Business as usual in new building
With roots going back to 1928, Central Heat, Air, Sheetmetal and Refrigeration is steeped in experience.
Owner Jeff Sargo began working in the business in 1976 and has owned it since 1983.
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Clark Pest Control has a new building at the same old location, 429 E. Mono Way, Sonora.
Their old building, which is believed to have been more than a century old, proved too costly to repair, said Baron McDonald, branch manager.
"We really appreciate our customers' loyalty," said McDonald. "Without them, we wouldn't be in business, let alone able to build a new building.
He said the new building is about the same size as the old one, 5,000 square feet, but it was designed to be much more efficient for the business and it matches the Western theme of the area.
McDonald said 95 percent of the money spent on the project stayed in Tuolumne County. "We believe in being loyal to the businesses that do business with us. We were contacted by builders from the valley, but we preferred to use local people."
The general contractor on the project was Jamie Tune of Twain Harte.
"We try to do all of our business with local companies," said McDonald. "It's important that we all stick together."
As an example, McDonald said his branch supports 31 employees who buy televisions, groceries and gasoline from other small businesses in the area, and employees from those businesses use the services of Clark Pest Control.
The company also supports such community activities as Little League, the Tuolumne County Chamber of Commerce, the Mother Lode Roundup and the Tuolumne County Sheriff's Posse.
Customer service
"Customer service is very important to us at the Sonora branch," said McDonald. "If anyone is not happy with our service, I want to know about it, and I would like to know why."
Clark Pest Control has been serving Tuolumne County for almost 25 years from the same location.
Owners Charlie Clark and his sons, Joe and Terry, started the business about 36 years ago. They now have 15 branches in Northern California. The Sonora branch covers Amador, Alpine, Calaveras and Mariposa counties in addition to Tuolumne County.
"It's still a family-owned and operated business," said McDonald.
McDonald has been with the company for 20 years and became manager of the Sonora branch in September 1991.
His department managers are Yavonn Keith, office supervisor; Alan Roberts and Joel Hedger, Pest Department, and Norm Cucuzza, Wood Destroying Organisms Department.
Protecting environment
"As a company, we are very concerned about the environment," he said, "so we take the proper precautions and research each material we use."
He said the company has always been a leader in environmental issues.
Departments
Currently being developed are "green routes" on which no pesticides are used. Instead, customers may choose the option of using baits and various methods of eliminating areas of access.
The Pest Department offers weed control in the winter and control of spring grasses, both to prevent fire hazards.
Other features include applications that treat trees for bark beetle infestations and disease, and Rose Shield, a preventive program that controls aphids, white flies and some diseases on rose bushes. Fertilizer is applied at the same time to encourage growth and bud production.
Norm Cucuzza is in charge of the Wood Destroying Organisms Department, which will offer a free termite inspection to anyone participating in the firm's yearly pest-away service in 1997.
Homes should be inspected for termites every two or three years, according to McDonald. Cucuzza's department provides inspections and repairs of damage caused by termites, dry rot, beetles and other problems.
The service includes repair or replacement of damaged decks.
One of the department's programs is Term-A-Lert, a monitoring insurance program to prevent termites from infesting your home. To prevent environmental damage, the products used are natural products from the earth.
Demonstrations, mascots
At the Home and Garden Show, Clark Pest Control will have information, demonstrations, videos and insect displays.
The firm's bumblebee and ladybug mascots will again be wandering throughout the grounds distributing candy.
Four drawings will be held in the booth, one for a free year of pest control service valued at $400 and for three gift baskets, each valued at $35.
Clark Pest Control
429 E. Mono Way, Sonora
532-3464