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Against the odds: Martin County Water chairman bids farewell after years of service
BY LISA STAYTON MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — It is a Tuesday night in mid-September. Martin County Utility Board’s outgoing chairman, Jimmy Don Kerr, is delivering a farewell speech in the same room where he spent years navigating the complexities of the public water and sewer systems. It is a job he was initially reluctant to…
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Martin County Sanitation board navigates financial and infrastructural challenges
BY PHILL BARNETT MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The Martin County Sanitation District (MCSD) board discussed finances and infrastructure in a special session Thursday after canceling the regularly scheduled monthly meeting May 28. Alliance Water Resources personnel were on hand and provided their monthly financial and operational reports. One highlight was a graph that showed a…
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Sewer board sets pumping fee
“We’re grateful for the fiscal court’s support of our sewer system. We know it stinks and we want to fix it. We’re grateful that they were able to help us and pay for that pump so we can get it repaired.” –Craig Miller, Alliance manager BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Sewer customers who…
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Help is on the way for Saltwell sewer lift station
Lafferty announces concrete plan for repair BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — After enduring more than a year of sewer odor and environmental concerns, residents can look forward to a resolution to the beleaguered Saltwell sewer lift station. Martin County Judge/Executive Lon Lafferty has announced a concrete plan to repair the station responsible for leakage…
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Alliance proposes sewer rate increase in Martin County; board leaves decision for later discussions
BY LISA STAYTON MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INÉZ — Alliance Water Resources vice president Tony Sneed traveled from Missouri to recommend a $5 per month sewer rate increase and present the 2024 sewer district budget. Sneed attended the July 27 Martin County Sanitation District board meeting. Sneed told board members that he included the $5 monthly debt…
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Silencing Dissent: A troubling incident at the sanitation board meeting
The recent public comment session at the Martin County Sanitation Board meeting in Inez has highlighted a concerning incident that raises questions about transparency, accountability and the right of citizens to express their grievances. Two residents, Tena Jarrell and Drewie Muncy, came forward to voice their dissatisfaction with the board, citing the fact that they…
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Sewer district, county collaborate
BY LISA STAYTON MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Martin County Sanitation District representatives held a productive meeting with county leaders signaling a renewed commitment to collaboration in completing repairs to the Inez and Tug Valley sewer treatment plants. Jimmy Don Kerr, chairman of the sanitation board, shared details of the meeting during a sanitation board session…
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Corporate socialism
Editor: Hal Rogers recently awarded the Martin County Fiscal Court $3.1 million to “improve the sewer system.” You’d think free money would be heralded with a public announcement and maybe a parade. Instead, it was quietly awarded by the Big Sandy Area Development District (ADD) at a special meeting called Friday (March 31) afternoon meeting. …
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Saltwell sewer lift makes repair list
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Fixing the sewer lift station at Saltwell Road in Inez will become part of the $3.1 million sewer line extension project on New Route 3. Martin County Fiscal Court approved funding and administration agreements for the project during an April 20 meeting, prompting questions from District 1 Magistrate…
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Former County Attorney paid 12 years for sewer service that was never connected
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Former Martin County Attorney Drewie Muncy has paid the Martin County Sanitation District a sewer bill for over 12 years but has never been hooked to the service. Muncy told sewer board members in a meeting April 25 that he had made multiple requests to the district to…
