Some members would like Kapneck to hold a class and discuss his formula in assisting small business during these tight economic times so that businesses can achieve their goals.

Kapneck has a great business knowledge and background and would be able to direct small business in new ways of marketing their products and creating new economic opportunities.

One item in the “Kapneck Business Formula” that has proven itself, is to set up a network with other related companies that will expand each other`s business.

It`s clear that Kapneck believes small business is the foundation of a growing economy and if his complete formula is implemented it will also create jobs, as he has demonstrated.

More about Kapneck

Kapneck lived in Washington D.C. and graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School. He attended George Washington University, was elected to the Maryland State Convention, and was appointed special advisor on Higher Education to the Governor’s office. He was appointed by Governor Marvin Mandel to open Maryland’s first overseas office in Brussels, Belgium as the State’s Trade Ambassador. He assisted the Federal Government in “Invest in the USA”.

“Kapneck, for the past thirty plus years, has brought a multitude of jobs into Maryland and USA and when he is not overseas he works without remuneration to help the citizens of Maryland find jobs with companies he brings into the State.” – Maryland State officials

Popularity: 55% [?]

A young woman from Boyne City has turned herself into Taylor Police as the one responsible for the dead baby found in a backpack this past summer.

At around 7 pm on July 24, 22 year old Emma Clemens gave birth to a stillborn baby in Taylor. She quickly wrapped the body and put it in a backpack, and buried it in some bushes by a home on Trent Street the next day. The owner of the home found the backpack and made the gruesome discovery upon opening it and called police.

No reason has been given for her negligence with the child. She has been charged with disinterment and mutilation of a dead body – charges that could put her away for up to 10 years. Her preliminary examination is set for December 20.

Popularity: 100% [?]

A teen who graduated from Petoskey High last year was killed in Menominee County, WI Sunday.

The car he was in with three other passengers, including the driver, lost control and flipped over on the Menominee Indian Tribe Reservation. David Shawano, 19, was declared dead at the scene. The 29 year old driver and two other passengers were treated for non life threatening injuries.

Since police think alcohol was involved in the wreck, they have taken the driver into custody on pending charges of vehicular homicide. Results of a blood test for the driver should be back within the next 48 hours. In addition to local police, the U.S. Attorney General’s Office and the FBI are investigating the accident.

Popularity: 46% [?]

It was inevitable due to the fierce winds that have been blowing in Michigan since Tuesday.

Great Lakes Energy says some 18,884 members in 26 counties have lost power over the course of 24 hours. Officials for the company say power has been restored to 16,840 customers. The remainder are scattered across four counties, with sporadic reports of power loss as far south as Kent County.

The winds on Tuesday guested anywhere from 37 to 63 mph along the shoreline of Lake Michigan, and today they keep on blowing. So far today, Petoskey has recorded a gust of 51 MPH, while Mackinaw City has experienced a 72 MPH gust – the strongest in the state as of yet. The storm, which is a result of two massive low pressure systems converging over Nebraska and Montana, came packed with rain and some severe storms Tuesday. They have since passed and left the wind as a special treat.

As with any wind storm, debris and power lines are strewn across the landscape. Take extreme caution when driving, and notify authorities of any downed power lines you see.

Popularity: 44% [?]

The Bayview Yacht Club Board of Governors personally appeared before the Mackinac Island City Council today to voice opposition to plans for consolidated ferry service that could put the club’s yacht race to the island in jeopardy.

“This is an economic issue that we believe adversely impacts Bayview and tourism in Michigan,” said Bayview Commodore Bruce J. Burton. “We are really surprised that this is even under consideration and we have had no response to concerns we have voiced on the issue.”

Burton and the Bayview Board are in unanimous agreement that plans to have two ferry services – Arnold and Star Lines – merge under one company and forcing Shepler’s Ferry out of business would be bad news for Bayview and island tourism.

“Shepler’s is a long-time sponsor of the race which began in 1925,” said Burton, adding that the company places the finish line buoy, transports race equipment, volunteers and coordinates logistics as well as offers free transportation to the Coast Guard Cutter crew that monitors the race.

Burton said the move would in effect create a monopoly on the island that would subject Bayview and tourists to potential labor strife, rising prices, and reduced service schedules if there is no competition.

“It would be like Europe and the time the labor chooses to strike is during peak tourist season when they have leverage,” said Burton. “This would wreak havoc on an 87-year tradition that pumps some $25 million in the state’s economy. Are we seriously willing to risk that for a $2 reduction in ferry ticket prices that logically would spike once the monopoly has been established?”

