BRISTOL — To the editor:
The Bristol County Water Authority (BCWA) has gotten away with arrogance and incompetence so long that when they get challenged they become irrational. It seems their latest threat of suing their own ratepayers has to be the most ludicrous thing imaginable. Right off, my question would be: Who pays your attorney fees? I would imagine we ratepayers would have to; and would that not drive up the cost of our water usage? It would also put us ratepayers in a position to sue BCWA for this frivolous action.
I am not a fan of BCWA — who is? My situation is the issue of low pressure at my home. It was so bad that my freewheeling water sprinkler would not spin because of extremely low pressure. The water pressure in my neighborhood is so low that my neighbor has to use a pail of water in order to flush the toilets on the second floor. I had the water company come in and they admitted to the low pressure and gave me $200 to install a water pressurizer. The problem with that is that it cost $700 to buy and have it installed. In addition, the system has to be replaced every 10 to 12 years as the bladder wears out, at the same cost. I was told by BCWA the $200 was a one-shot deal.
I wrote a letter to BCWA complaining about the situation and I copied state Senator David Bates. I got no answer, but Sen. Bates did; and he sent me a copy of the letter. It was a joke. I will quote the essence of the reply: BCWA has discussed this problem and will do nothing about it. BCWA has no control over pressure at residences since pressure depends on the geographical position (location and elevation) of each residence. For example, individual “A” may build a home at a high elevation, individual “B” may build a three-story house, etc.
First of all, they did not answer me (arrogance), but because Sen. Bates might be able to do something they panicked and answered him. Secondly, if BCWA has no control over pressure at residences, who does have control? Next, I have a one-story house and I have a problem.
I will conclude by saying I — as I believe most of the BCWA customers do — support the concerns of the fearsome foursome.
Dominic DiOrio
Bristol
Comments
NiceTry 5 months, 3 weeks ago
The attorney, Sandra Mack, a Bristol resident, is a partner at Cameron & Mittleman. You've got to think she wants a certain amount of billings, right? According to BCWA Chairman John Jannitto, he doesn't know how much BCWA pays her but he thinks it's $100,000 to $120,000 a year. After they were caught, Jannitto said Mack helped him write his October 19, 2011 "probing" investigation letter about the East Bay Four - on BCWA letterhead and his signature block as Chairman of BCWA. He sent the letter to government agencies in RI & MA asking for information about the East Bay Four. Mr. Jannitto asked for the information be sent to his home address. He did not have board approval for his actions. He says he never intended litigation but it was on the agenda twice but the notice was illegal (violated open meetings laws) so they didn't vote on it. (The expensive attorney keeps letting them violate open government laws?) Then Jannitto invited other board members to review the documents he got. Only maybe 3 have looked at the stuff. What a waste of BCWA time & resources. Too bad Jannitto doesn't put as much effort into improving the water authority.
imjustsayin 5 months, 3 weeks ago
Ha Ha Ha ... Sue your own ratepayers with their own money ... Now THAT wins this year's prize for th most arrogant public servants in America ... Does anyone have control of the situation here? ... until our elected town councilors take the necessary actions for which they were elected ... it's the fearsome foursome that represents us ... gotta go fetch a pail of water.
imjustsayin 5 months, 3 weeks ago
It was a close call for this 2011 Arrogance in Public Service Award ... Barrington Town Manager, Peter DeAngelis ... elegantly pitching and unanimously carrying ... his own 14% salary and pension bonus for "being around" ... amid our dual financial and pension crises ... was a very close second ... and the judges respectfully recognize his arrogant effforts ... awarding him honorable mention ... and first runner-up to the champ.
EastBayAnonymous 5 months, 3 weeks ago
Mr. Jannitto’s petty improper "probing letter", threats of lawsuits, and quest for “retribution” is outrageous behavior for the Chairman of a publicly owned Water Authority.
And yes, quite "irrational" behavior.
This kind of conduct is typical of the management culture that has kept BCWA in the dark ages.
In spite of Mr. Jannitto, there are other Directors, Tri-Town Councilors, and members of the public trying to move forward and resolve BCWA’s issues.
Mr. Jannitto’s inability to acknowledge and learn from past mistakes, and proactively move forward is an obstacle to BCWA progress. Mr. Jannitto should be removed or resign.
Oh, and Ms. Mack’s billings and rates need to be investigated.
MrsB 5 months, 3 weeks ago
The rate payers are singing "Sue me, sue you blues."
GaryM 5 months, 3 weeks ago
The Projo ran an editorial in their Nov 28th edition entitled - Going After Citizens Who Question Their Government. On the same editorial page was an editorial on the ProCap scandal
http://digital.olivesoftware.com/Olive/ODE/ProJo/Default.aspx?href=TPJ%2F2011%2F11%2F28&pageno=16&view=document
Question: What is the difference between the ProCap and BCWA editorials? At ProCap, Chairman of the Board Mike Solomon takes the whistle blower info and acts upon it; At BCWA, Chairman of the Board, John Jannitto, goes after the whistle blowers,
galt 5 months ago
A memory from the past: Footage of demonstration at BCWA in 1978!!! And this is the water that the BCWA, if they had their druthers, would want to provide once again for you!
http://video.turnto10.com/v/49830074/flashback-dec-16.htm?q=this+day+in+1978+december+16
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