First of all, let me preface this rant by saying this... Technology is the greatest thing since sliced bread, if it is used for its intended purpose. It is a tool, that if used properly can enhance our lives. It can make things better, easier, and more convenient. It can entertain us, and allow us to reach distant family with a frequency that a generation ago was unheard of. It is overall a positive. That being said, as with any other good thing, humanity will find a way to turn good into evil.
Cell phones were supposed to be the answer to all of our communications woes. I remember when Sherri and I were dating some 21 years ago, she thought it was the coolest thing that I had a phone in my truck. It was a bag phone, and you had to sit in the truck to use it. There was not a texting feature, there were no games and you did not carry it around like an accessory. I suppose it was, at that time somewhat of a status symbol, although to me it was a necessary evil wrought on me by my employer. How far we have come since then.
Recently, while teaching my sunday school class of young people, who ranged in age from 14-18 as a part of the lesson I asked them, "Aside from the gift of life itself, what is the best gift you have ever received?" Out of twenty or so of these young people almost without exception were quick to whip out their smart phones and say, "My phone." One young lady, who I knew her parents had recently bought her a car started to say her phone, then backed up and said, "Oh, I almost forgot my car." Thus we see the priority given to the modern day smart phone. One of the biggest challenges has been keeping these same youths off their phones long enough to teach the lesson to them. Some of them are rebellious, and outright defiant at the prospect of having to put up their phones. I know there was still texting going on during the class, as it was impossible to stop all of it, and teach the lesson. When one new convert made the comment to me that one of the girls was texting him during class, I told him, " I cannot stop her, mainly because if you watch her mother during church, she will be on her phone during church too. HOW DISRESPECTFUL AND WHAT A PITIFUL EXAMPLE. If her parents have taught her this is okay, who am I to try to override her parents. Some from the church may read this and want names, don't ask and I won't have to tell you to MYOB. Those of you who know texting lingo will know what that means!
While I am on the subject of texting. Texting was supposed to be the answer to all of our communications woes, a communications generation later. Several years ago, while at a planning and brain storming meeting at an undisclosed location with several undisclosed people, the discussion of texting came up. Several of us who were of the older generation were not text savvy, and at that point really did not want to become that way. WE WERE ASSURED, THAT IF WE WOULD EMBRACE THE TECHNOLOGY, ALL OF OUR COMMUNICATIONS STRUGGLES WOULD END WITHIN THE UNDISCLOSED GROUP. We were told that it just took too long to return a phone call, and that if we would just text instead that we could be kept in the loop, never to be in a position where our call did not get returned for some "unknown"reason. Now, let me assure you, no problem was resolved because, INSTEAD OF IGNORING THE CALL, THEY JUST IGNORE THE TEXT.
Here is where is where the real rant starts so strap in...
What in the name of Abraham Lincoln makes anyone in my contacts think that their time is so much more important than mine, (OR MY WIFE'S )that they have they can blatantly and repeatedly ignore my contacts with them? Just how arrogant are you to think that somehow it is beneath you to acknowledge a text with some type of simple request that would take you 30 seconds or less to reply to via text message. We have already forgone the decent thing, which is a phone conversation to settle for this substandard and often misunderstood means of conversation. IT IS ARROGANT AND IT IS WRONG FOR PEOPLE TO ENGAGE IN PHONE SNOBBERY, PERIOD!!!! It would possibly be different if we were pestering night and day for weeks on end, but I am talking about bi weekly or even monthly messages that NEVER get responded to as the result of some misguided sense that somehow you just must be a little better. Some of you are supposedly Children of the most high God, and let me tell you, God definitely has an opinion about a haughty spirit. AND THAT IS WHAT IT IS!
Now, ALL of us have missed returning a text. ALL of us have failed to call someone back promptly. I am not talking about accidental things that were done. I would never hold it against someone for making a mistake. I have done it myself, and when I did, I have always been quick to apologize and to try to correct whatever needed to be corrected. Some of you have done that as well. I know we are all busy, and we all have our priorities. That brings me to my next point, Facebook games...
