Community Connection August 13th, 2025

Community Connection Wednesday August 13th, 2025. Today on Community Connection, join us as we have "Open Lines" with Co-Owner of The Lennox Studios Steven James speaking with the community about all of today’s pressing topics with our esteemed listeners!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Andy's inspiration station is one command away. Ask you a
smart speaker to play praise Indy.

Speaker 2 (00:24):
Everything you need here is Friday, all of your palms,
your son mo way and when you're done, I'll be
right there.

Speaker 1 (00:37):
You can call me.

Speaker 2 (00:39):
I hate your prayer. You will do it for you
the first. You gotta know how that's like.

Speaker 3 (00:53):
Gray questions Fish, I'm so glad, so glad that it's
by God.

Speaker 4 (01:10):
Here's grace, Christian No.

Speaker 2 (01:17):
Fish us.

Speaker 5 (01:22):
Yes saying, and leader came to your ski. My Jesus,
he ye you're but now your darkest dad you but
trust in him and he'll make away anywhy on so.

Speaker 6 (01:43):
Strange he will send your breed on person.

Speaker 1 (01:48):
Gotta be believe no it b.

Speaker 7 (01:52):
Great question and.

Speaker 8 (01:56):
His persas shall past it anything in your heart decide,
My God's gotta see an idiot.

Speaker 3 (02:09):
Speaking to you. Thank you to you Jesus, Michelle ros
you don't never proffer.

Speaker 7 (02:22):
So cimoning common.

Speaker 9 (02:27):
Scotch.

Speaker 4 (02:27):
You fum so you tell going around, take a word
and back down. Love yours coping.

Speaker 8 (02:35):
Up, the letting mint and the Lord.

Speaker 4 (02:37):
Show you love cliser my cco, my God, see my God, so.

Speaker 2 (02:52):
We shall paso. If you've been leaning in your raise
your hands and say.

Speaker 10 (03:04):
Question no No.

Speaker 1 (03:13):
Ju's cable ten wtoc AM W two three six c
are Indianapolis, discussing the issues that matter to you and
keeping you informed of what's happening in and around Indy.
It's Community Connection with Tina Cosby, brought to you by
Child Advocates, a champion for justice, opportunity and well being

(03:35):
for children. On Praise AM thirteen ten ninety five point
one f M.

Speaker 2 (03:41):
And good afternoon, and welcome to Community Connection. I'm Tina Cosby.
Today is Wednesday, August the thirteenth, three one seven, four
eight zero thirteen ten. Three one seven, four eight zero
thirteen ten. That is the number two Community Connection phone
lines are now open for your calls. The phone lines
are now open three one seven and four eight zero

(04:01):
thirteen ten. On the show today, Innovative retail, multimedia and
artistic artistic Opportunities. I guess I could say you're going
to meet a young man in business for himself who
has created both an example and a resource for the community,
young and old, especially young people in the arts.

Speaker 11 (04:22):
That's coming up in our second hour.

Speaker 2 (04:24):
Also today, more reserve seating tickets to Gospel Day at
the Indiana State Fair that is coming up Sunday, August
the seventeenth, featuring Gospel Grade Marvin Sapp and a host
of other gospel grades, including our very own and absolutely
great Radio one Indy Lamar Campbell. He will be on
stage as well. That's coming up as well the ticket giveaway.

(04:46):
Lamar is not going to be on stage today, but
we will be able to give away a set of
reserved seating tickets to to that very exciting gathering on Sunday,
last day of the fair. And it's always a good
when David Gray, our promotions director, was here yesterday telling

(05:09):
us about a lot of it, and it's it's going
to be kind of a day long affair. But the
seats that we are making available to our listeners who
win sound quite nice. I mean they're in a very
nice reserve section where you can be very very special,
you can feel very special, and so we're always excited
about the ability to be able to give those away

(05:30):
so that someone can enjoy those seats again. Three one
seven for eight zero thirteen ten. Three one seven four
eight zero thirteen ten is the number if you want.

Speaker 11 (05:43):
To talk about whatever's on your mind.

Speaker 2 (05:45):
I know, I got a few things to talk about
and a couple of things I'd like to ask our
listeners about as well.

Speaker 11 (05:52):
And I want to start with, We're.

Speaker 2 (05:56):
Not giving away the ticket chet. We're not giving away
the ticketchet.

Speaker 11 (05:58):
I saw the onlines.

Speaker 2 (06:00):
We're going to give those tickets away very shortly, and
we'll pick a number. Uh so, not yet, not yet,
I'm going to be giving them away very shortly. But
this is a this is a concern I don't know. Well,
first of all, before we get to the concern, how
about some entertainment here. When I walked in, Cameron asked me,
how how was the game? You didn't get a chance

(06:20):
to see the Fever game last night? And let me
let me let me back up a little bit. The
part part of the reason that we in addition to
the fact that we just enjoy talking about you know,
sports sometimes or whatever, but there were such high, high
high expectations.

Speaker 10 (06:36):
Now get over.

Speaker 2 (06:37):
Yeah, now you know, they they they engaged in an
incredibly sign well produced ad campaign that probably cost a
whole whole whole lot of money, but they were willing
to make that. I mean, it was an incredible campaign.
Now you know, Now you know, and you know it's
still going on because if you look on social media
after just about every game, there are six or seven

(06:59):
different little shorts and they you know, they wrap them
up at the end with now you know, and you
know the cool Fever logo and the Stranger Things. Isn't
that the Stranger Things aren't work too? Yeah, and sometimes
they wear the Stranger Thing. So what I'm saying is
the the the expectations were high, the excitement was just
off the charts, and everything was in place for what

(07:22):
we thought was going to be a league winning championship
team this year. Then everything piece by piece by peace
started falling away, you know, falling into pieces, I guess
I should say, to the point where they are now
not even a shadow of what they once were, just

(07:43):
just a couple of weeks ago, you know, maybe a
month or just a couple of weeks ago. So in
part that is why, you know, I guess we've kind
of been watching their steady decline, if you will, maybe
hoping against hope that something could be revived and it
wouldn't be as bad as it appears. But I'm gonna
tell you, Cameron, last night, it was as bad as

(08:05):
it appears. I mean, one of the worst teams in
the league, probably was one of the best talents in
the league in Page Beckers, who the Fever had absolutely
run off the court all season long, had the Fever's number.
Last night, they had them down at one point by
seventeen points. Cameron seventeen points had him down.

Speaker 12 (08:28):
Wow.

Speaker 2 (08:29):
Yeah, And so the Fever just were never you know,
they kept battling back, battling back, and they you know,
the final run started at about maybe five minutes into the.

Speaker 11 (08:40):
Fourth and they got ahold of the game.

Speaker 2 (08:43):
They got a hold of it, and lo and behold,
they got to the point where they were they had
the ball and time on the clock and were only
down by one point. So they they if they scored,
they had to win the game. They didn't have any
choice win it. It wasn't a situation where you would
tie or what have you. You had to win if

(09:05):
you could score a basket.

Speaker 13 (09:06):
But they didn't have a closer last night.

Speaker 2 (09:08):
They did not have a well, they had a plan.
It looked like they had a play that was drawn
up for Kelsey.

Speaker 13 (09:13):
Yes, you got to have a closer that can execute
the play.

Speaker 12 (09:16):
Well she can.

Speaker 2 (09:16):
I don't know what happened but I don't think she
should have been the last one because everybody, I mean,
I don't think the balls should have gone to her
because everybody was keying in on her to where she
got such a horrible shot up. I mean they hit
the back of the backboard. That's how bad it was
behind the backboard. Now you know, you know, Kelsey Mitchell's
got a better aim than that. She wouldn't be the
leading scorer in the w she didn't. But that's that's

(09:38):
what happened, and that was pretty terrible.

Speaker 13 (09:41):
Well, in most basketball case, you have to have what
they call a one two punch. Your option not available, Yeah,
there you go. And so what it would do is
alleviate the pressure of the defense off of Kelsey Mitchell.
If that one two punch was intact, if they know
all this team is hobbled, then they don't have everybody.
They lost all a guard play, So Kelsey's gonna get

(10:02):
the ball. They don't trust anybody else in the closing
moments besides CC. You know Kaitlyn Clark Thills. Y'all know
CC or Kelsey. So it's like, well, on one's not
on the court, so all the defense is gonna swarm
on Kelsey at the end, so you got to have
another player. I would have drew up a play. To
your point, I agree with you on this one. I'm
stephan I agree. I agree with you on this one.
As if he was a coach, I agree with her

(10:23):
coaching mine in the sense of Stephanie should drop a
play for somebody else that wasn't keyed in on and
didn't they didn't have film on. That would have been
a great moment for another backup guard or a backup
wing to hit the game when it's shot and take
the pressure of the pressure gonna go to Kest regardless,
Yes it is, but that means there's four other players
on the court that have the potential to hit away

(10:44):
a higher percentage shot.

Speaker 2 (10:45):
And probably been a little bit closer, that's my point.

Speaker 13 (10:48):
Higher percentage and more likely wo to hit their shot.
But given to the one person that all the defense
on the Dallas Wings are gonna key end because she's
expected to get the ball.

Speaker 2 (10:55):
Yeahol Arena, all seventeen thousand people sitting there and knew
she was going to get the ball.

Speaker 11 (10:59):
We all know that, we all know it, and they.

Speaker 2 (11:01):
Made it impossible for her to even get to get
a clean look. I mean when your ball goes behind
the backboard and that's the supposed to be the game
winning shot.

Speaker 11 (11:10):
So no, it wasn't good. It wasn't good. They got
beat by the worst team in the.

Speaker 2 (11:14):
League, and it just doesn't get You can't make it up.
You cannot make it up. I mean, how much worse?
Talk about who?

Speaker 13 (11:23):
Something we talk about to your point, something we talk
about a lot in the breaks. Can you imagine Page
had the Fever team that she has compared to the
Dallas team and she had last night. I imagine if
they it was reversed in an alternate, you know, alternate ending,
you got Page on the Fever and Caitlyn on Dallas.
Can you imagine the difference it would make.

Speaker 2 (11:41):
I can't, But I tell you what, I love that
young lady's game. She is good, and she's she's she's unphazed.

Speaker 11 (11:52):
By a lot of it.

Speaker 2 (11:53):
She seems to be very, very good ballplayer. Completely different
than Caitlyn Clark, just completely.

Speaker 13 (12:00):
Different background and coaching. Geno definitely influenced her style of play.
You can see you can see the Ukon style of
play versus Iowa.

Speaker 11 (12:09):
Is well she was coached.

Speaker 2 (12:13):
Yeah, she was she was coached as opposed to being
allowed to play like she plays or wants to play.
She has a little way more freedom. Yeah, a lot
more freedom, uh and a lot less structure and and
uh so so Paige can now play within the system.
Page can create her own shots one on one page
can Page can do it all? Uh And I think

(12:34):
she's going to be quite the star in the w
in the in the coming days. But anyway, if you
ever have a chance to get it back together on Friday,
but they're they're just so hobbled, there's if they If
I said this too, though, Cameron, I said they're going
to limp into the playoffs instead of literally are going
to be limping. Uh And and you and I both
agree on this. If they get past the first round,

(12:56):
it'll be a miracle. I still think they'll make it
because there aren't enough games in the playoffs to eliminate them.

Speaker 12 (13:02):
Uh.

Speaker 2 (13:02):
You know, when you look at the percentages, they probably
will win enough to keep them playoff ready or playoff
level A Yeah easy, yeah, yeah, very easy. So they're
gonna make that. But there I think that they will
mercifully be allowed to go home.

Speaker 13 (13:19):
The only exception to that, And I mean I've seen
teams do this. I don't I don't think the fever
thinking like this year, and I'm talking about the front
off is more so than the team. When you have
a team that this, that is this hobbled and banged
up going into the postseason, sometimes the front office pulls
the trigger and tanks the season.

Speaker 12 (13:36):
Now.

Speaker 13 (13:36):
I don't know if they're thinking this. We're not in
those rooms. We're not on those calls. But sometimes teams
that were anticipated to be top three and end up,
you know, on the other side of the list. Sometimes
they pull the plug and say, you know what, let's
go ahead and just squash this season. We don't really
care about going to the playoffs this year because we
can get a better draft pick.

Speaker 2 (13:54):
Now, I'm not saying to think and I know you're
I know what you're saying, and you know, yeah, I
just don't see it. But anyway, hang in their fever
hanging there. I mean, it's not going to be what
we thought and what we had hoped at the beginning
of the year. But you're hopefully you can finish strong anyway.
Uh three one seven four eight zero thirteen ten three
one seven four eight zero thirteen ten. What is on

(14:16):
your mind?

Speaker 14 (14:17):
I got?

Speaker 2 (14:17):
Like I said, I got a couple more things to
share with you. But we'll go to the phone lines
three one, seven, four eight zero thirteen ten. They are open.
Let's kick things off with Who is that? Oh that's Jeff, Jeff,
Go ahead? How are you Jeff?

Speaker 12 (14:30):
Hey too? Hey?

Speaker 15 (14:31):
Came are you guys?

Speaker 2 (14:32):
Doing good? Doing good?

Speaker 11 (14:33):
How about yourself?

Speaker 12 (14:35):
Oh?

Speaker 16 (14:35):
Not too bad.

Speaker 15 (14:36):
I went on a day yesterday, went to the fair.

Speaker 11 (14:39):
Oh how nice? How nice?

Speaker 17 (14:41):
What did you?

Speaker 11 (14:41):
Hey, what did you think of the fair?

Speaker 15 (14:44):
You know you want I got a confession to make
to you and camera. Okay, in my sixty five plus
year I never been to the fair till yesterday.

Speaker 2 (14:54):
No, you've never been a estate fair never, I think. Well,
then there's no baseline to compare it.

Speaker 15 (15:04):
Wow, I'm sorry. Exact compared to is King's Island or Disneyland.

Speaker 11 (15:11):
Or I know, have you ever been to a county fair?

Speaker 3 (15:16):
Oh?

Speaker 15 (15:16):
Yeah, oh absolutely?

Speaker 7 (15:17):
Okay, Well you know.

Speaker 2 (15:18):
It's just a steroids, you stereoid.

Speaker 11 (15:22):
Version, but at a great time.

Speaker 15 (15:24):
Lots of lots of food, you know. But yeah, she
talked me into.

Speaker 11 (15:29):
And we went so, well that's a nice date.

Speaker 15 (15:31):
Yeah, it was a nice day.

Speaker 11 (15:33):
It wasn't too terribly hot last night. I'm sure probably.

Speaker 15 (15:37):
People were leaving because there was word at a thunderstorms
heading this way, okay, and so people were starting to
you know, for the egg so and we didn't want
to get.

