As I watched the June 9 Dover City Council meeting from my home in Dover, I was horrified to hear a comment made by council’s president, Mr. Fred Neil, as the members discussed the electric rates. There was much debate by council, city staff and members of the public sitting in the audience, who expressed how much of a financial burden it would be for many residents if the rates were to be raised. Most of the council members expressed how they felt about the electricity costs, but when it got to President Neil, he stated that, if the people “don’t like the rate increase, then they can move out.” I think his comment was inconsiderate and disrespectful to the citizens of Dover. Mr. Neil attempted to backtrack at the end of the meeting after he put his foot in his mouth, but the damage was already done.
Let me first start by saying there are many residents of this city who are not privileged to have the financial security that Mr. Neil, the mayor and council members have. Many of our citizens are just getting by in this economic climate. Many are older adults on fixed incomes or regular folks like me and you, trying to just make ends meet to put food on our tables. As many can see, our homeless population in Dover is out of control. It may be easy for some to say, “Let’s just raise the rates,” but please realize the consequences this increase will have on others in the city. We voted for you, and it’s your job to trim the fat and find ways not to hurt the people you represent. I ask those council members who voted for the ultimately approved rate increase (President Neil, Tricia Arndt, Gerald Rocha and Donyale Hall): As you sit high in your council seats, remember a person’s a person, no matter how small.
In closing, as a resident of the 4th District, I want to express sincere gratitude to my council representatives, Mr. Roy Sudler and Mr. David Anderson, for taking a stand and not voting to raise the electricity rates.
Tyron Scott
Dover
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.
Note: Councilman Roy Sudler and Councilman Brian Lewis were the no votes, while Councilman David Anderson did not vote.
