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By Mary Meldrum

MANY OF US ARE ANIMAL LOVERS, INCLUDING MYSELF. With so many potential threats in our homes these days, it’s important to know how to keep our pets safe, and to examine our home from the “noselevel” view.

Let’s start with foods that are dangerous. There are many, but here is a somewhat comprehensive list of the worst and also most common:

  • Chocolate and cocoa
  • Onions and onion powder
  • Granulated garlic, garlic powder
  • Grapes, raisins, and currants
  • Coffee (grounds, coffee beans)
  • Caffeine (black tea, yerba mate, soft drinks)
  • Yeast dough
  • Macadamia nuts
  • Green potatoes and green tomatoes
  • Avocado pits
  • Seeds and pits of cherries, apples, apricots
  • Xylitol – an artificial sweetener found in chewing gum, candy and breath fresheners, and toothpaste

What about air pollution? Recent reports suggest that indoor air may be even more polluted than the air outside.

Many cleaning products are potentially toxic. Your companion’s nose is constantly close to the floor. Normal grooming behavior includes licking paws that may come in contact with those products’ residue. Natural alternatives are readily available, and simple homemade products with inexpensive ingredients like baking soda, vinegar, and borax clean as well as most commercial products. Consider replacing chemically-based air fresheners, detergents, fabric softeners, disinfectants, furniture polish, glass cleaners, insecticides, and scouring powders with natural alternatives.

Plug-in air fresheners and potpourris are quite popular. However, some odors that humans find agreeable are actually annoying to cats. Citrus and pine are both highly irritating and even poisonous if overdone. Constant bombardment with these scents is unfair to your pet; not to mention the potentially toxic chemicals they contain. Choosing more natural cleaning products and air fresheners will go a long way in limiting the toxins your companion has to deal with on a daily basis.

Medications are another source of toxic poison for your pets. Pills dropped on the floor immediately transform into cat toys! Poison control centers get thousands of calls every year about pets that have consumed painkillers, cold medications, antidepressants, dietary supplements, and other items. Be sure to keep medications and vitamins safely stored. Be especially careful with pet vitamins and medications, since they are often flavored and smell enticing.

If your dog or cat accidentally ingests human medication or supplements, contact your veterinarian or poison control center right away. Many human medications, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen, are highly toxic to animals, even in small doses.

PLANTS ARE ANOTHER POTENTIAL SOURCE OF POISON. While providing beauty and fresh air to our indoor spaces, pets may consider them toys or snacks. Learn which plants are potentially toxic and keep them out of reach. Some toxic houseplants include:

  • Amaryllis
  • Azalea
  • Caladium (Elephant’s Ears)
  • Chrysanthemum
  • Creeping Charlie
  • Dracaena
  • Dieffenbachia
  • Ivy (Araliaceae)
  • Lily (Easter lilies, daylilies, Tiger lilies and Stargazer lilies)
  • Mistletoe
  • Philodendron
  • Pothos
  • Schefflera
  • Yew tree

A good general rule is that all plants grown from a bulb are toxic. Keep pets away from bulbs and bulb plants.

Insecticides and rodenticides must be used very carefully and judiciously in and around a household with pets. Baits or traps must be located in areas totally inaccessible to your companion. Bug sprays and baits should be used with extreme caution, and the treated area should be completely off-limits to your pet for several days. Read product labels carefully for toxicity information. Cats, and some dogs (especially terriers), love to hunt and eat bugs and rodents, so be sure they cannot come into contact with bugs or mice that have been poisoned.

MOTHBALLS ARE VERY TOXIC TO DOGS AND CATS (AND PEOPLE FOR THAT MATTER). Cats love to jump in open drawers or storage boxes, so use cedar paper or other moth deterrents instead.

Flea control products – even those designed to use on and around animals – can be toxic to our companions over time. There are natural alternatives that work as well or better than conventional chemical pesticide-based products.

