‘Advocating for affordable housing for generations to come!’cdn3.creativecirclemedia.com/cleveland/files/... · 3/23/2019 · Greater Chattanooga associations. Brooke is a graduate

www.clevelandbanner.com Cleveland Daily Banner—Sunday, March 24, 2019—C1

‘Advocating for affordable housing for generations to come!’

The Ocoee Region Builders Association, for 48 years, has done a fantastic job in all aspects of protecting and rep-resenting the interests of the local homebuilding industry as well as the home buyer.

With its membership support, ORBA will contin-ue to be an integral part of monitoring the construction

industry in Bradley, Polk and McMinn counties.

The Ocoee Region Builders Association has a long history of working toward responsi-ble and reasonable solutions that benefit its members, and ultimately, the community.

ORBA stands committed to work with all interested par-ties and to arrive at solutions

for the many issues that face a growing community.

ORBA has worked with numerous other organiza-tions and educational groups, forming powerful and ef-fective partnerships to help build homes that are more affordable, green, and less energy dependent.

“The builders and associ-

ates of ORBA understand how important it is to make time for our industry and associ-ation,” a representative said. “ORBA, as a group, stands strong to represent our area of homebuilding. ORBA will continue to be the voice of the building industry, and prepare the community for tomorrow.”

OCOEE REGION BUILDERS ASSOCIATION

ORBA is the voice of the local building community

A special supplement to the Cleveland Daily Banner

C2—Cleveland Daily Banner—Sunday, March 24, 2019 www.clevelandbanner.com

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Past Presidents

Randall FisherPresident — 1970, 1971

Auston StevisonPresident — 1972, 1973

HBAT president,

K. Lynn DavisPresident — 1976

William J. FaulkPresident — 1977

Bob L. JohnsonPresident — 1974

A.L. PlemonsPresident — 1975

James EldridgePresident — 1978, 1979

HBAT president, 1987

Alvin GoodwinPresident — 1980

James RobersonPresident — 1981

R. Larry SwaffordPresident — 1982

James DugganPresident — 1983

Ralph RogersPresident — 1984

More past presidents, Page C4

Blake Allison installed as ORBA presidentOcoee Region Builders

Association installed Blake Allision as new president for 2019. Cleve-land Mayor Kevin Brooks attended the installation banquet, and swore in Allison.

As a residential home builder and developer, Allison is a partner and co-owner of Epperson Homes LLC. He fi rst moved to Cleveland in 2007. He builds custom homes, develops, and contracts residential properties in several sub-divisions.

With a bachelor’s degree in civil engineer-ing from Tennessee Tech University, he utilizes his education and work experience to manage his projects with a “hands-on” attitude. He works alongside his partners, Dennis Epperson and Clint Epperson.

As the youngest ORBA president, Allison plans to stay actively involved with the association for many years to come. He also participates at the state level. He said he believes it’s important to stay active, and is com-mitted to the building

File photo

CLEVELAND MAYOR Kevin Brooks was on hand to swear in new Ocoee Region Builders Association President Blake Allison.

industry as a whole. By staying knowledgeable on current codes and being aware of all aspects of housing and developing,

you make better informed decisions for your cus-tomers.

He encourages all builders and associates to join ORBA and keep up to date on all im-provements and changes coming in the future for builders.

Allison is married to

his college sweetheart, Brooke, who is also a Realtor, and part of the River Counties and Greater Chattanooga associations. Brooke is a graduate of the Universi-ty of Tennessee, with an accounting concentration and a degree in business administration.

Contributed photo, fi le

THE 2018 President Chad Dean, right, passes the gavel to new ORBA president Blake Allision.

Contributed photo, fi le

BLAKE AND BROOKE Allison pose at the ORBA installation banquet, in December 2018.

ORBA offi ces

The Ocoee Region Builders Association’s of-fi ce is located at 1615 Lois St. in Cleveland.

The offi ce is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.


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Contributed photi, fi le

NEW OCOEE REGION Builders Association President Blake Allison, right, poses with his parents, Dan and Gina Allison, and wife, Brooke Allison.

Board members· Chad Dean of Dean Custom

Homes LLC· Charlotte Peak of Kace Con-

struction & Developments· Charles Blankinship of CC

Blankinship & Sons· Dennis Epperson of Epper-

son Homes LLC (2017 HBAT president)

· Dustin Wong of River Stone Construction LLC

· Jennifer Holden of Lowe’s Lighting Gallery

· Jerry Franitza of Habitat for Humanity

· Joe Collins of Bank of Cleveland

· John Proffi tt of Advanced Energy Services

· Lake Mantooth of 4 Star LLC

· Max Phillips of Crye-Leike· Paul Rice of Paul Rice Jr.

