The Dirt - April / May

APRIL/MAY 2018
Building Better Communities

12 | Photo Spread MONTHLY COMMUNICATOR
20 | Scholarships/Picnic
23 | Wellness

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

HAPPaYpBrIiRlTHDAY 230 JEFFREY SAXTON 17-Apr may 453 CBLOWE 21-May
1385 1540 RANDY DZIUBA 21-May
1546 ZACHARY BROAD 17-Apr 887 STEPHEN MOLLOSEAU 1-May 1994 JONATHON BENSON 21-May
192 1490 PETER MILLER 1-May 1547 SHEILA MCLAREN 22-May
31 SHAWN BARRIE 18-Apr 1439 SCOTT NICHOLS 2-May 2046 SEAN EMERY 22-May
597 2096 MICHAEL WALTER 3-May 1651 JEFFREY BELANGER 23-May
561 BLAIR HINDMAN 20-Apr 1988 DOUGLAS BOERMA 5-May 1799 WILLIAM PLUT II 23-May
1755 1945 BRADLEY WILLIAMS 7-May 1415 GEORGE MASON 24-May
2085 RICHARD THOMAS 21-Apr 1949 GERALD ABEE 7-May 2027 MATTHEW GORDON 24-May
2117 1438 LEON CAREY 8-May 1663 PAUL MILLER 25-May
90 DENNIS FASHBAUGH 1-Apr 1544 CHESTER TAYLOR 21-Apr 2239 RYAN GIRVEN 11-May 2111 JORDAN OEHRLI 25-May
2012 1753 190 TERRY MASON 13-May 2215 TYLER SPEGEL 25-May
1441 THOMAS FOSTER 2-Apr 1504 ERIC SEABURG 22-Apr 1725 THOMAS SHELDER 13-May 1957 JOHN VANDLING 26-May
1277 932 2159 ROBERT COOPER 13-May 2112 JEREMIAH SYMONS 26-May
1527 ERIC SANBORN 5-Apr 1927 COLIN KEMMIS 23-Apr 170 RONALD ROKOS 14-May 135 RANDALL BROWN 27-May
1140 1624 1273 MARK KORSON 14-May 1792 RYAN WHEELER 28-May
1628 RODNEY BROAD 7-Apr 131 JEFFREY SCOTT 23-Apr 2020 ZAKARY SMITH 14-May 320 RICK BROAD 29-May
2165 1885 1279 MARK POPP 16-May 1488 JOEL CLARK 31-May
1550 DAVID SMITH 7-Apr MARK FRAZIER 24-Apr 1267 DWAYNE CHOUINARD 19-May 1772 RANDY MISIAK 31-May
503 30 CHRISTOPHER TOWN 20-May
1941 JAMES FLORY 8-Apr TODD LAMP 26-Apr 1727 JEREMIAH SMITH 20-May
345 2213 DANIEL WALL 20-May
609 MICHELLE ESTEE 8-Apr GREG NEEDHAM 26-Apr
1495
1656 DONALD WILSON 8-Apr MICHAEL MARKBY 27-Apr

BILLY KRAJNIAK 9-Apr TONY BAMBERGER 28-Apr

WANDA BEARD 11-Apr CHRISTOPHER HERMAN 28-Apr

ROBERT WIDRIG 11-Apr BRYAN DOMKE 28-Apr

CARL CHRISTIANSON 13-Apr SONNY ELEY 30-Apr

KIRSTEN BOTT 14-Apr DARRELL WONSEY 30-Apr

JASON HAGIE 14-Apr

STEVEN CRANE 15-Apr

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

2

THE SEASON IS HERE

Lots of our local high school basketball our riveting benefits sign up sessions so you have a better
teams played good ball. Congratulations understanding of your benefits and how to access them.
on a great season to the Hillman, Buckley, Remember to take advantage of the great information
Kingsley, and Glen Lake teams. These available on the Onsite Wellness site, too. It’s your life after
young men and women were a thrill to all!
watch and they should be proud of what
they accomplished this year! Spread the word for those traveling in Traverse City to
avoid S. Airport Road from Veterans Drive to M-37, if
March came “in like a lion and out like more lions" into mid possible, as this section will be CLOSED DOWN TO TWO
April! We all enjoy when the snow sneaks in, just because LANES through June 29th for road reconstruction. Smile
it can. With that said, we still pushed and got a few jobs and remain positive in your interactions with the public.
started. Calm is contagious. 

It has been exciting lately for those at the Wexford Landfill The repair shops had a bit of a breather with weather
project. As they approached final grade, the water table slowing the start times down and the landfill not needing
was encountered. This caused the job to be shut down haul trucks. They are still busy getting everything ready for
and the scramble was on to get those employees on other the season. Thanks to all for helping to get it done.
projects. THANKS TO ALL WHO WENT AROUND AND
AROUND for the last month there and for bearing with us CDL review for those trying to get their license is available
to get employees relocated. We hope to be back there in on Saturdays in May at the Traverse City location. Ask Max
April to finish up. Bott for more details.

