The Dirt - October

OCTOBER 2018
Building Better Communities

12 | Photo Spread MONTHLY COMMUNICATOR
20 | Wellness
22 | Give 'Em The Pickle

Holiday Schedule • New Year’s Day: January 1, 2019 - Unpaid Day Off
Emergency repair and snowplow crews will remain on-call
during Holiday Schedule. • Good Friday: April 19, 2019 - Off At Noon
• Thanksgiving: November 22, 2018 - Paid Day Off • Memorial Day: May 27, 2019 - Paid Day Off

• After Thanksgiving: November 23, 2018 - Unpaid Day Off • Independence Day: July 4, 2019 - Paid Day Off
• Company Picnic: July 27, 2019 -11 am - 4 pm (Unpaid Day
• Christmas Eve Day: December 24, 2018 - Unpaid Day Off Off - Schedule Permitting)

• Christmas Day: December 25, 2018 - Paid Day Off • Labor Day: September 2, 2019 - Paid Day Off

• New Year’s Day Eve: December 31, 2018 - Unpaid Day Off

HAPPY BIRTHDAoYctober 2248 RODNEY JACKSON 9-Oct 1729 RYAN WURTZ 22-Oct
1403 STEVEN VERMEESCH 11-Oct 2228 JEREMIAH JEWETT 22-Oct
913 PAULA SAXTON 2-Oct 1006 GARY DUFF 11-Oct 936 DOUGLAS DUVALL 23-Oct
305 SCOTT GROESSER 2-Oct 269 TONI HENDRIX 12-Oct 1742 PETER BOOKLESS 23-Oct
1829 BRADLEY NICHOLS 4-Oct 1645 PAUL WILCOXEN 12-Oct 1373 JOHN WILDFONG 23-Oct
1194 JOSEPH RANDALL 5-Oct 2255 ERIKA PASQUINO 12-Oct 1989 ANDREW DAHL 23-Oct
433 ROBERT BLONSHINE 5-Oct 32 MAX BOTT 13-Oct 2245 TROY MAGNUS 23-Oct
996 CRAIG COOK 6-Oct 1536 MICHAEL ROULEAU 13-Oct 1249 HEATHER HOXSIE 24-Oct
1444 JOHN ZUIDERSMA 6-Oct 1970 JASON WANT 17-Oct 1853 JESSE HENDRICKS 24-Oct
948 RICHARD MORSE 7-Oct 2268 THOMAS CAREY 17-Oct 111 JOSEPH SOVIS 25-Oct
732 KEVIN SPIERLING 7-Oct 1246 ANDREW OCKO 20-Oct 1625 WALTER PEER 26-Oct
1610 BRANDON HATCH 8-Oct 1409 DAVID NICHOLS 20-Oct 26 TODD BROAD 27-Oct
2097 ALAN ANDERSEN 8-Oct 1132 JOSEPH MCRANNOLDS 21-Oct 2198 DAVID WONSEY 27-Oct
2033 THOMAS VOTRUBA 21-Oct 1437 DANIEL MATZNICK 28-Oct
2332 ADAM MONROE 21-Oct 129 STEVEN ENDRES 29-Oct
1740 MARK STORCH 22-Oct 1814 CODY MORRIS 29-Oct
1809 JOSHUA SMITH 22-Oct 2123 HOWARD SCHAUB 31-Oct

BUILDING BETTER COMMUNITIES SINCE 1956 THIS ISSUE 14 > Safety
Esphalt™ • Excavation • Concrete • Cranes 15 > Project of the Month
3 > President 16 > Cranes/Rigging
4 > Aggregates 17 > Trucking
5 > Communications 18 > Chaplain's Corner
6 > Human Resources 19 > Mechanics
8 > TC Excavation 20 > Wellness
9 > Hillman 22 > Pickle
10 > Concrete
11 > Asphalt
12 > Photos

