Page 20 - Demo

20|December 2021
Slippery rock Gazette
Stone Restoration and Maintenance Corner
First, I need to start out with some news that will be unpopular. As the Director of Operations at M3 Technologies Inc., it is my unfortunate position to inform everyone that our prices will be going up officially on November the 8th, (I am writing this in October). This is due to raw materials cost increases, production cost increases, and of course logistics or shipping cost increases. It’s not just our industry, it’s energy prices, food prices, commodity prices, con- struction prices, and basi- cally most everything has shot up in price as of late.
Bob Murrell
M3 Technologies
Photos by Bob Murrell
We can no longer absorb all of the increases and, to be fair, we have not adjusted our prices since 2018. To remain profit- able and keep the doors open, we must pass along the increases we have received. I am sure most of you will have to do the same, and I hope that you understand. It is what it is.
As if that is not bad enough, we also have to contend with the current supply chain delays. For
Deputy Nick Halsey and his Belgian Malinois partner, “Knox,” training and working out.
Community
example, floor machine prices (basically anything with a motor) have risen as much as 40 percent and we won’t be receiving any new inventory until sometime in January of 2022, if then.
However, it’s not all bad news. As stone indus- try restoration and main- tenance professionals, we serve as an important link in the chain of the com- munity. We provide a highly skilled service that is currently in big demand.
Over the last 30-plus years, I have seen a tre- mendous growth in the use of natural stone, terrazzo, ceramic tile, and decorative concrete. Of course, this translates into an increased demand for these sur- faces to be restored to new or better than new con- dition. That’s where we come into the picture, right?
There are also many more links in the chain of com- munity such as electrical, mechanical, healthcare,
A Sheriff Deputy’s cruiser is his office. It’s where he spends the majority of his time on patrol, so it can be a little cramped for the front-seat passenger!
construction, firefighting, and of course, law enforcement.
As a part of this community, one morning recently I was asked by a fellow Crossfitter at the gym (who also happens to be a K9 Sheriff’s Deputy), if I wanted to do a ride-along.
Of course I instantly thought of Kevin Hart in the movie Ride Along. Then, a few seconds later, I am think- ing of the song “Bad Boys”, then on to “Show me your hands!”, and finally, “You’re gonna get tased!” Then I snapped out of it and decided to see for myself what a ride-along was really like.
I’ve always respected those who serve, whether it’s in law enforcement, firefight- ing, first responders, and of course, the military. I served four years in the world’s fin- est Navy, so they all have a special place in my heart.
I told my friend (Knox County Deputy Nick Halsey) that I would love to do the ride along. So the date was arranged and we were on! Initially we had discussed that we would go over the proto- col before the actual ride- along date. There would be a release form that I had to sign. I really don’t remem- ber reading it, as nothing really stood out, other than “stuff could be remotely possible” (my interpre- tation), and who cares, right? I mean, I’m the one doing this! I quickly signed my affirmation.
I talked about it with my other friends for days leading up to the event. Everyone kept asking me, are you excited? Let’s just say I was beyond excited, I was pumped!
The day finally arrived.
We were to meet at 2:30 at a place not far from my house. I got there a few min- utes early. Remember my motto: On time is late, early is on time. Nick arrived in his cruiser and, after a few adjustments to the front seat to accommodate me, we were off. Remember, the cruiser is these guys’ office. Computer, radios, and all kinds of stuff make for a small area for any front seat passengers. We made it work, though.
A restricted space was the least of my concerns, as I now had a full set of highly trainedteethabout6inches from the back of my head, going nuts to get at me!
Knox is a Belgian Malinois and he didn’t much care for me being in the front seat of his cruiser!
Please turn to page 22