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Repairs tabled for Woodhaven Drive
Published Wednesday, June 24, 2009
NATCHEZ — Alderman Bob Pollard says Woodhaven Drive is in danger of collapsing, but the rest of the aldermen were leery about immediately approving $12,000 for repairs.
City Engineer David Gardner told the aldermen at Tuesday’s meeting that it wasn’t a matter of if the street would collapse, but when.
Water is bypassing a culvert and flowing directly under the one-way-in, one-way-out street, Gardner said.
“The street is basically an asphalt bridge across the hole,” he said. “I recommend we move forward.”
Pollard initially made a motion that the culvert be repaired and replaced pending funding approval through the city clerk’s office, but Alderman James “Ricky” Gray said he thought aldermen were going to bring the costs before the board before any new work was to be done.
When Pollard replied that he had gotten a quote for $12,000, Gray balked again.
“I am kind of caught off guard here,” he said. “I thought we had a hearing saying we were going to have to lay people off, and I am not prepared to commit $12,000 until we make sure we have the money and none of our employees and other priorities are going to get cut.”
Alderwoman Joyce Arceneaux-Mathis said in some cases community development block grant money can be used for emergency repairs such as the Woodhaven problem.
Alderman Dan Dillard made a motion to table the decision until the board’s July 7 meeting, at which time City Clerk Donnie Holloway will tell the board how the funding will be provided for the project if it is available.
Also during the meeting, Arceneaux-Mathis made a motion that the city find out what it needs to do to take possession of any state-owned land from delinquent tax repossessions within the city limits.
The reason for this is because the state-owned properties are becoming overgrown or falling into disrepair, and to even cut the grass on the properties the city has to get permission from the state before they can send a crew on the property to clean it, Arceneaux-Mathis said.
“Since we are already (cleaning these properties), to me the State of Mississippi is at fault,” she said. “If they are getting these properties due to people not paying their taxes, they should send a crew down here to clean it up.”
Building Inspector Paul Dawes said it is possible for the state to give the properties to the city in lieu of paying for the grass cutting.
Arceneaux-Mathis said that once the city has the properties in its possession, it could possibly work with organizations like Habitat for Humanity to put the otherwise vacant properties to good use.
Alderman Mark Fortenbery expressed reservation about the idea because of the workload the public works department.
“Public works is already bombarded,” he said. “I am afraid that taking on more stuff will cause more problems.”
The motion passed with all the aldermen except Fortenbery voting in favor of it.
In other news:
4Dillard proposed without a formal motion that the board consider bidding out the mowing work for the recreation department.
Currently, the mowing costs the city approximately $167,000 a year.
“We are paying approximately five times the cost I believe we could contract for to provide the same services,” Dillard said.
The saved funds could be funneled back into the recreation program, he said.
Gray wanted to know if the proposal would ultimately lead to the city laying off the workers who currently do the job.
“If you were going to lay a person off and gain $4,000 to $5,000, I would say it was ridiculous,” Dillard said. “If you’re going to gain $100,000, that’s a new tennis facility. That’s a third of the way to a new pool.”
When Gray responded that he was just concerned about the workers, Middleton said the city could possibly consider lateral transfers for affected employees if Dillard’s proposal became reality.
4The aldermen voted to approve an interlocal agreement between the city, the Adams County Board of Supervisors and the Natchez-Adams School District to create a countywide recreation program.
City Attorney Everett Sanders said a similar agreement was passed in 2003, and that it would essentially lead to the placement of a non-binding initiative on the November ballot polling residents about a proposed recreation complex.
Arceneaux-Mathis voted against the agreement, saying she was not opposed to the project, but that — because the City of Natchez does not have the authority to place anything on the election ballot — the supervisors should be the first ones to pass the agreement so they do not feel pressured into an agreement.
4Isle of Capri Casino General Manager Tony Scuderio presented Youth Build Director Darlene Jones with a check for $5,000.
The former casino manager had made the commitment to the program, and Scuderio said he was making good on that promise.
Comments
Posted by gunther57 (anonymous) on June 24, 2009 at 12:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
you know this is fine and dandy, but WHAT I HEARD THROUGH THE GRAPE VINE IS FAR MORE IMPORTANT.
THE ALDERMEN WANT TO SUSPEND ALL STEP RAISES AND WANT TO TAKE WHAT LITTLE MONEY THEY HAVE AWAY. WHY DONT THE DEMOCRAT DO A STORY ON THAT. WHY TAKE WHAT LITTLE THEY HAVE. OH I KNOW BECAUSE THE ALDERMEN SUCK!!!!!!! I JUST HATE TO SEE FRIENDS THAT DO THIS HARD DANGER JOB NOT GET WHAT THEY DESERVE.
ok i am off my stuff now
Posted by destiny (anonymous) on June 24, 2009 at 6:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Woodhaven drive....when they do get around to it, it will cost three times as much.
Grass cutting; I'll do it for half that price and still make a good living.
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on June 24, 2009 at 6:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If someone falls through that hole, the ensuing court case will cost a lot more than $12,000.
Posted by reneef (anonymous) on June 24, 2009 at 6:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree about Woodhaven Drive.
