Consumers could feel drain

Pedro Rodriguez heard grumblings from elderly residents after the Philadelphia Water Department increased water and sewage rates 13 percent in February. The executive director of the Action Alliance of Senior Citizens is now bracing for reaction to three potential hikes over the next two years.

"The senior citizens have expressed concerns about not being able to afford their water bills," said Rodriguez, whose group includes 320 senior clubs and organizations, with an estimated 30 percent based in South Philly.

The average customer paying $47 for water and sewage would face an increase of $2.39 this summer, an additional $4.79 the following year and a $4.03 spike in 2007, bringing the bill to $58.30.

The Water Department did not have actual percentages of the increases available by press time.

The utility claims the increase over its next three fiscal years, which includes the February hike, is needed to operate a safe and reliable water and wastewater system. The additional money would help fund additional security costs, new regulatory requirements and wage increases while helping to offset the loss of state subsidies.

"We are waiting for a decision [about the rate increases] from the water commissioner, which will be in the next two weeks," said Laura Copeland, the department’s spokesperson.

Councilman-at-Large Frank Rizzo, a member of the Committee on Public Property and Public Works, organized a public hearing about the rate increases last week, but noted it was poorly attended. Other meetings throughout the year also had lackluster turnouts.

Besides newspaper advertisements, Rizzo suggested the city should disseminate information about the hearings through e-mail and community leaders.

Stop-and-gos a no-go?

Public officials are a step closer to eliminating a common quality-of-life complaint – illegal activities at stop-and-gos and nuisance bars.

This month, Gov. Ed Rendell signed into law a measure that requires restaurants and other eating establishments that sell alcohol for off-site consumption to apply for a special permit. The goal of the law, titled Act 39, is to give Philadelphia more discretion concerning businesses that sell takeout alcohol.

The legislation targets establishments with a restaurant license that concentrate on sales of alcohol and drug paraphernalia. It also strengthens an existing point system that penalizes license-holders for illegal activities occurring in their stores, including selling alcohol to minors. These violations can be held against the licensee when it is time for a renewal or transfer.

"The point system is very similar to your driver’s license," said state Rep. Robert Donatucci, Democratic chair of the House Liquor Control Committee, who represents portions of South and Southwest Philadelphia. "When you obtain so many points, you lose your license."

A licensee accumulating 20 or more points faces possible revocation.

The state police currently set aside $20 million for enforcement of alcohol-related issues, said Donatucci, who noted he would like more citywide control on this issue.

"Violations are being written in the city of Philadelphia, but not the violations that the community is concerned with," he said.

A spokesperson for state Sen. Anthony Williams, a member of Philadelphia’s nuisance bar task force, said the unique law bridges city and state efforts to crack down on these establishments.

The legislation, which also limits the hours of distributors now open 24 hours a day, is set to take effect by Labor Day.