Dishwasher lawsuit settled in connection with Merkel house fire
01.01.70
A lawsuit claiming that a defective General Electric dishwasher sparked a 2008 Merkel house fire has been settled.
State Farm Lloyds, an association of insurance underwriters, filed a product liability claim on behalf of Larry and Dianne Pack. But GE disputed the claim, with an attorney representing the company telling the Reporter-News in December that "our basis is the fire was not caused by any fault of the GE product."
A motion to dismiss the case filed Sept. 26 by both State Farm Lloyds and GE states only that "they have reached a mutually-agreed resolution" to the case, asking the court that "all claims asserted or assertable be dismissed with prejudice," meaning the lawsuit cannot be refiled.
Patti Kelly, a spokeswoman for State Farm Lloyds, said that, typically, "going to court can be a very expensive proposition in terms of time and money spent, so if we can come to a settlement that benefits our customer and takes care of them, then we certainly want to go that route and avoid an expensive trial, which can weigh on everyone's time and cost a lot of money."
Source: ReporterNews.com
Albany Airport Hotel's Chef Serves Up Some Competition for Local Culinary Event
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ALBANY, NY, Oct 24, 2011 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) --
Chef Nathan Kutzscher has come a long way. His career started at
the Albany Marriott as a dishwasher, and now, as the hotel's
executive chef, he'll compete against eight top chefs with
restaurants in Albany, NY area.
The 21st annual Culinary Cornucopia, held October 30th, will benefit
the nonprofit Living Resources, whose mission, according to its CEO
Fredrick W. Erlich, is to "provide essential services to consumers
challenged by developmental disabilities and traumatic brain injury."
The culinary extravaganza will begin with a closed-door competition,
overseen by the American Culinary Federation, followed by a grand
reception, awards ceremony, and live and silent auctions.
More than 500 guests, including many staying at hotels in Albany, NY,
will gather to feast on the chefs' lavish creations. For Chef
Kutzscher, the competition is a chance to flex his culinary muscle,
which has been shaped over the years. He received a certificate of
completion from Le Cordon Bleu in France, where he also worked as an
assistant pastry chef and poissonier in Sancerre. Back in the states
he spent time in the kitchens of the Cambridge Marriott, Mohonk
Mountain House Resort, Edison Club and Schyuler Meadows Club before
finding himself back at home at the Albany Marriott.
Source: MarketWatch (press release)