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Letters: Gerrymandering Sewer? |
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by Elisabeth A. Hegarty
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Friday, 09 February 2007 |
Dear Editor:
I read with interest the latest efforts of the Lansing Sewer Committee to "stack the deck" against the majority of residents in the proposed sewer district who do not wish this project to go forward. I can't help but note the neighborhoods selected to be added to the project are primarily in high net-worth areas. Home owners covered in the new area might want sewers because they can afford them. Their taxes are already high (their homes are very pricy) and another $600 or so a year plus hookup costs won't be a burden to them. In addition, these homeowners are more likely to be sympathetic with the "developers and other monied interests" seeking to cut their costs of development by overcharging the general resident population.
The definition of Gerrymandering is a controversial form of redistricting in which electoral district or constituency boundaries are manipulated for an electoral advantage. Hmmm....sound familiar?
I suggest that, if the proposed sewer area is to be changed, it is changed to include the entire Lansing area, not just an area where those trying to shove this project down the run-of-the-mill taxpayers' throats are going to get a disproportionately large number of supporters. The way things are going now, it's like, "Oh, well, the project was not going to be approved so we will "redistrict" until the project can be approved." Sewer system proponents should be ashamed of themselves!!
In addition, rather than just "call for a vote" - IN JULY, no less, - why not have voters in the general election in November consider the project? This will ensure the participation of the greatest number of voters. July is not the time of the year to schedule such an important vote, when so many residents are away from the area for vacation and other summer activities.
Elisabeth A. Hegarty
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