Bar Owner Fighting to Keep Sign Thanking Veterans

The owner of Johnny's Saloon in Huntington Beach, California, has been asked by the city to remove a sign on top of the establishment saluting veterans.  Although the rooftop sign is in violation of the City's rules, the owners of the bar argue it has never been a problem in the past.

"A sign that has been on this roof for 30+ years...A sign that has been spreading a positive message to Beach & Slater, our customers & making Veterans smile."

Johnny Kresimir, co-owner of the bar says that the city only gave them two days to remove the sign, or else they would have to pay a $940 fine.

"Every car dealership can do whatever they want where ever they want... but us little guys that want to spread a positive message get screwed?"  

According to the Johnny's Saloon facebook page, the owners of the bar are not going to make it an easy with for the city, "We are not going down without a fair fight!!!"

Matthew Harper, Huntington Beach Mayor, says that he would support granting a variance to allow the sign to remain standing.

What do you think?  Should the owners of Johnny's Saloon be forced to take down their sign thanking veterans? Or should the city let it slide?

Military Veterans Finding Work at World's Largest Coffee Chain

It is no secret that for most military veterans, finding work upon their return from duty is painstakingly difficult not an easy task.  In fact, the current unemployment rate amongst post 9/11 veterans is sitting at 9.2 percent, which is well above the nations 7.6 percent rate.  Is this simply because the many skills they acquired in military practice don't exactly translate into real world productivity?  Or is it because they are considered "damaged goods", unable to to perform the most mundane of tasks without having the thoughts of their troubled past interfere with their work?  Whatever the reason, our society as a whole has not been very considerate of this situation.

Yes, there are occasional job fairs specifically held for veterans in the pursuit of work, along with other events of that nature.  Yet, 207,000 former soldiers were still without work this past spring according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.  One company is doing what they can to combat veteran unemployment, and actually sees it as a good business opportunity.

Starbucks, the worlds largest coffee chain is poised to hire 10,000 veterans and military spouses in the near future. Former Defense Secretary and current Starbucks director Robert Gates agrees that former soldiers sometimes have a difficult time translating their skills into the business world, however, he believes the "long term benefits are tremendous."  Gates also stated in reference to returning veterans, "this demographic represents one of the most underutilized talent pools in our country."  The positions being offered by Starbucks range from making drinks to managing supply chains.  Starbucks CEO, Jeff Schultz says that transitioning back to civilian employment can be a complicated matter, but believes that businesses can, and should help in a big way.  Schultz says, "Businesses have an obligation and a responsibility to do something about that and to meet these people more than halfway."  Gates added veterans can benefit their company because they are accustomed to working with diverse international partners and have a good understanding of other cultures.  

Is Starbucks taking a gamble on these former war heroes? Or are they making an impressive and strategic business decision?  Gamble or not, I believe it is most certainly a step in the right direction. 




sources: 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/06/starbucks-veterans_n_4223595.html

http://www.npr.org/2013/11/06/243325304/starbucks-is-latest-company-aiming-to-help-vets-land-jobs

http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_23119419/young-war-veterans-struggle-find-jobs

http://money.cnn.com/2013/11/06/news/companies/starbucks-hiring-veterans/

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2489031/Starbucks-hire-10-000-veterans-military-spouses-years.html