"Lazy" Business Decisions?

Lazy Burrito, Mystic (The Day)

When Lazy Burrito came here to Colchester a few years ago, I thought the name was lame and based on negative stereotypes of Mexicans.   In spite of a restaurant name that needed more thought, I gave them a try.    It was not worth the money and I was hit with a hefty surcharge for adding guacamole.    When I left information there several times about direct mail advertising, nobody responded.   In fact, I never saw or heard advertising anywhere for this new business.    I was hopeful this new arrival would succeed, but my less than impressive firsthand experience coupled with their "lazy" attitude toward marketing made the news of their closing unsurprising. Lazy Burrito reopened in East Lyme in a store that had no atmosphere whatsoever and again no advertising.   The Mystic location didn't look too impressive, either.   Now all Lazy Burrito stores have been suddenly shut down as news breaks from The Day about how the owner received a $49,502 grant and a $100,398 loan under Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's Small Business Express Program in June 2012.    This state aid yielded a net gain of three temporary jobs, and none of the loan has been paid back.   Why did State Representative Linda Orange of Colchester recommend this aid?   The owner had only been in business since 2009 with the now-defunct Gilbertie's Restaurant in Colchester.   The Colchester Lazy Burrito was opened next door in 2011.    The track record was - and is - questionable.   I hope this is not typical state management of this program.   There are other local entrepreneurs who have better business plans and deserve some help.    As taxpayers, we should get this loan money back.

Life After a Heart Transplant

Beth Bradley

I had an opportunity to get an update on the story of a one-time radio colleague of mine who suddenly had to give up her career about ten years ago when she had a minor heart attack at age 48.   Beth Bradley went to the hospital, and during an angiogram they destroyed her heart. She was then put in a medically induced coma and had an artificial heart machine attached to her body for close to two years before getting a donor heart.    It wasn't so long ago that a heart transplant was a pioneering operation with little chance of recovery.   Her story of life after a heart transplant is such a testament to Beth's strength and outlook on life.   While she may not know the exact identity of her donor, she does know he was young.   Beth feels that her donor lives on in some way because she has his heart.   I've followed her impressive progress over the past few years thanks in part to her Facebook page.   It was great to hear from Beth as a call-in guest when I filled in Friday for Wayne Norman on 1400 WILI Willimantic.   You can find out more about the importance of organ donation by going to www.donatelifenewengland.org.    

"Bridgegate"

Have you ever had the pleasure of driving from the New Jersey Turnpike over the George Washington Bridge into Manhattan?   This trip is crazy enough on a "normal"  travel day without New Jersey officials blocking off local access roads on the Fort Lee side of the world's busiest bridge for a political retaliation disguised as a traffic study.   New Jersey Governor Chris Christie's response in his press conference today was a compelling performance, but too many questions remain about his choice of direct subordinates, the ruthless and petty culture of too many members of his team and the unresolved question of how many people were in on it.    This was not a case of one staffer gone rogue.   It suggests something deeply planned to have one high placed Christie appointee say it's "time for traffic problems in Fort Lee" and the recipient of that email answer with "Got it."    Planning massive gridlock in Fort Lee simply because its mayor wouldn't endorse Christie's reelection bid is more than shameful.   It's dangerous and criminal.    I've given Governor Christie credit for being more bipartisan than most Republicans these days, but what we know about "Bridgegate" so far doesn't pass the smell test... yet. 

Staying On This Road

The other day, I made a routine visit to my doctor.   One of the women working in the office remarked on how bad 2013 was in a way that assumed everyone felt that way.   Maybe she dreads Obamacare or had a personal experience that colored her perception of the whole year.   While 2013 had its bumps along the way, I consider myself fortunate.   After all, in May I married someone who continues to amaze me.   While my family is not very extended, everyone is healthy and I even had a chance to reconnect with a cousin I hadn't seen in 45 years.   When I left one radio company in February to free up my weekends, I had no idea I'd get a call from the competition five months later and getting a ton of fill-in slots on five stations.    Meanwhile, my direct mail advertising venture marks twelve years and counting.   Even my old dog remains happy and healthy!

 

While I'm not exactly on the road to riches, arthritis seems to affect me in more ways than I'd like and one person really let me down, 2013 is not worthy of being swept  under the rug.   I've never been one to forget the past because it's still a part of me.   As long as I don't obsess over the negative things, most of my baggage takes the trip with me into 2014.   Happy New Year!