The Dirt - June 2017

JUNE 2017
Building Better Communities

NORTHPORT POINT WATER INTAKE

6 | Human Resources MONTHLY COMMUNICATOR
12 | Photo Spread
21 | Financial Peace
23 | Healthy Eating

2017 Holiday Schedule • Thanksgiving: November 23, 2017 - Paid Day Off
• After Thanksgiving: November 24, 2017 - Unpaid Day Off
Emergency repair and snowplow crews will remain on-call • Christmas Day: December 25, 2017 - Paid Day Off
during Holiday Schedule. • After Christmas Day: December 26, 2017 - Unpaid Day Off
• Memorial Day: May 29, 2017 - Paid Day Off • New Year’s Day : January 1, 2018 - Unpaid Day Off
• Independence Day Eve: July 3, 2017 - Unpaid Day Off
• Independence Day: July 4, 2017 - Paid Day Off
• Company Picnic: July 29, 2017 - 11 am - 4 pm
• Labor Day: September 4, 2017 - Paid Day Off

HAPPjYuBnIeRTHDAY

1839 KELSEY BAKER 1-Jun 2006 KIMBERLEY OHLERT 16-Jun 203 MIKE FLAUGHER 24-Jun
1569 GERALD GONYEA 24-Jun
2140 CHARLES HALL 1-Jun 701 GREG TOWN 17-Jun 863 PATTI CARRUTH 25-Jun
928 JEREMY KASTL 25-Jun
506 JASON HORTON 2-Jun 1408 DAVID WENDELS 17-Jun 1395 KEITH CRAIG 26-Jun
2135 LEXIE SNABLE 26-Jun
2042 MARY MASSON 2-Jun 2088 WILLIAM LAUZON 19-Jun 649 JEFF ELLIS 27-Jun
98 KENT MEGILL 28-Jun
1621 TOM FIELDS 3-Jun 2150 MITCHELL MATZENBACH 19-Jun 551 MICHAEL COE 28-Jun
1278 JOSEPH SCHLINK 28-Jun
1788 MATT MCGINESS 5-Jun 735 JEFF MARCEAU 20-Jun 1350 CINDY KARKER 30-Jun

1815 ROBERT ELLUL 8-Jun 2144 JARED STUMBRIE 21-Jun

1253 DON RONGEY 9-Jun 109 VICKY LONG 22-Jun

1369 ALLEN SCHOFIELD 9-Jun 777 BRIAN PEACE 22-Jun

1538 MATTHEW KRUEGER 10-Jun 25 TROY BROAD 23-Jun

1345 TYLER YOUKER 13-Jun 300 TAD ELLIOTT 23-Jun

2095 THOMAS WOLF 13-Jun 1579 WILLIAM AMES II 23-Jun

102 RUS CORWIN 14-Jun 2069 JAKE RAMSAY 23-Jun

BUILDING BETTER COMMUNITIES SINCE 1956 THIS ISSUE 12 > Photos
Esphalt™ • Excavation • Concrete • Cranes 14 > Safety
3 > President 15 > Project of the Month
4 > Aggregates 16 > Cranes/Rigging
5 > Communications 17 > Trucking
6 > Human Resources 18 > Chaplain’s Corner
7 > Spotlight 19 > Mechanics
8 > TC Excavation 22 > Pickle
9 > Hillman 24 > Wellness
10 > Concrete
11 > Asphalt

2

BACK TO BASICS

Hey, Gang! How the heck is everyone doing!? What is our purpose? We are TEAM Elmer’s. Collectively, we
are part of something bigger than ourselves. Each and every
Did you thank a veteran on Memorial Day? I one of you contribute to a greater cause; I’ve seen you make
know we all appreciate everything they have that happen! Team Elmer’s is pretty awesome to be part of and
done for us and this country. They are special humbling to lead! We move the world! As we move through the
people! I would like to give a big salute to all the days and build our communities, it is fantastic to see you taking
veterans who work for us who have done such care of others as you go along. So powerful! It’s been great to be
a noble job. AMERICA TRULY APPRECIATES part of and witness the compassion over the years as you take
YOUR SERVICE AND ALL YOU HAVE DONE FOR US. Take the care of each other! Pretty special place to work.
time to thank a vet, be it Memorial Day or any given day of the
week. At this point, we are well into the season and we are blessed with
an abundance of work. Remember, the year is a marathon, not
How does a company stay in business for over 60 years!? It’s not a sprint. Pace yourself. Calm is contagious. We have plenty of
by doing good work. It is done by doing YOUR BEST WORK! I am time if we calmly do things right the first time, keep our equipment
honored to serve you; it is easy with a TEAM as awesome as you! running, and stay safe from an accident. Remember our training
Have you ever thought about the things we collectively create on a slogan, “Back to Basics”. Do the simple things, the rest will follow!
daily basis? Have you just stopped and thought about how much How do we eat an elephant? ONE BITE AT A TIME, BABY! 
talent we have and the things we can do? We can do anything! Let’s do what we say we’re going to do, be on time, have a great
There is an art to the things we do, it doesn’t just happen. It takes attitude and make each other look great!
hard work, skill, honed talent and dedication to quality in order to Remember our Pickle mantra:
do it well. I hope each of you is proud of what you do. I AM! I am 1. Service 2. Attitude 3. Consistency 4. Teamwork.
very humbled at your abilities and the work you get done in a day; Together, let’s have a safe, fun year!
it is pretty awesome to watch. I never tire of driving down the road
and looking at all the things we have done for over 60 years now! Until next month, stay safe, GOD BLESS, and be the coffee.
Collectively, you… the TEAM… have done this! GIVE YOURSELF
A HAND! You deserve it! –Troy

