SCHEDULE 14A
(RULE 14A-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Filed by the Registrant þ
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o
Check the appropriate box:
o Preliminary Proxy Statement
o Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
o Definitive Proxy Statement
þ Definitive Additional Materials
o Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-11c or Section 240.14a-12
WARWICK VALLEY TELEPHONE COMPANY
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
þ No fee required.
o Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
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(1 |
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Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: |
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Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: |
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Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed |
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pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the |
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filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): |
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Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: |
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(5 |
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Total fee paid: |
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o Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
o Check
box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2)
and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee
was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or
the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
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Amount Previously Paid: |
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Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: |
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Filing Party: |
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Date Filed: |
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November 3, 2005 |
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Herbert Gareiss, Jr.
President & CEO
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November 3, 2005
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845 986-2100 |
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fax 845 986-6699 |
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h.gareiss@wvtc.com |
Dear
Fellow Shareholder:
Mr. Goldstein: Misleading Shareholders or Just Misunderstanding the Facts?
Recently you may have received a lengthy letter from a Mr. Lawrence Goldstein of Santa Monica
Partners. We urge you to treat his letter with caution. In his letter, Mr. Goldstein shows what
we believe is a reckless disregard for and a lack of knowledge of the facts. Moreover, we are
truly shocked and dismayed by Mr. Goldsteins personal attacks on members of your management team
and Board.
We would normally not dignify such a letter with a response; however, we feel we should respond
since Mr. Goldstein has stooped to using questionable tactics in a desperate attempt to build
support for a shareholder proposal he has filed. Under these circumstances we feel it is important
to set the record straight.
While we will not refute his accusations point by point, we will respond to certain issues in order
to provide shareholders with the facts and to encourage shareholders to REJECT Mr. Goldsteins
tactics by voting AGAINST Mr. Goldsteins proposal that the Company be sold (proposal 4 on the
enclosed proxy).
Let WVT Set the Record Straight
In his letter, Mr. Goldstein has misrepresented certain significant facts, which suggests to
us that he is either purposely attempting to mislead shareholders or he simply does not understand
the issues.
For example, Mr. Goldstein opens his letter by making certain allegations about the competence of
management. He attempts to back up his outrageous allegations by citing a report from the
Companys former auditor, PricewaterhouseCoopers. What Mr. Goldstein fails to disclose to you is
that the report he references was NOT written by PricewaterhouseCoopers, but instead was
written by management in diligent satisfaction of its obligations under Section 404 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX).
In his letter, Mr. Goldstein also puts the phrase competent personnel in quotes as if to imply
that it was part of the report it was not. In fact, those words do not appear together anywhere
in the report.
Such blatant misrepresentations should cause shareholders to question any statements made by Mr.
Goldstein. Either he has misread the report or he has chosen to purposely mislead shareholders.
47 Main Street · PO Box 592 · Warwick, New York 10990-0592
Warwicks Financial Filings are on Track
We are pleased to tell you that WVT is now in compliance with Nasdaqs reporting requirements.
Mr. Goldstein has been very vocal in criticizing management about the delays in our financial
filings. Let us explain why some of these delays took place.
Under SOX , companies with a market capitalization of $75 million or more, and their auditors, were
generally required to report on the status of their internal control over financial reporting in
their Annual Reports on Form 10-K for 2004. The threshold for reporting is based on market
capitalization, not revenues or assets, that is, not on the structure or financial strength of the
issuers. Companies with smaller market capitalizations have substantially longer to comply. Mr.
Goldstein once berated the Companys President for even trying to comply so soon, because Mr.
Goldstein thought that $75 million referred to something other than market capitalization. Once
again, another issue Mr. Goldstein appears to have misunderstood or did not thoroughly do his
homework on.
The Company could not file its Form 10-K on time because, like many small companies, its internal
control was based on direct experience and supervision and was not fully automated. In addition,
WVT had to replace its CFO in the middle of the entire process. Because Quarterly Reports on Form
10-Q contain annual numbers for comparison, they cannot be filed if the 10-K hasnt been filed. As
a result of the filing delays, Nasdaq notified the Company that its Common Shares might be
delisted. Ultimately, Nasdaq granted the Company extensions of time to file.
The Company has met its deadlines and has been notified by Nasdaq that its trading symbol will be
returned to WWVY. The Companys third-quarter 10-Q should be filed on time.
Positive Effects of SOX
Complying with SOX is an enormous and expensive undertaking for a small company like Warwick.
