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AUTHOR: Joe - Austin (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Wednesday, January 28, 2009
POSTED: Wednesday, January 28, 2009
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Bay City raises electric rates as Marvin Schur's death spurs anger
by Ryan J. Stanton | The Bay City Times
Tuesday January 27, 2009, 8:17 AM
Rebecca Craig | Times PhotoBay City resident John Tennant tells the gathered Bay City commissioners he's outraged that 93-year-old Marvin E. Schur froze to death in his home.
The Bay City Commission voted to raise electric rates by 3 percent on Monday, but what voters wanted to talk about was how a 93-year-old man froze to death in his home after the city limited his electric use.
RELATED CONTENT
• Autopsy: Bay City man froze inside his home
READERS SAID...
I can't believe people and businesses these days.
To let a 93-year-old freeze to death because of a bill. I don't care how big the bill is.
A man is dead because of money and some people who don't care about other people.
Next, are you going to let young kids die because of an unpaid bill?
- jabbogar
I hope the head of the electrical division is in jail. There are laws to protect the elderly.
This action is totally uncalled for. I'm a native of Bay City, age 70. I am so happy I no longer live there. At my age, I would fear for my life.
We have laws in Texas to protect the ill and elderly. Remember, folks, you may be old someday - if your city fathers don't kill you first.
- Stanley E. "Red" Gontko, Laredo, Texas
Bay City's old motto: "A beautiful view...of life."
Bay City's new motto: "We value every life...according to your utility bill."
- Dee Mitrowski, Moriarty, N.M.
UPDATE: Marvin Schur's death was preventable, Lansing officials say
Marvin E. Schur died Jan. 17 in his Chilson Street home where a "limiter" had been placed on his home by Bay City Electric Light & Power. Officials believe the limiter tripped off the flow of power and Schur didn't reset the device. The temperature inside Schur's home dropped below 32 degrees, according to neighbors who found his body.
The story, which appeared in Monday's edition of The Times and on www.mlive.com, generated comments from around the country after being picked up by CNN, MSNBC, The New York Times and International Herald Tribune in France.
John Tennant, a member of Bay City's South End Citizens District Council, called for swift action from city leaders on Monday.
"We need to take every step possible to make sure this does not happen anymore," he said. "This is a very, very sad thing."
Kathy O'Brien, 46, said she was horrified to hear about the death of Schur.
"It could have been anybody's dad," said O'Brien, who came to Monday's meeting with her 16-year-old son Jeremiah.
About 250 readers posted comments on the story of Schur's death on The Times' Web site on Monday, calling it sick, sad, horrible, shameful, disturbing, cold and inhumane. Most blamed the city, some going as far to say the city should be sued, another to say the city manager should resign.
The story was picked up by hundreds of media outlets globally.
Schur owed almost $1,100 in electricity bills to the city, prompting the city utility to place a "limiter" device outside his home on Jan. 13. The city keeps the limiter on a residence for 10 days, at which point the city shuts off all electricity if the homeowner hasn't paid his utility bill.
City officials said Monday they don't believe a city worker ever made one-on-one contact with Schur to explain the limiter's operation.
Phil Newton, electric department director, said there are about 60 to 70 limiters in use across the city, about three times as many as a year ago. He blames the bad economy, which has left residents struggling to pay their bills. He said the city issues about 50 shut-off notices each week.
"It's been terrible. We've seen it for over a year now," he said. "We actually have almost two full-time people just dedicated to going around and turning people on and off and putting on limiters. It's just really bad."
Newton said limiters have been used by the city for 18 years and this is the first time there's been a major problem. He encourages anyone with concerns about their electricity to call the city at 894-8350.
"I'm certain if there had been some communication we could solved this without the tragedy that occurred," he said of Schur. "This should have been worked out."
Mayor Charles M. Brunner expressed regret over Schur's death on Monday, saying the city will continue to evaluate what happened to make sure it doesn't happen again.
"It's just unfortunate that this gentleman didn't reach out," Brunner said. "We would have been there. We would have pointed him in the right direction or put him on some sort of payment plan."
For Bay City Electric Light & Power customers, the payments will increase after Monday's rate increase, which will cost the average homeowner an extra $21.60 per year. The higher rate, which goes into effect in March or April, was approved by a 5-3 vote, with Lori L. Bollman, 4th Ward, MaryJane Gorney, 5th Ward, Marie T. Kurzer, 7th Ward, voting against it. John F. Davidson, 6th Ward, was absent.
The 3 percent increase is the latest in a series of scheduled rate increases for city utilities and the second in the past year for electric customers, who saw a 9 percent increase last summer. City officials say the increase is needed to keep up with the rising costs of purchasing power.
"We've gotten very creative in the ways we purchase power, but it's a very complicated market and it's an expensive market," Brunner said. "We have to pass the costs on."
The NEW YORK TIMES has now written an editorial expressing outrage over Mr. Schur's death. This story is going around the world and is getting angry feedback everywhere.
This 93yr man didn't deserve to die like this and someone needs to be held accountable and prosecuted for his death.
Below is the email and/or phone addresses.
City Manager - Robert Belleman: bellemanr@baycitymi.org (989-894-8246)
Deputy City Manager - Dana Muscott: dmuscott@baycitymi.org(989-894-8168)
Electric Utilities - Phillip Newton: (989-894-8348)
Mayor - Charles Brunner: cbrunner@baycitymi.org(989-894-8189)
This is just a starting list. If you have information for anymore of the people in charge of changing this policy, please add to it.
Why file a report here? Ripoff Report is a permanent record! Other complaint sites copy our content then remove reports for money.
