Area foreclosure rate hits 3.7 percent in May
By Rachel Raskin-Zrihen/Times-Herald staff writer
Posted: 07/08/2009
Amid hopes that the mortgage crisis bottom has been reached, Vallejo-Fairfield area foreclosure rates increased in May over the same period last year, according to a new industry report.
First American CoreLogic, which collects national, state and local real estate data, reports the area foreclosure rate among outstanding mortgage loans was 3.7 percent for May. That's an increase of 1 percent over last May.
Foreclosure activity here is more than 1 percent higher than the national rate of 2.5 percent for May, according to the report.
That translates into hundreds of households in trouble, said Solano Association of Realtors President George Oakes. He said the increase isn't surprising, considering that a moratorium on foreclosures recently ended.
"We're seeing a lot of short sales -- people selling their home for less than they owe, to avoid a foreclosure," Oakes said. "That's a new trend."
Also not surprising to Oakes, the report shows the area's mortgage delinquency rate also has increased.
"We've been in the top in this area since the beginning. It follows a pattern," he said.
The report reveals that in May, slightly more than 11 percent of mortgage loans in Solano County were 90 days or more delinquent compared to just over 8 percent last year.
"That's a lot," Oakes said, "But it seems to be following the unemployment trends. To me these things are linked together."
But houses here, especially the lower-priced ones, "are selling almost faster than they come on the market," he said. A high percentage of buyers appears to be investors, he added.
"For the first time in probably 15 years, you can buy a rental property, and with a little work, can rent it out for a positive cash flow. There's a whole new trend out there. People are seeing their 401k's and stocks aren't doing as well, and they're buying rental properties with cash. It's strange stuff," Oakes said.
The CoreLogic report reveals that during the past 12 months, from June 2008 to May 2009, 17,357 foreclosures were filed in Solano County. That's more than 47 per day. During the previous 12-month period there were 11,709 foreclosures filed, about 32 per day, according to the report.
Oakes questions those figures. "Holy smokes," he said. "I don't see nearly that many. About half of all properties that start the foreclosure process are cured, but still, that sounds like a lot, even if it's 8,000. I don't see them hitting the market."
The foreclosure process includes three steps, starting with the notice of sefault, which typically occurs after the 90-day delinquency period. That's followed by the notice of foreclosure sale, when the property is scheduled for auction, which is followed by the notification of aale, filed after the property is sold at auction.
If the property isn't sold at auction, it goes back to the lender and is considered Real Estate Owned.
Foreclosure data for First American CoreLogic is reported based on the actual number of active mortgage loans and excluding paid-in-full mortgages from the equation, thereby providing more accurate results, the firm says.
Contact staff writer Rachel Raskin-Zrihen at (707) 553-6824 or RachelZ@thnewsnet.com.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Tax bills reduced
Tax bills reduced
By Rachel Raskin-Zrihen/ Times-Herald, Vallejo
Posted: 07/08/2009
Property tax bills for tens of thousands of Solano County residences have been slashed, according to the assessor's office.
Recognizing the continuing decline in the residential real estate market, Solano County Assessor/Recorder Marc Tonnesen said, his office reviewed all county residential property values, and downward adjustments were made where market values have fallen below the assessed value.
That was the case for nearly 57,000 properties on the 2009 property tax roll, he said.
"The values of Solano County homes continue to decline. My obligation to Solano County taxpayers is to make sure their property assessments are fair," Tonnesen said.
The reduced value will be reflected in property tax bills that are mailed by the tax collector's office by Nov. 1.
State law provides for a "Proposition 8" reduction -- a temporary lowering of a real property's assessed value if its market value as of Jan. 1 is less than its assessed value. Once a property is on Proposition 8 status, the assessor reviews its value annually for increases or decreases and adjusts accordingly.
Notices to affected property owners were mailed beginning July 1, and include both the Prop. 8 reduced value and Prop. 13 value for comparison.
Property owners who believe their home's value as of Jan. 1 is less than the Prop. 8 value indicated on their notice must provide market sales data to substantiate their claims, Tonnesen said.
For more information, call 784-6210 or e-mail assessor@solanocounty.com.
