Also in this issue, city rejects expensive recycle building project. New fire chief named. Repair Affair this weekend. And, some news you can't use.
AK Steel Press Release
AK Steel Likely To Idle Ashland, KY Steel Operations
Company Adjusting To Automaker Announcements And Continued Global Downturn
WEST CHESTER, OH, May 13, 2009 - AK Steel (NYSE: AKS) announced today that it will likely idle most of its Ashland (KY) Works beginning late in July or early August. The idling will affect about 750 hourly and salaried employees, and is the result of recent announcements by GM and Chrysler of significant production curtailments, along with the continuing global recession. The company said the plant is likely to remain idled at least through the balance of 2009.
"Unfortunately, at these very depressed business levels, we do not have sufficient carbon steel orders to operate both of our blast furnace plants," said James L. Wainscott, chairman, president and CEO of AK Steel. "The Ashland Works is not capable of producing the full range of slab widths required by our customers, and lacks any rolling facilities. Thus, the Middletown (OH) Works is the only efficient choice for this very low level of orders."
All steel slabs produced at the Ashland Works must be transported approximately 150 miles to the company's Middletown Works for conversion to hot-rolled coils. The Ashland Works also employs about 290 men and women at a coke plant which is currently scheduled to continue operating at a reduced level.
"It is our hope that a steady global economic recovery will translate as quickly as possible to the resumption of higher levels of production and elimination of the uncertainty that burdens our employees," said James L. Wainscott, chairman, president and CEO.
About AK Steel
AK Steel produces flat-rolled carbon, stainless and electrical steels, primarily for automotive, appliance, construction and electrical power generation and distribution markets. The company employs about 6,200 men and women in Middletown, Mansfield, Coshocton and Zanesville, Ohio; Butler, Pennsylvania; Ashland, Kentucky; Rockport, Indiana; and its corporate headquarters in West Chester, Ohio. Additional information about AK Steel is available on the company's web site at www.aksteel.com.
AK Tube LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of AK Steel, employs about 250 men and women in plants in Walbridge, Ohio and Columbus, Indiana. AK Tube produces carbon and stainless electric resistance welded (ERW) tubular steel products for truck, automotive and other markets. Additional information about AK Tube LLC is available on its web site at www.aktube.com.
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Bad news. AK Steel will likely idle the Ashland plant starting in late July or early August. This is likely related to the depressed steel market and lack of car sales. The idling will likely last through 2009.What does the city need to do? Watch expenses. Below is the press statement issued this afternoon. Statement also on 
The city commission has rejected an effort to join with the county government to enter into the recycling business. At some point, the county obtained a near $144,000 grant to buy equipment to place in a $525,00 building to compete against local private recycling businesses. This program, which would have required the purchase of the building would have cost the city $212,500 to be mortgaged over ten years.
Scott Penick, a 18 year veteran of the Ashland Fire Department was appointed Ashland's new fire chief on May 7th. Penick served as interim chief for several months prior to his official appointment.
