Building Trends Crime Prevention Security by brad palmer

BUILDING trends

Your Local Resource for Construction News

Crime Prevention Security Systems and Custom Home Entertainment

The Pastore family: (front) Bobby McAfee, (back) Jessica Pastore, (middle from left) John Pastore, Randi Elrad and Jorgia McAfee.

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BUILDING trends

Your Local Resource for Construction News

Contents Publisher’s Column

National News

National Economist Warns of Hidden Costs of Regulation

Association News

Pinkoson Asks Builders for Help

In The News

Beau Beery Honored by GACAR

Cover Story

Crime Prevention Security Systems & Custom Home Entertainment: Dedicated to Providing the Best in Technology

Local News

Real Estate Town Hall Meeting Brings Cautious Optimism

Government News

High Springs Commission Suspends Impact Fees

Local News

Rebuilding Together, One Partnership at a Time

New Products

Home Entertainment and Security: Controlled with a Click of a Button

Association News Jake’s Corner

BUILDING TRENDS

BANCF New Members

www.BuildingTrendsMagazine.com

COOL ROOF CEILING INSULATION UPGRADE GREEN ROOF ROOF INSULATION UPGRADE WINDOW FILM OR SCREEN AIR-COOLED AND WATER-COOLED ELECTRIC CHILLERS HEAT PUMPS PACKAGED TERMINAL HEAT PUMPS UNITARY AC AND HEAT PUMPS THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE DEMAND CONTROL VENTILATION (DCV) DUCT TEST DUCT REPAIR ENERGY RECOVERY VENTILATION (ERV) PTAC STEAM CLEANING ROOFTOP UNIT RECOMMISSIONING EFFICIENT INDOOR LIGHTING OCCUPANCY SENSORS EFFICIENT COMPRESSED AIR SYSTEM EFFICIENT MOTORS COOL ROOF CEILING INSULATION UPGRADE GREEN ROOF ROOF INSULATION UPGRADE WINDOW FILM OR SCREEN AIR-COOLED AND WATER-COOLED ELECTRIC CHILLERS HEAT PUMPS PACKAGED TERMINAL HEAT PUMPS UNITARY AC AND HEAT PUMPS THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE DEMAND CONTROL VENTILATION (DCV) DUCT TEST DUCT REPAIR ENERGY RECOVERY VENTILATION (ERV) PTAC STEAM CLEANING ROOFTOP UNIT RECOMMISSIONING EFFICIENT INDOOR LIGHTING OCCUPANCY SENSORS EFFICIENT COMPRESSED AIR SYSTEM EFFICIENT MOTORS COOL ROOF CEILING INSULATION UPGRADE GREEN ROOF ROOF INSULATION UPGRADE WINDOW FILM OR SCREEN AIR-COOLED AND WATER-COOLED ELECTRIC CHILLERS HEAT PUMPS PACKAGED TERMINAL HEAT PUMPS UNITARY AC AND HEAT PUMPS THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE DEMAND CONTROL VENTILATION (DCV) DUCT TEST DUCT REPAIR ENERGY RECOVERY VENTILATION (ERV) PTAC STEAM CLEANING ROOFTOP UNIT RECOMMISSIONING EFFICIENT INDOOR LIGHTING OCCUPANCY SENSORS EFFICIENT COMPRESSED AIR SYSTEM EFFICIENT MOTORS COOL ROOF CEILING INSULATION UPGRADE GREEN ROOF ROOF INSULATION UPGRADE WINDOW FILM OR SCREEN AIR-COOLED AND WATER-COOLED ELECTRIC CHILLERS HEAT PUMPS PACKAGED TERMINAL HEAT PUMPS UNITARY AC AND HEAT PUMPS THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE DEMAND CONTROL VENTILATION (DCV) DUCT TEST DUCT REPAIR ENERGY RECOVERY VENTILATION (ERV) PTAC STEAM CLEANING ROOFTOP UNIT RECOMMISSIONING EFFICIENT INDOOR LIGHTING OCCUPANCY SENSORS EFFICIENT COMPRESSED AIR SYSTEM EFFICIENT MOTORS COOL ROOF CEILING INSULATION UPGRADE GREEN ROOF ROOF INSULATION UPGRADE WINDOW FILM OR SCREEN AIR-COOLED AND WATER-COOLED ELECTRIC CHILLERS HEAT PUMPS PACKAGED TERMINAL HEAT PUMPS UNITARY AC AND HEAT PUMPS THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE DEMAND CONTROL VENTILATION (DCV) DUCT TEST DUCT REPAIR ENERGY RECOVERY VENTILATION (ERV) PTAC STEAM CLEANING ROOFTOP UNIT RECOMMISSIONING EFFICIENT INDOOR LIGHTING OCCUPANCY SENSORS EFFICIENT COMPRESSED AIR SYSTEM EFFICIENT MOTORS COOL ROOF CEILING INSULATION UPGRADE GREEN ROOF ROOF INSULATION UPGRADE WINDOW FILM OR SCREEN AIR-COOLED AND WATER-COOLED ELECTRIC CHILLERS HEAT PUMPS PACKAGED TERMINAL HEAT PUMPS UNITARY AC AND HEAT PUMPS THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE DEMAND CONTROL VENTILATION (DCV) DUCT TEST DUCT REPAIR ENERGY RECOVERY VENTILATION (ERV) PTAC STEAM CLEANING ROOFTOP UNIT RECOMMISSIONING EFFICIENT INDOOR LIGHTING OCCUPANCY SENSORS EFFICIENT COMPRESSED AIR SYSTEM EFFICIENT MOTORS COOL ROOF CEILING INSULATION UPGRADE GREEN ROOF ROOF INSULATION UPGRADE WINDOW FILM OR SCREEN AIR-COOLED AND WATER-COOLED ELECTRIC CHILLERS HEAT PUMPS PACKAGED TERMINAL HEAT PUMPS UNITARY AC AND HEAT PUMPS THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE DEMAND CONTROL VENTILATION (DCV) DUCT TEST DUCT REPAIR ENERGY RECOVERY VENTILATION (ERV) PTAC STEAM CLEANING ROOFTOP UNIT RECOMMISSIONING EFFICIENT INDOOR LIGHTING OCCUPANCY SENSORS EFFICIENT COMPRESSED AIR SYSTEM EFFICIENT MOTORS COOL ROOF CEILING INSULATION UPGRADE GREEN ROOF ROOF INSULATION UPGRADE WINDOW FILM OR SCREEN AIR-COOLED AND WATER-COOLED ELECTRIC CHILLERS HEAT PUMPS PACKAGED TERMINAL HEAT PUMPS UNITARY AC AND HEAT PUMPS THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE DEMAND CONTROL VENTILATION (DCV) DUCT TEST DUCT REPAIR ENERGY RECOVERY VENTILATION (ERV) PTAC STEAM CLEANING ROOFTOP UNIT RECOMMISSIONING EFFICIENT INDOOR LIGHTING OCCUPANCY SENSORS EFFICIENT COMPRESSED AIR SYSTEM EFFICIENT MOTORS COOL ROOF CEILING INSULATION UPGRADE GREEN ROOF ROOF INSULATION UPGRADE WINDOW FILM OR SCREEN AIR-COOLED AND WATER-COOLED ELECTRIC CHILLERS HEAT PUMPS PACKAGED TERMINAL HEAT PUMPS UNITARY AC AND HEAT PUMPS THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE DEMAND CONTROL VENTILATION (DCV) DUCT TEST DUCT REPAIR ENERGY RECOVERY VENTILATION (ERV) PTAC STEAM CLEANING ROOFTOP UNIT RECOMMISSIONING EFFICIENT INDOOR LIGHTING OCCUPANCY SENSORS EFFICIENT COMPRESSED AIR SYSTEM EFFICIENT MOTORS COOL ROOF CEILING INSULATION UPGRADE GREEN ROOF ROOF INSULATION UPGRADE WINDOW FILM OR SCREEN AIR-COOLED AND WATER-COOLED ELECTRIC CHILLERS HEAT PUMPS PACKAGED TERMINAL HEAT PUMPS UNITARY AC AND HEAT PUMPS THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE DEMAND CONTROL VENTILATION (DCV) DUCT TEST DUCT REPAIR ENERGY RECOVERY VENTILATION (ERV) PTAC STEAM CLEANING ROOFTOP UNIT RECOMMISSIONING EFFICIENT INDOOR LIGHTING OCCUPANCY SENSORS EFFICIENT COMPRESSED AIR SYSTEM EFFICIENT MOTORS COOL ROOF CEILING INSULATION UPGRADE GREEN ROOF ROOF INSULATION UPGRADE WINDOW FILM OR SCREEN AIR-COOLED AND WATER-COOLED ELECTRIC CHILLERS HEAT PUMPS PACKAGED TERMINAL HEAT PUMPS UNITARY AC AND HEAT PUMPS THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE DEMAND CONTROL VENTILATION (DCV) DUCT TEST DUCT REPAIR ENERGY RECOVERY VENTILATION (ERV) PTAC STEAM CLEANING ROOFTOP UNIT RECOMMISSIONING EFFICIENT INDOOR LIGHTING OCCUPANCY SENSORS EFFICIENT COMPRESSED AIR SYSTEM EFFICIENT MOTORS COOL ROOF CEILING INSULATION UPGRADE GREEN ROOF ROOF INSULATION UPGRADE WINDOW FILM OR SCREEN AIR-COOLED AND WATER-COOLED ELECTRIC CHILLERS HEAT PUMPS PACKAGED TERMINAL HEAT PUMPS UNITARY AC AND HEAT PUMPS THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE DEMAND CONTROL VENTILATION (DCV) DUCT TEST DUCT REPAIR ENERGY RECOVERY VENTILATION (ERV) PTAC STEAM CLEANING ROOFTOP UNIT RECOMMISSIONING EFFICIENT INDOOR LIGHTING OCCUPANCY SENSORS EFFICIENT COMPRESSED AIR SYSTEM EFFICIENT MOTORS COOL ROOF CEILING INSULATION UPGRADE GREEN ROOF ROOF INSULATION UPGRADE WINDOW FILM OR SCREEN AIR-COOLED AND WATER-COOLED ELECTRIC CHILLERS HEAT PUMPS PACKAGED TERMINAL HEAT PUMPS UNITARY AC AND HEAT PUMPS THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE DEMAND CONTROL VENTILATION (DCV) DUCT TEST DUCT REPAIR ENERGY RECOVERY VENTILATION (ERV) PTAC STEAM CLEANING ROOFTOP UNIT RECOMMISSIONING EFFICIENT INDOOR LIGHTING OCCUPANCY SENSORS EFFICIENT COMPRESSED AIR SYSTEM EFFICIENT MOTORS COOL ROOF CEILING INSULATION UPGRADE GREEN ROOF ROOF INSULATION UPGRADE WINDOW FILM OR SCREEN AIR-COOLED AND WATER-COOLED ELECTRIC CHILLERS HEAT PUMPS PACKAGED TERMINAL HEAT PUMPS UNITARY AC AND HEAT PUMPS THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE DEMAND CONTROL VENTILATION (DCV) DUCT TEST DUCT REPAIR ENERGY RECOVERY VENTILATION (ERV) PTAC STEAM CLEANING ROOFTOP UNIT RECOMMISSIONING EFFICIENT INDOOR LIGHTING OCCUPANCY SENSORS EFFICIENT COMPRESSED AIR SYSTEM EFFICIENT MOTORS COOL ROOF CEILING INSULATION UPGRADE GREEN ROOF ROOF INSULATION UPGRADE WINDOW FILM OR SCREEN AIR-COOLED AND WATER-COOLED ELECTRIC CHILLERS HEAT PUMPS PACKAGED TERMINAL HEAT PUMPS UNITARY AC AND HEAT PUMPS THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE DEMAND CONTROL VENTILATION (DCV) DUCT TEST DUCT REPAIR ENERGY RECOVERY VENTILATION (ERV) PTAC STEAM CLEANING ROOFTOP UNIT RECOMMISSIONING EFFICIENT INDOOR LIGHTING OCCUPANCY SENSORS EFFICIENT COMPRESSED AIR SYSTEM EFFICIENT MOTORS COOL ROOF CEILING INSULATION UPGRADE GREEN ROOF ROOF INSULATION UPGRADE WINDOW FILM OR SCREEN AIR-COOLED AND WATER-COOLED ELECTRIC CHILLERS HEAT PUMPS PACKAGED TERMINAL HEAT PUMPS UNITARY AC AND HEAT PUMPS THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE DEMAND CONTROL VENTILATION (DCV) DUCT TEST DUCT REPAIR ENERGY RECOVERY VENTILATION (ERV) PTAC STEAM CLEANING ROOFTOP UNIT RECOMMISSIONING EFFICIENT INDOOR LIGHTING OCCUPANCY SENSORS EFFICIENT COMPRESSED AIR SYSTEM EFFICIENT MOTORS COOL ROOF CEILING INSULATION UPGRADE GREEN ROOF ROOF INSULATION UPGRADE WINDOW FILM OR SCREEN AIR-COOLED AND WATER-COOLED ELECTRIC CHILLERS HEAT PUMPS PACKAGED TERMINAL HEAT PUMPS UNITARY AC AND HEAT PUMPS THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE DEMAND CONTROL VENTILATION (DCV) DUCT TEST DUCT REPAIR ENERGY RECOVERY VENTILATION (ERV) PTAC STEAM CLEANING ROOFTOP UNIT RECOMMISSIONING EFFICIENT INDOOR LIGHTING OCCUPANCY SENSORS EFFICIENT COMPRESSED AIR SYSTEM EFFICIENT MOTORS COOL ROOF CEILING INSULATION UPGRADE GREEN ROOF ROOF INSULATION UPGRADE WINDOW FILM OR SCREEN AIR-COOLED AND WATER-COOLED ELECTRIC CHILLERS HEAT PUMPS PACKAGED TERMINAL HEAT PUMPS UNITARY AC AND HEAT PUMPS THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE DEMAND CONTROL VENTILATION (DCV) DUCT TEST DUCT REPAIR ENERGY

