VENICE, Fla. -- It's hot out there as summer settles in on the Suncoast. But imagine losing power for hours at a time each week and you’re unable to run your air conditioning. That's just what is happening to some residents in a South Venice neighborhood.
And they claim the power company isn't in any rush to fix the problem.
"This side of the street, we are just dead in the water." Since April, South Venice resident Patricia Blekas says she and at least 120 of her neighbors have been having power problems on a regular basis -- meaning not having any. "Once a week for three to four hours at a time; you could almost set your watch by it."
With the temperatures rising and many seniors in the neighborhood, Patricia -- herself a lung cancer survivor -- is concerned. "I find it very difficult to breathe when it is humid."
She says one of her neighbors was given a reason by Florida Power and Light when a specialist came out. "He told her it was due to faulty FPL equipment. The wires were all frayed and a new pole was involved."
Okay, so a fix is to come, right? Well Patricia says word is not until July and even then. "When it was repaired, it would only be repaired somewhat…that some people would still go without power."
The reason FPL gave them for the delay is why she called ABC 7. "When we were told there was no money in the budget for this until after the end of the year."
Reports indicate FPL posted net profits of $1.35 billion in 2013, an 8.9% increase from 2012.
In the past few weeks, Patricia says many of her neighbors have banded together. She has filed a complaint with the Florida Public Service Commission, which exercises authority over utilities.
They are waiting. "I would just like it fixed. I believe that if you are paying for a service which is what we all do here. We pay our bills and we pay them on time we want what we are paying for. They are not giving us money back."
ABC 7 talked to spokesperson Bill Orlove with FPL, who says they are aware of the issue there. He says they apologize for the inconvenience and they are working to fix it, and that a new pole and power lines are being engineered for there.
That takes some time, but they believe the issue will be permanently fixed by the end of July.
