The (3rd QTR) Fall Board of Directors meeting was held at the Stagecoach Inn in Salado on October 15th, 2011. President Dennis Foerster called the meeting to order at 4:00 PM.

Roll call was made and those present were: Dennis Foerster, Chad Ottmers, John Frerich, Walter Rothwell, Edmund Jenschke, Eddie Leatherwood, Bobby Watts, Ed Smith, J D Godby, Galen Weber, Tommy Watson, L. D. Krause, Trooper Irving, Clint Krause, Marty Caston, and Dave Sund.

The agenda was reviewed and Dennis called for any other items which needed to be included on the agenda. Executive secretary noted that Bob Turner had planned to be at the meeting but wasn?t able to due to funeral arrangement for Turners neighbor and cousin. There being no other changes, the agenda was approved by general consensus.

The minutes of the past board meeting of June 25th, in Kerrville, were provided for directors? review. The board approved the minutes as provided by a unanimous vote.

The financial report was then given by the executive secretary and a copy projected for viewing by all directors present. The bank balance was noted and totals for income and expenses resulted in a net of $2,227.25 income from operations for the 3rd Qtr. Last years financial report was also compared to this quarter?s report. The accumulated totals for the year were given as well as a review of our CD investments. Members renewing their membership for the quarter were reviewed and new member was noted as J. R. Schneider Construction, James and Mary Schneider of Austin who had been a member in the past. As it stood for this quarter we have 164 members paid up to date. The board approved the financial report as given.

Under old business, Executive Secretary, Carl Englerth, reported on the stakeholders meeting at TCEQ in Austin with regards to developing the rules for HB571 on aggregate processing operations and how it will affect our contractors. Recommendation made by Carl and Bob Turner were that a waiver permit be allowed for those operations which are only temporary and may only be used once or twice a month to provide fill soil for dressing up a construction site. Also, recommended were levels or tiers of production be based on cubic yards instead of tons since most of our contractors work on cubic yard basis. While at the meeting, it was found that this permit was going to be an additional permit for those that presently have an air permit. We ask that the two permits be combined into one permit. Suggestion was made that we might want to consider combining forces with the Texas Aggregate and Concrete Association (TACA) whose office is in Austin as an Allied member to TACA. Dr. Rich Szachy is the Executive Officer. It was also suggested that we might get Rich or Tommy Matthews with Westward Environment to come to our next meeting in January to discuss some of the rules.

The next item under old business was the agreement with Recovery Concepts which was tabled at the last meeting. Since company representative was not able to be at the meeting, a motion was made to leave it on the table and the board approved the motion.

Dennis ask for any suggestion for changes to the membership directory. Some changes in the ad placement was request by two associates. No other changes were provided except for some address changes. It was hoped that the membership directory would be coming to all members in January.

The next item was time and place for the 2012 annual meeting. The executive secretary reviewed hotel bids from Waco since no suitable sites were found in Possum Kingdom, Jacksboro or Victoria. Other locations were discussed with no decision. It was suggested that July 20 & 21 would be good for Waco. The board asked that we check possible meeting space at another location and the executive secretary would check that possibility out before the next meeting. The only decision that was made was to have the meeting in July.

Under new business, President Dennis Foerster appointed the following committees: Audit Committee is J D Godby, Clint Krause, and John Frerich, Legislative Committee is Eddie Leatherwood and Marty Caston, and the By-Laws Committee is Bobby Watts and Galen Weber.

The Texas State Bonsai Project & Holt CAT request for participation by ECAT was presented as the second item of new business. Holt would be willing to provide equipment and would like to ask other equipment dealers to help with the equipment needs for the project. The project plans were reviewed. A question was raised as to what ECAT would get out of the project which will be addressed with the Texas Bonsai Project Coordinators. On the question of ECAT participation, the board unanimously approved a motion that we participate in the project. Additional information on the project would be reviewed after meeting with the sponsors.

Dennis asked for suggestions for the January meeting place. Discussion was held to try to have the meeting when the rules for the HB 571 could be reviewed. The Board unanimously approved a motion to have the meeting in Marble Falls late enough to have a copy of the rules for HB 571 or on January 14th so we can discuss and make recommendation.

There being no further business to come before the meeting, the Board approved a motion to adjourn and meet at the Stagecoach Inn Restaurant for the evening meal.

Respectfully Submitted,

John Frerich

ECAT, Secretary

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Update 12/15/11 - Austin   Well - Well - - we are finishing yet another year - hard to believe that 2012 is here. Not sure where 2011 went - sometimes get the feeling that perhaps I simply "blew" it. Of course 2011 was a regular legislative year - with a regular session, followed immediately by one special session. This has been one of the most challenging and time consuming legislative sessions that I have ever dealt with. This was possibly also one of the least productive sessions in a long time.

Of major concern to me is the obvious lack of willingness to compromise on issues. Whether we like it or not, compromise is the only means by which a workable solution can be reached -- especially when we are talking about a population of 25 million Texans, ALL with very diverse opinions and goals. BUT, for a government of the people "for the people--- to work" - it is obvious that each of this 25 million Texans can not totally have their way. Compromise on these varying opinions and ideas is a must --and this CAN BE DONE without compromising our principals.

Another obvious area that is making governing more difficult is the lack of civility. It is a good and healthy thing for us to have differing philosophies, and this can be done through civil/cordial debate, without showing total disdain or treating other people with differing ideas rudely.

As we now face the reality of what the combination of the 2010 census and the re-districting process that it brought on, we are facing new challenges. The courts have now thrown out the new district maps that the State Legislature agreed upon. This is creating all manner of new problems for legislators, and those who wish to run for the legislature in even knowing where the district lines are, and which district they might even reside in. Filing deadlines were moved forward from Dec 15th to Dec 19th, in an attempt to let the courts more clearly define where the districts are. SO -- the "rest of the story" is --e really do not know, even at this late date where the district lines are, OR, who might be our Representative or Congressman.

