Keller @ Large: Haverhill Businessman A Refreshing Good News Story

BOSTON (CBS) - Sometimes I get complaints from some of you about the critical tone of many of these commentaries, and while I make no apologies for trying to stick it to the creeps and fakers who too often make news, I have to admit even I get sick of the negativity of it all.

So I'm glad to be able to spend our time today talking about the feel-good story of a local businessman who is a refreshing contrast with the usual parade of horribles.

His name is Jim Ryan, a commercial property owner and manager who rented one of his buildings in Haverhill to a bridal boutique last year.

Listen to Jon's commentary:

The tenant filled the place with hundreds of bridal gowns left on consignment, but last winter, she shuttered the place and left town, skipping out on her rent and leaving all those gown-owners in the lurch.

Ryan evicted the deadbeat and was granted possession of the gowns. But instead of exercising his legal right to sell off the gowns and pocket the proceeds, he began the laborious process of contacting the customers who'd been ripped off.

"We were just trying to do the right thing," Ryan told WBZ-TV.

"I realized I didn't have the right to take possession of these dresses, so we called all 359 customers."

Imagine that, a businessman who puts fairness, decency and other people above profit and cash flow.

Actually, there are plenty more like him. But we tend not to hear about them.

Instead, we're treated to stories like the one a friend just told me, about the CEO of his company who's been dealing with economic problems by making deep cuts in his workforce, even as he pads his already-excessive salary.

Imagine if Jim Ryan were the norm, and greedhead CEOs the exception?

Enjoy that image for today.

Tomorrow, it's back to the loser parade.

You can listen to Keller At Large on WBZ News Radio every weekday at 7:55 a.m. You can also watch Jon on WBZ-TV News.