KRWA Conference 1997

Seven awards were presented at the 30th Annual Conference to individuals and systems for their outstanding achievements. They were presented by KRWA President David Mueller. Congratulations to all winners – you are "the best of the best."

Terry Jacobs, RWD 3 and RWD 6, Cowley County, has been working RWD 3 since 1989. When he took the job, it was said that more water ran outside the lines than inside. In one year, Terry cut the water loss from 70% to 20%. He's responsible for over 100 miles of pipeline in the two systems, one with 800 meters and the other with 250. He is known for being precise and particular with his work . . . and the results show it.

"Be prepared to work strange hours. Take things seriously. For the beginner, the best thing I did was to work for the City of Ark City. I did all my homework and went to every seminar or conference I could. It helped me get where I am now. Listen to the old-timers, the people who have experience. If you walk in and think you know it all, you're fooling yourself. A good assistant and secretary are a very important part of the team."

Betty Oliver, City of Oxford, is known for doing whatever it takes to get the job done. Employed for six years, she has brought in automated billing and accounting for water, sewer and electrical systems serving 600 accounts. She works with her city council on budgets. Betty is known as being a person who can produce all needed records on water loss and production costs in a hurry.

"Seek out organizations like KRWA who can give guidelines, assistance and help you sort through state and federal regulations. Any work you do to improve your system, such as cleaning up the water supply, brings you into more compliance. As long as you know where to look for help, you generally will find the answers to the questions."

Carl Chalfant, City of McLouth, is certified in gas, water and wastewater systems. He works actively with his city council and engineering firms to develop long-term improvements for the McLouth. Things have a come a long way from the time when there were 10 non-compliance issues in gas, red water problems with low-producing wells, and sanitary sewers. Carl is known for always being upbeat. Today, the wastewater issues are being addressed, the gas system is in total compliance, and a connection is being made to a neighboring rural water district for a better supply of water.

"Have patience. I've worked mainly with small towns, and you've got to have patience with public relations and working with city councils. Be sure to listen to the folks with experience. Books don't teach you everything such as practical experience. Draw up a plan but be flexible. Results don't happen over night."

Richard Mellott, RWD 1, Harvey County, has seen his system nearly double over the past 18 years. With 475 miles of pipeline, 11 control loops and 760 users, Richard knows what it's like to be out on an emergency in the middle of the night under extreme conditions. He spends time locating and correcting water loss. He's known for his good attitude and sense of humor. Keeping a central pumping station, two booster stations, two elevated tanks, a standpipe, service to two smaller cities, a regional airport and a highway rest area is more than just work . . . it's a commitment.

"Just remember, this is not an 8-to-5 job. There are going to be times when it would be much more convenient to not deal with the problem. However, we are public servants. There's no greater reward than knowing you've helped someone when they least expect it."

Dewey Breese, City of Lyons, has worked for the city for nearly 30 years. He is involved with all aspects of city business, from preparing budgets to working with state agencies. For example, when the Kansas Department of Transportation set out mandates for drug-testing of all municipal employees, he brought together a consortium of 28 cities to hire a contractor. The contractor did the testing, maintained the paper work, and handled audits. Each participant saved money through economies of scale; better yet, the consortium stayed together to address other issues. Dewey is known as a "can do" administrator who represents the best in public service.

"They need to stay educated, keep up with what's happening. The world is changing so fast, they have to get all the information and cycle it as fast as they can. While they're doing all this, do not lose their common sense. They have to be smart enough to separate things out. If you are a young, inexperienced person, listen to the people who have been there. Use your brain; nobody will penalize you for it."

Rueben Flores, City of Ulysses, knows the city inside and out, having been employed for 18 years. He heads up a four-man crew to take care of 2,500 water and wastewater services in the town of 6,000. He's seen to it that wastewater effluent helps keep the greens green on the local golf course. One month after a KRWA operations' review, he asked staff to come back to check out the improvements. He's efficient, organized and goes out of his way to help. Few water and wastewater departments are as well organized or maintained.

