Praise to city workers is well deserved

Published 12:18 am Saturday, July 29, 2006

By Staff
City of Niles utilities department workers deserve a pat on the back for a job well done.
July has been one of our stormiest on record. Some of those storms were strong enough to make me think about taking me and mine down to the basement. Nonetheless, without fail, my electric alarm clock buzzed at its appointed time the next morning and we had survived the night unscathed.
On each of the mornings after those storms, local television reported power outages all around Niles, leaving thousands in the dark for prolonged periods of time.
But not us.
Maybe our electricity will flicker, or even go out for a few moments, but rarely does it linger. That's truly something for which to be thankful.
It doesn't happen that way by accident. Our city officials have done an excellent job of maintaining and upgrading our electric power infrastructure and Niles ratepayers reap the benefits. Hats off to all who make it happen.
Now, let's hope I haven't just jinxed our good electrical fortune!
While we're tipping our hats, certainly those who organized this year's Niles Relay For Life, deserve a hearty round of applause. The volunteers, led this year by chairperson Michelle Asmus, raised about $132,000. What's more, about 1,000 people made their way to the Niles High School football field and track for the luminary ceremony, which remembers victims for cancer.
This year's ceremony was dedicated to Lisa Rutledge, who was a Relay For Life committee member and had been a team captain for the group for the past several years, Asmus said. Rutledge lost her battle with cancer earlier this year.
She said last year, Rutledge's husband, Dan, made Lisa a chariot to ride in during Relay For Life because her cancer treatments made her too weak to walk, as she had in previous years.
This year, the chariot was parked next to the track and held only a photograph of Lisa and Dan Rutledge and their three children.
It takes an incredible amount of work by many, many people to make Relay For Life happen. And funds raised from Relay For Life go to ease the pain in the lives of area cancer victims and their families.
Thanks to all who took the time to participate in this important, annual community event.
I hope you make plans right now to spend your Saturday on Aug. 5 down at Riverfront Park in Niles for Niles Riverfest 2006, in its 16th year.
Events begin on Thursday, Aug. 3, and continue through Sunday, Aug. 6.
Centerpiece of the St. Joseph River celebration is always the "Anything that Floats" raft race, which grows by leaps and bounds every year.
I'm sure this year's event will be bigger and better than ever. Rafts are set to launch at 2 p.m. Its theme of Mardi Gras could prove interesting. See you there!
Comments? jan.griffey@leaderpub.com