Trickle-down behavior at water company

This rate hike, like security deposits and other policies of Glendale Water and Power, feels like classic playground bully tactics — where the hefty utility company steamrolls the tiny consumer.

Ironically, there's a trickle-down behavior occurring here. Glendale Water and Power officials have been trying to get the California Department of Water Resources to pay $2.5 million it pledged for a chromium 6 removal project.

Maybe utility officials ought to get the money from the bigger state agency before trying to shake it out of our little wallets. If it can't get the money, Glendale Water and Power ought to do what it did to me. Shut the water off to state buildings on Friday afternoon, and demand $2.5 million as a security deposit before turning it back on!

Of course, to be fair, I would advise the state to watch the mail closely. It doesn't want to be late on a payment and have that security deposit held unfairly.

GARY HUERTA is a Glendale resident and author. He is senior manager of communications for DIRECTV and a copywriting professor at Pasadena Art Center College of Design. Gary may be reached at garyrhuerta@gmail.com.