The district tapped into a back-up well for Flora which is being purchased by the Madison County Economic Development Authority for the utility district’s use after its own well collapsed, shutting off water for the Kearney Park and Magnolia Heights areas Sept. 12.This is great news for many out in the Kearney Park area. But, some questions remain.
About a mile of pipe was laid to reach the well, which will also be used by Flora if a back-up well is needed.
Is this now going to be forgotten again? This problem has been ongoing for more than 25 years, and officials have known it.
Is this band-aid fix going to be the only thing that happens until another crash of the system? Over the years, small fixes have held the system together, oftentimes after residents have gone days or weeks without safe water. When the water would begin to flow again, West Madison and Madison County officials would fall back into business as usual.
Will the West Madison Utility District and Supervisor Karl Banks attempt to blame the residents when nothing is done again? Residents have been blamed for not signing a survey so that a grant could be obtained to help. But, there are a wide range of funding options throug a variety of agencies if officials really wanted to do something. Furthermore, residents and stakeholders were often turned away from board meetings, or the West Madison Utilities Board would go into Executive Session when they didn't want to answer tough questions. In one instance, a resident refused to leave and was threatened with arrest. That officials refuse to allow stakeholders to participate in solutions, yet blame them for not signing on to the only solution offered is arrogant and protectionist. People that would rather do a poor job than allow other solutions to be considered should be removed from the equation.
Will the West Madison Utility District find a way to blame the Town of Flora again for the problems that is the responsibility of West Madison? Flora residents and officials have come to the aid of Kearney Park and the West Madison Utility District countless times. Yet, when there is no easy excuse for their ineptitude they blame the Town of Flora for not pushing through "paperwork".
Or . . .
Will resident's come together and make some demands of Madison County to clean up the real problem? That problem is in the makeup of the utility district leadership itself, and how it has been politicized by the current Supervisor in order to protect his turf come election time. The underlying current here is race and socioeconomics. There have been many times that white and black residents have tried to come together to affect some change. There have also been a few times where there have been some investors interested in revitalizing the old Industrial area, a move that would benefit residents and businesses immensely. But, changes to the social and economic order mean those in power who mismanage, would begin to lose that power. No real infrastructure improvement, means no change to the status quo, and those in office stay in office. Resident's must come together and force the change.
West Madison Commissioner Lawrence Morris said, "That Flora well can supply us with water until we dig a new well.” Yet, there is no timetable for digging a new well.
If residents strike now, they can demand a plan be put together that will finally get this problem under control. It took an emergency for everyone to work together. But, it will take some changes in leadership to get it to stay that way.
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West Madison Utilities/Kearney Park
i live in Kearney Park and I do not blame the Town of Flora for the water problems. It is the fault of West Madison Water Utilities. It is not the fault of the people. This survey that is being talked about, we completed it but it had questions about our income and they also wanted to know our names, so tell me what does our income have to do with the grant. We do not have to pay it back and I feel this information was none of their business so I completed it without the income complete. This is personal information. Let Mr. Banks tell me how much he makes and show me the financial records for WMWU and I will show him all of my finances and he can pay my bills.
ReplyDeleteI didn't live in Kearney Park at the time of the survey but would be more than happy to complete the entire questionnaire because they have to determine whether or not the area's residents qualify for a grant. But I do agree with Carl Banks letting us see his income. I was told he is currently residing in Lake Caroline. I bet he doesn't have to deal with the water situations we have had to deal with. The harvester is correct we must all stand together!! I am getting a group together to put some questions together for the upcoming board meeting. Anyone who would like to participate please call West Madison Utility and have your name put on the Agenda! I work at Howell's Restaraunt and my name is Deirdre Ingram I would be more than happy to hear any suggestions you might have. We all need to be present at this meeting, and I mean all!! We can't continue to complain and only stand by and idly watch what unfolds.
ReplyDeleteWhen is the next meeting, and where is it held?
ReplyDelete