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| Appalachian Power Company Technician Fred Bryant (second from left) received the AEP Chairman’s Life Saving Award from (from left) Appalachian Power President and COO Chris Beam, AEP Vice President for Safety and Health Natalie McCord and Appalachian Power DIstribution Vice President Phil Wright last week in Lynchburg. |
(Story by Teresa Hall)
There are many words that one could use to describe Fred Bryant’s actions when he risked his own safety to pull a stranger from a burning car, but Bryant isn’t comfortable with being singled out or called a hero. A humble man, Bryant said what he did that June day is what anyone would have done to help a person in need.
The longtime Lynchburg, Va., technician was headed to a dental appointment last year with his wife, Angie, when they noticed a crashed vehicle in a ditch along a rural road near Forest.
“I saw the car and just reacted,” said Bryant, a former volunteer firefighter, who is CPR and first aid certified through the company.
When Bryant approached the car, he saw that the sole occupant was a male driver. Bryant and a second man who stopped to help tried to coax the driver out of the car, but Bryant said the motorist appeared to be in shock.
Bryant was on the passenger side communicating with the driver when he saw flames starting to form beneath the car. As a former firefighter, Bryant knew the outcome could be deadly if they didn’t act fast to distance themselves from the vehicle.
The smoke and flames soon forced Bryant and the other Good Samaritan to the driver’s side of the vehicle.
The driver’s side door was jammed and the situation was growing more intense by the second. “The smoke was thick, the flames were getting hotter and being this close to the car, we were having a hard time breathing,” Bryant said.
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| Fred Bryant and several bystanders tend to a crash victim while awaiting fire and rescue personnel. Photo courtesy of Bryant’s wife, Angie. |
By now, the victim was feeling the effects of the heat and flames on his skin. Fortunately, another person who had stopped had a sharp knife to cut the man’s seatbelt. Bryant and the second man he’d been working with together pulled the driver through the window and away from the burning car. From there, two other bystanders helped the pair drag the crash victim as far from the car as possible.
“I was very nervous when the fire erupted and he wouldn’t leave the car,” the Appalachian Power technician recalled. Within minutes of getting the driver out, Bryant said he heard a loud bang as the tires and car exploded.
The situation could have easily had a tragic outcome. “I’m just thankful it worked out like it did,” Bryant said.
The driver suffered second and possibly third degree burns to the back of his arms and on his legs and was taken to the University of Virginia Medical Center for treatment.
“I just did what anyone would have done that day,” said Bryant after he received the AEP Chairman’s Life Saving Award last week in Lynchburg. Earlier this year, Bryant also received an American Red Cross Hero Award in the Emergency Response category for his actions. “I’m not a hero. I’m just someone who was there and helped another person in need.”
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| The crew of the Capt. James Anderson celebrates receiving a certificate of inspection from the U.S. Coast Guard. From left to right: Chris Blank-USCG, Dale Nedrow, Danny Marr, Mike Rogers, Bill Null, Matt Rieger, Juanita Landes, Jonathan Jordan, James Northup, Cmdr. Paul Mangini-USCG, and Troy Akers. Photo by Dee Harbrecht. |
The U.S. Coast Guard (Huntington District) issued the first certificate of inspection (COI) for a previously uninspected line boat for Subchapter M compliance July 20 at AEP’s River Transportation Division headquarters in Lakin, W.Va.
Coast Guard Commander Paul Mangini presented the COI to River Division Captain Troy Akers for the towing vessel Captain James Anderson.
A COI is issued to a vessel after the vessel has completed a thorough examination of safety equipment, machinery, pollution prevention equipment, navigation equipment, life-saving equipment and more. Approximately 6,000 towing vessels across the country will become inspected by the Coast Guard under these new requirements.
All AEP boats will eventually receive their COI’s and become inspected vessels. Companies have five years to get their COI’s completed. The Captain Gerald Boggs has completed its official inspection and will file for its COI in the fall. Next year, two more River Division vessels will be inspected for their COI application and certificate.
“I am proud of the entire crew of the m/v Capt. James Anderson for their commitment to excellence and continuous improvement efforts to meet these new sub-M regulations,” said Jeff Keifer, AEP managing director-boat operations.
