the countyy insteadof 28. I’d even like to start talking aboug a countywideschool district, like they have in Nortyh Carolina and a few other states.
” Bennett’s standc is buttressed by a report released last December by the Stated Commission on Property Tax Relief. “New York Statr has too many school districts,” the report says It suggests that districts with fewerthan 1,000 students shoule be required to mergre with adjacent systems, and districts with enrollments between 1,000 and 2,000 should be encouraged to folloew suit. Such proposals hit home in WesternmNew York, where 66 of the region’sz 98 school districts have enrollments below including 38 with fewer than 1,000 students from kindergarten through 12th grade.
The heart of this issue is a mattedr of benefits andcostsw -- pitting the perceived advantages of combininv two or more districts against the potential loss of localk control and self-identity. Advocates maintaib that mergers allow consolidated districts to be more construct better schools and offefr a wider range ofchallenging courses. “It’ not only a financial To me, it’s a matter of says Bennett. “If you had a regional high school, maybe serving seven or eighyt ofthe (current) districts, it would give kids the opportunity to work with each othed -- and to have the best of the best.
” But opponentxs contend that mergers bring more bureaucracy, longer bus ride for students and diminution of localk pride. “In this community, the world revolves arouned this school,” says Thomas Schmidt, superintendenr of the 478-pupil Sherman Central Schoool District inChautauqua County. “If the school went away, N.Y., would lose a great deal of its School consolidation has beena volatile, emotionakl issue for a century. The state was crosshatched by 10,565 districts in many of them centeredon one-roo m schoolhouses. A push for greater efficiency reduced that numberto 6,40 by the outbreak of Worlsd War II, then swiftly down to 1,30p by 1960.
New York now has 698 Statewide enrollment works outto 2,540 pupilss per district, which falls 25 percent below the national average of 3,400, according to the State Commissionh on Property Tax Relief. The gap is even larger in WesternnNew York, which had 104 districts when Business First began ratingg schools in 1992. Mergers have since reduced that numbee to 98school systems. They educate an average of 2,268 students, 33 percent belowa the U.S. norm. A comprehensive effory to push regional enrollmentr up to the national average would require the eliminatiobn of 33 Western NewYork districts. That process woule be complicated, messy, rancorous -- and extremelg unlikely.
There is no shortage of candidates for tobe sure. Business First easily came up with 13hypotheticak mergers, most of them basedc on standards proposed in last December’s report. These unions would involve districts from alleightf counties. for a summary of thesee 13 potential consolidations. It should be stressed that this list is not reality. State officials lack the power to force districtzto consolidate. Initiative must be taken at thelocaol level, which happens infrequently. Only one prospectives merger in Western New York has currently reachecd an advanced stageof negotiations.
Brocton and Fredoniaz began consolidation talks last eventually commissioning a feasibility study at the beginningbof winter. If they decide later this year that a mergetmakes sense, voters in both districts would be given their say in a
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
10 Minutes with George Amedore Jr. - The Business Review (Albany):
milicinodijoo1981.blogspot.com
What did you want to be when yougrew up? I wantexd to be a lot like my dad. I can remembet one of the very first jobs he broughgme on, a two-family in the Mt. Pleasant area of He put a sledgehammer through the and all these cockroaches and insects and bugs came floatingb out ofthe wall, and I'mn saying, 'Holy cow, what the heck does my dad We didn't have a whole lot, at all, growing up. But I saw the I saw the sacrifices. That inspirexd me. It seems that you've got a close family--you and your three brothers all work in thefamilg business. When I was 14, we lost one of the I lost one of my brotherd in ahorrible accident. That was devastating.
But througyh that loss, our family gainefd so much. My parents drew even close to God, and they used that experiencer and that loss to teachtheitr children: We have each other, and we can get througn it when we have each What's surprised you the most about your firsf months in office? I never thought for a day in my life that I' d be involved in I've really truly realized one thing: the enormityt of our state government. It'sd huge. All the agencies and commissions, all thesee authorities. It's like, come on! No wonder why a lot of peopl want to leave the state ofNew York. Clearly, fashion is important to you. What are your guidelines? I love I love clothes.
In some cases, I have an addictio n to that, but I don't go overboard with it. The more you get involvedx with it and youlike it, unfortunately, the more expensive it startw to become. I'm not a designer-chaser at all; there'sw just a certain look that I like. Is theres truly a suit for every occasion? Pretty much. A lot of it has to do, too, with your mind-setd and your moods. If you believe that you look then there's a psychologicao aspect that says, 'I feel Keep in mind, though, that looking good is in the eyes of thebeholdet (laughs). What do people say when they firstmeet you? The old they love me.
They want to kiss my face all over the I never knew there was sucha 'cute' vote, but gueses I got a lot of 'cute' votes (laughs). It's eitherf a kiss or it's a Some people treat me likea celebrity, but look--I'mj a normal guy. [Most people] realize I'm a everyday person in a family-operated business, tryint to be successful and make ends meet and raisda family. They thank me for beingv willing toget involved. What do you do to relax? I'm a sportsman. I bass tournamenyt fish a lot. In the fall and my two sons have meout hunting. We'rw able to talk about life and buile a relationshipand closeness.
What did you want to be when yougrew up? I wantexd to be a lot like my dad. I can remembet one of the very first jobs he broughgme on, a two-family in the Mt. Pleasant area of He put a sledgehammer through the and all these cockroaches and insects and bugs came floatingb out ofthe wall, and I'mn saying, 'Holy cow, what the heck does my dad We didn't have a whole lot, at all, growing up. But I saw the I saw the sacrifices. That inspirexd me. It seems that you've got a close family--you and your three brothers all work in thefamilg business. When I was 14, we lost one of the I lost one of my brotherd in ahorrible accident. That was devastating.
But througyh that loss, our family gainefd so much. My parents drew even close to God, and they used that experiencer and that loss to teachtheitr children: We have each other, and we can get througn it when we have each What's surprised you the most about your firsf months in office? I never thought for a day in my life that I' d be involved in I've really truly realized one thing: the enormityt of our state government. It'sd huge. All the agencies and commissions, all thesee authorities. It's like, come on! No wonder why a lot of peopl want to leave the state ofNew York. Clearly, fashion is important to you. What are your guidelines? I love I love clothes.
In some cases, I have an addictio n to that, but I don't go overboard with it. The more you get involvedx with it and youlike it, unfortunately, the more expensive it startw to become. I'm not a designer-chaser at all; there'sw just a certain look that I like. Is theres truly a suit for every occasion? Pretty much. A lot of it has to do, too, with your mind-setd and your moods. If you believe that you look then there's a psychologicao aspect that says, 'I feel Keep in mind, though, that looking good is in the eyes of thebeholdet (laughs). What do people say when they firstmeet you? The old they love me.
They want to kiss my face all over the I never knew there was sucha 'cute' vote, but gueses I got a lot of 'cute' votes (laughs). It's eitherf a kiss or it's a Some people treat me likea celebrity, but look--I'mj a normal guy. [Most people] realize I'm a everyday person in a family-operated business, tryint to be successful and make ends meet and raisda family. They thank me for beingv willing toget involved. What do you do to relax? I'm a sportsman. I bass tournamenyt fish a lot. In the fall and my two sons have meout hunting. We'rw able to talk about life and buile a relationshipand closeness.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Report: Occupancy at Houston-area hotels down 10 percent in April - Atlanta Business Chronicle:
http://www.antonellasilipigni.com/hombre/hombreint.html
Hotels experienced a 62 percent occupancy rate in April 2009 comparesdto 71.9 percent in April 2008, according to Trendsw in the Hotel Industry, a monthlyt report from . The Bay Area fared better than most droppingfrom 75.6 percent to 69 percent occupancy from 2008 to a decrease of only 6.6 The Bush Intercontinental Airport area postedc the largest decline during the same The area went from 80.6 percen t occupancy a year ago to 64.8 percent this year, a 15.8 percenf drop, according to the report. Houston-area hotelx watched the average daily room ratedrop 5.9 percentg to $115.92 in April from $123.22 in Aprik 2008. The revenue per available room tookan 18.
9 percent hit year over RevPAR was $71.85 in April compared to $88.6q1 in April 2008, according to PKF. Hotelsd statewide experienced a 9.4 percent decreasee in occupancy year over falling from 71 percent to 61.6 percent. Also on the statr level, the average daily rate went down 7.9 from $117.80 last year to $108.523 this year, and RevPAR took a dive, falling 20.1 from $83.65 to $66.84.
Hotels experienced a 62 percent occupancy rate in April 2009 comparesdto 71.9 percent in April 2008, according to Trendsw in the Hotel Industry, a monthlyt report from . The Bay Area fared better than most droppingfrom 75.6 percent to 69 percent occupancy from 2008 to a decrease of only 6.6 The Bush Intercontinental Airport area postedc the largest decline during the same The area went from 80.6 percen t occupancy a year ago to 64.8 percent this year, a 15.8 percenf drop, according to the report. Houston-area hotelx watched the average daily room ratedrop 5.9 percentg to $115.92 in April from $123.22 in Aprik 2008. The revenue per available room tookan 18.
9 percent hit year over RevPAR was $71.85 in April compared to $88.6q1 in April 2008, according to PKF. Hotelsd statewide experienced a 9.4 percent decreasee in occupancy year over falling from 71 percent to 61.6 percent. Also on the statr level, the average daily rate went down 7.9 from $117.80 last year to $108.523 this year, and RevPAR took a dive, falling 20.1 from $83.65 to $66.84.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Two MERC commissioners resign - Orlando Business Journal:
badillodacyroic1505.blogspot.com
The resignations of Gary Reynolds and Janice Marquizs come about two week before councilorsfor Metro, of which MERC is a plan to vote on a measure that woul d give the council more controol over MERC’s general manager. The move could ostensiblh lead to the firing of MERC General ManagerDavid Woolson, who’s undere fire from President David Bragdon. Reynolds and Marquis both opposethe Reynolds, president of the Portland accounting firm Perkinxs & Co., mentioned the building problems between Metro and MERC in his resignation letter. “During the economic times, my attentiom needs to be focused on our clients atPerkins & Co.
,” Reynolds wrote in his letted to Bragdon. “That said, I am disappointed in the recent breakdown in the workingy relationship between the Metro Council andthe , and believ it could have been handledr differently.” Marquis, a commercial real estate broker and the commission’ws vice chair, didn’t mention the upcoming proposal in her lettef to Bragdon, but resigned two years beforse her term was set to end. In a letter to Portland city commissioners earlierthis month, Marquix and commission member Ray Leary urged the council to help delay Metro’ss vote on the MERC oversight matter.
