The aqua bandits have now decided to jack up the rates to upgrade the infrastructure, and give management 20 – 40% pay raises to bring them in line with similar municipalities. Our only line of defence rubber stamped it, much as they did when the power company wanted them to spring for lube to soften their semi-annual rite of passage. Who determines which cities are used for comparison? Sure as shooting isn’t the average salary slob. —Bob Cratchitt
This article appears in Dec 16-22, 2010.
Man, am I glad I get all my drinking water from Prospect Bay – a little salty but fucking FREE!
Its too bad people don’t get why water rate increases were necessary. Here’s the lowdown: The Water system in Halifax has been well taken care of (for the most part). It is very old, but much of it is in very good condition. In addition, HW has undertaken a program for the last 20 years of replacing bad water pipes in large sections. Enter HRM wastewater dept, and everything goes to hell. Poorly maintained infrastructure combined with little or no replacement program leads to disaster… solution is to give Halifax Water all the sewer infrastructure in Halifax and remove “HRM” from the “look bad” side of things. Now, Halifax Water charges a wastewater surcharge to try to replace all the terrible sewer pipes in Halifax, hence the rate increase.
It all comes back to the city, folks. Don’t shoot the messenger.
It also strikes me as interesting that, as soon as someone has sewage backing up into their household, they are more than willing to pay that 27% increase.
“It can’t happen to ME”
Also like to add that 2 out of 3 employee groups have not seen cost of living increases for 2 years which is not quite in line with the picture provided by the management salary figures.
I suppose this is one good thing about renting — if your heat/water is included, that is.
PK renters don’t get water for free, it is caculated in as part of the rent. This also goes for property taxes and electricity (if it is included). Renters are not getting anything for free.
Of course I pay for water BT — but it’s included in my rental rate and if the water rates go up, my rent still stays the same. At least for the duration of my lease (as per residential tenancies act). I never once said my water was “free.”
As well, my rental company guaranteed us the same rental rate for the duration of our occupation in our unit. They said they don’t raise rent for current residents and they only raise rental rates when they build new buildings. So I don’t have to worry about paying more out of pocket for rising water rates.
Gee, I wonder why so many young people don’t stay in Nova Scotia after getting degrees and trades? Surely our sales tax, water/power increases and general high cost of living would be a lightning rod for new workers and families! Thanks Dexter, thanks Kelly, thanks Robme MacDonald, etc.
NS graduates with bachelor degrees think they’re executive level and deserve amazing jobs. And the call centres in Calgary and Montreal pay more than Convergys and Minacs.
I’m not just talking about people with bachelor of arts. I mean people with good degrees and trades that are in demand. Of course someone with a bachelor of arts shouldn’t expect a great job. Halifax really doesn’t have much to offer to anyone except high taxes, random beatings and our precious “view” that we can’t even see from Spring Garden Road.
i rent an apartment and i don’t give a fuck if they raise it 1,000 bucks. my rent is guarenteed not to go up for another 5 years. i have a fantastic landlord.
me too, LS (except it’s guaranteed not to go up ever). *high fives*