Boards, co-ops, and councils: Serving locally offers liability risk
Share Facebook Twitter Google + LinkedIn Pinterest Transporting grain and other commodities, moving farm machinery on the highway, keeping livestock in, hauling manure, applying chemicals, managing employees, etc. — as if farmers don’t have enough sources of liability, many producers also serve on boards of cooperatives, banks, grain elevators, and other businesses. Serving as a director can provide an excellent opportunity for farmers to give direction and offer valuable insights. Just make certain you are properly protected while doing so.Before agreeing to serve, insist that the board have directors and officers liability insurance (often called D&O). This is a policy, payable to the directors and officers of a company, or to the organization itself, as indemnification (reimibursement) for losses or advancement of defense costs in the event of legal action brought for alleged wrongful acts in their capacity as directors and officers. And this type of litigation is on the rise; agricultural businesses are not immune.Entire books have been written about how to limit liability while serving as a director. Simply stated, follow the business judgment rule. This is a presumption that in making a business decision, the directors of the corporation acted on an informed basis, in good faith, and in the honest belief that the action taken was in the best interests of the company. In other words, conduct company business as if you were operating your own farm or business. This also means that if you need outside expertise to make an informed decision, insist on the proper professionals providing advice. And if you suspect improper activities by the corporation or its employees, demand an outside evaluation by appropriate experts.Should meetings become combative, do not behave like an ostrich and stick your head in the sand. The riskiest behavior of a director is to miss meetings when tensions arrive. Directors are asked to provide leadership. As Colin Powell once famously said, “Being responsible sometimes means pissing people off.”Recognize conflicts of interest and abstain from discussing or voting on the conflict. Contrary to a discussion I once had with a local lawyer, there is no exemption from conflicts of interest for small communities where folks are related and know one another. If the matter before the board involves your relative or business associate, immediately notify the others of your conflict, and remain quiet. If you want to get fancy, once you identify your conflict, simply state, I must recuse myself. Then stay quiet.Should you opt to serve on a public or governmental board, all of the above applies. Before you begin your duties, learn the basics of the Ohio Sunshine Law. This is our state’s Public Records Act and Open Meetings Act. These laws are based on the notion that there should be “openness” in government, with public access to records and meetings and the conduct and activities of government. If questions about proper application of these laws arise, consult with the local prosecuting attorney or other lawyer who advises your board.All of this talk of participation in local affairs reminds me of a memoir I read that Jimmy Carter wrote, not long after he left the White House. In it, he talked of his days as a naval officer, a governor, a president and a public figure. He maintained that the absolute most difficult position he ever held was on the school board in Plains, Georgia. Think about that recollection before agreeing to serve locally.
Madison Keys, of the United States, returns a shot from Sloane Stephens, of the United States, during the women’s singles final of the U.S. Open tennis tournament, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)Madison Keys surveyed the wreckage of her US Open rout at the hands of close friend Sloane Stephens and told the new champion to foot the bar bill when the championship party starts.Keys, the 15th seed, was trounced 6-3, 6-0 by world number 83 Stephens in a one-sided final that lasted just over an hour.ADVERTISEMENT E.T. returns to earth, reunites with grown-up Elliott in new ad Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. LOOK: Loisa Andalio, Ronnie Alonte unwind in Amanpulo for 3rd anniversary LATEST STORIES READ: Stephens wins first Grand Slam, routs Keys for US Open titleBut Keys fully expected her pal to make up for the pain she caused.