may june 2008 final

Builder Profile: Mike’s Custom Homes

Capitol Perspective: Wisconsin’s Building IndustryA Major Economic Player

May/June 2008

Wisconsin Badger Builder • May/June 2008 • www.wisbuild.org2

Builder Pro�le: Mike’s Custom Homes

Capitol Perspective: Wisconsin’s Building IndustryA Major Economic Player

May/June 2008

6

20

Wisconsin Badger Builder, (ISSN 004-232) is a bi-monthly publication of the Wisconsin shelter industry. It is the official publication of the Wisconsin Builders Association® (WBA) and is published by WBA, 4868 High Crossing Blvd., Madison, WI 53704. Periodicals postage paid at Madison, WI 53701 and additional mailing offices.

All advertising is subject to acceptance by the Wisconsin Badger Builder editorial review committee. The publication of any advertisement is not to be construed as an endorsement of the product or service offered. The contents of all material available in this publication are copyrighted by WBA unless otherwise indicated. All rights are reserved by WBA, and content may not be reproduced, disseminated, published or transferred in any form or by any means except with the prior written permission of the Wisconsin Builders Association®.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Wisconsin Badger Builder, 4868 High Crossing Blvd., Madison, WI 53704.

SUBSCRIPTIONS: Subscriptions available through membership in the Wisconsin Builders Association®.

May/June 2008 Volume 25 • Issue 3features

Builder Profile ..................................................................... 6Destiny’s plan works well for Mike Marthaler of Mike’s Custom Homes.

Capitol Perspective ........................................................... 11State Senator Pat Kreitlow discusses the economic impact of the construction industry in Wisconsin.

Leveling the Playing Field ................................................ 12WBA aims to make minor changes to Great Lakes Compact that could have major impact on state’s future.

Build Now! ......................................................................... 14Chellee Siewert, CEO of the Metropolitan Builders Association, dispels some media-purported myths about the industry.

departmentsPresident’s Perspective ................................................................................ 3Your Voice Matters

Executive Viewpoint ..................................................................................... 4It’s Time to Get Involved

Government Affairs ...................................................................................... 8A Look Toward 2009-2010

Education Edge ............................................................................................. 9New Statewide Rules for Pulling Building Permits

Member Advantage .................................................................................... 17Have We Reached the Tipping Point?

Local Happenings ....................................................................................... 20Photos and details of WBA local association events around the state.

News & Events ............................................................................................. 21

Wisconsin Badger Builder • May/June 2008 • www.wisbuild.org 3

Senior Officers 2008President: Jason Steen,

Osseo (Chippewa Valley)President Elect: Doug Scott,

Janesville (South Central WI)Treasurer: Jim Kubasta, Oshkosh (Winnebago)Secretary: Don Esposito,

Madison (Madison Area)Immediate Past President:

Mark Etrheim, La Crosse (La Crosse Area)

Associate Vice President: Greg Schaffer,

Madison (Madison Area)Associate Advisor

to the Senior Officers: Julie Meyer,

Racine (Racine-Kenosha)

Area Vice Presidents 2008Southeast Area

Mark Benkowski (Metropolitan)

Southeast Area Darryl Spang (Racine-Kenosha)

Northwest Area Clint Doege (Heart of the North)

Northwest Area Monica Sommerfeldt-Lewis

(Chippewa Valley)

Southwest Area Tom Thompson (La Crosse Area)

Southwest Area Steve Treu (La Crosse Area)

Northeast Area Mark Bootz (Brown Co.)

Northeast Area TBD

South Area Brian McKee (Madison Area)

South Area Greg Schaffer (Madison Area)

East Central Area Tracy Royer (Valley)

East Central Area Stan Martenson (Valley)

North Area Pam Jewell (Golden Sands)

North Area Mike Richie (Wausau Area)

East Shore Area Gary Roehrig (Sheboygan Co.)

East Shore Area Sean Kelly (Mid-Shores)

State Representative to NAHB Wayne Foster (Metropolitan)

Your Voice Matters

by Jason Steen, 2008 WBA President

Greetings fellow members!

I am sure you are just as excited as I am for spring to be here. The weather seems to be turning a little warmer

and looks to be in our favor. I can just feel the sun on my back as I’m getting ready to swing the hammer to start off a great building season.

The members I am talking with are saying different things across the state. The amount of work seems to be better in some places and worse in others. It is always hard to hear that some are struggling, and I’m sure you all share my hope that things turn around quickly. I am choosing to remain optimistic and hope for a recovery to begin midyear — so hang on and let’s get ready together for a strong recovery.

At the time of this writing, the legis-lative audit was in motion and should provide some great insight on improving what is already a very strong aspect of our association. The audit process can be painstaking, but the insights gleaned from the input of many of the important play-ers in the political arena should help us move forward into increasing our impact on legislative agendas.

By the time you read this, represen-tatives from NAHB will have already conducted a Governance Audit during portions of our Board Day meeting on April 10, 2008.

I personally view this as additional proof of our commitment to continu-ous improvement, and welcome the perspective and techniques that we gain from utilizing our national association resources. I hope you are as excited as I am to hear the summary of your valuable input, and I look forward to implementing suggestions that help move our associa-

tion into greater prominence on a national level. The greatest value of all of the data will be when it is utilized in the forma-tion of our upcoming Strategic Plan. The workgroup session for Strategic Planning will be held the late afternoon of Sept. 17, and end mid-day Sept. 18, 2008.

Please know that even if you were not able to attend these meetings, we are continually working on improving communication with the membership as a whole from WBA. I look forward to any suggestions at any time from the members, and I promise I will always provide an open mind and complete attention to what you have to say. In the same vein, I also would appreciate you letting us know if we are on the right track. I’d love to hear positive experi-ences you have had as a result of your membership in WBA and also want to know where you think we can improve.

You are the lifeblood of this organiza-tion, and you have a voice that matters. There are a myriad of opportunities to get involved, and I encourage you to find out from your local what meetings are avail-able to attend. It is those who show up who set the agenda, so be active and help guide our progress.

Speaking of opportunities to get involved, save the date for Legislative Conference Capitol Hill visits in Washington D.C. on April 30, 2008. This is a golden opportunity to bring our issues directly to the attention of our United States senators and repre-sentatives. As any of you know who have participated in Business Day in Madison, it is a great feeling to speak to the decision-makers with clear, concise points that drive the viewpoint of the building industry right to the top of their mind. It is one of many ways that your expertise and your voice can truly make a difference. X

President’s

PERSPECTIVE


WBA Staff4868 High Crossing Blvd.,

Madison, WI 53704 • (888) 285-9066

Executive Vice President: Bill Wendle, ext. 11

[email protected]

Director of Government Affairs: Brad Boycks, ext. 16

[email protected]

Director of Political Affairs: Kate Levanetz, ext. 15

[email protected]

Director of Development Council: Pat Stevens, ext. 22

[email protected]

Director of Communications: Annie Rubens, ext. 19 [email protected]

Director of Safety and Education: Cindi Gruebling, ext. 18 [email protected]

Director of Membership Services: Jane Witt, ext. 17 - [email protected]

Director of Accounting Services: Kathy Johnsen, ext. 12 [email protected]

Accounting Assistant: Mark Nelson, ext. 25

[email protected]

Administrative Assistant: Kimberly Fay, ext. 10

[email protected]

WBA Insurance ServicesAgency Manager:

Karl Johnson, ext. 23 [email protected]

Sales & Service Associate: Megan Taylor, ext. 24 [email protected]

Editor ..............................Annie Rubens

Published by

Publisher ........................... Kevin Naughton

Supervising Editor ........... Jennifer McDermitt

Graphic Designer .........Michele L. Peterson

Advertising Sales Manager ....... Brenda Poe

Advertising Sales .................Keri Gustafson(800) 935-1592, ext. 133

[email protected]

It’s Time to Get Involved

by Bill Wendle, WBA Executive Vice President

WBA has a busy year planned for 2008. In addition to the new builder classes and Uniform

Dwelling Code classes already planned (see WBA Builder Education calendar on www.wisbuild.org), WBA will be conduct-ing two major “audits” to prepare for our Strategic Planning Session Sept. 18.

WBA has contracted with Godfrey and Kahn, a Milwaukee based firm, to review the current extent of WBA political influ-ence. Since 1986, WBA has built on rela-tionships with legislators and governors to increase our ability to create a favor-able political, economic and environ-mental climate for the housing industry. Attorney Mike Wittenwyler heads the effort with his partner Mike Theo.

Wittenwyler is a widely respected authority on Wisconsin government and an authority on the new Government Accountability Board (GAB). GAB oversees all lobbying and elections in Wisconsin. Mike Theo heads the Wisconsin Realtors® legislative efforts. Their report will be available by the July 24 WBA Board meeting and will become part of the preparation for the new Strategic Plan.

Simultaneously, WBA is conduct-ing a governance review of our opera-tions. Jared Mathis, from the National Association of Home Builders Affiliate Services Unit, came to our April 10 WBA Board meeting to conduct an extensive review of WBA governance operations. His study will report on how we currently conduct our internal policy development and offer suggestions for improvement.

Jared and his staff also spent time with local officers and executive officers at their meetings during the April WBA Board meeting. Local officers, president-elects and executive officers all partici-pated to provide a variety of perspectives.

This report will also be available by the July 24 WBA Board meeting.

When completed, both of the reports will be available on www.wisbuild.org member side of the Web site.

WBA will be conducting an associa-tion-wide strategic planning session on Sept. 17 and 18. Each local is being asked to send a representative to this effort. WBA’s largest locals have been asked to also send a second person. The planning will start late in the afternoon of Sept. 17 and be concluded on Sept. 18 in time for attendees to travel home. The Strategic Plan is critically important and will be the guiding force to move WBA forward for the next three years. If you are interested in attending, contact your local president and executive officer. Fresh perspectives are welcome, thus prior involvement in WBA is not required.

Jason Steen, WBA president, has built on Frank Madden’s mantra of “Be posi-tive and be involved.” Jason adds, “Get involved! The association is run by those that show up.” So, we will see you at one of these meetings! X

Executive

VIEWPOINT

The Strategic Plan is critically

important and will be

the guiding force to move

WBA forward for the next

three years. If you are

interested in attending,

contact your local president

and executive officer.

Wisconsin Badger Builder • May/June 2008 • www.wisbuild.org

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Wisconsin Badger Builder • May/June 2008 • www.wisbuild.org6 Wisconsin Badger Builder • May/June 2008 • www.wisbuild.org

It’s turned out to be a good life for Mike Marthaler of Mike’s Custom Homes. This shy, quiet kid from Boyd,

Wis., grew up knowing that a hammer felt right in his hands, that the smell of sawdust meant he was home and that creating something from the earth around him was the right thing to do.

A first-generation contractor, he caught the woodworking bug from his father, who dabbled in roofing and home building. Mike was the kind of boy who took wood scraps and his dad’s tools and created what-ever his imagination could come up with.

“As early as 10 years old I can remember grabbing tools off the corner workbench in the basement to make something — anything really. I always enjoyed doing things like that. My father worked at The Northern Center for developmentally disabled children for 35 years, but always kept his hand in the building field for a second income,” said Marthaler.

Once Mike hit high school, his future was set in his mind. “I felt like, even at that young age, I knew what I wanted to do. When I came out of high school, I was one of the few who knew where I was

going. It was comforting to me,” he said. He completed a year of technical train-ing at a local college and got plenty of industry insight working at a lumber yard. “I learned about all the materials involved, met all the local builders and really got comfortable with the building industry.”

His summer job was roofing barns in the Wisconsin countryside. “I got used to heights doing that. I’d look down and see cows walking underneath. It was hot, hard work, but it was really neat to start before dawn and watch the sun rise from up there. I remember taking breaks under shade trees

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and looking back at the work I’d done and thinking I had it pretty good.”

Fresh air and fond memories are commonplace for Marthaler, who has operated his own building company for 18 years now. He started Mike’s Custom Homes after a stint working for Schuhmacher Decorating in the Chicago area. The pace of the “city” life wore on the young Marthaler family, and they returned to Eau Claire after four years. The family consists of Jenny, Marthaler’s high school sweetheart, three grown sons and one teenage daughter.

Starting Out, Establishing a Niche

His first spec house, built in 1993 for the Chippewa Valley Parade of Homes, was an overextension by all accounts, but Marthaler knew he needed to enter the local building scene with a splash. The home was a hit, with more than 3,000 people viewing it and one happy viewer buying it. “All of a sudden, I was somebody. I continued to do parade homes — I’ve done nine in all — but now I do them as they fit my schedule and my clients’ schedules,” he said.

Mike’s Custom Homes is a true custom builder, offering styles that cross all design themes. From traditional to French colonial to Victorian or modern, Marthaler

does them all. His main philosophy is to build new homes that incorporate great design, sound building techniques and energy efficiency standards. “I tell my crew, we really only get one shot at it. There’s no going back, so we do it right the first time,” said Marthaler.

Standing Out, Standing FirmWhile what sets Mike’s Custom Homes

apart from other builders is its focus on green building as it relates to energy effi-ciency, most homeowners know them for their interior detail and finishing. “I like to do special window seats, entertainment walls and archways. When I’m drawing plans, I’ll incorporate little nooks and try to create areas of interest that people really like to set the house apart,” he said.

Mike’s Custom Homes builds an aver-age of four to six homes per year, ranging from $300,000 to one million dollars. He built his own home a few years back, incorporating many of the details he is known for into his own place. “Every builder knows that when you do your own home, it takes longer. I did the details on the weekends, incorporating a piece of every home I’ve built including a tin ceiling, built-in entertainment center and timber archways. I love it!”

