Focus on Artesia Summer 2014

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4 DirtyJobs

Got Milk? It Takes Some Work!The Good, the Bad & the Furry

Let’s Talk Some Trash Dirty Jobs in the Oilfield

Crime Scene Clean-UpChamber News & More!

FLOWBACKS • RENTAL EQUIPMENT HOT SHOT SERVICES • PLUG CATCHERS

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FROM THE EDITOR

FOCUS ON THE DAIRYMILK MONEY

FOCUS ON PETSTHE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE FURRY!

FOCUS ON THE TRANSFER STATIONLET’S TALK SOME TRASH

FOCUS ON PLUMBINGPLUMBING SOMETIMES ISN’T PRETTY

FOCUS ON THE OIL PATCHDIRTIEST OILFIELD JOB OF THEM ALL

PHOTOS IN FOCUS

FOCUS ON GIVING BACKDOING THE RIGHT THING

FOCUS ON THE ENGINEKEEPING OUR ENGINES RUNNING

FOCUS ON THE CRIME SCENETRAUMA UN-SCENE

FOCUS ON MAINSTREETVOLUNTEER ON MAINSTREET

FOCUS ON THE CHAMBER

FOCUS BUSINESS DIRECTORY

F O C U S O N A R T E S I A I S P U B L I S H E D Q U A R T E R L Y B Y A D V E N T U R E M A R K E T I N GAd Venture Marketing, Ltd. Co. • 866.207.0821 • ad-venturemarketing.comAll rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without permission of the publisher is prohibited.

Every effort was made to ensure accuracy of the information provided.The publisher assumes no responsibility or liability for errors, changes or omissions.

Staci Guy, Editorial Director - Lilly Anaya, AdvertisingPhotography by Staci Guy, Jennifer Coats & Submitted Photos

Special Contributors: Kyle Marksteiner, Sylvia Hewett Schneider,Rebecca Prendergast & The Artesia Chamber of Commerce

S U M M E R 2 0 1 4

A B O U T T H E C O V E RDon Digas Ramos, an employee at Valley View Dairy - where

everyday more than 2,000 cows enter the milking barn twice dailyand the entire process makes for a very dirty job! Story on page 6 >

Photo by Jennifer Coats Photography

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CommunityA proud part of the Artesia

3S U M M E R 2 0 1 4 | A C O M M U N I T Y M A G A Z I N E

IN LATE 2013, LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHER JENNIFER COATS AND I WERE HAVING LUNCH IN CARLSBAD DURING ONE OF OUR WORK TRIPS WHEN OUR CONVERSATION TOOK A TURN FOR THE DIRTY. NO, NOT THAT KIND OF DIRTY! Somehow we started talking about different jobs in which workers just get downright filthy. That’s when it hit me—why not devote an entire issue to dirty jobs. I mean, if Mike Rowe can squeeze an entire television series out of the topic, there should be plenty of material for one issue of a quarterly magazine, right?

Turns out I was right. In fact, narrowing it down to just seven or eight jobs proved to be rather difficult. Given the nature of our economy here, it seems dirt and grime are what makes us thrive. I’m pretty sure we define the term filthy rich! Oilfield workers, farmers, dairy workers, pet groomers, wastewater and solid waste department employees, construction workers, janitors, exterminators, plumbers, doctors and nurses…the list could go on for days. There is no shortage of dirty jobs in Eddy County.

I want you to understand this, though: we did not set out to make light of dirty, hands-on jobs with this issue of Focus on Artesia. Instead, our goal was to shed light on these jobs and relay to our readers just how vital they are to maintaining our quality of life. Like I told just about every person I talked to when putting this issue together, “Thank God someone does these jobs!”

Sometimes I think we might take most of these jobs for granted, especially people like me who work from the comfort of our homes and offices and rarely see the grit and grime of what it takes to keep our community alive. Interviewing the individuals for this issue was nothing less than eye-opening for me (and a ton of fun, I might add!). It certainly made me more appreciative of the means necessary to give us a comfortable life in which we can drink milk when we choose, drive our vehicles as often as we’d like, enjoy heating and air conditioning at our discretion and not have to worry about who is going to dispose of our garbage. Someone has to brave the brutal New Mexico heat and unpredictable New Mexico winters to provide for us the necessities and amenities we’ve become accustomed to. I am ever so thankful those people exist!

I hope you will take time to read through this issue of Focus on Artesia

and learn a little more about the local people with dirty jobs who are making life for all of us a lot more enjoyable.

Make sure to like us on Facebook and visit our website for additional stories, upcoming events, photographs and so much more.

ABOUT THE EDITORStaci Guy is the Editorial Director of Focus on Artesia. She can be reached at [email protected].

F O C U S from the editor

STACI GUYEditorial DirectorFOCUS ON ARTESIA

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F O C U S on the dairy

IT WAS A HOT SUMMER DAY AT VALLEY VIEW DAIRY

WITH TEMPERATURES BREAKING THE CENTURY MARK. UPON ARRIVING AT THE DAIRY, I MET WITH OWNER JOE BOGLE AND TOGETHER WE ENTERED THE MILK BARN. I WAS PAINFULLY ILL-PREPARED FOR WHAT I WAS ABOUT TO EXPERIENCE. “This is where we do all our milking,” Bogle began.

I heard him say this, but at the same time, I was using every ounce of my bodily reflexes in an attempt to keep from vomiting and to not let on to the fact that I was on the verge. The smell of hot milk and cow manure was so pungent, it hit the back of my throat and immediately triggered my gag reflexes.

My eyes began to water and my body began to heave, so I positioned myself just out of Bogle’s line of sight until I could pull myself together. It wasn’t long before my olfactory senses became fatigued though and the severity of the smell lessened.

Whew!

Once I got past the smell, I began to marvel at the sheer magnitude of the operation. Inside the room, 50 dairy cows stood, hooked to fancy contraptions that were extracting milk from each one. In a matter of about four minutes, the cows had produced some 40 pounds of milk each. It was their second milking that day.

