Tag Archives: Eric Weltman

Mineola, New York, USA. April 26, 2021. Activist at rally holds sign saying: STOP TAXING OUR WATER. Faced with a 26% rate increase from New York American Water going into effect May 1, 2021, activists and residents who are NYAW customers rally to urge NYS Assemby to push through legislation, before that date, corresponding with NYS Senate Bill S989A to establish a Nassau County Water Authority and except water works corporations in counties of populations over one million from a special franchise tax. (© 2021 Ann Parry, AnnParry.com)

Activists Rally to STOP New York American Water Rate Hikes

From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (annparry.com)
April 27, 2021

Activists urge NYS Assembly to pass legislation to create Nassau County Water Authority

  • contact info for NYS Assembly members at end of post
“Mineola, NY, USA. April 26, 2021. At rally, activists hold signs saying STOP TAXING OUR WATER, and Water for ALL! Faced with a 26% rate increase from New York American Water going into effect May 1, 2021, activists and residents who are NYAW customers rally. (© 2021 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Mineola, NY, USA. April 26, 2021. At rally, activists hold signs saying STOP TAXING OUR WATER, and Water for ALL! Faced with a 26% rate increase from New York American Water going into effect May 1, 2021, activists and residents who are NYAW customers rally. (© 2021 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Yesterday, April 26, activists held a rally in Mineola about the unfair burden of paying dam-bursting rates – about to rise 26% higher on May 1st – for water from New York American Water, a private company.

Living in Merrick, I’m among over 124,000 customers of NYAW in Nassau County who pay rates many times higher than county residents with municipal water.

“Mineola, NY, USA. April 26, 2021. MARGARET MAHER, from non-profit Food and Water Watch, speaks at rally. Faced with a 26% rate increase from New York American Water going into effect May 1, 2021, activists and residents who are NYAW customers rally to urge NYS Assembly to push through legislation, before that date, corresponding with NYS Senate Bill S989A to establish a Nassau County Water Authority. (© 2021Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Mineola, NY, USA. April 26, 2021. MARGARET MAHER, from non-profit Food and Water Watch, speaks at rally. Faced with a 26% rate increase from New York American Water going into effect May 1, 2021, activists and residents who are NYAW customers rally. (© 2021 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Since 2011, I’ve been covering rallies and attending meetings about the extreme, unfair difference in rates customers pay for water from private companies versus municipal water in Nassau County.

“Mineola, NY, USA. April 26, 2021. Activists and civic leaders - including in front row, center, wearing lapis blue face mask and jacket, CLAUDIA BORECKY, a Co-Director of CAWS (Clean Air Water Soil) - rally at Theodore Roosevelt Executive and Legislative Building. Faced with a 26% rate increase from New York American Water going into effect May 1, 2021, activists and residents who are NYAW customers rally. (© 2021 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Mineola, NY, USA. April 26, 2021. Activists and civic leaders – including in front row, center, wearing lapis blue face mask and jacket, CLAUDIA BORECKY, a Co-Director of CAWS (Clean Air Water Soil) – rally at Theodore Roosevelt Executive and Legislative Building. Faced with a 26% rate increase from New York American Water going into effect May 1, 2021, activists and residents who are NYAW customers rally. (© 2021 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

But the notable changes water customers have experienced over the past 11 years have been repeated sales from one private water company to another, and a flood of rate hikes.

“Mineola, NY, USA. April 26, 2021. At front, GEORGE POMBAR, President of Glen Head-Glenwood Civic Association, speaks at rally. Faced with a 26% rate increase from New York American Water going into effect May 1, 2021, activists and residents who are NYAW customers rally to urge NYS Assembly to push through legislation, before that date, corresponding with NYS Senate Bill S989A to establish a Nassau County Water Authority. (© 2021Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Mineola, NY, USA. April 26, 2021. At front, GEORGE POMBAR, President of Glen Head-Glenwood Landing Civic Council, speaks at rally. Faced with a 26% rate increase from New York American Water going into effect May 1, 2021, activists and residents who are NYAW customers rally. (© 2021 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

New York State Senate Bill S.989a

Recently, however, New York State Senate Bill S.989a passed –  sponsored by Sen. James Gaughran (Dem.-5th District, Northport) – which relates to the assessment of property owned by water-works corporations – including creating a Nassau County Water Authority and exempting water works corporations in counties of populations over one million from a special franchise tax.