Speaker 18 (15:47):
Caught up in that.

Speaker 15 (15:48):
So yeah.

Speaker 11 (15:49):
Yeah, But anyway, I want to.

Speaker 15 (15:50):
Talk about some day and maybe the camera because cameras
were popular culture. I saw you te dude the name
being King anything you.

Speaker 2 (15:58):
Guys, Yeah, yeah, he was a superman, wasn't he or
played in some kind of movie. Uh, dark hair, youngish
type of guy.

Speaker 15 (16:08):
Well, well, you know he's been on loose light, I'm sure.

Speaker 11 (16:10):
Yeah, because he wanted to join ICE, right or he
did joint Ice.

Speaker 15 (16:14):
Yeah, well, you know he's one of these anti wol guys.
But guess what, Tina, he was the first non white
superman because I'm gonna tell you why. You know, his
name really ain't Dean King is Dean Tanaka Tanaka, which
is Japanese. Okay, his his father. He wants to join ICE,

(16:34):
but this is the irony. His father and grandparents were
in Japanese and tournament camps. Yeah yeah, think about that.
You just just miranate on that for hot. Yeah, you know,
he wants to he wants to racially profile.

Speaker 19 (16:50):
People that look like him.

Speaker 16 (16:53):
And and.

Speaker 15 (16:55):
You look at his background. His father and his grandparents
were both in the Japanese internment camps because of what
happened at Pearl Harbor. So yeah, this is this is
the guy who is to me, you know, either you're
seeking relevancy, looking for attention, or he's doing a lot
of self loathing and a lot of self hatred. Because

(17:18):
I hate to say it, you know, but we have
a lot of that in our communities of color. You know,
a lot of people who want to be friends with
these Nazis and these bigots. I'm going to interest me
coming friends with them, and you know, and then you
got this thing in Washington, c where this guy's trying
to use the military to justify law enforcement, using the

(17:41):
National Guards in regards to law enforce. And I talking
about taking the show to Chicago and Saint Louis because
they're high crimes and really crimes and going down you
know that team.

Speaker 2 (17:52):
Yeah, yeah, the Nationals. Well from his own administration, the
national figures from the FBI showed that. But I guess
he might be firing the had a the FBI too,
if they put out the you know, cash matalia.

Speaker 15 (18:04):
He wouldn't qualify to be there anyways.

Speaker 11 (18:06):
Now none of them are qualified.

Speaker 15 (18:07):
No, none of them qualified. And you know, let's let's
talk about this. And I'm getting really tired of reposing
about statistics. You know, they say more crime in the
big city, but you know, most of the crime takes
place in and so yeah, so call blue cities, but
the highest rates of crime are in red states Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas,

(18:30):
they're there, they have higher crime rates in the state.
And Indiana's a red state. We got a pretty bad
So I'm just saying, you know, les as much a crime,
didn't care what color you were, and then like that.
But you know, I know Republics are throwing statistics, you know,
by young black men. Well, well, are we gonna start
stop talking about young black men, start talking about young
white men? Okay, most of your white serial killers, most

(18:52):
of your serial killers are white. Most of your job
mollist stations are done by white men. Domestic violence white men,
online harassment, white man all that, and you know it's
mass shooters and all that. You know, Hey, domestic terrorists
are majority white, so I'm getting sick of tar people

(19:13):
with one of we're by young black men. Young black
men are just playing to hand it to you because
we're on the mean, we're the target.

Speaker 20 (19:22):
Wow, we are.

Speaker 2 (19:24):
And then thanks, Jeff, I appreciate it, and that you know.
I was going to get to that in just a
little bit because he's talking about putting together a task
for strike force, a domestic strike force pretty soon, and
we'll get to that in just a moment. Counselor Oliver,
I believe you were trying to reach me, reach the show.

(19:45):
If you are, give us a call three one seven
four eight zero thirteen ten.

Speaker 21 (19:50):
Uh.

Speaker 2 (19:50):
You sent me just a few minutes ago, and you
said you were going to be calling a This is
Hot Summer celebration hosted by William Duke Oliver. It looks
like it's a free concert and movie and kids activities.
This is coming up on August sixteenth, twenty twenty five.
Reverend Charles Williams Park twenty No. Thirty two, forty two

(20:15):
Sutherland Avenue. Yeah, so call us back, Counselor, if you're listening,
and tell us a little bit more about it. It
looks like gospel, jazz, R and B all of that
into one. That's Saturday, that's before the Yeah, that's a Saturday,
before the last day of the fair. So William Duke Oliver,
give us a call back if you want to share

(20:36):
a little bit more about your event coming up this Saturday,
starting at five pm at the Reverend Charles Williams Park
on Sutherland Avenue, Nice Park over there has been redone
been redone one of the things before we get into
some other topics. I wanted to put out there and
ask and please give me a call if you can

(20:58):
share some information because I want to have a little
bit more, a little bit more information because I want
to share this with Representative Cherish Prior who sent out
a letter. But she is talking about us making our
voices heard regarding AEES utility rate hikes and public hearings.

Speaker 11 (21:21):
And here is just a little bit of her newsletter.

Speaker 2 (21:26):
It says, dear neighbor as, I am sure most of
you are aware as Indianas submitted a request to raise
power fee rates for taxpayers by as much as twenty
one percent or thirty dollars every month. Over the last decade,
rates have increased more than thirty four percent. The pace
at which prices are increasing is not sustainable for who's

(21:48):
your families. I wrote a letter to the IRC, the
Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, asking that they hold more than
one required public field hearing in this rate case. Thankfully,
they have scheduled four. They have scheduled four public field
hearings in the rate case, with more expected to be
announced at a later date. All of these hearings are
going to start at six pm. And then here are

(22:10):
the details. Monday, August eighteenth at the Indianapolis Public Library,
the West Perry Branch, Thursday August twenty first, Southeast Community Services,
Monday August twenty fifth, New Augusta North Public Academy, and Wednesday,
August twenty seventh the Fort Event Center at Fort Harrison
State Park out there on Post Road in the Blue

(22:30):
hair and Ballroom. I will tell you I almost dropped
my envelope. I did drop the envelope when I opened
up my power bill for this particular month. My electric
bill because I have both electric and gas my house
for whatever reason, I didn't build it, but it was
built as a hybrid. I have gas heat and I

(22:52):
have you know, electric AC. You know electric, it's just
all electric the majority, I guess the majority of it.

Speaker 11 (22:59):
Anyway, my power bills.

Speaker 2 (23:01):
I usually have a little bit higher electricity bill in
the summer just because of the AC being run. And
I have almost a zero bill with my gas in
the summer because use that much.

Speaker 11 (23:14):
Again, I don't use any heat.

Speaker 2 (23:16):
My gas bill might excuse me my light bill, and
I'm going to give you a baseline. It usually runs
between seventy and eighty dollars in the summer, and the
winter months has been thirty five to forty dollars a month.
Not very much, I got it. It was almost three
hundred dollars. Last month it was two hundred and eighty

(23:40):
some dollars, and I'm like, are you kidding me? The
month before that it was one hundred and sixty dollars.
The month before that it was one hundred and twenty dollars.
So I am not of the belief that this particular
heat wave necessitated a nearly three hundred dollars our bill.

(24:01):
My house is not huge, it's not enormous. I have
a regular house, I have a regular AC and regular
utilities that I don't burn all the time. I do
not understand how these bills are being.

Speaker 11 (24:14):
Printed as they are. And here's the thing.

Speaker 2 (24:17):
The rate hike hasn't even been approved. It hasn't even
this newest one hasn't even been approved. And yet and
still we're getting these outrageous, outrageous power bills. So if
you have gotten a power bill that, in your mind
and your estimation in terms of your tracking, that is
out of line, please call me and let me know.
If you've gotten one that is out of line, and

(24:38):
you have AES, not Duke Energy, this is AES, and
you have AES, give us a call. Three one seven,
four eight zero thirteen ten. I'd just like to share
a few examples when I call or when I communicate
with Representative Cherish Prior, who has done a phenomenal job
of helping consumers and helping folks fight these power these

(25:02):
money hungry power people.

Speaker 11 (25:04):
Uh, it's just done.

Speaker 2 (25:05):
Really, it's just outrageous. Almost three hundred dollars in electricity
a bill that I got, Like I said, I think
it was two hundred and n me think two hundred
and eighty.

Speaker 11 (25:15):
I think it was two eighty three. I can't remember
all of it, but give us a call.

Speaker 2 (25:19):
Let me know your story and again I'm I'm I'm
really taking note of these and I will be sharing
these with Representative Prior, uh when I send her the
email that I'm going to send her as a result.
And I want to thank Representative Prior for taking the
lead in this and being you know, proactive about backing
these folks down, because this is absolutely crazy, absolutely ridiculous.

Speaker 20 (25:43):
Uh.

Speaker 2 (25:43):
Three one seven four eight zero thirteen ten Three one
seven four eight zero thirteen ten. Are you having outrageous
power bills? Electricity bills from AEES this summer like I have?
And uh, you know, I was just just like, what
do I can't even turn on the light in my
closet now because I'm going to get charged fifty bucks

(26:04):
for that. I just don't know where it's coming from.
And they try to show you some kind of a
graph that you're using more energy than you did. I
don't believe that graph because I'm not using any more.
I'm using the exact amount that I use everything because
I set my thermostat exactly at one number, and then

(26:26):
I also have the smart thermostat which uses economy. So
the majority of the day my AC is working on
an economy mode, is working in economy mode, and then
it switches back, maybe at eight or nine o'clock at night, it.

Speaker 11 (26:41):
Just switches back to regular.

Speaker 2 (26:43):
So what I'm saying is the majority of the day,
my smart thermostat isn't even using that power. So how
can it say that I'm using x amount of power
to cost two hundred and eighty three dollars. I think
it's crazy.

Speaker 11 (26:57):
I think that I don't know where they still.

Speaker 1 (26:59):
I don't know.

Speaker 2 (27:00):
I'll find out, but again, uh, the representative wants to know,
and I want to share it with her. So uh
three one, seven, four, eight, zero, thirteen ten, let's go
to line too, Kathy, go ahead.

Speaker 10 (27:11):
How are you?

Speaker 11 (27:14):
Kathy?

Speaker 22 (27:14):
A comment? Because my bill, my bill went up to
three hundred dollars and it is outrageous. Yeah, after paying
less than one hundred. But when I called, as she
asked me, is it on auto or is your fan
constantly running? And I told her it was on auto.

(27:35):
My thermo SAT is also set very high because no
one's there during the day.

Speaker 16 (27:40):
Exactly what she did.

Speaker 22 (27:42):
What she did tell me is that the readings are taken.
I asked, is this an estimate or an accurate reading?
She told me it was an accurate reading done via
sebtle White.

Speaker 14 (27:55):
They no longer use Yeah, they no longer use.

Speaker 22 (27:58):
Staff members to cut mouth and conductor reading. All the
readings are taken via satellite.

Speaker 2 (28:04):
Yeah right, just throw a drone over your box too,
Why why don't you? Yeah, that is crazy. That's interesting
to know though, Kathy, that they say a satellite.

Speaker 14 (28:15):
That's what she told me.

Speaker 2 (28:16):
Maybe that's why we're paying more in fees than we
could pay for those satellite costs.

Speaker 14 (28:22):
Yeah, my bill more than doubled. I couldn't believe it.

Speaker 21 (28:25):
So well, you have to share that.

Speaker 2 (28:26):
That's mine too, You and I have the same Basically,
it went from roughly one hundred dollars to three hundred.
That's kind of the progression mind died, you know, from yeah,
ninety to three hundred dollars, and the satellite said that
was accurate, and so that was it. So there, So
what they're telling you is that every month that you
get a bill, the satellite is reading it in actuality.
It's not an estimate anymore. It's always the exact amount, right,

(28:49):
is that what they're saying?

Speaker 20 (28:50):
Totally?

Speaker 2 (28:50):
Yes, yeah, okay, well I'll look into that that's interesting. Okay,
all right, thank you, Kathy. I appreciate it. Yeah, thank you.
Three one seven for a zero thirteen ten three one
seven four eight zero thirteen ten ms B, go ahead.
How are you.

Speaker 14 (29:05):
The same issue? I mean, my light bill has went
through the roof. My story is just like yours and
the last collar, miss Cappy, it is the same thing.
I don't understand it. It's nobody in my house but
me and a dog, and I would hold back when
when back in back back in the day that you
don't turn it off and on, so I just leave

(29:27):
there exactly.

Speaker 23 (29:29):
I got rid of the.

Speaker 14 (29:30):
Smart thermosteat because it wasn't working properly. But it's nobody
there for me and my dog. So why am I
getting a two hundred and seventy dollars bill. I live
in a three bedroom house.

Speaker 16 (29:40):
Nobody We don't even.

Speaker 14 (29:42):
Go in the front of the house. Nobody's there. So
what did it go?

Speaker 2 (29:46):
Where did it go?

Speaker 16 (29:47):
From six?

Speaker 14 (29:48):
It was sixty and seventy dollars a month?

Speaker 11 (29:50):
Okay?

Speaker 2 (29:51):
Because I want to give her the ranges too, went
from sixty to three?

Speaker 14 (29:56):
What now it's now it's two hundred and seventy something
dollars is what I paid this month, and I paid
two hundred and summi dollars last month.

Speaker 24 (30:04):
Unbelievable.

Speaker 23 (30:05):
And I just believe they.

Speaker 14 (30:07):
Are they are ripping us off, and uh, they're just
trying to find a way to justify what they're doing.

Speaker 2 (30:13):
Okay, all right, that's what I think. That's what they're
doing too. And this satellite thing sounds really suspicious. I'm
not really ready to buy into that. But if I
can give a representative cherish prior to these ranges, she
can see a pattern here and key in on that.

Speaker 11 (30:28):
So I appreciate that.

Speaker 2 (30:29):
Thank you, Thank you very much.

Speaker 11 (30:30):
You're welcome, all right, welcome three one.

Speaker 2 (30:32):
Seven four eight zero thirteen ten three one seven for
eight zero thirteen ten.

Speaker 11 (30:37):
Uh, Andrea, go ahead, how are you?

Speaker 15 (30:41):
How are you?

Speaker 2 (30:42):
I'm well, how are you doing?

Speaker 25 (30:44):
Okay? Yeah, I got the same thing. I live in
the condo, and I can recall last my one bill
was one thirty one last month and one up to
one eighty eight. This month is two eighty nine. Or
I'm in three hundred dollars. So it sounded like three
hundred dollars, is go on?

Speaker 2 (31:03):
Right, Yeah, that's what it sounds like. That's what they
got to recoup this month, three hundred. So yours went
from from what.

