DEAR EDITOR; Please permit me a space in your newspaper to express my concerns.

RIC Chairman, Mr Dennis Pantin maintains that increases are long overdue because the rates have been relatively low. Is this really a valid reason? What about the quality of service that customers have been receiving? Shouldn't that be taken into account when evaluating the rates?

Case in point: The superb service that the residents of Petit Valley have been receiving.

Residents of the Petit Valley area, namely Stoer Drive, Pioneer Drive (aka Chalkie Blk) and Pioneer Avenue have had fairly continuous and stable service interruptions from T&TEC since January 2005. In the first year, January 2005 – December 2005, power outages occurred in these areas once a month, every month, usually on weeknights during the entire year. Power normally resumed after six to eight hours following a service interruption.

During this year, power outages occur twice a month, every month, usually on Sunday mornings or evenings, or for the most part of the daytime.

The most memorable episode occurred when residents awoke to no electricity a few weeks ago, on the day of the FIFA World Cup Final match. The power thankfully came back on just in time to see the players walking unto the field.

T&TEC, apparently, are so fed up with residents in our area reporting poor service, that they recently began not answering our telephone calls on the “Trouble Calls” line. T&TEC thus far have refused to address, or even acknowledge that a problem exists in our area.

Ninety-five percent of the service interruptions are unscheduled. To the residents of Petit Valley, T&TEC has demonstrated itself to be an unreliable and socially irresponsible company.
M Ash, Petit Valley

DEAR EDITOR: I enjoyed very much the article in last week’s Catholic News by Fr Henry Charles on “Down-to-Earth Contemplation” (paper edition). It was simply written, from the depths of a human heart where God dwells. It encourages one to look at life with deep “seeing eyes” like God's “eyes”.

Life today madly rushes by uncaringly. But the depths of contemplation are all around; God's sweet Presence makes things, people and events come alive in their beauty.

May Fr Henry's writings continue to help readers like me to peel off surface blemishes and blunders, and to “hear” God's heart beating with love for us. He Who loves us so much.
Thanks Father!!
Sr Madeleine Pairaudeau, O Carm.

Dear Editor, The Society of St Vincent de Paul wishes to profoundly thank all those benefactors who attended or patronsied the recently held fundraising luncheon in aid of the Cyril Ross Nursery at the Chinese Wok, Trincity Mall.

The function was very successful. We express our sincere gratitude to Mrs Zalayhar Hassanali for consenting to be the patroness of the event and to Carol Panchoo and her staff at Chinese Wok for their diligence in their work and tastiness in their dishes.

We wish to assure all those who contributed to the event that the funds raised will be used in the best way possible. They will go a long way in assisting in the operational expenses of Cyril Ross Nursery.

Your intention will be remembered in the prayers of the members of the Society for benefactors.
Society of St Vincent de Paul