As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 7, 1998
Registration No. 333-34283
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM SB-2
POST EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
CHRONICLE COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
GEORGIA 2711 58-2235301
(State or other (Primary Standard (I.R.S. Employer
jurisdiction of Classification Code Identification No.)
incorporation or Industrial Number
organization)
</TABLE>
140 FIRST AVENUE N.E, CAIRO, GEORGIA 31728 (912) 377-2111
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
of registrant's principal executive offices)
Mr. John V. Whitman, Jr., President
140 First Avenue N.E
Cairo, Georgia 31728
Telephone: (912) 377-2111 Facsimile: (912) 377-7748
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of
registrant's agent for service)
COPIES OF COMMUNICATIONS TO:
Jackson L. Morris, Esq.
3116 West North A Street
Tampa, Florida 33609
Telephone: (813) 874-8854 Facsimile: (813) 873-9628
APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: As soon
as practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective.
If any of the Securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act
of 1933, check the following box: [X]
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the
following box and list the Securities Act registration number of the
earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. [ ]
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities
Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration
statement for the same offering. [ ]
If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. [ ]
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Proposed Proposed
Title of each class maximum maximum Amount of
of securities to be Amount to be offering aggregate registration
registered registered price per offering fee
share* price
- ------------------- ------------ ----------- ----------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Common Stock, no par 839,452 $7.99 $6,715,586 $2,035.03
Total: $6,715,586 $2,035.03
</TABLE>
*Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee in
accordance with Rule 457 under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities
Act").
THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT
SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS
REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH
SECTION 8(A) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING
PURSUANT TO SECTION 8(a), MAY DETERMINE.
CROSS REFERENCE SHEET
Sets forth the location in the prospectus of the information required to be
included in the prospectus in response to the items in Form SB-2.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Item of Form SB-2 Location in Prospectus
- ----------------------------------- -----------------------------------
<S> <C>
Item 1. Front of registration Outside front cover of prospectus.
Statement and outside front cover of
prospectus.
Item 2. Inside front and outside Inside front cover and outside
back cover pages of prospectus. back cover of prospectus and
Additional Information.
Item 3. Summary information and Risk Factors.
risk factors.
Item 4. Use of proceeds. Not applicable.
Item 5. Determination of offering Distribution of Shares
price.
Item 6. Dilution. Not applicable.
Item 7. Selling security holders. Selling Stockholders.
Item 8. Plan of distribution. Distribution of Securities.
Item 9. Legal proceedings. Business-Legal Proceedings.
Item 10. Directors, executive The Company, Management, Principal
officers, promoters and control Stockholders.
persons
Item 11. Security ownership of Principal Stockholders.
certain beneficial owners
and management.
Item 12 Description of securities. Description of Securities.
Item 13. Interest of named experts Interest of Counsel, Experts.
and counsel.
Item 14. Disclosure of Commission Management.
position on indemnification for
Securities Act liabilities.
Item 15. Organization within last The Company.
five years.
Item 16. Description of business. Business.
Item 17. Management's discussion Management's Discussion and Analysis
and analysis or plan of operation. of Results of Operations and
Financial Condition and Plan
of Operations.
Item 18. Description of property. Business, Property and Personnel.
Item 19. Certain relationships and Certain Transactions with Management
related transactions. and Others.
Item 20. Market for common equity Distribution of Shares.
and related stockholder matters.
Item 21. Executive compensation. Management-Management Compensation.
Item 22. Financial statements. Financial Statements.
</TABLE>
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION. PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS DATED JULY 7, 1998
Publisher of the South Georgia Chronicle, Crisp County and Grady
County Editions
Chronicle Communications, Inc.
839,452 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK, NO PAR VALUE PER SHARE
All 839,452 shares of Common Stock, no par value, (the "Shares") of
Chronicle Communications, Inc. (the "Company") offered hereby (the
"Offering") are being offered and sold by selling stockholders ("Selling
Stockholders") for their own accounts in open market or block transactions.
See, "Selling Stockholders". The Company will not receive any proceeds
from the Offering. Prior to the Offering, there has been no public trading
market for the Shares and there is no assurance a public trading market
will develop or, if a public trading market develops, that it will be
sustained. The Company's Common Stock has been approved for quotation on
the OTC Bulletin Board under the trading symbol of CRNC. Discussions
between the Company and Olsen Payne & Company, the Company's initial market
maker indicate the initial public offering price may be between $2 and $4
per share. The initial public offering price of the Shares will be
determined, however, by negotiation between the individual Selling
Stockholders and their respective broker-dealers and will not necessarily
be related to assets, net worth, earnings or other established criterion of
value which may be applicable to the Company. Following initial sales, if
any, prices are expected to be related to the prevailing market. Selling
Stockholders may sell shares to or through broker-dealers and the broker-
dealers' compensation may be in the form of discounts, concessions or
commissions from the Selling Stockholders and commissions from or mark ups
charged to purchasers. The Selling Stockholders and participating broker-
dealers may be deemed to be "underwriters" as that term is defined in the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (the "Securities Act"), in which event
any discounts, concessions or commissions they receive, or any profit on
resales of the Shares by them, may be deemed to be underwriting commissions
or discounts under the Securities Act. The Company believes none of the
Selling Stockholders have underwriting or selling arrangements for their
Shares. See "Plan of Distribution".
The Company publishes two weekly editions of a community news and
shopper style tabloid newspaper under the name of the South Georgia
Chronicle. The Company distributes the South Georgia Chronicle free to the
respective communities by 3rd Class, Bulk Rate U.S. Mail to every occupied
residence in Grady County and in Crisp County, Georgia as well as several
communities in adjacent counties. The Company plans to expand editions of
the South Georgia Chronicle into additional Southwest Georgia markets.
Focusing primarily on local and community news and school sports subjects,
these publications also contain the New York Times crossword puzzle. Both
editions of the South Georgia Chronicle offer classified and display
advertising to local and regional businesses.
AN INVESTMENT IN THE SHARES INVOLVES MATERIAL RISKS. See "RISK FACTORS."
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE U.S.
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR
HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR
ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
The date of this Prospectus is July ____, 1998
Information contained herein is subject to completion or amendment. A
registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission. These securities may not be sold
nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration
statement becomes effective. This Prospectus shall not constitute an
offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any
sales of these securities in any State in which such offer, solicitation or
sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the
securities laws of such State.
REPORTS TO SECURITY HOLDERS
The Company intends to furnish to security holders annual reports
containing audited financial statements and unaudited financial statements
for each of the first three quarters of each fiscal year. In addition, the
Company may from time to time furnish to security holders additional
information about the Company and its business as deemed appropriate by
management.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Company
Risk Factors
Capitalization
Selected Financial Data
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations and Plan of Operations
The Business
Management
Management Compensation
Employee Bonus Plan
Certain Transactions with Management and Others
Principal Stockholders
Description of Securities
Selling Stockholders
Distribution of Shares
Shares Available for Future Sale
Legal Matters
Experts
Additional Information
Index to Financial Statements
No dealer, salesman or other person has been authorized to give any
information or to make any representations other than those contained in
this Prospectus in connection with the offer contained herein, and, if
given or made, such information or representations must not be relied upon
as having been authorized by the Company. This Prospectus does not
constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, the
Shares in a jurisdiction to any person to whom it is not lawful to make any
such offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction or in which the person
making such offer or solicitation is not qualified so to do. Neither
delivery of this Prospectus nor any sale made hereunder shall, under any
circumstances, create an implication that there has been no change in the
affairs of the Company since the dates as of which information is given in
this Prospectus.
Until ______________, 1998 (__ days after the date of this
Prospectus), all dealers effecting transactions in the registered
securities, whether or not participating in this distribution, may by
required to deliver a Prospectus. This Requirement is in addition to the
obligation of dealers to deliver a Prospectus when acting as underwriters
and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.
THE COMPANY
Chronicle Communications, Inc., (the "Company") was incorporated in
Georgia on April 5, 1996, under the name of JMAR Communications, Inc., and
changed its name to Chronicle Communications, Inc. effective July 30, 1997.
The Company's founder is John V. Whitman, Jr., the Company's chairman and
president. The Company was organized for the purpose of filling the market
left by the closure of the Crisp Area Advertiser, a publication of Gray
Communication Systems, Inc. The Company employed the terminated personnel
of that company, in the production of the Company's Crisp Area Penny Saver,
a shopper style tabloid newspaper distributed free to the community.
Subsequently, the Company employed most of the terminated sales personnel
and reporting staff of the South Georgia News and Shopper, a publication of
Gray Communications Systems, Inc. in Grady County, Georgia in production of
the South Georgia Chronicle, the Company's second shopper style tabloid
newspaper distributed free to the community, which also then included
community news and school sports coverage from Grady County. Thereafter,
Gray Communication Systems, Inc. ceased publication of the South Georgia
News and Shopper. Mr. Whitman, the Company's founder, did not have a non
competition agreement with Gray Communications Systems, Inc. and neither
Mr. Whitman nor the Company acquired any assets of Gray Communication
Systems, Inc. Mr. Whitman, as the vice president of Phillips Publishing,
Inc., had founded the South Georgia News and Shopper prior to its
acquisition by Gray Communication Systems, Inc. and, subsequently, as
president of two Gray Communication Systems, Inc. subsidiaries had
managerial oversight of Crisp Area Advertiser. On November 10, 1996, the
Company published the first issue of The Sunday South Georgia Chronicle, a
broadsheet (full size) newspaper in Grady County, which took over community
news and school sports coverage from its sister publication, the South
Georgia Chronicle, and expanded coverage to include selected state,
regional, national and international news, sports and comics through full
Associated Press membership. The Company received an award from Associated
Press for excellence in color sports photography for 1996, specifically the
award was given for a photograph taken at night time during the high school
football state playoffs. On October 5, 1997, the Company published the
first issue of The Sunday South Georgia Chronicle - Crisp County edition,
expanding the Sunday publication into a zoned edition weekly newspaper. On
February 8, 1998, the Company published the final editions of The Sunday
South Georgia Chronicle in both Grady County and Crisp County and,
effective with the February 18, 1998 editions, changed the name of the
Crisp Area Penny Saver to the South Georgia Chronicle-Crisp County Edition,
restored the community news coverage to South Georgia Chronicle-Grady
County Edition and added community news and school sports coverage to South
Georgia Chronicle-Crisp County Edition. The South Georgia Chronicle, like
the previous editions, serves Crisp County, Georgia in which Cordele is the
major city, and three adjacent counties and Grady County, Georgia in which
Cairo is the major city, Thomas County, Georgia in which Thomasville is the
major city, and three adjacent counties.
At incorporation, the Company was authorized to issue 100,000 common
shares. Effective March 18, 1997, the Company increased the number of
authorized common shares to 12,000,000 shares and completed a stock split
of sixty for one approved on October 24, 1996. Effective July 30, 1997,
the Company increased the number of authorized shares to 35,000,000 common
shares, completed a stock split of two for one approved on March 11, 1997
and authorized 7,500,000 shares of voting convertible preferred stock which
was issued to Mr. Whitman and his wife. On September 29, 1997, Mr. and
Mrs. Whitman voluntarily surrendered the preferred stock for cancellation,
believing that the preferred stock was not in the best interest of the
stockholders. Effective on December 15, 1997, the Company's Common Stock
was reverse split one share for each two shares. Effective on July 1,
1998, the Company's Common Stock was reverse split one share for each four
shares.
The Company's executive and production offices are located at 140
First Avenue N.E., Cairo, Georgia 31728, its telephone number is (912) 377-
2111 and its telephone facsimile number is (912) 377-4202.
RISK FACTORS
Investment in the Shares involves certain material risks. The
following risk factors should be considered carefully in evaluating the
Company, its business, condition and prospects (financial and otherwise)
before purchasing any of the Shares. These risk factors are not
necessarily exhaustive and additional risk factors, if any, may be material
or have significance to an individual investor. Many investment
opportunities involve risk factors or a risk of loss, including the
existence of the normal and extraordinary risks. The existence of these
risk factors and possibly others should not necessarily be the sole
determining factor in whether or not to purchase Shares. All of the
information in this Prospectus should be carefully considered in connection
with the risk factors described below.
This Prospectus contains forward looking statements which involve
risks and uncertainties. Those statements appear in a number of places in
this Prospectus and include statements regarding the intent, belief and
current expectations of the Company, its directors and management with
respect to, among other things: (i) the Company's expansion plans; and
(ii) prospects for increased revenues and profitability. Prospective
purchasers of the Shares are cautioned that any such forward looking
statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and
uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those
projected in the forward looking statements as a result of various factors,
many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The accompanying
information contained in this Prospectus, including without limitation the
information set forth under the headings "Risk Factors", "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations"
and "Business", identifies important factors which
could cause or contribute to such differences
RISKS RELATED TO BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS-
Limited operating history. The Company began operations April 5,
1996 with a shopper product in one market. Subsequently, the Company
expanded operations with introduction of a shopper product in a second
market and later a traditional Sunday newspaper in both markets. The
Company has terminated publication of the Sunday newspaper. The Company
has financed its operations to date with sales of Common Stock for cash and
services, including part of the Shares offered by the Selling Stockholders,
contributions of property and money from its founder and proceeds of a
bank loan. The Company has incurred a $115,338 loss from operations
through the first fiscal period ended September 30, 1996, a $872,383 loss
from operations for the year ended September 30, 1997 and a $405,431 loss
from operations for the six months ended March 31, 1998. There is no
assurance the Company will be able to generate sufficient revenues from
advertising sales to become profitable in future periods or to successfully
introduce its South Georgia Chronicle into additional markets. Without
sufficient revenues, the Company will be unable to create value in the
Shares and to pay dividends. The Company is subject to the risks inherent
in any new business, including complications, delays, unexpected costs and
uncertainties. See "Description of Business."
Limited liquidity and financial resources. The Company has limited
liquidity as a result of negative cash flow to date and its liquidity has
been limited to the sale of Common Stock, proceeds of a bank loan,
collections of accounts receivable and generation of additional accounts
receivable, primarily from sales of commercial display advertising in its
products. The Company expects limited liquidity to continue until the
savings to be realized as a result of terminating the Company's Sunday
newspapers, with the last edition on February 8, 1998, are realized in the
Company's operating performance. The Company intends to sell additional
shares of its Common Stock in a private placement or registered public
offering at some point in the future in order to provide capital for the
planned introduction of the South Georgia Chronicle in additional markets;
but, there is no assurance that additional Common Stock can be sold or that
any other financing will be available in the amount then needed to expand
its operations into additional markets or, if it is available, that the
terms thereof will be acceptable to the Company. The Company will not
receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the Shares by the Selling
Stockholders.
Dependence on key personnel. The Company is dependent upon the
knowledge, efforts and abilities of John V. Whitman, Jr., its founder,
chairman and president, with respect to the conduct of its current
operations and implementation of the Company's plan to expand into other
markets with additional shopper products.
