UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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 (Amendment No. 1)
Filed by the Registrant |_|
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant |X|
Check the appropriate box:
|X| Preliminary Proxy Statement
|_| Definitive Proxy Statement
|_| Definitive Additional Materials
|_| Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule ss.240.14a-12
|_| Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
14a-6(e)(2))
SIZELER PROPERTY INVESTORS, INC.
------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
FIRST UNION REAL ESTATE EQUITY AND MORTGAGE INVESTMENTS
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
|X| No fee required.
|_| Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: N/A
(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: N/A
(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which
the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): N/A
(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: N/A
(5) Total fee paid: N/A
|_| Fee paid previously with preliminary materials: N/A
|_| 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.
(1) Amount Previously Paid:
(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
(3) Filing Party:
(4) Date Filed:
Preliminary Copy
FIRST UNION REAL ESTATE EQUITY AND MORTGAGE INVESTMENTS
PROXY STATEMENT
IN CONNECTION WITH THE
2005 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
OF
SIZELER PROPERTY INVESTORS, INC.
TO BE HELD ON OCTOBER 27, 2005
This proxy statement is being furnished to the stockholders of Sizeler
Property Investors, Inc., a Maryland corporation with principal executive
offices at 2542 Williams Boulevard, Kenner, Louisiana 70062 (the "Company"), in
connection with the solicitation of proxies by First Union Real Estate Equity
and Mortgage Investments, an Ohio business trust ("First Union"), for use at the
2005 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company, scheduled to be held on
Thursday, October 27, 2005, at __________ [a.m.][p.m.], at the _________________
and any adjournments, continuations or postponements thereof (the "2005 Annual
Meeting"), to elect Michael L. Ashner and Peter Braverman (the "First Union
Nominees") as directors of the Company.
At August 11, 2005, First Union beneficially owned 1,550,600 shares of the
Company's common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the "Common Stock"),
representing approximately 7.4% of the 21,073,786 shares of Common Stock
outstanding as of July 27, 2005, as reported in the Company's Quarterly Report
on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2005. Unless otherwise
indicated, references in this proxy statement to the percentage of outstanding
shares of Common Stock owned by any person were computed based upon the number
of outstanding shares as reported by the Company as of July 27, 2005.
This proxy statement will be provided to all Company stockholders to whom
forms of proxy are furnished by First Union, or from whom proxies are requested
by First Union, no later than the time such forms of proxy are furnished or such
request is made.
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on the record date
fixed by the Company's Board of Directors (the "Board") or, if no record date is
fixed, then at the later of (i) the close of business on the day on which notice
of the 2005 Annual Meeting is given, or (ii) the thirtieth day before the
meeting, will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the 2005 Annual Meeting.
This proxy statement and the accompanying GREEN proxy card are first being
mailed to the Company's stockholders on or about _________________, 2005. First
Union requests that you sign, date and deliver the GREEN proxy card and return
it in the enclosed postage paid envelope as soon as possible.
Any stockholder of the Company who executes and delivers a GREEN proxy
card will be voting in favor of the First Union nominees. Any stockholder will
have the right to revoke a proxy given to either First Union or the Company at
any time before it is voted, by filing an instrument revoking the earlier proxy
or a duly executed proxy bearing a later date with First Union Real Estate
Equity and Mortgage Investments at 7 Bulfinch Place, Suite 500, PO Box 9507,
Boston, Massachusetts 02114 or with the Secretary of the Company at its
principal executive offices at 2542 Williams Boulevard, Kenner, Louisiana 70062,
or by voting in person at the 2005 Annual Meeting.
PROPOSAL FOR ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
On December 22, 2004, First Union provided written notice to the Company
of its intent to nominate Michael L. Ashner, Peter Braverman and Steven Zalkind
for election to the Board at the 2005 Annual Meeting. Due to the delay in the
holding of the annual meeting of more than 60 days after the first anniversary
of the 2004 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and the reduction in the number of
directors up for election at the Annual Meeting from three to two, on August 3,
2005, First Union was required to provide a subsequent written notice to the
Company of its intent to nominate Michael L. Ashner and Peter Braverman for
election to the Board at the 2005 Annual Meeting.
