From the Corner Office

Summer is finally here. After a prolonged spring season, the warm and dry weather decided to show up in July. Although the slow and rainy months of May and June backed up our job schedule close to a month, it looks like we have finally been able to catch up and work at a more comfortable pace. Thanks to all the employees and their families for putting up with the demanding work schedule during the month of July. Hopefully each of you can savor what is left of the summer and enjoy some of this beautiful weather outside of the working environment.

As far as the work schedule goes, we do have quite a bit left to do yet this year. As always, we are continuing to look for additional work, but our backlog of work under contract is as high now as it has ever been. This allows us to be a bit more selective with our job choices. With our current workforce (227 employees at the end of July), it doesn’t take very long to complete a large amount of work.

Bush and Kerry. Kerry and Bush. Have you heard those two names lately? If you think you have heard enough of those two, hang on for the next three months. For as repetitive as their debates and speeches may seem, we have to remember how fortunate we are to be able to vote on which policies, procedures and individuals we choose to follow.

Regardless of whom you would like to see as the President of our great Nation, you do have a say in the outcome by voting. Don’t take that for granted. Study the candidates’ views and philosophies. Vote for the individual that you feel will best represent your thoughts and beliefs. Be a part of this great procedure because the results will affect you for the next four years. 

Nick Frattalone
Executive Vice President

Safety Column:

As of the end of July, this year’s safety program has been going great. We had zero injuries in the month of June and two minor ones in July. 

The first injury was a sprained ankle from a fall while climbing down from the rear of a 637 scraper. This employee has been off work for over 3 weeks (upon writing of this article on 8-2-04) and has returned to work with restrictions. This could have been prevented by using positive 3-points of contact while climbing down the equipment steps. The other was a mechanic using a torque multiplier tool to remove a bolt. In the process, the tool malfunctioned and the handle struck the employee in the forehead. The employee went to the emergency room for stitches and required a day of rest away from work. The tool has since been dismantled, rebuilt and put back into service to prevent this from occurring in the future.

Although injuries of any magnitude are a concern, I am pleased with the progress we have made and the reduction of our injury frequency. I strongly believe our stretching program has a direct impact on these positive results. I would like to thank those who have embraced this program and improved their personal well being.

We have a very good crew of new employees this season. Please take the time to welcome them to the TEAM. In addition, give your superintendent or myself any helpful feedback on our new crewmembers. It is a priority to maintain the best crews in the business here at Frattalone. Your experienced advice is always needed when improvements can be made. Thanks for keeping your eyes open and your thoughts productive and safe. 


Steven Kohler 
Safety and Training Director

Project Profile

Greetings from your friendly project management/estimating staff. We had a busy and successful winter and spring bidding season. Once the weather cooperated and projects got started, there was plenty of work to go around. 

One unique project which we were awarded is the Meeker County Landfill. This contract, worth approximately $850,000, is through the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. The purpose of the project is to clean up an old landfill site. Back in the 1960’s and 1970’s, about 120,000 cubic yards of garbage was buried with no liner to prevent contaminated water from flowing into the ground. The old landfill is located adjacent to a creek, so there is a potential for the creek, groundwater, and local drinking water supply to become polluted with leachate from the landfill. We have been contracted to excavate the waste in the unlined area and haul it to an adjacent lined landfill. Once the waste is removed and relocated, we will place a plastic geomembrane liner over the waste, cover it with soil, and establish vegetation. 

Harvey Wyss is running this job for us, while Jesse Woyke, Travis Reinert, Jay Williams, Shane Sanow, and Randy Trasti are our operators working long hours to complete this job on time. The project is proceeding well so far, and is on schedule for completion in the middle of October.

We are continuing to stay busy managing current projects, as well as bidding projects for the remainder of the season. Despite the slow start this year, projects seem to be going well, both in terms of schedules and profitability. Thanks to everyone in the field for their hard work taking the projects we bid to completion.

Andy Sprado
Project Manager

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 $100.00 and their picture on a plaque in the office. Congratulations to the following:

• May, 2004 - Hans Hittner
• June, 2004 - Chad Clausen
• July, 2004 - Jack Kuehn

Frattalone Golf Tournament

The Frattalone Golf Tournament will be held on Sunday, September 19th at Gem Lake Hills Golf Course. We will be playing 9 holes with a 2-person scramble format. The cost is $20.00 per person, which includes golf, golf balls and lunch after the tournament. Please call Shelly in the office if you are interested.

Holiday Schedule

Listed below are the days that Frattalone Excavating will be closed:

• Labor Day, 9/6/04
• Thanksgiving Day, 11/25/04
• Christmas Eve, 12/24/04

Congratulations! - Retirement & Births

Bob Hoffman “hung up his work boots” in June of 2004. He dedicated over 16 years of service at Frattalone Companies. Hopefully you got a chance to shake Bob’s hand and wish him well at his retirement party that was held on Thursday, August 5th.

Congratulations, Bob!

Derek Bryan Everson, son of Tom & Terri Everson was born on June 21, 2004 weighing 7 lb. 8 oz. and was 20” long.

Emily Margaret, daughter of Steve & Michelle Deyo was born on August 9, 2004 weighing 5 lb. 6 oz. and was 20” long.

Congratulations!

Company Meetings:

The fall all-company safety and informational meeting will be held on

Thursday, 10-21-04 at 4:00 p.m.

Attendance is mandatory,
so mark your calendars.

Giving & Citizenship Program Events

Jerry Richert Memorial Race

The 4th Annual Jerry Richert Memorial Race will be held at Cedar Lake Speedway on September 11, 2004. Frattalone Companies has reserved the VIP tower where there will be food and beverages served before the race. The cost is $25.00 per person, which includes admission to the VIP tower, food, beverages and a memorial t-shirt. Please contact Shelly Boss in the office for more information and/or tickets.

Recipes that make the grade...

Pineapple Chicken Skewers

Ingredients:

• 1 cup pineapple juice
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/3 cup light soy sauce
• 1 tsp. ground ginger
• 2 tsp. garlic powder
• 2 lbs. chicken breasts strips
• skewers
• pineapple wedges

Directions:

In a saucepan over medium heat, mix pineapple juice, brown sugar, soy sauce, ginger and garlic. Remove from heat just before it boils. Place chicken in bowl and cover with pineapple marinade. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes. Preheat grill to medium heat. Thread chicken and pineapple chunks onto skewers. Lightly oil the grill grate. Grill chicken for 3-5 minutes per side, or until juices run clear. Serve over white rice. Enjoy!

Health Tip: For the "HEALTH" of it...

Vitamins and minerals are now recognized as playing a major role in the health and vitality of every organ in the body. Studies have shown that being well nourished with vitamins and minerals can lower cholesterol levels, help wounds heal faster and make you more resistant to a cold, the flu, asthma, cataracts, gum disease, and the list goes on. In fact, vitamins such as C, E, and beta-carotene also have a protective benefit against the effects of aging and certain types of cancer.  

But how many of us get the daily amount of vitamins that our bodies need? Statistics show that 70% of Americans are lacking the optimum daily dosage of vitamins and minerals.

It’s hard for most of us to consume the amount of vitamins and minerals that are required daily. This is where supplements come into the picture. This is an easy way to get all of your nutrients in for the day. When choosing a supplement, you will want something that contains at least 100% of the recommended dietary allowances for all vitamins and minerals. 

Consult your local nutrition store for supplements that are right for you and always talk to your doctor before you start any program.