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(4) Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an incredible selection of very nice properties for sale out there today, both in regard to new construction and to previouslyowned homes. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an excellent time for home shoppers to enjoy an opportunity to select from among so many available.

Make a Statement

3OME QUESTIONS HOME SHOPPERS ARE ASKING THESE DAYS ARE

7HAT ABOUT THE ECONOMY If you are secure in your employment you have a chance to make this economy work in your favor. Buying a home at a discount means that you will be accumulating equity faster when home values rise. Take advantage of the current economic climate, and let it work for you despite the negative news from the doom and gloom pundits. 7HAT ABOUT SUB PRIME LENDING AND ALL OF THOSE FORECLOSURES It is very unfortunate that there are some people facing that. While foreclosures are, in fact, rising, it is important to note that Commerce Secretary Paulson recently testified that over 93 percent of homeowners are making their mortgage payments on time. Homeowners want to preserve their investment, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only natural to want to protect oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home. 7HAT IF PRICES GO DOWN FURTHER Well, they may, but you have an opportunity right now to get a fabulous deal. I once knew someone that would drive past several gas stations to find gas that was one-cent cheaper per gallon. When you consider that he had a 15-gallon gas tank, and then calculated his savings when he purchased a full tank, you really had to wonder if driving past several gas stations to save a few cents was the best decision. How much did it cost him to drive around to save 15 cents? A lot more than 15 cents.!

The mechanics of our real estate market work efficiently. When you find the home you want, do your research, decide on the purchase price you feel is appropriate, and then negotiate accordingly. However, I would be remiss if I did not encourage you to use a Realtor to help with this process. Put my colleaguesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; negotiating skills and market knowledge to work for you. If you cannot arrive at purchase terms acceptable to you on that chosen home, select another. There Overhead Doortoof Gainesville: are certainly other nice homes from which choose in this market so favorable to buyers. phone 352-468-2733 fax 352-468-1453 In summary: (OW IS THE MARKET It is a GREAT time to buy a home.! Ocala Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the best market for buyersOverhead Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve seen inDoor manyof years.

phone 352-622-5737 fax 352-622-5720

Thomas McIntosh is President of ERA Trend Realty. To learn more about the services offered by ERA Trend Realty, call 352-225-4700 or go to www.eratrend.com.

