Editor's Note: The following is an original letter sent in to Patch by reader Erin Versheck.
Some of you may, or may not, know, Jon Versheck. He is an 'average Joe' who does what he has to, to get by day by day. After the recent blizzard on February 8-9, 2013, and the lack of response from the Town of Brookhaven, we all want answers. Jon plowed our street in Sound Beach and a neighboring dead end after the storm. Not because he was paid to by the town. But because he felt it was the 'right' thing to do.
Yes, we live in New York and it is February. We do get some big snow storms here this time of year. The lack of supervisory positions, from being on vacation, toothaches, and family emergencies, is no excuse. Nor is the excuse that the town did not have a master map of the town, to know which streets had or had not been plowed, acceptable. Another one of the many excuses was that no one had the right equipment. We needed pay loaders and bobcats and big trucks to get the job done.
Then how is it, that Jon, with his 15 year old, half ton pick up, and a 40 year old, medium duty plow, plowed our two streets, with 30 inches of snow and even higher drifts, without major damage to his truck? He had both streets down to pavement, without the packed down ice and snow left on the street. He also helped numerous neighbors who were stuck on local streets get moving, and plowed a little parking spot on another local street for the neighbors who could not get up our block to park safely. If he had the equipment, capabilities, and knowledge to do it, there is no reason why the town and their sub-contractors could not.
Jon is looking for help to get a write in vote for the special election for Town of Brookhaven Superintendent of Highways on Tuesday March 5, 2013. He does not expect to get elected, but if enough people write him in, he is hoping to get recognized. Jon has no political background or affiliations. He is just another hard working citizen of Brookhaven who wants to try to make a difference. If you could help him out and vote on March 5, 2013 and write his name in and spread the word to other aggravated Brookhaven residents, maybe we won't have to deal with this when the next major snowstorm comes. Please visit his website: http://brookhavensuper.com/. Thank you!
- Erin Versheck
