TOWN OF ALDERSON POST OFFICE BOX 179 CITY BUILDING—202 SOUTH MONROE STREET ALDERSON, WEST VIRGINIA 24910 TELEPHONE (304) 445-2916 NEWS RELEASE - 7-15-2019

Contact:  Mayor Travis Copenhaver 304-445-2916 / Margaret Hambrick 304-646-2439

Town Of Alderson Spotlight Today’s   spotlight   on   a   member   of   the   “A-Team”   is   Donnie   Steep.   Donnie   is   our   Chief   Water   Treatment Operator.   A   face   seldom   seen   in   public   doing   his   job,   Donnie   was   hired   by   the   town   on   1-1-1971.   That   is correct, 48 years of service to us all. Over   this   past   weekend,   starting   at   12:51am   Sunday   to   be   exact,   Donnie   and   his   team   worked   hard   to   fix an   issue   they   have   never   had   to   deal   with.   Our   plant   lost   a   controller   in   the   panel   which   left   us   unable   to start   our   plant.   When   Donnie   called   me,   I   knew   there   was   not   much   more   I   could   do   than   give   moral support, but he needed help or he would have never called me. Donnie, Tim,   Zack,   Rick   and   I   battled   the   issue   all   night.   Donnie,   Zack,   and Tim   will   be   running   the   plant   by hand   for   the   next   couple   of   weeks.   This   means   that   a   constant   watch   is   needed   to   adjust   things   that   are normally   automatic   in   the   tedious   process   of   making   water   that   passes   requirement   for   our   regulatory agencies.   There   is   no   threat   of   issues   from   the   consumer   side.   Rest   assured,   our   team   can   make   it happen. I   don’t   get   many   pictures   of   Donnie   because   to   be   honest,   he   works   when   we   all   sleep.   But   I   sleep   better knowing   he   is   on   our   team.   I   got   a   couple   this   weekend   of   him   in   action.   His   experience,   combined   with   all of his team, means we will not have a loss of pump time or lose water. Donnie   has   spent   many   holidays,   birthdays,   family   gatherings,   and   hunting   seasons   juggling   around   his work   time   so   we   are   taken   care   of.   Clean   drinking   water   is   a   necessity.   Imagine   not   having   enough   water   to fight   a   major   fire.   These   two   things   have   always   been   his   primary   focus.   Donnie’s   team   has   benefited   the most   of   the   upgrades   and   changes   we   have   made.   They   will   see   major   improvements   with   our   upcoming water project. Donnie   runs   his   plant   with   the   upmost   professionalism   and   integrity   an   operator   can   have.   He   has   trained his   staff   at   the   same   level   he   gives   for   the   seriousness   of   their   job.   We   get   no   serious   deficiencies   on   our system as a result of this dedication. Thank   you   Donnie   for   making   us   all   “Alderson   Proud!”   Thank   you   Martha   and   the   rest   of   the   family   who has allowed him to do his part for the “Gem of the Hills.” (Click on photos for larger view) Travis