Thanks to everyone who sponsored, vended and attended the 2007 Annual Conference and Trade Show in Pierre, Sept. 12-15, 2007.  A lot of learning took place and fun was definitely had by all!

The golf tournament was once again a huge success!  Those who dared to flaunt their hidden talents discovered valuable awards for their efforts.  With Jay Koch, SDSMWA board member extraordinaire on the organizing end, everyone joined in the awards presentation at the banquet.  Greg Swier with Interstate Power Systems made the longest putt.  Mike Erickson of Dependable Sanitation had the longest drive on the fairway and came closest to the pin on a drive.  Since everyone participated with such enthusiasm, even the lowest scoring player, Stacy Haberer of Boyer Trucks, and the biggest whiner, Craig Shultz of Central Fiber Corporation were rewarded for their unparalleled efforts. The tournament featured for the first time, the “fairway garbage basket” event.  Jay Johnson of Sturgis stepped up to the pin and took this event plus high score in the tournament!  Oh, and not to be forgotten, Jerry Wright must once again be thanked for his contribution to the tournament – official beverage cart operator. 

A vendor social kicked off the conference on Tuesday evening giving everyone the opportunity to mix, mingle, network and initiate contacts.  Thanks to Leggette, Brashears and Graham, Olympic Sales and S&S Tin Baling, a hospitality bar was available for everyone to enjoy while munching on hors d’oeuvres provided by Aquaterra Environmental Solutions, Al-jon, Boyer Trucks, Central Fiber, Central States Wire, Millborn Seeds, Energy Labs, Environmental Services of Iowa, New Waste Concepts, Northern Truck and Equipment, RW Beck, Sanitation Products, Sheehan Mack Sales and Equipment, and Short Elliott Hendrickson. 

Gloria Shaefer of Dynamics for Excellence set the stage for our learning and growth opportunity on Wednesday morning.  Her high energy presentation took us on an adventure through generational value changes we see in employees.  Ultimately to learn that everyone has something to offer and celebrating the differences in generations will lead us to an integrated work place where everyone’s strengths are accentuated!

Automating garbage collection has numerous benefits.  Keith L’Esperance, Rapid City’s Training and Risk Manager presented pre- and post- automation data showing impressive decreases in worker’s compensation costs for the City of Rapid City.  The learning curve and some minor truck malfunctions resulted in some additional insurance claims initially, but overall automating collection was a positive move. 

The remainder of the day included a discussion and decision to propose recycling legislation, a lively debate on recycling, and an informative tour of Environtech’s Recycling Facility and the Pierre landfill closure.   A lunch meeting with Deene Dayton of Legislative Audit helped explain the issue governmental entities are facing when trying to purchase and sell recyclables and solid waste byproducts.  All in attendance agreed that marketing recyclables just does not fit into the bid, contract and surplus property laws of South Dakota and the association should prepare legislation to help it fit.

On the heels of this discussion came the great debate over mandatory recycling.  Opinions were all over the spectrum.  Our association showed it’s true beauty as some of our members indicated that recycling makes no economic sense, while others touted the beauty of voluntary programs, and others defended decisions to mandate recycling within their service areas.  This diversity provides every member with the opportunity to fit in no matter what their opinion!!

Alternative landfill caps seem to be the preference for South Dakota Landfills.  Chris McConn with Interstate Engineering discussed the research, design and installation of the Pierre alternative landfill cap on-site during the tour and in greater depth Friday morning.  The secret to the cap is keeping it fluffy!  The cap is designed to work with the evapotranspiration cycle and if too compact, cannot adequately handle annual precipitation.  It will be interesting to learn more about the maintenance and upkeep of the cap in years to come.

Thursday moved into many technical aspects of solid waste facility operations.  Wayne Kaiser of Advanced Dynamics gave us some food for thought as he explained the model windmill he brought for the show.  The windmill he discussed provides a very cost effective solution for remote pumping and aeration at landfills, treatment lagoons, retention ponds, or anywhere electricity is not readily available to move and treat water, soils, leachate, etc.  Dan Hanson, Soils Engineer for Geotek Engineering and Testing Services discussed engineering studies being performed at the Walworth County Landfill where preloading old waste disposal cells is occurring in order to stabilize the area sufficiently for future liner.  Dan gave everyone a pictorial trip through a permeability test.  He discussed the validity of permeability test results based upon the sample collection and preparation, representative sampling, type of soil, and testing methods and apparatus.  Tim Kenyon of Leggette, Brashears and Graham, took us from permeability testing (which closely relates to groundwater monitoring systems) to explore a very similar issue relative to groundwater monitoring systems, the discussion of interrelated groundwater monitoring parameters.  With data from South Dakota facilities, Tim looked at how different monitoring parameters can either validate or excuse a statistically significant increase due to natural chemical relationships in a given environment.  His lesson:  Don’t take things out of context; review all relevant data prior to singling out a parameter as “out of compliance”. 

So, how important is the data on your computer?  Tom Davis with Advanced Weighing Systems gave us all the swift kick we needed to get those computer backups on a schedule.  He stressed the significance of duplicate backups or off-site storage of backups.  Our lives revolve around the data on our computers.  To save ourselves great frustration and heartache, take the time and backup your computer systems regularly.

Mechanizing some of the sorting process is the solution for Jake Anderson of Millennium Recycling.  Grant and loan money from the South Dakota Solid Waste Grant Program will help Millennium to purchase infrared sorting equipment similar to that seen in a European video presented by Jake.

We learned from Susan Jarosch with RW Beck that even the most thought out projects sometimes work great on paper and in “bench tests”, but once in the field require some adjusting to account for nature.  As Sioux Falls continues work on their alternative cap and landfill gas project, RW Beck continues field monitoring of the project so the integrity of the alternative landfill cap can be maintained.

Are you a leader? You are if you pay attention, improve and guide.  Keith L’Esperance explained the critical qualities of leaders.  It all begins with integrity, your character matters!  Everything you do counts, including who you hire, who you let go, and how you treat people.  If you appreciate your employees you will always fill them in on your vision and voice your appreciation.  What you reward will get done and remember rewards come in a variety of forms, including training, removing barriers, and praise.  A leader cannot be afraid to make changes.  Change should occur when things are running smoothly.  Change is positive when the leader presents a positive attitude.  If change occurs constantly, it’s no longer stressful.  Always have the courage to accept responsibility, seek the truth, take risks and persevere.  To be a true leader we must all seek balance in our lives and enjoy our jobs.  Everyone wants to succeed, just not at any price.  Remember, optimism breeds optimism!  Thanks Keith!

Well, that sums it up!  We are open to suggested topics for future conferences, so don’t be shy!  Send your suggestions to sdsolidwaste@yahoo.com. 

Mark your calendars now and plan on attending next year’s annual conference and trade show in

Watertown, September 18-21, 2007 at the Watertown Events Center and Ramkota.