Construction LLC· Peaches Searles of Ameri-

can Portables· Shonna Ellis of Wholesale

Supply Group· Tim Evans of Hiwasee

Building Materials· Zane Condo of ZC Con-

struction

Executive CommitteeThe 2019 Ocoee Region Builders Association execu-

tive committee is comprised of:President Blake Allison of Epperson Homes LLC; Vice President Zane Condo, ZC Construction; Executive Offi cer Charlotte Peak, Kace Construction

& Developments; Immediate Past President Chad Dean of Dean Cus-

tom Homes, LLC.; Secretary Jerry Franitza.

Ocoee Region Builders Association is a not-for-prof-it trade association, comprised of professional build-ers, developers and associated fi rms, engaged directly or indirectly in home building, remodeling and light commercial construction.

Mission:Ocoee Region Builders Association’s stated mission

“is to advocate for our members’ housing aff ordability and availability through legislation, clear communica-tion and ongoing education.”

About ORBA .... (Ocoee River Builders Association)

NEW ORBA president Blake Allison, left, poses with past ORBA presidents Charlotte Peak, Lake Mantooth, Peaches Searles and Dennis Epperson.

U.S. average mortgage rates fall; 30-year at 4.28 percent

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. long-term mortgage rates fell this week, giving an incentive to potential buyers as the spring home-buying season opens.

Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday the average rate on the 30-year, fi xed-rate mortgage declined to 4.28 percent from 4.31 percent the pre-vious week.

Mortgage rates have fallen substantially since the beginning of the year, after climbing for much of 2018 and peaking at nearly 5 percent in early Novem-ber. The average rate on the benchmark 30-year loan stood at 4.45 percent a year ago.

The average rate this week for 15-year, fi xed-rate loans slipped to 3.71 percent from 3.76 percent a week earlier.

With economic growth showing signs of slowing in the U.S. and abroad, interest rates have eased. Refl ecting dimmer ex-pectations for growth, the Federal Reserve left its key interest rate unchanged Wednesday. The Fed kept

the rate — which can in-fl uence mortgage loans as well as credit cards, home equity lines of credit and more — in a range of 2.25 percent to 2.5 percent.

The lower home-lend-ing rates, combined with continued moderation of home prices, should enhance aff ordability for homebuyers as the season begins, Freddie Mac chief economist Sam Khater said.

To calculate average mortgage rates, Freddie Mac surveys lenders across the country between Mon-day and Wednesday each week.

The average doesn’t include extra fees, known as points, which most borrowers must pay to get the lowest rates.

The average fee on 30-year fi xed-rate mortgages was unchanged this week at 0.4 point. The fee on 15-year mortgages also held steady at 0.4 point.

The average rate for fi ve-year adjustable-rate mortgages was unchanged at 3.84 percent. The fee remained at 0.3 point.


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Past Presidents

Danny MarrPresident — 1986

Ed AllenPresident — 1985

Joe OwenbyPresident — 1988

Sam HumbardPresident — 1987

L. Kent BerryPresident — 1990

J.W. KibblePresident — 1989

Bill MonaghanPresident — 1992HBAT president

1997

John EldredgePresident — 1991


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Contributed photo

LAKE MANTOOTH, photo at left, and Paul Rice take advantage of the porch swings at Southern Charm. Above, the Ocoee Region Builders Associa-tion had a full house for the December meeting.

Ocoee Region Builders Association meets monthly at various locations in the community. Among the meeting sites were Southern Charm, Volunteer Elec-tric and Cleveland Utilities.

The lunch sponsors in 2018 were:• February — Bank of ClevelandMarch — Wholesale Supply GroupApril — Sherwin WilliamsMay —Tindell’sJune — Hiwassee Building MaterialsJuly — Ferguson EnterpriseAugust —Wholesale Supply GroupSeptember — Cleveland PlywoodOctober — Blind AmbitionsNovember — ACME BrickDecember — Southern Charm• Lunch meetings and sponsors for 2019 are:Feb. 20 — Southern Charm — Sponsor Bancorp-

South MortgageMarch 20 — Southern Charm — Sponsor SmartBankApril 17 — Southern Charm — Sponsor Blossman

Gas & ApplianceMay 15 — Southern Charm — Sponsor Hiwassee

Builders SupplyJune 19 — Tindells, 205 20th St S.E. — Sponsor

Tindell’sJuly 17 — Southern Charm — Sponsor TSF (Tennes-

see Spray Foam)Aug. 21 — Southern Charm — Sponsor FlypaperSept. 18 — Cleveland Plywood, 2700 20th St. N.E. —

Sponsor Cleveland PlywoodOct. 16 — Southern Charm — Sponsor Wholesale

Supply GroupNov. 13 — Southern Charm — Sponsor Law offi ces of

Andrew B. Morgan

2018 lunch sponsors

Contributed photo

The ORBA meeting at Volunteer Electric Coop-erative was packed.