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BUILDING TRENDS

0HONE OR E MAIL COLCOUNTYBUILD BELLSOUTH NET FOR A LIST OF BUILDERS

NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA MAY 2008 BUILDING EDGE

www.BuildingTrendsMagazine.com

From the Publisher Publisher: Scott Costello Creative Director: Brad Palmer Editor: David Greenberg Assistant Editors: Sara Horn Jessica Lipscomb Advertising Sales Director: Sarah Sander Public Relations Director: Faith Reaves Public Relations/Event Planning: Lauren Aitchison Emily Davis Katy Davis Melissa Eidam Emily Merwin Staff Writers: Lauren Alexis Kate Ashby Brittany Brave Maria Piquet Callie Polk Mara Rudolph Stephanie Thomas Morgan Watkins Editorial Cartoonist: Jake Fuller E-News Brief: Diandra Lamas

Advantage Publishing, Inc. 4140 NW 37th PL Suite D Gainesville FL 32606 (352) 372-5854 in Gainesville (352) 368-1707 in Ocala

As most of you know, I am big on loyalty. I try to stay loyal to those who help me bring this magazine to you. That is one of the reasons why I am so pleased about this issue of Building Trends. With our decision last year to expand from the original concept of offering a cover feature on a builder in the community, we have been able to take the next step on our pledge of being your local resource for construction news. Crime Prevention Security Systems and Custom Home Entertainment has been providing home-security support to the building industry since 1975. The company later added home entertainment to the mix. The Pastore family – starting with John Pastore and Randi Elrad and now their children, Jessica Pastore, Jorgia McAfee and Jorgia’s husband, Bobby, have not only been actively involved with the building industry, they are advocates for the community as well. Beyond that, they have been with us from the beginning. An advertisement for Crime Prevention has appeared in every issue of this magazine, its predecessor, Building Edge and HOME: Living in the Heart of Florida. As much as any other member of the industry, the Pastores have helped us bring this publication to you. For that, I am grateful. But whether they did that or not I would be thrilled to bring you their story. This family and their company are the epitome of what makes this community as special as it is. We also have a number of news articles and features that will be of interest to you. Nor the least of which is the article about the bold action taken by the High Springs City Commission. This group of community leaders should be applauded. Seeing a problem in their city, commissioners took decisive action to provide as much help as they can to fix the problem by temporarily suspending water and sewer impact fees. Like every other municipal or county government in Florida, High Springs is experiencing the lack of funding associated with the downturn in the economy. But unlike the county commission, which continues to look for opportunities to tax and fee its residents, the High Springs Commission is trying instead, to stimulate the economy. We also have a piece on the recent visit by National Association of Home Builders Senior Economist Elliot Eisenberg, who, while he was here, told builders, associates and elected officials about the hidden impact of regulation. His comments could not be timelier. In Association News, we have a piece about Alachua County Commissioner Lee Pinkoson speaking at a Commercial Builders Council meeting, where he reminded the industry that it must step up if it wants to create change. That’s just a sampling of what we have for you this issue. As always, we want to hear from you. You make this magazine what it is. Until next time,

www.Building TrendsMagazine.com

Scott Costello

www.BuildingTrendsMagazine.com

BUILDING TRENDS

National News

National Economist Warns of Hidden Costs of Regulation

By David Greenberg

lliot Eisenberg had them rolling in the aisles at a recent Builders Association of North Central Florida (BANCF) membership meeting. The message may have been serious, but Eisenberg, a senior economist at the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) presented it with a flair unique for someone in his profession. While in Gainesville, Eisenberg made his presentation at the builder meeting, to the BANCF board of directors and, in one-on-one sessions, to several local-government officials. “Public officials will do what they have to do,” Eisenberg said. “They have to respond to the will of the people, and that often means creating new regulations. But it is important that they understand the implications of those decisions.” There are always obvious implications of new laws and regulation. In terms of the building industry the most obvious of those implications is that the cost of new construction goes up. The problem is that government officials generally don’t take the next step to determine what happens when the price of a new home goes up. Eisenberg explained to his audience, some of whom were local government officials, that there is a tremendous domino effect when you add regulation. “Government officials think that if they pass a regulation, they fix things,” he said. “That’s just not so. Too often, there are unintended consequences. And it isn’t just that one regulation. There could be decades of regulation that have impacted the price of that home. The problem is serious. There is a nagging belief that regulations work and that they are free.” Using an illustration outside the housing industry, Eisenberg demonstrated his point.

BUILDING TRENDS

“Governments have passed laws that allow law enforcement to confiscate the homes of drug dealers, if they operate in their homes,” he said. “So if you are operating a meth lab out of your home, and you are busted, they can take your home. It didn’t stop the meth labs in Miami. It moved them to the Everglades. So now they operate on government land, and we can’t confiscate it. Laws don’t stop people from doing things, he said. They make people figure out how to get around them.” Regulation has to be done with a balance of some kind in mind – especially when it comes to the building industry, Eisenberg said. “You always try to achieve an equilibrium in housing,” he said. “You want supply and demand to be equal.” However, regulation changes that equilibrium. “Are those changes worth it?” he asked. “When you add regulation,

Elliot Eisenberg

www.BuildingTrendsMagazine.com

the quantity of housing goes down. That means prices go up. But they don’t only Alachua County Commissioner Lee Pinkoson, go up for new homes; they go up for Larry Cretul’s District Secretary Brittany Wilson and builder Barry Rutenberg were among the existing homes as well.” attendees at the luncheon. That makes affordable housing almost non-existent. Additionally, if it is harder to build in one area because prices go up, builders will do it somewhere else. In some cases, that means taking their business to Ocala or Tallahassee, but in others it may just mean building a few miles away. “That means there are more people driving to get to work,” he said. “Given greenhouse gases, carbon footprint and the rest, I don’t think that’s what elected officials had in mind.” Also, he suggested that it is not the builder who is paying this increased cost. There are several groups involved in building, Eisenberg said. They include suppliers, workers, builders, developers, landowners and buyers/renters. “You have to work to have public officials that share your point “Who pays in this situation?” he asked. “Certainly it is not the sup- of view,” said Barry Rutenberg, a local builder and NAHB’s second pliers or the workers. The builder or developer can pass on the costs or vice chairman of the board. “And people need to be rewarded for go somewhere else. So it comes down to the landowner or the buyer.” doing good. So often we instead punish people for screwing up.” He pointed out that if these landowners or buyers are business Eisenberg agreed with the need for local involvement. owners in the community, they will just raise prices to offset their costs. “Public officials want to do what’s right and in the best interests “If things cost more, people buy less,” Eisenberg said. “If peo- of the population,” he said. “They want to hear from you, or at least ple buy less, that has a negative impact on the local economy. Is that they act like they want to hear from you. So the goal is to get involved, the intent of local government?” so they hear from you. You have to think about both sides of the regu He did suggest that in some cases, local elected officials may be lations – the pros and the cons. You have to do it for your kids and adding regulation because their intent is to stop construction. your grandkids.” “Stopping construction may be the end game,” he said. “Regulation does create less incentive to build. But when you take action that slows or stops construction, you have to realize the impact it has on the rest of the economy.” The recent economic conditions resulted in the loss of seven to eight million jobs nationally. One million of those were in the Mulching • Sodding • Grading home-building industry, and another million Routine Landscape Maintenance were a direct result of what happened in the Seasonal Cleanups industry. That’s 25 percent of the job loss, and Residential • Commercial that doesn’t take into account the job loss In Business Since 1991 in commercial construction, according to Eisenberg. “So when a local politician votes to add regulation to the building industry, that is a vote that will likely result in the loss of jobs in the community,” Eisenberg said. Licensed • Bonded • Insured So what’s the solution? The community has to be ready to create an atmosphere that encourages construction by making sure that builders can build truly affordable homes. That happens by keeping 9438 NW 13th Street • Gainesville, Fl 32653 regulations easy and understandable.

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BUILDING TRENDS

Association News

Pinkoson Asks Builders for Help By David Greenberg

Lee Pinkoson

he message from Alachua County Commissioner Lee Pinkoson was crystal clear. Elect two more pro-business county commissioners or expect more of the same. Pinkoson, who is currently the commission vice chair, delivered his message during a recent Builders Association of North Central Florida Commercial Builders Council meeting. “I’m only 20 percent of the commission,” he said, “and there have been a lot of votes where I’ve been in the minority in the last year or so. You have to have three people to set policy. The real key here is that you all need to be involved. I can’t stress how important that is. The business community writes checks, and I can’t tell you how important that is.” But in this town you have to get involved, Pinkoson said, suggesting that money does not win elections. “If you are passionate about something, you have to be involved,” he said. “Other people in this community who are passionate about their issues are involved.” Pinkoson said that the issue that originally got him elected in 2002 – the comprehensive plan – is being reconsidered again soon, and without strong involvement from the business community, there could be changes that could alter the future of development in Alachua County.

