14 September 04
To all those who helped maintain order after Hurricane Frances:
It's been a week since she finally left. The cleanup still continues. I would like to take the time to thank everyone who worked diligently trying to maintain order amongst the chaos.
First, I would like to extend my thanks and gratitude to the newscasters--both on the TV and the radio. Without them, we would have been clueless when power failed. Thanks to the simulcast radio and TV stations had. Many stayed through the night instead of going home. They put aside their own worries to keep the community in the know.
The day after the storm, hundreds of thousands of people were without power. Many of them went out to area restaurants and fast food places in hopes they could get a hot bite to eat. That meant added traffic along the already darkened intersections. I saw so many county sheriffs out directing traffic. It was comforting to see. I wanted to stop and thank every one of them but knew that would just cause problems. Despite the stupidity of many a driver, the sheriffs still managed to keep things under control. Thank you sheriffs!
Most of us experienced power outages throughout the area. Some are still without it, now a week later. We must remember that those linesmen out there sacrificed their own home cleanup in order to work 12 hour days. They brought linesman from Georgia to help with the recovery efforts. I cannot believe that someone was so selfish and arrogant that they had to spray paint "Power Nazi" on the side of the Clay Electric Building in Orange Park. You just have to ignore the idiocy of one person and revel in the fact that so many out there thank you for your work.
We also had the shelter workers. Even though most of us did not have to use the shelters, they were there, open and available. They stayed open as long as they could to provide necessary shelter for those in medical need, those who lost their home because a tree fell on it, or those who just wanted a nice cool place to stay while their power was being fixed. The shelter workers are a needed commodity in times like this. Thank you too.
And then you have the neighbors and tree service personnel. I saw so many people outside with a chainsaws cutting up the trees that fell in the yards and on the streets. It didn't matter if the tree was yours. If you had a chainsaw and some free time, you were out there helping.
I am sure I have left out many. You just don't realize who and what you take for granted until the time comes when you are without. I want to step out and give a big hug and a thank you to everyone who was out there helping. You deserve it!