Marketplace Scratch Pad

Shiny happy news

Scott Jagow Mar 10, 2010

Alright, enough with the depressing stories about the unemployment rate, runaway Toyotas, the banks and the record budget deficit. Let’s hear some good news for a change.

A city worker in California — the mother of four — has volunteered to give up her job so that someone else can keep theirs:

In an economic downturn that has millions of people looking for work, a Lathrop city employee has willingly given up her job.

She’s Patricia Overy, and she’s worked in the city’s finance department for seven years.

It was announced at Monday’s city council meeting that she was leaving her position so another finance worker in her 60s could keep her job.

Meanwhile, the CEO of HSBC bank has decided to give his entire bonus to charity:

In a statement, Geoghegan said he accepted the award, consisting entirely of deferred stock to be paid over three years, in order to make up for a shortfall in his charitable donations the year before when he waived his right to any bonus.

“Provided that the stock is released, I can confirm that between now and 2013 I will give up to GBP4 million to charities around the world, including important causes in Hong Kong and in the U.K…

Instead of angst over Toyotas that won’t stop, you could read, studies show electric vehicle range not a problem:

Studies of drivers who already have electric cars are finding that they prefer the convenience of charging at home, and despite their vehicles’ limited range, most are able to avoid public charging.

That’s good news as tightfisted states and cities prepare to deal with the transition by some drivers to battery-powered vehicles. And it’s also good news for automakers who were worried that acceptance of the vehicles would depend on creating a network of charging stations, much as there are now gas stations dotting every neighborhood.

See, good news. It even says so.

And if you’re worried about the avalanche of debt — I mean, snow — this winter in Washington, well, the Cherry Blossom trees don’t mind:

“Cherries need a certain amount of cold in order to bloom,” he said.

So the Cherry Blossom trees will greet visitors with particular beauty this Spring.

Okay, I’ve gotten things started. If you know of encouraging stories out there, by all means, share them here.

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