Marsha B. Whitman, the Company's secretary and Grady County sales manager,
has contributed significantly to the Company's advertising sales
performance in the Grady County and surrounding market and to the general
management of the Company, but is not considered an indispensable or key
employee. Mr. and Mrs. Whitman, who are married, devote all of their
respective working time to the business of the Company. The Company is
dependent upon Mr. Whitman because of his extensive involvement with the
development of the Company's business and prior publishing experience. The
Company's dependence on Mr. Whitman is particularly important during the
period prior to the Company reaching a level of operations at which it has
the financial ability to attract and retain executive officers at market
rates of compensation and benefits who are not founders and major
stockholders of the Company. The Company does not expect to have a need
for additional executive management or to be in a position to pay the
salaries and benefits typically required by such unaffiliated executives
until it has achieved expansion into a substantial number of additional
Southwest Georgia markets, of which there is no assurance. The termination
of employment by Mr. Whitman for any reason in the near future could be
expected to have a materially adverse effect on the Company because the
Company may not be able to find a replacement for Mr. Whitman who has his
level of dedication to the Company, except for a person who would require a
salary and benefits package which at the present time would exceed the
Company's financial resources. At present, Mr. Whitman has a short term
written employment agreement with the Company, but together with Mrs.
Whitman they are the Company's largest stockholder and the Company's board of
directors has unanimously approved a five year employment agreement for Mr.
Whitman which will be prepared in writing in the near future. The Company is
depending upon Mr. Whitman as the Company's founder and majority
stockholder for his dedication, commitment and financial interest in the
Company as a basis for his continuing employment with the Company,
regardless of its financial condition at any particular time.
Risks associated with regional expansion. There is no assurance that
the Company will be able to successfully implement its plan to expand the
South Georgia Chronicle into additional Southwest Georgia markets. This
risk is associated with availability of capital or revenues to fund the
costs of such expansion and to some extent with the Company's ability to
identify and employ in each such additional community a general manager and
sales personnel who are capable of carrying out the Company's plan under
the direction of management.
Competition. The Company's South Georgia Chronicle competes against
shopper products published by others, including Thompson Newspapers, and
the Company expects its future shopper products to face similar competition
from Thompson Newspapers affiliates and others. None of the competing
shopper products contain community news and local sports coverage at the
present time, but could do so in the future. The Company's South Georgia
Chronicle also competes in Grady County against The Cairo Messenger, an
independent weekly newspaper serving the county since 1911 and in Crisp
County against The Cordele Dispatch, a daily newspaper owned by Thompson
Newspapers established in 1908. The Company expects to face similar
competition when it attempts to expand the South Georgia Chronicle into
additional communities. There is no assurance that the Company's South
Georgia Chronicle will be able to compete successfully against the print
advertising media which are already established in the markets into which
the Company may plan to expand the South Georgia Chronicle.
Lack of dividends. The Company has not declared or paid dividends on
its Common Stock, which includes the Shares, and may elect to retain all or
most of its net profits, if any, in the foreseeable future to provide
operating capital and funding for capital investment in the Company's
business. The Company cannot predict if or when it will have current and
retained earnings or surplus from which to legally declare and pay
dividends. There is no assurance as to if or when the Board of Directors
will declare a dividend on the Common Stock, which includes the Shares.
Voting control by management stockholders. Mr. Whitman, who is
director and an executive officer of the Company, and Mrs. Whitman, who is
an executive officer and Grady County sales manager of the Company, and who
are husband and wife, own 780,885 shares of the Company's Common Stock
(62,500 of which are included in the Offering) and Mr. Whitman holds Common
Stock Purchase Options for 63,104 shares of Common Stock, or 39.49 percent
of the voting stock outstanding, before sale of any shares, and 36.56
percent, assuming the sale of all the shares they have included in the
Offering and Mr. Whitman exercises all his Common Stock Purchase Options.
See, "Selling Stockholders", "Management Compensation-Common Stock Purchase
Options" and "Principal Stockholders". Each issued and outstanding share
of the Common Stock is entitled to one vote on each nominee for a
directorship. The Company's Articles of Incorporation do not authorize
cumulative voting for the election of directors. Any person who controls
or can obtain more than fifty percent of the votes cast for the election of
each director will control the election of all directors. Accordingly, the
stockholders who are also the directors and management of the Company hold
a sufficient number of votes to elect all of the directors of the Company
and other Selling Stockholders who have not sold all their Shares and the
purchasers of the Shares will not be able to elect any directors.
RISKS RELATED TO THE OFFERING-
Uncertainty as to determination of offering price. The market price
of the Shares, from time to time, is expected to be determined by
securities market makers, if any, in the Shares, the demand, if any, for
the Shares by retail and institutional investors, and the prices at which
the individual Selling Stockholders are willing to sell their respective
Shares pursuant to this Prospectus. The market price at any time is not
expected necessarily to bear any relationship to the assets, net worth,
earnings or other established criteria of value which may be applicable to
the Company, and should not be considered to be an indication of the actual
value of the Shares, the Company or its present or future business.
No assurance of public market for Shares; Possible lack of market
makers; Volatility. At the date of this Prospectus, there is no public
trading market for the Shares; and, there is no assurance that a public
trading market will develop. Even if a public trading market develops,
there is no assurance that such market will be either sustained or
characterized as active. An active trading market for the Company's Common
Stock may depend upon the interest of securities market makers, the
investing public and institutional investors, which may depend in turn on
the Company's revenues, profits and prospects. The prices of securities of
companies which are in limited supply in the public securities markets,
which could describe the Company (at least initially after the date of this
Prospectus) are typically volatile. Furthermore, the Company anticipates
that at least initially, the price of the Company's Common Stock will be
quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board, instead of the NASDAQ Small Cap Market or
a regional exchange. That quotation medium is believed to have an adverse
impact on the interest of some securities brokerage firms and of public
investors for the securities quoted there.
Possible negative effect of Common Stock available for future sale.
All of the Company's Common Stock not covered in this Prospectus for sale
by Selling Stockholders (including shares issuable upon exercise of Common
Stock Purchase Options) totaling 1,234,828 shares, is "restricted stock" as
defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933. These shares will
become available for
sale in limited amounts during any three month period pursuant to the
requirements of Rule 144 or in larger amounts if registered under the
Securities Act of 1933. The offer of a significant number of such shares
of Common Stock in the future in the public trading market, if one should
develop, at or about the same time pursuant to Rule 144 or pursuant to a
subsequent registration statement under the Act could have a depressive
effect on the public market price of the Shares, in the event a public
market for the Shares does develop.
Trading limitations on stock at a market price of less than $5 per
share. The Company expects the Shares to be quoted on the OTC Bulletin
Board. Furthermore, management cannot
predict the market price of the Shares in the public market, if any, at any
time in the future. At any time that the quoted market price is less than
$5 per Share, certain larger stock brokerage firms may prohibit purchase or
sale of the Shares in their customers' accounts. All securities brokerage
firms effecting purchase orders for new clients in the Shares at a time
when the Shares have a market bid price of less than $5 per share are
required by federal law to send a standardized notice to such new clients
regarding the risks of investing in "penny stocks", to provide additional
bid, asked and broker compensation and other information to the new
customer and to make a written determination that the Shares are a suitable
investment for the new client and receive the new client's written
agreement to the transaction, unless the client is an established client of
the firm, prior to effecting a transaction for the client. These business
practices may inhibit the development of a public trading market for the
Shares during periods that the price of the Shares in the public market is
less than $5 by both limiting the number of brokerage firms which may
participate in the market and increasing the difficulty in selling the
Shares. Upon completion of the offering made by this Prospectus, assuming
all of the Shares are sold (of which there is no assurance), the Company is
not expected to qualify to have its securities traded on NASDAQ or a
regional or national securities exchange, which would, if admitted to
trading in any such market, exempt transactions in the Shares, regardless
of the market price, from the disclosure laws described herein.
CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth the capitalization of the Company at
March 31, 1998. This table should be reviewed in conjunction with the
financial statements of the Company and the notes thereto included
elsewhere in this Prospectus.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
At March 31, 1998
-----------------
<S> <C>
Long term debt: $112,163
Equity: (1)
Common stock, no par value, 35,000,000 shares
authorized 2,024,511 shares issued and outstanding 1,620,408
Accumulated earnings <deficit> <1,393,152 >
------------
Total stockholders' equity 227,256
------------
Total capitalization $339,419
============
</TABLE>
Subsequent to March 31, 1998, the Company issued 49,768 shares of its
Common Stock.
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The following table presents selected financial data at the dates and
for the periods set forth below. The table should be read in conjunction
with the financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this
Prospectus.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
April 5, 1996 Six months ended
Year ended (date of inception) March 31,
September 30, 1997 September 30, 1996 1998 1997
----------------------------------------------------------------
(unaudited) (unaudited)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Statement of Operations Data:
Sales $645,051 $377,384 $308,199 $333,831
Cost of sales 1,000,144 333,440 468,690 416,504
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------
Gross profit <355,093> 3,944 <160,491> <82,673>
Operating expenses 517,290 119,282 244,940 132,205
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------
Net loss $<872,383> $<115,338> $ <405,431> $ <215,207>
=========== =========== =========== ==========
Loss per common share: $<.59> $ <.11> $ <.22> $ <.16>
======= ======= ======= =======
Weighted average common
shares outstanding: 1,473,131 1,083,804 1,831,271 1,308,383
=========== =========== =========== ==========
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
At September 30, 1997 At March 31, 1998
(unaudited)
---------------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C>
Balance Sheet Data:
Working capital <deficiency> $<137,418> $<332,305>
Total assets $797,020 $833,917
Long term obligations, less
current portion $128,474 $112,163
Total stockholders' equity $304,103 $227,256
</TABLE>
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS AND PLAN OF OPERATIONS
The Company began operations on April 5, 1996. The Company's fiscal
year begins on October 1 and ends September 30 of the following year. The
Company's first fiscal "year" was a period of five months and twenty-six
days. The operating activity in this period ended September 30, 1996 was
limited to organizational expenses, equipment purchases and expenses of and
revenues from publication of twenty-four issues of the Crisp Area Penny
Saver and twenty-three issues of the South Georgia Chronicle, both
community news and shopper style tabloid newspapers. The operating
activity for the year ended September 30, 1997 reflects one full year of
operations with the South Georgia Chronicle and the Crisp Area Penny Saver,
the shopper style tabloid newspapers, and forty-seven issues of The Sunday
South Georgia Chronicle in Grady County, the Company's full sized Sunday
newspaper, which began publication on November 10, 1996. Accordingly, the
operating activities reflected in the financial statements at and for the
respective periods ended September 30, 1996 and 1997 are not comparable in
terms of either duration or scope of operations. The six months ended
March 31, 1997 reflects twenty-two issues of The Sunday South Georgia
Chronicle -Grady County Edition and the comparable period for 1998 reflects
nineteen issues of both the Grady County and Crisp County editions of
The Sunday South Georgia Chronicle, in addition to publication of both
shopper style tabloid newspapers throughout the semi annual period. The
Company terminated publication of both the Grady County Edition and the Crisp
County Edition of The Sunday South Georgia Chronicle with the February 8,
1998 issues.
The Company anticipated several periods of capital formation and
operating losses which management believes are normal for a new business.
The Company's investment in facilities and equipment have been based upon
the Company's plan to expand into additional markets. This investment has
exceeded the investment which would have been appropriate if the Company
had contemplated limiting its operations to its original markets and
publications. Management believes the Company has achieved and can
continue to achieve economies of scale by applying fixed operating costs to
more than one publication and through lower increments in production costs
for additional publications. Even though the Company realized these
economies by applying the costs of Associated Press membership, related
satellite communications equipment and syndicated features in particular,
over two zoned editions of The Sunday South Georgia Chronicle, the Company
was unable to achieve the expected profitability from the Sunday products
as a result of an unexpected shortfall in display and classified
advertising sales revenues.
LIQUIDITY-
The liquidity of the Company for the period from inception to
September 30, 1996, the year ended September 30, 1997 and the six months
ended March 31, 1998 has been limited to proceeds from the sale of Common
Stock, proceeds from a bank loan in the original amount of $60,000 and
collections of accounts receivable from sales primarily of commercial
display advertising and to a lesser extent from sales of business
classified advertising. During the year ended September 30, 1997, the
Company used cash to repay approximately $6,000 of principal of the loan,
leaving an outstanding balance of approximately $54,000. The bank loan was
used for working capital. The Company has paid cash for all of its
equipment. Property and equipment net of accumulated depreciation totaled
$49,070 and $369,920, at September 30, 1996 and 1997, respectively, except
for two photocopy machines and a color printer/scanner system, which are
leased from the manufacturer. At March 31, 1998, property and equipment
net of accumulated depreciation was $378, 435. During the year ended
September 30, 1997, the Company used $21,806 of cash to purchase a full
membership in Associated Press and related satellite and telecommunications
equipment costs. In October 1996, the Company purchased an 11,000 square
foot warehouse at a price of $30,000, which it intended to renovate as its
central production facility and corporate offices. The Company continues
to own this building but has no immediate plans for its use. The Company
used $16,300 of its cash for the down payment. The Company has a $14,000
purchase money mortgage note on the property due to the seller on December
1, 1998. In July 1997, the Company purchased a 25,000 square foot
office/warehouse building at a price of $125,984 which the Company is using
for its executive offices and production facilities. The Company used
$5,000 of its cash for the down payment and an additional $25,000 of its
cash for improvements. The Company has a $118,832 purchase money mortgage
note on the property due to the seller in 2012 with an interest rate of
eight percent and $1,142 in principal payable monthly, with a ten year
balloon payment.
The Company acquired "Design Ideas", a design graphics and computer
consulting proprietorship, in October 1996 for a price of $35,000, paying
$22,500 of the purchase price in cash, and leasing that firms computer
equipment. The seller recovered the leased equipment from the Company
pursuant to court order without reimbursement of the Company. Furthermore,
the Company's sales staff at the Crisp Area Penny Saver resigned en mass in
March 1997 to form a rival shopper paper which resulted in a decline in
revenues for a period of approximately three months and litigation against
the former manager. The Company obtained an injunction against the former
manager, which has now expired, and recovered 12,500 shares of the
Company's Common Stock owned by the former manager as damages. The Company
used cash of approximately $28,000 for payment of legal fees in the two
cases in the period ending September 30, 1997. Both cases have been
concluded prior to the date of this Prospectus. The Company used cash in
the periods ended September 30, 1996 and 1997 for advances to stockholders,
who are also the Company's executive officers. These advances totaled
$99,123 and $315,075 at the end of the respective periods. $115,000 of
these advances were repaid by the stockholders in November 1997, leaving an
outstanding balance of $293,289 at March 31, 1998. See, "Certain
Transactions with Management and Others". The Company's working capital
position was a negative $44,810, $137,418 and $332,305 at September 30,
1996, September 30, 1997 and March 31, 1998, respectively. The Company
believes the termination of the Sunday editions will result in an
improvement in the Company's liquidity in future periods.
CAPITAL RESOURCES-
At September 30, 1996 and 1997, respectively, the Company had an
investment in computer equipment and publishing software, coin racks and
furnishings of $49,070 and $369,920, net of accumulated depreciation.
