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President
Kevin Bennett
Solid Waste Manager
Lexington-Fayette Urban County (KY) Government
1st Vice President
Susan Keil
Director, Bureau of Environmental Services
City of Portland, OR
2nd Vice President
Peter Spatara
Assistant Director of Utilities
City of West Palm Beach, FL
Immediate Past President
Sarah Lile
Director of Environmental Affairs
City of Detroit, MI
Past Presidents
Willie Rhodes
Director Solid Waste Services
City of Austin, TX
Karen Larkin
Assistant Public Works Director
City of Tacoma, WA
Gary Price
Director Solid Waste Management
City of Denver, CO
Rudy Davidson
Cabinet Secretary Solid Waste Services, Louisville-Jefferson County
(KY) Government
Rich Hays
Director Environmental Services
City of San Diego, CA
Tom Henderson
Administrator Solid Waste Services
City of Washington, D.C.
Trustees
Emma Acosta
Director Solid Waste
City of El Paso, TX
Lawrence
Baker
Director Public Health and Environment
City of Irving, TX
Jonathon Bilmes
Executive Director Bristol Resource Recovery Operating Committee,
Bristol, CT
Daniel Cardenas
Assistant Director, Public Works
City of San Antonio, TX
Frank Giordano
Executive Director Pollution Control Financing Authority
Camden County, NJ
Elmer Heap
Environmental Services Director
City of San Diego, CA
Sean McDonald
Director Solid Waste
City of Seattle, WA
Al Sanchez
City of Chicago, IL
Clarena Toleson
Commissioner
City of Philadelphia, PA
Daphne Washington
Director Waste Management Department, Kern County (CA)
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| From
the Presidents Desk... |
| MWMA
is Off to a Great Start in 2004 |
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Thank you to all our members for your continued support and involvement.
Here is a brief update of what MWMA is working on this spring.
Legislative Agenda: Thanks to Sarah Lile for
her leadership last year, particularly by spearheading the development
of MWMA’s legislative agenda. As the task force is reviewing
past USCM resolutions, it is working on developing policy on new
issues, like electronics recycling. The task force is open to
anyone who is interested. Contact MWMA staff to get involved.
Conference Calls: The first conference call
of 2004 was a smashing success. More than fifteen cities participated
in a lively exploration about safety trends and best practices.
This distance learning initiative gives MWMA and SWAC members
access to the most up to date information and an opportunity to
dialogue with policy makers and practitioners without leaving
their office. Coupled with the list serve, MWMA and SWAC members
have a twenty-four seven dialogue.
2004 Fall Summit: Planning is underway for the
2004 Fall Summit. I’m excited to showcase some of the programs
we’ve implemented in Lexington! Please let me know if you
have a program or service you’d like to share. The Fall
Summit is about exchanging ideas and learning with and from each
other. Look for your agenda later this summer.
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| For more information about any of MWMA’s programs, please
contact Susan Jarvis, sjarvis@usmayors.org;
202.861.6760. |
MWMA
Legislative Taskforce
Develops New Agenda |
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| Since its' creation in 1982, MWMA has served as a conduit
for environmental legislation, crafting and recommending resolutions
for U.S. Conference of Mayors Annual Meeting.
"With Judy Sheahan serving as MWMA's managing director
and as USCM’s environmental lobbyist, MWMA has a unique
opportunity to coordinate and leverage policy and programming,"
explained MWMA President and Manager of Solid Waste Services
for Lexington-Fayette (KY) Urban County Government, Kevin
Bennett. "MWMA is looking forward to exploring this new
synergy."
While MWMA's legislative taskforce is reviewing current MWMA
and USCM policy, they are focusing on a few key issues, including
electronics recycling, alternative fuels, MTBE, waste to energy
issues and Brownfields redevelopment. "MWMA's membership
is diverse, in terms of responsibilities and interests,"
continued Mr. Bennett. "Electronics recycling is really
at the forefront of any discussion we have. It effects both
our public and private sector members in so many different
ways." MWMA and its private sector partner, the Solid
Waste Advisory Council, have a history or collaborating on
win-win policy, including shared responsibility, waste to
energy credits and recycled paper. MWMA’s legislative
task force is certain this model will continue to be effective.
