Jan
11
Tampa Tribune third article of a series of stories on Pasco County people to watch in 2012
Please click the link below for full story:
Archive
Archive for the ‘Pasco County’ Category
Jan
08
Pasco wields influence:
Local leaders are in key positions to help shape policy in Tallahassee
click link below for full story:
http://www2.tbo.com/news/politics/2012/jan/08/panewso1-pasco-wields-influence-ar-344865/
Nov
01
Root canal…….. tooth extraction……… piece of cake, when compared to trying to get some simple facts from the Florida Public Service Commission. And I thought the Customer Service at Aqua was bad!
You know, it’s one thing to ask for an “opinion” about a certain issue or subject. But it’s quite another to ask for factual information. But apparently, the Staff at the FPSC is having trouble distinguishing between the two.
Here’s a good example: the other day I sent an email to the FPSC, asking for some facts, regarding our service area, in Zephyrhills, Florida. We have approximately 450 ratepayers, and several of them are wanting to see a detailed accounting of Aqua’s activities at our service area.
Sounds pretty simple, don’t you think? Well, I thought so, but according to the FPSC, they can’t provide these facts, because there is currently an open case with Aqua. I was also advised that my request for factual information was considered to be “discovery” and/or a request for information, rather than a request for a public record.
All I wanted to know was how much Aqua invested in our service area over the last 5 years, along with a detailed accounting (maintenance, improvements, etc.) That kind of information doesn’t require an “opinion” from the FPSC. All they have to do is look at their records, retrieve the info, and forward it to us.
Also, I wanted to know how much Aqua was collecting in Base Facility Charges from our service area. Actually, that’s kind of a “no brainer” ($53/month x 450 ratepayers x 60 months = $1,431,000.00.
In addition, I wanted to know how much “subsidy” was going to be added to our BFC, because we’re a “high-cost” system that requires additional monies from other ratepayers in Aqua’s network in Florida.
The Staff at the FPSC is saying they can’t provide this factual information, because of a current open rate case. Really! Granted, they may not be able to provide actual data for this fiscal year, but they could for the previous four (4) years……… BUT THEY REFUSE!!!!!!!!!!!! WHY???????????
I’m afraid to pick up the phone and call them – “Peggy” might answer!
Dave Bussey
Oct
16
Governor please don’t let your staff forward this email to the Public Service Commission. That would be considered just passing the buck. These commissioners don’t care. They have heard it all. The only thing on their minds is where do we go from here. I am asking you to act and get involved. You are the top state elected official. The PSC commissioners don’t worry about getting re-elected, but you do. They are concerned only about what their next job will be. It could be with a utility that they now oversee.
At the last PSC hearing held in Lakeland concerning Aqua Utility’s requested rate increase I heard some of the most compelling reasons to cut back any increases the the PSC has awarded this company. This company operates like the monopoly that it is, with the help of the PSC. Florida’s citizens cannot sell or rent their homes where these homes are under the grip of Aqua Utility because of the outrages water and sewer rates. No Aqua customer will even water their lawns. They can’t afford the cost.
The PSC cut a request of a rate increase for $4.1 million to $2.61 million. That increase means that folks carefully watching their water usage will pay for a single person approximately $85 a month and families anywhere from $120 to $200 a month. Aqua’s base rate is around $60 a month. One speaker at the meeting brought along a bill from a near bye neighbor on a public water system. The bill for one month was $26.
The Office of Public Council and many elected officials are joining the fight against the PCS’s rate increases. It’s time for you to join in. Aqua’s stock is publicly traded and the company is worth about one billion dollars. I don’t feel that the PSC will do anything to help us as they are not accountable to anyone. The Florida Office Of Public Council has issued a paper that backs up everything that this letter explains.
Charles Tanner
9027 Lake Point Blvd.
Lake Wales, FL. 33898
863-696-8074
Oct
16
Governor Scott:
I attended a final hearing against the Aqua Utilities rate increase request on Tuesday, October 11, 2011 in New Port Richey, FL.
This company has got to be stopped. They are endangering the lives of their customers in Pasco County. I can’t speak for others that they service.
