 The Official NCALC Newsletter North Carolina Association of Launderers & Cleaners |
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The Official NCALC Newsletter North Carolina Association of Launderers & Cleaners |
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Carolina Clean '08
We were happy to welcome a number of first time attendees many of whom were spouses and children who just found out how much fun we have Memorial Day Weekend including, Bailey and Dan Dempsey, Twin City Cleaners, Winston-Salem, Christy Camacho, Irving Weber Associates, new members Ed and Mitzi Forrest, Deluxe Cleaners, Durham, Robert & Lili Gray, DCCS, Tom and Maureen Gosselin, Burnsville, John Kim, Global Business Systems, Leo Moretz, Hart & Hickman, PC, Dale Brown, HMC Solutions, David Knight, Kreussler, Rita Sullivant, NCALC Staff, Todd Jones, PhoneTree, Chris & Kelley Briggs, Ryko Manufacturing, Henry & Jan Parker, Safety & Environmental Compliance Consultants, and Carol Memberg, National Clothesline. We were also delighted to welcome back some old friends we haven't seen for a while including: Mildred Williams, Henry and Loretta McDowell, Jody Fisher, Rob and Debbie Hargrove, Barry McElveen, SEFA's Executive Director, and Darrell Wilson, Wilson Insurance Associates.
If you weren't in attendance you missed a truly outstanding education line-up. Carol Memberg, Publisher of the National Clothesline, Immediate Past President of The International Drycleaners Congress, long time Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Delaware Cleaners Association and world traveler extraordinaire did an excellent job of putting the challenges we face in the current economy and state of our industry in perspective. She predicted that good cleaners who are good business people and find creative ways (examples given) to promote themselves and serve their customers better will survive and prosper.
Dr. John Powers, head of the
Drycleaning Solvent Cleanup Act Program pointed out several major
milestones that were reached in the past year in the program: He hopes to close out five sites this summer and five more by year end. Dr. Powers distributed a summary
of Fund & Site Statistics. He observed that: Disbursements: Duration of Program (Through 3/31/08) Receipts: Disbursements: Fund Balance $37,187,075 DSCA Site Statistics (Through
5/28/08)- Estimated Contaminated Sites:
~1250 Dr. Powers walked the attendees through how a site is assessed, remediated and land use restrictions are determined. Eric Swope, DSCA Compliance Coordinator reported that although he and his staff were still performing outreach (initial) visits in some areas, full compliance inspections were in progress with cleaners who had not responded to the corrective action letters sent to them following their outreach visits. At present there are six sites where enforcement action (fines) will probably be taken. The most common violation encountered are secondary containment and record keeping. [See article on page 25] Tony Pendola, Lead Engineer with NC DENR Small Business Environmental Assistance Program pointed out that the function of his office is to assist small businesses get in compliance not enforcement. Contact with them is confidential i.e. not shared with enforcers. He reported that EPA has issued new rules for auto body shops who outnumber drycleaners so they become the new favorites for the media to slam. He also reported that the Small Business Administration has requested that the EPA update their rules for petroleum drycleaners which were issued prior to the development of dry to dry hydrocarbon machines. [See article on page 12] Bill Fisher, CEO of DLI brought the attendee's up to date on legislative and regulatory initiatives that have or potentially could or would have effected drycleaners in California, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Florida and Laurel, Maryland. DLI, California Cleaners Association, North East Fabricare Association, Mid Atlantic Cleaners Association, and the Florida Drycleaners Coalition have all been busy dealing with initiatives based on political rather than scientific foundations. In light on the continuing assault on Perc by governmental bodies and agencies and resistance from landlords to it's use in leased location, Bill addressed the pro's and con's of the alternative solvents and technology available to cleaners today. All solvents have their benefits and their drawbacks the cleaner must decide which they wish to deal with. Henry Parker's 15+ years experience as a Safety Compliance Consultant to the cleaning industry has shown him first hand what OSHA non-compliance can cost a cleaner who ignores or is simply negligent in installing and maintaining the Right to Know, Lockout Tagout, and Blood Born Pathogen Programs. Maximum fine $17,000 for each violation. The most powerful inspector-the fire marshal. He can shut you down on the spot. Although you can conduct the required training and retraining, file the required reports and maintain the proper records yourself, the computer and the internet makes the operation and maintenance of a safety program much simpler and more likely to be in compliance if the OSHA inspector show up at your door. Just as you use the services of a payroll service, accounting firm or CPA to insure compliance with the tax codes, use of a outside firm to insure compliance with OSHA rules may be in your best interest if you do not have the knowledge &/or time to do it in house. "Survive or Prosper"
Martin Young's presentation embodied a strong motivational message
as well as a host of practical operating tips. The first and
foremost question was: "Are you running your business or
is your business running you?" Martin posed a series of
questions: Addressing each of these issues
and many more with practical advice and tips gleamed from experience
in his own business as well as his operational consulting across
the southeast, Martin provided detailed suggestions on: When a successful cleaner shares his "Secrets" and passion with you, you can't help but pick up an idea or two that will pay for the cost of attending the convention. In Martin's case, his presentation may pay for several trips.
