Next Meeting

Our meeting this month will be of interest to all the builders as well as the remodeler's members. It will be presented by Niagara Gutter. Their representatives, Tim Lewis and Steve Tybor along with Joe Buscaglia, the Heartland siding representative will be the presenters. Joe will be introducing Heartland's new exciting dark color accessories line for 2004. Our meal will be a full course barbecue rib and chicken dinner and will cost $20 inclusive. Reservations continue to be extremely important to assure proper food preparations and seating arrangements. Please make your reservations by calling Jim or Jenny at the Builders Office (283-0557) or fax it to them at 283-0733. All reservations must be made no later than Friday, February 6, 2004.

Conventions and Seminars

Now that the 2004 National Convention is completed, there are two other great shows you may want to attend. The Atlantic Builders Convention will be held March 17-19, 2004 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. This show will feature over 500 exhibits and product demonstrations plus many seminars. Special speakers will include Ron "Jaws" Jaworski, former quarterback of the Philadelphia Eagles (born and raised in Lackawanna) and presently an ESPN NFL analyst and Walt "Clyde" Frazier, formerly with the New York Knicks and a seven time NBA All Star player. A special remodeler's day is set for Friday, March 19th.

The other show - Midwest Builders Show - will be held March 23-26, 2004 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois. Keynote speaker is "Iron Mike" Ditka, former Head Coach of the New Orleans Saints and Super Bowl Champon Chicago Bears. The show is the largest tradeshow in the Midwest for the Housing Industry. For further information on these shows, please call your Executive Officer.

Membership

Please welcome to our association the following company whose application for associate membership was approved by the board at its meeting on January 14, 2004. Approved was:

Now is the time to call these guys and welcome them to our association and see how you and they can do business together as members of the Niagara County Builders Association.

Help Needed

Many of you will recall that last year we were asked to assist the "Erie Canal Group Workcamp" in their project to assist the elderly, low income and physically challenged in our area in necessary home improvements. The project lasts one week - June 27th to July 3rd - where the group hopes to make repairs to about 60 to 70 homes. The group can use monetary assistance or materials or in hand assistance of all types. For further information or to offer your assistance, please call Jim Haid at 433-5252. The group expresses their sincere thanks to B&L Wholesale for their generous material donations last year.

Budget

We wish to advise that our budget for 2004 prepared by Treasurer John Ennis and Executive Officer Jim Fitz-Patrick was approved by your Board of Directors on January 14, 2004. Anyone who would like a copy of the budget or has any questions should contact either John or Jim.

Future Fun Times

While looking out my window at about 15 inches of snow, I wonder if our annual Golf Tournament and the picnic will be possible. In talking with Larry Quigliano today, he agreed to be Picnic Chairman again this year. The anticipated date of the picnic will be Wednesday, August 11, 2004, which is only three weeks after our golf tournament. Stay tuned for more details regarding location, price and caterer in the upcoming months. At the present time I am awaiting a call from Board Member James Kuryak to see if he will chair the golf outing again this year. The Golf Tournament will be limited to the first eighty golfers who send in the fee. In the meantime, mark your calendars for July 21st (golf) and August 11th (picnic) for two of the best fun events held by your association.

NYSBA Lobby Day

State Director Skip Mazenauer reminds everyone that the New York State Builders Association's Lobby Day in Albany is Tuesday, March 30th. Several of our members will be going to Albany that day to meet face to face with our state representatives. If you would like to go, please call Skip at 773-7676 and let him know. The State Association will furnish all attendees with a lobbying packet with information they feel is important to the building industry. You can then cover these points when you meet with State Senators George Maziarz and Byron Brown and Assemblywoman Francine Del Monte.

Remodeling

Remodelers Council Chairman and newly elected President Stan Swogier advised that the remodeling is booming. With favorable interest rates many people are doing major remodeling rather than buying that new home. Stan has acknowledged that he has sufficient work to cover him through mid 2004, with additional requests coming in daily.