Ford on the rise nationally, and locally

July 27, 2009
By Tyler King, NCC News

SYRACUSE -- The Ford Motor Company surprised a bevy of analysts when it announced more than $2 billion in second-quarter profit this year. At a time when American car manufacturers have become legendary for their struggles, Ford has emerged from the red far quicker than most expected.

At Koerner Ford of Syracuse, Sales Manager David Allsop isn't surprised by his company's national success.

"Everything's been fantastic," he says. "We can't keep our vehicles in stock, and that's one of our issues; we don't have enough vehicles!"

But it hasn't been a simple matter of marketing cars; Allsop says tough choices were required for Ford to emerge so strongly.

"Ford has done a lot of realignment," he admits. "They've taken some serious initiatives to cut back in personnel, cut back in production, putting a fantastic product on the market is really key to it."

Nonetheless, Allsop has appreciated the media's surprise at Ford's comeback; alongside good ratings for Ford's vehicles, the positive financial news has effectively been free publicity.

"Ford is in the limelight ... Consumer Reports is on our side, we have some fantastic press - we're completely out of the category of Chevy and Chrysler."

He says there's a simple reason why buyers have returned to Ford, but not to its American counterparts.

"There's a lot of fear factor in doing business with them, 'cause they don't know where they're going."

Ford was the only one of the "big three" American automakers that did not declare bankruptcy or accept government aid.

Air Conditioning sales down in cool summer

July 27, 2009

By NICK CARBONI

The mild weather might be comfortable for some, but is hurting one local air conditioning business.

Angelo Chiodo owns a heating and air conditioning business in Syracuse and says this summer his air conditioning sales are down close to 40 percent because of the lower than average temperatures. Chiodo says he hasn't seen anything like it in the 30-plus years he's been in business, and he's heard the same trend from other area heating and air sales companies.

"If you look at the weather, all around us is a heat wave," Chiodo said. "Except here."

Chiodo says he doesn't expect the sales to get better this summer, but he doesn't think it will have a drastic affect on his business in the long run.

Emerald Ash Borer Beatle

Two Western New York Counties Quarantined After Ash Borer Beetle Discovered

by Beth Jones

Cattaraugus and Chittaqua counties in western New York are now under quarantine after the the destructive Emerald Ash Borer Beetle was discovered there. Under the quarantine, the movement of certain wood products, like firewood, is restricted and no crossing of these county lines in or out with wood products is permitted. The Emerald Ash Borer destroys Ash trees, which constitute close to ten percent of all trees in New York State. NYS Department of Environmental Conservation spokesperson Diane Carlton says a large-scale infestation could be devastating. "You're looking at affecting a very large industry in New York State, from furniture to the creation of wood products to loggers, big big phenomenon." She says even baseball in New York State could be affected, since ash trees are often used to produce baseball bats. The Ash Borer is not the only exotic pest to invade the United States recently. The Cyrus Wood Wasp has taken root in Massachusetts, but only a couple hundred miles from the New York State border, and the Asian Longhorn beetle has also surfaced. Carlton says a lack of manpower in the inspection of internationally-used shipping containers is big factor in these pests crossing borders.

Looking for an inexpensive summer evening?

7/27/2009


by Matt Granato


Last night almost 6,000 fans showed up at Alliance Bank Stadium in Syracuse to watch the Sky Chiefs take on the Louisville Bats. Even though the home team lost 5 to 3, fans still described the game as exciting. One fan, Chip Roman of Syracuse, said that coming to see the Chiefs is a great way to to have fun during the summer and not spend too much money while doing it.

Roman also said that he has been a fan of the Sky Chiefs for 10 years, and thinks this year the fans are more excited than ever. He says going to the games is the best "bang for your buck" as far as entertainment value. The Sky Chiefs will take on the Louisville Bats for one more game Monday night at Alliance Bank Stadium at 7pm.

Verizon Announces Job Cuts: How it's effecting Central New York

Verizon has announced more than eight-thousand job cuts by the end of this year. Central New York Verizon spokesperson, John Bonomo says these job cuts are in efforts to keep cost-cutting in balance with falling revenues. Bonomo says it will mostly be the telecommunications business side that will be losing many of the jobs.Verizon has already reduced their head count by 8,000 and that has been through attrition and voluntary offers that have been made to employees, they expect to do the same in the remainder part of the year.

New York-based Verizon made 63 cents per share, beating the average analyst forecast told by Thomson Reuters. Revenue rose 11 percent to about 2 million a year ago, matching expectations. The purchase of wireless carrier Alltel Corp. in January was the major reason for the increase.

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory has something in common with a Local Library

The Cazenovia Public Library held its first annual "Golden Ticket Event" to raise money for its building preservation fund. Approximately 130 guests attended to donate money to the cause. The event included a silent auction, live auction and raffle of artwork from local artists. The Gallery of CNY helped get the artwork for the fundraiser. The event raised over $20,000 for the library.

Eastwood Neighboorhood Meeting

July 27, 2009

The Eastwood group of Tomorrow's Neighborhood Today (TNT) will have it's monthly meeting about neighborhood programs and upcoming events.

Eastwood is planning to install decorative banners in the James Street business district as " a way to beautify the business district and make it more pedestrian friendly and business friendly atmosphere in the neighborhood," said Andy Maxwell, the Senior Planner of Community Development.

Details of the project such as the design of the banner, when, where and how many of the banners that will be installed are open for public discussion.

Representatives of Eastwood Chamber of Commerce, Sunnycrest Park Association, and Eastwood Neighborhood Associations will also talk about their projects and upcoming events.

The meeting will open at Huntington School this evening at 7pm.