Speaker 25 (31:10):
One thirty one to one eighty eight, so now almost
to three hundred.

Speaker 2 (31:14):
Dollars okay, yep, yeah, and so yeah it seems like
three hundred, is it?

Speaker 16 (31:20):
Yeah?

Speaker 14 (31:20):
Yeah?

Speaker 25 (31:21):
So I haven't called about it as of yet, and
now that you're talking about it, because someone told me
that I could call them and they have assistance. Now
I even saw on social media that they had two
events for people to come down to get help with
their bill, and I said, well, how do I why

(31:41):
we need help with that bill?

Speaker 19 (31:42):
Because well, what's the problem?

Speaker 25 (31:44):
And now I heard you say that the bill hike
hasn't even went into effect or it wasn't approved, So.

Speaker 19 (31:50):
Why is this the rate going up like this?

Speaker 2 (31:54):
Exactly exactly they have They haven't even done anything yet,
and so you.

Speaker 25 (32:01):
Know, they can't talk about tariffs or any of that.
I don't think that has anything to do with it.
But why is our what's really going on? And who
else can we talk to our representative?

Speaker 19 (32:13):
But who else can we talk to?

Speaker 2 (32:15):
Well, I mean, yeah, whoever your representative is, you can
talk to them because this is a state white so
your state representative.

Speaker 11 (32:23):
I don't know who.

Speaker 2 (32:24):
Which district. Do you know what district you're in, right, Pike?
That would probably that would probably be Cherish Prior a
big part of it. She covers a big part of Pike. Yeah,
and let me see if I can so, yeah, she
would be. Let me see if I can find her info.

Speaker 25 (32:39):
Yeah, well, I know Hicks is there because they just
had a back to school thing or something. They just
had a big event.

Speaker 19 (32:45):
So I got some numbers.

Speaker 25 (32:47):
They come up regularly in the neighborhood information about them.

Speaker 2 (32:52):
M Yeah, okay, so you have some Okay, well that's
good as long as you know and you have the numbers. Yes,
you just stay on them and let them know. Let
them know exactly what you're going through. Because if we
don't let them know and they're out there working for us,
they'll never know, you know, what's going on. And this
I want because she's really good about sharing with the
media and her constituents what's going on and what the

(33:16):
latest fight is and the feedback that she would like
to have. And I got the newsletter, and I'm going
to give her the feedback because you've got one, two,
three counting myself already in less than five minutes, four
examples of utility bills going from around one hundred dollars
to three hundred dollars almost overnight and no change in anything.

(33:38):
So I don't know how they can justify that. I
just dont But she holds their heels to the fire.

Speaker 14 (33:43):
Yeah, right.

Speaker 25 (33:44):
But the other concern is for elderly people because a
AF now is connected with the water bills. So when
wine gets cut off, you got two of you til
they's cut off, yep, yep, yeah, and people on six cuts.
You know, I'll work your day, but I'm not getting
two hours and the money, extra money like I'm used

(34:05):
to getting, So it's problematic for me. So anybody on
a fixed income, it's definitely going to be problem problematic.

Speaker 23 (34:13):
And the pots outside and we need all.

Speaker 2 (34:16):
That we need to have, Yeah, I would agree. Well,
thank you, thank you, Andrew. I appreciate it.

Speaker 11 (34:21):
Thank you.

Speaker 2 (34:22):
Three one, seven for zero thirteen ten. The lines are full.
If you are there, stay right there. We're going to
take a real quick break. And I want to get
your information so at fact, in fact, your information is vital,
it's crucial. I have to have it because I want
to share it all with our representative prior who has
asked for it. So stay right, there will be to
you in just a moment. Several months have passed since

(34:51):
wildfires tour through Altadena and Pasadena, but for many, recovery
has yet to begin. Thousands of families are still without
permanent homes, businesses are gone, community life remains in pieces.
This is not just the aftermath, It's an ongoing emergency.
Praise AM thirteen ten and ninety five point one FM

(35:11):
proudly support Brotherhood Crusade in rebuilding these communities. For over
fifty years, Brotherhood Crusade has empowered underserve families through direct
support and long term recovery services. Your donation to the
Wildfire Relief Fund provides food, shelter, mental health support, and
the tools families need to start again. Go to Brotherhood

(35:33):
Crusade dot org to help restore lives and rebuild futures.
Because recovery takes more than time, it takes all of us.

Speaker 26 (35:42):
Tonight at nine on TV one, Girl probably does, Lene Ita,
It's for my man first to be murdered.

Speaker 2 (35:49):
I'm feasting thirty the leafs, loyal ones. Me and my
man are in this together.

Speaker 27 (35:56):
Don't probably.

Speaker 1 (35:58):
Ride or die.

Speaker 11 (36:00):
She was willing to do whatever was necessary to support
her name. Bad girls women do crazy thing for men
all the time.

Speaker 28 (36:06):
Don't miss for My Man All New to nine at
nine on TV one. Contact Tax Relief Helpers for details
and restrictions.

Speaker 29 (36:15):
Attention anyone that owes money to the IRS. Every day,
your unpaid tax debt gets bigger and bigger from daily interest.
The longer you wait, the more you will end up paying.
If you owe ten thousand dollars in more, now is
the time to settle your debt before the IRS takes
aggressive action like taking your wages or property. A special
toll free number has been established so you can stop
penalty fees, avoid leans levies or other hostile measures by

(36:36):
the IRS. Call tax relief Helpers right now.

Speaker 7 (36:38):
I got behind on my taxes and owed forty eight
thousand dollars.

Speaker 30 (36:41):
I called them. They got my bill lower to just
thirty five hundred dollars. I owed eighty seven thousand dollars
in taxes, and it was scary. I got the amount
I owed down to just thirty five hundred. I saved
eighty three thousand, five hundred dollars. If you owe money
to the IRS. Don't wait another day your tax debt
gets bigger and bigger from daily interest. Call right now
before the IRS and four leans levies or other aggressive measures.

(37:02):
The call and consolet are absolutely free.

Speaker 31 (37:04):
Call now Call eight hundred seven two zero thirty three
eighty eight hundred seven two zero thirty three eighty. That's
eight hundred seven two zero thirty three eighty.

Speaker 2 (37:12):
Honey. Is the car ready for our road trip to
the family reunion?

Speaker 32 (37:15):
Yup signed up with Oxcar Care for their extended service plan.

Speaker 33 (37:19):
OX will cover our repair bills if anything happens to
the car new breaks, a transmission, AC or engine problem.

Speaker 34 (37:25):
What a relief doesn't oxcrcare include free oil changes, tire rotation,
and roadside assistance too.

Speaker 1 (37:32):
We don't pay, OX.

Speaker 2 (37:34):
Pays, OX gets it fixed for us.

Speaker 33 (37:36):
They have a thirty day money back guarantee and is
a plus rated on the BBB.

Speaker 34 (37:40):
I Remember OX handles their claims from start to finish,
unlike those other warranty companies. Good call, honey. The last
thing we need is an unexpected car repair bill. What
a relief road trip here we come.

Speaker 35 (37:54):
Drive with absolute peace of mind.

Speaker 2 (37:56):
Called Oxcarcare for your free quote.

Speaker 33 (37:57):
Eight hundred two oh four zero two five five, ask
about senior in military discounts. Don't get stuck with a
major car repair bill called oxcrcare eight hundred two O
four zero two five five eight hundred two O four
zero two five five or oxcarcare dot com.

Speaker 21 (38:13):
It's tell about a laugh.

Speaker 36 (38:15):
Dj G knows fortieth ever.

Speaker 14 (38:17):
Three Classic comedy.

Speaker 36 (38:19):
Sh Saturday September twenty seven, Buck two Shows seven thirty
at eleven.

Speaker 2 (38:24):
He clues off.

Speaker 11 (38:26):
Sorry d Ray David.

Speaker 2 (38:28):
Yes, I dit by him. You did not Timm you
had six with that damn NBA player.

Speaker 1 (38:32):
I'm walking around with this fool jersey on.

Speaker 6 (38:34):
Also sorry, yes, sor Hi, you looking like a.

Speaker 16 (38:38):
Struggling hot beef that last.

Speaker 36 (38:39):
Sees a cray. Tell him it's true. Tell him it's true,
daddy boy. Also see Tony Roberts Bampro.

Speaker 11 (38:51):
I showed to go to that church.

Speaker 2 (38:51):
I said, look at April.

Speaker 26 (38:52):
The Lord is everywhere, but the devil is on your
throw and Avershaye.

Speaker 33 (38:58):
J G knows forties Niverse.

Speaker 37 (39:01):
Kick us out at forty nine dollars. Avaiable clues. Also
get the hook up if FABA you have it and
Albama Clothing put on the day before it soun til
you think, don't.

Speaker 2 (39:08):
Is the clothes what my teen cribs?

Speaker 38 (39:13):
There are thousands of hurting children in Indiana. They are
in the child welfare system due to abuse or neglect
at home, They struggle in school due to life trauma
or challenges, and they face mental health issues. At Child Advocates,
we serve foster children, We help children succeed in school,
and we host workshops to create collaborative workplaces and caring
communities and to nurture a sense of belonging for all

(39:35):
children and youth. We seek justice, access to opportunity, and
well being for children. Learn more at Child Advocates dot net.

Speaker 1 (39:42):
Are you looking for a source of inspiration and uplifting content,
Log on to praiseindie dot com for your all things
positive and empowering in and around Indie. Whether you're on
the go or relaxing at home, Praise Indie brings you
the latest and gospel music, community news, and inspirational stories that.

Speaker 2 (40:00):
Touch the heart.

Speaker 1 (40:00):
And don't miss our Listen Live feature, now available on
all mobile devices, stream the best in gospel music and
enlightening talk shows. They keep you connected to the posts
of our community anytime, anywhere, feel the spirit, share the joy,
and be a part of something truly special. Visit us
online today at praiseindyed dot com. That's Praiseindie dot com

(40:21):
where faith and community come alive. Let's get back to
the conversation. It's Community Connection with Tita Coosby, brought to
you by Child Advocates, a champion for justice, opportunity and
well being for children on Praise Am thirteen ten ninety
five point one FM.

Speaker 2 (40:40):
And we're back with Community Connection, taking feedback from you
the listener about your utility bills, your electric bill, especially
if you're with AES. Because AEES, despite the fact that
rates are just off the chain now out just outrageous,
they want more, they want to raise the rates. And

(41:01):
so one of your local state representatives wanted to make
you and everyone aware of a series of public meetings
where the public can have input. But I want to
share with her some of the input that I've gotten
from right here in case you can't make the meetings
or can't catch their webinar as utility rate public hearings,

(41:21):
there's going to be a series of public hearings, and
I want to thank Indiana State Representative Cherish Prior for
making that known because under here she is asking for
you to make your voice heard. And the first one
is coming up Monday, Monday, August eighteenth, is going to
be at the Indianapolis Public Library, the West Perry Branch
at sixty six fifty South Harding Street. That's going to

(41:43):
be in the community room there on the next one
will be Thursday, the twenty first of this month at
the Southeast Community Services Center, nine oh one Shelby Street,
the second floor auditorium. The one after that is going
to be Monday, August twenty fifth at the new Augusta
North Public Academy that's sixty four to fifty Road to

(42:04):
Ball Road. That'll be in the auditorium there. And then
the final one is going to be Wednesday, eight twenty seven,
August twenty seventh. That's going to be at the forty
Event Center at Fort Harrison State Park, six oh two
North Post Road in the Blue Hair and Ballroom. Each
of these hearings, every hearing is going to start at
six pm or as a Cherish Prior has pointed out,

(42:25):
Representative Prior has you can submit written comments through nine
to two and the online form is I in dot
gov slash o UCC slash contact dash us again. If
you can't do any of that, if you can't call
this show, if you can't attend any of the public hearings,

(42:47):
you can submit a written comment, your written concerns through
the online form which is going to be available, which
is already available actually, and the website for that is
I in dot gov, go ov slash O U C
C slash contact dash us, and I'll give that to.

Speaker 11 (43:12):
You again before.

Speaker 2 (43:14):
But we've got a lot of calls, a lot of
folks weighing in which I absolutely wanted uh and love.

Speaker 11 (43:19):
So let's start working our way down the phone list.
Let's go to uh, is it s C?

Speaker 16 (43:24):
Yeah?

Speaker 11 (43:25):
Oh, Hi s C?

Speaker 2 (43:25):
How are you?

Speaker 21 (43:26):
Oh?

Speaker 39 (43:27):
I'm okay.

Speaker 21 (43:28):
I was listening to ye a prontcast and I was
concerned about my bill because my bill went from seventy
five dollars, okay, and to last month to one hundred
and fourteen dollars and this month is two hundred.

Speaker 20 (43:43):
And eight dollars.

Speaker 21 (43:45):
And I haven't used no no more, no more, you know,
And I always have my thermotat set on ottle. I
got you, jillized said, I can't believe this. I don't
understand this. Why is this bill so high? And but
I haven't old them yet, you know, And I said,
when I heard your statement on the rate, I told
let me call her now, because I said, I'm not

(44:06):
the anyone that's going through this.

Speaker 11 (44:08):
But you know what's interesting.

Speaker 2 (44:09):
And I'm no scientists, and I'm certainly not good at
math or anything else, but these increments all seem to
be about the same. Everybody seems to be going from
just under one hundred to three hundred, like from zero
to one hundred in no time at all.

Speaker 11 (44:23):
It's like that they had set a cap like this, this.

Speaker 2 (44:26):
Is what we have to make off of this particular period,
and everybody's bill has.

Speaker 11 (44:30):
To be around three hundred dollars.

Speaker 2 (44:31):
Again, mine, you know, went from all this this time
is two hundred and eighty three dollars.

Speaker 11 (44:37):
Oh my two hundred and eight.

Speaker 35 (44:39):
I get.

Speaker 2 (44:39):
Well, it's not as high as some of the you know,
somebody's was three hundred, or another one was two hundred
and eighty three dollars, and unbelievable. I mean, eighty ninety
dollars is what I paid. And then all of a
sudden it just jumps that's crazy. So, I mean, is
the cost of electricity higher when it's hot.

Speaker 11 (44:58):
If so, we don't need it.

Speaker 7 (45:00):
Find something more, you know, more.

Speaker 2 (45:02):
Cost efficient, because if you've got to pay extra money
because it's hot when you're using the same amount of power,
that makes no sense exactly.

Speaker 21 (45:09):
And I'm going to pick income.

Speaker 11 (45:11):
Oh well, I can't even imagine that. That's that's just crazy.

