October 30, 2003

Inside Veritas -
Article 1 - Grand Blanc Moratorium Ends as BAMF Accepts Twp. Agreement
Article 2 - Regarding Veritas’ Schedule
Article 3 - Gephardt: New "Monarch" in Waiting (from previous issue)
Article 4 - Taxation and Finance - Tax Act of 2003 — Dividends and Capital Gains Rate Reductions
Article 5 -
Association News Update From Laura
Economic Update - Soaring “growth” without jobs?
BS: Still about Nothing in particular
Housing Industry Update

Would you like to see a previous Veritas Issues? Click Here

Grand Blanc Moratorium Ends as BAMF Accepts Twp. Agreement

The most hectic three weeks in BAMF history came to a bittersweet end Wednesday morning, as Grand Blanc Township lifted the building moratorium it invoked on October 9, just prior to the Fall Parade’s opening. Its lifting came as the result of the association accepting a Township proposal issued Monday, on the heels of several court appearances. What follows is an update of what transpired in the days since the October 13th Special Edition, where we told of the Township declaring the moratorium in response to the lawsuit filed by the association that challenged the its raising of sewer and water tap-in fees:

Tuesday, October 14
  Both parties went to court for the scheduled hearing on the BAMF motion for an injunction to end the moratorium, along with a “settlement conference.” There was no hearing, as Judge Neithercut met with attorney’s and proposed a “methodology” for dealing with the total situation. The methodology involved the lifting of the moratorium and a facilitation process. The hearing was then postponed to the following Tuesday.
  On Thursday (10/16), BAMF’s board of directors approved the methodology, however, the following Monday, it was rejected by the Township.
  Furthermore, the scheduled hearing was postponed until Thursday, October 23.

Wednesday, October 22
More than a hundred members were at the association General Membership meeting, which was dominated by the Grand Blanc situation. After Barry Simon presented an update on the issue, there was open discussion in a “Town Hall” setting, with members expressing support for the association’s position on the lawsuit, and awareness of personal impacts the moratorium was taking on their businesses.
Between the meeting, and continuous contacts with builders, developers and even prospective homeowners, it was evident that significant “pain” was being inflicted, and that pain was getting more severe each day the moratorium continued.

Thursday, October 23
Again, both parties were in court for a hearing on the injunction. Again, however, attorneys met with the Judge and emerged with a compromise that would be placed on the Court's record, with agreement from both parties’ attorneys to accept. This agreement would include the facilitation process, the dismissing of the lawsuit, a permanent end to the moratorium, and a special procedure to reinstate the suit with 7 days notice.
Judge Neithercut clearly “urged” both parties to “accept” the agreement, but like the previous methodology, BAMF accepted, but the Township rejected, so we were back in court on Friday.

Friday, October 25
Both parties were, again, back in court for a hearing on the injunction. Testimony began shortly after 2:00 p.m. and four witnesses made it to the stand.
However, at roughly 4:50 p.m., in the midst of cross examination, Judge Neithercut adjourned the hearing to Thursday morning, October 30th. Furthermore, it became evident that the hearing would not be completed Thursday, and would be put off to a future date.

Weekend, October 26/27
Over the weekend, BAMF President Steve Lissner, 1st Vice President Mark Nemer, and Executive V.P. Barry Simon had several discussions with an intermediary regarding a potential compromise, as the Township Board was set to meet on Monday morning.

October 27/28
  The Township Board met, and authorized Supervisor Jeffrey A. Zittel to lift the moratorium if the association would agree to dismiss the lawsuit. Late that afternoon, Barry was handed a letter from Mr. Zittel with the details, which he faxed to Association Directors for consideration. The proposal was similar to the agreement reached a week earlier, but without 2 items the Township found objectionable. By noon Tuesday a majority had accepted, and attorney Scott Fraim drew up the court order that brought the crisis to an end.
  The order contained the stipulations agreed to as follows:
  1) The Township will complete professional studies on the amount of tap-in fees by April 1, ‘04, and supply copies of the studies to BAMF and the court.
  2) If studies reveal the fees should be lower than $1,600, the differences will be refunded.
  3) The moratorium will be lifted without prejudice.
  4) The suit is dismissed without prejudice, and can be reinstated with seven days advance notice to the Township.
  By late Tuesday afternoon, Mr. Zittel had notified TV 12 and the Flint Journal of the agreement (which was signed by Judge Neithercut), and the 11 o’clock news ran the first story that the Township would likely issue permits starting Wednesday morning.

BAMF’s Conclusion:
In the opening of this article we called the end of the moratorium “bittersweet.” Obviously, BAMF and its members are relieved by the lifting. And, we’re glad the township has agreed to justify fees, which is all we asked for ten months leading up to filing the lawsuit. However, the “bitter” comes from the fact that an issue between the association and township, was turned into uncertainty and hardship for builders, developers, and individuals wishing to become new homeowners in Grand Blanc Township. It’s on their behalf that the association took an accommodating posture throughout the past 3 weeks, intent on bringing the crisis to an end.

