Cooperative Living May 2022 - 8

CO-OP PEOPLE
Judgment ●●●
¨
by Laura Emery S taff Writer
Lineworker rodeos require honest objective
observers, like Mecklenburg's Clint Card
B
y his nature, Clint Card is not
one to judge others. Except,
of course, when there's serious
competition going on.
As competitors climb up and
down utility poles in front of him like
gymnasts in hardhats, Card's keen eyes
monitors their every move.
He serves as a rodeo judge at the
annual Gaff-n-Go Lineworker Rodeo
in Doswell, Va., and the International
Lineman's Rodeo, held each year in
Bonner Springs, Kan.
Both rodeos exist to highlight and
reward lineworkers' dedication,
attention to safety, daily demonstration
of proficiency in their job skills and
spirit of cooperation.
At the Gaff-n-Go Lineworker Rodeo,
highly skilled lineworkers from up and
down the East Coast compete in events
based on traditional lineworker tasks
and skills. The event attracts hundreds of
friends, family members and spectators
who come to watch lineworkers from
multiple states ply their trade in a
competitive yet friendly environment.
It will be held May 13-14 at Meadow
Event Park in Doswell, Va.
LOVING LINE WORK
While Card, manager of district
operations for Mecklenburg Electric
Cooperative, is judging those
competing, he's also a little envious
of them.
" I joined the team at MEC 33 years
ago as meter reader/groundman, so
I know what it feels like to be up on
the pole in day-to-day line work and
during storm, but also in these rodeo
competitions, " he says.
While he's currently in a supervisory
role, Card says he misses line work
" terribly. "
After just a few days of being at
MEC, Card says, " I knew the Lord had
put me in the right place. You're doing
something that helps others, and that's
a good feeling. "
He was undeterred by his first major
storm event. " It involved four or fi e
rough days and sleepless nights working
through the heaviest of rain, " he
remembers. Then, after a brief pause,
he adds, " That's when I really knew it
was the perfect job for me. "
It's this deep respect and love of
the job itself that makes his role in the
" I knew the Lord had put me in the right place.
You're doing something that helps others,
and that's a good feeling. "
- Clint Card, Manager of District Operations, MEC
Clint Card, right, explains the
rules to a rodeo contestant.
lineworker rodeos about more than
donning a judge's hat.
" When they sound the horn,
everybody wants to win. But all who
compete at the rodeo win. You establish
relationships you will have for a long
time. We're all doing the same job with
the same goals, " he says.
JUDGING WITH FAIRNESS
Talmadge " T.R. " Eubank, foreman
at Central Virginia Electric Cooperative,
competed against Card in multiple
rodeos. " Clint embodies what I think is
important in a judge, and that is being
knowledgeable and fair. He's worked it,
he's competed, he knows, " says Eubank.
B.J. Walker, retired line supervisor
at Northern Neck Electric Cooperative,
has judged alongside Card for many
years. " I've been in the co-op world for
35 years and I've never heard anybody
say anything negative about Clint Card.
I think that speaks volumes, " he says.
Card recalls his first impression of the
lineworker rodeo. " The Gaff-n-Go got its
start in Lovingston, where it was run by
Central Virginia Electric Cooperative.
I think the mindset for a lot of guys, at
the time, was, 'We do this line of work
to help people and make money; we ain't
going to make a game out of it.' "
But Card admits that curiosity led
him to check out the event in person.
After that, it was a no-brainer. " I knew I
wanted to establish a team and compete, "
he says.
6 ● Cooperative Living ●
May 2022
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Cooperative Living May 2022

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