Fire Protection: You Get What You Pay For

-

On April 5, 2012, the Lumberton Board of Aldermen will vote to increase the water rates. . .again. They've devised a plan where they can ensure that all citizens are hit by this new rate hike. With the passage of the new ordinance, they will lower the minimum usage rate from 3,000 gallons/month to 2,000/gallons/month. Also, the new ordinance will require them to raise the water rates every year, despite the need for an increase. In essence, they're figuratively, tying the hands of every alderman that will serve from this date forward. But this post is not about the pending water bill rate increase, it's about the amount we're charged for fire protection. According to the water bill, fire protection (FP) is a grand total of .10/per household per month. Seriously? I don't know how much that generate every year, but I'm sure it's not enough to run an effective fire department. Why are we only being charged .10/month for fire protection? I don't agree with the water rates increase, mainly because there's no accountability or check and balances in place for WSOM, but who made the decision to assess .10/month for fire protection? I know I have ragged the Lumberton Volunteer Fire Department (LVFD), but I guess it boils down to you get what you pay for. Now, I'm not suggesting that the City of Lumberton just make an arbitrary assessment to help fund the fire department, but I think there needs to be some sort of review of what's needed to adequately support the LVFD. However, before the City of Lumberton start throwing the citizens of Lumberton funds into the flame, there needs to be a discussion about the contact the LVFD has with the City of Lumberton. I know Walters read this blog and hopefully, he could help me understand how an entity that is completely funded by the City of Lumberton is not under the control of the City of Lumberton. Once they straighten out that hose, then our elected officials and the members of the LVFD board need to come to the table and find a mutually beneficial contract that would benefit the City of Lumberton and the LVFD.

Comments

  1. Jerry WaltersMarch 23, 2012 at 2:48 PM

    Mr. Informer,
    I would be more than happy to sit down with you any time and discuss it.

    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

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

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