Same last name, similar positions in Charlestown mayor's race

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October 31, 2007

By DAVID MANN The News and Tribune Wed Oct 31, 2007, 01:58 PM EDT

The race for Charlestown mayor this year is less a matter of what to do than it is a matter of how to do it.

Both of the men in the race say they want the same things for the city: Growth and improved utilities. They just have differing opinions on how to get there.

Republican challenger and former Mayor Bob Hall said he wants to pay for improvements to the municipal water and sewer utilities by growing the city. Incumbent Democrat Mike Hall, meanwhile, said he wants to improve the city’s utilities so that growth can occur.

That chicken-or-egg argument is at the center of what’s become an ugly campaign between the two, who are not related to one another. Clouding matters further are spats about what each did while in office — as they have both already served at least one term as the city’s mayor and this is the second time they’ve ran against each other. Mike Hall has been mayor since 2004. Bob Hall was mayor previous to that.

The overriding issue this campaign has been a focus on the city’s utilities and rates city residents are paying. Bob Hall has been on the attack about the issue since May, noting that his opponent’s administration raised sewer rates when it took office. Mike Hall, however, says increases in the sewer rates have been misrepresented by his opponent.

The sewer rates — which were raised under Mike Hall’s administration — go back to a decision that was made during Bob Hall’s administration. When Bob Hall was mayor, his administration used a bond-anticipation notice, which works similar to a temporary loan, to pay for a new sewer-treatment plant. At the time, Bob Hall said he was planning a small increase in sewer rates, but had planned to rely on future growth — new residence tapping onto the sewers — in order to pay for that improvement.

“We were barely going to raise them,” he said.

Mike Hall maintains that his administration was forced to raise rates because Bob Hall built the sewer plant.

Water rates comprise a similar squabble. They’ve also been raised by Mike Hall. Bob Hall also has attacked that increase.

Mike Hall says the increases were made because the city-owned water utility was essentially spending its savings in order to be financially solvent. He notes that even with the increase, Charlestown has some of the lowest rates in the county and in the state.

Bob Hall claims that if his opponent stays in power, water rates will continue to increase because of a planned water-treatment plant. Mike Hall says that plans to build that new plant will not cost ratepayers any more than they’re paying.

The new plant — which is in its final design phase — hangs in the balance with the election, because Bob Hall says if elected he won’t build it.

“It’s not a matter of need,” Bob Hall said. “It’s a matter of whether we want to double the water rate.”

Mike Hall says the treatment plant is needed in order to correct a manganese problem that’s long plagued the city’s water system.

Bob Hall’s campaign has honed in on utility increases as a central campaign theme and he says he’ll find a way to lower them if elected. Mike Hall said he’s heard more questions about the increases than complaints. Once explained, he said, the majority of people understand the need for it.

Another spat between the two involves the Bethany Road annexation. Bob Hall’s administration made the annexation. Mike Hall’s administration deannexed after a lawsuit was filed, saying his predecessor did it improperly.

Again, the two candidates have the same position on the final matter. Both say they want to go back and do the annexation again. Mike Hall said he wants to do it properly this time and Bob Hall said it was done properly the first time around.

No matter which side people believe, both candidates are confident in their chances next month. Each have said they have heard a lot of support while on the campaign trail.