Several photos of the property and work as it was performed were taken and placed in this photo album. Ridgeland residents also sent several photos of the site to JJ as well. Several sources said Mr. McGee had complained about water running off of the road onto his property. Thus the crews built up the front of his property by the road to stem the runoff. One reader wrote "Our street -- Maple Ave -- is not curbed and guttered. Today, there are 5 City of Ridgeland vehicles and 12 City employees literally doing dirt work in his front yard and building concrete curbs in front of his property." They started shortly after 7:00 AM yesterday and finished by 11:00 AM. The crew returned briefly this morning to rip up an old driveway slab on the property and replace it with dirt and sod. One neighbor said at least one city truck filled with dirt was used for the work yesterday.
Ridgeland Public Works Director Mike McCollum told this correspondent over the phone this afternoon Mr. McGee's neighbor built a curb on his property without a permit (The curb does indeed exist and is the length of the neighbor's lot. It is the only curb on that section of North Maple). Apparently the law of unintended consequences took place as the curb forced the water to run off onto Mr. McGee's property. The neighbor did not get a permit for building a curb on the right of way. Mr. McCollum said instead of making the homeowner remove the unauthorized work, the city decided to create a "win-win" and do "work on the right-of-way" to direct the runoff into a neighboring ditch. He said no work was done on private property.
Mayor Gene McGee was at the annual meeting of the Municipal League on the Gulf Coast.
39 comments:
Big Deal! The city is responsible for damages from diverted water drainage damaging private property.
Don't have a dog in this race, don't know McGee, but this seems to be a politically motivated report.
dam, that robt monitor is STILL almost impossible to read!
If that's wrong then half the houses in Ridgeland are wrong. Any time work is done, the city fixes their mess.
What part of this is the problem? Not seeing it. I would probably contact an entity where my tax dollars are being spent.
The City of Ridgeland has the best workers there are. I have seen them stop and help many people -- political or not.
I agree that this report was nothing more than a political slam.
He got dirt work and new grass at least 20 feet deep into his yard. Thats not on the ROW. So you are saying that if I have drainage problems I can just call the City and they will come out and dump dirt and new sod wherever I feel like I need it? Are they doing that all up and down Maple Street, or just the mayor's son's yard?
dam, that robt monitor is STILL almost impossible to read!
BUT ... you are still here complaining.
Alot I mean ALOT of drainage problems in Ridgeland in the older subdivisions that have not been fixed much less sodded!!! This location priority treatment and a first class landscaping job now we know why--
They were even digging up the asphalt slab of his old driveway and landscaping and sodding that. That has nothing to do with drainage issues, and even if it did, its off the ROW. This was just old school politics. Just like 5:50 said, I guess they are gonna put sodded berms on everyone's front yard who thinks they are getting water off the street?
I m gonna call the City of Ridgeland tomorrow to have them come look at my yard. They do first class work!
While you are calling ask about Insurance the Mayor would love to sell you some as he does alot of people that do work with the City of Ridgeland--Need I insurance call Gene-
Two commenters, one of which is KF.
Nope. Not me. I was sitting at Nicks after 6 w/ Bryan Perry, Brad White, Lyle Williams, and Mr. Mounger. Last thing on my mind.
Worth reporting KF. It smells like entitlement or a "you gave it your best shot son" type of BS. Gene ought to no better.
Kingfish = Name dropper...not impressed with whom you were dining...or where
Someone should put a sign in his yard: "Landscaping by City of Ridgeland ~ Gene Magee, Mayor". Have a backup since the first sign will disappear quickly. Be sure to take a photo and send to Madison County Herald for publication.
Property owners are legally responsible for damages when they cause run-off. Why are the taxpayers paying this expense instead of the - non-permitted - landowner who made the changes that - allegedly - caused the problem?
Which Mounger? Sr. or JR. ?
BTW, pretty good crowd, how did Brad white make the cut? lol
I said "Mr.". That was the clue. Actually not name dropping. A false accusation was made and I refuted it. I didn't make the comments, others did, and I cited several characters, I mean men of character who were around me for several hours and could vouch for my not commenting.
7:20 AM, I wondered about that myself, if Wint didn't have a claim for damages against the neighbor. Also, I'm not slamming the McGee's. I received several emails from people and they weren't anonymous either. All Ridgeland residents. So I went out there a couple of time to see what exactly was going on, I then called the public works director, with whom I had a nice conversation. He was very nice and professional and explained what they were doing. I posted most of what he said, there was no selective editing. So in other words, I received several tips, went out and checked them out to see if they were legit, and then called the city to get an explanation and posted both sides. Of course there is no pleasing some people and the political hacks don't care what you say, they are going to perform their pit bull functions anyway. If I was trying to do a hit piece, I would not have called the city and quoted the public works director and done so in a fair manner.