Saturday Night's Luau featured those wonderful Caribbean Ribs and Steel Drum Chicken, Hula, Hula Hoop, and Limbo Contest for young and older "kids" with lots of winners and prizes for all. Our old friend "The Bopper" David Overby, who provided the music for the 10th year in a row, was formerly inducted into the NCALC family as a Life Honorary member in recognition of the 10 years of fun he has brought us at Convention.
Cleaners, Allied Trades and their friends and business associates contributed over 150 items to the auction this year, making it the largest number of items we have had to date. Congratulations and thanks are due to Co-Chairs Charisse Lassiter and Zelda Young, Sue Farrington, Marie Davis, Robin Thomas, Sabrina Hill, Susie Sessoms, Mildred Williams, Cindy Cheatham and President Gloria Cowell for all their hard work in making this event a success. These ladies work throughout the year to obtain donation of items, collect and store items, transport items to the Convention, catalog and set-up the silent auction display, collect the bid sheets, figure up your bills (thanks to Martin and Zelda Young for doing this job Saturday night so you could pick-up your items Sunday morning), and collecting the live auction proceeds Sunday night.
During the formal portion of the banquet on Sunday Night, DLI - President Barbara Harvey detailed some of our national associations recent accomplishments and outlined some of the new programs and features to help members be more profitable such as Hot Press, Heads-Up for this Garment, the AOE Website, Premier Membership Package, Webinar's and the continuing fight against unwarranted and unreasonable regulations. She stressed the need to maintain financially strong associations to represent the industry at the national, regional, state and local level and to continue to provide us with the information, services, and support we need to survive and prosper. President Harvey thanked NCALC for our strong support of DLI and for our friendship through the years. She then administered the oath of office to the 2008-2010 NCALC Officers & Directors.
Gloria expressed her appreciation
for the support and cooperation she has received from the membership
of NCALC during the past two years during her term of office
as president and for the cards and flowers received during her
recent illness. She presented Presidential Awards to:
Kudu's go to the Atlantic Beach Sheraton for being a wonderful host to our annual convention. The upgrades to the property itself were impressive. A new covered patio on the pool side of the restaurant provided an excellent place to enjoy a freshly prepared breakfast before departing on Monday or for your spouse and children during the education sessions or for lunch before jumping in the pool. An expanded covered deck on the other side of the pool adjoining Molly's Bar & Grill was a great place for a burger and beer after a dip in the pool or a trip to the beach. The new outdoor furniture and mini fire pits in the courtyard provided a quite place to sit and chat or just enjoy a little solitude. Although the staff has always been polite and cooperative they have stepped it up to a higher level. Staff training is obvious from the bellmen, to the housekeeping and maintenance staff. Many attendees noticed and commented that every hotel employee they passed spoke to them and asked if there was anything they could do to make their stay more enjoyable. The banquet crew fulfilled every request with a smile on their face as always although they got request for more of this or that from several people at one time. Hats off to Chef John Andreola, I don't know how he does it but the food is always great. Several people commented that it was the best food they have ever had in a hotel. One thing for sure we sure didn't have any chicken á la king, and the staff was kept busy refilling the buffet line for all those second helpings.
