Dans new book Contractors Stories

Jackmartin · February 2018

I have just started reading Dan's new book and I find it fun; but also very familar. We have done a lot of work for the largerest school division in Winnipeg and it seems we were always in the schools that were surrounded by what I think you refer to in the USA as, the projects. Some of these youngsters only had two meals a day and both were provided by the school. When I first started going to these schools I was worried about my tools developing legs when I had to go to the truck for whatever. Then I took my head out of my posterior and started to pay attention. The schools are predominately native in population and as I have stated they are poor. The thing I noticed about the native youngsters, and this never happened in the schools of better socio economic levels, the kids were fascinated by anything mechanical or electrical. I began to accept the fact where ever I was in the school, I would soon be surrounded by little boys saying " What ya doing mister" and really wanting to know. I starting answering their questions and I had a really interested audience, unlike some apprentices I could name. Then I had a mini brainstorm -- well it was for me-- the best way to safegaurd my tools was to inlist the kids. I would pick out the kid that was the most dominant and tell him or her I needed my tools taken care of and give them a looney --one dollar --, invariably I would leave to go to my truck, and on my return here would be my "helper" standing over my tool bag with a steely eyed glare. When I was finished, I would give the youngster a tooney -- two dollars -- and of course this spread like wild fire. Now,when I go into the schools my reputation proceeds me, and I have no end of helpers. I have never had anything even disturbed in these schools and I cannot say the same for the affluent ones, they steal for the thrill of it, not because of any monetary need.I really like kids, our kids have brought my wife and me more happiness than I have ever given them, as Erin and Dan say Hug your kids. All the best Jack