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| Rogina King (second from right) is recognized by (left to right): Joseph Snow, project manager, ABM; Michelle Kinds, manager – Workplace Services, AEP; and Christopher Lindner, senior regional director, ABM. |
Rogina King, a contract custodial employee of ABM working at AEP Headquarters in Columbus, is well-known on the floors where she works. A petite woman, she has a positive, energetic attitude and an infectious laugh.
She also has a heart of heroic proportions.
One day in early July, with temperatures hovering around 90 degrees, she got out of her car at a local grocery store parking lot to do some routine shopping. Nearby, from within a parked vehicle, she heard whimpering and crying.
She walked over to the car and was shocked to see a baby strapped in the back seat of the car with no one around. A window was barely cracked open.
King immediately tried to open the window but was unable to do so. While she was attempting to gain access, a man nearby saw what she was doing, came over and began to help. He took a shopping cart and broke the window so they could get to the child. They took the baby into the store and contacted store security and emergency medical personnel.
“I just saw that helpless baby, and I knew I had to do something,” King said. “I just reacted.”
Michelle Kinds, manager – Workplace Services, recognized King for being observant and taking quick action, and presented her with a gift from AEP. “We always talk about safety with our employees and contractors, and we want to recognize you for making safety a priority and taking action in this situation,” she said.
The entire custodial team at the AEP Headquarters building enjoyed a pizza lunch from ABM in recognition of King’s actions.
King, a member of the team that does general cleaning building-wide, has worked for ABM for 13 years.
How high can temperatures climb inside a vehicle?
The National Weather Service conducted a test on a recent summer day. A car with a dark color and untinted windows was parked facing south with a sunny sky, with temperatures in the 90s and climbing at midday. The air conditioner was run until the interior of the car reached 82 degrees and remained steady. Then a digital thermometer was placed in the rear seat. The air conditioner was turned off and temperature readings were taken every 10 minutes.
Within 20 minutes, the temperature had climbed to 87 degrees. In another 10 minutes, it reached 93, and 10 minutes later it hit 100 inside the car. An hour after starting the test, it was 104 inside the vehicle – 11 degrees hotter than the outside temperature. When the test concluded about 2 hours after it began, it was a blistering 124 degrees inside the car.
The NWS noted that “A child’s body temperature warms much more quickly than an adult’s. Conditions can get deadly relatively quickly, so never take a chance. Never leave children, pets, or even the elderly in a parked car for even short periods of time.”
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| Thanks to concern for his partner and quick action, Zac Caron (left) helped Dustin Reyna out of a potentially dangerous situation involving heat illness. |
(Story by Scott Fuller)
The first week of July brought searing heat and several strong storms to Columbus, Ohio. Line Mechanic-C Zac Caron and Line Mechanic-D Dustin Reyna were among the crews working quickly to repair damage and restore power to thousands of customers.
Caron and Reyna climbed two poles in quick succession and, 20 feet in the air, Caron looked over at his partner and knew something was wrong. Caron has been with AEP Ohio for four years and is accustomed to working in hot weather; his partner was not.
“I kept asking Dustin, ‘Are you all right? Are you all right?’ I could tell he wasn’t comprehending what I was saying. He just couldn’t put it together,” Caron said.
Reyna was not all right. He was pale. An indoor electrician before joining the company in January, he hadn’t experienced extreme summertime heat and wasn’t prepared.
“This was the first time I had felt like that. I used to play sports and stuff so I thought I’d be fine,” Reyna said. “But Zac noticed it pretty quick. My muscles started to cramp up and my legs felt like Jell-O. I was beyond dehydrated.”
Caron knows the signs of heat illness and he grew increasingly firm in urging Reyna to climb down. Reyna was reluctant but, when he struggled to lift 20-pound equipment he normally handles with ease, Reyna finally agreed. He shifted into the shade, drank plenty of water and very slowly made his descent. The trip down the pole – normally accomplished in a minute or two – took close to 20. Caron went above and beyond to continually check on the well-being of his partner and communicate what was going on to crew members below so precautions could be taken … all while continuing to make repairs.
