Emotions Run High At Ameren Public Hearing On Illinois Rate Hik...

Emotions were running high at a public hearing Monday on whether Ameren's Illinois operation should be able to get a 226 million dollar rate hike.

[darts2420]

Something I have never understood, is why does Ameren spend money, ALOT of money, on commercials? I don't beleive we, as customers, have a choice on our power-provider. We have many choices on how to get our long distance, as well as our t.v., but power, we have no choice. It's like they got us hostage. Why not take the money spent on t.v. commercials, & apply it towards tree trimming. Something that is important, especially when the limbs are ice-coated & knock out power lines....proven many times over.

[seniorcitizen]

Illinois already is rated among the top ten states as far as paying higher Ameren bills. We get no more than any other state and yet our bills are higher. Does that mean we have no politicians pulling for us or does that mean our politicians do not care? I wonder how much money Ameren pays for the politicians campaign? I believe Ameren wants it where the old folks have to make a choice between food, medicine, roof over our head, or lights. Ameren does not deserve what they are currently getting now as their service can not compare to the old Illinois Power that we had before Ameren.

[scurtis106]

They put the commercials up for PR reasons. They are trying make people feel better about getting screwed. It's there idea of a reach-around.

[bitalldude]

just another way the government screws the taxpayers. These commissioners are being paid off by this utility to rule in their favor. They cqan deny payoffs all they want, but the US government needs to investigate and send people to prison

[Brad VanHoose]

The biggest problem I had at last nights forum, was the basic lack of notification to the forum itself. It was published Oct 1 in the p-d, but was not published until Monday in The Belleville News Demcrat. Officially, this was announced by The ICC on Sept 24, which only gave 11 days of notice. Im sure there are numerous groups and organizations who would have liked to have attended. 30 days notice should have been given. I see this as a blatant attempt by The ICC to Quell public input and give the appearance that this is a dead issue. It Is Not!!!!
Furthermore, I was CENSORED by Mike Fitzgerald of The BND, who said my input was not relevant. Make no mistake, I have strongly criticized Fitzgerald on this issue in past, as I consider him to be Pro-Ameren, but he denied the public today, not me.

I view this as a standard of life issue as well as a survival issue. I make absolutely NO apologies for my behavior at last night's hearing. My actions may have been a little too passionate, But I was not profane.

May the souls of those who go hungry or simply go without, haunt these who betray and deny decency to their fellow man and therefore, mankind.

Bradley VanHoose
Belleville Illinois

[Brad VanHoose]

I strongly urge my fellow illinoisans to access: THE ILLINIOS CAMPAIGN FOR POLTICAL REFORM, then go to the "Sunshine' tab at the top center of the page, then just follow the prompts. Click on The Contributor Icon and Then type in Ameren. You can go back to 01. The amount of money Ameren donates to Illinois Political campaigns is obscene.

[Denise]

I would like to ask where do they think the customers are going to get this increase from? With so many people being laid off and jobs are scarce I don't understand how Ameren could be asking for more money. Make the executives take a pay cut - bu oh no lets drain the little guy - I am so sick of all this - I have thought about living in the woods at least there I wouldn't have any raising utility costs. All of the high level people need to live on part time salaries and see how they like it.

[possom]

As soon as I have enough money I,m moving out of
Il, and buying land and solar panels! This is getting rediculous!

[brian]

if the company gave total transparency into it's operation, CEO salaries and the like, operational costs and so on, i think the public may be more inclined to do it's part to maintain the infrastructure we need to plug in the electronic goodies we can't live without. i'm sure there is plenty of truth to the need for a rate hike, but we need to know where that money is going and why. i thought karen foss was supposed to warm us up to this company.

[Sylvia G]

I too was upset over the way this was not announced until the day of the event. I know several neighbors and friends who would loved to attend and give these guys a piece of our minds. I love Mr. VanHoose's way, he really said so many things that needed to be said. I was very suprised he was not even mentioned in The Belleville Newspaper. He was the highlight of the event.
Thanks Brad,You're a Guardian Angel
Sylvia G.
Caseyville Illinois

[Gracie]

I would like to see how much Ameren pays it's Spin Doctors to come up with the spin the Ameren puts out on the news. Example: the recent spin put out on FOX news that Ameren was giving a refund to Missouri Ameren customers. Sounds goods huh? The refund amounts to fifty cents. Way to go Ameren Spin Doctors!!!