Marthaler is very involved with the Chippewa Valley Home Builders Association and has served on virtually every committee available. He said that networking is the number one reason to belong to state and local associations, with educational opportunities a close second. “Although we are competitors, I can talk to any builder in the area, and they’ll give me straight answers. The WBA helps builders learn things like how to write a contract and what the latest and best prod-ucts are out there.” He said he learned by serving on various committees and getting involved that his voice does have an impact on local and state building codes.

“I wake up every morning thinking that I love my job. I love the challenge. It is interesting to me to learn new things every day,” he said, adding that he feels

I wake up every morning

thinking that I love my

job. I love the challenge.

It is interesting to me to

learn new things every

day. But when I do retire, I

know I’ll spend time in my

cabinet shop, tinkering

with scrap wood and

tools, just like I did as that

boy in the basement.

— Mike Marthaler , Mike’s Custom Homes

Continued on page 19


A look Toward 2009-2010Government

AffAIRSby Brad Boycks, Director of Government Affairs

At the time I began writing this column, the 2007-2008 session of the Wisconsin Legislature was quickly coming to an end. The Wisconsin Builders Association®

(WBA) Government Affairs (GA) team worked hard during the last week of session to get a few more things accomplished and put the final stake in legislation we don’t support.

At the tail end of this past session, we are already spending some time thinking about what issues we want to cover during the 2009-2010 legislative session. Obviously a lot can happen between now and Jan. 5, 2009, when the legislature reconvenes with both new and old faces.

Between now and inauguration day, we will have a primary and general election that will have an obvious impact on the make-up of both the State Assembly and the State Senate. All 99 seats in the State Assembly and 16 of the 33 seats in the State Senate will be up for election on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008.

Two topics of interest recently discussed by the Government Affairs committee will be researched for action during the next session: tax credits for builders and consumers that construct energy-efficient homes and dealing with local units of govern-ment who have redundant restrictions on contractors.

A subcommittee was formed to study a bill passed in Oklahoma that provided tax credits to both builders and consum-ers who use energy-efficient materials in the construction of a new home. The subcommittee will continue to meet and look at ways to adapt the Oklahoma provisions and report back to the Government Affairs committee as a whole with the hope of working with a legislator next session to introduce the idea.

As you know, in 2006 WBA supported legislation to establish new continuing education requirements for builders. Recently it has come to our attention that a number of local municipalities across the state have testing/education requirements on builders in addition to those required by the law we supported in 2006. We will be look-ing at ways to reduce overlap between state requirements for build-ers and those that are also required by local units of government.

WBA also recently formed a Tax Subcommittee to have a thorough and in-depth discussion on the overall tax climate and structure in Wisconsin. This subcommittee is being chaired by Neil Haselwander. The Tax Subcommittee has already had a number of productive meetings and will continue to gather data to report back to the Government Affairs committee during the Oct. 23 meeting.

These are just a few topics that we will be looking at during the upcoming months and before the start of the 2009-2010 Legislative Session. Your input is needed to help craft the upcoming WBA Government Affairs agenda. No matter how big or small the issue, we urge members to contact WBA GA Chair Terry Larson, WBA Government Affairs staff, or your local association staff so we can work to get your issues on an upcoming Government Affairs agenda. X

Your input is needed to help craft the upcoming WBA Government Affairs agenda.

No matter how big or small the issue, we urge members to contact WBA GA Chair

Terry Larson, WBA Government Affairs staff, or your local association staff so we can work to get your issues on an upcoming

Government Affairs agenda.


by Cindi Gruebling,Director of Safety & Education

Judging by the number of questions I field every day — by phone, e-mail and at workshops — there’s still a

lot of confusion about the new credential requirements for pulling building permits. Here’s a summary of the new rules.

If you need to pull a building permit for a one- or two-family dwelling build-ing or remodeling job in Wisconsin, you need two business credentials from the Department of Commerce.

Dwelling Contractor CredentialThe first is called the Dwelling

Contractor Credential. It used to be called the Dwelling Contractor Financial Responsibility Credential. You get this credential by submitting an application form, $35, and a certificate of insurance stating that your company has a mini-mum of $250,000 (per occurrence) of general liability insurance. This creden-tial is held by the company and must be renewed annually.

New: Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Credential

As of Jan. 1, 2008, the second creden-tial you need is called the Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Credential. It must be renewed every two years, and it’s held by an individual. That individual can be

the company’s owner or partner or an employee of the person who holds the Dwelling Contractor Credential.

Being Grandfathered vs. Needing the Initial Training Class

For a limited time, there are two ways to apply for the new Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Credential.

The first way is to be “grandfathered” in. If your company held a valid Dwelling Contractor Credential anytime on or between April 11 and April 14, 2006, the business owner, partner, chairman of the board or chief executive officer may apply for the Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Credential by submitting to the Department of Commerce the applica-tion form and $40. More than one person may be grandfathered to gain eligibility for a qualifier certification. It could be someone who was the business owner, partner, chairman of the board, chief executive officer, or the contact person of record. However, just being an employee of the business is not sufficient to be grandfathered in.

The second way to qualify for the Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Credential is to take a special 12-credit initial train-ing class. This course must be approved by the Department of Commerce. You can find a list of initial training classes on the Department of Commerce’s Web site, www.commerce.wi.gov. Go to the Safety & Buildings Division. Click on “Education Classes,” then select “Dwelling Contractor Qualifier.” Internet and DVD versions are available, in addi-tion to live classes across the state. The live classes will be 12 hours long.

For example, WBA’s “New Builder Education” class is eight hours one day and four hours the second day. You must attend all 12 hours, and you must answer 70 percent or more questions correctly on a test that covers the course content. The course provider will give you proof that you passed the exam. Then you need

to submit that proof, the Department of Commerce’s application form and $40 to the Department of Commerce in order to apply for your Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Credential. Please note that separate courses of one, two, three, four hours, etc., may not be added up to earn credit for the initial course.

Do You Hold the New Credential?Letters were sent out in August 2007

informing people if they were eligible to be grandfathered in. Be aware that the application forms for both creden-tials (Dwelling Contractor and Dwelling Contractor Qualifier) look very similar. Because of this, it is possible you applied for it and didn’t realize the application was for the new credential. It’s also possible you missed the letter. Look again, as you don’t want to miss this grandfathering opportunity.

For assurance, you can check your credential status on the Department of

Wisconsin Builders

Association® will record its

presentation on April 8-9 of

the “New Builder Education”

session in Madison. This

curriculum has been

approved by the Department

of Commerce for both initial

training and continuing

education purposes.

Axley Brynelson attorneys Robert Procter and Carl Sinderbrand answer questions from the audience at the Eau Claire “New Builder Education” in December 2007. Continued on page 10

New Statewide rules for Pulling Building Permits

Education

EDGE

Wisconsin Badger Builder • May/June 2008 • www.wisbuild.org10 Wisconsin Badger Builder • May/June 2008 • www.wisbuild.org10

Commerce’s Web site. Go to Safety & Buildings and click on “Credential Status Check.” Search using your last name. When you enter the search criteria, remember this credential is held by the individual, not the company.

