Page 3 - Louisiana 811 Magazine 2021 Issue 3

from the desk of
Brent Saltzman
“The show must go on” is a famous quote that many of us have heard and hopefully abiding by nowadays based on our current state of affairs. I’m a positive person at heart so let me share the “good news” regarding our program.
The number of locate requests thus far in 2021 is approximately 10% greater than it was last year. That’s a significant number and we’re elated to see that homeowners and professional excavators are contacting 811 before they dig. The message is getting out and folks are listening to
the importance of this first crucial step regarding damage prevention.
I’d like to take a moment and share a success story and some impressive statistics regarding homeowners. As
of the end of July, we received almost 2,200 more locate requests from homeowners than last year during the same timeframe. More impressive is the fact that compared to the
same timeframe in 2019, we’ve received almost 6,000 more locate requests from homeowners! Our Public Awareness Committee and our advertising agency have made a concerted effort to focus on homeowner education and it’s paid huge dividends. THANK YOU for your efforts!
One may ask, “How can I contribute to the success of this campaign?” Well, the answer is quite simple in my opinion...talk to your neighbors about the importance of contacting 811 before digging; explain the simple process and what to expect afterward. Best of all, it doesn’t cost the homeowner a dime! It just takes a little planning ahead and the end result is a safer community for all of us.
Please stay safe and let us know how we can help with your damage prevention efforts. Sincerely,
Brent Saltzman Executive Director Louisiana 811
2021, Issue 3
Louisiana 811
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