Century Councilman: Faulty Gas Meters Cause High Gas Bills; Mayor Says It Was Cold Weather
February 16, 2010
One Century council member believes faulty equipment is to blame for citizens receiving high gas bills, while the town’s mayor says the problem is simple — two weeks of sub-freezing overnight lows.
“We had 15 days of cold weather,” Mayor Freddie McCall said. “The people simply used the gas.”
For some Century gas customers, their bills were also higher than normal because their billing cycle was as long as 42 days due to meter problems. The problem was only with how long it took to read the electronic meters, not how the meters measure gas flow, the mayor said. He said that the meters on problematic accounts had been reread by a gas department employee to verify accuracy.
“I can’t with good conscience make these people pay these high gas bills when we have faulty equipment,” said council member Henry Hawkins.
“People elected me to safeguard this money,” McCall said. “If you want to vote tonight to give gas to everybody in Century — do it…But when the gas has gone through the meter, what can we do?”
Two weeks ago, Century resident Helen Mincy told the council that she saw her bill increase about fourfold. She told the town council that she only used her gas heat three days during the cold weather and that she could not understand why her bill was so high.
But Monday night, McCall presented a daily graph of Mincy’s gas usage. The graph showed an obvious near-daily usage for most of a month, including a large spike in usage January 2 to January 16 — which coincides with the two weeks of coldest weather in January.
“I survived the cold without the heat,” Mincy told the council Monday night about her $131 bill. “I still disagree with that,” she said of the mayor’s usage graph produced by her electronic gas meter.
“Everybody’s chart looks like this during those 15 days,” McCall said, referring to the highest usage occurring on the coldest days.
Later in the meeting, Mincy said that she had used some gas everyday due to having a gas stove, but it “was not that much”.
“If I don’t use it, I don’t use it,” she said.
As for the 42 day billing cycle problem, McCall said the town’s gas department would adjust bills to include 31 days of usage and carry the extra 11 days forward to the following month.
McCall said he would change out Mincy’s gas meter and have the old meter tested for accuracy.
Pictured top: This graph shows the daily gas usage of Century resident Helen Mincy, who claims a problem with her gas bill. Century’s mayor says the high usage on the account coincides with low temperatures. McCall has written the overnight low temperatures on the top of the graph over the days of highest usage, showing that most usage occurred on the days with the lowest temperatures. Submitted for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cold Weather Means Record Power Bills; Help Available
February 16, 2010
Record cold in January is putting record power bills into the hands of North Escambia area residents. And for many households, those high power bills mean financial difficulties.
Both Gulf Power Company and Escambia River Electric Cooperative, the companies that serve North Escambia, participate in several programs to help customers save money on their energy bills, make their homes more energy efficient or help them get direct assistance.
Levelized/Budget Billing
- Gulf Power offers a bill payment option called Budget Billing. Budget Billing can “levelize” monthly payments so customers can know approximately how much their bill will be each month and avoid high cost fluctuations caused by increased energy purchases during very cold or hot periods. To find out more about payment assistance, call our Customer Care Center at 1-800-225-5797 anytime, day or night.
- EREC offers levelized billing to help minimize variances in electric bills each month. A member’s account over the past 12 months is averaged and they are billed that amount. Each new month, the oldest month is dropped and the latest month is added which is averaged for the current bill. Members can contact EREC at (850) 675-4521 if they would like to participate in this program.
Project Share/Share One With Your Neighbor
- Gulf Power participates with the Salvation Army in Project Share, a program that provides emergency assistance to those who need help with energy bills. Project Share and other non-profit programs assist the elderly, the disabled, the sick, and others experiencing financial hardship. Eligible customers can apply for Project SHARE assistance at The Salvation Army office in their county. Eligibility requirements for Project SHARE recipients are set by The Salvation Army. Gulf Power customers can donate to the program by indicating so on their power bill.
- Share One With Your Neighbor is an EREC program designed to help your neighbors who, due to temporary hardship or misfortune, may need financial assistance with their electric bills. Through this program, EREC members can choose to SHARE ONE dollar each month if they wish. EREC will then add one dollar, or the amount specified, to their electric bill each month. These contributions are placed in a special account which allows funds to be available in voucher form for those most needy. The Salvation Army will screen and recommend needy recipients, after which time the recipients will present the voucher receipts to ESCAMBIA RIVER ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. and the amounts will be applied to their current bills. Members should contact the Salvation Army directly to request assistance through this program at (850) 432-1501.
Direct Assistance
Direct assistance is available to the most needy through several programs in Escambia County:
- Community Action (850) 438-4021
- Tri-County (850) 981-0036
- Salvation Army (850) 432-1501
- Catholic Charities (850) 436-6425
- United Ministries (850) 433-2333
- First Call For Help (850) 595-5905
- NW FL Area Agency on Aging (60 or older) (850) 494-7100
Department of Energy’s (DOE) Weatherization Assistance Program
As a result of the stimulus package, DOE’s Weatherization Assistance Program is expanding with a goal of weatherizing one million homes per year. In the past, only households that earned up to 150 percent of the national poverty level were eligible to participate. The stimulus bill extends eligibility to those with incomes below 200 percent of the national poverty level. For a family of four, that’s an income limit of $44,100.
