TOOLBOX A Publication of the Newton County Home Builders Association

May 2008

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HBA Leadership

Bob Goucher—President

Brian Burgoyne-Associate Vice President

Susan Clark—Director

Mike Dawkins—Director

Steve DuBois—Past President

Alan Freeman—Past President

Teri Harris Joiner – Director

Larry Maynard—Past President

Michael Penland—Director

Jared Rutberg—Director

Lewis Stephenson– Director

George Wallace—Director

Andrea Hammond-Executive Officer

ATTENTION ALL RESIDENTIAL AND GENERAL CONTRACTORS

On July 1, 2005 Georgia Legislation passed a law that all Residential and General Contractors must be licensed in order to practice. The Georgia Secretary of State’s office accepted applications for examination exemp-tion through June 30, 2007. If you are a Residential or General Con-tractor and did NOT get accepted for exam exemption you will be re-quired by law to pass an exam specific to the category of licensure. AFTER JULY 1, 2008 IT WILL BE UNLAWFUL TO PRACTICE AS A CONTRACTOR WITHOUT A LICENSE. Below are the three types of licensure:

• Residential Basic Contractor: contractor work relative to detached one-family and two-family residences and one-family townhouses not over three stories in height.

• Residential-Light Contractor: same as residential-basic, and addition-ally, such contractor work or activity related to multifamily and multi-use light commercial buildings and structures up to 25,000 square feet.

• General Contractor: contractor services unlimited as to type of work contracted for, undertaken to perform, bid or proposed upon or oth-erwise offered to perform, and performed as a contractor, except any work which falls under the licensing requirements for Chapter 14 of this title, which may not be performed by the general contractor unless he or she possesses the licensure to do so.

RESIDENTIAL AND GENERAL CONTRACTORS WEB SITE:

www.sos.state.ga.us/plb/contractors

The Newton County HBA will be offering an exam prep seminar on May 9th and 10th.

Call the office to register or for more details.

BRONZE

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Well here we are again, another month waiting for the housing market to turn around. This time there may be some indicators that a slow recovery is trying to get some momen-tum. We are still getting reasonable traffic at the subdivisions, the Government is trying to enter the fray with a homebuyer incentive, our friends in the mortgage business are honing their skills in this “tough to get money” market. The Wall Street Journal says many areas have hit bottom and are starting to rebound. It is also my understanding that there are several locations in the Atlanta metro area that are doing ok. This is all positive news, now we have to find ways to build a future on the new housing trends that are sure to emerge.

As business professionals we have to identify what generates a successful project in this new and probably different market, make changes to our offerings and move forward cau-tiously. Remember, we still have projected growth and housing demand in the area. Our location, although lacking some amenities and services, has a very sellable lifestyle to offer many prospective homeowners. We need to design, build and sell to our strengths. It is also imperative that all of us in the housing industry become proactive in making Newton County the place where potential customers want to live and play.

Elections are not far away and we at Newton County Home Builders are taking an active roll and interviewing prospective local candidates. Our industry has been one of the largest employers in the county and a significant contributor to the success of many businesses in the county. We bring in huge amounts of tax revenue, not only as we build but on going as new residents live and purchase services in the county. If we are to continue to make a liv-ing in this county we must do our very best to promote a healthy environment for Sustain-able Quality Growth. To do this every person involved in the industry; developers, builders, subcontractors, suppliers, Realtors, bankers, mortgage brokers, and other busi-nesses benefiting from positive growth, must get out and vote for the candidates that sup-port our goals. WE, not somebody else, must protect our way of life. As the elections draw closer we will do our best to keep you informed and motivate you to motivate all of your con-stituents to support the candidates that will support SUSTAINABLE QUALITY GROWTH in Newton County. VOTE

JIMMY HARRIS TRUCKING Old Atlanta Hwy Covington, GA

Roll Off Containers C & D Transfer Station

(770)786-3585 (866) 405-4669

Sand & Gravel Hourly Truck Rental

(770) 786-0061 (888)485-4669

Pres

iden

t’s P

ersp

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e By

: Bob

Gou

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Page 3

On March 20th the East Metro Board of REAL-TORS® (EMBOR) hosted a Legislative Update with Senator Johnny Isakson. The Senator discussed several issues, including the hous-ing crisis. Being a former REALTOR® he was very sympathetic to our plight and talked of a tax credit for new home buyers. ABOVE: HBA President Bob Goucher stops to ask the Senator a question.

2008 NEC Adoption As state and local jurisdictions begin to adopt the 2008 NEC (National Electric Code), there are a few significant changes you need to be aware of:

• 210.12 Arc–Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) protection shall be required on most branch circuits through out the dwelling units.

• New 406.11 Tamper –Resistant Receptacles in all areas of one and two family dwellings as designated in section 210.52.