Speaker 2 (45:15):
But we're you know, hey, we're recording these increases and
recording uh, and I'm seeing a definite pattern here. You
guys keep talking to me because I'm seeing a definite pattern.
And I'm sure Representative Prior is going to see a
definite pattern here, and we got to look into that
because that's not right.

Speaker 11 (45:31):
That's that's just not right. And hey, if.

Speaker 2 (45:34):
Somebody knows about power structures and utilities and things of
that nature and I'm wrong, please call in and correct me,
or please call in and explain it, because I'd like
to know, and I'm sure you all out there would
like to know as well.

Speaker 11 (45:46):
But anyway, Essie, thank you. I appreciate your input.

Speaker 2 (45:49):
Let's go back to the phone lines three one seven
for eight zero thirteen ten three one seven for eight
zero thirteen ten, Robert, how are you.

Speaker 19 (45:58):
Hey, this tin I'm doing fine. Hey, I want to
comment on the this aees white bill.

Speaker 24 (46:06):
Uh huh?

Speaker 19 (46:08):
Did last month I paid.

Speaker 23 (46:11):
Like three three?

Speaker 11 (46:15):
Who from what?

Speaker 19 (46:17):
From one thirty five?

Speaker 11 (46:19):
Okay?

Speaker 16 (46:21):
Did it?

Speaker 2 (46:22):
Did it show you on your on your bill that
you had used more power?

Speaker 3 (46:27):
No?

Speaker 19 (46:27):
Actually, I got to get in the habit of looking
at my bill.

Speaker 2 (46:32):
Yeah, that's what I The first thing I want to
see is okay, show me why, and they'll put this
little bar graph on your bill.

Speaker 11 (46:39):
And I don't believe.

Speaker 2 (46:40):
I don't trust the bar graph because the bar graph
makes no sense. How can I be using more when
I'm using exactly the same Now, maybe the I don't know,
maybe the heat makes the units work harder, But how
if the unit is working harder, then why the.

Speaker 16 (46:57):
I don't know.

Speaker 2 (46:58):
I don't get it, but we and this is not
even with their increase yet, this is just regular use.

Speaker 19 (47:03):
Yeah, exactly. And then when the lady talk, they told
her about this, I don't.

Speaker 2 (47:09):
Light Come on, Yeah, that's crazy.

Speaker 19 (47:11):
That's a little bit too much.

Speaker 11 (47:13):
It's a lot of bit too much, just a whole
lot too much, all right.

Speaker 19 (47:17):
Well, anyway, Mistweena, thanks for taking my call.

Speaker 2 (47:20):
Thank you for calling. I appreciate you, Thank you very much.
Three one seven forty zero thirteen ten Karen, go ahead,
how are you.

Speaker 12 (47:29):
Hi?

Speaker 20 (47:30):
This is Karen, and I do want to advise my
light beer had increase as well. I was spaying thirty
five forty if nexcept the bill this not it's one
hundred and sety dollars and I am one of it
to come as well. So yeah, I never I had

(47:53):
the calls the light company, but I was riding down
the street and.

Speaker 19 (47:57):
You what was going know what?

Speaker 12 (48:00):
You're like them?

Speaker 20 (48:01):
I'm like, you know what that's going on with mines
as well? From I did Owen said they toot on
my information because yes, they had went from thirty five
to forty dollars to one hundred and seventy miles.

Speaker 2 (48:14):
Yeah, yeah, and thank you Karen. I appreciate that. And
I have written that one down as well. And and
again I you know, sometimes people will tell you, well,
your unit's old and it's using more electricity, it's using
more power or everything that could be done. I've had
my unit serviced. I had it serviced every year. Thank you,
mister Raymond. I'm gonna give you a big old shout out,
because you do a phenomenal job of keeping my air

(48:37):
conditioner unit working. Every year, I get it serviced, I
change the filters you know inside, I do everything that
I'm supposed to do. And again, the smart thermostat does
not move. It doesn't change. And so if there's something
I'm missing here and somebody understands the mechanics of it all,

(48:59):
please and explain it.

Speaker 11 (49:01):
But in the meantime, we got.

Speaker 2 (49:02):
To give We got to give Representative cherryh Prior uh
these numbers because these are pre rate hike increase request numbers.

Speaker 11 (49:11):
These are the numbers before the hike request.

Speaker 2 (49:14):
So I can't even imagine what it's going to look
like if the request is granted by the Indiana Utility
Regulatory Commission. I just can't imagine at all. But let's
get back to the phone line. Three one, seven, four, eight,
zero thirteen ten. Gloria, go ahead, how are you good?

Speaker 11 (49:31):
Good afternoon?

Speaker 12 (49:32):
Get a chance to shout.

Speaker 25 (49:33):
Well, I'm gonna start out with a three thousand dollars bill.

Speaker 19 (49:37):
Oh my, oh my god, I told the.

Speaker 14 (49:40):
Whoo who am I paying for? Who am I paid for?

Speaker 2 (49:46):
Playing?

Speaker 7 (49:46):
Are you playing?

Speaker 11 (49:46):
For your call to sack? Because that who you're paying for?
Everybody on your or everybody on the block.

Speaker 14 (49:50):
Is that what it is?

Speaker 11 (49:51):
They want you to pick up the tab?

Speaker 40 (49:53):
Unbelievable.

Speaker 14 (49:55):
Then she says, well, I said, my husband passed.

Speaker 24 (49:58):
There's nobody in the house but me.

Speaker 25 (50:01):
Why is my build is high?

Speaker 6 (50:03):
Then she said, well, what you could do is put
it in your name.

Speaker 40 (50:05):
Okay, I did that. My bill is still three eighty two.
I'm that big billing more and you could pay ten thousand. No,
I'm not gonna pay nothing on it because this is ridiculous.

Speaker 25 (50:17):
The only person in that house is me.

Speaker 40 (50:20):
My bill is still three eighty two.

Speaker 41 (50:24):
Get somebody, come on.

Speaker 11 (50:28):
Yeah, that's ridiculous.

Speaker 40 (50:30):
He's just bad.

Speaker 11 (50:32):
I'm sorry. I'm sorry to hear that.

Speaker 2 (50:35):
Yeah, and you know what, it would it would seem
to be the opposite, right, because you know, two different people,
different levels.

Speaker 11 (50:40):
Maybe you liked the cooler than he did, or he
liked it warm, you know whatever.

Speaker 2 (50:44):
But if there's just one person, like the previous caller,
it was just her and her dog, and I know
the dog wasn't messing with the thermostat of course not no.

Speaker 18 (50:54):
But me.

Speaker 11 (50:56):
Yeah, well, thank you, thank you for that.

Speaker 2 (50:58):
I appreciate that, and you know this is this is
noted and is going to be shared, so I really
appreciate it. Three one seven for eight zero thirteen ten
three one seven for eight zero thirteen ten.

Speaker 11 (51:08):
Joe, go ahead, how are you a good afternoon?

Speaker 15 (51:12):
Ten?

Speaker 11 (51:12):
Good afternoon?

Speaker 12 (51:13):
Very interesting subject? Are you sitting there?

Speaker 2 (51:18):
Well right now?

Speaker 16 (51:19):
I am. Yes.

Speaker 2 (51:20):
Some days I walk to the window and look out
on the circle to see what's going on. Today is
the farmer's market, by the way. I think it's breaking
up a little bit though.

Speaker 11 (51:27):
But right now I am sitting down.

Speaker 12 (51:29):
Joe, Okay, the set the stage. I've got a brand
new two year old high efficiency air conditioning and furnishment
that was installed.

Speaker 19 (51:40):
I'm like you.

Speaker 12 (51:42):
I have it serviced every year and change their filters
every three months. I just paid AES six hundred and
thirty four dollars and forty three.

Speaker 11 (51:58):
Cents good graep.

Speaker 12 (52:00):
My deal two months ago or three months ago was
one forty seven a month, and then it leads from
there to over three hundred dollars, and then the final
bill was like yours, two hundred almost three hundred dollars,
and I called them about it. And now I've got

(52:24):
a nest thermostack.

Speaker 11 (52:25):
Now I have a nest right and I called them
about it.

Speaker 12 (52:29):
They had no good explanations. But I'll tell you one
thing that people better watch out for you better watch
it if they kill you. Here. We can put you
on a payment plan too, and you can pay it
a little bit per month. No, no, no, because all
of a sudden you're going to get this big here.

Speaker 11 (52:49):
Yeah, the balloon, the balloon. Yeah, at the end of.

Speaker 12 (52:52):
The disconnect notice. And if you can't pay it, they'll
put you on another plan. Well, we got help for you.
But the bottom line is fixed income. Six hundred and
forty three dollars in too much is ridiculous.

Speaker 2 (53:07):
Yeah, beyond ridiculous. It's beyond ridiculous, Joe.

Speaker 12 (53:11):
And like I told that lady, you mean to tell
me that in three four months I've used over a
thousand dollars worth for the energy.

Speaker 11 (53:20):
Can't be you can't something that something else.

Speaker 12 (53:25):
Every time I turn around, you lose your electricity, it
comes back home. Yeah, you lose your electricity comes happens
all the time.

Speaker 2 (53:32):
Yeah, yeah, I haven't that. That is one problem I
have to say that I haven't had. I have a
huge problem with Infinity because every other day they're out
there working on something else. But the power has been
fairly consistent. But that's the only positive thing I can say.
But again, I don't understand how it can cost so
much more in thirty days time.

Speaker 11 (53:54):
It just doesn't make sense either. It doesn't make sense.
You want to increase and they want to increase.

Speaker 2 (54:01):
And I'm glad that our lawmakers, like the Representative prior,
are fighting them tooth and nail and asking for input
and putting out the information about these public hearings for
public input to make your voices heard. And I'm just
going to do my own little informal one right here
on this show and hand this tour as well.

Speaker 11 (54:21):
So yeah, thank you, Joe. That's that's interesting.

Speaker 12 (54:24):
To be at for one. I'm plan to be at
for one at Fort Harrison, Oh.

Speaker 11 (54:28):
Fort Harrison. That's on Wednesday, the twenty seventh of this month.

Speaker 25 (54:33):
Uh.

Speaker 11 (54:33):
And it's going to be in the Blue Hair and
Ballroom and all hearings start at six o'clock.

Speaker 2 (54:37):
Yeah, I'll be there all right. Thank you, Joe, appreciate it.

Speaker 12 (54:40):
Thanks.

Speaker 20 (54:42):
Uh.

Speaker 2 (54:42):
Three one seven four eight zero thirteen ten three one
seven four eight zero thirteen ten Uh.

Speaker 11 (54:48):
Lisa go ahead.

Speaker 2 (54:48):
How are you.

Speaker 14 (54:51):
Hey?

Speaker 17 (54:52):
Can you hear me?

Speaker 2 (54:53):
I can?

Speaker 11 (54:53):
Can you hear me?

Speaker 12 (54:55):
Yes?

Speaker 11 (54:55):
Good afternoon, Good afternoon.

Speaker 14 (54:57):
I want to uh weigh in on the s way
yet my bill was currently going up. I live in
a sixteen hundred, sixteen forty square foot home. I have
all led lighting. I had a new furnace, a new
air conditioner, a new water heater because I have an

(55:20):
electric water and stuff like that. Ye, so an elect elector.
So I'm supposed to get in some type of a
discounting because I had those two things in my home.
I'm gonna I'm going to check again to make sure
that as to roll that off when I got my
home in O eight under I PL and then two, Yes,

(55:41):
my bill is gone up. I am on a budget.

Speaker 2 (55:45):
So would they readjust your budget payment to did they
adjusted up?

Speaker 14 (55:49):
They will? I think it's either in February. I think
I re upped in February. So I had to pay
a bound do which wasn't as much as I It
was higher than last year's okay, in twenty twenty four,
but I was ahead and paid it, you know.

Speaker 19 (56:07):
I said, well, you know, but.

Speaker 14 (56:08):
I'm thinking that I may start paying the amount on
the bill as opposed to the budget, because I am
looking at the youth, I'm looking at the usage. Yes, okay,
so the usage is what I'm looking at.

Speaker 2 (56:24):
That's what That's what I'm saying. That little bar graph
that they put on your bill.

Speaker 14 (56:29):
I'm going to that third page and it said they
breaks it all down. Yeah, how much you use for
the month.

Speaker 2 (56:36):
So that's what I'm that's what I'm talking about. Yeah,
but anyway, go go ahead. Your bill must just play differently.

Speaker 14 (56:42):
No, I look at the barographs too, but I'm going
to the third page where it talks about the usage
and the multiplyer and all that old stuff.

Speaker 2 (56:49):
Oh we could use a budget.

Speaker 11 (56:50):
Okay, I'm not on the budget. But anyway, go ahead.
I see what you're saying.

Speaker 15 (56:52):
Go ahead.

Speaker 14 (56:53):
I mean everybody should have that breakdown because it tells
me how much, how much look at your actually use it.
So I'm using I use electric the month of June
to July, and my bill was higher. The usage bill
was higher, so you know, the overall bill, and then

(57:13):
the bill is coming out now September the second for
July to tenth through offic eight. My usage is down
like forty points. But my bill overall it's higher. How
can that be now there's just one person in our home?

Speaker 2 (57:33):
Yeah, because you know what it Sometimes to me, it
feels like because we say so that I mean, I
know that that sounds, but that's how I feel. You know,
you feel so disrespected and so whatever is like, well,
you just decided you're gonna make my bill higher, but
I can't find any logic for it.

Speaker 14 (57:50):
And I can't, but I'm wondering if that rate increase
from two years ago that the Commission gave them has
gone into a fa And I'm gonna call them because
I have not called them yet, shame on me. I'm
gonna call them because I feel that I need to know.
I need to know some facts before I go to
the meeting at Fort Ben And I'm gonna implore everyone

(58:12):
to show up there to any meeting or and or
fire with the Commission. And I get both that couple
of years ago, and I went to the meeting at
the Central Library and I spoke.

Speaker 11 (58:26):
Good, good, good for you.

Speaker 24 (58:28):
And the thing about it is they.

Speaker 14 (58:31):
Never responded back to my complaint online. And then after
the meeting they ran me down and wanted to know
my name and number, and they got back with me
right away and a couple of days after that because
I told me, I said, you guys never responded back
to my complaint, never told me when the you know,
when the meetings were anything. They apologized naturally, and then

(58:53):
they got with me after the meeting, and then they
reached out to me a couple of days after that,
which I was thankful for. But you know, the Commission
did not give them the full amount that they wanted.
And I'm going to implore people get to the meeting
and or file or reach out to.

Speaker 2 (59:08):
Your your senator, yeah, because they if you If you don't,
they'll never hear you. If you don't, they will never
hear what we're hearing onto on Community Connection today, they
will never hear it.

