The Virginian-Pilot
© May 2, 2010
FRANKLIN
George Steinbach started working at the paper mill outside Franklin in 1937, even before it began making paper. He never expected it would stop in his lifetime.
But two weeks ago the machines shut down. International Paper will phase out employment at the mill and officially close it in June.
Steinbach retired in 1973, long before International Paper bought the mill in 1999 and in January, he turned 102, making him perhaps the oldest living former employee. He even remembers when the mill produced only brown paper.
WINDSOR—When the votes are counted Tuesday, Carita Richardson is expected to be the first female mayor in the town’s 108-year history.
Richardson, a one-term councilwoman, is running unopposed for mayor.
“Well, it looks like I will be the first woman to fill the post,” she said. “Unless, of course, there are a lot of write-in votes.”
By Philip Walzer
The Virginian-Pilot
© April 30, 2010
For more than 100 workers, today will be the last day on the job at the International Paper mill outside Franklin.
International Paper announced in October that it would close the mill this year, laying off 1,100 employees. The mill stopped producing paper two weeks ago and is phasing out workers through June.
It now has more than 800 workers, spokesman Desmond Stills said in an e-mail. “Today, April 30, is the last day for 106 employees,” he wrote.
The mill will continue shipping paper from the mill through mid-June and will then begin a final clean-up, he said.
