LETTER OF THE DAY - Energy consumers cry for help

THE EDITOR, Sir:

IT IS with deep regret that I complain the nth time about the Jamaica Public 'Scalping' Co. Mr Editor, the five of us have scaled down by now living in much smaller accommodations since our children no longer live with us, and we have adjusted to pensions and far less space and equipment.

In 2011, my light bill was $4,000, plus a month. In 2012, I moved to a one-bedroom apartment and the bill came to $7,500, plus a month and I use the same old computer, television, radio, washing machine, and small refrigerator. The five of us fussed, decided against lying down on the steps of JPS, New Kingston, and planned to further cut our energy usage. We cut the use of fans, cut the time on the heater, cut out the microwave, plugged out the refrigerator and other plugged-in equipment when we leave the house. Three of us cut the cable service for it had moved up from $3,000 a month for seniors. The hurtful part of this is our having to watch the same two stations with the very same news.

Anyway, we received our new 'JPScalp bill', and we are all devastated because we tried to cut. Our bills have moved from $7,000, $8,000, $9,000 to $11,000, $14,000, $16,000, plus a month, and we all have to pay by April 12. This is outrageous and we are sitting ducks!

We have served our time very well, and we should not be fleeced in this manner. Is there any court that will address us? There's a little water settling on my brain at this time, so I'm breaking away from the others by not going to any of the old basins like OUR and HPA (Hear Paulwell Announce).

Mr Editor, how can I find Mr Michael Williams, if he has any gas left in him? What can we do by now and the 12th of April to relieve us of the taxation being imposed by these private barons of serfdom? Have you seen what the supermarket owners and the merchants are doing with the markup of old items? HELP!

MILLS BLAKE