Food & Water Watch Opposes Decision Denying Trenton Citizen Participation in the Future of Their Water
2009-03-17
Contact:
Kate Fried, Food & Water Watch, (202) 683-4905
Food & Water Watch Opposes Decision Denying Trenton Citizen Participation in the Future of Their Water
Statement of Food & Water Watch Executive Director
Wenonah Hauter
“Sadly, a New Jersey state judge yesterday invalidated a Trenton citizen petition that would have opened the door to residents voting on whether to put part of the city’s drinking water system into private hands.
“The city council and New Jersey American Water, the corporation set to take control of Trenton Water Works’s township services, hired outside lawyers to advise them on subverting the will of the people. How? By arguing in favor of a statute that made sure no referendum had to be put together. The judge, in agreeing with them, has helped in this despicable effort to rob citizens of their chance to vote on the fate of their water.
“American Water has a history of working against the interests of the public. In Felton, Calif., for example, American Water paid for a lawsuit challenging a voter-approved measure to publicly fund the use of eminent domain so that residents could buy the water system from the company. Thankfully, the people of Felton ultimately prevailed.
“Back in Trenton, the court ruling is further evidence that the city council and American Water have done everything in their power to limit democratic participation in this deal. Residents too often were locked out of the process of deciding whether to sell the system. The council rushed through the deal in less than two weeks, initially voted on it the same day details were released publicly and, all along, prevented an open discussion.
“Worse, city leaders then resorted to scare tactics to persuade the public to accept the deal. They claimed that any kibosh on the sale could result in higher property taxes.
“And now, as if that weren’t enough, the city and American Water have resorted to this legal case to curtail citizens' efforts to have a voice in the process.
“Residents should consider appealing the decision in order to save the city’s important public drinking water resources from private control.”
Food & Water Watch, a nonprofit consumer organization based in Washington, D.C., works to ensure clean water and safe food in the United States and around the world. We challenge the corporate control and abuse of our food and water resources by empowering people to take action and transforming the public consciousness about what we eat and drink. For more information, visit www.foodandwaterwatch.org.