bigarn
Active Member
http://www.wnem.com/news/18566890/detail.html
This makes my blood boil!
This makes my blood boil!
Thank You For Protecting Our Country Sir ..
- Thread starter bigarn
- Start date
darthtang aw
Active Member
I would rather the government subsidize utilities rather than healthcare....This pisses me off.
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
that is horrible - I hope some good changes come from this.
nw2salt08
Active Member
I can't believe this!!!!
He was an old man with the intention of paying the bill!!! This is ridiculous! This should be completely illegal! This man wouldn't have died if they had taken the proper steps to make sure he knew very well about his bill. The guy that came out could've knocked on the door and let him know...Could've helped him to make sure that the money got to the office by providing the proper information...This is senseless and makes me FURIOUS!!!
sickboy
Active Member
I don't get how they can shut off your power in winter in Michigan!?! I know in Nebraska they can't, as the utilities are gov't allowed monopolies and therefore the state says "too bad" to the company b/c they make enough money as is the rest of the year. Michigan gets even colder, I can't believe they would turn it off.
coral keeper
Active Member
WOW.... Unbelievable!!
jennythebugg
Active Member
that makes me sick !
alyssia
Active Member
Originally Posted by sickboy
http:///forum/post/2928787
I don't get how they can shut off your power in winter in Michigan!?! I know in Nebraska they can't, as the utilities are gov't allowed monopolies and therefore the state says "too bad" to the company b/c they make enough money as is the rest of the year. Michigan gets even colder, I can't believe they would turn it off.
They can't shut you off in the winter there? They can here in Ohio.
http:///forum/post/2928787
I don't get how they can shut off your power in winter in Michigan!?! I know in Nebraska they can't, as the utilities are gov't allowed monopolies and therefore the state says "too bad" to the company b/c they make enough money as is the rest of the year. Michigan gets even colder, I can't believe they would turn it off.
They can't shut you off in the winter there? They can here in Ohio.
sickboy
Active Member
Originally Posted by alyssia
http:///forum/post/2928951
They can't shut you off in the winter there? They can here in Ohio.
Nope. You can get into big trouble if you don't pay, but they won't let it go off so that things like this don't happen. I believe its Dec-March or something like that, they can shut you off the rest of the year, but its something like if you had service in the preceding month (like Nov.) then you can't get shut-off, and there is state assistance to apply for too.
http:///forum/post/2928951
They can't shut you off in the winter there? They can here in Ohio.
Nope. You can get into big trouble if you don't pay, but they won't let it go off so that things like this don't happen. I believe its Dec-March or something like that, they can shut you off the rest of the year, but its something like if you had service in the preceding month (like Nov.) then you can't get shut-off, and there is state assistance to apply for too.
alyssia
Active Member
Originally Posted by sickboy
http:///forum/post/2929042
Nope. You can get into big trouble if you don't pay, but they won't let it go off so that things like this don't happen. I believe its Dec-March or something like that, they can shut you off the rest of the year, but its something like if you had service in the preceding month (like Nov.) then you can't get shut-off, and there is state assistance to apply for too.
We have state assistance too, but if you make more than 10 cents a month you don't qualify.
http:///forum/post/2929042
Nope. You can get into big trouble if you don't pay, but they won't let it go off so that things like this don't happen. I believe its Dec-March or something like that, they can shut you off the rest of the year, but its something like if you had service in the preceding month (like Nov.) then you can't get shut-off, and there is state assistance to apply for too.
We have state assistance too, but if you make more than 10 cents a month you don't qualify.
socal57che
Active Member
Very sad, indeed.
I suppose that one's life is worth a thousand bucks and some change. I would financially support a plan to require personal notification if power is to be cut during winter months. If the resident is unable to relocate, or remedy the situation with the power company, power must be left on until winter passes.
In Missouri our bill included a section to pay more than the amount due. This amout was placed into a fund to help families that were unable to pay for electricity during the winter. I don't know if MoPub/Aquila/KCP&L still does this, but it was a way to help.
I suppose that one's life is worth a thousand bucks and some change. I would financially support a plan to require personal notification if power is to be cut during winter months. If the resident is unable to relocate, or remedy the situation with the power company, power must be left on until winter passes.
In Missouri our bill included a section to pay more than the amount due. This amout was placed into a fund to help families that were unable to pay for electricity during the winter. I don't know if MoPub/Aquila/KCP&L still does this, but it was a way to help.
nw2salt08
Active Member
I know we have it here in Oklahoma...Maybe they should try calling the customer. Most of the time they just put a notice in teh mail and never notify you by any other means and this man was 93-years-old....most of the older residents I know answer the phone. I just don't understand why this had to happen.
aquaknight
Active Member
This is indeed sad and very tragic. But, where do you draw the line for those that just don't pay their power? In the article they mention more then $1000 worth of back power. So even in that Dec-Mar. time frame, his power would have been cut off long before Dec? Here's the thing though, the company never actually cut the power off. He used too much power and that popped the limiter. It really should have been reset in a reasonable timeframe, but I have a feeling there aren't any specific guidelines that state in extreme conditions, when a service guy has to go reset it.
But if we're going to start making exceptions on who gets to keep their power, but others get the cold? Just 90+ year olds get a pass? What about 80's? 70? 55? 35? Just former Servicemen? What about retired police/firefighters? Or singles mom struggling to pay the power? Do you think that a single Dad that's trying every bit as hard as the single Mom, would get a fair shot? Parents with kids? So some scumbag parent would swoop by their ex's to pick up the kid, so they can go without paying for power?
Socal, they mailed him a notice, put a notice on the door, put a 'limiter' on his power, the only other thing they could have done was physically try to contact him. Who knows if that's what they tried, then they put the notice on this door.