It’s been a learning experience for Reyna, and he knows the result could have been worse.
“A good warning sign is someone telling you that you don’t look right. If that happens, don’t try to be a macho man. There’s a time and a place for that but it’s better to be safe,” Reyna said. “We all could do a better job of policing each other. I’m definitely taking that responsibility a lot more seriously now.”
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| The land being auctioned offers recreational opportunities including camping, hiking, trail riding, and fishing. |
(Story by Tracy Simons)
AEP’s Ohio Franklin Realty, LLC, will be offering, by auction, 1,050 acres of land divided into 21 tracts, located in Muskingum County, Ohio. Tracts will range in size from 14 to 190 acres and feature a variety of mixed hardwood and pine forests, ponds, and trails. Also being offered is a 450-acre hunting lease.
This property offers recreational opportunities including camping, hiking, trail riding, and fishing. For those who love hunting, the property features a diverse mix of wildlife habitats, streams, and meadows. Some tracts have electric available for potential home sites.
The auction will be managed by Schrader Auction Company/Murray Wise & Associates and will take place on Saturday, August 18, 2018, at 9 a.m. at The Pavilion at Lake Park Complex, 23253 SR. 83 N., Coshocton, OH 43812. Inspection of the property will be held on Tuesday, August 7, 2018, between the hours of 4-6 p.m. Meet at the Adamsville Community Fire Department and EMS – 5345 Mollies Rock Rd. (located 1 block north of the intersection of St. Rd. 93 & Hwy 208).
For more information, terms and conditions, visit http://www.schraderauction.com/auctions/?id=7319.
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| AEP CEO Nick Akins (seated left) and Ohio Gov. John Kasich dedicate the new Jesse Owens State Park & Wildlife Area during ceremonies July 17 in Ohio. |
(Story by Scott Blake)
Restoring former mining sites to land that can be enjoyed by animals and people is a tremendous effort. For decades, this 60,000 acre swath of land in eastern Ohio provided fuel that powered the state. This week, a portion of that site was turned into Ohio’s newest state park.
Beginning in 1947, surface mining operations helped convert millions of tons of coal into electric power for Ohio customers. When the mining stopped in the early 2000s, AEP began efforts to reclaim the land and turn it into ReCreation Land, a place that attracts 100,000 visitors each year for fishing, canoeing, hiking, camping and other outdoor activities.
More than 63 million trees were planted. A system of 350 lakes and ponds were created and stocked for fishing, and 380 campsites were built to help visitors experience nature. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) has helped AEP manage the land. They ensure campers are following the rules and help maintain a network of hiking and horse trails.
A few years ago, AEP and ODNR began talks about how the land and the public would be better served if the state of Ohio purchased the land and turned it into a state park. The first step in that process took place July 17 when Nick Akins, AEP chairman, president and chief executive officer, and Julie Sloat, AEP Ohio president and chief operating officer, joined Gov. John Kasich to complete the sale of a portion of 13,000 acres of land the state has agreed to purchase.
In addition to the new state park, visitors can experience the “Big Muskie” bucket, on display as part of the Miner’s Memorial, which was used in the mining operation.
“The Big Muskie could move 325 tons of dirt in a single bite,” said Sloat. “I recall seeing photos of the bucket with an entire high school marching band standing inside it. The Miner’s Memorial has been donated by AEP in recognition of the achievements of the men and women of AEP.”
The park, Jesse Owens State Park and Wildlife Area, is poised to become one of the state’s largest parks once future sales are complete. Jesse Owens, an African American track and field athlete, won international attention for winning four gold medals at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. His wins came in the face of Nazi rule under Hitler. Owens grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, after moving there at age 9. He was a dominant Ohio State University track athlete.
Two of the four campsites were included in this part of the sale. The two remaining campsites, as well as other areas of ReCreation Land, will remain free for public use. Those using ReCreation Land must have a permit and keep the permit with them while they are on AEP property.
AEP River Transportation Division
Ronald Frazier, 63, River Transportation Division, died June 8.
AEP Service Corporation
Robert Johnston, 90, retired, AEP Headquarters, died June 6.
