Forest View Recreation Bar & Grill wins Monroe County 2016 Small Business of the Year Award.

Temperance, Michigan, February 28, 2017:  Once a year, the Monroe County Chamber awards a small business with the prestigious Eagle Trophy. Many businesses in the county were nominated and worthy of the award. The 2016 Small Business of the Year Award went to Bedford’s own Forest View Recreation Bar & Grill.

Some of the different criteria that must be met by the nominees are that they must be an independent, for-profit, small business that has been in existence for at least five years. Two major key factors weighed upon in the application are accountability and heavy community involvement. Once turned into the Monroe County Chamber, the applications are sent out to 3 other chambers, two of which are out of state, to give an unbiased vote.

Today, Forest View was honored to not only be nominated for the award, but to also be the recipient. Their huge involvement in community service, ability to overcome business threats, and applied innovation into operation, all had an influence on the judge’s decisions.

“I have worked for Mr. Kenny at Forest View for over a year as the marketing and event manager. This role requires me to work closely with him daily. By doing so, I quickly became aware of how caring and supportive of his community Mr. Kenny was. He goes out of his way to ensure everyone of any ability is welcomed. I can truly and honestly say that Mr. Kenny has helped me become a better person through not only the opportunities that he gives me as his employee, but by also being a great role model as a community player,” expresses Melissa Osborne.

Mr. Kenny has owned Forest View for just over three years now. He has put long hours, sweat, and tears into insuring that not only would he build up his business, but that he would play an enormous role in building up his surrounding communities as well!

To learn more, visit forestviewlanes.com or call Rich Kenny at 734-847-4915.

LANSING, Mich. — Sen. Dale Zorn will be hosting a Vietnam veteran lapel-pinning ceremony on Sunday, March 12 during the Bedford Business Association’s 34th Annual Trade Fair’s veterans program.

“In commemoration of the 50-year anniversary of the Vietnam War, I have hosted several moving events to give long-overdue recognition to the Vietnam War era veterans and their families on behalf of a grateful nation,” said Zorn, R-Ida. “The response to previous ceremonies was overwhelming, and I am proud to be holding another event during the veterans program of the Bedford Business Association’s 2017 Trade Fair.”

The ceremony on Sunday, March 12 will start at 11 a.m. in the cafeteria of Bedford High School, located at 8285 Jackman Rd., Temperance, MI 48182.

“Michigan’s Vietnam veterans served our country with honor, yet they were often forgotten when they returned home and received little or no thanks for their service,” Zorn said. “I invite all interested residents and veterans to come out and join us as we recognize the service and sacrifice of our Vietnam veterans.”

A Vietnam War Commemorative Lapel Pin will be provided to any U.S. veteran who served on active duty at any time from Nov. 1, 1955 – May 15, 1975, regardless of location.

The ceremony is made possible by the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration. Information regarding the commemoration can be found at www.VietnamWar50th.com.

The Monroe County Library System provides in-library as well as remote access to numerous business-related databases. From the library’s homepage at mymcls.com hover over the Research tab and then click Online Resources from the menu. Scroll down to the Business and Law category to find a list of business databases subscribed to by the library. Reference staff at the Bedford Branch Library are available to help users navigate the products.

Using these databases from home requires a password. All passwords are located in our Online Resources Brochure, which is available at any of our 16 branches.  You can also call your local library for more information.

March Business Spotlight

Business Decision Researchers and entrepreneurs are enabled to access comprehensive business-to-consumer market data using customizable search forms. Detailed company profiles, product and brand information combined with investment reports, rankings and market share data allow users to better penetrate the consumer marketplace. To get started, create an account using your email address and then click “Create Account.” A confirmation email will be sent to your email with directions for activating the account.

By Jerry Barron – Owner, Barron Insurance 

This month’s information is going to cover a new subject in the insurance world:  Uber driving.  This subject is also very unclear to insureds on how their current auto policy covers or does not cover this exposure because most insureds either don’t think about or don’t want to hear the answer.  Let’s explore this further with a familiar story:  Times are tough and you are looking for ways to supplement your income.  You here about how being a Uber driver can really help you earn some extra cash.  You have also contacted a local pizzeria to deliver pizza’s in the evening.  Most would consider you quite the go getter!

Unfortunately, because of all the wear and tear your current vehicle has some engine problems and you take it in for servicing.  The shop will need it for a week to take care of the problem..how am I going to make my extra money?  You go to your local Enterprise rental car dealer and rent a replacement vehicle.  You even bite the bullet and pay an extra $20 per day for collision waiver just in case you have an accident and you don’t want to turn a claim into your current company or take a chance in having any gaps on your current auto policy for a rental car.

Three days into your rental you are in a hurry and you park the car to run a pizza delivery up to an apartment building.  For some reason you leave the car running because you will be right back.  You return to find the rental vehicle is missing..maybe you parked it somewhere else..you just can’t find it!!  Eventually you call the police and report the car stolen.  Your next call is to Enterprise to let them know there is a claim to turn in.  While you wait for the adjuster, the car is found the next day totally destroyed.  The vehicle is deemed totaled out and the value of the car was $15,000.  Thank goodness you have insurance!

Within 24 hours the adjuster for Enterprise calls to advise you there is no coverage for a vehicle stolen while leaving the car running and you are responsible for the entire damage..are you kidding me!  Your next call is to your insurance agency to turn in this claim because you had full coverage on your policy for the car in the garage.  Am I covered for this?

After answering all questions from your insurance adjuster explaining why you had a rental car and what you were doing with it you receive a letter denying the claim.  The reason?  The auto policy clearly excludes vehicles that are used for the hire of transporting passengers and deliveries..even most business activities are excluded without proper endorsement!

How many people do you know that are doing one if not both or all of these with their personal auto’s?  You must notify your agency and get special insurance to cover such exposures.  If your vehicle is being used for business purposes..a separate commercial auto policy may be the best solution.  Don’t take a chance that nothing will happen..this story is true and the young man was out $15,000 because he was NOT covered for this.