Public Works employees deserve a big hand

It has been a long, cold winter in Chicagoland, especially in the suburbs. Although the majority of the snow didn’t start until March, public works employees in all cities, especially Des Plaines, have been working incredibly long and strenuous hours to keep residents safe and happy.

From snow plowing streets to fixing broken water mains, members of Public Works do it all and certainly do not receive as much recognition as they deserve. In addition, I hear Des Plaines homeowners complain too often their street isn’t snow plowed fast enough or are aggravated that their water is turned off.

People need to realize that the men and women of Public Works are only human and cannot be at all places at one time. In many instances, these employees, like my father, come to work in minus 10 degree weather from their comfortable bed at one o’clock in the morning for emergency calls. These workers don’t leave until the job is completed, which could be for hours.

Then, instead of returning home at five o’clock in the morning, they stay to begin their new day at seven o’clock sharp and work for another 8½ hours.

Des Plaines Public Works workers should be respected, reminded, and thanked often by all citizens for their extensive and vigorous work around the clock that they put into making their cities clean and functional.

Kayla Niekrasz

Des Plaines