Show Some Compassion!
April 27, 2020
On Sunday 4/26/2020 the wind, rain and lightning came fast and furious with little warning. Winds were reported at 60 MPH and 71 MPH at the airport. To be classified as a hurricane, a tropical cyclone must have one-minute maximum sustained winds of at least 74 mph. What we didn’t have was a hurricane but we did have damage in my neighborhood as the pictures will show.
The city always allowed residents two months April and May to prepare for the hurricane season and granted amnesty where the city would pick up yard waste at no extra cost to residents. This was the time we pruned back trees to allow the hurricane winds to pass through with little or no damage, and many residents took advantage of the city’s “gift.” Now neighbors are hesitant to trim back trees not knowing how they will pay for the pickup. I suppose if we are hit with a hurricane trees will come down on roofs, cars and possibly block streets.
Well Mayor Keith James decided the city was losing money and decided to eliminate the amnesty due to the Carona Virus. Cheap excuse.
Thousands of people out of work through no fault of their own, with no paycheck, desperately trying to apply for unemployment benefit or waiting for a check from the Federal Government. Both are slow in coming. Folks are panicked about paying their rent, mortgage, car loan and utilities.
FPL realizing the seriousness of the Carona Virus is giving customers 25% discount on their bill in May. Insurance companies are going to refund up to 25% on our car insurance bill.
What’s the city doing? There not going to shut off water on delinquent customers, but the late fees will continue to mount. How about the city stop collecting late fees and give folks a chance to catch up.
The City Commissioners, all 5 of them along with the City Administrator should put pressure on James and try to talk some sense into him. This is not the time to reach deeper into our pockets but to show compassion for folks who are already suffering. Double click on pictures to enlarge. These homeowners will be charged a minimum of $100.00 for removal.
