In our little corner of cyberspace, articles about the town of Readsboro far and away generate the largest volume of online commenting. The amount of virtual world angst that would appear to be out there over the running of the town leaves us in the real world constantly shaking our heads about the sheer volume of comments, and the things writers say within those comments.
Ah, there’s one of the rubs of the online commenting world. As users of the Internet know, there is a veil of anonymity that comes with online commenting. Unlike letters to the editor in a print newspaper, which are required to be signed and verified, online users can whip off virtually anything they want without having to identify themselves to the larger cyber-community.
That cloak of perceived anonymity has led to a flood of comments online about Readsboro and its selectboard, town clerk, and others in the community. Many of those comments have been personal attacks, some have been downright profane and vulgar. We are constantly amazed and appalled at how little self-filtering occurs. It seems as if common courtesy and respect for others are lost on many.
There appears to be no lack of folks who are willing to bash their neighbors, as long as they don’t have to own up to it.
What we find interesting, and sad, about all this, is that at Wednesday night’s Public Service Board hearing about the Readsboro Electric Company only about a dozen people showed up, and only two stood up and spoke about their issues.
For all the many issues that have been raised in the community, allegations of mismanagement and special treatment to name only two, this was the chance to stand up and speak up in a public forum with officials who could actually do something about those issues. Yet few chose to do so.
So it leaves us wondering where all these “cyber-warriors” were. For all the anonymous bravery and puffery exhibited on the Internet, it appears that very few were willing to stand up in public and put their names behind their concerns.
We also have to give credit where it is due, and there are some commentators who do use their real names, or enough of an ID to let readers know who they really are. These are the citizens who we feel truly understand the process of how government works, and are probably the ones who will effect the most change in the community, positive or negative.
What about those who feel the need to vent their spleen anonymously on the Web? We can only say that if a change is really what is desired, at some point they will have to stand up and be heard, either at a public hearing, a Town Meeting, or in the voting booth.
If Wednesday’s PSB hearing is any indication, there is a long way to go before those “cyber-warriors” understand that change can only occur in the real world, not the virtual world.
I know last year, the land lord had to give us a new hot water tank because the old was turned up way to high and ready to blow from the trash neighbors that lived in the front before. so the meter is still spinning..
the only advice I can give to everyone is monitor your electric meter, use your power wisely. Our electric company is old and cost a lot for repairs, we need to figure this crap out on our own. let the people take back the town, I am not going to the meeting but would like some feedback about how it goes.
for my cause, if someone wants to bring up this at the meeting please do? Like I said in the past post and about the surcharge and ECU if we all don't pay for it what are they going to do shut us all off, i don't think so!!
Remember i said was going to monitor my meter and write down from each what we has been used?
On sunday 11/22 ---- the meter read 24,240 minus from current reading 23,146 = 1,094
On monday 11/23 ---meter read 24,248 minus from current reading: 1,102
between those 2 days we used 7 KwH.
today Tuesday 11/24
meter read: 24.318 minus from current reading 23,146 = 1.172 KwH
a 70 KwH from monday, hmmm??
the figures have through my head over and over. how can we use more from sunday to monday = 7 Kwh
then monday to tuesday = 70 K
I think I need to get an electrician here to figure this out, update all wires and new meter. someone is connected to my electric, next time I see the meter running fast I will start flipping switches in the basement.
in compare since I took over paying this bill, the highest amount I ever paid was $428.46 of a total consumption of 3,234 KwH. I know 91 school street is a 4 apartment building and I think someone else is connected to my electric. Like I said these figures have been going through my head and the all add up, it has to be fixed! I checked everything that we have running and we don't use much, we got the dryer/washer fridge and freezer 2 TV's but only one is on the other is not on. 2 computers that both run on Battery power. I have an electric meter to see what we are using and its very low. Our landlord also just barely put in a new electric water heater, there is no real change in the meter because I been watching it. when we lived over at 70 school our light bill was never over 1000 consumption is was a normal use, then we moved here because martin ranker was a jerk.