Speaker 11 (59:21):
Pardon.

Speaker 14 (59:21):
And there were so many people that wanted to speak,
they end up letting everybody speak to the Lord. And
you know, the key was the Commission did not give
them that full amount. Now they want to do what
is two parts, right, so they got they got smarter,
two parts too intimate?

Speaker 11 (59:37):
Yeah, yeah, within so many years.

Speaker 2 (59:39):
Yeah, they just asked for the same amount that they
got denied for prime and then now they're asking you
for any increments is like you're asking for the same amount.
The commission won't be fooled either, especially with public scrutiny.

Speaker 11 (59:50):
We would hope, we would hope not.

Speaker 14 (59:51):
Well, I hope not because I kind of feel that
sometimes these commissions are really in the back pocket of
these utilities. Somebody on that board, I don't know who,
but I just feel the way they was, you know,
the way they looked, the way they poise themselves. Some
look at disinterested. You know, I don't know, Like I
was going through a formality and I'm like, you know,

(01:00:13):
you know, you said you're gonna hold the hearings. We
know it's a formality, but take action. Listen to the
people and what's about to say.

Speaker 2 (01:00:21):
Indeed said you got plenty. You got plenty there. We
really really appreciate it. We have to take less than
a thank thank you, Thank you.

Speaker 11 (01:00:30):
Lisa.

Speaker 2 (01:00:30):
A very very short break here. Next up will be Sam.
Right after this break, everyone else, stay right there. I
need to get your input. We'll be right back.

Speaker 18 (01:00:52):
Kesh.

Speaker 28 (01:00:52):
Back is not available on gasing new jipisine Wisconsin is
in I'm.

Speaker 2 (01:00:54):
Storrying, Lee. Traffic is terrible, it sure is. But on
top of that, gas prices have been skyrocketing. I can't
believe how expensive gas has gotten recently. Price is at
the pumper up But I never pay full price for
gas anymore.

Speaker 42 (01:01:06):
I just use the free Upside app that pays you
cash back for every gallon of gas you buy. Wait
a minute, are you saying you actually get paid cash
when you buy gas with the Upside app?

Speaker 2 (01:01:15):
Yes, I get real cash back every time I buy gas.
Does that actually add up to anything? I've made?

Speaker 42 (01:01:21):
Around two hundred dollars? Wow, that's serious extra cash. I'm
downloading the free Upside app.

Speaker 12 (01:01:26):
Now.

Speaker 28 (01:01:27):
Download the free Upside app to earn real cash back
every time you buy gas. Use promo code gold for
an extra twenty five cents per gallon cash back on
your first fillip. You can cash out any time, write
your bank account, to PayPal or any gift card for
Amazon and other brands. Just download the free Upside app
and use promo code gold for a twenty five cents
per gallon bonus on your first tank. That's code gold

(01:01:49):
for twenty five cents per gallon cash back on your
first fillip.

Speaker 35 (01:01:53):
If you owe the IRS, here's a question, would you
rather deal with IRS? Leans, wage guardishments than assets seizures
on your your own while interest on your unpaid taxes
compounds daily, Or have an experienced team of tax professionals
helping you put an end to that. If you want
option too, the experts at Optima Tax Relief are here
ready to help you. Their tax attorneys and licensed professionals
step in front of the IRS on your behalf, fighting

(01:02:16):
to put your tax debts to rest, specializing in taxpayer
assistance programs offered by the IRS. Their award winning team
has resolved over a billion dollars in tax debts for
their clients. So would you rather keep fighting the IRS
on your own or have Optima buyer side helping you.
If taxes are the problem, let Optima help you with
the answers. Call now for a free consultation.

Speaker 2 (01:02:38):
Call eight hundred five six nine forty four to thirty
five eight hundred five six nine forty four thirty five,
eight hundred five six nine forty four thirty five.

Speaker 4 (01:02:48):
Optima Tax Relief.

Speaker 16 (01:02:50):
Some restrictions apply.

Speaker 35 (01:02:51):
For complete details, please visit Optima tax Relief dot com.

Speaker 32 (01:02:54):
If you need up to three thousand dollars, go to
we Fix Money dot com. We Fix money dot Com
is the name you can trust. It's free to use,
available twenty four to seven, and you are never required
to accept any loan offer. Some lenders offer same day funding.
If you need up to three thousand dollars, type we
fix money dot com directly into your browser. Go to
the company you trust we fix money dot com. Just

(01:03:15):
fill in the information and get an answer in minutes.
At we Fix money dot Com. For up to three
thousand dollars, go to we fix money dot com. We
fix money dot com. We Fix money dot Com has
been helping customers for fifteen years and has an a
rating with a Better Business Bureau. So if you need
cash for credit card bills, car repair, childcare, or anything else,
go to we Fix money dot com. Make sure you

(01:03:37):
type we fix money dot com directly into your browser.
Go to the company you trust we fix money dot com.
Just fill in the information and get an answer in minutes.
At we Fix money dot Com. For up to three
thousand dollars, go to we Fix money dot com. We
Fix money dot Com wt.

Speaker 1 (01:03:53):
OCAF W two three six c AR Indianapolis. Discussing the
issues that matter to you and keeping you informed of
what's happening in and around Indy. It's Community Connection with
Tina Cosby, brought to you by Child Advocates, a champion
for justice, opportunity and well being for children on Praise

(01:04:13):
Am thirteen ten ninety five point one FM.

Speaker 2 (01:04:17):
And we are back with Community Connection, as is asking
for utility rate hikes. They are going to be having
a series of public hearings to defend their position and
we want you to be able to make your voice heard.
This from the office of State Representative Cherish Prior. She
has put out the information concerning four four public listening sessions.

(01:04:43):
They are all free and open to the public. The
hearing start at six pm. The first one is this
Monday the eighteenth. It's going to be at the West
Perry Branch of the Indianapolis Public Library. Thursday eight twenty one,
the Southeast Community Services Center at nine O one Shelby Street,
Monday eight twenty five, New Augusta North Public Academy, sixty
four to fifty rod Ball Road, and Wednesday eight twenty

(01:05:05):
seven the Fort Event Center at Fort Harrison State Park
six or O two North Post Road. They're asking for
a raid hike, but it seems like they've already taken
one based on the stories that we're hearing from a
lot of you, because a lot of you I have
the same thing and experience the same thing with AES
and your electric bill that I have, and that a
whole lot of your colleagues and friends and neighbors here

(01:05:27):
in the Indianapolis community have. So I'm taking your information
and sending it to Representative Prior as well. So let's
go back to the phone line three one, seven, four, eight,
zero thirteen ten.

Speaker 11 (01:05:37):
Sam, you're up next, Go ahead, Hi, Hi, how are you.
I'm doing well? Thank you doing Okay.

Speaker 40 (01:05:45):
I'm listening to WIBC and everybody on the state you're
talking about the same thing what WIBC told them.

Speaker 18 (01:05:52):
They'll listen to the.

Speaker 40 (01:05:54):
Huge database that being built in and thanks from thirty
part of Indiana gonna be using a million of what
And wib still was saying that.

Speaker 23 (01:06:08):
We're gonna have to pay for this type of.

Speaker 10 (01:06:12):
Watch to the people gonna be using.

Speaker 18 (01:06:14):
Now, this was the point to wib C.

Speaker 10 (01:06:16):
That you got the ladies look into it.

Speaker 19 (01:06:17):
But this is a huge gunner bakes.

Speaker 40 (01:06:19):
They're coming also, Peter, Okay, we have a selutions in
their proper and uh, I've been trying to be careful
to give you that website, okay.

Speaker 18 (01:06:28):
And I also had.

Speaker 23 (01:06:29):
One that put in my home.

Speaker 40 (01:06:30):
And I'm coming coming out to grid. Okay, I'm coming
out the elected green in. I never have to see
another electric bill.

Speaker 12 (01:06:36):
I never have to worry found a blackout.

Speaker 18 (01:06:38):
I got pictures I.

Speaker 40 (01:06:39):
Can show you if you okay, so you can see
for yourself how they work. Now, this is a company
in the California.

Speaker 18 (01:06:44):
Okay, they're doing it because in.

Speaker 25 (01:06:46):
California, you think we got to holler at the meal.

Speaker 40 (01:06:49):
Oh my god, it's ridiculous out there coming.

Speaker 11 (01:06:52):
Are you talking solar Sam?

Speaker 23 (01:06:55):
No, man, it's not solar and it's not a generator.

Speaker 2 (01:06:57):
Okay, okay, Well, I have camera to have Cameron give me.
I you know what Cameron and I are. Our schedules
are so opposite, and I you know, it's not like
we run into each other up and down the hall,
because we don't. But I can certainly, you know, ask
him again. I think I did send him a text
about I mean, anyway, he's a busy man. But I
will I will remind him to get me that website
that you gave to him.

Speaker 40 (01:07:18):
Okay, Okay, please do that, okay, and come back on
your show. I played everything works the whole nwe.

Speaker 2 (01:07:24):
Yard Okay, okay, all right, thanks Sam, I appreciate it,
and I will be talking to Cameron.

Speaker 11 (01:07:28):
Bye bye. Let's see Kim. Go ahead.

Speaker 2 (01:07:31):
How are you okay?

Speaker 14 (01:07:32):
How about you?

Speaker 18 (01:07:33):
Okay?

Speaker 11 (01:07:33):
How about good? I'm good, thank you, I'm good, thank you.

Speaker 14 (01:07:35):
Okay.

Speaker 6 (01:07:36):
I was talking about the light bill also because my
friend lives in the Islands out on twenty thirty fourth
and twenty fifth and cutting Ham our country Club Road.

Speaker 11 (01:07:48):
Okay, way out west, Okay, yeah, yeah, yeah, okay, her.

Speaker 6 (01:07:51):
Light deal, her light bill was one hundred and fifty
four dollars last month. Guess how much it is this month.

Speaker 11 (01:07:57):
I can't imagine twelve hundred?

Speaker 12 (01:08:00):
What twelve?

Speaker 2 (01:08:03):
Is that aes?

Speaker 1 (01:08:04):
Is that a s?

Speaker 14 (01:08:05):
Yes? Yes?

Speaker 6 (01:08:07):
Oh my. They told her that she can make arranger
at pay twenty dollars a month, But how the hell
she gonna ever catch up?

Speaker 11 (01:08:15):
You don't not paying twenty bucks a month?

Speaker 6 (01:08:17):
No, because you want to say to get a bill, now,
how your bill gonna go from one fifty four to
twelve hundred dollars? My daughter live out there. Hers was
two fifty HER's gone went up to six hundred and
these are apartments, apartments the island.

Speaker 14 (01:08:33):
M m m.

Speaker 11 (01:08:35):
That's that deserves an investigation. That's criminal.

Speaker 6 (01:08:38):
Yeah, And I told her to call and had that
investigator because that is not right. How your bill gonna
go from one fifty four to twelve hundred dollars?

Speaker 11 (01:08:45):
No, she can't use that much electricity.

Speaker 2 (01:08:48):
If you think about it, think about how much electricity
she would have had to use an apartment in an apartment. Yeah,
how many bedrooms is the apartment?

Speaker 25 (01:08:57):
Two?

Speaker 11 (01:08:58):
Two bedroom apartment, two bedroom apartment. That's crazy, it's crazy.

Speaker 6 (01:09:06):
And then my bill as of November of last year,
they kept they didn't send me a bill from November
to January. They kept saying, oh, you owe zero, you nothing,
zero zerra. All of a sudden they hit me with
five hundred dollars.

Speaker 2 (01:09:19):
Somebody else had shared that dynamic as well, and I'm
trying to remember what the problem was, but they explained
it away as some kind of a computer glitch or
what have you. But then they lay it on the customer.
All of this money that's been accumulated or whatever they
decided that they should pay, and it's a huge bill.
After the end of all of these zero zero balance

(01:09:41):
do bills.

Speaker 11 (01:09:42):
That's crazy.

Speaker 6 (01:09:43):
I get a five hundred dollar bill, but I mean
it's really I mean, it's sad that somebody an apartment
of two hundred dollar bill and a rent of fifteen hundred.

Speaker 11 (01:09:53):
Goodness gracious, and it's a two bedroom apartment. You see
two bedroom apartment?

Speaker 2 (01:09:59):
No, it's not that b Now for twelve hundred dollars
worth of is it all electric?

Speaker 11 (01:10:03):
Total electric?

Speaker 6 (01:10:05):
Yes?

Speaker 19 (01:10:06):
Yeah, yeah, we get we're getting Still.

Speaker 11 (01:10:08):
No, that doesn't account for that.

Speaker 2 (01:10:09):
That that she that's three one two do I don't
do math real good, but my goodness, that's that's.

Speaker 6 (01:10:15):
The whole complex. She's paying for the whole complex.

Speaker 2 (01:10:18):
Yeah she is.

Speaker 6 (01:10:19):
Yeah, Wow her side where she lived, ain't nobody no food?

Speaker 39 (01:10:22):
Now, come on, now they need.

Speaker 11 (01:10:24):
To do something they do.

Speaker 6 (01:10:25):
I'm gonna get that meeting because this don't make no sense.

Speaker 11 (01:10:27):
Which one you're gonna go to?

Speaker 6 (01:10:29):
Shelby? Oh I'm no, No, I'm gona go to the
Augusta one.

Speaker 11 (01:10:34):
New Augusta. Yeah, that's gonna be on Monday.

Speaker 2 (01:10:36):
That's gonna be a week for Monday on the twenty fifth,
uh New Augusta North Public Academy. That school over there,
sixty four to fifty rod to bar road in the auditorium.

Speaker 6 (01:10:44):
Okay, then I'll be there, all.

Speaker 11 (01:10:46):
Right, thank you very much.

Speaker 2 (01:10:48):
I appreciate it.

Speaker 11 (01:10:48):
Indeed, indeed, indeed, Steve.

Speaker 2 (01:10:50):
Go ahead.

Speaker 18 (01:10:51):
How are you hello, I'm another choir member.

Speaker 2 (01:10:56):
This all okay?

Speaker 11 (01:10:57):
Another choir members sing away, I have.

Speaker 18 (01:11:00):
A verse to add to the same song.

Speaker 11 (01:11:02):
Oh wow, okay.

Speaker 18 (01:11:04):
This is our second month with this increase. What happened, uh,
maybe two months ago or something. We had a bad
storm and the apol if most of you guys remember,
and our power was out over in Lawrence by Arlington.
Our power we were on generator for four days. So

(01:11:25):
I had generators set up my neighbors and me. We
didn't have power for four days, and my bill was
one one normally, and then went to two ninety eight,
and I said, well, you guys going to subtract them
four days were apart. They said, no, these numbers are
match up.

