By Debbie Adams
Four members of the Vinton Public Works Department, Andrew Critcher, Jason Davison, Chris
Lawhorn, and Billy Robb, competed in the Mid-Atlantic APWA (American Public Works
Association) WRX “Roadeo” at the Berglund Center in Roanoke on May 1. They were invited to
participate after placing at the Southwest Virginia Public Works Academy Equipment Rodeo at
the Berglund Center on April 10.
who placed at the Southwest Virginia Public Works Academy Equipment rodeo in early April
were invited to compete in the Mid-Atlantic regional “Roadeo.” Pictured left to right are Jason
Davison, Andrew Critcher, Chris Lawhorn, and Billy Robb. (photos by Debbie Adams)
At the most recent event, hosted by Roanoke City, representatives from Public Works
Departments across the Mid-Atlantic states competed on snowplow, backhoe, front-end loader,
automated refuse truck, rear load refuse truck, knuckleboom, street sweeper, mini-excavator,
zero-turn mower, CDL skills and line truck.
According to Roanoke Stormwater Utility Manager Ian Shaw, the regional equipment rodeo
alternates between several states and comes to Roanoke about once every five or six years. It
gives Public Works employees the chance to compete to see who is the fastest and/or most
skilled in the use of a variety of equipment.
Shaw said that Public Works employees are the “unsung heroes” of local government and that
Public Works is the “backbone of our infrastructure.”
As for the results:
Chris Lawhorn won second place in Zero Turn Mower in the Mid-Atlantic region. Jason Davison won second place in the Bucket Truck competition and third in
Knuckleboom.
Billy Robb won third place in Bucket Truck.
Zero Turn Mower.
Mid-Atlantic region in Knuckleboom.
The next step is the Public Works Expo in Atlanta in September.
The event also included a “Touch a Truck” event for local school children and an awards
luncheon.
