Snow Plow Driver Heads West to Find Work [VIDEO]

American author Horace Greeley once said, "Go West, young man," encouraging young workers to move westward across the United States to prosper and find riches.

More than 100 years later, one Portsmouth man is taking a risk and moving westward in the hopes of not finding wealth, but just a full-time salary to support his small, American family. 

Westward, employment bound 

At 42, M. Scott Lyons has decided to move his family from Portsmouth, RI, to Phoenix, AZ, in the hopes of finding work after being unemployed for three and half years. 

"It's the worst decision I've had to make in my entire life," Lyons said. 

Lyons and his wife and 8-year-old daughter will say goodbye to friends and family at the end of June and try to rebuild in Arizona. His daughter attends All Saints Academy in Middletown, where his wife also works. 

"I'm hoping to have a job (in Arizona). The cost of living is much lower there and the job prospects are better. I've been out of full-time work since 2008 due to the economy and have exhausted all means of assistance."

Lyons isn't the only one leaving Rhode Island. Followers of Portsmouth Patch's Facebook page admitting to knowing others who have done the same. Census data paints a similar picture.

The U.S. Census reported in December that Rhode Island is losing residents faster than any other state, according to an Associated Press report. Only two states—Michigan and Maine—also lost residents. Gov. Lincoln Chafee told the AP he thinks Rhode Island's younger residents are leaving due to the state's sluggish economy and their inability to find work here.

There was promising news recently. The RI Department of Labor and Training reported that Rhode Island's January 2012 unemployment rate was 10.9 percent, the first time the rate has dropped below 11 percent since July 2009. Arizona's Department of Administration announced last week that its January 2012 unemployment rate was much lower, at 8.7 percent.

However, Lyons (who is not related to another Scott Lyons in town) doesn't take much stake in unemployment numbers. He says the numbers only reflect those still eligible for benefits and don't count, like himself, unemployed Rhode Islanders who no longer qualify for assistance. 

"Since the economy crashed in 2008, there's thousands and thousands of people, who like myself can no longer get unemployment benefits," he said. "...No one has called me and asked if I had a job." 

Lyons has worked in sales for more than 20 years, starting at Barry's Motors in Newport. He most recently worked full-time in the sales department for Wyndham Resorts, losing his job after they closed the sales department. 

He graduated from Middletown High School and is a Salve Regina University graduate, receiving a bachelor's degree in administrative justice. 

"I've never been out of work before now," Lyons said. "I've always worked. I love to work." 

This past winter, he took one more chance (his last chance) at making a living. However, that fickle lady Mother Nature decided to surprise us all. 

No business for snow business

Lyons, after building a small clientele in Middletown, decided to take a chance this winter and become a snow plow driver.

He took a gamble and invested in a 2005 Dodge Ram with a Western 7.5' plow in November. He looked forward to making some money, at least enough to cover the cost of his truck. "This was my first time owning a plow truck," he said.

After last winter's 13 snowstorms, he never imagined such a snow-less season.

"This is beyond anything I can remember," said the lifelong Aquidneck Island resident.

Even snow plow drivers in New Hampshire, who see far more snow than their southern neighbors, are feeling a financial hit this year, reports the Concord Monitor. 

Lyons anticipated between eight to 10 snowstorms, making about $1,000 per storm. Last winter, he made $500 per storm plowing snow with a borrowed vehicle.

"That was what made my decision this year," he said. 

Lyons is now selling his plow and Dodge Ram truck. He's asking $14,500 or best offer. For more information about the truck or to make an offer, call (401) 965-5628. 

'State officials need to do more'

The Portsmouth man says the state needs to do more for the unemployed. 

"What is really frustrating, the state of Rhode Island is not doing anything to better the situation," Lyons said. "You have more and more companies leaving Rhode Island everyday."

Lyons said he will remain in the state if a job comes through, but that he doesn't expect one. 

In the past three and a half years, he said he has applied for many, many jobs. He's received only seven responses.

"People don't even send you a 'no thank-you' e-mail anymore," he said.