“extortion |ikˈstôr sh ən|, noun, the practice of obtaining something, esp. money, through force or threats.” extract from New Oxford American Dictionary
In an August 28, 2012 letter from the Eastsound Sewer & Water District titled “TO ALL PROPERTY OWNERS ON NOTIFICATION TO CONNECT TO THE SEWER SYSTEM:” the ESWD notifies affected homeowners of what the Commissioners have euphemistically called a “sewer service availability charge.” By a unanimous vote, the Commissioners have decided to levy a $48.00 per month charge on homeowners who are not connected to the sewer starting October 1, 2012.
Although this may not legally rise to the level of the low crime of extortion, the intent is very clear–and for low income homeowners, the price is high. Oddly enough, none of the Sewer Commissioners will feel the pinch since only one commissioner lives in the UGA and he is already connected to the sewer(Commissioner Lowry).
Roger Adams
The sewer districts pricing policy is also bizarre in that the fee is $48.00 a month whether you have a studio apartment or a five bedroom house.
Thank you for the well written piece about the ESWD.I believe ‘extortion’ is an appropriate term for what they are attempting to do. I am stunned by the rising level of what I can only interpret as panic in the ESWD’s wildly erratic attempts to coerce homeowners in Bonnie Brae, (and later, Opal Commons),to hook up to their unwanted, unneeded sewer system. There is something worth looking into at the bottom of all this.
While i do not know these people, i will say that my husband, is one of the people you are talking about. Shame on you. First let me say that he works and the board work hard at trying to help and work with our community. They are not the monsters you say they are. They do the best they are able. With rising prices of every thing around you the price of your sewer going up a fraction is not the biggest problem. I pay this rate. I understand when prices need to be changed. What i hate on this island is that when a group of people doing the best they are able with the resources we have get slammed and called names it pisses me off.
ROGER if you knew my husband for more than the hour or so you show up for at the meetings you would know the KIND, HELPFUL, CARING man i and most islanders know. What my husband does is show up work hard for this community, make hard decisions and do the best he is able. SHAME ON YOU extortion I encourage all to go to a meeting.