THE OFFICIAL STATE PUBLICATION OF THE AMERICAN PUBLIC WORKS ASSOCIATION | ISSUE 2 – JULY/AUGUST 2022
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Table of Contents
FEATURES ISSUE 2 – JULY/AUGUST 2022 APWA GEORGIA CHAPTER 4915 Chase Lane Cumming, GA 30040 www.georgia.apwa.net
12
Teresa Smith Named APWA Top Ten Public Works Leader
15
Georgia Forestry Commission Offers Tree Pruning Classes for Public Works Employees
19
Her Vision is Progressive: Profiling Aundrahlia “Drale” Short
20
Small Community Asset Management Research Study
23
New Atlanta DOT Continues Organizational Excellence
26
Bipartisan Laws Improve Transportation Safety in Georgia
27
Conference of Minority Transportation Officials
28
GA APWA Awards Recipients
PRESIDENT Mr. Christopher Cox PRESIDENT-ELECT Mr. Felix Floyd PAST PRESIDENT Mr. Christopher Rotalsky VICE PRESIDENT Mr. Tyler Pannell SECRETARY Mr. Patrick S. Collins, P.E. DELEGATE Mr. Lenardo “Leo” Owens TREASURER Mrs. Becky L. Kinsey ALTERNATE DELEGATE Mr. Terrence Simpkins Georgia Public Works is published by:
Tel: 866-985-9780 Fax: 866-985-9799 www.kelmanonline.com Managing Editor: Marc Lagace Marketing Manager: Rod Evason Design/layout: Tracy Toutant Advertising Coordinator: Stefanie Hagidiakow All rights reserved 2022. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express consent of the publisher.
DEPARTMENTS 7 9 11 30
President’s Message Become a Member of the APWA Branch President’s Letter Advertiser Product & Service Center
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President ’s Message
READY TO GATHER AGAIN
A
CHRIS COX , APWA G EO RG IA CHAP TER PR ESI D EN T
s we begin the second half of 2022, I am excited for all of us to be together again this year on beautiful Jekyll Island for the 71st Annual Conference August 9–12. We will be kicking off our meeting on Tuesday with a Vendor Expo, during which you will have an opportunity to see new products, technologies, and learn about potential new services. The Vendor Expo will be open at the conclusion of the Opening Session on Tuesday morning to everyone registered for the Annual Meeting. Again, this year’s afternoon session of the Vendor Expo will be open to the public for everyone to come in and visit with the vendors. New this year is a “Social with the Vendors”. Please be sure to join us beginning at 3:00 p.m. and concluding at 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 9. This year’s conference will continue the mission of the Georgia Chapter to provide opportunities for the membership to gain education, improve technical knowledge, and network with peers from throughout the state. The Certificate of Public Works Management courses and annual meeting/continuing education sessions will take place concurrently, and in addition, we have scheduled tremendous speakers as part of the continuing education sessions and guest speakers during lunch.
This year’s conference will continue the mission of the Georgia Chapter to provide opportunities or the membership to gain education, improve technical knowledge, and network with peers from throughout the state. The Georgia Chapter will also be hosting a blood donation drive throughout the day on Tuesday to serve and support our communities which have been so challenged throughout this last year. I ask that everyone please take the time to donate on this day, even if you are not able to join us on Jekyll Island. The Certificate of Public Works Management training will begin Wednesday. Modules 1, 2, 4, and 6 will be offered, as well as continuing education sessions. The Annual Awards Banquet will be held on Wednesday evening this year where we will be recognizing the award winners. I look forward to the opportunity to see each of you at the 2022 Georgia Chapter Annual Meeting this year.
Save the Date:
Summer Conference and Annual Meeting August 8–11, 2023 Jekyll Island Convention Center, Jekyll Island, GA Back to Contents
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Georgia APWA Branches Georgia APWA GEORGIA APWA BRANCHES 2021 Branches Branch Presidents 2021 Branch Presidents 2022 BRANCH PRESIDENTS Georgia APWA Branches North Carolina 2021 Branch Presidents
Tennessee
Tennessee Fannin
Walker
Floyd
Gilmer
Catoosa
Dade
Gordon
ChattoogaWalker
Gordon
Floyd Chattooga
Polk
PickensGilmer
Floyd
Haralson Carroll
Heard
Coweta
Alabama
Fayette
Pike
Meriwether Meriwether
Troup
Harris Harris
Peach
Webster
Sumter
Webster
Sumter
Quitman Randolph
Clay
Dooly
Terrell
Randolph Clay Calhoun Calhoun
Dougherty
Baker
Early
Baker
Early
Miller
Miller
Seminole
Telfair
Lee Central Savannah Turner River Area
TerrellVacant Lee
Dougherty
Worth
Tift
bkpage@chathamcounty.org
Mitchell
Mitchell
Coffee
Colquitt
Colquitt
Cook
Metro Atlanta Branch
Cook
Brooks
Candler
Bulloch
Lowndes
Effingham
Evans Tattnall Evans
Chatham
Bryan
Tattnall
Chatham
Bryan Liberty
Long
Southeast Branch Tony
Long
Vicent avicent@glynncounty-
Wayne
ga.gov McIntosh
Wayne
McIntosh
Southwest Branch
Pierce
Pierce
tbeebe@gainesville.org
Lanier
Camden Effingham
Charlton Bulloch
Candler
Bacon
Atkinson
Lanier
Glynn
Brantley
Bacon
Atkinson Todd Beebe
Berrien
Shauncey Battle-Williams Decatur Grady Thomas sbattle-williams@AtlantaGa.Gov Decatur Lowndes Grady Thomas Brooks
Seminole
Screven
Appling
Northeast Branch
Berrien
McIntosh
Ware
wssullivan@spaldingcounty.com
Tift
Coastal Branch Keith Page
Wayne
Screven
Liberty
Jeff Davis
Coffee
