Bomag searching for oldest roller
Still using the same roller you had when you started in business? If it’s a Bomag, the company wants to hear about it. To celebrate their 50th anniversary, Bomag is searching for the oldest operating ride-on roller in North America, and will reward the owner with a trip to Germany.
The “Rollin’ with the Oldies” contest is open to all contractors in the United States and Canada, and both single- and tandem-drum machines are eligible. Jerry Randecker, president, Bomag Americas, says a number of machines will qualify. “There are quite a few Bomag rollers in operation that are 20, 30 years old or older,” he says.
Deadline for submissions is September 30, 2008, and machines entered must have the original name or nameplate and serial number intact. To enter the contest, contact a Bomag distributor or visit www.gobomag.com/oldies. All contactors who enter receive a free gift and will have their photo and machine posted on the website.
– Amy Materson
Backhoe operator performing on Canadian Idol
Bob’s Backhoe Service employee Earl Stevenson of Lloydminister, Canada, spends his days working in and around watery wellheads and cellars fixing electrical wiring, structural issues and busted pipes. Now, Stevenson, who is also a musician, spends his nights singing in front of millions. Stevenson has made the final four in the Canadian television reality show Canadian Idol.
What prompted him to audition for the show? “I had been gigging around for a couple of years, and my mom and sister had been big fans of the show during that time. I just figured I might as well try it out,” says Stevenson.
Earl’s post-Canadian Idol plans include releasing an album and opening a show for Kim Mitchell in Lloydminister – as part of the opening Stevenson will arrive in a Case backhoe.
– Adam Giannini
Word for Word
“I do my inspections not because the federal government or some local entity tells me to, but so I can sleep at night.”
– Mike Green, president of Crocker Crane Rentals in Austin, Texas, explaining to the Austin American Statesman his motivation for regular independent crane inspections.
“At some point, relying on miracles is not going to be the best way to manage our system. I would pray we don’t have to have another disaster to bring about the right attention to this. I see very little political will there.”
– Pete Rahn, transportation commissioner of Missouri, to the Associated Press about structurally deficient bridges.
“The bank took a healthy project and destroyed it. It’s our belief that they had no legal grounds and no legitimate practical concerns for refusing to continue funding it.”
– Attorney Matthew Quint to the Wall Street Journal about a bank refusing to release funds from a client’s construction loan on a hotel project, choosing instead to follow a growing trend by lenders of holding onto the capital and pulling out of the project.
