|
|
Post by lilly on Sept 21, 2011 11:42:11 GMT -5
There was a hearing yesterday at Town Hall about residents proposing a public takeover of Aqua. The Newsday article may be found here: www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/town-asked-to-consider-public-takeover-1.3187317Dave Denenberg and Claudia Borecky are heavily involved. While Dave was our 'go to' politician with the cell towers, water tower, etc., Claudia from her involvement with Merrick Civic Association and work on cell towers there, has been helpful to Wantagh. Seems to be a do-er, like Dave is. I met Claudia at the Bellmore Street Fair this past weekend. While I certainly plan on learning more about her before casting my vote, she is running against Angie Cullen and to date, has gone above & beyond in being a 'friend to Wantagh'. www.claudiaborecky.com/Just putting it out there... |
|
|
|
Post by Chris_Wendt on Sept 21, 2011 12:19:09 GMT -5
Do you, Dave, or Claudia have a clue where the money is going to come from to make up for lost property tax revenue currently received by the school district and the fire district from Aqua, if they are "taken over"? I know where it will come from....
"Say, the water works aren't being run very efficiently or cost-effectivley...
...so, let's have the Government run it!"
Shaking my head,
Chris Wendt
|
|
|
|
Post by lilly on Sept 22, 2011 9:16:29 GMT -5
The $ amount of the potential lost property tax revenue is easily obtained thru the district. And that issue should be addressed in the cost analysis that has been proposed.
Aqua is at record profit, our rates have been increasing there anyway. I'm sure the school district isn't benefiting from those record profits.
Government run is not ideal, but settling for this current situation isn't either.
|
|
|
|
Post by Chris_Wendt on Sept 22, 2011 10:24:43 GMT -5
The proverbial axiom: "Better the devil that you know than the devil that you do not know..." did not arise without good cause. That one, and "the grass is always greener", they both resonate with me.
Realize that "the government" was established to govern, to legislate, and to administer the law; not to run the water works. Look at the (typical) prevailing governmental response or reaction to runaway costs, declining revenues, and the inevitable operating deficits: cut services!
I appreciated the free cup o'joe at the train station this morning, courtesy of Kate Murray. I just don't see the Town running the water works. Neither does she, by the way!
Chris Wendt
|
|
|
|
Post by tiredoftaxes on Sept 22, 2011 19:55:58 GMT -5
The TOH is already in the water business in neighboring commuunities, such as Uniondale, East Meadow & North Bellmore...I would like to know why their school taxes are probably on average to Wantagh's, yet the residents of those communities pay way less for water usage.. Also, a number of years ago, there was a similar like problem with JAMACA WATER(price,quality, service issues) which was taken over by a municipality...I don't recall reading about any major public outrage about how bad that takeover was. I would venture to guess, that the majority was very happy with the takeover....Besides, the former $100k+ TOH dog catchers need a place to park their butts....
|
|
|
|
Post by Chris_Wendt on Sept 23, 2011 10:28:57 GMT -5
Your outlook is based upon other localities and presumes outcomes that you believe may have resulted.
When I was on the BoE, there was a similar attempt to take over NY Water Service, the predecessor of Aqua. The situation was the same with high water rates. That takeover did not materialize primarily due to the amount of property tax revenue that would have been lost especially to the Wantagh & Seaford school districts and fire districts.
At the time, Wantagh's potential tax revenue loss was calculated to equate to a number of teaching positions that could have been put at risk of being excessed had the takeover actually happened. The BoE and the PTA's of Wantagh and Seaford successfully fought against that takeover.
Respectfully,
Chris Wendt
|
|
|
|
Post by tiredoftaxes on Sept 23, 2011 20:11:24 GMT -5
Chris, did anyone study the Jamaica Water takeover and the impact on the Nassau school & fire districts that it serviced??? Somehow I don't recall the residents of that area complaining in a big way after the takover about any decrease of services or major increases in taxes because of it....Furthermore, on the issue of that NY Water takover, I don't recall seeing any cost/benfit analysis in Newsday, or any major coverage for that matter...I was left with the impression that this issue went away due to politics between the owners of that privately held company and the TOH political machine... However you slice it & dice it, we pay way too much for water compared to the TOH water districts, yet their taxes are in line with what my taxes are....I truly think there are greedy water barons using the local politicians as pawns in keeping this business private at the taxpayers expense...Wouldn't be suprised if TOH & County officials accidently gave Wantagh BOE incorrect numbers to scare you guys.....
|
|
|
|
Post by Chris_Wendt on Sept 24, 2011 5:57:57 GMT -5
In re: "...did anyone study the Jamaica Water takeover and the impact on the Nassau school & fire districts that it serviced?" Sorry, but I don't know, one way or the other. Re: "...on the issue of that NY Water takeover, I don't recall seeing any cost/benefit analysis in Newsday, or any major coverage for that matter..." The analysis were done by a consultant to the Authority and presented at public hearings in Merrick and Massapequa, and perhaps elsewhere. I attended those two. I don't know whether Newsday covered these, or not. Re: "...I was left with the impression that this issue went away due to politics between the owners of that privately held company and the TOH political machine." The issue did not "go away". It was resolved for the time being that the Authority would not take over the water company. I presume the 'politics' of the moment included the opposition from the school districts and PTAs. If not, then the takeover failed then on the merits/economics of the case. Probably some of both, opposition and bad economics of the deal. The issue has come before us again. As I recall the original case, part of the 'bad economics' for a takeover, back then, was the age and condition of the water mains, certainly a situation that has not improved with the passage of time. Re:"...Wouldn't be suprised if TOH & County officials accidently gave Wantagh BOE incorrect numbers to scare you guys...." The school districts and fire districts knew how much property tax revenue was generated for each of us by the water company. Nobody gave us any bad information about that. The consultants' data was whatever it was, but it was not provided by the Town or County, per se. There are two things going on now. A private sector takeover of Aqua is in the mill, and, at last check, a "wait-and-see" disposition about a public takeover on the part of the ToH leadership. Either of these could change at any time. My attitude, personally, is wait and see, and, to borrow a phrase, "go with the flow" on this. Chris Wendt |
|