Here’s to the SAFETY STAFF. I had the opportunity to meet
with them the other day… yep, I made the list… not too proud
of it… but hats off to Eric Ritchie, Butch Peeples, Eric Seaburg,
Catrina Sayler, and Tom Wolf. They have been doing a great job
ensuring we’re doing all we can to get home safe at night. Thanks
for a job well done! Everyone, PLEASE, continue to work safe. It
is inspiring to see us all working together to reach this important
goal. When you stop and think about it, our health is all we have.
Take care of each other, be mindful of the details and get home
safe!

3

Crews See Early Challenges.

Welcome to June! spec, on-time, and always running when time allows.
The slogan for this month: “We Need to Make 31-A – All
The year is nearly halfway over Day!”
and we have been blowing through Hope all of you enjoyed your Memorial Day weekend,
materials at break-neck speed. saluted all the veterans who gave their all and paid the
price for each of us to be free and live in the greatest
John Deere representatives were on country in the world. Happy Father’s Day to all the dads
site to take care of hydraulic, rim pull, out there this month! Love ya, Dad! (so does your Team
and ride issues with the Elmer’s family )

844 loaders. We hope to have them fixed within the next Be safe and smile because it’s a great day to have a great
couple of months. Tim, Yvonne, Mark, and the Alpena day!
crew are doing great. The trucks are hauling out lots of
material with some 5,000-ton and – Todd

6,000-ton days. Way to go, team!

The scale is fixed. The scale is fixed. Yay, the scale is
fixed at Ellsworth! Carolyn and George have been selling
most of the spring based on yardage. Glad to have the
scale back up and running.

Thanks to Tad, Joel, and crew for making a very tough
time in Lake County work and produce material in
specification. Nice work, fellas! Nice work! We will be
crushing 22-A in the yard ASAP.

Jordan and Kyle are doing an excellent job with the Haz-
Mag making RAP. We should finish up with that this week.
We hope to get Joe and Scott the material they need for
the asphalt plant season. Next up, the recycled concrete
pile, crushing to 21-AA specification.

Don, Nathan, and Tom have fired up the Hulbert pit and
the wash plant to try and keep up with demand. Go,
Team, Go! M-72 has started a split shift, morning and
afternoon shifts, to meet demand. Both shifts have been
busy meeting all of our customer’s needs. Thank you for
starting early and working late to make sure we are in

4

Communications

What A Talented Team!

Hats off to every single operator we 4. Know Your Work Area
have here at Team Elmer's. We had Our road has very little traffic, allowing us to dig into
the opportuinty to do some minor the topsoil pile next to the road. Even with this ability,
landscaping at our home over the watching for the occasional vehicle and ensuring that the
Memorial Day weekend. We borrowed a equipment stayed in our lane when digging into the pile
John Deere tractor with bucket from our neighbor (Thanks was eye opening! Thank you for staying in your project
Dad!) and proceeded to move a 10 yard load of topsoil. site, keeping awareness of traffic and crew mates top of
mind!
Now I already had a healthy dose of respect for every
person at Team Elmer's. The tasks you do every day, 5. Your Teammates Matter
and make look easy, are humbling to watch! After our No matter how good (or not so good in my case) an
experience I have an even greater sense of respect for equipment operator you are, the person next to you is
all you do in the field every day. Here are the five things I what makes your project complete. They tell you where
learned. to place your spoils, read levels, place pipe properly, rake
topsoil level, tell you when to dump, attach chain or straps
1. Big Toys Are Better safely, and look out for you and their teammates. It all
Move 10 yards of topsoil, 200 yards to the final site, with comes back to your teammates. Thank you, Team!
less than a 1/3 yard bucket. I waved at my neighbor
mowing their lawn 60 times. Sometimes bigger is better. I P.S. I'm sticking with visual communications.
now understand why we like the BIG toys so much. I know my strength. :) We get to document all you do
everyday. Thank you for that!
2. A Small Bucket Is Better Than Shoveling
Ten yards of topsoil moved without having to manually Until Next Time, Be The Change You Want To See!
shovel all 10 yards is a BIG improvement! Thank you to
those of you shoveling in the trench everyday! – Tonya

3. Process and Precision Matter P.P.S.
When loading your equipment bucket, muscle memory The "You Shall Not Pass" commercial we shot in May is
and knowing what will happen is a blessing. now published on our youtube channel. Check it out!
Note: FINALLY getting your bucket full pushing into https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLhYXT0J8do
the pile and then immediately dumping your bucket
back into the same pile does not make for an efficient P.P.P.S
operator. Humbled to witness all the operators who safely Company Picnic Registration Is OPEN! RSVP by July 1.
maneuver in tight situations with precision. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ElmersPicnic2017

