The conversation continues and discussion will focus on community course of actions regarding high utility rates and what short-term strategies city council can implement. Mid-range and long-term goals will also be discussed. This is a special invitation for leaders of the various churches in the community to come and join the citizens of Wilson as this matter is moved forward and other actions are taken. Everyone is invited to attend!
Community Course of Actions
Short Range Goals: These are proposed utilities solutions that the Wilson City Council is asked to accomplish immediately and publish at the next council meeting. None of these actions should take more than 90 days.
1.Billing Date - Place all customers on a billing date that is payday friendly. Customers will select the date that is best for them.
2.Billing Cycle - Place all customers on a consistent billing cycle of 30 days. There are 365 days in a year and this should not be a major problem to fix.
3.Billing Date Change Fee - Suspend all fees associated with changing the billing dates until January 2011.
4.Billing Fee for Late Payment - Suspend all fees with late payments until January 2011.
5.Fees Account Funds - Utilize the funds currently in these accounts to pay for those customers who are unable to pay their bills. This assistance would be allocated based on the following priority: Medical
equipment that must be powered in the home. Secondly, persons who are disabled or who may have critical medical concerns. Thirdly, those members of the community who are 70 years and older. Fourthly, those remaining customers who would qualify for assistance based on total income.
6.Services Termination - Those customers who have medical equipment in the homes that are operated electronically would not be terminated or have a disruption in their service.
7.Policy Changes - We propose that a Policy Committee be put in place immediately to review all local policies and make recommendations for changes that are more customer-friendly and economically sound for the present day Wilson as well as generations to come. Presently, the city will only comply with what is policy or law. Our position is simple! Change the Policy!
8.Protest the Present Persecution - We are calling for a city-wide blackout on March 18, 2010 from 6:00am till 6:00pm. Following the blackout we will have a peaceful assembly at the courthouse steps from 6:00pm till 6:30pm. Citizens are asked to be present and bring their utility bills. The purpose of the assembly is to demonstrate the number of citizens who are standing in support of change for utilities. A Petitions Committee would coordinate this event and other protest that will be planned. A change of venue has been requested that the utilities issued be placed on the primary agenda for the March 18, 2010 council meeting.
9.Publicity - The Wilson Times, Wilsonian Voices Community Blog and the Facebook Group, Tired of Paying High Utility Bills in Eastern NC have been the resources to aid in keeping the community informed of activities and events. They have been asked to link up with the media in the other 31 municipalities and share information. A Media Relations Committee would be put in place to accomplish this. Link on to
http://wilsonian-voices.blogspot.com/ and http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=263898601633&ref=search&sid=100000798122600.2283470628..1
10.Restricted Cut Off Days - During the projected day when the temperature is estimated to be 32 degrees and below, the utilities will not be terminated or disrupted. Also, during the projected dyas when the temperature is estimated to be 100 degrees or above, the utilities will not be terminated or disrupted.
These are the Short Range Goals in the Community Course of Actions.
5 comments:
The challenge is to get more of the folks who signed on to the fb group whose tired of paying high utility bills to come out to the meeting. Signing up is one thing becoming a part of the solution is another. Talk is cheap. Being A bunch of belly-aching back-seat riders don't work.
the facebook groups novelty is starting to fade. just a few who think they know it all are running the group from the rear. very articulate people and number crunchers but dont get out on the firing line to make the case for their cause. lead, follow or get the hell out of the way.
I agree with you there buddy. Seems its turned into a fashionable thing to do in Wilson instead of becoming a force to reckon with. Lot of pity-party stories being shared. All talk no action. Figures.
In defense of the FB group of 3000 plus - they're doing the best they can with what they got.
in defense of nothing. there is no defense of inaction .if they would get off their butts and overflow each council meeting,Ncempa meeting and electricities meeting and flood the media with complaints. the novelty of it all is beginning to wear off. just a few die hard number crunchers even post any more. and part of the time what they post is plain false so it only lends credence to the elected officials and their supporters. yall are doing exactly what the powers that be figured and hoped you would. By next November you will be forgot all about it and reelect the same inconsiderate , condescending arrogant idiots who have and continue to do this to you. either that or you will sit home and let 6 percent of the electorate and the cronies big money backers pay to keep them on the board.
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