Activist to Unitil: Can you see me now?

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Now that Google Finance has picked up the story, a few final questions and it's a wrap.

Unitil's VP of Communications, Carol Valianti, says 26 of the 28 recommendations made by Bob Yardley have been put into place. Yes, I know Yardley, I sat behind him at the Mass DPU hearings in Boston. Gray haired man with a yellow shirt. 28 recommendations! That's quite a number! You know what it says to me? Unitil didn't do anything right before, during and after the storm. And all the "Big Boys" from this puny utility know how to do is blow smoke. And they can't even get that right. No 28 point plan from PSNH. No 28 point plan from National Grid. No 28 point plan from NStar. Just Unitil!

If these goofy Execs would stop their political schmoozing and get back to basics, like tree trimming and line maintenance then the public would be better served. But, mundane work isn't sexy.

Next thing were going to hear is it's all the Mass DPU and NH PUC's fault. They made us give out 7% dividends to investors. They made us give out executive bonuses. They wouldn't allow us to hike electric rates so we had to lay off some of our crews, sell our bucket trucks and cut back on tree trimming, line maintenance and inventory. It's all the government's fault. They were forcing us to keep our rates low so we had to cut, cut cut. We didn't want to do it. So to Unitil and all your "useful idiots", Ha, Ha, Ha. You ratted on us and we're ratting on you. What's good for the goose, CEO Schoenberger, is good for the gander
- Dennis Herrick, East Hampstead

Seacoast Schmoozers and Gentfification.

So Unitil customers, what did your electric supplier do for you after the ice storm? My PSNH bill in January 2009 had a balance of $ 0.00. And will wonders never cease, February's bill was also
$ 0.00. Guess some companies do have a conscience.

You guys can Google me all you want, but what you should be doing is googling Unitil.

Ever hear of the word gentrification? In New England the word is often used to describe what happen to the long-time residents of Vermont, when the well-to-do New Yorkers moved in and started throwing their weight around. Remember folks, Unitil CEO Schoenberger came from Noo Yorrk. Well the same thing has been happening here in New Hampshire for the past few decades. It's quite evident on the NH Seacoast and in Concord.

Unitil Exec is a Board Member of Leadership Seacoast. Very nice place to sit if you're trying to effect the future of grassroots politics in NH for the benefit of your employer. Chairman of the Board of New Hampshire Public Television is a Unitil Exec. I can just see all the "Smart Grid" programs coming up on the Channel 11 lineup. My friends from Massachusetts tell me one of the Unitil Directors is mixed up with UNH. Haven't had time to research that one yet. Unitil has the Exeter, Hampton and Portsmouth Chambers of Commerce eating out of their hands. And why not? The businesses just love their "Electric Choice" program. How much longer will it be before residential customers get a choice? And I don't mean that "vulgar" choice program created by the NH PUC. The State of NH should take over the electrical infrastructure, underground it and permit any power company to sell power to anyone, anywhere in NH and charge the electrical companies for the use of the state's poles and equipment. No more electrical monopolies and their exclusive territories. But that would mean no more Unitil. And this one, I have a major problem with. That quasi-public organization called the Rockingham Planning Commission has even held functions at Unitil Headquarters in Hampton. Along with transportation, conservation and waste, this organization is supposed to be planning our energy future? And it's our tax money that funds organizations like these. Conflict of interest? You bet it is! And don't get me going about the list of Unitil lobbyists on the NH House of Representatives website. It's reached the point where I can't tell who the real people are from the all the Seacoast Schmoozers.

And just one final question for all the Unitil town near the Massachusetts border; Plaistow, Newton, Atkinson, Kingston. What has Unitil really done for the folks in your communities? I can't think of one project they've helped fund or charity they've donated to. Oh, there's money for Portsmouth, money for Exeter, money for Stratham and money for Concord, but nothing for you folks. I think Unitil donates more money to charities and projects in the North Central Massachusetts communities of Fitchburg, Lunenburg, Townsend and Ashby. I'd like to see a major donation to the Vic Geary Senior Center, the SAD Cafe and I'd like to see solar cells on all the public buildings in your towns. Alas, you'll never see it, because Unitil can't figure out a way to twist it to their monitary advantage. It's as simple as that.

