(Washington, DC) DC Department of Public Works (DPW) and District Department of Transportation (DDOT) employees, past employees, and their families turned out to support and compete in last Saturday's 5th Annual Equipment Roadeo at RFK Stadium. The competition involved DPW and DDOT employees testing their skills with various pieces of heavy road equipment, including snow plows, front-end loaders, and refuse trucks.

First and second place winners in each event are now eligible to compete in the American Public Works Association (APWA) Regional Equipment Roadeo in Chantilly, Va., May 20-22. The Roadeo is one of many events scheduled across the country during National Public Works Week, May 18-24.

At DC's Equipment Roadeo, each timed event comprised required elements, such as operating large vehicles through obstacle courses or completing a difficult mechanical task. Field judges scored each driver's performance based on the rules prescribed by APWA, including rigorous safety practices.

Awards were presented Saturday by DPW Director Leslie Hotaling and DDOT Director Dan Tangherlini. The award winners of the 2003 DPW/DDOT Equipment Roadeo are listed below:

APWA Sanctioned Events

Street Sweeper Event
1st Place - James Nabinett Jr, DPW
2nd Place - Willie Johnson, DPW

Six Wheel Snow Plow Event
1st Place - G. Anthony Wooten, III, DDOT (2002 2nd Place Winner)
2rd Place - Donald Ferrell, DDOT
3rd Place - Kevin Ross, DPW

Refuse Truck
1st Place - Paulette Redman, DPW
2nd Place - Norman Pleasant, DPW
3rd Place - James Lewis, III

Bucket Truck Event
1st Place - Devon Montgomery, DDOT (2002 1st Place Winner)
2nd Place - Donald Whalen, DDOT
3rd Place - Nathan Campbell, DDOT

Front-End Loader
1st Place - Jerry Moser, DPW
2nd Place - John McPhaul, DDOT (2002 1st Place Winner)
3rd Place - Willie Blade, DPW

Backhoe Event
1st Place - Danny Braswell, DPW

Exhibition Events (Local events not yet sanctioned by APWA)

Light Plow Event
1st Place - William Howland, EOM
2nd Place - Ronald Mitchell, DDOT
3rd Place - Harvey Faulk, DPW

Tow Crane Event
1st Place - Nathaniel Gorman, DPW
2nd Place - Craston Payne