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Annual CalAPA 'Fly-in' to the State Capitol
March 17-18, 2015
Sacramento
Contact: Russell Snyder (916) 791-5044
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Southern California Contractors' Dinner
Tuesday, April 7
5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Dal Rae Restaurant, 9023 E. Washington Blvd., Pico Rivera
Contact: Tony Grasso (909) 362-9192
Click HERE to register.
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2015 CalAPA Spring Conference & Equipment Expo
April 15-16, 2015
Doubletree Hotel, 222 N. Vineyard Ave., Ontario, Calif.
Contact: Sophie You (916) 791-5044
Click HERE for details and to register.
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CLICK & GO!View our interactive, "At a Glance" event calendar HERE.
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Asphalt is used on about 94 percent of paved roads in America. Why? Because it's smooth, quiet, safe, durable and 100 percent recyclable. Visit the Asphalt Pavement Alliance website learn more about why asphalt is the right choice now more than ever. |
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Are you an engineer, designer or technical professional who makes decisions on pavement type selection? The DriveAsphalt website has technical reports and other resources may be just what you're looking for. Click HERE for more information.
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| CalAPA | | |
California Asphalt Pavement Association (CalAPA)
Mailing address:
P.O. Box 981300
West Sacramento, CA 95798
Main office:
1550 Harbor Blvd., Suite 211
West Sacramento, CA 95691
(916) 791-5044 (phone)
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Did you miss an issue of the California Asphalt Insider? No problem! Past editions of the newsletter are available at the CalAPA newsletter archive page.
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CalAPA produces a highly regarded magazine, California Asphalt, and an annual membership directory. To view back issues of the magazine, click HERE. For advertising sales in the magazine and directory, click HERE or call Kerry Hoover with Construction Marketing Services at (909) 772-3121.
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Click HERE to visit our video page.
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Click HERE to visit the PavExpress website.
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This weekly bulletin contains the latest news and information of interest to the asphalt pavement industry in California. Please feel free to distribute this newsletter to others who may be interested in asphalt pavements. |
 | California Supreme Court agrees to review appellate court decision on $214 billion SANDAG regional transportation plan
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The California Supreme Court has agreed to review a lower court ruling that has cast a shadow over the 40-year, $214 billion regional transportation plan developed by the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG). In a closely watched case, the state's highest court on March 11 accepted SANDAG's request to review a split decision by the  three-judge Fourth District Court of Appeal, issued Nov. 24. That decision, which is now set aside, sided with environmental groups that sued SANDAG on the grounds that the organization did not adequately comply with state environmental laws in preparing its Environmental Impact Review (EIR) for its long-range transportation improvement plan. "The Supreme Court's decision to grant review is a key step forward to help clarify state law on greenhouse gas emissions," said SANDAG Chairman and Santee Councilman Jack Dale. "The appellate court decision left agencies throughout the state with questions on what standards to apply. We are hopeful the Court will help resolve the confusion." A previous Asphalt Insider story on this case is HERE. SANDAG Executive Director Gary Gallegos, an upcoming CalAPA Spring Conference speaker, discussed the case in a wide-ranging interview published in CalAPA's official magazine, California Asphalt. You can read the issue HERE. |
| California, U.S. transportation funding crisis starts to go mainstream
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After months and even years of talking to ourselves, it appears as though the transportation funding crisis in America, and here in California, is finally starting to break into the mainstream consciousness. Several videos on the topic have gone viral, and advocates continue to launch broadside after broadside at recalcitrant elected officials and others who have not yet climbed on the infrastructure
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| | John Oliver on Infrastructure |
bandwagon. By far the most entertaining entry into the debate comes from British import John Oliver, of Comedy Central fame, who produced a hilarious report for HBO that included the help of some Hollywood A-listers, while still following the pro-transportation talking points. At last report the YouTube version was viewed 1.4 million times. Click HERE to watch the 21-minute report but be forewarned: it contains some adult language, and those in the cubicle next to you might be bothered by your guffawing. Not to be outdone, our friends over at the California Alliance for Jobs have just produced a compelling brochure, "Road to Ruin," which details the sad litany of facts that has placed our transportation infrastructure here in California in the sorry shape it is. Click HERE to learn more about the brochure and to download a PDF version. The Alliance is perhaps best known for its series of entertaining and informative radio and TV spots that promote adequate investments in infrastructure, narrated by humorist Will Durst. A three-part series helps demystify the "transportation fiscal cliff" and can be viewed HERE, HERE and HERE. Transportation California. meanwhile, has weighed in with a memorable "Fix the Roads" 30-second spot that depicts in graphic detail an ill-fated encounter with a pothole. Click HERE to watch it. As public opinion surveys continue to show rising anger among voters at the lack of action by our elected representatives on this issue, perhaps adding a little humor and internet pizazz might finally get this issue the attention it deserves. For more grass-roots resources, visit CalAPA's Legislative Action page HERE. Our annual "Fly-in" to the state Capitol in Sacramento will take place April 17-18 where CalAPA members will take these messages to key members of the California Legislature. |
| Private Construction issue of California Asphalt Magazine now on-line
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The annual private construction-themed issue of CalAPA's official magazine, California Asphalt, will be arriving soon at mailboxes across the state. An interactive, electronic version of the issue can  be viewed HERE. The issue features an exclusive interview with Signature Homes CEO James Ghielmetti, who is also a member of the California Transportation Commission; a profile of a paving operation at a Mercedes-Benz USA campus in Long Beach where CalAPA member Consolidated Industrial Services played a key role; a Highway 37 improvement project by CalAPA member Telfer Highway Technologies; and a new lab facility opened by CalAPA member Holliday Rock. For advertising inquiries or editorial suggestions, please contact Kerry Hoover of Construction Marketing Services at (909) 772-3121. An archive of past issues of the magazine, plus an advertising rate sheet, can be found HERE.
