Honoring the Best

No Concentration Required. I'm writing this while watching "Escape from LA" with Kirk Russell. Watching the flick doesn't require any concentration because it has the exact same plot as "Escape from New York." Except that instead of being forced to fight a big bruiser to the death to entertain all the lowlifes, Snake is forced to play basketball. Seriously; basketball. You've got to rent it to believe it.

Honoring the Best in the Business. There's a story on our website, www.MHISC.com, about the industry's Winter Meeting in Columbia.

http://mhisc.com/Meetings.html

Every company and person recognized really deserved the kudos: Kent-Gault Manufactured Homes, Ledbetter Housing, Clayton Homes of Beaufort, Katrina White, Mandy McGuire, Shannonwood, Strawberry Station, Jensen's Southern Palms and Crossroads. Sherman Currin gave a superb little thank you speech as we inducted him into the Hall of Fame. We should have all the pix from the meeting on-line by Tuesday.


Some Cool Moments at MHISC's Winter Meeting

* When Crossroads in Aiken came up to accept their award as Community of the Year, they brought their first two residents with them to share in the recognition. A nice touch.

* I've got to tell you, very sincerely, that it meant a lot to me and the staff that we had such a strong turn-out and show of support from our members Thursday night. Things are tight for everybody these days but it's great that our members still enjoy each other's company so much and will take the time to show their appreciation for the accomplishments of their friends in the industry.

* After three years of hearing short jokes from MC John Polk, I advised Mr. Polk that I'm 5'10" which is really more in the average range. So this year he instead pointed out that I had gone grey and "chunky."

* I was pleased to see one of SC's major utilities represented at the meeting. You'll be seeing more participation from utilities seeking to work with our industry to promote energy conservation. More about that later.

* We had great turn-outs for MHISC's Dealer Roundtable, Image and Professionalism Committee and Membership Committee meetings Friday morning. The committees are really important to MHISC and a huge help to the staff. You'll see ideas from all three groups come to fruition in coming months.

"Come to fruition." It's 10:37 PM and lame phrases like that indicate that my brain is more interested in sleep than writing right now.

Let's just end it by thanking everyone who came and supported our industry, our association and some very deserving winners.

On the Road with Mitch and Todd

MHISC met with two up-and-coming legislators today and two already-there leaders.

Allen and I visited with Representatives Dan Cooper, Brian White, Eric Bedenfield and Mike Gambrell in their hometown offices.

Two of our members were a huge help, Todd Hiott and Mitch Gault. They went with us to visit leaders in their area; Mauldin, Greenville, Anderson County, etc. When the Columbia staff meets with politicos, having active MHISC members involved reminds the policy-makers that we are not just a Columbia association---MHISC is made up of neighbors, business-people from their area who vote and have influence.

PS: Check out Mr. Gault without the mustache he's had the last 50 years. Welcome to the new millenium, Mitch!

A Favorite Member

I've always been impressed with a member named Mary Heinz, the manager of the Ashley Arbor community in North Charleston. We saw her a lot of the Charleston Chapter and Mary always went out of her way to speak and be friendly. She often had an intelligent question or thought about community management.

Mary called to let me know that her position with the company had been eliminated. "I didn't want you to hear it on the street," she said.

I thought that was a classy touch. Mary recognizes that the members in the industry are a close-knit group. After 16 years you get to know the members pretty well. Their backgrounds and families. The challenges they face.

Many industries and professions probably like to talk about how they are a family. But in our industry, this is more than just a cliche`