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mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";} </style> <![endif]--> This letter was written by Mike Hilborn, PWNA Executive Director. It was reviewed and commented on by the PWNA Board of Directors. This letter has been approved for distribution by the PWNA Board of Directors.

The Problem Facing Us All

Houston could be the tip of the iceberg. I have yet to read a BMP that is as contractor friendly as the BMP/Guide/Paper submitted for review by the PWNA (changes are being made to improve it). Read any of the following already published BMPs and you will learn how potentially dark the future of our industry could be.
· http://www.saws.org/conservation/ordinance/PowerWash/Power_Washing_Guide.pdf
· http://www.ci.springfield.or.us/esd/bmp powerwashbook.pdf
· http://www.epa.ohio.gov/portals/41/sb/publications/powerwash.pdf
· http://phoenix.gov/streets/bmps.html
· http://ci.st-helena.ca.us/images/city/Docs/SurfaceCleaner Guide12.04.pdf
· http://www.sbprojectcleanwater.org/powerwashing.html
· http://www.cabmphandbooks.com/documents/industrial/mobilecleaning_surfacecleaning.pdf

BMPs will be written and enforced by municipalities across the country. We the contractors need to be involved in that conversation (please see previous letter for what the BMPs are and what they are not). We more than anyone know how to protect our waters. If we do not lead, well intended politicians and bureaucrats will write the policies and rules which will have unintended consequences therefore increasing the pollutants in our waters. An example:
· A recent bulletin board post described (as I understand it) a customer that has suspended all fleet washing because of the liability associated with the Clean Water Act. The customer was having their fleet washed by a PWNA contractor that was preventing waste water from entering the storm drain using their reclaim system. The customer is now going to have their vehicles washed on a much less frequent basis by their drivers. The result will be dirty trucks driving down the road with rain water washing contaminants into storm drains. The exact opposite of the intent of the Clean Water Act.

If Others are to Respect Us, We Must Respect Ourselves

If we want to protect and grow our industry we have to have the best ideas of everyone. Right now if someone makes a post on a bulletin board that is not to the liking of a select group, that person is insulted, intimidated or bullied. Ewelyn Beatrice Hall once said "I may not agree with what you say but I will defend to the death your right to say it." I talk to some of the sharpest people in our industry that do not post their thoughts and ideas on the bulletin boards because they choose not be mocked and disrespected. Or worse yet, they fear they will be made a target of intimidation and bullying. An example:
· I think it is safe to say that the Board of Directors leadership on the BMPs has been controversial. I would humbly submit that as Executive Director of the PWNA, I am the primary face and voice of the PWNA. During the past two weeks I received a quick flurry of annoying texts before I had that number blocked. The Board of Directors received an unprofessional and vulgar email letter referencing me (Jackie reads these emails). In addition a You Tube video posted on 2 bulletin boards was addressed specifically and only to me. I would suggest a phone call would have allowed for a conversation and given me the opportunity to explain my position. If a phone call didn't seem comfortable, then emailing me the You Tube link would have been an appropriate choice. However, I don't believe that was really the purpose of the video being posted on a bulletin board for all to see. It is my opinion (and the opinion of others) that the purpose of the video was to send a message to everyone that if you disagree with this person that he might make you a target.
Bullying and intimidating me is one thing:
1. The Executive Director is an unpaid, volunteer position - I don't lose any money if I'm fired or resign
2. I don't have a store or sell anything on the internet
3. I discontinued my franchise program
4. I don't feel like I have a lot to lose in this matter
5. I kind of like the attention
However, it will upset me greatly if I see this being done to someone else. I will stand shoulder to shoulder with anyone where this is happening to them. With that said, a recent post compared a letter I wrote last week to have been written by Carlos. I received that as a great compliment. I was always impressed with how well Carlos could write. My writing compared to Carlos; again, I appreciate the compliment.

I'm not suggesting we sit around a camp fire singing Kumbaya. I am suggesting that we allow people to express their ideas without fear. If you disagree with me all the time, I would guess you will be right at least 50% of the time. Allow for the opportunity to have a conversation, don't make it personal. The exchanges we have between each other should be positive and build each other up, even when we disagree.

