John Elliott from Roel Construction sent us this the other day. September 11^th has become a day for us all to reflect. This seems very appropriate.

Charles Schultz Philosophy

The following is the philosophy of Charles Schultz, the creator of the "Peanuts" comic strip. You don't have to actually answer the questions. Just read the e-mail straight through and you'll get the point.

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America Contest.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.

How did you do?
The point is none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.
Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

Easier?

The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care.

Today is a good day to think about the people who have made a difference in your life.

AB 2929….The Apprenticeship Bill that hurts all Apprenticeship Programs

By Jim Ryan, AGC Executive Vice President

Governor Schwarzenegger has a bill on his desk….AB 2929….that will have a long term negative effect on all construction industry apprenticeship programs in California.  AGC San Diego and AGC of California have requested a veto…so have all Republicans in the State Assembly.  The Assembly opposition was lead by 65^th District Assembly member Russ Bogh, the son of AGC member Alan Bogh, the President of Bogh Construction in Riverside County.

AB 2929 is a poorly written, stupid bill that will hurt not only open shop apprenticeship programs, but also those programs that are run by the construction trade unions. Evidently, the California Building and Construction Trades Council sponsored AB 2929.  My advice to the construction unions…..fire your lobbyists or whomever in your organization that came up with this legislation.

The Associated Builders and Contractors of California….ABC….who run a number of open shop apprenticeship programs…primarily in the electrical and mechanical trades, ended up with a “neutral” position on this bill…a fact that was detailed by the legislation’s legislative sponsor on the floor of the Assembly…..hmmm…someone at ABC must have stuck their finger in an electrical outlet…it is beyond all comprehension how that organization could be “neutral” on a bill like this!!!!

Here are some of the key provisions of this “brilliant” legislation…..

It focuses on graduation rates of the programs and seems to create a system in which graduation rates for all programs will be the mark that is utilized to determine if a program will be certified by the state or not.  Whoever wrote the bill, thought that all programs that fall below the “average” graduation rate of programs statewide will be subject to audits and to possible decertification.  Well…..virtually every program in the state …union or open shop…..will fall below this line at one point or another.  Regional dips in the construction economy are very common in our state….i.e.…if Northern California is experiencing boom years and Southern California is in a recession….most programs in Southern California….union or open shop….will be “on the block” for decertification. Also, each and every program in the state experiences fluctuations in graduation rates.  Look at your local high school….some years there are more seniors graduating than other years.  Even programs with this cyclical problem will find themselves on the decertification block.

The Carpenter’s and Laborer’s Union Programs are going to have an extremely difficult time meeting this “average” requirement….even in good years.  By the very nature of their crafts…..they typically take in a very large group of 1^st year apprentices and graduate a smaller percentage than Electricians, Plumbers, and maybe even Ironworkers…..crafts that because of facility restrictions and the technical nature of their training accept fewer 1^st year applicants and probably have a higher graduation rate.

I suspect that the union lobbyists that wrote the bill missed some of the finer points of 6^th grade math when they came up with this provision….it will shoot their own programs in the foot….nice job guys!!!

Next, the bill throws all power for the expansion of programs into the political abyss of the Director of the Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS).  If the bill’s writers really wanted to accomplish something, they could have just listed clear and objective criteria that a program needs to expand….instead they put some vague language that leaves the question of expansion criteria unclear and subjective…during the last few years, there has been 3 or 4 DAS Directors…they seem to leave about the time they start to figure out the job…..the state needs more trained construction workers and this provision makes it difficult if not impossible for any program…union or open shop to expand to meet the needs of the state. The DAS Director needs clear direction on what it takes to expand…..not the vague language that is in the bill!!!!

Another provision requires DAS to audit a program that receives two meritorious complaints in a five year period.  Audits cost the state and each program thousands of dollars.  I assume the authors of the bill were sitting in a bar in Sacramento and came up with this nonsense provision.  Naturally, “meritorious” was not defined…so I can only assume this will start a meritorious complaint war between programs….that is real productive and should help to get apprentices trained!!!

Well, the bill goes on and on with provisions that are equally as ludicrous….

