tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post2254090722966110019..comments2024-03-28T01:22:08.723-05:00Comments on Jackson Jambalaya: Governor Vetoes Jackson Water Forgiveness BillKingfishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06184990110961727404noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-10671137116542449232020-07-01T09:56:28.206-05:002020-07-01T09:56:28.206-05:00June 30 @ 11:15 p.m. here. I meant "SM" ...June 30 @ 11:15 p.m. here. I meant "SM" instead of "SP," which was supposed to stand for Special Master.<br /><br />The only reason I can figure that this bill passed unanimously is that a lot of politicians thought a give-away to Jackson would score them points/votes with black folks. If that's true, it's extremely cynical and confirms they really don't think very highly of most black people.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-37022060145394502872020-07-01T08:06:28.810-05:002020-07-01T08:06:28.810-05:00@5:15 I can tell you that there were thousands wh...@5:15 I can tell you that there were thousands who straight-piped illegally. When found, Jackson would work with the folks to get them compliant and legal. The ones being prosecuted are the ones who insisted on doing it the hard way. They are the ones that refused to become compliant. But there were thousands who straight-piped.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-91930772004211979282020-07-01T08:05:49.034-05:002020-07-01T08:05:49.034-05:00The Governor is right. Forgiveness was proposed as...The Governor is right. Forgiveness was proposed as the solution because it is easier than developing and implementing a real solution. And it was a ploy to garner political support for the Mayor.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-83249451851488185822020-07-01T06:42:26.384-05:002020-07-01T06:42:26.384-05:00You'd have to be a real loose lug nut to think...You'd have to be a real loose lug nut to think Jackson's mayoral administration simply wanted 'to work out a payment plan with the impoverished citizens of Jackson'. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-29950434936299743832020-07-01T00:09:25.409-05:002020-07-01T00:09:25.409-05:00Above comments by Mrs. Mullen are absolutely corre...Above comments by Mrs. Mullen are absolutely correct! I did not receive a water bill for over 14 months (yes, I called about it) and then I received a bill for over $3,000. Called again and people in Detroit were of no help. Get the bill right and we will pay. Lumumba Sr. doubled these bill amounts well before the recent issues. He also had processing moved to Detroit. Why? Who knows.<br /><br />Also, Mrs. Mullen is a great cupcake maker!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-32808707501774656372020-06-30T23:15:22.679-05:002020-06-30T23:15:22.679-05:00A court of competent jurisdiction could appoint a ...A court of competent jurisdiction could appoint a special master to oversee the administration of the past-due water bill settlement program. The SP could appoint a steering committee to represent the water utility and one to represent the people/businesses who owe back bills. The SP would already have all of the judicial powers that this bill attempted to give to a yet-to-be-created administrative system.<br /><br />What about a reasonable flat rate per house and per business for arrearages? It could be based on location, squarefootage, number of bathrooms, etc. Prorate the past due amount over a period of months or years and add it each bill going forward, with a cap on the amount the can be added per month. If someone truly qualified for complete debt forgiveness, through need or some affirmative defense, the SP would already be qualified and empowered to do that on a case-by-case basis.<br /><br />Surely it wouldn't be too hard for people with this kind of experience to hammer out a workable settlement grid. Mass tort lawyers do this all the time. As far as the expense, I suspect it would be justified compared to the amount in controversy, which is currently not collectible.<br /><br />Of course, all this would be useless/until the water billing system is actually fixed. I just seems to me that this belongs in the courts, rather than legislating a new administrative system to be created and managed by the same party that created the problem, i.e, the City of Jackson.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-19179774288965060942020-06-30T21:58:21.634-05:002020-06-30T21:58:21.634-05:00In most cases, they’re not getting paid because th...In most cases, they’re not getting paid because the bills are wrong! When attempts to get reconciled go unresolved because of inadequate personnel, you get unpaid water bills. No one is going to pay a $3,000 water bill that they know is incorrect! Fix the system! Kristen Mullenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05749817457231465603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-70190420005999158512020-06-30T21:40:13.816-05:002020-06-30T21:40:13.816-05:00If the leaders of Jackson really give a damn about...If the leaders of Jackson really give a damn about the people, they will work tirelessly and come up with a different, more passable, version of this bill. If they cry foul and scream racism, this Bill was never about the people of Jackson to begin with.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-33281402468153871122020-06-30T20:14:06.939-05:002020-06-30T20:14:06.939-05:00Chuck and his new world order. Let someone else pa...Chuck and his new world order. Let someone else pay while you brag on your next plan to make Jackson great. Next bill will be for Mississippi to pay to feed the animals at the zoo. Where will it end. We all know the answer to that question. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-33443507364835620352020-06-30T18:31:17.164-05:002020-06-30T18:31:17.164-05:00The only thing holding Jackson together is the gov...The only thing holding Jackson together is the government offices and the people who work in them. Imagine what Jackson would be like if the people picked another city to be our capital city. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-7578126663440417662020-06-30T17:39:06.039-05:002020-06-30T17:39:06.039-05:00Water bills matter.
