PIPELINER - Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans

The
A Newsletter for Employees of the
Sewerage & Water Board of New Orleans
Vol. 25 No. 12 December Issue 2012
Pipeliner
SEWERAGE & WATER BOARD OF NEW ORLEANS MISSION STATEMENT
Our mission is to provide safe drinking water to everyone in New Orleans; to remove waste water for safe return to the
environment; to drain away storm water; to provide water for fire protection; to provide information about products
and services; and to do all of this continuously at a reasonable cost to the community.
The Sewerage and Water Board faced a
series of challenging events and issues
in 2012, in addition to its normal responsibility
for providing continuing
sewerage, water and drainage services for city
residents. Here are a few projects and event
that were overcome:
The Board embarked upon and aggressive
campaign to promote a long overdue rate increase.
Three public hearings and three public
meetings were held to inform the general public
of the need for the increase. The meetings
were designed to solicit positive suggestions
for improvement of Board operations in an
Sterling Young- Drainage Operations
CHALLENGING, EVENTFUL YEAR
COMES TO A CLOSE
increasingly cost restrictive environment. The
meetings were successfully conducted and the
public got the opportunity to weigh in on the
tough issues.
In April a closed community meeting was
held for residents living near Peoples Avenue
to announce the work to replace Garages I and
II and window replacements at Central Yard
Administration Building. Area residents who
attended the meeting appreciated the effort the
Board made in informing them of the inconvenience
of the scheduled work
This year, perhaps the greatest challenge
Continued on page 2

The Pipeliner Page December 2012
Executive Director's Message
2012 A Year Of Challenges And Successes
By Marcia St. Martin, Executive Director
W
ith the holiday season upon us and
the year 2012 coming to a close, we
reflect on all the things that have
happened this year. As this month’s feature
article indicates, it was indeed a year filled
with challenges and successes. Of course, the
board’s challenges were predicted with the
major financial obligations for infrastructure
rebuilding, continuing to construct, operate
and maintain the water, sewer and drainage
systems. We knew that financial requirements
would exceed financial revenues as we planned
for the collective needs of the board.
However, Even with these financial challenges
the agency was able to be steadfast in
its mission as the solid, constant and silent provider
of our city’s vital quality of life services.
The year began with the preparation for a much
needed rate increase with public citywide and
area hearings. These hearings were essential in
2012
Continued from Page 1
we faced was the several unfortunate events
that lead to boil water advisories being issued
for the city. These advisories are mandated by
the state Department of Environmental Quality
and allow for safety inspections to be made to
the distribution system, as well as, for test to
be performed on water samples that are taken
from various locations within the city.
These are just a few of the challenges we
faced this year. Now, we look forward to the
new year with renewed optimism for a brighter,
better future and with excitement about all of
the positive energy heading to our city with
the Sugar Bowl, Super Bowl and Mardi Gras
events.
2
addressing customer concerns and developing
a comprehensive plan for that rate increase.
At this time, as you know, we can celebrate
a success with the approval of the rate increase
by the board of directors and the city council.
It is a rate increase of 10 % over 8 years. The
needs of the board are so very complex and
have evolved over the years. Thus, we will
begin an aggressive implementation and timely
completion of our comprehensive rebuilding
plan. The plan, also, includes our accountability
element of continued monitoring and tracking
of all accomplishments.
Our employees are critical to the agency’s
plan for implementation of the infrastructure
rebuilding. Your expertise, knowledge, loyalty,
dedication to the mission of the Sewerage and
Water Board has been truly demonstrated. You
will enable the board to reach its goals and to
improve the efficiency and productivity in daily
operations. Employees are the foundation and
major component in making this agency successful
in providing vital services to the New
Orleans community. So, I say “Thank You”
with a very special greeting of appreciation and
best wishes for a happy, healthy and prosperous
holiday season.
Sewerage & Water
Board Employee FCU
Holiday Schedule 2013
New Year’s Day Tuesday – January 1
Martin Luther King Monday – January 21

