NARI of Mid-Maryland

IN THE NEWS

Mark Pelletier Honored With Big50 Award

Frederick, Maryland – May 16 – Mark V. Pelletier, CGR, CAPS, CGP, owner of M. V. Pelletier, Inc., has been selected by Remodeling magazine to join the Remodeling Big50. The Big50 awards were presented at a gala dinner at the Remodeling Leadership Conference in Alexandria, Va., on May 15, 2010. The 2010 Big50 winners are featured in the May issue of Remodeling, a national trade publication read by more than 80,000 professional remodeling contractors.

Each year since 1986, the Remodeling Big50 inducts the owners of 50 remodeling companies that have set exceptionally high standards for professionalism and integrity through exemplary business practices, craftsmanship, and impact in their community or the industry at large. Big50 remodelers run successful, often growing, companies of various sizes that have taken the lead in raising industry standards.

The Big50 selection process has become increasingly rigorous in recent years, and the result is one of the strongest classes to date. All 2010 inductees stood up to detailed examinations of their businesses and their books, and they all demonstrated an admirably deft ability to restructure, retrench, and hustle to remain viable in a challenging economic climate.

“We are very honored to receive this distinction,” says Mark, president of M. V. Pelletier, Inc. “The award recognizes excellence and leadership, and we are privileged to be named to this select group of remodelers.”

Remodeling editors, columnists, industry leaders, and the companies themselves make the nominations each year. Following a lengthy evaluation and interview process, the editors select the owners of 50 companies that exemplify the best of the industry that year. Winners are selected in these categories: business savvy, fine design, market wise, movers & shakers, niches, sales & marketing, and teamwork. M. V. Pelletier, Inc. was selected for the category of Business Savvy.

Remodeling magazine, published by Hanley Wood Business Media, is the leading publication in the home improvement industry. Designed to address the specific concerns of residential remodeling pros, the magazine is both a business tool and an industry leader for a market that topped $300 billion in 2008. See the magazine online at

www.remodelingmag.com

Obama Unveils ‘Cash for Caulkers’ Rebates for Energy-Efficient Retrofits

Jennifer Goodman is Senior Editor Online for EcoHome.

Class offered to contractors on new lead law

Originally published January 28, 2010

By Ed Waters Jr. News-Post Staff

Call To Action - Health Care Reform Bill

With feedback from members resulting in 96% in strong opposition, NARI has sent communication to United States Senate and House leaders voicing grave concern about the employee health care coverage mandate which unfairly singles out small construction companies. On January 15, NARI issued a Call to Action to all Chapter delegates and members encouraging them to contact their representatives and voice the opposition. This Call to Action has been broadly posted and circulated. ! The bill is expected to be reconciled in committee before the President's State of the Union Address.

It is critically important that all NARI Chapters and members exercise the Voice of the Remodeling Industry. Act now! Let's be heard. Click here for details.

Lead Paint Rule Effective April 2010 ... click here to register for certification.

The Lead Paint Renovation, Repair, and Paining rule is scheduled to become effective April 22, 2010. What does this mean to you? If you conduct renovation projects in homes build before 1978 it means the following:

	You will need to provide the owner or occupants the flyer Renovate Right prior to starting work
	Your firm must be certified by EPA to conduct renovation, repair, and painting in pre 1978 homes. The application must be submitted by January 22 to be able to be certified by April 22 2010. Here is the link to the application. http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/toolkits.htm
	There must be a sufficient number of your staff that have attended an EPA Certified Renovator program to be able to properly supervise the remodeling projects your company conducts. Here is the link to certified trainer: http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/trainingproviders.htm
	When required, your company will use Lead Safe Work Practices and properly document all work completed as required by EPA.
	For additional information go to http://www.nari.org/LeadSafetyInformation.asp
	Failure to comply with this rule can result in fine of up to $32,500 per day per offense and jail time. Be wise. Comply.

Important Notice ... this could effect you!

Recognizing the impact workplace fraud has on workers, law abiding employers and taxpayers, Governor O'Malley introduced and the General Assembly approved the Workplace Fraud Act of 2009 to crack down on the practice. The new law will take effect October 1, 2009. Regulations will be drafted, and DLLR will convene a working group to provide input during that process. The Workplace Fraud Act of 2009 provides the state with tools to crack down on workplace fraud, which involves employers who wrongly classify their employees as independent contractors or do not classify them at all.

Congratulations to our CotY Award Winners. Click here for our list of winners.