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EXHIBIT 10.17
THIS COMMERCIAL SECURITY AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO BETWEEN AMERICAN STONE
CORPORATION (REFERRED TO BELOW AS "GRANTOR"); AND FIRSTMERIT BANK, N.A.
(REFERRED TO BELOW AS "LENDER"). FOR VALUABLE CONSIDERATION, GRANTOR GRANTS TO
LENDER A SECURITY INTEREST IN THE COLLATERAL TO SECURE THE INDEBTEDNESS AND
AGREES THAT LENDER SHALL HAVE THE RIGHTS STATED IN THIS AGREEMENT WITH RESPECT
TO THE COLLATERAL, IN ADDITION TO ALL OTHER RIGHTS WHICH LENDER MAY HAVE BY
LAW.
DEFINITIONS. The following words shall have the following meanings when used in
this Agreement. Terms not otherwise defined in this Agreement shall have the
meanings attributed to such terms in the Uniform Commercial Code. All references
to dollar amounts shall mean amounts in lawful money of the United States of
America.
AGREEMENT. The word "Agreement" means this Commercial Security
Agreement, as this Commercial Security Agreement may be amended or
modified from time to time, together with all exhibits and schedules
attached to this Commercial Security Agreement from time to time.
COLLATERAL. The word "Collateral" means the following described
property of Grantor, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, whether
now existing or hereafter arising, and wherever located:
ALL INVENTORY, ACCOUNTS, EQUIPMENT AND GENERAL INTANGIBLES
In addition, the word "Collateral" includes all the following, whether
now owned or hereafter acquired, whether now existing or hereafter
arising, and wherever located:
(a) All attachments, accessions, accessories, tools, parts,
supplies, increases, and additions to and all replacements of
and substitutions for any property described above.
(b) All products and produce of any of the property described
in this Collateral section.
(c) All accounts, general intangibles, instruments, rents,
monies, payments, and all other rights, arising out of a sale,
lease, or other disposition of any of the property described
in this Collateral section.
(d) All proceeds (including insurance proceeds) from the sale,
destruction, loss, or other disposition of any of the property
described in this Collateral section.
(e) All records and data relating to any of the property
described in this Collateral section, whether in the form of a
writing, photograph, microfilm, microfiche, or electronic
media, together with all of Grantor's right, title, and
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interest in and to all computer software required to utilize,
create, maintain, and process any such records or data on
electronic media.
EVENT OF DEFAULT. The words "Event of Default" mean and include without
limitation any of the Events of Default set forth below in the section
titled "Events of Default."
GRANTOR. The word "Grantor" means American Stone Corporation, its
successors and assigns.
GUARANTOR. The word "Guarantor" means and includes without limitation
each and all of the guarantors, sureties, and accommodation parties in
connection with the Indebtedness.
INDEBTEDNESS. The word "Indebtedness" means the indebtedness evidenced
by the Note, including all principal and interest, together with all
other indebtedness and costs and expenses for which Grantor is
responsible under this Agreement or under any of the Related Documents.
LENDER. The word "Lender" means FirstMerit Bank, N.A., its successors
and assigns.
NOTE. The word "Note" means the note or credit agreement dated November
10, 1997, in the principal amount of $500,000.00 from American Stone
Corporation to Lender, together with all renewals of, extensions of,
modifications of, refinancings of, consolidations of and substitutions
for the note or credit agreement.
RELATED DOCUMENTS. The words "Related Documents" mean and include
without limitation all promissory notes, credit agreements, loan
agreements, environmental agreements, guaranties, security agreements,
mortgages, deeds of trust, and all other instruments, agreements and
documents, whether now or hereafter existing, executed in connection
with the Indebtedness.
