Thanks for sharing Steve, it's tough to see something like this happen. I truly hope the onset of colder weather helps to keep them on track.
I heard a few of the Northwest suppliers aren't shipping to the eastern region. We are filled to capacity and they have shifted their focus on the colder area's(west and middle regions). One told me its the opposite of last season were the west was warm and we were frozen solid. The eastern region mills might have to look at shipping to the colder regions to stay afloat if possible. But harder than it actually sounds. Fingers crossed we don't loose any of them. TSC sometimes get em.
This was in the local papers up here today. I think the headline is a little misleading. They lost their biggest customer, The University of Maine-Fort Kent which has a biomass boiler and also supplies heat to some local municipal buildings. That had to be a sizable loss of business right there. They are also located in the northern most, coldest part of Maine where everything costs more, so the savings on oil wouldn't be a dramatic as down here. Add in the pellets are only so-so, I'm kind of surprised they're still in business. I rarely see them where I live.
Primarily a bulk mill, I believe. I find it unfortunate that the University finds it has to outsource pellets to a foreign entity (Canada), rather than support local businesses, since the University itself is supported locally, and at least state-wise. As I see more and more folks getting educations online, I wonder how scared these brick-and-mortar institutions really are about losing business on that front. We have the technology today for people to take classes online, maybe from the best teachers in the world (at a very reduced price!)...the only weak point may be losing the hands-on labs, college mingling experience, etc.....now, if we could only think of a way to NOT take foolish electives which just tend to keep the students in school longer than they should be, we might be on the right track....classes on the Films of Keanu Reeves, anyone?
I do have some college experience. I look around me today at kids spending 20, 30K+ a year for college, and 100K in dept with a degree that's worthless. I know people who have 40K n debt, and will never use a degree that was worthless, because the Bs is entry level, we need a Masters or better( $$$$$) . Never informed when they entered school. I think college is necessary, but the colleges and the SYSTEM are ruining the country. One local state school is increasing tuition 30% total next 3 years. They want to keep up. Fancy buildings. High salaries. Its mostly for all the Administrators salaries. The main reason costs go up, CHEAP< GOVT CONTROLLED LOANS. If you couldn't get the money so plentiful and cheap, they would have to lower costs. And all the money is now controlled by the feds. Anybody hear that student loans are over a Trillion dollar bubble ??? Now my Blood pressure is soaring. I have a pre teen, and what will it cost when she is ready ??? !!!!!!
You pretty much stated everything I believe as well. I have 4 kids. All went to college. The first one went to a 4 year university for Accounting, she graduated, got a good job, and paid her loans off in 5 years. Her college was $46k/year. My second daughter saw what she was paying, said "$crew that", and went to a stat3e university...half the price. She is still paying. Took her a year to find a job, that barely meets the bills. Summa cum laude too...My oldest son saw what she was paying, said "$crew that", and went to a community college. Owes no money after being done, got a job which pays more than his summa cum laude sister. My youngest son joined the marines, blew out his knee, and just finished a community college criminal justice degree....hopefully police academy next. I feel the cost of secondary education is reaching a point where the average American simply cant afford it, and if they get loans, which seems most likely, they tend to be hugely in debt upon graduation....job or not....not a great place to start their life. Maybe capitalism will end up regulating prices? Kids going to less expensive schools causing tuition to lower? One can dream....
What I paid for four years of college 18-20 years ago might cover one year today. Unfortunately colleges appear to have turned into profit centers and may not always have the students best interests in mind. I have an almost 14 year old. If she wants to go to college, that's great and I will help out however possible. I don't want her to graduate with a pile of student loans, but I also want her to have some 'skin in the game' and not treat it like a four year party or spend a huge sum of money to have a degree in Russian literature that qualifies her for nothing in the real world. I completely agree with Mike Rowe and his views, which advocate more technical schools and teaching useful, marketable skills. (Stepping back before I say any more that may breach the forum no politics rules).
Had four go to college -- They all got the same song from us. We would pay the cost of two years at a community college and then if the grades warranted it another two at the SUNY school of their choice and if the grades warranted it we would pay the cost of a two more years after that for a Masters Degree. We also explained that we reserved the right and felt a responsibility to our money to monitor their progress all the way through. Should they have chosen another route (Private U) they paid the difference however they could. Three of the four followed our prescription - The fourth joined the Navy and became a Seal eventually graduating from American U at Uncles expense. IMHO college is a poor investment for the vast majority. The whole concept, from a future financial gain POV, is based on salaries that are skewed because they include genetic pool winners who will make big bucks regardless, and professional salaries such as doctors, political worms and legal eagles. The majority of kids will work in production or service where the only required education is knowing the green button turns the machine on and the red one turns it off. The other major skill they require is an ability to balance their check book. The best advice I would give a kid today would be to learn a trade. Cheaply accomplished and can not be outsourced.
So as to not violate the political wishes here, one of the candidates, to me has the right idea. If a high school grad, is smart enough to investigate colleges, and get in, they should spend a fair amount of time finding out how many people graduated from the school, with the same degree, are now working using that degree... The schools "should" be made to have that information. How big is the job market for that field.. and how long will it take to pay the difference had you chosen a different field. If you have a masters in North American Indian art.... well... don't whine about not getting a job that pays for that masters... I do agree with OST about the value of some degrees. My son also graduated with honors, and does quite well now. He said that once into the market, there is nothing of value to what he learned once you enter most of these higher end jobs. They teach you "their way". Dan
And yet companies are so arrogant as to require a 4-year degree to do anything more than sweep the floor or fetch coffee. We have more than one masters holding employees working the production floor however. How on earth does any of that make sense? I work in a high-tech field keeping extremely expensive equipment up and running. But I do feel I have reached a glass ceiling. My experience, work-ethic, and technical knowledge will be of little importance when it comes time to appoint a manager in my department because I lack a degree. And earning a reasonable living supporting my stay-at-home wife and 3 boys does not leave enough time to go back to school, online or offline. At age 32, I may have reached my maximum earning potential! My favorite help wanted ad was for an apartment complex maintenance tech. IIRC it was an $11/hr position (eight years ago) and stated "4yr deg preferred". I did do a year of college, Computer Information Systems, basically networking software, and quickly realized it wasn't for me. The school refused to allow me to switch majors due to lackluster grades so I called it quits and got busy. Have you guys seen my sig quote?
At your current place of employment, maybe... It's a big world out there. You are young, you have opportunities you have not realized yet. Those of us that are now retired, have at one time or another thought the same. Believe me. Dan
Who knows what the future holds for me? But it's not getting any better as far as companies looking for college educated employees for anything higher than grunt-level positions. And there's an awful lot of former students out there with degrees looking for jobs.
It is largely a scam. Our local community college has a ton of 099 classes which range from reading to writing to math. 099 means they are remedial classes that are in reality no more than high school level classwork. This is necessary because in NY State admission to Community College can not be refused and our secondary school system borders on on failure. The clerks at local shopping places can not even make change if their electronic register malfunctions. ANYWAY Back to thread. The article is a bit misleading. The pellet company lost their largest customer who was responsible for about half their production. Me thinks this is far more likely than the weather to have led to cutbacks.
Frustration! Also.. Try giving them, for example, a 20, and some extra change, so that you get back a 5.... Dan
