ARKANSASa OKLAHOMA

Bob John

I RKANSAS and Oklahoma dealers lFlwere recently elected to key leadership positions in the Mid-America Lumbermens Association for 1983-84.

John Collins, Collins Lumber Co., Ada, Ok., has been elected president and Truman Hall, Lyman Lamb Lumber Co., Little Rock, Ar., has been elected fourth vice president. Joe Kaufman, Kaufman Lumber Co., Little Rock, is the immediate past president.

Dealer directors representing Arkansas and Oklahoma are:

Arkansas: James E. Greer, Ken's Discount Building Materials, El Dorado; Philip E. Hiegel, Quality Building Materials, Morrilton; David S. Randle, Ranco Building Supply, Fayetteville; Doyle Roach, E.C. Barton & Co., Jonesboro.

Oklahoma: John C. Garrett, Economy Lumber & Supply Co., Miami; John M. Kennedy, T.H. Rogers Lumber Co.,

Oklahoma City; Grady Ollie, Jr., Geo. Ollie's Lumber Co., Pocola; Paul W. Pixley, Pixley Lumber Co., Claremore.

In assuming the president's position, Collins said. "One of the association's key legislative issues this year will be the Mortgage Retirement Accounts (M.R.A.) proposal, a modified IRA program, which allows for a tax deferred investment in a person's own mortgage (prepayment) which in turn provides a real nest egg for retirement. Some dealers feel that if IRA funds, which in time can become loans to Mexico, oil tankers and other assorted assets, are acceptable retirement investments, certainly a prepayment investment in one's own home must be as sound and equally as good a retirement investment. MLA is pressing Congress for passage of M.R.A. legislation. M.R.A. as proposed and introduced in ihe Senate by Senator Tower (Texas) would also allow young people to save in tax deferred savings to use as a down payment on their first home. "

Collins said that the M.R.A. proposal is an exciting opportunity for many people in Arkansas and Oklahoma. "It is an them with a positive, helpful attitude. B€ sure your employees are solving problems in a positive and productive way. Can you afford not to take the time to be sure your customers are being treated properly? opportunity for a more secure retirement. It is an opportunity for better housing for many and, for others, an opportunity to get into home ownership sooner than would otherwise be possible. lt is an opportunity for the peace of mind that comes with having a home owned 'freeand-clear' years ahead of schedule."

At the recent Young Carolinians' Idea Exchange in Sapphire Valley, N.C., new officers and directors were elected. Serving for 1984 are: chairman Chuck Campbell, Black Mountain LumberCo., Black Mountain, N.C.; vice<hairman Gene Tanner, Waccamaw Lumber & Supply Co., Conway, S.C.; secretary-treasurer Dick Walker, Yount Home Center, Newton, N.C. The North Carolina directors are David Barringer, West Durham Lumber Co., Durham, N.C.; Linda Simpson, Southern Woodworks, Inc., Charlotte, N.C.; and Danny Stegall, Stegall Builder Mart, Manhville, N.C. South Carolina directors are Wilson Mishoe, Waccamaw Lumber & Supply Co., Conway, S.C.; Whit Shaw, Shaw LumberCo., Sumter, S.C.; and BerlinG. Myers, Jr., Berlin G. Myers LumberCo., Summerville. S.C.