Dear Editor,
I, like many residents here in Sullivan, believe we should get what we pay for. Such a statement—I am sure we would never know the absolute facts on how much of a mark-up there is on our electric.
I have done many upgrades to my home (new windows, doors, siding, stopping drafts) and, though my 33-year-old home has been updated and sealed off from drafts, my electric “continues” to climb. I have gone to the Sullivan City Hall and asked — Why?
My electric bill has climbed over $100 compared to the previous bill. I have talked to other Sullivan residents who claim that their bills have even doubled. I realize this is winter in Missouri and it has been a little colder than the month before. I travel with my work, my wife works and our son is in school all day—very little water, sewer or electric is used during the day. Yet, my bill continues to rise.
When I asked “Why,” I was told, “colder weather, leaving things turned on and/or the economy.” The statement, “the economy,” does also mean that many are out of work and cannot afford these ridiculous prices that the City of Sullivan is so graciously passing on to us — The Citizens of Sullivan!
I am blessed with my job and the fact that my wife works; however, I must ask. If my bill is over $400 a month and I am concerned, what about those on a fixed income or that single mother that is struggling to make ends meet?
When I asked at City Hall, “What happens during the cold months and the higher electric bills—what if we can’t pay the entire bill?” The answer still has me in awe, “You will be disconnected like any and everyone else!”
I am not worried as much about us being able to pay ours, I think about the single mom working for minimum wage, the dad that was laid off from Chrysler or the elderly on a fixed income that have other bills as well. I think the City of Sullivan should, and owe, it to the citizens to step in and give us “what we pay for!” If at the very least— I feel we are paying enough that we should get no less than
“excellent” customer service.
I realize that customer service at city hall is an entirely different article and would take up two or three pages in our paper. I understand that everyone has electric bills to pay, and I am not the only one with this problem. I think there is an issue with the fact that “anyone” can be disconnected in the middle of winter no matter how hard they are trying to get the entire bill paid. I think if you are honestly trying to pay it, but the electric continues to climb and the city disconnects you—they should be liable for any frozen water pipes or even worse—sickness or death brought to those that are left out in the cold!
Thank you for your time and shared thoughts.
Concerned Citizen