During the six month period ended March 31, 1998, the Company did not
materially increase its investment in property and equipment. The Company
believes that its production equipment and facilities are sufficient for
the addition of two more editions of the South Georgia Chroncile. The
addition of a fifth edition is expected to require additional investment of
approximately $35,000 in production equipment and headquarters office
improvements. Such additional investment is expected to be sufficient,
with approximately $3,000 additional expense per new edition, for
publication of an additional four editions. Thus, an additional investment
of approximately $47,000 is expected to provide production capacity
sufficient for a total of ten editions. The Company's
headquarters/production facility is expected to be sufficient, subject to
additional capital improvements to build out the warehouse space into
additional office space as the Company's expansion requires, to accommodate
the growth needs of the Company for more than ten editions. Each
additional edition of the South Georgia Chronicle also will require
approximately $10,000 of sales office furnishings and equipment. Expansion
to ten editions of the South Georgia Chronicle is expected to take
approximately thirty-six months, subject to availability of future cash
flows and equity or debt funding, if any.
The Board of Directors has advised management to pursue acquisition
of a six station web printing press for printing the Company's newspapers.
The estimated cost of a printing press installed is estimated at $610,000,
including approximately $25,000 of capital improvements to the now vacant
warehouse area of the Company's headquarters/production facility and
investment in paper inventory of approximately $40,000. The Company has
obtained a loan proposal from a commercial finance company for $400,000 for
financing of a printing press. The proposal is for a five year loan at a
floating rate at 350 basis points over base treasury note index for U.S.
Treasury securities with five years remaining to maturity. Accordingly,
the Company will require approximately $210,000 in equity funding to make
the acquisition of a printing press.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS-
Years ended September 30, 1996 and 1997. As stated above, management
anticipated losses from operations during the initial periods of
operations. The losses reported during the period from inception to
September 30, 1996 and the year ended September 30, 1997 have been more
than anticipated. The Company began operations with a single shopper
product in the Crisp County market and added a second shopper product
within two weeks in Grady County. In November 1996 and October 1997,
respectively, the Company added the two editions of The Sunday South
Georgia Chronicle. At inception, the Company did not plan for the
publication of The Sunday South Georgia Chronicle, which was subsequently
developed and introduced. As noted above, the Company was unable to
generate its forecasted levels of advertising revenues from the Sunday
editions. The Company terminated publication of the Sunday editions with
the February 8, 1998 issues in order to focus its efforts on the South
Georgia Chronicle, the Company's community news and shopper style tabloid
newspapers. The Company's sales since February 8, 1998 have not been
adversely affected by termination of the Sunday editions. Management
believes the Company can become profitable in future periods as a result of
eliminating costs of approximately $366,000 per year which were
attributable to the Sunday editions.
Aggregate classified and display advertising revenues for both
editions of The Sunday South Georgia Chronicle were $61,372 and $39,002 for
the year ended September 30, 1997 and the six months ended March 31,
1998. Since termination of The Sunday South Georgia Chronicle in February
1998, the Company has experienced an increase in advertising revenues for
its shopper products which more than offsets the revenues which management
believes would have been generated from The Sunday South Georgia Chronicle,
if publication had not been terminated. Management believes this is a
result of eliminating the pricing structure which favored simultaneous
advertising in both the shopper products and The Sunday South Georgia
Chronicle. Subscription revenues for The Sunday South Georgia Chronicle
were $7,520 and $16,597 for the respective periods. Termination of The
Sunday South Georgia Chronicle resulted in refunds in the six month
period ended March 31, 1998 of approximately $3,900 in unearned
subscriptions collected through March 31, 1998.
The Company has been and continues to be aggressive in its sales
efforts and accommodating to its advertisers in markets where the long
established competition often lacks state-of-the-art composition
capabilities. The Company plans to initiate publication of the South
Georgia Chronicle in additional selected markets in Southwest Georgia,
subject to availability of future cash flows and equity or debt funding, if
any.
During the year ended September 30, 1997, the Company experienced a
decline in revenues as a result of the effort by a former manager of the
Company's Crisp Area Penny Saver to begin publication of a rival shopper
product. This decline in revenues, estimated at $130,000, continued for
approximately six months before the Company through litigation and
increased selling effort was able to fully recover the advertiser base for
the Crisp Area Penny Saver. The time and attention of management was
partially diverted from the Company's normal business affairs and expansion
plans by this litigation during this three month period. During that year,
the Company was also deprived of anticipated revenues by the loss of design
and computer consulting operations related to "Design Ideas". During the
year ended September 30, 1997, the Company incurred approximately $29,200
in nonrecurring legal expense in connection with the litigation in these
matters.
Six month periods ended March 31, 1998 and 1997. The results of
operations for the six months ended March 31, 1998 reflects revenues and
expenses related to publication of the South Georgia Chronicle in Grady
County, the Crisp Area Penny Saver (now named, the South Georgia Chronicle-
Crisp County Edition), The Sunday South Georgia Chroncicle -Grady County
Edition to February 8, 1998 and The Sunday South Georgia Chroncicle -Crisp
County Edition from October 5, 1997 to February 8, 1998. Results of
operation for the corresponding six months ended March 31, 1997 reflects
revenues and expenses the South Georgia Chronicle in Grady County, the
Crisp Area Penny Saver and The Sunday South Georgia Chronicle -Grady County
Edition from November 10, 1996. Management believes no individual revenue
and expense items in these periods reflect variations due to extraordinary
or unusual circumstance or events and none of these items on a comparative
basis merit discussion otherwise than as set forth in the notes to the
financial statements appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus, with the
exception of items in the second quarter ended March 31, 1998 as a result
of terminating publication on February 8, 1998 of The Sunday South Georgia
Chronicle. These items are approximately $14,000 in subscription revenues
recorded in the first quarter, $3,900 in subscription refunds and $24,000
in bad debts.
THE BUSINESS
The Company now publishes two editions of a weekly community news and
shopper style tabloid newspaper under the title of the South Georgia
Chronicle. The South Georgia Chronicle contains personal and business
classified advertising, commercial display advertising and community news
and local sports coverage. The South Georgia Chronicle is mailed free to
all occupied households in their respective markets by third class, bulk
rate U.S. postal permit. The Company also utilizes newspaper racks placed
in high traffic locations throughout each of the markets in order to
accomplish additional distribution of the Company's shopper products. The
South Georgia Chronicle offers full process color photography and graphics
in commercial advertising and photographic news and sports coverage. The
South Georgia Chronicle -Grady County Edition has a combined free weekly
distribution of 34,245 in Grady County, in which Cairo is the principal
city, and Crisp County, in which Cordele is the principal city.
Grady and Thomas Counties have a combined population of approximately
63,000, average median household income of approximately $24,500 and rank
seventy-three and thirty-seven, respectively, out of 158 counties on the
Georgia economic index taking into account personal income, sales tax
receipts, motor vehicle registrations and assessed property value. Crisp
County has a population of approximately 21,000, median household income of
approximately $23,000 and ranks seventy on the Georgia economic index.
EXPANSION PLANS-
The Company plans to introduce additional South Georgia Chronicle
editions in selected counties across Southwest Georgia which management
believes are not adequately served by their existing newspapers and other
print advertising media, if any. Targeted counties have populations
ranging from nineteen thousand to forty-five thousand persons. By starting
with a total-market-coverage shopper product in new markets, management
believes the Company can quietly expand into a new market while introducing
commercial advertisers and readers to the concept of high quality, low
priced print advertising. The Company's goal is to open three new markets
per year, subject to available future cash flows and equity or debt
financing, if any.
The Company also will consider purchasing existing newspaper
publishers which the Company believes are priced below market value and
have synergism with the Company's product mix. The Company's objective is
to expand into markets which are not saturated by numerous print media
companies and markets which are not dominated by huge publishers like
Gannett, Knight Ridder and Gray Communications Systems, Inc. The Company's
target markets are expected to be markets with locally and family owned
publishing companies not positioned financially or otherwise to compete
with the Company's aggressive sales programs and high quality products.
SALES-
Advertising sales. The Company employs commissioned sales personnel
to solicit advertising from merchants and businesses in its respective
market areas.
PRODUCTION-
The Company has centralized all composition and production functions,
other than printing at the present time, at its headquarters/production
facility in Cairo, Georgia. Centralization of these functions results in
production economies, including more intensive use of equipment and
personnel. Modern computer and communications technology enables
information, including local news and interest, school sports and
advertising copy, gathered at the Company's district office to be
transmitted to the centralized production department for page layout and ad
building in both current editions and planned future editions of the South
Georgia Chronicle. By composing all editions in a central production
department, the Company is able also to realize quality assurance. The
Company expects to require no additional production equipment as it opens
up to three new markets.
At the present time, the Company contracts with The Tallahassee
Democrat, a Knight Ridder company, for printing of its products.
COMPETITION-
The Company currently publishes the South Georgia Chronicle in two
markets, Grady County and Crisp County. The Company's South Georgia
Chronicle competes with other shopper products in those markets and with
the daily or weekly newspaper for commercial and business advertisers.
The Cairo Messenger is Grady County's weekly hometown, locally owned
general newspaper founded in 1911. The Buyer's Guide is a shopper product
owned by Thompson Newspapers in Thomas County adjacent to Grady County,
which also publishes The Times Enterprise, a general daily newspaper in
Thomas County. Both the Thompson Newspapers products vie with the Company
and the Cairo Messenger for advertisers and subscribers. The Company's
Grady County shopper product competes for business and commercial
advertisers (and subscribers for the traditional news product) in the
Thomas County market. The Company believes the Cairo Messenger has less
than twenty percent market penetration and its circulation is falling,
although exact numbers are not made available by that company. The
Thompson Newspapers products, The Times Enterprise, a general newspaper,
and the Buyer's Guide, a free weekly shopper product, dominate the Thomas
County market and the Company believes they have negligible distribution in
Grady County, although The Times Enterprise has recently expanded its
coverage of Grady County news and The Buyer's Guide carries a limited
number of adds from Grady County. The Company's distribution of the South
Georgia Chronicle-Grady County Edition gives the Company virtually total
penetration of the Grady County market and a significant presence in the
Thomas County market.
The Cordele Dispatch, a general newspaper, and Buyer's Guide, a free
weekly shopper product are both owned by Thompson Newspapers. Thompson's
two products have an estimated combined market penetration of twenty-five
percent and their circulation has been dropping for the past four years.
The parent of Thompson Newspapers is a $7 billion, world wide company,
however, and could become an aggressive competitor. The Company was able
to introduce the Crisp Area Penny Saver, now the South Georgia Chronicle -
Crisp County Edition, into the Crisp County market very successfully by
filling the void left by the closure of the Gray Communications Systems,
Inc.'s shopper product.
A former manager of the Company's Crisp Area Penny Saver publishes
the Sunbelt Shopper in Crisp County. Although this shopper product
competes with the Company for advertisers, it does not contain any
community news or local sports coverage.
Albany, Georgia is sixty miles to the North of Grady County and is
thirty-one miles to the Southwest of Cordele. Gray Communication Systems,
Inc. publishes a daily paper named The Albany Herald. The Albany Herald is
sold in coin racks in Grady County and Crisp County; but, enjoys very
little readership in the Company's market areas. Tallahassee, the location
of Florida's state capital, is thirty-five miles to the South of Grady
County. Tallahassee is served by a daily, general newspaper owned by
Knight Ridder, The Tallahassee Democrat. The Tallahassee Democrat has
subscribers in Grady County and also is sold in coin racks at several area
retailers. The Atlanta Journal Constitution, Georgia's largest newspaper,
is published by Cox Communications. The Atlanta Journal Constitution is
sold by subscription and at a few retailers in Grady County and Crisp
County; but the Company believes it has less than a three percent market
share in the Company's market areas. None of these products carry news of
local interest to Grady County or Crisp County residents nor do they
attempt to sell advertising to local businesses or subscriptions to local
readers.
It is the Company's intention to avoid head-to-head competition with
both well-established and major newspaper publishing organizations with
newspapers in Southwest Georgia, which are Thompson Newspapers, Gray
Communications Systems, Inc. and Gannett Co., Inc., all of whom have
products in various Southwest Georgia markets, in those cases where such a
company has a strong or dominant local product.
The Company's competition for advertising sales and classified
advertising is not limited strictly to print media. Radio and television
media also serve the immediate markets which are served by the Company's
products. But print and electronic broadcast media are not generally viewed
as being mutually exclusive to advertisers and generally overlap to a
significant degree in advertiser usage. Accordingly, no general or specific
discussion of electronic broadcast media is included.
LITIGATION-
In the ordinary course of business, the Company becomes involved in
litigation from time to time, primarily collections matters. At the date
of this Prospectus, the Company is not involved in any litigation.
OFFICES, EQUIPMENT AND PERSONNEL-
The Company owns a 25,000 square foot office/warehouse in Cairo,
Georgia, the county seat of Grady County. All executive, editorial and
composition/production activities for all of the Company's existing and
planned editions of the South Georgia Chronicle are and will be located at
the Cairo facility. The Company has a yearly lease expiring April 1998 for
a 1,500 square foot district office in Cordele at a cost of $500.00 per
month. The Company's Cairo facility is expected to be sufficient for the
Company's planned growth. The Company's district office in Cordele will
adequately accommodate additional personnel as required. The Company will
require a comparable district office in each market into which it expands
its operations. In October 1996, the Company purchased an 11,000 square
foot warehouse in Cairo, which it then intended to convert into offices,
but which the Company now has no plans to use in the immediate future.
The Company has made a major commitment to state-of-the-art computer
hardware and publishing software. The Company owns a sixteen work station
computer network and a central file server expandable to fifty user work
stations with a 10-T based ether talk INA system. Installed technology
allows full pagination of all products with simplified transport by "zip
disk" to the printer. Color proofing and scanning equipment has been
installed which eliminates most darkroom procedures. The Company has
installed a computer hard drive array which has the capacity for storing of
years' worth of customer advertising materials for future use. The
Company's products are currently printed at the plant of The Tallahassee
Democrat. An independent consultant has evaluated the feasibility and
effectiveness of the Company acquiring a printing press for installation at
the Company's headquarters. The consultant's evaluation concludes the
Company could achieve significant cost savings in printing with its own
press operation. The Board of Directors has authorized management to
pursue acquisition of a six unit web press, subject to the availability of
funding for the purchase or lease.
The Company currently has eighteen full time employees. Mr. Whitman,
the Company's president, is the publisher of all the Company's products.
Mrs. Whitman is the advertising sales director for the Company's Grady
County products. The Company employs a bookkeeper, three display
advertising sales representatives, two classified advertising sales
representatives, one reporter, one circulation manager, one route delivery
person, two editors, one secretary/bookeeper, and four compostion/graphic
designers. Accordingly, the Company will require the addition of
appropriate personnel in each market into which it expands, if any.