"I usually tell them that it's a field you either like or don't. It's a lot of fun and enjoyable with many exciting things going on. You start putting things together that you don't normally think about, like where water comes from and how it's processed. I've been here 18 years and it has been really enjoyable, but it does have its pluses and minuses."

This award is sponsored by Rural Development (formerly RECD and Farmers Home Administration). Bill Kirk, State Director, made the presentation in recognition of outstanding performance in providing water to rural Kansas. The winner: RWD 9, Wilson County.

"We feel their board has demonstrated characteristics of dedication and a customer-friendly attitude," Kirk said. "They have in the past and continue to demonstrate their willingness to serve the community."

RWD 9 of Wilson County began operations in 1967 and grew to 160 benefit units. In 1980 it obtained additional funding to add 44 more customers. In September 1987, their FmHA loans were purchased by GECC. In 1991, the district began looking into the possibility of providing water to an unserved area northwest of Yates Center as well as the City of Virgil. With this latest expansion, RWD 9 now serves approximately 240 rural users and the City of Virgil. The district works with various public agencies. Its directors and operators have been very active with the Kansas Rural Water Association and have attended many training sessions.

"Due to their willingness to serve and their ability to control operating costs, their users have benefited in a reasonable rate for quality water.

Vaughn Lindsey, RWD 1, Linn County, is considered by many to be the father of his rural water district. He started with the idea of creating a public water supply system. He worked tirelessly to spread his enthusiasm to everyone. In 30 years, the system has grown to now serve 400 users. Vaughn has been there through it all, many times going way beyond the call of duty to see that projects were completed and problems solved. He's known for his open mind, patience and foresight . . . and for doing whatever it takes to make RWD 1 the best that it can be.

"Observe and learn as much as you can about the operation. There is so much to learn, and it's so easy to forget it. When you hear it once, learn it. Keep your eyes open, your ears open and pay attention. Go to the Wichita KRWA conference and get all the training you can."


