On Wednesday, Dec. 30, with temperatures hovering below the freezing point and The Day reporting the rescue of a child whose tongue had frozen to a railing, the residents of New London Public Housing at Thames Riverview were without heat and hot water.This just three short and extremely cold days after an article headlined, "NL Housing Authority: Money orders only," appeared in The Day.

This just three short and extremely cold days after an article headlined, "NL Housing Authority: Money orders only," appeared in The Day.According to Sue Shontell, acting director of the housing authority, "Our job is keep them housed,''... "We don't want people being buried under debt."

According to Sue Shontell, acting director of the housing authority, "Our job is keep them housed,''... "We don't want people being buried under debt."Keeping "them housed" is a fine idea.

Keeping "them housed" is a fine idea.Keeping them housed in apartments with heat and hot water is an even better one.

Keeping them housed in apartments with heat and hot water is an even better one.Keeping them housed in apartments with heat and hot water and requiring only those with a history of paying rent with bad checks (to now pay by money order only) is the best idea.

Keeping them housed in apartments with heat and hot water and requiring only those with a history of paying rent with bad checks (to now pay by money order only) is the best idea.Shontell is also quoted as saying, "Obviously there are people who have never bounced a check, so they feel they are being unjustly punished. But that's not the case. The policy really was not designed to punish anyone.''

Shontell is also quoted as saying, "Obviously there are people who have never bounced a check, so they feel they are being unjustly punished. But that's not the case. The policy really was not designed to punish anyone.''It does mean that

It does mean thatWhile that is a very fine thing to say and may actually be meant, the truth is that many of the residents of New London Public Housing will be "punished," for lack of a better word.

While that is a very fine thing to say and may actually be meant, the truth is that many of the residents of New London Public Housing will be "punished," for lack of a better word.Although some non-residents may not consider the monthly expense of a money order to be of concern, to residents this is just one more expense that they could very well do without.

Although some non-residents may not consider the monthly expense of a money order to be of concern, to residents this is just one more expense that they could very well do without.That, however, may have the least impact of the "…the new directive…" that readers are assured "…will help residents who live close to the financial edge from falling into debt."

That, however, may have the least impact of the "…the new directive…" that readers are assured "…will help residents who live close to the financial edge from falling into debt."A very major difficulty for many who reside in New London Public Housing is transportation which is to say that they themselves don't have any and must depend on family, friends, buses or, God forbid, taxis.

A very major difficulty for many who reside in New London Public Housing is transportation which is to say that they themselves don't have any and must depend on family, friends, buses or, God forbid, taxis.Now the idea of getting the bus or a taxi to get a money order to pay your rent because some other people's checks bounced is an interesting conundrum raising the price of the required money order, the inconvenience of getting one and increasing the frustration of the many residents already feeling much like vassals in the kingdom of New London's public housing.

Now the idea of getting the bus or a taxi to get a money order to pay your rent because some other people's checks bounced is an interesting conundrum raising the price of the required money order, the inconvenience of getting one and increasing the frustration of the many residents already feeling much like vassals in the kingdom of New London's public housing.I think it's safe to say that, except for the fact that this directive is aimed at residents in what is often thought of as low-income housing rather than public housing, this situation would not happen in apartment complexes elsewhere in our fair city.

I think it's safe to say that, except for the fact that this directive is aimed at residents in what is often thought of as low-income housing rather than public housing, this situation would not happen in apartment complexes elsewhere in our fair city.Imagine if you will, owners of apartment complexes in the southern end of New London, for example, informing their residents that all rents must now be paid by money order only.

Imagine if you will, owners of apartment complexes in the southern end of New London, for example, informing their residents that all rents must now be paid by money order only.I would venture a guess that there are few, if any, apartment buildings or complexes that would risk the good will of renters by sending a directive such as the one that NLPHA sent to its residents.

I would venture a guess that there are few, if any, apartment buildings or complexes that would risk the good will of renters by sending a directive such as the one that NLPHA sent to its residents.Ain't gonna happen!

Ain't gonna happen!Shirley Gillis, a longtime community volunteer and presently chairwoman of the housing authority, "…said the agency is trying to stay on top of its bills; collecting rents and not spending time trying to collect late fees keeps the money flowing…"

Shirley Gillis, a longtime community volunteer and presently chairwoman of the housing authority, "…said the agency is trying to stay on top of its bills; collecting rents and not spending time trying to collect late fees keeps the money flowing…"Staying on top of the bills is certainly an idea that has merit.

Staying on top of the bills is certainly an idea that has merit.Using other people's money to do it, not to mention inconvenience, does not.

Using other people's money to do it, not to mention inconvenience, does not.Having known Ms. Gillis for many years, I can only think that this was not her idea but came from the management of the New London Housing Authority which, unfortunately for all involved, has a history of mismanagement, embezzlement and a failure to have any significant communication with the residents who live there.

Having known Ms. Gillis for many years, I can only think that this was not her idea but came from the management of the New London Housing Authority which, unfortunately for all involved, has a history of mismanagement, embezzlement and a failure to have any significant communication with the residents who live there.It is past time for a change in more than staff and management only.

It is past time for a change in more than staff and management only.It is past time for one-way directives.

It is past time for one-way directives.It is past time for management to run the neighborhood groups.

It is past time for management to run the neighborhood groups.It is past time for blaming the tenants.

It is past time for blaming the tenants.And it is about time that many of us realize that the families who reside in New London public housing are no different than families residing elsewhere and are deserving of our support and understanding.

And it is about time that many of us realize that the families who reside in New London public housing are no different than families residing elsewhere and are deserving of our support and understanding.

Kathleen Mitchell is a community activist who lives in New London.