Font Size:

I've been in Marianna a lot this week and three of my stories have centered around one topic: FPU Power Bills.

There's been SOOOO many people who are angry about what's happening...and you really can't blame them.

I was at Tuesday night's City Commission meeting and it was shocking to see the amount of people that piled in through the doors...the maximum capacity was 65 people but there were almost 120 altogether.

Several came up to the podium and shared their stories...the one that stands out in my mind was a 66-year-old woman who lives on a fixed income off a small Social Security check each month. 

Last month, her utility bill was more than $600...this month, it was more than $1,100!!!!!!!

When I hear stories like that, it makes me wonder....what are they going to do???? Who can afford to pay that much...just for a light bill??!!! How can people on fixed incomes, elderly and families afford it??

We all have heard the phrase 'hard economic times'...with unemployment numbers continuing to rise and the homeless population not improving much either, how do Americans, who are working, middle class citizens, afford to stay alive??

I find it 'backwards' to know that something like a 13.8% rate hike will only lead to more of these problems...one man mentioned that it will create a 'domino effect' if something isn't done about it....

It's sad to know that some people may have to go into debt, choose between food or heat for their families, or be homeless because they can't afford to pay their utility bill.

DO WE WORK TO LIVE OR LIVE TO WORK?? It seems like many, if not most, people in the Marianna community will soon be working just to afford to pay their power bill instead now...

Anyhow, just a few of my thoughts on a very complicated issue...stay tuned for more coverage!