Missouri LICA News
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Larry LaFollette
Chairman
Jim Bledsoe
President
Ozzie Wallace
Vice-President
Chris Brauer
Secretary/Treasurer
DISTRICT OFFICERS
Jeff Lance
District #1 President
Phil Wilson
District #2 President
Melvin Beckemeyer
District #3 President
Elwin Yoder
District #4 President
Greg Muenks
District #5 President
AUXILIARY OFFICERS
Mona Bledsoe
President
Sally Bauer
Vice-President
Rhonda Schnitker
Secretary/Treasurer
Volume 71, Number 1 Missouri Land Improvement Contractors Association Fall, 2011
Thank You Murphy Tractor!
On November 7, Murphy Tractor in Kansas City, MO hosted a membership drivefor Missouri LICA. The staff at Murphy’s turned out in great numbers to support theeffort and treated us to some great conversation, outstanding food, and valuableinformation. James Campbell with the US Army Corps of Engineers taughtattendees how to bid on Corps projects and how to avoid possible “bumps in theroad.” A great big “Thanks” to Greg Knipp and all the Murphy Tractor staff forsupporting LICA and making the membership drive such a success!
Pictured above: Attendees enjoy a wonderful meal during the November 7 LICA MembershipDrive at Murphy Tractor in Kansas City, MO. Pictured below left: New LICA member JohnZehendren (right) shares a story or two with Jim Bledsoe, LICA President, and Mona Bledsoe,LICA Auxiliary President. Pictured below right:James Campbell with the US Army Corps ofEngineers checks his notes for a few details onCorps contract bidding.
Page 2 Fall, 2011
Holiday Greetings Members, Associates, and Friends,
The weather this fall has been great. I hope everyonehas been busy and looking forward to the holidayseason. As we try to finish projects before winter, letus take time to be thankful for what we have beenblessed with, the reason for the Christmas season,and hope for the new year.
This will be my last LICA President’s message. As Ilook back on the last two years, I would like to thankthose officers; Executive Directors, at both the stateand National level; members and committeemembers for contributing to our organization. To thoseAssociates and personnel who supported us atDistrict meetings, Winter Conventions, membershipmeetings, and Drainage Schools, we thank you andask for your continued support. A special thanks tothose who helped with the equipment rodeos,especially most recently at the Damage PreventionSummit.
As we look to the new year, changes to the LICASafety Insurance Group, Winter Convention with theContractor/Employee Bootcamp, Drainage School, anequipment rodeo, and our first-ever golf tournamentare being planned. I urge you to attend the WinterConvention and Contractor/Employee Bootcamp totake advantage of the forklift certification and safetytraining for you and your employees. This training isjust one of the benefits of being a MLICA member.
Remember, you get out of an organization what youput in to it. Please read the newsletters andpublications, attend District meetings, and talk tofellow MLICA contractors. It will be beneficial to you.
Work safely and Happy Holidays,
Jim
November
2 Larry LaFolletteMichael Root
5 Olin Struchtemeyer6 John Bestgen9 Carie O'Neill10 Allen Williman11 Angela Johnston
Stephanie LaFollette13 Barbara Alexander17 Gene Bell20 Greg Alderson
Courtney Ray21 Steve Menke25 Clint Levings26 Ryan Dobson27 Rebecca Bledsoe28 Helen Kleinsorge30 Diana Kelly
December
1 Bob CretzmeyerJane Harris
2 Kevin Rosenbohm3 Brian Murphy5 Cash Lassen8 Loretta McClanahan9 Dana Rackers10 Larry Slayden12 Rob Trenary
Caryl Lance16 Carla Struchtemeyer18 Steve Milne19 Norman Boone20 Gerry Germann
Terry Guinn22 Paul Jacquin23 Rod Schottel24 Yvonne Poston27 Roger Limback31 Sarrah Dobson
Vera Tague
January
1 Della KingJoan Muenks
7 James Gilbert8 Mont Gilbert9 Matthew Haley12 Seth Paul15 Philip Kirkpatrick19 JoAnn Gray
Clinton RayPhil Wilson
20 Phil Mather23 Regan Atha24 Chris Shipley26 Jerry Koechner29 Jeff Schnieders30 Kim Spencer
February
1 Gerald Wyatt2 Sandra Fuller5 Caelene Lance10 Greg Fuller
John HoustonKelton Noland
12 Ken Kauffman14 Jennifer Lassen
Mike Schrage15 Nelson Wilson17 Mona Bledsoe
Lester Rufenacht18 Roger Hinck
Roxy Rotert20 Carol Zink21 Jim Bledsoe25 Kenny Germann
Rickey Martin26 Bruce Tague
Happy Birthday!
