The successful outcome to the election a few weeks ago came about only because a small group of fellow citizens, led by the OG’s Algernon Ward and Michael McGrath, doggedly pursued a lawsuit all the way to the New Jersey Supreme Court. The Court’s historic decision on April 6 set the stage for the victory of June 15.
This dogged pursuit cost a great deal of money, and it’s time to pay the plumber, uhh, piper. Below is a press release that just went out for an upcoming fundraiser to help earn some money to pay the legal bills. I hope I see you at Trinity Cathedral on July 14th at 6PM.
If you can’t make it, I do hope you can send some small contribution. Thanks!
“Ice Cream Social” Fundraiser Set to Raise Money to Pay Water Petition Legal Bills
TRENTON, NJ – A fundraising evening to help the group of private citizens who took the cause of the successful ballot question on the sale of portions of the Trenton Water Works all the way to the New Jersey Supreme Court has been announced for Wednesday, July 14, 2010. The event is a family “Ice Cream Social” scheduled for 6PM to 8PM at Trinity Cathedral, 801 West State Street, Trenton.
The group of five Trenton citizens, headed by Algernon Ward and Michael McGrath, took their fight for the right of Trenton’s voters to decide the fate of the controversial sale all the way through the entire New Jersey judicial system, culminating in a 5-1 decision in their favor by the state’s Supreme Court on April 6, 2010.
“We believed in what we were doing all along. This historic decision belongs to the people of Trenton,” says petition organizer Algernon Ward. “But taking a case to three separate courts frankly cost a lot of money. We have over $15,000 in bills, and every little bit will help. We hope that the people of the City of Trenton and of the surrounding Townships who will benefit from the positive result of the referendum will help us pay the bills to our lawyers.”
“A report issued this week by Food and Water Watch (http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/water/report/privatization-new-jersey/) , a non-profit group that assisted our campaign last month, estimates that the typical NJ household will save $153 on their water bill each year by continuing to pay a municipal utility rather than a big corporation. We hope that some people in the townships will consider those future savings as we ask for their support in helping to pay for the legal effort that helped that result happily come to pass,” Michael McGrath added.
“And, of course, we also want to celebrate our victory on June 15, and to thank all the people of Trenton who came out so overwhelmingly that day. The vote was a great event for everyone in the City. We deserve to throw a party for Trenton.”
This family-friendly event will feature an Open Mic, and encourages musicians, comics and other performers to come and entertain. Alan Willinger and Friend will headline, playing several Cajun musical selections.
All donations will be gratefully accepted, with a suggested donation of $15 per person/$25 per family. Cash will be accepted. Checks should be made out to “Katz & Dougherty” or “James Manahan,” the two local law firms that carried the case through the Courts. Checks can also be mailed c/o Stop the Sale at PO Box 4128, Trenton NJ 08610. Please note any donations are not tax-deductible.
For anyone interested in appearing on-stage, or helping with the event, please email PayTheWaterBill@gmail.com or call Kevin Moriarty at 609.310.1852 or Christine Donahue at 609.278.8484.
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