Long
Pierce
Clinch Echols
Chatham
Liberty
Appling Middle Branch Scott Sullivan
Irwin
Bryan
Appling
Jenkins
Atkinson
Treutlen
Jeff Davis
Ben Hill
Evans
Bacon Jenkins
Emanuel
Montgomery FloridaToombs Wheeler
Telfair
Ben Hill
Irwin
Worth
Coffee
Lowndes Treutlen
Effingham
Tattnall
Burke
Montgomery Toombs Wheeler
Dodge
Wilcox
Turner
Jeff Davis
Lanier Emanuel
Laurens Thomas Brooks
Wilcox
Crisp
Irwin
Johnson
Bulloch
Burke
Ben Hill
Berrien
Dodge
Pulaski
Montgomery Toombs Wheeler Telfair
Cook
Laurens
Candler
Columbia Richmond
Johnson
Colquitt
Bleckley
Pulaski
Crisp
Quitman
Mitchell
South Carolina
Treutlen
GlascockJefferson
Dougherty Wilkinson Worth Washington Tift
Screven
Emanuel
Columbia
Jefferson
Decatur Grady Houston Bleckley
Dooly
Jenkins
Richmond
Wilcox
Wilkinson
South Carolina
Johnson
Laurens
McDuffie Dodge
Washington Turner
Lee
Burke
Washington
Warren Glascock
Crisp Hancock
Baldwin
Twiggs
Miller
Pulaski
Dooly Hancock
Twiggs Baker
Seminole Peach
Macon
Schley
Stewart
Jones
Houston
Macon
Schley Chattahoochee Marion
Terrell
Calhoun
Bibb Early
Crawford
Taylor
Muscogee
Chattahoochee Marion
Stewart
Monroe Clay
McDuffie Bleckley
Warren Taliaferro
Sumter
Putnam
Baldwin
Randolph
Bibb
Talbot Taylor
Muscogee
Webster
Jones
Monroe
Lamar
Upson Crawford
Talbot
Putnam
Jasper
Quitman
Taliaferro Peach
Macon Greene
Schley
Jasper Stewart
Upson
Greene Taylor
Richmond
Glascock Jefferson
Lincoln
Wilkes
South Carolina Columbia
McDuffie
Wilkinson
Twiggs
Houston
Newton
Hancock
Lincoln
Bibb
Oglethorpe Crawford
Oconee
Taliaferro
Baldwin
Wilkes
Upson
Clarke
Talbot
Marion Chattahoochee Morgan
Butts
Putnam
Oglethorpe
Oconee
Newton Muscogee
Spalding Lamar
Greene
Warren
Hart Elbert Jasper
Butts
Lincoln
Wilkes
Morgan
Pike Lamar JacksonClarke Madison Jones Monroe Elbert
WaltonMorgan
HenryButts
Pike
Henry
Franklin
Oglethorpe
Oconee
Newton
Madison
Meriwether
Harris
Clayton
Spalding
Troup
Barrow Troup
Rockdale
Henry
Stephens
Elbert
Clarke
Walton
Spalding
Barrow Gwinnett Walton
DeKalb
Fulton
Coweta
Heard
Alabama
Forsyth
Hart
Madison
Barrow
DeKalb
Fayette Jackson Coweta Banks
Rockdale
Fayette
Jackson
Clayton
Hall
Heard
Clayton
Douglas
Carroll
Banks
Franklin
Banks
Hall
Forsyth
FranklinRockdale Hart
Fulton
Dawson
DeKalb
Fulton
White DouglasHabersham
Lumpkin Hall
Gwinnett
Cobb
Paulding
Douglas
Haralson
Forsyth
Cobb
Paulding
Stephens
Dawson
Cherokee
Bartow
Carroll
Cherokee
Bartow
Haralson Polk
Dawson
Cherokee Pickens
Bartow
White Habersham
Lumpkin
Pickens
Towns White Rabun Habersham Polk LumpkinUnion Paulding Cobb StephensGwinnett
Fannin
Whitfield Murray
Rabun
North Carolina Rabun
Towns
Union
Whitfield Murray
Towns
Union
Gilmer
Gordon
Chattooga
Alabama
Dade
Fannin
Murray
Whitfield
Walker
Catoosa Tennessee
North Carolina
Catoosa
Dade
Brantley
Brantley
Emanuel Haire
Glynn
GlynnEHaire@colquittga.org
Ware
Northwest Branch Ware
West Central Branch
Jeremy Bryson Clinch Clinch jeremy.bryson@catoosa.com Charlton
Echols
Charlton
Camden
Camden
James Mang jmang@columbusga.org
Echols
Florida Florida
CENTRAL SAVANNAH RIVER AREA
Central Savannah River Area Central Savannah River Area Vacant Vacant Vacant
COASTAL BRANCH
Coastal Branch Keith Page Coastal Keith Page KeithBranch Page
bkpage@chathamcounty.org kpage@bryan-county.org bkpage@chathamcounty.org METRO ATL ANTA BRANCH
Metro Atlanta Branch Adisa AaronsBranch Metro Atlanta
ajaarons@atlantaga.gov Shauncey Battle-Williams Shauncey Battle-Williams sbattle-williams@AtlantaGa.Gov sbattle-williams@AtlantaGa.Gov
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MIDDLE BRANCH
Middle BranchScott Scott Sullivan Sullivan Middle Kevin Branch King
wssullivan@spaldingcounty.com wssullivan@spaldingcounty.com kking@spaldingcounty.com NORTHEAST BRANCH
Northeast Branch Northeast Branch Todd Beebe
Todd Beebe tbeebe@gainesville.org Todd Beebe tbeebe@gainesville.org tbeebe@gainesville.org NORTHWEST BRANCH
Northwest Branch Wesley Stokes Northwest Branch
wstokes@fortoglethorpega.gov Jeremy Bryson Jeremy Bryson jeremy.bryson@catoosa.com jeremy.bryson@catoosa.com
SOUTHEAST BRANCH
Southeast Southeast BranchTony Tony Tony VicentBranch
Vicent avicent@glynncountyVicent avicent@glynncountyavicent@glynncounty-ga.gov ga.gov ga.gov SOUTHWEST BRANCH
Southwest Branch Southwest Angela Bray Branch
Emanuel Haire akbray@valdostacity.com Emanuel Haire EHaire@colquittga.org EHaire@colquittga.org WEST CENTRAL BRANCH
West Central Branch James Mang
West Central Branch
jmang@columbusga.org James Mang James Mang jmang@columbusga.org
jmang@columbusga.org
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FROM THE DESK OF MEMBERSHIP COMMIT TEE CHAIRMAN, DWAYNE STOCKS
BECOME A MEMBER OF APWA APWA Membership has its privilege
M
