Editor:
Running a business is a challenge. But try starting one from the very first day of buying land, next hiring a general contractor, who would look after your best interest. Who is also the one who looks after hiring and paying of the sub-contractors.
We the decided to go with J.C. Construction General Contractor (GC) owned by John Lavich. He would submit his invoices as the project progressed to the accountant of the said lender (TMI), who proceeded to go through invoices, always having questions, then forwarded to TMI's lawyer, who would complete and forward monies owed, to our lawyer who in return would get the documents ready to forward the draw monies to J.C. Construction to pay the invoices submitted at the time.
We have never disputed that there is monies owed, but how much and who is the question?
As I dealt with different financial institutions and private investors up to the day of the auction with the same question, where is the documentation to support the one page that only listed J.C Construction's total owed.
Our lawyer had requested that the GC provide us with the individual invoices to date, we still have not received any of the sub-contractors invoices, except for one local business that provided us with his itemized invoices and payments received.
Not only did we have the above-mentioned problems, we also had to deal with the said group of contractors boycotting and slandering the business. Now all involved in trying to help fund the project wanted to see sales each month for the past six months, thus making it harder to prove this was a tangible business. If you owe a interest in a company, do you think by doing this it's going to help?
Working against your own interest is not a very professional business attitude.
For the GC, who spent many hours in my office, discussing the above-mentioned problems, knows the whole story of how I dedicated my heart and soul into protecting all involved. We even put him on our mortgage to try and protect him and his sub-contractors. Even up to the day Pioneer Petroleum took over the site, I did not stop. Again the GC came to me a couple of days before the auction asking how we can stop this, as his investors and him didn't have enough money nor did we.
Let's look at the bigger picture how we all could have worked together from Sept. 8, 2009 to protect all involved.
As the business was gaining a little ground, I started to pay a few of the smaller amounts of bills, and even making payments to one company trying to help.
I fought tooth and nail right up to the sale for all involved, and even after the sale and the boycott I never gave up or quit trying. Even till this day I still get calls asking if I need help. I only wish all involved could have seen what I tried to do, maybe then today things would be different.
One last thing, if there is any financial institution or someone who has dealt with a financial institution that would lend money without only an amount at the bottom of the page, please let me know, because that must have been the one we missed.
Mr. Lavich and us can play a cat and mouse game for a very long time, but at the end we both know what has happened. If there is anyone out there that has questions, instead of gossiping, I would appreciate you approaching me. From Day 1, we had nothing to hide. As the saying goes, those who cry wolf the loudest usually have something to hide. And if the sub-contractors would like to submit an itemized invoice and payment received to date, please let us know, I have all the draws that were done to GC but not the total amounts of each company owed.
Our business wasn't just a business. We were one big happy family. Regarding our fantastic customers, it was said it's known in the business world, that if you run your business like a family and for every person who walks through the door, greet them with a smile, which in return earns the heart and respect of every customer.
Prime examples of this known fact is Jim Helliwell and Brian Uranick. Both opened their hearts by running fuel out to two different stranded travellers on the side of the highway, so they could continue on their way.
My staff would also go to the self-serve islands and offer to help, even if the customer said no. My staff would indulge in a friendly way to make them feel welcome and like one of your own. Jeff Desender, employee, one evening noticed a man getting into a lady's car he had just filled up, mentioned to her that a man got into her vehicle and that he would walk out with her. She informed him it was her husband, and that he had been dropped off at Esso. She called me the next morning telling me that my service was excellent, my staff was caring and observant. We have received cards, letters and phone calls regarding different happy experiences at Esso. This definitely benefitted the quality of service of our station. From the cleanliness of the bathrooms, which travellers far and wide commented daily on, to the smile on faces, I think we achieved the goals set out for service.
Last thing I have to add is that it proves my staff and I are family, because the day I left, May 11, 2010, my family (staff) left with me, therefore, I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the patience you all gave and thank you to my family (staff), and my loyal customers for the support from Sept. 8 to the present day, as I fought a battle which was a very stressful one on everyone that was involved, and I mean everyone.
We would like to thank The Neepawa Press for giving us the opportunity to share our knowledge.


Lori Uranick
Neepawa