Hit the pause button, please. Improved sewer service is needed in Hamilton County. $3 million for 150 +/- acres of flood plain and wildlife habitat is not the answer. Let's find a better solution.
If WWTA would justify their actions they wouldn’t have to defend themselves against angry mobs like at the recent public meeting. The community wants to work constructively with the county and WWTA. An estimated 500 people
attended that first meeting and it’s early. Numbers will grow.
Reasonable people react reasonably if a modicum of truth is present. County residents (i.e. voters!) have yet to experience that from WWTA. The more covert, the more light of day voters will bring to bear. Can WWTA please provide at least some of the following items before spending $45 million - XX? million of other peoples' money:
Feasibility study
Site selection process, criteria and weighting
Cost/benefit analysis
Financial analysis including funding and repayment
Community impact study
Environmental study
Plant design
Toxicity analysis
Home value diminution analysis
Would you run your household or your business without sharing some basis for your decision making? WWTA’s proposal impacts rate payers AND also other homeowners who neither want or need this plant but are willingly acknowledging the need for more and better service. Is location no big deal? Put it on your street.
Some citizens have alleged multiple Board/Zoning conflicts of interest. I don't know if there is or not, but It should at least be investigated to protect the integrity of the process. Several residents at the recent meeting said they are ready to take legal action to protect their families’ safety and property values. If adults in the room (aka responsible public servants) wrest control of this spiraling issue those lawsuits don’t need to happen and a better solution for all can be found.
Status quo (the Mahan Gap location) doesn't seem acceptable for such a contested issue. We can do better.
Alan Hintz
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I agree that this is a poorly handled deception of those in North Hamilton County. Basically pulling the hood over others' eyes.
Here’s something to think about: Just recently the residents on Lookout Mountain were carefully courted and kept informed of some upcoming plans for sewer work. Planning, meetings and courtesy.
Were the citizens of North Hamilton treated the same way by WWTA? No.
Why not? Well they are ‘up there’, you are ‘down there’. Incredible hypocrisy.
If you want to know exactly what this will bring to the affected area just drive up I-75 N some morning. The hideous smell that greets you just south of the Hiwassee is not from Bowater mostly but from the Bradley County sewage plant. It’s just to the east, a bit off the bridge area.
Make the trip citizens, get a nose full. Get used to it, the fix is in.
Russ Donegan
Hares’ Creek, Bradley County