Chemung County Legislator Rodney J. Strange spent a 17 hour shift with the men and women of Chemung County’s Department of Public Works. Strange arrived in the early morning hours of Tuesday, March 14th as Winter Storm Stella began to pound Chemung County with over a foot of snow. It was the biggest snow storm to hit the county in the past couple years.
Strange reported to the Department of Public Works facility in Horseheads at 3 am to spend the day riding with the county’s snowplow drivers. Strange road with snowplow drivers Bill Hackett and Chris Cox as they plowed roads in Strange’s 15th legislative district.
“It is important for me as a County Legislator and as a member of the legislature’s Highway Committee to learn how the DPW operates and see the equipment in action and how it operates,” Strange said. “We spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on equipment and material yearly and to see first hand how it is used and the affects of its use help me make informed and educated decisions as a member of the legislature.”
While visiting the DPW facility and riding on various routes in his legislative district, Strange was able to ride in the inaugural snowplow run of the newest addition to the fleet delivered to Chemung County just the day before the storm. The new 10 wheel Western Star plow truck was purchased with funds allocated in the 2016 County Budget.
“It is always a pleasure for me to spend time with the hardworking men and women who keep our county roads safe for our residents to drive on when weather conditions are at their worst. They are truly amazing employees,” Strange said.