April 2016 Issue

Despite Labor Shortage, Big Season Ahead

By Ross Boissoneau

New projects and a continued vitality in that sector of the economy have those in the construction industry optimistic. “It seems to be cranking right now,” said Steve Eveleigh, head of Northwest Carpentry and current president for the Home Builders Association Grand Traverse Area (HBAGTA).

“It’s been busy the last year or so. I look for 2016 to be just as busy or busier.”

CODE CHANGES

Of course, there are always challenges in any industry. This year, one of those caveats has to do with the new construction codes. Every three years the codes are revised, and code changes in …

New Website Connects Lawyers and Clients, Links Attorneys to Each Other

By Clark Miller

Ever try to find an attorney – the right one – to help with a legal issue? It should be easy, considering there’s a plethora of law school graduates every year.

It doesn’t always work that way, though.

Finding the lawyer you need, when and where you need them – especially someone with the right expertise – can be hit or miss.

Websites like Findlaw.com list attorneys but, critics contend, they are not always up-to-date …

Who's Afraid of the Driverless Car?

By Rick Haglund

Local insurance agency executives say it’s a matter of when, not if, driverless cars will begin appearing on the nation’s highways. And when they do, the $200 billion-a-year auto insurance premium market will be turned upside down.

“If you’re getting rid of the driver, it could remove the need for private insurance,” said Tyler Bartosh, an agent in the Traverse City office of Top O’ Michigan Insurance.

Say goodbye to Flo, the perky advertising spokeswoman …

For the Love of the Law

By Jodee Taylor

Lou Smith on 50 years practicing law, his nickname "Loophole Louie" and how he envisions his legacy.

Lou Smith has been practicing law for 50 years and his enthusiasm for everything legal hasn’t waned. “You have to be wild about it to do well,” he said.

These days, Smith splits his year between Traverse City and Florida but isn’t retired, or even semi-retired. “In Florida, I receive a Federal Express box every morning before 10:30 …

Roofing Company Keeps on Top of Safety, Innovation

Most roofing companies do fine work, but they just put on roofs. They don’t concentrate on insulation or have a safety division that works with clients to provide them with dependable and reliable access to roof areas. And they probably don’t receive patents for their solutions in either area.

Of course, …

By Ross Boissoneau

Acme Is Open For Business

When the Acme Business Association first formed in 2009, it was a community divided. A battle to bring a Meijer store to the township had resulted in strong opposition, a recall campaign of so-called “anti-growth” township officials, lawsuits, investigations and bad feelings among residents and business owners about how the …

By Lynn Geiger

Newsmakers: People On The Move

APPOINTMENTS/ACCOLADES

Doug Mansfield, supervisor of Union Township in Grand Traverse County, has been elected president of the Michigan Townships Association (MTA). He brings to his new position an extensive background in planning and land use as president of Mansfield Land Use Consultants. His experience in local government began more than …

By Lynn Geiger

Briefly: Big News In A Small Format

TWO LOCAL COMPANIES NAMED TO ‘WATCH’ LIST

Cash n Carry Flooring in Traverse City and Three Speed Ales – owners of Stormcloud Brewing Company – in Frankfort are two of the 2016 Michigan 50 Companies to Watch. The award recognizes growth-oriented businesses based on market expansion, job creation and community …

By Lynn Geiger

Commentary: Flint, Line 5 And Restoring Trust In State Government

It’s hard to fathom the people of Flint were poisoned by lead-tainted water for 17 months while government officials ignored evidence and downplayed the problem. Unfortunately, the culture of denial and inaction brought to light by the Flint disaster has been around a long time in our state government. …

By Hans Voss

Ballot Box Politics Equate to Poor Economic Policy

Catch phrases take hold because they supposedly advance common sense ideas in a concise way that’s easy to remember. But more and more they’re used to mask actual intent and likely outcomes, making it imperative that people look beyond seemingly straightforward words and phrases to understand the motives behind …

By Doug Luciani

Book Review: The Misfit Economy

Lessons in Creativity from Pirates, Hackers, Gangsters and Other Informal Entrepreneurs

By Alexa Clay and Kyra Maya Phillips

Simon & Schuster, 2015 286 pages

In a Nutshell: People living on the fringe create unique and profitable business models because they aren’t afraid to bend the rules of the system.

…

By Chris Wendel

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