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I just can't win.... Moderators: Bart_59_Dodge Jump to page : 1 2 Now viewing page 1 [50 messages per page] | View previous thread :: View next thread |
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safetymike77 |
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Expert Posts: 4533 Location: Ripon, WI | I lost my job, unfortunately. Over the last few years, I have really struggled to find a good, moral company with which to practice my chosen career, which is Safety and Environmental. Should anyone know of a company looking in the Wisconsin area, please, don't hesitate to let me know. Also, should any of you need any safety services, I might just be able to help you with what you need. | ||
big m |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 7805 Location: Williams California | Dang, Mike, Sorry to hear this. I hope something better comes along in a short while. ---John | ||
56RoyalLancer |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 608 Location: Madison, Wisconsin | Sorry to hear that Mike. I hope you find something in WI soon. Just when I thought things were looking up for you again.... I will keep my eyes and ears open for any leads. Can you tell me again what a Safety and Environmental person does? | ||
PaulH |
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Regular Posts: 85 Location: River Falls, WI | Mike, I can only imagine by reading between the lines, but I'm guessing that good, moral companies are probably able to keep good people and the reason you are no longer employed is that your last employer was neither good or moral. Cutting corners in the Safety and Environmental area is a good way to run afoul of all kinds of authority figures and agencies. Obviously, you must have your integrity intact and they couldn't deal with that. Trucking for 45 years also has its integrity issues. Keep your chin up and your resume ready, there will always be work for those who want to do an honest days work for an honest company. Paul H River Falls, WI | ||
safetymike77 |
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Expert Posts: 4533 Location: Ripon, WI | Develops policies for a company to comply with OSHA and EPA regs. I typically give training, work on hazard recognition, things like that. There is alot of tracking and record keeping that goes along with it. | ||
61forfun |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 466 Location: Vancouver, Washington | Mike how close are you to Racine? My company is opening a brandnew facility in Racine right now and is in need of a facility Safety Manager. You can review job postings at UNFI.Com Would help if you have food background. United Natural Foods is looking for haccp, sqf certified applicants around safe food keeping PM me if interested or i can answers questions for you | ||
firedome |
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Expert Posts: 3153 Location: NY & VT | That sucks, hang in there... | ||
60 dart |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 8947 Location: WHEELING,WV.>>>HOME OF WWVA | mikey , you're a great guy and i like you but son , ya gotta get a new occupation . there's a ton of companies out there that want safety coordinators that wear blindfolds and muzzles . you just can't keep floatin around from company to company . imagine how a companies safety issues evaporate and safety structures are not needed anymore . just how does that happen -----------------------------------------------later | ||
wizard |
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Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+ Posts: 13042 Location: Southern Sweden - Sturkö island | Sorry for you Mike, all I hear nowadays is about lean production and streamlining, guess thats part of the problem.... | ||
58coupe |
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Expert Posts: 1739 Location: Alaska | You probably don't want to move but there's plenty of jobs in North Dakota, many are rotating shifts (2 weeks on-2 weeks off). You wouldn't have to relocate the family and they always need safety guys in the oilfields. | ||
Jessica |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 1053 Location: Ny | What a bummer, mike. I Hope you find something else really soon! | ||
safetymike77 |
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Expert Posts: 4533 Location: Ripon, WI | I got a couple leads. Trying to avoid moving if I can, since we just bought this house. Not sure if we will be successful with that though. Racine is a bit far to not move. I don't want to have to do 2 houses if we don't have to... That was a nightmare before, and we lost our shirt on that house. I am hoping we can stay right where we are, for sure. | ||
Doctor DeSoto |
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Location: Parts Unknown | Been on the job search since 01 July, so I understand completely. The good news is a can work side jobs and consulting gigs to keep the lights on. Holding out for something "good" and not taking deadend jobs that seem like a good idea at the time. Drives the wifeperson nuts, not having a predictable work/pay thing, but thus farly, it has kept the wolves at bay and she's getting better with the neurosis. Are you considering municipal safety jobs as well as private ? Good luck and take the fight to them ! | ||
d500neil |
