Midatlantic News

Networking and education are two vitals keys to success, according to the Pennsylvania and Delaware Cleaners Association, which recently concluded its second Elbow to Elbow reception and announced plans for several upcoming seminars.

PDCA recently held an “Elbow to Elbow” social event for drycleaners on Nov. 7 in Conshohocken, a suburb of Philadelphia, PA. Prior to that, the association held a similar reception at the Marriott Hotel In Harrisburg, PA, in September.

The event was co-sponsored by PDCA and various allied trades, including DCCS, Fergusson McKenna Supply, TRA Insurance Services and 20th Century Leathers and Pinstripes Garment Services. The friendly social setting gave industry members an opportunity to share opinions and talk with each other free of slick speeches and sales pitches.

Chairman for the program was Mark Pollock of Betty Brite Cleaners, who also serves as PDCA’s secretary.

As a result of the impressive turnouts for both “Elbow to Elbow” events, PDCA plans to hold more in the future.

Also on the horizon for the association are several educational seminars, including one on Friday, September 9 at the Harrisburg Hilton Hotel.

A wide variety of generic maintenance information will be presented, as well as several ideas for how to run an efficient drycleaning plant.

PDCA also has a series of compliance and environmental update seminars tentatively scheduled for March. The seminars will be coordinated by John Miller of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and Cecily Beale of EnviroHelp, the agency designed to provide compliance help and information to businesses. At least three compliance and environmental update seminars will be held across Pennsylvania.

For more information about upcoming events with PDCA, contact the association by calling (215) 830-8495, or visit them online at www.pdclean.org.

The MidAtlantic Association of Cleaners has five new directors and three new officers for the coming term. At the association’s annual meeting on Oct. 20, it was announced that the following volunteer leaders were elected to represent various districts for two-year terms: Karen Gross will cover Maryland’s newly combined Bay/DC District; Russ Kaplan will represent the Maryland Atlantic District; Mitch Wheeler will handle the Virginia Blue Ridge District; Gary Glover will cover the Virginia Colonial District; and the new Allied Trade Representative will be Jeff Goldstein.

During the meeting, MAC’s Board of Directors also selected Charles Young of Superior Laundry in Charleston, WV, to serve a second one-year term as president. Serving as vice president will be Gene Moorefield of Moorefield’s Quality Drycleaners in Altavista, VA, who previously held the officer position of treasurer. Doug Wyatt of Julian’s Cleaners in Danville, VA, will be the new treasurer. Wyatt has previously held numerous committee positions for MAC and most recently represented the Virginia Blue Ride District as its director.

In other recent announcements, MAC selected Walter Rivas for its Annual Scholarship Award for practical training at the International Fabricare Institute. Rivas is employed at Puritan Cleaners in Richmond, VA. He stated in his scholarship request that he sought to enhance his skills and assist his company through additional practical training taught by experts.

For more information on MAC, contact the association by phone at (800) 235-8360 or visit its web site at www.macla.net.

MAC is the IFI affiliate representing members in Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia and the District of Columbia.

A new round of inspections will start soon, Inspector Bill Warren explained to the large group that attended the Pennsylvania and Delaware Cleaners Association-sponsored seminar on Oct. 24 presented by Delaware’s Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.

Warren was one of three staff members who participated in the meeting that was moderated by Delaware Ombudsman Kim Finch. He outlined the process he uses to conduct inspections and told the audience how to prepare and what to expect.

Regulator James Snead said the DNREC is working on the development of Source Category permits and hopes to have them completed by spring of 2002. Modeling of risks was begun in July and is supposed to be completed by next summer, Snead said, but may be a little behind schedule.

At this point, it has been found that perc concentration in the air in New Castle county is four times greater than in Kent county, but not determined yet is whether that concentration is a hazard. He feels that in future regulations, co-location, whether the site is shared with a residence or certain types of business, will be a factor.

Hazardous waste inspector Bob Palmer detailed the various methods of legal waste disposal, reminding people that neon light bulbs must also be disposed of properly, because of their high mercury content.

Anyone with questions should contact Kim Finch at 302/739-6400.