Follow through is so important. As a kid, that seemed to apply to my golf swing, my slap shot, and my throw to first base. As a young man, it seemed to apply to my college papers and assignments. As an adult, it applies to a variety of things. As a business owner, it can often apply to compliance issues.
Vernon and Mona Lemings, former owners of a card room in Benicia, California called The Pastime learned a lesson about follow through the hard way. They held a business license from 1995 through 2006. However upon attempting to sell the business in 2008, they discovered the license had expired. They apparently hadn’t followed through to calendar the license expiration date, and ensure that the license was renewed.
Between 2006 and 2008, Benicia police and fire inspectors conducted regular inspections, and the business was issued other permits, as though the business license was active. So, The Lemings didn’t have any concerns about the status of the license. In early 2009, The Lemings’ application for a new business license was denied because new card room licenses are not allowed under the municipal code.
Today’s online edition of the Times-Herald reports that The Lemings said the expired license cost them more than $100,000 in the sale of their business. So, they filed suit to attempt to recoup their losses.
Solano County Superior Court Judge Ramona Garrett ruled on Wednesday that the city did not abuse its power by denying The Lemings’ application.
License compliance requires accurate record keeping and calendaring of milestones such as renewal dates. Be sure to follow through so that you can avoid any negative impact associated with non-compliance.
Steve Elias, Team Leader-Business License Research Team, Corporation Service Company
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