Pete's Plumbing

December 7th, 2021: For immediate release - This is from CALA (Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse): "After a two-year hiatus, the Golden State has once again ...reclaimed its spot atop the Judicial Hellholes list. While the state’s demotion was due to the plethora of issues that faced former-Number 1, the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas and the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, and not a result of reform; this year it is too hard to ignore the significant lawsuit abuse and liability-expansion occurring in California." And nowhere can I find any 1st time violation warnings and/or citations given to a business and or company. The first notice received is generally a lawsuit being filed and served. However, if an employer wants to terminate an employee, you are required to build a case file against the employee verifying multiple warnings, both verbal and written. The information I am reposting below has been reduced from their full report. To view that report, go to their website at www.judicialhellholes.org/hellhole/2021-2022/california/ PROP-65 LITIGATION ON THE RISE AS BOUNTY HUNTER PLAINTIFFS TARGET BUSINESSES ACROSS THE STATE "Proposition 65, the originally well-intentioned law enacted in 1986, is one of the plaintiffs’ bar’s favorite tools to exploit. Baseless Prop-65 litigation unjustly burdens companies that do business in California." "The money companies spend on compliance and litigation unnecessarily drives up the cost of goods for California consumers. If you have every received a material invoice for a purchase, there are multiple pages attached with these ridiculous warnings which jus get tossed into the trash. Prop-65 subjects consumers to ridiculous warnings declaring that most everything causes cancer. It also harms small businesses that do not have the in-house expertise or means to add the necessary warnings or handle litigation." "Under Prop-65, businesses are required to place ominous warning signs on products when tests reveal the presence of even the slightest, non-threatening trace of more than 1,000 listed chemicals that state environmental regulators deem carcinogenic or otherwise toxic. Failure to comply can cost up to $2,500 per day in fines, and settlements can cost $60,000 to $80,000." "California’s Sue Your Boss Law - Enacted in 2004, California’s Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) has become known as the Sue Your Boss law. While its initial purpose was to protect workers, it has done little to help them. The plaintiffs’ bar has been the true beneficiary. PAGA lawsuits have made it more difficult for family-owned businesses like mine to be flexible with employees, says Ken Monroe, chairman of the Family Business Association of California and president of Holt of California." "PAGA authorizes aggrieved employees to file lawsuits seeking civil penalties on behalf of themselves, other employees, and the State of California for labor code violations. Many PAGA lawsuits revolve around technical nitpicks, such as an employer’s failure to print its address on employees’ pay stubs, even though the address was printed on the paychecks themselves." "Three quarters of the penalties paid by non-compliant employers go to the state’s Labor and Workforce Development Agency while only 25 percent go to the aggrieved employees and their lawyers who take a third or so of that. In some cases, the plaintiffs’ lawyers receive even more." And it goes on and on including Lemon Law abuse cases, No-Jury consumer class actions targeting the food and beverage industry, Public Nuisance lawsuits, E-Commerce companies being hit with liability lawsuits even when they are a third-party seller. And yet they remain quiet on COVID-19 for businesses and individuals on the frontlines during the pandemic leaving small businesses being exposed to liability for COVID-related injuries and illnesses, even if the businesses are following health and safety guidelines. This is not going to get better anytime soon until we have legislators (meaning local, state and federal) who give a damn about small business. They need to remember 80% of the economy is run on our backs. It is time for them to stop breaking our backs. Is it any wonder why small businesses are leaving California at a rapid rate. Sorry for the rant but when did plain and simple common sense become obsolete?

Pete's Plumbing wishes to take a few moments to thank the men and women who serve . . . and to the families who bear an unbelievable burden when their loved ones enlist on this journey. Our nation owes a huge debt to all of you . . . a debt which in some instances can never be repaid. Pete's Plumbing salutes all of you . . .

As we like to say, Pete's Plumbing has been "Keeping it Flowing for You since 1972". Yes, Pete's Plumbing was established in 1972 by Pete and his wife at that time, George Ann. The business was ran out of their home in Lakewood as a 1-man operation (1-woman behind the man) operation. Pete took care of the service calls and George Ann managed all other facets of their newly established business. Although she left the business after their divorce in 1981, she was an integr...al part of the history of the business. So it was with great sadness, but with much respect, we celebrated her life and said goodbye to her this past Friday. Her bright flame was eventually extinguished by the ravages of Alzheimer's on August 15th, 2021. She leaves behind her sons, Pete, Jr., Bud and of course, Tony as well as several grandchildren and great-children and extended family. All of our employees were there with Tony to see him through this difficult time. Everyone of us here at Pete's Plumbing owe this lovely lady a debt of gratitude. Below are a few pictures . . . See more

This is a video of our service vans . . . each of them paying their final respects . . .

Miguel Sr. works has worked for our company for several years and is one of our most valuable employees. This loss of Miguel Jr. was so very sudden and so tragic. Our hearts and prayers go out to his entire family. Please see the post I am sharing below. I ask anyone reading this to keep this family in your thoughts and prayers.

