RALEIGH — On April 13, Lyman M. Horne, EVP and General Manager of Star Communications and reigning president of NC 811 Board of Directors, participated in the “Executive Mansion Tree Planting” ceremony.
On Feb. 2, Gov. Pat McCrory issued a proclamation announcing April as NC Safe Digging Month. The proclamation reminds NC homeowners to call 811 before starting any outdoor digging projects. NC 811 and Gov. McCrory are encouraging homeowners to call 811 before they dig to prevent injuries, property damage and inconvenient outages.
“Neglecting to call 811 before digging can have dangerous consequences,” said Gov. McCrory. “I urge every North Carolinian to take the time to use this valuable service.”
When calling 811, homeowners are connected to NC811, which notifies the appropriate utility companies of the intent to dig. Professional locators are then sent to the requested digging site to mark the approximate locations of underground lines with flags, stakes or paint. Once lines have been accurately marked digging can begin around marked lines.
To commemorate the governor’s proclamation and 2015’s “Safe Digging Month”, Horne, along with Louis Panzer, executive director of NC811; Mike Hager, NC House Majority Leader and Sponsor of House Bill 476; Allen Grey, director of Utility Division & HR of Carolinas AGC; Bob Kipp, president of Common Ground Alliance and Chris Russ, USIC/NC811 board member planted a Fringe Tree (a.k.a. Grancy Grey Beard) on the lawn of the Governor’s Mansion. This fast-growing tree is native to the southeast and will be a beautiful addition to the grounds of the Executive Mansion in the spring and fall.