WESTIERN ASS0ClAll[0N NEWS

Lumber Merchants Association of Northern California is seeking volunteers to serve as key contacts with elected officials in the area.

Legislators are generally aware of an association's political activities through daily contact with registered lobbyists, an association spokesperson explained. However, it is equally important to have backup support in the district lrom the constituent lumber dealer. Even dealers without working rapport at present with their three elected officials can be successful as volunteers.

Jim Leonard, Jim Merchant, Gary DeYoung, Phil Larios, Breeze Cross, Bob Patterson and Bob Rader are among those volunteering at present.

Mountain States Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association is surveying lumber retailers, associate suppliers and national retail leaders on timber issues.

So far 222 responses have been received from 672 targeted. The survey measures four major concerns. On a scale of I to l0 (10 representing the strongest feelings), the group was asked to rank endangered species/northern spotted owl; cutting of old growth forests; exportation of logs to foreign markets, and timber supply.

Many of those responding wrote comments providing insight into how the issues affect them, ideas to resolve problems, and comments on the quality of the survey.

On the whole, the exportation of logs ranks as having the most impact on business at 7.58. As a regional retailer put it, "I feel the exportation of logs costs us jobs and depletes one of our resources that cannot be renewed overnight."

Most respondents feel that their associations do an okay job of providing information on timber supplies, ranking information provided at 6.93. Respondents feel least informed about log exportation with an average response of 6.42. Knowledge of the cutting of old growth ranks slightly higher at 7.20. An average response of 7.22 places knowledge of the endangered species issue at the highest level. However, respondents indicated that knowledge is not enough.

Future Dates

Check our Calendar on page 20 tor information on upcoming conventions, meetings and trade shows in your region.

One national retailer commented that the National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association has provided adequate information "of issues regarding legislation, but has not been able to

Inc.

. Ponderoso Pine

Professionol Services

Specified Timbers o Precision Trim

Job Site Orders o Resowing/Ripping o Customer Service Oriented

Coll us lodoy for o quole:

Jerry Hohn (23 yeors) (503) n6-4100 o Rick Roy fl2 yeors) (5031 776-4101

PACIFIC NORTHWEST PTYWOOD DIVISION

Product Speciolizotion:

. Concrete Ply-Form o Closs-1 o Struct-1

Ponel Sizes 4' x B' through 5' x 12'

Coll for oll your plwood needs: o Ron Doyle (27 yeors) o Loin Osborn (27 yeors)

Tommy Clow I yeors)

Sfone Forest Industries, Inc.

Pocif ic Northwest Division

2611 Whittle Ave.. Medford, OR 97501 pHoNE (503) Z6-5750 TOLL FREE (800) 541-6906

FM 503-n6-4107 s e r v i c

ROCKY

Mouniain Division

Sowmills locoted in:

o Reserve, New Mexico

. Eogor, Arizono o Flogstoff, Arizono Your Supplier of: o Spruce Ponderoso Pine

. Douglos Fir. White Woods

Professionol Services: o Speciol Potterns o Resowing/Ripping

. Precision Trim End/Edge Motching

. Lorge Producer of Ponderoso Pine 5/4" #3 & Btr Shop

_THE BESI E.S.LP. STUDS PRE.CUT FRO]II OUR SOUIH FORK, COIORADO, IUMBER OPERATION

Feoluring Studs ond Stud By-producfs

All Precision Trimmed. ovoiloble in:

Englemonn Spruce o Whiie Fir o Surfoced 2x4 - 2x6,5'-8'

Alpine Fir o Douglos Fir o Rough 2x4 - 2x6,6'-8'

Coll us todoy for o quote: (800) 528-3670 o Emil Romero (28 yeors) o Rondy School (13 yeors)

. Leslie Kuhn (11 yeors) o Greg Doy (4 yeorsJ

Slone Forest Industries, Inc.

Rocl<y M ou nt o in Division 825 E. Butler Ave., Flogstoff, AZ, 86001

TOLL support dealer needs for education of employees or customers." Another participant responded "These issues are real and we need strong support from National in our defense - our lawmakers are not very well informed on these matters."

Overall, the general feeling is that action needs to be taken on these issues. One Mountain States retailer wrote, "Building materials dealers must become environmentalists in the eyes of the public before the radical environmentalists will lose their credibility and public clout. We cannot argue our case based on loss of prohts." One associate supplier suggested MSLBMDA organize subgroups by state to tackle the timber problems.

Western Building Material Association is offering a suggested disclaimer for dealers furnishing material estimates.

They recommend that it will minimize, although not totally eliminate, the chances of liability for dealers in errors furnishing take-offs of building materials estimates. They advise adding the disclaimer in a conspicuous place on the estimate in bold or easy to notice type or print, because a sign in the store will not sullce. They also pointed out that there can be no guarantee, regardless of the disclaimer, that a court or a jury will not find a dealer liable if he was negligent in his calculations.

The recommended wording: "Dislaimer: This estimate is designed solely to provide the Contractor/Customer with a rough estimate of the amount of material used in the given project. The material estimate will be based upon calculations or data provided by the Contractor/Customer and such estimate assumes, among other things, normal and typical building construction techniques. The actual amount of material used may vary from material estimate due to a number of factors. Consequently, no representation or warranty has been made that the actual amount of material used will not vary from the estimate."

WBMA is seeking assistance in updating its 40 Year Club membership list and securing new qualified members. A person who has worked in the building material industry 40 years or more qualifies for membership. People recommended to the association office will receive membership invitations. At present the 40 Year Club has I l5 members.

Thol's How lt Goes!

Grab the better part of the outdoor business.

Stock up with Western Red Cedar, the natural answer to your customers' outd00r building needs.

Western Red Cedar comes in allthe sizes, lengths, shapes and patterns your customers want, from decking and boards to fencing and lattice. There is also Cedar siding, paneiing, trim, fascia, mouldings and industrial items for a wide range of other construction projects' Protected by natural phenol preservatives, Cedar is treated all the way through, naturally, and makes imitators turn green with enlry. So, bring that additional outdoor business to your store, Grab the coupon and get a selection of idea literature and a source list 0f Western Red Cedar producers.