This company does not deliver ingestible water to our homes. We have to buy potable water elsewhere so we are actually paying two water companies.
I am a retired bank manager so I know quite a bit about business, and I can assure you that this company is price-gouging. They are already receiving the highest rates in Pasco County and they claim they need more. Management problem? or price gouging? They claim they need this raise because consumption is down. This is like the neighborhood bully crying because no one will play with him after he just beat up every kid on the block. We cannot intake this water. We have to buy it elsewhere and haul it to our homes as if we lived in a campground.
I have lived in my home 26 years (the longest of anyone on my block) and I am so strong-willed that I refuse to let Aqua Utilites force me to move. I like my neighbors and they are not low-lifes. They are hard-working homeowners who are struggling. They look out for me, and I am endeavoring to look out for them.
I know that what you are hearing from me is just words; but these very words represent our LIVES.
Please help us!!!
Respectfully,
Lynda L. Wittkopp
10531 Azalea Drive
Port Richey, Fl 34668
727-868-8692
Oct
14
‘Demonstrators’ politely boiling over Aqua Utilities’ water rate hike (Tampa Tribune)
Oct
14
Pasco homeowners seek to pull plug on water rate hike
Oct
10
Pasco county customer hearing is set for Tuesday in New Port Richey and Wednesday in Lakeland
Tampa Tribune article click link below
Jul
29
For the full story click the link below:
Jul
11
Governor Scott:
The PSC has approved a rate increase for Aqua Utilities. I am requesting that you overturn this decision of May 24, 2011. Aqua Utilities has 23,000 customers in Pasco County and we are already paying the highest rates in the entire County.
I see a major problem happening in the State of Florida. I am informed that the PSC has no jurisdiction over the quality of water, so therefore does not have to take this into consideration.
I am told that SWIFTMUD has nothing to do with rates for water consumption.
Where are the checks and balances here? I maintain that this gives Aqua president Judy Wallingford (my comparison to Leona Helmsley) the incentive to go for the gold.
I was born in the United States of American. Today I live in a state of chaos.
I have lived the American Dream. I have been a home owner since 1960; the past 26 years in this home.
Now Aqua Utilities has taken that dream away from me. If I were a renter I would move immediately, but I cannot. If I could sell this house in this recession I would not be able to buy a comparable home for the same amount that I would be forced to sell.
Because of good choices I have made in the past, I should be living in tranquility. Aqua Utilities has kept that from happening. The reason for this is twofold: The quality of the water and the cost of using it. At age 72, I have been reduced to transporting potable water in the trunk of my car for everyday living. I always hated camping!!! I shower at the gym. I do my laundry at my daughter’s home. I avoid this water to the point that I use 500 gallons a month and my bill is $53.54 to basically flush my toilets. I am trapped. Law requires that I have this hookup and gives me no other choice.
I wish this was my only expense, but it is not. In addition to having to buy potable water (that I have the privilege of bringing to my home), I have to buy many chemicals to clean the residue from anything this water touches. I have to buy water to use in my steam mop. For some reason, I don’t enjoy getting on my hands and knees to scrub grout on my tile floors to take off water buildup. This water eats my plumbing fixtures. In the past year I have replaced the works of two toilets, my kitchen faucet, two shower heads, one aerator, two goosenecks and two kitchen sink baskets. Labor isn’t free my any means. If this water blisters the chrome on my Moen faucets, what would it do to my intestines? This water is classified as satisfactory. I cannot believe this is accurate.. I remember thalidomide, phen-fen and the like.
I also have to endure the putrid smell of this water. If you were to shower in my home, it would give you the sensation of bathing in a sewer. Do not take this statement lightly. I took a sample of this stench to the PSC meeting on May 24, 2011.
I find it deplorable for a hard working tax-paying citizen of the United States to live under these conditions.
We need Erin Brockovich!!!!!
Respectfully,
Lynda L. Wittkopp
10531 Azalea Drive
Port Richey, FL 34668
727-868-8692
Our Goal
Quality water at reasonable rates