Engineers & Surveyors
			Volume 2, Issue 3, March 2010
www.wgkengineers.com
MSDH Fluoride Program						Out of Your Comfort Zone
Since 1950, the American Dental Association (ADA) has recommended the addition of fluoride to drinking water supplies as an aid to fighting cavities. While controversial at first, over sixty years of research and experience has demonstrated the profound effect fluoridation can have on oral health. The ADA estimates that water fluoridation can reduce cavities by 20% to 40% even in an era of widespread use of fluoridated toothpastes. The ADA further estimates that for each dollar invested in water fluoridation there is a $38 return in saved dental treatment costs. In spite of the well-known health benefits of fluoridated water, acceptance has been curiously inconsistent. A 2006 survey by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that only 69.2% of communities that have public water systems are making use of fluoridation. The state with the lowest percentage was Hawaii at 8.4% and the state with the highest percentage was Kentucky at 99.8%. Mississippi reported that 50.9% of the communities with publicly available water supplies make use of fluoridation. The Mississippi State Health Department (MSDH) is attempting to close this gap through their Community Water Fluoridation Program. This program provides grants to water systems based upon a first come-first serve basis. MSDH will pay for all of the construction costs and chemicals for the first two years of operation. Since February 2004, sixty-four Mississippi public water systems serving almost 285,000 customers have implemented or will implement water fluoridation programs for their customers using grant funding provided by MSDH. Since 2007, WGK has been contracted with MSDH to design fluoride plans and specifications on an as-needed basis. Grant recipients have the option to use WGK or select their own engineer. The process is fairly straightforward. MSDH completes their initial screening and qualifications with the community water system. Once a system has qualified for the grant, MSDH notifies WGK of the new systems which require completed designs. Site visits are made followed by the preparation of plans, specifications and cost estimates. Upon MSDH approval, the project is advertised for construction. To date, eleven systems have been completed with three projects currently under design. Any system interested in applying for a fluoridation grant can contact WGK’s Mike McKenzie or Robert Anderson at 601-925-4444 or Sherelda Jones with the MSDH at 601-576-7500. Check your community’s fluoridation status at My Water’s Fluoride online tool: http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/MWF/ Discover more fluoridation facts: http://www.ada.org/public/topics/fluoride/facts/fluoridation_facts.pdf Article by: Brian Standley				And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. (2 Cor 9:8) Have you ever been given an assignment at work that was beyond your perceived ability? When I was in my late twenties I made a career change which necessitated a job change. I decided to apply for a job that involved selling advertising on golf score cards. Usually this meant going into small towns and making sales calls to small business owners in that community. Not an easy job for a rookie in his first sales job. At first the two non-Christian owners refused to hire me because my answers to their questions led to me discussing my faith in Christ. They felt I should be in the ministry, not sales. However, they reluctantly decided to take a chance on me and sent me to small towns in Kentucky to sell golf scorecards in the middle of winter. Little did I know that they were trying to set me up for failure and did not think I had any chance of success. I got into my Volkswagen bus and headed for the hills of Kentucky. As I took on my new job I told the Lord I was not qualified for this and He would have to help me to be successful. After a week of selling and sleeping in my car at night, I returned with a full inventory of sales from several cities. When I walked into the office and met with the owners, they looked at me with total surprise. They could not believe I had been successful. I would go on to work two years at this company, become an executive with them, and play a key role in leading one of the partners to Christ. Do you have a major challenge in your work life? Ask God to help you be successful in your assignment. God delights in showing His children His power so you can abound in your good work. By: Os Hillman To learn more about Os Hillman's ministry, visit www.marketplaceleaders.org. TGIF Today God Is First Devotional - Subscribe
				EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND PREPARDNESS
				The possibility of public health emergencies arising in the United States concerns many people in the wake of recent hurricanes, tsunamis, acts of terrorism, and the threat of pandemic influenza. Though some people feel it is impossible to be prepared for unexpected events, the truth is that taking preparedness actions helps people deal with disasters of all sorts much more effectively when they do occur. To help, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Red Cross have teamed up to answer common questions and provide step by step guidance you can take now to protect you and your loved ones. 1.GET A KIT Gather Emergency Supplies By taking time now to prepare emergency water supplies, food supplies and disaster supplies kit, you can provide for your entire family. 2. MAKE A PLAN Develop a Family Disaster Plan Families can cope with disaster by preparing in advance and working together as a team. 3. BE INFORMED Learn How to Shelter in Place Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Red Cross have teamed up to answer common questions and provide step by step guidance you can take now. Understand Quarantine & Isolation When quarantine and isolation may be called for, what they are, & how they work. Maintain a Healthy State of Mind Tools for coping with disaster for adults, parents, children, students, and seniors. For more information please click on the links or you can visit the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website at www.cdc.gov or www.bt.cdc.gov/preparedness
CLIENT SPOTLIGHT
		Jimmy Cockroft, Mayor Kosciusko Mississippi
