Wednesday, February 16, 2022

WLBT Dives into Jackson's Water Crisis

 Water, water, everywhere.... not if you live in Jackson or Byram.  Jackson's water disaster is well-known as the city struggles to provide such a basic service.  WLBT's C.J. Lemasters and Anthony Warren took a look at Jackson's water problems in a three-part series that broadcast this week.   These are not one-minute segments designed for the typical news broadcast but are over six minutes each as WLBT covers the story at a deeper level. 

Part 1 recaps the ice storm disaster that took place a year ago as well as the Lumumba administration's problems  in operating O.B. Curtis over the last few years.   

Part 2 covers the ever-shrinking revenue that is taking place as more and more water/sewer customers such as the West Rankin Utility Authority and Mississippi State Fairgrounds left the system, taking millions of dollars with them.  Byram is moving towards establishing its own system as well. Byram's departure would mean an annual loss of over $3 million in water revenue to Jackson.  

Tune in tomorrow for Part 3.  

45 comments:

Anonymous said...

You get what you pay for…..uhhh, unless you live in Jackistan

Anonymous said...

Being someone who has presented COJ with proven self-funding wastewater improvments, it became clear that all the administration was interested in is legal extortion (campaign donations) and minority participation numbers. All one has to do is look at the two recent projects, water meter replacement & the trash pickup deals, and look at who's on those teams and their campaign "donations". ETEC and OG are helping run the show behind the scenes and its not a coincidence that their favorite song is Bob Seger's Shakedown.

Anonymous said...

Then why does Channel 3 never confront the mayor over his lies about the city water system?

Anonymous said...

Good job Ludumba

Anonymous said...

WLBT is the only News Station that does News.
The other News station in Jackson is just for entertainment.

Anonymous said...

Don't tell me. It's the State's fault this has happened to the waterworks, right?

Anonymous said...

Not to mention the loss in revenue when customers don't pay their bill with no ramifications whatsoever.

Anonymous said...

Strange. I've only known the local MSM to reprint press releases. They're gonna get in trouble for asking questions.

Anonymous said...

Lmao @ 0 comments

Anonymous said...

The fact that Lumumba was reelected shows that Jackson citizens do not care about competence.

Anonymous said...

The city engineer went from saying we did nothing wrong from an operational standpoint and that it was "solely due to the storm" to..."we didn't have enough experienced workers to diagnose the problem."

So which is it???

Anonymous said...

Nothing new in Part 1. Part 2 is good work.

Kingfish said...

Rez froze over twice in the 90's.....

Anonymous said...

10:44 - and his constituents will respond "What does competence have to do with him being mayor?"

Anonymous said...

The city engineer is Chowke's puppet.

Anonymous said...

The crybaby mayor gets mad when someone gets off the Jackson water system yet also doesn’t want to bother with it
Can’t have it both ways. He just wants people to keep paying for no water

Anonymous said...

There's just not much to discuss.

The elected leaders are only interested in solutions that include untethered funds for them, and media face-time to further their own careers.

All this at the expense of tax payers, yet the voters approve of them.

You can't fix that. This is just life now for them.

Anonymous said...

We do not eat at any places in Jackson because they are cooking with the tainted water.

Anonymous said...

7:54 AM
It’s not like they’re missing your business.

Anonymous said...

What's the rez freezing over in the 90s got to do with anything?

Anonymous said...

The title made me dry heave.

Anonymous said...

@8:23 if you can't figure that out then you probably should step away from your keyboard and refrain from commenting any further.

Anonymous said...

The only solution for Jackson is to gentrify. I know that's a 'dirty' word, but I'd say look at Laurel to see the benefits. Fucking out of staters in Laurel. When I first heard that it was shocking to me. Considerign the early '00s you could have thrown hand grenades in old downtown at lunch and not killed a soul, there's actual businesses and foot traffic there.

Granted Jackson Metro Area already has out of staters that's not shocking.

8:19 AM
Judging by how things are going south of county line (Marshalls moving to the old Steinmart in Madison among other businesses closing...Burlington), I'd say you're wrong.

Anonymous said...

8:23 AM
The implication is that a large body of water froze meaning it got colder than the last freeze and the system didn't shit the bed like it did last time.

Anonymous said...

"Being someone who has presented COJ with proven self-funding wastewater improvements, it became clear that all the administration was interested in is legal extortion (campaign donations) and minority participation numbers"

This is the whole issue with everything going on with the City of Jackson. Mr. Transparent Administration doesn't care about his constituents, he's concerned about enriching his pockets and posturing for a more national position in the liberal/social justice/woke mob crowd. Why do you think he keeps flying off to Atlanta all the time while not mentioning the murder & water crisis going on in his city. He had a mask on at the airport headed to Atlanta that said "poverty warrior". I wonder what poverty he is a warrior for because it damn sure isnt the poverty and living conditions in his own city.

Anonymous said...

West Rankin: "Hmmm, we can pay more to a city that is far more concerned with which groups do the work. The work likely will not correct the problem, meaning we will have to cough up more money to an incompetent administration and be at their mercy. Or, we can spend less money, build our own new and up to date facility, and bring in our own personnel whose priority will be our residents."

Anonymous said...

