Ouch!

This comes at a time when everyone is paying more than $3 a gallon for gas, resulting in higher process for groceries, clothes, and other necessities. Many can't afford a massive utility rate increase.

Winfield Mayor Ron Stone plays the role of Pilate and washes his hands of blame pointing fingers at the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection. According to Stone, the WVDEP ordered a million-dollar upgrade in the sewer system, so Winfield is just passing the cost onto its users.

What Stone is really doing is dancing around the issue while passing the buck.

In his first term, Mayor Stone horribly failed a major leadership test.

Winfield recently started a Business and Occupancy tax. Some of those funds should be used to prevent the 44.2 percent increase. Stone should have asked the Putnam County Commission for help. He should have sought state and federal grants. He should have spread the increase out over time, lessening the 44.2 percent blow.

But Stone blew it instead.

So now, his citizens suffer. Seniors on fixed incomes can’t ask for a 44.2 percent social security raise. The cashier at the grocery store and the counter girl at McDonald’s won’t get a 44.2 percent raise. Landlords who have signed long-term leases and can’t immediately raise rental rates. Insurance agents can’t raise premiums to pass on the higher sewer rates. People can’t easily absorb a 44.2 percent hit.

Neither can the Winfield economy. As people are paying 44.2 percent more for sewer rates, they have less money to spend on shopping. Less trips to Dairy Freeze. Less snacks at the IGA. Less money for IRAs at City National. And less cash for biscuits at Tudor's.

Higher sewer rates hurt everyone. Well, maybe not everyone. Stone is moving into a new river-front house. We assume the 44.2 percent isn’t bothering him much. He doesn’t appear to be hurting.

It should.

Stone’s failure to lead is inexcusable. He should resign. However, politicians aren’t known for accountability and taking responsibility for their failures. Which is why many people see strong similarities between politicians and raw sewage.

Fortunately, Stone’s term is only two years. Since he was elected just last year, Winfield voters will soon have the opportunity to send Stone packing. They can remember the 44.2 percent sewer rate increase, vote against Stone, and figuratively flush the lousy politician down the sewer and elect a real leader.