• Ground –Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) protection for receptacle serving garage and basement in the dwelling units has been revised.

• Revisions to the ampacity adjustment for NM, NMC and NMS wiring when two or more cables with two or more current carrying conductors are bundled or pass t through a single opening in framing where draft-stopping or fire-stopping is used.

• Receptacles shall now be required at all dwelling porches, decks and patios, regardless of the number of stories above grade.

For more information please visit this website:

http://www.nahb.org/generic.aspx?genericContentID=92549

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Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursay Friday Saturday

1GOLF TOURNA-MENT at Hickory Hill Golf Course—OFFICE CLOSED

2 3

4 5 6 710:00 am—Board of Directors Meeting at the HBA office

8 98:00 am—5:00 pm Builder Licens-ing Prep Class

108:00 am—5:00 pm Builder Licensing Prep Class

11

12 137:30 am—Membership Meet-ing at Henderson’s

14 15 16 17

18 19 20HBAG Spring Board Meeting–

Lake Lanier

OFFICE CLOSED

21HBAG Spring Board Meeting–

Lake Lanier

OFFICE CLOSED

22HBAG Spring Board Meeting–

Lake Lanier

OFFICE CLOSED

23 24

25 27 28 29 30 31

May 2008

Builder Licensing Exam Prep Class

May 9-10, 2008 8:00—5:00 each day

Call the HBA office to register. Space is limited so reserve your seat early.

Don’t Risk it! Take this licensing prep seminar to ensure you will pass the exam on the first try!

26 Memorial Day

OFFICE CLOSED

Page 5

Dues payments are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes. However, dues may be deductible as ordinary and necessary business expense, subject to exclusions for lobbying activity. Contributions to a political action committee (PAC) are not tax deductible. In 2008, 12% of the $150 NAHB dues are used for lobbying, so $18 of those dues are not deductible; 36% of the $75 HBAG dues are used for lobbying, so $27 of those dues are not deductible.

David Reddick Kimberly Alston Partner Attorney

Morris|Hardwick|Schnedier

2012 East View Pkwy, Bldg. 3, Ste. 400

Conyers, GA 30013

Phone: 770-388-9100/Fax: 388-9797

Your Conyers Team is Ready

to Serve Your Closing Needs

MEMBER RENEWALS 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty

B S Concrete Bank of North Georgia

Best Septic Tank Service Bizzy Bee Exterminators

Bonded Builders Home Warranty C-H Heating and Air

C & T Plumbing Care for Your Castle

Countrywide Home Loans FastTap

Freeman Builders Holcombe Remodeling

Home Automation & Alarm Systems

Jimmy Harris Trucking Lake Arthur Investment Company

Matthews Heating and Air Newton Electric Supply Company

On-Site Lubrications P D Solutions

Property Engineering Services Ragan Drywall

Redwood Homes Richport Properties

RoseKastle RWC

Southern Countertops Wizard Pest Control

NEW MEMBER United Bank

Reed Beard

678-342-7211

ASSOCIATE Commercial Banking/Thrift Institution

2101 Clark Street, Covington, GA 30014

P O Box 309, Covington, GA 30015

Phone: 770-787-3763

www.embor.com

Debbie Junkin, Association Executive

Rosemary Teague, Member Services Director

Vanessa Shorter, President

Page 6

EMBOR WELCOMES ERICA MILLIGAN

Please stop by the EMBOR office to welcome our newest staff member, Erica Milligan. She comes to the Board from the banking industry and will be a valuable addition to the staff. Erica was a significant asset to the Newton County Home Builders Association as the Secre-tary/Treasurer and was seen at every function volunteering her time. She has also been involved with the American Caner Society/Relay for Life, the Covington Police Fuzz Run and serves on the Covington-Newton County Chamber of Commerce’s Ambassador Committee. Erica’s background and expertise are a good fit for the East Metro Board of REALTORS®.

Web Link Offer Link YOUR website to the

HBA’s site for only $25!

Send in your payment or call the office to be invoiced.

Page 7

The NAHB Spike Club is an organization composed of all the individual members in local associat ions who have attained Spike status. It is a vehicle to recognize these members for their outstanding achievements in member recruitment and retention in their local builders association. Numbers provided by NAHB as of 4/14/08

Susanne Bixler 110

Roger Boyd 20.5

Ray Cheek 131

Mike Dawkins 38

Steve DuBois 192.5

Russell Foskey 34

Alan Freeman 129.5

Marilyn Goucher 33

Larry Maynard 78.5

Joan McDonald 112.5

Erica Milligan 26

Jerry Neese 1043.5

John Penland 35.5

Mac Perkins 15

Cal Rueping 8

Scott Sims 34.5

Roger Singleton 19.5

Cher Voyles 36

The HBA could use a

couple of extra “branches” for the

monthly calling tree. If you are willing to call 25 HBA members each

month please let us know!

