REGION

REGION
Current gas prices are taking a toll on economy
YOUNGSTOWN -- Youngstown area residents will spend about $14 million more on gasoline this summer than last summer based on current gas prices, says a study done for some Ohio congressmen.
U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th, said the study shows that higher gas prices are producing a drag on the economy. Ryan is among congressmen who have urged President Bush to stop making deposits in the nation's oil reserve and instead make it available to the nation's economy.
The study arrives at $14 million by multiplying the amount of gas used locally from Memorial Day to Labor Day by the estimated increase in gas prices over the same period in 2003.
The study uses government data which estimates that 2.8 percent of all gas used in Ohio is used in the Youngstown area, which equals about 13 million gallons a month. It also uses a survey by the AAA Ohio Motorists Association, which said the average price for regular gas in the area Tuesday was $1.73. That price is 36 cents higher than a year earlier.
Senator to speak
LIBERTY -- State Sen. Marc Dann will be the featured speaker for the next meeting of the Western Reserve Chapter of the Society for Human Resources Management, set for 7:30 a.m. Thursday at the Quality Inn -- Liberty, 4055 Belmont Ave. Dann, of Liberty, D-32nd, will discuss current state legislation.
Business showcase has booth space for rent
YOUNGSTOWN -- Booth space is available for the Business to Business Showcase put on by Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber. The show will be 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 23 at Mr. Anthony's in Boardman. The deadline for renting space is Aug. 23, although discounts are available for chamber members who reserve space by July 30. The showcase is open to nonmembers.
NATION
Poor communication is problem area at work
NEW YORK -- Your boss might act infallible, driving you nuts. But they make mistakes as supervisors, and most of them know it, according to a survey of 150 executives in finance, marketing and human resource departments.
The biggest problem area is in deficient communication -- a full fifth of the managers said they need to communicate more and to do it more effectively.
Poor hiring decisions was cited by 13 percent.
"Managing people effectively requires offering support and making tough decisions, and few people are naturally adept at both," said Max Messmer, chairman of Accountemps, a financial temp-staffing firm based in Menlo Park, Calif.
As far as their biggest mistakes, managers cited withholding praise and letting poor performance go unchecked.
From Vindicator staff and wire reports