Walk In Faith the paving crews for adjusting to the rain days and the
schedule for US-131. Looking like only 5 mainline days
Wow! The youth hunt is over already left! Way to go, everyone! Thanks to all involved to make
and now we’re counting down the days it happen!
until we get in there and vote! Things
are moving along at a rapid rate! Make Concrete is flying with the year wrapping up. Thanks
sure you get a chance to enjoy the great to all in the shops who keep us serviced, running, and
weather and fall colors in this beautiful productive. What you do daily is not only helpful, it’s
area we live in! awesome. Thank you. Thanks to all the spouses and
families at home for sharing your loved ones and putting
Hopefully by this time next month, Morton will be breaking up with the “season." It won’t be long now!
ground in the theater property here in TC on Barry’s Barn.
We tackled the muck hole, and see why Dad covered While God doesn’t require us to be “experts” in the ways
it up! 20-20 hindsight has us thinking maybe we should we tend to expect, He does ask us to be humbly willing
have stayed with that…  But the weather held off and to stand up for what we believe. God instructs us to teach
we are headed in the right direction now. We hope to get His Word to coming generations (see Deuteronomy
ZBA approval next month in Petoskey for the Daniels 11:19). You don’t have to be perfect. You don’t have to
property to move the scale house and start cleaning up have all the answers. You just have to walk in faith, and
the property. share “the reason for the hope that is in you” (1 Peter
3:15).
Thanks to you we are seen in action all over the state,
even on an island! With projects in Roscommon, the Until next month, stay safe and God Bless.
Sault, South Manitou Island, Petoskey, Muskegon, and all
points in between, you guys have it covered from coast to –Troy
coast. We are getting great feedback from many areas,
including some areas that are top secret… …shhhhh. 3

It’s another great day and we still have lots of Snickers
left. Way to go to get it done with a positive attitude.
Everyone seems to be doing great as we are wrapping
up for the year. Still trying to make time for those family
priorities? Keep working towards that. Thanks to all

Aggregates

We'll Take the Work! Hersha has been steady with sales and the new Esphalt
has been great for the trucks in and out.
Well, would you look at that…Hell
froze over and I was there to see it. We are trying to get up to Petoskey this month to get
some materials stocked up in the Daniels pit.
If you weren’t there to see it, the
Lions went into Ford Field and put Tad and crew are at M-72 making gravel and headed
a whipping on the New England to Nickerson, then off to Benzie County, followed by the
Patriots….ooh, and BAD! Three first Daniels pit, then to Boyne Falls, then to Charlevoix, then I
downs in the first half for the Pats… I believe into infinity.
know, I know, the Pats, NOT THE LIONS….  I’ve never
seen anything like it. I may never again see anything like So, yes, just saying that we have plenty to do for the rest
it in my lifetime ever again. Better get your Super Bowl of the year and well into spring. Sounds good! We’ll take
tickets now while they are still available! it!

I do believe it helped the Lions with us there. Thanks for Have a great day. Be safe and SMILE.
taking me, Tyler.
– Grandpa Todd
We are pushing hard and still running out of materials.
We hope to get things piled back up soon.

The Alpena crew has been experiencing some
mechanical issues with a gremlin, but think they have it
nailed down as to the cause.

Joel is moving into the yard for a while and then to the
Thompson pit to screen for Benzie County. We are
splitting up the recycle crew to try and hit a few more
plants as soon as possible before weather gets too bad.
Thanks for working hard and getting the job done.
M-72 and Hulbert are doing great keeping up with
demand. Nice job, everyone!

Jim Carey, we have plenty to haul in to the plants if you
have trucks...

4

Communications

Christmas On My Mind IMPORTANT DATES
Mark your calendars!
Ah, the time of fall. Pumpkin carving, • Year-end plant tours will be Monday, December
pumpkin donuts, Halloween, and
the time when we start to think 3, and Tuesday, December 4. Check with your
about Christmas in the office! Yes, dispatcher for details.
Christmas! Year-end plant tours, meat • We are blessed to have meat packages again this
packages, 20-year inductee dinners, year. Make room in the freezer!
and donations to your favorite charity. • The annual Foreman Thank You Dinner will be
Hard to believe 11 more Saturdays until Thursday, December 6, 2018.
Christmas morning; I love it! • Our Traverse City Employee Christmas Open House
will be Friday, December 14, 2018.
20-YEAR INDUCTEES
Congratulations to our 20 year inductees this year: Whew! Did I get it all?
Carl Christianson, Justin Kelenske, Jim Harris, Jason
Ruppert, and our first out of town 20-year inductee, Carl YOUR SUGGESTIONS NEEDED
Jans. Yes, it’s been 20 years already that we branched But wait, there’s more! All plants last year donated
out into Manistee. Time passes so quickly! Inductees, $1,000 to help non-profits in their area. If you have a
we appreciate your attention to detail and thank you for favorite non-profit that you volunteer for or like what
being our guiding compass for the last two decades. they do, please let your dispatcher know. We’d love to
Congratulations, Vic Kiessel, on celebrating 30 years with hear your suggestions. Funds will be donated by the
Team Elmer’s this year. Way to go, Vic! dispatcher to the local non-profits in December.

Invitations are being sent to our new inductees and to Until next month, be the change you want to see in
our 20+ veterans for an evening at Boone’s Long Lake
Inn on October 28, 2018 at 5:30 pm for dinner, our treat. the world. – Tonya
This will be a time to look back, reflect, and enjoy the
company of many who have made Team Elmer’s what it
is today, an extended family that builds our communities.

