Jim Hunter
Citrus County Public Information Officer

Two Citrus County Solid Waste heavy-equipment operators have proven they are some of the best in the state.

Eric Heath and Harold Gravely, two Solid Waste employees at the landfill, recently won awards in the statewide competition.

It was the second year in a row that two Citrus County Solid Waste employees were in the top awards at state competition held each spring. Last year, two other employess were in the top awards.

The Florida Chapter of the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) held its 2010 "Road-e-o" at the St. Johns County Fairgrounds from April 30 to May 1. Heath and Graverly competed in events that included classroom testing, as well as display of their heavy equipment operation skills.

Eric Health participated in the bulldozer competition and finished second, while Harold Gravely finished third in the frontend loader competition. The contestants have to exhibit pinpoint safe control of their machines in the competition to win.

The event is designed to showcase the skills of the employees who work in the solid waste industry behind the scenes every day to maximize resources used in disposal of the community’s constant stream of solid waste.

The rodeo also gives those front-line employees in the solid waste management, which includes truck drivers, heavy equipment operators and mechanics – not only the opportunity for training but also the chance to learn through networking with their peers from other counties.

Citrus County Director of Solid Waste Casey Stephens said, “We’re really proud of their accomplishment. It just shows again that we have highly motivated and skilled employees doing a good job at something that is so important to the community.”

Last year's winners:

• Click here