| Local View: Cut council a break on Hy-Vee
It is distressing to see the LJS position itself as the handmaiden of business interests in its patronizing editorial of Jan. 16, "On Hy-Vee, council members crossed line." I expect better from a community newspaper.For the record: businesses need customers in order to achieve their primary goal of private profit; neighborhoods need access to basic services in order to thrive and remain vital; government needs access to tools for planning in order to create a stable environment which benefits all members of the broader community whether they are individuals, families or entities; elected officials have an obligation both to represent the interests of those who elect them and to juggle the myriad interests of individuals, businesses and the state for the common welfare.The City Council was doing its job — not performing "stunts," as alleged in the LJS editorial — when it attempted to call Hy-Vee to task for rigidly applying a contract codicil to the detriment of the University Place neighborhood.
Weight-loss firm sued by state AG
State Attorney General Tom Corbett sued a national weight-loss chain and its owner on Thursday over business practices at the company that suddenly closed down last month. The lawsuit accuses Pure Weight Loss Inc. - formerly known as L.A. Weight Loss Centers Inc. - and company owner Vahan Karian of deceptively selling long-term contracts to customers. The company is accused of taking prepayments from customers for four days after it posted a notice on its Web site in mid-December that about 400 stores were closing, including 47 in Pennsylvania. The attorney general's office has fielded more than 850 claims from people believed to have collectively lost nearly $500,000, and claims continue to come in. Their average loss is $880, and some are out more than $2,000, Corbett said.
Scotching the myth
Our findings come amid a growing clamour from English politicians and the London-based media to curb Scotland's £26bn spending grant from the Treasury. But, as The Herald shows, much of this mischief is based not on facts but a series of myths, mistakes and misconceptions. .
Superintendent's challenge
Whether Dan Nerad is the best choice to take on the challenging job of superintendent of the Madison Metropolitan School District will be decided by Dan Nerad, not the praise of the School Board members who selected him or the speculation on newspaper editorial pages. But we like what we hear of Nerad, whose selection was announced Monday evening pending a site visit to Green Bay by School Board members, final contract negotiations and a final background check. Nerad's strengths are obvious. First and foremost, he comes from Wisconsin. As a native of the state who grew up in Kenosha and earned two advanced degrees at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, he established himself in Green Bay three decades ago and has served since 2001 as the superintendent of that city's public school system.
Hog wild for Harleys?
Harley-Davidson fans won't need a road trip to visit a dealership this spring.
Shumate Harley-Davidson plans to open a Walla Walla store on downtown's Main Street, said General Manager David Archibald.The company, owned by Michael Shumate, will expand from three dealerships in Kennewick, Spokane and Lewiston to its fourth at the corner of Main and Colville streets, where Brickstone Design Gallery formerly operated, Archibald said.He said Walla Walla represents the company's fourth-largest market in the region and offers some of the most picturesque riding among the rolling hills leading toward the Blue Mountains."It's a good motorcycle community," Archibald said. "We have a lot of customers from the Walla Walla, Milton-Freewater areas."He expects the new branch to open in April or May.
Butler, WillCo superintendents differ on sales tax increase
MARION — Williamson County school officials are promoting a one-cent sales tax increase proposal to help pay for the construction of new schools and retire new school debt. This was necessitated by the fact that the state has been slow to funnel promised funds their way. Voters will consider the referendum at next month’s primary election.If the referendum is approved, Marion has plans to build a new elementary school in Creal Springs followed by a new high school. Carterville has plans to build a new high school. Johnston City wishes to add classrooms at Lincoln Elementary School. Herrin and Crab Orchard schools are looking to pay off their debt on recently built new schools.The tax would generate approximately $7.5 million a year, which would be divided up between the five county schools based on enrollment.
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