One of the most wonderful things about living here in Mendocino County is the way that everyone works together to protect our region from anything that might harm the environment or the public health. Leading the way are good-citizen corporations that are ever mindful of the health of Mother Nature and those of us who depend on her. Couple this with the watchful eye of our concerned county government and one can see that where we live will always be one of the best places on earth.
Four of the most outstanding good-citizen corporations right here in God's Country are Louisiana Pacific, Georgia Pacific, Masonite and Retech. What a breath of fresh air these businesses are compared with others from outside our region. I have been told that in other parts of America, corporate actions can be motivated by run-away greed without concern for the health of the environment or the needs of nearby residents.
Of these four model companies my favorite is the last-mentioned: the quaint little factory on the south side of Ukiah called Retech.
Probably I feel warmest about this business because of the personal charm and gentle charisma of its well-known developer, Max Schlienger. Few people have affected our comunity more than he, and few have stood out as such an example of what we as human beings can be.
I have lived here for only six years, but I was touched by Max Schlienger's presence from the very first day. My wife and I moved here from the city, happy to be away from its noise and pollution. We came with little money and with all of our possessions packed into a twelve-foot U-Haul truck. I remember how happy I was as I arrived at my new home; happy for the open space and the crisp, non-polluted air. I was intoxicated by Mother Nature.
On our arrival day, as I was busy unloading our moving truck, I was startled by the sudden appearance of a gentle, unassuming man who seemed to come from nowhere. This man said nothing but made it clear by his actions that he was there to help me unload. I thought at first that he was mute, but I soon realized that he had taken a vow of silence and did not wish conversation. As we worked together, I was amazed by his quiet energy and the fact the he neither ate nor drank. The unloading took most of the day but he didn't seem to tire, even though he was not young. Around seven pm we were finally finished; I turned to ask again if he would like something to drink - but he had disappeared. On the ground where he had been standing was a crisp $5.00 bill and the initials M.S.
It was several weeks before I learned the name and story of our benefactor. His name is Max Schlienger. I learned that Max - people call him Max - is the owner of the charming little factory near our neighborhood. He is well-known, yet he lives a life of un-assuming humility.
Although he could have been very wealthy, he has decided to shun worldly possessions. He lives in a ten-foot by ten-foot cabin next to a large mansion at the top of a hill about two miles from our home. All day long, we were told, he meditates and practices tai chi. When he does appear, it is as a chauffeur in one of the seven different automobiles of the mansion.
What glows the most about this man is the way that he treats those around him. No act of kindness is too small to be overlooked.
His factory, for example, is designed with his neighbors in mind and is a model of concern for nature and humanity. Its size and activities are carefully limited to the low nuisance characteristics of its zoning, and it respects the surrounding wetlands and farm land. Noise and outside lighting are kept to a minimum and the traffic is carefully regulated. An emergency evacuation route has been established. There are no unhealthy air emissions.
Even more impressive is the way he treats his workers. He keeps his own salary at $8.75 an hour, but he pays his workers several times that amount. Never has a workforce been better equipped with safety in mind - the best safety uniforms and the finest emergency training.
Nothing has ever been brought to the property that could in any way be hazardous to humans or nature.
Although Max has considerable influence, not once has he abused his power in order to gain unfair advantage. All the development of his factory is carefully done with proper permits and through the proper channels after an environmental impact report. Activities are closely monitored by the stern but fair eye of the county. Max's desire is to show the community that financial success does not place one above the law.
He believes, above all, in honesty.
Max's finest hour was after a terrible accident at his factory. Even in the best of environments with the best safety equipment and training, bad things happen. He took the accident to heart, vowing to place even greater energy, if possible, on doing things correctly.
Some people say that America has been overcome by greed, that there is no functional government, only entities that reflect corporate interests. Some people say that we have no real heroes or good examples for our youth to emulate. Some people say that Americans are apathetic, caring about none but ourselves, and that we are too busy to care about our community.
But maybe these critics of our golden society just don't know Max Schlienger and what has been done at Retech through the watchful eye of the County. Maybe they just don't get the picture; maybe they just don't see what he symbolizes.
Copyright Mendocino Environmental Center 1997
Permission granted to excerpt or use this article if source is cited