Popular eye doctor and her husband file Chapter 13 repayment plan – owing up to $1 million to creditors and owe over $140 Grand in employment taxes to the U.S. Department of Treasury
By Greg Peterson
U.P. Breaking News
Owner, News Director
906-273-2433
(Marquette, MI) – A couple who founded a now-closed emergency medical services business in Schoolcraft County have filed Chapter 13 bankruptcy plans to repay up to $1 million dollars to creditors – this after their company closed earlier this year.
Tracy Alan Keskimaki, 50, and his wife Dr. Shelly Diane Baker-Keskimaki, 48, started Rapid Response One EMS, Inc. in Jan. 2014 – and two years later the business “left the area.” The couple signed a plan to repay creditors on Nov. 22, 2016 after filing for Chapter 13 in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Marquette, MI.
The couple reported they owe approximately $142,000 to the feds for unpaid employment taxes. On his Facebook page, Tracy Keskimaki lists himself as the Former CEO & Founder at Rapid Response One EMS, Inc.
Keskimaki currently lists himself as an over-the-road Truck Driver at Roehl Transport and owner of Tracy’s Cleaning Services LLC. Meanwhile, Dr. Shelly D. Baker-Keskimaki, O.D. PC apparently owns the The Vision & Learning Center in Manistique.
When Rapid Response One EMS stopped serving Schoolcraft County in January 2016 – the emergency services were turned over to Manistique EMS. Operated by Manistique Department of Public Safety, Manistique EMS filled the community’s medical needs with assistance from Inwood and Doyle townships, officials have said.
In a 10-page plan to repay creditors, the Keskimakis outline how payments will be structured. However, no matter who they pay – they still owe a huge employment tax bills to the feds – and that will not go away.
The couple lists their home, several vehicles, a camper and a tractor among their assets. They owe money to a wide list of creditors including mBank in Manistique, MI; BMO Harris Bank and Kubota Credit Corporation – both located in Carol Stream, IL; and U.S. Bank in Egan, MN.
The couple owe more than $142,000 to the U.S. Treasury Department for unpaid employment taxes. It’s unclear – for which of the couple’s businesses – they owe “employment taxes.”
In the bankruptcy forms, the couple answered “yes” to the question: “Are your debts primarily business debts? Business debts are debts that you incurred to obtain money for a business or investment or through the operation of the business or investment.”
The Keskimakis estimate they have up to 49 creditors. The couple’s assets and liabilities were both each estimated at between $500,000 to $1 million.
The couple signed the Chapter 13 filing on Oct. 25, 2016. The case has been assigned to U.S. District Court Judge Scott W. Dales of the United States Bankruptcy Court Western District of Michigan.
The Keskimakis are represented by Sault Ste. Marie, MI attorney David E. Bulson of David E. Bulson, LLC. Under U.S. Bankruptcy laws, filing under Chapter 13 is a “voluntary repayment plan for individuals with regular income.”
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Nov. 2, 2016
Chapter 13 proceedings before U.S. District Court Judge Honorable Scott W. Dales
United States Bankruptcy Court
Western District of Michigan
Post Office Building, Room #314
PO Box 909
Marquette, MI 49855
Rapid Response One EMS, Inc. newspaper articles in the Pioneer Tribune – The Voice of the Central U.P. since 1876:
1-30-16
http://www.pioneertribune.com/news/2016-01-28/Front_Page/Rapid_Response_makes_quiet_exit_from_area.html
Rapid Response makes quiet exit from area
Manistique EMS now sole provider within city limits
MANISTIQUE – Just short of two years serving Schoolcraft County, Rapid Response One EMS, Inc. has left the area. Manistique EMS, operated by the Manistique Department of Public Safety, will now be the primary provider of EMS services within the city, with assistance from Inwood and Doyle townships in the county.
According to MPS Director Ken Golat, his department received a phone call on Jan. 13, stating that Rapid Response would no longer be serving the area, beginning that day. Despite the abrupt notice, Golat said his team has had a “seamless” transition into once again being the primary provider of area EMS services.
