When U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Robert Nugent awards Wild West World to a lucky (?) bidder tomorrow morning, there will be a lot of losers: Thomas Etheredge, whose financial activities remain under investigation by state and federal authorities; investors; season ticket holders; vendors; builders.
But maybe none bigger than the Wichita area itself.
If there’s been one constant during the Wild West World saga, it’s the area’s deep and abiding affection for Joyland, the historic theme park whose day sadly has passed. That affection was a market for amusement park entertainment that could have easily been tapped by a good businessman.
But there’s no room here for ego trumping a good business plan, and Thomas Etheredge’s decision to put sound and fury ahead of good business makes losers of us all.
Wild West World’s high profile failure has poisoned the amusement park brand in Wichita. And with a Tulsa amusement park group looking less and less likely as the buyer – although I’ve been buried in this story long enough to know that it’s never over until it’s over – it could be a long time before another fun park comes down the pike.
Too bad.
Something tells me my employers would not find my listening to Homer Simpson sing a parody of the “Jetsons” theme song to be a productive use of my time. But, that’s what I find myself doing (which follows listening to the theme song from”Gilligan’s Island”) because I’m on phone call No. 5,472 with a certain communications company that still has not successfully installed my home phone and Internet service (though the cable is now working). You may recall reading about my bundling plight TWO weeks ago. I’m heading into week four without services. Week FOUR people!
I’ve encountered some very nice — and some very infuriating — people along the way, but I just have to ask: What does a person have to do to get some decent customer service? I’m talking someone who will follow through to see this problem resolved.
I don’t particularly want to own my own company. But I’m telling you, if I ever do, my hallmark will be customer service. And customers will be so completely shocked and delighted, I won’t even need to advertise.
And when that happens, I’ll be so rich, I can pay someone else to stay on the phone with the cable company.
Folks in Washington, D.C., are getting ready for the GAO’s report on Boeing’s tanker protest. Todd Tiahrt’s office sent out an e-mail late Monday night saying the decision is expected Wednesday or Thursday (Thursday is the deadline).
According to the e-mail, the GAO will only say whether it sustained, denied or dismissed the protest. It will post the decision on its site. It will not release a copy of its decision publicly, but will release it to the attorneys for both sides. It is up to them to release a redacted version to the public. No word on how long that might take.
If Boeing’s protest of the contract, which was awarded to Northrop Grumman/EADS, is denied, expect Congress to take steps to void the contract. The GAO decision will only be Act II.
Who are the most powerful people in health care?
Is it Drew Altman, president and chief executive of Kaiser Family Foundation? Leah Binder, chief executive of Leapfrog Group? Or perhaps Jack Bovender, chairman and chief executive of HCA (which owns Wesley Medical Center here in Wichita)?
Modern Healthcare magazine has pared down 14,600 nominations into a ballot of 300 and is asking readers to vote for 10 candidates now through June 27 for the 2008 “100 Most Powerful People in Healthcare” competition.
None of the candidates is based in Kansas, although leaders of several Kansas City, Mo.-based companies are included: John Bluford, president and chief executive of Truman Medical Centers; Richard Hastings, president and chief executive of St. Luke’s Health System; Alan Morgan, chief executive of the National Rural Health Association; and Neal Patterson, chairman and chief executive of Cerner Corp.
Modern Healthcare will publish the final ranking in its Aug. 25 issue as well as online.
The magazine defines the ranking as the most influential leaders in health care today.
I’m thinking about asking the city for a low-interest loan to convert my basement into a theater.
- The United States’ economic talks with China this week could lead to some good news for Boeing, the Seattle Times reports.
- The Times also has an Associated Press story that looks at Central Oregon’s aircraft industry. The manufacturers there include Cessna, which bought the former Columbia Aircraft last year and continues to ramp up production at the Bend plant.
- The St. Louis Post-Dispatch says a Belgian newspaper is reporting that Warren Buffett is supporting InBev’s $47.5 billion takeover offer for Anheuser-Busch Cos.
- Here’s a Wall Street Journal story on bulletproofing your nest egg.