Electricity department linemen recognized in Lanett
BY JOHN BRICE
FOR THE LAFAYETTE SUN
LANETT — District 5 Council Member Kim Roberts read a proclamation recognizing Public Power Week, which she presented to the city of Lanett’s Electric Department at the council meeting Monday evening.
“Whereas the city of Lanett is celebrating Public Power Week, October the fourth through the eighth, along with more than 2,000 other community-owned, not-for-profit electric utilities that collectively provide electricity to 49 million Americans. And whereas Public Power Week celebrates the reliable, affordable electricity that the city of Lanett provides to this community. And whereas the city of Lanett Electric Department, which is headed up by Utility Superintendent Allen Summers, puts the people of Lanett first, providing reliable and safe service to friends and neighbors. And whereas the city of Lanett has been nationally recognized as a reliable public power provider. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the city of Lanett mayor and council recognize that linemen are truly heroes who fight to keep the lights on, and Public Power Week allows us the opportunity to recognize our employees for delivering reliable, affordable, environmentally responsible electricity that helps build strong communities.”
Summers expressed his gratitude for the linemen who keep the lights on.
“I want to say thank you to these guys. They do a great job. I just point, and they run,” Summers said.
Mayor Jamie Heard also took the time to praise the linemen.
“We really do appreciate our electric department because they never know what time they’re going to be called out,” Heard said. “I know people get upset when their lights go out, but it’s not always Lanett’s fault. We have people hitting poles with all of these vehicles, [and] we have birds that tamper with the lines. We try very hard to get them back on as quickly as possible. We do appreciate them. Let me just encourage our citizens: rather than get on Facebook and talk negatively about our guys, let’s say something positive about them, because they work really hard. We really appreciate you all.”
In other business, the council:
District 2 Council Member Krisse Story read a proclamation recognizing the Lambda Zeta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. of Lanett on its 50th charter anniversary.
The Valley Local Director Sara Crutchfield presented District 4 Council Member Charles Bagley with the organization’s 20 Under 40 Award.
Approved a pole attachment agreement with Point Broadband Fiber Holding, which is doing business as Clearwave.
Approved a resolution allowing for the conversion of sick time to retirement.
Approved the 2027 severe weather preparedness tax holiday for Feb. 26-28, 2027.
Approved an agreement with the Alabama Department of Transportation for a sidewalk improvement project on Cherry Drive. District 1 Council Member Denise Zachery then announced the city will receive a $710,788 grant from the Federal Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Program for the project.