If you do not yet have your Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Credential, you must apply before Sept. 1, 2009, in order to take advantage of your grandfathered status. It is not enough to hold a letter

from the Department of Commerce that says you’re eligible to be grandfathered in. In order to pull a building permit, you need to actually present the Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Credential card.

Continuing Education requirement

Once you have your Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Credential, you will need to earn an additional 12 credits of continuing education before you apply to renew your credential. You can find a list of continuing education classes

on the Department of Commerce’s Web site, www.commerce.wi.gov. Go to the Safety and Buildings Division. Click on “Education Classes,” then click on DCQ Dwelling Contractor Qualifier, then select “Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Continuing Ed Credits View.” Internet and DVD versions are available, in addi-tion to live classes across the state for varying numbers of credits.

You will also likely receive many brochures about courses offered by a variety of providers in addition to the Wisconsin Builders Association® and its affiliate local associations such as techni-cal schools, lumberyards, building mate-rial suppliers or manufacturers. Before you commit to any classes, always check for three things:

(1) Approved by the Department of Commerce

(2) Approved by the Department of Commerce for continuing education credits for the Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Credential

(3) A Department of Commerce course ID number

For example, WBA’s UDC Training 2008 “Knowing It Inside Out,” course ID #9193, offered four continuing education credits.

For continuing education purposes, separate courses of one, two, three, four hours, etc., may be added up to earn 12 credits over the course of time.

You will need to apply to renew your Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Credential three months before it expires, so be sure you have your 12 credits earned by that time.

WBA Will Make 12-Credit Course Available Online

Wisconsin Builders Association® will record its presentation on April 8-9 of the “New Builder Education” session in Madison. This curriculum has been approved by the Department of Commerce for both initial training and continuing education purposes. We will apply for a new course ID for an Internet version and then plan to make the 12-credit course available via CD or online. Watch for future announcements. Metropolitan Builders Association already offers a DVD version of the 12-credit class. For more information on this version, call (262) 436-1122.

Please don’t hesitate to call me at (888) 285-9066 ext. 18 with any questions. X

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Building Wisconsin’s Economy

Capitol Perspectives is a regular feature for Badger Builder. In this space, a Wisconsin legislator will provide perspective on an issue. Each guest columnist is offered the opportunity to select their primary issue of concern and present their views indepen-dent from any guidelines imposed by the Wisconsin Builders Association®. The views expressed by the columnist are solely their opinion and do not necessarily reflect the views of the WBA, NAHB, the locals, or the members. The Badger Builder editorial department welcomes reader feedback to the issues featured in this section in the spirit of promoting continued discussion on the important issues affecting our daily lives. To submit comments, please send them to Badger Builder Editor Annie Rubens, [email protected]. Only comments in writing will be considered for reprint.

Capitol

PERSPECTIVEby State Senator Pat Kreitlow

In the State Capitol, we spend a lot of time looking for ways to encourage economic development. How can we grow our economy? How can we create good paying jobs? What can state

government do to stimulate the economy? With most indicators showing a downturn in the economy into the foreseeable future, the answers to these questions are more important than ever.

Often forgotten in this discussion is the important role home builders play in our economy. Not only is new home building one of the most significant indicators of an economy’s health, it also makes up a considerable part of any community’s economy. From the increased revenues for communities through property taxes to the 75,000 jobs created through home building each year, the impact of home building in Wisconsin is too big to ignore. It’s with that in mind that I’ve supported a number of proposals meant to support builders in our state.

As the author of the Wisconsin Invests Now (WIN) plan, I’ve offered a proposal that invests in creating jobs to grow our economy by invest-ing an additional $50 million in transportation, a plan that will create 2,500 good paying jobs right away, with an improved infrastructure to attract more jobs and families to Wisconsin in the future. I also propose investing unused tax credits from less successful programs into the Technology Zone program, a proven economic development program that has helped create over 600 good paying and high-tech jobs in the Chippewa Valley alone over the last six years.

Finally, my plan includes $1.5 million in workforce training grants and child care that will give our workers the tools they need to play a part in turning our economy around. All of these initiatives are meant to grow our economy and give Wisconsin families more opportunities.

In an effort to even the playing field for homeowners and home builders alike who choose to use electric heat, I authored the Consumer Heating Fairness Act, which repeals the super insulation requirement for homes using electric heat, removing a cumbersome and unnecessary regulation that home builders have been forced to

deal with for years. The bill was passed by both the Assembly and Senate in February with broad, bipartisan support and was signed into law by Governor Doyle on March 11.

Another bill important to builders that I was proud to sponsor was SB 167, which required that all electricians be certified by the state, not by each municipality. The bill was offered in response to concerned leaders in the building and construction industry who were calling for consistency and accountability in their electri-cians. The bill received strong support as it passed through the legislature, and the governor signed the bill into law on March 5.

I’m also a sponsor of a bill that would require the Department of Commerce to keep better data of homes destroyed by fire in Wisconsin. This data will be a tool for both homeowners and home builders as they work to find better ways to protect their investment. Both the Senate and the Assembly have passed this bill on unanimous votes and it was signed into law on March 12.

June 21 & Oct. 17/18


from the increased revenues for communities through property taxes to the 75,000 jobs

created through home building each year, the impact of home building in Wisconsin is too big to ignore. It’s with that in mind that I’ve supported a number of proposals meant to

support builders in our state.


Water — it is perhaps the most basic, fundamental need for every nation, every state,

every community and every individual. In the Great Lakes region, however, it is a point of contention, thanks, in part, to politicians, environmentalists and other concerned individuals who are trying to decide who has it, who should get it, and how much they should get.

Wisconsin Builders Association® (WBA) is working to remove politics from the equation and ensure the future

economic development of its state through minor changes to the Great Lakes Compact. Seven years in the making, the Compact involves eight states that border the lakes — Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin — and the premiers of the Canadian provinces of Quebec and Ontario. These areas have joined together in an attempt to ratify the Great Lakes Water Compact, which was designed to ensure water quality and conservation of resources within the Great Lakes Basin.

Leveling the Playing FieldWBA Aims to Make Minor Changes to Great Lakes Compact That Could Have Major Impact on State’s Future

The initial agreement signed by the governors of the involved areas requires the approval of the state legislatures before it is sent to Congress for approval. The issue essentially strives to build a legal wall around the largest source of fresh water in the nation. The Basin comprises roughly 22 percent of the world’s fresh surface water, translating to drinking water to over 30 million people in the area.

The point of contention for Wisconsin surrounds the diversion of Great Lakes waters for the purposes of commercial and residential development. Continued population growth and urban develop-ment inside and outside of the basin have made fresh water an increasingly coveted resource in the region.

