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Yahoo
a day ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Ready for a challenge: Waynesville's new public works director rolls up his sleeves
Jun. 30—The timing was less than ideal: Waynesville was hunting for a new public works director at the same time Helene had ravaged the town's infrastructure. While most would be put off by the massive public works to-do list Helene left behind, it was just the job Ricky Bourne had been looking for. Bourne would often visit the Waynesville area to ride his motorcycle on the Blue Ridge Parkway and recharge from his work as a public works director in the mountains of western Virginia — and he loved it here. Waynesville's former public works director Jeff Hines had announced his retirement before Helene hit, but the job post didn't go live until after Helene. Bourne knew the challenges Waynesville faced — an estimated $3 million in damages and repairs to public facilities. But the challenge was part of the appeal when he applied for the position last October. "After hearing about the damage, that is what drew me here to help the community," Bourne said. "I knew it was going to be a long-term effort for sure. There will be an impact to utilities for years to come. A storm like that always has long-standing impacts." In addition to making sure the trash gets picked up, the water and sewer services work, the lights stay on and potholes are filled, the town's public works department is aiming to complete five major Helene-related projects, hopefully by the end of the year. The total bill for those projects, which is expected to be reimbursed by FEMA, is estimated at around $1.5 million. That list includes two water pump stations that need foundation and roof repairs, and stabilization of a steep slope near the public works building on the backside of the town's Green Hill Historic Cemetery that was damaged by the storm. "When the storm hit, it made a huge slide come off," Bourne said Another major project is a culvert replacement on Wildcat Mountain Road that was washed out by flood waters, which Bourne described as a "large" project. "Due to the scope of the work, we are going to have to dig about 20 feet deep and ... put in an approximately six-foot storm water pipe," Bourne said. "There will be some engineering involved with that." The town's finance department and Fire Station 2 building was heavily damaged by Helene, and the town has to also make repairs to a portion of the parking lot at the facility. A stormwater pipe running underneath the parking lot was compromised and must be replaced. "There is a six-foot pipe that goes underneath that entire parking lot," Bourne said. "The parking lot got undermined, and that pipe is settling. The parking lot will have to be dug up, and it (the pipe) will have to be repaired or replaced." New deputies Bourne intends his department to develop a strategic plan that he said will be more than just "a piece of paper on the wall." "It will be an annual plan which has goals and objectives listed inside of that," Bourne said. "Each division will know what to aim for. By setting goals and accomplishing objectives, we create value." Bourne is also putting his own stamp on the department with the recent hiring of two deputy directors. Hutch Reese is the new deputy director for operations, while Laura Yonkers will be the deputy responsible for the town's sustainability efforts and other tasks. Reese is a former supervisor at the now closed paper mill in Canton and retired U.S. Army warrant officer with experience in construction engineering, field crew supervision and major infrastructure projects. Bounce said Reese's private sector will benefit "strategic growth and operational improvement in public works." Yonkers is a Hendersonville native and a licensed civil engineer with 26 years of experience. He's returning home to WNC from his role managing the stormwater division for Indian River County in Florida. Yonkers will be responsible for "sustainability and administrative functions" and will "oversee all water and wastewater resources divisions and the electrical distribution division within the department," Bourne said. Bourne said the town received more than 50 applications for the two positions. "I have been in this for 25 years and that is incredible," Bourne said. "Around 10 to 12 of those applications were very well qualified candidates." Working his way up Bourne brings over two decades of experience to Waynesville, most in the public works arena. He was the public works director in Alleghany County, Va., before Waynesville. He had previously been the director of public works in Christiansburg, Va., after working his way up. Bourne started at the bottom as a concrete laborer in Christiansburg in 2001 and then was promoted to pump station maintenance. The next step was becoming the assistant director of public works before being tapped to lead the department in 2012. He left four years later to become the public works director in Marshville. "I worked myself up through the ranks there," Bourne said of his time in his hometown. "Public works is the backbone of any community. Public works is less seen than the police and fire departments but is just as equally as important. Without public works services, you can't have a functioning town. Of course, I am biased on that end." Public works has around 80 employees and Bourne described the staff as dedicated with years of experience. He also praised town leaders for providing the department with modern equipment. "I understand the responsibility that comes with leadership and am committed to continuously earning the trust and respect of those I lead," Bourne said. "I am grateful for the opportunity that Waynesville has given me to lead such a diverse and experienced team."
