InDecemberof2006,PanzicaConstructionawardedwhatwasthebeginningof a70-acre sitedevelopmentproject forSnyder-CannataInterests. Since December, a lot has changed at the intersectionof Transportation Boulevard and Granger Road. IndependenceExcavatingjoinedintheprojectwiththetaskofrazing54houseswhichtookapproximatelyfourmonths. Thesitepackagedevelopedintoaveryaggressivelyscheduledproject. Our job included the laying of 555 lf of 42” pipe andplacementof30,000cyofembankmentaheadofthefinalgradingplanbeingdesigned. Followingcompletionoftheearlysitepackage,IndependenceExcavating was chosen to perform the mass excavation whichposed multiple obstacles. The requirements of the future retailstoreswouldonlyallowa3”minusgranularmaterialfillinthe75’deepravine.Achievingthisspecificationwasnotaneasytask.Ittookadditionalequipmentandmultiplefillstokeepprogressivelymoving forward at the rate that was needed to maintain theschedule.Onasiteconsistingof30%claysand70%rock,only

alittlemorethanhalfwasusableduetotherestbeingexpansiveshale thatwasonlyallowedoutsideof the futurebuildings.Thiscaused us to strategically make cuts to expose the unusablematerial. InAugustof2007PanzicaConstructionawardedustheutility

package which began in September, 2007. Thescope of work consisted of 9,000 lf of waterline,8,000 lf of sanitary, and 11,000 ft of storm, allwhich followed the same strict requirements of a3”minusbackfill. Togetherwith thePanzicamanagement teamofBill Davis and Mike Picciano, as well as the M.NeffDesignGroup,welookforwardtocompletingyetanothersuccessfulproject.

Independence Excavating • Independence Demolition, Inc. Independence Recycling of Florida • Precision ProCut Independence Communications, Inc. • Indy Equipment Independence Recycling • Precision Environmental Co. Flex-Tech Resources, Ltd. • DiGeronimo Aggregates

Established

1956

Vo lume 20 , No . 3 A Qua r t e r l y Pub l i ca t i on o f I ndependence Excava t i ng , I nc . F a l l , 2007

BRIDGEVIEW CROSSINGSJustinKing,ProjectManager

F e a t u r e P r o j e c t

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P r e s i d e n t ’ s M e s s a g e

Fred Schuld - Teacher, Friend, Extraordinaire

VicDiGeronimoSr.

I received many, many compliments on my lastPresident’s message, in which I outlined all of theDiGeronimo’s (29) on our payroll with the hundrethDiGeronimo soon to be born. Well, I am pleased tosay that Samuel Robert DiGeronimo was born on July3rd! Congratulations to parents Donnie and FrancieDiGeronimo and grandparents Jay and Flory Rose andBobbyandCindiDiGeronimo! One of the most gratifying compliments I received intheformofahandwrittennotewasfrommygoodfriendand formerhighschoolhistory teacherMr.FredSchuld.Although history was not one of my best subjects, (Ican’t think of one right now) Mr. Schuld was one of myfavorite teachers who was highly respected by all of hisstudents. His homework assignments were minimal, butwerealwayscompletedontime,asIsub–contractedallofmyhomeworktoLurlie,mywonderfulwifetowhomIhavebeenmarriedtoforforty-fiveyears! In thebook, “Tuesdays with Morrie,” there is aquotewhichstates:“Ateacheraffectseternity;hecannevertellwheretheinfluencestops.”Well,obviouslyFredSchuld’sinfluencestillhasnotstoppedforover52years!Amazingwhen you stop and reflect on your life. At least once ayear he sends me a note complimenting our family andcompany.Hislatestisshownatright. He announced all the football games until 1986 andstill keeps in contact with many of his students. Herecentlyattendeda50thclassreunionfortheclassof’57and shortly afterwards attended my brother Tony’s 32nd.Everybody lovesMr.FredSchuld.ThankyouMr.Schuldfortheinfluenceyouhad,andstillhaveinmylife!

Arrivederci!

Fred Schuld doing public address for a football game behind the Independence Middle School. Tower erected by Independence Excavating, Inc.

E m p l o y e e S p o t l i g h t - E d Ly n c h J r.

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EdLynchJr,OperationsManagerofourPennsylvaniaConstruction,achievedaspectacularmilestoneearlierthisyearbyclaiming200Sprintcarfeaturevictories.Ed’sracingisafamilybusinessjustlikeourconstructioncompany.Hisfather,EdSr.(whodroveracecarsfortheDiGeronimofamily25yearsago),workswithEdintheraceshop.Hismomhasbeenpromotingandassistingwiththebusinesspartoftheraceteamsinceitsinception.Ed’swifeHeatherandtwochildren,EdIIIandSye,arealwaysonhandtohelpandsupporttheirhusbandandfather.Theentirefamilyis

necessaryforEd’scontinuedsuccess.Ed’sracingandhiscontributionstoIndependenceExcavatingareatthesamepace–100%effort,workethic,andloyalty.ThesearethethreemajorthingsthathavehelpedhimracewellandhavehelpedIndependenceExcavatingsucceedinthenewmarketsinPennsylvania. TheentireDiGeronimofamilycongratulatesEdandtheLynchfamilyontheircontinuedsuccessinracingandsincerelythanksyouforallyourhardworkandsuccessthatyouhavebroughttotheDiGeronimoCompanies.