By Rachel Raskin-Zrihen/ Times-Herald, Vallejo
Posted: 07/08/2009
Property tax bills for tens of thousands of Solano County residences have been slashed, according to the assessor's office.
Recognizing the continuing decline in the residential real estate market, Solano County Assessor/Recorder Marc Tonnesen said, his office reviewed all county residential property values, and downward adjustments were made where market values have fallen below the assessed value.
That was the case for nearly 57,000 properties on the 2009 property tax roll, he said.
"The values of Solano County homes continue to decline. My obligation to Solano County taxpayers is to make sure their property assessments are fair," Tonnesen said.
The reduced value will be reflected in property tax bills that are mailed by the tax collector's office by Nov. 1.
State law provides for a "Proposition 8" reduction -- a temporary lowering of a real property's assessed value if its market value as of Jan. 1 is less than its assessed value. Once a property is on Proposition 8 status, the assessor reviews its value annually for increases or decreases and adjusts accordingly.
Notices to affected property owners were mailed beginning July 1, and include both the Prop. 8 reduced value and Prop. 13 value for comparison.
Property owners who believe their home's value as of Jan. 1 is less than the Prop. 8 value indicated on their notice must provide market sales data to substantiate their claims, Tonnesen said.
For more information, call 784-6210 or e-mail assessor@solanocounty.com.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Bill would require state's consent in city bankruptcies
Bill would require state's consent in city bankruptcies
http://www.timesheraldonline.com/news/ci_12389273
Last year's Vallejo bankruptcy filing stirred nationwide discussion on when and how a city should seek fiscal protection. A year later, who should have the power to decide the path to bankruptcy is getting attention statewide. The city's Chapter 9 filing prompted labor-backed state legislation aimed at requiring local governments to get advance approval from Sacramento for any bankruptcy filing. Authored by Assemblyman Tony Mendoza, D-Norwalk, AB 155 is backed by co-author Sen. Pat Wiggins, D-Santa Rosa, who represents Vallejo. Wiggins discouraged Vallejo's bankruptcy petition in the weeks before the Vallejo City Council's unanimous blessing of the move. AB 155 isn't the first attempt at such state control. More than 13 years ago, legislators last batted around similar bills in the wake of Orange County's 1994 bankruptcy filing. Former Gov. Pete Wilson ultimately vetoed such legislation in 1996. A former San Diego mayor, Wilson cited concerns of state liability if a state committee rejected a local government's bankruptcy plan. The Assembly Committee on Local Government held the latest bill's first public hearing on April 23. Across the state, city and county officials have voiced concerns over the proposed legislation. Supporters have included state labor groups, some of whom sponsored the bill. A key issue in the Vallejo bankruptcy fight is the ability of a city to undo employee union contracts in court if it can prove that they either led to the fiscal emergency, or that they hinder a city's ability to recover. Bankruptcy Judge Michael McManus has held that Chapter 9 permits a city to void such contracts in certain cases…. A California State Association of Counties representative said reasons for seeking bankruptcy protection can vary, and some might require swift action during fiscal emergencies, which the proposed legislation likely would delay. Vall! ejo Mayo r Osby Davis also strongly objects to the bill, though its passage would not affect Vallejo. "For you to pass a bill like this is a slap in the face to every official elected locally," Davis told legislators. "I have to say, why don't we call this bill what it is -- it's an attempt by labor to do in legislation what they could not do in bankruptcy court."…
http://www.timesheraldonline.com/news/ci_12389273
Last year's Vallejo bankruptcy filing stirred nationwide discussion on when and how a city should seek fiscal protection. A year later, who should have the power to decide the path to bankruptcy is getting attention statewide. The city's Chapter 9 filing prompted labor-backed state legislation aimed at requiring local governments to get advance approval from Sacramento for any bankruptcy filing. Authored by Assemblyman Tony Mendoza, D-Norwalk, AB 155 is backed by co-author Sen. Pat Wiggins, D-Santa Rosa, who represents Vallejo. Wiggins discouraged Vallejo's bankruptcy petition in the weeks before the Vallejo City Council's unanimous blessing of the move. AB 155 isn't the first attempt at such state control. More than 13 years ago, legislators last batted around similar bills in the wake of Orange County's 1994 bankruptcy filing. Former Gov. Pete Wilson ultimately vetoed such legislation in 1996. A former San Diego mayor, Wilson cited concerns of state liability if a state committee