Szalapski: Dover policy about electricity shutoff ‘inhumane’

This is in response to an article by Benjamin Rothstein published in the Daily State News, titled “Electricity shutoff policy on Dover council’s radar.”

As a senior citizen with a medical condition, I was disturbed and shaken by the comment in the article made by Allison Haines, the city’s interim customer service director. She said that, if a resident has a medical device that he or she needs to live, only enough power for that device would be provided, unless the individual contacts the city and makes arrangements. After 30 days, though, she said the electricity would be cut off completely without payment.

Since when has the city of Dover’s customer service department become so inhumane and uncompassionate toward citizens suffering from health conditions that they shut the electric off, allowing them to suffer or maybe even perish after 30 days? If someone is on a portable ventilator, oxygen concentrator or any other life-sustaining equipment and cannot pay their electric bill after the 30 days, is that true? They are terminated? Are the city staff and our elected leaders currently aware that we are living in a struggling economy, with food and fuel becoming unaffordable to many, especially senior citizens, single moms and those suffering from severe medical conditions or terminal illnesses?

Again, where is the compassion? The city really needs to rethink its policy on jumping to shut off the electricity for our senior citizen population or for people suffering from medical conditions and unexpected hardships in life. I was surprised the city does not have a grace period after the bill due date, like other municipalities and most organizations. I can understand the city’s customer service department shutting off the electricity of those who abuse the system or are deliberate repeat offenders, but to target the elderly and sick is unconscionable.

In case Ms. Haines is unaware, most senior citizens live paycheck to paycheck and only receive Social Security, which we get a certain time of the month. Therefore, sometimes, one does not have the money to pay the electric bill because he or she has not received the check yet, but they are not trying to avoid paying it. It is called “extenuating circumstances.”

In the article, two council members, Andre Boggerty and Tricia Arndt, defended the customer service division and its practices. With that, I truly hope no council member or any city employee ever has to experience an unexpected hardship or endure a sickness like some of us and have his or her electricity shut off.

Let’s all remember: Kindness begins with the understanding that we all struggle.

Gene Szalapski

Dover

Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.