To find out more about the Spike Club or the

Membership Committee please contact the HBA office!

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April Membership Meeting

ABOVE LEFT: Bob Goucher lists the most important qualities a subcon-tractor must have: Quality, Delivery and Cost (in that order!)

LEFT: Jared Rutberg talks about the importance of not overselling yourself or your products. If you can’t offer a product or service refer the builder to someone who can.

The topic at the April meeting was “How to Talk to Builders” which was very informative. One tip the panel provided:

When attending an HBA function with co-workers and others you know DON’T sit together. The saying “divide and conquer” ap-plies to networking events. You won’t get any leads sitting with

people you work with or that are in the same industry you are.

Join us May 13th at 7:30 am for MEET THE

CANDIDATES. We’ll meet at Henderson’s for breakfast and a chance to meet those running

for a Board of Commission seat.

ALL candidates running for a BOC seat have been invited.

Page 9

OPERATION PATRIOT’S CALL “Operation Patriot’s Call” is gearing up support for the spouses of Bravo Company, 1/121st Infantry, our National Guard neighbors that will be deploying to Afghanistan for 12 months. This support is to help the family members of our soldiers survive the day to day expenses and challenges without the help of their soldier wife or husband. Imagine if your spouse was gone to a hostile land for 12 months with little or no communication? Couple that with the 12 months prior he/she is gone approximately an additional 90 days for train-ing. Most of us can not relate to how stressful this can be.

That’s where Operation Patriot’s Call comes in. The unit’s Family Readiness Group is asking for churches, businesses, and concerned citizens to help these family members by offering free or discounted services, “adopting” a family, and/or counseling/support. These may be in the area of vehicle maintenance, home repair, haircuts, tax services, optometry, and movies – any of life’s daily challenges. This can make a tremendous difference in mak-ing that dangerous year pass by a little more smoothly. The commitment is actually for 30 months: the 12 months prior (there is a great deal of stress leading up to the deployment since the service member is away from home a lot for training and the family is focused on the pending separation), the 12 months during (while soldier is deployed), and the 6 months after redeployment (a very stressful period due to reintegration with their families).

As businesses, churches, and individuals step forward to offer help to these families, a Resource Book will be com-piled. Spouses will contact the Rear Detachment Commander who will be responsible getting the spouses and busi-nesses together. A spouse will come to the Commander with their needs and we hope many matches will be made.

But it’s up to us who will remain behind, enjoying our warm beds and the safety and stability of our comfortable lives, to give something to our brave soldiers who are giving so much to us. If you any questions, interest or more in-formation please contact Ms. Kim Schroeder at 770-262-0265 (the unit’s FRG chair) or Jared Rutberg 678-361-5946. You can also visit the web site, gather more information, and sign up to offer assistance at: www.patriotscall.com

WHERE THEY’RE COMING FROM Where are our new neighbors

moving to Newton County from? New York 652 Florida 420 Louisiana 122 New Jersey 119 California 114 Illinois 39 Michigan 55

www.atlantaregional.com

Page 10

Cher Voyles is a mort-gage loan officer for BB&T. She has worked in the mortgage industry for over ten years and has worked for BB&T for 3 years. She strives to find the best loan program for the customer's best inter-est. Cher is active with EMBOR, Newton County Home Builders Association and Women's Council Board of Realtors.

Cher is a graduate of Redan High School in Stone Mountain. She has a Business Associates Degree from Massey Business College- Massey Institute. She has one daughter, Amanda, who is 14 years old. Cher's par-ents live at Lake Oconee and her sister, Michele, lives in Conyers.

Cher plays co-ed softball at Johnson Park every Friday night (1st or 2nd Base) and she also plays soft-ball with Newton County Parks and Recreation. She plays tennis on an A3 ALTA team and 4.0 on USTA team. She can always be found at the ballfield watch-ing Amanda play ball for her fast-pitch traveling soft-ball team, the Georgia Fire out of Hoschton, Geor-gia. Cher is definitely considered a thrill-seeker type. Amanda and Cher recently experienced indoor skydiving in Pigeon Forge and she is looking forward to real skydiving next year. She and Amanda plan to fly from Alabama back to Georgia in a hot-air balloon ride this fall. They have both gone par-sailing and bungee-type rides. In her spare time, she does yard work and plays with her three dogs.

Cher said, "I very much love my job with BB&T. I plan to grow and prosper as the bank does the same."