It is Time for All of Us to Stand Together

It is my opinion that there has never been a more urgent time than now where we all stand together as contractors to defend our industry. I can guarantee that we will not all agree on every issue. However, we can take the best ideas from everyone to form our decisions. John Dickinson said "United We Stand, Divided We Fall". The BMP issue has not yet been decided, you may not see value in our Certification Program, you may not agree with our Water Reclaimer Program, you may not like the history of the PWNA, and I can understand it if you don't like me. Do not let any of those things get in the way of protecting your family, the life you have created, and the business you have built.

SIMA Snow and Ice Management Association 1,500 members
ICPI Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute 1,000 members
NCMA National Concrete Masonry Association 8,400 members
LMCCA Low Moisture Carpet Cleaners Association 2,500 members
ACCA Air Conditioning Contractors of America 4,000 members
PDCA Painting and Decorating Contractors of America 2,000 members

UAMCC/PWNA 300 members

How can it be that an industry as large and diverse as ours has only 300 members between the two organizations? I was recently at a meeting with the Twin City Sewer Department (Metropolitan Council) with another PWNA member when the director asked how many members our organization had. When I told him that we had 250 members, he asked if our organization was brand new. All of us as members is what will make us strong. With a large membership comes a loud, powerful, clear voice.

One Last Thing

It would be my privilege to work together with the leadership of the UAMCC. I'm quite confident that we can accomplish much more together than apart. The past is behind us, let's work together to build the future of our great industry.

If anyone would like to talk to me about this post, please call me directly at 612-868-7312 or email me at mike.hilborn@pwna.org. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Mike Hilborn and the Board of Directors of the PWNA
 
Mike, that letter sounds like Carlos.....that's a complement. Carlos does have a talent for writing posts and for writing as a peacemaker.

While I disagree with the idea of making a "one size fits all" BMP I am sorry if I made anyone afraid to post if they had good ideas and intentions.

I don't mind silencing someone who has no logical response to something I have to say, but I never intend to silence anyone who brings solid logical disagreement.

When we spoke on the phone you brought some logical arguments to the table. I was not convinced that the BMP's were the best thing for our industry, nor was I convinced that Certification will not eventually lead to becoming a REQUIREMENT to work.

I was, however, convinced that you have the best interest of the industry in mind and those things don't appear to be your goals as ED.

I was also convinced that you guys aren't on the manufacturer bandwagon like I thought.

Everyone can learn something - even me. :)
 
Absolutely Mike we do all need to work together to correct this injustice. It is nice to see the PWNA involved and ready to take the lead on this. Hopefully we will be able to educate the municipalities about what we do so there will be no need for a special bmp other than following the clean water act as it is written.
 
Lets Wake up and understand its not the BMP, one more time its not the BMP, again ITS NOT THE BMP

So frustrating, keep worrying about the BMP PWNA and BOD members.

The problem is with the communication between the enforcement and the people who communicate with them? ( in houston)


I'll see you in San Diego Mike, maybe Ill have something positive to explain what we have done without the PWNA help even though we have asked you for it.

I will request to be on the enviro committee, but I do not want to work on a BMP. I write a program on how to not break the law as a contract cleaner. If you want to hear this program please email ronppw@aol.com BOD members. if you want to keep telling muni's we are polluter have at it. I will continue my campaign with or without the PWNA.

Please don't act like you knew about containment as the first option for responsible enviro cleaning prior to conversations weeks ago.



The Problem Facing Us All

Houston could be the tip of the iceberg. I have yet to read a BMP that is as contractor friendly as the BMP/Guide/Paper submitted for review by the PWNA (changes are being made to improve it). Read any of the following already published BMPs and you will learn how potentially dark the future of our industry could be.
· http://www.saws.org/conservation/ord...hing_Guide.pdf
· http://www.ci.springfield.or.us/esd/...erwashbook.pdf
· http://www.epa.ohio.gov/portals/41/s.../powerwash.pdf
· http://phoenix.gov/streets/bmps.html
· http://ci.st-helena.ca.us/images/cit...Guide12.04.pdf
· http://www.sbprojectcleanwater.org/powerwashing.html
· http://www.cabmphandbooks.com/docume...cecleaning.pdf

BMPs will be written and enforced by municipalities across the country. We the contractors need to be involved in that conversation (please see previous letter for what the BMPs are and what they are not). We more than anyone know how to protect our waters. If we do not lead, well intended politicians and bureaucrats will write the policies and rules which will have unintended consequences therefore increasing the pollutants in our waters. An example:
· A recent bulletin board post described (as I understand it) a customer that has suspended all fleet washing because of the liability associated with the Clean Water Act. The customer was having their fleet washed by a PWNA contractor that was preventing waste water from entering the storm drain using their reclaim system. The customer is now going to have their vehicles washed on a much less frequent basis by their drivers. The result will be dirty trucks driving down the road with rain water washing contaminants into storm drains. The exact opposite of the intent of the Clean Water Act.
 
