News•Progress Archives

•September 2, 2015•

By Mike Brothers

“I love my trees so I understand why people get upset,” Mayor Ann Short said of recent tree trimming in the city. “But when there is a bad storm and trees take down power lines, everyone suffers.”

In order to gain some control over the branches hanging over power lines the city is trying to be proactive and Short explained the existing crew in the electric dept. can’t keep up.

That led the city to contract with Nelson Tree Service, arborists that trim for Ameren, for the project.

Shannon Risley is in charge of the electric plant and making sure Sullivan residents can depend on their electric service.

On July 19, 2010 one of the worst storms to ever hit Sullivan brought that home with 21 poles downed as the result of falling limbs and wind, putting pressure on power lines.

“That week from Monday until most service was restored by Wednesday we worked 40 hours overtime in the sweltering heat,” Risley recalled. He explained the damage was beyond the ability of Sullivan’s six man crew to handle.     Login or Subscribe to read the rest of this story.