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Hugo sends thanks from the heart
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Wednesday, 04 June 2008
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Fran Miron
Guest Columnist
First, I would like to send my deepest sympathies on behalf of the Hugo City Council and the citizens of Hugo, to the Prindle family who lost their son Nathaniel during the storm.
We also pray for their four-year-old daughter Annika, who is still fighting for her life after sustaining serious injuries during the storm, and for all the survivors of this disaster who are now dealing with physical or mental wounds.
I would also like to take this time to thank all of the people who answered the call of the community to come to the aid of their neighbors in the moments immediately after the event and in the days that followed, including: emergency personnel and law enforcement from the metro area, the Salvation Army, the American Red Cross, Lutheran Disaster Services, Nechama, the Washington County staff, sheriff’s office, and disaster management team, Xcel Energy, the White Bear Area School District, US Bank, Lake Area Bank, Hugo residents, city commission members, both current and former city staff, and the hundreds of volunteers from all over who assisted in the recent clean-up event.
The outpouring of support was nothing short of outstanding and I hope you know how truly grateful the city is for your efforts and deeds.
On behalf of the citizens, I want to extend our appreciation to all those who offered their assistance, homes, donations, and more.
Though we may not have been able to coordinate with all of you due to the number of offers for assistance that came to us, please know that your offers for help were truly appreciated.
The evening of May 25th, 2008 will long live in the thoughts and memories of Hugo residents. Of course, the visual images of the devastation we witnessed after the passing of the tornado will last the rest of our lifetimes and will serve as a reminder of how quickly life can change.
But beyond the helicopter shots, newspaper stories, and first hand accounts lies an even greater story about a community coming together for a common cause.
When someone is asked why they live in Hugo many people respond that they prefer the rural character that Hugo has to offer. The character they are referencing not only describes the open fields, farms, and barns that stand here, but also the character of the neighbors they have chosen to live next to.
A city of neighbors who when faced with personal loss and heartbreak of their own chose to set those loses aside so that they could come to the aid of a neighbor.
A city of neighbors who did not hesitate to ask how they could help and who keep asking still.
A city of neighbors who have taken pride in their community and have already begun to rebuild that which the tornado has taken from us.
This is what “rural character” means in the city of Hugo.
The city’s Good Neighbor Days festival begins this weekend and never before has its name or its timing seemed more perfect. This celebration will provide a much needed respite for all of us and will serve as the ultimate symbol for a community that came together in a time of great need.
So please, find a way to participate in the Hugo Good Neighbor Days events and take some time to recognize your neighbors for all that has been done.
Thank you once again to all of those who have contributed to storm response and clean-up efforts.
I am truly proud of all of you and of our city.
Writer Fran Miron is mayor of the city of Hugo.
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