Hopefully, there will be no special sessions during 2012, with the next regular session of the State Legislature scheduled for the 2nd Tuesday in January of 2013. There are some "much brighter" lights at the end of the tunnel. Sales tax revenue increased this past month by 15.2% over the same period last year. The entire year of 2011 showed very positive gains in sales tax revenue - - remember, this is one of the state's major sources of revenue. The sales tax for 2011 is actually comparable, or slightly above the 2007 level, which of course, was prior to the 2009-2010 recession. In addition to this, the high level of oil and gas prices is generating revenue for the state's oil and gas severance tax, which is also another major source of revenue for the state. The state's "rainy day fund", which is fueled from this severance tax, is replenishing at an all time rapid pace. I might add that the state's unemployment level is down to 8.2% - which is the lowest it has been in quite a while.

So, ALL IS NOT gloom and doom. It appears, for now at least, that the light we see at the end of the tunnel is sunlight, NOT a train headed our way.

Let me take this opportunity to tell you that Mona and I hope your Holidays were wonderful, and that the New Year is starting off well for you and yours. We love being part of the ECAT family, and look forward to a continued relationship as we deal with the future, and whatever opportunities - OR -challenges it might bring.

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(The following article provided by the Bituminous Insurance Company. )

BACKING UP HEAVY EQUIPMENT

 You can't take it for granted that everyone else is on the lookout. When you're behind the wheel of several tons of heavy machinery, you have the responsibility to use the power carefully and safely to prevent accidents.In a place as busy as the average construction site, backing up heavy equipment is always a risky business. Vehicles such as dump trucks, front-end loaders, and cement trucks are hard to see behind, even with mirrors. Because of this, the best policy to follow when using heavy equipment is to avoid backing up at all except when it's absolutely necessary.

When you must back up, prevent backing-up accidents by taking these precautions:

Check the surrounding area for obstacles before beginning an operation. Walk around and get familiar with the entire area. Remember that materials and equipment are constantly being moved around, so you can't assume that you "know the territory" if you haven't explored it recently.

As much as possible, keep other vehicles, material, equipment, and people out of areas where heavy equipment is operating.

Make sure your mirrors are properly angled to minimize blind spots. And remember that, even with mirrors, you may not see everything behind you.

Reverse alarms are mandatory on all heavy equipment. Equipment operators must check the reverse alarms for proper operation.

Use reverse alarms on all equipment with "blind spots" or an obstructed view to the rear. If you are unable to see behind you, always use a person as a "spotter". Make sure you can see the spotter at all times--stop immediately if the spotter is not in view.

Be familiar with the limitation of the equipment you are operating. Use only the equipment you are trained to use, in the way it was intended to be used.

It would be great if all workers were looking after their own safety. But you can't take it for granted that everyone else is on the lookout. When you're behind the wheel of several tons of heavy machinery, you have the responsibility to use that power carefully and safely to prevent accidents. Remember, the key to staying out of danger with heavy equipment is never to assume that the path behind is clear, unless you or your guide can actually see it.

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Mr. Edmund A. Jenschke of Fredericksburg, Texas, passed away in the Methodist Texan Hospital in San Antonio, Texas, on Sunday, December 18th, 2011 at the age of 84 years. He was born February 27, 1927, in Fredericksburg, Texas, the son of Hugo Jenschke and Maragaretha Stehling Jenschke.

He served in the U. S. Army in Korea from March 1952 to March 1954 and discharged as Corporal, awarded Korean service medal with 1 bronze star, national defense service medal, united nations service medal and the good conduct medal. Married Bernice Lange on Aril 21, 1956, at St. Anthony?s in Harper. He owned and operated his construction company for over 55 years. Shortly after their wedding, Edmund and Bernice bought their first dozer and started doing conservation work for farmers and ranches with the business progressing to what it is today.

Edmund and Bernice joined the Earthmoving Contractors Association of Texas early in the 60?s and have devoted their time and efforts to the association for more than 42 years. He will be missed by many contractor members as well as farmers and ranchers in the community and his devotion to the church in Harper. Edmund served on the ECAT Board of Directors almost the entire time of his active participation in the association and provided memorable guidance and leadership to the board.

Edmund is preceded in death by his parents, one granddaughter, Emily Jenschke, one sister, Elenor Howell, three brothers, Clemens, Leo, and Rudolph Jenschke.  Edmund is survived by his wife, Bernice Lange Jenschke of Fredericksburg ,one son, one daughter & spouses, Joe Ed & Sandy Jenschke of Comfort, Lisa & Jack Noah of Harper, Texas, 6 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren, 4 sisters, 4 brothers, & spouses, Margaret Kunz of Kerrville, Theresa Segner of Fredericksburg, Verena Stehling of Harper, Benno & Helen Jenschke of Kerrville, Norbert & Antoniette Jenschke of New Braunfels, Texas E.T. & Katherine Jenschke of Harper, Anthony & Joyce Jenschke of Fredericksburg, Dorthy Lange of Pasadena, Texas

Vigil services for Edmund Jenschke was held on December 20th, Tuesday evening at the Schaetter Funeral Home in Fredericksburg and Mass of Resurrection celebrated at St Anthony's Catholic Church in Harper the following day with graveside services and interment in St. Anthony's Catholic Cemetery.

Those who so desire may make memorial contributions in his memory to the St. Anthony's Building & Repair Fund in Harper, Texas, or to the charity of your choice. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the Edmund Jenschke Family at 225 Loop 534, Kerrville, TX 78028