Lets Wake up and understand its not the BMP, one more time its not the BMP, again ITS NOT THE BMP

So frustrating, keep worrying about the BMP PWNA and BOD members.

The problem is with the communication between the enforcement and the people who communicate with them? ( in houston)


WELL SAID...IMO, when we get Houston straightened out by Educating the Houston Enforcement, all others will fall in line.
 
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Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException 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mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";} </style> <![endif]--> This letter was written by Mike Hilborn, PWNA Executive Director. It was reviewed and commented on by the PWNA Board of Directors. This letter has been approved for distribution by the PWNA Board of Directors.

The Problem Facing Us All

Houston could be the tip of the iceberg. I have yet to read a BMP that is as contractor friendly as the BMP/Guide/Paper submitted for review by the PWNA (changes are being made to improve it). Read any of the following already published BMPs and you will learn how potentially dark the future of our industry could be.
· http://www.saws.org/conservation/ordinance/PowerWash/Power_Washing_Guide.pdf
· http://www.ci.springfield.or.us/esd/bmp powerwashbook.pdf
· http://www.epa.ohio.gov/portals/41/sb/publications/powerwash.pdf
· http://phoenix.gov/streets/bmps.html
· http://ci.st-helena.ca.us/images/city/Docs/SurfaceCleaner Guide12.04.pdf
· http://www.sbprojectcleanwater.org/powerwashing.html
· http://www.cabmphandbooks.com/documents/industrial/mobilecleaning_surfacecleaning.pdf

BMPs will be written and enforced by municipalities across the country. We the contractors need to be involved in that conversation (please see previous letter for what the BMPs are and what they are not). We more than anyone know how to protect our waters. If we do not lead, well intended politicians and bureaucrats will write the policies and rules which will have unintended consequences therefore increasing the pollutants in our waters. An example:
· A recent bulletin board post described (as I understand it) a customer that has suspended all fleet washing because of the liability associated with the Clean Water Act. The customer was having their fleet washed by a PWNA contractor that was preventing waste water from entering the storm drain using their reclaim system. The customer is now going to have their vehicles washed on a much less frequent basis by their drivers. The result will be dirty trucks driving down the road with rain water washing contaminants into storm drains. The exact opposite of the intent of the Clean Water Act.

If Others are to Respect Us, We Must Respect Ourselves

If we want to protect and grow our industry we have to have the best ideas of everyone. Right now if someone makes a post on a bulletin board that is not to the liking of a select group, that person is insulted, intimidated or bullied. Ewelyn Beatrice Hall once said "I may not agree with what you say but I will defend to the death your right to say it." I talk to some of the sharpest people in our industry that do not post their thoughts and ideas on the bulletin boards because they choose not be mocked and disrespected. Or worse yet, they fear they will be made a target of intimidation and bullying. An example:
· I think it is safe to say that the Board of Directors leadership on the BMPs has been controversial. I would humbly submit that as Executive Director of the PWNA, I am the primary face and voice of the PWNA. During the past two weeks I received a quick flurry of annoying texts before I had that number blocked. The Board of Directors received an unprofessional and vulgar email letter referencing me (Jackie reads these emails). In addition a You Tube video posted on 2 bulletin boards was addressed specifically and only to me. I would suggest a phone call would have allowed for a conversation and given me the opportunity to explain my position. If a phone call didn't seem comfortable, then emailing me the You Tube link would have been an appropriate choice. However, I don't believe that was really the purpose of the video being posted on a bulletin board for all to see. It is my opinion (and the opinion of others) that the purpose of the video was to send a message to everyone that if you disagree with this person that he might make you a target.
Bullying and intimidating me is one thing:
1. The Executive Director is an unpaid, volunteer position - I don't lose any money if I'm fired or resign
2. I don't have a store or sell anything on the internet
3. I discontinued my franchise program
4. I don't feel like I have a lot to lose in this matter
5. I kind of like the attention
However, it will upset me greatly if I see this being done to someone else. I will stand shoulder to shoulder with anyone where this is happening to them. With that said, a recent post compared a letter I wrote last week to have been written by Carlos. I received that as a great compliment. I was always impressed with how well Carlos could write. My writing compared to Carlos; again, I appreciate the compliment.