MANAGEMENT
The names, ages and terms of office of directors and executive
officers of the Company are set forth in the following table:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name Age All positions with Company Director since
- ---- --- -------------------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Ronald L. Mallett 48 Director and Treasurer 1997
Jackson L. Morris 54 Director and General Counsel 1996
John V. Whitman, Jr. 39 Director and President 1996
Marsha B. Whitman 41 Secretary and Grady County
Sales Manager 1996
</TABLE>
Mr. and Mrs. Whitman are husband and wife. Each director is elected
by holders of a majority of the Common Stock to serve for a term of one
year and until his successor is elected and qualified, which is generally
at the annual meeting of stockholders. Non-management directors are paid
an annual cash fee of $500 and Common Stock purchase options for their
services as directors. See, "Common Stock Purchase Options". Officers
serve at the will of the board. The Company may indemnify directors and
officers against damages which qualify, in the opinion of the disinterested
members of the board, for indemnification under Georgia law and the
Company's Bylaws. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under
the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers or
persons controlling the Company pursuant to Georgia law, the Company has
been informed that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission
such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and
is therefore unenforceable.
Ronald L. Mallett, a director since May 1997 and the treasurer since
August 1, 1997 of the Company, is a Vice President and the General Manager
of Thigpen Heating & Cooling, Inc. of Jacksonville, Florida, employment
which he started in June 1997. From 1990 to June 1997, Mr. Mallett was a
vice president of Certified Air Contractors, Inc. of Jacksonville, Florida.
Both Thigpen Heating & Cooling, Inc. and Certified Air Contractors, Inc.
are regional heating, air conditioning and refrigeration contractors with
annual sales of approximately $4 million and $3 million, respectively. Mr.
Mallett's duties with each company include sales and operations. Mr.
Mallett is a member of the Occupational License Tax Equity Study
Commission, a post appointed by the mayor of Jacksonville, Florida, for one
year beginning 1995. From 1990 to 1995, Mr. Mallett was the president of
Jacksonville Air Conditioning Contractors Association and in 1990 and 1991
he was a member of the board of the American Subcontractors Association,
North Florida Chapter. Beginning in 1994 to the present Mr. Mallett has
served on several committees of the Associated General Contractors of North
Florida and was elected to the board of that organization in 1996. Mr.
Mallett retired from the U.S. Marine Corps in 1990 with the rank of Captain
after twenty-three years of service. Mr. Mallett earned a B.S. degree in
occupational education (1985) from Southern Illinois University.
Jackson L. Morris, Esq., a director and general counsel of the
Company since inception, is an attorney in private practice since 1992. He
practiced law in Tampa and St. Petersburg, Florida with the law firm of
Harris, Barrett, Mann & Dew in 1991 and 1992. Mr. Morris was a founding
member of the St. Petersburg, Florida law firm of Greene & Mastry, P.A. in
1984, practicing law with that firm until 1991 and with its predecessor
from 1982 to 1984. Mr. Morris' law practice has been primarily in the
areas of general corporate, securities and contract law. Mr. Morris is a
member of The Florida Bar, The State Bar of Georgia (inactive) and The
District of Columbia Bar. He is admitted to practice before the United
States Tax Court and Supreme Court of the United States of America. Mr.
Morris earned a B.A. degree in economics (1966) and a Juris Doctor degree
(1969) from the Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia and a L.L.M. degree in
federal taxation (1974) from Georgetown University Law Center.
John V. Whitman, Jr., is the founder, director and president of the
Company since inception. In February and March 1996, Mr. Whitman was
planning for a business which became the Company. From September 1, 1995
into February 1996, Mr. Whitman was the President of Southwest Georgia
Shoppers, Inc., a subsidiary of Gray Communications Systems, Inc., a New
York Stock Exchange listed company, (trading symbol GCS) which had
purchased the assets of Phillips Publishing, Inc. owner of the Tallahassee
Advertiser, The Add Sheet, The South Georgia News and Shopper and The
Gadsden News and Shopper. During his brief tenure with Southwest Georgia
Shoppers, Inc., Mr. Whitman was assigned the additional responsibilities of
president of the Rockdale Citizen Publishing Company, the owner of the
Gwinnett Daily Post and The Rockdale Citizen. Mr. Whitman was the vice
president and publisher of Phillips Publishing, Inc. from October 1992 to
August 1995. Mr. Whitman founded The South Georgia News and Shopper and
The Gadsden News and Shopper for Phillips Publishing, Inc. Mr. Whitman
managed thirty-eight full time and forty-three part time employees and
exercised full management and financial responsibility for Phillips
Publishing, Inc.'s operations. He also served as a consultant and
motivational speaker to other Phillips publishing divisions. For seven
months in 1992, Mr. Whitman was employed by Southeast Publishing Ventures
in the capacity of District Manager, in which he launched a new housing
guide for the Treasure Coast of Florida and turned around a new housing
guide for the Orlando, Florida market. In 1991 and 1992, Mr. Whitman was
engaged in consulting in the publishing industry and efforts to acquire a
print media company for his own account. Mr. Whitman attended Hillsborough
Community College and the University of South Florida.
Marsha B. Whitman is secretary of the Company and the Company's
advertising sales manager of the Company's Grady County publications since
inception. From 1993 to her employment by the Company, Mrs. Whitman was
the advertising sales manager of the South Georgia News and Shopper, a
weekly shopper product started in Cairo by Mr. Whitman when he was the vice
president of Phillips Publishing, Inc. Prior to 1993, Mrs. Whitman was a
full time house wife and, before that, worked for five years as a group
travel agent.
MANAGEMENT COMPENSATION
Mr. Whitman, the Company's president, and Mrs. Whitman, the Company's
secretary and an Grady County advertising sales manager have not taken
compensation during the fiscal period and year ended September 30, 1996 and
1997, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Whitman have contributed their services
to the Company during those periods with an estimated fair market value of
$39,600 for the fiscal period ended September 30, 1996 and $99,400 for the
year ended September 30, 1997. The Company has recorded these amounts as a
cost of doing business and as contributed capital in the respective
periods. On May 1, 1998, the Company entered into an employment agreement
with Mr. Whitman through September 30, 1998. The agreement provides for an
annual salary of $120,000. The Company's cash flow has not permitted
payment of this salary to Mr. Whitman. The Company's payment of
compensation to Mr. and Mrs. Whitman is expected to be limited by the
Company's cash flow. The Company intends to implement a benefits package,
including health insurance, for its employees, which will include Mr. and
Mrs. Whitman.
The Company issued 6,250 shares of its Common Stock to J. Russell
Dalton, a former director and the general manager, as a signing bonus. The
Company issued 2,500 to Mr. Dalton and 6,250 shares to Mr. Mallett for
agreeing to become directors of the Company.
COMMON STOCK PURCHASE OPTIONS-
The Company has approved the issue of Common Stock Purchase Options
("Options") to directors on September 30, 1997 as compensation for
services, as presented in the following table. The options issuable to
directors will be exercisable for five years beginning September 30, 1997
at a price equal to seventy percent of the average of the bid and asked
price on the day prior to issue, unless the shares subject to the options
are registered pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, in which event the
exercise price will be equal to such average. The Company has issued
options to Mr. and Mrs. Whitman. See, "Management Compensation".
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name of option holder: Number of options
- ---------------------- -----------------
<S> <C>
J. Russell Dalton (1) 1,250
Ronald L. Mallett (1) 1,250
Jackson L. Morris (1) 1,250
John V. Whitman, Jr. (1) 1,250
Total options 5,000
</TABLE>
(1) Director's compensation to be issued on or after September 30, 1997.
On May 18, 1998, the Company granted to Mr. Whitman perpetual and
self renewing Common Stock purchase options for such number of shares of
Common Stock as is necessary at any time, and from time to time, when added
to the number of shares of Common Stock which are at such time owned by Mr.
Whitman, to equal 21.805%, as adjusted, of the total issued and outstanding
shares of the Corporation's Common Stock. The 21.805% percentage will be
reduced for sales made by Mr. Whitman, as follows: the difference between
390,443 (one-half of the shares owned by Mr. and Mrs. Whitman on the date
of grant) and total number of shares sold by Mr. Whitman after December 31,
1997 will be divided by 1,790,380 (the total number of shares issued and
outstanding on that date) to determine the adjusted percentage, the
outstanding number of shares on the date for which the determination is
being made will be multiplied by the adjusted percentage and the number of
shares then owned by Mr. Whitman will be subtracted from the product, the
difference being the number of options which Mr. Whitman is then entitled
to exercise. The options are exercisable at a percentage of the average
bid price on the day prior to exercise in the best market for the
Corporation's Common Stock, as follows: first year-twenty percent; second
year-thirty percent; third year-forty percent; fourth year and thereafter-
fifty percent. At the date of this Prospectus, Mr. Whitman's options
entitle him to purchase 61,854 shares of the Company's Common Stock, as a
result of sales made by the Company after December 31, 1997. The exercise
price thereof cannot be determined at this time because there is not quoted
bid for the Company's Common Stock.
EMPLOYEE STOCK BONUS PLAN
The Company has reserved 6,250 shares of its Common Stock for issue
at the end of the first thirty-six months of operations in equal shares to
the Company's original full time employees who remain employed by the
Company at the end of that term. At the date of this Prospectus, Timothy
Hale, the Company's Editor of the South Georgia Chronicle -Grady County
Edition is the only employee remaining eligible to participate in the bonus
plan. Mr. and Mrs. Whitman and Mr. Morris are not eligible to participate
in the bonus plan.
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS WITH MANAGEMENT AND OTHERS
At inception before the Company began its business, Mr. and Mrs.
Whitman contributed cash, certain equipment, primarily photo equipment and
office furniture valued at $26,871, and lists of advertisers to the Company
in exchange for an aggregate of 780,885 shares of the Company's Common
Stock. The equipment has been valued at Mr. and Mrs. Whitman's cost less
depreciation. The independent members of the initial board determined that
the valuation of the equipment and list of advertisers is fair and
reasonable and does not exceed the price the Company would have paid an
unrelated third party for comparable items. At the time of the
contribution, the Company had no business, assets or operations. The
Company deems it as unlikely that any nonaffiliated person or person who
was not a founder of the Company would have contributed any such value to
the Company for the purchase of its Common Stock under the circumstances
which existed at the date of Mr. and Mrs. Whitman's contribution.
The Company advanced to Mr. and Mrs. Whitman the aggregate amounts of
$99,132 during the period from inception to September 30, 1996 and $215,943
from October 1, 1996 to September 30, 1997. The advances are carried on
the Company's balance sheet as advances to stockholders. On November 15,
1997, Mr. and Mrs. Whitman repaid $115,000 of the advances leaving a
current balance at March 31, 1998 of $293,289. The Company has continued
making advances to Mr. and Mrs. Whitman after September 30, 1997. Mr. and
Mrs. Whitman intend to repay the outstanding advances solely out of
proceeds from the sale of their Shares which are offered by this
Prospectus, if and when sold by them. The Company would not have lent
these sums to other employees or nonaffiliated persons under any
circumstances. See, "Selling Stockholders".
The Company sold 7,500,000 shares of Convertible, Voting Preferred
Stock, $.001 par value per share, to Mr. and Mrs. Whitman for an aggregate
consideration of $7,500. Mr. and Mrs. Whitman were permitted to purchase
the preferred stock as a reward for their past devotion to the Company,
refusal to take compensation during the period from inception (April 5,
1996) to September 30, 1997, as an incentive for their continued devotion
to the business and affairs of the Company in the future and as assurance
of their continuation of control over the Company. The Company believes
that the price at which the Preferred Stock was sold to Mr. and Mrs.
Whitman was fair and reasonable in view of the condition to conversion, the
low dividend and the low liquidation preference. On September 29, 1997,
Mr. and Mrs. Whitman voluntarily surrendered the preferred stock to the
Company for cancellation.
Mr. and Mrs. Whitman, on their personal credit, purchased a new 1995
one ton Chevrolet short chassis truck which has been extended to
accommodate an enclosed box required by the Company's business and a new
1996 Geo Prism two door sedan automobile. The truck was and the automobile
is used primarily in the Company's business. The Company terminated its
use of the truck in November 1997. The Company paid and pays the financing
charges on the respective vehicles directly to unaffiliated finance
companies, the insurance to an unaffiliated company and the license tag and
taxes for the account of Mr. and Mrs. Whitman in the nature of rental or
lease payments for use of these vehicles by the Company. The Company does
not make any other payments to Mr. and Mrs. Whitman for use of the
vehicles. The Company would not have been able to purchase these vehicles
on its own limited credit history; but, believes that it could not have
obtained any better credit terms in the event it had been able so to do.
In November 1997, Mr. Whitman personally guaranteed the Company's
lease of a 1998 Izusu "City Van" diesel truck. The Company would not have
been able to lease this vehicle on its own limited credit history. The
Company has not paid any consideration to Mr. Whitman for his personal
guaranty of the vehicle lease.
In June 1996, Mr. Morris and Paul Parramore, Jr. (a former director
of the Company and a principal stockholder), together with Mr. and Mrs.
Whitman, personally cosigned a one-year loan from a bank in the original
principal amount of $60,000. Mr. Morris and Mr. Parramore each were issued
37,500 shares, as adjusted for subsequent stock splits, as consideration
for their respective signatures. The bank has renewed the loan with
continuation of the cosigners for a second year and has an outstanding
balance of approximately $54,000 at the date of this Prospectus. The
Company believes that it would have had to issue a greater number of shares
to a nonaffiliated person to obtain such cosigners, if any such cosigners
could have been obtained from any nonaffiliated party.
PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS
The names of directors and officers and the name of each person who
owns legally and beneficially more than five percent of the Company's
issued and outstanding Common Stock at the date of this Prospectus, the
address of each such person, the number of shares which each owns and the
percentage of the Common Stock represented by such shares (assuming in each
case the exercise of Common Stock Purchase Options held by all such
persons), before and after the Offering (assuming all Shares are sold) is
set forth in the following table. See, "Selling Stockholders".
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name and Address Number of Shares Percentage (4)
Before/After Before/After
Offering Offering
-------- -------- ------ -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Ronald L. Mallett (1)(2) 7,500 1,250 -*- -*-
Jackson L. Morris (1)(2) 113,750 113,750 5.31 5.31
Paul Parramore, Jr. 108,000 76,750 5.04 3.58
1292 Platt Avenue, S.E.
Cairo, Georgia 31728
John V., Jr. & 780,885 718,385 36.47 33.55
Marsha B. Whitman (1)
John V. Whitman, Jr. (2)(3) 63,104 63,104 2.95 2.95
All Directors and Officers,
as a group (2)(3) 965,239 902,739 45.08 42.16
(3 persons)
</TABLE>
* Less than one percent.
(1) Mr. Mallett, Mr. Morris and Mr. & Mrs. Whitman's addresses are the
address of the Company.
(2) Includes 1,250 shares issuable upon exercise of Common Stock purchase
options which are issuable on September 30, 1997 and immediately
exercisable. See, "Management Compensation- Common Stock Purchase
Options".
(3) Shares issuable upon exercise of a perpetual, non expiring option
granted to Mr. Whitman for a number of shares to be determined at the
time(s) of exercise at prices related to the then current average bid
quotation. See "Management Compensation-Common Stock Purchase Options".
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES
The Company is authorized to issue thirty-five million shares of
Common Stock. Although the Company's Articles of Incorporation, as
amended, authorize 7,500,000 shares of Preferred Stock, the board of
directors provided in its acceptance of the surrender of the Preferred
Stock for cancellation by the holder thereof that the Preferred Stock would
not be subject to reissue and would be removed from the Articles of
Incorporation with the filing of the next amendment to the Articles. See,
"Certain Transactions with Management and Others".
