Engineers & Surveyors
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Volume 1, Issue 14, September 1, 2009
Waste Not, Want Not				The Faithfulness of God
When is trash not worth throwing away? When it can be used again and again in recycled products. On August 12^th and 13^th, the Mississippi Recycling Coalition (MRC) held a mini-conference in conjunction with the Tennessee Recycling Coalition (TRC) in Tunica, Mississippi (where many were seen recycling their spare change into coffers of the Gold Strike Casino). The two-day conference was a mixture of field trips, guest speakers and vendor exhibitions. The conference opened with two excellent field trips. The first visit was to the City of Memphis composting facility. Dubbed “Earth Complex,” the composting facility relies upon bagged leaves collected throughout the City. The bags are deposited into a giant post-apocalyptic looking tumbler that separates the bags from the leaves. The leaves are then placed into windrows for earth’s tiniest creatures to turn into compost. A key element of any composting effort is keeping the windrows aerated. Memphis accomplishes this by using a specialized piece of equipment resembling a giant mantis, which runs through the windrows, turning the leaves in-place. The compost is ideally allowed to “cook” for six to eight months before being offered for sale to landscaping contractors. The City will also commonly amend the compost with sand or other organic material prior to using it in landscaping projects. The City similarly collects seven to fourteen truckloads of limbs every day and brings them to the Earth Complex for chipping. The ground wood chips are also sold to local contractors; however, when supply outstrips demand, the yard is periodically open to the public at no charge. The second field trip was to the Memphis and Shelby County Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Facility. Opened in 2007, this modern drop-off facility was funded by a $500,000 State grant with operations funded by communities within the County. The facility is open two days per week and accepts a variety of household cleaners, automotive fluids, electronics and paints. Some items, like gasoline and oil, they can sell and recoup some of their operating budget. Other items, like used paint, cost some money to dispose of properly. Labor costs are kept low by using prison labor from the County penal farm adjacent to the facility for unloading vehicles on open days. The conference presentation sessions were a mixed bag of recycling lessons learned from municipalities, universities and industry as well as updates on State, Regional, and National trends. There were two sessions that were of particular interest to municipalities. The first was an update by Mark Williams of MDEQ. In his presentation, Mr. Williams mentioned a recent change in the Corrective Action Trust Fund (CATF) legislation, which allows for 10% to be set aside annually “to provide grants for regional recycling cooperatives formed by local governments for the purpose of jointly participating in the collection, processing and marketing of recyclables.” The other notable session was presented by Rhonda Rollins of U.S.EPA Region 4. Ms. Rollins demonstrated how EPA’s “Municipal Government Toolkit for Recycling” provides a one-stop location for information about planning, organizing and funding a recycling program. If you have ever considered recycling in your community, this guide should be your first stop (see www.epa.gov/region4/recycle to see the toolkit). Certainly, the pros and cons of recycling can be debated among reasonable people. In the absence of market forces, local governments often find themselves forcing recycling programs on their populace by legislative decree – “Thou shalt recycle.” But even in these instances, many communities find that recycling often pays for itself and ends up earning wide support from participants. What was on display at the MRC/TRC Conference was that if a community does its homework and thinks creatively, recycling can be accomplished efficiently. The MRC is a non-profit organization established in 1997. Their purpose is to “educate the public about the increasing importance and needs of waste reduction and recycling, advise government about solid waste reduction issues and management, develop new markets for recyclable materials, collect and process recyclables and remanufacture them into useful products and shape public policy on recycling and solid waste reduction.” If you’d like to find out more about the MRC, check them out on the internet at www.msrecycles.org. Anyone for Compost Demolition Derby? Touring the Memphis-Shelby County HHW Facility		"The Lord is faithful to all His promises and loving toward all He has made. The Lord upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down." Psalm 145:13b-14 Have you ever had a relationship with someone who was faithful? You knew you could depend on that person to do what he said. You learned that his word was completely trustworthy. If he said he would call you, he would. If he said he'd be somewhere at a certain time, he'd be there. In fact, if he was late, you began to wonder if he had an accident because it was so contrary to his nature. It's great to have friends who are faithful. God is faithful. He is faithful to fulfill every promise in His Word. Sometimes we think God isn't faithful because it appears He has not fulfilled a desire that we have. Sometimes we think He is not faithful because of a crisis event that seems to say God isn't faithful. We must remember that God is more concerned about accomplishing His ultimate purpose in the life of every believer than giving us the desires of our heart. Sometimes this results in hardship. The Bible is full of accounts of God's faithfulness that was often accompanied by hardship. He brought Joseph out of slavery to be greatly used in a nation. He delivered the people from Egypt and brought them into the Promised Land. He gave Abraham the son of promise late in his life. He delivered David from his enemies and made him a king. In story upon story, we learn of God's faithfulness. Are you a faithful man or woman? The workplace needs faithful men and women. Take an inventory of your life today and ask God if you have been faithful with what He has entrusted to you.
