 The Official NCALC Newsletter North Carolina Association of Launderers & Cleaners |
The Official NCALC Newsletter North Carolina Association of Launderers & Cleaners |
June, 2004, Issue · Carolina Clean '04 . Wet Cleaning by Our Members, the Tomko's More than 30 first-time convention attendees were recognized at the shrimparoo, luau, and banquet including: Rita and Lester Foley, Regency Cleaners and White Star Laundry, Durham; Kathy Fordham, Fordham Cleaners, Greensboro; Debbie Hargrove, Ideal Cleaners, Clinton; Kristen and Tony Kiser, River Run Drycleaners, Southport; Young Bang, One Hour Koretizing, Fayetteville; Tommy Stevens, City Drycleaners, Lumberton; Chris and Barbara O'Shields, Wendell Cleaners, Cary; and Clay Northrup, Vick's Cleaners, Kinston. The presence of our special guests, NCALC Executive Director Emeritus Sunny Smith Houchins and husband Bill, was a highlight of the weekend for all of us old enough to remember Sunny from her 25+ years of service to NCALC. She and Bill were in the thick of things from early Friday afternoon until the last person said good night after the banquet around 11:30 pm Sunday night. As always, Sunny was a contributor - she and Bill were kind enough to meet Bill and Helen Seitz's flight in Raleigh and transport them to Atlantic Beach. It was also a warm fuzzy to have NCA Executive Director Emeritus Bill Seitz among us again sharing his more than 60 years of industry experience and love of the industry and those of us who chose to invest our lives in it. Bill has a long history with NCALC and is responsible for much of the excellent training NCALC has offered in the past. He was accompanied by his charming wife Helen who seemed to be really enjoying her first visit to our part of the country. We were also fortunate to have IFI President Don Fawcett with us for the weekend and as our keynote speaker. Don was the bearer of exciting news: IFI will be moving into a new, more modern facility in Laurel, Maryland, this summer which will enable them to serve the membership more efficiently. As a part of the move, most of the equipment at the old facility will be replaced with the latest state-of-the-art models, which are being donated by the equipment manufacturers, making the IFI school facilities the most modern and up to date in the world. The move will be accomplished with no interruption in services to the membership. All of our presenters at CAROLINA CLEAN '04 were outstanding and well received. Attendance at the educational sessions was so good that we had to bring in extra chairs for both the Saturday and Sunday sessions. In addition to Bill Seitz, Fran Sadler, Dave Silliman, Jon Meijer, and Dr. John Powers' presentations all ran beyond the allotted time due to the interest and enthusiasm of the attendees to garner additional information in the question-and-answer portion of their time slots. It would appear from the large number of "Young Cleaners" and their grandparents in attendance that the efforts to promote our annual conventions as family affairs are successful. The proximity of the Island Beach & Racquet Club, next door to the Sheraton offering 2- and 3-bedroom condos at a reasonable rate, has encouraged many families to bring the kids and grandparents along for the weekend. In fact, I'm told that it was some of the kids who insisted on being present to compete in the hula, limbo, and costume contests at the luau. The crowd at the Friday night shrimparoo, Saturday night luau, and Sunday evening reception and banquet and Young Cleaners Party all set new attendance records. And although it was a bit crowded on Saturday night, the food was plentiful and good, the company congenial, and everyone appeared to have a good time. It was so hard for the audience to pick winners in the contests on Saturday night that the Executive Director had to declare all participants as winners and distribute prizes to them all. The winners were: Costume Contest Sydny Vick, Allison Bartlett, Madison Whitfield, Catherine Cheatham, Ryan O'Shields and Katie O'Shields Limbo Contest Tori Volk, Elizabeth Cheatham, Mackenzie Edwards, Millie Thomas, Mark Foley, Sarah Foley, Rita Foley, Mary Wells, and Gretchen Vick At the banquet on Sunday night outgoing President Mack Davis presented Presidential Certificates of Appreciation to Gloria and Keith Cowell, Cowell's Cleaners, New Bern; Larry Hill, Dandy Cleaners, Charlotte; Wes Sessoms, Brocks Cleaners, Tryon; and Simon Vick, Vick's Cleaners, Kinston, for voluntarily increasing their IFI/NCALC dues category during the past year and to Anne Kelly, Banner Machinery Company, Benson, for her service as an Appointed Committee Member during the past two years. President Davis also presented 2004 Honorary Membership Certificates to IFI President Don Fawcett, IFI District 2 Director Barbara Harvey, IFI VP Jon Meijer, and speakers Dave Silliman and Fran Sadler. A Life Honorary Membership was presented to Bill Seitz in recognition of his long-time contributions to the objectives and edification of NCALC and its membership. NCALC's Allied Trades Partners were also recognized and presented with certificates denoting their level of support in 2003: Without the continuing support of our Allied Trades