On March 14, Winter Storm Stella dumped more than two feet of snow across most of our state. For some of us, it was one of the worst storms we have seen.
Just like with any severe weather or emergency, you all stepped up to not only respond to the storm, but to keep New York running.
Stella’s impact, including the snowfall, closures and cancellations and post-storm cleanup, have been widely publicized in the media. With every story, we heard numerous accounts of ‘neighbors helping neighbors.’
But the ultimate story of ‘neighbors helping neighbors’ is you.
When the storm was forecast, you made sure that you were as prepared as possible and that the services that your neighbors rely on every day were uninterrupted.
As Stella hit, you went out into the storm to keep your neighbors safe and preserve our vital services. Our state Department of Transportation and county and municipal highway workers worked tirelessly at clearing the blinding snow and treating the roads, clearing the way for emergency vehicles and other CSEA members to get to the jobs that provide essential services for all of New York.
Many more of our members, including emergency responders, health care, human services (including Office of Mental Health and Office for People With Developmental Disabilities workers) and corrections workers, just to name a few, were also on the job keeping our state and communities safe and protected, facing adversity directly while many New Yorkers were home as the state of emergency declared they should be.
Some of you may just say that ‘this is what we do,’ but your important role in helping us get through the storm can’t be emphasized enough. You also don’t hear the words “thank you” enough.
Whether you maintain the roads or provide another service: Thank you for helping keep us all safe. Thank you for sacrificing time with your families. Thank you for serving us all, every day.