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]

TOBACCO USERS... Benefits Info
Did You Know?
Uniforms Concerns 2. Your % allocated will be increased
With Elmer’s tobacco free policy, automatically annually by 1% until
an individual is not permitted to use Please Call CINTAS Directly. you are at a 10% allocation (unless
these products in or around company you chose to not participate and have
buildings (within 50 feet), and vehicles, We are changing the communication contact One America directly to stop
or anywhere their personal choice path regarding your rental concerns the process)
negatively impacts the health of all (sizing, cleaning, repairs, etc.)*
people around them. We agree that
tobacco smoke poses the greatest You have a personal representative 3. Elmer’s has increased their
threat to those exposed. However, we with CINTAS, Lisa Murphy; please employer match to 5% if you are
also know that a tobacco-free policy is call her directly to service your rental contributing at least 10%
simply the strongest policy. garment questions.
We look forward to meeting with all
Tobacco products include cigarettes, Lisa Murphy | Service Supervisor of you who were unable to attend at
e-cigarettes, cigars, snuff, pipes, chew Cintas Corporation | www.cintas.com Team Elmer’s next 401k meeting.
and other non-combustible tobacco Office: 231.879.3163
products. Fax: 231.879.3262 44 Navigator
6881 US 131 | Fife Lake, MI 49633
Human Resources is receiving [email protected] Employee Benefits Portal
complaints of tobacco disposal in **Changes in rental garments, or new
company bathrooms, waste baskets, service, still must go through Human Hopefully everyone has had a chance
grounds around buildings, and floors, Resources. Service concerns contact to go into your benefit portal with 44
etc. This is strictly prohibited. All Lisa Murphy. Navigator and complete the required
tobacco products in use must be tasks. If you have any incomplete
disposed of appropriately prior to 401k Meetings tasks, 44 Navigator will continue
entering any building or vehicle. to send you emails until you have
Thanks to all of you who attended the completed your requirements. Please
Need help to quit? Contact Senika 401k meetings in May. Our primary note, even if you do not participate in
at OnSite Wellness and sign up for objective is 401k education and your Team Elmer’s group health benefits,
a FREE smoking Cessation Class, online access with One America to you will still have necessary tasks to
[email protected] or review your account balances and complete. Contact Cindy Karker in
616.309.2776 or contact 44 North to find make changes to your investment Human Resources if you have any
out about other options you may have percentages and allocation. questions.
through EHIM, our current prescription
Drug Company. Did you know? Career Opportunities
1. Effective May 1, 2017 all
6 employees are automatically enrolled Openings in the following divisions
at 3% (unless you chose to not (Trucking, Asphalt, Dirt and Aggregate)
participate and have contacted One are listed on the company website at
America directly to stop the process) www.teamelmers.com/careers. Check
it out, apply online and encourage
others to apply online.

HR Updates

Employment Forms Available Online Wellness Participation

Please check out Elmer’s website at, Please send forms or other qualifying paperwork to
http://www.teamelmers.com/ to download available OnSite Wellness directly at
employment forms.
Click the Staff tab on the home page OnSite Wellness
Sign-In Using Information Below Attn: Team Elmer’s
Username: staff 3020 Charlevoix Dr. SE, Suite2
Password: c0ncr3t3 Grand Rapids, MI 49546
Click Payroll & Benefits icon
Click HR Employee Forms icon Email: [email protected]
[email protected]
Accessing Your Paystub Fax: 616. 309.2770
Questions, please call Senika at 616-309-2776.
Accessing Your Paystub

• Go to TeamElmers.com

• Click on the Staff tab (upper right hand corner) New Hires

• Enter username: Staff Coates, Elise M.
Forrester, Kelly M.
• Enter password: c0ncr3t3 Hall, Charles L. Communication Intern
Harju, Nathan R. Communication Intern
• Login Lacross, James B. Laborer Dirt Traverse City
Leclair, Richard Equipment Operator Pits
• Click on Payroll & Benefits Info Tab Matzenbach, Mitchell K. Laborer Dirt Traverse City
Reitz, Ronald T. RediMix Driver Ludington
• Click on Employee Paystubs Dewitt, Kody S. Laborer Dirt Traverse City
Thornton, Lars C. Truck Driver Traverse City
• Type in User Name: Employee # Campsmith, Chris RediMix Driver White Cloud
Jaynes, Dustin Intern TC Project Manager
(must be 4 numbers, example: 0001) Kaiser, Liam Laborer Dirt Traverse City
Laborer Dirt Traverse City
• Type in Password: (last four of your social security Communication Intern

# , last four of primary bank account #)

• Login

New Hire Survey

Just a reminder to all new employees that have completed
30 days of employment. A New Hire Survey was emailed
to you and we really look forward to your feedback. Please
take a moment to complete the short survey and enter for
a chance to win a $100 gift card which will be drawn closer
to the end of the season (September). If you have any
questions or did not receive the survey via email, please
contact Jennifer Flick.

