To the Editor,

We all have had heroes or people we admire throughout our lives and extraordinary circumstances seem to make them stand out a bit more. Such has been the case with our recent hurricane. When Matthew’s torrential rains and violent winds visited our county, lives were disrupted and property damaged. Both during and since this event many have performed unselfish acts of bravery and kindness and all should be lauded but my letter today will focus on our community of Fairmont and the heroes here. I offer these three examples:

— On the day the hurricane swooped into our town heavy rains created flooding in the Old Field neighborhood, making vehicle traffic impossible. Late in the afternoon police Detective Chris McManus responded to a call for help on Stafford Street. A bedridden citizen needed evacuation immediately due to his health conditions and McManus waded through waist deep water several hundred feet to reach the man’s house, pick him up, and carry him in his arms back to safety, where he was taken to a relative’s home.

— Sewer services were never lost in Fairmont because sewer operator Kevin Taylor, rural firefighter Kenny Caulder, farmer Zack Johnson, and rescue Commander Brandon Stone drove 14 miles through flooded roads to Boardman, used Johnson’s farm tractor and, with Taylor giving directions, traveled over a flooded narrow dirt road leading to our sewer plant in the woods to put gasoline into our generator. A pond and canal on either side of the entry road made the task even more harrowing. They returned two days later to repeat this task.

— Finally, Public Works Director Ronnie Seals’ far sighted planning of stockpiling diesel and gasoline supplies in addition to his remarkable on-the-scene thinking instilled confidence and spirit throughout the Public Works employees and kept recovery efforts running smoothly.

I volunteered to answer the phones and help dispatch at Public Works from Sunday through Friday after the hurricane and personally heard and witnessed these and many other examples of dedication. I was overwhelmed at times by the unselfishness and courage that I witnessed.

I am certain that you have your heroes too. These are mine. God bless them all.

Charles Kemp

Fairmont commissioner