HCWA Celebrates Third Annual Citizen Academy Graduates
A baker’s dozen citizens completed the 2024 Henry County Water Authority (HCWA) Citizen Academy recently, enjoying a summer filled with classroom lessons and facility tours, which provided them with an overview of the utility’s operations, while meeting the water professionals who serve them daily.
The 13 participants in the 2024 HCWA Citizen Academy completed six sessions that included three evening classes titled: “Where does my water comes from,” “HCWA planning and operations,” and “How to become a water advocate.” In addition, the local citizens enjoyed VIP tours of the Authority’s Cubihatcha Outdoor Education Center, Indian Creek Water Reclamation Facility, and Tussahaw Water Treatment Plant, which was awarded the “Plant of the Year” in Georgia this summer by the Georgia Association of Water Professionals (GAWP).
The goal of the HCWA Citizen Academy is for Henry County residents who are HCWA customers to learn where their water comes from, how the Authority operates, the value of water, why it’s important for them to become advocates for water conservation and environmental stewardship, and more.
The HCWA Citizen Academy was an idea created by Authority General Manager Tony Carnell, following his participation in a similar citizen academy program hosted by the Henry County Fire Department.
“When I went through the citizen academy with the fire department years ago, I was amazed at what all went on behind the scenes, especially as it relates to water use, water pressure, fire hydrants, and more, and I got a lot out of their program,” says Carnell.
Fast forward to 2021, when Carnell took over the leadership of the Authority from retired HCWA General Manager Lindy Farmer, and the HCWA Citizen Academy was born.
“After the experience I had participating in the fire department’s citizen academy, I wanted to bring that same type of up-close look at the Authority to our customers, so they could see all that we do and become advocates for us and our work in the community,” adds Carnell.
Carnell noted the work of Lindsey Sanders, HCWA Communications and Regulatory Coordinator, helped make the first HCWA Citizen Academy possible in 2022, adding that the program continues to gain momentum and grow in popularity each year.
“When citizens complete the academy, they walk away with a different understanding and appreciation for the water industry,” says Sanders. “All the participants this year gave the academy a rating of 10 out of 10, which encourages us to keep sharing our passion for what we do with future citizens.”
The 2024 graduates of the HCWA Citizen Academy include:
* Melissa Ellis
* Nicole Hill
* Sandy Honeycutt
* Al Hooker
* Beth Hooper
* Heath Hooper
* Sheree Jamerson
* Edward Jamerson
* Julia Kerce
* Paul Morel
* Teresa Morel
* Cheryl Prowell
* Shannon Sagnot
For photo galleries of this year’s Citizen Academy, please visit our website here.
Captions for photos (top to bottom)
1. The 2024 Graduates of the HCWA Citizen Academy include (left to right): Cheryl Prowell, Al Hooker (back row), Lindsey Sanders, HCWA Communications and Regulatory Coordinator and Citizen Academy organizer, Julia Kerce, Sheree Jamerson, Paul Morel, Teresa Morel, Nicole Hill, Shannan Sagnot, Melissa Ellis, Sandy Honeycutt, Beth Hooper, Heath Hooper, Edward Jamerson, and Tony Carnell, HCWA General Manager.
2. HCWA Citizen Academy participants enjoy a hayride tour of the Cubihatcha Center. Pictured are (clockwise from front left): Lindsey Sanders, HCWA Communications and Regulatory Coordinator, Al Hooker, Edward Jamerson, Cheryl Prowell, Beth Hooper, and Heath Hooper. Leading the tour is HCWA Naturalist Lorenzo Bennett, driving the tractor.
3. HCWA Citizen Academy participants enjoy a tour of the Indian Creek Water Reclamation Facility.
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Media contact: Chris Wood, Ph.D.
P: 770-757-1681
E: chris@jwapr.com or john.wood@gcsu.edu