Ron Bartizek Column

Latest Columns by Ron Bartizek

November 26, 2011

Giving thanks for everything that we’ve got Ron Bartizek Business LOCAL

In light of the turmoil rocking finance and politics here and around the world, it might seem a chore to express gratitude this holiday season. But psychologists advise that’s exactly what we should do, for our own well-being and as inspiration to share our relative good fortune with others.

November 19, 2011

Spending fine, as long as we have the cash

With the high holidays of consumption beginning this week, it’s a good time to examine a couple of commonly held beliefs that seem to encourage opening our wallets as an exercise in patriotism.

November 5, 2011

To boomers, future looking like the past Ron Bartizek Business LOCAL

Oh, we poor baby boomers. Much of that generation, defined as those born between 1946 and 1964, is approaching retirement at what seems to be just the wrong time. According to a recent poll conducted for The Associated Press:

October 29, 2011

A local lesson in questionable gov’t spending Ron Bartizek Business LOCAL

With budget cutting all the rage in Washington, it might be instructive to look back at a project that ran through millions in taxpayer funds, shifted focus in midstream and produced a self-congratulatory “legacy report” long on rhetoric but short on concrete accomplishments.

October 16, 2011

Gas exports show need for energy policy - Ron Bartizek

A recent request filed by a company that owns natural gas pipelines and storage facilities sheds light on the gold rush mentality that infuses the industry.

October 8, 2011

Flood-damaged businesses need help now Ron Bartizek Business LOCAL

The worst natural disaster we faced in all the years my wife and I owned The Dallas Post and The Abington Journal was a lightning strike that knocked out our computers for a day. We thought that was terribly inconvenient and resented the unexpected cost of a few hundred dollars, but were back to work long before deadline.

October 1, 2011

Forecaster signals holiday retail caution Ron Bartizek Business LOCAL

Predicting the pace of holiday sales is one of those insider parlor games that hits the spotlight this time of year, only because American Idol is over, the Super Bowl is far off and we’re all sick of talking about the weather. Judging by their accuracy in recent years, economics experts might do better forecasting temperature and precipitation than how wide consumers will open their pocketbooks in November and December.

September 17, 2011

Baby steps holding back U.S. economy

A couple of recent business stories struck me as jarring and sad illustrations of what ails the American economy. Both contained news that most people would consider positive, but with a back story that is not encouraging.

August 27, 2011

Rich and rest will need to share sacrifice Ron Bartizek Business LOCAL

What’s with all those rich folk, asking to pay more taxes?

August 20, 2011

Jury is out on success of theater block Ron Bartizek Business LOCAL

Five years and $31 million later, the question must be asked: Was the downtown Wilkes-Barre theater development project worth it?

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November 19, 2011

Making of a deal

Barely 15 months after a $54 million stock sale that made it the only company based in Wilkes-Barre with publicly traded shares, the executives running Penn Millers Holding Corp. were worried.

November 4, 2011

Beacon Power pursuing Hazle Twp. plant

HAZLE TWP. – A Massachusetts company that wants to build a $53 million flywheel energy storage plant in Hazle Township filed for bankruptcy Sunday, but hopes to complete the local project after restructuring its operations.

October 31, 2011

Insurer’s sale boost for execs

WILKES-BARRE – Key executives and directors of Penn Millers Holding Co. stand to gain a windfall if the sale of the city insurance company to a subsidiary of ACE American Insurance Co. goes through as planned.

October 20, 2011

Aid offered for flood-damaged firms

Owners of businesses damaged by last month’s flooding have until Nov. 2 to apply for grants to help with recovery. Up to $120,000 could be available from a fund administered by chambers of commerce in Wilkes-Barre, Pittston and Hazleton.

September 15, 2011

Scranton mail center eyed for closure

The mail processing facility in Scranton is among more than 250 that will be studied for possible closing by the financially troubled Postal Service.

August 27, 2011

The region of Burgundy, southeast of Par

The region of Burgundy, southeast of Paris, needs no introduction to wine-lovers. This is the place where pampered grapes are lovingly rendered into some of the finest wines in existence, carrying names such as Vougeot and Chassagne-Montrachet and prices that can equal a mortgage payment. • But even vacationing teetotalers can find plenty to like in this land of vine-covered hillsides and ancient stone villages, as long as they appreciate leisure, beauty and history. Adrenaline freaks need not apply, except perhaps those partial to long bicycle rides, for which the rolling countryside is ideal.

August 24, 2011

Company in talks to buy Guard

Employers Holdings Inc., an insurance company based in Reno, Nev., is negotiating to purchase Guard Insurance Group Inc. of Wilkes-Barre.

August 23, 2011

Mericle still building

Mericle Commercial Real Estate Services has begun constructing a 25,200-square-foot Class A speculative office building at the main entrance of the Corporate Center at East Mountain.

July 28, 2011

Hard to keep Focus

Coccia Ford General Manager Greg Martin would like to get more of the popular Focus model if he could.

July 27, 2011

Car dealership is shut down

A Back Mountain used car dealership has been shut down and the owner and a salesperson barred from ever being involved with a motor vehicle sales business in Pennsylvania.