No takers to be water plant operators

Walhalla has a practically new water treatment plant, but it can’t find replacement operators.  Scott Parris, the utilities director, told his mayor and council once the job responsibilities and the pay are explained to those who’ve answered job postings, they quickly lose interest.  As a result, partly due to retirements, the city’s staff of certified plant operators remains dangerously thin.  This was again the subject of worry at the meeting table of the city council.  Councilman Grant Keehn wondered last night whether a pipeline of operators could be created if operator courses were offered in the high schools and career center.