rejected a local government's bankruptcy plan. The Assembly Committee on Local Government held the latest bill's first public hearing on April 23. Across the state, city and county officials have voiced concerns over the proposed legislation. Supporters have included state labor groups, some of whom sponsored the bill. A key issue in the Vallejo bankruptcy fight is the ability of a city to undo employee union contracts in court if it can prove that they either led to the fiscal emergency, or that they hinder a city's ability to recover. Bankruptcy Judge Michael McManus has held that Chapter 9 permits a city to void such contracts in certain cases…. A California State Association of Counties representative said reasons for seeking bankruptcy protection can vary, and some might require swift action during fiscal emergencies, which the proposed legislation likely would delay. Vall! ejo Mayo r Osby Davis also strongly objects to the bill, though its passage would not affect Vallejo. "For you to pass a bill like this is a slap in the face to every official elected locally," Davis told legislators. "I have to say, why don't we call this bill what it is -- it's an attempt by labor to do in legislation what they could not do in bankruptcy court."…
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Dropout rate 20% in state
Dropout rate 20% in state
By Mercury News and Reporter staff
Posted: 05/13/2009
Nearly 1 in 5 of California's 6.3 million students drop out of high school, according to statistics released Tuesday by the California Department of Education.
The grim news, based on a relatively new, statewide data system that tracks individual students throughout their education careers, shows that in 2007-2008 only 68.1 percent of students graduated from high school, while 20.1 percent, or 1 in 5, dropped out.
The remaining 11.8 percent of students, such as those who failed to complete high school but earned a GED, fall into a third category known as "completers," or students who received some kind of certificate of attendance in lieu of a high school diploma.
"The dropout rate in California is unacceptably high," said state schools chief Jack O'Connell in a conference call. "And it's alarmingly high among African American and Hispanic students."
For black students, the dropout rate is 34.7 percent. Latinos, who make up nearly half of California's public school students, have a dropout rate of 25.5 percent. Statewide, white students have a 12.2 percent dropout rate, while Asians have an 8.4 percent rate.
In Solano County, the picture was no better: 21.7 percent of students overall dropped out, while some 74.5 percent graduated.
The dropout rate is an estimate of the percent of students who would drop out in a four-year period based on data collected for a single year.
At the district level, Vallejo showed the worst numbers with a 34.8 percent drop out rate for all students -- including 42.5 percent of black students and 40.7 percent of Hispanic students.
In Northern Solano County, Dixon Unified showed the highest percentage dropout rate for all students at 15.5 percent, though that translates into only slightly more than 50 dropouts.
Dixon's Senior Director of Education Services Jesus Contreras said every year he's curious how the state will come up with the new numbers for drop out rates.
"It's always interesting," he said. "We really have to look at how they compute it every year."
Contreras believes that one dropout student is too many, but added that the district's dropout rate can make the school look horribly bad since it is smaller.
He noted that Dixon High School is still accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, which takes the dropout rate into consideration when evaluating schools.
Contreras contributes the repeated accreditation to the district's sound instructional program, counselors that work with each student and extra academic programs before and after school.
"Our goal is to make sure the students are successful," he said.
In Fairfield-Suisun Unified, there were more than 240 dropouts, which resulted in a 14.9 percent overall dropout rate.
In Vacaville Unified, the overall dropout rate was 14.3 percent.
Travis Unified showed the smallest percentage of dropouts at 6.6 percent.
Travis also reported the highest percentage of graduates at 94.2 percent. Second was Benicia Unified with 87.8 percent followed by Vacaville with 83.4 percent; Fairfield-Suisun with 81.5 percent, Dixon with 73.8 percent and Vallejo with 61.5 percent.
The true extent of California's dropout crisis has long been a politically charged guessing game.
For years, schools complained that there was no way to accurately determine if a student dropped out of school or simply moved out of state, out of the country or transferred to another out-of-town school. Critics charged that schools routinely low-balled their dropout figures by claiming that students had transferred.
The new system assigns each California student a unique 10-digit "student identifier" number that makes tracking them much easier.
