Text Box: Post Script from the Executive Directors Desk. Text Box: NIDA is a joined group of OPE dealers who are working to improve the lot of the Independent Dealer. . Our Board of Directors is comprised of dealers who have put plenty of sweat equity in the business and know first hand what shops want and need in order to survive. NIDA is a non profit association with no paid employees. We volunteer because we firmly believe in betterment as well as survival of all dealerships in the industry. We subscribe to a code of honesty and integrity. Problems are faced and addressed respectfully and realistically seeking viable solutions for all involved. WE CARE AND WE TRY! Text Box: Another year is here and one more time a chance to achieve great things. How do you start out your year? Is it an “Oh my God hope there is not drought/hurricane/flood/famine/disaster to ruin me AGAIN!!” attitude? If that is the case you might do well with a bit of an attitude adjustment. No one has promised us a life without problems or ripples on the lake. Life is full of ups and downs. To my mind, it is exactly how we handle the ups and downs that is a measure of who we are. Case in point, our President, Terry Sharp facing death for close to a year fighting to save his Mom and keep his shop running. Not an easy task, but he kept sane and kept going and life smoothed out eventually. How true it is that situations that are survived make you so much stronger. I see that in Terry and am really proud of him. It would be truly foolish to not plan, watch finances, keep up with new engine or product information etc, etc. It would also be foolish to open the shop door thinking about the “idiots” who are going to come in and bother you with stupid questions. It is exactly those with stupid question!???! folks who cannot fix their equipment and who need our expertise (and pay us to do the repair)! I know first hand in the winter months I am sort of lonesome for my customers as it is so slow. Then in the Spring it is like Christmas for me to see them again and catch up on who did what, how the kids are etc etc. As for my attitude, I don't stand at the front of the line waving my hand asking for trials and tribulations to prove how tough I am. Now that would be very stupid wouldn’t it?. When it happens that ripples hit my lake so to speak I am ready to search for alternatives and ways to smooth the waters and make easy steady progress ahead. Truly it is an adventure. Thus I am ready for 2007. Expecting many great things to happen and eager for the season to begin in earnest. New year, new things and Yea Rah!, I made it here yet one more time. Damn the torpedoes full speed ahead as my Dad (retired Navy Captain) would always say. Melinda Delgado director@nidausa.net Text Box: Quote of the month From NIDA member: Text Box: Phone: 601-847-6276 Fax: 832-626-4134 E-mail: director@nidausa.net Text Box: NOTE NEW ADDRESS 5719 Pepper Ridge Rd. Jackson, MS 39211-3125

Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you,

Jesus Christ and the American G.I.

One died for your soul, the other for your freedom