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One of the most common complaints I hear in talking to people in our community is that the utility companies in Kingsport are not responsive to the citizens needs.
With AEP the major complaints are huge increases to bills and new policies that say if a person is late with paying a bill twice in 12 months (even if by ine day) the customer can be charged a deposit equal to two months bill.
With Charter Cable it is unfriendly staff, Saturday collection calls (often to people who have already paid), changes in service without permission and, of course, a ridiculous number of rate hikes over the past few years (including a new one this month !!).
And we can't forget water and sewer, with bills, customer service, unfair cutoffs and reconnect fees being the yop complaint causers.
I believe there would be a lot better pricing and a lot better service in outr local utilities if the city owned ones had to be responsible to the people and the privately owned ones had to compete for our business, just like any other business.
Our city sponsors certain companies now, but that can be changed and the monopolies can be ended. This is one of my goals if elected mayor !
I will work to bring a non-profit co-op to Kingsport (I have already talked to one and am seeking others who would like to come.) and will work to break the monopoly our cable company has in Kingsport.
As for sewer and water bills, I would act, as quickly as possible, to take the payment-in-lieu-of-taxes on our water and sewer facilities out of our budget entirely so the water and sewer funds will no longer pay the general fund taxes on water pipes, etc. which, as far as I can see, don't need any city services (other than repair, which the general fund does not pay for).
I will also work to see that citizen friendliness is a required attribute of ALL city employees, esp. those who work with water and sewer billing and will do my best to revamp the city's collection policy to end harsh collection practices.
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Copyright © 2008 Betty Alvis, candidate for mayor of Kingsport. All Rights Reserved. |
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Utility Competition