Now, let me preface my comments with this, how we use stewardship of our time is between us and God Almighty. I am not the phone police. However, I believe we will be held to account for our time, and how it was used, wisely or otherwise. If you want to play games I suppose in moderation it is not wrong. However, in many cases, SOME OF THE VERY ONES WHO ARE THE BIGGEST PHONE SNOBS, AND ARE SUPPOSEDLY TOO BUSY TO RESPOND TO A TEXT, UPON OBSERVATION, EVERY TIME I SEE THEM THEY ARE ON THEIR PHONES, ON FACEBOOK, OR INSTAGRAM, (WHICH ARE THE SAME THING) OR THEY ARE PLAYING GAMES ON THEIR PHONES, OR THEY ARE DOING BOTH!!! Too busy to show common courtesy to another human being, but with plenty of time to play candy crush or what ever the cool game of the month is. These same people tend to whine about how over worked they are, all the while playing, or texting, or yacking with someone whom they have deemed, "worthy of their precious time."
Let me say that I am not too good to occasionally whip out my I pad and play a good rousing game of pac man. It is a game from my generation, and it is fun, however, every time I do, by the third game or so my conscience begins to nag at me. It is reminding me, "have you studied your Bible today?" or "Have you got all of your work done? Did your founding fathers waste their time, maybe this time wasting is why things aren't going so good?" So, I usually put it up and get to work. I HAVE NEVER IGNORED A PHONE MESSAGE OR TEXT FROM ANYONE BECAUSE I WAS "BUSY" AND INSTEAD GAMED OR SURFED SOCIAL MEDIA. NEVER!!! Most of the Sunday school kids I mentioned above rarely if ever read their Bible and cannot quote even the simplest of doctrinal scriptures from memory, but they sure know what's happening with social media and they sure know how to play games on their phones. They carry them around like little idols. IT HAS RISEN TO THE LEVEL OF IDOLATORY IN SOME CASES, BELIEVE ME. Why should they do any different? Their parents are setting the example by doing the same thing.
Some of you might use the excuse that some people just are annoying and I don't want to be bothered with them. Well let me just say this... I operate, and have for a long time a service business where the phone rings at all hours of the day and night. Almost all calls after hours are "annoying." I take them anyway and never, ever ignore them. Why? because it is this little thing called human decency. Some of you need to develop a little of it. I take them because it is my job, and it is the right thing to do. Yes, some people are annoying. I am quite sure some of you will be annoyed with me more than ever after reading this. Common decency requires us to be kind to everyone, the "annoying ones" and the "anointed ones" who we have deemed worthy of your precious time.
The Bible indicates we are to love our brother like our selves. HOW MANY OF YOU LIKE BEING IGNORED??? It's not very loving to constantly snub someone you deem unworthy of your 30 second response, is it?
In closing, I understand that I have deeply offended some of you. The Bible say's offenses will come, so... Get over it. That is exactly what I've been told to do many times, when offenses have come my way. Once an old project manager, who was my direct supervisor, told me, "even a good horse needs a swat to get across the finish line." There have been times when I didn't like the swat, but it was the truth that day, and what I have said is the truth now. HOPEFULLY SOMEONE WILL READ THIS WITH A RIGHT SPIRIT, REALIZE THAT YOU HAVE BEEN AN OFFENDER AND RECEIVE THIS POST THE WAY IT WAS INTENDED, NOT TO OFFEND BUT TO INFORM YOU OF HOW TRULY OFFENSIVE PHONE SNOBBERY IS TO THE SNUBBED PARTY.
Let's be kind and considerate to one another and see if life isn't just little better for everybody.
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
Saturday, March 1, 2014
A Blast from the past... My response to animal rights protesters, early 1990's
This was originally published in the Daily Egyptian newspaper's letters to the editor section about 1993 or 94.
Rodeo Animals receive superior care...
