Message from LeDuc & Dexter

Our monthly newsletter is an opportunity to share information, education and promote our industry and customers. We feel that it is beneficial to provide a profile of the working relationships we enjoy with our customers and help to build new relationships for all of us in the construction industry. Bookmark our web site at www.leducanddexterplumbing.com and click on Subscribe to our Monthly Newsletter, then fill in name and e-mail address and that's it!
 

Centennial Homes & Red Tail Estates	RESIDENTIAL

Centennial Homes, a growing development company based in Novato, California, is in the midst of building a 15 luxury home development called Red Tail Estates in Santa Rosa. Seven homes are under construction now. The development is located on Highway 12 across from Skyhawk.

One of the 7 luxury homes now under construction at Red Tail Estates. (click image to enlarge)   Many of the homes at Red Tail Estates have large lots and all of the homes have picturesque views. (click image to enlarge) The 8 homes remaining to be built at Red Tail Estates will enjoy this view near Annadel State Park. (click image to enlarge)

Red Tail Estates consists of luxury ranch-style homes that range in size from 2500 to 3760 square feet with lot sizes up to ½ acre. There are 5 floor plans that vary in size from 3-bedroom homes to 6-bedroom homes with 3-car garages attached to the larger homes. The homes are priced in the range of $600,000 to $900,000.

Red Tail Estates is surrounded by views of rolling hill including Annadel State Park on the west side of the development where the remaining 8 homes will be built. A low sound wall constructed along Highway 12 with tasteful landscaping in front of it blocks out traffic sound to give the development a quiet and serene atmosphere.

Dale Swift of LeDuc & Dexter checks the MANOBLOC, which controls shut-offs for water in the home. Vanguard piping is color coded, red for hot water and blue for cold water. (click image to enlarge)

This is the first time that Centennial Homes, which was founded 12 years ago, has worked with LeDuc & Dexter. A spokesman for Centennial Homes stated that, "LeDuc & Dexter has been great to work with. Jim Kempers has done everything he said he would do."

Centennial Homes Superintendent Tom Incaudo, who has been in the construction industry for 20 years says, "LeDuc & Dexter is doing a fantastic job." Incaudo also had this to say about LeDuc & Dexter's lead plumber Dale Swift, " He's a true, top notch plumber. I'm really happy to have him on this job." LeDuc & Dexter is installing Vanguard piping at Red Tail Estates.

Centennial Homes has recently built other developments in Sonoma County including Peach Court in Santa Rosa and Meadowlark Village, located on Marlow Road in Santa Rosa. Phase 1 of Meadowlark Village is completed with phase 2 and 3 scheduled to be built in the future. Meadowlark Village homes are priced in the $400,000 range.
 

Infineon Raceway's South Tenant Shops	COMMERCIAL

When you think of Infineon Raceway you probably think of NASCAR racing, drag strip racing, motorcycles and even karting. But what about the companies that support the racing world with services, gadgets, supplies and all the stuff that helps to keep the racing world going from behind the scenes. Where are they when you need them? Many of them are literally behind the scenes and the hills at Infineon Raceway. You can find them by driving up the road behind the new administration building to Infineon Raceway's South Tenant Shops.

The shell for Building L at the South Tenant Shops area of Infineon Raceway is 53,000 square feet in size. (click image to enlarge)

Hidden behind the hills from the normal race fan's line of sight are companies that all fit one criterion, they are all racing related companies. There are 3 main buildings. Building M houses the NASCAR kitchen and NASCAR maintenance unit along with Russell Karting. Across the way in Building K is a row of shops and businesses like Flying Lizards Motorsports, a new race team based at Infineon Raceway, which will run two Porche 911 GT3 RSR cars on the full American Le Mans Series in 2004.

LeDuc & Dexter did the tenant improvements for Flying Lizards Motorsports as well as the plumbing for the construction of the NASCAR kitchen and shell for Building M. LeDuc & Dexter has had a long relationship at Infineon Raceway working with Jere Starks, V.P. of Facilities and Construction. LeDuc & Dexter has also worked on the grandstand expansion project that includes luxury boxes and press boxes with concession stands and restrooms.

LeDuc & Dexter will be installing this copper water pipe for the building shell built by Soule Building Systems. (click image to enlarge)

Construction is now underway on Building L, a 53,000 square foot structure, which is flanked by Buildings M and K. Like the other buildings, Building L will house racing related companies. Soule Building Systems is constructing the steel shell. LeDuc & Dexter has completed the under slab plumbing.

LeDuc & Dexter also recently completed the plumbing for Building B, situated near the racing track, which houses a medical emergency center and NASCAR drivers meeting room.

Along with the main events at Infineon Raceway, there is an expanding infrastructure that supports it and LeDuc & Dexter is very pleased to be a part of it.
 

Constructive Politics	THE INDUSTRY

One of the factors that can lend to an unfriendly business climate is a lack of representation in elected government officials. In the past the North Coast Builders Exchange has interviewed local candidates before North Bay elections and supported candidates that seemed most likely to support them in key issues affecting the construction industry. "When we did that we never seemed to get the support we needed," says Tom LeDuc , current President of the NCBE. "We need help with local issues and we definitely need help with bigger issues like Workers' Comp."

NCBE President Tom LeDuc (l) and NCBE Government Affairs Chairman John Bly present Allan Zaremberg, President of the California Chamber of Commerce with a "NCBE Workers' Comp Warrior" plaque in Sacramento. (click image to enlarge)

The NCBE has changed its strategy. Instead of concentrating their efforts and giving their support to North Bay candidates, who have given little attention to the construction industry, the NCBE is now donating their PAC (Political Action Committee) money to the California Chamber of Commerce. The CCC is the largest, broad-based business advocate working at the state and federal level to influence government action.

With the PAC money that the CCC receives from business groups like the NCBE, they donate support to business friendly candidates in other state counties and areas where the candidate has a chance to win their seat in government. This gives businesses and business groups in California more representation and clout in state issues voted on by the state legislature.

"The California Chamber can help us with the big issues like Workers' Compensation Insurance because it's a statewide issue. If we support a candidate like State Senator Charles Poochigian from Fresno he can help us," says LeDuc.

California State Senator Charles Poochigian from Fresno proudly displays the plaque he received for his work to lower Workers' Comp premiums. (click image to enlarge)

Poochigian has been helping all state businesses with a tireless effort to help reduce Workers' Comp premiums. On January 13^th the NCBE sent a group of 30 people to Sacramento to present Poochigian and California Chamber of Commerce President Allan Zaremberg with plaques honoring them as "NCBE Workers' Comp Warriors".

President Tom LeDuc was one of the NCBE members to make the trip and meet the two men, "I was really impressed with them and the work they have been doing", said LeDuc. Chances are if you asked Poochigian and Zaremberg about the NCBE they would say they are also impressed.