Page 17 - TNPW Mar-Apr 2018

CHATTANOOGA By Molly Gilbert
Wedman vs. Mayor: Backhoe Battle

City of Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke Kevin White gives City of Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke instructions on how to use the backhoe before the
came in second place in a race with EQ5 competition with Allen Wedman (right).
Operator Allen Wedman. But that was no
surprise considering it was likely his first a competition challenge came up. Colston about what these guys do.”
time in a backhoe. said, “In the 24 years that I’ve been here, Wedman said, “I took it a little easy
I’ve never known of that happening. As a
Wedman won first place in the City matter of fact, I don’t know if the mayor on him, but pretty much did it about
of Chattanooga Equipment Rodeo and has ever been on a backhoe before.” the same way I normally do. He also
then won first place in the statewide came down to our Christmas party in
annual conference equipment rodeo and Recycle Coordinator Kimberly Smith December and he said he appreciated the
is qualified to compete at the national said, “I was there to watch the mayor talented people we have here in the City
conference in Kansas City. compete with Allen. I thought it was and the talent we have to do the rodeo. He
good for morale to see the Mayor was proud of everybody in Public Works.
“It’s the most recognition I’ve had my appreciate what our guys do on a daily He called me out specific. He was proud
whole life. It’s a talent that I’ve had and I basis. The expression on his face as he of us for winning the state championship
feel like I’m pretty good at it,” Wedman was really trying to learn how to operate again. He was proud that he had good
said. He has a total of 27-and-a-half- the machine showed that he really cared operators.”
years operating equipment like dozers,
trackhoes, graders and backhoes – nearly
five of which have been for the City of
Chattanooga.

Thanks in part to Wedman’s
participation, the crew from the City of
Chattanooga won the overall equipment
rodeo competition at the 2015 and 2017
annual statewide conference equipment
rodeos. “Our administrator Justin Holland
called to brag and tell the mayor the good
news,” said Ricky Colston, Director of
Citywide Services in Public Works. “We
had it, and lost it to Memphis, and then
gained it back. Our guys were pretty
excited about getting it back.”

Colston said, “It excites me a lot. It
really boosts morale for us and it makes
other operators strive to do better in these
competitions. The new thing to strive for
is that statewide winners will be able to
compete in nationals.”

The week the group came back from
the annual conference, they went down
to City Hall to show off the trophy, and
while talking with the mayor, the idea of

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