Perfect Timing
Every action we do helps us progress this petition forward into a victory for us here in Anderson Indiana! We are strong together when we stand together. Our community benefits when our city leaders collaborate with their citizens. The stance the city leaders take is business first & the people they work for second. Administrative discussions focus on the revenue they can collect. Unfortunately they think these are what will keep the municipal utility “solvent”: stop mailing out the secondary disconnect notices & the high-volumes of non-payments. Section 52.10. They think that using standard due dates serve as hard-line for past due collections. Their stance is to enforce standard reconnection fees. The tone coming from their words sounds punitive & rigid. I think it is of a mindset of ‘I am powerful & you do not have any power’. I can make decisions without your input! I say the hell with power! We require transparent billing & collaboration with city leaders! That’s what is called democracy. And having a city owned utility it’s even more important for checks & balances of those who govern without its citizens input.
We must have clear bills with every charge the customer owes plainly on the bill. A due date & disconnect date clearly present. Our leaders & legal team structured text that say that warnings/disconnects that shut off notices or disconnection deadlines do not have to be given for “aged balances”. I say is that so? Why was $111.96 I still owed after Community aid helped me. The Salvation Army with $60 & they have an online tie-in with getting the pledges to the utilities faster. St Paul Vincent’s pledge slip I happily brought in to the utility company their pledge of $150. The utility knew I was working on getting them paid. According to what the administration said, it was not an “aged balance” so why was I disconnected with no warning? The staff, after finding out I was disconnected, I called. I spoke to the first lady who was empathetic. I am asking why? I at some point talked to the supervisor. To my surprise I was told that my past bill ($111.96) was combined with my current bill $160.88 as now it was past due also. They rolled the past bill with the new one (just due 10/2/2026) & sent it “over there’” referring to the water department to disconnect. I was told I was on pending total shut-off. I was disconnected I think the 4th & reconnected I believe the 7th. My SS check came on the 3rd.
The 14 days is not enough time if you are on monthly checks. It traps you in a cycle that creates hardship. Those with weekly or every 2 weeks checks can budget better. My 10/15/2026 dated bill came in the mail 10/21/2026 already shortening their 14 day grace period. I know senior citizens deserve more than having this extra burden in their retirement. They certainly deserve dignity.
There is conflict, the 52.10 ordinance is not what the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC) has written: it writes that utilities must provide written , precise advance notice typically by 7 to 10 days, detailing the dates & reason. Residents are confused about the discrepancy with the different governing bodies. We simply suggest they get together to make sure they are on the same page & transparently give clear precise language uniformly. TRANSPARENT.
Clear disconnect dates as a matter people first, business after. Do not dismiss the hardships of people that get disconnected. Have heart. It is to you, city leaders, keeping the utilities solvent as your main focus without seeing, envisioning your residents circumstances. The utilities give vital shelter, warmth, cooling & allow us to live our lives. Of course they have to be paid. Just asking for humane thought is part of the decision making. Reviews & audits need done to bring Anderson, Indiana forward. Forget this vague, unclear, make it where it’s so vague it invites different interpretations. This means no accountability of our leaders. Deceptive & dishonesty by presenting the wording-the texts vague & confusing. This lack of transparency in my opinion permeates through our local government.
And now Governor Braun is wanting utilities & state regulators to not raise rates & wants Hoosiers to save money on their utilities. I am going to write the Governor of our Petition. I recently found out I had unknown storm damage & needing to put effort in to this but I’m challenged & devoted to this cause. We need to take care of each other! So please stay committed or renew your commitment. As always share & share, read & sign if you haven’t, flyers at events, grocery store, anywhere you go, Community Centers, if getting community assistance, hand them a few flyers.
Thank you! We can make a difference!
Susan D Warren