by Jody Spear and Kelly Meyer –
CLEAR LAKE – The Cerro Gordo Secondary Road Department has it’s hands full maintaining the gravel roads of Cerro Gordo County. After wintry weather of sleet, slush and snow, the rainy spring season and the farmers’ planting season, the roads are filled with potholes and deep crevices, making it difficult for travelers to drive on.
That’s where the county’s Ed Gaffney takes over.
“I’ve been doing the gravels of southern Cerro Gordo County for thirty-three years,” Gaffney said.
Gaffney, (pictured) who took a few minutes to talk while on his morning coffee break, is a Maintainer / Operator who drives a Road Grader. “I have about 59 miles of road that I blade,” he says, “that includes the winter months of snow removal as well as keeping the roads smooth so people can drive down them and so they can get to work.”
As part of the public who appreciate this service, we can all respect the efforts it takes keeping these roads up. No one likes driving and hitting big holes and bumps in the road. “I’m here to prevent people from going into the ditch and try to make it easier on their vehicles,” said Gaffney.
The Cerro Gordo Secondary Road Department’s main shed and foreman are in Rockwell, but Gaffney goes to the Thorton shed every morning to get his grader to go to work. “After thirty-three years, I hope to retire in a couple more years, when I’m 62,” he said, then added, “Depending on how things go.”
Ed’s break was just about over and the dump truck had just dropped some gravel on the road to be leveled off, so Ed had to return to work, but wanted to add, “I have just recently lost both of my parents. It’s a hard time. I took the responsibility of finding homes for their pet cats. I found homes for most of them, but there is one special black and white cat left, that needs a home. Sophie is a spayed, well-fed, in-door cat with all her shots. If anyone is looking for a in-home companion, please leave a comment below or get in touch with NIT.
Watch video:
job well done
Great article on Ed. Ed is a grest person and a great road grader
Jody, Kelly, really nice story on a fine person, thank you for this!
Nice article, I have had the opportunity to work with Ed and he is the best road grader operator around, bar-none!!! He really cares about his work and the people he serves. Keep up the good work Ed.