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Association of West Virginia Solid Waste Authorities 2011 Volunteer of the Year
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VOLUNTEER OF YEAR AWARD FOR 2011 Announcement by Mark D Holstine
Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests, Madam
Chair, good evening, it’s great to be here again to present the
Association of West Virginia Solid Waste Authorities’ highest honor, the
Volunteer of the Year!
As volunteers of local and regional solid
waste authorities, each of you do so much to improve our communities it is
truly a privilege for me to honor this year’s recipient.
Just being nominated by your peers for this
prestigious award is in and of itself, truly an honor.
West Virginia’s county and regional solid
waste authorities are fortunate to have so many worthy volunteers who
serve selflessly with distinction. Tonight however, I
am going to single out one special person that is being recognized for
many years of achievements and accomplishments during their volunteer
service. When tonight’s honoree began to
serve on the local authority, they were immediately elected vice chairman.
From the start, this individual was
instrumental in working with and helping guide the authority through rough
waters to continually improve and enhance solid waste management in the
county. At first, it appeared the landfill
was destined to shut-down.
It was unlined; leachate was untreated and
discharging into a nearby river.
Several hundreds of thousands of dollars were
owed on inadequate and unreliable equipment. With the help of his dedicated
leadership, that same landfill is now an environmental credit to the
county and has been recognized by former Governors Manchin , Wise,
Underwood and Caperton for its many environmental improvements.
The landfill now has an approved composite
liner system.
It has an on-site sewage treatment plant for
managing leachate which is then sent over three (3) miles of a main sewer
line where it is treated at the local public service district’s sewage
system and finally discharged into the river. Our honoree has remained steadfast
in their commitment to recycling in the county.
The program is now self-sustaining that
includes recycling in all public schools and most private schools.
The program accepts electronics full time and
in one year alone diverted over 2 million, nine hundred fifty thousand
pounds of materials from disposal in the landfill. Instrumental in establishing a
solid financial base for future development and solid waste management
programs, their leadership moved the authority forward.
All equipment is now updated and owned by the
authority.
A routine replacement/maintenance schedule has
been established. Our honoree was actively involved in the successful
negotiations with the Coca-Cola Company to donate an old bottling facility
that was initially used to recycle tires and plastics. That same building
today serves as the headquarters for the authority and houses the
authority’s recycling program. Our volunteer of the year has
always worked closely with the other dedicated members of the authority.
His
educational background and skills have contributed greatly to the many
improvements to its state-of-the-art landfill and recycling facility.
A member of the Elks since 1978,
he has been a member of the Emergency Services Council since 1980. He has
also volunteered much time with the Emergency Services Council working on
terrorism drills and pandemic readiness. He has served on numerous health
boards as a member and an officer.
A member of the Elks since 1978,
he has been a member of the Emergency Services Council since 1980. He has
also volunteered much time with the Emergency Services Council working on
terrorism drills and pandemic readiness. He has served on numerous health
boards as a member and an officer.
Very active in the local community, he has helped out
with the Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and local soccer teams, and served on
various boards at his church. Most of all he is always available 24/7 for
anyone with a problem. He is a true volunteer in every
since of the word. Not
only at the local SWA but to the community that he loves so much.
These are only a few examples of his volunteerism
over many years of service to our state.
Because
of his commitment to the environment, recycling and litter control he has
unselfishly dedicated much of his life to keep West Virginia healthy,
clean and beautiful.
Ladies and gentlemen, it is a great honor to introduce to you tonight, the
Chairman of the Greenbrier County Solid Waste Authority and the Volunteer
of the Year for 2011, Mr. Mike
Eltzroth.
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