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Regarding Veritas’ Schedule

   Since summer of 1977, the Builders Association of Metro-Flint has published an association newsletter twice monthly, and for 22 years was able to consistently have it delivered in a timely manner. However, in 1999, we began to find that consistency was no longer a virtue as applied to the U.S. Postal Service, at least as it applied to “Pre-Sort Standard” mailing. Still, the service was normally tolerable, with most issues delivered in a reasonable period of time, at least for members in Genesee County.
  Last year, several issues were delayed for more than a week, and in 2003, things got worse. After problems early in the year, the late August and early September issues took nearly 2 weeks to get to their destinations, most arriving after the General Membership Meeting, presenting the proverbial “straw that broke the camel’s back.” So, beginning with the Special Issue of October 13th, we began sending Veritas first class, nearly doubling our mailing costs.
  Consequently, we’ve had to make some changes, the first of which is that Veritas will only be published once a month (unless “special issue” is necessary), normally at the end of each month’s first week. However, in this 21st Century world where some already consider printed matter obsolete, we’ll be adding a new service ... Continual updates on association and housing news on our website, www.bamfhome.com/ ... all with the same verve Veritas readers have come to expect (yes, “Seinfeld” section as well). So, look for the first “Veritas Update” coming in early November.

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Gephardt: New “Monarch” in Waiting (from Previous Issue)

  The call for an American monarchy was heard at the democrat presidential forum sponsored by Jesse Jackson’s Rainbow/PUSH Coalition on June 22, just prior to the Supreme Court’s verdict on the University of Michigan affirmative action challenge.
   Though all nine would-be leaders consistently patronized the largely African American audience, U.S. Representative, and former Speaker of the House, Dick Gephardt (MO) may have reached new heights (or depths) when he virtually stated, “Separation of powers be damned.” Going well beyond Trent Lott’s praise of Strom Thurmond,” and Rick Santorum’s alleged “gay bashing,” Gephardt promised to make the U.S. Supreme Court obsolete, at least when it’s opposed to his point of view.
   Said the wannabe president, “When I’m president, we’ll have executive orders to overcome any wrong thing the Supreme Court does tomorrow, or any other day.”
   Of course, while Lott and Santorum’s statements remained lead story news for days, Gephardt’s (except for a brief mention on fair and balanced Fox News Sunday) was barely referenced in the traditional media.
   Now, we don’t normally subscribe to the “liberal bias” theory, but it took the e-mail of an Associated Press story to bring the Gephardt statement to our attention ... Can you say “Double Standard?"

Barry

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Taxation and Finance ---- Tax Act of 2003 — Dividends and Capital Gains Rate Reductions

   As you may know, Congress recently passed legislation that reduces the amount of tax individuals are required to pay on dividends and capital gains.
  Under the recent legislation, any capital gains you recognize on transactions occurring on or after May 6, 2003, will be taxed at a rate of 15 percent. Any dividends you receive after December 31, ‘02, will also be taxed at a maximum rate of 15%. These rates do not apply to taxpayers in the 10% or 15% tax bracket.
  If you are in these tax brackets during 2003 through 2007, the amount of tax you will pay on dividends and capital gains will be five percent. In 2008, the amount of tax you pay on dividends and capital gains would be reduced to zero.
  These reduced rates are currently set to expire in 2008. In addition to reducing the amount of tax you will be subject to on any dividends and capital gains you receive, these changes may also allow you to reduce any estimated tax payments you are required to make. Additionally, if you have taxes withheld from a paycheck and you anticipate significant levels of dividends or capital gains in 2003, you might need to modify your withholding levels.
  If you have any questions about the reduced tax rates on dividends and capital gains and how they affect your return or estimated tax payments, please contact your professional tax advisor.

R, P & T

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Beyond Seinfeld: It’s still about "Nothing" in particular

Talk About Advertising Bringing Diminishing Returns

   A recent Wall Street Journal editorial was found a fascinating method of supporting it’s theory that heavy campaign spending “makes for a better informed electorate.” To show how important campaign spending is to the electoral process, it quoted a Cato Institute study (which could have been done as well by Kato Kallen) claiming the first $230,000 in spending by new Congressional candidates provides 50% of the voters with an understanding of a candidate’s ideology. The next $270,000 another 16% the same knowledge; and, $500,000 in additional spending brings another 21% the same knowledge.
  Now, we’re all for an “informed electorate,” but we wonder about the impact on how a congressman views the world from a fiscal perspective. Perhaps it’s the electoral process that contributes to the fiscal incompetence that’s run rampant in D.C. for decades ... consider:
  The average Congressional District has 666,000 residents, of which some 488,000 are over 18. If 75% of adults are registered, that means the total number of potential voters is roughly 366,000. So, the first $230,000 would make 183,000 voters aware, at a cost of $1.26 per voter. The next $270,000 get the candidate’s “ideological fix” to 58,560 voters at $4.61 per voter. And, the additional $500,000 gives access to 76,860 voters, at $6.50 each.
  The editorial noted that the ability to spend large numbers of dollars is particularly necessary for non-incumbents. So, by the time someone makes it to Congress, they’re already conditioned to excessive spending with diminished returns ... is it any wonder why few in the House or Senate show any concern for fiscal responsibility?

