My daughter went to pay her electric bill and the city employee refused to take it. She said the only person who could pay the bill was the name of the person on the bill. Have you ever heard of suchh a thing. She lives in the house owned by the one whos name is on the billing. But they would not accept her money. THey threatened to turn off her water. She has a 4 yr old and a 3 month old. They said she had to have a note from the person whos name was on the bill. So she drove the 7 miles out and back from her inlaws house (they own the house she lives in) and took the letter of permission back to the city. She was still refused and they made her change the name on the bill to her name and charged her 100.00 deposit. The owners did not want the water bill out of their name and my poor child did not have the money to pay that. She was going to pay 170.00 to t he water comp and they took 100.00 and put it on a deposit. Now she has to figure out where she is going to get the money to pay what she owes on her water bill. They are very poor. Her children have serious health needs so she cannot work but her husband works hard but does not get paid alot. I'm so angry that they put her thru this. What if I wanted to help her pay her bill? Which I have done in the past. Are they going to refuse my money too? Since when does someone refuse money on a bill? THis is just stupid. When I told my daughter I wanted to write a letter to the city manager about this whole thing she said, no mom, it's not like I can go somewhere else for my water. They are the only place. It's just not right that the City of Duncan can treat poor young people like this. Espically when they try so hard.

wth? that's just crazy! surely there is a customer service she [or you] can go to w/this issue!

To the rest of the community.. I know this is my first post, so i offer my sincerest apologies for the negative tone i am about to portray, but i cannot resist.

First off.... It's citizens, not "Citazans".

Second... Is this regarding the electric bill, or the water bill? Please be more specific, as your lack of clarity gives an immediate tone of dishonesty (or being uninformed, at the least)

Third... Your daughter obviously used a check or bank card to pay her bill, because I know for a fact as a Duncan resident (which I find humorous that you have so much to say about a city you don't even live in), the water company will accept cash without ID verification.

The reasons the city required her to change the name on the bill are plentiful, and relevant. First, there are quite a few dishonest people who "play" the system by not paying their bill, then switching over to another name when it gets cut off. this happens over and over until they are caught. Another unfortunate circumstance is when a landlord insists on keeping the bills in their name, only to get the utilities cut off when the tenant displeases them or such. This is also illegal, but it happens. The point is, that aspect of it is PROTECTING the citizens, and the fact that it inconveniences your daughter is trivial at best. The 100 dollar deposit is standard anyway.

Why couldnt she have just paid the in-laws, and had them pay the bill? Unless she JUST moved into that house, there had to be an arrangement that worked prior to this situation. I get the feeling there's more to this than you let on, and that the portion left out explains a bit more of WHY she's in this situation, but was left out to save face, if you will.

You say the water bill is 170 dollars, but the manner in which you state this implies that the bill is perhaps even more than that. I live in a nice sized house, with 3 other people. Our water bill is 50 dollars or less, each month. Unless she fills a swimming pool once a week, I don't see how her bill could be that high.. Unless of course, she hadnt paid her bill in a few months.. which would explain the city threatening to shut the water off, and a simple monthly payment of SOMETHING(you cannot tell me they could not afford to pay down a single penny, even if it wasnt the amount in full) would help.

On a tangent... The house your daughter lives in is owned by her husband's parents, is it not? I don't understand how she could be living in such a state of "poverty" if theyre in a residence owned by family. If the owners are really that uptight, perhaps they should get an apartment and save some cash that way.

You are making a huge deal out of a minor inconvenience for your daughter.. The city is not taking advantage of her, they are protecting her. It frustrates me to hear a non-citizen of my town speak in a disparaging manner like this. Move here, and then you can say all you want.

Last, to think that writing a letter to the city manager would cause problems is absurd. Ever hear about freedom of speech? Go ahead, write a letter.. but if I were the city manager and read it, I would laugh it all the way to the shredder.

I wish your daughter the best of luck in her time of financial crisis.. But don't make a mountain out of a molehill, esp. if you aren't experiencing it firsthand.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: J double R,

Do you always speak to people you don't know anything about in such a manner. A forum like this is a place to discuss things like this. Critizing a persons spelling and where they live is not nice. I've worked in Duncan and Marlow and I may speak here on this forum.

Just because they rent from family does not mean a free ride. An apt is much more so that is out. Yes she was almost too late on one month bill that is why she was wanting to pay 2 months so she would pay the one that would be turned off the next week and to pay the next month ahead. It just made no sense why she had to put the account in her name. Her mother in law told her never never change it. Her mother in law actually demaned non of the utilites be put in her son and my daughers name. It's a control thing.
I rent to my step daughter and if she does not pay it is very hard on me because her rent pays the house payment. I even had her sign a contract. She is an adult so I treat her like one. If my house was paid for it might be a different story.
When you work and only make 9.75 an hour it is hard to make ends meet for a family of 4. That 100.00 is the difference between buying groceries or not eating.

I have owned enough homes in your area and paid enough taxes, I am more than allowed to speak my mind of what goes on.

100.00 is like a thousand to someone else. When you don't have it you don't have it. I'm proud of how far they make their money go. Espically with two children with heart problems.