OBLIGATIONS OF GRANTOR. Grantor warrants and covenants to Lender as follows:
PERFECTION OF SECURITY INTEREST. Grantor agrees to execute such
financing statements and to take whatever other actions are requested
by Lender to perfect and continue Lender's security interest in the
Collateral. Upon request of Lender, Grantor will deliver to Lender any
and all of the documents evidencing or constituting the Collateral, and
Grantor will note Lender's interest upon any and all chattel paper if
not delivered to Lender for possession by Lender. Grantor hereby
appoints Lender as its irrevocable attorney-in-fact for the purpose of
executing any documents necessary to perfect or to continue the
security interest granted in this Agreement. Lender may at any time,
and without further authorization from Grantor, file a carbon,
photographic or other reproduction of any financing statement or of
this Agreement for use as a financing statement. Grantor will reimburse
Lender for all expenses for the perfection and the continuation of the
perfection of Lender's security interest in the Collateral. Grantor
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promptly will notify Lender before any change in Grantor's name
including any change to the assumed business names of Grantor.
NO VIOLATION. The execution and delivery of this Agreement will not
violate any law or agreement governing Grantor or to which Grantor is a
party, and its certificate or articles of incorporation and bylaws or
code of regulations do not prohibit any term or condition of this
Agreement.
ENFORCEABILITY OF COLLATERAL. To the extent the Collateral consists of
accounts, chattel paper, or general intangibles, the Collateral is
enforceable in accordance with its terms, is genuine, and complies with
applicable laws concerning form, content and manner of preparation and
execution, and all persons appearing to be obligated on the Collateral
have authority and capacity to contract and are in fact obligated as
they appear to be on the Collateral. At the time any account becomes
subject to a security interest in favor of Lender, the account shall be
a good and valid account representing an undisputed, bona fide
indebtedness incurred by the account debtor, for merchandise held
subject to delivery instructions or theretofore shipped or delivered
pursuant to a contract of sale, or for services theretofore performed
by Grantor with or for the account debtor; there shall be no setoffs or
counterclaims against any such account; and no agreement under which
any deductions or discounts may be claimed shall have been made with
the account debtor except those disclosed to Lender in writing.
LOCATION OF THE COLLATERAL. Grantor, upon request of Lender, will
deliver to Lender in form satisfactory to Lender a schedule of real
properties and Collateral locations relating to Grantor's operations,
including without limitation the following: (a) all real property owned
or being purchased by Grantor; (b) all real property being rented or
leased by Grantor; (c) all storage facilities owned, rented, leased, or
being used by Grantor; and (d) all other properties where Collateral is
or may be located. Except in the ordinary course of its business,
Grantor shall not remove the Collateral from its existing locations
without the prior written consent of Lender.
REMOVAL OF COLLATERAL. Grantor shall keep the Collateral (or to the
extent the Collateral consists of intangible property such as accounts,
the records concerning the Collateral) at Grantor's address shown
above, or at such other locations as are acceptable to Lender. Except
in the ordinary course of its business, including the sales of
inventory, Grantor shall not remove the Collateral from its existing
locations without the prior written consent of Lender. To the extent
that the Collateral consists of vehicles, or other titled property,
Grantor shall not take or permit any action which would require
application for certificates of title for the vehicles outside the
State of Ohio, without the prior written consent of Lender.
TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING COLLATERAL. Except for inventory sold or
accounts collected in the ordinary course of Grantor's business,
Grantor shall not sell, offer to sell, or otherwise transfer or dispose
of the Collateral. While Grantor is not in default under this
Agreement, Grantor may sell inventory, but only in the ordinary course
of its business
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and only to buyers who quality as a buyer in the ordinary course of
business. A sale in the ordinary course of Grantor's business does not
include a transfer in partial or total satisfaction of a debt or any
bulk sale. Grantor shall not pledge, mortgage, encumber or otherwise
permit the Collateral to be subject to any lien, security interest,
encumbrance, or charge, other than the security interest provided for
in this Agreement, without the prior written consent of Lender. This
includes security interests even if junior in right to the security
interests granted under this Agreement. Unless waived by Lender, all
proceeds from any disposition of the Collateral (for whatever reason)
shall be held in trust for Lender and shall not be commingled with any
other funds; provided however, this requirement shall not constitute
consent by Lender to any sale or other disposition. Upon receipt,
Grantor shall immediately deliver any such proceeds to Lender.