“Seinfeld” Briefs:
   Well, with baseball mercifully over, isn’t great to know that Detroit won’t be left out Jay Leno’s one liners, at least as long as football’s still in season? Do you realize, the Lions will be lucky to win 8 out of 48 games in (hopefully) Matt Millen’s 3 year tenure. It almost makes you wonder if it was such a good idea to bring “Flint” into the “Metro-Detroit” area.
# # #
  While the Lions were in Chicago last Sunday, Detroit was busy hosting another fiasco, ironically at the Tigers’ owner’s Fox Theater. And, the team playing, also ironically, had nine players, most as inept as their tiger counterparts.
  Yes, the nine Democrats seeking the presidency were there for a “debate,” but more telling than what each said was the crowd reaction, as hundreds of party activists were there to cheer on their favorites ... and CHEER they did! For Al Sharpton and Howard Dean. For Carol Mosely Braun and Dennis Kucinich. The further left the candidate, and more outrageous the statement, the louder the applause. And, considering the audience will be active in the state caucus process, Sen. Joe Lieberman had to believe his chances would be better challenging President Bush in GOP primary.

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Association News and Events by Laura

Comedian Headline’s Meeting

   It’s been a rather intense year for General Membership meetings, beginning with the “Town Hall” session on the countywide moratorium, and concluding in the similar meeting on Grand Blanc Township. However, this year we added a November 12 meeting, so perhaps it’s time to lighten up a bit.
  So, rather than a typical program, the headliner for November 12th is Ann Arbor’s “Jimmy Rascal,” whose specialty is improvisational comedy. Jimmy’s worked for some of the world’s largest companies, and Wednesday evening he’ll provide much needed entertainment to association members.
  As always, the evening begins with hors d’oeuvres and cocktails at 6:00 p.m., with the meeting kicking off around 7:30, with the formal election of Officers and Directors (nominations were closed at the 10/22 meeting) for 2004.
  So, join us for an evening of fun at Bonaparte's, and help us honor the officers and directors who put in a monumental performance during the most hectic of years. And, so we can make a reasonable guarantee with the restaurant, please R.S.V.P. by Thursday afternoon, November 6th.

  Despite the turmoil of the past three weeks, nearly all reports suggest the Fall Parade of Homes was the most successful ever, with some participants calling traffic better than many of the spring events (normally there's a significant drop between Spring and Fall). Adding credence to those claims is the fact that website traffic for October was the virtual equal of May (normally it's 30% lower).
What's been most satisfying in regard to the event were the numbers of participants stating they had direct sales during the 16 day period. Another notable item was that all but two participants felt the event was exceptional.

  NAHB Convention: Remember that pre-registration ends in December...if you're planning on attending, call the association office, or go to buildershow.com on the web.

  We now have a schedule for '04 General Membership meetings. The first meeting of the year will be held at Bonaparte's on Wednesday. January 21st, and the remainder of the meetings are set for each second to last Wednesday of months we hold meetings... See Veritas schedule above.

Economic Update: Soaring “growth” without jobs?

If there was ever a time we wished we could wait until next week’s employment and manufacturing reports before publishing “update,” this was it. This (Thursday) morning the Commerce Department announced that the economy grew at a rate of 7.2% in the 3rd quarter, sending stocks upward and bonds retreating. The preliminary report represented the strongest quarter since 1984, when the nation was coming out of its worst downturn since the “Great Depression.” To put the report in perspective, only once during the economic boom of the ‘90s did any quarter rise at a 7% rate, and that was in the final quarter of the decade. However, the Commerce Department data still make one wonder if we’re looking at a booming economy with no semblance of job creation. Although it created jobs in the final month of the quarter, the net result in the 3 month period was a loss of 41,000 jobs, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics’ data. And, last month’s manufacturing report showed that declining employment in the sector was getting worse. Still, the growth report is a strong positive for the nation’s economic psyche, and may help stimulate an exceptional fourth quarter as well. Business spending was an important contributor the the strong third quarter, rising 11.1%, representing the largest rise since early 2000, including a 15% rise in equipment and software buying. But, when it comes down to it, housing still carried the day, as housing investment soared to a 20.4% annual pace, up from a 6.6% pace in the 2nd quarter. And, with all these positives, there was little to be concerned about in regard to inflation. The department’s “price deflator,” its measure of inflation, rose at a 1.7% rate, though up from the second quarter, still well below any number that would cause concern. Industrial Production: The economic growth report, though much stronger than nearly any analyst anticipated, shouldn’t have come as a total surprise. Roughly two weeks earlier the Federal Reserve reported that industrial production rose a solid 0.4% in September after falling 0.1% during August. Furthermore, in that report, we found that factory output jumped 0.7%, primarily due to an increase in automobile production, as automakers poured out their new '04 models to dealers.

