I call them “My
Suulutaaq Boys,” and I love each and every one of them! But when the
Alaska-based construction and civil engineering company’s team landed in my
downtown Napa
neighborhood in October 2008 with jackhammers, earth movers, and roadblocks, I
was probably not the only local business owner to wonder how the noise, the
dust, and disruption would affect me.
Was I ever in for a
pleasant surprise.
After eleven years
of living with so much construction in Napa
(as a result of 9/11, the flood, and the recession), I have never encountered
such an incredible team who work so well together and with the community. They
are professional, friendly, humorous, and definitely classy, starting with
Project Manager Tracy Crain and continuing throughout the ranks to include
Jason Edwards (Underground Superintendent), Doug Whipple (Superintendent),
Stephan Urban (Underground Foreman), Brian Frazier (Surveyor), John Corrigan
(U.S. Army Corps of Engineers), and all the other crew members. They are
committed to shoring up our waterfront, razing old buildings, removing
hazardous waste, laying new track, building bridges, and so much more.
With their ceaseless
good humor, courtesy, and tidiness, they have built bridges of goodwill within
our community, too. These guys sweat the small stuff. And for that and
everything else they do, I would like to say a big Thank You!
Thank you, boys, for
always keeping us small business owners in the loop, for going out of your way
to keep us informed, even when it means going door-to-door. Thank you for being
friendly and cheerful, always ready with a friendly greeting or a good laugh at
just the right moment, no matter how hard you’re working. Thank you for your
constant concern regarding noise, parking, signage, and anything else that
comes up. Thank you for keeping your work areas clean (not easy on a
construction site!). My Suulutaaq Boys have even cleaned up all the weeds in
front of their headquarters on McKinstry
Street. And what sweeping! Come to think of it, I
don’t think our neighborhood has ever been tidier. “Above and beyond” is
standard practice for My Suulutaaq Boys.
Suulutaaq
(pronounced Soo-loo-dock) means “gold” in Yupik (native Alaskan), and how aptly
named they are. They truly are as good as gold, and as good as their word. They
are committed to completing this phase of the flood control project on
schedule, and knowing them, they’ll finish early. I have learned that if they
say they are going to do something, it’s done!
Is it any wonder
that I love My Suulutaaq Boys?
They inspire me and
prompt me to ask myself how I can help them. We can all help them by keeping a
positive attitude and being patient. We’re almost there. These guys definitely
know what they’re doing, and Napa
needs them. They have become part of our community, so let’s give them a round
of applause for a job very well done.
They were brought in
to shore up our infrastructure, but they have contributed so much more. In this
time of economic challenges, they daily demonstrate grace under pressure, and
the true meaning of teamwork and community. And isn’t that what doing business
and living in Napa
is all about?
Gloria Curry is the owner and operator
of Gloria Curry Day Spa & Boutique at 1027 McKinstry Street in downtown Napa.
