Chester finances and the receiver’s new plan — continue to fight back!

Another Daily Times article this week covered criticism of Chester Receiver Michael Doweary’s new plan to “[monetize the city’s] water, sewer, and stormwater assets” by dissolving the existing authorities and selling them, which would increase the cost of bills to residents.

The article includes comments from CRCQL Chairperson Zulene Mayfield about how the burden of this and many other issues in the area tend to fall on Chester residents, even when other communities are also implicated. Despite open communication and negative feedback from the community, the Receiver seems to be continuing with the plan.

“Speaking about the lecture, the receiver said there is only one path ahead.

‘It was great to meet with so many people from Chester and outside the community to discuss the steps that must be taken to exit bankruptcy and put the city on a path to fiscal survival,’ he said.

‘While debate is healthy, Chester has just one option to avoid extreme cuts to city services and retiree benefits: the monetization of its water, sewer and stormwater assets,’ Doweary continued. ‘We believe strongly that doing this in a way that keeps these assets in public hands will not only help Chester address its financial situation, but also result in a publicly-owned regional entity that would preserve public sector jobs, minimize the impact on ratepayers and provide a regional solution to stormwater management.’

No other public sessions are scheduled at this time, but Doweary added, ‘We look forward to continued and transparent engagement with the public on this issue.’

Last week, the receiver’s office said no timetable had been set for sending requests for proposals to potential public and nonpublic entities. And, that any final decisions on proposals would need the approval of federal bankruptcy court. It was unclear how legal motions filed against the Plan of Adjustment would affect any timetable.

The retirees committee accused Doweary of not being transparent and not giving the retirees a seat at the table for the process.”

However, the community can still push back to prevent this sale and the increase in costs to residents. Visit savecwa.org for more information and actions you can take to help pressure the government to keep Chester Water Authority in truly public hands.

Click here for a quick and easy email template to contact your representatives. More actions will be coming soon, which we will send updates on. You can also stay more directly updated through the Save CWA newsletter! 

Click here to read the full Daily Times article.