| Small businesses feel slighted in political rhetoric
Small-business owners say the 2008 presidential candidates from both the Republican and Democratic parties are ignoring their issues.
A poll by American Management Services and Suffolk University shows that 66 percent cannot identify a single policy proposal targeted for the nation's 23 million small-business owners.
"The reality is that none of the current candidates have small businesses on their radar; they throw it out like some kind of pabulum," said George Cloutier, chairman of AMS, which offers services to help small and midsize businesses improve profits.
He said small-business owners as a group don't make a lot of political waves.
"You could argue that the candidates are so focused on the religious, ethnic, and social policy and civil rights groups that they are forgetting this whole huge voting bloc and ignoring it," Mr.
Editorial & Opinion
Bouquet: To Kimberly Gallagher, who donated small, pet-sized oxygen masks to the Fort Erie Fire Department recently. The Crystal Beach resident began a drive to provide the masks to the town's volunteer fire companies to show her appreciation to firefighters, who saved her two Persian cats during a blaze that damaged her apartment building in June. Gallagher's thoughtfulness may just mean the difference between life and death for some other family's pet. Now, just think how much that would mean to a family that has already lost many, or all, of their worldly possessions. Brick: To the federal Conservative government, which has yet to commit to providing more funding to offset costs borne by the Niagara Regional Police for doing a job that falls under Ottawa's jurisdiction. NRP officials have complained for years that Niagara property-tax ratepayers are footing an unfairly large bill for local border security work.
Excerpt: 'Finding Mañana'
What is it? I yelled, reluctantly dragging myself up the steps that led to our apartment. What do you want? I demanded as I yanked the door open. I had been playing at my best friend's house across the street when my mother's voice, calling from our balcony, had shot through the windows, forcing me to abandon our game and race home. My little sister looked at me expectantly but didn't say a word. A feeling of dread overcame me, and I began to search my mother's face for clues. Years of studying her face had made me an expert at deciphering her moods. With a quick glance at her mouth or her brow, I could tell what kind of day awaited us. A frown by itself was a sign of boredom or tiredness; a frown accompanied by squinting eyes spelled anger and warned of consequences for misbehaving.
Mountain View startup offers DNA scans online
The Google Inc.-backed company 23andMe on Monday started a Web-based genetic testing service offering customers a $999 scan of their DNA, including hints about their disease risks, clues to their ethnic ancestry and possible explanations for habits that annoy their relatives. The private Mountain View startup, with funding from Internet colossus Google and nearby biotech powerhouse Genentech Inc., is part of a wave of companies that are starting to commercialize information about the human genome for the general public. DeCode Genetics of Iceland rolled out its $985 service, DeCodeme, on Friday, and Navigenics of Redwood Shores plans to offer a test costing about $2,500 early next year. Customers will sign up online at 23andme.com and receive a saliva test kit in the mail to send back.
It’s been two years since Parke County sought the death penalty against Chad Cottrell
Brittany would have turned 14 just last month; her little sister, Tori, would be 12. The two girls and their mother might be preparing for the upcoming holidays, shopping for gifts, spending time with family.But all three lives ended hideously, abruptly, violently two years ago.It has been a little more than two years since prosecutors in Parke County filed their intention to seek the death penalty against the accused killer in one of the most heinous crimes in Parke County in recent memory.But some Parke County residents are questioning whether the cost of seeking the death penalty is worth the possible financial strain on the community.Small-Town RampageChad Cottrell, 37, of Rockville is charged with the shooting of his 29-year-old wife, Trisha Cottrell, and her two daughters, Brittany Williams, 12, and Victoria "Tori" Williams, 10, in the Cottrell home in late October 2005.
High tunnels can can help extend growing season
Want to extend your growing and marketing seasons? Protect your crops from cold, wind and rain, plus certain pests and diseases? Make more money in the process? High tunnels can help you. Learn the basics of this increasingly popular season-extension option in an introductory half-day course offered by OSU Extension specialists. High Tunnels 101 will be offered from 1 to 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 10, at the Muskingum County office of OSU Extension, 225 Underwood St. It is a unique opportunity for vegetable, fruit and flower growers interested in season-extension tools and techniques to learn the ABCs of high tunnels - how they work, where to buy them, how to build them, their benefits, drawbacks and other key information. .
IT'S YOUR BUSINESS: Government meeting this week
The following meetings are scheduled for the coming week. This list was updated Wednesday, Nov. 21. For more information or confirmation of meeting dates and times, call 431-2774. To notify The Press of last-minute changes, call Chipp Reid at 438-1183 ext. 129. Board of Education — Monday, Nov. 26, 7:30 p.m., Board of Education meeting room, Town Hall Annex, 66 Prospect St. Economic Development Committee — Monday, Nov. 26, 7:30 p.m., small conference room, Town Hall, 400 Main St. Library Board of Directors — Monday, Nov. 26, 7:30 p.m., Dayton Program Room, Ridgefield Public Library, 472 Main St. Pension Commission — Monday, Nov. 26, 8 p.m., small conference room, Town Hall, 400 Main St. Architectural Advisory Committee — Tuesday, Nov. 27, 7:30 p.m., Building Committee meeting room, Town Hall Annex, 66 Prospect St.
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