MAY 2023
ON GOOD AUTHORITY Monthly Newsletter for Employees & Families of the Western Virginia Water Authority
Roanoke Regional Equipment Rodeo On April 26, the Field Operations department participated in the coveted Roanoke Regional Equipment Rodeo held at the Berglund Center. This event hasn't taken place in several years due to COVID-19. Participants faced off in events such as the Snow Plow, Front End Loader, Street Sweeper, Zero Turn Mower, Mini Excavator and more. This event allows for regional utilities to compete and connect with each other. "Our employees get to compete against each other, meet other localities and build friendships from outside our organization," shared Mike Mills, Special Projects Planner - CIP. The Authority showed up in impressive numbers and took home many wins. Gary Powell, Utility Construction Tech II, shared, "It's nice to see the representations from the Water Authority and other utilities. I am glad to be a Water Authority Employee." Congratulations to all of our qualifying participants and winners!
Congratulations to the Rodeo Winners! Mike Mills – 3rd mini excavator Ryan Thrasher – 1st mini excavator Joseph Rowan – 3rd Front End Loader Mike Mills – 1st Front End Loader Jay Graybill – 3rd Snowplow Donnie Rowan – 3rd Backhoe
Franklin County Creek Week The Public Relations team recently wrapped up Creek Week at Benjamin Franklin Middle School! At this yearly education outreach event, all 450 Franklin County sixth graders spend time at Power Mill Creek and learn how to test the quality of the water using chemical tablets, digital probeware and benthic macroinvertebrates. Alongside our PR team were Master Naturalists and students from Ferrum College. Riley Hines, Sophomore at Ferrum College shared, "This was a great experiences for me! I want want to go into water quality and I love to work with our younger generations." This is a truly unique experience that not all middle schoolers get to have. "The experience these kids are getting is something that I wish I had when I was there age," said Joe Presinza, Sophomore at Ferrum College.
Pictured are Ferrum College Volunteers Haley Hines and Joe Presinza.
Upcoming Dates May: Mental Health Awareness Month May 7 -14: Drinking Water Week May 17 - 23: Open Enrollment May 20: Relay for Life May 25: Blood Drive May 25: Biogas Project Ribbon Cutting at WPCP June 1: New Website Launch! June 14: Job Fair at Field Ops