By Tamala Boyd
We talk a lot about dysfunction in Mount Vernon.
We call out incompetence.
We demand accountability.
But today?
This is an ode to the people who quietly make the city function anyway.
I love my DPW guys.
Henry.
Eric.
Mike — though I hear Mike may have gotten hurt and possibly retired, and if so, we hope he’s healing well.
They are funny.
They are energetic.
They are always in a good mood.
And no matter what chaos is happening at City Hall, they show up. They do the work. They keep the wheels turning. Trash gets picked up. Streets get handled. Life goes on — because of people like them.
Good local government isn’t abstract. It’s the guys who show up at 7 a.m. with a laugh and get it done—in spite of the dysfunction going on around and above them.
Mount Vernon works when the workers work. And these guys do.
When Christmas rolls around, they don’t have to find me — I find them! Because I really love and appreciate them, and want to show that in a meaningful way.
So this one’s for my DPW crew. 💛