Related Notes:

While the economy was growing in the third quarter, the index of leading economic indicators, designed to project growth six months in advance, experienced its first set back in 4 months, according to the Conference Board.
Falling 0.2% in September, the report suggests that, although the economy is improving, the road ahead is not without roadblocks. Six of the ten indicators went negative during the month, including building permits and unemployment claims.

# # #

  Perhaps the primary reason for the lagging employment data (as we often note) relates to Health Insurance costs which, we're now told, are expected to rise by another 12% as we reach 2004, marking the fifth consecutive year for a double digit rise. Those expectations mean that costs will have more than doubled since 1999. Still, an optimist may wish to point out a favorable side to this report: Since costs grew 16% this year, it means they’re only growing 75% as fast next year ... sure!
  Next year, according to a report by the Kaiser Foundation, employees are expected to contribute 19%, on average to the cost for individual health coverage; 22% for family coverage.
# # #
  On an issue we’ve been following for a couple of years, Toyota was less than 2% behind Chrysler in U.S. sales in September, and had closed within 2.8% year to date. A year earlier, the 9 month margin was 4.2% ... so we’ll be looking forward to seeing October data when they’re released next week.

Housing Industry Update: starts; sales; etc.

   Starting right here at home, housing activity remained solid in September. Although local activity’s not likely to break any all time record (as national activity surely will) the first three quarters of ‘03 are well beyond expectations.
  Beginning with Housing Consultants’ report in mid-October, we found that non-rental housing permits are up 7.5% across southeast Michigan, including a 9.5% rise in Genesee County.
  The HC report was relatively close to a Federal Government report that had single family activity in the “Metro- Detroit” area up 8.9%, while the “Flint” part of the area was up 11.4%.
  What’s also notable about the Flint area reports is that over all permits (including rentals) were down 16.6% (HC) and 9.8% (fed gov’t) respectively. The lower numbers were due, primarily, to a 49% decline in Grand Blanc Township (287), as last year’s surge in rental activity appears to have come to an end. While rental activity had averaged 400 units or less most of the past decade, they surged to the 650 unit range in the early 2000s. After peaking at 835 units in ‘01, and falling back to 590 last in ‘02, we’ve only experienced 125 units through the first 3 quarters of 2003, according to Housing Consultants.

  In 2002, single family housing starts hit 1.36 million units, beating the all time record set three years prior by 4.2%. This year, through September, single family starts at running at a rate of 1.44 million. If this rate continues through the remainder of the year, it will smash the ‘02 record by 6.3%.
  Perhaps more notable is that, since June, the single family sector’s been running at a rate that’s steadily above 1.5 million units, a whopping 11% stronger than last year’s record.
  Of course, driving starts has been an incredible year of new home sales, which have topped the million unit rate for 13 of the past 14 months. To put that in perspective, when the rate hit 1.025 million in August 2002, it became the first time the barrier was broken since December ‘00 (and the second time on record). Furthermore, sales set a new record at 973,000 units last year, which was 7% above the record set a year earlier. In ‘03 sales are running at a rate of 1.074 million, which is 10.4% above that record set last year.

And, if new housing activity weren’t enough, the National Association of Realtors’ report (this past Monday) showed existing home sales, after setting records for 2 previous months, rose 3.6% in September to a record rate of 6.69 million. Now the rate for the year is 6.million, which is 8.6% higher than the year end record (5.56 million) set through the end of last year.