Simon Vick Takes the Helm
Vice President of Governmental Affairs Chris Edwards, President of ACW Management Corporation will continue his outstanding service to North Carolina cleaners as point man on our ongoing work with the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the North Carolina Legislature which has resulted in our having the nation's best Dry-cleaning Solvent Cleanup Act (DSCA) Program as we seek reauthorization in 2009 to continue the programs funding and operation beyond 2012. Vice President of Membership Bayard Crumpton, Nuway Cleaners, Roxboro will continue to head up our membership retention and recruitment efforts with the able assistance of our seven District Directors, Allied Trades Representative and other Membership Committee Members. Membership is the life blood of NCALC and any other organization. The efforts of Bayard and his committee to retain and gain members through personal contacts, area meetings, the new member rewards program etc have placed NCALC at the top of efforts by DLI's seventeen State and Regional Partner Associations. Vice President of Member Services Wes Sessoms will continue to lead our efforts to provide programs and services to members that give tangible value to membership (e.g. business insurance, credit card processing, bad check collection and recovery, operational and compliance training, management information and industry news i.e. Newsletter, News Flashes and Website. Secretary Tom Volk, Williamston Cleaners will continue this important task as keeper of the Associations records. Treasurer Larry Hill steps up from District Director to assume primary responsibility for financial oversight of NCALC. A long time Board member who has served as an At Large Director as well as District Director, Larry is following in his father's footsteps as president of American and Dandy Cleaners in Charlotte. Sgt At Arms Bill Sessoms will continue to guard the door, maintain decorum and provide a dose of levity at appropriate and inappropriate moments at Board Meetings and Annual Convention Kevin Lawson, Tri-State Laundry Equipment Company was selected by the Allied trades to replace Ken Farrington as their representative to the Board and on the Executive Committee. Jimmy Lee, Jones Cleaners, Charlotte returns to the Board as District 6 Director after a few years sabbatical as he focused on other business interest. He has previously served as an At Large Director, District Director and Membership Chairman. Other new and returning members
to the Board as At Large Directors are: A COMPLETE LIST OF 2008-2010 OFFICERS & DIRECTORS APPEAR IN THE MINUTES OF THE GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING IN THIS NEWSLETTER. Long time members of NCALC will tell you that the biggest and most valuable benefit of membership in NCALC comes from participating as a Board or Committee Member. The opportunity to network and form friendships with cleaners and allied trades across the state is a source of information, ideas, support, encouragement and inspiration which is not available anywhere else. Your accountant, banker, lawyer, management consultant, pastor, best buddy or even your spouse (if not involved in the business) does not understand the challenges you face each day. Only another who has walked in your shoes can do that. The door to membership and participation is open to you. All you have to do to get this invaluable benefit is call President Simon Vick 252-572-1843 or Executive Director Sto Fox 336-549-5486 and say "I want to get involved". There's a chair waiting for you on an NCALC committee right now. Reflections on Carolina Clean
'08 Fortunately, the weather was wonderful after our Sunday business session allowing every one time to explore the beautiful Crystal Coast. Some decided to lie on the beach while others talked shop by the pool. If you have not played ladder golf on the beach, I recommend that you talk with Kevin Lawson. What an intense game of Laughter!!! Our members had fun with all sorts of activities. The programs were full of interesting topics and all had the opportunity to share ideas. We had a tremendous amount of fun bidding on out of the ordinary items that were graciously donated. We appreciate the support. A special thank you goes to Gloria Cowell for her effort and dedication to the auction. This activity generates considerable revenue for the organization. I personally thank every member for his or her contribution to this event. NCALC needs your continued support. Our distinguished guests and new members seemed to have an enjoyable time also. I'm sure it was difficult to choose which activities to participate in. The speakers discussed everything from government regulations to equipment maintenance. In addition, Bill Fisher, from DLI addressed the future of the dry cleaning industry. We also were in the company of our own Martin Young. What a smart man! We as an organization should feel privileged to have him as a member. Additional information about our speakers is forthcoming....read on! The allied trade support we have is phenomenal. It's like a mini Vegas! We have support from car washes, assembly systems, boilers, soaps, insurance companies, phone systems, POS systems, and environmental consultants. We even had Barry McElveen of South Eastern Fabricare Association (SEFA) in attendance! Thank you for your commitment to our organization. In closing, I would like to thank everyone for your support of NCALC. This is where friends are made and problems are resolved. We are planning for bigger and better events next year. Invite a colleague....It's worth it!!!! Sincerely,
