Styles used in journalism today change daily. The way that news reaches readers changes as well, such as the turn that many papers have made to depend on the internet as a way to reach the public.
In "Mad Men: Reefer Madness," the writer has created a typical review for a television show, but it does not seem to have much thought put into it. I cannot say that I have ever watched "Mad Men" and I have maybe seen part of one episode of "The Sopranos," so I won't say anything about the comparison of the two because I know nothing about them. However, the use of bullet points in the article make it seem "cheap" in a way.
Over the past few years, I cannot honestly say that I have used bullet points in any writings I have done for any journalism classes, only reports for other classes. Nor do I like articles that begin with a question or end with a bunch of questions. Articles that are written that way make me wonder just how much the writer knows about the subject.
Maybe it's also a pet peeve, but why must the writer start each bullet with "In the..." There are other ways to begin an idea. It would be easier to read if the paragraphs were divided up, instead of being so long.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Contributions Plunge, Hospice House Remains Successful
Contributions to Hospice of Huntington have been plummeting because of the economic recession, but the agency has weathered the storm, without having to cut back programs or services.
Overall contributions decreased 65 percent from 2006 to 2007, from $1,736,609 to $604,919, according to tax documents. The decrease continued another 30 percent to 40 percent in 2008, said Barbara Cassidy, chief finance officer for Hospice of Huntington.
Cassidy said she expects contributions to continue decreasing but the main reason there was such a plunge from 2006 to 2007 was because of the capital campaign, which ended in 2006. The campaign was used to get pledges from businesses and other individuals to help fund the construction of the Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice House, located on Staunton Road in Huntington.
The new Hospice House opened in May 2006, costing $6.5 million to build, Cassidy said. During the campaign, people were able to purchase a room in the house, which contained 14 rooms, and then donate the funds that it would cost to complete each room. Some contributors purchased the nursing station. Since then, there has not been any type of campaign held to raise more funds for the organization.
Bill and Lois Dolin remain the highest contributors to the organization. The Hospice House was named after Bill Dolin’s mother, Emogene Dolin Jones. The couple donated $301,546 in 2007, according to tax documents. Other individual contributors included the Board of Trustees of Prichard School, which donated $75,000 in 2006.
Although the organization received several other contributions from individuals in amounts usually of $5,000 or $20,000, the donations still fell in 2008 because of the economy, Cassidy said. People were no longer able to donate as much money as before. Regardless of the lack of contributions, the total revenue for the organization has remained at least $12 million since 2006.
According to 2007 tax forms, expenses also increased by roughly 20 percent, from $10 million to $12 million. Salaries for Cassidy and Charlene Farrell, executive director, also increased during that time as well, but only by about $3,000. Physicians for the organization received larger increases in salary.
Ann Conjura, a physician, earned roughly $50,000 more in 2007, than in 2006. Her salary increased from $80,769 to $130,409. The highest paid physician, James David Daniels, only received around $7,000 more but he was still the highest paid employee that was not part of the directors or trustees board. He made $154,327, according to tax documents.
There was no clear reason why Conjura received such an increase, compared to the small amounts that other employees received. The executive director only earned $3,000 more than she did the previous year. Yet, Conjura's overall salary is still higher that the directors.
The spring 2009 newsletter for Hospice states that Conjura is the chief medical director. However, Daniels still earns more than her and he is a normal medical director, not chief.
With salaries and expenses increasing, the organization has still managed to keep enough funds to cover all the costs without going into debt. Other events occurred in 2008 that allowed the organization to increase their funds or benefit in some way, which helped cover the costs of the increases. Miami Dolphins NFL quarterback Chad Pennington and former Patriots NFL wide receiver Troy Brown both helped raise money for the organization last year.
Brown held several fundraisers for the organization in 2008, including the “Hospice Bowl” at Strike Zone, according to the first quarter 2008 edition of “Sharing: A Publication of Hospice of Huntington.” He raised $65,000 through his fundraisers, Cassidy said.
Chad Pennington’s 1st and 10 Foundation gave the organization a grant for $50,000. The money was used to purchase a four-wheel drive vehicle, Cassidy said. The vehicle will help employees make house calls to patients in rural areas.