Partners, NCALC would not be able to provide the level of service we offer our members and the information provided to all NC drycleaners through our newsletter. REMEMBER THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF THESE FIRMS TO OUR ASSOCIATION AND OUR INDUSTRY WHEN SHOPPING FOR GOODS AND SERVICES, AND AT LEAST GIVE THEM A CHANCE TO VIE FOR YOUR BUSINESS. A very special moment at the annual banquet occurred following the passing of the gavel from Mack Davis to incoming President Martin Young. Newly-elected and installed Director At Large Carol Strother, Oxford Drycleaners, Oxford, was presented with a special award to the family of her husband Vern Strother who passed away suddenly on December 7, 2003, in recognition of his EXEMPLARY SERVICE TO THE NORTH CAROLINA ASSOCIATION OF LAUNDERERS & CLEANERS from 1986-2003. A member of the NCALC Board of Directors since 1986, Vern served as Chairman of the Budget, Finance & Audit, Evaluations, and Convention Committees; Vice President for the Central Region; Treasurer; and was President-Elect at the time of his death. His guidance, leadership, and friendship will be sorely missed but not soon forgotten. Incoming President Martin Young's acceptance speech set the tone and direction for NCALC for the next two years. Martin is passionate about the drycleaning business and NCALC, and his passion is contagious. Professionalism, competence, fraternity, and diligence were the keystones of his vision for NCALC activities during his tenure in office. Growth in membership, availability of training, emphasis on certification, expansion of member services, and increased opportunities for networking and cooperation among the members were the building blocks he proposed. He closed with his commitment to serve the Association and the industry in every way possible and to make himself available to listen to and assist any member of our industry.
It would take up too much room to name all of those who give of themselves to make your industry better, but your whole Board of Directors deserves your thanks; they certainly have mine! They are involved in ongoing legislative issues, education, insurance issues, and anything that can help make our industry better. Your Association Executive Director, Sto Fox, lives and breathes your Association. He works tirelessly every day for you. What an underpaid value you have in Sto. We constantly get compliments on him as an Executive Director, even from the International Fabricare Institute. Once they asked us, "What would you do without Sto?" We were flabbergasted because we did not have an answer. Your Association has been in existence almost one hundred years! It was around before all of us and will be around long after us. It is your industry voice; it represents you and your business in the dry cleaning industry. When you have the opportunity to see or speak with one of your Board members or Association Executive, then thank them. They are your best advocates in your business. Do all you can to support the new Board of Directors. For those who believe in giving back, volunteer to help. You will actually have the opportunity to alter the course of history in your industry. Mack Davis NCALC Family News Well On the Way to Recovery IFI Scholarship Awarded A Tip of the Hat IDC Awards Fellowship Routh Awarded "Certified Garment Care Professional" Status Apathy vs. Empathy We have the first plant in the United States processing garments with liquid CO2 at Williams Cleaners in Wilmington. Ted Williams is a past president of NCALC and a recognized and knowledgeable leader when it comes to fabricare, grounded in his vast experience of textile processing for the public. Recognizing that the pressure was not about to go away in the near future, Ted took a leap of faith. He stepped out on the thin edge that is alternative technology. We all have watched as the CO2 process was refined right here in our state by one of our own Association leaders. While other parts of the country speculated, we could talk to OUR MEMBERS at Williams Cleaners. We have one of the original sites to use GreenEarth (Cyclic Siloxane) to process garments at Medlin-Davis Cleaners in Raleigh. Mack Davis, immediate past president of NCALC, is recognized for his continued leadership of the fabricare organization founded by his father. He, too, is grounded in his lifetime of experience cleaning and restoring garments for the public. Armed with his experience, Mack made a choice, just like Ted. Mack chose a different path, a different method of processing garments. It, too, was unproven with no track record on which to base his decision, a capital investment based on knowing what is and applying that to what could be in the future. Once again, while other parts of the country speculated, we could talk to OUR MEMBERS at Medlin-Davis Cleaners.
