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May 4, 2010

Cullman County Commission and the water department

The Cullman Times

CULLMAN — On Tuesday, April 27, 2010 at a scheduled meeting of the Cullman County Commission, associate Commissioners Doug Williams and Wayne Willingham gave away the Cullman County Water Department. A multi-million dollar water system, paid for by the citizens of Cullman County, given away because THREE men, Wiley Kitchens, Ron Stone and Dennis Haynes, petitioned the commission for it. The petition was prepared by a Birmingham law firm under the direction of the associate commissioners.

This was not on the agenda for consideration and I knew nothing about this matter prior to its presentation from the floor by Mr. Kitchens, former chairman of the commission, at the commission meeting. However, Commissioner Williams stated he had been deeply involved in the effort for over a year. I, along with others at the meeting, asked that the decision on the request be delayed for a month so the public could be informed and we could all have time to study the matter.

The commission meeting was recessed three times to allow time for documents just presented and railroaded through to be recorded at the probate office before additional documents were brought before the commission. The first documents, presented by Mr. Kitchens, created a governmental utility services corporation known as the Governmental Utility Services Corporation of Cullman County.

The second set of documents, presented by Donald Wilbanks and signed by Mr. Wilbanks, Wiley Kitchens and Stan Wood, established the South Cumberland Cooperative District. This also allowed for Mr. Kitchens, Mr. Stone and Mr. Haynes to be placed on the Board for staggered six-year terms.

The third set of documents, introduced by Commissioner Willingham, transferred all assets of the Cullman County Water System to the Cooperative District authority. This also named Stan Wood as director of the district for a four-year term.

 No one was allowed time to read the documents before their passage and recording.  Commissioner Williams and Willingham refused all request for delays and the decision was rammed down our throat, in the same manner Obama’s health care plan was passed. 

I charge both commissioners of being in violation of Alabama’s open meeting act. Secret meetings were held to avoid public knowledge (and my knowledge) of what was being done.  Every effort was made to circumvent my office and to keep me uninformed.

What is the motive behind their efforts? They want to prevent the building of the Duck River Dam Reservoir. Both have shown open opposition to the project since my election when I promised to sign an agreement with the city for Duck River. You may recall the failed Tennessee River project pursued by the associate commissioners at that time.

They have taken control of the water department away from the County Commission and put it under the control of a Board, made up of members who are opposed to the Duck River Dam project. This will prohibit any new County Commission from signing a water contract with the City of Cullman. This newly-formed water board has been given authority to set whatever water rate they desire, authorize a bond issue and build a water treatment plant at Smith Lake, regardless of the cost; $70 million plus!

It has been my intention from the day I was elected that we give our customers all the water they need at the lowest price possible. However, instead of the Commission working together with the city to accomplish this, commissioners Williams and Willingham have done all they could to cause mistrust and generate hostility with the city, the Utility Board and me.

This controversy does have serious, long-reaching repercussions. There will be effects on the poultry and beef industry. Economic development will be effected. New industry will be hesitant to consider an area where the city and county cannot agree on a water source. Each and every citizen of Cullman County, including residents on other water systems, will be affected by this decision made and carried out by the associate commissioners.

I regret having to say this, but, give me someone who will work with me on June 1, and I guarantee the city and county governments will join forces to make our county an even better place to live and work in.

James D. Graves

Chairman, Cullman County Commission





 

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