August 1, 2008
Supervisors with three construction companies made it to this month’s Air Quality Honor Roll. These nominees exhibited above average dust control practices which made each of them worthy of an honorable mention.
The following individuals have been nominated for the Air Quality Honor Roll:
- Brandon Parkinson – Asante L.H. LLC (Lennar Corporation) - 1150 W. Grove Parkway, Ste. 108 - Tempe, AZ 85283
- Brian Kruer - Vratsinas Construction Company - 1410 S. Signal Butte Road - Mesa, AZ 85208
- Vince Castillo - Sundt Construction Inc. - 552 N. Miller Road - Tempe, AZ 85282
“We are pleased to see these positive efforts being made by our Valley homebuilders,” stated Andy Kunasek, chairman of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors. “It is good to highlight those who take the quality of our air just as seriously as we do.”
Brandon Parkinson with Lennar Corporation was nominated by dust inspector Dennis Avila with the Maricopa County Air Quality Department. Their site, located at 163rd Avenue & Grand, hasn’t had any violations for the past six months and is 810 acres. According to Avila, Lennar continues to comply and/or exceed the county requirements for dust control at this site. “They have spent time, money and effort to maintain an effective dust control program,” explains Avila. In addition to Lennar’s impressive dust control efforts, Chris Pacheco with Focus Environmental assists on site by patrolling the areas currently not under construction to ensure no one disturbs the dust.
Brian Kruer with Vratsinas Construction Company was nominated by dust inspector Jana Baldwin for his site located at 1410 S. Signal Butte Road. “Mr. Kruer and his team have gone the extra mile for dust control at this location,” stated Baldwin. In July, Mr. Kruer requested a courtesy inspection from the department to ensure he was in compliance when moving his trackout control device on a road development project. In addition, Kruer reportedly drafted his own recordkeeping template which includes information above and beyond what the county’s new dust control rule requires.
Vince Castillo, nominated by dust inspector Phil Garcia, received this honorable mention for keeping a well-maintained site at 552 N. Miller Road in Buckeye. Garcia noted that Castillo carried out dust control efforts prior to knowing that a dust inspector was onsite. “I witnessed oversized vehicles drive under the speed limit on the unpaved portion of Miller Road to limit any fugitive dust emissions,” stated Garcia. Castillo’s site also had a trackout control device even though it wasn’t required.
“The Maricopa County Air Quality Department strives to spotlight the additional efforts that industries take to stay in compliance,” adds Joy Rich, interim director for the department. “Each nominee’s actions have contributed to the steps necessary for achieving cleaner air.”
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The Air Quality Honor Roll was created by the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors in association with the Maricopa County Air Quality Department in an effort to recognize persons or entities for going “above and beyond” air pollution rules and regulations.
The Air Quality Honor Roll will be announced on a monthly basis at the first of each month. Please visit Maricopa County’s website at www.maricopa.gov to learn more about Maricopa County news and events.