Meeting to Discuss Water Rates in Our Area

Author:	Gary S. Jameson & Joe Finley
Posted:	2007-04-19
Show until:	2007-04-23

There will be a 2nd meeting this Saturday to further discuss our High Water Rates in the eastern part of Brentwood.
We currently have no representation to even negotiate our current water rates which are 5X what the rest of Brentwood and Davidson county residents are paying. Joe Finley, email below, has been coordinating meetings with Senators and State representatives for feedback and input to get us on the same negotiating platform as with Brentwood and other areas.

Your presence and feedback is needed to rectify this situation. Please attend if at all possible. Also pass the word around or forward emails to your neighbors to attend this meeting. Remember it took a concerted group effort to defeat the rezoning of 9744 Concord road thanks to David Williams. Well, we need to address this High Water Rate situation in the same concerted as well.

PLEASE ATTEND THIS MEETING IF AT ALL POSSIBLE.

Thanks,
Gary S. Jameson, 9721 Turner Lane, Brentwood 37027

Time and venue change for Saturday's meeting

In an effort to involve more candidates and homeowners we have changed the time to 10 AM and the meeting location to Bonbrook on Concord.

Take Concord Road to the Retreat Lane entrance into Bonbrook.
Take Retreat Lane to the end, make a left onto Turner Lane.
Take Turner Lane to the end.
Continue right to Brunswick Drive. (look for open space next to 9655 Brunswick Dr.)
Park on the street and walk down the long path to the picnic pavilion.

Water is a basic necessity of life. It is the most abundant resource we have. Our water is among the most expensive in America. It shouldn't cost more than gas, electric, telephone, cable or real estate taxes. What's next a tax on the air we breath?

Out of 9600 registered voters in our precinct only 950 have voted in recent elections. The politicians and candidates have this data as do the city officials. They have the names, address's and how often you have voted. If you haven't gotten a candidate's flyer yet you probably haven't voted lately.

What possible difference can your lone voice make? You might say; not much. But, only if you let it happen. If we unite our voices will be heard. I can tell you from personal experience that each life touches another in unforeseen ways, we do make a difference. The politicians want to listen to us, they want to get elected. For the most part they want to do a good job for us. When you hear the news about a crooked politician somewhere taking payoffs and wonder how do they get re-elected, it's because of apathy.

We agree that this water issue is profoundly wrong on at least three levels. The challenge now is to have our voices heard. If you can bring one extra neighbor on Saturday it will make a difference.

If we stand united we will prevail, you will make a difference for our community.

Best regards,

Joe Finley

ORIGINAL MESSAGE:
Dear City Officials and candidates;

I am contacting you on behalf of the Brentwood City residents living outside of the Brentwood City water and sewer district. There are at least 2000 homeowners affected in the City of Brentwood.

We had a very productive meeting this morning. Our invited guests were State Senator Jack Johnson and State Representative Glen Casada.

We discussed the following three questions:

Our water and sewer is among the most expensive in the USA. We pay approximately $5.50/1000 to Metro just for sewer and about $5.00/1000 to NCG for water. The City of Brentwood Pays Metro $0.63/1000 for sewer and $2.14/1000 for water. Some of the residents in our area pay more for water than they do for property taxes, gas or electric. According to AWWA the typical cost for water and sewer in the USA is $2.00/1000. Why is the water and sewer cost so high in our area?
Metro eliminated the irrigation credit last fall and are charging for a service they are not providing. The credit will be reinstated July 1, 2007. Even though the allowance will be reinstated it is costing many Brentwood residents thousands of dollars each. I was told the reason is because of a Metro budget shortfall. They neither provide the water nor treat the water used for irrigation. How can they be allowed to charge us for a service not provided?
Our water is provided by NCG and our sewer is provided by Metro. Neither one is accountable to Brentwood voters. This is taxation without representation. Why are we not represented by our elected officials?

Please join us along with Senator Johnson and Representative Casada. In light of the upcoming election we would like to invite you to our meeting in hopes of getting answers to our questions. Let us know if you plan to attend.

Best regards,

Joe Finley
RSVP - joefinley325 (at) aol.com