Masonry Magazine August 2004 Page. 45
News
Local, State and Regional
# California
Reported by the San Luis Obispo Tribune, "Repair work is plentiful, but contractors are not, June 26, 2004:
Earthquake repairs have become a boon to local contractors, but a frustration for some residents who are struggling to find anyone willing to do the work. More than 4,000 homes and businesses in San Luis Obispo County were damaged in the San Simeon Earthquake, according to the county. Six months later, many are still trying to finish repair work...
"All the good contractors are taken. There's just nobody. How many people in an area our size do masonry work?" Linda McLoughlin said. "Everybody is busy. You can't get somebody to return your phone calls."
And even though contractors from outside the county are picking up business, there's still not enough of them...
The delays have prompted some people to act as their own contractor, do the work themselves or hire relatives.
# Florida
The seventh annual Masonry Association of Florida Convention was held May 20-22 at the Registry Hotel in Naples, Fla. Over 300 mason contractors, suppliers and guests attended the event.
One of the highlights of the convention is the Florida State Apprentice Skills Contest, held this year at the Naples Concrete & Masonry facilities. Twenty participants from six of the 10 apprenticeship training programs around the state competed. The nine judges had their tasks cut out for them, as the competition was fierce. The contest, covered by the Naples Tribune, was the featured article on the front page of the following day's business section.
Over 130 people attended the awards ceremony banquet that followed the contest. The Florida Masonry Apprentice & Educational Foundation's Executive Director, Pat McLaughlin, facilitated the ceremony. Al Herndon, Joyce Rivas and Wendy Goins, the Foundation's three state coordinators, handed out the awards. All of the winners received medals and tools for their accomplishments.
The winners were:
**First Year**
First place-Esteban Rodriguez, Falcon Masonry, Naples
Second place-Filberto Ramos, Brienstonz Masonry, Tampa
Third place-George Hill, Brookshire Masonry, Tampa
**Second Year**
First place-Fedenico Saurez, Bishop Masonry, Tampa
Second place-Cruz Guemero, Pyramid Masonry, Orlando
Third place-Keith Brandel, Brandel Masonry, Fort Lauderdale
**Third Year**
First place-Rolando Prieto, GBL Construction of Naples
Second place-Cruz Cervantes, Bickey Masonry, Tampa
Third place - Juan Flores, Falcon Masonry, Naples
The first and second-place finishers of each year will represent Florida at the Manpower Forum Apprentice Contest to be held in Sandestin, Fla., Sept. 25, 2004. This is the Southeast regional competition for apprentices sponsored by the Southern Brick Institute. The regional winners will compete at the MCAA International Masonry Skills Challenge in Chicago next year.
The "Chris Sutherland Trophy" is given annually to the third-year, first-place winner, the top masonry apprentice in the state. Rolando Prieto of GBL Construction of Naples received this coveted honor. Congratulations, Rolando!
News continued on page 44
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August 2004
Masonry