Over the years we have all used water to some degree - wetside spotting, bleach, and digester baths. Some even experimented with soaking "dryclean-only" protein garments in a bath of shampoo with conditioner. Today we have a multitude of wetcleaning chemicals and equipment to make our processing more efficient. Over the past 15 years attempts have been made to process an increasingly larger percentage of garments in water. Today, thanks to the Tomkos, we have a facility in North Carolina that is dedicated to 100% wetcleaning. Technology continues to improve. The failures of the past usually lead to the successes of the present - another case of stepping out on faith, another case of meeting today's challenge with tomorrow's technology. While other parts of the country speculate, we can talk to OUR MEMBERS at H2Only Cleaners. The hot thing in finishing is tensioning equipment. But it is old hat in North Carolina. Simon Vick has been using tensioning equipment successfully for years at Vicks Cleaners. Again, while other parts of the country speculate, we could talk to OUR MEMBER, Simon Vick. Most of us have played it safe by continuing to process with one of the two predominant methods. For some the speed and aggressiveness of perc have met their needs. For others the versatility and gentleness of petroleum have given them a level of comfort. Please do not judge those harshly who have not made the investment in an alternative process. Just because they have chosen to remain safe within their own comfort level does not mean they do not care; and you can be sure that they are watching closely. There are more choices in process methods today than ever before. There are even more entering the marketplace. The choice to embrace and invest in an alternative process is a product of the perceived pressures forcing an owner/operator out of their comfort zone. It is a management decision. The variations on operating procedures can be scary when a wrong choice can mean you lose everything you have worked for over the years. In North Carolina we are fortunate to have a Department of Environment and Natural Resources that has tolerated even embraced at times NCALC's proactive approach to the retroactive aspect of the cleaning industry's impact on our surroundings. Recognizing what was legal, ethical, and customary 15 years ago and realizing that a vast majority of contamination is historical, DENR has worked with NCALC to address these unfortunate circumstances that cleaners face in North Carolina. The DSCA legislation has brought changes to our industry, providing an additional layer of insulation between the cleaner and the high cost of mandatory site remediation. Words like 'priority ranking' and 'risk-based rules' are now heard routinely among cleaners across the state. So far, the greatest impact has been the ability to get financing to transfer real estate. If your landlord wishes to sell his property or refinance, being "IN THE FUND" can allow the process to proceed by insulating the financial institution from clean-up liability. So where do we go from here? NCALC is filled with a wealth of information. Its greatest asset is its members. Get involved. You can get your answers here. You can help us answer other members' questions. Having you as a member makes us better. Helping us reach other cleaners makes us even better. More active members mean a wider range of experiences and perspectives. Don't just sit on the sidelines. Speak up, get involved and stay involved with your professional Association. NCALC is only as strong as your participation. Why We Belong to NCALC Board members and guests were posed this question at our last board meeting. After some thought, I realized we originally joined the Association because we needed a group of industry experts to guide us to success. We were an ambitious, hard-working couple with a large family and determination to be successful in this new business. We knew that starting a new business meant that we had a lot of long days and hard work ahead, and we wanted to surround ourselves with people like Ted and Mildred Williams, who had been successful in the dry cleaning business for many years. Before we opened, Keith and I arranged to visit the Williams in Wilmington to discuss opening our first dry cleaning plant. Ted and Mildred Williams own Williams Fabricare. They had been recommended to us by Mr. Harvey Benfield, a consultant in the dry cleaning industry. Ted and Mildred Williams were very hospitable, taking us to dinner and sharing information that was instrumental in helping us to make important decisions about our business. They also raved on the NCALC, inviting and encouraging us to attend the next meeting that was to be held in Raleigh. We left Wilmington that day with a positive outlook, knowing that there were many members like the Williams Family in the Association that were available to help us in the future. Shortly after opening our first store, we attended our first quarterly business meeting as guests of the Williams. We can still recall almost every detail of that weekend at the Crabtree Embassy where we began to develop a relationship that has been invaluable to our business and us. We were welcomed and encouraged to be part of the Association that was comprised of a wealth of expertise and experience. Of course, there were members who had families that had been in the dry cleaning business for generations, but also there were other members like ourselves who had previous other professions and were also new to the industry and the Association. We knew that day that the NCALC was an