1. From the Corner Office

With the weather we have been experiencing the past few weeks, it makes a guy remember we do live in Minnesota, we will have another winter and it is coming soon. I would like to thank you and your families for all of the efforts, hard work and support in wrapping up another successful construction season. Work wise, we seem to have quite a bit of work yet to finish and some new jobs to start so don’t pull your ice fishing gear out just yet. After eighteen years of friendship and dedication to Frattalone Companies, I would like to wishSteve Kohler and his family the best of luck in their new venture. Steve’s last workday was October 13th. He and his family are moving to North Carolina this winter. Steve started as an operator, moved into a superintendent’s position on the dir  crew and then was the company’s Safety and Training Director for the past 4 years. Thank you for all your time Steve. I would like to welcome aboard our new safety director Josh Bernhard. Josh has been in construction safety for the past 6 years. We are excited to have Josh on board with our team to keep our safety program in check. Make sure to welcome Josh and help make this a smooth transition for us all.

I would like to congratulate the following people for their dedication to TEAM FRATTALONE for their ten years of service. They will be receiving their ten-year rings at the companyHoliday Party:

I would also like to congratulate the people with twenty years of employment to TEAM FRATTALONE. They will receive a twenty-year watch at the company Holiday Party. Please congratulate these folks on their accomplishments.

Winter is right around the corner, which means the snow plowing sign-up sheet will be posted soon. Don’t forget to put your name on the list to get those hours in this season. I wish you all a wonderful holiday season and hope to see you at the party on January 6th.

Tony Frattalone, President

2. Safety & Training Corner

As most of you already know, I have decided to leave Frattalone Companies. After 18 years, this was an extremely difficult decision but it was driven mainly by family reasons. Throughout the years there have been remarkable improvements in worker safety here and in the construction industry in general.

The most positive changes have been made in the area of worker safety and training. In the past, if a worker want-ed to protect his/her personal health they would have had to purchase their own safety personal protection equipment. Trench safety was simply hoping the trench would “stand” while someone went in to “just hurry and get done quickly” as the rest of the crew “watched to see if the walls of the tomb would fail.” Trench boxes and shoring were an expensive encumbrance that just slowed production and “won’t work on this job anyways”.

Training is and always will be the greatest priority to protecting workers. Frank Frattalone has said, “Training has always been central to this company.” This philosophy has set the standard for training programs in this area. Other contractor’s representatives ask, “how does Frattalone get their employees to attend required trainings?” When training instructors tell us our employees made up the majority of attendees at their training sessions, it is easy to see that we understand the value of trained employees.

At the most recent company safety meeting, our speaker spoke about continuing a strong safety culture. Each person here is not only responsible for their own safety, but the safety of everyone working around them.

Safety is a mindset. If we think positively about safety, practice safe work procedures and don’t take short cuts, we can work injury free.

As you may know, we are required by our AWAIR program to communicate the injuries that were reported since the last article. I disliked writing this portion of the scoop because it meant someone was hurt on the job.

We have had four injuries reported since the last scoop article. An operator that slipped while mounting a skid-steer injured his leg. This injury may have been pre-vented by following the 3-points on contact procedure.

The next injury occurred while operating a skid-steer on a pre-cast plank floor when the planks failed. The machine fell two floors to the basement with the operator in the cab. He sustained bruises, cuts to his arm and elbow and reported pain in his shoulder.

The next report was from a truck driver that received a cut to his head while out of his truck on a demo job site without wearing his hardhat. A piece of P.V.C. pipe, broken by a backhoe machine working approximately 150 feet away, flew through the air and struck the unprotected driver in the head causing the cut. Following company policy and wearing a hardhat would have prevented or minimized this injury.

The last injury was reported by a superintendent who was operating a skid-steer on a slope when the machine tipped on its side causing a cut to the operator’s head. Proper operation on a slope may have prevented this injury.

I am confident that Josh Bernhard will receive the utmost level of teamwork and cooperation from everyone so he can take Frattalone Companies to the next level of work-place safety. I would like to thank everyone for their support, cooperation and most of all the excellent relationships I have obtained while working here. This family organization is truly a superb place to work. I strongly believe that people make a company, and Frattalone Companies, Inc. has the BEST in the business.

