Hi,  

The email below seemed very appropriate given how very attractive the freshly painted fire hydrants in and around Menlo Park now look. They certainly may add meaning to the words "curb appeal". California Water Service is to be commended for their efforts - which are much appreciated. The bright yellow paint makes a pleasant difference.  

Given the number of auto dealerships that are vacant around town, the amount of ever growing graffiti and some boarded up merchants windows (former Ford dealership and the Park Theatre) along El Camino Real, it is refreshing to see the pride taken by the utility company. It was in this spirit that the "thank you" note was sent.  

Thanks, Jim

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attached mail follows:

Hi Mr. Duncan,  

It is hard for me to find the proper words to THANK YOU enough for the kindness that you and the staff at Cal Water have shown in freshening up and making more attractive a good part of the City of Menlo Park by painting the various fire hydrants in and around town. In a word, they look "marvelous."  

The bright, fresh, new, glossy YELLOW paint has made quite a difference - in fact, more than I expected. If this project was on a wish list, it could easily become a "wish come true."  

You folks are to be commended for your hard work. We have had many very hot days since the email below was written and it was no doubt tough on the work force. Yet, the many, many fire hydrants around town were progressively done. "Attached" are a few photos showing an example of the "before" and "after" work.  

I didn't want you to think that the painting was going unnoticed; quite the contrary, this is to acknowledge and express appreciation. I do not take this work for granted, not for a minute. Some folks may feel that you are "just doing your job." I don't look at it that way. Instead, you are going above and  beyond the call of duty. For that, allow me to extend a "round of applause."  

Sincerely, Jim
a concerned citizen who takes
pride in his community.  

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Subj:                Hydrants  in Menlo Park
Date:                5/23/2008  9:17:22 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time
From:               _DDuncan@calwater.com_ (mailto:DDuncan@calwater.com) 
To:                   _JimLewis@aol.com_ (mailto:JimLewis@aol.com) 
 

Hi Jim,    

Thanks for bringing the condition of several of our fire hydrants to our attention in the recent months. I agree that the ones that you mentioned needed to be cleaned and painted. Partially because of your comments, we have decided to take a good look at the condition of the hydrants in the area in and around downtown Menlo Park. We have found that many hydrants need some cleaning and painting. Our goal is usually to repaint every fire hydrant within a 5-year span. However, some of the hydrants in this area look as if they have not been painted for a longer period. Painting the fire hydrants is something we usually perform with our summer help. We anticipate having a little more summer help this year and we will focus on the hydrants in this area. You should start to see some progress in the next few weeks to hydrants in this general area. Rest assured that all of the hydrants are in good operating condition and that this is an aesthetic issue. However, one that makes an impact on the community.
Thanks again for your comments.
Darin
Darin T. Duncan
Bear Gulch District Manager
California Water Service Company
3351 El Camino Real, Suite 190
Atherton, CA 94027
Phone 650-367-6800

Fax       650-367-7605 
Cell      650-333-6321 









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application/pdf attachment: Fire_Hydrants_Painted__ECR__Merrill_St..pdf