As I watched a new batch of cows enter the milk room, I noticed several men walking along, applying what I later learned was

iodine to each teat of the cows’ udders. The iodine, Bogle explained, is used to sterilize the teats and prevent disease since the cows lay around in the dirt and manure all day.

After the iodine is applied, the milking machine is hooked up to each cow and the extraction process begins. A few minutes later, the milking is done and another substance, a barrier dip, is applied to the teats.

“The barrier dip coats them (the teats) before they go back out, especially after it rains,” Bogle noted. “It keeps them from getting infection and mastitis.” He

PHOTO LEFT: Don D. Paez is hard at work on the dairy farm. PHOTO RIGHT: Owner Joe Bogle and his wife, Nicole, purchased Valley View Dairy, located north of Artesia on Funk Road, in 2009. Photos by Jennifer Coats

MILKMONEY


explained that the cows are more prone to infection after summer rains, when the conditions are ripe for bacteria growth. In addition, the cows lay around in mud all day, which later dries on and around the udders, causing problems like mastitis.

After the milk is gathered from the approximately 2,350 cows at the Valley View Dairy each day, it flows through a series of pipes into a room where it is cooled to temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. There, the raw milk is stored in large vats until a truck comes to haul it to the Leprino Foods cheese plant in nearby Roswell where it is processed.

The entire process is dirty and loud and smelly but vitally important to our local economy and way of life here.

BUT THAT’S NOT ALLMore goes on at the Valley View Dairy than milking, though. Through a process called artificial insemination, the dairy farmers breed cows on a daily basis. That, too, is a dirty job!

“There’s never a day that we don’t have a calf born,” Bogle shared. “There are between 10 and 20 calves born each day here. We keep the heifers and sell the bulls.” Bogle and his crew will raise the heifers and then begin breeding them once they reach 13 months of age. Like humans, a cow’s gestation period is nine months.

Once the cows reach the right age and are bred, the lactation process begins and will last for approximately 220 days. On average, Bogle said most dairy cows will last about three lactations, with some going as long as seven or eight lactations.

As is the case with most lactating animals, certain factors will affect the production of milk, such as the amount of food they consume, their stage in the breeding process and even the weather. Pregnant cows, for instance will produce less milk and cows that just gave birth will produce greater volumes. And the scorching New Mexico summers mean the cows tend to eat less, which in turn causes them to produce less milk. The stress of the heat on the cows also affects production.

BY THE BOOKSWith advances in technology, over

the years milk production has become safer and more efficient. Each dairy cow has an ear tag with a number on it, and thanks to a computer program, Bogle said he can access each cow’s life history with the click of a mouse. The program allows farmers to keep track of important factors, such as which cows have suffered from mastitis, how many calves they bore and how many lactations they have experienced.

One thing Bogle claimed he prides himself on is the quality of milk his dairy produces. For the past six

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PHOTOS: Every day at Valley View Dairy, more than 2,000 cows enter the milking barn twice daily, where they are cleaned with iodine, attached to milking machines and then covered in a barrier before being sent back out to the farm.Photos by Jennifer Coats

months, Somatic Cell Counts at the dairy have been below 100,000. The Somatic Cell Count is a main indicator of milk quality and is quantified by the number of cells per milliliter of milk. “It’s hard to get there, but these guys work hard to prep and iodize the cows to make sure those numbers stay low,” Bogle explained.

With more than 20 people on the payroll, it’s a group effort to ensure the milk produced at Valley View Dairy is high quality and safe for consumption.

The stench of hot milk and cow manure seemed to cling to my olfactory senses long after I left the dairy, but I also left with a newfound appreciation for the work that goes into ensuring I can get the ice cold milk, the ample amounts of cheese and the delicious ice cream I so thoroughly enjoy!

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F O C U S on pets

It was a routine Tuesday morning at Doggy Styles Pet Salon when a hair-icane hit. “That’s what we

call it when the hair blows and swirls around,” owner Robin Dunnavant joked. “Hair gets everywhere—in your mouth, all over! When we have breeds like Huskies and Newfoundlands in

here, we wear bandanas and goggles!”Dealing with hair is only a portion of the mess Dunnavant and her sister, Michele Robison, encounter on a typical day in the pet grooming business. “I don’t even shower until I’m completely done with my work day,” Dunnavant shared. “It’s definitely

a dirty job, but I love it!”

Dunnavant got her start in the grooming game thanks in large part to a fellow local groomer, Patty Grisham. With a steady clientele and no desire to grow her base any further, Grisham, who was trained by a top groomer in

The Good, the Bad and

the Furry!

PHOTO FAR RIGHT: Robin Dunnavant takes pride in her work and enjoys grooming and clipping dogs for her business, Doggy Styles.

PHOTO CENTER: Dunnavant’s sister, Michele Robison, assists with various tasks at the salon. For a nominal fee, she also picks up and delivers for appointments.

PHOTO BELOW: Tracy Teel, a friend of owner Robin Dunnavant and a volunteer at Doggy Styles, bathes Deion, Dunnavant’s standard poodle.

Photos by Staci Guy


Arizona, offered to teach Dunnavant the tricks of the trade in order that she might then start her own business. So in 2011, Grisham began imparting her knowledge to Dunnavant, who basically worked as an unpaid intern through most of 2012.

After Dunnavant and her husband, Ronnie, purchased acreage west of town, Dunnavant acquired a building and outfitted it to perfectly serve their needs. “We did a lot of the work ourselves,” she mentioned. “The way we have it set up works out great with two grooming tables and the large walk-in dog bath.”

Doggy Styles officially opened for business in January of 2013. Since then, Dunnavant and Robison have seen just about every imaginable pet grooming mess.

“Probably one of the worst things that happens is when a dog poops while it’s on the table,” Robison admitted. “I’ve

even had it happen while the fan was on and it blew the poop all over the place—walls, table, everywhere.”

Dunnavant acknowledged she has a hard time with dipping dogs for fleas and ticks, especially when the animal is covered in the little critters. “It’s really gross when you pull out packs of ticks,” she shared. “Really gross.”

