Huber Ridge Area

Rate Increase Again!!!

Pam, I will be getting petition signatures on Mexico Ave. along with another neighbor, Mary H. We have to do something as a community about the water/sewer costs. It didn't sound as if the ''trustees'' present at the Oct 16 ''Meet Blendon Twp Candidates'' were very interested in challenging the rate increases. Jim Welch, other HRAA members, did a very good job during the last crisis we had with the exorbitant prices we pay to Ohio American Water. We have to stand together to fight this battle. Many people who move to Huber Ridge or Sunbury Woods have no idea what the water/sewer costs will be--what a shock! Water should NOT be paid as if it were a luxury. When you get ready to visit Gov. Strickland's office, I for one am anxious to go. There must be another option that the trustees should have investigated to provide water/sewer to township residents at affordable rates. (I have lived in this community for 40+ years and it has always been a problem.) Or did most of the hard work fall to HRAA officers?

Rate Increase

Rama, The simple facts are that the trustees sent a letter of opposition at the encouragement of Jim Welch. Two were present at the hearing but neither spoke and one left early. Yes, Jim Welch, Julie Hedrick, the HRAA executive committee, residents of Huber Ridge and Sunbury Woods, and others made a difference in the outcome of this last increase.

Jim Welch was notified (as a courtesy) by OAW March 17, 2006, and upon his notification, he notified residents long before any legal notices were printed in the Columbus Dispatch or sent by OAW. (Such notices are well after the rate increase is in motion.) Jim's notification included action and that is what helped to get better results.

No, our trustees did not notify residents of that rate increase, nor do I recall them notifying residents of any rate increase (and there have been many) prior to them going into effect.

It took a lot of time.

No home, no used car

Dear Big Water Payer (are not all of us that?) You are not the only one who saw it coming. We all have seen it coming with this water company regardless of improvements. Yes, we were told with reverse osmosis there would be a price, but with this last rate increase in 2006, and the one before it in 2004, and the one before it in 2003, and the one before it in 2000 - there was no mention of improvements with a price like we heard about with reverse osmosis. The company is relentless in seeking rate increases because they are a monopoly and are getting away with it.

We all just received our letters from OAW saying how much they have done to IMPROVE and therefore they need the extra 26% for water and 36% for sewer. Will they get it? How many will help fight this rate increase?

The 2006 increase OAW sought 21 percent overall. Period. They never mentioned summer/winter rates - that was negotiated. They never offered to repair and paint fire hydrants - that was a stipulation. They never offered to set up test points to improve water quality - that was stipulation. (And they still have work to do in the area of quality). All of this came about because we as a community stood up and said enough is enough.

Why would we not ask for improvement? Just to avoid a rate increase? No chance, as their track record proves. They would ask (and have asked) for a rate increase regardless of improvement.

A neighbor who lives on Paris E. has water so brown it would be unthinkable to drink - and she does not drink it. Should she not ask for improvement in the hope of avoiding higher rates? I do not consider improvement as a loss, but maybe I have misunderstood your post.

However, I realize that your solution of moving to another area in order to alleviate the outrageous water bills we pay is very real - and it is adversely affecting our neighborhood. This is why we worked and will work so hard to get someone to pay attention to our community.

You say people are moving to Minerva Park. Interesting, Minerva Park apparently has Columbus water yet they are Blendon Township and Westerville schools. They did not have to annex as we are regularly told we would have to do if we hook up to Columbus. Why is that? Is someone not being truthful?

And something else I have heard - getting another water company would mean laying new pipes. The neighborhood would be torn up. Oh well, if this had been done years ago, (and it should have been) then the pipes and mess would have been over with by now.

In the final analysis, moving is not always an option for all. So, for those of us who plan to stay, let's work for change.

Thank you Pam!!

I myself like living here (or at least I used to). It's my understanding that water treated with reverse osmosis is basically bottled water. I don't know about everyone else, but I don't have bottled water coming out of my faucets.
I do go to the Laundromat though as I prefer to support the small business owner of the Laundromat before I?’ll support our water company. Once I did have to call re. my bill going up $40 for no apparent reason - they asked me if I washed my car. I asked told her to stop and think about what she just asked me - wasn't she embarrassed.... No reply. My neighbor has 3 children and pays around $200 per month for water - and no, there are no leaks. Personally I'd have mine shut off before I'd pay that.
I don't think Minerva is actually part of Blendon Twp. though - I think they contract some services, but they do have their own governing body and by they looks of things, theirs seems to care - unlike ours.


By Mary