It is my understanding that an Animal Rights League protested at the Longhorn Rodeo at Cape Girardeau. Their main concern is supposedly the health and welfare of animals. So, lets address that for a minute. These animals, who are allegedly abused, are in reality the "professional athletes" of the Horse and Cattle world. They receive superior care at all times. If they receive and injury it is treated immediately. If they need to be vaccinated they are tended to immediately. They are fed the best feed and are provided clean water and have more than ample shelter. Since animals do not need monetary reimbursement, the absolute best they can ask is to be taken good care of by their owners. If regular "blue collar" horses and cows had human feelings they would probably idolize these athletic superstars. I am equally sure some "extremist" horses and cows would be hateful and even jealous toward these "rich rodeo cows." Rodeo associations have taken many safeguards to protect all their athletes, animals and humans, just like the boxing associations, and the NFL. Rodeo animals receive superior treatment, not inferior treatment.
As far as the cowboys themselves, while they may portray to some a "macho" image, let us remember something else they stand for: They are hard workers who work from daylight to dusk. They stand for principles. During times of war they stood in defense of this great country while protesters were doing what they do best, protest. They are not flag burners or draft dodgers, which is a lot more than I can say for some of our elected officials, or for most of these animal rights extremists. Lets remember the old saying, " The cowboys best friend is his horse."
James Killion, taxpayer
I just felt compelled to share my thoughts, 20 years or so later. I promise you that my position has not changed where animal rights nuts are concerned. Now mind you, as I sit at my desk typing this I can see the hair raising on the back of some of your necks in anger. Listen, no one and I mean NO ONE enjoys animals more than me. I see them as great creations of God for our enjoyment. They are special, and the companionship of an animal has been the difference in many a person's life. They can be God's way of comforting the lonely among us, the sick, and the elderly. I cannot imagine life without animals. I would not, nor would I tolerate in others, animal abuse or torture of any kind. It is a low form of humanity that would starve or mistreat an animal. The Bible gives us dominion over all the beast of the field. Having said that there are many scriptures that talk about stewardship. If we are given the blessing of dominion, we also bear the responsibility of stewardship. We know the parable of the talents, and we know it did not work out so well for the man who hid his talent, and was not a good steward. Lets be kind to what the Lord has given us, OKAY!!!
Having said that, ANIMALS ARE NOT HUMANS AND SHOULD NOT BE TREATED AS SUCH!!! It aggravates the living fire out of me when I see anyone compare the worth of any animal to that of a human being. I see posts on social media all the time of people, very radicalized people who seem to believe that somehow human life and the live of Fido, or FeeFee, is on the same plane. I realize these people love their animals and are very sincere, however, SIR, OR MAAM YOU ARE SINCERELY WRONG! I attended, as an exhibitor, several years ago, one of the local home and garden shows in the area. I wanted our business to be recognized in the community and was invited by the association and the local chamber of commerce to participate. Upon arriving at the facility on the first day, with my 8 year old son, who had severe allergic reactions to dog and cat dander I found out that the local humane shelter had been invited to participate in the event, and their booth was just a few feet from our display booth that we had paid a considerable sum of money to rent. The animal shelter people had their animals out of their cages and were leading dogs right in front of our display. When I kindly went to them, and explained the situation, they basically told me they were in a public building and they were going to do as they pleased. I proceeded to go to the event planner, and again plead my 8 year old son's case. They kindly moved the humane shelter folks to the other side of the building. However, it was not over, as they continued to walk past us, as if to taunt. They had, as one of the animals they had with them, a treeing walker coonhound. They also had several cats. At one point in the two day process, one of the cats got loose, then the coonhound broke free and it was total chaos with these animals running throughout all the displays, turning over things and upending several displays before the humane shelter folks finally got their animals corralled. Still, they were unrepentant towards everyone involved and at one point made the statement that My son should be left at home if he had this problem. The following year, I received the same invitation to participate in their event and I contacted the representative from the chamber of commerce to ask, Was the humane shelter coming back to this event? I was told yes, and that if I had a problem with that I was not welcome to display my products. You can imagine my response to that. RADICAL ANIMAL RIGHTS EXTREMISTS ARE MORE OF A PROBLEM NOW THAN WHEN I WROTE THE ABOVE LETTER TO THE EDITOR OVER 20 YEARS AGO. IT IS TIME THAT SOME COMMON SENSE ENTERED BACK ONTO THE SCENE. I later found out that the humane shelter in question did not even have to pay for their booth space, it was donated. Beautiful, the chamber of commerce kicked a paying customer out of their event so they could cater to this bunch of well intentioned idiots that placed the welfare of an 8 year old boy beneath their own self centered agenda! A government body practicing political correctness. I just wonder, if my son had been a minority, and an illegal alien, if the chamber would have been so quick to remove his rights from him in the place of dogs and cats. It would have certainly created a dilemma for them. It would be interesting to know how that would have went down.
