Patch Praise for Lemont Public Works

While most Lemont residents were riding out the blizzard from the comfort of their homes, a group of more than two dozen dedicated individuals were working hard to dig the village out of nearly a foot and a half of snow.

As of 6 a.m. Thursday, the Lemont Public Works Department will have been plowing snow for about 40 consecutive hours. Crews of 12 men have been splitting 12-hour shifts, working hard to clear the village's main roads and side streets.

Public Works Director Ralph Pukula worked tirelessly throughout the storm as he and his team battled high winds and large snow drifts.

"This is probably the worst storm I've seen," he said. "The wind is really what makes it bad, with the drifting and blowing across the road."

Despite the difficulties, many of the Lemont's main roads were cleared by Wednesday afternoon, making it possible for village personnel and police to make their way around the village.

"Public Works is really doing a banner job," said Rose Yates, executive assistant at the Village of Lemont.

Despite school closings in many surrounding communities, administrators from Lemont High School District 210 were so confident in the ability of the Lemont Public Works Department to clear he roads that they decided Thursday at 9 a.m.

On Wednesday, Village Trustee Rick Sniegowski took to the to express his gratitude to Lemont Public Works and other Lemont emergency management personnel.

"Thank you ALL Village employees," Sniegowski wrote. "Dedicated & Diligent — you're the best!"

Lemont Patch Facebook fans praise Public Works

Although many Lemont residents wondered throughout the day Wednesday when snowplows might make it to their neighborhoods, many took to the Lemont Patch Facebook page to praise Lemont Public Works — calling their work everything from "outstanding" to "amazing."

• Judy Bicek-Radomski: Lemont Public Works rocks! We didn't get our street plowed until this afternoon (and we are in the hilly part of town) but when they came ... they came like the cavalry! Bobcats, bulldozers, & snow plows! Thanks Village of Lemont ... you guys are great!

• Chris Rinchich: They were awesome! I hope they come back and finish from my house down to the end of the block tomorrow.

• Marilou Purpura: I just keep praying for our village guys working so hard ... they are the best! Mr. Mayor this crew you have working the streets are very good ... with all the hills they are amazing. I have heard from other towns, and we have the best, they (friends and family) always know when Lemont begins or ends, because the streets are always GREAT.

• Vito Valentino: I think Lemont Public works is doing an outstanding job. The snow in Lemont is always cleaned up fast

• Marcus Hebda: I don't think our Public Works Department gets enough credit for what they do. I saw a lot of posts today about people upset that their streets weren't cleared as fast as they hoped. It was a blizzard and given that fact ... I think they did an outstanding job and deserve thanks not criticism. Everyone always feels they should be first plowed for some self-serving reason or another but to have most street clear within six hours of the snow stopping should be applauded!!!

Check Patch later Thursday morning for a complete update on the status of snow removal around the community. For more on the Lemont Public Works Department, check out our feature story from Monday on