Sowing Seeds
Innocent Sellers Grassroots Campaign
The law states that building material dealers can be held liable for damages related to the products they sell, even if they have done nothing wrong. The Innocent Sellers Fairness Act (H.R. 989) would protect dealers from liability for actions outside their control. n The act does not limit an injured party’s right to sue. It simply establishes that they must sue the person or entity responsible for harm, not the entire supply chain as is the current practice. n Your voice makes a difference. Visit the Innocent Sellers Action Center at www.BuildtheVote.org to let your representatives and senators know you support the Innocent Sellers Fairness Act.
Welcome to Washington: Dealers Visit Capitol Hill
Bottom-Left to right: Bob Peterman of Peterman Lumber in Seneca Falls, N.Y., Dean Kelly of Jay-K Independent Lumber in New Hartford, N.Y., Rep. Michael Arcuri (D-N.Y.), and Seth Arluck of New Hampton Lumber in New Hampton, N.Y., meet to talk in Washington.
NLBMDA Honors Two with 2007 National Industry Leader in Safety Award
NLBMDA has presented its 2007 National Industry Leader in Safety Award to: n Sanford and Hawley Inc. in Unionville, Conn., for a yard with fewer than 50 employees n Curtis Lumber Co. in Plattsburgh, N.Y., for a yard with more than 50 employees. A subcommittee of safety experts chose these companies as the LBMs that demonstrate exceptional leadership and commitment to safety by exceeding basic practices and setting an example for the industry. The winners are reviewed for both quantitative (industry statistics and rates) and qualitative (best practices, quality of safety and training programs, policies and procedures) data. The awards are given on a per site basis, not for the entire company. NLBMDA believes it is important to acknowledge the achievements of these companies and applauds them on their commitment to safety. You can apply for the 2008 NLBMDA Safety Awards. Contact Paul Corsi at 202.367.2496 or paul@dealer.org. Applications are available online at www.dealer.org.
Three Steps to a Successful ‘2×4 Yard Tour’
1. Fax an invitation to your member of Congress. Be sure to copy NLBMDA (fax 202.547.7640) so we are aware of your request. Members of Congress receive many invitations to events, so submit your request as soon as possible. You can find fax and phone numbers at www.BuildtheVote.org.
2. Follow up. After a day or two, call the office and ask to speak to the scheduler. It may take several calls before you get a response from the scheduler, so don’t be discouraged. If you have a hard time getting a response, NLBMDA can follow up on your behalf. If the member of Congress cannot attend, invite the chief of staff or district director.
3. Set the date. Once the scheduler has confirmed the time and date, invite your state association executive and, if you wish, other local dealers or business owners. Notify NLBMDA (colleen@dealer.org) of the date. Keep a list of who will attend to share with the member of Congress’ staff before the event.
The National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association represents more than 8,000 lumber and building material companies with more than 400,000 employees, 20 state and regional associations, and the industry’s leading manufacturers and service providers. NLBMDA is the voice of America’s building suppliers. www.dealer.org.
