AMORY – A policy about whether both spouses need to sign their names in order to get electricity in Amory is being studied by city officials to see if revisions are needed.

The matter came to the board’s attention last week when Amory resident Bessie Stafford asked to get power turned on at a rental house she owns.

Stafford, who said she operates her own business separately from her husband’s business interests, said she was surprised the city would not allow her to get the power turned without her husband’s signature.

Stafford appeared before the Board of Aldermen recently to seek a change in what she considers to be an unfair and discriminatory policy.

Citing potential litigation as the reason, the board went into closed session to discuss the matter with Stafford.

The board listened to Stafford’s comments and did not take any action on the matter. City attorney John Creekmore will review the policy and the board will then make a determination.

In a prepared statement for the board, Stafford said she had previously spoken to her alderman, the mayor and City Utilities Manager Tony Swan about the policy.

Stafford takes issue with part of a policies and procedures resolution the board adopted in 2006 that pertains to application for electrical service. In the policy, it states: “In the case of married individuals, both parties must sign the application for service and provide the necessary form of I.D.”

Stafford said she bought a house in 2007 and was unaware of the policy. Now, her plans to buy and renovate other homes in the city likely will change.

Not everyone receiving power in Amory has had both spouses sign for their power because the policy was enacted in 2006 and many people are apparently “grandfathered in.”