Oxford Biz Dec 2009

What’s The Biz -- December 2009 1

The Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual Christmas Parade is set to roll through downtown Oxford at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5. After the parade, kids of all ages can visit with the one and only Santa Claus in Centennial Park. For more Christmas happenings in the downtown area see page 11. Photo by C.J. Carnacchio.

BIZ What’s the

December 2009

Vol. 4 # 12

Oxford Area’s Monthly Business News & Info

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What’s The Biz -- December 2009

Independent school’s green focus earns director award By C.J. Carnacchio As the director of Upland Hills School in Addison Township, Phil Moore’s spent most of his life educating children and encouraging them to not only live their lives in tune with nature, but help find solutions to the planet’s most-pressing environmental problems. To honor his efforts, the 61-year-old Oxford resident recently received the Julian Smith Award from the Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor Education. Each year, the award is bestowed on the individual who exemplifies the best in the field of outdoor education. “To get an award from an organization that is so concerned with outdoor education is an honor because that’s really what we set out to do when we began here in 1971,” said Moore, who became director shortly after the school’s founding. “It’s a recognition of the entire Upland Hills learning community’s work, which includes the farm, the ecological awareness center and the school.” One of the school’s founding principles is “the natural world should be a primary teacher.” Teaching the need for connection to the natural world is absolutely critical when educating students, in Moore’s opinion, because they will have to confront climate change, otherwise known as global warming. “Although many people still don’t really understand the implications of confronting climate change, it is, I believe, the single most series issue that humanity has ever encountered,” he said. “It should be a foundation for anyone who’s working with young children to be working on the solutions to things that promote climate change.” In addition to traditional academic subjects, students at Upland Hills School learn about “sustainability,” which is the idea that humanity’s survival on this planet is dependent on the well-being of the natural world and responsible use of natural resources. “Teaching sustainability is really rewiring people to live in a very different way with a much lighter footprint than we have (left) up until now and with a consciousness that takes into consideration the generations that will come after us,” Moore explained. Changing the “footprint” humanity leaves on the planet is more than just reducing the amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases we emit, according to Moore. “It’s about changing the life-style that has up until now said consume as much as you want, throw away without thinking about where it ends up, use water as if it was an inexhaustible resource,” he said Looking back over his 38-year career

Upland Hills School Director Phil Moore (center) chats with students (from left) Cooper Webster, Alex Young, Coco Catallo, Olivia Zeiman, Wyeth Fairbanks and Xavier Clark. Photo by C.J. Carnacchio.

Moore has a lot to be proud of. “I’m really proud of the children who have grown up through our school, gone out into the world and are making a difference in their communities from places as far away as Prague, Czech Republic to Antarctica,” he said. “Former Upland Hills students are helping save the planet and in the process, making their mark upon the world in a variety of ways. “A couple of our (former) students are involved in the development of large wind farms and are on the forefront of that industry,” Moore said. “A couple of our (former) students are deeply imbedded in the national park system and are teaching children from disadvantaged neighborhoods and situations how to love and appreciate the natural world.” Moore believes “the greatest joy for a teacher” is when “you form a strong bond with a student,” who then “surpasses you in terms of their understanding, appreciation and knowledge of the world.” “I can assure you there’s hundreds of children that I know, parents as well, who have transcended my understanding of the world and are doing phenomenal things in helping to change the world,” he said. To learn more about Upland Hills School visit www.uplandhills.org or call (248) 6932878.

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Choosing and forming a business entity So you have decided to start a business, congratulations! You have put in the hard work of creating a business plan and gathering start-up funds and now you must choose how to legally structure the business. There are so many issues to consider: liability exposure, tax implications, record-keepMolly B. Maxwell ing requirements, not to mention the needs specific to your business. Your excitement quickly turns to stress and confusion. Many small business owners make the mistake of trying to “go it alone” when it comes to forming their business entity and many live to regret that decision. Do-it-yourselfer’s often select the wrong entity for their needs or make formation errors exposing their business to unnecessary liability. Choosing and forming a business entity is a vital step in the creation of your new business and should not be taken lightly or without sound, expert counsel. Attorneys charge a relatively low fee to guide you through this daunting process and can serve as valuable sources of information throughout the life of your business. A small investment in your business now will save both time and money in the future. Please call our office to set up an appointment. Phillip B. Maxwell & Associates PLLC, 248-969-1490; 20 Hudson Street, Oxford

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What’s The Biz -- December 2009 3

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MERRY CHRISTMAS YOU CAN’T CONTROL

THE WORLD,

BUT YOU CAN CONTROL YOUR DECISIONS. Sometimes the market reacts poorly to world events, but just because the market reacts doesn’t mean you should. Still, if current events are making you feel uncertain about your finances, you should schedule a complimentary portfolio review. That way, you can make sure you’re in control of where you want to go and how you get there.