Bernard Zickefoose, 61, United Science Testing, Inc., died June 25.
AEP Texas
Forrest Carter, 92, retired, Abilene General Office, died July 1.
Louise Mohr, 91, retired, Abilene General Office, died July 2.
Virginia Matheny, 99, retired, Corpus Christi Office, died March 16.
Margaret Sens, 88, retired, Corpus Christi Office, died June 10.
Robert Weaver, 76, Paint Creek Power Plant, died June 4.
Appalachian Power Company
Wayne Bailey, 76, retired, Beckley Service Center, died June 3.
Franklin Esterly, 72, retired, Amos Plant, died June 2.
Alfred Fauver, 51, Amos Plant, died May 31.
Willie Feazelle, 76, retired, Roanoke Service Building, died June 27.
Raymond Finnearty, 77, retired, Mountaineer Plant, died June 30.
Patrick Hunter, 67, North Charleston Service Center, died June 27.
Abner Jacobs, 82, retired, Rocky Mount Service Center, died July 1.
Ralph Jones, 79, retired, Pulaski Service Center, died June 11.
Ruby Lawson, 66, Clinch River Plant, died June 30.
Jack Pippin, 88, retired, Kingsport Office, died June 14.
David Willard Sr., 76, Roanoke Service Building, died June 21.
Charles Williams, 75, Amos Plant, died June 30.
Columbus Southern Power Company
Wayne Armstrong, 95, retired, 850 Tech Center, died June 24.
Richard Bachman, 74, Conesville Plant, died June 16.
Raymond Kirker, 67, Conesville Plant, died July 2.
Dale Priddy, 84, retired, Athens Service Center, died June 7.
Helen Shepherd, 83, retired, 850 Tech Center, died March 20.
Larry Spohn, 64, 850 Tech Center, died June 21.
Indiana Michigan Power Company
Gaylord Bliss, 89, retired, One Summit Square, died June 26.
John Custer, 74, Cook Nuclear Plant, died June 7.
Virgil Geisleman, 83, retired, South Bend Office, died June 8.
Clifford Hammers, 85, retired, Muncie Office, died May 25.
David Lake, 79, retired, Baer Field Service Center, died July 3.
Norman Luttman, 74, retired, Spy Run Service Center, died June 11.
Carlos Roahrig, 87, retired, St. Joseph Service Center, died June 13.
Donald Starker, 74, retired, Tanners Creek Plant, died June 9.
William Whipkey, 91, retired, South Bend Service Center, died May 25.
Kentucky Power Company
Calvin Burnett, 90, retired, Robert E. Matthews Service Center, died June 7.
David Compton, 68, Big Sandy Plant, died April 17.
Ohio Power Company
Judith Brown, 74, retired, Cardinal Plant, died June 5.
Frederick Davis, 88, retired, Central Ohio Coal Company, died May 26.
Jeffrey Earnest, 65, Cardinal Plant, died June 9.
James Edson, 87, retired, Lima Service Center, died June 10.
Jerry Glore, 78, retired, Findlay Office, died June 19.
Gilbert Fisher, 72, retired, Muskingum River Plant, died June 23.
Raymond Harless, 89, retired, Lancaster Office Building, died June 21.
John Lennon, 85, retired, Wooster Office Building, died June 4.
Patricia Sharkey, 78, retired, New Philadelphia Service Center, died February 28.
Public Service Company of Oklahoma
Ervin Ellis, 87, retired, Tulsa General Office, died June 2.
Robert Hale, 89, retired, Tulsa General Office, died June 14.
Darrell Mills, 64, Snyder Office, died May 21.
Walter Shields, 89, retired, Tulsa General Office, died July 6.
Julianne Stacy, 47, CSW Tulsa, died May 12.
Southwestern Electric Power Company
Douglas Bonner, 99, retired, Shreveport General Office, died July 5.
Tracy Brittain, 58, Wilkes Power Plant, died June 18.
Leon Kelly, 63, Dolet Hills Lignite Mine, died June 19.
Robert Rogers, 69, Greenwood Service Center, died May 26.
Transmission
Larry Smith, 69, John W. Vaughan Center, died June 19.
