news & notes
A New Insurance Option Hits The Coast, Just In Time For Hurricane Season Ross Buchmueller sees opportunity where other insurers fear to tread. The founder of Privelege Underwriters Reciprocal Exchange (PURE Risk Management, for short) is extending his exclusive line of specialty insurance products to the owners of well built, high-value houses on the Georgia coast, including St. Simons and Sea islands. Citing an increase in storms in the state, other insurers have hit homeowners on the coast with higher premiums. However, Ross, formerly with AIG, believes homeowners who’ve invested in protective measures for their homes should be rewarded with lower premiums. Since PURE began writing policies in 2007, members have reported average annual savings of more than $3,200 on their premiums, he says. He also pays dividends during
low-claim years to policyholders rather than shareholders, giving homeowners a vested interest in the company. As a reciprocal insurance exchange, PURE is member-owned. Members pay a surplus contribution of 10 percent of their high value homeowners and watercraft premiums and four percent for all other policies for each of the first five years of membership. The company currently counts capital in excess of $100 million, funded in part by members’ contributions. Additionally, whenever a homeowner makes a major claim, the company offers up to $2,500 toward mitigation; For example, if a house is damaged by falling limbs, the contribution will go toward pruning. Locally, PURE is available through McGintyGordon and Associates, 225 Marina Drive, St. Simons Island, 912-638-8600.
Glynn Academy and Brunswick High Classes of 1971 plan reunion of historic proportions: All classes are invited to participate Come on and party like it’s 19-whatever year you graduated. The Brunswick High and Glynn Academy Classes of 1971 are planning a joint reunion July 22 and 23 at the Jekyll Island Club Hotel and the Hampton Inn on Jekyll Island, but all classes are invited. “We decided to combine our reunions because so many of us went to grammar school and junior high school before the Brunswick High/Glynn Academy split,” says Leslie Sutton, reunion committee member. GA and BHS Committees - in front of the Morgan Center. In this picture - Tim Harrell (BHS),Billy Lawrence (BHS), Mickey Wendel (BHS), Buddy Baker (GA), Janet Monroe Shearouse (GA), Bobby Watson (GA), Leslie Sutton (GA), Carol Furguson Wood (BHS), Kevin Bankston (GA), Flo Blake Radke (BHS), Shelia Hodge Phoeniz (BHS) and David Keen (BHS)
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Plans call for a weekend full of fun and entertaining events, starting with a GA vs. BHS golf tournament. Contact Kevin Bankston, kbankston@rich.com to join the GA team, and David Keen, dkeen@ ParkerYoung.com to join the BHS team. The schools will host separate Meet-andGreets Friday night. Glynn Academy’s
will be at the Jekyll Island Club Hotel and Brunswick High’s will be at the Hampton Inn. Each school will also host separate memorial services Saturday morning to honor classmates who’ve passed. A noon picnic Saturday at the South Picnic Grounds on Jekyll Island will mark the beginning of joint reunion activities, which include the big dinner/dance at the newly restored Morgan Center behind the Jekyll Island Club Hotel O.S.K.A.R. and the Rockhammers will play. For more information contact (GA) Leslie Sutton lesliesutton@hotmail.com or Bobby Watson bobbywats@bellsouth.net For BHS, contact Tim or Gayle Harrell: gharrell71@charter.net or timharrell@ charter.net. Each school also has a Facebook page.