Correct house numbering is important in an emergency

To the Editor:

Although I am not closely acquainted with the author of the letter in the Monday issue of your paper ("Let's Hope We Get Some Positive Changes Happening in 2012") I wish to thank the writer for reminding your readers of the importance of using correct house numbers to assure the quickest possible response from emergency services in Athens County (as well as proper deliveries by parcel services, etc.). Although I have been retired from the 9-1-1 office for several years, after spending most of my career in emergency services, it continues to concern me when I see instances like the one mentioned in the article where residents are using confusing house numbering.

In the cited case, the resident built another house behind their existing house and "took" their old house number with them rather than use the number I assigned to the new house, presumably to avoid changing their mailing address or perhaps because they had invested in an expensive rock engraved with their house number, which they still wanted to be able to use.

Now that the house has changed hands, I would hope the new residents might contact the 9-1-1 director's office to try to straighten out this confusion, but as I have no business meddling in their affairs, I am reluctant to try to initiate such a conversation with them. If the writer is friends with those residents, I hope they will let them know of the issue and its potential resolution.

Although this instance is literally almost in my back yard, it would not be the only time that such things occurred in the county, and some people remain upset at me years later for trying to assign them an address intended to assure the fastest possible response to any emergency that might occur at their home.

Meanwhile, if anyone reading this continues to resist correct house numbering, please reconsider. Quoting the original letter, "we are dealing with emergencies here, and anything less than perfection should not be tolerated." (There is, however, no statutory requirement that residents use their assigned addresses or display them on their houses or mailboxes.)

Although you may enjoy using Route 3, Box 77, or naming your driveway, etc., if your postal delivery person isn't aboard the emergency vehicle that is responding to your home, you may have done a serious disservice to you or your loved ones.

I also thank the writer for noticing that I am running for Athens County commissioner and hope they will take the time to review my credentials and consider voting for me as a write-in in the March 6 primary (remember: you have to fill in the circle AND write in my name!) and, hopefully, again in the November general election. I also hope they and all other county residents will take the opportunity to let me know of their concerns about the operation of county government. I can be found at most county commissioner meetings, or I can be reached at the address below.

Randy Mace
5885 Radford Road
Athens