Carol Anne Costa: Juno Exposed - Our Strengths

Carol Anne Costa: Juno Exposed - Our Strengths

A driveway, a sidewalk, a parking lot, a local road, a state road or, an interstate highway; when covered in snow they belong to all of us. Snow is, by and large, the great equalizer. It makes no judgements. It simply falls on anyone, everyone, everything, and every throughway in its path. As Juno brought the arctic precipitation, winds, drifts, and polar conditions, I can't help but picture the weather map Icon of the “winterman” blowing the elements at us,  with a wink and a smirk.  Unless you are 12 and have a sled, shovel, and are impervious to temperatures, this is nothing to smirk about, let alone be casual.

Those Who Do Not Remember History...

Snow and falling temperatures have the ability to deal harm, injury, and death. I know it is sort of romantic to “remember” the Blizzard of ‘78, but that storm was deadly, scary, and left an impression on those who lived through its devastation. That includes me, who in a car with my Dad, was wondering if we would ever make it home, realizing the lack of supplies and the real possibility of harm, as we drove along lonely country roads that were  rapidly filling with mounds of snow. For me, looking back has become a war story, but at the time is was terrifying. By the way, just a reminder...no cell phones.

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The Blizzard of ‘78 was a learning experience, it laid bare our weaknesses, and since that epic storm we have employed tools in order that the word “deadly” rarely applies to winter weather events. 54 people perished in that storm from electrocution, freezing to death, and in one tragic case a young boy disappeared in his yard - his body discovered  3 weeks later. As an 18 year old, I do remember the blizzard with personal memory of its impact on my family - luckily together, but out of power, water, and the “basics”. Huddled around a transistor (look it up), we listened to Governor Garrahy, Salty Brine, Hank Bouchard et als instruct and inform us on what exactly was happening. The now iconic shirt emerged for us only after the power returned and we could watch our televisions. In RI,  the plaid wearing Garrahy was in charge and people listened… a  political lesson.

Bird’s Egg Blue Jacket….

Although we have suffered through previous winter storms which have produced wishy washy governmental reactions and created talk show bonanzas for a week or two, it is clear that leadership matters. I can see your eyes rolling already, so chill.  I am not about to exalt Governor Raimondo to deity status, but I am going to opine that her definitive decision making and firm tone lead the way for every other leader in charge of public safety to mimic and based on the numbers, it worked. We checked on our neighbors, stocked up on essentials,  took care of our vulnerable, and stayed off the roads, to the delight of plow operators, police, and first responders.

When Governor Raimondo presented at RI DOT, wearing that bright, fashionable bird’s egg blue down jacket and hopped into that plow truck, she exhibited that she wished to hear directly from the mouths of those who do the work.  She wanted to see what they see and observe the actual task we assign state workers in every snow event. Those state workers who become invisible as we clamor to get our own vehicles back on the road. Again, a lesson….when you want to know how a job gets accomplished, it is simple, just ask those who do it and that outreach of the Governor alone is laudable.

Moving the Snow with a Clear Message

The coordinated efforts that resulted from a firmly delivered message, in my view trickled down to to benefit all of Rhode Island. When the Governor called on us to seize personal responsibility and prioritize, the empowerment of every person in charge of a household, complex, neighborhood development, and municipality resonated. I can speak from experience, as I lead an effort to make certain that 153 units in 8 buildings of elderly and disabled public housing stayed safe, warm, informed, and at the ready to react to circumstances that we hoped and prayed would never happen. Planning for a storm is much better than reacting to a storm. Each decision made by leaders at every level will have detractors, to which I say, “so be it.”   We can decide to act, plan, collaborate and lead or equivocate and roll the dice. I will take leadership any day.

#Planfortheworsthopeforthebest

I send big thanks to all the people who serve us; state, local, and independent plow operators, police, fire, rescue, municipal, and state employees, nurses, doctors and all those who take time away from their loved ones in order that we can be with ours. You are unsung heroes. And, thank you Juno, as you revealed our strengths - they are mighty.

 Carol Anne Costa is a public relations and community outreach specialist; she has experience in both the public and private sectors. She is the Chairwoman of the Scituate Democratic Town Committee and has extensive community affairs and public relations experience. She previously served in the Rhode Island Judiciary for nearly 17 years. Carol also enjoyed a successful development stint at the Diocese of Providence as Associate Director for Catholic Education and is currently a public housing manager. Her work has been published in several local outlets including GoLocal, Valley Breeze, The Rhode Island Catholic, and Currents Magazine.