"For each petal on the shamrock, this brings a wish your way: Good health, good luck, and happiness for today and every day. Irish Blessing

We just received word that our Anthony Hillis is a nominee for Ferguson's "Respect the Craft!" campaign. Such an honor to be nominated as this is a nationwide campaign. Please join us in voting for Tony. His entire life has been about the trade which he learned from Pete, his Dad. Follow the link below and vote once a day until the 19th. Tony will be notified sometime after February 25th. Way to go Tony!! https://www.ferguson.com/promot/plumbing/respect-the-craft

UPDATE: We were just notified our van has been found in Lynwood. Thank you all for sharing our post and for some of you who actually called our office today when you saw another one of our vans out and about. You are truly wonderful! And thank you to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (for both the cities of Lakewood and Lynwood). Your help in recovering our van is appreciated. And you did so in 24 hours.

Please be on the lookout for this van. It was stolen from Paramount and Carson. Thanks

Back again by popular demand, the Press-Telegram and Grunion Gazette unveiled the results of their Readers' Choice Awards. Among the list of names of people, places, and things which their valued readers chose as the "best-of-the-best" in 2020, was our company! The voting took place via ballots which ran in both newspapers and on their website during the months of February and March. All of us here at Pete's Plumbing are thrilled and humbled by this recognition. From our office staff, warehouse manager, and most importantly, our Field Mechanics and Supervisors, thank you for the trust you place in all of us, especially during these challenging times. It is for the love of the job we all have worked so hard since 1972 "Keeping it Flowing for You." Thanks again!

In our work family, we have Yolanda Madrigal, wife of our Field Foreman, Miguel, and Stephanie Moore, wife of Ron, one of hard working Field Mechanics. Both of these ladies are employed as healthcare providers here locally. They are always in our thoughts, and we are here to support them and all healthcare providers during their tireless efforts in keeping our community healthy and safe! A big thank you to both of them!

Pete's Plumbing wishes to pay tribute to all who have served this country, sometimes for reasons beyond their understanding. The picture below is one of my brother who served in Viet Nam. Let us all remember them today and always.

As we enter into another month dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, we just want to remind our customers we are still here for you. We are not going anywhere!! Please rest assured we are taking precautions to keep you AND our employees safe. In order to do that, we will be asking you a series of questions relating to the COVID-19 during our phone chat with you to schedule any service call. Our technicians are utilizing all safety gear available, including masks, gloves and boot covers. After all, we here at Pete's Plumbing consider it a duty to protect the health of the nation--COVID-19 or not!

Our company is very blessed to have the men and staff who work here with Tony & I. They are so dedicated. And although these are unprecedented times, it has given them new energy for the work we do. So thank you Frank, Ron, Miguel, Jose, Julio, Horacio, Joshua, Ray, Vincent, Dave and Wyatt for helping protect the health and safety of a nation!!

PUPPY’S LIFE OR DEATH MOMENT: Frantic rescue effort caught on camera. Plus Qantas crisis measures as coronavirus hits demand for flights; Pixar film banned; and Meghan’s final Royal appearance. #9NewsWatch | March 10

I am reposting a story recently shared about Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer! It is funny as I was wondering just a few days ago how the story of Rudolph came to be. Well here it is along with a picture of how he was originally drawn: It was December of 1938. Robert May was working as an advertising copywriter at the Montgomery Wards department store headquarters on Michigan Avenue in Chicago, Illinois. Montgomery Wards was a long way from the great American novel he had... always dreamed of writing. Although it was past Christmas, May's boss, H. E. MacDonald, came to him with an idea for boosting Montgomery Wards sales for next year. Instead of giving the children who came to talk with Santa Claus a coloring book which they had been doing as a token gift, he wanted a story book and asked Robert May to write one! Mr. MacDonald had a few ideas of his own. Because of the success of "Ferdinand the Bull" which had recently outsold "Gone With the Wind", he knew the story had to be about an animal. So May decided to do a spin off of the poem "Twas The Night Before Christmas" and use a Reindeer. It has been said Robert was a bit of an outcast, just like Rudolph. He skipped a grade or two and so was younger and smaller than his classmates. He was a nerdy kind of kid who saw himself as a someone who did not fit in. So he gave Rudolph a red nose. The story about Rudolph rising above the hurtful name calling and being seen as "different" but when asked (and without hesitation) honoring Santa's request to lead his sleigh, Robert thought this would be a story children could relate to and understand. And it was . . . one year later, in December 1939, the book was given out by the Santa Claus in Montgomery Wards and it was a huge hit. They gave away over 2.4 million books that year. The rest is history! Songs (first picked up and made popular by Gene Autry of all singers), cartoons and movies have made Rudolph a favorite Christmas story and inspiration for children for many decades (and many more we are sure!). As we head into the final days of 2019, we here at Pete's Plumbing wish our family, friends, customers, and of course, our employees who make it all happen and continue Pete's legacy, a beautiful Holiday Season!

We will never forget . . .

May freedom continue to ring!

In remembrance of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice and to their loved ones who had to go on without them...

Memorial Day will be on Monday, May, 27th, 2019, and is a federal holiday in the United Sates for remembering and honoring people who have died while serving the United States Armed Forces. I recently commented on my dislike of anyone taking a knee during the national anthem. I have had time to reflect on my post and find I have more to comment about it. Certainly my experience with my brother and personal friends give me a different perspective than some fair enough. I cer...Continue reading

It's National Hug A Plumber Day . . . Your Plumber protects the health and safety of a nation. Did you know the creation of modern plumbing is credited with b...eing one of the single most important inventions thus far? Toilets are widely acknowledged to have saved more lives than modern medicine and vaccines (it's true!). As a way to honor the plumbing trade, lets take a look back in time. See more