The Dirt - January

JANUARY 2018
Building Better Communities

12 | Photo Spread MONTHLY COMMUNICATOR
20 | Online Doctor Visit
23 | New Year New You

Holiday Schedule

Emergency repair and snowplow crews will remain on-call • Labor Day: September 3, 2018 - Paid Day Off
during Holiday Schedule.
• Thanksgiving: November 22, 2018 - Paid Day Off
• Martin Luther King Jr Day: Jan. 15, 2018-Unpaid Day Off • After Thanksgiving: November 23, 2018 - Unpaid Day Off
• Good Friday: March 30, 2018 - Unpaid Day Off
• Christmas Eve Day: December 24, 2017 - Unpaid Day Off
• Memorial Day: May 28, 2018 - Paid Day Off
• Christmas Day: December 25, 2017 - Paid Day Off
• Independence Day: July 4, 2018 - Paid Day Off
• New Year’s Day Eve: December 31, 2018 - Unpaid Day Off
• Company Picnic: July 28, 2018 - 11 am - 4 pm
• New Year’s Day: January 1, 2019 - Unpaid Day Off

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

january

206 STEVEN FOLKERSMA 1-Jan 1793 KYLE TWINING 15-Jan 2004 JEFFREY PARKS 23-Jan

1750 JENNIFER FLICK 1-Jan 1360 MARK DEMOULPIED 17-Jan 400 DENNIS WATERMAN 24-Jan

2030 THOMAS CHASE 4-Jan 1758 JONATHAN FOX 18-Jan 1422 MARK VOSTERS 27-Jan

1535 JARED BAHRKE 5-Jan 1886 SEBASTIAN SCHOECH 18-Jan 1210 KYLE MOIR 28-Jan

524 PETER ROSA 7-Jan 2035 CLARK PEEPLES 18-Jan 1407 DONALD BRAND 28-Jan

1630 CATHY SCHAUB 11-Jan 1304 ANTHONY LAWHEAD 19-Jan 35 DAN BECKELIC 30-Jan

1751 WADE BOYD 11-Jan 357 JAMES HARRIS 20-Jan 272 ALAN JEWETT 30-Jan

1779 GARY CHESNEY 11-Jan 1127 DALE WELDON 20-Jan 497 MICHAEL MORAIRTY 30-Jan

2068 ERIC MCCOLLEY 11-Jan 1942 JOHN LILJEROOS 21-Jan 2195 MARSHA WOLF 31-Jan

2013 CHARLES CREGG 12-Jan 1741 RYAN NEUMAN 22-Jan

24 JOSEPH HERMAN 14-Jan 1852 RICHARD LICKING 22-Jan

1737 RYAN GROLEAU 14-Jan 1721 ALAN MACDONALD 23-Jan

BUILDING BETTER COMMUNITIES SINCE 1956 THIS ISSUE 12 > Photos
Esphalt™ • Excavation • Concrete • Cranes 14 > Safety
3 > President 15>ProjectoftheMonth
4 > Aggregates 16>Cranes/Rigging
5>Communications 17 > Trucking
6>HumanResources 18>Chaplain'’sCorner
7 > Spotlight 19 > Mechanics
8 > TC Excavation 22 > Pickle
9 > Hillman 23 > Wellness
10 > Concrete
11 > Asphalt

SHOVELING: THE NEW AEROBICS!

Happy New Year to you all!  I’ve been driving and it tracks your time... simple....right!!?? All great
rushing in 2018 with a fresh aerobic in theory, but the software needs some tweaking to get it to
workout including shoveling a couple work! The network is seeing challenges as well with all the
feet of snow on New Year’s weekend! new data streaming. It is shutting down the system at times,
I haven’t seen that much snow in Traverse City in a long making learning a new system even more challenging. The
time. I’m torn between getting a snowmobile or heading problem arises if we want to work for more than 12 hours,
south! You do have to admit it made for an absolutely we need to log. Depending on who you ask, you have to
beautiful winter wonderland. What a picture perfect area we take a 30-minute break before your 8th hour if your day
live in... Praise God!! goes longer than 12 hours. We pushed the envelope last
year with this, but need to go back to taking a 30-minute
2018 has already shown itself to possess some great break. We continue to work with lawmakers to try and
potential for work coupled with some big challenges. The get this changed but, for this year, we are going to have
economy is chugging along and doing great in our industry. to follow this rule. This will mean ALL of us must help to
The additional stimulation with some tax incentives has make a smooth transition to needing a break if we work
shown a flurry of activity at year-end including equipment over twelve hours. Scheduling will have a new kink to
sales! We had a rush of sales on the last Friday of the keep mix and material flowing!!! Believe me when I say we
year. Gary Holcombe sold a couple of mixers, a Kenworth have spent hours working to get around this and continue
tractor, a D-6 dozer, a loader, and a couple if excavators!!! to work on it. To be leaders in the industry, which we are,
We have a good backlog of work to start the spring with and follow the rules of safety for others, we will comply with
the possibility of moving some dirt in February. Yeah! them. There will be lots of training on the ELD devices. On
Equipment inspections are done and the shop is feverishly a positive note, there are some pretty cool things we can
going through annuals. The snow plow crews have even do for our DIRs to simplify our paper stream, as well as the
been finding enough to do lately.Thanks to all for gettin’-er- possibilities for future use.  As with anything new, it’s going
dun. to take time to learn and become proficient with it. Look
for your classes this spring to learn more. Thank you, Patti
The big news to report that will challenge all of us this year Carruth, Catrina Saylor, James Martin and the IT crew.
is the implementation of the Electronic Log Devices (ELDs).
With the mandate requiring us to have had this done by Until next month, stay safe and God Bless!
December 18, 2017, a few of you have been seeing the
challenges we may face this year.  How hard can it be? –Troy
You just put an iPad in your truck and press a button when
3

