Water, Water Everywhere but Nary a Dime to Drink!

The Sun-Times published an incredible multi-part series on how water bills are tabulated in the City of Chicago and the difference it makes whether one has a meter or not. The list and pictures of each Alderman’s home or condo building, their addresses, the square footage and the amount of their water bill was fascinating. But other things I learned were even more fascinating.


The paper reported,” City Hall provided more than 5.8 billion gallons of water last year to charitable organizations. Among them were the Shedd Aquarium and other museums that charge admission; the Latin School of Chicago and other expensive private schools and universities; and religious charities, including the Archdiocese of Chicago. Fred Barbara's garage was among the charitable accounts, records show.”


That paragraph taught me two things, one that charities get free water and two, that Fred Barbara has a garage that is considered a charity. A lot of information to swallow from just a few short words.


First, to charity water. The Sun-Times said, “If City Hall charged those charities and non-profit organizations for water, the total bill last year would have come to $10.1 million.“ I have no problem with what I consider “legitimate” charities not having the spigot turned on for payment, but Latin School? The high school tuition is $26,985 a year! If a parent can afford to pay that, they can pay a water bill!


I guess that will continue if Rahm Emanuel wins the election as the next Mayor, because that is where he wants to enroll his children. Since many students are the sons and daughters of prominent Chicago politicians and businessmen, the clout will continue. Just as a side note, Gery Chico’s (another candidate for Mayor) children attended public schools. But they are not good enough for Rahm!


Now to Fred Barbara, nephew of late Chicago Alderman Fred Roti, best remembered from the Hired Truck Program Scandal and his part-ownership in Park Grill at Millennium Park that will pay no property taxes for 20 years because of a sweetheart deal with the Chicago Park District, also did not have to pay for water or sewage at his garage. The total past due bill? $31,079!


The freeload water got turn off three months ago, according to the Sun-Times when a reporter asked the Daley administration why it was treating Barbara's garage as a "charitable account.'' City Hall says it was an error and has since billed him. Barbra is disputing the bill. Mayor Daley’s response at a recent press conference to the question of why Barbara was not charged for 20 years? "How should I know?" As they always say on Family Feud, “Good answer.”


Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, ends with:

He went like one that hath been stunned,
And is of sense forlorn:
A sadder and a wiser man
He rose the morrow morn.


We are sadder and wiser having learned about the free water those with clout get, but will the city get paid? No, it’s just a pipe dream.