NewburyportNews.com, Newburyport, MA

Opinion

July 6, 2009

Wrong house targeted for power shut-off

To the editor:

I would like to comment on Richard B. Johnson's letter (June 29) regarding "power shut off for wrong house." The same thing happened to me, but it was in the dead of winter and with National Grid.

It just so happened that I came home for lunch that snowy day in January when I noticed a National Grid truck parked in my driveway and all my lights were shut off. When I asked the serviceman why my lights were shut off, he told me "the owner of the house asked for the electricity to be shut off." When I told him that I was the owner, he argued with me that this was the correct house for shut-off. I promptly retrieved a bill receipt with my name on it to show him that I was clearly the owner, my bill had been paid, and I did not order my electricity to be shut off.

When I showed him the bill he said, "Oh, so you are not Martha ...?" (Mind you, there was no warning notice by mail or phone that the electricity was going to be shut off.) They just came over to the house and shut the electricity off.

If I had not been there at that time, or worse, if I was away on vacation, my pipes would have frozen, my aquarium fish would have died as well as my parakeets.

Needless to say, no apology was given to me. Unbelievable.

I know exactly how Mr. Johnson feels.

Veronica Atlantis

Salisbury

Text Only | Photo Reprints

NDN Video
Romney Tops Santorum in CPAC Straw Poll First glimpse of Blue Ivy Carter Absolute Lin-sanity Hate to be Rude: Bubba Watson Peek inside Barbie's closet Test on Comforter in Powell Unit Shows Blood Angry Dad Shoots Teens Laptop Hero Driver Saves Kids From Burning Bus Funeral to be held for Powell boys Sandusky on having to stay inside and people turning on him Uzbek Man Pleads Guilty in Plot to Kill Obama Woolly Mammoth Caught on Camera? Did JLo 'Assault' Marc Anthony on Camera? Christie Brinkley's Runway Slip Toddler forced to run half-naked in snow Halle Wants to Leave the Country Northern Lights shine above earth Plane makes perfect belly landing Kris Jenner New Face of Arousal Oils Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
Special Features