During this holiday season and every day of the Call or visit your local financial today. year, we wish you alladvisor the best. Andrew Hunter Financial Advisor 826 S. Lapeer Rd., Suite A Oxford, MI 48371 www.edwardjones.com Member SIPC (248) 628-3811 www.edwardjones.com Member SIPC

Changing ‘seasons’ of life may require changes in investment strategy

As we make the transition from autumn to winter, you may be reminded that seasons don’t just change on the calendar — they also change in your life. And as you move from one season of your life to another, you’ll find that some of your goals may have changed. Consequently, as time goes by, you may need to adjust your financial strategies as well. To illustrate the “seasonal” nature of your investment strategies, let’s Andrew Hunter quickly go through a typi- of Edward Jones cal life cycle and look at the differing financial goals at each stage: Starting out — When you are beginning your career, you may not have a lot of money with which to invest, but it’s important to try to put away something each month. If you have a 401(k) where you work, take advantage of it — your money is deducted, pretax, from your paychecks, so it’s an easy way to start investing. And at this stage of your life, consider investing primarily for growth. Of course, when you invest in growth-oriented vehicles, you typically assume an above-average degree of risk because the price of these investments can fluctuate greatly over time. However, if you buy quality investments and hold them for many years, you may be able to overcome the “blips” along the way and benefit from the growth prospects these vehicles can offer. Middle years — During this season of your life, things have likely changed. Your kids may have already graduated from college or otherwise left home, so you may need to re-evaluate your life insurance needs. You’re likely earning more money and have more available to invest — which means, among other things, that you should consider “maxing out” on your IRA and also putting as much as you afford into your 401(k) or other employer-sponsored retirement plan. Because you may have a decade or more until you retire, you still may need considerable growth potential from your investments. At the same time, though, you might not want to invest quite as aggressively as you did when you started out, so you may want to increase the percentage of bonds and other fixed-income vehicles in your portfolio. Retirement years — Many people assume their expenses will drop when they retire. And some will drop — but others, such as health care, will increase. Furthermore, it’s not at all unusual for people to spend two, or even three, decades in an active retirement — and during those years, inflation can be a factor. Please See EDWARD JONES on Page 5

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What’s The Biz -- December

2009

Good Eats WTB’s

Out For Lunch

Sit Down Dining American Legion Post 108 130 E. Drahner Rd. Oxford, 248-628-9081 Big Boy - Oxford 955 S. Lapeer Rd., Oxford, 248-628-3841 Ken’s Coney Island 212 S. Washington St. Oxford, 248-969-3665 Lakeville Inn 1318 Rochester Rd. Lakeville, 248-628-4460 Louie’s Food & Spirit 600 Lakeville Rd., Lakeville, 248-628-2440 (The) Nugget 1055 S. Lapeer Rd Oxford, 248-628-2503 Ox Bar and Grill 22 S. Washington St. 248-628-1400 Oxford Hills Golf Club (Seasonal) 300 E. Drahner Rd. Oxford, 248-628-2518 Oxford Tap 5 S. Washington St. Oxford, 248-236-0380 24th Street 2 N. Washington St., Oxford, 248-628-1200 Rob’s Place 13 S. Washington St Oxford, 248-628-1217 Tami’s Grill 1386 S. Lapeer Rd. Oxford, 248-236-0900 Victoria’s Delights 12 S. Washington St. Oxford, 248-969-3477

Ethnic Casa Real (Mexican) 21 S. Washington St., Oxford, 248-969-2801 Golden Dragon (Chinese) 32 S. Washington St.,

Oxford, 248-628-9800 Italia Gardens (Italian) 1076 S. Lapeer Rd., Oxford, 248-628-4112 Thai Cuisine (Thai) 180 S. Washington St. Oxford, 248-236-9205

Coney Joint Country Coney 1040 S. Lapeer Rd., Oxford, 248-628-7712

Pizza Place Cottage Inn Pizza 51 S. Washington St. Oxford, 248-628-9500 Fatty’s Pizza 40 N. Washington St. Oxford, 248-628-4471 Guido’s Premium Pizza 1396 S. Lapeer Rd., Oxford, 248-969-2111 Isola’s Pizzeria & Restaurant 80 N. Rochester Rd. Addison Twp., 586-752-3585 Jet’s Pizza 204 S. Washington St. Oxford, 248-969-5387 Little Caesar’s Pizza 89 W. Burdick St., Oxford, 248-628-6302