In 1980, in the very same town, in the very same exhibition building, I competed in the ACHA World Coonhound Championships with my great blue tick coonhound, Mackie. As was customary, on the first afternoon, all the hounds and hunters were gathered together for a season of prayer prior to drawing and going to the woods. I will never forget one sentence of the prayer uttered that day by the Reverend Timothy Ball. He said, " let us keep in perspective as we compete this week that the life of the most valuable coon hound on this fair grounds is not as valuable as the life of the lowest man on earth." WORDS TO LIVE BY.
Rodeo Animals receive superior care...
It is my understanding that an Animal Rights League protested at the Longhorn Rodeo at Cape Girardeau. Their main concern is supposedly the health and welfare of animals. So, lets address that for a minute. These animals, who are allegedly abused, are in reality the "professional athletes" of the Horse and Cattle world. They receive superior care at all times. If they receive and injury it is treated immediately. If they need to be vaccinated they are tended to immediately. They are fed the best feed and are provided clean water and have more than ample shelter. Since animals do not need monetary reimbursement, the absolute best they can ask is to be taken good care of by their owners. If regular "blue collar" horses and cows had human feelings they would probably idolize these athletic superstars. I am equally sure some "extremist" horses and cows would be hateful and even jealous toward these "rich rodeo cows." Rodeo associations have taken many safeguards to protect all their athletes, animals and humans, just like the boxing associations, and the NFL. Rodeo animals receive superior treatment, not inferior treatment.
As far as the cowboys themselves, while they may portray to some a "macho" image, let us remember something else they stand for: They are hard workers who work from daylight to dusk. They stand for principles. During times of war they stood in defense of this great country while protesters were doing what they do best, protest. They are not flag burners or draft dodgers, which is a lot more than I can say for some of our elected officials, or for most of these animal rights extremists. Lets remember the old saying, " The cowboys best friend is his horse."
James Killion, taxpayer
I just felt compelled to share my thoughts, 20 years or so later. I promise you that my position has not changed where animal rights nuts are concerned. Now mind you, as I sit at my desk typing this I can see the hair raising on the back of some of your necks in anger. Listen, no one and I mean NO ONE enjoys animals more than me. I see them as great creations of God for our enjoyment. They are special, and the companionship of an animal has been the difference in many a person's life. They can be God's way of comforting the lonely among us, the sick, and the elderly. I cannot imagine life without animals. I would not, nor would I tolerate in others, animal abuse or torture of any kind. It is a low form of humanity that would starve or mistreat an animal. The Bible gives us dominion over all the beast of the field. Having said that there are many scriptures that talk about stewardship. If we are given the blessing of dominion, we also bear the responsibility of stewardship. We know the parable of the talents, and we know it did not work out so well for the man who hid his talent, and was not a good steward. Lets be kind to what the Lord has given us, OKAY!!!
