City orders water plant parts nine months after fire.
JJ reported yesterday that Jackson has not fixed the hi-pressure pumps at the O.B. Curtis water treatment plant after a fire damaged the electrical panel that controls the pumps. Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba said the city ordered the parts but they were delayed due to supply-chain issues. Yours truly commented on the post:
Something that stuck out during the press conference. Notice how none of the reporters asked him when the parts were ordered. They just took him at his word and said ok.
Well, the Kingfish got that one wrong. City Engineer Dr. Charles Williams told Ross Adams (18:50) at the Monday press conference "Ross, that part was ordered on January 13. Its expected arrival will be around April 22."
Keep in mind the fire took place on April 30, 2021. To his credit, Mr. Adams asked Dr. Williams why it took so long to order the part. The city engineer said "Ross, I'm not going to get into that, Ross, because that's going to deviate into some other conversations."
The Mayor took umbrage as he usually does to tough questions and raised his voice as he address the truth-seeking reporter. He said this was not a part you just get at "Walmart." He said an "analysis" of what parts were needed had to made and "that took some time" as he wildly gestured. He said "it should be no surprise to anyone why we are where we are and why it's taking as long as it's taking."
Well, those statements were rather illuminating but may in not the way they intended. It took the city nine months to order the necessary parts for the pumps. Nine months. A classic case of paralysis by analysis. It would not be surprising to learn the insurance company required such an assessment as well as a much earlier deadline for its submission.
So, JJ owes an apology for the comment yesterday.
Kingfish note: The EPA undoubtedly knew Jackson delayed in ordering the part. Is it coincidence the EPA sent the show-cause letter just 12 days later?
23 comments:
"He said 'it should be no surprise to anyone why we are where we are and why it's taking as long as it's taking.'"
No, it most certainly is not. When the first word out of one's mouth is a dishonest excuse, one does not deserve credibility and the benefit of the doubt. The mayor keeps proving that, over and over.
Chowkey reacts in the video as he always does when his flank is exposed. The flippant weak-ass Walmart analogy replete with hand gestures says it all.
8-9 months just to order the mission critical part? Sho-nuff.
it is good that you admit your mistake but maybe you should consider cooling it with the racism and try giving Myor Lumumba the same amount of respect you give Bryan Bailey for example.
The reason for the delay is simple. Just look at history. It takes time to determine whether a minority vendor sells this panel. Then, if not, it takes time to determine if a small vendor can broker the panel from original source. Then, a minority vendor is sought for install of said panel. If, there are no minority vendors available capable of doing this work, a negotiation happens to broker these services through a minority vendor. All of this takes time.
To his credit, Mr. Adams asked Dr. Williams why it took so long to order the part. The city engineer said "Ross, I'm not going to get into that, Ross, because that's going to deviate into some other conversations."
Translates to:
My boss is an incompetent dumb ass. Case closed. Didn't order the part until pressed by the EPA. This has nothing to do about race like he tries to paint it. Someone send this to the NYT and other large media outlets he cried foul on their pages to show them how incompetent this administration is.
Chokwe doesn’t know you.
Third-world countries have their shit together more than Jackson does. Just pathetic. So glad I left.
The part itself could be made here local. The Mayor is lying as usual or ....or....or.... they JUST ordered the part instead of when it broke !
Or it took Wokey Chokey that long to find someone who would grease his palm for ordering the part......
Niknar member here:
Give me a scope of work and I'll have you a guaranteed repair price in 3 days.
Add a nice completion bonus and the pumps will be online in one week from the issuance of a purchase order and the payment placed in an escrow account.
Of course, we're not using Carlos the clown's account, or the boys' from Birmingham either.
... maybe you should consider cooling it with the racism ...
Where is the racism? Be specific.
@11:19
"Cool it with the racism" "give Lumumba respect"?
Are incompetence, nepotism and hollow, deceitful rampaging rhetoric racial attributes that are not to be called out if the offending tyrant is black? What does that impetuous emperor deserve respect for?
No doubt the delay was either because they couldn’t find a minority vendor, or they couldn’t figure out a way for someone in Jackson politics to make money. I’m rather high up at an international company that runs operations much more complex than the Jackson water plant. When we have a part go out, we find it, and replace it asap. Then again, we aren’t worried about the race of the vendor, and we don’t skim off the top.
11:24: As mayor, Chokwe is supposed to work for the entire city, not just his buddies.
Well 11:19, when the incompetent boy Mayor can actually accomplish 10%, no 5%, what the hell, lets make it easy for the boob....1%, as Bryan Bailey does on a daily basis, we'll think about what a walking disaster he is.
BUT then again, what can be said about the amount of stupidity that you've accumulated over the years to keep voting for him.
Maybe you can get the T-Shirt franchise for "Loser Jackson Resident"!!!! I mean, here ...take my money!
Charles Williams keeps his head down and plods forward with the fools and tools at hand. He would make a better mayor and given the funds, he would strive to run a first class ship no matter what color or source was necessary to succeed.
11:19 : Pointing out the obvious about a person isn't racism there Pookie. And if you are one of those folks who actually thinks The Mayor is a good mayor then you are in on the theft or you are an idiot.
Prediction here. Charles Williams will be fired or resign within 2 weeks for that comment. The read between the lines look on his face and his comment. LuDumba isn't going to take kindly to that, and will look for blame to cast.
It's too bad the reporters won't call out these obvious bullshit excuses from the Mayor. I work in government (not COJ) and we award "emergency" projects routinely for urgent repairs. The "emergency" designation streamlines the funding and acquisition process. The City has also done this historically - for example fixing major water leaks after freezing weather.
What really concerns me as a resident (besides the safety of the water...) is the solvency of the City. I wonder whether COJ was unable to muster the funds until a new fiscal year - or whether they were expecting the State to distribute federal COVID or Infrastructure funds. The Mayor and Public Works have no incentive to just intentionally disregard the repairs. It may be incompetence but there is no point fighting the EPA - especially with a "friendly" administration.
11:19 respect is earned, not given. Respectfully, Bryan Bailey is a Sheriff and tasked with law enforcement. Lumumba is a mayor and tasked with leading. Keep up.
Sheriff Bailey is prepared to make things happen, make decisions- Mayor of Jackson is prepared for NOTHING, MAKE EXCUSES-CAST BLAME
Ahhhh, 11:19. Bryan Bailey has been elected and re-elected for the job he actually does and oversees.......
There is a big difference in earning "respect" and you telling someone to give Choked-up some respect as a failed and re-failed "black mayor"....
Clown
Dr. Williams is a class act. It’s a shame that he has to be the person to interview when things break. I agree, he would make a great Mayor. I would not have lasted as long as he has in his position. Imagine being the person on camera every time the water distribution system breaks. Through no fault of his own. Tough position. Let’s just hope he doesn’t leave any time soon, because Jackson needs him desperately.
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