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSWATCH: Drones light up sky in final leg of SEA Games torch runSPORTSSEA Games: Philippines picks up 1st win in men’s water poloSPORTSMalditas save PH from shutout“Of course I will go to the celebration, I would 100% go. She can buy me drinks, all of the drinks,” said Keys.Stephens would have no problem in funding the party after her win on Saturday earned a staggering $3.7 million (3.07 million euros). Make it 17: Indians win 17th straight, beat Orioles Fire hits houses in Mandaluyong City Read Next BSP sees higher prices in November, but expects stronger peso, low rice costs to put up fight Trending Articles PLAY LIST 00:50Trending Articles00:50Trending Articles04:11Robredo accepts Duterte’s drug czar post appointment01:37Protesters burn down Iran consulate in Najaf01:47Panelo casts doubts on Robredo’s drug war ‘discoveries’01:29Police teams find crossbows, bows in HK university01:35Panelo suggests discounted SEA Games tickets for students02:49Robredo: True leaders perform well despite having ‘uninspiring’ boss02:42PH underwater hockey team aims to make waves in SEA Games Nonong Araneta re-elected as PFF president The 22-year-old Keys had undergone a second left wrist surgery after the French Open before winning a July title at Stanford.But her problems on Saturday were more in the mind than with the body.“I definitely think my play today came down to nerves and all of that, and I just don’t think I handled the occasion perfectly,” admitted Keys, playing in her first Slam final.“I was obviously nervous all morning. Sloane’s a tough opponent to play when you’re not making a lot of balls, but then, at the same time, she’s not going to miss, either. “I didn’t totally know what to do once I got on the court, which just intensifies those nerves even more. So I was definitely not feeling 100% good on the court at any point.”ADVERTISEMENT View comments The brutal statistics illustrate her lack of cutting edge in the final.Keys, the youngest finalist in New York since 19-year-old Caroline Wozniacki lost to Kim Clijsters in 2009, went into the match having fired 34 aces in the tournament.But Saturday saw her manage just three.Keys also committed 30 unforced errors to Stephens’s six.“I didn’t play my best tennis today. I’m really disappointed,” said Keys.“But if you told me as I was getting on a plane to go have my second surgery that I could have a Grand Slam finalist trophy in my hands at the end of the year, I think I’d be really happy. “I think I mostly learned that I’m a fighter. No matter what, I can figure things out. In a couple of days, I will be really happy, but right now still a little bit disappointed.”Keys said she was not surprised that Stephens had become a first-time Grand Slam champion even if her friend was ranked at 957 just under two months ago after missing 11 months with a left foot injury.“I don’t think as a 13-year-old you have that ability to think that far in the future,” she added.“But when she made her semi-final run in Australia (2015), I think we all saw how great she was — I’m definitely not surprised that she was able to do this.” Brace for potentially devastating typhoon approaching PH – NDRRMC WATCH: Streetboys show off slick dance moves in Vhong Navarro’s wedding MOST READ Frontrow holds fun run to raise funds for young cancer patients 
By BEN HARRISNSW Mets are joint leaders of the men’s Elite Eight division despite being held to a 10-all draw by Queensland Chiefs on day one of the 2014 X-Blades National Touch League at Coffs Harbour on Wednesday.The Mets have two wins and a draw from their three matches but they came awfully close to losing their first game.Despite Matthew Winchester scoring five touchdowns, a record in an Elite Eight game for Mets, the Chiefs stuck it to their more-fancied rivals.The Mets pushed hard in the final play of the game for the winning touchdown but came up short.In an unusual event, there were two other draws in the third round.Queensland Country Outlaws drew 6-all with Queensland South Stingrays, and The Alliance and NSW Rebels finished 5-all.There were two other draws during the day both featuring the Outlaws.The Phil Gyemore-coached team drew 7-all with NSW Country Mavericks and 8-all with Outlaws.Defending champions Mavericks join the Mets on the top of the table.It is going to be an incredible game between these two sides – also last year’s grand finalists – at 12.10pm on day two.With their only win and two draws, the Chiefs sit in third spot while the Stingrays are fourth.Drawing three times on day one could come back to haunt the Outlaws as they sit in fifth spot.Scorpions are sixth, the Rebels seventh and The Alliance anchors the division.The division resumes on Thursday at 12.10pm.In the women’s Elite Eight division, it is business as usual with Mets leading the way.The two-time defending Elite Eight champions share the lead with Sydney Scorpions.Outlaws are