Southwest Virginia Waste Management Association

Quarterly Meeting

Winter weather has wreaked havoc on all aspects of solid waste operations across the region.

Curbside collections, dropoff centers, landfills, transfer stations, material recycling

facilities, and equipment maintenance operations have all been significantly impacted by

the continuous winter storms that have hit Southwest Virginia. As we struggle to maintain

services during these conditions, I’d like to remind our members to be extra careful.

It has been several years since we have had winter weather to this extreme. As a result

many employees may be unaccustomed to dealing with snow, ice, and frigid conditions.

Take a minute out of your day to remind your coworkers to make safety the first priority.

The past few months have also been extremely challenging for the industry as we

struggle to balance budgets as most of us are experiencing declining revenues, while at the

same time seeing no decline in expenditures. Those involved with local government operations

are being especially hard hit as general fund dollars continue to be come more

and more scarce. With the difficult times we are all experiencing, I’d like to remind our

members of the “value” of the SVSWMA.

For the cost of your membership, you are able to attend the three quarterly educational

meetings/tours per year at no charge (with lunch provided). In addition, attendance

at quarterly meetings also allows members to earn continuing education credits

toward renewing their Virginia Waste Management Facility Operator’s licenses.

In addition to the quarterly meetings, the annual September conference is a great way

to gain additional educational education credits, gain additional skills to help you do

your job better, and also catch up with old friends, and make new ones. You’ll find that

the cost to attend the SVSWMA annual conference is lower than the cost to attend conferences

hosted by similar organizations. In addition, the conference is located in Southwest

Virginia resulting in decreased travel costs.

At the December 2009 quarterly meeting, the membership chose to have the 2010

conference return to Bristol, Virginia. The conference will be held September 16, 17, 18,

at the Holiday Inn. Please mark this date on your calendar now.

Lastly, I look forward to seeing everyone at the March Quarterly meeting. I’d also like

website in the next couple months. Also, Facebook users, stay up to date with the association

by joining our new Facebook Group – Southwest Virginia Solid Waste Management

RD) Westinghouse becomes Tobaccoville RD, turn left onto NC-65 (Bethanian –Rural Hall RD), turn left onto US-311

for about 11 miles and turn right onto S. Gibson DR for .1 miles to Plant.

From Roanoke Area; Take US-220 S to NC. Turn right onto NC-704 for .3 miles turn right onto NC-311 to left onto S.

Gibson DR for .1 miles to Plant.