Video: Minister Moniz Explains Water Situation
Public Works Minister Trevor Moniz explained why the water has been cut off for some residents in Dockyard, a situation which the Opposition termed “callous”.
The Minister said when he took over the Ministry he “discovered there were arrears owing to the Ministry of somewhere in the range of over $5 million, but less than $7 million.
“These were arrears owing for water on the one hand, people bought water from us, both water truckers and private homes. And on the other hand tipping at the various dumps.
“There were people who have built up large arrears, I have given instruction to go out collect these arrears as a matter of urgency.”
Minister Moniz speaking outside the House:
“Bermuda can’t afford for these arrears to be built up, and people can’t expect the rest of the taxpayers to pay off their bills for them,” continued Minister Moniz.
“It’s in light of that we came to this community up there which had built up arrears of between $70,000 – $80,000. You figure out at $20 per thousand gallons how long it takes to build up that arrears.”
The Minister said he spoke with Ray Charlton, who is the WEDCO chairman and OBA candidate for the area, to liaise with the residents and work out a plan.
Minister Moniz said there are 28 residences, and 10 were making payments towards the water, while 18 were not.
“There were water meters there for each unit, and they were turned off. The water to individual units was not being metered,” said the Minister. “So people were not paying their fair share, and the majority of owners were not paying at all. So it wasn’t a tenable situation.”
He said two ladies from the residences came to see him and said they would pay the bill every month plus $1000 on arrears. “10 units out of 28 cannot support such a payment and it would not be fair for you to asked to do do,” said the Minister.
“If you make those water meters operational and start billing people then come to me with a plan, you have got my ear, I will work with you,” the Minister said he told the two ladies.
Part of the exchange over the situation between the Minister and Opposition Leader in the House:
Speaking about the situation in the House on Friday, Opposition Leader Marc Bean said that the water has been off for around a month. He said Ray Charlton was asked during a radio talk show why he, as the head of WEDCO, “cut the people’s water off.”
“Mr Charlton weren’t hearing allegations that it was his fault that he cut off the water,” said Mr Bean. “He said on the radio it is the Minister’s fault.”
The Minister interjected, and said, “The gentleman is not understanding properly. That matter is not a WEDCO matter, the money owed for the water is owed to the Ministry of Public Works. He is not saying its my fault, he was saying its has nothing to do with WEDCO or his position as chairman of WEDCO.”
Mr Bean continued, saying, “Where is the social conscience of the One Bermuda Alliance government? You mean to tell me the Minister of Public Works is going to get up right now and explain that the water is turned off for taxpayers and residents of this country because of arrears?
“You mean to tell me that something couldn’t have been worked out so you don’t have to deprive people of the most fundamental element they need to live…water…a basic necessity…over an arrear?”
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This is freeloaders bizarre. Go get ‘em Trevor. Freeloading for years and the gall to complain. Go get ‘em.
Bean…Has Bean, not realized this is just another mess the PLP have left the OBA to clean up…Why the hell didn’t the PLP sort this. Hopeless.
I agree
TOTALLY AGREE WITH MINISTER MONIZ. Callous? Yeah right PLP, these freeloaders deserve everything they get. Go and buy bottled water until you sort your debts out.
I bet they keep the cable TV paid up!
Exactly what I was thinking. I remember being at the airport and seeing a young woman ad her husband that owed me money and were crying poverty. I was frustrated but gave them the benefit of the doubt because I thought, they could be going to the hospital overseas, to a funeral or some other emergency.
All that went out the window when I boarded my flight and walked back to my seat, right past the two of them IN FIRST CLASS. I had a long layover in New York and decided to lay back and see where they were going. I was shocked to see them go to the gate for the flight to Vegas.
Mr. Bean, if your government had taken the same approach and cut people off after they owed only a small amount and were past due, they wouldn’t have allowed to fall so far behind. BTC, BELCO, Digicel Cablevision and other will cut you off if you fall behind and make no attempt to pay. I bet all those bills are up to date.
