WESTIERN ASS0eIAT[0N NEWS

Mountain States Lumber & Building Material Dealers Association is conducting a retailer and supplier attitude survey to guide planning for their second century of service.

Retailers and suppliers are being asked to rank 17 activities and services provided by the association. Responses will be used to evaluate the direction and goals set during 1992.

Results of the l99l credit management practices survey are being tabulated. Responses so far indicate too much credit, bad bankruptcy laws and bad lien laws were the largest credit concerns ofretailers in 1991.

The 135 initial responses reflect total sales of $439.8 million with75% of this in credit sales. Idaho and Utah show the highest percentage of credit sales in the region. Maintaining close communications with credit users is reported as the single most important aspect of credit policies.

A free detailed report will be sent to survey participants.

Lumber Merchants Association of Northern California is briefing members legislation affecting their busi-

A retailer may request, but not require, credit card identification for check writing, but cannot record the number. He must tell the purchaser it is not required. Name, address and telephone number may be required and recorded.

For small claims court. unlawful detainer proceedings have been removed, continuances for negotiation and mediation provided and jury trial in appeals denied. Another small claims court bill changes time extensions, prejudgment attachment, jurisdiction following j udgment, multiple claims limits, mail service fees, pre-trial discov- ery, venues, postponements, fictitious business names, appearance by representative, aid for non-English speakers, judgments recording, motions to vacate a judgment, fees, costs, notices, appeal, enforcement and entry of satisfaction ofjudgment.

An employer with 50 plus employees cannot refuse a total of four months in 24 months for unpaid family leave for employees with more than one year continuous service and eligible for benefits. Accrued leave or vacation time may be substituted. Reasonable notice must be given if foreseeable. A health care provider's certificate may be requested.

The California Anti-Fraud Bill makes a false statement to obtain or support a benefits claim criminal fraud, punishable by up to five years in state prison and a fine up to $50,000 or double the fraud, whichever is greater. Physicians and attorneys are prohibited from using runners, cappers or steerers to procure patients to clients. Soliciting claims is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in county jail and/or a fine of $IO,O0O. Fraudulent acts must be reported to the local district attorney or fraudulent claims bureau within 30 days and false, misleading or deceptive advertising of services and benefits is prohibited.

LMA's worker's compensation program participants received stickers for their DWC-I forms waming misrepresentation to obtain or deny workers' compensations benefits is a felony.

Other changes which retailers should become aware ofconcern construction contract payment withholding, credit reporting agencies and bonded stop notices.

Western Building Material Association's Young Westerners Club elected Chuck Stout, Irrigators Lumber Co., Caldwell, Id., president at the 23rd annual conference in Tacoma, Wa., Jan. 30-Feb. 2.

Other officers: Curtis Jack, v.p.; Eric Fritch, sec.; Tor Driflot, Bruce Abel, Chris Davis, trustees; Dale Kyle, 1993 conference chairman.

1991 president Terry Willey and his conference committee arranged a tour of the Weyerhaeuser Tech center, round table discussions and seminars on topics ranging from remanufacturing, alternative wood products and energy codes to heat loss calculations.

Of the I 13 attending, 29 were participating in their first conference.

Seattle Lumber Scam Update

A Seattle, Wa., lumber scam was formally charged in late February when the Royal Canadian Mounted Police arrested three men, according to the Seattle Times.

The case dates back to late 1990 when construction projects in the Puget Sound area were ted tagged by inspectors who found substandard lumber in over 100 buildings. Grade stamps appeared to have been sanded off and replaced with a stamp indicating higherquality wood selling for more money.

Bob Johal, Minder Johal and Jerry Johal were arrested by the RCMP, said Sgt. Peter Montague, a spokesman for the Canadian law enforcement group, and charged in Surrey Provincial Court with seven counts of fraud involving more than $1,000 (Canadian). BBM Lakeview Wholesale Lumber Ltd.. Surrey, B.C., their employer, was charged with seven counts of the same offense. Moga Timber Mill Ltd. and A.P. Timber Mill Ltd., also in Surrey, were charged with one count of fraud involving more than $ 1,000 (Canadian).

BBM Lakeview and the two mills were suspected at the time the fraudulent grading appeared. The wholesaler pleaded guilty in 1988 of delivering fraudulently graded wood and was fined $100,000, provincial court records show. Moga Timber reportedly sent a letter to customers Nov. 6, 1990, accepting responsibility for the mislabeling, a report n The Seattle Times at that time said.