Trending
I would like to take this time to tip my hat to the Street, Sanitation, and Water Department workers of the City of Elkins.
They keep Elkins going. Patching and paving, to cleaning the streets. Fixing a waterline (ever patch a waterline?). Clean-ups after the Fireman and Grand Feature parades during the Forest Festival. Leaf pick-pick up during the fall.
Getting up before the rooster on a cold winter's morning to plow the streets and side roads. Overtime when a project is needed to be complete by the next day. The Sanitation Department picks up old couches to TV sets to old tires. Dinner is whenever you get home.
Did I mention that sometimes they don't have enough workers to complete a typical day or other projects that need completed? It's not a typical eight-hour day for these workers... it's more.
A few years ago, on a winter evening, I came out of City Hall from a City Council meeting. Looking up the street I could see the safety light flashing from one of the city trucks. There was a waterline break in front of one of the local banks.
The Water Department crew was called out with temperatures floating in the 20s (maybe even colder) to try and repair the line. The Water Department then alerts the media of a boil water advisory. The line was fixed in the early morning hours. The next day, the Street Department patched the road and sidewalk until spring, when they could properly pave it.
In a recent article in The Inter-Mountain concerning the workers, Operations Manager Michael Kesecker stated the numbers of workers were down in the Water, Street and Sanitation Departments. The reason? The pay... not enough.
These folks should not be considered last on the list when it comes to raises. These men deserve more than just a bump in pay for the reasons I listed above. Yes, it is a job to them but, it is also done with pride. When a project is completed, they know that Elkins shines just a little bit brighter.
With an increase in pay, you will get the workers you need and a work crew that feels appreciated.
God bless the City Police and firemen. God bless the office workers at City Hall. God bless the City Council, and the mayor and his staff. But... please don't forget those workers in the trenches.
To them... again, I tip my hat to you.
Clark Martin
Elkins