Hospitality at its finest

I recently was asked if I was surprised at the hospitality and kindness Homewood residents showed during the last two snow/ice storms. My answer was simple. No, I was not surprised because I routinely see our neighbors performing random acts of kindness. I do not think it takes any kind of storm or crisis to bring out the good in people here in Homewood. Sure, a storm certainly sheds a little brighter light on the good deeds because that’s where the focus is at the time. 

As mayor, I’m out in the community a great deal and hear many stories of families in need or situations that are in need of attention. But I also know personally of individuals who have stepped in to help and would never allow their name to be used. They help because it is the right thing to do — not because of the recognition. 

I also want to thank the numerous employees who chose to stay here and work assisting others. What our police and firefighters were doing was common knowledge because they were so visible, but some of our employees are never seen in the public. They just quietly go about doing the tasks needed like changing tires and putting chains on vehicles at midnight. I appreciate all those employees who came in and slept on cots, took very few breaks, and were always willing to go above and beyond to ensure the safety of our residents and the safety of our emergency personnel. Our workers in Homewood seem to rise to another level when there is any kind of threat within our city. They are great people anyway but seem to just get better when they are needed the most. 

When all our spreaders were in use within the Street Department, the guys loaded another truck and started shoveling sand from the back without being asked to do that. I’m so proud of everyone from the dispatchers to the emergency personnel to the mechanics. They were all fantastic, and I never want us to take them for granted. 

It’s times like these and many others that remind me of how proud I am of Homewood, our workers and our residents. Duty seems to be an instinct, and you always show your true colors at every appropriate opportunity. Theodore Parker once said, “Let us do our duty in our shop or our kitchen, in the market, the street, the office, the school, the home, just as faithfully as if we stood in the front rank of some great battle and knew that victory depended on bravery and skill.”