Reminds me off the story of the individual that was picked for the new low cost housing condos at Southside and owned a BMW or was it a Mercedes. People misguided priorities should not be my problem. I have no problem helping someone that needs a hand up. Im not helping anyone that wants a hand out!
Seriously Bean, just what we need, soft leaders, yeah, its really the time for that.
Screw em, they brought this on themselves.
White supremacy is the belief, and promotion of the belief, that white people are superior to people of other racial backgrounds. The term is sometimes used specifically to describe a political ideology that advocates the social, political, historical and/or industrial dominance by whites.[1] White supremacy, as with racial supremacism in general, is rooted in ethnocentrism and a desire for hegemony and power, [2] and has frequently resulted in violence against non-whites. Different forms of white supremacy have different conceptions of who is considered white, and not all white supremacist organizations agree on who is their greatest enemy.
um um what’s your point here? You don’t seem to understand that long before anyone knew black people existed slavery of different cultures was the norm depending on who won the war…black slavery only existed because when the white man discovered Africa the black warlords sold them their already enslaved people.
It is indeed a SAD day in Bermuda, when folks put their political beliefs over HUMAN LIFE. This is sad and hypocritical for the OBA party and Supporters to denial any human one of life’s BASIC NEEDS: WATER. Regardless if persons have not paid for the water. A plan should be put into place by the government to assist these folks. This is an outrage, and a mean spirited government and supporters. I think there are many regretting where they placed their votes now !! By god they should be.
A government’s role is to care for its Citizens, and to ensure that they are not at risk. NO Water puts several families at Risk. There are Children and Seniors living in those homes. These folks are often innocent and can not defend themselves or provide for themselves. This Minister and OBA fans are now rearing their ugly heads like the UBP, name makes no difference. SAME FOLKS, with no heart for those who are or find themselves in a difficult position.
GIVE THE FOLKS SOME WATER and learn to love all Mankind. Forgiveness is one of the most important lessons in life. To hold certain folks hostage is a crime, by this one time government!!
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There is something called personal accountability and responsibility.
Hey Betty, did you get the bottled water up to those people living off of you? I hope they get all the monies owed to government. I have to pay for my water. How long have they not paid under the previous government?
By my calculation, which could be completely wrong, about 6-8 years. I realize you cant just freeload but were these people given notice before their water was turned off? It’s pretty tired to just shut peoples water off, it is a need not a want. Do these places have water tanks under them?
You answered your own question. They had about 6-8 years notice..
Lol this is true.
I read some of Betty’s comments, for sure she has real heart and soul. She also has a “Social Conscience” that the OBAubp do not have. I thought the OBA represented Change, but it has quickly become apparent the OBAupb are just the UBP rearing their Ugly Evil heads once again. Wolf dressed up in sheep clothing. This is sad when a people lack any compassionate for folks who are not doing well. The government has a responsibility to work with the people and to ensure they are doing the best for them. Mr Moniz is the poster man of sheer evil with his chicken hens following behind him.
Mr. Bean,
How dare you ask for about a social conscience. It was your govenment that let them get away with not paying all these year. It should not have been allowed to go this far. So stop looking to blame someone else, when tougher measures have to be taken.
Mr Bean is correct, THE OBA has no social onscience, and it is apparent that many of their diehart supporters also lack such a conscience as well. How can the Minister and Supporters sleep at night, knowing that children and seniors are suffering without water. Regardless, if they have not paid, it is the role of a government to address such a problem, but ensure that the people are taken care of within a country. How sad that the evil, bad hearts, and shallow minds of the OBA is now evident to Bermuda.
Yes, Mr. Bean, the water should be turned off because they are in arrears. It’s that sort of attitude of the PLP that got us into this mess from the beginning. I bet most of the households have the latest i-phone though!
Yes Marc, in the real world, ie any world other than the PLP Fantasy World, you have to pay your bills. If you dont pay your bills your service gets turned off. Thats how it works. Period. The freebie years are over, and we are ALL suffering because of it.
Where can I get water for $20 a load?
