Business Pulse: Man saves dog, gets arrested, go figure
There’s another disgrace involving Tennessee law enforcement officers and man’s best friend — and I don’t think disgrace is too harsh a word.
This time the news is coming from Nashville. It involves a man named Jarrod Martin who saved his dog from his burning apartment only to be handcuffed and arrested by police for his actions.
Police charged Martin, 26, with disorderly conduct and reckless endangerment because he didn’t obey their orders to stay back from the fire. Martin says he wasn’t about to sit back and watch his dog, who he could see jumping up and down against a glass door, burn to death while firefighters stood by and roasted hotdogs.
So he did what most folks would do. He saved the dog himself.
Anyone who saw the news footage of Martin’s rescue could see it was pretty impressive. He broke the glass window, yanked his dog out, and tossed it over the balcony to safety.
I half expected to see police officers rush over and shoot the dog after it hit the ground. Instead, they rushed over and arrested Martin. That’s a great way to comfort a man who just lost everything he owns in a fire.
And since I’ve decided to air a few gripes on this wonderful Easter Sunday, it’s the perfect time to talk about ridiculous lawsuits. Yes, you’ve got to wonder about our court system at times.
The case I’m talking about involves a $1.2 million settlement awarded to University Heights, Ohio resident Maggie Smith. According to reports, Mrs. Smith’s 54-year-old husband died of a heart attack. He was overweight, a longtime smoker who didn’t exercise, had diabetes and high cholesterol, and admitted to being stressed at work.
With all those factors, it’s little wonder why he died of a heart attack. But here’s the kicker. Mrs. Smith filed a wrongful death lawsuit against her husband’s doctor saying the doctor didn’t do enough to save her husband’s life.
Despite the fact the doctor testified he repeatedly told Mr. Smith to stop smoking and tried to get him on an exercise program to lose weight (a suggestion which was ignored), he was still found liable for $1.2 million.
So folks, the next time you wonder about the soaring cost of health care and health insurance, you now have another example of why.
Has Three Star Mall found Kmart’s replacement?
After the mall office closed Friday evening, I had a couple people tell me that a new anchor has agreed to locate in the space formerly occupied by Kmart.
At first I was skeptical of these rumors because the good-hearted mall ladies have assured me I would be the first to know about any new business locating there. But now I’m not so sure. Maybe the rumors are true.
It’s been an emotional time for me to say the least because I like being the first to know these type of things. And now my feelings are hurt.
Initially, I was in a state of denial: “No, no, this can’t be happening.”
Then came anger: “I can’t believe they didn’t tell me first!”
Then, I experienced remorse: “I must have done something wrong. They don’t like me any more at the mall.”
Now I’m at a period of uncertainty: “Maybe the rumors aren’t true after all.”
So, without naming the store, I’ll just say that I’ve heard a deal is done to bring a new store to the mall. I’ll try to find out if that is in fact the truth and let you know.
An expansion that’s truly Supreme
Anyone who has driven by Supreme Building Products recently has probably noticed the heavy equipment in the front lawn. That backhoe and bulldozer are there for a reason – to get the ground ready for Supreme’s 12,000-square-foot expansion.
“We’ve been having some banner years,” said Supreme vice president Ryan Moore. “It’s time for us to grow. We need more space.”
Over the years, Supreme has been getting busier and busier. Just last Monday, Ryan said Supreme served 189 customers, a number he says is becoming a norm.
The expansion, which will hopefully be complete by July, will give Supreme an additional 7,000 square feet of showroom space. It will also house a Grayseal paint center, which Ryan says is needed because they are selling paint by the five-gallon bucket.
In fact Grayseal president Noel Booker was in town Thursday to visit Supreme and to tour several local job sites, including the house being built by McMinnville Mayor Royce Davenport.
“We make the paint the best we know how and sell it for the best price we can,” said Booker. “By doing that, we give our customers the best value as possible.”
With its new addition, Supreme wants to direct its focus toward new construction and help customers build a new home or a new deck from start to finish. Supreme also wants to cater more to female customers.
“Statistics show females make 80 percent of the home-buying decisions,” said Ryan. “We want to create a female-friendly atmosphere.”
Ryan says Supreme will be looking to hire new employees to add to its workforce of 25 when expansion is complete. He also wants to advise Supreme’s customers to pull into the lumber yard and use the side entrance because the front entrance is currently closed due to construction.
Custom Automotive thrives at new location
It’s been about six months since Custom Automotive moved to its new location on Pike Hill Road so I guess you could say I’ve been falling asleep on the job. I should have written this story half a year ago.
But there’s nothing I can do about that now other than to tell you about Alan West’s body shop that’s been doing a pretty good business at its new location. Alan has been in the body shop business since 1995, but just moved to Pike Hill Road when he bought West Body Shop from his uncle, Calvin West.
“This is something I had going on the side when I worked third shift at DeZurik,” said Alan. “I’d work there at night and do this during the day. Now I can say I’m sure glad I had this on the side.”
Whether you just need minor touch-up work or major repairs, Alan can handle the job. He’s got Joey Tanner as his frame man and Joey has been straightening frames for some 22 years.
“We fixed one lady’s car and she said it drove better than when she bought it brand new,” said Joey. “It makes you feel good when you hear that stuff.”
Alan says the old fallacy is not true that once a car has been in a major accident it will never drive right again. He says he can get you fixed up as good as new. Give him a call at Custom Automotive at 668-7405.
Deborah Good expands her photo studio
It hasn’t seemed like it, but Deborah Good has had her photography studio open on S. High Street for over two and a half years. During that time, Deborah has seen her business grow and has expanded to meet the needs of her clients.
Instead of focusing mainly on children, Deborah has diversified. She now has a second indoor studio, has set up a place at her house for outdoor photos and will offer prom packages to students from 4 to 6 p.m. the day of the prom May 16.
“This second room allows me to use some things that had been tucked away in a closet,” said Deborah. “And I’m really excited about the outdoor shots. I’ve had so many people ask me about that already.”
Deborah has also started doing her own framing, and has a pretty good selection of frames in her studio. This enables people to walk away with a picture that’s ready to hang on the wall.
“Framing is the easy part and it gives me more control over the finished product,” said Deborah. “I figure people have to get them framed somewhere. It might as well be me.”
If you’re after a top-notch picture to proudly display on the wall, give Deborah a call at 474-4007.
That’s all folks
Our time together has ended for this week. May all your egg hunts go smoothly and we return here together in happiness next week.
For business tips, give me a call at 473-2191 or send me an e-mail at [email protected].