100% Effort, Work Ethic And LoyaltyVicDiGeronimoJr.

Asthesummerof2007comestoaclose,weareproudtoreflectonanotherbusybutsuccessfulco-optermforbothofficeandfieldinterns. In total, Independence Excavating hosted six exceptionalstudents representing the Universities of Akron, Cincinnati, Ohio,andToledofrombothcivilengineeringandconstructionmanagementprograms.Thethreemonthprogrampairedthesecollegestudentswithoursupervisiononvarioussitedevelopmentandconcreteprojectsincluding State Route 8, L’Oreal, and McDowell County Prison in

Welch,WestVirginia.Thecontinuedgoalofourco-opprogramisto enhance students' educational experience with real-world workexposure. By incorporating theory learned in the classroom withpractical application and skill development on the job, we hopeto contribute to the development of the student’s personal andprofessionalmaturityaswellastheskillsandknowledgeapplicabletotheirinterestinthefieldofconstruction.Aspecialthankyoutoallinvolvedinmakingthesummerco-opsuchasuccess.

2007 Co-Op StudentsLisaDiGeronimo

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DiGeronimo Companies Annual Picnic

OnSunday,September23rd, theDiGeronimoCompaniesheldtheir annual company picnic & clambake at Astorhurst picnicgrounds. As this was our first year to include the clambake atthemuchcloser locationofWaltonHills, the teamatAstorhurstwas thrilled tohostover350DiGCoemployeesand their familymembers.Agorgeousday,deliciousmenu,andnumerousgamesand attractions made for yet another memorable picnic. Theoccasionalsoprovidedanotheropportunity tohighlightDiGCo’sCoreValuesont-shirtgive-aways.

A very special thank you to Lisa Melillo for all of her hard work in coordinating the days events!

CORE VALUES

~ INTEGRITY ~ I will never compromise my integrity or jeopardize the reputation

of the company – “Our handshake is our word.” ~ QUALITY WORKMANSHIP ~

We demand that every job is done right – every time, from beginning to end. ~ LOYALTY ~

I will be part of a team; contributing and celebrating in our team’s success. ~ RESPECT ~

I will respect and treat customers and fellow employees like family; valuing each individual’s ideas and contributions.

~ COMMITMENT ~ I will perform my job in a manner that continues to enhance the traditions

and reputation of all DiGeronimo Companies.

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N e w P r o j e c t s

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C r u s h i n g P r o j e c t s

Allega Cement / I-90 Project – Phase IIPainesville,Ohio50,000tonsof#304concretesub-base

Allied Corp. – West 3rd StreetCleveland,Ohio50,000tonsofasphaltcrushingto2”minusmaterial

DiGeronimo Aggregates, LLCIndependence,Ohio300,000tonsof2”minusshalecrushing

Fort Myers FacilityFt.Myers,Florida25,000tonsof2”minusbasematerial

I-75 / Archer-WesternMacon,Georgia91,000tonsof2”minusconcretecrushing

Independence Facility Independence,Ohio100,000tonsofODOT#304basematerial

Jacksonville FacilityJacksonville,Florida50,000tonsof2”minusbasematerial

LaFarge – North AmericaMantua,Ohio125,000tonsofsandandgravelcrushedintoODOT#304

Lakeland FacilityLakeland,Florida50,000tonsof2”minusbasematerial

Long View Power PlantMaidsville,WestVirginia150,000tonsoflimestonecrushing

M.K. Taylor ConstructionHampton,Virginia50,000tonsof3”x11/2”concreteand11/2”minusconcretesub-base

Oakdale ConstructionScottTownship,Pennsylvania100,000tonsofconcretecrushingto3”minusbackfillmaterial

Orlando FacilityOrlando,Florida200,000tonsofstoneandbasematerial

Owens Corning / Cultured StoneNavarre,OhioCrushingofspecialtylightweightconcrete

Owens Corning / Cultured StoneChester,SouthCarolinaCrushingofspecialtylightweightconcrete

Punta Gorda FaciltyPuntaGorda,Florida50,000tonsof2”minusbasematerial

Stein/I.S.G. Slag CrushingISGMill,Cleveland,Ohio600,000tonsofslagcrushedinto#57,#8,and#10stone

Tampa FacilityTampa,Florida50,000tonsof2”minusbasematerial

Valley View FacilityValleyView,Ohio150,000tonsof#1’s,#2’s,and#304basematerial

Welch Federal PrisonWelch,WestVirginia450,000tonsofvarioussandstonecrushing

University Hospital DemolitionLocation:EuclidAve.,Cleveland,OhioGeneralContractor:OzanneConstructionStartDate:October,2007CompletionDate:November,2007Scopeofwork:Demolitionofafivestorydormbuilding,14,000cyofbackfillandmiscellaneoussitedemolitionandrestoration.

