Longview News-Journal from Longview, Texas • Page 9

wmmmmmm Opinions Tuesday, November 5, 1996 AP 2B LA I I a cce 3g jy-ii Ani Louai iNews tD A IVi, flFV Eastoam to cot $500 expenses No layoffs expected as result of efforts to offset one-third drop in earnings Have a question? Call Mike Hvezdos, 758-4527, and then watch for Answer Line Tuesday through Thursday in the Longview News-Journal. lilL By Rich Lundgren Business Editor Eastman Chemical, in the wake of a 35 percent earnings decline, will slice $500 million from annual expenses before the end of this decade, officials said Monday. The company plans savings of $325 million in labor costs, coupled with $175 million in savings on raw materials and supplies, said spokeswoman Martha Lawson at Eastman headquarters in Kingsport, Tenn. "We call these cost structure improvements, because that means we improve systems and processes," Lawson said, "They won't be just one-year budget reductions." Eastman will evaluate the work performed by its global staff of 18,000, with the intent of reducing the number of about looking at problems with an attitude of how we can work to solve them." In addition to labor cost reductions, Kingsport spokeswoman Lawson said the company will look for savings in its handling of raw materials used to make chemical products. Measures will include eliminating waste in handling the material, as well as in improving productivity and efficiency.

Eastman routinely evaluates its costs, Lawson said, but the issue carries more urgency "in a year like this year." The company last month reported a 35 percent net earnings decline for the third quarter, from $148 million last year to $96 million in 1996. Eastman has annual operating costs of $4 billion. workers. Some jobs will be eliminated, but not people, Lawson said. Staff reductions will be accomplished by hiring constraints, attrition and retirements.

"We'll look at reducing the workforce by outsourcing tasks like food service or office cleaning, anything not related to our core chemical business," Lawson said. "But we'll do that by redeploying Eastman people to other jobs, not by cutting them. Our total workforce will probably grow over the next few years as we continue to grow." The cost reduction announcement was made at a meeting of securities analysts in Atlanta by Tom Nethery, Eastman's senior vice president and formerly president of Texas Eastman in Longview. Texas Eastman is a division of the company and is Longview's largest employer, with about 3,000 people on staff or contract A spokesman at the local plant said layoffs are not anticipated. "It's not business as usual and that always is a concern," Jack Goodwyn said.

"But our employees have always been good Hahnnamed Proper signs needed to enforce truck route A local business has a lot of heavy trucks running up and down Ray Street through a residential area and around a blind curve. The city has just repaired that street. Why can't trucks go about 50 feet on Sabine Street and that way to FM 1845? A Longview has specific truck routes that are designated to avoid residential areas whenever possible. Proper signs will be installed on Ray Street, if necessary, to help the police enforce the truck route ordinance. Wants to write to NBA's Michael Jordan chief rV appraiser of Gregg district What is Michael Jordan's address? LZJ sue ned By Jerry Graham Staff writer The former chief appraiser in Victoria and Angelina counties was hired Monday to replace Bill Car-' roll as the chief appraiser of the Gregg Appraisal District.

The district's board of directors voted unanimously to hire Marvin Hahn who has served three years as chief appraiser in Victoria County and earlier worked eight years as chief appraiser in Angelina County, whose county seat is Lufkin. Hahn will be paid a base salary of $69,000, plus $500 per month car allowance, for a total compensation of $75,000 per year. He will also be paid $3,000 in moving expenses. The board voted in April to not renew Carroll's contract, which runs through Dec. 31.

The board voted Tuesday to give Carroll an immediate, paid leave, of absence, so that he can pursue other employment, but still be available tO COnSUlt MHHWMMiMi through Attenrje( SMU and Texas remain- derofhis 21 Has worked as contract. appraiser Carroll. I said he is sf Served as chief exploring appraiser in Victoria several and Angelina options, counties but the flviID earn $75,000 Wt yet been worked out. He said he expects to be able to announce his new position in about See Hahn, 4B 9 i -vm ww i iki -i "ttTTi Panola commission office open for time being, but future remains undecided Utter Phlppt, Jr JChief Photographer Prsctlco makcspcrfcct Foster Middle School sixth-graders Tong Utakrit and Aaron Ashcroft practice their saxophones on Aaron's porch while his mom studies for her physical therapy class at Kilgore College. A You can write him in care of Falk and Association, 5335 Wisconsin Washington, D.C.

