EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER Dalton Utilities Receives Top State Honors From GAWP Dalton Utilities was recently recognized with five awards at the Georgia Association of Water Professional’s (GAWP) Spring Conference. According to GAWP Executive Director Pamela Burnett, “These are highly competitive awards, and keep the bar high for performance of facilities and water professionals across Georgia. Following a rigorous inspection and evaluation, Dalton’s water and wastewater plants scored highest in their size category, and were presented with Plant of the Year awards. It is remarkable for one utility to achieve so many top GAWP awards in one year. This level of accomplishment reflects the outstanding quality of services provided to this community.” August 2017 One of the five awards included the 2017 Top Operator Award for District 1 Wastewater Collection System Operator. This was awarded to Ken Helton, a Dalton Utilities Wastewater Collection Crew Leader who joined the Utility in 1998. He is certified by the state in Wastewater Collection and Water Distribution. The Top Op Awards are conferred annually to Water and Wastewater employees who have demonstrated consistent and outstanding Calendar contributions to their profession. 8/8 DOT Flagging Class As a crew leader, Ken Helton provides leadership to our scout truck crew which responds Operations Training Room to customer complaints, facilitates confined space related work, inspects creek crossings, 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. executes monthly inspections of manholes and cleaning of high maintenance sewer services/mains and easement inspections/maintenance. He is also a crew leader on our 8/28 VALIC Rep standby emergency wastewater and water crews. Upstairs Conference Room 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.

8/29 Defensive Driving Class Operations Training Room Dalton Utilities’ water 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. and wastewater employees shown left 9/4 Labor Day Holiday to right: Jonathan Raburn, Water Plant Operator; Jamie 9/16 Chili Cookoff Cox, Water Plant Operations Break Room Supervisor; Jim Shafer, Manager of Water 9/26 Defensive Driving Class and Wastewater; Ken Operations Training Room Helton, Wastewater 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Collection Crew Leader; and, Kenny Stokes, Wastewater Plant Supervisor.

Additionally, five of Dalton Utilities’ Water Treatment and Wastewater Treatment facilities were honored with GAWP’s prestigious 2017 Plant of the Year awards which recognizes excellence in facility operations and staff. These awards included:

• Best Operated Water Plant of the Year - Surface Water 50MGD or Greater – V.D. Parrott, Jr. Water Filtration Plant

• Best Operated Water Plant of the Year - Surface Water 9MGD thru 14.99MGD - Mill Creek Water Treatment Plant

• Best Operated Water Plant of the Year - Surface Water 1MGD they 2.99MGD - Freeman Springs Water Treatment Plant

• Best Operated Water Reclamation Plant of the Year - less than 1 MGD Advanced Treatment - Mill Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant

• Best Operated Water Reclamation Plant of the Year - Greater than 10MGD Non Discharging. – Loopers Wastewater Treatment Plant

GAWP is Georgia’s largest professional water and wastewater organization with more than 5,000 members involved in every aspect of water management and protection.

MISSION: Dalton Utilities will deliver the highest VALUE in service to our customers. Best Wishes To Our Retirees!

Ricky Johnson Customer Service Supervisor Utility Services February 9, 1987 - April 13, 2017

Randy Ertzberger Director of Communications and Technology Utility Services October 12, 2000 - March 28, 2017

Debbie Rodriguez Customer Service - Receptionist Utility Services January 14, 1999 - July 7, 2017

Danny Mathis Wastewater Operator Watershed Services August 30, 1997 - August 30, 2017

Cleary Goes Hollywood! From UFC Fight Judge to DirecTV Cameo Kingdom is a raw family drama set against the subculture of martial arts. So, how does Dalton Utilities’own Derek Cleary end up acting alongside Frank Grillo in the final episode?

Derek’s journey started when he was an eight-year-old practicing Karate. After a brief hiatus in his teens, Derek’s passion for the sport reignited when the very first Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) came out on video. Derek describes the UFC fight as “a little man fighting a bunch of larger men.” He had never seen anyone in this fighter’s weight class dominate on the mat and was instantly intrigued.

That is when Derek decided to take a stab at martial arts again. He started training and watching Jiu Jitsu with his lifelong friend, Andy Foster. Andy eventually became the Athletic Commissioner for the state of Georgia and later was named the Executive Director of the California Athletic Commission. (continued on next page)

Derek is shown at right with actor, Jonathan Tucker From UFC Fight Judge to DirecTV Cameo (continued)

Andy noticed Derek’s keen observation and analysis of the sport, so he suggested that Derek start judging matches at the local level. Derek initially was not interested, but Andy finally persuaded him to try it. Once he did it…, he was hooked. Derek started judging fights on the weekend: both amateur and professional. As the UFC continued to grow in popularity, the sport came to Atlanta in 2008. Derek worked three undercard fights on the UFC show and remembers being a nervous wreck, “I thought I knew what I was doing, but when you’re sitting in the judge’s seat, surrounded by fans and on television, YOUR calls have a whole new weight.. It’s a whole new ballgame.” When the UFC came back to Atlanta in 2012, Derek judged his first title fight, John Jones v. Rashad Evans.