Weirton Open Hearth DemolitionLocation:Weirton,WestVirginiaOwner:MittalSteelUSAStartDate:August,2007CompletionDate:December,2007Scopeofwork:Razingof1,265,000s.f.ofmetalbuildingsthatincludethescrappingofvariousequipmentandlargee.o.t.cranes.Wewillbedropping,preparing,andrecyclingapproximately25,000grosstonsofsteelwhichwillbegeneratedfromtherazingactivities.

Cuyahoga Community College – Center for Innovation of the ArtsLocation:CarnegieAve.,Cleveland,OhioOwner:CuyahogaCommunityCollegeStartDate:October,2007CompletionDate:November,2008Scopeofwork:Selectivedemolitionofexistinggarageandsitestructures,siteutilitiesandgrading,14,000cybuildingbasement&foundationexcavation,buildingbackfill,concretefoundations,basementwalls,basementslab,1st–3rdfloorsandroofdecks,andelevators.

Lifeworks Southland DemolitionLocation:PleasantHills,PennsylvaniaGeneralContractor:ZamiasConstructionStartDate:August,2007CompletionDate:November,2007Scopeofwork:Demolitionandbackfillofmallstores,installationutilities,concreteandasphalt.

RicercaLocations:ConcordTownship,OhioGeneralContractor:GilbaneBuildingCo.Owner:RicercaLabsStartDate:July,2007CompletionDate:September,2007Scopeofwork:Concretefoundation,slab-on-gradeandslab-on-deckforananimaltestingfacility.

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Independence makes L’Oreal look beautiful!

In July, we began work for Lexington Streetsboro, LLC,constructingnewretainingwalls,truckroad,andexpandingthe loading dock area at L’Oreal Professional Productsdivision in Streetsboro. This facility is a packing anddistribution center that employs over 1,200 people. Whenthe project is completed we will have moved over 40,000c.y.ofdirtandinstalled17,200squarefeetofnewretainingwall.Theretainingwallconsistsof3’Wx3’Hx8’Lconcreteunits thatweigh5,500poundseach.Togetherwithgeogridreinforcement, these walls will hold back soils as high as40’ to allow for constructionof the truck loadingdockandparking areas. The walls are a design – build project andwehaveteamedupwithMackConcreteandAlber&Ricetodesignandconstruct thewalls.Neff&AssociatesandEDPConsultantswerehiredby theowner todevelop theoverallplansanddesigncriteriaandoverseetheproject.

TedHoward,ProjectManager

Weirton Open Hearth Demolition On September 6, 2007 we dropped the first section of the open hearthbuilding columns and roof. This section of building column was 320 inlength and the roof section totaled 38,000 square feet. Our high burnersmovedontothenextsectionofbuildinginpreparationforthenextdropwhileourHitachi850andCat345equippedwithhydraulicshearsstayedbehindtocut-up,segregateandpreparethesteelthatwasdroppedforrecyclingattheWheelingPittsburghSteelCorporationComplexinSteubenville,Ohio.ThenextsectionofbuildingisscheduledtodropinearlyOctober2007.

C u r r e n t P r o j e c t

© Declaration of Independence2007 Independence Excavating Inc.

Editor: Stacey Bernas

Photo credits: Jean Lynch Niki Novello

Comments and suggestions can be submitted by letter to:

Independence Excavating Inc.5720 Schaaf RoadIndependence, Ohio 44131www.indexc.comAn equal opportunity employer

Work is underway at Lake County’s newhospital in Concord Township. IndependenceExcavating is working with Gilbane BuildingCompany to perform the project’s concretepackage.Ourscopeofwork includesconcretefooters,formedfoundationwalls,slab-on-grade,andslab-on-deckpours.Whencompleted,thefinishedproductwill bea300,000sfhospitalservingtheentirecounty’swellnessneeds. Todate, this is the largest concreteprojectIndependenceExcavatinghasundertaken. Theschedule has been condensed due to a rainyAugust and workers are trying to beat thearrival of structural steel on November 1st.Plus, the project is located in the heart ofOhio’s snowbelt where many winter concrete pours will takeplace. Even with the many challenges of this project, the

growing concrete division is confident and excited aboutcompletingitonschedule.

C u r r e n t P r o j e c t

Lake County HospitalSteveHamilton,ProjectEngineer

With all the earth moving perform here at IndependenceExcavating,itisniceonceinawhilewhenwefindoneofnature’streasures in the dirt or rock we move. Such was the case backin June of this year on the Rt. 8 job when several of us beganto find what appeared to be plant fossils in the sandstone rockcomingfromourborrowsiteonValleyViewRd.Asageologist,it was nice to see fellow employees take the time to look forsomewell-preserved fossils. The accompanyingphoto shows acalamite fossil with the host rock being brown-grey sandstoneof Pennsylvanian Age, approximately 323 million years old. Acalamitewasacommonplantforthetime,similartomoderndaybamboo, and was found in the prehistoric coal swamps of theday.Acalamiteplantwouldhave reachedheightsofnearly100feetandcouldbeupto3feetindiameter.ThissamplewasoneofmanywefoundthatdayandwasgiventoRichDiGeronimowhenhevisitedusatthesite.

Wow – What a find!FrankKordinak,AssistantProjectManager