asset to us and that it was essential to be a member of an organization that knew the innovative technology, ideas and information related to our industry. We also knew that it was important to have a strong voice at the state and federal level. Individually, it is hard to accomplish anything, but with a group of dedicated individuals there is power. We have been in business for 14 years and have grown with the Association. We can honestly say that the NCALC has been a constant source of power, security, guidance and wisdom to us. Power has been defined as the capacity to act and the strength and courage to accomplish something. We have seen the Association use its power to the benefit of the entire industry. In the NCALC, there is a sense of security. Security represents our sense of worth, identity, emotional anchorage, self esteem and personal strength. We have established many cherished friendships with other fellow members that will last a lifetime. We have received continued guidance from the Association in the form of standards and principles that govern our decision making and actions. We have received wisdom from the experts in the industry which has allowed us to understand how various parts and principles apply and relate to each other. These experts read, seek training, take classes, listen to others, and learn by both their eyes and ears. They are curious, always asking questions. They continually expand their competence. They develop new skills, new interests, and they discover that the more they know, the more they don't know. I heard or read once that as the circle of knowledge grows, so does the outside of ignorance. We must be willing to serve and be responsible if we want to make a difference in our own lives and our businesses. We must be optimistic, positive, upbeat, enthusiastic, hopeful, believing, cheerful, pleasant, happy and willing to experiment. Our Association believes in the unseen potential of all people. Each member has the ability to contribute and make our industry better. The main point that we would like to make about this Association is that we are dedicated to helping each other. Real growth and progress is made step by step, following a natural sequence of development. We don't all start at the same point, but we all must start somewhere. We are all at different levels of growth, and to improve we must start from where we are today. Growth is a natural process, and you reap what you sow. Where are we today? Are we at the same place that we were 10 years ago? Our Association wants everyone to grow and be successful and hopes to be an active part of your growth. We challenge you to get involved and reap the rewards of making a difference. A Lesson from the 50s "We have doubled our membership in the past two years and now have over 400, and have plans to increase it further. We now have 65% of the eligible cleaning and laundry plant owners, and this membership represents 80% of the commercial cleaning and laundering processing done in the state. We hold an annual convention at which about 70% of our members attend." Can you imagine how strong our Association would be if we had over 400 members and 280 families attending our annual convention? Although the total number of eligible plant owners is certainly larger than it was in 1950, we have about one-half the number of members NCALC had then. Yet when you compare the member services offered by NCALC in 1950 with those offered in 2004, there doesn't seem to be a lot of difference. Brother Webster says the Association was interested in legislative matters at the state and federal levels; published regular bulletins (newsletters); offered a free "employment," "for sale," and "want to buy" classifieds; held district meetings in various sections of the state; and provided education and training to its members. There is nothing there that we are not providing today. I can think of a couple of factors that may have had an effect: It's a heck of a lot harder to succeed in 2004 than it was in 1950. Although the economy is recovering, it is certainly not booming. Our markets are overpopulated with competitors, supply certainly exceeds demand, and we are regulated, Regulated, R E G U L A T E D. The irony is: THIS IS WHEN THE SERVICES OF NCALC AND OUR NATIONAL AFFILIATE IFI CAN HELP YOU THE MOST. In the final analysis, success in the cleaning business is and always will be directly proportional to how well you satisfy your customers' needs for: In addition to providing you with the tools and training to operate your business in the most efficient and proficient manner possible and watching your back with state and federal legislators and regulators, being an ACTIVE member of your state and national association affords you the opportunity to learn from the people who know the most about the problems and challenges you face every day - YOUR PEERS IN THE DRYCLEANING AND LAUNDRY INDUSTRY. NCALC Hosts Regulator Training The primary purpose of the training was to afford regulatory personnel the opportunity to visit different drycleaning operations in a non-regulatory capacity in order to acquaint them with the diversity of equipment, layouts, and considerations in operational and