Two fundraisers are already scheduled for the organization, Cassidy said. A golf tournament will be held in August and a cruise will be held aboard the Belle of Cincinnati in October, with proceeds going to the Hospice House.
Overall contributions decreased 65 percent from 2006 to 2007, from $1,736,609 to $604,919, according to tax documents. The decrease continued another 30 percent to 40 percent in 2008, said Barbara Cassidy, chief finance officer for Hospice of Huntington.
Cassidy said she expects contributions to continue decreasing but the main reason there was such a plunge from 2006 to 2007 was because of the capital campaign, which ended in 2006. The campaign was used to get pledges from businesses and other individuals to help fund the construction of the Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice House, located on Staunton Road in Huntington.
The new Hospice House opened in May 2006, costing $6.5 million to build, Cassidy said. During the campaign, people were able to purchase a room in the house, which contained 14 rooms, and then donate the funds that it would cost to complete each room. Some contributors purchased the nursing station. Since then, there has not been any type of campaign held to raise more funds for the organization.
Bill and Lois Dolin remain the highest contributors to the organization. The Hospice House was named after Bill Dolin’s mother, Emogene Dolin Jones. The couple donated $301,546 in 2007, according to tax documents. Other individual contributors included the Board of Trustees of Prichard School, which donated $75,000 in 2006.
Although the organization received several other contributions from individuals in amounts usually of $5,000 or $20,000, the donations still fell in 2008 because of the economy, Cassidy said. People were no longer able to donate as much money as before. Regardless of the lack of contributions, the total revenue for the organization has remained at least $12 million since 2006.
According to 2007 tax forms, expenses also increased by roughly 20 percent, from $10 million to $12 million. Salaries for Cassidy and Charlene Farrell, executive director, also increased during that time as well, but only by about $3,000. Physicians for the organization received larger increases in salary.
Ann Conjura, a physician, earned roughly $50,000 more in 2007, than in 2006. Her salary increased from $80,769 to $130,409. The highest paid physician, James David Daniels, only received around $7,000 more but he was still the highest paid employee that was not part of the directors or trustees board. He made $154,327, according to tax documents.
There was no clear reason why Conjura received such an increase, compared to the small amounts that other employees received. The executive director only earned $3,000 more than she did the previous year. Yet, Conjura's overall salary is still higher that the directors.
The spring 2009 newsletter for Hospice states that Conjura is the chief medical director. However, Daniels still earns more than her and he is a normal medical director, not chief.
With salaries and expenses increasing, the organization has still managed to keep enough funds to cover all the costs without going into debt. Other events occurred in 2008 that allowed the organization to increase their funds or benefit in some way, which helped cover the costs of the increases. Miami Dolphins NFL quarterback Chad Pennington and former Patriots NFL wide receiver Troy Brown both helped raise money for the organization last year.
Brown held several fundraisers for the organization in 2008, including the “Hospice Bowl” at Strike Zone, according to the first quarter 2008 edition of “Sharing: A Publication of Hospice of Huntington.” He raised $65,000 through his fundraisers, Cassidy said.
Chad Pennington’s 1st and 10 Foundation gave the organization a grant for $50,000. The money was used to purchase a four-wheel drive vehicle, Cassidy said. The vehicle will help employees make house calls to patients in rural areas.
Two fundraisers are already scheduled for the organization, Cassidy said. A golf tournament will be held in August and a cruise will be held aboard the Belle of Cincinnati in October, with proceeds going to the Hospice House.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Senator Bunning Not Following Senate Ethics
Financial disclosure reports for Senator James “Jim” Bunning’s foundation appear to be excluding certain information regarding incomes and assets, as Bunning takes more money from the foundation, than what charities are receiving.
The most recent financial disclosure report for Bunning, a representative for Kentucky, states that total assets for the Jim Bunning Foundation in 2008 were $97,684. Bunning removes $20,000 yearly from the total amount raised by the foundation each year. This amount is his salary for working an average of one hour per week, according to his 2007 tax filings. This averages to about $357 per hour.
When the foundation was initially created in 1996, it was not until 1998 that Bunning began earning a salary from the foundation. His salary began at $15,000 a year and increased $5,000 in 2002. The foundation does not have a committee to approve of these salary changes.
