Many distinct sides to this equation: Can democracy prosper without detailed coverage of its inner workings? Does anyone care any more? Do news consumers want to be affirmed, rather than informed? Can the best interests of readers be preserved with government as an equity stakeholder in a journalistic organization?

Is it a good idea to have government as a stakeholder in journalism? Your thoughts?

“Who? He’s not here.”

“Well, do you expect him back today.”

“I don’t know.”

“Can I leave a message?

“What is it?”

“Well, can I have his voice mail?”

“I suppose.”

We laugh sometimes at the Eagleland Businessplex about the opposite – the bright voice proclaiming that “It’s a great day at Willie’s Widget World.”

But with the death of customer service apparently at hand, those bright voices become less funny. And fewer.

I give it six months until “What do you want?” becomes the standard receptionist’s line in Wichita.

A big part of the story is about dealers who are playing up Roger Penske’s plan to buy the brand, and General Motors gentle admonition to them not to so as to not take “the spotlight off the brand itself,” the article says.

You can read more about Davies and the story here.

The articles were a great look into some of the shining examples of the businesses that make our community so great.

The chamber has a couple of events coming up where you can hear first-hand the stories of these businesses. All seven finalists will be featured at Wednesday’s Sunrise Scrambler (7:30 a.m. at the Petroleum Club) and at the Awards Lunch on May 6.

As an added bonus, Wichita State men’s basketball coach Gregg Marshall will be the keynote speaker at the lunch. If you would like to attend either event, give the chamber’s Angie Elliott a shout at 316-268-1129.

The flexible device used for grilling kabobs was featured as part of the Today contributor Lou Manfredini’s more than 3-minute-long spotlight on new products at the International Home and Housewares show in Chicago.

Gentry, CEO and founder of Inno Labs, FireWire’s maker, wasn’t in the video report.

But his company’s product got a 25 seconds of national exposure.

The economic crisis has hit the Super Bowl, according to this article, with premium ticket prices down 20 percent, parties eliminated and scaled back.

What’s next? Scalper layoffs?

It was a well-done piece. A significant amount of the story focused on Tillie’s Flower Shop.

From owner Ken Denton:

For us, for example, the people that had the insurance here are people that really need it. And it’s the older group and it’s a group that utilizes it more than anyone else. And it drives the cost up. And the young people, who don’t necessarily need it, drop out.

If you missed the program, you can view it on the PBS Web site. Here’s a link to the video.

However, after being stonewalled in Chicago, all I can tell you is that I THINK Bushwood Investments plans to open the third version of its popular sub shop. My colleague Denise Neil, knower of all things restaurant, tells me an April open date is what’s being bandied about.

Why so vague? A call to Bushwood’s corporate office Friday afternoon for details elicited a terse “We don’t give out that information,” followed by an admonition to submit all questions in writing.

I guess free publicity isn’t everything it’s cracked up to be.

The survey found that 65 percent of small-business professionals rated their own business conditions as “good,” compared with 32 percent who rated them “poor.” But only 27 percent of small-business professionals rated the economy “good,” while 71 percent said the current economic conditions were “poor.” Half of respondents said they expect the economy to be good a year from now, BtoB reports.

Ty’s Diner, 928 W. 2nd, could be sold in a matter of days, according to owner Richard Diamond. It went on the market in a weekend Eagle classified ad, inviting only serious inquiries.

There have been a bunch of those inquiries, Diamond said, judging by the number of messages on his cell phone. Diamond said he didn’t want to elaborate on the plans to sell the diner until a deal is done.

For those of you who don’t know, Ty’s is a great step back in time for those of us old enough to remember what a real old-style hamburger and fries were like.

And if my doctor, Art Windholz, is in the audience, move along, sir. Nothing to see here. This entire blog post is a figment of your imagination.