Contributors Opinion Bold predictions for 2015 No matter the election results, A new year Business affords At workforce center, you Briefs and be represented more likeI won’t not-so-bold repeats it’s all about service a new opportunity Business People Almanac to meet local needs THE he BUSINESS usiness T T Times IMES
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It bodes well for businesses looking for employees and people looking for jobs that Lindsay Bullock brings a passion for service to her new role as director of the Mesa County Workforce Center in Grand Junction. The center an array of resources — everything fromstart hosting A new yearprovides almost always brings an opportunity for a fresh and job fairs and screening to helping with resumes and preparing for renewed ambition to doapplicants things better. interviews, to name It’s boils a matter, though, of not only what the center In business, thatfour. usually down to providing customers better products provides, but also how. It’s about meeting the uniques needs of businesses and and services faster and at lower cost than competitors. Part of the process must individuals. It’s about solving problems. It’s about service. include listening to customers to determine what they actually need and then Bullock to herall, duties experience as atocareer development meeting that brings need. After it does little good offer the latest and supervisor greatest if at the center. She’s wants worked the you’re last three months as manager. She previously worked nobody actually what selling. as anJust eligibility and then supervisor thethe Mesa County Department like thespecialist businesses that belong to the with group, Grand Junction Area of Human Services. Before that, she worked with her mother and sister in Chamber of Commerce invariably starts out the new year with a reassessment of operating a Grand Junctionitstore selling and furnishings formembers children and the services and resources provides andclothing how well they match with other goods. helpful in overseeing programs for businesses needs.household Jeff Franklin, theIt’s newalways chairman of the chamber board of directors, to have experience in overseeing businesses. personifies this approach in describing what he considers his role for the coming her passion for service, alsothen emphasizes herneeds. commitment year:Along listen with to members, determine theirBullock needs and meet those It’s a to collaboration — not only in working with staff at the center, but also businesses role with which Franklin is familiar as market president of Bank of Colorado. and other local organizations in workforce and economic The process will take oninvolved a more structured approach in what development. the chamber The County Workforce Center plays crucialListening role in that It’sUnder difficult, plansMesa as the resumption of a program aptlya called to regard. Business. the if not impossible, expandparticipate existing businesses and recruit new ones without the to program, businesstoowners in in-depth interviews to identify barriers availability a well-prepared workforce. That’s why efforts connecting students at growth and of other problems they encounter. Colorado Mesa University and Western Colorado Community The new year offers a good time to join the proverbial club.College with local employers remain so or important. As an advertiser reader, what do you need from the Business Times? Bullock is especially familiar with onegather of herand collaborators. Her predecessor, While business journals traditionally report the relevant news to Curtis left the isn’t workforce centerainone-way August street. to become director of thetrue as readers,Englehart, communication necessarily That’s especially Grand Junction Economic and Englehart a new generation Web sites and e-mail makePartnership. the dialogueBullock more convenient thanjoin ever. of Grand Valley leaders that also includes Candace Carnahan at the Grand Good publications don’t exist in a vacuum. They respond to the needsJunction of Area Chamber Commerce Dalida Bollig at the Business Incubator Center. advertisers andof readers. Theyand provide what’s needed. The MesadoCounty Workforce Center has developed a well-deserved reputation So what you need? over Is thethere yearsadditional for offering in one place that a range of resources a one-stop news coverage would help keep— you informedshop about businesses and jobseekers would be well advised to use. Given her passion or for local business developments? Are there features that would be interesting service commitment to collaboration, Bullock useful? and Is there advice that would make your jobs isa well-suited little easier?to sustain and build on that wish her It’ssuccess. equally We important to well. ask what you don’t need. With limited time to F to publish it, would time and space be produce content and limited space in which better devoted to something else? What’s good? What isn’t? What’s needed? What isn’t? If day, us it must also be deadlineonline day. on the Business Times Web Letit’s uselection know. Send an e-mail. Comment Atwww.thebusinesstimes.com. least it seems those two events more often not when letter to site at Youcoincide could even write an than old-fashioned production on feedback, Tuesdays. both The polls didn’t untilisseven hours the editor ifdeadlines you’d like.fall Your positive andclose negative, valued and after thecarefully latest print edition of the Business Times went to press. will be considered. It’s frustrating because news is aof lotnot likeonly fishthe — efforts best served as fresh Good publications are the result of their staffs,asbut also possible. On the other hand, theadvertisers two weeksand until the next print issue is scheduled collaborative efforts involving readers. for publication hopefully will afford to determine the outcome Like any other good business, weample want time to listen to our customers, find of out close racesneed as well provide broader context to the election results. That’s true what they andas then meet athose needs. not only candidates, buthelp alsous thetoplethora It’s afor new year. Please do so. of propositions on the ballot. Keep reading. ✦ F
