Dold Campaign goes through Northfield Block

Words: Jeff BuczkiewiczCongressmen Dold and Roskam and Lake County State’s Attorney candidate Michael Nerheim visited Northfield Block Plant on Thursday, November 1, 2012. The Congressmen were there to learn more about the masonry industry and to discuss their plans for getting the construction industry working again.

Each of the representatives spoke of the need to get government out of the way and let business excel and do what it does best. They discussed the uncertainty of the markets we work in and that our government needs to give a solid look to the future so business people will be willing to begin investing the dollars that have been sitting on the sidelines throughout the past few years.

Steve Hunt the host for the event thanked Congressman Dold’s recent support and co-sponsorship of the industry’s Check-Off Program. Jim O’Connor of the MCA of Greater Chicago asked Congressman Roskam to consider his support as well. Mr. O’Connor followed up with some information regarding union pensions since the union pension law will be sun setting shortly. He pointed them to the work of the NCCMP a coalition of both management and labor looking to come to consensus on how to deal with the current pension plan and future retirement options.

The day ended with a block plant tour. The masonry community thanks both Congressmen for attending the tour and wishes them both well in their re-election efforts. Both Congressmen have been friends of the industry and their path forwarded is one our industry embraces.

Northfield Block is a member of the MCAA through their parent company Oldcastle. Oldcastle is a member of the MCAA and is also a Strategic Partner of the MCAA.

Additional photos can be viewed on Facebook and Flickr.
About: Legislative
Luis Sontay
September 2026

For this month, the MCAA got to sit down with aspiring mason Luis Sontay. From taking an interest in masonry as a kid to placing 1st in a postsecondary competition, Luis’ dedication and passion for the trade is clear. Luis describes his early passion fo

Mentmore Towers, Fort Point, and More
September 2026

The Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, UK, stands as a sweeping estate that represents the absolute peak of English masonry. Conceived with breathtaking scale and precision, the monumental complex is defined by

The Alhambra
September 2026

High above Granada, Spain, the Alhambra offers masonry professionals something more than an architectural landmark. It is a working lesson in how relatively simple building materials, placed by skilled craftsmen and maintained over generations, can create

The Wall
September 2026

There is a story around Huntley Brothers that some of our guys simply call “The Wall.” I’ve told it enough times over the years that when I start telling it to one of our younger guys, I can see a few of the older ones rolling their eyes. They’ve heard i