National Clothesline

I.C. Smith, Jr. had believed for several years that there was something funny in the water he used to clean clothes at his cleaning plant in Fayetteville, NC.

Recently, a Cumberland County jury agreed with Smith and awarded him $409,132 in damages from the Fayetteville Public Works Commission.

Smith filed a lawsuit against the PWC last year, citing that discolored water from his water line damaged his drycleaning equipment and spotted clothing during the cleaning process. According to the lawsuit, Smith had first reported the problem over five years ago, but the utility company didn’t fix it until last year.

Smith’s lawyer, Jim Goodman, believed the repairs should have come much sooner.

“A municaplity that’s operating a water utility has a duty to respond promptly,” he said.

Making matters worse, Goodman noted, was that the PWC responded to Smith’s original complaint by flushing the wrong water line.

On two occasions, Smith was informed by PWC employees that the equipment and clothing damage was caused by his own equipment. Nevertheless, he continued to file complaints about the problem and, in December of 2002, the PWC sent its construction operations manager, Rick Davis, to examine the cleaning facility.

In Smith’s deposition, he explained that Davis cut a water line in the back of the business and clear water streamed out for approximately five minutes. However, then the clear liquid inexplicably turned dark and rusty.

“If I had drank that, you could stick me on the wall with a magnet,” Smith said in his testimony.

It was eventually discovered that the line running water to Smitty’s Cleaners was corroded. The problem was solved when a newer line was installed.

Carolyn Hinson, a spokeswoman for the PWC, said the utility company’s lawyers will review the details of the case in order to decide if an appeal should be filed.

“There’s always potential for discolored water,” she told the Fayetteville Observer. “You have these pipes underground. Over the course of time, there is going to be some sediment in those lines and that’s what some of that comes from. It’s normal for a water system.”

The company plans to perform additional work on pipes in the area, finishing up by the end of summer. Hinson made the distinction that the work is not being performed because of the lawsuit, but rather, it is part of the company’s normal, routine maintenance.

“Part of our hope is that it cuts down or eliminates incidents of discolored water,” she said.

Cleaners Credit Union began voluntary liquidation at the close of business on April 12.

An announcement from the credit union said that administration of existing loans and procedures for disbursement of existing shares will be assigned by the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance, 2990 Brandywine Rd., Suite 200, Atlanta, GA 30341.

In the announcement, board chairman M. J. “Bud” Subit said, “adverse classification of some of our loans by regulatory agencies made our credit union less attractive as a merger partner for some other existing credit unions.

“Those who do want us have not received the joint approval of the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance and the National Credit Union Administration.”

The credit union continued to pay dividends through the end of March, 2004 and currently has more than $1 million in cash and corporate bonds, said Phil Bearden, executive director. But the future ability to pay competitive dividends and meeting ongoing expenses “appears economically unsure,” Bearden said.

In its early years, the credit union was led by the fiscally conservative Sam Bunn and has provided hundreds of loans for fourth- and fifth-generation drycleaning machines, the announcement noted. Bunn has volunteered many hours in the office over the past year.

“Having been present at the credit union’s birth during a breakfast meting back in 1971, I’m saddened to be a figurative pall bearer today,” said current board member Bobby Landers. “I believe the credit union has served the industry and its members honorably. The contribution of a multitude of volunteer directors has been immeasurable.”

With four classes scheduled in May and an additional four in June, the East Coast School of Drycleaning will offer a little of everything under the sun in the warm climate of Riviera Beach, Florida.

Beginning on Friday, May 7, students will have a chance to learn more about wetcleaning, including topics such as sales aspects, chemical processes, production procedures and garment compatibility. A second wetcleaning course has also been planned for Saturday, June 12.

“Counter Training” will take place on Saturday, May 15, and cover the most effective communication techniques for interacting with customers. There will be an emphasis on upselling and analyzing garments and stains for treatment when they initially come across the counter.

On Saturday, May 22, attendees can learn more about alternative solvents, including: CO2, GreenEarth, Rynex and hydrocarbons, as well as chlorinated and petroleum-based solvents. A second class is planned for Friday, June 25.

“Bleaching & Advanced Spotting Technology” will be the focus of a class on Friday, May 28, with special attention paid to modern techniques and live demonstrations.

Rounding out the upcoming courses will be one on “Finishing” on Friday, June 4, and one on “Hydra Air Dry Cleaning Machine Operations” on Saturday, June 19.

All classes will meet for one day from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. The cost is $225 per person for those who register at least one month in advance; otherwise, the cost rises to $250 per person.

For more details about the courses, visit the school’s web site.