OpinionFebruary 20, 2008
Speak Out 2/20/08
Weathering the storm; Lots of good effort; Guardian angels; Best specifications; Storm rubbernecking; Excellent job; Stealing wood; Endless hours; South Cape drugs; Efforts appreciated; Excellent job; Look it up; Lighting the fire; Vulnerable citizens
Weathering the storm
I LIVE in Jackson, and we were hit with the worst ice storm I've ever seen, and I'm 54 years old. I've been through a few of them, but nothing like this. I remember an ice storm when I was a young boy, but nothing like what I've seen here. I admire the power company guys, the cable guys, our phone people and all utility people who have worked so hard to restore power and communications and heat to our little town. My hat's off to them. They worked hard around the clock to restore power. We were without power for almost four days. My wife is disabled, and on the second day we saw we weren't going to get power. I told her, "Honey, we've got to get you out of here, we have no heat and you've got to get where there's some heat." I finally talked her into going to her mom's house. She didn't want to leave because she was worried about the dogs. We have three little dogs and two goldfish, and she was worried about them.
Lots of good effort
I WOULD like to thank Black River Electric Coop, the Missouri Department of Transportation and the Missouri Department of Conservation for their work during the ice storm. Black River worked 24/7 trying to get everyone's power back while listening to the many who didn't have a clue what to do. MoDOT crews were out Monday night cutting trees and clearing roads while others trees and limbs were still falling. The Department of Conservation sent six dozers and a handful of sawing crews into our county to assist clearing the gravel roads so people could get out and the power company could get in. Thanks, guys.
Guardian angels
THOSE OF us who took refuge from the cold and ice at the Red Cross warming center and shelter in the school cafeteria at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Jackson are grateful for the care we received. Special thanks to Sherri Brethold, health and safety service director for the Southeast Missouri chapter of the Red Cross; Stacy with the Red Cross; Angel Engelen, a licensed practical nurse with a local doctor's office; Jennifer Davis with the Missouri Division of Children's Services; unnamed volunteers and those donating food. God bless you all for being our guardian angels.
Best specifications
I RETIRED as a civil engineer and moved to Cape Girardeau to be close to my family. It isn't important to me if county roads are paved, but there is a lot of false information being spread about chip and seal and asphalt. Depending on the specifications, chip and seal can be an excellent product. The best chip and seal will beat the worst asphalt job. The same can be said between asphalt and concrete. There is as much difference within the product as there is between products. The question shouldn't be about the product but the specifications.
Storm rubbernecking
I'D LIKE to comment about people driving around my Jackson neighborhood the days after the big ice storm. Your curiosity hampered our cleanup efforts as well as making it difficult for utility trucks to restore our power. Your rubbernecking and insensitivity could have been forgiven had you stopped and offered to help. All of you who felt it necessary to sightsee and hamper restoration efforts should be ashamed.
Excellent job
THANKS TO all of the road crews and the people working to restore electricity. The road crews did an excellent job. I think the electric guys are doing the best they can for the amount they had to handle. Good job, everyone, and thanks.
Stealing wood
SHAME ON whoever took the wood on Missouri Street at my sister and brother-in-law's house. My husband worked all day Friday cutting that wood up for them and to keep his workshop warm. He left the wood there in faith that no one would steal it. When he went to pick it up today, he realized only about a third of what he cut up was left.
Receive Daily Headlines FREESign up today!
Endless hours
THE ICE is melting, and the power is coming back. Let's not forget the people who have worked endless hours without breaks or sleep to get us back on our feet. With all the extra trash and limbs, it will be many days of long hours before their work is complete. We should offer them our thanks and a hot cup of coffee to keep them going.
South Cape drugs
IT IS a shame what south Cape Girardeau has become. If you are a criminal, it is a haven. While the drug task force is busy busting white-collar pill pushers in other areas, south Cape has crack dealers offering curbside service. Getting a police officer to south Cape is harder than winning the lottery. Can't find a place to park while picking up your crack? Park in the middle of the street or in someone else's driveway.
Efforts appreciated
MANY THANKS to all of the utility, road and tree-trimming crews that have worked long hours in the bitter cold to get things back up and running for us. I know you have listened to many people complain because everyone thinks their situation is much more important than anyone else's. You have, along with others not mentioned, gone above and beyond, and it is greatly appreciated. Thanks again.
Excellent job
THANKS TO all our utility workers for the excellent job getting our power back up and running.
Look it up
IT MAY not say anything about baseball in the Constitution, but it does say something about it in the Bible. In fact, the Bible starts right off with "In the big inning."
Lighting the fire
SOME OF the Chaffee mayor's supporters were door knocking with a petition in support of keeping her as mayor. It seems to me that she keeps lighting the fire instead of letting it burn out.
Vulnerable citizens
I WOULD like to thank the officers of the Chaffee Police Department and our fire department for their work in the elderly housing area during the blackout. They went door to door checking on and assisting our elderly citizens. While we were safe indoors, they were out assisting our most vulnerable citizens. Thank you.
Story Tags
Connect with the Southeast Missourian Newsroom:
For corrections to this story or other insights for the editor, click here. To submit a letter to the editor, click here. To learn about the Southeast Missourian’s AI Policy, click here.
Related
OpinionDec. 12
Advertisement
Receive Daily Headlines FREESign up today!