		Five Things YOU SHOULDN’T DO In a Recession
		In a recession people should generally try to watch their spending and not take any undue risks that might put their future financial goals in jeopardy. There are several types of risks that everyone should avoid during a recession. The most common mistakes people make and how to avoid them are listed below: Becoming a Cosigner - a loan can be a risky thing even in flush economic times. If the individual taking the loan doesn't make the scheduled payments, the cosigner could well be asked to make them. Getting Into an Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) - When purchasing a home, some individuals may choose to take out an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM). In some cases, this move might make sense. However, what if the individual were to be laid off and interest rates were to rise as the recession or slowdown started to abate? As rates rise, the monthly payment may go up. In such a case, the homeowner may find it extremely difficult to come up with the money to make the payments. Adding Debt -Taking on new debt (such as a car loan, home loan or similar obligation) may not be a problem in good times if the individual makes enough money to cover the monthly payments and still has extra funds to live on and to save for retirement. However, what happens if the individual's livelihood is adversely affected in the midst of the economic turmoil? What happens if the borrower is laid off? In short, if you're considering adding monthly payments/debts to your financial equation, understand that this could complicate your financial situation if you are laid off or have your income cut for some reason. Taking on new debt in a recessionary environment is risky, and should be approached with caution. Taking Your Job for Granted - During an economic slowdown, it's important to understand that corporations, even large ones, may be under financial pressure. And when that happens, many companies will try to reduce expenses any way they can. In some instances, that may mean scaling back on company functions such as holiday parties, but in other cases, companies may cut the dividends they pay, and sometimes companies will cut jobs as a means of saving money. Job cuts are targeted by many companies that are struggling because the cost of keeping an employee on board can be huge. Sometimes in addition to salary, the employer may also have to contribute to healthcare costs and/or make retirement contributions. Taking Risks With Investments -Business owners should always be thinking about the future. They should always be thinking about new and exciting ways to grow their businesses. However, an economic slowdown may not be the best time to make risky bets. For example, taking on a new loan to add physical floor space or to increase inventory, or otherwise add to the business may sound good. But what if the business was to slow down? Bottom Line Individuals may not need to live a monk's existence during an economic slowdown, but they should pay extra attention to their spending and budgeting, and be wary of taking any unnecessary risks. For more information please Click Here.