7

Excavation

Green Grass And Dirt

Memorial Day has been and gone manholes with chains and pins. It puts a side load on the
already. Time flies when you are having manhole and it will break. Don’t hesitate to call if you are
fun. Besides the annual pancake unsure or need assistance. We’re here to help each other
breakfast and extra day to make a three not only do the right thing but stay safe doing it.
day weekend, what is Memorial Day?
Did you know that Memorial Day was originally called Until next month, keep calm and dig on.
Decoration Day and started just after the Civil War? It
is a day of remembrance to take a minute to remember – Max
those who died serving their country and protecting our
freedoms.

We are off to a fantastic season start! Everyone I talk to
says they see us everywhere and they are right. There’s
lots going on and it is impressive. We started work at Park
Drive in Traverse City, The Gathering Grounds for the
Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, a track for Manistee
High School and another Cell at the Manistee Landfill.
We are wrapping up in Marblehead Ohio, Interlochen Arts
Academy, Merchie Bridge, and numerous other smaller
projects. The water intake bore at Northport Point is in and
crews are completing the pipe work.

We started having monthly foreman meetings again to
help keep the communication open between the office
and the field and to make sure you are getting the tools
and equipment you need to be efficient and safe. We
have purchased a trench box ladder platform that you pull
along with the trench box and it should be here soon. Let
me know if you are putting a box in and we will give it a
try. I am still seeing issues with lifting manholes, both with
chains and spreaders. If you are lifting 2’ and 4’ manholes
with chains and pins, make sure you have the correct
pins for the manhole, ie., twist lock, red through pins,
duck bills. If you are lifting a 5’ or 6’ manhole, we have
spreaders at SonnyMart set up with a lifting ring and drop
chains that are rated for the weight. Do not pick up these

8

The Hillman Report

To heck with the weather…I’m a Papa Road Commission, Lafarge, and customer orders have
again! Just as my first granddaughter been keeping the trucking division busy as well.
learned to say “Papa”, here comes
another! Congratulations, Michael and Let’s everybody remember all the safety training we had
Esther, and thank you for bringing me and Nana another this spring! Our Safety Meter is climbing with preventable
bundle of joy, all 4.3 pounds of accidents. Remember: Safety front of mind.
her. She can come to work with
me as she will fit right next to my Think then do!
pocket protector. 
Quote of the month:
Wow, what a difference a month
can make in regards to workload! “Never argue with stupid people.
We were blessed enough to pick They will drag you down to their level
up several projects in the last few and then beat you with experience.” –
weeks including the Jordon River Mark Twain
Fish Hatchery, Boyne Highlands,
Northland Market Contaminated Until next month, work hard, be safe,
Clean-up, Business Spur I-75
in St. Ignace, Zimowski Road and have fun! – Mike
crush and shape near Mio, the
Charlevoix Airport, and some Buhl Road Dam Pedestrian Bridge
retention basin excavation at
the Poet Bio-refinery in Caro. We were also low bidder
on the Hammond Bay and Cheboygan Water and Sewer
projects but waiting to see if they will be awarded. We’re
also waiting to hear if we were successful on the McLaren
Hospital in Petoskey. We have our fingers crossed. We
still have room in the schedule for more work but it’s
definitely filling up. Thank you, Jeff, Dylan, Steve, and
Dan for all the long hours and creative estimating!

The quarry and trucking have also seen a huge increase
in action. The quarry has been cranking out the material
averaging over 5000-tons of dense grade produced daily.
We’re also seeing a lot of orders and customer traffic.
Alpena County Road Commission, Montmorency County

9

Concrete

What’s In The Mix? Two Months In!

June marks mid-year but we are really
less than two months into construction
season. We have a great jump on the
year so far and have been consistently
busy in the Concrete Division. Overall,
we are actively bidding work which is a

good sign.

The production shop in Traverse City has been busy
getting the spring work load out the door. Dave, Keith,
and Alex have done a great job of staying ahead of the
dirt crews and keeping up their inventory. Thanks, guys,
for an excellent start!

We continue to show up on the accident report with
multiple backing up and “too tall” incidents. We talked
about these two items in particular over the winter
because we need to improve. It is a tough job to navigate
our large trucks around sites, but we need to hit reset and
make sure we are doing it without damaging equipment or
our surroundings. There is nobody better in these trucks
than our people, so let’s shine.

As I type this newsletter, it will be my last submittal while I
am in my thirties.  I am not sure what happened to the
last 39 years, but here we are. Lots of good memories is
where it went! I am lucky enough to have spent almost
half of my life working with the fine people that make this
place great. It will be a few months of reflection and
personal evaluation, but age is just a number so I will get
over it quickly. The nice thing is that I know where we are
heading; to bigger and better every day.

