Connections

Hydrant surcharges adjusted in Delhi, DeWitt Townships

A few months ago we invited our customers to tell us what they think about utility deregulation and whether their Hometown Utility should jump on the bandwagon.

A new law took effect January 1 allowing customers of the state’s large investor-owned utilities to buy their electricity from other suppliers. The law also gives municipal electric utilities like the BWL the choice of opting in or out of this new way of doing business. For the time being, we’re opting out until we have a better idea of how deregulation will work in Michigan. We didn’t hear from a lot of our customers, but those who took the time to write were unanimously against the idea. Here’s a sampling of what our customers had to say:

“ I’m well satisfied with my BWL bill as it is now.”
Maxine Griswold, Lansing

“If we the public haven’t learned from this political fiasco, then we deserve everything we get. My brother lives in Los Angeles and I got first hand news on the whole mess out there. Deregulation means higher costs, poor service and smoke and mirrors carnival spiels to the customer.”
John Shively, Lansing

“The old adage, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it, would certainly pertain here. The Lansing Board of Water & Light has done a remarkable job for their customers. Please don’t change, it would be a horrible mistake.”
Janice Kirk, Lansing

“You only have to look at the manufactured electric shortage in California and the shambles created in the telephone industry after deregulation … I believe the Board of Water & Light service and rates leave little room for improvement, and involvement in any effort with deregulated electric utilities would only be a disaster. Our rates will increase, our service diluted and others will exploit the use of BWL facilities to best serve their own personal bank accounts and reduce our benefits.”
                                                                                            Alden G. Harrington, Past Director
                                                                                     Business & Consumer Services Division
                                                                                          Michigan Public Service Commission

“The so-called Michigan Customer Choice Law would not help the home owner or small business people … We have been home owners here since January of 1952 and have been able to handle any problem with a simple call to the BWL. ”
Douglas & Della McGiveron, Lansing

Thanks for your comments. We’ll keep you advised of future developments on this important issue.

Beginning this month, water bills in two townships reflect increases in the hydrant surcharge.

Our water rates include an annual fee associated with the cost of providing fire service and water flow to fight fires in our service area. Some cities and townships pay for this through their general fund budgets, while others ask us to recover the cost through a surcharge added to water bills in their area.

In Delhi Township, bills reflect a 6 percent increase in the hydrant surcharge effective this month. In DeWitt Township, the surcharge has been increased 2 percent.

Capital Area United Way and the Volunteer Center of Mid-Michigan want you to know about three events coming up in August, September and October.

They’re recruiting volunteers willing to give three hours of their time to improving the community. Three such ‘Day of Caring’ events are coming up. They are:

Saturday, August 24, when volunteers are needed to plant flowers at seven Lansing School District Elementary Schools to make the first day of school a welcoming experience for students. The schools are Maple Grove, Mt. Hope, Lewton, Bingham, Fairview, Allen, and Pleasant View.

Wednesday, September 11, when activities will be focused on creating Memory Gardens to celebrate the lives of those lost and affected by last year's terrorist attacks on our country.

Saturday, October 26, when a Food Drive and other hands-on projects are being planned.

For more details or to volunteer for one of these events, call the Volunteer Center of Mid-Michigan at 203-5010.

Tour some great homes and do a good deed, all at the same time.

That’s the opportunity that awaits you when the Greater Lansing Housing Coalition holds its annual home tour September 15. Homes included on this year’s tour include historic classics, condominiums, restored lofts and others that showcase distinctive and unusual residences in the downtown and Old Town districts of Lansing.

Tour tickets cost just $15 each, with proceeds benefiting the Greater Lansing Housing Coalition, which provides quality, affordable homes for income-qualified first-time homebuyers.

For tickets or more information call the Coalition at 372-5980 or the Old Town Commercial Association at 485-4283.

… But sometimes man’s best friend can make things tough for our meter readers or other employees who need to come onto your property.

Please help us by knowing where your dog is when our employee is on your premises.

And, if you use an invisible fence to keep your pet on your property, it will help if we know about it. In our experience, avoiding surprises is one of the best ways of keeping people and critters on a cordial basis.

If you have an invisible fence, please send us a note along with your utility bill to let us know. Please include your name, address, and home and work phone.

Thanks for your help.