Former OSU band director Jon Waters is ready to talk settlement after OSU President Michael Drake stands by the decision to fire him, while Waters gets praise for dealing with band alumni's "proclivities and excesses," Ohio's casinos are planning to add slots to smoking areas, another $1 billion workers' comp rebate is in the offing, and Wendy's releases a new #PretzelLoveSongs video to announce they're here to stay.
Fired band director wants to talk: Former Ohio State University Marching Band Director Jon Waters is willing to talk about a settlement with the school over his controversial firing, NBC4 reports. Waters attorney David Axelrod told the station, "This is not going away. Sometime in the relatively near future, one way or another, there should be a dialogue between Ohio State's lawyers and us; and if things go the way they should, we will find a way forward that everyone can live with." Axelrod said he would argue that OSU maliciously maligned his client and that Waters was denied the opportunity to properly defend himself, noting that the school's $2.5 million settlement with former basketball coach Jim O'Brien could serve as a benchmark.
OSU prez says no going back on decision: The news comes OSU President Michael Drake ruled out rehiring Waters following an appearance at the Columbus Metropolitan Club on Wednesday, NBC4 reported, saying he was focused on "our current students and moving forward." As for criticisms that have emerged about the so-called Glaros Report, specifically from witnesses who said their interviews were mischaracterized, Drake said OSU "looked at the facts that came to us in their totality." "So was there one sentence or one fact that made a great difference to us? It was really a string of facts over a long period of time, from a variety of people, and that's really what we based our decision on."
Waters praised for dealing with alumni: In another development in the ongoing controversy, Waters got a glowing review just months before he was fired, the Associated Press reported. According to his annual performance review, obtained by the news service, Waters got high marks in every category from Music Director Richard Blatti. "Jon is confronted with many years of 'tradition' and many well-meaning alumni whose proclivities and excesses need constant but gradual attitude adjustment," Blatti wrote. "Jon has already begun to address these predispositions and is courageous in tackling some of the more extreme views head-on."
Two great vices that go great together? Smokers may soon be able to keep gambling while they light up at Hollywood Casino Columbus and counterparts in Cincinnati and Toledo. The Cincinnati Enquirer reports the casinos are planning to add slots to their outdoor smoking decks, something their rival racinos are already offering. "We have customers who like to smoke, and this is a way to meet customer demand," Bob Tenenbaum, spokesman for Hollywood Casino parent Penn National Gaming Inc., told the paper.
More workers' comp rebates: Ohio is considering another big workers' compensation rebate. Crain's Cleveland Business reports the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation is considering a second $1 billion rebate in what Gov. John Kasich is calling the “ Another Billion Back” program. Strong investment returns have given the agency the cash flow to do it, the paper said.
Pretzel buns in sickness and in health: Proving they aren't morons, the folks at Wendy's Co. have made the pretzel bacon cheeseburger a permanent fixture on the menu. Liz Geraghty, Wendy’s vice president of brand marketing, told QSR Magazine that the pretzel bun " has become a fixture in the hearts of consumers across America.” That's all well and good, but you really should take 2:33 to check out the music video announcing the move, the latest addition to the company's #PretzelLoveSongs social media campaign.