In addition to NYS Sen. James Gaughran, Sen. John Brooks (Dem. – 8th Dist., Seaford), Sen. Leroy Comrie (Dem. – 14th Dist., St. Albans)  Sen. Todd Kaminsky (Dem. – 9th Dist., Long Beach), and Sen. Kevin Thomas (Dem. – 6th Dist, Garden City) actively supported the bill’s passage, and speakers at the rally thanked them.

“Mineola, NY, USA. April 26, 2021. L-R, DAVE DENENBERG, Co-Director of CAWS; LLOYD NADEL (speaking at mics) attorney for Glen Head-Glenwood Landing Civic Council; ERIC WELTMAN, Senior Organizer for Food & Water Watch and Food & Water Action; (activist); GEORGE POMBAR, Pres. of GH/GL Civic Council; and AGATHA NADEL, Director of NSCC,  speak at rally. Faced with a 26% rate increase from New York American Water going into effect May 1, 2021, activists and residents who are NYAW customers rally. (© 2021 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Mineola, NY, USA. April 26, 2021. L-R, DAVE DENENBERG, Co-Director of CAWS; LLOYD NADEL (speaking at mics) attorney for Glen Head-Glenwood Landing Civic Council; ERIC WELTMAN, Senior Organizer for Food & Water Watch and Food & Water Action; (activist); GEORGE POMBAR, Pres. of GH/GL Civic Council; and AGATHA NADEL, Director of NSCC,  speak at rally. Faced with a 26% rate increase from New York American Water going into effect May 1, 2021, activists and residents who are NYAW customers rally. (© 2021 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

But for New York American Water customers to avoid the 26% rate hike, and for such changes to take place, the NYS Assembly must also pass corresponding legislation before May 1st.  [See UPDATE near end of post]

“Mineola, NY, USA. April 26, 2021. Activist META MEREDAY, of Baldwin, speaks at rally and holds up sign saying: NY Assembly, Only You Can Stop the Rate Hike! Faced with a 26% rate increase from New York American Water going into effect May 1, 2021, activists and residents who are NYAW customers rally to urge NYS Assembly to push through legislation, before that date, corresponding with NYS Senate Bill S989A to establish a Nassau County Water Authority. (© 2021Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Mineola, NY, USA. April 26, 2021. Activist META MEREDAY, of Baldwin, speaks at rally and holds up sign saying: NY Assembly, Only You Can Stop the Rate Hike! Faced with a 26% rate increase from New York American Water going into effect May 1, 2021, activists and residents who are NYAW customers rally. (© 2021 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)


Contact your NYS Assembly member:

New York State Assembly members:  assembly.state.ny.us/mem/

Michael Durso  •  District 9
nyassembly.gov/mem/Michael-Durso
dursom@nyassembly.gov •  516-541-4598

Charles D. Lavine  •  District 13
nyassembly.gov/mem/Charles-D-Lavine
LavineC@nyassembly.gov  •  516-676-0050

David G. McDonough  •  District 14
nyassembly.gov/mem/David-G-McDonough
mcdonoughd@nyassembly.gov  •  516-409-2070

Michael Montesano  •  District 15
nyassembly.gov/mem/Michael-Montesano
MontesanoM@nyassembly.gov •  516-937-3571

John K. Mikulin  •  District 17
nyassembly.gov/mem/John-K-Mikulin
mikulinj@nyassembly.gov •  516-228-4960

Taylor Darling •  District 18
nyassembly.gov/mem/Taylor-Darling
darlingt@nyassembly.gov  •  516-489-6610

Edward P. Ra  •  District 19
nyassembly.gov/mem/Edward-P-Ra
rae@nyassembly.gov  •  516-535-4095

Judy Griffin •  District 21
nyassembly.gov/mem/Judy-Griffin
griffinj@nyassembly.gov  •  516-561-8216

Michaelle C. Solages •  District 22
nyassembly.gov/mem/Michaelle-C-Solages
SolagesM@nyassembly.gov  •  516-599-2972


“Mineola, NY, USA. April 26, 2021. AGATHA NADEL, Director of North Shore Concerned Citizens (NSCC) speaks at rally, and behind her at right is ERIC WELTMAN, Senior Organizer for Food & Water Watch and Food & Water Action. Faced with a 26% rate increase from New York American Water going into effect May 1, 2021, activists and residents who are NYAW customers rally to urge NYS Assembly to push through legislation, before then, corresponding with NYS Senate Bill S989A to establish a Nassau County Water Authority. (© 2021 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Mineola, NY, USA. April 26, 2021. AGATHA NADEL, Director of North Shore Concerned Citizens (NSCC) speaks at rally, and behind her at right is ERIC WELTMAN, Senior Organizer for Food & Water Watch and Food & Water Action. Faced with a 26% rate increase from New York American Water going into effect May 1, 2021, activists and residents who are NYAW customers rally to urge NYS Assembly to push through legislation, before then, corresponding with NYS Senate Bill S.989As to establish a Nassau County Water Authority. (© 2021 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)


