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TOP STORIES FOR
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2003
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Henry to Lose Major Industry, 170 Jobs |
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By Linda Bolton
linda@mckenziebanner.com |
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Manar Inc. of Henry will be closing its door at the end of
this year, according to owner Gene Nolan. The closure will
displace 170 workers at the injection molding and
finishing plant, whose major customer is consumer
electronics.
"We make backs and fronts for televisions," said Nolan
from his office in Indiana Monday.
Manar has three other plants in Indiana and one other in
Layfayette, Tennessee, northeast of Nashville, which will
remain open because it is situated near a major customer,
Nolan said.
Nolan purchased the industry in March, 2000 from Mark I
Plastics. At the height of its employment, Manar had
220-230 employees on payroll at its Henry plant.
"We have kept it open with heavy losses for a long time
and we just couldn't continue to do that," said Nolan, who
credits "lack of business" as the reason for the decision
to close at this time.
Nolan told the Banner that although his company is
competing on a daily basis with China, and Mexico to a
lesser degree, none of their work is being sent to those
countries.
Terminations at the plant will begin December 8 and
continue until December 31. Displaced workers at Manar,
Inc. will be eligible for unemployment compensation.
"As the jobs go out - that job will go and the people will
go," said Mr. Nolan.
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'Miss Wanda' Has Her Day At Technological Center |
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By Jim Steele
steele@mckenziebanner.com |
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Wanda Allen has experienced many things at the
Tennessee Technological Center. She has greeted hundreds
of students and poured thousands of cups of coffee for
sleepy heads getting ready for class."Miss Wanda" is legally blind, but, as one student said,
though she can't see with her eyes, she can see with her
heart and that point was not lost on students and
staffers of the Tech Center, past and present.
Thursday, the McKenzie center honored Miss Wanda for her
20 years of service. Back in the days when the Tech
Center was known as the State Area Vocational and
Technical Center, Miss Wanda has been supervisor of
concessions. An overflow crowd of current and former
students, instructors and administrators were on hand to
pay honor.
"Will Rogers once said that he never met a man he didn't
like," said Tom Lewis, electronics instructor who also
served as master of ceremonies. "Well, Miss Wanda said
that she never met a person she didn't love."
Donny Davidson was a student at the Tech Center 17 years
ago.
"I was here a long time ago as a student," he said. "And
when I came back and said hello, Miss Wanda knew exactly
who I was. That's the kind of person she is and the
school is a lot better place because Miss Wanda is
here."
John Adams, another former student, said the day was a
special occasion for himself as well. He was celebrating
a birthday.
"And I couldn't think of a better way of spending
it," he said.
"One of the things I enjoyed most about being here is
getting to know and love Miss Wanda and I hope she stays
another 20 years."
James Tucker, a machine tool instructor at the center,
said there aren't enough hours in the day to mention all
the great qualities that Miss Wanda has.
"We could stay here the rest of the day and all night
and never mention half of what we could say about her,"
Tucker said. "Everybody has problems sometimes or feels
down about something and many times I and a lot of other
people here would go in and Miss Wanda would listen to
our problems and we'd feel better about ourselves.
Sometimes if you didn't have money for a cup of coffee,
Miss Wanda would take care of you. That's the kind of
person she was."
Mayor Walter Winchester presented Miss Wanda with a key
to the city and student senate president Rachel Crocker
presented her with a gift on behalf of the students. As
the ceremony drew to a close, Lewis, Tucker and Richard
Stallings presented Miss Wanda with a plaque that had
Braille on it as well as a clock that talks.
She was honored with a luncheon by the staff before the
ceremony. |
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Valu-Plus Grocery in Trezevant to Close in December |
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By Linda Bolton
linda@mckenziebanner.com |
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Trezevant is losing it only major grocery store at the
end of December. Valu-Plus owners Stanley and Brenda
Laughlin and daughter, Beverly Laughlin are planning an
auction December 20 to liquidate all remaining grocery
products, equipment, and fixtures. The store will then
be closed.