third following their two wins and a draw on day one while Stingrays are fourth.Mets were pushed all the way by NSW Rebels who led early in their round one clash but only to go down 8-7.Scorpions got out of jail against The Alliance, also in the first round, 6-5.It is going to be hard slog for last year’s runners-up the Chiefs who are bringing up the rear.They are none from three and need to start winning otherwise they can forget about finals action.They aren’t alone with the Rebels also unable to get a win on the board.The Scorpions will have a tough day on Thursday as they take on two of the current top four in Outlaws and Stingrays.First women’s match taps-off at 10.30am.You can keep up-to-date with all of the latest news and information from the 2014 X-Blades National Touch League in the following ways:Websiteswww.ntl.mytouchfooty.comwww.austouch.com.auSocial MediaFacebook – www.facebook.com/touchfootballaustraliaTwitter – www.twitter.com/touchfootyaus (be sure to use the hashtag #NTL2014)Instagram – www.instagram.com/touchfootballaustraliaYouTube – www.youtube.com/touchfootballausRelated LinksElite Eight day one
NEW YORK, N.Y. – Apple fans who froze their credit after the Equifax data breach may end up with another hassle on their hands if they try to get one of the new iPhones that can cost more than $1,000. People who rushed to lock down their credit and want to make any other big purchases may find the same inconveniences.Since Equifax disclosed that 143 million Americans had their Social Security numbers and other personal data hacked, experts have encouraged people who may affected to put in place what’s known as a credit freeze. That locks down a person’s credit from being stolen by identity thieves — but could also mean delays and more fees for Equifax victims who want to finance a new phone.You can unfreeze your credit before a big purchase and freeze it again afterward. How long it will take and how much it costs vary state by state. Experts say generally it’s best to give the major credit bureaus — TransUnion, Experian and Equifax — notice of several hours or even a few days before you apply for financing. And people just getting used to the idea of freezing their credit could pay $3 to $10 for each action at each of the three bureaus.Payment plans are a growing business for the major wireless carriers, many of which no longer subsidize a customer’s purchase, because a monthly payment makes an expensive smartphone more affordable. And Apple and the wireless carriers often need access to your credit report in order to approve the sale of a new phone under a monthly plan.“But if you are someone who has frozen their credit record, you may suddenly discover that you can’t afford an iPhone X, after all,” said Patrick Moorhead, an industry analyst with Moor & Insights.Providence, Rhode Island-based Citizens Financial Group, which runs the Apple financing program, said any new or existing customer who has a credit freeze on their information will be declined financing. So they would have to unfreeze their credit, at least temporarily. Sprint, Verizon, T-Mobile and AT&T run credit checks with the agencies for new customers. Policies vary for existing customers.Analysts say two-year financing plans have become essential to selling high-end smartphones. International Data Corp. analyst Ramon Llamas called them “critical.” Moorhead expects virtually everyone interested in the new iPhone X, which rolls out later this year, to use an installment plan.Apple rolled out its program two years ago that lets customers upgrade to a new phone each year and divides the cost of the phone into a monthly payment. The company doesn’t share details on how many customers finance their phones through Citizens/Apple instead of their carriers, and declined to disclose how many of its iPhones are financed.For other carriers, it’s clearly big business. AT&T sold 3.58 million smartphones to customers under payment plans last quarter, according to its most recent filing. Verizon customers financed $14.51 billion in smartphones under the company’s payment plan in the first six months of 2017, and roughly half its customers who pay a cellphone bill at the end of each month are on a payment plan.The Verizon and AT&T figures include sales of both iPhones and other smartphones like Samsung, which has a larger worldwide share of the smartphone market than Apple. But iPhones generally cost more than phones by other makers — roughly $685 compared to the $340 average price of a Samsung phone — so analysts think a greater share of iPhone customers may finance theirs.____Liedtke reported from San Francisco. AP Business writer Tali Arbel contributed to this report.
