CHAPTER
NEWS
American Traffic Safety Services Association
24
ARIZONA
Chapter
Sept. 16
—The chapter meeting was held at the Maricopa County Flood Control Operations. An Arizona DOT
(ADOT) official said every highway except one (Hwy. 202) had cars floating on them at some point due to flooding.
Police said most of their resources were dedicated to keeping citizens with watercraft away from the flooded areas.
The meeting was well attended—in spite of the flooding—and Kevin Kottmer, of the Maricopa County DOT, provided
a presentation on its new manual in final draft form. Kottmer asked chapter members to review the manual and give
him comments. John Ledbetter, Jr. (Action Barricade), chapter president, reported on the ATSSA Midyear meeting
and the Chapter Presidents Council meeting.
Ron Jones (Trafficade Service Inc.), chapter secretary/committee chair, gave a Technical Issues report from the state
that included the 701 standard being addressed. Richard Moeur, ADOT traffic engineering manager, asked for
feedback on the standard drawings he has updated.
ARKANSAS
Chapter
Oct. 16
—The chapter meeting & golf tournament was held at The Country Club of Arkansas in Maumelle, Ark.
ATSSA Director of Government Relations Nate Smith updated the group about the department. ATSSA Associate
Director of Member Services Linda LaSut informed members of the new strategic goal, State Transportation Innovation
Council (STIC), the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the American Safety Services Foundation,
training and the changes in the chapter network (number of chapters existing and planned).
The golf tournament winning team included Ricky Williams (Time Striping), and Rob Odum, Ricky Stone and Todd
Melin (all of Ver-mac Inc.). Harold Townsend (Time Striping) had the long drive, and Odum had the closest to the pin.
CALIFORNIA
Chapter
Sept. 9
—The California Chapter’s Strategic Plan Task Force met at the Robinson Ranch in Santa Clarita, Calif.
Members developed the new mission statement and the strategic plan. Chapter President Tony Becker (Ennis-Flint) and
Chapter Board of Directors members Chip Sterndahl (Sterndahl Enterprises, Inc.), Joe Jeffrey (Road-Tech Safety
Services, Inc.) and Robert Chrisp (Chrisp Company) reviewed consolidated responses to previously completed
questionnaires and worked through new strategies and goals for the chapter.
CAROLINAS
Chapter
Oct. 9–10
—Chapter president, Dean Fowler (Stay Alert
Safety), expressed gratitude for member support at the
Hilton in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Artie Livingston (Magnolia
Advanced Materials Inc.) was named president-elect. Fowler
presented a plaque to Dan Lang (Ennis-Flint) in appreciation
for his service as chapter president. Ben Capel (Guardway
Corporation), gave a heartfelt presentation about the
American Traffic Safety Services Foundation.
ATSSA’s Associate Director of Government Relations
Robbie Wehagen updated members on the Highway Safety
Improvement Program (HSIP). Walker Barrett, from Rep.
Tom Rice’s office, presented the outlook for the Highway
Trust Fund. There is no new revenue available due to the
budget deficit, and the need to fix the national infrastructure
is recognized by all. The Federal Workers Pension was used
to fund the latest extension of MAP-21 to May 2015. The
need and hope is to pass a new highway bill by May 2015.
Chris Hartley, of the Federal Motor Carriers Safety
Association, spoke about the “Work Zone Initiative” and
how it is working with states to reduce accidents in work
zones with the primary focus on motor carrier vehicles.
Chris Howard, North Carolina DOT (NCDOT), provided a
report on pavement marking projects. Steve Kite, NCDOT,
gave a report on work zone requirement updates for N.C.,
