The association's past presidents, several of whom were in the audience, were saluted. The list includes J. C. Brogdon, 1973; Bob Dixon, 1974; Jerry Tedder, 1975; Jim Fulton, 1976; Gene Barber, 1977 and 1989; Rod Barkow, 1978; Jim Strickland, 1979; Jack Miller, 1980; Jerry Ballard, 1981; Chris Parrott, 1982 and 1983; Mike Rossetti, 1984; John Richards, 1985; Kevin Moody, 1986; Ray Rogerson, 1987; Ernie Wright, 1988; Vince Rossetti, 1990; Jeff Ellis, 1991; Steve Enterkin, 1992; Ken Wilson, 1993; Kenny Johnson, 1994; Richard Simms, 1995; Bob Barnard, 1996; and Randy Hayes, 1997. Dennis Floyd is the current president.

Past association presidents Jerry Tedder, Bob Dixon, Gene Barber and Randy Hayes, all of whom are still active in the organization, participated in a discussion about how the home building industry and the association have changed over 25 years. The panel members were introduced by Vice President Jeff Betsill.

Tedder remembered that the Midwest Georgia association held its first meetings at the Holiday Inn in Newnan and that the Metro South association sponsored the group. Pointing out that "many of the same faces I saw then are still here", he noted: "We wanted fulltime, active builders as our members, and we wanted quality members."

Tedder said the associating has been valuable in promoting the building industry and in keeping members updated on such matters as legislation, legal issues, and zoning, while providing educational opportunities and aids to personal andprofessional development. "The association still works on the same issues nowas it did then," he commented. "However, now there are some new issues, including the environment and traffic."

It was announced that Tedder has recently been named a Life Director of the national association.

Dixon, another charter member of the organization, discussed how home prices have increased over the years. "The first house I sold was in 1965, and it was a 1,600 sq. ft. split level with a price of $19,500, including the lot. It was financed with a 25-year loan with an interest rate of 4.25 percent.

"In 1971, the price in Dix-Leeon subdivision for a 2,400 sq. ft. home with a full basement on an acre lot was in the $70,000-$80,000 range. Today, I paid over $100,000 for just a lot in Peachtree City," he said. "The costs of labor and materials have really gone up. There are so many new products and design features to choose from now."

Gene Barber also talked about change, reminding the group that in 1973, when the organization was formed, the choice in house designs was either "split level right" or "split level left." Another change he pointed to was in the number of codes and ordinances which must be met. He showed the crowd the building code used from 1973 through 1979, which was a 17-page pocket-sized document.

Speaking of other historic events in the life of the association, he said, "We were represented at our first National Home Builders Association Convention in Dallas in 1973. In 1976, this association joined in the Home Owners Warranty Program, one of the first to become certified as part of the program. In March of 1983, the groundbreaking was held at our first Scholarship House on a lot provided by Bob Dixon. We gave three scholarships in 1984, and that total has grown to 120 over the past 16 years."

Randy Hayes, talking about the organization's present and future, stated that Robin Keesal was hired as the group's first fulltime executive officer during his year as president, while Shelly Dvorak was also hired as executive officer of the Midwest Georgia Sales & Marketing Council, an affiliate of the home builders organization. "In December 1997, at the board's first Strategic Planning Retreat, our board came up with 19 goals for the future, including keeping our board and membership up to date on items of importance; increase our membership, which currently stands at 387, to 500 by the year 2000; finding land for a building of our own; getting our builder members more involved in our entire five-county service area; creating a pool of qualified leaders to become part of our association leadership; and help focus elected officials and the public on those items which are important to us."

Speaking of issues confronting builders, Hayes mentioned that labor availability and growth issues are regional issues while growth and environmental problems remain local and national issues. "Locally, we have to become smarter business people, build better products and better communities, be more informed as to what local officials want, and be more sensitive to the community and work within that framework," he said. Fairburn Ready-Mix and Metro Builders Supply were the corporate sponsors for the January meeting. First Citizens Bank, Home South Mortgage and Tucker Federal Bank, the current members of the 1999 Underwriters Club, were also recognized at the gathering. Members of the Underwriters Club assist with the cost of dinner meeting programs and receive recognition at all Home Builders Association of Midwest Georgia functions for the entire year.

The Home Builders Association of Midwest Georgia, which serves builders inFayette, Coweta, Spalding, Heard and Meriwether Counties, currently has around 385 members. Information about the association or a membership application can be obtained by contacting the association office at (770) 716-7109.