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I've had a ton of calls about Pelucid since the article in SignBuilder Mag, but the best one came this morning. "Good morning, this is Inmate Gonnabeherealongtime from the Utah State Correctional Facility. We make all of the signs for the state of Utah and many for the Federal Government. We read your story in Sign.......blablablablablablablablabla.......etc."
So you guys in Utah are competeing with a shop that appears to be a HUGE facility that makes signs, fabricates steel and everything else your mother thought YOU should be doing. Slave labor? In a very definite way, and they're absolutely dedicated. They're going to be buying Pelucid by the caseload, which is cool for me, BUT, it's an honest to goodness shame that many of us are competeing with government built-in labor.
------------------ St.Marie Graphics & Makin' Tracks Sound Studio Kalispell, Montana stmariegraphics@centurytel.net http://www.stmariegraphics.com 800 735-8026 We're chiseling every day of the week! :^)
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I know one or two signmakers that will be entering that system soon, but as long as there aren't any pinstripers there, it does not effect me.......
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I know the incident where a drug dealer was put into prison for 3 years. He was entitled to have all the tapes, sign paints, and all sign supplies (including books) supplied to him at the taxpayer's expense. He came out with an education in this and I have mixed feelings about it. In one way, I am thrilled that a person could get an education there, and yet the system poured thousands of bucks into whatever he asked for! He came out and still was leading a similar life as when he went in. Oh well, I am not judging, and at least the guy learned something useful with his time!
------------------ Deb Creative Signs "All the gold in the world cannot buy a dying man one more breath. So what does that make today worth?" Og Mandino
Posts: 5373 | From: Loves Park, Illinois | Registered: Aug 1999
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The company i used to work for had 3 applicants that applied for my job opening when i left. I had to interview and train them. 2 of them were ex-cons that had expierience on omega systems from gerber. I asked where they were previously employed and they said "mercer" so i asked if they worked at one of the 2 shops in that town and they said "no we worked for the prison while we were in there making road signs" I thought that was funny.
Well if my shop dosent work out i guess i could go on a crime spree and work for the "state" ha ha!
------------------ Ryan Ursta Ursta Graphics 27 West Shenango St. Sharpsville Pa. 16150 Call: 724•962•2206 "letters of Recommendation"
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No knocking a customer, Sarah, read it again........but then you'd read that into it wouldn't you?
------------------ St.Marie Graphics & Makin' Tracks Sound Studio Kalispell, Montana stmariegraphics@centurytel.net http://www.stmariegraphics.com 800 735-8026 We're chiseling every day of the week! :^)
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I agree totally withs Wayne's ideas. Too bad it won't happen. Also,if we re-educate someone in prison and they apply that education to related jobs when they return to society, we should be compensated for it. Just like a student loan.
------------------ Wright Signs Wyandotte, Michigan Since 1978 http://www.wrightsigns.bigstep.com
Posts: 2787 | From: Wyandotte, MI USA | Registered: Jan 1999
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------------------ St.Marie Graphics & Makin' Tracks Sound Studio Kalispell, Montana stmariegraphics@centurytel.net http://www.stmariegraphics.com 800 735-8026 We're chiseling every day of the week! :^)
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I had breakfast this week with a locksmith and a couple of other fellows. We got asking the locksmith a lot of questions about where you learn the trade and how you keep up with the new techniques and equipment available to locksmiths. He claimed all the really good locksmiths live and learn in the Crown Correctional Facilities (thats federal prisons in American English!). Says they have lots of time on their hands to read and practice. Plus many of thier incarcerated neighbors make excellent teachers and mentors for those that wish to enter the trade!
------------------ Chuck Churchill, It's A Good Sign Inc. 3245 Harvester Rd, U-12 Burlington, Ont. Phone: 905-681-8775 Fax: 905-681-8945
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I'm a Utah signmaker, and I have learned to live with the limitations of a state that has combined religion and government. As you ALL know... in 1965, Lady Bird Johnson got the Hiway Beautification Act passed which disallowed billboards on the hiway... unless of course, you are Young Electric Sign company, Kunz, Reagan Outdoor, or any other very wealthy sign company who can afford to contribute large $$$ to your favorite congressman's campaign fund. In which case you may put your signs anywhere you wish... want a map with locations marked? Now... there are also these little "logo signs" which are located near exits to remind travellers about Taco Bell, and Super 8 motels, and Exxon gas... of course.. ONLY THE STATE may erect these signs, and only the state may make these signs and only the state may collect the $400 per month per logo these businesses pay to have their logos placed there. But I was upset that the MAJOR church of Utah bought the ONLY independant newspaper the state has to offer the public... and I am cancelling my subscription... We do what we can to make our opinions known. Basically... there's nothing you can do without jeopardizing the health and safety of your family... ask Randy Weaver how much fun his million dollar settlement is without his wife and son to share it with. LE
------------------ LazyEdna in RL known as Sara Straw from southern Utah 5 National Parks within 3 hours drive Red Rock Heaven
Posts: 776 | From: Aurora, Utah, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Government competing with business is a drag. Ask the mafia. A major difference between the two would be the volume of office supplies used.
Around here the numbers I've seen say it cost 30 thousand bucks a year to keep a prisoner. I can run a household on that.
I'm glad the prisoners are not going door to door to downtown business' soliciting work of a custom nature. All the prisons bought 4B's when they came out.
------------------ The SignShop Mendocino, California "Where the Redwoods meet the Surf"
Oh, for the faith of a spider! He begins his web without any thread.
Posts: 6806 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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I do feel for you LE. It's hard to deal with closed doors when nobody will discuss the situation. BTW......Randy, the Liar, Weaver lived down the road from us for one year. His daughters still live her. Sarah lives here in LostPrairie and Rachel lives just two miles down the road. Sarah got married last year. Really a very nice young lady. Rachel is kind of screwed up because of her father. BTW......Randy didn't get the money. His three daughters did. I won't relate our "Weaver Experience" unless you ask for it, but suffice it to say that Mr. Weaver is quite a different person than his PR people would have you believe.
------------------ St.Marie Graphics & Makin' Tracks Sound Studio Kalispell, Montana stmariegraphics@centurytel.net http://www.stmariegraphics.com 800 735-8026 We're chiseling every day of the week! :^)
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