March Madness was also in full court press with spring I know there is a lot going on personally for many of you!
safety training. Thanks to Butch Peeples, Eric Seaburg, I’m praying for ya and know, with Christ, we win!
Tom Wolf, and Catrina Sayler for putting in a lot of work to
educate us all! This is always a great way to start the year; God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
educated, refreshed, and personally accountable for the Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the
2018 season! Way to go! mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters
roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.
Thanks to HR for working through a busy month. Kelsey There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the
Baker has been busy welcoming lots of new faces as holy place where the Most High dwells. - Psalm 46.
Jennifer Flick has been hiring lots of talent to help with this
season. Cindy Karker and crew worked hard to get all of Until next month, stay safe and God Bless.
us insured again for the year. I hope you made it to one of
–Troy

3

Aggregates

Start-Up A Success - ThankYou!

Hello, May and welcome back, Tim, Mark, and the crew are back in crushing mode in
everyone !  It sure is great to see Alpena  after a long winter of making rip-rap for a couple
your smiling faces. of shoreline stabilization projects we have on the west
side of the state.
We have had our share of cold and
snow, Mother Nature, so please Tad and crew are down in Manistee finishing up making
pay the heating bill and crank up the some 22-A and 23-A  for Tim Fischer in Irons, Michigan,
thermostat. We hope to be running then we will be moving to Norton Road to make some
on all cylinders by the first full week of May.  It sure seems much needed 22-A . ☺
like a long time since we have started this late. Joel is in Norton pit trying to get stone screened up to stay
ahead of Tad for the season, then on to Hersha. George
So, what do you know? What do you know for sure? and Carolyn are back in Hersha waiting patiently for Tad
Here’s what I know for sure: Our TEAM is awesome.  to get up there and make some 23-A. Meanwhile, Ryan
is full steam ahead at Bolen making screened sand for
Jordan and crew are finishing up in the yard making RAP Lafarge and will also be at the Godfrey pit later in the
so the asphalt plant will have enough recycle for the year. season.
Thank you,  Mark, Tony, and Ryan, for coming over and
working nights to get the job done. We have a few new faces at the pits. Help make them feel
The cone is in place and ready to go at the M-72 pit. welcome and teach them the TEAM ELMERS WAY: Hard
Thank you to all who helped make that happen! Hat, Safety Vest, Safety Glasses, and Steel-Toed Boots.

The IT department worked very hard to get us up to Thanks to everyone who had a helping hand in making
speed and ready for a big season. Thank you, Gregg this year’s start-up a success. Thanks for getting all the
Stewart and Don Jennett. The fabrication shop built the equipment ready and get yourselves ready for The Best
cradle to house the new cone.  They re-worked the wash Summer Ever: The 3-quel !
plant to handle the new screw and screen deck which
will make it much easier to change screen cloth when Be safe, stay strong, and smile!
needed. Thank you! Don and crew are working on the
plant to get it running at Hulbert. Thanks for helping at – Grandpa Todd
M-72 to get that going!

4

Constructing A Career

This is a copy of an article written for a local TC Fortunately, the pendulum of support seems to be swinging back in
paper. It is about the push for trades training that direction. National, state, regional, and local initiatives are working
around the state. together to create awareness and opportunity, focusing on a return on
How do you fill 9,000 open construction jobs in investment for students, increased trades training with links to future
the state of Michigan - in one year? Or 500,000 careers, and education on the many options available to students.
skilled professional trade jobs by 2024? AND there is funding behind it as well.
According to the Michigan Department of Talent
and Economic Development (TED), those NATIONAL & STATE INITIATIVES
staggering numbers are reality. Why? The great recession exodus, Sen. Debbie Stabenow’s New Skills for New Jobs Act (S.2442) builds
birth rate decline, skilled professional trades people retiring, on a successful effort already underway at the state level, such as the
misperceptions about trades, lack of awareness, and the emphasis on Michigan New Jobs Training Program. Right now, an employer
a four-year college education as a way to guarantee job placement chooses who they want to hire and then partners with a community
have created a shortage of potential crew for skilled professional college to provide the necessary training. The college takes on the
trades. upfront cost of the training and then captures the state income tax
withholding for the new employee until the cost is fully recouped.
Professional trades have long faced a stigma of being dirty, repetitive Stabenow’s New Skills for New Jobs Act would provide a federal
jobs. However, advancements in technology create a very different match to increase the number of workers and businesses that can
outlook. participate in the program.

For example, 19 year old Levi Cederquist will graduate this spring Twenty-three Grand Traverse area businesses have received grants
from Northwestern Michigan College’s welding certification program totaling more than $430,000 from the Michigan Skilled Trades Training
with a two-year Associate’s degree and is already working at a Fund (STTF) for the 2017-18 fiscal year.
surgical instrument company TIG welding and soldering medical
equipment. Not the greasy handed repetitive image you had in mind, Stabenow’s initiatives also support several other job programs.

is it?
Hire More Student Counselors

But sometimes jobs are “dirty,” you say. Maybe. But who didn’t like Michigan has the third-worst student-to-counselor ratio in the country
playing in the sandbox when they were kids? Getting dirty was the fun at 729 to 1. The recommended average is 250 to 1. Sen. Stabenow’s
part. And now you can get PAID for it! The average skilled trades bipartisan Careers Act (S. 2443) would give additional resources.
profession wages is about $51,000 per year and quickly growing. Less
debt, shorter school, paid training, the benefits add up. Give Incentives to Business
Apprenticeship and Jobs Training Act (S.1352) would provide
Opportunities abound in healthcare, information technology, advanced businesses with a tax cut up to $5,000 for each new employee
manufacturing, construction, energy, and automotive sectors. Add to enrolled in a federal or state-registered apprenticeship program.
that, the average debt for a traditional college student, graduate or
not, is in the $30,000 range - with no guarantee of employment. State initiatives continue to increase awareness to guidance

How do we fix the growing need for professional trades talent? counselors, parents, and Continued on Back Page
students.

