Although many will suffer the devastating effects of Hurricane Sandy for a long time, the brunt of the storm is now over.
I want to take a moment to thank those who selflessly worked on our behalf to do their best to provide safety and assistance during this terrifying event. Most everyone knows that a firefighter in Easton gave his life to protect others and Police, Firefighters, Emergency Responders, and their dispatchers throughout the county worked tirelessly and with no concern for their own safety during overwhelming conditions.
I was very grateful for the efforts of every member of our Public Works Department. Each one of these guys responded to the call and did a masterful job of clearing roads, cutting trees, and reducing water levels in neighborhoods. These men often risked their lives during the height of the storm and plodded through heavily flooded roads and tangles of trees and wires.
It is an insult to any of these dedicated men and women to compare them with the private sector. Most members of the private sector weathered the storm with their families and were there to protect them. Our public sector workers had to leave their families at home to fend for themselves and many went for days with no communication with them.
I hope our citizens and representatives will remember these selfless acts of courage and the immediate response to tphe call of duty by all of these public employees when it is time to pay them fairly.
Jim Gallagher
Fairfield
