Relief fund

would you donate to a releif fund for power washers

  • yes

    Votes: 15 31.9%
  • no

    Votes: 23 48.9%
  • no oponion

    Votes: 2 4.3%
  • maybe

    Votes: 7 14.9%

  • Total voters
    47
Russ,
Part of being in business is positioning yourself so that you can survive in bad times through other means.
The problem with a relief fund, in my opinion, is that someone is going to get stuck managing it, and the people that would abuse it. Though I think most are honest and genuine, I do think that there are more than enough to totally drain a fund through dishonesty.
 
I am not sure that the word fund should be used, but rather a network of resources that would be willing to assist another in time of hardship or need. Funds, implies money and that amount for the most part would be small. But resources adds unlimited time and manpower.
 
Looks like Scott and I voted.
 
Carlos and myself have discussed the relief fund idea at considerable length.The idea is solid,but contractors will need to understand that any monies paid out will not be in sums large enough to pay car,house or equipment payments.Rather it will be funds to keep food on the table.There may also be some distributors whom are willing to help out with equipment needs if a contractor cans how a legitimate need.

I called my fellow Ga. contractors to task a couple of weeks ago to email the Ga. governors office,as well as,their congressmen and state senators and let their voices be heard since only second to the lawn industry,pressure washing companies are being singled out for a stop of work due to water restrictions.Mind you that the state guidelines for level 2 through 4 restrictions explicitly exempt our industry from restrictions,but individual cities continue to try and shut us down.The lack of knowledge at the city level and from one water cop to the next is shameful.Pencil pusher who think they can over step their authority to try and make an example of some guy out trying to support his family.It's sickening!In N.Ga. more so than in the southern part of the state.
In the mean time car washes operate as though nothing has changed and farmers received a complete pass on any type of water restrictions.Federal low interest loans are already being set up for farmers who for the most part despite the drought have had a decent year.Between crop insurance and the federal loans I predict a whole lot of new tractors and high dollar trucks riding through town next year.
If you guys don't want to help with a relief fund monetarily then by all means at least email the state officials of areas effected by water restrictions and show some support for your brethren in the industry.
 
Unfortunately all of us face similar issues as to local and state government. We in California face high everything and this includes water reductions. I have no idea what the answer is other than get involved in local government and change policy. Send me a list of people to Email and I will, but they will take note of the local people and to include Evirospec.
 
The relief fund is one of many components that are being put together. A letter/emailing campaign is another. I have email contacts for all GA state congresspeople and governor.

If someone wants to come up with a boiler plate letter/email that we all can use, please feel free to chime in and let's see it.

As an individual contractor you do not have to donate money to participate or be involved.
 
Unfortunately all of us face similar issues as to local and state government. We in California face high everything and this includes water reductions. I have no idea what the answer is other than get involved in local government and change policy. Send me a list of people to Email and I will, but they will take note of the local people and to include Evirospec.


This is where it becomes important to let other PW companies know what is happening.If we band together as a nation wide voice to state and local officials it will raise awareness about the needs of our industry.It also shows the talking heads that we are real business owners who are doing more than earning beer money for the weekend.
When a KEC company is told to shut down in Atl. because the water cops don't understand that KEC cleaning is required it becomes a problem for everyone in the industry.A matter of public health and fire prevention and this contractor is told to shut down.
I don't know where Espec or Sunbrite stand on this issue,but I do know of several other distributors who are more than willing to back a email/assistance campaign.A stop of work not only effects contractors,but distributors as well.The trickle down effect to these guys could be just as devastating to their financial sitiation as it is to the individual contractor.
 
What KEC company was told to shut down, because of water reductions? Please let me know the company and city.
 
http://www.pressuretek.com/pwm.html

http://www.propowerwash.com/board/up...34&postcount=1


See, this is exactly what I did not want to see.

We have another dist member wanting to help with dollars.

