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Government

UPDATED: Handicapped Woman Refuses Smart Meter — Has Power Cut in the Dead of Winter

Feb. 9, 2013 2:31pm Mike Opelka

UPDATE: Office of Ohio Governor Kasich intervenes. Details posted below.

A handicapped woman in western Ohio has to battle the freezing winter weather this weekend because she refused to allow the local power company to install a “smart meter” on her property.

Handicapped Ohio Woman Has Power Cut for Refusing Smart Meter for Health Reasons

Brenda Hawk (Image: YouTube screenshot)

Brenda Hawk has a pacemaker for her heart and because her brain was injured in a car accident, she requires a breathing machine in order to sleep at night. She does not want the new radio-frequency emitting meter because of the health problems these devices have been said to cause. But American Electric Power AEP-Ohio, the local power company, has persisted in their push to swap out Hawk’s analog meter and replace it with the new one.

TheBlaze spoke with Hawk on Saturday. At the time, she was using a kerosene heater to stay warm in the freezing weather. Hawk gave us a basic timeline on the story.

In October of last year, a utility worker arrived on her property and announced that he had removed her old analog power meter and replaced it with a new one. Hawk told him that she had not approved the meter swap and requested that the old one be restored. A series of phone calls between Hawk, the power company and the sheriff’s office was enough to get the new meter pulled out and the old one re-installed.

Fast forward to Jan. 24, 2013. A certified letter from AEP executive Ralph Rocca, Jr. arrived at Hawk’s home announcing that she would be getting a new meter or her power would be cut off. Her efforts to contact Rocca were not successful. All that Hawk wanted was a guarantee from the company that the new meter’s electrical signals would not interfere with her pacemaker. The company could not give her that assurance and it was her position that unless and until they did, no “smart meter” would be installed.

On January 25, after the letter arrived, she called the local sheriff’s office and claims that call was not returned. Hawk also wrote letters to her Congressional Representative Jim Jordan and Ohio Governor John Kasich asking why the new meter program had no “opt-out” clause for health reasons. Those letters were not responded to either.

On Feb. 1, 2013, a woman from AEP did call Hawk and asked about her concerns with the new meter. Again, Hawk explained the problem with the radio signals and her pacemaker. The company rep reportedly told her that it was as harmless as a microwave oven. Hawk cannot have a microwave oven in her home because of the problems it creates for her pacemaker. That phone call ended with the AEP representative announcing that the new meter would be installed next week or the power would be cut.

On Friday, February 8, two trucks from the power company and a sheriff’s patrol car drove onto Hawk’s property, uninvited. She informed them that they did not have an easement and therefore did not have access to the property and she intended to deny them access. Her question to the Allentown Sheriff was a simple one.

“Are you here to protect my property rights?”

Hawk said that his response was shocking.

“No,” said the sheriff, “I’m here to protect AEP – You’ll either have the meter or we’ll turn your power off.”

Hawk asked the officer and the power company reps how they could turn off the power to a home in the winter when it directly violates an Ohio law preventing elderly and disabled people from being without heat during winter months. They asked to be shown the law. Hawk quoted Ohio’s public utility law Chapter 4933: COMPANIES – GAS; ELECTRIC; WATER; OTHERS.

Hawk surmised that this law only prevents shutting off the power of people who do not pay their utility bills. She claims to have never missed a payment and is currently not in arrears with the power company.

Within minutes, the power was disconnected and Hawk’s home was without heat or water during one of the coldest weekends of the winter. Last night the temperature was in the mid-teens and the high temperatures for the weekend do not promise to get above 40 degrees.

As of Saturday afternoon, Hawk was trying to stay warm by a kerosene heater, but she worries about her horse, her chickens and the dog and cat that live with her. Without power, she is unable to draw water from her well, and her animals need water every day. She had a sleepless night because her breathing assistance equipment was useless without power. Her basement has also started filling with water, because her sump pump cannot work without electricity.

We tried to reach both Rep. Jordan’s office and the emergency offices of AEP for comment. Jordan’s D.C. office has no emergency contact number, just voice mail. And the AEP emergency operator referred us to the company’s main offices, which were closed for the weekend.