Company & groups in post:

New York American Water – www.amwater.com/NYAW/
facebook – nyamwater

CAWS – LI Clean Air Water and Soil – www.licaws.org/

Food and Water Watch
www.foodandwaterwatch.org/2021/03/02/stopping-privatization/

Glen Head-Glenwood Landing Civic Council
www.facebook.com/ghgwlcivics/

North Shore Concerned Citizens (NSCC)


→ UPDATENew York State Assembly Bill A07279

Before May 1, 2021, NYS Assembly Bill A07279 passed, which “relates to the establishment of the north and south shore water authority and capping the rate a water-works corporation may increase its rates and charges.” It was sponsored by Rep. Charles Lavine (Dem. – Dist. 13, Glen Cove), and co-sponsors Rep. Judy Griffin (Dem. – Dist. 21, Rockville Centre), Rep. Michaelle Solages (Dem. – Dist. 22, Elmont), and Rep. Michael Montesano (Rep., Ind., Cons. – Dist. 15, Glen Head).

NYS Assembly Bill A07279 differs from NYS Senate Bill A.989.a in some significant ways. For one, the NYS Assembly bill would form a North and South Shore Water Authority, covering fewer New York Water Authority customers than the Nassau County Water Authority NYS Senate Bill S.989.a would cover.


my Photo Gallery: Rally to Stop NY American Water Rate Hikes

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Mineola, New York, USA. 15th Feb, 2019. ERIC WELTMAN, Brooklyn, a Senior Organizer for Food & Water Watch in New York, is holding a blue card with 100% by 2030 on it, referring to goal of 100% clean energy by 2030, during NYS Senate Public Hearing on Climate, Community & Protection Act, Bill S7253, sponsored by Sen. Kaminsky, Chair of Senate Standing Committee on Environmental Conservation. This 3rd public hearing on bill to fight climate change was on Long Island. © 2019 Ann Parry, AnnParry.com

NYS Senate Public Hearing on Climate Change

From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (annparry.com)
February 16, 2019

Mineola, NY, USA. 15th Feb, 2019. At right, NYS Senator TODD KAMINSKY, and, at left, NYS Assemblyman STEVE ENGLEBRIGHT, listen to speaker during NYS Senate Public Hearing on Climate, Community & Protection Act, Bill S7253, sponsored by Sen. Kaminsky. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Mineola, NY, USA. 15th Feb, 2019. At right, NYS Senator TODD KAMINSKY, and, at left, NYS Assemblyman STEVE ENGLEBRIGHT, listen to speaker during NYS Senate Public Hearing on Climate, Community & Protection Act, Bill S7253, sponsored by Sen. Kaminsky. (© 2019 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

NYS Senate Climate & Community Protection Act

Invited speakers addressed the NYS Senate Democratic public hearing at the Theodore Roosevelt Executive Building yesterday, February 15, on the Climate, Community & Protection Act, Bill S7253, sponsored by Senator Todd Kaminsky (District 9).

Mineola, NY, USA. Feb. 15, 2019. PHILIP MARINELLI, Huntington, is holding a green sign with'Text Renewable to 69866' and'OFF FOSSIL FUELS

Mineola, NY, USA. Feb. 15, 2019. PHILIP MARINELLI, Huntington, is holding a green sign with ‘Text Renewable to 69866’ and ‘OFF FOSSIL FUELS” on it, during NYS Senate Public Hearing on Climate, Community & Protection Act, sponsored by Sen. Kaminsky.(© 2019 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Earlier this week, hearings on the bill to fight climate change were held in Albany and in Manhattan, and this hearing on Long Island was the final one of the series.

