Thu, Nov 26 2009
|
Published July 01, 2009 07:14 pm - I'm having a tough time dealing with Conneaut's new street lighting assessment. Ashtabula, Conneaut may lead economic changes ROBERT LEBZELTER for July 5, 2009 Star Beacon I'm having a tough time dealing with Conneaut's new street lighting assessment. All governments, like all of us, are going through tough economic times and are trying to add to their treasuries where they can. For Conneaut, it is assessing everyone $2 per month for street lights. So as not to have to send out another bill, it is merely tacked on to our water bills. We got our first assessment the other day and because it took awhile to get the process going, we owe $4 for two months. To be honest, this shouldn't be any big deal. Heck, our water bill can vary up to $20 per month anyway, with no change in our water use. But I am bothered by this street lighting assessment. We live in the rural, southern section of town. We have no street lights. That I don't mind, although our first year out here I had to adjust to no trick or treaters. But the other night, driving home from work after midnight, there was a big old quarter moon hanging there in the clear sky like a painting, with no street lights to distract. It was rather nice. Yet others 'in town' have street lights all around them and pay the same as me, sitting in the natural darkness. I've been thinking about driving into town at night and sit under the street lights and watch them. But there are many problems with that. First off, it is boring. Second, I often don't get home until late in the evening and the last thing I want to do is hop back in the car and go somewhere. Also, I would probably end up in somebody's front yard, looking at the lights. How long before somebody calls the cops? Now the argument is even people who don't have street lights benefit when they go into town. That is pretty, pretty lame. My guess is 98 percent of the time I don't go into town at night. I am getting far less benefit than others. And what about people who don't live in Conneaut at all but visit the city at night? Here I am, a city resident already buying locally to help create jobs, already paying taxes. Some schlump (my word) from Boise comes into town and can enjoy those fancy street lights for nothing? I suggest police stop them swarmy out-of-towners and assess them 7 cents for an evening of street-light service, the approximate rate I'm being charged for nothing. The city's plan could cause a trend. I pay roughly $20 per month for a Netflix subscription, getting DVD rentals by mail. Suppose I invited a friend or neighbor (if he or she could find our house in the dark) to watch a movie. That person would benefit from my Netflix account without paying. So using the great Conneaut Street Lighting plan, Netflix should charge everyone $20 per month, membership or not, in case a neighbor happens to watch a Netflix movie. Attention Internet providers: Suppose you have Road Runner, Windstream or Suite 224 Internet and hook it to a wireless transmitter but don't password protect it. Suddenly your neighbors have free wireless Internet. So Internet businesses, better start sending a bill to everyone. Heck, I've actually had guests with laptops and allowed them to hop on to my password protected Internet connection. (Don't tell anyone.) I pay. They didn't. 
More from the Opinion section
License renewal failure bonus for state Oh Henry, my have you grown in six weeks Why Rush Limbaugh is like Laurel and Hardy |
Print this story
Post to del.icio.us
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
© 2009, Ashtabula Star Beacon
P.O. Box 2100, Ashtabula OH 44005-2100 (440) 998-2323, Send news tips and feedback 
|
Popular Business directory links - Ashtabula Apartments | Ashtabula Attorneys | Ashtabula Auto Dealers | Ashtabula Auto Parts | Ashtabula Auto Repair | Ashtabula Beauty Salons | Ashtabula Car Rental | Ashtabula Dentists | Ashtabula Doctors | Ashtabula Flowers | Ashtabula Hotels | Ashtabula Insurance | Ashtabula Loans | Ashtabula Mortgages | Ashtabula Movers | Ashtabula Pizza | Ashtabula Realtors | Ashtabula Restaurants | Ashtabula Storage | Ashtabula Tax Preparation | Ashtabula Travel | Ashtabula Featured | More...
|
|
Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc. • CNHI Classified Advertising Network • CNHI News Service |
