Thank you for your interest in CAM TECH School of Construction. We provide the latest contractor information right to your computer. You can learn all you need to know from our website at www.camtechschool.com and by visiting one of our Free Licensing Information Seminars. Need books? We have a full Construction Bookstore online! We will keep you updated on what you need to know as a Florida Contractor or Future Florida Contractor!

In this issue, we are including information about:

New State Application Information!

The State of Florida has recently changed the application to take the State exam.  You can obtain the new application form here or apply on-line at Professional Testing, Inc. .  The NEW fee for taking the State exam is $135 and is payable to Professional Testing, Inc.  The application is now only 2 pages long and is much simpler to complete.  NOW is the time to acquire your State Certified Contractor's license! 
Session II began in Tampa on May 12 and in Orlando and Ft. Myers on May 13, 2005.  If you only need to take the Technical portion of the exam, classes begin on June 4th in all three cities. Session III begins on September 9th in Tampa, Orlando and Ft. Myers and covers the October and December exams.
Please Note: The June exam sites are all full. The deadline for the August exam is July 8th. The deadline for the October exam is September 16th and for December it is November 18th.  Exam site seating is limited and meeting this deadline does not guarantee your admission to the exam. We recommend you apply as early as possible.

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" Life is like a book with many different chapters, some tell of tragedy and others of triumph. Some chapters are dull and ordinary, others intense and exciting. The key to being a success in life is to never stop on a difficult page, to never quit on a tough chapter. Champions have the courage to keep turning the pages because they know a better chapter lies ahead."
Author Unknown

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Classes for June,  August, October and December 2005 Exams

Classes for the June exams began in Tampa on May 12th and in Orlando and Ft. Myers on May 13th. Classes for the August exam are on August 6th (Business and Finance Special Review for ALL categories) and August 7th (Technical Review for Generals, Builders, Residentials, Air Conditioning A & B and Mechanical.) Classes for the October and December exams begin on September 9th in Tampa ,Orlando and Ft. Myers. You can print out a class schedule in our Schedule section, you can register for classes in the Register section, and you can purchase books in our online Bookstore!

" Feel free to tell yourself that you are the greatest of all. It's not being cocky; it's being your own motivator. No one in the entire world will audition to play that role except for you." Author Unknown

Sports In The News...

What's the latest on the Bucs? Gators?

Gas prices continue to drop
The average gasoline price nationwide for regular unleaded dropped more than six cents per gallon in two weeks, according to industry analyst Trilby Lundberg. Prices will likely continue to fall before leveling off, Lundberg said.
CNN

Design flaws can be major mold culprit
Proper cladding and flashing details, along with wall assemblies that will dry if exposed to moisture, are essential in keeping moisture -- and mold -- out of walls and roofs. Design is also important, and six common design flaws can be a recipe for moisture trouble. Builder Online

Energy company gets financing to transform manure into energy
Prometheus Energy, of Tukwila, Wash., has secured $8 million in financing to develop its technology to convert cow manure and trash into usable energy. The system transforms methane gas produced in cow pastures, landfills and coal mines into a substitute for diesel fuel. Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Shortage of tall tires could cause construction, mining slowdowns
A worldwide shortage of tall tires used for heavy machinery threatens to cause slowdowns in mining and construction industries. Demand is said to be exceeding supply of the tires, which can cost up to $40,000 each, due in part to increased construction and mining activity around the world and military equipment needs in Iraq and Afghanistan. USA TODAY

Mikrodigger gives user-friendly help on major highway expansion projects
The innovative Mikrodigger, a guidance depth monitoring system for excavators, has made its way to the U.S. from Europe and is helping with major highway expansion. The user-friendly technology was developed to be used with mobile machinery to cut rough grade and load trucks for haul-out of up to 550 tons, and it has been used on jobs like blasting out rock material on a large highway project in Norway. Associated Construction Publications

Playground cancer risk lowered with use of sealants
Following reports than arsenic-treated wood was found mostly in playground equipment and decks, government scientists found sealant works best to decrease cancer risks. Oil- and water-based sealants or stains are preferred to paints because they won't chip or flake, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. MSNBC/Associated Press

The world's most dangerous business destinations
Business travel can take executives near war zones or into the path of a disease outbreak. Forbes examines the most dangerous places in the world business travelers are likely to go and the steps they can take to protect themselves from harm. MSNBC/Forbes

INDEMNITY CLAUSES IN CONSTRUCTION
A recent case held that if the prime contractor tendered a claim to a subcontractor and the subcontractor did not defend it, and the prime contractor ended up defending the claim, the subcontractor would have to pay for that defense even though the subcontractor proves that the subcontractor was not negligent whatsoever.
Read This Article

Change Orders Aren't Claims
Mere submission of a proposed change order will not preserve your right to be paid for extra work, a federal court of appeals has ruled.
Read This Article

Study shows promising results for fuel cell use in forklifts
Recent successful field tests in Canada bode well for the future of hydrogen fuel cell technology in forklifts. In the study, fuel cell units ran longer and at a more consistent maximum power than batteries and took less time to refuel than it did to replace batteries. Logistics Today

Internet phone call service offers big savings for construction industry
A new method for making phone calls over the Internet, known as Voice over Internet Protocol, is being called a great fit for the construction industry. Experts say the technology can offer immediate benefits by cutting the costs of setting up phones at jobs and drastically reducing toll charges, since long distance calls can be placed over the Internet and dialed through routing sequences as if they were local calls. Engineering News-Record

Taxpayers in smaller markets pay much more for NFL stadiums
When it comes to negotiating a good stadium deal for an NFL team, smaller markets usually wind up having taxpayers foot much more of the bill, due to less leverage from deals with local TV and radio, suite sales and other factors. A review of financing for 10 recent stadiums found taxpayers in the five smaller markets paid more than 80% of the cost of new stadiums, while taxpayers in the five larger markets paid only 45% of the bill. The Denver Post

      " It is good to start doing things that you want to do, but then its better to start doing things that
                                                        you were meant to do."
                                                            Author Unknown

Base closures closely followed by construction industry
Many contracting firms are closely following the Defense Department's decision to close 33 large military bases, Engineering News-Record reports. Developers hope for DOD funds for environmental cleanup if the bases eventually change hands. The DOD hopes the closures eventually save $5.5 billion each year. Engineering News-Record