Business Columns
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Should we remove our asbestos ceiling?Jan 05, 2026 1:22 pm - Our home’s textured ceiling contains 5% asbestos. Should we spray paint to cover it or pay a contractor $3,000 to remove it?
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Politicians must embrace civility and solutions in 2026Jan 02, 2026 12:14 pm - The small business community touches nearly everyone, and together we can drive a proactive and positive agenda that supports local businesses, transcends destructive politics, and builds a stronger economy in 2026.
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Are proxies counted toward a quorum at association meeting?Dec 31, 2025 3:10 pm - Very few owners attend the annual meeting of our association; most contribute via a proxy. Are the proxies counted toward a quorum?
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Restaurants must adapt to boomers’ needs and preferencesDec 31, 2025 10:11 am - Restaurants are always changing. New concepts come and go, trends shift, prices climb, portions grow — and then shrink again. But for those of us who are baby boomers, these aren’t the changes we’re thinking about.
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Water issue not disclosed in trustee saleDec 30, 2025 3:14 pm - New homeowners discover the home they bought from a family trust had a major ground drainage problem at the time of the sale. Buyers have since learned the Realtor was aware of the issue and hid it. Who is liable for damages?
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New businesses, fond farewells and historic preservation: A look back at the top stories of 2025 in Talk of the TownDec 29, 2025 9:57 am - New businesses and developments, historic preservation, museums and a fairy garden were among the top stories in Dave Heun’s Talk of the Town column in 2025.
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Does your business need a chief AI officer?Dec 27, 2025 12:59 pm - In just three years, artificial intelligence has gone from a futuristic concept to a daily business tool. With the emergence of effective generative AI, companies from global brands to local family businesses have been racing to understand how this new technology can make their work faster, smarter, and more efficient.
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We are entering 2026 with the worst economy in yearsDec 27, 2025 11:59 am - If you are feeling down about the direction of the economy as the year comes to a close, you are not alone. There is also plenty of evidence to back up the sentiment.
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Does association have to comply with utility company’s request?Dec 22, 2025 4:21 pm - Our homeowner’s association board recently received a request from a utility company to temporarily use part of our common area to access utility infrastructure in the existing public utility easement. They also want to use part of our common area to store equipment during the project.
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Should we tell our home inspector about the mold?Dec 22, 2025 12:11 pm - We're about to buy a six-year-old home that originally had a mold problem. Are we required to disclose the initial mold issue to our home inspector, or should we wait to see if he notices any evidence of mold?