Sheila Tyson
Posted on 12/17/2011 4:26:35 PM PST by mandaladon
“These people are going to end up rioting about this,” says Sheila Tyson, a community activist in Jefferson County, Ala. “If they let this stuff happen they are going to get the biggest riot the South has ever seen . . . I can see it coming.”
That’s a pretty serious prediction. What could possibly start a riot that big?
She’s talking about the likelihood of Jefferson County increasing its water and sewage bill rates.
Oh. Is it really all that bad?
“If the sewer bill gets higher, my light might get cut off and if I try to catch up the light, my water might get cut off. So we’re in between. We can’t make it like this,” says Tammy Lucas, a Birmingham resident who has been affected by a “financial and political scandal that has brought one of the most deprived communities in America’s south to the point of what some local people believe is collapse,” reports the BBC.
Lucas’ monthly water and sewage rate has managed to quadruple in the past 15 years. Currently, her bill is $150 a month, which she pays for by using her $600 social security check.
“We need to keep the water running because we’re women,” she says. “We need to take baths. I try to pay the sewer bill and the water bill together and then what little I got left I try to put on my lights. I got to have lights.”
One of her Birmingham neighbors, who wished to remain anonymous, has already decided between lights and water: His home now has a porta-potty next to it. Why?
(Excerpt) Read more at theblaze.com ...
Sewage and water rates (on average) have increased faster than inflation because the federal government has demanded that cities replace their “worn-out” sewer facilities to meet federal clean-water standards.............Would Obama policies have anything to do with this?
Men don't?
How deep do you have to go in that area to have your own well? You can pump a whole lot of water for less than $150 per month.
I have not had a bath in over 60 years. (Of course I do shower almost daily).
No, but it's suggested before going into town on Saturday night.
/johnny
In other words, stupid a$$hats voted for stupid a$$hats who, after being told they had to upgrade their water and sewage systems at a cost of $300 million, somehow managed to F@#K it up so badly that they spent over THREE BILLION on it.
And now the a$$hats that voted for the a$$hats now have to pay it off.
-
Just another example of why the right to vote should not EVER be a universal right.
The last time I read a story about Birmingham the water and sewer rates were about $100 per month.
Now they are hyping the story by saying the rates are $300 per month.
Something tells me “The Blaze” is stoking the fire here.
As near as I can tell Birmingham water and sewer rates are not that much out of line with other cities in the USA.
I'm sure this has been repeated across the country.
“Community activist Sheila Tyson, who was mentioned in the above, says soaring water and sewage rates have “traditionally hit the poorest parts of the county hardest” because “wealthier” county residents can afford to instal septic tanks on their property.”
Wealth has nothing to do with it. Septic tanks may not even be allowed if city sewer is available. If they are there are restrictions based on drainfield size and on distance form potable water and elevation. This is not a matter of rich vs poor but of poor financial decisions brought about because of federal mandates.
I’m wondering if they have a cell phone or cable. If she says she just gets $600 SS what’s her rent? How much for food? At that income she should be entitled to some sort of rate reduction (paid for by tax payers of course) - just asking.
That would be Lisa “I’m only black if it benefits me” Jackson.
Don’t know about well drilling prices there but in Washington state it’s running about $45 per foot to drill.
Sheila Tyson
I live in Maryland, Have my own well and the SOB’s tried to tax my friggin septic tank.
Fraud Involving JP Morgan
http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com/2011/07/jefferson-county-alabama-hires.html
Be careful. These are Republicans that were voted in. Alabama is in the top five RED states in the U.S.
Former Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford today was sentenced to 15 years in prison this morning for accepting bribes while serving as president of the Jefferson County Commission by U.S. District Judge Scott Coogler.
I’m in Oregon, outside of the city on a well, & they’re talking about putting a meter & tax on EVERYONE because we use ground water. They will not be happy until they take every penny we have.
Man: That’s high. You folks are getting ripped.
Sounds like a market opportunity for the Port-a-potty and water sellers.
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