Dear editor,
Just a little musing about the smart meter program and all the fabulous choices it contains.
I am an old guy with old-fashioned values, such as the customer is always right and parliamentarians are elected by the people for the people. I believe at one time they even made that promise with a hand on the Bible.
As far as the smart meter (nice name) goes and the advantage of amazing online service, I do have a computer but looking at my electrical consumption every hour is not one of my priorities.
I realize that this fabulous service is not available to me on the old (however I prefer it) heritage meter.
Of course, there is absolutely no health risk in using the smart meter, at least they can't think of any. For sure it is as safe as a nuclear power plant or a pipeline.
I still have the heritage (much better name) meter. I have had it for years, and now suddenly it has become a punishable offence that will cost me $35 per month. It never did before and it is only read every other month.
Mr. (Energy Minister Bill) Bennett , a smart lawyer elected by us, approved the extra $420 annual penalty. It makes me wonder if he acted as an elected official or if it was merely eclectic.
I do have this sharp pain in the back. Could it be from a stab?
You always have to be wary when you get something free. Like the phone call "This is the captain speaking, you have just won, etc."
It is also quite apparent that the cost of meter reading is $35 per month. All of you that now have the "free" smart meter need to get smart and demand a $35-per-month reduction on your bill. They do not have to read your meter anymore.
Only after having taken a sober and independent look at the smart meter program have I come to this conclusion and I consider it my duty to inform you.
It sounds a bit senatorial, I know, but it is like that cruise, it's not really a free meter. It also shows that electricity is not the only power BC Hydro has under its control.
Laurence Gerritsen,
Courtenay