emberships are extended to both current or past public works employees as well as to private company employees who interact with the American Public Works Association. Membership comes with the opportunity to share common goals, challenges, and solutions with Public Works professionals throughout North America. As a member, you’ll participate in local Chapter and Branch programs meetings – often at reduced pricing; gain exposure to more than 30,000 Public Works professionals; save money on the best education and training programs in Public Works, covering all disciplines with ability to receive CEUs and PDHs; gain free subscriptions to many infoNOW electronic networking communities and resources, including the APWA Reporter Magazine; receive free access to the Resource Center and registrations for live Click, Listen & Learn programs; and pay reduced pricing for books, videos, construction, water resources and more. As a member, you’ll save up to 42% on registration for PWX, the NORTH American Snow Conference and most nationally sponsored workshops and e-learning programs; earn your professional certification credentials; have networking opportunities at the national, local chapter and/or branch level; and receive discounts on advertising opportunities in the APWA Reporter Magazine and exhibitor space at the annual PWX* (*Corporate Crown Level Group Memberships only). APWA is your primary resource for public works-related knowledge. Become an Individual or Group Member of the APWA Individual APWA membership automatically includes a one-year membership to your local APWA or CPWA Chapter. Individual Membership is available to: • any official or employee (active, retired, or life) of a government agency, manufacturer, supplier, contractor, student, or consulting firm who is actively engaged in the field of Public Works. Group Membership is available to: • Student Groups, • Public Agency Groups, • One-Call Center/System Groups,
• • •
Corporate Groups, Prestige Corporate, and Crown Corporate.
To learn more about APWA’s membership groups and how to become a Member, visit www.apwa.net.
Membership comes with the opportunity to share common goals, challenges, and solutions with Public Works professionals throughout North America.
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Branch President ’s Letter
HAPPY TO BE BACK IN PERSON A D I S A A A R O N S , M E T R O AT L A N TA B R A N C H P R E S I D E N T
While the virtual meetings have been fun and informative, there is nothing like meeting in person!
W
e are well into the year of 2022 and we are getting things back to normal. We made the decision to go back to in-person meetings starting in June. While the virtual meetings have been fun and informative, there is nothing like meeting in person! We will still have a virtual component for anyone who is unable to make it, to ensure that everyone who would like to be involved can be so. I’m encouraging
JD.JD JCR.21006_Y_013_19 _APWA_Print_V5.pdf
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3/9/22
everyone to attend the Georgia APWA State Conference in Jekyll Island from August 9–12 and the 2022 Public Works Expo from August 28–31 in Charlotte, NC. Both events will be a great time of networking, fellowship and learning in the name of Public Works. As we move back to in-person, the remainder of the 2022 year will be filled with speakers who promote the mission of Public Works.
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TERESA SMITH Named APWA Top Ten
Public Works Leader
T
eresa Smith, P.E. has been selected as a Top 10 Public Works Leader for APWA! She is a 35-year veteran in the field of Public Works, in both the public and private sector. Currently, she works as the Georgia Alternative Delivery Practice Ladder for Volkert, Inc. based out of Atlanta, GA. Within APWA, she currently serves as the District 10 Director for the Georgia APWA Chapter. One of her accomplishments being on the Georgia APWA Executive Board is helping to create the Strategic Plan for the Georgia Chapter. Being a woman and a minority in a predominately male field, Teresa has broken through a number of glass ceilings and knocked down several doors to have success in her career. Teresa has worked for several government agencies including the City of Atlanta, Richland County Government (South Carolina), the City of Augusta and the Georgia Department of Transportation. Simply put, Teresa Smith is a trailblazer as a servant of Public Works. Adisa Aarons had the opportunity to sit down with Teresa to talk about her career and the significance of winning this prestigious award.
AA: What does it mean to be chosen as a Top Ten Public Works Leader by APWA? TERESA SMITH (TS): Having started my professional career with the Georgia Department of Transportation, and serving in several capacities in Engineering and Public Works Departments on both the east and west coast, being selected as a Top Ten Public Works Leader is a reflection of the culmination of my career in both public and private sectors. From a very early age my mother instilled in each of her children to always do our best, and when things were going well for us, to look around and see
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Teresa has broken through a number of glass ceilings and knocked down several doors to have success in her career... simply put, Teresa Smith is a trailblazer as a servant of Public Works. how we could assist someone else, either by lending a hand, giving encouragement or setting an example. I have met a lot of wonderful and supportive people along the way in my career, which started during a time when there was not a lot of diversity in the industry. During those times, I learned and have shared with various mentees that it is important to not only have mentors in the area of your profession, but also in other areas that will provide a well-rounded support system. Had it not been for my family, friends, peers and mentors, I would not have been able to gain the experiences that I have these past 35 years. I am truly thankful, grateful and humbled for this recognition from APWA.
