Quick action rescues iconic sign
The old neon warrior was looking pretty decrepit: weather-beaten, unlit, on a fast track to oblivion.
Business Manager Tom Dalzell rescues a piece of lineman history in Oakland.
When Business Manager Tom Dalzell saw the ancient “Lineman’s Club” sign still clinging to the side of a building in Oakland, he decided this was one piece of lineman history that needed to be preserved. The club is gone—has been for years. The building is now occupied by an Asian market, whose proprietors had no particular attachment to the sign and were happy to see it go.
Dalzell decided the sign deserved a second life as a historical monument at the union’s Vacaville headquarters. He loaded up the sign (well, he had some help from a couple of linemen), then sent it on its way for restoration.
The wood needs to be refurbished. The neon needs to be put back in working order. And oh yeah–the sign could probably use a little bit of love after decades of neglect.
So if you happen into the union hall one day and see a neon sign glowing in the wings, you might want to offer a small toast to all the guys so long ago who tossed one back in the good old days at the Lineman’s Club.
Cheers.