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Ups and downs 1-26

Friday, January 26, 2007 7:17 AM CST

THUMBS UP - to James Espy, owner of the James Trogolo Co. in Christopher, for purchasing the vacant Turco manufacturing building in Du Quoin. Exactly what's going to happen there hasn't been finalized, but Espy is pleased to say he's got a reputation for making something worthwhile out of old buildings. The 350,000-square-foot structure at 500 S. Madison St. once employed a substantial work force, building outdoor recreation/playground equipment and later gas grills and kerosene heaters.

THUMBS DOWN -  to news that the Jackson County Rehab and Care Center hasn't collected at least $700,000 in bills over the last few years. A special audit was ordered on the nursing home after word had spread that the center might be behind on collecting its bills. The results of the audit were presented to both the county's rehab and care committee and finance committee Monday evening by auditor Mark Dallas. According to the audit, there is $2.4 million in the center's accounts receivable that has not been collected. Dallas reported that $700,000 is more than a year old, while $1.7 million is less than a year old.

THUMBS UP -  to the job fair conducted earlier this week at the One-Stop Business and Employment Center in Marion. The job fair was aimed at dislocated workers, such as those formerly employed by Maytag, but anyone searching for a job was welcome.

THUMBS UP -  to Mary Moore, the longtime proprietor of Open Hands Thrift Shop in Murphysboro. Moore has made a business out of selling needed items to needy families at inexpensive prices. A staple of the Murphysboro community, Moore was honored by Morning Star Baptist Church on Sunday, and we can certainly see why. Her smile and generosity have helped define the city, and should be heralded as an example of what one person can do.

THUMBS UP -  to news that the Autumn Ridge supportive living facility in Vienna, offering 46 apartment units for people over 65, is expected to be completed in September. Larry M. Mizell, executive director of Family Counseling Center, Inc., the agency that will own the facility, welcomed some 100 participants to a groundbreaking ceremony held last week in Vienna. The complex is primarily funded by Peoples National Bank in Marion and USDA Rural Development, with initial grant funds through the Southernmost Illinois Delta Empowerment Zone Inc. and the Local Initiatives Support Corp. of Chicago.

THUMBS UP -  to Dr. Jack Keller, who last Friday was presented the "Citizen of the Year" award by the Marion Area Chamber of Commerce at its annual dinner meeting held at John A. Logan College. The longtime Marion physician said the award could be shared by many family members, friends and co-workers, who have all played a key role in any success that he may have achieved over the years.

THUMBS DOWN -  to Gov. Rod Blagojevich and the General Assembly. Where's the capital development money for Southern Illinois University Carbondale's Transportation Education Center at Southern Illinois Airport? Congressman Jerry Costello was here showing off the plans to Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Marion Blakey, who commented that SIU's programming is an "eye opener" compared to plenty of others that she's seen.

THUMBS UP -  to the SIU men's basketball team, which in a week's time, has vaulted from fourth to first place in the Missouri Valley Conference standings following wins over rivals, Creighton and Northern Iowa. The Dawgs return to action Saturday with a 2 p.m. home game against Illinois State.