Hill of PBS offer more whitwashing

[Guest Guest]

 

 

From: Ed not allowed

Sent: Monday, April 21, 2008 8:40 AM

To: 'jhill@pressconnects.com'

Cc: 'Ed not allowed'; 'sbodner@pressconnects.com'; 'cstovall@pressconnects.com'; 'froessne@binghamt.gannett.com'; 'catlin@wbngtv.com'; 'moss@wbngtv.com'; 'newstips@news10now.com'; 'jimehmke@clearchannel.com'; 'info@news10now.com'; 'comments@news10now.com'; 'fox40@wicz.com'; 'newsdirector@wicz.com'; 'lizahaines@clearchannel.com'; 'actionnews@wbngtv.com'; 'dschneider@pressconnects.com'; 'Jessica Light'; 'karen.lee@news10now.com'

Subject: Press & Sun still not giving the ful story

 

Dear Mr. Hill,

 

In today’s Press & Sun-Bulletin you wrote this:

 

“Water review

Also at tonight's meeting, the council will consider a law that would require a review of the city's water rates every year. Currently, the water superintendent must review and, if necessary, recommend a change every other year. The proposed change comes on the heels of the city's recent announcement that water rates will rise 30 percent later this year and 10 percent next year. The previous rate increase had been in 2006.”

http://www.pressconnects.com/apps/pbcs.dll.../804210346/1001

 

My question you, Mr. Hill, is did you just make an error or is your newspaper, the Press &Sun-Bulletin, incapable or unwilling to tell the full story about these water rates increases? Why do you and all your co-workers always break down the water rate increase numbers (30% & 10%) and refused to look at all the increases under Mayor Matthew T. Ryan that amount to 81%. I know Doug Schneider was aware of this figure, I discussed it with him Friday before he wrote his Sunday article but he did not use it either. Is this a conscious and willing attempt to downplay the problem? Is this a directive coming from your Editor Calvin Stovall? If you look at the chart below you can clearly see the full impact of the increases. Don’t you think readers have a right to the full story, to al the truth. Also you will notice there were three increases in 2007 so your comment about the last rate increases being in 2006 is incorrect.:

 

THE TOTAL INCREASE UNDER THE MATTHEW T. RYAN FROM 2006 TO 2009 WILL BE 81%, EIGHTY-ONE PERCENT.

 

DO NOT WHITEWASH THIS FOR CITY HALL'S BENEFIT. FOR ONCE LOOK AFTER THE CONCERNS OF RESIDENTS.

Water Bill History (form a file available yesterday with the PSB story, date rate, minimum payment)

 

Dec-05 $1.65 $18.50

 

Dec-06 $1.65 $18.50

 

Apr-07 $1.80 $20.00

 

Aug-07 $1.95 $21.50

 

Dec-07 $2.10 $23.00

 

Aug-08 $2.10 $23.00

 

Dec-08 $2.73 $29.30

 

Apr-09 $2.99 $31.90

 

 

Read it and weep, for $1.65 to $2.99, 81% increase!!!!!

 

Perhaps the next time you or any reporter here in Broome County looks at this water rate increase issue you can give readers and viewers the full story?

 

Sincerely,

Ed not allowed,

 

 

 

[Guest Guest]

I'm looking forward to the day the Press & Sun-Bulletin reporters clearly tells their readers Matthew T. Ryan has raised water rates 81%.

[Ed Arzouian]

Don't hold your breath.