A call to Governor John Kasich’s office was returned and follow-up is expected soon. We will update this story as we get additional information.

Here is the video of Hawk telling her story to a member of the Ohio 9-12 Project.

This is not the first time that the subject of “smart meters” has appeared on The Blaze. Just last month, we brought you the story of Jennifer Stahl, a Naperville, Ill., woman who was arrested after refusing to allow a “smart meter” to be installed on her property.

Last summer, another pacemaker patient had problems with the “smart meter” emitting radio frequency that interfered with his implant. Since the meter was removed, the problem has disappeared.

(H/T: The 912 Project)

UPDATE:

Shortly after this story was posted, a representative from Governor John Kasich’s office called TheBlaze asking for any additional background and contact information for Brenda Hawk.

Less than an hour after the first call from the governor’s office, we were again contacted and told that “something should be done soon.”

We are pleased to report that less than three hours after we reported on this story, a utility crew returned to Ms. Hawk’s home and reestablished her electrical power. In a phone conversation with the very happy homeowner, we learned that many Blaze readers had also reached out and tried to help her by contacting various government agencies. Apparently, switchboards at the state Capitol and senior service agencies were flooded with calls on her behalf. Brenda very modestly asked that we thank everyone “who wasted their Saturday on me.”

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Comments (452)

Flyingfish
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 5:43pm
Well this is the world we all live in now. We’ve let the banks into our homes, our cars, our education, our health. We’ve done the same with the utilities. Most probably don’t realize you don’t have any rights about denying a smart meter until you actually own your home, as public utility requirement for electricity to be connected and current are pretty standard terms in a mortage. Sure there are few local ordinances and laws that supposededly protect you, but those are easily changed, buried deep on page 300 of bill.

Get out of debt, make as much of your life self-sufficient as you possibly can, and then flip the corporate world and the Feds a double bird when they come calling making demands of you.

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- BTC55
  Posted on February 9, 2013 at 5:54pm
  Owning your home has nothing to do with utility service. By that I mean if you owned your home free and clear, the utility can still install a meter of their choosing. Of course, you could go off the grid. Solar panels etc. Hence no utility service and no need to be concerned about any meter what so ever.
  
  Report this comment
- Outlaw_Josey_Wales
  Posted on February 9, 2013 at 6:00pm
  If they come to my house making demands……………..spit tobacco!
  
  Report this comment
Saff SGT
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 5:43pm
smart meters are made by GE, hmmm Obamas biggest donor and a Communist follower type Company

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Saff SGT
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 5:39pm
a simple fight can solve this lets see who has the appropiate balls to win

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Jake Dog2
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 5:34pm
This is what happens when you give a company a monopoly.

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Tom21773
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 5:28pm
The only long-term solution to this problem (and many similar others where corporations and government are destroying our liberties) is war.

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Saff SGT
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 5:28pm
well i dont want headaces and get my home burned down. I will wait for them to p;eave and shoot it off the wall with my shotgun. Thats the American way

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- BTC55
  Posted on February 9, 2013 at 5:32pm
  Then they will require you to pay for a new meter before they restore service.
  
  Report this comment
AdmiralQ
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 5:27pm
Everyone involed with these smart meters should not have a job anymore and the sheriff as well THIS IS INSANE

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BTC55
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 5:12pm
A public utility in Ohio has the right to access their equipment. The meter on a home is the utility company’s property. Not the property owner’s. Failure to allow access or using utility service in a detrimental manner can result in the termination of service. AEP’s tariff would cover these situations.

Having said that, if the story is accurate, AEP handled the situation about as poorly as one could imagine. I do not know if the Smart Meter would affect her pacemaker or not. That is an issue to be determined by the manufacturer of the pacemaker. Does a cell phone affect the pacemaker? OnStar in your car? The local cell tower? Radio signals from Police, Fire etc. A wireless router, which can be detected several homes away. Or what about the smart meter on the house next door. The PUCO will likely address this matter and establish rules according. Most likely there will be an option out. The smart meters being installed offer potential cost savings. First, by automating meter reading and second by providing data that would allow the consumer to make “smart” decisions regarding their usage.

I suspect there is more to the story then has been revealed.