Leary, Reynolds and three of the other four remainingv MERC commissions also sent Bragdon a lettedrbacking Woolson. The letter came after Bragdomn questioned the leadership of MERC General Manager David Woolson. The other commission member, Don Trotter, resigned last montbh and will leave the boardJune 30. resignation takes effect June 30. Marquis’ takexs effect July 15. The terms of Trotte and Reynolds would have expirer at the end of 2009 while Marquis term was to expire at the endof 2010.
The Metrk Council plans to vote on the MERCmeasure — whicu would give Metro the authority to hire and fire the MERC generapl manager — at its July 9 It was introduced by councilors Rod Park and Rex who also have concerns about Woolson’s performance. MERC overseews the Oregon Convention Center, the Portlancd Center for the Performing Arts and the Portland MetropolitanExposition Center. Metro’s councilors are mullint a $457 million budget for fiscal year The regional governmentserves 1.4 million people in the metropolitan area’ws 25 cities.
The resignations of Gary Reynolds and Janice Marquizs come about two week before councilorsfor Metro, of which MERC is a plan to vote on a measure that woul d give the council more controol over MERC’s general manager. The move could ostensiblh lead to the firing of MERC General ManagerDavid Woolson, who’s undere fire from President David Bragdon. Reynolds and Marquis both opposethe Reynolds, president of the Portland accounting firm Perkinxs & Co., mentioned the building problems between Metro and MERC in his resignation letter. “During the economic times, my attentiom needs to be focused on our clients atPerkins & Co.
,” Reynolds wrote in his letted to Bragdon. “That said, I am disappointed in the recent breakdown in the workingy relationship between the Metro Council andthe , and believ it could have been handledr differently.” Marquis, a commercial real estate broker and the commission’ws vice chair, didn’t mention the upcoming proposal in her lettef to Bragdon, but resigned two years beforse her term was set to end. In a letter to Portland city commissioners earlierthis month, Marquix and commission member Ray Leary urged the council to help delay Metro’ss vote on the MERC oversight matter.
Leary, Reynolds and three of the other four remainingv MERC commissions also sent Bragdon a lettedrbacking Woolson. The letter came after Bragdomn questioned the leadership of MERC General Manager David Woolson. The other commission member, Don Trotter, resigned last montbh and will leave the boardJune 30. resignation takes effect June 30. Marquis’ takexs effect July 15. The terms of Trotte and Reynolds would have expirer at the end of 2009 while Marquis term was to expire at the endof 2010.
The Metrk Council plans to vote on the MERCmeasure — whicu would give Metro the authority to hire and fire the MERC generapl manager — at its July 9 It was introduced by councilors Rod Park and Rex who also have concerns about Woolson’s performance. MERC overseews the Oregon Convention Center, the Portlancd Center for the Performing Arts and the Portland MetropolitanExposition Center. Metro’s councilors are mullint a $457 million budget for fiscal year The regional governmentserves 1.4 million people in the metropolitan area’ws 25 cities.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
State gets $14.9 million more for dislocated workers - The Business Journal of Milwaukee:
yvejodo.wordpress.com
million in federal funds to provide careerd trainingand re-employment services to workers who lose theifr jobs as a resulr of outsourcing and foreign trade. The funding is part of $450 milliob being released by the U.S. Departmenrt of Labor to states for TradeAdjustmen Assistance, a federal program administere d by states to serve workers who have lost their jobs due to foreigmn competition. “This additional federalo assistance will help these workers increase their job skillss and findnew employment,” Gov. Jim Doyled said.
“The employment and training services now availabl e to these workers will help them upgradew their skills or retrain for new careerd so theycan re-enter the work force, support themselves and their families and enjoyg all that life in Wisconsim has to offer.” The additional money is availabled because the American Recoveryg and Reinvestment Act expanded the amountg of Trade Adjustment Assistance funds available nationwide to $575 millionm from $220 million. The additional fundinh will help states serve an increasing numberdof trade-affected workers.
million in federal funds to provide careerd trainingand re-employment services to workers who lose theifr jobs as a resulr of outsourcing and foreign trade. The funding is part of $450 milliob being released by the U.S. Departmenrt of Labor to states for TradeAdjustmen Assistance, a federal program administere d by states to serve workers who have lost their jobs due to foreigmn competition. “This additional federalo assistance will help these workers increase their job skillss and findnew employment,” Gov. Jim Doyled said.
“The employment and training services now availabl e to these workers will help them upgradew their skills or retrain for new careerd so theycan re-enter the work force, support themselves and their families and enjoyg all that life in Wisconsim has to offer.” The additional money is availabled because the American Recoveryg and Reinvestment Act expanded the amountg of Trade Adjustment Assistance funds available nationwide to $575 millionm from $220 million. The additional fundinh will help states serve an increasing numberdof trade-affected workers.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Gates Foundation funds manufacturing training at Alamo Colleges - San Antonio Business Journal:
lkinibim.blogspot.com
million grant from the to creatse a national skills certification system to rais e up a manufacturing workforceamong low-income Community colleges throughout the countrh will participate in teaching the Manufacturinbg Skills Certification System — which is endorsed by the . Alamol Colleges in San Antonio will be one of the firsty community colleges in the countrt to implement this These educational programs will helpprepare students, particularly low-incomse young adults and transitioning workers, with entry-levep skills needed to succeed in a career in manufacturing. “Wde need to get kids engaged in and we need to givethem options,” says NAM Presidentr John Engler.
“Moving thesd industry-recognized skills certifications into community college programs willprovidd meaningful, relevant education for studente and ultimately produce a highlyt skilled and mobile workforc – making us more competitive in the global economy.” The Manufacturing Skills Certification Systenm will help prepare individualsd for manufacturing careers in a rangs of fields including alternative energy, computers, aerospacw and pharmaceuticals. The Manufacturing Institute isa 501(c)e3 affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers. It is based in D.C.
million grant from the to creatse a national skills certification system to rais e up a manufacturing workforceamong low-income Community colleges throughout the countrh will participate in teaching the Manufacturinbg Skills Certification System — which is endorsed by the . Alamol Colleges in San Antonio will be one of the firsty community colleges in the countrt to implement this These educational programs will helpprepare students, particularly low-incomse young adults and transitioning workers, with entry-levep skills needed to succeed in a career in manufacturing. “Wde need to get kids engaged in and we need to givethem options,” says NAM Presidentr John Engler.
“Moving thesd industry-recognized skills certifications into community college programs willprovidd meaningful, relevant education for studente and ultimately produce a highlyt skilled and mobile workforc – making us more competitive in the global economy.” The Manufacturing Skills Certification Systenm will help prepare individualsd for manufacturing careers in a rangs of fields including alternative energy, computers, aerospacw and pharmaceuticals. The Manufacturing Institute isa 501(c)e3 affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers. It is based in D.C.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Big Boy & Their Toys event to return June 19-21 with some changes - Phoenix Business Journal:
judonebolayb1394.blogspot.com
The event features goods ranging from memorabilia to cars and It alsoincludes technology-related goods and interactive displays. Exhibitors expected to participateincludse Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Blazinv Bikes, Moto City, Blue Tiger and Crosswoodw Indoor Golf Center. Therre also will be a state-of-the-art golf simulator with “nearest to the and “longest drive” competitions; a putting green with putting a sportracing simulator; four speed-dating a three-day video gaming tournament called Devastation ( ); a live Elto John-Billy Joel tribute concert by nationally renownex performer Terry Davies; an opportunituy to shoot paint guns at a Baller’s Arena exhibit; and the give-awag of a Kymco MXU 500 4x4 off-roae vehicle.
Under the new ownership of entrepreneurfLuke Hart, event tickets have been reducer from $20 for adults and $15 for children to $12.590 for adults and $10 for children 13-17 and free for kids 12 and In addition, tickets are $10 for senior citizens and for police and firefighting personnel. Hart has added “happy pricing: $5 admission all day from 5 to8 p.m. Saturday and from 4 to 6 p.m. The event hours are noon to 8 p.m. 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Ticket stubzs include a 15 percent discountat Majerle’ restaurant and a raffle entry for the ATV. For .
The event features goods ranging from memorabilia to cars and It alsoincludes technology-related goods and interactive displays. Exhibitors expected to participateincludse Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Blazinv Bikes, Moto City, Blue Tiger and Crosswoodw Indoor Golf Center. Therre also will be a state-of-the-art golf simulator with “nearest to the and “longest drive” competitions; a putting green with putting a sportracing simulator; four speed-dating a three-day video gaming tournament called Devastation ( ); a live Elto John-Billy Joel tribute concert by nationally renownex performer Terry Davies; an opportunituy to shoot paint guns at a Baller’s Arena exhibit; and the give-awag of a Kymco MXU 500 4x4 off-roae vehicle.
Under the new ownership of entrepreneurfLuke Hart, event tickets have been reducer from $20 for adults and $15 for children to $12.590 for adults and $10 for children 13-17 and free for kids 12 and In addition, tickets are $10 for senior citizens and for police and firefighting personnel. Hart has added “happy pricing: $5 admission all day from 5 to8 p.m. Saturday and from 4 to 6 p.m. The event hours are noon to 8 p.m. 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Ticket stubzs include a 15 percent discountat Majerle’ restaurant and a raffle entry for the ATV. For .
Thursday, November 3, 2011
HMO membership trend is positive - The Business Review (Albany):
ovaluleq.wordpress.com
Despite the positive trend in revenue, overall HMO profitx were down 23.4 percent to $491.3 million in 2008, according to data from the . A totaol of 13 of the state’s 39 HMOs lost money last year compared to 10in 2007. Overall revenue rose 2.2 perceny to $17 billion in 2008. membership was up 1.3 percent to 3.4 milliom in 2008 compared to last year reversinga 5.5 percent drop the year South Florida’s enrollment was also flat at about 1.5 Medical Plan was by far the year’s biggest winner with a profit of $211 milliob on revenue of $4.9 billion. Humansa AdvantageCare Plan logged $2 million in profits on $80.6 millioj in revenue on its own.
Combined with Careplus Healthu Plans’ performance, Humana produced $235.4 million in profit on $4.9 billiob in revenue, a 22 percent increase from last Their commercial business specifically went from a lossof $10 million in 2007 to a profit of $2 milliobn in 2008. That’s due in part to their markert share and to theirstrong contracts, which allowe them to reduce payments to providers as costx go up, said Alan Baumgarten, a Minnesota-basedr health care analyst who follows Florida Humana spokesman Mitchell Lubitz attributed the company’s success in part to membe growth, which was achieved organically and through the purchase last year of AdvantageCars Medicare Advantage Plan in Florida.
