Glad I don't live there.Lafayette Consolidated Government voted on two controversial issues at Tuesday night's meeting. The first big decision was a motion to eliminate an smart meters opt-out plan for LUS customers. The second vote centered on the controversial bar levy, which ended in a tie, ultimately keeping the levy in place.
Several citizens came forward at the meeting to protest the smart meters and ask for an option to opt-out and not have them installed in their homes. It was a heated discussion as the council, Lafayette Utilities Systems and homeowners went back and forth on whether or not to allow people to opt-out of the smart meters, and if so, should there be a charge for those who choose to keep the old meters?
In the end, the council had decided to allow people to opt-out with a $6 monthly fee. But the LPUA voted the ordinance down and so the smart meters will go into all homes, and there will be no opt-out plan. The result got mixed reactions.
"I think this is a really good move to take the parish an Lafayette into the future," said Simon Haymin, a Lafayette resident.
Those opposed to the smart meters cited safety concerns and invasion of privacy issues.
"They're supposed to work for us but they don't. It's a quagmire of confusion and I'm very disappointed," said Lafayette resident Ray Green.
Though it's not too far from my house, it doesn't have any effect on me............yet.
Libertas, how's your smart meter fight going?
