Cooperative Living August 2014 - 17

Paul says, " I participate in the Gaff-ngo-Rodeo
to support the cooperative,
learn from the other lineworkers, and
give my family an opportunity to
come and see what I do for a living. "
Whenever linemen
are working around
energized power lines,
they wear personal
protective equipment
for their safety.
Mecklenburg Electric
Cooperative has
adopted the motto,
" Safety First, "
emphasizing that
safety must be
considered before,
during, and after
every job and that
safety never, ever
takes a second seat
... to anything.
MEC lineworkers volunteer their weekend time to compete against
other electric utilities in the Gaff-n-Go Rodeo. This is Paul's fourth year
of participation; and he and his team members, Brad Clark (left) and
Jason McKinney (right), display several awards, including the coveted
Jimmy Gardner Award for the highest-scoring team among Virginia,
Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives teams.
Eighteen-month-old Taylynn
Underwood looks forward to
Daddy coming home and pushing
her on the swing set that he
built for her.
In spite of working in dangerous
and adverse weather conditions, Paul
says, " I like my job ... everything
about it. I enjoy what I do. It's nice to
get up in the morning and want to go
to work. " Paul continues, " Yes, we
make sacrifices, but everything we do
is for our members. We understand
how much they depend on their electric
power, and that they are counting
on us to keep it flowing. "
Paul mentions that there have been
times when members have brought
Gatorade and cookies to working linemen,
and even plates of home-cooked
meals. " I can't explain how much that
means to us after we've been working
outages for hours non-stop, " Paul
remarks. " And when members show
gratitude by sending thank-you notes
August 2014/www.co-opliving.com
and emails or posting on Facebook, we
really appreciate it. "
At the end of a hard day at work,
Paul is tired, dirty and sweaty; but he
drives home feeling a sense of satisfaction
and accomplishment for the tasks
he and his crew have completed that
day. At home his young daughter,
Taylynn, meets him at the door and
gives Daddy a big hug. With her warm
little hand she takes his hand and asks
to go play on the swing set that he built
for her. When they return to the house,
Paul can take off his boots, cook some
steaks on the grill, and spend some
relaxing time with Kendele. She proudly
remarks, " Paul juggles the roles of being
a father, husband, friend, and dedicated
lineman every day and, surprisingly,
fulfills each perfectly. "
Whenever duty calls, the electric
cooperative lineman is ready to
respond and does so aggressively,
whether it's one member without
power, or 1,000. He knows people
are relying on him. Being a lineman
is not merely an occupation, but is a
willing commitment to the people he
serves and the communities where
he plies his important trade. He is
driven by pride in his work and his
concern for those who count on him
to keep their lights on.
So whenever you see an electric
lineman, give him a " thumbs up. "
A big reason he takes such pride in
a very tough job and faces adverse
conditions with a smile is your
appreciation. 
15
PHOTO COURTESY MECKLENBURG ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
PHOTO COURTESY KENDELE UNDERWOOD
PHOTO COURTESY MECKLENBURG ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
Cooperative Living August 2014

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