Burton added that Shepler’s has been a good company that has provided excellent service for three generations. Some 150 people would lose their jobs if the ferry consolidation occurs.

Concerned that a letter to the City Council of Mackinac Island in September on this subject went unanswered, Burton lead the BYC Flag Officers and Board of Governors to the island to personally address the issue and voice the club’s concerns over the pending action.

“Michigan’s economy is in tough shape and forcing one of our major sponsors out of business is of great concern to Bayview,” said Burton. “Government should be about assisting the private sector in creating jobs.”

The Mackinac Island City Council scheduled a 2 p.m. meeting Wednesday for a discussion of the issue. Shepler’s has filed a federal anti-trust lawsuit against the island and the other ferry operators to block the move. Proponents of the consolidation say it will provide longer service schedules to the island, increase ridership of the boats and thereby reduce ticket prices which currently average $24 roundtrip to the island.

Popularity: 34% [?]

Johnson Controls recently recognized its top performing automotive suppliers during its 15th annual North American Supplier Performance Awards ceremony. The event was held at The Inn at St. John’s in Plymouth, Mich. A total of 43 awards were given to 37 supplier companies that demonstrated their commitment to the Johnson Controls Automotive Experience business.

“These awards give us an opportunity to thank our supply base for their commitment to excellence throughout the year,” said Jim Bos, vice president of purchasing, North America, for the Automotive Experience business of Johnson Controls. “Our suppliers’ dedication to quality and delivery is key to our success as a global automotive leader.”

Johnson Controls’ North American Supplier Performance Awards are presented for top performance in the following key business areas: quality; cost; logistics; development; technology and service. This year, outstanding performance by the company’s supply base was recognized on three levels – gold, silver and bronze.

Popularity: 36% [?]

Five months have passed since the Smoke Free Air law went into effect, and there have been only five complaints from citizens in Northwest Michigan. Some of the complaints that have come in are blamed on managers of their respective establishments not understanding the new law.

Some restaurants, to accommodate smokers, have set up outdoor areas for guests to smoke. One pub owner in Petoskey who is doing this has had no complaints, and says it works nicely for those who wouldn’t come in thanks to the new law.

According to a report from the Michigan Department of Community Health, local health departments have gotten 583 complaints about smokers in restaurants, from which 158 were given citations. The citations go to individuals in question, or bar owners and managers. Violations yield penalties of $100 for the first offense, and $500 for each repeated offense.

The response to the law has been positive overall.

Popularity: 23% [?]

Eight dead birds found on Fisherman’s Island State Park raises concerns of avian botulism emerging again in Northern Michigan.

So far, this number is innocuous compared to the 2007 outbreak that clipped around 8,000 birds in northern Lake Michigan.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) conducted a series of tests that confirm the disease making so many birds perish is botulism E. According to reports from petoskeynews.com, Kevin Cronk, a researcher at a local watershed council says many more birds are expected to die, as avian botulism season is only getting started.

If you come across any dead birds, keep your pets away from them and if you must handle them, use gloves.

Cronk says to contact Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council if you come across any fish or bird corpses so they can test them.

Popularity: 36% [?]

Lower ticket prices and year round service are some of the incentives of a proposed merger between Arnold Transit Company and Star Line ferry services. This news was revealed Wednesday at a Mackinac Island city council meeting.

The new company, which would be dubbed “Northern Ferry Company,” would combine assets and operation of their fleet of ferries, as well as freight services.

The franchises for the ferry lines will expire in March, so the city asked the two lines – plus Shepler’s ferry lines – to submit their proposals by October 4. They were asked to outline fares, season dates and franchise fees that the city has to consider whether or not renewing their franchise is a worthy cause.

Oddly enough, on Sept 23, the CEO of Star Line said to the St. Ignace News that there were absolutely no plans to merge with either of the other ferry companies.

The announcement of the merger comes two days after Shepler’s ferry lines filed a lawsuit in the US District Court claiming James F. Wynn, owner of Arnold Transit  and Union Terminal Piers is trying to levy a monopoly on the ferry service to and from the island. The city of Mackinac Island is included in the suit as well.  The city is involved because Shepler’s said Mackinac Island is violating its own ordinances and allowing the other ferry companies to exceed their authority.

Popularity: 32% [?]