More than 400 Surprise been made public. residents bundled in winter "The settlements, of course, coats and blankets gathered are a lot of give and take," Tuesday night to protest a Mitizi Mills, executive more than 82 percent water- director of Sun City Grand, rate hike sought by Arizona told the crowd. "I don't have American Water Co. anything that I can legally Although the temperature report to you at this time on dipped into the high 40s, the that." crowd was steaming over the If the interveners and proposal, which could raise Arizona American agree to a an average customer's bill by settlement, the outcome about $300 per year. The likely wouldn't be determined protesters occasionally burst for months. The judge in the into chants of "No, no, no." case would still conduct "We must stand united on this hearings and forward a protest," resident Gwen recommendation to the Wisner said. "If this passes, commission for a vote. not only will the individual Nonetheless, the HOA leaders water bills go up, but said residents must continue everything in the city and to stay engaged by writing, e- everywhere you do business is mailing and calling the going to go up." commission members. Most of Surprise lies within "I don't want to lose your Arizona American's Agua Fria momentum, knowing that we're Water District, the service talking settlements," Mills area that is facing the told protesters Tuesday. "You increase. It would affect 30, still need to keep your 000 customers in the city, letters being written to the including homeowners and corporation commission." businesses. Mills said the city is facing The company has said the a tough opponent in Arizona driver for its increase is a American. She said the HOAs new $74 million White Tanks typically have four to five Regional Water Treatment attorneys at the table while Plant that was designed to the company has more than 10. wean Surprsie off of The interveners have set groundwater, which is not aside $250,000 for legal easily replenished, and onto costs, compared with the more sustainable canal water. company's $5 million, Mills Critics said plans for the said. treatment plant should have Residents have deluged the been shelved or reduced when commission with letters and the housing market crashed. phone calls. More than 400 The company had planned on signed a petition that was using water hook-up fees for presented in the rate case new houses to pay for the this week and Sun City Grand facility. even bussed residents to "We understand there is never Tuesday's rally. a good time for a rate "My husband and I live on increase and are sensitive to Social Security and can our customers concerns," hardly afford our utility company spokeswoman Joni bills, mortgage, food, McGlothlin said. "Arizona prescriptions, medical bills, American Water is seeking a etc., as it is," one resident rate increase, in part, as a wrote the commission on result of significant Monday. "A (nearly) 83 investments it made in percent increase is infrastructure." outrageous!" Mayor Lyn Truitt and the City Much of the criticism at Council, who have been Tuesday's rally was centered outspoken against the on Arizona American's increase, invited residents decision to build its White to Tuesday's rally at Tank plant at the height at Surprise Stadium. Shivering of the housing crash. protesters filled several Speakers said residents sections of the center should not foot the bill for bleachers while Truitt and the company's decision. other city leaders spoke from McGlothlin said construction the baseball diamond. of the plant was necessary The show of opposition was because long-term use of planned to coincide with groundwater is not a viable Arizona Corporation option for the city. She said Commission hearings in the no costs of the plant are rate case. A presiding judge included in the company's began hearing from expert current rates. witnesses on both sides of Ernie and Marty Lenthall, the case Monday. retirees who live in Sun City Surprise and homeowners Grand, said they stood in the associations across the city, cold weather to stand up for led by the retirement themselves and other seniors community of Sun City Grand, on a fixed income. The crowd, have been granted intervener who often broke into cheers status in the case. That and applause, accused Arizona allows them to question American of being callous witnesses and submit legal toward its customers. briefs. "I can't say it will end our However, the hearings were lifestyle, but it will hurt," postponed for much of the Ernie Lenthall said. His wife, week as the interveners sat Marty, added she thought the down with Arizona American company "must be mistaken" for settlement talks. Details when the notice first came. of the discussion have not
Tags: balk, hike, proposed, rate, residents, Surprise, Water