compliance issues and for them to experience the constant action and organized confusion that exist when a drycleaning plant is in operation. Unfortunately, we were unable to find a plant with a 3rd generation perc machine for them to visit, but this void will be somewhat filled by an upcoming visit to Guy Bunn's warehouse where they will have the opportunity to see some older equipment which may still be in operation in plants across the state. NC DENR Division of Air Quality offices are required by their contract with EPA to inspect 10% of the drycleaners in their area of responsibility annually so don't be surprised if you get a visit from a representative who wants to see your perc consumption, condenser temperature, and equipment inspection and repair records in the next couple of months. If you are not utilizing the free DRY CLEANERS AIR QUALITY COMPLIANCE CALENDAR available from NC DENR to keep the records required by the federal NESHAP and the NC DSCA, I would strongly recommend that you contact Tony Pendola, Small Business Ombudsman, Small Business Assistance Program, NC DENR Customer Service Center, 1-877-623-6748 (phone), 919-715-7468 (fax), denr.sb@ncmail.nc and request one for each perc machine you operate. In addition to providing a convenient format for recording your perc purchases and keeping a running yearly total of perc purchases, condenser temperature log, equipment inspection and repair log, and other information required by the NESHAP, the calendar also contains information which will allow you to determine which records you are required to maintain and information about hazardous waste and Minimum Management Practices (MMP) compliance requirements. If you have any questions, you can discuss them with Tony Pendola in complete confidence. Confidentiality is a cornerstone of his office as the Small Business Ombudsman. Meet the DSCA Staff JACK BUTLER, Manager of the Superfund Section, has overall responsibility for the DSCA Program. He has been with the State for almost 23 years and the Superfund Section since 1985, longer than any other State employee. Jack earned a B.S. in chemistry from UNC-G, M.S. degrees in chemistry and mechanical engineering from NC State, and is a Registered Professional Engineer in NC. His private sector experience includes teaching at NCSU and Peace College, managing an oil re-refinery, and ownership in a Subway Shop. JOHN POWERS, Head of the Special Remediation Branch of the Superfund Section and Manager of the DSCA Program, has a B.S. and Ph.D. in geology from UNC-CH as well as an M.S. in earth science from NC State. He has been with NC DENR since 1996, where he worked in the Underground Storage Tank Program for six years prior to transferring to the Inactive Hazardous Sites Branch of the Superfund Section. DELONDA ALEXANDER, who has a B.S. in civil engineering and an M.S. in environmental management/natural resources from the University of Texas at San Antonio, has approximately 20 years experience working in state government and for environmental consulting firms addressing various environmental concerns. Delonda joined NC DENR in December 2000 and the DSCA Program in July 2002. She brings a wealth of program development, regulatory, risk-assessment, and remediation experience to the DSCA Program. MARY SIEDLECKI has a B.S. in geology from the University of Minnesota and an M.S. in geology from NC State. The first 17 years of her career were spent in the private sector as a project manager for environmental consulting firms where she was responsible for planning and supervising comprehensive site investigations and proposing viable and cost-effective corrective remedies related to hydrocarbon releases. After spending eight years as a research geochemist at the Research Triangle Institute, Mary joined the DSCA Program in November 2001. WALLACE FINLATOR has been an Assistant Attorney General with the NC Department of Justice since 1990. He has been assigned to the Environmental Division, focusing on Superfund law since 1996 and the DSCA Program since 2000. Wallace has a B.A. degree from Wake Forest and earned his law degree at night from NCCU while teaching in the Raleigh school system. SCOTT STUPAK has been with the DSCA Program since 1999 and has been involved with the development of the rules, procedures, guidelines, forms, and databases utilized to monitor and manage the program. Due to his expertise in information technology (computers), he has had a leading role in the development of the databases that allow the staff to monitor contaminated sites, work plans, petitions, and expenditures. After receiving his B.S. in biology from UNC-Wilmington in 1990, Mr. Stupak spent four years in the private sector with Law Environmental and Groundwater Technology Inc. before joining NC DENR in 1996. JUDY BULLOCK is a Special Deputy Attorney General with the NC Department of Justice. She has served as a government attorney for 23 years and has concentrated exclusively on environmental issues for the past 19 years. She served as a Superfund attorney providing legal advice and representation to DENR during the initial phases of the implementation of the DSCA Program from 1997-2001 and has been reassigned to the Program