Monday, September 19, 2011

11th Annual Florida Lineman's Competition in Ocala

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Competition is fun but let's hope we don't have a hurricane any time soon. Watch the video below. You will see our Assistant Utility Director, Clay Lindstrom, in one frame as well as Utility Director, Becky Mattey.


9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks for posting. It was very interesting. I noticed that Lake worth did not do as well as the rest of the teams. Was the time still considered good?

Lynn Anderson said...

I have no idea but I will try and find out. Perhaps someone in the know can post an answer.

Anonymous said...

We actually started the International Linemen's Rodeo in Bonner Springs, Kansas in 1982. Back then there were only teams from the immediate area, but now it has gone international. As a lineman myself, I have a lot of respect for what those guys do every day.

Anonymous said...

Did the city pay for them to go to this or was this on their own dime?

Lynn Anderson said...

As this is considered training, I am assuming that the City paid for it.

Anonymous said...

The city paid for the trip, the materials and the shirts that Becky designed, they were not cheap, her only goal was to show up Ocala, too bad it didn’t work out for her.

Jessica R. said...

As a Lineman's wife, I feel slightly offended by your comments.These guys work very hard for your city and put their lives on the line every day they go to work.The rodeo's are not about a bunch of guys getting together and competing, it is about the lineman working as a team, something that is a must in this type of trade.These competitions also allow for the various utilities to meet and build working relationships. This would inturn benefit you because these other municipalities that compete in the rodeo will likely be the municipalities that come in to aid when a hurrican does hit the area. These competetors also share stories about the trade and discuss various work related scenarios; some of which could potentially save a fellow lineman's life.This particular trade is often referred to as a "botherhood"..... this type of event helps to build that. I understand everyone has issues with their cities way of managing issues and finances, but, this trip was a great training excercise for the lineman that work for the city.

Lynn Anderson said...

Jessica--Thanks for writing. Sorry you are taking offense. Lineman make a heck of a lot of money for what they do...do you not agree? We are in a financial crisis in this city and at the moment we are struggling just to retain city services and our library. Spending money for this type of thing is not prudent at this time.

Jessica R. said...

Honestly, no, I don't think they make enough for what they do.Lineman risk their lives everyday.My husband makes 32.10 an hour as a lineman, when you take out the various deductions from his check...it comes out that he averages a little less than 20.00 an hour.Also,Lake Worth is one of the lower paying municipalites for lineman.These guys risk their lives daily for us to have the luxury of power.I never fully understood the magnitude of their job duities untill I went to a rodeo.Again, as you have your opinions, I have mine; so I guess we will just have to agree to disagree.