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

– jason

10

Asphalt

Paving The Way coming in and the guys in the field have done a great job
paying attention to detail and giving us the quality work
Happy June, team! June is our customers deserve. Thank you barely covers how
what it says on every calendar grateful we are for such professionalism, but we’ll say it
page turned right now so it must anyway and mean it!
actually be true.  The Asphalt
Department has been busy THANK YOU, everyone, for working so hard to keep us
bidding, building, and billing looking good and staying productive. 
work here.  We sure could use
some warm, dry weather to take Until next month, stay safe.
a little stress out of our lives but we know if it was that
easy, everyone would do it.  – Brian

 We have already completed
a good majority of Grand
Traverse County work with
nine miles of overlay and
one mile of crush and shape
completed for them.  We
have also completed a two
mile crush and shape for
Lake County and we are
wrapping up our US-131
reconstruction project.  The
private and commercial
work is being completed
daily as well and it seems
we get one job done and
sign up three more. 

 Our current outlook on bidding is as impressive as ever
with around 100,000-tons bidding in the next month.  Yes,
that’s correct, no typo in the tonnage.  The estimators
have done a great job keeping up with the work volume

11

MANISTEE TRACK
CHARLEVOIX BIKE TRAIL
TRAVERSE CITY FRONT ST
PRECAST PRODUCTION
MANISTEE GATHERING GROUNDS

WAY TO GO, TEAM!

12

13

Safety

Are we getting vehicles stuck on a worksite and having to get Benchmark CSA numbers (24 month rolling average) CSA
pulled out? Due to a recent accident involving two mixers, we Rating
are evaluating our current procedures on “pulling out a stuck Unsafe Driving – 17% vs. 18% last month
vehicle”. We will take into consideration the position of the Crash Indicator – 44% vs. 43% last month
vehicles, the hook up points, and the towing equipment we are Hours of Service – 0%
using. We have had two 120,000-pound tow straps break while Vehicle Maintenance – 18% vs. 17% last month
trying to pull out stuck vehicles, one resulting in major damage Controlled Substance – 0%
to both of the vehicles. The other strap was used on a stuck Driver Fitness - 0%
gravel train but was pulled out without damage. Straps and
hook up equipment (clevis) should be inspected before using to Year to Date:
ensure they are in good shape and are rated properly to handle
the weight and stress of what you are trying to pull. Personal Internal Inspections – 212 (57 Plants/Jobs & 155 Equipment)
injuries are a big concern. We can fix the vehicle. Get with
Safety or your foreman before attempting a heavy pull and let’s MSHA Inspections – 0
talk about it.
DOT Inspections – 1
Thanks to all of you who are participating in the morning safety
talks on site. We are receiving more and more of the sheets OSHA/MIOSHA – 1
from you. Hopefully it helps us identify and mitigate hazards
that we all face daily. Accidents and Incidents – 62 Near Misses - 17

Thanks to the foremen for their lead in encouraging their crews Motor Vehicle – 6 Recordable Injuries - 2
to call the Safety Hotline when reporting issues and incidents.
Equipment Damage – 2 Lost Work Days - 0
Those of you using flaggers on your jobsite, remember hard
hats, safety glasses and steel toed boots. Flaggers need to Property Damage – 33 Restricted work days - 0
keep their hand on the paddle and not turn their back to traffic.
Our observations have been that our contract flaggers are not Utilities – 11 Equipment Failure – 3
up to speed on the basic regulations. Foremen, you may have
to provide more instruction points to these flaggers. Suggestions or comments, please call the Safety Department
at 231-735-8660.
Let’s review the statistics from last month. Ask yourself, “Can I
make a difference in lowering these numbers?” Remember: If you see something that doesn’t look right, say
something.

– BCauttrcihn,a,Eraicn,d Tom

14

PROJECT OF THE MONTH

Northport Point Water Intake

15

Cranes & Rigging

Permits Complete

It’s June already meaning we’re
halfway through 2017.  Is there a
special northern Michigan clock that
speeds up once the snow melts and
it’s finally nice outside? School is out,
Memorial Day is behind us, Father’s
Day is this month, and the 4th of July is
just around the corner. Tourists and summer residents are
here in full force, having fun and enjoying everything our
region has to offer. Get out with your families and friends
and do the same.

As usual, we are picking things up and setting them
down here in C & R (Crane & Rigging); it’s kind of our
gig. Mr. Jim Guns got to pluck an airplane from Cedar
Lake. Who knew you couldn’t land a float plane with the
wheels down? Mark and company have been at Lake
City Forge, Century Extrusion, and several other machine
shops across the state. Tom and crew were busy up-
righting a Cat 980 loader at Biewer Sawmill. Rod and Joe
have been picking on multiple oil field projects. Randy
has been driving sheeting at Northport Point for our
marine division. We’ve been putting boats in at several
marinas, new fuel tanks in at Frankfort, and trusses for
our residential contractors, all the while getting our new
hires, Brian and Luke, in the mix so we can get them out
on their own projects.  Mr. Papcun is next door doing his
thing while Michelle is keeping things downstairs moving
along. A big thanks to everyone in C & R!

Conduct is the best proof of character.

– Kent

16

Trucking

Get A Lead Of This!

