Saturday, July 10, 2010  The Near 40% Water Rate Hike Is A
Consequence Of Inadequate Government  As was admitted by
somewhat sheepish City Staff members the other night at the
"Water Walk" (and here I thought only Jesus could do that),
water rate hikes should have begun to be incrementally worked
into Sierra Madre's water bills five years ago. Instead the City
dithered, and dallied, and generally involved themselves in more
pertinent issues like which of their supporters should be
ensconced on the Green Committee. And now we have a sudden rash
of broken pipes (nice timing, that) and the 40% Chicken Little
water rate hike that is going to put Sierra Madre's large fixed
income senior population under some stress. With the beating
retired people are taking on their investments in the worst
economic downturn in 80 years, I don't think you could have
found a more cruel time to do this.  Mayor Joe Mosca is quoted
today in an article in today's Pasadena Star News. Reflecting on
the need for "investment," Joe said, "