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Friday, March 07, 1997 Page: 12B
AROUND TOWN
VOICE PUBLISHER RESIGNS:
Ed A. Nichols Jr., president and publisher of The Citizens’ Voice for more
than two years, has resigned to take a similar position at the Delta Democrat
Times in Greenville, MissThe newspaper in northwestern Mississippi is owned
by Freedom Communications Inc., a chain of about 40 newspapers headquartered
in Santa Ana, Calif.
Nichols’ departure is effective today.
“It’s a career move to get with a group that offers me more long-term
possibilities for advancement,” Nichols, 52, said Thursday afternoon.
And, he joked: “I have an aversion to shoveling snow.”
Although The Citizens’ Voice has a strong history of union activism,
Nichols is leaving for a non-union newspaper.
“I’m not necessarily a union publisher,” he said, adding he had not worked
for a union newspaper until he came to Wilkes-Barre. “I really am excited
about the opportunity afforded by the Freedom Newspaper group …. I will miss
the friends and business associates I’ve made in Wilkes-Barre.”
Nichols said the highlights of his tenure at The Citizens’ Voice are major
changes “that will enable the newspaper to go forward in the future.” He
declined to be specific.
EX-EMPLOYEES PLAN SOCIAL:
The Topps Dislocated Workers Transition Team, a group of former employees,
both union and management, will hold a social at 7 p.m. March 10 at St.
Aloysius Church, Barney and Division streets, Wilkes-Barre.
The program will include a film and a question-and-answer period.
Information on benefits and employment opportunities will be included.
For information, call Penny Cannella at 655-5581.
GRAND OPENING:
Burlington Coat Factory will hold the grand opening of its Wilkes-Barre
store at 10 a.m. today, Friday said store manager Don Angle.
The 52,000-square-foot Burlington store occupies the former Sunshine
Market, adjacent to Raymour & Flanigan Furniture Store.
The Burlington store in the West Side Mall, Edwardsville, will remain open
“for a while,” Angle said. “I’m not really sure how long. That’s all I’ve been
told.”
The New Jersey-based chain sells men’s, women’s and children’s coats,
clothing and accessories at discount prices. It also features a Luxury Linens
department.
The Home Depot, Inc., a home-improvement store, will open its newly
constructed building next to Burlington on March 20.
SEMINAR ON CHILE:
Business opportunities in the South American country of Chile will be the
focus of a seminar March 19 sponsored by the Economic Development Council of
Northeastern Pennsylvania.
The seminar — “Is Something Missing in Your International Business Recipe?
Try Chile!” — is co-sponsored by the Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial
Resource Center and other members of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Export
Assistance Network.
The fee is $35, which includes lunch and seminar materials. For information
or to receive a registration brochure, call Lena Kotansky at 655-5581.
HILLS SALES INCREASE:
Hills Stores Co. announced Thursday that total sales for February increased
by 2.8 percent to $98.4 million.
Comparable store sales increased by 7.3 percent for the month. The company
said the monthly gain was partly due to one additional advertising circular at
the beginning of the month and the smaller increase in total sales was the
result of the company’s decision in January 1997 to close 10 stores.
Hills of Canton, Mass., is the nation’s eighth largest discount retailer
with annual sales of approximately $2 billion.
STOCKS LOWER:
Stocks turned lower Thursday as interest rates shot higher in the bond
market amid worries about cq today’s employment report and more signs the
economy might be too robust to keep inflation in check.
The Dow Jones industrial average lost about one point, having surrendered a
42-point morning advance.
Broader measures turned lower too, with technology and smaller-company
issues showing the biggest losses.
Bonds pulled back from Wednesday’s gains amid news that orders to U.S.
factories posted unexpectedly strong gains in January and the number of
first-time claims for jobless benefits plunged last week, pushing the
four-week average to an eight-year low.
Other recent reports of economic strength have fed fears that the Federal
Reserve will raise its key lending rates to slow things down before inflation
has a chance to accelerate.
The robust economic readings come a day before cq today’s report on
February payroll and wage levels, a key force behind production costs and
inflation.
— Staff and wire reports