New Jersey Woman Takes Action After Hearing Report Of Brighton Beach Couple In Need On 1010 WINS
NEW YORK(CBSNewYork) --A 1010 WINS listener from New Jersey came to the rescue of a Brighton Beach couple who could not pay their electric bill.
The community of Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, was devastated by Superstorm Sandy, and now residents who still have no heat are seeing astronomical electric bills as they run space heaters during this bitter winter.
After Sandy, the building at 601 Brightwater Court had no heat. Once the power was restored, the city gave out electric space heaters, so residents such as Pavel Gertsman and his wife could be warm.
He was grateful for that, but Gertsman recently got a whopping electric bill – about $150 higher than his average monthly bill. They are senior citizens, and do not have a lot of extra money.
WINS Listener Reaches Out To Brighton Beach Couple
"I am 84 years old; my wife 81 years," he said.
Community leader Yelena Makhnin, who interpreted, said the extra $150 is a major burden.
"They're on a fixed income with $1,100 family, and the difference in $150, it makes those people choose between food and Con Edison bills," Makhnin said.
A spokesman for Con Ed said that legally the company couldn't lower the Gertsman's bill, the best they could do was put the couple on a payment plan. Upon hearing that, New Jersey resident Diane Edwards decided to take action.
"It feels great to meet him, it really is a pleasure," Edwards told 1010 WINS reporter Carol D'Auria, when she was finally introduced to Edwards.
Gertsman was grateful for the support.
"American's are accustomed to do good, and in the future Russians will know about charity as well as Americans," he said through an interpreter.
You may share your thoughts in our comments section below...
