National Clothesline

An Indiana drycleaner who was fined over $8,000 by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management ended up with a negotiated fine of $3,200.

According to the Indiana Drycleaning and Laundry Association, the cleaner relied on a supervisor to complete leak detection, rolling totals and maintenance forms for his operation. The supervisor forgot to post zero gallons of perc purchased for several months, causing the rolling total to be off.

Also, a leaking gasket on the still was noted. The owners tightened the screw to the still gasket, but forgot to note the correction on the leak detection form, resulting in another fine.

The other violation was for putting separator water into a chiller for evaporation.

Although these were not major violations, the cleaner was in violation and thus was fined.

After the drycleaner appeared before the IDEM enforcement group, he purchased a carbon filtered unit for his separator water evaporation.

Showing the receipt and pictures to IDEM probably helped to reduce the original amount of fines, IDLA said.

IDLA said it appears that IDEM has grown impatient with seeing certain violations time after time and has stepped up its fine structure and enforcement procedures.

IDLA said the case is but one of many that are occurring daily in Indiana. Cleaners who need assistance can call the IDLA office, (800) 401-0703.

Cleaners hoping to secure discounted room reservations for the Minnesota Cleaners Association 2004 annual convention are running out of time.

The Mystic Lake Casino and Hotel will be offering a rate of $85 per night for single or double occupancy to those who call (952) 445-9000 and mention the event prior to the January 20 deadline.

This year, the convention will take place from February 20-21 in Prior Lake, MN.

In an effort to differentiate itself from the “same old” convention programming, MCA constructed a program based on its members’ suggestions.

A panel discussion will kick off on Friday when local county inspectors join experts from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the Minnesota Technical Assistance Program.

Attendees will have an opportunity to ask panel members questions about the Best Management Practices that are being developed, as well as any other important industry issues, such as what is looked for during inspections.

On the following day, MCA will feature seminars that emphasize how to increase profits and minimize losses.

Additionally, a roundtable panel will focus on the subjects of equipment maintenance, financial planning advice, environmental law, training new customer service representatives, quality inspections and budget vs. high-end drycleaning.

Early on Saturday, the Boiler Licensing test will take place.

In addition to the educational opportunities, vendors will be present at this year’s event. During lunch on Saturday, MCA will offer an allotment of social interaction time between exhibitors and attendees.

To keep things entertaining, MCA’s Annual Silent Auction will be back by popular demand, as well.

Attendees can capitalize on the convenient method to support the association by having fun purchasing some interesting auction items. Bids can be made on merchandise at the beginning of registration early Friday evening. The winners will be announced later in the night.

For more information on MCA’s 2004 annual convention, contact the association office by calling (651) 290-6267.

The American Club of Kohler, WI, will host the Wisconsin Fabricare Institute’s 2004 convention, which takes place Feb. 6-8.

Those planning on attending can capitalize on a discounted room rate of $125 per night for single or double occupancy for those who call the hotel at (800) 344-2838 by January 6 and mention their affiliation with WFI.

WFI is planning a comprehensive program that will feature tabletop exhibits, educational seminars and exams for cleaners seeking certification or recertification.

The certification testing will run from 3 to 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 6. Afterward, registration for the convention begins at 6 p.m., with a reception and dinner scheduled thirty minutes later.

On Saturday morning, the general business sessions will kick off at 9:30 a.m. with “Recruitment, Retention and Training” by Rebekah Kubista, senior human resources specialist at the American Club.

The seminar will help employers better understand the impact training and development has on recruitment, retention and the overall success of an organization.

Later in the day, Terry Ludeman will present a program entitled “Wisconsin’s Changing Demographics — Future Industries and Workforce.” Ludeman, the chief of workforce planning at the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, will outline recent changes in Wisconsin’s labor market. He will also take a look at some pending labor developments, both short-term and long-term.

In the afternoon, allied trades will have time to set up exhibit displays from 1 to 2 p.m. before the 90-minute Table Top Dessert Reception begins at 2 p.m.

WFI will also host an auction with refreshments that day from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. and a banquet dinner at 6:30 p.m. where the association will present its annual Five-Star awards, the Fitzgerald Scholarship drawing and the new Hall of Fame inductees. IFI CEO Bill Fisher will deliver a “State of the Industry” address.

Sunday morning’s sessions will begin at 9 a.m. with “Advertising and Promoting the Kohler Image” by Michael G. Mueller, director of communications and internet service for the Kohler Company.

He will discuss his role in managing the creative services area of the Kohler Company, covering topics such as: copywriting/design, multi-media production, the internet and trade shows. Mueller has over twenty years of experience in marketing and branding altogether.

Following that seminar at 10:30 a.m.will be another by Jerry Marxhausen, senior vice president of sales for Hart-Schaffner & Marx. The 75-minutes program is called “Dressing up with Attitude.”

Since college, Marxhausen has worked his way up in Hart-Schaffner & Marx and now manages the company’s men’s fashion apparel department.

WFI offers special convention rates for attendees, including an all-events package for $165 per person. The package includes the Friday evening banquet dinner and hospitality, the Saturday breakfast, all business sessions, the tabletop reception, the Saturday banquet dinner and hospitality, the Sunday continental breakfast, and lunches on both Saturday and Sunday.

Partial packages are available, as well. Non-members pay an extra $20 for the all-events package or an extra $5 per individual package. After January 29, the rates for members and non-members will go up an extra $20 for the all-events package and $5 per individual package. For more information, call WFI, (414) 529-4707.

Ohio Governor Bob Taft recently announced that Ohio has a newly-created ombudsmen program designed to help small businesses interact with state agencies.

The Ohio Small Business Council (OSBC) applauded the decision, believing that the government should provide small business owners with contact who can help them make sense of complex regulatory issues.

The program will be free to the public and will be located in the Ohio Department of Development’s Office of Small Businesses.

Businesses seeking to utilize the ombudsmen program have the option to request anonymity.

Small business inquiry forms will soon be posted on the state web site, www.state.oh.us.

Assistance may also be sought by calling (800) 248-4040 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.