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Storm brings out best in Town's residents
Neighbor helping neighbor. The oft-used phrase is certainly appropriate after the events that unfolded late last week in Cheektowaga and its villages. After 23 inches of heavy, wet snow crippled the area- plunging tens of thousands of residents into darkness- one didn't have to look very far to find acts of kindness.
Those fortunate to have electricity strung electrical cords across streets to share their power supply with neighbors. Their generosity helped some preserve food, have light by which to read, or to pump out flooded cellars.
Power tools were shared, whether they were generators or chainsaws. Neighbors helped clear their neighbors' driveways, and the elderly were looked after. Again, these examples of selfless generosity helped to avert dangerous situations.
Town police, fire and ambulance personnel- along with highway, sanitation and parks personnel- continue to respond to emergencies and cleanup duties. Their diligence has been much appreciated.
The Times has its own list of persons and businesses to thank for their assistance during the storm:
The staff of the Times, including our free-lancers, reporters, editor, publisher's assistant, sales staff and production manager who all went above and beyond the call of duty to do what needed to be done to publish a paper in spite of the storm and its damage.
AJ's Bar & Grill on Walden Avenue for allowing the publisher's assistant, Colleen Bellere, and the editor, John Hopkins, to park in their plowed parking lot the day after the storm.
Computer S.O.S. for coming to our rescue Monday morning despite their own storm-related problems. Our main business computer was not working, and Computer S.O.S. got us up and running.
To our neighbor Wayne Sherer and his sons, one of whom is Barry, owner of Sherer Heating and Air Conditioning Ltd., for cleaning up the fallen tree branches and limbs that landed near our office building. Thanks for being such great neighbors and for helping us clean up after the storm. It was greatly appreciated.
To Therese and Richard Cich of East Aurora. Our editor's sister and her husband allowed us use of their home and computer last weekend to get a jump-start on writing some of the stories that appear in today's edition. At the time we didn't know when or if power would be restored at the Times office. Thank you for your hospitality.
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