Well, I have to go. I have to do laundry, buy food, cook, clean and pay bills. You know, all the stuff an attention starved "child" has to do. Ha! Ha! And since I'm really an "angry old man", I better get a move on, because I'm not as fast as I used to be. Ha!

Happy Sunday!
- Dennis Herrick, East Hampstead, NH

DENNIS: MANY THANKS AGAIN TO YOU FROM THE EDUCATED CONSUMERS IN MA who continue to advocate for not getting ripped off as you know.

Shame on all of you, now you should be more embarrassed than ever to have ANYTHING to say on a topic you apparently have little knowledge of unless of course you are Unitil employees.....There is no axe to grind here, it is simple common sense, this company by their actions and lack thereof continues to steal from consumers.

Tracey you appear to need to get out of the sandbox, since your on the computer do look up information on FACTS regarding Unitil's actions before you go off to talk to "grown-ups"...:)
- Mike, Lunenburg, MA

Seems like all that money could have been put to better use. Perhaps new wiring for an elderly person faced with a life-threatening situation, thus saving them from eviction. But no, I guess the fifteen minutes of fame is a better investment. Just sayin’.
- Bill, Newton

Anyone else notice how much Dennis Herrick is lapping up this attention. He's just pleased as punch to have his name in the paper and to check the comments every few hours to add more fuel to the fire. You think he looks bad from this article you should meet him in person!Have a good time Mr. Herrick - I'm leaving here now to go play with some
GROWN-UPS!
- Tracy P, East Hampstead

To reiterate AGAIN... the continued efforts to get rid of Unitil is based on their SERVICE, lack therof.
A JUDGE found in the overwhelming evidence the obvious, there is enough evidence to proceed based on GROSS NEGLIGENCE and a VIOLATION OF CH.93A. "It's that simple"...
Additionally the legislation known and named the "UNITIL BILL" will protect ratepayers from the fines being passed on; also legislation has been put forth to bring if determined any fine money back to the ratepayers.
It shouldn't have taken an act of the Governor bringing in Natl.Grid to restore power. Criminals are usually remorseful when caught.
- Cathy Clark, Lunenburg, MA

Where's that guy Rick Cooper? I have to thanks you for your "vulgar" comment, you had my co-workers rolling in the aisles. Get your mind out of the gutter! The banner didn't say "bend over and pick up the soap, Unitil". We want the NH Public Utilities Commission to honor its mission and spank Unitil like the errant child that it is.

And please everyone spare me all this "vendetta", "axe to grind", "get a life", "move on" "storm-of-the-century" stuff. I wasn't born yesterday. Unitil can't use any of that as a legal defense for incompetence.

I'm headed for Salem, Ma for their Halloween celebration tomorrow. so I won't be posting much more. My work here is almost done anyway. Everything is up to the MASS DPU and the NH PUC.
- Dennis Herrick, East Hampstead

Why not blame this on Fairpoint? They get blamed for everything else so it MUST be their fault this time too.
- Eileen, Franklin, NH

Mr. Herrick,
What is a NH spanking? I'm intigued. Is thyis a regular activity for you?
- Skippy, Brookline

Goggle Mr Herrick and read his posts about Unitil. His opinions on the ice storm and its aftermath, undergrounding, and Municiple Utilities are interesting but what all of this has to do with something called the Einstein Letter is beyond me.
- Rick, Epping

Just a quick reminder of the NH Public Utilities Mission Statement.

From their website:

"Mission Statement"

"To ensure that customers of regulated utilities receive safe, adequate and reliable service at just and reasonable rates."

"To foster competition where appropriate."

"To provide necessary customer protection."