“Future housing affordability is at risk if the issues within the Compact are not resolved,” said Matt Moroney, former exec-utive officer of the Metropolitan Builders Association, one the areas most affected by the Compact. “Environmentalists could use language in the Compact to slow or stop growth, and history has shown that a compact will trump state law. As a result, the Compact has to be carefully reviewed and crafted from the get-go to benefit everyone involved.”

Compact Has Long History, Many Players

The Great Lakes Commission is a bi-national agency that promotes the orderly, integrated and comprehensive development, use and conservation of the water and related natural resources of the Great Lakes basin and St. Lawrence River.

The Commission was established by joint legislative action of the Great Lakes states in 1955 and granted congres-sional consent in 1968. A Declaration of Partnership established associate membership for the provinces in 1999.

Its members include the eight Great Lakes states and the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Québec as associate members. Each jurisdiction appointed a delegation of three to five members comprised of senior agency officials, legislators and/or appointees of the governor or premier.


future housing affordability is at risk if the issues within

the Compact are not resolved. Environmentalists could use

language in the Compact to slow or stop growth, and

history has shown that a compact will trump state law. As a result, the Compact has to be carefully reviewed and crafted to benefit everyone.

— Matt Moroney, former executive officer of the Metropolitan Builders Association

Since 1955, Wisconsin has been an integral component of the Great Lakes Commission. Wisconsin personnel have been very active participants in efforts to promote regional economic development and environmental quality through the involvement of its delegation, the appoint-ment of state officials to task forces, as well as other contributions to regional initiatives.

Critical Impact on WisconsinWisconsin and Ohio are the states most

adversely affected by the current draft of the Compact. Both states have growing economic development regions immediately outside of the basin in communities that are in straddling counties. Secondly, both have a history of regional water quality issues that can adequately be addressed through the acquisition of Great Lakes water.

“Right now, our municipalities are dependent upon an aquifer that has proven in studies to be contaminated,” said Moroney. “In addition, we have limited groundwater recharge capabilities due to a unique geological feature, which causes additional problems for these communi-ties. We have to find a new water source.”

The current veto provision in the Compact places Wisconsin at a distinct economic disadvantage. Michigan and Illinois, as well as the five other Great Lakes states, will have the ability to singularly prevent Wisconsin from divert-ing any Great Lakes water outside of the

basin. Michigan has 99.5 percent of its land within the basin, so no withdrawal of water from the Great Lakes needs unanimous approval from the other states.

Illinois, through a Supreme Court case, is allowed to withdraw 2.1 billion gallons per day from Lake Michigan and can send that water anywhere it chooses. Thus with the current language, Wisconsin will have no say in Illinois’ and Michigan’s water use from the Great Lakes, but these two states can thwart potential economic development in Wisconsin by not approv-ing a water diversion in Wisconsin.

Fairness of a MajorityThe first critical change is to remove

the ability of one state to veto Wisconsin’s diversion of water. Instead, WBA proposes the requirement of a majority of the member states’ approval for this action.

Under the current federal law, the Water Resources and Development Act (WRDA), a diversion was not defined, leaving states the ability to define it as they chose. In Wisconsin, a diversion was defined as water being permanently removed from the basin — in other words, crossing the basin divide, but not providing for return flow. Therefore, states could only veto a diversion when a community did not provide for the return of the removed water according to Wisconsin’s interpretation of WRDA.

Under the Compact, a diversion is defined as water that leaves the basin, regardless of whether it is returned. Because of this, other states will have the authority to veto a diversion, even when it fails to adversely impact the Great Lakes. This simple change from singular veto power to requiring a majority removes inequities in the ability of one state to dictate that of another state’s usage.

The Compact could have a crip-pling effect on growth in Wisconsin. In Wisconsin alone, this provision would prevent the City of Mukwonago, City of Oconomowoc, City of Burlington, Village of Lac La Belle, City of Watertown, and the City of Hartford from getting the Great Lakes’ water, because portions of those municipalities fall outside of the straddling county. It would also prevent water from being sent to communities in the remaining 52 percent of the State of Wisconsin. As a result, the Wisconsin Legislature needs to carefully review the Compact and consider its long-term consequences for the state.

“Held in Trust”The second major point in WBA’s

stance centers on the meaning of “held in trust.” Currently, the language of the compact holds that, “[t]he Waters of the Basin are precious public natu-ral resources shared and held in trust by the States.” This language could be construed to equate groundwater (as it is defined as such in waters of the Basin) to be included as part of the public trust. Lawyers for Midwest Environmental Advocates have already assumed as much in a Vermont Law Review article, where they claim, “[s]ince Great Lakes Basin water resources are defined to include groundwater, the Charter extends the public trust doctrine to ‘tributary groundwater.’” Such a conclu-sion would create stringent requirements on residents’ use of groundwater under their property through the use of wells and could have a crippling effect on growth in non-sewer service areas.

retain the FrameworkWBA agrees it is important to work

within the spirit and framework of the compact and supports its passage with only two changes that amount to less than 10 words in a 40-page document. The first would change two words in the Compact, and the second would delete three words. The two-word change removes the ability of one state to veto Wisconsin’s withdrawal and changes it to a majority vote. The second change is to delete “in public trust” to remove the vulnerability of lawsuits by special-interest groups for basic water use needs such as wells.

Current StatusIn mid-March, legislators announced

that the Great Lakes Compact has failed to gain passage through the Wisconsin State Assembly. At the time of this article, assembly leaders were still working to amend the Compact for an eventual special session if an agreement can be reached. Moroney says that most Wisconsin legislators recognize the importance of the Compact, which is why it is taking some time. Regardless of how long it takes, it has to be right or the impact for Wisconsin could be devastating on many levels. “The ‘devil is in the details,’” he said. “A couple of words — the wrong words — could make all the difference.” X

Wisconsin Badger Builder • May/June 2008 • www.wisbuild.org14 Wisconsin Badger Builder • May/June 2008 • www.wisbuild.org14

by Chellee Siewert,Executive Officer,Metropolitan Builders Association

With all of the current media reports about the home build-ing industry swirling about, it is

easy to lose perspective on the real estate market. It is important to note that housing has always been a cyclical business, with ups and downs. As surely as the market has slowed today, it will start picking up speed again. Although no one can accurately predict the peaks and valleys of the hous-ing market, the built-up demand for new homes is expected to revive the housing market once again — and economists are expecting the turn-around to happen sooner

than many think. Our market is experienc-ing signals that it is beginning to change. Despite the harsh winter weather, many builders have reported a dramatic increase in model home traffic.

Those who buy now will have a home they can call their own and reap the long-term gains from home price appreciation. For example, those who purchased homes in the early 1990s during the last economic and housing downturn came out as big winners. The median price of a new home in 1991 was $120,000. In July 2007, it was $239,500 — nearly double in price. Buyers who embrace the advantage of today’s current market conditions can expect to garner similar benefits in the investment of a new home.