"There is just not enough local support," said Beverly
Laughlin, who noted the business has been on market for
some time without success.
"We made the decision a week or two ago to close the
store at the end of the year," said Beverly.
The closing of Valu-Plus will end an era of individually
owned grocery stores in the city of Trezevant. Little
General and Libby's convenience store will still offer
some grocery products, but no longer will items such as
fresh cut meats be available locally.
Stanley Laughlin, along with Tracy Tate and Bruce Pate
purchased the business known as Randy's Bestway in
November 1995 from Randy and Pat Hudgins. The grocery
was renamed Valu-Plus.
At the time of the purchase of Randy's Bestway, Tracy
and Bruce had been in the grocery business for 15 years
and had owned Rutherford Grocery and Bradford Grocery
for six years. Stanley, who had 38 years experience in
the grocery business at the time of purchase, took over
as manager of the Trezevant store.
In November, 1996 Laughlin, along with his wife and
daughter, bought out Tate's and Pate's interests and the
Laughlins became the sole owners. Randy Hudgins retained
ownership of the building.
During its heyday, the grocery had a hot deli section
inside the store and offered hot plate lunches,
sandwiches and salads to the lunch crowd.
"When Henry I. Siegel was still open, we would prepare
60-70 hot plates per day, as well as salads and
sandwiches," said Brenda. The owners blame the North
American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) for H.I.S.
relocating to Mexico.
She noted the business at one time had 7-9 employees
other than the Laughlins. They are currently down to
three, Hope Morano, Paul Mueller and Kristen Neal.
The decline in sales began after the economy took a
downturn following the September 11 terrorist attack and
more and more people became unemployed, said Beverly.
She also noted that many hometown folk go out of town to
shop at the larger super centers rather than support
their hometown business.
The Laughlins have been a central part of the community,
often helping with local fundraisers.
Following a fire several years ago that destroyed Kimro
Manufacturing Company, Elizabeth's Florist and Bonnie's
Catering, Stanley was immediately on the phone with the
store's warehouse, where he got $1000 worth of chickens
donated for a fundraising barbecue event to help the
businesses get back on their feet. The Laughlins also
helped organize an auction and ballgame to raise funds
for the businesses affected by the fire.
They often had fundraisers during their anniversary
sales, which they in turn would donate money to the city
for items such as Christmas decorations for the town.
They also were a sponsor of Angel Tree, which provided
gift items to needy families at Christmas.
Another service that will be greatly missed in the small
rural town is the weekly delivery service that the store
offered to its elderly patrons.
Resident Kathleen Whitmore said "I hate it so bad. They
are good, accommodating people and good to trade with.
They are good to everybody - they treat everybody the
same."
Another resident Nell Presson said, "I feel terrible, I
hope it doesn't happen. I hope they change their mind."
"They bring my groceries right to me," she said. "They
are fine people."
Beverly said the store will continue to restock major
items such as bread, milk, eggs and meats until
December. They also will continue to honor WIC vouchers
from the state until the sale date.
Brenda noted a representative of the Department of Labor
and Workforce Development plan to come to the store this
week to meet with employees concerning unemployment
compensation until other work is found.
Stanley, Brenda and Beverly each reside in Dyer and will
be seeking other employment.
As a way of showing appreciation, the Laughlins will
host a "Customer Appreciation Day" on Friday, December
19. Everyone is invited to come by the store for
refreshments on that date.
"We want to thank all those that supported us throughout
the years, said Beverly. |
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These
stories and more exclusively in the
print edition: |
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- Huntingdon Offers $30,000 for Group Home
- Huntingdon, South Carroll Awarded Safe Schools
Grants
- Bredesen Honors Paris Guardsmen with Distinguished
Unit Commendation
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Phone (731) 352-3323 or Fax (731)
352-3322
washburn@mckenziebanner.com
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