Jackson Mayor Tony Yarber issued the following press release:
Mayor Tony T. Yarber Declares State of Emergency for City of Jackson Infrastructure
Mayor Tony T. Yarber on Thursday, March 26, signed an emergency declaration for the City of Jackson’s infrastructure system.
The Mayor has
met with Gov. Phil Bryant and representatives of the Mississippi
Department of Environmental Quality, who all support the move. The
city’s aged infrastructure
system has been plagued by problems for decades, but it has reached a
crisis point following severe winter weather.
“The city of
Jackson’s drinking water quality is among the highest in state. But the
issue is our failing infrastructure. I’m declaring this emergency to
protect our
city’s water quality,” Yarber said. “We are very serious about the
quality of life we desire for residents in Jackson. With this
declaration, we hope to gain access to federal funds that can expedite
infrastructure repairs in this city. We have a plan to fix
this.”
In recent
weeks, there have been numerous water main breaks and a growing pothole
problem. The water main breaks can cause extensive damage to public and
private property.
The breaks have the potential to lead to sewer problems and wastewater
back-ups, which are obvious threats to public health.
48 comments:
Wait, this has been an option all this time? No kidding
Looks like the Mayor has been watching Season 3 of House of Cards and took a play out of Underwood's playbook.
There is money in the FEMA account?
We must do something; this is something; ....
But really, if it works, great.
Activate the MP company in Clinton. I know a few Jackson neighborhoods that could use an armored car with a SAW mounted on it.
Purchase laws are much more relaxed when a state of emergency is declared.
Stamps' continued stated interest in bringing all the infrastructure work in-house is the disasterous mistake on the horizon that still must be avoided.
Dubious what this achieves beyond the opening of doors to more graft and corruption. A relaxation of laws is a removal of checks and balances.
It's a sweet try on his part. Doesn't he remember the federal government are the ones who insist on having final say over how repair money is spent. Tax the renters $50 per head, per year for starters. They got time to have babies, now pay for them. Those fees could help fix the broken pipes. You want flush toilets and good drinking water, then you have to pay for it. No hand outs.
Huh? oooooooooooook.
This just means rules on contracting will not apply. More room for graft. No more Federal money that was always there. It is a sad day.
I cannot think of any other possible reason to do this except to circumvent procurement law. Unbelievable.
Doesn't the council have to vote on the emergency resolution, or is Jackson's governing structure organized differently?
Figure it this way KF. 100,000 families rent. That's $200 per yr for a household of 4 ($.58 per day) = $20 million per year extra, as homeowners already are paying their part. Just a thought.
Detroit-style play. LMAO
6:24 - I am assuming you just pulled that 100k number straight out of your ass, since the census shows there are only 62k households in the entire city. Also, are you apparently implying that the city does not bill for water service to rentals? Having a little trouble following.
This ought to really help sell the gazillion homes already for sale in Jackustan. States of Emergency are big investment motivators to buyers! Way to go Mayor!!
The fact that Tony Yarber sought counsel from Phil Bryant should scare the shit out of everyone regardless of your political persuasion.
Q-dawg gonna git that obama munee frum Unkle Sammie fore Jactroit whin heez n Congrass.
@ 6:56. No need to be rude. Guess I hit a nerve as you feel entitled to a free ride. Jackson has a population of more than 62k. If I'm wrong, so be it. The extra they'd provide is because renters don't pay school taxes, nor do they pay for trash removal. Times are changing. They need to pay their fair share and stop living off the landlords.
Looks like the Knave is either posting here or reading here and taking ideas for his own.
6:56, 6:24 also doesn't seem to realize that property owners pay property taxes on the properties they rent.
@ 6:56. No need to be rude. Guess I hit an "I'm entitled" nerve. Jackson does have more than 62k residents. If I'm wrong, so what, you get the idea. Renters don't pay school taxes nor do they pay for trash removal. Their dollars and you bet your booties they have $.58 @ day would go along way in fixing this mess. It wouldn't hurt them one bit. They just have to give a little, instead of taking.
@ 7:20. Exactly. Why can't the renters pay something, also. It's a viable untapped market.
Easing procurement rules even more? Boy, this seems a great idea especially since the city has done such a good job of awarding contracts in the past…Siemens deal. Too bad the city isn't suspending the EBO (guaranteed minority participation) requirements too…that would probably help more.