BUILDING TRENDS

“There are significant proposals that could very much change the way you do business,” he told the group. “The biggest of those changes is the mobility element.” The concept of a mobility element, being developed by county staff right now, is a way to deal with the problems of concurrency, which matches public facilities (in this case road infrastructure) with development. The area in Alachua County where development is wanted also happens to be the sections where there is not enough public infrastructure. County planners are looking at replacing the concurrency concept with a mobility element, which would include traditional neighborhood development and transit service. The plan calls for replacing or subsidizing impact fees with a multimodal transportation fee. “If this becomes part of the comprehensive plan, it will change the way you build,” said Pinkoson, who did not indicate his preference. “The time for your input is right now.” Another anticipated debate in relation to the comprehensive plan deals with the rural areas. The last time the plan was up for review, the majority of the commission, led by Mike Byerly, wanted an 80 percent set-aside. Meaning if you owned 100 acres, you could only build on 20 of them. But that proposal was set aside by the courts, and you can now build on 50 percent of your property in the rural area. “The ruling was that you were taking people’s property rights,” said Pinkoson. “It will be a sticking point again. The proposal for a 75-percent has already been submitted for consideration.” Beyond the comprehensive plan, Pinkoson pointed to other issues where he fought against the will of the majority – the budget. Pinkoson has long argued that new development has been paying for itself with impact fees, permitting fees and more, and the county should have been putting part of that money into a reserve for dealing with the infrastructure associated with new development. Instead, the money has historically gone to pay for the county’s general operation. When construction slowed, the county’s income dropped. While most other counties and municipalities around the state have considered or enacted fee freezes or reductions to stimulate the industry, Alachua County has done just the opposite. “Everyone will notice that their tax bill went up,” said Pinkoson. “While the county is only one small part of that bill, it still flies in the face of common sense, and that is why I voted against the budget. We should learn to live within our means. The county should be responsible for infrastructure (we need roads to attract businesses), law enforcement, fire-delivery service and some social services.” There has been some effort on the part of the county to be more business friendly, he said, citing two specific examples. The county’s environmental protection department went to a business in the city of Alachua to explain how it can do brownfield development. He also pointed at Jonesville Park, a private/public partnership. “It will be a top-notch facility and give us a chance to diversify our economic base,” he said. www.BuildingTrendsMagazine.com

In The News

Beau Beery Honored by GACAR By David Greenberg

eau Beery, the director of commercial brokerage and asset management at AMJ Inc. of Gainesville, recently received the 2009 “Dean of Commercial Real Estate” award presented by the Gainesville Alachua County Association of Realtors (GACAR). The annual award recognizes the outstanding overall commercial Realtor who contributed the most to furthering the commercial real-estate profession. This was the first year of the award. Beery recently served as the 2009 GACAR Commercial Investment Chair, where he tripled monthly attendance, brought in top-level speakers, began an affiliate-sponsorship program and created an annual commercial real-estate awards system. He also currently serves as the director of the Gainesville/ Ocala UF Friends & Alumni of Real Estate (UF-FARE) organization and is the Gainesville Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) liaison to the North Florida Chapter. Other recognitions included Neely Davis of Neely Davis & Associates being named 2009 Realtor of the Year and Aaron Bailey of Gainesville360.com for Affiliate of the Year. The “Ironman” award to Audley Harris, of Coldwell Banker M.M. Parrish Realtors, who was recognized for more than 10 years of consistent, outstanding performance in the commercial real-estate profession and the Outstanding Commercial Real Estate Affiliate award to Brian Miller, of SunState Federal Credit Union. Darlene Pifalo of ERA Trend Realty received the Tom Dobson Award that goes to an active past president who remains involved in the association, and Barry Baumstein of Arnold Realty was recognized for 40 years of membership in the National Association of Realtors.

Beau Berry

Sample cuisine from some of North Central Florida’s finest restaurants. Enjoy an evening of entertainment, a thrilling auction and much more, “Taste of Home” promises to be the best event of the summer.

Taste of HOME Charity Fundraiser To benefit the Child Advocacy Center, Children’s Home Society of Florida and select charities chosen by Leadership Gainesville 35. Sunday, June 13 from 5-9 p.m. at the UF Hilton - 1714 SW 34th St. in Gainesville

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Cover Story

(left to right) Bobby McAfee, marketing director, Jorgia McAfee, VP of operations, Randi Elrad, VP of sales, Jessica Pastore, office manager and John Pastore, president â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the family in front of the Custom Home Entertainment Showroom, which houses a dedicated home theatre room along with all other offered technology solutions.

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Crime Prevention Security Systems Custom Home Entertainment

By David Greenberg

Photography by Brad Palmer

Dedicated to Providing the Best in Technology

ith roots that go back more than a quarter of a century, Crime Prevention Security Systems (CPSS) and Custom Home Entertainment is dedicated to its community, employees and innovative technology. Founded in 1975 by John Pastore and Randi Elrad, that dedication has led to the company earning a number of local and national accolades. The company’s mission statement is “to improve quality of life through technology by keeping people safe and by making their homes and businesses the most fun places.” Crime Prevention and Custom Home Entertainment accomplishes this daily by designing, installing and servicing both residential and commercial systems. Its residential offerings include security systems, camera surveillance systems, fire systems, structured wiring, home automation, lighting control, central vacuum systems, wholehouse audio, computers and IT solutions. For business, it offers security systems, fire systems, access control, camera surveillance systems, distributed audio, conference room projectors, computers, IT solutions and phone systems. Involvement in local community organizations and a commitment to quality service, has allowed the company to grow its business steadily during the last 35 years. “Johnny and I started this company as a way to address some of our own fears,” said Elrad, the vice president of sales. “What we discovered was a passion for providing life safety solutions to our friends, family and neighbors throughout North Central Florida.” Making connections was critical to the company’s success. “Involvement in the builder’s association has been tremendously important to me both personally and professionally,” said Elrad. “I

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Central Monitoring Station Operator Megan Hoffman dispatches on an alarm signal in the remodeled Gainesville Central Station.

believe that an entire community thrives when the building industry thrives and that everyone in business should be a part of their local builders association. It is the developers and builders that create the neighborhood for businesses to exist.” Elrad, along with others from CPSS, have taken active leadership roles in both the Builders Association of North Central Florida (BANCF) and the Marion County Building Industry Association (MCBIA). Elrad was honored by the BANCF as Associate of the Year in 2009. She chaired the ambassador committee, participated in the

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John Pastore and Randi Elrad play pool in their game room. Their home, like so many of their clients’ homes is fully automated with Control4.

membership drive that brought 111 new members into the organization, and served on the board of directors. Sales Consultant Elaine Evans won the Outstanding Ambassador Award. Additionally, CPSS earned the Making a Difference Company award for the entire staff’s involvement in the association and the community. The ties to the building community have created relationships with a number of quality home builders, including Tommy Waters. “We started with them back when it was only security systems,” said Waters. “It made sense to continue with home entertainment. They are very professional and knowledgeable about their products. I like to use subcontractors who can meet with customers and talk about their products. They know exactly what they are doing. If there are ever any problems, they always come back and fix them. Besides, Johnny and Randi are just good people.” President John Pastore is involved in many local, state and national organizations, and he is most passionate about the Boys and Girls Club of Alachua County. “By helping to provide a safe environment for at-risk young people to learn and grow,” he said, “we are helping to shape our community in a positive direction.” He has served on the committee for the Urban Meyer Scramble for Kids, chairing it in 2006 and 2007. During his time as chairman, 14

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the scramble earned more than $520,000 to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Alachua County, The Girls Club of Alachua County and the Children’s Home Society. Within the security and entertainment industry, Pastore serves on the board of directors for GE Home Technologies and the AIN Commercial Group, national organizations of integrators committed to excellence in quality installation and service. “With integrators nationwide, we are working to launch a national commercial accounts program with consistent standards in quality and products throughout the country,” said Pastore. A second generation is also actively involved in the company and the community. Jorgia McAfee is the vice president of operations, overseeing the installation department and central monitoring station. Office Manager Jessica Pastore supervises customer service, accounts receivable and accounts payable. Jorgia’s husband, Bobby, is the marketing director, with responsibility for the company’s advertising and marketing campaign and supporting sales staff. Jorgia was chair of the BANCF membership and ambassadors committee in 2005. Jessica is in her third year as chair of the BANCF silent auction and, like her father has been involved in the Urban Meyer Scramble. This year, she is co-chairing the hospitality committee. Crime Prevention and Custom Home Entertainment won many awards throughout 2009, and the highest honor awarded

to them was the SDM magazine 2009 Dealer of the Year Honoree. In December 2009, SDM published an article stating that Crime Prevention “adapted to challenging economic times with strategies that enabled it to thrive and to become an even stronger, better company.” SDM is the most respected publication dedicated to the security industry. In two industry publications, Crime Prevention and Custom Home Entertainment ranked in the Top 100 Dealers in the nation. SDM ranked Crime Prevention among the Top 100 security alarm dealers and CEPro Magazine ranked Crime Prevention and Custom Home Entertainment among the Top 100 Highest Revenue audio and video integrators. It is the only locally owned and operated firm to obtain a ranking in either publication. Security Systems News magazine listed Jorgia McAfee as one of the Top 20 Security Professionals under 40. While proud of her award, she believes the honor is part of a company legacy started by her parents. “I want to be known for recognizing the individual achievements of innovators of technology,” she said, “the individual achievers within our company, and the individual needs of our customers.” Florida Trend ranked Crime Prevention as one of the “Best Places to Work in Florida” in 2009. The ranking was based in part on feedback from Crime Prevention’s 50 employees. “Our staff is like an extension of our family,” said Pastore. “We regularly recognize great performance by members of our staff, invest in their training at major industry events and encourage their feedback on ways to improve our company.” Staff members all concur with that perception. “There really is a family atmosphere here,” said project manager David Lilholt, www.BuildingTrendsMagazine.com

Attention to detail is critical in the work done by Sherouse, as seen in these two Barry Rutenberg homes in southwest Gainesville. (bottom right) The name may say Sherouse Plastering, but the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work goes far beyond that. In the Tower24 commercial center, Sherouse did a great deal of interior work, including framing.

