It is important to regularly consider who the truly important people in our lives are, aside from our circles of family and friends.

If one were to assume that monetary compensation is a sure measure of importance of function, one might conclude that the most important people in our lives are -- for example -- certain entertainers: "big-name " actors and actresses, sports figures, television and radio personalities.

It seems to me that a truer measure is not salary, but impact on daily life and health. In fact, our entertainers are among those who are

least

important to our everyday lives and our civilization.

As I see it, the folks who pick up my garbage or recycling every week are very important. Perhaps even more critical to my life are the hard working men and women who see to it that I have electricity, natural gas, sewer, and water service, those who provide police and fire protection, and other generally unsung folks who see that many of our most basic physical needs are met.

Recently, I had the occasion to see some of these good people at work at their absolutely essential tasks: In 2007, I took a temporary job with the Madison Water Utility for about six months, while I was between jobs.

The utility had been getting a great deal of negative news coverage for some time because of management problems, public relations problems and water contamination. I was a bit curious to see what I would find there.

I am happy to report that what I found was a group of dedicated people who like their work and who are committed to providing good service to the community.

Work crews are out at all times keeping the water flowing through all manner of mishap. The first two months of 2008 saw 108 water main leaks, mostly due to the temperature swings we experienced at that time. Every time a leak occurs, a water utility crew is out there patching the pipe, in all manner of weather, and in all seasons.

I am likewise happy to report that I found an organization that was very much working to mend past problems with management style, internal communications issues.

Utility personnel are diligently applying themselves to recently instituted employee-based structures and methodologies in the hopes of making a permanent improvement in the organizational culture.

To be sure, there are many problems yet to be solved, culturally and physically, but there are very capable people working on them. I hope that the next general manager is willing and able to continue to facilitate this process.

I was truly blessed to find at the Madison Water Utility a wonderful temporary professional home while I was between "regular " jobs.

Madison is blessed to have something as critical as the city water supply in the hands of the people in whose hands it is.

Bonomo lives in Madison.