President Message

Greetings

by Mike Norris

I hope this finds everyone doing well. The Regional Schools In-Person Training kicked off in Amarillo the first week of April, and I must say, it felt good to get out. Ruben, Bruce, and the entire board made everyone feel welcome, and they made things happen to provide an excellent training event. Good job Panhandle Region.

“You bring about what you think about.” How about this analogy – efforts and rewards are much like gardening. Everyone likes good fresh vegetables. Few put forth the effort needed to have a successful garden. What happens if all you do is go out and throw seeds on the ground and hope for the best? What happens when you want to obtain a water or wastewater license, and all you do is attend class with no additional effort?

To get the most out of a garden, you begin with ground preparation. You turn the soil, maybe add mulch, and water the beds. Then when the time is right, you plant the seeds by opening up the ground. Using this analogy, there should be efforts geared towards things like reading to get the most out of training. You are highlighting key points. Review chapter quizzes and write down and research items or areas you do not understand. Whatever it takes to understand the science behind all aspects of your job.

Most are excited about reaping the rewards, but how many are willing to put in the work? Is it essential to know why and how a treatment method or process works or is it acceptable to merely know you add three scoops of the product in the blue barrel to five gallons of water and let it drip over the inflow for 8 hours?

As a sophomore, Michael Jordan did not make his varsity basketball team. He went home and complained to his mother, who told him, he would need to try harder and practice more. Michael developed a practice routine that eventually made him one of the greatest professional basketball players of all time. Everyone wants to be like Mike until they see what it takes to actually be like Mike.

Most strive to become the boss, but not all are willing to put in the time to know and understand all the boss does.

The boss was growing old and spent a considerable amount of time in his office, seemingly shuffling papers. Leaving the daily work needs to his staff. The city had updated all the pumps except for one station where all the raw water was routed through. One day after a thunderstorm, everything at this one location shut down. The shift foreman called the electrician, who began troubleshooting the problem. After a few hours, the electrician called the engineer for assistance. The engineer worked with the electrician for hours before conceding the problem was somehow mechanical and called for a pump specialist. The pump specialist worked with the engineer and the electrician, but collectively they could not isolate the cause of the shutdown. After more time elapsed, the engineer said the City Manager and Mayor should be notified because surely the town would run out of water. The electrician offered that the old department boss be informed before contacting the City Manager and Mayor. When the old boss answered his phone, he was filled in on the issue and the steps taken to correct the problem. It was also suggested that the upper decision-makers should

be notified so they could prepare a press release. The old boss said to hold off on any more notifications and that he would come to the pump station immediately.

Upon arrival, the boss was immediately met by the others on-site, and they began telling the boss what they found and what they suspected could be causing the issue. The boss asked for a flashlight, a crescent wrench, a screwdriver, and a ¼ bolt. When he had the tools, he wandered off into the dark corners of the structure. They could hear banging, and miraculously the motors and pumps returned to life. The boss emerged, wiping his hands, and said that should get things back to normal.

With puzzled looks on their faces, the others pressed for answers as to how the boss was able to restore service when the “experts” were ready to declare an emergency and either install bypass piping or provide new motors and wiring, which was going to take days if not weeks.

Forty years ago, when this structure was built, I studied the plans and talked with the construction workers who built all the pumping structures. Often, I would bring lunch and ask questions until I thought I had used up my welcome. The workers told me the biggest weakness in the design of this facility was the automatic electrical switchgear. These workers trained me and showed me what to do in case of failure. I have waited 40 years to apply this knowledge. And since no one bothered to accompany me or offer to assist in any way, I will leave it up to the “experts” to figure out how I fixed the problem.

Knowledge is a beautiful thing.

I pray that 2022 brings good health, blessings, prosperity, and purpose.

TWUA President Mike Norris