Light Department linemen recognized by Albany Utility Board

ALBANY — The Albany Utility Board honored its Light Department line crew that has worked extended hours in dangerous conditions during the recent spate of storms that has impacted power in the region.

Assistant City Manager Phil Roberson praised the 47 employees in the city’s Light Department.

“During the last 18-24 months, we’ve gone through a massive reorganization with a reduction in force that has impacted our Light Department,” Roberson said. “And this group here today has one of the most dangerous jobs in the city. Yesterday, for example, the ambient temperature surpassed 100 degrees, and they were out in their heavy, protective gear in that heat. Also, there have been an unusual number of lightning strikes associated with these storms, but these guys are out there in hazardous conditions, often late at night.

“I’m proud of them, and the city should be proud of them.”

Mayor Dorothy Hubbard, who serves as chair of the Utility Board, thanked the line crew “on behalf of the mayor, the City Commission, this commission and all of the citizens of Albany.”

Also at the meeting, Utility Board Attorney Sam Engram gave a report on governmental immunity and how it impacts the utility authority.

“Everyone around this table except (executive assistant) Vernester (Williams) would have to intentionally hurt someone to be held liable because of governmental immunity,” Engram said. “Courts have ruled that the only instances in which representatives of a city government can be subject to lawsuits are when they are engaged in ministerial activities, for-profit activities that could be performed by the private sector.

“I’d hate to have to write an insurance policy that determines which activities are governmental and which are ministerial. That’s why most municipalities carry policies that cover them.”

City Manager Sharon Subadan assured the board that the city carries such insurance.

Before holding an executive session to discuss property acquisition, the board named Subadan as its voting delegate with the Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia and with the Georgia Public Web collective.