Conserve utilities to save money

Editor's note: The following letter to the editor was submitted in response to the letter "Utility rates are unreasonable" in the May 19 edition.

I'm not sure what Mr. Smith of Cape Girardeau is referring to as HIGH Ameren Missouri electric rates. Unless he is operating a business out of his residence, not uncommon as I do, I find it difficult to believe that his charges are not comparable to mine. My residence is 3000sqft with vaulted ceilings throughout, electric hv/ac, electric well pump, aerator on septic, ALL electric, with 5 residents (2 teenagers) and for the year just concluded the average daily charge totaled $9.97 a DAY. Bought a sandwich at Burger King yesterday for $5.70.

The thing we teach most here when it comes to power usage is "turn it off when not using it." Furnace 68 in winter, ac 72 in summer.

Would hate to be powering my place with gasoline, kerosene or heating oil. Conservatives, as well as all consumers, should conserve.

DWIGHT SCHARNHORST, Valley Park, Missouri