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As
I write this there is warm weather being predicted through out the
rest of this week (getting into the mid 70's) and measurable snow on
Sunday and Monday. What a difference a day makes in Iowa.
This
year has gone by quicker than any other year in the past. My
wife tells me it’s because I am getting older and don't remember
as well as I used to. I guess I can't ever remember having a
good memory so I'll have to take her word for it.
This
year was an incredibly busy year for the Ames RM plant. We ran
13 trucks out of Ames and had the Huxley plant manned from April
through November. We did a lot of sharing of trucks with the
Metro division. When they were too busy, then Tommy, Todd, Al
or Chaz would come through for us.
We
had Mike and Cortney's crew in town doing a high profile job on 6th
street which turned out with an A+ rating. Anyone I have
spoken to, didn't like the inconvenience at the time of construction
but sure enjoys the completed project now.
We
did several projects at ISU's campus and are still working on the
new practice facility next to the Olson building. If you get
to Ames, drive by the football stadium and it won't be hard to spot
this project (see pictures on the right).
Currently,
I am working with McCarthy Co. out of St. Louis (they are a CM on
this project) for a new USDA Lab. My understanding is that it
is a 200 million dollar project set to go for 30 months until
completion. It has what they call "confinement
concrete" in it. At this time, it is some very
specialized concrete that will consume over 7000 cy's, 5500
ton of imported sand from the Hess pit by Iowa City and a lot of
specialized admixes. Because of some of the strengths with the
company, we have a very good shot at getting this.
Winter
work has been more difficult to come by, this year, as not many late
year bids have been let. Talking with several contractors in
the area, they have quite a backlog and plan to go as long as they
can before freeze-up.
November
is a little slower than the other months as we have been completing
many of the summer projects. This has worked well with Metro
as they have been swamped and we have been able to give them truck
support when they needed it. Brian is still waiting for your
Christmas present in the mail, Rod.
I
would like to take this time and thank all my drivers and especially
their wives or girlfriends for letting us "borrow" them
this construction season. They are one of the main reasons we
are able to do what we do on a daily basis. My drivers are Jim
Keiffer, Clint Thompson, Doug Wicks, Richard Ackerson, Wade Mullins,
Brady Thomas, Dale Gruver, Jeremy Bottorf, Jacob Smeltzer, Joe
Bottorf, Lowell Hunter and Dan Rogers. For all their exposure
during the course of the year, they did a great job looking out for
each other, keeping each other safe and going home each night.
To complete the team, I want to thank Brian Frame for his patience
and dry humor that always helps on chaotic days that seem will never
end. These guys, combined with all the outside support we have
received from others within Manatt's has made for a great year.
If I have forgotten anyone please forgive me, but I did say what
little memory I had was going.
God
bless and have a safe and happy holiday season.
See you all next year!
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