Speaker 6 (01:11:40):
Fine.

Speaker 18 (01:11:40):
I said really, And we had four days in no
services because the whole area was out. And so I said, well, something,
something's really wrong. I don't agree with the bill. And
I said, well, can you send somebody out to check
my meter? So they got me scheduled, they sent out
of tech. He came and he looked at the meter,

(01:12:02):
took it off and put another tester meter on, put
it back on and did the numbers, and they came
out saying that they were correct, and it went that
was Now this we're in our second month of the
bad field and I just find it so strange because
the tech guy said, well, they keep telling us we

(01:12:22):
go out and check these meters because they are red
down digital red. And he was telling me that probably
one out of fifty might be bad when they go
check them. So it's not the equipment. It's like we're
all saying, it's them just trying to force it down
our grow.

Speaker 11 (01:12:43):
Wow, that's crazy. And you were on a generator for
four days. You didn't even have power.

Speaker 2 (01:12:48):
They didn't even give you a credit for the four
days without power.

Speaker 18 (01:12:52):
No no, And our whole two three block area around
us were on generators.

Speaker 6 (01:13:00):
Wow.

Speaker 11 (01:13:02):
Kay, So that's just uh, this is going to be noted.
I got it here on the on the you know,
we got it here.

Speaker 2 (01:13:09):
We're going to transfer We're going to transfer all of
this info to Representative prior.

Speaker 11 (01:13:13):
So thank you very much. That's crazy I'm.

Speaker 18 (01:13:17):
Sure they can locate them days we were without far
because yeah they could. It's not hard to find date.

Speaker 2 (01:13:23):
If they wanted to, they could. Yeah, easy, easy to
find them. All righty, well, thank you, Steve. I appreciate that. Indeed,
that's crazy. You're on a generator, which you know there's
no power, that's why as a generator.

Speaker 20 (01:13:37):
Uh.

Speaker 11 (01:13:37):
And you're on a generator and you steal anyway?

Speaker 21 (01:13:41):
Uh?

Speaker 2 (01:13:41):
Three one, seven, zero, thirteen ten the real Deborah, go ahead,
real Deborah.

Speaker 14 (01:13:47):
Hey, miss Tina, Hey, Hey everybody.

Speaker 11 (01:13:49):
Hey, I'm singing alto okay, singing out.

Speaker 24 (01:13:57):
I was the person maybe that. A couple of years ago,
I kept getting a bill and said, do not pay,
do not pay, do not pay, and then winded up
being six over six hundred, almost seven hundred dollars that
I had to park up because of them claiming that

(01:14:17):
it was a computer glitch or whatever. I feel like
they should have ate that, like they should eat all
the rest of this my bill.

Speaker 14 (01:14:27):
I was shocked.

Speaker 24 (01:14:28):
I had to sit down. I almost grabbed my chest
like Fred Sandford.

Speaker 14 (01:14:32):
I was like, what is this?

Speaker 3 (01:14:34):
You know?

Speaker 24 (01:14:35):
And my bill, I think it went up about eighty percent.
And I looked at the usage, and I looked at
the killer watts and my house when I had my
house built, it was energy efficient utilities, energy efficient home.

Speaker 18 (01:14:53):
And I'm still shopped.

Speaker 19 (01:14:56):
So what I did was I went and got me a.

Speaker 24 (01:14:59):
Lot ofroller lights and stuff. Y'all want to play, I'm
gonna play too. But I noticed when you do apply
or are eligible for energy assistance, the bill increases even more.
So you you apply for energy assistance, and that's usually

(01:15:22):
like for winter when you're not using the air conditioner,
your AC system, but the bill if I've been told
by several people that their bill has as double or
sometimes tripled.

Speaker 2 (01:15:38):
Yep.

Speaker 24 (01:15:40):
So I want to go to one of those meetings.
Don't try to figure out which one I can go to.
But I'm noticing the food is increasing also, you know, uh,
if there's increase everything, the gas, the food, the taxes
of the gas.

Speaker 2 (01:15:56):
So I don't know.

Speaker 27 (01:15:59):
If I have a solution, please.

Speaker 16 (01:16:02):
Let me in on it.

Speaker 2 (01:16:03):
Well we all, yeah, well we're all going to keep
an eye on it and hopefully something, if nothing more,
if we could just slow down and get these these
raid hikes that they're requesting, if we could just get
those limited or or stopped. I think we will be
making progress. But Deborah, thank you so much for that.
I appreciate it.

Speaker 19 (01:16:21):
Thanks for taking my call.

Speaker 11 (01:16:22):
Thank you appreciate it.

Speaker 2 (01:16:24):
Uh three one seven, Frank, Frank, go ahead three one
seven for eight zero thirteen ten.

Speaker 10 (01:16:30):
Hello, Hello, with the same thing. Actually, I was glad
I tuned in today because initially I thought it was
maybe isolated just to us. But one I'm in a house,
mine A drastically went up. But the kicker is, my
mom is in a little listed a nine hundred dollars

(01:16:51):
apartment and I'm nine hundred square feet a square feet apartment.
If she's not heating or cooling upstairs, she's in a flat.
The dryer is gas, the hot water is gas, the stove.
Holy thing that's electric for her obviously is the electricity

(01:17:16):
in the AC unit. Her usage went up ninety on
that bargraph from what it was last month. There's never
been a bill this amount in the summer, and I'm
trying to figure out did it increase already going effect
and they're going back grabbing the arrears bringing it current.

Speaker 2 (01:17:40):
They have some pretty creative financing in terms of not financing,
but pretty creative billing.

Speaker 11 (01:17:48):
I'll say, financing is.

Speaker 2 (01:17:49):
What we have to do.

Speaker 11 (01:17:50):
We have probably to pay these bills, creative financing.

Speaker 2 (01:17:53):
But they're billing tactics and they're billing practices are just
head scratching, you know, I just don't understand them. And
you say, your mother's apartment is nine hundred square feet,
seventy percent of it is gas.

Speaker 10 (01:18:08):
Well, everything's gas except for the electrical outlets and her
AC unit.

Speaker 1 (01:18:13):
Yeah.

Speaker 10 (01:18:13):
Yeah, you double usage from last month to this month.
That ain't possible. She doesn't run lights half the time,
not at home.

Speaker 11 (01:18:24):
Yeah, you're just not using what they're saying that. Yeah,
you're just not using it.

Speaker 10 (01:18:28):
Yeah, somehow not out a pattern of what she normally does.

Speaker 2 (01:18:31):
No, no, nothing is out of pattern. And the other
thing that I neglected to mention was, you know, a
few years ago, As offered this, let us come in
and make your house energy efficient at no cost. And
so they put in these light bulbs that are supposed
to last ten to twenty years, They put in the
smart thermostat, They do all kinds of things to make
your house more energy efficient, even with that, and they

(01:18:54):
do that as a service, which is nice, which is free.
They even offered a new refrigerator because mine was older.
But I didn't want that because it wouldn't have matched
my kitchen. So but well it wasn't who wants.

Speaker 11 (01:19:06):
To and it is tiny.

Speaker 2 (01:19:07):
It was tiny, and a little white one looked like anyway.
So but even with all of that, these increases still happen.
And I think they just have those programs, They must
have them programmed in somehow that this is what it's
going to be, because it cannot be based on reality,
the real. Everybody that has called today has said the

(01:19:28):
reality does not match the cost.

Speaker 11 (01:19:31):
The reality simply does not match, right, And.

Speaker 10 (01:19:35):
What frightened me the mostly in my house, I'm toldal electric,
if I was paying six hundred dollars last week, my goodness,
when am I going to pay the winter coming? Because
that's where your highest bills come from when you're total electric.
Is the heating?

Speaker 2 (01:19:48):
Yeah yeah yeah.

Speaker 11 (01:19:49):
And do you have a heat pump?

Speaker 24 (01:19:51):
I do?

Speaker 2 (01:19:52):
Yeah, yeah, Well that's supposed to that's supposed to knock
it out too, right, supposed to make more efficient. I
have gas heat gas, and I you know, I don't
have the problems with the gas usage because it's.

Speaker 11 (01:20:05):
All a minor together. And when is gas, water, and
sewage are all together.

Speaker 20 (01:20:09):
Uh.

Speaker 11 (01:20:09):
And I have a budget.

Speaker 2 (01:20:10):
I have a pretty good budget plan and it stays
pretty much in range. The only problem I have every
year is with the pat with the electricity.

Speaker 19 (01:20:17):
It's the power.

Speaker 11 (01:20:18):
Yeah, I don't get it. I don't get it.

Speaker 10 (01:20:21):
It makes me mad in the winter as much as
I paid for the heat. And that heat does not
like your heat team.

Speaker 12 (01:20:26):
If you got gas, uh huh.

Speaker 11 (01:20:28):
That electric heat okay, it's cool no matter how how
you got it just doesn't feel warm. You gotta sit
up under the space heater or something and that that
that adds to it.

Speaker 19 (01:20:38):
Yeah, yes, not.

Speaker 18 (01:20:39):
Dent like gas.

Speaker 10 (01:20:40):
But no, I'm singing the same songs sound like just
a song on repeat. So how much?

Speaker 25 (01:20:45):
How much does this?

Speaker 18 (01:20:47):
Yeah?

Speaker 11 (01:20:48):
And how much was your mother's highest bill?

Speaker 10 (01:20:50):
By the way, her highest bill was over two.

Speaker 11 (01:20:53):
Hundred, over two hundred.

Speaker 10 (01:20:55):
But last month her bill was only seventy.

Speaker 11 (01:21:00):
Yeah, so seventy dollars to two.

Speaker 41 (01:21:03):
Hundred, right, and it's about twice the usage, which is
just ins impossible possible, No, not possible.

Speaker 2 (01:21:14):
All right, Well, thank you, Frank. I appreciate that, I
really really appreciate it. That's crazy, and I guess yeah,
we figured out a new way to describe it. It's just,
you know, actuality is not facing you know, what they're
saying stating is not the reality that people are living.

Speaker 11 (01:21:29):
And people are not crazy. They're not crazy.

Speaker 2 (01:21:32):
I know every person that has given us every example
that they've had in their own homes and apartments and
what have you.

Speaker 11 (01:21:40):
They're not they're not crazy. They're not making it up.
So anyway, let's go back to the phone line. Ray,
go ahead, how are you?

Speaker 19 (01:21:49):
Hey?

Speaker 15 (01:21:50):
How are you?

Speaker 27 (01:21:52):
Okay, I'm kind of fun on my lunch break, but anyway,
I was calling.

Speaker 23 (01:21:57):
I got I got a good one for you.

Speaker 27 (01:22:01):
My light bill normally was like one fifty at the highest.

Speaker 25 (01:22:05):
In the winner.

Speaker 11 (01:22:06):
So your total electric as well.

Speaker 27 (01:22:09):
No, I'm not, Oh I have I have a gas
water sheet. I have a gas water heater, and I
cooked with gas. My finance is gas. But let me
tell you this January, I got a bill thirty eight

(01:22:31):
what yes, and what they said? My husband and I
we had a garage bill last year. So when they
finally got out to put the meter on.

Speaker 11 (01:22:42):
This is your electric, this is your electric?

Speaker 26 (01:22:44):
Right?

Speaker 11 (01:22:45):
Yeah, okay, okay, I'm ake sure. I was following you,
okay A.

Speaker 27 (01:22:51):
Well, anyway, I called for the first two months after
the meter was in start to make sure they had
both meters on my bill, which was in December, which was,
like I said, maybe one hundred and fifty dollars. Well,
when I got the bill in January, it was zero.

Speaker 14 (01:23:07):
I called.

Speaker 27 (01:23:08):
I nearly had a zero bill. I said, well, maybe
they tell you that they overcharged me. Well, she said no,
it's fine to zero ballance February I got a bill
for thirty eight hundred dollars, so I I, I asked.
They were all dumbfounded. Well, I'm gonna have to have
my supervisor call you back because I don't understand this,

(01:23:31):
that and the third that the kids say. So I
just went back and forth rountil I think around May.
They kept I will call you back when you send
somebody out there. Send the guy out because they said
they they read the meter area or something they were saying.
So he came out and he told my husband, well,

(01:23:52):
this is a brand new meter. Like I said, we
just had the garage bill last year, brand new meter.
He said the meter was worth so there was nothing
we could do. So she told me, well, what you
can do is we can stretch it out for twenty
four months, like the girl. Like the girl said, they'll

(01:24:15):
add an additional with your current bill. So I called
left Raphael a message. I was just because my husband's
been sick. He hasn't even been in the garage.

Speaker 14 (01:24:26):
I told her.

Speaker 27 (01:24:27):
It's not like he's got a workshop out there. He's
not repairing cars. It's just a garage. But long story, shark,
I didn't have to fight in me because I said
my husband been sick. I didn't have the fighting. So
I paid like two thousand down and then they're just
adding extra every month for the next two years. So

(01:24:51):
if I get if I get some energy, I may
go out here on Ruta ball that he said.

Speaker 2 (01:24:57):
It's Monday, Yeah, Runebi is money the twenty fifth of
August twenty fifth, so it's a week from Monday, this Monday.
It's going to be at the West Perry Branch of
the Indianapolis Public Library at sixty six to fifty South
Harding Street, and that's going to be in the community
room there. Now Rode bar is closer to you. Yeah,

(01:25:18):
it's going to be in the auditorium over there. And
that's going to be on the twenty fifth of August.

Speaker 27 (01:25:24):
Okay, okay, but no one could really give me an explanation. Well,
we we had an we changed our billing system. I
was like, well, what I'm going to have to do?
What the light build going up? You change the system?

Speaker 11 (01:25:38):
Oh well, you know what, I'm sorry for your luck.
That's how they talk. Really it seems like.

Speaker 27 (01:25:42):
You know that no one could explain it.

Speaker 2 (01:25:46):
Really well, we're going to give this feedback to that.

Speaker 11 (01:25:49):
We're going to give this feedback. Thank you, and I
appreciate you. Thank Okay, you have a great day, you too.

Speaker 2 (01:25:54):
And we're going to give this feedback to Representative Prayer,
which I'm sure she will appreciate because I'm going to
write it to her in an email. And you know,
all of the examples, the cost from sixty dollars to
three hundred, now, from sixty dollars to two hundred and
seventy seven, from one hundred to three hundred, from one
hundred and thirty to three hundred, from seventy five to

(01:26:17):
two hundred and eight, from one thirty five to three
hundred and three, and so on and so forth. I'm
going to give her all of these increments from one
hundred and forty seven a month to six hundred and
forty three from one hundred and fifty four two bedroom apartment,
twelve hundred dollars. All of these things are you know,
all of these examples are going to be forwarded to

(01:26:39):
the representative because they all seem suspect, if not maddening.

