From BattleCreekEnquirer.com
The death of Marvin Schur should make all of us think about our roles as neighbors and community members in a world where we increasingly are isolated from one another.Schur is the 93-year-old Bay City man who was found frozen to death in his house Jan. 17. The local utility company had installed a power-limiting device on Schur’s house because he owed more than $1,000 in unpaid electric bills.
The tragedy is compounded by the fact that Schur apparently had more than enough money to cover the cost of the bills, but for whatever reason, had not paid them.
Since the story of Schur’s death began making headlines this week, there has been plenty of outrage expressed, much of it directed at Bay City’s light and power company for not contacting Schur directly to notify him and better assess his situation.
While there certainly are questions to be answered and procedures to be investigated, on a personal level we all need to stop and think about our own communities.
Do we have an elderly neighbor who, like Schur, lives alone with no family nearby? How about someone with a disability who is pretty much confined to his or her home when winter weather sets in?
If so, do we make a habit of picking up the phone or knocking on the door to check on them regularly?
Do we look for signs of activity around our neighbors’ houses on a daily basis? Are the lights on in the evening? Are the curtains or blinds open in the day and closed in the evening?
Many of us do not live in close-knit neighborhoods where residents interact on a regular basis. Our busy schedules keep us coming and going without much thought about what is happening in the lives around us.
But we should at least make an attempt to reach out to those neighbors who are alone and vulnerable to circumstances such as those that beset Schur.
If we discover they are having difficulties meeting the challenges of daily life, we can help guide them toward help. If they are behind in their bills, encourage them to contact their utilities directly to see what assistance is available, or suggest they call 211 for help in accessing community resources. Sometimes it is necessary to alert an agency such as Adult Protective Services.
In extreme circumstances where we find someone who simply is unable to function by themselves or in immediate need of medical attention, call 911.
Being neighborly doesn’t mean taking on someone else’s burden or shouldering daily responsibilities. It means showing a little concern and consideration for those who live nearby – and taking action when we see a need.
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