(PHOTO BY BRIANNA BALOGH / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
PROJECT EXPERIENCE … Guest speaker Ben Sparks talks about his time volunteering with Light Up Navajo via Zoom.
By: Brianna Balogh
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
The mayors’ association meeting was held on November 20th in Edgerton starting at 6:30pm with a prayer lead by Edgerton Mayor Bob Day.
Day then invited everyone up to enjoy some dinner while he introduced the topic of tonight’s guest speaker.
Day explained the invited speaker was inspired by the AMP conference he attended in September of 2023. A speaker at this conference introduced them to Light Up Navajo.
Electricity is often something we take for granted but within the Navajo Nations is the largest population in the US without electricity.
The Navajo Nation is the largest reserve in the US with over 17.5 million acres. Out of 55,000 residents, approximately 15,000 do not have electricity. Those homes account for 75% of all unelectrified residents in the US.
Light Up Navajo was founded in 2019 and works to provide as many homes as possible with power. The motto of the project is mutual aid without a storm.
Utilities from across the country donate time and resources, totaling over $500,00 worth of time volunteered.
Communities not only volunteer line worker expertise and time also electricians and equipment such as air conditioners and refrigerators.
Many residents travel over an hour to retrieve drinking water and fuel to run generators, making this trip twice a week.
Some residents use their cars as a power source and air conditioner or even sleep outside at night for refuge from the heat.
At home food is kept cold with coolers. Most residents have gone their entire lives without access to electricity.
Day showed two separate clips, one from CNN and one from a local Salt Lake City ABC news program, which showed the work being completed and the residents who could not be more grateful.
The CNN clip stated that since its start in 2019 over 850 homes have been connected to the power grid.
An Edgerton village employee expressed interest in volunteering which brought about the connection to guest speaker Ben Sparks.
Sparks is the electric superintendent for Yellow Springs, Ohio and has volunteered with Light Up Navajo. Sparks joined the meeting via Zoom.
He began explaining his background with 25 years of experience as a lineman. Visiting in June, Sparks recalled the extreme conditions temperatures between 95°- 105° and nonstop wind made the project exceptionally difficult.
Logistics also hinder progress as the residents are spread out over miles, most days taking over two hours to reach the job site.
Volunteers work anywhere from 10-12 hours a day. Sparks recalled how different and fulfilling his experience was.
The Navajo people were so welcoming and appreciative of all the volunteers. So much so that he and the village manager from Yellow Springs will be going again in July. Mayor Day thanked Sparks for his time and hopes to be speaking again with him soon.
Edon Mayor Duane Thiel commented on how hard it was to believe and how much we take accessible electricity for granted.
Day added that regulations and costs make it even more difficult to provide power to these residents. He hoped to be able to provide volunteers and possibly other equipment in 2026.
With the agenda being amended to accommodate the guest speaker, roll call was delayed. In attendance were Eric Jenkins – Blakeslee, Duane Thiel – Edon, Joe Beck – Stryker, Don Leu – West Unity, Pamela Clark – Holiday City, and Bob Day – Edgerton. Additionally, Administrative Assistance Amanda Knecht and Williams County Engineer Todd Roth.
Following roll call, the meeting minutes from October 16th were approved. Knecht provided the financial update with the balance being $7,627.21.
Incoming revenue was in annual dues and outgoing payments included the event space and food. The approval motion was introduced by Beck and seconded by Jenkins, approved by all.
With no new or old business to discuss, Beck wanted to provide an update on potential apartment complexes being built in Stryker.
The apartments would be 1-3 bedrooms and hopefully provide more family housing within the community. The project is in the preliminary stages with a grant being pursued for funding.
The incoming housing options would not only be a positive for Stryker but could boost the county workforce as well. Everyone agreed that housing is a major issue being faced in several communities.
Thiel stated that single dwelling apartments might be an option for Edon seniors who currently live alone on large properties. Beck stated he would know more after the first of the year and share the ongoing developments.
With no other comments, the meeting adjourned at 7:11 pm. The next meeting will be held at Studio 34 in Edgerton on December 18th at 6:30pm.