Tag Archives: Service Line Warranties

We Have Pressers: Mayor Speaks on New COO, Old Sewer Lines (not a Scam)

Even post-election, Mayor Linda Thompson has resumed her flurry of press conferences.

Today’s concerns the appointment of a new COO for the city, which we’ll update after the 11 a.m. event. Ricardo Mendez-Saldivia, who took the COO job just last year declaring he had “bought a one-way ticket,” bought another one-way ticket and left about two weeks ago, one of several recent high-profile departures. The COO position was created as part of the receiver’s financial rescue plan for Harrisburg, tasked with bringing professional administration to the habitually poorly run city.

At yesterday’s press conference, Thompson reminded city residents that a new warranty program for city homeowners’ outside sewer lines is not — we repeat (because she did, repeatedly) not a scam. Over the past month, most property owners have received two letters from the city on behalf of a company called Service Line Warranties of America (SLWA) offering coverage of the line that runs from a house to the city’s main sewer line, which is the responsibility of the homeowner and typically not covered by homeowner’s insurance. SLWA is charging $7.95 per month or $90.40 if paid annually for this coverage. Thompson said replacing a damaged line often costs homeowners $4,000 or more. She said she held the press conference because her office has been flooded with calls from property owners asking if the offer is a scam. Anyone interested in this non-scam can enroll online at www.SLWofA.com. So far, 850 city property owners have done so, said Thompson. Again, not a scam.

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