Can You Say “Pointless Waste of Time”?
I knew you could.
The JeffCo Commission voted 3-2 this morning to hold a non-binding referendum on November 4 to ask citizens of the county how they would like to resolve the sewer debt crisis. Sounds like voters will be asked three questions:
- Should the county file bankruptcy?
- Should the county sell the sewer system to RSA?
- Should all county residents or just sewer customers help to pay the debt?
I assume the second question will be considered irrespective of the bankruptcy decision, although David Bronner has said he won’t buy the sewer system if the county doesn’t file bankruptcy. Ms. Collins seems to be big on denial.
As for the third question, I suspect most septic tank owners would vote to put the burden on sewer customers. However, a good part of the debt was incurred to ensure the quality of our drinking water, and we all benefit from that. It’s a shame any of us has to pay for the lack of oversight and poor financial decisions of our county commissioners.
August 14th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
Way to pass the buck Jeffco. You suck!
August 15th, 2008 at 5:56 am
Oh, and now we learn (from Friday’s B’ham News) that Bill Slaughter worte the snarky-sounding resolution. Exceprt from article:
The questions, which run more than 300 words and come in multiple parts, in essence ask the public whether they:
–Prefer bankruptcy, default or repaying creditors in full.
–Think all residents, not just sewer customers, ought to help pay the debt.
–Want to sell the system to the Retirement Systems of Alabama, and at what general price, and whether RSA should be blocked from selling the system to a private company.
Well, hell, why not just throw in an essay question, too?
August 15th, 2008 at 7:21 am
Amen. The Commission royally messed us all up and now cops out by offering a “nonbinding referendum,” just like kid who’s wrecked the family car and turns it over to Daddy.
A friend calls it “snarkiness in sheeps clothing” and writes, “Just wondering if my cynicism is working overtime or if Slaughter really is engaging in what some in the corporate world would call ‘malicious compliance,’” by overcomplying with some aggravating workrule.
Time for these officials to get out of the way and for citizens to pay constant attention to government!
And get a county manager!
August 15th, 2008 at 7:36 am
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