I would be the first to let you know if I have a problem with MY local government.  Especially when the power of government is used to enforce rules to help real estate people (brokers, agents, appraisers), but provide no logical benefit for actual neighbors.  Therefore, I try to be (and wish to be), just as conscientious to thank those who provide service to the citizens of Ridgeland.  They may get paid to do these things but many times they deserve thanks and we don’t take the time to do it.  

This morning my wife was leaving our home on Pear Orchard Road at around 9am, in my car to go to work.  About 100 yards south on Pear Orchard the automatic transmission locked up. She called me at the house and I walked down to where the car was setting in southbound traffic.  My first concern was to get her out of the car and off the road.  I could not get the car off the road since the transmission was totally locked.  Before I even had a chance to call the police or a tow, an unmarked police unit arrived with two very competent and helpful plainclothes officers.  I wasn’t smart enough to get their names, unfortunately.  Do me a huge favor and determine who they were and make sure they know that my wife and I are very grateful for all they did this morning, as well as the dangers they face frequently on all our behalf.  

Also, while I am writing this, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention assistance we received from the Ridgeland Fire Department shortly before Thanksgiving (I think; since I will have to check with my wife for a more exact date).  We had contractors doing renovations in our home while we visited our son and his family on the coast.  At one point while the workers were cutting dry-wall they allowed too much plaster dust to get into the air and set off our ADT smoke alarm.  ADT called here and the worker in charge answered the phone but did not know how to calm the situation.  ADT called the fire dept. and they responded.  The workers apologized and the fireman were very courteous and told the workers that it was all right since that is what the RFD got paid for.  That may be but it is hard to express just how much a home owner appreciates that kind of prompt, professional response; nor how embarrassing it is to know that such emergence services have been called out unnecessarily.  

Jim & Linda Sudduth
Ridgeland, MS

This entry was posted on Monday, January 5th, 2009 at 12:01 pm and is filed under Endorsements. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.