I recall a TV news report in which Jackson's mayor reminded everyone that the city owns all the water lines serving Byrum. He indicated that it gives Jackson an upper hand in negotiating Byrum's exit from Jackson's water system. But I've also read that Byrum's mayor claims those water lines are decrepid & worthless & that he won't give Jackson a dime for them. Ought to be fun.

Anonymous said...

@8:55 AM Chowke's mask is classic "virtue signaling."

Anonymous said...

People are tired of the talk about minority contracts rather than the most qualified.

Anonymous said...

They could run a special 24 hours a day and 7 days a week and its not going to matter. You can't make a silk purse out of a sows ear. They re-elected this guy with 70% of the vote when they had no running water. I think that is all you need to know.

Anonymous said...

The idea that Jackson can gentrify it's way out of this death spiral is total folly.

Anonymous said...

The water system in Jackson wasn't well maintained in 1979, so why all of you and the media think this is a new set of problems is astounding to me.

You apparently weren't reading or comparing the water quality reports.

Nor did you pay attention to the Reservoir management.

You did not read the stories after the flood of 1979 in Jackson in detail or you'd have predicted this future.
And, as for the mayor...

Have you forgotten why Mississippi passed a law allowing those convicted federal crimes to run for office?

Did you not notice those you had elected suddenly improving their standard of living all these decades? You had elected officials decades ago who were never successful in the private sector but who, after election had condos in Florida, club memberships and a huge bump in their "standard of living. Some of them hold more important offices as I write.

You gave all those you've elected for decades a " map" and a " green light" and now you are "shocked" and " angry" that current politicians are improving on duping you and furthering their self-interest.

Oh wait...you just are shocked and angry with those who you don't support and who don't look like you. You either can't see "the hole in the ship from your " cabin" or refuse to look. And, you continue to wonder why Mississippi doesn't improve its standing. You rather feel defensive and superior yourself than see the entire State prosper.

Forever, the "Delta", the " Jackson area" and " the Coast" have looked down on each other. The universities aren't just sports rivals, they look down on each other's graduates.

Count on the fact that anytime you let one party have control,anytime you don't hold your party's representatives accountable, you can count on the the future party members to make the past corrupt ones look like " saints" by comparison.





Anonymous said...

A BRUTALLY HONEST MESSAGE FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO STILL BELEIVE THAT MS IS A DECENT PLACE TO LIVE AND FIGHT FOR POSITVE CHANGE

-------------------------

Remember, the crew of the Titanic fought hard to keep it afloat, but it still went down. Mississippi has been and always will be a terrible place to live. All the data available supports this and the truth is that facts don't care about your feelings no matter how emotionally invested you all are in the national embarrassment that is Mississippi. Do yourself and your family a favor and leave now. Don't martyr yourself.

"Mississippi was one of only three states to lose population in the latest census, conducted in 2020. If this trend continues through the 2030 census cycle, Mississippi could be left with only three seats in the U.S. House of Representatives."

*UM Center for Population Studies

Anonymous said...

11:06 Uuummmm....yeah...uhhhhhh...ok.

Anonymous said...

Not losing seat in 2030.

Anonymous said...

11:06 in summary: White people stole money and now its our turn.

Got it.

Anonymous said...

People can only be accountable for their tenure. Lumumba shouldn't get the credit or the blame for what happened under Dale Danks, or Kane Ditto, or Harvey Johnson, or Frank Melton, or father Lumumba, or anybody else. Mayor Lumumba should only be judge based on his tenure.

Having said that, Lumumba is failing badly at water and sewer. He has only made progress in the WRONG direction. He needs to be voted out. They need someone competent to replace Charles Williams, who they all worship for some reason. I guess they are impressed that he has a doctorate. They don't need a doctor. They need some work ethic and leadership and skills. Dr. Charles ain't it. And employees have to be held accountable.

It's a mess, but it's fixable. It will take time, money, hard work, and patience. The folks in charge now are not the answer.

And one problem is nobody who has the work ethic, skill, and ability to fix it would want to take the job. Why would they? Why would you be public works director of Jackson when you could be public works director of one of the nice suburban areas? Maybe that's why they are stuck with Dr. Charles Williams.

Anonymous said...

You get the government you deserve.

Anonymous said...

how much did it cost the city when the local hospitals realized that they could not depend on the infrastructure to support basic healthcare needs and acquired their own wells? And for the city to issue the permit, how much did they "charge" each hospital??? (UMC has had well for many years; St. Dominic since 2011ish).....

Anonymous said...

Slow your roll, KF.

The Garbage emergency is clearly more important at this time.

The esteemed mayor obviously has priorates straight and his constituents approve.

Anonymous said...

"The only solution for Jackson is to gentrify."

I bet ol' Tom Head is even calling for some that gentrification now that he used to rail against back when it was the new liberal buzzword of the day.

Anonymous said...

11:06 They get new Bennie Thompson signs in the Delta every 2 years. I worked that area for several years so I know what I'm talking about.

Anonymous said...

It's not a crisis until Baby Chowke says so.

Anonymous said...

Look at all the "fresh water" Jackson got today for free.......wonder how they'll screw that up by not capitalizing on that.

Oh well, it'll wash all the doo-poo out of people's yards.

Anonymous said...

8:17 : Have you seen how WLBT ends it morning news broadcast ? They WORSHIP the Mayor. Worship.


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Trollfest '09

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.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

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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Trollfest '07

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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