(Media release from Floyd County, GA):
Representatives from Floyd County recently attended the American Public Works Association (APWA) Annual Awards Banquet for 2021 where Floyd County received three awards. The State Chapter recognizes outstanding achievement for employees, managers, and for projects. Manager of the Year for Public Fleet was awarded to Brad Walker (award received by Ben Brooks). Manager of the Year for Public Right of Way was awarded to Eric Sexton. Project of the Year (< $5 Million) was awarded to County Manager Jamie McCord for the recently completed work to extend and improve Shady Lane – a 2013 SPLOST project that required coordination and support from Floyd County, the City of Rome, and residents of Shady Lane.
Brad Walker – Manager of the Year for a Public Fleet
Brad was unable to attend the banquet, as he stayed behind to welcome their first grandchild. Assistant Director of Public Works, Ben Brooks, received the award on Brad’s behalf.
Eric Sexton – Manager of the Year for Public Right of Way
Eric was nominated and selected primarily for his efforts to convert our vegetative management program from a ‘Kill it with Roundup’ to a multi-step program to include pre-emerge for weed control, over-seeding with a low growth grass, and then spray to treat the problem areas. This is a multi-year process that will ultimately allow the right of ways to be managed with less mowing. Eric is the Section Supervisor for Right of Way, Drainage, and Bridges.
Shady Lane – Project of the Year < $5 Million
This was not a very big project, but it has already had a significant effect for the residents in the Chulio Hills Subdivision just south of Hwy 411. This was a 2013 Special Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) project for the City of Rome that extended the County’s maintenance on Shady Lane; connecting a small, curvy, private road on the south end to Mockingbird Circle. The extension provides a safer and easier entrance and exit for residents, school buses, and emergency vehicles. Rome Public Works initiated the work by removing several dozen large trees. County crews then moved in to clear the extended road bed, add the base, upgrade the storm water infrastructure, and then pave the road. The final work included grassing the right of way and replacing about a dozen trees. The evaluation committee gives additional credit when projects show the cooperation of different jurisdictions, the cooperation of utility companies, and especially the cooperation of the private citizens that donated the needed right of way – which really made it a team effort.