Pot holes and raw sewage do ...Water bills matter.<br /> <br />Pot holes and raw sewage do not.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-73187343913906390102020-06-30T17:15:38.307-05:002020-06-30T17:15:38.307-05:00@1149
What do you think the state should "DO...@1149<br /><br />What do you think the state should "DO" for the city of Jackson? You reference all the state owned buildings in the city - you do realize of course that they are full of employees that spend money every day in the city, supporting the restaurants, gas stations, etc that still are here.<br /><br />But more than that, the state is giving $12 Million a year to the city for infrastructure improvements - in the Capitol City Complex bill - something that the state is not giving to any other town or city in the state. <br /><br />This $12 million (that's with a "M") is going to water, sewer, and streets in the city and the argument for it was that there are many state owned buildings that are not subject to property taxes.<br /><br />What else is not subject to property taxes that own a great deal of property in downtown Jackson?<br /><br />Churches<br />Hospitals, and their owned property for medical clinics<br />Non-profits that 'lobby' the state government<br /><br />Last time I checked, only the state was paying extra for the benefit of driving on the city's streets, doing without water during the many 'outages', and having to provide their own security services due to the inadequacies of JPD.<br /><br />You think their 12 mil isn't enough? What would you suggest would be an appropriate payment?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-37854884009207281992020-06-30T17:15:26.521-05:002020-06-30T17:15:26.521-05:00"The bill is unconstitutional". "T..."The bill is unconstitutional". "The bill is a giveaway for the city of Jackson". Before the normal disgust with anything having to do with Jackson, I've got to wonder what was persuasive enough about this measure to get such overwhelming passage in the Mississippi legislature where Jackson enjoys no<br />advantages whatsoever. Were they bribed? Jackson has no money. Were they threatened? Must have been at gunpoint. Can they read? Good question.<br /><br />If it's so bad, and such favoritism for Jackson, how did it happen? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-44549981072068149652020-06-30T17:15:04.213-05:002020-06-30T17:15:04.213-05:002:20, there is a problem with using prior usage of...2:20, there is a problem with using prior usage of water before the new water meters were put in.<br />Most people did not pay a water bill. Many straight piped their water.<br />Haven't you see the people who have been charged with water theft?<br />There might be a few more that they haven't caught.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-10012060682339221672020-06-30T17:07:57.603-05:002020-06-30T17:07:57.603-05:00According to the Governor's statement it was u...According to the Governor's statement it was unanimous... so every one of them voted for it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-19635565410684794732020-06-30T17:07:56.653-05:002020-06-30T17:07:56.653-05:0011:55, nice try, but come back again with a better...11:55, nice try, but come back again with a better argument next time. <br /><br />Those with incorrect water bills do not have to "go to court" - the city created an administrative officer (of course it was required to be a lawyer, who else can use common sense) that is getting paid several hundred dollars an hour, to listen to complaints about incorrect bills and make a recommendation to the city council.<br /><br />This legislation wasn't about those folks - this was about the people who didn't pay their bill for months, nay years, and continued to use not just the water, but also the sewer and the garbage collection fee that went along with that water. Some of these folks didn't pay their bills because they were giving kickbacks to employees within the water department, particularly those that were supposed to be reading the meters. Some were those that were straight-piping their water, with tools installed by rouge water department employees. Some were those that had their water cut off due to non-payment, but had it cut back on by rouge employees.<br /><br />The city's problem is that if they cut off these 'citizens' entitlement to water (and sewer and garbage, I assume) they will just transfer the service to son, daughter, grandson, etc and get new service and the old bill never gets paid. <br /><br />If someone has a truly screwed up bill, the city is already adjusting their bills - this is a way to let the 'poofolks' not have to pay for all that garbage collection (at $25/month) they have been given for years while stealing their water.<br /><br />Thankfully, the Governor say through this sham and cut out the continuation of this crime.