TITLE. Grantor represents and warrants to Lender that it holds good and
marketable title to the Collateral, free and clear of all liens and
encumbrances except for the lien of this Agreement. No financing
statement covering any of the Collateral is on file in any public
office other than those which reflect the security interest created by
this Agreement or to which Lender has specifically consented. Grantor
shall defend Lender's rights in the Collateral against the claims and
demands of all other persons.
COLLATERAL SCHEDULES AND LOCATIONS. As often as Lender shall require,
and insofar as the Collateral consists of accounts and general
intangibles, Grantor shall deliver to Lender schedules of such
Collateral, including such information as Lender may require, including
without limitation names and addresses of account debtors and agings of
accounts and general intangibles. Insofar as the Collateral consists of
inventory and equipment, Grantor shall deliver to Lender, as often as
Lender shall require, such lists, descriptions, and designations of
such Collateral as Lender may require to identify the nature, extent,
and location of such Collateral. Such information shall be submitted
for Grantor and each of its subsidiaries or related companies.
MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF COLLATERAL. Grantor shall maintain all
tangible Collateral in good condition and repair. Grantor will not
commit or permit damage to or destruction of the Collateral or any part
of the Collateral. Lender and its designated representatives and agents
shall have the right at all reasonable times to examine, inspect, and
audit the Collateral wherever located. Grantor shall immediately notify
Lender of all cases involving the return, rejection, repossession, loss
or damage of or to any Collateral; of any request for credit or
adjustment or of any other dispute arising with respect to the
Collateral; and generally of all happenings and events affecting the
Collateral or the value or the amount of the Collateral.
TAXES, ASSESSMENTS AND LIENS. Grantor will pay when due all taxes,
assessments and liens upon the Collateral, its use or operation, upon
this Agreement, upon any promissory note or notes evidencing the
Indebtedness, or upon any of the other Related Documents. Grantor may
withhold any such payment or may elect to contest any lien if Grantor
is in good faith conducting an appropriate proceeding to contest the
obligation to pay and so long as Lender's interest in the Collateral is
not jeopardized in Lender's sole opinion. If
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the Collateral is subjected to a lien which is not discharged within
fifteen (15) days, Grantor shall deposit with Lender cash, a sufficient
corporate surety bond or other security satisfactory to Lender in an
amount adequate to provide for the discharge of the lien plus any
interest, costs, attorneys' fees or other charges that could accrue as
a result of foreclosure or sale of the Collateral. In any contest
Grantor shall defend itself and Lender and shall satisfy any final
adverse judgment before enforcement against the Collateral. Grantor
shall name Lender as an additional obligee under any surety bond
furnished in the contest proceedings.
COMPLIANCE WITH GOVERNMENTAL REQUIREMENTS. Grantor shall comply
promptly with all laws, ordinances, rules and regulations of all
governmental authorities, now or hereafter in effect, applicable to the
ownership, production, disposition, or use of the Collateral. Grantor
may contest in good faith any such law, ordinance or regulation and
withhold compliance during any proceeding, including appropriate
appeals, so long as Lender's interest in the Collateral, in Lender's
opinion, is not jeopardized.
HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES. Grantor represents and warrants that the
Collateral never has been, and never will be so long as this Agreement
remains a lien on the Collateral, used for the generation, manufacture,
storage, transportation, treatment, disposal, release or threatened
release of any hazardous waste or substance, as those terms are defined
in the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and
Liability Act of 1980, as amended, 42 U.S.C. Section 9601, et seq.
("CERCLA"), the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986,
Pub. L. No. 99-499 ("XXXX"), the Hazardous Materials Transportation
Act, 49 U.S.C. Section 1801, et seq., the Resource Conservation and
Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 6901, et seq., or other applicable
state or Federal laws, rules, or regulations adopted pursuant to any of
the foregoing. The terms "hazardous waste" and "hazardous substance"
shall also include, without limitation, petroleum and petroleum
by-products or any fraction thereof and asbestos. The representations
and warranties contained herein are based on Grantor's due diligence in
investigating the Collateral for hazardous wastes and substances.
