Below is a press release from the Mississippi Department of Transportation:
The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) held its annual Equipment Operators Roadeo at its District 3 office in Yazoo City on Thursday, April 20.
“Everything we do is geared towards improving safety for the traveling public. Roadeos give our frontline workers an opportunity to improve and enhance the techniques and skills they use on the job,” said Commissioner Willie Simmons, Central Transportation District. “These are the same frontline workers that left the safety of their homes, some with damaged property, to clear roadways following tornadoes in the Rolling Fork and Silver City area. I greatly appreciate their dedication to keep our highways safe.”
Focusing on efficiency and skill, MDOT’s roadeos provide employees with an opportunity to display their mastery of vehicle handling, trailer maneuvering and heavy equipment precision. The event and judging criteria provide feedback and help operators evaluate their strengths and challenges. Operators improve techniques and learn new skills while engaging in some friendly competition.
District 3 Roadeo events and winners are as follows:
Lowboy: First Place – Alfred “Dean” Jackson; Second Place –Derrick Stamps; Third Place – Adam Martin.
Single-Axle Dump Truck: First Place – Derrick Stamps; Second Place – Broadus “BJ” Stephens; Third Place – Timothy “Fluffy” McMillan.
Tandem-Axle Dump Truck: First Place – Alfred “Dean” Jackson; Second Place – Derrick Stamps; Third Place –Jesse “Grocery” McCullum.
Backhoe: First Place – Melvin Taylor; Second Place – Robert Lewis; Third Place – Kenyone Williams.
Motor Grader: First Place – Adam Martin; Second Place – Sanford Randle; Third Place – Alfred “Dean” Jackson.
Bushhog: First Place –James “T-Man” Harmon; Second Place – Herbert “Peety” Brown; Third Place – Alfred “Dean” Jackson.
Winners are left to right in each photo. Also pictured in each photo are MDOT Chief Engineer Brian Ratliff (far left) and District 3 Engineer Earl Glenn (far right).
The top two winners from each event advance to the state finals. At the state competition, winners from all six districts will compete and a state champion will be crowned.