20015, according to The Address Book by Michael Levine. Delivery trucks can use most direct route QI would like to know why the "No trucks" sign on Silver Falls Road isn't enforced? Huge trucks are using this road. A We've answered this question a number of times concerning other streets, such as Spur 63. Large trucks making debveries are allowed to take the most direct route to their destination including trucks used in construction, oilfield operations and other activities that require the use of large vehicles. What can be done about discount store preacher? I want to ask about the older gentleman who preaches out In front of the different discount stores.

Is that legal under city code? How do stores handle that? A Longview's city code, Section 58-87, covers "Disturbing the peace." It says, "Whosoever shall go into or near any public place or into or near any private house and shall use loud and vociferous or obscene, vulgar or indecent language or swear, or curse, or yell, or shriek, or expose his person, or rudely display any pistol or other deadly weapon, in a manner calculated to disturb the inhabitants of such place or house, shall be fined in accordance with section 1-4 of this Code." If you are offended or disturbed by this person, talk with the store manager. The store management or the owner of the shopping center can ask the person to leave the premises, and advise him that he will be filed on for criminal trespass should he return. A police officer should be present when the warning is given. New UPN station to debut in December By Janet Jacobs East Texas Editor CARTHAGE The Panola County office of the Texas Workforce Commission is open for another week, but its future is still up in the air. The commission has yet to take action on whether or not the office will close permanently or live on in another form.

Under budget cuts this past summer, the office was supposed to be closed, with staffers being moved into the Harrison County office. However, pleas from local officials and employers to Austin have resulted in a day-to-day existence for the small office. "It's open this week," said Bob Burke, assistant regional director of the Workforce Commission. "We're hoping to resolve all the issues to find out if we will have the staff and money to stay." Burke said the regional office is waiting for news from Austin, which will determine whether the office stays open. Meanwhile, office personnel at the Carthage office are keeping the doors open and fielding a lot of questions without much information.

"We've got people who didn't know we were supposed to close, and people who thought we were already closed," said one office worker Monday. The lease on the building at 323 S. Shelby St. in Carthage expired Oct. 31, but the owner of the building has given the commission an extension, officials said last week.

Commission officials are looking for donated Bpace or shared space in the county that would enable them to keep the office open, even on a part-time basis. By Keely Coghlan Staff Writer A new Tyler station will go on the air next month, bringing increased Texas sports coverage, UPN 2248 station general manager Mark McKay told the Long-view Cable Commission Monday. Cable rates for Longview Cable Television Inc. customers will not change, said general manager Robert Durham. The cable company will eliminate KMSS, the Fox station out of Shrevepprt to make room for the UPN station, Durham said.

UPN 2248 will air 32 Dallas Mavericks games, some Houston Rockets games, Big 12 Conference basketball games and Texas Rangers games, said McKay. He also is general manager and vice president of KFXK Fox 51. The new station will start broadcasting Dec. 14 and will be part of the United Paramount Network, McKay said. UPN also will show Star Trek series, including "Voyager," "Deep Space Nine," "The Next Generation" and the original series.

The station will be broadcast as Channel 22 in Longview, and will be carried as Channel 25 on cable. The Tyler-Longview UPN station also will carry Tyler Wild-Catter baseball games and selected high school football games on delay, McKay said. Durham asked for viewers to call the cable company at 758-9991 to voice their opinion of the change. Getting involved: Teen' project recruits peers, earns her volunteer of the year award V. Jfe-t Help tan Young adults and pediatric diabetics, 7 p.m.

first Monday, fifth floor, Gooc Shepherd Medical Plaza. Call Sandy Hofton, 236-2638. Adult diabetics, 7 p.m. first Thursday of even months, fifth floor, Good Shepherd Medical Plaza. Call Cherry Stoermer, 236-2638.

By Jill Hathaway Staff Writer Lainey Reist has been doubly blessed by her efforts to steer teenagers toward opportunities to help others. Reist has seen other students become community volunteers after reading the glossy, 14-page directory she compiled on area nonprofit and service organizations that need teen volunteers. The Vol unteer Opportunities for Longview Youth Directory is available at local schools, libraries, churches and the Longview Drug Task Force. And now the 15-year-old sophomore has been named Spring Hill High School Volunteer of the Year in the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program. The school nominated Reist for her work on the VOLY Directory.

"She did such a wonderful job," said counselor Barbara Nyvall. Sponsored by Prudential and the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the awards recognize outstanding, self-initiated community service. Reist is now eligible for the Texas Youth Volunteer of the Year Award. Two state honorees, one middle level and one high school See Volunteer, 4B Courtesy photo Lainey Reist works on the Volunteer Opportunities for Longview Youth Directory at the Longview Drug Task Force last spring. Reist has been named Spring Hill High School Volunteer of the Year for her efforts..