November 4, 2008
This month’s Air Quality Honor Roll announces three new nominees. These individuals are considered admirable for their extra efforts to help clean our Valley’s air. Here are the nominees for this month’s Air Quality Honor Roll:
Joe Laudick Jeff Luke Robert Watley
Sun State Builders, Inc. KB Home Phoenix, Inc. D.L. Withers Construction
1150 W. Washington, Ste. 120 432 N. 44th St., Ste 400 3220 E. Harbour Dr.
Tempe, AZ 85281 Phoenix, AZ 85008 Phoenix, AZ 85034
Joe Laudick oversees environmental compliance at various Sun State Builders, Inc. sites in the area of Buckeye Road and 75th Avenue. Dust inspector Brendan Haugh interacted with Laudick frequently during his last few inspections and noted Laudick’s site at 73rd Avenue & Sherman models outstanding dust control. “While the county sets the opacity standard for dust emissions at 20%, Laudick holds his sites to a 0% standard” commented Haugh. “Laudick puts forth the maximum amount of effort to achieve the highest degree of compliance.”
Jeff Luke, director of construction for KB Home Phoenix, Inc. received a nomination for his site at 63rd Avenue & Baseline Road in Avalon Village. Dust inspector Matthew Morris stated Luke’s site is extremely well crusted and stabilized, including the inactive sites. “All of the subcontractors on site had water hoses that they carried along with them” said Morris. “Every subcontractor was clearly logged with their registration number and the dust control logs were well maintained with all the information we require. I was very impressed.”
Robert Watley, superintendent for D.L. Withers Construction LP reportedly takes dust control very seriously. Dust inspector Anne Harris mentioned positive efforts taken at four of Watley’s sites in Phoenix, all near public high schools, which he visits multiple times daily to ensure compliance. “Watley takes the time to ensure not even the smallest amount of emissions cross over to the populated areas of the schools,” indicated Harris. “I’ve seen workers hired to be on his sites to monitor dust control even while no work was occurring. Watley told me he thinks it is extremely important to keep the site moist at all times due to their locations.”
“Maricopa County is proud to have these citizens who demonstrate exemplary work when it comes to protecting our air quality,” said Andy Kunasek, chairman for the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors. “Air quality is one of our biggest priorities right now.”
The Air Quality Department’s new director, Lawrence Odle, agrees. “While we have dust control mandates in place, the air quality will not improve by rules alone,” he said. “This is going to take everyone’s hard work, including these honorable site leaders, to help us clean up our 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.
Qualifying nominees to 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.