Monday, September 26, 2022

Will EPA Provide Muscle for Mayor?

 Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba might get an assist from the EPA in his efforts to kick the state out of any bailouts for Jackson's water system.  Annie Snider reported in Politico last week:

 

Advocacy groups that see racial bias as a major cause of the water crisis in Jackson, Miss., are debating new strategies for taking the Republican-controlled state government out of the lead role when it comes to steering federal spending in its capital city.

Those tactics could include filing a federal civil rights complaint accusing the state of shortchanging the Black-majority city of 150,000 people when distributing federal water infrastructure dollars. Another option under consideration, people involved in the discussions said, is getting Congress to steer additional water funding to Jackson without Mississippi’s involvement — a sharp change from the central role states traditionally play in distributing these kinds of dollars.

 And then there is what advocates dub the nuclear option: pushing the Environmental Protection Agency to revoke the state’s authority to carry out enforcement of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. EPA would then oversee Mississippi’s more than 1,000 drinking water systems directly, something it now does only in Wyoming and the District of Columbia. That would put the federal government in charge of not just distributing federal dollars, but also inspecting the systems’ infrastructure and ensuring water quality meets federal standards....

 Does anyone want to guess which option appeals most to these groups? 

“The state is in a place, it’s got a lot of power to either make things easier for Black communities or to make things harder, and what we feel like has happened in Mississippi is that the state has used its power to make things harder for Black folks,” said Abre’ Conner, director of environmental and climate justice with the NAACP...

Really? That community blew up its own water system through ten years of successive mayors and didn't need any Republican help in doing so.   Blowing up the billing system, covering up EPA orders, stalling on ordering much-needed parts, allowing staffing to wither away, and managing to lose nearly $20 million a year on water was done by who? 

Ms. Snider shows about as much knowledge about the Jackson water system as does the rest of the drive-by reporters: 

The immediate emergency in Jackson receded late last week when the city lifted a boil-water order that had been in place for more than 40 days, after floodwaters inundated the city’s drinking water plant. But it will still take years and millions, if not billions, of dollars to repair the decrepit water system, which first went into operation in 1914.

Yes, Ms. Snider, Fewell went into operation over 100 years go.  However, the cursed O.B. Curtis plant was built in 1993 and 2007 and is supposed to have a daily treatment capacity of 50 million gallons.  Small detail, I know. 

JJ has a pretty good idea who the source is for Ms. Snider's article.  Notice anything here? 

A 2020 engineering report from EPA detailed the plant’s many problems, including inadequate staffing, “inoperable” equipment and failures to monitor for lead. EPA issued an enforcement order the same year, finding that the system “presented an imminent and substantial endangerment to the health of persons served by the system.” In 2021, federal regulators and the city reached a legal agreement to bring the city into compliance with federal drinking water requirements.

Um, yeah.  What did the mayor call the emergency administrative order? "Letter", "administrative process gap", and of course, "report."   This was no accident, Ms. Snider called the order "a review" in another article published last week. It seems she is just as determined as is the mayor to avoid calling the order an order.  

The crux of the various options is the state allegedly discriminated against Jackson in allegedly withholding federal funds for Jackson.  There is always a rest of the story so it will be interesting to see the state's response if lawsuits are indeed filed.  

 Stay tuned. 


13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Believe me none of this will happen. If it is tried the state will sue the crap out of the federal govt. When they do the trial will be great because all of the garbage the mayor spews out will come to light.

Anonymous said...

The NAACP has only one tool in its chest to advance the cause of people of color; the race card.

Anonymous said...

Gov. Reeves, please stay out of the City of Jackson's business. They have proved themselves to be competent on numerous occasions. The mayor was placed on the infrastructure committee at the Smart City Expo. This is all the proof you need. Sincerely, a concerned taxpayer that does not reside in the Radical City.

Anonymous said...

I love Organized Crime.

Anonymous said...

Bwa, ha, ha, y'all re-elected this criminal, so suck it up Bucko.

Works every time said...

If you don’t like something, the new solution is to scream racism

Anonymous said...

Dear "Advocacy Groups,"

Please, please file that lawsuit. Maybe when a federal district judge states the facts in a written order, it will finally put and end to all this BS.

Anonymous said...

Just more of the same liberal policy regarding race. I can hear them planning now: "We know you black people can't take care of yourselves, so since we white liberals have always known what's best for you, don't you worry yourself about all the self-inflicted problems you've caused. We've got plenty of money, and we'll come in and help you. Not only will you then be further beholden to us, we'll also let you get your jabs in at those mean 'ol republicans and make it seem like you're the ones who helped yourselves all along."

Hide and watch. It's coming.

Anonymous said...

Lumumba
Your a disaster… you should be lucky that Tate bailed your stupid ass out. I live in NE Jackson by the way.

Anonymous said...


Some DA Mayor should appreciate Gov, Reeves seeing to your Business since you can't or want. Our States responsibility should STOP when pumps are provided to provide input into the Plant Jackson hasn't provided. Mayor this is on You for a lack of LEADERSHIP, for a lack of Priorities-- run your Ship into the Ground you dumb bastard--

Anonymous said...


Jackson, you chose you're Leader, he's all lip service.. Yall chose your Meter replacement Co. Jackson is responsible and should live with the results of your decision.. Lauwamba is a mouthpiece, not a results oriented Guy.. Live with what yall seem to have chosen folks-

Anonymous said...

So the City doesn't want the State involved in the City's water business any more ? Ok, no problem. When the winter freezes hit and the pipes bust and water is lost once again, don't ask or expect the State to come in and save the day again. The City's got this, right ? Right ?

Anonymous said...

@8:24
No the city leadership doesn’t want to have the indignity of being forced to beg a bunch of rosy cheeked racist doughboys to get the support they deserve.


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Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

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Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


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Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

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!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

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