Missouri LICA News is aquarterly publication of the
Missouri Land ImprovementContractors Association.
Please send your comments and suggestions to:
Missouri LICA Executive Director: Deb Dickens
7016 East North Shore DriveHartsburg, MO 65039
Ph: 573-634-3001 s Email: [email protected]: www.MLICA.org
President’s Message
Fall, 2011 Page 3
On January 5, the Missouri Land Improvement Contractors Association (LICA)
will host a special “Contractor and Employee Boot Camp”
designed to help you meet your OSHA training needs.
Calling All Contractors
and Employees!
Special Contractor and
Employee Boot Camp
Did you know that in order to operate a “fork lift,”OSHA requires you to have a certification ... and thatOSHA defines a skid steer with forks as a “fork lift?”This class will give you the three-year certificationyou need.
Although OSHA does not specifically require CPRtraining, the OSHA requirement at 29 CFR1910.151(b) states, “In the absence of an infirmary,clinic, or hospital in near proximity to the workplacewhich is used for the treatment of all injuredemployees, a person or persons shall be adequatelytrained to render first aid.” Are your employeestrained? Are you? Can anyone on your crew operatean Automated External Defibrillator (AED)? Thisclass will give you the two-year certification you needfor CPR, a resource manual for your CPR and first-aid needs, as well as the basics of operating anAutomated External Defibrillator.
When was the last time you held a discussion withyour employees or reminded yourself of the dangersassociated with contacting these lines? How muchcurrent do they carry? How can you tell? This classwill offer a live demonstration of the dangers ofoverhead powerline contact, as well as educate youon what you can do to prevent them.
What should you or your employees do when OSHAarrives on the jobsite? Can you restrict OSHA’saccess to your jobsite? What are your rights? Howcan you minimize your fines? This class will teachyou and your employees what you can do ... andwhat you don’t want to do ... when OSHA arrives onyour jobsite. According to our OSHA experts, it’s nota question of “if” OSHA will arrive on your jobsite inthe next three to five years, but “when.” Will you beready?
Thursday, January 5
12:30pm - 5:30pm
Bobcat of St. Louis - Columbia1101 North Lenway; Columbia, MO
(North of I-70 on the outer road; east of Highway Z exit)
OSHA Fork Lift Certification Overhead Powerline Safety
CPR and AED Training
What To Do When OSHA Arrives
Page 4 Fall, 2011
Thursday - January 5
12:30pm - Contractor & Employee Boot Camp
7:00pm - Springfield Plastics Hospitality Suite
for Convention Attendees
Friday - January 6
8:00am - Breakfast
9:15am - Hydraulics Troubleshooting
Tim Brammeier with SunSource, will share a fewtips and tricks for troubleshooting your hydraulics.Don’t miss this chance to get your questionsanswered ... it might even save you a little money!
10:00am - Ladies Water Aerobics
Bring your swimsuit and your kids! Each participantwill be given their own “noodle” - courtesy of theLadies Auxiliary
10:45am - DNR/NRCS Update
With budget cuts looming on the horizon, how willthe state and federal cost-share programs beimpacted? What other changes are heading ourway in 2012?
12:00pm - LICA Safety Insurance Group Luncheon
Sponsored by Prins Insurance and the newprogram underwriters, United Fire & Casualty
1:00pm - Leasing vs Renting vs Buying Equipment
When is the right time to lease a piece ofequipment? When should you rent? Buy? RobBristow with Bobcat of St. Louis - Columbia, willwalk you through the decisions you need to makeand give you sound advise on how to determinewhat’s best for your business.