Aggregates

Thank You, Crew!

Hello, January!
Minus 18 degrees in 2018.
What a great time to start over. A new
year, new dreams, new goals, and a
new season. After one week, hopefully
everyone is still sticking to their goals and/
or resolutions for the new year.

I am looking forward to next month where,
God willing, Michelle and I will add a whole new chapter to our
life. I can’t wait to be a grandpa! Unlimited sugar and spoiling
and then send them home!

We have a new cone and screen deck coming for M-72 pit.
Mark and the guys in the weld shop are finishing up the sand
screw. Thanks to all that worked on that to get it done in a timely
manner. Hoping the weather breaks so we can install. We are
looking at possibly putting power in Hulbert pit to help alleviate
issues with the generator at that location.

Tim, Mark, and crew are bearing the cold in Alpena to help keep
up with demand for our quarry stone for shoreline restoration
projects.

Looking ahead for 2018, we want to be safe, focused, and
productive. Not busy, productive. We are adding equipment
to allow for more capacity and we're looking forward to a
breakdown free year, God willing.

Stay warm, be safe, and smile. Tomorrow’s a new day.

  – Todd

4

Communications

This month I was invited to guest write for our local What can we as leaders do to be sure all of those voices are heard? How do we
business magazine, the Traverse City Business News. create the space for respect? In a time when political debate devolves into name
Below is the article. calling and a plethora of #metoo memes represent the experiences of women in
the workplace and possible indifference or silence endured, how will we react in
WHO'S SITTING AT YOUR the long term? Will society shrug? Will we go back to doing things as they were?
TABLE? What will you do to create a workplace of safety and civility for someone’s sister,
granddaughter, or ANY person? What are you doing to create a respectful work
The New Year gets me thinking about beginnings and environment?
endings. Where do you want to be in one year, or five, and
how are you going to get there? How did I get here? For me, it started at four According to Harvard Business Review, one way to get people to the table?
years old. We had Domino’s pizza for Thanksgiving and moved into the only Incorporate mentoring programs into your training. Mandated training can actually
house on Park Drive. Like clockwork, the neighboring industrial metal company create a backlash. People want to be their own person. They don’t want to be
would rattle our dishes at 3 am with a repeated methodical whoosh of their told what to do. Instead ask for volunteers to mentor staff individually. (https://hbr.
presses. My parents purchased a construction company - crane, dozer, truck, org/2016/07/why-diversity-programs-fail )
trailer - and a large stockpile of sand out back. (It was the best sandbox ever.)
Another solution? Make sure all voices at the table are heard, or at least have a
Growing up in, and working for, the heavy construction business provided an chance to speak. Google noticed teams that did well on one assignment usually
interesting perspective, especially for a woman in a predominantly man’s world. did well on all assignments. Teams that struggled at one thing seemed to struggle
(Stick with me, guys.) at everything. The researchers concluded two main components distinguished
success and both related to how teammates treated one another.
When I was twenty-two, my mentor, John, took me out on my “final project
manager exam.” Although John was there solely to observe, the project owner 1. Conversational turn-taking -- ''As long as everyone got a chance to talk, the
directed each question to him. John would look at me, I would answer the team did well, but if only one person or a small group spoke all the time, the
question to the owner, the owner would ask another question looking at John, collective intelligence declined.''
John would look at me (again without saying a word), and I would answer the
question. This cycle continued for 30 minutes with John not talking until the 2. Average social sensitivity -- "a fancy way of saying they were skilled at
final synopsis with the owner. (I choose to believe it was experience and not my intuiting how others felt based on their tone of voice, their expressions and other
gender that made the owner talk to John the entire time.) John’s understated nonverbal cues."
comment when we left the site? “You’ll meet all kinds of people. Just treat
everyone with respect.” He left little room for judgement. It was a good lesson. The members of the team felt safe taking risks in expressing ideas and feelings,
or in other words, everyone was treated with respect, which ultimately led to
In 1977, there were seven people at the company. In 2009, when my dad officially greater success.
retired and my two brothers and I stepped up to fill his shoes (yes, it takes three
of us), there were almost four hundred – and a recession. His parting advice when (The New York Times (https://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/28/magazine/what-
we bought him out? “If you can run it through the next five years, you’ll be able to google-learned-from-its-quest-to-build-the-perfect-team.html)
run it for as long as you want.” What an interesting five years that was. Hard work,
sacrifice, painful decisions, traveling farther for projects, and an amazing crew Are you looking ahead five years? Are you creating the atmosphere where the
with a service mentality got us through a time when many of those in our industry next generation will thrive? Where ALL will thrive? So what can you do to mentor
were closing or moving out of state. your successor? Do what you can do, right now, to bring others to the table. And
most importantly, you’ll meet all kinds of people … Treat everyone with respect.
I was asked last year if I liked being the only woman at the table. It is an honor Tonya Wildfong is Communications Director at Team Elmer’s. A University of Michigan
to serve. Although agreeing might have implied that I don’t want other voices at graduate and Track & Field Big Ten Championship teammate, Tonya currently serves on
the table. And I do. As an industry – and a society at large -- we are stronger with the Chemical Bank Community Board and Impact 100 Traverse City. She authored the
multiple perspectives, different people at the table bringing distinct voices to the children’s book, Bee in the Barn and still likes to play in the sandbox with her remarkable
discussion. husband and two entertaining children.

