Like many Kosciusko County residents, my electrical service fell victim to the freezing rain on Friday morning, Dec. 19th. To be quite honest, I hate being without electricity in my home. I admit it, I'm spoiled. I miss not being able to check my e-mail, watch TV, keep the house warm, read with the lights on, have a fully functioning toilet and a host of other electrically driven conveniences we have all come to expect. I guess I would not have made a very good pioneer.Yet with all kidding aside, I am so thankful for the "linemen," tree-trimming crews and many other support staff who worked so hard and long to restore power to our area. I work second shift at my job so I get home rather late. I called my wife about 10 p.m. to find out if I could start looking forward to the luxury of a hot shower once I arrived home or have to settle for the indignity of a "sponge bath." Unfortunately, she said I should plan for the latter. Yet when I drove in my driveway a little after midnight, a REMC truck was just leaving. I noticed a light in the living room window ... and it wasn't an oil lamp. Sweet!
It doesn't take a math major to realize that the lineman driving away from my home at that late hour had more than likely been on the job for 17 hours. That's a long day ... and his shift may not have been over yet. Then when you factor in the working conditions ... the treacherous footing, the ice and snow everywhere and on everything, working in the cold and dark ... and especially working with enough electricity where one minor lapse in judgment could end your life, all I can say is "Wow." What an effort! Thanks to everyone involved. Well done. You are much appreciated.
I realize than some REMC and NIPSCO customers did not have their power restored as quickly as others did. Yet when considering the magnitude of the damage from that particular ice storm, I trust that you will still join me in thanking all those who went to bat for all of us during that challenging time. Yes, it may have been their job, but I don't think anyone can argue with how hard they worked for us. To everyone involved, thanks for your great effort.
