By Rocker

September 21, 2008 12:36 PM | Link to this

Six days without power. It is hard to believe in that I grew up on the South shore of Long Island NY just a few miles from Jones Beach. Hurricanes are a common thing since they frequently track North along the East coast following the gulf stream, then slam into Long Island as they traverse across the LI sound into Connecticut. So, I have seen the eye of a hurricane twice in my life and was evacuated inland I do not know how many times. Despite the destruction of huge trees and downed power lines galore our power company got us back on the grid in no longer than two days. I guess my tendency right now, as I try to justify seven days without power in an area a mere few miles from downtown Dayton, is to rationalize it might be compared to occasions when Atlanta GA receives a half inch of snow; unprepared, the City churns to a standstill simply because it is such a rare occurrence. The snow eventually melts and all is OK, resulting in yet another story to tell at the local beauty or barber shop. But as this crisis continues for me and the lucky few still without power, I find it difficult to understand how residents of Montgomery county- a part of one of the largest mass statistical are in the country- can justify a continued tolerance at the poor planning, especially the lack of updates and projections, the lousy management of customer expectations. I mean, other utility companies are offering maps with service estimates. Is it too much to ask DP & L for such standards of service? I feel like I live in a third world country. Without power for six days, my ability to offer fair judgment on the matter continues to erode along with my supply of candles and batteries. Certainly as a long term member of the sleep apnea sufferers of America club, without access to my c-pap machine- I realize I grow weaker each day- I am not in a clear state of mind; consequently, my judgment is impaired. What’s more, I suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome, a long standing residual of my bout with a rare neurological disorder (GBS) ten years ago. Since I have not been able to recharge my own batteries, damaged as they are, please forgive me if I do error in my assessment of the situation: DP& L has failed at what I might consider a fair and reasonable standard of services. I read articles that spell out insinuations as to how our “utility’ has squandered opportunity to maintain their grid, rather, further padding their coffers for their shareholders, enabling the prospects for even greater executive bonuses, etc. It seems a slight fine is like a slap on the hand to these billion dollar corporations, and reinforces their inappropriate business models. I imagine our ‘utilities’ will need an increase in fees now, to substantiate the vast expense of repairing their networks. I guess the PUCO will look into this matter, like they did when there was concern that cable tax abatements were not used as specified to upgrade the networks of what is now Time Warner cable. The government eventually had to step in and push our cable infrastructure to upgrade to digital standards implemented in Europe long, long ago. As for the tax abatements, well, they were absorbed into their financial structure and the public did not receive a fair deal. I am sorry to say, but it is the American way, to gouge the middle class by taxing to pay for corporation errors in judgment, which is what we frequently call acts of corporate manipulation. Citing it as a natural disaster, they will say it was impossible to be prepared, a fluke of nature and an act of GOD. “It is like Atlanta getting hit by a fluke snowstorm…“, they might say. I say, my threshold for tolerance passed a few days ago. Now, I am angry and motivated to take action. For me, this is another example of the ever decreasing standard of living in the Dayton area. I read we are losing residents at an incredible rate, most recently 14th in the nation. Hey, things are tough all over and Dayton is no different. Our community leaders have failed us in many respects, which is why our brethren are leaving, moving to more progressive cities with better infrastructures. It might just be me, but this incredible long power outage is another example of the general decay. I hoped that powerful wind a week ago would have blown out the guff and foul sense of the future from our city, to clear the air and bring in a fresh beginning. Instead, it compounded my stress with deep contemplation of selling my home in a down market, to evacuate to a part of the country with less corruption and better leaders, a place where when power fails they might help me manage my anxiety and help me plan how to cope with the situation. I mean, if I had known it would be a week before I get power back, well, I might have decided to not hold out at home for so long, ever looking for that illusive DP & L truck. I am not sure as to how power utilities ever became a private profit making entity, with shareholders and big buck CEOs, but it does not feel correct to me. Honestly, I am surprised that there is such a thing as Montgomery County department of sanitary engineering, that it has yet to become a for profit entity so they, too, could pay toms of money out to shareholders while offering questionable service levels. I do appreciate that individual lineman working their butts off to bring me power. THANK YOU for doing your best. As for the leaders of our community, well, I will probably be part of that percentage leaving the area next year! It reminds me of a line in the Star Trek movie, where the President of the Federation says, “Avoid the planet Earth at all costs. Save your energy.” For me, my attitude is “Avoid the Dayton area at all costs. Save your energy“. Farewell.

By lmj

September 18, 2008 7:34 PM | Link to this

Just like the tornado of ‘65, I slept through it. I was not feeling well - flu or something similar. Husband took my van to drop off son at a friends (who had electric). When he returned a tree limb was where my van usually parks. We were without electric for about 6 hours and other than that one branch lost one window in the back. Good to hear from you again, Vick. It may not be the best of circumstances, but we can be thankful we aren’t in Galveston.

By beastmomma

September 18, 2008 5:47 PM | Link to this

I live out of the area, so I did not experience the windstorm. however, I am glad that you are okay.