[QUOTE]“Too little, too late”.
Disgruntled farmer Steve Meier has slammed Transpower for not dealing with sagging power lines and tall tress on his property that caused today’s power cuts.
The cut to the national grid occurred around 4.30pm today when power lines connected with trees on Mr Meier’s property in Matangi, southeast of Hamilton, sparking a fire.
The cut coincided with Otahuhu Power Station being out of operation for maintenance.
Thousands were affected from Huntly through to Wellsford for hours as Transpower workers attempted to gain access to Mr Meier’s property to fix the damage.
Transpower chief executive Dr Patrick Strange told Campbell Live his staff attempted to access the property to fix the damage, but were barred by Mr Meier.
Around ten police officers attended the scene in order for workers to gain access to fix the problem, Dr Strange said.
It is a relationship that has been strained for some time.
“We’ve been having a hard relationship with Mr Meier, probably the most difficult in the country,” he says.
“We have been trying to get on the land for some months, we’ve been sending in notices saying we need to do tree trimming – he has blocked us.
Dr Strange also said Transpower was in talks with Mr Meier’s solicitor – as late as this afternoon – to get onto the land.
“The solicitor said, ‘I’ve tried, but I can’t help you anymore; I think Mr Meier is out of control.’”
However, an exasperated Mr Meier told Campbell Live the problem is Transpower’s, and it has been going on too long.
“What happened today, after we told them five months ago was going to happen – and only a matter of four weeks ago – that their line was going to ignite our tree.
“They should have pruned the trees 18 months ago, two years ago, three years ago,” he said.
“I told my lawyer to tell the national lines manager that this was an accident waiting to happen.
“They've had years to deal to this, but they would rather see us lose hundreds of thousands of dollars, and walk broken arsed out of our farm.”
[/QUOTE]Source: [URL]http://www.3news.co.nz/Farmer-to-Transpower-Too-little-too-late/tabid/817/articleID/138720/Default.aspx[/URL]
Video: [URL]http://www.3news.co.nz/Farmer-to-Transpower-Too-little-too-late/tabid/367/articleID/138720/Default.aspx[/URL]
Comment: Yes, it was around 50,000 Homes, and this dispute he is having with the power company is far from over.
Shocking.
is that guy's name really Dr Strange
I guess his hedges were a cut above the rest.
Why didn't the fucker cut the trees down instead of being a lazy ass?
[QUOTE=kidwithsword;19868776]Why didn't the fucker cut the trees down instead of being a lazy ass?[/QUOTE]
Because he's a lazy ass.
[QUOTE=kidwithsword;19868776]Why didn't the fucker cut the trees down instead of being a lazy ass?[/QUOTE]
I don't think you can legally cut down/trim a tree if power lines run through it
Actually, its not his problem, the power company placed their lines over his existing hedge, he has claimed to have warned them for many years and they have not cut his hedges back, they are not allowed to touch his hedge without permission.
[QUOTE=kidwithsword;19868776]Why didn't the fucker cut the trees down instead of being a lazy ass?[/QUOTE]
At least here in the states, local government is legally obligated to deal with any trees within dangerous proximity to the power lines.
This was on the news - basically when the workers from transpower got to his farm he stood outside in his underwear screaming abuse at them for about 4 hours.
Bet my ass he's telling the truth, I'd be fucking pissed too if they ignore the problem and then come running when the shit he's warned about happens.
Would'nt like to know him.
[quote]Dr Patrick Strange[/quote]
I wonder if he has a brother called Stephen.
I would kill for that last name.
[QUOTE=kidwithsword;19868776]Why didn't the fucker cut the trees down instead of being a lazy ass?[/QUOTE]
Because trimming the tops of trees is iherantly difficult/dangerous and requires specialist equipment to reach over?
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