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All In It Together

We all know that winter storms bring inconveniences that slow us down. That's why New Englanders were historically considered tough. Heavy snow made life difficult before the arrival of modern roads and snowplows. People saw to their own needs, while helping their neighbors. They felt proudly self-sufficient doing so.

Having worked for municipalities for much of my career, I am familiar with the response required when snowstorms and hurricanes hit. Public Works, Department of Transportation, utility companies, and contractors have to work all hours of the day and night to keep streets safe and accessible. The work isn't easy, and these workers deserve our thanks. Consider giving an appreciative wave when you see them at work.

Each storm is a unique event. Protocols have to be flexible. Resources are limited and priorities required to avoid chaos. A lot of planning goes into this.

I covered the administrative office of a local town hall after two destructive hurricanes. Phone calls from citizens were plentiful. While most were friendly, some were unnecessarily vicious. One person came in to accuse the town hall for his lack of electricity, and then left on vacation!

When bad weather hits, we are all in it together. It frustrates everyone. Unwarranted complaints against the people who are working hard to bring things back to normal can be very demoralizing. Punch a pillow instead.

We should also learn from our New England ancestors by preparing beforehand for short-term inconveniences.

Thanks go to Public Works. They are more appreciated than they know.

Dean JacquesChester