1943 - 2009

As Dawson PPD employees begin final preparations to move to the new headquarters building, I thought I’d share a few observations. These are the things we found that rest between the dashes of 1943-2009.

Its absolute mind boggling at how much stuff can be accumulated or stored since 1943.

1. We have discovered archival documents that weave a wonderful history of Dawson PPD and will be preserved for another 100 years.

2. There are vintage versions of cameras, projectors, cassette recorders and even a labeling system that were found in storage. Some of these gadgets I don’t even recognize much less know if they “work.”

3. Formal tea sets, kitchen gadgets and decorations from when Dawson PPD strongly promoted that modern kitchen.

4. Stacks of photo albums and scrap books that I could easily get lost in and spend hours perusing.

5. Files and files of records dating back to 1943, including formal letters and cost estimates to extend services.

6. Boxes of engineering documents for system design.

7. Vintage meters and tools that are sought as collector items but will remain in our care for a future donation to the Dawson County Museum.

8. And, of course we have found the occasional “Oh, that’s where I put that” stuff.

I have to admit I’ve been fighting the urge to keep everything. To protect our customers, we have shredded over 200 boxes of files that contained customer information. For the past 3 years, Dawson PPD has been working diligently to digitize customer records so we have a file system that is easily accessed.

My grandmother used to say “the devils’ in the details” and until now, I didn’t know what that meant. It’s the small things that we are tending to now – organization, orchestration, decisions, training, and adapting to the changes we will face in a new facility. I have to give significant credit to the project manager, Scott Fagot, and our “technology guru” Tracy Gordon for their hard work to get us to where we are.

All the while we are packing; we are doing business as usual. Our planned move should not impact customer service. We will close our doors here for the last time on Friday, September 11th and open the doors to our new facility on Monday, September 14th.

We hope you will visit us on Saturday, October 10th at the open house!

Gwen Kautz, Customer Service Manager
Dawson Public Power District