As for step raises...no one deserves a raise just because they came to work for a year...that is what the paycheck is for.
Raise should be based on performance not attendance.
Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on June 24, 2009 at 6:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
SURELY, the above story was not about OUR mayor and OUR aldermen for the city of Natchez, MS. It must be about some fictional city government in Sometown on the planet of Uranus.
Posted by LOVESNATCHEZ (anonymous) on June 24, 2009 at 7:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Of course RICKY GRAY is against this.... it's Woodhaven!! He sure didn't have a problem with Lewis Drive. One way in and one way out. When someone has an emergency in Woodhaven and the cops, ambulance, firetrucks, etc., can't get in, I hope the resident sues the hell out of the city. It'll cost a whole lot more than $12,000.00.
Ricky Gray would rather keep non productive employees on the payroll than to maintain the city; I guess he owe's some favors.
Posted by beammeupscotty (anonymous) on June 24, 2009 at 7:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Someone tell these alderman they are responsible to all of us not just the ones that work for the city. There better be layoffs befor there is a cut in service. There are too many people on the payroll as political favors, cut them loose.
Posted by kpage1 (anonymous) on June 24, 2009 at 8:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If (and God forbid I hope not) someone gets seriously hurt or killed because of the Woodhaven street, they should specifically name Ricky Gray, along with the city, in the lawsuit (sans Pollard...he tried).
Posted by beammeupscotty (anonymous) on June 24, 2009 at 1:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
From this article I gather that the alderman would rather have employees standing around unable to perform work for lack of funds to purchase what is necessary to repair what is broken.
Posted by 000117 (anonymous) on June 24, 2009 at 1:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I need to do some repairs to my house and I was trying to think where I could get the money in a hurry. Now look what has fallen in to my lap.
Posted by shedevil (anonymous) on June 24, 2009 at 6:02 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by juju (anonymous) on June 24, 2009 at 9:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow shedevil!!!
Posted by shedevil (anonymous) on June 24, 2009 at 11:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I guess the truth hurts !!!!!
Posted by mrmojorisin (anonymous) on June 25, 2009 at 8:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"From this article I gather that the alderman would rather have employees standing around unable to perform work for lack of funds to purchase what is necessary to repair what is broken." ----- BMUScotty
That is probably the most profound statement I've read in a long while. Thank you for your thrifty eloquence. It not only explains our troubles here in Natchez, but I do believe if the entire planet had a nail to drive, you just hit it on the head metaphorically.
----mojo
Posted by friendly (anonymous) on June 25, 2009 at 2:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Concerning the Woodlawn Drive repair, it seems that Ricky Gray is against it, but doesn't know why; he's just against it. Sort of makes you wonder doesn't it? The homes involved have some of the hightest tax payments in the city (no antebellum exemptions there), and pay approxmately $250.00 per month minimum, resulting in OVER $3000.00 per year per home. Just FOUR of the many homes taxes (city/county) would cover the cost of the repair. As usual, let's pretend that the problem is not there, and maybe it will go away, huh? If the average Natchezian ran their life like the B of A runs the city, they would be in total chaos, which seems to be the state of affairs of the city. Makes one think about all the promises the city made those residents when it annexed the area. So much for that, huh? Fix the problem before it gets bigger and more expensive, it will not go away.
Posted by CHall1229 (Christina Hall) on June 25, 2009 at 3:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
As a resident on Duster Drive, which connects to Woodhaven Drive, I hope Mr. Gray is prepared to give out his home and cell number to the people here in our neighborhood. Because when we have a big rain and the road washes out we will need a ride to work, since we will be cut off, so we can continue to pay taxes and pay his salary as an alderman. An alderman who is not the least bit interested in taking care of "all" of the residents of this city.
Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on June 25, 2009 at 6:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well, Christina, I did not know that Ricky was the leader of the BOA with a veto vote on all matters.
It seems to me that Pollard should get off his duster and stop whining.
Come on Pollard, let us see some action and a lot less............
Posted by CHall1229 (Christina Hall) on June 26, 2009 at 7:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I know that Bob Pollard has been out numerous times to look at the situation. Also, in the article you can read where Bob got the bid and brought it before the board. While I do see where Dillard made the motion to table it till the next meeting I don't know everyone else voted. As far as I am concerned Dillard can come help Gray with transporting us. I wonder if any of the Alderman besides Pollard have even been out here? The ground is so dry now that when we finally have a big rain, most of it at first will run off the packed dry soil and head to this culvert area. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that this is a dangerous situation waiting to occur on Woodhaven Drive.
Posted by mrmojorisin (anonymous) on June 26, 2009 at 9:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
---once again, this is typical politics in action...politician inaction...when the road gives way and there is a hole to fix, the emergency team will be called out and it's going to cost a lot more than $12,000 to fix it because the greedy repair company will take advantage of the emergency situation.
If I'm lyin', I'm dyin'................
---mojo
Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on June 26, 2009 at 10:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Pollard should have had a SOLID second to his motion to fix the culvert before the meeting of the BOA! Then, the responsibility would fall to those who opposed his motion.
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