Public works takes center stage in Leesburg

LEESBURG — City Public Works, as well as the imminent completion of another phase of a massive water improvement project, have taken center stage in Leesburg this week, as the community recognizes National Public Works Week.

Not only will the city be hosting a regional dump truck rodeo on Thursday, the community has also learned that the city of Leesburg’s ongoing water main improvements project has been selected as the winner of the 2016 American Public Works Association’s Georgia Chapter Small Cities/Rural Communities Environmental Project of the Year Award.

Things actually got started last week when the Leesburg City Council approved a proclamation recognizing the weeklong focus on Public Works, which Leesburg City Manager Bob Alexander said was a great way to announce the news about the award and to draw attention to the citywide project that will greatly improve the city’s water supply.

The water improvement project, which has been under way in earnest since early 2015, is actually made up of multiple projects, which Alexander said will not only give the citizen’s better water quality and much-needed water pressure, it will also send a message that city officials are committed to the well-being of local residents.

“(The project) will greatly improve the quality and quantity of water for the city, and it shows we have the leadership to take care of our community,” said Alexander. “We want to have quality water not just for our citizens but for the children that attend all the schools within the city. It’s a special project.”

The first part of the overarching water improvement project was the recent completion of a new Public Works facility off Starksville Road, adjacent to Twin Oaks Elementary School, that was funded by a recent SPLOST.

One of the more high-profile of the water projects is also nearing completion as construction crews are expected to finish installation of new water mains along Walnut Street and Starksville Road some time in the next few weeks.

Yet another portion of the water project, the installation of a 200,000-gallon water tower next to the new Public Works facility, is expected to be complete by the end of the year.

“The city of Leesburg made a commitment to improving the water in this community, and those projects are almost complete,” said Alexander.

Funding for the different water system projects came from varying sources including the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA), through a loan with favorable interest rates, and a Community Development Block Grant of $455,822.

While the projects certainly couldn’t have happened without the approval of the City Council, Alexander also had high praise for Leesburg Public Works Director William Clark, who has been instrumental in moving the projects along.

“He’s been a true advocate for good Public Works services in our community,” said Alexander. “He has a real commitment and passion for what he does, and he has really put a lot of himself into making this community what it needs to be.”

Clark is unable to enjoy the excitement surrounding the Public Works triumphs. Alexander said that Clark, who has been battling cancer, is currently in the hospital.

In fact, Alexander said Clark’s current condition is one of the things that prompted city leadership to put such a focus on everything Public Works has been involved with recently.

“I wanted to do something for him, to recognize the outstanding work he’s done for Leesburg,” said Alexander. “It means a lot to me personally and I know it will mean a lot to William’s family.”

Another way the community is focusing on Clark and all of Public Works is through this week’s dump truck rodeo, which will be held at the new Public Works site.

The truck rodeo will feature representatives of departments from all over Southwest Georgia, competing on an obstacle course set up at the site.

Mike Sistrunk, who in addition to his Public Works duties with Lee County is also serving as county co-manager, said the rodeo is part of the quarterly meeting of the Southwest Georgia branch of the American Public Works Association, which brings together different Public Works departments to discuss projects and share ideas that can improve what each group is doing.

Sistrunk said Public Works employees from several surrounding municipalities will be present, including those from Leesburg, Lee County, Albany, Dougherty County, Thomas County, Thomasville, Glynn County and more.

“We meet every quarter to discuss what’s going on,” Sistrunk said. “It’s a networking event so we can learn from each other and incorporate something that other counties are doing. That’s so we can do the best we can with the money we have, which is what we’re all supposed to do.”

While some of the aforementioned Leesburg Public Works projects have already been completed or are close to being completed, yet another project is on the horizon.

Alexander said the city has recently received approval from GEFA to receive another roughly $900,000, which will allow for the installation of additional water lines along Robert B. Lee Drive and State Highway 32, as well as pay to raise an existing water tower just past Lee County High School.

Those projects, he said, would further improve the overall quality of the city’s water system.

Driver registration for the truck rodeo starts at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, followed by a welcome at 10 a.m. The driving competition and awards presentation will run from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dump trucks will be provided by TransPower.