Engineers & Surveyors
www.wgkengineers.com
Strike While the Iron is HOT		Volume 2, Issue 1, January 2010
The past year has been a trying time for many Americans. It has been hard to watch the TV and not be exposed to the dire straits our country had fallen into – high unemployment rates, companies filing for bankruptcy, home foreclosures at an all-time high. The country needed some hope and a way out of this mess. Our elected leaders answered with unprecedented outlays of funds for programs intended to stimulate the economy back into solvency. One of these programs was the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The main goal of ARRA was to create jobs through executing “shovel ready” projects through existing financing mechanisms. The money needed to be spent quickly and those who were ready received the prize. The WGK Team rolled up our collective sleeves, sharpened our pencils and got to work. It was a race that we all had a stake in – our clients, funding agencies, and contractors alike. Notices of Intent, Facility Plans, Loan Applications, Plans, Specifications and a thousand other forms had to be accomplished in a period of months. When the dust had settled, the Team had secured funding for six projects, all beginning construction in early 2010: Town of Decatur – The Town received approval for $1,299,734 for two contracts through the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) State Revolving Loan (SRF) Program. The first contract was for wastewater treatment lagoon improvements. The second contract was for lining 10,000 linear feet of sewer pipe. The SRF loan amount was $194,960 and the ARRA subsidy amount totaled $1,104,774. The SRF loan portion will be repaid at a 1.75 percent interest rate over 20 years. City of Raymond – The City received approval for $381,900 for wastewater improvements through the MDEQ SRF Program. The project involves the rehabilitation of 5,200 linear feet of sewer collection lines, cleaning and televising 2,200 linear feet of sewer collection lines, and 200 vertical feet of manhole rehabilitation. The SRF loan amount was $190,950 and the ARRA subsidy amount totaled $190,950. The SRF loan portion will be repaid at a 1.75 percent interest rate over 20 years. Natchez Water Works – The Water Works received approval for $5,080,000 for wastewater improvements through the MDEQ SRF Program. The project involves installation of a fine screen, replacement of sludge pumps, removal and land application of biosolids, construction of a sludge dewatering facility, and construction of solar drying chambers. The SRF loan amount was $762,000 and the ARRA subsidy amount totaled $4,318,000. The SRF loan portion will be repaid at a 1.75 percent interest rate over 20 years. City of Clinton – The City received approval for $3,800,000 for wastewater improvements through the MDEQ SRF Program. The project involves a sludge pumping dredge, holding tank, and dewatering and storage facility, solar drying greenhouses, and associated yard piping. The SRF loan amount was $1,900,000 and the ARRA subsidy amount totaled $1,900,000. The SRF loan portion will be repaid at a 1.75 percent interest rate over 20 years. In addition, the City also received approval for $2,096,097 for drinking water system improvements through the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) SRF Program. The project involves the installation of approximately 8,800 radio-read water meters including the associated software upgrades to the City’s current billing system. The SRF loan amount was $1,886,926 and the ARRA subsidy amount totaled $209,171. The SRF loan portion will be repaid at a 1.95 percent interest rate over 20 years. Now a new year has started and the financing for SRF programs looks as murky as it did last year. The Senate has approved another $50 billion in stimulus money that the House has not yet acted upon. It is further unclear as to whether the provisions in last year’s ARRA program (like “Made in America” requirements) will also be required in this year’s projects. Add into this mix that there may be leftover ARRA funds from 2009 that will need to be redistributed quickly in 2010. A couple things we do know for sure. First, the State will receive a recapitalization grant for their SRF loan programs for 2010. We also know that to have any hope of securing these funds requires early planning. If you know of a sewer or water project that could benefit from either of these funding sources, give us a call. A Notice of Intent to get prioritized on the Intended Use Plans is due now. Tick, tock ….. Article by: Brian Standley, WGK				Spiritual Harassment
		Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8-9) I was twenty years old when I approached the first tee of the sectional qualifying round of the Professional Golfers Association US Open, one of the most prestigious golf tournaments in the world. I was a college golfer and was teeing it up with the world's best golfers. I was competing against many of the tour players for only a handful of spots available to get into the tournament. I was called to the tee and teed up my ball when something unusual happened. As I am looking down at my ball I notice the shoes of someone standing no more than two feet from where I am about to tee off. I am thinking to myself with great irritation, "Who in the world is standing this close to me?" I look up and it is Sam Snead, still one of golf's greatest players. This man was known for intimidating tactics. But this was beyond belief. Here he was trying to intimidate a young college player. I proceeded to ignore his presence and hit the ball straight down the fairway. In the spiritual realm we deal with spiritual harassment from Satan and his legions. The Bible says "our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Eph. 6:12). It is important to recognize when we are coming against these forces. Satan attempts to distract us from our calling and destiny in life. We often trivialize the reality of the spirit realm of evil. Paul tells us we must set our minds to deal with the spiritual realm of evil when it impacts our lives. "Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. (Eph 6:13). The next time you feel obstacles have been placed in your life designed to distract you from your God-ordained mission, remember Paul's words and stand firm in Christ. To learn more about Os Hillman's ministry, visit www.marketplaceleaders.org
