What’s with the sewer line warranty letter from the city? How much of a kickback does Dick White get for endorsing this company that sells insurance for sewer-line repairs? How much did Durango spend to print and mail Dick White’s letters of recommendation? If we taxpayers didn’t pay, did we at least receive compensation for the use of Durango’s letterhead, or was that just part of the deception? Sign me, Smelling a Rat
First, this general observation: Why the outrage over the city finding a program in which homeowners could potentially save money? Once again, Action Line must remind everyone we can disagree without being disagreeable.
It’s Councilor White’s job to communicate with citizens about services old and new. Some may not like White, but at least let the man do his job.
If you don’t want sewer-line insurance, don’t enroll. No need to get flush with anger, so to speak.
Not a penny of municipal money went to mailing, and Councilor White didn’t get a dime for being a spokesman for plumbing risk management.
“The insurance provider did the printing and paid the postage,” assured City Manager Ron LeBlanc. “We just provided the mailing list.”
Action Line caught up withWhite a couple of days ago. He was surprised anyone would be so chapped by an offer from Sewer Line Warranties of America.
“There are a lot of older homes in town. Your sewer line is likely to be just as old as your house. Now you have a new option. That’s really all there is,” he said. “We just wanted to let you know about it.”
Why insurance?
The city is responsible for only the main sewer lines under the streets. The section from your house to the main line, however, is your deal.
SLWA covers up to $4,000 per repair incident “with no service fees or deductibles, annual or lifetime limits,” the letter states. Insurance costs $7.75 per month or $88 annually.
If you have a leak or clog, call the SLWA toll-free number, and it will dispatch a “local, licensed, reputable plumber to make the repair.”
The warranty service has been screened by National League of Cities, of which Durango is a member, the councilor said.
“They fully vetted the company and determined it’s the best provider,” he said. “A lot of other cities have this service.”
Mrs. Action Line was psyched about sewer-line insurance.
“Eight bucks a month to cover our pipes that date back to the administration of Woodrow Wilson?” she asked. “Heck, yes!”
You see, Mrs. Action Line happens to like saying “Woodrow Wilson.” That and the fact the 28th president kept a flock of sheep on the White House lawn. But that’s another matter.
Oh, and by the way, Mrs. Action Line didn’t receive compensation for being a celebrity endorser.
If you have an old house in a historic neighborhood, insurance might be a wise move. If you have a new or newish sewer line, insurance might be plumb crazy.
The insurance firm’s website is www.slwofa.com. Do due diligence on doo-doo sewerage.
When it comes to wastewater pipelines, you need to put the “sewer” in connoisseur.
H H H
This week’s Mea Culpa Mailbag was delivered by bicycle messengers. To wit, two witticisms:
Our good friend Nancy Shanks, spokeswoman for the Colorado Department of Transportation, clarifies the origins of lime-hued “bike boxes” that sprung up along Camino de Rio and thereabouts last week.
“Just in case more folks are questioning the green – good or bad – I should let you know, that this is a CDOT project. It’s part of the US 160/550 Continuous Flow Intersection work,” she writes. “While I cannot publicly condone asphalt mini-golf, I do love the photo!”
Loyal reader Robert Maple makes this wry commentary: “So we have special zones for cyclists. Now, if we could just get them to stop at stop signs.”
Email questions to actionline@durangoherald.com or mail them to Action Line, The Durango Herald, 1275 Main Ave., Durango, CO 81301. You can request anonymity if you know that Orangeburg is not an agricultural town with plentiful citrus groves.