Author Dan Kadlec described in a recent Time magazine article the bene-fits of buying now instead of waiting. “Consider a typical home that sells for $218,900. You put down 20 percent and get a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage of 5.5 percent. Monthly principal and inter-est come to $994.31,” wrote Kadlec. “Let’s say that 12 months from now, that same house goes for 10 percent less or $197,010. But by then, the recession is history, and the Fed is jacking up rates to stem inflation. If mortgage costs raise just half a point to 6 percent, your monthly payment would be $994.94, and you’d have saved nothing. Meanwhile, home prices might steady and sellers might become less willing to negotiate. And, you have spent a year living someplace you’d rather not be.”1

For many homeowners, it’s hard to understand which reports to believe regarding the housing industry. Many national reports don’t apply to our market, but nevertheless articles and stories on these reports keep appearing in various media outlets. Building in today’s market means that consumers can work with home builders who can extend greater care, oversight, contractor readiness, availability and process speed to their projects because of their lighter workload. Combine this with lower material costs and lower interest rates and you’ve got a winning combination!

A Home Is Still a Great Investment

With all the negative national news about real estate lately, it’s easy to get distracted. However, here’s the reality:

• Nationally, 2007 was the fifth-best year in the history of the real estate industry with over 5.92 million homes sold.2

1 Time, February 25, 2008 issue, pg. 54.2 National Association of Realtors®

Build Now and don’t Miss This Opportunity


• Homeownership rates remain at near record levels at 69 percent nationally.3 The Midwest has the highest homeown-ership rate at just under 73 percent.

• More than 97 percent of prime borrowers — the bulk of the mort-gage market — are up-to-date on their payments. Most foreclosures

3 Mortgage Bankers Association

are concentrated in the once super-heated markets in California, Florida, Arizona, Nevada.4

While home values have risen on an average of 6 percent annually in the U.S., locally we have seen higher growth.

4 National Association of Home Builders

low Interest rates Interest rates are still hovering near

30-year lows. But waiting to time the market is a dangerous — and losing — game. Even those who follow the market for a living can’t figure out when interest rates will bottom out. Because interest rates are near historic lows, it is much more likely that they will head higher in the future as opposed to moving even lower. From 1971 to 2001, there were only 13 months when interest rates were below 7 percent. Currently, rates have been fluctuating around 6 percent.

The Truth About Foreclosures

Although you have heard a lot about foreclosures lately, the truth remains that the foreclosure rate in Wisconsin is only 1 percent. This means that 99 of 100 homes are in good standing. Wisconsin still has one of the lowest foreclosure rates in the country.



Tax AdvantagesThere are also fantastic tax incentives

designed to make owning a home more affordable. Homeowners save nearly $100 billion annually on mortgage interest and property deductions alone. In most instances, all of the interest and property taxes you pay can be fully deducted from your gross income to reduce your taxable income. These deductions can result in thousands of dollars in tax savings, especially in the early years of the mortgage when interest makes up most of the payment.

Insurance Coveragefor the ResidentialBuilding Industry

Continental Western Group and Reynolds & Reynolds join forces to offer WBA members a GROUP DIVIDEND PROPERTY & CASUALTY Insurance Program, including:

CWG agents throughout Wisconsin can offer WBA members industry specific coverage.

Independent agents not representing CWG can access this program through Reynolds & Reynolds.

Contact your local Continental Western Agent or Reynolds & Reynolds at (800) 767-1724.

®

BuILD NOWContinued from page 15



Have We reached the Tipping Point?Member

ADVANTAGEby Karl Johnson, WBA Insurance Services

Many employers and self-employed individuals continue to struggle with the cost

of health insurance and health care. Currently, there are more than 47 million uninsured individuals in the United States. In Wisconsin alone, there are 530,076 uninsured individuals. These are staggering numbers.

You may be asking yourself, why are there so many uninsured individuals in Wisconsin and throughout the U.S.? The easy answer is simply that insurance premiums have gone up so high, people would rather take the risk and go without insurance than pay the high premiums. So what options do you as an individual, a business owner with employees or a sole proprietor have to help lower the cost of your health insurance?

Faced with spiraling health care costs and consumer demand for greater flexibility, many organizations are now considering a move into consumer-driven health care or CDHC. CDHC is defined as a system where consumers, not the company or insurance provider, determine how and where to spend their health care allotments. CDHC plans tend to scare some employers and individu-als because it sounds like a cost shifting approach where you simply shift the cost and bills from the insurance company to the consumer. This is not true, as the goal of CDHC plans is to allow the consumer to regain control of his or her health care by educating them on the real cost of health care.

There are two major forms of consumer-driven health care: Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA). In this edition of Badger Builder, I’d like to focus on the HSA accounts.

There are two keys to HSA plans. First, you must be enrolled in a qualified high deductible health plan (HDHP). The mini-mum deductible for this qualified plan is $1,100. Benefits on these plans are subject

to the deductible first, and once the deduct-ible is met, services are normally paid at 100 percent. HDHP plans typically have benefits that will pay 100 percent of preventive care. Next, you open an HSA account at the bank of your choosing. You can fund your HSA with pretax dollars up to the amount of your insurance deductible, with a maximum per year of $5,450 for families and $2,700 for individuals (if you’re age 55 or older, you can contribute an extra $700). If you’re in the 25-percent tax bracket, for example, contributing $4,000 to an HSA will cut your taxes by $1,000. You can withdraw the money tax-free at any time to pay for eligible out-of-pocket medical expenses. If you with-draw the money for other purposes, you’ll owe taxes plus a penalty. Unspent balances roll over from year to year and continue to grow tax-deferred.

After age 65, you can use the money for any purpose without paying a penalty, although you’ll owe income taxes on withdrawals for non-medical purposes. In this way, the HSA can be a supplemen-tal retirement account. The tax benefits, combined with lower premiums for a high-deductible policy, can mean money

in your pocket. That’s especially true if your employer contributes to your HSA.

There are just the basics of a HSA plan, and for some, it may not seem like a good idea. It is true with HSA plans, the consumer pays for more services up front. However, you know the saying, no one spends money better than some-one who spends their own, and no one spends worse than someone who spends someone else’s money. When you buy a pair of pants or even a car, you may go to two, three or more stores before you find what you want at a reasonable price. Why don’t we do that with our health care?

With HSA plans, medications are always subject to your deductible, so why not shop around? You may be surprised. Next time you go to fill a prescription, call around to at least four different pharma-cies, and you will see the difference in price I’m talking about. Here is another tip for you: Ask for samples. Drug companies spend $9 billion in drug samples each year. It won’t hurt to ask and could mean significant savings for you.

CDHC plans may not work for everyone, so here at WBA Insurance Services, we have other options avail-able to you and your employees. WBA Insurance Services is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Wisconsin Builders Association® (WBA) created more than 15 years ago to not only provide quality insurance programs to the members of the WBA, but also to provide the only form of non-dues revenue for the WBA. WBA Insurance Services was created by members and is overseen by a board of directors also made up of members. We truly are your insurance agency.