Thank you, truly -- all of you,

Steven Kohler, Safety and Training Director

3. Project Profile

Regardless of your political affiliation or opinions on who should pay for the Twins, Gophers or Vikings stadiums, it’s a proven fact that large public construction projects provide jobs and work that benefits all of us.

Mike Forsythe is managing the project and Red is the superintendent. We will take the silos down with a crane and wrecking ball.

Reaching the top of the 195 foot high main head house is a challenge and no, we will not be using any dynamite this time. We plan on taking down some of the grain tanks and using that material to build a 20 foot high pad to set the crane on. This is the same way we took down the 205 foot high CEPRO elevator a couple of years ago. Mark Krause will be in the seat and is slated to bring the main head down in mid December. The entire project is scheduled to be completed by the end of March 2007.

Parking Lots - The New Gopher Stadium Site

Jim Wutzke, Project Manager

4. Employee of the Month

Each month the superintendents nominate an employee who they feel deserves the title of "Employee of the Month" for the previous month. The person who is chosen receives a gift certificate for $100 and picture on a plaque in the office. Congratulations to the following:

• July - Don Derman
• Aug - Tom Lutz
• Sep - Jeannie Gamboni

Employees who have been awarded employee of the month are now available on the web site. See the Current Star Employees

Ben Eiler, Project Manager

5. Holiday Schedule

Listed below are the days that Frattalone Companies will be closed this year:

• 11/23, Thu -- Thanksgiving Day
• 12/25, Mon -- Christmas Day
• 12/31, Mon -- New Years Day

6. Births  & Wedding Announcements

Bergen Charles Bernhard, son of Josh and Tanya Bernhard was born on Saturday, October 14th. He weighed 8lb. 9oz. and was 21” long.

Congratulations!

7. Recipe: Pepperoni Soup

by Joe Herkenhoff

This is a recipe that Joe has had many requests for.

Chop and sauté in large fry pan with butter/margarine until brown: 3-lg. onions, 2-lg. green peppers, 1-lg. celery stalk and 10-cloves garlic.

Pour in large pot and add: 1-6oz. can tomato paste, and the following:

1-lg. can of each: crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, baked beans, pork & beans, kidney beans (drained), 
2-cans beef consome, 
2 cans butter beans (drained), 
1-can great northern beans (drained),
1-can navy beans (drained), 
1-cup water (may want to add more), 
2-3 lbs. sliced pepperoni, 
2 Tbsp. Italian seasoning.
May add oregano, sweet basil, salt, pepper to taste.

Mix and bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer to taste. Soup becomes stronger the longer it is simmered.

Add 2 pkg.—frozen pea pods shortly before serving.

Thank you, Mrs. Herkenhoff!

8. NADC and MUCA Scholarships

Frattalone Companies is a member of the National Association of Demolition Contractors, as well as the Minnesota Utility Contractors Association, which entitles any employee and their family members eligible to participate in their scholarship program. These scholarships are awarded annually to High School seniors. For an application, please see Shelly in the office.

9. Frattalone Golf Tourney

The 10th Annual Golf Tournament was held on Sunday, September 24th at Gem Lake Golf Course this year. It turned out to be a beautiful day, which was enjoyed by all who joined us. Congratulations to Cory Van Engen and Ben Eiler who were this year’s winners.

10. Holiday Party

Since December is such a busy month, we decided to have the Holiday Party in January this year. This way we can relax and not have to worry about the shopping that still needs to be done!

Mark your calendars… the Frattalone Companies’ Holiday Party will be:

Saturday, January  6th, 2007 
Jimmy’s Conference Center
Vadnais Heights

We will be having a casino night following dinner. For our out-of-town guests, we have reserved a block of rooms at the Holiday Inn Express, which is connected to Jimmy’s. Invitations will go out in early December.

11. Citizenship: Toys-for-Tots

We will be accepting toy donations for the Toys-For-Tots program in the month of December. Please consider donating a gift for a child that is less fortunate. Drop box will be in the office.

12. Bible Study

There have been inquiries as to whether we will be starting up Bible study meetings again. All who are interested should attend an informational meeting that will be held on Tuesday, November 28th at 5:30 p.m. in the office lunch-room.

Please contact Dean Law at 651.248.7606 with any questions.