By Donna Westfall October 8, 2016 –
The City of Crescent City has the wisdom of a gnat. No disrespect to gnats of this world. The City approves the upgrade and expansion of the wastewater treatment plant on prime beach front 
property in a Tsunami zone. Aside from that, they expand the sewer plant not 12% as stated in their undated, unsigned 1 page sheet, with no company name on it, but they purchase an membrane bioreactor (MBR) for $30 million which leads one to believe expansion is closer to 70%.
But wait, that’s not the end. They encumber our little town of less than 4,000 ratepayers to $44 million dollars. Our poor little town.
But wait, that’s not the end. There’s more. They double the sewer rates telling the people this will pay for the loan.
Oh, but wait. That’s not the end either, there’s more. Now they want to go to consumption based rates. We told them years ago to use consumption based rates and they told us they wouldn’t. Now, they want to change, but here’s the kicker. They want the new rate schedule to contain a 20% increase.
Folks, rate increases for this sewer will never end. Haven’t you figured that out yet? Also, they need to do Phase 2 for $36 million. They can’t pay back the original $44 million and want to add another $36 million.
Another reason increases will never end is because the folks that have been fooled, (the ratepayers) are not demanding an investigation into all the allegations of fraud and corruption.
Based on reliable sources, we’re talking about the rigged bid for $37,500,000 (later increased to approximately $44,000,000).
Based on reliable sources, we’re talking about using federal EPA monies to create front loaded invoices, mark-up’s on subcontractors invoices, falsify invoices, and artificially inflated invoices.
Based on reliable sources, we’re talking about conflicts of interest, misrepresentation of goods and services and double and triple billing.
Based on reliable sources, we’re talking about plans that were incomplete and inadequate. Example: The Laboratory. Bad air was vented out on the same wall that good air came into the building.
Based on reliable sources, up to $15,000,000 was used in kickbacks of one sort or another.
Based on reliable sources, documents were destroyed to cover up much of the fraud and conspiracy that took place including the video recordings of City Council meetings.
Maybe when the good rate paying folks of this town are sick and tired enough and ready to say, “We’re fed up and not going to take it anymore,” then something will be done.
One way to change the course of events is to Vote No on Measure Q and force the city to deal with the problems of the past.
Another way to change the course of events is to realize that those responsible for this situation and unjustly enriched themselves, need to be held accountable. Make them return their ungainly revenues plus interest, costs and expenses.
We support a NO vote on Measure Q. Stop increasing the rates to the ratepayers and start going after those that cheated us. Through restitution and asset forfeiture that should reduce the principal to a level this town could afford. Don’t be fooled into thinking that 50% of the ratepayers are going to see a reduction. That’s short term thinking and what makes you think you can trust the city on their percentages? How much longer are you going to be fooled?
We support 
a No vote on Measure Q.
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