Don't ask seniors to read gas meters

From the how-could-things-get-any-worse department comes this: Senior citizens living in fear of being robbed blind are being forced to go outside and read their own gas meters.

That's right. I guess this is Nicor's solution to overcharging these seniors with their estimated billing policy.

Many of our seniors are subsisting month to month, many on fixed incomes.

The apartments they live in are newer construction with one energy-efficient gas furnace, yet their gas bills are $150, $200, sometimes even $300. Come on.

So in order to be charged for what gas they are actually using, they are being forced to go outside, find and then read the meter.

Seems to me they should be given some kind of a discount, not be held hostage by the fear of gigantic bills.

Richard Houck

Barrington