
Tumbleweed and Alligator
Thoughts and Ramblings of a West Texas Native and a Cajun Poser
Municipalities During Covid - Compassion vs. Profits
Municipalities During Covid - Compassion vs. Profits

Can't Wash Your Hands Without Water
Can't Wash Your Hands Without Water
April 29, 2020
April 29, 2020
Very few towns that control the water and gas are choosing to cut any slack for citizens behind on their payments. I’ve heard the excuses: Our town relies on those revenues, or cutting off utilities is in the best interest of the consumer because, after all, they’ll just be further behind if we continue to let them slide.
I have a real problem with cutting off gas and water during a world-wide pandemic. We are reminded to constantly wash our hands. We are shamed if we don’t. It takes clean water to wash hands or surfaces to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Utility companies and towns across the United States announced that water services, electrical and gas services - all critical in normal times, and even life-saving in these COVID-19 times - won’t be disconnected, even if your bill goes unpaid. There will be time to sort all this out after the crisis is over.
Town leaders have the authority to set up deferred payment plans with their utility customers. They have the authority, and in my opinion, the moral obligation to help the citizenry that is forced to stay in their homes, is required to keep social distancing, is compelled to wash hands and disinfect, and in some cases rely on food delivery, food distribution and in-home food preparation. Our leaders proclaim “we’re all in this together”, but that’s not true when a segment who has lost income, are elderly, disabled, particularly challenged by the restrictions placed on them through no fault of their own, now face home life with no water or gas. And what of those who actually have the symptoms of COVID-19? It is common knowledge that Arnaudville has had it’s share of COVID-19 positive test results, and certainly some deaths.
If the mayor didn’t adopt a shut-off policy at the beginning of the mitigation, then who’s to say council members couldn’t push to take action now?
I’ve done some research, and I believe we are behind the trend. A significant amount of cities in the Midwest, and East Coast have announced various plans for customers. Some are covering the cost of restarting services that had been shut off; some are assessing a $25 a month payment until the COVID-19 situation is over. Monroe, La vowed to keep utilities on for at least the next 60 days. Tucson opted to suspend shut-offs and late fees. Raleigh, Charlotte and others will keep services on while the spread of the virus remains ongoing. Cities, small and large in Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, South Carolina and other states suspended disconnecting services , citing customers’ “unusual financial hardship”.
I have presented information to our Town Council and Mayor on more than one occasion regarding the economic conditions of the households in Arnaudville. Out of about 445 Arnaudville households, those living at the poverty level or just above is 51%. St. Landry Parish overall is 57%, with the state average of 48%. What does that mean for Arnaudville? It means that the cost of living does not match income for over half of our neighbors. It means that most households are one emergency away from a financial crisis. It means that if your water or gas is shut off at the same time you are dealing with loss of wages, loss of childcare, or loss of work, you can become part of the growing number of folks who are at risk for homelessness, or worse - domestic violence, alcoholism, drug abuse or suicide.
When you consider all of the consequences of shutting off someone’s gas or water during a national and state crisis, is that really serving the citizens? I don’t think so. But, if I was in a leadership position, accountable to my constituents, presiding over a healthy financial picture, I would prioritize addressing hardship over building a proposed drive-through payment window.
But, that’s just my opinion.
What our readers are saying
What our readers are saying
Government is seldom seen as having a "soul".
Donna B.