Based on information contained in reports filed by the Company with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"), the Board currently is
comprised of ten directors, divided into three classes, two of which contain
three directors each and one of which contains four directors. Based on the
Company's press release issued on August 2, 2005, two directors will resign from
the Company's Board and the Board will be reduced to eight members, two of which
will come up for election at the 2005 Annual Meeting. However, First Union
reserves the right to nominate additional individuals for election in addition
to First Union Nominees if the size of the Board is increased and such
additional positions are voted upon at the 2005 Annual Meeting. In addition,
First Union reserves the right to nominate substitute persons if the Company
makes or announces any changes to its Bylaws or takes or announces any other
action that has, or if consummated would have, the effect of disqualifying any
of these nominees. Shares represented by proxies given to us will be voted for
any substitute or additional nominees of First Union.
Duly executed GREEN proxy cards will be voted FOR First Union Nominees
described below, unless the stockholder giving the proxy otherwise instructs.
First Union's proxy will provide that stockholders may withhold authority to
vote for one or more of its nominees by writing the name of the nominee(s) in
the space provided for that purpose on the GREEN proxy card.
If elected, the First Union Nominees will:
o LIQUIDATION - Propose, consistent with their fiduciary duty,
that the Board promptly approve and submit to stockholders for
their approval a plan of liquidation by which all of the
Company's assets would be sold in an orderly process and the
proceeds distributed to the stockholders.
o NO AFFILIATED SALES - No person or entity affiliated with any
of our nominees would seek to acquire any Company asset.
Moreover, no such person or entity would receive any brokerage
commission or similar fee from any sale of a Company asset.
o CORPORATE GOVERNANCE-NO MORE ENTRENCHMENT - Propose to the
Board the removal of all management entrenchment devices
including the "poison pill", the staggered board election
process and all executive golden parachutes.
o GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE - Recommend the appointment
of new officers to shepherd the Company through its
liquidation and to reduce corporate expense; propose the
immediate elimination of all corporate waste including any
nepotistic staffing and all use of private jets; seek an
accounting by management of its past use of the Company's
private jet and prompt reimbursement for any non-Company
usage; and commit that if any one of the First Union Nominees
is appointed as an officer of the Company, such individual
will receive no salary for such service.
2
o DISTRIBUTIONS - Propose that cash reserves resulting from
recent and pending asset sales together with those from the
Company's March 2005 below market dilutive stock sale, in
excess of normal reserve requirements, be distributed to
stockholders as soon as possible.
Consistent with the foregoing, on August 11, 2005, First Union sent to the
Company a shareholder proposal for inclusion in the Company's proxy statement
for the 2005 Annual Meeting that seeks to have the Board of Directors adopt a
plan of liquidation which provides that (i) all of the Company's assets would be
sold in an orderly process, (ii) a committee of the Board of Directors be
established consisting of directors, who are not current or former officers or
employees of the Company or related by blood or marriage to a current or former
officer or employee of the Company, and who otherwise qualify as independent
directors, to consider and recommend to the full Board of Directors for approval
the best available offer to acquire the assets, (iii) the proceeds from such
sales, together with cash reserves, be distributed to the shareholders, and (iv)
no person or entity affiliated with the Company or any of its officers or
directors would seek to acquire any Company asset, and no such person or entity
would receive any brokerage commission or similar fee from any sale of a Company
asset.
THE FIRST UNION NOMINEES
Each First Union Nominee has given his consent to be named in this proxy
statement and any other proxy statement for the 2005 Annual Meeting and has
confirmed his intent and consent to serve on the Board if elected. If the First
Union Nominees are elected and take office as directors, they intend to
discharge their duties as directors of the Company in compliance with all
applicable legal requirements, including the general fiduciary obligations
imposed upon corporate directors. The information below concerning the age,
principal occupation and, directorships has been furnished by the respective
First Union Nominees. Information with respect to the First Union Nominees
ownership interest in the Company, if any, is set forth below under "Security
Ownership of First Union and the First Union Nominees." No corporation or
organization listed in the following table is a parent, subsidiary or other
affiliate of the Company.
