Cherry-picking facts compromises paper's objectivity

I would like to take the time to address the recent Banner Press article, "Marble Hill raises water, sewer rates", published Wednesday July 15, 2009.

In it Banner Press editor Linda Redeffer states:

"The rates have not been doubled as Lacy predicted earlier". For starters, I would like to say I was wrong about the sewer rates having already been doubled. I was basing the figure off of the information given to me during the last regular Board of Aldermen meeting. The information that I received can be read on my Alderman Lacy Blog found at the following web address:

http://aldermanlacy.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/trash_water_sewer.jpg

(Just click on the picture to enlarge the photo once it has finished loading).

The second issue I would like to address is that the Banner Press quoted Mayor Masterson as saying that the city has applied for grant money before. Yet the Banner Press conveniently forgets to mention that when I pressed the Mayor and Assistant Administrator Shrum as to when the last time the City applied for grants for our water and sewer systems, Mr. Shrum said he believed it was three years ago.

Assistant Administrator Shrum states that residents will only see a $4.83 increase per month in their minimum water and sewer bill.

I'm guessing a typical family of four uses about 3000 gallons per month. Before the rates were raised last year a typical family of four, was paying approximately $31.07 for water, sewer and trash.

After last year's rate increase a typical family of four was paying approximately $39.47 for trash service + 3000 gallons of water and sewer system use.

According to my estimates a typical family of four can now look forward to paying $47.20 for water, sewer and trash service.

Keep in mind that the City of Marble Hill paid for Smith and Company of Cape Girardeau last year to do a study of the City's water and sewer systems. Smith and Company recommended that the City charge $16.75 for water (up to 2500 gallons) and $18.50 for sewer (up to 2500 gallons)

I predict that next year the City will propose increasing your water rates by $1.75(per 2500 gallons) and increase the sewer rates by $2.50 cents (per 2500 gallons). Guess what happens if my prediction comes to pass? The City will be charging exactly what Smith and Company recommended last year, which means that for a family of four, water and sewer rates will close to have doubled.

I find it a little ironic that the City finds no problem paying for a study to raise your rates, but refuses to pay for a study to estimate the cost of replacing some of the City's worst water and sewer lines

How do you cook a frog? You turn the heat up a little at a time so the frog doesn't notice; at least that's how the old saying goes.

I may not have been able to postpone these increased rates at this difficult time, for that I apologize. However; it is my job to try and keep you informed about what is transpiring in your city government so you will notice what is transpiring there.

By leaving out important information from last night's meeting, Banner Press editor Linda Redeffer has compromised the paper's objectivity and {inadvertently?} misinformed Marble Hill's citizens.