“Not forgetting that we live as well as make our living from construction, we recognize the need to improve growth plans to keep our neighborhoods livable,” wrote Karen Krause, chair of the ACCA Government Relations Committee. “The Sierra Club initiative may have curtailing urban sprawl as its main objective, but the end result may be devastating to the mechanical contracting industry. Proposi-tion 202 must be defeated.”

Do you care in Georgia? Probably not. But The News cannot ignore this and hot topics elsewhere, some of which could well resonate with contractors in other parts of the country. We’re calling our regional coverage “Operation Grassroots.”

GETTING TO KNOW YOU

The News is going to address such local concerns head-on by supplying local reports from every region of the country. Each editor now has a specific geographic area to cover. To copy the familiar introduction to ABC’s Wide World of Sports TV program, we’ll be reporting on the thrill of contractor victories, the agony of defeats, and anything else you believe is important.

Of course, we cannot do this all alone; we seek input from all of our readers. Therefore, if you have something important to say, say it. Inform the News editor responsible for your coverage area. Let him/her know what’s important in your eyes.

If your firm is doing something good for the community, for instance, don’t hesitate to let us know. If you are struggling to hire technicians, let us know. Utility competition a concern? Pick up the phone or send an e-mail. Schedules permitting, our editor will be there to walk and talk with you, making sure your area gets the coverage it deserves.

Get the picture? Please get to know these editors, their faces, and their respective contact numbers. The editors and the regions they cover are listed on the facing page.

They just may be knocking on your door soon. If not, call and invite them in.

Mark Skaer is to blanket the West/ Pacific region (Hawaii, California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona). He can be reached by phone (248-244-6446), fax (248-362-0317), or e-mail (skaerm@bnp.com).

James Siegel is our man for the Northwest/Upper Midwest region (Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska). He can be reached by phone (248-244-1731), fax (248-362-0317), or e-mail (siegelj@bnp.com).

John Hall is responsible for South/ Southwest coverage (Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama). He can be reached by phone (248-244-6417), fax (248-362-0317), or e-mail (halljr@bnp.com).

Paula Liegl is our reporter for the Midwest/Great Lakes region (Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, and Ohio). She can be reached by phone (248-244-6454), fax (248-362-0317), or e-mail (lieglp@bnp.com).

Peter Powell is responsible for the South Mid-Atlantic/Southeast region (Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee). He can be reached by phone (874-622-7260), fax (847-622-7266), or e-mail (PowellBNP@aol.com).

Greg Mazurkiewicz is our reporter for the North Mid-Atlantic region (Kentucky, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, West Virginia, and Maryland). He can be reached by phone (248-244-6248), fax (248-362-0317), or e-mail (mazurkiewiczg@ bnp.com).

Barb Checket-Hanks is responsible for the New England area (Delaware, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massa-chusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, and Rhode Island). She can be reached by phone (248-244-6444), fax (248-362-0317), or e-mail (checket-hanksb@bnp.com).

Publication date: 10/16/2000