DETROIT BUSINESS MAIN 03-26-07 A 1 CDB 3/23/2007 6:16 PM Page 1 ® http://www.crainsdetroit.com Vol. 23, No. 13 MARCH 26 – APRIL 1, 2007 $2 a copy; $59 a year ©Entire contents copyright 2007 by Crain Communications Inc. All rights reserved THIS JUST IN Rival plans 2 WSU residency programs Biz execs: Cut find new health systems for new border Two of the four Wayne State University School of Med- icine residency programs crossing that The Detroit Medical Cen- ter is dropping have moved state budget more to other health systems. On Nov. 22, Wayne State move forward and the DMC agreed to a 3½ year contract for many resi- BY ANDREW DIETDERICH Some support tax increase if need proven dency programs, but that the CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS university would become sole sponsor of four: derma- Parties on both sides of the U.S.-Canadi- BY AMY LANE business leaders are saying tology; ear, nose and throat; an border are moving toward building a SURVEY: CUT THE BUDGET CAPITOL CORRESPONDENT that when you’ve demon- urology; and family medi- new bridge between the countries, but in strated that you’ve cut Can the budget be balanced with LANSING — Business ex- enough, we are open to a tax cine. different locations and with different own- budget cuts alone without ecutives aren’t convinced increase,” said Ed Sarpolus, Last week, Dearborn- ership plans. negatively impacting state that government has cut vice president of Epic-MRA based Oakwood Healthcare Inc. What the entities agree on is a need for programs and services or is it deeply enough and they don’t said it would house the der- additional capacity and the price tag for a necessary to raise taxes and fees? Corp. in Lansing, which con- like the idea of higher taxes. ducted the survey of Crain’s matology program. And, Crit- new bridge, which each estimate at about But a new survey also tenton Hospital in Rochester $1 billion. Detroit Business readers for shows that if businesspeople Crain’s and Honigman Miller Hills said it would be home That leaves a laundry list of unknowns, 18% are certain of the need, then of the family-medicine pro- including how — or if — each will contin- Undecided Schwartz and Cohn L.L.P. some will support higher tax- But some say that higher gram. ue to push their own plans concurrently. 54% es to increase funding for ed- Crittenton officials also Progress continues for each. taxes would hurt an already- Budget ucation or other government struggling business sector. are negotiating to house the Last Monday, Canada’s Minister of Fi- 28% cuts Need services that are important David Otto, president and ear, nose and throat program nance recommended the Canadian gov- alone to Michigan’s quality of life. along with others that Frank ernment set aside $400 million of the fed- to raise owner of Administrative Em- taxes And as budget skirmishes ployer Services Inc. in Sterling Sottile, chief medical officer eral budget for a new section of highway continue in Lansing, that at Crittenton, said he could- to lead to a new bridge. Heights, said that “first and sentiment may make it more foremost, like we do in the n’t talk about yet. The moves A plan for that bridge is the subject of politically palatable for Gov. From a survey of 500 Michigan private sector, you need to are part of Crittenton’s the Detroit River International Bridge Project, Jennifer Granholm and law- plans to become more of a a consortium of the Michigan Department of business owners and executives. make sure that government Part of a series of surveys co- makers to ultimately include is operating as lean and effi- teaching hospital, Sottile Transportation, U.S. Federal Highway Adminis- a tax increase in the state’s said. tration, Ontario Ministry of Transportation and sponsored by Crain’s Detroit cient as possible. I think you Business and Honigman Miller budget solution. The Crittenton family- Transport Canada, that recommends a need to look there, before Schwartz and Cohn L.L.P. on key “Senate Republicans have medicine residency program bridge originating from one of three possi- you increase the tax burden business issues. Full results are time to play hardball on the on the businesses and citi- starts July 1. It has received ble sites in the Brighton Beach area of available under the “Features” tax thing and push every zens of Michigan.” a full three-year accredita- Windsor across from Zug Island. A recom- heading at www.crainsdetroit.com nickel-and-dime cut that tion from the Accreditation or www.honigman.com. See Border, Page 27 they can get. But in the end, See Budget, Page 29 Council for Graduate Medical Education, said Maryjean Schenk, chair