I know its not the heat, because we have Gas stove and Gas heater. I am going to ask my neighbors how high there electric bill is when I see them outside.
I am trying to figure this out????? and as far as the utility clerk goes---> "this is for you, I am keeping track of my own electric meter" -->on Nov 30, 2009 I will call down to the office with meter reading and the total consumption already figured out. You have to accept it because its the truth, I am not waiting for Bobby to come and read it!
we are watching what we use for power and saving a lot, I went to buy energy saving light bulbs and switched over to that.
does anyone now how to do the figures on the electric bill, Units - rates and factor to get amount?? because I will be typing up my own bill as is from current reading / previous reading and total consumption. until I get to the bottom of this and our total consumption drops below 1000 I will be taking charge of this not the Utility clerk or meter reader bobby!
sorry about everything I wrote, if it doesn't make sense. I just write whats on my mind "freewrite"
Robert Frost
When I go down to pay the electric bill I will explain myself to annette caruso doubt she will listen but who cares, its her loss. you all tell me I am the most uneducated person and you are wrong on that part. first of all a URL is a web address= www.dvalnews.com, second you can't block a URL. third; I am man enough to show my real name here. last but not least, I am not going to the meeting on Wednesday night because I have more power over the select board more power meaning the people rule the majority vote if you don't go. If you don't pay that surcharge and ECU, that's right I am ruling out the select board our tax money pays for them and it won't any longer.
"A civilized society is one which tolerates eccentricity to the point of doubtful sanity."
-Robert Frost
Dear Mr. Gamache: Thank you for your additional comments below to the Public Service Board relative to the above-referenced matters. Your comments were forwarded upon receipt to the Hearing Officer and Board staff assigned to these matters, and will be made a part of the public file in these dockets.
Sincerely,
Judith C. Whitney
Deputy Clerk of the Board
Vermont Public Service Board
112 State Street
Montpelier, VT 05620-2701
stalking means: Lurking around your neighborhood. watching unlike what you said "You saw my mother behind the wheel of a car plenty times" ->that my friend is stalking. Being watched! doesn't matter if it is a small town or not. you said no own up to it!
Webster's definition of stalking - to pursue quarry or prey stealthily
That is not what I call passing someone on the road. Seems to me you are more than a little paranoid.
As for the cost of the apartment you live in, no one can control that but you. Maybe you should be speaking to your landlord about the quality of the space you are renting and not paying any portion of your utility bill is not going to make a difference in the "dump" you live in. Sorry....
ok, lets talk about the ECU's thats real cool you live in a dump of readsboro and have to pay 375 for a small apartment with two bedrooms no living room and hardly a kitchen. and then on top of this you people can drive by my house and sit out front watching us. that is just wrong and I am talking plate numbers now.
and part of that ECU when they go up we pay more rent for a dump. the surcharge makes a big difference in my part, I do the talking and pay the bills. they don't therefore they can't work, its what the big difference in driving a car that is there freedom and yet you don't have the balls to say your real name one here. at least I am saying the same thing and not changing it and all over the place. The select don't have power over me and neither does the town clerk. THEY ARE NOT MY BOSS!
Could you please find a new topic besides the surcharge. We all know you are not paying it, we got that, we don't care, it is your choice. I however prefer to have my lights on, so therefore I choose to pay the surcharge. Please, and I am asking nicely, PLEASE move on to a new topic. I understand free speech and all that, but honestly, there are 4 blogs going with the 4 different articles and all you keep saying is you are not paying the surcharge. Is there no other issue you feel strongly about or no other issue you are knowledgeable about so that we could move on from this one? we can all sling unpleasantries all day and that still gets us nowhere. You should truly come to a meeting and get involved. I know you have said your parents are ill, however, I have seen your mother behind the wheel of a car on several occasions, so therefore must not be so ill that you could not spare some time to come to a meeting and make yourself heard to the selectboard. As I am sure you are aware, the selectboard are the ones with the power right now, and unless you are willing to come to a meeting and pressure them to make a move, nothing you write on here holds any weight as I can assure you, none of the Board members give a hoot about what is written here!