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Edited on Wed Sep-28-05 04:18 PM by xray s
The Chicago Tribune has been reporting on the huge orders for trailers FEMA has been placing, especially with a company named Gulf Stream Coach, Inc. There is a lot of concern FEMA is building trailer ghettos to house "those people". The article states this may have been a no bid contract. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0509280146sep28,1,5586622.storyTrailers flow from Indiana to Gulf Coast U.S. shelling out millions to shelter 600,000 victims By Andrew Martin Andrew Zajac and James Janega, Tribune staff reporters. Andrew Martin and Andrew Zajac reported from Washington, and James Janega reported from Indiana Published September 28, 2005 ELKHART, Ind. -- Four hundred squat white trailers sat on train cars in the Norfolk Southern rail yard Tuesday, waiting for the long trip to the Gulf of Mexico. In Nappanee, 15 miles away, 200 or more are produced each day. This is what $521 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency contracts looks like: Gulf Stream Coach Inc.'s bare bones Cavalier trailers. They have a steel chassis, a wood frame and white aluminum siding. There's a couch, a kitchen table, a three-burner stove, a double sink and a refrigerator. Each has an adult-size bed and a set of bunk beds, and they can be hooked up to air conditioning and sewer and water lines. A toilet, a shower, and a place to wash your face complete the unit.... "As fast as we can put them on there, they're moving them down there," said Gulf Stream marketing director Steven Lidy, watching the company's trailers being hitched for the ride to the rail yard Tuesday. The giant award to Gulf Stream for 50,000 housing units is part of unprecedented federal spending to answer one of the basic needs caused by the hurricane disasters of Katrina and Rita: providing an estimated 600,000 displaced people with housing. The trailers are emblematic of the scale and scope of the federal effort in the region. The spending is a window into the urgent, sometimes haphazard contracting process, much of it done with little or no competitive bidding, like Gulf Stream's contract. Now...the old cynic in me wondered if this was maybe some payback for previous political support. So, I did a little checking up on Gulf Stream Coach, Inc... http://www.gulfstreamcoach.com/aboutus.htmGulf Stream’s evolution into a world-class RV manufacturer is a success story that has revolutionized the RV industry. The company’s founder, James F. Shea Sr., was the driving force behind Gulf Stream’s growth. His vision, his courage and his drive to succeed drove Gulf Stream to become one of the top five RV manufacturers. His insight and innovation made Gulf Stream a leader, and we continue to lead the RV industry in innovative products. Mr. Shea’s philosophy has always been one of working hard but giving generously. Our continued success reflects this commitment to community, to the RV industry and to the Gulf Stream family. Today, Gulf Stream is the envy of other RV manufacturers with our focus on lean manufacturing principles, innovative products and a strong commitment to becoming the best RV manufacturer in the industry. The second generation has taken the reins and continues Mr.Shea’s vision and drive. James F. Shea, Sr. began as a successful attorney in Detroit, Michigan. After a client intrigued him with the possibilities of manufactured housing, he started Fairmont Homes in 1971 in an old sauerkraut factory. Fairmont Homes fashioned a contemporary look for their homes and a successful company was launched during an era when consumers balked at “luxury” purchases. 