UNKNOWN FIRE STRIKES AMES TRUE TEMPER - Damage Heavy To Plant One

(06/09/2002)

A fire of unknown origin struck the Ames True-Temper plant in Parkersburg yesterday, destroying the rear section of plant Number One. About ten fire departments responded to the plant, a fixture along the Little Kanawha River. The company recently closed Plant Number Two, affecting about 180 workers. There are indications the remaining operation will be moved. Several dozens of workers from Calhoun and adjoining counties have been employed at the plant, and the loss of jobs is significant. Much of the production is being shifted abroad, a result of NAFTA and GATT. Well over 1200 jobs have left or are leaving the immediate region, a result of what Ross Perot called "A giant sucking sound."

Hur Herald ®from Sunny Cal The information on these pages, to the extent the law allows, remains the exclusive property of Bob Weaver and Dianne Weaver The Hur Herald. All information may be freely used but must not be sold or used in any type of commercial endeavor, or used on any web site without the express permission of the owners ©Bob and Dianne Weaver, The Hur Herald, 1999, 2000, 2001