Crime Prevention & Custom Home Entertainment: The Next Generation includes (from left) Jorgia McAfee, Bobby McAfee and Jessica Pastore, who are standing before the next generation of alarmreceiving technology in the Gainesville Central Monitoring Center.

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Audio and Video Technician Alan Wooten demonstrates the Control4 seven-inch wireless touch screen with Jessica Pastore.

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who has been with the company for 2½ vides simultaneous monitoring in both their to interact with their systems more freyears. “There is an open-door policy with Gainesville and Atlanta locations. quently. Additionally, new technology real two-way communication, from the Atlanta’s central station is equipped allows for CPSS’s customers to eliminate president even to people working in the with the same state-of-the-art monitor- their phone line and still continue their warehouse or the technicians. There never ing equipment that resides in the UL list- monitoring service. seems to be a bad time to approach Johnny. ed Gainesville central station. Additionally, Wireless Signal Forwarding, a technolHe is always looking for feedback to help Crime Prevention is staffed in both locations ogy that has been widely available for many the company grow and be successful. He so that Atlanta operators are dispatching for years, has improved recently, offering moniencourages that feedback with benefits customers in Atlanta, and Gainesville opera- tored customers the ability to control and and rewards.” tors are dispatching for customers in North interact with their alarm system from any Jim Carr has been with the company 28 Central Florida. where in the world. Elrad believes that this years, starting out as a technician. Today, he “These central stations set us apart technology offers many advantages over trais the central station manager. from all other local alarm companies in the ditional monitoring. First, it serves as a back “This is not like one of those huge com- southeast, allowing us to provide premi- up to an existing telephone line, or it can panies where you are just a number,” he um services,” said Pastore. “Where average replace that line altogether. Second, users said. “I have worked at those before. This is alarm response times are between 20 and can arm and disarm their system, check the a family company. That is what makes it so 30 seconds in most central stations, ours is status of their system, and view event history good to work here. Johnny’s door is always only eight. We have a fully staffed station in from the Internet or from their iPhone and open. You can walk up Blackberry. to him and ask ques “My favorite tions. That translates feature is that users into better customer can receive alerts service. With all the via text message or experience we have e-mail,” she said. here, the company can “This is a great way only be better with an to make sure your atmosphere like this. kids arrived home The proof is in the cussafely from school tomers. A tremendous or to make sure an number of customers elderly parent is up still call and ask for and moving about a specific person to the house. You can help them. They want even receive mesthe same person who sages if someone put in their system 15 opened your gun years ago.” cabinet, liquor cabi Custom Home net or cupboard that Entertainment showhouses poisonous room, which houses chemicals.” both a dedicated the Surveillance Homeowners can use their iPhones to control their homes with Control4. atre room and a pool cameras can also be Additionally, they can view cameras on this device as well. table, is open to the integrated into this staff on evenings and platform, allowing weekends. Each holiusers to view and day season, Pastore and Elrad host a party Atlanta with operators who can handle any store recorded images on the Internet. for the staff, complete with a raffle and overflow from Gainesville when we are busy, With increasing numbers of people toys for the children of their staff members. and vice versa. Plus, each center serves as a eliminating their phone line, CPSS has begun Additionally, they recognize the outstanding disaster recovery center for the other in the to offer Internet monitoring. Modules attach performance of certain members of the team event of a catastrophe.” to an existing alarm system and communiat this party with year-end awards. Their newly remodeled Gainesville sta- cate alarm signals to the central station over With crime on the rise, CPSS has taken tion is open for customers to view during nor- the Internet. Most people are able to use steps to improve the quality of its central mal business hours Monday through Friday. the security system they already own with station services. In early 2010, the company “We have upgraded nearly all of our cen- Internet monitoring. launched a live redundant central station tral station equipment, bringing the latest and Crime Prevention has remained stable in Atlanta, which monitors an additional greatest technology into both our Gainesville in this tumultuous economy by always push27,000 customers, increasing the monitored and Atlanta stations,” said Pastore. ing forward, primarily looking for new prodcustomer base to approximately 40,000 cus- New monitoring options offered by ucts and services to add value to builders, tomers. This redundant central station pro- Crime Prevention enable alarm users homeowners and business owners. Control4 www.BuildingTrendsMagazine.com

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Home Control was added to their product mix nearly two years ago. Since that time, nearly all of their entertainment installations integrate Control4. “Home Control can be as simple as a universal remote control and as robust as you can imagine,” said Pastore. “Some of our residential Home Control installations integrate all of the technology in the home with one easy user interface.” However, Home Control is more about lifestyle design than it is about technology. “The technology is just the tool,” said Pastore. “Imagine coming home from work and stepping into a house that has already been cooled down to your desired temperature. In your doorway, you press a button that says ‘I’m Home’ and instantly a pathway lights to your kitchen, the TV turns on to your favorite news channel, and motorized shades open. Later in the evening, you settle down to watch your favorite DVD and with one button, the DVD starts playing, the motorized shades close, your lights slowly dim, and your air conditioner

(above) The Gainesville Central Monitoring Center. (right) The dedicated home theatre room showing Pixar’s UP on their 92-inch screen. The room features a highdefinition Sony projector and 7.1 surround sound with Klipsch speakers. Custom Home Entertainment designed this room to be approximately the size of a guest bedroom. It features custom woodworking, theatre seating, a fiber optic “star” ceiling – all of which Custom Home Entertainment can design and install.

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cools your house down a few degrees. When you are ready to go to bed, you press the ‘Goodnight’ button, which arms your security system, closes all of the shades throughout your home and turns off every TV and all your lights in the house.” For those concerned about conserving energy, a Control4 Home Control system can help homeowners reduce their energy consumption without compromising their lifestyle. With Home Control, lights can be automated to turn on when they are needed and off when they are not. Additionally, dimming lights with a Control4 dimmer reduces consumption by dimming lights to a level imperceptible to the human eye. Thermostats can be programmed to operate at their most efficient temperatures. Small changes in a home make a big difference in energy conservation. A typical three-bedroom home with a Control4 Home Control system will eliminate more than 850 pounds of carbon emissions annually. That is equivalent to not driving a car for one month each year. “Several of our Home Control clients who have purchased a Control4 Remote Control as a universal remote want a more robust system as soon as they experience it in their home,” says Pastore. “Both our customers and our staff love the fact that Home Control is scalable and expandable.” To complete their line of products and services, Crime Prevention has added home generators to their product mix. “After the hurricanes in 2005, we were left without power at our home for over two weeks,” said Elrad. “We began looking into offering whole-home generator solutions for ourselves, but soon realized that others in our community could benefit from this solution.” Looking ahead, Crime Prevention and Custom Home Entertainment remains committed to its mission of improving quality of life. With the next generation of leadership already in place, the future looks bright. “Our children have assumed leadership roles within our companies. Their fresh perspective on technology has helped us to take this company to the next level,” said Pastore. “Together, we are focused on delivering excellent products and services to our clients and staying on the cutting edge of technology.” To learn more about the products and services offered by Crime Prevention Security Systems and Custom Home Entertainment, go online to www.cpss.net.

