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Editorial: Short days, long nights, determined people

February 01, 2009

As Danville, Boyle County and central Kentucky creep from beneath the ice that has crippled us for the past week, some pats on the back are in order.

First, we have been impressed with the spirit of our community. Neighbors have helped neighbors, from those next door to those across town and county. Businesses have helped residents by opening their doors in the most trying of circumstances. Co-workers have looked out for each other, sharing rides and meals and even living space when necessary. Organizations have formed volunteer efforts to get food and other important items to those in need. Churches and other facilities have opened their doors to give shelter.

Our local government has been equally impressive. City and county officials have worked together like never before to make sure services are restored as soon as possible and that those most in danger have a place to go. In Boyle County, local government has conducted meetings every four hours, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., to coordinate efforts and report progress. They have opened these meetings to the media, doing everything within their power to see that important information gets to the public.

Police, fire, emergency medical services and National Guard units have again stepped up. These public servants are accustomed to dangerous and unpredictable situations, long hours and sometimes thankless, frustrating duty. We can never express to them enough our appreciation for their commitment.

Speaking of dangerous duty, our thanks go to the utility workers and county road crews who have bravely traveled our byways and scanned our power lines inch-by-inch, clearing the way for us to emerge, trying desperately to restore our light and heat. Theirs may be the toughest job of all, for we are likely to become impatient for their assistance.

Our hats are off as well to our local radio stations. In Danville, Charlie Perry and company on WRNZ 105.1 FM have been relentless in their efforts to keep people informed, take their calls and questions, send help their way or just keep them company. We're sure they will never know how important a familiar voice has been for thousands of people hunkered down in their homes for days or moving about in their vehicles for the first time.

And we would be remiss if we failed to publicly thank our own employees. Those who could, showed up every day, very early, and worked in a cold, dark building on computers and under lights hooked to a generator so we could get as much information as possible both online and in print. Others took the product to Winchester so it could be printed, waited for it and brought it back so that still others could brave the cold to deliver as many as possible. They, too, returned to homes without power and families needing them there as well. We are proud of their efforts, all of them, in whatever way they contributed.

For days, thousands of us have lived in what we deem a primitive fashion much of the time, perhaps huddled with family and pets in a single room next to a wood stove or kerosene heater. We have looked outside during daylight hours to see crumpled trees piled in our yards and on our streets, and - after the all-too-early arrival of sunset - into the pitch black, bitter cold.

It has been miserable. But we have done it together, people helping people, the way God intended.

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