During the past few weeks, I’ve had a chance to do a bit of a reality check with fellow business owners across the Tri-Counties.

I must say that it’s more of a survival mentality that prevails today — a far cry from that old-fashioned American optimism that was the hallmark of tri-county business before the “new normal” arrived.

Frank Schipper of Schipper Construction said he’s been trying to keep his staff intact and he’s bidding on projects he wouldn’t touch a few years ago. He said he’s cut his own pay substantially to make things work.

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