Page 6 - Mississippi 811 Magazine 2022 Issue 1

Damage Prevention Tom m y Jones
Mississippi 811 has established an awards program to celebrate the successes of our members as well as those in the larger damage prevention community. One such award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated dedication, commitment and innovation to damage prevention, safety and partnership.
This issue recognizes Tommy Jones, Lamar County Road Manager. He oversees the construction and maintenance of approximately 1100 miles of roads throughout the county and 82 people it takes to keep things
running smoothly for the County. He has worked for Lamar County for 10 years this coming March and most of that time as Road Manager.
Tommy is a regular attendee of Mississippi’s Damage Prevention Summit. He not only attends, but also participates. Part of maintaining his roads is protecting his ditches, slopes and foundations. About five years
ago at a Damage Prevention Summit in Tunica, Tommy came away with
an idea of how to better protect his roads which in turn would save Lamar County money.
The conversation went something like this. Most excavators call 811 before
they dig. Unfortunately, not all do.
In that case, not only could county residents’ services be disrupted but also county road bases, ditch slopes and flowlines could be negatively impacted. Subsequently, Tommy proposed the idea for a county-wide digging permit, it was approved and implemented.
Tommy said, “It was not designed to punish anybody but was implemented for the benefit of the county residents, the county and the excavator. Basically, we drive the roads and when we see digging, we will stop. We’ll ask for the 811 ticket and permit. If the excavator doesn’t have them both, the job is shut down until the paperwork is in place.”
4 • Mississippi 811 2022, Issue 1
Tommy Jones (left) receives the Damage Prevention Champion Award from Charles Stallings, Mississippi 811.