In 2002, we held our first Open House. Before that, we had been working in two different locations. Since we had been working in two different locations, our move here to SR 582 (otherwise known as Middleton Pike) we combined our operations into a single new facility. We “opened the doors” of the buildings here, and invited the public to come see us, what we do, and how we do it each day. There has been good attendance each year since.
It would be easy to not hold an open house each year. It would be easy not to clean things up here year to year, repaint, or deep clean the floors as some examples of how we get ready for the public to attend here. The staff would be happy not to do many of these things out of the ordinary of their usual day. We would get by and still do our jobs each day. But I question if we would have just as much pride in what we do and respect the business service we provide as we make these extra efforts to put our best foot forward. I believe there is value here in doing these extra things that cannot be measured in employee pride, respect, and customer service.
There is a cost to this event, no doubt. We provide free food, free events, and attractions for the kids who attend. However, it is small in comparison to our total budget, and a small expenditure in trying to “give back” something to our ratepayers, particularly after the years of COVID. I think this event is a simple easy opportunity for the public to meet us, look behind the walls of our workplace, and better understand what we do. We are employees here, we work for a living, but we are residents of Wood County doing a public job providing public utilities. We do it well, and no one in the region is making the effort to do it as well as we do! And that effort pays off in the long run!
It’s a great event in itself, I think well received, and our employees do a great job not only in putting it together but in working the event, being available and open to the public who attends. They are also very open to explaining what they do here, and their contribution. I’m really proud of each of them for being out there, on the front line, and doing their best each day!
Hopefully,……….we will see you next year!
Jerry Greiner
President
August 16, 2023