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Local News

Real Estate Town Hall Meeting

Brings Cautious Optimism By David Greenberg

Photography by Brad Palmer

Beau Berry introduces the panel at the Real Estate Town Hall Meeting.

ore than 200 representatives of the She said that first-time buyers are taking real-estate industry in Gainesville advantage of the tax credit, and the expanattended a town-hall meeting sion of that program is bringing even more recently and left with a feeling that things potential buyers to the table. will get better. “These are good signs,” she said. “By the This first annual town-hall-style meet- end of 2010, we will be feeling better, but we ing was hosted by the University of Florida - won’t see a full recovery for another two to Friends and Alumni of Real Estate (UF-FARE) three years.” and was held in downtown Gainesville at Villa Adam Bolton, president of Robinshore East. Despite nasty weather, more than 200 Inc., agreed but said, there are some lingerpeople attended, including a mix of Realtors, ing issues. developers, planners, builders, bankers and “The good news is it is possible to build others associated with the industry who a new home and sell it,” he said. “You have to heard from a panel of 20 local experts. be able to show that you are offering a better The message was mixed, but despite value than the foreclosures and short sales. where things have been in the industry for Our marketplace has shifted for the long run. the last few years, it included a sprinkle of It is now a $200,000 marketplace.” optimism – much of it on the residential side. One thing that helps create value, said In his welcome, host Beau Beery, of AMJ Bolton is the labor market. Inc., indicated that the town-hall meeting “Labor rates are down,” he said. “And right will become an annual event. now, we have the very best labor available.” The panelists reflected the audience, But he also suggested that the only way as it included commercial and residential to build a home with value in that price developers and builders, financial experts, range is to have owned the land before the Realtors and local government planners. market changed. Steve Cohen, of the UF Real Estate Advisory “Land is the most important element,” Board, moderated the panel discussion. he said. “In order to make it work, you need The best news of the evening came from to have purchased the land a few years ago the residential market, starting with Joyce and to already have the permitting in place. Dorval, president of the Gainesville-Alachua It can’t be done under today’s regulations.” County Association of Realtors (GACAR) and Unfortunately, the top-end market is a Realtor at Kanapaha Realty. not yet seeing the kind of activity that Dorval “I am seeing a lot more activity in the and Bolton talked about. residential market,” Dorval said. “The price “We really have very little happening,” of homes is near or at the bottom. People are said Michael Steinberg, of Prestige Properties, starting to see the value, and they are start- which focuses on homes of $500,000 and up. ing to think about buying.” “There are a few sales in the $500,000 range.

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But maybe we are at the bottom, so that’s a good sign.” Many of the speakers on the panel said that regulations are also inhibiting any potential activity on both the residential and commercial side. “If you have the right land use and zoning in place, you might be able to develop,” said Fred Henderson, of the Henderson Land Trust. “Over the last 40 years, there have been new zoning laws, ordinances and regulations one after the other. There are so many levels of regulation that we can’t tell a buyer how long it will take to get approval to build.” But Gainesville city planner Lawrence Calderon said those regulations are a result of what the residents want. And he suggested that the real-estate industry should take a more active role in that process. “Government is responding to a sophisticated audience,” he said. “We have to respond to changes, and the result is a better quality of life in Gainesville. There has been a lack of participation. We meet monthly with the builders association. That should happen with the Realtors as well.” Another commercial area seeing some activity is medical. “In some areas you have aging hospital buildings that need to be replaced,” said Brad Pollitt, the vice president of facilities for Shands HealthCare. “That’s not really the case with us. Shands and other providers will have to grow to respond to the needs of the community. We are working on ways to provide quicker, better access to urgent care. Normally, people go to the www.BuildingTrendsMagazine.com

emergency room for that, but they don’t need to.” It was noted that on the commercial side a glut of inventory is part of the problem. “There are users out there, but they are few and far between,” said Mike Warren, president of AMJ Inc. of Gainesville. “There is activity in federal government and office construction, but not very much in retail. And with a lack of available capital, there’s no sense to add spec building. We are buying property but not building.” Laude Arnaldi, senior vice president for commercial lending at Gateway Bank

suggested that financing is still available, but banks were just being more cautious. “For many years, banks have had policies in place that limit the percentage it finances for different property types,” he said. “For example, for income-producing properties, we generally financed 80 percent of the value or 85 percent of the cost, with exceptions being made on a case-by-case basis. When real-estate sales were stronger, there were more policy exceptions. It was customary to finance a builder line of credit on lots knowing that it would turn to a spec home rapidly,

lowering the loan-to-value to 80 percent. Today, we are financing a maximum of 75 percent of costs on residential lots. For the most part, underwriting standards have not changed. What has changed is the individual bank’s appetite for certain loan types, and that is driven mostly by the bank’s balance sheet.” So while all the members of the panel talked about the remaining challenges, there was a sense that there were positive signs, and the future will be brighter.

There was a full house of interested listeners and participants at the meeting.

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Government News

High Springs Commission Suspends Impact Fees by David Greenberg

ooking for a way to kick-start its economy, High Springs commissioners recently voted to temporarily suspend water and sewer impact fees – a move that was applauded by the leadership of the Builders Association of North Central Florida (BANCF). While suspension of impact fees has become a popular tool for many city and county governments in Florida, including Marion County, this is a first for Alachua County. The commission approval came before a packed chamber with no serious opposition expressed. It will run from Feb. 15 to Aug. 15, but commissioners have the option of extending it. In what can be viewed as ironic timing, it was announced the same day that the Alachua County Commission will be joining legal action opposing action taken by the Florida Legislature requiring local governments to justify the level of impact fees in any legal action. High Springs Mayor William Coughlin said that in proposing the suspension late last year, he was hopeful that it would increase building activity. “I suggested this because of the economic climate and lack of building permits,” he said at the meeting. “It may provide some economic incentive in the city of High Springs.” BANCF President Ivan Oelrich called the commission action a good step and added that he hoped others would follow. “I commend the commission for taking this issue up,” he said. “You are leading the way to promoting growth. Your actions will reduce home prices and get people back to work.”

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by David Greenberg

Builder Kara Sutton, who chairs the BANCF other municipalities committee (which focuses on the outlying areas), echoed Oelrich’s comments and explained the significance of the commission’s action. “Thank you for being a pioneer on this issue,” she said. “Your action could save a homeowner $10,000 on a 30-year mortgage. There are a lot of challenges out there today for builders and for people who want to own a home. This is a huge help for builders who want to make homes more affordable.” Developer Charlie Londono, who is the developer at Bailey Estates, said the commission’s actions would help him and his buyers. “In today’s economy, any saving I can do and pass on to my buyers will be a good thing,” he said. One resident questioned how the suspensions would impact residents currently paying for water and sewer service. Coughlin explained that, in the long run, suspension of the fees could actually help current residents. “We continue to build a plant, and it is being paid for by the users,” Coughlin said. “If builders don’t come in here and build new homes for people to live in, current residents pay all of it. If more people come in, those costs will go down for you.” To illustrate his point, the mayor said that there were 2,400 lots in High Springs ready for building, but only six permits were pulled in 2009. Before passing the ordinance unanimously, Coughlin said there would be a review of the city’s policies before the fees are reinstated. That review will include a look at when the fees are collected. Prior to the suspension, fees were collected up front, and it may be changed to when the home is ready for occupancy. “We will also conduct another impact fee study during the moratorium,” he said. “At the end of the six months, we can extend, modify or do something else with our fees. We have certainly learned just how important the real-estate industry is to our economy.” Meanwhile, the action by the county commission actually dates back to November, when it voted 4-1 – with Lee Pinkoson casting the dissenting vote – to join a lawsuit when it was filed. The filing occurred the day before the High Springs action. Last year, the Florida Legislature changed the law to say that if government is challenged on the amount of its impact fee, it is required to demonstrate why the fee is fair. The suit does not argue whether it is right or wrong for government to have to justify its fee. Instead, the complaint calls the action an unfunded mandate that should have required a two-thirds vote of both houses.

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High Springs city commissioners became the first in the county to suspend impact fees recently.

Local News

Rebuilding Together One Partnership at a Time by Mara Rudolph

David Williams (left) and Lacey Linsay Jr. work on the deck.

Brian Sheehan, Ryan Murphy and Matthew Niedens discuss things on the roof at the 2009 project.

ince 2005, volunteers at Rebuilding Together North Central Florida have been able to change the lives of local families by improving their living conditions. Their success is due in part to assistance from Charles Perry Construction (CPC), which has supported the organization’s efforts for the past three years. Each April, as part of National Rebuilding Day, volunteers across the country unite to improve the substandard living conditions of their neighbors in need. They strengthen foundations, repair siding, repaint walls – anything to provide better shelter for lowincome, elderly or disabled residents. Locally, CPC has been there to provide meeting space, storage, materials and funding for Rebuilding Together, but it’s most valuable contribution has been its employees. Ryan Murphy, a CPC estimator, was first introduced to Rebuilding Together in 2007, when he participated as a judge on behalf of CPC in Santa Fe College’s The Intern competition (based on the hit show The Apprentice). Watching the students volunteering to better the community left a good impression on Murphy, who wanted to get the company involved. “It was incredibly moving to witness the students, who had limited construc-