AdvantageCare had the bulk of its membership on the Treasure Coast andSouthwest Florida, Lubit said. Humana also expanded its Florida HMO offerings to employerss in PalmBeach County. Membership in the Soutg Florida region wasat 341, 776. ’es Health Option, which is midsized in terms of membership inSoutnh Florida, turned a profit in 2008. But it was smalleer than the income it generated last BCBS Health Option profit declined by84 percent, generatinv $7.9 million from $877 million in premium revenue.
John director of product management for BCBSof Florida, said that employerse are continuing to eat away at group membershio as more move toward consumer-driven programs and high-deductabl programs. Market pressures are increasing alon gwith cost. “We are seeing employeras getting smaller and we arelosingy 14,000 people a day in groul insurance nationally,” he explained. To help offset that, the companh is offering a varietyof low-cost, high-deductabls plans like GoBlue, which targets individualsd and provides coverage for basid physician care, pharmaceuticals, lab work and dental Typically, members are low-incomew residents, but make too much money to qualify for Medicaid.
GoBlue has about 11,00o0 members statewide. BCBS Health Option also offers ahospital surgical-only producgt designed to work in tandem with GoBlue, which currently coverd about 40,000 people in Florida. The growtgh in individual coverage is beingt accelerated by theeconomic downturn, which is promptin g some to start theidr own business. The growth in Medicaid specifically is also an indicato of the healthof Florida’s economy, whicuh is continuing to shed jobs, Baumgarte said. Medicare was up 54,000 member s from year to year, and Medicaied was up 77,000 members.
Looking at OIR’ numbers, Medicaid and Medicare enrollment, which is considered individual has increased significantly formany companies. For example, Healthyu Palm Beaches went from 4,017 membersz in 2007 to 7,322w members last year. Freedom Healthn saw its Medicare numbers climbfrom 12,509 in 2007 to Humana Medical Plan grew Medicaid memberws from 39,582 in 2007 to 43,6500 the following year. It also grew Medicare by aboug 10,000 members in the same year.
Humana’s Medicaid results are no Baumgarten said that Humana is the largest Medicare Advantagwe plan provider in the Ramona Fiumara, VP of operations for Seitlinj Benefits in Fort Lauderdale, said that carriers are doing everything they can to respondd to the shift away from group memberships. “Even if you look at TV and radioo ads, insurers are promoting individual products more prominentlyh than you have seen she said.
Despite the positive trend in revenue, overall HMO profitx were down 23.4 percent to $491.3 million in 2008, according to data from the . A totaol of 13 of the state’s 39 HMOs lost money last year compared to 10in 2007. Overall revenue rose 2.2 perceny to $17 billion in 2008. membership was up 1.3 percent to 3.4 milliom in 2008 compared to last year reversinga 5.5 percent drop the year South Florida’s enrollment was also flat at about 1.5 Medical Plan was by far the year’s biggest winner with a profit of $211 milliob on revenue of $4.9 billion. Humansa AdvantageCare Plan logged $2 million in profits on $80.6 millioj in revenue on its own.
Combined with Careplus Healthu Plans’ performance, Humana produced $235.4 million in profit on $4.9 billiob in revenue, a 22 percent increase from last Their commercial business specifically went from a lossof $10 million in 2007 to a profit of $2 milliobn in 2008. That’s due in part to their markert share and to theirstrong contracts, which allowe them to reduce payments to providers as costx go up, said Alan Baumgarten, a Minnesota-basedr health care analyst who follows Florida Humana spokesman Mitchell Lubitz attributed the company’s success in part to membe growth, which was achieved organically and through the purchase last year of AdvantageCars Medicare Advantage Plan in Florida.
AdvantageCare had the bulk of its membership on the Treasure Coast andSouthwest Florida, Lubit said. Humana also expanded its Florida HMO offerings to employerss in PalmBeach County. Membership in the Soutg Florida region wasat 341, 776. ’es Health Option, which is midsized in terms of membership inSoutnh Florida, turned a profit in 2008. But it was smalleer than the income it generated last BCBS Health Option profit declined by84 percent, generatinv $7.9 million from $877 million in premium revenue.
John director of product management for BCBSof Florida, said that employerse are continuing to eat away at group membershio as more move toward consumer-driven programs and high-deductabl programs. Market pressures are increasing alon gwith cost. “We are seeing employeras getting smaller and we arelosingy 14,000 people a day in groul insurance nationally,” he explained. To help offset that, the companh is offering a varietyof low-cost, high-deductabls plans like GoBlue, which targets individualsd and provides coverage for basid physician care, pharmaceuticals, lab work and dental Typically, members are low-incomew residents, but make too much money to qualify for Medicaid.
GoBlue has about 11,00o0 members statewide. BCBS Health Option also offers ahospital surgical-only producgt designed to work in tandem with GoBlue, which currently coverd about 40,000 people in Florida. The growtgh in individual coverage is beingt accelerated by theeconomic downturn, which is promptin g some to start theidr own business. The growth in Medicaid specifically is also an indicato of the healthof Florida’s economy, whicuh is continuing to shed jobs, Baumgarte said. Medicare was up 54,000 member s from year to year, and Medicaied was up 77,000 members.
Looking at OIR’ numbers, Medicaid and Medicare enrollment, which is considered individual has increased significantly formany companies. For example, Healthyu Palm Beaches went from 4,017 membersz in 2007 to 7,322w members last year. Freedom Healthn saw its Medicare numbers climbfrom 12,509 in 2007 to Humana Medical Plan grew Medicaid memberws from 39,582 in 2007 to 43,6500 the following year. It also grew Medicare by aboug 10,000 members in the same year.
Humana’s Medicaid results are no Baumgarten said that Humana is the largest Medicare Advantagwe plan provider in the Ramona Fiumara, VP of operations for Seitlinj Benefits in Fort Lauderdale, said that carriers are doing everything they can to respondd to the shift away from group memberships. “Even if you look at TV and radioo ads, insurers are promoting individual products more prominentlyh than you have seen she said.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Cozen O
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Frances R. Roggenbaum, who practices in the firm’z insurance corporate and regulatorypracticr group, will serve as the office managinb partner. Also based out of the office will be tax partnerrDan A. Schulder, who joined from Wolf Block. The thirsd partner stationed there will beJeffrey J. Norton, the formet P.H. Glatfelter Co. general counsel who joinef the firm a few months ago and concentrates his practicewon energy, utilities, alternative clean and climate change matters, as well as corporatde regulatory and compliance matters, commercialo transactions, and mergers and acquisitions.
McGuinnes said the law firm woule like to add more regulatory lawyers and government relations personnel to theHarrisburg site. He said formet Wolf Block Chairman Mark Alderman and formefr Blank Rome ChairmanDavid Girard-diCarlo, who also joinee this spring, have been working on the government relationas practice in Washington, Philadelphia and New York but that the firm coul d use lobbyists on site in Harrisburg. The Wilkezs Barre office will be manned by anotherf lateral partner fromthis year, litigator John who joined from a small firm and has been workingt out of a virtual office. The firm has space at 120 S. Franklin St. The firm now has 24 totakl offices.
Cozen also said earlier this week that it has startedx a capital marketspractice group. The groul will counsel issuers, underwriters, investorse and other market Leading the group will beAbby Wenzel, the head of Wolf Block’a New York office who has take n on the same role for Former Wolf Block real estate partneer Helene Jaron will also work in the grouop along with Michael chairman of Cozen O’Connor’s business law McGuinness said the group will include at least five partneres and is another examplwe of the benefit of adding the almosyt 70 lawyers from dissolving Wolf Block earlier this year.
Frances R. Roggenbaum, who practices in the firm’z insurance corporate and regulatorypracticr group, will serve as the office managinb partner. Also based out of the office will be tax partnerrDan A. Schulder, who joined from Wolf Block. The thirsd partner stationed there will beJeffrey J. Norton, the formet P.H. Glatfelter Co. general counsel who joinef the firm a few months ago and concentrates his practicewon energy, utilities, alternative clean and climate change matters, as well as corporatde regulatory and compliance matters, commercialo transactions, and mergers and acquisitions.
McGuinnes said the law firm woule like to add more regulatory lawyers and government relations personnel to theHarrisburg site. He said formet Wolf Block Chairman Mark Alderman and formefr Blank Rome ChairmanDavid Girard-diCarlo, who also joinee this spring, have been working on the government relationas practice in Washington, Philadelphia and New York but that the firm coul d use lobbyists on site in Harrisburg. The Wilkezs Barre office will be manned by anotherf lateral partner fromthis year, litigator John who joined from a small firm and has been workingt out of a virtual office. The firm has space at 120 S. Franklin St. The firm now has 24 totakl offices.
Cozen also said earlier this week that it has startedx a capital marketspractice group. The groul will counsel issuers, underwriters, investorse and other market Leading the group will beAbby Wenzel, the head of Wolf Block’a New York office who has take n on the same role for Former Wolf Block real estate partneer Helene Jaron will also work in the grouop along with Michael chairman of Cozen O’Connor’s business law McGuinness said the group will include at least five partneres and is another examplwe of the benefit of adding the almosyt 70 lawyers from dissolving Wolf Block earlier this year.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Lexington Realty Trust to Present at Investor Conference
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Lexington's presentation is scheduled for June 4, 2009 at 10:15 a.m., Eastern Presenting will be T. Wilson Eglin , Lexington'd Chief Executive Officer, President and Chietf Operating Officer. A copy of the material used during the presentation will be availableon Lexington'a web site in the Investor Relations sectio beginning on Thursday, June 4, 2009. In connection with the Lexington is providing the following update on secondquartere activity: -- Lexington reduced its consolidatefd debt by $81.3 million, including $46. 6 million original principal amountof 5.45% Exchangeable Guaranteedx Notes repurchased at an 18.1% discount. As of June 3, 2009, $141.
9 million original principalp amountof 5.45% Exchangeable Guaranteed Notes remain outstanding. -- Lexington sold its interestw in five properties to unrelates parties for an aggregate sales price ofapproximatelyg $58.2 million. The properties generated annualizedr net operating incomeof $4.4 or 7.6% of the sales price. -- Lexingtobn received approximately $3.9 million in full satisfaction of two loanseit held. -- Lexington executed 18 new and renewal lease forapproximately 663,000 square feet.
Lexington Realtu Trust is a real estate investment trustthat owns, invests in, and managew office, industrial and retail propertiexs net-leased to major corporations throughout the United Statesx and provides investment advisory and asset managementf services to investors in the net lease Lexington shares are traderd on the New York Stock Exchangd under the symbol "LXP". Additional information aboutf Lexington isavailable on-line at or by contactin Lexington Realty Trust, , Suite New York, New York 10119-4015, Investor Relations.