		WGK Principals and Employees would like to offer their condolences to the families of the two MDOT workers who were killed on Monday, January 11^th while placing sand on an icy section on Highway 11 North of Lumberton, Mississippi.  According to Lumberton Police Department, Leon Sims, 43 and Tyler Kilsby, age 25, were killed when a vehicle struck them, leaving a third employee injured.  Percy Leggett injured in the accident was taken to Forrest General Hospital where he was treated and later released. “This is a terrible tragedy,” said Southern District Transportation Commissioner Wayne Brown.  “Our prayers are extended to the employees’ families. The men and women who are working tirelessly everyday on our highways are risking their lives daily to make our highways safer. Please be aware and cautious as you travel through Mississippi work zones.  Watching out for our men and women will make their jobs safer, roadways safer and will save lives.”
CLIENT SPOTLIGHT Michael Jinks, City Clerk Brookhaven, Ms. Michael Jinks (Mike) is a native of Birmingham, Alabama, where he graduated from West End High School. In 1971 he came to Brookhaven to attend Whitworth College.  He graduated from Whitworth in 1976 with majors in mathematics, science and theology. While at Whitworth, he met and married Geri McDavid, a Lincoln County native.  They have two children: a son, Destry, who owns an information technology and sound firm in Orlando, Florida, and a daughter, Blythe Reid, a paramedic, who is employed by King’s Daughters Ambulance Service.  They have two grandchildren in Orlando and one in Brookhaven. Mike is an elder at Faith Presbyterian Church. He is interested in growing, grafting, and showing camellias and is a certified camellia show judge. He served five years as president and is currently treasurer of the Brookhaven Camellia Society. The picture to the left is one of his best grown camellias.		Things to Watch in and the 40 That Might Matter to Your Business Below are few items on the list of 100 Things to Watch in 2010 compiled by the marketing communications company JWT. Certain trends on the list suggest clear implications for businesses. JWT’s Ann Mack says that many items on it reflect broader shifts, like a growing action around health and wellness and environmental issues, to crazy-fast developments in the tech space. There are also a number of trends tied to the so-called Great Recession (“trip bundling,” for example) and those that speak to various demographic, political and economic power shifts (“East Africa Wired,” and “TV for Tween Boys” among them). Interestingly for business, Mack says, the list “points to the way industries are redefining or reinventing themselves to survive or to fully leverage these power shifts.” What trends might affect your small business in 2010? Here a subset you might find worth watching (as well as a few I found just plain interesting). 3D at Home 3D is the new HD. Having successfully invaded the big screen, it’s on its way to the small screen: James Cameron, director of the new 3D film Avatar, will promote Panasonic’s 3D sets, out this year, which will compete with versions from Sony and Samsung. Foursquare Foursquare is a mobile gaming app that uses geo-tagging technology to help users find and share new bars, restaurants and other venues with friends. Available for several dozen cities worldwide so far, it will expand its reach in 2010, and gain new users and venues in existing locales. Foursquare is a leading player in the emerging category of games that leverage the convergence of smartphones, GPS and the social Web.  Japan on the Sidelines China will bump Japan from its position as the world’s second biggest economy. The recession, the rising unemployment rate and Japan’s aging population are helping to push the former powerhouse to the sidelines. While China’s economy has grown about 10 percent a year for the last decade, Japan’s per-capita GDP has fallen to 19^th in the world. Customized Pharmaceuticals Researchers will soon be able to create drugs customized to the patient’s DNA. Recent breakthroughs in cancer research make it clear that “one size fits all” drugs are not the best approach. Customized medicine is a map-over from customization in other sectors, especially food and nutrition (customized diets, for example). U.S. - Cuba Ties The Obama administration has been working to make Cuba more accessible to U.S. citizens and businesses. As Congress continues to debate lifting the trade embargo, more Americans say it’s time to establish ties with their nearby neighbor. The island is a potential market for everything from agricultural products to telecommunications to automobiles. Recycling Gray Water As water shortages become a growing problem around the world, watch for more focus on recycling “gray water”—wastewater from bathing, dishwashing, etc.—in residential and commercial buildings. Government regulation is being loosened to allow its use, primarily for landscape irrigation and in toilets. To view the entire list please Click Here.