AA: What has been your biggest challenge being a woman and a minority in Public Works? TS: There were very few females and even fewer minorities in my classes when I was a student Georgia Southern. In 1983, I was the first African American female to graduate from their Civil Engineering Technology program, so I was already familiar with the low level of diversity in the industry at that time. When I initially started my career, I was located on the West Coast and there were very few African Americans in this industry. However, the primary demographic was Hispanic, so from a minority perspective, there were not any major issues, at least not for me. That
G EO RG IA PU B LI C WO RKS | w w w.g e o rg ia . a pwa . n et
being said, as a woman in the industry, it was very difficult to get a seat at the table and when I did, it was difficult to be taken seriously. Disparity in pay was also a major issue. Being married to a Marine Officer, there were often references to me not needing the money while my counterparts with less education and experience received higher pay. Later, when I relocated to the east coast, the issues were reversed. I found that gender was less of an issue, while there were more issues related to race. During one of my job interviews, I was posed the question: “You will have a lot of men working for you that are not accustomed to working for someone like you. What do you plan to do about that?” This question came from a very high ranking official, so I was a little taken aback. As time passed and societal advancements were made, there were also changes in the industry. I have had the honor of serving as the first female and first African American Director of Public Works in the City of Augusta, GA and in Richland County, SC. Being a first came with many challenges, but it also provided opportunities to implement change and to strive for improvements.
AA: What has been your biggest accomplishment(s) being a woman and a minority in Public Works? TS: My biggest accomplishments as a woman and minority in Public Works were:
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•
Hiring the first female truck driver and equipment operator for the City of Augusta • Hiring the first two African American Deputy Directors in City of Augusta’s Public Works Department • Developing and implementing programs and processes that opened the door for more women and minorities to have greater opportunities in areas such as hiring, promotions, job training, cross training, and contracting in each Public Works organization that I have served. I think it is very important to give back both to the community and the industry. I often speak at schools during career day events, serve as a mentor to college students, and often assist new graduates in identifying job opportunities.
AA: What does it mean to be a servant of Public Works? TS: In my experience, a true public servant, be it Public Works or any other publicly held position, requires a commitment to not only “serve the Public”, but to perform well enough to leave at the end of each day feeling that you have improved the quality of life for the public that you are committed to serve, the employees that you are committee to lead, and the youth for which you set an example.
Left to Right: Andrea (Daughter); Sheresa (Granddaughter); Sean (Son); Teresa Smith
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AA: What do you see for your future in Public Works? TS: My focus has and continues to be on being a good steward of public trust, identifying opportunities to support public works programs, and to contribute to improving and enhancing the quality of life for the public within my sphere of influence.
AA: What do you do in your leisure? TS: My favorite past time is probably spending time with my family, both immediate and extended. I have one brother and one sister, and our families spend almost every major holiday together as well as any other “impromptu” reason that we can find to get together. The summer of COVID (2020) I took up gardening. I also enjoy traveling, reading a good mystery/suspense novel, and spending time with my children. I have one daughter, Andrea, who currently resides in Evans, GA with my only grandchild, Sheresa, who is 15, and one son, Sean, who currently resides in Washington State.
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Georgia Forestry Commission Partners with Floyd County Public Works for Free Training for Pruning Trees O
n May 5, 2022, Floyd County Public Works partnered with the Georgia Forestry Commission, to host a tree pruning class for Public Works employees from the Northwest GA Branch. This free class included participants from northwestern Georgia communities including Rome, Fort Oglethorpe, and Blue Ridge. Certified arborist Seth Hawkins conducted the class, focusing on grooming young trees and pruning for structure while they are still small and manageable. Michael Skeen, Director of Public Works for Floyd County, organized the training event and provided this recap of it. According to Skeen, “Our local government has spent a significant amount of money to design and install landscapes around multi-million-dollar facilities. But once the building and grounds are complete, we typically hand the
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maintenance over to someone with little professional training.” Skeen continues, “While our employees work hard, they are primarily in their position because they are the most experienced Certified Officer working with inmate details, not for their appreciation or experience with plants and trees.” Some communities choose to outsource this service, which does give options to contract with highly trained and competent workers, but we typically award contracts to the lowest bidder, which doesn’t always mean the best trained. It is important that someone in the local government has the education and experience to assure they are getting value for their money. The primary focus of the class was proper pruning techniques and when to prune. However, some time was spent on risk assessment of mature trees.
Seth Hawkins, right, discussing pruning needs with participants from the NW GA Branch in Rome recently.
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“While having certified arborists on staff is nice, it isn’t always practical. A simple one- or two-day class can help local governments get the basic tools to assist anyone in maintaining their tree canopy.” While assessing a tree for pruning, the initial focus should be on limbs that are already dead, diseased, dying, or broken. In addition, if you notice any rubbing, that should be addressed too. According to Hawkins, two or more limbs rubbing in the wind are very likely to create a wound which can become an access point for pests or diseases. Other focuses of pruning included: • Reduction Cut – Another word for reduction cut is a header cut. While it isn’t ideal to cut the central leader on a trunk or even on a limb, there are times that this needs to be done to avoid interference with a building. When this happens, the cut should be along a point that will allow the energy from the primary limb to have a chance to continue into a limb that is at least 1/3 the size of the limb that is cut. • Crown Raising Cut – Over time, as a tree grows, it is wise to monitor the tree to raise the crown when you can. This allows for safer lawn maintenance and makes it easier to walk around the tree while cutting grass or doing an inspection. It also improves line-of-sight issues around driveways or intersections.
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Crown Thinning – Thinning a crown can have several benefits, from removing decaying or broken limbs, to opening the area for better wind flow and sunlight can help a tree to thrive. Hawkins spent several minutes discussing tools for pruning. Since the class was focused on pruning for structure on small trees, most of the tools used were hand tools. We were encouraged to use pass-through loppers as opposed to tools with a single blade and an anvil – which doesn’t offer a smooth cut. When going from tree to tree, it is prudent to spray each tool with an alcohol mix to minimize the risk of spreading a disease from one tree to another. It was noted that pruning mature trees in bucket trucks follows the same techniques, it just requires larger tools and much more emphasis on safety. Hawkins focused next on where to make a pruning cut. Slides in the presentation, along with inspections in the field, helped to identify what is known as the Branch Bark Ridge and the Branch Collar. By cutting the limb in the collar, the tree has a much better chance to seal off the wound, minimizing access of pests
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or diseases. Next, he introduced the ‘3-cut method’, which focuses on removing the weight of the limb before the final cut to minimize tearing or stripping of the bark (creating a wound). While having certified arborists on staff is nice, it isn’t always practical. A simple one- or two-day class can help local governments get the basic tools to assist anyone in maintaining their tree canopy. The Georgia Forestry Commission wants to be sure to spread the word that similar training to what was offered in Rome is available mostly free of charge throughout the State. In addition, at least in Rome, our County Extension Office partnered through the University of Georgia can offer guidance on trees and even more so on plants and soil analysis. Both the GFC and the Extension Office offer scholarship opportunities to local governments to attend training classes, but usually do require a fee to book. Even if the employee does not receive an ISA or a Master Gardener Certificate, there is still a tremendous amount of information available just in the training class. Simply reach out to your local rep with the GFC or Extension Office for more details. You can contact the GFC through their website at gatrees.org, or contact Skeen and he will be able to point someone in the right direction (michael.skeen@floydcountyga.org, 706-252-1112). Skeen added, “I joined the National House and Grounds Committee a few years ago as a Knowledge Team Member primarily for this same reason.”