Present Principal Occupation and Principal Occupations during
Name, Business Address and Age Last Five (5) Years Directorships
---------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Michael L. Ashner (52) Since December 31, 2003, Mr. Ashner has served as the Chief
First Union Real Estate Equity and Executive Officer of First Union. Mr. Ashner also serves as the
Mortgage Investments Chief Executive Officer of Winthrop Financial Associates, A
Two Jericho Plaza Limited Partnership and its affiliates ("WFA"), a position he has
Wing A, Suite 111 held since January 1996, as well as the Chief Executive Officer
Jericho, New York 11753 of Newkirk MLP Corp., the manager of the general partner of The
Newkirk Master Limited Partnership ("Newkirk"). Both WFA and
Newkirk are real estate companies with over $2 billion in assets
owned and/or managed. Mr. Ashner has also served as the Chief
Executive Officer of Shelbourne Properties I, Inc ("Shelbourne
I"), Shelbourne Properties II, Inc. ("Shelbourne II") and
Shelbourne Properties III, Inc. ("Shelbourne III"), three
separate publicly traded real estate investment trusts that were
listed on the American Stock Exchange and which were liquidated
in April 2004. Mr. Ashner also currently serves on the Boards of
Directors or Boards of Trustees (as applicable) of the following
publicly traded companies: NBTY, Inc., a manufacturer, marketer
and retailer of nutritional supplements, GB Holdings, Inc. and
Atlantic Entertainment Holdings, Inc., hotel and casino operators
as well as First Union.
3
Present Principal Occupation and Principal Occupations during
Name, Business Address and Age Last Five (5) Years Directorships
---------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Peter Braverman (53) Mr. Braverman has been the President of First Union since August
First Union Real Estate Equity and 4, 2004 and was the Executive Vice President of First Union from
Mortgage Investments January 8, 2004 to August 4, 2004. Mr. Braverman has served as
Two Jericho Plaza the Executive Vice President of WFA since January 1996. Mr.
Wing A, Suite 111 Braverman also serves as the Executive Vice President of Newkirk
Jericho, New York 11753 and previously served as the Executive Vice President of
Shelbourne I, Shelbourne II and Shelbourne III. Mr. Braverman
also currently serves on the Board of Trustees of First Union.
Except as otherwise provided herein, there are no arrangements or
understandings between the First Union Nominess and any other person pursuant to
which he was selected as a nominee for director. Pursuant to First Union's
Bylaws, Mr. Ashner and Mr. Braverman are indemnified by First Union for any
losses and liabilities arising from their activities relating to their service
to First Union.
Security Ownership of First Union and the First Union Nominees
The following table sets forth as of August 11, 2005 the number of shares
of Common Stock and percent represented by such shares beneficially owned by
First Union and each of the First Union Nominees. No securities of the Company
are owned by any associates of First Union or the First Union Nominees. Neither
First Union, any First Union Nominee nor any other person who may be deemed a
participant in the solicitation of proxies for First Union for the 2005 Annual
Meeting owns any securities of any parent or subsidiary of the Company.
Name and, if applicable, Address as it
Appears on the Stock Transfer Books of the Amount and Nature of
Company Beneficial Ownership Percent of Class
------------------------------------------ -------------------- ----------------
First Union Real Estate Equity and 1,550,600(1) 7.4%
Mortgage Investments
7 Bulfinch Place
Suite 500
Boston, MA 02114
Michael L. Ashner(2)(3) 1,550,600 7.4%
Peter Braverman(2)(3) 1,550,600 7.4%
(1) 1,000 shares are held of record by First Union Real Estate Equity
and Mortgage Investments with the balance owned beneficially in
"street name" by CEDE & Co.
(2) Michael L. Ashner and Peter Braverman are executive officers of
First Union and therefore may be deemed to beneficially own all of
the shares held by First Union in the Company.
