"Northern Lights": Happy Holidays! (December 2014)

BRANNJ President Charles Baldanza

President's Message

In addition to adding an RRP Refresher Training Course, I am pleased to report we had two successful events to end 2014. Thank you to all members who attended the November 20^thReno’s Appliance Pre-Holiday Networking Party in their spectacular Paterson showroom, and thanks to John Cioletti and team who hosted a fantastic industry party for more than 250 guests including fabulous food, live music, NFL Giants Alumni Players and over the top prizes! (Click Here to View Reno’s Photos) Many thanks to the many BRANNJ members and guests who attended our December 4^th Winter Showcase Tabletop & Beefsteak at Fiesta Banquets. Special thanks to our Dinner Table Sponsors: The Commercial Agency; Jacuzzi and Universal Supply Company and to our Beer Sponsors: California Closets and Fireside Hearth & Home. Tabletops SOLD OUT this year thanks to the support of our vendors: Altherm, Inc.; Andersen Corporation ; Artisan Manufacturing; Boise Cascade; Broan Nutone; Feldman Brothers Electrical Supply; Ferguson Enterprises; Floor Town; Georgia-Pacific; Jacuzzi; James Hardie Building Products; Kuiken Brothers; Parksite; Pella Windows & Doors; ProBuild; Reno’s Appliance; SaxBST; Steamist and Weyerhauser.

In attendance at the Beefsteak were NJBA Officers Tom Troy, Builder Vice President and Jeanne Tomlinson, Associate Vice President, who presented our own Richard Gaynor, Middleton & Company, with the NJBA Associate of the Quarter Award for the great work that he does for BRANNJ and the Association. Thanks to all who donated food items for the Center for Food Action in Mahwah. BRANNJ Builder member Mary Anne Belvedere of Belvedere Building & Contracting spoke on behalf of the organization where she is also a board member. Many thanks to Richard Gaynor, our event emcee, Victoria Reczkowski of Ferguson and Arnold DeMasi of DeMasi Construction of the Programs/Associates Committee for helping with setup, John Cioletti of Reno’s Appliance, for donating the 50” Flat Screen TV for our raffle which Anthony Volpe of Volpe Custom Homes won, and to Bob Shrumpf of the Bergen Record for graciously donating ads for the ad auction. (Click Here to View Beefsteak Photos)

As my two years as President is coming to a close, I wish to thank our officers, board members and Premier Partners for their dedication to our great Association. I look forward to seeing all BRANNJ members at our upcoming Annual Installation & Awards Dinner on Thursday, January 15, 2015 at The Graycliff in Moonachie, where we will install our new President, Don DiNovi of Ulrich and the 2015 Board of Directors, honor some of our deserving members, enjoy a great dinner, spirits and festive live music to welcome in the New Year! See below for registration forms and our 2015 calendar of events.
Thank you all for your membership and your support during my leadership at BRANNJ. Our local is a success story, and together we will continue to work towards strengthening our Association for the betterment of our members and the housing industry.

Best regards,

Charlie

The New Jersey Builders Association Mourns the Passing of a Legend

Leonard R. Sendelsky

The NJBA family suffered a great loss with the passing of Leonard R. Sendelsky who died on December 6, 2014

Leonard Sendelsky compiled an enviable record of accomplishments in the building industry that dates back over the last six decades. A second generation builder, his father was a carpenter and custom home builder. He began working in the industry in 1952 and formed his own company, Lenguy Construction, in 1958.

Lenny served as NJBA President in 1973 and was deeply committed to the Builders Association at all levels and his service extended to the home building industry at large. He gave his time, financial support and expertise to the Association at every level and in every way possible. Lenny's contributions to the industry are too many to name but were recognized by bestowing upon him numerous honors, including the designation as a Legend of Housing in 2002 and the NJBA Lifetime Achievement Award last year. Both of these honors were in recognition of the dedication of his life and career to making a substantial, measurable and lasting impact on housing New Jersey's families.

The NJBA family extends its deepest sympathies to the Sendelsky Family and shares in their sorrow.

Visitation - Wednesday, December 10, 2014 - 1:00 - 8:00 pm

Hungarian Reformed Church, 175 Pershing Avenue, Carteret , NJ 07008

Service - Thursday December 11, 2014 - 10:00 am

Hungarian Reformed Church, 175 Pershing Avenue, Carteret , NJ 07008

Burial - Rahway Cemetery, 1623 St George Avenue.Rahway. NJ 07008

Lunch following service location to be determined

Memorial Contributions - JFK Medical Center Foundation and/or

Hungarian Reformed Church of Carteret.

Extra! Extra!

The Politics of Washington and its Effects on NAHB Membership (click here)

House Approves Tax Extenders Bill

Provisions could save builders and home owners more than $2 billion in 2014.

Tax Incentives Key to Solar Use, NAHB Says

NAHB members discuss importance of solar technology with Obama administration officials.

Apply for NAHB Legal Action Fund Assistance by Dec. 11

Fund supports cases involving all types of local issues with the potential of national significance for home builders, remodelers and developers.

NAHB Chairman Kevin Kelly on President Obama’s Immigration Executive Order (click here)

Single-Family Starts Up 4.2 Percent While Overall Production Drops Slightly in October (click here)

Fight over open space money brews after ballot question passes (click here)

Open-Space Fight PitsFarmland Preservation Against Environmentalists (click here)

Freddie Mac Research Shows Many U.S. Renters Still Dream of Homeownership, but Some Prefer to Rent (click here)

Lawmakers consider barring foreclosures on Sandy homes (click here)

How Tax Breaks and Funds Might Put Bounce in Camden’s Rebound (click here)

Bill to restore N.J. propertytax information removed by Christie administration advances (click here)

Apartment Trends To Watch in2015 (click here)

Reminder!!!!

Save the Dates for 2015!

NEXT UP! Thursday, January 15, 2015~ Join us for our Annual Installation & Awards Reception, 6:00PM at the Graycliff in Moonachie. Mix and mingle, enjoy great music and a bountiful buffet dinner and cocktails as we welcome in the 2015 BRANNJ leadership and honor some of our outstanding members for their hard work and dedication in 2015. Details coming soon to the calendar at www.brannj.org.

Event Details (click here)

Registration Form (click here)

Future Events and Dates:

Wednesday March 18, 2015—Murder Mystery Dinner & Comedy Night featuring Drop Dead Comedy. We are bringing back this favorite event for our Spring fundraiser this year. Always a fantastic evening, bring your colleagues, spouse, friends and come out to support your Association! 6:00PM, The Fiesta in Wood-Ridge.

Thursday, April 16, 2015—Educational Event- Codes Panel Seminar GMM. Time and location TBA.

Wednesday, May 27, 2015—Annual Golf Outing & Scholarship Awards, River Vale Country Club. Join us for lunch and a great day on this beautiful course, or just attend our cocktail reception, dinner and golf/scholarship awards presentation. A great networking event and fantastic sponsorship opportunities available. 11:00 registration; 1:00 shotgun and 6:00PM Cocktails/Dinner/Awards.

Tuesday, June 9^th—Educational Event-Put the Law on YOUR Side-Part 2. Don’t miss this interactive seminar and learn valuable information for builders, contractors and associates on contract negotiation and how to protect your business in a fast changing business climate. 6:00PM Scarinci Hollenbeck, Lyndhurst, NJ.