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Progressive Michelle L. Brown-Mang, Deputy Director, Columbus Consolidated Public Works Department
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undrahlia “Drale” Short is the newest director of the Public Works Department for the Columbus Consolidated Government, with 39 years of service within the very department in which she has performed several roles throughout her career. Her progressive ideals, excellent work ethic, and strive to serve started with the foundation laid by past public works directors. They mentored Short to be firm but fair, and encouraged her to enact an open-door policy while also being receptive to change that makes sense and improves service. With a staff of more than 400 employees, her current role will encompass Public Works in its entirety, which includes: • Animal Care and Control Center • Waste Collection, Recycling and Landfills • Rainwater Division • Facility Maintenance • Fleet Maintenance • Repairs and Maintenance, Streets Division • Beautification Division; ROW/Forestry • Community Service • Safety and Training Program • Administration Staff • City Cemeteries Division • In-house GIS Division Short began her career in 1983, two years after graduating from Columbus High School. She has served in various capacities during her career, in addition to volunteering to work with various city groups. For the last three years she has served as the Deputy Director of Public Works, Internal Services. Her responsibilities included overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Animal Care and Control Center, the city
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Drale Short takes pride in providing the residents of Muscogee County with the best services possible, and to make Columbus one of the best cities to live and raise a family in the southeast.” cemeteries, Drivers Training/Safety Program,Facilities Maintenance Division, and FleetManagement. She also managed the overall divisional budgets of more than $40 million, as well as the inventory of equipment valued at $1.33 million annually. Short was hired by the City of Columbus, GA as the Administrative Assistant to the Director of Public Works. She soon found herself looking for more challenges, absorbing all available information and learning all aspects of this ever-evolving department. She was then promoted to supervisor over the Operations Center, now referred to as the Citizens Service Center or 311 Center. As she took on this demanding position, she researched ways to improve the handling of information for the department. She then introduced technology that was beneficial to this section. Shortly after, she was promoted to Operations Manager for the Department of Public Works. In 1998, Short underwent extensive training to become a certified Tool Trainer for the City’s Total Quality Management Program. This program required an organization-wide effort to install and make permanent changes to the climate, demonstrating an organization
continuously improving its ability to deliver high-quality products and services to its customers. Short is committed to providing exceptional service to all customers regardless of the subject matter or if they are an internal or external customer. Her daily goal is to constantly look for ways to improve the processes within the Department of Public Works. She takes pride in providing the residents of Muscogee County with the best services possible, and to make Columbus one of the best cities to live and raise a family in the southeast. A graduate of Troy State University, Short obtained her Baccalaureate Degree in Business with a minor in Management. She is the daughter of Retired Major Samuel R. Short and Julia Mack Short, and the granddaughter of civic leader Ardahlia Mack. Short states that it was while watching her grandmother, in a wheelchair at the time, work to improve her community with direct determination and conviction, that she fell in love with servant leadership. It’s those characteristics she obtained during her formative years that have become a part of who “Drale” Short strives to be.
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Small Community Asset Management Research Study Caroline Dickey, E.I.T.
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ursuing a master’s degree had passed in and out of my mind several times before I finally came to a decision. The research options available to me were mostly focused on concreterelated topics, which is where I spend much of my time in a lab. While important work, I couldn’t find any passion for concrete-based research. When Stan Brown of APWA, Walt McBride of the Carl Vinson Institute of Government, and Professor Stephan Durham of the University of Georgia College of Engineering approached me with a new type of project, I was immediately interested. They had a rough outline of the purpose of the project: to determine the effectiveness of the APWA’s Guide to Successful Asset Management System Development, pictured in Fig.1, in different local governments. We had to work to determine how to whittle this down to a project that could be completed by one person in a year.
Fig. 1: Cover of APWA’s Guide to Successful Asset Management System Development (Developed by the APWA Asset Management Task Force) The final objectives of the project included the following:
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Identify challenges encountered by different local government of all sizes in the State of Georgia, in relation to asset management using interviews, surveys, site visits, and a case study. • Determine effective approaches to the development of asset management programs for smallscale local governments. • If it is determined to be necessary, create supplemental resources for local governments with limited resources. Asset management has become a hot topic, especially in government work. The infrastructure in America is deteriorating and sustainable management practices are desperately needed to decrease the negative impacts. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) requires state Departments of Transportation to create and implement transportation asset management plans (TAMPs). However, these plans do not generally include local government-maintained infrastructure. The results of this research project are meant to help provide resources for small local governments when implementing asset management systems. First in the methodology, local government sizes were broken down based on city and county populations in Georgia: rural as less than 2,500, greater than 2,500 as small, greater than 20,000 as mid-sized, and greater than 75,000 as large. Interviews were conducted with representatives from small, mid-sized, and large local governments. Rural cities are likely underrepresented in this study. The information gained from the interviews was used in writing questions asked in the survey, which then provided information to use in the site visits. The site visits were analyzed to determine which local government would provide a good representation of local governments in Georgia. A large portion of the information gained in the interviews, survey, and site visits supported initial hypotheses:
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1. Infrastructure is managed significantly differently in small local governments than mid-sized and large 2. Small local governments typically have fewer resources (funding, employees, technology, etc.) 3. Small local governments are less likely to have an asset management system in place The City of Sandersville was chosen for the case study based on population, proximity to large cities, enthusiasm for a road-specific asset management plan (AMP), and other factors. The purpose of the case study was to implement an asset management system following the APWA Guide to Successful Asset Management System Development. Because of time restrictions, only the strategic asset management plan document (SAMP) for the public works department (Fig. 2) and the AMP for the street department (Fig. 3) were created. However, the completed work provides information for future AMPs for other departments under public works to be developed.
