Lights out in New Paris

NEW PARIS, Ohio (WDTN) - What do you do when the light bill gets high? You turn off the lights.

Which is exactly what village leaders plan to do in January on the streets of New Paris.

Officials say the village's funding from the state has been slashed by 25-percent and another 25-percent will be cut next year.

So to try to make ends meet, the village is preparing to end its contract with Dayton Power and Light at the end of the month.

That would save more than $17,000, but leaders fear it could also cost villagers in safety.

"We try to do everything we can for the public and the residents here, but we don't get a lot of support from some of them. I think it's time they start helping us with some solutions," said Mary Jane Thomas, council member.

Council members will meet with DP&L Monday.

In the meantime, the company is crunching numbers looking for ways to help.