When we think of First Responders, we tend to think of, appreciate, and thank our healthcare workers, mailmen, farmers, grocery workers, drivers, delivery personnel, medical staff, and police and fire officers. We seldom think of the Other First Responders, the men and women of Public Works. These are the dedicated people who are on duty 24/7 taking care of our City’s emergencies:
- fallen trees
- unsafe street pavements
- unlighted posts in our streets and parks
- busted water, sewer, and storm pipes
As Chair of the 2017 Citizens Water Task Force, I’ve learned a little bit more about our City’s Public Works. They’re part of the team that:
- ensures infrastructure reliability
- administers proper maintenance of our hundreds of miles of water pipes and several water reservoirs in the City
They ensure infrastructure reliability and proper maintenance for health and safety purposes. More importantly, they keep our City safe and livable.
Inspired by the 50 people of Public Works, I reached out to our community to participate in either of the two initiatives I’ve started:
- “Share a Dish, Cheer Our Responders”
- “Sponsor a Meal, Save a Business”
The response was overwhelming. Barb Martens shared her signature Chili Verde with beans while Vicky Pasalo brought the tortillas, chips, and salsa. Moreover, Dingguagua Tasty Legend, a Chinese restaurant on Barber Lane, shared one of their dishes. Lastly, Seafood City-Milpitas provided the desserts of ice cream cones and cookies.
Thank you so much, Donors, Sponsors, and Public Works. We appreciate you!
Evelyn Chua
Milpitas Resident
