Derrick Miller
It has been a month and a half since an ice storm devastated much of the Duncan and Stephens County area. In its wake, the ice storm left a trail of devastation, which included broken tree limbs.
Duncan Fire Department Chief Larry Sullins said Duncan is coming to a point where debris is about to be picked up. On Wednesday, the City of Duncan started sending out bid packets to numerous companies. Thursday, the packets were still going out.
“We’re still sending them out,” Sullins said. “We’re sending them by e-mail and fax. We have people coming in to pick them up.”
Sending out the bid packets is only the first step in debris collection, Sullins said. The bids will be opened March 29, and then the selection process for the best bid will begin.
“I’m hoping we open the bids on the 29th,” Sullins said. “We have to have time to go through them and select one. I’m hoping by the first of April they’ll get started. That’s my game plan.”
Although the idea is to start getting debris cleaned up toward the beginning of April, Sullins said it will be contingent on the weather.
“We’re ready to get through this quickly,” he said.
Sullins said it’s important for people to start taking their debris to the curb. He said it will make it easier for pickup once the company is selected.
“These contractors cannot go on private property,” Sullins said. “They can’t go into the backyard or into the front yard. It’s up to the homeowner to get debris to the curb.”
He said there was quite a bit of damage throughout the City of Duncan, but he hopes to have the debris cleaned up quickly for Duncan residents.
Sullins said the city has many people working to get the situation rectified.
“We’re steadily working at it,” Sullins said. “I’m glad to hear our president signed the declaration. Ever since then, it’s been busy.”
Sullins said the ice storm was an unusual event, but one Duncan residents won’t soon forget.
“We’ve seen things we’ve never seen before,” Sullins said. “Let’s hope we don’t see it again.”
— Derrick Miller is a reporter for The Duncan Banner. He can be reached at 580-255-5354, Ext. 160, or via e-mail at derrick.miller@duncanbanner.com.