I said the Trucking Division was numerous little jobs internally and for outside customers.
going to get busy and have we There was not a county north of Grand Rapids that
ever! Hopefully it will continue to Trucking was not involved in over the month of May.
be a busy season for at least 7
more months. The year is starting We need to help the mechanics stay on top of repair
out to look like we will set an all- issues and tire wear (preventive maintenance). If
time, new Utilization Hours record something doesn’t seem to be working right, speak up
for the trucks. We hauled sand, road gravel, stone, and get it into the shop. Early detection and treatment of
and millings out and asphalt in to the Costco site. The a minor repair may prevent a more costly major repair
East Jordan Iron Works project received road gravel with added down time. The way the work load is going, if
from Afton, Alpena, and Ellsworth, plus some pre-cast we have a driver and the equipment is available to use,
loads, equipment moves, and stone from the M-72 and we can put it to work.
Alpena pits. We’ve been busy hauling asphalt to paving
crews in Lake, Osceola, Wexford, Manistee, Leelanau, With all this exposure across northern Michigan, it is
Benzie, Kalkaska, Antrim, and, of course, Grand Traverse important to remember your team goals of being a leader,
counties. The two liquid asphalt transporters are bringing a polite driver to others, and being accountable for doing
3 loads a day into the Traverse City plant from Detroit. the job right and to the best of your ability. Let’s make
We’re looking at making it 4 loads a day. We are still sure our customers (internal and external) are satisfied
hauling gypsum to Ohio and Alpena. The Hillman with the delivery and the products we deliver. We are
guys have been busy spreading gravel in Alpena and building better communities by serving the people who
Montmorency counties and live and work within them.
Bolen sand to Alpena. Trucks
have been hauling different Thanks for all you do out there.
types of lime all over northern
Michigan from our own pits –jim
and other vendors. Trucks are
busy supplying our concrete *Note* Look for Jim and the trucking
division with materials from the crew in our Team Elmer's Updates
M-72 pit and Alpena quarry, plus on our www.youtube.com channel,
hauling cement and slag from "Team Elmer's TV". Episodes 31
terminals in Alpena, Essexville, and 32 have been on truck safety
Muskegon, and Dundee. The with special help from the Michigan
to-do list goes on and on with State Police. Thank you, MSP, and
thank you, crew!

17

CHAPLAIN’S CORNER

Reaching His Heart

Greetings! the men in our lives, be they husbands, fiancés, fathers,
grandfathers, uncles or brothers, is to meet the needs of
Is there any better place to be in the summer than their hearts.
Michigan? The weather is perfect. There are plenty of
lakes to enjoy. Who has it better than us? Most of us guys are not real good at letting those around
us know what we need, especially emotionally. It could
Thank you for being so welcoming when I visit the jobsites. be easy to assume that the men in your life are just fine.
It is such a blessing to be part of a company filled with Let me in on some of the needs that your guys have.
great people. Wherever I go, people mention the quality Most men love to be affirmed. There are a number of
work done by Team Elmer’s. ways you can do this. One is to tell a man how much he
is appreciated. Something that I have cherished over the
We recently started a new men’s study group at the years are the notes of appreciation my loved ones have
Traverse City location. This study is called, “Play the Man.” taken the time to write and send to me. Trust me. Guys
The study challenges guys to be the men and fathers want to feel appreciated by the people they love.
God wants them to be. It is a four week class. We meet
Wednesday mornings at 6am in the Broadroom. There is a Something else guys really like is the gift of your time.
women’s study group that meets at noon in the Broadroom This is especially true as men get older. It means a lot
on Wednesdays. The ladies are going through the book to men when others are willing to spend time with them.
Captivating. This study is meant to help women share Make a date with your father or grandfather. It will be time
and live out the deepest desires of their hearts. The next well spent. Ask them what they need to feel loved and
Financial Peace class is scheduled to start on Sunday, appreciated. They may tell you.
August 13th.
To all of you guys out there, have a great Father’s Day.
June 18th is Father’s Day. Father’s Day actually started Thanks for all you do to make the lives of those around
as a Catholic celebration of fatherhood in Europe back in you better.
the middle ages. It is important to set aside a day to honor
men. There are many instances in the Bible where we – Tom
are reminded to honor fathers. I think one way to honor

NEWBORN ANNOUNCEMENTS!

Westin Elizabeth Flaugher - 4 lbs 3 oz, 18.5 inches
born May 13 to Michael and Esther Flaugher.
Michael is in the Hillman Dirt Division.

18

Mechanics

Keep Equipment Running During Re-Gen Process

I can’t believe it is June already! The I am happy to say we have been doing great with everyone’s
shop has been EXTREMELY busy this favorite topic: Re-gens! We haven’t had a single incident with
spring. We’re doing our best to keep ignored re-gen issues this month! I understand the frustration
everything going, making on-the-spot that comes along with this and always the need to go through
repairs, and trying our best to get the re-gen process at the “wrong” time. It goes to show you that
equipment in
and out of the persistence pays off. Thank you for your
shop ASAP; understanding and willingness to learn
easier said than done, trust me. what to look for. Great job, guys!

I would like to personally thank I would just like to remind each of you
Dave Nichols for keeping everything to call the shop for repair needs. The
running down south in the Manistee mobile mechanics are far too busy
and Ludington area! He has been to be answering multiple phone calls
spread thin, chasing multiple road daily. Please call me first and I will send
crews around the map and keeping the closest mechanic to your location
the concrete plants up and running. and get you back working as soon as
I’m not sure how he finds the time possible.
to get everything done but he never
disappoints. Thanks, Dave! Until next month, keep it running.

