It's time to shake off your cabin fever

Cabin fever is a frightening feeling. And let's admit - all of us to some extent have been suffering with cabin fever for weeks - nay months now.

The weatherman is at long last giving us a break this week and hopefully for many, many weeks to come.

And we deserve it!

But one somewhat ugly aspect of cabin fever is that it gives the malcontents ample time to ponder and complain and then complain some more.

I have heard far too many complaints on the lack of success by our street personnel and the MoDOT personnel in clearing the streets.

So let me come to their defense - though quite honestly they don't need me singing their praise.

Folks, we have miles and miles of city streets and for the past week they have all needed some attention.

But this weather is by any measure exceptional and it has taxed our equipment and manpower to the max.

Despite this overwhelming challenge, the crews were out early and stayed late doing the best they could given the conditions.

Sure, perhaps your street has not been touched. But the main thoroughfares that provide access to our essential services were cleared as rapidly as possible.

In a touch of irony, many of those who complain are the same ones who have not addressed their own driveways or sidewalks, etc.

While many of us were virtually marooned in our homes, keep in mind that street workers, Public Safety officers and fire division officers were working as usual. Despite conditions that stranded many of us, these dedicated men and women were still providing the needed services in our community and beyond. And the BMU employees and other service providers were out in these conditions to make this miserable mess a little more palatable.

So shake off your cabin fever and improve your attitude. And when the fever subsides, take just a minute to remember those who were out in the cold and ice and snow while we were in our homes watching reruns on television.