Hello Everyone,
I received an email yesterday that I thought pertinent to address to the whole list serv. I have omitted the name of the community member as they emailed me directly and I wish to respect their privacy. Please see below as I hope that it may provide more information regarding the sewer situation and my intent in bringing it to community-member attention.
And to Councilman Patrick Dowd (whose office has been copied on this email): would you care to assuage the concern that has built up in the community? A response to your constituents on this list would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for your efforts.
On Thu, Aug 12, 2010 at 9:46 AM, Josephina Jeffers josephinajeffers@gmail.com> wrote:
Thank you for your response. Below, please find my responses (indented and highlighted) for each of your talking points.
Josephina -
What makes you presume that Patrick Dowd hasn't done anything about the issue? Having a seat on the board doesn't mean being able to get things done immediately.
I do not rely on assumptions to arrive at my position. I am certain that Mr. Dowd is aware of the situation as he sits on the PWSA board and knows (well before we do) specifics regarding Pittsburgh's faulty sewer system. I mention Mr. Dowd as a potential voice for our district in this matter. I'm not sure why my mentioning of Mr. Dowd elicits such a defensive response from you.
If you know anything about city politics - and the acrimony between PWSA and a number of other city offices - you'd know that the wheels of change move excruciatingly slow, if they move at all.
In reference to the slow political process as it relates to a community's political expectation, I don't exactly follow your logic. Are you suggesting that just because something *has been*, that it, in effect, *should or will always be*? Are you suggesting that our community should not expect a quicker response simply because we are conditioned to settle for less? I'm sure that if I were slow to pay my utility bill, PWSA would be quick to turn my water off.
Furthermore, after at least a year of documented and recorded complaint to the PWSA, after numerous emails, phone calls, pleas, threats, gnashing of teeth and rending of garments, etc., etc., only now, only two months ago, only after the threat of negative publicity (heaven forfend) is there any hint of motion to fix a painfully obvious problem.
The PWSA will be installing meters to be able to understand the sewage flow in the "sewage shed," a necessary step before fixing, and I understand that over half a million dollars has been slated to remedy the problem.
To be precise, flow meters were installed on June19th 2010. Additionally, I was told (in person and over the phone) that the lines would be televised and the video made available by the PWSA last year. After nearly 9 months of trying to get an update from PWSA regarding said video, I still have no answer.
I also understand that it will probably be completed before the end of the year.
Please reference the following:
The region's sewers are the subject of consent orders involving the federal Environmental Protection Agency, state DEP, Allegheny County Sanitary Authority and scores of municipalities. *They have to have a plan in place by 2012 to stop frequent overflows that push sewage into the rivers -- not to mention basements* -- when it rains, and *to have the plan implemented by 2026.*
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09319/1013619-53.stm#ixzz0wOWjVrAR
Your email draws an unfair correlation between Patrick and the inability to solve the Bryant St problem immediately.
I do not believe that expecting an accomplished and powerful City Representative to assist in the expedition of this process to be unfair in the least. The correlation is there whether or not you choose to acknowledge it as fair.
I agree, it's frustrating, and I'll be there on opening night to have a bowl of mussels.
Right now, there is no “opening night” in the even-remote future. That's part of my point.
But this kind of concern-building on the listserv does Patrick a great disservice,given the hours and effort he puts in advocating for the neighborhood in a sometimes hostile, often inefficient, city government structure. There are other ways to rally community support.
Again, I mention Mr. Dowd as a potential voice for our district in this matter. Additionally, I was under the impression that the list serve was meant to build our community's communication regarding important neighborhood issues. I would think that local business and protection of local commerce and property value are very much cause for “concern-building.”
Would you similarly suggest that local victims of crime who post their unfortunate experiences on the list serv be reprimanded as well? What if they mention that the police response was slow or non-existant, is that list serv appropriate? Would that automatically suggest to you that they were anti-police?
A slow or absent political response is completely unacceptable when it comes to the health and well being families and children. Would you argue that a public health concern (basements filled with human waste) is not the business of the residents who will be adversely affected? As I stated in my original email, The Park Bruge project is merely another example of the city and the PWSA (after being made aware of a situation for which they are solely responsible for correcting) not providing this community with a service that we faithfully pay them to provide. The PWSA and Mr. Dowd are not being martyred. After all, the PWSA website offers our guaranteed consumer rights as follows:
Customer Rights: As a residential water customer, you have many important rights and responsibilities which ensure fair dealings between you and The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority. These rights and responsibilities include:
- Your right to a clear and concise bill - Your right to know how your water, sewer and ALCOSAN sewage bill is calculated - Your right to fair credit and deposit policies - Your responsibility to pay your bill - *Your right to question or disagree with PWSA* - *Your right to receive continuous water, sewer and ALCOSAN sewage service if you meet your responsibilities*
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Many people have asked for contact information for the PWSA, Councilman Dowd, Mayor Ravenstahl, etc. Please find some of this information below. Also, if you have any other contacts, please share:
*Office of Mayor Luke Ravenstahl * City of Pittsburgh City-County Building - Fifth Floor 414 Grant Street Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Phone: 412-255-2626 Fax: 412-255-2687 E-mail<askpgh@city.pittsburgh.pa.us?subject=City+of+Pittsburgh+Website+E-mail>
*Melissa M. Demme * Senior Administrator to the Mayor Phone: 412-255-2626; Fax: 412-255-8602 Email: melissa.demme@city.pittsburgh.pa.us
*Councilman Dowd *For more information, please phone 412.255.2140 or email district7@city.pittsburgh.pa.us.
*The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority* Penn Liberty Plaza I 1200 Penn Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15222 (412) 255-8800
*Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection / Bureau of Water Standards & Facility Regulation* 400 Market St PO Box 8774 Phone: (717) 783-7416