Keep in mind that the right-of-way extends probably 15 feet behind the edge of pavement. There is probably another 10-15 feet of drainage and utility easement behind that. If the City is 10-15 off of the road, they are in the right-of-way, or at least in the drainage easement, which is not working on private property.
Now, you could certainly make a case that they would not have done the work for others in the city who might be in the same situation.
One would have to review a legal survey to find where the ROW actually is at any particular location, but it's a pretty good bet that the pictured fire plug is within the city's ROW and is not right on the line.
Actually 8:02, fire hydrants are very rarely placed in the right-of-way. They usually are in a utility easement behind and adjacent to the right-of-way. They sit several feet back from the actual watermain due to the tee, leg extension, and valve. For reference, I design several hundred residential subdivision lots each year (with all infrastructure such as firehydrants).
8:02, I'm betting that Mike McCollum, Ben Mayes, etc. pulled a copy of the subdivision plat which will tell you the right-of-way width (probably 50 or 60 feet). You then simply pull half that distance off of the center of the road (roadway normally centered in the right-of-way). That isn't perfect but it will get you close (within a foot or so). That is what most cities do because they don't have the time and money to get a Class B survey from a registered PLS every time they do work. That is the way it is done every day, everywhere.
Drainage is horrible all over town and the main point here Nobody but the Mayor's son gets his yard fixed this quick and to perfection--There are houses flooded that do not get this attention--This is the point-Papa taken care of son at taxpayers expense--
Good job, Kingfish. I do not see this report as being politically motivated. The Ridgeland mayor has ruled his fiefdom without censure by anyone. How can anyone view this repair job as anything but cronyism and a misuse of taxpayer funds.
Keep up the good work KF
I am not politically connected, but I called the Rankin County Road guys about improper drainage. Not sure when they are going to fix it, but if they tear up my grass I have a minimum expectation that they do not rip up my grass, nor do they leave my property in any less condition than they found it. If they have to sod it, that is a reasonable expectation.
In this case is it politically connected, yes. Is it reasonable for him to ask for help from the city, yes. Is it reasonable for them to correct the problem? Yeah, maybe. Is it right that they leave it like they found it, absolutely.
Not name dropping???? LMAO
With each passing day you act more like Lange and Ladd.
You didn't need to mention one damn name to 'defend yourself'.
Gotta go now. Have a meeting with the Pope in an hour and then I'm getting together with Madonna for a blow job she owes me.
Anyone from the city of Ridgeland in Longmeadow fixing FLOODING problems today---NO maybe they are too busy watering the sod in Wint's yard--
Corrupt activity in Madison County.....where are the Jackson haters now.....isn't there a double standard from the comments section when it comes to outrage on JJ.
Kingfish - If you are going to name drop, at least spell the names right. BRYAN is spelled BRIAN! Mays me wonder if you even know him!
Really! Ridgeland is a first class city and Mayor McGee has served it well. Wint's property is at the bottom of a hill and adjacent to a ditch. If anything he improved the neighborhood by building on a lot that had issues. Find something else to complain about!
Give me a break about our leadership in Ridgeland--We are have the highest rental rate in the metro area and look what has happened to North Park--
We are going downhill--Thanks Mayor Mcgee!!
6:20...you need new material. Major yawn at all your "And yet" 's. BFD, my dear.
You live it--You see it!!!!
Liar.
Kudos to you Kingfish for the post. I was encouraged to see the post because it shows a sense of fairness and balanced reporting on your part. No one wants to see their hometown called out for anything but as a Jackson resident I'm always amused at how quickly people defend their own and bash others. Your effort to simply report what is happening is commendable. Keep the facts coming and leave conjecture and inuendo to others.
Wing has been getting free of charge "yard" work by the city of Ridgeland workers ever since his dad has been in office, per wint's wife Allison . Yard work consist of grass cutting, edging etc, just saying
Anyone see the Clarion Ledger today!! Front page metro --Lets all call who have drainage problems and see if the city will send us crews!!! Mayor McGee said he did not know about it!! That is an insult!!!!
Wint was about 12 years old when his came into office, so I'm sure a 12 year old wouldn't be getting free yard work. That right there tells you you don't know what you are talking about. Their main yard guy works for the city for his full time day job but has a yard cutting business on the side as a second job. It has nothing to do with the city. Nothing is free
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