WASHINGTON – Promoted as needed relief for the middle class, the Senate Republican tax overhaul actually would increase taxes for some 13.8 million moderate-income American households, a nonpartisan analysis showed Monday.The assessment by Congress’ Joint Committee on Taxation emerged as the Senate’s tax-writing committee began wading through the measure, working toward the first major revamp of the tax system in some 30 years.Barging into the carefully calibrated work that House and Senate Republicans have done, President Donald Trump called for a steeper tax cut for wealthy Americans and pressed GOP leaders to add a contentious health care change to the already complex mix.Trump’s latest tweet injected a dose of uncertainty into the process as the Republicans try to deliver on his top legislative priority. He commended GOP leaders for getting the tax legislation closer to passage in recent weeks and then said, “Cut top rate to 35% w/all of the rest going to middle income cuts?”That puts him at odds with the House legislation that leaves the top rate at 39.6 per cent and the Senate bill as written, with the top rate at 38.5 per cent.Trump also said, “Now how about ending the unfair & highly unpopular individual mandate in (Obama)care and reducing taxes even further?”Overall, the legislation would deeply cut corporate taxes, double the standard deduction used by most Americans, and limit or repeal completely the federal deduction for state and local property, income and sales taxes. It carries high political stakes for Trump and Republican leaders in Congress, who view passage of tax cuts as critical to the GOP preserving its majorities at the polls next year.With few votes to spare, Republican leaders hope to finalize a tax overhaul by Christmas and send the legislation to Trump for his signature.The key House leader on the effort, Rep. Kevin Brady, said he’s “very confident” that Republicans “do and will have the votes to pass” the measure this week.Brady, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, said he doesn’t expect major changes to the bill as it moves to a final vote in the House. Still, he said Trump’s call for removing the requirement to have health insurance as part of the tax agreement “remains under consideration.”Trump and the Republicans have promoted the legislation as a boon to the middle class, bringing tax relief to people with moderate incomes and boosting the economy to create new jobs.“This bill is not a massive tax cut for the wealthy. … This is not a big giveaway to corporations,” Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, insisted as the panel had its first day of debate on the Senate measure.Hatch also downplayed the analysis by congressional tax experts showing a tax increase for several million U.S. households under the Senate proposal. Hatch said “a relatively small minority of taxpayers could see a slight increase in their taxes.”The committee’s senior Democrat, Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon, said the legislation has become “a massive handout to multinational corporations and a bonanza for tax cheats and powerful political donors.”The analysis found that the Senate measure would actually increase taxes in 2019 for 13.8 million households earning less than $200,000 a year. That group, about 10 per cent of all U.S. taxpayers, would face tax increases of $100 to $500 in 2019. There also would be increases greater than $500 for a number of taxpayers, especially those with incomes between $75,000 and $200,000. By 2025, 21.4 million households would have steeper tax bills.The analysts previously found a similar magnitude of tax increases under the House bill.Neither bill includes a repeal of the so-called individual mandate of Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act, the requirement that Americans get health insurance or face a penalty. Several top Republicans have warned that including the provision, as Trump wants, would draw opposition and make passage tougher.A key moderate Republican in the Senate said it’s too early to say whether including repeal of the insurance mandate would cost her vote on the tax bill. “I’m going to see what the Finance Committee winds up with and what we do on the (Senate) floor,” said Sen. Susan Collins of Maine.Collins did say she opposed Trump’s idea of reducing the top tax rate for the wealthiest earners.Among the biggest differences in the two bills that have emerged: the House bill allows homeowners to deduct up to $10,000 in property taxes while the Senate proposal unveiled by GOP leaders last week eliminates the entire deduction. Both versions would eliminate deductions for state and local income taxes and sales taxes.Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., asked whether the Senate’s proposed repeal of the property tax deduction could bring higher taxes for some middle-class Americans, acknowledged there would be some taxpayers who end up with higher tax bills.“Any way you cut it, there is a possibility that some taxpayers would get a higher rate,” McConnell told reporters after a forum in Louisville, Kentucky, with local business owners and employees. “You can’t craft any tax bill that guarantees that every single taxpayer in America gets a tax break. What I’m telling you is the overall majority of taxpayers in every bracket would get relief.”____Associated Press writer Bruce Schreiner in Louisville and Kevin Freking in Washington contributed to this report__This story has been corrected to show that the Joint Committee on Taxation is nonpartisan not bipartisan