I'm not suggesting we sit around a camp fire singing Kumbaya. I am suggesting that we allow people to express their ideas without fear. If you disagree with me all the time, I would guess you will be right at least 50% of the time. Allow for the opportunity to have a conversation, don't make it personal. The exchanges we have between each other should be positive and build each other up, even when we disagree.

It is Time for All of Us to Stand Together

It is my opinion that there has never been a more urgent time than now where we all stand together as contractors to defend our industry. I can guarantee that we will not all agree on every issue. However, we can take the best ideas from everyone to form our decisions. John Dickinson said "United We Stand, Divided We Fall". The BMP issue has not yet been decided, you may not see value in our Certification Program, you may not agree with our Water Reclaimer Program, you may not like the history of the PWNA, and I can understand it if you don't like me. Do not let any of those things get in the way of protecting your family, the life you have created, and the business you have built.

SIMA Snow and Ice Management Association 1,500 members
ICPI Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute 1,000 members
NCMA National Concrete Masonry Association 8,400 members
LMCCA Low Moisture Carpet Cleaners Association 2,500 members
ACCA Air Conditioning Contractors of America 4,000 members
PDCA Painting and Decorating Contractors of America 2,000 members

UAMCC/PWNA 300 members

How can it be that an industry as large and diverse as ours has only 300 members between the two organizations? I was recently at a meeting with the Twin City Sewer Department (Metropolitan Council) with another PWNA member when the director asked how many members our organization had. When I told him that we had 250 members, he asked if our organization was brand new. All of us as members is what will make us strong. With a large membership comes a loud, powerful, clear voice.

One Last Thing

It would be my privilege to work together with the leadership of the UAMCC. I'm quite confident that we can accomplish much more together than apart. The past is behind us, let's work together to build the future of our great industry.

If anyone would like to talk to me about this post, please call me directly at 612-868-7312 or email me at mike.hilborn@pwna.org. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Mike Hilborn and the Board of Directors of the PWNA

Mike, there's probably a good reason other orgs have 1000 or more members and the PWNA about a year and a half had 50 and now maybe 250 with Rons help (face it guys Ron put members in your Org, no one cared about the PWNA because you guys werent doing much of anything and the whole UAMCC mess had just happened). The PWNA has had problems in the past and has not shown leadership. Coming on PWI a few weeks ago and saying the BOD of the PWNA will be voting on a BMP isnt leadership either. It was a small bombshell and then you and the PWNA got hit with bombshells too. Whining about taking a beating, which wasnt even a beating compared to what can go on on the BB's you got away easy. That being said Mike what do you expect. YOU are telling the WHOLE INDUSTRY this is the BMP that you are going to push, whether its just to your members or not it worries many members and non members

I would of been a better play if you came on the BB's and asked for suggestions before you posted about voting. I am talking for ME and MY company...your BMP worries me and I am not wrong worrying about it. I don't care if you are a great guy, if Roberts a great guy or the whole PWNA is filled with great guys. A major mistake like what your BMP could turn out to be is all I am worried about

I dont care if the whole BOD approved the BMP, I don't care if the whole BOD approved this letter here that you wrote, a one size fits all be dictated by the PWNA is wrong, since much of your approved BMP is over done. Your BMP will make me lose jobs

Got to go have crying kid. get back to this soon
 
With all of the nonsense that goes on in this industry, is it really any wonder why the membership numbers are low......? really?
Every time you turn around, there is another "issue" going on and no one can get along for a period of time where progress can be made. This is not a knock at the UAMCC or the PWNA, but most peope likely get turned off by the BS and just simply go about their business, after all making a living is more important that arguing with people that you will never agree with about who is right or wrong.

With all of the available information out there, there are more hacks bringing this industry down than ever before. I have seen websites with testimonials for companies who have yet to purchase their equipment. Regulating things or attempting to require certifications is simply a way for someone to reach into others pockets unnecessarily. A certification is only as good as the certifying entity. A recent example of this would be RCIA's test and certification which was driven in part by a guy who just sold a bunch of product which never did what was claimed. Do you really need to be certified to clean a roof?? I think more people look for reasonably priced, quality work with verifiable references than a printed piece of paper that could easily be created in the computer era.

