Granlund: Trading Poles

After 40 years of shimmying up poles for Northwestern Energy, Bill Granlund is trading poles... electrical for fishing. The guest of honor was treated to a relaxing evening Friday night when friends, co-workers, and family from across the state gathered to wish him well in his next chapter of life... retirement. Linemen from Billings, Helena, Hamilton, Roundup, and Glasgow converged on the town for the evening to honor one of their own.

Bill was joined in the celebration by his wife, Kim; daughter Kaycee and son-in-law, Trent Parks and granddaughter Peyton of Billings; daughter Kristi and son-in-law, Brenden Johnson of Malta. Kristi lent her talents to the special and befitting decorations on the cakes, which included silhouettes of a lineman scaling a pole, a bucket truck, and a hard hat.

Officially, Bill finishes the day out on Tuesday for an anticipated retirement. Fishing boats are ready and minnows are to be on the lookout as forty years of taking the backseat become his goal. Things have changed immensely over the four decades of his commitment to the company. Nowadays, everything is computerized as far as bookwork and assignments. Safety awareness has improved and continues to.

Bill recalls the days when they climbed poles all day long...every pole they worked on. With spikes strapped to their legs, belts on their waists, the veteran linemen worked with live wires and provided service to customers. Bill said one's feet and back wear out in this line of work. He's seen blazes of lightning come down a line in a big ball and said 'you just get out of the way!'' Weather has offered him the opportunity to witness tornadoes close up. Probably too close. Elements of intense heat and cold reek havoc after 40 years.

While he's enjoyed the run, he said it is time to get out.

"The biggest change is in safety," he stated. "The enjoyment is gone when you have a gun shoved in your face and are spit on. That isn't what he signed on for."

His heart still belongs in the country, he plans to maintain their cattle herd, finish some items on the "honey-do" list, help neighbors and friends and spend more time with the family.

Parting words..." keep the lights on. Ride for the brand."