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]

CareerOpportunitiesfor Benefits Info
Spring 2018
Cobra During Layoff spouse is not named as sole primary beneficiary,
Job Openings for spring are online! - Click on the pdf icon for the ‘Beneficiary Online
Encourage those interested to apply If you elect COBRA continuation coverage, the
today! Interviews will begin after the coverage will be identical to the coverage you Wizard Form’
first of the year. currently have under the group health plan. - The beneficiary form is ready to be printed,
All openings are listed on the You will receive your COBRA packet from 44 North
company website at with instructions on how to continue your group signed by both you and your spouse, notarized and
www.teamelmers.com/careers. health benefits during lay off. Please call 44 North returned to One America.
It is fast and easy to apply to at 1-855-306-1099 with any questions.* For all other designations:
multiple openings at once. *YOU MUST COMPLETE THE COBRA PAPER • Once all beneficiary information is entered, verify
WORK AND RETURN IT TO 44 NORTH for accuracy and click ‘Submit designation’
MailingAddressChange TO RETAIN YOUR GROUP HEALTHCARE • A confirmation will be mailed to you to indicate a
COVERAGE WHILE YOU ARE LAID OFF, EVEN successful beneficiary update
Mailing address changed recently? IF YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PAY A MONTHLY
Please notify HR of the change. Even if you currently have a beneficiary designation
If you have moved recently, PREMIUM. on file with Human Resources, you must complete
please make sure HR has been the information online. If you have any questions,
notified to ensure you receive
company information. Company please contact Cindy Karker in Human Resources.
communications are also sent out
through email (work and personal) Required Online 401k
Please make sure you check your
email often. Beneficiary Information Flex Spending Account

Interested In Reduced Have you gone online to complete your required If you participate in the flex spending account
Health Benefits Costs? 401k beneficiary information at www.oaretirement. (medical or dependent care) for 2017, you have until
com? July 15, 2018 to turn in receipts for any medical/
Did you attend Wellness Updating your beneficiary online is simple and dependent care reimbursable expenses. Any
Assessments? If not, you can still convenient. Follow these instructions: questions regarding your FSA should be directed to
meet the required criteria to earn • Log in to your account at www.oaretirement.com 44 North @ 1-855-306-1099.
a reduced cost for Team Elmer’s (Don't have an account? Click on ‘New User –
group health benefits. Please
contact Cindy in Human Resources Register for site’ and complete the necessary You can also look up your FSA and HRA information
for further information. All required information) at: www.44.n.com
criteria are due by March 15, 2018. • Click on ‘My Profile’, at the top of the screen • Click on Client/Member Portal (top right of screen)
• Scroll down the page to Beneficiary Information • Choose the HRA and FSA Claims Portal
6 and click ‘Add’ • Username: Your last name and last four digits of
• Answer the preliminary questions that apply to your social security number
your beneficiary designation and click ‘Continue’ • Password:Your last name with your birth date
• Click ‘Add beneficiary’ and enter the name, • Click on "Claims" to view--> Claims Home,
social security #, primary or contingent designation, Submit a Claim, Claims History,OR "Status"--> FSA
relationship and benefit percentage for each Medical, DSA Dependent
beneficiary.
If you are married and submitting a primary
beneficiary other than, or in addition to your spouse,
THEN spousal consent is required when your

2018 Wellness Program

Wellness Assessment Schedule January 2018

Please mark your calendars.

Thursday-Saturday, **2018 Wellness Program for ALL Employees**
January 11-13
Traverse City Employee and spouse must complete these 2 activities by March 15, 2018.
6:30 – 12:00 noon
TC-Big Training Room  Complete the online Health Questionnaire between December 1, 2017 and
(Lower Level) March 13, 2018 (required annually and available online in December of 2017).
3600 Rennie School Rd.
TC, MI 49685  Complete a 2018 biometric screening or submit appropriate lab results from your
231 943 3443 doctor. (Lab results must be within 3 months of January screening. Assessment dates and times

will be announced in November.)

