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Does that make much sense to you? No, it probably doesn't. It doesn't make any sense to me, either. And frankly, I don't think that the people who designed this mess wanted it to. Would you believe that our very own Colantuono & Levin had a hand in it when this state law was first being worked out (link)? It certainly has some of those citizen unfriendly features our City's esteemed pay to play law firm is noted for.
It is my belief that if this 61% water rate increase had been placed on a regular ballot during a normal election cycle, it would have not stood much of a chance of passing. Like with the UUT extension in 2012, the opposition to this increase would have been overwhelming. Sierra Madre is one of the most heavily taxed cities anywhere, and quite a few people here are simply fed up with the constant drumbeat for more and more of their money.
So instead a far less democratic vehicle was chosen for the residents to struggle with, the one that City Hall believed would give them the best possible shot at prevailing. All done so that they could charge us far more for water and sewer services then they do now. Proposition 218 was not designed for easy resident victories, and so far it has been living up to its rather murky reputation.
Fortunately, starting yesterday, and continuing through this Sunday, a hardy band of dedicated volunteers will be calling every resident in Sierra Madre and helping walk them through this very confusing Prop 218 process. And should you not be home when one of these hard working people calls you, they will try to get in touch with you two more times after that. This is designed to be a very thorough procedure, one with no rate payer being left behind.
It truly is a sign of respect for the people of Sierra Madre, and once their work is finished every single rate payer in town will understand exactly what they need to do to best express their desires regarding this draconian water rate hike. Whether they want it to pass, or would instead prefer to send it back to the City Council for another look, all are going to know exactly what is involved. And with this coming Tuesday (Jan 28) being the deadline for getting protest ballots to City Hall, it all couldn't have come at a more fortunate time.
When you get your call here is what to expect. You will be asked if you are a water paying customer, that being the person whose name appears on your City of Sierra Madre water bill. If so, you will then be asked if you have received a Prop 218 protest ballot from City Hall. If you do not have one the caller will tell you that you can go to city hall and request a ballot. There is also a website where you could be provided with a generic ballot as well.
Under Prop 218 you theoretically could write your protest on the back of a cereal box, so a generic ballot will work just fine just as long as you supply your name, address, and water meter number.
There is some early call data available, which was forwarded to me last evening by the people who are conducting this estimable effort. Here is what they found after their first day of dialing:
- 79% of the call recipients are favorable to the call. Meaning they are not upset about being called.
- 71% of the call recipients identify themselves as property owners.
- 81% of the call recipients state they have received the protest form.
- 79% of the call recipients state they already mailed theirs in.
- 36% of the call recipients request the website address so they can print a form out.
- Overall a 34% Contact Rate, with callbacks to those not at home to follow.
One figure that confused me just a little. If 79% have already sent their forms in, shouldn't we be well above 1,000 envelopes submitted by now? Unless, of course, they just mailed them in. I'd hate to think they might have somehow gotten lost.
Keep your fingers crossed. The odds are still a little longer than I'd have hoped at this point, but the cavalry has indeed arrived. Head to the sounds of the battle.
Since City Hall is closed today, you can download a Prop 218 protest form by clicking here. I will also be posting it tomorrow as big as life.
LA.Streetsblog.org credits The Tattler with having mighty powers
Unintentionally hilarious article from one of the more arch so-called "transportation oriented smart growth" blogs around. Apparently SCAG is about to have its yearly job review with their Federal paymasters, and an obviously confused LASBO writer by the name of Dana Gabbard believes The Tattler is somehow going to dominate the proceedings.
Perhaps Dana took in a little too much car exhaust on her bicycle commute to work? You can check this all out by clicking here.
http://sierramadretattler.blogspot.com
When you get your call here is what to expect. You will be asked if you are a water paying customer, that being the person whose name appears on your City of Sierra Madre water bill. If so, you will then be asked if you have received a Prop 218 protest ballot from City Hall. If you do not have one the caller will tell you that you can go to city hall and request a ballot. There is also a website where you could be provided with a generic ballot as well.
Under Prop 218 you theoretically could write your protest on the back of a cereal box, so a generic ballot will work just fine just as long as you supply your name, address, and water meter number.
There is some early call data available, which was forwarded to me last evening by the people who are conducting this estimable effort. Here is what they found after their first day of dialing:
- 79% of the call recipients are favorable to the call. Meaning they are not upset about being called.
- 71% of the call recipients identify themselves as property owners.
- 81% of the call recipients state they have received the protest form.
- 79% of the call recipients state they already mailed theirs in.
- 36% of the call recipients request the website address so they can print a form out.
- Overall a 34% Contact Rate, with callbacks to those not at home to follow.
One figure that confused me just a little. If 79% have already sent their forms in, shouldn't we be well above 1,000 envelopes submitted by now? Unless, of course, they just mailed them in. I'd hate to think they might have somehow gotten lost.
Keep your fingers crossed. The odds are still a little longer than I'd have hoped at this point, but the cavalry has indeed arrived. Head to the sounds of the battle.
Since City Hall is closed today, you can download a Prop 218 protest form by clicking here. I will also be posting it tomorrow as big as life.
LA.Streetsblog.org credits The Tattler with having mighty powers
Unintentionally hilarious article from one of the more arch so-called "transportation oriented smart growth" blogs around. Apparently SCAG is about to have its yearly job review with their Federal paymasters, and an obviously confused LASBO writer by the name of Dana Gabbard believes The Tattler is somehow going to dominate the proceedings.
Perhaps Dana took in a little too much car exhaust on her bicycle commute to work? You can check this all out by clicking here.
http://sierramadretattler.blogspot.com