Extra hours get Hillsboro through the storm
Staff writer
City crews and volunteers put in extra hours to get Hillsboro back in power and clean up streets.
According to city manager Steve Garrett, crews worked through the night Tuesday, Jan. 4, and well after 5 p.m. Wed., Jan. 5, to get the electricity running.
Other city crews started the next morning with heavy equipment and working by hand to remove branches, limbs, and debris making sure streets were passable.
"They're a dedicated bunch," said Garrett. "They really fell in and did what needed to be done."
While electrical crews and other city workers tried to get power back on, office personnel stayed after hours to answer phones and let the community know what was happening.
"Everybody really met the challenge," said Garrett. "They're my heroes right now."
In addition to city workers, the employees of Rod's Tires were out early volunteering their help.
They had planned an early employee meeting, according to Rod Koons, owner of Rod's Tire, and since there wasn't power, they decided to clear away the branches in their own yards.
"After that, they just kept going," said Koons.
The group saw a need and decided to take care of it, using chain saws to cut up large branches and making piles for city pickup.
"We just went out to do it to give back to the community, and help the elderly and shut- ins," said Koons. "It was fun, and we were tired at the end of the day."
Although Hillsboro's storm wasn't as bad as in some other areas, Garrett says the damage could have been worse.
"City workers have been clearing away limbs and branches from around lines all year. They were prepared," said Garrett.
Garrett says the city will have crews out this week picking up limbs left by the curb and plans to leave the brush dump gate unlocked for the rest of the week and through the weekend.