Hail to the Chief
A Celebration of Our Community Through our networking with each other and networking with Dr. John Powers, Eric Swope, and Tony Pendula, we are kept abreast of changes and requirements. We appreciate the invaluable information that they provide at our convention and throughout the year and their willingness to work with us and answer our questions. Individually we can not know everything that affects our business, but together as a team we can. In closing, have a wonderful summer. I am always a phone call away if I can help you. If I don't know the answer, I will find someone who does. Remember this industry touches people from every walk of life and we have a multitude of opportunities. We appreciate you, look forward to working with you, and encourage you to get involved or more involved. Thank you,
Member Matters Julie Hampton author of our regular column Legal Briefs gave birth to a bouncing baby girl, Mildred "Milly" Clair Hampton in late March. It is reported that she will be back in her office at Poyner & Spruill by mid June. Mother and daughter are doing fine. Congratulations to Angelica Barrino, Collins Cleaning, Charlotte for her completion of DLI's Introduction to Drycleaning course April 25th. Congratulations to Kelly Little, daughter of Tom Little, Fuller Supply, Concord who has been awarded the TCATA Dean Allen Education fund Scholarship. She will receive $1000 annually for each of her four years of college and plans to major in business marketing and psychology at Elon University. Congratulations to Connie Sugg, former board member and our administrative assistant, who graduated from Guilford College May 10th. Renewing Members Vance Tiller Joyce Smith Robert Byrd Bryan Caton Larry Pope Paul S Tracy Allan Cheatham Hwang Gon Kim Gary Swaim New Members Ed & Mitzi Forrest New Associate Members Global Business Systems HBD, Inc. PhoneTree Ryko, Manufacturing
News You Can Use Drivers 18 & over may dial their cell phone and use either the speaker phone function, blue tooth or ear piece while driving but are prohibited from using a two-way radio operated by a push to talk feature unless they are operating a commercial motor truck or truck tractor, farm vehicle or tow truck. A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER CAN AND WILL PULL YOU OVER & GIVE YOU A TICKET FOR USING YOUR HANDHELD CELL PHONE. NCALC/DLI's ENDORSED INSURANCE
PROGRAM PAYS WORKERS COMPENSATION POLICY HOLDERS 15% DIVIDEND CLEANERS BECOMING TARGETS
FOR ARMED ROBBERIES President's Words & Awards
at the Annual Banquet I want to also thank you for participating in this year's auction. I especially want Marie Davis, Zelda Young and Charisse Lassister to stand and be recognized for their invaluable part in the success of another auction. Please give them a round of applause for a job well done! Again thank all of you for your participation and love because it is the team effort that makes our organization successful. At this time I have a few Presidential Awards to give.
My second Presidential Award is awarded to a "Special Man of Passion." He has such a passion for our industry that we ALL need it to rub off on us. I don't personally know how Zelda has any energy at all; it has got to be an exhausting job keeping Martin's Passion under control. I'd like Mr. Martin Young to come up and accept this years Passion Award for the love and image he represents for our association and our industry. My third Presidential Award is an award of perseverance. This perseverance award is being presented to a remarkable woman. With all that she has had to deal with the past few years, she is faithful to our association, attending our meetings, making contacts with fellow members, promoting our association, and always with a beautiful smile even though I know as times it has been hard to smile. This years Perseverance Award goes to the lovely Ms. Brenda Honeycutt. My final award is for someone especially dear to all of us. If you had a phone conversation, one on one conversation, or even a passing conversation with this person, then you'll understand why I chose a theme song well suited for him in his honor. Many of you have heard of the Allman Brothers Band and their hit song the "Ramblin Man" and it is most appropriate for our Executive Director, Mr. Sto Fox. In all seriousness, our association would not be where it is today, a benchmark for all other state cleaners associations if it were not for Sto's leadership and that is why it is my pleasure and honor to present him with a most deserving Leadership Award as well as a personal copy of "Ramblin Man" for him to remember me by! In closing, I'd like to wish all of you a safe, happy summer. I wish our new President Simon Vick and Board all the best over the next two years and promise I'll be there to support you in any way I can. In closing, I want to take a moment to reflect on those members who have passed on and remember that they taught us al lot about what this association is all about. This year, we lost Mr. Bobbie Hargrove, whose family has been with us this weekend. Also, our good friend, Mr. Vern Strother, whose wife Carol has continued to be dedicated to our association. And Mr. Ted Williams, whose family I've enjoyed spending time with this weekend. It has been good geeing Ms. Mildred, Bart and his two children at all our activities. Again thank you and I praise God for the opportunity to be a part of this association of friends. Can you believe it? A trifecta! Charisse Lassiter won the allied trades exhibit drawing again.