(3) The business address for each of Michael L. Ashner and Peter
Braverman is Two Jericho Plaza, Wing A, Suite 111, Jericho, New York
11753.
4
During the past two years, neither First Union nor any First Union Nominee
effected any sales of securities of the Company. The following table sets forth
the date, number of shares of Common Stock and price per share for all
acquisitions of securities in the Company effected by First Union and the First
Union Nominees during the past two years, all of which were purchases of Common
Stock and all of which were effected by First Union. A portion of the
acquisitions set forth below were effected using margin borrowings. As of the
date hereof, no such borrowed amounts remain outstanding.
Date Amount Price per Share
---- ------ ---------------
August 17, 2004 70,000 $7.70
August 18, 2004 600 $7.83
August 19, 2004 29,300 $7.91
August 23, 2004 17,200 $8.06
August 24, 2004 32,200 $8.26
August 25, 2004 63,500 $8.28
August 30, 2004 13,700 $8.49
August 31, 2004 37,500 $8.56
September 1, 2004 176,600 $8.56
September 1, 2004 20,400 $8.61
September 2, 2004 47,300 $8.61
September 7, 2004 161,700 $8.66
October 4, 2004 2,000 $9.02
October 6, 2004 28,100 $9.16
October 7, 2004 30,000 $9.29
October 8, 2004 19,100 $9.19
October 12, 2004 25,000 $9.21
October 14, 2004 3,000 $9.01
October 19, 2004 100 $9.15
October 20, 2004 10,900 $9.11
November 5, 2004 14,000 $9.59
November 10, 2004 44,500 $9.61
November 11, 2004 46,000 $9.61
November 12, 2004 60,500 $9.65
November 15, 2004 66,400 $9.71
December 2, 2004 100,000 $10.00
January 5, 2005 9,600 $11.01
January 6, 2005 600 $11.05
January 7, 2005 8,800 $11.05
January 10, 2005 1,200 $11.05
January 25, 2005 117,000 $11.60
February 4, 2004 3,600 $11.56
February 14, 2005 10,000 $12.05
February 16, 2005 6,000 $11.98
February 17, 2005 10,000 $12.03
February 18, 2005 5,000 $11.88
February 22, 2005 10,000 $11.80
February 23, 2005 8,900 $11.70
March 17, 2005 50,000 $11.90
March 18, 2005 20,000 $11.92
5
March 21, 2005 20,000 $11.95
March 23, 2005 15,000 $12.00
March 30, 2005 10,000 $12.00
April 1, 2005 15,000 $11.50
May 4, 2005 39,800 $10.96
May 5, 2005 10,500 $11.50
May 10, 2005 900 $12.00
May 11, 2005 9,100 $12.00
August 9, 2005 18,300 $12.78
August 10, 2005 21,700 $12.79
August 11, 2005 10,000 $12.82
VOTE REQUIRED AND VOTES PER SHARE
The presence, in person or by properly executed proxy, of the holders of a
majority of the votes entitled to be cast by the holders of all outstanding
shares of Common Stock is necessary to constitute a quorum at the 2005 Annual
Meeting. Based on the Company's proxy statement for the 2004 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders (the "2004 Proxy Statement"), the Company will treat shares of
Common Stock represented by a properly signed, dated and returned proxy card and
shares of Common Stock represented by a proxy authorized via telephone or the
Internet, including abstentions, as present at the 2005 Annual Meeting for
purposes of determining a quorum. Under New York Stock Exchange rules, because
the election of directors is being contested, brokers will not have discretion
to vote shares held in street name without instructions from the beneficial
owner of the shares.
The affirmative vote of a plurality of the total shares of Common Stock
represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote at the 2005 Annual
Meeting is required for the election of directors. Votes withheld for director
nominees will therefore count as votes against a nominee.
Each share of Common Stock is entitled to one vote on the election of
directors and each other matter presented before the 2005 Annual Meeting.
