South Chester Today

HARRISBURG – Rep. John Lawrence (R-Chester) issued a statement on Monday regarding the filing in federal bankruptcy court by Michael Doweary, the state-appointed receiver for the City of Chester.

"Yesterday, the state-appointed receiver for the City of Chester filed a plan in federal court that would terminate the Chester Water Authority’s (CWA’s) board of directors. I am completely opposed to this plan."

Lawrence criticized claims made by the receiver regarding ownership and control of the CWA. "As recently as yesterday, the state-appointed receiver claimed, and I quote, 'Chester has ownership and control of the Chester Water Authority.' That is an outrageous and false statement, and the receiver’s motion filed in federal court admits as much," he said. "The receiver uses these words on the bottom of page 32 of his filing in federal court. Under his plan, 'Water assets shall revert to the city by force.' Think about it – where are the water assets going to revert from? One minute the receiver claims the city already owns the water system; the next minute he asks a federal judge to order that assets ‘revert’ back to the city, which has to mean that the water authority is not owned by the city."

Lawrence further noted that dissolving CWA's board would disregard established law. "The receiver also asks a federal judge to dissolve authority’s board, which was established by an unanimously passed state law that has been on books for more than a decade. The receiver is asking a federal judge to completely disregard law. It’s outrageous," he stated.

He also addressed concerns about financial impacts on ratepayers: "When they talk about monetizing authority, what they mean is asking authority’s ratepayers to bail out city for decades of financial mismanagement. It is irresponsible and outrageous to suggest folks who pay their water bills and receive quality water from well-run water authority should be asked to pony up and pay higher bills for financial mismanagement of city."

Lawrence highlighted political implications involving Gov. Tom Wolf's administration: "The receiver was appointed by Gov. Tom Wolf and is employed by Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. His actions directly reflect on governor’s administration."

He called upon current Governor Josh Shapiro: "Gov. Josh Shapiro needs take sale...monetization...whatever euphemism you want use...sale Chester Water Authority needs taken off table," urging an immediate announcement stating CWA is not for sale or takeover.

Rep. John Lawrence represents Pennsylvania's 13th District.

Contact: Donna Pinkham

Pennsylvania House of Representatives

717-260-6452

dpinkham@pahousegop.com