July 28th What Does
It Mean to You? If you use perc it means plenty! July 28th is the date by which you must be in compliance with all of the new requirements of the revised Perc NESHAP. Chief among them is that you send DSCA a notification of compliance status. Notification - DSCA has prepared a form to make this easier and will mail it out to every known perc drycleaner of which they are aware. As long as you send the required information postmarked by the deadline and sent via registered mail you'll be fine. EPA requires that you tell them if you are in a stand-alone building. I know of no reason to be worried about this. Some commenters on the rule changes wanted more stringent rules for all but stand-alone facilities. Some states have changed their state rules regarding these "co-commercial" locations. North Carolina has not and cannot without public notice and a public comment period, so relax. The most important question you must answer on this notification is that you are in compliance with the standards portion of the NESHAP. Basically, you are certifying that you have the proper control device (refrigerated condenser and/or carbon adsorber), keep the door to the wheel closed except when transferring items, operate and maintain the drycleaning system according to the manufacturer's specifications, log your control device parameters, drain filters in their housing for >24 hours, properly store solvent and wastes, and perform appropriate leak detection and repair. If you cannot certify one of these points, please call my office to see ifwe can be of assistance. HHDs July 28th is also the date by which every drycleaner must be using a Halogenated Hydrocarbon Detector (HHD). I would strongly recommend that you obtain your HHD early so you can have it all figured out in advance of the deadline. Be sure to have plenty of spare batteries around also. The rule requires you to replace one of your perceptible leak inspections with an HHD inspection at least once per month. There has been quite a bit of confusion over the oft-repeated phrase "in addition to." This means that you are still required to do the remaining perceptible leak inspections unless you choose to replace them with HHD inspections. Let me take this opportunity to encourage you to do just that. Perc is simply too expensive to not make it worthwhile to use your HHD for each required test. It might take a little extra time, but it could pay off in a big way. The truth is that you have probably not been putting the back of your hand near each place on your machine that could leak. And I have walked into plenty of perc plants where no one inside had the slightest clue that the plant reeked of perc as soon as you walk through the door. Do you step outside to calibrate your nose before sniffing around your machine? Probably not. One important tip on operating your HHD correctly is to figure out how it is calibrated. Many heat a diode and burn off any contaminants but some must be placed in fresh air prior to beginning the test. Another important aspect is to make sure you check components while they are in use. This means that it could take up to three separate cycles to check each of the points listed on the calendar. While we are on that subject, please don't forget to check your diverter valve if your machine is equipped with one. Although it does not appear on the list in the calendar, the NESHAP does require that it be checked. To function properly, the HHD tip must be close to the source that you are checking and should be moved across the interface slowly (approximately one inch per second). The NESHAP definition of an HHD is "a portable device capable of detecting vapor concentrations of [perc] of 25 parts per million by volume (ppmv) and indicating a concentration of 25 parts per million by volume or greater by emitting an audible or visual signal that varies as the concentration changes." If your old HHD doesn't vary, it doesn't count. You need the variability in order to track down the exact location of a leak. Knowing whether your HHD meets these specifications may not be easy. There are a few that advertise as sensitive down to 25 ppmv. Most others are rated in ounces per year. EPA has compiled a list of HHDs that it thinks meet the ppmv criteria (see the April newsletter for that list). It has also stated that some devices that are rated in ounces per year should be capable of the 25 ppmv threshold. This would conceivably add the TIF models to the list. DSCA performed a procedure where a TIF XP-1A was compared simultaneously with a photoionization detector. Since a good correlation was observed, DSCA approves of the use of this HHD. In fact, it is the instrument that DSCA inspectors currently carry. Most every approved HHD costs around $200. Changes to the Changes As you may be aware, EPA made a cross-referencing error in the revised NESHAP that required area source drycleaners to do monitoring that was only intended for the dozen major source drycleaners in the country. This monitoring involves using a colorimetric tube that changes color based on the concentration of perc. It sucks a puff of air from the exhaust of the carbon adsorber to ensure the control device is working properly. DLI estimates this type of monitoring to cost $300 to $400 per year with an initial equipment cost of around $250. In addition to the cross-reference error, EPA decided to continue to allow temperature to be monitored for refrigerated condensers. They had moved away from temperature by requiring pressure be monitored by every