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tion knowledge, provide such a great service to families in need,” he said. “It was extremely contagious.” Murphy made the necessary connections and was soon appointed to Rebuilding Together’s board of directors, where for the past three years he has served as a liaison for the two groups. “The partnership of Charles Perry Construction and Rebuilding Together makes perfect sense,” he said. Rebuilding Together North Central Florida’s Executive Director Melissa Miller said that the challenge would be far greater without the help of Charles Perry Construction. “Charles Perry Construction has been our longest standing supporter from the construction industry,” she said. “We depend on skilled leadership to ensure safety for our volunteers and excellence in workmanship. Rebuilding Together has a waiting list of more than 250 applications for repairs. Our limiting factors are usually money and lack of skilled volunteers to lead sites. This is where the construction industry can be the most helpful to our mission.” Murphy has acted as the house captain for each National Rebuilding Day project sponsored by CPC. The first project

involved modifying a house to make it more accessible for a family with a disabled child confined to a hospital bed. The team installed a handicap pool chair to promote hydrotherapy as a rehab option for the child, two wheelchair ramps and other interior accessibility modifications. CPC’s second National Rebuilding Day project involved the installation of a new roof and interior repairs to fix the damages that occurred after a tree fell on the house of a family that was in Ohio for their son’s medical treatment. The group was also able to replace damaged siding and paint the home’s exterior while these critical repairs were completed. “These projects are rewarding not only for the homeowners but for me personally and the company as well,” Murphy said. “It’s a fun way to get CPC involved in the community. I do not believe any of our volunteers have ever left a Rebuilding Together project feeling like they haven’t made a difference.” CPC President Breck Weingart agrees, suggesting that the connection is as good for the company as it is for the community. “Mellissa Miller came to us about three or four years ago,” said Weingart. “It’s a perfect opportunity for us, and Ryan’s enthusiasm about it is contagious. We are comwww.BuildingTrendsMagazine.com

mitted to giving back to the community. That is something that was instilled in us by Chuck Perry. We look forward to working with Rebuilding Together for many more years to come.” During the planning stages of each build, Murphy circulates a memo throughout the company requesting volunteer assistance. Many of the company’s employees have volunteered and have also encouraged their families to volunteer, he said. “The number of employees that have gone out of their way to help is so impressive,” he said. “Everyone always says ‘CPC has been good to me and my family, so I want to help CPC give back to other families.’” The builds are made even more of a community-wide effort with the involvement of local subcontractors. CPC calls on these local subcontractors for assistance with specific areas of expertise and they have always been willing to join the team. CPC has relationships in the community and we draw on those, just like Rebuilding Together draws on us,” Murphy said. The community will draw together once again for this year’s National Rebuilding Day on April 24, and CPC will be there alongside Rebuilding Together North Central Florida. “I truly believe Charles Perry Construction’s partnership with Rebuilding Together shows our commitment to this community,” Murphy said. “We are a local contractor who really cares.”

The crew works on the roof.

It takes a mix of professionals and volunteers to make Rebuilding Together North Central Florida. Here (from left) are Chris Shepard, Brian Sheehan, Ryan Murphy, Matthew Niedens and Mike Simpson at the 2009 project.

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BUILDING TRENDS

New Products

Home entertainment and security: By Kate Ashby

controlled with a click of a button

ig-screen TVs and high-tech security tored through their home cameras offer nothing new to the security system. world of home entertainment and “Sometimes a phone call a day doesn’t security, but what has become popular is do it,” added Chris Denny, of Sound Ideas. how these technologies can be managed and He explained the system uses the home’s controlled through one system. security and pressure sensors, so family Today, thanks to technologies such as members can track their parents’ or grandhome automation, people can control their parents’ movements throughout the day. He home with an iPhone, and builders on the added that it significantly cuts costs comcutting edge are giving them that option from pared to assisted living or nursing home care. the start, and as a result, increasing the value Ken Briggs, senior systems designer with of that new home. In today’s market, that Electronics World, said they’ve been installis something that interests home buyers. “With the Internet, iPhones and Blackberrys, we are able to do things in security we were never able to do before,” said Jorgia McAfee, vice president of operations at Crime Prevention Security Systems and Custom Home Entertainment. “Users can arm and disarm their security systems remotely, and they can view the home through cameras using your iPhone or Blackberry.” McAfee explained this technology has become popular with families With Control4, home entertainment is a lot easier. because parents can remotely disarm the security system for when their children come ing Crestron home automation with remote home from school, and then the system can access control for 12 years, but it started notify parents through e-mail or text mes- with using touchtone on a cell phone to sage that their child is home. She said it’s select pre-programmed activities. also great for the elderly who want to remain “So where that’s changed is that you can in their homes because they can be moni- use your iPhone or other smart phone, and

BUILDING TRENDS

there are applications that allow you to control, manage and view your smart home,” he said. The most popular Crestron applications include remote lighting and air conditioning control, he said. Homeowners can light up a dark home through their smart phone, and different presets control which lights turn on. “We can design an energy mode for the home that keeps things at a minimum,” added Briggs. Climate control and other energy modes fall under the green initiative as well, Denny explained. Basically, a house is hooked up to a smart grid, an electrical service that monitors energy use and can make recommendations to reduce it and save you money, he said. The technology recognizes that utility companies charge different rates at different times. “You can program into your washer and dryer or your oven to be used at different times of the day where it’s more economical,” he said. The cost of these products has dropped significantly in the last few years, according to Denny. Tommy Wolfmeyer, vice president of Advanst Technologies, said that because of the economy, the biggest trend he’s seeing right now is home security through cameras and monitoring systems. He said the most popular places to put cameras are driveways and the front and back of the house.

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“It used to be just your front door,” said Kim Wolfmeyer, his wife and office manager. “Everybody would want it at their front door so they could see it on their TV, but now it is security. They’re wanting piece of mind.” Also, Tommy Wolfmeyer explained that not all camera systems can be viewed over your cell phone, so he hopes security companies will be able to streamline this technology to make it more affordable in the future. TVs and home-theater rooms remain a trend in home entertainment, said McAfee. “The size of the systems may be a little smaller than in past years due to the economy,” she said. “However, homeowners still want a lot of functionality and integration.” Custom Home Entertainment uses Control4, an automation system that allows you to control a multitude of functions, such as home entertainment, security lights and temperature, with the press of a button. In addition to Control4, Custom Home Entertainment features other brands names, such as Sony and Samsung for video equipment, GE for security systems and Klipsch speaker systems. Of the individual components, Briggs said Kaleidescape movie and music servers are the hot items at Electronics World. The system allows you to transfer and store movies on a hard drive and then access the content faster than a typical DVD. “People don’t like waiting for media these days,” Denny agreed. “They want their media on demand. They want it fast.” The system also eliminates the need for DVD and CD players, and your movies are organized within the Kaleidescape hard drive. “It kind of does away with Netflix and Blockbuster, and you own the content,” Briggs added. Another popular system includes whole-home or distributed audio, said Wolfmeyer, who installed it in the Extreme Makeover home. It operates from a keypad that looks similar to an iPod he explained, and different music can be playing in different rooms of the house. Each room can also have its own setting. “You can even have it as your alarm clock,” Kim added. “It even has a snooze button on it.” Custom Home Entertainment uses Rhapsody, a music downloading program, to play music throughout the home using Control4. “There’s no disc, no physical music in your home,” McAfee said. “It saves music fans lots of money.” www.BuildingTrendsMagazine.com

Distributed audio systems can play dryer can notify a homeowner when the lint music from iPods as well, said Briggs. The screen needs to be changed. audio can also be controlled from smart Briggs summed up that the biggest phones, he added. For example, he said if trend is being able to have real-time feedyou’re listening to music out on your porch back of what’s going on in your home at your and you want to change the song, you can fingertips. simply do it from your phone instead of “So from a home security standpoint, walking over to the keypad. perhaps it shows a blueprint of the home All these systems hook up to your home that we’ve designed that overlays on the automation system that can be stored in one computer screen, and it shows dots of where location. And all the functions of the home people are, what’s in use and other informacan be controlled from one place includ- tion available to you,” he said. ing TV, music, heating and air condition- On the security side, the biggest trend ing, lighting and even kitchen appliances, remains user interactivity, agreed McAfee. McAfee explained. “With security and home entertainment Briggs explained that new TCIP/IP becoming centralized, the two industries Ethernet protocol allows products and appli- have really merged,” she said. They now ances to be integrated into the home auto- complement each other seamlessly.” mation system through Ethernet jacks. And Denny explained that even though “It allows our home automation system home automation debuted a long time ago, to monitor that product, since there’s a con- it has come a long way. nection to it, and it can be totally customiz- “We work with the homebuilders durable for whatever the client needs,” he said. ing the construction phase to make sure we For instance, a homeowner can be noti- have the proper wiring in place to accomfied when their dishwasher is in use or is modate these types of systems,” he said clean and needs to be unloaded. He said “This is true home automation; a lot of things refrigerators can perform shopping duties by in the home, devices talking to each other in creating a list of what’s not in the refrigerator a way which is useful.” through barcode technology. And finally a

The home is easily controlled with a custom keypad.

BUILDING TRENDS

Association News

BANCF New Members The Builders Association of North Central Florida (BANCF) capped off the most successful membership drive in association history with 110 new members.

BUILDING TRENDS

Company Name

Individual Full Name

Company Phone

Alachua Environmental Services, Inc

Owen Thornton

(904) 259-6200

ALLFAST Fastener & Tool Supply, Inc.

