Palatine Twp. residents worked together during storm

On Feb 1st and 2nd (Tuesday and Wednesday) our area was hit by the third largest snowstorm on record receiving over 20 inches of snow with 50 mile per hour winds. The response was a true community effort. It was very encouraging to see neighbors helping neighbors clear the snow from walks and driveways.

The patience of our residents is to be commended. All too often in these situations the negative is stressed, however in this snowstorm there were a lot of positives, especially the cooperative effort between plow crews and residents.

The fact that many businesses were closed and residents stayed home during and immediately after the storm allowed access to clear the roads and increased public safety to both motorists and plow crews alike.

By Wednesday afternoon, Palatine Township crews were able to clear the nearly 50 miles of roads that we maintain with minimum breakdowns and surprisingly little salt usage. Emergency and service vehicles were able to have access to our residents.

Again, I would like to express my gratitude to everyone within our township, residents and agency plow crews, who helped clear snow during the Blizzard of 2011.

Even with a record-breaking snow all agencies; including Palatine Township, the Village of Palatine, Cook County and the state responded very well.

John Powers

Palatine Township Highway Commissioner