Saturday, May 15, marked the celebration of Garland Power & Light’s 100th anniversary of serving the people of Garland. The GP&L event was filled with family fun.
Live music by The Vinyl Stripes, A Hard Night’s Day and the Tin Man Band was enjoyed throughout the day as well as bounce houses and games for kids. A variety of food trucks and vendors were also on hand.
In addition, employees of GP&L demonstrated some of the work they do to provide a smooth, uninterrupted flow of electricity to their customers. Most do not think of the risks involved with the jobs of GP&L employees. And even after a demonstration, an observer doesn’t get the full picture. The demonstration at the event, for example, showed workers changing out a transformer. The sun was shining, and the temperature was perfect. The work was difficult and dangerous enough in perfect conditions. The job requires someone to climb the pole and do the necessary work at the top, two workers in bucket trucks to help with various parts of the job and several on the ground directing things.
What wasn’t shown during the demonstration is the added difficulty if the tasks had to be done in 100+ degree heat, or the other extreme of 20 degrees and ice falling.
Photos by Mayor Scott LeMay
Watching the GP&L employees opened the eyes of observers, and many walked away at the end saying that they never understood how difficult the job of electric linemen could be.
Other city departments like the city’s Convention & Visitors Bureau, Office of Emergency Management, Heritage Crossing/Landmark Museum, Stormwater Management, Go Green Garland, Nicholson Memorial Library System, Animal Services and others were there to share information about what their departments do and hand out all kinds of swag.
The celebration was fun and the information provided was interesting, and one of the best things is that the event did not cost Garland’s taxpayers or GP&L customers anything. Mayor Scott LeMay explained that outside partners and vendors who work with GP&L sponsored the entire event.
In addition to LeMay, Mayor Pro Tem Deborah Morris, as well as council members Margaret Lucht, B.J. Williams, Dylan Hedrick, Ed Moore and Jeff Bass were also there to enjoy the party.