As if dog hair, feces, ticks and fleas aren’t enough, another revolting aspect in the pet grooming business can be summed up in three words: anal sac expression. In dogs, the anal glands are occasionally referred to as scent glands because they enable the animals to mark their territory and identify other dogs. Sometimes, however, the glands fail to empty and the groomer is charged with expressing the glands. It’s definitely a dirty job. “Michele does that part,” Dunnavant confessed.

Grooming dogs is not only dirty, it can

also be dangerous, or at least painful from time to time. “Most of our dogs are pretty good, but we definitely have some biters,” Dunnavant contended. “We also get ‘hair splinters’ on our arms and even on our faces. Those hurt.”

Dog grooming might sound like tough, dirty work, but Dunnavant said she can’t imagine doing anything else now. “I didn’t like having a desk job; it just wasn’t for me,” she admitted. “I really like what I do now though. It’s fun! I love hanging out with dogs all day and it’s nice to be able to work right next to my home and set my own hours.”

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F O C U S on the transfer station

Some TrashLet’s Talk

EVERY DAY ARTESIANS GENERATE 100 TONS OF TRASH!Sound like a lot? It is. Surprisingly, of that 100 tons, almost none of it is recycled.

According to Jimmy Bustamante, solid waste supervisor for the City of Artesia, between city waste, county waste generated at the big roll-off bins next to the Eddy County Fairgrounds and rig trailers from the oilfield, enough waste is generated daily to fill six large trailers, which have to be hauled to the regional landfill in Carlsbad. The landfill will only take four trailer loads per day, however, which means two trailers are typically left over each day for the next day’s trip.

So let’s do the math: it costs the city

$290 per load and each day solid waste personnel haul off four loads. On average, it costs the city $1,600 per day to haul off solid waste.

In addition, at least twice a year the city pays someone to come in from out of town to grind up the tree branches and related debris piled up at the transfer station at a cost of $75,000 per trip.

And if you’ve ever wondered what happens to all the tires the transfer station receives, well, the city pays someone to haul those off also. “Every three months or so, when we fill a trailer, it costs us about $1,400

to get rid of them,” Bustamante disclosed.

Now imagine the savings, both monetarily and environmentally, that residents could generate by recycling and doing little things to keep waste at a minimum.

Oh, the trash!As another trash truck pulled into

the bays at the transfer station, the garbage

came piling out. After the dump

was made, a worker got out

and with


a long pole manually scooped out the debris left behind, which oftentimes might include dog feces, lawn clippings and even dead animals. It’s a dirty job, but someone’s got to do it.

That’s only a portion of what trash truck drivers go through on a daily basis, though. “They have a lot of responsibility,” Bustamante stressed. “It’s not just slinging dumpsters. They’re always having to look out for kids and pets, meters and high lines. It’s such a nerve-racking job.”

As the truck pulled away after making a dump, Bustamante pointed out, “Look at all the cardboard in there.” It’s a typical pile of garbage emptied from a trash truck and it’s full of cardboard boxes, plastic bottles, aluminum cans and lawn debris. “Pretty much every load that comes in looks a lot like that,” he observed.

Soon after, a tractor pulled into the bay and shoved the trash into a large receptacle trailer. Inside the trailer were more plastic bottles than can be counted, along with a large couch, more cardboard and a plethora of aluminum cans and bottles. The amount of waste that could be recycled but isn’t is staggering.

It’s no secret Artesia does not have a recycling program in place. And while it’s not likely one will be implemented any time soon, there are options

residents have in terms of small-scale recycling that can at least ease part of the burden the transfer station faces as well as lessen the impact on the environment.

“If we would recycle, we would save at least—at least—10% of what goes into the landfill,” Bustamante scolded, “which is filling up fast.”

Some options for recycling include taking aluminum cans to Artesia Metals, calling Artesia Clean and Beautiful to pick up old magazines and paper or hauling cardboard to the trailer next to Artesia Car Parts, which is cashed in and the proceeds used to acquire service dogs for veterans. It’s not necessarily easy and it requires effort on the part of residents, but small-scale recycling can be done and it can be beneficial.

Here are somefacts to consider: • Artesia’s transfer station is the only one in the state that doesn’t charge a disposal fee, which means patrons can dump as much and as often as they want for free.• The City of Artesia does not charge a fee to clean up alleyways.• On average, 100 customers per day use the city’s transfer station, not including the city’s own trash trucks. That’s a lot of customers using a free service! • Each garbage truck costs

approximately $190,000 plus maintenance.• The city runs four routes per day, Monday through Friday, for approximately eight to nine hours per day. According to Bustamante, running the trucks for that many hours creates a lot of wear and tear.• Due to the increase in population, construction and oilfield activity, the regional landfill is filling up at a faster pace than originally anticipated. • Every resident pays a garbage fee that is likely to increase as time progresses and demands increase.

Perhaps the next time you come across a cardboard box, aluminum can or pile of magazines, remember those facts and think about recycling. Our friends at the transfer station will thank you and so will our environment.

PHOTO LEFT: Pictured is a typical pile of garbage unloaded by a city worker after completing a route. As is evidenced in the photo, the majority of the contents can and should be recycled. PHOTO BELOW: Steve Thompson has been a long-time employee at the transfer station and according to Supervisor Jimmy Bustamante, is one of the best employees he has had. PHOTO RIGHT: On average, residents in Artesia produce enough garbage to fill six of these trailers per day, which are then hauled to the landfill in Carlsbad. Photos by Staci Guy

PROPER TRASH DISPOSAL ETIQUETTE• DON’T overfill your dumpsters. If the lids won’t close, they’re too full. • DON’T pile up trash behind or beside the dumpster. If you have trash that will not fit in the dumpster, pile it behind your own house or property and then call the City. They will put in

a work order and send someone to pick it up. • DON’T place construction debris in dumpsters. Such debris wreaks havoc on the trash trucks. Even something as seemingly innocent as a 2x4 can plug up the truck and put it out of commission. • DO place animal waste in bags before tossing in the dumpster. • DO haul grass clippings, tree limbs, etc. to the transfer station so it can be placed in the compost piles. • DO bring used oil and construction debris directly to the transfer station. There is no fee and it will save room in the dumpsters.