this year. Judy earned her undergraduate degree from Notre Dame, her law degree at Campbell University, and is a former Army JAG who was stationed at Ft. Bragg from 1981-1984, where she developed a keen interest in environmental issues. Why State Fund Contamination Cleanup Programs Make Dollars and Sense Federal Superfund liability is strict, joint and several. In a nutshell, what this mean is if you are a potentially responsible party (PRP) - past, present or future owner, operator of a drycleaning plant or the land on which it is located - you can be held solely responsible for cleanup of contamination originating on that site whether you are responsible for it or not. That financial responsibility would bankrupt most drycleaners. Drycleaners are finding it increasingly difficult or impossible in many areas to lease or renew leases for operating drycleaning plants due to landlords' fear of their potential Superfund liability and/or devaluation of their property. Likewise, many drycleaners and property owners are finding financial institutions unwilling to finance drycleaning businesses and/or property occupied or to be occupied by a drycleaning plant due to their fear of bankruptcy or devaluation due to potential contamination liability. Most leases contain standard "boiler plate" wording that holds the lessee responsible for any damage they cause to the landlord's property. This would obviously include solvent contamination. Leased property is prone to changing hands from time to time. In most instances the buyer or the buyer's lender will require a site assessment if there is or has been a drycleaning plant on the site. If contamination is discovered, the landlord demands that this damage be rectified and quite possibly that he recover additional monetary damages due to any losses resulting from the loss or delay of a sale of the property. Contamination does not always confine itself to the site on which it occurs. Solvent plumes have been known to travel hundreds or even thousands of feet contaminating other properties, wells, creeks, etc. So owning the property on which your plant is located is not a guarantee that you will not face a cleanup at some time or that you or your heirs may not wish to sell or use the property as collateral at some time in the future. The belief that you are a good operator and/or that you have always followed the rules for proper hazardous waste handling, etc. is likewise no guarantee or defense. There were no rules prior to the mid-1980's. Older transfer and even 3rd generation units released solvent vapors into the atmosphere which condensed and fell back to the ground somewhere. Solvent delivery trucks leaked, and delivery drivers spilled. Commonly used spotting agents contained perc and 1-1-1 which, along with your contact water containing solvent, was poured down the drain. Experience in states like Florida where a large number of sites has been assessed demonstrates that the odds of being contamination free are pretty slim. Another common misconception exists that petroleum drycleaners do not need the protection of a state fund cleanup program. Although not as expensive as perc contamination cleanups, in most cases it is not uncommon for petroleum and hydrocarbon cleanups to cost several hundred thousand dollars. You cannot buy contamination liability insurance for historical contamination. If you can buy coverage at all, it is "sudden and accidental" coverage. Even if the policy says "Claims Made" on page one, read on. Somewhere in the ensuing pages you will find that you are required to notify the insured within 24 to 72 hours of the occurrence which created the contamination (i.e. spill, leak, etc.). That's hard to do if the first you know about it is when your landlord or next door neighbor knocks on your door or the bank turns down your loan application. The bottom line is that a state fund cleanup program is not only your best but your only insurance against the potential financial ruin of a solvent contamination discovery and/or cleanup. Although the Program cannot protect you against 3rd party liability, it can shield you against federal action and reduce your cleanup liability to an amount which will not wipe you out financially. BENEFITS OF THE NC DSCA PROGRAM · Protects past, current, future owners, operators and landowners from actions by other state agencies and third parties to compel cleanup sooner or in excess of that ordered by the program. · Allows drycleaning business owners, landlords, potential buyers, and lenders to quantify the maximum potential cleanup cost associated with a specific site, thereby facilitating leasing of locations, sale of property and/or drycleaning businesses, and financing of drycleaning businesses and property that was, is, or will be occupied by a drycleaning plant. · Provides for risk-based cleanup levels which will allow No Further Action notices to be issued. · Relieves drycleaner of the responsibility for contracting for, supervising, and funding site cleanups once their deductible has been satisfied and they are accepted into the program. · Is generating adequate funding through the tax on perc and petroleum based solvents and the state portion of the sales tax on