The efficiency of any organization depends on how they react under simple non-complex problems.

Take this simple example I have had with the New York State Electric & Gas Corporation (NYSEG).

I had noticed several months ago that one of the street lights (owned by NYSEG) was not working and the light eventually went dark.

Several days later I noticed that a NYSEG crew and truck was parked on the street where this light pole containing the blown light bulb was located… in fact that truck was probably 50 to 70 feet from the referenced utility pole.

In seeing one of the NYSEG employees walking around the truck I walked up the street and spoke to the repairman.

I pointed out the utility pole and the blown light and inquired since they were right here by the pole could they replace the blown bulb.

You won't believe the answer I got from the NYSEG representative… he calmly told me that my request would have to go to the Binghamton office and they would send out an order to repair the light.

Now one would think they could have simply replaced the bulb having all of the equipment in the truck to do so but no I had to place a call to the Binghamton office and describe the problem of which they said would be taken care of.

Well I really don't understand their terminology or time frame of when the taking care of should be but it's been about two months since I called and the light is still out.

Now here is a company that has had numerous power outages over the past several years and they have the courage to write the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) proposing (requesting) a 23.7 percent increase in utility rates for electric customers which would man an average monthly hike of $10.17… gas customers would see a 1.9 percent increase or about $1.05 more per month.

Public comment has been somewhat negative at public hearings on the request and the PSC said their 11-month public review process will closely review NYSEG's proposal which was submitted in April or May of this year.

This utility company it would seem might have some problems as reports are they have let go a portion of its service force and that's why when there is a storm or major outage you see utility vehicles in the area from out of this county.

I think there is a major problem when you can't even get a light bulb changed on one of the NYSEG utility poles in a timely fashion.

Ed Townsend provides year around "Beyond The News"coverage in this column with over 60-years of photojournalism analysis and insight. The column can also be read on his Web blog at http://bght.blogspot.com