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As You Can Imagine…Plumbing Sometimes Isn’t Pretty

PLUMBERS HAVE A SAYING: “YOUR ____ IS MY BREAD AND BUTTER.” THE CHOICE OF WORD THAT FITS IN THE BLANK IS UP TO THE PRESENTER.

According to Allen Coats, owner of Coats Plumbing, “We

see and deal with a lot of stuff nobody

ever wants to see, as you can imagine.” He has been

working as a plumber for 17

years and he comes from a long line

of plumbers, since his grandfather ran a

company as well.

Life as a plumber consists of cleaning drains, crawling under houses or through

attics to fix leaks and doing checks on existing plumbing. Of course, Coats handles estimates, dispatching calls, billing and collections as well. Along the way, there have been some standout stories, including plenty that should not be repeated.

“Many times, we have arrived to find and fix a sewer smell,” he explained. “This usually turns out to be either a dry trap, a broken vent, or of course just a broken sewer line under the house.”

As you might also imagine, it can get pretty nasty. “We’ve had guys under houses who were completely saturated with sewer, but hey, someone has to do it,” Coats shrugged. He said employees are never asked to step outside of their comfort zone, “but in this line of work, not everything is clean, so you definitely have to have a stomach for it.”

“Believe it or not, plumbing is a skilled trade,” Coats emphasized. “There are numerous codes we have to follow. We don’t just throw pipe together.” There is a lot of math involved and precise measurements must be made, especially during new construction. The state also has strict guidelines. Even so, plumbing hasn’t changed much over the years, though Coats and other plumbers have had to adapt to the electronics involved in HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning).

Coats said support from the

community of Artesia and the dedication of his employees has helped the company grow. “They do whatever needs to be done—and without too much guff, I might add,” he stated. “There are instances where they have worked until three in the morning to get it done. They are also good at communicating with customers. We could not ask for a better group of guys.”

Coats added that members of his close-knit company work on-call jobs on Saturdays, but he tries to give his employees the chance to rest on Sundays.

For more information about Coats Plumbing, please call575-748-8776 or visit the office at 705 N. First St. in Artesia.

F O C U S on plumbing

by Kyle Marksteiner

PHOTO TOP: Allen Coats and Joseph Bowles are called out to a plumbing job in the middle of the night. As one might imagine, plumbing can be a very dirty job. PHOTO BOTTOM: Joseph Bowles working in a dry hole. Photos by Jennifer Coats


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F O C U S on the oil patch

THE ENTIRE OIL PATCH can get a little messy at times, but two long-time oilmen say there’s a clear champion when it comes to selecting the winner of dirtiest job in the industry.

“It’s the pulling unit hand,” declared LeeRoy Richards, production manager with Yates Petroleum. “It’s a contractor job where if we have a broken pump down hole, they pull it out and repair it for us. There’s grease coming out of the pipe and getting all over them, and they could be doing it for days. It’s the dirtiest job in the industry.”

A busy day as a pulling unit hand may involve eight to ten trips from the floor to the derrick. Most hands will eventually work their way up to slightly less messy roles on the same operation, but it’s also a job that some seem to especially enjoy.

“It’s usually a guy who is physical and who doesn’t mind working hard,” Richards proclaimed, noting that a pulling unit hand is going to stay at the site until the job is done. “With most of my pulling unit guys, getting dirty does not bother them one bit. It’s not

a job for everyone. It takes a certain breed of person.”

Tim Bussell, drilling manager at Yates, noted the roughneck position is probably the dirtiest job on the drilling side of the process, but conceded that the pulling unit hand still wins the title for the entire industry. Roughneck is the entry level spot with a drilling crew, and things can get pretty dirty when you are lowering pipe into the hole, but there’s

by Kyle Marksteiner

“With most of my pulling unit guys, getting dirty does not bother them one bit. It’s not a job for everyone.It takes a certain breed of person.”

irror, Mirror on the wall, what’s the dirtiest oilfield job of them all?


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more grease when the hydrocarbons have built up a bit at an oil well already in production.

Bussell and Richards both worked their way up the chain at Yates, with similar jobs in the drilling and production sides of the company, respectively. For example, Richards began his career as a roustabout and did general repairs in the oil patch and then worked his way up to pumper and foreman. Roustabout was a bit of a dirty job, just not comparable to roughneck or pulling unit hand.

“Really, if you touch it in the oilfield, you are going to get dirty,” Richards admitted. For example, there was a time long ago when Bussell slipped and fell into a reserve pit, perhaps to the silent delight of the contractors who were working at the drilling site at the time. “What they used to say on the rigs is that you could go out there in clean clothes for a minute and you will get dirty,” Bussell joked. “The grease hops on you.”

However, the Yates guys freely admit that if the oil really hits the fan, that’s when they’ll call a contractor. “If the job is going to get really nasty, from our aspect, well, that’s what the contractors are for,” Richards smiled.

How do you clean up? There’s some hand cleaner on site and sometimes extra strong soap does the trick, “but most of the time, it is just time,” Richards shared.

Bussell said roughneck culture is often similar to pulling unit hand culture. “I think for some people, being the dirtiest means you worked harder than anyone else,” he stated. “You also have some people who just can’t walk around without getting dirty,” added Richards.

The number of female employees has increased over the years, but roughneck and pulling unit hand are still jobs that mostly appeal to men. Bussell said he’s worked with only two female roughnecks over the past 34 years.

The bronze medal for dirtiest job in the oil patch may go to the casing cleaners, Bussell suggested, who use wire brushes to clean out the casing grease. “They are driven by an electric drill, which slings grease everywhere.”

Then there’s mud logging, which involves geologic research but is actually one of the cleaner oil and gas jobs, despite its name.

