Illinois Water Environment Association
NEWSLETTER
Volume 23, No. 3 - Fall 2002 page 2

.. from the Top

Chuck Corley
IWEA President

Third and One

Pardon the football analogy, but it's the season. Of my “Clarifier” articles as president, this is the Third and there is One to go. Thus, I'd better make good use of my time. There is a lot to present here but, as other presidents have learned, space and time are limited.

One thing that cannot go unmentioned is the recent WEFTEC 2002 in Chicago and the part played by our Local Arrangements Committee chaired by Greg Cargill. Surprising to no who knows him, Greg lead an effort that made a huge impression on the guests at WEFTEC and made the arrangements needed for a successful conference flawless. The committee of dedicated workers is no less responsible. To all, THANKS!

If you did not attend the 75th anniversary WEFTEC this year you missed a good one, if not the best one so far. Nearly 19,000 went through the turnstiles between September 28 and October 2. A record breaking 793 exhibitors crowded two halls in McCormick Place consuming 201,540 square feet of space and was recognized as the most successful show there this year! No wonder WEF intends to make Chicago one of their future homes-away-from-home.

Greg Brunst was, by vote of the Executive Committee, appointed October 2, 2002 Director 2004 to fill the un-expired term of George Stevens. George chose to retire and, without question, we all must thank him for his many year's of service to the water pollution profession in Illinois in capacities too numerous to list in this small space. WEF and we will, as I stated in my letter to WEF Executive Director Bill Betera, “miss his counsel and presence on the Board of Directors”.

By the time you read this, our “conference season” will have wound down. Didn't know IWEA had a conference season? Guess again. November is the traditional time for the Collection Systems Conference in Matteson and the Industrial Treatment Dinner Meeting in Lombard. Laura McGovern and Greg Brunst co-chair the former and Tony Bouchard chairs the latter. All must be praised for the success of this and prior year's events. What season would be complete without a third major conference? Ours is not, since the addition of the “Plant Operations Seminar” in Bloomington in 2002. This much awaited event was attended by over fifty at the Interstate Center and was chaired by Tom Conway whose vice-chair is Kathy Cooper. Thanks to these tireless committee chairs and committee members for their good works.

Other news of note is our evolving web site, the success for which we credit Mary Johnson, in no small way. Your committee updates and announcements are always welcome. It's a tool we are relying on more and more. Check it regularly at IWEAsite.org.

WEF is, as always, in the midst of a membership drive as are we. Recruitment is the heartbeat of our future success and viability. Want to join in the fun? See the WEF web site and look for “membership benefits” and “contest”. Prizes are awarded by WEF. IWEA membership recruiters, on the other hand, will receive their award in whatever place you perceive as heaven, for now at least.

Looking ahead to the post-holiday season, and why not? The IWEA Government Affairs Conference is set for Lisle-Naperville January 15, 2003. Jay Patel and committee, in concert with CSWEA are putting together the program as you read this, for this oft imitated but never duplicated event.

It is not too soon to consider the 2003 WEF regional meeting for all Member Associations. The locations and time have been set. Closest to Illinois are meetings in Little Rock, Arkansas March 6 - 8 and Dearborn, Michigan May 1-3. Check WEF.org or IWEAsite.org for the schedule and location details.