Giant's CEO Takes Leave of Absence
re said that Israel Cohen, chairman and chief executive officer, has been diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome, a bone marrow cell disorder.
Cohen, 82, will be treated with radiation on an outpatient basis. During his treatment and convalescence, he will be absent from the company.
Pete Manos, president, will assume Cohen's duties in his absence, according to a spokesman.
Tomassi Sentenced in Lennon Death
NEW CITY, N.Y. -- Robert Tomassi, 26, was sentenced to 12 1/2 to 25 years in state prison for his role in the murder of former Grand Union Co. executive Brooke Lennon on June 9, 1994.
Lennon was senior vice president of merchandising at the Wayne, N.J.-based company at the time of his death.
In May, Tomassi pleaded guilty here to first degree manslaughter before Rockland County Court Judge William K. Nelson, as reported.
He admitted to witnessing Lennon's wife, Michelle, strike her husband over the head with a baseball bat at the couple's home in Money, N.Y. Tomassi, who was Michelle Lennon's boyfriend, then helped her dispose of the body in a secluded area of the county, according to District Attorney Michael E. Bongiorno.
As reported, Michelle Lennon was sentenced in May to 20 years to life in prison for murdering her husband.
House May Seek Baler Law Repeal
WASHINGTON (FNS) -- A repeal of a prohibition against minors loading baler machines is among the items expected to be considered by the House tomorrow as it implements Corrections Day.
The National Grocers Association and the Food Marketing Institute strongly back the repeal on the grounds that modern balers can be locked in an off position so that injuries won't result from loading. NGA and FMI members have protested that the current law discourages companies from hiring teenagers and has cost them thousands of dollars in compliance and fines.
Corrections Day is a new monthly House procedure for correcting what some consider excessive, unnecessary or counterproductive government rules and regulations.
Ahold Doubles Its Czech Holdings
ZAANDAM, Netherlands -- Ahold here is doubling its holdings in the Czech Republic with its acquisition of 72.2% of the shares of Ceska General Food. CGF operates 49 food stores, four distribution centers and three cash-and-carries in the Czech Republic. Ahold currently operates 32 Mana supermarkets, three cash-and-carries, two discount stores and two distribution centers in that country.
Harry's Gives Helping Hand to TAP
ATLANTA -- Harry's Farmers Market here said it has become a corporate partner of The Atlanta Project, a program of The Carter Center dedicated to improving the quality of life in Atlanta's inner city neighborhoods.
Harry's will join Archer Cluster in Northwest Atlanta as a corporate partner and will help facilitate solutions to problems identified by Archer Cluster residents. Through its "High Five Program," the company will also provide educational material regarding proper nutrition to elementary schools in all 20 TAP clusters.
The company will also stock the shelves of homes built by TAP clusters and Habitat for Humanity and provide nutrition information to each new homeowner.
Harry Blazer, president and chief executive officer, said he hopes that Harry's initiative with TAP and the Habitat for Humanity homes will serve as a model for other cities.