Finally, while the oil and gas industry can get pretty dirty, Richards stressed that safety remains a priority. “We stress that you keep your stuff as clean as you possibly can for safety reasons,” he concluded. “They get dirty doing what they have to do, but when there is down time out there, you have guys scrubbing the rig. It’s a dirty job, but some of those hours a day are spent trying to keep the environment around as clean and safe as you can possibly get it.”

So it’s a dirty job, but somebody’s got to do it.

PHOTOS IN FOCUS DIRTY JOBS


PHOTOS IN FOCUS DIRTY JOBS PHOTOS - PAGES 20 & 21: On location at a drilling rig in the Delaware Basin. PHOTO TOP RIGHT - PAGE 21: Sean Spies, a breakman with Southwest Railroad, and Conductor Jimmy Florez take a break from their “dirty jobs” to pose for a photo. PHOTO BOTTOM RIGHT - PAGE 21: Crews with CVE hard at work. Photos by Jennifer Coats & Staci Guy



PHOTOS - PAGE 22: On location at a drilling rig in the Delaware Basin.

PHOTO TOP LEFT: Pablo Olivas, Dirt Work Supervisor, said his crews are ahead of schedule on the project.

PHOTO TOP RIGHT: Temporary workers for the City of Artesia Parks Department handle the city’s lawn care said, “We worked in the mosquitoes eight hours a day.”

PHOTO BOTTOM: Pictured is the Dirt Work Crew on the 13th Street Project.

Photos by Jennifer Coats

PHOTOS IN FOCUS DIRTY JOBS


F O C U S on giving back

PHOTO: J.P. Hutson, Owner of SD Services.Photo by Jennifer Coats

In just a few short years, J.P. Hutson has managed to build a highly successful business from the ground up, thanks to a string of seemingly unfortunate circumstances.

“That’s where I got started,” he said, pointing to what is now a house used as rental property next to his shop on Cottonwood Road. “It was just a pile of dirt back then—me, working in sleet and snow and wind, doing whatever I had to [in order] to get the job done.”

Hutson started SD Services with his brothers, Josh and Caylan, after an unexpected set-back forced him out of a different oilfield job. “It was time for me to do something for me and for my family instead of working to make someone else rich,” he explained. “So that’s when I decided to go out on my own. It was scary but I like to take risks and I knew I’d be able to put the work in that it would take to make it succeed, so I did it.” And he hasn’t looked back.

SD Services is a flowback company in the oilfield, which means his crews arrive after drilling and fracking are complete. “We basically

DOING THE RIGHTTHINGALWAYS GETSTHE JOB DONE


control the flow of the well with clean and safe parts,” Hutson noted.

The parts going out might be safe and clean, but the work itself is far from it. When parts come into the yard at SD Services after being used on a location, they are so dirty Hutson’s crew must first steam clean them, washing away layers of dirt and grime. After they are cleaned, the pipe is taken into the shop where it is broken down and a state-of-the-art

machine tests it for leaks. They also make sure the iron isn’t washed out, which can cause serious problems on the job site. Once any leaks are fixed and necessary parts are replaced, they will grease the pipe so the valves don’t get hard, since the valves hook up to the pump. It’s dirty and tedious work but it’s something Hutson says sets him apart from most companies.

“We test everything that comes in here before we send it back out,” he stated. “My thing has always been safety. That’s all I’ve known since I’ve been in this industry with companies like Devon, Baker Hughes and Halliburton. “At the end of the day, we all want to go home. It’s my responsibility to make sure that happens.”

Hutson has a motto that he says defines the manner in which he operates his business: “Do the right thing all the time.” In an industry as diverse and demanding as the oilfield, the right thing and the easy thing aren’t always the same. “We’ve had situations where it would have been

easier for us to do something that was illegal or unethical, but that’s not how we do business. I always stress doing the right thing and also doing things right the first time.”

GIVING BACKAs a kid, Hutson said he didn’t have much, but he did have determination and plenty of athletic ability. “My coaches saw that and they really took me in,” he shared. “Coach (Cooper) Henderson, Coach (Dale) Bohanan, Coach (Ridge) Bowden and Coach (Lee) Johnson—those guys would pick me up for practices and games. If I needed shoes or anything they’d buy them for me. They helped me so much and that’s why I want to give back to my community now, too. It’s my job to give back and do the same thing they did for me.”

And it seems Hutson has been good to his word. He has offered financial assistance for everything from sports teams to mission trips to 4-H clubs, and by doing so is giving youth in Eddy County the chance for a bright future in the hopes that they, too, will pay it forward one day.

PHOTO ABOVE: Pictured with Owner J.P. Hutson and his son, Marcus, are, SD Services Employees, from left: Becky Hutson, Jessica Borunda and Stacy Wallace.

PHOTO BELOW: John Paul Hutson, Sr. pressure washes a load of pipe at the SD Services yard before it is taken into the shop for inspection and repair. Photos by Jennifer Coats


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PHOTOS : After the pipe is pressure washed, crews examine every square inch and make necessary repairs before reuse.Photos by Jennifer Coats

GRANTED, WORKING AS A MECHANIC TODAY ISN’T QUITE AS DIRTY AS IT ONCE WAS, BUT IT’S DEFINITELY HANDS-ON AND REQUIRES MORE TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE THAN MOST OFFICE JOBS.

Having been in the business for 20 years, Rafael Campos has experienced the transformation first-hand.

Campos admitted his love of cars began as a child when he’d watch his older brother tinker with his own cars. In high school, he took auto shop, which further ignited his passion and propelled him to continue studying and honing his skills in college. “I don’t really like the office setting and I’ve always liked working on cars, so this job is perfect for me,” he confided of his job as a lead mechanic at Guy Chevrolet Company for the past 14 years.

So what happens when someone brings in a vehicle with something as seemingly routine as an annoying

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“chirping noise” coming from underneath the hood? Thanks to his years of experience, Campos has a pretty good idea of what might be causing the noise when the customer brings his work pickup to have the noise fixed. But regardless of his knowledge, he still has to get to work stripping the vehicle down, removing the radiator, fan shroud, air box, oil cooler lines and transmission lines. The work is tedious and takes hours.

