More than four out of five people (81.7 percent) who responded to an Argus-Courier online poll Sept. 11, 2008 say they will vote against Measure K, an initiative on the November ballot that would roll back water and sewer rates.
More than two-thirds (68 percent) said they think Petaluma’s water and sewer rates are “about right,” while 21.3 said they are “too high.”
Here are some of the comments by those who participated in the survey:
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“It’s tempting to vote for this measure only for the ‘promised’ rate rollback. But I actually believe those on the council who say it’ll only increase our problems further down the road. If we’re a true community, then don’t you think we should support the well-being of everyone in the community instead of just looking out for ourselves?”
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“This isn’t about water and sewer rates, it’s about bringing the city to bankruptcy.”
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“This will cost the city more jobs (parks, police, fire), our public places will decline and our property values will then decline, the ratepayers will pay much higher rates and everyone will lose if this measure passes. Read about it: www.pcwfr.org.”
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“Just got the new bill, it is double and I don’t even water my lawns anymore. This city is run by a bunch of don’t-know-it-alls.”
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“I like that we are paying for the infrastructure now, rather than deferring the cost for future Petalumans.”
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“Just make homeowners and businesses pay a ‘grass premium’ for those that have grass on their front lawns. We should be using friendly vegetation, not grass that needs a ton of water.”
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“Heck, the price of everything is too high, including water and sewer. Having gone for a tour of the facility, this thing should last for a generation or more. The components are easily replaceable and parts should be available for years and years. Some things like a ‘living roof’ and sturdy copper downspouts are a bit over the top, but overall the entire project is a great investment. I just hope new hookups to the system are charged appropriately so that the longtime residents don’t shoulder the price.”
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“This is a short-sighted, politically motivated cynical stunt by a persistently cranky former council member. This stunt is closely aligned with other reactionary efforts to bankrupt local government across the state. For me it falls into the category of removing one’s nose out of spite for one’s face!”
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“We should not have to pay for the City Council mismanaging the tax payers dollars. Hey, let’s waste more money and build round abouts on every corner!”
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“Our city is out of touch with residents.”
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“Here’s an idea: Let’s bankrupt Petaluma and aid in destroying its infrastructure just to save a few bucks. Measure K is a big, fat middle finger to all of us who love Petaluma and who believe that we may need to sacrifice some for the good of us all.”
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“Don’t do something crazy and bankrupt our city.”
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“We need the new sewer plant, and we need to pay for it. Lower rates don’t make sense.”
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“Regardless of how appealing a rate reduction appears on the surface, Measure K is a horrible approach to the issue. It will deprive the city of any reasonable means of paying back its $125 million legal obligation to pay back its loan. The complete mischief caused by Measure K will cost the city a lot more than anything ratepayers may hope to gain by an irresponsible mandated rate reduction.”
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“We need to get new council members! Not retreads. Ones who think about our wallets before spending our money!”
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“The increase is totally reasonable. I’m sure everyone wants to flush their toilets and turn on their taps, and we can’t expect it all for free. It amazes me how everyone still thinks it’s the Wild West out here.”
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“If Measure K passes, it will be a disaster for Petaluma.”
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“Sour grapes from a poor loser.”
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“This concerns me greatly! We have one man, who often did not get his way when ‘serving’ on the City Council and is carrying around a huge bag of ‘sour grapes.’ He now wishes to throw our city into the possibility of bankruptcy to satisfy his own ego. Water has become a huge issue in California and around the world. This is just a fact, a situation we need to deal with, and do so now. We must simply conserve, be prudent and responsible with our precious resources and pay the price we need to live in such a glorious place.”
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“As grown-ups, we need to face the water challenges before all Californians and take up limiting water use; keeping or making it expensive may be one necessary way to conserve. For the sake of our children and their future, I’m willing to do this now.”
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“Measure K is wrong-headed, foolish and would devastate our city.”
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“Moynihan is preying on the gullible. He couldn’t get support for his crack-brained version of what he thinks a sewer treatment plant should be when he was part of the majority on the City Council. Now he’s using people’s fear and ignorance in a dangerous egotistical ploy that will harm the rest of us. K stands for “katastrophe”!”
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“No on K! Support our new water treatment facility ” an incredible blend of wetlands and technology that will become a major tourist attraction for Petaluma.”
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“The city’s Hopper Street plant is falling apart and is not equip to the growing times of Petaluma. The treatment plant is a must and will also be open to public for walking trails, bird watching, etc.”
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“Deferring the upgrading of our sewage treatment will only cost us more down the road.”
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“An example of infantile libertarianism. Don’t wanna pay for essential services, and you can’t make me!”
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“Moynihan and his allies are under the delusion that we don’t have to pay for improved sewage treatment facilities. Putting the city into bankruptcy will cost us all much more money in the future as we have to pay for higher bond financing costs. Petaluma’s sewer rates are in line with all other cities in the county. Moynihan likes to trigger chaos wherever he goes.”
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“When will Bryant M go away? He is a public nuisance!”
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“This is the most ill-conceived measure in memory. Very dangerous.”
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“It’s irresponsible.”
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“What happened to the developer and sewer hookup fees? There should be sufficient $$ in the fund from these fees to pay for the enlarged sewer facility. Why must existing residents pay for growth?”
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“Measure K could bankrupt Petaluma and would for sure wreck our credit. We got an amazing low rate on our loan. We need to act like grown-ups and pay what we owe!”
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“I’d prefer a new sewer plant designed by experts, rather than by a real estate broker with a business degree.”
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“We need to pay for proper infrastructure.”
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“We can’t afford to roll back rates.”
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“We should not have to pay for the City Council mismanaging the tax payers dollars. Hey, let’s waste more money and build round abouts on every corner!”
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“Moynihan is giving snake oil salesmen everywhere a bad reputation.”
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“Higher rates on new building and buildings that were built over the last five years when they never should have been built in the first place because we did not have enough water then and already at capacity with sewer then. Leave longtime residents alone.”
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“Anything that Bryant Moynihan has to say can not be believed. He is a crybaby.”
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“I feel that supporting core infrastructure and public safety should be the highest priorities and funded through taxes or use fees for sustainability.”
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“This measure is one man’s crusade against City Hall for some completely unknown reason. Our sewer rates will be paying off the loan that was obtained to build our new sewer plant. That plant will be operational in six months or less, yet Mr. Moynihan still wants to redesign it. But the loan has to be paid off somehow. If the sewer rates are rolled back, the money to pay off the loan will have to come from elsewhere. Any suggestions, anybody? I don’t think that the tooth fairy will be bringing Petaluma the money.”
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“Clean water has become a scarce commodity. Of course it’s not cheap to treat our wastewater to meet the receiving waters state standards. Remember, we import our water from the Russian River watershed, therefore dependent. Whereas, we could recharge our ground water wells with treated waste water for, wait for it, drinking water. Southern California is doing it already.”
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“What, no mention of Mike Healy’s involvement in causing Measure K to happen in the first place?”
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