I just really didn't hope this post come off as heartless. I debated for about 20 mins now as to post or not. IMHO, it was really just a series of unfortunate events that put the spotlight on something that needs addressed. We could only imagine if this was someone's child that died of hypothermia instead, the frenzy that would be.
But if we're going to start making exceptions on who gets to keep their power, but others get the cold? Just 90+ year olds get a pass? What about 80's? 70? 55? 35? Just former Servicemen? What about retired police/firefighters? Or singles mom struggling to pay the power? Do you think that a single Dad that's trying every bit as hard as the single Mom, would get a fair shot? Parents with kids? So some scumbag parent would swoop by their ex's to pick up the kid, so they can go without paying for power?
Socal, they mailed him a notice, put a notice on the door, put a 'limiter' on his power, the only other thing they could have done was physically try to contact him. Who knows if that's what they tried, then they put the notice on this door.
I just really didn't hope this post come off as heartless. I debated for about 20 mins now as to post or not. IMHO, it was really just a series of unfortunate events that put the spotlight on something that needs addressed. We could only imagine if this was someone's child that died of hypothermia instead, the frenzy that would be.
sickboy
Active Member
Well, why let the company decide who gets to keep power on? They can't turn it off period. Then they send the sheriff to the house everyday to try and resolve the situation through the courts. This avoids the free rider situation, actually helps those who need it, and no one dies.
aquaknight
Active Member
Hmmm, well even not the power company, but even are any of us qualified to say who does or doesn't get power? Would you deny power a 56 year old man, fired from a lifetime as a janitor, that just has fallen on hard times for the last many months? Also, how in the world can you send a date, or even a temperature for when power can't go off?
The power company never physical turned the power off. Schur used too much power and popped the limiter. Perhaps a limiter that resets itself and restores service after say 24hrs. But is that even enough?
The power company never physical turned the power off. Schur used too much power and popped the limiter. Perhaps a limiter that resets itself and restores service after say 24hrs. But is that even enough?
reefraff
Active Member
Originally Posted by sickboy
http:///forum/post/2929257
Well, why let the company decide who gets to keep power on? They can't turn it off period. Then they send the sheriff to the house everyday to try and resolve the situation through the courts. This avoids the free rider situation, actually helps those who need it, and no one dies.
You like 700.00 power bills? thats probably what it would cost if the utility companies have to start going to court to get permission to stop providing services to people who don't pay for them. Thats on top of additional taxes needed to hire more law enforcement/court personnel to deal with the bureaucracy end of things.
There are plenty of low income assistance programs in place. Take a look at your utility bills, you ar hit with fees to pay for them. Why this man wasn't using it I don't know.
http:///forum/post/2929257
Well, why let the company decide who gets to keep power on? They can't turn it off period. Then they send the sheriff to the house everyday to try and resolve the situation through the courts. This avoids the free rider situation, actually helps those who need it, and no one dies.
You like 700.00 power bills? thats probably what it would cost if the utility companies have to start going to court to get permission to stop providing services to people who don't pay for them. Thats on top of additional taxes needed to hire more law enforcement/court personnel to deal with the bureaucracy end of things.
There are plenty of low income assistance programs in place. Take a look at your utility bills, you ar hit with fees to pay for them. Why this man wasn't using it I don't know.
sickboy
Active Member
Originally Posted by AquaKnight
http:///forum/post/2929258
Hmmm, well even not the power company, but even are any of us qualified to say who does or doesn't get power? Would you deny power a 56 year old man, fired from a lifetime as a janitor, that just has fallen on hard times for the last many months? Also, how in the world can you send a date, or even a temperature for when power can't go off?
The power company never physical turned the power off. Schur used too much power and popped the limiter. Perhaps a limiter that resets itself and restores service after say 24hrs. But is that even enough?
Doesn't the constitution say everyone has a right to life? I don't mind paying $2 more per month to help those in need. Again, these are gov't allowed monopolies, they can figure out the costs to the consumer later, say in april when it is 50 outside a couple candles will keep the place warm.
http:///forum/post/2929258
Hmmm, well even not the power company, but even are any of us qualified to say who does or doesn't get power? Would you deny power a 56 year old man, fired from a lifetime as a janitor, that just has fallen on hard times for the last many months? Also, how in the world can you send a date, or even a temperature for when power can't go off?
The power company never physical turned the power off. Schur used too much power and popped the limiter. Perhaps a limiter that resets itself and restores service after say 24hrs. But is that even enough?
Doesn't the constitution say everyone has a right to life? I don't mind paying $2 more per month to help those in need. Again, these are gov't allowed monopolies, they can figure out the costs to the consumer later, say in april when it is 50 outside a couple candles will keep the place warm.
aquaknight
Active Member
Originally Posted by sickboy
http:///forum/post/2929263
Doesn't the constitution say everyone has a right to life? I don't mind paying $2 more per month to help those in need. Again, these are gov't allowed monopolies, they can figure out the costs to the consumer later, say in april when it is 50 outside a couple candles will keep the place warm.
That is going to spark some replies, but IMHO a right to life, sure. But a right to government provided electricity, after many months of non-payment, and non-involvement in any of the programs offered that would have sorted this out? No....
Again, my point is that if it's really possible for us to define "someone in need??"
http:///forum/post/2929263
Doesn't the constitution say everyone has a right to life? I don't mind paying $2 more per month to help those in need. Again, these are gov't allowed monopolies, they can figure out the costs to the consumer later, say in april when it is 50 outside a couple candles will keep the place warm.
That is going to spark some replies, but IMHO a right to life, sure. But a right to government provided electricity, after many months of non-payment, and non-involvement in any of the programs offered that would have sorted this out? No....
Again, my point is that if it's really possible for us to define "someone in need??"