Public utilities and stupidity

Every once in a while you hear about something so stupid it is amazing. I am not a fan of towns owning electrical systems. I would prefer that the utilities be privately run. When towns own the system, policies can get out of hand. One example is that in the town of Micro, water bills are due on the 10th of the month (I believe) and cutoffs of service begin the 11th if the bill is not paid. That is just excessive.

Here is another example of how a local town stupidly handles their utility policies, as sent to me by someone I know.

Our church participates in a very active prison ministry at the Wayne County Jail on an ongoing basis. The salvation rate is truly wonderful. Our clothing bank offers wardrobe to those released. A TERRIBLE policy has come to light.

We have ministered to the families of a few in the Wayne county jail with food, clothes, etc. who are IN JAIL FOR UTILITY CUT-OFF!!! In the Town of Fremont, if you can't afford to keep on your lights or water, THEY LOCK YOU UP!

If the utilities happen to be in the name of the only breadwinner in the family, then now the rest of the spouse and children are not only without electricity, but they now lose their only source of income and food! It's ridiculous.

Plus, we should examine just how much it costs to house and feed an inmate per day/week/month in the Wayne County Jail. It's probably a whole lot more than the Town would charge to keep on the family's lights.