Editor, the News-Herald:

Citizens of Suffolk, if you are paying for utilities, i.e. water, have you been reading the reports in the Suffolk News-Herald lately?

I have, and quite frankly, I do not understand why there was no manager keeping up with daily income and disbursements from the water department.

I cannot conceive of our city not having competent employees who know that a check and balance system must be in place for each department where disbursements and income transactions are made probably each day of the week.

I am very concerned if the statement is true that was published in the Suffolk News Herald that our city manager, Mr. Herbert, said &uot;that funds would be made up by the city general funds.&uot;

I may not know all that I need to know about this statement, but I did receive a water bill for 67 days for the amount of $57.80.

This is an increase of approximately $20 over my last bill.

I cannot believe that

I used more water for this period of time.

There are two persons in my household, and I believe that we use about the same amount each billing period.

I also did a check around my property to see if there were any water leaks.

I observed that the plate which covers the water meter had not been removed since my grass was cut in November, and grass still covers the plate.

I am concerned that perhaps the new employees are not aware of where the

meters are located.

Therefore, all they need to do is knock on our door and I will gladly show them where the meter is located.

My neighbor’s meter does not appear to have been read either, because of the grass covering the meter plate.

Now I can appreciate that our commonwealth’s attorney could not find any concrete evidence that money was taken from the city till, however, the proof in the pudding will be that our water rates have gone up, or

that an increase in each customer ‘s bill would certainly indicate that there is a problem somewhere.

I am wondering if customers have even paid attention to

what is happening in this city?

Perhaps you all have a lot of extra money to pay for mistakes made in our city offices, however, I find that is not the case with my retirement funds.

I am 71 and I pay my bills, however, I am having a problem justifying this extra twenty dollars on the current bill which will come due on March 4, 2005.

Does anyone care if you are being charged excessively to pay for someone who either made a mistake or is having a good time spending money which they did not earn?

Mary Grace Garner-Atkins

Suffolk