“Here’s what was causing the chirping noise,” he revealed as he picked up a worn out piece of metal. “It had a worn lifter and cam shaft, so each time it rotated around, it chirped.”

It might seem like a lot of work to get to the root of an annoying noise—and at 19 hours total it was a lot of work—but left unattended, things would have inevitably gotten a lot worse. “If he didn’t bring it in when he did, eventually it would have blown the engine,” Campos recalled. It goes without saying then that forking over a couple thousand dollars to have the problem fixed early on saved several thousand more in the long run.

A large percentage of vehicles that enter the bay doors at Guy Chevrolet Company include work pickups like the one mentioned earlier. Between the oilfields and agricultural jobs, harsh summers and cold winters, work trucks in Southeast New Mexico take a lot of abuse. “Usually they idle for long periods of time, either keeping them warm in the winter or cool in the summer, which creates a lot of heat under the hood,” Campos explained. “The wires are thinner

now, so when they get hot, they break easier.” The excessive heat and rough roads also wreak havoc on things like the engine harness. “There’s just a lot of circumstances that create problems with these work trucks; it’s just part of it,” he added.

THE CHANGING GAME Fifteen to 20 years ago, most vehicles operated in the same basic way as they do today, but as time progresses, more and more of the inner-workings and special features are operated via computers. For instance, Campos noted that “if you saw a head gasket that was blown, it would cause the vehicle to overheat. Back then, there would be two modules: an ECM (engine control module) and the body central module. But now they have different modules for everything: ABS (antilock brake system), OnStar, ignition control module. Everything has a different module.”

Everything might be computer-operated today, but the work itself is still very hands-on. Each time the vehicle’s engine is turned on, the computers do a self-diagnosis, which will alert the driver and the mechanic of potential problems. “The computer modules just tell us where the problem is, but then we have to find out what’s going on and go from there,” he pointed out. “It’s pretty complex.”

Along with the constantly changing computerization comes the need for new equipment, which Campos confided can get rather costly. “We are constantly getting new equipment,” he said. “Like scanners, for example. The scanners communicate with the

computer on the vehicle, but some stuff doesn’t communicate with older scanners. And then you have different scanners for Toyotas, Fords, etc. There’s really a lot of overhead for tools and training.”

In fact, the increase in computerized modules and complex operating systems requires additional training and certifications. Gone are the days of learning as you go or gaining all the knowledge you need as an apprentice in a body shop. Now mechanics are required to attend classes, both online and in person, to better comprehend and handle their jobs. “It’s just not as simple as it used to be,” Campos shared.

Times might have changed the game of auto mechanics, but some things remain constant. It’s hands-on and dirty and it’s a job that keeps our engines running.

Guy Chevrolet Company has been serving Artesia’s automotive needs since 1925.Owner: Eddie Guy 101 W. Main Street • 575-746-3551www.guychevrolet.com

Guy Chevrolet Hours:SALES: Sun. Closed, Mon.-Fri. 7:30 am-5:30 pm,Sat. 7:30 am-3:00 pm

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PARTS: Sat. & Sun. Closed, Mon.-Fri. 7:30 am-5:30 pm

BODY & RADIATOR SHOP: Sat. & Sun. Closed Mon.-Fri. 7:30 am-5:30 pm


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F O C U S on the crime scene

In Artesia, the presence of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center piques our curiosity about

the workings of law enforcement and public safety.

Thanks to the magic of the media, we have a plethora of choices in the guise of entertainment as well as actual informative sources from which we may glean a fairly broad base of knowledge regarding crime scene processing, collection of evidence and the legal process in general. With TV shows like CSI or Law & Order and novels from Patricia Cornwell following the fictitious Dr. Kay Scarpetta or true crime collections from Ann Rule, along with movies of every thriller and killer variety, many of us could speak knowledgeably about a grid search or taking care to

preserve a crime scene or the pitfall of hearsay testimony.

In many of these media offerings, we get in-depth insight into the crime—motive, means and method. Then the scene shifts and we follow along with the investigation, building a case against the alleged perpetrator. We proceed confidently into the courtroom, hoping the jury will convict. But what happens in between? That remains...unseen.

Crime and trauma scene (CTS) clean-up is one of those dirty jobs that most of us have never heard of and in truth, unless calamity befalls us, we will never give it a second thought. Eddy County is no stranger

“A lot of the time, the family is simply unable to do what needs to be done—a loved one has died suddenly, sometimes tragically, and emotions are raw.”

PHOTOS: Rachael Lassiter-Ballard and Sandy Ballard are dedicated to providing a service following any incident in which the family may be emotionally fragile and unable to cope with a tragic situation.

un-sceneby Sylvia Hewett Schneider


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to tragedy; like many communities, we have had our share of accidents and crimes, some of which resulted in serious injuries or fatalities. When an incident occurs in a public place, there is an urgency to restoring order and cleaning away blood or other signs of violence. When an injury results in the transfer of human bodily fluids or tissue, it must be considered a potential bio-hazard and treated accordingly. In other words, having the fire department come out to hose off the sidewalk with water, potentially contaminating adjacent areas, may not always be the most appropriate response. Clean-up is usually handled by the responding agency, which may choose to contract with professional CTS clean-up companies. Mobile Safety Crime and Trauma Scene Decon, located in Carlsbad, is just such a professional company.

However, when the scene is in a private residence, responsibility for the clean-up falls on the property owner, which in some cases means the surviving family members. “When a body is removed from the scene of a homicide, suicide or unattended death, a big clean-up job is often left behind,” explained Rachael Lassiter-Ballard of Mobile Safety CTS Decon. “A lot of the time, the family is simply unable to do what needs to be done—a loved one has died suddenly, sometimes tragically, and emotions are raw.”

