I believe it was Fay 'Foam @ the Mouth' Franus that brought up the sewer rate increase over at DD, so I'd like to read everyone else's thoughts on the subject. Actually it's rather ironic for Franus to be complaining about the increase, as I believe she works for a water company, which is also known for increasing rates.
Anyway, while I don't like paying for the priviledge of hearing waste water flow out of my home, it's a necessary evil. You won't read this on DD, but the fact is this: our sewage system is contributing to environmental harm, both here and downstream (actually as far south as the Chesapeake Bay). This is due mainly to our old, combined storm and waste water infrastructure...I know, no conspiracy, no way to blame Irish Catholics or the Jesuits...but it's as simple as that. We need to separate these systems so that waste water doesn't end up flowing untreated into rivers, etc., especially after storms (when the combined nature of the system is easily overloaded).
Now I'm not saying that the Scranton Sewer Authority is well managed, efficient or anything like that. Hell, it's a governmental body, so inept policians have been poking their fingers there for years. Bad decisions abound, including some made by the current Mayor. But guess what? Even in the far more efficient private sector, sometimes bad decisions are made, court cases are lost, and it costs money. Yes, I'm sure that there are ways to make the Authority run more efficiently, but as long as it's in the hands of a government, I wouldn't look for anything anytime soon. That's the nature of government operations, and when combined with a monolply (I can't chose which company gets my brown water), you have a perfect storm of inefficiency.
Speaking of monopolies, Ms Franus should be the last one to point fingers at the Sewer Authority for rate increases. When last I checked, I can't choose between water companies either, so her employer is in the cat-bird monopoly seat as well. Yes, while the Sewer Authority is probably full of political appointees, the water company probably has its share of inept employees, putting in their time while their employer is guaranteed a 12% ROE, courtesy of the Pennsylvania Utility Commission. Not much of an incentive there for process improvement. Over the years we have had a number of small layoffs where I work, as we make our operations more efficient. I don't recall reading anything about similar actions at the water company...and they apparently still employ Fay...so I'm guessing that theres some dead wood at that utility as well.
In short, this rate increase stinks, I hate paying it, and I wish I didn't have to, but it is a necessary evil, period. The Mayor should rightfully take heat for the court loss, but the larger cost issue here is the infrastructure improvements needed in the system. In that respect, Scranton is far from being alone.
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Free Speech does't require a multi-paragrah disclaimer Mr. Pilchesky.
I agree Agam I too like everyone else would rather keep my money in my pocket but ...I also want the system to be top notch. I want as little pollution as is possible. I also understand that there is nothing that costs the same today as it did last year at this time, or perhaps i should say very little anyway. That's the way of the world and no one will change that including that miserable assortment of malcontents across the hall.
I don't see the correlation between the sewer rate increase and the lack of raises for certain city employees. As I've often said here, Mayor Doherty is wrong not to have settled the police and firefighter contracts. These people put there lives on the line for us and as a result they deserve a wage that at least keeps pace with inflation.
The sewer rate increase has been in the works for decades. The Scranton Sewer Authority didn't just disover the combined store/waste water system ten years ago...it's been that way since the first pipes were put in the ground. If anything, the increase is a testament to the inability of municipal governments to make difficult choices in a timely manner.
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Free Speech does't require a multi-paragrah disclaimer Mr. Pilchesky.
Don't even get started on the cable,, wow I dropped it as soon as i could afford Direct TV, much more selections, at a lesser price,,not much to decide there. Blame Mayor Hickey for that one, he gave Verto a 99 year contract for inside the city. I wounder if that part of the contract still holds when it was sold 3 times since then......
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Just when you thought it was safe to open your mind......
