Back Talk

Technician of the Year Thank You
I would like to thank the people involved in the 2008 Technician of the Year awards. Much thanks goes to PCT Internet Editor Brad Harbison for making this a very special occasion for the technicians. I would also like to thank Ehrlich Pest Control, especially Keith Hamilton and Lynn Gerlach, for their support regarding this award.
Technicians don’t realize how much respect their customers have for them. When customers saw the announcement about me winning this award in the local paper they were clipping it out to save. They made it a point to show me their appreciation for years of expert service.
Lee Gouty
2008 PCT Residential Technician of the Year
Pleasant Gap, Pa.
Rentokil/Ehrlich

Remembering Norm Ehmann
I think PCT Managing Editor Brad Harbison did a great job in his obituary remembering Norm Ehmann. As he pointed out, Norm was one of the leading ambassadors for our industry. It’s sad when we lose a friend, but it’s nice when his memory can be honored by folks like him. These stories aren’t easy to write, but Brad did a wonderful job. Thank you.
Gary D. Curl
President
Specialty Products Consultants
Mendham, N.J.

Remembering Richard Keenan
I want to thank PCT for its generous contribution to the Friends of the Norwich University Library, in acknowledgement of my dad, Richard Keenan. In this time of such uncertain economy, I know that every dollar spent is done so more thoughtfully, out of necessity. Dad loved his school as he loved our industry, and it is great of PCT to recognize both.
PCT is such a fine publication. The staff’s tireless work on our behalf helps our industry’s image, or own self esteem and hopefully makes us better with the services we provide. The Crown Leadership Award evening at NPMA PestWorld every year is surely one of the industry’s most thoughtful events. Nary a dry eye that night. It is really a special evening.
Clarke Keenan
President
Waltham Services
Waltham, Mass.

Big Time for Bug Guys?
Regarding the January cover story in PCT magazine (“Pest Control During the Downturn,” page 44), I suspect we’ll all know more about the depth and length of this recession (depression?) as far as its impact on the “bug biz” by the end of August. The 1974-80s recession was really all about oil and its effect on the world economy (inflation), along with the savings and loan debacle of the 1980s. This one is really about something far more systemic — excessive debt (by the whole world) and the self-induced delusion that “living beyond your means” is true capitalism. Obviously that is not the definition of capitalism.
Capitalism is really defined by the average small pest control owner, someone with skills, knowledge and experience, who invested their time and money to start their own business and maintain it with a proper balance between revenue, expenses and debt. Bug people don’t need a bailout because we are the true capitalists. Wall Street and the banks are frauds. They just pretended to be capitalists. When you’re spending other people’s money and not your own it’s easy to pretend until the “chickens come home to roost.”
Maybe it’s time for a “bug guy” to run the Federal Treasury and Federal Reserve.
Charles Ruby
President
Safe Exterminating
Jasper, Ga.

PCT Business Seminar Was Great!
Just wanted to thank you for the “Growing Your Business Summit” in Orlando (in February). I thought that the speakers were all top notch and I took away a lot of valuable information to use.
Scott Gosney
Vice President
Advanced Pest Control
Wellington, Fla.

Kudos from Kuspa
I think PCT Online.tv is great. It’s a great tool for sharing and I like the layout.
Victor Kuspa
President
Great Lakes Pest Solutions
South Bend, Ind.