Well between the resident meeting at Adams High School last night concerning the water reservoirs and the Washington Road Public Hearing tonight at Stoney Creek High School, it is apparent that a growing number of residents are pretty riled in Rochester Hills.
Monday evening around 100 residents from the NW portion of the city showed up to learn more about the water reservoirs and to express their disdain with the project.
The overall consensus seemed to be that even though some city council members profess over and over again that this is a good project for the city, they don't buy it.
Simplistic analytical charts with what seems to have more variables than shades of lipstick are supposedly the basis for "A good business case."
No, there are business people in this community and they can not be fooled with fancy charts.
Numerous residents said if they recommended such a proposal at work they would be fired.
I have asked for something that shows a return on investment and have yet to see it. All that has been mentioned publicly is the existence of an email from a DWSD employee that states a reduction in the water rate from the DWSD for one year if the city built the water reservoirs. There are no guarantees after that.
$20 million and no return on investment after the first year. This could mean a major increase in water bills and/or a further reduction in city services.
I did find it interesting when city employee Paul Davis confirmed that Tetra Tech was hired for $50,000 to do a study to decide whether this would be a good project for the city. Of course their positive response provided the opportunity for them to receive an even greater contract to the tune of a half a million dollars.
So, why wouldn't they think it was a good idea? The whole concept sounds as plausible as having the fox guard the hen house.
Needless to say, residents plan to have their voices and concerns heard - stay tuned there is more on this coming.
As to the Washington Road paving. The RCOC just doesn't seem to get it. The initial meetings held with residents and the Historic District Commission weren't just an exercise to make people feel good. They took place so that the input given might be used in the planning.
There was a steady stream of people coming to the public hearing tonight from both Rochester and Rochester Hills as the road straddles both cities. According to RCOC staff the overwhelming response from residents in both of the cities is they are in strong opposition to the current plan. If major changes are not made, such as lowering the speed limit and banning the truck traffic, then they would like the road left unpaved.
Sadly, neither of these issues are being covered by the main stream media such as The Oakland Press. People are relying on blogs such as this, online citizen media, distributing fliers and sending emails to let the residents know what is going on.
For more information visit www.therochestercitizen.com and/or www.stopthetanks.org
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