machine that was equipped with gauges. This turned out to be fraught with problems. Both of these changes were put on the fast track for fixing rules. EPA accomplished this by publishing the rule changes as "direct final" which means that they are automatically approved a short time after a comment period expires. Since EPA did receive comments, it must decide if the comments were adverse enough to kill the direct final rule. If this happens, drycleaners across the country might have a hard time finding enough of the solvent-specific monitoring equipment. It is very important that you NOT certify compliance on your notification to DSCA unless you are truly complying with whatever the final status of the rule is on that date. If the colorimetric tube and/or pressure monitoring ends up being the only item(s) with which you can't certify compliance, make sure to note this on the form. You won't be alone. Moving 3rd Gens - As was widely reported by DLI through this newsletter, National Clothesline, etc., EPA said that it was OK to move a 3rd generation machine without adding a secondary carbon adsorber upgrade as long as it had been in use prior to December 21, 2001. DSCA, with support from the Division of Air Quality, has concluded that they are free to interpret this issue in "a more stringent way" than EPA's original applicability determination letter without going through rulemaking. As a result, DSCA is generously allowing a grace period for anyone that installed a 3rd generation machine before June 30, 2008. I don't know about you, but I'm looking forward to AUGUST, when we can put this all behind us. 2008 Exhibitors 2008 Convention Sponsors $750.00 $500.00 The South Eastern Fabricarc Association is pleased to announce historic Savannah as the host city for the 2008 Southern DryCleaners Show. Details of the show are as follows: Dates: .July 26 - 27, 2008 Hotel: Westin Savannah Harbor
Resort (912) 201-2000 Exhibit Hours: Saturday, July
26. 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m Registration Fees: Pre-Registration:
$10 Social: Friday, July 25. 5:30
p.m. For more information, call
(877) 707-7332 /(912) 355-3364
Update on Activities of the
DSCA Compliance Program ATTENTION PERC DRY CLEANERS: The DSCA Compliance Program will be mailing the required "Notification of Compliance Status" form to all perc dry cleaners during the week of June 23rd. This form is required to be returned to DSCA no later than July 28, 2008. Please read carefully the directions on the form and submit the required information by registered mail. If you fail to do so you will be in violation of the Perc NESHAP rule. If you do not receive this notification form by July 14, 2008, please contact DSCA at (919) 508-8457. You may also download and print the "Notification of Compliance Status" form from the DSCA website at www.ncdsca.org/Compliance/Compliance.htm.
Minutes of the General Membership
Meeting A MOTION MADE [Marvin Thomas] AND SECONDED [Lindley Smith] to accept the Minutes of the 2007 Annual Meeting and by voice vote the minutes were approved as published in the June 07 issue of Carolina Clean(tm). Immediate Past President, Martin Young, Chairman of the Trusteeship Committee, reported that the Trusteeship Committee found NCALC finances & financial records to be in good shape & did not recommend an outside audit. The Committee recommended acceptance of the Financial Statement for 2008 (attached). The report and recommendation of the Trusteeship Committee was approved by a voice vote MADE BY [Chris Edwards] and SECONDED {Mack Davis]. NEW BUSINESS- Sto Fox, Executive Director reported that the Nominating Committee had met and the slate of officers for the term 2008-2010 is as follows: President Simon Vick Directors at Large: Ken Farrington reported that The Allied Trades had selected Kevin Lawson, Tri-State Laundry Equipment Company to serve as the Allied Trades Representative from 2008-2010. A MOTION WAS MADE [Mack Davis} and SECONDED [Martin Young] to accept the nominations for the Officers and Directors for the term 2008-2010, by acclamation the motion was unanimously approved by voice vote. Allied Trade Representative Ken Farrington also reported on the impact on tariffs overseas on wire hangers to the drycleaners. Ken urged all drycleaners to contact their US Representative and Senator by August 7, 2008 to protest the tariff. Tom Wilson, American Cleaners suggested that NCALC place contact information for the Representative and Senators in the Newsletter. There being no further business, on a MOTION MADE [Martin Young] and SECONDED [Tom Volk], by voice vote the meeting was adjourned. NCALC Financial Statement ASSETS CONVENTIONS $40,182.13 25.78 CONVENTIONS $20,061.62 12.87 BOARD MEETINGS $3,220.31 2.07 STATEMENT OF NET ASSETS -
TAX EXEMPT REPORTING BASIS UNRESTRICTED $89,685.37 TOTAL NET WORTH 95,294.86 ATTENTION PERC DRY CLEANERS |
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Carolina Clean '08, NCALC's 102nd
Annual Convention, is in the record book. Although we didn't
quite reach the modern record, 195 attendees at our 100th Annual
Convention in 2006 we had 170 men, women, and children in attendance,
19 exhibitors filling the exhibit room and spilling over into
the hall along with the Continental Breakfast and Break Refreshment
food. The room was filled for the Education sessions on Saturday
and Sunday mornings by attentive cleaners and allied trades who
enjoyed and will certainly benefit from the information, insights
and invigoration they received from an outstanding group of speakers.