Look Here for Previous Issues of Veritas

Volume 15 Issue 14 September 2, 2003 - Articles include ( Meeting will Focus on Michigan Land Use Council’s Report,
Maybe Warren Buffett has a Point; California Property Taxes too Low?, Business and Nonbusiness Bad Debts)
Volume 15 Issue 13 August 18, 2003 - Articles include (No surprise as Land Use Council Ignore’s Causes of Urban Decline, “Peoples’ Republic” Jumps First; Ann Arbor Plans Green Belt “Mote”, Selling Investment Property)
Volume 15 Issue 12 July 30, 2003 - Articles include (Brace Yourself: “Land Use Council” Report Coming in August, Sprawl and “Flynt’s” growth industry, Gephardt: New "Monarch" in Waiting, Signs point to improvement -- but!)
Volume 15 Issue 11 July 8, 2003 - Articles include (Faulty Federal Jobs’ Data May Invigorate “Anti-Sprawlers”, “Metro Home Sales Sputter”, Gephardt: New "Monarch" in Waiting, Investment Property, Employment Degeneration Continues)
Volume 15 Issue 10 June 24, 2003 - Articles include (Habitat House Dedicated; Case Family Become Homeowners, “Metro Home Sales Sputter”, “Mein Kampf” Dogma Evident In Sprawl; Smoking Attacks)
Volume 15 Issue 9 June 3, 2003 - Articles include (House Deflation: Economists haven’t figured it out yet,
‘03 Tax Bill — Breaks for Individuals, Growth ; manufacturing; deficits )
Volume 15 Issue 8 May 14, 2003 - Articles include (CCIF Decision Critical for Fight Against Anti-Sprawl Forces, Auto, Prices and other briefs, Myron Orfield: U-M’s Second Coming of Ed Martin?, Economy sluggish but still growing)
Volume 15 Issue 7 April 23, 2003 - Articles include (April Speaker to Focus on that Chronic Building Crisis, Water rates; autos and other briefs, MAHB’s Policy; The Irony of it All, Auto industry impact really shows )
Volume 15 Issue 6 April 3, 2003 - Articles include (Granholm Enlists her “Republican Guard” in War on Sprawl (action needed), Changes in the Michigan Single Business Tax, War news impact beats economics)
Volume 15 Issue 5 March 17, 2003 - Articles include ( Newly Published OFHEO Data Highlights Impact of Proposal “A”,
MAHB’s Policy; The Irony of it All, Promotional Expense Deduction Limit, Weak jobs' data shakes confidence)
Volume 15 Issue 4 March 3, 2003 - Articles include (8 month nightmare could soon be over with County bond resolution, MAHB’s Policy; The Irony of it All, Now business side showing strength)
Volume 15 Issue 3 February 12, 2003 - Articles include (Biggest “Exhibitors’ Night” Ever!, Crisis Management Plans for 2003, Sewer and Water Update, So, the jobless rate dropped 0.3%?)
Volume 15 Issue 2 January 23, 2003 - Articles include (Tell Your Story! Meeting to Focus on Sewer/ Water Impact, Local activity skewed by “Top 20”, What’s with these local rentals?, Sewer/Water Focus Shifts to County)
Volume 15 Issue 1, January 8, 2003 - Articles include (Granholm’s dilemma: Can’t slow “sprawl” and balance the budget,
GM gains market share again in ‘02, What’s with these local rentals?, Crisis Management Plans for 2003, Sewer/Water Focus Shifts to County, Manufacturing sets off stock rally)
Volume 14 Issue 22, December 19, 2003 - Articles include (Health Benefits’ Costs Up 14.7% in ‘02; A drag on employment?, BAMF/Habitat for Humanity: In Progress on Nichols Ave, Health Insurance: It’s “Deja Vu”, Planning 2002 Stock Capital Losses)
Volumce 14 Issue 21, December 3, 2002 - Articles include (3rd quarter appreciation down slightly: “Flint” leads Michigan, Planning 2002 Educational Expenses, Sewer and Water Update, Confusion adds to confidence woes )
Volume 14 Issue 20, November 13, 2002 - Articles include (Guess who’s under attack from California’s environmentalists?
2002 Elections’ Anecdotes, Planning 2002 Educational Expenses, Pretty Quiet for an Election Year)
Volume 14 Issue 19, October 29, 2002 - Articles include (New Home Sales break record for second consecutive month
Leadership Set for 2003, Cost Segregation, Pretty Quiet for an Election Year, Housing impact even more dramatic)
Volume 14 Issue 18, October 10, 2002 - Atricles include (Steve Easley to Speak: “Mold and Mildew, a Growing Concern”, Area’s Industry was Base for WSJ article, Options for Business Auto Expenses)
Volume 14 Issue 17, September 24, 2002 - Aricles include (“Habitat House” taking shape after active framing weekend, Moratorium Still in Affect, Squeezing Small Builders, When legal action’s the only alternative)
Volume 14 Issue 16, Septenber 9, 2002 - Articles include (Jeff Wright to speak: Moratorium, water line, head 9/18 agenda
Squeezing Small Builders, Your Company's Business Plan: Roadmap to Success, Jobless rate falls, so does confidence)