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Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil! Posts: 19146 Location: bishop, ca | Good luck, again, Mike; you've obviously thought about this, already, but if the job market in ND is as great as we have heard, recently, you could explore the possibility of renting a 'room' there while you try out the job markets there. You gotta do what you gotta do, and it would seem that ND/SD would have employment opportunities for your services. | ||
safetymike77 |
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Expert Posts: 4533 Location: Ripon, WI | Well, I don't want to move that far from my oldest again. She just turned 11, and she really needs me there at this point in her life with some of the BS going on at her other household. I did what I had to do when I moved to Illinois, but it showed me that the distance was just too far for relationships and family. I left a great job there where I was very successful to move back to Wisconsin. Unlike 2009 when I lost my job due to the economy, there are some things happening up here that hopefully won't take too long to materialize. Otherwise, there is a possibility that I may get my job back where I was if a certain agency agrees that a complaint I have filed has merit. I am fairly sure that it will, based upon the information I have provided and my recent good review and raise, but all that takes time, and I may or may not have unemployment to live off until that is decided. Still, it sucks that my family and I have to go through this again. I am pretty sure I could write a book about the inner workings of corporations that could make most people in this world sick to their stomach. I never knew I would see so much as I have when I went into safety when I was in college. | ||
56RoyalLancer |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 608 Location: Madison, Wisconsin | Mike. Go ahead and write the book. Or at least put your thoughts down. You never know how that might pan out for you. Good luck with the job hunt. I hope you stay in WI and I hope I can finally meet you at a car show this year. Maybe IOLA? Greg | ||
Beltran |
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Expert Posts: 1730 Location: Michigan | Mike check the auto plants in Wisconsin. All we here about in Michigan is growth growth growth of the Autos. Plants' always need people in your area. | ||
wbower3 |
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Walter passed away on Jul 29, 2014. We will miss you, Walt! Posts: 5358 Location: Heaven Above (Formerly Oklahoma City,OK) | Non carburandum illigitimi , Mikey. | ||
safetymike77 |
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Expert Posts: 4533 Location: Ripon, WI | Lol... Had to look that one up. Thanks Walt. | ||
Kenny J. |
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Inactive by user's request Location: Las Vegas, Nevada | 60 dart - 2014-02-19 9:22 PM mikey , you're a great guy and i like you but son , ya gotta get a new occupation . there's a ton of companies out there that want safety coordinators that wear blindfolds and muzzles . you just can't keep floatin around from company to company . imagine how a companies safety issues evaporate and safety structures are not needed anymore . just how does that happen -----------------------------------------------later I believe Chuck nailed it, Mike. Safety and Security are costly propositions which are not seen as direct revenue generators. Most safety directors I have worked with learn to choose their battles and eventually bail so they aren't scapegoated when a serious safety related issue either goes public or results in serious fines. Plus dedicated safety managers without administration's support get batted around by "bottom line thinking" middle managers for doing their job and/or wind up feeling morally compromised for trying to keep their jobs by ignoring safety issues. We lost a stellar safety manager to another entity because of the battles she had to fight to keep our place in compliance. K. | ||
57burb |
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Expert Posts: 3966 Location: DFW, TX | I have a friend that was a HazMat / Safety / Environmental inspector in Iraq and Afghanistan for the past 7-8 years. He recently came back home to spend time with his family and of course needed a new job. Get this - he found a job with an insurance company. They use him to spot-check the businesses they insure, to make sure they're up to snuff in regards to OSHA requirements, training, etc. For him, it was an unexpected industry to work in but you can understand how keeping him on the payroll actually reduces their risks, and therefore profits. Might be worth taking a look to see if there are any opportunities near you. Best of luck to you, my friend. Danny | ||
safetymike77 |
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Expert Posts: 4533 Location: Ripon, WI | I have actually looked into that Danny, since my minor in college was insurance, but there aren't any of those types of positions in my area. I have a couple interviews scheduled, and many more contacts and resumes sent, so hopefully something shakes out of the woodwork pretty quick, and we can keep everything we have. | ||
Jessica |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 1053 Location: Ny | Keeping you in my thoughts still, mike. I hope it all works out for you. Glad to see that you are being proactive and aren't giving up! | ||
59savoy |
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Expert Posts: 2338 Location: central oklahoma! | mikey is definitely proactive! | ||
