NATION: PSAI Awards Announced
The Portable Sanitation Association International recognized Ed Cooper of PolyJohn Enterprises Corp. in Whiting, Ind., at its annual convention in November. Cooper, who was on the association’s board of directors, received the 2007 M.Z. “Andy” Gump Award for eminent service to the industry. He was nominated by Barry Gump of Andy Gump Inc., Santa Clarita, Calif. Mike Cooper accepted the award on behalf of his father, who died four days later.
Cesar Torres of Biffs Inc. in Shakopee, Minn., received the Service Technician of the Year award and $1,000 prize. The runner-up was Nicki Dunn of Air-O-Pure Portables in Nederland, Colo., who received $500.
Nominees must promote safety, set an example and inspire others. Award criteria include practicing road and personal safety, providing dependable customer service, caring for the company’s equipment, and cooperating and complying with the employer and industry guidelines and standards.
KENTUCKY: Friend of a Friend
The Kentucky Onsite Wastewater Association made certain its membership had the resources, experience, and professionalism needed to lead the state’s growing acceptance of onsite systems. Recently, KOWA teamed with the Kentucky Rural Wastewater Association to increase KOWA’s visibility to legislators, utilities and communities. KOWA will choose the issues, education and direction the organization wants to take, and the KRWA team will do the legwork.
The association newsletter tells how the organization helped a family whose drainfield was overflowing. The parents have five of their own children and four adopted children and were hosting a foreign exchange student. The onsite system had a 1,000-gallon septic tank with 400 feet of laterals.
Todd LaFollett, registered sanitarian with the Oldham County Health Department, consulted with regulator Wyatt Moody on a repair plan, resources, materials and labor. Greg Ritchie, KOWA president, said the association training center had leftover chambers from Advanced Drainage Systems Inc. Installer Greg Thompson, who lived 90 minutes from the jobsite, learned about the situation and offered his labor and equipment free of charge.
OHIO: Corporate Membership
The Ohio Onsite Wastewater Association has added corporate memberships for companies that includes one key contact person. For $120, companies receive OOWA and NOWRA benefits, and may add employees as associate members for $50 each. Associate members receive only OOWA benefits. Individual memberships at $95 carry OOWA and NOWRA benefits. Call 866/843-4429 or visit www.ohioonsite.org.
OOWA is offering the NEHA Certified Installer of Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems basic and advanced level exams at its conference on Jan. 15 in Columbus. To take the exams, installers must complete an application form and be approved by NEHA. Download the form at www.neha.org/onsite or call Heidi Shaw at 303/756-9090, ext: 339.
