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Wooden Bucket Award delivered to 19 CUC employees Wooden Bucket award, honoring Columbia Utilities as the No. 1 Rural Water provider in the State of Kentucky, presented to employees at LWC event. GM Williams vows to go after a second win. The award is second time an Adair County utility has won the award: ACWD won it in 1992, as well By Ed Waggener Nineteen employees of the Columbia Utilities Commission were honored last night at dinner at Cranmer Dining Center with presentation of the Wooden Bucket Award, the top Kentucky Rural Water Association honor, to the employees. General Manager Jim Williams said that it was just a happenstance that he, Water Superintendent Dana Rogers, Gas Superintendent Joe Hare, and Water Plant Manager Larry Rooks had received the award at the 28th Annual KRWA convention on behalf of the CUC. "We were just there at the time," Williams said, "and tonight we giving it to the group it belongs to, all the employees and board of the Columbia Utility Commission." Williams said the award is the result of one word. "Teamwork," he said, "has been the key to the successs of Columbia Utilities Commission and teamwork was what enabled us to bring this honor back to Columbia." Eighteen of the members were present. A special 19th, Jaremy Austin, is still recovering from a July 4, 2007, motorcycle accident. An empty chair with the Wooden Bucket Plaque was left in place for the group photograph to honor 18 employees who were there. The employees present were: Steven Baker, Steve Breeding, Joe Chapman, Betty Coop, James Gabehart, Wally Grant, Joe Hare, Chris Karnes, Bo Murphy, Greg Murrell, Ann Marie Nixon, Aaryn Osborne, David Pittman, Dana Rogers, Larry Rooks, Charles Shirley, Phillip Stotts, and Jim Williams,Two Kentucky Rural Water Association officials, Andy Lane and Barry Back, drove to Columbia from the Bowling Green headquarters of KRWA to speak. Lane said that the award is made by the associations "circuit rider" advisers, who answer calls to help utilities. "Columbia Utilities just doesn't need as much assistance as most do," he said. A slide show was presented, narrated by Andy Lane, which gave lightlights over the years of activities by the local utility and the road to the prestigious award. Adair County native, State Senator Vernie McGaha commended the group on their achievement, and brought word that Senate Citations were being prepared for each of them. The accomplishment will help, he said, when he works to get funds needed to improve the local system. "The legislature likes to know that their money is being well spent," he said, "they like to know that it is going back to groups like the Columbia Utilities Commission, which has proven it can handle funds it receives wisely." Senator McGaha left the room after his announcement, acknowledging it was his birthday, that he would be in big trouble to his family if he didn't get home to celebrate it with them. Mayor Patrick Bell told the group of sharing the story of the achievement of the CUC with second graders recently, and they were so proud of the achievement. He said, "I asked them what the award meant," he said, "and one of them answered, 'It means Columbia is the best.'" the Mayor noted the role the utilities department is playing in the rapid expansion of business here. "Wal-Mart appreciated the efficient handling of the sewer project to their new Holladay Place superstore." And he said that he expects things to continue on a brighter note with the expansion of services in the Green Hills/Parrott Avenue projects. Robert Flowers, chairman of the Columbia Utilities Board for the last 14 years, thanked the employees for bringing the honor to Columbia, and struck a poignant note, saying, "I just wish Craig were here to see this," adding, "he would have been so proud." Craig Williams, a dedicated Columbia Utilities Board member, died October 31, 2006. Columbia Utilities Board member Dr. Ronnie Rogers spoke to the group and thanked the utilities employees for showing up in what he described as "Wildcat Blue," uniforms. The employees were decked out in CUC blue knit shirts. The comment brought an especially enthusiastic nod of approval from Mayor Bell, who occasionally speeds up City functions for the start of University of Kentucky ballgames. On a more serious note, Dr. Rogers said, "I couldn't be prouder than I am of the employees tonight." Columbia City Councillor June Parson, who is also a member of the Columbia Utilities Commission and of the Columbia Adair County Water Plant Board, told the members, "I'm so proud of this award," adding, "I wanted to bring you each a souvenir wooden bucket tonight. They were ordered, but aren't in yet. But each of you will have one as soon as they arrive." Councillor Parson attended the event with her husband, Bill Parson. The other two members of the board, besides Robert Flowers, Ronnie Rogers, and June Parson, are David Wells and Jimmy Harper, both of whom were present with their spouses. Also present at the events, were Columbia City Councillors Charles Grimsley and Linda Waggener, in addition to June Parson. Jim Williams also recognized retired water consultant Jim Sproles of Columbia, who was present. "He's allowed us to move training in-house," he said. Williams said that he now has a goal of winning award a second time. The award for Columbia Utilities is a second time in the history of the Wooden Bucket that it has come to Adair County. The Adair County Water District won the first Wooden bucket Award, in 1992. This story was posted on 2007-09-14 10:09:38
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