Bay City, Michigan 48706
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www.mybaycity.com July 26, 2009
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Muck at Bay City State Park is examined, in a scene reminiscent of former Prosecutor Marty Legatz, a Kawkawlin River resident, who campaigned mightily against pollution.

Bay City Points Out That Combined Sewer Overflows Release Minimal Pollution

Sewer "Wars" Escalate as Hampton, Essexville, Scrap Longtime City Deals

July 26, 2009       1 Comments
By: Dave Rogers

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Who, and what, is causing the pollution in Saginaw Bay?

Polluted muck has been piling up on the bay shore for years, but from where?

The City of Bay City, under fire from both public and governmental complainers, notes in the city manager's latest general information memo:

"Overflow events into the Saginaw River from Retention Treatment Basins operated by communities such as Bay City are permitted by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ)."

"It is also noted that the discharge of the Retention Treatment Basins contributed less than 2.5 percent of phosphorus and E. coli that is discharged from other municipal wastewater plants on the Saginaw River, and is even less of the total percentage received by the bay when considering the bay's other water sources."

It's good to know that the sewage overflows are not primarily the fault of the city. Algae growth resulting in beach muck may not totally be the fault of the overflows or the manure from 150,000 head of cattle that have populated Huron County in the past 10 years, either. But the continuing water pollution sure as hell is the fault of local communities not working together on the problem, controlling leaking septic system, farm runoff, etc.

The Bay City Times absolutely hammered the city in a recent editorial entitled "Hampton Sewer Grant Has A Point: Municipalities Must Work Together Or Die Alone."

The Times horsewhipped the city for failing to conciliate Hampton Township, which pulled out of the city sewer system and saved a reported 18 percent in the process. Essexville followed suit. Hampton was lauded for being on the ball and getting a $4.8 million stimulus grant and low interest loan of $13.22 million to pay for the project.

The city is projected to lose about $1.5 million a year in sewer revenues, more if the local General Motors plant does not survive the auto tsunami Michigan is currently undergoing.

The main point made by the Times is right on, that local municipalities must cooperate to save costs that end up on the tax rolls or on sewer or water bills.

Drain Commissioner Joseph Rivet couldn't have been more on target by recommending county-wide water and sewer systems --better public services at less cost to the taxpayers/ratepayers.

All this harkens back to the days in the late 1950s when the city, rather than demanding annexation by surrounding townships, decided to play nice and allow extension of water and sewer services.

Midland, by contrast, demanded that surrounding townships join the city or be shut off from water and sewer services. As a result, Midland is the largest city in area in the state and is considered an outstanding example of wise municipal planning.

When City Manager Casimer F. "Casey" Jablonski realized the blunder and in 1961 announced, through a wet-behind-the-ears young Times reporter named Dave Rogers, his intention to right the situation by annexing Bangor, Hampton, Monitor and Portsmouth townships, the proverbial muck hit the fan.

Essexville soon tried to annex the Consumers Power tax goldmine in Hampton, Bangor launched a charter commission to establish the City of Bangor Heights and outrage reigned all around the city.

Essexville's plans went glimmering with a negative vote of Hampton Township and several folks living in the area to be annexed, including Paul and Cathy Baker, in 1964, and Bangor voters, stung by the idea of a 10 mill city tax, got cold feet in a hurry.

As Times writers have been theorizing for nearly 50 years, the only solution for Bay City and the surrounding area is to get together. That seems to be going exactly the wrong way.

Now, if the city's leaders damaged the overall financial future through arrogance or failure to cooperate with townships, heads should roll. We don't know who is to blame but The Times seems to have a good idea.

"Proclaim parochialism dead. Move toward the future together." Clark Hughes of the Times had his finest hour with those statements.

A few years ago the late Mike Studders was leading an effort to merge the city water system with Saginaw and Midland, a plan that was sidelined in 1971 by a negative vote on a muddled question. Voters had to vote "no" to get a "yes" result.

Time is wasting for the city to revisit that idea and pull their cooperative chestnuts out of the fire re the townships. Otherwise it seems clear that the city water system will also find itself isolated and more costly to city users.

The idea of area mergers, cooperation and even -- gosh all Friday -- COUNTYWIDE GOVERNMENT -- seems way too progressive for local folks to grasp, but the unthinkable may be our only salvation as the future grinds on inexorably.

It doesn't take a genius to figure out that water and sewer cooperation is mandatory, and metropolitan police and fire services make ultimate sense, along with combining any other service that can be consolidated.

What do you think? ###

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"The BUZZ" - Read Feedback From Readers!

observer says:       On July 27, 2009 at 11:54 PM
Amen Dave. We're seeing fire stations closed, government costs rising, and duplication of services all over the place. It's high time to consolidate services of all kinds and get some efficiency!
Agree? or Disagree?


Dave Rogers

Dave Rogers is a former editorial writer for the Bay City Times and a widely read,
respected journalist/writer in and around Bay City.
(Contact Dave Via Email at carraroe@aol.com)

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