
10/08/2025
The recent incident involving a fiber optic installation crew running Frontier Communications new lines in our neighborhoods raises significant concerns regarding accountability and safety in public works. The subcontractors, frequently referred to as "scab workers," appear to operate without adequate oversight, leading to a regrettable situation where a resident's NIPSCO main electrical line was damaged during the boring process. This mishap resulted in the household experiencing service disruption, leaving essential appliances like the washer, dryer, stove, freezer, refrigerator, and air conditioner inoperable. There are also two children in this home, with one being special needs. THIS is very dangerous and scary with their special-needs child, they need full power because they have alarms and electronic devices to warn them so that way the child doesn't elope. Initially, Frontier was contacted, and the homeowner was referred back to the installers. The homeowner, Mr. Paul Liapis, went to find said installers and was advised that there was a language barrier and could not understand him. The resident's attempts to seek assistance through the non-emergency line and local government channels, including the mayor's office, yielded no response, highlighting a troubling disconnect between elected officials and the constituents they serve. At the time of this writing, there has been no return call from Mayor Huddlestun to the homeowners. Such negligence not only undermines public trust but also raises questions about the regulatory frameworks governing subcontracted labor in critical infrastructure projects. The lack of accountability from both the contractors and local authorities is disheartening, as it reflects a broader systemic failure to prioritize community welfare and safety in the face of rapid technological advancements. Immediate action is necessary to ensure that all parties involved are held responsible and that residents' concerns are addressed promptly and effectively. Thankfully, due to a dedicated Nipsco lineman that came out (after 5 hours of the initial outage),he was able to bring half of the voltage back temporarily. They will not have full service restored until crews from Nipsco can come back out to the home and find the exact location of where their underground electrical service was damaged. During this time, as repairs are made, they will once again be without full power