d500neil |
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Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil! Posts: 19146 Location: bishop, ca | Danny is describing the insurance job known as "Loss Control". Any good paying job is good to have, but a Loss Controlman (as it used to be called) is a biitch of a job, because you have to walk into a business and then tell its owner what he is doing 'wrong', insurance-risk-wise. Kinda like being cold-called by the IRS. Edited by d500neil 2014-03-07 9:46 PM | ||
Doctor DeSoto |
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Location: Parts Unknown | We had Safety guys all over AFG, both military and civilian. As I had to deal with them directly, and handle all the safety training for my men, I saw them much like a do code enforcement back at home ... you bring them in and work THEIR program as part of the mission. However, most people in my position hated the Safety guys and fought, dragged their feet, and were generally as uncooperative as they could be with them. Having worked Safety before deploying, I saw the benefit of being sympathetic to their position and the job they were put there to do. By working with them, we were cut more slack to do our job, as we were trusted to be safety-minded, whereas the guys who fought them got hounded. I had some good laughs with the Safety guys about their sorry position and being the most hated guys in theatre. They had thick skin. They had to. | ||
jimntempe |
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Expert Posts: 2312 Location: Arizona | One year my lab had zero accidents, zero lost time..... the safety "expert" called and said she wanted to come by and talk to me about how we could improve our safety record..... Another time they insisted we should call a hazardous waste company to dispose of some zeolite we had no use for anymore. They thought it might have asbestos in it. We sampled it and had it tested .... no asbestos, they still wanted it disposed of as hazardous waste because "maybe the sampling missed the asbestos". One of them used to wear his hard hat the full 8 hour shift ... even when sitting as his desk in the admin building or going to and at lunch..... I have only found about one safety person out of five to have enough firing neurons to tie their own shoelaces. We always treated them like we valued them.... just part of the job. | ||
safetymike77 |
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Expert Posts: 4533 Location: Ripon, WI | I have always found the key to be showing general interest in what someone is doing and helping to solve the little safety problems that may plague their areas without being fixed to be the greatest way to earn respect at a facility. Couple that with an actual firm handshake and the ability to actually think and adjust methods to fit jobs both within the books and within the easiest ways of getting the job done, and I generally don't have a problem with the folks actually doing the work. The problem seems is that the level of honesty and morality that I tend to hold doesn't really fit within the corporate confines of most company's middle and upper management personnel. My approach to what Jim mentioned, I think I would have showed up and asked what they were doing that we could share with other departments to help them improve their safety record. But then again, I firmly believe there are 2 sides to what I do. Policies satisfy the regulators, but behavior based safety actually improves the performance of an organization. And, when you get the right personnel all together in a department, behavioral safety can be spontaneous, even in the absence of decent policies. | ||
firedome |
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Expert Posts: 3153 Location: NY & VT | Mike I assume you may already know that many state/local govts as well as some private concerns have positions known as Industrial Hygenists, which may or may not be congruent with your background/experience, but sounds fairly similar to what you've done. Another position known as Sanitarian is similar, but more health/biology oriented, to include under the rubric of Environmental Heath: Air Pollution control, Sanitary Engineering (septic & sewer) and also a position colloquially known as Health or Restaurant Inspector - another occupation that primarily draws mainly contempt and compulsory cooperation from those falling under their purview. Nothing like the power to immediately close down an operation to get owners to see the light! Edited by firedome 2014-03-08 1:53 PM | ||
Doctor DeSoto |
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Location: Parts Unknown | I am questioning the use of words such as "congruent", "rubric", "colloquially", and "purview" with an untested audience as being unsafe. Easy, Cowboy, ... those English classes and vocabulary tests are showing ! | ||
safetymike77 |
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Expert Posts: 4533 Location: Ripon, WI | Titles I have held in the past: Safety Coordinator Safety Analyst Safety and Training Manager Environmental Health and Safety Manager Yeah, I know both the safety and the environmental side. I have worked with many different companies, and I have consulted. There was a faculty position listed for a local tech college here that I applied for today, now that would suit me very well and use as much of my experience as I am willing to share... | ||
