Wednesday, June 26, 2019

Mayor Fires Back in Water Bill Lawsuit

Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba issued the following statement.

As I stated when the City filed its recent lawsuit against Siemens, our number one concern is the citizens and residents of Jackson. One of the primary burdens for many citizens has been inaccurate and exceedingly high water bills. Addressing this issue has been an ongoing process, and despite the claims in last week’s lawsuit filed against the City, the City has maintained a process for addressing such billing issues since it began dealing with the fallout of the disaster that was the Siemens contract.

We want to make sure the citizens of Jackson are aware that if they receive an inaccurate water bill, the City has a process in place to provide them with relief. Last year, I issued a Water Sewer Customer Bill of Rights Executive Order that allows for citizens to address any bill through the City Attorney’s Office and the City Council. A link to a digital facsimile of those rights may be found on the main page of the City’s official website. Citizens may also contact the City Attorney’s Office at 601-960-1799 with any questions regarding the process.

The Customer’s Bill of Rights was created to find a solution that is affordable to the citizen and allows the City to continue to collect the revenue that is critical to operating the water system.

I also want to comment directly on last week’s lawsuit filed against the City. It was filed by a former Jackson City Attorney and his current law partner. The former City Attorney held that position at the time the current water meter and billing system was purchased from Siemens. In fact, he reviewed and vouched for the legal sufficiency of that contract. In other words, he was a direct participant in the purchase of the system that he now claims has harmed his clients. His partner was also involved in the City’s purchase of the Siemens contract, serving as counsel on the bond that was issued to pay Siemens $90 million for their work. As a result, both attorneys are witnesses in the lawsuit their firm has filed. In addition, the former City Attorney has now sued his former client, the City of Jackson, related to a matter in which he directly participated in as service to its citizens. Such conduct is highly problematic and will be vehemently challenged on all fronts.

The City intends to address all legal issues in court rather than in the media and the political arena, but it is important to me that the citizens understand that last week’s lawsuit is unfounded. The City will work with all citizens to address the inaccurate and unfair water bills that have resulted from the deficient performance of Siemens and its chosen subcontractors.”

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

Pieter Teeuwissen wouldn't know a conflict if it bit him in the ass.

Anonymous said...

this conduct by teeuwissiuen is disgraceful . i what to know when the mississippi state bar disciplinary committee is going to look into this. or are they too busy trying to decide where to go to lunch?

Anonymous said...

I am an average citizen of Jackson and am not privy to who did what. I would love to know what the hell he is talking about. All I know is I don't think the water situation will ever be straightened out. I wonder just who takes home my taxes. This place is a mess... I don't care what race runs the city if they will just run it properly. I don't know why Baby Chock would even want to be mayor of Jackson. That poor man inherited a nightmare. Why have our public servants run off the tax base and run Jackson into the ground (for years and years?) Are they proud of the ghetto they've created? Mixing greed and idiots has created such a disaster.

Anonymous said...

blah blah blah......

Anonymous said...

This is what it looks like when a cannibal starts eating its own foot.

Anonymous said...

So because Teeuwissen was city atty at the time means it’s his fault? I’m confused. It’s this lawsuit about the citizens that have been wronged and a city that’s cutting off their water? Did Teeuwissen install the meters and software?

Anonymous said...

9:20 you obviously are misinformed. They always eat Keifer’s!

Anonymous said...

Jackson - what a "third world" city should look like. Jackson would be a great location for filming "The Omega Man II."

Anonymous said...

Need alert
Tutorial segment

Ethical rules prohibit a lawyer from suing a client he used to represent absent some specific circumstances

The mayor just alerted the public he took ethics

What's Pieter Smoking? said...

ABA Model Rules, Rule 1.9, "Duties to Former Clients":

(a) A lawyer who has formerly represented a client in a matter shall not thereafter represent another person in the same or a substantially related matter in which that person's interests are materially adverse to the interests of the former client unless the former client gives informed consent, confirmed in writing.

Anonymous said...

I see a Jackson problem when this action was moved from a Hinds county or Jacktown judge.

Kingfish said...

He is a sharp lawyer and probably anticipated this response. The City will likely file a motion to disqualify counsel or something similar. He will file a response. Then we will have some fun on this site.

Anonymous said...

Lumumba is coherent and accurate this time. This feels weird to agree with him completely

Anonymous said...

Peters separation agreement with the city probably addresses this issue....hes no dummy

Anonymous said...

So, let's play out the idea that this lawsuit will go forward. If the City wants to call as a witness a particular someone who worked on the Siemens contract negotiations, someone who was the City Attorney during the years in dispute ... they will call Pieter? The same dude who is suing the City? I just hope they pay him double since he will be on both sides of this lawsuit! What nitwits on this blog.

Anonymous said...

to kingfish....'sharp lawyer'?...he did not look too sharp when he got his ass handed to him by wingate in federal court back in 2006 after that idiot frank melton shut down babes gentlemen club. all of his arguments kept bumping into one another. the city ended upping out a huge damage award and about 40 grand in legal fees.

Anonymous said...

3:42 PM, I forgot about that one. How does one lose to Babe's? Babe's ought to be stripped of their pomp and frills, but I digress.

I remember when the city had to approve the legal settlement at the City Council. How Quixotic Melton seemed in such a short time afterwards in his tilting at Babe's Strip Club.

P.S. Long Live Danny's, where the real talent lives.

Anonymous said...

Representing Melton is not the case any lawyer would want to be rated on.

Anonymous said...

As 2:49 alluded, a lawyer is generally disqualified to act as an attorney in a case where that lawyer may also be called as a witness.

Anonymous said...

Melton's problem with Babes was that they didn't have school-boys on the pole.

Anonymous said...

to 5:49......pretty easy today that now. but back during the babes litigation he, along with his life legal dream team, couldn't wait to get out there and start showing their ass. and they got their asses served up to them on a platter.

Anonymous said...

Baby Chok will be OK as long as he doesn't "give up" Hillary.

Anonymous said...

Obviously the prior city attorney had zero to do with the water meter contract. Otherwise, even one who stoops to the level of a city attorney job would know not to represent in a situation like this one. Don'tchaknow?


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If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

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