As Nelda Holder's Sept. 18 online story on the Asheville City Council's meeting with General Assembly representatives reminds us, the focus of acting in good faith in the possible seizure of Asheville's water system remains entirely on the city [see http://avl.mx/le]. But isn't what's good for the goose also good for the gander? Where's the sense of good faith from the two legislators pushing this seizure, Reps. Chuck McGrady and Tim Moffitt?
McGrady cited, yet again, history as the reason for snatching Asheville's water system, and we are talking old history, by actors who haven't had power in years. The city changed its ways and is now in compliance with the Sullivan Acts. Is this the way these two men think people should treat each other? Punish them after they've reformed?
It's not the way I treat people and I doubt it's the way the overwhelming majority of your readers treat people. The time is long past for these two legislators to set aside hypocrisy and act in good faith themselves.
— Ellen D. Lyle
Asheville
The history of the Asheville water system includes the nullification by Asheville of the original water agreement between the city and county a few years back. In ensuing negotiations with Buncombe County officials, the city asked for the right to charge differential water rates which the county would not agree to. Differential water rates means that the city would be able to charge a higher water rate to outside water customers and a lower water rate to city customers which Sullivan Acts II, III expressly forbid. Being able to charge differential water rates would put the city in a position to push outside areas to agree to “voluntary annexation” in order to qualify for lower water rates. This is one of the main concerns Reps. Chuck McGrady and Tim Moffitt have in supporting a merger of the Asheville water system with the Buncombe MSD. The water system infrastructure is partly owned by Buncombe County and the County still maintains its own water lines.
It’s true that currently, Sullivan Acts II, III
are in force that prevent the city of Asheville from charging differential water rates. However,
if a Democratic majority takes control of both the N.C. House and Senate, there is a strong possibility that these Acts could be overturned, regardless of history. If that happens, Asheville will be able to implement differential water rates as other N.C. cities do, and thereby
voluntarily annex outside areas that use city water, using water as a tool for annexation.