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 Benefits Info
Career
Please welcome the following new employees Opportunities2018 use is PROHIBITED in all Elmer’s buildings,
to Team Elmer’s! vehicles, and jobsites (chewing tobacco
included).
Bilovus, Brendan - Laborer-Exc.-Petoskey
Dahlbeck, Jeremy - Laborer-Exc.-Petoskey Job openings are online! Encourage those The Tobacco-Free Workplace policy applies to:
King, Sky - Mechanic-Traverse City
McClure, Dalton-Laborer-Exc.-Hillman interested to apply today! All openings are • All areas occupied by company employees
Ballard, Ryan-RediMix Driver-Tri-City
Girven, Ryan-Quality Control-Concrete-TC listed at • All company job sites
Schoech, Dominic - Mechanic-Traverse City
Vandevoorde, Aaron - RediMix Driver-Ludington www.teamelmers.com/careers. • All vehicles owned or leased by the company
Williams, Jordan - Quality Control Tech Agg-TC
Kipfmiller, Mark - RediMix Driver - Omer It is fast and easy to apply to multiple openings • All visitors (customers and vendors) to
Peer, Walter - Equipment Operator - TC
Spegel, Tyler - RediMix Driver - Tri-City at once. company premises
Ireland, Brody - RediMix Driver - Beaverton
Long, John - Laborer Dirt - Traverse City Wellness Wrap Up • All contractors and consultants and/or their
Phillips, Craig - Laborer Dirt - Traverse City employees working on company premises
Smith, Andrew - Laborer Dirt - Traverse City OnSite Wellness LLC & Team Elmer’s would • All temporary employees
Fitzpatrick, Nate - Laborer Asphalt - TC
Lopez, Jeremie - Laborer Asphalt - TC like to thank all of you for coming out and Smoking is permitted in:
Magnus, Troy - RediMix Driver - Mt. Pleasant completing your 2018 wellness requirements. • Parking lot located on the south end of
Sarnow, Jacob - Laborer Asphalt - TC Those of you who achieved the 5 out of 6 company building
Vugteveen, Joseph - Traffic Regulator - TC wellness criteria requirements will receive
Whitefield, Joseph - Laborer Exc.-Traverse City
Casad, Trevor - Project Manager - Petoskey discounted medical group health benefits for Flex Spending
Hall, Jordan - RediMix Driver - Beaverton the 2018-2019 plan year.
Helsel, Colton - Laborer Asphalt - TC
Parks, Billy - Laborer Asphalt - TC If you participate in the flex spending account
Ruiz, Rafael - Truck Driver - Traverse City
Wall, Daniel - Laborer Asphalt - TC Benefits Open (medical or dependent care) for 2017, you
Adams, Mark - Truck Driver - Traverse City Enrollment have until July 15, 2018 to turn in receipts for
Armand, Edward - Truck Driver - Traverse City any medical/dependent care reimbursable
Brewer, Danny - Truck Driver - Traverse City
Bruening, James - Laborer Dirt - Traverse City Health benefits Open Enrollment ended April expenses. Any questions regarding your FSA
Jewett, Jeremiah - Traffic Regulator - TC 14, 2018. should be directed to 44 North @ 1-855-306-
Fitzsimons, Dalton - Truck Driver - Traverse City 1099.
Nightingale, Mark - Truck Driver - Traverse City Any employee that did not complete an online
Bunce, Kristopher - Intern Mechanic - TC
Crevier, Kevin - Intern Quality Control Tech - TC enrollment will automatically be removed You can also look up your FSA and HRA
from Elmer’s group health benefits coverage information at: www.44.n.com
6 effective May 1. Your next eligible date to • Click on Client/Member Portal (top right of
enroll is in May 2019, our next open enrollment screen)
period. • Choose the HRA and FSA Claims Portal

Tobacco Use • Username: Your last name and last four digits
of your social security number

*** Reminder to ALL employees: For the health, • Password:Your last name with your birth date
comfort, and safety of our employees, tobacco • Click on "Claims" to view--> Claims Home,

Career Opportunities2018 The Tobacco-Free Workplace policy applies to:
• All areas occupied by company employees
Job openings are online! Encourage those interested to apply today! • All company job sites
All openings are listed at • All vehicles owned or leased by the company
www.teamelmers.com/careers. • All visitors (customers and vendors) to company premises
It is fast and easy to apply to multiple openings at once. • All contractors and consultants and/or their employees working on
company premises
Wellness Wrap Up • All temporary employees

OnSite Wellness LLC & Team Elmer’s would like to thank all of you for Smoking is permitted in:
coming out and completing your 2018 wellness requirements. Those • Parking lot located on the south end of company building
of you who achieved the 5 out of 6 wellness criteria requirements will
receive discounted medical group health benefits for the 2018-2019 Flex Spending
plan year.
If you participate in the flex spending account (medical or dependent
Benefits Open Enrollment care) for 2017, you have until July 15, 2018 to turn in receipts for
any medical/dependent care reimbursable expenses. Any questions
Health benefits Open Enrollment ended April 14, 2018. regarding your FSA should be directed to 44 North @ 1-855-306-1099.

