Houston-area Halloween display thanks linemen, shames CenterPoint

A display of safety vest clad skeletons at a Houston area home is paying homage to linemen who helped restore power after Hurricane Beryl while taking aim at CenterPoint Energy leadership for the company’s lack of response to the storm.

A display of safety vest clad skeletons at a Houston area home is paying homage to linemen who helped restore power after Hurricane Beryl while taking aim at CenterPoint Energy leadership for the company’s lack of response to the storm.

Spring Valley resident Mary Serrano and her husband Elijio have lived in their home on Penn Manor Court for 20 years and decorating for Halloween is nothing new for the couple.

However, for this year, Serrano said the theme was a no-brainer.

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“I just wanted to pay tribute to (the linemen),” Serrano said. “I don’t really do it for people to give their opinions, I just do it because it is fun for me.”

A display of safety vest clad skeletons at a Houston area home is paying homage to linemen who helped restore power after Hurricane Beryl while taking aim at CenterPoint Energy leadership for the company’s lack of response to the storm.

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Hurricane Beryl swept through the Houston area on July 8, knocking out power to more than 2 million residents. CenterPoint’s lack of updates in the aftermath of the storm left some residents wondering about the status of repairs as many were in the dark for more than a week.

In a letter published in the Houston Chronicle's opinion section Friday, CenterPoint CEO Jason Wells apologized to customers.

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“I want to personally apologize to each and every one of our customers for the pain and frustration they experienced, and I want to reiterate that we at CenterPoint are more resolved than ever to make sure that the frustration they experienced never happens again. Both our leadership team and our dedicated workforce are acting with a sense of urgency to re-earn trust and build the most resilient coastal grid in the country,” Wells said in the letter.

A display of safety vest clad skeletons at a Houston area home is paying homage to linemen who helped restore power after Hurricane Beryl while taking aim at CenterPoint Energy leadership for the company’s lack of response to the storm.

Serrano said Halloween is her favorite time of year, and she has amassed 35 skeletons for her annual displays on different themes.

“I have a big attic and I am able to put everything in there,” Serrano said. “My all-time favorite was the Houston Marathon (themed) display where all the skeletons were dressed in their bibs.”

While some of the skeletons are missing parts, Serrano said that is what she loves about them.

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“A lot of them break over time,” Serrano said. “Some are missing a hand or arm but I still but them up because, I mean, we aren’t all perfect.”

Claire Hao contributed to this report.