Boeing Announces Resignation of Chairman and CEO Phil Condit
CHICAGO, IL, (SLFP.com) December 1, 2003 - Boeing [NYSE: BA] announced today that its board of directors has accepted the resignation of Phil Condit, 62, as chairman and CEO. After thorough deliberations, the board decided that a new structure for the leadership of the company is needed and named Lewis E. Platt, 62, as non-executive chairman and Harry C. Stonecipher, 67, as president and CEO, effective immediately.
See special report on Business and Technology News.
Holiday Shoppers Warned About Hazardous Recalled Toys
ST. LOUIS, MO, (PRNewswire, November 30, 2003 - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a warning for holiday season gift buyers to be on the lookout for recently recalled toys and children's products that pose serious safety threats to youngsters.
In a statement, (CPSC) Chairman Hal Stratton said, "Before purchasing or giving any gift, particularly one intended for a child, double-check to make sure it does not pose a hazard. Visit CPSC's Web site to determine if it has been recalled. Another option is to go to the easy-to-remember Web address www.Recalls.gov. It's a 'one- stop shop' for the latest information on all federal government recalls."
The new www.Recalls.gov site provides links to all federal agencies with statutory authority to issue recalls, including CPSC, the Food and Drug Administration, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Visitors can easily find information about all federal government recalls -- regardless of the jurisdiction of the agency or the nature of the recall.
The following safety tips will help consumers choose appropriate toys:
- Select toys to suit the age, abilities, skills, and interest level of
the intended child. Toys too advanced may pose safety hazards to
younger children.
- For infants, toddlers, and all children who still mouth objects, avoid toys with small parts, which could pose a fatal choking hazard.
- Look for sturdy construction on plush toys, such as tightly secured eyes, noses, and other potential small parts.
- Avoid toys that have sharp edges and points, especially for children under age 8.
- Do not purchase electric toys with heating elements for children under age 8.
- Be a label reader. Look for labels that give age and safety recommendations and use that information as a guide.
- Check instructions for clarity. They should be clear to you, and when appropriate, to the child.
- Immediately discard plastic wrappings on toys before they become deadly playthings. Plastic wrappings can cause suffocation.
While considering product safety when shopping for new gift items, Stratton also urged Americans to examine older toys and products in their possession that can pose hazards. He urged operators of daycare centers and thrift stores to be especially vigilant in removing previously recalled items such as older baby cribs, baby walkers, and high chairs from their premises.
Nixon Sues to Stop Blast Fax Ads
ST. LOUIS, MO, (SLFP.com), November 23, 2003 - A Florida business, sued by Attorney General Jay Nixon for "blast faxing" ads, for vacation packages has agreed to not send unsolicited fax ads into Missouri.
"This is a victory particularly for small businesses whose fax machines are inundated with ads at all hours," Nixon said in a statement. "Unsolicited, unwanted fax ads cost those businesses paper, toner and time."
The lawsuit alleged Holiday Management Group Inc. contracted with Fax.com to broadcast fax ads. Nixon sued Fax.com in 2000 in a lawsuit currently pending before the federal district court. The Eighth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in Nixon's favor in March by saying the federal law prohibiting unsolicited fax ads was constitutional.
Under the assurance of voluntary compliance filed Nov. 25 in Cole County, Holiday Management Group not only will comply with the federal law on unsolicited faxes, the company also will comply with Missouri laws regarding telemarketing calls and unsolicited commercial e-mail. The agreement is awaiting court approval. At the same time the agreement was filed in state court, the original lawsuit against Holiday Management Group filed in federal court in Kansas City was dismissed.
Nixon also began the process this week to seek a default judgment against a second Florida business he sued in August for sending unsolicited fax ads. Avalona Communications Associates Inc., of Tampa, faxed ads for StockReporters.com to recipients who had not solicited the ads, Nixon charged in his lawsuit. Avalona has not filed a response to the Missouri lawsuit, so Nixon is asking the federal court in St. Louis to enter a default judgment against the company.
Nixon is asking Missourians with complaints about unsolicited fax ads to contact the Consumer Protection Hotline at 800-392-8222 or obtain a complaint form online.
Consumers Say They Will Spend Less Than Last Year During the Holidays
ST. LOUIS, (PRNewswire), November 30, 2003 - Lingering concerns about the economy and their level of indebtedness, and a greater interest in paying off debt, help explain consumers' increased spending restraint.
The survey of more than 1,000 representative adult Americans was conducted in mid November (13-16) by the Opinion Research Corporation International. The fourth annual survey was sponsored by the Consumer Federation of America (CFA) and the Credit Union National Association (CUNA).
The percentage of people who said they intend to spend more at the holidays was unchanged from a year ago (15%). The increase in those planning to spend less came at the expense of those saying they plan to spend about the same as last year. That percentage fell from 61% to 50%.
"The jump in consumers saying they will spend less compared to more during the holidays is a bit surprising," said CUNA Chief Economist Bill Hampel. "It suggests that many households are not yet convinced that the recession is completely behind them."
This intended spending restraint also appears to be the result of continued concerns that consumers have over the making consumer debt payments. However, consumers this year also indicated greater interest in reducing their debt.
School Boards Call for Changes to Child Nutrition Programs
ST. LOUIS, (PRNewswire), November 30, 2003 - During the holiday season many think about families in need, but over 400 local school boards have taken action.
Almost 470 groups including school boards, state boards of education and national associations from over 40 states have passed resolutions this fall calling on Congress and the Administration to increase access to school meals for children from working families.
"Every lunch and breakfast child nutrition professionals see children who cannot afford these meals -- even at a reduced price," said Donna Wittrock, president of the American School Food Service Association. "They have raised this issue to their school boards and districts across America have taken action. We are grateful to those administrators who recognize the importance of this initiative."
The school boards are asking for a change in the federal child nutrition programs that would expand the free school meal category by raising the limit on eligibility for school meals so children in homes of low-income families can receive the nutritious meals they need to succeed in school.
When Congress reconvenes next year, an early issue they will address is reauthorization of child nutrition programs. The more than 470 resolutions passed in communities from Des Moines, Iowa, to Denver, Colorado, call on Congress to change current law so families with income between 130% and 185% of poverty no longer pay 40 cents for lunch and 30 cents for breakfast. Too many of these families don't have 70 cents/day for each of their children. Nationwide, there are as many as one million eligible children who cannot afford these meals under current law.
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