SC 13D/A 1 sc13da906290004_12012005.htm sec document 

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              WASHINGTON, DC 20549
                                 --------------

                                  SCHEDULE 13D
                                 (Rule 13d-101)

             INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN STATEMENTS FILED PURSUANT
            TO RULE 13d-1(a) AND AMENDMENTS THERETO FILED PURSUANT TO
                                  RULE 13d-2(a)

                              (Amendment No. 9)(1)

                        Sunset Financial Resources, Inc.
                         -------------------------------
                                (Name of Issuer)

                     Common Stock, par value $.001 per share
                     ---------------------------------------
                         (Title of Class of Securities)

                                    867708109
                                    ---------
                                 (CUSIP Number)

                              STEVEN WOLOSKY, ESQ.
                 OLSHAN GRUNDMAN FROME ROSENZWEIG & WOLOSKY LLP
                                Park Avenue Tower
                               65 East 55th Street
                            New York, New York 10022
                                 (212) 451-2300
                                 --------------
                  (Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person
                Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)

                                December 5, 2005
                                ----------------
             (Date of Event Which Requires Filing of This Statement)

     If the filing  person has  previously  filed a statement on Schedule 13G to
report the  acquisition  that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing
this  schedule  because  of Rule  13d-1(e),  13d-1(f)  or  13d-1(g),  check  the
following box / /.

     NOTE.  Schedules  filed in paper format shall include a signed original and
five copies of the schedule,  including  all exhibits.  See Rule 13d-7 for other
parties to whom copies are to be sent.

                         (Continued on following pages)

                              (Page 1 of 14 Pages)


------------------
(1)  The  remainder  of this  cover  page  shall be filled  out for a  reporting
person's  initial  filing on this  form with  respect  to the  subject  class of
securities,  and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would
alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

     The  information  required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be
deemed to be "filed"  for the purpose of Section 18 of the  Securities  Exchange
Act of 1934 or otherwise  subject to the  liabilities of that section of the Act
but  shall be  subject  to all other  provisions  of the Act  (however,  SEE the
NOTES).




----------------------                                    ----------------------
CUSIP No. 867708109                   13D                    Page 2 of 14 Pages
----------------------                                    ----------------------


================================================================================
     1         NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
               I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

                     WESTERN INVESTMENT L L C
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     2         CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*         (a) /X/
                                                                         (b) / /
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     3         SEC USE ONLY

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     4         SOURCE OF FUNDS*
                     WC
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     5         CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
               PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)                                 / /
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     6         CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

                     DELAWARE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   NUMBER OF       7      SOLE VOTING POWER
    SHARES
 BENEFICIALLY                   1,016,300
  OWNED BY     -----------------------------------------------------------------
    EACH           8      SHARED VOTING POWER
  REPORTING
 PERSON WITH                    - 0 -
               -----------------------------------------------------------------
                   9      SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

                                1,016,300
               -----------------------------------------------------------------
                  10      SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

                                - 0 -
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     11        AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING
               PERSON

                     1,016,300
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     12        CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES
               CERTAIN SHARES*                                               / /
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     13        PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

                     9.7%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     14        TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*

                     OO
================================================================================

                      *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!




----------------------                                    ----------------------
CUSIP No. 867708109                   13D                    Page 3 of 14 Pages
----------------------                                    ----------------------


================================================================================
     1         NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
               I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

                     ARTHUR D. LIPSON
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     2         CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*         (a) /X/
                                                                         (b) / /
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     3         SEC USE ONLY

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     4         SOURCE OF FUNDS*
                     PF, OO
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     5         CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
               PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)                                 / /
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     6         CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

                     USA
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   NUMBER OF       7      SOLE VOTING POWER
    SHARES
 BENEFICIALLY                   1,022,300
  OWNED BY     -----------------------------------------------------------------
    EACH           8      SHARED VOTING POWER
  REPORTING
 PERSON WITH                    - 0 -
               -----------------------------------------------------------------
                   9      SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

                                1,022,300
               -----------------------------------------------------------------
                  10      SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

                                - 0 -
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     11        AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING
               PERSON

                     1,022,300
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     12        CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES
               CERTAIN SHARES*                                               / /
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     13        PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

                     9.7%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     14        TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*

                     IN
================================================================================

                      *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!




