Letter: Sewer problem spurs bond issue foe
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I live at the end of Peggy Street about 50 yards from a drainage ditch (Ward’s Creek, I believe). There is a major sewer line buried in the creek bank that ruptured more than five years ago. At times it emits odors so foul we cannot stay outdoors.
One day in May 2004 the ruptured sewer line caused a back-up into two of my closest neighbors’ homes. In one case, sewage overflowed throughout the house, requiring complete interior renovation.
Those neighbors were out of their home for a whole year while the renovation was being done. So-called “liberty” pumps were installed by the city in both of these houses. Liberty pumps will not allow sewage to come into a house, but will divert it to the normal sewer line.
Four times we have had sewage back-ups in the bathtub, shower and toilets of our home: Sept. 22, 2007; Dec. 20 and 30, 2007 (with a house full of company); and June 27, 2008.
On Oct. 25, 2007, I signed papers requesting a liberty pump for my home and have had absolutely no response to this request.
Now, when I go away from home overnight, I remove the main clean-out plug at the back of my house. That way, if there is a sewage back-up while I am gone, I will come home to a yard full of sewage rather than a house full of sewage.
With huge developments such as Perkins Rowe, Rouzan and the Wampold complex across from Baton Rouge Beach, we, the people of Baton Rouge, do not need any more superfluous building to further strain our infrastructure. Only when the sewer behind my house is working properly again will I consider voting for downtown and River Road amenities.
I am sure that the majority of our Baton Rouge citizens have problems of a similarly dire nature that are going uncorrected.
And that is why I am going to vote against the mayor-president’s bond proposal.
Malcolm Wright
retired engineer
Baton Rouge
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Fixing Baton Rouge's sewer problems is part of Mayor Holden's tax proposal. Unfortunately, I fear he thinks that just because there is such a dire need for Baton Rouge to solve its sewer problems, any other wish list items could pass as attachments to the proposal. The voters might possibly pass a tax proposal dedicated solely toward addressing the sewer problems. However, a seperate proposal for an "Audubon Live" attraction would go down in flames on its own. They know that. I am disappointed that the administration would consider jeopardizing a much needed public works project by attaching wish list items to the proposal.
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