Not so sweet after all

Just last week Hershey Chocolate Co, in Stuarts Draft was conducting a hiring fair. Now they are firing employees... or damned close to it. According to NBC29 Hershey's will furlough about 150 employees for a month. If the economy doesn't improve, many of those furloughs will likely be permanent.

Meanwhile hypocritical Republicans in Congress, including Bob Goodlatte who sent out a flatulent newsletter "explaining" himself, are dawdling around. Yep, Mr. Goodlatte, who had no trouble spending billions in Iraq and helping George W. Bush in running up the national debt for a war that had nothing to do with our security, can't help rescue his county and his constituents. Is he for "big government" only when it means WAR?

Bob, I have news for you. This is war. War against fear that feeds on itself. Americans lives at stake. American families. In times like these we expect our elected officials to... lead, follow, or get the Hell out of the way. You've let us down, Bob.

How sweet it is!

With some of the sweetest news of these sour economic times, the Hershey Plant in Stuarts Draft announced it is hiring! Unemployment in nearby Waynesboro is above the national average and things not much better in the region, so Hershey's kiss is a needed shot in the arm of the local economy. Just how big a shot isn't known as Hershey hasn't said how many positions they'll be filling. But, it certainly won't be enough for all the people who are seeking a job. At their hiring fair at the Waynesboro Best Western they accepted almost 1,000 applications yesterday and expect at least that many more before their Friday deadline. More on WHSV.

There's been other good economic news for Virginia over the past few days. Hilton Hotel will move its headquarters from California to Fairfax County, investing some $17 million and creating over 300 jobs. Other recent announcements include LASCO Bathware locating in Halifax County thereby creating 50 jobs and a new Harris Teeter distribution center being built in King George County with an investment of $100 million and the potential of over 335 new jobs! Of course, each of these projects will also boost construction and other trades.