CERTAIN INFORMATION CONCERNING FIRST UNION
First Union is a real estate investment trust that is engaged in the
business of owning real property and real estate related assets, including
securities issued by other real estate entities. First Union's common shares of
beneficial interest are listed on the New York Stock Exchange with a ticker
symbol of "FUR." Additional information relating to First Union and its assets,
trustees and officers can be found at First Union's website
www.firstunion-reit.net or in First Union's filings with the Commission which
may be inspected at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission
located at Judiciary Plaza, Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.
20549 and at the Commission's website, www.sec.gov.
First Union has been a significant stockholder of the Company since
September 7, 2004, and currently holds approximately 7.4% of the Common Stock
outstanding. First Union acquired the Common Stock because, in its opinion, the
Common Stock was undervalued by the market. In addition, First Union acquired on
August 10, 2005 in a market transaction 4,800 shares of the Company's 9.75%
Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock.
First Union intends to vote the shares of Common Stock beneficially owned
by it FOR the First Union Nominees.
6
CERTAIN INTERESTS IN THE PROPOSAL AND
WITH RESPECT TO SECURITIES OF THE COMPANY
To the knowledge of First Union, neither First Union nor any associates or
controlling persons thereof or other persons who may be deemed participants in
the solicitation of proxies by First Union for the 2005 Annual Meeting are or
have within the past year been parties to any contracts, arrangements,
understandings or relationships (legal or otherwise) with respect to any
securities of the Company.
Neither First Union, any First Union Nominee, any other persons who may be
deemed participants in the solicitations of proxies by First Union nor any of
their respective associates has any arrangement or understanding with respect to
any future employment by the Company or any future transactions to which the
Company will or may be a party, nor any material interest, direct or indirect,
in any transaction which has occurred since December 31, 2003 or any currently
proposed transaction, or series of similar transactions, to which the Company or
any of its subsidiaries was or is to be a party and in which the amount involved
exceeds $60,000.
PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS
The following table sets forth the number and percentage of outstanding
shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by each person known to First Union as
of August 11, 2005 to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock. This information is based solely on
information contained in documents filed with the Commission by or on behalf of
such persons. As of August 11, 2005, First Union beneficially owned an aggregate
of 1,550,600 shares (or approximately 7.4% of the outstanding shares of Common
Stock), as described elsewhere in this proxy statement. Accordingly, information
on First Union's ownership of Common Stock is not included in the following
table, as its aggregate share ownership is described in detail elsewhere in this
proxy statement.
Name and address of Amount and Nature of
Beneficial Owner Beneficial Ownership Percent of Class
----------------------------------- -------------------- ----------------
Mark M. Tanz 1,203,642(1) 5.7%
P.O. Box N7776
Lyford Cay, Nassau
Bahamas
Palisade Capital Management, L.L.C. 1,568,227(2) 7.4%
One Bridge Plaza
Suite 695
Fort Lee, NJ 07024
Mercury Real Estate Advisors LLC 1,255,700(3) 6.0%
100 Field Point Road
Greenwich, CT 06830
(1) Based upon a Schedule 13D dated June 3, 2005 filed with the Commission.
(2) Based upon information set forth in the Company's Form 10-K/A (Amendment
No. 2) dated April 29, 2005 which provides that Palisade Capital
Management, L.L.C. ("Palisade") has sole voting power and sole dispositive
power with respect to 856,500 Shares held on behalf of Palisade's clients
in accounts over which Palisade has complete investment discretion.
Palisade is also deemed to be the beneficial owner of 711,727 Shares that
are issuable upon conversion of $7,829,000 in aggregate principal amount
of Debentures held on behalf of Palisade's clients in accounts over which
7
Palisade has complete investment discretion. In addition, Martin Berman
has sole voting and dispositive power with respect to 17,054 Shares,
Steven Berman has sole voting and dispositive power with respect to 1,000
Shares and Jack Feiler has sole voting and dispositive power with respect
to 13,818 Shares. Palisade does not beneficially own nor does it have
voting or dispositive power over any of such 31,872 Shares.
