Responding to an exclusive CNY Central report Thursday, Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner has promised to "intercede and make sure the right thing happens" to a taxpayer who claims her water was shut off for no good reason.
Kim Davis complained that the Syracuse Water Department shut off service to her home on Teall Avenue because she simply failed to schedule an appointment for a new meter installation. Davis says her taxes and water bill were paid in full and on time and sees no reason why the city is strongarming its taxpayers over a program to install new meters that can be read remotely.
Asked about Davis' complaint on Friday, Mayor Miner told CNY Central's Jim Kenyon, "She admits that he had communications from the Water Department that she didn't answer. So we think this was an unfortunate incident where there was a real failure to communicate. We're going to intercede and make sure the right thing happens."
Davis received a letter in July from the Water Department that gave her 3 weeks to schedule an appointment to allow access to her home. The letter threatened to turn off her water if she missed the deadline. In addition it stated Davis would be charged $140.00 to have her water turned back on.
When asked if she supports such a strong stand, Miner replied, "Obviously I support that because I'm the Mayor and frequently what we;ve found is that is what finally will get people to open their doors to let us put new water meters in so we can be more efficient."
Miner was also asked if Davis will still have to pay the $140.00 fee. Miner said, "We'll talk about that later."