– Eric

Grease Schedule Set For Third Shift

We now have one person greasing on third City shop.
shift in Traverse City. Roman is doing his
best to make sure all over the road trucks With everyone busy, please remember to take a second glance
and trailers are being greased. There is an to see how many hours are left until service is due, even if you
up-to-date list posted in dispatch by truck are only using the equipment for five minutes. We need your
number and day of the week. Whatever help to prevent and eliminate missed or overdue services. At the
trailer is hooked to that truck on that day end of the day, when filling out Driver Inspection Reports, please
will be greased. If you are pulling a train, please hook up the remember to fill out the hour section with the truck hours. These
pup to the lead so it can be greased that night also. We have are entered every morning and help track and schedule services
scheduled the most trucks per night as possible. Any little thing to on equipment.
help streamline the process for Roman is helpful and appreciated.
Any oil, grease, service questions or concerns, call the shop and
On the bottom shelf with the grease, we have DEF jugs for you to
use on yellow iron as well as one-gallon jugs of oil in the Traverse we will talk it over with you. – Evan
Thank you!

19

20

Dave Ramsey's 7 Baby Steps: Get Out of Debt & Build Wealth.

There's a way out of money stress: Dave is paid off, your cash flow will increase and and income, and international. Even a couple
Ramsey's 7 Baby Steps. They're designed to the bigger debts will be gone sooner than you hundred dollars a month invested now can
be followed one right after the other to lead you think. Before you know it, you're debt-free! make you a multi-millionaire.
out of debt and stress and into a life of saving
and giving. Millions have worked this proven Baby Step 3: A fully Baby Step 5: Start
plan. You can too! Start here. funded emergency fund saving for college
of 3 to 6 months of
Baby Step 1: $1,000 expenses By Step 5, you've paid off all debts but the
cash in a beginner house, and you've started your retirement
emergency fund This step is all about building a full emergency savings. Now it's time to save for your kids'
fund. It's time to kick debt for good, with 3–6 college expenses. College tuitions and housing
The first step, an emergency months' worth of emergency savings. Sit down expenses continue to rise. Don't let college
fund, is for those unexpected events in life and calculate how much you need to live on for sneak up on you. Saving now will put you
you can't plan for. Whether there's a plumbing 3–6 months (for most, that's between $10,000 ahead of the game when your kids graduate
issue and everything but the kitchen sink is and $15,000), and start saving to protect from high school.
draining, or your brakes are squealing at every yourself against life's bigger surprises. You'll
stop sign, you can be ready! never be in debt again—no matter what comes Two smart ways to save for your kids' college
your way. are 529 college savings funds or Coverdell
In this first step, the goal is to save $1,000 ESAs (Education Savings Accounts). These
as fast as you can. Go through your storage Most people lose momentum after Baby Step are both tax-advantaged savings vehicles that
boxes and sell some stuff. Work an extra job or 2 and don't push to complete their emergency let you save money for your kids' education
overtime at your current career. Do whatever it fund. This pile of cash will make sure you expenses. Spread the money across the four
takes to start saving money. Once you have it, aren't caught off guard by a job layoff or a types of mutual funds: growth, aggressive
open a checking account that is separate from leaky roof. Keep your emergency fund in a growth, growth and income, and international.
your regular account and put the cash there. simple checking account or money market
When a car battery goes out or a baseball account with check-writing privileges. That Both 529 plans and ESAs allow you to save
meets a window in your house, you won't have way, you can pay the doctor or wrecker service
to go into debt to fix it. You don't want to dig on the spot. money in an individual investment account. But
a deeper hole while you're trying to work your
way out. Baby Step 4: Invest do your homework first! Depending on your
15% of your household
Baby Step 2: Use the income into retirement income and what state you live in, a 529 might
debt snowball to pay
off all your debt but the Now it's time to get serious about retirement. be better than an ESA. All that's left then is to
house With no payments (except the house) and a
full emergency fund, put 15% of your income get started! Continued on Page 24
It's time to get out of debt! List all debts but the toward the retirement of your dreams. Between
house in order. The smallest balance should your 401(k), Roth IRA, and Traditional IRA, you
be your number one priority. Don't worry about have a lot of options. Find the fit that is right for
interest rates unless two debts have similar you. The money you were using to attack debt
payoffs. If that's the case, then list the higher can now help build your future.
interest rate debt first.
This step is all about building long-term wealth.
This step will make a huge difference in your Take 15% of your gross household income and
everyday life. You'll use the debt snowball to invest it first into matching company 401(k)
knock out your debts one by one, from smallest plans and then Roth IRAs. If your company
to largest. Pay off the first one. Then add what doesn't offer a retirement plan or match your
you were paying on it to the next debt and contributions, then go straight to the Roth.
start attacking it. When you start knocking off Spread the money across four types of mutual
the easier debts, you'll see results and stay funds: growth, aggressive growth, growth
motivated to dump your debt. As each debt
21

