Council says developer

to pay for ADA crossing

The Memphis City Council approved a resolution that included an amendment making the developer of an expanding auto dealership responsible for the cost of a new traffic light and sidewalk ramp.

Autorama Inc. representative Ron Harkavy said since the city is federally mandated to convert crossings at existing lights to be handicapped accessible under the American Disabilities Act, it should at least share the cost of changing the one on Poplar Avenue across Valleybrook Drive something the city would have to do independently sooner or later.

Autorama Inc. plans to expand from 3.82 acres to 3.87 acres by purchasing and leveling The Crossings apartments, located next to its 5237 Poplar dealership.

In voting 10-3 Tuesday to approve the expansion plan, Council members said sharing the cost of altering the crossing could set a precedent and compromise the citys policy requiring developers of new projects to shoulder the burden for new traffic lights that provide access to their developments.

Midas to cut jobs,

exit parts distribution

Itasca, Ill.-based Midas Inc., an operator of muffler-installation and car-service shops, will eliminate at least 800 jobs after selecting AutoZone Inc. to become the auto-parts supplier for the chain.

Midas will close eight U.S. distribution centers and its 41 remaining Parts Warehouse outlets starting this quarter. AutoZone will supply parts to Midas' 1,670 company-owned and franchised service-shops.

Midas also named Canada's Uni-Select as the distributor for replacement parts to its 230 Midas shops in that country. Midas said in January it would sell or close its Parts Warehouse network.

Midas' Parts Warehouse division, started in early 2000, had 77 locations employing 600 workers when the company decided to sell or close them in January. Its distribution centers in the United States and three in Canada together employ 200 people.

After the warehouse closings the company will have about 1,000 employees.

Buckeye to fire 100,

partially close plant

Buckeye Technologies Inc., a maker of cotton-linter pulp used in food casings and stationery, plans to fire 100 workers and consolidate pulp production to its Memphis facility.

The company will move cotton-linter pulp operations from its Lumberton, N.C., plant to its bigger facility in Memphis to reduce expenses, spokesman Gordon Mitchell said. The move is expected to be complete in two to four months, he said.

The Lumberton plant will continue to employ about 20 to 25 people to make cotton used in swabs and other cosmetic products, he said.

The eliminated jobs represent less than 5 percent of the company's worldwide work force of 1,950 people. The company also operates facilities in Germany, Canada, Ireland and Brazil.

Local IAAP chapter

to host luncheon

The Memphis Chapter of the International Association of Administrative Professionals will host its annual luncheon at noon April 23 at the Memphis Botanic Garden, 750 Cherry Road.

Jim McDermid, Medtronic Sofamor Danek vice president of human resources, is the keynote speaker.

The cost is $25 per person. Reservation deadline is April 11.

For reservation questions, e-mail Linda Patton, linda.patton@smith-nephew.com, or Margaret Haney, margaret.haney@medtronic.com.