CLIENT SPOTLIGHT		Massey To Coach Edinburg Lady Eagles’
Linda Caston, City Clerk Yazoo City, MS Linda L. Caston was born and raised in Amite County, Mississippi graduating from Gloster High School in 1965. After attending Southwest Community College (then Southwest Mississippi Junior College), Linda went to work in McComb for BellSouth (then Southern Bell) in their Business Office. From March 1966 until October 1991, she worked in Brookhaven, Natchez and Jackson until her retirement from BellSouth. Linda and her husband Billy J. Caston moved to Crystal Springs in 1983 and became members of First Baptist Church. Upon retirement from Bellsouth, Linda was hired by the Northern District Public Service Commissioner Dorlos (BO) Robinson to work in his office in Jackson. Linda was appointed to serve the City of Crystal Springs as its City Clerk in July 1993. She became active in the Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club, Mississippi Job Corp Community Relations Council, the Mississippi Municipal Clerk/Collector Association, and the International Institute of Municipal Clerks. After the death of her husband in 2005, Linda moved to Picayune but was unhappy and found a new home in Yazoo City where she became their City Clerk in January of 2007. She is a member of First Presbyterian Church and serves on the Board of Directors of Manna House. Her hobbies include Ole Miss Football, reading and playing with her two Dachshunds, Tibboo and T-Bar. She enjoys visiting with her son, Jay Smith and his wife, Sherri and grandsons Corey and Alex in Centreville and also with step-daughter Tamara and husband, Chris Rickenbaker who live in Cameron, South Carolina with grandchildren, Johnny, Melissa, Jack and Mary.
		Emily Massey, daughter of WGK Construction Manager, Steve Massey, was recently approved by the Leake County Board of Education to coach the Edinburg Lady Eagles’ basketball and softball teams. Emily who is a native of Forest is just 23 years old and already has much to be proud of. She is a high school graduate from East Rankin Academy where she was a member of the school’s basketball, softball and track teams and she attended Mississippi State University graduating in 2008. She is thrilled to land a head coaching position in her first year out of college and among coaching, plans to complete work on her Master’s Degree this January. Emily says the main thing she’s going to focus on is getting back to the fundamentals and that she will work hard for the teams and in return expect them to work hard for her `too. She is replacing Coach Boe Bell who led the teams for the past two seasons. Congratulations to Emily on this huge accomplishment. The Principals and Staff of WGK wish you all the best!
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
Wing Dang Doodle 2009 September 26, 2009 Gaddis Park Forest, MS Driving Directions Featured will be a chicken wing cook off, arts and crafts, talent show, car and motorcycle show, live entertainment, demonstrating artists, pet parade and more. There will be a Motorcycle blues run beginning at Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup" Blues Trail Marker in Forest at Kats Kave traveling to Pelahatchie to the Blues trail marker there, and back in time to enjoy the festivities. Teams vie for $1000.00 top prize money in either the smoked/grilled or fried division for best chicken wings. There will be a prize for Peoples Choice award as well. Fore more information please call 601.469.4332 or send an email to chamberguide@bellsouth.net www.forestms.com Admission is Free.	Lincoln County Wildlife Expo September 18^th & 19^th Lincoln County Multipurpose Building 1096 Belt Line Drive NE Brookhaven, MS Big Buck Contest Venison Cook-Off Door Prizes Entertainment Children’s Activities (Kid’s Corner) Adults: $5.00 and Kids (7-12) $ 3.00 Children (6 & under) free *Free Gun drawing for all who attend For more information please call Quinn Jordan at 601-823-9064 or qjordan@co.lincoln.ms.us		CelticFest Mississippi September 11 – 13, 2009 Mississippi Agriculture & Forestry Museum Jackson, MS Driving Directions Immerse yourself in Celtic art, music and culture. This event features Celtic music, displays by Celtic artists, educational workshops, family and children’s activities and plenty of concessions. For more information call 601.713.3365 Admission is Free.
	First Friday Weekends Through December 4, 2009 Every first Friday evening from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm downtown Natchez sponsors an evening of art, shopping and refreshments. Wherever you see white lights & balloons, a participating merchant will welcome you with refreshments. Event is free. Historic Downtown Natchez Mississippi Natchez, MS Driving Directions www.natchezdowntown.blogspot.com For further information please contact Carrie Lambert at 601-442-2929.		Brookhaven Farmer's Market Every Friday 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Located at Railroad Park in Brookhaven A wide array of fresh produce and other locally-grown garden items will be available for sale. The market will take place every Friday until the end of the summer growing season. Please visit downtown every Friday and take advantage of this great event.