(3) Based upon a Schedule 13G dated April 1, 2005 filed with the SEC by
Mercury Real Estate Advisors LLC, David R. Jarvis and Malcolm F. MacLean
IV
SECURITY OWNERSHIP BY DIRECTORS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth the Common Stock believed by First Union to
be beneficially owned by all directors, nominees and named executive officers of
the Company, and the directors, nominees and executive officers of the Company
as a group as of April 29, 2005. This information is based solely on the share
ownership information contained in the Company's Form 10-K/A (Amendment No. 2)
dated April 29, 2005 and the 21,073,786 shares outstanding as of July 27, 2005
as reported in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly
period ended June 30, 2005.
Except as otherwise noted in a footnote below, each director, nominee and
executive officer has sole voting and investment power with respect to the
number of shares of Common Stock set forth opposite his or her name in the
table.
Amount and Nature of
Name of Beneficial Owner Beneficial Ownership Percent of Class
----------------------------------- -------------------- ----------------
J. Terrell Brown 53,543 (1) *
William G. Byrnes 18,000 (2) *
Harold B. Judell 75,590 (3) *
Sidney W. Lassen 779,482 (4) 3.7%
Thomas A. Masilla, Jr. 269,892 (5) 1.3%
James W. McFarland 46,391 (6) *
Richard L. Pearlstone 74,348 (7) *
James R. Peltier 13,000 *
Theodore H. Strauss 75,100 (8) *
James W. Brodie 97,695 (9) *
Charles E. Miller, Jr. 9,804 (10) *
All directors and executive 1,512,845 (11) 7.2%
officers as a group
----------
* Indicates ownership of less than 1%.
(1) Includes 33,000 Shares Mr. Brown has the right to purchase pursuant to
exercisable options granted under the Company's 1986 Stock Option Plan
(the "1986 Stock Option Plan") and the Company's 1996 Stock Option and
Incentive Plan, as amended (the "1996 Stock Option Plan") and 800 Shares
owned by Mary Kay Brown, Mr. Brown's wife.
(2) Includes 5,000 Shares Mr. Byrnes has the right to purchase pursuant to
exercisable options granted under the 1996 Stock Option Plan.
8
(3) Includes 23,000 Shares Mr. Judell has the right to purchase pursuant to
exercisable options granted under the 1986 Stock Option Plan, the
Company's 1989 Stock Option Plan and the 1996 Stock Option Plan and 10,000
Shares owned by Celeste Judell, Mr. Judell's wife.
(4) These Shares include (i) 7,500 Shares owned by the Company and credited to
the Company's deferred compensation account for the benefit of Mr. Lassen
pursuant to the Non-Elective Deferred Compensation Agreement, amended and
restated effective August 3, 2000, between Mr. Lassen and the Company;
(ii) 230,000 Shares Mr. Lassen has the right to acquire pursuant to
exercisable options granted under the 1986 Stock Option Plan and the 1996
Stock Option Plan; (iii) 82,500 Shares owned directly by Sizeler Realty
Co., Inc. ("Sizeler Realty"), in which Mr. Lassen owns an approximate 16%
interest and the balance is owned by Marilyn Lassen, Mr. Lassen's wife and
her family; (iv) 5,000 Shares held by Mr. Lassen's wife; (v) 60,000 Shares
owned by HLS Properties LLC of which Mr. Lassen is manager and Mr.
Lassen's wife owns an approximately 26% interest; (vi) 18,000 Shares owned
by Sizeler Family Limited Partnership; and (vii) 25,000 incentive
restricted shares granted under the 1996 Stock Option Plan. Mr. Lassen
disclaims beneficial interest in all the Shares held by his wife and HLS
Properties LLC and in all but 1.9% of the Shares held by Sizeler Family
Limited Partnership, respectively items (iv), (v) and (vi) in the first
sentence of this note.
