The Mitchell County Board of Commissioners honored local power company employees at a meeting last week in recognition of National Linemen Appreciation Day, which will be Friday.
Board Chairman Jeff Harding praised the speed with which area line workers got the electricity turned back on after Hurricane Helene (downgraded to a tropical storm after slowing down over land), noting that the effort required many of them to spend long hours away from their families for months.
“I think we all realize ... the sacrifice of this group,” Harding said.
County Manager Allen Cook said the line workers were essential to getting Mitchell County back on its feet after the catastrophic storm damage last fall.
“You all came in there day one, you’re up in there on poles and the wind’s blowing … and it’s something that we really appreciate,” Cook said.
Firefighter appreciation
The board also voted to name May 3 as Mitchell County Fireman Appreciation Day.
“We appreciate those that are out there on the front lines,” Cook said before reading the official proclamation.
The commissioners also approved resolutions recognizing April 13-19 as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week and April as Child Abuse Awareness Month.
“Our telecommunicators get the first call many times,” Cook said. “And their job is very stressful; they’re working with folks in dire situations.
Cook noted that members of the public may notice some buildings are lit up in blue light this month; this is a measure to remind people of the ongoing problem of child abuse.
Senior legislature
Norma Duncan of the North Carolina Senior Tar Heel Legislature gave a presentation on a recent meeting in Raleigh.
Duncan said that the Senior Legislature is hoping the state will pass legislation providing funding for an ombudsman to ensure high-quality care for people in long-term care facilities, and improving nursing home staffing standards.
Duncan also praised the county’s efforts in storm recovery.
“I want to thank each of you for the great job that you have done,” she said. “I was removed from my home and taken to my daughter’s home and for three months, I lived there. But every day at noon, I listened to the radio. And David Bixby and … Bruce Ikard were absolutely awesome in bringing us up-to-date.”