Bruce D. Garganio, director, Burlington County freeholders
Burlington County Freeholder Director Bruce Garganio sheds light on New Jersey American Water Company’s bullying tactics against the Legislature in a letter to Stephanie Brand, director of the Rate Council.
As you are aware, on March 15, 2012, the New Jersey Senate unanimously adopted a resolution sponsored by Sen. Dawn Addiego, 8th District, urging you to cease settlement negotiations with the New Jersey American Water Company and, instead, to protect rate payers by litigating this case in court to a conclusion.
Since that date, our 8th District legislators have received “talking points” prepared by lobbyists of New Jersey American Water Company to be used to persuade legislators to not support these common sense resolutions.
I am sure you will join me in my conclusion that these special interest “talking points” display a sense of entitlement on the part of New Jersey American Water Company that is utterly appalling and absurd. These “talking points” content that, to not settle with a rate increase, would result in an “unconstitutional taking” of New Jersey American Water’s “property.”
As a lawyer, you must understand that New Jersey American Water Company has no “property” right to a rate increase. Its “right” afforded by the Legislature is to request a rate increase and prove that such an increase is reasonable and warranted.
In fact, New Jersey American Water Company has it completely backwards — the only property right at issue here belongs to the rate payers in the form of their hard-earned money.
Again, I urge you to reject the arrogant tactics of New Jersey American Water Company and, instead, steadfastly defend the property interests of the rate payers you are sworn to serve.