CTV News
17-06-2025
- Automotive
- CTV News
Stellantis marks 100 years in Canada with centennial celebration in Windsor
Stellantis Canada is celebrating a century of operations in the country, marking 100 years to the day since Chrysler Canada was incorporated in Windsor, Ont., on June 17, 1925. To honour the milestone, the company will host a special Family Day event on Sunday, June 22 at the Windsor Assembly Plant for employees, retirees and their families. A public car show, organized by Cars & Coffee Windsor, will also take place along Chrysler Centre Road beginning at 9 a.m., with proceeds supporting the Canadian Transportation Museum and Heritage Village. 'As we celebrate a century of operations here in Canada, we are incredibly proud of our legacy,' said Jeff Hines, president and CEO of Stellantis Canada. 'We have evolved from our humble beginnings in 1925 with just 181 employees and 4,500 vehicles built, to nearly 9,000 current employees and 440 dealers coast to coast, having built more than 25 million vehicles.' Founded just 11 days after Chrysler Corporation was established in Detroit, officials say the Canadian arm has played a key role in shaping the national and international automotive landscape. 'Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this journey,' Hines added. 'Here's to the next 100 years!' Special signage highlighting the company's Canadian roots and customer loyalty — with the tagline 'You didn't just ride along. You drove us.' — will be unveiled around the plant as part of the celebrations. The Chrysler brand is also marking the occasion with the launch of the assembled-in-Windsor 2026 Chrysler Pacifica 100th Anniversary Edition, available for order starting this month. The vehicle features unique styling elements and comes in gas or plug-in hybrid powertrains, starting at $59,190 in Canada. Earlier this month, on the day of Chrysler's centennial, Stellantis COO of the Americas Antonio Filosa visited the Windsor Assembly Plant to commemorate the occasion with employees. 'Today, we recognize and honour Walter P. Chrysler's vision that has led to a full century of innovation, engineering excellence, and beautiful design, all at an accessible price,' Filosa told employees. 'This isn't a milestone we've reached on our own - it's a credit to every worker that came before us, every dealership, every family that chose us.' Stellantis anniversary Stellantis COO of the Americas Antonio Filosa (centre), Chrysler Brand CEO Chris Feuell (centre left) and Windsor Assembly Plant Manager Dave Bellaire join Windsor Assembly Plant employees to celebrate Chrysler's 100th anniversary on June 6, 2025. (Source: Stellantis) During the June 6 visit, Filosa joined Chrysler Brand CEO Chris Feuell in unveiling a commemorative mural created by a Windsor employee. Workers marked the celebration by signing the mural and adding thumbprints. 'Each one of us can take great pride in having a role in the company's legacy,' Filosa said. 'Together, we've contributed to a century of bold ideas, iconic vehicles and unforgettable moments. 'And we're not done yet,' he added. 'We will continue to carry forward our founder Walter P. Chrysler's vision of leading with new innovations, engineering excellence and continued investment in the future.' Stellantis Canada currently operates major manufacturing facilities in Windsor, Brampton, and Etobicoke, as well as a research and development centre in Windsor — home to the soon-to-be-launched Stellantis North America Battery Technology Centre. The company is also part of NextStar Energy, a joint venture with LG Energy Solution, developing Canada's first large-scale lithium-ion battery production facility in Windsor.
Globe and Mail
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- Globe and Mail
Stellantis pausing Windsor production of 2026 Dodge Charger R/T over tariffs
Stellantis NV STLA-N says it will postpone production of the 2026 Dodge Charger R/T at its Windsor assembly plant because of the U.S. tariffs on Canadian-made cars. The company said in a statement there will be no impact on jobs at the plant, which employs 3,800 hourly workers and also makes minivans. The Charger R/T is the base model of the electric muscle car, which the factory began making last year. There are still plans to make other versions of the electric sedan in Windsor, Stellantis said in a statement. The carmaker said it is assessing the impacts of the U.S. tariffs. The Windsor Assembly plant was closed for two weeks in April, shortly after the 25-per-cent tariffs were enacted, and will see rolling production cuts and layoffs through to July. The Franco-Dutch automaker has also postponed the addition of a third production shift until next year. Canadian Industry Minister Melanie Joly told reporters she had spoken on Thursday to Stellantis North American chief executive officer Jeff Hines, who she said had assured her that all the automaker's jobs Canada would be maintained. Stellantis's Brampton assembly plant, which used to make the Dodge muscle cars, has been shut down since late 2023 to be retooled for Jeeps. However, the company has paused the work amid tariff uncertainty and a sales shift away from electric cars. Stellantis on Wednesday said it will spend US$388-million building a parts distribution facility near Detroit. With files from Canadian Press, Reuters
CBC
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- CBC
Joly says Stellantis CEO told her ‘all jobs' in Canada would be protected
Innovation, Science and Industry Minister Mélanie Joly says she spoke with Jeff Hines, the CEO of Stellantis's North American operations, Thursday morning and was assured that Canadian vehicle manufacturing jobs would be protected and the 'conditions of workers would remain the same.' Her comments follow news that the automaker is delaying production of the Ontario-made Dodge Charger because of U.S. tariffs.