Hazards in your garage are also common. Many of us store a variety of chemicals and yard products in the garage. One of the most dangerous of these is anti-freeze. Antifreeze tastes sweet and is attractive to pets, but is highly toxic even in small amounts. If you keep yard and garden products in the garage, be sure they are up high on the shelves, in closed cabinets or in plastic bins with lids. Bins are also good for keeping fumes from fertilizers and other products contained. Paints, paint thinners, glues, and solvents stored in the garage should be kept away from pets as well. Don’t allow pets into areas where you are working. Clean up any spills immediately to ensure a dog or cat does not step in paint or solvent — many solvents will chemically burn the skin and paws, and paints will surely be licked off and ingested.

LOCAL PET RESCUES ARE AN OBVIOUS SOURCE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION about pet safety in the home. Sheri Snover of Berkley operates Second Chances Animal Resources, which works with other shelters and animal rescue organizations to help with the care and adoption of their animals.

One of their most popular projects is their harness exchange. Snover says, “Unfortunately, from time to time, we still see and hear people talk about using a choke, prong or shock collar. Some just need education on more humane methods to train and walk their dogs.” Second Chance provides to veterinary clinics and other organizations free Freedom-No Pull harnesses in exchange for their choke, prong, and/or shock collar, along with the education on their use.

https://www.secondchancesanimalrescue.org/

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By Lisa Howard

THREE-QUARTERS OF ALL FLOWERING PLANTS AND OVER ONE-THIRD OF THE WORLD’S FOOD CROPS have one thing in common: they depend on pollinators to reproduce: Bees, butterflies, moths, wasps, beetles, flies, even birds and bats.

Monocropping, pesticide use, shrinking habitats and other modern-day agricultural/urban trends have imperiled pollinators, but the good news is that we can help them receive beautiful flowers and tasty crops in return.

“Don’t clean your garden too early in the spring,” Dominic Scappaticci advises. He’s the president of The Ferndale Garden Club (Facebook.com/theferndalegardenclub) and has long been a friend of bees and butterflies. “It’s best to wait until temperatures average in the 50s. A lot of pollinators like butterflies spend their entire lifecycles here in Michigan, and the next generation is asleep and hiding out in the leaf litter in your garden, in the old stems of plants and underneath the bark scattered around your yard. If you remove all of that debris too early, you’re throwing away the next generation of butterflies.”

And because many native bumblebees nest in the ground, it’s also important to have some patches of bare earth in the garden — then the bees can build their nests in those mulch-free spots and the queen can hibernate over the winter.

Of course, bees love flowers, particularly clover, goldenrod, blue lobelia and yellow giant hyssop, among others. Flowering herbs also attract plenty of buzz, although you might want to keep your basil flowers at a minimum since the leaves acquire a somewhat harsh flavor when you let the plant fully bloom.

Including mostly perennials in your garden and landscaping is another way to help pollinators and the entire food chain since perennials are multiseason plants that offer food and shelter throughout the year. Take the service-berry (a.k.a. shadbush, juneberry and saskatoon berry) that Dominic loves to recommend: Its white flowers bloom in early spring and feed earlywaking pollinators. Then it gets small, bluish berries in June that birds love, and then its leaves turn pretty colors in fall. You can prune it like a small tree or allow it grow like a shrub and – to top it off – you too can eat its berries!

To help butterflies, let wild violets flourish and plant dill, parsley and fennel, all of which Dominic calls “caterpillar magnets.” He points out that while it’s great to plant flowers that adult butterflies will feast upon, their babies — the caterpillars — also need food. “If you don’t have anything in your yard to feed caterpillars, then eventually you won’t see any butterflies,” he says. “You can balance that out by having host plants for caterpillars and also a variety of flowers, shrubs and trees. Native oaks are especially wonderful food sources for many different types of butterfly larvae.”

To amp up your gardening savvy, pick up a copy of Doug Tallamy’s Bringing Nature Home, a book Dominic heartily recommends. Or follow the Ferndale Garden Club and join in the fun! Everyone is welcome and encouraged to share their love of gardening.

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By Jenn Goeddeke

HOW DO YOU ENVISION YOUR DREAM LIFESTYLE? Many Americans live paycheck-to-paycheck, and wish to escape the cycle of debt, including steep mortgage payments.

Increasing numbers of home buyers aim to downsize and simplify – to live with less. The cost of buying and maintaining a tiny home is far lower than fullsize homes. This equates to greater savings over time and thus more freedom to enjoy other life experiences. According to Darrin Roberts (of Jim Shaffer & Associates Realtors), “Many of my clients in the Ferndale area are looking for smaller and lower-maintenance homes, to create a simpler yet functional living space. They are innovative, creative individuals and want broader lifestyle experiences.”

The Tiny House Movement essentially started in the 1970s. The outlook is a combination of lifestyle choice and philosophy plus typically an ecological attitude (green footprint/sustainability awareness). Often this is promoted in a dreamy or idealistic way. Early advocates included Lloyd Kahn, Shelter (1973), and Lester Walker, Tiny Houses (1987). Popular media coverage began around 2014 with the TV show Tiny House Nation.

Tiny homes have gradually become larger, heavier, and more expensive over the years (according to online resources). Different cities have reacted in various ways regarding zoning and coding, especially regarding accommodating the homeless communities. Some more progressive cities such as Oakland (California), Edinburgh (United Kingdom) and Detroit (Michigan) have embraced some possibilities using tiny homes as a partial solution.

A local project certainly worth mentioning is the Tiny Homes Detroit project, formed by Cass Community Social Services. They developed 25 different homes on foundations, with 30×100 ft lots. The homes include front porches or rear decks. This is a rent-to-own situation developed for low-income individuals, including seniors; homeless individuals, and college students (see below for website reference link).

HOW BIG SHOULD IT BE? Technically, a tiny home has a maximum size of 500 square feet and most are just 100-400 sq/ft. However, in a broader sense, the term encompasses homes that are less than 900 sq/ft. The two basic types are those built either on a mobile platform of some kind or a permanent house foundation. Various considerations need to be made regarding each type. Planning is key!

Roberts added, “In the Ferndale area, many starter homes are between 580-700 sq/ft. Typically they include two bedrooms, one bath, a small kitchen, and a living area. They sell for around $125,000-150,000. First-time buyers or those on a limited budget often are interested in these smaller homes. Or these buyers might be looking for a second residence.”

Tiny homes typically range from $10,000 to around $180,000, depending on the options/materials used. Building your own will cost around $25,000 but can be done for less.

Living in a smaller space can encourage people to declutter and live more simply. Other positive benefits include: Easier to clean; cheaper to maintain and repair; lower energy bills/taxes and a greener footprint, plus an emphasis on creative design and a quality build.

Despite the restriction in size, owners can make the most of their vertical space options with things like a loft and upper deck.

INCLUDED IN THE TINY HOME LIFESTYLE IS AN INHERENT SENSE OF ADVENTURE. Plus the aesthetics are hugely important. They are designed in many eclectic ways, with various architectural influences including Modernism; Japanese; Rustic; Moroccan; Gothic, and so on. Other creative options include converting an existing structure e.g. a recreational vehicle or camper van.

With so many choices, how can you decide which type is right for you? A good start might be creating a list of features you need and want. For example, are you looking for an ultragreen way of life? Or perhaps a unique, alternate vacation home in a scenic locale? Some helpful approaches to making your decision: Staying in a tiny house hotel, reading blogs, subscribing to podcasts or online groups, and talking to others who own one.

What are some of the hurdles in becoming a Tiny Homeowner? Finding a suitable location seems to be the most prominent challenge. During the planning phase, potential owners must look into local zoning and ordinance laws. Also, insurance and financing options require some research.

The next phase will be attaining a building permit. If you are building a tiny home within Michigan, it is worth noting that the more established communities exist in these cities: Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, Lansing, Kalamazoo, Traverse City, Dearborn, and Detroit. For some people looking for a downsized, alternative way of living, it may be easier to follow an RV lifestyle. There is a larger community who live full-time in their RVs and the regulations are more straightforward at this time.

TO SUMMARIZE, THERE IS A GREAT DEAL OF PLANNING involved In building your own tiny home. However, if you establish a suitable location and comply with local codes and ordinances, there is a good chance you can create a quality, customized masterpiece, eco-friendly and possibly portable, with plenty of aesthetic appeals without a huge expense. The choice is yours!

Jim Shaffer & Associates, Darrin Roberts, 616.403.5710
www.SoldCallJim.com;
www.casscommunity.org (Tiny Homes Detroit project);
www.manta.com (building cost calculator;
www.thespruce.com
www.treehugger.com
www.thetinylife.com
www.easygliderstorage.com

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Photo ©2021 by Bennie White

IN RECOGNITION OF THE UNPRECEDENTED TIMES and the immense loss so many have experienced, the City of Oak Park will create a space that allows for reflection on the pandemic and remembrance of those who lost their lives to COVID-19.

We recognize each individual has their own story on how COVID-19 impacted them and that each story has affected our community. Some of the greatest impacts have been felt by those who lost a loved one to COVID-19. To ensure victims of the virus are properly remembered, the City will be installing a thoughtful and permanent memorial. We invite Oak Park residents to share their input on what an appropriate COVID-19 Memorial may be, where it should be installed and, most importantly, to provide information on Oak Park residents who fell victim to the virus. The City will, on an ongoing basis take the information of those lost to COVID-19 to ensure their memory is preserved.

Information can be provided by utilizing the QR code on this page (photo); and pictures of Oak Park residents who died from COVID-19 can be sent to Communications Director Courtney Flynn at cflynn@oakparkmi.gov. We thank you for your valued input and are humbled at the opportunity to provide a space for our community to honor and remember their loved ones.

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Photo ©2021 by Bennie White

THE CITY OF OAK PARK HAS FIVE MOGO STATIONS and the numbers show that our community knows how to ride!

In 2020, Oak Park had the highest usage of any community in the surrounding area, with 1,667 trips taken. We hope our residents continue to utilize this service offered through the City’s partnership with MoGo.

For those looking to get on a MoGo bike and ride, the Oak Park stations are located at:

• West 11 Mile Rd. & Tyler St.

• Lincoln St. & Greenfield Rd.

• Coolidge Hwy. & Lincoln St.

• Oak Park Blvd. & Parklawn St.

• West Nine Mile Rd. & Manistee St.

To stay up-to-date on MoGo News, visit their website at mogodetroit.org or follow them on social media (@MoGoDetroit).

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Photos ©2021 by Bennie White

THE Oak Park Water Tower Social District, on 11 Mile Rd., opened to the public in August and continues to offer opportunities for patrons to enjoy local businesses, both inside and out. The Social District welcomes those ages 21 and above to purchase from participating businesses to-go alcoholic beverages and enjoy them in the Commons Area.

HOURS OF OPERATION:

• Monday through Saturday: Noon-10:00 P.M.

• Sunday: Noon-6:00 P.M.

• Closed on holidays recognized by the City of Oak Park

PARTICIPATING BUSINESSES / EXPANDING SOON!

• Oak Park Social

• Dog & Pony Show Brewing

• Unexpected Craft Brewing Company

• Berkley Coffee

Social districts were created through a state initiative in 2020 with the hopes of spurring social and economic involvement in local communities. As the Water Tower Social District in Oak Park continues to experience its rebirth, this initiative will surely only help the businesses in that corridor grow while also helping to foster a deeper sense of community.

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Photos ©2021 by Bennie White

WELCOME!

OVER THE LAST YEAR THE CITY OF OAK PARK HAS WELCOMED several new faces to the leadership team, including Human Resources & Labor Relations Director Megan Burke, Library Director Kimberly Schaaf & Communications and Public Information Director Courtney Flynn. These staffing updates will continue to ensure Oak Park remains in line with its commitment to excellence, innovation and high-quality service.

“I am proud of the team we have in Oak Park, as we all work to meet the needs of Oak Park residents and continuously look for ways to improve how we deliver our services,” said City Manager Erik Tungate. “The additions of Directors Burke, Schaaf and Flynn to our team have solidified our culture of excellence in this City and make me confident we are blazing a bright trail for the future.”

MEGAN “MEG” BURKE

MEGAN “MEG” BURKE IS AN EXPERIENCED HUMAN RESOURCES (HR) PROFESSIONAL, who came to the City of Oak Park with knowledge from both the private and public sectors.

She attended Wayne State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, and in 2020 she completed a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership, with a concentration in Human Resources. She began working in the City of Oak Park in August 2020.

Burke’s philosophy on HR is that empathy, humility and relationships are the foundation of Human Resources, and that focusing on these principles creates a productive, safe, and comfortable working-environment. Some of her favorite aspects of the job include labor relations, compliance review, contract/proposal writing, and benefit administration. She holds various certifications, including:

• Certified Labor Relations Leader (CLRL): Michigan State University.

• Certified Professional in Public Sector Human Resources (IPMA-CP): International Public Management Association of Human Resources.

• Yellow Belt in Lean Six Sigma: Six Sigma Global Institute.

• Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Adult & Youth: National Behavioral Council.

Burke serves on the Board of Directors for both Macomb County Community Mental Health (MCCMH) and the Michigan Public Employer Labor Relations Association (MPELRA) and is an active member of Woodside Bible Church in Troy.

She lives with her husband, Tim, an IBEW Local 58 electrician, in Chesterfield Township. She enjoys golfing, traveling, cooking, and spending quality time with family and friends.

KIMBERLY SCHAAF

KIMBERLY SCHAAF JOINED THE OAK PARK TEAM IN THE SPRING OF 2021, with a wealth of knowledge related to libraries and program. Prior to taking on the Director of Library role at the Oak Park Library, Schaaf served as the Head of Adult Services at Springfield Township Library.

Overall, she has 14 years of library experience. Schaaf is also professionally involved in the Library Network Committees Group and serves current chair of the Shared System Users Group.

In addition to her library experience, Schaaf also has several years of corporate business management experience and holds degrees and certifications in the following:

• Bachelor of Arts in English with a specialization in secondary education, University of Michigan.

• Master of Library Science: Wayne State University.

• Professional Level One Librarian Certificate: The Library of Michigan.

• Certificate in Library Community Assessment.

Schaaf is married with two teenage boys. In her free time she enjoys gardening, hiking, doing mixed media art projects and spending time with family.

COURTNEY FLYNN

COURTNEY FLYNN JOINS THE CITY OF OAK PARK’S MANAGEMENT TEAM as the Director of Communications. She formerly served as Public Relations Manager for the Macomb County Board of Commissioners.

She is well-versed in government communications with an emphasis on community engagement and programming, crisis communications, media relations and policy analysis. Prior to serving in the public sector, Courtney served as a local government and education journalist.

She earned a Master of Public Administration degree from Wayne State University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Print Journalism from Bowling Green State University. In addition to her extensive communications experience, Courtney woks with the Wayne State University Center for Urban Studies analyzing socioeconomic data and policies.

In her free time, Flynn enjoys walking her dog, road trips centered around hiking, live music and finding the best places to eat.

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By Sara E. Teller

SHELL CLEANERS, ON COOLIDGE HIGHWAY, OPENED ITS DOORS ON MARCH 13, 1982. Narendra Patel, originally from India, had immigrated to the United States already with a college degree, but without speaking a word of English.

“My sister lived in Oak Park,” said Patel, which is why he chose to settle in the area. “I was looking for something to do here and the people were very nice.”

A laundromat seemed like a great option. Patel would be able to interact with many Oak Park residents and could learn English along the way. He also began to night school in Southfield after work. It wasn’t the easiest start, but he found his way, learning the language of his customers and eventually feeling at home.

“I was able to clean clothes for many customers and serve the city,” he said, which gave him great satisfaction.

Shell Cleaners served the city for 40 years and became an institution largely because Patel was known for doing great work at a reasonable price, which allowed his business to boom. He began to get to know many of his customers on a first-name basis and they would return to the the cleaners time-and-again for a quality job.

Patel was not only known for taking care of his customers’ clothing but serving them “always with a kind smile.” She added that he was such an integral part of the city that former U.S. Representative “Sander Levin wrote a letter to help bring [Patel’s] wife from India north of Bombay.” Eventually, the two were able to settle in the area together.

Patel enjoyed serving the people of Oak Park as much as they loved the work he did. They became more than just clients to him over the years. “They weren’t just customers, they were extended family to me,” he said.

YET NOW, AFTER ALL OF THOSE YEARS IN BUSINESS, Shell Cleaners has officially closed its doors. The pandemic has brought about many unforeseen changes and has hit small businesses especially hard. Unfortunately, small cleaners like Shell have been unable to obtain the same quality soap customers have come to expect and the prices of essentials such as poly bags and hangers have tripled. Because many professionals are working from home, they’ve transitioned from wearing business suits that need to be dry cleaned to more casual clothes.

All of these things affected Patel’s business. He tried to keep Shell afloat for as long as possible but there came a point that he had to make a very difficult decision. It was time to sell the building and close Shell’s doors.

“The Coronavirus has affected the whole country,” Patel said. “But it has very been hard on small businesses and their supply chains. I’m retired now but I wasn’t ready to.”

He said, “I miss the city. The city was my family.” He added he especially misses former and current Mayors Jerry Naftaly and Marian McClellan, respectively.

When asked what the future holds, Patel said he would like to eventually do something else but hasn’t decided what that is yet. Because of the pandemic and the continued difficulties small businesses face, “Right now, I’m just trying to take it easy,” he replied. Patel added he is no longer in Oak Park but may like to return someday.

Even though Shell has closed its doors, it will never be forgotten by all of the customers served over the four decades it was in business. Flynn said, “We are delighted he settled in Oak Park and wish him joy in his retirement.”

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By Kerry Lark
Photos ©2021 by David McNair

A Community-Based Business Serving Oak Park for Over 30 Years

IT WAS A TYPICALLY GREY AND CHILLY NOVEMBER MORNING as I pulled into a parking lot on 9 Mile in Oak Park. I was coming to interview Dawn and Sam Barash; the owners of Wirelessunow, Inc, a local cell phone provider.

Dawn welcomed me with a sincere smile, a bottle of water and a plate of tasty food. Talk about a great first impression! She led me to their office where I met her husband Sam. I sat down and listened as they proudly shared their personal and business journey here in America.

Sam Barash emigrated here from Iraq in 1974 at 14-years-old with little more than the clothes on his back. He is a typical, hard-working immigrant, the type who made this country great. Sam believes that by combining hard work and determination anyone can succeed in America. He enrolled at Oak Park High School, determined to participate and remain active in his new community.

IN 1993, THIS DETERMINATION BECAME PARAMOUNT when they decided to become entrepreneurs selling pagers and beepers. Remember pagers and beepers? If you’re under 25, don’t bother answering that question! By 1995 there were over 60 million pagers in use worldwide.

However, they realized that cell phones would soon grow to replace pagers and beepers, so they quickly pivoted and expanded, also offering service, accessories and repair. Their son and daughter came on board to lend a helping hand managing the growing family business. They were so successful that by 2006 they were a Metro PCS Master Dealer.

In 2013, T Mobile bought Metro PCS, so they are now an authorized dealer for Metro by T Mobile. They are proud of the fact that as an essential business they remained open during the Covid pandemic, providing important service while protecting their customers.

DAWN AND SAM OFFER EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE on a wide range of products and services. Over the years they’ve seen it all, and able to help you when other companies have turned you away. Products include all types of smart devices and accessories, data transfer from old devices to new devices, educating customers on avoiding cyber attacks and scams, and assisting clients navigating the myriad of features available on new products.

Sam and Dawn believe strongly that their personal values carry over to their company, including:

• 100 percent honest customer service.

• Family-oriented.

• Dedicated to the Oak Park community.

• Always working hard for you!

The old saying that, “the only constant in life is change” has never been truer, especially in the rapidly-evolving technology and communications industry. So, if you are looking for great local wireless company, stop by and see Dawn and Sam at Wirelessunow. They will treat you like family and they have the experience and expertise to help you. Who knows, you may even get a plate of tasty food!

Wirelessunow Inc., 8980 West 9 Mile Rd, Oak Park MI 48237

(248) 582-2222 | wirelessunow@gmail.com

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By Ryan R. Ennis

A Family-Friendly Business

NO MATTER HOW HANDY PROPERTY OWNERS MAY BE, plumbing problems will arise that require the skills of a professional.

Ready to tackle the challenges is Plumbing Techs of Michigan, a company owned and run by Scott Baxter. His Oak Park shop, located at 12700 Capital Street, services most of the Tri-County area. More recently, he has expanded his enterprise with the opening of a Wixom branch.

At Plumbing Techs, Baxter oversees daily operations, provides service estimates, and coordinates his employees’ scheduling and training. On lighter days, his staff begin their mornings driving to locations where water heaters, sump pumps, and garbage disposals need to be installed. On other occasions, their destinations put their high-level of expertise to use as they set about laying drains, water pipes, and gas lines for new construction and remodeling projects.

Baxter takes pride in being a second-generation tradesman. Following in his father’s footsteps, he began as a plumber’s apprentice until he received his journeyman license in 1982; two years later, he received his master plumber license. Following in Baxter’s footsteps, his son Shawn joined him in the trade four years ago and received his journeyman license last year.

IN 1996, BAXTER STARTED HIS COMPANY with only a used truck and his personal tools, determined to build a name for himself as a plumber with customer satisfaction as his top priority. Although his days are now kept busy managing staff and inventory, he remains committed to his original vision. A Madison Heights customer, John H., offers this testimony about Plumbing Techs: “You could not get a better end result for the money spent. I would recommend this company to anyone requiring major or minor repairs.”

As part of maintaining customer satisfaction, Baxter and his staff adhere to certain precautionary measures. During the onboarding process, Plumbing Techs employees participate in safety and MIOSHA (Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration) training. Whether arriving at a site to give an estimate or provide a service, they wear masks, booties, and gloves to protect themselves, their customers, and their customers’ properties.

Additional protective steps include the laying of tarps and other coverings to prevent damage to floors, appliances, and furniture. When the jobs involve excavation, Baxter contacts Miss Dig 811, a free utility safety notification service, whose markings of underground utility lines help Baxter and his plumber avoid potential dangers.

During a recent project, Baxter utilized safety checklists as his plumbers replaced a water piping system for a 16-unit condominium building dating back to the ’60s. The complicated task involved swapping out old large diameter mainline piping for a new supply system inside the property’s wall cavities.

What made the undertaking even more tricky was that the residents continued occupying their homes while the work was being done. Although they had to deal with some noise and inconvenience under the renovation, they couldn’t have been happier about the results: “The owners had not seen water pressure this good in many years,” says Baxter.

WHILE SOME MAJOR PLUMBING PROBLEMS SPRING UP UNEXPECTEDLY, others can be prevented with annual maintenance. To schedule the flushing of your hot water tank, the cleaning of your sewer lines, or other yearly procedures, call Plumbing Techs at 248-548-7488 or visit plumbingtechs.com. The website contains more information about the company’s extensive menu of services, including a listing of frequently asked questions for regular and prospective clients to peruse.

“We are a proud company,” says Baxter. “We give our customers fair pricing, timely scheduling, excellent workmanship, and a two-year guarantee on labor.”

 

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