Page 3 - Mississippi 811 Magazine 2022 Issue 2

from the desk of
Sam Johnson
Welcome to another issue of the Mississippi 811 magazine. A special thanks to those of you who tell us you look forward to receiving the magazine. Many of the articles you now read are the result of your input. We appreciate your feedback! Let us know how we can better serve you.
It seems hard to believe, but the 2022 Mississippi Damage Prevention Summit is just around the corner. This year, we’re returning to the IP Casino Resort in Biloxi. You need to mark your calendar for November 2 – 4, 2022. Once again, the Summit will focus on the enforcement section of our dig law. Additionally, we’ll have many new technical sessions and networking opportunities that makes this a must attend event. To register early go to www.mississippi. damagepreventionsummit.com. I hope to see you there!
Congratulations to JD Cox with Northcentral Electric... who has been chosen as our Damage Prevention Champion this issue. Check out the article highlighting his accomplishments and commitment to protecting underground facilities. We’ve learned
that when we protect our underground infrastructure, we protect our citizens and that’s what damage prevention is all about.
Also, in this issue is an article that will be the first in a brief series of articles about a broadband project that soon begin in Coahoma County. With the concerns about the increased volume of work in our state, there are discussions revolving around the need for developing a “large project” ticket. It is our intention to follow this project to gauge the commitment to utility coordination and the power of communication. Perhaps we gain some insight on how we need to proceed in Mississippi. We hope you’ll follow the project in our magazine and that we’ll all benefit from lessons learned.
Finally, check out the “811 Emergency Report.” This is a national report that began circulating earlier this year. Whether you agree with the report or not, it raises some valid issues that must be addressed. It is a report that was underwritten by national associations representing both the utility excavator and utility locator. Basically, the report points out unnecessary costs of late locates and excavator wait times. In the next issue, we’ll take a deeper dive at their assessments of the issues in Mississippi and their recommendations for solving the issues.
I’ve said for years, it is not a problem that one side can fix. Let’s see if all stakeholders can come together again to raise the level of accountability in Mississippi. We’ve certainly done it before and I’m convinced, we’ll do it again.
If it gets better in Mississippi, it is up to us to make it happen! And the goal is zero injuries and zero damages!
If not us, who? And if not now, when?
Sam Johnson
President Mississippi 811
2022, Issue 2
Mississippi 811 • 1