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| If you are interested in serving on MWMA's legislative
taskforce, please contact Susan Jarvis
at sjarvis@usmayors.org;
202.861.6760. |
Join
the Official United States Conference
of Mayors Earth Day Event! |
| • |
Be
part of an effort that recycles millions of tons of office
paper, saving thousands of trees every year. |
| • |
Join
more than 200 cities, public agencies, and private sector
organizations nationwide. |
| • |
Energize
your recycling program with local celebrations, media events,
and contests. |
| Registration
is FREE!
We provide informational and promotional
materials and event organizing ideas!
To register, visit www.cleanyourfilesday.org |
| In Association with
the Municipal Waste Management Association |
| MMWA 2003 President
Sarah Lile, Director, Environmental Affairs, City of Detroit
passes the gavel to 2004 President Kevin Bennett, Solid Waste
Manager, Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government (KY) during
the 2003 Fall Summit in Detroit.
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| MWMA
Announces 2004 Officers and Trustees |
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|
The Municipal Waste Management Association (MWMA) recently
announced it’s 2004 slate of Officers. Created in 1982
as the environmental affiliate of the U.S. Conference of Mayors,
MWMA serves as a legislative voice, a best practice exchange
and a peer network for the nation’s senior urban environmental
professionals. Kevin Bennett, Solid Waste Manager for the
Lexington-Fayette (KY) Urban County Government was elected
President. Susan Keil, Director of Environmental Services,
City of Portland (OR) was selected as First Vice President
and Peter Spatara, Assistant Director, Utilities, City of
West Palm Beach (FL) will serve as Second Vice President.
Kevin Bennett, President of MWMA is confident this year’s
officers and trustees reflect the diversity of interest and
experiences of solid waste, recycling and waste to energy
professionals. “This year’s executive committee
and board of trustees represent the breadth and depth of urban
environmental issues. From waste to energy, to recycling and
environmental policy, our leadership had the experience and
expertise to position MWMA as a practical and progressive
organization.” As MWMA President, Mr. Bennett and the
City of Lexington is charged with developing and hosting MWMA’s
2004 Fall Summit, October 20-22nd. “Lexington is excited
about showcasing our environmental and solid waste management
programs. The Fall Summit is a great opportunity for MWMA
members to network with each other and our private sector
colleagues, share best practices and stay current on environmental
legislation and policy.”
MWMA depends on the time, talent and expertise of its’
volunteers to design and deliver professional development
opportunities, legislative briefings, and practical management
solutions to our membership. MWMA officers and trustees provide
strategic direction for the organization, contribute to its’
programming, including quarterly conference calls, list serve
discussions and serving as panelists for the annual Fall Summit.
"The 2004 Executive Committee and Board of Trustees
are committed to MWMA and will contribute to our exploration
of new technologies for improved operations, promotion of
electronics recycling and extended product stewardship, facilitate
dialogue with our private sector partners and advocate for
healthy and clean cities,” concluded Mr. Bennett.
(For a complete list of the 2004 MWMA Executive Committee
and Board of Trustees, click on www.usmayors.org/mwma.) |
For more information about MWMA membership
and the 2004 Fall Summit, please contact
Susan Jarvis at sjarvis@usmayors.org;
202.861.6760.
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| MWMA
Explores Safety Trends |
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|
Establishing and maintaining a safe workplace is an effective
way of improving the bottom line. Identifying hazards in
the workplace and establishing operational best practices
are critical to a successful loss prevention/safety program.
On Thursday, March 18th, MWMA hosted a complimentary conference
call for members interested in identifying safety trends
and exchanging best practices.
Susan Eppes, a safety consultant for EST Solutions in Houston,
TX, provided an overview of collection routes best practices
and touted the ANSI guidelines as a foundation for safer
departments. Ms. Eppes discussed guidelines for speed, backing,
seat belts and personal protective equipment, like safety
goggles. “Managers should review their routes for
potential high risk maneuvers,” suggested Ms. Eppes.