Volume 14 Issue 15, August 22, 2002 - Articles include (Despite denials, housing "bubble" could burst; but probably not here, Sewer/Water Moratorium, Education Savings Program, Indict Secretary "Don" Evans,Was Commerce "cooking" the books?)
Volume 14 Issue 14, July 30, 2002 - Articles include (MAHB directors run for cover on statewide sewer and water crisis,
Sewer/Water Moratorium, Three Critical Primary Races, Weak employment - weak confidence)
Volume 14 Issue 13 July 16, 2002 - Articles include (Moratorium draws focus to statewide sewer and water crisis, The Feeling of Helplessness, Job Applicant Background Check, Insurance Premiums Choking Employment?)
Volume 14 Issue 12 June 25, 2002 - Articles include (Your health insurance premiums now finance European socialism,
After 12 Painful Years, Relief on the Architects’ Seal, Financial Records' Retention, Insurance Premiums Choking Employment?)
Volume 14 Issue 11 June 6, 2002 - Articles include (The "Real" winners in Income Growth: Gaines/Argentine Twps,.Census exposes "Farm" legend, Financial Records' Retention, Dollar's decline is cause for concern)
Volume 14 Issue 10 May 29, 2002 - Articles include (Revenue Sharing: What the State Withholds; Housing can Give Back, Cancellation of network news?, New 2001 Audit Statistics, Road Commission's Subdivision Development Progress online)
Volume 14 Issue 09 May 9, 2002 - Articles include (Farm Bill Legacy: As Always, Policy Comes in Second to Politics,
Court Strikes Rogue Law, Home Office Deduction Rules, Growth Up; Jobs Down; Markets Schizoid)
Volume 14 Issue 08 April 29, 2002 - Articles include (Sewer and Water Capacity: The Primary Issue for Michigan Growth, “Fortune” knows “Flint” 2002, Employees Called to Active Duty, Local Existing "Prices" Soar)
Volume 14 Issue 07 April 3, 2002 - Articles include (Can't clone your best employees? profiling can be the next best option, What about North America's Border War?, Local Existing "Prices" Soar)
Volume 14 Issue 06 March 20, 2002 - Articles include (Michigan's leadership in home appreciation values seems over,
"Max Bickford" Educates America on Sprawl, Early Withdrawal from Individual Retirement Accounts)
Volume 14 Issue 05 March 5, 2002 - Articles include (When National Retailers Bring About Blight, Rules for Deducting the Cost of Computer Software, Home Builders’ Liability Crisis, Is it “Dewey Defeats Truman;” Circa ‘01?)
Volume 14 Issue 04 February 20, 2002 - Articles include (Little Change in Local Housing Trends as South/East Dominate, Independent Contractors; how to classify workers,Warning! Grand Blanc Builders)
Volume 14 Issue 03 February 5, 2002 - Articles include (More than thirty exhibits set for fifth annual “exhibitors’ night”,
Need a different type of economic thinking, Benefit: Group - Term Life Insurance, Reality: area activity fell in ‘01)
Volume 14 Issue 02 January 23, 2002 - Articles include ( Local housing data surprises, Local affordability slips in Housing Opportunity Index, ‘02 Rates for Mileage; FICA threshold, As signs point up; why the uneasiness? )
Volume 14 Issue 01 January 7, 2002 - Articles include ( Former Governor/Ambassador to speak at January 16th meeting,
State’s #1 in Home Ownership, How times change in 12 years, 1 negative quarter a recession makes?)
Volume 13 Issue 23 December 10, 2001- Articles include (State Housing Activity Plummets in Fall, “Recession” Aside: It’s mostly a banner year for housing, There’s Tax Relief for Bad Debts, 1 negative quarter a recession makes?)
Volume 13 Issue 21 October 31, 2001 - Articles include (State’s New Housing Activity Down 5.8%, A New Danger Lurks in Detroit, Tired of Unsolicitated Mail, Telemarketing and E-mail?, Anti-Sprawl issues take ‘back seat’)
Volume 13 Issue 20 October 18, 2001 - Articles include (Parade shows little fallout from Sept. 11, Most Important Parade: Ever!, Charitable Donations and Tax Deductibility, Anti-Sprawl issues take ‘back seat’ to economics)
Volume 13 Issue 19 October 5, 2001 - Articles include (‘Flint’ area activity still leads the state, Most Important Parade: Ever!, Thought there were no inflation worries?,“big” question; what’s the impact of 9/11?)
Volume 13 Issue 18 September 19, 2001 - Articles include (Housing comes together for victims, The day we learned so much!, Sales and Use Tax for Contractors, What if home prices collapse?, “big” question; what’s the impact of 9/11?)
Volume 13 Issue 17 September 4, 2001 - Articles include (U.S Real Estate values soar 8.6% in Q2, Farmers whine; Americans pay!, New Rules Regarding Making Mid-Year Plan Elections,What if home prices collapse?).
