“Water on the Water”

Monday, August 31st, 2009 | TAUD, Where we will be | No Comments

On August the 27^th, Region 4 Leader Vickie Houston of Crab Orchard Utility District put together the 2^nd Annual “Water on the Water” for members and associates to have an enjoyable day on Center Hill Lake aboard the 88 ft. ‘Get Smart’ Lakeview Houseboat owned by Captain Tim and Debbie Wallace of Franklin, Tn.

The Houseboat moored at Hurricane Marina left the dock at 10:00 with over 60 attendees onboard for the enjoyable trip downstream to Center Hill Dam. Along the way, Country Music Singer Alan Jackson was also out on the lake enjoying the beautiful weather aboard his 29 ft. restored Mahogany Chris Craft barrel back runabout. This type of setting was great for fellowship and getting a chance to strengthen relationships within the association.

As the houseboat returned to the Marina around 12:30, members enjoyed a wonderful box lunch prepared by Mary Helm of Mary’s Catering of Hartsville. Mary is the wife of Jerry Helm, water operator for the City of Hartsville and Region 4 member.

As lunch concluded, some members needed to leave while 19 stayed for the afternoon trip upstream just past the Hwy 56 bridge. At that time, Capt. Tim Wallace cut power to the engines and members who wanted to ride the Sea Doo’s or swim were allowed to enjoy the afternoon while others stayed upstairs on the party deck and enjoyed the peace and tranquility of the water.

All in All, this was a great trip for those who attended. We want to thank Mike Witherington of ADC, Larry Kidwell of Kidwell and Associates and Jason Griffin of Gresham, Smith & Partners for Sponsoring the lunch. A special ‘Thank You’ to Larry Kidwell for the arrangement of the Houseboat with the Wallace’s and Vickie Houston our Region Leader for putting together another great outing.

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

Overflow Crowd attends Region 10 meeting at Springbrook Country Club

Monday, August 31st, 2009 | TAUD, Where we will be | No Comments

(Niota, Tn.) Springbrook Country Club served as the host for the quarterly Region 10 meeting which includes Utility Districts from Bledsoe, Bradley, Grundy, Hamilton, Marion, McMinn, Meigs, Monroe, Polk, Rhea, Sequatchie and Van Buren Counties in Southeastern Tennessee. Region 10 Leader and General Manager of Ocoee Utility District Tim Lawson along with Harold Corum of McGill Associates put together a very informative program along with an opportunity to play a round of golf on the traditional setting at Springbrook.

With reservations for around 50 members to attended, the crowd at 10:00 continued to arrive as the meeting started with Ken Jones and Mary Ann Brannan of the Corp of Engineers presenting a power point presentation on Corp projects involving the Tennessee Waterway Systems. Midway through the presentation, more seats were moved into the ballroom to accommodate the growing crowd. A final count would result in 81 members and associates in attendance.

Attendees then heard reports from TDEC, TN811, Rural Development and SETDD. TAUD Staff Members in attendance were: John Hall, Dan Martin, Doug Cherry, Bruce Trotter and Will Taylor. John Hall updated members of the C.E. Credit opportunities for Water Operators and the Training Schedule in Murfreesboro. Dan Martin of TAUD gave a report on wastewater updates with State regulations. Members also got chance to meet the newest members of the TAUD staff, Will Taylor and Bruce Trotter.

The lunch was sponsored by McGill Associates and Steve Chappell of Central Services Association (CSA).

After lunch concluded, over 24 Members and Associates played a round of Golf sponsored by Jerry and Josh Cravins of Wascon Inc.

We want to thank Tim Lawson Region 10 Leader, Harold Corum of McGill Associates, Steve Chappell of CSA, Jerry Cravins of Wascon and the Staff of Springbrook Country Club for their hospitality in hosting the Region 10 quarterly meeting.

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

West Wilson Utility District serves as host for Region 5 TAUD Meeting

Friday, August 14th, 2009 | TAUD, Where we will be | No Comments

Region 5 consist of Utilities from Davidson, Robertson, Sumner and Wilson Counties. Freddie Weston of West Wilson Utility District serves as the Region Leader with assistance from Tom Faulk. Presentations were given from Holly Austin of Tennessee One Call now called TN811 and Steve Johnson of Thompson Machinery. Holly spoke on the importance of contacting TN811 anytime dirt is turned over. This also applies to homeowners who want to do projects around the house. It’s important to locate utilities before you dig. I am not the dig-police but, some counties are now encouraging their Sheriff’s Departments to issue citations for citizens who break this law. Most contractors are aware of what they must take care of before digging but, homeowners have not been aware of the program. Its free, just call our office first and we will send someone out to mark the utilities. Failure to do so can result in a misdemeanor crime.

Next on the program, Steve Johnson of Thompson Machinery the Mid-State Caterpillar Dealer presented Safety Videos for checking equipment before its used. Steve indicated that the public can download the videos showing operator safety in the field from the Caterpillar website at www.cat.safety.com.  Next on the program were representatives from the Tennessee Department of Conservation (TDEC) which gave utility members a report on the updated changes in reporting Wastewater Issues to the State.

Representatives from Rural Development were on hand to discuss the Stimulus loan program and the monies that are still available to Utilities. This sparked a lively discussion on the prior programs start dates and new construction start dates and if Utilities were getting the best options from the Federal Government involving the Stimulus money.