Having said that, ANIMALS ARE NOT HUMANS AND SHOULD NOT BE TREATED AS SUCH!!! It aggravates the living fire out of me when I see anyone compare the worth of any animal to that of a human being. I see posts on social media all the time of people, very radicalized people who seem to believe that somehow human life and the live of Fido, or FeeFee, is on the same plane. I realize these people love their animals and are very sincere, however, SIR, OR MAAM YOU ARE SINCERELY WRONG! I attended, as an exhibitor, several years ago, one of the local home and garden shows in the area. I wanted our business to be recognized in the community and was invited by the association and the local chamber of commerce to participate. Upon arriving at the facility on the first day, with my 8 year old son, who had severe allergic reactions to dog and cat dander I found out that the local humane shelter had been invited to participate in the event, and their booth was just a few feet from our display booth that we had paid a considerable sum of money to rent. The animal shelter people had their animals out of their cages and were leading dogs right in front of our display. When I kindly went to them, and explained the situation, they basically told me they were in a public building and they were going to do as they pleased. I proceeded to go to the event planner, and again plead my 8 year old son's case. They kindly moved the humane shelter folks to the other side of the building. However, it was not over, as they continued to walk past us, as if to taunt. They had, as one of the animals they had with them, a treeing walker coonhound. They also had several cats. At one point in the two day process, one of the cats got loose, then the coonhound broke free and it was total chaos with these animals running throughout all the displays, turning over things and upending several displays before the humane shelter folks finally got their animals corralled. Still, they were unrepentant towards everyone involved and at one point made the statement that My son should be left at home if he had this problem. The following year, I received the same invitation to participate in their event and I contacted the representative from the chamber of commerce to ask, Was the humane shelter coming back to this event? I was told yes, and that if I had a problem with that I was not welcome to display my products. You can imagine my response to that. RADICAL ANIMAL RIGHTS EXTREMISTS ARE MORE OF A PROBLEM NOW THAN WHEN I WROTE THE ABOVE LETTER TO THE EDITOR OVER 20 YEARS AGO. IT IS TIME THAT SOME COMMON SENSE ENTERED BACK ONTO THE SCENE. I later found out that the humane shelter in question did not even have to pay for their booth space, it was donated. Beautiful, the chamber of commerce kicked a paying customer out of their event so they could cater to this bunch of well intentioned idiots that placed the welfare of an 8 year old boy beneath their own self centered agenda! A government body practicing political correctness. I just wonder, if my son had been a minority, and an illegal alien, if the chamber would have been so quick to remove his rights from him in the place of dogs and cats. It would have certainly created a dilemma for them. It would be interesting to know how that would have went down.
In 1980, in the very same town, in the very same exhibition building, I competed in the ACHA World Coonhound Championships with my great blue tick coonhound, Mackie. As was customary, on the first afternoon, all the hounds and hunters were gathered together for a season of prayer prior to drawing and going to the woods. I will never forget one sentence of the prayer uttered that day by the Reverend Timothy Ball. He said, " let us keep in perspective as we compete this week that the life of the most valuable coon hound on this fair grounds is not as valuable as the life of the lowest man on earth." WORDS TO LIVE BY.
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Dunghill Chronicles: A tale of two Aeration Systems
Dunghill Chronicles: A tale of two Aeration Systems: A tale of two Aeration Systems... Once upon a time there were two identical Aeration Septic Systems. They were both the same size, i...www.ruralregime.blogspot.com
The keynote speech given by James Killion at the 2014 Onsite Wastewater Professionals of Illinois (OWPI) conference
I thought I'd share with you the transcript for the keynote address that we recently gave at the Onsite Wastewater Professionals of Illinois conference at Collinsville.
First of all, I would like to start by giving each and every one of you a personal thank you from me personally for attending this conference. As I look across the room today at this sizable crowd, I see a lot of familiar faces, and a lot of new ones as well.
Some of you are vendors with displays in the exhibition hall. Thank you for your support. With out the participation of the manufacturers this conference would not be possible. As a manufacturers representative myself, I can tell you that it is the goal of every vendor to attract your attention for a few minutes. Walk around and enjoy the booths and talk to these folks. They are here for your benefit.
Some of you are county regulators. You are here today because you are deeply concerned about how the new code and NPDES regulations are going to effect how you do your job. You want to know what your responsibilities are, both in the eyes of the State, and in the eyes of the USEPA. There is a lot of doubt and outright concern on your part. You are on the front line along side the contractors, and you are the ones who will be the recipient of the wrath of a largely uninformed public. You just want guidance from someone on what to do.
Some of you are old contractors who have been attending for many years. You have been around and heard year after year of talk from the state and federal regulatory authorities. Talk that has finally came to pass. Many of you have been engaged in the fight to stop this from happening to our industry. Now you have to face the inevitability that on Feb 10, 2014 everything changes. Some of you thought this day would never come, and some of you are still in denial but be that as it may, here we are.
