A $400 million question
Voters will be asked whether to take on water cleanup debtBy Jessica VanderKolk, jvanderkolk@altoonamirror.com
If voters read to the bottom of their ballots Tuesday, they'll find a $400 million question below the choices for president and state contests.
The referendum asks voters whether to approve the state borrowing the money to provide municipalities with grants and low-interest loans to fund work on water systems and wastewater treatment plants. Facilities across the state must make upgrades to comply with guidelines designed to prevent pollution of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.
Area borough officials support the bond issue.
John Montgomery, Bedford borough manager, said the benefit to Bedford, which is facing an estimated $9 million bill to upgrade its wastewater treatment plant, is twofold.
''We would be able to borrow money at a much better interest rate than if we were to borrow from a bank or do our own bond issue,'' he said. ''There's supposed to be some grant money, also. Our customers' bills are still going to be going up considerably, but it won't be as great an impact if this passes.''
Without the state money, Montgomery said Bedford customers could see an 80 percent to 100 percent increase in cost. Rates may still rise that much with the funds, if the upgrade cost changes. The borough still is in the design phase.
''It'll help our customers and, really, anybody in central Pennsylvania on public water or public sewer. It's gonna be a benefit,'' he said.
Montgomery paused on whether the benefits outweigh the state going into debt to provide the funds.
''Well, at least this puts the burden on everybody across the state and just doesn't concentrate it in central Pennsylvania,'' he said. ''These are bad economic times, but if we don't do anything, things could get worse.''
The Bedford project will include regular upgrades to the 30-year-old plant, as well as changes to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus - targeted Chesapeake Bay pollutants. It also includes changes to make the plant more energy-efficient.
Rick Pope, Hollidaysburg's Water Department director, also wants to see the referendum pass.
Borough projects in need of funding include replacing 100-year-old pipes and moving existing water mains out of residents' yards and under borough streets.
Pope said most of the homes likely didn't exist when the pipes were laid. While the borough has moved some pipes, more remain to be moved, at a cost of about $1.3 million.
''I know in this climate, people are afraid of people wasting money, but the infrastructure in this state are in dire need of repairs and replacement,'' he said. ''This is a very important referendum that people should know about.''
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ToonaBornandRaised
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11-04-08 8:44 PM
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Go ahead and vote NO on this, you clown. Because what will happen THEN if this does not pass is your rates will climb EVEN HIGHER because whether you like it or not, the DEP and Federal EPA mandates of water and sewer system upgrades and new facilities WILL BE BUILT with our without the loans - only we have to approve low interest loans. Do some homework before acting like a clown.
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weaverx6
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11-03-08 11:48 AM
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the state doesn't have a surplus. this is the state going into more debt. where in the world did you get that the state has a surplus?
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voiceofreason
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11-03-08 11:19 AM
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And let's not be closed minded about this just because we don't live in a particular water shed area. Let's think of our neighbors maybe a little bit of the Golden Rule here. (that will help local gov't too)
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voiceofreason
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11-03-08 11:15 AM
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I am not sure how we can vote against low interest LOANS to fix local infrastructure. This would seem to be a win win in my book. Save local government money through low interest and make the state SOME money on said loans as they are REPAID. This is not PORK. Wake up people. I want to hear the whinning when dirty water is flowing from your tap or we have to boil water as a result of poor infrastructure. This is an extremely important referendum that will directly effect local citizens. Unfortunately we will not comment on the positive effect if our water stays clean and flowing. The only time you would hear anything about it is if the water is dirty and the pressure is low. Vote for the LOW INTEREST LOANS. The state has a money Surplus, this is a way to invest it.
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KlausVR
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11-03-08 10:10 AM
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And all the while, OUR tax money is funding the rebuilding of IRAQ'S infrastructure. Sigh ....... Hey, maybe if we find huge oil reserves in Central Pennsylvania and declare war on Washington ........
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weaverx6
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11-03-08 9:00 AM
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that tax calculator is full of BS! do you seriously believe that??!! anyone can put a calculator on line and make it work to their advantage. you've got to have your head in the bucket if you believe that crap. and, what does this article have to do with obama anyway? this has nothing to do with the presidency or politics. it's a simple question on the ballot. if we all really knew where our tax money were going, we'd all be sick. i think our PA gov't shouldn't be mandating and deadlining in the first place. why wasn't that put out as a referendum??? i'm surprised spendell didn't just ask us if he could throw all of our tax money to philly and get it over with.
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JohnGP
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11-03-08 6:32 AM
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How do you rationalize making Filthadelphia pay for this when they live in the Delaware Bay watershed and Pittsburgh lies in the Gulf Watershed. This is strictly a central PA issue that was forced on we the taxpayer by PA and MD officials. I agree with Bedrock, It will become a slush fund. Vote no.
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livinginBEDROCK
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11-03-08 6:16 AM
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Vote NO on this referendum. The voters approved $625 million for "growing greener" funds and it has turned into a legislators sluch fund for vote buying. Example: $500,000 to a wealthy, out of state business for "landscaping" at the Bedford Springs resort. What A RIPOFF!
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Simpledave
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11-03-08 4:34 AM
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@ drophammer, I am an Obama supporter but what does this article have to do with him? You are just cutting and pasting all over the place. extremists on either side of the ticket is not good for anyone. I hope the legislation passes.
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drophammer
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11-03-08 2:04 AM
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Obama has spelled out exactly where he’s going to change federal policy that will affect Pennsylvania. McCain says he’s going to cut government spending. Where? Not money to war contractors, not to the Pentagon. That’s over half of the federal budget. That means he’s going to cut taxes going to veterans, Medicare, disaster relief, aid to cities, farm aid, medical research, our transportation improvements and schools. So you pay the same amount of taxes you pay now and get less back from the government. That’s the same as a TAX INCREASE. Guess what, he not only is going to give you back less of your tax dollars in services but is going to increase your taxes. That is a Double Tax Increase. Here's Obama's tax calculator. Try and find that on the McCain website or anywhere. *******taxcut.barackobama****/
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