ATSSA The Signal Nov/Dec 2019

The Signal | November/December 2019 13 Government Relations members include co-chair Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) andRep. Dan Lipinski (D-Ill.). Also contributing to the caucus is former congressman Lou Barletta, who at one time owned a roadway striping company, was a strong advocate for investment in our roadways during his time in Congress as well. Tom Winterberg, a longtime ATSSA member and secretary of the Govern- ment Relations Committee, shared insight on his experience serving as a member of the Upper Moreland Town- ship Republican Committee. “Involvement in local politics is fulfilling since you get to meet your local elected officials and work with them to improve our community. I have been fortunate enough tomeet state and federal officials in this capacity also. We, as members of ATSSA, need to make sure we are there for legislators as the experts in this field to guide them and help them make the right decisions at the right time,” Winterberg said. For Neal Moon, his experience in the roadway safety infrastructure indus- try and as an ATSSA member was trans- formative when he was elected as the mayor of Mountainburg, Arkansas. “Two years after retirement, I realized I needed a purpose and reason to get up and go to work at something. So I ran for and was elected mayor of our small town of Mountainburg. Due tomy involvement with ATSSA and contacts at the Arkansas Department of Trans- portation, I was quickly able to acquire a grant to repave all of our city streets,” said Moon, who was also able to get additional signage, guardrail, and pave- ment markings in areas across the town to improve roadway safety. Ron Sims, former ATSSA Boardmember, current ATSS Foundation Boardmember, and ATSSA Gulf Coast Chapter president- elect, has served as a Ward 2 Alderman inHazlehurst, Mississippi for three terms. Using his expertise in roadway safety infrastructure, Sims has worked with his city’s transportation department to ensure that the correct roadway devices are being utilized and has used his knowledge in the industry to share information that advances roadway safety in his community. “What I would like to recommend to ATSSA’smembers about advocacy is that youmust take part in theCapitol Hill visits and training. It was truly eye-opening to me on how we can influence others to make our roadways safer,” said Sims. ATSSA’s Legislative Briefing & Fly-In conference held every year in Wash- ington, D.C. is a unique opportunity for ATSSA members to meet high-level policymakers, as well as interact with senators, congressmen, and hear from department of transportation officials. In 2020, it will be on April 22–23.  For more information on getting involved in ATSSA’s advocacy efforts, contact Bell at david. bell@atssa.com.