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- AdmiralQ
  Posted on February 9, 2013 at 5:28pm
  NO it’s HER PROPERTY and she has the right to say no to this. YOU ARE A MORON and remember this story when similar crap happens to you.
  
  Report this comment
- Saff SGT
  Posted on February 9, 2013 at 5:37pm
  ********* you must be a Union thug power comapny can turn off your power with a key stroke. I want them to come to my home to turn the power off so I can get a clean shot if they become unruly to me
  
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- BTC55
  Posted on February 9, 2013 at 5:48pm
  @ADMIRALQ “NO it’s HER PROPERTY and she has the right to say no to this. YOU ARE A MORON and remember this story when similar crap happens to you.”
  
  You are misinformed. The meter is owned by the utility. They paid for it and it is an asset on their books. If it were to stop working, who would you call? The utility company, of course.
  
  AEP clearly handled the situation poorly. But if you are going to argue at least understand the facts.
  
  The smart meters are about measuring usage when it occurs. Not controlling your usage. That will be done by rates that are higher during peak times and lower during low peak times.
  
  Report this comment
iamstupid
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 5:09pm
You know what ,we the people are the owners of this country and if we dont want the EPA or any other department of the government we can disolve it .There is no universal law that makes these people have power over us . We have been brainwashed into believing that we have to have these departments that run our life,but we dont.Our legislators have created all these laws and regulations and with a stroke of a pen they can dissolve them ,but they want us to believe that they have to be there, we need to wake up and make them do away with all these useless laws and regulations so we can become free again. Imagine what we could do in this country if we were unleashed.They are the ones that make all the problems and then pretend they cant fix them.WAKE UP PEOPLE! The only laws they cant and shouild not be allowed to change are the Bill of Rights and The Constitution…They create deficits then argue how to fix them,they create bad laws and say they cant help us.I hope i have explained this correctly, I normally dont post or anything but i am so sick of all these problems our government officials create and then prentend they cant help us with. Tell them to leave us alone,they work because and for us and we need to remind them that or kick them out!

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sparky239
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 5:07pm
I would love to have the power to take that deputy’s badge and arrest any power company employee for strong arm tactics they have been displaying against the weak and handi cap citizens ..this is totally wrong on part of the state for allowing power companies to roll over on their customers..this is what has been going on sense everybody keeps electing these low life politicians into our community..

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billvassos
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 5:02pm
As Americans, it is out DUTY to surround this lady’s house with 1000 armed citizens to make our point clear that we WILL protect eachother …
Non violent of course, we would surround her home as the police surround and protect a “high profile” criminal as they lead them in and out of court and jail..

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Pat Alexander
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 4:57pm
The radio waves are in all likelihood harmless. We are bombarded constantly with them from a massive amount of sources.

The real damage from these will be to the economy. Thousands and thousand of meter readers will be laid of when these are fully implemented, if I understand correctly.

And you are giving someone complete control over your electric use.

What could possibly go wrong??

No one seems to mention this?

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- BTC55
  Posted on February 9, 2013 at 5:28pm
  The smart meters being installed do not give the utility control of your electric usage. They measure when usage occurs. There is a tremendous amount of misinformation being spouted.
  
  FYI. the gas companies are also installing meters that can be read remotely. It is being done to save money.
  
  Report this comment
- Saff SGT
  Posted on February 9, 2013 at 5:33pm
  they can turn your piower of with a keystroke when you dont vote for the Obama type
  
  Report this comment
Saff SGT
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 4:55pm
if a million or so folks took a sledge hammer to the meters it would hurt the power company $$$ wise

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- Jake Dog2
  Posted on February 9, 2013 at 5:40pm
  Yes and would cost you a bundle the company would not eat the cost. The problem is that they have a monopoly. I cant get my power anywhere else.
  
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Saff SGT
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 4:51pm
Remember these power companies when the shooting starts. it looks like they need a few lessons on deceny and manners

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- billvassos
  Posted on February 9, 2013 at 5:07pm
  Amen
  
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hades3
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 4:48pm
People like her, as the leftists believe, are a drain n resources. There are more than one type of “death panels”. What we are seeing is only the beginning of what are deemed by the establishment as dead wood. There are three types of people who are considered too be expendible , the unborn, the infirm and those over 50 years of age. Of course, certain of those will be granted “waivers” by our “Ruler”.