The fact that Tony Yarber sought counsel from Phil Bryant should scare the shit out of everyone regardless of your political persuasion.
Dude. Phil Bryant calls states of emergency when the NWS predicts a 20% chance of bad weather. Yarber was only asking for the finer points on how to hoodwink the public. Then Tony, like Phil, can go on Jackson radio to talk about how he guided the city in dodging a bullet. No pun intended.
Betcha the beneficiaries of Yarber's EMERGENCY large$$e have already been selected.
Meet the new Harvey, same as the old Harvey.
7:14 - I am assuming you do know that the owners of those rental properties are the ones paying the taxes you speak of. Not to mention that school taxes, for example, are for schools, not sewers. Or the whole county/city tax thing.
Well, something needs to be done. Have you seen the Adkins/Ridgewood intersection lately?
Don't forget that Kennuf is back too. I have no clue how that could play out but I shiver to think...
I don't understand all of this nonsense about renters paying fees. I couldn't care less what Jackson taxes are. If Jackson taxes go up, I just increase the rent on my properties. The renters are still paying it.
Now, where to build our factory…
How about fantasyland?
Yarber said, in part...... “We are very serious about the quality of life we desire for residents in Jackson.'
-----------------------------------
Who is the "we", and why are "they" so concerned about the quality of life in Jackson if the residents themselves don't give a crap about the quality of life in Jackson?
Priester already calling BS on Yarber's SoE gambit.
"http://www.denverpost.com/environment/ci_27778454/usgs-scientists-investigating-precious-metals-found-sewage-sludge?source=rss"
I figured out the funding angle - the next time Sheffield is awash in untreated human feces they can start panning for gold (and silver) using the new technology described by USGS scientists in that Denver Post article. Jackson could soon retire its bonds!
Where is this fellow named Bennie Thompson? If there's a federal money-wand to be waved, can't Uncle Bennie get it waved?
Instead of showing up waving a union banner at Nissan? Instead of getting wrapped around the axle of lynching a suicide victim, can't Bennie wave the money wand? Instead of getting MVSC to name buildings in his honor, can't he get money for Jacktown's sewer repairs?
Where is this magical, make-believe congressman when his district needs him? I'll tell you where he is.....he's off somewhere deciding which hushpuppy recipe to use at his next Bolton gathering and which barber-shop shirt to wear on his next junket with Charlie Rangel.
Watch for legislation increasing fees for all users of the water treatment plant in Jackson. That includes part of Madison. Also look for water prices to double over the next 5 years for users.
Happening all over
http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2012/12/new_orleans_city_council_passe_4.html
7:44, you don't seem to realize that the rental market accounts for the costs of property taxes in the rents they charge. In other words, a portion of the rent paid by renters ultimately goes towards property taxes. It kills me that the same people who suggest renters pay some special tax because you ignorantly believe they don't contribute anything to property taxes are probably the same folks who rail against any other new tax.
6:40, doesn't Harper represent Jackson as well.
Taking a page out of King Harvey Johnson's "How-to-Run-Roughshod" book:
Some members of the Jackson City Council were "blindsided" by Mayor Tony Yarber's declaration of emergency announcement Thursday.
.....
"I would prefer if we, as a city council, we get a heads up," Foote said. "We're available by email or phone. I would like to get the details before it's released to the press."
Tillman, noting that Yarber is a former councilman, said he expected more from the mayor.
"You want the support of the council, and you being a former councilman, he promised he was going to keep us in the loop," Tillman said.
Mayor can not do this without city council approval.Means nothing.
this is so the mayor can reward his friends with no-bind "emergency" contracts. follow the money, guys.
Really? How many of the mayor's friends have sewer repair experience?
Soc Garrett has experience in everything.
Garrett will be first in line. He'll probably use some hidden name though.
@8:40 you must have forgotten that Garrett had a big fat juicy contract under the Johnson administration to service the sewer plant in south jackson. Millions made by Garrett under his minority participation deal. millions.
anybody read the declaration yet? I haven't but I assume that it will also cover street repair and resurfacing projects that are part of the infrastructure plan. Garrett does a shit load of those projects for the city of jackson already. I guess this "emergency declaration" will allow the mayor to get around the normal bid processes and just make "emergency" awards to Garrett. Hmm.
I doubt that happens. From what I understand, there is a divorce.
Tony Yarber is a crook.. His whole game is money, contracts, getting underhanded money..
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