MONTREAL – The free trade deal between Canada and the European Union has boosted container shipping and prompted a hiring spree at the docks, Montreal port officials say.The volume moving through the gates of the country’s second largest port jumped 19.7 per cent in July compared to the same month last year, hitting the equivalent of about 147,000 20-foot containers, according to the Maritime Employers Association.Container imports increased 7.8 per cent to nearly 4.33 million tonnes in the first seven months of this year versus the same period in 2017, with the bulk of that traffic coming from Europe.The employers association, which handles training for the port workforce, as well as the Montreal Port Authority attribute much of the container inflow to the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement signed by Canada and the European Union in 2016.CETA came into provisional effect last September, offering Canadian companies broader access to one of the world’s largest markets.The extra dock traffic spurred the association to start hiring 50 more longshoremen and 15 more auditors, and resulted in several key terminals nearly doubling their operating time to 17 hours each workday.Stephane Morency, president and chief executive of the association, said the surge stems largely from food and metal imports that range from wine and cheese to steel girders, with work on Montreal’s new Champlain Bridge — slated to open in December — a major driver.“There’s a lot of steel on that bridge. And a lot of those big I-beams, huge I-beams are coming from Europe,” he said.Overall traffic during the first half of the year actually dropped 4.9 per cent to 17.75 million tonnes compared to the first six months of 2017, according to port figures.A precipitous drop in bulk cargo, particularly grain exports, prompted the dip, said Pierre-Yves Boivin, vice-president of the federation that represents Quebec’s chambers of commerce.Serge Auclair, a vice-president at the Montreal Port Authority, stressed the need to carve out more free trade deals beyond the United States as markets in Asia and Eastern Europe open up.Ottawa has inked agreements in the past five years with Honduras, South Korea, Ukraine and, most recently, the EU.The trend toward packing commodities such as grain or pulp and paper into steel shipping containers also helps explain the container traffic uptick, Auclair said.“More and more, even though containerizing costs a little more, it allows some flexibility and some companies are interested in using that opportunity to ship to other destinations,” he said, pointing toward greater pest and bacteria control as well.The port authority hopes to open another container terminal on Montreal’s South Shore to accommodate market growth, which climbed 14 per cent over four years to hit 1.54 million 20-foot equivalent units in 2017. The port completed an environmental impact assessment in January.About $41 billion worth of goods move through the Port of Montreal each year, according to the port authority.Last year, food, construction material and iron and steel products made up the largest chunk of container imports, respectively, while forestry products, food and grain comprised nearly half of all container exports.
FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. – The City of Fort St. John is looking to celebrate the success of the athletes, coaches, officials and community builders who have excelled in their sport in the past and present.The City has been trying to add updated content to the electronic Sports Celebration Wall at the Pomeroy Sport Centre.The City says they are currently open to nominations. “If you or someone you know has achieved success as an athlete, coach, official or community builder at the Provincial, National or International level, please send us your information along with your photos.For more information on the nomination process, you can send an email to legacy@fortstjohn.ca
Husky has more than 500 service stations, travel centres, cardlock operations and bulk distribution facilities from British Columbia to New Brunswick. Its myHusky Rewards loyalty program has about 1.6 million members.The 12,000-barrel-per-day refinery in Prince George processes light oil into gasoline, diesel and other products for nearby regions of B.C. It owns two refineries and is half-owner of a third in the United States.Spokesman Mel Duvall says Husky started selling fuel to consumers in 1938 shortly after the original owner built a small refinery in Cody, Wyo. The refinery was moved to Lloydminster on the Alberta-Saskatchewan border in 1946.CEO Rob Peabody says in a news release the businesses are “highly marketable” and will attract strong interest and valuations.TD Securities Inc. is acting as financial adviser, with Torys LLP as legal adviser. CALGARY, A.B. – Husky Energy Inc. says it is looking at getting out of retailing fuels to consumers after 80 years in the business.The Calgary-based oilsands producer says it is launching a strategic review that could result in it selling its Canadian retail and commercial fuels business and its small Prince George, B.C., refinery.It says it prefers to focus on its core upstream assets in northeastern Alberta, Atlantic Canada and the Asia Pacific region, adding the decision is not related to its offer that expires next week to buy oilsands rival MEG Energy Corp.
UPDATE as of 8pm – RCMP have confirmed to Global News the boy has been found alive south of MacKenzie. George was found by a police dog Sunday evening.Missing four year old Mackenzie boy found safe and sound. RCMP tell me he was found by a police dog in the bush. Tune into @GlobalBC for more details.— Claire Fenton (@Ceeceefenton) August 19, 2019MACKENZIE, B.C. – MacKenzie Search and Rescue have confirmed they are searching for a missing four-year-old near Lions Lake. Search and Rescue crews from Prince George, the North and South Peace have been called in to support the search that started Saturday. According to MyPrinceGeorgeNow.com, the child went missing at around 12:30 p.m. Saturday just off Highway 39 south of MacKenzie near Lions Lake.The child’s first name is George and was last seen wearing a blue coat, hoodie and blue pants with camo-style boots. George is about three feet tall and weighs 35 pounds.There are over 100 volunteers and search and rescue personnel searching for George.As we get more information about the search, we will update this story. If you have any information to share, email news@moosefm.ca