Fast Food Burger King 583 S. Lapeer Rd. Oxford, 248-628-3636 Dairy Queen Oxford, 248-628-3690 McDonald’s 280 N. Washington St. Oxford, 248-628-2780 Subway Sandwiches 95 W. Burdick St. Oxford, 248-969-6920 Uncle Boomba’s Mr. Pita/ Dairy Queen 1010 S. Lapeer Rd., Oxford, 248-969-2222

Restaurant managers -- call us if you would like to have a menu item featured! 248-628-4801

Cook-to-own Revere’s in new hands Sometimes life is circular in motion - just ask Tiffany Turnbull. For 30 years, Revere’s Mexican Restaurant was a favorite destination for residents of Oxford and Orion. It was started, owned, operated, closed and then reborn in Lake Orion (behind the Taco Bell on the west side of M-24, south of Heights Road) under the direction of Larry Laidler. When Turnbull was 15 she started cooking in Revere’s kitchen. Today, she has found her niche in the world. Her life, has come full circle. While she still cooks, she’s no longer just the cook of Revere’s. You can now call her, “owner.” “I love it,” she says. “I love cooking. I love it when people come in and say, ‘it smells really good in here.’ I love working with the public. I love joking with the employees. I love it.” With the backing of her parents, Brad and Debbie Bertram, Turnbull took over ownership of Revere’s a year ago. “Business has been good. It’s been a good experience. We see new customers all the time and people -- customers from the old Revere’s -- come in from all over once they hear we’re back in business,” she said. And, while ownership has changed, the recipes and customer favorites for the carry out restaurant are still the same (nachos, titanicos and the burrito supremes). During the past year, Turnbull and her staff of five have made cleanliness a priority, and she is proud to say, Revere’s has received perfect scores

Tiffany Turnbull, left and Ally Minch with Revere’s number one seller -- a large nacho. Photo by Don Rush from county health inspectors. to 9 p.m. Delivery in the Orion-Oxford area is Future plans for Revere’s (keep your fin- free for orders over $30. gers crossed) are to expand for dining-in “EvTurnbull also can cater a party of event erybody is requesting it,” she said. with two or three days notice. Revere’s is open Monday through Friday, For more information, or to order your own 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and on Sunday, from noon nacho, call 248-693-9051

Spice up your stuffing with Italian sausage This recipe was given to me by a wonderful woman named Nancy Forte. Nancy grew up in New York and lived with her father and brother until they were deceased. Nancy is an amazing cook, and over the 37 years that I have known her, she has served me many delicious meals. Like most women in the Forte family, she can take the most basic ingredients and Mary Forte turn them into a culinary masterpiece. The addition of Italian sausage to this basic stuffing recipe

is a brilliant idea. I like to use hot sausage to spice it up a bit, but it would be equally good with mild or fennel sausage. For A 15 Pound Turkey: 16 cups Italian bread; cubed into 1 inch pieces 2 pounds bulk Italian Sausage 1 stick butter 1 ½ cups chopped onion 1 ½ cups chopped celery ¾ teaspoon dried thyme leaves 1 ½ teaspoons dried marjoram leaves salt and black pepper to taste 1 cup chicken stock Cube bread and leave in covered bowl overnight. In a large skillet, cook sausage over medium heat, until brown and crumbly; break-

ing up large pieces. Remove sausage from skillet, measure fat and if less than 1 cup add butter to make up the difference. Return the fat to the pan and add the onion and celery. Cook until the onions are translucent and the celery is tender. Add thyme and marjoram. Add sausage back to pan and remove from the heat. Mix the sausage mixture to the bread cubes and add the stock to moisten. If you choose to cook the stuffing outside of the bird, like I do, you will need to add about ½ to 1 cup of more stock. Bake in oven for about 30 minutes at the same temperature you cook the turkey at. Mary Forte is an Oxford Village Resident.