Piped water is $20 dollars. Why all the complaints, they have their rain water, so they may just all need to conserve until the water bill is paid.
So the tenants have water from their tanks? So they still do have water in their residences then?
Hell…why not throw free electricity into the mix as well Mr. Bean. I’m sure Belco would not switch off the electricity…innit Mr. Bean…NOT!!!
NO BELCO at least offers folks a “Payment Plan”. Here is where Belco has a Social Conscience and OBA/UBP lacks one, and do not care for the people of Bermuda. Thats the big difference. It is also evident by some comments that the supporters also seem to lack any love in their hearts to reach out to folks. God is watching, he is not asleep, so OBA/UBP be careful !! Everything always comes back to haunt you !!
Transparency, how do you know they were not offered a payment plans years ago, and just ignored it, because they knew the plp would not do anything about it. It is not that we don’t care, but how much sympathy are you suppose to have for people that pay a lot less and still do not pay. What would you say if this were a mortage? Are they suppose to go on for the rest of their lives not paying their way?
How do you know how much someone owes if the water was not being metered?
It shoudl be worked out on some sort of average use by all users I would think, that is really the only way they could do it. I agree it is a shame but people should not be allowed to get away with this kind of stuff. Most people who live in that area have been there for years and they know what is what, so sorry no excuses and bravo to the two ladies who are trying to pay off their debt. Please work with them.
Another PLP problem inherited by the OBA to fix. The PLP has a lot of nerve to complain when the OBA tries to fix the problems that they should have addressed over 14 years of government.
Mr. Bean,
Please find another argument to pick. This is politricking at its best, as we all know the west is a PLP stonghold. These people need to pay up or suffer the consequences, as this did not happen overnight its been going on for years and they are fully aware of it. PAY UP!!!
There will have to be a LOT of unpopular decisions made over the next while. The fact is that this cannot continue and should never have been allowed to happen in the first place.
trevor is a wicket litte short devil maybe they can wash and shower at his house this again is the change they talked about you can’t leave people with out water that ^%$#@ has no compassion
frank you are an idiot…these people have been duping the system for 6-8 years knowingly not paying for water and now you want compassion for them, they havent had any compassion for the rest of us paying our bills. This is exactly why ppl are losing jobs and wages being cut because others are living off the system. Just like Joonya said earlier, they had 6-8 years notice. PAY YOUR DAMN BILLS , they probably have iphones and laptops too with the fastest internet service and premium cable service.
Anyone still think Derrick Burgess was wrong about this guy? Good thing he’s not the Minister of Health. There’d be some plugs pulled and folk in the street tomorrow.
Yes, Derek was wrong – and he was just another freeloader too.
Can an OBA politician or supporter be a freeloader? Real question. Think carefully before you answer because in the answer is who you and your Party really are.
I can guarantee that if you ran credit checks (say Bermuda Credit Association) on all our Parliamentarians, if we would become abundantly clear which side of the floor are lax in paying their bills not to mention their taxes.
I urge anybody with access to online credit information to run a few random checks.
An OBA politician/supporter is just as capable as a PLP politician/supporter of being a freeloader. Don’t know what your broader point is or its relevance to the discussion at hand.
Tell Victor. He seems to think only PLP politicians have debts.
That isn’t actually what he said, or anything like it. Of course anyone can have debts. I think he’s probably right about who pays their bills and debts and who doesn’t. The PLP are ones who think “debt is good”, remember.
Mark my words – run a few credit checks. I would name names but Previous experience has taught me that Bernews considers such post libellous and deletes them…
you are crazy if you thing the minister was wrong for turning off the water. These ppl need to pay what they have knowingly owed for years and never bothered to come fwd. I have no sympathy for that kind of behavior.
OBA LACKS A SOCIAL CONSIEOUS>
What about the outstanding Debt the Supporters, Members of the OBA/UBP own the Government? For example: the current chairperson of the Tourist Authority owes HUGE govt debt in Payroll taxes, Employers insurance, land taxes etc…maybe if Mr Moniz and the other OBA cronies chased down these folks the monies can be reclaimed. This is outrageous when a government denies its own people one of life’s basic Needs waters. Seniors, and children whom are defenseless are been treated in the most outrages way by a cold heart Government.
