Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 15 November 2002 — Page 27

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15,2002 ■ PAGE D1

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WEATHERIZATION PROGRAM Consumer advocates seek governor's help

Associated Press A coalition of consumer advocacy groups is asking Gov. Frank O’Bannon to support a surcharge on utility bills that would pay to better equip and insulate homes for winter weather. The groups want the state to establish a “Public Benefits Charge” on utility bills that would be dedicated to weatherizing lowincome homes. Members of the Low-Income Energy Assistance Alliance include the Citizens Action Coalition, United Senior Action, the Indianapolis Urban League and the Indiana Coalition on Housing and Homeless Issues. O’Bannon spokeswoman Mary Dieter said that any proposal for a change on utility bills would likely have to come from the General Assembly. It is difficult to judge whether state lawmakers would push the issue, she said. “Certainly it is a worthy cause,” she said. “The governor is always concerned about the idea that Hoosiers may not be warm in their own

homes.”

Last month, O’Bannon announced a state-federal weatherization program to provide $10 million from the federal government and $2 million from the state b f i jggf ftiiprove^l^, on low-

income homes.

Weatherization will reduce heating costs for those who can least afford it, said Dave Menzer, utility campaign organizer for the Citi-

zens Action Coalition.

Ultimately, it also will benefit Indiana ratepayers, he said, because such a surcharge could reduce costs stemming from those who cannot pay their hills and |a,ve service

“It really is a benefit societally,”

he said.

Natural gas prices are projected to increase an average of 20 percent to 40 percent this winter, according to the state’s utility com-

panies.

Heating assistance is offered for low-income residents, the elderly and the disabled through the federal Low-Income Energy Assis-

fexpected

to receive $36 million to $43 mil-

lion for that program.

Utilities, such as Vectren and Northern Indiana Public Service Co., also contribute money to heating assistance programs for low-

income residents.

But Menzer argues that weatherization programs are needed in conjunction with heating assistance programs to adequately help those

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mo’s ffie man with the plan for marketing brands?

By RICARDO HAZELL Electronic Urban Report In this day and age companies are beginning to realize that, in order to properly target a community, the marketing campaign needs to be designed by someone who has an intimate connection with that community... preferably a member of that target audience. That’s exactly what companies hope to get out of their relationship with The Mastermind Group CEO Erin Patton. As pointman for the Jordan Brand in the early ‘90s, the Northwestern University graduate made a name for himself as an individual who had his Anger on the pulse of the young Black and Hispanic, city-dwelling consumer. He has been featured on BET, ABC “Nightline” and on numerous panels including an urban cultural panel hosted by the National Black Caucus. Patton was asked about the importance of a proper corporate marketing mindset towards the urban community. “While at Nike I innovated and helped blaze the trail to intersect the Jordan Brand with the urban lifestyle and the music,” said Patton. “And was really on the forefront of recognizing that was the direction companies were go-

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ing to have to move forward in because that, in essence, is becoming the general market. It’s no longer a niche opportunity, that’s where the bread is going to get buttered.” To say the bread will get buttered in the urban arena is a slight understatement. The bread is being buttered, toasted and jellied to the tune of hundreds of millions, per-

Erin Patton was hand-picked by Michael Jordan to be one of the early architects of Nike's Jordan brand division, serving as its Marketing Director and engineering the successful launch of Jordan’s signature brand in 1997.

haps billions, of urban consumer dollars over the past five years. “While at Edelman we began to bring this type of approach into the general marketing agency,” added the CEO. “This helped me formulate a blueprint that was most optimal to truly create a highly strategic offering for companies. The blueprint to make the appropriate connections with those communi-

ties and help develop the right relationship.” After working for Edelman as its vice president of diversity marketing, Patton went on to start his own marketing Arm, The Mastermind Group, in October of 2001. “In terms of our philosophy, the company derives its philosophy from a book called Think and Grow Rich, by Napoleon Hill. In that book he outlines what he calls the mastermind group principle that was shared with him by Andrew Carnegie, Henry Ford, Ghandi... all these individuals shared the belief that a person’s success was about the coordination of knowledge and effort toward a purpose that made them successful. “That’s what we do for our clients. We’re an aggregator of knowledge, intelligence and creativity. Also, we cultivate the relationships and resources necessary to execute a blueprint that fits that client’s specific needs.” Patton continued, “We consider our clients to be both individuals and corporate brands. It’s about understanding the consumer, their lifestyle interests and the best way to maneuver with your product. “We go into the company to help them build a particular strategy. Once that is done they can either execute it themselves, or we can step in and do it,” Patton said.

