THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, March 30, 1995 TAG: 9503280083
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Cover story
SOURCE: BY SCOTT McCASKEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 138 lines
LEWIS JORDAN LIKES to call himself the ``head garbage man.''
And Jordan lives up to his self-given title.
When he became Norfolk's superintendent of Solid Waste Management in 1992, one of the first things he did was to suit up in coveralls and get on the back of a garbage truck for a full day in the thick of it.
``I wanted to see the job firsthand and what the working conditions were,'' he explained. ``I wanted to let the men know I'm not too good to get in there with them.''
Jordan said there used to be a stigma on being a garbage man, but he wants to make his employees proud of what they do.
``It's not anything dishonorable, and it's a service most citizens generally appreciate,'' he said.
The hands-on, ``take pride in your job'' attitude has made the boss an effective public servant, according to his workers.
To Floyd Thompson, a refuge collector for four years, Jordan is a motivator.
``He empowers you and ups your self-esteem,'' Thompson said. ``It used to be that you couldn't talk to management without worrying about getting fired. But Mr. Jordan changed that. He let it be known that he's available to everyone.''
Joe Jackson, a senior refuse collector of 20 years, said that he has seen superintendents come and go but never anyone like Jordan.
``The guy has broken the mold at solid waste,'' Jackson said. ``In a lot of civil service jobs all you have to do is show up. But he makes sure everyone is productive and gives the city a good day's work.''
In 2 1/2 years at the helm, the head garbage man has helped the city to clean up its act in a cost-efficient manner. He implemented a job cross-training program that enabled the work force to be more productive. He has overseen the implementation of containerized collection. The 90-gallon receptacles require once-a-week pickup as opposed to three times a week in the old system.
``It was a national trend, and I could see what other people were doing right,'' Jordan said. ``The neighborhood looks better, and it helps control our costs. The dogs and cats can't get into them as easily, either.''
One of his more visible programs was shifting garbage collection from day to night in downtown Norfolk. Truck-caused traffic congestion and unsightly mounds of trash during business hours had merchants and members of the Downtown Norfolk Council looking for a solution. In late 1993, Jordan initiated after-dark pickup, which eliminated both problems.
``I think working with Lewis was the most effective experience I've had with anyone in city government,'' said Cathy Coleman, the council's executive director.
One of the superintendent's highest priorities has been to establish a line of communication with the public. He spoke to 37 civic leagues last year.
For Eloise LaBeau, president of the Norfolk Federation of Civic Leagues, Jordan has been very accessible.
``He comes to our civic league meetings and rides with us in the PACE van on neighborhood sweeps,'' LaBeau said. ``I called him about an old refrigerator that had been on the curb in Estabrook for several weeks, and it was gone that afternoon.''
Jordan, 45, says public service is in his blood. His grandfather was Norfolk's fire chief in the early 1960s, and his mother worked for the police department. From 1973 to '85, Jordan ran the city's parking administration. He left for a short time to go into the residential building supply business.
``I hated it in the private sector,'' he said. ``It didn't make any difference who sold R.G. Moore his windows and doors. I had to get back in public service, and when the position came available in solid waste I went for it.''
The head garbage man has a sense of humor that fits well with running the city's trash detail. The ``Nasty Boys'' is an outfit he organized to participate in the Doo Dah Parade. Jordan, collectors and city officials strut in orange coveralls and beat on trash-can lids. The group has taken first place in the parade's non-commercial category for the last two years.
``He's been great for morale,'' said John Keifer, public works director and Jordan's boss. ``Lewis has a unique combination of leadership ability, communication skills and a good education.''
Jordan has a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Virginia and a master's degree in public administration from Old Dominion University.
But life is not all work for the superintendent. Though divorced, he still takes the opportunity to frequently see his sons Andy, 16, and Christopher, 13, who live with their mother in Portsmouth's Churchland area. The three share considerable time on the basketball court. Jordan is a basketball coach for a recreational league in Churchland. Andy and Christopher both have played in the league.
``I'm a basketball junkie,'' Jordan said. ``But they wrote that story `White Men Can't Jump' for me.''
A Norfolk native, Jordan left the city three years ago to take care of his parents in Virginia Beach. He said he is very attentive to the needs of his folks but admits he doesn't necessarily bring his job home with him.
``My room's a disaster area sometimes,'' he said, ``but I do obey all the city's garbage rules.''
The City of Norfolk is cleaner now than it was in past years, according to Jordan. Containerization and people taking more pride in the appearance of their property are the primary reasons.
``You can tell by just riding around,'' he said. ``There's the Adopt A Street program, the Clean Community Commission and neighborhood cleanups. It's a community effort.''
Feedback from his collectors plays a big part in keeping the city tidy.
``There's a great deal of difference by neighborhood,'' Jordan explained. ``There's the type of trash and the density and the weight. The guys let us know what method to use. Some places you can get in with the one-man, fully automated truck. Other times, it requires one man behind the wheel and one out back.''
Despite progress, keeping a clean municipal face has its obstacles. The superintendent cites a citywide shortage of resources as the biggest problem.
``I'd like to have the money to replace some vehicular equipment and provide team bonuses to the collectors,'' he explained. ``But money's tight everywhere.''
There's also the perennial violator. While most businesses maintain a clean frontage, residential problems persist. People who let garbage accumulate or put out their trash on a whim and let it sit for days are targeted by the head garbage man and his troops.
``If we get reports of repeat violations, we won't hesitate to send them a $25 ticket in the mail,'' Jordan said. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos by CHRISTOPHER REDDICK
Lewis Jordan, Norfolk's ``Head Garbage Man,'' goes over some
paperwork with management analyst Donnie Tuck, left.
Jordan, Norfolk's Superintendent of Solid Waste, greets Floyd
Thompson, a refuse truck driver, after they came out of a meeting.
Jordan talks to Norfolk's refuse employees about the new budget the
city has appropriated to the Solid Waste department.
Jordan, Norfolk's superintendent of Solid Waste, greets Floyd
Thompson, a refuse truck driver, after they came out of a meeting.
by CNB