Program participants receive a professional energy consultation with an analysis of energy bills, a blower-door test to locate air leaks and advice on how to be more efficient. Workers then arrive to make energy upgrades like insulating walls and roofs, sealing air leaks, and installing more efficient heating and cooling systems. The process to weatherize a home through the program usually takes two days with an average cost of $2,500. Since some homes have different needs, the stimulus bill allows up to $6,500 to be spent on each home.
Federal Efficiency Tax Credits
For residents not eligible for federally funded programs, the stimulus plan provides a homeowner efficiency tax credit of up to $1,500, or 30 percent, of the cost for new energy upgrades, including weatherization activities as well as installation of efficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. Efficiency tax credits were already available for 2009, but carried a $500 limit (with additional caps for certain types of upgrades) and only covered up to 10 percent of a member’s investment. A list of qualified improvements can be found on the Energy Star website.
Tax credits directly lower a member’s federal income taxes, and are generally more valuable than tax deductions because they reduce taxes owed dollar-for-dollar. In contrast, a tax deduction, like a home mortgage or charitable gift, lowers taxable income and may only offer small savings. For example, a $1,500 tax deduction for someone in the 25 percent tax bracket would lower taxes owed by $350; a $1,500 tax credit for energy efficiency efforts will lower taxes owed by $1,500!
EREC offers more information on federal weatherization and tax credits assistance by clicking here.
North Escambia residents need to call the Community Action Program Committee at (850) 438-4021, to get approval for the Weatherization Assistance Program.
Fire Victim, Age 4, Laid To Rest; Fire Cause Still Under Investigation
February 16, 2010
Funeral services were held Sunday for Dylan Blake Barnhill, the four-year old who died in house fire last Wednesday in Atmore.
Dylan’s mother, Jessica Barnhill, had been able to get another child, Fredrick, 3, out of the house uninjured, but she was unable get Dylan out of the house in time. Firefighters pulled him from the burning home about 15 minutes after they arrived at the 6th Avenue home. He was transported to Atmore Community Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
A third child in the family, Teressa, 5, was in school at the time of the fire.
State Fire Marshal Ed Paulk said it appears the fire started in the kitchen area of the home, but no exact cause has been determined. At this point, he said the fire appears to be accidental in nature.
The Atmore area community is rallying to help the Barnhill family, who lost everything in the fire. An account has been set up at Gulf Winds Credit Union in Atmore for the family for funeral costs and other expenses.
The American Red Cross is also accepting donations of clothing, household item and other necessities for the family. Clothing sizes are:
- Boy, age 3, size 4T clothing, size 8 shoes
- Girl, age 5, size 5 clothing, size 5 shoes
- Mother, size large tops, size 9/10 pants and jeans, and size 7 1/2 shoes
Items can be dropped off at the American Red Cross at 205 East Church Street in Atmore on weekday mornings. Donations are also being accepted at Coley Petals and Parties at 301 North Main Street. For more information, contact the Atmore Red Cross office at (251) 368-3643 during weekday morning hours.
For more information and photos from the fire, click here.
Tate Wins District Championship
February 16, 2010
The Tate Aggies are the District 1-5A champions after a 49-46 win Monday over Milton.
The Aggies were down 19-15 at the half, but Tate outscored Milton by dozen in the third. Tate rallied in the second half for the win. Krys Walden led Tate with 22.
Tate will be at home against Fort Walton at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Region 1-5A quarterfinals.
Tate — Krys Walden 22, Tevin Brown 2, Dylan Anderson 8, Jabrille Rasheed 2, Petey Jones 6, Shermonne Jones 9.
Tate 6 9 18 16-49
Milton 11 8 6 21-46
Cost To Resurface Every Century Street: $4.5 Million
February 16, 2010
The Town of Century’s dreams of resurfacing every street in town were brought back down to an expensive reality with a cost estimate from the town’s engineering.
During January, the Century council decided that each member would submit a list of roads and bridges that they believed need attention. That list was to combined with a list already maintained by the mayor to create a master list of bad roads, and when dollars became available for road and bridge projects, would refer to their master priority list to begin work.
But then the town decided in early February to determine what it would cost to resurface every street in town. And the bottom line was much higher than they hoped — $4.5 million, according to Fabre Engineering.
“That’s a little over our budget,” Century Mayor Freddie McCall chuckled Monday night when he told the council how much the project would cost.
For now, the council will head back to the drawing board and have Fabre Engineering prioritize resurfacing projects to see what the town can afford.
Century Stabbing Victim Arrested
February 16, 2010
The victim in a December stabbing that sought help at Odom’s Bar is now facing charges.
Reginald Lee Williams, 24, of Washington Street, Flomaton, was charged with affray, riot or unlawful assembly and battery in connection with the December 27 incident. Williams is due to make his first court appearance on February 22.
Emergency workers were called to Odom’s Bar at 9520 North Century Boulevard about 12:10 a.m. December 27 after Williams was reported to be stabbed. Reports indicate that Williams was stabbed nearby on Ivey Street and walked to the bar for help. Williams was transported by ambulance to Jay Hospital where he was treated for minor injuries. He was released from the Escambia County Jail on $3,500 bond.