Volume 13 Issue 16 August 17, 2001 - Articles include (Administration imposes 19.3% tariff, Biting the Hand that Feeds You, Assisted living residents’ monthly fee deductibility, Economy weakens and sentiment rises)
Volume 13 Issue 15 August 1, 2001 - Articles include (State Housing activity may be sliding, The industry that defies gravity, BAMF Truck for local events?, GDP falls, but corporate profits could rise)
Volume 13 Issue 14 July 17, 2001 - Articles include (Senate Bill 351 gets immediate effect, Nightmare on Pennsylvania Ave, Education Tax Breaks in 2001 Tax Act, Sprawl Battle: State v County, Vanishing Surplus is story of the week)
Volume 13 Issue 13 July 2, 2001 - Articles include (State/region: single family activity falls, Rulings explain last fall’s “big $”, Employee v. Independent Contractor or ‘W-2 v 1099’, Gasoline Prices + Confidence = Growth?)
Volume 13 Issue 12 June 19, 2001 - Articles include (Did weather hurt existing home sales?, They should read there own paper!, Opportunities & Pitfalls: “Tax Relief Act of ‘01”, Slowdown: continuing or bottomed out?)
Volume 13 Issue 11 June 5, 2001 - Articles include (East Coast/N. Calif: Prices go Wacko, Left Wing Attacks on NAHB Staffer, New Retirement Plan Distribution Rules, Surprise! Confidence up; jobless down)
Volume 13 Issue 10 May 23, 2001 - Articles include (The “New Frontier” of Metro-Detroit?, Census data made economists look like morons, Greenspan limbo: How low will he go?)
Volume 13 Issue 9 May 8, 2001 - Articles include (Spring Parade Opens Saturday, Business News & Issues, Term limits + new salary = pension opportunity, Taxation and Finance, GDP’s growing, and so are jobless lines)
Volume 13 Issue 8 April 24, 2001 - Articles include (Local tax base growth exceeds population, Housing gets its due; but are “they” listening?, Consumers are spending; but business?)
Volume 13 Issue 7 April 2, 2001 - Articles include (County plan calls for $1,000 tap-in Fees, Home values soar; area prices recover, The Equity Affect & America’s Economic Psyche, Michigan Legislative Update)
Volume 13 Issue 6 March 20, 2001 - Articles include (Does “Fed” action impact mortgage, How much power over private business is legit?, MRC Delay: New Target - 7/31, How big will tomorrow’s rate cut be?)
Volume 13 Issue 5 March 5, 2001 - Articles include (State's appreciation rate below U.S. in '00,Venice: A 21st Century Atlantis?/Michigan’s “Greens” take action, Economy: Recalling a mid ‘50s commercial)
Volume 13 Issue 4 February 21, 2001 - Articles include (An historic 1st: Local economy’s in 6 year period of stability,
New housing stand’s alone?, “Triggers” to protect from surplus’ euphoria, Stair Geometry Confusion?)
Volume 13 Issue 3 February 6, 2001 - Articles include (Michigan housing activity off by 1620, Local; Regional permit decline in line with state & nation,“Chrysler” situation brings bad memories, Single State Code Coming May 30th?)
Volume 13 Issue 2 January 16, 2001 - Articles include (New code is focus of 1st meeting of ‘01, Cost of business operations, “Exec” government in county’s best interest, Environmentalists attack Interior nominee)
Volume 13 Issue 1 January 3, 2001 - Articles include (3rd quarter existing home prices soar, Building Officials’ 2 Day Training, Will surging economic fears be self fulfilling?, The big question: soft landing, or recession?)
Volume 12 Issue 23 December 7, 2000 - Articles include ( Time for another burning of “Money?”, Building Officials’ 2 Day Training, Economic expectations often unrealistic, Is the Fed getting ready to cut rates?)
Volume 12 Issue 22 November 16, 2000 - Articles include ( 3rd quarter local data show prices fall, Vehicle sales showing softness, Perhaps election results were definitive, Economy strong amid “modest” slowdown)
Volume 12 Issue 21 October 31, 2000 - Articles include (Building activity down 17.8% thru Sept?, County Leaders deserve reelection, Vote ‘divide and conquer’: its our only hope, Q’3 GDP cools; but is slowdown imminent?)
Volume 12 Issue 20 October 17, 2000 - Articles include (Beyond Prescription Drugs & Education, The $230 billion surplus: real or fantasy?, Looks like growth may well have returned)
Volume 12 Issue 19 October 3, 2000 - Articles include (Campaign: “Housing is Forgotten Issue”, Job Creation study’s analysis ignores local economic reality, Preserve America’s Sanity: End soft money, Poverty low; Spending up; etc)
Volume 12 Issue 18 September 19, 2000 - Articles include(Despite rates, sales still near record, Job Creation study’s analysis ignores local economic reality, Maybe it is time for a County Executive)
