Opinion : Summertime Math

It's time for summer school. If Johnny turns on the central air for the month of June, and receives a large bill in July, how many times did he look at the checkbook before doing so? That is the math problem for this month.

Because of a social post complaining about electric bills, I did some checking. The Electric Rates did NOT go up last month. I should be able to stop with those two sentences but some need more of an explanation it sounds like. There was higher usage last month because of the heat. In other words, more electricity was used to cool homes in June. Newsflash. The same happens in the winter. When it's really cold outside, the furnace runs more and the bill goes up. When that happens, your bill will go up. Everything is tight right now, well it has been for the last few years. So I'm guessing this is why people are paying more attention to costs.

However, if you live in a home with central air and your first thought is, "It's warm, let's turn on the air," you might forget that this comes with a greater cost in the form of the electric bill. I don't envy anyone who likes it cold in their homes during the summer. I'm with you. Nor do I envy anyone who likes is really warm in the winter. That's normal.

However, for those who adjust the temperature inside and consider how it affects the checking account, well, that's common sense.

Accusations against our city workers who are simply doing their jobs annoy me to no end. It's not the fault of anyone who prints and sends the bills that you are paying double this month. Unless there is an undercover operation of city employees sneaking around neighborhoods and breaking into homes to crank up the central air, its not THEIR fault. These accusations are ridiculous and childish. Accusing workers of crimes because of your electric bill is a case of simple insanity. Yet I saw some of those implications.

Electric rates are set and the Electric Board does all they can to keep costs down. Anyone wanting to work on this board is welcome to fill out an application to serve the next time there is a vacancy. If serving is too much of a burden for you, don't complain, This can be said of many things in the community.

I have it on good authority that every home in Vinton houses someone who is responsible for these increases. Sometimes it's the pregnant lady. Or the menopausal woman. Or it's the guy that doesn't want to sweat. Several reports have been issued that this electric evildoer can be found in the bathroom mirror. Go check! When you find the culprit give them a very stern talking too. Tell them NOT to touch the thermostat, or in some cases to turn OFF the thermostat occasionally.

Explain to the offender that when it's hot, you can either sweat a little or chill, for a price. In the winter you can either be toasty or put on a sweater. It's that simple.

But please, tell that person in the mirror to stop complaining to the world about something that is their own fault.