[Durham INC] Help with another water billing problem

[Mike Woodard]

I can assure all of you that posting this issue on the INC listserv got the same action/reaction it would have gotten if the resident had contacted me directly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mike Woodard
Email: mike at mikewoodard.com
Web site: www.mikewoodard.com
Mobile: 919.599.5143

-----Original Message-----
From: "John Martin" [bulldurhamnc at yahoo.com]
Date: 02/22/2011 11:22 AM
To: mike at mikewoodard.com, "Melissa's yahoo" <mmr121570 at yahoo.com>, inc-list-bounces at rtpnet.org, "inc listserv" <inc-list at durhaminc.org>, Darius.M.Little at alumni.unc.edu
Subject: Re: [Durham INC] Help with another water billing problem

Mike Woodard is probably the most proactive member of the City Council, and I am glad that he is able to help this unfortunate couple.

But I don't apologize for suggesting that they bring in the heavy artillery, i.e. the media. "Undue criticism on City Staff."  Oh, please.  If Melissa's story is correct, the people involved have tried very hard to get the problem addressed and they have gotten nowhere.  The City has a policy of promoting water conservation (toilet rebates and all the rest).  Therefore, one would expect that ANY residential water bill of $1700 would attract immediate attention by the water department.  Even if the fault lies with the customer (leaky pipes, taps, and water heaters) it needs to be addressed.  And if the problem lies with the City meter, it should be addressed with a correction and profuse apologies.  I can't imagine what these people are going through with their water cut off.  

But one thing is amusing: put this on the INC listserv with suggestions that the couple contact Tom Bonfield or WRAL, and, boom!, suddenly there are responses from Vicki Westbrook, Amy Blalock, and Mike Woodard.

Mike was just saying yesterday on Bull City Rising how powerful Durham's listservs are.  How right you are, Mike, how right you are! 

--- On Tue, 2/22/11, Darius Mercedes Little <Darius.M.Little at alumni.unc.edu> wrote:

> From: Darius Mercedes Little <Darius.M.Little at alumni.unc.edu>
> Subject: Re: [Durham INC] Help with another water billing problem
> To: mike at mikewoodard.com, "Melissa's yahoo" <mmr121570 at yahoo.com>, inc-list-bounces at rtpnet.org, "inc listserv" <inc-list at durhaminc.org>
> Date: Tuesday, February 22, 2011, 10:40 AM
> Exactly!
> 
> No need for the media, that brings nothing positive and
> would promote undue criticism on City Staff.  
> 
> As I suggested to her, if they trouble shoot the problem
> directly with the staff, they'll likely find that the matter
> is something very simple, such as a previous bill from the
> address, being added to theirs. The ladies in the office
> handled my matter, which was complex, with relative ease.
> 
> Excellent leadership Mike Woodard!
> 
> - Darius
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ------Original Message------
> From: Mike Woodard
> Sender: inc-list-bounces at rtpnet.org
> To: Melissa's yahoo
> To: inc-list-bounces at rtpnet.org
> To: inc listserv
> ReplyTo: mike at mikewoodard.com
> Subject: Re: [Durham INC] Help with another water billing
> problem
> Sent: Feb 22, 2011 10:23 AM
> 
> Have the homeowner contact me directly offline and I will
> work with the Water Department for a resolution.
> 
> No need for "5 On Your Side" or "The Troubleshooter." I'm
> on your side, and I will troubleshoot this.
> 
> Mike Woodard
> City Council
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Melissa's yahoo <mmr121570 at yahoo.com>
> Sender: inc-list-bounces at rtpnet.org
> Date: Mon, 21 Feb 2011 22:55:31 
> To: inc listserv<inc-list at durhaminc.org>
> Subject: [Durham INC] Help with another water billing
> problem
> 
> _______________________________________________
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> 
> _______________________________________________
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> http://www.durham-inc.org/list.html
> 
> 
> -----------------------------
> Darius M. Little
> Business Consultant and Strategic Marketing Analyst
> Cell: 919-641-4124
> Web: www.linkedin.com/in/dariuslittle
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