Editor, Gazette-Journal:

On the weekend of Aug. 26-28, our staff worked with other county employees and volunteers to man a shelter at Thomas Hunter Middle School during Hurricane Irene. We are all very fortunate that this storm did not deliver the blow to the county felt with Isabel back in 2003. Nevertheless, the flooding and winds were still devastating for many of our citizens.

This note is simply to express the gratitude of our staff to those who contributed to making the shelter as safe and as comfortable as resources allowed. Nelda Gibbs brought in cake and sandwiches; Food Lion sent in doughnuts; Mr. (Mike) Comer, Cleo Hayes and Donnie Hall were there to assure facilities at the school were up and running; Sheriff (Danny) Howlett’s office provided a deputy throughout the event; Debbie Holaday and other rescue squad staff provided medical support; Ralph Horn made preparations for the pets; and finally, our county administrator Steve Whiteway and EOC officer Dave Burn...