Mike also served as an assistant Scout Leader and on the local Boy Scout committee and on the board of the Brookhaven Trust. Since coming to Brookhaven, Mike has worked for Jacobsen Manufacturing, has owned and managed an auto parts business, and spent 13 years as office manager for an oilfield service firm.  He was hired in 1994 as the bookkeeper for the City and was elected City Clerk in 2004.  In addition to his duties as City Clerk, Mike is the Chairman of the Brookhaven-Lincoln County Economic Development Alliance, overseeing Linbrook, a new 400-plus acre business park. Mike is a certified Municipal Clerk and is a member of the state, national and international clerks associations. He is treasurer of the Mississippi Municipal Clerks and Tax Collectors and serves on the legislative committee of the Mississippi Municipal League.
Blood Test That Provides Prior Blood Sugar Averages New official guidelines for diabetes screening and diagnosis now include a blood test that gives a person's average blood glucose level over the previous 2 - 3 months. The A1C test is not new. It has been used since the late 1970s as a way to get a snapshot of how well glucose control is going in people with diabetes. But only in the last 15 years has its use and scoring become more standardized and reproducible from place to place and time to time than other diabetes blood glucose tests. Now, in an annual supplement to the journal Diabetes Care, published Dec. 29 by the American Diabetes Association, the A1C test is given a prominent role in the 2010 guidelines for diabetes screening, diagnosis and prevention. In particular, the section "Revisions to the Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes," recommends that the A1C be used to identify people with "pre-diabetes," those at increased risk for developing the type 2 form of disease. Unlike type 1 diabetes with its sudden onset, type 2 develops gradually and without symptoms. But its damage to health and longevity can be equally severe. At least 50 million adults and children in the U.S. may be well on their way to developing type 2 diabetes, according to John Buse, M.D., Ph.D., professor of medicine and endocrinology chief at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Buse is former ADA president for medicine and science and a member of the International Expert Committee whose report in July 2009 strongly recommended the A1C assay for diabetes diagnosis and for identifying people at high risk for diabetes. "One big advantage of the A1C test is that it doesn't require fasting. The patient can come in any day, at any time. It's also not as skittish as the older blood sugar test which can be increased by the kind of complaints that often bring people to the doctor like pain or infection. The A1C won't be interfered with that way because it looks at your average blood sugar over 2-3 months." The test measures the percentage of glycated hemoglobin, or A1C, in the blood. Hemoglobin, a protein found in red blood cells, carries oxygen from the lungs to all the cells of the body. In diabetes, excess glucose in the bloodstream enters red blood cells and links up (glycates) with molecules of hemoglobin. The more excess glucose in your blood, the more hemoglobin gets glycated. By measuring the percentage of A1C in the blood, you get an overview of your average blood glucose level for the past few months. This record changes as old red blood cells in your body die and new red blood cells (with fresh hemoglobin) replace them. The amount of A1C in your blood reflects blood sugar control for the past 120 days, or the lifespan of a red blood cell. In a person who does not have diabetes, about 5 percent of all hemoglobin is glycated. For someone with diabetes and high blood glucose levels, the A1C level is higher than normal. How high the A1C level rises depends on what the average blood glucose level was during the past weeks and months. Levels can range from normal to as high as 25 percent if diabetes is horribly out of control for a long time. In the current Revisions to the Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes, the section on Diagnosis of Diabetes has been revised to include the use of A1C to diagnose diabetes, with a cut-point of 6.5 percent or greater. The section previously titled Diagnosis of Pre-diabetes has been renamed Categories of Increased Risk for Diabetes. An A1C range of 5.7-6.4 percent has been included as a category of increased risk for future diabetes. To read the entire article and find out more about diabetes please click here.		E–WASTE “SINK OR SWIM” Chances are, you can’t live without your iPhone.  Or your digital camera, laptop, flat screen TV, etc. We’ve become so used to our electronics that we can’t imagine a life without them.  With our increasing dependence comes an exponentially increasing amount of e-waste.  For every great new gadget that hits the market, older, outdated iterations head to the landfill.  At the same time, with more gadgets hitting the market, the precious materials necessary to meet our demands are becoming harder and harder to come by. The good news is that some companies in Japan (like electronics giant Panasonic) have figured out how to tap into the e-waste stream to create profitable new industry.   