Man, 93, freezes after power cutoff

[Sequoia]

Bay City, Mich. —- A 93-year-old man froze to death inside his home after the municipal power company restricted his use of electricity because of unpaid bills, officials said.

Marvin E. Schur owed Bay City Electric Light & Power more than $1,000 in unpaid bills, and Bay City Manager Robert Belleman said Monday that a city utility worker had installed a “limiter” device to restrict the use of electricity at Schur’s home.

.....

Neighbor George Pauwels Jr. discovered the body in the home, where ice coated the windows. Pauwels said he saw utility bills on the kitchen table with cash clipped to them.

http://www.ajc.com/news/content/news/stories/2009/01/27/freeze0127.html?cxntlid=homepage_tab_newstab

and the city didn't do anything wrong. Yep, right...sound's like murder to me.

[Jim__]

1. Unbelievable that we don't have the most basic safety net in this country! - n/t

[Deja Q]

2. Government says it's up to companies and individuals...

Companies say government has to do it.

Individuals? Well, how much is your labor worth?

Read various articles on various issues; for "green" energy and after Katrina, the government vs corporate argument was in full swing - both sides saying they can't do nothing and the other should take the first step. Meanwhile, nothing happens.

[elocs]

3. Read this story here yesterday:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x4914979

[Sequoia]

4. Thanks for that.

[AtomicKitten]

5. This is fucking disgraceful.

:mad: