Some question Linton's new utility policy, two-hour delays

Posted Friday, January 16, 2009, at 10:54 AM

Did anyone else have a hard time getting motivated Thursday and Friday mornings?

Cars and water pipes aren't the only thing hurt by the sub-zero temperatures. Old bodies can be tough to move when it's -4 degrees outside.

But life goes on. It will warm up! As each day passes, it's a day closer to spring.

Mowing grass. Playing golf. Working in the garden. Taking a walk. They are all good reasons to remain positive for a few more months.

But before that happens, let's talk about a few topics:

Linton utility policy

The Linton City Council passed a new utility policy at its meeting Jan. 12. Some on this newspaper's Web site are taking exception to the changes.

Here's an example:

"The United States finally decides that our country is in a recession and everyone knows that Greene County is one of the most poorest counties in Indiana if not the tri-state area. So why not make it more difficult to live in this town! There isn't anything fair about the new policy with the utilities! I for one struggle month to month to pay the darn "GUESSTIMATED" bill anyway! Why can't there be a way to make payments throughout the entire year and allow people to catch up with their tax check or something! I know something could be done better more for the less fortunate who have kids and rent a nonsufficient home as far as insulation and bad windows things beyond their control that effect their utilities! As far as punishing someone who resides in a mobile home I think that's ridiculous that the city of Linton would nickel and dime those folks like that. WOW!!!!!!!!!"

The poster is correct. This is a very hard time for Lintonians, Greene Countians, Hoosiers, and all Americans. We can only hope President-elect Barack Obama and Congress can do something soon to right the ship.

Not only is it a tough time for taxpayers, it's also a hard time for city town, county, and state governments.

Gov. Mitch Daniels is tightening the state's belt, which means counties, cities, and towns must do with less.

In the case of the utility policy, Linton can only go so long allowing people not to pay their bills. In the long run, it hurts the majority.

Is there an easy answer to help those who can't pay their bills? Unfortunately, no.

There is help available through local churches and civic organizations. Check with the Linton-Stockton Chamber of Commerce on who to call, or call 2-1-1 for that information.

Delaying school

Since area schools returned from Christmas break, there have been a few two-hour delays ... including Thursday and Friday.

A story appeared in the GCDW earlier in the week that allowed Linton-Stockton School Corporation Superintendent Ron Bush to explain the reasoning behind the delays.

It boils down to student safety. And it's better to error on the side of safety than to put students in danger.

Not everyone agrees. A poster on the GCDW's Web site had this to say:

"Two-hour delays would not be so common if everybody's pay was reduced or the time had to be made up. Get with the program and teach the kids when things get tough the tough get or keep going. Two-hour delays are being way over used."

We've all heard this argument before. "When we went to school, they didn't cancel school for anything. It used to snow 6 or 7 inches and we'd still go to school."

Maybe that wasn't the right thing to do, and we all got lucky and weren't involved in a bus accident like the one in Putnam County a few weeks ago. There was another bus accident near Frankfort before that.

Is it really worth sending our children to school just so teachers can earn their pay? I believe our children are much more valuable than that!

Online readership growing

The newspaper's Web site -- www.gcdailyworld.com -- continues to grow. The following statistics prove the point:

* From Jan. 12, 2009 -- 4,016 unique visitors (3,370 from the year before on the same day), 40,758 pageviews (31,489), and hits 193,934 (149,507).

* From Jan. 13, 2009 -- 4,149 unique visitors (3,614 from the year before on the same day), 42,502 pageviews (33,403), and hits 194,754 (163,930).

* From Jan. 14, 2009 -- 4,411 unique visitors (3,578 from a year ago on the same day), 43,662 (33,021 from the year before on the same day), and 195,440 hits (162,192).

* From Jan. 15, 2009 -- 4,272 unique visitors (3,467 from a year ago on the same day), 45,401 pageviews (35,360), and 207,296 hits (164,356),

Have you ever wondered when people look at the site the most?

Here's a breakdown of the top four times from Wednesday:

* No. 1 -- 7-7:59 a.m.

* No. 2 -- 7-7:59 p.m.

* No. 3 -- 6-6:59 p.m.

* No. 4 -- 5-5:59 p.m.

Comments
Showing comments in chronological order
[Show most recent comments first]

Regarding the City's new utility policy, a couple things need to be remembered. One, the utilities are owned by our city but are a seperate business. It is not subsidized by taxes or operating funds from the rest of the city. Most other areas are not serviced through their town-owned utility and whoever supplies gas, water, etc. has very clear-cut policies for non-payment. It may seem cold-hearted, but we all know we get no sympathy from these utility providers.

Secondly, the huge amount of "written off" or non paying accounts have to be made up from those of us who do pay for the services. There is no free lunch (or utilities) so we all end up paying. To just question or blame the city for implementing sound business practice doesn't make a lot of sense. How many of us would expect to walk into a store and pick up as much as a 50 cent candy bar and expect someone else to take care of it? Why then would we expect others to pick up our tab for utilities?

-- Posted by old linton native on Fri, Jan 16, 2009, at 2:39 PM

This person who wrote that blog must had never experienced a hardship before thats to bad! Maybe you SHOULD so you'd realize whats its like! Apparently you have it to give then so why not reach into your tight little pocket their expat2 huh? Everybody's a republican sad aint it???

-- Posted by Mr Reasonable09 on Sat, Jan 17, 2009, at 2:40 AM

-- Posted by Mr Reasonable09 on Sat, Jan 17, 2009, at 2:44 AM

I never mentioned anything in my statement about not paying the utilities you folks need to brush up on your reading comprehensive skills and quit putting words in others mouth that happens on here alot stick what the blog says dont add to it!!!Just simply set up a plan for those who need help and then catch up with tax check or something.Theres ways and you know it! As far as insufficient if you dont know what that means then you'd better quit responding on here! I gave examples of what insufficient is as far as a home heating and cooling! and yes it is beyond there control most of that stuff especially if your renting! If your struggling with utiliies how can you afford to move out and start all over with another crappy rental cause thats all there is in Linton believe me! If there decent then theres a decent monthly charge for it! So chill out tight wad!!!

-- Posted by Mr Reasonable09 on Sat, Jan 17, 2009, at 2:53 AM

Didn't know I was writing a book or being graded on a blog entry WOW!! This guy must be one who sets at his computer all day looking at things he should'nt! LOL Are you one of those people! Probably spend all your money on it huh? Thats why you can't give any to the less fortunate! Thanks again for the grammar lesson it helps out in the blog world HA HA HA HA

-- Posted by Mr Reasonable09 on Sat, Jan 17, 2009, at 8:30 AM

Oh and for the record I am writing this on behalf of my mother who is suffering from terminal cancer and lives on a fixed income. I do believe in charity to those who need it! I believe we're supposed to help each other in God's eye's.Charity starts at home and can be spread out as far as you want it too! No where in my blogs have I asked for any hand outs or looking to never pay a bill I'm simply asking for programs to be enlisted in our city because like I said help starts at home and Linton is our home. Thats all I'm gonna say cause this guy is causing me to lose my religion with his communist way of looking at things. Take care and god bless you expat2

-- Posted by Mr Reasonable09 on Sat, Jan 17, 2009, at 8:53 AM

No,your just a guy who has spell check your not foolin' anyone!!!!!!!!!!

-- Posted by Mr Reasonable09 on Sat, Jan 17, 2009, at 9:17 AM

I think we have got a bit off subject

-- Posted by nutzz6934 on Sat, Jan 17, 2009, at 11:52 AM

I'm so tired of hearing the "living on a fixed income" excuse. Unless one works for a commission, I don't understand how most of aren't on a fixed income. I draw a salary, and no matter what happens with the economy I get the exact same amount of money every two weeks. If I can't make that amount work to cover my responsibilities, I take on another job or LIVE WITH LESS. Everyone is feeling the effects of this recession, not just the elderly, poor, or down-on-their-luck populations. Live with less, people, live with less.

-- Posted by Lorhagatha on Sat, Jan 17, 2009, at 2:20 PM

Teachers and salaried positions may get paid the same whether schools are on a 2-hour delay or canceled,but support staff(custodians,food service,etc.)don't.We miss hours or a full days pay every time there is a problem.It is worth it though when you think of the kids safety.

-- Posted by maggiemay50 on Mon, Jan 19, 2009, at 5:36 AM

I agree that we all need to "work harder and smarter!" I can't stop wondering about those in our community whom are unable to "work" and yes they are out there. My husband and I struggle each month to pay our bills, but we do! Neither of us smoke, drink, or do drugs and it is still a monthly struggle. It leaves us with no room to provide additional help. My mother-in-law is unable to work due to back problems. I think there should be a system in place not with our tax money, but something else that can help ppl. in dire circumstances.

As far as the school system is concerned, yes my childs safety is more important than your wages. Sorry! I know for a fact that the school will let you make up hours. Used to work there!

-- Posted by new2GC on Mon, Jan 19, 2009, at 6:30 AM

Do students have to spend X number hours in each class or just days at school? Somebody could get shorted with all these 2 hour delays. I am NOT again safety at all just think everybody has gotten a little soft in the world. You should only get paid for the work you "DO" not what you were suppose to do.

-- Posted by LT on Mon, Jan 19, 2009, at 7:14 AM

"I think there should be a system in place not with our tax money, but something else that can help ppl. in dire circumstances."