Jimmy Cockroft was born in Lockport, IL and in 1971 his family moved to Kosciusko.  He is a graduate from Kosciusko High School. He was elected in 1993 to serve the City of Kosciusko as Alderman-at-Large and was elected Mayor in July of 1997. He is currently serving in his fourth term as Mayor. Since becoming Mayor in 1997, Jimmy, along with the Board of Aldermen, has seen many improvements to the City. They range from the improvements to the Court Square, construction of a new Fire Department and the remodeling of the old Post Office into the current City Hall. Each of these has added to the overall positive impression of the City. Also with the help of WGK, the City was able to “Light”  Veterans Memorial Drive with over 100 metal pole street lights which has greatly improved not only the look of the area but the safety as well. Currently the City is making an attempt to restore the Strand Theatre located just off the Court Square to a community facility that the public could utilize along will all the daily activities a municipality requires. Thanks to the efforts of a local Physician, Dr. Stanley Hartness, the City of Kosciusko now has a statue of its name sake, Tadeusz Kosciuszko, (pictured below) located in Redbud Springs Park. It is a life size monument to the man that the town was named for. Tracy H. Sugg was chosen as the Sculptor for the project and put much time and effort in to every detail of the life and history of Kosciuszko. (Tadeusz Monument) (Sam, Anna Tadlock & Mayor Cockroft) Mayor Cockroft is married to Linda Bailey Cockroft, a Kosciusko native who is a Family Nurse Practitioner.  They have two children: Mary Margaret a Graduate Student at Mississippi State University in Tax Accounting and a son, Sam Cockroft that is a Freshman at Mississippi State University majoring in Education. He and his family are members of First Baptist Church, Kosciusko where he serves as a Deacon and as a member of the Television Ministry. He also is a member of the Kosciusko Lions Club, the Kosciusko Attala Development Corporation and has been involved with the Dixie Youth Baseball Program, The Oprah Winfrey Boys and Girls Club, Attala County Relay for Life and the Kosciusko Athletic Booster Club. Please visit www.cityofkosciusko.com or www.kadcorp.org for more information on the City of Kosciusko. City of Kosciusko "Come for the History, Stay for the Charm"
				Tax Breaks for Going Green Going green can be a matter of personal choice - of wanting to make your business better for the environment. But going green can also be good business. With the many tax deductions and credits available to business owners, making your company more sustainable can pay off when you do your taxes. · Improving Your Infrastructure - Wherever you can make the infrastructure you need to operate your business greener, you may be eligible for a tax credit. · Using Renewable Energy - By using renewable energy, your business is eligible for tax deductions. · Helping Other People Go Green - Depending on your business, you may be able to claim tax deductions and credits for helping your customers make more sustainable choices. · Making Green Decisions - You have the opportunity to make sustainable business choices every day. While there isn't a specific tax incentive for choosing an Energy Star-rated printer over a less efficient model, you can still write off the purchase of a printer, no matter which model you choose. · Getting Your Tax Deductions - Many state and local governments also offer tax incentives for businesses going green or offering green products. In the state of Nevada, for instance, businesses constructing new buildings that earn at least a Silver certification under the LEED Green Building Rating System are eligible for anywhere from a 25 percent to a 35 percent reduction of property taxes payable each year for up to ten years. For more information please Click Here.
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
Mal's St. Paddy's Parade and Festival March 20, 2010 Downtown Jackson turns out the green for this trulyfun loving Irish-inspired celebration. Mal's St. Paddy's Parade & Festival weekend includes dances, runs, concerts, children's activities and a major parade that attracts thousands of participants and spectators from across the globe. Sweet Potato Queens and their Wannabes, the Krewe of Kazoo, the O'Tux Society, the Shamrock Gator Society and the Rude Boys gather to create humor and merriment while raising money and awareness for the Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children.			Natchez Trace Festival April 24, 2010 - April 24, 2010 Everyone come and join in central Mississippi's unofficial homecoming celebration. The Festival's attractions include a street party on Friday night, 10k/5krun-walk, kid's area and the show cars on Gasoline Alley. Downtown Courthouse Square 124 N. Jackson Kosciusko, MS 39090 Attala County Driving Directions Phone: 662-289-2981 www.kadcorp.org For more information please call 662-289-2981or e-mail at info@kadcorp.org		1^st Annual Rumblin in Ridgeland Car & Bike Show April17, 2010 – Madison Mississippi 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. For more information please visit www.msclassiccruisers.com
Morton "Day in the Park" Saturday, May 1, 2010 Activities start at 8:00 a.m. Activities for the day include 5K Run/Walk, One-Mile Fun Run, Arts & Crafts, Carnival games for the children, ball games, political speaking, domino tournament, musical entertainment, drawings for door prizes. At 8:00 p.m. The Bellamy Brothers will be in concert. Admission - $2 Location at Farris Municipal Park Morton, MS For more information call (601)732-6252 or (601)732-8609			Founders Day Arts & Craft Show Saturday, May 1, 2010 Hosted by the Wesson Chamber of Commerce This event will feature booths with arts and crafts, food and more. If you’re interested in renting a booth or need more information please contact Judy Delaney at the chamber at 601-643-5000 or by e-mail at wesson_chamber@yahoo.com		Calling Retreat-Strong Rock Camp, Cleveland, GA When: October 1-3, 2010 Where: Strong Rock Camp, Cleveland, GA www.strongrockcamp.com As men if we don't step into our calling/our purpose/our mission that piece simply won't get done. Our role is our role; it is unique to us! I invite you to step into your calling with us. We are excited to announce that Gary Barkalow will be leading 'The Calling" weekend adventure. Please check out Gary's new ministry www.thenobleheart.com. Many of you who have attended "Wild at Heart" boot camp know Gary and his message of living a life of purpose. Come explore deeper what God has in store for your life. For more information please go to: www.eyesoftheheart.com
Newsletter creation by: Sandi Rand - Send comments and/or suggestions to srand@wgkengineers.com