It gets old after a while and each day there is something new..... PWNA infighting.... Time for a new Org.... UAMCC and Carlos... Ron can't go to the convention... Downstream Vs. Xjet... Who to buy your stuff from.... who cares and why bother. All one will do is waste time, lose money and get aggravted for no reason.

BMP's and the associated requirements are nothing more than a knee herk reaction by officials who seek to cover their own behind at the detriment of another person or persons. The states want to talk about pollution but have no problem spraying the roads all winter with salt brine and a combo of sand and rock salt directly into the drain as they spead this to keep the roads "clean." Yet, I should get fined, lose my business or go to jail if some pw runoff gets into the drain...... really? There is no common sense associated with this whatsoever.

I am sure that one could be complaint for a reasonable amount of money if the requirements were within reason and were also easy to translate from "law" to english. What is also frightening is that when you speak to someone responsible for enforcement and they do not know what they are talking about, it makes matter even worse.

Rant over...... The End!
Mike
 
I appreciate everone's comments. They are thoughtful and helpful. Please keep them coming. Each Monday or Tuesday I will reply with a summary post that try's to address everyone's input. It is important that the board approve of the PWNA response. This isn't about me. It is about our industry. Thank you.

Mike

Ps. Please consider becoming a member.
 
Wow, a democrat, a cop and me....in the same thread.....apparently saying the same thing....in different ways. We might as well not worry about any future restrictions, the end of the world is coming now! The lion and the Lamb are lying down together. Children playing with vipers! It's a sign!

Seriously guys keep posting. Communication is a two way street.

If the PWNA hears what is being said and doesn't evaluate it properly then they will pay in the end with an impotent org. If they keep up with the dialogue like they have started here, there may be a chance the PWNA could do some good things for our industry.

But if you don't put your opinions out there, whether on the boards or by faxing or emailing to Mike, you're going to get whatever the vocal minority or the PWNA leadership wants without even considering your stance.

This is your industry! Your business is worth it! Keep sharing ideas!
 
STOP WITH THE BMP ALREADY. Hoping for a BMP that you like is like hoping for lube. Outdoor power washing is insignificant to the pollution issuing from a city. We are not polluters. Start there. Make a stand there. You are not dealing with reasonable or rational systems of people.

Whats the point of any BMP? To reduce something from somewhere? What? How much? Where has it been shown what percentage amount whatever is affected by power washing?

Municipalities DO SOMETHING WITH YOUR STREETS! -Elephant in the room-
 
Your Starting to Sound like a democrat..LOLOLOLOL
Wow, a democrat, a cop and me....in the same thread.....apparently saying the same thing....in different ways. We might as well not worry about any future restrictions, the end of the world is coming now! The lion and the Lamb are lying down together. Children playing with vipers! It's a sign!

Seriously guys keep posting. Communication is a two way street.

If the PWNA hears what is being said and doesn't evaluate it properly then they will pay in the end with an impotent org. If they keep up with the dialogue like they have started here, there may be a chance the PWNA could do some good things for our industry.

But if you don't put your opinions out there, whether on the boards or by faxing or emailing to Mike, you're going to get whatever the vocal minority or the PWNA leadership wants without even considering your stance.

This is your industry! Your business is worth it! Keep sharing ideas!
 
With all of the nonsense that goes on in this industry, is it really any wonder why the membership numbers are low......? really?
BMP's and the associated requirements are nothing more than a knee herk reaction by officials who seek to cover their own behind at the detriment of another person or persons. The states want to talk about pollution but have no problem spraying the roads all winter with salt brine and a combo of sand and rock salt directly into the drain as they spead this to keep the roads "clean." Yet, I should get fined, lose my business or go to jail if some pw runoff gets into the drain...... really? There is no common sense associated with this whatsoever.

Mike

AMEN BROTHA! They spray mag. chloride here and LOTS OF IT! I will be bringing that up most likely tomorrow in our meeting.

PS: It was kind of embarrassing when we had to admit there were only 250 members in our association.
 
AMEN BROTHA! They spray mag. chloride here and LOTS OF IT! I will be bringing that up most likely tomorrow in our meeting.