Mineola, NY, USA. 15th Feb, 2019. Invited speaker addresses (L-R, at table) NYS Senator JOHN BROOKS, Assemblyman STEVE ENGLEBRIGHT, NYS Sen. TODD KAMINSKY, NYS Sen, KEVIN THOMAS, and Assemblywoman JUDY GRIFFIN, during NYS Senate Public Hearing on Climate, Community & Protection Act, Bill S7253, sponsored by Sen. Kaminsky. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Mineola, NY, USA. 15th Feb, 2019. Invited speaker addresses (L-R, at table) NYS Senator JOHN BROOKS, Assemblyman STEVE ENGLEBRIGHT, NYS Sen. TODD KAMINSKY, NYS Sen. KEVIN THOMAS, and Assemblywoman JUDY GRIFFIN, during NYS Senate Public Hearing on Climate, Community & Protection Act, Bill S7253, sponsored by Sen. Kaminsky. (© 2019 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Several Democratic Long Island officials participated in the hearing with Sen. Kaminsky, the Chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Environmental Conservation: NYS Senators  John Brooks (D8), James Gaughran (D5), Kevin Thomas (D6); and NYS Assemblywoman Judy Griffin (D21) and NYS Assemblyman Steve Englebright (D4), the assembly’s Chair of the Committee on Environmental Conservation.

Mineola, NY, USA. 15th Feb, 2019. JON KAIMAN, Deputy County Executive in Suffolk, is interviewed by Fios 1 News in atrium of Nassau County Executive Building after he spoke at NYS Senate Public Hearing on Climate, Community & Protection Act, Bill S7253, sponsored by Sen. Kaminsky. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Mineola, NY, USA. 15th Feb, 2019. JON KAIMAN, Deputy County Executive in Suffolk, who spoke in support of Bill S7253, is interviewed by Fios 1 News in atrium of Nassau County Executive Building during the NYS Senate Public Hearing on Climate, Community & Protection Act sponsored by Sen. Kaminsky. (© 2019 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

A variety of speakers – including local elected officials, environmental educators and activist leaders, business representatives – spoke, some for and some against passing Senate Bill S7253.

Mineola, NY, USA. Feb. 15, 2019. Sister KAREN BURKE, of Sisters of St Joseph in Brentwood,s tands in audience after addressing climate change mitigation from a moral perspective during NYS Senate Public Hearing on Climate, Community & Protection Act, Bill S7253, sponsored by Sen. Kaminsky. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Mineola, NY, USA. Feb. 15, 2019. Sister KAREN BURKE, of Sisters of St Joseph in Brentwood,s tands in audience after addressing climate change mitigation from a moral perspective during NYS Senate Public Hearing on Climate, Community & Protection Act, Bill S7253, sponsored by Sen. Kaminsky. (© 2019 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Sister Karen Burke of the Sisters of St. Joseph, in Brentwood, was one of the speakers  in support of the bill. She explained she was addressing the bill from a moral perspective, and that she wanted the NYS Senate to address and mitigate effects of climate change by passing the New York State Climate and Protection Act. 

Mineola, NY, USA. 15th Feb, 2019. Activist wearing green Climate Emergency shirt re-enters chamber during NYS Senate Public Hearing on Climate, Community & Protection Act, Bill S7253, Sign next to entrance give info about the bill sponsored by Sen. Todd Kaminsky.  (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Mineola, NY, USA. 15th Feb, 2019. Activist wearing green Climate Emergency shirt re-enters chamber during NYS Senate Public Hearing on Climate, Community & Protection Act, Bill S7253, Sign next to entrance give info about the bill sponsored by Sen. Todd Kaminsky.  (© 2019 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)


Feature Photo at top: Mineola, NY, US. Feb. 14, 2019. Eric Weltman, of Brooklyn, a Senior Organizer for Food & Water Watch in New York, holds a blue card with “100% by 2030” on it, referring to goal of 100% clean energy by 2030, during NYS Senate Public Hearing on Climate, Community & Protection Act.


Contact Your Reps

Find & contact your senator about Climate & Community Protection Act

•  NYS Senator Todd Kaminsky (District 9)
•  NYS Senator John Brooks (District 8)
•  NYS Senator James Gaughran
(District 5)
•  NYS Senator Kevin Thomas (District 6)

•  NYS Assemblyman Steve Englebright (District 4)
•  NYS Assemblywoman Judy Griffin (District 21)


  • UPDATES:  

June 2019: Both New York State Senate & Assembly passed climate change bill, #CCPA, and Gov. Andrew Cuomo has promised to sign Climate Leadership Act.

2019-2020 Legislative Session, PASSED: NY State Senate Bill S6599 & NY State Assembly Bill A8429

LIHerald Editorial, 7/5/2019: New York Leads on climate crisis


NYS Senate Hearing on Climate Change:  PHOTO GALLERY

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