The storm that swept the Chathams last Friday, July 3rd wrecked havoc with our plans and our lives. It also underscored our total dependence on regular electrical service.
Chatham only began to dabble with the stuff in 1901 when, after careful analysis, bidding, and informed public debate, voters approved a proposal to build a municipal electric plant to light the streets.
That kind of timely, meaningful, public review is exactly what today’s Borough Council should do before embarking on major projects.
Chatham Press, May 18, 1901
The new electrical utility got residents to sample electric lighting by offering to supply the wiring and the fixtures:
Everybody got hooked. By 1920, even a brief power outage was more than a minor inconvenience:
Why doesn’t today’s Borough Council include residents in such big decisions?
Comments
One response to “Powerless”
Should of been here when cable came to Chatham