If you were city manager you would laugh, you say. Yes that is what is wrong with this country. No respect for those who are trying so hard. No compassion for anyone. Everyone for himself. Think of all the times someone was kind to you. Maybe you were in a bind and just needed a kind word. You see the lady at the water place was not polite and was very rude. There is no reason to ever treat anyone rudely or to bring a person to tears. It's not right. Today people are becoming so hard hearted. But I guess that is to be expected. We know it is only going to get worse.
You thought it was laughable that she was concerned about my writing the city manager. She is only in her early twenties, tender hearted and kind. A wonderful, loving wife and mother. Good to animals and old ladies. Always defending the underdog.

Not make a mountain over a mole hill? The mountain was already there when she was struggling to get the bill paid. Not experiencing it first hand? You don't know that. My daughter and I are very close and talk once or twice a day. We are very very close.

I'm going to assume you have no kids or that you don't love them. Or that you have no compassion when they were out there starting their lives and learning. My other kids are 36 and 31. I don't have to worry about them because they are pretty well launched. They have made it thru the early years of adulthood and have proven to be excellent adults. They are amazing fathers and great husbands. And they both work very hard, one in the oil field and one in Iraq. I am so very proud of all my kids.

You post sounds like you are a man. Guess you don't know much about Mother Bears and people messing with the cubs. Notice papa bear is never around.

First, I do want to say I am sorry for the trouble your daughter is going through. But, don't be so defensive when someone has trouble understanding your first post and comments on it. Your first post came across like you were upset and it didn't make much sense. Your second post is more organized and a bit easier to understand.

I don't know why people get so defensive when others correct spelling mistakes. Maybe JdoubleR corrected it because it was the very first thing he/she saw. Good spelling does help credibility. As for critizing where you live, I didn't see that anywhere. You were critizing the City of Duncan as a business entity, not the city itself, and JdoubleR was just asking, a bit too sarcastically, why you were commenting on a city you didn't live in. There was no criticism of the city of your residence. The forum isn't for current residents of Duncan only, so the more the merrier!

Your second post does help to clarify that she was late on a bill and that the City was not threatening to turn her utilities off without cause. Your first post made it sound like the wanted to turn it off because it was not in her name. A deposit is a normal thing for both a transfer of name or a new account. (JdoubleR did explain a few reasons why the City would want the bill in her name, but if she/you need more understanding, then call the City and ask.) If your daughter didn't want to do put it in her name, then she should have gone to her in-laws and talked to them about it and discussed her options with them.

The way I see it, the bill should be in your daughter and son-in-law's names; they are the ones using the utilities, so they should be responsible for paying for their consumption. If the in-laws don't want the bill out of their name, then they need to be the ones paying the bill, either out of their own money or collect the payment from your daughter. However, the details of this need to be worked out between your daughter, her husband, and the in-laws--not on a forum with her mother and complete strangers. I fully understand that family matters are complicated, and when you rent from family that just makes it much more complicated. I understand your outrage, but how much of that is truly about the City and how much is about your daughter's in-laws?

I am truly sorry about your grandchildren's health issues. I hope they are doing fine. I have a good friend who has two children who were born with the same heart defect. They've both had several surgeries and are doing well. Still, her husband works full-time and she also works part-time. Perhaps your daughter could find a part-time job, or sell Avon or Mary Kay, for supplemental income. Just as "that 100.00 is the difference between buying groceries or not eating", so is every little bit earned from a part-time job.

The letter to the City Manager, send it or not, it probably won't make much difference. It would be more effective to talk (in a calm rational manner) to someone in charge of customer service for the electric/water. From my experience with various City of Duncan departments, it is always easier to work with someone who actually works in and has immediate knowledge of that department to fix a problem. I believe the "mountain out a molehill" applies here. Your daughter's situation might have a simple solution, either through the electric/water department or through her in-laws, and it might not be a big enough problem to take to the City Manager. She won't know until she tries.

And lastly, your assumptions about JdoubleR are unfounded, unnecessary and downright mean. Just because he/she didn't jump on your bandwagon doesn't mean that he/she is an unloving or uncaring person. And to suggest that if they have children that they don't love them, how cold can you be?? To quote the beginning of your second post, "Do you always speak to people you don't know anything about in such a manner"?

And for the record, I am female and a mom. I would do anything to help my children...and so would their "Papa Bear". Dads are around too, and they do care.

No kids? Don't love them?

I guess you did some assuming of your own.

I am 23.. I recently completed a 5-year contract with the US Navy, serving my country, and I have a gorgeous 3 year old daughter who i adore.

but hey... i guess i don't know anything about this country and I must not love my daughter, according to you.
I hope your dinner tastes great with those bitter words in your mouth that enable you to accuse parents of not loving their children.
Have a great day..

ahhh! Now I see. Enjoy your daugher. You will be just like me when things are not right for her. I guarantee it.

Oh and just to make another point. Remember my daughter paid the bill up to date, got a receipt, and then paid a deposit to have it put in her name. Well yesterday, one week after she paid up, she got a bill in the former name on the bill for 120.00 and it said the water would be turned off if not paid. Now I know the place is screwed up. They can't even keep thier books right.