Quite a few of you are new faces, here for the first time. I want to take a moment to express how much I appreciate your attendance. I want you to feel welcome at our conference. You are here in large part, because you have to be, not because you want to be and I realize that. Continuing education, or CEU'S are now the law of the land. Now, like it or not, this is what we have to do. I understand that it is a financial burden for a small contractor. However, it is the deal if you want to be a licensed septic contractor or pumper in the state of Illinois. Hopefully you can get around, and visit with the vendors and enjoy the hospitality and leave with a better feeling than you came with. Some, if not all of you, are displeased with the prospect of new regulations and you are upset with the prospect of change. Change never comes easy and it never comes free. I challenge you to educate yourselves at this conference, embrace the new normal, and become a specialist in your part of the state. Strive to set yourselves apart from the competition in your area, and be the best you can be. Do not become a part of what will inevitably become a group of under achieving bottom feeders. A group of folks who will look to skirt the rules and do the bare minimum. These individuals do a disservice to our industry. They do a disservice to the homeowner, and the environment, but most of all they do a disservice to themselves. They drive down prices, cost themselves profit, and eventually destroy their own reputations. It is imperative that we rise above the temptation to accept the mediocre. Rise above it, embrace new technologies, and be the best septic contractor in your county.
To the State and Federal regulatory folks here today, I want to thank you for your time as well. It is not an easy proposition to walk into a conference like this, where there is the potential that some hostility may be directed towards you, and it is your job to, as it were, give us the "bad news." I do not envy your job during the course of the next two days. It is a difficult task to convince a group of independent business men that more regulation, and government intrusion is acceptable. It is a challenge to convince a county regulator that more red tape and responsibility coupled with a shrinking budget is something they should be interested in embracing. I truly would hate to be you at this conference. I challenge you, that when posed with what I am sure will be many specific questions, to be specific and concise in your answers. I believe you have it within yourselves to greatly reduce the amount of uncertainty and doubt that most of the people in this room have at this time. We as contractors and regulators are ready to comply with a uniform interpretation of these new provisions. What we need from you this week is a uniform and concise interpretation in terms that we can understand. No legal jargon, no talking in circles, no cya, just tell us what we have to do to be right. That is all we ask of you.
To each and every person, regulator, vendor, and contractor who attends these break out sessions, I challenge you to ask enough questions to understand what is going to be required of you. Ask specific questions that may apply to your business. The antidote for confusion is education. The cure for the problem we are currently faced with is a definitive understanding of the new rules that will only come through the seeking out of an answer. If you leave this conference with unanswered questions and doubts, you shouldn't because the proper authorities are in the house to be able to give you the answers you need. I would ask each and every person under the sound of my voice to refrain from as it were "killing the messenger." These speakers are not themselves at fault for what we are faced with. They are representatives for a government body that is in and of itself dysfunctional to its very core. A government more concerned with appeasing a few environmental extremists that caring for the well being of its citizenry. A government that seems bent on the destruction of private enterprise and a rural lifestyle lived since the inception of this great nation. I still believe the United States is the greatest nation in the cosmos. One of God Almighty's greatest gifts to humanity.
These Men and Women are not bad people, they are merely the ones selected by higher ups to be "thrown to the wolves" so to speak. If anyone is to be punished by the citizenry, it should be done at the ballot box, by firing every politician, state, federal and local, right down to the dog catcher of either party who runs scared from a radicalized environmental movement that would erode every opportunity you have to pursue life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Some of you are asking, why should I support OWPI? What are the benefits? Well I am glad you asked! Belonging to OWPI provides you with a network of the manufacturers. The best and the brightest in this industry. The best in the world. With new challenges comes new opportunity. Belonging to OWPI provides you with the benefit of having a voice. If radical extremists had won the battle, Illinois would be a zero surface discharge state and as perverse as some of these changes are, it would have been much worse, were it not for the efforts of board members, and membership, both current, and past that made many trips to hearings, at their own personal expense to fight for all of us. Men and Women like the late Larry Vansickle, Calvin and Valetta Locker, Randy Gebke, Jesse James, and many others too numerous to mention that fought the good fight to keep us with installation options we would not otherwise have today except for these good people. The truth is this, we need your help. New members, with fresh ideas and renewed energy is essential if we are to continue to stave off the more radicalized changes that will be coming in years to come. While some of the pioneers of this association have retired, or went on to meet the Almighty, I want you to know that the goals and ideals of protecting our liberties is still indeed an honorable one. I present those of you today who have not been involved in OWPI up till now with a "Call to Arms." I challenge you to be a servant to your industry for a period of time and consider becoming an active part of our organization. As the late John F Kennedy once so famously stated, "Ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country." I would like to take a little liberty today and paraphrase slightly by saying this... Ask not what your industry can do for you, but ask what you can do for your industry. It is imperative that we have assets and manpower in place that can be brought to bear when new industry challenges come.
