AEP and tree trimming

[Hoss]

OK, I know that there has been a lot made of the excessive tree trimming that has been done by AEP over the last year.  Now, I have a little story to tell about them NOT trimming trees when it's definitely needed.

I live around the Traffic Circle, in an area of town where the service lines for electric are aerial.  This same area of town, large trees, upwards of 60 feet tall, grow pretty popularly.  I have two fairly good size ash trees in my front yard.  I also live about 2 blocks from the staging area for about 40 Asplundh trucks that I know are doing this work for AEP.

OK, let's cut to the chase.  About six months ago, during the stormy season, I contacted AEP about coming to trim this specific tree on the south part of my front lawn that was growing into the service line in between poles..not at the drop, as customers are responsible for that.  The guys came out, left a flyer on the door saying they would trim the tree during their regular maintenance of the line.  This was six months ago.

I contacted AEP again on Wednesday last; I spoke with a lady in CS and she indicated someone would come out and have a look.  Guess what?  The same response, but now they left a timeframe of between 1 TO 4 YEARS before that line would get trimmed.

Now, I wouldn't worry about this too much, had I not indicated initially to the CS rep this same thing had happened and I absolutely wanted it trimmed.  The day I got the notice (last Friday), I saw an Asplundh truck around the corner trimming trees.  Also, during our windy spell last week, these trees caused the power to flicker enough to cause minor power surges and reset appliances no fewer than twice a day.

I care for my mother, as this is now her home, and she is unable due to some disabilities she has had since I was a senior in high school.  So I'm essentially a guest in the house, although I pay bills on it, including my share of all the utilities.

This wouldn't bother me so much had I not indicated to the representative at AEP over the phone that the trees MUST be trimmed, and not given the runaround, which is what I've gotten again.  We're not paying 100+ dollars a month to these creeps to have them blow us off.  I hate AEP; I never thought I'd hear myself say this, but I wish PSO was back....

[:I]