What’s The Biz --

December 2009 5

Students get glimpse of electric car industry Ella: You’ll By C.J. Carnacchio Twenty-four students from Kingsbury Country Day School in Addison Township got a sneak peak last week at the electrifying future of Michigan’s automotive industry. They were among about 300 students from six schools who attended “The Business of Plugging In” conference hosted by General Motors and held at the Motor City Hotel and Conference Center in downtown Detroit. “It was really fun,” said Leonard resident Randy Pardy, a seventh-grader at Kingsbury. GM invited these math and science students to come touch, see and learn about the growing electric vehicle industry. “It was really cool because not a lot of schools get to experience it,” said Oxford resident Claire Thayer, an eighth-grader at Kingsbury. The event featured opportunities for students to experience the automobile’s electric revolution through interactive displays; talks with industry leaders and people who are developing the infrastructure that’s key to bringing electric vehicles to the market; and discussions with local university students and recent graduates working in fields such as hybrid and electric vehicle development. “The presenters talked to the students as if they were adults,” said Annette Young, who teaches science to Kingsbury’s sixth-througheighth-grade classes. “They respected them and asked great questions of the kids. It was a really good experience for them.” Young said the students learned about all the factors that go into designing electric vehicles including the lifestyle adjustments that society will need to make such as having special garages and plug-in stations to keep vehicles charged. “They were very focused, interested and excited to learn something new,” she said. “I actually learned a lot more about electric cars than I already knew,” Thayer said. “I learned they have plug-in stations at some parking lots. I didn’t know that.” “I learned how many batteries it takes to power an electric car,” said Joey Files, a Kingsbury seventh-grader from Lake Orion. “For the Chevy Volt, it takes like 400 pounds of (lithium ion) batteries to make the car go 40 miles on pure electricity.” Students were very excited about getting the opportunity to view the new Chevy Volt, an electric car not slated to hit the market until November 2010. “I thought it was very cool to see all the stuff about the new Volt,” said Ortonville resident Kaley Rosczewski, a sixth-grader at Kingsbury. “I learned how you charge the cars.” “(The Volt’s) supposed to go really fast and I think it will be a really good seller when it comes out,” Thayer said. A few of the students are even thinking about someday having careers involving electric vehicles. “I’d like to work on designing them,” Pardy said. Rosczewski indicated she’d like to be involved in engineering these vehicles of the future. “It was all pretty much interesting for me,” she said.

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Edward Jones Continued from Page 3

Consequently, even as a retiree, you’ll find that growth-oriented investments are important, balanced with others that provide income. Furthermore, you’ll want to manage the withdrawals you take from your IRA, 401(k) or other employer-sponsored retirement plan to help make sure you don’t outlive your resources. At the same time, you should consider exploring estate-planning techniques, such as life insurance trusts, that can help you leave the legacy you want without burdening your heirs with heavy estate taxes. To help you meet these needs, work with your tax advisor and estate-planning professional. The seasons of the year change every three months. The seasons of your life change much more slowly, but these changes can have a big impact on your financial situation.

6

What’s The Biz -- December 2009 Congressman Mike Rogers met with a crowd of folks at the Bear Paw Cafe in Lakeville. Photos by C.J. Carnacchio.

Rogers: Call senators, stop health care bill By C.J. Carnacchio About 60 or so concerned citizens packed the tiny Bear Paw Cafe in Lakeville Nov. 12 to hear U.S. Congressman Mike Rogers (R-Brighton) speak and ask some questions over a cup of coffee. Referring to the landmark health care bill that recently passed the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives, one woman uttered the question that seemed to be on most people’s minds that morning. “What’s it going to take to defeat this? It just seems unstoppable,” she said. Rogers urged people to phone in their opposition to the bill to as many senators as they can, not just Democrats Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow, who represent Michigan. “I say pick up the phone and call them all,” he said. “(Tell them) we want some changes, but we don’t want government-run health care.” “We can’t be bashful. This is not their government. It’s ours,” Rogers noted. The congressman noted the health care bill isn’t as unstoppable as people might think. “Right now, they don’t have the votes for it,” he explained. “We had 39 Democrats (in the House) not vote for this bill. They said this thing is not a good idea. The only bipartisan part of this bill was its opposition.” When Rogers announced he voted ‘no’ on the health care bill, he drew a big round of applause from the crowd. “We have the chance to still beat this thing if you think this is a bad idea, and I think it’s a horrible idea,” he said. The congressman explained to the crowd the real price tag of this health care legislation. “The cost is outrageous,” he said, noting there’s 10 years worth of taxes added into the bill. “They said over the next 10

years, it’s only going to cost $900 billion. Here’s the problem, in the first five years, there’s no services, only taxes. So, it doubles the cost. It’s about $1.8 trillion in cost.” Besides taxing individuals and small businesses, the health care bill taxes everything in the doctor’s office “from the tongue depressor to the gloves they wear to their stethoscope to the blood pressure cuff to your MRI machine.” “All of it has a brand new tax on it,” Rogers explained. “Only in Washington D.C. can you add more costs to providing health care and it’s going to get cheaper. It just doesn’t make any sense to me to do that.” If costs are cut under the proposed health care legislation, Rogers said it will be done a way that hurts people. “The only way a government-run system can cut costs is deny access or ration care,” he said. “The only way they can ration care in the United States is by having boards deny care. It’s the only way they can save money in a big government system.” Addison resident Bob Godkin expressed his concern about how the health care bill’s proposed $400 billion cut to Medicare is going to affect senior citizens like him. “We depend on Medicare. We’re senior citizens on a fixed income,” he said. “This is another great reason why we should oppose it,” Rogers said. “Medicare is going to go broke in 2019. They’re going to add more people to Medicare under this bill and they’re going to cut it by $400 billion. Brilliant. It doesn’t make sense, but it’s the only way they can make their math work.” One resident brought up the subject of illegal aliens and Rogers indicated they will be covered under this bill because they won’t have to show any proof of citizenship to receive government-run health care. “There’s no verification. All you have to do is sign a form