PS: It was kind of embarrassing when we had to admit there were only 250 members in our association.

embarrassing is having 1100 in your phone
 
Could be that its a scare tatic to gain new members and they are using getting involved with the BMP's to make people join so they can have a real voice. Just saying?

I mean really, I was a member last year, I chose not to rejoin, I never had any communication, nothing until it came time to renew then I got a bill.

I dont expect a handout or free business but it would be nice to know from time to time what is going on and what the ideas are.

Trick is that if you are not in the "secret society" or in the "click" I guess you dont know until its voted on and then put out there.

What did I get for my membership? Nice sticker, a crappy certificate, no correspondance on any issues and a bill when it came time to re-new. I did use the logo on my site but I took that off my site a long time ago, I was sort or embarrassed to let anyone know I spent my hard earned dollars that way.

I am a UAMCC member too, funny thing is that I have had tons more correspondance with them and there is only 50 or so of them.

I have an oponion and its mine, thats the wonderful thing about constitutional rights!

Anyway, just stay out of our business in the South, you never cared enough to bother with me before so please dont try to help my already thriving business, We will all get together down here and take care of our own.
 
How long have you been a Member?

AMEN BROTHA! They spray mag. chloride here and LOTS OF IT! I will be bringing that up most likely tomorrow in our meeting.

PS: It was kind of embarrassing when we had to admit there were only 250 members in our association.
 
Honestly, you'd think that at this point, the national orgs would think again about implementing LOCAL chapters to distribute the fuss where it needs to be.

I have all the sympathy in the world for the contractors in Houston but I've only seen a tiny handful posting about it. The rest of the country seems more upset about it than them. If the BOD of either org is so smart about what needs to be done, maybe they should stop trying to train washers and train BUSINESS people - to run chapters and handle local issues before they turn into a national rant.

Back to my coffee.....although reading this makes me wonder if cheese wouldn't be better!
 
There is only one org I am interested in joining at this point. That org is ASHRAE. (More details later) I joined the PWNA and the UAMCC last year and while both have leaders who care about our industry, there's not a lot of wisdom in the way that sentiment it conveyed. I agree with Russ regarding the communication issue.

Mike Hilborn was surprised at the reaction the announcement about the BMP's recieved. I think he understands now that while a lot of members don't want them doing anything with national bmp's - a lot of members don't like to hear that something that monumental has been discussed, voted on for approval, then put out for the members to "comment" on before there was ever even any communication to the members that a national BMP offering was even IN the discussion!

The UAMCC and PWNA would do well to look into http://www.ashrae.org/ They have over 50,000 members. The membership is inexpensive ($180.00) and the certifications are for LEARNING, not to get a piece of paper that says you now have a right to work (as in KEC) But MOST important of all is that they have LOCAL meetings monthly. I won't go into detail about these, because, honestly, It's not my job to educate any of our industry orgs in how to compete with one another. But I will say this, my local competition AND my local market attends those meetings. Things affecting the industry on a local basis are discussed there and plans to defend our local businesses start from there. I will join this year.

I think almost every post in this thread brings something of value (I'm not a democrat!) This type of dialog is what our industry needs.
 
I believe it is 7 years now. We were before when everything blew up back then, dropped out and waited for the dust to settle, and jumped back in. Maybe I'm a little spoiled since he is in my backyard, but Mike went along with us today when we met with Minnesotas branch of the EPA to discuss what they are expecting from our industry and see if anything has changed since we met with them the last time. It went well and they are a lot more educated on and willing to work with our industry compared to what is going on in Houston. We stressed to them that we ARE NOT POLLUTERS like the stigma that is unjustifiably attached to our industry but instead we clean up and dispose of pollution and went on to explain why. They said they had never looked at it from that direction but could certainly understand our points. Overall a very productive meeting and it opened new lines of communication. I appreciated Mikes help.
 
Here;s a post I put on a different bb that pertains to this. I have also been in contact thru emails as to what is going on. I have offered my services to the PWNA if they need a Liason between Law Enforcement and the Power washers wether it be PWNA contactors or all contractors at large.