	KRWA Conference 1997 Award Winners

	Seven awards were presented at the 30th Annual Conference to individuals and systems for their outstanding achievements. They were presented by KRWA President David Mueller. Congratulations to all winners – you are "the best of the best." Rural Water Manager of the Year Terry Jacobs, RWD 3 and RWD 6, Cowley County, has been working RWD 3 since 1989. When he took the job, it was said that more water ran outside the lines than inside. In one year, Terry cut the water loss from 70% to 20%. He's responsible for over 100 miles of pipeline in the two systems, one with 800 meters and the other with 250. He is known for being precise and particular with his work . . . and the results show it. Advice to newcomers: "Be prepared to work strange hours. Take things seriously. For the beginner, the best thing I did was to work for the City of Ark City. I did all my homework and went to every seminar or conference I could. It helped me get where I am now. Listen to the old-timers, the people who have experience. If you walk in and think you know it all, you're fooling yourself. A good assistant and secretary are a very important part of the team." Municipal Clerk of the Year Betty Oliver, City of Oxford, is known for doing whatever it takes to get the job done. Employed for six years, she has brought in automated billing and accounting for water, sewer and electrical systems serving 600 accounts. She works with her city council on budgets. Betty is known as being a person who can produce all needed records on water loss and production costs in a hurry. Advice to newcomers: "Seek out organizations like KRWA who can give guidelines, assistance and help you sort through state and federal regulations. Any work you do to improve your system, such as cleaning up the water supply, brings you into more compliance. As long as you know where to look for help, you generally will find the answers to the questions." Municipal Operator of the Year Carl Chalfant, City of McLouth, is certified in gas, water and wastewater systems. He works actively with his city council and engineering firms to develop long-term improvements for the McLouth. Things have a come a long way from the time when there were 10 non-compliance issues in gas, red water problems with low-producing wells, and sanitary sewers. Carl is known for always being upbeat. Today, the wastewater issues are being addressed, the gas system is in total compliance, and a connection is being made to a neighboring rural water district for a better supply of water. Advice to newcomers: "Have patience. I've worked mainly with small towns, and you've got to have patience with public relations and working with city councils. Be sure to listen to the folks with experience. Books don't teach you everything such as practical experience. Draw up a plan but be flexible. Results don't happen over night." Rural Water Operator of the Year Richard Mellott, RWD 1, Harvey County, has seen his system nearly double over the past 18 years. With 475 miles of pipeline, 11 control loops and 760 users, Richard knows what it's like to be out on an emergency in the middle of the night under extreme conditions. He spends time locating and correcting water loss. He's known for his good attitude and sense of humor. Keeping a central pumping station, two booster stations, two elevated tanks, a standpipe, service to two smaller cities, a regional airport and a highway rest area is more than just work . . . it's a commitment. Advice to newcomers: "Just remember, this is not an 8-to-5 job. There are going to be times when it would be much more convenient to not deal with the problem. However, we are public servants. There's no greater reward than knowing you've helped someone when they least expect it." Municipal Business Manager of the Year Dewey Breese, City of Lyons, has worked for the city for nearly 30 years. He is involved with all aspects of city business, from preparing budgets to working with state agencies. For example, when the Kansas Department of Transportation set out mandates for drug-testing of all municipal employees, he brought together a consortium of 28 cities to hire a contractor. The contractor did the testing, maintained the paper work, and handled audits. Each participant saved money through economies of scale; better yet, the consortium stayed together to address other issues. Dewey is known as a "can do" administrator who represents the best in public service. Advice to newcomers: "They need to stay educated, keep up with what's happening. The world is changing so fast, they have to get all the information and cycle it as fast as they can. While they're doing all this, do not lose their common sense. They have to be smart enough to separate things out. If you are a young, inexperienced person, listen to the people who have been there. Use your brain; nobody will penalize you for it." Wastewater Operator of the Year Rueben Flores, City of Ulysses, knows the city inside and out, having been employed for 18 years. He heads up a four-man crew to take care of 2,500 water and wastewater services in the town of 6,000. He's seen to it that wastewater effluent helps keep the greens green on the local golf course. One month after a KRWA operations' review, he asked staff to come back to check out the improvements. He's efficient, organized and goes out of his way to help. Few water and wastewater departments are as well organized or maintained. Advice to newcomers: "I usually tell them that it's a field you either like or don't. It's a lot of fun and enjoyable with many exciting things going on. You start putting things together that you don't normally think about, like where water comes from and how it's processed. I've been here 18 years and it has been really enjoyable, but it does have its pluses and minuses." Silver Faucet Award This award is sponsored by Rural Development (formerly RECD and Farmers Home Administration). Bill Kirk, State Director, made the presentation in recognition of outstanding performance in providing water to rural Kansas. The winner: RWD 9, Wilson County. "We feel their board has demonstrated characteristics of dedication and a customer-friendly attitude," Kirk said. "They have in the past and continue to demonstrate their willingness to serve the community." RWD 9 of Wilson County began operations in 1967 and grew to 160 benefit units. In 1980 it obtained additional funding to add 44 more customers. In September 1987, their FmHA loans were purchased by GECC. In 1991, the district began looking into the possibility of providing water to an unserved area northwest of Yates Center as well as the City of Virgil. With this latest expansion, RWD 9 now serves approximately 240 rural users and the City of Virgil. The district works with various public agencies. Its directors and operators have been very active with the Kansas Rural Water Association and have attended many training sessions. "Due to their willingness to serve and their ability to control operating costs, their users have benefited in a reasonable rate for quality water. Special Recognition Award Vaughn Lindsey, RWD 1, Linn County, is considered by many to be the father of his rural water district. He started with the idea of creating a public water supply system. He worked tirelessly to spread his enthusiasm to everyone. In 30 years, the system has grown to now serve 400 users. Vaughn has been there through it all, many times going way beyond the call of duty to see that projects were completed and problems solved. He's known for his open mind, patience and foresight . . . and for doing whatever it takes to make RWD 1 the best that it can be. Advice to newcomers: "Observe and learn as much as you can about the operation. There is so much to learn, and it's so easy to forget it. When you hear it once, learn it. Keep your eyes open, your ears open and pay attention. Go to the Wichita KRWA conference and get all the training you can."



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