|
NUCA Testifies on Economic Stimulus and Recovery Legislation
NUCA Holds Successful Fall Board Meeting
1994 NUCA President Still Pulling His Weight and Then Some
NCUCA Holds Action-packed Fall Conference
NUCA Foundation to Host Sewer History Exhibit at EXPO ‘09
Correction
New Members
 |
Even after 15 other testimonies over seven hours, NUCA
President Terry Dillon made a splash with his proposal calling
for $10 billion for clean water infrastructure programs. |
|
NUCA Testifies on Economic Stimulus and Recovery Legislation
On Oct. 29, NUCA President Terry Dillon testified before the House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee regarding inclusion of infrastructure investment in pending economic recovery legislation. The hearing, titled “Infrastructure Investment: the Road to Recovery,” included high profile witnesses such as Gov. Jon Corzine (D-NJ), former Gov. John Engler (R-MI), and Terry O’Sullivan, General President of the Laborer’s International Union of North America. During his testimony, Dillon ensured that water infrastructure was not lost in the debate over if, what type and how much funding should be included in the pending economic recovery legislation. In response, T&I Chair Jim Oberstar (D-MN) said, “Mr. Dillon, we haven’t forgotten about underground infrastructure...We’re going to come back, and we’re going to come back with a bigger bill.”
Dillon’s testimony focused on demonstrating that recent data (from the Clean Water Council’s economic impact study) regarding “ready-to-go” water/wastewater infrastructure projects around the country and the economic benefits generated by such projects justify a $10 billion appropriation in economic recovery legislation. If and when legislation is introduced, NUCA and the Clean Water Council will be front and center in supporting the inclusion of underground infrastructure investment. We’ll need your help.
NUCA Holds Successful Fall Board Meeting
While the country anxiously watched the economic news, NUCA members were going about association business at the Fall Board and Committee Meetings held in Indianapolis on Oct. 8-10. In addition to making great strides on core projects, NUCA also held its first contractor/engineer partnership meeting. A slimmed-down 2009 budget was approved with a modest profit forecasted. In spite of, or perhaps because of, the economy, attendance at Utility Construction EXPO ‘09 The Big Show in Phoenix next March is expected to be high. The Government Relations department reported that the Clean Water Council, which NUCA heads, has done an excellent job of generating grassroots support for the reauthorization of the Clean Water SRF and fiscal year 2009 appropriations for several important infrastructure programs.
NUCA CEO Bill Hillman reported that NUCA has now turned its legislative focus toward the inclusion of substantial new water and wastewater investment funding in pending economic recovery legislation. NUCA President Terry Dillon also reported that with the completion of the organizational restructuring two years ago and the recent creation of a new chapter development program, which is poised to start six new chapters, NUCA is ready to begin work on a new five-year strategic plan.
Another highlight of the meeting was the unveiling of another chapter in the NUCA Foundation for Education & Research’s Pipe Installation Training series. Chapter 2 — “Excavations, Trenching, Manholes and Backfilling” was released in the fall of 2007. Orders are now being taken for Chapter 1 — “Job Layout,” which covers safety, tools, material layout, production and pipe protection on the jobsite. The remaining three chapters are “Working with Pipe,” “Surveys and Grades” and “Testing and Chlorination.”
1994 NUCA President Still Pulling His Weight and Then Some
 |
Ted Bragger — NUCA Past President, family business owner, tractor puller. |
|
At 83, NUCA Past President (1994) Ted Bragger is still going strong. He not only continues to work full-time in the family business — AE Bragger Construction of Warwick, R.I. — but also actively competes in tractor pull contests. Ted is a member of the New England Garden Tractor Pullers and serves on the Board of Directors as Treasurer. This year, he swept the Pro Altered 1,500-lb class. With only one tractor pull event remaining, there is no stopping his third straight Points Championship in as many years. Ted will travel to fairs in Massachusetts, Connecticut and the Nationals in Columbus, Ohio. Interviewed by Lindsay Olivier for an article that appeared in the Narragansett Times (week of August 17, 2008), Bragger had this to say about his active lifestyle: “Most people at my age are sitting home. I thankfully have my health and am able to keep doing the things I love.”
 |
New NCUCA President Jade Ramey (right)
presents outgoing president David Gaines with
a Past President’s Plaque. |
|
NCUCA Holds Action-packed Fall Conference
The North Carolina Utility Contractors Association’s (NCUCA) 2008 Fall Conference — held on Oct. 16-18 at the Boars Head Inn in Charlottesville, Vir. — featured substantive educational sessions, a variety of networking events and the swearing in of officers and the board of directors for the 2008-2009 membership year.
The educational presentations included: “Liquid Assets: The Story of Our Water Infrastructure” DVD; Base Realignment Commission Regional Task Force and the All-American Defense Corridor; Communicating with the Media while in Crisis Mode; Damage Prevention & Claims Avoidance; NUCA: Cultivating a Community through Services and Advocacy; NUCA’s Legislative Agenda and the Upcoming Elections; and NCUCA’s Legislative Agenda and the Upcoming Elections in North Carolina.