that says ‘yes, you’re a U.S. citizen.’ That’s it,” he explained. “Even the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office says they think it will add nine million new illegal immigrants to his bill. We can hardly pay for what we got, let alone pay for illegal immigrants But Rogers wasn’t here just to shoot arrows at the Democrats’ health care bill. He also put forth some ideas. “There’s better alternatives to the government running it,” he said. The congressman believes people should be able to shop around for their health insurance and companies should compete for people’s business. But right now, the law is preventing that from happening and he’d like to change that. For instance, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Indiana offers health coverage very similar to its Michigan counterpart and it’s “much cheaper.” “Some say it’s about $300 per employee per month cheaper,” Rogers said. Although a person or company from Michigan can buy just about anything in Indiana, they can’t buy health insurance there because “it’s against the law today.” “Right now, Blue Cross Blue Shield has 80 percent of the market in Michigan and you can’t go anywhere else to shop,” he said. “They’re a good company, but guess what? They don’t really care if you tell them you don’t like what they’re doing. What are you going to do? You have no where to go.” Changing that law to allow competition would give customers better prices and service in Rogers’ opinion. Rogers is also in favor of small businesses being able to “pool their resources to negotiate better rates for health insurance” and placing the “sickest of the sick” in “catastrophic pools,” so the risk is spread around the country, everyone pays lower premiums and those people get the insurance coverage they need.

What’s The Biz -- December 2009 7

Goddard kids cut ribbon The Goddard School for Early Childhood Development celebrated it grand opening Friday, Nov. 6 with officials from Oxford Township and Village. Owner/operator Michelle Stuhlreyer, along with her husband Peter, opened the all-day preschool and childcare center Sept. 17 and since then, it has received great support from the community.

During the ceremony, Goddard presented the Parks and Recreation Department with a $100 donation to be put towards the new splash pad at Seymour Lake Park. When the ceremony concluded, some children from the Goddard were able to take part in their own ribbon-cutting ceremony, using giant plastic scissors and yarn to simulate it. – Andrew Moser

Cutting the ribbon are (center) Rock and Viktor Paljusaj, owners of the 24th Street Sports Tavern. They are flanked by Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce Director Holly Bills (left) and DDA Director Madonna Van Fossen. Photo by Andrew Moser.

24th Street celebrates new look Vic’s 24th Street Sports Tavern celebrated it’s grand opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony Thursday, Oct. 29. On hand were co-owners Viktor Paljusaj, of Rochester Hills and his father Rock, of Addison. A reception followed the ceremony in the bar’s new lounge area, which consists of comfortable leather chairs and couches. The idea for the bar was to transform it into a neighborhood place where families

would be comfortable bringing their kids to eat. The inside of the bar was redone with Rock adding new furniture and new flooring and carpeting. A brand new facade was constructed outside. Paljusaj wanted to thank the community for all of the support he and his father received since the bar’s opening. – Andrew Moser

Cutting the ribbon for the grand opening of the newly expanded Oxford Lakes Dental Care are (from left) Oxford Village Manager Joe Young, Cameron Elrod from Patterson Dental, Congressman Mike Rogers, Dr. Donna Sahutske and Dr. Dan Sahutske. Photo by C.J. Carnacchio.

Dentists smiling over grand opening Oxford Lakes Dental Care celebrated the grand opening of it’s newly expanded and remodeled office at 91 S. Washington Street with a Nov. 12 ribbon-cutting ceremony that featured U.S. Congressman Mike Rogers (RBrighton). After 10 months of construction, Drs. Dan and Donna Sahutske saw about 2,500 square feet added to their facility, giving them a total of 4,500 square feet in which to serve their patients. “This had been a dream of Dr. Dan and Dr. Donna’s for 10 years,” said Office Administrator Deborah Lopez, who noted the expansion was done to facilitate a growing dental practice that was “bursting at the seams.”