On hand from TAUD were Executive Director Bob Freudenthal, Larry Lewis, Dan Martin, Bruce Trotter and Doug Cherry. Larry Lewis gave members an update on the upcoming classes scheduled for the Training Center in Murfreesboro. Dan Martin gave a brief report on Wastewater issues and Bruce Trotter was introduced as the newest member of the Tennessee Association of Utility Districts Team coming over from the Dickson Water Authority program.

After the meeting, members drove over to the Baker’s Café for lunch which was sponsored by HD Supply and Brann & Whittemore.

A special ‘Thank You’ to West Wilson Utility District for their hospitality in hosting this quarterly meeting.

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

Memphis Light, Gas & Water host Region 11 Quarterly Meeting

Friday, August 14th, 2009 | TAUD, Where we will be | No Comments

Region 11 encompasses Chester, Fayette, Decatur, Hardeman, Hardin, Henderson, Haywood, Madison, McNairy, Shelby and Tipton Counties of West Tennessee. Nick Newman of MLGW serves as the Region Leader and has now join the TAUD legislative committee as a liaison for communications. This quarterly meeting was held and the Joyce M. Blackmon Training Center located on Raleigh LaGrange Road in north Shelby County. Heading up the program was Brad Davis of Smith, Seckman, Reid Inc. with a Power Point Presentation on the Shelton Road Wastewater Treatment Plant for the City of Memphis and the Storm water Detention Basin at Christian Bros. High School. The detention basin serves as a dual purpose soccer field and stadium for the school. Smith, Seckman, Reid Inc. serves as a consultant for water resource services.

Next, Bish Thomas of the Rural Development Office in West Tennessee gave a report on stimulus money available for construction projects and how to get your applications ready for approval. Bish also indicated to members that the special financing program will end as of September 2010.

Representing the Tennessee Association of Utility Districts were Larry Lewis, Executive Director Bob Freudenthal and Will Taylor. Larry gave a report on the Lead and Copper results that have now being enforced the State and Federal Governments. Larry also spoke about the upcoming training opportunities at the TAUD Training Center in Murfreesboro. Bob Freudenthal gave members an update on the laws that just went into effect from the State Legislature and reported that this past session, over 3000 bills were presented. Next year, look for it to go back to the 2000 mark which should shorten the sessions and get a budget passed quicker. Bob reported that around 500 bills touched local utilities in fashion.

Also on hand were representatives from the Jackson Environmental Field Office but no report was presented.

After the meeting attendees enjoyed a good ole fashion Barbeque lunch from Central Ave. Barbeque of Memphis. The lunch was sponsored by Smith, Seckman, Reid Inc. We wish to thank Nick Newman of Memphis Light, Gas & Water for hosting this quarterly meeting for Region 11.

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

New Leadership, New Programs, Pushes Interest In Annual ‘Business of Running a Utility District’ Conference in Gatlinburg.

Tuesday, August 11th, 2009 | TAUD, Where we will be | No Comments

Each year around the first week of August, the Tennessee Association of Utility Districts and its Members converges on Gatlinburg for its largest gathering of the year. This event allows Utility District Managers and their Staff/ Commissioners the opportunity to meet and visit with Associate Members and Vendors who serve the TAUD Membership. The Association also provides a little entertainment along the way by giving delegates the option of playing a round of golf at the Eagles Landing Course in Sevierville or taking part in the Trap Shoot and the Silent Auction designed as respective fundraisers for the Tennessee Utility Political Action Committee (TUPAC) programs. Families who also attend get to take advantage of a mini vacation and enjoy the setting of the Great Smokey Mountains in East Tennessee.

This year the Exhibit Hall was sold out early as Vendors locked down booth space as soon as the registration was posted on the TAUD’s website. Beth Hardeman, Director of Member Services for TAUD stated that they could have sold more booth space if the facility could accommodate but logistics and floor space would not allow for more vendors. Bob Freudenthal, Executive Director for the Association (TAUD) indicated that the Board will now go in a direction of looking into another facility in Gatlinburg to host the meeting next year. This is a great problem to have because this indicates the Membership is growing along with a renewed interest in the programs we are bringing online. We have really noticed a surge in attendance at our statewide Regional quarterly meetings and these also allow Associate Members more one on one time with Utilities while providing educational presentations for CE Credit.

Some of the new changes from TAUD include a new version four color process magazine format newsletter, replacing the newspaper outdated format. TAUD has also created the Tennessee Utility Public Building Authority (TUPBA) and teamed up with Wiley Bros. Aintree Capital to form a new interim finance program for Utility Districts. Also for the first time, Utilities will have the option of joining the new medical benefit program from Trustmark through the partnership of Affinity Benefits of Tennessee. This program will benefit the Utility Districts who may not meet the criteria of some of the larger programs and can be a huge savings in the cost of health insurance plans.

(TUPAC) the Tennessee Utility Political Action Committee continues to work closely with its Lobbyist from (TAUD) in assisting with tracking bills presented to the State Legislature and the impact they have on the Utility Systems here in Tennessee. This program helps bridge the commutation between Legislators the Association and its members in keeping Utility Districts informed and updated. Another new feature this year is the addition to the Superbooster program called the Diamond Sponsorship. It joins the already successful Platinum, Gold, Silver and Basic Sponsorships but expands the benefits even more.

With this year’s Conference continuing its growth, next year will be even bigger as we move into a new facility to accommodate new and exciting products for the Members of the Tennessee Association of Utility Districts.

This year 2009/2010 marks the 50th year as we Celebrate the Tennessee Association of Utility Districts and its service to the members. For more information about the programs offered from TAUD, go to: www.taud.org

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