Common Stock. The authorized Common Stock of the Company consists of
thirty-five million shares, no par value per share. A total of 2,024,511
shares of Common Stock were issued and outstanding at March 31, 1998 and
49,768 additional shares were issued between that date and the date of this
Prospectus, as adjusted for a reverse split one share for each four shares
effective July 1, 1998, for a total issued and outstanding of 2,074,279
shares. Holders of the Common Stock, which includes the Shares, (i) have
equal and ratable rights with all holders of issued and outstanding Common
Stock to dividends from funds legally available therefor, when, as and if
declared by the Board of Directors of the Company; (ii) are entitled to
share ratably with holders of issued and outstanding Common Stock in all of
the assets of the Company available for distribution to holders of Common
Stock, after distribution of the liquidation preference on the Preferred
Stock, upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the
Company; (iii) do not have preemptive, subscription or conversion rights;
(iv) have no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable thereto; and
(v) have one vote on election of each director and other matters submitted
to a vote of stockholders. All shares of Common Stock outstanding are, and
those sold pursuant to this Prospectus when issued and delivered against
payment therefore, will be, duly authorized, legally issued, fully paid and
non-assessable. Each holder of Common Stock has a preemptive right to
purchase such number of shares in any offering, which is subsequent to the
offering in which he or she acquired his or her shares, as is determined by
dividing the number of his or her shares by the number of shares issued and
outstanding at the beginning of such subsequent offering. The initial
holders of the Company's Common Stock have not exercised their preemptive
rights with respect of subsequent offerings. The holders in the second
offering by the Company may have the right to exercise their preemptive
rights; except all such holders have been afforded an opportunity to
purchase shares in the third offering and have purchased either a limited
number of shares or declined to purchase any additional shares. The Board
of Directors is expected to recommend an amendment to the Articles of
Incorporation, as amended, which if approved, will eliminate preemptive
rights.
Convertible, Voting Preferred Stock. The preferred stock included in
the Company's Articles of Incorporation consists of 7,500,000 shares of
Convertible, Voting Preferred Stock, par value of $.001 per share,
("Preferred Stock"). The Company does not have any preferred stock
outstanding at the date of this Prospectus. The resolution accepting
surrender of the Preferred Stock for cancellation provides that the
Preferred Stock will not be reissued and will be removed from the Articles
of Incorporation when the Articles are next amended for any purpose.
Dividends. Dividends on the Common Stock can be paid lawfully only
out of current and retained earnings and surplus of the Company, when, as
and if declared by the Board of Directors. The Company has not declared or
paid any dividends on the Common Stock or the Preferred Stock and there is
no assurance dividends will be paid in the foreseeable future. The payment
of dividends in the future rests within the discretion of its Board of
Directors and will depend, among other things, upon the Company's earnings,
its capital requirements and its financial condition, as well as other
factors which the board of directors deems relevant. The Company does not
expect to pay cash dividends within the next five years based upon its plan
to invest its profits, if any, in expansion of the Company's shopper
products and community news products.
Transfer Agent. The Company has engaged Atlas Stock Transfer
Corporation, Salt Lake City, Utah to act as its transfer agent and
registrar for the Common Stock.
SELLING STOCKHOLDERS
The following table sets forth the name of each Selling Stockholder
who owns less than one percent of the issued and outstanding Common Stock
of the Company before the Offering and who is registering all of such
Shares for sale in the Offering and will own no Shares after the offering,
assuming the sale of all the Shares. The total number of Shares included
in the offering by these Selling Stockholders is 574,734 Shares. The
Company will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the Common
Stock by the following Selling Stockholders.
Name of Selling Stockholder
Number of Shares to be sold
Adams, John J. 2,500
Aronne, Al 10,000
Ayres, Margaret 2,813
Ball, Donald M. & Judith E. 5,625
Bauerle, Charles 9,375
Bell, Bruce 5,000
Berenson, Daniel 1,375
Bishop, Fraser 2,325
Boaz, Keith 1,250
Bowman, Donna K. & Norman H. 525
Brant, Steven H. 250
Broadbelt, Susanne 5,625
Brothers, Kathleen M. 6,073
Brown, Geoffrey C. & Lisa L. 500
Brown, Jack & Juanita 3,750
Buscarello, Charles 1,250
Cameron, Butch 125
Cardelle, Don 1,250
Carpenter, Frank A. & Michele Westmoreland 8,125
Casperson, Russel 4,500
Cedarleaf II, Jack S. 2,500
Chancy, Barbara 1,250
Christenson, Michael B. 125
Cronin, John 625
Cronin, John E. & Mary Rita 1,250
Culpepper, Robert 500
Culpepper, Karen 500
Dalton, James R. 8,750
Deighan, Thomas J. & Bonnie J. 2,500
Delaware Charter Guarantee & Trust f/b/o Hosea E. Taylor 2,500
Demetroulakos, Elaine 12,500
Demetroulakos, Pam 12,500
Drouhard, John 3,125
Dryden, George W. 5,000
Eastman, Esmeralda 3,660
Elrod, William Lee 50
Emrich, John 9,500
Eunis, Esther 11,250
Evink, Kelly 750
Federal Industrial Services 7,500
Filson, Alan 2,500
Finley, Dr. John 3,250
Four Winds Trading Corp. 15,000
Fox, Carrie L. or Linda B. 2,500
Fox, Linda 375
Garrett, Thomas L. 1,250
Gaziano, Angelo N. 6,625
Gilmer, W. Gerald 375
Grabarkiewicz, Leonard H. 1,000
Greenberg, Troy 1,500
Hagan, Daniel 2,500
Hahn, Marshall S. 2,000
Hale, Timothy ** 5,000
Hamilton, Marshall 4,500
Hardy, Gerald or Patricia 625
Hawkenson, Allan 1,250
Hocke, Stephen Lee 5,625
Hocke, Steven L. & Georgia C. 5,000
Hoffman, Arthur 750
Hoppe, George & Marlene 2,500
I.W. Miller Group 12,500
J & J Components, Inc. 5,625
Jackson, Robert L. 12,500
Jalbert, Daisy A. & Joseph A. 1,250
Jarrell, Albert M. 5,625
Jenkins, Winafred Avery 12,500
Johnson, Mark C. 5,625
Johnson, Elizabeth G. 6,250
Jones, David 12,500
Jordan, Fernando 167
Kang, Thomas 125
Kjome, Todd 2,500
Knox, Susan E. & Laura Nicole 1,875
Kotowski, Chris 625
Kuck, Edward L. & Eleanore G. 2,500
LaBarbera, Donna C. 5,625
Laufenberg, Roger L. 5,500
Lee, Wook 125
Leedham, Lynn S. 250
Lewek, Frank 3,400
Lindbloom, Gene 1,250
Looney, Jacqueline L. 5,625
Lowe, Richard 500
Lynch, Edward C. & Elizabeth A. 2,500
Malik, Gina 4,100
Mallett, Ronald L. * 6,250
Mannix, Sylvia 12,500
Marshall, William 2,500
Mayer, Robert 2,500
McCarthy, Sandra G. & Thomas D. 5,000
McCluskey, Billy J. & V. Colene 11,250
McCluskey, Stephen R. & Carol L. 6,375
McCurdy, Greg 11,000
McQuaide, Maxine 5,000
Mudra, Darrell E. & Sandra M. 250
Murtaugh, Brian 285
Nowicki, Jeffrey R. 750
Nowicki, Jeffrey R. & Jan C. 5,625
O'Keefe, Sandra C. & Christopher 2,500
Osborne, Mark 1,250
Overstreet, Henry Ronald 2,500
Paczkowski, Clem 7,875
Paglia, Yvonne 2,500
Pak, Michael 250
Pankey, Homer R. & Patricia R. 250
Patterson, Stephen 5,000
Perrone, David A. & Sonia H. 500
Perrone, David A. 500
Plewe, Waldon 10,000
Potthoff, Jeanne E. 375
Potthoff, Paul 3,750
Printz, James W. 5,625
Reopelle, Beth A. 5,625
Ritola, Matt J. 11,250
Ritola, Stephen 8,438
Roby, Henry G. 167
Rose, Albert J. or Susan M. 1,375
Rybowicz, Adam 2,500
Sanchez, Juanita B. 250
Sanders, Patricia A. 1,250
Santucci, John 625
Sawtelle, Duane B. 625
Scheel, Leo 1,750
Shlyonsky, Harry 263
Shores, Charles B. 5,625
Shrader, Jr., Roy 7,750
Shrader, Jr., Roy IRA, Oppenheimer & Co, Custodian 3,500
Singletary, Shelton 50
Sinsabaugh, Donald G. 750
Solomon, Cynthia E. 1,250
Solomon, Fred L. 1,250
Sowell, James A. & Linda J. 2,500
Sym, Jonathan 4,269
Tague, Dorsey 6,125
Taylor, Brian 3,030
Taylor, Harriet & Hosea 4,000
Terry, Jock 5,625
Thomas, Thurma or Jack Rossman 500
Thornton, Robert D. & Jean R. 1,000
Tung, Hsue 2,981
Wagner, Susan Kay 500
Wells, Tamra H. 2,500
Wharton, Helen 5,625
Williams, Howard J. 3,075
Wilson, Linda S.** 750
Windels, Carl O. 2,500
Wood, Stephen 1,250
Yaron, Janet 20,000
York, Bob 5,625
Ziegelbauer, Tony 188
Zimmerman, Frank 2,500
*Director or officer of the Company. See, "Management."
**Employee of the Company other than management.
The following table sets forth the name of each Selling Stockholder
who owns more than one percent of the issued and outstanding Common Stock
of the Company before the Offering, the number of Shares included in the
Offering and the percentage of such Common Stock the Selling Stockholder
owns before the Offering and will own after the Offering, assuming the sale
of all the Shares included in the offering and no exercise of any Common
Stock Purchase Options. The total number of Shares included in the
offering by these Selling Stockholders is 264,718 Shares. The Company will
not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the Common Stock by the
following Selling Stockholders.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of Number of Percent of Class (1)
Shares owned Shares Before After
Name of Selling Stockholder (1) to be Sold Offering Offering
- ---------------------------- ----------- ---------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Robert Fitting 20,000 20,000 0.96 -0-
J. Stuart Grant 52,569 52,569 2.53 -0-
Mr. & Mrs. William C. Noble 48,399 48,399 2.33 -0-
Paul Parramore, Jr. 108,000 31,250 5.21 1.51
Mark Scheel 25,000 25,000 1.21 -0-
Kim Sym 25,000 25,000 1.21 -0-
Mr. & Mrs. John V.
Whitman, Jr. (1)(2) 780,885 62,500 37.65 34.63
</TABLE>
(1) Does not include Common Stock issuable upon exercise of Common Stock
Purchase Options.
(2) Director or officer of the Company. See, "Management".
DISTRIBUTION OF SHARES
The Selling Stockholders are offering the Shares for their own
accounts. The Company has prepared the registration statement and is
paying the costs of the registration statement of which this Prospectus is
a part. The Company will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the
Common Stock by the Selling Stockholders. The Company is solely
responsible for the content of the registration statement and of this
Prospectus. The Company has not engaged an underwriter for the Offering
made by the Selling Stockholders. The Selling Stockholders have advised
the Company that none of them have engaged an underwriter for the Offering.
Generally, the Company expects the individual Selling Stockholders to place
their respective Shares in their individual accounts at their own
securities brokers and request the entry of sell orders against their stock
positions.
The Selling Stockholder may sell the Shares in open market or block
transactions or otherwise in accordance with the rules of the OTC Bulletin
Board, or in private transactions, at prices related to the prevailing
market prices or at negotiated prices. The Selling Stockholders may effect
such transactions by selling Shares to or through broker-dealers, and such
broker-dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts,
concessions or commissions from the Selling Stockholders for whom such
broker-dealers may act as agent or to whom they sell as principal or both.
Upon any sale of Shares offered hereby, the Selling Stockholders and
participating broker-dealers or selling agents may be deemed to be
"underwriters" as that term is defined in the Securities Act, in which
event any discounts, concessions or commissions they receive, which are not
expected to exceed those customary in the types of transactions involved,
or any profit on resales of the Shares by them, may be deemed to be
underwriting commissions or discounts under the Securities Act.
Any Selling Stockholder or any affiliate of a Selling Stockholder or
any Selling Stockholders who are acting in concert may violate Regulation M
promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the
Securities Exchange of Act of 1934, as amended, in the event any such
person, directly or indirectly, places a bid to purchase, purchases, or
attempts to induce another person to bid for or purchase shares of the
Common Stock in the public market before the time such Selling Stockholder
or all the Selling Stockholders who are acting in concert, as the case may
be, have sold all of their shares of Common Stock which are covered by this
Prospectus. Accordingly, no Selling Stockholder and no affiliate of a
Selling Stockholder and no Selling Stockholders who are acting in concert
should place bids for the purchase of, purchase or attempts to induce
another person to bid for or purchase shares of the Common Stock in the
public market for the Common Stock, in the event a public market develops,
until such person has sold all of his shares covered by this Prospecuts.
Any person who, directly or indirectly, bids for or effects any purchase of
the Common stock for the purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining the
price of the Common Stock (known as "stabilizing"), which bid or purchase
does not comply with Regulation M, will be in violation of the regulation.
Furthermore, no stabilizing is permitted at a price that the person
stabilizing knows or has reason to know does not comply with Regulation M
or which is the result of activity that is fraudulent, manipulative, or
deceptive under the federal securities laws and regulations.
Olsen Payne & Company of Seatle, Washington ("Market Maker") has
expressed an interest in becoming a market maker for the Shares and has
filed a Form 211 with the OTC Bulletin Board. The OTC Bulletin Board has
approved the entry of buy and sell quotations in that quotation medium for
the Shares. The Company has not received any commitment from the Market
Maker for the purchase of Shares for its own account or the amount of such
purchases, should the Market Maker decide to hold a trading position in the
Shares. The Company has been advised that the Market Maker will not be
permitted to enter buy and sell quotations on the OTC Bulletin Board until
thirty days after the Market Maker has made its appearance as a market
maker in that quotation medium. Furthermore, no other securities brokers
will be able to make an appearance as a market maker in that quotation
medium for the Shares until the thirty days mentioned in the preceding
sentence has elapsed, even if such securities broker should desire to
become an additional market maker for the Shares. There is no assurance
the Company will be able to attract interest from any securities broker
sufficient for a securities broker to become a market maker in the Shares.
The "penny stock" rules are expected to discourage many securities brokers,
who might otherwise have an interest in buying and selling the Shares for
their customer or firm's accounts, from so doing. See, "Risk Factors-Risks
Related to the Offering".
Pursuant to the provisions under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended, ("Exchange Act") and the rules and regulations thereunder, any
person engaged in a distribution of the Shares offered by this Prospectus
may not simultaneously engage in market making activities with respect to
the Shares during the applicable "cooling off" period prior to the
commencement of such distribution. In addition, and without limiting the
foregoing, the Selling Stockholders will be subject to applicable
provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder
including, without limitation, Regulation M, which provisions may limit the
timing of purchases and sales of Shares by the Selling Stockholders.
