HOLLAND, Mich.– While many businesses and schools are closed in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr., there were still some drivers out on the roads on a snowy Monday morning.
It may have been white out, but Damin Allen could only see green. He drives a plow for Steel Enterprise. This was his first time out plowing this winter, and he was more than ready for the business.
“It is about time,” said Allen. “I mean, it is the middle of January. I am ready to go back to work!”
Plow trucks were out in Ottawa County, whether it was on the main roads or in the parking lots. And they had a lot of ground to cover.
“I’ll probably be busy for a while,” said Allen.
Drivers like Roger Fazer thought crews did a good job keeping the roads cleared overnight.
“Ain’t nothing we aren’t already used to,” said Fazer. “A little out of practice, because the winter has been so soft.”
He is right. West Michigan has not seen much snow up to now. But somehow, it always catches some drivers off guard.
“Slow down and take it easy and hopefully you wont need my service,” said Ron Veurink, a driver with K & R Towing out of Holland.
Veurink said he can see much more than the average driver from sitting high in his truck.
“The roads look like they are dry but it’s snow-covered and slippery.”
He knows from experience that slow and steady can beat whatever Mother Nature throws our way. But, since that is not always the case, Veurink plans to spend the entire day waiting on calls from stranded drivers. And, he hopes those fortunate to make it down the road safely, keep an eye on those who do not.
“Move over and slow down,” advised Veurink. “If you see our lights no matter what color they are, we appreciate it. Just slow down, put the cell phone down and talk later.”