2:30pm - Committee Meetings
Budget/By-Laws
Convention/Education
Field Day
Government Relations
Legislation
Ladies Auxiliary
Membership
6:30pm - Exhibit Hall Open
Saturday - January 7
7:30am - Devotions
9:15am - How to Buy Oil, Lubricants, Anti-Freeze and
Tires .. for Less
Joe Giovinazzo, Petrocon President, will walk youthrough how the LICA benefit works and howbuying your oil, lubricants, anti-freeze, and tiresthrough Petrocon can save you money!
10:30am Reduce your MOD Rate
Want to save money on your workers’compensation? Matt Kujath, Winter-Dent &Company, will show you how!
11:30am - Lunch
12:45pm - LICA District Meetings
Ladies Auxiliary Business Meeting
2:00pm - LICA Membership Meeting
6:30pm - Dinner ... Equipment Rodeo ... Auction!
Check out our website to register!
(www.MLICA.org)
MLICA 2012 Winter Convention ... In A Nutshell
CONVENTION BEGINS
Fall, 2011 Page 5
More Convention Details
Hotel Information
The Holiday Inn East (915 Port Way; Columbia, MO) isoffering a room rate of $74 per night. To take advantage ofthe Missouri LICA Convention room rate, please call theHoliday Inn East at 573-474-4444 and tell them you're withthe "MO LICA" group. This rate will expire on December 26,
2011. (Check-in for the hotel is 3:00pm and check-out is11:00am.)
The Holiday Inn East is located on the east side of Columbia- on the south side of Hwy 70 at exit 131.
LICA Auction Information
On Saturday night, we will hold our LICA Auction. This is agreat time to support LICA, get some great buys, and enjoysome good food and drink ... all at the same time!
Last year, the auction items included: 100 Gallons of RedDiesel Fuel, NASCAR tickets, Discounts on EquipmentRentals, Budlight Refrigerator, Lots of Gift Baskets, Toolboxand Tools, Stihl Chain Saw, Tile Tape, 725' of 8" Maxi Coil,Carhart Jackets, Backhoe Model ... and more!
Come see what this year’s auction has to offer!
Craig PipeCompany
NEW & USED STEEL PIPE
STEEL PLATE & I-BEAM
ANGLE & REBAR
660-872-6797RIDGEWAY, MO 64481
“Serving Well To Those We Sell.”
We offer our deepest sympathyto Bruce and Deb Mosier andtheir family in the death of Deb’smother on December 4, 2011.You can send your condolencesto the Mosier family: c/o PrinsInsurance, Inc.; 301 Main Street;P.O. Box 220; Sanborn, IA51248-0220
With Deep Sympathy
Join Us in Columbia January 5-7, 2012!
Why not take a break from Winter
and join us at the 2012 MLICA Winter Convention
and Contractor/Employee Boot Camp!
Page 6 Fall, 2011
AD&D Insurance
Each active Contractor member receives a complimentary$50,000 Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D)Insurance policy, with the ability to purchase additionalAD&D coverage for their full-time employees, spouse,and/or children at a reduced rate. (Age restrictions apply.)
Petrocon Membership
Petrocon is a Petroleum Consumer’s Group representinglubricant users across North America. As a contractormember of LICA, the normal $2,500 registration fee iswaived and you can begin saving on your oil, tire, lubricant
and anti-freeze purchases.
National Equipment Register Discount
LICA contractor members can register their equipment onthe National Equipment Register (NER) HELPtechdatabase to deter theft; search against the nation's largestdatabase of stolen construction and farm equipment;reduce their chance of buying stolen equipment; and/orsubmit a theft report and significantly increase the chanceof recovering their equipment ... all at a 20% discount offNER’s regular registration fees!
Hotel Savings Card
LICA’s Hotel Savings Card program from CLC Lodgingsimplifies lodging administration, while saving 20-40% offthe lowest published rates from more than 10,000 leadingeconomy and mid-scale hotels nationwide. No advancebooking required; no annual fees; and no minimum usagerequirements. CLC is the nation’s leading negotiator ofworkforce lodging rates, delivering deep discounts from itsconsolidated purchasing power of nearly $500 millionannually. LICA’s Hotel Savings Card improves your bottomline whenever you and your employees travel forbusiness.
Scholarship Program
Each year, both Missouri LICA and National LICA awardscholarships to deserving college and/or trade and techstudents.
