By Terra Avilla
If you are able to read this today on your computer, tablet or phone, its most likely because that electronic device is charged or connected to a power source. As such, the reason we are able to have that power source is because we have a team of amazing individuals working for our power company that help “keep the lights” on.
Living in Susanville for the past seven years I have grown accustomed to the notion that, sometimes, the power is going to go out.
When that happens, people are going to run to the casino for fuel, IGA for food and SusanvilleStuff for updates. However, I also have grown accustomed to the fact that I know, our LMUD lineman are working on the issue and like true heroes will save the day.
Before living in Susanville, I had no idea what a lineman did, or the inherent dangers of their job. And if you asked me to name one person that worked for our local company, I one-hundred percent would not be able to name a single employee.
However, the benefit of living in our cherished Lassen County is that I, as well as many of you, could name several of our local power company employees. They are friends, family and neighbors.
Last week when the power first went out I was one of those individuals going to IGA. Inside I saw one of the most cherished LMUD lineman, Adam Hull.
I was aggressively joking with him to “get to work” so that my Air Conditioning would work in the middle of the store. Well, as it would so happen, he was buying copious amounts of water and energy drinks, so he and his crew, could in fact, do that. They were called in to work an unknown amount of hours through the night in the fire zone, so that our community could have power.
They literally were entering the area where the fire was around them, the air was saturated with smoke, to help our community. The respect I have for them is unreal.
And it’s not just them that makes LMUD great. One of my all-time favorite people works for them in their office, Theresa Phillips. That woman is an angel and should be protected at all costs. She does a great job for their company, but also for our community.
LMUD works around the year to build relationships with their patrons, not to make money, but to make relationships. They give back to various organizations and community events.
I know we are always so appreciative of them when the power is out, and lines are down, but really, they deserve praise and recognition every day of the year. The hearts at that company are what make it so great, and one of the reasons, I love the place we live.
