By J.J. Smith. Numerous large and small business opportunities are now available to DFW area businesses with Super Bowl XLV coming to Dallas Cowboys Stadium Feb. 6, 2011.

That’s what North Texas Super Bowl XLV Host Committee Business Development Director Robbie Douglas told about 80 Rockwall Chamber of Commerce members at their monthly luncheon yesterday.

Douglas, a Rockwall resident, explained that one goal of the NFL (National Football League) is that minority and women-owned businesses (MWBE) have the maximum opportunity to participate in the Super Bowl procurement process.

The NFL Emerging Business Program is designed to provide these business enterprises access to these procurement opportunities. While participating in the program does not guarantee receipt of Super Bowl XLV-related contracts, it is the intention of the North Texas Host Committee that interested MWBE’s receive information on this process and an introduction to potential purchasing entities.

Participation in the Emerging Business program requires completion of an on-line registration, available at www.northtexassuperbowl.com/emergingbusiness.

Prospective vendors must complete the online application and submit proof of certification as a minority- or woman-owned business. Upon receipt of this information, qualified businesses will be approved for the official Super Bowl XLV Business Resource Guide.

The Guide is a comprehensive list of certified North Texas emerging businesses, which is free and available to all procurement entities seeking goods or services for Super Bowl XLV-related opportunities.

Emerging Businesses can register for up to three different categories of the 40 or so currently sought. Categories include everything from audio/video, balloons and barricades to courier services, entertainment, general contractors, office supplies, painting, security, signs, tents and waste removal.

For more information, visit: www.northtexassuperbowl.com/emergingbusiness

By J.J. Smith. Horizon Auto Center has been named “Best Auto Repair” Center in the Rockwall/Rowlett/Heath area by readers of the Dallas Morning News Neighbors Go newspaper.

The Rockwall auto repair shop, located between Presbyterian Hospital and Cain Middle School at 5335 Horizon Rd, was selected from among about 100 auto repair service locations in the area.

As the only AAA-approved auto repair business in Rockwall County, Horizon Auto has been in its present location for seven years and operated by Rockwall resident Ken Sterling since 2008. Sterling previously owned three other auto repair businesses, after working as a Fortune 500 company executive for many years.

With nine repair and service bays, Horizon is one of the largest auto repair centers in the Rockwall-Rowlett area.

According to Sterling, Horizon is a complete one-stop shop for auto and truck care.

“We do everything from simple oil changes to tires to brakes to tune-ups and major engine repair,” he said. “We do more European cars than likely anyone all the way to Tyler.  We also service fleets and all makes and models of autos and trucks, foreign and domestic.”

Sterling said he owes most of the auto repair center’s success to his employees.

Operations Manager Cliff Payne has been in Rockwall since 1985. He previously owned his own auto repair business and has serviced three and four generations of the same family.

“Cliff is well-known in the area and has a loyal base of friends and clients,” said Sterling. “Cliff actually services up to four generations of the same family.”

“Kris Wade has been a lube manager in Rockwall for more than six years. Matt Thompson was a former service writer trainer, and customer satisfaction index manager for a large car dealership in town.”

“Our senior technician Sean Baillie has achieved the highest level of certification available,” Sterling continued.  “Our undercarriage man John Cassidy, who works on brakes, shocks, front end, and drive train is one of the finest mechanics in the Dallas area.”

“Mike Crumpton owned an auto repair shop with his family for years and knows how to address customer needs.  The lube and tire techs have a minimum of five years experience each.”

Sterling added that as many as 50 customers a day typically visit or call.

He expressed gratitude to all his customers for taking the time to vote for his business.

“We at Horizon Auto Center are most grateful to our friends and neighbors – our customers – for voting us the Best Auto Repair center in Rockwall, Rowlett and Heath.  This was done in an online survey of Dallas Morning News Neighborhood readers.”

There are about 40 auto repair facilities on the Rockwall side of the lake in Rockwall County, and likely that many more in Rowlett.   We would like to think that, for our customers to take the time to go to a website of the Dallas Morning News and vote for us in this survey, we must be doing something right.”

“We believe we have some of the nicest customers any shop could ask for.  It is our mission to meet and exceed their expectations.  The majority of our new customers come from other customer referrals.  We value the trust our customers place in us.”

Sterling said they have recently added a full service truck accessories shop to their business mix.

“Additionally, we are Rockwall’s only full-service truck accessories shop,” he said. “We carry virtually all truck and many auto accessories.  We sell and install large replacement bumpers, over 80 different truck bed covers, lift kits, performance parts, tool boxes, bed slides, truck vaults, side steps, brush guards, and everything else for a truck.”

For more information, call 469-698-8585 orvisit www.horizonautocenter.com or www.txtruckaccessories.com.

