Wallingford officials need to take responsibility for rate hikes

A suggestion for Wallingford’s Public Utilities Commission, the mayor and other local officials: Stop trying to blame everyone else for the decision to announce a 9 percent rate increase on Dec. 23. In the midst of one of the worst economic situations in more than a decade and two days before Christmas, it was cruel to announce a hike. To make matters worse, at the time of the announcement, the only thing falling faster than the stock market, was the price of oil. This left the average customer scratching his or her head.

Instead of deciding to pass the costs along to customers now, the mayor and PUC should have used reserves to hold off the increase for at least a few months. Perhaps at the point, things might have improved on the power front or the economic front.

Like all Wallingford residents I understand that we pay less for power than customers of the big utility companies. And like all Wallingford customers, my rate payments have funded the electric division and allowed it to survive. If we are going to have a municipal electric division in Wallingford, then there has to be some local control and accountability. That includes, taking responsibility for price increases and the incredibly insensitive way the latest ones were announced. When times were good, the mayor, PUC and other elected officials took credit for having the foresight to maintain a municipal electric division. When things go bad, they claim it isn't their fault. Let me know what you think?