As I commented yesterday, WTVD 11 came to City Hall Thursday to interview residents, and also the city manager Ray Griffin regarding the new water bill fees. You can see the segment here:
I know they also interviewed more people outside of city hall that are not shown in the video. You can read their article here.
About 400 people have had their water shut off this week, assuming all of those people pay this week, thats a minimum of $150 security deposit, plus $20 late fee x 400 = $68,000. A good chunk of change for the city. But not everyone is able to turn their water on, I’ve also read reports of people having to leave their house to a friends so they can bathe their children because they can’t afford to turn their water back on.
Mr Griffin is right though, residents have been warned about this for months. I personally know that Home in Henderson has posted articles regarding the change, it’s also been in the agenda information we post before each city council meeting. The notice has been posted on the city’s website since September of 2011.
If residents objected to the change, they should have come to the city council meetings and voice their concerns. That’s why we post the agenda information every 2 weeks or so when they have the meetings.
It’s like when the county enacted the zoning ordinance, a month after it was enacted a group wanted to protest the zoning by having an assembly in front of the armory.
You have got to attend these city council and board of commissioner meetings and put in your say regarding any issues. But currently, the meetings are mostly empty, with the attendees being city and county staff and a few reporters. I’m not sure what else we can do here at HiH to promote citizen involvement.
If you have any ideas please share on the Open Lines below
Seeing the picture of city hall reminded me of the “missing” money bag. If that was ever resolved, I missed it. Can anyone tell me if it was ever found?
For those that attend a meeting offer a chance to win a good citizen’s award
elmwood, I have seriously considered starting a movement here on HiH. But I can’t get the name down pat. I want it to be called something like Vance County Residents That Give A Damn. But the acronym doesn’t have a ring to it. I thought about Henderson Area Residents That Give a Damn, but then its HARTGAD which as my last name in it, and I don’t want that. Suggestions?
Everyone Give A Damn! EGAD !
Friday–and what a week! Just read that UNC School of Law has secured US Attorney General Eric Holder forcommencement speech in May. I’ve just lost a ton of respect for UNC. Shame!
The bank bag was “lost” at the County Courthouse–not city hall.
Leave it to the tv stations to air the least intelligent comments by Hendersonians. It is almost a given that the councilors will backtrack on the water dept. changes. Afterall–this is an election year.
I don’t think they will backtrack Prudence, but will give relief to those caught up in the web of change, the always pay on timers that got caught in the new 20 day cycle AND had to pay a deposit with it, not needed for the loyal paying customer. The deposit system needs to stay in place for new customers and for anyone late paying who has a history of late paying. Might need to look at the 20 day cycle too.
Mingo, I’ve never understood how they had the short cycle for years. Is that really legal???
I do know I’ve had to circle date due to keep from a late payment–easy enough for a reminder!
People ignore change until it happens.. then they wanna complain
All, I’ve posted the detail for Monday’s City Council meeting, including the text from Mr Griffin as well on his thoughts. You can find the article here: http://homeinhenderson.com/2012/02/17/city-council-special-meeting-monday-february-20th-at-6pm-regarding-water-bills/
If you want to have a say on this, you NEED to show up at this meeting and participate in the public comments!
Ah, the Courthouse. Time erases all transgressions.
Let me get this straight…..They allow citizens/businesses to go years & years w/o paying taxes with little to no consequence but when poor ole’ Miss Jane was 1 day late on her water bill her water was disconnected and she had to pay over $300+ to get it turned back on? Funny thing is Miss Jane has never had an account with the city of Henderson where she was behing in paying her H20 bill except this instance where she happened to be out of town visiting a relative who had recently had a battle with Cancer!! Where is the empathy for certain accounts…especially those who don’t have a history of being delinquent? You can’t punish the entire city for what has been a lackluster effort in collecting past due water bills! It’s inhumane and I hope I live to see the day when one of these current city officials has the nerve to smile in Miss Jane’s face and ask for her support in an election. I hope she smacks em’ right in the kisser!!! Sleep well you over zealous, egotistical elected officials and when you go to Church tomorrow make sure you pray for the citizens whose lives you have damaged this past week!! Whatever happened to ‘helping thy neighbor’? City council members are disgusting at best and I can’t wait until Election TIme comes b/c some of the ‘smilers & hand shakers’ are going to be surprised that they have been found out to be what they are……LIARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Let’s recall all of the council members and county commissioners until they have the bravery of hauling in all the late property owners who are YEARS behind in paying taxes.
You’re right, Phil. We have known about this policy for months. Like others, it makes me think that those who have a history of paying late need to be sought out. Also, 24 hours is too short. We’ll see how this plays out. Henderson needs to look good on the news and not at all like we appeared today.
Why is the city (and maybe the county) along with their power brokers aggressively seeking authority to shutter a legal and legally operated business, the American’s Best Value Inn? According to the paper the city filed suit to shutter the hotel two days following the paper’s front page article applauding a Christian ministry’s intent to rehabilitate the property. Comparing an operating business to the abandoned and inhabitable Beacon Light Apartments is a ruse. Even the mayor is confused or just not in the loop. On Wednesday (2/15/12) the paper reports that Mayor O’Geary said, “we applaud you for want you are trying to do.” Then two days later the City’s files a suit to stop what he had just applauded?
If crime is the reason as the paper reports, then some Section 8 property owners should take notice. Is there a database of criminal activity that is available for public scrutiny?
So what are the potential reasons for the legal action?
1. Someone didn’t know whose wallet needed some pictures of Ben Franklin on a green paper?
2. Someone didn’t know that only certain religious groups are allowed to establish shelters?
3. Someone not of European or African descent is trying to make a better life for them self?
4. Someone else has a desire for this site and is angered that they may loss their opportunity?
I seen its snowin So skool chillen aint got no worry dat sum rummy be drivin em two skool marm tomara.
This system is starting to produce just enough to make everything look nice in Henderson. Any reports from the county?
Anonymous, are you a product of Vance County Schools or just imitating the majority of their graduates?
Will the County Commissioners follow the lead of the city and charge property owners who refuse to buy water as the city is doing?
I am not surprised that city residents are as unaware of the change in water/sewer billing charges. Based on Saturday’s editorial even the editor of the paper appears unaware of the change.
Did Mayor O’Geary and city council members forget who controls city government or was the mayor just disingenuous in his praise of Reverend Gill’s efforts?
If my name is drawn for the $20 gift certificate to Greenway’s, I will pass it Harry Munn assuming he is found safe and sound.
Michael: What is your vision of our fair city?
Mr. Mojo Risin, what a question.
After observing the workings of the County Commissioners from the peanut gallery and occasionally expressing my views to the Commissioners on some topics I decided I needed some additional enlightenment. So I signed up and paid my admission to the Henderson – Vance County Leadership program specifically to learn more about my chosen hometown. Over the coming months I expect my myopic or hyperopic vision of our fair city and county to come more focused.