1961plymouthfury |
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Expert Posts: 2631 Location: Minor Hill, TN | I know it sucks being unemployed I have been there but I sold items on ebay I no longer wanted and was also taking up space , I used that money to pay my bills . I also did surveys online too, I also used that money to pay bills. | ||
MOPAR-TO-YA |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 5139 Location: cornpatch county, Southwest IOA | Mikey, I haven't looked around up here for a while. How is the employment situation going?.....................MO | ||
safetymike77 |
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Expert Posts: 4533 Location: Ripon, WI | Its not... Still unemployed. Been trying to part out vehicles and things to keep afloat. So far, I haven't missed any payments. Heading down to St. Louis this week to pick up my next car to part out and a couple of Poly 318's and transmissions from a guy. If I had a little more padding to the finances, I just might make a business of it, but I don't have enough of a cushion to feel comfortable at this point. So... Long story short... Surviving...... Know anyone that needs 66 Ford Thunderbird parts? Some performance 360 parts? Any Datsun 280Z parts? | ||
MOPAR-TO-YA |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 5139 Location: cornpatch county, Southwest IOA | I hate to see my friends go thru hard times. You are over-due for good fortune. We are maintaining, after 5 1/2 years, we have learned to do without. The next few months could bring big changes. With Winter finally loosening it's grip, the heating bill should go down. Best to you and family Mikey.......................Steve | ||
safetymike77 |
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Expert Posts: 4533 Location: Ripon, WI | Thanks Steve. Many a day, I wish you lived closer, that is for sure. | ||
safetymike77 |
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Expert Posts: 4533 Location: Ripon, WI | Well, it is very shortly going to get really hard around here. I have managed to keep everything paid until now with parting out vehicles, but it is like there is a dead spot in sales. I have nearly 4 whole cars in pieces right now, and sales are very slow. I still haven't found work, and I have only 2 weeks of unemployment left, since there has been no extension. I read an article that the average unemployed person is out of work for 40 weeks, and unemployment only lasts for 26 weeks. And yet there are people out there who blame those of us who are unemployed. The issue is my years of experience. Every job I find to apply for is looking for 3-5 years. I now have 15 in the field. I have even started sending resumes to places for jobs not relating to what my career was, but I am sure I don't get called because I am "over qualified." My best hope is that one of my recent submissions to a state job will pan out. I have pretty much decided if I can get out of my field, I will, just to find some stability for my family. I am a bit tired of being the "scapegoat" for companies that chose to put production over safety, or the first to go because my role is "dispensable." I have thought of starting my own business with parting cars, but I don't have any kind of a cushion to weather the slow times. | ||
big m |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 7805 Location: Williams California | I certainly hope things improve for you soon, Mike. Keep your head up in the meantime. ---John | ||
MOPAR-TO-YA |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 5139 Location: cornpatch county, Southwest IOA | I wish there were things I could do to help. Chin up and keep plugging away. I have other friends who a few years ago had extra coins in their pocket and enjoyed life . And now cannot afford to buy insurance for their cruiser---let alone buying gas for it. Plus having medical issues. Best of luck to you..................................MO | ||
VAN HELSING |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 982 Location: Upper Hunter NSW Australia | ......... Mike I was kinda in a similar position 25 odd years ago, was a mechanic, stuffed my back up lifting things I shouldn't have over the years and had to do a career change in a completely different type of work , next month I've been working in a particular field of law enforcement for 25 years , complete turn around from being a mechanic. It was hard going from something I knew and into the unknown. I guess you've been thinking similar ? Fresh start maybe ? Hope things work out for you, Cheers, Terry ........ | ||
safetymike77 |
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Expert Posts: 4533 Location: Ripon, WI | Yeah, I have been thinking about it quite a bit actually, but even getting more toward in an entry level position to start a new career is difficult, as they don't expect me to stick around, since I have such experience in my original field. It really is a problem nowadays. | ||
MOPAR-TO-YA |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 5139 Location: cornpatch county, Southwest IOA | safetymike77 - 2014-08-16 9:37 AM Mike my son is in the very same position.He worked for TD Ameritrade for several years and made good money, when his job was outsourced. He got a great severance package, His wifes work took them to outside of St Louis He could not find a decent job at other than entry level. Finally managed the College golf course, and now his wifes work brought them back to Iowa. Same problem all over again. Yeah, I have been thinking about it quite a bit actually, but even getting more toward in an entry level position to start a new career is difficult, as they don't expect me to stick around, since I have such experience in my original field. It really is a problem nowadays. Become a cook or get into the medical field . They can find work just about anywhere Good Luck..............................MO | ||