The president of the foundation is his wife Mary C. Bunning. Richard Robinson, an attorney for Graydon Head & Ritchey LLP in Kentucky, is the secretary of the foundation and Robert B. Sumerel, a tire dealer in Cincinnati, is the treasurer. None of the three receive any pay for their positions. Richardson and Bunning’s wife are also on the advisory council for the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Cincinnati, according to the organization’s web site.
Any money that Bunning receives from autographs, sports shows or other related activities, which are mostly a result of his former pitching career with major league baseball, is supposed to go to foundation to be donated to charities, since Bunning is not suppose to accept outside income. This is the main reason why the foundation was created.
“Federal law and Senate rules restrict the amount and source of outside income that members, officers, and employees of the Senate may accept,” according to the Senate Ethics Manual. “For the most part, these restrictions limit earned income, that is, payments for services rendered, but not returns on investments.”
The manual clearly states that is not ethical to earn money outside of the senator’s duties. According to the LegiStorm web site, Bunning’s salary as a senator is $174,000, the default annual salary for 2009. However, Bunning increases his yearly income by $20,000 received from his own foundation.
Bunning has profited by $200,000, since he began earning a salary in 1998, according to disclosure reports. However, only $154, 947 has been given to charities in that same length of time, a difference of $45,053.
Even though Bunning is not supposed to gain an outside income, he has still earned roughly 27 percent more money than the total amount that has been given to charities. A year after the foundation was started, Bunning profited $18,000 from “autograph sessions,” specifically listed in his financial disclosure report for that year.
Salary expenses reported in his financial disclosures since 1997 have fluctuated but never totaled the same amount as salary expenses. In 1998, the expense was $26,000 but the only salary paid was $15,000 to Bunning himself, leaving $11,000 unaccounted for. The same has happened throughout all the disclosures filed since then. Since 1998, salary expenses have totaled $294,700. That leaves $94,700 unaccounted after Bunning’s total salary is deducted.
The net worth of the Jim Bunning Foundation in 2008 was $97,684, a decrease of almost $30,000 since the previous year. The 23 percent decrease from $126,952 in 2007, may have had an impact on why charities receive more than $4,000 less than 2007, but Bunning still received his $20,000 salary.
When the foundation was first created in 1996, Bunning listed an account on his financial disclosure reports, as a publicly traded asset or unearned income source. The account was held at Citizens Bank. He has listed the amount of money in that account as cash on one of the balance sheets for the foundation each year.
However, the past three years, he has not also included that bank account on his publicly traded assets or unearned income forms. The balance sheet reports there is $3,934 in the account as of 2008 but there was roughly $20,952 in the account in 2007.. Neither year included the account on his asset chart. The only assets he now reports are his Equitable Life Insurance and a checking and savings account at Fifth Third Bank.
The asset value for the life insurance is $500,001 to $1 million with an amount of income being $50,001 to $100,000. Bunning’s worth based on the insurance is higher than his worth based on only the checking and savings account. The value of the account is $15,001 to $50,000 with an increased income of 1 percent to 2 percent, or $201 to $1,000, in 2008, most likely from interest gained since it is a savings account.
On the first page of Bunning’s financial disclosure report for 2008, he checks “yes” stating that he, his wife or dependent child purchased, sold or exchanged an asset worth more than $1,000. If checked yes, part 5, the transaction section, is supposed to be included. Bunning has checked yes on the reports for the past three years and neglected to include any sort of transaction sheet, showing what assets he bought, sold or exchanged.
Bunning’s net worth for 2008 is unclear because disclosure reports were submitted just last month. However, his net worth in 2007 was $501,003 to $1.05 million a dramatic increase of 46 percent to 50 percent from his 2006 net worth of $252,004 to $570,000, according to the Open Secrets web site.
The net worth increase from 2007 to 2008 was quite large, but Sen. Jim Bunning’s foundation reports appear to leave several questions unanswered and some financial assets and incomes not clearly reported.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Marshall University Budget
Last week the Marshall University budget proposal passed, resulting in a tuition increase, as well as an increase of costs for room and board. I intended to write this over the weekend because of an error in the budget.