To download state, county, district, and school-level dropout data, visit the Department of Education's DataQuest Web site at: http://dq.cde.ca.gov/dataquest/.
Mercury News writer Dana Hull contributed to this report.
By Mercury News and Reporter staff
Posted: 05/13/2009
Nearly 1 in 5 of California's 6.3 million students drop out of high school, according to statistics released Tuesday by the California Department of Education.
The grim news, based on a relatively new, statewide data system that tracks individual students throughout their education careers, shows that in 2007-2008 only 68.1 percent of students graduated from high school, while 20.1 percent, or 1 in 5, dropped out.
The remaining 11.8 percent of students, such as those who failed to complete high school but earned a GED, fall into a third category known as "completers," or students who received some kind of certificate of attendance in lieu of a high school diploma.
"The dropout rate in California is unacceptably high," said state schools chief Jack O'Connell in a conference call. "And it's alarmingly high among African American and Hispanic students."
For black students, the dropout rate is 34.7 percent. Latinos, who make up nearly half of California's public school students, have a dropout rate of 25.5 percent. Statewide, white students have a 12.2 percent dropout rate, while Asians have an 8.4 percent rate.
In Solano County, the picture was no better: 21.7 percent of students overall dropped out, while some 74.5 percent graduated.
The dropout rate is an estimate of the percent of students who would drop out in a four-year period based on data collected for a single year.
At the district level, Vallejo showed the worst numbers with a 34.8 percent drop out rate for all students -- including 42.5 percent of black students and 40.7 percent of Hispanic students.
In Northern Solano County, Dixon Unified showed the highest percentage dropout rate for all students at 15.5 percent, though that translates into only slightly more than 50 dropouts.
Dixon's Senior Director of Education Services Jesus Contreras said every year he's curious how the state will come up with the new numbers for drop out rates.
"It's always interesting," he said. "We really have to look at how they compute it every year."
Contreras believes that one dropout student is too many, but added that the district's dropout rate can make the school look horribly bad since it is smaller.
He noted that Dixon High School is still accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, which takes the dropout rate into consideration when evaluating schools.
Contreras contributes the repeated accreditation to the district's sound instructional program, counselors that work with each student and extra academic programs before and after school.
"Our goal is to make sure the students are successful," he said.
In Fairfield-Suisun Unified, there were more than 240 dropouts, which resulted in a 14.9 percent overall dropout rate.
In Vacaville Unified, the overall dropout rate was 14.3 percent.
Travis Unified showed the smallest percentage of dropouts at 6.6 percent.
Travis also reported the highest percentage of graduates at 94.2 percent. Second was Benicia Unified with 87.8 percent followed by Vacaville with 83.4 percent; Fairfield-Suisun with 81.5 percent, Dixon with 73.8 percent and Vallejo with 61.5 percent.
The true extent of California's dropout crisis has long been a politically charged guessing game.
For years, schools complained that there was no way to accurately determine if a student dropped out of school or simply moved out of state, out of the country or transferred to another out-of-town school. Critics charged that schools routinely low-balled their dropout figures by claiming that students had transferred.
The new system assigns each California student a unique 10-digit "student identifier" number that makes tracking them much easier.
To download state, county, district, and school-level dropout data, visit the Department of Education's DataQuest Web site at: http://dq.cde.ca.gov/dataquest/.
Mercury News writer Dana Hull contributed to this report.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Benicia's ozone one of the worst
Benicia's ozone one of the worst
By Tony Burchyns/ Times-Herald, Vallejo
Posted: 05/08/2009
A study tied to the Valero refinery in Benicia revealed that Benicia had the fourth worst ozone in the Bay Area in '08. (Reporter file)
An air-quality study tied to the Valero refinery has revealed that Benicia was fourth worst in the Bay Area for ozone levels in 2008, according to results made public this week.
But even though the refinery daily emits ozone precursor gases, which combine with heat and sunlight to form ozone in the atmosphere, its exact contribution to ozone creation is unknown, officials said.
"It is nearly impossible to determine on any given day what amount of ozone was formed due to emissions from a particular industry," said Eric Stevenson, an air-monitoring manager for the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.
Stevenson said some ozone precursor gases are produced locally, mainly by auto traffic, Valero and the Benicia port. But some drift in from other areas and get trapped in Benicia's micro climate, he said.