Contributed photo

CLEVELAND UTILITIES hosted a packed meeting for the Ocoee Region Builders Association.


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File photo

GINA NGUYEN, scholarship recipient and UTK student, is congratulated by ORBA 2018 President Chad Dean. Nguyen graduated in 2017 from Cleveland High School and majors in engineering at the University of Tennessee.

File photo

OLIVIA CALFEE, scholarship recipient, is shown with her father, Greg Calfee, right, and ORBA 2018 President Chad Dean. Calfee is a graduate from Cleveland High School and planned to major in communications at the Universi-ty of Tennessee.

File photo

SAM WHITE, scholarship recipient, is shown with his mother, Sondra White, and ORBA 2018 President Chad Dean. White is a graduate of McMinn County High School and planned to major in electromechanical studies at TCAT in Athens.

The Ocoee Region Builders Association and the Home Builders Association of Tennes-see awarded scholar-ships to one current, and two future, college students in 2018.

The students were each awarded $1,000 scholarships.

According to Chad Dean, ORBA 2018 president, his organiza-tion contributed $500 to each student, with HBAT providing match-ing funds.

Charlotte Peak, execu-tive officer with ORBA, said the two organiza-tions hope to attract those who will estab-lish careers within the industry.

“With generous dona-tions collected through the year at our lunch membership meetings, we are able to fund scholarships and match what the Home Builders Association of Tennes-see contributes,” Peak said. “We hope that by funding these schol-arships, people will consider going into the construction industry.”

The students award-ed were Olivia Calfee, who attends Cleveland High School and will be majoring in communi-cations at the Univer-sity of Tennessee; Sam White, who attends McMinn High in Ath-ens and whowill major in electromechanical studies at the Tennes-see College of Applied Technology in Athens; and Gina Nguyen, who graduated from Cleve-land High in 2018 and is attending the University of Tennessee, where she is an engineering major.

ORBA awards three scholarships


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Past Presidents

Andy HartPresident

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Jim PembertonPresident

— 1999, 2000

Phillip DanielsPresident

— 2004, 2005

David MayPresident — 2003

Dennis EppersonPresident —

2006, 2007, 2009 HBAT president 2017

Gale ThomasPresident — 1994

Dee BurrisPresident — 1993

Charles ShirleyPresident

— 1996, 1997

Paul Rice Jr.President — 1995

Barbara Chadwick

President — 1998


Banner fi le photo

JAMES ROBERSON, seated, was the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Ocoee Region Builders Association in August 2017. At the presentation were past ORBA presidents, from left, Charles Shirley, Peaches Searles, Paul Rice, Dennis Epperson, Lake Mantooth, Dee Burris, John Proffi tt, Charlotte Peak and Chad Dean (at the table).

Passing of early ORBA leader James Roberson commemorated

Banner fi le photo

THE ORBA Lifetime Achievement Award was presented in August 2017 to James Roberson, seat-ed. With Roberson, from left, are Shonna Ellis of Wholesale Supply Group; Dennis Epperson; and Chad Dean.

James Roberson, whose name was synonymous with homebuilding in the local area, passed away on Dec. 1, 2018.

He built the fi rst of many homes in the com-munity in 1954.

In 1968, Roberson part-nered with several others — Randall Fisher, Aus-ten Stevenson and Pony Johnson — to organize the Cleveland-Bradley Builders Association. The association was offi cially established in 1970. The local builders had been part of the Chattanooga homebuilders branch, but saw a need to have their own organization. He re-cruited 41 new builders to its ranks, and even served as president in 1981.

Roberson, who was one of the fi rst licensed residential contractors in Cleveland, was honored with a Lifetime Achieve-ment Award by the Ocoee Region Builders Associa-tion in August 2017.

In presenting Rober-son with the Lifetime Achievement Award, former ORBA President Dennis Epperson noted the many years of active service Roberson gave the builders. Roberson served as a national director and lobbied with then U.S. Sen. Howard Baker of Tennessee.

