NYSBA, local builders meet

The Niagara County Builders Association welcomed three high-ranking members of the New York State Builders Association at its June 8 meeting at the Youngstown Yacht Club.

NYSBA President John Hofelich discussed with NCBA members the importance of the homebuilding industry to the economy. Bob West, manager of the NYSBA Management Services, gave a presentation on the state association's liability insurance. He also spoke about the various insurance options available for NCBA members.

Phil LaRocque, the NYSBA's executive vice president, reviewed the association's magazine and its builders' profiling. He also discussed the legal defense work in assisting contractors who allow the building industry to keep the cost of homes in New York state as reasonable as possible.

The NCBA members also received an update on the efforts to keep the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station open from John Cooper, vice chairman of the Niagara Military Affairs Council.

In addition to distributing letters of support, Cooper talked about the different rallies that will take place when representatives from the Base Realignment and Closure committee visit the Niagara air base on Monday, June 27.

At a recent meeting of the Niagara County Builders Association, John A. Cooper, Sr., Vice Chairman of the Niagara Military Affairs Council, presented support letters and information to the local builders. Cooper (left) is shown here with NCBA president Stan Swogier reviewing the package he presented regarding the strategy of local support for the Niagara Falls Air Force Reserve Base.

Pictured here at a recent builders meeting at the Youngstown Yacht Club are (front row, left to right): Robert West, manager of NYSBA Management Services, John Hofelich, NYSBA president, and Phil LaRocque, NYSBA executive vice-president. In the back row, are (left to right): Larry Quigliano, NCBA vice-president, Cathy Strassburg, NCBA office manager, and Stan Swogier, NCBA president.

At their annual national conference in Orlando, Florida, the National Associaton of Homebuilders chose to honor Jim Fitz-Patrick, executive officer of the Niagara County Builders Association, for 25 years of continuous meritous service. Fitz-Patrick was unable to attend, so a walking stick was accepted on his behalf by Phil LaRocque, executive vice president of the New York State Builders Association. LaRocque then presented the walking stick to Skip Mazenauer, NYSBA state director, at a recent NCBA meeting. The beautiful walking stick was traditionally handcrafted using wood from the forests of Ireland. Mazenauer accepted the gift on Fitz-Patrick's behalf, thanking both the state and national associations.