for oiling of dusty, unpaved roads
in the summer. "During World
War II, our company even helped
the war effort by turning the used
oil over to the steel mills:' said
Michael Usher. "Used oil was easi-
ly converted into fuel for the huge
blast furnaces, and that oil also
lowered the viscosity of heavy
residual oils!'
The Usher Oil Co. came to
Roselawn Avenue in 1946 and
eventually erected 500,000-gallon
storage tanks, attracting inde-
pendent oil "peddlers" who col-
lected their own used oil to sell to
the Ushers. The company has
gradually grown from a simple
waste-oil transportation service
into a full-fledged commercial oil
recycling and reclamation busi-
ness that includes two, 500,000-
gallon storage tanks on 20 acres
of land Downriver.
"Our main customers now are
the steel mills, asphalt compa-
nies, auto plants and the City of
Detroit:' said Matthew Usher. "We
also collect crankcase oil from car
dealerships and the quick oil and
lube operations."
Under stringent guidelines and
inspections by local, state and
federal authorities, water is sepa-
rated from the waste in an on-site
treatment plant and discharged
through pipes to the Detroit
Water and Sewage Dept. for many
uses — other than drinking
water. "We have our own compli-
ance officer and many testing and
monitoring procedures to make
sure we get rid of any hazardous
wastes:' said Matthew Usher.
The Ushers say their biggest
challenge is having to ride with
the ups and downs of the area's
cyclical economy — as they have
done over the past 75 years. "If
business is good for our cus-
tomers, then they need more of
our services, and our business is
good:' Matthew pointed out.
Usher Oil Co. has no effect on
the current fluctuations in gas
prices. "We're suffering along with
any other business:' Matthew
bemoaned. "It costs about $300 to
fill one of our trucks with diesel
fuel."
The company employs two
mechanics to do preventive
maintenance on the trucks, which
are all bought from American
manufacturers.
"We've come a long way since
the days of my great-grandfather
and grandfather:' said Matthew.
"And we're committed to continue
operating in a competitive, safe
and environmentally sound man-
ner."
❑
•
Memos
gm
Oa'
FunDays
AT THE NEW DETROIT SCIENCE CENTER
October 30 - Spooky Science
Join us for a Halloween scavenger hunt,
robotic pumpkin carving and fun
science tricks and treats!
Michael H. Traison, a principal
at the Detroit law firm of Miller,
Canfield, Paddock and Stone PLC,
will discuss "Doing Business in
Poland" Tuesday, Nov. 15, at 7 p.m.
at Madonna University in Livonia.
He will cover cultural and lan-
guage differences and standards
as well as American capitalism as
a means of promoting stability
and democracy.
Receive complimentary
General Admission to
The New Detroit Science Center
on Ford FREE FunDays.
• 4
Visit our website for more details.
Louis P. Rochkind of West
Bloomfield, a partner in the
Southfield office of Michigan-
based Jaffe
Raiff Heuer &
Weiss PC, has
been named in
The Best
Lawyers in
America 2006.
He concen-
Rochkind
trates his prac-
tice on bankruptcy and insolven-
cy law and represents lenders and
other creditors in insolvency mat-
ters.
Alan M. Kanter of West
Bloomfield, an attorney with the
Bloomfield Hills firm of Strobl &
Sharp PC, has
been named
chair of the
Alternative
Dispute
Resolution
Section of the
Kanter
State Bar of
Michigan. He is
a member of the American
Arbitration Association's Regional
Advisory Council and a universi-
ty-level guest lecturer.
•• •
Ford
Dr. Paul Ehrmann was one of
13 health care providers to be rec-
ognized by the Michigan Surgeon
General for outstanding perform-
ance in promoting healthy
lifestyles and disease prevention.
He is with the Children's Health
Initiative Program in Royal Oak.
Dr. Bernard Miller of
Dearborn, executive director of
the Optometric Institute and
Clinic of Detroit, has received a
Keyperson Award of the Michigan
Optometric Association. Miller
was cited for his work with OICD
and the Michigan Eyes on
Diabetes program. OICD, which
provides eye care for inner city
citizens who otherwise might not
be able to afford it, is located at
3044 W. Grand Blvd., Ste 1-253, in
Detroit.
•
•
cear
Ford Free FunDays are made
possible by Ford Motor Company.
Media Support Provided By:
-•
mftroy:aTept
.4tedl.'i'
THE NEW
c e
CO
CENTER
The New Detroit Science Center
5020 John R Street • Detroit, MI 48202
www.detroitsciencecenter.org • 313.577.8400
Explore The Possibilities
1015920
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Ice Cream Cakes
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Sanders Original
Cakes Including Bumpy
WE DO MORE THAN ICE CREAM... UNIQUE CANDY,
GREAT GIFTS & BIRTHDAY PARTIES TOO!
Alinosi's
Great
Open 7 Days
1
Ice
0-10:
M-F/12-10:
Sat
&
Sun
Cream
Cakes
Pie Sale
$5.00 OFF
Yogurt, Custard and
Skinny Minnie Pies
With coupon • Exp. 11/17/05
1$6.00 Off Large
Craig Astrein, Proprietor
or
(248) 582-8229
$3.00 Off Small
2688 Coolidge Hwy.
Berkley, MI
,
With coupon • Exp. 11/17/05
1037800
The Purple Bear
No Monkey Business!
Have a safe and Happy Halloween from the Purple Bear!
All Halloween merchandise, fall jackets, pj's
and toddler denim 15 50% Off!
-
244 E. Maple Rd • Birmingham
248.845.0400
44 ;,i 14
October 27.2005
1031460
87