Keep Public Our Water - KPOW

Over 200 Protest Water Privatization and overflow meeting room

marylou — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 18:13:52 +0000

Check out the news story
There is still much work to be done. The city has refused to remove water privatization from the table. They will still be reviewing it as a means to deal with the city debt. KPOW will continue to organize for water to be kept in the public trust and for the Common Good of all.

Rally Today! 12:30-1:30 CITY HALL- Milwaukee

marylou — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:44:49 +0000

Why not privatize?

Stockton, CA privatized: Prices soared.
Stockton, CA privatized: Voters Thwart City Council
Stockton, CA privatized: Citizens Sued and Won.
Gary, IN privatized: Infrastructure failed.
Cranston, RI privatized: Pollutants increased.
Atlanta, GA privatized: Costs soared.
Atlanta, GA privatized: Fire Hydrants Fail
Atlanta, GA privatized: Faucets Spew Dirty Water.
Atlanta, GA privatized: New Mayor Voted In, Cancels Contract
Atlanta, GA privatized: Basic Repairs Neglected
Atlanta, GA privatized: Federal Drinking Water Standards Violated
Milwaukee, WI privatized Sewer: Illegal Sewage Dumping
Cleveland, OH privatized: Public Scandal
Hingham, MA privatized: Rate Hike
Tom’s River, NJ privatized: Radium in Drinking Water
Pekin IL privatized: 204% Rate Hike
Peoria IL privatized: Highest Water Rate Bracket

Council President Hines, flatly refused to permanently end the privatization debate

marylou — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 13:18:08 +0000

Referendum needed to privatize Water Works, Hines says
By Larry Sandler of the Journal SentinelPosted: Jun. 10, 2009

Any effort to privatize the Milwaukee Water Works would require voters’ approval in a binding referendum, environmentalists and Common Council President Willie Hines Jr. said Wednesday.

Activists said they would press the council to kill the idea immediately, with no further study. But Hines ruled out that course of action, calling it irresponsible in light of the city’s growing fiscal problems.

City Comptroller W. Martin “Wally” Morics has recommended studying whether to lease the Water Works to a private operator, believing that a 75- to 99-year lease could draw a one-time payment of $550 million to $600 million. That money then could be invested to create an endowment that would generate $30 million a year to help avoid annual debates over cutting services or raising taxes, he said. Read the rest of the article

http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/47702307.html

RALLY- Monday, JUNE 15- City Hall-12:30- Be There

marylou — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 03:44:23 +0000

The Milwaukee Common Council’s Steering and Rules Committee is having a meeting on Monday, June 15th at 1:30pm at City Hall in Room 301-B to discuss water privatization. Public testimony will not be taken, but Milwaukee Riverkeeper and KPOW will be holding a RALLY before hand at 12:30pm outside of city hall. Please join us at either the rally and/or the meeting to help us advocate for our right to clean, affordable water.

Milwaukee water is vital for families, businesses and community safety. It is also a major resource for jobs and economic development in the coming years. But, there is an effort underway to privatize the Milwaukee waterworks by leasing it to a multi-national corporation for 99 years. The reason that city leaders are planning this is to raise money for the city which is losing state aid.

This plan will hurt the people of Milwaukee. If the city privatizes the drinking water system, costs will go up and water quality will go down. It has already happened in other cities. We can find other ways to support city services.

Call your alderperson and let them know how you feel! Call 414 286-2221

Flow-The Movie-Can Anyone Really Own the Water?

marylou — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 16:52:36 +0000

What: Free Movie Night - FLOW

Where: Brewing Grounds for Change – (brewinggroundsforchange.org) 2008 N Farewell

When: Thursday, June 11th

Time: 8:00pm

Irena Salina’s award-winning documentary investigation into what experts label the most important political and environmental issue of the 1st Century – The World Water Crisis.Salina builds a case against the growing privatization of the world’s dwindling fresh water supply with an unflinching focus on politics, pollution, human rights, and the emergence of a domineering world water cartel.Interviews with scientists and activists intelligently reveal the rapidly building crisis, at both the global and human scale, and the film introduces many of the governmental and corporate culprits behind the water grab, while begging the question “CAN ANYONE REALLY OWN WATER?”

Cost: Free – Donations are encouraged!! ($3, $5, +)

Sponsors: Milwaukee Riverkeeper & Wisconsin/Nicaragua Partners (uwn.uwsp.edu)

Presenter: Omar Barberena - profesor00@yahoo.com

Watch the trailer: http://www.flowthefilm.com/trailer

A short discussion will be open after the movie. Check pages 10 & 15 on the Shepherd Express May 28 – June 3, 09 Edition

Consider the following facts:

On average, bottled water costs 900 times the amount of tap water
This year US citizens will spend $40 billions on bottled water
25% of bottled water is repackaged top water
90% of used water bottles are not recycled
Tap water regulation has more stringent governmental standards than that of bottled water regulation

State Rep Fred Kessler Introducing Legislation To Prohibit Leasing/Sellng Water Works

marylou — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 14:26:46 +0000

As soon as we know more we will post it!

Please Sign the Keep Public Our Waters Petition

marylou — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 02:51:47 +0000

Please sign this Petition to the Common Council of Milwaukee, WI to tell them we never want to privatize our water.

SIGN THE PETITION

please pass the petition on!

Milwaukee aldermen halt study of privatizing water utility

marylou — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 15:28:05 +0000

Milwaukee Common Council leaders are slamming the brakes on a study of leasing the city’s Water Works to a private operator.

Four aldermen said Friday that the review by Comptroller W. Martin “Wally” Morics will be put on hold while officials seek ways to channel more Water Works revenue into the city’s general coffers. See Link http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/46510077.html

Join the Yahoo Group

marylou — Thu, 21 May 2009 16:42:17 +0000

Be Part of the Discussion on Milwaukee’s move towards privatizing our water!
kpow-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

No Privatization of Milwaukee’s Water

marylou — Wed, 20 May 2009 12:08:32 +0000

The city of Milwaukee is considering the leasing of our water for 99 years to a private company.
We don’t think anyone should make a profit on our water.
Water is a COMMON GOOD for everyone.
Milwaukee’s water is excellent. The water system we have works and is improved upon every year. Do you think we should hand it over to a business that has to worry about its bottom line? Vote now!