Rogers said he “can’t thank the doctors enough” for making “a very difficult decision to invest capital in a pretty bad economy,” and for choosing to be “proactive in making things better,” rather than being bystanders. “This is happening more and more,” the congressman said. “I just talked to another builder who said, ‘You know what? I’m tired of sitting on the sidelines. I going to go start a new project.’” “And those are the decisions that (are) going to get us out of this mess. Nothing I’m going to do in Washington D.C.’s going to do it. Matter of fact, we may cause more trouble.” – C.J. Carnacchio

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What’s The Biz -- December 2009

POH Regional Medical Center

World class cancer care is now available close to home

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We are pleased to announce the addition of

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to our team of health care specialists World Class Cancer Care is now available at POH Regional Medical Center in Oxford. Patients in the Oxford area no longer need to travel inconvenient distances to receive advanced cancer care. Dr. Bikkina joins us with over 25 years of clinical experience, he along with his staff of dedicated professionals are specially trained in oncology and understand your unique medical condition and needs.

Patients in the area no longer need to travel inconvenient distances adding to the emotional and physical stress of a cancer or hematological diagnosis. Dr. Sai Bikkina and POH Regional Medical Center now offer advanced cancer care in Oxford. In addition to being board certified, Dr.Bikkina is the Chairman of the Cancer Committee at Lapeer Regional Medical Center andAssociate Medical Director of the Great Lakes Cancer Institute. He joins us with over 25 years of clinical experience. Dr. Bikkina, along with his staff of dedicated, caring professionals are specially trained in oncology/hematology andare sensitive to your unique medical conditions and needs. We understand how worried you and your family are, which is why the closely integrated team of medical, laboratory and diagnostic specialists at POH Regional Medical Center will use their knowledge and expertise to combine technology with the intimacy of personalized care. At POH, patients will be able to have

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onsite chemotherapy and laboratory services,as well as diagnostics that include CT, MRI and PET/ CT Scans. The physician that gives the initial diagnosis will give you a referral to an oncologist that may be located some distance away. The oncologist that you choose will affect the treatment you receive and will be with you for a lifetime. It is important to make an informed wellresearched decision, so ask your physician for a referral to have a consultation with Dr.Sai Bikkina. Beyond the medicine and beyond the technology, we care about you. Hope is now closer to home.Call 248628-3000.

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What’s The Biz -- December 2009 9

New rule mandates loan modification

James R. Porritt, Jr. ATTORNEY

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e • Self directed disposition of assets Con e Init ia sul • Your choice of administrator tati l • Your choice of Guardian for minors on • Your choice of Trust for minors to be set up after your passing. “Avoiding Probate” does not justify the cost or inconvenience of setting up a Living Trust and maintaining it for the rest of your life. Michigan’s unsupervised probate procedure is inexpensive, uses preprinted forms, avoids formal accountings, court appearances, or approval of asset disposition.

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• Advice, preparation of Purchase Agreement, Mandatory Disclosures & related documents. • Coordination of financing, inspections, surveys, appraisals, title work & closing Cash To New Mortgage Transaction 1/2of 1% Seller Financed Sales 1% (Land contracts, private mortgages, lease with option)

If You Must Sell Your Home And Cannot Without A Reduction In Your Mortgage Balance, Call For An Appointment.

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The rules governing the processes for those seeking relief from the burden of mortgage loan financing are constantly changing. The newest twist added by well intentioned-officials will once again make it more difficult for those hoping to have an approval of a short sale. Before a short sale will be considered, the seller will have to apply and be rejected for a Attorney James R. loan modification. The problem that Porritt, Jr. presents as a practical matter is that the application process can take two to four months from the time the application is 'posted' by the mortgage server.

These rules govern the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac mortgages. The first problem is that many homeowners do not know that their mortgage is part of one of those portfolios of loans that are government supported. Their server may be Countrywide, Bank of America, Citi Mortgage, Wells Fargo, WaMu or others and still, the underlying 'lender' can be government supported. The process of making application for the modification is greatly improved through the use of a certified mortgage counselor. Their assistance is without charge, but recent experience is a six-week delay in getting in to see them. It is for this reason that it is imperative that if you are having any trouble at all, or see the approach of troubling finances, get in to see a counselor as soon as possible.

