Good Enterprises Trustee Seeks Help ; Bankruptcy Judge Asked To Approve Hiring Of Firm’s Former Business Manager.

Business Editor

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Christine C. Shubert believes there's a lot to be said for experience.

Shubert is the U.S. Bankruptcy Court trustee overseeing the liquidation of Good Enterprises.

She wants to hire its former business manager to help her with the paperwork and other tasks.

In a filing last week, Shubert seeks permission of U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Jean K. FitzSimon to retain E. Dean Mast.

Shubert called the hiring of Mast, an employee for more than 30 years, "necessary and in the best interests of" Good Enterprises' estate.

Shubert notes that while she's also hiring an accounting firm to help with the case, she wants to use Mast as much as possible.

"...(I)t will be much more cost effective and efficient for Mast to provide these services in light of his hourly rate and his familiarity with (Good Enterprises') books and records."

If approved work for Shubert as a consultant, Mast would earn $55 an hour.

He earned $38 an hour plus benefits while employed by Good Enterprises.

Mast also would waive the nearly $18,000 he's owed in back wages, vacation pay and accrued bonus, says Shubert.

However, his wife, Jan, who also worked for Good Enterprises and is owed $18,500, and their daughter, who is owed $30, would not.

Intercourse-based Good Enterprises owns Good Books, The Good Cooking Store, Old Country Store and other ventures.

It filed for bankruptcy liquidation on Dec. 10, four days after closing all of its operations.

Mast would complete financial statements, calculate and file sales tax due, monitor buildings, preserve insurance coverage and help fulfill book orders, among other tasks.

Shubert noted that Mast already "has been providing vital services to the (Good Enterprises) estate" since the bankruptcy filing.

These include describing Good Enterprises' operations and providing financial information "to the Trustee and her professionals," said Shubert.