FOLLOW TEAM ELMER’S!

5

Human Cindy Karker - pictured middle
Resources 231-943-5544 Ph•[email protected]

Jennifer Flick - pictured left
231-943-5533•[email protected]

Kelsey Baker - pictured right
231-943-5577•[email protected]

New Hires Employee Forms on the end of the season in November. If
Website you have any questions or did not
Please welcome the following new receive the survey via email, please
employees to Team Elmer’s! Please check out Elmer’s website at contact Jennifer Flick at 231-943-5533
Adam Monroe - RediMix Driver Mt. Pleasant www.teamelmers.com to download or [email protected].
Brian Hofmann - RediMix Driver Oscoda available employee forms.
Melvin Davis - RediMix Driver Ludington • Click the Staff tab on the home Lay-Off Time
Joshua Hoffman - Equipment Operator Yard TC
Leland Sandow - RediMix Driver Tri-City page It is time to start thinking about layoffs
Ersie Schmidt - Transfer Driver Traverse City • Sign in using the information for 2018.
Christopher Downes - RediMix Driver Omer Here are some things you can expect:
Jason Lombard - Welder below: • Unemployment sign-up information
Andre Moraga - Equipment Operator Dirt TC Username: staff
Password: c0ncr3t3 will be mailed to your home address
• Click Payroll & Benefits icon this month.
• Click HR Employee Forms • COBRA information with rates on
what you can expect to pay during
graphic layoff for your Elmer’s medical
benefits for you and/or your
New Hire Survey • family based on years of service
(this does not affect employees
Just a reminder to all new employees on reduced hours or Elmer’s snow
that have completed 30-90 days of plow crews).
employment. A New Hire Survey was • Returning all CINTAS rental
emailed to you and we really look for- uniforms for count and laundered
ward to your feedback. Please take a while on lay off.
moment to complete the short survey
and enter for a chance to win a $100
gift card, which will be drawn closer to

Career Opportunities!

Job openings are online – encourage those interested to apply today! We need laborers,
operators, truck drivers, and ready mix truck drivers. It's fast and easy to apply to multiple
openings at once. Visit www.teamelmers.com/careers.

6

Medical/Dental/RX Benefits Monthly Cost
Less Than 1 Year of Service
Layoffs during the benefit plan year are considered
a qualified COBRA event and are subject to the Plan Type Wellness Non-Wellness
fee schedule below. Single $240.69 $343.84

• These monthly amounts are based on years of 2 Person $579.83 $786.13
service completed prior to your lay off date. Family $807.30 $1,013.60

• The plan type will be the same plan you Monthly Cost
selected during enrollment. 1-9 Years of Service

• You will receive your COBRA packet from Plan Type Wellness Non-Wellness
44North Benefit Consulting Group with Single $34.38 $137.54
instructions on how to continue your group 2 Person
health benefits during lay off. Family $78.61 $284.92

Elmer’s wants every employee to maintain health $101.36 $307.67
coverage during lay off and understands that the
monthly COBRA cost can be unreasonable for Monthly Cost
some of our employees. There are other health 10+ Years of Service
care solutions available. Please contact Cindy in
Human Resources for more information. Plan Type Wellness Non-Wellness
Single $0 $103.15
If an employee does not return to employment 2 Person
with Team Elmer's when recalled following a Family $0 $206.31
winter lay off, these rates do not apply. The
employee is required to re-pay the amount of
company paid-coverage (Monthly Cost under 1
Year of Service) during the lay off period.

$0 $206.31

NEWBORN ANNOUNCEMENTS!

Dalton and Anna Fitzsimons welcomed a
son on September 26th - Colt Jameson
was 8lb 14oz, 20 inches long. Dalton is a
truck driver in Traverse City.

7

Excavation

The Home Stretch Conception, and we’ll be back next week at Hobby Lobby
finishing walks and pavement around the building.
The dropping temperatures have made work
a little more comfortable and the recent Snowplowing will be next. We are still formulating plowing crews.
rain showers have made all the grass seed Get with me if you want to work this winter.
Bones and crew have sown really take off.
We have all of the work we can handle for We are in the home stretch and have a lot of work to finish before
this fall and we’re only looking at work that winter. Hang in there. You’ve been doing an incredible job so far
can be done in the spring. and the community has noticed. Thanks for being awesome!

We currently have crews working on 17 different projects; no Until next month, keep calm and dig on.
wonder the yard is empty. We have equipment scattered all over
northern Michigan. Only 7 weeks to deer season and then only – Max
another 4 to 6 weeks of work after that, right? Just kidding, we
do have work that can be done well
into December, weather permitting, of
course.