Lexington's presentation is scheduled for June 4, 2009 at 10:15 a.m., Eastern Presenting will be T. Wilson Eglin , Lexington'd Chief Executive Officer, President and Chietf Operating Officer. A copy of the material used during the presentation will be availableon Lexington'a web site in the Investor Relations sectio beginning on Thursday, June 4, 2009. In connection with the Lexington is providing the following update on secondquartere activity: -- Lexington reduced its consolidatefd debt by $81.3 million, including $46. 6 million original principal amountof 5.45% Exchangeable Guaranteedx Notes repurchased at an 18.1% discount. As of June 3, 2009, $141.
9 million original principalp amountof 5.45% Exchangeable Guaranteed Notes remain outstanding. -- Lexington sold its interestw in five properties to unrelates parties for an aggregate sales price ofapproximatelyg $58.2 million. The properties generated annualizedr net operating incomeof $4.4 or 7.6% of the sales price. -- Lexingtobn received approximately $3.9 million in full satisfaction of two loanseit held. -- Lexington executed 18 new and renewal lease forapproximately 663,000 square feet.
Lexington Realtu Trust is a real estate investment trustthat owns, invests in, and managew office, industrial and retail propertiexs net-leased to major corporations throughout the United Statesx and provides investment advisory and asset managementf services to investors in the net lease Lexington shares are traderd on the New York Stock Exchangd under the symbol "LXP". Additional information aboutf Lexington isavailable on-line at or by contactin Lexington Realty Trust, , Suite New York, New York 10119-4015, Investor Relations.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Judge puts off decision in Hilo Hattie case - Tampa Bay Business Journal:
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The plan would also cancel the concession agreement that Maui Divers Jewelry has with Hilo Hatti e at itsseven stores. The amended plan was submittecdon Friday, a week after Donalc B.S. Kang, president of garment manufacturedr RoyalHawaiian Creations, acquired 100 percenyt of Hilo Hattie stock on June 19 for undisclosed Even though the stock has changecd hands, the fate of the company and its debtsd and assets remains tied up in bankruptcu court. Kang has said he has $1 milliomn in cash that would be used to immediately fund a line of credit for the His attorney, James told U.S.
Bankruptcy Judge Robert Farisx at a hearing Monday that Kang hasanother $2 millionm in credit lined up with Firsg Hawaiian Bank that would be used afterd the company emerges from bankruptcy reorganization. That couled be as early as September, Wagner told PBN. Wagnere also told the who lifted a suspension onHilo Hattie’s ability to that Kang would inject $500,000 cash into the business, and anotherr $500,000 in inventory until the Chapter 11 plan is Faris on Monday delayed a decision until July 15 on the efforty by Maui Divers Jewelry to buy Hilo Hattie.
Maui Divers offered to pay $1 million for the compang at closing and then to immediatelyinjectg $2 million in capital into the operations. Maui plan had the support of the committee ofunsecurex creditors, and an attorney for Generall Growth Properties, which is the landlord for two of its stores, said the companu had worked out a deal for the leases at Ala Moanaz Center and Prince Kuhio Plaza in Maui Divers had not reached agreement with the landlordsd of its five other stores, sayingh the landlords would not agree to a deal until they knew whetherr Maui Divers would becomde Hilo Hattie’s new owner.
Wagner, told the judge that Kang had agreementds withthose landlords, but not with Generap Growth. The mall owner, which is also in Chapter 11 was concernedthat post-bankruptcy Hilo Hattie stores would not contain Maui Diver concessions, which generate some 50 percent of the store’s according to General Growth’s attorney Ivan When Faris questioned Wagner about what would happenb if Hilo Hattie was unable to renegotiate a concession agreement with Maui Divers, Wagner said therwe were other concessions, other jewelry companiesx that could presumably take its place. “The debtodr is not averse to having MauiDiverws concessions,” Wagner told the court.
“W e can’t force Maui Divers to come to the bargaining Maui Divers President and CEO Bob Taylor declined to commeng after the hearing about the offer or the proposed cancellation of the concessions at the HiloHattire stores. The attorney for the committes ofunsecured creditors, Ted noted that Maui Divers had placer a $50,000 deposit on the deal. “Asw of today, Maui Divers has not asked for a refund oftheirf deposit, which I take as an indication that they are proceeding with their he told PBN. Pettit had argued that Kang’ acquisition of the Hilo Hattie stock was subject to courtf approval as part of the bankruptcy but Faris said that itwas not.
Faris also delayed ruling on the committee’as motion to appoint a Chapter 11 as well as a motion bythe U.S. Trustes to convert the case to Chaptee 7 liquidation or dismissit altogether. Kang took over as president and CEO of the compang last week after CEO Ted Nelsonb and President John Scott Craig Bingham remained CFO while adding the titles treasurert and executivevice president, while Mark who was treasurer, is now chief operating officer and executivr vice president.
David who is Kang’s is now executive vice president and secretary of the andTerri Funakoshi, Hilo Hattie’z general merchandise manager, was promoted to executive vice president of
The plan would also cancel the concession agreement that Maui Divers Jewelry has with Hilo Hatti e at itsseven stores. The amended plan was submittecdon Friday, a week after Donalc B.S. Kang, president of garment manufacturedr RoyalHawaiian Creations, acquired 100 percenyt of Hilo Hattie stock on June 19 for undisclosed Even though the stock has changecd hands, the fate of the company and its debtsd and assets remains tied up in bankruptcu court. Kang has said he has $1 milliomn in cash that would be used to immediately fund a line of credit for the His attorney, James told U.S.
Bankruptcy Judge Robert Farisx at a hearing Monday that Kang hasanother $2 millionm in credit lined up with Firsg Hawaiian Bank that would be used afterd the company emerges from bankruptcy reorganization. That couled be as early as September, Wagner told PBN. Wagnere also told the who lifted a suspension onHilo Hattie’s ability to that Kang would inject $500,000 cash into the business, and anotherr $500,000 in inventory until the Chapter 11 plan is Faris on Monday delayed a decision until July 15 on the efforty by Maui Divers Jewelry to buy Hilo Hattie.
Maui Divers offered to pay $1 million for the compang at closing and then to immediatelyinjectg $2 million in capital into the operations. Maui plan had the support of the committee ofunsecurex creditors, and an attorney for Generall Growth Properties, which is the landlord for two of its stores, said the companu had worked out a deal for the leases at Ala Moanaz Center and Prince Kuhio Plaza in Maui Divers had not reached agreement with the landlordsd of its five other stores, sayingh the landlords would not agree to a deal until they knew whetherr Maui Divers would becomde Hilo Hattie’s new owner.
Wagner, told the judge that Kang had agreementds withthose landlords, but not with Generap Growth. The mall owner, which is also in Chapter 11 was concernedthat post-bankruptcy Hilo Hattie stores would not contain Maui Diver concessions, which generate some 50 percent of the store’s according to General Growth’s attorney Ivan When Faris questioned Wagner about what would happenb if Hilo Hattie was unable to renegotiate a concession agreement with Maui Divers, Wagner said therwe were other concessions, other jewelry companiesx that could presumably take its place. “The debtodr is not averse to having MauiDiverws concessions,” Wagner told the court.
“W e can’t force Maui Divers to come to the bargaining Maui Divers President and CEO Bob Taylor declined to commeng after the hearing about the offer or the proposed cancellation of the concessions at the HiloHattire stores. The attorney for the committes ofunsecured creditors, Ted noted that Maui Divers had placer a $50,000 deposit on the deal. “Asw of today, Maui Divers has not asked for a refund oftheirf deposit, which I take as an indication that they are proceeding with their he told PBN. Pettit had argued that Kang’ acquisition of the Hilo Hattie stock was subject to courtf approval as part of the bankruptcy but Faris said that itwas not.
Faris also delayed ruling on the committee’as motion to appoint a Chapter 11 as well as a motion bythe U.S. Trustes to convert the case to Chaptee 7 liquidation or dismissit altogether. Kang took over as president and CEO of the compang last week after CEO Ted Nelsonb and President John Scott Craig Bingham remained CFO while adding the titles treasurert and executivevice president, while Mark who was treasurer, is now chief operating officer and executivr vice president.
David who is Kang’s is now executive vice president and secretary of the andTerri Funakoshi, Hilo Hattie’z general merchandise manager, was promoted to executive vice president of
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
MindComet Pivots to Focus Exclusively on Social Media Services - San Francisco Chronicle (press release)
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MindComet Pivots to Focus Exclusively on Social Media Services San Francisco Chronicle (press release) "We are shifting our business to focus exclusively on social media services and further cultivate our leadership in the space." MindComet was a groundbreaker in social media marketing and started providing its services prior to the mainstream adoption ... |
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Gerberding helped steer CDC through new era - Atlanta Business Chronicle:
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“I had hyperactive empathy said the former director ofthe . “I rescued the blinx bunny, injured bird, sick puppy.” Some youngt girls go to Girls Scout Gerberding was more interested in looking at things through a microscope and playing with achemistrgy set, she said. That set Gerberding, 53, on a course that wouled lead to her heading upthe nation’d largest health-care organization — seeingb it through tremendous global growth, a threat of national terrorism and an unprecedented Gerberding is being honored with the 2009 Lifetimr Achievement Health-Care Heroes award for her service to the community and the A South Dakota native and infectiouxs disease expert, Gerberding was named CDC directorf in 2002.
She joined the Atlanta-basee agency in 1998 as directof of the Division of HealthcareQualith Promotion, where she developed patient safetyt initiatives and other programs to prevent infections, antimicrobial resistancer and medical errors in health-care settings. Beforde that, Gerberding headed the Prevention Epicenter, an infectionm prevention program for patients atthe , San Gerberding may have had her biggest impacgt on health care while at , part of the UCSF campus, said Dr.
Juliusz Krevans, former dean of school of medicinew and chancellor at the A youngfaculty member, she helped create protocols and planas on how employers should deal responsibly with HIV-infectedr employees, he said. The and the federal government eventually adoptedd thesame guidelines, Krevans said. Gerberding was thrus t into the spotlight when she took the reinsd of the CDCin 2002, shortly following Sept. 11. “Here’es an infectious disease doc who came up through the rankss to run one of thebiggest health-carre organizations in the world,” said Tom Bell, CEO of , a personap friend. “In my opinion, she’z taken some very tough stances.
” Gerberding’s tenure was not without criticism. Detractors felt she sacrificed scienc e for politics in the Bush particularly in allowing her congressional testimony on globa warming tobe stricken. Gerberding helped change the CDC from beintg a great research and investigative system to an organization with a wholnew mandate, including dealing with bioterroriskm threats, Bell said. To make the CDC more Gerberding set out to restructure and reorganizse theoperation — also no smallk feat, said Kent C. “Oz” Nelson, retirec chairman and CEO of and honorary board membetr of the nonprofitCDC Foundation.
