Clean Water Advocacy - Newsroom - AMSA in the News
Cumming Water Facility Among Nation's Best
7/23/2003
By LESLIE MCGUINNESS
Staff writer
Cumming's Bethelview Road Water Reclamation Facility and the
city?s water treatment plant were recognized at the July 15 city council meeting
for receiving two prestigious awards from the Association of Metropolitan
Sewerage Agencies.
Tommy Furlow, director of Public Utilities for Gwinnett County presented a
platinum award and a gold award to Jon Heard, director of utilities and Jimmy
Andrews, water plant superintendent.
"I come tonight more in my role as an officer of the Georgia Water and Pollution
Control Association and I?m also going to speak for AMSA here,? said Furlow.
"The reason you?re being recognized for these awards is for the outstanding job
the city, city staff and the treatment facilities have done.?
The Bethelview Road facility was recognized for its contribution to the field of
environmental protection and wastewater treatment with the platinum award. AMSA
recognizes member facilities for compliance with the National Pollutant
Discharge Elimination System permits over five consecutive years.
"I don?t know how many tests that go by in five years, but I know that it?s a
large number,? said Furlow. "That means you met each and every one of these
tests at your Bethelview Road treatment plant and at your water treatment plant.
That?s pretty outstanding that you can go five years.?
The plant also received a gold award for providing satisfactory service for
Cumming residents. Furlow said the award recognizes reliable service that
provides residents with good, safe water.
In mid May, Heard attended a special awards ceremony and luncheon in Washington,
D.C. where the City of Cumming was honored for its achievements. According to a
press release, the event was part of AMSA?s 2003 National Environmental Policy
Forum and 33rd Annual Meeting. In a letter Heard wrote to the city council and
mayor, he stated that the accomplishment was one that not many other cities or
counties in the nation can claim.
Also recognized was retiring fire chief Norris Bennett for his service to the
city and Forsyth County.
"We appreciate the job he has done in his capacity as fire chief,? said Gravitt.
He went on to explain that the city and county voters went to the polls several
years ago to vote on a one mil tax increase to support a fire department that
would serve both city and county. Bennett served 32 years as fire chief with the
county. During the past 13 years, he also doubled as fire chief for the city.
Gravitt read a proclamation on behalf of the council that declared Wednesday,
July 16, 2003 as Norris Bennett Day. Bennett was recognized with a plaque from
the mayor and a framed letter from President George W. Bush thanking him for a
job well done. Dwight Clark, Deputy Chief of the Forsyth County Fire Department
presented Bennett with the letter.
In other business, the council unanimously approved Herbert Automotive?s request
to renew a temporary permit for an emission testing building located on Ga.9.
Also unanimously approved by the council: a request to sell beer and wine by the
package at Aguilera?s Mexican Food Store #2 on Ga. 9 and a request to sell beer
and wine by the drink at Sal?s Place, a new Italian restaurant opening on West
Court House Square.
The Board also accepted the resignation of Faye Holbrook from the commission
board of the Cumming Housing Authority.