High-risk maneuvers include backing, double siding, zigzagging
and unprotected left turns. The department’s goal
should be to reduce the number of high-risk maneuvers, which
lower the opportunity for accidents or injury.
The lockout/tag out procedure disables any power source,
creating a barrier between the truck, the driver and/or
any equipment. The logout/tag out ensures that workers can
not be caught by unexpected movement from conveyers, balers,
blades or other machinery or equipment during maintenance,
cleaning or processing.
David Biderman from the Environmental Industry Association
echoed Ms. Eppes comments, noting the waste industry has
seen a significant drop in workplace accidents and fatalities
over the last few years. Mr. Biderman believes the key to
increased workplace safety is supervisor involvement. Management
must make a commitment to safety and develop a plan to reduce
hazards to employees.
Republic Industries is doing just that, explained Wayne
Sizemore. Instead of suspending workers, they are “retrained”
by a supervisor. “These one on one sessions allow
the worker to really understand what he or she was doing
wrong and why it is so important to do it correctly,”
concluded Mr. Sizemore.
The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government is also taking
a “top down” approach to safety. Emma Turley,
Safety Coordinator, the Department of Solid Waste shared
their successful approach to training. Last April, the Lexington-Fayette
Urban County government opened a 5-acre training pad. Drivers
are trained on all aspects of the job, including pre-trip
and post-trip procedures. Ms. Turley said back injuries
and vehicular accidents are down significantly since the
new training program was implemented.
MWMA will continue to discuss issues of safety throughout
the year. If you have a best practice, a new challenge or
a question, please forward to Susan
Jarvis, sjarvis@usmayors.org,
and we’ll use it to thread a discussion on the list
serve or as part of a panel at the Fall Summit.
Ms. Eppes’ PowerPoint presentation is available
for review at www.usmayors.org/mwma.
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The following MWMA and SWAC members are paid in full for
2004. Thank you for your continued support!
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Altamonte Springs, FL
Athens, GA
Austin, TX
Baltimore, MD
Bristol Resource Recovery, CT
Broward County, FL
Chicago, IL
Corpus Christi, TX
Dearborn, MI
Denver, CO
Detroit, MI
Dover, DE
El Paso, TX
Evanston, IL
Fremont, CA
Garland, TX
Gary, IN
Indianapolis, IN
Irving, TX
Kern County (CA)
Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government (KY)
City of Los Angeles
County of Los Angeles
Louisville, KY
North East Solid Waste Commission (MA)
Orlando, FL
PCFA of Camden County (NJ)
Philadelphia, PA
Portland, OR
San Diego, CA
San Jose, CA
Seattle, WA
South Bend, IN
Tacoma, WA
Tampa, FL
West Palm Beach, FL
Coventa Energy
Integrated Waste Services Association
Toter, Inc.
Waste Management, Inc.
Welcome to our newest SWAC member:
American Ref-Fuel
Susan King
Director of Government Affairs
201.690.4800
susan.king@ref-fuel.com
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Brownfields
2004: Gateway to Revitalization
April 17, 2004—New Deadline, Call for
Presentations |
|
Submit your idea for a poster, panel, or marketplace
of ideas session for Brownfields 2004: Gateway
to Revitalization by April 17 at www.brownfields2004.org.
Brownfields 2004 will feature more than 200 presenters,
4,000 participants, 200 exhibitors, and three full days
of educational and networking opportunities. The conference
features numerous educational sessions designed to cover
key issues facing brownfields professionals, including
targeted options for both beginners and seasoned experts.
In order to create an exceptional educational experience,
we welcome your perspective on the most important and
relevant issues facing brownfields practitioners today.
Hurry, the deadline for submissions is April
17, 2004! For more information check the web site
or e-mail us at brownfields2004@icma.org.
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Save
the Date
MWMA’s
2004 Fall Summit
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When:
October
20-22
Where: The
Griffin Gate Marriott Resort, Lexington, KY
Cost: MWMA/SWAC
Registration: $400 before September 19th |
| Please
call The Griffin gate Marriott Resort directly
at 859.231.5100 for
hotel reservations by September 29th to receive
the $65.00 MWMA room rate.
Look
for the agenda this summer! |
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