Dr. Valerie McCray

Black Business Profile Information provided by business owners

Name of Business: White Dog Motors Address: 870 Massachusetts Ave., and 8702 Keystone Crossing in the Fashion Mall at Keystone at the Crossing Phone: (317) 208-2888 Fax: (317) 208-2885 Year Opened: 2002 Owners: Dr. Valerie McCray and Ryan McCray-Ely Number of employees:

Products/Services: Motor scooter sales and repair. Future goals: We hope to open several stores in the future. Why did you start the business and how has it grown? My son and I found something that we were both excited about. We were determined to buy scooters and ride around the country. We had found a motor scooter shop that had just opened in Ann Arbor, Mich., but we had just moved to Indianapolis where there were only motorcycle shops. Creating White Dog Motors was our way of concentrating on something totally different and off the hook. What are some of the obstacles you’ve faced and how did you overcome them? We had a landlord at our first site that was extremely It to work with and we had to leave that location. We : of money JBxing the place up to make a show rpom, money lost &hnot compare to the time, energy and ist we puhat risk. The showroom was nice MWMigh to impress the Fashion Mall. They asked us if we would be interested in opening a location inside the mall. We also moved our downtown location down the street. Also, ofAce manager Renae Grant, has great work ethics and has the dedication of someone getting paid 6 figures. Where did you get the name of your company from and does it have any significant meaning? The name came from our attempt to All in our family with a puppy we saw at the pet store. Zeus, an all-white American Bulldog was more than we bargained for. In order to justify’ the agony and money (caused my Zeus) we decided to make him our mascot and name our company White Dog Motors.

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Ryan McCray-Ety (left) aaaiata a cuatomar on tha phono, whNa another admiraa a scooter in tha showroom. (Photo/Shlrf W.)

Laid off? Changing jobs? Don f t leave money on the table

By Wealth Management News Service Whether you leave your employer by chance or by choice - to start a new job or retire, there’s no doubt you’re dealing with change and the stress that goes along with it. With everything you have to think about, deciding what to do with your accumulated retirement savings is probably the last thing on your mind. But it’s the one decision you can’t afford to put off. That money you’ve worked so hard to save will probably be one of your biggest sources of income (hiring your retirement. You’re fac-

ing an important choice: what to do with your retirement savings. And what you decide now will shape your ftiture quality of life. It could mean the difference between enjoying a comfortable retirement or struggling to make ends meet. ‘Today, many people have had multiple employers and multiple retirement plans by the time they retire,” said Virginia Persons, senior vice president, INVESCO Individual Retirement. “If your assets are left with each individual employer when you move on, you ntight overlook those assets when you reach retirement age. Or, if you should die prematurely, your

heirs may not be aware that your Take the cash — If you are the money is in a former employer’s subject of a corporate downsizing.

plan and never claim those assets for your estate,” she said. According to Persons, you have several options for your retirement plan money and it’s important to know the facts before you make any decisions. If you are uncertain how to proceed, discuss your situation with your Anancial advisor who will help you choose the best alternative. Know your options You can do one of four things with the money you've accumulated in your employer’s plan:

this option might sound good to get you through difficult times. However, the cost can be great. If you take the cash, the plan administrator will be required to withhold 20 percent for taxes and you will be hit with a 10 percent penalty. Not a good choice under any circumstances. Transfer to new employer’s plan—If you are moving to a new employer, and the new employer’s retirement plan allows it, you am rollover your retirement money into the new plan without paying taxes or penalty. Check to see if the investment options in the new plan

are comparable with what isavailable in an IRA. - Most retirement plans allow you to keep your assets in the plan even if you leave the company. Again, check the investment options compared to the choices available in an IRA. Roll the money over into an IRA—The vast majority of money leaving employer retirement plans gets rolled over into an individual retirement account or IRA. These accounts allow you to maintain the tax beneftts of a qualified plan and they offer a wide selection of investment options. Most mutual fund companies, brokerage Arms and banks offer this poputar type

of investment account The finds must be rolled directly from the old plan into the IRA to avoid penalty and withholding of taxes. Persons cautioned that outstanding loans from an employer plan must be repaid prior to erKhng your employment “If you have an outstanding loan from your plan wheat your employment ends and you do not repay the loan, your employer may reduce the bahoce in the plan by the Mnount of die loan. The amount that iitMuced is treated ac a distribution and subject to da same taxes and penalty aa receivmg cash,” she said. ?