Employee and spouse must earn 5 out of the 6 points by March 15, 2018 to

Saturday, January 20 receive a reduced rate on the 2018 insurance premiums (all are worth 1 point)

Reed City**  BMI 30.0 or less at the 2018 screening OR
8:00 a.m. – 11:00am  10% weight loss from 2017 screening weight OR
Reed City Depot  Waist circumference of 35 inches or less for women or 40 inches or less for men.
200 N. Chestnut St.
(This is not pant waist size.)
 Complete weight management coaching with OSW by March 15, 2018.

Reed City, MI 49677 Register online or call 616-309-2778 to schedule.

231 832 5431  Blood pressure reading of 140/90 at the January 2018 screening or less OR

OnSite Wellness is committed to  Complete blood pressure coaching with OSW by March 15, 2018.
helping you achieve your best health. Register online or call 616-309-2778 to schedule.

If you are unable to meet a standard  Tobacco/Nicotine-free verification at the 2018 screening OR
under this wellness program, please  Complete tobacco cessation coaching with OSW by March 15, 2018.
contact Senika at OnSite Wellness
for alternatives. You may qualify Register online or call 616-309-2778 to schedule.

for the same reward by working  LDL cholesterol at 130 or below at the 2018 screening OR
with your doctor to develop a  Complete cholesterol coaching with OSW by March 15, 2018.

plan that is right for you. Contact Register online or call 616-309-2778 to schedule.

Senika or Jackie at OnSite Wellness:  Provide Proof of Annual Dental Cleaning (January 2017-March 2018).
616.309.2776/616.309.2778 or *If you wear dentures, please provide proof of checkup once every 5 years.
[email protected]

*For those who cannot participate at  Provide Proof of Preventative Physical (March 16, 2016 – March 15, 2018).
the location health assessment, there * A copy of your DOT Med card can be used.

are other options available. Please NEW Alternative Criteria – Complete any of the items listed below within the
contact Senika at OnSite Wellness or current year (March 16, 2017 – March 15, 2018)
Cindy Karker at Elmer’s for details.
**New location this year.
 Complete a Financial Peace University class
 Attend “Weekend to Remember”
 Complete (4) OSW Educational Webinars online
 Complete a 6-week men’s or women’s study program by Tom Shelder

 

  7

 

Excavation

A Good Start For 2018 Workload

Welcome to 2018! It was nice to see so
many employees and their families at the
Christmas Open House and actually be
able to sit down and shoot the breeze for
a while. We are busy wrapping up another
great season. Most of the projects are shut down for the year
and we have been busy plowing, and will be, with more snow
forecast for the winter months ahead.

We are still plugging away when weather allows on
footings and foundations at the Immaculate Conception
and Interlochen Music Building projects as well as clearing
at Cherry Capital and finishing up the West Bay EPA
Remediation Project.

Bidding slowed a bit for the holidays but we are working on a Immaculate Conception Middle School,
few large projects to bid the beginning of January as well as Traverse City, Michigan
a large MDOT letting for January. The engineers have been
waiting for the holidays to pass and will be putting out a ton
of work for bids in early 2018. After last season, I think they
realize there is a lot of work out there and they need to get
bids as early as possible to get on the spring schedule.

Equipment reviews are almost complete. I’d like to extend a
big thank you to Tony Lawhead, Craig Cook, Chris Town, Eric
Warnes, Bob Blonshine, and Bones for helping ensure we
have a complete list of repairs for the shop this winter.

The start of every new year at Elmer’s, of course, begins with
training and performance reviews. Dirt Divisional Training will
be held March 14, 15, & 16 with smaller classes comprised
of 30-40 and a mix of Traverse City and Hillman crews.
Everyone will attend one of those 3 days. I am planning to
schedule reviews the weeks of February 5th and 12th with two
days each week to spread them out a bit more. Watch your
home mail delivery for your day and time.

Happy New Year! Keep that warm Christmas spirit going and
pass it on for as long as you can!

Until next month, keep calm and dig on.

– Max

8

Petoskey, Michigan

The Hillman Report

Happy New Year, everybody! Did you season, so everybody needs to get their dentist and
have a great Christmas? Did Santa doctoring done now before all the fun breaks loose in the
treat you well? He knows who’s naughty spring!
or nice!J How are those New Year’s Monthly Quote –
resolutions holding out? If gaining weight and drinking “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a
more beer were mine, then my resolution is doing new dream.” – Les Brown
awesome! Just kidding, now that hunting season and the Until next month, rest hard, dream big, and have fun!
holidays are over, Tracy and I have started a daily 4:30
am workout ritual. Getting up earlier, drinking protein – Mike
drinks for breakfast, nuts for lunch and salad for dinner….
oh, yeah, it’s frick’n awesome! (insert red emoji face 9
here).

