Equipment operator Rome Hernandez of the Carrollton streets and drainage department competes in the forklift rodeo.

Equipment operators in the municipal public works department in Carrollton have again defeated their counterparts from the city of Farmers Branch in the forklift portion of a competitive rodeo.

The event pitted forklift operators against a timed obstacle course that included a 10-foot hoop through which contestants needed to drop a basketball for a score. Other competitions involved precision dozer and dump truck driving.

"Every year they make the course more difficult," notes Lori Davis, administrative support supervisor for the Carrollton public works department.

This third annual equipment rodeo was part of the city of Carrollton's observation of national public works week (17-23 May) and was held at Standridge Stadium on 20 May. As part of an open house, employees from several Carrollton departments were present to answer questions about the municipal business units and their services.