A Message From The President... Alan Best 

DECEMBER NEWS

Hello everyone,

I hope you all are bundled up, warm and ready for the Holiday season. 2008 seems to have flown by and 2009 is just over the horizon. HHBA installation of new officers and Board members went well at our November General Meeting and we have a great team selected by you. They have a unique set of challenges to address this upcoming year and I am sure they would appreciate knowing your concerns and comments in regard to our organization. I would especially like to thank Mike Carpenter for swearing in the new board and updating us on legislative issues and NCHBA efforts in our current economy.

Associate Vice President Judy Dinelle and I will be representing you at the 4^th Quarter NCHBA Board of Directors meeting December 10^th in Raleigh. Among the issues to be discussed that we will be participating in are Building Codes, Land Development and Regulatory Affairs, Workforce Housing, Build Pac, Membership, NC Professional Women in Building, Green Building, Vocational Education and the Local HBA President’s meetings. If you have any questions, comments please contact me or Judy.

Our public relations committee headed by Lisa Billmyer has reviewed the first draft of Stellar Media’s production of our commercial and DVD promoting HHBA. We were all pleasantly surprised by what we found in our review and feel that with few minor adjustments and additions we will have a workable tool to promote HHBA now and in the future. As soon as the final draft is approved we will have a 60 second and a 30 second commercial spot available to air, plus our DVD to market relocation to Haywood County and the mountains of Western North Carolina.

The E.O. selection committee has decided to table immediately hiring a new Executive Officer until we redefine the current position. Patty and Joyce are graciously continuing in their roles as A.E.O.’s to make this transition as smooth as possible. If you have the opportunity to stop by an express your gratitude to these women for their tireless commitment to HHBA I would greatly appreciate it.

We need RSVP’s for our annual HHBA Christmas Party on December 12^th, no later than December 4^th for the Maggie Valley Club. Don’t miss this evening of fine dining, entertainment and great fellowship with HHBA members and guests.

Last week I received a Letter from NCHBA announcing that Assistant Executive Vice President and Director of Public Affairs, Paul Wilms will retire December 31st. NCHBA Executive Vice President Mike Carpenter said “NCHBA has become one of the most respected voices in the public policy arena because of the competence, integrity and professionalism that Paul has demonstrated during his 19-year tenure with us.” Paul has been repeatedly named one of the most influential lobbyists in the North Carolina General Assembly by the Center for Public Policy Research (2003-2008). He will be succeeded by Lisa D. Martin who has served as NCHBA’s Director of Regulatory Affairs since 2001. We should all be thankful via Build-Pac that we have individuals of this caliber representing our professional interest in Raleigh. Paul, on behalf of the HHBA, I would like to congratulate you on your retirement and wish you the best.

Thank you and God bless.

See you at the Christmas Party.

May you have a safe and happy holiday season.