PIKE: Goodwin replaces Reed at the Sny Draining District
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By BETH ZUMWALT
Louis Goodwin
Mike Reed
The Sny Drainage District announced Tuesday morning Louis Goodwin is the new superintendent. Goodwin will replace Mike Reed who is retiring at the end of the month.
A 1999 graduate of West Pike High School, Goodwin has worked in the district since 2010.
Reed has offered to stay on to help get him acclimated to the job.
“I have no plans for any big changes right away,” Goodwin said. “I’d like to keep the Sny progressing with the times.”
Russ Koeller, one of the commissioners of the district, said Goodwin was a good fit.
“He has worked here for more than three years, is familiar with the district, was the manager of pump station one and has knowledge of our equipment,” Koeller said.
Goodwin will have big shoes to fill.
For the last numerous floods and other projects pertaining to the Mississippi River bottoms in Pike County and beyond, Sam Reed as been at the helm.
Reed came to the drainage district after a 20+ year stint at the Quincy Park Board, as executive.
“I thought it was time for a change,” Reed said of his career move. “I grew up in Hull and remembered the floods of 1965 and 1973. I thought I’d like to help with that type of project.”
Reed said the biggest problems facing the drainage districts today are the regulatory climate, which changes often and the financial situation.
“We have not raised the assessment in the district since 2008,” Reed said. “Compare the prices of 2008 with the prices of today. Fuel, which runs the pumps, is the districts biggest expense.”
The district did ask for a special assessment in 2008 to re-build pump houses, upgrade 73 miles of levee and some other high dollar items.
“It’s a real challenge,” Ree said. “Especially in years like 1993, 2008 and 2019, when there were major floods. Try fighting a flood in 2023 with the same amount of money you had in 2008.”
Reed says he will be available to help the new executive director. In his newly found free time, he plans to spend more time with his grandchildren at their games and events.
He also said he will continue to watch the river levels, but now more for entertainment, than concern.