ASSOCIATE SPOTLIGHT

Cher Voyles B B & T

NAHB—Working for YOU! The year 2007 was a pivotal time that brought unique

challenges for our industry and association at all

levels. We’re proud to say that at every turn of events,

NA HB—at all levels—and its members absolutely rose

to the occasion.

Clearly, resolving the credit crunch situation and

restoring balance to the nation’s housing markets was

(and remains) at the top of NAHB’s agenda. We did

see some encouraging movement on this on the policy

front by the end of the year. Specifically, the Federal

Reserve cut interest rates three times and pumped

billions of dollars into the market; the President signed

into law NA HB-supported legislation to ease the tax

burden on struggling borrowers who pursue a loan

workout; and a key bill to modernize the Federal

Housing Administration neared completion. While

more work still needs to be done, these were some

fundamental steps that needed to be taken on the

road to restoring health to the housing finance mar-kets.

As much effort as we devoted to these efforts over

the past year, however, the mortgage credit crunch

was only the tip of the iceberg. Over the same

period, the federation of NAHB fought to give our

235,000 members a voice in the ongoing debate

over immigration reform, conducted a successful

campaign to maintain fire sprinklers as optional

equipment in the International Residential Code, and

won a key ruling on storm water permitting authority

before the U.S. Supreme Court. It is only through the

support of our state and local associations as well

as our grassroots membership that we were able to

share in these accomplishments.

should serve as a solid testimony to the impressive

power that home builders and their affiliates wield

by standing together with a unified voice, under a

unified federation that is your National Association

of Home Builders.

What Has HBAG Done for YOU Lately?

During the 2008 Legislative Session at the “gold dome” in Atlanta, the staff of the Home Builders Association of Georgia worked diligently on YOUR behalf. Here is a recap: Legislation HBAG Tracked that has gone to the Governor’s desk: HB 68 Coastal Marshlands Protection Act HB 422 Provide a minimum amount for liens in the Georgia Condominium Act and the Georgia Property Owners´

Association Act HB 611 Provides for changes to the restrictions of Class I licenses for electrical contracting HB 978 Allows law enforcement officers to seize the vehicles of drivers who are not in the country legally and are

involved in a traffic accident HB 981 Changes weight provisions for concrete haulers HB 1132 Uniform Environmental Covenants Act HB 1160 Makes minor amendments to the transfer of development rights statutes HB 1217 Creates the State Licensing Board for Home Inspectors HB 1281 Prohibits local governments from making more restrictive watering bans than the state HB 1283 Reverses a ruling by the Supreme Court of Georgia which held that although developers retained

vested rights to build in accordance with the zoning and land use requirements in place at the time a devel-opment was approved, subsequent purchasers of lots in that same development had to conform with the cur-rent land use restrictions.

HR 1632 Creates the House Study Committee on Accessibility SB 342 Water Conservation and Drought Relief Act SB 355 Provides for the disbursement of settlement funds after closing SB 374 Revises time periods for filing materialmens’ and mechanics´ liens and includes a process by which

property owners and contractors can force lien holders to perfect their liens prior to the statutory one-year period

SR 820 Creates the Joint Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Study Legislation HBAG Killed: HB 956 Regarding zoning decisions SB 89 Georgia Townships Act

Would allow for the creation of townships in the unincorporated areas of any county in the state. SB 532 New Home Access Act Approximately 50 bills impacting the new State Residential Contractors Licensing Law

Includes SB 452, 464, and HB 1401. HBAG spent many hours each day keeping these bills from moving. Fortunately, through hard work and cooperation among all stakeholders, none of these bills received a committee hearing. We were also successful in keeping the bills from surfacing as floor amendments in the House and Senate.

Legislation Signed by Governor: HR 1022 Comprehensive Statewide Water Plan—SIGNED on 2/6/08 SB 352 Allows the legislature to override a rule or directive of the Environmental Protection Division—SIGNED

on 3/29/08

For more information on these bills please contact the HBA office or go to www.hbag.org. and go to the Government section.

Not too bad for only $75.00! (the portion of the dues you pay to the Newton County HBA that is sent to HBAG on your behalf)

Mailing Address P O Box 2055

Covington, GA 30015

Office Address 4159 Mill Street

Covington, GA 30014

Lower Level Phone: 770-786-3333

Fax: 770-786-2710 www.newtoncountyhba.com

Email:

andrea@newtoncountyhba.com

Office Hours: Monday-Friday

9:00 am—5:00 pm

Breakfast Membership Meeting Tuesday, May 13, 2008

7:30 am Henderson’s Banquet Room

“MEET THE CANDIDATES” ALL candidates running for a Newton County Board of Commission seat have been invited to attend.

Reservations are required and must be made by noon on Friday, May 9th.

PRSRT STD

US POSTAGE PAID

COVINGTON, GA

PERMIT NO. 84

Meeting Sponsors