We finished some large projects last
month including the Filer Township
sewer project and the South Manitou
shoreline work. We also started and
finished another job for the Little River
Band at the daycare facility and the
demolition at the Breakwater project
on Garland Street. We are within a
week of wrapping up the Kalkaska
Memorial Health Center project for
this season and the dock work at the
NMC Maritime Campus.

Crews continue on the Traverse City Sidewalks project
and Traverse City Street Preservation project, Platte
Lake Campground, the dock at Loon Lake, Beulah Water
Improvements, and sheet piling at Lake Kathleen. We started
a water main project in Buckley, the 8th Street Alley, Town
& Country Mobile Home Park, demolition at Immaculate

8

Hillman Report

From the Sunrise Side I’d like to extend another big THANK YOU to Al Schofield who
bore the brunt of the majority of the McLaren changes and
Fall is in full swing now. The hunting did a great job! The biggest triumph is the fact there were no
seasons are underway, the autumn leaves accidents, personal injuries, or OSHA violations! When doing a
are glowing, crop harvesting has begun, job of this magnitude while being in the public eye and under the
and, of course, there’s the Lions eternal scrutiny of so many entities including the hospital, the City, the
struggle to play football, let alone win a engineers and the construction managers, and to complete on
game. I spend all week trying to keep budget, on time with no major accidents or issues, I would say it
everybody positive and in a good mood was a huge success! Nice work to all of you involved!
and then they go and watch the Lions on Sunday and my
motivational speaking job has to start all over again on Monday. Trucking and the quarry are very busy right now but I must
No worries…every team has a bad…decade…or...two.  say, both Dave and Tim are actually approachable, which
Wait, what happened? The Lions won! Things could be looking is uncommon for this time of year.  I’m not sure if their
up after all. good moods are because the workload is manageable, if

As I mentioned last month, we had 58% of our workload to they are getting good at hiding
complete with only 25% of the their frustrations, or if it’s all of
season remaining. Well, we’re the Snickers bars that Troy keeps
starting to get that in check now sending over. 
as the crews are cranking through
the projects! We have completed Just a heads up. The next newsletter
Bloom Road, F-41, the 9-Mile Road article I write I will be using that
box culvert in the UP, Lumsden four-letter word….SNOW …yes, it’s
Way in the Soo, and MOA Landfill. coming. Speaking of cold weather,
Roscommon and Elk Rapids are make sure you start cleaning the
getting close to completion as is the tracks on the equipment at night as
Lake Kathleen Dam project. things are going to start freezing.

I’m glad and a little sad to announce Quote of the Month
that we are done at McLaren Hospital Every job is a self portrait of the person
in Petoskey. After two years of hurry- who does it. Autograph your work with
up-we-need-this-done to wait-you- excellence.
can’t-do-this-now, to constructing
a 26.5’ deep sewer, dealing with – Author Unknown
traffic and the general public, the project was challenging, to
say the least. We overcame many obstacles and celebrated Until next month, work hard, be safe, and have fun!
many triumphs! A big THANK YOU to Mr. Crane for all of the
countless hours dealing with the strategic scheduling, all of the – Mike
meetings, and dealing with constant change!

9

Concrete

What’s In The Mix? Beaverton is cooking on St. Gobain while Kevin is working
on his French in Canada.
Color change is on its way! This is one
of my favorite months for the fact of Omer is finishing AutoZone in Tawas with Oscoda while
good working weather and Halloween. Oscoda also has US 23 to finish, if the contractors can get
How often do you get to be anyone you back to work.
want to be for a day? Well, I guess that
is every day if you work hard enough… All together we have a good fall season started. We are
lucky to have work to do and the chops to take a bite of
Here is a glimpse of some of our workload. This doesn’t the elephant each day!
touch on the residential work that we have or what we call
“everyday” work. Many plants are putting in residential If it can’t be done safely, find another way to get it
foundations, flatwork, and driveways daily. That market done.
seems to be consistent.
– jason
We started Blain’s Farm & Fleet in Traverse City. It is a
close job and will be a nice fall project.

Ludington is finishing up the Baldwin Waste Water Plant,
working on the Ludington substation with MJ Electric.

Manistee is starting the Little River Elder Housing job,
Manistee Storage Units, and Portage Lake Revetment.

White Cloud has a bridge to get rolling on if operators
come back, along with a stronger everyday work load.
They also have nice new paint on their silos; looking
sharp!

The Tri City crew is working at Dow and we have a nice
Menard’s job lined up.