Steve, Rance, Dan and
Jeff are extremely busy
with tons of projects
bidding. It appears that,
if we get our fair share of
the bids this winter, it’s
going to be a very busy
2018. All I can say is,
GET READY!

Staffing-wise, we’re
a bit like the Marines:
Looking for a few good
men (and women…relax
Jennifer J) to add to the Petoskey and Hillman rosters. If
you know of any experienced laborers or operators with
a great work ethic who may want to come aboard, please
have them get ahold of me. Even if they don’t want to
come aboard, still have them get ahold of me.

Keep your eyes on the mailbox for winter/spring training
invitations. There’ll be lots coming. Also, it’s the off

Concrete

What’s In The Mix? Apple's Rules For Success

Once again we look upon a clean slate with 1. Let go of the old, make the most of the future.
optimism and faith for what will come in the 2. Always tell the truth, we want to hear the bad news sooner than later
New Year. One thing we know for certain; 3. The highest level of integrity is expected, when in doubt, ask
the gyms will be busy for the month of 4. Learn to be a good businessperson, not just a good salesperson
January as we all promise to stay fit and get 5. Everyone sweeps the floor
healthy. If you make it to February you are 6. Be professional in your style, speech, and follow-up
doing great. Stick with it. 7. Listen to the customer, they almost always get it
8. Create win/win relationships with our partners
The Concrete Division had a good 2017. We didn’t break any 9. Look out for each other, sharing information is a good thing
records, but it was better overall than 2016. I see 2018 being 10.  Don't take yourself too seriously
another decent year. There are some opportunities in markets 11.  Have fun, otherwise it's not worth it
for bigger work which is reassuring. We’ll see if it all breaks
loose and if we can tie into some of it. There are factors
that make me believe that Michigan will be strong, such as
infrastructure spending, very low unemployment, the car
makers and industry overall is doing better, fuel is still priced
low-ish, businesses are spending money to expand or start
new, etc. That is just my personal crystal ball.

One big change for us will be GPS installed in all of our
mixers and throughout the company. This will help with
communications and locations so those pesky dispatchers
aren’t calling all of the time. It really helps us optimize loads
and understand how much more work we can take on in a
given day. With this come electronic driver’s logs and a tablet
for each driver that we will enter information into. In many
cases, the log information is pre-entered from what the GPS
tells it. Our trucks will all have that red moving light on the
front bumper like KITT from Knight Rider so the truck will
talk to us and be able to jump over slow moving cars. OK,
that last sentence is false, but we have lots of training and
advances in the near future. Stay tuned and be positive about
that scary word “change”.

I also found Apple's rules for success from 2004. It was a card
each employee carried. It is a good reminder in the new year.
Spring is just around the corner so get some rest!

If it can’t be done safely, find another way to get it done.

– jason

10

Asphalt Domors, Traverse City, Michigan

Paving The Way challenging and exciting but we are well prepared and
have high expectations.
Happy New Year, Team! I
hope you all had a very Merry Maintenance to all paving equipment is in full force, in
Christmas and that you had a between snowflakes, of course. So far, the list of parts
chance to ring in the New Year needed is very short. Thank you, all, for taking care of
with some fun. I also hope that assets. It shows we care a lot. The parts that are needed
all those New Year's resolutions are your typical wear parts, things that we typically expect
that were made are met and to replace. We will be ready to pave come late April.
come to you with ease. I look Some new additions will be installed at the asphalt plant
forward to seeing you all helping make 2018 an enjoyable that won't quite be up and operational come April, but
and prosperous year. we will work around those upgrades. New silos, asphalt
storage tanks, and new batch computers will all be added
We have been very active in bidding with a lot to come for this 2018 season. These new additions will allow us
in the next few weeks. By the first week of February we to take a little pressure off our plant crew.
will bid on over 100,000 tons of asphalt. I will keep you
up to speed on what we do manage to pick up. This I look forward to seeing you all in January for reviews.
tonnage breaks down into nine different projects scattered Please come with suggestions and questions that you
over six counties. Bidding this time of year is always may have. Until next month, stay safe.

– Brian

11

McLaren Hospital, Petoskey, Michigan

Mechanics, Traverse City, Michigan McLaren Hospital, Petoskey, Michigan

Nick Send, Mechanics Shop, Traverse City, MI Mechanics, Traverse City, Michigan

12

McLaren Hospital McLaren Hospital, Petoskey, Michigan

McLaren Hospital McLaren Hospital, Petoskey, Michigan

McLaren Hospital, Petoskey, Michigan

13

Safety

that has the potential to cause, but does not actually
result in human injury, environmental or equipment
damage, or an interruption to normal operation. Be Safe.