The Pipeliner Page 3
December 2012
Employees enjoy the seafood buffet that featured Louisiana seafood cooked to perfection by Crystal Palace staff.
The REC Club Holds Annual Winter Party!
For the past several years the Sewerage and Water Board’s REC Club has transformed the
Crystal Palace Reception Hall in eastern New Orleans into a winter wonderland, decked out
in satin chair covers and tablecloths with carved ice sculptures of the “Crescent Cover” that
you had to see, to really appreciate.
The Christmas dance is always well attened but the Recreations Club directors reported that
this year attendance was higher than expected and that employees from many different facilities
and departments attended the event.
A new DJ mixed up holiday classics and other dance music in a great way to keep the
audience engaged during the entire event.
The food was fabulous. Gulf shrimp and fish, fried to perfection, along with gumbo, pasta,
fresh fruit, carving stations, dessert and spirits.
Christmas is a very busy time for all employees but the annual Rec Club event is a time to
spend together to reflect on the old year and look ahead for new successes in the new year.
Employee annual membership is only $25 and admits the employee and one guest.

The Pipeliner Page 4
December 2012
Gary Manchester and Darryl Lewis
Ice sculpture of Crescent Cover is Star of the Show.
Dexter Joseph enjoys fruit buffet.
Donald Ruth and guest
L to R: Barbara DeMonsabert, Frank Timmons, Arthur Minor, III and Darcy Minor.

The Pipeliner Page 5
December 2012
L to R: Tammy Minor, Ashley Springmann, Phillip Minor and Harold Heller, Jr.
L to R: Phyliss Jones, Gaynell Smith, Darice Maxwell, Matilda Johnson and Juana McKay

The Pipeliner Page December 2012
6
m
Save Our Wetlands
Orleans Parish residents can recycle their Christmas trees
by placing them curbside on their regularly scheduled collection
days January 10, 11 and 12. The trees must be natural,
with all ornaments, tinsel, lights and tree stands removed.
Flocked and artificial trees will not be collected and trees
should not be placed on the neutral grounds. Also, trees
should not be placed in plastic bags.
For more information call 658-4071.
Appointments & Promotions
APPOINTMENTS
Stephen A. Bibbins Laborer
Rufina C. Dalton Laboratory Tech I Water Purification Lab
Rancy M. Gayles Office Assistant 4 Telephone Center
James O. Hamm Utility Maint. Master Spec. Networks Field Crew
Calvin Marshall Utlity Plant Worker Sewer Pump Station
Arthur G. Minor Auto Mechanic 3 Central Garage.
Phillip J. Minor Laborer Welding/Fabrication
Ryan H. Price Utilities Plant Worker Boiler Operations
Jamal Randolph Office Asst. Trainee Emergency Phone Center
Jeremy Scott Water Chemist 1 Water Purification Lab.
Malcolm Stewart Laborer Networks-Zone Six
Lenora J. Varnado Utility Plant Worker Old City Station
Derrick Washington Utility Plant Worker Old City Station
Sherman D. Wells Laborer Networks-Zone Five
Ann Wilson Utility Services Admin. Environmental Affairs
The
Pipeliner
is published
for employees
of the Sewerage & Water Board
of New Orleans
625 St. Joseph Street
New Orleans, LA 70165
Internet: www.swbnola.org
Mayor Mitchell J. Landrieu
President
Wm. Ray Manning
President Pro Tem
Marion B. Bracy
Councilwoman-At-Large
Stacy Head
Kerri T. Kane
Mark M. Moody
Councilwoman District C
Kristin G. Palmer
Thinking Green, Living Green
PROMOTIONS
Tiffany C. Julien Management Dev. Analyst Mang. Dev. Specialist
Donld R. Madlock Account 1 Account 2
Arlette W. Pierre Off. Support Specialist Sr. Off. Support Specialist
Yasim S. Johnson
Lawrence Sly, Sr.
Kevin Walsh
Clardie L. Ellis
Thaddeus M. Francis
Craig D. King
RETIREMENTS
DEATHS
Customer Service
Networks Division
Personnel Department
Networks Division
Pumping and Power
Networks Division
Glen Pilie
Florence W. Schornstein
Charles F. Webb
Dr. Beverly Wright
Loyce P. Wright
Marcia A. St. Martin
Executive Director
Joseph R. Becker
General Superintendent