2003 - Gulf Stream/Fairmont today As the success of Fairmont Homes took off, Mr. Shea began thinking about entering into the RV industry. “RVs were really at their low point when we began talking about getting into the market,” says Brian Shea, now president of Gulf Stream’s motorized division. “It was suffering from high interest rates <18 to 20 percent> … so it was really a tough time. Where most people saw trouble, my dad saw opportunity. He knew how bright the industry could be,” says Brian. “He knew that the RV business is a cyclical business.” Then a funny thing happened—RVs got hot again and the success of Gulf Stream was launched. Mr. Shea first looked at acquiring existing companies, but instead chose to start from scratch by building new facilities and utilizing improved construction technology – in short, doing things his own way. After much thought and many long hours, a new RV company was launched, Gulf Stream Coach. The name was based on fishing trips taken with dealers to the Florida Keys, where they would bask in the tranquil Gulf Stream. Then, a quick click to opensecrets reveals this... http://www.opensecrets.org/indivs/search.asp?NumOfThou=0&txtName=shea&txtState=IN&txtZip=&txtEmploy=&txtCand=&txt2004=Y&txt2002=Y&Order=N SHEA MARGARET SOUTH BEND,IN 46614 FAIRMONT HOMES/DESIGNER 10/28/2002 $250 Burton, Dan SHEA, BRIAN MISHAWAKA,IN 46544 BEST EFFORT/BEST EFFORT 3/29/2002 $500 Chocola, Chris SHEA, BRIAN MISHAWAKA,IN 46544 BEST EFFORT/BEST EFFORT 5/1/2002 $500 Chocola, Chris Shea, Brian Mr Mishawaka,IN 46544 Fairmont Homes 8/27/2002 $1,000 Chocola, Chris SHEA, DANIEL MISHAWAKA,IN 46545 GULFSTREAM COACH/EXECUTIVE 4/30/2002 $1,000 Chocola, Chris SHEA, DANIEL MISHAWAKA,IN 46545 GULFSTREAM COACH/EXECUTIVE 4/30/2002 $1,000 Chocola, Chris SHEA, DANIEL G MR GRANGER,IN 46530 GULF STREAM COACH/PRESIDENT 10/25/2004 $500 Bush, George W SHEA, JAMES MISHAWAKA,IN 46544 FAIRMONT HOMES/VICE PRESIDENT 6/10/2003 $5,000 Indiana Republican State Central Cmte SHEA, JAMES MISHAWAKA,IN 46544 FAIRMONT HOMES/PRESIDENT 10/4/2003 $1,000 Chocola, Chris SHEA, JAMES MISHAWAKA,IN 46544 FAIRMONT HOMES/PRESIDENT 11/1/2004 $1,000 Chocola, Chris SHEA, JAMES MISHAWAKA,IN 46544 FAIRMONT HOMES INC./EX. COMM. CHAIR 3/12/2001 $1,000 Roukema, Marge SHEA, JAMES MISHAWAKA,IN 46544 FAIRMOUNT HOMES INC/BUSINESS EXECUT 4/11/2002 $1,000 Souder, Mark E SHEA, JAMES MISHAWAKA,IN 46544 FAIRMOUNT HOMES INC/BUSINESS EXECUT 4/11/2002 $1,000 Souder, Mark E SHEA, JAMES SOUTH BEND,IN 46614 FAIRMOUNT HOMES INC/BUSINESS EXECUT 4/30/2002 $1,000 Souder, Mark E SHEA, JAMES F MISHAWAKA,IN 46544 FAIRMONT HOMES/PRESIDENT 11/19/2001 $1,000 Chocola, Chris SHEA, JAMES F MISHAWAKA,IN 46544 FAIRMONT HOMES/PRESIDENT 3/21/2002 $1,000 Chocola, Chris SHEA, JAMES F MISHAWAKA,IN 46544 FAIRMONT HOMES INC./BUSINESS EXECUT 2/22/2001 $500 Ney, Bob SHEA, JAMES F MISHAWAKA,IN 46544 FAIRMONT HOMES INC./BUSINESS EXECUT 8/13/2001 $500 Ney, Bob Shea, James F Mr South Bend,IN 46614 retired 8/23/2002 $1,000 Chocola, Chris SHEA, JAMES FOSTER MR MISHAWAKA,IN 46544 FAIRMONT HOMES INC./BUSINESS EXECUT 11/1/2002 $2,500 National Republican Congressional Cmte SHEA, JAMES FOSTER MR MISHAWAKA,IN 46544 FAIRMONT HOMES/OWNER 9/11/2002 $500 American Liberty PAC SHEA, JAMES FRANKLIN NAPPANEE,IN 46550 FAIRMONT HOMES INC./BUSINESS EXECUT 11/5/2001 $500 Ney, Bob SHEA, JAMES SR SOUTH BEND,IN 46614 RETIRED/RETIRED 5/1/2002 $1,000 Chocola, Chris SHEA, MARGARET SOUTH BEND,IN 46614 FAIRMOUNT HOMES INC/INTERIOR DESIGN 4/30/2002 $1,000 Souder, Mark E |
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