Letter to the Editor
Editor,
On Friday, September 5, the residents of the Municipality of Meaford experienced a sever weather storm that created a number of difficulties for our residents. Many of us settled in for what looked like a dark, TV less evening due to a power outage.
My wife and I went through the standard procedure of digging out the candles, lighting them, picking our favourite cross word puzzle books and settling in to wait out the expected darkness. About 20 minutes after the power interruption we received a knock on our door. To our surprise and mild concern we were face to face with two OPP officers.
What we learned was a number of trees had blow down and were laying across the 7th line creating a danger for drivers. The officers asked if they could borrow our chain saw and some gas so they could clear the road of the fallen trees.
Right now you might be thinking; how did they know we had a chain saw, how did they know we would lend it to them. It’s because they did know us and they did know we had a chain saw and gas and they did know we would lend it to them.
Those officers were able to take quick action to eliminate the fallen tree danger before dark and it became a bigger safety hazard. That, in my opinion, went above and beyond their traditional roles “because” of their knowledge.
What allowed them to pick up that knowledge? Simply by living here within the municipality and getting to know people as a result of coaching our children, attending our church activities, supporting municipal events and shopping in our municipal businesses.
Something to think about!
Glen Tichbourne, Meaford
