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One Solution to the City’s Water-Bill Problems

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Photo: iStockphoto.com

Today’s Times brings the news that the city’s water bills are so profoundly screwed up that it’s impossible to collect on millions and millions of dollars worth of overdue fees. We’ve uncovered a memo recently sent by the Public Works Department in an attempt to rectify things:

To: Alan G. Lafley, Chairman, President, and CEO, Proctor & Gamble

From: Public Works Department, The City of New York

Date: December 12, 2006

Re: Water bills

Dear Mr. Lafley:

It is true that our accounting department is currently drowning (ha!) in a veritable sea (haha!) of accounting errors. However, we also believe this flood (we weren’t even trying with that one!) of misfortune also presents an opportunity. In short, if we can’t reverse our hundred-million plus shortfall (does that count? like, waterfall?), our entire operation may go down the tubes. (You’ve got it by now, right?) But if you have no water, you’re sunk. (Yeah. You’ve got it.) And no one — especially us — wants that to happen.


And that’s where you come in. It’s simple: You need water — lots of it. We need money. We’ve heard you got some! So we’re thinking sponsorship. We’re thinking synergy. We’re thinking a roll of Charmin in every bathroom in this burg!

Want to sail into a beautiful future together? :)

But seriously. Bail us out.

Yours truly,

Water Bills Are So Flawed City Can’t Collect Millions [NYT]
Earlier: Roll Tape

One Solution to the City’s Water-Bill Problems