SHARES AVAILABLE FOR FUTURE SALE
Prior to the Offering, there has not been any public market for the
Shares of the Company's Common Stock. Sale of a substantial number of
additional shares of Common Stock into the public trading market following
the Offering could adversely affect the prevailing market prices for the
Common Stock, as a result of an increased supply in the number of shares
available for trading.
Following completion of this Offering, the Company will have
outstanding an aggregate of 2,074,279 shares of Common Stock, including the
839,452 Shares included this Offering, and Option Shares totaling 5,000
shares, the Company would have a total of 2,079,279 shares of Common Stock
outstanding.
In general under Rule 144 as currently in effect, a person who is an
affiliate of the Company and has owned the shares for at least one year is
entitled to sell in "broker's transactions" or to market makers, within any
three month period, a number of shares that does not exceed the greater of
(i) one percent of the then issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock
(20,743 immediately after the Offering) or (ii) the average weekly trading
volume in the Common Stock during the four calendar weeks preceding the
sale. Sales under Rule 144 are also subject to the filing of a Form 144
with respect to such sale and certain other limitations and restrictions.
Under Rule 144(k), a person who is not deemed to have been an affiliate of
the Company during the ninety days preceding the sale and who has
beneficially owned the shares for at least two years would be entitled to
sell such shares without having to comply with the manner of sale, volume
limitations or notice filing provisions described above.
No holders of Common Stock subject to Rule 144 have registration
rights; however, two out of four such persons are directors of the Company
and could propose to the Board of Directors and vote in favor of approving
the Company including such shares in a registration statement under the
Securities Act of 1933.
The Company may register additional Common Stock for sale at some
point in the reasonable future for the purpose of acquiring additional
capital to fund its expansion plans and may continue to sell Common Stock
for that purpose in transactions exempt from registration under the
Securities Act of 1933. Stock sold in exempt transactions, if any, will be
subject to the limitations and restrictions of Rule 144 unless it is
subsequently registered under the Securities Act of 1933. The Company may
register on Form S-8 the 5,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon
exercise of Common Stock Purchase Options which have been issued to certain
directors of the Company.
LEGAL MATTERS AND INTEREST COUNSEL
The Company will rely on an opinion given by Jackson L. Morris, Esq.,
Tampa, Florida, as to the legality of the Shares. Mr. Morris is a director
of the Company and the holder of 112,500 shares of the Company's Common
Stock, none of which are offered for sale by this Prospectus, and 1,250
Common Stock Purchase Options.
EXPERTS
The Company's financial statements at and for the period ended
September 30, 1997 and 1996 included in this Prospectus and the
Registration Statement have been audited by Pender, Newkirk & Company,
independent certified public accountants, as stated in their report
appearing herein, and are included in reliance upon such reports given upon
the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "Commission") in Washington, D.C. a registration Statement on Form SB-
2 (together with all amendments thereto, the "Registration Statement"),
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with respect to the Shares
offered by this Prospectus. This Prospectus does not contain all the
information set forth in the Registration Statements and the exhibits and
schedules filed therewith, certain portions of which have been omitted as
permitted by the Rules and regulations of the Commission. For further
information with respect to the Company and the Shares offered hereby,
reference is hereby made to the Registration statement and to the exhibits
and schedules filed therewith. Statements contained in this Prospectus
regarding the contents of any contract or other document referred to are
not necessarily complete and in each such instance, reference is made to
the copy of such contract, agreement or other document filed as an exhibit
to the Registration Statement, each such statement being deemed to be
qualified in its entirety by such reference. The Registration Statement,
including all exhibits and schedules thereto, may be inspected without
charge at the principal office of the Commission, at Judiciary Plaza, 450
Fifth Street N.W., Room 1024, Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the Northeast
Regional Office of the Commission at Seven World Trade Center, Suite 1300,
New York, New York 10049. Copies of such material may be obtained from the
Public Reference Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street N.W., Room
1024, Washington, D.C. 20549, upon payment of prescribed fees. The
Commission maintains a web site that contains reports, proxy and
information statements and other information filed electronically with the
Commission at http://www.sec.gov.
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Page
Independent Auditor's Report on Financial Statements
Balance Sheets
Statements of Operations
Statement of Changes in Stockholders' Equity
Statement of Cash Flows
Notes to Financial Statements
Independent Auditors' Report
Board of Directors
Chronicle Communications, Inc.
Cairo, Georgia
We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Chronicle Communications,
Inc. as of September 30, 1997 and the related statements of operations,
changes in stockholders' equity, and cash flows for the year ended
September 30, 1997 and the period April 5, 1996 (date of inception) through
September 30, 1996. These financial statements are the responsibility of
the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on
these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free
of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis,
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles
used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating
the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits
provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of Chronicle
Communications, Inc. as of September 30, 1997 and 1996 and the results of
its operations and cash flows for the year and the period then ended in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the
Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 3 to the
financial statements, the Company's negative working capital of
approximately $138,000 at September 30, 1997, significant operating losses
of approximately $988,000 since inception, and negative cash flows from
operations of $566,000 since inception raise substantial doubt about its
ability to continue as a going concern. The financial statements do not
include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this
uncertainty.
/s/ Pender Newkirk & Company
Pender Newkirk & Company
Tampa, Florida
December 17, 1997 except for the last paragraph of Note 3
as to which the date is February 20, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Chroncile Communications, Inc.
Balance sheets
September 30, 1997 March 31, 1998
------------------ --------------
(unaudited)
<S> <C> <C>
Assets
Current assets:
Accounts receivable $91,016 $75,485
Prepaid directors' fees 14,584 5,836
Prepaid consulting fees 70,800
Other current assets 6,425 10,072
Advances to stockholders, current portion 115,000
------- --------
Total current assets 227,025 162,193
------- --------
Property and equipment, net of
accumulated depreciation 369,920 378,435
Advances to stockholders,
less current portion 200,075 293,289
------- --------
Total $797,020 $833,917
======== =========
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities:
Bank overdraft $3,421 $18,485
Notes payable and current maturities
of long term debt 84,245 98,783
Notes payable stockholders 51,000
Accounts payable 101,794 112,200
Accrued payroll liabilities 132,207 175,854
Other accrued liabilities 38,176 38,176
Deferred Income 4,600
------- --------
Total current liabilities 364,443 494,498
------- --------
Long term debt, net of current maturities 128,474 112,163
------- --------
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred Stock, $.001 par value,
7,500,000 shares authorized,
no shares issued and outstanding
Common stock, no par value;
35,000,000 authorized 1,748,708
issued and outstanding at
September 30, 1997;
2,024,511 issued and outstanding
at March 31, 1998 (unaudited) 1,291,824 1,620,408
Accumulated deficit <987,721> <1,393,152 >
---------- -----------
Total stockholders' equity 304,103 227,256
---------- -----------
Total $797,020 $833,917
========== ===========
</TABLE>
Read independent auditors' report
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Chronicle Communications, Inc.
Statements of Operations
April 5, 1996 Six months ended
Year ended (date of inception) to March 31,
September 30, 1997 September 30, 1996 1998 1997
------------------ ------------------ --------- ----------
(as restated) (unaudited)(unaudited)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Sales $645,051 $ 337,384 $ 308,199 $ 333,831
Cost of sales 1,000,144 333,440 468,690 416,504
Gross profit <loss> <355,093> 3,944 <160,491> <82,673>
Operating expenses
General and
Administrative 485,018 105,386 234,522 127,892
Interest 9,772 13,896 10,418 4,642
Other 22,500
-------- --------- ---------- ---------
517,290 119,282 244,940 132,534
-------- --------- ---------- ---------
Net loss $<872,383> $<115,338> $<405,431> $<215,207>
========== ========== ========== ==========
Net loss per
common share $ <.59> $ <.11> $ <.22> $ <.16>
======== ========= =========== ==========
Basic
</TABLE>
Read independent auditors' report
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Chronicle Communications, Inc.
Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity
For the Period April 5, 1996 (date of inception) to March 31, 1998
Common Stock Preferred Stock Accumulated
----------------------------------- -----------
Shares Amount Shares Amount Deficit
----------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Common stock issued:
For cash 228,045 $85,100
For note guarantee 75,000 21,250
For equipment 41,550 11,771
For customer list
(as restated) 730,155
For legal services 75,000 1,000
Contribution of
services (as restated) 39,600
Net loss (as restated) $<115,338>
----------------------------------------------------
Balance, September 30,
1996 (as restated) 1,149,750 158,721 <115,338>
Common stock issued:
For cash, net of
offering costs of
$181,900 570,083 977,759
For consulting fees 2,500 2,500
For payment of
directors' fees 8,750 17,500
For employee bonuses 17,625 35,944
Preferred stock
issued for services 7,500,000 7,500
Surrender and
cancellation of
preferred stock <7,500,000> <7,500>
Contribution of
Services 99,400
Net loss <872,383>
----------------------------------------------------
Balance,
September
30, 1997 1,748,708 1,291,824 0 0 $<987,721>
Common stock
issued:
For cash, net
of offering
costs $18,776
(unaudited) 172,658 156,084
For consulting
fees (unaudited) 75,000 75,000
For repayment
of notes payable
and interest
(unaudited) 28,145 13,000
Contribution of
services (unaudited) 84,500
Net loss (unaudited) <405,431>
----------------------------------------------------
Balance,
March 31, 1998
(unaudited) 2,024,511 $1,620,408 0 $ 0 $<1,393,152>
========= ========= ====== ===== ===========
</TABLE>
Read independent auditors' report
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Chronicle Communications, Inc.
Statements of Cash Flows
April 5, 1996 Six months ended
Year ended (date of inception) to March 31,
September 30, 1997 September 30, 1996 1998 1997
------------------ -------------------- --------- ----------
Operating activities (as restated) (unaudited)(unaudited)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net loss $ <872,383> $ <115,338> $<405,431> $<215,207>
--------------------------------------------------------------
Adjustments to
reconcile net
loss to net
cash (used by)
operating activities:
Depreciation and
Amortization 46,566 11,226 29,148 15,126
Loss on sale
of equipment 2,908
Bonuses,
consulting fees
and interest
paid with stock 38,444 1,000 2,000
Contributed services 99,400 39,600 84,500 49,700
(Increase) decrease in:
Accounts receivable and
other assets <33,145> <61,380> 11,884 <7,773>
Increase (decrease) in:
Accounts payable 44,734 57,060 10,406
Accrued liabilities 116,709 53,674 43,647
Deferred income 4,600 <4,600>
-------- ---------- --------- --------
Total adjustments 320,216 101,180 176,985 57,053
-------- ---------- --------- --------
Net cash used by
operating activities <552,167> <14,158> <228,446> <158,154>
-------- ---------- --------- --------
Investing activities
Proceeds from sale
of property and
equipment 22,500
Purchase of
property and
equipment <378,657> <41,442> <24,715> <81,986>
-------- ---------- --------- --------
Net cash used by
investing activities <356,157> <41,442> <24,715> <81,986>
-------- ---------- --------- --------
Financing activities
Net advances (to)
from stockholders <215,952> <99,123> 21,786 <175,888>
Bank overdraft <9,190> 12,611 15,064 11,540
Proceeds from
issuance of notes
payable and
long-term debt 158,525 60,000 62,000
Payments on notes
payable and
long-term debt <5,806> <1,773>
Proceeds from
issuance of stock 977,759 85,100 156,084 401,500
-------- ---------- --------- --------
Net cash provided
by financing
activities 905,336 58,588 253,161 237,152
-------- ---------- --------- --------
Net (decrease)
increase in cash <2,988> 2,988 0 <2,988>
Cash at beginning
of period 2,988 0 0 2,988
-------- ---------- --------- --------
Cash at end
of period $0 $2,988 $0 $0
======== ========== ========= ========
</TABLE>
Read independent auditors' report
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Chronicle Communications, Inc.
Statements of Cash Flows
April 5, 1996 Six months ended
Year ended (date of inception) to March 31,
September 30, 1997 September 30, 1996 1998 1997
--------------------------------------------------------------------
(as restated) (unaudited)(unaudited)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Supplemental
disclosure of
cash flow information
and noncash investing
and financing activities
Cash paid
during the
period for
interest $9,772 $1,582 $8,418 $4,642
-------- -------- -------- --------
</TABLE>
During the year ended September 30, 1996 president and majority
stockholder of the Company contributed equipment of $11,771 to the Company
in exchange for common stock In addition, the Company capitalized $21,250
of loan guarantee fees in exchange for Common Stock.
During the year ended September 30, 1997, the Company issued 8,750 shares
of common stock valued at $17,500 to directors for future services on the
board.
During the six months ended March 31, 1998, the Company issued 75,000
shares of common stock valued at $75,000 to consultants for future
consulting services. Also, During the period, the Company repaid $13,000
of notes payable and interest to stockholders via the issuance of 28,145
shares of common stock (unaudited).
Read independent auditors' report.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
Chronicle Communications, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements
For the Year Ended September 30, 1997 and the Period
April 5, 1996 (Date of Inception) through September 30, 1996
Information at March 31, 1998 and for the six months ended March 31,
1998 and 1997 is unaudited
1. Background information
Chronicle Communications, Inc. (the Company), a Georgia corporation, was
incorporated on April 5, 1996 as JMAR Communications, Inc. The Company
subsequently changed its name to Chronicle Communications, Inc. on July 30,
1997. The Company is a publisher of two weekly shopper-style tabloid
newspapers that are distributed to customers in Crisp County and Grady
County, Georgia.
2. Restatement of 1996 information
The accompanying financial statements for the period ended September 30,
1996 have been restated to correct an error in the valuation of customer
lists made in 1996. During the period ended September 30, 1996, the
president of the Company contributed customer lists to the Company in
exchange for 730,155 shares of common stock. The customer lists were
valued at the fair value of the stock that was exchanged which was based on
comparable cash purchases of the stock. According to Securities and
Exchange Commission Staff Accounting Bulletin 5:G, non-monetary assets
exchanged by shareholders for stock should be recorded at predecessor cost.
Therefore, the customer lists that were contributed should be valued at $0.
The effect of the revaluation on the 1996 financial statements was to
decrease common stock by $206,879, decrease assets by $172,399, and reduce
net loss by $34,480, which represented the 1996 amortization of the
customer list.
Additionally, the majority stockholders have not taken a salary since the
inception of the Company but have contributed their services to the
Company. At September 30, 1996, the Company had not incurred any expense
for their time. According to Securities and Exchange Commission Staff
Accounting Bulletin 1:B, the Company should record all costs of doing
business. Therefore, the Company has subsequently recorded the estimated
fair value of the services provided by the stockholders. The Company has
estimated the value of the services provided by them to be $99,400 for the
year ended September 30, 1997 and $39,600 for the period ended September
30, 1996. The effect of the adjustment on the 1996 financial statements
was to increase contributed capital and increase the net loss by $39,600.
