Oct. 5--Citing the slowdown in business as a result of the events of Sept. 11, the St. Louis-based parent company of the Adam's Mark hotel fired 20 percent of its managers at the hotel chain's 24 hotels, including managers in Jacksonville. 

It is not known how many people were let go at the Adam's Mark hotel in Jacksonville since the company's announcement last Friday. Hotel officials characterize the cuts as the first in the hotel's 28-year history. 

As a result of the terrorist attacks in Washington, D.C., and New York City, companies across the country have laid off employees, especially those that are in travel-related businesses, such as hotels, airlines, resorts and theme parks. 

Other downtown hotels have either laid off people or reduced hours as a result of the attacks. 

Irving Kass, Adam's Mark general manager in Jacksonville, would not disclose the number of hotel managers who were affected by the company's staff cuts, but he said the 966-room hotel employed 550 people as of Wednesday. 

HBE Corp. officials in St. Louis did not have an exact number available yesterday of how many people were let go in Jacksonville. HBE owns and operates Adam's Mark hotels. 

Fred Kummer, chief operating officer of Adam's Mark Hotels and Resorts said in a release statement that the cuts were a direct result of the tragedies. 

"The tragic and unforeseen attack on our country on Sept. 11 has resulted in a dramatic drop in travel, meetings and conventions. This has subsequently had a significant adverse affect on our business. Employees who were affected have been offered separation packages or, whenever possible, offered opportunities to fill similar positions at another property." 

Monica Hanna, a sous chef from San Antonio, Texas, who moved to Jacksonville in June to take a job at the Jacksonville hotel, finds herself unemployed with two children to care for. 

"The only thing I can do is look for another job," said Hanna, who had worked at a Hyatt Hotel in San Antonio. Hanna said she received a week's pay as separation pay and has filed for unemployment compensation. 

"I have to do what I have to do because I have two kids to take care of." 

Adam's Mark hotel officials say hourly employees also have seen a reduction in the number of hours because of the attacks. 

Other local hoteliers say they have had to reduce the hours of their employees with few layoffs reported. 

"We have had to adjust associates' schedules," said John Remmers, general manager at the Omni Jacksonville Hotel at 245 Water St. Remmers said Omni corporate officials directed hotel general managers in the chain not to lay off employees. 

"We see this as a short-term problem," Remmers said. 

At the Hilton Jacksonville & Towers at 1201 Riverplace Blvd., the hotel plans to lay off four or five employees, said Clifford Ferrara, director of sales and marketing at the Hilton. 

"The hours just are not there," Ferrara said. 

On the city's Southbank, at the Radisson Riverwalk Hotel and Conference Center on Prudential Drive, there have been three management employees laid off and some hourly staff members who have seen a decrease in the number of hours they are being scheduled, according to Joe Hockenbury, general manager at the Radisson. 

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