New2GC---I agree with your above comment, but how do you fund it without tax dollars? Chris talks about seeking local churches and civic organizations for help, and thats fine, but they are not-for-profit organizations and they rely on the giving of people within their groups. Well, giving is down because people don't have jobs or are tightening their belts thus leaving less money to help. If anyone needs food or clothing send them to the Linton Food Pantry on 4th street by the Catholic church. There are now 4 churches supporting that and they are glad to help.

Everyone-

We are in a tough enviroment right now. Everyone has had to start living within our means, like we should have been doing all along. The city utility office can't function without being paid for it's services. Quite honestly, I don't see the big deal with the policy change. They are offering opportunities to work out payment arrangements, if you stick with them it is no problem.

Why are we so hung up on complaining about teachers? If anyone wanted summers off, and a work week of 5 days from 7:30-3:30 then you should have went to school to be a teacher. As with any salaried job, your salary is to perform the job at hand. If that requires you to work 60 hours, guess what ..no overtime. If you employer says, we aren't opening until 10 am guess what...I sleep in. We need to quit whining about insignificant stuff. Teachers do a job that quite honestly, alot of parents don't do themsleves anymore... teach their children. They don't get overtime when they are at the schools for P/T conferences or kids programs. I am not a teacher either.

If we want to be constructive on here, let's throw out some real ideas that make a difference and can change things, rather than all the negative comments.

-- Posted by POP on Wed, Jan 21, 2009, at 10:16 AM

Chris Pruett's response:

Thanks for your positive comments. Everything in this world isn't positive, but it should would be nice if more people had a positive attitude toward everything. More might get accomplished!

I couldn't agree more, POP!

-- Posted by The Raven on Wed, Jan 21, 2009, at 10:57 AM

Some friends of mine had a waterleak in front of their home (on the citt's side of the meter) and it only took 4 calls and 32 days to get the leak fixed. We need to be more responsive to things of this nature and stop wasting resources. This sort of thing can lead to higher utility prices which will apparently continue to rise,

-- Posted by T0ADH0P on Wed, Jan 21, 2009, at 2:46 PM

Sorry, I cannot resist making this comment. To "POP": Although it is kind of you to defend teachers, you were dead wrong on at least one thing...7:30 to 3:30 with summers off. That may be what their contract stipulates, and there are certainly some teachers who do only what is required of them within the parameters of their contracts, but there are many, many teachers who get to school before 7:30 and don't leave until 5:00 or after, only to have 2-3 hours more work (grading, lesson planning, etc.) when they get home. As in ANY profession, there are those who do only what is absolutely required but we all know there are many who go above and beyond for perhaps no other reason than it is the right thing to do. Please, POP....do not ever perpetuate that horrible myth that all teachers work from 7:30-3:30. (By the way, in case you haven't already figured it out, that is an 8-hour day, much like the majority of other jobs.) I wonder, do you take work home every night, and give up weekend hours to plan for the next week?

-- Posted by Lorhagatha on Wed, Jan 21, 2009, at 4:10 PM

Lorhagatha- Wow--I was actually defending teachers! First of all, my job is salary and actually about a 60hr work week. It does involve phone calls and occasional trips out on the weekends, including 5-6 nights overnight per month. So you can leave that out of your discussion, because I do know what it involves to work above the norm. If you read it again, I did say that they often are there many nights. I did fail to mention the grading part but it wasn't on purpose. I never intended to or said anything demeaning toward teachers. I personally think they are underpaid, but I am sure you will find a way to twist those comments as well.

Apparently you skipped over the last part about being "constructive"

-- Posted by POP on Wed, Jan 21, 2009, at 5:49 PM

"Pop":

Sorry, nothing to "twist"; here are your words:

"If anyone wanted summers off, and a work week of 5 days from 7:30-3:30 then you should have went to school to be a teacher."

I merely asked you not to perpetuate the myth. Please remove your claws from my back. You opened the door. And by the way, it should be "...have gone to school..." Excuse me while I withdraw my claws now. (smiley face smiley face)

-- Posted by Lorhagatha on Fri, Jan 23, 2009, at 9:20 PM

.Chris - just a note. Please let your readers know that the city does have (and has for sometime) a plan in which the utility customer can pay an average amount (based on past bills) each month and "settle up" in the end (perhaps when tax check comes) if that would give them some relief. Many of the bloggers refer to this as being a need and it is currently available if they sign up at the utility office. I'm not sure when the program begins and ends but I'm sure they could find out by inquiring at the utility office. Also, the needs that some have described regarding efficiency of heating and cooling and weatherization could also be something they might be able to receive some help with. There are programs/grants that are periodically available for weatherization and renovating homes if the applicant qualifies. To receive help there is a process with the housing folks and again I'm not exactly sure when the time frame is on this but if they would inquire at city hall, the mayor's secretary could probably guide them in the right direction. Sorry I'm not up on the time frames and guidelines, but I do know there are programs in place that pretty much sound like what some folks need to get some relief.

-- Posted by Oldcmw on Tue, Jan 27, 2009, at 11:44 PM

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