Roberson said, “it was important that the people who had worked with him and helped him along the way knew he was sincerely grateful, and could have done nothing without them.”

Randall Fisher, the fi rst ORBA president and a friend of Roberson, is the only other individual to have been presented ORBA’s Lifetime Achieve-

ment AwardRoberson was survived

by his son, Ricky Rob-erson; daughter, Connie Kantor; sisters: Nina Shelton Bulllins and Ruth Draughon; grandchil-dren: Christopher Rober-son, Dinan Hart and Jak Kantor; and numerous other “bonus” grandchil-dren and great-grandchil-dren.

He was laid to rest at Lebanon Baptist Ceme-tery.


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For nine years, Sherri Blakely served as execu-tive offi cer for the Ocoee Region Builders Associ-ation.

“She practically ran that association and was the face of ORBA,” noted Charlotte Peak, former ORBA president and current executive offi -cer. “We became instant friends because Sherri is a friendly person. Prov-erbs 18:24 says ‘A man that hath friends must shew himself friend-ly.’ She exemplifi es the meaning of friendship. I learned a lot about life at that time just by watching hers. She always fought adversities head-on and never let obstacles get her down. She taught me about life in more ways than one, and she has so many friends that will tell you the same thing. She makes every friend feel special and is always the life of the party.”

Peak said, “Blakely organized fundraisers for every imaginable cause, helped build houses for Habitat for Humanity, and helped build handi-capped-accessible ramps for community outreach programs.

“In her spare time, she taught Zumba classes, golfed, played racket-ball and did personal training. She is the most all-around athletic person I know,” Peak said.

In Feburary 2014, Blakely was diagnosed

SHERRI BLAKELY receives an award from Charlotte Peak in this fi le photo. At left, Blakely is shown while fi ghting a rare form of brain tumor.

with a mixed brain tumor called oligoastrocytoma and oligodendroglioma. She received brain sur-gery and chemo treat-ments.

She recently reached a fi ve-year milestone of remission.

FORMER ORBA presidents Dennis Epperson and Charlotte Peak pose with then Cleveland Mayor Tom Rowland and former executive offi cer Sherri Blakely,

SHERRI BLAKELY served as ORBA executive offi cer during Charlotte Peak’s terms as president in 2010 and 2012.

Blakely celebrates fi ve years of remission


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EACH SPRING, home builders from around the state travel to Nashville for a Day on the Hill. The day offers members of the building industry the opportunity to “connect” with lawmakers, learn about issues impacting the industry and help to advocate on behalf of the building industry.

Above left, state Rep. Mark Hall listens to the Ocoee River Builders Association delegation during the Day on the Hill.

ORBA had a successful Day on the Hill visiting, below and above right, state Sen. Mike Bell. With Bell, above, are Dennis Epperson, left, and ORBA President Blake Allison.

ORBA PRESIDENT Blake Allison listens as state Rep. Dan Howell expounds on his past histsory with the building industry and his support of local builders, above. Howell, below leads a committee meeting as Allison, foreground, listens.

FROM LEFT are Dennis Epperson, President Blake Allison, Charlotte Peak, Bell, Chad Dean and John Proffi tt.

DENNIS EPPERSON, Blake Allison, state Rep. Mark Hall, Charlotte Peak, Chad Dean and John Proffi tt visit during the Day on the Hill for Home Builders.

FROM LEFT are Blake Allison, Dennis Epperson, Chad Dean, state Rep. Dan Howell, Max Phillips, Charlotte Peak, state Sen. Mike Bell, Peaches Searles, and John Proffi tt pose during a Day on the Hill event.

Day on the Hill

www.clevelandbanner.com Cleveland Daily Banner—Sunday, March 24, 2019—C9www.clevelandbanner.com Cleveland Daily Banner—Sunday, March 24, 2019—C9

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STATE REP. MARK HALL, Peaches Searles, John Proffi tt, state Sen. Todd Gardenhire, Dennis Epperson, back, Blake Allison, Max Phillips, Charlotte Peak, Chad Dean and state Sen. Mike Bell attend the Home Builders Day on the Hill. The builders met with lawmakers on key issues affecting the building indus-try.

ORBA PRESIDENT Blake Allison, Chad Dean, Charlotte Peak, state Rep. Dan Howell, Peaches Searles, Dennis Epperson, John Proffi tt and Max Phillips attend a Day on the Hill event for the state’s builders.

JOHN PROFFITT, Charlotte Peak, state

Rep. Mark Cochran and Chad Dean talk during the Day on the Hill for

the Home Builders.