For more information on Consumer Driven Health Care and all of the products available to you through WBA Insurance Services, contact Karl Johnson, agency manager, at (888) 678-3015 ext. 23 or e-mail [email protected]. X

It is true with HSA plans, the

consumer pays for more

services up front. However,

you know the saying, no one

spends money better than

someone who spends their

own, and no one spends worse

than someone who spends

someone else’s money.

Wisconsin Badger Builder • May/June 2008 • www.wisbuild.org


Southeastern Wisconsin remains Stable and Growing Housing Market

Unemployment nationally is low and has been hovering around 4.6-4.8 percent for the last two years. This is better than all but three years in the last 30 years.5 Locally, unemployment rates in Wisconsin are currently at 4.6 percent.6

Locally, our region is growing and is expected to grow. Growth of 344,800 indi-viduals by 2035 (an 18-percent increase) and an additional 176,600 households in this region by 2035 (a 24-percent increase) are expected. As a result, there will be a strong demand for housing in SE Wisconsin into the foreseeable future.7 X

5 http://bls.gov/cps/prev_years.htm6 State of Wisconsin Department of Workforce

Development7 SEWRPC 2035 Land Use Plan

BuILD NOWContinued from page 16

Advertise Your Business in Wisconsin Badger Builder

Call Keri Gustafson: (800) 935-1592, x133

TODAY!

like his career is in its prime. “But when I do retire, I know I’ll spend time in my cabinet shop, tinkering with scrap wood and tools, just like I did as that boy in the basement,” said Marthaler.

Awards and HonorsMike Marthaler:

• Served as president of the Chippewa Valley HBA in 1997.

• Was awarded Parade of Homes Best Overall distinction eight times.

• Has been named Builder of the Year three times. X

While all of these plans are impor-tant, we clearly have much more work to do. When I attended the Wisconsin Builder’s Association Tax Committee meeting earlier this year in Eau Claire, we discussed ways to make Wisconsin’s tax structure fairer for working families and small businesses. I see tax reform as another important aspect in strengthening our economy and encouraging families to invest in Wisconsin.

I’m confident that based on the work we’ve already done together, the men and women who build Wisconsin will continue to be valu-able partners in shaping Wisconsin’s economy for years to come, and I look forward to working together closely in the future. X

Senator Pat Kreitlow lives in Chippewa Falls and represents the 23rd Senate District. He was awarded the WBA “Friend of Housing Award” in 2008.

BuILDER PROfILEContinued from page 7

CAPITOL PERSPECTIVEContinued from page 11


Local Happenings

Chippewa Valley HBACVHBA members at Business Day in Madison included (l to r) Jack Sjostrom, Donna Sykora, Jason Steen, Sen. Pat Kreitlow, Neil Haselwander, Lance Clark and Jeff Schreiner.

Madison Area BABucky Badger oversees MABA President Vic Pulvermacher (Pulvermacher Construction, LLC)as he helps out at the Badger Builder Blitz. The Blitz was a special event at the Home Products Show that featured members of the UW Badgers football team building walls for a Habitat for Humanity home that will be built by Thomas Zimmer Builders later this year.

Winnebago HBAWHBA Members Scott Waterworth (Associated Bank) and WHBA President Phil Baeten (Baeten Building and Remodeling) collect non-perishable food items for The Salvation Army at the WHBA Home Show in early February. For the first time in WHBA Home Show history, admission was free with a suggested nonperishable food donation or financial donation to benefit The Salvation Army and Habitat for Humanity.The promotion brought in thousands of canned goods for The Salvation Army and generated over $2,200 for Habitat for Humanity!

South Central Wisconsin BATop Row (l to r): Mike Kohlbauer of Country Door Systems talks to a prospective customer at the SCWBA 2008 Home Show held Feb. 15,16 &17 at the Pontiac Convention Center & the Holiday Inn Express. • Forrest Behrend of Forrest Design meets new SCWBA member Bruce Friesth of iConnect at the Home Show Preview Party. Bottom Row (l to r): A student from Parker High School in Janesville works hard on the SCWBA Student Build. • General Contractor Tim Weber of Webco Inc. is working with teacher Joe Kruser to give the students in the advanced construction classes at both Craig & Parker High Schools the opportunity to learn hands-on to build a house outside the classroom. The home should be complete by May and then sold with proceeds to benefit the 2008-2009 SCWBA Student Build.

Central Wisconsin HBATop Row: The front entrance and Rest Area designed and furnished by DCM Landscaping LLC, Nekoosa, Wis., gave the attendees a warm welcome and a nice spring feeling. Left: CWHBA President Dick Goldberg, Goldberg Builders, gets interviewed at the Home Show for the WAOW Channel 9 News.




LoCAL AssoCIAtIon PArAdE of HoMEs HoME sHoW GoLf outInG InstALLAtIon BBWGEnErAL

MEMBErsHIP MEEtInG

Brown CountyShowcase of New Homes Fall ‘08 - Sept. 20-21 & 25-28; Spring ‘09 - March 7-8 & 12-15

Jan. 15-18, 2009 July 9, 2008 Dec. 4, 2008, SC Grand Banquet & Convention

Sept. 30, 2008 - Golf Event

2nd Tues. in Feb., March, April, May, Sept., Oct., Nov 2008

Central WI Sept. 5-8, 2008WI Rapids Home Show - March 8-9, 2008; Marshfield Home Show - March 29-30, 2008

July 11, 2008 2008 TBD 2008 TBD TBD

Chippewa Valley June 7-15, 2008 2009 TBD

May 12, 2008 - Home Builders Invitational; July 10, 2008 - Summer Golf Outing

2008 TBD 2008 TBD 2nd Tues.

Door County Showcase of Homes Parade - May 9, 10, 16, 17 & 18, 2008

March 28 & 29, Stone Harbor Conference Center Sept. 2008 2008 TBD –––– 2nd Thurs.

Fond du Lac July 18-27, 2008 March 28, 29, 30, 2008 Aug. 8, 2008 Sept. 17, 2008 2008 TBD 3rd Wed., No June/July/Aug.

Golden Sands June 6, 7, 8 & 9, 2008 2009 TBD July 15, 2008 2008 TBD April 15, 2008 3rd Tues., No Aug.

Headwaters ––– –––– Aug. 22, 2008 2008 TBD –––– 2nd Tues./Wed./Thurs., No June/July/Aug.

Heart of the North 2008 TBD 2009 TBD 2008 TBD Nov. 15, 2008 –––– 2nd Thurs.

La Crosse June 21, 22, 25-29, 2008 March 7-9, 2008 July 16, 2008 Sept. 16, 2008 2008 TBD 3rd Tues., No June/July/Dec.

Lakeland July 26-27 & Aug. 2-3 March 29-30, 2008 June 26, 2008 2008 TBD May 21, 2008 3rd Wed., No June/July/Aug.

