February 2003 Newsletter

Next Meeting 

Employer Services Corporation to Speak at February Meeting
By Jim Fitz-Patrick

Our meeting this month, arranged by Program Chairman Larry Quigliano, should be or interest to all members owning a small business. Employer Services Corporation (ESC) located in Amherst, a Professional Employer Organization founded in 1995, is dedicated to managing and supporting every facet of employment administration. This includes providing a full suite of benefit services, as well as payroll and human resource services. Presenters will be John Harris who in addition to being the co-founder, also serves as its President, and Jan Owczarczak, Vice President of Business Development. ESC services many small companies who have more than 5,800 employees.

Our dinner will be a full course steak dinner and will cost $18.00 inclusive. Reservations are extremely important to assure accurate food preparation and seating arrangements. Final date to reserve is Friday, February 7th. Please call Jim or Jenny at 283-0557 or fax us at 283-0773 to make yours.

Dues

Bills for your 2003 dues are being delayed until after the Budget and Finance Committee has its meeting, which is tentatively scheduled for February 4, 2003. The National Association of Home Builders proposed a $30.00 increase in dues beginning this year. This was vigorously opposed by many associations and was delayed temporarily. NAHB is amending their request to raise dues by $20.00 effective April 1, 2003 plus an additional $10.00 beginning January 1, 2004. This new change should be voted on at the National Convention in Las Vegas this month. As you can see, it will be necessary to increase our dues to offset NAHB's increase. If you have any questions on this please call Executive Officer Jim Fitz-Patrick at 283-0557 or Treasurer John Ennis at 692-8282.

Atlantic Builders Convention (ABC)

NYSBA has once again partnered with the other homebuilder associations in the Northeast to present the largest homebuilders show in the region, the Atlantic Builders Convention. Featuring over 500 exhibits, educational seminars and special events, the show will be held April 2-4 at the Atlantic City Convention Center in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

If you are interested in exhibiting in the event that draws more than 8000 building industry professionals, including builders, developers, remodelers, subcontractors and consulting professionals from a six state region, please contact Beverly Lewinski at NYSBA. Phone 518-465-2492.

We thank Gary Pollard, the owner of Pollard Windows who has agreed to be an exhibitor at the ABC. He registered through our association, therefore a portion of his registration fee will be returned to NYSBA and to us.

Thanks again Gary!

Welcome!

We are pleased to report the approval of two (2) companies who were approved by the Board of Directors on January 8th. They are:

Orville's Home Appliances
Marty Gregoire, Marketing Manager
210 Industrial Parkway, Cheektowaga, NY 14227
Phone (716) 545-5730
Fax (716) 656-5705
Business: Home Appliances - Conventional and Professional
Type of Membership: Associate
Sponsorship: Jeff Robinson - Countrywide Home Loans

National Vacuum Corp.
Carl Fellows, Safety Director

4870 Packard Road, Niagara Falls, NY 14304
Phone (716) 773-1167
Fax (716) 775-1213
Business: Bldg Operations / Cleaning
Type of Membership: Associate
Sponsorship: NCBA Office

Why not give Marty and Carl a call right now and welcome them to our association and see how you can do business together as members off the NCBA.

The winner of the Build-Pac 50/50 Split at the January meeting was Dennis Hayden from Sadlo Lumber and Wood Products who received $36.00 as his share of the split. Bob Minkiewicz from 84 Lumber Company won 2nd prize in the drawing, which was a specialty rack of ribs courtesy of Joe at J.T. Wheatfields.

It Pays to Be a Member!

As most of you know, United Rentals presented our program last month. Sales Manager Dave Meyers extended a 10% discount to all NCBA members when they do business with United.

Lobby Day 2003 is March 11th. If you are interested in attending this important meeting in Albany, please contact State Director Skip Mazenauer. This is your chance to meet face to face with your state Assemblymen and Senators to discuss builder related problems and issues.

IMPORTANT NOTICE to the Officers and Board Members:

The next meeting of the Board of Directors will be held prior to the general meeting on February 12th. It will begin at 5:30 pm and end at approximately 6:45 pm to allow for a short break before the regular meeting begins.