Give these families water, and get of your high horse. God has a plan, in place for the cold hearted and evil persons in this world…just watch…everyone gets a turn…its just a matter of time.
I guess the people without water have now gotten their turn. How long are you suppose the baby sit adults. I guess if Moniz had not gone after them, they would never pay. Is that right to the rest of Bermuda. Sure everyone needs water, but water is not free.
I guess the minister figures those folks (if they bother) are PLP freeloaders, oops make that voters.
@Victor, they are not PLP freeloaders, how are you so sure, some voted OBA, but guess what I am sure they are regretting that today/ BIG MISTAKE. What about the FREELOADERS OF THE OBA/UBP FRIENDS AND FAMILY PLAN, for example, All government consultants, chairperson, jobs and contracts given to members and friends of the OBA/UBP… THIS IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF FREELOADING. Where is the Transparency that the OBAubp promised Bermuda? I think you need to swallow your own silly words.
What a waste of space Mr Bean is… trying to make political points when it was his then PLP government that allowed this situation to occur in the first place!!!! He is as funny as the Mr Bean of movie fame….
Agreed $70,000 in arrears didn’t happen in 2013 that was on the PLP’s watch.
@Longtail the better question is, how can a government lack a social CONSCIENCE ? How can government and OBA/UBP Supporters be so cold hearted and let those not able to defend for themselves suffer like this, (Seniors and young children) in a country that prides its self on being so Rich? The OBA/UBP need to hand their heads in shame and never look up again. But if they are guilty for lacking a social conscience it is likely they can not see any wrong doing. What an evil web the OBA has spun.
Betty, stop it. Changing your name doesn’t stop you being just as silly. REALLY.
Get a life OBA cheerleaders.. we all need water….whatabout the Kids….this is the difference between the OBA and PLP…OBA money money money….PLP people people people….for F*#@S sake…
eventually the two must meet – and that point has come……..unfortunate, but true.
So you think people should just go on for years without making any attempt to pay their bills? “What about the kids”? How about the concept of prioritising your expenditure…maybe paying for water before getting your nails done?
what about my kids when i lose my job because the island is broke huh Mr Dennis Williams. I struggle to pay my bills just like everyone else that pays theirs, whose thinking about our kids when we lose our jobs because freeloaders have used all the money by not paying for services rendered. Tax payers have been paying for that water they have gotten for free. Who is paying for my water bill, will you?
If you don’t pay your BELCO bill what happens? Your power is shut off, why is this any different?
The difference between the PLP and the OBA in this situation is that the PLP were quite happy to run up Bermuda’s debt by handing out things like water, jobs, benefits etc. to people who maybe needed them but at the same time were quite happy to take and make no attempt to contribute or pay their own way in society. This level of socialism brought countries like Greece to their knees and Bermuda is no different. When revenues outweigh expenditures to the point of Billions of $$$ there has to be a change in attitude that everyone has to pay their way and contribute or we all sink. I don’t think people should have to work every day to pay for people to free load off the system.
Provide for yourself and pay your water bill or accept the fact that you have to find other ways of collecting fresh water. If your situation is that bad then go to the Red Cross or Salvation Army. Life is no bed of roses, we all have to work and contribute to get by.
NO BELCO at least offers folks a “Payment Plan”. Here is where Belco has a Social Conscience and OBA/UBP lacks one, and do not care for the people of Bermuda. Thats the big difference. It is also evident by some comments that the supporters also seem to lack any love in their hearts to reach out to folks. God is watching, he is not asleep, so OBA/UBP be careful !! Everything always comes back to haunt you !!
If the residents at least TRIED to pay for their water it would be different. These people just freeload.
