WPCNR MR. & MRS. & MS. WHITE PLAINS VOICE. August 2, 2006: A reader who lives in the Highlands and who suffered through the 5-day blackout in White Plains Southend July 18-23 writes:
Dear Editor -
As a resident of the Highlands, I support Mayor Defino's call for Con Edison to review the staffing levels in our area. It appears that recovery was hampered by lack of crews to cut the power to downed lines before our own DPW could step in. I hope that plans could be made to meet staffing needs in the future.
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With respect to the communication problem though, the City of White Plains can contribute to the solution. For example, when my neighbor found out through word of mouth that Con Ed was distributing dry ice at the Bloomingdale's parking lot he went to retrieve some. When he asked how they had publicized it, he was told they had contacted NewsChannel 12! Of course without power there was no access to cable TV to find this out. He was also informed that they had told the Mayor's office.
This is where the City could help. Since sector police cars were patrolling the affected areas could it not be possible to use their loudspeakers to inform residents that the dry ice was available. I know this temporarily adds the job of "Town Crier" to the police force's already busy schedule in an emergency but the benefit to the powerless residents would be a blessing.
Thank you,
Stephen Walfish
