DaytonDailyNews.com

Protesters in at least two cities came out on Sunday, Sept. 21, carrying signs and demanding answers – and power – from Dayton Power and Light.

Cassandra Benning-Lewis said she was inspired by a photograph in Saturday's Dayton Daily News of Ramona Luebking, 90, waving a sign saying "DPL sucks" during a protest by residents of Fairwood Village, a Beavercreek independent living center for senior citizens.

Within three hours of the protest, DP&L began restoring power to Fairwood Village.

Benning-Lewis organized a similar protest at Westbrooke Village Apartments in Trotwood, along with 15 other residents.

"We're starting to think we got forgotten," said Benning-Lewis, who has resorted to cooking with Sterno canned heat to feed her husband, child, brother and mother.

The apartment complex has electric water heaters, so residents also have been without warm water along with no power since Sunday, Sept. 14.

In Miamisburg, employees of Long Cleaners also protested the fact that they remain without electricity a week after the windstorm that knocked out power to 300,000 DP&L customers.

"I think it's ridiculous. I think it's totally unacceptable," said Judy Long, an employee. "We are just very frustrated."

Tom Perry, sales and marketing manager for the family-owned cleaning company, said he and other employees have spent hours on "eternal wait" on the phone every day trying to talk to someone at DP&L to find out when they might get power back. They've gotten no answers.

"We've got 40 people who are depending on us to provide them with employment," said Perry, as about 20 employees carrying placards waved to vehicles.

"We'll be out here again tomorrow. We'll be out here until the power comes on."

Tonya Whaley, who works at the cleaners, said the company was being "overlooked."

"We need to get our jobs back, because we don't even have money to buy food for the night," said Whaley, a Fairborn resident. "We live in America. This should not be happening. Not for this long."

DP&L spokesman Tom Tatham said the company is working to restore power and organized protests are not the way to get electricity sooner.

"We understand the frustration," Tatham said, thanking customers for patience. He said customers may have a perception that they've been forgotten because neighbors with power may be served by different lines that have been repaired.

"We do everything we can to make sure customers are not missed," he said, urging people to call 1-877-4Outage if they have an outage concern. He said there should be no wait.