When elections and deadlines coincide
THE BUSINESS TIMES
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In 22 years of writing opinion columns, I’vetime never written a truer It’s that of year when headline. And 22 years of writing resolutions andinprognostications abound. columns, it’ssaying never been a more important My favorite applied to New Year’s rule to understand aboutthey’re those we elect. a resolutions is in saying basically Two bunch of reasons promisesfor to break the first week the headline.And 1. It’s of January. while I won’t predict a because theI folks whole lot, can pretty much accurately opposite expect nail a fewme things that without question their “representatives” will make the news. You will see these are to do what pretty, well,they predictable: say or 2. one: ■ demand. Prediction IThere simply want my will be some “representative” sort of weather event, to adhere to the or natural disaster Constitution. I don’t heinous occurrence Craig Hall care elected wherewho’s someone will or what party be from interviewed and say they’re a member. the following: “I’veThe Constitution limits their I also realize my “want” in neverpower. seen anything this might like case that in my be the dumbest thing I’ve ever wanted politician in my life. lifetime.” It’sfrom as if athis Then maybe not. Craig Hall personagain, is a required In literally every out-of-control attendee at every news Facebook forthIand forth andmost back reporting back event.and While understand regarding the two candidates running in people’s perspective can indeed be limited Colorado’s 3rd Congressional those by, or contained within, theirDistrict, own personal on the left keep experiences, it demanding is too muchortospouting ask to two things: Whathistorical has U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert consult1.some perspective before done forsuch her district? Shethis votes against can saying a thing?2.Yes, response veterans. That’sevents. a load ofBut fertilizer. And it’s apply to some when it comes being spreadand for natural the samedisasters, reason. The to weather I’mleft pretty demands representatives special sure this its is simply history provide repeating itself. rights, force people do act and howof Same as it has for to millions andspeak millions they and punish enemies. years.demand More important, the planetThose madeare it! literally how Democrat politicians What didn’t were certain species.garner How’s votes. See: Bennet, Michael. that for perspective? By the way, it’s theWhen same with all theto a ■ Prediction two: it comes propositions we vote that on inoccurs Colorado. They’re crime or something between unconstitutional on required their faceattendee because at you’re humans, the other all voting to changeevents the constitution. Andwho if news reporting is the person they evenwe’re one vote, become says pass this: by “They just they the nicest law. Folks, democracy, mob people, andthat’s in nonot way did I see that’s something rule. Andcoming.” mob rule Exactly. never benefits thedoes people. like this No one Because eventually — no matter how most of the time when it comes to many times you or your special interests win should — neighbors and acquaintances. People eventually theatmob be surprised whatcomes goes for on you. from time to I voted for Boebert. time That’s in theirwhy neighborhoods, towns and She’s done what’s constitutional for are with people they know because people her constituents (the left that hates that) good. And for the times they shouldn’t while fighting that are already repeat be shocked — laws like with politicians, unconstitutional. In addition she’s voted offenders and terrorists — where’s the against every bill. Let interview that new says,unconstitutional “This doesn’t surprise me help rabid liberals: THESE BILLS in thethe least.” ARE■WHERE ALL OF Something THOSE “VOTES Prediction three: good AGAINST COME will happenVETERANS” economically, and the FROM. Democrats lines into omnibus governmentbury will little take credit for it. The most — lookexample that up is along with “continuing recent gas prices, where people resolutions” billscredit so they talking ask me why I— won’t thehave president for points argue about on low gasyou’ll prices. My answer is Facebook. simple: IGovernment also voted straight Republican hoping never makes the price of to elect folks go who will and do the same. something down simply takes credit Here’s to waking up with more for good news. Gas pricing is two subject to years representatives you many with global factors. Nowwho thererepresent are and me whileanswers following the Constitution. government to addressing some of more pointstable on why your themOne to keep prices for Americans, congressional member passin but our government has shouldn’t none of them special laws youthings wantittohas minimize place. The only in place in the
