Huber Ridge Area

what is your opinion of the current OAWC stipulation and recommendation for our water rate increase?

OAWC

As I understand the OAW stipulations and recommendations for our water rate increase, we can expect the rate increase first and the improvements second. Whenever you pay for a service without getting the service first, what can you expect? The usual answer is ''ripped off.''

This company went into this asking for an outrageous increase, knowing they would likely get what they wanted - a rate increase.

I also think that by notifying Jim Welch, HRAA President, as a ''courtesy,'' they were clearly tesing the waters in our neighborhood - to see how much they could get away with. After a huge amount of time, work, and energy by many in our neighborhood, they are thrilled that the OCC along with others are ''recommending'' a 9 plus percent rate increase.

How clear do we have to make it? Any increase is unacceptable no matter what they do. We are paying three times more than the areas around us. We certainly do not have three times the quality. Nor could we! Does anybody else find that outrageous? What does that say about us as a community? What are we willing to settle for? This is a problem that should have been handled by elected officials twenty years ago. But they will only act if we tell them enough is enough. Many people have moved out of the area because of the high water rates. Should we have to move to make a point? What will become of the neighborhood? What do residents want?

I know what I want - this company has got to go. We need to do what is best for our neighborhood. The PUCO and the OCC need to do what is fair and just. They need to DECREASE (not deregulate as I was previously quoted - that is not the correct word) the rates of this greedy company and bring them in line with Westerville and Columbus - not raise the rates of Westerville and Columbus so they, too, can get a bigger piece of the pie.

So, what is the next step? It will depend on all of us.

oawc

Pam, I agree with you 100% this company has got to go. We need to do what is best for our neighborhood. But do we have a choice of what water company the community utilizes? I moved to Dempsey Road 4 years ago from uptown Westerville. Unfortunately, I was not advised of the outrageous water bills that came along with the house, even though I asked about it. I ended up loosing the house purley because I could not afford the water bill! We did everything we could to limit our use of water but it didn't help. I accepted living in an apartment complex that is well managed (thank goodness) so that I could keep the kids in the same schools. Is there anything that can be done? I know this happens to other people often, some have moved in to the same complex for the same reason. Will they hear our voices if we speak up?

By Nancy