safetymike77 |
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Expert Posts: 4533 Location: Ripon, WI | Lol.... That is funny, but not all at the same time. Yeah, I have been debating on going back to school, which I could likely have done if all those unemployment extensions were still out there, but they aren't, so I don't know what we would do to keep the mortgage paid if I did. It would be so much easier if I was smart and drove all older vehicles. I think I am going to run these into the ground if I end up able to keep them, so that if things like this happen again, I don't have to worry about having a car or truck. Now if I can just find a 4 door 70's dodge pick up, that is 4 wheel drive, maybe I will be in business. | ||
di_ch_NY56 |
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Expert Posts: 1527 Location: ZH, Switzerland | I hope you'll find a job again, soon, Mike. At the job in the State of Aargau I has been mobbed out over 4.5 years. So I decided to get a truck license to drive a truck in August 2012. I kept the job of an electronic engineer until January 2013. Starting from February 2013 I has been with no job until June 2013. In May 2013 I drove temporarily a concrete mixer with 4 axles for almost a month. In June 2013 I got a drivers job (truck) until November 2013. I lost this job because I fell down from the cantilever bridge at the back of the trailer in August 2013 and crushed the wrist at the right side hand. Next temporary job was a night job for almost three months, starting at January 2014, 28th. Driving trucks from the parking lot to the loading ramp (all types of trucks). For all months with no job and the truck ticket (with trailer) I had to spend at least 20k of my savings. Finally starting at April 14th 2014 I got a job as an electronic engineer again. The new job I got was like winning at the lottery, Christmas time, Easter time and Birthday at the same time. With this job I'm very happy. I really wish you'll get good luck and you'll find a job as well. Kind regards Dieter | ||
safetymike77 |
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Expert Posts: 4533 Location: Ripon, WI | Thanks Dieter. My wife and I have actually been talking about simplifying our lives a bit. With 2 bouts of cancer, I just don't have the desire to climb the career ladder as much as I used to, and I am sick and tired of dealing with immoral corporate entities that believe that, for instance, paying not to report injuries is a good policy. Tomorrow, I am actually going to be talking to a guy about something that would potentially get me into the car industry, which, I just never seem to get sick of... We will see how that pans out. I had been the only one working, and we have been now talking about being a 2 job household. It would have many benefits, and some down side, but..... We are working hard to figure out what is going to make things work. I am actually trying to go some of the route that has been getting Mike Rowe press..... | ||
safetymike77 |
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Expert Posts: 4533 Location: Ripon, WI | Well, it is 100% official. I am now going to be starting my own business, and my wife is going to go back to work so that we can have health insurance. I have started on my way to independence. Check out my Facebook page. I now have that going, and I have started my ebay store. I don't have much for our cars right now, but you never know what I am going to find to pick up. https://www.facebook.com/saversauto | ||
Gidman |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 452 Location: Southern California | Hey Mike Linda and I have been self employed for over 25 years doing custom neon work in Los Angeles. I can say with experience that you will work harder and with longer hours. You will answer only to yourself. You will be happier than ever. Stay honest and keep your integrity. Keep your customers satisfied. You need to change the title to this thread! | ||
wizard |
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Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+ Posts: 13042 Location: Southern Sweden - Sturkö island | Good luck Mike - this will surely be the turning point!!!! | ||
MOPAR-TO-YA |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 5139 Location: cornpatch county, Southwest IOA | Mike, I wish you the very best in your new vocation. My Son said just this weekend Looking for a job, " I would rather take a job that makes me happy- even if it is for less pay. " Today he informed me he got the job he really wanted and just applied for it last Friday. When he gets established, you may be able to find him the Ford front suspension that he wants to put on his 63 Ford pickup. Take Care.........................Steve | ||
56RoyalLancer |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 608 Location: Madison, Wisconsin | Best of luck Mike. I know you will succeed, you have the motivation and the desire for the business. | ||
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