Water regulation, not privatization

More than 25 years ago, Ronald Reagan started the push for privatization and deregulation that continued under George W. Bush.  It led to deteriorating infrastructure, inadequate health care and the downfall of our economy.

The proposed sale of Trenwon Water Works to New Jersey American Water, a private company, isn't the change we need; it's Reaganomics. We should have learned our lesson -- such assets must be publicly owned, particularly those that involve basic human needs, including the right to clean water, medical care, education and social security.

With economic stimulus money available for water resources, Mercer County reisdents should insist that money go toward improving water quality with state-of-the-art technology of a well-regulated public water system. Residents just recieved a quarterly bill reflecting a 40 percent rate incerease that was done in part to make the sale more attracitve to the American Water Company. Price-gouging cannot be tolerated, particularly at a time when people are losing their jobs. Amercan Water has a national track record of charging exhorbitant water rates. The reason our water has historically been cheaper than the state average is because we haven't been paying American Water bills.

Trenton residents who ciruclate petitions to put the sale of the Trenton Water Works to a public vote should be supported by suburban residents. Newark reisdents were successful in preventing the sale of their water system. I ask readers to contact their elected officals to urge them to oppose the sale of Trenton Water Works.

-- ROBIN WILLIAMS, Lawrence

Times of Trenton, Monday, March 9, 2009