JOBS: BIG CROWD SEEKS WORK AT FACTORY

When Lone Star Industries advertised for workers recently, the Cape Girardeau firm expected a good turnout of potential employees.

"We probably didn't expect the turnout that we had," said Norris Johnson, control room supervisor at the local cement manufacturing company. "We gave out 190 job applications, and had to close the doors to many more."

About a dozen initial jobs are available.

Lone Star ran a classified advertisement in the Southeast Missourian, calling for production workers at the new "Alternate Fuels Operation," which is expected to get under way by mid-April at the local plant.

Applications were handed out at the Drury Lodge. "We expected to hand out only 150 applications," said Johnson, "but, we had a few extras."

Finalists for the jobs will be recalled for personal interviews at a later date.

"It will probably take a couple of weeks for this process," said Johnson. "People selected will have to undergo training."

Johnson said about 12 people would be needed for the start up of the new operation, which will process liquid waste materials for energy replacement at the plant.

"When we reach capacity, we'll be using a total of about 25 to 30 workers," he said.

The first potential worker arrived at the Drury Lodge at 5 p.m. Tuesday.

"We started passing out applications at 10 a.m. Wednesday," said Johnson.

Drury Lodge officials said that by 7 p.m. Tuesday, about a dozen people had gathered for an all-night vigil in the motel's hallways. By midnight, that crowd had grown to about 30.

"A couple of people took rooms," said one desk clerk. "They left an early wakeup call to get back in line."

By 6 a.m., a crowd of about 200 people convened in the hallways.

One job seeker, who asked to remain anonymous, said he had to leave the line to go to the rest room.

"I lost my place in line," he said. "But, I was lucky. I received the next to last application handed out."

Another person who showed up at 10 a.m. Wednesday said she received one of the final five applications.

Lone Star, one of the largest users of energy in the area, is converting its coal-burning cement kiln into a system that will burn toxic waste fuels starting next month.

"We have been looking into burning supplemental fuel for a number of years," said Johnson. "We started construction for the new facility last year."

The firm, which utilizes up to 600 tons of coal each day in the production of more than 4,000 tons of cement daily, will be able to process everything from small containers of waste to bulk tractor-trailer and rail-car deliveries in liquefied form.

Johnson added that the new facility will provide a tremendous economic improvement for Lone Star.

"We'll be saving as much as seven tons of coal per hour," said Johnson. "At $30 per ton, that alone will amount to a tremendous savings over a period of one year."

The plant currently employs 155 people, with a payroll of more than $6 million.

He said the total cost of permits, construction and modification of the plant represents a $3-4 million investment by Lone Star.