Citizens deserve to vote on water, sewer rates!! I am writing this letter to the editor as a citizen of Chesapeake Beach. I am not pro any individual or business. I shop at Roland’s, eat crabs at Abner’s Crab House, buy fish from Tyler’s Tackle Shop and Crab House, eat breakfast at Traders Seafood Steak & Ale, get gas at FaStop and listen to music at the Rod ‘N’ Reel Restaurant. I enjoy having these amenities in my small town and not having to drive elsewhere to do my shopping or find entertainment. I support the petition that will allow me a direct voice in the process of determining new water and sewer rates for our town. It seems the numbers and facts presented to residents by several town council members were inaccurate and misleading. Why is it that council members Eric Reinhardt, Pat Mahoney, Jeff Krahling and Valerie Beaudin have only singled out the large users? Why are these council members misleading citizens to believe that the Fair Water Rates campaign will only affect town businesses, rather than every resident in town? No matter whom you support or what political party you belong to, this issue affects you and your wallet. Yes, our water and sewer rates have to go up, but by how much, how fast and who should be held accountable are the real issues. What is wrong with this issue going to a vote and us, as citizens, having a say? No matter what side you are on, you get to vote and have a say in how much you will have to pay and how your money is spent. I am not sure why elected officials in a small town feel the need to put up signs, drive around with signs on their vehicles and pay for robo-calls to try and ensure their side wins. We don’t need signs to deface our quaint town when it is not even an election year, nor do I want to come home from work and listen to robo-calls when I am trying to relax. Town council members were going to vote the way they wanted, no matter what any of us thought. There also seems to be a lot of misinformation distributed through letters and social media. I understand everyone has the right to speak their mind and promote their cause, but the tone does not have to be so unprofessional. This is an issue that affects us all, not just a few. Our town council should take the time to present accurate information that illustrates all sides of an issue. This will build up more trust, and the town’s citizens will be more comfortable with their decision to vote them into the position they have the honor to hold. If you have only recently made the move to the Town of Chesapeake Beach, you should thank Mayor Bruce Wahl and, before him, Mayor Gerald Donovan, and all of your neighbors who have sat on the town council. This town has made great improvements in its amenities and beauty over the past 30 years. These have been a benefit for all of us, residents and businesses alike. Our neighbors, restaurants, grocery stores, hair salons and real estate agents all have a better place to live and do business. Please remember: A mayor (no matter who it is) does not have the power to make decisions that positively or negatively affect this town, its businesses or residents, without the support and votes of those who sit on the town council. Amy Beth Foley, Chesapeake Beach
Posted on: Fri, 12 Jul 2013 15:50:01 +0000
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