The Flood of 2008 in Cedar Rapids, the Economy: Sticky patches

On June 13, 2008, the worst flood in our community's history crested at 31.12 feet. This past weekend, the third anniversary of the Flood of 2008 past. LaVerne Tucker celebrated her birthday on June 12Th. She is not as active in Tucker Manufacturing Co., Inc. as she once was, but as my mother and wife of I.L. 'Tommy' Tucker, her contributions have been priceless.

Sticky patch or meltdown?

This week we look at the slowing of the world economy. Is it, we ask, going through a sticky patch, or is it headed for meltdown? We reckon that the reasons for the recent dip in activity—the knock-on effects of the Japanese tsunami, the high oil price, tightening monetary policy in emerging markets—suggest that it should be only transient. But—and this is a big but—there is a real danger that political brinkmanship in both America (over the deficit) and Europe (over the euro crisis) may turn a temporary hiccup into a big problem.

Here are some other pieces from this week's issue you might also be interested in. You can read them at The Economist online using the links below.

We have witnessed a variety of changes, since 2008.

• Flood of 2008


• Economic challenges for small and large businesses brought on by the financial crisis


• Delays in lead times


• Loss of life, whether it be customers or entities that we have know over the years


• Increase in business from customers post economic downturn


• Beginning of new relationships, due to a changing world


• New opportunities for growth, building goodwill and better understanding

We are in the process of reviewing our pricing and we will be announcing new pricing this Summer. We have seen increases in costs, due to petroleum costs rises, which have impacted a variety of costs in our raw materials.

Tucker Pole

Happy New Year to those of the Jewish Faith, It's September 9, 2010

Happy September 9Th to all ...

On Saturday, Americans and many throughout the world will reflect on September 11Th. In the State of Iowa, the Iowa-Iowa State football rivalry is played. This year at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, the game will be played.

Today, we want to wish a Happy Rosh Hashanah, which is the Jewish New Year, celebrating 2010 to those of the Jewish faith. For our Muslims friends, Eid al-Fitr, the three days of feasting and family gatherings to celebrate the conclusion of Ramadan, begins at sunset tonight.

For most people today, we live in challenging times. Despite our individual differences and personal challenges, we need to find a way to get to know our neighbors and work to live with one another. These can be very difficult at times with our local, state and global challenges facing many in our society.

The Four-Way Test of the things we think, say or do

• FIRST: Is it the TRUTH?


• SECOND: Is it FAIR to all concerned?


• THIRD: Will it build GOODWILL & BETTER FRIENDSHIP?


• FOURTH: Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

As Rotarians, 'Building Communities -- Bridging Continents' is 2010-11 RI theme, At Tucker Manufacturing Co., Inc. we enjoy the opportunity to help with your window cleaning and surface cleaning needs through utilizing the Tucker® High Level Window Washer and Exterior Maintenance Systems, known as the Tucker Pole System by many in the industry, to reach, wash and clean windows, glass, frames and other exterior surfaces.

In these difficult times, may we find peace with one another. May we seek the Truth, may we choose to be Fair to all concerned, may we seek to build Goodwill and Better Friendship and work to be Beneficial to all concerned.

Since 1945, for three generations, our company and our relationship with RI have been a part of who we are at Tucker Manufacturing Co., Inc. We extend you peace and look forward to our conversation in the future. We would be pleased with the opportuntiy to discuss solutions for your window cleaning and exterior surface cleaning equipment and systems requirements.

tucker pole

Robin Tucker will be attending the Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids meeting at Noon as the Club resumes weekly meetings in the New Year

Rotary International is a worldwide organization of service clubs.

Rotary Club: a group of business people in a town organized as a service club and to promote world peace

The object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster:

1. The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service;


2. High ethical standards in business and professions, the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations, and the dignifying of each Rotarian's occupation as an opportunity to serve society;


3. The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian's personal, business, and community life;


4. The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.

The Four-Way Test of things we think, say or do:

1. Is it the truth?

2. Is it fair to all concerned?

3. Will it build goodwill and better friendships?

4. Will it be beneficial to all concerns?

The Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids normally meets at Noon on each Monday at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Downtown Cedar Rapids. The nickname of our club is Downtown Rotary. The Cedar Rapids area now has Rotary Clubs meeting each and every weekday in our community. Robin Tucker has had the pleasure of being in Rotary International the past twenty years. He is a third generation member of the Downtown club. Robin's father, Tommy Tucker, is a member of Rotary International, as was the founder of Tucker Manufacturing Co., Inc., I.L. "Irv" Tucker, Robin's grandfather.

Monday, January 4, 2010

CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL
Today's Speaker and Program:

Gail Naughton, President, CEO of

National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library

The Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids is in District 5970 of Rotary International.

tucker pole