Speaker 11 (01:26:43):
Maddening first, suspect later. I guess I don't know.

Speaker 2 (01:26:46):
Uh three, one, seven, four, eight, zero, thirteen ten. George,
go ahead, how are you?

Speaker 14 (01:26:53):
How are you doing that?

Speaker 11 (01:26:54):
I'm doing great.

Speaker 2 (01:26:54):
I'm doing great.

Speaker 11 (01:26:55):
You're doing okay, Jeff.

Speaker 23 (01:26:57):
May, I'm doing okay.

Speaker 18 (01:26:58):
Do it olkright.

Speaker 23 (01:27:00):
I would listen to the dollars about one lady. She
said she has a high efficiency of fiances and everything.

Speaker 6 (01:27:08):
Uh.

Speaker 23 (01:27:09):
One thing that came over. I listened to the fucking
WU the public radio station, the other channel of the
nationals w f FI and all that stuff. They were
taking a comment that the administration is trying to get
rid of the high efficiency labels on appliances. Uh, that's
the next that's one thing that they're trying to get

(01:27:30):
rid of us so that you don't have to say
that your TV stole refrigerator, can say you x amount
of dollars x amount of wattage and hopefully reduces your
power bill or that use of that of the appliances
will have to lay your deal. So they're trying to
get rid of those labelings. And the other thing I
wanted to say is that when you talk to the

(01:27:52):
lady the representative, she should compare on a big graft
or a comparable mark, say, for instance, Marion County versus Fishers,
Marion County versus Hamilt County, even the city of Indianapolis.
Rate say let's stay at large in comparison to a

(01:28:12):
city like maybe Dayton, Ohisle or Columbus Aisle and bring
those numbers to scale to say, hey, well, is it
something that is being targeted to the citizens of Marion
County that maybe Hamilton County, Fishers or Noblesville their bills
are not seeing an increase. Is it something that could
be just targeting citizens in minority positions of of Indianapolis.

(01:28:39):
Because you got to remember, this is a highly democratic fit.
Marion County is highly democratic. Everything else out that does
is what pretty much republican except let you go up
to northwest Indiana around Gearing. So is that an example
that she could use to see what the market prices
are in those areas in comparison to vary yourself.

Speaker 14 (01:29:03):
Yeah.

Speaker 23 (01:29:06):
When she comes up to me, I say, it's bring
it up our chief one day that we heard on
the stock market. He's already made off where he was
making up numbers to make the people feel like they
were doing okay, but he was still in money from
the people.

Speaker 2 (01:29:22):
Oh yeah, the praid scheme, Yeah yeah, yeah, it's closed.

Speaker 25 (01:29:25):
Yeah yeah.

Speaker 23 (01:29:26):
And that's what it sounds like.

Speaker 19 (01:29:27):
What I'm meaning here if I say is that we
have you held hostage.

Speaker 2 (01:29:32):
Well, you know what, George, it's a legal monopoly.

Speaker 11 (01:29:36):
We have no other choice.

Speaker 2 (01:29:37):
It's the same thing as as with the television, with
the cable system, it's a monopoly.

Speaker 11 (01:29:42):
You only have so many choices.

Speaker 2 (01:29:44):
There's not a free market there, and it's even less
of a free market when it comes to these utilities
you might have.

Speaker 11 (01:29:50):
You know, if you live in this area, you have
to use as if you live in this area, you
have to use Duke Energy.

Speaker 2 (01:29:56):
It's just that simple. And I don't know what it's
gonna take. That's a whole whole another show and a
whole other story. But the fact that we do have
a state utility regulatory commission. Uh that for the most
part and somewhat listens to consumers. That's that's our best
shot right now until this monopoly is broken up.

Speaker 23 (01:30:13):
Yeah, unless you have a arbitrator there's a lot in
favor of one.

Speaker 11 (01:30:17):
Party on the other or yeah that's true.

Speaker 19 (01:30:19):
Yeah, it goes to court.

Speaker 23 (01:30:21):
And the judges say, well, you know, it is what
it is, and that's what we can do about it.

Speaker 19 (01:30:24):
The Republican power. It all comes down to politics, and
that's what I'm there. Just what you said. It sounds
like a made monopoly.

Speaker 2 (01:30:33):
That was a Ponzi scheme pyramids. Yeah, yeah, that was illegal.
This is a legal monopoly. I mean, there's no other
way we could say. Yeah, it's a legal monopoly.

Speaker 19 (01:30:42):
Sod of put them all together. Crooked? Is this crooked
on both sides?

Speaker 2 (01:30:47):
Yeah, it's certainly, certainly in balance to check in.

Speaker 19 (01:30:52):
The market economic markets the same scale from one.

Speaker 23 (01:30:55):
County to the next. So from one city that's asking
to check that before she goes in there and she
maybe she's already done it, or maybe they've already done this. Yeah,
market scills and see what's going on. And it's the
same thing and if it's if it's an anomaly that
is just here in the city of Indianapolis or Mary Kelly,
that might point out the fact that hey, yeah, what

(01:31:17):
you said, you know it could be Uh let's say
this's a stamp.

Speaker 11 (01:31:20):
Yeah all right, Well, thank you, George. I appreciate it.

Speaker 6 (01:31:23):
Uh, we got time to thank you.

Speaker 2 (01:31:25):
We got time for one quick call, one more Uh, Pat,
go ahead, how are you?

Speaker 14 (01:31:30):
I guess how you doing it? I'm doing afraid that
I think you'll I just want to say that I
believe that what really happened is when they had their
problem way back a couple of years ago, they never
corrected the deal. They said, oh yeah, correct them, And
then when they open back up for people to pay,
they like, real again, they never.

Speaker 17 (01:31:49):
Corrected that deal. I'm caught in the middle of it
now because I actually moved and they said they refused
to put my lights in my knee and from a
year ago, from a year ago, they say, oh, seventeen
hundred dollars, I don't owe it. I didn't live in
your apartment. I have proof that I was not any there,
and they will not switch the bill in my name.

(01:32:10):
And so I'm going to get my LIGs turned off
of I. I moved and I got to put it
in my name, but they're saying that it was still
in my name in the other apartment, which I turned
them off. It's a big mess fright right now because
it went through the court system, so the court so
I wasn't there. So if there's anybody out that can

(01:32:31):
talk to me about that, because you passed them my number,
because I really do need to talk to someone about
what's going.

Speaker 34 (01:32:35):
On with me.

Speaker 11 (01:32:36):
Okay, can you stay on the line.

Speaker 2 (01:32:37):
We're going to go to a commercial here and we've
got another guest coming up, but don't hang up. Just
stay on the line and give your number to Cameron
and he'll give it to me and all forward it
to Representative Prior. Okay, Okay, thank you, and we'll be
back with more community connection right after this.

Speaker 1 (01:33:09):
Alexa play Praise Indy. Yes, it's that easy. Discover the
power of praise AM thirteen ten ninety five point one
FM on your Alexa enables smart speaker. Just say Alexa
play Praise Indy and you're instantly connected to the best
in gospel music. Let the soulful sounds uplift your spirit

(01:33:30):
energize your day and fill your home with joy. But
that's not all. Stay tuned for meaningful community discussions and
inspiring messages that enlighten and empower, whether you're cooking dinner,
working from home, or simply relaxing.

Speaker 2 (01:33:44):
Praise AM thirteen ten ninety.

Speaker 1 (01:33:46):
Five point one FM is your go to source for
music that moves you and words that inspire. Remember just
say Alexa, play Praise Indy, and feel the music and
inspiration of Praise thirteen, ten ninety five Andy's Inspiration Station.

Speaker 26 (01:34:05):
Tonight at nine on TV one. It's for my man
first to be murdered. I'm facing thirty liaf loyal ones.

Speaker 16 (01:34:16):
Me and my man are in this together, Ride or die.

Speaker 11 (01:34:22):
She was willing to do whatever was necessary to support
her name. Bad girls women do crazy thing for men
all the time.

Speaker 28 (01:34:29):
Don't miss for my Man All new tonight at nine
on TV one. Contact tax relief Helpers for details and restrictions.

Speaker 29 (01:34:38):
Attention anyone that owes money to the irs. Every day,
your unpaid tax debt gets bigger and bigger from daily interest.
The longer you wait, the more you will end up paying.
If you owe ten thousand dollars or more now is
the time to settle your debt before the IRS takes
aggressive action like taking your wages or property. A special
toll free number has been established so you can stop
penalty fees, avoid Leans levies or other hostile measures by

(01:34:58):
the IRS. Call tax relief helpers right now. I got
behind on my taxes and owed forty eight thousand dollars.
I called and they got my bill lower to just
thirty five hundred dollars. I owed eighty seven thousand dollars
in taxes, and it was scary. I got the amount
I owed down to just thirty five hundred. I saved
eighty three thousand, five hundred dollars. If you owe money
to the IRS, don't wait another day. Your tax debt

(01:35:19):
gets bigger and bigger from daily interest. Call right now
before the IRS enforces Lean's levies or other aggressive measures.
The call and consolet are absolutely free.

Speaker 11 (01:35:27):
Call now.

Speaker 31 (01:35:28):
Call eight hundred seven two zero thirty three eighty. Eight
hundred seven two zero thirty three eighty. That's eight hundred
seven two zero thirty three eighty.

Speaker 2 (01:35:35):
It's all about the life. Senty DJ she Knows forty.

Speaker 18 (01:35:39):
Heavy rain Classic Cony Shy.

Speaker 28 (01:35:42):
Saturday September twenty seven. Fuck you Shows seven thirty eight
eleven head close off.

Speaker 36 (01:35:49):
Sorry games, Yes, I did tate by him.

Speaker 13 (01:35:52):
You did not, Timmy, I had six to that damn
NBA player.

Speaker 37 (01:35:55):
I'm walking around with this.

Speaker 6 (01:35:56):
Fool Jersey home also sorry, Yes, Celler looking like a
struggling hot beef.

Speaker 27 (01:36:02):
Little last.

Speaker 19 (01:36:04):
Gosh.

Speaker 36 (01:36:05):
I'm cray tell him the true, tell him the truth, boy,
Ray Roberts need pampra.

Speaker 2 (01:36:13):
I choted to go to that church.

Speaker 36 (01:36:14):
I said, look here, April, the Lord is everywhere, but
the devil it's on your throat.

Speaker 19 (01:36:18):
And ever shame j G knows fortis.

Speaker 42 (01:36:24):
Shame.

Speaker 37 (01:36:24):
Tick us out at forty nine dollars avaiable to clothes.
Also get the hood up if imacue habits and all
was Bama clothing put on the day before. It's the
timber what you think, don't miss.

Speaker 14 (01:36:31):
The bucket that clothes.

Speaker 2 (01:36:33):
Watch my keen cribs. What's up y'all' is a girl?
Tory w Cory cart I'm like you are told in
this is brutally honest. I'm being brutally honest. Your man, No,
I love it. You have to be brutally honest. Have
you gonna be coming with brutal though, or it is
the Urban one podcast dot com or wherever you get
your podcast from. You won't regret it. It feels free.

Speaker 19 (01:36:57):
I'm free.

Speaker 38 (01:37:01):
There are thousands of hurting children in Indiana. They are
in the child welfare system due to abuse or neglect
at home, They struggle in school due to life trauma
or challenges, and they face mental health issues. At Child Advocates,
we serve foster children. We help children succeed in school,
and we host workshops to create collaborative workplaces and caring
communities and to nurture a sense of belonging for all

(01:37:23):
children and youth. We seek justice, access to opportunity, and
well being for children. Learn more at Child Advocates dot net.

Speaker 9 (01:37:30):
Saving money on your riffing or a sighting project when
you shop at Manar Stop it creates a clean, finished
appearance to your roofs over hand and keeps your at
a cool and dry white brown and black aluminum sopp
It is in stock and ready to take home today.
Shop all our building materials products in store or on

(01:37:51):
minards dot com and check out all of our great
deals going on now at Minaris.

Speaker 4 (01:37:57):
The same big body.

Speaker 28 (01:38:00):
Contact tax Relief Helpers for details and restrictions.

Speaker 29 (01:38:02):
Attention anyone that owes money to the IRS. Every day,
your unpaid tax debt gets bigger and bigger from daily interest.
The longer you wait, the more you will end up paying.
If you owe ten thousand dollars or more, now is
the time to settle your debt before the IRS takes
aggressive action like taking your wages or property. A special
toll free number has been established so you can stop
penalty fees, avoid leans, levees or other hostile measures by

(01:38:23):
the IRS. Call tax relief helpers right now.

Speaker 7 (01:38:26):
I got behind on my taxes and owed forty eight
thousand dollars. I called and they got my bill lower
to just thirty five hundred dollars. I owed eighty seven
thousand dollars in taxes, and it was scary. I got
the amount I owed down to just thirty five hundred.
I saved eighty three thousand, five hundred dollars.

Speaker 29 (01:38:40):
If you owe money to the IRS, don't wait another day.
Your tax debt gets bigger and bigger from daily interest.
Call right now before the IRS enforces leans, levees or
other aggressive measures. The call and consolet are absolutely.

Speaker 31 (01:38:51):
Free call now Call eight hundred seven two zero thirty
three eighty. Eight hundred seven two zero thirty three eighty.
That's eight hundred seven two zero thirty three eighty.

Speaker 39 (01:39:00):
Paul's new drone startup just lost its most genius computer scientist.

Speaker 16 (01:39:03):
We just lost our best genius to some new genius
who's got a genius new idea. I'm going to have
to find a new genius or two half geniuses.

Speaker 39 (01:39:11):
And fact, he needs a computer scientist that can keep
a startup from falling down. I need Indeed, Indeed, you
do when you sponsor a job on Indeed, it's easier
for talented candidates to find it, which makes it easier
for you to hire them. Visit indeed dot com, slash
credit and get seventy five dollars towards your first sponsored job.

Speaker 2 (01:39:28):
Terms and conditions apply.

Speaker 1 (01:39:30):
Let's get back to the conversation. It's Community Connection with
Tina Cosby, brought to you by Child Advocates, a champion
for justice, opportunity and well being for children on Phrase
Am thirteen ten ninety five point one FM.

Speaker 11 (01:39:45):
And we're back with Community Connection. We have a guest, Cameron.

Speaker 2 (01:39:50):
We had such good response from our listeners regarding their
power bills, and I hope that everyone continues to stay engaged,
because the utility aes needs to hear from his customers.
Our next guest is a young man who has assembled
an innovative retail, multimedia.

