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Local News & Opinion
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02.12 FiveBooks Interviews > Lorraine Adams on The Truth Behind the Headlines Letters
Ref. : Letters to the editor Health Care & Environment
02.13 Dolphins beaching in record numbers on Cape Cod 02.13 Southern Californians at risk of death from air pollution, EPA says 02.13 EPA Sued by 11 States to Enforce Standards Limiting Soot 02.13 Congress nearly eliminates funds for lead poisoning 02.10 LET’S REMAKE THE WAY WE MAKE THINGS 02.09 Cancer rates triple among New York police officers who responded to 9/11 02.08 The seed emergency: The threat to food and democracy 02.07 Bill Gates backs climate scientists lobbying for large-scale geoengineering 02.04 Your Day at the Beach Could Soon Lead to a Night at the Hospital 02.03 Obama Won't Touch Climate With a 10-Foot Pole 02.03 Komen reverses decision to cut Planned Parenthood funding 02.03 Reforming EU Deep-Sea Fisheries Management 02.02 By defunding Planned Parenthood, the Susan G Komen Foundation betrays women 02.02 Ohio Tries to Escape Fate as a Dumping Ground for Fracking Fluid Ref. Dollars for Doctors - How Industry Money Reaches Physicians Ref. 2010 Comparative Price Report Medical and Hospital Fees by Country - Graphics Ref. Health at a Glance 2011 - OECD Indicators Ref. : Why is Healthcare Absurdly Expensive in USA (Part 2) [Graphics] (Part 1 is here) Video Health Care Systems in Less Corrupt Countries “News” Media
02.07 Did Obama make the economy worse? Not according to most statistics 02.02 ABC's Iran Propaganda 02.02 The Ongoing “Foxification” of the Wall Street Journal Daily The Daily Howler Justice Matters
02.13 News Corp may face US inquiry after Sun arrests at News International 02.13 Why Was No One Punished for America's "My Lai" in Iraq? 02.05 Why the AGs Must Not Settle: Robo-signing Is Just the Tip of the Iceberg 02.04 THE CAGING OF AMERICA 02.03 Senate Votes To Ban Its Members From Insider Trading... Kind Of US Politics, Policy & Culture
02.13 Bill Maher: Republicans Divide America - video 02.13 The right's stupidity spreads, enabled by a too-polite left 02.12 Even Critics of Safety Net Increasingly Depend on It - Interactive Map: Where Americans Most Depend on Government Benefits 02.12 CPAC attendees more focused on the economy than their right-wing leaders - video 02.10 The Cancer in Occupy 02.10 How Opus Dei Influenced Rick Santorum 02.10 People Are Not Leaving the Labor Force 02.09 Obama, Explained 02.09 OPED: The White Underclass 02.09 EDITORIAL: A Terrible Transportation Bill 02.09 THE OBAMA MEMOS 02.06 Are Conservatives More Fearful Than Liberals? 02.04 Soaking the Poor, State by State 02.04 Reddit Co-Founder Alexis Ohanian's Rosy Outlook On The Future of Politics 02.03 SUPERBOWL XLVI: Are You Ready for Some Football??? 02.03 Buffett rules: Sheldon Whitehouse introduces the Paying a Fair Share Act - video 02.02 Secrecy Shrouds ‘Super PAC’ Funds in Latest Filings 02.01 Rich Patrons Are Major Source of Romney’s Cash High Crimes?
Economics, Crony Capitalism
02.13 EDITORIAL: The Big Money Behind State Laws 02.10 This is no bailout for Main Street America 02.10 Why the Foreclosure Deal May Not Be So Hot After All 02.10 Matt Taibbi assesses the $26 billion settlement designed to aid victims of foreclosure fraud - video 02.10 Foreclosure Deal to Spur U.S. Home Seizures 02.09 S.E.C. Is Avoiding Tough Sanctions for Large Banks 02.08 Banks Paying Homeowners to Avoid Foreclosures 02.07 App Stores Create 500,000 U.S. Jobs 02.07 The Payroll Tax Fight 02.07 Obama super PAC decision: President blesses fundraising for Priorities USA Action 02.06 How Privatizing Government Shovels Cash to Parasitic Corporations and Undermines Democracy 02.05 We’re More Unequal Than You Think – Graphic: Unequal rise in income 02.03 PRIVATE INEQUITY 02.02 The New American Divide 02.02 American Airlines proposes to end all four pension plans 02.01 Economics 101 Ref. We’re More Unequal Than You Think – Graphic: Unequal rise in income International
02.03 What the Occupy movement must learn from Sundance 02.02 US plans to halt Afghan combat role early surprise Kabul We are a non-profit Internet-only newspaper publication founded in 1973. Your donation is essential to our survival.