Contributed photos

TENNESSEE GOV. Bill Lee was one of the speakers for a luncheon by the Home Builders Association of Tennessee during the Day on the Hill for home builders. The governor expressed excitement about the PIE Center in Cleveland.

U.S. housing starts climbed 18.6 percent in January

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. housing starts jumped 18.6 percent in January, as builders ramped up construction of single-family houses to the fastest pace in eight months.

The Commerce Depart-ment said Friday that January ground break-ings occurred at a sea-sonally adjusted annual rate of 1.23 million. Home construction rebounded sharply from December, when the annual rate was just 1.04 million.

The rebound after December’s plunge fueled optimism among econ-omists that new-home sales will improve in

2019. The low 3.8 percent unemployment rate has provided a stable econ-omy that has increased interest from would-be buyers, but aff ordability challenges from high prices and tight invento-ries have restricted sales. Analysts see the possibili-ty for new construction to ease these pressures and increase sales.

“Given the underly-ing strength in overall housing demand, slow and steady growth in new supply will support a modest increase in sales,” said Mike Fratantoni, chief economist for the Mortgage Bankers Asso-ciation.

Day on the

Hill

(NAHB) — Home buyers have the choice of two types of houses on the market: resale or new.

Home buyers plan-ning to buy a brand-new house or condominium often cite energy effi -ciency, open layout, a warranty, and being able to select appliances, fl ooring, paint colors and other design elements as factors driving their choice.

But builders say that buyers can be drawn to a new house for reasons that aren’t so obvi-ous. Here are a few more benefi ts of a brand-new home that you may not

see in the sales brochure.Building a Community

TogetherA brand-new commu-

nity is one of the built-in benefi ts of many new homes. When families move in to a subdivi-sion at the same time, they often form lasting bonds of friendship and neighborliness right away. Nobody is the “new kid on the block,” and many home builders host community parties in new developments to help owners meet and connect.

Popular amenities like pools, walking trails and tennis and basketball courts off er additional

opportunities for inter-action among neighbors of all ages. Often new communities are com-prised of home owners in the same stage of life, such as young families or active retirees, so neighbors can get to

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Rising U.S. home prices and a shortage of proper-ties on the market have made homes less aff ordable for many would-be buy-ers, even after the fall in mortgage rates over recent weeks.

The trend is also prob-lematic for homebuilders, because newly built homes tend to be more expensive relative to resale properties.

The National Association of Home Builders’ new chairman, Greg Ugalde, calls home aff ordability a growing crisis and the most important issue facing the homebuilding industry.

Ugalde, who is also president of Torrington, Connecticut-based home-builder T&M Building Co., recently spoke to The Associated Press about immigration reform and other proposals aimed at boosting new home construction. The interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Q: Builders have grap-pled with a shortage of skilled labor for years. Are eff orts to recruit more young people working?

A: It is defi nitely work-ing and a big part of that is making sure that we put the fl oodlights on the problem and enlighten not only our industry, but everybody.

When you look at the restaurant industry, for example, and other indus-tries, we’re all wrestling for many of the same bodies, many of the same students and young people that we would like. People of all ages, actually, who would be willing to retrain.

We’re optimistic. Cer-tainly it’s a mountain in front of us to bring the number of workers that we need to our job sites.

Q: The NAHB favors a guest worker pro-gram. How important is immigration reform to tackling the labor shortage?

A: We should have the ability to bring in more qualifi ed workers where they’re needed.

It’s no longer a question

of ‘Hey, we’re going to be taking American jobs.’ That’s just not true. We have job openings all over the country that we need to fi ll, so it’s perfectly reason-able to think that we could benefi t from an improved immigration system, like many other industries could as well.

Q: You’re also urging Congress to reform the nation’s housing fi nance system. What’s the key change you seek?

A: The ability to intro-duce the fi nancing products just has not kept up with to-day’s market place as much as we would like to see.

So we need to revamp the ability to bring more people into the system who really do qualify and can aff ord a home.

Q: One way you’re proposing to make new

homes less expensive is by pushing for less, un-necessary government regulation. Give me an example.

A: Take the fair market price of a home and you can attribute 25 percent of that to costs of regulation of all diff erent sorts. In some ar-eas of the country it’s quite a bit more than that.

Look at the regulatory framework, everything from building permits to the cost of local and state approvals at every step, which involve everything from inspection to added protections.

If you have codes that are written requiring certain equipment of a certain color and size and format, you’re actually making it very expensive if there’s only one or even a couple of companies that can provide those things.


