NBCNEWS.COM recently posted an article about water shut-offs in the city of Detroit. Reporters Imaeyen Ibanga and Ron Mott of NBC noted that over 12,000 residents are without water in the city of Detroit. Darryl Latimer, a Deputy Director and Chief Customer Service Officer for the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) actually stated that DWSD are trying to get people “that have just said”, and I quote “Hey, I’m not going to pay because no one’s here to force me to pay, so I’m not going to pay.” Latimer basically said that DWSD will be cracking down on individuals who have assumed the previous attitude through not paying bills 60 days past due and are over $150. In essence, if your bill is past due and over $150, you will be flagged for a shut-off notice and eventually shut-off. What happened to payment plans?
My first response to Mr. Latimer is on what grounds are you predicating that residents who are unable to pay their water bill which might I add, is connected to a leaky and unstable infrastructure in the city of Detroit and seems to be increasing in charges without reasonable explanations, are mimicking your quote “…I’m not going to pay because no one’s here to force me…”? Are you serious? Is this your final answer for the news report? Why must we always assume that people are savages?
Have you forgotten that the system which you are delightfully operating is against a class of folks? Has your Deputy position warmed your “tush” so well that you fail to create and advocate for a working system for ALL people?
According to further parts of the article, Monica Lewis Patrick, an advocate representing We The People of Detroit and The People’s Water Coalition stated that a Detroit’s golf course owes over $420,000 in unpaid water bills. How do you explain this frenzy Mr. Latimer? Patrick also shared that the VA Hospital owes over $132,000 in unpaid water bills. Will the government ante up on the VA’s behalf? It appears as Patrick has asserted that the Detroit’s water system is choosing to pounce on the little man as all systems within our great country does.
Mr. Latimer and associates, have you not considered that a mother without water will lose her children?
Chairwoman of the Michigan Welfare Rights Organization, Maureen Taylor, said it perfectly. “This is a HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATION (caps created for emphasis). What kind of government would allow its people to live without water? What kind of people are we?”
Water privatization in Detroit equals residents without water? Hmmm… Sounds like a sinking ship set-up for a hero with a white cape.
Written by: Dr. Fuller