----------------------                                    ----------------------
CUSIP No. 867708109                   13D                    Page 4 of 14 Pages
----------------------                                    ----------------------


================================================================================
     1         NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
               I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

                     WESTERN INVESTMENT HEDGED PARTNERS LP
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     2         CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*         (a) /X/
                                                                         (b) / /
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     3         SEC USE ONLY

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     4         SOURCE OF FUNDS*
                     WC
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     5         CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
               PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)                                 / /
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     6         CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

                     DELAWARE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   NUMBER OF       7      SOLE VOTING POWER
    SHARES
 BENEFICIALLY             305,300
  OWNED BY     -----------------------------------------------------------------
    EACH           8      SHARED VOTING POWER
  REPORTING
 PERSON WITH              - 0 -
               -----------------------------------------------------------------
                   9      SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

                          305,300
               -----------------------------------------------------------------
                  10      SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

                          - 0 -
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     11        AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING
               PERSON

                     305,300
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     12        CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES
               CERTAIN SHARES*                                               / /
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     13        PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

                     2.9%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     14        TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*

                     PN
================================================================================

                      *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!




----------------------                                    ----------------------
CUSIP No. 867708109                   13D                    Page 5 of 14 Pages
----------------------                                    ----------------------


================================================================================
     1         NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
               I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

                     WESTERN INVESTMENT INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERS L L C
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     2         CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*         (a) /X/
                                                                         (b) / /
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     3         SEC USE ONLY

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     4         SOURCE OF FUNDS*
                     WC
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     5         CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
               PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)                                 / /
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     6         CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

                     DELAWARE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   NUMBER OF       7      SOLE VOTING POWER
    SHARES
 BENEFICIALLY                   633,300
  OWNED BY     -----------------------------------------------------------------
    EACH           8      SHARED VOTING POWER
  REPORTING
 PERSON WITH                    - 0 -
               -----------------------------------------------------------------
                   9      SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

                                633,300
               -----------------------------------------------------------------
                  10      SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

                                - 0 -
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     11        AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING
               PERSON

                     633,300
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     12        CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES
               CERTAIN SHARES*                                               / /
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     13        PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

                     6.0%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     14        TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*

                     OO
================================================================================

                      *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!




----------------------                                    ----------------------
CUSIP No. 867708109                   13D                    Page 6 of 14 Pages
----------------------                                    ----------------------


================================================================================
     1         NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
               I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

                     WESTERN INVESTMENT ACTIVISM PARTNERS L L C
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     2         CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*         (a) /X/
                                                                         (b) / /
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     3         SEC USE ONLY

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     4         SOURCE OF FUNDS*
                     WC
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     5         CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
               PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)                                 / /
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     6         CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

                     DELAWARE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   NUMBER OF       7      SOLE VOTING POWER
    SHARES
 BENEFICIALLY                   77,700
  OWNED BY     -----------------------------------------------------------------
    EACH           8      SHARED VOTING POWER
  REPORTING
 PERSON WITH                    - 0 -
               -----------------------------------------------------------------
                   9      SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

                                77,700
               -----------------------------------------------------------------
                  10      SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

                                - 0 -
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     11        AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING
               PERSON

                     77,700
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     12        CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES
               CERTAIN SHARES*                                               / /
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     13        PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

                     0.7%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     14        TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*

                     OO
================================================================================

                      *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!




----------------------                                    ----------------------
CUSIP No. 867708109                   13D                    Page 7 of 14 Pages
----------------------                                    ----------------------


================================================================================
     1         NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
               I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

                     MATTHEW S. CROUSE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     2         CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*         (a) /X/
                                                                         (b) / /
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     3         SEC USE ONLY

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     4         SOURCE OF FUNDS*

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     5         CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
               PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)                                 / /
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     6         CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

                     USA
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   NUMBER OF       7      SOLE VOTING POWER
    SHARES
 BENEFICIALLY                   - 0 -
  OWNED BY     -----------------------------------------------------------------
    EACH           8      SHARED VOTING POWER
  REPORTING
 PERSON WITH                    - 0 -
               -----------------------------------------------------------------
                   9      SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

                                - 0 -
               -----------------------------------------------------------------
                  10      SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

                                - 0 -
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     11        AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING
               PERSON

                     - 0 -
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     12        CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES
               CERTAIN SHARES*                                               / /
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     13        PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

                     0%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     14        TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*

                     IN
================================================================================

                      *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!




