Mike Baron is Back to Talk About Greensboro Water

Mike Baron is getting his blog fired back up with some more recent information about water demand and supply-- and water bill rates in the city of Greensboro.  Recall how he had demonstrated last year that water demand in Greensboro has been much less than it was projected to be years ago. 

A sampling:

The real reason why your water rates are being hiked every year now (9% January 1st) is threefold; First, because water sales are radically below what was forecast. Water sales have been low for a decade now.

Second, manufacturers, Greensboro’s biggest and best water customers have shut down. That means residential water customers must make up for all the revenue that once flowed into City Hall from Greensboro’s big manufacturers.

And third, as water rates radically increase, water use decreases. Just like you turn back your thermostat to save energy, water is becoming so expensive in Greensboro that citizens will use even less of it in the future.

Greensboro expanded its waterworks at the same time that its water sales were declining. In the private sector when sales decline, businesses downsize. However, when you enjoy a monopoly like Greensboro Water and you control the rates that customers must pay, you can continue to expand your operation in spite of declining sales. 

Comments

[Dr. Mary Johnson]

Oh come on, Joe,

(Tongue firmly in cheek), don't you know that poor, sick Mike is a "wack-job" too?

[Joe Guarino]

Mary, I suppose that may be the defense mechanism some in positions of influence may use to dismiss his arguments. But I seem to remember last year another label that was used by someone-- that he was a disgruntled former employee. Never mind the substance of his assertions.

[Dr. Mary Johnson]

Been there done that.

What the defelcting geniuses don't seem to understand is that one can be very "disgruntled" and still be telling the truth.

Ah well. Wacky me.

Wacky Mike. Skipping on along . . . nothing to see . . .

[Tony Wilkins]

Dr. Johnson, I've only been blogging for about a year and I don't take this blogging deal too seriously (actually started because the furniture business was so slow).
I've read with interest your posts on what has happened to you and I've wanted to ask you this question. I chose to ask here because I couldn't post on your blog and this is a much friendlier turf than what I just saw you go through over at Ed's.
My question is:
Are the baby's parents willing to support you or speak out on your behalf in any way on this issue? I feel like if you could put a picture of the child with the story it may have a much more dramatic effect.
You may have discussed this and I just missed it.
I wish you some inner peace in your knowledge of the good you have done.
Bless you Dr. Johnson.

[Dr. Mary Johnson]

No problem, Tony. I don't think Joe would mind. And you're right about the "turf".

The child's parents have both spoken openly on my behalf already. There is a link on my sidebar already that describes one such occasion at church: http://drjshousecalls.blogspot.com/2006/06/early-christmas-card.html

I feel certain that if I asked them, they would testify on my behalf. The point kind of is that neither I nor they should be in that position. There comes a point at which the state is supposed to step up.

I am not comfortable posting the child's picture on the Internet or pro-offering the family's name every time a nasty-blogger-with-an-agenda lobs "wack-job" at me.

Nor am I going to forward copies of (confidential/privileged) medical records to someone like Roch (he really is deluded as to his relevence in the great scheme of things). The girl is only eleven. The parents deserve some privacy.

I will save any "drama" for the lawsuit I file (not against the hospital - but against the state agencies that are supposed to protect US and did not), or the book I eventually write.

It really is sad that our local journalists (like Ed Cone of the Cones) need "drama" or a "hook" in order to simply report a story - or see the truth told.

Mike Baron and I have a lot in common in terms of the treatment we have received for trying to do the right thing.

I'm sorry the furniture business is so slow. Do you know anybody who makes decent bookcases?

;)