After his friend Andy moved to California, he invited Derek out to judge several fights. Since California is a bigger platform for the UFC, Derek quickly became well known.. The Commission was very impressed with Derek and wanted to use his talents as a judge across the United States. Derek serves as a nonpartisan judge in UFC fights that are either high profile or controversial.

As for his role on Kingdom, Derek said that he was just in the right place at the right time. The show works with the California Athletic Commission to recruit fighters, judges, and referees lending authenticity to the show. The Commission’s Chief Inspector told Frank Grillo, the show’s star, about Derek, and he said he would like to meet him and possibly use him in the show. Derek, a huge fan, accepted the offer to appear in a fight scene as a judge. Although the show revolves around Mixed Martial Arts, there actually are not many fight scenes. At the heart, this is a show about family.

In the final episode, Derek appears as himself in a scene where the star of the show fights legend Matt Hughes. As for the acting lifestyle, Derek said that there are long hours of waiting around for the next shot and each scene was filmed two or three times. After the third fight scene was filmed, the actors and extras would have to have their makeup, prosthetics and fake blood reapplied.

Wait? Fake blood? Derek said during the filming of the final fight scene that he had more fake blood splattered on his shirt than actual blood during his entire judging career.

Derek said he could get used to life on set. “Everything was catered on set, from chewing-gum to just about anything you wanted to eat. It was an awesome experience,” he said. The fight scenes were filmed at Citizen’s Business Bank arena in Ontario, California. Derek has not seen the edited footage, so he is not sure if he will even appear on screen, but you will hear Derek poses for a photo op during filming with fighter Matt Hughes (left) his name announced as a judge. and actor Frank Grillo (right).

Derek is glad that he had this opportunity especially since it was recently announced that Kingdom would not be returning for a fourth season. It had nothing to do with viewership, the ratings were up, but DirecTV and the production company could not come to an agreement. We are hoping that another network will pick-up the show. Derek’s wife, Alexandrea, and his mom, Sandra, like watching the show, too!

Derek continues to judge fights on weekends. He will fly out Friday night, work a fight on Saturday, and is home by Sunday. It keeps him busy, but he loves it.

Tune in to see Derek tonight on Kingdom at 8 p.m. on the Audience Network, Channel 239 on DirecTV. Kingdom is also available on AT&T U-Verse or you can stream it directly on the DirecTV Now app available on Roku, Amazon Firestick, or Apple TV. Derek asked us to remind everyone that the show contains adult content so viewer discretion is advised. Electrical Department employee Jason Cox and his family were recently featured in the local newspaper, The Daily Citizen. By permission from The Daily Citizen, we are pleased to include this feature story in its entirety for all of you to enjoy.

Five for Father’s Day Festivities Celebrations continue for Cox family of Rocky Face BY SHAKA L. COBB

Througout the year there are plenty of celebrations in the Cox family. Birthdays, holidays and “Got Cha” day - the dayJason and Heather Cox of Rocky Face celebrate their three adopted children. Aubrey Cox, 12, said if it were not for her parents she wouldn’t have a home. “I was in foster care, but they adopted me. I’m just thankful to have a dad,” she said.

Heather Cox, 32, a special education teacher at Westside Elementary, said she and husband Jason always wanted a big family. After the couple had daughters Sydni, now 10, and Harlie, 7, they decided to become foster parents and adopt. Brothers Aaron, 8, and Charlie, 7, came to live with them through Lighthouse Foster Care in May 2013. Their adoption was final in June 2015.

“We were finished,” Heather Cox said. “Everything was great, we had two girls and boys, everything was perfect.” On Dec. 29, 2015, Heather Cox said she received a Facebook message from the boys’ biological mother informing her she had an older daughter in foster care. Heather Cox said the mother had relinquished her rights, as she did with the boys, and wanted her daughter in a good home. “I didn’t know what to do,” Heather Cox said. “I immediately called Jason.” Later that day Jason Cox, a lineman with Dalton Utilities, came home and the couple discussed the situation. In foster care, when a family is done taking in children they “close” their home. “I told her ‘I guess we’re going to have our house reopened,’” Jason Cox, 33, said. Heather Cox said, “I guess that’s a yes.” Heather Cox said she called Lighthouse informing them of their intentions to foster and eventually adopt Aubrey.

“The boys were shocked to learn they had a biological sister,” Heather Cox said. “They didn’t know she existed and she knew nothing about them.” Heather Cox said it wasn’t an easy process. Aubrey lived in an- other state. Heather Cox said Aubrey had been in foster care for almost five years, living in six different homes. “Moving across state lines with a kid from foster care was really hard,” she said. Many weekends the family drove to see Aubrey, staying in hotels for the weekend, until she was able to move in with them in April 2015. Aubrey was adopted last August.