"To provide a thorough but efficient regulatory process that is fair, open and innovative."

"To perform our responsibilities ethically and professionally in a challenging and supportive work environment."

Was Unitil's operation during the ice storm safe and reliable? Are they safe and reliable now? Who knows? CEO Schoenberger says "The proof is in the pudding." Hope he's not talking about burnt pudding. He seems to have a homily for every occasion. Maybe that's their PR guy, Wes Eberle, talking? They might have conducted drills in Fitchburg Massachusetts. But we don't live in Fitchburg. Did they conduct any drills in NH? Did they work closely with Exeter town officials on drills as they promised? Who knows? Did they work with your town? Is anyone familiar with their emergency protocols? When are they required to respond to customers that are "medically at risk". 15 minutes after an outage? An hour? Does anyone know? They should publish their Emergency Plan for all to see.

I've never seen a company like this.
- Dennis Herrick, East Hampstead

I saw this in school yesterday, at lunch when we were outside. EVERYONE saw it, except for the teachers who refused to believe us until further proof arrives. I think this article will count!
- Samantha, Concord

We were without power for 9 days. Luckily I had the (gasp!) foresight to invest in a generator well in advance. After all, you never know what Mother nature will dish out.

Much of the complaining people have concerns the inconsistent information they got from the power companies and that is justified, but come on now! If you don't want to take the initiative to prepare yourself for such problems, I feel no sympathy for you whatsoever.

This was a storm of unbelievable proportion and the companies got power restored as soon as they could. Mr. Herrick and others like him think executives are intentionally keeping the power off while lighting their cigars with $100 bills. Get a little common sense, will ya? The world doesn't revolve around YOU!
- Jim D, Hillsboro

Hey guys:

I'm not responsible for your electric bills and I'm not going to pay them. The state has an assistance program for that. We all pay for it in our electric rates. Any funny thing, it keeps Unitil out of court saving them $$$.

I work hard for my money every day just like you all. Last time I checked, if my bills and taxes are up to date, I'm allowed to spend the rest of my money the way I see fit. What a wonderful country!

And not that this is any of your business, I gave $1000 to the Vic Geary Center, $1000 to the Sad Cafe and $1000 to the Plaistow Historical Society. Plus, I have a old friend who I haven't seen since high school that's fallen on hard times. In a matter of 6 months she went from employed to unemployed, Homed to homeless and healthy to disabled. I've sent her $2000 so far this year.

I think if you compare what I've given, as compared to my income, the percentage is more that Unitil.

If you're going to get me you're going to have to try much harder.
- Dennis Herrick, East Hampstead

People are not satisfied with the current lack of swift deployment of emergency services when we need them, thats the facts. Now who might you ask is going to stand for it? Like his methods or not, the man scrifices personal assets to make a point that he profoundly believes in. Its his right to make a protest and moreover,it was peaceful, yet GRAND. I think it was fantastic! Many of us dont have the courage to do this. Dennis Herrick is a dedicated, true american.
- Joe, Manchester

Derrick - By your own statements to the reporter you built up a resentment against Unitil over something that happened in '05, that even after you responded to my comment you won't divulge what that was. You held onto that resentment until you had a chance to rally against them - it took 4 years and finally happened because of the "once in a lifetime storm".
Your reply to me about a town 30 minutes away from my own trying to force me out of my home is weak and irrelevant. The way you are handling this situation is making you look like a petty, vindictive man. I was hoping for some insight in your response but was dissapointed.
- Kitt, Exeter

This guy should be protesting PSNH and their ridiculously dirty and non-compliant coal plant, Merrimack Station, in Bow.
- Thomas, Concord

Unitil was loathed by the people it pretends to serve long before the ice storm. Power outages are a regular occurrence here in Fitchburg. Even on fair weather days we lose power. The reason is obvious. On almost every street we have tree branches tangled in the power lines. Unitil does not maintain it's infrastructure adequately. We pay the exorbitant rates. In return we get lousy service.

