Heating costs are way out of line

Dear ones, we are forced into making a very serious decision. Effective immediately, we no longer will be able to send our support to your church or Katrina rebuild efforts.

Although Katrina did not hit the panhandle of Idaho, nonetheless, we are being taken advantage of — beyond reason.

Because of the high propane cost, of which last month was nearly $700, we elected to run the baseboard electric heaters for the month of November. Hark, in comes the electric bill from Avista in Spokane. Would you believe that it was over $153?

I am on Social Security and have been reluctant to stop my Medicare fee so that we can pay these outrageous bills. However, it may come to that.

Of the most concern to me is that we in the north here. We do not get our gas from the Gulf Coast. Indeed, we are just 60 miles from Canada and that is where the gas comes from. It costs $1.75 per gallon for propane in this area. It is an inflated price and a burden on people beyond reason.

So we will have to make the adjustment somewhere. We will simply have to cut donations. What a shame. What a shame on big business.

When we see the major car companies cutting 60,000 jobs and closing up manufacturing plants is not the time to increase Americans' heating costs.

As a Christian, I feel that we should help people and contribute to needy, wherever they are. However, this tithe money thing, is the end for a time.

LOREN R. WITTROCK

Clark Fork