Joe Fraley, retiring Thurmont Electric Utility
Supervisor, cruises around town on his motorized
scooter. |
|
Joe
Fraley, Electric Utility Supervisor, is retiring Oct. 27,
after almost a half century serving the town of Thurmont.
Fraley was born on Eyler Road. He lived at other locations
in the Thurmont area, but returned to Eyler Road, where
he and his wife currently live.
After
attending local schools, Fraley, then 18, started working
with his grandfather for the town’s Street Department.
Eventually he transferred to the Electric Department. He
became Thurmont Electric Utility Supervisor about 19 years
ago, and is also in charge of the Street Department. Right
now eight people work with him, three in the Electric Department
and five in the Street Department.
In an interview, Fraley said he is grateful to Thurmont
citizens.
Noting that they are very nice and
helpful, he said he has enjoyed working with them as much
as working with the
mayor and commissioners.
Fraley
will be succeeded by James Greever. The two men met during
Greever’s interview. Fraley said he thinks the new
supervisor is knowledgeable and experienced and will serve
the citizens of Thurmont well. Fraley also said he would
be ready to help and advise the new supervisor in any way
he can.
Thurmont Mayor Martin Burns told The Dispatch that
he was impressed with Fraley’s work and dedication
to the town. Burns said Fraley was the one to make sure
all the roads were clear after snowstorms and that all lights
and decorations were in place for the holidays. The mayor
remembered seeing Fraley at 3 a.m. fixing things in an emergency
situation.
He’s always ready to go, no matter what time of day
or night. Burns also commented that he had never seen Fraley
in a bad mood, that he was always cheerful and friendly.
Initially Fraley was going to retire last January, according
to Burns. Then the mayor and Commissioner Bill Blakeslee
invited Fraley to the Shamrock Restaurant for a bowl of
soup. “It cost the town one bowl of soup to convince
Fraley to stay until they found a good replacement for him,”
Burns said with a laugh.
Fraley likes fishing with his grandson in the creek near
the covered bridge in Thurmont and making wooden furniture
in his workshop. Also, he can often be seen on his maroon
scooter, which he enjoys riding around town. Fraley confessed
that if he had to start his life over again, he would choose
the same way and the same profession.