Also did you know if you call them in the morning they put you to voice mail and they call you back that afternoon. But if you call them in the afternoon they also put you to voice mail and call you back the next morning? And did you know they are working a 4 day work week and closed on Friday. So when you get home from work on Thursday and there is a cut off notice you can call them but you will go to voice mail and by Monday morning it is too late to talk to them about your bill. Now I beleive in paying bills on time. But sometimes things happen and sometimes the water folks make mistakes. THey will be sending out letters later to see how the folks in Duncan liked the new 4 day work week. I don't think they will get a good response. Most people get paid on Fridays and like to pay their bill that day. but they are closed on Friday

PS

Under Veterans Day thread I thanked you for your service.

I'm not totally evil. I fight tooth and nail weekly in support of our troops. With the far left idiots of the world, it is a battle I am proud to fight. If you can fight for our country, I can battle the naysayers here.

quote:

Originally posted by MaryW:
Oh and just to make another point. Remember my daughter paid the bill up to date, got a receipt, and then paid a deposit to have it put in her name. Well yesterday, one week after she paid up, she got a bill in the former name on the bill for 120.00 and it said the water would be turned off if not paid. Now I know the place is screwed up. They can't even keep thier books right.

The same thing happens when I pay a bill online right around the time they are processing statements. I make a payment and pay the bill in full, and a few days later I get a bill for the full amount in the mail. You have to realize it takes time for a company to process all statements and to actually mail them. A simple call or visit could have straightened that out. Did your daughter call to find out why she got a bill? If so, was it a simple answer, such as the bill was printed before she paid the bill and deposit? Was she told to disregard it? You leave out some important details that need to be mentioned before you start accusing employees of not being competent at their jobs.

Why are you so bent on critizing the City of Duncan? In all honesty, the things you're complaining about aren't huge issues. Having to put the bill in the name of the people who actually live there and use the utilities--not a big deal, just a bit of a hassle with your daughter's in-laws and a deposit (which is standard for any utility company). Paying a bill in person, then receiving an incorrect or late bill--again, not a big deal, just a bit confusing. But none of that means the City is inept or is trying to defraud your daughter.

You do bring up a good point about the 4-day workweek and being closed on Friday. Now that would be something to write to the City Manager about.

She just got it Thursday evening. She will call Monday morning, since they are closed Fridays.

So you see I did not leave out any details. The bill just showed up last Thursday.

I guess I'm just upset at the cities treatment of people. And the fact my kids work so hard to do right and then get treated so rudely. And the hardship that the situation put them in.

quote:

Originally posted by MaryW:
And did you know they are working a 4 day work week and closed on Friday. So when you get home from work on Thursday and there is a cut off notice you can call them but you will go to voice mail and by Monday morning it is too late to talk to them about your bill. Now I beleive in paying bills on time. But sometimes things happen and sometimes the water folks make mistakes. THey will be sending out letters later to see how the folks in Duncan liked the new 4 day work week. I don't think they will get a good response. Most people get paid on Fridays and like to pay their bill that day. but they are closed on Friday

All municipal gov't services in duncan minus police and fire (water, electric, streets, etc) are on a 10 hour day 4 day a week schedule. IIRC it was a recent change, and if i was an employee i would enjoy it.

I had the opportunity to work that schedule and it is grueling. You start early, stay late, and are exhaused on Friday. If you have kids it makes you work later than the day care is open, you miss the start of their games, or activities. Dinner is late at night, so you fix something easy, not always watching for good choices and it can make you gain weight.

I was happy to go back to the 5 day work week.

I heard the city will be sending out letters after a few months to see how the customers like it.

I thought the City was taking comments for a few months, not sending out letters again.

quote:

Originally posted by MaryW:
I had the opportunity to work that schedule and it is grueling. You start early, stay late, and are exhaused on Friday. If you have kids it makes you work later than the day care is open, you miss the start of their games, or activities. Dinner is late at night, so you fix something easy, not always watching for good choices and it can make you gain weight.

I was happy to go back to the 5 day work week.

I heard the city will be sending out letters after a few months to see how the customers like it.

again.. LIVING in this town currently, I've noticed that most of the city employees enjoy the schedule over a 5-day work week.

Is it legal to have your water shut off in Duncan ? I thought for sanitary reasons it was against the law to have one's water shut off ? I know it is in at least 2 states that I have lived in.

What about houses and apartments that are rented out with bills paid? They have them in Duncan don't they? How did the city know this wasn't the case with Mary's daughter?

Mary is a good woman and it bothers me that young people with practically no life experience would come here and be rude to her or anyone else.

And belittling someone who mispells a word out of frustration (Mary practically never does this) is so uncool .

I've lived in alot of cities and the electric and water are extremely high. I paid over $200.00 a month this year watering my yard and I have never had to pay such a high bill in the
5 states I've lived in.

And my last vent (bet you are glad) it's my belief that the folks who work in the office of the utilites must not like their jobs and their attitudes show it.

Rita