As Hurricane Sandy pummeled Long Island last week, Levittown's
Victoria Kalt Waterman joined more than 900,000 of her closest friends
in the dark.
Unable to reach the Long Island Power Authority or turn on her lights, she has been there ever since.
In the meantime, she shivered and the mail showed up. So did the Long Island Power Authority bill, which she has yet to pay.
After 11 days without power, Waterman said on Facebook "I will send my payment 11 days late."
The timely distribution of bills have angered some ratepayers, who
have otherwise heard little from LIPA, forcing them to depend on an
outage map many have called inaccurate.
In Greenlawn, Edward Woody Ryder IV said he lost power last Monday.
After six days of watching that outage map on LIPA's site, there was
light.
On the seventh day, there would also be a bill for $138.
"We are in a first world country, but we have a fourth world
electrical authority,"
Ryder said. "It's astounding. They could have
stopped the automated bill system. They clearly know nothing about
crisis communications. What they've done makes no sense. How they've
handled this makes no sense."
Across Long Island, readers said they haven't been able to reach the
power authority. The text messaging system LIPA pumped before the storm
was ineffective - silent, according to some, including
Rena
Barsh-Rudolph, who wrote to East Meadow Patch that "my husband signed up
to get communication from them via text and we haven't heard anything
in days."
Matt Harris of Huntington Station hasn't heard much from LIPA either,
even though he hasn't had power for 10 days. As for the bill? Yes, that
came "two days ago."
Debby Izzo, who owns Dirty Dawg, a dog grooming business in Bellmore,
was more forgiving than most.
She wrote "billing is done by computer"
and added that "LIPA office employees" are doing their jobs.
Izzo added, "Don't hate. Maybe take notice to how many more bills are estimated rather than actual."
Ryder, meanwhile, said he would pay his bill, because he had no choice.
"What am I going to do, not pay it?" Ryder said. "I have to pay it.
Otherwise they'll send me a disconnect letter and turn my power off."
LIPA spokesman Mark Gross didn't immediately return a phone call requesting comment.
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Joe Targove June 16, 2013 at 08:14 am
I'm willing to donate my party place in east Meadow and my dj services for free to help the kids. ..…Read More dreamcatcher516@gmail.com joe
Mickey June 10, 2013 at 08:25 am
Natalie. I am so sorry to read this. I too have a little 5 yr. old dog who I love desperately...…Read More and I feel your pain. There is another website for an organization that does an amazing job finding lost pets. It's LOSTMYDOGGIE.COM There is a small fee, but they get signs up all over the area and have a phone system set up where everyone in the area of where she was lost gets a PHONE CALL ALERT message to watch for Molly. They leave a phone number and their website address so if anyone has seen her or has her they know where to call. Great system! Check it out! I've never used them, but I HAVE received calls myself recently on 2 separate lost dogs and I've seen the many photos they hung up in my area in Levittown for dogs lost within a few miles of this area. In other words, they DO what they say they will do to help find Molly. Just want you to know what is out there to help you bring Molly home. My grandkids go to school around Grand and Camp Ave. We'll be watching for her! God Bless and good luck! I'm sure she will be returned to you real soon!!
Natalie Molloy June 10, 2013 at 10:14 am
Molly is actually not my dog , however I understandthe feeling of losing a dog and thought it would…Read More be a good idea to post on the Patch.
As for the person who was out of power from the 7th - I hope your lights are on tonight - if this wasn't so pathetic it'd be comical. If they can't record the right number after 14 years - hell, ain't nothing going to go right....
This is NOT just about the storm. LIPA has a history of poor management. This is also NOT about those poor guys out their on the poles through all the bad weather trying to restore order that have to face the rath of the public. This is about accountability and proper planning. Any company (especially a utility) that does not set up a solid strategic planning group, and does not plan for a natural disaster, is actually planning for massive failure. Just as we have to compensate every day in our lives and be prepared for any "disaster", why aren't they held to the same standards.
An "F."
To change things at LIPA, voice your opinions now by calling or writing to your local and state officials. These officials can't help you if you don't make them aware of the magnitude of your problems with LIPA. To hold LIPA accountable, you can also sign the petition at: http://www.signon.org/sign/hold-lipa-accountable?source=homepage Long Islanders deserve better LIPA management - remember, you are paying for these services that you are not getting after days in the dark. Even with a retroactive credit, your expenses for generators, lanterns, temporary lodging, meals, etc exceed the credit that you will be receiving for LIPA's management not preparing in advance for this storm. Don't be silent on this issue, speak out to the right people and be heard!
Your posts use emotional language and are borderline hostile to those who are seeking answers to their power outage problems. Right now you seem to be part of the problem not the solution. Meaning that you are not actively LISTENING to what people's need - which is to restore their power as their homes which remain in the dark, cold and uninhabitable. If you really do work for LIPA, then FIX the problem. If you can't fix the problem then don't comment or consider getting into a different line of work - possibly in a dark, damp, cold closet so you can know how it feels to be without power for days.
we need another solution and/or suppliers of electricity switzerlands' power grids and lines are underground with all their snow and avalances THEY ARE PREPARED NOT LIPA
My heart, prayers and Donations go out to everyone in need. This is one of the most devistating times on Long Island. People should be pulling together and not be so ignorant!
Will LIPA reimburse me for spoiled food? LIPA is not liable for food spoilage or damage to customer property resulting from an act of nature, such as a major storm, which is beyond our immediate control. Stinks right?
People on balanced billing are getting billed for monthly usage based on your average usage throughout the year. At the end of the year, supposedly you will be discounted. Look at the big picture. Also, have your meter read and it will be discounted. Stop complaining and take your own action, but refusing to pay your bill will only spite yourselves.