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See Highlights, News and Photos from the 2001 Conference

Rural Water Manager

This award winner began work when the system was being constructed in the mid-80's. He holds Class IV Operator Certification; he's worked to improve facilities including a new clarifier and other surface water plant improvements, repaired untold number of leaks, took on operation of two neighboring water districts. He oversees a staff of 8 people, with nearly 1200 customers covering parts of 8 counties. He is a person who is filled with care and concern for customers and employees ... he's the guy where, as Harry Truman said, "The buck stops here."

Congratulations to the Rural Water Manager of the year:
David K. Bailey
Ellsworth RWD 1 - Post Rock

Municipal Utility Director

This award winner is responsible for both potable water and wastewater, has several foremen and two staffs working under his direction. He's responsible for hiring and firing and all the personnel issues in between. He tackles the job of budgeting and purchasing for both departments, working on compliance tests for water and wastewater. Truly a `hands-on' director, he has spent many nights -- all night -- out on calls when major problems arise. He has also served as acting city manager. An avid bow hunter with a hobby of raising llamas, congratulations to the Municipal Utility Director for 2001 ....
Larry Remmenga
City of Concordia

Municipal Business Manager

The winner has been extremely instrumental in helping her small town obtain funding and grants with water, sewer, sign replacement and neighborhood revitalization. She is presently working on a grant for a new library and a city park grant. She serves as court clerk and oversees animal control, police and court records. She administrates and oversees water, sewer and street departments and helps with any needs to general maintenance, the park and community center. From Kansas Pride to parades to Christmas programs, this person is probably one of the best examples of the true meaning of being overworked and underpaid. She has made a BIG difference in the future of her small town...

Congratulations to
Pamela Erhart
City of Winchester

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Wastewater Operator

This award winner is also more than just an operator. This winner is actually city Superintendent. Employed with the same city for the past 24 years, he is responsible for all phases of maintenance repair, and upkeep of city buildings, streets, equipment, utilities, property and furnishings. That includes the water distribution system, sewer treatment plant and collection, street improvements and maintenance, city parks and rec programs, library and other city buildings and building and code enforcement. In the past year he has overseen and coordinated installation of a new water storage facility, pump station and miles of water main as well as serving as coordinator and resident inspector for the installation of an ultra-violet disinfection system at the water treatment plant -- and the list goes on. He is a "hands on" superintendent performing any duty required to get the job done .. and yet he still finds time to volunteer for many community functions.

Congratulations to the Wastewater Operator of the Year ...
Glyn Powers
City of Edgerton

Rural Water Operator

With nearly 300 miles of pipeline, this operator works hard to keep water loss at less than 15%. It's an awesome task as much of the system is aging, but his goal is to have no water loss. He enjoys his work because he wants it to be perfect. A Class II operator he is always striving to learn more -- and when he returns from training sessions or conferences, he brings the information back and applies it. A promoter for growth and improvement of the system, this operator does both field and administrative work, recently acquiring 130 easements for 43 miles of new pipeline spread on opposite sides of the county -- a project which we have to admit almost kept him from not making it here tonight to receive this award. Truly appreciated for all the difference he has and continues to make, KRWA congratulates the Rural Water Operator of the Year,
Chris Withers
Coffey RWD No. 3

Rural Water Bookkeeper

More than a bookkeeper, our winner does it all, from the daily routine of bookkeeping to preparing easements to negotiating with landowners, signing up new applicants, recording deposits and taking trouble calls. She's been very instrumental in guiding a system that had a financially stressful situation to one of financial stability. She has worked for a district for nearly 28 years. She is the epitome of someone who lives his or her work as her husband is the operator for that district. But there are complications to this story -- it's not just one district involved; there are 3 so you have triple the normal set of circumstances from politics to customer service issues. This person deserves more than a pat on the back -- she deserves a hug and an award

Bookkeeper of the Year,
Norma Griffin
Ottawa RWD 2, Saline RWDs 4 & 6

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Most Improved Water System

When you cannot solve your problems alone, join the neighbors. That's what several cities did when they formed a new Public Wholesale Water Supply District. One city had extensive water rights in dispute; another had extensive contamination of its water wells; another city was not able to maintain an adequate supply to keep up with the growth of the community and the fourth city had extremely poor quality water. The new Public Wholesale District could combine and realize the mutual goal of developing additional water rights, confirming and consolidating existing rights, remove contaminated wells from service and providing a good quality of water without dramatic changes to existing water rates. A loan through the KS Drinking Water Loan Fund administered by KDHE financed the $3 million project. It consists of 15.5 miles of new transmission line to bring a new water supply and a new understanding of how People can make the difference when they work together.

KRWA congratulates the members of the District: Newton, North Newton, Halstead and Sedgwick. Congratulations go to this award winning system ...
Public Wholesale Water Supply
District No. 17

Special Recognition Award

If there ever was a person who fit a conference theme, this winner does. He's been mayor of the small northeastern Kansas town for 24 years. He was a city council member for 5 years prior to that and a member of the city planning commission before that. This person has been a positive influence on helping his town for more than 30 years. When the city's water supply ran low in 1988, he worked to get a new connection to a nearby rural water district, drill 2 new wells and install a new iron removal water plant. In 1991, he headed up a new downtown street and sidewalk program, in 1992, the city installed a new gas system. In 1998, when water ran low due to drought, he worked to get the city connected to a nearby rural water district, and a larger water storage tank. In 2002, the city completed the construction of new sewer ponds and system upgrade. This town doesn't pay council members to attend meetings and our award winner has never taken any other reimbursement for all the work he's done and trips he's made.

KRWA is proud to present this Special Recognition Award to
Glenn Wear
City of McLouth


KRWA regrets that Glenn could not attend the conference due to health concerns.

Friend of Rural Water

While KRWA makes many efforts with legislative initiatives, KRWA works with many other organizations and agencies to bring about change. From 1996 to 2001, KRWA was a promoter to clarify state sales tax on municipal water systems and rural water districts. Last year, thanks to some very innovative ideas, this legislation moved forward and was eventually passed, in the hour of the last day. To say the least, it was not easy. While KRWA put energy into this legislation, there was another organization that also played a big role. That was Water One - the large water district that serves 17 communities in Johnson County. Their support was critical to passage. Their legislative director was there in the hallway to help work the bill. KRWA proudly presents its Friend of Rural Water to
Ronald E. Appletoft
Water One

Mr. Appletoft is a certified Fraud Examiner, has been a member of the National Association of Local Government Auditors, member of Speakeasy Toasters Toastmasters Club, Member of the Kansas/Lower Republic Basin Advisory Committee, Treasurer for the City of Countryside, KS; Member of the City of Mission, KS planning commission; he's been on the executive board of the Parent Advisory Council for the Shawnee Mission School District and numerous other civic and charitable organizations.
 

Silver Faucet Award

Mr. Chuck Banks, State Director of the Kansas Rural Economic & Community Development agency and Gary Smith, Chief of Community and Business Programs presented the agency’s annual Silver Faucet Award to Public Wholesale Water Supply District No. 11. The award is in recognition to the board of directors’ service to their communities. PWWSD, also known as Bone Creek, serves municipalities and RWDs in extreme southeastern Kansas.

Congratulations to
Public Wholesale Water Supply District No. 11
Bone Creek

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