[janetvj]

Originally Posted by Driller1

This was a bill for $1100. That did not happen just this winter.

Are you serious?? My friend's elderly mother lives in a frame 2 story older single family home in Baltimore County. Her utility bill for one month is over $1,100. I'm in a much smaller, newer townhouse, but even so my last bill was over $400. Are Michigan utilities that much lower than here?

I think the utility company should have to make personal contact with the occupants of the house before limiting or shutting off electricity just for this reason. If they find an elderly person, or a family with children, or someone with health issues that needs the use of electricity for medical equipment, they should have to report it to local authorities before taking any action.

[Driller1]

Originally Posted by janetvj

Are you serious?? My friend's elderly mother lives in a frame 2 story older single family home in Baltimore County. Her utility bill for one month is over $1,100. I'm in a much smaller, newer townhouse, but even so my last bill was over $400. Are Michigan utilities that much lower than here?

How were you billed?? In this man's case it was lights, water and sewer. My light bill is about $75. It is my water, as I have a well, and most of my heat because I use GEO, with propane back up.

[wanderer74]

Originally Posted by janetvj

Are you serious?? My friend's elderly mother lives in a frame 2 story older single family home in Baltimore County. Her utility bill for one month is over $1,100. I'm in a much smaller, newer townhouse, but even so my last bill was over $400. Are Michigan utilities that much lower than here?

No they're not, at least not in my part of the state (the same area where Mr. Schur lived). My average bill in winter is about $350, and that's keeping my house at 68 during the day and 60 at night, which is colder than I find comfortable. Friends who own older houses with poorer insulation and/or keep their houses warmer often have bills over $500.

[Driller1]

Originally Posted by wanderer74

No they're not, at least not in my part of the state (the same area where Mr. Schur lived). My average bill in winter is about $350, and that's keeping my house at 68 during the day and 60 at night, which is colder than I find comfortable. Friends who own older houses with poorer insulation and/or keep their houses warmer often have bills over $500.

Is that gas too???

[wanderer74]

Yes, the bill is for both gas and electric, but I have gas heat.

[Driller1]

Originally Posted by wanderer74

Yes, the bill is for both gas and electric, but I have gas heat.

The man who got his electric turned off was was billed for electric, water and sewer.

[michiganmom48]

I was sad to hear this. We live in North Carolina now and I think this man lived in Bay City, Mi. Anyway I don't care if it was his fault or what, in these times there should be a law that states NO ONE should get shut off in the winter. My two 6 year olds were really touched when they heard this. One sad that is really sad. They are going to write a letter to President Obama because they think this is sad.

[wanderer74]

Originally Posted by Driller1

The man who got his electric turned off was was billed for electric, water and sewer.

Which makes all the more sense that his bill could be over $1100 and that it might not have been more than a couple months past due - my water and sewer bill adds an additional $70 a month to my utility cost.

[Driller1]

Originally Posted by wanderer74

Which makes all the more sense that his bill could be over $1100 and that it might not have been more than a couple months past due - my water and sewer bill adds an additional $70 a month to my utility cost.

I am hearing four months most places. I am glad I live in the sticks.....

[ScranBarre]

I'm sorry, but even though I am generally a compassionate human being I must side with driller here. The utility companies sell commodities to households and businesses. If those aforementioned parties refuse to and/or are unable to pay their bills, then, as in ANY sort of business, services will be denied until they receive what is rightfully due to them. I am heartbroken that this elderly man let conditions get so badly, more than likely because he was too "proud" to go next-door, knock on the door, and ask to sleep on a cot until the cold snap passed.

If I had him as a neighbor, I would have most certainly checked in on him now more than ever. In the early-2000s our next-door neighbor, an elderly man who lived alone, suffered a medical condition and collapsed in his bathroom, striking his head in the process. The man lied on the floor semi-conscious for a few days, soiling himself, and probably reflecting upon his life before passing away when a relative finally came to check on him days later. Now I'm more committed towards checking in on those who may have nowhere else to turn.

Nevertheless I'm siding with the utility company here. They're not in business to lose money. I plan to open up a retail operation myself someday in my hometown of Scranton, Pennsylvania. If one of my customers doesn't pay their bill, then their item will be repossessed. End of discussion. There's too many "bleeding hearts" out there nowadays. The man lived in BAY CITY, which, the last time I checked, is an urban area. Nothing stopped him from going next-door or across the street, pleading his case, and being welcomed in until he could get his financial affairs in order or until the cold snap ebbed. Nothing stopped his neighbors from calling him once per day for a few minutes to ask him how his day was going---at which point hearing chattering teeth (or no response) on the other end should have been reason for alarm.

You know, I voted for President Obama, and I also happen to be a social liberal. Regardless though some of you who are vilifying this utility company for not being "neighborly" enough really need to examine society---not this business. There were probably several families on his own block that would have welcomed him over to save his life if he had just not been too "proud" and "stubborn" to ask for help and if those families hadn't been so self-absorbed to have never checked in on him. How is that the utility's fault? Give me a break!