Again, AGC has asked for a veto…..the question is will the Governor veto the bill when a stakeholder like ABC is neutral….time will tell.

And finally, to the union officials that read MMQB….my advice is to get the word out that AB 2929 was a mistake and clear the path for a veto….this legislation has the potential to hurt union programs more than open shop programs.   

We urge all AGC members (and ABC members that are not “neutral”) to write a letter/e-mail to the Governor requesting a veto of AB 2929. Please click on the link below and follow the instructions. http://www.bipac.net/issue_alert.asp?g=AGC_SD&issue=Veto_Request&parent=agc_sd

San Diego City Council to Consider Ban on Big Box Retail

On Monday, September 18, the San Diego City Council is expected to consider adopting restrictive ordinances that would limit the development, construction, operations, capabilities, and size of large retail establishments in the City of San Diego.  The ordinances are being pushed by groups who hope to stop all large retailers operating super stores from entering the City.  AGC opposes ”any ordinance that restricts a particular class or category of any commercial, industrial, or institutional project from being built, as long as the project is zoned and planned according to existing law” (AGC’s 2005/2006 Policy Position).

Two “Big Box” ordinance proposals will be in front of the City Council.  The first is a “Cap” ordinance, which bans stores larger than 150,000 square feet and imposes new design guidelines.  The second ordinance is called the Stock Keeping Units (“SKU”) ordinance. This proposed law, drafted by the “Joint Labor-Management Committee”, would prohibit construction of stores larger than 90,000 square feet that have more than 30,000 SKUs and more than 10 percent of gross sales revenues from non-taxable items such as grocery and prescriptions.  We understand a third proposal, or compromise, could be coming from the Mayor Sanders’ Office later this week.

Besides the AGC, the following groups are opposed to the ordinances: San Diego Planning Commission voted against the 150,000 square feet building size limit, as well as against any ordinance based on SKUs; San Diego Community Planners Committee voted to reject any caps on size; San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce voted against building size limits and recommended that each project be considered in the context of the community in which it is proposed and on its own merit; American Institute of Architects recommended against building size limits; Building Industry Association voted against building size limits in any ordinance and will not support the proposed cap on building sizes; San Diego Technical Advisory Committee voted against building size limits; and San Diego County Taxpayers Association’s Board of Directors recommended against both the “Cap” and “SKU” ordinances.

These “Big Box” ordinances are anti-business and anti-competitive, as they are targeting certain large retail establishments, which can bring in up to 500 jobs each (a large majority of jobs are full-time).  The City of San Diego could lose revenues, jobs, and most importantly, choices for consumers.  Additionally, the City may see tax revenues flee to other cities where super centers can be built.

Call to Action

In the coming days, AGC members should expect to see a “Call to Action” hit their “In-Box” requesting e-mails be sent to all of the San Diego City Council Members asking them to oppose any restriction on the development and construction of large retail establishments.  This “grassroots” effort, along with opposition from the groups listed above, should help convince our elected officials to make the right decision….to have a free market economy!

The AGC Specialty Contractor’s Council Tailgate and KGB Sky Show….Saturday September 23rd

By Jim Ryan AGCSD EVP

Want to treat your employees to the best football tailgate in San Diego….a great college football game and the best fireworks show most of us have ever seen….all for $40 per ticket!!!!....and the profits from the event go to fund scholarships for SDSU’s new JR Filanc Construction Engineering and Management Program at SDSU!!!!

The Specialty Contractors prepare tri-tip carne asada with a “real man’s” stainless steel barbeque that is 20 feet long, and is transported on a large trailer with tandem wheels.  The barbeque is owned by Bergelectric and American Technologies.  It is probably worth the ticket price just to see the grill and our Specialty Contractors preparing the food!!!!

A great tailgate…..great college football……and the KGB Sky Show…..Give your employees a treat…….register now!!!!! 

Joint Fall Conference: AGC- San Diego Chapter & AGC of California

REMINDER: EARLY DISCOUNT REGISTRATION FEE DEADLINE IS FRIDAY, SEPT. 15^th!