AEP Ohio
Jonathan Butler, 700 Building-Gahanna, retired June 21 after 21 years of service.
Mary Franks, Canton Eastern Regional Office, retired June 16 after 29 years of service.
Wilhelminia Glenn, Canton Eastern Regional Office, retired June 30 after 48 years of service.
Roger Hinkley, Cambridge Service Center, retired June 26 after 32 years of service.
Larry Howell, Southern Ohio Coal Company, retired June 30 after 30 years of service.
Larry Klettlinger, Canton Eastern Regional Office, retired June 9 after 39 years of service.
Mary Levering, Canton Eastern Regional Office, retired June 1 after 23 years of service.
Betty McKimm, Canton Eastern Regional Office, retired June 30 after 42 years of service.
Kathy Pillar, Canton Eastern Regional Office, retired June 30 after 44 years of service.
Richard Pittis, New Philadelphia Service Center, retired June 30 after 40 years of service.
Karen Roberts-Kirksey, Canton Eastern Regional Office, retired June 1 after 40 years of service.
Robert Selock, Zanesville Service Center, retired June 1 after 40 years of service.
Jeffrey Singer, Carrollton Service Center, retired June 9 after 39 years of service.
Rebecca Stasiulewicz, Steubenville Service Center, retired June 23 after 43 years of service.
AEP Service Corporation
James Brown Jr., AEP Headquarters, retired June 12 after 37 years of service.
Monica Calabrese, AEP Headquarters, retired June 8 after 40 years of service.
William Daugherty, AEP Headquarters, retired June 16 after 33 years of service.
Pamela Holloway, Central Operations Center, retired June 1 after 10 years of service.
Timothy King, AEP Headquarters, retired June 30 after 37 years of service.
Michael Pomeroy, AEP Headquarters, retired June 2 after 12 years of service.
Irene Voss, Central Operations Center, retired June 2 after 12 years of service.
Thomas Webb, AEP Headquarters, retired June 21 after 45 years of service.
Charles West, AEP Headquarters, retired June 1 after 21 years of service.
Robert Wilson, Central Operations Center, retired June 30 after 40 years of service.
Terry Youngman, AEP Headquarters, retired June 23 after 34 years of service.
Jeffrey Zerkle, AEP Headquarters, retired June 2 after 41 years of service.
AEP Texas
Craig Geese, Southern Division Office, retired June 26 after 39 years of service.
Frank Guerra Jr., Southern Division Office, retired June 1 after 49 years of service.
Armando Hernandez, Marfa Service Center, retired June 30 after 43 years of service.
Appalachian Power Company
Donna Campbell, Hurricane Call Center, retired June 9 after 27 years of service.
Mark Dempsey, APCO Headquarters, retired June 1 after 42 years of service.
Patricia Enochs, Hurricane Call Center, retired June 2 after 25 years of service.
John Ertz, Bluefield (W.Va.) Service Center, retired June 5 after 28 years of service.
Grover Goolsby III, Lynchburg Service Center, retired June 2 after 41 years of service.
Roger Heslep, Roanoke Main Office, retired June 9 after 36 years of service.
Sherry Hoopes, Roanoke Main Office, retired June 1 after 36 years of service.
Carol Horn, Roanoke Main Office, retired June 30 after 32 years of service.
Kevin Pannell, Roanoke Main Office, retired June 30 after 39 years of service.
Janet Poole, Hurricane Call Center, retired June 2 after 31 years of service.
Clarence Stanley Jr., Lynchburg Service Center, retired June 2 after 33 years of service.
Larry Stanley, Roanoke Main Office, retired June 30 after 37 years of service.
Jimmy Thomas, Glade Spring Service Center, retired June 1 after 29 years of service.
Steve Warden, Milton Service Center, retired June 5 after 33 years of service.
Sarah Wright, Roanoke Main Office, retired June 21 after 24 years of service.
Generation
Dana Aldridge, Amos Plant, retired June 1 after 34 years of service.
Gary Anders, Rockport Plant, retired June 1 after 29 years of service.
George Baboul Jr., Mitchell Plant, retired June 1 after 34 years of service.
