A project for the birds is helping the image of our association while helping local teens meet their personal goals.

The HBA/BSA Bird House Project finishes 2010 with three completed projects where newly constructed bird houses were placed in the subdivisions of our builder members.

The final step on a Boy Scout's trail to the rank of Eagle Scout is the service project.  The teen needs to plan, fund raise, and manage a community service project of his choosing.  With the help of Richard Baldwin and Bill Clous, three Scouts have been able to make this goal a reality. 

The bird house projects help to reintroduce bird habitat into developed areas while at the same time supporting our association's image within our communities.  Joey Courtade of Troop 28 worked with Eastwood Custom Homes placing 30 bird houses in the Heritage Hills area.  T. Mark Hooper of Troop 33 placed 30 bird houses in Baldwin Homes' Knorrwood Bluffs sub in Suttons Bay.  Justin Gelinas of Troop 629 built and installed duck nesting boxes in Kingsley on land owned by Eastwood Custom Homes.

Scout Mark Hooper tells the story of how his mother placed a bird house in a tree and by the time she had climbed down to the ground, a morning dove had landed in it.

For information on how to participate, contact Rick MacKinnon at (231) 282-1001.

BOB JONES RECEPTION SLATED FOR IBS

As Chair of NAHB, Michigan's Bob Jones has devoted the last four years working tirelessly to represent and promote the residential building industry.  The Michigan Association of Home Builders will be honoring Bob and thanking him for his service on Friday, January 14^th.  A special reception will be held at the JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes from 5-7 p.m. 

MAHB is looking for persons interested in helping promote and sponsor this important event.  Sponsorships ranging from $50 to $1000 are available.  For more information, contact Pam at Frankenberger.pam@mahb.com or call her at 1-517-646-2572.

NEW CODES FILED NOVEMBER 8

The 2009 Michigan Residential Code along with the 2009 Michigan Rehabilitation, Uniform Energy and Building Codes were filed November 7^th with the Great Seal.

What does that mean?  It means no sprinklers and no expanded AFCIs in 2009.

The Codes were given an effective date of March 9, 2011.  That effective date does not necessarily mean the codes will begin to be enforced on that date.

The Stille-DeRossett-Hale Single State Construction Code Act requires the code books to be generally available to the public for 45 days before the code can be enforced.

We don't know when the 2009 Michigan Residential Code book will be available.  Nor do we know what it will cost.  As soon as the information becomes available I will pass it along.

Thanks to everyone for their help and support during the code promulgation process.

Lee Schwartz

Executive Vice President for Government Relations

Michigan Association of Home Builders

DISTANCE LEARNING SEPTIC SYSTEM INSTALLATION CLASSES

Septic installers, building contractors and site managers have been asking for affordable, locally accessible classes which provide a high level of skills instruction but also keep their time away from doing actual business to a minimum.

In response, WasteWater Education 501(c)3 is continuing a series of day-long interactive internet-based courses covering all aspects of fabricating, installing and maintaining precast concrete septic tanks and soil treatment fields. With septic service fees doubling in northwest Michigan, property owners and wastewater service providers are equally concerned about maintaining systems and minimizing and preventing expensive repairs.

Sam Lines, MBA, an instructor for National Precast Concrete Association (NPCA) will conclude: The Anatomy of Quality Precast Concrete Septic Tanks. On December 3^rd, the topic will cover NPCA Best Practices for Quality Plant management.  December 10^th will cover the issue of Microbial Induced Corrosion (MIC) which shortens the life span of concrete products. The impact and severity of this corrosion will be explained, and the actions necessary for the prevention of MIC will be presented.

To review the current class content go to http://www.wastewatereducation.org or contact Dendra J. Best. Executive Director, Wastewater Education 501(c)3 PO Box 792, Traverse City, MI 49685-0792 or call 231-233-1806.

TRAVERSE CITY TOPS

INVITES YOU TO CELEBRATE THE LAUNCH

OF CAMBRIA'S 21 NEW COLORS!

Wednesday, November 17, 2010 at 4:00 pm

1222 Veterans Drive Suite E

Traverse City, Michigan

DRAFT REPORT PROPOSES LIMITING MORTGAGE INTEREST DEDUCTION

President Obama's bipartisan Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform has just released a discussion draft of its co-chairs' proposals for reducing the federal budget deficit, and as NAHB had anticipated, that report contains some very concerning proposals regarding the mortgage interest deduction. Specifically, the draft report by co-chairs Erskine Bowles and former Senator Alan Simpson lists options including completely eliminating the MID and limiting it to primary residences and mortgages under $500,000. Other concerning proposals in the discussion draft would eliminate or otherwise negatively affect other housing tax provisions, such as the Low Income Housing Tax Credit, the deduction for real estate taxes for home owners, accelerated depreciation for rental housing, energy tax incentives and tax-exempt housing bonds. In addition, the proposals would result in significantly higher tax rates for capital gains and dividends. However, it is important to note that, as yet, none of these proposals have been formalized, and they are only listed as potential "options." Moreover, the overall plan, which includes many controversial proposals, is unlikely to win support from all of the commission members, whose final report could be much different than the co-chairs' discussion draft when it is released this December - also, the commission itself has no actual power to implement its official recommendations. Nevertheless, this is the first concrete evidence we've had that the commission is taking a close look at the MID and other housing incentives with an eye to cutting them back. 

On the day that the draft report was released, NAHB immediately posted a reaction statement by Chairman Bob Jones, expressing deep concerns about the MID proposals. NAHB also took advantage of social media channels to get the word out to consumers via a new MID Facebook page at facebook.com/SaveMyMID and a new Twitter feed located at Twitter.com/SaveMyMID. We encourage all of our members who are concerned about this critical issue to visit these pages and alert your family members and friends to them as well. 

Going forward, NAHB stands poised to vigorously defend the mortgage interest deduction and other critical housing and business provisions in the tax code as events unfold. As previously reported, the NAHB Board of Directors has proactively allocated resources to fight the anticipated assault on the MID, and an integrated advocacy campaign is already under development in preparation for the Fiscal Commission's final report to be released in December.  You'll soon be hearing more about our campaign, including the rollout of a new website that will provide essential data on the MID and its importance to American consumers, and will facilitate member and consumer outreach to legislators.

SPONSORSHIPS AND ADVERTISING AVAILABLE FOR E-NEWS

Classified Advertising will be available beginning with the next issue of our e-newsletter.  Each ad will be $10 and will be limited 30 Words and will not include graphics.  Classified ads will be located at the bottom of the e-newsletter with a link in the table of contents.  Go to your member profile to sign up for this service then send an email with your classified ad to jenny@hbagta.com.

1. Go to www.HBAGTA.com
2. Click on the "Members Only" Link on the top right hand corner of the Home Page.
3. Log In with your User Name and Password.