FMCSA Numbers (24-month rolling average) CSA Rating

Unsafe Driving-20% lower than last month

Crash Indicator-0% lower than last month

It’s everyone’s favorite time of year. Yes! Back by Hours of Service-0%
popular demand: TRAINING!! We hope you had a great
Christmas, rang in the New Year, and were able to spend Vehicle Maintenance- 29% higher than last month
time with family and friends. The Safety Department
(Catrina) has finalized all of the safety training for the Controlled Substance-0%
beginning of the 2018 season. Safety training has been
set up differently than in the past. Basic training days Driver Fitness-0%
have been set as well as the familiar division safety days
that you all know. The basic training day is based on Year to Date:
topics that everyone could encounter as part of their job.
Class sizes will be smaller and will be more interactive. Internal Inspections - 740 (262 job site, 88 plant, 28 mine
The dates for HazWoper Refresher, Asbestos Refresher, site, 362 equipment)
NCCCO, as well as Competent Person for Excavations,
have been set. Look for those reminder cards in the mail. Accidents and Incidents - (451)

The Michigan State Police Motor Carrier Division will be Motor Vehicle-29 Property-194
here in April to conduct load securement training and will
be available for your questions. The load securement Utilities-39 Personal Injury-25
training will cover all aspects of the equipment Team
Elmer’s moves. Safety will also be providing hands-on Regulatory-28 No Fault-136
training for drivers using the new e-log tablets. Some of
the drivers are already using these tablets because the Near-Miss-33 Recordable Injury-22
mandate for e-logging went into effect Dec. 18th.
Lost Work Days-83 Restricted Workdays-42
The Safety Department reminds everyone that if you see
something, say something. Because of your vigilence, – BCautrticnha,, E&ricT,om
33 near-misses were reported to Safety in 2017; that’s a
great start. A near-miss is defined as an unplanned event

14

PROJECT OF THE MONTH

Traverse City Open House

15

Cranes & Rigging

Happy New Year! Green in Petoskey, a new exhaust stack for TransCanada
in the oilfield, communication equipment for Michigan
Out with 2017 and in with 2018!
Tower near Onaway, and
Looking back at 2017, it residential truss work across
appears everyone and the entire northern lower
everything at Elmer’s region of Michigan. We would
was Busy, Busy, Busy – like to welcome two of our
and the outlook for 2018 newer customers, Schaval
seems to be even more Steel Erectors and Maplenet
hectic. Crane & Rigging is Wireless. Thanks for choosing
still going strong through Team Elmer’s!
these post-holiday and
snowy winter months. Thanks, everyone, for
We’d typically be a bit persevering through the cold
slower this time of year winter temps and tenacious
but, with a couple of our snow to keep our customers
guys on the snowplow happy.
crew and work not letting
up, we have been juggling the schedule to Conduct is the best proof of
make sure we are servicing everyone who
needs us. Thank you, Michelle and CB, for all –character. Kent
the help!

We are still picking things up and setting
them down everywhere across the state.
Recent jobs include rigging for National
Vacuum and Tyson in Traverse City, Grand
Traverse Pallet in Ellsworth, and Cadillac
Tool in Cadillac. Our cranes are also on the
road everywhere; HVAC units for John E.
16

Trucking

Get A Lead Of This

We made it through the holidays! tandem dumps as long as Mr. Holcombe doesn’t sell
That’s a feat unto itself. I sincerely any others than the five on me. The ten new trucks will
hope you really did have a have a different suspension than what we have been
Merry Christmas and are looking getting; five Hendrickson Prime-Max and five ADZ Neway
forward to making it a Happy New suspensions. Eight of these trucks will have automatic
Year. Good luck sticking to your transmissions. Also, we have ordered four more Trail
resolutions for 2018. I know my Kings with the auto-tensioners on the belt. The one that
New Year’s resolution will get shot down right after I get was on Joe Longton’s Trail King worked great with no
past the Onsite Wellness screening! issues.

As for 2017, it was a good year for the Trucking Division. The work load for next year is already building and
We had a few more little accidents than we should looks to be another good year for us. We already have
have, but no major at-fault ones. There is still room some orders and projects lined up for next year. Looking
for improvement. We had the second-most hours of over what is coming from the Michigan Department of
utilization that we have ever recorded. We hired some Transportation and talking with various county road
really talented people that hopefully plan to stay on with commissions, there will a lot to do in 2018. Let’s hope the
us. There will be ten new Western Star trucks in the weather cooperates a little this winter so we can get some
fleet next year. We are selling five older trucks. Team of it done before the big rush hits when frost laws are
Elmer’s plans to run (82) Class-8 tractors and (25) lifted in the spring. I’m fairly sure it will be all hands on
deck before May 1st.

Driver Reviews: If I haven’t already sat down with you, I
will be calling you to set up a time to meet sometime in
January. If you drive from a plant other than Traverse City,
I’ll be headed your way to meet at your location.

Thanks again for a fantastic 2017. Encore, encore!

