plus 4, International Auto Show offers look at what's new in 2010 - Greenville News

International Auto Show offers look at what's new in 2010 - Greenville News
Looking ahead to some big stories for 2010 in Genesee County - MLive.com
Videos From the Web: Car Videos - San Francisco Chronicle
Firefighters protest removal of ladder truck - Dayton Daily News
SRP employees dispute contract’s health insurance premiums - Phoenix Business Journal

International Auto Show offers look at what's new in 2010 - Greenville News

Posted: 01 Jan 2010 08:39 AM PST

The cars are coming, the cars are coming.

The South Carolina International Auto Show will be on display Jan. 15-17 at the Carolina First Center.

This show "is a place for consumers to find everything in one spot," said Sarah Knowlden, spokeswoman for Motor Trend Auto Shows, which is producing the event. After the turmoil of the last 18 months, "we're finding a lot of people don't realize the steps the manufacturers have taken to change the direction of the industry. The show helps show them what's changing."

Pat Watson, executive vice president of the South Carolina Automobile Dealers Association, said the show is amazing.

"It's a reminder that the automotive industry is alive and kicking with new product and new attitudes," Watson said. "Everybody's ready to face the future."

Paul Osborne of Greenville said he usually attends the car show and plans to this year.

"It's a great way to check out the different cars in one place. And my son – he's 5 – loves to climb in the seats and open the trunks. We have fun there," he said.

Motor Trend's vehicles of the year – the Ford Fusion, Car of the Year; Dodge Ram HD, Truck of the Year; and Subaru Outback, SUV of the Year – will be on display, Knowlden said.

Among the highlights will be a collection of exotic cars, including cars produced by Ferrari, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Lotus and Ariel Atom. The collection is displayed with the help of the Greenville Exotic Car Club. Also, a collection of classic Mustangs will be on display, courtesy of Foothills Mustang Club. Tommy Pike Customs will display highly customized muscle cars.

The show, sponsored by the South Carolina Automobile Dealers Association and The Greenville News , will feature gas-sipping hybrids, fuel-efficient sedans and some of the most popular convertibles and crossover vehicles. Several all-new or redesigned 2010 models will be available, including the Acura ZDX, the Chevrolet Camaro and Toyota Prius. Hybrids will include the Cadillac Escalade, Ford Fusion, Toyota Camry and the Chevrolet Tahoe.

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Looking ahead to some big stories for 2010 in Genesee County - MLive.com

Posted: 01 Jan 2010 08:03 AM PST

File photoGenesee County Prosecutor David Leyton (during a 2009 press conference) may announce he'll seek the state attorney general's post in 2010.

Politics

This could be the year that puts Genesee County names all over the statewide elections map, with several familiar faces expected to run for Michigan's top offices.

Genesee County Prosecutor David S. Leyton expects to make an official announcement sometime in the first quarter of 2010 on a possible bid for the Democratic nomination for state attorney general at the party's August convention.

"We're moving forward. I've been meeting across the state with Democratic party influentials and they've all been very encouraging," said Leyton.

Genesee County has been a perfect training ground for the statewide post, Leyton said.

"The state AG has to be the leading voice and number one fighter against violent crime. Certainly I have been that here and have had that experience," said Leyton, also citing recent work with consumer protection laws and the elder abuse task force.

"The lessons I've learned and all the life experiences I've had are Genesee County-based. You never forget where you're from."

Lt. Gov. John D. Cherry, D-Clio, has yet to announce his candidacy for governor but coordinators are already being picked for the campaign, including Central Michigan University administrator Garnet Lewis of Saginaw County.

File photoLt. Gov. John D. Cherry (in a 2008 speech) is expected to announce a run for governor in 2010.

"Many of us in Genesee County have known, liked and respected John Cherry for many years - in the Legislature and as Lt. Governor. Local Democrats are excited about his likely nomination for Governor and anticipate a formal announcement no later than mid-February," said Genesee County Democratic Party chair Jack Minore. "Although as Chair, I would not normally endorse a primary candidate, the home town pride as well as my respect for him led me to endorse him and led the County Party to make an early endorsement last fall. We look ahead enthusiastically to being involved in his campaigning."

On the other side of the aisle, State Rep. Paul Scott, R-Grand Blanc, admits he's warmed up to the idea of seeking the Republican nomination for secretary of state at the party's August convention.

"Being state representative is my number one passion and I'll file for reelection in the new year, but there is quite a grassroots movement to get the nomination for me," said Scott. "Obviously anyone in public service would love to serve in a statewide capacity."

File photo

State Rep. Paul Scott (R-Grand Blanc) is considering a run for Secretary of State in 2010.

The office is a compelling one, Scott said.

"When you think about public service and democracy, you think about free and clear elections. This office is at the front door of protecting our democracy," he said. "It's also a chance to be part of the next generation in Michigan. With almost every office term-limited out, there will be a new face to government in Michigan. Getting a front row seat to that is really exciting."

File photo

In 2008, Flint Economic Development Director Suzanne Kayser (right) looked over a digester while touring the Flint wastewater treatment plant with Swedish Biogas International representative Anders Ek.

Swedish Biogas International

The sound of new construction could be the next thing we hear from the new biogas plant on Linden Road, which will produce methane gas from wastewater sludge.

