A Missed Opportunity to Shine

The aftermath of Tropical Storm Irene poses some dangers for Gov. Dannel Malloy as utility companies struggle to return power to over 400,000 Connecticut customers 48 hours after the lights went out in record numbers.

Malloy has performed like all chief elected officials do when Mother Nature comes calling. First, one must wear something with an official seal on it to show leadership. Governor must look rugged and a little mussed up, to indicate they have been out there in the wind and rain watching the havoc God has wrought. Then there is the endless series of press conferences where scant information is offered, especially for those who don't own portable radios. Malloy also named dropped to distraction, implying that Vice President Joe Biden is personally engaged in seeing that Glastonbury gets treated right.

"Mr. Vice President, Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy on Line One and he's drippy mad, sir,"......

Monday's conference was mostly used to highlight how little progress has been made in restoring power to the state, despite clear skies and an eagerness by residents to get back to work. A full 20 minutes of the conference was spent on whether CL&P crews were getting properly paid for their work, a planted question by the CL&P unions which made no sense since all of the utility crews are working 16 hour shifts and getting time and half.

By Monday night, about 150,000 homes got power back, but a third of the state is still in the dark with no end in sight.

You can't buy a quart of milk, a gallon of gasoline or food in much of the eastern part of the state. Many roads have still not be properly marked as impassable, causing drivers to circle back in frustration and lost time. Schools are being opened up to allow for communal showers and water is being distributed by the National Guard.

Hundreds of businesses, particularly those who deal in perishable retail are watching their losses mount with each passing hour.

No matter how many times the utility companies promise to move faster, they are inhibited by the conditions as they find them. And no matter how hard they work, people get annoyed and eventually blame the politicians for not making them move faster.

At this point, Gov. Malloy could have done something different to mobilize the public in a spirit of teamwork and good will. It would have meant annoying the local and state public employees unions who would certainly object and it would have been a bit risky. It might have made national news for its daring.

Gov. Malloy could have put the word out to anyone who can wield a chainsaw or is physically able to haul brush or debris to show up at certain area to help clear the roads and wires of the trees and limbs. Call it an Emergency Conservation Corps. These volunteers would be paid an hourly wage, have to sign a waiver of claims against the state and appear relatively sober for duty.  There are plenty of people who are not working or can't work because there is no power or who are simply going mad cooped up at home with only an impatient family or in-laws for company.

With hundreds of new workers on site, taking direction from local officials and utility crews, it would be safe to say that the process would be moved along. If nothing else, it would instill a sense of community at a time where people need to feel important and relevant.

Two years ago in June, a tornado ripped through my neighborhood in Old Wethersfield. The damage was extensive and severe. Large, aged trees ripped through homes or littered the narrow streets from the town green to the Silas Deane Highway. Many local crews did appear but they were overwhelmed to the task.  Neighbors quickly jumped in with their equipment, moving quietly together to help each other in the clean up and facilitate the ability of utility crews to restore power. Others made food and offered water and encouragement. No one was paid, but the effort demonstrated the iron will of Connecticut residents when the elements conspire against us.

Maybe the world doesn't allow this kind of public endeavor. Maybe we have to wait and wait until all of the check lists are clicked off, the contracts are obeyed to the letter and the proper accommodations are made to the appropriate parties.

But Gov. Malloy could have broken the mold by asking the people of Connecticut to take some ownership of their state. Instead, we are left with metrics of work hours, units of service and whether CL&P is paying time and a half.

Hope those D batteries are holding out.

(Photo: Mark Mirko, Hartford Courant