A.M. Executive Briefing - Feb. 14
This Morning's Headlines:
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Rockland Industrial Buys Milner-Rigsby
Milner-Rigsby, a top Canadian maker of laminated truck flooring, has been purchased by Rockland Industrial Products. Rockland is among the biggest truck-flooring makers and distributors in North America, supplying some major trailer manufacturers. London (Ontario) Free Press (02/14/00) P. 2, Business SectionIndependent Truckers Vow Work Stoppage to Protest High Fuel Costs
Delaware Valley independent truckers, who work for 65 Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware companies, are set to stay off the road Monday unless the companies agree to a 30% rise in rates and a fuel surcharge of 15%. Over 230 drivers voted to participate in the work stoppage, saying rates have not changed since the 1980s despite higher tolls, equipment costs, and fuel prices.
Big Trucks Expected to Be Debated This Week
The Vermont state House Transportation Committee members think they have found a way to resolve the ongoing controversy over trucks in rural communities in the state.The bill proposed a truck network, including all the interstate highways, that would allow trucks up to 72 feet in length to run without permits. Such trucks would also be allowed on other roads if there is a reason to use them.
The proposal would open U.S. Route 4 between State Route 100 and the New Hampshire border to trucks for the first time, although they would need permits ahead of time; the rest of U.S. 4 would be on the network. Other routes on the network are U.S. 302; Vermont routes 2A, 9, 78,103, and 289; the portion of Vermont 22A from Route 7 to Route 4; and all of U.S. 2 except where it is parallel to Interstate 89.
The bill would also simplify permitting and allow shippers or receivers to give permits, add six Motor Vehicles Department truck inspectors, and fund truck-inspection training for sheriffs and local police. Associated Press (02/13/00) ; Sneyd, Ross
Officers Seize 3,320 Pounds of Marijuana
A state, county, local, and federal task force is looking into a 3,320-pounds marijuana shipment, worth over $9 million, taken from a tractor-trailer seized Friday night near Chicago. The truck also contained paper towels on pallets. The federal Customs Service and Drug Enforcement agency were involved in the task force in addition to Illinois State Police, Cook Countyheriff's Department, and Chicago police. Chicago Tribune (02/13/00) P. 2, Metro Chicago Section
Despite Rising Revenue, Turnpike Tolls Won't Be Removed for Years
Tolls could remain on the West Virginia Turnpike for close to 20 years even though higher traffic has caused revenue to surpass projections by some $4 million.West Virginia Motor Truck Association director Robert Stanley said commercial vehicles have paid at least half of the parkway's total revenue. The importance of the road leaves companies no option but to pay the tolls, some paying more than $500,000 a year, and this keeps manufacturers from moving to the state, Stanley said.
The state Parkways and Economic Development Authority has limited ability to retire the turnpike bonds before their 2019 payoff schedule because of a refinancing in 1993.
In addition to $11.25 million in annual debt service, the authority pays $12 million a year on maintenance and improvements. But the tolls have not hurt tourism or economic development in the state, according to economic development officials. Associated Press (02/13/00)
Caterpillar Realigns Divisions With Vice President's Retirement
After Jim Baldwin retires as vice president of Caterpillar's parts and service support division April 1, the company will realign the parts and service support division and logistics and product services division.The parts and service support division will become the product support division, with Thomas Gales as vice president, and the logistics and product services division will become the logistics division.
Parts distribution will move from the parts and service support division to the logistics division, and Vice President Steven H. Wunning, who is responsible for Caterpillar Logistics Services, will also be responsible for parts distribution. Baldwin began working at Caterpillar in 1960 and became a vice president in 1991. Peoria Journal Star (02/12/00); Gordon, Paul
Ex-License Office Overseer Sentenced to 18 Months
George Velasco, an Illinois drivers-license facility supervisor who was promoted quickly from 1990 to 1998 because of his fundraising ability, was given 18 months in prison and 200 hours of community service Friday for his part in the bribes-for-licenses scandal.Velasco pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy in September, saying he used bribes from unqualified truckers to buy fundraiser tickets for Gov. George Ryan, who was Illinois secretary of state at the time. Between 1996 and 1998, he was manager of the licensing facility in McCook, where, authorities allege, trucker Ricardo Guzman got his CDL through bribery; he was involved in the 1994 accident in Wisconsin in which six children died.
Velasco is the highest-ranking secretary of state's official thus far convicted regarding the bribery scandal. Chicago Tribune (02/12/00) P. 5; O'Connor, Matt
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