Council members Elissa Yount, John Wester, Mary Emma Evans, Bernard Alston and Lonnie Evans joined Henderson Mayor Clem Seifert at Monday evening’s monthly Speak Up Henderson forum, a free-form period for people to address concerns to the city officials.
Attendance and participation were greater than at previous forums. Some highlights were:
– Keisha Wright of 926 Gay St. addressed the assembled members first with a mold concern with her rental home. The property is owned by W&W Properties. Sara Coffey, a candidate for the City Council, also addressed the forum on behalf of Wright. Seifert assured Wright that the city will look into the matter.
– Shirlene Williams-Thorpe of 638 Arch St. spoke regarding a concern with her water bill. She said she believes she is being charged for someone else. She informed the mayor and council members that her bill is $122 a month for one person. The mayor promised to check on the matter, beginning with the meter. Williams-Thorpe also complained that city personnel have “snappy attitudes” when she goes to pay the water bill. Williams-Thorpe also mentioned that there is a lot of shooting in her neighborhood and that no one does anything about it.
– Mary Ann Hargrove of 632 Arch St. entered a complaint regarding no-parking signs on Arch Street. She asked that the signs be enforced. She claimed that even the police drive around the illegally parked cars. Hargrove corroborated Williams-Thorpe’s complaint regarding high water bills. When she asked if a resident could refuse the sanitation aspect of the city service, Seifert informed her that there is no provision to refuse city sanitation service.
Hargrove also raised the issue of vehicles speeding on Arch Street and playing loud music. Seifert responded that the city could monitor traffic on the street by measuring the number of cars and the speed of cars using the street. She went on to describe the condition of the creek in front of her house and asked that a guardrail be placed around it for safety and that the city maintain the creek.
– Lewis Edwards of 2412 Oxford Road, a regular at Speak Up Henderson, addressed the forum regarding an issue with the sanitation portion of his water bill. He contended that a public hearing is required on changes made regarding ordinances that affect the city budget. He informed those present that he wants the city to review and revamp the sanitation issue. He told the mayor and council members that in his estimation the city could save money by reducing labor costs and capital outlay for garbage trucks. Seifert responded that he would like to appoint a committee with mostly citizens to address the issue.