Can citizens afford cost of repairs?

In late 2010, when asked about the ability of families to pay an additional monthly charge of $16 ($17 with taxes), for the redo of the city sewer system, a council member twice responded by saying, “I don’t know.” We need the money.

The mayor was asked at the public meeting on Mar. 14 if the council had considered what the effect on city families might be of an increase in city utilities to pay back a proposed $5.9 million water issues loan. Mayor Kadlec responded by asking if I wanted to have water come out of the spigot when I turn the handle.

It might be unfair to suggest that the mayor and the council do not care about the economic well-being of the community members they claim to represent. But there appears to be very little interest in the opportunity costs of their decisions.

It does not matter if the current city council solution is both wise and critically essential to “saving” Ritzville if the citizens cannot pay the bill.

This city council has not considered the cost. It has been suggested the increased water bill might be as little as $23 a month.

But the increase could easily be $40 a month or more if we consider the track record of the city council’s sewer projects.

If the mayor and the city council continue to incur debts and dump them on families and businesses, forcing them to leave Ritzville, there will be no need for water to enter or sewage to leave what appears to be the increasing number of abandoned buildings and homes for sale.

Barry Boyer, Ritzville