Speaker 11 (01:40:09):
And artistic space.

Speaker 2 (01:40:10):
It's got a lot of folks taking notice, absolutely, including
most recently one of our favorite subjects, Cameron the Indiana Fever.

Speaker 11 (01:40:19):
He is Stephen James.

Speaker 2 (01:40:21):
Stephen is the owner and founder of the Linux Studios
here on the northwest side of Indianapolis. And mister James,
welcome to the show. This is just good old fashioned radio.
I don't know, it might be a little old fashioned
based on all the innovative things that you're doing, but
welcome to the show. We're happy to have you with
us today.

Speaker 16 (01:40:39):
Hey, thank you for having me. I appreciate it, appreciate
your time. I'm excited for this.

Speaker 2 (01:40:47):
So tell us a little bit about yourself and a
little bit about the Linux Studio.

Speaker 11 (01:40:52):
I just find it so innovative and so kind of cool.
I guess I don't know.

Speaker 2 (01:40:56):
If that's too old a word, but it really is
an eyebrow reason, it really is.

Speaker 16 (01:41:02):
Yeah, So just I mean a little about about me.
I just moved back to Indy about a year and
a half ago, me and my family. I got three
little ones. We needed help with the with the boys.
So our family and all of our support is here.
So we decided to make that move back. And it's
been a transition, but you know, we're here. And how

(01:41:28):
the Linux came about. So you know, my mom had
daycare which is directly across the street. Uh So when
I came back, I was looking at this building pretty
much every day for a whole year, and you know,
just I'm like, man, let me go over there and
look at it again, because I had looked at it already,
but I just it didn't hit me. I was looking
at a building downtown and the rent was just way

(01:41:50):
too much. So just looking at this building and happened
to look at it one more time and kind of
just seeing the vision of a clothing retail store. And
that's pretty much how it came about. I ended up
partnering with Bryce and Ryan with your which are some
family guys that I pretty much grew up with. We
were in California. We had a warehouse together. They also

(01:42:12):
have a clothing brand, Fortune and Few clothing that's in
the UH in the Linux as well. So my brand,
Saint James Collection and Fortune and Few, we are basically
the powered UH unit behind the Linux. So you'll find
both of our, both our brands in the in the
retail store.

Speaker 2 (01:42:32):
Yeah, one of your I was looking at your website
and one of your website reviews says, uh, which, by
the way, UH, all your reviews, I haven't seen this
too often, A perfect five out of five. Uh, you
don't see that very pretty good, pretty darn good actually,
And anyway, one of the reviews says, the Linux Studios
is a perfect mixture of street meets luxury.

Speaker 11 (01:42:53):
I found that one.

Speaker 2 (01:42:55):
How do you explain that? Because, again, as I was
saying you, you're not just retail, I mean you've got
TI media opportunities, You've got opportunities.

Speaker 11 (01:43:02):
For you know, true art and things of that nature.

Speaker 2 (01:43:05):
So what went into your your thought to do to
go beyond retail and to create these other spaces and
have it all under one room.

Speaker 16 (01:43:13):
You know, it's me just being the type of entreneur,
entrepreneur than I am. I look at, you know, situations differently.
I'm like, how can I ring out the most out
of this building? And it had like a little five
six hundred square foot space that was to the side

(01:43:33):
of Okay, we don't need to have clothes in this area.
So I already have a podcast myself with with my
business partner, Stephen Mitchell. Wealthy podcast is the Wealthy Thoughts
podcast is the name of our podcast. In just seeing
the space, I'm like, man, we can have our own
in house podcast where we don't have to you know,

(01:43:55):
rent out a studio to to be able to shoot
our up. So it was kind of one of those things.
And then it turned into a monetized situation because I'm
all about that, how can we monetize and build value
for other people, not just for ourselves. So that's pretty
much how that came about. And now we you know,

(01:44:17):
we have a fully run podcast. You know, we have
all the equipment, we have all the cameras. Literally all
people have to do if they do want to shoot
their podcasts here is show up and shoot and then
we give them their finished product. All the edits, the
social media, all of that is in the subscription. So

(01:44:38):
if they go on the website, the Linux Studio dot com, uh,
they can go to the booking plans and then they'll
be able to see the different subscriptions that we do
have for the space.

Speaker 2 (01:44:47):
Is are you a podcast distribution site yet or center
yet or is that down the road? What do you mean,
like like your clearing out for you have podcasts that
to distribute yourself.

Speaker 16 (01:45:01):
Yes, yep, but we but we this is basically a rental,
so saying yeah, we've started this into a rental, so
we do have those options, like you know, as far
as distribution, you know, for people who don't know how
to to really monetize because you know, that's just a
DSP service that kind of just shoots the shoots the

(01:45:24):
podcast out to all the different platforms. So we are
just kind of like the housing for that so you
can come here, you know, get your I mean it's
it's top of the line equipment, top of the line everything,
and you know, I think that's where people get the
luxury from because when you come into the store, you
really it doesn't feel like you're on Michigan Road. We

(01:45:45):
really wanted to kind of bring California to to Endy.
You know, that's where that's where I was at for
twelve years and got to really experience, you know, luxury
living in California, So that kind of just rubbed off
on me. And you know, here we are now in
this in this beautiful space.

Speaker 2 (01:46:05):
It's kind of the place, you know, California. Was you
in so cal Southern cal La?

Speaker 16 (01:46:11):
Yeah, so I was in Uh we just recently moved
from Porto rant So that's kind of like Calabas.

Speaker 11 (01:46:18):
Oh yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, it's a newer community. So
I had a friend for like like two years or so,
two or three years in Calabasa.

Speaker 2 (01:46:28):
But you know, it's kind of interesting because we have
been involved in a number of community meetings and and
this this is gonna make sense in just a second,
but with with young people, we talk about the violence,
the youth violence. You know, the the one that got
everybody's attention was right around the fourth of July when
that there was a deadly mass shooting down there on

(01:46:50):
the Circle or downtown, but just shootings in general involving
young people, and so we we actually I was involved
in a meeting once and some of the young people
were talking to us, community leaders, faith based leaders, just
a lot of.

Speaker 11 (01:47:05):
Folks, and the young people were so drawn to what.

Speaker 2 (01:47:08):
It is that you have because they were talking about
how they.

Speaker 11 (01:47:11):
Are enjoying going to.

Speaker 2 (01:47:14):
Content rooms, you know, not like a luxurious uh southern
California content house, uh like that, but just some of
these that have popped up around the neighborhood. And I
think that the fact that you got here and in
such a short amount of time and you are a
young person, I mean you you're a young person, uh,
and you were able to capture that because the majority.

(01:47:38):
The other thing that the young people were saying was
that the majority of their culture you know, surrounds or
I guess is around social media, uh and things of
that nature.

Speaker 11 (01:47:48):
And with you having a retail.

Speaker 2 (01:47:50):
Slash media slash other, it's a it's a good example
of what can be done if you put your mind
to it and and just think a little bit outside
the box. And so this is the Yeah, what you're
doing is an example of what a lot of the
young people told us in these meetings that they want
to do or that they want to participate in. Were
you aware of that?

Speaker 16 (01:48:11):
You know, it's it's actually crazy because it's actually being
back home and really being outside. You don't know what
people see when you when you don't get a chance to,
you know, get in their face and actually see them.
So being outside and people that come up to you like, man,
I really need to come by your spode or heard

(01:48:32):
about it, you know, we've seen it from you know,
social media.

Speaker 12 (01:48:35):
It's just it's a.

Speaker 16 (01:48:38):
You know, it's a rewarding thing because you know, I
once was the person that was out here running the streets.
You know, I didn't I was not in that type
of environment because it was different when we were coming up.
We were actually outside playing with our friends. We weren't
thinking about violence, you know what I mean, guns and
all that. It was just it was just a different

(01:49:00):
just a different environment, you know, as us coming up
as kids. So now seeing you know, the type of
access that the kids have nowadays is it's pretty scary.
And you know, for us, you know, we want to
be an example to show people like, look, we once
were in your shoes. We once were the young kids

(01:49:20):
that were running around and not having any guidance, you
know what I mean, to just be able to have
this place and to show people that you know, this
is also this is an attainable thing. Yes, you know,
and I think that's the biggest reward of out of it,
all of it, because you know, we want to the

(01:49:42):
clothes and the podcast, all of this stuff is just
the the sprinkle on top. We want to build a
community where people can come and not just shop, but
you know, have a community base. We're getting all of
that data and being able to stay locked in and
committed to better in the youth, you know what I mean.

(01:50:03):
We want to be able to have workshops where you know,
the youth can come here and see how it is
to even start a brand because you know, a lot
of people when you want to start a brand, you
have no idea where to start. And I think that's
where these workshops and really getting out here and telling people,
you know, the ways, because I don't. We don't get

(01:50:24):
keep That's the reason why we have podcasts. You know,
our Weak Thoughts podcast. You know, we were really putting
people on game of just financial literacy and you know,
how to attain some of this stuff. So you know,
like we're just an open book, you know.

Speaker 12 (01:50:40):
What I mean.

Speaker 16 (01:50:40):
And I think that's the biggest thing that I want
people to take from if you know, if they're tuning
in that you know, any questions that you have or
like we're open you know, this is this is a
situation where we want to see people win. That's why
we are able to create stuff like this, you know
what I mean, to be able to give back and
you know, just to kind of put people on game

(01:51:01):
of how to maneuver in this space.

Speaker 15 (01:51:05):
Yeah.

Speaker 2 (01:51:06):
I love In your about about us section, one of
the paragraphs reads, we are a collective of dreamers, creatives,
and style enthusiasts dedicated to crafting a unique environment where
each visit feels like a gathering of friends.

Speaker 12 (01:51:21):
Uh.

Speaker 2 (01:51:21):
And that is that that is a concrete example. I
mean what you're saying. You know, a lot of people
talk about these concepts. You have an example, a concrete
you know, something you put your hands on, uh, and
you can touch and you can see, and word has
spread about what it is you're offering. Tell us, tell
us about the Fever. We talk about the Fever a
lot here on this show because we were hoping they

(01:51:41):
were gonna win another national championship. Doesn't look like it
this year, but even the Indiana Fever have heard about
what you're doing in the community.

Speaker 11 (01:51:49):
Tells tell us about that a little bit.

Speaker 28 (01:51:52):
Yeah.

Speaker 16 (01:51:52):
So that that was a crazy day. Okay, it started
so one of one of my buddies, Mike care he
works with five twenty podcasts. He had told me he's
like man. So the Volume Network is who Sophie and
them signed to. So they had like an eighty deal
contract with the Volume, and so the Volume they ended

(01:52:17):
up reaching out to me because they knew Sophie and
West which is her co hosts, were going to be
in Indie and you know, they were looking for place
to come. So I ended up connecting with one of
the agents at the Volume. They end up coming by.
They I sent them pictures, you know, so they seen
what the space looked like, and I told them, I'm like, hey,

(01:52:37):
come by and you know, you know, just just scope
the spot and see what what all you guys would
need to bring, because you know, we pretty much have everything.
So they came by and you know, they they loved
the spot. They said they were going to bring some
lighting and it just it was a it was a
beautiful day. Sophie showed up. Actually one of my friends

(01:52:57):
she styles for her, so which was a crazy thing
because I didn't even know that at the time. So
she comes and People Magazine ended up doing a interview
with them. They had a photo shoot right in the
main part of the store. So that was it was
a great day, complex, it was it was all over
social media, you know, just it was a great promotion

(01:53:22):
for you know, the Linux as a whole, let alone
the podcast areas. So their podcast is going up. It's
it's it's crazy seeing that they, you know, were able
to do their pilot here and we've we've gotten you know,
quite a few inquiries from that just from that space,
so you know a lot of people are coming and

(01:53:42):
checking out the space to see if it's a good
fit for them.

Speaker 6 (01:53:46):
Yeah.

Speaker 2 (01:53:47):
Indeed, it's just it's just great to be able to share,
you know, something positive on the show.

Speaker 12 (01:53:53):
Uh.

Speaker 2 (01:53:54):
This truly is a community connection because I love the
way you are connecting the community, you know, from perfect
to the everyday person.

Speaker 11 (01:54:01):
Uh, it's all there.

Speaker 2 (01:54:03):
So Steven, can you give us your your thirty second
elevator pitch before we have to go about the Linux Studios?

Speaker 11 (01:54:09):
Tell us tell us about it.

Speaker 16 (01:54:11):
So the Linux Studios is a retail slash creative space.
So we have closed for men, women, kids. We also
have shoes, and then we have a whole content room
where you can start your podcast or have video shoots
or photo shoots. The space is literally an open, open space,

(01:54:34):
you know. I mean you can really curate any type
of event that you want here. We also are opening
the doors if people want to rent out the space
for corporate events or you know, for community events. I've
actually connected with a good friend of mine that I
that I've met here, Tony with the One Day Foundation.
He's super hands on with the with the community. So

(01:54:58):
we've been doing a lot of you know, giving back
to the youth. Just recently gave some clothes and shoes
away to you know, to one of the one of
the youth who you know, just was just less fortunate.
It didn't have anything, and you know, that's kind of
where we want to kind of bridge that gap. Like, no,
it's it's not about, like I said, the clothes and

(01:55:19):
the shoes and all of that's just a sprink on top.
We are really trying to build a community and let
people know that, uh, this is a place where they
can create, ask questions, and you know, get to know
the linux because we're gonna be here for a while.

Speaker 11 (01:55:34):
Alrighty, I appreciate it.

Speaker 2 (01:55:36):
Thank you for all you're doing in the community. Uh,
this is this is a good community story. I love
sharing good community stories, the Linux Studios, your address, your website,
your socials, all the all the deeds.

Speaker 11 (01:55:46):
Can you give them to us before we take off?

Speaker 16 (01:55:48):
Yes, yep. So the address is fifty eight oh two
Michigan Road. Our instagram is at the Linux ind and.

Speaker 35 (01:55:58):
What was it was?

Speaker 11 (01:55:59):
Another one at the Linux Indie.

Speaker 16 (01:56:01):
And your website yep, the website is the Linux studios
dot com.

Speaker 12 (01:56:06):
Alright.

Speaker 16 (01:56:07):
You can find everything on the Linux studios dot com.

Speaker 2 (01:56:09):
All right, congratulations, keep doing what you do. Thank you
for coming on and sharing with us. We appreciate you
as well. And that's all the time we have for
Community Connection for right now. We'll be back tomorrow. Until then,
everyone be safe. Willimore Junior and the radio's up next.

Speaker 11 (01:56:24):
I'm Tina Cosby in This is Community Connection