untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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While sorting out files, I came across a March 2, 2006 Flint Journal editorial that alleged it was illegal for the City of Burton to pay for water and sewer infrastructure in thei new developments in Burton. They do not reference the specific law, however they are emphatic that it violates a state law.
Subtitled "Burton's new developments should pay for needed lines", the editorial states that "not only have Michigan's courts forbidden these subsidies from current taxpayers, in Burton's case they shouldn't be necessary." This echoes, but goes further than the words of the Seventh ward Councilman, Dale Weighill, who advised council the paying of water and sewer tap-ins violated city ordinance.
"New developers should pay the lion's share of the cost for proposed water and sewer lines in Burton. Fairness and quite probably state law, requires this course, rather than other options of jacking up rates of current utility customers, or spending millions from the city's water and sewer reserves.
Doing either of these amounts to sticking the wrong people with the bill for this new infrastructure,...."
The editorial goes on to say that homeowners and others not benefitting from the expansion shouldn't subsidize the development.
A former city engineer blamed hidden costs in the development of the infrastructure for University Park as being in part responsible for the deficit that arose during the Stanley administration. Actual costs were said to exceed all cost projections. Also merging the old system with the new sytem once created a tremendous leaking water line near the entrance.
Another question is why is the current Flint Journal editorial board so quiet on the subject. Does it have to do with their endorsement and support of Walling? Is this board unwilling to point out possible illegalities involving their chosen one, or are they less informed than their predecessors?
Had Flint had proper planning, it is possible that federal funding could have paid for some of the infrastructure. |
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