Letter: Don't forget oilfield workers are people

As a former wife of an oil worker, I would like to share what it is like to be affiliated working for an oil company and have a somewhat normal life. Being employed with any oil company demands irregular hours, long hours and most of the time the employee is away from home for long periods of time. The oil industry is run on a 24-7, 365-days-a-year schedule.

Many families were either left behind for several days or months until there was suitable housing or the job was temporary. I, along with many other wives, raised the children, held down jobs, mowed the grass, maintained our car, took care of the finances and sat with sick children either at home or in a hospital without a spouse. The dads who work these jobs also miss the children’s school events and many holidays. They chose to work to support their families, despite the jobs were not ideal. What is the ideal job?

Now to the point of discussing. Many of these men who occupy the man camps are husbands, fathers and for sure, someone’s son. Quote, Jan Prchal, “I don’t think a man camp belongs anywhere near the city of Dickinson. It doesn’t belong anywhere near residents.” Really? Are these men not people, are these men not residents? Has this oil industry influx affected some people to the point of segregation?

My advice to Jan and all the other protestors — it may be time you purchase your own island or better yet read Matthew 5: 43-44, Christian love includes a love for enemies.

Lynette Jacobs, Taylor

Tags: opinion, letters, oil, taylor