Page 15 - July- August 2018

KINGSPORT

Walker Honored with Snoderly Award

Kirby Walker was recently presented with the 2018 Murphy Snoderly Award, named for Murphy Snoderly, a long-time
engineering and public works consultant for the University of Tennessee Municipal Technical Advisory Service. Snoderly felt
that the working person, the man or woman who day in and day out picks up garbage, patches streets or performs dozens of
other chores at a relatively low pay scale, should be recognized for dedication and service to the community. The following is
the transcript of Walker’s nomination from the City of Kingsport.

Unfortunately, due to security and safety Representing Kingsport at the TML awards ceremony were, back row left to right: Alderman Joe Begley;
concerns, as well as ADA requirements, Ryan McReynolds, Assistant City Manager; Vice Mayor Mike McIntire; Mayor John Clark; Alderman Tommy
the Kingsport Water Department recently Olterman; Assistant City Manager of Administration Chris McCartt; Alderman Colette George. Front row:
made the decision to eliminate public Jennifer Walker, Kirby Walker, Alderman Betsy Cooper; Emily Walker; City Manager Jeff Fleming; and Water
tours, leaving a void in our community Plant Superintendent Mark Zinnanti.
outreach program. Kirby Walker has
quickly filled that void. such a good job that several of the teachers Kirby took a simple assignment that
asked if he could visit their schools for most folks would have dreaded and made
Kirby Walker has over 10 years of other programs. it a huge asset to our public outreach
experience in Public Works. During this program. As with everything he does, he
time, he has earned the highest certification The plant would typically receive three is constantly looking for ways to improve
in both distribution and water treatment. to four requests for tours a year. Each tour the presentation for the students. Many
His thirst for knowledge has lead him would range between 20 to 40 students. aspects of Public Works go unnoticed by
to move his way from the distribution At most, we would reach around 150 the community we serve. In addition, we
system to water treatment and his current students a year. Since the career fair, Kirby are seeing a shortage in kids wanting to
position as lab technician, learning as had visited three other schools with two enter the Public Works profession. Kirby is
much as possible along the way. Kirby has more presentations scheduled through the tackling both of these issues head-on with
been taking this knowledge on the road, rest of the school year, reaching almost each kid he meets.
providing community outreach to area 2,000 students.
schools. He has been extremely successful
reaching way more students than we ever
could have through plant tours.

Last November, Kingsport City Schools
invited the water department to participate
in their 4th grade career fair. We asked
Kirby if he would mind going. That
was all it took. Kirby started preparing
immediately. He printed pictures of the
process from the river to the tap and used
the jar tester to show what the water looked
like at each stage of the process. He built a
UV box and had it display on a monitor so
all the kids could see the bacteria, and he
made sure each kid was sent away with a
gift so they would remember us. Kirby did

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