One thing is certain, those who oppose our industry will never stop short of their ultimate goal, which is to eliminate all rural development through the over regulation of the private wastewater industry. We owe it to generations of the future to do our part, first and foremost by being good, reputable, and consistent stewards of the planet that God Almighty has entrusted to us. By using good industry practices that produce good results that our enemies cannot use against us in years to come. Be the best in your county. Excel to a level of greatness in your industry. Each and every one of you have it within yourselves to be a great asset to this industry, the environment, and your community. Nothing is stopping you, except you.
Thank you again for your attendance and we look forward to seeing each of you again at next years event. Your participation makes this event possible. If I do not get an opportunity to shake your hand, come over and let me speak personally to you for a few minutes. I am truly grateful for your participation. Thank You!
First of all, I would like to start by giving each and every one of you a personal thank you from me personally for attending this conference. As I look across the room today at this sizable crowd, I see a lot of familiar faces, and a lot of new ones as well.
Some of you are vendors with displays in the exhibition hall. Thank you for your support. With out the participation of the manufacturers this conference would not be possible. As a manufacturers representative myself, I can tell you that it is the goal of every vendor to attract your attention for a few minutes. Walk around and enjoy the booths and talk to these folks. They are here for your benefit.
Some of you are county regulators. You are here today because you are deeply concerned about how the new code and NPDES regulations are going to effect how you do your job. You want to know what your responsibilities are, both in the eyes of the State, and in the eyes of the USEPA. There is a lot of doubt and outright concern on your part. You are on the front line along side the contractors, and you are the ones who will be the recipient of the wrath of a largely uninformed public. You just want guidance from someone on what to do.
Some of you are old contractors who have been attending for many years. You have been around and heard year after year of talk from the state and federal regulatory authorities. Talk that has finally came to pass. Many of you have been engaged in the fight to stop this from happening to our industry. Now you have to face the inevitability that on Feb 10, 2014 everything changes. Some of you thought this day would never come, and some of you are still in denial but be that as it may, here we are.
Quite a few of you are new faces, here for the first time. I want to take a moment to express how much I appreciate your attendance. I want you to feel welcome at our conference. You are here in large part, because you have to be, not because you want to be and I realize that. Continuing education, or CEU'S are now the law of the land. Now, like it or not, this is what we have to do. I understand that it is a financial burden for a small contractor. However, it is the deal if you want to be a licensed septic contractor or pumper in the state of Illinois. Hopefully you can get around, and visit with the vendors and enjoy the hospitality and leave with a better feeling than you came with. Some, if not all of you, are displeased with the prospect of new regulations and you are upset with the prospect of change. Change never comes easy and it never comes free. I challenge you to educate yourselves at this conference, embrace the new normal, and become a specialist in your part of the state. Strive to set yourselves apart from the competition in your area, and be the best you can be. Do not become a part of what will inevitably become a group of under achieving bottom feeders. A group of folks who will look to skirt the rules and do the bare minimum. These individuals do a disservice to our industry. They do a disservice to the homeowner, and the environment, but most of all they do a disservice to themselves. They drive down prices, cost themselves profit, and eventually destroy their own reputations. It is imperative that we rise above the temptation to accept the mediocre. Rise above it, embrace new technologies, and be the best septic contractor in your county.
