In the coming weeks you are going to hear a lot of information (good!) about the city’s proposed $75 million decision to replace the water treatment plant. You have the opportunity to sign a petition to refer confirmation of that decision to the voters. 

There are a few things you should know. First, NOBODY is questioning that the water treatment plant requires upgrade. The point of the petition is simply to include the PUBLIC (you know, you and I, the folks that pay for things) in the discussion. Referring the council’s approval to the voters gives the city the chance to provide more information about this $75 million project and explain why the choice they voted for is the best long-term, most cost-effective, solution to this problem. That’s it. 

The city proposes to pay for this huge expense by raising our water rates 77% over the next five years. Maybe that’s the best option. Before every Ashland resident takes on that sort of debt, perhaps we need to talk about it as a community. The petition will allow time to do just that. Please sign the petition, so we can be sure that whatever decision we make, we all understand it and support it.

George Kramer

Ashland