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Chalk Line ArticlesOlympia's Impact Fees Process Audited Faith not Fear Options to increasing Impact Fees is the key Two More Tours of Homes™ for Chapters Yes! You Can Start Earning Shavings
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Chalk LineFaith not Fear
During November as Olympia Master Builders (OMB) members and staff do some serious planning for the next year, I'm going to be reminding myself of the "faith, not fear" approach. There's no denying that there is a lot of uncertainty in the home building industry and the general economy right now. There are a lot of unanswered questions that have big implications. Who will be our new U.S. President and how they will affect the home building industry is an unknown. Who will be our next Governor and how they choose to govern this state will impact each and every one of us. The economy - locally, nationally and internationally - is experiencing upheaval. When will it settle down, where will it land and how will it affect OMB members in both the short run and the long run is also unknown. But there are some knowns among the unknowns. People continue to want to live in this part of the state. People who already live in this part of the state continue to have babies. There are a lot of state employees in this part of the state who have steady jobs. There is only so much land in this part of the state. So what that tells me is that, in the long run, the demand for housing will continue. However, in the short run, we need the "faith, not fear" approach. So, here at OMB we've just added a second position for our government affairs program. OMB's leadership realized that in all five counties we are facing more and more home building industry issues that need to be addressed. Because many local governments are facing budget shortfalls, they are looking everywhere for revenue sources. Increasing fees on the home building industry is a growing choice and OMB needed additional staff resources to address these new funding proposals. (Read President Karen McClennen's column, Government Affairs Director Will Stakelin's Column, Government Affairs Associate Mark Bigelow's column and check out the Government Affairs Update to see the list of issues OMB is currently addressing.) In 2009 OMB will be celebrating its 50th year of existence. During the past 50 years, OMB's leadership has seen some ups and downs in the housing industry and the economy in general. But throughout that time, OMB has continued to be the voice for this industry to provide faith instead of fear for OMB members. So, as we continue planning for 2009, OMB will continue to be that "voice" for the industry. Remember "faith, not fear."
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Many years ago I met a woman who owned and operated her own small business. She remarked to me one day that she chose to run her business on faith instead of fear. What I believe she meant by that comment was that she was not going to be batted around and influenced by all the naysayers, handwringers and worry warts surrounding her. She firmly believed in her business, knew the value her company provided to the community and was committed to her business for the long run. I don't believe she was living in a "make believe" world or in a state of denial. I believe she was a realist and the way she ran her company and the decisions she made reflected that mind set.