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Past PresidentsMore past presidents, Page C12

MANY MEMBERS of the Ocoee Region Builders Association

took advantage of the chance to learn about

erosion control in a class hosted by the Cleveland/

Bradley Chamber of Commerce.

Newly elected NAHB Chairman Greg Ugalde talks homebuilding

Not-so-obvious benefi ts of buying a home

See BUYING, Page 11


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6”R 16’ x 24’ x 40’ 2’R 16’ x 24’ x 40’ 4’R 16’ x 24’ x 40 4’R 16’ x 32’ x 40’

6”R 14’ x 28’ 6”R 18’ x 36’ 2’R 14’ x 28’ 2’R 18’ x 36’ 4’R 14’ x 28’ 4”R 18’ x 36’ 6”R 16’ x 32’ 6”R 20’ x 40’ 2’R 16’ x 32’ 2’R 20’ x 40’ 4’R 16’x 32’ 4’R 20’ x 40’

4’R x 16’ x 32’ x 40’

6”R 20’ x 44’10 2’R 20’ x 44’4 4’R 20’ x 43’7

20’ x 40’ 18’ x 36’

15’ x 30’ 18’ x 36’

23’0-1/2 x 37’3-3/4 17’ x 33’ 18’ x 34’

18’ x 34’

16’ x 32’ Sq. Btm. Grec. 16’6 x 35’6 Sq. Btm. Grec.

16’6 x 35’6 Cont. Grec. 18’ x 36’ Cont. Grec.

20’0 x 39’9 Cont. Grec. 20’6 x 40’ 6 Sq. Grec.

16’6 x 38’ 22’ x 39’

26’5 x 43’5-1/4 4’R 26’ x 42’

16’ x 24’ x 40’

NEW LOCATION

2650 Peerless Rd. Cleveland, TN 37311

476-5532www.kinardrealty.com

Each offi ce is individually owned and operated EQUAL HOUSINGOPPORTUNITY

Proud to be a Member!

Tailoring Your Home to Fit Your Life.

“Building with a Higher Standard.”

Contact Us Dean Custom Homes, LLC. P.O. Box 6070 Cleveland, TN 37320 [email protected] 423-593-7136

facebook.com/deancustomhomes twitter.com/DeanCustomHomes linkedin.com/DeanCustomHomes

WE ARE PROUDTO BE

ORBA MEMBERSThank you for

choosing us for your fi nancial needs.

ORBA MEMBERS met with City Fields representatives in October 2018 to become acquainted with their affordable housing approach. ORBA plans to work with them on a new build. Attending were Lake Mantooth, Tin Evans, Zane Condo, Dennis Epperson, Dustin Tommey and Jake Stum.

know each other through carpools, PTA meetings, tennis matches or golf games.

Entertaining Throwing a party in an older home

can be a challenge because smaller, distinct rooms make it diffi cult to entertain guests in one large space. To-day, new home layouts feature more open spaces and rooms that fl ow into each other more easily. While you are preparing dinner, you can still inter-act with guests enjoying conversation without feeling closed off . The feeling of spaciousness in today’s new-home layouts often is enhanced with higher ceilings and additional windows that bring in more light than you would fi nd in an older home.

A Clean SlateFor some buyers, parking the car in a

sparkling-clean garage or being the fi rst to cook a dinner in a brand-new kitchen is part of the appeal of new construc-tion. In addition, you won’t have to spend time stripping dated wallpaper or repainting to suit your own sense of style — creating your own home décor from the get-go!

The advantages of being the fi rst owner extend to the outdoors. Instead of inheriting inconveniently or precari-ously placed trees, or having to tear up overgrown shrubs, you can design and plant the lawn and garden you want.

Outlets, Outlets Everywhere Homes built in the 1960’s and ear-

lier were wired much diff erently than houses today. Builders had no way of anticipating the invention of high-defi -nition televisions, DVRs and computers that we enjoy today — and the very diff erent electrical requirements they would introduce. New homes can ac-commodate adva

nced technologies like structured wiring, security systems and sophis-ticated lighting plans, and can be tailored to meet the individual home owner’s needs.

Anyone who has ever lived in an older home can also attest to the fact that there are never enough outlets, inside or out! Today, home builders plan for the increased number and type of elec-tronics and appliances used by today’s families, so you can safely operate a wine cooler, Christmas lights and your laptop — and more.

BUYING: Home advantages FROM PAGE C10

ORBA HOSTED many offi cials during the 2018 calendar year as well as Kevin Brooks, when he was may-or-elect. Brooks pre-sented ORBA with a fl ag that hung over the Cap-itol in Nashville. From left are Charlotte Peak, Brooks and 2018 ORBA President Chad Dean.