Mt. Pleasant is working with MJ Electric at Regal-
Summerton Foundations and they’re still working at
Mibelloon Dairy.

10

Asphalt

Paving The Way weather and shortened daylight.

October already!?!?! Where did Please start thinking about next year for any equipment
our summer go? repairs needed. The mechanic shop really needs that
information. Keep thinking, too, about things we can do
I can’t believe we are in the final differently to make it all go better each and every day.
push of our season already. It
has been a great season with Thanks again for all your efforts.
weather, schedule, and quality of
work we have produced. Thanks Until next month, stay safe.
for working so diligently this
summer. Now it’s time for fall color tours and football. – Brian

Our fall schedule is loaded right up to the gills with the
usual last minute projects trying
to be completed prior to winter
arriving. The US 131 mill and fill
project from Kalkaska to Alba is
in the final stages and should be
wrapped up by the end of this week.
This project was the longest job that
MDOT had this year and we were
fortunate enough build it for them.

We are working very hard to
complete jobs that are far away and
get our crews closer to home so
that weather and short days don’t
slow us down as much. We have a
few streets to wrap up yet as the City of Traverse City’s
pavement preservation for this year keeps us close to
home. We have parking lots and driveways to try to build
if the weather will allow.

I know it’s not easy to pave in the weather that is coming.
Thanks to all for braving the next month and a half of

11

Alpena Quarry Sidewalk Repair
Traverse City, MI
Water System Installment
Beulah, MI House Lift
12 Alden, MI

City Sidewalks Project
Traverse City, MI

Lake Kathleen Dam
Pellston, MI

House Lift
Alden, MI

Alpena Quarry Finished Shoreline
South Manitou Island, MI
Lake Kathleen Dam Removal
Pellston, MI 13

m Removal

Hillman Office
Shoreline Work
South Manitou Island, MI

Safety

Happy fall, everybody! • A 34 year old man died from a heat related heart attack as
he was mowing his yard.
Let’s make that Happy
Autumn and leave the ‘F’ • A 6 year old boy died when he dug into a wasp nest in the
word out of any Safety ground and was stung in excess of 100 times.
newsletter. Hey, now, F as
in if you fall, how could the These are terrible stories relating to common every day routine
incident have been prevented had you been keeping safety front tasks we are all familiar with. With the exception of the 6 year
of mind?  old, the others had experience doing what they were doing, but
that didn’t help. No bells or whistles sounded as warnings to
Time to remind ourselves again to be aware of the dangers we them before their incidents took place. Everything we do requires
face each morning and evening when driving in the dark; the our intentional safe behaviors and activities. NO EXCUSES.
school children and their buses, wildlife making their way across
the roads, maybe debris blown It’s been said, “When we fail to plan, we plan to fail.” Consider all
into the road by an overnight the risks associated with any task
storm, and those unexpected you are doing before you begin!
icy spots in the not too distant
future. If you are required to have a
Medical Examiner’s Certificate for
Whether you click it before you your license, YOU are responsible
start the engine or just seconds to keep this current with the
after, ALWAYS WEAR YOUR Secretary of State (SOS) office.
SEATBELT! The status can be checked on the
SOS website or in the SOS office.
What would you say if we asked Don’t wait for Catrina to call you
you the question, “Why do to say yours is expired and you
you work safe?” Your answers cannot drive until you get a new
will probably vary, but I bet one!
the majority of you would answer the obvious, “For my family.”
When it comes to working, whether on the job or at home, we Until next time, SAFETY BY CHOICE – NEVER BY CHANCE!
need to stay focused on that answer to ensure we work as safely
as possible. The fact is, we are constantly surrounded by serious – Butch, Eric, Catrina,
injury and fatality potential. There is the potential for loss of limb
or life in some of the most routine things we do. Here are a few Jim & Tom
recent examples in the news:
• An experienced fisherman lost his life doing what he loved

to do for pleasure when he apparently struck a submerged
log and was ejected from the boat.
• A professional painter fell to his death while painting the
eaves on his house not more than 10 feet from the ground.

