EMERGENCY AVERTED: APSP MEMBERS SAVE GEORGIA POOL SEASON
By now you’ve probably heard that on February 6, 2008, Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue, reversed the swimming pool ban, and eased some of the water restrictions while signing the state’s first water management plan. This follows the banning of all outdoor watering including swimming pools by the Georgia state legislature, in response to the area’s severe drought situation.
We wanted to give you a behind-the-scenes look at how that reversal was motivated by quick APSP action, and give you the opportunity to help assure a strong future for our industry.
This past fall, the Georgia state legislature banned the outdoor use of water, including filling swimming pools. As a pool professional, you can certainly understand that a permanent ban on water usage for swimming pools would have created a catastrophic situation for our industry.
Immediately, staff and members of APSP, America’s only national advocacy voice for the pool and spa industry, sprung into action. Following rounds of advisory phone calls, e-mails and meetings, APSP President and CEO Bill Weber and APSP Regional Manager Teresa Christmas joined with dedicated APSP builders, manufacturers, distributors and other members and worked with state officials to craft a win-win solution. Their efforts paid off: On February 6, 2008, Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue, reversed the swimming pool ban, and eased some of the water restrictions while signing the state’s first water management plan.
Through these efforts, APSP not only kept swimming pool facilities operating for thousands of children, it helped to protect the industry in the state from potential bankruptcy.
If you are currently an APSP member, we want to thank you for your support and for making this accomplishment possible. If you are not currently a member of APSP, please consider this triumph a prime example of how our industry becomes stronger and more effective when we speak with one voice. Join us now and help us make our industry more powerful and best positioned for success in the coming years.
Saving the Georgia pool industry from potential disaster is just one example of how APSP is working to protect your business and grow the pool, spa and hot tub industry. Membership in APSP holds many advantages and is crucial to your professional success!
If you’re not a member yet, visit www.APSP.org and click on Join Now for a membership application. You also can call Sarah Sebastian, (703) 838-0083 ext. 123, or e-mail Sarah at ssebastian@apsp.org, for membership information, or if you have other questions or concerns. Join now and count yourself among the professionals who work together to solve challenges to our industry. And please consider how much stronger we are when we stand together.
