Business Pulse: UPS driver has his own special delivery
You’ll be thankful for all the hours I spend searching for off-the-wall stories when you read this gem. I’d rank it in the top 5 of any wacky story list.
It comes from New Hampshire, the state where former Standard reporter Will Stewart is a current resident. I know some folks have said New Hampshire isn’t far enough away for Will to move, but I think Will is a great guy so let’s all stop for a moment and give him a big round of applause.
As for our New Hampshire tale, it doesn’t involve Will Stewart. It’s about a UPS driver who was busy delivering packages when his big, brown truck hit a patch of ice and crashed. The driver suffered significant head injuries and was rushed to the nearest hospital, which in this case was Cheshire Medical Center.
Tests were to be performed to determine the extent of the damage, but medical personnel soon realized the machine they needed was broken. After a quick check, it was discovered the parts required to fix the machine had been ordered, although they had not yet arrived.
Needing the parts immediately, hospital officials called the company and were told the parts had been sent by UPS. Now you’re probably starting to get the picture. A call to UPS revealed the parts were actually in transit – and in the UPS truck which just crashed. They were scheduled to be delivered to the hospital later that day by the very driver who now needed them to perform tests on his head.
A vehicle was dispatched to the accident scene to retrieve the parts.
And speaking of travel, I had the misfortune of catching a flight to Baltimore last week to attend a funeral. I bet you never knew I was gone.
The flight itself was uneventful, and by that I mean the plane wasn’t hijacked by terrorists. That was the good part. The bad part was I felt naked walking through the airport terminal because I was the only person who wasn’t talking on a cell phone.
If you think cell phones are popular in McMinnville, check out the scene at the Baltimore airport. They must require a photo ID and a cell phone to get through security.
I think people who talk incessantly on cell phones must have really wanted to be play-by-play sports commentators. It’s as if they have to report every meaningless detail of their life to the person on the other end.
Cell phone talker: “I just checked my bags and now I’m waiting to board the plane ? I’m standing here in line ? I just moved up a spot ? Now the guy just scanned my boarding pass ?”
My thinking is folks can talk on their cell phones until they collapse from a brain tumor and it doesn’t bother me – as long as I’m not forced to hear their conversations.
For instance, I didn’t know much about the guy sitting next to me at the airport, but I do know he and a woman named Cheryl had a fairly heated discussion and are going to have to “talk things out” when he gets home.
I know the guy sitting behind me must have a car for sale and an ad in the newspaper with his cell phone number based on the calls he received. It’s a ’99 model with 110,000 miles and it’s not too bad on gas.
I know some people just loooove cell phones. For me, cell phones are the single most annoying piece of technology to come along in my lifetime.
Eckerd’s plans are finalized
It was about 10 months ago I told you Eckerd’s was seriously considering moving to the corner of Chancery and Locust streets. Now I can tell you that’s exactly what’s going to happen after city officials voted last week to change the zoning of the necessary property from residential to commercial.
The bulk of the property needed, some 2 acres, comes from Bill Smallman, who has been talking with Eckerd’s officials for some time. Bill says the property has been in his family since 1878.
“I hate to see this in a way,” said Bill, who lives in the large, white house that’s on the 2 acres being sold. “But what can you do?”
It is hard to stop progress and Bill says he’s going to move to a smaller home in the country. I had hoped to talk to someone from Eckerd’s about this deal, but I am convinced no one in that entire company is allowed to make a comment to the newspaper. Sounds like Eckerd’s has been taking lessons from the city of McMinnville.
Bill says he has seen the blueprints and that Eckerd’s plans to build a monstrous store here that will employ around 30. I’m thinking it must be along the same lines as the Eckerd’s currently being constructed in Woodbury. Anyone who has traveled through Woodbury in the past three months has probably noticed that new store just past the funeral home on the right as you’re heading toward Murfreesboro.
As for a timetable, Bill thinks construction will move pretty quickly once everything is completely finalized. “They can slap those things together in no time,” said Bill.
Perhaps the most well-known person affected by Eckerd’s construction is Slim, who currently lives at one of the houses which will be leveled. From what I understand, Slim’s family will receive a pretty attractive financial package and will get to move next door to the triplex which will remain standing.
Rumors fly about Delores’ Market
Over the past few weeks, several people have told me Delores’ Market has been sold to people of Indian descent. I guess that’s the politically correct way to describe the Indian people who are buying up seemingly every convenience store in the county.
The way I heard the story, the deal had already been finalized so I figured I would just call up Delores and ask how much she got for her store. What I found out is what I often discover. The word on the street isn’t exactly true.
Delores’ Market has not been sold. Delores said some Indian people have been in the store talking to her and she figures that’s how the rumors have gotten started. Some good, ol’ boys have seen Delores talking to Indians and — presto — Delores’ Market has been sold.
Delores told me Friday the store is doing extremely well and doing a high volume of business. I don’t think Delores is actively trying to sell her longtime store, but I also operate under the assumption that everything is for sale, provided the price is right. For example, I’m not trying to sell my Chevy Blazer, but for $10,000 you can drive it home tonight.
Homeland Community Bank announces promotions
It’s time to tell you about a couple of promotions. The directors of Homeland Community Bank are announcing John Duncan’s promotion to senior vice president and Teresa Haston’s promotion to assistant vice president.
John was instrumental in organizing the bank and has developed a vast knowledge of virtually every area of banking during his 20-year career. He has worked with the Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions as a bank examiner. He is a graduate of the LSU Graduate School of Banking, among a long list of academic achievements.
Teresa has worked in many different areas during her nine-year banking career. She works with Homeland Community Bank as a loan officer and recently completed the Southeastern School of Consumer Credit at Vanderbilt.
Buck retires from Supreme
Charles Buckner is trading in a full work week for a fishing pole. Friday was the last day at Supreme Building Products for Buck, 62, who had worked at the company for over 10 years.
“The best part is all the friends and people I’ve worked with who have stopped by to see me today,” said Buck during retirement festivities Friday. “I never got up and dreaded coming in to work, but today I dread leaving.”
Buck says his plans include spending more time with his family and going fishin’. He helped Supreme during a recent expansion which has seen the business unveil a spectacular new showroom.
“Buck has helped us grow the company,” said Supreme vice president Ryan Moore. “Probably the most dramatic area he had done this is with fireplace sales.”
Kevin Davidson will replace Buck as assistant general manager.
That’s all folks
To report business news, just call me on my cell phone. On second thought, that’s probably not such a wise idea. Give me a call at the office at 473-2191.