We Feature Brand Names Such As: GE - DMP - ITI - DSC - Ademco & Others

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• Commercial Business Phone Systems

Steve Castello - Owner

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We Are This Area’s Only Locally Owned And

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Peaches SearlesPresident — 2014

John Proffi ttPresident — 2015

Chad DeanPresident

— 2017, 2018

Blake AllisonPresident— 2019


Past & PresentPresidents

IN THE SUMMER of 2018, the Governor Affairs chair for the Home Builders Association of Tennessee, Charlotte Peak, and HBAT’s director, John Proffi tt, were part of a delegation attending the summer meeting of the National Association of Home Builder members in Portland, Ore.

A DELEGATION from the Ocoee Region Builders Association traveled to Knoxville for the Home Builders Association of Tennessee installation. From left are HBAT President Jimmy Franks, Executive Offi -cer Susan Ritter, board member Lake Mantooth and. Charlotte Peak.

ORBA BOARD directors John Proffi tt, Charlotte Peak, Peaches Searles, Chad Dean and Dennis Epperson trav-eled to Destin, Fla., to attend the Home Build-ers Association of Ten-nessee summer meeting.

STATE FIRE Marshal Gary Farley and ORBA director Charlotte Peak attend the fall HBAT meeting.


A CUT ABOVE THE REST

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EQUAL HOUSINGOPPORTUNITY

Proud Member of

AT THE HBAT fall meeting were, from left, Dennis and Rhee Epperson and Brooke and Blake Allison.

ORBA DIRECTOR John Proffi tt and state Fire Marshal Gary Farley talk during the fall HBAT meeting, where relations are developed to

work together.

BELOW: Peaches Searles, Dennis Epperson, Blake Allison, Max Phillips, Chad Dean, Charlotte Peak and John Proffi tt attended the Fall Meeting of HBAT.

2017 HBAT President and 2006 and 2009 ORBA President Dennis Epperson was elected the 1st District Bradley County commissioner in 2018. He is shown after being sworn in. Epperson is accompanied by his wife, Rhee, and children Clint Epperson and Brook Allison.

PEACHES SEARLES, Mark McMIllen, Mr. and Mrs. Gary Farley, State Fire Marshal, Chad Dean, Den-nis Epperson, and HBAT President Jimmy Franks

REUSE THE NEWSRecycle this newspaper

CHARLOTTE PEAK poses with 2018 NAHB Pres-ident Randy Noel during the summer meeting of the Na-tional Association of Home Builders in Portland, Ore.

ON SITE DEVELOPMENT • Grinding • Excavation All types of site preparations from start to finish.

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TRIO RENTALS Carl Mashburn Construction has proudly served

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Last year, Epperson Homes LLC and Ocoee Region Builders As-sociation assisted the Cleveland Civitan Club in eff orts to improve the Civitan Inclusive Play-ground at Stuart Park.

In 1988, the Cleveland Civitan Club opened the Civitan Handi-Park at Stuart Park for children disabilities. The park did not have a restroom or pavilions. Major renova-tions and a name change were made in 2012, but no funds were available for restroom or pavilions.

The park and play-ground feature walkways and ramps which allow children in wheelchairs to access the playground equipment, meaning they can play more easily with their able-bodied peers. The park’s former re-stroom facility, however, was not ADA-compliant, and there was no other shelter onsite for those who might need a break from the weather. The previous restroom facili-ty, which was torn down last year, had also tended to experience damaging fl ooding during heavy rains.

Dennis Epperson of Epperson Homes de-scribed the new restroom facility as being “state-of-the-art,” with features like automatic lights and bathroom fi xtures. It was also built in a manner meant to prevent the fl ooding problems the old facility faced before.

“We are really excited about this development and are looking forward to everything being com-pleted,” Lee Tate, 2018 Civitan president, said. “We really have a heart for children with disabil-ities, and this is one piece of what we are doing to help them live good lives in our community.”

Stuart Park is currently the only park in Cleveland which has wheelchair-ac-cessible playground equipment.

During the celebra-tion of the new restroom facility being opened to the public, many guests spoke of how this and future changes to the park will benefi t many families.

Richelle Shelton, prin-cipal of George R. Stuart Elementary School, said the new restroom will also greatly benefi t the school’s students. While students use a school-owned fi eld for outdoor play, the school does not have a playground of its own. Instead, students and teachers walk to Stu-art Park.

“We are so grateful for this,” Shelton said. “It gets used every single day we are in school.”

