Day 9 Election Day

Welcome gentle blippers to today's report from the frozen tundra that once was Long Valley.
Yes, road still blocked, no power etc., I assume by now you've got the message.
Gym for a quick workout and very long shower then up to the SMF&RA [ see my previous blips for full disclosure ]

Well, election day is here and the one positive about that is we won't be bombarded for the next few days with forecasts, prognostications, swing charts, pundits pontificating and the like.
Is that because we don't care ? Of course not. It's because we have NO POWER ... ergo no radio or tv.

All is starting to become clear about the power situation as follows, so bear with me my blipper buddies.

Ok. New Jersey has 2 power companies;
JCP&L Jersey Central Power and Light
PSE&G Public Service Electric and Gas Company

They each have a share of the New Jersey market but sliced up so that they have sole rights in their areas. The consumer has no choice as you take whichever company is in your area. i.e. they are both monopolies

Now PSEG, based in Belvidere New Jersey, has an amazing record with Hurricane Sandy and they are utilizing Social Media as superb communication tools. email, texting, Twitter, Facebook etc. Every customer appears to be replied to in person and these are not standard issue company speak replies. They are personal.
Even if the reply is not in the positive it is at least reassuring as their customers come to realize that 1 day =1 day, 7 days =7 days, and 10 days = well you get the picture.
Their percentage of reconnected power supplies or as they call it reenergized supplies is outstanding. The praise they are getting is statewide and unreservedly positive as is their due.

Now we come to JCP&L. Actually the 'J' which you think would mean based in Jersey as in New Jersey ain't even close. They are based in Ohio. They have virtually no comprehension of what "Social Media" is and even less comprehension of how to use it.

The very few messages we get from them [ and yes, you've guessed it, this is the power service I am forced to use ] are of little value and the even fewer that are of value are actually just passed on to us from other reports not compiled by them.

Their reenergizing rate is appalling.

But please note that I am not criticizing in any shape or form their line workers who are doing an outstanding job with outdated and limited resources at their disposal in exceptionally trying conditions.
Bet this would be different if it was Ohio that had been hit so severely.

If, today's electoral ballot contained the 2 Power companies then PSE&G would have the Presidential nomination from all of New Jersey. In fact it would be a no contest.

Add to this our absentee Mayor [ well he is here somewhere we think and not actually an absentee but we would be better off if he was ] then we'll be lucky to see much progress in the near future.
As of tying this missive there are still 600,000 in NJ without power and that includes 80% of Long Valley.


I was reprimanded in yesterday's blip for saying 2011 instead of 2012. Apologies, but it is a tad difficult to get every word, letter, number or sentences grammatically correct when you're freezing your ass off ! [ not to mention your brain and fingers ] and typing in the dark.
Oh yes the Nor'easter I mentioned yesterday is barreling its way towards us as I type .


Ok Now I feel a bit better.
Today's blip is outside the SMF&RA and is of the rather delectable Laura. I can say that because she can't find me in the dark and clip me round the ear.

Your comments are as always truly welcome and shared with everyone at the Center bringing many smiles at this trying time.
Ronni is seriously delighted with the mentions you gave her yesterday, for which I thank you all from the bottom of a near frozen heart.

Ok off to post this with the little bit of power left and the internet connection via the iPhone.

Until the morrow sweet blippers,
I remain,
Yours affectionately
douglas