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you missed my point
The point was that they are a monopoly like cigarette companies and gasoline suppliers, the people who are responding to this post all think it is the local governments fault? so is it the trustees fault you pay more for eggs at the grocery? no, people need to voice there opinion on these matters, but it is not local governments fault, or the people running its fault, society dictates what is done with the water rates, and it is not up to local government to fight big oil companies or big water companies. it is up to grass root efforts from the community to go to the PUCO and fight for there rights. PUCO listens to communities when these rate increases are not justified. Why do you think organizations like the northland community council exsists? They began as a grass roots effort to clean up what they could because government couldn't! so the grass roots effort you are doing is the only way to fight the big water company this is not a war fought by the local government. It is my understanding that the trustees are doing everything they can by law to help with this, but there hands are tied because they took an oath not to disobey laws of the state of ohio! so no matter who gets in the office of trustee, they still have to obey the laws of the state of ohio!
By big water bill payer
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NOT ALL CORRECT
2 of the 3 trustees live in area's served by oawc, neither of them wrote a letter or stood up at the puco meeting on dec 5th. as residents they can oppose the rate increase as other residents have. they could also take a stand that the huge rate increase will not attract new residents to the community, only investors. end result will be only rental properties, as it is heading now. the trustees can look to the future and try to purchase this company and run it locally, end result lower bills. take a look at the national food and water watch website there are dozens of local governments fighting american water accross this nation. several are suing for control (to purcahase). standing back - taking a back seat is unexcuseable. there are laws that must be adheared to and then there are the best interest of the communities (township). if other local governments are fighting then why not blendon? because it is easier to stand back (take a back seat) and make excusses. there is little effort needed to take a back seat and still collect a paycheck. some research may be needed to fight this water company and maintain the limits of the law, and this requires a little work or effort from our payed trustees. also putting out some info about where and how to oppose this increase is not illegal and requires little effort, just some communication. i agree we need to unite the communities and fight, but the township can and should also help. united we stand, divided we fall. currently we are divided
By huge water bill payer
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tell us how to pay for this
yes, buying the water company is a great idea, just one question,HOW IN THE WORLD IS THE TOWNSHIP SUPPOSE TO PAY FOR THIS! If you think a township run water department won't cost any money, you are grossly misunderstood...
I'm sure the rest of the taxpayers in this community don't want any new taxes. especially a tax to buy a private company and turn it into a government entity. i'm just guessing but what could it cost,50-100 million dollars just to buy it, this doesn't include staff and a billing dept. where do you think this money can come from, Do you think the taxpayers want to foot the bill? i don't... the rants and raves on this post make it sound like the township is a very wealthy entity and can just go out and write a check to make things better,i'm sure everyone who reads this can write a $50,000.00 check to the township to buy the water company so rates might be lower, but taxes will be higher? this sounds like a lose-lose situation and no matter who is in office it won't matter when it comes time to pay our water bill next month.
By big water bill payer
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NOT THE POINT
no one inferred to buy the company. this was a reference that the elected officials do have a choice to participate in the objection of a rate increase. by the way several small communities have raised the funds and the purchase price is for the local control not the whole state control. the price range in california was 13 million. not to infer that we go that route but to say they have no say on objecting to the rate increase when other communities have went as far as sueing american water (by the way american water is the parent company to ohio american water. american water has 13 states in which they service local water to small communities.- stroke small communities.). none of these are the answer. to stand back and do nothing surely is not the answer either. fact is the last 3 rate increases the trustees were informed when the rate increase was applied for and they failed to let any one know until the increase was approved. this is when we were notified by owac. the last increase oawc failed and notified our association president, from there our HRAA took the ball and ran with it. the assocaition notified us how to oppose this increase, organized a meeting with the residents and the puco to oppose it, was in on the negeotiations, actually found several out of service hydrants and made sure they were repaired in a timely mannor. etc.......... where were our trusted trustee's? sitting back watching and collecting our tax paying dollars!!!!! they were not there for the previous increases, and the last one which was opposed by the residents, they certainly did not support the community which had supported them in previous elections!!!!! the rants and raves on this post is frustrated tax payers who want accountability. some one who can and will stand up for the residents of the community and the township. sure we do not want to raise our taxes, but opposing the rate increase and communication between the elected officials and its residents are not costly items. going to the township meeting with questions or asking why something cannot be attended to and getiing shot down like a deer in the middle of a target range full of hunters, and made to feel like a fly on a horses a-- during the heat of summer is not accountability. if the letters of the law state one thing fine, lets think outside of the box occassionally. this community (township) deserves trustee's who will listen and be accountable for their actions or lack of. when the cost of supporting the residents of blendon township during an obsurd increase is very little or none and the trustees take no action or interests. it is time for some change. the time is now. we are facing a 32% increase this round. do you want them to take a back seat again?? what will become of this township if it is approved?? we have residents with 5 people in their home paying a water bill of $200.00 per month. a 32% increase will increase their bill to
$264.00 per month for the same lousy service. these people will move! then we will have an all rental commuity - no families. what happens to property values then? do you want to take the chance facing an election with a 32% increase on the wings. we need some one who will work for the township not against it. we need accountability now! not after the next increase goes through. it is time for a change. a trustee for the people by the people. trustee's who will stand behind and in front of the residents. not everything has a price tag, but obviously these trustee's do. is there a kick back from the water co? are their pockets being lined by a water co?? two of them live in this community and pay these bills. neither opposed the increase. what a shame!!! ACCOUNTABILITY NOW..............
By huge water bill payer
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