Larry Bowers, Rockport Plant, retired June 15 after 40 years of service.
James Bowie, Cook Nuclear Plant, retired June 1 after 11 years of service.
Byron Bradley, Cook Nuclear Plant, retired June 30 after 33 years of service.
James Dabney II, Amos Plant, retired June 1 after 39 years of service.
Georgina Emanuel, Cook Nuclear Plant, retired June 22 after 25 years of service.
Jeffrey Englert, Rockport Plant, retired June 1 after 31 years of service.
William Gibson, Amos Plant, retired June 19 after 40 years of service.
Richard Gulley, Conesville Plant, retired June 30 after 42 years of service.
Sammy Hall, Rockport Plant, retired June 1 after 30 years of service.
Thomas Hammond, Conesville Plant, retired June 1 after 40 years of service.
Robert Heathcote, Cook Nuclear Plant, retired June 2 after 42 years of service.
Harold Hedrick, Amos Plant, retired June 17 after 38 years of service.
William Huggins, Pirkey Plant, retired June 1 after 33 years of service.
Kenneth Jacks, Mountaineer Plant, retired June 1 after 36 years of service.
Richard Kent, Mountaineer Plant, retired June 30 after 41 years of service.
Rhonda Knight, Rockport Plant, retired June 1 after 34 years of service.
Tony McClain, Conesville Plant, retired June 30 after 38 years of service.
David Neigler, Mountaineer Plant, retired June 2 after 38 years of service.
John Parks Jr., Welsh Plant, retired June 1 after 37 years of service.
James Pitts, Mountaineer Plant, retired June 1 after 38 years of service.
Russell Proffit, Conesville Plant, retired June 15 after 35 years of service.
Stephen Rasnake, Clinch River Plant, retired June 6 after 34 years of service.
Terry Raven, Rockport Plant, retired June 1 after 33 years of service.
Wayne Seivertson, Mitchell Plant, retired June 30 after 43 years of service.
Gary Stephens, Rockport Plant, retired June 30 after 33 years of service.
Leonard Stogner, Rockport Plant, retired June 1 after 33 years of service.
Jeffrey Tyo, Mountaineer Plant, retired June 30 after 44 years of service.
Jeff Weaver, Cook Nuclear Plant, retired June 2 after 24 years of service.
Indiana Michigan Power Company
Mary Allen, Buchanan Nuclear Office, retired June 30 after 21 years of service.
Robert Harber, Northeast Service Center, retired June 1 after 34 years of service.
Robert Jones, Marion Service Center, retired June 2 after 37 years of service.
Terry Riggenbach, South Bend Service Center, retired June 2 after 28 years of service.
Kentucky Power Company
Delinda Borden, Ashland Office, retired June 28 after 38 years of service.
Stephen Martin, Robert E. Matthews Service Center, retired June 1 after 40 years of service.
Public Service Company of Oklahoma
Erick Baker, Tulsa General Office, retired June 12 after 22 years of service.
Ricki Fryhover, Mid Metro Office, retired June 6 after 40 years of service.
John Harper, Tulsa General Office, retired June 30 after 39 years of service.
Harriet Lollis, Tulsa General Office, retired June 29 after 10 years of service.
Gary Moore, Tulsa General Office, retired June 16 after 37 years of service.
Joe Roberts, Tulsa General Office, retired June 30 after 11 years of service.
April Westemeir, Tulsa General Office, retired June 23 after 11 years of service.
Southwestern Electric Power Company
Valerie Beal, Shreveport Office, retired June 30 after 11 years of service.
James Cowling Jr., Dolet Hills Lignite Mine, retired June 8 after 33 years of service.
Tim Gregory, Texarkana Operations, retired June 1 after 35 years of service.
John Hubbard, Shreveport General Office, retired June 23 after 48 years of service.
Russell Lowry, Shreveport Operations, retired June 21 after 40 years of service.
Transmission
Kenneth Colvin, AEP Transmission Headquarters, retired June 5 after 22 years of service.
James Fraley, Chillicothe Transmission/Telecom, retired June 29 after 36 years of service.
Gary Hammons, Transmission Operations Center, retired June 26 after 42 years of service.