(5) Includes (i) 20,621 Shares owned by the Company and credited to the
Company's deferred compensation account for the benefit of Mr. Masilla
pursuant to the Non-Elective Deferred Compensation Agreement, amended and
restated effective August 3, 2000, between Mr. Masilla and the Company;
(ii) 210,000 Shares Mr. Masilla has the right to purchase pursuant to
exercisable options granted under the 1986 Stock Option Plan and the 1996
Stock Option Plan; and (iii) 16,500 incentive restricted shares granted
under the 1996 Stock Option Plan.
(6) Includes 28,000 Shares Dr. McFarland has the right to purchase pursuant to
exercisable options granted under the 1986 Stock Option Plan and the 1996
Stock Option Plan.
(7) Mr. Pearlstone shares voting and investment power over 12,000 of these
Shares as co-trustee of certain trusts and has an economic interest in
another 12,000 of these Shares as the beneficiary of certain trusts.
Includes 28,000 Shares Mr. Pearlstone has the right to purchase pursuant
to exercisable options granted under the 1986 Stock Option Plan and 1996
Stock Option Plan.
(8) Includes 28,000 Shares Mr. Strauss has the right to purchase pursuant to
exercisable options granted under the 1986 Stock Option Plan and 1996
Stock Option Plan.
(9) Includes (i) 81,250 Shares Mr. Brodie has the right to purchase pursuant
to options granted under the 1986 Stock Option Plan and the 1996 Stock
Option Plan; and (ii) 8,500 incentive restricted shares granted under the
1996 Stock Option Plan.
(10) Includes (i) 1,000 Shares Mr. Cheramie has the right to purchase pursuant
to options granted under the 1996 Stock Option Plan; and (ii) 8,500
incentive restricted shares granted under the 1996 Stock Option Plan.
(11) See notes (1) through (10) above.
PROXY SOLICITATION EXPENSES
Proxies may be solicited by First Union by mail, telephone, telecopier,
the Internet and personal solicitation. In addition, as described below, First
Union has retained MacKenzie Partners, Inc. to solicit proxy's on First Union's
behalf. Officers of First Union and their affiliates may solicit proxies on
behalf of First Union, although they will not receive additional compensation
for any such efforts. Banks, brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and
fiduciaries will be requested to forward First Union's solicitation material to
customers for whom such persons hold shares of Common Stock, and First Union
will reimburse them for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses for doing so.
The entire expense of preparing, assembling, printing and mailing this
proxy statement and related materials, and the cost of soliciting proxies for
the proposals endorsed by First Union, will be borne by First Union. First Union
does not intend to seek reimbursement from the Company for First Union's
expenses.
9
First Union has retained MacKenzie Partners, Inc. to solicit proxies on
its behalf in connection with the 2005 Annual Meeting. MacKenzie Partners may
solicit proxies from individuals, banks, brokers, custodians, nominees, other
institutional holders and other fiduciaries and will employ approximately 25
people in its efforts. First Union has agreed to reimburse Mackenzie Partners
for its reasonable expenses, to indemnify it against certain losses, costs and
expenses, and to pay its fees not to exceed approximately $125,000.
In addition to the costs related to the engagement of MacKenzie Partners,
our proxy solicitor, costs related to our solicitation of proxies include
expenditures for printing, postage, legal services and other related items.
Total expenditures are expected to be approximately $_______. Total payment of
costs to date in furtherance of our proxy solicitation is approximately
$___________.
OTHER MATTERS TO BE VOTED UPON
In addition to electing directors, it is expected that stockholders will
be asked by the Company at the Annual Meeting to vote upon the ratification of
Ernst & Young, LLP or another accounting firm as the independent accountants of
the Company. First Union recommends the ratification of Ernst & Young, LLP or
such other accounting firm as the Company's independent accountants but will
vote any shares represented by proxies given on the enclosed GREEN proxy card as
directed by the stockholder. If no such instructions are given, shares
represented by First Union's GREEN proxy card will ABSTAIN on these matters.
Information regarding this proposal is contained in the Company's Proxy
Statement. Reference is hereby made to such information which, to the extent it
may be deemed required, is incorporated herein pursuant to Rule 14a-5(c) under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Stockholders are referred to the Company's
Proxy Statement for information regarding this proposal.