Besides that I have never said I was an expert in the Enviromental cleaning dep't. I do what I can & I learned it from Robert Hinderliter back in the day when I took his classes which I have taken many times. He has taught in those classes what the bare minimum is needed to be Compliant. So my Post and also an email to Robert was to help in a way that most here can not do. Since the Houston PD has a Liaison person to the Powerwashers I felt if needed I could be the Liaison person from the Powerwashers back to the Houston PD. This is all good and we should all help where we can.

My emails are private but this post wasn't. I've already been contacted by the PWNA that they feel they have what they need to talk to the proper AHJ's and they thanked me for my offer. So for now they are confident that they don't need me to be involved at this time and I am happy about that because I like to leave the expert stuff with the experts. But my offer stands to them that in any time they feel threatened or misunderstood I will fly there in a very short notice to be there to do what I do best when surrounded by brains. I am on your side and I also understand the Law Enforcement side because I'm living it.

Lets support each other whether your a PWNA member or not. As for the PWNA memberships level being low we did have around 500 members at one time. Its alot easier to get that number back and as times get tougher the more we need each other.

Anyway here is that post where I was responding to Jim Gamble and Jim Cooney who I personally like. I don't follow the norm when it comes to friendships. These guys have always been truthfull to me so I return the respect back to them. And yes I respect Scott Stone and Russ Spense no matter what they feel about these guys. OK to that post-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jim and Jim thats great that you guys are doing what it takes to get those Parking garages and make the biggest bucks you can from cleaning them. Thats smart business on both ends since we all know most parking garages are the ultimate cash cows to there owners. I can't fault either one of you for that.

On a different note I am contemplating on going to Houston as a Police officer and not as a Powerwasher so that I may be a Liason from them to the Power washing community. This will all be on my dime if done because I am a believer in what cops love to say "Do the right thing" and in this case I may try to educate them with some heavy hitters on what the proper procedures are when it comes to "Environmental Cleaning" and a big money get up of course is one way of doing that but that is not the only way and it may not even be the safest way. I'm not knocking you and Jim Gamble for your beliefs because I know you two are some real smart dudes. What I do is I try to represent what I have learned the best way to clean and to also support those methods and sometimes these methods are extremely cheap.

I could write a chapter on this but I'll end it here. You to guys have found your nitch so run with it. Your bound to make a ton of money and thats the name of the business game. The reality of this is that there is other ways to clean and it will cost the garages far less money and the EPA enforcement agencies will be happy. Guys in the business trying to scratch out a living can't expect to compete with guys like yourselves and they shouldn't have to and with that being said they will not make the money you guys make per garage but they will and can be compliant and its an easy process.

As for me I have put it out there to the Houston PD and others that if asked I will be a Liason between them and the Powerwashers who want to bring forth the bare basics to the extreme on how to keep our waters safe. My goal is to always represent the plenty and not the few because the few like you and Jim don't need assistance because you have the deep pockets to do this on your own and make a ton of money in the process.

I hope you guys don't take this wrong. I am supportive of going the full monty when it comes to parking garage cleaning and who wouldn't be but where talking enforcement here and who should be fined and thats where I think I can possibly help in making a difference to keep the hard working brother/sister in this field gainfully employed. Now don't get crossed up and think for a second I;m talking Lowballers because I'm not even though there prices could be way below yours and Jims. What I'm talking about here is a much larger group then you guys who could be put out of business because of what some law Enforcement wants to fine them....and if that happens not only does it hurt these poeple it hurts......the whole country. Remember its the small businesses that carry this country and its not the Walmarts and the other big box stores. Look it up if you don't believe me.

I am a fighter and even though I am the law to some extent if I see a unfair injustice happening which may be going on in Houston some times you have to put the cards on the table and take a stand to show the ones who think they know the way the mistakes there making.
If one person ask me to do this and he is not one who frequents these boards... you can put your money on the table....that I'll be going. I have family commitments on July 21st but this is growing legs and if it grows anymore then in my good conscience I may have to go down there and do what I do best.... and NO its not shooting the most bullseyes but its being persistent to show what is right and what is wrong.

I am busy as hell but for a certain individual and more importantly the industry I will fight that fight. An injustice may be happening because of AHJ's may be blindsided. I hope I'm not needed but this is what I do best if I can gather all the facts and have some brains around me. Will see what happens. Until then I still plan on keeping my business busy at all cost because the next generation which includes my 2 girls are going to have it way tougher then my generation ever did so in that sense its all out war to make the bucks now -----------------
 
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