EPB hike shows lack of sympathy
People are still picking up pieces of their houses and lives after the April tornadoes. Less than one month later EPB’s Harold DePriest announces a 5 percent rate hike to cover what he claims are the costs to restore power to his territory as a result of Level One and Level Two storms.
I’m sure this comes as great news to those still awaiting their insurance checks to try and get back to normal. DePriest’s compassion and timing obviously aren’t his strong suits. And if you consider EPB’s above-average cash reserve of 13 percent, high salaries paid to a long list of executive officers, and the money it earns from its purportedly successful high-speed Internet service, one wonders if there isn’t some other way to recoup costs other than passing it on to ratepayers.
No doubt EPB crews worked very hard around the clock to restore power and fiber-optic connections, but EPB maintains and equips its crews for just those purposes. When these same crews are used to open new service for businesses such as Volkswagen or Amazon, ratepayers don’t get rebates on their bills when the money rolls in. Losses, like gains, are part of doing business. I think Mr. DePriest has forgotten that.
GREG WILLIAMS
Signal Mountain
Help appreciated for flag raisings
In spite of the recent tornadoes in Ringgold/Catoosa County, we still honor our deceased veterans for this Memorial Day by placing their crosses and flags throughout the streets of Ringgold. It would have been impossible to raise the 930 flags and crosses without the help of Lt. Col. Paul Simpson and Master Sgt. Carl Gentry and their large group of Air Force JROTC students from Ridgeland High School and Mrs. Julia Gaston’s Future Business Leaders of America classes from Ringgold Middle School.
I speak for the older volunteers who began working with this project when the number of deceased veterans was much smaller. We thank these leaders and parents for allowing the students to participate in this tribute to those who served our country. Thanks also to the regular volunteers who are so dependable.
If you haven’t seen the beautiful sight of over 900 full-size flags flying proudly on 14-foot metal poles inserted in two-foot crosses inscribed with the veteran’s name and branch of service, we invite you to drive through the streets of Ringgold before June 5. The flags will be taken down on June 6, and volunteers will also be needed then.
PETE PEDIGO AND THE FLAG CREW
Democrats did the same thing
I just read Gail Collins’ column “Living adulterously,” May 21. Where was she when the Kennedy-Clinton era was taking place? Is it that she just didn’t hear about the Democrats doing the same thing. Funny how some things are OK, but some are not!
FRANK SIMMONS
Rossville, Ga.