Say NO!!! to the water takeover.

Dear Charter Commission and Citizens of Detroit:

HOUSE BILL No. 4112 introduced by Reps. Heise and Kowal seeking to ‘take over’ The City of Detroit’s water system. This is a slap in the face of all of the citizens in the city of Detroit. Does the Detroit water system have its problems? Yes, but a take over of our water system should not happen. Allow our Mayor to clean up the water department or let the voters decide our faith, but a legislative takeover is 100% unacceptable. I’m proposing language to the charter that will prevent people from trying to ‘sidestep’ the charter by creating authorities to manage our assets while the city still owns them.

CHAPTER 12. PUBLIC LIGHTING

Sec. 7-1205. Limitations on Sale of Assets.
The following limitations shall apply relative to public lighting:
1. The city may not sell or in any way dispose of any property needed to continue the operation of any city owned public utility furnishing lighting, unless approved by a majority of city voters voting on the question at a regular or special election.

CHAPTER 14. TRANSPORTATION

Sec. 7-1404. Limitations.
The following limitations shall apply relative to transportation:

1. The city may not sell or in any way dispose of any property needed to continue the operation of any city-owned public utility furnishing transportation service, unless approved by a majority of city voters voting on the question at a regular or special election.

CHAPTER 15. WATER and SEWERAGE

Sec. 7-1504. Limitation on Sale of Assets.
The following limitations shall apply relative to water and sewerage:

4. The city shall not sell or in any way dispose of any property needed to continue the operation of any city-owned public utility furnishing water and sewerage service, unless approved by a majority of city voters voting on the question at a regular or special election.

New proposed writing of said Chapters of the Charter.

CHAPTER 12. PUBLIC LIGHTING

Sec. 7-1205. Limitations on Sale of Assets

The city SHALL not sell or ALLOW ANY OUTSIDE MANAGEMENT OR AUTHORITY or in any way dispose of any property needed to continue the operation of any city owned public utility furnishing lighting, unless approved by a majority of city voters voting on the question at a regular or special election.

CHAPTER 14. TRANSPORTATION

Sec. 7-1404. Limitations.

The city SHALL not sell or ALLOW ANY OUTSIDE MANAGEMENT OR AUTHORITY or in any way dispose of any property needed to continue the operation of any city-owned public utility furnishing transportation service, unless approved by a majority of city voters voting on the question at a regular or special election.

CHAPTER 15. WATER and SEWERAGE

Sec. 7-1504. Limitation on Sale of Assets.

The city SHALL not sell or ALLOW ANY OUTSIDE MANAGEMENT OR AUTHORITY or in any way dispose of any property needed to continue the operation of any city-owned public utility furnishing water and sewerage service, unless approved by a majority of city voters voting on the question at a regular or special election.

Thank you reading this and I hope you consider my recommendations.

Your Friend


Herbie Felton
Community Activist
Precinct Delegate
President of the Santa Barbara Community Block Club