Read independent auditors' report
3. Going concern
As shown in the financial statements, the Company has incurred net losses
of approximately $1,393,000 since inception and current liabilities exceed
current assets by approximately $332,000 at March 31, 1998. These factors,
combined with the fact that the Company has not generated positive cash
flows from operating activities since its inception, raise substantial
doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. The
financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the
recoverability and classification of recorded assets or the amounts and
classification of liabilities that might be necessary in the event the
Company cannot continue in existence. Management of the Company is
currently seeking additional bank and investor financing to mitigate the
above factors.
Additionally, on February 8, 1998, the Company published the last issues of
The Sunday South Georgia Chronicle in both Grady County and Crisp County,
Georgia. The Sunday South Georgia Chronicle was the Company's only general
newspaper product. Management believes the termination of the Sunday paper
will result in the following savings, however, no assurance can be given
that the Company will, in fact, achieve these results. Actual results
could differ materially from these estimates. In connection with this
termination, the Company terminated its membership in Associated Press
which management believes will result in annual savings to the Company of
$24,000, and returned equipment to that association, resulting in a
reduction of $12,000 in fixed assets and accounts payable related to the
equipment. The Company also terminated five full-time employees and part-
time employees effective February 8, 1998, eliminating a combined annual
payroll expense and contract labor expense which management believes will
approximate $218,000. Management believes termination of the Sunday
editions also resulted in a reduction in printing expense of approximately
$124,000 per year.
4. Significant accounting policies
The significant accounting policies followed are:
In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting only
of normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair
presentation of (a) the results of operations for the six-month
periods ended March 31, 1998 and 1997, (b) the financial
position at March 31, 1998, and (c) cash flows for the six-
month periods ended March 31, 1998 and 1997, have been made.
Read independent auditors' report
4. Significant accounting policies (continued)
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the
financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses
during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.
The Company capitalizes cosigning fees relating to notes payable. These
fees are amortized by the straight-line method over the life of the
original note. Amortization expense charged to operations amounted to
$14,167 for the year ended September 30, 1997 and $7,083 for the period
ended September 30, 1996. Amortization expense amounted to $10,626 for the
six months ended March 31, 1997. No amortization expense was charged to
operations for the six months ended March 31, 1998 as the fees were fully
amortized.
Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation is calculated by
the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets,
ranging from five to thirty-nine years. Additions to and major
improvements of property and equipment are capitalized. Maintenance and
repair expenditures are charged to expense as incurred. As property or
equipment is sold or retired, the applicable cost and accumulated
depreciation are eliminated from the accounts and any gain or loss is
recorded. For income tax purposes, the Company uses accelerated methods of
depreciation for certain assets. Depreciation expense recorded in the
financial statements amounted to $32,399 for the year ended September 30,
1997 and $4,143 for the period ended September 30, 1996. For the six-month
periods ended March 31, 1998 and 1997, depreciation expense amounted to
$16,200 and $4,500, respectively.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future
tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial
statements carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their
respective income tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are
measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the
years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or
settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in
tax rates is recognized as income in the period that included the enactment
date.
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4. Significant accounting policies (continued)
The Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement 123 (SAFS 123),
"Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation," effective for fiscal years
beginning after December 15, 1995. This statement provides that expense
equal to the fair value of all stock-based awards on the date of the grant
be recognized over the vesting period. Alternatively, this statement
allows entities to continue to apply the provisions of Accounting
Principles Board Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to
Employees," whereby compensation expense is recorded on the date the
options are granted equal to the excess of the market price of the
underlying stock over the exercise price. The Company has elected to
continue to apply the provisions of APB Opinion No. 25 and provide pro
forma disclosure of the provisions of SAFS 123.
The Company issues stock in lieu of cash for certain transactions.
Generally, the fair value of the stock, based on comparable cash purchases,
is used to value the transactions.
During the period ended March 31, 1998, the Company adopted Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 128 (SFAS 128), "Earnings Per Share."
This statement requires dual presentation of basic and diluted earnings per
share (EPS) for complex capital structures on the face of the income
statement. Basic EPS is computed by dividing income available to common
shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding
for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution from the
exercise or conversion of securities into common stock. The September 30,
1997 and March 31, 1997 earnings per share have been restated to give
effect to the application of SFAS 128 and does not differ from EPS as
previously reported under APB Opinion No. 15, "Earnings Per Share."
Subscription revenue is deferred at the time of sale. A proportionate
share of the gross subscription price is credited to revenue monthly.
Costs connected with the procurement of subscriptions are expensed as
incurred.
Advertising revenue is billed and recognized into revenue as incurred.
Advertising costs are charged to expense when incurred. For the six-month
periods ended March 31, 1998 and 1997, advertising expense amounted to
$1,728 and $2,975, respectively. Advertising expense amounted to $3,507
for the year ended September 30, 1997 and $640 for the period ended
September 30, 1996.
The Company records as an expense and as additional capital the estimated
fair value for all services provided to it by its majority stockholders in
accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission Staff Accounting
Bulletin 1:B.
Read independent auditors' report
5. Property and Equipment
Property and equipment consist of:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
September 30, 1997 March 31, 1998
---------------------------------------
(Unaudited)
<S> <C> <C>
Buildings and improvements $179,360 $186,234
Furniture and fixtures 25,334 25,334
Computer equipment 113,282 129,555
Camera and publishing equipment 78,914 80,482
Vehicles 4,490 4,490
---------------------------------------
401,380 426,095
Less accumulated depreciation 31,460 47,660
---------------------------------------
$369,920 $378,435
=======================================
</TABLE>
Substantially all of the Company's property and equipment is pledged as
collateral on notes payable and long-term debt.
6. Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt
Notes payable and long-term debt consist of:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
September 30, 1997 March 31, 1998
----------------------------------------
(Unaudited)
<S> <C> <C>
Mortgage note payable; bearing interest
at 8.0%; monthly payments of principal
and interest of $1,142 through July 7,
2012; secured by mortgage deed to
real estate; guaranteed by the Company's
president and majority stockholder $ 118,832 $117,059
Note payable to bank; bearing interest
at 11.0%; entire unpaid balance of
principal and interest due June 18,
1998; secured by equipment, trade
accounts receivable, and 42,500
shares of the Company's common
stock; co-signed by four stockholders
of the Company 54,887 54,887
Read independent auditors' report
6. Notes payable long term debt (continued)
Note payable to stockholder;
bearing interest at 11.0%;
entire unpaid balance of
principal and interest due
on demand; secured by all
property of the Company 25,000 25,000
Note payable to individual;
bearing interest at 10.5%;
monthly payments of interest
only through December 1, 1998;
secured by mortgage deed to
real estate 14,000 14,000
Notes payable to stockholders:
bearing interest at 10%;
payable on demand; unsecured 51,000
---------- ----------
212,719 261,946
Less amounts currently due 84,245 98,783
Less amount due to stockholders 51,000
---------- ----------
$128,474 $112,163
============================
</TABLE>
The following is a schedule by year of the principal payments required
under these notes as of March 31, 1998:
1999 149,783
2000 4,911
2001 5,319
2002 5,761
2003 6,239
Thereafter 89,933
----------
$261,946
==========
There were no outstanding notes payable to stockholders at September 30,
1997.
Read independent auditors' report
7. Income Taxes
The Company has tax loss carryforwards of approximately $808,200 that may
be applied against future taxable income. These losses give rise to a
deferred tax asset at September 30, 1997. Management has established a
valuation allowance equal to the amount of the deferred tax asset due to
the uncertainty of the Company's realization of this benefit.
Loss carryforward $121,200
Less valuation allowance 121,200
--------
Net deferred tax asset $0
========
The loss carryforwards expire as follows:
Year of
Expiration
2011 $ 68,400
2012 739,800
--------
$808,200
========
8. Lease Commitments and Related Party Transactions
The Company leases part of its operating facilities and various office
equipment under operating leases with terms of less than one year. Rent
expense relating to these leases amounted to $5,561 and $4,000 for the six-
month periods ended March 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively. Rent expense
for these leases amounted to $38,323 for the year ended September 30,
1997 and $4,500 for the period ended September 30, 1996.
The Company leases two vehicles from its president and majority stockholder
on a month-to-month basis. Rent expense for these vehicles amounted to
$3,672 for the year ended September 30, 1997 and $2,368 for the period
ended September 30, 1996. No amounts were incurred during the six-month
periods ended March 31, 1998 and 1997.
The Company has advanced two stockholders/employees approximately $293,300
as of March 31, 1998 and $315,000 as of September 30, 1997. These advances
have no specific terms, are non-interest bearing, and are unsecured.
The above related party transactions are not necessarily indicative of the
amounts which would have been incurred had comparable transactions been
entered into with independent parties.
Read independent auditors' report
9. Stock Options
The Company issues stock options to its directors on an annual basis
beginning September 30, 1997 as compensation for their services as
directors. The exercise price of each option is equal to the price at
which the Company last sold shares of its common stock. The lives of the
options are five years.
The Company applies APB Opinion 25 in accounting for its stock options.
Accordingly, no compensation cost has been recognized for the options
because the estimated exercise price equaled the fair market value on the
date of the grant. Had compensation cost been determined on the basis of
fair value pursuant to FASB Statement No. 123, net loss and net loss per
share would have been increased as follows for the year ended September 30,
1997. No options were granted during the six-month period ended March 31,
1998.
As reported:
Net loss 872,383
Net loss per common share $(.59)
Pro forma:
Net loss 873,983
Net loss per common share $(.59)
Following is a summary of stock option activity for the period ended March
31, 1998:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of Weighted Average
Shares Exercise Price
----------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C>
Outstanding and exercisable at
October 1, 1996 Granted 5,000 $ 2.00
-----------------------------
Outstanding and exercisable at
September 30, 1997 and March 31, 1998 5,000 $ 2.00
=============================
</TABLE>
Following is a summary of the status of stock options outstanding and
exercisable at March 31, 1998:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Weighted Weighted
Average Remaining Average
Exercise Price Number Contractual Life Exercise Price
------------------------------------------------------------------
<C> <C> <C> <C>
$2.00 5,000 4.75 Years $2.00
</TABLE>
Read independent auditors' report
9. Stock options (continued)
The weighted average fair value of the options at their grant date during
1997 was $1.68. The estimated fair value of each option granted is
calculated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The following
summarizes the weighted average of the assumptions used in the model:
Risk-free interest rate 5.84%
Expected years until exercise 3.25
10. Equity
On October 24, 1996, the Board of Directors approved the implementation of
an Employee Stock Fund (the Fund). At March 31, 1998 and September 30,
1997, 6,250 shares of the Company's common stock had been reserved for
issuance to the Fund.
On October 24, 1996, the Board of Directors approved an increase in the
number of common stock shares authorized from 100,000 to 12,000,000. In
connection with this increase, the Board of Directors authorized a 60 for 1
stock split to stockholders of record on October 24, 1996. On March 11,
1997, the Board of Directors authorized a 2 for 1 stock split to
stockholders of record on June 6, 1997. On June 6, 1997, the Board of
Directors approved an additional increase in the number of common stock
shares authorized from 12,000,000 to 35,000,000. All references in the
accompanying financial statements to the number of shares have been
restated to reflect the above transactions.
On March 11, 1997, the Board of Directors authorized the Company to issue
up to 7,500,000 shares of $.001 par value convertible voting preferred
stock. The preferred stock has a liquidation preference over the common
stock equal to par value and has the right to receive dividends in an
amount of $.001 per share prior to the payment of any dividends on the
common stock. Each share of convertible preferred stock is convertible
into one share of the Company's common stock, subject to the fulfillment of
certain conditions specified by the Board of Directors.
During the year ended September 30, 1997, the 7,500,000 shares of preferred
stock were issued to the Company's president and his wife at par value.
However, the preferred shares were surrendered to the Company on September
29, 1997. In connection with the tender and acceptance of the surrender,
the Board of Directors approved cancellation of the series of preferred
stock.
Read independent auditors' report
10. Equity (continued)
On November 15, 1997, the Board of Directors approved a reverse split on
outstanding common stock, without a change in par value or total number of
authorized shares, in a ratio of one new share for each two outstanding
shares. All references in the accompanying financial statements to the
number of shares have been restated to reflect this transaction.
On July 1, 1998, the Board of Directors approved a reverse split on
outstanding common stock without a change in the par value or total number
of authorized shares, in a ratio of one new share for each four outstanding
shares. All references in the accompanying financial statements to the
number of shares have been restated to reflect this transaction.
11. Earnings Per Share
The following data shows the amounts used in computing earnings per share:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended Six Months Ended
September 30, March 31,
1997 1996 1998 1997
---------------------- ------------------------
(Unaudited)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net loss $ (872,383) $(115,338) $ (405,431) $ (215,207)
======================= ========================
Weighted average
number of common
shares used in basic
and diluted EPS 1,473,131 1,083,804 1,831,271 1,308,383
======================= ========================
</TABLE>
Options on 5,000 shares of common stock were not included in computing
diluted net loss per share at March 31, 1998 and September 30, 1997 as
their effect would be anti-dilutive due to the losses incurred. No options
were outstanding at March 31, 1997 or September 30, 1996.
12. Subsequent Events
On April 20, 1998, the Company entered into a one-year agreement with a
certain individual to provide filing services to the Company in exchange
for 2,500 shares of the Company's common stock.
Read independent auditors' report
12. Subsequent events (continued)
On April 22, 1998, the Company entered into an agreement with a certain
individual to provide financial consulting services to the Company in
exchange for 12,500 shares of the Company's common stock.
On May 1, 1998, the Company entered into an employment agreement with its
president and chairman expiring September 30, 1998. The agreement
obligates the Company to pay him an annual salary of $120,000. In
addition, upon termination by the Company, the president and chairman is
entitled to payment of all accrued and unpaid salary to the date of
termination, as well as the same salary for a period of twenty-four months
following the termination.
On May 18, 1998, the Company granted to the President perpetual and self-
renewing common stock purchase options. These options will enable such
person to maintain ownership of 21.805% of the Company's total issued and
outstanding shares of the common stock. The percentage is reduced by the
number of shares sold by such person after December 1, 1997. The exercise
price of the options is based on the average bid quotation on the day prior
to exercise.
The Company entered into a financial consulting agreement in the quarter
ended March 31, 1998. Under the agreement, the consulting firm was to
provide investor relations and financial consulting services to the
Company. The Company issued 75,000 shares under the agreement valued at
$75,000 and recorded as a prepaid asset. As of March 31, 1998, the Company
has expensed $16,200 as consulting expense which includes $12,000 in cash
paid prior to March 31, 1998. Subsequent to March 31, 1998, the Company
terminated its relationship with the consulting firm. The Company expects
to expense the full amount of the prepaid balance in the subsequent period.