“Not to mention that under the

best of circumstances, most people wouldn’t be able to handle it anyway,” added her partner, Sandy Ballard, “We understand that these families have gone through a tragedy. We want to come there, to help them, unobtrusively. The impact of tragedies can be dramatic and long-lasting. People emotionally involved should not have to deal with the cleanup of such incidents. Our services help bring closure and peace of mind as soon as possible during a tragic event. We do this in a professional, discreet and safe manner.”

When their services are required, Mobile Safety CTS Decon’s technicians maintain the highest level of confidentiality and work with the families as much or as little as they are needed, from simply cleaning everything thoroughly to removing floor coverings, window treatments and furniture—anything that could possibly be contaminated—to facilitating repairs and repainting. This discretion, along with their compassion, complements their unique backgrounds and extensive training.

According to their websitewww.mymobilesafety.com, “The advantage of using a professional service is that the family does not have to deal with the scene of a loved one’s passing. When the passing involves a crime it adds trauma to the family’s grief. Where a business or apartment complex is involved, we can conduct a professional clean-up so your employees are not exposed to a potentially hazardous situation. Our crime scene clean-up company deals with both grieving families and affected business locations and understands how traumatic this time is. Our representatives are caring and very professional. Our technicians will come in and perform the cleaning while being compassionate, courteous, and discreet.”

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is the federal agency that enforces safety and health rules in the workplace. Mobile Safety CTS Decon is OSHA-trained and OSHA compliant, according to Ballard, and is licensed and insured for this specialized service. They are

available to provide service anywhere in Eddy County or in other areas of New Mexico, Texas or Colorado.

“Mobile Safety CTS Decon was created to help families that have suffered through a suicide, homicide or unattended death in their home, vehicle or property. With HIV, Hepatitis B, and the events surrounding 9/11, bio-hazardous material has become a serious concern in our society,” Lassiter-Ballard stated. “We saw a need for a specialized company and it fit in so well with what we were already doing.” Mobile Safety CTS Decon can also help with situations involving hoarding, tear gas or other bio-hazards.

Lassiter-Ballard has owned and operated Mobile Safety CTS Decon since 2008, doing on-site safety training, drug & alcohol testing and respirator fit testing. Previously, she trained and worked in law enforcement and served in the U.S. Army. Ballard worked as a safety officer for DCP Midstream for more than 14 years before Mobile Safety CTS Decon became her full-time job. Both women are Eddy County natives.

Most homeowner or auto insurance policies will cover clean-up services, even in the case of suicides. In addition, Mobile Safety CTS Decon representatives may even be able to assist with the family’s insurance forms, helping the family deal with the insurance company and easing yet another burden.

“We are unseen,” Ballard quietly stated, “coming in during what is probably the worst event a family should never have to endure. We provide a service that minimizes the risk of exposure to blood-borne pathogens and other bio-hazards. This is definitely something you could classify as a dirty job, but there is a need for our service.”

Mobile Safety CTS Decon is located at 314 W. Mermod in Carlsbad, phone 575-234-0393 or 575-706-4228.

PHOTO: John Ballard, otherwise known as “Sandy’s dad,” is experienced in clean-ups and is available to lend a hand.


For more information call (575) 628-3768, visitcarlsbadmainstreet.org or email: [email protected]

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REBECCA PRENDERGASTExecutive DirectorARTESIA MAINSTREET

IN THIS EDITION OF FOCUS ON ARTESIA, THE THEME IS DIRTY JOBS. If there is anyone who knows what it’s like to work their butt off for no pay and little recognition (which in my opinion, constitutes a dirty job), it’s a volunteer! Webster’s Dictionary defines a volunteer as a person who voluntarily undertakes or expresses a willingness to undertake a service. Volunteering is renowned for skill development, socialization and fun as well as making contacts for possible employment. For many of us, it is a great way to give back to the community and to organizations that give us so much.

As you take a stroll down MainStreet and remember the before and after of the streetscape, be aware that volunteers helped translate that vision. Fifteen years ago, MainStreet and the surrounding streets looked very different. A new streetscape with trees, landscaping and beautiful public art has changed the face of MainStreet and the way we welcome people downtown.

Volunteers in cooperation with Artesia MainStreet staff help fuel the passion and drive the vision of the program. Our volunteers have a wealth of ideas as they come from all walks of life, from

downtown merchants and community leaders to city officials and business owners. Artesia MainStreet matches our volunteers’ interests and skills to the most appropriate portion of the program. If you have an interest in design, perhaps you would like to be part of our design committee. If you have a strong interest in public relations or the promotion of

MainStreet and Artesia, then you would fit right in with our promotions committee. Our volunteers have a lot of fun and have tangible evidence of their accomplishments.

If you have ever thought of volunteering with Artesia MainStreet, now is a great time to become involved. We always welcome new volunteers and appreciate the life experience they bring us. If you have an interest in being on a committee or if you would just like to help with a specific project, let us know. Artesia MainStreet knows that your time is a valuable asset and would be beyond grateful for your donation. We agree to pay you in thank yous but we can’t promise that you won’t get a little dirty!

If you have an interest in becoming a volunteer or

would just like to talk about the opportunities

that Artesia MainStreet holds for community members, email Rebecca at [email protected], or call

575-746-1117.

Volunteer on MainStreet

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F O C U S on the chamber

DIRECTOR’SNOTEThe Artesia Chamber of Commerce partnered with the Roswell Chamber of Commerce once again to take a group of business leaders and elected officials to Washington, D.C. The group served as an excellent cross-section of our business and industry community and represented our community’s concerns well.

Our hot button issues included highway safety in Southeast New Mexico, proposed EPA rules on carbon emissions, healthcare regulations and their impact on rural hospitals, and, of course, the Endangered Species Act. While it is easy to slip into a feeling that we in

Southeast New Mexico are not heard in our nation’s capital, our two Chambers of Commerce and our business communities have agreed it is critical to go every year to meet with our delegation and other decision makers and to speak up for our communities. With persistence, we may be heard, but without trying, we certainly won’t be. I want to thank those who take time every year to travel and the companies that support our efforts year in and year out.