Grantor hereby (a) releases and waives any future claims against Lender
for indemnity or contribution in the event Grantor becomes liable for
cleanup or other costs under any such laws, and (b) agrees to indemnify
and hold harmless Lender against any and all claims and losses
resulting from a breach of this provision of this Agreement. This
obligation to indemnify shall survive the payment of the Indebtedness
and the satisfaction of this Agreement.
MAINTENANCE OF CASUALTY INSURANCE. Grantor shall procure and maintain
all risks insurance, including without limitation fire, theft and
liability coverage together with such other insurance as Lender may
require with respect to the Collateral, in form, amounts, coverages and
basis reasonably acceptable to Lender and issued by a company or
companies reasonably acceptable to Lender. Grantor, upon request of
Lender, will deliver to Lender from time to time the policies or
certificates of insurance in form satisfactory to Lender, including
stipulations that coverages will not be cancelled or diminished without
at least ten (10) days' prior written notice to Lender and not
including any disclaimer of the insurer's liability for failure to give
such a notice. Each insurance
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policy also shall include an endorsement providing that coverage in
favor of Lender will not be impaired in any way by any act, omission or
default of Grantor or any other person. In connection with all policies
covering assets in which Lender holds or is offered a security
interest, Grantor will provide Lender with such loss payable or other
endorsements as Lender may require. If Grantor at any time fails to
obtain or maintain any insurance as required under this Agreement,
Lender may (but shall not be obligated to) obtain such insurance as
Lender deems appropriate, including if it so chooses "single interest
insurance," which will cover only Lender's interest in the Collateral.
APPLICATION OF INSURANCE PROCEEDS. Grantor shall promptly notify Lender
of any loss or damage to the Collateral. Lender may make proof of loss
if Grantor fails to do so within fifteen (15) days of the casualty. All
proceeds of any insurance on the Collateral, including accrued proceeds
thereon, shall be held by Lender as part of the Collateral. If Lender
consents to repair or replacement of the damaged or destroyed
Collateral, Lender shall, upon satisfactory proof of expenditure, pay
or reimburse Grantor from the proceeds for the reasonable cost of
repair or restoration. If Lender does not consent to repair or
replacement of the Collateral, Lender shall retain a sufficient amount
of the proceeds to pay all of the Indebtedness, and shall pay the
balance to Grantor. Any proceeds which have not been disbursed within
six (6) months after their receipt and which Grantor has not committed
to the repair or restoration of the Collateral shall be used to prepay
the Indebtedness.
INSURANCE RESERVES. Lender may require Grantor to maintain with Lender
reserves for payment of insurance premiums, which reserves shall be
created by monthly payments from Grantor of a sum estimated by Lender
to be sufficient to produce, at least fifteen (15) days before the
premium due date, amounts at least equal to the insurance premiums to
be paid. It fifteen (15) days before payment is due, the reserve funds
are insufficient, Grantor shall upon demand pay any deficiency to
Lender. The reserve funds shall be held by Lender as a general deposit
and shall constitute a non-interest-bearing account which Lender may
satisfy by payment of the insurance premiums required to be paid by
Grantor as they become due. Lender does not hold the reserve funds in
trust for Grantor, and Lender is not the agent of Grantor for payment
of the insurance premiums required to be paid by Grantor. The
responsibility for the payment of premiums shall remain Grantor's sole
responsibility.
INSURANCE REPORTS. Grantor, upon request of Lender, shall furnish to
Lender reports on each existing policy of insurance showing such
information as Lender may reasonably request including the following:
(a) the name of the insurer; (b) the risks insured; (c) the amount of
the policy; (d) the property insured; (e) the then current value on the
basis of which insurance has been obtained and the manner of
determining that value; and (f) the expiration date of the policy. In
addition, Grantor shall upon request by Lender (however not more often
than annually) have an independent appraiser satisfactory to Lender
determine, as applicable, the cash value or replacement cost of the
Collateral.
