John Nettleton volunteered his time and equipment to help keep townsite residents’ driveways cleared during this week’s snowstorms.
“A lot of time people can’t afford, when it dumps like this, to have someone regularly come by. If they can pitch in for fuel that’s great,” Nettleton told the CVN this week. “I took a few jars of salmon the other day in trade. That was perfect; Will work for food.”
He posted on social media Thursday that he was available to help plow. Although he didn’t receive many requests then, work picked up over the weekend. He cleared snow from at least eight residents’ properties as more than 3 feet of snow fell Thursday through Saturday.
“Which is plenty with trying to run a Bobcat around town which is pretty slow,” Nettleton said. “To get to my place on Matrix Drive over to First Avenue right where it connects with Lutak Road, that’s probably a ten-minute commute, maybe fifteen depending on how I have to zig zag through town.”
CaSandra Nash, whose husband Adrian works out of town, said Nettleton was a “life saver” during the heavy snowfalls.
“He came over three times so far and every time it snowed, he said, ‘I’m on it.’ He never asked for anything in return,” Nash said. “It’s just me and my two kids right now because Adrian is off at work. It’s a lot for me to deal with by myself.”
Neighbor Mike Hoy said Nettleton was keeping himself and neighbors “free and clear.”
“Without even asking he’s been on it,” Hoy said. “He’s a really good guy. I couldn’t thank him enough. He’s been helping out a ton of other people in town, too.”
Nettleton said he’s available to help as the snows come. He can be contacted via his post on the Haines Chatters Facebook page.