Preliminary building plans have been submitted to the Department of Environmental Quality and should be in front of Flint Township officials for review in early 2010, said Tom Guise, Swedish Biogas International's chief executive officer in Flint.

"Everything is pretty much right on schedule," said Guise. "The city of Flint is clearing out old equipment from the existing building right now and construction should start in the first quarter. We expect to be done and making gas by the fourth quarter."

Also watch for word on a federal energy efficiency grant requested by the city of Flint, that could help the biogas plant expand into processing methane from other organic materials beside wastewater.

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Videos From the Web: Car Videos - San Francisco Chronicle

Posted: 01 Jan 2010 08:32 AM PST

. W7181 Hwy's 10 & 114 Menasha, WI 54952 920-738-4415 2006 FORD F- 150 www.jeffsnorthshoreauto.com VIN - 3GNEK12317G108928 Jeffs Northshore Auto Inc. knows you want more than just a car. You have a purpose for your vehicle. Imagine driving this Gold 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche LT 4X4, equipped with an 8 Cyl. engine and an automatic transmission with 49841 miles. Enjoy an impressive 21 miles to the gallon on this utility truck with features like 6 Disc CD Changer, Power Sunroof, Leather ...

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Firefighters protest removal of ladder truck - Dayton Daily News

Posted: 01 Jan 2010 08:25 AM PST

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... tightening is forcing the periodic removal from service of a ladder truck ... Ladder trucks in the Dayton Fire Department are responsible for search and rescue of trapped occupants at structure fires, and also respond to assist at auto accidents ...

SRP employees dispute contract’s health insurance premiums - Phoenix Business Journal

Posted: 01 Jan 2010 05:54 AM PST

Salt River Project could see as many as half its employees walk off the job if the Arizona utility can't work out a new labor contract for hourly workers.

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 266 has turned down two contracts offered by SRP management. IBEW attorney Jim Abdo said the biggest stumbling block is health insurance costs.

The current contract, which expired Nov. 15 and is operating under its second extension, has SRP covering 100 percent of employee health insurance costs, but the new offer calls for workers to pay as much as 25 percent via premiums. Abdo would not go into specifics about how much SRP's health plan would cost each worker. SRP spokesman Jeff Lane also declined to comment about the clause in the proposed contract.

Abdo said the contract affects about 3,000 workers at SRP, while the company says the number of hourly workers that would be affected is about 2,300.

Abdo said the contract under negotiation would be for three years. Talks will start again in early January, the union and SRP confirmed. The third deadline to reach a deal is Jan. 31.

Abdo said if there is no movement in the January negotiations, union workers could walk out sometime during the first quarter, though he hopes a deal can reached.

"Nobody really wants to strike," Abdo said.

The labor agreement covers workers who repair and service SRP utility lines as well as meter readers, electricians, machinists, customer service workers and other hourly employees. SRP, which supplies water and power to 930,000 customers in the Valley, has 4,500 workers statewide. The hourly collective bargaining agreement applies to both aspects of SRP's business.

How a work stoppage would affect SRP is unclear. Not all of the 2,300 workers SRP says are hourly are in the union, and the state's right-to-work laws do not allow for "closed shops" that require employees to join the union.

"SRP maintains a work force contingency plan to ensure that we can continue to provide reliable water and power and customer service," Lane said. "We can't comment on specific actions, however."

No federal labor laws would bar workers from striking. The National Labor Relations Board has restrictions only for union workers at hospitals where they must give a 10-day notice of an impending strike, as well as workers in the railroad and airline industries, the latter two covered by the National Mediation Board.

Other than that, labor restrictions are left up to the state, said Nancy Cleeland, director of public affairs for the NLRB.

Union workers rejected a second proposal by SRP management on Dec. 18 and also voted to strike, if necessary. After each contract rejection, SRP and union officials agreed to extend the current agreement. While SRP officials wouldn't comment on its offer or sticking points for the workers, Lane said employees would see a 3 percent pay raise in November, followed by a 1.5 percent pay hike by mid-2011. Raises in the third year would be negotiated.

Lane said the utility also won't comment on the possibility or what it might mean to customers if there is a walk-out.

Health care costs and premiums also were big sticking points in the down-to-the-wire negotiations between United Food & Commercial Workers Union workers and the Fry's Food Stores and Safeway supermarket chains. Twenty-five thousands grocery workers were poised to strike before a last-minute compromise in November over pay and health insurance.

In Los Angeles earlier this year, a last-minute deal averted a strike between Southern California Gas and members of the Utility Workers Union of America, which clashed about the economy and compensation.

SRP, like other utilities in the state, has been hit financially with a drop in Arizona's growth rate resulting in a decline of new customers.

This week, the company put forth a new proposal for a rate increase to take affect this spring that is about half the initial request of last summer. The proposed rate increase is about 4.9 percent, or about $5.95 per month on an average home, officials said.

The request to temper the increase came from the SRP board of directors, which sought to lessen the impact on ratepayers. The board also asked the company's management to look for cost savings. With less money for growth and the prospect of cutting back on infrastructure, SRP could hold off on employee raises, as well as cut up to 100 positions through attrition or even call for layoffs by the end of its fiscal year in April.

Lane said the labor negotiations and the rate requests are viewed as separate processes by the utility.