KEMPNER – Tensions were high as annoyed Kempner water customers continued to vent their displeasure over poor water supplies at the Kempner Volunteer Fire Department during the Kempner Water Supply Corporation board meeting Wednesday evening.
About eighty people filled the fire department hall as citizens’ patience with the water company waned and their frustration over yesterday’s meeting with state officials was vented in the Kempner City Council meeting room.
At least three guest speakers called on board members to vacate their posts, and several advocated for elderly and disabled people who are unable to boil or buy drinking water themselves.
Since August 14, customers (members) of the Kempner water supply have been required to boil their water system-wide.
Member Elliot Whittman called on the board to “abstain from its offices and allow the state to take control and oversight.”
Jodi Rumph called on the board to “partner with the city of Kempner so that we can be eligible for many grants” and “provide drinking water for the disabled and elderly.”
Kempner Mayor John Wilkerson addressed the board to represent the interests of his constituents and criticized them for their absence from yesterday’s city council meeting.
“The board said they did not attend the meeting because they have no connection to the city of Kempner… we are connected to the people we both serve when water problems caused local businesses to close and lose money.”
Wilkerson then informed the board that the City of Kempner would no longer provide police service for KWSC meetings for free at taxpayer expense and that the utility company would have to “hire police officers on their own time, just like any other business does.”
“I know it’s not pleasant to take criticism because I’ve had to take it before about the internet and water,” he said, before telling the board that they had missed an opportunity to communicate with the community about the water situation and be transparent.
Nicole Pittaro advocated for her elderly mother, who “hasn’t showered at home in 15 days,” and for her son, who “brushes his teeth with bottled water.”
Pat Caldwell said it was the worst water she had seen in her 72nd year.
“This is not how Americans should live – we are not a third world country,” she said. “I boil the water and it looks disgusting. We have to pay our bills and so do you. Would you pay for something that you don’t get service for?”
Dave Reed was disappointed that the board did not attend the city council meeting with state representatives.
“By not showing up for the council meeting, you have created many enemies,” Reed said. “It was an act of cowardice not to come.”
After angry water customers spoke for nearly an hour, the board began its meeting with two key agenda items: accepting the resignation of its secretary/treasurer and considering a debt surcharge to be added to members’ bills to reduce the water utility’s debt.
Secretary/Treasurer Ric Dominowski resigned to focus on recovering from an upcoming surgery. He urged the crowd to fill out an application in the board office to sit on the board and help make the changes they seek. Director Dan Christy was named Secretary/Treasurer.
After a motion to impose a debt surcharge on members’ monthly bills was nearly postponed amid loud protests from an already angry crowd, directors voted against the surcharge as a possible solution to reduce the water utility’s debt.
