Abusive Tree Trimming UPDATE
Greetings to all:
Here's an update on where we are in the effort to stop abusive tree trimming by electric utilities:
Attached below are several items of interest connected to the cause, for your information. Please take the time to review them
1 -- IURC hearings continue, 5 down, 1 to go
2 -- IPL requests all communications (from Charlie) connected with the petition/hearings
3 -- Indiana Tree Alliance formed as a lobbying/organizing entity.
4 -- Financial support for related expenses/legal fees needed.
5 -- Deadline for letters to the Commission has been extended through October
1 A huge thank you to all of you who have supported this effort with letters, testimony and interest. The Muncie hearing had about 21 citizens appear and testify, with at least
four times that number attending to listen. A recent and devastating cutting no doubt helped with motivation and brought out people for their hearing.. State Senator Sue Errington
solicited her constituents to appear, and appeared herself to support the process.
The Indy hearing had about 26 testify, which, again, was about a fourth of the folks listening. Senator Mike Delph, Senator Jean Breaux, and Representative Cherish Pryor all attended
and spoke to the Commission in support of their constituents and hopes for a positive outcome to the investigation. Notable by his absence was Sen. Merritt, the utilities committee
chairman, whose "6 Point plan" was part of the genesis of the investigation.
Testimony lasted more than five hours. It was informed, heartfelt, compelling and, at times, emotional. Several people, including adult men, had to stop to compose themselves
recalling the devastation they witnessed on their own property, or that of others. The Commissioners were attentive throughout, and Sen Delph stayed through all of it, demonstrating
strong support for a proper outcome to what he sees as a property rights abuse.
Unfortunately, the hearing in Seymour gathered testimony from only three people. This certainly shows that, unless there is someone in the area who is quite motivated, the minimal
notification process followed by the IURC does not reach many people.
For the Merrillville and Ft. Wayne hearings, we were able to get some local press coverage prior to the events - a big Thank You to Susan Blair's daughter Drew for TV coverage in
Ft. Wayne. The resulting turnouts were smaller than Indy or Muncie, but the Commissioners heard testimony from customers of other utilities, telling the same kinds of stories that
were told here.
2 IPL has requested, through the discovery process, all communication between Charlie (and by proxy me) and all those who signed the original petition, or who have testified.
They must hope to show that we were telling people what to say. We didn't. This tells me that we are getting somewhere! Unfortunately, it's a pain in the...
3 Several of us who have been engaged in this cause have joined to form the Indiana Tree Alliance. At present we are operating as a steering committee, with exploring how
to be the most effective as our first objective.
Our efforts will not stop with the conclusion of the investigation. We will continue to work for legislative changes necessary for achieving our goals.
Anyone interested in joining in and helping out should let us know.
4 Almost all the expenses of conducting this effort have come from one individual, Charlie Goodman himself, who cannot continue to be the bank. Since the Senate Utility Committee
meeting last Oct. 9th, he has paid for all typing, copying, materials, enlarging, and postage, etc, out of his own pocket. Additionally, we are now beginning to have some legal expenses.
When you consider how many legislators there are, and how much material he has sent, "it can add up".
Remember that he is the single individual who has made the contacts to get this issue statewide attention. Without him, we would be a collection of angry neighborhoods, getting nowhere.
We have had a generous individual offer to match the funds that we can raise by soliciting our mailing list, so your contribution will matter by double.
If you would like to support this effort, please send checks made out to: Indiana Tree Alliance - 8561 Moore rd. Indianapolis Ind. - 46278 --
I will keep a record of all contributions, should we have excess funds in the future, they will be returned in proportion.
5 The number of letters received by the OUCC seems to have motivated the IURC to leave open the allowable time for letters to be mailed in.
If you would still like to be heard, please continue to write, fax or email letters to the OUCC
Consumers may also submit written comments for the case’s record to the OUCC by mail, fax or the Internet:
Please send a copy of your letter to Charlie Goodman or Jerry Baker at the addresses above.
Mail: Consumer Services Staff; Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor
115 W. Washington St., Suite 1500 South
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Fax: (317) 232-5923
E-mail: uccinfo@oucc.IN.gov
OUCC Website: www.IN.gov/OUCC
Written comments should include the consumer’s name, mailing address, and a reference to IURC Cause No. 43663.
Additional information on this case, including a link to the OUCC’s testimony, is available at
www.in.gov/oucc/2555.htm.
