×
X logo

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox.

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)

You may opt-out anytime by clicking "unsubscribe" from the newsletter or from your account.

Get Answers On St. C Utilities Plan Ca

A split vote on whether St. Clairsville should push forward with a proposal to sell the municipal water and sewer systems to a private company means there needs to be more discussion of the idea.

There was no formal vote last week, but two people who have looked into the question did provide their opinions. The two are St. Clairsville residents Brewster Martin and Ernie Schlatt. They, along with Mayor Terry Pugh and city Councilman Jim Velas, were involved in a “fact-finding tour” of facilities owned by Aqua Ohio earlier this month.

Aqua Ohio has expressed interest in purchasing and operating the city’s water and sewer systems. Some city officials seem to like the idea.

Schlatt appears to agree. In a letter read to council members this week, Schlatt commented favorably on the proposal. “Mr. Schlatt feels the city should sell these assets at this time,” Martin said.

“My report, however, is not quite as rosy,” Martin added. “I do have concerns,” he told council.

One of them is that Aqua Ohio “is basically a monopoly. They have no competition, and that concerns me right off the bat.”

Martin added he is not firmly against selling the utilities, but wants more study devoted to the matter.

City officials should follow Martin’s lead and get answers to his concerns. This is too big a proposal for anyone to have reasonable reservations.

Getting all the facts and answering pertinent questions is never a bad idea.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

COMMENTS

[vivafbcomment]

Starting at $4.73/week.

Subscribe Today