14

City Sidewalks Repairing and pouring new sidewalk
to make Traverse City more walkable.
Traverse City, MI

15

Cranes & Rigging

Business is Booming

Summer is in the rearview mirror and invited us to their Marion location to stand up new silos for them.
fall is in the air. Can you smell it? It is Our cranes have traveled quite a distance this month.
the season for hunting, football games,
doughnuts, cider, pumpkins, and trick-or- Now let’s talk forklifts. Star Cutter has had a project in their
treating. This is my favorite time of year! Lewiston location at HB Carbide. We have visited them a few
times this month unloading new machinery and taking old
Business is booming here in Cranes to scrap. Century Inc. has kept us busy with new machines
& Rigging.  We were able to cross coming in and old ones going out. We have also had the
the Mackinac Bridge again this month; what a sight! Our privilege to work with Tool North, Coyne Machine, and Skilled
165-ton crane ventured to wonderful Sault Ste. Marie to work Manufacturing again this month.
with the Hillman crew to set a box
culvert. Before coming home to When no other company will touch
Traverse City, we stopped off in the a project and they all say it can’t
enchanting town of St. Ignace to set be done, who are you going call?
piers and propane tanks for Nagle Team Elmer’s, of course! We were
Propane. Our 75-ton crane has been contacted by Sprinturf, a company
running around as well. We got to in South Carolina to relocate the flag
see some countryside on the way pole and score board at Gaylord
to Roscommon to work with the High School. We spent three days in
Hillman crew again to set a man hole Gaylord getting the job done! No job
structure. is too big or too small for us.

We continue to work with Wolverine I want to take a minute to thank our
Power picking up, hauling, and operators who went out on jobs that
setting transformers in Evart, required overnight stays away from
Gladwin, Hersey, and Boyne Falls home. We understand this took time
with our 185-ton, 60-ton and 75-ton away from your families and we
cranes. Natural Gas Compressions want you to know it is appreciated.
is staying busy using our cranes to offload and load out natural Thank you, Randy, Joe, and Brian for making this happen in
gas units in their yard. Grand Bay Marine, a top-selling boat September.
dealer, is always getting new boats delivered for us to offload
with our 40-ton cranes and the boom truck. Temperature Control Conduct is the best proof of character.
has a big project at Meadow Brook in Bellaire that we have had
a big part in as well. – Kent

We have been hauling rooftop units from our yard and setting
them with our 185-ton and 75-ton cranes. The 185-ton crane
was put to work at St. Mary’s Cement again. GW Dairy has

16

Trucking

Doing It Right to the End code number, not your man number.
2. Your ELD On Duty/Off Duty times must match the
Holy Smokes! Here it is October
and Trucking was too busy to times on your Paper Time Card. The paper copy will be
even remember what happened in changed to match the ELD if they differ more than 10-15
September. The normal October minutes. This means you could lose time worked by not
rush got started in September this logging in and going on-duty on the ELD.
year. Everyone was calling in for 3. After certifying your Logs each night at the end of your
more trucks or begging to have shift, allow the sync and log out process to complete
something trucked for them. before powering off the tablet, removing from the
cradle, or turning the truck off. If this process does not
Hang on, drivers. I see no letup in activity this month. I complete, it is likely the main system will show you On-
predict even more push will be needed to beat the winter Duty and will put you in violation, causing extra steps to
weather. Troy and I are both hoping the snow holds off until be taken to correct before you can start a new shift the
Christmas because we are going to need that much time to next day without being in violation and possibly running
get the yard stockpiles built up. We will be running at least as the risk of receiving a ticket if stopped. It is part of your
long as the weather permits in some areas. daily paperwork and must be correct and completed.
4. Refer to the Blue Books for job numbers or ask for
All of the calls we’ve received lately for trucking begin with help. Please avoid leaving areas blank. Dispatch and
a customer needing something as soon as possible. The Accounting have enough with processing over 400 time
best we can do at the moment is to tell them that they’ll be cards a day to have to fill them out correctly for you.
put on a list and we’ll call when the first available opportunity 5. When you travel outside the 100-mile radius, you have
opens up. We were fortunate to find some broker trucks to to use the Michigan Seasonal Construction Exemption.
help out in September and hopefully we can count on them
to help this October. Heck, we even have eight trucks from 17
a company out of Muskegon providing some much needed
assistance.

I have a new Friday morning job. First thing in the morning, I
run a report to see where we are on hours available for every
driver to make sure what we schedule is not going to cause
an Hours-of-Service violation. Thinking of the ELDs, I am
reminded of a few problems or incorrect actives that have
surfaced:

1. If your Tablet asks you to log in because it has lost your
username, your USERNAME is your Elmer’s email
address. Your email address will be your first initial and
last name followed by @teamelmers.com. Example:
[email protected] (all lower case and no spaces,
it must be exact). Your PASSWORD is always your fuel

