The figures are staggering. The loss of life. Families and lives torn apart. And all in a country where pain and suffering never seem to cease. Our hearts go out to the people of Haiti. Or should I call them “the survivors”? Damato of the Day Is … “Responding to Unimaginable Loss”

Leave it to the endlessly greedy NFL owners to pass on a great PR opportunity in favor of once again being perceived as a bunch of greedy bastards.

I could have titled this blog entry “The Friday From Hell,” but in spite of some nastiness it did not turn out all bad. Things started to go downhill as I was getting dressed for work and received a call from my office manager informing me that we were broken into around 4 a.m.

I do realize it is probably best that I stay away from politics in this blog, the same way as I try to avoid it in my daily life. Don’t get me wrong - I do not miss a chance to vote and support the things I feel are very important. 

Today’s assignment is to write features for an upcoming issue of Roofing Contractor about my recent trip to China and Vietnam. 

The lovely and talented Kay, queen of my life, likes to say, “Life is like a roll of toilet paper. It goes away faster as it gets closer to the end.” Well, guess my age is showing because 2009 just went by in what seemed like a flash. 

While I have made it a practice to make an entry to this blog every week, there have been none since the week before leaving on a journey to Vietnam and China. 

Several months ago I applied to join the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project. As part of the “2009 Mekong Build," the Carters will build homes in partnership with Habitat for Humanity International volunteers and families in five different countries.

Around this time in 2008 I was thinking 2009 was going to be a real bust; a rebuilding year at best and a real bear at worst. Well, we saw some of that and for some it was way better and for others it was way tougher. Now, looking ahead at 2010, I have a sense that the overall market is in for a tough winter with hope for real recovery in the construction industry beginning later in the year.

What follows is the letter (sent via email) to my county Planning Board and Commissioners. Omitted the county name. Where I happen to work and live is unimportant … all municipal entities that set the rules of home construction will have to deal with this. As I said in the earlier blog, if there is a response I will share it with you.