According to the report from the air quality management district, Benicia -- at a high of 75 parts per billion -- was the fourth worst ozone offender in the Bay Area, right behind Bethel Island, Livermore and Concord.
The ranking was based on yearly averages from 23 Bay Area monitoring stations.
The health effects of ozone exposure include respiratory damage and heightened sensitivity to allergens.
Benicia's ozone levels still met national standards for both 2007 and 2008, Stevenson said.
The results were shared Wednesday night at the Valero Benicia Refinery Community Advisory Panel meeting at the Benicia Public Library.
Among those in attendance was refinery vice president and general manager Doug Comeau.
Although Comeau did not speak about the ozone data, he did apologize publicly for last month's release of hydrogen sulfide at the refinery. The release produced a pungent "rotten egg" smell that could be detected as far away as Marin County.
Valero could be forced to pay a public nuisance fine in excess of $10,000, depending on the conclusion of an ongoing investigation into the cause of the incident, air district officials said this week.
Officials at the meeting also discussed creating a community air-monitoring system similar to one established in Rodeo in the 1990s.
The system would differ from the air district's measurements by detecting and reporting short-term air-pollution events on a local level, in real time on the Internet, said Don Gamiles, a principal at Argos Scientific, who spoke at the meeting.
"The air district does measurements based on state and fed standards," Gamiles said. "By definition, a community monitoring system is a different beast."
The 18-month air district study, partly funded by Valero under an agreement with the community, concluded in December.
There is no ongoing, independent air-monitoring in Benicia, but Valero is working toward installing air-monitoring equipment, purchased from Argos in 2005, on Tennys Drive near East Second Street. The station is expected to be operating within two months.
Gamiles also discussed the possibility of installing what he called a "fence-line system," which, using light beams, would analyze air quality at the edge of the refinery. The system, which his company sells, would cost about $35,000 to install, he said after the meeting.
Rodeo, which borders the ConocoPhillips refinery, has used a fence-line air-monitoring system for more than a decade.
By Tony Burchyns/ Times-Herald, Vallejo
Posted: 05/08/2009
A study tied to the Valero refinery in Benicia revealed that Benicia had the fourth worst ozone in the Bay Area in '08. (Reporter file)
An air-quality study tied to the Valero refinery has revealed that Benicia was fourth worst in the Bay Area for ozone levels in 2008, according to results made public this week.
But even though the refinery daily emits ozone precursor gases, which combine with heat and sunlight to form ozone in the atmosphere, its exact contribution to ozone creation is unknown, officials said.
"It is nearly impossible to determine on any given day what amount of ozone was formed due to emissions from a particular industry," said Eric Stevenson, an air-monitoring manager for the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.
Stevenson said some ozone precursor gases are produced locally, mainly by auto traffic, Valero and the Benicia port. But some drift in from other areas and get trapped in Benicia's micro climate, he said.
According to the report from the air quality management district, Benicia -- at a high of 75 parts per billion -- was the fourth worst ozone offender in the Bay Area, right behind Bethel Island, Livermore and Concord.
The ranking was based on yearly averages from 23 Bay Area monitoring stations.
The health effects of ozone exposure include respiratory damage and heightened sensitivity to allergens.
Benicia's ozone levels still met national standards for both 2007 and 2008, Stevenson said.
The results were shared Wednesday night at the Valero Benicia Refinery Community Advisory Panel meeting at the Benicia Public Library.
Among those in attendance was refinery vice president and general manager Doug Comeau.
Although Comeau did not speak about the ozone data, he did apologize publicly for last month's release of hydrogen sulfide at the refinery. The release produced a pungent "rotten egg" smell that could be detected as far away as Marin County.
Valero could be forced to pay a public nuisance fine in excess of $10,000, depending on the conclusion of an ongoing investigation into the cause of the incident, air district officials said this week.
Officials at the meeting also discussed creating a community air-monitoring system similar to one established in Rodeo in the 1990s.
The system would differ from the air district's measurements by detecting and reporting short-term air-pollution events on a local level, in real time on the Internet, said Don Gamiles, a principal at Argos Scientific, who spoke at the meeting.