By John Suayan, Southeast Texas Record. GALVESTON – A Galveston couple is suing a Rockwall County contractor for deserting a repair project on the plaintiffs’ storm-ravaged home.

Michael and Dolly Warren claim they paid more than $500,000 to George Brunson of Rockwall, who is doing business as Brunson Restoration and Remodeling, in exchange for work on their West End residence, which was damaged by Hurricane Ike on Sept. 13, 2008.

The Warrens’ suit was filed March 23 in Galveston County District Court.

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By Richard Abshire, The Dallas Morning News. The developer and majority owner of The Harbor in Rockwall has filed for reorganization in federal bankruptcy court.

Rob Whittle said the goal of the Chapter 11 filing is to restructure the development’s mortgage so he can lower rents for retailers.

Things are going well for tenants, except some retail stores, he said. The Harbor, a premier mixed-use development on the Lake Ray Hubbard shore, averages 25,000 visitors a week, more in the summer.

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By J.J. Smith. The company which developed and owns the lakeside entertainment and shopping district in Rockwall called The Harbor has filed for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the federal bankruptcy code.

According to a City of Rockwall news release issued late Tuesday afternoon, the City has been notified that Mariah Bay Leasing Corporation, owned by Rockwall-area residents Rob and Sarah Whittle, filed for reorganization so the company could address their financing issues and “come out of this in a stronger and better position.”

The news release read that “the city has every confidence that the long term prospects for the Harbor as a successful business development in the City of Rockwall are strong and this area will continue to be an asset to the community.”

No one at the City was available to comment since it was past 5 pm.

“The purpose of this Chapter 11 reorganization is to try to get the debt reorganized so retailers can get the rent concessions we need to give them,” said Whittle. “We need an interest rate reduction from the lender so we can pass it on to our tenants.”

Rents advertised in windows of vacant stores at The Harbor have revealed rates as high as $9,700 per month.

He said although some of the retailers are definitely struggling with the down economy, business at the movie theater, restaurants and hotel are “off the charts.”

“Cinemark is having their best year ever. The restaurants are doing spectacular. The Hilton Hotel just had its second best month ever!”

The highly popular weekly Thursday evening lakeside concerts will continue as usual and begin in May, said Sarah Whittle.

He said he is very optimistic that necessary changes can be worked out with the lender, which nowadays has to deal with “a highly-regulated environment.”

According to the City news release, Mariah Bay Leasing Corporation is located in the Harbor Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District that was created by the City of Rockwall to fund the public improvements the City constructed at the Harbor, including roads, utilities, spray fountains, walkways and other public enhancements located along the lake edge.

The City issued debt to pay for the public improvements and that debt is paid for through the property and sales taxes that are collected within the TIF.

Mariah Bay is one of 38 property owners that pay property taxes into the TIF, which incorporates 113 acres.  The total property taxes owed to the city under the TIF equals $529,419.  This number includes taxes collected by Rockwall County and pledged to the city for the TIF.  The total collected in the TIF to date equals $300,050.

The Harbor development has paid a total of $256,061.  The property owners still owe a total of $223,063, only a portion of which is owed by Mariah Bay.

“Property taxes are still owed and payable, even in the event of a bankruptcy,” read the news release.

“These dollars will be collected by the city. Sales taxes continue to be paid by the tenants and the businesses will continue to operate.”

Rija Boutique was the latest store to go out of business at The Harbor at the end of January, but the new Dragonfly Asian Grill and Sushi Bar just opened this week. Owner Lorie Price, who already owns two restaurants in Dallas with her husband, says she expects business will be excellent and is excited to be located at The Harbor.

CBS 11 TV. Toyota says it is recalling about 437,000 Prius and other hybrid vehicles worldwide to fix brake problems the latest in a string of embarrassing safety lapses at the world’s largest automaker.

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By J.J. Smith. Companies involved in energy, health care, law and the Internet were recognized as the 2009 Large and Small Businesses of the Year for at the annual Rockwall Area Chamber of Commerce Awards and Member Appreciation Banquet, Jan. 21, at the Hilton Bella Harbor Hotel.

Atmos Energy Corporation and Lake Pointe Health Network were honored with the Large Businesses awards by Rockwall Mayor Bill Cecil and Chamber Executive Director Margie Hooper.

Law firm Jordan, Houser & Flournoy, LLP, plus website developer Adfinity.biz received the Small Businesses awards from Mayor Cecil and Hooper.

Other awards presented were:

Business Partner Appreciation Awards to the City of Rockwall and Rockwall ISD.

Directors of the Year to Chamber Board Chairman and attorney Bill Houser (seen in above photo with his wife, Stacy) and Glen Farris, owner of Adfinity.biz.

Ambassador of the Year to Sheila Hair, co-owner of The Computer Guy

Spirit of Rockwall to Cheryl Dunlop

According to a Chamber spokesperson, outgoing Board Chairman Sandra Doyle presented an overview of the organization’s successes last year, and presented a new, eight minute DVD called “Rockwall – The New Horizon.” It was recently produced as a marketing piece for many different stakeholders within the community, she said.