Any employee that did not complete an online enrollment will You can also look up your FSA and HRA information at:
automatically be removed from Elmer’s group health benefits coverage www.44.n.com
effective May 1. Your next eligible date to enroll is in May 2019, our • Click on Client/Member Portal (top right of screen)
next open enrollment period. • Choose the HRA and FSA Claims Portal
• Username: Your last name and last four digits of your social security
Tobacco Use number
• Password:Your last name with your birth date
*** Reminder to ALL employees: For the health, comfort, and safety of • Click on "Claims" to view--> Claims Home, Submit a Claim, Claims
our employees, tobacco use is PROHIBITED in all Elmer’s buildings,
vehicles, and jobsites (chewing tobacco included).

NEWBORN ANNOUNCEMENTS!

Maybe Next Month! ☺

7

Excavation

Start Up Is Here I still have a few reviews to finish. If you have not had
your review, please come see me so we can get it done.
High school basketball is over and
construction season start is here. Training is finished. We are also working on setting up
Congratulations to all of our up north another CDL class for spring. Get your written test done,
local teams for the incredible season get your driving permit, and then practice as much as
they had. Michigan made it to the big show NCAA possible before the class and you will be good to go.
tournament. Maybe next time! I am working diligently on
getting the schedule for the spring start. Until next month, keep calm and dig on.

It looks like the 24-hour days at Wexford Landfill have – Max
come to an end a little prematurely. We shut down for a
week or so after hitting a clay layer with a large amount
of flowing water. It looks like the owner is going to raise
the grade of the cell bottom to keep the liner up out of
the water. I am sure the crews that were scheduled to go
back on the night shift won’t be too disappointed. We did
manage to move over 700,000-cyd CIP or 28,000 haul
truck loads or 150,000 buckets full. No small feat for a six
week period. Once we get new grades we will go back
with a day crew and finish up the earthwork and grade for
the liner. Thanks again to all of you who worked the long
shifts both day and night to make it happen.

Fortunately, we have lots of work and plenty of places
to keep those 30 or so people busy until we can get
everything else rolling.

Yes, we are still bidding and adding to our workload.
Nick picked up a little project on South Airport Road and
we geared up for an April start with a 5-day per week
schedule. We really hope to get in and out before the
summer tourists get here. There’s lots of work still out
there and we are trying to fill in the fall portion of the
season.

8

The Hillman Report

Wow! I must say, with over half the crews Speaking of March Madness, congratulations to all of the
working in March, safety classes, numerous northern Michigan basketball teams that went deep into
bids, employee reviews, more safety tournament play this year including the Glen Lake Girls
classes, and just plain getting ready for (semifinals), Kingsley girls (semifinals), Hillman boys
spring, March was just crazy! No wonder they call it “March (quarterfinals), Buckley boys (finals), Glen Lake boys (finals),
Madness”! And now that it’s May and all of the dirt guys are and the Boyne City boys (quarterfinals). It just so happens that
back it’s really getting crazy! Thank you, thank you, Safety Elmer’s has employees that live, work, play, and are part of
Department, and all responsible for producing the training each of these communities. Each of these teams display Team
sessions this year. I’ve heard numerous compliments on the Work, integrity and commitment or, I guarantee you, they never
content, layout, and integrity of the classes this year! would have made it as far as they did!

Tim Leeck and crew are still making rip-rap for all of the CDL trainees: The test truck is here in Hillman so you can get
shoreline projects this summer and started the 2nd week of April started training. We have guys on staff at the shop that can
o keep up with shrinking
inventories. help as well as give pointers as to what to expect
during the driving test. We also have CDL drivers to
The shop is coming along practice on the road with you. No excuses. Get in
nicely with all of the here and get started.
equipment and trucks.
A big thank you to Brian Quote of the month:
Smith and his crew for all “We are not a team because we work together. We
their hard work! The crew are a team because we respect, trust and care for
has done a great job going each other”. - Vala Afshar
through everything and
getting it ready for another Until next month, work hard and have fun!
busy year.
– Mike
The estimating crew
continues to work countless
hours bidding work all
over the place trying to get
our schedule full. In Petoskey they picked up the Lake Street
Water Main, Starbucks, Boston’s Sports Bar, and a Courtyard
Mariott. They also picked up Lumsden Way in the Soo and
F-41, Roscommon Water project and the Montmorency-Alpena-
Oscoda County Landfill in Atlanta the last few weeks. These
projects, along with the Elk Rapids Water Main, McLaren
Hospital, EJ, and a few others all of the sudden, are keeping us
really busy!