Mark might want to donate hundreds, I happen to know he is a nice guys and good Christian.

But let’s face this, is going to another dist site to buy shirts?

Maybe because he is a great guy, why can we not keep contractors issues that.

Distributors can help and certainly they need to. WITH DOLLARS.

Is this conflict, I know that Scott and Bob are great guys also. They are just trying the best efforts to help.

Seriously guys we are heading down that same path.

Keep the dist out of this fund thing, they have and interest to donate dollars. And they will. I would imagine if you keep them out of running it they all will be more aped to all participate instead of saying I’m not giving another dist a nickel for anything.

Please Scott and Bob do not take Offense because I realize this in not your intentions to look like it’s and elaborate advertising scheme.

Just bringing it to your attention these are the same battles many others have been fighting over for years.


Mark, good seeing ya. Please donate. please behonest and if you think I'm wrong please tell me and everyone.

If you see my point I will assume we will not see you in a PWM shirt.

DOnt be a stranger.

Russ and some of the other DIST please give some imput.
 
Hey Ron I agree with you--partly. I think that a fund for political reasons is not a bad idea. Better yet The powerwashing field needs lobbyist to get what they need thru the Gov't, So many groups have there lobbyist working for them to get grants, Relief funds or whatever it is that they can get...within reason of course.

I don't see where the harm is done if people want to donate for a relief fund thru distributers or whatever way they want to do it. Thats a positive step to at the very least to do....something. People can talk about this to death and never get anything done. The PWM shirts is a nice start. Anytype of relief fund is also a plus. Anything to help is really the issue at hand. To do nothing that is the worst....and alot of times....nothing at all is done.
 
As mentioned at the very beginning of ALL this and it still stands today. The immediate purpose behind this is to assit and help out our fellow pressure washers down south....period! That is the immediate concern and that is where the effort is going into.

Since talking with Ron, I do understand his point(s) and logic. I agree with him and have discussed this with him many times off line.

If this suport that is going on now for the contractors down south evolves into something bigger with a broader reach as it relates to it's objectives then I would say that it would be a postivie step for our industry.

But for right now the focus will be geared towards assisting our fellow washers down south. The money approach is only one component of many that is being considered. Money is a good thing :) but should not be our only focus!! Let's think out the box - and if selling T-shirts can put some food on someones table....for now ...why not?
 
I am a bit rusty on the details , however I feel the best funding would be contributed to hiring a lawyer to combat the legislature , overseeing this , I will never claim to be up to date on political views but this definatly needs an experienced voice in the capitol building in Georgia , I am like Scott Stone in that I feel you should be ready financially for bumps in the road , I would hate to lay anyone off but in order to feed my familly we do what we have to , I do understand that relativly small companies would have even a harder time in a longer cruntch , heck I just lost over 100k a year last week , when the company bought 15 pressure washers , despite all my efforts to re-educate them , it happens , it hurts

Back to the problem at hand , it worries me too since I am so close , so what can really be done , we cant pay each others bills so what do we do , we need a voice , who is speaking ? I know Scott K said something about a bunch of emails everyday that he was answering , anyone else ?
 
If you could have Georga Vent Works call me or explain on this bb what happen. This would be most helpful.
 
don't see where the harm is done if people want to donate for a relief fund thru distributers or whatever way they want to do it. Thats a positive step to at the very least to do....something. People can talk about this to death and never get anything done. The PWM shirts is a nice start. Anytype of relief fund is also a plus. Anything to help is really the issue at hand. To do nothing that is the worst....and alot of times....nothing at all is done.

John, I agree with that statement. Let me know where to send a check to feed another PW.

Instead of me buying T-shirts lets get all the money directly to them. Lets get them a bank account so we can send it staight to them.

I'm all for it, does anyone know someone affected by this? if the people are worried about identity please e-mail me i want to talk with them. maybe i can give them some work, no charge no commisions and lets get them on the feet again.
 
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