This is where it began:

I am a homeowner & trying in all my power to get my home done and sold. Money is tight. I want to downsize & be comfortable in the rest of my retirement. The American dream. So when I needed to pay my electric bill I signed up for energy assistance, two community agencies were gracious to help me. 

i turned the pledges into the electric company per instructions. The bill was $321.00 & after the 2 agencies assistance left $111.96. (First bill). i was meanwhile trying to save to fix my dryer, my riding mower, and most pressing my Medicare supplement caught up for my medical bills. I have chronic illness involving inflammation. These are personal private things. So beyond that I continue. I need to get more help and called energy assistance and still awaiting their return call for emergency help.

They don’t pay water but essentially it’s the whole bill not just water. it’s turning my water off as their first step. Online I see United Way is good for assistance because they see the need for sanitary running water. I worked as a  RN, for years with Community Health Network but mostly our local hospital I have out of my check every 2 weeks gave to United way- for years. Communities Foundation. I like to think I helped people like myself then. And I certain many seniors in our community did also.

I woke up hearing metal noises and tried using my water. I immediately called the Anderson Cities Staff. The First Lady was kind and empathetic but I needed help why had this happened, why didn’t I know, and she gave me to one of the supervisors. She was adamant in her tone as I was. I learned through things that if I’m going through this probably others have. And I have to add a $67 reconnect fee. What I learned first was my intuition was saying something is not right here.

Information I was given that was defended fiercely in my opinion:

The date of 10/02/2026 was at the top right under Current Billing Due Date. To the bottom right is the same date 10/02/2026 listed under Due Date. In the middle of the bill on the right, same date, it’s listed under next read date. I find out these are actually what the *Utilities say are my disconnect dates. There is almost like a stamped into the middle of the paper a faded appearing disconnect on there lopsided. No disconnect date.
*I learned that my Current Billing $160.88 is not only my current but has become my past due. The date of the bill is 09/16/2026. The lady commented I had the incorrect bill. I said I am looking at it right now. We both wanted to speak and reminded each other to listen to each other. I wanted the facts and she wanted to defend her position it seemed to me. 
The First Lady said they combined the bills & “sent it over to them”, water dept. I remember because I felt she didn’t see the human part with this disconnect. Matter of fact & done. Always I thought there was a past due and you pay to not be disconnected then the current you had a month to pay before it became a past due. The goal to pay each month is in full. *

*She said it hadn’t been that way for a while & I didn’t believe it. AI had pulled up when this quiet policy was made and its relevant legalities. Where are the rules? How do I know? I commented if our info was on our bills everyone including staff would know. Clarity, Transparency, lack of confusion, accountability between customer and Utilities. I would like to think a more collaborative business relationship.
 

So what can I do? She said “I think” it has to be over $500 before  we decide to let you do a payment plan.  I would need to look at that saved information but believe it was $400’s and they allowed me the payment plan once before.  I remember being upset & worried, crying literally for help (& the medical procedure I was preparing for). *The human part. And I paid it timely but 1 or 2 days lapse.  This time no. I told her I would let FCC know albeit it erroneously I now know. I listened to her loud typing with tears & I just quiet but hopeful I would be thrown a rope. I was not. I said “Karma” & God Bless you and hung up.

I wanted to know what’s going on? Am I so upset I’m not seeing this clearly? I explained it to AI, yes I did, and wanted to know am I seeing this clearly? Is something going on I’m not aware of? And immediately AI  went into factual info. I was determined no one else would go through this. This was truly deception, lack of clarity, confusing, mismanaged, policy's being interpreted independently under a false guise that we’re not followed. And more…! *And the human part is what pulls at my heart strings. What does this kind of thing do to people adding hardship to their lives? I had questions!  Don’t give up I say to people but it’s hard!  Protecting the public from unfair deceptive management & practices. 
I shouldn’t have been disconnected with no warning, and my remedy should have been transparent. The treatment. *The human part and this is where dignity is added to this petition. 
The bill after the agencies helped me went from $321.96 to $111.96. My newest bill came in only giving me 2 weeks to plan my budget & what I need to do with a monthly check Social Security. That’s good if you get paid every 2 weeks mine & many others are on a monthly schedule. That bill $111.96 plus the unknown & unexpected reconnect fee $67 current out the blue bill became a past due immediately. The bill on my new bill was $160. 111.96+67.00+&160.88 =$339 + I owe. I had $100.00 I could have used but it was not accepted as enough to get my water turned on. If I knew I was to be disconnected I could have used that to pay what I consider a true past due bill. Then pay what I owe and Energy Assistance to take effect 11/01/2026. I could (quickly) see if I need to ask for assistance for this month till my hardship is over. I could have planned. It was moving so fast.  And it just takes one thing to go wrong.
I see solutions in all this and would be happy to share them. I do not like sharing my personal life to people I don’t know but I am willing to bring this in the open and be dealt with appropriately.  So…That is where it began and I am asking for your utmost support to bring a remedy to this real time happening injustice. I am me but with you all out there things can happen.  We can protect our community. WE CAN!  WE WILL. It’s not just the business part, the government part, it’s the human part! I need Strong in character  people to support this cause! It’s a real life cause! And it calls for strength in numbers! THANK YOU!