NJovember 10-23, 2015 2022 ANUARY 15-28,
personal responsibility, force your beliefs and others or punish those longbehaviors run alwaysonhurt consumers. Another who There are plenty fact isthink that differently. unemployment reaches a certain on thebased righton who listen upwhile as well. level theshould economy. And the Term limits might will never government brag work. the number is low, Our than founders term limits it’s more likelythought the government did would be obvious no one in low something to causebecause that number being their right would want more than — and not mind in a good way. Conversely, when one termpicks in Congress. That’s because the business up, it’s because the people Constitution limited members’ powers who need to buy widgets who were not and certainly didn’t because make it the a paying career. buying widgets economy was The problem? politicians have done contracting dueSlimy to natural (or unnatural, nothing overcaused) the centuries increase government reasons,but decided wethe power andsome money involved the first better buy widgets. Thesince government election. It’stonear the point had nothing do with this. of no return outside of abolishing ■ Prediction four:the In Constitution, keeping with firing swamp creatures and starting thingsall thethe government does, I predict the over. Whichwill might not be a the badnumbers idea when government manipulate to you aboutthe it. economy is getting makethink the claim the of power cesspoolto betterGiven because howand hardmoney it is working in Washington, D.C., allAmericans.” term limits would help all of us “working Now do give us more slimyyou creatures youismight say, “Craig, always more say this often. insteadObama of four-because or five- you termdon’t about So President slimeballs going into after like him.” You’re rightlobbying in a sense. I don’t becoming millionaires, beofdoing know the man, but whatthey’d I know him and ithisafter two terms. Just what thinking, I don’t like it orWashington him one iota. needs. AndI believe you BeforeMORE you go lobbyists. off, however, didn’t like me, they’dBush figureand outhis a way to become just President bailouts, stimulus as two terms theymarket did after four, andrich hisafter abandoning theasfree to save five, 10 or 150, like the free market. AndNancy I don’tPelosi. know After him all, there are cattle futures, pharmaceutical either. What the government does, and the stocks and it defense among the only thing can do,contracts is hurt the economy. myriad info stillor output there. Unless itinsider does nothing criminals in But remove the power and trillions jail instead of partnering with them, nothing and what do youdoes get?will Citizen the government help.servants Always and look few, if any, insider trading like we at it this way, whatever the tyrants government says have now. This way, the if you have it is doing, whatever name of someone the law it serving several terms while adhering is passing, or whatever the name or goal of to limits of the one thethe bureaucracy it isConstitution, presenting tonothe cares. bestthe news foropposite Democrats, they people,The expect polar to occur. won’tI guess be representing either, which is what I’m me saying is that something on out the left wants. perhaps it’severyone time to get of our ownThat should makeThere’s everyone happy, it won’t. perspective. plenty of but history So,and what does thatresearch leave when we to books historical out there don’t personal representatives beginhave to understand that all of thisdoing has our biddingbefore. in Congress? things the happened And it Two will again, left despises: personal responsibility and whether the topic is people or government. individual freedom. While I’m not best The best recommendation is the to find at either at times, I live life striving to be some books or try thatawhole Google better me and myofkids. Here’s why thing. for There’s a lot information onand the how In my 60The years on is this I see GreatI vote. Depression. truth it orb, wasn’t this ourone country clearly: Freedom evenabout a good untilvery the government got is built on There’s private property (physical, involved. also plenty of research monetary, intellectual) andwhen contract on the medieval warmrights period the law. Period. That’swarmer the Bill of Rights me. planet was much than todayforwith Do what youpeople want, think what well a whole lot less (and warmer you want andwas sayhere whatatyou before man all).want Andwhile yep, interacting those youother want,surprised be it people havewith been killing business or pleasure. contract? Don’t people since history Your was first written. breakMaybe criminal lawsresearch and don’t break some will helpyour stop word acting ethically all of while these (hopefully) trends. Otherwise, we’ll beand morally. Everything else should leftlike alone. saying we’ve never seen anything it in Especially by government. our lives. And not in a good way. Craig Craig Hall Hall is is owner owner and and publisher publisher of of the the Business Business Times. Times. Reach Reach him him at at 424-5133 424-5133 or or publisher@thebusinesstimes.com. publisher@thebusinesstimes.com. F ✦
