Jackson Ward 5 Councilman Vernon Hartley issued the following statement on the passage of the Jackson Metro Water Authority bill.
Jackson’s Ward 5 Councilman Vernon Hartley issued the following statement in opposition to recently passed legislation affecting the governance of the metro Jackson water system, now awaiting action by the Governor:
“My opposition to this bill comes from three reasons.
First, nearly 89% of the people on this system live right here in the City of Jackson. That’s the overwhelming majority, and any structure that governs this system should reflect that reality. The people who make up the system should have a voice that matches both their past and present investment in the water system.
Second, Jackson is operating under new leadership with a real commitment to getting this capital city — and this system — right. We have a Mayor who understands how the Legislature works and has the ability to work constructively with our partners at the state level. Just as important, the unified working relationship among city leadership - Mayor and City Council - puts us in the best position to solve problems, not only with the water system, but across every aspect of capital city operations.
Third, we cannot lose sight of who this impacts the most. When seniors are facing shutoffs, when someone with a disability walks into our office with a high bill, and when a working family is trying to keep water on in their home — they don’t go somewhere else; they come to their elected representative. And if we are going to be responsible for helping people, then we must also have the authority to act on their behalf.
So in summary, we should move forward in a way that reflects the majority of the owners and ratepayers of this system. We should build on the progress we’re making through new city leadership and stronger relationships with state, and we should trust the people closest to the community to continue serving our most vulnerable residents.
At the end of the day, this is about representation and accountability, and we respectfully ask that, as this bill reaches the Governor’s desk, it be considered with those principles in mind.”
28 comments:
If only he put forth this much effort into getting things resolved in the past.
Accountability has arrived...for all of the past failures of The City of Jackson.
If Jackson doesn't like the new deal, the one where they have working water and sewer systems, then STFU.
Right. Wait until the courts wrest control of the airport from your no-skill hands.
Those 89% want system to survive.
Unfortunately, Vernon, the next election will likely demonstrate, once again, that the remaining citizens of Jackson are apt to elect yet more racist, black separatist, community organizers without any governing ability whatsoever and a penchant to drive away anyone who would or could help.
A lot of people are going to jump all over Mr. Hartley for this statement, and I also disagree with him, but isn't it nice to read a statement from a dimmacrat on the Jackson City Council that doesn't cry racism, lays out a legitimate argument, and "respectfully" asks for consideration from the Governor? Mayor Horhn is the same way. Willing to meet with and discuss anything with anyone.
…which is exactly how you got to where we are now. When people call you, tell them to pay their damn bill. Life is hard. We all have struggles. Quit coddling them.
The issues in his statement prove he understands nothing about how a water/sewer system should perform when operated properly.
He mentions a mayor who understands how the legislature works. If a water/sewer system is run correctly, the legislature will never get involved.
He mentions shutoffs for seniors, disabled, and working families. We can't just let them ignore paying the bill because of those reasons. Systems take money to run, and everyone must pay for what they use. People need to prioritize better. They complain about the water bill but have cable TV, nice clothes, etc.
All he really wants is the power to steer “contracts” to local “friends”, and cancel water bills that are owed.
This whole mess and opposition by the city board has nothing to do with providing water to the city. It is not an “asset” they keep harping about. An asset would be something that could provide income to be used in a myriad of ways. All income produced by this asset should ONLY be spent to keep the water flowing.
I don’t know whether to be amused or appalled by this man’s apparent inability to see that Jackson’s government is not going to be competent to govern any time soon. The voters here simply will not stand for it.
I have known Vernon professionally for probably 30 years. He is a good guy, smart, fair, not at all racist, and truly committed to doing the right thing for everyone. I do not agree with him all the time. He does understand how these systems are supposed to work. The problems in Jackson 99% existed before he was elected. He is now dealing with getting blood from a turnip with one hand and without squeezing the turnip. I wish him luck and no contact with most of you.
Too bad Hartley can't recognize how liberating losing that water and sewer bond debt would be to the City of Jackson.
He can't think outside of the box because, deep down, culturally, he's been trained to believe that someone is out to screw him.
Vernon, if the City of Jackson cuts a check back to the federal government for $700m you can have the water back tomorrow to run it in the ground again. Get the checkbook out.
Vernon Hartley and John Horhn are only saying what their democrat plantation straw boss, Bennie Thompson, tells them to say.
Pound sand. Where were you during the Reign of Terror?
Thanks for your opinion, Vernon.
He is absolutely right: "this is about representation and accountability." The Mayors and City Councils of the last twenty years failed in their duties as elected representatives. Now they finally face accountability by having their authority over a major municipal function taken from them because they demonstrated they are idiots. As Forrest Gump said, "Stupid is as stupid does."
Hartley demonstrates that the only thing his mouth is good for is what the woman posted on Facebook, Jessica McKnuckle, said he does. Sir, you know Jackson's city administration is incompetent and has been for the last 30 years. Hopefully, the next congressional decision takes out the school system and the council. Stop flipping your gums and being delusional.
Vernon - First, you don't get to control a system you run into failure. Second, just because this administration has some level of competence doesn't mean the next one will.
Until the current elected individuals acknowledge they are not capable of managing what they were elected to manage, they will never succeed. The real smartest people in the room, get out of the way so things can be successful. The city has used the water revenue as a piggy bank for far too long. When they understand that each person should sweat a little and pull their own weight, Jackson will thrive. Instead, they blame others and scratch for handouts.
The honey pot is closed and dey are mad. Shocked.
Jackson leaders sure know how to kick up a fuss and scream about what victims they are, but they somehow cannot put that same zeal to work in competently running their own utility systems. Local politicians should understand that all their squawking doesn't keep water flowing in the pipes.
I’m reminded of the words of the great Dave Chappelle: “Or, here’s another idea that’s going to be very controversial. You could shut the fuck up!”
89% of the customers had 100% of their city council in control of the water system until their 100% of the city council, and 100% mayor, ran the system into the ground.
The more these people talk, the more they reveal that they have no idea how a water/sewer system should work. They think the water/sewer system works the same way any other city department works, which is totally not true.
Have these clowns forgotten that a short while ago that Jackson made national, and international news because Jackson, the capital of Mississippi, had no running water.
We want the ability to choose which COJ residents pay a water bill and those who do not have to.
Every leader in Jackson or leader that represents ratepayers in ridgeland or byram speaks out about how bad this bill is, just tells me how good the bill is.
"Jackson is operating under new leadership with a real commitment to getting this capital city — and this system — right". No you don't. Hohrn is just as incapable and incompetent as Chokwe was.
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