THEGIPVEI‘ECMKLE

1 SERVICE Lonny Weiderhold, Dean Edgecomb, and Crew
Asphalt - Traverse City
Make serving others “The driveway is done and it is beautiful. Paul and I were
your #1 priority. really impressed with the crew of men who worked on our
driveway and also on our road. Paul wanted me to mention that
You’re in a noble profession. he thought that a man named "Lonny" who smoothed out our
Be proud of what you do and driveway yesterday did a great job.
I know this will be one home improvement that Paul and I will
where you work. enjoy for years to come.
Thank you to the whole crew at Team Elmer's."
2 ATTITUDE
Cheri Peterson
Choose your attitude.
How you think about customers Way to go, Lonny, Dean, and Crew
(Mike Fischer, Tom Ayotte, Craig Thompson, Justin Judge,
is how you will treat them. Josh Metiva, and Chris Huttenga!)
Remember your mental
“I Like Yous!” Mike Walters
Trucking - Mt. Pleasant
3 CONSISTENCY
New gravel train/cement bulker driver named Mike Walters
Customers return because they is new to us and doing an amazing job. He is professional,
like what happened last time. courteous, and does a top notch job for us. According to his Mt.
Pleasant crew, he is doing everything and more than expected.
Stick to your high Thank You, Mike!
service standards.
Joe Sovis
4 TEAMWORK Concrete - Traverse City
"When [Joe] pulled up, I had a sigh of relief as I was pouring by
Go out of your way myself. Sure was happy to see him. He spreads while he pours -
to make each other look good. spreads it evenly and consistently. Having someone that comes
out and knows what they are doing and does it right every time
Everything you do ends up is pleasant. Really appreciate it! Helped a lot today."
in front of the customer. Scott Swanson
Way to go, Joe!
22
Sonny Eley, Jeff Ayotte, and Crew
Asphalt - Traverse City

"I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, the driveway. Jeff, Sonny, and all
the others were awesome! Great Job! Could NOT be happier!"

Yours Truly,
Veronica Caroll.

Thank you Sonny, Jeff, and Crew (Rick Thomas, Jeff Franz,
Dan Huffman, Corey Broad, Jon Benson, and Justin Bayne.)

Way to go, Team!

TIP OF THE

MONTH

Practice consistency

in safe food

handling

at home.

Enjoy the full freshness of summer fruits and veggies.

CHECK fresh produce for signs of cuts or bruising.

When buying fresh fruit and veggies, check for bruising and damage.

CLEAN hands, surfaces and utensils to prevent contamination.

Wash hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds before and after handling produce. Clean all
surfaces and utensils with hot water and soap before and after preparing produce.

RINSE fruits and veggies just before eating.

Rinse just the produce you plan to use under running water, even those that have skins or rinds that are not
eaten. Packaged produce labeled “ready-to-eat”, “washed”, or “triple washed” should not be washed.

SEPARATE produce from raw meat, seafood, poultry, and eggs.

Not only separate the produce in your shopping cart and bags, but also keep separate in the fridge. Do not
use the same cutting board or utensils without cleaning with soap and water when preparing meals.

CHILL cut produce within 2 hours to prevent bacteria growth.

Keep your fridge at 40ºF or below. Refrigerate cut, peeled, or cooked produce with 2 hours.

THROW AWAY damaged or potentially contaminated produce.

Toss any produce that was not refrigerated within 2 hours of cutting, peeling, or cooking. Remove and throw
away bruised or damaged portions of produce before consumption. And if in doubt, throw it out!

For more information, go to www.fightbac.org!

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

Dave Ramsey's 7 Baby Steps: Get Out of Debt & Build Wealth - Continued

Baby Step 6: Baby Step 7: Build Getting Out of Debt Starts Now!
Pay off home early wealth and give Don't let debt hold you back from reaching
generously your financial goals. A great way to get started
There's only one more debt is Financial Peace University, Dave's most
standing in the way of freedom from all debt— This is the last step and, by far, the most popular class that's helped more than 4.5
paying off the mortgage. Baby Step 6 is the fun. It's time to live and give like no one else! million people get out of debt and leave money
big one! Can you imagine life with no house Build wealth, become insanely generous, and stress behind.
payment? leave an inheritance for future generations. [See Tom Shelder for a class schedule.]
You know what people with no debt and no DaveRamsey.com
Any extra money you can put toward the payments can do? Anything they want! And it's
mortgage will result in tens of thousands of all because you had discipline for a few years.
dollars of interest saved and months (or even Now that's leaving a legacy.
years) of not having a payment hanging over
your head. If you currently have an adjustable It took perseverance and good habits to get
rate mortgage, interest only, or even a 30-year you here. Keep setting goals and budgeting
mortgage, consider refinancing to a 15-year every month. Stay intense and have fun along
fixed-rate mortgage and pay off your home the way! You started investing 15% on Baby
faster. It takes the average family five to Step 4. Now you can max out your 401k and
seven years to pay their home off early. This IRA so you can continue to live and give like
journey to debt freedom is a marathon. Stay no one else in retirement.
focused and intense, and keep a steady pace.
And don't forget to celebrate each little victory
along the way.