4.6.09
Orville Davidson to retire May 31
Orville Davidson plans to retire May 31 as public works director for the City of York (see World-Herald story below).
Orville is a lifetime member of the American Water Works Association. He received the Fuller Award in 1992.
Orville also was president and a house delegate of the American Public Works Association. He served as president of the League of Nebraska Municipalities Utilities Section from 1993-1994.
In addition, he served on the Board of Examiners for County Highway and Street Superintendents.
In retirement Orville plans to fish, travel and spend time with his family. He and his spouse, Sharon, have eight children, 21 grand children and nine great-grandchildren. In addition to Nebraska, some of their children live in Florida and Texas.
The Davidsons also have a cabin at Lake Love Well, KS, about 130 miles south of York, NE.
Orville's e-mail address: odavidson@cityofyork.net; phone: 402.363.2600
Omaha World-Herald
April 6, 2009
Official is leaving a legacy to build on
*York's Orville Davidson has been called the "best public works director in the state of Nebraska."
BY MELANIE WILKINSON
WORLD-HERALD NEWS SERVICE
YORK, Neb — Orville Davidson, who announced last week that he will retire on May 31, has overseen a long list of improvements during his more than 37 years as York's public works director.
Among those projects were the construction of the wastewater treatment plant, the public works facility, the library, the family aquatic center and the landfill; establishing current city offices; and relocating the airport.
"That's what I've enjoyed most," Davidson said. "Seeing the needs of the community go from the conceptual phase to design to the actual construction and completion of projects. That's been very rewarding."
It was Sept. 1, 1971, when Orville Davidson entered his new office as York's public works director.
His previous 15 years of working for the Nebraska Department of Roads had prepared him for his new endeavor, "but in some ways it was definitely daunting," Davidson said.
"It was really a broadening experience for me," he said, "because at that time, I had highway experience, but the job of public works director involved much more: working in water, sewer, the parks area, zoning, etc.
"It was all new to me. I guess for that part, it was a lot like on-the-job training."
Then in his 30s, the Gresham, Neb., native took to the task and became "the best public works director in the state of Nebraska," according to York City Administrator Jack Vavra.
Vavra said Davidson's work ethic, knowledge and passion for the job have had a lot to do with the successes seen in York.
"If you have a question, he has the answers," Vavra said. "Without him, we won't have that resource. It will be different.
"When someone with that much knowledge leaves — well, it makes a difference."
Davidson said he will miss his day-to-day association with the staff and residents.
"Back when I first started, I never imagined I'd be here all these years," Davidson said. "But I have enjoyed it immensely. It's been a great job — a great experience."
