Sears Holdings, who is the parent company of Sears and Kmart, announced that they lost $56 million dollars in their first quarter. In addition, the average Kmart store has seen a decline in sales of around 9%. In order to realign business, experts predict that Sears Holdings CEO, Eddie Lampert, will announce major Kmart store closings. If that doesn’t help, Lampert may have to choose to shut down the entire Kmart brand all together.
Archive for May, 2008
State Legislators Complete Productive Session
On May - 28 - 2008
By and large, I feel our legislators were productive and did a good job during the recently completed session of the Minnesota legislature. They wisely passed a comprehensive transportation funding bill, which for many was not an easy choice, but one that will prove to be the right choice. Upwards of 30,000 jobs will be created and we will move forward knowing our roads and bridges will be taken care of. It is also apparent that there is still a lot of work to do to deal with the continued looming problems that face our state and District 10A.
School districts throughout rural Minnesota are battling declining enrollment, decreasing funding, and increasing class sizes. Some of our best and brightest teachers are being placed on unrequested leave and will not likely be back in the fall. The additional $51 per student secured by the legislature for school districts is a start, but more needs to be done to address the way our rural schools are funded. The current method does not work because it forces a larger, unfair amount to be shouldered by property owners through increased taxes. The increasing tax burden is causing resentment between taxpayers and their school districts, tearing at the social fabric of our communities. Rural Minnesota school districts deserve better.
On the issue of health care, work was begun to ensure that up to 12,000 more uninsured people will be eligible for Minnesota Care coverage. However, nothing has been done to ensure that health care costs become more manageable in the near future. Our families, our seniors, and our businesses deserve better.
We are failing our small businesses and threatening our state’s economy by not addressing the issues that are vital to their success and sustainability. Health care costs can strangle a small business owner’s entrepreneurial spirit by fostering a fear that such a basic human need as good health is out of reach. From 2003-2004 small businesses in Minnesota created a total of 24,000 net new jobs (U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of Advocacy, “Small Business Profile: Minnesota, 2007″) http://www.sba.gov/advo/research/profiles/07mn.pdf. Small businesses are vital to our state’s economic development and they deserve better. http://www.sba.gov/advo/research/profiles/07mn.pdf
To address the issues of today, we need an effort by our legislators that recognizes the prudent, selfless decisions made by our parents, grandparents, and founders in creating a state that has long been the envy of this nation. Like those before me, I want to make Minnesota better for our children and future grandchildren.
In the time since I announced my candidacy for Minnesota House of Representatives, I’ve done a good deal of listening and gaining perspective for the common ground in our district. My experience of being a parent, a business owner, and a city council member for Fergus Falls has prepared me well for the challenges I’ll face if chosen to be your representative.
I’d appreciate your support and I encourage you to contact me with your concerns and views. Additional information regarding my campaign can be found at www.StumboFor10A.com or by calling me directly at (218)739-2306.
By Greg Stumbo, Fergus Falls
District 10A Candidate for Minn. House of Representatives
Unique statue no longer
On May - 28 - 2008
If you’ve been to NP Park before, you’ve probably noticed the black bear carved out of a tree. However, recently you may have been asking, “Where did it go?!”. Well, thanks to OhYou at our community forum, we’ve found out that it was taken down by the Parks and Recreation Department because of rotting.
Primera Corporation in Perham closes
On May - 26 - 2008
Primera Foods Corporation announced it is closing their manufacturing facility in Perham. The closing of the facility will affect 50 employees. Earlier this year, Primera purchased a facility in Iowa which they will move their Perham operations to. The Perham location will officially on October 31, 2008. Primera Foods is offering its Perham employees separation package and the option to move to other facilities located in Wisconsin, Iowa and Illinois.
Fergus has some of the cheapest gas in MN
On May - 23 - 2008
While paying $3.69 (as of May 22 at 7AM) might be a lot of money per gallon for you, it’s cheap compared to the $3.94 other Minnesota residents are paying around the state. Our latest “Gas Price Search” shows that all of Fergus Falls’ gas stations are selling at the same price. Experts are now predicting that gas will hit $4.00 in days and it may hit $5.00 per gallon by fall.
Last day of school tomorrow, May 23
On May - 22 - 2008
While seniors at the Fergus Falls Senior High
School had their last school day today, the remaining students in the
Fergus Falls School District will get out of school for summer break
tomorrow. This year, as you may know, students are getting out around a
week early in preparation for construction at the current middle school.
Also, if you’re a current graduating student from the Fergus Falls
Senior High School – or any other local school for that matter, on
behalf of everybody at the Fergus Forum we’d like to wish you good look
for your future.
Snap Fitness Center coming to Fergus Falls
On May - 20 - 2008
Fergus Falls will soon see another 24/7 fitness center. Snap Fitness Center has confirmed that they will be opening a Fergus Falls location. According to their website, the new store will be on College Way and W. Lincoln Ave. Snap Fitness Center has a location in Alexandria and many others across the state. They have not confirmed an opening date, however.
Restaurant Directory updates
On May - 13 - 2008
For the 200+ people that have used our Restaurant Directory for Fergus Falls, we’re pleased to tell you that we’ve added a Coffee House category. For those of you unaware of this section, it gives you names of restaurants, their address and phone number so you can try something new! To access this page, click Restaurant Directory under the logo next to Gas Prices.
Home Depot closings not affecting Fergus Falls
On May - 10 - 2008
Home Depot is closing 15 stores across the country for poor performance – including stores in Bismark, ND and Cottage Grove. However, the Fergus Falls and Fargo stores will remain open. The closings of the 15 stores will affect 1,300 employees from North Dakota to New York. Despite closing stores, the Home Depot still plans to open 36 new stores in the 2009 fiscal year.
Walgreen’s not confirming Fergus Falls store
On May - 8 - 2008
Carol Hively, a Walgreen’s Corporate Spokesman, has told us that they are unable to confirm a plans for a new location in Fergus Falls. However, this is most likely corporate policy not to provide this information until ground has broken. Semper Development, out of the Twin Cities, is the developer of Walgreen’s stores in Minnesota and they have confirmed to the Daily Journal that they are building. Construction should start in July and the store should be open by February 2009. Some stores have already closed or relocated including Family Dollar and OK Pawn.
