You should never “lend” your contractors license to anyone, for any reason, ever. There are many good reasons for a contractor to have this “never lend” policy.

However, sometimes it can be advantageous for a contractor to pull a permit for someone else’s work. Like a homeowner installed his own main electrical panel and then he finds out that his city does not allow homeowners to obtain a “Homeowner’s Permit” for that job.

Without going into a lot of explanation, here is a form I made up a few years ago that has minimized my risk and maximized my profit in these situations. WARNING! Is this legal in your state? I’m not the guy who knows or is going to find out; that’s up to you. But, anyway, here’s the form:

I _____________________ am requesting that The Electric Connection

Print Name

obtain an electrical permit for electrical work located at

__________________________________________________________

Address City State Zip

I am aware that The Electric Connection did not perform this electrical work and is not responsible for any corrections or repairs required as a result of either the electrical work or the inspection of this work.

I am aware and agree that The Electric Connection is obtaining a permit for work that was done by others and that The Electric Connection is not responsible for the quality and/or safety of this work now or at any future time, and that The Electric Connection is not responsible for any present or future liabilities arising out any of the work covered under this permit.

For the sum of __________ plus the exact cost of the electrical permit, The Electric Connection will obtain an electrical permit for this electrical work. If the electrical work does not pass inspection, I may or may not choose to hire The Electric Connection to make any corrections necessary to bring the electrical work up to city/national electrical code standards as required by the electrical inspector.

If I choose to hire The Electric Connection to do this electrical work, I am aware that there will an additional charge for this work, and that this additional cost will be mutually agreed by myself and The Electric Connection before any work is started.

________________             ___________________ Signature                                    Date

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As part of our series on pop culture from 15 years ago – a continuing celebration of our 15th anniversary as Pegasus Lighting – here are 15 moments from March 1999 you may remember. Monica Lewinsky’s book on her affair with Bill Clinton goes on sale; the Dow Jones average beats 1000 for the first time; and The Matrix is released. Ah, the sweet 90s. Where were you?

1. Jar Jar Annoys Basically Everyone

At the Golden Raspberry Awards, better known as the Razzies, the award for Worst Supporting Actor went to Ahmed Best, who voiced the character Jar Jar Binks in STAR WARS: EPISODE 1, THE PHANTOM MENACE. Poor Jar Jar, you-sa not much appreciated by STAR WARS fans.

2. The Worst Picture of the Year

The Roth 401(k) combined elements of the Roth IRA and the traditional 401(k). In a traditional 401(k), you contribute income without paying taxes on it. You then pay taxes on the funds when you withdraw them during retirement. With the Roth 401(k), however, you pay the taxes upfront so that you can withdrawal funds tax-free during retirement.

 5. The Melissa Worm Attacks the Internet

At the end of March 1999, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed above the 10,000 mark at 10,006.78. This was unprecedented! People made “DOW 10,000” hats and celebrated. In hindsight, people wonder whether that day represented the peak of our economy’s health up to that point or the peak of market excess that was responsible for the economic instability of the 2000s.

7. You Are the One, Neo

Legendary film director Steven Spielberg was once again named Best Director at the Academy Awards for SAVING PRIVATE RYAN. In fact, the director of early 80s movies like E.T. was on a real tear, just coming off of the JURASSIC PARK series and SCHINDLER’S LIST. He continues to direct great movies today.

9. Roberto Begnigni Is Exuberant 

Roberto Benigni won Best Actor for his role in LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL at the 1999 Academy Awards. His reaction immediately became more popular that the movie itself. I’ll have a glass of whatever he’s drinking!

10. Gwyneth Wins Best Actress

SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE was the most awarded film of the night of the Academy Awards. Perhaps the most touching award acceptance, though, was Gwyneth Paltrow’s. Try to watch her acceptance speech without getting teary. I dare you.

11. Lewinsky Tells All

In March, 1999, The Supreme Court of the United States upheld the murder convictions of Timothy McVeigh for the Oklahoma City bombing, which left too many dead and wounded to even go into detail here. It was a tragic and totally unnecessary crime, and the Supreme Court decision echoed the feelings of many Americans.

