Local Media Enthused About HBA Parade of Homes

As anticipation for the 2010 HBA Parade of Homes built this week, local media outlets flocked to the major regional event. 

KOLR's Tom Trtan and Sonya Kullmann interviewed builders and promoters of the HBA Parade of Homes from inside Parade homes this week. Following is their live interview with Bob Fitzgerald. Bob and builder Kenny Bussell have three homes on the 2010 Parade:



KY3's Chad Plein reports that the 2010 HBA Parade of Homes in and around Springfield and Branson, Missouri has a more positive vibe going than in recent years. That is reflective of what is going on in the broader home building and housing marketplace: signs of recovery. Excitement surrounds the 2010 Parade, with something for everyone. And, if you've been thinking of buying or building a new home, there may be no better time to make your move than right now. You can watch that story here:

Here is a sampling of more of the coverage from Friday, June 18 (opening day of the 2010 HBA Parade of Homes):

Springfield News-Leader: Home buyers finding less can be more these days

Springfield Business Journal: Welcome to the 2010 Parade of Homes

KOLR / KSFX: Downsizing at Parade of Homes a 'Good Sign'

KSPR 33: Dream Home Builder Interview About Favorite Features of Home

On May 14, KSPR's Christine Daues interviewed HBA builder Jeff Fahrlander, Fahrlander Custom Homes, regarding his favorite features of the St. Jude Dream Home in Kelby Creek.



The St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway house will be open to the public every Saturday and Sunday from May 15 - June 20 (Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays, noon to 5 p.m.) Just for visiting the St. Jude Dream Home house you can register free to win $5,000 worth of furniture, courtesy of Ashley Furniture HomeStore. The home will also be featured in the HBA Parade of Homes and will be given away on June 27. Reserve your $100 ticket for a chance to win the beautiful house valued at approximately $385,000 by clicking here. Your donation helps critically ill children receive the care they need through St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

KOLR: Turnaround Expected in Ozarks Home Construction

The HBA conducted its first ever Ozarks Regional Housing & Construction Conference on May 11. KOLR's Brian Richardson covered the conference and the housing forecast data provided by MarketGraphics Research. To see the full story, you can visit KOLR's website by clicking here.

News-Leader: Nixa Voters Elect Clifton as Mayor

On Wednesday, April 7, the Springfield News-Leader featured a story regarding the outcome of Nixa's contested mayoral race. Nixa's new mayor and HBA builder member Sam Clifton of Millstone Homes was interviewed for the post-election story.

April 7, 2010
Nixa voters elect Clifton as mayor

Tara Muck
News-Leader

Nixa -- Voters in Nixa elected a new mayor on Tuesday.

With 46 percent of the votes, builder Sam Clifton defeated former Mayor Brian Hayes, Nixa Alderman Steve Tallaksen and former city employee Paul Mitchell.

Tallaksen and Mitchell received 16 percent and 9 percent of the vote, respectively.

Hayes, who was removed from office by the Nixa Board of Aldermen in February after pleading guilty to a drunken-driving charge, received 29 percent of the vote.

Several voters on Tuesday said Hayes' June 2008 arrest kept them from voting for him this year, even though some had voted for him in 2008.

Wayne Gale said the city needed a better role model.

"I think that a man that represents my city should not drink like the one who did before," Gale said. "If you can't give that up for my city, you shouldn't be mayor."

A majority of city aldermen agreed when they voted 4-2 to remove Hayes from office in February.

Hayes, who said he had no ill feelings toward the aldermen for their decision, continued his campaign to be re-elected, saying voters should decide whether he would continue as mayor.

On Tuesday night, Hayes said he wasn't surprised at the outcome but was happy with the turnout.

"I'm pleased, honestly, that I got 700 votes. I'm pleased with that," he said.

Hayes said he believes Clifton will be a good mayor and that it was a well-deserved win.

As mayor, Clifton will have the job of bringing the city back together after a tumultuous 12 months.

Residents have been concerned over recent incidents, including accusations that former employees bilked the city out of $750,000, that put Nixa in a spotlight they didn't want.

Clifton said it will take time to unite the community, but he said he'd like to see more citizens attend meetings and get to know what's going on in the city.

"I think you have to get the trust of the people, then get our citizens involved," he said. "Every positive step builds more positive influence in the city."