You are harping on all posts over a social conscience. Did you read the article or see the headline and take a position against the Minister? The article talks fully about trying to work with all of the residents to build a plan for the payment of the service turning back on. Sounds pretty simple to me, go to the ministry, work out a plan that is accepted by both parties, and get the water turned back on. But people seem to want to try to ignore the situation hoping it might go away, instead of taking responsibility for their actions, or lack there of, and complaining to the media to try to get sympathy on their side. Why don’t you go be a moderator for the residents and the Ministry and stop trying to berate those who were elected by the people to run the country.
WORK with the people, is simple just give them water. Days and months without water does not reflect the government is attempting to work with them, but rather is giving lip service only. I have thought this government was going to be much different, but so far I only see the reappearing of the old UBP/OBA folks !
Don’t pay Belco for 7+ years and see what sort of payment plan they give you?
Gimme a break. Maybe they should pay their bills like everyone else has to. Thy’ve had years. The truth is they thought they’d never have to pay. Freeloaders, that’s what they are. I bet they all have cars, cellphones, flat tv’s. I bet they’re all well fed.
One minute Mr. Bean is stating that he does not believe Bermuda should be a “nanny state” and then he complains that teh new Government is not acting like a “nanny state.”
Nothing is free in this world, including water. And it is not as if the arrears are due to one or two loads. It is $80k worth of water! No other resident, renter or owner, would be able to get away with that from any local water trucker or supplier (i.e. Watlington)
So assuming the current rate for a load of water ($90) the arrears amount to nearly 900 loads of water!
However, the Government should seek to work with these individuals to ensure a fair outcome for all (including the turning on of the water supply).
So apparently it is 20 dollars a load if it is piped in, which in turn translates to 4,000 loads of unpaid water bills…
its as simple as ppl knowingly not paying for water that they knew should be paid for. Now the new government has yanked their changes and they want act like victims
“Mr. Charlton weren’t hearing….” Says MB. Sad.
And Terry Lister says “irregardless” as a Chartered Accountant. What’s your point? And I’ve lost count of the number of them that say “Bermuder”. If you’re looking for oratorical skill or eloquence among the 36 MPs, stop now; it ain’t there.
..when the day comes when we have to pay for air…you will be cutting that off too in it….
So you agree with one shirking their financial obligations then?
And as mentioned it is not as if that these arrears amounted to several loads of water. 4,000 is not several and most of been occurring for years now.
yes, if it has to be paid for then pay it. Why do the rest of us have to pay and others get it free…I dont see your point, are you one of the free loaders?
@ Jon
Since your so pokey… no I don’t live in Dockyard…and I buy water at least twice a month where I do live….I fight to survive in Bermuda like everyone else….and know its not easy..I have a heart though….some people have to choose between food, medicine, electricity and water every week…you heartless people have ruined Bermuda any how with your money grabbing souls… I won’t mind going back to the way our Grand and Great parents lived…you know when Bermuda was a much better place..before money and greed took the Bermuda spirit…you know the spirit that attracted others to us… and turned it into this heartless place expressed on this blog today…I bet you are the same type of people who back organizations like BEST and the SPCA….but when it comes to people your as cold-blooded as they come…next stop straight to hell…
How do you know that thei runpaid water bills are due to the fact that they cannot afford them?
And why are you buying two loads a month? What size is your tank?
..not the size of the tank…a load is a load…if your tank is big or small…same amout of water going in with each load…I hope…
I strongly doubt that the quantity of water in the truckers tanks has ever been standardised.
Over the years I’ve seen everything from 800 gallons to 1000 gallons labelled on the tanks.And now there’s even a 2000 gallon tanker out there.
But are they Imperial or US gallons ..? A big difference when it comes to getting what you’re paying for.
Maybe ‘a load’ isn’t always ‘a load’ depending on who it’s coming from in relation to what you’re paying. But it’s still a load.
Well if you can’t pay for the water I’d think you’d conserve don’t you think? It’s not a month or two of unpaid bills, its months/years. The water should’ve been cut off years ago.
If youre so concerned why don’t you go up there and “help” them pay.
@Mr. Williams,
Will your water supplier allow you order two loads per month and say “OK, so your having a hard time paying. Keep ordering and we can clear this up in a few years time?”
If so give me his name and number because I could use someone like him.
Also get out of the 50′s and 60′s. We all wish it was like “the good ‘ol days” – but that is long passed. We are in the 21st century and UNFORTUNATELY money IS the name of today’s game. Tell me one thing you can do without money.
nasty ppl these oba turds
right cause they wont let ppl live for free
YOU PAY FOR IT THEN !
Idiot.
I have to pay for water when I run out, why the hell should they be any different?
Here in lies the biggest problem facing our people! Not the massive debt our country is in, not the millions of dollars owed for water supply not paid for (though these in themselves are major problems) but the assumption that some how someone owes you something, even though you have not paid them for it or merit it!
Being Bermudian does not entitle you to anything besides freedom of expression and movement!
Lets go back to the drawing board and start from there!
This sense of ENTITLEMENT needs to stop!
Everyone has a right to live on this planet not only the ones with money who in turn make it so hard for the have nots….OKAY…
And, let me guess, we should all get free water, food, electricity, clothes, and anything else. Free, paid for by those idiot people who do pay for things. Right?
Who says they can’t afford to pay their bills? Maybe they do have the money but knew they could get away with it with the previous govt. and spend the money on blackberrys etc.
There’s a difference between not paying your bills because of greed etc, and not paying your bills because you can’t afford to.
If these people can’t afford to pay their water bills, then fair enough, maybe they should be income assessed by the govt, and have their utility bills subsidised accordingly by the govt.
YES Entitlement of giving all OBA/UBP FRIENDS AND FAMILY PLAN CONTRACTS, CONSULTANT JOBS, AND CHAIRMAN POSITION. YES STOP THE OBAUBP FROM DOING THAT. May be when the OBAUBP stops doing that then one can take them serious.
Like the plp never ever did anything like that
I think you will find that several people owe the condo association thousands of dollars in maintenance. Money which, I believe , goes towards the water bill. Don’t blame the government blame the people not paying maintenance.
This is the problem with condos and share housing…one suffers, you all suffer.
Water, water, everywhere, but not a drop to drink!
Residents of Boaz and Dockyard,Mr.Charlton has your backs!
HOw can Mr Carlton have their backs when many Seniors and small children a vulnerable population have had NO water for Months? After he tricked them into a vote, the OBA/UBP delivered a Nasty gift of NO WATER, and showed their lack of compassion and love for all mankind. Can not treat person with no love, and say out of another mouth Mr Carlton has their back. What folks now see is a conservative government whose first focus is the upper class and forget the lower class. The Awakening of many folks minds has now begun to the interworking of the OBA/UBP and what they see does not look too good.
This action by the OBA/UBP will live for a long time in the hearts of these folks. They are the ones experiencing it. Just to Read the nasty, distasteful comments from the OBA/UBP supporters tells the people that the OBA actually were just the UBP dressed up in wolf’s clothing. Nothing has CHANGED. It also reveals the OBA/UBP supporters and MPS do not have any real love or do not care deep enough.
Clearly there is a problem, but we dont know if this problem is because people are unable to pay or unwilling to pay. If people have been unable to pay then they should be getting the same kind of concession (relief) from the government that business got when they were unable to pay their taxes (taxes were suspended). If they are able but just not paying then that is another matter altogether and every effort should be made to make them pay.
I hope government will also make all those businesses who are behind in their taxes pay as well!
Bang go more jobs with that attitude. The rest of us buy our water COD – except for Derek Burgess’s constituents in Winton Hill Condos who get theirs for free as Derek had W & E pipe it into them.
@Amazed, Thanks for such a brilliant point. The reality is many OBA/UBP folks also owe government a great deal of monies in government taxes. Will the OBA be just as forceful towards their own supporters and fiends and family members? This is the true telling test of a party whom claims to be HONEST.