In spite
of some morning showers on Saturday which ended about noon, the
weather was excellent and quite a few attendees enhanced their
tan on the beach &/or by the pool. All three evening functions
were well attended by young and old. The food was delicious,
the entertainment was entertaining, the bidding was lively and
the company was outstanding as acquaintances were renewed and
new friends made.
We
were all exceedingly thankful to have our gracious and lovely
President Gloria Cowell back on her feet following a bout with
diverticulitis to lead us through the weekend. Our very thoughtful
outgoing president provided all attendees with hand painted sand
dollars commemorating Carolina Clean 08. She also provided pirate
bracelets and bandannas for the kids for the Pirates of the Crystal
Coast Seafood Feast on Friday Night. Gloria's thoughtfulness
has certainly been a hallmark of her presidency for past two
years.
Proper
Plant Maintenance is an often overlooked key factor in producing
a quality product and cutting operating cost according to Barbara
Harvey. You might think plant maintenance is a strange topic
for the first woman president of DLI to address at a convention
but it demonstrates a point. DLI officers and directors are drycleaners
first and National Officers second. Bobbie owns and operates
Fabricare by Fran a single plant cleaning business in Maryland
started by her parents. She also happens to be the first woman
to graduate from the NID plant maintenance course. Bobbie not
only knows how to properly maintain an operating plant, she has
done it all herself and passed it on to her son Jay who maintains
the plant at DLI in addition to his duties as an instructor.
She provided attendees with a 10-page handout detailing her recommended
schedule of routine plant maintenance, which included a DLI Bulletin
written by son Jay..
Friday
night welcome to the Beach Seafood Feast was a feast indeed.
Attendee's were treated to a special treat with the unannounced
appearance of Captain Jim the prestodigitating pirate and his
motley crew. Captain Jim dressed in full pirate regalia and sporting
a real peg leg entertained young and old alike prior to dinner
with his slight of hand magic and balloon artistry. Did I forget
to mention the real parrot on his shoulder? After dinner Captain
Jim and his motley crew, his 3 children, entertained the assembly
with a stage show complete with disappearing & appearing
doves, levitating tables, and a magical cake.
Sunday's
Night Reception, Banquet and Live Auction brought a great weekend
to a close. Our wonderful speakers, cleaners, allied trades partners
and their significant others decked out in their Sunday best
enjoyed the Host Bar and the opportunity to mingle in the newly
redecorated courtyard, complete with little fireplaces (which
we didn't need for heat) scattered among the new outdoor furniture.
The chef outdid himself with the succulent filets and scrumptious
Beauford chicken complimented by garlic mashed potatoes and a
medley of steamed vegetables followed by strawberry cheese cake.
Well oiled and well fed the Live Auction conducted by auctioneer
Bayard Crumpton and Bill and Wes Sessoms got very lively as things
went on and put our Auction over the top with a total of $8946.00
for the silent and live auction this year.
Although
the Young Cleaners seemed to have a great time at Friday and
Saturday night festivities with us older folks, Sunday night
they had a party just for them. After their favorite meal of
pizza and chicken fingers they watched movies and played games
directed by Hanna Holland, a life long friend of Rob and Debbie
Hargrove who teaches English at the high school in Clinton. Connie
and Rita were on hand as well to insure proper order and decorum
and insure that the youngest cleaners could find a friendly lap
when required. Thanks to these three special people for watching
over our most precious assets while we had an adult night out.