Thank you all for your support --
Jerry Baker
Charlie Goodman-- 356-2499
Here's an update on where we are in the effort to stop abusive tree trimming by electric utilities:
Attached below are several items of interest connected to the cause, for your information. Please take the time to review them
1 -- IURC hearings continue, 5 down, 1 to go
2 -- IPL requests all communications (from Charlie) connected with the petition/hearings
3 -- Indiana Tree Alliance formed as a lobbying/organizing entity.
4 -- Financial support for related expenses/legal fees needed.
5 -- Deadline for letters to the Commission has been extended through October
1 A huge thank you to all of you who have supported this effort with letters, testimony and interest. The Muncie hearing had about 21 citizens appear and testify, with at least
four times that number attending to listen. A recent and devastating cutting no doubt helped with motivation and brought out people for their hearing.. State Senator Sue Errington
solicited her constituents to appear, and appeared herself to support the process.
The Indy hearing had about 26 testify, which, again, was about a fourth of the folks listening. Senator Mike Delph, Senator Jean Breaux, and Representative Cherish Pryor all attended
and spoke to the Commission in support of their constituents and hopes for a positive outcome to the investigation. Notable by his absence was Sen. Merritt, the utilities committee
chairman, whose "6 Point plan" was part of the genesis of the investigation.
Testimony lasted more than five hours. It was informed, heartfelt, compelling and, at times, emotional. Several people, including adult men, had to stop to compose themselves
recalling the devastation they witnessed on their own property, or that of others. The Commissioners were attentive throughout, and Sen Delph stayed through all of it, demonstrating
strong support for a proper outcome to what he sees as a property rights abuse.
Unfortunately, the hearing in Seymour gathered testimony from only three people. This certainly shows that, unless there is someone in the area who is quite motivated, the minimal
notification process followed by the IURC does not reach many people.
For the Merrillville and Ft. Wayne hearings, we were able to get some local press coverage prior to the events - a big Thank You to Susan Blair's daughter Drew for TV coverage in
Ft. Wayne. The resulting turnouts were smaller than Indy or Muncie, but the Commissioners heard testimony from customers of other utilities, telling the same kinds of stories that
were told here.
2 IPL has requested, through the discovery process, all communication between Charlie (and by proxy me) and all those who signed the original petition, or who have testified.
They must hope to show that we were telling people what to say. We didn't. This tells me that we are getting somewhere! Unfortunately, it's a pain in the...
3 Several of us who have been engaged in this cause have joined to form the Indiana Tree Alliance. At present we are operating as a steering committee, with exploring how
to be the most effective as our first objective.
Our efforts will not stop with the conclusion of the investigation. We will continue to work for legislative changes necessary for achieving our goals.
Anyone interested in joining in and helping out should let us know.
4 Almost all the expenses of conducting this effort have come from one individual, Charlie Goodman himself, who cannot continue to be the bank. Since the Senate Utility Committee
meeting last Oct. 9th, he has paid for all typing, copying, materials, enlarging, and postage, etc, out of his own pocket. Additionally, we are now beginning to have some legal expenses.
When you consider how many legislators there are, and how much material he has sent, "it can add up".
Remember that he is the single individual who has made the contacts to get this issue statewide attention. Without him, we would be a collection of angry neighborhoods, getting nowhere.
We have had a generous individual offer to match the funds that we can raise by soliciting our mailing list, so your contribution will matter by double.
If you would like to support this effort, please send checks made out to: Indiana Tree Alliance - 8561 Moore rd. Indianapolis Ind. - 46278 --
I will keep a record of all contributions, should we have excess funds in the future, they will be returned in proportion.
5 The number of letters received by the OUCC seems to have motivated the IURC to leave open the allowable time for letters to be mailed in.
If you would still like to be heard, please continue to write, fax or email letters to the OUCC
Consumers may also submit written comments for the case’s record to the OUCC by mail, fax or the Internet:
Please send a copy of your letter to Charlie Goodman or Jerry Baker at the addresses above.
Mail: Consumer Services Staff; Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor
115 W. Washington St., Suite 1500 South
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Fax: (317) 232-5923
E-mail: uccinfo@oucc.IN.gov
OUCC Website: www.IN.gov/OUCC
Written comments should include the consumer’s name, mailing address, and a reference to IURC Cause No. 43663.
Additional information on this case, including a link to the OUCC’s testimony, is available at
www.in.gov/oucc/2555.htm.
Thank you all for your support --
Jerry Baker
Charlie Goodman-- 356-2499
posted by Ross Reller at 3:35 PM
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