CHAPLAIN’S CORNER

Children Should Be Seen And Heard

Greetings! I want to encourage you to take time to listen to the
children in your world. If they are young, get down on
Fall is definitely in the air. I know many of you claim this is their level and look them in the eye when they talk to you.
your favorite time of the year. Bow season is only a little This communicates that you value what they are saying.
over a week away, the leaves are changing colors, and I For older kids, create opportunities to have one-on-one
continue to see and hear flocks of geese flying over my conversation with them.
house.
Try to limit your screen time when you are around kids.
We have a new men’s study group starting on When our attention is glued to a phone or a laptop, it
Wednesday, October 17, entitled, Victory in Spiritual tells those around us that we are not available. The other
Warfare. We will be meeting at 6:00 am in the Broadroom day I witnessed a mom and dad and their son sitting
at the Traverse City location. This is an eight-week study. together at a restaurant. The boy was telling his dad about
All materials will be provided during our first meeting. something that happened at school. His dad was looking
at something on his phone, not even looking at his son.
The next Financial Peace class starts on Saturday, After a few moments the boy gave up without finishing his
January 5, 2019. We will meet again on the 19th and story. How important do you think he felt?
26th of January from 9am until 3pm each day. The class
is open to all employees and their family members. Any One day Jesus was blessing and praying for children who
child of an employee who is in high school or college and had been brought to him by their parents. Even though
completes the class requirements is eligible to apply for some of his closest followers rebuked those people who
Team Elmer’s FPU college scholarship. For those of you brought their children, Jesus responded by saying, “let
in Alpena and Hillman, I am still waiting for a starting date the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the
on Financial Peace for this fall or winter. If you are in a kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
location where you can’t attend a class in Traverse City or
Alpena, contact me and I will work with you to find a class. Take the time to listen to children.

How many times growing up did you hear the old Have a great day,
expression, "children should be seen and not heard"?
Children and adults are still often separated during family – Tom
gatherings, eating at different tables while the adults often
play cards or talk while the kids entertain themselves. I
know for me and many of my friends, we didn’t connect
much with our parents at home either. It was as if there
was an adult world and a kid’s world. This was sad for
me because I grew up without really knowing many of the
adults in my world.

18

Mechanics

Do Not Ignore Re-Gens I mention re-gens in EVERY newsletter and yet we continue
to have issues. PAY ATTENTION AND DO NOT IGNORE
If you’re happy that cooler temperatures RE-GENS. A handful of re-gen issues recently required ALTA
are here, then jump for joy with the Equipment to come out and perform a service re-gen. All have
thought of winter on the way. Yes! It’s reported back no electrical issues and had been aborted/ignored
time to start planning and thinking about multiple times. Here are a few reminders:
winter repairs, projects, and SNOW • Make sure your coolant is topped off. If it’s not at or above
PLOWING!
the level sensor, it will NOT re-gen.
I would like to remind everyone to please • It has to be up to operating temp to start the re-gen.
let me know if you are dropping off • Once the re-gen has started, do NOT shut the machine off.
equipment for repairs. In recent weeks, we have had several
trucks, vans, and other equipment dropped off at the shop If the thermostat is on (just to the right of
without any verbal indication stated or the re-gen symbol), the unit is still in re-
written communication given as to what we gen mode.
needed to service. • If you get into a park re-gen situation,
make sure the unit is in neutral, parking
If it is after hours or you can’t find anyone brake is set, and do NOT touch the brake
to relay your service message, please or the throttle. If you do, it will abort the re-
leave a note. Having to track down the last gen and the process will start all over.
operator or driver is extremely difficult and
time consuming. I understand everyone If you have any questions or concerns
is extremely busy but, PLEASE, try to about this process, please give me a call.
keep an eye on your service stickers! If
you don’t have a sticker or you’re not sure Until next time, keep it running!
when the service is due, please give Jason
or me a call. – Eric

Remember to Call In for Services

Not a whole lot has changed in the PM Please remember to keep checking your service stickers and
Service side of the shop. calling in when they’re close to coming due. Also, we need to be
able to get to the equipment. If you call in for a service, please
The crew is doing a great job staying on top of leave the equipment on flat ground and easily accessible. We
all the services due. Thank you to all who call have experienced a few times where the service crew could not
in the services before they are overdue! We get their tools and equipment to the unit in order to perform their
appreciate the notice so we can schedule our work.
nights to be more productive.

–Thank you! Jason

19

Anxiety or Worry?

Have you ever wondered what is causing that pounding heart and racing mind? It could be a very normal
amount of the jitters. Or, it could be something a little more serious that might demand some attention and
support.

What Is Anxiety?
Anxiety is the body’s natural response to a perceived threat. When the brain believes the body is in danger, it
will send out signals which kick on the fight-or-flight response. Even though the word ‘anxiety’ may sound
negative, in itself, it is not bad. Normal levels of anxiety may show up as low levels of fear, apprehension, mild
muscle tension, or a small increase in sweating. These symptoms do not negatively interfere with daily
functioning and may actually help with problem solving, motivation, and work ethic!