At large eco technology centers, workers dismantle everything; all types of electronics and appliances, salvaging almost 90% of everything, including precious materials.  Toxic materials are separated out and isolated.  As proof that trash can indeed be treasure, Canon is known to use recycled components in almost all of its photocopiers and fax machines (no, that’s not why your fax machine is always on the fritz!).  These large-scale manufacturers are successfully turning trash into veritable treasure, in a big way. Unfortunately, we haven’t quite gotten on the ball here in the States. There isn’t really an e-waste industry here yet.  When we switched to digital TVs earlier this year, TV manufacturers took some steps to reduce e-waste by offering free recycling programs in all 50 states during the month of January.  But with only a few responsible facilities per state and a program that only lasted one month, recycling just wasn’t very practical for people.  Some states, like Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota have passed laws dealing with e-waste, requiring manufacturers to arrange for recycling and disposal of consumer electronics that is definitely a step in the right direction.  Some manufacturers like Samsung even offer direct recycling programs. But for now, since the U.S. has yet to sign the Basel Convention which regulates the export of hazardous waste, it is estimated that 50-80 percent of the waste collected for recycling – including e-waste – is exported to developing countries.  A lot of our e-waste actually ends up being shipped to China where workers recover the precious materials using methods that have been linked to potential health problems.  Basically, the good news is that as precious materials grow more scarce, we’ll probably see many more of these large-scale eco technology centers like the ones in Japan.  India might be next in line to create a new e-waste industry.  Dell is apparently launching a new pilot plant at the same time as the City of Mumbai considers building its own e-waste processing plant.  Considering that there’s a veritable gold mine to be found in our US landfills, hopefully it’s only a matter of time before we catch on too. Article by: Haily Zaki Contributing Editor, Inhabitat.com
If something is happening in your town/city that you want to include in this section please send me an e-mail at srand@wgkengineers.com
Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration and Parade January 4, 2010 - January 16, 2010 Parade will take place on Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. and Medgar Evers Blvd. Jackson's Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration includes two weeks of activities leading up to the second largest parade in America honoring Dr. King. Various Jackson Locations. Parade will take place on Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive and Medgar Evers Blvd Jackson, MS Driving Directions For more information please call 601.960.1090	Dixie National Rodeo & Livestock Show January 22, 2010 - February 21, 2010 The second largest PRCA Rodeo east of the Mississippi River offering a schedule of performances, including five horse shows, a Junior Livestock show, a two-day Western Festival, two trade shows, rodeo dance and parade during this three-week event. Mississippi State Fairgrounds Jackson, MS Driving Directions www.mdac.state.ms.us For more information please call Tommy Strickland at 601.961.4000		Port Gibson Main Street Heritage Festival March 27, 2010 - March 27, 2010 Activities for the day, include a 5k walk-run, arts and crafts, children’s activities, guided tours of historic sites and the original Mississippi Venison Cook-off. Downtown Port Gibson Main Street Port Gibson, MS Driving Directions www.portgibsonmainstreet.com Contact Kenneth Ross, Main Street Manager at 601.437.4500 for more information.
Mississippi: Census 2010 The U.S. Constitution requires a national census once every 10 years, and Census 2010 is quickly approaching. The entire process will create hundreds of thousands of temporary jobs, and Census data will be used to determine critical items, including the amount of federal funding Mississippi receives to support services for our citizens. That's why we need your help, Mississippi. To familiarize yourself with the Census process and, most importantly, be counted please Click Here.	The Mid-Winter Legislative Conference January 26-28, 2010, Hilton Jackson This conference is held each year in Jackson and gives MML members and others who attend an opportunity to network with members of the state legislature during the session. Activities include the annual "Coffee with Legislators" in the Capitol Rotunda; general sessions featuring high ranking members of the legislature and an appreciation reception for all members of the legislature.  Download Registration PDF www.mmlonline.com		ACEC/MS Day at the Capitol Jackson, MS February 25, 2010 ACEC/MS Winter Meeting Jackson, MS February 25 & 26, 2010 ACEC/MS EEA Awards Dinner February 25, 2010 ACEC Alabama, Louisiana & Mississippi Tri-State Summer Meeting July 15 -17, 2010 Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort, Florida www.acecms.org
Newsletter creation by: Sandi Rand - Send comments and/or suggestions to srand@wgkengineers.com