Masonry Magazine April 2001 Page. 39
TOUGH COMPETITION MAKES FOR EXCITING
FASTEST TROWEL EVENT
The Mason Contractors Association of America's Fastest Trowel competition, sponsored by Spec Mix, Inc. was held in conjunction with the Masonry Showcase on Friday, February 23rd in Orlando, Florida. Sixteen contestants from across the United States competed for the right to be called the masonry industry's "fastest trowel" for 2001. Of the sixteen contestants, five were previous winners of past contests. Roughly seven hundred spectators cheered their favorite contestants during the twenty-minute event. Contestants were not only judged on speed, but each was judged on production, true and horizontal voids, plum and story level.
"This year's contest was one of the most exciting events in years," said Brian Carney of Spec Mix. Contestants from Phoenix, Arizona claimed two of the top three place finishes. "Next year, we plan to take all three! top place winners," said Jan Divito, Executive Director of the Mason Contractors Association of Phoenix. Contestants competed for over $10,000 in cash and prizes.
Above center: First place Fastest Trowel was awarded to Jeff Goebel of Sutter Masonry, Phoenix, AZ. Assisting Jeff were Paul Rick and Jack Sutter.
Left: Mike Canez III of Riveria Masonry Inc, Phoenix, AZ took home 2nd place.
Below: Third place Fastest Trowel winner went to Tyrone Piehl of Ron Kendell Masonry, West Palm Beach, FL.
CONGRESS VOTES
TO REVERSE
ERGONOMICS RULE
The U.S. Congress are attempting to overturned a last minute rule by the Clinton Administration to implement OSHA's ergonomic rule, which seeks to regulate repetitive motion disorders.
Four days before President Bush took office; the Clinton Administration issued the regulations running more than 600 pages.
Organized labor supports the ergonomics rules, which would have a most assured negative impact on the masonry industry. Business organizations oppose the new rules claiming that they are too far-reaching, costly and unscientific. Several lawsuits have been filed to block the regulation implementation.
Business groups also have been lobbying heavily and and want lawmakers to move under the Congressional Review Act, a 1996 law that permits the House and Senate to pass legislation rejecting regulations issued by federal departments and agencies. The act, which has never been used, would kill the regulations and prevent similar standards from being issued.
Politically, the regulations have been contentious, and the Clinton Administration and GOP majorities in Congress clashed numerous times over their fate. The Senate voted last year to stop the rules from taking effect, and opponents of the regulations say they again have more than 50 votes against them.
Republicans also expressed confidence that Bush would sign legislation overturning the regulations.
JOHN L. SPENCER APPOINTED CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
OF THE MASONRY INSTITUTE OF ST. LOUIS
St. Louis, MO-John L. Spencer, president and CEO of Spencer Brickwork, Inc., has been appointed chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Masonry Institute of St. Louis (MISL). The appointment was announced January 22 at the monthly meeting of the St. Louis chapter of the Mason Contractors Association (MCA).
Spencer, a member of the MCA as well as Bricklayers' Union Local No. 1 of Missouri, has a long history of service to both the local and national masonry communities. He is the past president of the MCA, and is currently a member of that organization's Arbitration Board. He also serves on the boards, of the Construction Laborers' of Greater St. Louis Welfare Trust and the Mason Tenders of Greater St. Louis Vacation Trust. In addition to his local service, he is the regional vice president of the Mason Contractors Association of America, a national industry organization.
In 1979, Spencer founded Spencer Brickwork, a mason contracting firm headquartered in Ellisville. It is currently the largest residential mason contractor in the St. Louis area.