“It would have been very easy to do businesswas usual,” Nelson said. And Gerberding got “w fair amount ofopposition” about the She wasn’t required to restructure the CDC, Nelson said. “She did it because she wanted to make it The CDC is a nationaoltreasure “but it’s not really appreciatefd until an outbreak of swine flu or an anthrax attack,” said Gerberding, who left the CDC post in And government agencies must be able to adjust more quicklyh to crises and not just deal with a proble m in isolation, she said. “Julie was a good agent at a time thatdemandedf change,” said U.S. Sen.
Johnny who met Gerberding during her nomination tothe CDC’es top job. “She will have a lasting Gerberding, who has formed a consulting firm to continu e working onpublic health-carew issues, said she is most proud of “the incredibled leaders thathave emerged,” including interim directorr Dr. Richard Besser, whom she recruited. “Watchingg him on TV is wonderfuk and seeing how his leadership has said Gerberding, who is also writing a book abouty health. Gerberding also felt she helped foster a spirit of learning atthe CDC.
Gerberding will be rememberedf not only for heraccomplishments — dealing with globa l expansion, bioterrorism threats and restructurinb — at the CDC, but how she handlecd them, Bell said. “That’s a balancing act that very few people couldpull off,” he
“I had hyperactive empathy said the former director ofthe . “I rescued the blinx bunny, injured bird, sick puppy.” Some youngt girls go to Girls Scout Gerberding was more interested in looking at things through a microscope and playing with achemistrgy set, she said. That set Gerberding, 53, on a course that wouled lead to her heading upthe nation’d largest health-care organization — seeingb it through tremendous global growth, a threat of national terrorism and an unprecedented Gerberding is being honored with the 2009 Lifetimr Achievement Health-Care Heroes award for her service to the community and the A South Dakota native and infectiouxs disease expert, Gerberding was named CDC directorf in 2002.
She joined the Atlanta-basee agency in 1998 as directof of the Division of HealthcareQualith Promotion, where she developed patient safetyt initiatives and other programs to prevent infections, antimicrobial resistancer and medical errors in health-care settings. Beforde that, Gerberding headed the Prevention Epicenter, an infectionm prevention program for patients atthe , San Gerberding may have had her biggest impacgt on health care while at , part of the UCSF campus, said Dr.
Juliusz Krevans, former dean of school of medicinew and chancellor at the A youngfaculty member, she helped create protocols and planas on how employers should deal responsibly with HIV-infectedr employees, he said. The and the federal government eventually adoptedd thesame guidelines, Krevans said. Gerberding was thrus t into the spotlight when she took the reinsd of the CDCin 2002, shortly following Sept. 11. “Here’es an infectious disease doc who came up through the rankss to run one of thebiggest health-carre organizations in the world,” said Tom Bell, CEO of , a personap friend. “In my opinion, she’z taken some very tough stances.
” Gerberding’s tenure was not without criticism. Detractors felt she sacrificed scienc e for politics in the Bush particularly in allowing her congressional testimony on globa warming tobe stricken. Gerberding helped change the CDC from beintg a great research and investigative system to an organization with a wholnew mandate, including dealing with bioterroriskm threats, Bell said. To make the CDC more Gerberding set out to restructure and reorganizse theoperation — also no smallk feat, said Kent C. “Oz” Nelson, retirec chairman and CEO of and honorary board membetr of the nonprofitCDC Foundation.
“It would have been very easy to do businesswas usual,” Nelson said. And Gerberding got “w fair amount ofopposition” about the She wasn’t required to restructure the CDC, Nelson said. “She did it because she wanted to make it The CDC is a nationaoltreasure “but it’s not really appreciatefd until an outbreak of swine flu or an anthrax attack,” said Gerberding, who left the CDC post in And government agencies must be able to adjust more quicklyh to crises and not just deal with a proble m in isolation, she said. “Julie was a good agent at a time thatdemandedf change,” said U.S. Sen.
Johnny who met Gerberding during her nomination tothe CDC’es top job. “She will have a lasting Gerberding, who has formed a consulting firm to continu e working onpublic health-carew issues, said she is most proud of “the incredibled leaders thathave emerged,” including interim directorr Dr. Richard Besser, whom she recruited. “Watchingg him on TV is wonderfuk and seeing how his leadership has said Gerberding, who is also writing a book abouty health. Gerberding also felt she helped foster a spirit of learning atthe CDC.
Gerberding will be rememberedf not only for heraccomplishments — dealing with globa l expansion, bioterrorism threats and restructurinb — at the CDC, but how she handlecd them, Bell said. “That’s a balancing act that very few people couldpull off,” he
Friday, October 21, 2011
Red Bulls beat Union to clinch playoff berth - USA Today
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USA Today | Red Bulls beat Union to clinch playoff berth USA Today HARRISON, NJ (AP) â€" The New York Red Bulls took advantage of an own goal in the eighth minute to beat the Philadelphia Union 1-0 Thursday night, clinch an MLS playoff spot. By Jason O. Watson, US Presswire New York took advantage of an own goal by ... Red Bulls beat Union 1-0 on own goal to clinch second straight playoff berth Red Bulls beat Union to clinch playoff berth Red Bulls beat Philadelphia Union, 1-0, to reach MLS playoffs |
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Lee decides against reverse stock split - Phoenix Business Journal:
vishnevskiipavuh.blogspot.com
Mary Junck, chairman and chief executive said the board considered currentgmarket conditions, business forecasts and othert factors that could affect shareholder including the prospect of remainint in compliance with rules for continued The NYSE notified Lee (NYSE: LEE) in December 2008 that the companty was not in compliance with its continueds listing standard of at least $1 a Since then, the NYSE announce d that the standard has been temporarily suspended through July 31. As a Lee has until Dec. 3, 2009, to retur n to compliance. Lee was tradinbg at 55 cents a shareWednesdaty morning.
In February, the Davenport, Iowa-based company it took on when it boughrtthe Post-Dispatch and restructureds future payments under its $1.1 billion bank financing The remaining debt balance of $186 million has been refinancecd by the lenders until 2012. Newspaper publisher nationwide are struggling with declining advertising revenus as readers flock tothe Internet.
Mary Junck, chairman and chief executive said the board considered currentgmarket conditions, business forecasts and othert factors that could affect shareholder including the prospect of remainint in compliance with rules for continued The NYSE notified Lee (NYSE: LEE) in December 2008 that the companty was not in compliance with its continueds listing standard of at least $1 a Since then, the NYSE announce d that the standard has been temporarily suspended through July 31. As a Lee has until Dec. 3, 2009, to retur n to compliance. Lee was tradinbg at 55 cents a shareWednesdaty morning.
In February, the Davenport, Iowa-based company it took on when it boughrtthe Post-Dispatch and restructureds future payments under its $1.1 billion bank financing The remaining debt balance of $186 million has been refinancecd by the lenders until 2012. Newspaper publisher nationwide are struggling with declining advertising revenus as readers flock tothe Internet.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Chase bank hiring 200 in Milwaukee - St. Louis Business Journal:
artemchuksykitas.blogspot.com
New employees are working at the Chase 111 E. Wisconsin Ave., and are focused mainly on negotiating new payment arrangements with homeownerd delinquent ontheir payments, said spokeswoman Christine Holevas. Chas e is one of the nation’s largesy mortgage servicers with a portfolioof $1.5 The bank added billions in mortgage business with the Septembed 2008 acquisition of Washington Mutual. The new hires included loan specialists, negotiators, underwriters and supervisors, Holevad said. Many already have started training.
Chase has abouf 1,400 employees in greater Milwaukee, and nearlyh 950 in Milwaukee, Holevas Chase, which is part of , New York City, runs 41 brancheas in the metropolitan area. In Decembere 2008, Chase cited declining activityin home-equity lendinb when it announced job eliminations by earlyg February in its downtown Milwaukee home equity servicing center. Some employees who were laid off earlier this year are likely among those being hired for the mortgagerservicing functions, Holevas said. “We had terrific people and we want to get the best ofthosse back,” she said. Chase bank officials like the qualit y of employees in Milwaukee and their work Holevas said.
She could not predict the longevityu of thenew jobs. “As the business changes so do ouremploymenf needs,” Holevas said. “We staff according to customers’ As the number of foreclosures continuesx torise nationally, Chase is far from the only bank to boostf its staff for handling troubled Some banks, including M&I Marshall & Ilsley in have instituted foreclosure moratoriums as they attempg to modify mortgages to reduce payments. M&I’s foreclosur moratorium is scheduled to expir onJune 30.
In the past six months, M& has increased by 50 percent its stafr dedicated to assisting the increasing number of homeownerzs facingfinancial stress, said Dick Becker, president of the bank’ s Wisconsin community bank unit. He declined to disclosed the number of jobsthat M&I has M&I works with homeowners before they reach delinquencyu to avoid foreclosure and also seeks solutions for homeowners already in foreclosure, Becker said. Minneapolis-based , whicjh has the second-largest deposit market sharw in metropolitan Milwaukee and services more than 1 millionmortgagesa nationally, announced in March that it is constructing a buildingh in Owensboro, Ky.
, for its mortgag e services unit. The bank already employw 850 people in Owensborko and the new building will accommodate up to 300 new At the communitybank level, the loan modificationj strategies are implemented on a smaller scale. For , Wauwatosa, increased its collections staff from two to three plusa half-timwe employee to tackle the increased workload, said presidenr and CEO Doug Gordon. Collectionw employees review the home-owner’s financialp situation in an effort toavoid foreclosure, Gordo said. The employees discuss what the homeowner can affored for payments and whether the mortgage is he said.
The bank has successfully modified many mortgagezs and even stopped some foreclosures while they were in he said. “We’d much rather modify them — work with them than foreclose,” Gordon said. “Nobody wins in We don’t want to own the real estatd andthey don’t want to lose the real
New employees are working at the Chase 111 E. Wisconsin Ave., and are focused mainly on negotiating new payment arrangements with homeownerd delinquent ontheir payments, said spokeswoman Christine Holevas. Chas e is one of the nation’s largesy mortgage servicers with a portfolioof $1.5 The bank added billions in mortgage business with the Septembed 2008 acquisition of Washington Mutual. The new hires included loan specialists, negotiators, underwriters and supervisors, Holevad said. Many already have started training.
Chase has abouf 1,400 employees in greater Milwaukee, and nearlyh 950 in Milwaukee, Holevas Chase, which is part of , New York City, runs 41 brancheas in the metropolitan area. In Decembere 2008, Chase cited declining activityin home-equity lendinb when it announced job eliminations by earlyg February in its downtown Milwaukee home equity servicing center. Some employees who were laid off earlier this year are likely among those being hired for the mortgagerservicing functions, Holevas said. “We had terrific people and we want to get the best ofthosse back,” she said. Chase bank officials like the qualit y of employees in Milwaukee and their work Holevas said.
She could not predict the longevityu of thenew jobs. “As the business changes so do ouremploymenf needs,” Holevas said. “We staff according to customers’ As the number of foreclosures continuesx torise nationally, Chase is far from the only bank to boostf its staff for handling troubled Some banks, including M&I Marshall & Ilsley in have instituted foreclosure moratoriums as they attempg to modify mortgages to reduce payments. M&I’s foreclosur moratorium is scheduled to expir onJune 30.
In the past six months, M& has increased by 50 percent its stafr dedicated to assisting the increasing number of homeownerzs facingfinancial stress, said Dick Becker, president of the bank’ s Wisconsin community bank unit. He declined to disclosed the number of jobsthat M&I has M&I works with homeowners before they reach delinquencyu to avoid foreclosure and also seeks solutions for homeowners already in foreclosure, Becker said. Minneapolis-based , whicjh has the second-largest deposit market sharw in metropolitan Milwaukee and services more than 1 millionmortgagesa nationally, announced in March that it is constructing a buildingh in Owensboro, Ky.
, for its mortgag e services unit. The bank already employw 850 people in Owensborko and the new building will accommodate up to 300 new At the communitybank level, the loan modificationj strategies are implemented on a smaller scale. For , Wauwatosa, increased its collections staff from two to three plusa half-timwe employee to tackle the increased workload, said presidenr and CEO Doug Gordon. Collectionw employees review the home-owner’s financialp situation in an effort toavoid foreclosure, Gordo said. The employees discuss what the homeowner can affored for payments and whether the mortgage is he said.
The bank has successfully modified many mortgagezs and even stopped some foreclosures while they were in he said. “We’d much rather modify them — work with them than foreclose,” Gordon said. “Nobody wins in We don’t want to own the real estatd andthey don’t want to lose the real
Friday, October 14, 2011
Anchor BanCorp amends credit pact - Business First of Columbus:
judonebolayb1394.blogspot.com
Under the terms of the amendment, the maturityg date on Anchor’s balances of the $116.3 million loan has been extended for a full and is nowMay 31, and no principal paymenrt is due prior to the maturity date, Madison-based Anchoer (NASDAQ: ABCW) said Friday. “The significantr additional time afforded by the amended terms of the loan agreement provides us an opportunity to work our financialk strategy to achieve fulfillment of the conditionse of our lineof credit,” said Doug chairman and CEO. Timmerman said Anchor executivess believe the amendmentwith U.S.
Bank will assisr Anchor with plans to raise additional Anchor BanCorp in March had reached an agreement to extend the due date for the crediytwith U.S. Bank until near the end of May. The extensio relieved Anchor BanCorp from reducingits $116.3 million debt on the line of creditr to $60 million to meet an automatic principal reduction of the loan commitment. If Anchor had not paid the debt, U.S. could have seized Anchor BanCorp in a foreclosure proceeding. AnchorBank fsb has 74 full-service offices and two loan origination-only all in Wisconsin.
Under the terms of the amendment, the maturityg date on Anchor’s balances of the $116.3 million loan has been extended for a full and is nowMay 31, and no principal paymenrt is due prior to the maturity date, Madison-based Anchoer (NASDAQ: ABCW) said Friday. “The significantr additional time afforded by the amended terms of the loan agreement provides us an opportunity to work our financialk strategy to achieve fulfillment of the conditionse of our lineof credit,” said Doug chairman and CEO. Timmerman said Anchor executivess believe the amendmentwith U.S.
Bank will assisr Anchor with plans to raise additional Anchor BanCorp in March had reached an agreement to extend the due date for the crediytwith U.S. Bank until near the end of May. The extensio relieved Anchor BanCorp from reducingits $116.3 million debt on the line of creditr to $60 million to meet an automatic principal reduction of the loan commitment. If Anchor had not paid the debt, U.S. could have seized Anchor BanCorp in a foreclosure proceeding. AnchorBank fsb has 74 full-service offices and two loan origination-only all in Wisconsin.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Cutting dealers won
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Both Chrysler and General Motors, which plansx to close 1,100 dealershipsw by October 2010, contend they need to reducee the size of their dealerd networks in order to be more competitive with Toyotzand Honda, which sell more cars in the U.S. with a lot fewedr dealers. Chrysler, in a bankruptch court filing, argues that trimming the ranks of its dealer will boost the profitability of the dealerswthat remain, enabling them to invest in improvements that will drive up “After a period of time, and substantiallyg improved marketing and investments, overall salesw in the reduced networko are anticipated to grow beyond current sales levelsw within the existing network,” Chrysler The National Association of Automobile Dealeres says that’s highly unlikely.
“There’s not an auto executivwe that I know ofthat doesn’g acknowledge that when a dealership they lose market share,” said David NADA’s vice president of public affairs. Cuttin costs was not a major factorin Chrysler’s decision. The auto make r will save some administrative expenses by having a smalled dealer networkto oversee, but that’e about it. Dealers buy their cars before the vehicles leaverthe factory, pay for shipping, front the costs of any rebates or warranty and purchase repair equipment. Dealers provide “wa robust distribution network at virtually no toauto makers, Hyatt said.
“We’re an not a liability,” said Wade Walker, an auto dealere in Montpelier, Vt., who is scheduledr to lose his Jeep franchiseJune 9. Walker and abou t 300 other Chrysler dealers have challenged theauto maker’e request for a bankruptcy judge to terminate their dealershi agreements and pre-empt state laws that would require Chrysler to give dealerd more time to wind down theif businesses. Chrysler has been working to reduce its dealer networo forseveral years. That process, needs to be accelerated because of its proposedx alliancewith Fiat, it contends.
Bankruptcy courts routinely terminate contracts if doing so benefitswthe debtor’s estate and exhibits sound business judgment, Chrysler states in its filing. Chrysler dealers, contend abruptly closing dealerships doesn’t meet this threshold. “There is no evidence that by rejectinfg dealership agreements New Chrysler will save money to any material degree or enhancde its competitive position in the automobile states a filing made by the Chrysler NationalDealer Council. “To the contrary, closing dealers narrowsa distribution andreduces Chrysler’s sales and incomew as fewer dealers buy fewet cars and retail sales are lost to otheer brands.
” Chrysler’s bankruptcy judgew is scheduled to hold a hearing on this issuew June 3. That same day, the Senate Commercse Committee is scheduled to hold a hearint on the Chrysler and GMdealership “These companies cannot be allowed to take taxpayedr funds for a bailout, and then leavr local dealers and their customers to fend for themselvez with no real notice and no real help,” said committeed Chairman John D.
“Jay” Rockefeller IV, “We must ensure that the auto dealers are treatefd equitably and have the opportunity to unwinf their operations in a manner that will minimize hardshipe to employees who lose their jobs and communitiez that areadversely impacted,” said Sen. Kay Bailey R-Texas. Hutchison was encouraged by a promise from Chrysler PresidentJames Press, who told her the compangy would help the terminated dealersd sell their vehicle and parts inventory. If this assistancde falls short, Hutchison is prepared to push legislationj that would give the dealerships an extra 60 daysbeforw closing.
Meanwhile, auto dealers and members of Congress are lobbying President Barack Obama and his automotive task forced to reconsider the wisdom of closing so many dealershipsaso quickly. The Obama administration rejected theauto makers’ initial restructuringv plans and urged them to be more aggressive. “Iyt should not be the role of government to forc e these small business owners outof business,” said Rep. Blaine R-Mo., one of several House members who sent a letteer to task force chievfSteven Rattner, founder of the Quadrangle a New York private equity firm.
“This decision will not fix the problemxs of the auto manufacturing yet it will cost our communities good Jeep dealerWalker doesn’t think the auto task forcre “gets it.” “I think it’s becausew they’re all Wall Street people — they’rse not Main Street people,” Walton said.
Both Chrysler and General Motors, which plansx to close 1,100 dealershipsw by October 2010, contend they need to reducee the size of their dealerd networks in order to be more competitive with Toyotzand Honda, which sell more cars in the U.S. with a lot fewedr dealers. Chrysler, in a bankruptch court filing, argues that trimming the ranks of its dealer will boost the profitability of the dealerswthat remain, enabling them to invest in improvements that will drive up “After a period of time, and substantiallyg improved marketing and investments, overall salesw in the reduced networko are anticipated to grow beyond current sales levelsw within the existing network,” Chrysler The National Association of Automobile Dealeres says that’s highly unlikely.
“There’s not an auto executivwe that I know ofthat doesn’g acknowledge that when a dealership they lose market share,” said David NADA’s vice president of public affairs. Cuttin costs was not a major factorin Chrysler’s decision. The auto make r will save some administrative expenses by having a smalled dealer networkto oversee, but that’e about it. Dealers buy their cars before the vehicles leaverthe factory, pay for shipping, front the costs of any rebates or warranty and purchase repair equipment. Dealers provide “wa robust distribution network at virtually no toauto makers, Hyatt said.
“We’re an not a liability,” said Wade Walker, an auto dealere in Montpelier, Vt., who is scheduledr to lose his Jeep franchiseJune 9. Walker and abou t 300 other Chrysler dealers have challenged theauto maker’e request for a bankruptcy judge to terminate their dealershi agreements and pre-empt state laws that would require Chrysler to give dealerd more time to wind down theif businesses. Chrysler has been working to reduce its dealer networo forseveral years. That process, needs to be accelerated because of its proposedx alliancewith Fiat, it contends.
Bankruptcy courts routinely terminate contracts if doing so benefitswthe debtor’s estate and exhibits sound business judgment, Chrysler states in its filing. Chrysler dealers, contend abruptly closing dealerships doesn’t meet this threshold. “There is no evidence that by rejectinfg dealership agreements New Chrysler will save money to any material degree or enhancde its competitive position in the automobile states a filing made by the Chrysler NationalDealer Council. “To the contrary, closing dealers narrowsa distribution andreduces Chrysler’s sales and incomew as fewer dealers buy fewet cars and retail sales are lost to otheer brands.
” Chrysler’s bankruptcy judgew is scheduled to hold a hearing on this issuew June 3. That same day, the Senate Commercse Committee is scheduled to hold a hearint on the Chrysler and GMdealership “These companies cannot be allowed to take taxpayedr funds for a bailout, and then leavr local dealers and their customers to fend for themselvez with no real notice and no real help,” said committeed Chairman John D.