Incoming Chairman Houser next presented a few key facts from the Chamber’s business plan, noting a primary focus for 2010 is member retention.

ATMOS Energy CEO and Chairman, Bob Best, introduced the keynote speaker, ambassador James Oberwetter, who is the current president of the Dallas Regional Chamber of Commerce. He gave an informative overview of the North Texas region and how it is a global player in all areas of commerce.

For more info about the Chamber, visit http://www.rockwallchamber.org.

By J.J. Smith. Last week’s recall of 2.3 million Toyotas by the world’s biggest automaker and this week’s unprecedented announcement to halt sales of eight models due to safety concerns doesn’t seem to have caused any problems at Toyota of Rockwall.

In fact, business is better than normal, according to General Sales Manager Jim Taylor.

“Business here is normal; actually better than normal,” he said. “We’re selling more cars now than we did before the recall.”

“Not all of our vehicles have the potential problem so we still have plenty of cars to sell. For example, we just sold four Camrys yesterday.”

The dealership has about 200 vehicles on their lot for sale.

Taylor said that he’s confident that business has remains good because Toyota owners are extremely loyal and they know that Toyota is sensitive to it’s customers.

“You’re dealing with a car company that is very sensitive to its customers. They should be applauded for what they have done. I don’t know that any other car company would take such steps to ensure its customers’ safety.”

He said the recall and suspension of sales are examples of their sensitivity.

“Customers are very, very loyal to Toyota. That’s because of the reliability, dependability and low-cost of ownership of Toyotas.”

Toyota of Rockwall Service Manager Chris Ahrens agreed, saying very few callers or customers seem to be concerned about the recall or sales halt.

“Toyota owners are very loyal. Many families own two or three of them,” he said. “Our call volume is up a bit, but people don’t seem too worried. They know Toyota cares about their customers and will quickly repair any problems which exist.”

He said that their service department has already inspected all 200 vehicles for sale on their lot but only half were even among the models recalled.

“We still have plenty of cars and trucks for sale.”

He explained that Toyota has recalled over two million vehicles but only eight were reported to have any problems.

“But Toyota decided to take these measures anyway because we take such good care of our customers. I don’t think any other car company would take such precautions. Most would rather just wait and see if anything happens and then deal with it in court.”

The world’s biggest automaker, Toyota, announced a recall of 2.3 million of its popular vehicles last week and also halted the sale of eight of its most popular models Tuesday because of some reports that the gas pedal was sticking and causing sudden, uncontrolled acceleration.

The problem only exists in some of its autos.

The automaker is requesting that everyone who owns one of the following models visit a Toyota dealership immediately to determine if the problem exists.

• 2005-2010 Avalon
• 2007-2010 Camry
• 2007-2010 Tundra
• 2008-2010 Sequoia
• 2009-2010 Rav 4
• 2009-2010 Corolla
• 2009-2010 Matrix
• 2010 Highlander

For information, call Toyota of Rockwall at 469-402-1300.

By J.J. Smith. Full and part-time advertising sales representatives are needed immediately by TheRockwallNews.com to sell eye-catching, animated website ads, feature stories, plus additional advertising and public relations projects and services across Rockwall and neighboring Counties.

These are commission-sales only positions – meaning there is no base salary nor insurance benefits – but good sales people can expect to earn at least $500-$1,000 a week or more to start, depending upon ability and number of hours they work. We pay high commissions, plus pay checks can be issued within 1-3 days after collecting payments from clients.

Positions are extremely flexible and representatives can work from home or wherever they want. All that’s needed is an up-to-date computer for emailing and a cell phone for calls.

TheRockwallNews.com now attracts over 25,000 readers per month and is growing fast. It is Rockwall County’s leading online news and information source and we expect to double our readership by year’s end.

Publisher and sales manager J.J. Smith has successfully negotiated, sold and purchased nearly $15 million worth of TV, radio and print advertising during his sales and marketing career, working with thousands of small businesses and dozens of leading brands, including Exxon, KVIL-FM Radio, Macy’s, Southwest Airlines, The Dallas Cowboys and Time Warner Cable TV.

He will be glad to train the right people to succeed.

Personable, attractive and persistent sales people with experience are preferred, especially with a media sales background, but others may also apply – especially those who are acquainted with Rockwall County and neighboring area business owners and mangers.

Please email letters and resumes to jj@therockwallnews.com. Interviews will be arranged as quickly as possible, depending upon the number of emails and resumes received.

The city council approved an ordinance Tuesday night that established a planned development zoning district in the Cobblestone Farms Phase 2 addition, on the northwest corner of Horizon Road and Hope Drive.

The developer will be Whittle Development.

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