The Conference will be held at the beautiful Hyatt Grand Champions Resort in Indian Wells beginning October 11, 2006 and concluding Saturday morning Oct. 14^th.  It is expected that over 500 AGC members from throughout California will attend. Brochures have been mailed to all our primary contacts from each member company and the brochure can also be accessed on our website at http://www.agcsd.org/AGC%20flyers/San%20Diego%20Brochure.pdf  (takes a moment to download).

The AGC Fall Conference offers a number of high profile seminars and educational sessions, opportunities to network with other AGC members from throughout the state, and time to enjoy a variety of social events.  In addition, California’s political leaders that are interested in making sure our state invests on our infrastructure are expected to attend. 

All AGC members are invited to attend the AGC’s Desert Impression’s Fall Conference. Join over 500 of your peers from throughout the state for education, politics, networking, and fun! 

Contact Rae Krushensky with any questions at (858) 731-8157 (Direct line) or FAX your registration to (858) 558-8444.

AGC Toastmasters.  A proven way to become a better speaker and leader.

Since 1924, Toastmasters International has helped millions of men and women become more confident in front of an audience, and it can help you too.  Toastmasters will give you the skills and confidence you need to effectively express yourself in ANY situation. Whether you are an executive, manager, staff member or field worker needing to improve your presentation skills, Toastmasters is the most efficient, enjoyable and affordable way of gaining great communication and leadership skills. By learning to effectively formulate and express your ideas, you open an entirely new world of possibilities. You’ll be more persuasive and confident when giving presentations and you’ll improve your one-on-one dealings with others. 

The environment of the AGC Toastmasters is friendly and supportive, and the self-paced program allows you to build confidence with each speaking opportunity. Constructive peer evaluation is the "gold nugget" of each meeting. Each time you give a prepared speech, an evaluator will point out strengths and suggest improvements. We are here together to learn from our mistakes and can grow as we keep practicing.  The AGC Toastmasters Club meets every other Wednesday at 7:00 am at Roel Construction.  If you are interested in the AGC Toastmasters club, contact Mandy Parent at 760-466-1200 or email- mandy@4datanet.com  

 “iSqft Randy’s” iSqFt Tip of the Week & Obscure factoid

iSqFt Tip of the Week:

The Project Tracking Folder allows you to manage all of your Private and Public projects in one location, with one Username and Password.

 

Obscure Factoid:

When Soda Pop was invented in the 1880's, it was sold as a medicine.  Now people who drink too much of it may have to take medicine to counter the calcium-depleting effects of soda!

 

SEPTEMBER CLASSES

 

September 14 – Supervisory Training Unit 5 – Session 3 “Communicating the Plan” – 7:30 AM at AGC

September 15 – OSHA 10 Hour – 7:00 AM at AGC

September 20 – Prevailing Wage – 9:30 A.M.

September 21 - Supervisory Training Unit 5 – Session 4 “The Critical Path” – 7:30 AM at AGC

September 21 - Construction Project Management, “PM Template” 3:00 PM LOCATION: TBD

September 22 – Human Resource Seminar – “ Exempt vs. Non- Exempt” 9:00 A.M.

September 26 – Microsoft Excel Level 1 – 8:00 A.M.

September 27 - CPR/First Aid – 8 AM at AGC

September 29 – Advanced SWPPP Training- 7:30 AM at AGC

 

SEPTEMBER MEETINGS – All meetings will be held at AGC unless indicated otherwise

 

September 11 – City of San Diego Liaison Meeting – 1:00 PM (rescheduled from Sept. 6^th)

September 13 – Government Relations Committee Meeting – 10 AM

September 19 – Education Committee Meeting – 12:00 PM

September 20 – Public Building Liaison Meeting – 7:00 AM

September 20 – AGC Toastmasters @ Roel- 7AM

September 21- Specialty Contractors Council @ Adam’s Steakhouse – 7AM

 

 

Save The Dates:

 

September 16 – AGC Softball Tournament

September 23– Aztec Football Tailgate and SkyShow

October 11-14^th – Joint Fall Conference with AGC of California in Palm Springs – details on website