Cooperative Living July 2024 - 10
COOPERATIVE FOCUS
A Showcase of Safety and Skill
Lineworker rodeo promotes camaraderie, development, peace of mind
by Jim Robertson, Staff Writer
A
lineman receives a phone call
on a stormy night. Th e power
is out. Th e kids are asleep.
His wife nervously smiles as she tells
him goodbye and to be safe. She, like
many other spouses and loved ones,
has never actually witnessed him in
action on the job.
For the past two decades, the
Gaff -n-Go Rodeo has provided a stage
for utility lineworkers and equipment
operators to showcase the skills and hard
work required to safely perform their
jobs - rain or shine. Wide-eyed
children, spouses and parents oſt en
watch in awe as lineworkers climb
to the tops of 40-foot poles, sometimes
in driving rain. Th e rodeo simulates
real-life scenarios.
Th is past May was the 20th
anniversary of the Gaff -n-Go Rodeo,
now the largest regional event of
its kind in the U.S. It attracted more
than 300 lineworkers from 11 states as
far away as Arizona and California. Th e
two-day event was hosted by the
Virginia, Maryland & Delaware
Association of Electric Cooperatives
at Meadow Event Park in Doswell, Va.
" Th is wonderful event continues
to set a high bar, especially from
the perspective of commitment to
safety and excellence, " says Steve
Harmon, Gaff -n-Go Rodeo committee
chair and Community Electric
Cooperative president and CEO. " It is
extremely rewarding, and even
somewhat emotional to see the families
interact and observe their parent
display their skills. "
8 * Cooperative Living * July 2024
Jake Parker, ANEC, competes
with his team in the equipment
operator portion of the Gaff -n-Go
Rodeo.
A FAMILY EVENT
" Having my family there is always a
great feeling, " says A&N Electric
Cooperative journeyman Jake Parker.
" Hearing my almost 2-year-old on the
sideline this year screaming 'Go Daddy,
go Daddy!' was also a great feeling. "
Parker's wife, Taylor, and daughter wore
custom T-shirts for the second straight
year. Th e Parker family has been there
to support Dad each year in all types
of weather - heat, cold and pouring
rain. Th ey're proud of him no matter
what the results are, as long he comes
home safely each day.
" For us, the rodeo is another family
event, " says Patricia Parker, who followed
her son to every event again this year.
" We get to watch our son compete
and the opportunity to spend the
weekend with our daughter-in-law
and granddaughter. "
Parker's wife, Taylor, and their daughter
co-opliving.com
PHOTO BY JAY DIEM
PHOTO BY JAY DIEM
http://www.co-opliving.com
Cooperative Living July 2024
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Cooperative Living July 2024
Cooperative Living July 2024 - 1
Cooperative Living July 2024 - 2
Cooperative Living July 2024 - 3
Cooperative Living July 2024 - 4
Cooperative Living July 2024 - 5
Cooperative Living July 2024 - 6
Cooperative Living July 2024 - 7
Cooperative Living July 2024 - 8
Cooperative Living July 2024 - 9
Cooperative Living July 2024 - 10
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Cooperative Living July 2024 - 35
Cooperative Living July 2024 - 36
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