Respect those in cold

Winter weather warnings, ice accumulation, school closings.

I thought I might have left a lot of this behind when I relocated from the Chicago area.

Friday morning my wife was able to hear the familiar “I hate winter” as I walked through the house looking out the windows.

I’m sure she hoped never to hear that statement from me again.

I was known for saying it, multiple times a day, throughout the long winter season.

The weather reminded me also that not everyone can stay inside and warm during a winter storm.

Police officers, firefighters and paramedics, public works employees, mail carriers, utility workers.

Feel free to add those professions I may have missed.

These are men and women who can’t just stay indoors when the weather turns brutal.

So this is just a little reminder to show a little appreciation for the people whose job it is to brave the elements on behalf of the rest of us.

It could be an accident or a fire, these types of incidents never take a holiday.

First responders are always on the job, going where they are needed, no matter the weather.

Public services continue to function as well.

Removing snow and ice, delivering mail even when the weather turns dangerous.

Furnaces don’t break down when it’s 80 degrees outside and when ice brings down a power line, crews can’t wait for spring to fix it.

By the way, newspaper carriers are out there too.

Let all these folks know you appreciate them.

Stay warm, but show a little respect for those out in the cold on our behalf.

On another note, the response for the article Setting the Record Straight has been phenomenal.

The article which focused on an interview with Kennett resident, Jake McKuin in rebuttal over the “Dying Town” story featured in the Chronicle paper, elicited a lot of feedback.

It was all much appreciated and exemplifies the kind of dialogue we at the DDD strive to initiate.

I would like to see more suggestions on how to fix some of the issues that were identified and welcome your letters.

Remember the saying, if we focus on the problems, the problems increase. If we focus on the solutions, the problems go away.

See you out there.