For those following the efforts Nancy Flinn of Poplar Street, NW, to get someone to take responsibility for the Verizon utility pole that is threatening her tiny house, will recall that Flinn received a letter from Verizon suggesting that she pay $1,932,880 in estimated costs to correct the problem.
Subsequent to a post Tuesday, the Dish received an email from Sandra Arnette, Verizon spokesperson who stressed that the "estimate was not for work involving one resident, but the whole square block that's presently served by that aerial run." The undergrounding would be for service not just for Poplar Street, but also for homes one block south on O Street and one block north on P Street. The estimate was in answer to a request from Flinn for information to help to get stimulus money from DC to underground the wires. The project would include digging up the street, installing a new manhole system and other work.”
Nancy Flinn considered the Verizon email and still feels misrepresented, manipulated and powerless. Arnette is just trying to "make Verizon look much more palatable then they've actually been," Flinn said. She points out that the letter is only addressed to her and she has no recollection of any reference to stimulus funds before the letter. The letter "was meant to stop me in my tracks, and it did."
Finn says that the good news is that Christine Kidwell, from the Mayor Adrian Fenty's office, has followed-up to offer further assistance. "That says a lot about her and about Adrian," she said.
2 Comments For This Article
For nearly three years, I have tried to get help.
THIS POLE IS CAUSING DAMAGE TO MY HOME!
Verizon' spokesperson's response was patronizing and an affront to an individual who couldn't financially respond to their outrageous proposal and invoice. The estimate, "submitted as a Letter Of Intent (LOI),is what Verizon uses as a contract for Custom Work Orders (CWO). A CWO is work requested by a customer that is 100% reimbursable to Verizon."
All I asked is a satisfactory placement of this damaging pole, either above the street or under it.
The LOI was sent only to me with reference to no other residents: here are some quotes:
"This is a cost estimate . . . which you must approve before we begin the actual work"
"The final bill will be rendered to Nancy Flinn."
"No further engineering work and no work orders will be issued or scheduled until payment is received." - nearly $2,000,000,000
The letter gives me three months to pay before the "offer expires". This let Verizon off the hook without need for further communication to move/bury or fix the pole damaging my home.
This home is my money in the bank and they are robbing me.
Hey - Fenty is up for re-election so - call him. He needs all the help he can get; maybe he'll stop by for photo shoot - that's one of the the things he does best-whether it will solve your problem is another matter.
Post new comment