This is part of a very much longer letter -- the  entire text
of which has not yet been posted or sent to Empire.

________________________________________________________

Friday, December 8, 2000

Marie O'Hara
Bolivar, MO 65613

Glen Blake
Empire District Electric Company
Ozark, Missouri

Dear Glen Blake,

As I indicated in my letter of November 27, 2000, I am
writing you to update you on the situation.

As I had hoped, I was able to locate some corporate funding
from an out-of-state, nonprofit source.

However, due to the distances, paperwork, and protocol involved,
I am told that the actual check may require an additional two to three
weeks as it is processed through various corporate mechanisms.

On Monday, December 4, 2000, my representative called June,
the Customer Service Representative at the Ozark office
(1-800-206-2300) to ask for assistance in dealing with this
unanticipated delay.

My representative arranged with June that on or before January
18, 2001, I make a double payment -- totaling $304.

This $304 total encompasses both the November and December
billing of $152 each.

The payment of $304 on or before January 18, 2001 will bring
my account current -- though I understand that I will receive
the new January 2001 billing (for $152) within the week of
January 18, 2001.

Although I suspect that the assistance check will arrive sooner
than January 18, 2001, I am wary that, due to both the Christmas
and New Year Holidays, there may be unforeseen and unpredictable
delays in both the mail and paperwork.

I have, therefore, allowed leeway in the timetable for this possible
eventuality by setting the due date for January 18, 2001.

Again, I wish to commend the kind and temperate manner of your representative, June, in making these arrangements.

As you know, I have had no consistent income for the past
five years.

I have lived by the grace of God, the sporadic financial support
from a few friends and family, and food donations from
(primarily out-of-state) organic food vendors.

So that there will be no misunderstanding, please notify Travis
Jones of the Bolivar Office of this change of schedule.

I thank you for your patience in this difficult matter.

Sincerest of Holiday Blessings,


Marie O'Hara

cc Customer Service Representative, June
Empire District Electric,
Ozark, Missouri Fax: (417)-581-7560