9

Concrete

What’s In The Mix? Enjoy watching the snow melt. Take your families outdoors to
explore the greening up of northern Michigan at long last.
We made it through training and are all set
for the season! Remember that we need to If it can’t be done safely, find another way to get it done.
keep safe practices at the front of our minds
in everything we do. Back to the ABCs! – jason
Take 60 seconds to walk around the truck
before you enter a hairy site and before you
leave the site.

I am pretty excited about starting this year. The economy is
decent in Michigan and we have been bidding a lot of work.
Our everyday customers have kept us steadily busy. We
have even seen a bit more agricultural work in a few markets.
Altogether, I feel concrete can put a good year in place.

It’s that time of the year when we shift some iron around and
begin training new employees. Show the new people the
“Elmer’s Way” and make the person next to you look good
every day. Remember that training takes time and we can all
learn something new. Pass on good practices. Asking for help
isn’t a weakness; it is a sign that we are all trying to get better.

I’d like to send a special thanks to Tom Fields for helping
with the Jonel Archer Batch System install. His dedicated
work through late nights and weekends made the transition
easier for everyone involved. THANK YOU, Tom, for taking
on this challenge with a great attitude and for completing it on
schedule!

I also want to thank everyone involved in the Ludington
aggregate bin install. Barry Lowe, Jeff Scott, Tom Fields, Tom
Patterson, Dave Nichols, Jeff Dreffs, Alan Anderson, Crane &
Rigging, and the many more I am forgetting, THANK YOU, for
the tireless effort to get that project completed!

10

Asphalt Domors, Traverse City, Michigan

Paving The Way We have a lot of early work to complete and several
customers that will be ecstatic to seeing our smiling
Happy Spring, Team! faces on their site.  Thank you, Scott, John, and our
team of electricians for working day and night to get the
It sure is nice to have winter plant ready to go in some pretty cold weather conditions.
behind us, technically. It always You made some remarkable progress despite all the
tries to hang on for as long challenges.
as possible. I thought for sure
we would be working by mid-  We were very successful last month in picking up the
March but was I wrong. So Traverse City 2018 Pavement Preservation bid package
much for my wishful thinking that consists of repaving or the reconstruction of ten
we’d actually be paving but we are back to a full strength streets around the city with 8,000-tons of material to
department handling paving estimates now that Sonny be paved back.  We were also fortunate enough to get
and Rod are back from their extended winter vacation.  South Airport from Division to Veterans Drive, a project
The phones are ringing like crazy and the work is pouring that will consist of full removal, new aggregate, and 7”
in nice and steady.  We fired the plant on April 26th. of new asphalt paving.  The residential and commercial
market is looking very healthy this season with so much
construction slated for our area. 

 Pete is back to work now, plugging away at putting our
schedule together.  He will be reaching out to you shortly
to let you know when your start date will be. 

 I’m looking forward to seeing you all back to work very
soon!  Until next month, stay safe. 

– Brian

11

Wexford County, Michigan

Wexford County, Michigan Wexford County, Michigan

Excavation Training, Traverse City, Michigan S. Airport Road, Traverse City, Michigan

12

S. Airport Road, TC, Michigan S. Airport Road, Traverse City, Michigan

S. Airport Road, Traverse City, Michigan

S. Airport Road, Traverse City, Michigan

13

Safety

“Safety Trumps Everything!” was Troy’s opening line day, so stay dry. Be sure to WORK SAFELY and CALL
every day of Division Safety training. Did you hear US if something isn’t going as planned, or if you need
the message? Whether you drive a truck, work in the anything, or you have any questions, or you just want to
trenches, or even work in the offices, please keep safety say hello – your Team Elmer’s Safety Team is here for
front of mind. Anyone on the job site has the authority you!
to stop work when an unsafe act or condition exists.
Remember what we talked about in training and put your Our very own Jim Perkins did a fabulous job talking
knowledge to use. The Safety Department would like to about load securement in our safety training. Contact
personally thank everyone who attended their scheduled Jim with any questions you may have regarding anything
sessions. We have received good feedback from a lot DOT. If you haven’t met Jim yet, stop in to his office
of you and we’re excited to make 2019’s training even down the hall from Dispatch and say hello. More likely,
better. however, you will see him in the yard or on the road
helping our drivers.
Busy season is upon us.
We look forward to seeing CDL classes are available on Saturdays in May at the
you out in the field doing Traverse City location. Drivers adn Jim Perkins will be on
what you do safely instead hand to walk through pre-trip inspections adn driving tips.
of waiting it out here in
the office. Remember that Here are three Safety mottos to get you in the spirit: Start
the weather can change Safe-Work Safe-Go Home Safe. If You See Something,
quickly this time of year Say Something. Safety Trumps Everything!
so be prepared. Dress
in layers so you are not – BCautrticnha,, E&ricT,om
cold in the morning or
too hot in the afternoon.
Getting wet is a sure
way to be miserable all

14

Project of the Month:
Camp Arcadia

15

Cranes & Rigging

Michigan In March

May is finally here! So glad for the
warmer weather and the rain showers
to get that frost out of the ground to lift
those weight restrictions. We have a
list of jobs to do and can finally move
our cranes. We have been blessed
here in Crane & Rigging in that the
weather doesn't keep us from picking stuff up and setting
it down.
We were able to stage a couple of cranes at different job
sites to keep things moving. We had a 40-ton crane at
Lake Ann Baptist Camp to set trusses and our 165-ton
crane was at Elmer’s Shanahan job securing the bank.
Our 75-ton crane is frost law legal so it’s been busy
every day and scheduled a week or two out at times. Our
forklifts have been very busy rigging in new machines and
loading out old ones at Century Extrusion, Century Sun,
Tent Craft, Tool North, and Electro Optics, just to name a
few.
Michelle is always busy but especially so last month
making sure the annual permits for the entire company
equipment fleet were in place. Thank you, Michelle, for
expertly handling such a large task. We’re all set to go
now with season underway!
Conduct is the best proof of character.