On the sheet for all accounts, the operating expenses do not properly add up. The list reads as follows:
Instruction - 65,248
Research -20,405
Public service - 19,677
Academic support - 23,282
Student services - 10,667
Operation and maintenance of plant - 10,659
General institutional support - 20,400
Student financial aid - 17,622
Auxillary enterprises - 30,875
Depreciation - 4,598
Other - 0
Total operating expenses: 223,432
Of course, everything appears to be fine with the amount of expenses and total, until someone actually tries to add up the numbers. Anyone with common sense or a calculator, can see that the amount does not total 223,432. Keep in mind that actually means $223,432,000. If you add all the expenses, the total amount shown on the budget proposal is actually off by $1,000.
I understand that the numbers are clearly estimates, but when the total is supposed to be all the estimated amounts added, the number should equal just that - the total of all the expense amounts LISTED not the numbers prior to estimations. Yes, $1,000 is quite small when you're talking about $200+ million but if the finance department can mess something up as simple as adding 10 numbers together, it makes me wonder if anything else is off.
After going through more amounts listed in the budget, the consolidated budget amount forFY08-09 totaled $229,101,000. In actually, it was also $1,000 off. The exact same goes for the consolidated budget column for FY09-10. The normal budget for just Marshall (not all accounts) is also $1,000 off and should be $163,464,000. The total expenditures for Marshall only (not all accounts) is ALSO $1,000 off.
Maybe I just don't understand something but I was always taught that when lists are provided, they should properly add up, even if they are estimates, the given estimates should at least match the total amount. I just had to share that tid-bit with everyone.
On the sheet for all accounts, the operating expenses do not properly add up. The list reads as follows:
Instruction - 65,248
Research -20,405
Public service - 19,677
Academic support - 23,282
Student services - 10,667
Operation and maintenance of plant - 10,659
General institutional support - 20,400
Student financial aid - 17,622
Auxillary enterprises - 30,875
Depreciation - 4,598
Other - 0
Total operating expenses: 223,432
Of course, everything appears to be fine with the amount of expenses and total, until someone actually tries to add up the numbers. Anyone with common sense or a calculator, can see that the amount does not total 223,432. Keep in mind that actually means $223,432,000. If you add all the expenses, the total amount shown on the budget proposal is actually off by $1,000.
I understand that the numbers are clearly estimates, but when the total is supposed to be all the estimated amounts added, the number should equal just that - the total of all the expense amounts LISTED not the numbers prior to estimations. Yes, $1,000 is quite small when you're talking about $200+ million but if the finance department can mess something up as simple as adding 10 numbers together, it makes me wonder if anything else is off.
After going through more amounts listed in the budget, the consolidated budget amount forFY08-09 totaled $229,101,000. In actually, it was also $1,000 off. The exact same goes for the consolidated budget column for FY09-10. The normal budget for just Marshall (not all accounts) is also $1,000 off and should be $163,464,000. The total expenditures for Marshall only (not all accounts) is ALSO $1,000 off.
Maybe I just don't understand something but I was always taught that when lists are provided, they should properly add up, even if they are estimates, the given estimates should at least match the total amount. I just had to share that tid-bit with everyone.
Senator Jim Bunning Ripping off Foundation?
Jim Bunning appears to be using money from his foundation for his own personal needs, which is meant to be donated to charities instead. For this story, I will be searching information pertaining to Bunning’s financial assets and financial information regarding his foundation to help charities. His average salary for being a senator is $174,000 a year and some other media outlets have reported that he takes more than $100,000 from his foundation for his own personal use, instead of donating it. However, according to his financial disclosure for 2008, excluding his life insurance, he is worth less than $4,000, which is located in a savings account. A few questions remain unanswered- exactly how much is he taking from his foundation and where is the money going.
Kentucky tax payers are helping pay Bunning’s salary and some are also donating to the foundation, with the impression that the money will be used toward charities. The truth of where the money is really going needs to be laid out for these Kentuckians to know. The best way to get the background of the situation between Bunning’s foundation and his personal financial information is to search the internet for campaign donations, salaries, assets, expenses and other information of that sort. Once the information is gathered, all the unanswered questions need to be looked at and then the best source to answer those questions needs to be contacted.