The 3 Components of Anxiety
Anxiety has three main parts:
• Emotional (feelings)
• Physiological (bodily responses)
• Cognitive (thoughts)

What Is Worry?
Worry is an important player in anxiety but since it only occurs in the mind, it is only one of the three
building blocks. It involves the thoughts and images that occur as we proactively try to avoid or solve
anticipated potential threats.

The Difference
In general, anxiety shows up more in the body and worry shows up more in the mind. In other words,
“worrying is thinking about a potential problem, and anxiety is feeling it in your body.” It is very normal to
experience these two responses from time to time, as long as it does not interfere with daily functioning.

When It’s Time To Act
If anxiety levels rise high enough and begin to impair daily function, it may be time to seek help. Anxiety
disorders are characterized by the following:
• Severe and excessive worry
• Constant avoidance of anxiety-provoking situations
• High levels of distress
• An inability to function normally and complete daily tasks
• Regular panic attacks

If you think you may be suffering from an anxiety disorder, do not hesitate in contacting your doctor today
to schedule a visit. Be open and honest about everything you are experiencing so that your doctor can best
support you and help get you back to optimal health and wellbeing.

Questions? Ask Jackie.

616-309-2778
[email protected]

20

House Lift Pancake Breakfast
Alden, MI Traverse City, MI

Water System Installment
Beulah, MI

Alpena Quarry

Sidewalk Repairs Immaculate Conception
Traverse City, MI Demolition

Traverse City, MI

21

GIVE 'EM...

1 SERVICE

Make serving others
your #1 priority.

You’re in a noble profession.
Be proud of what you do and

where you work.

2 ATTITUDE From Edward Ley:

Choose your attitude. Darrell Wonsey is always willing to go the extra mile. When he
How you think about customers isn't pumping, he will jump right into a mixer and haul loads for
me. He is a great help.
is how you will treat them.
Remember your mental
“I Like Yous!”

3 CONSISTENCY

Customers return because they
like what happened last time.

Stick to your high
service standards.

4 TEAMWORK From Edward Ley:

Go out of your way Since I have taken over the Mt. Pleasant plant, Paula Saxton
to make each other look good. has been willing to help in any way she can and has taught me
a lot. She is always very nice and friendly.
Everything you do ends up
in front of the customer.

22

THE PICKLE

From David in Elk
Rapids:

I saw Team Elmer’s
working around the
Village Market in Elk
Rapids and I noticed
that one of the trucks
was painted brightly
with handprints and
colorful drawings. I
realized it was part
of a collaboration
with Artists Creating
Together, now called
Arts For All Northern Michigan. The Disabling Disabilities with Art program
helps people and Team Elmer’s is really cool for supporting that. It’s not just
good work, it’s good stuff.

From Tom Patterson:

Jeff is always going above
and beyond. He’s taking
care of 3 plants with the
boom truck, always
keeping customers happy
and the Ludington yard in
good shape, and always
keeps a clean truck. We
have customers calling to
praise Jeff weekly!

23

AN EOE/AA EMPLOYER PRSRT STD
U.S. POSTAGE
3600 Rennie School Road
Traverse City, MI 49685 PAID
TRAVERSE CITY, MI

PERMIT #568

Trucking continued The X-PLAN: Ford Motor Company
Partner Recognition Program
It does not matter if you are back in the 100-mile radius
before the end of your first 8-hours on duty. Once you Interested in purchasing a new Ford or Lincoln vehicle?
go outside a 100-mile radius, you have to stay under the
Michigan Seasonal Construction exemption for the rest of The Ford Partner Recognition Program entitles all eligible Team Elmer’s
your On-Duty shift. employees, spouses, and retirees to purchase or lease up to 2 Ford and
Lincoln products per year, per household, at special X-Plan pricing.
We are getting closer to the end of another season. I know
everyone is getting tired but we still have plenty of miles to go. The description and rules of the program can be found on their website:
Doing the job quicker but grumpier, unfocused, or unsafely will www.fordpartner.com.
not help us reach our goals any sooner; that’s just leaving the
door wide open for trouble. We know the people with whom Further questions? Contact Gary Holcombe at our Traverse City office.
we share the roads make mistakes all the time and have
many misperceptions about truck safety, but they’re not the
professionals or the moving billboards we are.

Let’s take the high road and set the example, especially for the
younger people. Let’s perform our jobs right by understanding
and obeying the rules and laws at all times. Be patient and think
SAFETY FIRST. Slow down and focus on your job, the task at
hand, and how to do it properly and safely.

I’m proud of our drivers and crew.

–jim