– Kent

16

Trucking

Get A Lead Of This - Training

It was good to see all the drivers no easy task when the programmers are in California and
at the trucking divisional training. I do not understand the vocational exceptions that we run
was really happy with the material under here in Michigan. Thank you, Patti, and keep after
covered and hope all were able CAL/AMP until they get it right.
to leave feeling enlightened and
excited to get started on the 2018 Catrina Sayler and Kristina Waldorf are doing a great job
season. I thought the interaction getting drivers trained on the ELD tablets. These ladies
with the Commercial Motor Carrier are your support team. If you have any questions or
officers was great. Hopefully they left Traverse City problems with the tablet, call them. Their numbers are in
knowing Team Elmer’s cares about safety and doing the your Elmer’s phone contacts. I heard a lot of grumbling
job correctly. from some guys about having to use a tablet and I think
that was fear of learning something new. I know it may
Each speaker that came in during training did a great be a few weeks before you have to use it again and may
job and we learned something new from each of them. not remember everything. That’s normal. We’re all on a
Maybe not the second to last guy; he was just trying learning curve. Don’t get frustrated. Catrina and Kristina
to remind you what you should already know. I’d like will be here on the phone to help you. Those drivers who
to thank Dan Walters for being there for us as well as have been using them already might also be able to offer
Karl Domres, Eric Smith, and Jim Perkins for the helpful assistance and help to remind you of the requirement to
information they provided each day. It was probably the use it.
first time many of you even met Patti Carruth. She put in
many long hours working behind the scenes to get the The curveball known as a foot or more of April snow that
ELD programming functioning to our requirements. This is Mother Nature threw our way did NOT help our season
start to say the least. It’s still been hard enough getting
my car down some of the soft and wet gravel roads now,
let alone thinking we could do it in an empty gravel train.
What a mess. I hate to put a jinx on a new start-up date
after the last two were rescheduled but we should have
drivers called back by the week of May 7th. Even our big
Muskegon job has been plagued with weather issues.
Still, we’re hopeful to have at least 6 trains there for a
couple of months by the time you are reading this.

We’ll have eight new drivers starting this May and June
in Traverse City. Please welcome Rafael Ruiz, Edward
Armand, and Mike Fisher to live bottoms and Mark
Adams in transfer. Zach Zywicki, Dalton Fitzsimons,
and Mark Nightingale will be split shift drivers, and Jerry
Johnston will start in trains.

Until next time, keep smiling, do the sun dance, and

–embrace life-long learning. You’re doing great!!

Jim jim

17

CHAPLAIN’S CORNER

Save For A Rainy Day

Greetings! One thing that I have learned in life is that emergencies are
not optional. Cars have to be replaced. Appliances wear
Have we finally put the winter weather behind us? We out. Kids need things for school. We can’t predict illnesses.
all need some warm and sunny spring weather to look Even a short hospital stay can be quite costly.
forward to after all the snow storms we had to endure. It
will be interesting to see how well the Tigers play this year. You might also want to start a separate fund for purchases.
The team looks much different than the one that took the Get away from the ninety days same as cash deals. Most
field last season. people don’t pay their items off in ninety days so they end
up paying out a lot of extra money in interest. Think about
There is a new men’s study group called “A Man and things you need or want in the future and begin saving
His Marriage” meeting on Wednesday mornings at the for them. Delay the purchase until you can pay cash.
Traverse City location. I want to remind all of you who are The Bible tells us that the person who borrows becomes
mechanics that we will be meeting at the Team Elmer’s a slave to the one who lends. Paying cash keeps you
Lodge on Saturday, April 21st at 9 am for a fun time of off financial slavery. Plus, when you pay cash, the bank
shooting clay pigeons. Lunch will be provided as well. doesn’t own it - you do.
Some of you have asked when I will be facilitating another
Financial Peace class. The next one will begin on August Another reason to save is to make up for the loss of
11. income during layoff. You can rest a lot easier in the winter
knowing that there is a financial cushion to help make
When I was a kid, a century ago it seems, many people up for that loss of income. If you need some help getting
had what was referred to as a rainy day fund. This was started with a rainy day fund I would be glad to help you.
money that they saved for emergencies or some specific
purpose. Quite often it was saved in some type of a To our employees who are moms, Happy Mother’s Day!
container. My neighbor kept her rainy day fund in a cookie Thanks for the sacrifices you have made to enrich the lives
jar. Sometimes people would save a few dollars a week of those around you. I also want to thank the men and
into the fund. Others may have saved their loose change. women who have faithfully served in the armed forces.
The whole concept was that the money would be there
when you needed it. God Bless – Tom

Do you have a rainy day fund? You Financial Peace
graduates would recognize this as an emergency fund.
With the busy working season starting, I want to challenge
you to begin setting aside a designated amount each week
for future expenses. It is amazing how quickly the money
adds up when we make a commitment to save.