Business Insurance
The LICA Safety Insurance program is underwritten byUnited Fire & Casualty. Participating contractor memberscan purchase coverage for his/her business, equipment,and employees, with the potential of a premium dividend.The LICA Safety Insurance program has paid a premiumdividend, ranging from 3.5% to 18%, in eight of the tenyears it's been operating.
LICA Limited Medical Plan
The new and improved Limited Medical Plan* is availableto LICA members. Benefits include indemnity first dollarcoverage for doctor visits, diagnostics, minor surgery, dailyhospital and much more!
We now have insured RX coverage up to $2,500 per yearfor less than $20 a month and dental coverage, as well as,other ancillary protection.
Eligibility and Pricing: Group coverage with no pre-existingcondition limitations available for companies with a little astwo participating employees.
Plans start at $51.42/month for an individual. This programis designed for companies with hourly, part time, or non-benefit eligible employees; and companies that do notoffer health insurance, but would like an affordable optionfor limited medical insurance.
* Please Note: These plans are NOT MAJOR MEDICAL insurance and are not intended to replace full major medical coverage.
Hotel Savings Card
LICA’s Hotel Savings Card program from CLC Lodgingsimplifies lodging administration, while saving 20-40% offthe lowest published rates from more than 10,000 leadingeconomy and mid-scale hotels nationwide. No advancebooking required; no annual fees; and no minimum usagerequirements. CLC is the nation’s leading negotiator ofworkforce lodging rates, delivering deep discounts from itsconsolidated purchasing power of nearly $500 millionannually. LICA’s Hotel Savings Card improves your bottomline whenever you and your employees travel for business.
DO YOU KNOW YOUR BENEFITS?
ARE YOU USING THEM?
Membership in Missouri LICA comes with some really great benefits ... but if you don’t use them, theyaren’t worth anything to you! Below are just a few of the benefits which come with your contractormembership. If you haven’t used them yet ... start TODAY!! If you’ve got questions, call Debbie at theMLICA office (573-634-3001) and she can help you
“More Benefits” >p7
Fall, 2011 Page 7
BeyondPerks Program
You can shop online at your favorite brand name storesand receive cash back. Members receive all discounts,sales, savings, and clearance deals provided by enteringthe retailer’s website directly, but also enjoy the addedbenefit of up to 30% CASH BACK!
In addition to the cash back rewards, members can alsoprint coupon promotions that will generate in-storediscounts and savings at local merchants. Simply Click,Print, and Save!
Complimentary Winter Convention
Registration
Your registration fee for the first Winter Convention afterjoining Missouri LICA as an Active Contractor, iscomplimentary ... as long as you pre-register. Travel andlodging expenses are not covered, but your registration isFREE!
National Equipment Register Discount
New LICA contractor members will receive a 30% discountoff regular registration fees, if they register their equipmentwithin three months of joining LICA. Contractor memberscan register their equipment on the National EquipmentRegister (NER) HELPtech database to deter theft andincrease the chances of recovery if the equipment wasstolen; search against the nation's largest database ofstolen construction and farm equipment; reduce theirchance of buying stolen equipment; and/or Submit a theftreport and significantly increase the chance of recoveringtheir equipment.
More Benefits (Continued from page 6) A Few New Contractor Benefits
Remember ...If we don’t use them,
we’ll lose them!
Page 8 Fall, 2011
MLICA On The Move!
