TAUD Members get CEU Credits for Region 3 Meeting

Monday, June 22nd, 2009 | Where we will be | No Comments

Region 3 Leader and General Manager of Luttrell, Blaine and Corryton Utility District Jimmy Langley scheduled a very informative program that included the opportunity for TAUD Members to receive CE Credits. Cove Lake State Park in Lafollette served as the meeting site with McWane Cast iron Pipe serving as the sponsor.

With over 50 Members in attendance the program was started with some very encouraging news from Jimmy Langley. Jimmy spoke briefly about a matter involving his wife of many years who has been on kidney dialysis for the past 9 years. Thirty minutes prior to the meeting, Jimmy received a phone with the news that a donor kidney had been found and was in the process of being flown in from Hawaii. A prayer and moment of silence for the Langley family followed.

The program was started with Marisol Torres giving members a report from Rural Development. John Hall of TAUD reported on the State Budget being finalized and its effects of the ‘Bills’ that were tracked by the Association. Steve Roberts from Water Quality gave members updates on new State Regulations.

A presentation by the Hach Company on Turbidity Meter Calibrations and Maintenance from the Hach Company Field Representatives allowed members to ask technical questions on the CL17 Analyzer and information on the new LBOD probe.

Next, Scott Rhorick with McWane Cast Iron Pipe Company gave a presentation on the products available to Utility Districts. After the meeting, members enjoyed a home cooked Barbeque lunch from Classy Threads & Catering. The lunch was sponsored by McWane Cast Iron Pipe Company.

We thank McWane Cast Iron Pipe Company along with Cove Lake State Park and Jimmy Langley for their hospitability in hosting this Region 3 quarterly meeting.

(Update) Jimmy Langley’s wife entered the University of Tennessee Medical Center on Friday the 19th of June and had surgery at 10:00 pm. Surgery was over by 2:00 am and Jimmy reported that the surgery went very well. He indicated that she may go home sometime later this week.

Kirk Smith
Account Executive
Next Generation Underwriters
615.822.5454
ksmith@nguins.com

Summertime pests can cause big problems when working outdoors…

Monday, June 15th, 2009 | Job Safety | No Comments

It seems every year we hear about some terrible event where someone working outdoors gets bitten by a tick, spider, snake, or other dangerous pest. This year is no different. Last week a man from outside Nashville was loading wood into his truck when he suddenly cringed from a small pain in his leg. At the time it seemed unimportant but later the spot where the pain had shot through his leg started to swell. After a few days had past the man reluctantly went to see his physician. The doctor informed him that it was a bite of unknown origin. After further examination the medical staff narrowed it down to a poisonous snake or spider. After unsuccessful attempts at trying to treat the bite the medical staff was forced to amputate the leg above where the bite had occurred. This was a tragic ending to a seemingly routine doctor’s visit. It could have been anything; a bee, a wasp, a nail protruding through the wood. Most of us would have put some cream or spray on it and went about our business also. But we must remember to always assume the worst and expect for the best when working outdoors in areas where spiders, ticks, mosquitoes, and snakes can be. So what can we do to prevent these types of events from happening to us at work or at home? Here is a few tips that you can use that may help the outdoor worker.

• Always wear the appropriate clothing for the job. No flip flops, shorts, or cut off shirts.
• Gloves and thick socks tucked into work boots helps keep out unseen pests and adds layers.
• Do a little online research and find the latest and greatest insect repellent.
• Keep your eyes and ears open at all times. Inspect the work area and yourself.
• If you find a bite make sure to keep a close eye on it for any discoloration of the skin.

And remember; don’t hesitate to go to see your physician if a spot on your skin worsens around a suspect spot. It’s better to have a doctor tell you it’s nothing, than to show up too late after the problem has gotten out of control.

Mark Bilyeu
Loss Control Consultant
Safety Engineering Consultants
615.826.4274
mbilyeu@sectn.com

TAUD Members turn out in Bluff City

Thursday, June 11th, 2009 | Where we will be | No Comments

The Tennessee Association of Utility Districts (TAUD) retuned to Memphis for its ‘Annual Meeting’ for the first time since 2002. Beth Hardiman, Director of Members Services for TAUD indicated that she was unsure of how many Utility Members and Associate Members would make the trip to West Tennessee with the current economic conditions. It can be a costly trip for our members who may come from far East Tennessee but, early registration was very strong and the turnout was well over 150 Members. Beth indicated that TAUD works hard to make it fair for all 3 regions of the State to host yearly meetings to allow equal travel time for the members.