----------------------                                    ----------------------
CUSIP No. 867708109                   13D                    Page 8 of 14 Pages
----------------------                                    ----------------------


================================================================================
     1         NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
               I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

                     JAMES S. SCHALLHEIM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     2         CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*         (a) /X/
                                                                         (b) / /
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     3         SEC USE ONLY

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     4         SOURCE OF FUNDS*

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     5         CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
               PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)                                 / /
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     6         CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

                     USA
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   NUMBER OF       7      SOLE VOTING POWER
    SHARES
 BENEFICIALLY                   - 0 -
  OWNED BY     -----------------------------------------------------------------
    EACH           8      SHARED VOTING POWER
  REPORTING
 PERSON WITH                    - 0 -
               -----------------------------------------------------------------
                   9      SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

                                - 0 -
               -----------------------------------------------------------------
                  10      SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

                                - 0 -
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     11        AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING
               PERSON

                     - 0 -
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     12        CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES
               CERTAIN SHARES*                                               / /
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     13        PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

                     0%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     14        TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*

                     IN
================================================================================

                      *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!




----------------------                                    ----------------------
CUSIP No. 867708109                   13D                    Page 9 of 14 Pages
----------------------                                    ----------------------


================================================================================
     1         NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
               I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

                     D. JAMES DARAS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     2         CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*         (a) /X/
                                                                         (b) / /
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     3         SEC USE ONLY

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     4         SOURCE OF FUNDS*

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     5         CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
               PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)                                 / /
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     6         CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

                     USA
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   NUMBER OF       7      SOLE VOTING POWER
    SHARES
 BENEFICIALLY                   - 0 -
  OWNED BY     -----------------------------------------------------------------
    EACH           8      SHARED VOTING POWER
  REPORTING
 PERSON WITH                    - 0 -
               -----------------------------------------------------------------
                   9      SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

                                - 0 -
               -----------------------------------------------------------------
                  10      SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

                                - 0 -
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     11        AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING
               PERSON

                     - 0 -
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     12        CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES
               CERTAIN SHARES*                                               / /
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     13        PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

                     0%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     14        TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*

                     IN
================================================================================

                      *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!




----------------------                                    ----------------------
CUSIP No. 867708109                   13D                    Page 10 of 14 Pages
----------------------                                    ----------------------


================================================================================
     1         NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
               I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

                     MARSHALL W. COBURN
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     2         CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*         (a) /X/
                                                                         (b) / /
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     3         SEC USE ONLY

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     4         SOURCE OF FUNDS*

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     5         CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
               PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)                                 / /
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     6         CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

                     USA
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   NUMBER OF       7      SOLE VOTING POWER
    SHARES
 BENEFICIALLY                   - 0 -
  OWNED BY     -----------------------------------------------------------------
    EACH           8      SHARED VOTING POWER
  REPORTING
 PERSON WITH                    - 0 -
               -----------------------------------------------------------------
                   9      SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

                                - 0 -
               -----------------------------------------------------------------
                  10      SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

                                - 0 -
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     11        AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING
               PERSON

                     - 0 -
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     12        CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES
               CERTAIN SHARES*                                               / /
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     13        PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

                     0%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     14        TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*

                     IN
================================================================================

                      *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!




----------------------                                    ----------------------
CUSIP No. 867708109                   13D                    Page 11 of 14 Pages
----------------------                                    ----------------------


================================================================================
     1         NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
               I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

                     GERALD HELLERMAN
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     2         CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*         (a) /X/
                                                                         (b) / /
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     3         SEC USE ONLY

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     4         SOURCE OF FUNDS*

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     5         CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
               PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)                                 / /
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     6         CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

                     USA
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   NUMBER OF       7      SOLE VOTING POWER
    SHARES
 BENEFICIALLY                   - 0 -
  OWNED BY     -----------------------------------------------------------------
    EACH           8      SHARED VOTING POWER
  REPORTING
 PERSON WITH                    - 0 -
               -----------------------------------------------------------------
                   9      SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

                                - 0 -
               -----------------------------------------------------------------
                  10      SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

                                - 0 -
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     11        AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING
               PERSON

                     - 0 -
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     12        CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES
               CERTAIN SHARES*                                               / /
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     13        PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

                     0%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     14        TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*

                     IN
================================================================================

                      *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!