Contractors
Regan Atha
GEC, Inc.6263 SE Fike RoadSt. Joseph, MO 64507Ph: 816-232-5092Cell: 816-261-0093Fx: 816-232-5157Em: [email protected]: 1 County: BuchananSponsors: Dennis Brinton & Jim BledsoeWork Categories: Erosion Control, Earthmoving/ LandClearing, Excavation/ Grading, Land Leveling, Landscaping,Open Ditch Work, Ponds/ Dams, Terraces/ Waterways
Steve Menke
Menke ExcavatingP.O. Box 53Camden Point, MO 64018Ph: 816-450-3230Cell: 816-214-7352Fx: 816-450-3230Em: [email protected] District: 1 County: PlatteSponsor: Murphy TractorWork Categories: Drainage/Irrigation, Erosion Control,Earthmoving/Land Clearing, Excavation/Grading, LandLeveling, Landscaping, Open Ditch Work, Ponds/Dams,Site Prep/Development, Sewer/Water/Underground Utilities,Terraces/WaterwaysEquipment: Backhoe, Crawler Loader
Chris Shipley; Charlotte
Chris Shipley Excavating1075 W Couchman Dr.Kearney, MO 64060Ph: 816-903-3478Fx: 816-903-3479Em: [email protected]: 1 County: ClaySponsor: Murphy TractorWork Categories: Earthmoving/Land Clearing, ErosionControl, Excavating/Grading, Gravel/Rock Production, LandLeveling, Ponds/Dams, Site Prep/Development, Terraces/WaterwaysEquipment: Backhoe, Crawler Loader, Dozer, Excavator,Loader
Contractors (Continued)
Jon Simmons; Betty
4-Him Construction LLC208 W. CantonLewistown, MO 63452Ph: 573-215-2395Cell: 660-216-6587Fx: 573-215-2395District: 2 County: LewisWork Categories: Drainage/Irrigation, Erosion Control,Earthmoving/Land Clearing; Excavation/Grading, LandLeveling, Open Ditch Work, Ponds/Dams, SitePrep/Development, Terraces/WaterwaysEquipment: Dirt Pan, Dozer, Excavator, Scraper, Trencher
Charley Van Laere
C&D Dozing1314 N. Bill Johnson Rd.Independence, MO 64056Ph: 816-650-5502Fx: 816-650-5502Em: [email protected]: 1 County: JacksonSponsor: Murphy Tractor
John Zehendner; Carol
Zehendner Disaster Relief LLC1029 South Hughes StHamilton, MO 64644-7252Ph: 816-214-7298; 816-596-3370Cell: 816-284-5157Sponsor: Murphy TractorDistrict: 1 County: Caldwell
Company Associate
C.J. Thomas Company
MLICA Contact: Pamela E. Goessling800 Market St. Louis, MO 63101Ph: 314-657-2936Fx: 314-231-4482Cell: 314-409-7866Em: [email protected]: www.cjthomas.com
More New Members >p9
Welcome Aboard!
Fall, 2011 Page 9
EECI10723-S02-01
Company Associates (Continued)
Connell Insurance, Inc.
MLICA Contact: Chad ConnellP.O. Box 1840Branson, MO 65615Ph: 417-334-2000Cell: 417-337-4990Fx: 417-334-4906Em: [email protected]: www.ConnellInsurance.com
Fratco
MLICA Contact: Alan KruszkaP.O. Box 99 Thornton, IA 50479Ph: 608-375-2796Fx: 608-375-2796Cell: 219-204-1388Em: [email protected]: www.fratco.com
Company Associates (Continued)
The G.W. Van Keppel Co.
MLICA Contact: Jenna Hill1801 N. 9th StreetKansas City, KS 66101Ph: 913-233-3839Fx: 913-281-4815Cell: 816-517-1403Em: [email protected]: www.vankeppel.com
Vander Haag’s Inc.
MLICA Contact: Eric Krikke3809 4th Ave. WSpencer, IA 51301Ph: 800-242-5030Fx: 866-665-5030Cell: 712-260-3183Em: [email protected]: www.vanderhaags.com
Company Associates (Continued)
W.E. Walker-Lakenan, LLC
MLICA Contact: Pat TalleyP.O. Box 733Cape Girardeau, MO 63702-0733Ph: 573-335-3307Fx: 573-335-5844Em: [email protected]: www.wewalker.com
More New Members (Continued from page 8)
Thank You!MLICA sincerely appreciatesyour support. We can’t functionwithout you!
Page 10 Fall, 2011
When Disaster Strikes, Will Your Business Survive?by John Peterson, LICA Director of Government Relations
I try to be on the lookout for information that might be of helpto our LICA member contractors. Recently I saw an article thatI believe was written by Gerald McSwiggan, Senior Managerfor Disaster Assistance and Recovery at the U.S. Chamberof Commerce. Given what we experienced here in the Mid-Atlantic region recently with an earthquake, Hurricane Irene,and Tropical Storm Lee all within a short time, the informationseemed very timely and I thought I would share it. All theseevents are reminders of the significant risk that naturaldisasters pose to small businesses such as yours.
According to the Association of Small Business DevelopmentCenters, more than one in four businesses will experience asignificant crisis in any given year, and too many of them willnever recover. Of those businesses that experience a disasterand have no disaster recovery plan, 43% never reopen.