Tim Green

(352) 335-8665

Concept Construction

Brian Crawford

(386) 755-8887

Cornell & Associates, Your Real Estate Partner

Ken Cornell

(352) 505-0555

Eddie Roberts Painting, Inc.

Eddie Roberts

(352) 331-0052

Ewing Waterproofing & Painting

Mike Treadway

(352) 374-6958

Gainesville Door Company, Inc.

Stacy Girouard

(352) 373-0606

Home Buyers Warranty

Michael Kruszynski

(352) 208-0858

J. Turner Plumbing, Inc.

Jimmy Turner

(352) 486-0295

Kelley D. Jones, P.A.

Kelley Jones

(352) 377-2004

Griffis Lumber

Beth Conwell

(352) 372-9965

Picasso Pavers

Matthew Weaver

(352) 375-5166

Taylor, Cotton & Ridley, Inc.

Bryan T. Ridley

(352) 378-1608

Florida Library Designs

David Baucom

(386) 454-7855

Designer’s Palette of Central Florida, Inc.

Todd Kouns

(352) 236-5800

Steve Ward & Associates

Rick Coleman

(352) 338-0246 x101

Petra Design, Inc.

Rafael Rivera

(352) 371-1212

Lasa Construction, Inc.

Ryan Hernandez

(904) 260-2381

Lowe’s Commercial Services

Larry Faulk

(352) 376-9900

Group 5 & Associates, Inc.

Candy Taylor

(352) 377-1338

W.I.T. Caulking & Restoration

Jim Caton

(407) 382-0595

Belleview Building Materials

Chad Hightower

(352) 245-5196

Miles Electrical Contracting, Inc.

Miles MacEachern

(904) 813-4785

Icynene Inc.

Eric Small

(850) 217-8677

Murphys Unlimited Designs

Chris Murphy

(352) 472-7969

Jarco Industrial

Jay Horvitz

(954) 531-8734

Advanced Systems Limited

John Jeffers

(352) 529-0046

Blu Dove Designs

Lisa Renshaw

(352) 275-5813

North Florida Water Systems, Inc.

Robert McMillan

(386) 462-7867

HomeBanc

Daniel Coffey

(352) 642-1772

Judy Locascio Allstate Agency

Judy Locascio

(352) 335-2505

Evans Building & Design

Phillip Evans

(352) 332-8806

Quality Painting Masters, Inc.

Oscar Gonzalez

(352) 572-1740

The Sistrunk Agency, Inc.

Robert Sistrunk

(352) 753-3255

Boone Welding

Dennis Clardy

(352) 372-9533

Buford Davis & Associates

E.J. Bolduc

(352) 335-1896

SunState Federal Credit Union

Jordan Hagan

(352) 381-5237

Lowry Financial Advisors, Inc.

Joseph Lowry

(352) 333-7990

Lee Crane Insurance Agency

Lee Crane

(352) 375-0500

G.W. Robinson Remodeling, LLC

Randy Robinson

(352) 375-7917

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Company Name

Individual Full Name

Company Phone

Jenkins & Tubb

George Tubb

(352) 376-2641

RPM Auto

Joe Wheaton

(352) 472-0945

B&B Office Systems, Inc.

Hal Deck

(352) 335-3542

Gator Builders, Inc.

Antonio Puiz

(352) 870-4752

Fields Mechanical Services, Inc.

Charles Henault

(352) 373-0204

Hickman Metal Roofing

Don Hickman

(352) 377-2101

Multivista Florida

Reef Tanagho

(678) 938-4002

Ferber & O’Steen Roofing

William Courtney

(352) 372-3666

Carson’s Cabinetry & Design, Inc.

Steve Carson

(352) 373-8292

Sun State Sanitation, Inc.

Everett Harpe

(352) 331-3386

Dr. Richard A. Parent D.M.D.

Richard Parent

(352) 332-2583

Lawn Enforcement Agency

Mike Troiano

(352) 372-3175

Gator Paint & Decorating, Inc.

Don Pinks

(352) 372-5240

Safari Audio, Inc.

Peter Magee

(352) 262-4974

Ference Insurance Agency

Gina Rice

(352) 332-3492

Piesanos Stone Fired Pizza

Mike Akey

(352) 371-7437

Mac’s Glass & Mirror, Inc.

David McDaniel

(904) 387-1530

Planned Furnishings

Evan Gallagher

(352) 372-1280

New Horizons Computer Learning Center

Tim Broom

(352) 378-8007

Zen Fitness

Carly Asse

(352) 333-0936

Infinite Energy Inc.

Andre Calvo

(352) 331-1654 x3161

Dowling Signs

Rick Wadell

(352) 376-0456

Utopia Chalet Day Spa

Kevin Lee

(352) 378-7059

North Central Florida Business Report

Kevin Ireland

(352) 377-1402

Eagle Eye Aerial Photography

Scott Branham

(352) 283-0423

Toney Law Firm

Scott Toney

(352) 376-6800

Marketing Mud

April Schroeder

(352) 275-5955

Henry J. Raimato, Professional Land Surveyor

Henry Raimato

(352) 373-0983

Climate Control Mechanical Services, Inc.

Louie Wise, III

(352) 291-0185

Lanotte Design LLC

Brandi Catalanotte

(352) 682-5540

Nation Signs & Print

Andrew Rocco

(386) 487-1700

Florida Green Keepers, Inc.

Chris Short

(352) 373-4932

Door One USA

Don McKiernan

(352) 373-7177

Custom Cabinets by David Bolton

David Bolton

(352) 665-3837

Master’s Commercial Plumbing, Inc.

Paul Servalle

(352) 494-7799

Keith Watson Productions

Keith Watson

(352) 264-8812

Merit Inc.

Darrell Johns

(904) 259-2472

Gator’s Dockside

Jerry Roberts

(352) 338-4445

Avera & Smith, LLP

Mark Avera

(352) 372-9999

HHH Concrete, Inc.

Richard Hudson

(352) 379-5610

Petersen Construction

Nate Petersen

(386) 623-3307

Allan Spear Construction

Thomas Moss

(352) 337-0773

The Village Jeweler

Cynthia Thibault

(352) 338-0015

Carpet Systems Plus

Diedre Keith

(352) 258-1357

The UPS Store

Tom Francella

(352) 395-7447

Cornerstone Property Solutions of North Central Florida

Eugene Haufler

(352) 373-2730

Darryl J. Tompkins, P.A.

Darryl Tompkins

(386) 418-1000

LogoKick.com

Art Stone

(352) 332-9877

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BUILDING TRENDS

Association News

Company Name

Individual Full Name

Company Phone

Interior Showcase

Wade Westmoreland

(352) 371-3999

Clyatt Well Drilling, Inc.

K. Melaine Clyatt

(352) 335-4104

GSE Engineering & Consulting, Inc.

Joakim Nordqvist

(352) 377-3233

Corda-Roy’s Bean Bag Beds

Byron Young

(352) 332-1837

One Stop Painting & Flooring, Inc.

Will Parker

(352) 401-7600

Austin Cain, LLC

Austin Cain

(352) 792-5647

Isaac Construction, LLC

Isaac Bratkovich

(386) 719-7143

Riverland Construction Services, LLC

Jimmy Vickers

(352) 472-9170

Brashear, Marsh, Kurdziel & McCarty

Bruce Brashear

(352) 336-0800

Danny M. McElroy Construction, Inc.

Tammy McElroy

(352) 472-7869

Integrity Custom Estates

Gabrielle Spurlin

(352) 672-8642

Ferguson Enterprises

Raven Knowles

(352) 692-0944

Regions Bank

Dwaine Bush

(352) 219-2124

OEC Business Interiors, Inc.

Mike Abernathy

(352) 332-1192

Ace Contracting Enterprises, Inc.

Rikin Shah

(727) 725-5513

McGriff-Williams Insurance

Bryan Williams

(352) 371-7977

Rimrock Commercial Flooring

Charlie Hutto

(904) 368-9786

Florida Green Keepers, Inc.

Lisa Short

(352) 373-4932

Baker Concrete Construction, Inc.

Danny Headrick

(407) 736-9900

McNatt Plumbing Co. Inc

Joel McNatt

(352) 302-5418

Advanced Systems Limited

Jennifer Jeffers

(352) 529-0046

Group 5 & Associates, Inc.

Damion Wasylow

(352) 377-1338

Jake’s Corner Jake Fuller appears in Advantage Publishing’s magazines as our featured political cartoonist. Originally from Lakeland, Fuller has been living in Gainesville since 1970. He is married to Laura Fuller, probably well-known to many local business leaders. They have two sons, both attending Santa Fe Community College. His work is internationally syndicated by Artizans.com, and also appears on the websites of Jewish World Review, Irreverent View and AAEC, and in the annual publication “The Best Editorial Cartoons of the Year.”

BUILDING TRENDS

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