of the WSU School of Medicine depart- ment of family medicine and public health sciences. Harwell cries ‘foul’overbootlegged CD set The initial class will con- sist of 17 resident physi- cians. An additional eight are expected in year two. BY BILL SHEA audio books from the dock of DMC CEO Michael Duggan CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS the Detroit shipping company said the program was discon- where he works and sold When “Ernie Harwell’s Audio tinued at the DMC because ex- some online. Scrapbook” was unveiled in De- ecutives “weren’t sufficiently “The gentlemen we arrest- cember, sales skyrocketed like a satisfied with the program’s ed had it on eBay,” said Sgt. home run at Michigan and Trum- performance to continue to Sam Milanovich, who is in bull. subsidize it at $3 million a charge of the investigation. “He year.” The four-hour, four-CD compila- started distributing them to friends tion of interviews and broadcast snip- and family. To make a couple extra He said the DMC would at Police believe a Warren man pets from the former Detroit Tigers some point like to rebuild took a box of 112 of the audio bucks, he put them on eBay.” the residency to attract stu- broadcaster’s 55-year career quickly books from a shipping dock. Ninety-one CDs remained in the dents from a broader base of sold 20,000 copies. box police seized. medical schools. Then the trouble began. Milanovich, who declined to release the man’s name The program at Critten- Reports began to filter in to Gary Spicer, Harwell’s St. pending his arrest on specific charges, said the man’s ton will be led by eight WSU Clair Shores-based attorney and adviser of 31 years, computer was seized and is being searched to see if faculty physicians. that copies of the CD were being sold illegally online, there is more to the story. He said copies of Harwell’s NEWSCOM CD have shown up for sale online in Kansas City, priced — Andrew Dietderich Ernie Harwell’s CD set has turned and counterfeit copies were turning up, too. The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a significantly cheaper than its $19.84 cover price. See This Just In, Page 2 up being sold illegally online, his attorney says. Warren man who police believe took a box of 112 of the See Harwell, Page 27 Big wrestlers mean American Dreamers help big bucks for Detroit, keep business rolling, Page 35 NEWSPAPER Page 11 DETROIT BUSINESS MAIN 03-26-07 A 2 CDB 3/23/2007 5:49 PM Page 1 Page 2 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS March 26, 2007 firm in Detroit. the DDP through a 2005 merger 2005 and was LAST CALL FOR SMALL THIS JUST IN Hodgman said his departure with the Greater Downtown Partner- named associate from the firm he helped found in ship Inc. Bade worked on establish- publisher in Oc- BUSINESS AWARDS ■ From Page 1 1989 resulted from “different ideas ing a Business Improvement Dis- tober. He previ- Crain’s Detroit Business is about the firm’s future.” trict and on the organization’s ously served as seeking entries for its 2007 Williamston Products bids Hodgman headed the business main project — Super Bowl XL ad director, and Small Business Awards. and health care practice groups at preparations. was an early on C&A blow-molding plant the firm. — Robert Ankeny member of the The awards Williamston Products Inc. bid $2.9 Effective today, Cox, Hodgman corporate new has changed its name to Giarmarco, media depart- will million to purchase Collins & Aik- Mullins & Horton P.C., firm Presi- New president named at ment. honor man Corp.’s blow molding facilities Crain dent William Horton announced. Merpi joined local in Williamston, which employ Michigan Heritage Bank The name partners are Horton, Automotive small about 170. Williamston CEO Frank Farmington Hills-based Michigan Julius Giarmarco and Timothy Mullins. News as a sales- busi- Remesch declined to comment until Heritage Bancorp Inc. (OTCBB: Horton said the firm has hired person 31 years nesses the deal is complete. An auction for MHBC), the holding company for Strategic Management Associates ago and was that have proven to be the sites took place on March 14. Michigan Heritage Bank, announced L.L.C. to help develop a plan for named publish- exceptionally innovative or Williamston Products has no op- firm growth. Friday afternoon that its board of er of AutoWeek erations and a business address in directors has elected Raymond Biggs have overcome difficult — Robert Ankeny in October. He problems and become a Troy. But Remesch has run plas- II to be president of the bank, in ad- was named a better organization in the tics operations for Ford Motor Co. dition to his current title of CEO.