City Information Web site: www.cityofws.org
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November 2008
O
Mary Bumgarner is city's 2008 Employee of the Year
When Mary Bumgarner first came to work for the city, she
was something of a novelty in her field. With the exception of
secretaries, she and Cheryl Byerty were the only women
working in the city's wastewater plants.
Thirty-three years later, Bumgarner is still messing with
sewage and still enjoying her job - and, doing it so well that
last month a panel of outside judges named her the city's
employee of the year for 2008.
Bumgarner, a senior chemist at the Manson Meads
Complex, came to work for the city in 1975 to fill a new
position financed by a grant from the Comprehensive
Employment and Training Act. At the time she was just 18
months out of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro
and working at the Research Triangle Institute.
"When I got out of college I wanted to work in either space
or the environment so this suited me to a T," Bumgarner
said. Besides, "I had just gotten married, and this is where my
husband is from."
For a chemist, Bumgarner says, sewage treatment is a
great field. She and her co-workers are responsible for
analyzing plant samples for heavy metals and biological
agents, such as fecal coloform, that show if the plant is
operating correctly. She also analyzes samples from the
wastewater given off by industrial plants to ensure that they
are not discharging more pollutants than allowed.
"Operating a wastewater treatment plant requires a
lot of care and thought or else it's just a tank in the
ground to flow through before it gets to the
creen, oumgarner says, a living muig. we
actually use bacteria for our treatment
process. You have to keep it alive, you have i
to care for it just like a child. You have to
feed it you have to take care of its waste; it J
doesn't just operate by itself....
"Even after 33 years, about the time you 1
start getting bored, something happens.
Either you have rtew technology in the lab or
new regulations from the state or the EPA, or
there's an upset in the plant and you have
some part in solving it"
In addition to her lab duties,
Bumgarner maintains the database
used by the operations staff and the
Industrial Waste Control and Land
Application sections, and she is
responsible for the monthly
I
discharge reports that keep the Archie Elledge and Lower
Muddy Creek wastewater treatment plants in good standing
with state and federal environmental agencies, says Carol
Bell, her supervisor.
It's a job with no margin for error.
'Mary's concern tor tne treatment plants is
evident by her constant vigilance of the data," Bell
said. "She is constantly checking for unusual
results." And when the data turns up an unusual
result, "she is relentless in finding the cause."
"It feels good to solve problems," Bumgarner
said when asked about her doggedness. "Some
people enjoy solving puzzles. I'd much rather do it
in real life - I think it's interesting!"
Bumgarner is especially proud that her lab has
been certified by the state, but it brings added
I responsibility. "State certification means we
are following all quality control standards and
that we can go into a court of law and testify to
our results," Bumgarner said. Consequently,
when she is compiling laboratory data, she is
always asking herself, "What am I willing to
testify to?"
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Winston-Salem
Fire Chief John Gist to Retire
A kindergarten trip to the fire station sparked John Gist's interest
in firefighting, but it was a Christmas gift several years later that
sealed it:
"My father gave me a radio," Gist said. "It happened to have the
police bands on it I was able to tune it to the fire frequency and
Kepi 11 un an me lime, even di nigiii.
Gist has been listening to the fire frequencies
ever since, and truth be known, he'll
probably continue to listen in after he retires
at the end of November, ending a 10-year
tenure as chief of the Fire Department.
Gist has used his years at the top to
work with the department staff to bring the
department up to what he considers a
"full-service fire department." To
achieve this, the department added
emergency medical response,
hazardous materials
response, and
specialized rescue
team to the expected
duties of fire
suppression, fire
safety inspection
and public
education.
In addition, the
department's
technology took a 1
leap into the 21st
century with implementation of the Integrated Network - Fire
Operations (INFO) system, a wireless network that searches for any
pre-fire planning information that might be available (such as
building floor plans, hazardous waste information, occupants with .
special needs) and displays it en route in the fire truck.
Gist had been fire chief for less than two months when the
department faced the sternest challenge of his tenure: The
disastrous fire that destroyed Reynolds Tobacco Factory No. 256,
just a block from City Hall, in August 1998. "It was a defining day in
the history of the department," Gist said. "It definitely showed the
community what we were capable of - the things we were willing to
do.... And in some ways it was a catalyst for the progress we have
made. Our equipment improved after the fire, additional staffing was
approved after the fire; some of our technology started improving."
There are also some intangible differences with the way things
were when he started out. Gist said. "We eat healthier now. We're
more conscious of physical fitness now. And education is looked at
as more and more important than it used to be."
Gist began his career in High Point after graduating from
Winston-Salem State University in 1977. At the time, High Point had
an opening; Winston-Salem did not. His parents were "pretty quiet"
about his decision, but an aunt was less restrained. "She said I was
crazy." Some of his fellow firefighters in High Point agreed. "They
tried to convince me that I didn't belong there, that (as a college
graduate) I could do better for myself," Gist said. His response:
"You're here; it must be OK." Eighteen months later the opening he
sought in Winston-Salem came along.
Thirty-one years after coming to work for the city, the aunt is still
living, and with her nephew about to retire as fire chief, Gist says,
she now allows that things "turned out alright."
Shop green on
Black Friday
The day after Thanksgiving - sometimes
called "Black Friday" - is the busiest single
shopping day of the holiday season. Between
Thanksgiving and New Year's, an extra million
tons of waste are generated nationwide each
week. Twenty-five percent more trash is thrown
away during this holiday season than any other
time of the year! This year, on Black Friday and
during the rest of the holiday c
season, remember to shop green:
Not sure what to get someone?
How about a gift certificate?
That way, you know the gift
will be kept or used.
Consider nonmaterial gifts.
Tickets to a sporting event,
movie, concert, or a play
are a real treat that don't
require much packaging.
