Evelyn DeSmet, St. Joseph
I am writing this letter to inform the residents of St. Joseph about the utility billing.
Do you know that if your bill is one day late you are fined $10? No other community around St. Joseph charges residents if they are a day late. In fact, after checking, they give their residents a grace period.
Why? Because we cannot depend on the delivery of our mail anymore. I asked our mayor about this and he agreed about the mail delivery. In fact, we discussed it further letting me know it’s not dependable.
I have lived in St. Joseph for almost 20 years and my record of paying my utility bill has always been on time. I did not get my utility bill from the City of St. Joseph. Instead, I received a letter from the City of St. Joseph informing me I had not paid my bill along with a disconnection notice and a fine for $17.66. I called and informed them I had not received a bill.
I am a senior living on a very fixed income. I stated I cannot afford that fine of $17.66. Also, never in my life have I ever received a disconnection notice. The City of St. Joseph Utility told me to go to a city council meeting to address my concerns as they are the ones who make the rules. Well, I did go to a city council meeting and explained this and they stated they would take it into consideration and let me know. Weeks went by and I called the utility billing, finance and the mayor five times. Finally, after the fifth call, the mayor did finally call me and stated they would not refund the fine. I asked him where is all the money you are collecting from the residents of St. Joseph going? No answer!
So residents, how many $10’s have you donated to the City of St. Joseph? Where is the money going that is collected? I think it’s only fair we all know where that money is going. Also, I hope they feel good taking $17.66 from a senior citizen living on a very fixed income.
I spoke to the postmaster and he couldn’t have cared less. Absolutely a shame!
