5/1/06

April 25, 2006

Steve Morrison, President

OWEA 

870 High Street

Suite 15

Worthington, Ohio 43085

Dear Mr. Morrison:

On April 10, 2006 at an OTCO Trustee Executive Session, it was decided to develop a

Resolution Committee to come up with an acceptable solution to ongoing problems

between the OWEA Executive Committee and the OTCO Director.  On April 17 at the

OTCO Trustee’s Meeting, the Resolution Committee proposed a position that is acceptable,

to Curtis and the OTCO Trustees, to resolve the situation with OWEA. A motion was made

and approved as follows:

The Board of Trustees of the Operator Training Committee of Ohio has found it

necessary to place the Ohio Water Environment Association (OWEA) on probation

for a period of three years for what is perceived by the OTCO Trustees as unethical

and dishonest behavior.

As part of this action the present Wastewater Trustees will remain on the OTCO Board,

as representatives of the wastewater field, in their respective geographic districts and

one at large representative.

After a 24 month cooling off period conditions will be presented for reinstatement.

After the 36 month probationary period OWEA can then apply for reinstatement to the

OTCO Board.

This probation is intended to remove the Director from the current hostile work environment,

while allowing him to move on to the business of OTCO.  It is the Trustee’s desire that we can

reach reinstatement at the end of the probationary period.  As President of the OTCO Trustees

Board, feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Sincerely;

James L. Norris, President

OTCO Board of Trustees

cc:       OTCO Board of Trustees

            Tony Kohler, Ohio Section American Water Works Association

            Kevin Strang, Ohio Rural Water Association

            J. Nick Baird, Ohio Department of Health

            Mike Baker, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency

            Christina Ritchey Wilson, Ohio Environmental Health Association

            Barb Nichols, Ohio Department of Education

     -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PLEASE NOTE: The former five (5) OWEA OTCO Trustees unanimously agreed on

April 17, 2006, to become OTCO Wastewater Trustee representing the wastewater

operator profession.

     -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The five (5) Wastewater Trustee and the rest of the Board of Trustees will to design, develop, and

deliver training for wastewater operators.

curtis@ohiowater.org

11/30/05

"Recent events resulted in a period of discord between OWEA and OTCO.  The boards of

both organizations have agreed to work together to promote harmony between the groups

by putting aside past events and reflecting positive images of our counterparts.  As part of

this process, we are making available the letters that provided the impetus for this move to

a more positive relationship between our organizations (click here to view).  We ask, in the

interest of improved relations, that all members of each organization follow our boards’ lead

to enhance the profession of water and wastewater operators in the state of Ohio."

Karen Hawkins

OTCO Board President

8/29/05

Due to misinformation in recent publications, for clarification, click here to view the

documentation  terminating the agreement between OWEA and OTCO. Please note all

data was returned prior to termination & payment.

Respectfully,

Curtis L. Truss Jr.

OTCO Executive Director

6/27/05

Due to inconsistent information from OWEA, we have returned all OWEA contact hour data we

received on June 2, 2005, unprocessed. OTCO has always been committed to assisting

operators with their educational needs since 1947.

We will continue to serve the 7,100 operators who use the OTCO Student Transcript for their

Ohio EPA operator certification renewal.

Respectfully,

Curtis L. Truss Jr.

OTCO Executive Director

6/20/05

On 6/2/05, OTCO's Curtis L. Truss Jr. met with OWEA's Mark Livengood. The following events

were transferred to OTCO:

   1) OWEA Government Affairs Workshop. 2/28/05

   2) NWOWEA Section meeting, 3/16/05.

   3) SWOWEA Section meeting, 3/17/05.

   4) NWOWEA Lab Analyst meeting, 4/6/05.

   5) NWOWEA Operations workshop, 4/28/05.

   6) OWEA Watershed Workshop, 5/4/05.

   7) OWEA Collections Workshop, 5/5/05.

   8) NWOWEA Section meeting, 5/18/05.

   9) SWOWEA Section meeting, 5/19/05.

Prior and during transfer, OTCO notified OWEA of a final transaction that need to take place

before processing can begin. As of 6/20/05, this transaction has not been executed.