FW: Public Water Now's TELL THE WORLD TUESDAY - April 2nd + Robert's Lake Eco Station Groundbreaking
Catherine Crockett
Dear All,
Public Water Now will mark the end of its successful signature gathering campaign by turning in the petitions and holding a Press Conference and public rally tomorrow, Tues, April 3rd. The final count of signatures will be announced. Read more below.
Also, the Ground Breaking for Robert's Lake Eco Station is this Friday, April 6, 11 AM, The City of Seaside will break ground for the Robert's Lake Eco-Recreation Station at Robert's Lake, at the dock. Light refreshments and a commemorative gift will be given to the first 50 participants. Read more in James Herrera’s article in the March 29th Monterey Herald: https://bit.ly/2q20EQu
Best wishes,
Catherine Crockett
Sustainable Seaside Chair
From: MWChrislock [mailto:mwchr...@redshift.com]
Sent: Monday, April 2, 2018 8:16 AM
To: PWN Seaside Volunteers <mwchr...@redshift.com>
Subject: PWN TELL THE WORLD TUESDAY -TOMORROW
Everyone,
Please join us tomorrow for Tell the World Tuesday as we turn in our signatures to qualify the PWN initiative for the November 2018 ballot and announce our amazing numbers! The press and community leaders have been invited. We want to make a BIG deal of this victory.
Public Water Now
Tuesday, April 3, 2018, 12:45pm
Monterey Peninsula Water Management District office
5 Harris Court, Building G
Ryan Ranch
Monterey, CA
On Tuesday, April 3 Public Water Now will turn in the signatures needed to qualify our ballot initiative for the November 2018 ballot and hold a press conference at the Monterey Peninsula Water District office to announce our final signature count. We’d also like to answer questions to help further educate the community on what the PWN ballot initiative will achieve if passed by voters in November.
“Our successful petition drive was carried out over the last six months by a volunteer force of 125 signature collectors who braved weather, the flu, and Cal Am “blockers” stalking them,” says George Riley, director of Public Water Now. No signature collectors were paid by PWN. This was a selfless effort done in the spirit of community.”
The PWN initiative is aimed at achieving affordable, sustainable water for the Monterey Peninsula through public ownership. The initiative would require the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District (MPWMD) to do a cost analysis/feasibility study on acquiring Cal Am’s local system as a first step. If, and only if, it is found to be feasible and in the public interest would MPWMD proceed to purchase Cal Am. The study will provide the facts on whether corporate owned water or community owned water are the best choice for the Peninsula.
The final two weeks of the petition drive saw a substantial increase in signatures. Cal Am’s mailing/calling campaign, asking voters to un-sign our petition, appeared to have had the opposite effect. Many who had not signed the petition suddenly wanted to know where they could sign it.
“It’s no secret that people are angry with Cal Am, but their recent tactics seemed to have pushed many over the top.” said George Riley. “Skyrocketing water bills have given the Peninsula the most expensive water in the country according to Food & Water Watch. Ratepayers have experienced a 68% increase in the cost of water over the last two years, and there are more increases scheduled.” Riley emphasized, “It really bothers people that we’ve conserved water, only to have Cal Am charge us $64 million for the water that we did NOT use to make up for their lost revenue.”
George Riley, PWN Director
Melodie Chrislock, Communications Director
http://www.publicwaternow.org