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GRANTOR'S RIGHT TO POSSESSION AND TO COLLECT ACCOUNTS. Until default and except
as otherwise provided below with respect to accounts, Grantor may have
possession of the tangible personal property and beneficial use of all the
Collateral and may use it in any lawful manner not inconsistent with this
Agreement or the Related Documents, provided that Grantor's right to possession
and beneficial use shall not apply to any Collateral where possession of the
Collateral by Lender is required by law to perfect Lender's security interest in
such Collateral. Until otherwise notified by Lender, Grantor may collect any of
the Collateral consisting of accounts. At any time and even though no Event of
Default exists, Lender may exercise its rights to collect the accounts and to
notify account debtors to make payments directly to Lender for application to
the Indebtedness. If Lender at any time has possession of any Collateral,
whether before or after an Event of Default, Lender shall be deemed to have
exercised reasonable care in the custody and preservation of the Collateral if
Lender takes such action for that purpose as Grantor shall request or as Lender,
in Lender's sole discretion, shall deem appropriate under the circumstances, but
failure to honor any request by Grantor shall not of itself be deemed to be a
failure to exercise reasonable care. Lender shall not be required to take any
steps necessary to preserve any rights in the Collateral against prior parties,
nor to protect, preserve or maintain any security interest given to secure the
Indebtedness.
EXPENDITURES BY LENDER. If not discharged or paid when due, Lender may (but
shall not be obligated to) discharge or pay any amounts required to be
discharged or paid by Grantor under this Agreement, including without limitation
all taxes, liens, security interests, encumbrances, and other claims, at any
time levied or placed on the Collateral. Lender also may (but shall not be
obligated to) pay all costs for insuring, maintaining and preserving the
Collateral. All such expenditures incurred or paid by Lender for such purposes
will then bear interest at the rate charged under the Note from the date
incurred or paid by Lender to the date of repayment by Grantor. All such
expenses shall become a part of the Indebtedness and, at Lender's option, will
(a) be payable on demand, (b) be added to the balance of the Note and be
apportioned among and be payable with any installment payments to become due
during either (I) the term of any applicable insurance policy or (II) the
remaining term of the Note, or (c) be treated as a balloon payment which will be
due and payable at the Note's maturity. This Agreement also will secure payment
of these amounts. Such right shall be in addition to all other rights and
remedies to which Lender may be entitled upon the occurrence of an Event of
Default.
EVENTS OF DEFAULT. Each of the following shall constitute an Event of Default
under this Agreement:
DEFAULT ON INDEBTEDNESS. Failure of Grantor to make any payment when
due on the Indebtedness.
OTHER DEFAULTS. Failure of Grantor to comply with or to perform any
other term, obligation, covenant or condition contained in this
Agreement or in any of the Related Documents or in any other agreement
between Lender and Grantor.
DEFAULT IN FAVOR OF THIRD PARTIES. Should Borrower or any Grantor
default under any loan, extension of credit, security agreement,
purchase or sales agreement, or any other
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agreement, in favor of any other creditor or person that may materially
affect any of Borrower's property or Borrower's or any Grantor's
ability to repay the Loans or perform their respective obligations
under this Agreement or any of the Related Documents.
FALSE STATEMENTS. Any warranty, representation or statement made or
furnished to Lender by or on behalf of Grantor under this Agreement,
the Note or the Related Documents is false or misleading in any
material respect, either now or at the time made or furnished.
DEFECTIVE COLLATERALIZATION. This Agreement or any of the Related
Documents ceases to be in full force and effect (including failure of
any collateral documents to create a valid and perfected security
interest or lien) at any time and for any reason.
INSOLVENCY. The dissolution or termination of Grantor's existence as a
going business, the insolvency of Grantor, the appointment of a
receiver for any part of Grantor's property, any assignment for the
benefit of creditors, any type of creditor workout, or the commencement
of any proceeding under any bankruptcy or insolvency laws by or against
Grantor.
