Monday, September 21, 2009

EVERYDAY HEROES IN OUR EMPLOY

Every once in a while, we get to witness the DPW crews performing some of their expected tasks. Friday, I stumbled upon the storm drain vacuum crew digging away on Andrew Street. You cant help but hear the machine in action when that shoot is poking around the drains.

Here you'll see just what is clogging this storm drain. Tree roots. There's no limit to what you'll find in one of thes
e, but when organic destruction like this plays a significant part in the continued repair cycle, you begin to understand why we visit them so often.

Eric Wiley and Louie Palen managed to scrape this one clean, but I know there is no end to the repair list that's waiting for them. My hat is off to the unsung heroes that keep this city working in every department.


May you all survive this next budget crisis.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wiley just got a promotion.
Good for him. He deserves it.

Anonymous said...

Schupp has been reworking the department. He's found the need to "clean house" in every corner. Managing personnel who generally fight with each other, during a time of economic uncertainty, must be frustrating.
Best of luck Mikie.

Anonymous said...

Speaking of Mike Schupp, don't you think we should be practicing the city charter and hiring people that actually LIVE in OUR community? Schupp lives in Highland and the charter says ALL employees have to live within 10 mile radius. Why are we not up holding the charter in Schupp's case? is he here to do the Mayor's bidding?

Anonymous said...

He better wait until the Mayors budget comes out Friday. The Mayor is going to clean house for him.

Anonymous said...

CSEA will never allow its members to watch criminals. Criminals picking up bagged leaves on the surface looks like a no brainer. Lets ask some questions first.

Who will be driving the trucks that are picking up the leaves?

Will there be a deputy with them at all times?

Is the City going to supply them with gloves, coats, raingear, and training?

What other work is the Mayor talking about getting done when the crews are freed up?
DPW does a great job at leaf removal let them continue to do it.

Anonymous said...

Now we are going to use prison labor to replace these guys? Sottile must have went to China with Ward Todd.

Anonymous said...

let's think about using inmates for a minute,having them walk up and down city streets picking up leaves is not a good idea in my opinion,but we see them every winter cleaning snow from the street corners.why not have them clean the storm drains of leaves,put more trash cans in public areas and let them empty them etc.I'm sure there is something they can do to help around the city,but i think it needs a little more planning and the honchos at dpw should be the ones to make the call as to what and where they can help without taking work from our own.We do pay for inmates via taxes,so let's get something back.Btw,wasn't it the idea of a local man to try this out,why, yes it was,MR.LENNY WALKER

Anonymous said...

4:50 thats community service you see doing that work. With crime on the rise now we need cops on the streets and criminals behind bars. If we have extra police to watch criminals outside of the jail and not enough cops on the street to stop crime, what does that say to you.

Anonymous said...

The City ordinance says the property owner must clean their sidewalks?

Anonymous said...

Mayor Gallo hated Schupp because he was a sneaky little dude. I understand Mike continues this practice currently, he will learn a hard lesson that he has entered a virtual snake pitt that is hard to control and I dont think Mike has the heart or stomach for it.Time is gonna tell 'cause he is making some enemies very quickly.

Anonymous said...

What's with the signs in Broadway underpass about not proceeding if water above what line?