All small businesses, no matter where they are located,should have a disaster recovery plan in place. I must admit,that my own small business, KEMPS Consultants, Inc., doesnot have such a plan, and should have. That plan should bedesigned to help your business maintain or restart operationsafter a disruption. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’sBusiness Civic Leadership Center (BCLC) and the OfficeDepot Foundation offer a number of easy to implement andinexpensive tips to prevent or mitigate disruption following adisaster. Some of those tips are:
s Build a team to create a plan. No one person knows everything about your business, so include people who will ensure that your disaster plan is complete.
s Keep your plan simple and inexpensive. It should be easy for family and employees to follow, and not be costly to maintain and update.
s Update your contacts. Update your emergency employee, vendors/suppliers, and key contacts lists for communication during and after an emergency or disaster. If one of your vendors is impacted by a disaster, have an alternative lined up.
s Identify hazards and critical operations. Determine the risks to your most essential business operations and take steps to protect against them. Prioritize which pieces of your business must be brought back, and in what sequence, after an interruption.
s Protect your data. Back up your business data regularly and store it off site. A simple CD/DVD could be the key to your business’ successful recovery. In addition to an external hard drive and DVD’s, I also use Carbonite for that purpose, and have been very happy with it. It isn’t expensive at all.
Joplin, Missouri - May, 2011 - Photo courtesy of Larry LaFollette
“Disaster Plan” >p11
Fall, 2011 Page 11
s Stock up on essential emergency supplies. You should have an adequate supply of batteries, fuel, oil, office supplies, etc.
s Collect critical information to store with your plan. Be able to quickly access legal papers, insurance agreements, leases, floor plans, and other documents.
s Exercise your plan at least annually and make adjustments as needed. Naturally, you will execute your plan after a disaster. But you should pull out your plan and look at it (exercise it) at least once a year even if you have not experienced a disaster. After a disaster, document the damage with photos and/or videos; contact your insurance company; communicate with your employees, customers, vendors, suppliers, key contacts, and possibly the media; apply for assistance if needed; and update your disaster plan based on lessons learned. Even if you have not experienced a disaster, it is wise to at least exercise your plan annually by looking at it, making sure all the phone numbers, key contacts, and vendor/supplier information is still accurate, and talking with family and employees about what they should do in time of a disaster. Update as necessary.
Where to Get Help
For more help in creating a disaster plan or preparing forunplanned interruptions, visit Office Depot’s DisasterPreparedness Strategy website www.officedepot.com/specialLinks.do?file=/promo/disaster/main.jsp. In addition,take advantage of Disaster Resistance Business Toolkitsoftware at www.drbtoolkit.org/about to build a simple,customized disaster plan for your business.
If your business is impacted by a major disaster and requiresrelief and recovery assistance, contact the National DisasterHelp Desk for Business at 1-888-692-4943 (1-888 MY BIZHELP).
Disaster Plan (Continued from page 10)
www.MLICA.org
Page 12 Fall, 2011
Ozzie Wallace
Elwin Yoder
Ken Balkenbusch
Nelson Wilson
Larry LaFollette
Bob Parks
Steve Koenigsfeld
Jake Gingerich
Jim Bledsoe
Phil Wilson
Nelson Wilson
Mont Gilbert
Donnie Gilbert
Sue Gilbert
Bruce Mosier
Jerry Biuso
Steve Miller
Rob Bristow
Brian Rowe
Joe Giovinazzo
2011 Damage Prevention Summit ... Success!
ThankYou!!!
Missouri’s first-ever Damage Prevention Summit was atremendous success! This Summit was the largest CommonGround Alliance Summit in the nation ... ever! Because ofMissouri LICA’s partnership with other interestedorganizations, we were able to successfully educate morethan 850 people from 10 states and a variety of industries, aswell as introduce Missouri LICA to lots of new prospectivemembers!
A VERY SPECIAL THANKS to the following members whotook time off from work to support the Summit. They set upchairs and tables, moved in heavy equipment, ran theequipment rodeo, exhibited equipment, worked the LICAbooth, and stayed for the clean up! We owe each of you ourdeep gratitude! You made Missouri LICA look GREAT! (And,if we’ve missed someone, please accept our apology!)