Eric Member Username: Eric
Post Number: 829 Registered: 11-2004
| Posted on Saturday, May 19, 2007 - 2:50 pm: | |
About time, I'm Jo Ann Watson will be outraged about this at a future council meeting. Detroit shuts off water to scofflaws City had tried amnesty program to collect $24M in delinquent bills; critics worry about the poor. Robert Snell / The Detroit News DETROIT -- Following a failed program that encouraged delinquent water and sewer customers to pay their late bills without penalty, the city has started shutting off water service to residents and businesses who owe a combined $24 million for this year alone. "It's very heartless," said President John Riehl of AFSCME Local 207, which represents about 960 water department employees, some of whom are working overtime to shut off water service. http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.d ll/article?AID=/20070519/METRO /705190361 |
Mcp001 Member Username: Mcp001
Post Number: 2675 Registered: 11-2003
| Posted on Saturday, May 19, 2007 - 2:59 pm: | |
Tell the water department employees that they won't get paid until the deadbeats pay their bills. I see Mr. Riehl's attitude changing very quickly shortly thereafter... |
Warriorfan Member Username: Warriorfan
Post Number: 725 Registered: 08-2005
| Posted on Saturday, May 19, 2007 - 3:08 pm: | |
There are the people who genuinely cannot afford to pay their water bill and then there are the leeches who just don't pay because they know they will still have water even if they don't. I feel bad for the former, but this needs to be done. Why aren't the local Detroit churches helping out the legitimate people in need with their utility bills? I see many of these "preachers" wearing flashy clothes and driving some nice cars. Unfortunately, too many private charities in Detroit only exist to provide their "employees" with nice fat paychecks for doing absolutely nothing while needy people go unhelped. |
Alexei289 Member Username: Alexei289
Post Number: 1299 Registered: 11-2004
| Posted on Saturday, May 19, 2007 - 3:46 pm: | |
... where the hell else in this country can u not pay your bill and still get water..? |
Lmichigan Member Username: Lmichigan
Post Number: 5527 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Saturday, May 19, 2007 - 10:39 pm: | |
I know my own local utility (publically owned) administers a Pennies for Power program, where you can voluntarily have your bill rounded up to the nearest dollar to be put the change towards and individual or family from preventing an utilities shut-off. This is can only be used once per household, though, but you can always be put on a special payment program. I know that plenty of other communities have their own Pennies for Power programs, too. As for churches not helping, how do you know they aren't, already? Really, that is so typical of you, wanting more to make some smart-assed point than actually research, anything. |
Warriorfan Member Username: Warriorfan
Post Number: 727 Registered: 08-2005
| Posted on Saturday, May 19, 2007 - 11:38 pm: | |
quote:As for churches not helping, how do you know they aren't, already? Really, that is so typical of you, wanting more to make some smart-assed point than actually research, anything. Feel free to prove me wrong with a link to a local Church program that assists low-income Detroit residents with their utility bills. Pony up that proof, big shot. |
Lmichigan Member Username: Lmichigan
Post Number: 5528 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Saturday, May 19, 2007 - 11:49 pm: | |
You made the claim, now you back up the ambitious claim like a big boy. (Message edited by lmichigan on May 19, 2007) |
East_detroit Member Username: East_detroit
Post Number: 1084 Registered: 11-2003
| Posted on Sunday, May 20, 2007 - 2:41 am: | |
http://www.aodonline.org/AODOn line/Giving+Opportunities+2259 /Adopt+A+Family+12207/Adopt+A+ Family+-+Information.htm |
Softailrider Member Username: Softailrider
Post Number: 42 Registered: 02-2007
| Posted on Sunday, May 20, 2007 - 9:12 am: | |
Utility companies shut off gas and electric all the time , crafty city dwellers will figure out how to get their water back . |