----------------------                                    ----------------------
CUSIP No. 867708109                   13D                    Page 12 of 14 Pages
----------------------                                    ----------------------


          The following  constitutes  Amendment No. 9 ("Amendment No. 9") to the
Schedule 13D filed by the undersigned.  This Amendment No. 9 amends the Schedule
13D as specifically set forth.

     Item 4 is hereby amended to add the following:

          As  previously  reported  in this  Schedule  13D,  on October 3, 2005,
WILLC, WIHP, WIAP and Arthur D. Lipson (collectively, the "Western Group") filed
a  preliminary  consent  solicitation   statement  (the  "Statement")  with  the
Securities  and Exchange  Commission  in  connection  with the  solicitation  of
written  consents to call a special  meeting of the Issuer's  stockholders.  The
Western Committee sought to call a special meeting of the Issuer's  stockholders
to remove  and  replace  each of the  members  of the board of the Issuer and to
amend  certain  provisions  in the Issuer's  bylaws.  On October 28,  2005,  the
Western Group  commenced an action  against the Issuer seeking  declaratory  and
injunctive  relief to nullify several  amendments to the Issuer's bylaws,  which
the Issuer amended on August 31, 2005 and October 5, 2005, and the Western Group
alleges  were passed by the board for the  unlawful  purpose of  preventing  the
Western  Group from  exercising  its  rights to call the  special  meeting.  The
Western Group does not currently  anticipate using the Statement for the purpose
of soliciting  written  consents for the purposes set forth  therein  during the
pendency of this action.  However,  to the extent the Western  Group obtains the
relief  sought  in this  action,  the  Western  Group,  together  with the other
Reporting Persons,  may again seek to solicit written consents to call a special
meeting of stockholders.




----------------------                                    ----------------------
CUSIP No. 867708109                   13D                    Page 13 of 14 Pages
----------------------                                    ----------------------


                                   SIGNATURES

          After reasonable  inquiry and to the best of his knowledge and belief,
each of the  undersigned  certifies  that  the  information  set  forth  in this
statement is true, complete and correct.

Dated: December 5, 2005          WESTERN INVESTMENT L L C

                                 By: /s/ Arthur D. Lipson
                                 ------------------------------------
                                 Name: Arthur D. Lipson
                                 Title: Sole Member

                                 WESTERN INVESTMENT HEDGED PARTNERS LP

                                 By: Western Investment L L C,
                                 Its General Partner

                                 By: /s/ Arthur D. Lipson
                                 ------------------------------------
                                 Name: Arthur D. Lipson
                                 Title: Managing Member

                                 WESTERN INVESTMENT INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERS L L C

                                 By: Western Investment L L C,
                                 Its Managing Member

                                 By: /s/ Arthur D. Lipson
                                 ------------------------------------
                                 Name: Arthur D. Lipson
                                 Title: Managing Member

                                 WESTERN INVESTMENT ACTIVISM PARTNERS L L C

                                 By: Western Investment L L C,
                                 Its Managing Member

                                 By: /s/ Arthur D. Lipson
                                 ------------------------------------
                                 Name: Arthur D. Lipson
                                 Title: Managing Member

                                 /s/ Arthur D. Lipson
                                 ------------------------------------
                                 ARTHUR D. LIPSON

                                 /s/ Matthew S. Crouse
                                 ------------------------------------
                                 MATTHEW S. CROUSE

                                 /s/ James S. Schallheim
                                 ------------------------------------
                                 JAMES S. SCHALLHEIM




----------------------                                    ----------------------
CUSIP No. 867708109                   13D                    Page 14 of 14 Pages
----------------------                                    ----------------------


                                 /s/ D. James Daras
                                 -------------------------------------
                                 D. JAMES DARAS

                                 /s/ Marshall W. Coburn
                                 -------------------------------------
                                 MARSHALL W. COBURN

                                 /s/ Gerald Hellerman
                                 -------------------------------------
                                 GERALD HELLERMAN