CREDITOR OR FORFEITURE PROCEEDINGS. Commencement of foreclosure or
forfeiture proceedings, whether by judicial proceeding, self-help,
repossession or any other method, by any creditor of Grantor or by any
governmental agency against the Collateral or any other collateral
securing the Indebtedness. This includes a garnishment of any of
Grantor's deposit accounts with Lender. However, this Event of Default
shall not apply if there is a good faith dispute by Grantor as to the
validity or reasonableness of the claim which is the basis of the
creditor or forfeiture proceeding and if Grantor gives Lender written
notice of the creditor or forfeiture proceeding and deposits with
Lender monies or a surety bond for the creditor or forfeiture
proceeding, in an amount determined by Lender, in its sole discretion,
as being an adequate reserve or bond for the dispute.
EVENTS AFFECTING GUARANTOR. Any of the preceding events occurs with
respect to any Guarantor of any of the Indebtedness or such Guarantor
dies or becomes incompetent. Lender, at its option, may, but shall not
be required to, permit the Guarantor's estate to assume unconditionally
the obligations arising under the guaranty in a manner satisfactory to
Lender, and, in doing so, cure the Event of Default.
ADVERSE CHANGE. A material adverse change occurs in Grantor's financial
condition, or Lender believes the prospect of payment or performance of
the Indebtedness is impaired.
INSECURITY. Lender, in good faith, deems itself insecure.
RIGHT TO CURE. If any default, other than a Default on Indebtedness, is
curable and if Grantor has not been given a prior notice of a breach of
the same provision of this Agreement, it may be cured (and no Event of
Default will have occurred) if Grantor, after Lender sends written
notice demanding cure of such default, (a) cures the default within
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fifteen (15) days; or (b), if the cure requires more than fifteen (15)
days, immediately initiates steps which Lender deems in Lender's sole
discretion to be sufficient to cure the default and thereafter
continues and completes all reasonable and necessary steps sufficient
to produce compliance as soon as reasonably practical.
RIGHTS AND REMEDIES ON DEFAULT. If an Event of Default occurs under this
Agreement, at any time thereafter, Lender shall have all the rights of a secured
party under the Ohio Uniform Commercial Code. In addition and without
limitation, Lender may exercise any one or more of the following rights and
remedies:
ACCELERATE INDEBTEDNESS. Lender may declare the entire Indebtedness,
including any prepayment penalty which Grantor would be required to
pay, immediately due and payable, without notice.
ASSEMBLE COLLATERAL. Lender may require Grantor to deliver to Lender
all or any portion of the Collateral and any and all certificates of
title and other documents relating to the Collateral. Lender may
require Grantor to assemble the Collateral and make it available to
Lender at a place to be designated by Lender. Lender also shall have
full power to enter upon the property of Grantor to take possession of
and remove the Collateral. If the Collateral contains other goods not
covered by this Agreement at the time of repossession, Grantor agrees
Lender may take such other goods, provided that Lender makes reasonable
efforts to return them to Grantor after repossession.
SELL THE COLLATERAL. Lender shall have full power to sell, lease,
transfer, or otherwise deal with the Collateral or proceeds thereof
in its own name or that of Grantor. Lender may sell the Collateral at
public auction or private sale. Unless the Collateral threatens to
decline speedily in value or is of a type customarily sold on a
recognized market, Lender will give Grantor reasonable notice of the
time after which any private sale or any other intended disposition of
the Collateral is to be made. The requirements of reasonable notice
shall be met if such notice is given at least ten (10) days before the
time of the sale or disposition. All expenses relating to the
disposition of the Collateral, including without limitation the
expenses of retaking, holding, insuring, preparing for sale and
selling the Collateral, shall become a part of the Indebtedness
secured by this Agreement and shall be payable on demand, with
interest at the Note rate from date of expenditure until repaid.