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NEWS ANALYSIS:Thinking About Safety
With all the negatives in the news, it is a real pleasure to write about a successful American company that makes quality products for its customers in a safe, supportive, and appreciative environment for its work force.
I’ve been thinking about safety. Actually I’ve been thinking about Rochelle Foods Division, Quality Appreciation Day, products, tours, food, inflatables, BINGO, and Hormel. Last Saturday the Rochelle Foods Division of Hormel Corporation staged their recent biannual Quality Appreciation Day for their employees, employees’ family members and invited guests. It was quite an event here in this part of Illinois; an estimated 3,000 people participated in the festivities. You see, not only is Rochelle Foods the city’s largest employer—with over 860 employees, it is also the largest employer in all of Ogle County. This year’s event was particularly special. It marked the thirteenth consecutive year that Rochelle Foods received the company’s safety award for a year’s production without an accident or employee mishap. This is the longest-running safety record in all of the company’s divisions. It was especially fitting that this most recent event also marked fifteen years to the day when Hormel came to Rochelle—on July 12, 1993. Safety, quality, and value are clearly important hallmarks for Hormel. The Rochelle plant processes and packages deli hams, hot dogs, pre-cooked bacon, sliced bacon, microwavable bacon, and “completes.” The “completes” are vacuum-sealed, single-portion entrees which require no refrigeration and have a shelf life of two years. They are really delicious and are ready to eat after just 90 seconds in your microwave. They could also be prepared in a conventional oven, or “double boiled” on a camp stove. They make a perfect item to stockpile in your pantry for emergencies. "Completes" are currently Hormel’s fastest-growing (and fastest-selling) product line. On two production lines and over two shifts per day, Rochelle Foods generates just over 2 million units of them per week. (They are also produced at Hormel Division sites in Minnesota and Georgia.) Upon entering the main gateson July 12, employees and their guests were treated to a complete tour of the facility. This was not only impressive, it was highly informative. Production was shut down for the event and section supervisors were available throughout to explain the operations and answer all questions. To say the facility was immaculate was an understatement. Everything was as spotless as one would expect from a first-class operation that produces/packages some of America’s most trusted brands of food products. I should also note that as the visitors began their tour, they passed a large display case featuring the many awards, certificates, and trophies won by the plant and its employees. The Rochelle Foods team takes the greatest pride and care in their work, and it shows. After the tour, all guests were treated to a real feast. There were hot dogs (made by Hormel of course), bratwursts from Hormel’s Saag’s Sausage Division in California, BBQed ribs from Hormel’s Lloyd’s Barbeque Division in Minnesota, potato salad, baked beans, fruit salad, cookies, and brownies. The next phase of the event involved the inflatable amusements and pony rides for the children. The kids had a great time scaling this, bouncing on that, crawling over whatever, and sliding down from the summits. There was a jousting unit for those so inclined. The energy, exuberance, and laughter were contagious. Ah... to be that young again—and that flexible. Nearby, there was a “dunk management” tank where participants had the opportunity to soak their bosses. This was the fourth time David Roinas had the Creston Booster Club furnish the equipment and “person power” for the three-plus hours of free BINGO for prizes. These included small kitchen appliances, power tools, electronic games, gift cards, and pre-paid gasoline cards. With all the negatives in the news, it is a real pleasure to write about a successful American company that makes quality products for its customers in a safe, supportive, and appreciative environment for its work force. As a long-time fan of Hormel products, I particularly enjoy two grilled SPAM slices on a hot dog bun with raw onion and a mustard, molasses, and brown sugar glaze. (BTW: In two weeks, Rochelle Foods begins production of SPAM hot dogs!!!) I’m Fred Cederholm and I’ve been thinking. You should be thinking, too. Copyright 2008 Questions, Inc. All rights reserved. Fred Cederholm is a CPA/CFE, a forensic accountant, and writer. He is a graduate of the University of Illinois (B.A., M.A. and M.A.S.). He can be reached at asklet@rochelle.net.
Copyright © 2008 The Baltimore News Network. All rights reserved.
Republication or redistribution of Baltimore Chronicle content is expressly prohibited without their prior written consent. Baltimore News Network, Inc., sponsor of this web site, is a nonprofit organization and does not make political endorsements. The opinions expressed in stories posted on this web site are the authors' own. This story was published on JuLY 15, 2008. |
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