14. Stanley Leaves Us

On the day after we lost Stanley Kubrick, we lost another beloved American hero, the legendary baseball player Joe DiMaggio. His death was caused by lung cancer. He was 84 and sure saw America from an interesting point of view. The loss of this former star was felt all over the nation.

It’s fun to think back to these moments in the popular culture of 1999, even though not everything that happened was happy. Most of us lived through all these events and remember them well. Come back next month to see what we resurrect next.

From a small storefront in New Jersey to 1800lighting.com around the world, Capitol Lighting remains committed to satisfying the illuminating needs of customers through personalized, professional service.  With extreme gratitude for trusted employees and a loyal customer base, we take a look back as we go forward to a brighter future for all…

• 1924:  An award-winning, family-owned retailing tradition begins January 24, 1924.  Capitol Lighting takes root as Ethel and Max Lebersfeld, recent immigrants from Austria-Hungary, open a lighting and home furnishings store on Prince Street in Newark, New Jersey.

• 1927:  Capitol Lighting moves to larger headquarters on Springfield Avenue in Newark.

• 1940:  Arthur Lebersfeld, son of Ethel and Max, conceptualizes a lighting store that is not only functional, but decorative as well.

Arthur’s keys to success:

– Delivering excellent service

– Maintaining a beautiful showroom

– Providing top quality merchandise at unbeatable prices

– Having well-trained, competent salespeople.

• 1960’s: Powered by the motto “The customer is always right,” the business continues to thrive; and Arthur and his wife, Rose, open more Capitol Lighting showrooms in New Jersey. Their sons, Herman and Max, follow in their parents’ footsteps and begin their professional careers with Capitol Lighting.

• 1967:  The largest lighting specialty store ever built, 60,000 square feet, opens its doors in East Hanover, New Jersey and Capitol Lighting becomes the most important retailer of lighting in the United States.

• 1980’s: Five generations later, Capitol Lighting remains a family owned and operated business committed to the time-honored traditions of delivering the finest in home lighting and accessories, the best prices, and providing outstanding service.

• 2000’s: Along with a committed staff of dedicated employees, Herman and Max Lebersfeld serve as Co Chairmen of the Board;  Herman’s sons, Ken and Eric as CEO and CFO respectively;  Max’s sons, Jason and Brian as Vice Presidents; and Daniel Silver, a member of the family’s fifth generation, starts his professional lighting career in Florida.

• 2011:  Capitol Lighting partners with Habitat for Humanity and HGTV star Rob Van Winkle (aka Vanilla Ice) to launch the “Making Lives Brighter” Campaign. The campaign continues to collect and donate lighting fixtures for new homes at Habitat for Humanity sites in New Jersey and South Florida.

• Today: With a strong commitment to customer satisfaction, the guaranteed best prices and an outstanding selection of home lighting products and decorative accessories, Capitol Lighting has earned numerous awards, including the prestigious ARTS award for “Best Lighting Showroom” in the East Atlantic and New Jersey Monthly magazine’s “Family Business of the Year” and “Best of New Jersey” for “Where to Shop for Lighting.”

Capitol Lighting remains a family-owned and operated business with a commitment to customer satisfaction, top-quality products and unbeatable prices.  To find the best prices on your personal lighting project or to request a quote for your next commercial lighting job, please visit Capitol Lighting at 1800lighting.com or call 1-800-544-4846.

Whether you are searching for custom designed chandeliers, top quality landscape lighting, or a complimentary and personalized lighting plan to showcase your entire home, professional lighting consultants at Capitol Lighting are here for you.

With eight lighting showrooms (four in New Jersey and four in Florida) and a worldwide website at 1800lighting.com, Capitol Lighting celebrates their 90th anniversary this year.  We thank our loyal customers. We will continue to provide the best value, most innovative lighting designs and your guaranteed satisfaction.