Dusean Labradford Phifer, 20, Century, was arrested the morning of the incident and charged with felony aggravated battery and charged with being involved in an affray, riot or unlawful assembly. He was released from the Escambia County Jail on $5,250 bond. Phifer pleaded not guilty during his first court appearance. He is scheduled for trial in April.
According to arrest reports, both men agreed to fight one another after an argument over Phifer’s cousin, who was Williams’ girlfriend.
Sunny And Cool; Fire Weather Watch In Effect
February 16, 2010
We are in for several sunny days and cool nights in the North Escambia area.
A fire weather warning is in effect for Wednesday as drier weather increases the risk of brush fires. All outdoor burning is discouraged.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 26. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 54. Wind chill values between 20 and 30 early. Northwest wind between 5 and 15 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Clear, with a low around 27. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 59. Calm wind becoming west between 5 and 10 mph.
- Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 29. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Friday: Sunny, with a high near 63. Calm wind becoming south between 5 and 10 mph.
- Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. South wind around 5 mph.
- Saturday: A 20 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 63.
- Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42.
- Sunday: A 20 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 63.
- Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of rain. Partly cloudy, with a low around 41.
- Monday: A 20 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 66.
Escambia Looks To Expand Career Academies To Middle Schools
February 16, 2010
The Escambia County School District is looking at expanding its high school career academy model to the middle school level throughout the county.
Middle school career academies are small, personalized learning communities within a school in which select students and teachers participate during a two or three-year span. Students enter the academy with parental knowledge and support. A career academy involves teachers from different subjects working together as an interdisciplinary team.
Staff teams work together to implement the key features of the model and to provide students with exposure to the career field. Students are grouped together for several periods every day with a core group of teachers. This model promotes a family-like atmosphere and results in close student-teacher ties, according to the district.
Dozens of career academies already exist in Escambia County’s high schools, such as the Building Trades and Construction Design Academy at Northview, the Early Childhood Education Academy at Tate, Web Design Services Academy at Washington and the Legal Services Academy at West Florida High. An Agriscience Technology Academy is under development for Northview.
Workman and Wooham are the only middle schools in the county with career academies, health occupations, agriscience and pre-engineering academies.
The curriculum and instruction within an academy will meet or exceed state and district standards, while differing from a regular secondary school by focusing learning around a theme. Career academies often partner with colleges or employers, bringing resources from outside of the school to improve student motivation and achievement.
At today’s school board meeting, the board is expected to approved a set of standards and guidelines that will allow for the development of career academies at other middle school in the county, including Ernest Ward.
EA Lady Cougers Reach Elite Eight, Out Of Tourney
February 16, 2010
The Escambia Academy Lady Cougars made the Elite Eight of Alabama Independent School Association Elite Eight, but their state basketball championship hopes were ended by Autauga Academy.
The Cougars fell to the Autauga Generals, 40-27. The Generals held a 9-4 lead at the end of the first quarter at Huntington College in Montgomery. But the Escambia Academy Cougars came back in the second quarter to tie the game 15-15 at the half. The Generals outscored the Cougars by a two to one margin in the second half for their 40-27 win.
Rachel Fuller led the Lady Cougars with 11 points, plus 5 rebounds and 2 steals. Amber Huskey had 7 points, 13 rebounds, 3 steals. Jordan Jaye added 5 points, 11 rebounds, 2 steals. KayLeigh Miller had 2 points, 1 rebound, 3 steals. Grayson Emmons had 2 points, two steals. Samantha Lee, Lacie Flowers, Paige Allen and Carlie Broughton had 1 rebound each.
Escambia 4 11 7 5-27
Autauga 9 6 11 14-40
Pictured: Escambia Academy action in the AISA Elite Eight in Montgomery. Submitted photos by Jarrod Kyser for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Dylan Blake Barnhill
February 15, 2010
Dylan Blake Barnhill, age 4, passed away Wednesday, February 10, 2010 in Atmore, Ala. He was a native and resident of Atmore.
He was preceded in death by his great-grandparents, Gladys Mothershed, Ada Ree Hubbard and Carlton Bill Hubbard.
Master Barnhill is survived by his mother, Jessica Barnhill of Atmore; a brother, Fredrick Barnhill of Atmore; a sister, Teressa Barnhill of Atmore; grandparents, Joe and Mary Dean Hodges of Atmore, and Roger Barnhill of Atmore; great-grandparents, Fred Mothershed of Atmore, and Dillard and Shirley Barnhill of Atmore; aunt Ashley and uncle Anthony Patrick of Atmore; uncle Dustin Barnhill of Atmore; great-uncle Braddock Mothershed of Atmore; great aunt, Freddie Mothershed of Atmore; and twelve cousins.
Funeral services were held Sunday, February 14, 2010 at 2 p.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. Gladyn Mothershed officiating. Burial followed at Mothershed Cemetery.
The family received friends Saturday, February 13, 2010 between 6 and 9 p.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers were Jason Wright, Michael Stoll, Josh Brown, and Skyler Donnell.