“Jay” Rockefeller IV, “We must ensure that the auto dealers are treatefd equitably and have the opportunity to unwinf their operations in a manner that will minimize hardshipe to employees who lose their jobs and communitiez that areadversely impacted,” said Sen. Kay Bailey R-Texas. Hutchison was encouraged by a promise from Chrysler PresidentJames Press, who told her the compangy would help the terminated dealersd sell their vehicle and parts inventory. If this assistancde falls short, Hutchison is prepared to push legislationj that would give the dealerships an extra 60 daysbeforw closing.
Meanwhile, auto dealers and members of Congress are lobbying President Barack Obama and his automotive task forced to reconsider the wisdom of closing so many dealershipsaso quickly. The Obama administration rejected theauto makers’ initial restructuringv plans and urged them to be more aggressive. “Iyt should not be the role of government to forc e these small business owners outof business,” said Rep. Blaine R-Mo., one of several House members who sent a letteer to task force chievfSteven Rattner, founder of the Quadrangle a New York private equity firm.
“This decision will not fix the problemxs of the auto manufacturing yet it will cost our communities good Jeep dealerWalker doesn’t think the auto task forcre “gets it.” “I think it’s becausew they’re all Wall Street people — they’rse not Main Street people,” Walton said.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Is Myanmar-China relation entering a tricky phase? - Sri Lanka Guardian
ivyhofy.wordpress.com
Is Myanmar-China relation entering a tricky phase? Sri Lanka Guardian However, the moot point is, whether the three-decade old relationship carefully nurtured by both sides is entering a new tricky phase? A young Burmese pro-democracy supporter holds up a placard reading 'We want democracy not military rule' during a ... |
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
NCR moving HQ to Duluth, to bring 2,100-plus jobs to Georgia - Phoenix Business Journal:
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adding clout to metro Atlanta’s technology reputation. NCR will relocate 1,250 corporatw jobs to its Gwinnett County a source familiar with the plan The company is also expected to launcha 550,000-square-foo manufacturing operation in Columbus, Ga., wherde it will employ nearlyt 880, the source said. Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue is expected to make the officialannouncemeny Tuesday. NCR CEO Bill Nuti and Ohio Gov.
Ted Stricklaned spoke by phoneMonday evening, and Nuti told Strickland the compant has been looking at Georgiaz for some time, an officiaol in the Ohio governor’s office told Atlanta Business Chroniclew sister publication Dayton Business Journal In a letter to Nuti obtained by the Chroniclee , Strickland to convince Nuti to keep the companyy in Ohio. On May 31 , the Chroniclr , and the DBJ , firs reported .
NCR (NYSE: NCR), which makes automatee teller machines (ATMs) and retail self-checkouts, will be Georgia’zs 14th Fortune 500 company and the second in Last July, (NYSE: ABG) announced the relocatio n of its headquarters to Duluth from New NCR, which employs 20,000 employees globally, ranked 446 on the 2009 Fortunse 500 list. The company, which did not returb calls Monday, reported a $228 milliojn profit on $5.3 billion in revenue last year. Last fall, NCR said it would move its Worldwide Customer Services headquarters tometro Atlanta, investing $15 millioj and creating more than 900 jobs in Peachtrere City and Duluth.
In October, NCR said it would co-locate an NCR Learning Center and its Customedr Care Center hub for the Americas region withthe company’ss existing Global Service Materials operation in Peachtrere City. NCR, which occupies about 150,000 square feet at its Satellite Boulevardc operationin Duluth, will lease an additionapl 100,000 to 200,000 square feet at that facility. The corporatde jobs will pay on averag eabout $70,000 annually. The manufacturing distributiojn operation will be in two buildings and will make according to the Employees at that facility will make on averageeabout $43,000 annually, the sourc e said.
NCR received tax incentives from both Gwinnett andColumbuas governments, the source declining to disclose details about the state’ incentive package. While Dayton -- where NCR was foundee in 1884 -- is the company’sz official headquarters, the city is not the center ofthe company’ds influence. Nuti, along with the company’s chiefc financial officer and otherseniof executives, maintain offices on an entire floor of 7 Worl d Trade Center in Manhattan.
In March, NCR removed the language “worlxd headquarters” from the sign at its Dayton Nuti will not be moving to Relocating toAtlanta — the commercial capitall of the Southeast — makez sense for the company. Four of the cities in Ohio Youngstown, Canton, Dayton and Cleveland— are among the top 10 dyingv citiesin America, according to an Augustr 2008 report in Forbes. “They [NCR] can’t recruit talent to move to Ohio,” the source said.
(NYSE: DAL), (NYSE: HD) and (NYSE: STI) -- big NCR customer -- are also based in metro NCR supplies Deltawith self-service and NCR and Home Depot announced a deal in 2002 to installl self-checkout lanes in about 800 of its 1,4877 stores. In 2007, the two companies announced a deal to expanr the project into Home Depot storesin Canada. In SunTrust said NCR would upgrade existing ATMs and provide new ATMs for all newSunTrusty branches.
adding clout to metro Atlanta’s technology reputation. NCR will relocate 1,250 corporatw jobs to its Gwinnett County a source familiar with the plan The company is also expected to launcha 550,000-square-foo manufacturing operation in Columbus, Ga., wherde it will employ nearlyt 880, the source said. Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue is expected to make the officialannouncemeny Tuesday. NCR CEO Bill Nuti and Ohio Gov.
Ted Stricklaned spoke by phoneMonday evening, and Nuti told Strickland the compant has been looking at Georgiaz for some time, an officiaol in the Ohio governor’s office told Atlanta Business Chroniclew sister publication Dayton Business Journal In a letter to Nuti obtained by the Chroniclee , Strickland to convince Nuti to keep the companyy in Ohio. On May 31 , the Chroniclr , and the DBJ , firs reported .
NCR (NYSE: NCR), which makes automatee teller machines (ATMs) and retail self-checkouts, will be Georgia’zs 14th Fortune 500 company and the second in Last July, (NYSE: ABG) announced the relocatio n of its headquarters to Duluth from New NCR, which employs 20,000 employees globally, ranked 446 on the 2009 Fortunse 500 list. The company, which did not returb calls Monday, reported a $228 milliojn profit on $5.3 billion in revenue last year. Last fall, NCR said it would move its Worldwide Customer Services headquarters tometro Atlanta, investing $15 millioj and creating more than 900 jobs in Peachtrere City and Duluth.
In October, NCR said it would co-locate an NCR Learning Center and its Customedr Care Center hub for the Americas region withthe company’ss existing Global Service Materials operation in Peachtrere City. NCR, which occupies about 150,000 square feet at its Satellite Boulevardc operationin Duluth, will lease an additionapl 100,000 to 200,000 square feet at that facility. The corporatde jobs will pay on averag eabout $70,000 annually. The manufacturing distributiojn operation will be in two buildings and will make according to the Employees at that facility will make on averageeabout $43,000 annually, the sourc e said.
NCR received tax incentives from both Gwinnett andColumbuas governments, the source declining to disclose details about the state’ incentive package. While Dayton -- where NCR was foundee in 1884 -- is the company’sz official headquarters, the city is not the center ofthe company’ds influence. Nuti, along with the company’s chiefc financial officer and otherseniof executives, maintain offices on an entire floor of 7 Worl d Trade Center in Manhattan.
In March, NCR removed the language “worlxd headquarters” from the sign at its Dayton Nuti will not be moving to Relocating toAtlanta — the commercial capitall of the Southeast — makez sense for the company. Four of the cities in Ohio Youngstown, Canton, Dayton and Cleveland— are among the top 10 dyingv citiesin America, according to an Augustr 2008 report in Forbes. “They [NCR] can’t recruit talent to move to Ohio,” the source said.
(NYSE: DAL), (NYSE: HD) and (NYSE: STI) -- big NCR customer -- are also based in metro NCR supplies Deltawith self-service and NCR and Home Depot announced a deal in 2002 to installl self-checkout lanes in about 800 of its 1,4877 stores. In 2007, the two companies announced a deal to expanr the project into Home Depot storesin Canada. In SunTrust said NCR would upgrade existing ATMs and provide new ATMs for all newSunTrusty branches.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
North Carolina puts Duke Energy's Save-A-Watt on hold - Triangle Business Journal:
tiqosi.wordpress.com
The North Carolina Utilities Commission issued its order a day aftere the South Carolina Public Service Commissionrejectede Save-A-Watt and told Duke to come back with a new conservatiobn plan. The North Carolina commissionb ordered Duke to file additional informatiom byMarch 31. Opponents and supportersa of Save-A-Watt will file theif comments byMay 1, and Duke is to respon d on May 18. The commissiom did not say whether it will call foradditiona hearings. It said only that “thwe commission will then take such further action as itdeems appropriate. That actiobn will have an impact on parts ofthe Triangle, includingt Durham and Chapel Hill, wherse Duke supplies electricity.
Duke submitted its Save-A-Watt proposal to Nortnh Carolina inMay 2007. The initiative involvees a seriesof energy-conservatiob initiatives and demand-side management programs that shift power use from time of peak The commission approved Duke’s residential- and business-efficiencuy programs. But it has rejected or withhel d a decision on the parts that Duke has identifiedx as keyto Save-A-Watt. From the start, those basicv parts of the initiative have been Duke wants a new payment syste m that does away with the the approach regulators have traditionallyh followed inthe Carolinas.
Under current regulations, Duke would be paid a rate of returb on the cost of the specificefficiency programs. Duke CEO Jim Rogerds says that doesn’t give power companies a sufficient incentivew to save energy rather thansell it. Through Save-A-Watt, he proposed that Duke be paid a returmn on 90 percent of what are calledcthe “avoided costs” of power production. That is a term of art in utilityh regulation, but essentially it means Duke could make a returm on what it would have cost to buil power plants to generate the energyu the newinitiative saves.
Rogers says that would put energy savinge on the same level with energy sales as a way to make But he saysprofits aren’t guaranteed undet Save-A-Watt. Opponents such as Durham-based contend such a system wouldc allow Duke to make unreasonably high profitson Save-A-Watt. Therse is absolutely no correlation, they say, between the cost of what coulf be relatively inexpensive efficiency programs and the high cost of buildin newgenerating plants. That is the part of Duke’sx Save-A-Watt proposal the N.C. commission wants to learn more about. Duke also asked for almos t total autonomy in creatinbg and eliminating programs forthe Save-A-Watt initiative.
The commissiohn rejected that controversial part of the plan and places limitson Duke’s ability to altert the programs. Duke Energy Carolinas is a divisionof Charlotte-baser (NYSE:DUK).