drycleaning and laundry services ($11-$12,000,000 per year) to clean up sites that pose a risk to human health and safety and/or the environment. · Proscribes a set of solvent handling Minimum Management Practices which greatly reduce the potential of future contamination and must be strictly adhered to in order to be eligible for admission to the program. In-Plant Consulting Services Available Through NCALC It was a call-back visit to Bayard Crumpton's plant. "I had Fran in the spring of '02 to evaluate my operation and help me improve it," Crumpton said. "She provided on-the-spot training which improved our finishing quality and operational efficiency. Then about a week later I received a multi-page report and list of suggestions - most of which I implemented. So I wanted to have her back to see what I had done and what else she might suggest to raise the bar of excellence in our operation. Also, my son Kyle is working with me, and I wanted him to get the benefit of her training and perspective." Mrs. Strother, who has recently assumed the responsibility for running Oxford Dry Cleaners following the untimely death of her husband Vern in December of last year, wanted to get an expert evaluation of her operation and some intensive training for the employee she had hired to be the principal spotter in her plant, a function which her husband had performed for 18 years. "Fran did an excellent job of making Sue and me comfortable about spotting. Neither of us had ever been near the spotting board, but after a couple of days with Fran - I wouldn't say we are expert spotters, but I'm not afraid to tackle most spots and stains carefully," said Strother. "Fran also helped me with some equipment problems and made some very useful suggestions about operational improvements which have helped me a lot." Fran will be returning to North Carolina in June to work with Rick Volk, Bowen Cleaners in Greenville and Simon Vick, Vick's Cleaners in Kinston. In August she is scheduled to make another visit to work on finishing quality at Outer Banks Cleaners in Manteo. If you are interested in having Fran work with you in your plant(s), contact Sto Fox, NCALC Executive Director, at 336-549-5486. Convention Means Continuing Education Sunday morning opened with Bill Seitz still in the spotlight, again comparing the fabricare industry to human anatomy. The EYES involve looking at your operation from a fresh perspective, and it means making time to read business and fashion publications. It means quality and production standards posted for your employees to view and follow. But a lot of "education" took place one on one, cleaner to cleaner. This is a major reason to attend and participate at the convention. Someone else has been there, before you. Someone else has faced your problem in the past. Someone can help point you in the right direction or solve your problem outright. Networking is a way to put the experience of others to work for you. Your investment in attending the NCALC Convention will pay you great dividends. Education takes place before, during and after the formal sessions. In fact, the entire weekend is an opportunity to educate yourself and polish your business skills. Coming to convention lets you go home a better cleaner and a more skilled business person. IFI Movving to New Location Report on the NCALC General Membership Meeting The Annual Meeting of NCALC was CALLED TO ORDER by President Mack Davis at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 30, 2004. Sergeant-at-Arms Al Cardenas established that there was a quorum in attendance. A MOTION WAS MADE [Mary Wells] AND SECONDED [Greg Icenhour] that the Secretary dispense with the reading of the minutes of the last meeting. The motion carried unanimously. TREASURER'S REPORT - Treasurer Martin Young reported that as of December 31, 2003, NCALC had cash balances of $12,746.62 in regular operating funds (checking) and $68,513.79 in reserves (CD and investments), respectively. Net funds flow from operations was a positive $5,935.08 for 2003 compared to a negative funds flow of $1,383.00 in 2002. Total sources of funds from income-producing activities were $110,878.72 while expenditures were $104,943.64. A detailed financial statement for CY 2003 is available for examination in the Association office. A MOTION WAS MADE [Chris Edwards] AND SECONDED [Lindley Smith] to accept the Treasurer's report as presented. The motion carried unanimously. On behalf of the allied trades, Ken Farrington thanked the Association for the opportunity to work together. He stated the allied trades intend to develop a statement of advantages of membership in NCALC/IFI to present to the allied trades' customers who are potential members, with leads being passed on to NCALC. The Nominating Committee composed of President Mack Davis, Martin Young, and Executive Director Sto Fox presented the slate of nominees for the 2004-2006 Board of Directors, as follows: President - Martin Young There were no nominations from the floor. On A MOTION MADE [Chris Edwards] AND SECONDED [Patrick Cardenas], the slate of Officers and Directors for 2004-2006 was approved as read. There being no further business, A MOTION WAS MADE [Mary Wells] AND SECONDED [Allan Cheatham] to adjourn. The motion carried unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 12:46 p.m. EPA's AAI to Significantly Alter Phase I ESAs The EPA's All Appropriate Inquiry (AAI) rule will significantly change the process of conducting Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs). Some of the changes proposed in the draft AAI rule include defining requirements for those conducting Phase I's (the "Environmental Professional or EP"), providing for additional CERCLA1 (Superfund) defenses, increasing the depth of investigation required, and setting time limits on the validity of ESA reports. Impact on the Dry Cleaning Industry The bona fide prospective purchaser defense provides liability protection for a purchaser who knowingly purchases a contaminated property provided that the owner can prove that the property contamination occurred prior to purchase. The contiguous property owner defense provides liability protection from off-site contaminant sources onto the owner's property provided the owner can prove that he or she didn't know about the contamination at the time of purchase. On the less positive side, the AAI would expand the sources of data records to include local and tribal records in addition to the current federal and state records. This would include specific searches of recorded environmental clean-up liens at the property filed with federal, state, or local agencies. Also, interviews of adjoining property owners would be mandatory at abandoned properties. Since the proposed AAI also mandates that Phase I ESAs older than one year be redone (as opposed to updates of existing ESAs), we anticipate that property owners seeking to sell or refinance will be forced to conduct new ESAs under the AAI rules, potentially resulting in disclosure of information previously omitted under the current ASTM process. Potential Ramifications What is unknown is the effect the expanded liability protections may have during the due diligence phase of a real estate transaction. With expanded liability protections, there may be an emphasis on more thorough documentation (through expanded interviews and lien investigation) while de-emphasizing the need for physical investigation for potential off-site contaminant sources on adjoining properties (Phase II investigations). Three obvious issues for the dry cleaner to consider are (1) the environmental state of his/her facility, (2) the dry cleaner's relationship with his/her landlord, and (3) the dry cleaner's relationship with his/her neighbors and their property owners. Schedule Final Thoughts It would be prudent to determine if a Phase I is planned for your facility and the potential impact that the AAI rule would propose. This is especially critical if a Phase I will be required before the AAI rule is finalized. The draft regulation [Part 312 - "Standards for Conduction All Appropriate Inquiries" (November 14, 2003)] can be found at: http://www.epa.gov/brownfields/aai/draftreglangfinal.htm About the Author WELCOME NEW MEMBERS THANKS FOR RENEWING NCALC is Only a Phone Call Away Sometimes NCALC/IFI membership is kind of like your health, homeowners, or business insurance. You don't like paying the dues until you need it. Of course, your NCALC and IFI do a lot for you whether you pay dues or not, provide you with a lot of valuable information whether you read it or not, and offer a lot of invaluable services whether you take advantage of them or not. BUT WHO DO YOU CALL WHEN YOU REALLY HAVE A PROBLEM OR NEED AN ANSWER FAST? "I just had a fire that destroyed over 3,000 garments in my store, and I only have $50,000 in Bailee Insurance. My tickets say, 'Not responsible for orders over 30 days.' So I'm not legally liable for anything that was brought in over 30 days ago - right?" "My client is suing the city waterworks for damages due to rusty water. Can you help me find an expert witness to testify that it is not normal for a laundry to have to install special equipment to protect themselves from rusty city water?" "Can you put me in touch with someone who can teach my long-time pressers how to properly finish these new fabrics and styles we are getting into our plant today?" "I have an older perc machine with a separate reclaimer. Can you tell me if I am in compliance with the environmental laws?" "My insurance carrier has just notified me that they are no longer insuring drycleaners. Can you tell me where I can get insurance for my store?" All of the above capture the essence of actual phone calls received by the NCALC office in the past couple of months and by no means capture the scope or number of calls for assistance and/or information we receive every month. IFI's hotline receives an average of 1,600 calls a month from member cleaners across the country who need information and/or assistance. The ITAL (IFI Analysis Laboratory) analyzes 800 to 1,000 garments that have malfunctioned in processing every month. The IFI research lab performs hundreds of solvent analyses and cleaning performance tests every year, all in response to a member cleaner's need for assistance. WHO DO YOU CALL WHEN YOU NEED HELP? First H2Only Opens in Morrisville
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