Page 6 - Sept-Oct 2024 Vol 42 No 3

MARYVILLE By the City of Maryville Engineering & Public Works Department
Strickland Receives Snoderly Award

CITY OF MARYVILLE (LEFT TO RIGHT): Brian Boone, P.E., Director of Engineering and Public Works; Tim Phillips, Assistant Public Works Director; Angie Luckie, P.E.,
Public Services Director; Doug Strickland, Award Winner, Heavy Equipment Operator; Greg McClain, City Manager; Kevin Stoltenberg, P.E., Assistant City Manager;
and Tim Green, Street Superintendent.
Doug Strickland, City of Maryville’s known for many other things in the City because it has, 100% of the time.”
Heavy Equipment Operator in of Maryville. That includes his MVP Murphy Snoderly Award Qualifications
Engineering and Public Works, began his status in the snow removal efforts in the This type of dedication is the reason
career in September 1981 as a part-time ’90s and early 2000s, due to his expertise Strickland won the prestigious Murphy
employee in the Streets Department. and willingness to do what was needed to Snoderly award earlier this year.
Around two years later, at 19 years old, accomplish the job in a timely and efficient Guidelines say the award recipient must
he secured a full-time position and began manner. be “an operation level or ‘working person’
answering to the nickname of “Rubber (Strickland’s son still reminds him of employee.” It is presented annually at the
Duck.” his 8th birthday party that his dad had to Tennessee Municipal League Conference.
And this year, he’s also called “The leave early, because Tim Phillips, Assistant Murphy Snoderly, for whom the award
Murphy Snoderly Award Winner,” a Public Works Director, needed him for a is named, was a long-time engineering
prestigious annual TCAPWA statewide long night of snow removal.) and Public Works consultant for the state
award given to a highly deserving Public Strickland’s also been known as the Municipal Technical Advisory Service.
Works employee. only guy who felt confident enough to He felt the working person, the man or
Origins of the Rubber Duck Nickname maneuver a huge dump truck filled with woman who day in and day out picks up
About that “Rubber Duck” nickname? asphalt down the greenway trails as they garbage or patches streets or performs
The story goes that one day after work, were being built. Some of the winding dozens of other chores at a relatively
shortly after Strickland started working trails were difficult to reach and often low pay scale, should be recognized for
for the city, he stepped into the Rocky required large equipment to be backed in, dedication and service to the community.
Top Market. It was a gray, rainy day so rather than driven in, for hundreds of feet. Maryville Native Keeps the Streets Spotless
naturally he was wearing his bright yellow The thought of ending up in the nearby Born and raised in Maryville, Strickland
raincoat. creek was enough to discourage most attended William Blount High School and
As he shook off the cold and the rain employees from attempting it, but not
just inside the gas station, the clerk behind Strickland. Phillips said back then, and still participated in the ROTC program. He
married his wife, Kim, 38 years ago, raising
the counter looked him over and told him today, when Strickland is given a task, his three children: Kay, J.W., and Doug. Fast
he looked like a big ol’ rubber duck. Little response is always, “yes sir, I’ll take care forward to today, and they now have 11
did she know that she had given Strickland of it!” Phillips said he “appreciates Doug’s grandchildren.
the nickname that he would be known by willingness to go the extra mile. He is a The Stricklands also own a couple
forevermore at work: “Rubber Duck.” man of his word. If he says he’ll take care of RVs and spend most spring and fall
Over the last 41 years, he has become of it, he will. There’s no reason to check
later to make sure that it’s been done, weekends in Townsend or Elkmont
6 TPW September/October 2024