Over the next couple of weeks, there is going to be a lot of talk about the Water Referendum. There have already been several newspaper ads and mailers in favor of the sale. There will also be activities coming up against the sale. I personally oppose the sale and I will vote No.
A key piece of information that can’t be repeated too many times and too loudly is this: “The Committee for Trenton YES” – the entity that has printed up all of the mailers and placing all of the newspaper advertisements – is a front for New Jersey American Water, the company that is set to buy the suburban assets of the City should the referendum pass.
These reports filed with the State Election Law Enforcement Commission show that this “Committee” is nothing more than a hollow shell. Press the “View Report” icon for the filing dated 5-17-10; look at Page 4 of 12, and you will see that every expense made to support the sale – over $178,000 as of May 17, and that huge number is bound to increase before the election – wasn’t even made by the “Committee.” All expenses (and there are no real details, just broad categories) are reported as “In-Kind Contributions.”
This means that all of the ads, all of the mailers, all of the flyers, and all of the time and effort to put them together were provided by New Jersey American Water employees, working on company time, with company resources in order to advance a political goal that will make the company millions of dollars. Using a “Committee” name does nothing more than hide the true players and their true motivations.
This is nothing more than an attempt to put over on Trenton voters a naked political grab of the Corporation, by the Corporation and For the Corporation.
There is a lot more I will have to say before the election. But for today, just remember that this bogus “Committee” is a sham. Every single thing they say furthers the corporate agenda of New Jersey American Water.
A couple of other interesting facts… American Water also owns TrentonNo.com. And as of right now, 18 of the 20 TrentonYes Facebook fans are employees of American Water. They spent close to $200k and they only have 20 facebook fans? And 11 people following them on Twitter? And with only TWO of these folks from Trenton, they’re spending $100k per fan! Great post, Kevin.
We could all join the Facebook page, and ask direct and embarrassing questions, perhaps.
In fact, I think I will do just that tomorrow.
Irregardless of all that, is anybody thinking about how much it’s gonna cost us to keep taking care of the water for people who don’t even live here? Check this out http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/15/us/15water.html
Let’s be real, we can keep the water works in Trenton and still make money off the other towns. If not, we’ll be paying big time down the road. Let’s our money in Trenton!
An interesting discussion, but I for one don’t like paying higher taxes. Based on what I’m reading on ths issue, selling the water system outside of Trenton will lower my taxes, which is something that affects all of us.
Trenton is no different that any other community in New Jersey where elected leaders are struggling to fund critical services and programs. This is an opportunity for Trenton to sell something that has little impact to me or anyone else living in Trenton.
Do we really want to pay higher taxes and water rates to maintain a water system for people who do not even live in Trenton or even pay Trenton taxes?
I thought the city sent out a call for bids for companies to buy part of the water works? Why be up in arms about a company responding to the request for bid and WINNING it?
Hey Common,
The cost of taking care of the outlying water pipes is covered by revenue from those fees. The TWW has never operated under a loss (i.e., tax payers had to subsidize). In fact, the profit we make on the much newer pipes in the suburbs helps us defray some of the cost of maintaining the much older pipes inside the City.
@ Just Wondering – Nothing wrong with making a winning bid. But I don’t think it at all fair that a company with a lot of financial gain on the line will participate in an election, and cloud the nature of its involvement under the name of a bogus “Committee.”
If there is nothing wrong with NJAW’s role, then why don’t all the ads, mailers, etc. come out and say “Paid for by New Jersey American Water.” ?????????
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