The
Allied Trades Table Top Exhibits were the biggest and best ever
this year, completely filling the exhibit room and spilling out
into the hall. In addition to our regular exhibitors at Carolina
Clean, we were delighted to have Hart & Hickman, PC, HMC
Solutions, Kreussler, & Wilson Insurance join the exhibits
and to welcome new associate members and exhibitors Safety &
Compliance Consultants, Jan & Henry Parker, Dry Cleaning
Computer Systems (DCCS) Bob Gray, PhoneTree, Todd Jones, Global
Business Systems, Inc., John Kim & Ryko Manufacturing (the
carwash folks)-Chris Briggs. Barry McElveen, SEFA Executive Director
held fort in the hall promoting the Southern Drycleaners Show
July 26 & 27 in Savannah. His ample supply of those tasty
Georgia cookies and cheese bits made his booth an inviting place
to visit on your way to and from the exhibit room. If you haven't
been to the Southern Drycleaners show you really should, its
big, its live, the education sessions are great, and the venue
just across the river (there are water taxi's) from historic
downtown Savannah is first class.
Gloria
Cowell-outgoing president of NCALC thanked Ms. Harvey for her
excellent presentation on plant maintenance presented her with
a Gold Pipe Wrench and a Life Honorary Membership in NCALC in
recognition of her friendship and support through her term of
office as DLI District 2 Director, President-Elect and President
of DLI.
Ms.
Cowell then called incoming president Simon Vick to the podium
for the ceremonial passing of the gavel signifying the transfer
of office into his hands. President Vick thanked Gloria for all
her hard work and dedication and presented her with a wall plaque
in recognition of her service to NCALC. His acceptance speech
was short and to the point. "Thank you for the honor you
have bestowed on me. I will do my best to do a good job and,
with your help, to be a good president."
President-Elect, Marvin Thomas, Vice
President of Swannanoa Cleaners in Asheville came to North Carolina
14 years ago after serving as President of Georgetown Laundry
in Georgetown, South Carolina for 8 years following the death
of his father who was the second president of IFI. Marvin has
served on the NCALC Board of Directors for over 10 years as an
At Large Director, District Director, Vice President of Member
Services and Treasurer.
Long time NCALC Member George
Robert "Bobby" Hargrove, 86, owner/operator
of Ideal Cleaners in Clinton passed away at home May 1, 2008.
In addition to Ideal Cleaners Mr. "Bobby" also owned
City Service laundry (now Cintas) and opened a Glam-O-Rama Cleaners
in 1969. He served on the NCALC Board of Directors for many years
and was a driving force in NCALC's battles which resulted in
legislation prohibiting the North Carolina Prison Laundries from
competing with private industry in North Carolina. Mr. Hargrove
was active in his church and community serving as chairman of
the Sampson County Draft Board, on the City of Clinton Board
of Adjustment, the Urban Renewal Board and the board of the Sampson
County Association for the Handicapped. He is survived by his
wife of 58 years Margaret W. Hargrove, son George Robert "Rob"
Hargrove, Jr. and wife Debbie, who operate Ideal Cleaners and
their children Chelsie, Robert and Joseph Hargrove. Mr. Bobby
continued to go to his office every day until shortly before
his death and was still talking business until the very end.
It is a testament to his toughness that he was the oldest living
survivor of open heart surgery in Sampson County.
Your
first impression of the recipient of this first award might be
that he is "just" a dirty, old, good-looking, frisky,
comical man, but when you get to know him, you quickly realize
that he is driven by a sincere love of God, family, life, and
friends. He has an unmistakable love for this association. For
his natural ability to lift us up with comedy and a joyful spirit,
I'd like to present this Uplifting Spirit Award to my good friend,
Mr. Bill Sessoms for his love and dedication to NCALC.
The
DSCA compliance inspectors are continuing educational outreach
across the state. As of May 23, 2008, 425 perc and petroleum
facilities have received outreach visits. Inspectors have also
begun full compliance inspections at previously visited facilities
to determine if violations identified during outreach visits
have been corrected.