Jackson Jambalaya

Why would the city only have 1 crew working while 7 contracting crews are working? Kingfish, any insight?

I trust this statement about as much as I trust a fart during the stomach flu...

After the Yarber debacle, Public Works was a ghost town. It will become much, much better under Mr. Miller, but it will take some time. Until then, I'm glad we're going to outside talent. Few cities can match the kind of detailed reporting we're getting out of Mr. Miller and the Mayor at this point. We have been victimized by wretched Mayors for far too long. Kudos to both, and to those working with them as the chickens of neglect come home to roost.

Go Saints!

4:33, haven't you heard how it works -- Lumumba & Co. want to funnel Jackson's funds to his friends. So, situations such as the leaking water mains present a grand opportunity to continue the leaking of the Jackson's taxpayer money by hiring companies that are owned by the Lumumba & Co. friends. Smell the coffee!

5:48, you have it exactly backwards. In the past, under similar conditions, the city fought bringing in outside contractors for this type work, wanting to keep it in-house despite the fact that it would take much longer to react to the problem. Absolutely true that on the big contractors, Yarber had a desire to pass the work to his favored friends; but these emergency water breaks don't fall in that category.

As to why only one city crew today, I would guess that after working 12 hour shifts, for several days, the number of workers available without taking a day off is limited. outside contractors have a wider array of available workers so that the weekend work could continue without the same workers that had been at work in the freezing weather, working in spewing water, without a break.

Bitch all one wants, I'm thankful that there are folks out there these past few days working to repair these breaks, city crews or contract. PW Director Miller moving fast to bring in additional outside crews has been the one saving grace that kept this from being a really bad situation for all the citiens.

6:23, it should "always" be the policy of a city to perform needed work projects with its own employees who are already on the city's payroll before resort to utilizing outside contractors who drain the city's coffers with unexpected and unbudgeted expenses. That is unless . . . one wants to repay or prepay mayoral campaign contributors. But, when city employees obviously can't provide the needed manpower, the contracts should be awarded to the most-qualified low bidder(s), not the friends of the administration.

I think Miller will do an excellent job... everyone except stokes voted and approved of him... stokes voted against miller because he is white... I don't give a rats @$$ if he blue or purple... he will do great things I give chokwe a plus on this hire as I was also surprised

6:48, I didn't say anything that disagrees with you, except for when there are more problems than the city staff can provide in a timely manner. Yarber would just as soon let it take a month to fix the leaks despite the fact that people were without an essential service, to justify an otherwise bloated staff (with, of course, the required city residency.) This, all the while, that he would ensure that the major contracts were graded so that his financial supporters (not just campaign based) properly benefited.

I fall in the category that the city crews should be kept at a minimum to handle the normal daily situations; whenever there are significant problems, bring in the private contractors. Of course, those contractors should be the ones that can provide adequate performance at the best price.

11:10 - We do not have enough city crews to do normal daily work let alone a crisis like this freeze. Getting water system back is definitely critical and what the "rainy day fund" can be used for.

Oddly enough, Stokes did not vote against Miller because he is white. He voted against him because he is not an engineer.

In this case, talk is cheap. Actions that result in restored potable water and fire protection are more critical than communications to the public. These communications are nice but they do not put out fires.

I agree the work should be contracted out rather than the city hire more people. 11:03 is obviously a government or city employee with no business knowledge or knowledge of a working budget... oh stokes voted against him because is white and you know this. Your either Donna Ladd or just live in stokes ward... that's enough said.