Mark Majka, AEP Transmission Headquarters, retired June 13 after 35 years of service.
(Story by Andrew King)
Carol Ventresca is aware many people assume seniors and computers don’t mix. And for her, that assumption couldn’t be further from the truth.
As the executive director of Employment for Seniors, 4300 E. Broad St., Columbus, “everything about our program revolves around the computer system,” Ventresca said, and she is frustrated when people are dismissive of seniors involved with technology.
“When employers tell me older adults and seniors can’t do things involving computers, my first response is, ‘I gave out 5,000 job referrals last year, all via computers,’ ” she said.
For Ventresca and a plethora of others, Gary Sams is the perfect example of the effect seniors can have when they harness the power of technology.
The Westerville resident is Senior of the Year and will be honored at the Young at Heart event, sponsored by The Columbus Dispatch and ThisWeek Community News, on Thursday, July 19, at Villa Milano Banquet & Conference Center, 1630 Schrock Road, Columbus. Continue reading…
Transmission Line Mechanic Jonathan Gonzalez (second from left) and Transmission Line Mechanics Carlos Zepeda (far left), Gilbert Silvas (second from right) and Roel Garcia (far right) recently rescued a Corpus Christi resident who was left stranded on the roof of her flooded vehicle as the water continued to rise. Photo by Omar Lopez.
(Story by Larry Jones)
“I was terrified and they saved me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Jennifer McLaughlin’s Facebook post was one of many during the recent extreme rains in the Rio Grande Valley and the Corpus Christi area. Most of the posts focused on service restoration concerns, along with questions regarding outages caused by the rains. McLaughlin’s post (see below) had an even deeper significance. She was trapped on the roof of her car and concerned that her 911 call was not going to be answered soon.
McLaughlin, a Corpus Christi nurse practitioner, was headed home on Tuesday, June 19, when the rain began to result in flooding. That’s when things went from bad to worse.
“It was dark and pouring rain,” she said. “I was behind another car that did not have any problems; so, I thought the water was not that deep. Then, my car died and would not restart, and the water kept getting higher and higher. My car rapidly filled with water; so, I climbed out on to the roof waiting for 911 to send someone. That’s when the AEP truck came to the intersection and maneuvered close enough that they could reach me and take me to higher ground.”
Fortunately, AEP Transmission employees Transmission Line Crew Supervisor Jonathan Gonzalez and Transmission Line Mechanics Gilbert Silvas, Roel Garcia and Carlos Zepeda already were in the area although preparing to leave. The group had planned an evening clearance outage to complete some transmission project work; however, the rain and subsequent flooding resulted in their canceling those plans.
“We had two large pickup trucks, a bucket truck and a crane to complete the planned work,” Gonzales said. “We were trying to get this equipment out of the area before the flooding got worse. As we were heading out, I noticed that there was a partially submerged Tahoe underneath the overpass, and its vehicle lights were on but flickering.”
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The group decided to check the Tahoe to make sure that no passengers were trapped by the flooding. They moved one vehicle closer to get a better view.
“As we got near the overpass, we flashed our lights on the vehicle and noticed that a lady was sitting on top of her Tahoe, and the water was up around the windows,” Gonzalez said. “We couldn’t even see the hood of the Tahoe. I am not sure whether she was in a pothole but the back of the vehicle was sitting high and the front seemed low into the water.”
They decided that the safest approach was to drive the larger 4×4 pickup to the Tahoe because that company vehicle had about 1-to-2 feet of clearance above the water level. Once the crew got to the Tahoe, Gonzalez stepped out on the top of the crew truck bins and instructed the customer how he was going to help her off her Tahoe. Once they both were safety back on the top of the truck bins, Garcia put the company truck into reverse and backed the vehicle to the frontage road while Silvas served as a spotter in the cab and Zepeda was stationed on high ground watching and relaying information over his company radio.
Once the group moved to higher ground, they made sure McLaughlin was safe and waited with her until her husband arrived. Police arrived about this time, and the group communicated what happened.
“They were kind, and I was abundantly thankful,” she said about her rescuers. “I’m just glad they were there.”