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| Diverse program for Spring Asphalt Pavement Conference & Equipment Expo April 15-16 in Ontario
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A diverse array of subjects -- from funding, best-practices, research, specifications and more -- is on tap at the CalAPA Spring Asphalt Pavement Conference & Equipment Expo, to be held April 15-16 at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario. Click HERE to visit the conference website.
San Diego Association of Governments Executive Director Gary
 | | Gary Gallegos |
Gallegos will be one of the featured speakers at the conference, which will be packed with technical and practical information on asphalt pavement research, pavement design, placement, testing and acceptance, as well as funding projections and other issues of interest to pavement professionals. Click HERE to view the detailed agenda.
The conference will also feature dozens of vendor booths, a gala reception and an outdoor equipment expo where the latest in construction equipment will be on display. Contact Sophie You at CalAPA for sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities. A sponsor and exhibitor form can be found HERE. A list of sponsors from last year's event is HERE.
Previous conferences have been attended by more than 200 construction industry professionals and local, state and federal public works officials.
Among the topics that will be covered during the conference include: "Superpave" and Caltrans Section 39 specification changes, a local agency "Green Book" specification update, paving for smoothness, plant inspection best practices for local agencies, the latest in pavement research, best practices in longitudinal joint construction and Warm Mix Asphalt research by the National Center for Asphalt Technology.
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| Obituary: Dr. J. Don Brock, chairman and former CEO of Astec Industries
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Dr. J. Don Brock, chairman and former CEO of CalAPA member Astec Industries, passed away March 10 in Tennessee from complications of mesothelioma cancer, it was announced. He was 76. Brock was born in Chattanooga on Oct. 20, 1938, to the late James and Edna Brock and was preceded in death by his sister, Edith Brock Murray. He graduated from Central High School in 1957 and received a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville in 1961. He then continued his education at the Georgia Institute of Technology receiving a M.S. in Mechanical Engineering in 1963 and a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering in 1965. Brock started his working career building thermal hot oil heaters and asphalt storage tanks with his dad while in high school. He invented a revolutionary carpet dryer while at Georgia Tech, which gave him the seed money to start Astec Industries. He founded Astec with Norm Smith, Al Guth, Gail Mize, and Mike Uchytil in 1972. The company is now publicly traded, has sales of approximately $1 billion, and has over 4,000 employees worldwide. He won countless national and international awards and has over 100 patents. Brock was Chairman of the Board and CEO of Astec until 2014 when his son, Ben Brock, became CEO of the company. Brock remained Chairman of the Board of Astec until his death. Mize passed away on Jan. 6. Brock is survived by his wife, Sam; seven children: Beth Brock; Ben Brock (Carolyn); Walter Brock (Lee Ann) ; Jennifer Brock; Darryl Brock (Melissa);Melissa Adcock (Dustin); Krystal Parker (Lloyd); his two stepdaughters: Christie Gleeson (Tim) and Devin Sprouse (Tammy Lambert); 15 grandchildren,Garrison, Pierce, Payton, Daxton, Clay, Zachary, Austin, Katie, Haven, Taylor, Ashley, Hannah, Daniel, Jacob and Sarahbeth. A memorial service was scheduled for Saturday, March 14, at 2 p.m. at the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1505 N. Moore Road, Chattanooga, Tenn. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that consideration be given to a gift in Brock's memory payable to GraceWorks Church, 6445 Lee Highway, Chattanooga, Tenn. 37421. Additional information, and a virtual memory book to add condolences, can be found HERE. |
| Welcome aboard: Hart King, Attorneys at Law
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CalAPA is pleased to welcome its newest associate member, Hart King, Attorneys at Law.
Hart King represents publicly held corporations, mid-sized businesses and entrepreneurs in all state and federal courts within California. The firm offers a wide range of civil litigation and transactional  services in business, commercial real estate, manufactured housing, intellectual property, professional design and construction, and probate matters.
For over 30 years Hart King has been dedicated to meeting the vital legal needs of its clients.
For more information, click HERE to visit the company's website, or contact James Moorhouse at (657) 622-4714. |
| Quote of the Week
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"We shall not cease from exploration And the end of all our exploring Will be to arrive where we started And know the place for the first time." T.S. Eliot
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We hope you enjoy CalAPA's Asphalt Insider. We are committed to providing you with the most up-to-date information on technical issues, regulation, news and events in California that may impact the asphalt pavement industry. Click HERE to contact us with any comments or suggestions.
Sincerely,
Russell W. SnyderExecutive Director California Asphalt Pavement Association (CalAPA) |
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