Trash Talk: Local operators finish top in the state

by Jed Tate
San Juan County Landfill Manager
Two employees of the San Juan County Landfill earned top honors at a recent competition, including grand champion Kurt Lowe.
On June 17, the State of Utah Beehive Chapter of Solid Waste Association of North America held a competition for landfill equipment operators for the entire state at the Caterpillar Training facility in West Valley. It was a competitive event with operators from every landfill and transfer station in Utah.
There were four operator categories: dozer, loader, excavator, and landfill compactor. San Juan County Landfill manager Jed Tate was the dozer judge.
After Kurt Lowe and Steve Barr competed in the event, San Juan County became “San Won County”. Lowe was the grand champion of the competition with first place as dozer operator and loader operator, second as excavator operator, and fifth as landfill compactor operator. His overall scores made him the all-around champion.
The win qualifies Kurt for the national operator competition.
Steve Barr also did very well and placed fourth in the loader operator competition.
We are proud of our employees for competing and representing the county so well. Its great to know we have competent quality employees. Great big congratulations to both Kurt and Steve. If you see them, congratulate them. Way to go guys!