Amazed Said: Clearly there is a problem, but we dont know if this problem is because people are unable to pay or unwilling to pay. If people have been unable to pay then they should be getting the same kind of concession (relief) from the government that business got when they were unable to pay their taxes (taxes were suspended). If they are able but just not paying then that is another matter altogether and every effort should be made to make them pay.
I hope government will also make all those businesses who are behind in their taxes pay as well! (WELL PUT).
…but seriously people….everyone says we should live within our means or do without…so why are we forced to pay for certain things we can’t afford…like home insurance…I’d rather take the risk….I can’t afford it but I have to have it… like taxes…why can’t I choose the services I want from Government and only pay taxes for that….I’ll burn or bury my own trash..I don’t need 36 MPs in the house of assembly because I can’t afford that..I’ll pay for 10….that’s all I can afford..Don’t pave all the roads..I can’t afford it..I’ll take the lumps and bumps on the unpaved ones because I can’t afford them all… above my means…I don’t need upkeep of all the various Islands off Bermuda..I can pay for one maybe..prorate my taxes and I’ll use only what I can afford….I can save my own pension money and use it when I need it not when I’m 65…I can’t afford to have the minimum amount deducted but I’m forced to although its above my means…now for all of you who can afford it do so and have and enjoy the services etc…but for me I don’t feel entitled to have many things….I can do without….to some I may sound ridiculous but this is the same thing your asking people to do everyday…cut out things and focus on what you need…you get my point….
You’re right. You do sound ridiculous.
..that’s because you can’t see the point…just MONEY fool
I’m going to get some flak, but a lot of those Dockyard/Boaz Island areas are just bums. Sorry, but there is no other way to put it. They have been sponging off the system for years and still want to take, take, take. I remember this lady who lived in the area for years, and paid very little rent. Yet she was always in the media complaining about the state of her home and that the Government wasn’t doing enough to help her and her children. Lady, if you are paying very little rent for your Government-aided home, why not take pride in it and buy a gallon of paint or other materials to fix it up? Why do you people have to squeeze everything you can from the system? Pay your dang water bills, I have zero sympathy for your water being shut off. While these people are being a mooch, the rest of us and to carry our fair share and their load too- pardon the pun hee hee…
*area residents
I cannot even begin to imagine if Beano ever becomes Premier how much wealth will leave this country overnight, and like those jobs that left because of term limits, once gone it is never coming back…
First issue to solve, find a way to get those who have been paying, their water back on
Get meters for each individual residence so we know what people are using
As there was no tracking for each individual, the best that can be done is to split the bill up amongst the residents. Those who have paid get that credited from their portion of the bill, if they have been paying all along, then they shouldn’t owe anything
A financial audit/review of those who haven’t been paying needs to be conducted to see if they haven’t been paying because they can’t or because they felt they could freeload
According to the information at hand of $70,000 to $80,000 at $20/1000 gallons, 18 residences have been consuming between 3,500,000 to 4,000,000 gallons of public water, or 194,445 to 222,222 per residence.
My question is what was the PLP doing about this as, unles they all left their taps on all day, that much water can’t be consumed by that many residences in only 6 months. Former Minister Burgess, did you know about this, did you have plans to clamp down on this abuse? When you were rationing out water to paying truckers trying to get water to clients during water shortages, we’re you going to tell us that over 3,500,000 gallons was just being siphoned from the public supply?
In my profession I shower 2-3 times a day and I haven’t drained my tank (small tank, used to live in a smaller house with a larger tank) for a while with 3 people in the house. Are these poeple obligated to pay for a service they don’t require regardless if they use it or not? Watlington water bills us $22 minimum for 1000gallons if we use it up or not. If that is the case I think that’s robbery but I guess thats the heartless world we live in. On the flip side water companies have to pay their bills too.
It is indeed a SAD day in Bermuda, when folks put their political beliefs over HUMAN LIFE. This is sad that and hypocritical for the OBA party and Supporters to denial any human one of life’s BASIC NEEDS: WATER. Regardless if persons have not paid for the water. A plan should be put into place by the government to assist these folks. This is an outrage, and a mean spirited government and supporters.