With 35 medical technicians on staff, including 17 paramedics, 11 EMT Specialists, and seven EMTs, Golat explained Manistique Public Safety will be prepared to address any of the citizen’s emergency or medical transport needs. The department also boasts four ambulances, along with rescue gear such as snowmobile and ORV equipment.
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Rapid Response One EMS, Inc. newspaper articles in the Pioneer Tribune – The Voice of the Central U.P. since 1876:
1-30-14
http://www.pioneertribune.com/news/2014-01-30/Front_Page/City_approves_EMS_ordinance.html
City approves EMS ordinance
Manistique EMS will serve as primary responder
MANISTIQUE – A controversial city ordinance passed Monday, amid a crowd rarely seen during regular Manistique City Council meetings. Although public comments were few, residents filled council chambers, even lining the hallway of Manistique City Hall, to learn the fate of a regulation deeming Manistique EMS the primary responder within city limits.
The ordinance came to light two weeks ago, introduced during a city council meeting as a method to “protect” the city’s interest in the EMS realm. The introduction came on the heels of the announcement of a new business – Rapid Response One, Inc. – establishing itself in Manistique.
Rapid Response One EMS, Inc. newspaper articles in the Pioneer Tribune – The Voice of the Central U.P. since 1876:
1-16-14
http://www.pioneertribune.com/news/2014-01-16/Front_Page/New_EMS_service_in_city.html
Shelly Baker, she and her husband, Tracy Keskimaki, an advanced emergency medical technician, recognized the need for Advanced Life Support versus the limited advanced life support currently offered by MPS. That is why they decided to create Rapid Response One EMS.
“We are currently utilizing an antiquated, outdated system of emergency care at a very basic level,” she said. “Manistique EMS, run by Manistique Public Safety, has declined to advance their EMS services for Manistique city residents and the surrounding townships that they service.”
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Tracy Alan Keskimaki,50,
8120 West Pine Ridge
Manistique, MI 49854
OTR Truck Driver (Over the Road Truck Driver) at Roehl Transport
Owner at Tracy’s Cleaning Services LLC
Former CEO & Founder at Rapid Response One EMS, Inc.
https://www.facebook.com/tracy.keskimaki
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The Schoolcraft County Board of Commissioners met on Tuesday, March 18, 2014 in District Court room of the Schoolcraft County Building, City of Manistique, Michigan,
Further under “Public Comment”: Tracy Keskimaki informed the Board that Rapid Response One became advance life support certified on March 11, 2014 and opened on March 13, 2014
http://www.schoolcraftcounty.net/PDF/March%2018%202014%20Board%20Meeting.pdf
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Rapid Response One EMS, Inc.
Emergency Rescue Service
600 N. Houghton Ave.
Manistique, Michigan 49801
https://www.facebook.com/Rapid-Response-One-EMS-Inc-649411485094068
Thanks to all for your support of Rapid Response One EMS, Inc. We are proud to serve the citizens in Manistique & Iron Mountain MI. Again from all of us !!! Thank you.
July 4, 2015 · Manistique — at Rapid Response One EMS, Inc..
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Dr. Shelly Diane Baker,48,
8120 West Pine Ridge
Manistique, MI 49854
Dr. Shelly Diane Baker-Keskimaki
Dr. Shelly Diane Baker Optometrist in Manistique MI – HealthCare.com
Dr. Shelly D. Baker and The Vision & Learning Center
Shelly D. Baker, O.D. PC
The Vision & Learning Center
1252 W Lakeshore Dr.
Manistique, Michigan
(906) 341-3933
8–4 PM
http://americanprofessionalslist.com/michigan/show-details.php?id=1696576
https://www.smilereminder.com/vs/shelly_d_baker_od_pc
https://www.facebook.com/Dr-Shelly-Baker-247624291998030/
https://www.facebook.com/Dr.ShellyDBaker
https://www.facebook.com/doctorshelly
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Upper Peninsula Breaking News by Greg Peterson 