American TV: 24 foot ladder and ticket in school zone
There are times when a person just isn’t thinking and it can really get you in trouble. This one wasn’t much different. When I worked for American Television Service I drove a Ford Van with a ladder rack on top for carrying the ladders that I would need to climb on roofs and repair antenna installations.
One particular day I went to where my boss Carl Haupt and one other employee was doing a job on a roof antenna. I can’t totally remember the particulars as to why I was there but I do remember for some reason having to take one of the ladders down form the roof and go to another job while they finished up on the one they were working with there. I remember taking the 24 foot ladder which was normally just 12 foot when not extended and trying to lay it down on the grass. For some reason I wasn’t able to drop it where it was and it was probably due to windows in the house that may have been in the direct path of a fall if it got away. So I tried to walk it out toward the van and then put it together after it was laying down. I did it OK but for a few tense moments it was almost to big for me. Now remember I am only 5’ 8” and the ladder was extended to 24 feet. The Lord must have sent an angel to catch it and steady it for me because I remember just as I thought I was going to lose it I was able to gain control and let it to the ground where I put it back together. I then loaded it onto the van, fastened it down and left for my next appointment. I came off of a side street in the middle of a school zone and started toward the end of the street past the school. The van didn’t have a whole lot of get up and go but I did manage to get about 25 mph out of it before I spotted a red flashing light in my rear view mirror. I had come on to the street after the point where the school zone began and was unaware that it was during the part of the day when it was a 20 mph zone and I received a ticket for it. So the Lord blessed me but I still had to take responsibility for not being more aware of my surroundings. He can’t do it all for us but I am sure glad He steps in when necessary for our health and family well being.