What is Unitil doing with the money that they should be using to maintain it's infrastructure? I'll tell you. They are acquiring other utilities and giving their executives fat bonuses.

The arrogance of this company is almost beyond comprehension. Here's an example, during the ice storm Unitil was unable to read meters. But, that didn't deter them. They sent out "estimated" bills that, in many cases, were twice as high as the than normal. Imaging sitting in a dark cold house for two weeks. You call your power company repeatedly, and the calls are not answered. When you do get a human being on the phone you are given bogus information. Then you get a bill like that from your electricity provider. Wouldn't you be seething?

The regulatory authorities in Mass. and NH need to hold this horrible company accountable for their arrogance and greed. "It's that simple."
- Tom Swenson, Fitchburg, MA

Could have paid two years worth of power bills with $3500.
- Jim Wilson, Manchester

Wow this guy needs to get a life. That ice storm was horrific and absolutely no one could have predicted or prepared themselves for the damage it caused. I am a PSNH customer and I was without power for 10 days - was that challenging absolutely, but you don't see me spending $3,500 renting planes to blast PSNH performance. I was just grateful I was able to get the power back and enjoy Christmas in my house with my family. He needs to get over it!
- JC, Deering

Rick Cooper...did you go without power for upwards of 1 to 2 weeks? No, I don't think you did judging by where you say you live. Those people did and kudos to them for protesting. If no one protests anything, then the madness that exists in this world sometimes will continue to go unnoticed. Kudos to Mr. Herrick for his firm message. I can't say I was affected by it for long and PSNH fixed my neighborhood quick, but I hear Unitill was a nightmare sadly.
- Bill, Manchester

The spanking banner is a complete waste of money. People spotting this probably thought it was an anti-Obama message or something. And just what is a NH Spanking anyway? He could have said a lot more for a lot less, and to more people, just advertising here on the UL.
- mike, manchester

This is a waste of his money.

It's too bad his petty disagreement caused him to spend all that money on the stupid plan flights.

Imagine how he could have helped some people during these tough economic times.
- Mike, Manchester

This one goes out to Kitt from Exeter. I didn't write the article. Nothing sinister here. I told the reporter about the issue my family had with Unitil 4 years ago, but he wasn't especially interested. Guess he just liked the banners!

So Kitt, how would you like it if Unitil and the Town of Plaistow tried to force you out of your home in the middle of winter over "safety" issues? Not much of a "Live Free or Die" state is it? Then Unitil turns around and puts the safety of all of it's customers at risk. Maybe if they gave out a few less bonuses and cut those 7% investor dividends then there might be enough money to look out for their customers' safety and their pocketbooks? I opened my mouth, now the utilities have to think twice about picking on the poor elderly in Plaistow.

Thanks for all the comments. Lets keep this going...
- Dennis Herrick, East Hampstead, NH

The article mentions people without power for over a week - it was over two weeks in densely populated parts of Fitchburg. We are not talking remote areas!

As to the fine, it will come out of shareholder profits not from the ratepayers.

A Mass. Superior Court judge who examined mounds of evidence found sufficient grounds of gross negligence on Unitil's part for a class action lawsuit against them to proceed. Herrick is right that the utility commissions need to act, but if they don't there are other avenues to get rid of Unitil. We will not give up!
- Jacquelyn, Fitchburg MA

This guy clearly is out there and has a vendetta with the company. What vulgar and vindictive comments to put on a banner to be shown in public.
The ice storm last December (yes, almost a year ago) was on of the worst storms to hit our area in my lifetime. I am amazed that people continue to whine about losing power, as if these companies could have re built their whole system overnight. I am very surprised this paper even ran this article, or gave this man the venue.
- Rick Cooper, Manchester

I'm a Unitil customer in Massachusetts. Don't be so quick to defend Unitil. Their power lines went down last December because vegetation had not been trimmed around here in years and years. The contrast between PSNH line maintenance and Unitil line maintenance is dramatic - just drive from Brookline NH to Townsend MA down Route 13 and have a look.

