My complaint:
My neighbor, a Senior Citizen Widow, limited fixed income, recent loss of her husband 1 year ago, had trees in front of her house which have been over grown near power lines. I have seen Duke on site 4 times in the past 6 months with looking right at the power lines and trees in question. I was there when 3 of the 4 workers noted the need to have the trees cut back before hurricane season. So for at least 6 months Duke knew of the need and did nothing.
On 10112022,tired of waiting for Duke, yesterday, I trimmed these trees.
How convenient —Today Duke Service vehicle pulls up in front of my neighbors house with flashing lights as if to announce their presence. All smiles of course, the woman from Duke says you know if you would have waiting 2 days we would have trimmed these trees. I said, Oh yeah, we have been waiting 6 months. Just how would we know you would be here now? She said well I’m here now. WHAT???? She realized what she just said. I was furious for I worked my tail off clearing these trees. I know she saw my frustration and my response to her insensitive comments. She saw my anger and frustration. That’s why I am here to inform you that we will be trimming trees on this street. Oh Really, then why is this house the only resident on the street that is receiving a service notice? Don’t say that this was the only address needing service. Don’t you dare-I watched Duke drive up this street and never even slow down to inspect another residence.
Let’s just say — I know why Duke showed up today-that a another fellow neighbor saw me and stopped. He stated he was going to call Duke and complaining that residents are having to trim their tree off of Duke Power Lines because Duke failed to do so. I know this because he told me he was going to complain. He returned shortly afterwards to tell me that he did call and complain. Let’s be honest, I feel that the only reason Duke showed up was to cover their ass from liability. Just Imagine if a resident was hurt? People would ask-Duke why are residents having to do your job? Why was a resident injured or killed when you knew that this hazard existed 6 months ago? Nope can answer for that-too much heat.
I know, cruise by this house-lay a service ticket on the homeowner so we an cover our ass for not taking action earlier.
How sad a thing is this? I asked the Duke woman, how about removing the debris? After all you would have had to cut this material anyway? She said no. They will not removed existing debris.
I know Duke’s cover their ass game and I don’t like it. The only reason Duke showed up was because one of my neighbors called and complained about having to do your job.
What do i want from Duke from this complaint?
Go by this address and pick up the debris that’s along the driveway. This is the same debris that would have been created if Duke had trimmed the trees. I’m not asking you to pick up an extra single leaf, branch or twig other than what you would have had to picked up had you trimmed the trees yourself. I can almost hear Duke asking? How do we know how much debris is our responsibility?-Take a guess, pick up only what you would think you would have cut. After all we would not want Duke to over exert yourselves.
Suggested solution:
Should have cut the trees months earlier. They did not.