18

Mechanics

NEVER Cancel Re-Gens shop! It took longer than expected but I’m very excited about
our new additions and some familiar faces that have returned to
Bring It On! Repairs are still in full Elmer’s.
force. We have equipment ready for the Finally, and I know I’ve beaten this topic to death, but I have to
handful of jobs that have already started. remind you about RE-GENs. Please do not ignore or cancel
If we could just get the frost laws to lift
and get the big equipment on the road, any re-gens on any equipment EVER.
we’d be all set! We are still experiencing neglect and costly
With the season repairs simply due to ignoring the regen
kick off, I would process. There’s no such thing as a dumb
just like to remind everybody to call question, especially when the condition
the shop with any equipment issues. of some very expensive equipment is on
The mechanics are far too busy to be the line. Don’t be the reason we couldn’t
answering multiple phone calls while start a job because a problem went too
trying to get repairs done on site. long without being addressed and now the
Please call me direct or call 1-800-230- equipment we need is down. We LOVE
4590. The 800 number will ring at my questions and open communication. That’s
cell phone from 6am-6pm. After that, what teamwork is all about. If you have
it will ring to the necessary mechanic any questions, or if you are experiencing
either on 2nd or 3rd shift. Please help us problems, just call.
by using this contact system to ensure Until next month, keep it running!
the repairs are getting handled in the
most efficient way possible. – Eric
We are finally back to full staff in the
Landfill project equipment. Thank you, crew!
The Rush Is On GPS installs are 99.9% complete with only a few units we are
still trying to get our hands on. Special thanks to Elliot Clark
Farewell, Roman and Ethan, but not to and Alex Rosensteel for finishing strong with the installs. While
worry! While you’ll be missed in the service we are transitioning from paper Driver Inspection Reports to the
department, we send our congratulations electronic ones, please remember to double check your stickers
on your transfers to the trailer shop as for services. We don’t want to run overdue while we continue
mechanics. our understanding of the new software and procedures. It’s been
With that said, please welcome Scott and a learning curve for all of us. Congratulations to everyone for
Dominic. Scott has been here for a little making the effort to improve!
while now and is doing great. Dominic is just starting and we’re As always, we welcome your questions. Keep in touch!
mentoring him the Team Elmer’s way. They are a terrific addition
to our team as are all of the guys in the shops. – Jason
All of the service crews have been really proactive in keeping up
with the numerous requests coming due for the Wexford County

19

Team Elmer’s Scholarship Program

Team Elmer’s is proud to One (1) $1,000 Elmer’s Believes FPU Scholarship
award education scholarships Ethan Crane
for the dependents of our
employees. There are always One (1) $1,000 Elmer’s Trade Scholarship
more submissions than we can Haven Robinson - CAD Drafting & Tool Design
say yes to. Thank you to all who
submitted! One (1) NMC Scholarship for up to 15 Contact Hours
Submissions received can be Nick Meddaugh
viewed in the staff section at www.TeamElmers.com.
The recipients, in no particular order are as follows: Winners will also be notified directly via email about how
to claim their prize. School mailing address for payment
$500 Elmer’s Education Scholarships and student id information is appreciated by September
1, 2018. These are non-renewable scholarships. You
Alison Folkersma Madison Walat must submit each year to be eligible for the award.
Shamus Megill Marilyn Jankowski Congratulations! Good Luck With Your Schooling!
Alysia Folkersma Levi Cederquist
Kayla Marie Clough Michael Carey
Sydney Wendels Thomas Carey
Ashley Smith Deirdre Zuidersma
Jasmyn Schultz

Who: Where:
Team Elmer’s employees, employee's spouse or Butch’s Farm
sweetheart, and dependent children 18 and under, 700 Broad Road
grandchildren 18 and under (hosted by employee), are Traverse City, MI
welcome! Retirees and their sweetheart or guest, come on 49685
down. We hope to see you there. Follow signs to park
in field
What:
Team Elmer’s Company Picnic! When:
Midway games, tattoo art, clowns, bounce houses, photo Saturday,
booth, prize cube, Oasis Tent, steaks, chicken, burgers July 28, 2018
and brats, corn on the cob with butter to your elbows, 11 am - 4 pm
‘tater salad, beans, and that’s how we roll – rolls. Separate We start eating at 12:00 pm
prize drawings for employee grandchildren under 18 and Company photo at 2:30 pm
employee dependants under 18.
Why:
WANT FREE STUFF? PLEASE PRE-REGISTER FOR A Because we love you!
GOODIE BAG BY JUNE 16th! Go to We'll see you and your family at the picnic!
www.teamelmers.com/company-picnic to register.
Goodie Bag will be ready for you when you check in, pre- Accommodations:
packed under your last name. Please include your t-shirt Coming in from out of town and spending the night? The
size. Yes, we are having the same super simple registration Traverse City Film Festival is the following week. Check
tables as last year and more photographers! local campgrounds, hotels, AirBnB, VRBO.com, or outside
LESS Lines, MORE Party! of Traverse City for accomodations.
All Team Elmer's employees will be entered into a Grand
Prize drawing. You must be present to win.