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248-693-5599 www.WPSinvestments.com

Use creative way to maximize pension 10

What’s The Biz -- December 2009

Are you wondering how to make the most of your pen- tion - and it might be better to go get one. The outside-the-box choice that is too often overlooked. sion? If you're thinking about which income option to take, Here's the real choice: Should you insure your spouse's fumaybe it's time to think outside the box. Here's why. When most retiring public service employees meet with ture level of income, or should you insure yourself? Let's put it another way. Let's say your a pension administrator and look over their inspouse outlives you. After you die, do you want come options, they face an either/or question. your spouse to receive some taxable retirement Do they sign up for the survivor's benefit or income, or a significant cash benefit that will not? not be taxed? (Life insurance proceeds aren't You want to do the right thing. At first taxed, except in a few limited cases, but survivor glance, it seems like a no-brainer. If you have a pension benefits are.) spouse, of course you want the survivor's benBefore you retire, you could purchase a efit - right? After all, this is the option that guarwhole life insurance policy in an amount that antees the continuance of pension income for would give your spouse or your children the your spouse after you pass away. In most cases, equivalent of a similar monthly benefit. That it is structured so that the pension income lasts whole life policy could even build cash value for the longer of two lives. over time. But do you really want to reduce your reLoran S. Coffman Why insure your life instead of your tirement income? You may not realize that this WPS Investments spouse's future income level? This choice choice carries an opportunity cost. makes sense on many levels. First, you increase If you choose to distribute your pension income under a "joint and survivor" arrangement, the monthly income you your retirement income by not choosing the joint life expectget will likely be hundreds of dollars less than if you had ancy payout option. (If your spouse should pass away bechosen a "single life" distribution. The pension fund knows fore you do, this will prove an even wiser financial decision.) Second, you have a life insurance policy that will give that a joint life pension will almost certainly have to pay out over more years than a single life pension, so the monthly your spouse financial protection in the form of a sizable death benefit if you pass away first. Your spouse could even use income will have to be set lower. Selecting the joint life option means reducing your re- the life insurance proceeds to purchase an immediate annutirement income. If you take that option and die early, your ity, which could then provide a lifelong income stream. spouse is looking at a lifetime of reduced pensions. If you Third, if your spouse dies before you, you still have the and your spouse die a year or two apart, there is little benefit maximum pension while the eventual life insurance proceeds derived from the choice you've made. (In most cases, you may be directed to other beneficiaries you name on your can't reverse a pension payout option you selected years policy - such as your children. (Will your children inherit your pension income? No, they will not.) ago.) Fourth, there's a lot of uncertainty today about the health If you choose the survivor's benefit, you are making an insurance decision. Seriously, you are. When you check that of state and local pension funds. The less you have to worry box, you are arranging for a cash benefit to be paid out to a about that subject, the better. How would you pay for this new insurance policy? Well, surviving spouse. A life insurance policy has the same funcJeffrey Moss (left) and Randy Zielinski, coowners of Affiliated Construction Specialists.

it may be easier than you think. If you select a single life pension, the money you receive may result in income enough to live on and fund the policy. Factors to consider. This "pension maximization" strategy makes the most sense if you and your spouse are in good health and if you are within 10 years of retirement. You also want to scrutinize the terms of your pension and medical plan, and take a look at the other income and tax consequences of making this move. By the way, this strategy is common in corporate America. It's about time more public service employees used it as well. I urge you to look into it, and to discuss it with a licensed insurance professional or financial advisor. Loran S. Coffman is the founder of Wealth Preservation Strategies, LLC and may be reached on the web at www.WPSinvestments.com, by phone (248) 693-5599, or by email [email protected]. See "The Science of Financial Health," Coffman's exclusive weekly financial column on the web every Wednesday at www.LakeOrionReview.com. These views are those of the author and should not be construed as investment, tax or legal advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. All information is believed to be from reliable sources; however we make no representation as to its completeness or accuracy. Please consult your Investment, Tax and/or Legal Advisor for further information and advice about application to your specific circumstances. Presented by Loran S. Coffman & authored by Peter Montoya, Incorporated. Securities offered through H. Beck, Inc. Member FINRA, SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through M.R.Spencer Advisory Services, LLC. WPS-Investments, Inc., M.R. Spencer Advisory Services, LLC and Peter Montoya, Incorporated are unaffiliated with H. Beck, Inc. Branch address of WPS is 189 W. Clarkston Rd., Bldg. A, Lake Orion, MI 48362

Company offers unique product to enhance building security By Andrew Moser Bad economic times usually don’t bode well for new companies, but the Oxford-based Affiliated Construction Specialists Inc. has found a niche and business is booming. Affiliated Construction specializes in an architectural security grid system, which is an interior mounted grid that, when installed, looks like a french door design. Co-owners Randy Zielinski, of Metamora, and Jeffrey Moss, of Lake Orion, began the company less than two years ago in Waterford, and had to move twice because they didn’t have enough space. They eventually found a new location at 850 S. Glaspie. “Were pretty comfortable here in Oxford, we know this building is going to suffice.” said Zielinski. Moss said that all of the people who work at the company are locals. “It’s about supporting the community,” Moss said.

