TO THE EDITOR:

I am writing this letter in the midst of the grief over the death of my mother after a very long and valiant battle with Parkinson's disease.

Ricky and I had the privilege of caring for my parents over the last 4 years in our beloved city of Washington. My parents, with our encouragement, left their home of over 30 years in Charlotte to move here so that we could provide them with the quality of care they deserved in the twilight years of their lives. We were able to convince them that Washington had all of the services they would need and, as a bonus, they would experience a sense of community that would afford them the kindness, compassion, and personal care that they could not get in a larger city. Shortly after their move our journey began as caregivers in the very sad process of "helping" my parents die with grace and dignity. As promised, the community reached their arms out and embraced our entire family.

Physicians came to our home when it was too difficult for my parents to go to them, neighbors brought food in, ministers visited with words of encouragement, and friends ran errands so that we would not lose a precious moment with my parents. Even in the midst of our physical and emotional exhaustion as caregivers, we took time out, as we always did, to pay their bills in a timely manner.

My mom died on July 18. On July 28, I gathered the courage to go back to the house for the first time since her death. Upon opening the door, I was assaulted with an odor that was beyond nauseating. I switched the lights on to try to discover the source of the odor and there was no power. A city employee informed me that the power had been deliberately cut off for delinquency of payment. I have always enclosed both city payments in one envelope, the check for our house was posted by the city on July11 and more than likely, the check for my mother's house was discarded, unintentionally, along with the envelope. Mistakes like that happen and are understandable.

What is not understandable is the lack of notification that the power would be disconnected. Imagine if this had happened when mom was still alive and the medical equipment necessary for her comfort was rendered powerless.

I met with a city official Monday morning. I was informed that the delinquent list was reviewed by the City Clerk and the City Administrator before authorization was given to disconnect power. I asked if they ever notified any name appearing on the list. I was told that "yes, as a matter of fact, a former city official's name had appeared on the list in July and was called to be given the opportunity to rectify his bill." It appears discriminatory to notify one person on the list and not notify all "first time listers." Ricky and I are disappointed by the city officials' callous handling of this event. We have a 32 year history of never being delinquent. We feel the City Council needs to amend their "disconnect ordinance" with a notification policy. Still, here I am, missing my mother and facing the clean-up of 3 freezers full of rancid food in a house that has yet to cool down and is potent with the smell of rot overshadowing the smell that I crave, the smell of my mother.

KATHY LINDSEY