The Saline Reporter
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Builders hand out awards
Saline's Building and Zoning Department, HSA honored
By Sue G. Collins, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: January 24, 2008
Photo by Sue G. Collins
Gary Roubal, Jeff Fordice, Tonya McCoy, Tillman Taylor and Belinda Kingsley (seated) make up Saline's award-winning Department of Building and Zoning. Their department was honored recently with a Pillar Award from the Home Builders' Association of Washtenaw County.
The city of Saline's Building and Zoning Department was honored by the local builders and contractors for their work at the annual awards ceremony for the Home Builders' Association of Washtenaw County.
Each year, the HBA presents 13 Pillar Awards to members of the association for their outstanding achievements in the industry.
At the awards banquet, Saline businessman David Rhoads was also honored as Builder of the Year for work by his company, Homeowner Services of America.
Gary Roubal, the city's superintendent and engineer, accepted the award for Outstanding Government Agency on behalf of his department at Saline City Hall. The department oversees building, engineering, planning, zoning and code enforcement. He and a staff of four others streamline the application process and handle inspections.
"We strive to be fair and consistent in providing review, permit and inspection services, regardless of the size of the project," Roubal said in his remarks at the banquet. "Because we are a small community, we operate a small department of five individuals with varying specific skills. So, we are basically one-stop shopping, and can take a project from conception to completion by coordination streamlined through one department."
Maureen Sloan, chief executive officer of the HBA presented the awards.
"Saline has proven that a local municipality can be both effective in its regulation and administration, yet still allow for continued growth and economic prosperity," she said at the ceremony attended by 125 members and guests, including Saline Mayor Gretchen Driskell and City Council members Glenn Law and Kathy Roth.
"Saline is without a doubt one of the most business-friendly communities in the region," Sloan said. "The continued commitment to customer service that we have seen from the building and zoning department is a great example of what businesses and developers seek in a local government agency. It's the only way to do business, and city of Saline does it wonderfully."
Rhoads was honored as Builder of the Year for 2007. This is the first time a remodeling builder has received the award, a reflection, perhaps of the growing importance of the remodeling segment of the construction business, noted Rhoads, a member of HBA for nearly 20 years and past president.
Rhoads also serves as chairman of the Remodelers Council and as executive director of the Michigan Home Builders Association.
"As an active member of not only the HBA, but the Saline community, Dave has been instrumental in promoting the building and remodeling industry," Sloan said. "He consistently participates in many of our charitable efforts and led the way for the 2006 House of Dreams, sold to benefit multiple area charities."
HSA does primarily remodeling of and additions to existing residential properties with some commercial remodeling from time to time. The majority of their work in 2007 consisted of additions, kitchen and bathroom remodels, some of which were aging in place modifications.
Others honored included
Ron Thierry, R.E.T., Associate of the Year; Matt LaFontaine, LaFontaine Chevrolet Inc., New Member of the Year; Don Adams, Adams Concrete Inc., Outstanding Trade Contractor; Susan Armstrong, Real Estate One., Outstanding Real Estate Representative; Michael Finney, Ann Arbor SPARK, Distinguished Service to the Building Industry; The Bishar Family, Big George's Home Appliance Mart, Distinguished Service to the Community; Jim Seta, Village of Dexter, Distinguished Service to Government; Traven Pelletier, Lotus Gardenscappes Inc., Committee Chair of the Year; Doug Selby, Meadowlark Builders LLC., Built Green Achievement Award and Grand Spike Award; and Keith Fineberg, KSF Architects, Keppler Award.
The Home Builders' Association of Washtenaw County, chartered in 1956, represents more than 750 member firms and individuals who are committed to upholding the standards and professionalism within the home building industry.
Affiliated with the Michigan Association of Home Builders and the National Association of Home Builders, the association provides information and education to members and to the community, as well as a forum for sharing ideas.
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