APPOINT RECEIVER. To the extent permitted by applicable law, Lender
shall have the following rights and remedies regarding the appointment
of a receiver: (a) Lender may have a receiver appointed as a matter of
right, (b) the receiver may be an employee of Lender and may serve
without bond, and (c) all fees of the receiver and his or her attorney
shall become part of the Indebtedness secured by this Agreement and
shall be payable on demand, with interest at the Note rate from date of
expenditure until repaid.
COLLECT REVENUES, APPLY ACCOUNTS. Lender, either itself or through a
receiver, may collect the payments, rents, income, and revenues from
the Collateral. Lender may at any
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time in its discretion transfer any Collateral into its own name or
that of its nominee and receive the payments, rents, income, and
revenues therefrom and hold the same as security for the Indebtedness
or apply it to payment of the Indebtedness in such order of preference
as Lender may determine. Insofar as the Collateral consists of
accounts, general intangibles, insurance policies, instruments, chattel
paper, choses in action, or similar property, Lender may demand,
collect, receipt for, settle, compromise, adjust, xxx for, foreclose,
or realize on the Collateral as Lender may determine, whether or not
indebtedness or Collateral is then due. For these purposes, Lender may,
on behalf of and in the name of Grantor, receive, open and dispose of
mail addressed to Grantor; change any address to which mail and
payments are to be sent, and endorse notes, checks, drafts, money
orders, documents of title, instruments and items pertaining to
payment, shipment, or storage of any Collateral. To facilitate
collection, Lender may notify account debtors and obligors on any
Collateral to make payments directly to Lender.
OBTAIN DEFICIENCY. If Lender chooses to sell any or all of the
Collateral, Lender may obtain a judgment against Grantor for any
deficiency remaining on the Indebtedness due to Lender after
application of all amounts received from the exercise of the rights
provided in this Agreement. Grantor shall be liable for a deficiency
even if the transaction described in this subsection is a sale of
accounts or chattel paper.
OTHER RIGHTS AND REMEDIES. Lender shall have all the rights and
remedies of a secured creditor under the provisions of the Uniform
Commercial Code, as may be amended from time to time. In addition,
Lender shall have and may exercise any or all other rights and remedies
it may have available at law, in equity, or otherwise.
CUMULATIVE REMEDIES. All of Lender's rights and remedies, whether
evidenced by this Agreement or the Related Documents or by any other
writing, shall be cumulative and may be exercised singularly or
concurrently. Election by Lender to pursue any remedy shall not exclude
pursuit of any other remedy, and an election to make expenditures or to
take action to perform an obligation of Grantor under this Agreement,
after Grantor's failure to perform, shall not affect Lender's right to
declare a default and to exercise its remedies.
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS. The following miscellaneous provisions are a part of
this Agreement:
AMENDMENTS. This Agreement, together with any Related Documents,
constitutes the entire understanding and agreement of the parties as to
the matters set forth in this Agreement. No alteration of or amendment
to this Agreement shall be effective unless given in writing and signed
by the party or parties sought to be charged or bound by the alteration
or amendment.
APPLICABLE LAW. This Agreement has been delivered to Lender and
accepted by Lender in the State of Ohio. If there is a lawsuit, Grantor
agrees upon Lender's request to submit to the jurisdiction of the
courts of the State of Ohio. Lender and Grantor hereby waive
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the right to any jury trial in any action, proceeding, or counterclaim
brought by either Lender or Grantor against the other. This Agreement
shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the
State of Ohio.
ATTORNEYS' FEES; EXPENSES. Grantor agrees to pay upon demand all of
Lender's costs and expenses, including attorneys' fees and Lender's
legal expenses, incurred in connection with the enforcement of this
Agreement. Lender may pay someone else to help enforce this Agreement,
and Grantor shall pay the costs and expenses of such enforcement. Costs
and expenses include Lender's attorneys' fees and legal expenses
whether or not there is a lawsuit, including attorneys' fees and legal
expenses for bankruptcy proceedings (and including efforts to modify or
vacate any automatic stay or injunction), appeals, and any anticipated
post-judgment collection services. Grantor also shall pay all court
costs and such additional fees as may be directed by the court.
