The story of the Kathleen and Michael Bell family is a touching one. Their 14-year-old daughter, Lizzie, has lived with a blood disease her entire life that prevents her system from producing red blood cells. As a result, she has to have regular blood transfusions. Her family has created a foundation to increase awareness about the need for people to give blood.
And, unlike some people who called our offices at Inside Tucson Business, I don’t have an issue with the fact the TV show picked a home in the Catalina Foothills to make over. So what if there are plenty of homes with lower values elsewhere in the region that could have been made over? It’s their TV show, they can do with it what they want.
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It’s a fairy tale-type story. Hundreds of Tucsonans volunteered to participate. As did scores of businesses. Each of these individuals and companies had a reason for volunteering or donating. Whatever their reasons, their generosity will be put on display on national television.
We taxpayers even fronted the services of an around-the-clock on-demand inspector from Pima County Development Services and security services from the Sheriff’s Department.
And while all these things were donated and the Bell family gets a new home, “Extreme Makeover” makes millions of dollars.
That’s America.
Emerine’s hiatus
An explanation regarding Steve Emerine’s column being on hiatus. Emerine went in for some surgery the week before last to take care of some artery blockages but things haven’t progressed as planned. He called and told me his streak of 190 columns was going to be interrupted because the doctor who did the surgery wanted to keep him in the hospital. I asked him what message he wanted us to put in the Feb. 9 issue of Inside Tucson Business to explain his absence and he said, “just say I’ll be back next week.”
That was not to be the case as I learned from his daughter the morning of Feb. 9 that Steve had gone back into surgery and doctors were watching him in the intensive care unit. Since then he has been moved out of intensive care.
I know people don’t like to talk about these sorts of things in public and I’m not sure Steve appreciates me writing about it. But I thought you should know.
We’re hoping this is just temporary and that Emerine’s column will be back in Inside Tucson Business soon.
E-mail comments for publication to editor@azbiz.com. Contact David Hatfield at dhatfield@azbiz.com or (520) 295-4237.
Comments
Thomas wrote on Mar 22, 2009 6:06 PM:
Biz Observer wrote on Feb 17, 2009 1:34 PM:
BO "
Len Luskin wrote on Feb 17, 2009 1:32 PM:
I don't understand why you had to make it a political thing!
I love the Extreme Home Makeover show - I find it WONDERFUL!
And, guess what! I'm a liberal!
And, I'm happy and work hard!
Imagine that!
Why must you make the comments the writer made to be political? He was expressing his own nasty negative views. And, I agree with you - its ok to help people and make a profit.
God Bless America - the Libs - the Conservatives - and may we all work together and find common ground instead of making everything out to be political.
OOH RAH! "
JACC just a concerned citizen wrote on Feb 14, 2009 5:54 PM:
A little miffed you sound, hmmmm, that an organization that does so much good, SHOULD actually make money in the process, WHY DAVE I misjudged your journalistic viewpoint.
I assumed that you would write about the hundreds of Tucson Volunteers, College students, Businesses, community involevement.
I was WRONG, you instead ATTACK (subtly) of course, the show. You could have been a participant had you chosen to do so; however you would rather comment in a negative fashion, after the fact.
A TRUE LIBERAL MIDSET sir!!!!
The biggest problem this city faces now, indeed the entire nation is people like yourself that could choose to help, aid, assist, those in need, INSTEAD you chart a course as have thousands before you that steer toward derision, division, constantly stirring the pot to play devils' advocate instead of roling up your sleeves and being RESPONSIBLE.
You and the nancy pelosi's of this nation
(lower case purposely) are genuinely upset that a company, organization, business or individual should profit monetarily from their endeavors. I have a solution for ya dave, YOU and Nancy, and the likeminded others give of your OWN funds,never again make a profit, HEY Dave, stop taking your salary.
Do your form of journalism for free. It' wothless anyway!!!! BUT wait if you did that then Inside Tucson Business would show a profit. WOW what a concept.
Yes Dave they are gone now.
The rest of the state also knows how the ink slingers really feel too.
I really don't know you, you don't know me, I did find your article offensive.
I have friends that participated in this event and felt REALLY GOOD Dave, maybe you should come down from your tower occasionally and actually contribute to the betterment of the community and fellowman instead criticizing those who do.
I am not important, just a citizen that is PO'ed and I will be watching, reading, and commenting, when I feel as though
someone is missing the boat.
You sir, are all wet. "