Water Board Tortures NYC Residents and Makes History

2008 is an historic year indeed. I'm not referring to America witnessing stellar primary wins by this country's first viable black presidential candidate, nor am I referring to America witnessing similar wins by the first viable female presidential candidate.

I'm not delving into the millions of Americans embracing insubstantial catch phrases and blindly following a charismatic politician and how such doe eyed allegiance is reminiscent of the Jim Jones following; No logic to it, but it sure feels good.

This eagerness to march behind the new kid on the block is a strong indication of America's youth and direction. This direction may serve as an indication that 2008 may have arrived at another historical milestone; the year that America saw the last true great American war hero and patriot run for the highest office in the land.

The above may be significant, but this post is about a less dramatic historical event. On Friday, May 16, 2008, the NYC Water Board passed the highest increase in the history of the Water Board. The 14.5% hike means that the average one-family homeowner will get hosed with an $801 water bill. Last fiscal year, the board passed a double-digit increase at 11.5%. The year before, it was 9.4%. Folks, fill up your pools now! The new rate goes into effect July 1, right in time for the summer fun.

NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg claims the city needs the Water Board revenue and refuses to eliminate the Water Board's annual rent payment for the sewer infrastructure. City officials have appealed to the mayor to eliminate this annual rent payment and appealed to the Water Board to apply pressure to the mayor if not outright refuse to pay the oppressive annual payment. The mayor rejected this plea and not surprisingly the Board members, which are appointed by the mayor, rolled over.

The NYC comptroller has offered a creative alternative that would have allowed the mayor to collect his payment and provide a rebate to the Water Board resulting in a reverse saving to city residents, this was also rejected. Some may understand the rejection, saying it's the same thing as eliminating the rent payment, well it is but only different. Let me explain, the mayor can continue to collect the millions from the Water Board, return all or a majority of it creating a back door mechanism to save NYC residents hundreds of dollars. Last May 2007, prior to the Water Board's then 11.5 % hike, two city officials announced a proposal that could raise rates no more than 1 percent and keep a lid on future increases for years to come.

Council members, James F. Gennaro, the chairman of the Environmental Protection Committee, and David I. Weprin, the chairman of the Finance Committee, said water rates were higher than they needed to be because of an outdated system of rental payments that enriches the city at the expense of ratepayers.

NYC residents are still enduring the back lash of that outdated system, and the Water Board projects another historical double digit rate hike for next fiscal year as well.

It is shameful that the NYC mayor, the Water Board, and other elite politicians can't relate to their constituents need for relief. This summer's rate increases at the water pumps and gas pumps just don't mix. Perhaps, Hillary and McCain can scheme a plan for a "Water Tax Holiday." The uber-Liberal millionaire presidential candidate Barack Obama and his closet supporter the elitist billionaire NYC mayor already claimed how "stupid" it is for a Gas Tax Holiday...and how the savings to cash strapped residents are insignificant. You really can't get more elitist than that. Well fellow tax payers that's for another article...

The NYC mayor's refusal to budge and the Water Board's subsequent historical 14.5 % hike is on the heels of Mayor Taxberg's failed plan to institute a toll tax on all incoming traffic below 96th St. in Manhattan, talk about highway robbery.

This also follows the NYC mayor's disgraceful contractual offer to the police officers of the NYPD, which have been putting their lives on the line without a contract for nearly four years. As the city police officers are insulted with a paltry raise offer by the mayor, they and other NYC residents are forced to endure the torture by the Water Board. Talk about your raise going down the drain, literally.