If the stockholders fail to ratify the appointment of independent
accountants, the First Union Nominees, if elected, would cause the board of
directors to reconsider its selection, although the board would not be required
to select different independent public accountants for the Company.
First Union is not aware of any other matter to be presented for
consideration at the Annual Meeting. However, if any other matter properly comes
before the Annual Meeting, submitting a GREEN proxy card will entitle the named
proxies to vote your shares in accordance with their sole discretion on matters
not described in this Proxy Statement that may arise at the Annual Meeting.
STOCKHOLDERS' PROPOSALS IN COMPANY'S PROXY STATEMENT
According to the Company's Proxy Statement for the 2005 Annual Meeting,
stockholder proposals for inclusion in the Company's proxy materials for the
2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders must comply with the proxy rules of the
Securities and Exchange Commission and must be submitted in writing to the
Company's Chairman of the Board at 2542 Williams Boulevard, Kenner, Louisiana
70062, no later than ___________, 200_. According to the Company's Proxy
Statement for the 2005 Annual Meeting, stockholders who want to bring a proposal
before the 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders but do not want the proposal
included in the Company's proxy materials for the 2006 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders, must submit the proposal in writing to the Company's Secretary at
the same address no earlier than ______________, 200_ but no later than
___________, 200_.
10
MISCELLANEOUS
Questions or requests for additional copies of this proxy statement should be
addressed to:
Mackenzie Partners, Inc.
105 Madison Avenue
New York, New York 10016
(212) 929-5500 (call collect)
or
Toll free (800) 322-2885
It is important that proxies be returned promptly. Stockholders are,
therefore, urged to fill in, date, sign and return the GREEN proxy card
immediately. No postage need be affixed if mailed in the enclosed envelope in
the United States.
Sincerely,
Your Fellow Stockholder:
First Union Real Estate Equity and Mortgage Investments
___________________, 2005
11
SIZELER PROPERTY INVESTORS, INC.
PROXY FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
OCTOBER 27, 2005
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF FIRST UNION REAL ESTATE EQUITY AND
MORTGAGE INVESTMENTS
The undersigned hereby appoints Michael L. Ashner and Peter Braverman or
either of them, attorneys and proxies, with full power of substitution, to
represent the undersigned and vote, all shares of common stock of, $0.0001 par
value per share, of Sizeler Property Investors, Inc. (the "Company"), that the
undersigned is entitled to vote, with all powers which the undersigned would
possess if personally present, at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders (including
all adjournments, continuations and postponements thereof) of the Company be
held on October 27, 2005, at _______________ (the "Meeting") as herein specified
(or, if no direction is given, FOR the two director nominees named below) and in
such proxyholder's discretion upon any other matter that may properly come
before the Meeting.
1. ELECTION OF TWO DIRECTORS
(to serve until the 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders or until their
successors are duly elected and qualified)
|_| FOR all nominees |_| WITHHOLD AUTHORITY
to vote for all nominees
Michael L. Ashner
Peter Braverman
Stockholders may withhold authority to elect any of the nominees by writing the
name of that nominee in the space provided below.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. APPROVAL of the appointment of auditors as set forth in the accompanying
Proxy Statement.
|_| FOR |_| AGAINST |_| ABSTAIN
The proxy is authorized to transact such other business as may properly
come before the meeting.
This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed
herein by the undersigned Stockholder. If no direction is given, this proxy will
be voted FOR the nominees listed above and in the discretion of said proxy on
any other matter which may come before the meeting or any adjournments thereof.
Dated: _________, 2005
____________________________
Print Name
____________________________
Signature
NOTE: When shares are held by joint tenants, both should sign. When signing as
attorney, executor, administrator, trustee, custodian, guardian or corporate
officer, please give your full title as such. If a corporation, please sign full
corporate name by authorized officer. If a partnership, please sign in
partnership name by authorized person.
PLEASE MARK, DATE, SIGN AND RETURN THE GREEN PROXY CARD
PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.