jwilsonri

UPDATE: Yesterday, Tom McCarthy from San Juan and several San Juan dealers from MA, Tom Straub from Viking and I went to the State House to lobby for passage of HB 4025. We didn't receive any opposition, but you never know with Massachusetts politics. A very big thank you and shout to them for working together to help pass this law. Individual commitment to a group effort - that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work. Vince Lombardi

Hello fellow fiberglass folks! Here in Massachusetts, it is illegal to transport pools over 14' wide on the highways. Efforts to have the DOT change the width restrictions failed, so we are focusing our efforts on the legislature and trying to have a new law enacted. This is House Bill 4025: Section 9 of chapter 90 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2006 Official Edition, is hereby 1 amended by adding the following paragraph:- One-piece swimming pools of 16 feet in width may be drawn on the highways of the commonwealth. On April 5, the Bill was reported favorably by the Transportation Committee and was referred to the House Committee On Steering, Policy and Scheduling. It is our goal to get the bill out of committee and on to the Floor for Vote before the summer recess. Clarance Kaye of Pioneer Valley Pool has been working on changing the law for some time. I just came on board last week to help in the effort. We are planning a letter writing campaign, email campaign and personally visiting the State House on April 28 and 29th to speak with the state representatives and ask for their vote in support of this measure. Dealers in Massachusetts feel the pinch every day having to use a tilt trailer to move over 14' wide pools. To my colleagues throughout the country, I pose this question to you: What if it was against the law to transport loads over 14' wide? How would that impact your business? Any comments from you all in this topic will help us immeasurably. **If you are a fiberglass dealer in MA, please contact Clarence Kaye at Pioneer Valley Pools (413) 221-8358 or pvfpools@comcast.net** He is spearheading our cause and will bring you up to speed in our endeavors. This is a link to all the members of House: http://www.mass.gov/legis/memmenuh.htm This is a link to all members in the Senate: http://www.mass.gov/legis/memmenus.htm This is a link to all members of the Legislature by City/Town: http://www.mass.gov/legis/city_town.htm For my part, I am working on the administrative side printing letters, mailings, emails and will be going with Clarence to the state house on the 28th and 29th of this month. I thank you for your comments, feedback and support! Hope you all have a super Spring and a better Summer! Julie Dugan Cherry Hill Pool & Spa Marketing & Sales Team julie@cherryhillpool.com (508) 248-0048 **Please use Fast Reply when posting to this topic so we don't get huge threads!**

Dear Fiberglass Pool Installers/Dealers/Manufacturers: What are the five most important questions a consumer should ask their pool company?

I am glad we had this discussion. We all think our pools are best and promote the brands we carry. But as members of the pool-buying public stop by our forum in their quest for knowledge and information, they can see that while we disagree on many things, we agree on how important it is to choose an experienced installer!

What is the most important element to a successful installation/happy client? Is the product put in the ground or the installer/builder who put it in the ground?

Thank you both for your replies. I am trying to learn about all aspects of the swimming industry and the types of pools. I will definitely spend some time on that link to your association. Thank you again and happy swimming! Julie

HI! Yes, I work for a fiberglass pool company, but I am trying to learn more about gunite pools. Can someone in the in ground pool industry explain to me what is gunite and shotcrete? Thanks!

Hello there! My name is Julie Dugan and I work for Cherry Hill Pool & Spa - we install Viking, CPC, Crystal Palace and Liberty Pools. I would be more than happy to speak with you at your convenience and help you with your swimming pool project. I live in Portsmouth, RI and plan on installing a Viking pool at my home within two years (Need to build my second floor first, otherwise pool would have already been installed) Yes, I sell these pools, but I am also the client care rep for Cherry Hill and have personally gone to the home of every client we have, photographed their pool and spoken with them about their experience. The testimonial page of our website (http://www.CherryHillPool.com/testimonials.html) is very telling and something our company is most proud of. To answer your question about the In-Floor - 99% of our clients choose that option. Yes, it is pricey, but in our client's words, not mine, it's the best decision they made...it makes their pool NO MAINTENANCE. In terms of your project, I would like to speak with you about what you envision your backyard to be. In terms of Social/recreation/fitness. I would like to help you. I spent all weekend at the Rhode Island Convention Center working the home show for Cherry Hill. One of my clients (http://www.cherryhillpool.com/gallery/pages/rennard.html) came by to say hello. This pool was installed in 2004 and they showed pictures of the projects they just completed: Enclosed kitchen and dining area, fireplace, TV, and more. (I will add those images to their slide show this week). But the greatest joy I had was listening to them talk to someone considering a Viking pool. They spent 30 minutes talking to complete strangers sharing their love of the pool (Viking Laguna model) and how positive their experience has been with Cherry Hill. We are not perfect, but we work REALLY REALLY hard to exceed our customers expectations. We believe in our pools, we stand by our work and at the end know we did our very best. Renovating your backyard is no different to renovating your kitchen or any other important room in your home. It's is a big project. If you would like to speak to me, my number is 401-487-9773 (cell) 508-248-0048 is my office. Good luck with your project and if I can be of any service, please let me know.

"Hold on there Julie....the only national award winning company in new england??..100% customer satisfaction??...Frankly, the only pool I have seen you recognized for in a national magazine was more about the stonework that was done around your pool( which a trained eye could see that was NOT LEVEL!!) so before you go tooting your horn on forum sites like this , you better be prepared to back all of that talk up. DO YOUR HOMEWORK CONSUMERS!!! Don't believe everything you hear on these sites, including what I say.. and always remember..."Free advice is only worth the price you pay for it" " Hey there Pool Dude - As a member of pool industry, you should know that green is not a good color for you.

Greetings Connecticut Families: