Earth Day Celebrating 50 Years Today!

Earth Day 2020 is a milestone moment and, also about the enormous challenge we face. There are incredible and vast opportunities to have an impact on our planet and on climate change. EarthDay.Org, has distinguished climate change as the most pressing topic for the 50th anniversary.
Climate change represents the biggest challenge to the future of humanity and the life-support systems that make our world habitable.

Earth Day’s Beginning

The first Earth Day was a unified response to an environment in crisis — oil spills, rivers so polluted they literally caught fire, smog deforestation. On April 22, 1970, 20 million Americans, or roughly 10% of the entire U.S. population at the time, took to the streets, college campuses and hundreds of cities to protest environmental ignorance. But they wanted more, demanding a new way forward for our planet.

Social Impact Into Laws

The first Earth Day is credited with launching the modern environmental movement. Also it was the planet’s largest civic event! The first Earth Day in 1970 launched a wave of action, including the passage of landmark environmental laws in the United States. The Clean Air, Clean Water and Endangered Species Acts were created in response to the first Earth Day in 1970, as well as the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Many countries soon adopted similar laws.

While the coronavirus may force us to keep our distance, it should not force us to keep our voices down. The only thing that will change the world is a bold and unified demand for a new way forward. While Earth Day may be going digital due to the CoronaVirus, EarthDay.Org’s goal remains the same: To mobilize the world to take the necessary actions to make a difference. We may be apart, but through the power of digital media, we’re also more connected than ever.

Learn What You Can Do

Today, go to: EarthDay.Org, where you’ll find hours of action in global digital content that drives actions big and small, gives diverse voices a platform and demands bold action for people and the planet.
From the Cornell Roofing & Sheet Metal family to yours, be safe and stay healthy.

Covid – 19 Update From Department of Labor

From our Friends at Law Firm Seigfreid Bingham. Thank you!

#covid-19, #coronavirus, #ConstructionKCBy John Vering & Mark Opara

On March 25, 2020 the U.S. Department of Labor published on its website a Model Poster for covered employers to post, email to their employees or put on an internal or external website to meet the posting requirements under the new Families First Coronavirus Response Act (herein Act). The DOL website has a link to Frequently asked Questions about how and where to post the Notice and other options on providing it to employees of covered employers.

In addition, DOL has published Fact sheets on Employee Paid Leave Rights under the Act and Employer Paid Leave Requirements under the Act. Further guidance is contained in three Questions and Answers documents published by DOL on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, COVID-19 and the Fair Labor Standard Act and COVID-19 and the FMLA. These Fact Sheets and Guidance do not have the effect of regulations and leave a number of important questions unanswered as the April 1, 2020 effect of the Act rapidly approaches. We are advised that DOL does not plan enforcement actions against employers during the first 30 days the Act is in force as long as covered employers are making good faith efforts to comply with the Act.

Where else can I get more information and updated information?
We encourage you to keep updated on the latest developments and guidance being provided by DOL and other federal, state and local authorities including but not limited to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, and the Kansas City Missouri Department of Health. Regularly review the websites noted above, our firm COVID-19 Resources page and cdc.gov, coronavirus.gov and the CDC’s Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers. Another valuable resource is the National Governors Association website nga.org which provides valuable resources from every state on COVID-19 and steps employers can and should take to deal with this pandemic.

This article is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice. Please note that the Families First Coronavirus Act presents many novel legal questions, and we encourage you to seek legal advice for the application of this and related laws to your specific situation and please note that legal requirements are changing on a daily basis. Readers with legal questions should consult the authors, ([email protected]), Mark Opara ([email protected]) or any other shareholders in Seigfreid Bingham’s Employment Law Group, including:, John Neyens, Brenda Hamilton, Shannon Johnson, or your regular contact at Seigfreid Bingham at 816-421-4460.

 

Cornell Roofing & Sheet Metal Continues to Raise the Roof

When Mary McNamara purchased Cornell Roofing & Sheet Metal in 2007, little did she know the recession of 2008 was right around the corner. However, under McNamara’s leadership, and with her small team of industry professionals all working together, Cornell weathered that storm.

Learning and Growing

The trials and obstacles they faced, not only as a small business but as a Certified WBE/DBE, meant they had more to prove than most. “When we bought Cornell, we established Four Key Principles: Integrity; Dependability; Quality; and Responsibility.” Mary added, “ These principles, along with the best commercial roofing and sheet metal team in the region, have been the bedrock of Cornell Roofing & Sheet Metal’s Success.”

Major Milestones

Since purchasing Cornell Roofing & Sheet Metal in 2007, Mary is proud to announce they  passed 1,000 jobs in 2019! This continual growth also led to Cornell being named the third largest roofing company in the KC Region. In addition Cornell was named the 23rd largest Woman-owned business in the region. This according to Ingram’s Magazine’s Annual Book of Lists¹.

Giving Back

Cornell has always had a tradition of giving back. Since 2007, #KCBuildersAssociation, #2019KCBuildersAssociationDinner, featuring, #CommercialRoofingCompaniesKC, #CornellRoofingandSheetMetal, as Top Sponsor, #NRCA, #NAWIC #RoofingMagazine, #SnipsMag, #Nice-KC #KCCornell has provided support for a wide range of industry and community-related events. Just recently, this support moved to a new level as Cornell made a $25,000 donation to the The Builders’ Association Scholarship Foundation. Cornell’s recipient was Ethan Wegner.

In all,there were many sponsors and many recipients. The Construction Trades understands that workers will continue to be a

key to success and growth. That’s why The Builders’ Association began the Scholarship Foundation.

The complete group of sponsors and recipients speaks volumes to the efforts being made to introduce more and more young people to what a great career path the construction trades are.

¹ www.Ingram’sMagazine.com


Twitter
LinkedInShare

This entry was posted in American Subcontractors AssociationCharity and Community InvolvementCommercial Roofing and Sheet Metal Kansas City and tagged #KCChamber#NICE-KC#roofingmagazine#wbdc, #BuildersAssociationKCNAWICNRCA,

A Good Year for Cornell

As reported in an earlier post, 2019 was a good year. The Cornell Roofing and Sheet Metal team put a heavy focus on job-site safety, which resulted in ultimate success. This was a year of one of our lowest percentages and a reduction in the rate by which companies’ premiums are based.

With the start of a new year and decade, Cornell is proud to announce ZERO incidents in 2019! President Mary McNamara commented, “Safety is more than a word at Cornell. Keeping our people safe is a mindset.” McNamara added, “ I am very proud of the continued focus on safety and the fact that we attained this great result.”a good year

With Fall Protection the #1 OSHA Standard violated, Cornell’s mantra is: “No one gets hurt today.” Mary added, “At Cornell Roofing and Sheet Metal, we will continue to invest in the time, training, certification support and latest safety equipment needed to help keep our people safe.”

To all the Customers, Trades and Suppliers, Cornell wishes you all a safe and prosperous 2020!

 

Seasonal Commercial Roof Maintenance

After a pretty mild fall season, winter is here. As the weather changes so do the issues your roof must face, which means it is a good time for Commercial Roof Maintenance. Just like your own home, commercial roofing systems need to be inspected for upkeep and maintenance as well. With colder temperatures, snow and winter on the horizon, it’s best to stay one step ahead of Mother Nature and get a professional inspection on your commercial roofing system.

Annual Inspections Are Key

Cornell Roofing and Sheet Metal offers commercial roofing inspections. Our expert roofing technicians suggest an annual commercial roof maintenance standing water on roofing system, roofing system, roof maintenance, commercial roof maintenance inspection and a twice-annual check for minor repairs. All of our inspections include a checklist, records and photos of each inspection for the building owner to have and review. If necessary, we can also create an individual plan of action for any repairs that might need to take place.

Ponding water can be one of the most damaging commercial roof conditions. The added weight is never good and proper slope and drainage needs to be part of the solution.

rust affecting the roofing structureroofing system, roof maintenance, commercial roof maintenance Between each inspection, building owners can use preventative maintenance to ward off expensive problem areas. Cornell offers a Roof Maintenance Program to help in early detection of potential problems. This helps by extending the life of your commercial roofing system. Contact us today to learn more about what we can do to help avoid costly repairs to your commercial roof.

Hear from one of our customers, Twelve Apostles Parish in Platte, City, Missouri. We came to the rescue of their leaky roof that had been experiencing problems for some time; they came to us to aid this problem.

“Bob, I want to thank you and Bill for digging into the roof problems at the church. I can’t begin to thank you enough. I checked the church this morning after the storm last night. Everything looked fine. I do believe that what you discovered under the ridge cap is the probable source of water getting in again…Once again thank you Cornell Roofing,” – Bob Ralston, Twelve Apostles Parish

The MRCA, A Family Affair

Mary McNamara, Owner and President of Cornell, was recently appointed to the Midwest Roofing Contractors Association (MRCA) Board. McNamara continues a tradition of service to the roofing industry from the McNamara family at the regional and national levels.

Humble Beginnings

The MRCA  traces its beginnings to early 1950. For several years discussion of the benefits of a regional organization to represent roofing contractors had been going on. It was after a roofing clinic in Topeka, Kansas on January 12, 1950 that the organization was created.

Then Everything Changed

While conventions have always been a part of the MRCA, they began as a forum for contractors to gather and exchange ideas. In 1965, the first technical research project titled “Don’t Panic – Here’s How to Make a Roof Drain”, was published. Despite how it sounds today, it revolutionized the roofing industry. Overnight architects uniformly adopted the projects recommendations and the industry began changing.

Continuing a Tradition of Service

“ I am Honored to be appointed to the MRCA Board and look forward to collaborating with the many talented members of this

The MRCA, Organization, Midwest Roofing Contractors Association
Rob McNamara

organization,” McNamara stated. Her father, Jim McNamara was President of the Chicago Roofing Contractors Association. McNamara’s Uncle Don, served as president of the organization in 1981 and was awarded its highest honor, the James Q. McCawley Award in 1982. Don’s son Rob also served as its president. Its safe the say this has become a family affair.

MRCA Drives Positive Change

From the first industry altering publication, the MRCA Technical and Research (T&R) Committee was formed and has presented studies that have dramatically impacted the industry. As a result, the industry has seen an improvement of products and architects and specifiers have been influenced and guided to follow sound roofing practices. The MRCA has continually worked to improve the conditions for the roofing contractors and ultimately their customers. For more information visit: www.MRCA.org