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- Saff SGT
  Posted on February 9, 2013 at 5:30pm
  bad part is im 70 and I can still shoot the balls of a Mosquito at 100 yards… heheheh ill make ther day
  
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integrican
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 4:47pm
I’ve heard that there are roving bands of sledgehammers reaping havoc on the new meters. I have also heard rumors that they are “Assault” sledgehammers.

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- Saff SGT
  Posted on February 9, 2013 at 4:53pm
  stab them with a pair of janet napolitano scissors
  
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- billvassos
  Posted on February 9, 2013 at 5:09pm
  The sledge hammers must be black with plastic grips..
  
  Report this comment
SaturdaysWarrior76
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 4:42pm
What is happening to this country? Every day I recognize it less and less. :(

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- Saff SGT
  Posted on February 9, 2013 at 4:45pm
  we dont fight back we have to organize ill bet if you had 2ooo folks helping that lady this wouldnt happen.
  
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Saff SGT
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 4:41pm
The cop is also Union just like the power comapy jerk offs. Do you think that cop is going to look like hes a real American. He cant hes a Union Thug working for Obama he dont care about folks rights just his Union benefits

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Perspective
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 4:41pm
The Smart Meter drive is just the govt preparing for war. You see if anything ever does happen that The People take up arms against their govt. the very first thing they’ll do is cut your electricity off with a keystroke. I suggest reading up on how to SAFELY bypass the meter should this ever occur.They’re buying all the ammo up just getting ready for us.

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- BTC55
  Posted on February 9, 2013 at 5:39pm
  If they want to discontinue your service, it doesn’t matter what type of meter is attached to your home. Gas and /or electric can be safely shutoff upstream.
  
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Saff SGT
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 4:39pm
This is all Obama style stuff that we must fight anyway it works

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Saff SGT
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 4:37pm
Maybe the power comapny needs avisit from Concerned citizens and teach these Communist union bastards who the real bosses are, Its the customer or supposedly. I will not accept a smart meter either. These are spie devices used btY liberal communist to get info on citizens maybe for their DEATH panels that Obama has started

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averageman
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 4:32pm
Opt out for medical is like registering guns…step number 1….soon they will disallow opt out without a letter from your doctor, insurance whatever…
This is all part of agenda 21. We must not comply!
and where is kasich on this? Isnt he a constitutional republican? The constitution doesnt allow government (the quasi govt electric co) monitoring your habits behind closed doors or through your electric lines without a damn warrant.
And further, the elec co protests too much…what is the REAL reason they want these…and finally, who is the UNCONSTITUTIONAL sheriff? Get Sheriff Mack and Oathkeepers to teach him a lesson or two… I feel sorry for those of you that have an elected sheriff that doesnt protect you from the intrusion and trampling of your rights. Oathkeepers.org has a great interview with a REAL sheriff, Chris Clinton…check him out.

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- Saff SGT
  Posted on February 9, 2013 at 4:48pm
  you are correct this cop is a union thug working and kissing Obamas Communist ass
  
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- BTC55
  Posted on February 9, 2013 at 5:24pm
  The sheriff was simply there to assure the electric company was not prevented from accessing their property. Smart Meters being installed do not control how you use electricity. They do measure usage in near real time. This is actually a very good thing. Your phone service can tell you when you made a call. Why is everybody so paranoid about the electric company telling you when you use electricity?
  
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roodog
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 4:30pm
Could someone please take a generator to this lady? If I lived near , I would do it. And then neighbors get together and make sure that it does not run out of fuel!

God help us,what have we become???

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- Saff SGT
  Posted on February 9, 2013 at 4:44pm
  you are a real American this cop should have helped this lady what a bastard he is. thank you folks out there helping this lady God be with you all
  
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txannie
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 4:19pm
She better get a generator to run her place off of. This gov and it’s reps don’t give a rat’s tail about her.

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Gonzo
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 4:19pm
Resistance is futile…you will be assimilated.

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- Small World
  Posted on February 9, 2013 at 6:21pm
  Resist we much..as Al Sharpton would say.
  
  Report this comment

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