<br /><br />And to KF - its not because they didn't have their wonderful lobbyist on board, he wouldn't know how to get to the Governor's office, much less talk about the issue. Maybe what the city should do is take that 130,000 dollars they were paying to him, split of course with all the appropriate cronies, and put it on a few of their favored water customer's billsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-6835105160496362072020-06-30T16:19:55.456-05:002020-06-30T16:19:55.456-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07889574491614107160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-56060811919827371182020-06-30T16:02:20.020-05:002020-06-30T16:02:20.020-05:00Can we see a list of who voted for this? I can'...Can we see a list of who voted for this? I can't believe anyone would pass a bill like this.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07889574491614107160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-79151179576964344522020-06-30T15:56:54.854-05:002020-06-30T15:56:54.854-05:00There might more cities wanting to be a part of th...There might more cities wanting to be a part of this legislation and water forgiveness concept...and that's why the governor vetoed. Next up...Moss Point, Gautier, Cleveland....it's your turn.<br /><br />https://www.sunherald.com/news/local/counties/jackson-county/article242326201.html <br /><br />https://bolivarcommercial.com/2020/01/08/city-wades-through-water-meter-issues/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-63753428810215085782020-06-30T15:03:09.051-05:002020-06-30T15:03:09.051-05:0012:03...You just stepped off the Trailways last we...12:03...You just stepped off the Trailways last week and haven't even unpacked your grip yet, right? You're Pitt Panther's cousin from South-Philly, come to stay awhile, right? Or you're Otis Campbell's brother-in-law who's come for a visit and don't yet know your way around, right?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-80365168476682542582020-06-30T14:58:43.538-05:002020-06-30T14:58:43.538-05:00As a taxpayer, I don’t want to pay twice for my wa...As a taxpayer, I don’t want to pay twice for my water. Once for me, and again for Jackson residents. Anyone who wants to make this extra payment can just mail a check to the Jackson water dept.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-57790391480753769762020-06-30T14:53:17.653-05:002020-06-30T14:53:17.653-05:00"Not a Tate fan, but the state code does not ..."Not a Tate fan, but the state code does not allow municipalities to give water away.<br /><br />June 30, 2020 at 10:32 AM"<br /><br />Well the bill would have changed the state code so that would've probably fixed that. However it's still unconstitutional under the state constitution.<br /><br /><br />Also FWIW, 20+ years ago I received a 2-month, water/sewer/garbage bill from Jackson for a house that was unoccupied at the time. The bill was somewhat in excess of $131,000. That is not a misprint. If you do the math, you will find that one cannot flow that much water through a household service line or meter in 2 months time, period. Anyway, I'm tired of hearing about people's measly $800 water bills.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-13100218792554969162020-06-30T14:20:40.671-05:002020-06-30T14:20:40.671-05:0012:38....that is exactly what this bill was suppos...12:38....that is exactly what this bill was supposed to address.<br /><br />12:30....the problem is, nobody can go back and figure out what people actually owed because of the faulty meters (or faulty installation). Yes, the city can adjust the bills if they know what the correct amount is. But nobody can say what that is. This bill allowed the city and the customer to work through a reasonable estimate/settlement of the past due amounts based on prior usage before the new meters were installed. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-86501156385265700942020-06-30T14:12:46.936-05:002020-06-30T14:12:46.936-05:00So, did any of the legislators even read this joke...So, did any of the legislators even read this joke of a bill? Think about it people. Your legislator voted "yes."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-19345915480141449092020-06-30T13:33:29.032-05:002020-06-30T13:33:29.032-05:00@12:03 please stop taking points of fact as an &qu...@12:03 please stop taking points of fact as an "agenda against the only city in the entire state". Jackson has problems and denial & defending it isn't going to do anything to make it any better.<br /><br />As for the "can't be a state of towns under 50k people" remark... We will likely never be home to a major metropolitan area like NYC, LA, etc. and I think most Mississippians are fine with that. By the way, Delaware, Maine, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming seem to be hanging in there and each of their largest cities are around 100k or less. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com