May 10, 2007
BATTLE CREEK-John Godfrey sure made my day. In fact, he
made it my day throughout Cereal City USA by proclaiming Thursday, May
10, 2007 as “Larry Meyer Day.”
The
long-time jeweler-Godfrey Jewelers-and extremely involved community
and MRA member was acting in his role as mayor of this energetic city.
I couldn't have been more surprised and honored by his and the city's
thoughtfulness.
Heartfelt thanks, John. And for everyone reading this,
no need to search your local retailer for a Hallmark card celebrating
the occasion.
This stop on the Member Appreciation Tour was even more
conversational than the first two. We quickly got into a great, wide-ranging
discussion about retail services, healthy downtowns and public policy
issues with Mayor Godfrey, his wife, Jean, and second-generation retailers
Fred and Patty Meyer (no relation to me), of Meyer's Toy World.
Could Michigan Retailers, Fred asked, construct a membership
service to help existing and would-be retailers buy the businesses of
retailers who want to retire and see their businesses live on? A good
suggestion. No, it wouldn't be easy. But, yes, it's definitely worth
pursuing. I'd be interested in your comments.
And
what's happening to offset the current advantage Internet sellers have
over homegrown retailers, who must collect sales taxes while not all
of their remote competitors do? Tax fairness for Main Street retailers
has long been a rallying cry for Michigan Retailers, and we have worked
effectively with the current governor, her predecessor and lawmakers
of both parties to get our state into the national compact of states
that have streamlined their sales tax codes and stepped up enforcement
actions to help home-state merchants. We've made great progress. Unfortunately,
getting to 100-percent compliance for remote sellers will take action
by the U.S. Congress. It will eventually come, but not before I retire.
On the local scene, the Godfreys and Meyers hailed Battle
Creek voters' approval Tuesday of a $67-million bond issue to improve
school facilities-including a complete overhaul of Battle Creek Central
High School-and help core-city schools compete with their suburban rivals.
The mayor called it “a monumental step for the community.”
I see it as one more piece of the puzzle for building a stronger and
even more vibrant downtown.
On to Cadillac on May 21!
For additional information about a breakfast near you, contact Kammy Johns at 517.372.5656 or kjohns@retailers.com.
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SCHEDULE
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April
23: Ann Arbor |
June
4: Sault Ste. Marie 5: Marquette 6: Escanaba 7: St. Ignace 11: Birmingham 18: Wyandotte |
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July
16: Midland 30: Kalamazoo |
August
6: Alpena 7: Traverse City 15: Port Huron |
September
10: Grand Rapids 17: Bay City or Saginaw 20: St. Joseph 24: Brighton |
