PSA Ad Will Air Late
PSA had hoped to have its new wave of advertising hit the streets by Jan. 1. But delays in getting worker approval of its wage cut/profit sharing plan caused airline officials to postpone the new campaign for three weeks.
The ads feature the theme “We gotta be tough to make you smile.” They “focus on the commitment of PSA employees to work harder than ever to see our famous PSA smile on your face, too,” president and chief executive Paul C. Barkley wrote to passengers in this month’s in-flight PSA newsletter.
Fabulous Inns Battle
The long-running Ping-Pong match for control of Fabulous Inns continues, with a hearing to determine who owns how much of the firm’s stock set to resume on Jan. 14.
Six witnesses have testified so far during eight days of hearings before court-appointed “special master” C. Hugh Friedman, a local attorney.
But followers of the feud need not wait another week for more fireworks. On Wednesday morning, Fabulous Inns chairman Jeffrey Krinsk goes to court asking for approval for the firm to pay attorney fees arising out of the legal squabbles.
A 16-page opposing argument has been filed by attorneys representing ousted management of Walter Palmer and Henry Maxwell. They claim that a preliminary injunction limiting company expenditures until the stock ownership issue is settled should not be lifted and the company not allowed to pay Krinsk’s legal fees.
SSI Deal Moves Ahead
Specialized Systems Inc. president Edward A. Wachter has, once again, stepped aside, content to play the role of outside director.
In his place will be Stephen J. Nemergut, a co-founder of SSI and president of Applied Marketing Inc. of Van Nuys, which will merge with SSI after the deal receives shareholder approval. (A special shareholders meeting is being planned, said Wachter.)
The merger represents something of a diversification for SSI, manufacturer of telecommunications devices for the deaf. AMI is a drug and grocery products distributor that has the marketing rights with the estate of comedian W.C. Fields to sell a hangover remedy called, appropriately, W.C.’s Morning Magic.
In May, Wachter relinquished control of SSI to Raytronics president Dennis H. Berglund, who was trying to merge his firm with SSI. That deal soured last month, and Wachter returned to the company.
Sunny Spot
As expected, San Diego Gas & Electric Co. is asking the state Public Utilities Commission to rehear its decision to penalize the utility’s shareholders $45 million because of an “unreasonable” decision in 1978 to extend a fuel-oil supply contract.
SDG&E; officials claim that its “constitutional right to a fair and impartial hearing” was denied and asks the PUC to rehear its decision within 60 days.
Meanwhile, SDG&E; officials do not know how long it will be before utility customers reap the full benefit of a 4.92-megawatt thermal electrical generating facility in Warner Springs, which was officially dedicated Monday.
The 40-acre facility known as Solarplant I was built by LaJet Energy Co. in Abilene, Tex. The plant is producing energy now, but it could be a few more weeks before it is up to full power.