Madison June 7-22 March 6-8, 2009 TBD, July 2008 Dec. 8, 2008, Concourse Hotel

Oct. 2008 - Silent Auction

1st Mon. in Feb., April, May, Sept., Nov.

Manitowoc June 19-22, 2008 March 28-30, 2008 Aug. 6, 2008Dec. 3, 2008, Knox’s Silver Valley Banquet Hall

Aug. 21, 2008 4th Thurs., No June/July/Nov./Dec.

Metropolitan Aug. 16-Sept. 7, 2008 Jan. 8-11, 2009 June 16, 2008 Dec. 2008 –––– May 14, 2008; Oct. date TBD

Mid-Shores Oct. 2-5, 2008 –––– ––––Dec. 5, 2008, Milhome Supper Club, Install & Christmas Party

Dec. 5, 2008 - Live Auction

2nd Tues., No June/July/Aug.

Mid-WI –––– 2009 TBD May 14, 2008 Devil’s Head Resort 2008 TBD TBD 2nd Tues.,

No July/Aug.

Northland June 7, 2008 –––– Aug. 14, 2008 Nov. 4, 2008 Aug. 2008 1st and 3rd Tues.

Racine-Kenosha Sept. 6, 7, 10, 12,13,14, 2008 –––– June 12, 2008 Dec. 2008 TBD 3rd Wed., No June/Dec.

Sheboygan Cnty Sept. 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 2008 April 4, 5, 6, 2008 June 18, 2008 Sept. 24, 2008 March 19, 2008 3rd Wed., No June/July/Aug.

South Central WI Sept. 6-14, 2008 2009 TBD June 19, 2008 2008 TBD Silent Auction - Oct. 28, 2008

4th Tues. of the month, no GMMs in June/July/Aug.

South West WI TBD 2009 TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD

St. Croix Valley 2008 Fall Tour of Homes - Sept. 2008 2009 TBD July 21, 2008

Dec. 16, 2008, R & D Banquet Hall, New Richmond

April 22, 2008, Suzanna’s Restaurant, New Richmond

April 22, May 20, Sept. 23, Dec. 16, 2008

ValleyJan. 26-27, Jan. 31-Feb. 3, 2008 - Condos June ‘08; Summer Parade - Aug. 2008

March 6-9, 2008 July 10, 2008 Sept. 4, 2008 April 1, 20081st Tues. No June/July/Aug.; Dec. is Holiday Party

Wausau Area June 17-22, 2008 April 26-27, 2008 June 27, 2008 Oct. 16, 2008 April 17, 2008 3rd Thurs., No Dec/June/July/Aug.

Winnebago April 18-20 & 24-27, 2008 Feb. 8-10, 2008 2008 TBD 2008 TBD 2008 TBD 2nd Wed., No June/July/Aug.

Wolf River –––– March 28-30, 2008 July 8, 2008 Oct. 14, 2008 –––– 2nd Tues.


Continued from page 21

LoCAL AssoCIAtIon LoCAL BoArd MEEtInG otHEr EvEnts EduCAtIon

Brown County 1st Wed. of each month Sporting Clays - April 17, 2008 & Oct. 9, 2008 Annual Seminar Series

Central WI 2nd Tues. Holiday Party - TBD ––––

Chippewa Valley 4th Tues. 2008 TBD 2008 TBD

Door County 1st Wed. 2008 TBD ––––

Fond du Lac 1st Tues. Clay Shoot - April 26, 2008; Homes of Our Own - April 22-25; Relay for Life - Aug. 1 Consumer Education, Beaver Dam - Feb. 5,12,19, 26, 2008

Golden Sands 3rd Tues. Dec. 16, 2008 - Holiday Party ––––

Headwaters 2nd Tues./Wed./Thurs., before GMM Whitetails Unlimited Banquet 2008 - TBD ––––

Heart of the North 1st Thurs. Christmas Party - Nov. 15, 2008 ––––

La Crosse 3rd Tues. –––– Lunch ‘n Learn & Builder Breakfasts - every month

Lakeland 2nd Wed., No Aug. –––– Lunch ‘n Learn - Last Tues. of Month

Madison 3rd Wed. Spring Showcase - April 12-13,19-20, 26-27; Parade of Condos - July 26-Aug. 3, 2008 Apr. 30 - Guide to Good Truss Practices, 6 Dwelling Contractor Qualifier credits

Manitowoc 2nd Thurs. Bowl-A-Thon - Feb. 23, 2008; Sporting Clays - Sept. 10, 2008 Awake to Learn Seminars - 2nd Wed. of each month

Metropolitan 2nd Wed.Spring Tour of Homes & Condomimiums - April 19-May 4, 2008; Commerce Approved 12 Hour Series offered in June (Part I - June 5) (Part II - June 12) (Part III - June 19), $150 HBA members/$225 non-members

Commerce Approved 12 Hour Course DVD available to HBA members for $150/non-members for $225 at MBAonline.org. We are also offering NAHB CAPS classes June 10, 17 & 24, 2008

Mid-Shores 2nd Tues. Trap Shoot - Sept. 10, 2008 ––––

Mid-WI 3rd Tues. –––– ––––

Northland 3rd Wed. On-Site UDC Training - March 25, 2008 Monthly

Racine-Kenosha 1st Wed. Spring Tour of Homes with Metro - April 19-May 4, 2008 Monthly

Sheboygan Cnty 1st Tues., No July Spring Tour of Homes with Metro - April 19-May 4, 2008 Monthly except June, July, Aug.

South Central WI 2nd Tues. 2008 TBD 2008 TBD

South West WI TBD TBD TBD

St. Croix Valley Bi-monthly, one week before General Membership Meetings Annual Fishing Tournament 2008 - TBD Lunch ‘n Learn - Aug. 5, 2008, Suzanna’s Restaurant,

New Richmond

Valley Last Tues. Holiday Party 2008 - TBD Various - visit vhba.com for schedule

Wausau Area 3rd Tues. –––– ––––

Winnebago 2nd Wed. 2008 TBD ––––

Wolf River Last Tues. Sporting Clays - June 10, 2008 ––––

St. Croix Valley HBATop Row: Business Day in Madison — members of the St. Croix Valley Home Builders Association meet with local legislators (Rep. John Murtha/Rep. Kitty Rhoades) and Senator Sheila Harsdorf. Bottom Row (l to r): Rep. Kitty Rhoades was presented with the Legislator of the Year Award. • Builder of the Year — Mike Dockendorf, Cameron Homes Inc. • Associate of the Year — Tera Snyder, J.H. Larson Co.

racine Kenosha BAThe Racine Kenosha Builders Association held their first “Bowling for Scholarship” event on Saturday Feb. 23, 2008. The proceeds from this event will be used to help fund a brand new scholarship program. Pictured are Bridget and Dave Bennett and Judy Kara (committee chair) from Southport Heating and Cooling. The event raised just shy of $2,000 that will be used to help high school seniors fund their future education in a field in the building trades.

LOCAL HAPPENINGS Continued from page 20

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