ACTION AGAINST ELDER ABUSE
FIGHT THE LATEST RG&E RATE HIKE
TWO POTLUCKS THIS MONTH!
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Here are Metro Justice news and events for the week of 10/3/25 ACTION AGAINST ELDER ABUSEWe are saddened, appalled and horrified by the conditions and care endured by the residents of Waterview Heights, and we know that many other nursing homes also provide substandard care that has not yet been exposed. We also know that the NYS DOH has not done enough to provide effective oversight and enforce the laws. We have spoken out through outreach efforts, social media, TV and print media. We have talked with our area Legislators about nursing homes that provide substandard care and they have contacted the DOH. Yet poor conditions still prevail and enforcement of laws does not happen. Even as a Special Focus Facility and with all the negative media attention, the care at Waterview Heights continues to worsen, as we saw from the last report - the sexual assault of a vulnerable resident on September 4.
It is time for direct action! We are gathering at Waterview Heights on Monday, October 27th at 1:30 pm with a list of demands for improved care, and for the Department of Health to enforce the laws before more people are harmed. FIGHT THE LATEST RG&E RATE HIKE
Metro Justice, the Rochester for Energy Democracy (RED) Campaign, Community Allies, and over 60 concerned Rochesterians rallied Tuesday at 5:30pm at City Hall before the evening Public Hearings to highlight the harmful RG&E proposal for another 34% hike in distribution rates, right after the previous 34% rate hike went into effect in May. These new hikes, if approved, would result in a $623 increase to the average household gas and electric bill and, using ACEEE numbers, put 50,000 more RG&E customers into energy poverty (meaning energy exceeds 6% of income). With a median income of ~$46K, this means more than half of Rochester households would be at risk. The hikes also come on the heels of the recent audit showing widespread mismanagement and safety violations by RG&E, but still, RG&E has the audacity to request an increase in their rate of profit, to 10%, even while experts claim that utility profits should be closer to 6%. RG&E/NYSEG also wants to close the walk-in center on South Clinton, and 4 other offices (Sodus, Oneonta, Ithaca, Auburn) in their territory. It’s clear that RG&E can’t be trusted with our money; why would we give them one cent more? We don’t need to be in this constant cycle. If RG&E is successful in raising our rates AGAIN, Adam Bello and Malik Evans, who have so far blocked even the common sense step of investigating an alternative, are to blame. Drop the Hikes, Fund the Study!
About 40 people spoke in both the 1pm and 6pm Hearings on Sept 30, sharing heart wrenching stories of the trauma the multinational corporation had inflicted on their lives. Metro Justice's role in opposing the hikes was covered by Fingerlakes1 and Spectrum. Four City Council members (Melendez, Patterson, Monroe, Gruber) who have opposed the City leading on a Phase 1 public utility study with money they've already reserved (the shortest path to release us from this rate hike cycle) spoke to oppose the hikes - using many of the same points we've been making to them over the years. To stop these hikes, we'll need an outpouring of comments to the Public Service Commission, which is the body, appointed by the Governor, who regulates utilities and makes these decisions. As a first step, fill out a public comment opposing the rate increase here (for electric) or here (for gas), sharing your experience and how this hike would affect you! Check out our new overview page with all the info you need! The Public Service Commission (PSC) will also be holding virtual public statement hearings on Tuesday Oct 21st at 1pm or 6pm. You must pre-register by Friday Oct 17 to make a statement at a virtual hearing, but not at an in-person hearing. For information on how to register & attend the virtual public statement hearings (by video or phone, or to leave a comment on the Public Service Commission phone line), click HERE. Comments at hearings limited to 5 min. We'll also need to get LOUD in the streets! As a first step, we are convening a movement assembly in early November, a space for ally organizations and new people to get informed on the campaign and plug into planning for a December action as RG&E continues to gouge and shut off its Rochester customers. Please spread the word - We need to DROP the Hikes, FUND the Study!
TWO POTLUCKS THIS MONTH!Having rediscovered how great it is to talk with like-minded people over goo d food and drink, we are offering two potluck opportunities this month!
images courtesy of Emma Watson/RIT journalism student
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