Mayor Newberry Fights the Water Rate Increase
Jul 29th, 10
4,000+ citizens joined Mayor Newberry in signing petitions opposing Kentucky American Water's proposed rate increase.
On Wednesday Mayor Newberry fought Kentucky American Water Company's 37% rate hike request at the Kentucky Public Service Commission's public meeting in Lexington. Since KAW's request, Mayor Newberry has opposed the increase by directing city lawyers to intervene on the case and by establishing an electronic petition drive on the city's website. Together with citizens all throughout Lexington, Mayor Newberry has worked to obtain over 4,000 signatures.
At the public meeting, Mayor Newberry presented all 4000+ petitions to the PSC and promised he would return with more at the official hearing on August 10th.
"These petitions prove that citizens from all across the community believe, like I do, that this rate increase is unreasonable," Mayor Newberry stated.
Mayor Newberry has always supported finding a solution to the critical water shortage facing Lexington. After 24 years of inaction, he believed it was time to put an end to the drought restrictions that inconvenienced citizens, even cracking the foundations of homes, and hurting local businesses.
After the Kentucky Public Service Commission reviewed both the Louisville Water Ohio River proposal and the KAW proposal they concluded that the Kentucky American Plan to build a new plant on the Kentucky River was the most economically efficient.
Mayor Newberry understands that there was no free or cheap solution to our critical water shortage. But, along with 4,000+ Lexington residents, he thinks that Kentucky American Water's request is TOO MUCH.
Mayor Newberry has and will continue to fight for what is in the best interest of all of Lexington. Thanks to Mayor Newberry we have ample resources to continue to increase economic development and create jobs throughout our city. Please join him in making sure that we keep Lexington's precious water supply abundant and affordable.
P.S. Check out this recent article from the Thoroughbred Times "Mayor Newberry is Supported by Horsemen"
Mayor Newberry, Moving Lexington Forward!