I.C. School, Traverse City, Michigan

Traverse City, Michigan Traverse City, Michigan

Constructing Careers Day at Traverse Bay Area CTC, Traverse City, Michigan

21

THEGIPVEI‘ECMKLE

1 SERVICE Al Smith
Asphalt
Make serving others Traverse City
your #1 priority.
A thankful motorist called in to express
You’re in a noble profession. his appreciation. Al Smith stopped to
Be proud of what you do and help him get out of his driveway due to
the dense snow. Thank you, Al!
where you work.
Traverse City Concrete Mt Pleasant
2 ATTITUDE Manistee Concrete Concrete
Ludington Concrete Tri-City Concete
Choose your attitude. White Cloud Concrete Omer Concrete
How you think about customers
Thank you to all the mixer drivers, managers,
is how you will treat them. and QC that worked a half day on Good Friday
Remember your mental to service customers. With the unpredictable
“I Like Yous!” weather, the customer appreciated our
commitment to their needs. Thank you, Team!
3 CONSISTENCY
Back Row, left to right: Dennis Moore, Tony Lawhead, Joe Randall,
Customers return because they Craig Cook, Bart Richmond
like what happened last time. Front Row, left to right: John Kalina, Pete Miller, Tyler Clark, Michael Putney,
James LaCross
Stick to your high Excavation
service standards. Traverse City

A late night broken sanitary sewer line repaired with success.

Way to go, Team!

4 TEAMWORK

Go out of your way
to make each other look good.

Everything you do ends up
in front of the customer.

22

Mind your
medicine.

Part of self-care is practicing awareness with the things you do and why you do them. It is important to ask these
questions when thinking about your exercise, food, work, relationships, thoughts and mentality, and medications.
Medications? You heard it. It is especially important to often take inventory of the medication you are taking.

Statistics on Drug Use in America

According to the Mayo Clinic, nearly 70 percent of Americans (the highest ever) are taking prescription
drugs. The study conducted also found that the most commonly prescribed drugs are antibiotics, antidepressants,
and painkilling opioids. Another study conducted found that 81 percent of adults use over the counter drugs as a
first response to minor ailments.

Necessary vs. Unnecessary

There are without a doubt many physical, mental, and emotional ailments that require the use of medication. But
within the last decade alone, there are more cases than ever of unnecessary use of prescription and over the
counter drugs. So much so that doctors are being encouraged to pause before prescribing drugs and consider
'deprescribing' as well.

Your Role & The Doctor

Before taking any medication, be sure you are well informed about the drug. Write down questions you may have
before the appointment or call the doctor's office following the appointment. Make sure that you have all the
information you need to be confident that the medication is necessary. In addition, ask about side effects and
possible drug interactions.

Your Role & You

To practice self-care, be sure to ask these questions before and during the taking of either a prescription
medication or over the counter drugs. Why am I taking it? When do I take it? What should I do if I miss a dose?
Whom do I call if I have questions? How long will I take this medication? When should I expect to feel better? What
are the side effects? Where should it be stored?

If you have any questions about a medication you are currently taking or thinking about taking, first call your
doctor's office right away. Speak to a either a nurse or a doctor to ensure your safety and understanding. Another
resource (which should not replace speaking to a medical professional), is Drugs.Com which offers a full list of
medication, pill identifier, side effects, interaction checker, Q&A's, and more.

Questions? Ask Jackie. 23

616-309-2778
[email protected]

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

PERMIT #568

In fall 2017, Governor Rick Snyder signed legislation (HB District Career Technical Center. He learned about dual
4181) to ensure that every student enrollment -- taking college courses in addition to high school
classes -- and decided it was a good option for him.
in Michigan is connected with counselors with more
professional development exposure to the skilled trades. “I signed up for classes the next morning,” said Cederquist.
“Two days later I was in my first college class. I wasn’t sure
The state will continue with grant funding to increase Career exactly what I wanted, but knew I liked the courses and the
Technical Education (CTE) training. Partnerships are forming program was paid for. It was a no brainer.”
between local colleges and trade organizations to bring skilled
trades training to regional areas. His junior and senior years, Cederquist was simultaneously
enrolled in high school, attending CTE classes, and earning
The Going PRO campaign continues to highlight opportunities college credits.
in the skilled professional trade fields while seeking to change
dated perceptions. Cederquist, who worked throughout high school and college,
will graduate debt free. “I have so many friends from high
And the trend is starting to have an impact. CTE programs in school that went to college and spent $35,000 and decided
Michigan added nearly 5,000 students since 2015, 3,144 they didn’t want to do it anymore. And they still have the bill
students in 2017 alone, marking the start of an upward trend in for $35,000. It’s nice there isn’t going to be any weight on my
CTE enrollment. The total number of students in CTE courses shoulders from my degree and education.”
is at 109,005 students for 2017.
Until next month, Be The Change You Want To See In The
Our graduate, Levi Cederquist, exemplifies this trend. Just
prior to his junior year of high school, he attended an –World.
informational night at Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School
Tonya