Ed Castelhano
Chairman's Message
Squeaky Wheel
Gets The Grease
Ed Castelhano, Becklin Construction
Spring Boards for NAHB are in late April every year and what a great time to be in Washington D.C. The grass is green, the trees are in full bloom and the flowers are a riot of color. With the sting of April 15 still in everyone’s minds, there is great motivation to descend on our Nation’s capital and make hill visits.
This year, six of us made the trip to represent SAHBA at Spring Boards and to spend a day on Capitol Hill meeting with our elected officials. In all, 850 Builders, 90 Association Presidents and 53 other local association staff attended, the largest builder turnout in Spring Board history.
Our National Association puts forth a lot of resources, both in time and money, to further the issues important to us on the local level. One such example is the Home Buyer Tax Credit, which NAHB worked tirelessly on getting approved, improved and finally extended. Not all efforts are successful, such as delaying implementation of the Lead Paint Rule by the EPA, but NAHB continues to work on our behalf to lighten our loads.**
Had it not been for our visit this year, many of the Legislators would not have known about the lead paint rule and its impact on our industry. This rule also will have a dramatic effect on the administration’s effort to help the economy and create jobs through the Home Star program. This program is designed to weatherize and modernize the same homes that are affected by the new Lead Paint Rule. This is a true case of the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing. Because of our meetings, we may see a legislative solution to this problem. Our delegates also spoke in great length about their first hand experience with appraisal and construction financing issues to make sure our representatives understand that economic recovery and construction are, in fact, tied together.
On Wednesday, April 21, 993 delegates made 275 Hill visits and your SAHBA delegates were the busiest with seven visits. Most other delegates did three to four visits each. This year, SAHBA made a concerted effort to reach out and continue building relationships with our direct representatives and forge new relationships with several of the other Arizona representatives in order to build our voice in Washington.
But, as I have said before about involvement, none of this works without your individual effort. You Can Make The Difference!! Over the last several months, in every meeting that I have been involved in with elected officials—from US Senators, Members of Congress, the Governor, Mayors, and Council Members—I have come away with one very important fact: Our representatives need to hear from us individually. Whether the communication is by fax, email, snail mail, phone calls, or, most effectively, in person, they need to hear our feelings on issues. The Silent Majority must no longer be silent because the Squeaky Wheel gets the grease.
** Update: Since this article was written, NAHB has received some relief. Although the rule became effective April 22, this new directive effectively gives remodelers until Oct. 1, 2010 to file for firm certification, until Sept. 30 for workers to register and Dec. 31 for workers to take the required training course. However, they will still be required to use lead-safe work practices during this time. For more information, please view NAHB's Press Release: http://images.magnetmail.net/images/clients/poam/attach/FORIMMEDIATERELEASE.pdf