The financial press is full of reports about the disproportionate burden on smaller companies in
general. The cost of compliance is something public companies have to bear. The investment in
documentation, analysis and reorganization should, however, increase efficiency. Once the Company
has installed the automated systems it is planning, efficiency should increase even further,
allowing management to focus even more attention on strategy and execution.
Compliance has brought another benefit as well. The Companys management and staff have proved
their dedication and resourcefulness in analyzing the Companys internal controls and have shown an
extraordinary willingness to work endless hours to accomplish that goal. As a result, we as a
Company will be better positioned to meet the increased competition we now face. Heightened
teamwork, new operating systems and the Companys restructuring (flattening of the organization)
can only be a benefit. Mr. Goldsteins story of a revolving door for management is just that, a
story.
Further Distortions of Fact
We would like to point out another issue that has been distorted by Mr. Goldstein. In his
letter Mr. Goldstein states that Warwick fired its previous auditors Bush & Germain. That was not
the case at all. As we reported in our 2003 proxy statement, Bush & Germain made a business
decision not to audit public companies after SOX was enacted, because they believed the
requirements SOX imposed on auditors were too onerous. They resigned from the account. They were
not fired by the Company.
Our Strategy for the Future
According to Mr. Goldstein, management has no strategy. Once again Mr. Goldstein is wrong.
The fundamentals of our strategy are no secret. The Company has reported many times how it has
been expanding and developing broadband services including video, and how it has been working to
offer new products and reach more customers. The Company is expanding its reach through the ION
consortium, so that its investment in video can be made available to new customers in upstate New
York. WVT actively markets its existing and new products to new residents and businesses
throughout the communities it serves, while trying to expand the scope of those communities
geographically. It devises and implements new programs for standard products, such as the campaign
that has significantly increased the number of its long-distance customers. In addition WVT was
ready to introduce this year another new and vibrant product, WVT eTalk. This voice over the
Internet (VoIP) service was stopped due to the FCCs mandating stringent new rules on the handling
of emergency 911 calls. When we resolve this industry wide issue to our satisfaction, we are ready
to roll out WVT eTalk.
Listening to Shareholders and Serving Customer Needs
Mr. Goldstein says the Company does not listen to him, but the real truth is that the Company
has in fact listened to him again and again and has reviewed his proposals, only to find that the
proposals dont work, dont work the way they are alleged to, or just arent desirable for good
business reasons. Here again Mr. Goldstein is distorting the facts.
Years ago, WVT won the right to participate in the Orange County Poughkeepsie Limited Partnership
(O/P) and to enter into a new era of telephony for the benefit of our customers. O/P has also
enabled WVT to modernize and innovate as technology continued to change. WVTs record as a leader
in modernization is well known within our industry. Its customers enjoy excellent service by
conveniently located staff. Its employees and management work hard and constantly test new ideas
in the Companys marketplace.
Management and the Board remain dedicated to our customers and shareholders alike and have
positioned the Company for the competitive challenges that lie ahead. On the other hand, Mr.
Goldstein has a history of making unreasonable and unworkable suggestions regarding the Companys
business strategy and future. He continues to show a reckless disregard for the facts and for the
realities of running the Company as a business. It is clear that his motives are to forward only
his interests and personal gain. For these reasons, we urge you to:
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Reject Mr. Goldstein and His Tactics |
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Support Your Board and Management |
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Vote AGAINST the Shareholder Proposal (Item 4 on the enclosed proxy). |
IMPORTANT UPDATE ISS Recommends a Vote Against the Goldstein Proposal
Earlier this week, Institutional Shareholders Services (ISS), the worlds leading provider
of proxy advisory services, recommended to investors that they vote Against the shareholder
proposal filed by Mr. Goldstein.
In its analysis ISS states Based on the companys performance over the past five years, in
our opinion, there is no compelling evidence that the drastic measure described by the proponent is
in shareholders best interests.
The Company is very pleased with the ISS report. This highly regarded independent expert
shares our strongly held view that Mr. Goldsteins proposal could be disruptive to the Company and
detrimental to shareholders.
Thank you for your continued support,
Herbert Gareiss, Jr.
President & CEO
On Behalf of Your Board of Directors
What You Should Do
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If you have not yet voted, please sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card voting
FOR proposals 1 through 3 and AGAINST proposal 4. |
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If you have already voted, we ask you to reconfirm your vote by completing, signing,
dating and returning the enclosed proxy card. |
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If your shares are held in the name of a broker, you must return your proxy card
to your broker in order for your shares to be voted as recommended by your Board. DO NOT
return your proxy to Warwick. DO NOT bring your proxy to the annual meeting to vote. |
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF
WARWICK VALLEY TELEPHONE COMPANY
November 17, 2005
Please date, sign and mail
your proxy card in the
envelope provided as soon
as possible.
