Mr. Bill Duffy must be thinking that, like the old Saturday Night Live sketch, Mr. Hand and Sluggo are once again devising some torture that he must endure as his faithful dog Spot looks on.

Oh no, Mr. Bill!

Just when Duffy thought his two-year effort to finally equalize water and sewer rates for businesses and residents had come to an end, an important segment of the council-approved, committee-endorsed, consulted-guided plan looks like it’s heading back to the clay company.

Oh nooo!

It’s a shame too, because Duffy has been a blessing to the City of Poulsbo and has worked diligently with the public, department heads and council to create the best possible plan only to have it questioned by the Poulsbo Fire Department, the school district and local businesses at the twelfth hour.

Where were these concerns — which are certainly valid — during the extensive process? Where were the questions at committee meetings? Why didn’t the left hand know what the right hand was doing?

Most importantly, why weren’t Randy Odden, Dan Ryan and Chief Jim Shields involved? When the call went out asking business owners to help with the plan, none accepted the challenge.

In fact, Duffy had to pretty much beg and plead to get residents — anyone — to serve on the committee.

Last April, city council came to grips with the fact that Poulsbo’s water and sewer rates were inequitable and favored businesses over residents. At that session, consultant Ed Cebron noted, “Business owners were invited to serve on the committee but none came.”

“They’ll show up when the bill arrives,” Councilman Ed Stern responded.

Looks like he was right.