–jim

17

CHAPLAIN’S CORNER

My New Resolution: Be Quick To Listen

Greetings! Here we are, saying good bye to the old year and First of all, I will focus on talking less about myself.
welcoming in the new. For most of us the year was a mix of This will involve entering into conversations with no
good and not so good times. As I reflect back, the past year intentions of promoting an agenda or bragging about my
had its share of physical challenges. In other ways, however, accomplishments. It will even impact how I respond to
2017 presented many opportunities for spiritual and relational others. I have noticed that, when others are sharing about
growth. things they have done, my tendency is to respond by talking
about my accomplishments. That is me being a self-promoter
We have a new Financial Peace class starting in Traverse rather than a good listener.
City on January 6th. There are still some open spots for
anyone who is interested. For those of you in Alpena and The next thing I need to do is show more of an interest in
Hillman, there will be another Financial Peace class starting others. One way to do this is by asking questions about
in February. Please contact me if you are interested. We them. Finding out what their life interests are. The other day
have a women’s study group that meets on Wednesdays I took the time to ask someone about their family. It ended
at noon in Traverse City. The men’s 33 Class meets on up being a wonderful conversation. It allowed me to learn
Wednesdays at 6:00 am. Both of the Wednesday studies are a great deal about this person. Learning about others is
open to anyone who is interested. something I want get better at.

The other day I was reading my Bible in the book of James Being a better listener will mean that I truly hear what others
when this phrase caught my attention: “Be quick to listen.” I say rather what I think they said. Hearing something different
had read this particular verse many times with little thought. than what was actually said can be a big issue for me. I need
For some reason the other day it really spoke to me. As to work on making sure that I don’t misinterpret things, even
a result, I have made a commitment to become a better if this means having the other person repeat what was said.
listener.
Being quick to listen is a process. Hopefully, as the year
I have always been one for setting goals for the New Year. progresses, I will find even more tools that will help me to
This year my goal is to work on really listening to others. I become a better listener. How about you? Would it benefit
want this to be more than just words so I have put together others if you became a better listener?
an action plan. The following is what it will hopefully look like
for me to become a better listener. –God Bless. Tom

NEWBORN ANNOUNCEMENTS!

Check Back Next Month

18

Mechanics

Fill Out DIRs Just to put everything into perspective, the shop will be going
through close to 1,000 pieces of equipment from now until
2018 has arrived and we’re off to a spring. This includes truck and trailer DOTs, yellow iron repairs
running start ! The off-season repairs and crane OSHA inspections, all while keeping the plated trucks
have officially begun so the shop will running and all snow plow equipment on the road. Needless to
be packed for the next 3-4 months. A
huge thanks to Tony Lawhead, Craig say, the shop has its hands full! By the
Cook, Chris way, most of these units are also getting
Town, Eric GPS units installed to track machine
Warnes, and hours and location. This will eliminate
Bones Robbins (apologies if I missed paper DIRs and help us track machine
anyone) for taking on the sizeable hours and service intervals.
and detailed task of completing
inspection sheets which will expedite I keep mentioning this in every
the repairs and determine the amount newsletter so you know I must really
of time a piece of equipment will be mean it ☺ but PLEASE call me directly
in the shop. We are grateful for your or call the MECH SHOP – TC contact
support and team effort. in all of our phones if you have any
equipment issues.
I would also like to thank all the
mechanics state wide for completing Until next time, keep it running.
over 12,000 work orders! When you
think about it, it’s probably double – Eric
that considering each work order
contains multiple repairs and service codes. Thank you, guys!

Thank You Team Elmer’s. I am leaving to pursue another career. Taking my

With another year gone and a new one place will be Jason Hentschel. He is moving over from our parts
started it is always good to take a look
back. First, thank you, Ethan, Sebastian, department to handle my role and assist Eric Smith. Please call
and Roman for doing a great job on 3rd
shift with servicing and greasing everything Jason for service related questions.
throughout the year. Thank you to everyone
that called in services and filled out the Please remember to fill out miles and hours on DIRs and check
DIRs with miles and hours. The number of
overdue services is down from prior years because of your help. hours on machines when using them. Call Jason Hentschel 231-
One change for 2018, I will no longer be the service manager for
342-6288, Eric Smith 231-342-1804, or the TC Mechanic shop

800-230-4590 with any questions.

Thank you! – Evan

19

To get started:
• Download the BCBSM Online
Visits app
• Add your health plan
information from your Blue Care
Network medical card
• Add a debit card or credit card

When you need to see a Doctor:
• Sign-in to your BCBSM Online
Visits app
• Pick a Doctor to see from
anywhere you have cellular
service

Who can use this app?:
• Available for all dependents
on your Team Elmer’s Group
Health Plan
• Anyone (spouse included)
over the age of 18 must have
an individual account (we are all
about retaining Health Privacy
Information (HPI)).

Your card will be automatically
charged a $40 fee, which is
fully reimbursed through your
HRA with 44North. A check or
direct deposit is available for
reimbursement. If you have any
questions, please contact Cindy
Karker in Human Resources.

