[Tyncneiff]

Many people in our society would find it difficult to live in their home without electricity for even a few days, let alone for more than a decade, but that has been the reality for one New Brunswick man since 1999.

http://news.sympatico.ctv.ca/local/a...power/e9477f96


This week, thanks to the support of complete strangers, the lights came back on.

The power had been disconnected in Neil Lemon's Lower Durham home for 13 years, due to a dispute with NB Power over an unpaid bill.

"That was the hardest part, not being able to have power over something as silly as a few hundred bucks," says Lemon. "It cost me my home."

NB Power hasn't commented on the case publicly, which led Lemon to protest the dispute atop a telephone pole when the power was first cut off.

His situation has struck a chord with people over the last few months and donations have poured in across the country. The funds have allowed Lemon to finally pay off the power bill, which had accumulated to nearly $3,000.

"One gentleman from Calgary donated $5,000," says Dan Weston, the co-ordinator of the Fredericton Anti-Poverty Organization, which is managing the donations as they come in.

While the power bill has been paid, additional money will be needed to repair the home for further power installation. So far almost $10,000 has been donated.

"Neil I think touched a nerve and got some people's sympathy, so much so that some rather large donations came in without any charity tax numbers," says Weston.

The roof is now being repaired to stop leaks, and appliances and furniture are coming in, along with indoor plumbing.

Lemon says he wouldn't have made it this far without help from his neighbours.

"Without power you can't cook a turkey for Thanksgiving or Christmas. I never missed any," he says. "I had people here for the past 15 years making sure I had something for Christmastime and Thanksgiving."

Lemon says he's pleased with the repairs and is grateful for the donations, but he still has one wish.

"The best thing to me would be to get into a courtroom with NB Power. That would mean everything to me."

Lemon says low-income citizens need to be defended, and for the first time in a long time, he says he may be in a position to do it.