Was it just a once-in-a-lifetime ice storm that took me off-grid for 12 days in December? Nope. I have had two 1-hour power failures JUST THIS WEEK, and those weren't the only ones this month. And all it did was rain a bit. Didn't even blow hard.

The Unitil spokeswoman says, "26 of the 28 recommendations have been put in place; the final two will be completed by the end of year." Bull. I took over 100 photos of horrible line conditions back last spring, and NONE of those conditions has been corrected. In one case, a large tree limb that leans over a state highway is actually being burned and killed by contact with Unitil's 3-phase distribution line.

We Unitil customers are not crying wolf. These guys just aren't delivering decent electric service, and we're trying to figure out what we can do about it.
- Carl Strathmeyer, Lunenburg MA

Maybe the power companies could all double our electric rates and buy more trucks and hire more workers. Then they could build emergency response stations where they could be ready for any emergency 24 hours a day.
- D.J., Manchester

We were out of power in Hopkinton for exactly a week. It was a lousy experience. I wasn't thrilled with PSNH at all, but come on. Really. It was an ICE storm. With all the things going on in NH right now, he would be far better served to be flying a 'fairpoint stinks' banner.
- Lyn, Hopkinton

The impact of Unitils continued failed business practices are known to many...crippled infrastructure with vegitation, 2nd highest rates in the COUNTRY, unjust and estimated billing resulting in huge bills into the hundreds (in particular in Fitchburg), they continue to give themselves raises and bonuses, buy other companies and have had a staff of a few hundred compared to their cust.base (28000 alone in MA)outages on blue sky days continously w/our local paper running them wkly. The fight will continue as it is not just about an ice storm, it is about their improper actions.
- Cathy Clark, Lunenburg, MA

Unitil is less a 'utility' than a toll booth for collecting cash and the company wouldn't exist except for the ill considered move toward public utility deregulation that began in the Carter administration and was continued by Reagan.

The various oversight boards in NH and MA have shown that Unitil's emergency plans were inadequate. This failure to plan properly is reflected in Unitil's performance compared to the performance of other utility companies in the region during the same storm.
- Jim, Hampton

People like this kill me! Last December's ice storm was Mother Nature at her best. There are things you just can't prepare for....instead of spending money on aerial protests, why not send the money to all the utility workers that came from up and down the eastern seaboard and Canada...WHO GAVE UP THEIR CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS...so you could have power back in a week! We didn't have power for two weeks. We were prepared and we survived. Thank you PSNH and Unitil.Geeezzz.
- Cindy S., Lyndeborough

Dennis Herrick appears to be part of a growing crowd that blames someone else no matter what goes wrong.

Get over it, move on, and enjoy life. Stop being miserable.
- John, Dover

So this guy had a "problem" with Unitil in 2005 and waited until something happened so he could lash out at them. In the 4 years since his "problem" all he could come up with was a storm that took out every's lines?!?!?

Anyone find it interesting that he isn't talking about the initial problem that caused him to be so petty? I wonder if it puts him in a bad light.... probably worst than he seems right now.
- Kitt, Exeter

No utility company COULD have been prepared to recover from such a storm with the flick of a switch. These people are being to sound like whiny babies that don't understand what living in New England is about.
Of course, his own statement here shows him for the vindictive personality that he is:

Herrick is no longer a Unitil customer, but was about four years ago when he said he and the company had a "problem." He said he waited four years to have "the perfect opportunity to get back at them."
- Catherine, Manchester

It takes decades to build and infrastruture and one storm to knock all that work out. Who determines that Until did anything wrong? Just because most people were not and are not prepared to take care of themselves for any disruption of utilities is not Unitils problem. Who does the State of Mass think is going to pay for the $4.6M fine? The rate payors naturally, just another way for Gov Patrick to pick up some cash.
- Michael King, Epping