WATER RATE INCREASES LIKELY
We are a group of your neighbors who have uncovered information that the mayor and town employees are hiding from the public and EVEN from town councilors. Because of New Mexico’s public information laws, the town was forced to produce correspondence which confirms Edgewood is applying for loans to do a hostile takeover of the EPCOR water system right now. If the takeover goes through, we, the consumers, will lose our rate protections under the Public Regulation Commission (PRC). Based on similar water take-overs, our water rates under a town-owned water system will likely double or triple! (See the case studies here)
CORE (Citizens for an Open and Responsible Edgewood), has been working to keep the community informed (starting with this letter to the editor). CORE’s extensive research uncovered misuse of public funds (benefitting the mayor’s family property), nepotism, violations of wastewater safety regulations, and violations of state laws. Every issue CORE has shared with the community is documented in minutes of public meetings, meeting video, or town records obtained by CORE through public information requests.
POOR OPERATING HISTORY
The Town of Edgewood has no experience or expertise in operating a water system. Look at their commercial district sewer system, it’s been in violation of NMED regulations for years. It’s no secret the town struggles to pay for their wastewater plant. Unfortunately, the mayor misused more than $600,000 that was earmarked for repairs of the wastewater treatment plant to instead design a residential sewer system no one wanted (which includes a line right onto his family property at taxpayer expense). It is also no secret the town has numerous long-term violations of state environmental regulations at its wastewater plant, including discharging sewer water onto the ground that contained fecal contaminants 1,100 times above the legal limit!
Are these the people you want controlling the water we drink, bathe in, and use for our pets, livestock, and gardens?
INCREASED COSTS and TAXES
EPCOR, as a private water company, is regulated by the Public Regulation Commission (PRC) and must justify any rate increase. However, if Edgewood owns the water system, consumers lose that protection and rates could increase exponentially. Water users in nearby El Dorado saw their water rates triple, tap fees soar, and property tax increase all because of a hostile take-over just like this one!
EPCOR remains resolute, their water system (our water source) is not for sale. They have responded publicly and through their attorneys to the mayor’s hostile take-over attempt. Still, the mayor has not stopped his take-over actions. Now, it is the public’s responsibility to put an end to this nightmare.
Protect your water and your wallet! Stand up to this mayor and get Edgewood back on track.