"The air district does measurements based on state and fed standards," Gamiles said. "By definition, a community monitoring system is a different beast."
The 18-month air district study, partly funded by Valero under an agreement with the community, concluded in December.
There is no ongoing, independent air-monitoring in Benicia, but Valero is working toward installing air-monitoring equipment, purchased from Argos in 2005, on Tennys Drive near East Second Street. The station is expected to be operating within two months.
Gamiles also discussed the possibility of installing what he called a "fence-line system," which, using light beams, would analyze air quality at the edge of the refinery. The system, which his company sells, would cost about $35,000 to install, he said after the meeting.
Rodeo, which borders the ConocoPhillips refinery, has used a fence-line air-monitoring system for more than a decade.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Solano's unemployment numbers rise
Solano's unemployment numbers rise
By Rachel Raskin-Zrihen/ Times-Herald, Vallejo
Posted: 03/06/2009
Solano County's unemployment rate crossed into double digits in January for the first time since local numbers have been kept, newly released state figures show.
The unemployment rate here was 10.1 percent in January, the first time it's broken 10 since 1990 when the state began keeping localized statistics, said Justin J. Wehner, state Employment Development Department labor market spokesman.
The previous highest Solano County unemployment rate since 1990 was 9 percent in 1996, the year Mare Island Naval Shipyard closed, Wehner said.
But Vallejo's jobless rate is better than the statewide 10.6 percent, and the last time California's unemployment rate crossed into double digits was more than a quarter century ago in 1983, as reported last week.
Of California's 58 counties, Marin's unemployment rate was lowest, at 6.6 percent, the latest figures show. Colusa County ranked worst, at 26.7 percent, the statistics reveal.
Napa County's unemployment rate hit 8.5 in January, the figures show, placing that area eighth statewide. Solano County ranked 19th, and while alarming, this figure still places the county within "the better half" of the state's counties in unemployment terms, Wehner said.
If there is good news for Solano County in the latest employment data, it's that half of the 12 major industry sectors here have either gained jobs or not lost any between January 2008 and January 2009. Though the other half of the industries lost jobs over the year, small gains have been made in transportation, warehousing and utilities, education and government education, leisure and hospitality, the figures show.
By Rachel Raskin-Zrihen/ Times-Herald, Vallejo
Posted: 03/06/2009
Solano County's unemployment rate crossed into double digits in January for the first time since local numbers have been kept, newly released state figures show.
The unemployment rate here was 10.1 percent in January, the first time it's broken 10 since 1990 when the state began keeping localized statistics, said Justin J. Wehner, state Employment Development Department labor market spokesman.
The previous highest Solano County unemployment rate since 1990 was 9 percent in 1996, the year Mare Island Naval Shipyard closed, Wehner said.
But Vallejo's jobless rate is better than the statewide 10.6 percent, and the last time California's unemployment rate crossed into double digits was more than a quarter century ago in 1983, as reported last week.
Of California's 58 counties, Marin's unemployment rate was lowest, at 6.6 percent, the latest figures show. Colusa County ranked worst, at 26.7 percent, the statistics reveal.
Napa County's unemployment rate hit 8.5 in January, the figures show, placing that area eighth statewide. Solano County ranked 19th, and while alarming, this figure still places the county within "the better half" of the state's counties in unemployment terms, Wehner said.
If there is good news for Solano County in the latest employment data, it's that half of the 12 major industry sectors here have either gained jobs or not lost any between January 2008 and January 2009. Though the other half of the industries lost jobs over the year, small gains have been made in transportation, warehousing and utilities, education and government education, leisure and hospitality, the figures show.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
AAA to close 17 of its branches
AAA to close 17 of its branches
By Richard Bammer/ RBammer@TheReporter.com
Posted: 02/26/2009
If you are a member of the California State Automobile Association, and like the convenience of picking up new travel maps or taking care of your vehicle registration or insurance needs in a local office, you will have one less Solano County branch to do so next month.
AAA officials announced Wednesday that the company's Fairfield office is among 17 of the firm's 120 branches that will close in a tri-state area, including Northern California, Nevada and Utah.