The couple, high school sweethearts at Southeast Whitfield High School, recently celebrated their 14th wedding anniversary. Heather Cox said it was an adjustment going from two to four children. “When Charlie and Aaron first came to live with us they were developmentally delayed, not potty trained, and couldn’t use a fork or spoon,” she said. “Aaron was almost 5 and not potty trained, Charlie didn’t speak and when he did you couldn’t understand him.” She said trips to Wal-Mart required both parents be- cause the boys would run off. “It was rough for the first several months,” she said. Heather Cox said Aubrey’s behavior varied quite a bit. “It’s amazing what a family can do for a kid in foster care,” she said. Before coming to them, she said Aubrey was failing classes and not doing well socially. Now she’s an honor student and has friends.

Jason Cox said although they are open about the adoptions, everyone is treated the same. “One kid is just like the other, there is no sense in treating anyone different,” he said. He enjoys working in the yard and gardening with the children, traveling and camping. “We all go out in the yard and play, ride bikes, stomp through the woods, swim and really whatever they want to do,” he said. Charlie said he likes going on trips to Disney World and helping his dad pick up firewood. Aubrey loves his chocolate gravy. “It’s really good on biscuits or even sausage,” she said. Harlie thinks having lots of siblings is fun, especially when it comes to playing with baby dolls.

Jason Cox said there are no major plans for Father’s Day today, just staying home, swimming and enjoying each other’s company. Heather Cox calls her husband the “silent protector” of the family. “He’s like our glue, if anything happens and I’m falling to pieces, he’s the one to pick them up and make sure everything is OK,” she said. She said the family is blessed. “The children have come a million miles from where they were. Harlie and Sydni don’t remember being a family of four,” she said. Sydni said it’s “really fun having a bunch of siblings.” Asked what makes their dad special, she said, “He adopted three kids, he’s special because there are a lot of kids that don’t get to be adopted. I’m happy they are adopted because now I have three extra siblings.” New Arrivals Congratulations to all of the proud parents and adorable big brothers and big sisters of the newest additions to our DU Family! Watch for more new- borns to be featured in the next newsletter!

(Right) Kaylee Ray Bryant, born on March 7, 2017 to parents Karl and Christen Bryant and big borther Cameron (10). Little Kaylee weighed 5.7 lbs and was 17 3/4 inches at birth.

(Left) Charles Bennett Morrow, born on March 3, 2017 to Charlie and Becca Morrow and big sisters Lilly (6) and Andie (3). Little Bennett weighed 6 lbs & 13 oz and was 20 1/2 inches at birth.

(Right) Emerson Kate Mathis, born on March 9, 2017 to Chad Mathis and Deidra Pratt and big brother Aspen Kade (3). Little Emerson Kate weighed 7 lbs & 10 oz and was 20 1/2 inches at birth.

Molly Madison Smith, born on March 6, 2017 to Delilah Rose Timms, born on May 8, 2017 Addiline “Addi” Kate Torres, born on April Craig and Amy Smith and big brothers Mason to Zach and April Timms and and big sister 10, 2017 to Kevin and Karina Torres and (20) and Zach (5) and big sister Sarah (18). Jozie Kate (2). Baby Delilah weighed 6 lbs & big borther Kalvin Beckham “Beck” (3). Little Molly weighed 7.6 lbs and was 19 1/2 7 oz and was 19 1/2 inches at birth. Baby Addi weighed 6 1/2 lbs & and was 19 inches at birth. inches at birth. SMITH EARNS HER DOCTORATE Dr. Jerikka Lorente Smith, daughter of Jerry (Control Center) and Annette Smith has earned her doctorate degree in Physical Therapy from Alabama State University and was awarded her white coat to practice as a Licensed Doctor of Physical Therapy. She also received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from the University of West Georgia, and completed one year in the Sociology Masters Program at the university

While attending West Georgia, Dr. Smith participated in the Emerging Leaders Program, Blessed Sacrifice Dance Ministry, United Voices Gospel Choir, Women of Diversity, Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, Student Activities Council, Multicultural Achievement Program, Black Student Alliance, and is a member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated. Dr. Smith was recently honored by the Alumni Association at the University Of West Georgia as a 2016 honoree of successful young profession- als under thirty.

Dr. Smith is currently a licensed Physical Therapist for Emory Healthcare Rehabilitation in Fayetteville, Georgia.

HOT WEATHER Safety Tips

With the hot humid days of summer approaching, it is a great time to remind everyone about the dangers of heat stress. Following are some tips to keep you and your family safe this summer.

Symptoms of Heat Stress • Dizziness • Headache • Weakness • Rapid heartbeat • Nausea • Cramps

Treatment • Get the victim out of the sun • Lay the person down - elevating the feet slightly • Loosen clothing • Apply cool compresses

After slightly elevating a victim’s feet, give a conscious person cool water to drink - NEVER ICE WATER. This will cause the body tempera- ture to drop too quickly.

Watch the victim very carefully for confusion, delirium or elevated temperature. If these symptoms occur, call for medical help immediately.