Tears and Laughter: Wilcox water problems continue

If you want to live off the grid and pretend you are in a third world country, there are places in Wilcox County that are rural enough to allow for such a lifestyle. There is though, it seems, a divide somewhere between where personal choice and responsibility ends and where the local government’s duty to provide begins.

Alabama News Network – Channel 8 out of Montgomery – came down and interviewed people in the Lamison community for a feature that aired July 21. They did an outstanding job of covering the story and talking with the residents in a way that has touched the hearts of everyone who watched. It is extremely sad to see anyone, especially children, living in a home with no running water. It is hard to accept that in 2016, there are still areas that have not yet been connected to a public water system.

This was not Alabama News Network’s first visit to discuss the water issues. They were here in February when the Wilcox County Commission first became split on forming a new water authority and they were here in May when they split down the middle over it again. But their most recent coverage created more reaction. Even an account executive with the network commented publicly that she wanted to start a movement to get water to those without. Other viewers joined her, expressing their interest and willingness to march in protest.

If you are part of a group planning to converge on Lamison and protest the reality of living in remote Wilcox County, you will need to split into groups because there are also residents toward Pine Apple and in the Grampian Hills community not connected with a water system either.

Financially, Wilcox County is broke. The Wilcox County Commission has poor credit. They are not solvent. They cannot borrow any money due to a failed and corrupt past that has been well documented. Therefore a new entity has to be created in order to apply for grants and qualify for loans. That is why a water authority has become necessary.

If it weren’t for the bad credit rating, the commission itself could apply for the federal grant/loan that could potentially pay 45% of the project which is estimated to cost over $5 million. West Dallas County offered to apply for the same grant/loan program, but their proposal was voted down. The mayor of Pine Hill, Roberta Jordan, also approached the Wilcox Commission offering to apply for the grant/loan saying they have the credit and their water pipes are closer to Lamison than those from the Wilcox County system, but her offer was refused.

The commission chairman, John Moton, has explained that the three commissioners – Joey Green, Marion McIntosh, and Ricky Powell – who are not yet willing to vote in favor of forming the authority are all stupid. They claim they do indeed want every resident of the county to have water, but that just promoting a problem unfortunately doesn’t replace the need for critical business judgement. A feasibility study may be necessary in order to determine if the number of residents served by the plan could pay the over $3 million loan portion without affecting the rates of existing water customers in such an already economically suppressed county. Sadly, even if a water authority is formed, it won’t be a quick fix. It will only allow for the grant application to be filed leaving residents without water access few choices but to wait and hope.

Amanda Walker is a columnist with The West Alabama Watchman, Al.com, The Thomasville Times, and The Wilcox Progressive Era. For more information, visit her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AmandaWalker.Columnist.