Fig. 2: Cover of Strategic Asset Management Plan for the City of Sandersville Public Works Department The Sandersville SAMP includes the policy goals of the city that are outlined
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in their budget documentation. The asset values, asset management policies, and asset management objectives are outlined in this document and tied directly to the policy goals previously mentioned. The street department AMP was created using the APWA guide and thus built off the SAMP. A simple, repeatable road rating system was developed for Sandersville and used to provide baseline road rankings for the road system. The AMP includes definitions of assets in the department and their applicable value, roles and responsibilities, information to be contained in each asset inventory, a rating system for each asset, and an inspection schedule.
13-step process for implementation and asset management system. Additionally, I created a decision tree called Making Asset Management Software Decisions that helps guide a local government through topics they should discuss prior to looking for asset management software options. These documents are meant to be used alongside the APWA guide and will be available through the APWA website soon.
Fig. 4: Cover of Step-By-Step Asset Management Document
Through this experience, I have become extremely passionate about asset management and now have a career in the field. I plan to stay involved with APWA and pursue more developments in the asset management area. Resources: APWA – www.apwa.net/MyApwa/ Apwa_Public/Resources/Guide_to_ Successful_Asset_Management.aspx FHWA – www.fhwa.dot.gov/ asset/plans.cfm ASCE – www.infrastructurereportcard.org QUICK DEFINITIONS: Asset: anything that has defined value by an organization Asset Management: the collaborative effort of an organization to maximize the value received from their assets Asset Management Plan (AMP): document that outlines specific actions and roles included in dayto-day operations regarding asset management (often separate plans for separate assets) Asset management system: all policy, goals, objectives, and plans used in asset management within an organization
Fig. 3: Cover of Sandersville Street Department: Asset Management Plan Based on the information gained within this study, it was determined that local governments with limited resources would benefit from a more direct outline of how to implement an asset management system. The APWA Guide to Successful Asset Management System Development was useful to me as a researcher when implementing an asset management system in the City of Sandersville. However, I acted as a consultant, which is not feasible for most small local governments in Georgia. Therefore, I created a document called Step-By-Step Asset Management (Fig. 4) which outlines a logical
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New Atlanta Dot Continues Organizational Excellence, Earns Reaccreditation Michael Frierson, Public & Media Relations Manager, Department of Transportation, City of Atlanta
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hile change can be disruptive for some organizations, it served as a catalyst for excellence for the new City of Atlanta (GA) Department of Transportation (ATLDOT). Formerly accredited as the City of Atlanta’s Department of Public Works, ATLDOT recently earned APWA’s reaccreditation as a new department. In June 2019, Atlanta City Council legislation created a Department of Transportation to combine related functions into a central unit focused on building safer streets that equitably serve all Atlantans. A year later, the Offices of Transportation and Capital Improvement Projects, and the Renew Atlanta-TSPLOST Program, officially merged to become ATLDOT. Combining multiple functions into a collaborative department with a common vision has enabled the new ATLDOT to streamline its funding and project delivery pipelines, helping to ensure that all roadway projects meet Atlanta’s long-term economic and mobility goals. We are extremely proud of our transportation heroes, who have made this recognition possible. “Our staff’s mission is to deliver a standard of excellence with consistent quality and value for safety, equity, and mobility,” said ATLDOT Commissioner Josh Rowan. “Achieving APWA Accreditation in our first year as the city’s Department of Transportation reflects the hard work and dedication of our staff. We are extremely proud of our transportation heroes, who have made this recognition possible.” ATLDOT is organized into three offices working to improve ATL311 customer service response, citywide transportation maintenance, and new project planning, design, and delivery. Each of these units has well-defined roles and clear lines of responsibility: • Office of Transportation Infrastructure Management (TIM) maintains and operates the City of Atlanta’s multimodal transportation system for residents, commuters, and visitors. • Office of Strategy and Planning assures that all project designs address the City’s increasing need for safe and diverse transportation options, with high-quality pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure. • Office of Capital Delivery manages major transportation construction projects funded through Renew Atlanta Bond, TSPLOST (Transportation Special Local Option Sales Tax), Capital Improvement, and state sidewalk and resurfacing programs.