To the State and Federal regulatory folks here today, I want to thank you for your time as well. It is not an easy proposition to walk into a conference like this, where there is the potential that some hostility may be directed towards you, and it is your job to, as it were, give us the "bad news." I do not envy your job during the course of the next two days. It is a difficult task to convince a group of independent business men that more regulation, and government intrusion is acceptable. It is a challenge to convince a county regulator that more red tape and responsibility coupled with a shrinking budget is something they should be interested in embracing. I truly would hate to be you at this conference. I challenge you, that when posed with what I am sure will be many specific questions, to be specific and concise in your answers. I believe you have it within yourselves to greatly reduce the amount of uncertainty and doubt that most of the people in this room have at this time. We as contractors and regulators are ready to comply with a uniform interpretation of these new provisions. What we need from you this week is a uniform and concise interpretation in terms that we can understand. No legal jargon, no talking in circles, no cya, just tell us what we have to do to be right. That is all we ask of you.
To each and every person, regulator, vendor, and contractor who attends these break out sessions, I challenge you to ask enough questions to understand what is going to be required of you. Ask specific questions that may apply to your business. The antidote for confusion is education. The cure for the problem we are currently faced with is a definitive understanding of the new rules that will only come through the seeking out of an answer. If you leave this conference with unanswered questions and doubts, you shouldn't because the proper authorities are in the house to be able to give you the answers you need. I would ask each and every person under the sound of my voice to refrain from as it were "killing the messenger." These speakers are not themselves at fault for what we are faced with. They are representatives for a government body that is in and of itself dysfunctional to its very core. A government more concerned with appeasing a few environmental extremists that caring for the well being of its citizenry. A government that seems bent on the destruction of private enterprise and a rural lifestyle lived since the inception of this great nation. I still believe the United States is the greatest nation in the cosmos. One of God Almighty's greatest gifts to humanity.
These Men and Women are not bad people, they are merely the ones selected by higher ups to be "thrown to the wolves" so to speak. If anyone is to be punished by the citizenry, it should be done at the ballot box, by firing every politician, state, federal and local, right down to the dog catcher of either party who runs scared from a radicalized environmental movement that would erode every opportunity you have to pursue life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Some of you are asking, why should I support OWPI? What are the benefits? Well I am glad you asked! Belonging to OWPI provides you with a network of the manufacturers. The best and the brightest in this industry. The best in the world. With new challenges comes new opportunity. Belonging to OWPI provides you with the benefit of having a voice. If radical extremists had won the battle, Illinois would be a zero surface discharge state and as perverse as some of these changes are, it would have been much worse, were it not for the efforts of board members, and membership, both current, and past that made many trips to hearings, at their own personal expense to fight for all of us. Men and Women like the late Larry Vansickle, Calvin and Valetta Locker, Randy Gebke, Jesse James, and many others too numerous to mention that fought the good fight to keep us with installation options we would not otherwise have today except for these good people. The truth is this, we need your help. New members, with fresh ideas and renewed energy is essential if we are to continue to stave off the more radicalized changes that will be coming in years to come. While some of the pioneers of this association have retired, or went on to meet the Almighty, I want you to know that the goals and ideals of protecting our liberties is still indeed an honorable one. I present those of you today who have not been involved in OWPI up till now with a "Call to Arms." I challenge you to be a servant to your industry for a period of time and consider becoming an active part of our organization. As the late John F Kennedy once so famously stated, "Ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country." I would like to take a little liberty today and paraphrase slightly by saying this... Ask not what your industry can do for you, but ask what you can do for your industry. It is imperative that we have assets and manpower in place that can be brought to bear when new industry challenges come.
One thing is certain, those who oppose our industry will never stop short of their ultimate goal, which is to eliminate all rural development through the over regulation of the private wastewater industry. We owe it to generations of the future to do our part, first and foremost by being good, reputable, and consistent stewards of the planet that God Almighty has entrusted to us. By using good industry practices that produce good results that our enemies cannot use against us in years to come. Be the best in your county. Excel to a level of greatness in your industry. Each and every one of you have it within yourselves to be a great asset to this industry, the environment, and your community. Nothing is stopping you, except you.
Thank you again for your attendance and we look forward to seeing each of you again at next years event. Your participation makes this event possible. If I do not get an opportunity to shake your hand, come over and let me speak personally to you for a few minutes. I am truly grateful for your participation. Thank You!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)