CAPTION HEADINGS. Caption headings in this Agreement are for
convenience purposes only and are not to be used to interpret or define
the provisions of this Agreement.
MULTIPLE PARTIES; CORPORATE AUTHORITY. All obligations of Grantor under
this Agreement shall be joint and several, and all references to
Grantor shall mean each and every Grantor. This means that each of the
persons signing below is responsible for all obligations in this
Agreement.
NOTICES. All notices required to be given under this Agreement shall be
given in writing, may be sent by telefacsimile, and shall be effective
when actually delivered or when deposited with a nationally recognized
overnight courier or deposited in the United States mail, first class,
postage prepaid, addressed to the party to whom the notice is to be
given at the address shown above. Any party may change its address for
notices under this Agreement by giving formal written notice to the
other parties, specifying that the purpose of the notice is to change
the party's address. To the extent permitted by applicable law, if
there is more than one Grantor, notice to any Grantor will constitute
notice to all Grantors. For notice purposes, Grantor will keep Lender
informed at all times of Grantor's current address(es).
POWER OF ATTORNEY. Grantor hereby appoints Lender as its true and
lawful attorney-in-fact, irrevocably, with full power of substitution
to do the following: (a) to demand, collect, receive, receipt for, xxx
and recover all sums of money or other property which may now or
hereafter become due, owing or payable from the Collateral; (b) to
execute, sign and endorse any and all claims, instruments, receipts,
checks, drafts or warrants issued in payment for the Collateral; (c) to
settle or compromise any and all claims arising under the Collateral,
and, in the place and stead of Grantor, to execute and deliver its
releases and settlement for the claim; and (d) to file any claim or
claims or to take any action or institute or take part in any
proceedings, either in its own name or in the name of Grantor, or
otherwise, which in the discretion of Lender may seem to be necessary
or advisable. This power is given as security for the Indebtedness, and
the authority hereby
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conferred is and shall be irrevocable and shall remain in full force
and effect until renounced by Lender.
SEVERABILITY. If a court of competent jurisdiction finds any provision
of this Agreement to be invalid or unenforceable as to any person or
circumstance, such finding shall not render that provision invalid or
unenforceable as to any other persons or circumstances. If feasible,
any such offending provision shall be deemed to be modified to be
within the limits of enforceability or validity; however, if the
offending provision cannot be so modified, it shall be stricken and all
other provisions of this Agreement in all other respects shall remain
valid and enforceable.
SUCCESSOR INTERESTS. Subject to the limitations set forth above on
transfer of the Collateral, this Agreement shall be binding upon and
inure to the benefit of the parties, their successors and assigns.
WAIVER. Lender shall not be deemed to have waived any rights under this
Agreement unless such waiver is given in writing and signed by Lender.
No delay or omission on the part of Lender in exercising any right
shall operate as a waiver of such right or any other right. A waiver by
Lender of a provision of this Agreement shall not prejudice or
constitute a waiver of Lender's right otherwise to demand strict
compliance with that provision or any other provision of this
Agreement. No prior waiver by Lender, nor any course of dealing between
Lender and Grantor, shall constitute a waiver of any of Lender's rights
or of any of Grantor's obligations as to any future transactions.
Whenever the consent of Lender is required under this Agreement, the
granting of such consent by Lender in any instance shall not constitute
continuing consent to subsequent instances where such consent is
required and in all cases such consent may be granted or withheld in
the sole discretion of Lender.
GRANTOR ACKNOWLEDGES HAVING READ ALL THE PROVISIONS OF THIS COMMERCIAL SECURITY
AGREEMENT, AND GRANTOR AGREES TO ITS TERMS. THIS AGREEMENT IS DATED NOVEMBER 10,
1997.
GRANTOR:
AMERICAN STONE CORPORATION
BY: /S/ XXXXX XXXXXXX
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XXXXX XXXXXXX, PRESIDENT
LENDER:
FIRSTMERIT BANK, N.A.
BY: /S/ XXXXXXXX XXXXX
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AUTHORIZED OFFICER
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