20

IC Middle School, Traverse City, Michigan IC Middle School, Traverse City, Michigan

IC Middle School, Traverse City, Michigan Filer Township Sewer, Manistee, Michigan

Filer Township Sewer, Manistee, Michigan

21

THEGIPVEI‘ECMKLE

1 SERVICE Jason Ruppert
Excavation
Make serving others Traverse City
your #1 priority.
Jason came in on a Sunday to repair
You’re in a noble profession. a break away flange on a fire hydrant
Be proud of what you do and that was damaged in a snow bank
while snow plowing during the
where you work. blizzard.
Thank you for the quick fix, Jason!

2 ATTITUDE Justin Kelenski
Excavation
Choose your attitude. Traverse City
How you think about customers
Karl Sporck called just to let Team
is how you will treat them. Elmer's know how happy he is with
Remember your mental his snow removal service. Justin
“I Like Yous!” Kelenske is awesome. Never been
happier.
Way to go, Justin!

3 CONSISTENCY Mark Popp
Concrete
Customers return because they Tri-City/Midland
like what happened last time.
For years of dedicated service to Team Elmer's.
Stick to your high Quality work. Reliable.
service standards. Thank you, Mark!

4 TEAMWORK Pete Miller and Don Rongey
Excavation
Go out of your way Traverse City
to make each other look good.
Thank you, Don Rongey and Pete Miller,
Everything you do ends up for getting all snowplowing covered during
in front of the customer. blizzard conditions throughout the holiday
season.
22 Way to go, Pete and Don!

TIP OF THE

MONTH

The start of a new year is a great time to make life-long healthy habits.

Start off slowly.

Changes in your lifestyle take time. Gradual changes to your habits will help to keep up with
those changes long term. Focus on one habit change at a time, and once you have mastered
that habit change, add another.

Focus on the building blocks to making changes.

Motivation, discipline, and habit building all help to make lasting changes. Think about how you
can make a desired change attainable by focusing on:
Why-what is your motivation to make that change and want to continue with that change over
time.
What– what will you do to make sure you will stay on task, such as finding a support person to
exercise with or removing unhealthy foods from your kitchen.
How- determining what you will do to continue to add the new habit into your lifestyle until it
becomes a long term habit.

Pick a habit change that is SMART.

Specific: A particular action is determined.
Measurable: A way to measure progress is established to determine when the goal is achieved.
Attainable: Is this something that I will be able to accomplish?
Realistic: Your abilities and lifestyle fit well with the goal; something you are willing and able to do.
Time-based: A timeframe in which the goal can be achieved.
Ex: For the next week, I will eat at least three fruits and vegetables a day.

Don’t get discouraged.

With making changes, there are always going to be road blocks to side-line your progress. Make a plan on
how to tackle situations that effect your habit change, and what you will do to get back on track or how to
avoid those situations in the future.

Questions? Ask Jackie

616-309-2778
[email protected]

23

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

PERMIT #568

Team Elmer’s Scholarship Program

Team Elmer’s is proud to award education Team Elmer’s employee dependent who will be enrolled in classes for
scholarships for the dependents of our Summer 2018 or Fall 2018. The certificate must be used for up to 15
employees. This year, we will be awarding contact hours by December 31, 2018. Certificate has no cash value,
at least: cannot be extended, or transferred.

Three (3) $500 Elmer’s Education One (1) $1,000 Trades Scholarship
Scholarships The $1,000 Trades Scholarship is available to any Team Elmer’s
Team Elmer’s scholarships are available to employee dependents 16 employee dependent who will be enrolled in an accredited Career and
years or older planning to attend college, or students already in college. Technical Education Program, including skills utilized in the Trucking,
A copy of college class schedule may be required before the final award Heavy Construction and Road Building, Testing, Mining, Construction,
payment. Welding, HVAC, or Electrical, pursuing a career in the construction
industry. A copy of college class schedule may be required before the
One (1) $1,000 Elmer’s Believes FPU Scholarship final award payment.
The $1,000 Elmer’s Believes FPU Scholarship is for any dependent
of an Elmer’s employee 16 years or older planning to extend their To apply, please submit a 250 word or less essay answering the
education. The applicant must attend and complete a Dave Ramsey question,
Financial Peace University Course. The applicant must provide a copy In what way is technology changing culture?
of the certificate of completion for the FPU course or the instructor name
and location. Elmer’s will pay for the $100 FPU class kit regardless of All applications must be received by March 31, 2018. Essays will be
essay submission. (**NOTE** Tom Shelder is teaching FPU in three judged and winners will be announced in the May 2018 Team Elmer’s
Saturday classes, January 6, 13, and 20, 2018 in Traverse City. Please newsletter. Winners will also be notified directly via email about how
email [email protected] for more details or to sign up.) to claim their prize. These are non-renewable scholarships. You must
submit each year to be eligible for the award.
One (1) NMC Scholarship for up to 15 Contact Hours Enter online at http://www.teamelmers.com/scholarship
The In-District $1,550.50 or Out of District $3,079.50 scholarship to
Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City is available to any Good luck! We look forward to your entries!