Another Water Rate Increase On the Way!

-

Last night, the board informed the public that another water rate increase is on the way. Well, the board didn't inform the public, they actually passed the buck to Ben Barrett, Public Works Director. The board payed a membership fee to the Mississippi Rural Water Association in order to be considered for a $250,000 water improvement grant. Well, one of the requirements of the grant requires the city's water system to be able to sustain itself. I blogged about this on Feb. 23, 2012 and even before that blog was published, everyone, well everyone with the exception of those serving on the board of aldermen, knew the city's water system was out of whack. The board voted last night to request the Mississippi Rural Water Association to come and conduct a water system study, but the study was completed long before the actual board meeting and the MS Rural Water Association had already been paid to conduct the study; they just needed to go back and have it placed in the minutes. Well, needless to say, the board of aldermen will vote to increase the water rates to .75/gallon or raise the water rates an additional .75/gallon after the public hearing on April 5, 2012. The citizens of Lumberton will have the opportunity to come out and share their views on the second water rate increase this fiscal year, but since the board is determined to obtain the $250,000 grant, they're more than likely are going to raise the rate despite what the citizens have to say. In addition to the proposed water rate increase, the board will also change the minimum usage amount for everyone to ensure that almost everyone is affected by the rate increase. The minimum usage is currently at 3,000 gallons, but with the passage of Ordinance 301 (a copy will be in next week's Lamar Times) the minimum usage amount will be 2,000 gallons. Ben Barrett said he was not supportive of the grant and he also stated that the grant will not do much to help the city's sewer system. But he did not that according to a stipulation of the grant, water bill rates will be increased every year once Ordinance 301 is passed. The board blamed the losses on the closure of Cooper Industries and the other businesses on Industrial Parkway. But Barret stated that the city has been losing money since 2005, long before Cooper closed it's doors. Again, the issues of money being lost, checks not being deposited, etc. are the result of the lack of checks and balances at city hall. I'm not saying that anything untoward is going on, but why are we continuing to pay $38,000 for an auditor's report and don't adhere to the guidelines set forth in the auditor's report? The city clerk even stated at one board meeting that she would like an accountant to come in for that purpose in order to quell the rumors that keep circulating about her and the misappropriation of funds. Unfortunately, the citizens of Lumberton are going to bear the burden of the alderman's malfeasance. (I might share with you my insight on the real reason why they aldermen are running after this grant money.) So, for those of you that are concerned about how the city is mis-managing the funds, it would behove you to come out April 5, 2012 to the public hearing regarding the water bill rate increase and the passage of Ordinance 301.

Comments

  1. AnonymousMarch 7, 2012 at 8:47 PM

    This is terrible. How do they expect people to pay water bills? You don't have no jobs here. For the ones that do work they work out of town and gas is sky high. Some are on a fixed income. Come on now. My water bill is already close to $100 a month. I can just imagine what it is going to be then. If water goes up every year it's going to be alot of funky people in L'ton.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

FY Budget 2015: Pills and Potions

-
Image
I called this post the pills and potions edition because after looking at the budget that was presented; it's obvious this board is overdosing on something. I can't tell where any real cuts were made to the budget; it seems the same. The fact that the board paid Richard Rose $1, 600 to prepare this budget is a joke. Why do we have a city clerk if she cannot prepare a budget? What is she doing all day other than reading the Lumberton Informer or thinking of her next lie? The board claimed that Richard Rose was doing this out of the goodness of his heart, that he knew the City of Lumberton was not in a position to pay him. So, rather than charging the normal going rate for an embattled city manager that was allegedly terminated for not reporting to work and other matters; Rose decided he will charge the fiscally challenged City of Lumberton a mere $1,600 and a motorcycle. Now, keep in mind, the board never voted to hire Richard Rose but somehow, he received a check and a moto...
Read more

Kim Rogers: A Phenomenal Woman

-
Image
I've always said that I don't offer balance throughout this blog. It seems that most of the focus is placed on the bad things or more gossipy topics, but I think today is a good day to give credit where credit is due. I know she don't do what she do for attention or accolades but I would like to tip my hat to Mrs. Kim Rogers, founder of the KeKe B Foundation. Kim, like many other women of our community, is a testament to the power of hop, courage and resilience of a loving mother. I don't know how she does it but she has chosen to take a stand when others would have buckled under pressure. Her dedication and courage has touched so many people in so many ways. The work she's doing through the KeKe B Foundation will be a beacon for many generations to come and the she many never realize the impact her courage has made in the lives of others. But despite it all, she is still pressing forward. Kim does not want another parent to experience what she had to experience ...
Read more

Stealing Elections: Lumberton Style

-
Image
Last night when I went to the Ben Barrett Voting Center to watch the counting of the vote, I entered the building about 10 minutes before the polls closed and the picture above is what I saw. Throughout the day, many people expressed their concerns that the poll workers didn't match the demographics of the City of Lumberton. I shrugged it off after someone texted me, assuring me that the election was going to be fair. Well, that was not the case. Later in the day, a voter came to me with evidence that the votes had been compromised. They gave me two torn affidavit ballots that were torn up and thrown in the trash in the women's restroom at the voting center. Interesting. There was another person that came to me about the conversation they overheard between Cora Rogers and her mother, Voncile Richardson. It seems that Ms. Voncile wanted to cast a vote for me but her daughter, Cora Rogers, instructed her to mark the ballot for Kent Crider. Interesting. Last ...
Read more