BCR's Daily Fishwrap Report for November 6, 2008

• GlaxoSmithKline announced yesterday that RTP will become the sole U.S. headquarters for the London-based big pharma firm -- though with news of the job cuts still pending at GSK and the rampant discussion on local message boards that the resulting Philadelphia co-HQ job losses won't necessarily mean any new headcount in the Triangle. Until the economy recovers, the best term for this in the political silly season is HINO -- Headquarters In Name Only. (N&O)
• The Herald-Sun reports on the relocation of Preservation Durham from a Greenfire building downtown to the edge of Hope Valley, a move spurred by ongoing leaks in the downtown facility. The H-S story is a wee bit cringeworthy, though, making numerous references to Greenfire's Kress Building -- which, unhappily, wasn't the home of PD. (They were in the Rogers Alley building instead, which was undergoing renovation throughout the period.) (H-S)
• The H-S senses some interest in some local pols at looking at other ways to fund the civic and cultural projects whose revenue stream failed with the prepared meals tax's defeat, though Farad Ali in particular cautions about the prioritization of core services over such matters. (BCR's prediction: Bill Bell has seemed staunchly and uniquely interested in the baseball museum; don't be surprised to see noise on this one come spring, particularly if Bell decides not to run for re-election next year.) (H-S)
• The City of Durham is arguing that it should be immune from "state-law claims" in the lacrosse suits, despite having purchased insurance (which can remove lawsuit protection under state law), following the precedent of a U.S. district court case involving Greensboro earlier this year. (H-S)
• No more chances for the Last Chance Tavern way up Guess Rd.? Its owner and two other men were arrested on charges of drug possession with intent to sell. Should the charges be true, the Indy Weekly may want to revisit its 2005 defense-in-passing against what it termed the bar's "undeserved shady reputation." (H-S)
• Look for a big announcement today from RDU, the airport promises, with a press conference after 10 am. Our guesses: the arrival of upstart Virgin America, the move of Southwest to Terminal 2, or some kind of international service. (WRAL)

Comments

[MikeAshe'sRunningShoes]

"...particularly if Bell decides not to run for re-election next year."

I confess that the thought of another election at this moment makes me want to run from the room screaming.

[tina]

What is it with Mayors and Baseball? In Portland, Mayor Vera Katz, made it her mission to bring Professional Baseball to Portland, Oregon. She seemed almost crazed with leaving Pro Baseball as her legacy to the Rose City before her term ended in 2005. As you guessed it, Portland still doesn't have a Pro-Baseball team. Because like Durham, it's citizens were more concerned about things like Major League Education. This tainted her record and wasn't a good way to go out. I can only hope Bill Bell is reading this and gives Vera a call. Hopefully, he will learn that you can't catch all the fly balls and you just have to let some of them go.