Still awaiting answer on water rebate

RE: LETTERS: SENIORS WHO RENT NEED WATER BILL ASSISTANCE TOO, MARCH 23, 2018

On March 14, 2018, I wrote a letter to the St. Catharines mayor and council regarding the above credit program. I received a reply from Mayor Walter Sendzik dated April 2, 2018. My letter was about the qualifications of this program. I am sure you have the letter on file.

I apparently did not qualify for this program because I am not a homeowner. However, I do pay my own water bills and I do fall under all the guidelines set out for this credit.

My landlord informs me the city will not let him put my name as renter on the water bill. However, the city gave me the account number and when I call they ask my name. The bill I receive is in my landlord’s name but it is addressed to c/o tenant and has my address on it.

I pay the water bills and I sign the cheque, not my landlord, and I still feel every senior who does this should be entitled to the $100 rebate offered by the city.

I see in the newspaper the budget has been passed for various things and I am wondering as per my answer from the mayor last year if my request has been addressed at any budget meetings.

The mayor in my letter stated there was to be a proposal to include renters in the first qualification of budget for 2019.

In last year’s letter it was also stated there may be an issue of identifying tenants who have rental agreements for water and pay their own bills.

As I stated, the city sends out the water bills addressed to landlords but have also put c/o tenant with my address on it, not the landlord’s. That should, along with the account number and payee, be enough to figure out who is entitled.

Also, when the person goes to city hall in October I am sure this would all show up.

So as I ask, could you please tell me if this has been looked after for the seniors of St. Catharines.

Sharon Jones

St. Catharines