We're fortunate to have a lot of good employees, which helped us (earn) the Small Business (of the Year) Award, because of the customer service we provide.

The Small Business of the Year breakfast is a great way to kick off the Business Showcase.

It's an opportunity to see several hundred people in one working day, which is not obviously something you can do with your regular customer base. And it's an opportunity to show off your latest products.

It's well worth people's time to spend a few hours and see the latest -- for today or ideas for the future.

We think it is important that business owners, operators and employees let council members know how they feel.

American business long ago gave up on demanding that prospective employees be honest and hardworking. It has even stopped hoping for employees who are educated enough that they can tell the difference between the men's room and the women's room without having little pictures on the doors.