About EFLOW
On the 5th of July, Emmaus Borough Council voted in a 3-2 vote to authorize its Water Committee to work with the borough’s consultant, Mike Klein, to draft an agreement of sale for its water system. Council President Craig Neely together with Councilwomen Sue Schmidt and Lee Gilbert voted “for” this motion. Councilwoman Joyce Marin and Councilman Brent Labenberg voted against the motion. Councilmen Roger Whitcomb and Dennis Gouldy were absent.
At that council meeting, three concerned citizens, Joanne Smida, Lauren Kocis, and Barnaby Ruhe spoke out, warning against the borough privatizing its water system.
On the 18th of July, before the next Emmaus Borough Council meeting, several concerned citizens met to discuss the proposed sale of the borough’s water system. Many of these citizens spoke under personal appeals during the council meeting. They respectfully asked council to not rush to a decision, to take more time to analyze the situation and to hold a special hearing on this topic. Council President Craig Neely agreed to a public hearing on this topic to be held at 7 p.m. on August 8th at a location yet to be determined.
Citizens have been especially concerned that if the borough chose to follow the advice of their paid consultant, Mike Klein, to “monetize the system,” that the system would be sold to a multi-national corporation. They immediately began to educate themselves about the alternatives available to the borough .
“EFLOW” (Emmaus For Locally Owned Water) has organized itself as an unincorporated association. Comprised of a diverse citizenry, its membership reflects the diversity of the citizens of Emmaus, including people of all ages, backgrounds and income levels.
The mission of EFLOW is to protect the local water system for local citizens.
The members of EFLOW believe that water should be held in the public trust for the common good, not privatized for the benefit of profits to the stockholders of for profit corporations. They believe that local, regional, state and federal governments should work to protect water resources.
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Resource Links New Public Citizen - Water for All
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