Mahoning Valley company providing portable toilets, handwashing stations for RNC

By David Skolnick | July 17, 2016 at 12:09a.m.

MCDONALD

For those needing to “use the facilities” or wash their hands while outdoors in Cleveland during the Republican National Convention, there’s a decent chance you can take care of your business at public portable toilets or handwashing stations owned by a McDonald company.

Tom’s Sewer & Septic Service won a contract to provide 22 portable toilets and 18 handwashing stations scattered throughout the city including along Huron Avenue and near FirstEnergy Stadium, said Lauren Jursik, co-owner, along with her husband, Cory, of the 59-year-old third-generation family business.

“It’s a great opportunity and it’s a big deal for us,” she said. “This is really cool. [The convention] has been so publicized.”

The company has provided portable toilets and handwashing stations for car shows, county fairs, festivals and parades in Mahoning, Trumbull, Columbiana, Portage and Cuyahoga counties.

This is Tom’s first experience with a political event – and it’s a big one. About 50,000 people are expected for the convention that officially starts Monday and runs through Thursday.

“It’s outside of our box,” Jursik said. “It’s great that we can provide a service for such a major event. Everyone’s talking about the convention. We’re really happy to do events like this whether it be Republican or Democrat.”

The company has 800 portable toilet units, so 22 is just a drop in the bucket.

“It doesn’t seem like a lot, but we’re the only ones doing portable toilets,” Jursik said. “Local businesses are promoting the use of their restrooms, and there will be restroom trailers for the public to use, in addition to what we’re providing.”

The local toilets and stations – some of which use running water with others using hand-sanitizing gels – were delivered Friday, she said.

As part of the contract, Tom’s will service the portable toilets daily between 3 and 5 a.m., Jursik said. That includes pumping them out, cleaning the interiors, and replacing toilet paper and paper towels, she said.

The toilets and stations will be picked up Friday and Saturday, she said.

Rick Glass, who recently sold the business to his daughter and son-in-law, said he is thrilled that the company has grown so much and will be part of the RNC. Glass’ father, Tom, started the business in 1957.

“It’s a one-of-a-kind opportunity,” Glass said. “It’s a nice recognition for the company.”