In the Port Washington area, we've had more than our share of rough weather during the past two or three weeks. With the high winds and driving rain, plus snow, our streets and yards became littered with broken tree branches and other debris.

Just a few days before I sat down to write this letter, I noticed that a large branch from a dead oak tree was literally "sitting on top" of the main power line, a line located in my backyard, which directly borders the Morewood property.

We then proceeded to call the Long Island Power Authority and asked if their tree-trimming crew could cut down that offending oak branch.

We called that branch a "clear and present danger" because if it fell and cut the line, it would not only cut the power to my house, but those of neighboring houses as well. We made our call at about 11 a.m. and were told by the LIPA Service Department that we'd have to wait until the next day before a crew could be sent out. LIPA crews had been responding to emergency calls all over the island.

Then, lo and behold, a LIPA truck pulled up in front of my house at about 9 p.m. the same day, with the workers getting rid of that limb in short order. It was like a Damocles sword hanging over us.

That was quick service and we're all appreciative of that.