Volume 12 Issue 17 September 5, 2000 - Articles include(Area’s “affordability ” continues slide, NAHB comes to S.E. Michigan, Save our forests: Cut rather than burn, Some act like the economy surrendered )
Volume 12 Issue 16 August 15, 2000 - Articles include(County wide home prices fall again, Primary results teach important lesson, Selling Investment Property Like Kind Exchanges, More Indications of cooling economy)
Volume 12 Issue 15 August 2, 2000 - Articles include(Housing starts fall throughout region, Locally, Primaries are crucial,
Surprise: Fieger party attacks high court, Suspicions on Flint sales confirmed, 2nd quarter growth surge puzzling?)
Volume 12 Issue 14 July 17, 2000 - Articles include (Jobs’ discrepancies could be explained, Illinois farm town gives grants to extend “Sprawl”, More proof that BAMF serves the public, Local control or minority rule?)
Volume 12 Issue 13 July 5, 2000 - Articles include ( An end to the claim that housing “costs”, “Suburban Beauty ... Why Sprawl Works”, Taxation and Finance .. by Rachor, Purman & Tucker, Psychotic world of economic analysis)
Volume 12 Issue 12 June 21, 2000 - Articles include (May Housing Activity Declines from '99, Past two weeks said much about the area’s future, Attacking the goose who lays golden eggs, State still tops in appreciation)
Volume 12 Issue 11 June 6, 2000 - Articles include (“How builders buy (political) access, influence", Business Briefs: Sugar update; autos roll on ...,Why Developers Contribute in Local Races, So, the economy’s slowing, you say?)
Volume 12 Issue 10 May 19, 2000 - Articles include (Builders Now Oppose Farm Preservation Bill, Business Briefs: Sugar update; autos roll on ..., Now Rosie’s “My Friend;” Where’s Kathie Lee?)
Volume 12 Issue 9 May 4, 2000 - Articles include (State Windfall from Proposal ‘A’ is Enormous, Business Briefs: Why Agriculture always wins, Parade, Housing Quarterly & Industry Pride, Tax Planning for the year 2000)
Volume 12 Issue 8 April 19, 2000 - Articles include (Town Hall meeting on Sprawl bombs badly, Where Government Appreciates Housing, “Inflation is back!” says Disney News)
Volume 12 Issue 7 April 7, 2000 - Articles include (Final Answer? “Cows don’t go to school.”, Briefs: With local industry impact, Mr. Gore: It's Still "The Economy Stupid!", Equity v Savings; Plastic Timber; & More)
Volume 12 Issue 6 March 15, 2000 - Articles include (State's Home Values soar fastest in U.S., Briefs with local industry impact, Finally, that NIKE factory makes sense)
Volume 12 Issue 5 February 29, 2000 - Articles include ("Sprawl"; Its "costs" may be benefits, Briefs with local industry impact, Policy v Politics: The latter Usually wins)
Volume 12 Issue 4 February 16, 2000 - Articles include (Auto World II? or Legitimate Venture?, Briefs with Local Housing Industry or Economic Impact, The Dilemma that Killed the Coronation)
Volume 12 Issue 3 January 31, 2000 - Articles include (Table Top Exhibitors Nearly Double, Single Family/Condos: Up 14.6%, The "Era of Big Government" is Back!)
Volume 12 Issue 2 January 19, 2000 - Articles include (Local Single Family/Condo Activity Up 9.7%, Special Interest beats another development, Downtown Ramada up for Auction)
Volume 12 Issue 1 January 4, 2000 - Articles include (Local Housing Data Stronger Than Expected, State Code Brings Immediate Change, New Challenges for a Totally Different Era)
Volume 11 Issue 23 December 14, 1999 - Articles include (Housing's Incredible Growth Marked '90s, Proposal A Made Michigan #1, Oh! How U hate to see the nineties go)
Volume 11 Issue 22 November 17, 1999 - Articles include (No Resolution of Single State Code, Water Control in the 21st Century, Term Limits? Bring back the Pros!)
Volume 11 Issue 21 November 2, 1999 - Articles include (Genesee continues to lead region, Governmental Affairs Update, Editorial Credibility: Free Press Blows It!)
Volume 11 Issue 20 October 21, 1999 - Articles include (Single State Code Makes it to Floor, Judge adds $20 million in Novi Case, Government Policy and a fragile economy)
Volume 11 Issue 19 October 5, 1999 - Articles include (NAHB's HOI finds "Flint" at midpoint, Battle over States' Ability to violate Federal Law, Time for a builder/developer President?)
Volume 11 Issue 18 September 16,1999 - Articles include (Sprawl Forum sets agreeable tone, Are we losing another institution?, and Wonder what conference they were at?)
Volume 11 Issue 17 September 1, 1999 - Articles include (County home prices take 12% leap, The Image that just keeps on Haunting, and "A Bumper Crop of Subsidies")