This is in responce to an article I read about the Garrett County comissioners thanking the Allegany County employees for all their help after Hurricane Sandy. I think they missed an opportunity to thank all of those who were there, not just the county crews.
They failed to mention that the National Guard was there, many utility crews from all over the state and so were the Maryland State Highway employees. Maryland State Highway is divided up by county, therefore Garrett County has its crews, Allegany County has its crews and so on, because Allegany County, for the most part, was spared during the storm.
The Allegany County branch of the Maryland State Highway Administration was sent to help the Garrett County crews. They not only assisted the state crews but they also plowed the Garrett County roads, and on a few instances were called upon to pull out National Guard vehicles that were unable to navigate in the deep, wet snow.
I know what some folks will say: ”That’s their job” or “That’s what they get paid for.” That is true, but they are no different then those who responded to help in New York and New Jersey — of course they get paid and yes, it is their job, but what I want to commend them for is the attitude and the real reason all of those who helped did all they did.
They knew there were people who needed help and they answered that call for help as best they could. I guess you might say I am a little biased; my husband works for Maryland State Highway and was one of those sent to work in Garrett County. All of those working put in long hours and because no place was open and it was very difficult to even find a place to get a hot meal during their shifts but that didn’t matter they just kept plowing snow and pushing trees, etc ...
Every night my husband told me how bad he felt for all those still without power and heat and for some that were probably getting low on food. On the Saturday after the storm, the SHA asked for volunteers to go back to Garrett County and help continue the clean up; my husband was one of many who returned to help. They were not required to go but they wanted to help all they could. My daughter lives in Friendsville and was one of those who lost power for over a week.
My son-in-law was one of those plowing the snow-covered roads, so she, just like me was alone for most of the storm and for the week or so after ... but that’s OK, because we knew that the jobs our husbands were doing were far more important than them being home during that time.
So, in closing, let me say that I thank all who responded, the Maryland State Highway, both the Allegany and Garrett County roads crews, the National Guard, the many utility crews from all over and to anyone else that went to help, not because it was your job or that you got paid but because you really believe in neighbor helping neighbor.
Hopefully, we here in Allegany County will never need the help of those county or state crews from Garrett County, but I am sure if we do that they too will answer the call for help not because it’s their job but because they truly care. I hope everyone has a very blessed holiday season and thank you again.
Cynthia Dolly
Oldtown
Letters
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