âPlease detach along perforated line and mail in the envelope provided.â
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THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE PROPOSAL TO FIX THE NUMBER OF DIRECTORS AT NINE,FOR THE ELECTION OF ALL NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR,
FOR THE PROPOSAL TO APPROVE WithumSmith+Brown, P.C. AS THE COMPANYS INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS, AND AGAINST THE SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL.
PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN HERE x
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THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS NOMINATED THREE PERSONS LISTED BELOW TO SERVE AS DIRECTORS
UNTIL 2008 AND ONE PERSON LISTED BELOW TO SERVE AS DIRECTOR UNTIL 2006: |
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NOMINEES: |
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FOR ALL NOMINEES
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O Philip S. Demarest
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Until 2008 |
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O Herbert Gareiss, Jr.
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Until 2008 |
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WITHHOLD AUTHORITY
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O Corinna S. Lewis
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Until 2008 |
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FOR ALL NOMINEES
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O Joseph J. Morrow
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Until 2006 |
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FOR ALL EXCEPT
(See instructions below) |
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| INSTRUCTION: |
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To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark FOR ALL EXCEPT
and fill in the circle next to each nominee you wish to withhold, as shown here: l |
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To change the address on your account, please
check the box at right and indicate your new address
in the address space above. Please note that changes
to the registered name(s) on the account may not be
submitted via this method.
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FOR |
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AGAINST |
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ABSTAIN |
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PROPOSAL TO FIX THE NUMBER OF DIRECTORS AT
NINE UNTIL THE NEXT ANNUAL MEETING OF
SHAREHOLDERS.
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3.
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PROPOSAL TO APPROVE THE SELECTION OF
WithumSmith+Brown, P.C. AS THE COMPANYS
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING
DECEMBER 31, 2005.
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The Board of Directors recommends a vote AGAINST the following proposal:
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FOR |
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AGAINST |
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ABSTAIN |
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SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL URGING FOR THE PROMPT
SALE OF THE COMPANY.
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IN THEIR DISCRETION, THE PROXIES ARE AUTHORIZED TO VOTE UPON SUCH
OTHER BUSINESS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE ANNUAL MEETING OF
SHAREHOLDERS.
THIS PROXY REVOKES ALL PRIOR PROXIES.
Please check here if you plan to attend the meeting. o
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Signature of Shareholder
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Date:
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Signature of Shareholder
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Date:
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Note: |
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Please sign exactly as your name or names appear on this Proxy. When shares are held
jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as executor, administrator, attorney, trustee or
guardian, please give full title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full
corporate name by duly authorized officer, giving full title as such. If signer is a
partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person. |
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WARWICK VALLEY TELEPHONE COMPANY
47 MAIN STREET, WARWICK, NY 10990
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned hereby appoints ZIGMUND C. NOWICKI, JR. and DORINDA MASKER, and each of them,
proxies for the undersigned, with full power of substitution, to vote all of the Common Shares, par
value $0.01, of WARWICK VALLEY TELEPHONE COMPANY owned by the undersigned at the Annual Meeting of
Shareholders of Warwick Valley Telephone Company to be held at The Harness Racing Museum and Hall
of Fame, 240 Main Street, Goshen, New York 10924 on November 17, 2005 at 2:00 p.m., local time, and
at any adjournments thereof. THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED AND DELIVERED, WILL BE VOTED IN THE
MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED. THIS PROXY REVOKES ANY PRIOR PROXY GIVEN BY THE
UNDERSIGNED. UNLESS AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR ONE OR MORE OF THE NOMINEES IS SPECIFICALLY WITHHELD
ACCORDING TO THE INSTRUCTIONS, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF THE FOUR NOMINEES FOR
DIRECTORS. IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED: IN FAVOR OF FIXING THE NUMBER OF
DIRECTORS AT NINE; IN FAVOR OF THE APPROVAL OF THE SELECTION OF WithumSmith+Brown, P.C. AS THE
COMPANYS INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS; AND AGAINST THE SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL. THE UNDERSIGNED
ACKNOWLEDGES RECEIPT WITH THIS PROXY OF A COPY OF THE NOTICE OF THE ANNUAL MEETING AND PROXY
STATEMENT DATED OCTOBER 13, 2005, DESCRIBING MORE FULLY THE NOMINEES NAMED HEREIN.
(Continued and to be signed on the reverse side)