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Spring Street Viaduct Ribbon Cutting, pictured left to right: Josh Rowan, Commisioner, ATLDOT; Jason Dozier, District 4, Atlanta City Council; Jessica Fulton, Deputy Commissioner, Office of Capital Delivery In addition to earning APWA Accreditation, the new agency’s first-year accomplishments include: • 13,750 ATL 311 Customer Service work orders completed • 4,000+ linear feet of new/repaired sidewalks installed • 34 lane miles of roadway resurfaced • 10,000+ lights maintained • 2,800+ potholes repaired The new organizational structure focuses on detailed assessments and implementation plans for maintenance operations, and collaborative project planning and design that aligns with the City of Atlanta’s commitment to Vision Zero principles. Adopted by the City of Atlanta in April 2020, Vision Zero is a systems-based approach to eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries through safer street design, speed management and other proven strategies. While ATLDOT’s Office of Strategy and Planning oversees Vision Zero public outreach and mobility planning, every facet of maintenance and project delivery is implemented with Vision Zero goals in mind. In its infancy, the new ATLDOT is establishing itself as a productive and industrious organization committed to excellence. The City of Atlanta’s “Light Up the Night” initiative, for example, illustrates how ATLDOT views department operations through a Vision Zero lens. I s s u e 2 – J u l y/A u g u s t 20 2 2 | G EO RG I A P U B L I C WO R K S
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Atlanta Department of Transportation employees
Mariette Boulevard Complete Street Project
In December 2021, former Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms flipped a switch on two street lanterns representing the City’s commitment to increasing Atlanta’s streetlight footprint by 10,000 lights. Newly-elected Mayor Andre Dickens reinforced that commitment in his April 2022 “State of the City address.” ATLDOT will continue to focus on providing transportation infrastructure that is safe and accessible to the City of Atlanta. Currently, the “Light Up the Night” initiative is being implemented in partnership with Georgia Power based on streetlight inventory and assessment data collected by ATLDOT and a team of industrial engineering students at the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech). The team evaluated the city’s existing streetlight footprint and identified where additional lighting is most needed based on crime rates, crash rates and current lighting coverage. Based on Georgia Power’s progress, the goal of installing/ repairing 10,000 lights will be achieved by the end of 2022. ATLDOT Commissioner Rowan said the “Light Up the Night” project aligns with the City of Atlanta’s Vision Zero goal of eliminating traffic fatalities and injuries by prioritizing low-visibility, high-crash, and high-crime areas.
“The City of Atlanta is replicating successful lighting initiatives implemented in New York, Detroit, and other U.S. cities that have seen significant reduction in crime and crash rates. ATLDOT will continue to identify best practices that help us keep our neighborhoods vital and safe.” A sidewalk inventory and assessment similarly focused on identifying areas of the city with the most pressing need for new installation and repairs. High-injury corridors, and areas close to schools, senior centers, and public transportation were considered high priority. In its infancy, the new ATLDOT is establishing itself as a productive and industrious organization committed to excellence. Its dedicated employees have merged during the global health pandemic to plan and deliver vital transportation services and improvements throughout the city. ATLDOT will continue to focus on providing transportation infrastructure that is safe and accessible to the City of Atlanta’s pedestrians, cyclists, motorists, transit users, and scooter operators. Michael Frierson can be reached at 404-710-9560 or mfrierson@atlantaga.gov.
Our concern for the environment is more than just talk This publication is printed on Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) certified paper with vegetable oil-based inks. Please do your part for the environment by reusing and recycling.
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Georgia DOT Awards $111 Million In Construction Contracts
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he Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) awarded funding to a total of 23 projects, valued at a total of approximately $110,860,370. The largest single investment, worth approximately $10 million, was awarded to Reeves Construction Company. This resurfacing project will consist of 10.934 miles of milling, plant mix resurfacing and shoulder rehabilitation on US 25/SR 121 from the Jenkins County Line to south of SR 24 in Burke County. This contract, along with 13 other resurfacing contracts, represents 64 percent of the awarded funds. The largest bridge construction project, worth approximately $6 million, was awarded to Georgia Bridge and Concrete, LLC. The project consists of 0.464 mile of bridge construction and its approaches on SR 82 over Middle Oconee River in Barrow and Jackson Counties. This contract, along with four other bridge construction projects, represent 25 percent, or approximately $21 million, of the awarded funds. Construction projects represent 8 percent, or approximately $6 million, of the awarded funds. Further information on the previously mentioned projects and the remaining 3 percent allotted to a rehabilitation project in Fulton County can be found in the award announcement list.
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A Design–Build project was awarded to the team of Archer Western Construction, LLC and Heath & Lineback Engineering, Inc. in the month of May worth approximately $35 million. This Design–Build project constructs an auxiliary lane along I-285 westbound between Roswell Road and Riverside Drive. The project also includes a bridge replacement on Mount Vernon Highway over I-285 and the widening of I-285 over Long Island Drive to accommodate the auxiliary lane. Contractors and consultants, Disadvantaged Business Enterprises, registered small businesses and veteran-owned small businesses interested in bidding on projects or performing work must prequalify with Georgia DOT. To learn more, please visit www.dot.ga.gov/PS/Business/Prequalification/PrequalContractors. Georgia Department of Transportation plans, constructs and maintains Georgia’s state and federal highways. We’re involved in bridge, waterway, public transit, rail, general aviation, bike and pedestrian programs. And we help local governments maintain their roads. Georgia DOT and its nearly 4,000 employees are committed to delivering a transportation system focused on innovation, safety, sustainability and mobility. The Department’s vision is to boost Georgia’s competitiveness through leadership in transportation.
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Feds Making $1 Billion Available for Local Communities to Ensure Safe Streets and Roads for All, Address National Roadway Safety Crisis Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Provides Dedicated Funding for Safety Projects that Prevent Fatalities, Serious Injuries
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he U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced that the application process is now open for communities of all sizes to apply for $1 billion in Fiscal Year 2022 funding to help them ensure safe streets and roads for all, and to address the national roadway safety crisis. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s new Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) discretionary grant program provides dedicated funding to support regional, local, and tribal plans, projects, and strategies that will prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries. The SS4A program supports the Department’s comprehensive approach, laid out in the National Roadway Safety Strategy, to significantly reduce serious injuries and deaths on our Nation’s highways, roads, and streets, and is part of our work toward an ambitious long-term goal of reaching zero roadway fatalities. This comes at a time when traffic fatalities are at the highest level they have been at in over a decade.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s new Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) discretionary grant program provides dedicated funding to support regional, local, and tribal plans, projects, and strategies that will prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries. “We face a national crisis of fatalities and serious injuries on our roadways, and these tragedies are preventable – so as a nation we must work urgently and collaboratively to save lives,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “The funds we are making available today from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help communities large and small take action to protect all Americans on our roads.” “The rise in deaths and serious injuries on our public roads affects people of every age, race and income level, in rural communities and big cities alike,” said Deputy Federal Highway
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Administrator Stephanie Pollack. “This program will provide leaders in communities across the country with the resources they need to make roads safer for everyone.” The primary goal of the SS4A grants is to improve roadway safety by supporting communities in developing comprehensive safety action plans based on a Safe System Approach, and implementing projects and strategies that significantly reduce or eliminate transportation-related fatalities and serious injuries involving pedestrians, bicyclists, public transportation, personal conveyance and micro-mobility users, commercial vehicle operators, and motorists. Funding can also be used to support robust stakeholder engagement in order to ensure that all community members have a voice in developing plans, projects, and strategies. The funding supports DOT’s National Roadway Safety Strategy and collaborative efforts to advance the Safe System Approach and address safety by implementing redundant measures that lead to multiple types and layers of protection. The SS4A Grant Program was created by Congress under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which directed the Department to support local initiatives to prevent death and serious injury on roads and streets. The law also directed the Department, when selecting projects under the program, to consider other factors in addition to safety, including equitable investment in the safety needs of under-resourced communities. The program also supports the Biden-Harris Administration’s goals of promoting equity and fighting climate change. Applications may come from individual communities, or groups of communities and may include Metropolitan Planning Organizations, counties, cities, towns, other special districts that are subdivisions of a state, certain transit agencies, federally recognized Tribal governments, and multi-jurisdictional groups. The Department has made the application process to receive funding as easy as possible to reduce administrative burden and encourage broad participation in this new funding program, especially for smaller communities, tribal governments and new federal funding recipients. The Safe Streets for All Notice of Funding Opportunity announced today can be found at www.transportation.gov/SS4A. Applications are due on or before Sept. 15, 2022.
