Regarding the recent protests over how Baltimore should manage its water ("Baltimore officials say there's no plan to privatize water system," Oct. 24), I support the people rallying at City Hall and at the public hearing on the proposed Veolia contract. We need more transparency and accountability for our government services. It is especially important that the public is involved in decisions about our most essential public resource — our water.
This is precisely the reason we should be concerned about Veolia, the water-privatizing corporation attempting to secure a consulting contract with Baltimore. Veolia's bid has not been made public despite Maryland Public Information Act requests, phone calls and emails from constituents. The city must not contract with Veolia, not only because of the corporation's history of rate hikes and labor rights abuses but also because it is so essential that our water resources be managed transparently and democratically.
Fellow citizens, let's pay attention to this issue. We deserve a voice in the management of our most fundamental public service.
Juliana Shulman, Baltimore