I finally got tired of looking (and driving around) a fallen pine tree blocking one of the lanes on Angola Beach Road. I decided enough time had passed that perhaps DelDOT could put it on its list of the several thousand fallen trees it was trying to clear across the county, thinking they'd get to it maybe in several days, probably (realistically) a week or two, or more. So I filled out a report on DelDOT’s website, then called the number it also listed to report concerning road hazards. I spoke with a nice lady, and she took the information and explained there were a lot of downed trees out there, but they would do their best to get to that one. I thanked her, and went to continue my own cleanup operation from the storm. About an hour or maybe a bit more, I drove out of Bay Pointe, and was stunned to see the tree had been cut up and shoved to the side of the road.
All of us complain about DelDOT, just as we complain about any utility, it being part of a hallowed tradition of the American way. But I have learned over the years that as often as not, a problem is not addressed because everyone assumes somebody else called it in, or assumes the utility knows about it but is moving slowly as usual in solving the problem.
So, here's to that nice lady and the DelDOT workers who outperformed my expectation. You folks never get thanked, so here's my personal thanks, for what it's worth.
-
A letter to the editor expresses a reader's opinion and, as such, is not reflective of the editorial opinions of this newspaper.
To submit a letter to the editor for publishing, send an email to viewpoints@capegazette.com. All letters are considered at the discretion of the newsroom and published as space allows. Due to the large volume of submissions, we cannot acknowledge receipt of each submission. Letters must include a phone number and address for verification. Keep letters to 400 words or fewer. We reserve the right to edit for content or length. Letters should be responsive to issues addressed in the Cape Gazette rather than content from other publications or media. Letters should focus on local issues, not national topics or personalities. Only one letter per author will be published every 30 days regarding a particular topic. Authors may submit a second letter within that time period if it pertains to a different issue. Letters may not be critical of personalities or specific businesses. Criticism of public figures is permissible. Endorsement letters for political candidates are no longer accepted. Letters must be the author’s original work, and may not be generated by artificial intelligence tools. Templates, form letters and letters containing language similar to other submissions will not be published.
