Curtis D. Boschert
General Manager, Clarksdale Public Utilities
Curtis D. Boschert is the general manager for Clarksdale Public Utilities, a municipally owned utility serving approximately 6,800 homes and businesses in Clarksdale, Mississippi. Its mission is to safely provide sustainable electric, water and wastewater services in a reliable and courteous manner by well-trained team members, committed to top quality, efficient operations, competitive rates and the vitality of the community.
Social distancing may be the rule right now, but it is also unifying our nation around a single goal — defeating COVID-19. Even though adjustments have been difficult and even disorienting at times, the people of Clarksdale are pulling together to do what is necessary to get through this crisis safely and responsibly.
Thank you for taking the necessary steps to protect yourself, your families and your community. There are signs that our efforts to combat COVID-19 are making a difference, but that does not mean we can let our guard down. In fact, it signals the opposite — that we must stay the course by resisting complacency and using all of the tools at our disposal to continue protecting ourselves and others.
While most residents are doing their part to help by sheltering at home, there are many individuals who are fighting on the front lines of this crisis. In hospitals, nursing homes and other medical facilities throughout our community, health care professionals are role models in courage and commitment. Our gratitude for them runs deep.
We are also thankful for grocery stores and other essential businesses that are keeping their doors open to serve the public. In a time of uncertainty, having access to food, fuel, supplies and other commodities has been comforting and stabilizing. We thank employees who have been there for the community when we need them most.
The employees of Clarksdale Public Utilities are also doing their part to make sure that customers have the utilities they need to power their homes and businesses.
Providing essential utility services is an around-the-clock job. I want to assure customers that even with staffing adjustments, CPU employees are responsibly managing our utility systems and adhering to all monitoring, testing and maintenance schedules. That includes monitoring the water supply to ensure that it remains safe to drink.
We are also doing our part to prioritize health and safety. CPU’s office building will remain closed to the public as a precautionary measure. Customers who need assistance may call CPU at 662-627-8499 and talk to our customer service representatives, who are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. and 5:15 p.m.
For linemen and field employees, we have adjusted schedules to support social distancing while providing 24/7 coverage. Over the course of a typical workday, they enjoy helping customers and interacting with people throughout the community. As our crews focus on safe distancing, we ask that residents stay clear of utility work areas. Again, if anyone has a question about their utility services, they are encouraged to call CPU.
We know the pandemic has created economic hardships for many families throughout our community. CPU is also part of the community, and our payment-extension policy reflects our commitment to work with customers who are experiencing financial difficulties to ensure their accounts remain active. We encourage customers who are struggling financially to contact us at 662-627-8499 and speak to a representative.
Serving customers is at the core of what we do at CPU, and we pledge to do everything in our realm of control to help our community emerge from this crisis stronger than ever. The people of Clarksdale are proving every day that they have what it takes to go the distance in this fight. Until then, we are looking forward to the day — hopefully in the not-so-distant future — when CPU can safely welcome customers back to our office again.
