News and information from the City of Pickerington city directory

cityprofile: David Jackson

When David Jackson goes to work for the city of Pickerington each day, the chief operator of water reclamation for the wastewater treatment plant on Hill Road knows that he has what some consider a “dirty job,” but he manages it well.

Jackson has been the chief operator for Pickerington since November 2010, and he has more than 24 years of experience in wastewater and water treatment, including a Class III Wastewater Treatment Operating License from the Environmental Protection Agency.

The chief operator is also a member of the American Water Works Association and the Ohio Water Environment Association.

“I am responsible for the operation and maintenance, testing and EPA compliance for around $30 million worth of treatment plant equipment and five remote pumping stations,” said Jackson.

In 2011, the Pickerington plant, which has two fulltime and two part-time EPA certified operators and one administrative assistant, treated approximately 703 million gallons of sewage.

“At the Hill Road South plant, our current average daily flow is just over 2 million gallons per day,” Jackson said. “The Water Reclamation Lab performed more than 7,592 routine analyses and many other evaluations.”

In addition to managing the plant and the pumping stations, Jackson works with a variety of electrical contractors, control specialists, equipment technicians and employees in the contract lab, which handles a portion of the city’s compliance testing.

“We have very talented people who are doing their best with some very good equipment. There is always room to improve, and I am constantly striving for that. But right now, we are in great shape,” he added.

Mark Your Calendars

Haunted Village

Oct. 30, 6-8 p.m., Columbus Street, Olde Pickerington Village

The city of Pickerington is scaring up its annual celebration with ghostly tours, hay rides, a storyteller, a haunted house, museum access, a garden, trick-ortreating and a pumpkin-carving contest.

Prizes for the “most original” and “most creatively” carved pumpkins will be awarded for artists age 8 and under, 9-17, and adult. In order to compete, carvers must register their creations with the Parks and Recreation Department (614-833-2211) before Oct. 29.

Sponsored by the city’s Parks and Recreation Department, Olde Pickerington Village Business Association, Pickerington Lions Club and Rock Factory.

Tots Trick-or-Treat at City Hall

Oct. 31, 1:30-2:30 p.m., City Hall, 100 Lockville Rd.

Little pumpkins, pirates and princesses, and all of their other costumed friends ages 2-5, are special guests at this Halloween event. With an adult in hand, tots can parade around the “bootifully” decorated City Hall in their costumes and experience a family friendly trick-or-treat.

Community Trick-or-Treat

Oct. 31, 6-8 p.m.

Goblins, witches and other costumed characters will be visiting their neighborhood haunts for trick-or-treat. Motorists are encouraged to take extra precautions when driving due to the number of children enjoying Halloween.

Breakfast with Santa

Dec. 1, 8 a.m.-noon, Pickerington Senior Center, 150 Hereford Dr.

Parents can begin purchasing tickets for children wanting to have breakfast with Jolly Old St. Nicholas Nov. 5 at the Pickerington Recreation Department, (100 Lockville Rd.). The cost is $5 per person; children age 2 and under are free. Make checks payable to the Pickerington Senior Center.

In addition to sharing a table with the man of the hour, attendees can enjoy a Secret Santa Shoppe, holiday music, a kids’ craft station, a bake sale and an opportunity to talk and take pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Olde Village Holiday Gathering

Dec. 7, 5-8:30 p.m., Columbus Street, Olde Pickerington Village

The annual holiday celebration includes a tree lighting ceremony, horse-drawn carriage rides, strolling carolers, free children’s activities, Santa and a chance to shop in the village for special holiday gifts.

Businesses and homeowners within the Olde Village limits may also begin registering for the holiday lighting and decorating contest on Nov. 19 at the Recreation Department. All contestants must complete the entry form by Dec. 4. Winners of the event will be announced during the festivities.

Santa’s Mailbox

Nov. 21-Dec. 11, City Hall, 100 Lockville Rd.

Pickerington has a direct mailing route to the North Pole. Children can place their letters to Santa in a North Pole Express Mailbox in front of City Hall. Santa and his elves will write back as long as they have the child’s name and address.

Dorothy Steiger Memorial Mitten Tree

Dec. 7-18, City Hall, 100 Lockville Rd.

Pickerington residents can warm the hearts, hands and heads of many area children with gifts of mittens, gloves, hats and other cold weather gear that adorn the Memorial Mitten Tree before they are distributed to those in need.