BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — Water manager Craig Miller has resigned from his position in Martin County. Jimmy Don Kerr, chairman of the Martin County Water District, announced Miller’s resignation during a board meeting March 26, saying Miller left employment with Alliance Water Resources “and will be moving to Hilton Head, South Carolina.”
Miller began Jan. 1, 2020, as manager of the Martin County Water District. This followed the water board’s failure to abide by the Kentucky Public Service Commission’s order to hire a qualified manager, prompting the PSC to order the district to sign a contract with the Missouri-based Alliance.
Kerr lauded Miller’s contributions during his time in the county.
“Craig came here and was able to improve us in a way that I’m not really sure I thought was possible,” Kerr said. “I wish he could have been here tonight, but for reasons, he didn’t feel like he could be here, and I just want to thank him.”
The chairman stated his disappointment in the community.
“Craig’s family and he were never really accepted in our community, and that is very sad,” said Kerr. “I consider myself a Martin Countian from my head to my toes. I say it all the time: I will put our people up against anybody. I have been disappointed in how Craig was received here—and his wife and his kids. He walked into a very, very difficult situation. It was a lot of struggles and he still excelled and he still helped us get to the point we are today.”
Kerr said the district would move on to a new general manager and a new local manager.
“What I hope the public understands is that we need their support. We need to welcome this gentleman that’s coming in here to work,” said Kerr. “He’s a hillbilly as well. He’s from eastern Kentucky.”
In the wake of Miller’s departure, Tony Sneed, Alliance’s director of operations, revealed that Todd Adams, originally from Eastern Kentucky, would be the new division manager.
“We’re really lucky,” Sneed said. “He was the guy we offered the position to in the first place. But if you remember how long it took for the PSC to approve it. His job was wrapping up and he had to take another job. He stayed in touch with us the entire time to see how Martin County was doing. So when this opportunity came, I called him, and he’s dying to get home … I think you’re going to be pleased.”
Alliance is also trying to “get a talented local manager” but did not divulge that person’s name.
“We’re really grateful for what Craig has done here, but we’ll keep moving forward,” added Sneed. “I’m really happy that we were able to fill the spot quickly, not with just anybody but our first choice. He was going to be the DM and Craig was going to be the LM. That was our first plan.”
Sneed announced his own retirement set for July 1, saying Erica Bogenpohl would take on significant responsibilities that include overseeing the completion of the raw water intake project.
According to Sneed, the rental pump and diesel fuel being used to pump water from the Tug River to the Crum Reservoir are costing the water district around $30,000 a month. He is hopeful that the final installation of equipment at the river will occur in July.
Board refunds Fletchers
MCWD refunded $924 to Ronnie and Ginger Fletcher due to Alliance claiming the water tariff required the Fletchers to install a larger meter and tap at their new drive-thru restaurant on Blacklog Road. According to Ronnie, when he requested water service at the location last summer, Craig Miller stated the tariff required all commercial customers to install a 1-inch meter instead of a 5/8”-inch or 3/4”-inch meter and pay “the actual cost” to a tap instead of the flat $1,000.
The Fletchers paid $2,389 for the installation but brought their grievance to the water board meeting in February. Miller, during the February meeting, publicly stated the tariff required a 1-inch meter for all commercial customers, while Kerr and others agreed with him.
Following that meeting, the Fletchers got a copy of the tariff, helping Kerr to see the tariff language.
“The issue that Ronnie had was that nowhere in our tariff or policy does it say that you’re required, if you’re a commercial business, to have a 1-inch meter,” Kerr said last week, immediately suggesting the water board change its policy to require it in the future.
Board member Nina McCoy pointed out that customers with 1-inch meters have to pay a monthly minimum bill for 5,000 gallons, adding more than $30 to the bill.
“It just seems a little unfair to me if they’re not using that amount,” McCoy said.
Ronnie Fletcher reminded the board members that his wife’s restaurant is a small business.
“It is a dream for her to be able to do this,” he said.
Not only did the Fletchers pay the extra $924, but, according to Ronnie, Alliance advised them that they had to install a 1,000-gallon septic tank rather than a 500-gallon.
“That’s another $500 that I could have saved,” said Ronnie. “We’ve got small businesses down here in town struggling. I know a young girl who went to cosmetology school to do hair. Her mom has a building down here in town, and she was going to put her own business in, but she couldn’t afford it partly because of the commercial plumbing fees she was going to be charged.”
Ronnie said the young woman ultimately gave up on the idea of opening a business and is now driving a truck.
“She didn’t have the money to put her own business in,” he said. “And let me tell you something. It strikes a chord with me. We need to keep our youth at home. Let’s see what we can do. Let’s get the fiscal court involved. Let’s get inspectors locally so that we don’t have to rely on Frankfort to build our county. We cannot build our county if we don’t have local people helping local people. We appreciate these people coming in here to help us, but we’ve got to do what we can to support our youth.”
The Fletchers are expecting a grandchild next month, who will be living in Stanton.
Ronnie expressed his gratitude for McCoy’s help.
Ginger Fletcher also talked to the board about a separate issue: the condition in which her residential driveway was left following a recent leak repair on a main line. She provided photographs of her driveway, saying, “It needs to be put back the way it was before. I called the office, and the girls sent someone down because a sinkhole had started. They did come back and fill that in, but it was still leaking, and it is not in great shape.”
Moore says MCWD eliminated taps
Another resident, James Moore of Lovely, also brought concerns to the water board. According to Moore, the water district eliminated two established water taps—one on Route 292 at the former Moore’s Grocery in Lovely and the other at 115 Stepp Branch—during a construction project.
Moore stated the coal company had paid for those taps “years ago” when the mining company sunk people’s water wells in the Lovely area.
“I’m not sure what you’re speaking to,” Kerr said, telling clerk Cassie Moore to put a work order in for Moore.
Moore also questioned the board about a “master meter” at Moore’s Trailer Park on Route 292 south of Lovely, saying the meter was locked and he had no way to check for a leak or to shut off the water in the event of a leak.
Kerr informed Moore that the water district could open the meter, let him look inside and then lock it again. He told Moore that a solution would be for Moore to install a valve on his side of the meter. He stated the meter pit would remain locked.