For those who arrived early on Sunday afternoon, members were treated to an ‘Old Fashion Ice Cream Reception’ followed by a Board of Directors Meeting held at the Hilton Hotel off Popular Avenue. Later that evening, members and associates were able to mingle and exchange pleasantries during a cocktail reception and watch while the judges were conducting the State Championship ‘Best Tasting Water Contest’. All 11 Regions were represented in this year’s State Championship. The winner of this year’s contest was: Etowah Utilities of McMinn County. Congratulations to Brian Solsbee, Jerry Murphy and John Goins of Etowah Utilities. They will go on to compete in the ‘Great American Water Test Finals’ next April in Washington D.C.

Monday was scheduled as a fun day for members after a Continental Breakfast in the Tennessee Foyer at the Hotel. Golfers who had registered for the Henry Elrod Annual Memorial Tournament left for the Olive Branch Country Club at 9:00. The Shotgun Start was at 10:00. For the Non-Golfers, they had a chance to tour the city or make trips over to the Memphis Zoo and Beale Street. The ‘Ladies Program’ consisted of Lunch in the Tower Room followed by a shopping trip to the Oak Court Mall.

Later that afternoon, Members and Associates assembled in the lobby at 5:45 to catch the buses over to the Auto Zone Park to see the Memphis Redbirds take on the New Orleans Zephyrs. TAUD had reserved the ‘First Base’ Party Deck on the Club Level plus it was catered by the World Famous ‘Rendezvous’ Restaurant. The dinner was sponsored by American Development Corporation, Dickson Pearson, Fisher & Arnold, Southeastern Tank Inc. and Zettergren Benefits Group.

On Tuesday, members enjoyed the Annual Associate Breakfast and Awards Ceremony sponsored by the TAUD’s Associate Members. Following a short break after breakfast, the Associate Member Meeting began at 9:45 along with Annual Business Meeting for Utilities. At 10:45, John Hall and Bob Freudenthal presented a Legislative Update on current bills being tracked and the effects on the Utilities in Tennessee. Between 11:15 and noon, members were presented a program on the statistics of understanding the TAUD Salary Survey.

The annual Past Presidents Luncheon took place at noon followed by the final meeting for the Tennessee Utility Public Building Authority (TUPBA) Financing program.

We would like to take this opportunity to ‘Thank’ John Brown outgoing President of the Tennessee Association of Utility Districts and General Manager of Harpeth Valley Utility District for his hard work and dedication to serving this organization during the past year. Congratulations for great Leadership and a job well done. John will know pass the duties on to Mr. Grey Scott of the Gibson County Municipal Water District. Grey has served TAUD in many roles in the past and currently serves as Region Leader for the Region 8 area of Northwest Tennessee.

The next system wide meeting will take place in Gatlinburg during August. Check the TAUD website for more information on the ‘Business of Running a Utility District’ Conference.

Kirk Smith
Account Executive
Next Generation Underwriters
615.822.5454
ksmith@nguins.com

Region 6 TAUD Quarterly Meeting to feature NGU and SEC.

Friday, June 5th, 2009 | Where we will be | No Comments

Next Generation Underwrites Inc. along with Safety Engineering Consultants have been invited to be part of the program for the Tennessee Association of Utility Districts (TAUD) quarterly meeting to be held July 22nd. Kenneth Carr, General Manager of Lewisburg Water and Wastewater serves as the Region 6 Leader which covers the following counties: Bedford, Cannon, Coffee, Franklin, Giles, Lincoln, Marshall, Maury, Moore, Rutherford and Williamson.

We are extremely pleased to be able to offer this informative information to our Region 6 TAUD members Carr states. We will have a great program and we typically have over 70 to 85 attendees for our meetings. This make’s finding meeting places to host our events a little difficult due the high number of members that we can accommodate. Currently Carr is still speaking with several different facilities and will be sending out emails and notices on the location selected.

Kenneth Carr can be contacted at: 931-359-6831 or by email: Kenneth@lewisburgwater.org.

