Page 5 - May-June 2020 Vol38 No1

TCAPWA Executive
Committee
tennessee.apwa.net
PRESIDENT: Justin Holland
Administrator of Public Works, Chattanooga to coping with a pandemic and its economic fallout. So we put out the call statewide to our
jholland@chattanooga.gov
(423) 643-6000
PRESIDENT ELECT: John Fox
Operations Assistant, Collierville
jfox@colliervilletn.gov
(901) 457-2800
VICE-PRESIDENT: Nicholas Bradshaw
Fleet Services Deputy Director
nbradshaw@knoxvilletn.gov
(865) 215-6194
SECRETARY: John Chlarson
Public Works Consultant, MTAS
john.chlarson@tennessee.edu
(731) 695-2472
TREASURER: Kenny Wiggins
Retired
tcapwa.treasurer@gmail.com
(865) 679-9724
WEST DIRECTOR: Ethan Skaggs
Construction Survey Administrator, Memphis
ethan.skaggs@memphistn.gov
(901) 636-6924
MIDDLE DIRECTOR: Regina Santana
Engineering Services Director, Lebanon
rsantana@lebanontn.org
(615) 444-3647
UPPER EAST DIRECTOR: Bryon Fortner
Public Works Director, Sevierville
bfortner@seviervilletn.org
(865) 429-4567
LOWER EAST DIRECTOR: Eric Sines
Director of Public Works, Collegedale
esines@collegedaletn.gov
(423) 468-1983
COUNCIL OF CHAPTERS DELEGATE:
Kimberly Strong
Public Information Specialist
kstrong@chattanooga.gov
(423) 643-6187
PAST PRESIDENT: Phillip Jones
Operations Manager, Metro Nashville
phillip.jones@nashville.gov
(615) 533-2377
CHAPTER ADMINISTRATOR: Mark Miller
Public Works Director, Pigeon Forge
mmiller@cityofpigeonforge.com
(865) 429-7312
COMMUNICATIONS CHAIR:
Bonnie Mumpower Dodson
Accounts Coordinator, Chattanooga
bmumpower@chattanooga.gov
(423) 643-6031
TPW PUBLISHER: Klair Kimmey
P.O. Box 22491, Knoxville, TN 37933
klair@tnpublicworks.com
(865) 288-0815; (865) 924-4956
By Klair Kimmey & Lisa Hood Skinner
Tell Me Something Good
Publisher’s Note: The past few months contained some trying times…from a tragic van
accident after our TCAPWA Upper East Branch meeting, to tornadoes in Middle Tennessee,
TCAPWA leaders to give us some positives and “tell me something good.” And they did…proof
that our Public Works family is a resilient, hardy lot who do see better times around that bend.
Some folks say tough times bring out the worst in people…but the heartwarming responses
they sent shows that it also brings out the BEST in us.
APWA Shines in Tornado Relief
Regina Santana, Engineering Services Director for the City of Lebanon (and the director
of TCAPWA’s Middle Branch) said that “Love Thy Neighbor” was the motto for Middle
Tennessee after tornadoes ripped through the region March 2-3.
“It turns out that neighbors come in all shapes, sizes, ages, and geographical locations.?
We’ve had thousands, and I mean thousands, of people descend upon our towns to help
people they have never met …. for FREE.? Volunteers came from all over the United
States.?They showed up in force with gloves, rakes, shovels, chainsaws, skid steers, tractors,
trailers, dump trucks, knucklebooms, food, drinks, hugs, prayers, and lots and lots of love.
“Our TCAPWA friends and local contractors sent their crews to help load and haul the
mountains of debris left in the tornadoes’ wake.? I think it is safe to speak on behalf of
my teammates that the love and support that has been bestowed upon our town has been
humbling. Thank you for everything!”
Providing Basic Services During COVID-19’s Quarantine
Both Bo Mills, (Germantown Public Works Director) and Keith Pugh (APWA Region
III Director) said the “get it done” spirit of their Public Works teams are nothing short of
impressive, and that their “essential” front line folks didn’t want to stay home, despite various
pandemic Executive Orders issued at different times during the crisis. Mills surmised that
“Public Works folks want to be at work. They want to continue to provide their essential
services. They are choosing to accept the risk. Amazing dedicated people! I’m not surprised.”
Pugh agreed, that he was “seeing the same thing on this side of the state line and across
Region III. The employees of Public Works don’t want to stay at home. They want to be at
work providing the basic services needed by their communities every single day.”
Embracing New Technology
Pugh also cited the work ethic of “the ‘non-essential’ folks (who) have figured out how to
work at home, how to be creative and how to stay connected through these unprecedented
times. It’s inspiring to see.”
He said his teams hold virtual coffee breaks where they can video conference over a cup
of coffee and remain social. “It’s one of several things we are doing to lighten the stress load
and encourage our folks to remain connected and collaborate.”
Robert Anderson, Columbia, South Carolina’s Public Works Director, agreed, remarking
that he’s found it “interesting and fascinating to learn how to communicate via new sources
such as Zoom, Web Ex, and Microsoft teams. Who says you can’t teach our older staff how
to communicate?”
Keeping Kids Engaged During Quarantine
With students out of school during quarantine, some Chattanooga neighborhoods
came together to build fun activities for all ages. Teddy bear scavenger hunts were popular
in her Falcon Crest neighborhood, according to Kimberly Strong (Chattanooga Public
Information Specialist). She said neighbors “placed teddy bears in their windows…as you
ride around and find them, you post on Facebook the addresses where you found the teddy
bears. We have had great response so far.”
For the older students, the educational emphasis hadn’t been all “fun and games.” Strong
said the quarantine inspired her to assign essay work to five students whom she mentors
through tnAchieves, including a paper on “how the COVID-19 virus has impacted
their daily routine.?As a part of the COVID-19 virus essay, I asked them to include what
legislation they would enforce if they were in a federal decision-making position.”
Continued on page 18
View online at tnpublicworks.com 5