Rolling Blackouts in Sheffield

 

The inquiring minds of Sheffield citizens want to know why rolling blackouts were scheduled for today...a Sunday.

In fact, with almost moderate temperatures, why were they even necessary at this time? Is Sheffield Utilities mad at the citizens?

Instead of rolling thunder from recent storms, perhaps there should be rolling heads?

An After Hours Utilities Emergency in Sheffield?

 

If you live in Florence and have an after hours utilities emergency, don't be surprised when the listed number connects you to 911. At least it's in Lauderdale County and the person on the other end knows where Slaughterneck Road is. 

How about Sheffield? No, you don't get 911 or any place in Colbert County...or even Alabama. You get a call service located in another state where the attendant will tell you to hold on - she's doing the best she can.

For anyone who doesn't know, Sheffield has the highest overall utility rates in the Shoals. Yet you don't even get any homegrown emergency service?

It could be worse; you could be asked to leave a message for someone to get back to you...as your kitchen floods or a geyser spouts from the pothole-filled lane in front of your home.

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In case you're wondering what damage the 2025 Alabama legislative session will bring, at least ten city mayors are requesting that online sales tax be increased. They're not greedy, of course. They just want brick and mortar stores to have an even playing field with online merchants in their humble little towns.

Really? We bet most residents of Shoals towns (think Sheffield) would rather pay an even higher sales tax than have to go downtown to shop.

Why Your Sheffield Utility Bill is So High?

 

The Shoals Chamber of Commerce is an asset to the area. It fulfills such a need that your city may contribute each year. That is unless you live in Sheffield. In that case, your utility department contributes.

That's right, as much as $10,000.00 a year of the utility budget is given to help promote Sheffield. That might sound fair enough...unless you think about it. According to one who complained to this blog, Sheffield Utilities serves "all rural regions of Colbert County, from the state line to the borders of Franklin and Lawrence Counties." One reader continued by saying "I seriously doubt that people in Margerum want their money going to promote Sheffield."

The first thing that comes to mind here is the history of this donation/payment. How did Sheffield Utilities come to be responsible for this donation? To what else is this public utility donating that concerns only the city?

If you're served by the Sheffield Utilities Department, you have a right to question this...

How "Civil" Is Sheffield Utilities?

A Sheffield reader writes:

Leave it to Sheffield Utilities to deliver their latest utility bills on Christmas Eve, complete with their traditional '$100 December mark up'.

Our utility bill is $124 HIGHER than last month. Our home insulation EXCEEDS the recommended 'R factor' for this region. Even our garage door is new and is insulated. Our HVAC system is only 5 years old and gets checked 2x/yr. Our windows and exterior doors are new 'energy efficient' type, and our thermostat stays set on 65° during winter. Arrrrggggg!

So how does Sheffield Utilities compare with Florence? Check out their rates below:

Sheffield 

Florence

Two interesting points we noticed while reading up on Sheffield Utilities and its counterpart across the river:

1. Florence rates are higher in the winter. A transition rate and a winter rate are listed on the rate page. We can see having to purchase extra power at a higher rate during extremely cold winters, but not every winter. There must be another variable to this formula. Any utility rate experts out there?

2. Six years ago, Sheffield had a management shake up. At that time, not only did Steve Hargrove take over the position of department manager, the "civil manager" was reassigned to the wastewater department. What is a civil manager? Was he a civil engineer? If so, it would seem the former department manager wasn't the only one stabbed in the back. Sheffield Utilities must be one heckuva place to work.

Cold? What Will Utility Bills Bring?

From a Sheffield reader:

You know winter is here when Sheffield Utilities raises your electric bill $100 over the last statement, even though temperatures have been unseasonably mild. They do this EVERY December. BTW, my meter was read before the current arctic blast arrived.

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Sick of This Cold Weather?

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Florence Utilities has been asking that customers limit their use of power during this cold snap. That does not bode well for our next missive from the electricity provider.

If you're over 55: Energy Assistance

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We had asked if a local brewery was moving and received this response from two readers:

* Bluewater Brewing is opening a Huntsville location, but not sure if they're closing the Florence one or not. Singin' River is staying open for now. 

* Yes, Bluewater is definitely closing in Florence, but so far only rumors about Singin' River. 

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If you know of permanent business closings, be sure to let us know.

Ode to Billy Don

Midnight on October 31 will mark the end of Sheffield Mayor Billy Don Anderson's term in office. Defeated in his bid for another four years, Anderson is not going down without a fight.

Billy Don has called a special meeting for Friday at four o'clock. Ostensibly a budget meeting, sources close to the current mayor indicate that BD will attempt to have himself appointed to the Sheffield Utility Board. One of the few successful components of Sheffield, the utility department offers BD access to city records and could be used as a stepping stone to other positions--something BD would obviously prefer since the sale of his former bank left him without a job.

If you think there is more to this story, you're right. BD's camp has been responsible for rumors concerning the demise of the new River City/Riverfront Park development. Both Trophy Golf and River City Developers say this rumor is unfounded. Obviously, River City founders William B. Campbell Jr., Ron Riley, and David A. Steenson have ties to the area and are eager to see the project succeed.

All Sheffield citizens are urged to attend this meeting. Sheffield deserves a treat and not a Billy Don trick.


What's up with this: What local not-so-photogenic ambulance chaser is bringing suit against the town of Lexington? Sorry, guy, if your clients win, the town will probably be glad to hand over the key to the city.