A government’s role is to care for its Citizens, and to ensure that they are not at risk. NO Water puts several families at Risk. There are children and seniors living in those homes. These folks are often innocent and can not defend themselves or provide for themselves. This Minister and OBA fans are now rearing their ugly heads like the UBP, name makes no differences. SAME FOLKS, with no heart for those who are or find themselves in a difficult position.
GIVE THE FOLKS SOME WATER and learn to love all Mankind. Forgiveness is one of the most important lessons in life. To hold certain folks hostage is a crime, by this one time government!!
THE OBA/UBP has no Social Conscious….GIVE THE PEOPLE WATER.
@Amazed, Thanks for such a brilliant point. The reality is many OBA/UBP folks also owe government a great deal of monies in government taxes. Will the OBA be just as forceful towards their own supporters and fiends and family members? This is the true telling test of a party whom claims to be HONEST.
Amazed Said: Clearly there is a problem, but we dont know if this problem is because people are unable to pay or unwilling to pay. If people have been unable to pay then they should be getting the same kind of concession (relief) from the government that business got when they were unable to pay their taxes (taxes were suspended). If they are able but just not paying then that is another matter altogether and every effort should be made to make them pay.
I hope government will also make all those businesses who are behind in their taxes pay as well! (WELL PUT).
You think the government exists to nanny the people!
I think otherwise and how do you know they have no money to pay!
Leaving the water on when there are arrears that are not being paid is a great way to send the message to the rest of Bermuda that we don’t have to pay our water bills either. Sounds great to me!
People need to get their priorities straight. You would think that someone woule make water their priority, but I bet 90% of those folks have cable, internet, the newest phone on the market and a whole list of other things they don’t need.
It’s a darn shame that they live such an entitled life and are teaching this to their children.
Being a Condo owner, I must say that this situation is not just with these condos. There are other Condo Estates struggling with the same situation, trying to get owners to pay their maintenance. What I want to say to all Condo owners is pay the maintenance so the committee can pay the bills. It is ridiculous that some of you and let me repeat myself some of you are taking trips and shopping online and won’t pay your maintenance. Yes, I know because you are so bold to go on FB and boast about your spending and trips. I only wish that there was another way of dealing with you. If anyone has any ideas please suggest. Took them court, that was a joke. The court was a waste of money and time. Yes, you need your water but why should other people pay for it. Had to say my peace.
Tired of the Dead Beat Condo Owners
All of you OBA freaks had nothing but compassion for PCC when he didn’t pay his gas bill and they cut his gas off for all 3 of his gas stations. Every excuse in the book was made and accepted for that. Yet when people far less fortunate then him fall short on their water bill (a necessity in life) you are all for cutting them off and sending them packing. The innocent children who have suffered mean nothing to you. You are a heartless bunch of people and you are truly what’s destroying Bermuda. The OBA will be the shortest lived government in Bermudas history. Bet on that. I can assure you that the people affected most by the OBA’s heartless style of governance will not take things lightly and the OBA Government will be given a message. This is not the 60′s.
Thanks Speak what you know, interesting point you make and most important. This is really showing the hypocritical behaviours of the OBA/UBP folks and MPs.
OBA give these folks some water.
Its says the arears totalled up to 20 years ago, “20 years ago UBP was in power PLP only came in power in 1998″ so we all complain that they had 6-8 years notice but remember 5 years b4 PLP came in power these arrears was accumulating, so my math tells me it started when UBP was in power and now OBAubp is finally shutting them off cause they just remembered they owed them money 15-20 years ago… It still started with UBP…
My family pays for the water we consume. Why is it wrong of me to expect that my neighbors do the same? What has happened to this country? When did we stop taking pride in working hard, cherishing our families, paying our bills and looking out for the orphans and elderly. Sorry Marc, it’s time for them to pay for water and their rent. They can afford it. After all,they have money for Woodys. Kudos to those who were in arrears and are now trying to rectify the situation.