As I write this, it is December and what has simply become known as “the vaccine” is going into arms of essential workers on the front lines of our healthcare system across the country. One arm at a time, it feels like we are finally winning.
As you read this, we will be approaching one year since the first stay-at-home order. I have no time to debate the “coulda,” “woulda” or “shoulda” of such orders. I feel for those who suffered in the making of the decisions and I hurt for those affected in the worst ways. I can’t solve any of it by creating division. Together, the only thing we can do is move forward into the future and not waste energy on unwinnable arguments that look back at the past.
Between spaced, orchestrated and scheduled bouts in the office, I have worked from home from a basement bedroom, from my kitchen table and in a small workout room in my pole barn on a card table. I moved my work space around because I never wanted a permanent home office. I purposely wanted each location to feel temporary.
I was not surprised to learn that I didn’t like managing a remote work force. I feed off the positive energy of my co-workers. Culture can survive for a time on Zoom but it can’t grow and thrive. We need to see, hear and feel the messages from each other. Zoom gives you the sight and sound but it is void of any of the “feels.”
My shortcomings were bolstered by a management team that dug into supporting their teams, communicating issues and making sure all the details were covered. We (me really) learned that one phone call was better than a flurry of emails that left interpretation up to an imagination under stress. We meet outside properly spaced (so much spacing talk this past year). One on one meetings had us walking in circles around the headquarters’ facility.
Lineworkers, engineering, operations, warehouse and metering employees remained on our front lines to keep the lights on. At one time or the other, they all reported directly from home. Each put on their “new normal” like it was an old pair of shoes and service continued.
In the office, the member information reps worked out a rotation that kept service to the drive-up window open. Members phoning in never knew if the person on the other end of the phone was at the office or sitting in the corner of a home work space. The accountants scattered to their respective homes with one consistently in the office to keep payroll and bill payments on schedule. Bills went out on time, receivables were never late and payroll operated like it always had. The communications team nailed the internal and external communications while focusing on where we could help the community the most.
Cherryland’s technology team is a two-man operation that felt like a dozen. When 58 employees scattered to home, these two made sure all the technology kept every aspect of the cooperative’s operation humming along.
In short, I sit here looking back immensely proud of the work your cooperative employees got done in the past year. I am honestly not surprised. The pandemic was simply one more storm job and pulling together in storms is something they know a little bit about.
Whatever 2021 has to offer, I know one thing: we got this… for you.
Where there is a will there is a way! Thank you for the service you provided for all of us . Great job! Its hard not being able to hold touch as we were born to do. The lack of it brings many to depression. Knowing spring is around the corner is a blessing. Keep up the great work. Thank you great story
Thank You and your team for all you do within our community. Your summary of work life and it’s many complications due to COVID is the best summary I have read. Etched within your words is a great example of 58 people coping with a major upheaval in every aspect of their lives.
Cherryland Electric is in Good Hands!
Best Regards
Rod Rebant
You are patently wrong that the only thing we can do is look forward to the future and not pay heed to the dark past. We in Michigan need to start now to vote the Whitmer administration out of office as soon as possible. The willingness to use destructive and tyrannical executive orders not based on science and inconsistently applied revealed her attitude toward governance and should mark forever her tenure. Further, her arrogant disregard for the legislature should linger long in the public memory. We need to sweep her and her cronies out of office as soon as we can, if not by recall then by the next gubernatorial election. Anyone trying to maintain that she did what she had to do or that she didn’t have other choices should look at how Florida handled the pandemic and compare the results there on the economy and on public health. Her approach has been unforgivable and bodes ill for her future exercise of power.
I agree wholeheartedly with your comments. The destruction to the people of Michigan in terms of physical, mental and financial ruin with have lasting consequences for years to come. All in the name of SCIENCE!! Where is the science that you can’t obtain healthcare but you can have an abortion or go shop at the big box stores but not buy paint to get outside in the fresh air to paint your house while locked down. Common sense has gone out the window. Our elected officials need to work for the people not for their own agenda. Bravo to you for taking a stand that I feel so strongly about.
Sincerely,
Kathleen Cherry
Thanks, Cherryland operations sure felt seamless from where my family and I sat. The lights never flickered, much-needed Sunday afternoon football was reliably frustrating, and the heat came on when it was supposed to. Your folks did a great job.
Thank you Mr. Anderson for your story about patience, gratitude, hope, and especially, about the teamwork it takes to work together to make things better for all during stormy times. A reminder of the interdependence we all have with others in the spheres of civilized life whether at home, work, in our community, or public life in service to country. Where one stands politically is irrelevant in the things that matter most in America. Thank you for your non-partisan leadership as we move through this pandemic storm.
I love your column and the personal tone you set. Your comments are so inspiring and give us hope!
Cherryland You Are The Best, Congrats To The Entire Work Force, In And Out, Best Service Ever, Thank You Again!!
Thanks Tony, to you and your team. Your article beautifully explains the beneficial outcome of working together for the common good.; I am grateful to be a recipient of your team effort.
How wonderful our world would be if we all worked together (as your team demonstrates) for the common good.
Thomas White, I wholeheartedly agree. The tone of this editorial is one of capitulation to fear mongering and imposed control by our governor. Stand Up and live without restrictions.
I feel immensely sick and tired of all the doom and gloom on the news brought about by actions from incompetent or adverse politicians. Your “On The Other Side” is appropriately a “ray of light.” Thanks for keeping Cherryland in the game and thanks for sharing good cheer.
Thank you, ALL Cherryland Employees for keeping our electric going by your dedication and concern. Whatever your job, we appreciate YOU and your hard work. It tastes all people working together and that’s what you all do!!
Again, Many thanks.
Thank you, Mr. Anderson, and the entire Cherryland team for you compassion, dedication, and skills that have helped to bring everyone through the incredibly difficult conditions of the pandemic. Keeping the lights on with such grace helps show the way, leave simplistic pettiness behind, and rise to our better selves.
Not happy with Cherryland Electric Company. After they admitted to putting up a faulty transformer on our property that in the end surged my new well pump and burned it up. They are not willing to do anything to help with the cost of another new well pump. They said it was because I didn’t call them, but I had no way to know to call them. Well worked one day and not the next no warning. There was nothing that an average every day person would have seen to make them call Cherryland. Our well pump is 200ft in the ground. They call not getting a meter reading for 2 months proactive in fixing the issue. Not even close!!!! They know that there’s nothing I can do, cant switch electric companies like satellite companies so they do not care.
Wonder if this same transformer issue happened to me two years ago? Same scenario with pump working fine one day then fried wiring and pump the next. $2000 bill to fix this. Don’t know for sure what was the cause but there was no lightning storms then in the winter. I called and asked for help but got the answer it was not from their equipment. No surges were noted at that time they told me. So I had no recourse but to pay the well and pump replacement bill