The new restroom facil-ity is open now.

The in-kind donations to the park were made by Cleveland Survey-ing, B.J. Pendergrass (waterproofi ng); David Scoggins Excavation; Burns Ornamental Iron, machined-steel beam; Cleveland Plywood, roofi ng material; Reyes

Construction, truss, decking and shingles; Cleveland Aluminum, siding material; Dan Fin-ley of Tennessee Siding, siding and trim installa-tion; Drain Right Gutter-ing; Ferguson, plumbing fi xtures; T&M Electric, labor and material; Aff ordable HVAC Tanner Finnel, bath fan duct, thermostats and wiring; Ronnie Kidd insulation; Sherwin-Williams, paint; Marc Britt, painting labor; America Portables, Porta Pottie; and Whole-sale Supply.

JOEL JOHNSON, Brandon Maney and Jerry Franitza going over punch list.

BLAKE ALLISON and Dennis Epperson work on the Stuart Park restroom.

ANDY SCOGGINS and Jerry Harrison work on the Stuart Park state-of-the-art restroom facility.

EPPERSON HOMES LLC and Ocoee Region Builders Association assisted the Cleveland Civitan Club in building a state-of-the-art restroom facility for the disabled at Stuart Park

DENNIS EPPERSON cuts some lumber as he works on the restroom facility at Stuart Park.

CHAD DEAN and Charlotte Peak move some blocks as they work on the Stuart Park restroom facilities.

CHAD DEAN and Jerry Franitza work on the doors for the new restrooms at Stuart Park play-ground for handicapped children.

ORBA members help with new facilities at Stuart Park playground


“Let my experience go to work for you.”

DAVID MAY, REALTOR ®

Cell 423.421.8082 Office 423.303.1200 [email protected]

Each Keller Williams office is independently owned and operated.

EQUAL HOUSINGOPPORTUNITY

TN State Contractors License Commercial, Industrial, and Residential

www.KaceProperties.com423.667.5760

Keith Jones & Charlotte Peak

ProudMember of

6190 Georgetown Road NWMon.-Fri. 9 to 5

479-2847www.eppersonsjewelers.com

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479-4774

PROUD ORBA MEMBER

MIKE CRITTENDEN CONSTRUCTION

Residential/Commercial Locally Building Custom Home For 36 Years

Your Plans. Our Products. Quality Results.

Building Trust With Pros & Do-It-Yourselfers Since 1982

Proud to Be A Member Of

350 Moore Circle Road Charleston, TN 38310

Cell 423-595-6608 [email protected]

Mike Crittenden

General Contractor

SAVE MONEY! ADVANCED

ENERGY SERVICESHome Leakage Testing for

- Lower Utility Bills- Energy Code Compliance- More Comfortable Home

Call (423) 744-4808

THERESA DAVIS and Civitan President Lee Tate presented ORBA, Epperson Homes and Jerry Franitza with plaques thanking them for their leadership over the Civitan Restroom project. From left are Dennis Epperson, 2018 ORBA President Chad Dean, Davis, Tate and 2019 ORBA President Blake Allison.

DENNIS EPPERSON from Epperson Homes and Jerry Franitza look over plans.

BLAKE ALLISON and Chad Dean lift a truss for the framing crew.

CHARLOTTE PEAK, Dennis Epperson and Jerry Franitza take a short break.

SCOTT WILLIS and Michael Kitchens do some concrete work at the new restrooms.

PEACHES SEARLES donated the portable toilets for the build and also helped out by supervis-ing and cleaning up during ORBA work day. At left, Searles and Blake Allison do some cleaning up.

JOSH OWENS and Sergio Rodriguez install a new water fountain at the Civitan’s handicapped-ac-cessible playground at Stuart Park.


877.541.4542

We are proud members of

Tina Young, Amanda Nelson-Troyer, Pam Nelson, Samantha Jones and Dana Cole (left to right)

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Your hometown team for all your insurance needs.Your hometown team for all your insurance needs.Call us today for a free quote.Call us today for a free quote.

THE 2018 SPORTING Clay Shoot at Benton Sporting Clays was a success. Ocoee Region Builders Association had many members participate in the event. Luncheon sponsors were PPG and Bancorp-South Mortgage. The fi rst prize for the most clays was won by Alex Hooker. The event coordinator was Charles Blankinship.

Sporting Clay Shoot

Documents

‘Advocating for affordable housing for generations to come!’cdn3.creativecirclemedia.com/cleveland/files/... · 3/23/2019 · Greater Chattanooga associations. Brooke is a graduate