DELIVERING NEWS TO MID-COLUMBIA SENIORS SINCE 1982
SEPTEMBER 2023
Vol. 11 | Issue 9
Densow’s files for bankruptcy, still open for business By Sara Schilling sara@tcjournal.biz
A durable medical equipment and supply company with a long history in the Tri-Cities has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. But Washington Medical Supplies Inc., known as Densow’s Medical Supplies, remains open for business and in fact has tripled its revenue in recent years, its co-owner said. “I’m hopeful for the future. I have an amazing team and we work as hard as we can every single day to ensure the success of the business,” co-owner Lisa Lewis said. “I’m looking forward to, in the next year, this being in the rear view. It will be a little blip as we move forward.” Lewis said she and her business partner filed for bankruptcy as costs piled up dealing with billing errors made by the business’s former owners as well as ongoing litigation with those former owners. The Covid-19 pandemic also played a role, she said. Lewis and Paul Protzman bought
TCAJOB photo Densow’s Medical Supplies is at 1019 Wright Ave. in Richland.
Densow’s Medical Supplies at 1019 Wright Ave. in Richland in 2018. In making the purchase, “we brought some money to the table for the initial closing,” she said. In a move typical with those types of deals, “we did a holdback because we knew there were going to be some invoices that should have been
paid by them that we’d have to pay on their behalf, and things like that. So then, at the one-year mark, we would work out what the difference is,” she said. But then they discovered billing errors, including patients without prescriptions on file, Lewis said. They hired auditors and had to pay
back “tens of thousands” of dollars to Medicare, she said. In 2019, former owners Jonathan and Joelle Reynolds sued Lewis and Protzman in Benton County Superior Court, saying they still were owed $90,160 for the business, plus a 5% late fee and interest. They eventually were awarded more than $488,000 including those costs and attorney fees. Lewis and Protzman filed their own suit in 2022, alleging breach of contract, negligent misrepresentation and fraud. That case was dismissed; Lewis said it was because of legal errors, and they plan to re-file. In that case, the Reynoldses were awarded about $39,000 in attorney fees and interest. David B. Trujillo, the attorney for the Reynoldses handling the Superior Court cases, said he didn’t have authority to discuss the matter beyond pointing to the court record. The Reynoldses denied the claims in Lewis and Protzman’s lawsuit. uBANKRUPTCY, Page 2
Say ‘aloha’ to the 28th annual Senior Picnic By Sara Schilling sara@tcjournal.biz
Bust out your shades, sun hats and aloha shirts. The 28th annual Senior Picnic has a Hawaiian theme. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 21 at the Richland Community Center and Howard Amon Park in Richland. It includes food, entertainment, vendors and more, and tickets are available now. The idea is to have a blast and build connections, said Todd Halter-
man, founder of Active 4 Life, which coordinates the event. “The program is designed to help people. We want them to have a lot of fun, meet a lot of people and find things in the community that can make their lives better,” he said. The picnic has a long history in the Tri-Cities and returned in 2022 after a pause during the Covid-19 pandemic. Last year, about 500 people attended, and organizers are expecting even more this year. Attendees will have a lot to do at
the event, which is sponsored by the cities of Richland, Pasco and Kennewick, along with numerous businesses in the Tri-Cities. Title sponsors are Parkview Estates and Sun Terrace Prosser. More than 40 vendors are scheduled to be on hand, with information on everything from retirement communities to local nonprofits that serve seniors. Live entertainment, a photo booth, guest presentations on a variety of topics, free flu shots, a photo booth and prizes also are
planned. Lunch will be provided. Proceeds from the event will go to Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels. Halterman, a former firefighter who now works in finance, started Active 4 Life after helping both of his grandmothers rebuild their lives after their husbands died. “That experience changed me. I learned that seniors need advocacy, support, resources and information,” he said, noting that aging can be isouSENIOR PICNIC, Page 2
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
MONTHLY QUIZ
Who was the first Black graduate of Pasco Housing options and advice to consider for caregivers, aging family members
Page 5
Tri-City landmark celebrates 45th anniversary Page 7
High School? ANSWER, PAGE 9
Senior Times 8524 W. Gage Blvd., #A1-300 Kennewick, WA 99336
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