ON THE ROAD
WITH TONY...

Welcome to our July newsletter!

We're very proud that there are now over 16,000 participants in our free "Fraud Notify" property alerts system.

Please see our video below and the sign-up link where we can help you protect your real estate!

Macomb County residents can register (or renew) a business under an assumed name by visiting the Clerk's Office Vital Records department (or using our online registration form). Please see the article below with helpful information about starting a business.

Also, check out the "Pet Story" article about how two of our staff members were part of the County's Animal Control's "Pet Adoption" program.

At the Macomb County Clerk's Office, residents can register (or renew) a business under an assumed name. This registration is also known as a "DBA" (Doing Business As). Applicants will file as a "Sole Proprietorship" (one owner) or a "Co-Partnership" (two or more owners). The fee is $10 to register a business name.

You must be at least 18 years of age to file a business registration. Business registrations are valid for five years.

Corporations and LLCs (Limited Liability Company) are formed through the State. You do not want to be registered with both the County and the State, because that would be two different legal structures with two different levels of liability. Choose one or the other, not both. If you have a partnership, it is strongly recommended that you have a written agreement no matter what your legal structure may be.

• Visit the State's "Licensing and Regulatory Affairs" website or call 517-241-6470

The Macomb County Small Business & Technology Development Center (SBDC) provides assistance to new and existing business owners. Many of their services are free, including seminars and confidential one-on-one consulting with trained business counselors. These business counselors can help you with developing business plans, financing, marketing, or any other issues your business may be facing. Visit their website at sbdcmichigan.org/

• Request SBDC consulting or call 833-522-0025

To register for Michigan business taxes or obtain a Michigan Sales Tax License, contact the Michigan Department of Treasury online at michigan.gov/treasury or call 517-636-4660.

For application forms and more information, visit the Clerk's Office website at macombgov.org/clerk/business-registrations

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By Nicole Buffa-Sylvester,
Judicial Court Clerk

Thirteen years ago, one visit to the Macomb County Animal Control changed my life.

I had been wanting to adopt a dog for quite a while, so I popped in, took every dog they had out to play, and that is when my fur baby, "Smokey," chose me. He was laying on his cot in the back of his kennel, and when I opened it, he came out, sat on my foot, and that is when I knew he had to come home with me.

I called my husband and said, “bring the check book to our animal control, I found my baby!” He had no idea I was there, nor that I was even looking to adopt a dog, but he was on his way in an instant.

I am a true fan of Macomb County Animal Control. I follow them on Facebook and make sure to share their posts for all their adoptable pets and posts for lost pets to help them reunite with their owners.

That is where I stumbled across the weekly Facebook post of the pets that have been adopted pictured with their humans, and low and behold, I come across one of my work peeps, Eric Kardjan (photo above), and his newly adopted dog, "Stan Lee," that just so happens to be a pittie, one of my absolute favorite breeds! I was so excited to see a co-worker rescue from our local animal control that I had to share the great news with Clerk Forlini.

To see the pets available for adoption visit this link, and follow them on Facebook at Macomb County Animal Control.

Macomb County Animal Control hosts onsite adoptions during regular business hours. They house a wide variety of adoptable pets seeking loving forever homes.

This summer has been broiling with new people and summer interns. I would like to highlight two employees that are here in permanent positions.

Payton Wiley (left), our newest Judicial Court Clerk (JCC), comes to us from the 42-2 District Court, where she worked on Criminal caseloads as a Court Clerk. She also worked for St. Clair County Probate Court. If you saw our recent newsletter, Payton was highlighted for her martial arts -- with a foot in my face!

Karen Cook (right), recently retired February of this year after working for 23 years in various roles with the county. In 1986 Karen started as Secretary for the Friend of the Court, where she worked over 14 years. She then worked as an Office Assistant as a Judicial Aid.

In 2016 Karen was a Deputy Register for Probate Court. Since 2019 she was one of our JCC's until her retirement in February. Now Karen is back as a permanent part-time Office Assistant Senior!

Why come back and work part time? Karen likes to travel -- and this job is perfect so that she can afford the better things in life.