Surprisingly, there was still time for networking and athletic events like the Welcome Reception, annual Don Owings Fall Golf Classic, Pomona Pipe Products/Pomona Supply Sporting Clays Tournament and the President’s Reception and Awards Banquet/Induction Ceremony. During the final event, attendees honored: three past presidents in attendance (NCUCA’s founder and first President, Pete Ramey, 1980-83; Justus Everett, 2003-04; and Ken Malonson, 2006-07); the Golf Classic’s winning team (Robby Adkins, Nelson Jones, Howard Smith and Jerry Smith); Fred Ellington, winner of the Top Gun award in the Clays Tournament; NCUCA Scholar for 2008, Whitney Cope; and Jerry Smith, recipient of a Service Plaque for his service on the Board of Directors (other honorees not present included Steve Glunz and Rick Leonardi).
During the swearing in ceremony, the president’s gavel was passed to Jade Ramey and a Past President’s Plaque was presented to David Gaines. At the close of the banquet, Godwin Pumps was recognized as the 2008 Associate Member of the Year with Dave Donahue and Patrick Seay accepting the award on behalf of their company.
NUCA Foundation to Host
Sewer History Exhibit
at EXPO ‘09
 |
Showcasing the rich urban artistry of sewer covers, this Roman sewer cover, 1 to 4 CE , from the Museum of Vienna is but one of many treasures the “The Collection Systems Historical Photo and Artifacts Display” has to offer. |
|
Over the past 15 years, Jon Schladweiler, Historian of the Arizona Water and Pollution Control Association, has combed historical publications, amassed photos and assembled ancient artifacts related to the history of sewage conveyance systems (from approximately 3500 BC through the 1930s AD) The traveling exhibit aims to offer insight into the humble origins of our sewer systems and bring to light the not-so-humble contributions of sewer builders, engineers and operators.
Sponsored by the NUCA Foundation for Education and Research and the generosity of three sponsors — Wendell Wood (SBH-NA Trench Shoring), Mark Accetturo (Reynolds, Inc.) and Dick Foster (PKF-Mark III) — Utility Construction EXPO ‘09 attendees will have the opportunity to view “The Collection Systems Historical Photo and Artifacts Display” in the Phoenix Convention Center Exhibit Hall, March 4-6. To read more about the collection, visit the Web site at www.sewerhistory.org.
Correction
The winner of the Utility Contractors Association of Connecticut’s Lifetime Achievement Award was UCAC Past President Dave Ambrose and not current UCAC Vice President David Ambrose, as reported in the November issue of Utility Contractor’s NUCA News on p. 41.
New Members
Fiber Force Inc.
Jim Easterly
12013 N 40th Way
Phoenix, AZ 85028
Work: (602) 995-0204
Fax: (602) 995-0501
Email: jeasterly1@cox.net
Hard Core Boring LLC
Brian Smith
21108 S 196th St.
Queen Creek, AZ 85242
Work: (480) 797-3655
Fax: (480) 987-1023
Email: hcbatilla@aol.com
HJB Enterprises Inc.
Wynona Burckhard
P.O. Drawer 98
Krum,TX 76249
Work: (940) 391-3853
Fax: (940) 482-3714
Email: hburckhard@aol.com
Smith Companies Inc.
Adam Smith
6190 State Rd. 80 W
Labelle, FL 33935
Work: (863) 612-9869
Fax: (863) 612-9871
Email: adamsmith@smithcompaniesinc.com
Apple Advertising
Zack Self
223 Haywood St.
Asheville, NC 28801
Work: (828) 252-4036
Fax: (828) 252-0361
Email: zself@appleadv.com
Web: www.appleadv.com
Bituminous Insurance Co.
Jon Jeschke
320 18th St.
Rock Island, IL 61201
Work: (309) 732-0249
Fax: (309) 786-3847
Email: jjeschke@bituminousinsurance.com
Web: www.bituminousinsurance.com
Contech Construction Products Inc.
John Tucker
930 Woodcock Rd., Ste. 101
Orlando, FL 32803
Work: (321) 377-0129
Fax: (727) 541-2371
Email: tuckerj@contech-cpi.com
Web: www.contech-cpi.com
Cragin & Pike
Tom Burns
2603 W Charleston
Las Vegas, NV 89102
Work: (704) 877-1111
Fax: (704) 258-3394
Email: tburns@cragin-pike.com
Web: www.cragin-pike.com
Ferguson Waterworks
Louis Schoolcraft
Two Whitman Rd.
Canton, MA 02021
Work: (781) 828-1350
Fax: (781) 828-8706
Email: louis.schoolcraft@ferguson.com
Web: www.ferguson.com
Georgia School of Construction
Darrell Woodburn
581 Sigma Rd., Ste. 500
Conyers, GA 30013
Work: (770) 918-2577
Fax: (770) 918-2571
Email: darrellw@ga-sc.com
Web: www.ga-sc.com
Great Southern Construction Equipment Co.
Steve Wash
1301 Central Florida Pkwy.
Orlando, FL 32837
Work: (407) 859-9160
Fax: (407) 859-9165
Email: stevew@gsequipment.net
Web: www.gsequipment.net
Rescue Pros LLC
Dan Faviere
5337 N Socrum Loop Rd., Ste. 440
Lakeland, FL 33809-4256
Work: (863) 640-8244
Fax: (863) 858-6507
Email: dfaviere@rescuepros.com
Web: www.rescuepros.com
Vacuworx International
Shawn Lowman
10105 E 55th Pl.
Tulsa, OK 74146
Work: (918) 259-3050
Fax: (918) 259-3055
Email: sales@vacuworx.com
Web: www.vacuworx.com
|
