Orientations Set for TBA Members
In August, September, and October

Membership Committee Chair Alan Weekley of Alan Weekley Homes, in conjunction with sponsor Capelouto Termite & Pest Control, has announced three orientation events for new members, potential members, and previous members on (Tuesdays) August 28, September 18, and October 2. The theme of the orientations is “Connect. Serve. Grow. Find Your Place in the New TBA.” Each meeting will begin at 11:30 am at the TBA office (201 East Park Avenue, downtown Tallahassee) and include a lunch compliments of Capelouto. The agenda includes an explanation of various TBA programs and projects, how to use TBA to build your business, and updates on the local economy and housing market. Invitations to the events are being sent this week. Questions: call Alan Weekley at 264-3450.

Lien Law Seminar, Remodelers Program
Next Big Events of the TBA Calendar

Under the theme “getting paid in a challenging economy,” TBA is presenting a free seminar this Tuesday on construction lien law and bond rights. The event will be held at Beef O’Brady’s on Thomasville Road starting with a Dutch treat lunch at 11:30 am followed by the two-hour program.Speaker Davisson Dunlap III will cover Florida lien laws and procedures, public and private payment bond laws and procedures, federal payment bond laws (The Miller Act), and potential pitfalls to avoid when pursuing lien and bond claims. Dunlap is a partner in the Tallahassee law firm of Dunlap & Shipman, P.A. He graduated from Leon High, the University of Florida, and the FSU College of Law. He is co-author of the “recoverable damages” chapter of the Florida Bar’s sixth edition of “Florida Construction Law and Practice.” The course qualifies for credits for the TBA “Construction Industry Professional” program.

Then on Wednesday, August 29, the TBA Remodelers Council, under the leadership of Chairman Brain Will of New South Homes, meets at 11:30 am at the TBA office with Norandex sponsoring the meeting and presenting a program on Simonton’s Prism® window.

Sam Pickenpaugh of Florida Rock
Wins $1,300 in TBA Fishing Tourney

Sam Pickenpaugh of Florida Rock was the big winner in the TBA Saltwater Fishing Tournament held last weekend at the Carrabelle Boat Club. Pickenpaugh and his team fished their way to a $1,300 cash prize for an in-shore grand slam (trout, mackerel, redfish) and largest Spanish mackerel (2.95 pounds). Mike Runyon of Big Bend Landscaping won $300 for the largest amberjack (57 pounds) and TBA Past President Raney Oven caught the largest redfish (6.5 pounds). In all, 18 boats fished the tournament, which was sponsored by Platinum-level sponsors Pro-Build and Univar-Bayer (suppliers to Capelouto Termite & Pest Control); Gold sponsors Talquin Portables (Bill Strauss) and Po’Boys Restaurant; Silver sponsors Capelouto, Perkins Electric, Legacy Cabinet Company, Capital City Bank, and BEC & Company;  Bronze sponsors  James Hardie Building Products, Lowe’s of Tallahassee, and Capital City Builders; and corporate sponsors Bradco Supply, Capital City Lumber Company, Florida Rock, James McFarland Builder, and Super-Lube.

TBA PAC-Endorsed Gillum
Wins Re-election to City Post

Andrew Gillum easily won re-election to the Tallahassee City Commission, taking 72 percent of the vote on August 14, 2014. Gillum was endorsed by the TBA-PAC. Two other TBA PAC-endorsed candidates, county commission candidates Akin Akinyemi (incumbent) and Steve Stewart, won spots in the November 6, 2012 general election against Mary Ann Lindley and Scott Maddox, respectively.  TBA endorsed Bill Montford in his bid for re-election to the Florida Senate.

TBA GMM Gives Members
Insights into Important Topics

Last week’s TBA general membership meeting was chocked full of important news. First, Florida Home Builders Association Governmental Affairs Director Doug Buck discussed proposed legislation to curb unlicensed contracting that will be introduced in the 2013 session of the Legislature. Buck said the bill would increase fines and enforcement initiatives. Then, City Commissioner Gil Ziffer and Assistant City Manager Jay Townsend talked about the future of development of Gaines Street and the opportunities it holds for our communities.“Anytime we make our community more appealing and liveable, it’s a good thing for the economy and the housing industry,” said TBA First Vice President Shane Lambert. Finally, Tallahassee attorney Steve Uhlfelder spoke on Leon ABCs… the Alliance for Better Schools which is pushing for passage on November 6, 2012 of the half-penny sales tax for schools. Uhlfelder said the half-penny sales tax allows Leon County taxpayers to meet our schools’ pressing needs at a discount, since 30 percent of the tax dollars come from non-local residents. He also noted that the measure would strengthen our local economy since much of the work will be done by local architects, engineers, and contractors. For more information, contact Uhlfelder at [email protected], go to www.leonabcs.com, or attend a fundraiser for ABCs on Wednesday at 5:30 pm to 7 pm, Food Glorious Food on Thomasville Road.

People News: TBA Says Goodbye
To Alex Kauffman of the Democrat

TBA is losing a valued friend with the announcement by Alexandra “Alex” Brimner-Kauffman that she is leaving her advertising/marketing position at the Tallahassee Democrat to teach middle school in Wakulla County. Brimner-Kauffman was active on a number of TBA committees, including the Member Education and Consumer Committee (MCEC) where she helped promote TBA’s involvement in the annual North Florida Home Show, and the Parade of Homes™ Committee, where the Democrat provided advertising and editorial support for TBA’s signature community event. “Alex was a great asset to TBA in so many ways and she’ll be greatly missed,” said TBA President Jerry McFarland. At TBA, Chris Counts will now represent the Democrat, which is sponsoring the September 20, 2012 general membership meeting.

As reported last week, a dedicated team of TBA volunteers is set to serve as mentors to young people who may consider careers in the construction trades on Saturday (August 25) from 10 am to Noon. TBA member Doug Barton of Barton Construction will host the community service project and will be joined by mentors/instructors TBA Senior Officer and builder Alan Weekley, Parade of Homes™ and Remodelers Showcase Awards winner Bill Kimberl, and super-active new member Dawn Davis of ABC Supply. The “learning lab” will be an under-construction Barton home at3243 Endicott Drive in Southwood. The mentoring program is sponsored by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Home Builders Institute (HBI) Construction Coaching Opportunities to Reach Employment (C-CORE).

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   -- Paul M. Thompson, Executive Officer