NEWS & UPDATES 

4-13-07
Nashille mayorial canidate David Briley spoke with us last Tuesday at the April NAPMA meeting.  David said he would work with us to promote professional contractors and protect the nashville homeowners and business owners property.  Water rates have not kept pace with other cities and all the fees contractors pay is an effort to keep the water dept. solvant.

Legislation is pending to allow plumbing contractors to install single family fire sprinklers and a bill to require a Journeyman's license be held for 3 or 4 years before being able to test for the State of Tennessee's State master plumbing contractors license.  

Next meeting of NAPMA is May 8, 2007

5-7-2007
Legislative news, SB# 785 / HB#2121  Which would allow State plumbing contractors to install potable water fire sprinklers has been held back in order for all parties to meet and discuss the bill.  If firesprinkler contractors don't want us to do this work, they should have to get a plumbing license to install a potable fire system, that is plumbing.  They should in no way tie into or terminate their installs on our plumbing system, period.

SB# 786 / HB# 2122  Which requires 2000 hrs of experience before being allowed to take the State Master Plumbers test.  NAPMA had asked for three years as a Journeyman before sitting for the Masters License, but ABC objected because it sounded to "union".  We had to settle for 2000 hours or nothing, untill we can gain enough strenghth to overcome some of the other associations, we must settle for less than we want.

SB# 1726 / HB# 735  This is the Lowes bill, it allows homecenters to and others to install appliances in homes under $500 with out the required LLP.  We had at first opposed this bill but had to end up just trying to manage the damage.  We tried to keep water heaters out of it but failed.  We were able to at least require a license if you went from one type of fuel to another.  And if a county or city wants to, they may require a license for any appliance install including water heaters.

NAPMA tried and was able to at least require more experience and we hope to make progress on fire sprinklers.  Thank you to all that have helped with our legislative efforts this year.  NAPMA will now focus on local issues that need to be addressed. 

5-22-07
The last meeting was great, we want to thank John Frasinelli from Federated for the great program, please call them when you are looking for quotes on your insurance.

Lance Hornbuckle gave us a good report on Metro issues and I (Andy Ward) gave a report on legislation in progress and on sprinkler progress.

We hope to meet with the Fire Sprinkler people this week or next.  We have been speaking with council about Metro interpretation of certain requirements pertaining to plumbing contractors. 

6-12-07  Mayoral candidate Karl Dean spoke to the association lunch meeting, Karl wants to put education on a front burner if elected.  He also commited to look into vocational schools for the trades.  Jack Steakley spoke of State issues and let us know more effort would be put into local issues next.

Jack inform the association that the Bill requiring 3 years experience was passed and signed into law.  No news of fire sprinklers.

The Contractors Licensing Board will meet in July to look at the application for plumbing contractor and see what would be required for proof of experience.  We would like to see only W-2's allowed but the lawyers for the State are looking at affidavits. 

7/9/07  The July meeting of NAPMA is tomorrow, Tuesday 10, 2007.  Mimi Bless will be there to help us deal with the media in case of an accident.  You will not want to miss this program.  Jack Steakley will bring us an update on the trades council and any legislative issues.

We are waiting for the elections to be concluded before we introduce some needed Metro legislation.  Hope to see you there! 

8/30/07  We lost a very good man last week.  Ken Gregory passed away from a heart attack.  Ken alone with his son Mike, owned Ace Plumbing.  Ken was always supportive of me and this association.  Ken has always been there for his family and friends and was active in the community.  Ken will be missed.  

9/10/07  NAPMA meets tomorrow, lots to talk about.  Jack Steakley, Andy Ward, Lance Maliwenski and Lance Hornbukle met with the Tennessee Fire Sprinkler Contractors last week.  We learned a lot from them and they from us.  Upnor is supposed to help explain to them and to us about these combination fire systems at the meeting.

KIVA is coming and we are learning about it, more at the meeting.

12/27/07  NAPMA has new officers!  Dino Stockmaster elected as our 2008 President, Don Seymour is VP/Tres, Andrew Ward Communications chair, HVAC Rep is Jim Perkins, Plumbing Rep is Lance Hornbuckle, Vendor Rep is Rick Hollis, Legislative chair Jack Steakley.
Congratulations to our new officers.

2/12/08  Federated Insurance put on a great safety meeting for us.  If you have not call Federated be sure you do before your next renewal date.  Plenty of talk about legislative issues and the hotdogs were awesume.

4/8/08  Wm. McClain Co. hosted our April meeting, Mary Ellen Jackson from Metro Water was our speaker.  Storm water runoff is now under Metro Water and they are going to start charging for how much runoff your hard surface runs off water.  Capacity fees for taps and other services are going up as well.  Jack Steakley gave us a legislative update, the "Scrap Metal" bill has passed, we have a meeting with Mayor Dean set up for the near future.  Great meeting, thanks to all that attended.

5/14/08  Great meeting yesterday, Nashville Winnelson was our sponsor, Jeff Warden gave us a history of the company and so inspirational thoughts.  Officers reported on legislative issues and the web site.  Phillip Kirk informed us about how to make sure we get paid.  Phillip said the wording on a signed document was the key to recuping all of whats owed to you, thanks Phillip for the info.  Next NAPMA meeting, June 10th @ 11:00am.

6/27/08  Terry Cobb Metro Codes director will be with us at our next NAPMA meeting on July 8th.  Terry will bring us up to date on the Codes Dept.  Dell Myers our chief plumbing inspector retired, and we wish him many happy years of relaxation.  That has opened the door for a new inspector.  Dino Stockmaster our current president is stepping down.  He has joined the ranks of us contractors and wanted to step down till he gets his Plumbing License.  We hope that is soon.  Join us July 8th @ 11:00  

Andy Ward