Kirk Smith
Account Executive
Next Generation Underwriters
615.822.5454
ksmith@nguins.com

Region 2 Conducts Quarterly TAUD Informative Meeting in Knoxville.

Friday, June 5th, 2009 | Where we will be | No Comments

Wayne Watson of First Utility District of Knox County and Region 2 Leader selected the Bearden Banquet Hall as the host for the June 3rd meeting. The Banquet Hall is located in front of Buddy’s Bar-B-Q’s Corporate Offices and serves as a meeting facility for civic groups and special events.

With an crowd of over 50 attendees, Wayne Watson along with Bob Freudenthal Executive Director for the Tennessee Association of Utility Districts opened the program with welcoming all TAUD Members and Associate Members to Knoxville. Harold Corum of McGill Associates served as program coordinator and introduced Terry Bobrowski of the East Tennessee Development District. Terry spoke on Consolidation Grants and how to accrue funds for special projects. Next, Mark Mamantov of Bass, Berry and Sims Knoxville office gave a financial report on TAUD and touch briefly on the Stimulus money projects. Gary McGill, President of McGill Associates gave a report on Federal tracking of the Stimulus money projects and how the government will monitor the funds being used properly.

Attendees also heard brief updates from Marisol Torres of Rural Development (USDA), Steve Roberts of TDEC Division of Water Supply and Faye Bennett of Disaster Cleaning & Restoration.

Pete Trautman of Underground Solution Inc. presented a power point program on Fusible Pipe. John Hall of TAUD, gave members an update on the Loan Program which is available through TAUD from Wiley Bros.-Aintree Capital. John also spoke on Bond Ratings and how they work. Bob Freudenthal gave an update on the current bills being tracked in the State Legislature plus reminded member of the upcoming Annual Meeting in Memphis on June 7th, 8th and 9th.

At the conclusion of the meeting, members enjoyed a lunch sponsored by Pete Trautman of Underground Solutions and McGill Associates.

We wish to thank Wayne Watson of First Utility District of Knox County, Gayle Matlock, General Manager of Martel Utility District and Buddy’s Bar-B-Q for their hospitality in hosting this event.

Kirk Smith
Account Executive
Next Generation Underwriters
615.822.5454
ksmith@nguins.com

Bullying In Schools

Friday, June 5th, 2009 | School Safety | No Comments

Bullying is defined as either physically harming a student or damaging his/her property or knowingly placing the student in reasonable fear of such, or creating a hostile educational environment.

Bullying in schools is a problem that can have negative consequences for the school environment and for the right of students to learn in a safe environment without fear. Bullying can have lifelong consequences for both the victim and those who do the bullying.

Bullying can be done by teasing, taunting, threatening, hitting or stealing and done by just one person or a group. It can be done in the form of intentional exclusion thus making a student feel socially isolated.

Bullying effects approximately 15% of our students. To insure that this behavior is under control in our school systems, the entire school community must get involved. The victims should report bullying immediately to a teacher, counselor or building administrator. Under no circumstance, should this act go without action on the part of the victim.

Everyone must be aware of bullying and make every effort to stop it. Our children should not have to attend school with the fear that this is going to happen to them.

Betsey Sullivan
Customer Service Representative
Next Generation Underwriters
615.822.5454
bsullivan@nguins.com

Applying common sense principles to preventing back injuries on the job

Friday, June 5th, 2009 | Job Safety | No Comments

Over 1 million workers suffer back injuries each year. 20% of all workplace injuries or illnesses are back related injuries. So how can you prevent and avoid back injury or re-injury. Knowing what causes back injuries can help you prevent them.

• Avoid lifting and bending whenever you can.
• Place heavy objects up off the floor.
• Raise/lower shelves.
• Use carts and dolly’s.
• Use cranes, hoists, lift tables, and other lift-assist devices whenever you can.
• Test the weight of an object before lifting by picking up a corner.
• Get help if it’s too heavy for you to lift it alone.

And remember to exercise daily, avoid heavy lifting, get help with heavy or bulky objects, If you must bend over, do it properly. Avoid twisting at the waist when carrying objects and always watch where you’re going. Take your time and avoid rushing through your job. Getting home safe and healthy is the most important thing you can do for yourself and your family. So, take care of your back and it will take care of you.

Mark Bilyeu
Loss Control Consultant
Safety Engineering Consultants
615.826.4274
mbilyeu@sectn.com