I want to remind you to take the time to educate yourself on the issues that concern you and the industry that employs you. Email your elected officials, make phone calls, attend meetings where they or their representatives will be, and most certainly vote and encourage

your friends, family and co-workers to vote as well. If we don’t speak up, we won’t be heard.

Politics aside, the Chamber staff does like to work for fun, too. We recently wrapped up Gus Macker 3-on-3 basketball where 136 teams competed for coveted Macker trophies. The Fourth of July was a bang with our new pyro team, Garden State Fireworks. We thank you all for supporting these fun events.

Next up are Clays Crusher Sporting Clays Fun Shoot in September and Balloons & Bluegrass in November. Both events are a fun way to entertain yourself, your friends and colleagues. Call us to find out how to get involved and join the fun. You don’t have to be a shooter to participate in the Clays Crusher. We will help you! You don’t have to be a pilot to fly at Balloons & Bluegrass, either. Sponsor a balloon and take to the skies with a hot air balloon pilot or keep your feet on the ground and enjoy the live music and other fun stuff.

We stay busy throughout the year with events, workshops, receptions and business activities, but we can’t do it without you. Give us a call, email or stop by. If you have an idea for us, we are ready to listen and help.



The Artesia Chamber of Commerce recently began a Business of the Month program to give us the opportunity to celebrate a success or milestone with a Chamber member business, or just have an opportunity to say “Thanks!” to a business who is dedicated to Chamber and civic success. The program was unveiled in March. The Chamber staff, together with the Artesia Trailblazers, will surprise the selected member by presenting a window cling to celebrate the honor.

Listen to member station KSVP and check out the Artesia Daily Press to see who next month’s Business of the Month will be.

ARTESIA CHAMBERBEGINS A BUSINESS OFTHE MONTH PROGRAM

MARCH 2014 SHOP-N-GO306 N. 13th StreetShop-N-Go is your place to go for slushies, grocery items, great fountain sodas and snacks. Shop-N-Go appreciates the patience of their customers as they struggled through the 13th Street construction project that has limited access to the business. We say “Thank you!” to Shop-N-Go for being a valued and committed member of our community and the Artesia Chamber of Commerce.Photo by: Artesia Daily Press

APRIL 2014HONEY DEPOT104 Hermosa DriveHoney Depot may be a bit off the beaten path of the historic shopping area in downtown Artesia, but owner Ann Jacques remains committed to being an important part of our retail community. Go to Honey Depot for unique gifts, home décor and special occasion registries. She can make gift baskets and help you find the special thing you are looking for. Thank you for being a valued member of our community and the Artesia Chamber.

MAY 2014PUPPY KUTSPET BOUTIQUE1112 S. 13th StreetPuppy Kuts owners Micha and Brooke Foster have been working their tails off to expand the store’s services and hours. We applaud the hard work they have put in. Puppy Kuts is now open Monday-Friday 7:30 am-5:00 pm, offering doggie daycare, delivery and pick-up, grooming and several new products that include pet supplies, clothing and food. Thank you for being a valued member of our community and the Artesia Chamber.



WELCOME NEW CHAMBER MEMBERS!

ARTESIA LANES1701 Tumbleweed RoadArtesia, NM 88210575-736-4545www.artesialanes.com

LIZ WILLIAMSIndependent Mary Kay Beauty Consultant719-237-8335www.marykay.com/lwilliams59

REDLINE FITNESS904 S. 13th StreetArtesia, NM 88210575-736-6388www.redline-fit.com

JOEL’S HEAVY DUTY TOWING& RECOVERY, LLC175 W. Kincaid Ranch RoadArtesia, NM 88210575-308-3231

COMFORT INN & SUITES115 N. 26th StreetArtesia, NM 88210575-616-2000www.choicehotels.com/hotel/NM198

THE PARTY STATION1110 S. 13th StreetArtesia, NM 88210575-736-1701

BLUE LILY313 W. Main StreetArtesia, NM 88210575-746-2238

YUCCA DENTAL CENTER, P.C.606 N. 13th StreetArtesia, NM 88210575-736-3100

LA QUINTA INN & SUITES2207 W. Main StreetArtesia, NM 88210575-736-2400

MEET THE CHAMBER STAFF

HAYLEYKLEIN

Executive Director

DEBBIEVAN DER VEENDirector of Administration

VICKIE GROUSNICK

Events & Marketing Coordinator

KELCEY McCALEB

MembershipCoordinator

MICHAEL BUNT

Artesia’s Economic Development Director

A&A LOANS207 S. 1st St. • Artesia, NM 88210 • 575-748-2274The Artesia Chamber of Commerce and the Artesia Trailblazers welcomed A&A Loans as a new Chamber member April 15. Under the same name but with new faces, A&A Loans is now under new management and excited to get more involved in the community. They are an installment loan company that has been in business in our community since 1999.

KOUROS & KORE1407 W. Main St • Artesia, NM 88210 • 575-746-7566The Trailblazers and the Artesia Chamber of Commerce celebrated the grand opening of Kouros & Kore March 29. Artesia’s newest clothing store carries fun fashion trends for men and women. Owner Arturo Casillas sets his store apart by having a limited amount of each item so each customer leaves with a special outfit.

ENSIGNAL / VERIZON WIRELESS402 W Main St • Artesia, NM 88210 • 575-748-8870Ensignal/Verizon Wireless Premium Retailer was welcomed by the Artesia Trailblazers and the Artesia Chamber of Commerce at their ribbon cutting February 18. Ensignal started their first day welcoming everyone with Verizon goodies and a cookout. Go visit them to hear all the great reasons to choose Verizon for all your cellular needs.www.ensignal.com

CANYONSTONE APARTMENTS2602 W. Richey • Artesia, NM 88210 • 575-746-2182The Artesia Chamber of Commerce and the Artesia Trailblazers celebrated the opening of Canyonstone Apartments March 26. Tours of the beautiful facility were given along with light refreshments. Canyonstone has become a new and great option for housing for our community and has been a great addition to Artesia and the quality of life we enjoy.www.canyonstoneapartments.comPhoto by: Artesia Daily Press


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