I have already used several sources to get a general idea of the situation. These include Campaign Money web site, LegiStorm web site and other various web sites regarding campaign funding. I have been searching for a website that lists personal taxes to see what type of items he is paying taxes on but those attempts have been unsuccessful so far. Other sources could be contributors to the Jim Bunning Foundation or Rick Robinson, a lobbyist that is in charge of the records for the foundation.
Idea for a follow-up:Although this could not be clearly answered until the next election, Senator Bunning has discussed the possibility of not running for re-election if he cannot raise enough money. If he chooses to not run, the question will be what is he going to do with the money that he collected for another campaign.
Campaign Donations
A total of 21 people in Hurricane, W.Va. donated to the 2008 presidential election. Campaign donations were made to Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, Mike Huckabee, John McCain and Barack Obama. There were six females and 15 males that donated to these candidates, totaling $11,606 in donations.
Clinton received $3,342 from two males and two females. Edwards received $304 from a male. A male and a female contributed $525 to Huckabee and McCain received $3,136 from four males and one female. Finally, Obama received the most support, receiving $4,299 from nine residents, including seven males and two females.
Overall, Hurricane residents appear to favor democrats over republicans. Out of the nine contributors to Obama, five were attorneys. The locations of employment for the other campaign contributors for all the candidates varied. Some were at engineer companies, hospitals and retired military personnel.
There were nine employees of Marshall University that donated to the 2008 presidential candidates. Eight of the nine donated to a democrat, with one female donating $300 to Ron Paul. Two women donated $1,043 to Clinton’s campaign. The majority went to Obama just like in Hurricane. He received $2,448 from three professors, vice president, graduate assistant and a secretary.
Clinton received $3,342 from two males and two females. Edwards received $304 from a male. A male and a female contributed $525 to Huckabee and McCain received $3,136 from four males and one female. Finally, Obama received the most support, receiving $4,299 from nine residents, including seven males and two females.
Overall, Hurricane residents appear to favor democrats over republicans. Out of the nine contributors to Obama, five were attorneys. The locations of employment for the other campaign contributors for all the candidates varied. Some were at engineer companies, hospitals and retired military personnel.
There were nine employees of Marshall University that donated to the 2008 presidential candidates. Eight of the nine donated to a democrat, with one female donating $300 to Ron Paul. Two women donated $1,043 to Clinton’s campaign. The majority went to Obama just like in Hurricane. He received $2,448 from three professors, vice president, graduate assistant and a secretary.
Steel of West Virginia
In the S-4 filing made by Steel of West Virginia on April 16, 2009, several items were included as anticipations of what may affect the company in the future. There are a few general items that any large company faces in the economy, such as changes in supply and demand, the possibility of increased interest rates, costs of borrowing and the affect that government regulations may have.
Steel of West Virginia also has to worry about strikes among their employees and labor unrest. The price of recycling also has an impact on the business, as well as their consumers. If it loses any main consumer, profits will be affected greatly. The “forward looking statement” also anticipates equipment failures and the cost of utilities, which are typical expenses that most companies need to prepare for.
Previously there have been lawsuits against the employer by former employees and labor unions. An employee laid off in 2003 filed a lawsuit alleging that Steel of West Virginia fired him because he filed for worker’s compensation in 1994 after injuring his neck.
In January 2009, the business became the plaintiff in a lawsuit against AMI G.E. LLC regarding damaged property. In 2007 it was the defendant in a case about a personal injury on the job. Lawsuits are most likely the common situation that the company is anticipating since workers can easily get hurt on the job.
Steel of West Virginia also has to worry about strikes among their employees and labor unrest. The price of recycling also has an impact on the business, as well as their consumers. If it loses any main consumer, profits will be affected greatly. The “forward looking statement” also anticipates equipment failures and the cost of utilities, which are typical expenses that most companies need to prepare for.
Previously there have been lawsuits against the employer by former employees and labor unions. An employee laid off in 2003 filed a lawsuit alleging that Steel of West Virginia fired him because he filed for worker’s compensation in 1994 after injuring his neck.
In January 2009, the business became the plaintiff in a lawsuit against AMI G.E. LLC regarding damaged property. In 2007 it was the defendant in a case about a personal injury on the job. Lawsuits are most likely the common situation that the company is anticipating since workers can easily get hurt on the job.
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