Thousands of paper
and plastic bags
end up in landfills i
every year. When
you go shopping,
bring your own reusable
bags and reduce the
number of bags thrown out.
Tell store clerks that you don't need a bag for
small or oversized purchases.
? Always look for items made with recycled ?
content.
? Think durable! Consider how long an item will
last before you buy it.
For more tips on recycling, go to
www.cityofws.org/recycling.
Santa Claus Is coming to (downtown!
Get in the holiday spirit downtown Dec. 6 with a double
header of holiday fun.
First comes the annual Winston-Salem Holiday Parade.
This year's parade will begin at 5 p.m. at Fourth and Poplar
streets.
Then it's time for the 18th annual Tree Lighting
Celebration in Corpening Plaza at First and Liberty streets.
Join city leaders, area performers and mascots for a
multicultural festival that has become a favorite holiday
tradition. The fun begins at 6:30 with entertainment by the
Greater Cleveland Avenue Christian Church Choir, the
Academy of Dance Arts and Positive Image Performing Arts,
the R. J. Reynolds High School jazz band and acapella
chorus, and the North Carolina Black Repertory Company.
Other attractions include Miss Forsyth County and, of
course, Old Saint Nicholas himself!
Joining the city and the Downtown Winston-Salem
Partnership in staging the Tree Lighting Celebration are
sponsors Harris Teeter, BB&T, 99.5 WMAG, the Winston
Salem Journal, and Capture Public Relations and
Marketing.
For more information about the Holiday Parade call the
Winston-Salem Jaycees at 777-3663; for more information
about the Christmas Tree Lighting call the Mayor's Office at
727-2058 or the Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership at
354-1500.
The City of Winston-Salem does not discriminate on the bash of race. lex. color, age.
national origin, religion or disability in Its employment opportunities, programs,
services or activities. (TDO number 727-8319)
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Winston lalem and TJw Chronicle Question or concern about city
government services? Call City Link at 727-8000.
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Southwest Ward: Robert C. Clark, MM Ward;
Joyoelyn V. Johneon, East Ward;
Molly Leight South Wind; Nelson L Malloy Jr..
North Wan); Wanda Merschel. Northwest
Ward; Evetyn A. Terry. Southeast Ward
City Manager Lee Oarrlty
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Register your boarding house,
rooming house, or shared single
family house by Jan. 1
Owners of boarding houses, rooming houses, and houses
shared by more than four unrelated people have until Jan 1.
to register their property with Department of Neighborhood
Services.
Last year, the Winston-Salem City Council and the Forsyth
County Commissioners passed zoning revisions that apply to
any rooming house, boarding house, or shared single-family
house in Winston-Salem or an unincorporated area of Forsyth
County and is on land zoned for single-family houses (these
districts start with the letters "RS") or on land zoned RSQ (a
district for residential buildings ranging from single-family
houses to quadraplexes).
The revisions require the owners of these buildings, both
in Winston-Salem and in the unincorporated areas of Forsyth
County, to register with the Winston-Salem Department of
Neighborhood Services before Jan 1, 2009, and to bring
these houses into compliance with current zoning regulations
by Jan. 1, 2012.
Owners who do not register by Jan. 1 will be subject to
civil penalties of up to $100 a day or criminal prosecution in
Forsyth County.
Complete information about registering your property is
available at www.cityofws.org/hns, or by calling City Link at
727-8000.
It's leaf season - grab your rakesl
Fall is here and the leaves are piling upl The Winston
Salem Sanitation division will provide three leaf collections to
single-family households this year.
To insure that you receive all three collections, have your
leaves raked to the curb by November 3, November 20, and
December 29 . Inclement weather may force a change in the
leaf collection schedule.
Follow these guidelines:
? Rake leaves to the edge of your yard,
behind the curb, and not In the street.
? Sticks, rocks, and other debris may damage
our equipment Please, leaves only.
? Do not park vehicles on, in front of, or
near your leaves.
? Do not put your leaves on a tarp.
a Remember, you MAY NOT bum leaves
inside the city limits.
For more information about leaf routes
and a map showing leaf collections, go to
www.sanitation.cityofws.org.
?
East Ward Town Hall meeting Nov. 6
East Ward Council Member Joycelyn V. Johnson will hold a
Town Hall meeting for residents of the East Ward at 6 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 6, in the City Hall Council Chamber, 101 N.
Main St.
Topics will include areas and issues that residents are
concerned about, both in the ward and the city at large, and
suggested goals and strategies to address those concerns.
Members of the city staff will attend the meeting and will
be available to address residents' concerns.
For more information call 727-2224.
Holiday
Collection
Changes
Thanksgiving; Observed Thursday and Friday, Nov. 27-28.
Garbage: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday collections
moved up one day; Friday collection on Monday, Dec. 1.
Recycling; Thursday and Friday collections postponed
one day; Thursday on Friday, and Friday on Saturday.
Yard carts; Monday and Tuesday collected on Monday,
Nov. 24; Wednesday collection on Tuesday, Thursday
collection on Wednesday.
Christmas: Observed Thursday and Friday, Dec. 25 -26
Garbage: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
collections moved up one day; Friday collection on
Monday, Dec. 29.
Recycling: Thursday and Friday collections postponed
one day: Thursday on Friday, and Friday on Saturday.
Yard carts: Monday and Tuesday collected on Monday,
Dec. 22; Wednesday collection on Tuesday; Thursday
collection on Wednesday.
New Year's Day: Observed Thursday, Jan. 1
Garbage: Thursday collection on Friday, Jan. 2; Friday
collection on Monday, Jan. 5.
Recycling: Thursday and Friday collections postponed
one day: Thursday on Friday, and Friday on Saturday.
Yard carts: Thursday collected on Friday, Jan. 2.