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Atlanta
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he Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) was founded on the campus of Howard University in the 1971 by Reverend Jerry Moore and Harold Williams. Today, COMTO has more than 3,000 members in 35 chapters across the United States and Canada, including Atlanta, Georgia. We represent the more than three million minority individuals in the United States and Canada, all of whom work in all modes of the transportation industry. From highways and roads to mass transit systems, from subways to rail systems and from port authorities and airports, COMTO members represent every facet of the transportation industry. This even includes trucking, logistics, taxi, and limousine services. COMTO’s vision is to ensure full access for minorities in the transportation sector while preparing and positioning leaders for rapidly evolving global opportunities. COMTO is the leading national advocate for employment diversity, inclusion and contracting opportunities in the multi-billion-dollar transportation industry. The COMTO Atlanta Chapter is the voice of equity for the transportation industry throughout metropolitan Atlanta. Our mission is to eliminate barriers to maximum participation for minority individuals, veterans, people with disabilities, and certified MWDBE businesses through leadership training, professional development, scholarship and internship funding, political advocacy, partnership building, and networking opportunities. COMTO members are individuals, students, transportation agencies, corporations, academic institutions, industry non-profits, and Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUBs). If you would like to learn more about COMTO Atlanta membership and the benefits we offer, please contact us at comtoatlanta.org/contact.
COMTO’s vision is to ensure full access for minorities in the transportation sector while preparing and positioning leaders for rapidly evolving global opportunities. COMTO is the leading national advocate for employment diversity, inclusion and contracting opportunities in the multi-billiondollar transportation industry. Back to Contents
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Congraluations to the Winners
8th Annual Georgia APWA Awards Metro Atlanta Branch
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he Metro Atlanta Branch is proud to announce the following winners for the 8th Annual Georgia APWA Awards Program. They will receive their award formally at the 71st Annual Georgia APWA Annual Meeting on August 10 at the Jekyll Island Convention Center in Jekyll Island, GA. The winners represent the City of Atlanta and DeKalb County categories of Project of the Year and Professional Manager of the Year. The Project of the Year winner’s submission will be submitted for the National APWA Award this year. The winners are:
PROJECT OF THE YEAR
Spring Street Bridge Phase 2 City of Atlanta Atlanta Department of Transportation
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he Metro Atlanta Branch extends congratulations to all the winners representing Metro Atlanta. Your hard work and dedication as servants of Public Works does not go unnoticed!
PROFESSIONAL MANAGER OF THE YEAR PROFESSIONAL MANAGER OF THE YEAR (SOLID WASTE) Charles Gill DeKalb County, DeKalb County Sanitation Division Supertendient Processing
(MANAGER OF THE YEAR) Allen Smith City of Atlanta, Atlanta Department of Transportation Interim Deputy Commissioner Office of Traffic Infrastructure Management
PROFESSIONAL MANAGER OF THE YEAR PROFESSIONAL MANAGER OF THE YEAR PROFESSIONAL MANAGER OF THE YEAR (EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT) Kimberly Mallard City of Atlanta, Atlanta Department of Transportation Director of Safety, Security, and Emergency Preparedness
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(TRANSPORTATION) Betty Smoot-Madison City of Atlanta, Atlanta Department of Transportation Mobility Director
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(ADMINSTRATIVE MANAGEMENT) Phara Brown City of Atlanta, Atlanta Department of Transportation Business Manager I
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Published for APWA – Georgia Chapter by
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flintequipco.com Adairsville, GA ............770.773.9857 Albany, GA ................. 229.888.1212 Andrews, SC.............. 843.221.4940 Atlanta, GA ...............404.691.9445 Aynor, SC................. 843.358.5688
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Grovetown, GA ......... 706.855.5440 Ladson, SC............... 843.572.0400 Macon, GA................ 478.788.1586 Savannah, GA .............912.964.7370 Simpsonville, SC........ 864.963.5835
Troy, AL...........................334.566.4181 Valdosta, GA .................. 229.474.6680 Walterboro, SC ................ 843.539.1420 West Columbia, SC .......... 803.794.9340
THIS PAIRING IS A CUT ABOVE THE REST. When you pair Massey Ferguson versatility with Diamond Mowers reliability, no mowing tasks are beyond our reach. Easily maneuver over ditches, tricky slopes and tough terrain with the rock-solid stability of a Massey Ferguson® tractor. Achieve the perfect cut, even next to obstacles like fences and trees, with our wide variety of Massey Ferguson tractors and Diamond boom mowers. Then call it a day — your tasks have been handled.
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Tifton, GA 4186 US 82 W (229) 339-8010
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