The downsizing, which company officials say comes as the result of increased member use of Internet and telephone services and the need to reduce costs, will force the layoff of 250 employees, including seven at the Fairfield branch on Gateway Boulevard. Like most affected branches, it will close March 27, said Jenny Mack, a AAA spokeswoman at the company's San Francisco headquarters.
"We believe it's necessary to make these changes in order for us to remain competitive long-term," she said in a press release.
The Fairfield employees will be given a chance, if they choose, she said, to transfer to nearby offices, including the Vacaville branch on Mason Street and the Vallejo branch on Admiral Callahan Lane.
Mack said 170 California employees in five offices -- besides Fairfield, they are Paradise, Antelope, South Lake Tahoe and Noe Valley in San Francisco -- have been given pink slips and will be eligible for severance packages. About 80 of the eliminated jobs are in Nevada and Utah. An additional 50 open jobs will not be filled, she added.
Saying members' needs were given "a very high priority" during the firm's decision-making process, Mack noted that all the pending closures are within 10 miles of another AAA office. Foot traffic at the remaining two Solano AAA offices likely will increase as a result of the cutbacks, she predicted.
For a complete list of branch office closures, visit www.aaa.com.
Conceding Wednesday's company news was somewhat gloomy, Mack said there will be "another bright side" for Fairfield in the coming weeks and months.
Plans call for AAA to consolidate its "business fulfillment center" -- an office where employees handle billing, accounting and corporate mail -- at Business Center Drive.
Mack said the decision was made in November and "those plans continue on schedule," with some 250 employees slated to move into the center in March and the phased relocation completed in June.
"It's not a membership office," she pointed out. "It's back-office operations."
Some 165 employees from the headquarters office and 60 others from elsewhere will be transferred to Fairfield, Mack said, adding AAA is building a new headquarters that will open in Walnut Creek later this year.
Founded more than 100 years ago, AAA, which boasts a membership of 4.5 million, advocates for traveler safety and security.
By Richard Bammer/ RBammer@TheReporter.com
Posted: 02/26/2009
If you are a member of the California State Automobile Association, and like the convenience of picking up new travel maps or taking care of your vehicle registration or insurance needs in a local office, you will have one less Solano County branch to do so next month.
AAA officials announced Wednesday that the company's Fairfield office is among 17 of the firm's 120 branches that will close in a tri-state area, including Northern California, Nevada and Utah.
The downsizing, which company officials say comes as the result of increased member use of Internet and telephone services and the need to reduce costs, will force the layoff of 250 employees, including seven at the Fairfield branch on Gateway Boulevard. Like most affected branches, it will close March 27, said Jenny Mack, a AAA spokeswoman at the company's San Francisco headquarters.
"We believe it's necessary to make these changes in order for us to remain competitive long-term," she said in a press release.
The Fairfield employees will be given a chance, if they choose, she said, to transfer to nearby offices, including the Vacaville branch on Mason Street and the Vallejo branch on Admiral Callahan Lane.
Mack said 170 California employees in five offices -- besides Fairfield, they are Paradise, Antelope, South Lake Tahoe and Noe Valley in San Francisco -- have been given pink slips and will be eligible for severance packages. About 80 of the eliminated jobs are in Nevada and Utah. An additional 50 open jobs will not be filled, she added.
Saying members' needs were given "a very high priority" during the firm's decision-making process, Mack noted that all the pending closures are within 10 miles of another AAA office. Foot traffic at the remaining two Solano AAA offices likely will increase as a result of the cutbacks, she predicted.
For a complete list of branch office closures, visit www.aaa.com.
Conceding Wednesday's company news was somewhat gloomy, Mack said there will be "another bright side" for Fairfield in the coming weeks and months.
Plans call for AAA to consolidate its "business fulfillment center" -- an office where employees handle billing, accounting and corporate mail -- at Business Center Drive.
Mack said the decision was made in November and "those plans continue on schedule," with some 250 employees slated to move into the center in March and the phased relocation completed in June.
"It's not a membership office," she pointed out. "It's back-office operations."
Some 165 employees from the headquarters office and 60 others from elsewhere will be transferred to Fairfield, Mack said, adding AAA is building a new headquarters that will open in Walnut Creek later this year.
Founded more than 100 years ago, AAA, which boasts a membership of 4.5 million, advocates for traveler safety and security.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)