II--INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 24. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
The Registrant may indemnify a director and must indemnify an officer
who is made party to a proceeding because he is or was a director or
officer against liability incurred in the proceeding if he acted in a
manner he believed in good faith to in or not opposed to the best interests
of the Registrant and, in the case of any criminal proceeding, he had no
reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. A director or
officer's conduct with respect to an employee benefit plan for a purpose he
believed in good faith to be in the interests of the participants in and
beneficiaries of the plan is conduct that satisfies the requirements of
Georgia law regarding indemnification. The Registrant may not indemnify a
director or an officer in connection with a proceeding by or in the right
of the Registrant in which the director or officer was adjudged liable to
the Registrant or in connection with any other proceeding in which the
director or officer was adjudged liable on the basis that personal benefit
was improperly received by him. Indemnification in a proceeding by or in
the right of the Registrant is limited to reasonable expenses incurred in
connection with the proceeding. To the extent a director or officer is
successful on the merits or otherwise in the defense of any proceeding to
which was a party, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein,
because he is or was a director of the Registrant, the Registrant must
indemnify the director or officer against reasonable expenses incurred by
him in connection with the proceeding. The Registrant may pay or reimburse
the reasonable expenses incurred by a director or officer in advance of
final disposition of a proceeding, provided the director furnishes the
Registrant with written affirmation of his good faith and a written
undertaking to repay any advances if it is ultimately determined that he is
not entitled to indemnification. The Board or special legal counsel must
make a determination in each case of indemnification of a director, but not
of an officer, that indemnification is permissible in the circumstances
because the director has met the required standard of conduct.
Article XI of the Registrant's Bylaws also contain provisions for
indemnification of directors and officers. See, Exhibit 3.2.
Item 25. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
Registation fees:
Federal $2,035.03
Printing $1,400.00
Accounting $38,750.00
==========
Total: $42,185.03
Legal counsel is a director of the Registrant and is not charging any fee
for preparation of this Registration Statement, nor has he been paid any
fees for legal services which could, if they had been paid, be allocated in
part to preparation of this Registration Statement. The Registrant is not
paying any engraving costs or transfer agent's fees specifically for the
offering covered by this Registration Statement.
Item 26. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities.
The number of shares stated below have been adjusted for the one share for
two shares reverse stock split effective on December 15, 1997.
First Offering:
(a) Dates of offering-April 5, 1996 to May 31, 1996
Securities sold-Common Stock
Amount sold- 1,116,000 shares, as adjusted for stock splits
(b) Sold to the founder, to two directors who were not founders (one
director is also the founder's and Registrant's counsel) and one investor
who had a pre-existing business and personal relationship with the founder
and one director.
(c) $55,100 cash, $1,000 value in legal services, $21,250 value for bank
loan cosigners' fees, $206,879 for mailing list and $11,771 for
contribution of equipment at depreciated value to be used in Registrant's
business. Total cash and value of all stock issued: $296,000.
(d) Registrant relies upon Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 in
that the offering was made by an issuer and did not involve a public
offering due to the limited number of investors and the preexisting
relationships between and among the investors.
Second Offering:
(a) Dates of offering-September 20, 1996 to May 30, 1997
Securities sold-Common Stock
Amount sold- 454,428 shares as adjusted for stock splits
(b) Granted as bonuses to five employees of the Registrant, sold for cash
to one employee, sold for cash to eighty-three investors who had a personal
relationship with the founder or with a directors or with a consultant to
the Registrant or with an existing stockholder of the Registrant and sold
for services to eleven consultants.
(c) $7,100 value of employee bonuses, $555,091 sold for cash and $170,336
value for consulting services in connection with the sale of common stock.
Total cash and value of all stock issued: $822,727
(d) Registrant relies upon Section 3(b) of the Securities Act of 1933 and
Rule 504 promulgated thereunder in that the offering did not exceed
$1,000,000 (including securities sold in the six month period preceding the
offering in reliance upon Section 3(b), there having been none).
Third Offering:
(a) Date of offering-August 1, 1997
Securities sold-Convertible, Voting Preferred Stock
Amount sold-7,500,000 shares
(b) Sold to the founder, his wife and both are executive officers, one of
whom is a director (two persons)
(c) $7,500 sold for cash pursuant to subscription receivable from related
party.
(d) The Registrant relies upon Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933
in that the offering was made by an issuer and did not involve a public
offering due to the investors limited to persons who are the cofounders,
directors and executive officers of the Registrant. The Registrant asserts
that the offering Convertible, Voting Preferred Stock to the founder and
his wife, both of whom are executive officers (2 persons) for a special
purpose should not be integrated with the offering of common stock being
made under Rule 504 because of the difference in the type of securities,
the difference in price per share, the different purpose for which it was
issued and possible other factors. The 7,500,000 shares of Convertible,
Voting Preferred Stock were voluntarily surrendered to the Registrant for
cancellation on September 29, 1997.
Fourth Offering:
(a) Dates of offering-June 1, 1997 to present
Securities sold-Common Stock
Amount sold- 556,168, as adjusted for stock splits
(b) Issued as a bonus to three employee and to two new directors for
joining board, sold to thirty-one new investors (seventeen accredited and
fourteen non-accredited) who had a personal relationship with the founder
or with a directors or with a consultant to the Registrant or with an
existing stockholder of the Registrant, sold to twenty-two existing
stockholders and issued to two consultants, one of whom was already a
stockholder.
(c) $6,450 value of employee bonuses, $7,000 value to new directors,
$437,611 sold for cash and $225,000 sold for consulting services in
connection with the sale of Common Stock and public relations.
(d) The Registrant relies upon Section 3(b) of the Securities Act of 1933
and Rule 505 promulgated thereunder in that the Registrant realized in May
1997 that its funding requirements could exceed the $1,000,000 limitation
of Rule 504 and it terminated the Rule 504 offering at May 31, 1997 and
commenced an offering under Rule 505 in which it has sold stock to not more
than thirty-five non accredited investors (actual number of non-accredited
investors is fourteen).
The shares of Common stock issued in the first, second and fourth offerings
have not been reduced for cancellations of certain shares issued.
Item 27. Exhibits.
3.1 Articles of Incorporation, as amended *
3.2 By-Laws *
5 Opinion re: legality *
10 Employment Agreement with John V. Whitman, Jr.
23.1 Consent of counsel (included in Exhibit 5) *
23.2 Consent of independent public accountant
_______________________________________
*Previously filed.
Item 28. Undertakings.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the
Securities Act of 1933;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the
effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-
effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate,
represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the
registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or
decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of
securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any
deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range
may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission
pursuant to Rule 424(b) (230.424(b) of this chapter) if, in the aggregate,
the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the
maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of
Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement.
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of
distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any
material change to such information in the registration statement;
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities
Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any
of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination
of the offering.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of
the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the
registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and
Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as
expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a
claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment
by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any
action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or
controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the
registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been
settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against
public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:
(1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of
1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of
this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a
form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or
(4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this
registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.
(2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act
of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus
shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that
time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
SIGNATURES
In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933,
the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it
meets all of the requirements of filing on Form SB-2 and authorized this
post effective amendment number 1 to the registration statement to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, in the City of Cairo, State of
Georgia on July 2, 1998.
Chronicle Communications, Inc.
By: /s/ John V. Whitman, Jr.
President and Chief Executive Officer
In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
post effective amendment number 1 to the registration statement was signed
by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates stated.
Signature Capacity in which signed: Date signed:
/s/ Ronald L. Mallett Director, Chief Accounting Officer July 2, 1998
Ronald L. Mallett and Principal Financial
/s/ Jackson L. Morris Director July 2, 1998
Jackson L. Morris
/s/ John V. Whitman, Jr. Director, Chief Executive Officer July 2, 1998
John V. Whitman, Jr.
EXHIBIT 10
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made and entered into
this 1st day of May, 1998, by and between Chronicle Communications, Inc. (
the "Corporation"), and John V. Whitman Jr. The Corporation and Mr.
Whitman are sometimes referred to collectively as the "parties."
WHEREAS, John V. Whitman Jr, is employed in a position as President
and Chairman with the Corporation.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and covenants
herein contained, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt
and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties do hereby
agree as follows:
1. Employment. The Corporation shall employ John V. Whitman Jr.,
and he shall continue to be employed by the Corporation, upon the terms and
conditions set forth in this Agreement.
2. Term. The term of this Agreement (the "Term") shall commence
May 1, 1998 and terminate on September 30, 1998, subject to extension my
mutual consent of the parties and renegotiation of the terms hereof in good
faith.
3. Positions and Duties of Employment. Mr. Whitman is employed as
the president, chief executive officer and chairman of the board of
directors of the Corporation, positions which he has held since inception
of the Corporation. Mr. Whitman shall devote substantially all his
business time to the furtherance of his duties with the Corporation.
Subject to the direction of the Corporation's board of directors he shall
perform and discharge well and faithfully the duties which may be assigned
to him from time to time. While serving in these capacities, he shall have
the responsibilities, duties, obligations, rights, benefits, and requisite
authority as is reasonable and customary for his positions and as may be
reasonably determined by Corporation's board of directors.
4. Compensation. The Corporation shall pay Mr. Whitman a salary of
$120,000 per year with respect to the period beginning October 1, 1997
payable in twelve equal monthly installments as and when the Corporation
has funds available for payment, provided that unpaid installments shall
not bear interest. Mr. Whitman shall also be eligible for grant of stock
options and bonuses. The Coporation shall reimburse Mr. Whitman for
reasonable expenses incurred for the benefit of the Corporation and other
items approved by the board of directors. The Corporation shall provide a
reasonable automobile allowance for Mr. Whitman. Reimbursement of expenses
shall be made only upon presentation of an itemized accounting conforming
in form and content to standards prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service
relative to the substantiation of the deductibility of business expenses.
5. Corporate Data and Information. Upon the termination of John V.
Whitman Jr., employment under this Agreement for any reason, he shall
return to the Corporation all data and information, whether written,
computer, magnetic, electronic, or in any other physical or tangible form,
relating to the business of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries or
affiliates that he obtained during the time of his employment. During and
after his employment by the Corporation, he shall neither disclose to any
other person or company nor use for his own personal benefit, any
information obtained during his employment by the Corporation that is not
otherwise publicly known relating to the financial affairs, technological
developments, or the business operations of the Corporation or any of its
subsidiaries or affiliates.
6. Termination. If the Corporation terminates Mr. Whitman's
employment for any reason, without cause or with cause not amounting to
criminal misconduct, then the Corporation shall pay Mr. Whitman's salary
accrued and unpaid to the date of termination, and that same salary for a
period of twenty-four months following the termination. Mr. Whitman shall
have the right to terminate this Agreement in the event of a default by the
Corporation in any material provision of this Agreement, other than non
payment of accrued salary for which the Corporation does not have funds,
but only if he shall have first given written notice of the default to the
Corporation and if within fifteen days after receipt of that notice the
Corporation has not cured that default.
7. Representations and warranties of the Corporation. The
Corporation represents and warrants to Mr. Whitman that it has the right,
power, legal capacity, and authority to enter into and perform its
obligations under this Agreement, and no approval or consent of any person,
other than the board of directors, is necessary in connection with this
Agreement.
8. Covenant not to compete. Mr. Whitman will not, at any time
during the two year period commencing with the date that he leaves the
employment of Corporation, compete directly or indirectly, as or in
association with any employee, officer, director, stockholder, consultant,
advisor, member, or otherwise of or through any corporation, partnership,
association, or other entity, own, manage, operate, control, be employed
by, render consulting or advisory services to, participate in, or be
connected in any manner with the ownership, management, control, or
operation of any business or enterprise which is in competition with
Corporation or any part thereof or which enterprise is within a fifty mile
radius from the courthouse in any county in which the Corporation publishes
a product.
9. Disclosure of confidential information. Mr. Whitman acknowledges
that he will have access to and will have acquired and may have assisted in
developing confidential and proprietary information of or concerning the
newspaper and may continue to do the same (the "Proprietary Information").
Mr. Whitman also acknowledges that the Proprietary Information has been and
will continue to be of central importance to the newspaper, that the
Proprietary Information is a special, valuable, and unique asset and that
disclosure of it to others could cause substantial loss to the Corporation.
Mr. Whitman therefore agrees that he will not, at any time, directly or
indirectly, disclose to any person, government, firm, corporation,
association, or other entity for any reason or purpose whatsoever, or use
for his own benefit any Proprietary Information, which is known to him as a
result of his employment with the newspaper or which hereafter may become
known to him as a result of his employment with the newspaper. In the event
of a breach or threatened breach by any party of the provisions of this
paragraph, the corporation shall be entitled to an injunction restraining
such party from disclosing, in whole or in part, any Proprietary
Information, or from rendering any services to any person, firm,
corporation, association, or other entity to whom such Proprietary
Information, in whole in part, has been disclosed or is threatened to be
disclosed. Nothing herein shall be construed as prohibiting the Corporation
from pursuing any other remedies available to the Corporation for such
breach or threatened breach including the recovery of damage.
10. Severability. It is the clear intention of the parties to this
Agreement that no term, provision, or clause of this Agreement shall be
deemed to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any respect unless such
term, provision, or clause cannot be otherwise construed, interpreted, or
modified to give effect to the intent of the parties and to be valid,
legal, or enforceable. In the event that such a term, provision, or clause
cannot be so construed, interpreted, or modified, the validity, legality,
and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein and other
application(s) thereof shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby
and shall remain in full force and effect.
11. Waiver of Breach. The waiver by the Corporation or John V.
Whitman Jr., of the breach of any provision of this Agreement by the other
party shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent
breach by that party.
12. Entire Agreement. This document contains the entire agreement
between the Parties, supersedes all prior oral agreements, if any, and may
not be changed orally, but only by agreement in writing signed by the
Parties.
13. Governing Law. This Agreement, its validity, interpretation,
and enforcement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Georgia with
exclusive venue in Grady County, Georgia.
14. Notice. Any notice pursuant to this Agreement shall be validly
given or served if that notice is made in writing and delivered personally
or sent by certified mail, returned receipt requested, postage prepaid, to
the following addresses:
If to Mr. Whitman:
John V. Whitman, Jr.
426 First Street, S.W.
Cairo, Georgia 31728
If to the Corporation:
Chronicle Communications, Inc.
P. O. Box 756, Cairo, Georgia 31728
copy to:
Jackson L. Morris, Esq.,
3116 West North A Street
Tampa, Florida 33609
All notices so given shall be given effective upon receipt. Either party,
by notice so given, may change the address to which her or its future
notices shall be sent.
15. Assignment and Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be
blinding upon Mr. Whitman and the Corporation and shall benefit the
Corporation and its successors and assigns. This Agreement shall not be
assignable by Mr. Whitman.
16. Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience
only; they form no part of this Agreement and shall not affect its
interpretation.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be
executed the day and year first above written.
[CORPORATE SEAL] Chronicle Communicaitons, Inc.,
Attest: By: /s/ Jackson L. Morris,
Director Jackson L. Morris, Director
/s/ Marsha B. Whitman
Marsha B. Whitman, Secretary
/s/ John V. Whitman, Jr.
John V. Whitman, Jr.
EXHIBIT 23.2
Consent of Independent Certified Public Accountants
We hereby consent to the use in this Registration Statement on Form SB-2,
post effective amendment #1 of our report dated December 17, 1997 except
for the last paragraph of Note 3 as to which the date is February 20, 1998,
relating to the September 30, 1996 financial statements of Chronicle
Communications, Inc. and to the reference to our Firm under the caption
"Experts" in the Prospectus.
Pender Newkirk & Company
Tampa, Florida
July 2, 1998
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION. PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS DATED JULY 3, 1998.
