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Letters to the Editor: Solid Waste Solutions
February 8th, 2010

Letters to the Editor: Letter to the Editor from Bill Betts
January 12th, 2010

Letters to the Editor: Letter: Recycling Trailer Update
January 9th, 2010

Letters to the Editor: Letter to the Editor: Comments About Restaurant
November 19th, 2009

Letters to the Editor: Letters: Lest We Forget
November 1st, 2009

Letters to the Editor: Letters: Concern Over Business Name
October 31st, 2009

Letters to the Editor: Restore Music in Cedar Key
October 6th, 2009

Letters to the Editor: Cedar Key Visit
October 1st, 2009

Letters to the Editor: Letter: A Glimpse Into the Past
August 22nd, 2009

Letters to the Editor: Cost of Solar Panels Questioned
July 19th, 2009

Letters to the Editor: Letter: Budget Process Needs Citizen Input
July 6th, 2009

Letters to the Editor: Regarding the Hodgson Avenue Brush Fire
June 14th, 2009

Letters to the Editor: Rescued in Gulf - Thank You
June 4th, 2009

Letters to the Editor: Thank You, Cedar Key
May 24th, 2009

Letters to the Editor: Missing Joel and Dick
May 22nd, 2009

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Letter to the Editor April 25

Letter to the Editor April 25

Letters to the Editor

Dear Voters:

At first glance, the election next week may appear to be unimportant, but when customers of the Cedar Key Water & Sewer District receive their next bill, they¹ll learn the election is important. In order to pay for a filtration system that will remove the carcinogenic trihalomethanes from our water, the water board needs to borrow $500,000. So the board is planning to increase our water bills by 36% placing a $5.00 surcharge on every customer¹s monthly bill.

A portion of this news is positive because the filtration system should remove harmful disinfection byproducts from our drinking water. The part of the news which is disturbing is that because the water board failed to plan for financial emergencies, its customers are being forced to increase their payment for water by a large percentage. Few people will complain about a $5.00 a month increase if that increase will erase cancer causing pollutants from our water. But, if the surcharge increases to $30.00 or $40.00 each month, how will we feel?

It¹s my opinion that without strong leadership on the water board, we could easily see water and sewer charges equal those of our southern neighbors in ranges of $75.00 to $85.00 each month. Last year, after years of ignoring the problems, the water board was forced to create its first Capital Improvement Plan. The plan identifies long overdue improvements to our water and sewerage treatment facilities totaling in excess of $3,000,000. The $5.00 surcharge will provide the funds for payment of the $500,000 loan needed to pay for the filtration system, but there¹s another $2,500,000 worth of projects which remain unfunded.

On Tuesday, I¹m voting for Maurice Hendrix and Chris Reynolds for the Cedar Key Water & Sewer Board. Both men are concerned citizens with business backgrounds. If they¹re elected, I know I¹ll feel much better about the future of our water and sewer system. Neither Maurice nor Chris need to add to their present civic involvement. Already, they¹re deeply committed to the island¹s civic organizations. Thankfully, they¹ve taken an interest in the problems at the water board and are willing to help. Now, it¹s up to us to go to the polls next week and support them with our votes. Please do.


Sincerely,


Jeff Dwyer

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