Although I was made to feel unwelcome at a crowded pre-construction meeting, I managed to get permission to roll a core of the schist across the table for everyone to see its hardness. I succeeded in making a case to support the depot on shallow spread-footings. I elaborated that the stresses of drilling through the hard rock, so close to the tunnel, would far exceed those of the shallow footings, which would be like those of a butterfly on my head. As a woman, I think I bring imagination to value engineering, while contributing to the geotechnical engineering profession and still remaining true to my instincts. Don't let them make us believe that we've gone mad.
Any major change requires a courageous fight.
In value engineering, it also saves on time and money, and avoids damages and disputes. Mass. George Clymas, VP of Finance, began the discussion with a financial update. The letter to Geoffery Hall, Chairman of the Joint Committee on State Administration, was discussed, along with the bill itself. The chapter brainstormed a letter offering the chapter's help in providing additional information on Value Engineering and certification so that the proper wording could be proposed. Chapter member Pat Kirwin offered to send an informal letter via email to Congressman Marty Meehan on the issue.