According to Zielinski, what they have done differently from places that have the security bars on the outside is make the grid a tooled product, giving them a precise cut that can fit any interior window. That design allowed them to patent their product and become successful entrepreneurs because they are one of a select few companies in the nation that make this type of product. “I could honestly tell you that (our service) might be one-of-one (in) that we measure it, make it and install it anywhere in the country,” Zielinski said. Currently, their product is in stores across the United States. “It’s a fascinating growth for a company in Michigan because you don’t hear manufacturing and you don’t hear growth...Jeff and I have been blessed with it and absolutely happy.” For more information call (248) 969-9600.

Charge cards and holiday spending Ready or not - the biggest spending season of the year quickly approaching! Even in these tough economic times, with so many people on restricted budgets, studies still suggest that most households will spend an average of $500 to $800 on holiday expenses. Where is the money going to come from to pay for the gifts, the food, and all the trimmings? Some people have been putting money away in a Holiday account, and others are able to fit the purchases in their budget. More commonly, many people will make Carolyn Chevrier is their purchases with president of Lakes Credit Cards. Community Credit If you are consider- Union. ing using a Credit Card, please take a moment and look closely at your credit card agreement(s). What is the stated interest rate? Is the rate variable? What are the monthly payment requirements? Most importantly – are there any gimmicks or surprises in the fine print? With new credit card laws continually being updated, revised and put into place, many credit card companies have changed their fixed rates to variable rates, making it easier for them to bump up your rate. Other credit card companies offer you a low introductory rate, but once the short financing period is up, the rate can jump up to 20% or higher! Even department store cards tend to carry a high interest rate! Do you have any of these cards? Before using any of them consider looking for a “no gimmick” credit card. For instance, at Lakes Community Credit Union, we offer two credit cards, with fixed interest rates between 11.88 and 12.96%. We have no annual fee, and offer a grace period to help you avoid a late fee if you can’t make your payment on time. What do your cards charge you if you are even one day late with a payment? $35? Typically, Credit Unions are looking to help individuals and families reach their financial goals without charging a high price and heavy penalties. As the financial crisis hit our country, Credit Unions looked for ways to help stabilize the problems of the American auto industry – a problem we all could feel in the metro Detroit area! We’re currently offering car loans as low as 4.5% to qualified buyers – call us for details! Take the rebate and see how much money you can save by financing your new car at Lakes! Lakes Community Credit Union offers membership to people that work, live and/or worship in Oakland County. As a member, you get to vote for our Board of Directors! Our profits are returned to you in lower loan rates – they money doesn’t go to big corporate owners! Stop in at see us! We’re located at 350 N. Park Blvd (M-24) near Indianwood Rd. Wishing you a safe and happy holiday season!

What’s The Biz -- December 2009 11

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4

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Plenty of Christmas fun, giving downtown

The Oxford Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is celebrating the upcoming holidays in downtown Oxford, by giving back to those in need through the Oxford Giving Trees, a seasonal promotion aimed at reinforcing the spirit of community. The promotion, which begins November 27, 2009 and ends December 31, 2009, will benefit the following local charitable organizations: Banbury Cross, Crossroads for Youth, Haven, Love INC, Meals on Wheels (prepared by OPC), Orion/Oxford Boys and Girls Club, Orion/Oxford FISH, Problem Pregnancy Center, and Oxford-Addison Youth Assistance. To give back to our community, visitors are asked to bring monetary donations and non-perishable food items to participating businesses in the Oxford DDA district, write their names on an ornament provided and hang it on the Oxford Giving Tree displayed in the business storefront. For every $10 or 10 non-perishable food items a person donates, their name will be entered in a drawing to receive a $500 gift certificate redeemable at businesses located within the Oxford DDA district. The official kick-off of the Oxford Giving Trees will be held during the Oxford Tree Lighting Ceremony in Centennial Park, located in the heart of downtown Oxford on December 4, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. This year’s ceremony will feature holiday entertainment provided by the Oxford High School Marching Band and Choirs, Oxford Middle School Choirs and the Chippewa Valley High School Alumni Choir. Additional activities sponsored by Genisys Credit Union, Meijer and Candy Cane Christmas Tree Farm will include the lighting of the Oxford Christmas Tree; FREE hot chocolate and cookies; FREE holiday family photo sessions with photos posted on our website and available for downloading; children’s holiday storytelling at the Northeast Oakland Historical Museum and moonlight shopping and dining at participating shops and restaurants in the Oxford DDA district. For more information about the Oxford Giving Trees, the Oxford Tree Lighting Ceremony or to learn about volunteer opportunities, visit www.downtownoxford.org.

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What’s The Biz -- December 2009

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Where you come first.