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John Holt of Kane is named Logger-of-the-Year |
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Written by Publisher
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Wednesday, 01 April 2009 |
Photo by Ted Lutz
John Holt, center, of Kane has been selected as the Logger-of-the-Year. Holt, who received several gifts including this mounted axe, was honored Tuesday at the 41st annual Loggers and Saw Millers Safety Meeting at the Johnsonburg Fire Hall. Two other nominees for the award include Dave Sallack, left, of Wilcox and Kevin Snyder, right, of Pleasantville. Perry Swanson of Kane and Richard Sorg of St. Marys also were nominated for the award.
By Ted Lutz
Republican Staff
JOHNSONBURG -- John Holt of Kane has been selected as the Logger-of-the-Year.
He was honored Tuesday evening at the 41st annual Loggers and Saw Millers Safety Meeting at the Johnsonburg Fire Hall. The event is sponsored by the Kane Area Logging Safety Committee and the Kane-based Allegheny Hardwood Utilization Group (AHUG). More than 130 area loggers attended the program.
AHUG said it "presents this award yearly to the logger who best exemplifies the qualities of professionalism, a strong commitment to safety and who has community and industry service involvement."
Sue Swanson, executive director of AHUG, told the crowd that choosing the logger-of-the-year was "a most difficult selection." She said the selection committee "could have flipped a coin" among the five nominees.
Other nominees for the award include Perry Swanson of Kane, Dave Sallack of Wilcox, Richard Sorg of St. Marys and Kevin Snyder of Pleasantville.
A lifelong resident of Kane, Holt began working in the woods as a logger after graduating from Kane Area High School in 1994. He began his logging career with Halquist Brothers Logging. In 2000, Holt started his own business. He has one other employee who has been with the company for seven years.
Holt works under a contract with Kane Hardwood. Holt is certified by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) and has participated in the Game of Logging.
According to AHUG, Holt has "an exemplary safety record with no injury claims for himself or his employee."
"Holt is mild mannered, but possesses integrity, a solid reputation for high quality and skilled logging and is very deserving of this award," AHUG President Suzanne Klinger said in a statement.
Various landowners supported Holt's nomination for the logger-of-the-year award.
"John is always welcomed by foresters who know his work," Klinger said.
A member of the Kane Volunteer Fire Department, Holt is a member of the Kane Elks Lodge and the Kane Fish and Game Club where he serves as a youth hunting mentor.
Holt and his wife, Nadine and their family reside in Lamont.
Holt received several gifts, including the traditional mounted axe donated by Ames True Temper. He also received a membership in AHUG, a monetary award, a chainsaw donated by Northeast Stihl and Dave's Saw Shop of St. Marys, a tool box from Kane NAPA, an engraved baseball bat from Brookville Wood Products and citations from area state legislators.
Holt also will compete in state competition. The winner of the state event will enter regional competition held by the Forest Resources Association.
In another major presentation at the program, Bob Leslie of Ridgway received a commemorative plaque for his 41 years of service as a charter member of the Kane Area Logging Safety Committee.
In presenting the award, AHUG Executive Director Swanson said Leslie has "done as much if not more than any other individual that I know of."
"Bob serves on the committee and helps with the planning," Swanson said in praising Leslie. She said he has donated numerous chain saw carvings for prizes at the safety meeting.
Swanson said Leslie was "instrumental in the creation of the Pennsylvania Forest Industry Association and has served on numerous forestry and community organizations." Although Leslie has retired from the forestry profession after a 50–year career, he "still keeps active and we are thankful for him and his leadership," Swanson said.
"Bob is the best," she said.
Mike Hancharick of Kane Hardwood served as master-of-ceremonies. Boy Scout Troop 427 of Kane presented the colors and led in the singing of the National Anthem and in the Pledge of Allegiance.
There were four guest speakers who spoke on topics in keeping with the program theme - "Back To Basics."
Bruce Duncan, the planning and development manager at Kane Hardwood, discussed logging equipment fire safety and the proper use of fire extinguishers.
Matt Bressler, owner of Bressler Communications of Kane, discussed the use of digital radios to improve communications in the field.
Jeff Worrall of Lowville, N.Y. discussed the dangers posed by "hazardous trees." He is a loss control consultant for the W.J. Cox Associates insurance agency of Clarence, N.Y.
McKean County District Attorney John Pavlock discussed timber thefts. A native of Wilcox, he attended Johnsonburg schools.
In his message, Duncan pointed out that fires involving logging equipment are "dangerous and expensive." He also said "most fires are preventable." Duncan advised the loggers on steps to take to clean their equipment. He also displayed several fire extinguishers and showed how to use them.
Bressler, a former Kane fire chief, said digital radios provide "unsurpassed voice quality" for communicating at logging jobs. He said GPS units also are available to "monitor" work sites.
Worrall used graphic slides to depict dangerous situations for loggers in the woods. He called for the loggers to "be attentive" and "look up to see the condition of a tree."
"Your lives are on the line," he told the loggers in driving home his safety message.
Pavlock said he has personally handled several criminal cases involving timber thefts. He advised loggers to check with adjacent property owners before cutting near property lines to avert potential disputes.
Pavlock also urged the loggers to "give us a call" for assistance in "protecting your assets."
"Your industry is real important to our community," Pavlock told the loggers.
Prior to dinner at the free program, numerous door prizes were presented.
AHUG and the Kane Area Safety Committee will be hosting the 11th annual Women in Timber Luncheon on Thursday at noon at the Kane Country Club.
State Rep. Kathy Rapp (R-Warren) will be the guest speaker.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 30 July 2009 )
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