Industry

I must apologize publicly for something I said on air a few months ago, and am doing it here as well as on air Thursday.
When the Cash For Clunkers program began under the auspices of the Federal Govt. I jokingly said on air that "next we'll have Cash For Kitchens". Obviously I was joking because the idea of using tax dollars to help people buy appliances is so obviously ludicrous.

Foreign energy firms getting windfall of U.S. stimulus funds
Money is used to buy turbines made abroad
By Brooke Williams Watchdog Institute

Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 12:02 a.m.

China’s A-Power Energy Generation Systems lists a vacant office in downtown San Diego as its U.S. address. Brooke Williams

Online: Local wind-energy leaders explain why U.S. firms are falling behind in getting stimulus dollars on 10News.com. And for the workshop’s full investigation into wind-power funding, go to investigativereportingworkshop.org.

Thursday morning both Bob Latta and Lee Fisher will be guests on my show. Congressman Latta at 7:30, Mr. Fisher at 8:30. Should be fun.

Article published November 03, 2009
Update U.S. trade policies
Full story at:
http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091103/OPINION03...
As a media industry observer, I read your Sunday story "Solid future for Toledo area Chrysler plants" with great interest. Nothing would make me happier than the prospect of the Jeep plants running at full capacity to meet demand for worldwide export. Unfortunately, not one of the five experts quoted mentioned the largest barrier to such a rosy future: the high tariffs and taxation applied to U.S.-made goods in foreign markets.

I just got back from Voting. I Voted NO. No on the Oregon Property TAX Levy! I just wish that there was a HELL-NO button!

Green incentives fuel interest in solar power in Toledo area
http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090625/BUSINESS0...

These guys are hawking solar-hot-water systems for a "usual $8,000 to $9,000 cost"? And then have the nerve to claim that with subsidy and a tax break, that the buyer can knock that "in half"? Ooh, gee, what a deal it becomes then! {sarcasm} A 10-yr payback? Absurd. IT'S JUST THE SUN HEATING A LIQUID. And I bet that there's a maintenance cost in those 10 years that will push out the period.

Why are local contractors not bidding as often on TPS school jobs?

AllCan.org

It's about time these MENTAL RETARDS are finally letting the only sensible option to happen.

U.S. Hopes to Ease G.M. to Bankruptcy
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/01/business/01bankruptcy.html

Now if only we could get all those golden parachutes canceled along with the stupid labor contracts. I had heard that Wagoner's OBSCENE retirement package of $23M would be greatly whittled down in a bankruptcy. That alone makes me happy.

I was near the airport for lunch today and looked up to see a Northwest 747 flying overhead - headed for a landing. I looked on "Flightaware" because I thought they were only landing them on the weekends, and it said it was a flight from Tokyo, Japan.

I am curious if anyone knows anything about this?

The Postal Service is another entity in trouble-  mail volume is down

 With a nearly $3 billion loss in fiscal '08, and a projected deficit of up to $5 billion in the current year, the USPS is "close to not being able to sustain a national postal-service system to the public," Burrus said.

http://www.philly.com/dailynews/local/20081229_Forget_dead_letters__worry_about_a_dead_USPS.html

Committee recommends steps toward intermodal hub

The Joint Intermodal Task Force for Transportation and Logistics during a press conference Oct. 30 announced its report and recommendations to pursue efforts to create a hub in the Toledo area for freight distribution by air, sea, rail and truck.

...

Whirlpool adding 400 posts to Findlay when Tennessee plant closes

Whirpool Corp. said yesterday it will move about 400 jobs to northwest Ohio from a dishwasher factory it will close in Jackson, Tenn.

The jobs from Jackson will be transferred to Whirlpool's plant in Findlay, about 40 miles south of Toledo, in mid-2009, company spokesman Lisa Fell said.

DELAWARE, Oh. (WTOL) - Greif Container based in Delaware has confirmed it will close its Toledo corrugated packaging facility at 1240 Matzinger Road, effective Dec. 27, 2008. The workers will receive a severance package in accordance with their union contract.

http://www.wtol.com/Global/story.asp?S=9245549&Call=Email&Format=Text

CHICAGO – Americans with diabetes nearly doubled their spending on drugs for the disease in just six years, with the bill last year climbing to an eye-popping $12.5 billion.

Newer, more costly drugs are driving the increase, said researchers, despite a lack of strong evidence for the new drugs' greater benefits and safety. And there are more people being treated for diabetes.

GROVE CITY, Ohio — Trash is being turned into gas near a landfill outside Columbus, where officials hope the cheap fuel — made from the methane that’s naturally given off by rotting garbage — will eventually be used in local buses and other government vehicles.

OAK HARBOR, Ohio — Radioactive tritium has been found leaking from a drainage pipe at FirstEnergy Corp.’s Davis-Besse nuclear plant north of Oak Harbor, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission said Friday. First Energy Corp. personnel discovered the leaking tritium 4 p.m. Wednesday.

NEW YORK October 24, 2008, 10:27 am ET · PNC Financial Services Group Inc. said Friday it is acquiring National City Corp. for $5.58 billion in stock and cash and will receive $7.7 billion in capital through the government's recently passed bailout plan.

DONGGUAN, China – Unemployed worker Wang Wenming was angry at his boss for shutting down a massive Chinese factory this week that made toys for Mattel Inc., Hasbro Inc. and other American companies.

But the assembly line worker was also furious at the United States.