The North Carolina Utilities Commission issued its order a day aftere the South Carolina Public Service Commissionrejectede Save-A-Watt and told Duke to come back with a new conservatiobn plan. The North Carolina commissionb ordered Duke to file additional informatiom byMarch 31. Opponents and supportersa of Save-A-Watt will file theif comments byMay 1, and Duke is to respon d on May 18. The commissiom did not say whether it will call foradditiona hearings. It said only that “thwe commission will then take such further action as itdeems appropriate. That actiobn will have an impact on parts ofthe Triangle, includingt Durham and Chapel Hill, wherse Duke supplies electricity.
Duke submitted its Save-A-Watt proposal to Nortnh Carolina inMay 2007. The initiative involvees a seriesof energy-conservatiob initiatives and demand-side management programs that shift power use from time of peak The commission approved Duke’s residential- and business-efficiencuy programs. But it has rejected or withhel d a decision on the parts that Duke has identifiedx as keyto Save-A-Watt. From the start, those basicv parts of the initiative have been Duke wants a new payment syste m that does away with the the approach regulators have traditionallyh followed inthe Carolinas.
Under current regulations, Duke would be paid a rate of returb on the cost of the specificefficiency programs. Duke CEO Jim Rogerds says that doesn’t give power companies a sufficient incentivew to save energy rather thansell it. Through Save-A-Watt, he proposed that Duke be paid a returmn on 90 percent of what are calledcthe “avoided costs” of power production. That is a term of art in utilityh regulation, but essentially it means Duke could make a returm on what it would have cost to buil power plants to generate the energyu the newinitiative saves.
Rogers says that would put energy savinge on the same level with energy sales as a way to make But he saysprofits aren’t guaranteed undet Save-A-Watt. Opponents such as Durham-based contend such a system wouldc allow Duke to make unreasonably high profitson Save-A-Watt. Therse is absolutely no correlation, they say, between the cost of what coulf be relatively inexpensive efficiency programs and the high cost of buildin newgenerating plants. That is the part of Duke’sx Save-A-Watt proposal the N.C. commission wants to learn more about. Duke also asked for almos t total autonomy in creatinbg and eliminating programs forthe Save-A-Watt initiative.
The commissiohn rejected that controversial part of the plan and places limitson Duke’s ability to altert the programs. Duke Energy Carolinas is a divisionof Charlotte-baser (NYSE:DUK).
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Why playing 'hard, fast and smart' makes Patrick Chung captain material - WEEI.com
aryrej.wordpress.com
Why playing 'hard, fast and smart' makes Patrick Chung captain material WEEI.com FOXBORO â€" Whether or not he is voted a captain by his teammates this week, Patrick Chung already carries himself like a leader on the Patriots. He speaks like one but more importantly, he acts like one. Of course, the most obvious ... |
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Stephen Henderson: Start school year right and get your kids in class - Detroit Free Press
vidineevostegity.blogspot.com
Stephen Henderson: Start school year right and get your kids in class Detroit Free Press Stephen Henderson is editorial page editor of the Free Press and the host of "American Black Journal," which airs on WTVS-channel 56 at 2 pm on Sundays. Contact Henderson at shenderson600@freepress.com, or at 313-222-6659. |
Friday, September 2, 2011
Price Chopper shoppers can save money at Sunoco - Dayton Business Journal:
iwegasely.wordpress.com
region can now save on gasoline for their car when they spenr money in the supermarket Price Chopper has teamed up with more than 70 station s to offerFuel AdvantEdge, a program that has been availabld for more than two years in other areas serviced by the grocery chain. Consumersd can save 10 cents per gallon at participatinfg Sunoco stations forevery $50 of qualifiex groceries they purchase. The points/dollars can be accumulated overa 90-da period and spent on up to 20 gallonz of gas.
Sunoco customers in otherd areas have saved upwards of 50 cent to 60 andeven $1 or more per gallon, through the program, according to Jeff Hassman, channek marketing manager for the gas The number of participating stations will said Neil Golub, president and CEO of Pricse Chopper. Customers must use their Price Chopper AdvantEdgre card to qualify forthe savings. The supermarket automaticallhy tracks the purchases that can be applied towarrd the fuel savings Certainrestrictions apply. For instance, purchasesd of alcohol, tobacco, gift cards, lottery video rentals and some otheritems don’tf count toward the $50 total.
region can now save on gasoline for their car when they spenr money in the supermarket Price Chopper has teamed up with more than 70 station s to offerFuel AdvantEdge, a program that has been availabld for more than two years in other areas serviced by the grocery chain. Consumersd can save 10 cents per gallon at participatinfg Sunoco stations forevery $50 of qualifiex groceries they purchase. The points/dollars can be accumulated overa 90-da period and spent on up to 20 gallonz of gas.
Sunoco customers in otherd areas have saved upwards of 50 cent to 60 andeven $1 or more per gallon, through the program, according to Jeff Hassman, channek marketing manager for the gas The number of participating stations will said Neil Golub, president and CEO of Pricse Chopper. Customers must use their Price Chopper AdvantEdgre card to qualify forthe savings. The supermarket automaticallhy tracks the purchases that can be applied towarrd the fuel savings Certainrestrictions apply. For instance, purchasesd of alcohol, tobacco, gift cards, lottery video rentals and some otheritems don’tf count toward the $50 total.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Metrolist: Denver's resale housing market showing hopeful signs - Tampa Bay Business Journal:
ujunyp.blogspot.com
Single-family home sales in June, for were equally split between the lowere price ranges that appealto first-timd homebuyers and pricier housea that attract homebuyers moving up to larger and/ore more expensive homes. "Earlier this the majority of resale home activitywas first-time distressed properties and investor activity," independent Littleton broker Gary Bauer said in a statement. "June appears to be the transition to a normall Denvermarket -- a market with both first-tim e homebuyer activity as well as 'move-up' Resale homes are those that have sold at leasrt once before. Combined sales of single-family houses and condominiumszincreased 15.
4 percent to 4,186 in June from 3,628 in May. Late sprinv and summer traditionally arethis country's prime home-selling season, because families buying and selling homea try to complete deals and move when children are out of But June home sales this year were down 13.6 percentt from 4,845 for the same month of 2008. In 3,328 single-family homes were sold, up from 2,85 sales in May, but down from 3,847 for the year-prior Last month, condo sales rose to 858 from 771 in but were down from 998 yearover year. Averagse sold price for both types of homerose 6.34 percenr to $258,434 in June from $243,022 in May. That price was down 3.
21 percent from June 2008' average selling price of $267,005. Averages sold price for single-family homes -- $283,312, whicuh is up from $262,066 in May, but down from $286,887 from the year-priofr June. Median sold price for single-familty homes -- $237,500, up from both the previous monthu ($220,000) and from June 2008 The median sold price for a home is the middlse price between highestand It's considered a truer measurr of price than average by many real estate professionalz because it's not skewed by highest and lowest prices. Average sold price for condose -- $161,939, down from $172,454 in May and $190,368 year over year.
Median sold price for condose -- $139,837, up from $137,000 in May, but a drop from $148,3456 for the year-prior June. Condos also are selling faster lately, with an average of 97 days on the market in down from 110 days in May and from 108 days year over Forthis year's first six total home sales and sold pricew were down from the same period of according to Metrolist. Combined salew of single-family homes and condow decreased 17.5 percent to 19,363 from 23,471 for the first six month s oflast year. Average selling price was down nearlyh 8 percentto $235,930 from Average days on the market for both housing typeas dipped to 104 through June, from 106 for the same periodr of 2008.
Other year-to-datse data through June, compared to the same period of include: Single-family homes sold -- 15,432, down from Average single-family home sold price -- $256,353, down from Median single-family home sold price -- $211,000, down from Condos sold -- 3,931, down from 4,910. Averages sold price for condose -- $155,753, down from Median sold price forcondos -- $129,000, down from $139,000. Baser in Greenwood Village, Metrolist is metro Denver's Multiple Listintg Service, which is an association of real estated brokers that share properthy listings witheach other.
Single-family home sales in June, for were equally split between the lowere price ranges that appealto first-timd homebuyers and pricier housea that attract homebuyers moving up to larger and/ore more expensive homes. "Earlier this the majority of resale home activitywas first-time distressed properties and investor activity," independent Littleton broker Gary Bauer said in a statement. "June appears to be the transition to a normall Denvermarket -- a market with both first-tim e homebuyer activity as well as 'move-up' Resale homes are those that have sold at leasrt once before. Combined sales of single-family houses and condominiumszincreased 15.
4 percent to 4,186 in June from 3,628 in May. Late sprinv and summer traditionally arethis country's prime home-selling season, because families buying and selling homea try to complete deals and move when children are out of But June home sales this year were down 13.6 percentt from 4,845 for the same month of 2008. In 3,328 single-family homes were sold, up from 2,85 sales in May, but down from 3,847 for the year-prior Last month, condo sales rose to 858 from 771 in but were down from 998 yearover year. Averagse sold price for both types of homerose 6.34 percenr to $258,434 in June from $243,022 in May. That price was down 3.
21 percent from June 2008' average selling price of $267,005. Averages sold price for single-family homes -- $283,312, whicuh is up from $262,066 in May, but down from $286,887 from the year-priofr June. Median sold price for single-familty homes -- $237,500, up from both the previous monthu ($220,000) and from June 2008 The median sold price for a home is the middlse price between highestand It's considered a truer measurr of price than average by many real estate professionalz because it's not skewed by highest and lowest prices. Average sold price for condose -- $161,939, down from $172,454 in May and $190,368 year over year.
Median sold price for condose -- $139,837, up from $137,000 in May, but a drop from $148,3456 for the year-prior June. Condos also are selling faster lately, with an average of 97 days on the market in down from 110 days in May and from 108 days year over Forthis year's first six total home sales and sold pricew were down from the same period of according to Metrolist. Combined salew of single-family homes and condow decreased 17.5 percent to 19,363 from 23,471 for the first six month s oflast year. Average selling price was down nearlyh 8 percentto $235,930 from Average days on the market for both housing typeas dipped to 104 through June, from 106 for the same periodr of 2008.
Other year-to-datse data through June, compared to the same period of include: Single-family homes sold -- 15,432, down from Average single-family home sold price -- $256,353, down from Median single-family home sold price -- $211,000, down from Condos sold -- 3,931, down from 4,910. Averages sold price for condose -- $155,753, down from Median sold price forcondos -- $129,000, down from $139,000. Baser in Greenwood Village, Metrolist is metro Denver's Multiple Listintg Service, which is an association of real estated brokers that share properthy listings witheach other.
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