Letter: Caring City Employees 

To the Editor: 

I wake up early most days to begin my day with a run through quiet and beautiful Rye. We are graced with shaded streets, parks, and views of the Long Island Sound.  

I was reminded recently that it is also a town of heart and soul. I was enjoying my early run when I tripped over a stick in the road. It was not my most graceful moment. I landed on my hip, face, and hands, but felt OK and stood up.  

The garbagemen out on their early route saw my tumble and stopped their truck to ask how I was. While I insisted I was fine, they said my face was bleeding and insisted on helping. They had me sit and take a breather and introduced themselves, two brothers from the Bronx who have been working in the Rye sanitation department for 20 years. They called for help.  

A lovely police woman arrived, and she offered me a cleanup and a band aid and had me wait for an ambulance while she looked after me and made sure I was OK. The ambulance arrived and checked my pulse and blood pressure and offered an ice pack and additional cleanup of my face and hands. They allowed me to sign a waiver and continue on my way.   

I realized the privilege of being in a community that cares. When they see something, they do something. I felt very lucky not to have suffered a serious injury, though my road rash and shiner did lead to a lot of questions at work. I also feel especially lucky to be a part of a community that cares. Our community professionals make this a special place.    

I have since run past the same sanitation workers and police woman, who shouted out that they were glad to see me running and looking better. I replied, ever so grateful that these people have such big hearts and are ready to help.  

Thank you to the community workers of Rye, especially those that came to my aide. We are lucky to have people who make it a community by truly caring.  If I ever have a serious incident, I hope I am lucky enough to be in a place where caring matters.     

–Ann Marie Petach