Bay Breeze

Barry and Mary Cohen, Co-Presidents

Dear Fellow Members,

For those of you who didn’t make it to the April Dinner Meeting, you really missed a great opportunity to learn about the current and forthcoming regulations and solutions to the ban on gas powered equipment. Currently, California has banned the PURCHASE of gas-powered equipment and, by 2027, the USE of them. They will be monitoring the dates noted on equipment to insure they were purchased 2023 or earlier. Anything newer will potentially result in a fine.

Kevin Culbert (kevin.culbert@milwaukeetool.com) and Zach Pelletier (zach.pelletier@milwaukeetool.com) from Milwaukee Tool gave a very informative presentation on the current and forthcoming electric powered equipment they manufacture. Richard Ogawa (richard.ogawa@towatools.com) from Towa gave a demonstration on how Towa’s battery recharging system works as a universal recharger for multiple companies’ EV equipment. How they developed a recharging system that potentially has unlimited capabilities and uses a single electrical plug without tripping breakers, is genius and something each and every contractor, no matter how large or small, will need to navigate.

Some of you may have already started the transition to EV equipment. How difficult was it to transition? Do you see a positive effect on workflow and expenses? What challenges did you need to work through and overcome? What advice would you give another company just starting the process? These issues and many more are the benefits of attending the monthly Dinner Meetings. Suppliers attend, not to talk to us retired contractors, but to mingle with YOU. They want to share their products, expertise and build rapport with YOU, so when you need them, you’ll know who to call. You also give yourself an opportunity to mingle with your associates and, yes, even your competitors. We can help each other in profound ways. One time you’ll help someone and the next time they will help you. As the saying goes, “A rising tide lifts all boats.”

In lieu of a May Dinner Meeting, the Chapter is hosting a Partners For Success Appreciate Day on Sunday, May 5 at the Ballpark where we’ll rout the San Jose Giants and our Partners with food, drinks and fun for the entire family. Elsewhere in this issue of the Breeze, you will find more details and how to make your reservation. You won’t want to miss this!

Please mark your calendars for Saturday evening June 15 at Michael’s at Shoreline as we celebrate the history and legacy of the SFBA Chapter and its critical role in the creation of the California Landscape Contractors Association as the premier statewide association, raising the level of professionalism of the landscape contracting industry. Bring your family and let’s celebrate US!

As part of this celebration, we will all have an opportunity to support and honor those who have played a key role in the establishment and success of the SFBA Chapter by participating in a fundraiser for their named funds in the Landscape Educational Advancement Foundation (LEAF), which the Chapter established as a sign of affection and respect.  We’re hoping to have families of these special individuals at the Celebration where we will have the opportunity to personally thank them for sharing their family members with our Chapter, in word and in donations to their funds. Elsewhere in this issue of the Breeze you will find short biographies of these VIPs and the current balances of their respective funds. If you’d like to donate an auction item for this event, please let me know.

Lastly, but most importantly, please talk to any Board member and let us know what we can do to make CLCA a greater part of your business. CLCA has so much to offer in the way of education, professionalism in the public eye, training for your employees, legal assistance, insurance, political advocacy and so much more.

See you at the Ballpark!

Barry and Mary Cohen
Co-Presidents